Haryana to allott 35 acres of land of HSIIDC to DETA

CHANDIGARH, OCT 7
The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal here today, has decided to allot 35 acres of land in HSIIDC’s fully developed Industrial Estate Barhi to Delhi Electrical Traders Association (DETA) to facilitate the expansion of their Bhagirath Palace Market operations through setting up of an Electrical and Electronics market with about 1200 shop-cum-offices.
Bhagirath Palace market is one of the oldest markets of Delhi. They have requested for allotment of land to expand their Bhagirath Palace market operations in Industrial Estate Barhi which would give new wings to the electrical and electronics industry of the State.
It may be recalled that the recently launched Enterprises Promotion Policy 2015 of the State Government lays emphasis on developing clusters of industries. The proposal is in line with this policy and will give further fillip to the region of industrial estate of Barhi. The Board of Directors of HSIIDC in its 329th meeting had approved the proposal of the members of new ‘Delhi Electrical Traders Association (Barhi unit), Haryana’.
This decision will lead to generate investments and employment opportunities for the people of Haryana. As the demand of electronic components is growing in the country, the proposed market would contribute to the economic activities of related goods in the State.
Industrial Estate, Barhi, located on the NH-1 at a distance of about 65kms from the International Airport New Delhi. Industrial Estate, Barhi spread over an area of 1255.06 acres. Besides being well-equipped with the state-of-the-art industrial infrastructure facilities and due to its proximity to the national capital region, it has emerged as the natural choice for electrical goods industry because the existing units in the electrical goods sector in Delhi propose to shift to this industrial estate because of shortage of space for expansion at their existing site. This industrial estate was set up by HSIIDC to cater the need of small and medium scale industries having the advantage of proximity to Delhi. This industrial estate has been developed by HSIIDC with latest state-of-the-art infrastructure which includes facilities sewerage, water supply, storm water drainage, electrifications and common effluent treatment plant. The area is in good demand owning to the facilities provided by HSIIDC.
One Time Settlement Scheme of HSCARDB
The Haryana Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for One Time Settlement Scheme of Haryana State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (HSCARDB) and Interest Subvention Scheme 2014 for timely repayments for members of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) of Haryana State Cooperative Apex Bank (HARCOBANK).
The objective of the scheme is to provide relief in interest liability of farmers, inculcate the habit of timely payment of loan and reduce the level of overdue of the PACS. Under the scheme, four per cent interest subvention is being provided to prompt payee farmer who availed or will avail crop loan from September 1, 2014 to February 28, 2016.
The Cabinet also approved the extension of the ongoing scheme of HSCARDB under which the benefit of 50 per cent interest subvention on agreed rate of interest is given to good paymasters on timely repayments by the state government up to March 31, 2018.
It was also decided to extend the earlier recovery linked incentive scheme 2013 (OTS) for HSCARDB to defaulter loanee farmers who clear their default or overdue amount with 50 per cent interest overdue on June 30, 2013. Under the scheme, the defaulter will then get benefit of waiver of 50 per cent interest and two per cent penal interest. The state government will bear the burden of 75 per cent of the 50 per cent interest waived off on actual basis and the remaining 25 per cent of the 50 per cent waived off interest shall be borne by the HSCARDB and the concerned District Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (DPCARDB). Waived off penal interest of two per cent will also be borne by the HSCARDB and DPCARDB. The scheme will be continued up to January 31, 2016. 

HERC fixes rate of electricity and fuel surcharge, not Haryana Govt

CHANDIGARH, OCT 5

Media Advisor to Chief Minister  Amit Arya said that the rates of electricity and fuel surcharge are not decided by the State Government but these are fixed by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC). HERC is a statutory body which has been constituted under the provisions of Haryana Electricity Reforms Act 1997 and Electricity Act 2003. The members of the HERC are appointed by independent High Powered Committee. The Commission has three members.

He said that no representative of the government or of Power Utilities is working in the HERC and the electricity tariff is fixed by the HERC. Presently, a Chairman and a member are working in the Commission and both appointments were made during the regime of previous government.

            Mr. Arya said that the present government had, in the month of March 2015, released a White Paper on the losses of Power Department, in which correct facts and figures of Power Utilities were presented. According to the White Paper, the losses of Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd have increased by 500 per cent and debt by 200 per cent during last ten years. Similarly, the losses of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam have increased sharply by 2,600 per cent and debt by 1,900 per cent.

            He said that these DISCOMs suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1,030 crore in the year 2004-05, which have increased by 2,600 per cent and reached Rs 26,912 crore in year 2013-14. The debt of these DISCOMs was Rs 1,458 crore on March 31,2004 which has increased by 1,900 per cent and reached Rs 28,199 crore on March 31, 2014. Entire debt burden has been carried forward from the previous government’s regime and as a result of it, the consumers have to pay Rs 1.20 per unit as only the interest on this debt.

            Mr Arya said that previous government had decided to shoulder the burden of debt amounting to Rs 7,366 crore of Power Utilities. Not only this, this proposal was also approved by Cabinet in its meeting held on March 29, 2013, but the previous government had never repaid this amount. The present government has decided to bear the remaining debt of Power Utilities itself and this has been approved in-principle by the Central Government. After getting the approval, the government would take into account Rs. 25,000 crore of medium and short term loans of Power Utilities. This would result in lessening of the debt burden of Power Utilities. The biggest benefit of this would go directly to consumers, which would result in lowering of electricity tariff.

            He lamented that opposition parties are misleading the people about the hike in electricity tariff, but fact is that electricity rates were increased to 8.51 per cent in May 2015, during the tenure of previous government, it was decided to increase power tariff by 15 per cent in 2015-16 in the State. The principle approval for the same was also taken by the erstwhile government on March 29, 2013. It is also a false and misleading publicity of the opposition that this year fuel surcharge was imposed for the first time, whereas 58 paisa per unit fuel surcharge was imposed in year 2012-13 and 34 paisa per unit in 2013-14. Now, the Commission has imposed fuel surcharge of 37 paisa per unit.

            It is also pertinent to mention here that computerization system was to be adopted under R-APRDRP in the Power Department in year 2009 under which reading and billing arrangements for all consumers were to be strengthened. The Government of India was to give grant in aid of Rs 221 crore for this purpose. However, it is unfortunate that the previous government, during their last five years rule, had not implemented this system. If this system had been implemented on time, a lot of problems concerning electricity bill would have been automatically resolved. The present government has started work on this system and is committed towards its early implementation.

            The present government started working to improve the functioning of administration immediately after taking the reins of the administration. The Government set up special counters for on-the-spot redressal of consumers’ grievances. Consumers have been given the facility to pay their bills in two or three installments. Billing in small industries where KVAH meters are not installed has been done on the basis of 0.9 power factor. A system is being provided for installation of proper capacitor for maintaining power factor at desired level of small industries. Instructions have been issued as per which the SDO concerned would examine the report of billing agency before the release of power bills, so as to avoid any irregularities in the bills.

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6.22 lakh metric tonnes of paddy arrive in Haryana mandis

CHANDIGARH, OCT 5

During the current procurement season, a total of 6.22 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of paddy have arrived in the mandis of Haryana till October 4, 2015. During this period last year, 3.64 lakh MT paddy had arrived in the mandis.

          While stating this here today, a spokesman of the Food and Supplies Department said that of the total arrival, more than 5.94 lakh MT paddy was leviable and 27,178 MT paddy was non-leviable. While government procurement agencies have purchased more than 5.42 lakh MT paddy, millers and dealers have purchased 79,754 MT paddy.

          He added that Kurukshetra had received the maximum amount of paddy at more than 1.73 lakh MT. Of the total arrival, more than 1.45 lakh MT paddy has arrived in Karnal, more than 1.08 lakh MT in Kaithal, 99,527 MT in Ambala, 41,973 MT in Yamunanagar, 24,033 MT in Panchkula, 22,531 MT in Fatehabad, 3,698 MT in Sirsa, 2,758 MT in Jind and 684 MT in Hisar.

          The Food and Supplies Department has purchased more than 2.50 lakh MT of paddy, more than 2.08 lakh MT have been purchased by HAFED, 54,356 MT have been purchased by the Haryana Agro-industries Corporation and more than 29,494 MT have been purchased by the Haryana Warehousing Corporation.

          The spokesman said that paddy that meets the criteria would be procured in any case, and the Government would ensure its storage. Farmers have been advised to clean and dry their harvest properly before bringing them to the market so that they do not have to face any problems in storage due to high moisture content.

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Haryana procuring bajra at MSP 1275 per quintal

CHANDIGARH, OCT 5

During the current procurement season, the procurement of Bajra is being done in 26 mandis of 14 districts of the State at Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 1,275 per quintal. As per the present policy of the Central Government for the purchase of coarse grain, the entire payment of the farmers would be made through account payee cheque.

          This was informed in a review meeting of Agriculture and Food and Supplies Department held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal here today.

          The Chief Minister directed that the procurement agencies would ensure that the farmers do not, in any way, get price lower than the MSP and are not forced to resort to any distress sale of their produce. He also directed that in case any stocks that have arrived in Mandis do not conform to specifications, the same should be got improved by cleaning, drying or blending with good quality of foodgrains etc.

          It was also informed in the meeting that as per the Government’s decision, the BPL families would be made available 10 kilogram Bajra per month per family at  the rate of Rs one per kilogram during the months  of  November, December, January and February.

          The Chief Minister was informed that about 35 to 40 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was expected to arrive in the mandis of the State. The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) has already made it mandatory for every Arhtia to have electric fans or jharnas, sufficient labour, wooden crates, polythene covers etc. This facility could be availed by any farmer to bring his produce up to the prescribed specifications.

          Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr. Karan Dev Kamboj, Minister of State for Cooperation, Mr. Bikram Singh Yadav, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, Special Principal Secretary, Mr. R.K. Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Mr P.K Das, Additional Chief Secretary, Food and Supplies Department Mr. S.S. Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture, Mr. Dhanpat Singh, Managing Director, Haryana State Warehousing Corporation, Dr. Suprabha Dahiya, Chief Administrator, HSAMB, Mr. Anil Malik and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.

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Birth and Death certificates being linked to Aadhaar Card

CHANDIGARH, OCT 4

Haryana Health Minister, Mr. Anil Vij, said that birth and death certificates were being linked to Aadhaar card for ensuring their prompt availability to the people of the State. This would ensure that people do not have to face any problem while getting birth and death certificates.

          Giving this information, the Health Minister said that in order to stop female foeticide in the State, Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, was being implemented in a strict manner. Under this, investigation and raids have been conducted in about 2,400 cases, and registration of 53 private centres has been cancelled or suspended. In this duration, 41 ultrasound machines have been sealed and 28 cases have been registered in lower courts.

          Mr. Vij said that for the strict implementation of this Act, District Advisory Committee organised 93 meetings in various districts of the State, in which it was asked to make people aware and motivate doctors to avoid such acts. Apart from this, the Health Department is making efforts to spread awareness among the people of the State to stop female foeticide. This is giving a fillip to the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme, he added.

The Health Minister said that the State Government was not sparing any efforts to provide excellent health services to the people. For this purpose, infrastructure is being prepared to provide services according to national standards in the hospitals of the State. Hospitals and examination laboratories and being made according to NABH standards and free medicines are being provided to all patients.

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HSCST invites applications for awards

CHANDIGARH, OCT 4
Haryana State Council for Science and Technology has invited nominations for the Haryana Vigyan Ratna and Haryana Yuva Vigyan Ratna Awards for the year 2014-15. Nominations would be accepted till 5pm on November 6, 2015.
          Giving this information, a spokesman of the Haryana Department of Science and Technology said here today that these awards have been instituted by the Haryana Government to honour eminent scientists, engineers and doctors of the State, who have made outstanding contributions in the field of Science and Technology over the last ten years.
          The Haryana Vigyan Ratna Award would be conferred on eminent scientists, engineers and doctors above the age of 40 years, as on February 28, 2015. The award will carry a cash prize of Rs two lakhs, a citation and a trophy, he added.
          Similarly, the Haryana Yuva Vigyan Ratna Award would be granted to eminent scientists, engineers and doctors up to 40 years, as on February 28, 2015. The award will carry a cash prize of Rs one lakh, a citation and a trophy.
          The spokesman said that the scheme was open for scientists, engineers and doctors who were either born in Haryana or had spent a considerable part of their career or studies in Haryana, except those employed in the Department of Science and Technology, Haryana State Council for Science and Technology, or their organisations. Only such persons are eligible, who have made outstanding contributions in the field of science and technology, which have been well acknowledged in their respective fields of work.
The list of eligibility criteria, terms and conditions and the nomination form can be downloaded from the Department’s official website http://dstharyana.org/html/whatsnew.htm.
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HSIIDC to allot 35 acres to DETA

CHANDIGARH, OCT 3

 In a significant decision, the Board of Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) has approved allotment of 35 acres of land in HSIIDC’s fully developed Industrial Estate Barhi to Delhi Electrical Traders Association (DETA) in view of the persistent demand from country’s largest electrical and electronics market of Bhagirath Palace for setting up Electrical and Electronics market with opening of about 1200 shop-cum-offices (SCO) in the market which would give new wings to the electrical and electronics industry of the State.

          Disclosing this here today, Mr Sanjeev Kaushal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and also Chairman of the Corporation informed that the decision was taken in the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation held recently.

          The Enterprises Promotion Policy 2015 of the State Government has already laid emphasis on developing clusters of industries. Moving in line with this policy and in order to give further fillip to the region of industrial estate of Barhi, Rai and Kundli,  the Corporation has approved the proposal of the members of new ‘Delhi Electrical Traders Association (Barhi unit), Haryana’, he added.

          He said that setting up of electrical and electronics market will play a vital role in attracting investment as well as boosting employment generation. He said that as the demand of electronic components is growing in the country, the proposed market would contribute to the economic activities of related goods in the State.

          Industrial Estate, Barhi, located on the NH-1 at a distance of about 65kms from the International Airport New Delhi. Industrial Estate, Barhi spread over an area of 1255.06 acres.  Besides being well-equipped with the state-of-the-art industrial infrastructure facilities and due to its proximity to the national capital region, it has emerged as the natural choice for electrical goods industry because the existing units in the electrical goods sector in Delhi propose to shift to this industrial estate because of shortage of space for expansion at their existing site.  This industrial estate was set up by HSIIDC to cater the need of small and medium scale industries having the advantage of proximity to Delhi. This industrial estate has been developed by HSIIDC with latest state-of-the-art infrastructure which includes facilities sewerage, water supply, storm water drainage, electrifications and common effluent treatment plant. The area is in good demand owning to the facilities provided by HSIIDC.

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