Haryana News

Chandigarh , March 1

Haryana Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Mahender Pratap Singh today said that about 56 lakh eligible families of the State would be issued Smart Ration Cards under various categories. Haryana has the privilege of introducing a Smart Card project which is a pilot project of the Government of India and has been introduced only in Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The Minister was replying to a calling attention notice submitted by MLA Mr Bharat Bhushan Batra in the ongoing session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, here today.

Mr Mahender Pratap Singh said that the state Government is committed to streamline the working of the publicdistribution system in the state. The Smart Card project provides a technology solution to the problems of leakage and diversion in the public distribution system. The total project cost is over Rs. 137  crores. The ground work on the project has already been initiated.

In the first phase of the project, four blocks namely Ambala, Sirsa, Sonipat and Gharaunda have been selected on pilot basis. The field camps were organized in these four blocks to capture the fingerprint impressions of all the 10 fingers of all family members above 12 years of  age. In addition, iris data of family members above five years of age was also captured for de-duplication. The unique feature of the Smart Card project in Haryana is its integration with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Each Smart Card will have a unique I.D. AADHAR number.

Till date 6.40 lakh residents’ data has been digitized, out of which 5.80 lakh residents have been enrolled and 4.32 lakh Unique Identification (UID) numbers have been issued. The required infrastructure has been installed at Haryana State Data Centre and an exclusive Information Technology cell has been made functional at the Headquarters of Food and  Supplies Department. Complete rollout of the project is expected to be completed by June 2013.

The smart ration cards will have different color strips for different categories of families (Pink for Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Yellow for Below Poverty Line and Green for Above Poverty Line). Fingerprint of three authorized members of the family who usually go for drawing essential commodities will be stored in the chip of the card and essential commodities would be issued after electronic authentication of authorized recipient. This will ensure thattransactions happen only in the presence of genuine consumers.

Smart ration cards will be issued after complete biometric de-duplication by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which will ensure that the menace of bogus or ghost ration cards is removed once for all. In addition, monthly entitlements of essential commodities will also be stored in the chip of smart card. Each Fair Price Shop Owner (FPSO) will be provided a security smart card, which will have monthly entitlements of each family linked with the said FPS. The FPSO will be provided a point of sale (PoS) smart transaction terminal, which will serve as a single integrated device to perform sales transactions. The device will be capable of authenticating the card and finger print of the beneficiary.

He said that during the current year  19 cases have been registered against defaulters  and six persons have been arrested . License of 137 defaulters have been cancelled        and security amounting to Rs 6.75 lakh has been forfeited.Two licences of Kerosene wholesalers have either been    cancelled or suspended.

On the guidelines provided by Government of India the work of identification of beneficiaries such as Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)  beneficiaries and other Below Poverty Line beneficiaries is done by Rural Development Department and Urban Local Bodies Department, Haryana, in rural and urban areas respectively. The Central Government also determines the number of BPL and AAY beneficiaries in each state. In the case of Haryana, Government of India recognizes a maximum of 3.02 lakh families as AAY families and 4.86 lakh as other BPL families, total being 7.89 lakh families. However, as per survey conducted by the Rural Development and Urban Local Bodies Departments Haryana, there are 12.97 lakh BPL families in the State.

The Government of India is allocating foodgrains for 7.89 lakh families. Government of Haryana has made provision for providing foodgrains to the left out (a maximum of 5.08 lakh) families also at BPL rates. These families are known as State Below Poverty Line (SBPL) families. A part of foodgrains provided by Government of India for APL  families isprovided to SBPL families and this difference is met by the State Government. For this purpose a provision of Rs. 43 crores has been made.

The Department of Food and Supplies has a comprehensive structure at the district, block and grassroots level for lifting and distribution of foodgrains and others essential commodities as per the allocations made by the Government. Confed acts as wholesale nominee in the distribution of essential commodities other than kerosene oil. Oilcompanies appoint wholesale dealers for kerosene oil. Food and Supplies department has setup a network of 9,364 fair price shops, out of which 2,699 are in urban areas and 6,665 in rural areas. Last year the state govt. distributed 5.81 lakh metric tonnes of wheat to various categories like AAY, BPL, state BPL and APL in which subsidy of the order of Rs. 435  crores was given. Out of this subsidy about Rs. 27  crores was provided by the state Government.

The state government has taken various steps for delivery of benefits to actual beneficiaries. Village and Ward Level Vigilance Committees have been constituted to keep a watchful eye on the distribution of essential commodities to the target groups and these are empowered to monitor actual distribution. Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and ZilaParishads have been empowered to play a decisive role in the implementation of public distribution system, starting from making of ration cards to recommendation of names for the allotment of Depot to supervisory function in the actual distribution. Public distribution system is reviewed in monthly meeting of District Grievance Redressal Committees.Complaints, if any, are sorted out in the presence of all its members. In the year 2011-2012 Food and Supplies Department undertook special drive for checking the Fair Price shops.

Mr Batra had said, in his calling attention notice  that crores are given by way of subsidy by Central and State Governments for providing adequate food security in terms of food grains, pulses, oil, sugar, kerosene oil etc. through PDS. Government, administrators, social organizations and policy analysts have repeatedly pointed out the fact of non-availability of these benefits to the poor in PDS on account of its inherent leakages and pilferage at various steps in the distribution hierarchy. He had further requested the Government to make a statement on the floor of the House regarding total number of PDS beneficiaries in the State, quantum of benefits provided through PDS and steps taken to make PDS more effective, transparent and reliable as also to ensure that leakages or pilferages in the system areplugged once for all by use of Information Technology or any other measure.

Chandigarh, March 1 –

During the ongoing budget session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Haryana Education Minister Mrs. Geeta Bhukkal today apprised the House that for the time being there is no proposal to set up a University at Panchkula. The government has approved the establishment of National Law University in the state and a Bill to this effect would soon be brought.

Mrs. Bhukkal was replying to a question of Mr. D.K. Bansal, MLA during question hour in budget session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today. She said that however, the government has enacted Haryana Private Universities Act as per which six such universities have been set up in the state and three were in pipeline. If any proposal for setting up of a private university at Panchkula comes, the government would consider such a proposal, she added.

In reply to another supplementary question raised by Mrs. Kavita Jain MLA about Rajiv Gandhi Education City at Kundli in district Sonipat, the Minister said that higher education sector was among the priority areas of the government. The Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda wants to develop the state as an education hub. It is proposed to establish many universities of national and international repute in the Rajiv Gandhi Education City. About 31 proposals have sofar been received.

Chandigarh, Feb 29

A new Community Radio Station, 107.8 Alfaj-e-Mewat has started broadcasting its programmes from February 28  from Mewat district of Haryana.

While stating this here today, an official spokesman said that the Radio Station has been set up by Union Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Institute of Rural Research and Development at village Ghaghas of Nagina block in Mewat district. The Radio Station would broadcast its programmes for the interest of the local community. Agricultural Technology Management Institute would provide financial assistance for  three years for broadcasting such programmes.

He said that training and field demonstration programmes would be broadcast  from the Radio Station, Alfaj-e-Mewat. It would broadcast the programmes from 30 meter high tower and all the villages within 15 kms of area would be covered by it. More than 100 villages fall within 15 kms of the area.

He said that programmes would acquaint the people about the welfare schemes in the areas of  agriculture, water, soil, health, local culture, students, administration and other rural welfare schemes so that people could avail their benefits.  As 58 per cent of population of the area was engaged in agricultural activities, most of the programmes would be based on agricultural activities. The broadcasting time would be six hours, three hours for new programmes and rebroadcasting of same programme for next three hours.  It would broadcast Galli-Gali-Sim Sim programme in collaboration with Sesame Workshop focussing on the educational needs of the poor children.

Chandigarh, Feb  27

The CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar has issued the estimated  rates of  the crops of the farmers to help them in  deciding about marketing of their stored produce  and also about sowing of their next crops.

While stating this here today, a spokesman of the University said that the estimated rates of the crops of mustard, basmati, potatoes, tomatoes, gram, brinjal and peas had been released. The rate  of mustard would be high this time inspite of bumper crop   due to the wedding and festival season. The rate  of mustard in the months of March and April would be Rs 2900 to Rs 3000 per quintal and in  the month of May-June Rs 3100 to Rs 3150 per quintal.

He said that similarly inspite of more production of potatoes, its rate would also be high due to ensuing festival season. The rates of potatoes in the month of March would be Rs 400 to Rs 425 per quintal and in month of May Rs 550 per quintal. It would be Rs 500 to Rs 520 per quintal in the month of June.

He said that crop of tomato normally comes from Nasik, Solan, Shimla and Uttrakhand and till the time it reaches state Mandis, its rate would be higher which would be Rs 550 to Rs 750 per quintal and by the end of  June it would be Rs 800 per quintal. The farmers could sow their crop of tomatoes   in view of the same. The rate  of peas would be Rs 1300 to Rs 1400 per quintal in March which would be Rs 2000-2100 per quintal in the months from April to June.

He said that the rate of basmati would be Rs 1800 to Rs 1900 per quintal in the month of March which would reduce to Rs 1750 to Rs 1850 in the month of May and June. The rate of gram in the months of March to July would be Rs 3100 to Rs 3200. The brinjal rate would be Rs 350 to 500 in the months of March and April which would reduce to Rs 400 per quintal in May- June. All these rates were on estimation of agricultural economists of the University, he added.

Chandigarh, February 24-Haryana Government has decided to launch an Urban Health Mission.

This was stated by Health Minister, Rao Narender Singh while replying to the calling attention notice moved by MLA Mr Sampat Singh on the second day of the ongoing session of the State Assembly here today.

Rao Narender Singh said that provision of affordable and accessible health care service has been a one of important priorities of the State Government. The Government has created a huge infrastructure of hospitals, PHCs, CHCs and Sub centres. Government is spending nearly Rs. 1702.96 crore for providing health care services and Medical Education under the State Plan, non-plan and NRHM. In fact, the State has launched many unique initiatives like free supply of essential medicines, 102 referral transport services, surgery package programme, Indira Bal Swasthya Yojana. In 2011, India Today ranked Haryana as the first State in Health Sector. There are 2491 posts of Medical Officers out of which 2052 posts of Medical Officers (M0s) have been filled  up leaving a vacancy of only 439 MOs. As many as 285 posts have recently been sanctioned. Similarly, out of 412 posts of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs), 398 posts are filled and only 23 posts of SMOs are vacant. Out of 552 posts of MOs in AYUSH 489 are in position. Against sanctioned strength of 528 Dental Doctors there are only 33 vacancies. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that there are 50 per cent  vacancies in the cadre of doctors.

The Minister said that there is a general shortage of doctors in the country. To facilitate faster recruitment of doctors, Government started a special system of recruitment through an Departmental Committee in 2009. Initially recruitment was being done on a monthly basis and now it is being done twice or thrice a year. Recently, advertisement has been issued on February 14,2012 to fill the current 349 vacancies. In the last two years, 17 rounds of interviews were held and 2254 appointment letters were issued, out of which 1371 doctors joined. This system has helped the Department to meet the challenge of shortage of doctors in an effective manner. This model of recruitment has also been appreciated in the country.To facilitate the availability of doctors, State Government is setting up three Medical Colleges at Mewat, Sonepat and Karnal.

He said that out of the above mentioned strength of the doctors of both Medical Officers and Senior Medical Officers, there are 700 doctors who have Post-graduate degrees and are specialists. There is no separate cadre of specialists. The Government has made optimal utilization of specialists with the policy of posting of the specialists in the district hospitals and the sub divisional hospitals. This ensures availability of specialist services in these hospitals. All the remaining specialists are posted in the CHCs. In order to encourage more doctors to acquire post graduate degree, a liberal Post-graduate Policy has recently been framed. Every year about 66 doctors are sent for doing post-graduation degree as per this policy.

As regards paramedical staff, most of posts are filled up. Vacancies have been notified with Haryana Staff Selection Commission and some are under process of recruitment. There are 1935 posts of Staff Nurse out of which 1554 are filled up and requisition for 348 has been sent to Haryana Staff Selection Commission. Similarly, there are 2605 posts of MPHW (F) out of which 2077 are filled up and requisition has been sent for 349 posts. The rest are in process. There are 2544 posts of MPHW(M) out of which 1903 posts are filled up and requisition for 560 has been sent for recruitment to Haryana Staff Selection Commission. Out of 848 posts of Pharmacists, 667 have been filled up and requisition for 165 posts have been sent to Haryana Staff Selection Commission.

It is evident from the above that most of the posts are filled and wherever there are vacancies, steps have been taken or are being taken to fill the posts.

In addition to the regular posts, under State Government, 115 Medical Officers, 48 Specialist Doctors, 1348 Staff Nurses, 2383 MPHW (F), 117 Pharmacists, 159 Lab Technicians and 139 AYUSH Doctors have been provided under NRHM.

While referring to the issue of  equipment like Ultrasound, X-ray Plant and Dental Chair allegedly lying without maintenance, or operators and laboratory are dysfunctional, he said that there are 49 Ultrasounds Machines, 188 X-ray Machines and 408 Dental Chairs. Most of them are functional. It is also mentioned here, that in 2011-12 a budget of Rs. 12.76 crore has been earmarked for procurement of equipment from the State budget and Rs. 6.26 crore from NRHM. Maintenance of all the equipment is done through regular AMC. Bio-medical Engineers have been posted in all the districts for the maintenance of the machines from 2010 onward. In every institution a large number of patients make use of these machines. For instance, in the district hospital of Panchkula, 317920 labs tests, 44614 X-Ray, 13875 ultrasounds and 2481 C.T. Scans have been conducted in 2011.All hospitals, Sub Divisional Hospitals, CHCs and PHCs have different levels of laboratories. Every day tests are conducted in these laboratories. On an average, about 1.52  lakh tests are done per district every year. The number of X-Rays done in last one year in Government health facilities are about 2.76 lakh.

The Government is providing health care facilities at all levels which is evident from the increase of 38.09 per cent in OPD cases in 2009, 10.52 per cent in 2010-11 and 11.73 per cent in 2011-12 across the State. Total number of OPD in 2010-11 was 1.73 crore. This increasing trend shows enhanced public confidence in Government health facilities.

New Delhi, Jan 31 (PTI) Veteran socialist leader Mani Ram Bagri, a close associate of Raj Narayan, who had played a leading role in the heady days before the fall of Janata Party government headed by Morarji Desai in the late 70s, died in Hisar today. He was 93. A General Secretary of the Samyukta Socialist Party from 1972 to 1974 and later of Janata Party (S), Bagri was detained during emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act. The Morarji Desai government was followed by the Charan Singh government, which did not last long. Indira Gandhi later returned to power in the 1980s with a huge mandate. He was elected to the third Lok Sabha, sixth Lok Sabha and the seventh Lok Sabha and was earlier a member of the un-divided Punjab legislative asssembly from 1953 to 55. Bagri participated in the national movement at a very young age and joined socialist movement led by Acharya Narendra Dev, Jaiprakash Narayan and Rammanohar Lohiya. He is survived by two sons and three daughters.