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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Friday, November 12, 1999 |
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Haryana woos investors BJP opposed to mid-term poll |
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Centre gives Haryana 8 lakh tonnes
of urea Sonepat fire: one more dies of
burns
PRIA adopts 27 Rattia villages
4 armed robbers take away car Hearing on doctors’ bail plea
today |
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Industrial policy approved CHANDIGARH, Nov 11 — The fixation of a time schedule for various departments to accord necessary sanctions and approvals and the minimisation of the "Inspector raj" are among the highlights of the new industrial policy of Haryana which was approved by the state Cabinet here today. The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, said that the new policy aimed at increasing the share of industry in the net and gross state domestic product by attracting new investments and growth of the existing industry besides increasing employment in industrial and allied sectors by 20 per cent in the next five years. The government would set up an Economic Development Board (EDB) under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister for overall and integrated development of the state. It will act as the supreme body overseeing infrastructure initiatives. An empowered committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to monitor the implementation of the industrial policy and for achieving its objectives. The Industrial Assistance Group (IAG) will be suitably strengthened and restructured to act as the nodal institution for providing assistance to investors, escort services for venture location, information on investment policies, procedures and clearances. A standing committee will also be constituted to include representatives of various industries associations to study the existing laws and procedures and suggest modifications and alterations to eliminate delay. The industrial policy has been drafted by a three-member group headed by the Managing Director of the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC), Dr Harbaksh Singh, under the overall supervision of the Commissioner, Industries, Mr P.K. Chaudhry. The other two members are Mr P.K. Gupta, Managing Director of the Haryana Financial Corporation; and Mrs Keshni Anand Arora, Special Secretary, Industries. According to informed sources, the state’s bureaucratic machinery entrusted with the industrial development has already succeeded in inviting a very big project to the state. A Japanese authomobile giant, Honda, has agreed to set up a project at Manesar, near Gurgaon. The project will involve foreign direct investment (FDI) of Rs 500 crore. The HSIDC will formally sign an agreement with the Japanese company for allotment of land to it at Manesar. The policy says that a system of deemed clearance and approval for speedy implementation of projects will be adopted. Wherever the provision for deemed clearance exists, the certificate of deemed clearance shall be issued by the single window service for projects having fixed capital investment (FCI) up to Rs 30 crore. For projects having FCI of Rs 30 crore and more, such certificates shall be issued by the IAG. The procedure governing NOCs and consents from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board will be streamlined. Industries other than in the 17 highly polluting categories, 19 polluting industries and the large and medium industries have been taken out of the consent mechanism. IT industries in large and medium categories set up within the approved industrial estates and having sewer connection will also be taken outside the consent mechanism An Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) is also proposed which will act as a catalyst for mobilising and channelising private resources into infrastructure development of the state. The fund will be constituted out of resources to be raised by the government and will have the option for insitutional and private sector participation. It will be managed with advisory assistance from an independent professional body. Paying special attention to the problem of change of land use (CLU) in controlled areas, the policy says a task force of the Industries and the Town and Country Planning departments will be set up to identify areas in the state which will be notified as industrial zones. Henceforth all cases CLU for industrial purpose shall be dealt within the Industries department. The permission for CLU in designated industrial zones will be given by the Director of Industries with a provision of appeal to the Commissioner of Industries. Industrial estates will be categorised according to the level of infrastructure and will be priced accordingly. There will be off-the-shelf and across the table allotment of industrial plots. Thus, there will be no open auction of plots. In new industrial estates, growth centres and IIDCs, 10 per cent plots will be reserved for NRIs and 10 per cent for export-oriented units with at least 33 per cent export orders and units having a minimum foreign equity of 33 per cent. Sales tax concessions would be available to new units on a graded scale or on a fixed slab scale at the option of the eligible unit. All new units will be exempted from the payment of electricity duty for five years. The units undergoing expansion or diversification will also be eligible for ST concessions. No industrial unit financed by the state institutions will be charged penal interest if it satisfied the management that the default was not wilful. To improve the performance of small and medium units and to enable them to compete globally, a small and medium enterprises renewal fund will be set up for technology upgradation. For this a levy of 5 per cent will be imposed on the sale price of industrial plots. The policy has
identified electronics, information technology,
telecommunications, automobiles and automotive
components, agro-based and food processing industries,
handloom, hosiery, textile and garments, and export
oriented units as the thrust area. |
Pension for all above 60 CHANDIGARH, Nov 11 — The Haryana Cabinet, which met here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, approved the Lokayukta Bill which will replace the Lakayukta Act, 1997. The Bill will be placed before the Vidhan Sabha. It may be recalled that the 1997 Act was repealed by the Chautala Government, citing various lacunae in the Act. An expert committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Justice G.S. Chahal, a former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to prepare the Lokayukta Bill. The committee gave its report early this week. The Cabinet also approved five draft Bills seeking amendments to the Haryana Municipal Act, 1973, Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963. The Cabinet decided to liberalise the old age pension scheme to bring it on the lines of the scheme launched by Mr Devi Lal in 1987. Now the pension would be given to all those who would be 60 or above. However, the Cabinet retained the clauses to keep the creamy layer of society out of the purview of the scheme. A State guarantee was given for loan to the Haryana Harijan Kalyan Nigam from the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation. On the request of the
Chief of the Army Staff, the Cabinet allotted 27 acres of
land to the Army Welfare Housing Organisation in Gurgaon
for resettlement of soldiers and widows of the martyrs. |
BJP opposed to mid-term poll ROHTAK, Nov 11 — The BJP is opposed to a mid-term poll and reiterated that the Vidhan Sabha should complete its five-year term. The party in a resolution, adopted at a meeting of MLAs, MPs, state executive members and office-bearers held here today, said that as the national policy of the BJP, the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha should complete their full terms. The meeting was attended among others by Mr Om Parkash Grover, state unit chief, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, leader of the BJP legislature group and Mr I.D. Swami, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs. Mr Ram Bilas Sharma told The Tribune that the meeting was attended by 11 MLAs and all five MPs. Mr Anand Sharma, MLA, Ballabgarh, could not participate due to illness. He, however, hastened to add that the BJP was not afraid of elections but it wanted that the assembly should complete its five-year term. The meeting also thanked Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for allocating an additional 15 lakh units to Haryana to tide over the power crisis partially and help the farmers in sowing the rabi crop. Mr Sharma denied that the BJP was distancing itself from the INLD in Haryana. He said BJP MLAs and other leaders could not attend the oath-taking ceremony as they were not informed by the government. Asked to comment on the induction of four HVP MLAs into the Cabinet on November 6, he said his party was not consulted. The BJP leader pleaded for continuing power reforms and advised the Chief Minister to consult experts in the power sector. He said all MLAs should be taken into confidence on the issue. Mr Sharma conceded that the state was reeling under severe power shortage and asked the HVPN to concentrate on improving power generation and distribution systems. The BJP, he said, would continue to support the government in solving problems like power shortage and law and order. He was of the view that the Chief Minister should take those parties and persons into confidence who had helped him in coming to power. The meeting also
discussed measures to make the proposed "shakti
sammelan" on November 21, a success. The sammellan
is likely to be addressed among others by the Union Home
Minister L.K. Advani and Himachal Chief Minister, Prem
Kumar Dhumal. |
Delete Rajiv's name, says Cong
memo CHANDIGARH, Nov 11 — The Haryana Congress today demanded the deletion of the name of former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi from the charge sheet filed by the CBI in the Bofors case. A party delegation led by the Pradesh Congress chief, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, today, requesting him to convey the demand to the President. The memorandum said the timing and manner in which the name of Rajiv Gandhi had been dragged into the charge sheet was nothing but a crude attempt to denigrate a great leader who sacrificed his life to protect the interests of the nation. The Congress said there was not even a shred of evidence against the late Prime Minister and the entire act was mala fide and politically motivated. The memorandum added that a Joint Parliamentary Committee consisiting of representatives of all political parties had gone into the matter and had absolved Rajiv Gandhi and his family in its report saying that there was no evidence of any alleged pay-off against him and his family members. For the past 13 years no investigating agency has been able to provide evidence of his indulging in any corrupt practice and even in the charge sheet submitted recently, the CBI has not alleged that Rajiv Gandhi had received any money from the Bofors company for the purchase of guns, the memorandum said. It further said the only allegation made in the charge sheet related to an alleged criminal conspiracy, leading to pecuniary benefit to some persons at the cost of the exchequer. Earlier, Congressmen, including PCC office-bearers, former MLAs, heads of frontal organisations and AICC members from Haryana staged a dharna at the crossing of Sectors 5,9, 8 and 4. Those who met the Governor included the acting leader of the CLP, Mrs Kartar Devi; Mr Sultan Singh, a former HPCC chief, Mr Harpal Singh and Mr. Birender Singh, legislators; Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav (retd), Mr Dillu Ram, Mr. Chander Mohan, Mr Khursheed Ahmed, Mr Dev Raj Dewan, a former MP and Mr Chiranji Lal Sharma. Meanwhile, the Congress
Legislature Party has endorsed the party's proposal to
bring a no-confidence motion during the Vidhan Sabha
session beginning on November 15. The party lent its
approval to two HVP(D) MLAs, Mr Jagannath and Dr
Dharamvir Yadav,s entry into the Congress. |
Badal assures cooperation with
HP, Haryana SHAHBAD MARKANDA, Nov 11 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, here today assured the people of the region that Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh would work in cooperation for the welfare of the people of these states. He further assured that Punjab was ready to cooperate with these two states and work in coordination. Mr Badal was addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone of Miri-Piri Medical College and Research Institute here. The college is being built by the SGPC. Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister of Haryana, was also present. Mr Badal said there was no atmosphere of goodwill in all three states as well as at Centre because the governments everywhere had a common goal. He blamed the Congress for most of the problems and mutual differences between the states. It was so as the Congress believed in divide and rule policy, he alleged. Mr Badal further said both Punjab and Haryana would take steps to make the two states prosperous. He admitted that there were certain complex problems which needed time to solve. But he said that problems like joint road construction, drainage etc between the two states would be removed soon. Mr Badal, however, made no mention of contentious issues like construction of the SYL Canal and the issue of Chandigarh between the two states. Talking about the problems of the farmers of the two states, Mr Badal said that pressure on land should be decreased. He also wanted that both Punjab and Haryana should create more avenues of employment for the youth. He praised the women of the two states for contributing their might for making the two states prosperous. While pleading for 30 per cent reservataion for women in Parliament and state Assemblies, Mr Badal regretted that the per capita income in India was the lowest. People still were short of better health services, roads and schools. He blamed the misrule of the Congress government for these basic shortage. Mr Badal assured all financial help to the medical college which would be completed within two years. Mr Om Prakash Chautala regretted that the Haryana farmers had suffered losses in paddy crop this year. He maintained that there were no buyers of basmati in Haryana. Mr Chautala said he would meet and appeal to the Prime Minister for providing better rates of produce to the farmers. He would also ask for providing more power and water facilities to the farmers in Haryana. He said that it was a common cause for both Punjab and Haryana. He had sought the cooperation of Mr Badal to make a joint appeal to the Prime Minister in this respect. Mr Chautala assured all help to the medical college here. Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of SGPC, who was also present, called for better cooordination between the governments of Punjab and Haryana to serve the people in a better manner. She said that the total cost of the medical college project had been estimated to be Rs 70 crore. The SGPC would take all steps to construct a 300-bed hospital, a dental college and a medical college here. Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Damdama Sahib, stated that the college was dedicated to the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev. The effort behind was to provide better medical care to humanity. Others, who addressed
the gathering included, Mr Ashok Arora, Speaker of
Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Mrs Kailash Saini, M.P , Mr Kapur
Chand, MLA and Bibi Kartar Kaur, Member of the SGPC from
Haryana. |
Centre gives Haryana 8 lakh
tonnes CHANDIGARH, Nov 11 — The Haryana Government has made available 4.96 lakh quintals of certified seeds for different rabi crops. It has been allocated 8 lakh metric tonnes of urea by the Central Government. The Commissioner, Agriculture, Mr Naseem Ahmad, in a press note here today said that arrangements had been made for adequate supply of the DAP, phosphatic and potassic fertilisers. The CCS Agricultural University, Hisar, had identified three new alternative weedicides as the phalaris minor (mandusi) weed had developed resistance against Isoproturon which is till now the most commonly used weedicide, and these new weedicides were available in adequate quantity for rice-wheat rotataion areas The Managing Director of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN), Mr Sameer Mathur, said the HVPN was already supplying 56 per cent of the available power to the farm sector and arrangements had been made to buy 15 lakh units of power from the Punjab State Electricity Board from November 15. The press note said the Chief minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, who reviewed the arrangements of inputs for the rabi season at a meeting yesterday has directed the Irrigation department to ensure adequate supply of water at the tailends for timely sowing of rabi crops and sprinkler sets available with the department should be used in sandy areas. The Registrar,
Cooperative Societies, Mr Krishan Mohan, informed that a
target to disburse Rs 1076 crore as crop loan in the
current season had been fixed. |
Sonepat fire: one more dies of
burns ROHTAK, Nov 11 — The death toll in the November 6 fire tragedy in Sonepat rose to 47 today with the death of Pinky, one of the injured admitted at the local Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS). She had sustained about 45 per cent burns injuries. The victim was shifted to the PGIMS on Saturday along with two other victims. Her husband, Vijay Pal, and her nephew had also perished in the fire. A niece of the deceased
aged about six years is also battling for life in
hospital. She had also suffered 45 per cent burns. |
University employee suspended for ROHTAK, Nov 11 — The Vice Chancellor, Maharshi Dayanand University, Lt-Gen O.P. Kaushik (retd), today suspended Samir Dalal, a computer operator, on charges of sexually harassing Ms Anita Garg, a system analyst. Ajay Wadhwa, a technical assistant in the Computer Department has also been suspended for giving false statement to help Samir Dalal. Ms Anita Garg, in her complaint to the Vice Chancellor had alleged that Samir Dalal had, on September 30, threatened her and used abusive language against her in the presence of other colleagues. The Vice Chancellor asked the Registrar, Mr Ashok Khemka, to inquire into the incident and submit report at the earliest. Mr Khemka recommended action against the computer operator. He reportedly told the Vice Chancellor that Ajay Wadhwa, technical assistant, in the department had falsely deposed to help his friend, and recommended action against him too. Mr Khemka, in his report, reportedly relied on the statement of an independent witness, a woman ad hoc employee, of the department. The Registrar, it is
learnt, has recommended the setting up a special
committee of women to look into harassment of women
employees, both, teaching and non-teaching, as had been
directed by the apex court. |
PRIA adopts 27 Rattia
villages FATEHABAD, Nov 11 — "PRIA" — a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) working on the proper functioning of the Panchayati Raj institutions in the country, has adopted Rattia subdivision of this district under its project. Fatehabad has become the second district in the state after Rohtak, where PRIA has set up its office. The organisation has already adopted six districts in Himachal Pradesh, 10 in Uttar Pradesh and three in Rajasthan. District Co-ordinator of PRIA, Dr Suman, briefed mediapersons at the District Development and Panchayat Office here today about the aims and objectives of her organisation. The DDPO Mr V.S. Malik, was also present on the occasion. Dr Suman said the PRIA had initially adopted 27 out of a total of 45 villages of Rattia block. These would serve as model village for the project, which would be taken up in whole of the district later. She said the organisation planned to set up five Village Information Centres (VICs) in these villages. One such VIC had already been opened at Badalgarh village and four other VICs would be opened at Marh, Kunal, Alika and Pilchhian villages very soon. These VICs would provide information about government schemes and the provisions of the Panchayati Raj Act to the villagers particularly women and the Dalits. These centres would play an important role in educating the villagers about their rights. She also said after some time micro planning projects would be taken up in the villages and PRIA would provide four times the amount collected by the villages for any kind of development work in the village. The money would be channeled through the Panchayat Department. Dr Suman said after
identifying the villages to be taken up for the project,
she had ensured that Mahila Mandals were set up in all
these villages. PRIA plans to organise a Mahila Sammelan
at Fatehabad sometime in December. |
Son kills mother SIRSA, Nov 11 — Mrs Amarjeet Kaur of Mangeena village in Sirsa district was reportedly murdered with a sharp-edged weapon by her minor son yesterday. According to informed sources she was married to Jagga Singh age about 20 years ago and had a son. The sources claimed that she developed illicit relations with Sadhu Singh, a farmer of the same village a few years ago which was objected by her husband and her son Harnek Singh. Harnek Singh, a class X student visited the house of Sadhu Singh where he found his mother. He killed her with a sharp-edged weapon. Sadhu Singh disappeared from spot. The police has
registered a case under Section 302, IPC, against Harnek
Singh and is investigating. |
4 armed robbers take away
car REWARI, Nov 11 — Four armed persons stole a new car from a trailer near the level crossing at Rudh village on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, about 18 km from here, yesterday. The theft took place when the vehicle (HR 38-9081) carrying five new Maruti cars broke down near the level crossing and its driver had gone to the nearby Bawal town to fetch a mechanic. The four thieves allegedly came in a car and took away the new car from the trailer after tying the hands and feet of the cleaner of the trailer. The police had
registered a case in this connection. |
Hearing on doctors’ bail
plea today AMBALA, Nov 11 — Additional District and Sessions Judge, Darshan Singh today adjourned the hearing of the anticipatory bail applications of three doctors against whom a case was registered in Ambala Cantonment police station yesterday, for threatening a woman advocate, Ms Madhu Raina. The hearing has been adjourned till tomorrow. Dr Vinay Chopra, Dr Sangeeta Chopra and Dr K.D. Sharma filed an application seeking anticipatory bail here today. After hearing the arguments of both sides the judge adjourned it for tomorrow. A case was registered against four doctors, however, the anticipatory bail application was filed only by three of them. Meanwhile, the District
Bar Association and Ambala Controlment Bar Association
today observed a strike in the courts. The District Bar
Association decided to continue its strike tomorrow also. |
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