In Brief

Hooda honoured for promotion of Punjabi
The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (ad hoc) honoured Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday for declaring Punjabi as the second language in the state. Speaking at the function at Pipli near Kurukshetra,the CM said he was trying to learn how to read and write the language that was spoken not only within India,but also in several other countries.

Policy for regularisation of industrial units
The Haryana government has formulated a policy to regularise the existing industrial units within the controlled areas in the state. A spokesman of the Town and Country Planning department said the government had been receiving representations from various industrial associations regarding regularisation of industrial units that had come up over the years without permission under the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development,Act,1963 from the competent authority. In a number of cases,the department had initiated proceedings against such units. The government has now decided to provide an opportunity to these industrial units to seek regularisation,for which a procedure has been approved. The owners will be given three months’ time to submit their applications.

Welfare programmes for senior citizens
The Haryana government has decided to implement a number of schemes for the benefit of senior citizens during the financial year 2010-11. Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Geeta Bhukkal said the government had earmarked over Rs 1.6 crore to set up ‘varishth nagrik samman clubs’ in urban estates and rural areas of the state,in collaboration with local panchayats. A one-time grant will be provided for the purchase of furniture and fixtures. Bhukkal said the government planned to institute senior citizens’ voluntary service association or network for which Rs 18 lakh had been earmarked. It has also decided to provide 50 per cent concession in Haryana Roadways bus fares to senior women citizens.