• Forestry award for Haryana project
• Train running late
• Vidhan Sabha schedule

• Pregnant woman, husband beaten up
• Gen Malik to visit MD varsity
• Haryana promotions

Haryana earmarks Rs 45 crore for SYL project
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — The Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, today expressed his government's deep concern over the noncompletion of the SYL canal in the Punjab territory. He said the Central Government was being constantly pressurised in this regard. The state government had made a provision of Rs 45 crore for the purpose during the Ninth Plan.

Addressing members of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on the opening day of the budget session here today, he said the government had accorded the highest priority to streamlining the irrigation network. In order to ensure the supply of water at tailends, timely weeding and desilting of irrigation channels had been done. Also, the canal systems were being modernised and theft of water was being checked. To save the state from the fury of floods, the drainage system was being overhauled and systematically improved.

The Governor said his government had laid emphasis on ensuring cleanliness in public life by checking the evil of corruption for which the institution of Lokpal had been created. The Lokpal had the authority to look into complaints even against persons holding the highest office in the state including the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs, Chairmen, Zila Parishads, and officers of state from the Chief Secretary downwards.

Power

Also, the entire power generation, transmission and distribution system had been put on a sound footing to ensure round-the-clock power supply to all kind of consumers in the state. He said the state government had taken concrete steps to add nearly 1200 MW of new capacity in the next 18 months. New projects in the pipeline were 210 MW Panipat Thermal Power Plant Unit-6, 432 MW Faridabad gas-based power plant of National Thermal Power Corporation, 300 MW liquid-fuel based capacity in the private sector and generation enhancement of 270 MW at Panipat Thermal Station and renovation and life extension at Bhakra Power Houses.

He said that the Yamunanagar Thermal Power Project had been revived. Global tenders had been floated for the selection of an independent power producer for a 500 MW thermal power generation station at Yamunanagar and these were being finalised. The work on the project would likely commence during next financial year. Long-term power purchase contracts had been signed with National Thermal Power Corporation for the extension projects for Anta, Auraiya, Unchahar and Rihand which would yield 300 MW power to Haryana in the next two to three years. The process of strengthening the transmission and distribution system was given an added impetus during 1998-99. As against 348 lakh units during the previous year, the daily availability of power this year was 371 lakh units, recording an increase of over 6 per cent.

He pointed out that from the level of annual investment of Rs 287 crore in 1997-98 in the power sector, an investment of Rs 430 crore would be made this year which would go up to Rs 500 crore in 1999-2000. A loan assistance of Rs 2400 crore was got committed from the World Bank and the first tranche of Rs 240 crore was sanctioned in January 1998, which was expected to be received as per the schedule.

The government had announced an attractive policy for generation of power from solar energy, bio-mass waste and from micro and small hydel projects. Some contracts were being finalised under the policy, which aimed at exploiting all possible sources of energy production and attracting private investment for setting up power projects based on non-conventional energy sources.

Crops

He said that rabi crops had been sown in more area than last year despite the fact that prospects for kharif were adversely affected due to unseasonal rains and strong winds during the month of October 1998. The state was expecting to meet the target of 84 lakh tonne of foodgrains during the current rabi season. Taken together the rabi and kharif foodgrains production during the current year was expected to be of the order of 114.42 lakh tonne. In the current rabi season, crop loans of Rs 781.70 crore would be advanced as compared to the actual disbursement of Rs 625.31 crore during the rabi season of 1997-98.

He said that the work to prepare new ration-cards for those living below the poverty line would be completed by April 15, 1999. During the year 1998-99 for both kharif and rabi crops loans and other short-term loans to the tune of Rs 1802 crore had been advanced as against Rs 1293.48 crore in last year.

Describing the establishment of embryo transfer technology for as a significant achievement of the year 1998-99 in developing animals, he said that the frozen semen facility which already existed in 1400 institutions, was being enhanced to all the 2217 veterinary institutions in the state.

A research and application project using tissue culture technology was being set up at Hisar at a total cost of Rs 4.97 crore in an area of 10 acre. A state-level Natural Resources Data Management System Centre at Panchkula had started functioning.

Infrastructure

The industrial infrastructure development policy had been revised to accelerate the pace of development of industry in the state. A provision had now been made for off-the-shelf allotment of plots for industrial projects having an investment of Rs 5 crore and above in high and medium potential zones and Rs 3 crore and above in the low potential zone. The exports from the state would cross the Rs 3000 crore mark in the coming year as against Rs 2961 crore in 1997-98. The prestigious industrial modern township was being developed at Manesar. Since the commencement of economic liberalisation and delicensing policy of the government of India, 2177 industrial entrepreneur memoranda had been filed for setting up of industrial units in the state which might catalyse an investment of Rs 22715 crore. Out of these, 969 industrial entrepreneur memoranda had been actually implemented.

He said that the rural women empowerment and development project had been started at a total cost of Rs 16.88 crore in Sonepat district and would also be extended to Jind and Bhiwani.

A sum of Rs 75.61 crore had been provided for the Mewat Development Board during the Ninth Plan. A provision of Rs 31.30 crore had been made for the Shivalik Development Board in the Ninth Plan.

Congress to support any no-trust move
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Jan 28 — The state Congress president, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said today that his party would support any other group willing to bring a no-confidence motion against the Bansi Lal Government in the Assembly.

Mr Hooda, who was talking to mediapersons here, said a senior party leader, whose name he refused to disclose, had been entrusted with the task of coordinating with other parties and independent MLAs to seek their support to topple the Bansi Lal Government. (An agency report, however, said the senior party leader was Mr Khurshid Ahmed.)

The move to support other groups in bringing the no-confidence motion in the Assembly was limited to only bringing down the government, he said adding that his party was in favour of elections.

He disclosed that 12 Congress legislators of the state led by the Deputy Leader of the party's Legislature wing, Ms Kartar Devi, gave a memorandum to the Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, requesting him not to read the Address prepared by the ruling party. The Address, he said, would give a false picture about the state.

The delegation of the legislators requested the Governor go through their memorandum if it was not constitutionally possible for him to accede their demand, he said.

Answering the queries about dissidents in the party, he claimed that all partymen were working as a group to make the padyatra, scheduled for February 1 from here, a success. He claimed that the rally being organised at Jind on February 13 would reveal their strength.

Dr Ram Parkash, general secretary of the state Congress unit, said the padyatra was aimed at revitalising the district and block units.

Asked about the dissidents joining the padyatra, he said invitations had been sent to all. He, however, parried questions about the stand of the Bhajan Lal camp on the rally being organised at Jind.

Mr Dinesh Gupta, Mr Mohinder Singh, state NSUI chief, Mr Krishan Nanha, president of the city unit of the Congress Committee; and Ms Usha Sharma, who recently joined the party, were the others present.

CPI to protest against price rise
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Jan 28 — The Haryana state council of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has decided to launch a four-day satyagraha from February 15 to 18 at all district headquarters in the state to register its protest against wrong economic policies of the Centre, price rise and the deteriorating law and order situation in Haryana.

Mr Raghbir Singh Chaudhary, Secretary, state unit of the CPI told mediapersons here today that the party workers would stage dharna from February 1 to 6 at all the tehsil and sub-divisional headquarters to mobilise the people and party workers for joining the satyagraha. The leaders of the party would also address the rallies on this occasion.

The CPI leader protested against the non-payment of compensation to the farmers whose crops had been damaged by untimely rain and storms in October last year. He charged the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal with adopting the anti-farmer and anti worker attitude and alleged that Mr Bansi Lal's repeated announcements about the payment of compensation to the rain-hit farmers had been misleading.

He demanded preparations of fresh list as the lists of persons living below the poverty line, prepared by the state government, were full of irregularities and most of the names had not been included in these lists. He also demanded giving of subsidised rations to them on the ration cards.

Mr Chaudhary, urged the Haryana Government to provide new ration cards to the slum dwellers at Faridabad and Panipat to enable them to get the supply of rationed as well as essential commodities at the subsidised rates.

Probe sought into undertrials' deaths
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Jan 28 — Twelve undertrial prisoners have died in the district jail here in the past few months.

Certain prisoners, who expired in the jail premises, were accused of murder.

Although causes of deaths are stated to be different diseases in the official records, certain organisations affiliated to the Human Rights Commission have demanded a high level inquiry into the causes of deaths.

Ram Babu, accused of killing nearly six minor girls after rape, in Bahadurgarh subdivision, was battered to death by another undertrial prisoner in the jail on August 15 last.

Ramkaran (85), a murder accused, died on September 6 last. He reportedly was suffering from TB, Satte (40) accused of selling drugs, died on September 19, Amta Devi, an undertrial under Section 304 (B), expired on October 10. The cause of death is said to be heart attack.

A three-month-old infant, Aakash, grandson of the deceased Atma Devi, died in the jail on October 26, due to lack of attention and malnutrition. At many times no police guard was available to the infant to take him to the hospital for treatment.

Murder accused Sher Singh died on April 7 last. Kishan Lal, who was lodged in the jail on the charge of selling drugs, expired on June 22 last. He was reportedly suffering from TB, another murder accused Shiv Narayan died on October 18.

Ram Chand who died in the jail on January 24, 99 was arrested on January 14 on the charge of selling drugs. He fell sick and was admitted into the PGIMS on January 20.

The jail has a capacity of 360 prisoners while at present, nearly 1400 undertrials have been housed here. The undertrials have repeatedly complained against over crowding in barracks.

They also alleged that they were provided with stale food. The food was allegedly prepared several hours before the meals due to overcrowding. No separate section and facility have reportedly been provided for the infants lodged in the jail for the crimes committed by their parents.

They are made to spend winter nights on the cemented floor as no cots have been provided to them nearly 10 babies have been lodged in the district jail at present.

Minister's behaviour irks residents
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Jan 28 — The district unit of the Bharat Vikas Parishad today condemned the alleged misbehaviour of the Haryana Town and Country Planning and Urban Estate Minister, Mr Siri Kishan Dass, with the members of its delegation who called on him here on Republic Day and said the conduct of the minister with respectable citizens was deplorable.

In a press release, it pointed out that the members of the deputation had called on the minister only to apprise him of the insanitary conditions prevailing in the city, poor conditions of the city's roads and lack of civic amenities and they wanted to seek his intervention in the matter so that he could ask the district authorities to take steps in this regard.

The parishad alleged that instead of taking serious note of the complaint made by the citizens, the minister not only used abusive language but asked them to reject the election of an Independent MLA who had failed to cooperative with the ruling HVP-BJP alliance government, led by Mr Bansi Lal and to meet the demands of the people.

It demanded an apology from the minister and warned that if failed to do so, the parishad would be left with no alternative but to launch a gherao when he visited Sonepat next.

Meanwhile, representatives of various political, social, religious and voluntary organisations held a joint meeting here today and adopted a resolution urging the Chief Minister, the minister who, it was alleged, had adopted the anti-people attitude.

Truck thieves held, murder cases solved
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Jan 27 — The police claim to have busted an inter-state gang of vehicle thieves with the arrest of Surjit Singh, alias Satnam Singh, alias Pappu, and his accomplice Jarnail Singh, alias Billa, both residents of Thanesar city.

Stating this here yesterday, the district police chief, Mr Shrikant Jadhav, said that following their arrest, the police had succeeded in tracing four cases comprising two cases of murder and two cases of truck being taken away after murdering the truck drivers. The police had also succeeded in recovering two trucks from them.

Talking about the modus operandi of the gang members, Mr Jadhav said the gang members used to strike friendship with the truck drivers, drink liquor with them, travel with them for some distance and then murder the truck driver and flee with their trucks.

Mr Jadhav said during interrogation Surjit Singh, alias, Satnam Singh, alias Pappu, and his accomplice Jarnail Singh alias Billa who had been arrested under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC, told the police that they had taken away a truck HR02-A7835 (fictitious number) with its real number DL1GA7378 on Divali from near the Ghaziabad border after killing the driver. They threw away the dead body of the driver in ditches after leaving Bahalgarh.

The police chief further said they also told the police that they had taken away another truck number UP-14-5022 from near Lal Kuan Ghaziabad and after killing the truck driver. They threw the dead body near Sikandrabad.

A case of murder had been registered against them at Thana Rai in Sonepat district while another case of murder and dacoity had been registered at Sikandrabad thana. More cases are expected to be traced, Mr Jadhav added.

Teachers’ body for change in aid rules
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Jan 28 — Concerned over the problems regarding the arbitrary attitude of the managements of aided schools, the late payment of salaries to its teachers and employees, the payment of arrears to teachers, the Haryana Aided Schools Adhyapak Sangh, has sought a change in the present procedure of aid and payment.

The state general secretary of the sangh, Mr Brijpal Sharma said here yesterday that even though the state government had announced new pay scales according to the recommendation of the Fifth Pay Commission yet these had become abeyant due to the inexplicit aid policy. Mr Sharma said the staff in many schools had not been paid salary for the past 8 months to two years. He said the managements of most of the schools were finding it difficult to pay the old pay scales.

Mr Sharma said there were several shortcomings in the procedure of paying salaries on the basis of the aid fixed by the government which needed immediate solution. The sangh had sought a change in the payment policy many a times but nothing had been done.

Benefits for govt staff
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — The address of the Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, to the Vidhan Sabha today revealed that the ever-agitating government employees had been given financial benefits almost equal to an annual Plan outlay of the state on account of the Fifth Pay Commission’s recommendations.

He said the government had revised the pay-scales of its employees on the pattern of Government of India with effect from January 1, 1996. Financial benefits of about Rs 1792 crore had been given to the employees and those of the aided educational institutions on account of revised pay, pensions, allowances, grant of bonus and dearness allowance instalments.

His government had also extended the benefits of revised pay-scales to the employees of public sector undertakings and cooperative institutions during the current year which would cost another Rs 143 crore. During the current year, rates of allowances like house rent allowance, city compensatory allowance, medical allowance and travelling allowance had been revised. His government had raised the limit of maximum leave encashment on retirement from 240 days to 300 days.

Bar extends stir till Feb 4
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Jan 28 — The District Bar Association has extended its strike till February 4, in protest against the murder of Mr Atma Ram Dhayal, a lawyer, on January 16 on the court premises.

A decision to this effect was taken at the general body meeting of the association held yesterday.

The association in a resolution demanded the immediate transfer of the SP Mr Manjit Singh Ahlawat, and the registration of a case under Section 120-B against the SHO of Adampur police station after suspending him.

It was also decided that a five-member committee constituted in this matter would meet the Haryana Chief Minister to demand for the transfer of the SP, Hisar, and the registration of a case against the SHO of Adampur police station.

The committee may submit its report to the association on February 4.

Punjabi writers meet at KU
From Our Correspondent

KURUKSHETRA, Jan 28 — The Punjabi Department of Kurukshetra University organised an International "Sahitya" programme here yesterday.

Poets and writers from Canada, Germany, England and Moscow participated in the programme.

The Dean, Students Welfare, of the varsity, Mr S.K. Singh, in role of NRI Punjabi writers appreciated the promoting Punjabi language and Indian culture.

Navtej Bharti from Canada, Ajmer Rode from Canada, Pritam Sidhu from England, Rajvinder Singh from Germany and Ms Ludmanala from Moscow were also among the participants.

Prof A.S. Kaang of the Punjabi Department thanked the Vice-Chancellor for giving priority to Punjabi language.

Read our memo, urge Cong leaders
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — The Haryana Congress legislators, at a meeting held here this morning, authorised a senior member of the party to forge floor coordination at the right time to help the fall of the HVP-BJP Government during the budget session.

The senior member has also been authorised to offer cooperation to any non-communal and non-casteist group to bring down the government.

Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, who also accompanied a deputation of the party to the Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, told TNS that his party was maintaining equidistance from the HVP-BJP combine and the Lok Dal for setting up an alternative government after the present government's collapse.

The legislators requested Mr Prasad not to read the address prepared by the HVP-BJP Government in the Vidhan Sabha as this would not represent the true picture of the state. They also requested that if it was not possible for the Governor to agree to their request then their memorandum which they handed over to him should be read along with the Governor's address.

Forestry award for Haryana project
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — An ambitious afforestation programme launched in the Aravalli Hills has resulted in enhancing the forest cover from nearly 2,201 hectares in 1990 to 31,886 hectares today, according to a report of the Haryana State Remote Sensing and Application Centre (HARSAC), Hisar. Also, 38,050 hectares of land had been covered under vegetative rehabilitation.

Stating this here yesterday, the Haryana Minister of State for Forests, Mr Jagdish Yadav, said the national forestry award, "Indira Priyadarshni Vrikshamitra Award", had been given to the project. Also, the project was regularly inspected by national and international teams from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the International Development Association.

The government was now planning to approach the European Union for financing the second phase of the project. The European Union had sanctioned another project, "Community Forestry Project", for other districts of the state and committed nearly Rs 126 crore as grant-in-aid.

Pregnant woman, husband beaten up
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Jan 28 — A pregnant woman reportedly had a miscarriage when she and her husband were allegedly beaten up by three persons at Ismaila village in the district on Monday.

In a complaint lodged with the police, Sunita, a resident of Ismaila village, said three youths — Jasbir, Satbir and Sunil — allegedly beat her husband and her over an old dispute. She claimed that as a result of the beating, her foetus was injured and she suffered a miscarriage.

The police has booked a case under Sections 316, 323 and 452 of the IPC. No arrest has been made.

Meanwhile, in another incident, the police seized an unlicensed country-made revolver from Ramesh, a resident of Chawla colony here. He was arrested near Chamarian village. A case under the Arms Act has been booked against him.

In a third incident, the police registered a case under Section 354 of the IPC against Krishan of Bamdoli village of Bahadurgarh subdivision in Jhajjar district, in connection with alleged abduction of a five and a half- year-old daughter of a villager.

Train running late
From Our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Jan 28 — The Farrukha Express has of late been running five hours to 24 hours behind schedule, while on some days it stands cancelled.

This train was initially run from Bhiwani to Lucknow but was later extended to Malda town and its name was changed to Farrukha Express.

The train benefited a large number of people, including Army men posted in Hisar, Ferozepore, and Sirsa cantonments and the border areas of the state.

However, the train's erratic schedule is causing inconvenience to the people, especially the Army jawans and officers who have to travel to Calcutta, Lucknow, Bihar, etc.

According to railway sources during January, the Farrukha Express, was late by 24 hours on six days, by four to 10 hours on 15 days and on seven days it was cancelled.

Gen Malik to visit MD varsity
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Jan 28 — Chief of the Army Staff Gen V.P. Malik will visit the MD University here on February 10 to deliver a lecture on "transitions in the Indian Army for 21st century".

The Vice-Chancellor, Lt-Gen retd, O.P. Kaushik said that prominent persons and intellectuals would also be invited to attend the lecture and meet Gen Malik.

Vidhan Sabha schedule
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — The Business Advisory Committee of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha today decided that the Vidhan Sabha while be in session between January 29 and February 12 and will meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. and adjourn at 6.30 p.m. On Fridays the House would start at 10 a. m. and adjourn at 2 p.m.

This is perhaps, for the first time that the committee has chosen to meet in the afternoon for the weekdays' sittings.

Haryana promotions
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 28 — The Haryana Government has promoted the Managing Director of Haryana Tourism Corporation, Mrs Keshni Anand Arora, from Joint Secretary to Commissioner's rank

Five other IAS officers, Mr Y.S. Malik, Mr Rajan Gupta, Mr R.R. Fuliya, Mr Sarban Singh and Mrs Manju Gupta, have also been promoted from the rank of Joint Secretary to that of a Commissioner.