Page 43 - Haryana

Holding excess water in Hathnikund barrage could lead to damage: Minister

Amid the blame game over water flow from the Hathnikund barrage increasing the Yamuna level in Delhi, Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal Thursday said not releasing excess water from the barrage could lead to a "bigger damage". "When there are floods or heavy rains as we not releasing excess water from the barrage could lead to a "bigger damage".saw in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and even our state in the last few days, there is no option but to release water. If we stop the water, the situation will be disastrous," the minister said. Pal said the Hathnikund barrage does not have a mechanism to store large volumes of water like a reservoir, adding that if water is held in the barrage beyond a permissible limit, a "bigger damage" could be caused. His comments came a day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a letter to Union Home Minister had requested that if possible, the water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released in limited speed and pointed out that Del

Water released from Himachal has reduced, will impact Yamuna: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat has informed him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, which in turn will impact the water level in the Yamuna. However, he said it will take some time for the water level in the river to recede. The Yamuna in Delhi swelled to 207.71 metres at 4 pm on Wednesday, breaching its all-time record of 207.49 metres set in 1978, flooding several areas and prompting Kejriwal to call an emergency meeting on the situation. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal requested that "if possible, the water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released in limited speed" and pointed out that Delhi is set to host the G20 Summit meeting in a few weeks. "Following my letter, I got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed. The wat

Focus shifts to rescue efforts as rains abate in parts of north India

As the weather improved in parts of north India, which was pummelled by heavy rains for days, authorities on Wednesday worked on a war footing to rescue stranded tourists, restore vehicular traffic on arterial roads and prevent floodwaters from entering new areas. In Punjab and Haryana, at least 15 people have died in rain-related incidents, according to government data. As many as 2,000 tourists stranded in Himachal Pradesh's Kasol were evacuated and more than 300 tourist vehicles stuck in Lahaul following landslides and flash floods left for their respective destinations, the state government said. In Delhi, the Yamuna swelled to 207.55 metres on Wednesday, breaching its all-time high of 207.49 metres recorded in 1978, according to government agencies. Delhi has recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna water level over the last three days. It shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 metres at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier

Rain havoc: 10,000 people shift from waterlogged areas in Punjab in 3 days

About 10,000 people have been shifted to safer places from their water-logged localities in Punjab over the past three days, authorities said on Wednesday as they focused on relief work. According to government data, the death toll due to rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana is 18. Seven of the deaths took place in Haryana. In Punjab, nearly 10,000 people have so far been evacuated in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, they said. Several places in neighbouring Haryana too remained flooded and Chief Minister Manohal Lal Khattar was expected to visit worst-hit Ambala district to take stock of the situation. The weather remained clear at most places in the region for the second day on Wednesday after three days of incessant rains. In a tweet, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he is taking regular updates on the rain situation. "All the dams are safe and well below the danger mark. Our priority is to provide all kinds of

Rain havoc: Relief measures going on war footing in Punjab and Haryana

Relief measures are going on a war footing in Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday as several parts of the states remained flooded following incessant rains in the past three days. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will visit the worst-hit Ambala district on Wednesday to take stock of the situation, officials said. In Punjab, nearly 10,000 people have so far been evacuated in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, they said. The weather remained clear at most places for the second day in the region on Wednesday after three days of incessant rains. According to government data, the death toll due to rain-related incidents in the two states is 15 which include seven deaths in Haryana. The heavy rainfall has left behind a trail of destruction with properties worth crores obliterated and farmlands flooded. Relief measures are going on a war footing in the affected areas of the two states, officials said. Haryana's Deputy Chief Ministe

Weather clears in Punjab, Haryana, authorities step up relief efforts

The rain ebbed on Tuesday after three days of incessant downpour, which left behind a trail of destruction in several parts of Punjab and Haryana where properties worth crores were damaged and nine lives lost. The governments in both states have stepped up efforts to provide relief to affected people even as they scramble to conduct rescue operations. On Tuesday morning, the weather was clear at most places in the region which brought relief to the people, after the incessant downpour inundated homes and caused extensive damage to crops and vegetables in many districts. Officials said relief shelters have been set up in the affected districts in the two states, including Rupnagar, Patiala, Mohali, Ambala and Panchkula. Chief ministers of the two states are closely monitoring the situation, they said. In the worst-hit Rupnagar district of Punjab, several people joined hands with the administration to extend a helping hand to those in need. "It is the indomitable spirit of Punjabis

Solid waste management in Haryana's Hisar, panel to submit report to NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a panel and asked it to submit an action-taken report regarding solid waste management in Haryana's Hisar district. The NGT took the step after hearing a petition that claimed that the Municipal Corporation of Hisar had violated rules. It alleged that the corporation collects household waste without segregation and its garbage disposal vehicles do not reach all households, because of which people are forced to dump garbage in the open. A bench of Acting Chairperson Justice Sheo Kumar Singh noted that according to the data before the tribunal, there was 1.3 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste in Hisar, which was because of a gap between waste generation and processing. The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, said before proceeding further, it deemed fit to call a report on the matter from a joint committee consisting of the Hisar collector and a representative of the Haryana

Yamuna inches closer to warning mark as Haryana releases more water

The Yamuna inched closer to the warning mark in Delhi as Haryana released more water into the river from the Hathnikund barrage amid persistent rains in the upper catchment areas. According to a flood bulletin, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge increased from 203.18 metres at 1 pm on Sunday to 203.58 metres at 10 am on Monday. The warning level is 204.5 metres. The water level is anticipated to rise to 205.5 metres between 10 am and 12 noon on Tuesday, crossing the danger mark of 205.33 metres. The irrigation and flood control department said the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage gradually increased from 1,05,453 cusecs at 4 pm on Sunday to 2,54,806 cusecs at 10 am on Monday. Normally, the flow rate at the barrage is 352 cusecs, but heavy rainfall in the catchment areas increases the discharge. The water from the barrage takes around two to three days to reach Delhi. The Delhi government issued a flood warning on Sunday and started shifting people living close to the riv

Rains continue to lash Punjab, Haryana; Army assistance sought in Patiala

Rains battered parts of Punjab and Haryana for the third consecutive day on Monday with authorities working round the clock to reach out to people in the worst-hit places in hours of crisis. According to the meteorological department, it has been raining in many parts of Punjab and Haryana since morning. In view of the prevailing situation caused due to incessant rains, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar cancelled all his pre-scheduled programmes for the day and summoned an emergency meeting of senior officials of various departments, including Home, Disaster Management and Urban Local Bodies, officials said. Khattar will also be holding a meeting with deputy commissioners later in the day through video-conferencing, they said. Authorities have already ordered the closure of schools in some affected areas in Punjab and Haryana. As torrential rains battered several parts of Punjab, Army assistance was sought by the Patiala district administration after water overflowed from

Fight is against unemployment, price rise, crime in Haryana: Hooda

Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday said that their fight is against unemployment, price rise, crime, drug addiction in Haryana. Addressing a 'Vipak Aapke Samaksh' outreach programme at Bhiwani, the former chief minister expressed his anguish over the "decline of Haryana from the number one state in the country in 2014 in per capita income, investment, job creation, law and order, and sports to topping now in unemployment, inflation and crime.." "My aim is not to become chief minister, but is to end unemployment, inflation, crime, drug addiction from Haryana," Hooda, who is Leader of the Opposition asserted. He said today every section is "troubled and unhappy" with this government. He said the BJP-led government had promised to double the income of the farmers but doubled the input costs instead. "During our government, there was no tax on fertilizers, no tax on pesticides, no tax on tractor parts. Today, there is no compensation for crop failure. Yesterday Rahul Gand

AAP launches Bijli Andolan in Haryana; Kejriwal target BJP over power cuts

The AAP on Sunday launched "Bijli Andolan" in Haryana from Panchkula, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal targeting the ruling BJP over power cuts in the state and saying that free and uninterrupted electricity supply is possible "if the intent is clean". At the event, Kejriwal was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. During the "Bijli Andolan" (electricity campaign), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and leaders will visit villages and towns and apprise people about "costly power" and regular outages and tell them that free and round-the-clock electricity is possible in Haryana too if the party is voted to power. "We are launching a Bijli Andolan... As you know, I have my roots in Haryana. Many people from the state have met me and told me about power problems. Some of them said that they have to face power cuts for six hours daily," Kejriwal said, addressing a gathering in Panchkula. Referring to a woman, who said she is a widow, among the audience, Kejriwal said

Monsoon woes: Flood warning in Delhi as Haryana releases water into Yamuna

The Delhi government issued a flood warning on Sunday after Haryana discharged more than one lakh cusecs of water into the Yamuna river from the HathniKund Barrage in Yamunanagar. "The first warning is being issued as 1,05,453 cusecs of water has been released into river Yamuna from Hathnikund barrage at 4 pm," the Irrigation and Flood Control department said in an order. Officials have been instructed to remain vigilant and take necessary measures at vulnerable areas. Quick response teams have also been deployed to raise awareness and warn the people residing within the river embankments. The Central Water Commission (CWC) warned that the water level in the Yamuna in Delhi is rising and is expected to surpass the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Tuesday. According to the CWC's flood-monitoring portal, the water level in the Yamuna at the Old Railway Bridge stood at 203.18 metres at 1 pm on Sunday. The warning level is 204.5 metres. The water level is likely to rise to 205.5 metres

Rahul Gandhi makes impromptu visit to Sonipat, interacts with villagers

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday made an impromptu visit to Haryana's Sonipat district and interacted with people and spent time with farmers working agricultural lands. He also took part in paddy sowing, a senior party leader from the state said. Gandhi reached Sonipat district's Madina village early on Saturday. "It was an impromptu visit ... He interacted with the villagers and the farmers working in the fields. Rahulji also took part in paddy sowing and drove a tractor," Jagbeer Singh Malik, the Congress' MLA from Gohana in Sonipat, told PTI over phone. Malik, who was present at the spot, said Gandhi was probably on his way to Himachal Pradesh from Delhi. In pictures tweeted from the Congress' official handle, Gandhi was seen in his familiar white t-shirt and trousers. He was also stepping onto the fields with the villagers. On Friday, Gujarat High Court dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" ...

PM to inaugurate Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway; check route, other details

The whole project is being built at a cost of Rs 80,000 crore and is part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I programme

Haryana announces Rs 2,750 monthly pension for unmarried people aged 45-60

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar further announced that widowers in the age group of 40 to 60 will get a monthly pension of Rs 2,750, provided their annual income is less than Rs 3 lakh

Haryana govt announces monthly pension for unmarried, widowed people

The Haryana government on Thursday announced a pension of Rs 2,750 per month for low-income unmarried people aged between 45 and 60. A similar scheme was unveiled for widowed men and women. The state government already provides a monthly pension to low-income people above 60. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said unmarried men and women who are in the age group of 45-60 and have an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh will get a pension of Rs 2,750 per month. Similarly, widowed people in the age bracket of 40-60 who have an annual income of less than Rs 3 lakh will also get Rs 2,750 every month, he said. This move will put an additional burden of Rs 240 crore per annum crore on the state exchequer. Khattar said there are a total of around 65,000 unmarried men and women and 5,687 widowers in the specified age group and income limit. He said the monthly income will help these people meet their personal needs. "Those whose income is very less, they will get some he

Ingka Centre to open its first India retail centre in Gurugram in 2025

Ingka Centres, part of Ikea's retail operator Ingka Group, on Wednesday said it would open its first retail centre in India in late 2025. The centre named 'Lykli' will be opened in Gurugram, Haryana. The company is investing 400 million euros (around Rs 3,500 crore) in the Gurugram project. It is also planning a similar centre in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. "The first assets to bear the bright and lively new brand will be Lykli Gurugram meeting place in Delhi NCR, scheduled to open in late 2025," Ingka Centres said a statement. The name Lykli comes from 'lycklig', a Swedish word for 'happy' and it was chosen by its future customers in India. "Ingka Centres invited people to share their feelings around several potential names, and they were instinctively drawn to happiness, vibrancy and liveliness embodied by 'Lykli'," it added. Ingka Centres offers shopping place, office space, food and beverage outlets and social activities collaborating with local community. The meeting place will b

Companies not too keen to implement Haryana's liquor at workplace policy

Executives said that while the policy is progressive and intended to create a new precedent, it is only slowly gaining traction

Haryana govt gives nod to engaging SHGs for rural water supply scheme

The Haryana Cabinet Tuesday gave a nod for introducing a new scheme for engaging Women Self-help Groups as service providers in the rural water supply scheme under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). While promoting water conservation, the scheme also aims to give SHG members an opportunity to earn additional income as well as gram panchayats to increase revenue from the residents, said an official release here. The Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, approved a proposal regarding engaging SHGs for collection of water charges and other related services in rural areas. Under this scheme, the billing for water charges is proposed to be carried out by village water and sanitation committees which will engage SHG women members for sending online bills. The distribution and collection of water charges shall be carried out by SHG members as per guidelines of the state rural livelihood mission (SRLM) from time to time. The scheme has been prepa

Haryana govt approves Rs 834 cr for 795 drinking water supply schemes

The Haryana government on Monday approved 795 new schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 834.10 crore to augment drinking water supply in urban and rural areas, it said in a statement. The projects approved include 134 new urban water supply and sewerage schemes that will cost an estimated Rs 104.27 crore. The government also sanctioned Rs 801.48 crore for 286 already approved projects for the current financial year for the acceleration of works on flagship programmes of the Public Health and Engineering department in the state's rural and urban areas, it said. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who chaired the 56th meeting of the water supply and sewerage board, issued directions to identify rural and urban pockets that get waterlogged every monsoon so that proactive measures can be taken. He also asked for constituting a core group of officers of the departments concerned to deliberate on the issue and prepare plans for the effective utilisation of waterlogged land in fisheries, ...