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H A R Y A N A |  |
 Saturday, October 30, 1999 |
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Power
reforms Chautala seeks more time from WB CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today sought more time from the World Bank to consider all aspects of the power reforms that were being implemented by the previous government. Alert after 4 cr fraud FATEHABAD, Oct 29 — Alarm bells have started ringing in the state Finance Department following the detection of financial irregularities to the tune of about Rs 4 crore committed by two liquor contract firms here. |
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Assembly poll not yet: Chautala LUDHIANA, Oct 29 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today ruled out the possibility of immediate assembly elections in the state. LPG
dealers on fleecing spree Arbitrary
challaning of vehicles alleged DGP:
Haryana police to be people-friendly Notice
to Haryana on octroi abolition Octroi
staff to be absorbed MP
opens Haryana Day festival BKU
activists block traffic DCC
workers hold procession RMS
office computerised |
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Power reforms CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today sought more time from the World Bank to consider all aspects of the power reforms that were being implemented by the previous HVP-BJP government. Mr Chautala who had one and a half hour-long meeting with the visiting World Bank team had a detailed discussion, but did not indicate whether he was for the present reform system or wished to return to the old pattern. He said he would like to consider everything in detail and then only make a commitment. He assured that he would do this soon and convey his decision at the next meeting, officials here said. The World Bank mission led by principal energy specialist, Mr Djamal Mostefai, who had negotiated the whole deal with the Bansi Lal Government, was here for the past four days. He had discussions with the senior officers managing two power corporations, the Power Secretary, Mr L.M. Jain, and the Finance Minister, Mr Sampat Singh. But nothing was clear. The meeting this morning with the Chief Minister was the culmination of the process. The World Bank which has sanctioned a Rs 2,400-crore loan to upgrade the power system and improve the distribution network has already released a Rs 240-crore loan. Much of it has been spent to the satisfaction of the World Bank, and reforms initiated. Today Mr Mostefai and his colleagues explained in detail the need to carry on the reforms. He pointed out that the reforms would do Haryana immense good and since it was one of three states to initiate the process in the country it was becoming the leading state. The power regulatory authority was there so were the other generation and distribution corporations. Now the need was to have the private sector involvement in power distribution. The World Bank assessment was that the total reforms must proceed as per the agreement signed between the two sides and the state government has to honour the agreement if it wished to enjoy the loan of Rs 2,400 crore. It was also stated that in distribution, the private sector was the answer. The government alone could not do so that, according to officials. Mr Mostefai told the Chief Minister and others that the World Bank could wait for sometime and allow the government to firm up its mind. But then it must increase the power rates as per the agreement and carry on the rest of the reform process. Mr Chautala who gave a patient hearing to the arguments hinted at the his political compulsions and opined farmers could not bear more burden. As per the agreed schedule, the government has to raise the power tariff for the farm sector by 35 per cent. This would mean the rate should go up from the present 50 paise per unit to 75 paise per unit. In fact, the previous government should have increased this and other rates too. But then the political events intervened and Mr Bansi Lal had to go. In fact Mr Bansi Lal instead of increasing the rates for the farmers, was trying hard to realise the arrears that ran into crores. While the World Bank has made it abundantly clear that without reforms and higher rates, it would not provide any finances for the power sector or for other sectors, Mr Chautala's dilemma is that he has made repeated promises that he would provide free power to the farmers and in case he went in for a snap poll he would be asked to answer this question. Since he is the Chief Minister, why he had not done so. As a politician, he could have some answer like blaming it on the previous government, but then the farmers as he knows have an uncanny sense to judge the leaders. Mr Chautala had held meetings with the power authorities, and employees at Panipat and Hisar and clearly stated that he was against these reforms as these do not suit developing countries where farmers who constitute the majority have to be protected. Earlier, also, as the Leader of Opposition he has opposed resolutely the reforms and called these "anti-people and anti-farmer". But his good intentions are difficult to be translated. Haryana does not have that kind of money to increase generation and improve the entire system. The power sector is losing Rs 2 crore everyday which means Rs 730 crore annually. More the supply, more the loss. As there has been no good rain, dry spell means more power for the farmers and hence more losses. This is in addition to the normal subsidy. The government is committed to giving Rs 500 crore in the Budget. During the previous three years, the government ended up providing Rs 2,500 crore as subsidy, officials said. "If there is no money, there is no improvement and then the people would finally suffer more", officers here said. But indeed to accept the
reforms and increase the power rates across the board for
all sections is a very tough political question for Mr
Chautala. It is not as simple as he thought. Much of his
reputation would hinge on this. |
Alert after 4 cr excise fraud FATEHABAD, Oct 29 — Alarm bells have started ringing in the state Finance Department following the detection of financial irregularities to the tune of about Rs 4 crore committed by two liquor contract firms here. The Finance Department at Chandigarh has flashed letters to all treasuries in the state to rescan their revenue collection records under various heads as a gap of Rs 172 crore has been found between the receipts and deposits. The two firms — Ram Mehar and Co Fatehabad, and Suresh Kumar and Co Tohana — are reportedly owned by close relatives of the Indian National Lok Dal legislator and a former minister, Mr Vinod Marya. The irregularities were detected recently after the records of the Excise and Financial Departments were found to be at variance with each other. This prompted the Finance Department of the Haryana Government to issue guidelines to all treasuries in the state to check their records. Well-placed sources said there was a difference of over Rs 172 crore between various revenue collection heads and the records with the Finance Department for the current financial year. The sources said the variation was so far not being taken seriously as such differences do occur routinely because the records of the deposits take some time in reaching the Finance Department. While Ram Mehar and Co, is alleged to have duped the government of about Rs 1.5 crore, Suresh and Co has duped the government of about Rs 1.25 crore. While the former was supposed to deposit Rs 1,56,50,000, it deposited Rs 7,40,000 only. Similarly, Suresh Kumar and Co was supposed to deposit 1,39,13,820 but it deposited Rs 14,13,820 only. The irregularities are said to have been committed from January, 1999. However, the officials do not rule out similar malpractices having been committed earlier also. The liquor contractors are supposed to deposit one-sixth amount of the licence money at the time of allotment of the tender, while the remaining amount is to be deposited in 11 monthly instalments. The licence fee is
usually deposited in the Treasury. There are four copies
of the receipt. Two are retained by the Treasury and two
by the contractor. One copy each is sent by the Treasury
and the contractor to the Excise Department. The two
firms reportedly used to make corrections in the receipts
and submit the forged receipts to the Excise Department. |
Farmers resort to door-to-door
selling ROHTAK, Oct 29 — Resorting to new marketing strategies, farmers are now taking to door-to-door selling to avoid middlemen. Although farmers have largely been depending upon the mandis located in subdivisional and district towns in the state to sell their produce, many of them have now turned to taking the produce direct to the doorstep, of buyers to get maximum benefits. Throughout the year, farmers could be noticed roaming in residential colonies and on main roads in various towns, including Rohtak, to sell the produce brought directly from their fields. The produce includes wheat, rice, gur, shakkar and vegetables. Farmers from districts like Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Yamunanagar can also be seen in remote colonies of Rohtak or Jhajjar, selling various varieties of rice. Farmers of this district also visit each part of the town to directly sell products like wheat. The margin of profit in this direct sale is good. It is also in the interest of the consumers, who get good and pure things at their doorstep. Besides, the consumers have to pay less when buying things direct from the farmers. Many farmers and their organisations, like the Bhartiya Kisan Union, have been complaining that agricultural producers are not being given their due. It is learnt that
several farmers in districts bordering other states, like
Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, take their produce to
mandis out side the state to get higher rates. According
to information, the good variety of rice (basmati), which
is sold at Rs 28 to Rs 50 per kg in the market, is made
available to consumers at their homes at a rate ranging
from Rs 15 to Rs 35, depending upon the variety.
Similarly, the vegetables sold in tractor-trailer and
carts are cheaper than those sold by regular vendors or
shopkeepers. |
Assembly poll not yet: Chautala LUDHIANA, Oct 29 (UNI) — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today ruled out the possibility of immediate assembly elections in the state. In an informal talk with newsmen here, he said the state assembly would be convened shortly to “conduct routine legislative business”. The session was being convened not for the purpose of seeking a confidence vote because there was no “imminence” of the assembly elections in the state, he added. He said he would be happy to induct BJP MLAs as ministers. “Let the BJP make up its mind of joining his ministry and its MLAs will be sworn in half an hour’’, he added. Mr Chautala claimed that the Vajpayee government would last its full five-year term and his party’s unconditional support would continue for the full term. Claiming that Punjab-Haryana relations had been cordial and harmonious as never before, Mr Chautala said inter-state disputes would have to be solved by the Centre. When the Centre could mediate to resolve the Cauvery waters dispute why could it not mediate to resolve the river water dispute between Punjab and Haryana. On Chandigarh, Mr
Chautala turned ambivalent, saying, “It is a joint
capital of Punjab and Haryana’’. |
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LPG dealers on fleecing
spree ROHTAK, Oct 29 — LPG dealers in the town are allegedly fleecing consumers in the name of providing immediate delivery of gas connections on producing ration cards under a special scheme. Although the district administration has repeatedly issued statements that strict action would be initiated against the LPG dealers found to be charging more than the specified amount or forcing the consumer to purchase the gas stove, the malpractice is on. At a recent meeting with the LPG dealers the district administration directed them to issue two gas cylinders, one regulator and a tube for Rs 2404 as specified by the petroleum company. Similarly, a sum of Rs 1347 has been fixed for one cylinder with a regulator and a tube by the company. However, visits to various gas agencies revealed the dealers charging Rs 2600 to Rs 3300 for two cylinders and Rs 2200 to Rs 2500 for one cylinder with a regulator and a tube as against the specified prices of Rs 2404 and Rs 1347 respectively. Talk with nearly 10 consumers at a gas agency it was found that they were charged Rs 2800 each for two cylinders, a regulator and a tube. They expressed happiness as they were "exempted" from purchasing the gas stove in the wake of recommendation by influential people of the town. On the other hand, a number of consumers at another gas agency alleged that the gas stove was forced on them and they were charged Rs 3300 for two cylinders with accessories. A group of villagers, who were carrying nearly 12 cylinders and six gas stoves in a tractor trailer told this correspondent that they were charged Rs 3200 each for two cylinders, a gas stove, a regulator and a tube. Besides, they alleged they were forced to purchase the gas stove with every gas connection. An amount of nearly Rs 700 was allegedly charged for the gas stove which was available for about Rs 400 in the market. When asked about the receipts they told that the dealer had asked them to collect their respective receipts the next day. They were provided receipts of Rs 1900 (Rs 1800 for two cylinders and Rs 100 for a regulator) each the next day. When contacted the LPG dealer concerned said the dealing clerk might have taken the surplus amount by mistake. He readily asked those consumers to collect their surplus amount the next day. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rajesh Khullar said he would certainly take action against the LPG dealer concerned on receiving the complaints from the consumers. He said he had already directed a dealer to return the surplus amount to some consumers who approached him. He said he had ordered to depute one inspector of the Food and Supplies Department at all the 10 gas agencies in the town to check any sort of malpractice by the dealers. However, during repeated visits and inquiries from the dealing employees of different gas agencies it was found that most of the inspectors visited the gas agencies only two or three times in the past nearly 15 days in gross violation of the official orders. All LPG dealers in the town have suspended delivery of fresh connections from today on one pretext or the other. The dealers expect a hike in the prices of LPG in the forthcoming week. The rising check on the malpractices by the district administration has also led them to suspend activities for some time, he added. Meanwhile, Mr Yashpal Panwar, general secretary, Rohtak Petroleum Gas Consumers Association demanded strict action against the erring LPG dealers and withdrawal of surplus amount to consumers. Mr Krishan Murti Hooda,
a former minister demanded that the separate rates for
cylinder, gas stove, regulator and tube should be
displayed to the public at every gas agency and the
consumers should be provided receipts for the whole
amount. |
Arbitrary challaning of vehicles
alleged AMBALA, Oct 29 — Beware your vehicle can be impounded even though you have proper registration papers, insurance and pollution check certificate and that too without issuing any challan receipt. If you pay the challan amount on the spot, your vehicle may be released but not the papers of the vehicle. Why this practice is being followed by some transport officers and police personnel is beyond comprehension. This is the experience of an industrialist of Ambala at Zirakpur, Police Naka on the Ambala-Chandigarh Road on October, 27. The industrialist has filed a complaint with the Chief Minister, Punjab and Transport Commissioner harassment being faced by people of Haryana. According to the complaint a Tata-Sumo vehicle of United India Pesticide was coming toward Ambala from Chandigarh on October, 27. A transport officer stopped that vehicle near Zirakpur police station and asked for the papers of the vehicle. The driver and one of the representatives of the firm sitting in the vehicle showed all required papers but the officer impounded the vehicle by alleging that the vehicle was being used for hire purpose. According to the complainant the officer did not issue him the copy of the challan receipt which later was managed from the Zirakpur police station on request. The complainant told that the officer concerned asked him to meet him at tax collection barrier after one hour arranging around Rs 5,000 to get his vehicle back. The officer was not traceable till 5-30 pm. At last he was found near the Lalru police station. Even after the repeated reasoning by the owner of the firm the officer did not agree that it was not used for hire purpose. Finally the owner deposited the challan amount of Rs. 3500 and got the release order from the officer. The munshi of the police
station released the impounded vehicle but he could not
return the papers of the vehicle as the papers were lying
with the officer. Next day the owner of the vehicle
started search of the officer on the Ambala-Chandigarh
highway to get his papers back but he was not traced till
today. Later the firm succeeded to get back his papers
from the office of the Deputy Transport Commissioner
Punjab after wasting two days. |
DGP: Haryana police to be
people-friendly GURGAON, Oct 29 — The Haryana Police now will make efforts to improve its image by being "people friendly" on the one hand and strike terror among the anti-social elements on the other. This was the dominant message that emanated from the marathon meeting of the Director General of Police of Haryana, Mr S.P.S. Rathore, with all the Range Inspectors General of Police, District Superintendents of police of six districts bordering Delhi and senior police officers, here yesterday. The meeting which began at about 5 pm went on late in the evening. Addressing the officers, Mr Rathore stressed on the need of the police to be people-friendly and free registration of crimes. He also stressed on the reduction of response time of the police after any incident of crime was reported to it. As if to set an example, the DGP prefaced his meeting with the officers by visiting the family of a jeweller of Gurgaon, Mr Satish Jain, who was shot dead by some persons, a few days ago. Although the police declined from commenting on the details of the investigation in the case, wide-ranging apprehension is that members of a gang was involved in it. The police chief expressed sympathy with to the bereaved family. The DGP had convened the meeting of the police officers to review organised crime and activities of gangsters active in districts of Haryana surrounding Delhi. Mr Rathore made special mention about the treatment to be given to women and children by the police force.He specifically directed that no women shall be called to Police Station before sunrise and sun set and that women shall be questioned only in the presence of women police officers and their relatives. He said that separate cells to deal with the crime against women would be created in each district. Mr Rathore also underlined the need for greater day-to-day co-ordination and sharing of information with their counterparts in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. There appears to be a basis behind this line of thinking on the part of the top brass of the state police. In the past few months a number of gangs having base in the neighbouring states have started operating in some parts of Haryana. Sometimes they are reported to be using the state as their hide-outs. Incidentally, the DGPs of the northern states are tipped to meet sometime next month. He directed the officers to identify the gangs operating in the districts surrounding Delhi and raise a "Task Force" at the Range-level to deal effectively with them. For modernising the Haryana Police to deal effectively with organised crime, he said that the computer based finger print detection system will be introduced in the state, which will connect all the district headquarters with the Central Computer Wing for expeditious results. Addressing reporters after the meeting with the police officers, Mr Rathore lamented that the force was working under constraints of shortage of manpower. According to him, the exigency of the situation demands for doubling the present strength of the force. The present strength is about 35,000. The overcrowding of jails, slow pace of trials in the courts, lack of initiative on the part of the prosecution agency and witness turning hostile in the courts of law required attention, he added. He expressed anguish over the low rate of conviction,especially in heinous crimes and hardened criminals nabbed after serious efforts by the police manage to get away from the clutches of law. Mr Rathore, made a sensational disclosure saying that the criminals had poached on the security net network of the jails. When Prohibition was enforced in Haryana, the inmates of the jails managed to smuggle in liquor. All kinds of contrabands and narcotics were availed easily by them. This, he said while building on a theory that the management and supervision of crimes effectively hinged on the four pillars: police, prosecution, the jails and the judiciary. Referring to the discipline in the force, Mr Rathore warned of strict action anyone found breaking it. Those found negligent the in discharge of duties would be severely punished. He sent a clear message by ordering immediate transfer of a Station House Officer of Gurgaon city, Mr Amrik Singh following his visit here. He said that Mr Amrik Singh had been transferred in connection with the shooting of Mr Satish Jain, whose house he visited after his arrival here. He further said that a "departmental inquiry has been initiated for his dismissal." He had visited Mr Jain’s house to have first hand information about the response of the police in the case. He urged all not to relate the number of cases registered with the efficiency of the police. It is travesty of truth that the high registration of cases is taken as reflection on the police. Incidentally, in a recent meeting with the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala,he had expressed similar sentiments. According to Mr Rathore,
the present Chief Minister has given a clear cut brief to
the force:to root out corruption and curb crime.He
appreciated the empathy the Chief Minister showed with
the force and said that it would go to any extent to
maintain law and order in the state. |
Notice to Haryana on octroi
abolition CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — Mr Naresh Kumar Sharma, president of the Yamunanagar Municipal Council, today preferred a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court questioning the Haryana Government's decision to abolish octroi in the state. Mr Justice S.S. Sudhalkar and Mr Justice J.S. Khehar, before whom the petition came up for hearing, issued notice to the Haryana Government for December 16. In his petition Mr Sharma stated that the Municipal Council was saddled with the responsibility of maintaining civil amenities like sanitation, health, street lights and municipal roads, apart from parks and cleanliness. A lion's share of the total revenue of the Municipal Council was spent on maintaining these amenities. The total income of the Municipal Council was Rs 6.84 crore. Of this, Rs 3.1 crore came from octroi. If octroi was abolished, the Municipal Council would suffer heavy losses and it would not be possible for it to maintain and provide minimum basic civic amenities to residents. Mr Sharma claimed that the levy of octroi was provided in the Haryana Municipal Act, 1973. The statute postulated that if the Haryana government wanted to abolish octroi in the state, it should provide alternative sources of income to municipalities so as to make good the loss caused by octroi abolition. The decision to abolish
octroi without providing alternative sources of revenue
would shatter the financial position of the
municipalities to such an extent that it would not be
possible for it to pay salaries to staff, leave alone
provide basic amenities. |
Octroi staff to be absorbed CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — The Haryana government has decided to compensate the loss of revenue to the municipal bodies on account of abolition of octroi by way of grant-in aid. The decision was taken by the State Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister, here today. The draft of the ordinances to amend the State Municipal Corporation Act and the State Municipal Act to abolish octroi were also approved at today's meeting. Octroi will be abolished in the state from November 1 and the government will have to be dole out nearly Rs 70 crore to the municipal bodies in lieu of it. The Chief Minister said the government would ensure that development works continued and officials got salaries in time. He made it clear that the services of the employees engaged in the collection of octroi would not be retrenched. A scheme would be finalised by November 10 to absorb them in various departments. The Cabinet also approved the revised pay scales of teachers of Chhotu Ram State Engineering College, Murthal, and the Regional Engineering College, Kurukshetra. The new pay scales will be implemented with effect from January, 1996. The salary in the revised scales will be paid in cash with effect from April 1, 1999. The arrears will be deposited in the PF accounts of the employees. The Cabinet also gave certain concessions to the ex-servicemen to facilitate their reemployment in civil posts. Henceforth matriculate ex-servicemen, including those with the Indian Army Special Certificate of Education of the corresponding certificate of the Navy or the Air Force with not less than 15 years' service, will be eligible for any reserved vacancy in group C posts for which the prescribed qualification is graduation. It also decided to withdraw the departmental test for promotion from group C and D posts to that of clerks. It also approved the
annual reports of the Tourism, Technical Education and
Administrative Reforms departments. |
MP opens Haryana Day
festival KURUKSHETRA, Oct 29 — Prof Kailasho Devi, member of Parliament, Kurukshetra, inaugurated a three-day state-level Haryana Day festival at the Kurukshetra University here today. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest called upon students and the teaching community to own their responsibility in building a strong nation. She said there is a dire need to uproot corruption, unemployment and other evils prevailing in society with determination. She maintained that the new generation had the potential and capability to do so. She said there was a need for a literacy drive in villages as no country could progress without due attention to education. Mrs Kailasho Devi called upon the students to take a keen interest in extra-curricular activities for development of personality. In his presidential address, the Vice-Chancellor, Dr M.L. Ranga, asked the students to take a keen interest in sports and cultural activities along with studies. The Dean, Students Welfare, Prof S.K. Singh, said 2,500 students from various universities of Haryana were participating in the festival. Mr Anoop Lather, Director, Youth and Cultural Affairs, said Kurukshetra University was the only one which organised Haryana Day festival on a regular basis. Registrar of the
university Vineet Garg and chairman of the municipal
committee Subhash Sudha were present on the occasion. |
BKU activists block traffic ROHTAK, Oct 29 — Members of the district unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) blocked traffic between Rohtak and Bhiwani towns near Bhali village, about 15 km from here, today in protest against hike in diesel price. According to reports, about 100 workers of the union blocked traffic for several hours in the morning. As a result of this the traffic between these towns had to be diverted to village approach roads of Ballam and Handohi. The BKU activists decried hike in diesel prices and described it as an 'anti-farmer' decision of the BJP-led coalition at the Centre. They said their agitation would continue till the hike withdrawn. The union members also criticised the scarcity of water for irrigation and power shortage in the state and claimed that small farmers were the most adversely affected by the present condition. They also sought compensation for the loss caused to the crops due to the scanty rainfall and shortage of water. JIND: However, the road blockade programme of the BKU evoked little response in the district. The BKU workers staged dharnas on the Jind-Hisar road near Ram Rai village and on the Jind-Kaithal road near Kandela and blocked traffic on these roads for some time on Friday. The BKU activists, however, lifted the blockade after Mr P.K. Dass, Commissioner, and Mr B.K. Sinha, SP intervened. According to reports traffic was normal on the Jind-Rohtak, Jind-Gohana and Jind-Panipat roads. At Ram Rai village, the farmers presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, demanding a withdrawal of hike in the price of diesel and procurement of paddy by government agencies at support price. KAITHAL: In response to a call given by the BKU its activists on Friday tried to disrupt the normal traffic at a number of places in the district. It is learnt that workers of the BKU detained a passenger train on the Kurukshetra-Narwana line near Kalayat and also blocked traffic on the Kaithal-Narwana road near Simla village, the Kaithal-Patiala road near Cheeka, the Kaithal-Ambala road near Jagdish Pura village and the Kaithal-Karnal road. According to the
Superintendent of Police, Mr K.K. Sharma, the police
succeeded in persuading the protesters at all places to
lift the blockades after some time. |
DCC workers hold procession AMBALA, Oct 29 — The District Congress Committee on Friday took out a procession here to protest against the recent hike in diesel prices and the shortage of power in the district, especially in rural areas. It submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding withdrawal of the hike in diesel prices. The committee urged the government to fulfil the promises made before the Lok Sabha elections for supplying free power and water in the rural areas. Mr Balwant Gupta, DCC
President, led the procession. He said a similar
procession would be held at the subdivision level too. |
RMS office computerised AMBALA, Oct 29 — The local RMS (Railway Mail Service) unit has become one of the 37 RMS offices across the country which have been computerised for modernising mail processing. Stating this here today,
the Chief Post Master-General, Haryana, Mr T.R. Sharma,
said computerisation would help in keeping track of
articles, eliminating instances of wrong despatch and
answering complaints, besides increasing the productivity
of the staff in handling 900-1000 articles per person
against 640 at present. |
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