 |
Tuesday,
April 9, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
|
Govt keen on settling
Wildflower Hall row Construction spurt a safety risk MC poll: anti-incumbency
factor to ‘benefit’ BJP Cong workers clash, 5 held |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Poor attendance at gram sabha meetings Orientation programme inaugurated Lecturers call off agitation Govt buckling under
MNC pressure: AITUC Stokes
condemns attack on Medha Registration marks
to be replaced Flat price hike
irks residents 1 held for cheating
Haj pilgrims Farm scientists urged to adopt villages
|
|
Govt keen on settling
Wildflower Hall row Shimla, April 8 The BJP had all along maintained that the joint venture agreement with EIH signed by the previous Congress regime was a sell out. After coming to power it had been trying to review the agreement. The sudden takeover of the Rs 100 crore property on the plea that the EIH has violated the agreement was a step in this direction. According to highly-placed sources the government could consider giving the hotel on a long lease on terms, which could ensure reasonable returns to it from the valuable property. The offer made by the Holiday Inn, which failed to clinch the joint venture deal, could provide the basis for settlement. The Holiday Inn had offered to pay Rs 2 crore annually as lease money to the government. If the EIH agrees to have a deal on these terms the government could settle the issue by giving the hotel to it on a long-term lease. The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, said the government wanted a prompt settlement of the dispute but not at the cost of state’s interests. The EIH had indeed violated the joint venture agreement and the government had to take action. As per the agreement the total cost of the project was pegged at Rs 40 crore but it increased to Rs 100 crore. Besides, the equity of the state was to be retained at 35 percent at that of the EIH could not exceed 55 per cent. But the company had not adhered to these terms. His government had been making efforts to attract new investors and it would not do anything to discourage the old ones. More so, as the project pertained to tourism, which figured on the top of the government priority list. Mr Dhumal hoped that the management of the EIH would see reason and work for an early settlements so that projects could function smoothly benefiting both the company and the state. |
|
Status quo ordered in Wildflower case Shimla, April 8 The board heard the arguments of the East Indian Hotels (EIH) during today’s hearing. The state government would present its arguments on April 10, after which the board would give its ruling. A petition had been filed by the EIH, challenging the resolution at the purported meeting of the managing board of the joint venture company convented by the three government directors, at which the decision to appoint a government officer as the Chief Executive Officer had been taken. The government had taken over the hotel past month after it terminated the agreement. The EIH had been maintaining that it was in full control of the hotel and operating it as usual. |
|
Construction spurt a safety risk Kasauli A contradiction is emerging with regard to government policy which is, on the one hand, proposing expansion of the highway by acquiring land and, on the other, allowing construction on the highway. Such lack of coordination between these two policies is sending confusing signals among builders. While expansion of the highway is a project of the Union Ministry of Road Transportation and Highway, the permission to carry out constructions is granted by the state government. The survey has pointed out that to make expansion, acquisition of land would have to be undertaken at a number of places. Experts conducting the survey opine that already a number of such places exist on the highway where haphazard construction of residential and commercial buildings has left little scope for any other option. Despite this no effort has been initiated by government agencies to reduce the cost by disallowing further construction. This is likely to add to the monetary burden once the expansion plan begins. Officials in the Public Works Department, when contacted, stated that expansion of the highway into a four-lane carriageway would be given the go-ahead only after exploring the physical and economic feasibility by the central government. Moreover, special area development committees were formed by the state government to streamline highway constructions where building activity was being pursued as per rules. However, the situation on the highway presents a different picture where there was hardly any adherence to the rules laid down by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department. While a go-ahead has been given by the state government for the construction of five-storey buildings recently, it must be pointed out that most of the buildings coming up on the highway in the past two years have flouted rules. With barely any stress on quake-prone structures, builders here had been erecting five-storey structures even when the three-storey limit was in force. Structural experts, while welcoming this move, have cautioned that in case the quake safety norms are ignored in case of these high-rise constructions, it would prove disastrous for the region as it falls in the high seismic zone. In order to make a structure quake-proof, it must be ensured than the foundations are stronger than ordinary buildings and the columns properly planned, so that in case the beams collapse, the buildings remain safe. In addition, engineers also opine that the concept of sheer wall, linter and plinth bands as well as the vertical beams should be incorporated in the structure while designing the building. While stressing on these crucial aspects, the experts point out that these norms should also be adopted for single and double storey structures. But given the lack of adherence to these norms it is being felt that this half-baked move of the state government which had been initiated without eliciting expert opinion, will prove disastrous in the long run. Its willingness to grant permission to five-storey buildings on roadsides would made roads into corridors posing problems for vehicular traffic, a fact often put forth by the TCP Department in its development plans. Geologists also point out that National Highway No. 22, which comprises alternate bands of sandstone and clay, is not considered fit for sustaining large high-rise constructions. While sandstone can sustain constructions, clay is not feasible. Builders have initiated construction of multistorey buildings there without getting the soil tested and that too much earlier than the government gave the go-ahead to such tall buildings. Barog on NH-22 is notorious for such violations and the government wishes to enforce more laws when the existing ones remain ignored. Another crucial question which arises here is the presence of qualified structural engineers. This requires highly experienced engineers with at least BE or ME qualification. Those from the plains lack the necessary experience of designing hill buildings. TCP department officials also agree that structural engineering is yet to become popular in the state. This step is being seen as a hasty one done without looking to its feasibility. |
|
MC poll: anti-incumbency
factor to ‘benefit’ BJP Shimla, April 8 Talking to The Tribune here today, he said it was true that the BJP was in power both at the Centre and in the state but it was during the prolonged misrule of the Congress that the “Queen of Hills” degenerated into a concrete jungle and people were deprived of basic amenities. Roads were in bad shape, the green cover had vanished, streets were without lights and there was an acute shortage of water, he said, blaming the Congress for it. The election results would indicate to some extent the response of the people to the efforts being made by the state government to strengthen the basic facilities. The government had taken steps to improve the quality of life and provide ample funds to the corporation for the purpose. As against Rs 22.38 crore it received during 1994-98, the present government provided it Rs 38.39 crore yet it failed to even properly maintain the existing amenities. It had also failed to pay electricity charges for street lights and water charges to the Irrigation and Public Health Department. The government continued with its effort and implemented several projects to strengthen the basic infrastructural facilities. There was parking space for only 140 vehicles in 1997 but the BJP government had increased it to over 1500 over the past four years. Besides, a beautification plan was launched by mobilising funds from banks, public sector undertakings and other institutions. The corporation did not have any role in it. |
|
Shimla civic poll: 164 in fray Shimla, April 8 The Congress, and to some extent, the BJP, have been plagued by dissidence. A large number of rebel candidates from the two parties, who had been denied tickets, today filed their nominations as independents. Their presence would create further confusion in the poll scene, which had become uncertain due to the entry of the Himachal Vikas Congress and the eight-party Him Loktantrik Morcha. Seven wards have been reserved for women and four for Scheduled Caste candidates. |
|
Cong workers clash, 5 held Shimla, April 8 The arrested persons were supporter of the Vidya Stokes faction. They have been charged with attacking and injuring Mr Prithvi Vikram Sen, a brother-in-law of CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh and Vice-President of the Youth Congress. Besides, Mr Sukhwinder, four other Youth Congress leaders, Mr Naresh Chauhan, Mr Rakesh Chauhan, Mr Joginder Kanwar and Mr Nirpjeet, were also named in the FIR. All of them were bailed out. Mr Sukhwinder termed the FIR a conspiracy to implicate him in a false case. The fact was that he was roughed up at Peterhof by members of the rival group. He had filed a complaint with the Boileauganj police yesterday but no action had been taken. The Virbhadra Singh camp has reportedly brought the incident to the notice of Mrs Moshina Kidwai, General Secretary of the AICC who looks after the party affairs in Himachal Pradesh. The Stokes camp has also apprised her about the incident. The tussle between the rival groups is likely to mar the party’s prospect in the poll. |
|
Poor attendance at gram sabha meetings Kumarhatti, April 8 The data collected from Dharampur block and some surrounding panchayats under Solan block showed poor attendance at meetings. The Barog panchayat’s meeting became a mockery when hardly 20 persons turned up for the meeting. According to a rough estimate, there was 30-40 per cent quorum in the block having 37 panchayats, Dharampur Block Development Officer said. The ongoing sowing of off-season vegetables has been termed as the reason for low attendance of people at the meetings. Factors such as the issuance of new ration cards, new budget allocation and availability of officials of government departments have attracted lots of people at some panchayat meetings. In those panchayats where the quorum was completed, members were being grilled by people on long-pending issues. |
|
Orientation programme inaugurated Shimla, April 8 A teacher has a special role to play in seeking solutions to the new challenges and also to prepare a new generation, which is willing and able to adapt. He further advised the teachers to love the students and the profession. Prof Yoginder Verma, Director, Academic Staff College, while welcoming the chief guest apprised the participants about the latest changes in UGC guidelines for Academic Staff College. He said Academic Staff Colleges provided a platform for the teachers to share national concern, develop an inter-disciplinary perspective, imbibe an attitude to solve problems and leadership qualities when they are interact mutually or with learned scholars and eminent personalities. Prof A.S. Sethi, Coordinator of the programme, said apart from other objectives of the Orientation Programme, the first and foremost objective is to develop a philosophy of life and education and to enhance the basic skill of teaching. Dr Kulwant Pathania, Deputy Director, Academic Staff College, said as per new guidelines of the UGC, the participants would be awarded grades A, B, C and F on the basis of their performance on certain parameters such as overall participation in seminars, project survey, teaching styles and multiple choice objective test. As many as 28 teachers of colleges and universities belonging to Assam, Chattisgarh, Goa, HP, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal are participating in this programme. |
|
Lecturers call off agitation Shimla, April 8 Mr O.P. Sharma, Director of Education, said no disciplinary action would be taken against anyone, except in the incidents which tantamount to criminal offence. Mr Dhiman assured the association that its demands would be considered sympathetically. |
|
Govt buckling under
MNC pressure: AITUC Solan, April 8 Later, the all-India General Secretary of AITUC, Mr Guru Dass Dasgupta, who addressed a press conference here yesterday, said the recent amendments in the Industrial Disputes Act had caused resentment among the working classes as it had resulted in lay-offs of thousands of workers countrywide. He accused the Union Government of buckling under the pressure of multinational companies which were driven only by selfish profit motives. Mr Dasgupta warned that the country was heading towards economic slavery under the guise of globalisation. He claimed that the April 16 rally would be one of the biggest event concerning industrial workers in recent times, adding that oil, banking and industrial sector units would be completely shut that day. He said AITUC and other like-minded trade unions would start an intensified nationwide stir in case the Union Government did not change anti-worker policies and rescind its decision of amending the Act. Replying to a question, he claimed that West Bengal was implementing various legislations relating to industrial workers. The AITUC State president, Mr Jagdish Bhardwaj, was also present. |
|
|
Stokes condemns
attack on Medha Shimla, April 8 She said the attack seemed to be a planned work of communal and divisive forces who did not want peace to be restored in the state. She urged the state government to show courage and take steps to restore normalcy. The state committee of the CPM has also condemned the attack on social activist Medha Patkar. The party demanded an immediate ban on the frontal outfits of the RSS which were not only indulging in violence but also undermining the basic fabric of the Constitution. |
|
Registration marks
to be replaced Shimla, April 8 Under the new Motor Vehicles Act, registration marks consisting of minimum two letters (state code), two figures (licensing authority code) and four figures (distinguishing mark of the vehicle) will be allotted until June ‘30. |
|
Flat price hike
irks residents Shimla, April 8 The steep hike had upset the plans of the owners, mostly employees with meagre resources. The association decided to take up the matter with the Chief Minister. |
|
1 held for cheating
Haj pilgrims Nahan, April 8 According to police sources, Nawab Khan was arrested by a team of Sirmour police. Police parties had raided several places in Delhi, Roorki, Agra and several other places in the neighbouring states in search of Nawab Khan and his son Hashmat Khan, both wanted in connection with the Haj pilgrimage cheating case. According to the police, 20 Haj pilgrims of the district were cheated by the accused of over Rs 12 lakh on the pretext of pilgrimage expenses. |
|
Farm scientists urged to adopt villages Palampur, April 8 Addressing agricultural scientists, students, farmers and officials on the occasion of the two-day Agrifest-2002 organised by the Extension Wing of CSK Agriculture University here, the Governor underlined the need for closer coordination and regular interaction between farm scientists and farmers so that benefits of research and new innovation reached the farmers within the shortest possible time. He called upon farmers to adopt the latest farm techniques and increase productivity. He emphasised the need for diversification of crops and said besides increasing production, it would help in retaining fertility of land.
PTI |
|
4 thieves arrested Solan, April 8 The Superintendent of Police, Mr S.Z.H. Zaidi said that the four were arrested while they were planning to commit theft in a medical store situated in the Nalagarh Bazar by a police patrol. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 122 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
