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| Thursday, June 15, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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KVIC
to produce biofertilisers on large scale
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| 5 J&K hydel projects under
Central plan DALHOUSIE, June 14 — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has offered the execution of five major hydroelectric projects totalling to a generating capacity of over 2,700 MW in the state under the Central Sector Plan. Martyr cremated MANDI, June 14 — The mortal remains of martyr Harnam Singh of 110-Dogra Regiment were consigned to the flames with full civil and military honours last evening in his native village of Kayargi in Karsog sub-division of this district. His elder brother Ram Lal lit the pyre. He was unmarried. Central funds not diverted: HP SHIMLA, June 14 — An official spokesman has denied that funds provided by the Centre for purchasing modern weapons to combat militancy in the border areas of Chamba district had been diverted for purchasing uniforms and others items. Trees on govt land uprooted CHAMBA, June 14 — Some miscreants uprooted and burnt various species of trees in four hectare of government land falling in the Preena belt of Bharmour tribal subdivision in Chamba district in the last week of May, according to a delayed report reaching here yesterday. 50 patients examined PARWANOO June 14 — A two-day free cancer detection camp, organised by the World Homoeopathic Development Organisation (WHDO), concluded here today. Memorial to gunner SHIMLA, June 14 — Mr Khushi Ram Balnatah, Vice-Chairman of the State Road Transport Corporation, unveiled the memorial built in the honour of gunner Yashwant Singh, who laid down his life in Kargil, at Rohru today. Website on Baba Balak Nath SHIMLA, June 14 — The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, yesterday launched the website on Baba Balak Nath, jaibabedi.com,developed by Mr Harsh Katoch and Mr Siva Kumar. The website gives complete information about the famous temples of Baba Balak Nath.
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KVIC to produce biofertilisers on
large scale SHIMLA, June 14 — In a major initiative, which will have far-reaching implications for the farm sector, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has decided to go in for production of biofertilisers on a large scale to reduce the country’s dependence on chemical fertilisers. According to Dr Mahesh Sharma, Chairman of the commission, an action plan had already been prepared to produce high quality organic fertilisers and insecticides using cow dung and urine and non=edible oil cakes. He said the excessive and indiscriminate use of expensive chemical fertilisers had over the years severely affected the soil fertility and there was an urgent need to provide an alternative. So far, no organised effort had been made to produce biofertilisers on a commercial scale. At present, chemical fertilisers worth over Rs 30,000 crore were being consumed annually. The production was far short of demand, forcing the country to go in for imports. Only last year, chemical fertilisers worth Rs 6,000 crore were imported. Besides, their prices were also high and the government was giving huge subsidy to farmers. Last year it paid a whopping Rs 12,000 crore towards subsidy. The KVIC planned to replace at least half of the chemical fertilisers consumed with organic fertilisers in a phased manner. A special working group had been constituted to implement the plan in close coordination with the Rural Development and Agriculture Departments. A large number of biogas plants had been set up across the country over the past two decades. The cow dung slurry from these would be used to produce biofertiliser. In another major step to help small manufacturers, the commission had decided to market five products under its own brand name. These include honey, incense, pickles, soap and spices. These branded products would not only be sold through the commission’s own outlets but also through private dealers. In the next phase, more products would be included in the scheme. Referring to efforts to modernise village industries, Dr Sharma said the research and development wing was being strengthened and the commission would soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the IIT, Delhi, for carrying out research relevant to village industries. It was already collaborating with the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and the National Institute of Fashion and Design, Delhi, to introduce latest designs in khadi. He said khadi was a popular fabric among top designers who were using it imaginatively. Referring to the commission’s plan for Himachal Pradesh, he said a multi-disciplinary training institute would be set up in Hamirpur district for upgradation of technical, managerial and marketing skills of entrepreneurs. He said the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, had agreed to extend all help for the project which would jointly be funded by the state and the commission. There had been quantum jump in financial investment in the hill state during the past two years. As against an investment of Rs 27 crore in 40 years, over Rs 20 crore were invested during the past two years. The commission planned an investment of Rs 60 crore over the next two years to create over 14,000 new job opportunities. It had decided to adopt the special cluster approach to promote cottage industry in the hill state. Under the scheme, a large number of persons would be encouraged to take a particular production line so that they could be provided common facility for processing and marketing the produce. Apiculture would be promoted under the cluster approach in Kulu district, besides a herb-based processing project. In Una district, fibre-based industry and in Kangra, pottery would be promoted under the scheme.
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CM
‘marginalising’ HVC DHARAMSALA, June 14 — The Himachal Vikas Congress chief, Mr Sukh Ram, today accused the Dhumal government of trying to “marginalise” his party ever since the formation of the coalition government in the state. Addressing a press conference here today, he said the move to marginalise his party had started the very next day after the formation of the government. Regretting his decision to join the Dhumal government as a minister, he said the only reason he did so was to bring about a “power revolution” in Himachal. He added that when he had joined the ministry then also there were cases against him, so there was no change in the situation when he quit. “Two of my party MLAs —Mr Mansa Ram and Mr Prakash Chaudhary — were asked to join the BJP to prevent the formation of a Congress government in the state”, he said. He added that after the Shimla Lok Sabha seat was won by the HVC efforts were made to woo the MP, Mr Dhani Ram Shandil, and rallies were held all over the state giving all credit to the BJP for his victory”. They can woo my party MPs and MLAs but the vote bank of the HVC is intact and cannot be taken away by any other party”, he claimed. Regarding the conduct of the Minister for Public Works, Mr Mohinder Singh, and former MLA, Mr O.P. Rattan, he alleged they were the most indisciplined and undependable people. “They have behaved in the most undignified and irresponsible manner while they were in the Congress and the HVC and I have warned Mr Dhumal that he should not encourage them before they become liabilities for the BJP as well,” he remarked. He added that 90 per cent of the people in the BJP were against Mr Mohinder Singh, being given so much importance. Accusing the BJP of propagating that the HVC had split, he clarified that only Mr Mohinder Singh had been suspended from the party and till he did not get his party registered with the Election Commission of India, it could not be considered a separate party. He objected to Mr Dhumal considering Mr Mohinder Singh and his supporters as the breakaway faction of the HVC. Refuting reports that he was exerting “pressure tactics” to get his son Anil Sharma inducted in the Union Cabinet, he said this was being done to spread a rift between him and the HVC MP, Mr Dhani Ram Shandil.
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TB plan fails to benefit
patients NURPUR, June 14 — The governor sponsored Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) which was launched in Kangra district in October, 1998, has become an eyewash due to the apathy of the authorities in the Civil Hospital, Nurpur. The hospital has shown no interest to adopt this programme. Inquiries reveal that this World Bank-aided programme has failed to render any benefit to tuberculosis patients in this area. Under the programme the patients are assured free treatment along with medicines at their nearest government health institution. The patient diagnosed with tuberculosis are put under the programme. The old National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP), which does not ensure free treatment to the patients, still exists in this hospital. The patients, usually unaware of the new programme buy expensive medicines from the market although the hospital has anti-TB drugs in abundance under the RNTCP. Dr Vayaum Bhardwaj, Kangra district Tuberoulosis Control Programme officer, who recently conducted a surprise checking of the record of the patients in the Civil Hospital, Nurpur, in May, found that 26 patients, mostly youngsters\, were put in the NTP whereas only six elderly patients were being treated through RNTCP. A majority of the patients were being deprived of the free treatment being given by the government. Dr Bhardwaj, when contacted, confirmed the report. He said he had seized the patients treatment cards where the patients were put in NTP. He disclosed he had submitted his report in this connection to the State Tuberculosis Control Officer, Shimla. He believed there should be a conspiracy against the RNTCP in the Nurpur area.
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‘Bogus’
membership
worries Cong men SHIMLA, June 14 — Some senior Congress leaders are worried over the “bogus’ membership drive by a particular group reportedly to grab the post of the PCC chief, election to which will be held on November 1. They are equally concerned over the failure of the pradesh election authority, Mr Hanumanth Rao, a former MP, so far to appoint district scrutiny committees. According to the revised organised election programme, objections against the membership can be filed before the district scrutiny committees by June 26. A section of the Congress leadership alleges that a large number of active members have been enrolled in certain areas through activists of the Youth Congress. It is being alleged that some leaders having hardly any roots among the real workers, are encouraging enrolment of “bogus” members. A three-member pradesh election authority comprising Mr Rao, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma and Mr K.D. Sultanpuri has so far visited here only once about three months ago. A senior party leader is learnt to have expressed doubts about the intentions of some senior persons involved in conducting the organisational elections here. It is being alleged that nomination of the district scrutiny committees is being delayed to allow manipulation of membership record. It is also being pointed out that the rules provide that anyone could be made an active member provided he or she has completed 365 days as an ordinary members of the party. However, a large number of people who do not fulfil in this criteria, have been enrolled as active members, sources claim. They say adequate time should be provided for screening each membership form as enrolment of genuine and active member is an essential step to ensure free and fair party elections. It is also being pointed
out that a futile attempt had been made by the Sukh Ram
faction to capture the post of PCC chief in 1992 when
about six delegates, considered to be supporters of Mr
Virbhadra Singh were, debarred from voting. However, Mr
Sharad Pawar, who was in the Congress at that time and
was observer for the state, allowed all delegates to
participate in the election in which Mr Virbhadra Singh
was declared elected. |
Chaudhary seeks funds for Kangra DHARAMSALA, June 14 — The Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidyasagar Chaudhary, has urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban and Rural Development to provide liberal funds for improving infrastructure facilities and developing Kangra as a pilgrims centre. The committee delegation was here on a two-day visit to Kangra district. Mr Chaudhary, in a memorandum presented to the 21-member committee, demanded the setting up of a ropeway between the historical Kangra Fort and the Mata Jayanti temple located on two hills opposite each other. He said the Rs 5 crore ropeway project would not only attract pilgrims in large numbers but also provide indirect employment to unemployed youth of the area. Placing other requests before the committee, he stressed the need for developing infrastructure in Kangra town which is visited by over 10 lakh people every year. He said Rs 16 crore would be required for providing a parking facility, serai building, bathing ghats and toilets, better roads, drains and proper sewerage facilities. Kangra being a predominantly agricultural area, the minister requested that provision of irrigation facilities would help the farmers to diversify from their traditional crops to cash crops. He said there was immense potential for the setting up of tubewells and lift irrigation schemes. He sought liberal assistance so that 2,500 hectares area could be brought under lift irrigation schemes involving a cost of Rs 30 crore.
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Forest fires harm wildlife CHAMBA, June 14 — The fire-prone belts, mostly the chil tree forests here, are on fire for the past week. As a result there has been a lot of damage to birds and various species of reptiles in the area. The fires have also destroyed wildlife habitat in the vicinity of Chamba, Bhattiyat, Banikhet and Churah. The forest fires these days are harmful in view of the mating season of the fauna. Forest officials are on their toes day and night equipped with wireless sets in coordination with the local people in checking the fires at certain access points. The forest staff are focussing primarily on the protection of cultivated plantation for which gang-huts and watch-towers have been installed. The officials are also assessing the losses.
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Devotees
plea on pilgrimage CHAMBA: The residents of Bharmour have appealed to the Himachal Government to keep the Manimahesh pilgrimage open for four summer months like the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. In a representation to the Himachal Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, the tribal people have urged that the Manimahesh pilgrimage should remain open from June 1 to September 30. They say that this step would improve the road network which will help the tourism industry in this region. The abode of Lord Shiva, is nestled in the lap of snowy ranges of the mighty Himalayas at an altitude of 5656 metres. * * * The Chamba Welfare Association has urged the government to undertake the construction of a three-storeyed shopping complex opposite Chowgan No 4 in this town. The Association has demanded clearance of the proposal for constructing a multi-storeyed transport complex above the office of the Superintendent of Police. In a memorandum submitted to Mr Kishori Lal, Himachal Industries Minister and Mr Mohan Lal, Ayurveda Minister, recently, the association has requested that the flow of the river Ravi be diverted so as to save Tatwani, Kasakada and Sheetla mohallas from floods. The Association has demanded that Sarol village near here should be developed as picnic spot. A cafeteria and floriculture wing should be set up there. The Association has urged the construction of a rest house in the hills of Mani and Jhulada and upgradation of the local ITI to a polytechnic institute and opening of a new ITI at Tissa or Salooni. It has also demanded construction of trekkers’ huts at Satroondi, Bairagarh, Devikothi, Ranikot, Alwas and Himgiri. * * * A workshop on the proposals of road construction in the light of Forest Conservation Act in the alpine district of Chamba was held at Dalhousie recently which was chaired by Mr Mohinder Pal, Conservator of Forests, Chamba circle. As many as 20 officers from the Forest Department and the Public Works Department (PWD) attended the workshop and had interaction on the bottlenecks in the construction of roads. The workshop was addressed by Mr P.S. Dogra, Superintending Engineer, PWD, Dalhousie circle. He urged the Forest Department authorities to get the new road proposals cleared by the Union Environment Ministry. He has emphasised the need of identifying the specific dumping points. * * * The Union Ministry of Urban Development has allocated Rs 4.33 crore for the construction of Dalhousie Water Supply Scheme. The scheme has an outlay of Rs 7.35 crore. Water will be lifted
from the Bathri stream at Sherpur near the river Ravi
from a distance of 10 km. This scheme would fulfil the
water requirement of teh local hotel industry and the
proposed sewerage scheme for the projected population
growth of about 20,000 in the hill station. |
5 J&K
hydel
projects under Central plan DALHOUSIE, June 14 — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has offered the execution of five major hydroelectric projects totalling to a generating capacity of over 2,700 MW in the state under the Central Sector Plan. Giving this information here yesterday Mr S.K. Dodeja, Executive Director, Region II of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), disclosed that in this respect a high-level meeting on power development was held in Srinagar on June 10. The Union Power Minister, Mr P.R. Kumarmanglam, the J&K Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the NHPC, Mr Yogendra Prasad, and senior officials from the Union Ministry of Power and the Government of J&K attended the meeting. Mr Dodeja said these colossal projects included 280 MW Uri hydroelectric project (Stage II), 330 MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project, 1020 MW Bursar hydroelectric project, 1000 MW Pakul Zul hydroelectric project and 120 MW Sewa hydroelectric project (Stage II) in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir. He informed that the execution of these projects for detailed survey, investigation, detailed project report and construction by the NHPC was under the active consideration of Central Government.
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Martyr
cremated MANDI, June 14 — The mortal remains of martyr Harnam Singh of 110-Dogra Regiment were consigned to the flames with full civil and military honours last evening in his native village of Kayargi in Karsog sub-division of this district. His elder brother Ram Lal lit the pyre. He was unmarried. A pall of gloom had descended on the sleepy village yesterday when the news of extreme sacrifice made by Harnam Singh came in. A stream of thousands of people had started converging since morning. He had been killed during an encounter with terrorists on June 10 at 4 a.m. in Rajauri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. He was the youngest of the five children of Pratap Singh. Among those who attended
the funeral were Food and Supply Minister Mr Mansa Ram
and civil and Army officers. |
Central funds not diverted: HP SHIMLA, June 14 — An official spokesman has denied that funds provided by the Centre for purchasing modern weapons to combat militancy in the border areas of Chamba district had been diverted for purchasing uniforms and others items. A spokesman for the Police Department has described this report as “baseless and contrary to facts.” The spokesman clarified that the Centre sanctioned Rs 4.38 crore to the state government during the last days of the 1999-2000 financial year and added that Rs 40.69 lakh was utilised for purchasing modern equipment while the balance was deposited in the Police Deposit Fund on March 31 this year, in accordance with the orders of the state government. No amount was spent out of this remaining fund as committees had been constituted for incurring expenditure under motor vehicle, machinery and other heads and this committee was busy completing requisite formalities which had to be fulfilled before the purchasing process started, he said.
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Trees on govt land uprooted CHAMBA, June 14 — Some miscreants uprooted and burnt various species of trees in four hectare of government land falling in the Preena belt of Bharmour tribal subdivision in Chamba district in the last week of May, according to a delayed report reaching here yesterday. Giving this information here, Mr Rajinder Mohan Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Chamba, said Mr Kailash Chand, a member of the Van Yojna Samiti, Preena, reported the matter to the forest authorities and also lodged a report with the Bharmour police station against 18 persons suspected to be involved in the uprooting and burning of various species of trees grown in the area. The saplings had been planted under the Sanjhi Van Youna programme launched by the state government. The SP said a team of police officials had been deployed to enquire into the episode and bring the offenders to book. Meanwhile, the
Divisional Forest Officer has denied receiving any
complaint regarding the incident. |
50
patients examined PARWANOO June 14 — A two-day free cancer detection camp, organised by the World Homoeopathic Development Organisation (WHDO), concluded here today. Nearly 50 patients from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, were examined in the camp. Dr A.M. Mathur, president, WHDO, said this was the third camp and the response was good. Doctor Mathur said the WHDO was working for the development of the Homoeopathic system of medicine and had started a cancer free movement in the world. He said the organisation had also organised camps in Libya, Sydney, Singapore and received good response from foreigners. Jammu and Kashmir is worst affected with this disease he said.More than 10 per cent of the population is suffering from cancer. The use of “hukkaha” is the main factor of cancer in mouth, glands, lungs and thyroids. The lungs cancer is mainly due to “kangri”.
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Memorial
to gunner SHIMLA, June 14 — Mr Khushi Ram Balnatah, Vice-Chairman of the State Road Transport Corporation, unveiled the memorial built in the honour of gunner Yashwant Singh, who laid down his life in Kargil, at Rohru today. Thousands turned up to pay tributes to the brave son on his first death anniversary today. Mr Balnatah said the
countrymen would ever remain indebted to Yashwant Singh
for making the supreme sacrifice. His sister had been
given a government job and substantial financial help had
also been extended to the family. |
Website on Baba Balak Nath SHIMLA, June 14 — The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, yesterday launched the website on Baba Balak Nath, jaibabedi.com,developed by Mr Harsh Katoch and Mr Siva Kumar. The website gives complete information about the famous temples of Baba Balak Nath. The Chief Minister lauded the efforts of Mr Katoch and Mr Siva Kumar in developing the website. He suggested that an audio version of the information be incorporated in it besides developing it in Hindi and Punjabi. He also suggested that its linkage be also made with other famous religious places in the state.
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