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Sunday,
May 11, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Row over poppy destruction Kin of 9
martyrs honoured
ZP chief, members not paid honorarium Plan to conserve forests okayed |
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School students to get meals Rules flouted in govt college take-over Cheerful moments in life of despair Rs 13 cr to raise milk yield in Kangra district Grant for vet hospital 1 cr employees’ ‘no to strike’
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Row over poppy destruction Kulu, May 10 Mr K.N. Bhardwaj, Superintendent, Customs here, said the department had destroyed poppy cultivation on 1757 bighas in the Chuhar valley in a special drive, which started on April 25 and ended on May 4. He claimed that following their action the police also destroyed poppy husk cultivation in the same area. Mr S.P. Singh, Superintendent of Police, Mandi, told the correspondent on telephone that a survey was conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau and reports were submitted in the second week of April. The Department of Customs also acted according to the survey report. Mr Bhardwaj, however, contradicted the statement and said the Customs Department had its own intelligence. He, rather, claimed that the police and the NCB came into action only after the matter of poppy cultivation destruction appeared in newspapers. The police chief further added that in the joint operation poppy plants on more than 1,200 bighas were destroyed in the 12 panchayats in the valley. In reply to a question that whether some arrests were made, the SP denied and said the villagers had been warned in this regard. He stated that the district police with the help of the District Magistrate would organise a workshop in the valley to educate people about the legal implications regarding the cultivation of poppy. He said the villagers would also be given information about alternative crops. Answering another question that whether any action was being initiated against the village revenue officials, the Superintendent of Police said the matter had been brought to the knowledge of the government through the Deputy Commissioner. Mr Maheshwar Singh, Member of Parliament, said the social and customary needs of the people of the hill areas would be safeguarded. And, if need be, the cultivation of poppy would be licensed and grown under the supervision of the government. Mr Kaul Singh, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Himachal Pradesh, who happens to be the MLA from Chuhar area, said he had taken up the matter in the HP Assembly, and the previous Dhumal government had sent a resolution to the Union Government for consideration. Mr N. Venu Gopal, Superintendent of Police here, said the district police has already started joint workshops in the district to motivate villagers to produce medicinal herbs and other remunerating crops. |
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Kin of 9 martyrs honoured Subathu, May 10 The martyrs honoured at the function included Sub Ved Prakash, Shaurya Chakra winner of 16 Dogra Regiment who was killed on November 11,1999 in the Rajouri sector of J&K during an encounter with militants. Before dying he had killed two militants. The other martyrs are: Sepoy Gulab Singh of the 4th Dogra Regiment who had sacrificed his life on April 9, 1948 during a fierce battle with Pakistan-backed infiltrators in the Naushera area of J&K. Sepoy Roshan Lal of 6 Dogra Regiment who died on September 7, 1999 in the Doda area in an encounter with militants. His battalion was attacked by the militants in a village of Doda during midnight and before being wounded seriously, he had killed two militants. He had succumbed to his injuries the same night and was given the Army Medal posthumously. Lance Naik Hoshiyar Singh, Shaurya Chakra winner of 11 Dogra Regiment, had laid down his life during cross-firing with militants at a village of Darhal district in J&K. His battalion had gone to the village after getting information that four militants were hidden there. He had killed a militant who tried to escape. Later, despite being injured seriously, he had killed two more militants and injured another. On June 26, 2002, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously. Sepoy Sikander Singh of 10 Dogra Regiment who died during an encounter with militants trying to cross the border in the Rajouri area on June 10, 2000. Sepoy Surinder Pal of 7 Dogra Regiment who while checking the infiltration of ultras from across the border was martyred on June 22, 2000. Gur Yashwant Singh of 15 FD Regiment was on June 14, 1999 killed during heavy
shelling by the Pakistan Army in the Batalik sector. Sepoy Kidar Singh of 16 Punjab Regiment died on September 6, 1965 in heavy shelling by the Pakistan forces in the Barki village of Ferozepore in Punjab. Sepoy Tek Chand of 18 Punjab Regiment who sacrificed his life in the second Indo-Pak war of 1971. Brigadier Kapoor described the martyrs’ act as one of supreme patriotism. No job was greater than saving and protecting the nation, he said. The state had produced many soldiers who by their gallantry had brought repute to the state, he asserted. |
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ZP chief, members not paid honorarium Hamirpur, May 10 The Chairman receives Rs 2,700, vice-chairman Rs 1500 and members Rs 1000 each. He told The Tribune yesterday evening that the government had not sanctioned funds for the parishad for the present year for development works assigned to it in the Panchayati Raj Act. He criticised the Congress party leaders who advocated more fiscal powers to Panchayati Raj bodies. Meanwhile, move to remove Mr Sharma from the post of Chairman by the Congress members died premature death. Mr Sharma is a senior BJP leader and confidant of former Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal. There are 18 members of the Zila Parishad. There are reports that three Congress members in the parishad had decided to move a no-confidence motion against Mr Sharma but the senior party leaders refused to give permission due to the reasons that 14 of the 18 members of the parishad were BJP workers. An independent member also announced to support Mr Sharma. |
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Plan to conserve forests okayed Mandi, May 10 The total catchment area identified for conservation and plantation over a period of 10 years is 4,921 sq km of which 700 sq km is the most vulnerable and will be taken up for immediate attention. Mr Vineet Kumar, Conservator of Forests, Kulu, and Mr Avtar Singh, Conservator of Forests, Mandi, who also attended the meeting, identified the ranges of their respective circles where conservation work will be launched on a war footing as soon as the Larji Hydel Project authorities get the project cleared from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. Deputy Chief Engineer, Larji Hydel Project, Mr S.S. Dhavas, said the conservation of the catchment area would go a long way in increasing the life span of the hydro-electric projects based on the Beas. |
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School students to get meals Shimla, May 10 The Chief Minister said the state government had decided to formulate a transfer policy for the employees of the state, under which the employees serving in the tribal areas would be given a special consideration. He said a committee would be set up to finalise the modalities of the policy and the interests of the employees would be fully safeguarded. Mr Virbhadra Singh said his government had been given a mandate to provide a clean, efficient and responsive administration as people were fed up with the corrupt Dhumal regime. Earlier, addressing a rally at Pooh, he said Rs 228.38 crore would be spent under the 10th five year tribal sub-plan in Kinnaur district to accelerate the pace of development. He said the present government had inherited a loan liability of over Rs 15,000 crore from the previous government and to put the economy back on rails was a difficult task. He said the non-plan expenditure during the previous regime had increased, while the plan expenditure decreased affecting development works in the state. Opinion of financial experts would be taken to formulate a suitable plan for strengthening the economy of the state, he added. Mr Virbhadra Singh said besides the tribal sub-plan, developmental activities in the tribal areas would also be taken up under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) funded schemes, especially for roads and irrigation. He said Rs 5 crore would be spent on the construction of the Khab-Namgia road, an approach road to village Dubling, Lippa-Asreng road, Leo bridge, Hango road, Karchham-Shong to Boning Saring road and Ruttang bridge to Bonning Sarring road under the PMGSY in Kinnaur district. Besides, Rs 6.25 crore would be spent under NABARD schemes on the construction of bridges over the Sutlej at Tapri, Powari, Kaksthal and a road link from Pangi to Thopan. A Rs 35 crore system improvement scheme was being executed to replace old electricity poles and set up a number of power sub-stations in the area. Mr Virbhadra Singh said the 500 kw Kunnu-Charang project would also be constructed on a war footing so as to cater to the electricity needs of the local people. He said Rs 6.85 crore was also being spent under the border area development programme. Mr Kaul Singh Thakur, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, said the government would ensure that educational, health and other public utility departments were provided adequate funds to function smoothly in tribal areas. He said 2,200 middle schools would be opened in the state to achieve the target of universalisation of elementary education.
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Rules flouted in govt college take-over Hamirpur, May 10 The college was taken over by the government on March 7, 2001 after the merger of two private colleges into one under the banner of DAV College, Sujanpur Tira. While taking over all 35 teachers and 22 non teaching employees were taken into government service. Most of them were retained in the local college and others were sent to other colleges and those who could not fulfil the qualifications the orders of the Secretary (Education) to the HP government were sent to various schools. Three teachers and four non-teaching employees were still without their dues and have been working in the local college since it was taken over. Sources in the state government said last night that the government had decided to hold an inquiry into its taking over following complaints by the people of the town that many ineligible teachers were appointed violating all principles and rules. Under the rules, only those who have either acquired a PhD degree or qualified the NET are eligible to be taken into the government service. However, in most of the cases, this principle was not followed. This principle was followed only when colleges at Nerba and Dehri were made government colleges. Insiders say that though 57 employees were taken on March 7, 2001 but only 25 teachers and 15 non teaching employees were absorbed in the local college as per government orders. It was not told why fewer posts were created and excess teachers and employees were taken. Despite this nine posts of the teacher are still vacant in the college since it was taken over. These subjects are being taught in the college since it was started as government institution. There are reports that the Himachal government has also decided to shift a number of teachers from here to other colleges and to bring other teachers here. Transfer orders of one of them have already been received, according to A.K. Acharaya, Principal of the college. He admitted that there was shortage of teaching staff in the college and he had written about this to the Director of Education in this respect. |
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Cheerful
moments in life of despair Dagshai (Solan) May, 10 With no known cure for the disease, which affects muscles leading to disability and consequent death, coming to terms with the harsh reality is not easy for the patient or the family.” The life of a muscular dystrophy (MD) patient is a metamorphosis from partial to complete dependence as the body gets gradually crippled, finally affecting the vital body organs,” says Anurag Goel, whose one sister and two brothers are victims of this disease. “Living with the disease is tormenting not just for the patient but also for the family, so our aim is to give them some moments, where they too can forget their pain and indulge in merry making,” says Sanjana Goel, President of the Himachal Chapter of Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy and the brain behind the two-day summer camp organised for about 100 such patients from all over the country at
Dagshai, in Solan district. Ostracism associated with congenital diseases in India, further cripples the victim socially and mentally, forcing many people to keep their child within the confines of the house, lest the world gets to know of this disease running in their family. “ Even though a lot is being done for AIDS and thalassaemic patients, the government is totally indifferent to the plight of MD patients, even though it could be affecting a smaller percentage of people in India,” laments
Sanjana. Pained at the government apathy, Dr I.C. Verma, a former Professor at AIIMS and presently a senior consultant at Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, emphasises the need for data base to at least ascertain the gravity of the problem. He says no survey has been conducted in India till date nor is the CVS testing facility, to prevent the birth of more such children, available easily. Motivated by Dr R. Janardhana Rao from Hyderabad, whose own son died due to the disease, the Himachal Chapter of the Association was formed at Solan in 1992, the first one in India. “ It’s all due to the initiative of the Goel family, that all of us — be it in
Kanpur, Bhatinda, New Delhi, Chandigarh or Shimla — can get together and share some happy moments together,” says a couple from
Kanpur, who have come all the way to attend the camp with their affected son. The two days at the camp will be fun filled with games, cultural show, meditation, Art of Living session and merry making for the patients as well as their families. |
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Rs 13 cr to raise milk yield in Kangra district Dharamsala, May 10 The scheme is being implemented in all 14 development blocks of Kangra district. Under the project at least 20000 families living below the poverty line will be benefited. They will be provided financial help to purchase cows and buffaloes of improved breeds yielding more milk . Efforts will also be made to ensure that market for the produce is available. The project has been divided into different sectors under which improvement of milch cattle, facilities for training and extension for the rural people covered by the project and strengthening of services will be undertaken. Rs 50 lakh are being spent for development of existing artificial insemination laboratory of the Animal Husbandry Department at Palampur. Another Rs. 14.40 lakh will be spent on the purchase of latest artificial insemination apparatus and all 100 veterinary dispensaries and hospitals will be provided insemination straws in liquid Nitrogen Containers. Rupees15 lakh will be spent on this. The project will provide cash incentives to 10,000 families in beginning in a phased manner for the improvement of cowsheds. Each selected family will be paid Rs 1,000 for this purpose. The gosadans working in the district will be looked after . Additional buildings and hand pumps at a cost of Rs 27.5 lakh will be set up in the district. A sum of Rs 35.5 lakh will be spent to providing marketing
facilities for milk producers of Kangra and every important town will have milk distribution centre. A farmers’ training centre will also be established under the scheme. To train the farmers and cattle breeders, 252 workshops, 224 training camps, 84 rallies at different places and 120 exhibitions will be organised during the project tenure. The farmers will also be helped to improve grasslands and will be trained for cattle care and also supplied help kits which will cost Rs 5 crore. Himachal Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Sat Mahajan said the project would revolutionise the economy of Kangra villages. He said the stage had come when it was not possible to provide jobs all and new avenues had to be found so that youths could earn their living through self-employment. He said rearing milch cattle was one of best avenues in villages. He said bee-keeping, floriculture, cash crops and cultivation of medicinal plants are other works where rural youths could be provided self-employment and efforts were to tap these sources. |
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Grant for vet hospital Nahan, May 10 At a meeting of the society here today, the Chairman of the society, Mr O.C. Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Sirmour, while giving this information, said the society had already received Rs 7 lakh as first instalment for the construction of the shelter house. He said for this purpose three bighas had already been taken on lease near Nauni Ka Bag from the local Municipal Council. On the occasion, Dr Neeru Shabnam, secretary of the society, said separate shelters for large and small animals would be constructed under the project. She said the society had prepared a detailed project to curb monkey menace in the town. This project was being forwarded shortly to the Central Government for approval, he added.
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1 cr employees’ ‘no to strike’ Shimla, May 10 He said that a meeting of the federation was held at Bhopal on may 6 and it was resolved that 27 affiliated state units would stay from the strike as the leaders of national unions had not taken the leaders of the federation into confidence. Mr Verma said that the federation further decided to launch a mass mobilisation campaign from May 15.
PTI
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HP Youth Cong chief bereaved Hamirpur, May 10 Mrs Vidya Stokes, HP Power Minister, and several other state level and district-level leaders of the Congress and youth Congress visited the house of Mr Sukhoo and consoled the bereaved family.
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Couple arrested Shimla, May 10 A police party from Mumbai reached here on a tipoff that Santosh Kumar and his wife Seema Kumari, who belong to Panchkula, were hiding in Shimla. They raided the house where the two were reportedly staying and nabbed them.
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Fire in forest Hamirpur, May 10 The fire, which was controlled in the afternoon, again surfaced in the evening and it was still raging. The flames were visible from a long distance.
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