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Balh valley faces menace of silt Crime investigation to be modernised Spurious drugs on sale in Palampur BJP to go in for introspection Sushma lambasted for remarks
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BJP dist chief blamed for defeat Russian envoy felicitates Pratibha Mr Ax Lander M Kadakin, Russian Ambassador, has felicitated Mrs Pratibha Singh on her election to the Lok Sabha from Mandi parliamentary seat. Governor mourns Sister Ursula’s death Mr V.S. Kokje, Himachal Governor, has expressed deep grief over the demise of Sister Ursula, Manager of the International Roerich Memorial Trust who died at Mission Hospital in Manali last night. Dumping of garbage in hills irks residents While roaming in Kasauli, one comes across numerous signboards requesting the visiting tourists to keep the hills clean. However, the town’s law-enforcing agency, the Cantonment Board, has been dumping garbage in the hills. Mandi, May 16 A team of the Forest Department led by Range Officer Suresh Dutt last night seized 19 sleepers of deodar from Padhar 33 km from here on the Mandi-Pathankot national highway. 
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Balh valley faces menace of silt Mandi, May 16 BBMB engineers and officers from Holland here to install the dredger, are happy over the machine’s efficiency which is removing more than double the silt compared to the present dredger into the Suketi, farmers are unhappy with BBMB authorities for failing to find a permanent solution to the silt over the past 27 years. Four years ago BBMB authorities had referred the problem of silting, which has harmed the Balh valley, to the National Engineering and Research Institute, Nagpur for a solution. The institute had recommended that the only lasting solution to the problem was to release the silt to Sutlej by constructing a tunnel. The BBMB authorities shelved the report. Three weeks ago a 10-member team of environmentalists from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests accompanied by Mr Paritosh Tyagi, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, visited the valley to assess the damage due to silt. The Balh Valley Farmers Action Committee lamented that the new dredger from Holland indicated that the BBMB authorities were not interested in constructing a tunnel and urged the state government to force the BSL authorities to construct the tunnel as recommended by the Nagpur institute. The Beas Sutlej Link Project executed 25 years ago linking the two rivers of the Himalayas and ushering in an era of prosperity in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan has left a trail of misery for the land where it was executed. Mandi town also lost its grandeur after the diversion of the water of Beas to Sutlej on July 7, 1977. In winter the town wears a deserted look when the Beas goes completely dry disturbing ecology of the area and depriving the people of a river flowing for the centuries in this town of temples. People of this district were happy that one of Asia’s five big projects with the largest water-conductor system in the world was being constructed here. Losing their lands and homes to the BSL Project people of the district had hoped that the project would herald prosperity here. But their hopes were dashed. The BSL Project has diverted 4716 million cubic metres of Beas waters into Sutlej through 38-km-long water-conductor system comprising two tunnels and an open hydel channel. The Pandoh-Baggi tunnel terminates in the big reservoir from where the water gets into Sundernagar-Slappar tunnel. The fall of the water into Sutlej has been utilised for generating 990-MW hydel power in the Dehar Power Plant which is generating 1.5 crore units of power daily catering to the need of the entire region. The daily earning is in crores. Residents of 35 houses of Khiuri have their own tale of woes. It is here that 13.10 km Pandoh-Baggi tunnel falls into the open hydel channel. People’s houses keep shaking due to the tremors caused by the strong currents of the water which strikes against 10-foot high RCC wall at the opening of the tunnel. Cracks in the houses of the people located over 100 metres away from the opening of the tunnel were observed. Shutters keep rattling. The BSL authorities had repaired some cracks, but they insist that these have not been caused by the vibration of gushing waters. |
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Crime investigation to be modernised Shimla, May 16 With the advancement of forensic science crime, investigation has become a highly specialised job. The police agencies have no option but to adopt modern scientific methods of investigations. However, for carrying out investigations in a scientific manner trained manpower and latest equipment is required. The police has been lagging in this regard as a result of which the conviction rate has been abysmally low. Belatedly though, the government has realised the need to modernise the crime investigation machinery. It has decided to provide computers, fax machines, vehicles and other necessary facilities to the CID in all district headquarters to put a “quick response” system in place. Further, each police station is being provided an additional motor cycle with an investigation kit on board to ensure that the investigating officer reaches the crime scene within an hour and fingerprints, blood samples and other evidence are collected scientifically. Funds have always been a constraint in the modernisation of the police, but Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of finance, has sanctioned requisite funds for the purpose in one go. Besides procuring modern equipment, 85 motor cycles, five vehicles and 13 computers are being purchased. The dog squad has also been strengthened by inducting 10 more pedigreed dogs, which will take their total number to 16. The dogs will be sent to the BSF academy at Tekkhenpur for training in detection of narcotics, explosives and other specialised jobs. A training centre is being set up for investigating officers at the Bharari police lines here, in place of the forensic laboratory which has been shifted to Junga. A system for grading the trainees will be introduced to ensure that investigating officers take the training seriously. A school to impart training in “safe” driving and “defensive” driving is also being set up at Bharari. While the course in defensive driving will be meant specifically for the police personnel who escorted the VVIPs , the safe driving course will be subsequently thrown open to drivers of other government departments and finally to the general public. The whole idea of giving a new thrust and direction to investigation of crime is to make the police an effective deterrent against the criminals, says Mr B.S. Thind, Additional Director-General of Police, who is in charge of the CID. Besides, the CID is keeping a watch on the conduct of officials, particularly those involved in public dealing, to check corruption. A few months ago some doctors were transferred out of Una after the CID sent a report to the government that they were indulging in private practice. The department also sent report regarding the alleged irregularities in the selection of assistant engineers by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. |
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Spurious drugs on sale in Palampur PALAMPUR: The sale of substandard and spurious medicines through medical officers posted in various government hospitals has been going on unchecked. Tall claims made by health Minister Chandresh Kumari, who hails from Kangra district, to improve health services have remained confined to officials files. Poor patients coming to government hospitals are the worst victims. A few days ago a poor patient approached a local voluntary social organisation and handed over a sealed bottle of tonic — hi protein — along with a medical prescription of a medical officer. The bottle was full of insects and other waste material like fungus. This medicine was manufactured in October, 2002, and its expiry date was February , 2004. There are a number of such medicines selling in the market on the prescription of medical officers. Later, the chairperson of the organisation and office-bearers of the local Chemists Association conducted joint investigation and interviewed a number of chemists and druggists who confirmed the sale of substandard medicines in the market. They disclosed that medical officers posted in the local civil hospital and other health centres had been prescribing these medicines daily, which were not only costly as compared to standard drugs but also poor in quality. Over 100 brands of substandard companies are selling on the prescription of local medical officers in the market. A local chemist disclosed that many doctors had been receiving incentives like costly gifts, foreign travels and cash in lieu of boosting the sale of these substandard medicines. It may be recalled that the local administration had earlier stopped the sale of spurious medicines manufactured by fake companies following public complaints. But again, this illegal trade has flourished in the town. Medical officers in connivance with certain medical representatives and owners of some companies are prescribing these spurious medicines to poor patients visiting the hospital. On the complaint of “Save Palampur”, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh immediately ordered a high-level probe into the sale and prescription of substandard drugs in Palampur. Though Mr Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Secretary, Health, indicted a number of medical officers, whose involvement in this scam was established during an inquiry, follow-up action was not taken on the inquiry report. The culprits were left scot-free allegedly due to political pressure exerted by a Cabinet colleague of the Chief Minister. The state government spends over Rs 100 crore on purchase of medicines every year but these medicines seldom reach the poor and needy patients. The stores of most hospitals are always without stock. A senior officer of the Health Department, however, claims that there is no shortage of medicines but the paramedical staff and medical officers working in the field hospitals do not draw medicines. The increasing political interference in the posting of medical officers and paramedical staff has made the matters worse. As most employees posted in local Civil Hospital enjoy political patronage, none dares to initiate action against them. |
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BJP to go in for introspection Hamirpur, May 16 Talking to mediapersons at Samirpur rest house today Mr Dhumal admitted that the party lost three seats due to certain reasons and these reasons would be discussed at the party meeting to be held in Shimla on May 18. He, however, refused to take entire responsibility for party’s defeat. Mr Dhumal claimed that the party fared well as compared to last Assembly elections. This time, the party got lead in 23 Assembly segments as against 16 in the last Assembly elections. The BJP leader said in 1999 Lok Sabha elections, when BJP was in power, the party had got lead on 64 out of 68 seats. However, the Congress failed to achieve that performance of the BJP this time due to hectic and positive campaigning by the party leaders and workers. Mr Dhumal said local issues also figured with prominence along with the national issues in the Lok Sabha poll. The party suffered due to anti-incumbency factor of the Central Government, as the people didn’t bothered about the positive performance of the Central Government and were befooled by the false slogans of the Congress. Replying to a question, Mr Dhumal said the BJP would work for the well being of the masses and even resort to agitational approach if need be. The main aim of the BJP was to help the general public masses to solve their problems. The BJP leader asked the Chief Minister to act firmly and get more funds from the Central Government for carrying out developmental programmes, which had been started by the previous NDA government in the state. With the Congress in power both at the Centre and the state, it was the primary duty of the state government to secure funds from the Union Government. Dhumal said people of India had not given clear mandate to the Congress. However, the position of the Congress was better than the previous time. He said the Congress had failed to get seats from MP, Rajasthan, Kerala, MP, West Bengal and Chhatisgarh and as such how the Congress could claim that it had got the mandate of the people of the entire country. |
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Sushma lambasted for remarks
on Sonia Shimla, May 16 In a statement, here today, he said it was surprising that Mrs Swaraj who herself contested Lok Sabha poll against Mrs Gandhi from Bellary seat and saw her become the leader of the Opposition should indulge in such gimmicks now. Mrs Swaraj should have not agreed to contest election against a foreigner and not allowed her to become the leader of opposition. The opposition and ruling formations were the two wheels of democracy and if a person was good enough to lead the opposition he could well head the country’s government. Once Mrs Gandhi had been accepted as the leader of opposition there was no justification for opposing her as Prime Minister. Moreover, the BJP contested the poll on the issue of her foreign origin but the people rejected their case and endorsed her claim for prime ministership. Chamba: The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) today castigated a BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member, Ms Sushma Swaraj, for allegedly using derogatory language against Mrs Sonia Gandhi, leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) in the Lok Sabha, and described her threat to resign from Parliament if Mrs Gandhi became the Prime Minister as “shameful and disastrous”. Mr Shiv Kumar Upmanyu, chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, alleged that Mrs Swaraj was flouting the provisions of the Constitution and democratic traditions of the country. Mr Upmanyu demanded that Mrs Swaraj should tender an apology publicly for her remarks against Mrs Gandhi. |
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BJP decries Sonia as PM Shimla, May 16 |
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BJP dist chief blamed for defeat Chamba, May 16 Talking to reporters here today, Mr Lal said during electioneering, Ms Chadha remained confined to her Assembly constituency. Moreover, the district chief failed to take all party leaders in confidence, which led to a lack of coordination between the party activists. The BJP leader alleged that the government machinery was misused to benefit the ruling Congress government during the elections and the voters were influenced by giving them undue benefits. |
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Russian envoy felicitates Pratibha Shimla, May 16 Speaking at the meeting on International Roercich Memorial Trust at New Delhi today he expressed the hope that Mrs Pratibha Singh would prove an important link in strengthening the bond of friendship between India and Russia. With her active participation the activities of International Roerich Memorial Trust would gain momentum. |
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Governor mourns Sister Ursula’s death Shimla, May 16 Born on in 1927 at Konizverak in Germany Sister Ursula came to India in 1955 and thereafter dedicated her life to the service of women, children and down trodden. She also worked in Orissa, including tribal areas, in schools, hospitals and orphanages. KULU
(OC): Ursulla was cremated on the bank of Beas River near Naggar Bridge on Sunday. Her Fosterson Ganesh lit the pyre as per Hindu rituals. Pundits, Catholic Christian Father and Bodh Monks were reciting the religious verses. Deputy Commissioner R.D. Nazim, was also present at the cremation. Ms Ursulla started serving humanity in India in 1955. She served the tribal areas of Orissa for 15 years and remain involved in starting schools, hospitals and orphanage. The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, Mr Raj Krishan Gaur, Agriculture Minister and Mr Maheshwar Singh a former MP expressed grief on the demise of Sister Ursulla. |
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Dumping of garbage in hills irks residents Kumarhatti, May 16 The choice of present location to dump waste along the Parwanoo road is being criticised by the residents. The situation worsens during the rainy season when foul smell emanates from the waste material. Local residents allege that it becomes difficult to cross the dumping site due to the stench. Moreover, the waste material attracts stray dogs and monkeys, which adds to the problems of the local residents. Mr D.S. Khatri, Executive Officer, Kasauli Cantonment Board, said the board had approached the Central Research Institute authorities and urged them to provide a permanent solution to the problem. |
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19 deodar sleepers seized Mandi, May 16 The smugglers reportedly escaped abandoning the timber on the roadside. The value of the timber is estimated at Rs 50,000. About 12 personnel of the Forest Department were going to bring a forest fire under control when they spotted timber on the roadside around 2 am and seized it while the culprits escaped. It is officially learnt that timber worth over Rs 5 lakh has been recovered in the recent months in Urla forest range alone. |
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40 hurt as vehicle falls into khud Dharamsala, May 16 The vehicle was carrying 50 pilgrims from Dari to Naddi temple. Most of the injured persons were women and children. The injured persons were rushed to Dr Rajinder Prasad Medical College here and stated to be out of danger. The condition of three injured persons was stated to be serious.
— PTI |
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Old man burnt
to death Dharamsala, May 16 The deceased was identified as Roshan Lal. — PTI |
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