H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Tributes paid to Y.S. Parmar
SHIMLA, Aug 4 — Tributes were paid to Y.S. Parmar, the builder of Himachal Pradesh on his 95th birth anniversary, here today.

Minister assures steps to combat rice blast
MANDI, Aug. 4 — The Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidya Sagar, allaying farmers’ fears on the outbreak of the rice blast in some pockets of Mandi district, today said preventive measures were being taken on a war-footing and fungicides were being sprayed wherever the disease had appeared.

HP postal links being restored
SHIMLA, Aug 4 — The postal communication between Rampur Bushahr and Shimla, which was temporarily dislocated due to the flash floods has been reestablished by the transhipment of mail bags.

Bandh observed
KULU, Aug 4 — A total bandh was observed in the towns of Kulu and Bhuntar in this district today in protest against the killings in Jammu and Kashmir. GS Babbu, President of the Beopar Mandal said the bandh was called to condemn the killings in Jammu and Kashmir besides the tragedy due to the flash floods in Kinnaur, Shimla, Mandi and Kulu districts.

Rally against illegal mining
SOLAN, Aug 4 — Activists of the Nalagarh-Doon Paryavaran Bachao Samiti, a group of environmentalists, formed recently to focus public attention on the nefarious activities of the mining mafia in the Doon-Nalagarh belt of this district, held a rally at the Indira Gandhi market and later took out a procession through the bazars of Nalagarh today.

Havildar cremated
BILASPUR, Aug 4 — Havildar Desraj (36) of 4th Dogra battalion was cremated with full military and state honours at the cremation ghat of his native village, Amarcha, in Jhandutta development block here yesterday.

Tributes paid to Y.S. Parmar
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 4 — Tributes were paid to Y.S. Parmar, the builder of Himachal Pradesh on his 95th birth anniversary, here today.

The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, garlanded the statue of Y.S. Parmar at the historic Ridge. Later, function was organised in the Vidhan Sabha by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Himachal chapter, to mark the occasion.

Mr Dhumal lauded the role of Y.S. Parmar in the formation and development of the State, and said Himachal Pradesh was considered a model for the development of hill areas in the country.

He said true tribute to him on this day would be to follow his values and ideals and work for the prosperity of the state. The government would provide all possible assistance to make the Vidhan Sabha complex one of the best in the country, he said.

He also released a book entitled "Sansadiya Visheshadhikar" on the occasion.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the phase-II B block of MLAs hostel constructed at a cost of Rs 1.75 crore.

Mr Gulab Singh Thakur, the Speaker, said Dr Parmar’s contribution in development of Horticulture and infrastructure would always be remembered. He said he was an able administrator and farsighted politician. The administrative block was also being constructed at a cost of Rs 2.03 crore.

The members of council of ministers, Mr Ram Lal Thakur, a former Chief Minister, Mr Sukh Ram, President, HVC, Mr Jai Krishan, state BJP chief, former minister and MLAs were also present on the occasion.

Minister assures steps to combat rice blast
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Aug. 4 — The Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidya Sagar, allaying farmers’ fears on the outbreak of the rice blast in some pockets of Mandi district, today said preventive measures were being taken on a war-footing and fungicides were being sprayed wherever the disease had appeared.

Talking to mediapersons at the local Circuit House, Mr Sagar said he had visited a number of villages in Rewalsar block along with officials and agriculture scientists to assess the damage. He said fungicides were being sold to the farmers at subsidised rates. The technical know-how and spray pumps were being given wherever needed, he said.

The minister held meetings with groups of farmers and advised them to inform the department immediately about the outbreak of the disease. Rice blast has affected about 50 hectares in the district. The total area under rice cultivation was 2,600 hectares, he said.

Mr Vidya Sagar said more training camps for farmers would be organised to impart training in latest techniques to farmers about crop protection. Experts from Krishi Vishava Vidyalaya, Palampur, would interact with the farmers and educate them on the day-today problems, he said.

The minister said Himachal Pradesh was best suited for the production of off-season vegetables and a plan had been drawn up to harness this potential and vegetable production would enhance the income manifold. He said at least five samples from each panchayat would be taken for soil testing. He said a new scheme had been launched to identify the best field officers and farmers from block level to state level to award prizes to them.

HP postal links being restored
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 4 — The postal communication between Rampur Bushahr and Shimla, which was temporarily dislocated due to the flash floods has been reestablished by the transhipment of mail bags.

Kinnaur district by and large still remain cut-off with many road and bridge breaches.

Between Rampur Bushahr and Bhabanagar, mail lines have also been restored mainly through the deployment of runners. In Kinnaur district, apart from the washing away of Karchham sub-post office, there has been no loss of either life of property to the Postal Department. Within Kinnaur, mail lines are operating from Rekong Peo to the rural areas.

The Postmaster at Karchham had a narrow escape, as he had his official residence on the first floor of the post office. According to Mr Vijay Bhushan, Chief Post Master General, HP circle, the post office building had been washed away completely, no record and valuables of the post office could be saved. Loss to the department was still being assessed. Similarly, branch post offices at Shong, Brua, Sapni and Kilba, which were under the accounts jurisdiction of Karchham sub-post office would be attached with either Sangla sub-post office or with Tapri post office, he said.

At Rampur Bushahr, two members of the staff, whose rented accommodation was washed away had been temporarily housed in the inspection quarters.

Bandh observed
From Our Correspondent

KULU, Aug 4 — A total bandh was observed in the towns of Kulu and Bhuntar in this district today in protest against the killings in Jammu and Kashmir. GS Babbu, President of the Beopar Mandal said the bandh was called to condemn the killings in Jammu and Kashmir besides the tragedy due to the flash floods in Kinnaur, Shimla, Mandi and Kulu districts.

The District Bar Association also joined the bandh call and abandoned the courts yesterday as well as today. Rajinder Thakur, President of the Bar Association appealed to the members of the bar to make contributions for the flood victims.

The hoteliers association urged the government to correct the news being flashed on Doordarshan that the loss of life and property due to the flashfloods was in Kulu and Manali districts, which has given wrong signals to the tourists coming to this valley. Parts of Kulu district adjoining Rampur areas of the Shimla district were affected whereas the Kulu and Manali areas of this district are normal and all the roads are clear from Chandigarh and Pathankot to Kulu and Manali.

Meanwhile, reports of bandh have been received from Malerkotla, Sirhind, Ropar, Sirsa, Kaithal and Nahan.

Rally against illegal mining
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, Aug 4 — Activists of the Nalagarh-Doon Paryavaran Bachao Samiti, a group of environmentalists, formed recently to focus public attention on the nefarious activities of the mining mafia in the Doon-Nalagarh belt of this district, held a rally at the Indira Gandhi market and later took out a procession through the bazars of Nalagarh today.

Representatives of the samiti led by their President, Mr Gyanendra Bhardwaj also handed over a memorandum to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nalagarh, Mr K.C. Chaman urging upon the government to curb illegal and unscientific mining, especially in the river beds.

The samiti had also launched a door-to-door campaign to create an awareness about the impending danger to the ecology by ever-increasing incidents of flooding caused by mining in river beds. They are also drawing public attention towards the menace caused by smoke and dust belching stone crushers that dot the Nalagarh-Doon area.

Bogus sale deed attempt foiled
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, Aug 4 — An alert employee of the tehsil office, Jawali yesterday foiled an attempt to execute a bogus sale deed of land measuring over one kanal of nearby Dann village. According to the police a case under Section of 420 of the IPC has been registered against two witnesses Sham Lal and Karam Singh, whose names figured on the executing sale deed and arzinavees Dharam Chand, who had prepared the deed. Two unidentified sellers, who reportedly impersonated as Rakesh Kumar and Saweena Devi, the owners of the land, escaped from the office of the sub-registrar, Jawali.

The owner of land do not live there due to their jobs. The sub-registrar cancelled the deed. No arrests have been made so far.

Havildar cremated
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, Aug 4 — Havildar Desraj (36) of 4th Dogra battalion was cremated with full military and state honours at the cremation ghat of his native village, Amarcha, in Jhandutta development block here yesterday.

Hundreds of villagers and leaders of all political parties also attended the cremation. This brave soldier laid down his life while fighting terrorists at Baghipur in Kupwara district in Kashmir on the night of July 31. His body arrived here yesterday noon.