Haryana CM Approves Improvement of 10 ODR Roads in Assandh, Karnal District worth more than Rs. 25 crore
Chandigarh, February 28 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, has granted administrative sanction for the special repair and improvement of 10 ODR roads in Assandh, Karnal District. This project will cost over Rs. 25 crore. The roads serving rural areas of production and providing them with outlet to market centres, tehsil headquarters, block development headquarters, railway stations etc. are known as Other District Roads (ODRs).
Giving more information in this regard, an official spokesperson stated that the special repair under the project include Widening & Strengthening of road from village Jalmana to Chakmundrika spanning 2.3 km with an estimated cost of Rs. 1.41 crore, Widening and Strengthening on Dadupur approaching road with an estimated cost of Rs. 89.41 lakhs, Reconstruction and widening and strengthening of road from village Rahra to Lalain with an estimated cost of Rs. 2.42 crore, 80mm Interlocking paver block of road in village Bassi with an estimated cost of Rs. 72.71 lakh.
Furthermore, strengthening of road from village Kherisarfali to Rahra spanning 6.8 km with an estimated cost of Rs. 4.80 crore, Strengthening of Gagsina to Ainchla road spanning 3.6 km with an estimated cost of Rs. 2.22 crore, Reconstruction of road from Salwan to Didwara spanning 3.5 km with an estimated cost of Rs. 3.55 crore, Strengthening of road from Assandh to Dera Gama with an estimated cost of Rs. 3.32 crore, Strengthening of road from Assandh to Khizrabad spanning 4 km with an estimated cost of Rs. 3.65 crore, Strengthening of Assandh bye pass (Gurunanak Chowk to Dholl Chowk) spanning 1.5 km with an estimates cost of Rs. 2.02 crore.
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Transmission Companies will now have to bear the expenses of shifting of electricity poles at their level during the widening of roads - announces CM
Union Government appreciated the Property ID initiative of ULB Department, a grant of Rs 150 crore allocated
The mandatory provision of replacing plastic liquor bottles with glass bottles has been made optional till the policy in force
Chandigarh, February 28 - On the last day of the Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal announced that Transmission Companies who have installed the poles on the roads will now have to pay the expenses occurring during the removal of these poles during the reconstruction, strengthening and widening of roads.
Making another announcement, he said that the government had made a provision in the excise policy that from March 1, distilleries will supply liquor in glass bottles instead of plastic bottles. But now the government has made this mandatory provision optional till the policy period, so that the distilleries do not face any difficulty.
The Chief Minister said that the Central Government has appreciated the property ID initiative being implemented by the Urban Local Bodies Department and to take this system forward, the Central Government has given a grant of Rs 150 crore.
Sh. Manohar Lal expressed gratitude to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Deputy Speaker, officers and employees for the smooth conduct of the session.
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A team of the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau today arrested Head Constable Vijayendra Singh, posted at Gulha Police Station in Kaithal district, red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs 5,000.
Chandigarh, February 28- A team of the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau today arrested Head Constable Vijayendra Singh, posted at Gulha Police Station in Kaithal district, red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs 5,000. The accused had demanded the bribe in exchange for granting bail to the complainant's nephew.
Giving this information here today , a spokesperson of the bureau said that the bureau had received a complaint that Head Constable Vijayendra Singh, posted at Gulha Police Station in Kaithal, was demanding a bribe of Rs 10,000 to grant bail to the complainant's nephew. After confirming the matter, the bureau team made a plan and caught the accused red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs 5,000. In this case, the complainant had already paid Rs 5,000 as bribe, after which the accused was caught red-handed while taking the remaining Rs 5,000 as bribe.
He said that a case has been registered against the accused Vijayendra Singh at the Anti-Corruption Bureau Ambala Police Station and he has been arrested
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CM announces setting up of STF under ACB to investigate irregularities in cooperative societies in all the districts
The Task Force will investigate irregularities in Cooperative Societies starting from 1992 to till date
Audit of committees ensured, took suo motu and handed over the matter to the ACB for further investigation, CM
Properties of various officers and employees attached for recovery, CM
Chandigarh, February 28 - During the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha held here today, the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal announced that a Special Task Force under the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) would be formed to investigate irregularities in cooperative societies established in all districts. The Task Force will investigate irregularities in Cooperative Societies starting from 1992 to till date. Strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty in the investigation, he assured the house.
Sh. Manohar Lal stated that so far, Rs. 328 crore has been allocated to these societies, out of which Rs. 259 crore has been utilized, and the remaining amount is lying in banks.
He said that the present state government had conducted audits of these societies, and upon discovering discrepancies, the government has taken suo motto and the matter was handed over to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for investigation. ACB has filed 9 FIRs in this case, and irregularities amounting to Rs. 8.80 crore have been found in the investigation of societies in 4 districts. Action has been taken against the involved officials.
Divulging further details, the Chief Minister informed that properties of various officers and employees have also been attached for the recovery of funds.
Sharing details, he said that house and flat located in Mohali, 29 kanals 5 marlas of land, and bank account of Anu Kaushish one of the accused has been attached, furthermore, the properties and bank accounts of other accused namely Ram Kumar, Yogendra Agrawal, Sumit Agrawal and Nitin Sharma has also been attached. The list includes, a residential plot belonging to Ramkumar in Kurukshetra, a flat belonging to Yogendra Agrawal in Mohali and a flat located in Zirakpur belonging to Nitin Sharma. The bank account of Sumit Agrawal’s wife has also been attached.
He said that officers who have been suspended in such cases recently will also be dismissed if found guilty in the investigation.
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Nursing Colleges will be established in every Medical College in future - Medical Education and Research Minister, Anil Vij
Approval accorded to construct 6 nursing colleges in government hospitals in the state - Anil Vij
Chandigarh, February 28 - Haryana's Health, Medical Education and Research Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that he has given instructions to the officers of the department that Nursing colleges should also be built in all the medical colleges by the state government in future.
Sh. Vij was responding to a question raised during the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.
He said that there is a great demand for nurses in the country and abroad, highlighting a crucial gap in producing high-quality nursing professionals. In this regard, approval has been granted to establish 6 nursing colleges in government hospitals.
Sh. Vij said that attention is being paid to nursing colleges, which were previously opened in rooms and such establishments are being closed down. He said that a policy has been framed for nursing, according to which there should be a minimum of 100 bedded for NABH accredited hospitals or they should be attached with government hospitals.
He informed that the construction of the Government Nursing College, Sadat Nagar, Rewari, is underway and 88 percent of the construction work has been completed. After the completion of construction work and the transfer of college buildings to the Health, Medical Education, and Research Department, classes will commence. He said that currently, 12 percent of the work of this college is pending, and after that, furniture and other work will also be done.
In response to another question, he said that there is a possibility of the Medical College of Bhiwani starting its academic session in 2024-25 under the approval of the National Medical Commission. After this, admissions will be started, and classes will begin.
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Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta said that the Municipal Corporation Sonipat will visit the spot to assess the damage and get it verified
Chandigarh, February 28 – Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta said that the Municipal Corporation Sonipat will visit the spot to assess the damage and get it verified. As per Section 372 of the Haryana Municipal Act, 1994, and the standards set forth by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Government of Haryana vide Memo No. 687-IR-2022/2808 dated May 24, 2022, provisions are made for compensation.
Dr. Kamal Gupta was responding to a question raised by a member of house during Vidhan Sabha Budget Session today. He also informed the House that the construction of this drain was carried out under Amrit-1, which began in 2015 and was supposed to be completed by 2020 but was extended until 2024. Drain No. 6, which originates from Samalkha-Panipat and passes through Sonipat city, has caused overflow due to limited space, resulting in damage. The government will provide compensation for the losses incurred. Additionally, a tender of Rs. 49 lakh was floated for the temporary arrangement of this damage, which will be halted temporarily. An investigation will also be conducted, and the culprits will be punished.
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Haryana Higher Education Minister, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma said that the proposal to open a co-education college in village Ghangola of Sohna assembly constituency is under consideration
Chandigarh, February 28 - Haryana Higher Education Minister, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma said that the proposal to open a co-education college in village Ghangola of Sohna assembly constituency is under consideration by the government as there is no college in the 20 km radius.
Sh. Mool Chand Sharma was responding to a question asked by the MLA, Sh. Sanjay Singh during the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.
He informed the House that the government ensures opening a new government college within a 20 km radius. A proposal to open a government college in the village of Ghangola has been submitted to the competent authority.
He said Government Girls College, Mandkola (Palwal) is 16 km from village Ghanghola, and is functional. He assured that opening a college in this regard would be reconsidered.
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If the amount is not received by any panchayat, it will be investigated—Devender Singh Babli
So far, 85 development works have been completed in the Nuh district and the remaining works will also be completed soon
Chandigarh, February 28- Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister Sh. Devender Singh Babli said that development works worth up to Rs 5 crore are being approved on the recommendation of each MLA under the Chief Minister's announcement. He stated that every MLA should keep track of where and how this money is utilised. If any panchayat has not received the whole amount, an investigation will be conducted.
Sh. Babli was responding to a question during the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today. He said that so far, 85 development works have been completed in the Nuh district.
He informed the House that 31 development works have been done so far in the Ferozepur Jhirka assembly constituency of Nuh district. 29 development works have been done in Nuh, 8 development works in Punhana and 17 development works in Sohna have been completed, so far. He assured that the incomplete works will be completed soon.
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Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister, Sh. Devender Singh Babli said that he government's attitude towards the lease holders is sympathetic and a solution will be found in the upcoming cabinet meeting.
Chandigarh, February 28- Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister, Sh. Devender Singh Babli said that he government's attitude towards the lease holders is sympathetic and a solution will be found in the upcoming cabinet meeting.
Sh. Babli was responding to a question during the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.
He said that the fertile land was given to the leaseholders and the matter of their ownership rights will be considered soon. A meeting in this regard was also held recently between the Revenue and the Development and Panchayats Department.
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Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta
Chandigarh, February 28 - Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta said that the work of rain water drainage system in Yamunanagar is almost complete. Under this work, 5048 meters of rain water drainage system was to be constructed, out of which 4778 meters has been constructed.
Dr. Kamal Gupta was responding to the question raised by a member of house during Budget Session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha today.
He said that at present, 2200 meter rain water drainage system is functional and after construction of 270 meter drainage system, the remaining drainage system will become functional. The government has started the process for this project under The Haryana Underground Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 2008. For this, in-principle approval has been given by the Chief Minister and the process of issuing notification is underway. This work will be completed within five months after acquiring the right to use privately owned land.
He said that work on three projects of Yamunanagar, including Rs. 22.55 crore for augmentation of water supply, Rs. 64.54 crore for ensuring sewerage system, has almost been completed and in the third project, out of Rs. 13.35 crore, Rs. 10.9 crore has been spent for the rain water drainage system under Amrut.
He also apprised the House that this work will be completed within five months of the issuance of the notification of the Financial Commissioner, Revenue Department.
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Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. JP Dalal
Chandigarh, February 28 - Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. JP Dalal said that 70 percent of the remodeling work of Badola Minor has been completed and the remaining 30 percent work will also be completed soon.
The Minister was speaking during the Question Hour of the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.
Sh. J.P. Dalal said that Badola Minor off-takes at RD 22000-L of Sandwa Distributary. The length of Badola Minor is 21000 feet. The trees have grown in the water way, bank, dowel and service road of the channel in head reaches and there is no working space on service road for shifting of the construction material and machinery etc. for the rehabilitation work of the channel. Accordingly, the case of diversion of 0.892 hectare forest land was got cleared by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on October 31, 2023. Further, the case for deposition of payment of Rs. 1,82,99,832 for Stage-ll approval is under process. Work will be resumed by May 31, 2024 and will be completed by September 30, 2024.
The Agriculture Minister said that this canal does not provide water to Pataudi Khurd, Badalwala and Bidola villages. Rather it goes through other channels and canals. Not only this, water is available in all the water works in Tosham assembly constituency. When the present state government came to power, additional supply of drinking water and for irrigation has been ensured.
Sh. JP Dalal said that an MoU has been signed with Rajasthan regarding the optimum use of rain water. As per the MoU, a pipeline will also be laid to supply water to areas like Bhiwani, Tosham and Bawani Khera etc. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for this MoU.
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Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta
Chandigarh, February 28- Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta said that the work of expansion the ‘Rain Basera’ (night shelter) built on the drain will be carried out soon.
Dr. Kamal Gupta was responding to a question asked by MLA, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Batra during the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.
He said that on April 4, 2022, a site plan was approved by the Chief Town Planner, HSVP, in which the said site was marked as ‘Approved Site for Rain Basera’ (night shelter) on the road leading to the old bus stand and community center. A single room with a toilet has been constructed by the Municipal Corporation at the said site which will be used for ‘Rain Basera’ (night shelter).
He also informed the House that in the year 2019, the Municipal Corporation, Rohtak had constructed the boundary wall of the park on the land earmarked for ‘Rain Basera’ (night shelter). He said that landscaping work is being done in this park at the demand of the local residents and is in progress. A work order of Rs 43.16 lakh was issued to the work agency on August 24, 2023, for this. In this work, toilets, footpaths, and waterfalls have been constructed.
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Haryana Co-operation Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal
Chandigarh, February 28 - Haryana Co-operation Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal said that the audit work of 14 out of 17 projects of the first phase of the ICDP in the state has been completed. In addition, the audit work of the first part of two projects of the second phase has also been completed. The final audit report of the remaining five projects has been released, and the audit work of Phase 2 projects is under active progress.
The Cooperation Minister was responding to the Calling Attention motion on the last day of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Budget Session here today.
He said that since the year 2000, the government has also decided to conduct forensic and third-party financial audits of all ICDP projects. In this regard, an advertisement for the panel of independent auditing firms was issued by the government on February 6, 2024.
According to the directions of the government, on November 17, 2022, the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau initiated an investigation into these ICDP projects, and preliminary reports were filed in May and July 2023. Furthermore, on July 11, 2023, directions were issued to freeze the bank accounts of projects underway in 6 districts, including Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat and Gurugram, and directed that no funds of ICDP be utilized except for salary and office expenses. Further, no funds have been released during 2023-24.
He said that the investigation by the Anti Corruption Bureau has revealed that most of the ICDP works have been allotted to companies/firms owned by accused Stalinjeet Singh. It was revealed that he has been working with the Cooperation Department of Haryana for the last 20 years. Due to negligence in auditing by the Audit Wing comprising Sh. Sandeep Kumar Auditor, Sh.Vinod Kumar Auditor,Sh. Ishwar Singh Senior Auditor and Smt. Neelam Dhingra Senior Auditor have also been placed under suspension on February 17, 2024 and have been charge-sheeted.
Managing Director, Haryana State Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, Sh. Naresh Goyal was given additional charge of the nodal officer of the ICDP in July 2017. The nodal officer of the ICDP was assigned to someone else on February 5, 2024.
The Minister said that the department is taking action against the erring officers and employees continuously. Audit Officer, Anmol Ratan was suspended on October 4, 2021, Deputy Chief Auditor, Yogender Aggarwal on November 8, 2021, ARCS, Bhupendra Yadav, Inspector, Nagender Kumar, and Anil Kumar were chargesheeted. On April 19, 2022, Deputy Superintendent Inder Singh, clerk Jile Singh, and Nawal Singh were suspended on December 15, 2022, and allegations were made against them. Also, allegations were made against Assistant Registrar Anu Koshish, ARCS Sandeep Khatak, Narendra Kumar, and they were suspended. Thus, 4 employees were dismissed and 9 were suspended.
He said that in the first phase of the ICDP, the projects were sanctioned in 7 districts namely Bhiwani in March 2011,Panchkula, Ambala, Sirsa, Hisar in March 2013, Fatehabad in June 2013 and Rewari in April 2017. They were completed respectively in March 2018, March 2018, December 2019, August 2020, September 2020, August 2020 and March 2022. An amount of Rs.131 crore was released for these seven projects, out of which Rs. 107 crore was spent and the remaining Rs. 19.50 crore was deposited in the government treasury.
Dr. Banwari Lal said that a panel-advised consulting agency of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) prepared a detailed project report for 6 districts, including Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, and Gurugram, in July & August 2019, which was presented. In March 2021, approval letters were issued. The amount released for these 6 projects was Rs. 61.65 crore, out of which Rs. 19.46 crore were utilized, Rs. 9 crore were deposited in Govt. treasury. An amount of Rs. 29 crore was transferred to Hafed and Haryana Warehousing Corporation as deposit work for preparing of estimates, floating of tenders and execution of civil works. The balance amount of Rs. 4 crore approx. is lying in the accounts of field offices.
The Cooperation Minister said the main objective of Salary Earners’ Thrift & Credit (SETC) Cooperative Societies and Non Agricultural Thrift & Credit (NATC) Cooperative Societies is to encourage thrift and saving habits amongst the members by accepting the deposits and to provide credit facilities to its members on convenient and easy terms. The basic difference between SETC and NATC societies is that only salaried employees can become members of SETC society whereas the general public can become members of NATC society. There are 326 SETC and NATC working cooperative societies and in Hisar there are 133 societies. As per bye-laws of SETC and NATC societies, rate of interest for accepting deposits and advancing loans are decided by the Managing Committee and the General Body respectively. Though many societies are functioning well yet the Managing Committees of some Societies (20 approximately) misutilised the deposits or advanced loans without proper verification etc. It resulted into poor recovery of loans and ultimately, poor refund or non-refund of deposits to the depositors. When the irregularities came to the notice of the Department, the registration of new SETC and NATC cooperative societies was banned in the State in 2001. In cases where Managing Committee members/employees of the Society misutilised the deposits, surcharge proceedings under Section 101 of the Haryana Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 (‘the Act’) are initiated against them. The recovery of funds of the society from the delinquents, is made by way of attachment and sale of their movable/immovable property, under Section 110 and 111 of the Act. The refund of deposits to the depositors is effected through sale of such attached properties.