 |
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Sutlej Nigam sends names of six
erring officers
Manali has season’s first
snowfall
Dhumal dares CM to debate on
Kangra
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HP to appoint 100
doctors
e-post service a hit with people, says officer
HP pays little heed to AIDS
project
Sweet my child I live for
thee
Tourism policy in 6
months
HRTC drivers, conductors to be fined for
smoking
Writers’ meet warns against ‘Fascist’
forces
Seminar on property
rights
Norwegian killed in
mishap
Five held for planning to loot bank
Demolition of jhuggis flayed
IITT students donate blood at Kala Amb
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Sutlej Nigam sends names of six
erring officers
Shimla, October 12 The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had been pressing the ministry to submit a list of the erring officers for the past over two years. The ministry in turn had asked the nigam for the list but it failed to respond even after several reminders. Finally, the ministry informed the CVC that the management of the nigam was not cooperating in the matter. The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of the Board of Directors of the nigam after which names of six erring officers were sent to the ministry. The officers include two deputy general managers (now general managers), two senior managers (now deputy general managers) and two managers (now assistant general managers) of the finance and contract departments. A report regarding their role in blocking the recovery was also sent. The matter came under vigilance scanner about four years ago when the CVC received complaints that indiscriminate advances were being extended by the nigam to benefit certain private construction companies. Initially, the CVC asked the ministry to identify the officers responsible for releasing funds as advance and take action against them. However, as the management of the nigam failed to act, it asked for the list of erring officers. The nigam had last year submitted a list of eight officers who had extended the funds to the companies in advance on the basis of which the Director of Finance was removed and a Deputy Manager Finance (Project Site) was suspended. However, the nigam did not send the list of officers responsible for non-recovery of the advance. |
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Manali has season’s first
snowfall
Shimla, October 12 The snow and rain brought down the temperature considerably in the region. The Manali-Rohtang road was blocked for the third consecutive day today. Marhi recorded about 4-foot snow till this morning. Rohtang Pass, the gateway to tribal Lahaul Spiti district, received about 3 foot snow. Narkanda and Khadaphater in Shimla district also had mild snowfall since last night. Narkanda recorded about 10 cm snow. High altitude areas in tribal Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur districts had heavy snowfall since last night. The Koksar peak in Lahaul Spiti recorded one foot snow. Saptrishi had 2.5-foot snowfall till this morning. The snowfall was
still continuing when the last reports came in. The highest peak of Kinner Kailash in Kinnaur district received 1-foot snow while Kalpa recorded 15 cm snow till this morning, a report received here said. The tribal areas of Pangi and Bharmour in Chamba district experienced snowfall for the second day today. Lower areas in the district had rain, a report from Chamba said. Heavy widespread rains lashed the capital town of Shimla throughout the night, sharply declining the temperature to 4.2°C from 10.2°C. Shimla received 69.7mm rain, followed by Sundernagar 53.2 mm till this
morning. hunter recorded 81.4 mm rainfall. Heavy rain lashed Hamirpur
and Una districts since last night, affecting life in these districts. The rains are, however, considered good for the rabi crop. Reports of rain were also received from Nahan, Solan, Dharamshala, Chamba and Bilaspur. —
UNI
Shimla, October 12 According to reports reaching here, about 300 persons, including participants and members of recovery and service teams, were stuck up at Sirchu, Keylong, Gispa, Patsio and Koksar . In all about 150 vehicles connected with the rally have been stranded. The vehicles of some participants were stuck up in snow at the Bara La Cha pass. The recovery team shifted them to safety and they were lodged in the army camp. The rally was hit by a blinding blizzard on Sunday evening near Pang following which the organisers were forced to cancel the fifth and final leg as the entire high mountain passes came under 50 to 80 cm of snow. Even Keylong, the district headquarter, was under 10 cm to 15 cm of snow. Mr Anil Bhardwaj, spokesman of the Himalayan Motorsport Association which is organising the event, said all the participants were safe and most of them were enjoying the snow. He said that the winners of the rally would be decided on the basis of the first three legs. As it could take a day or two to clear the road, a decision regarding the prize distribution function would be taken only after the situation was restored back to normal. At the end of the third leg Suresh Rana was leading in the X-treme version. He was followed by Col Kulbir Chauhan and Vikram Mathias. In the motorbike category Sukhjinder Rana was leading, while Marcus Bugar and Ashish Modi were at the second and third position, respectively. Pranav Desai was in the lead in the Reliability Trial. Lt Mohit Sharma was at the second position, followed by Rishad
Sain. |
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Dhumal dares CM to debate on
Kangra
Nurpur, October 12 Talking to mediapersons here last evening, after the end of electioneering for the Guler Assembly, Mr Dhumal dared the Chief Minister to a debate on this issue. He asked him to tell the people of Kangra district what his government had done for them during the past 19 months. Claiming a number of important development projects had been undertaken during his regime, Mr Dhumal said his government had not only built a mini secretariat at Dharamsala by spending crores of rupees, but also declared it the second capital of the state. He said his government had earmarked Rs 50 lakh for the construction of a government degree college at Shahpur, but the present government had repealed the notification of the college. “The Virbhadra Singh government has revoked the MoU signed by the previous government on January 25, 2001, for the construction of the Neugal hydel power project in the district,” he said. He said the Shah Nehar and Sidhatha irrigation projects in the district were also launched during the BJP regime. |
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HP to appoint 100
doctors
Kangra, October 12 The Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, disclosed this here today while talking to mediapersons at Dr R.P. Government Medical College, here. He said this medical college was a dream plan of his government and none of the doctors passing out from this college would find any difficulty in getting job. He said all efforts were being made to get the college permanently recognised so that the students did not suffer on the front of their further education. He said this medical college was ‘brain child’ of the Congress and his government was determined to establish it as the best medical institution of the country despite the efforts of the previous government to shift it from the district. He said all steps were being taken expeditiously to complete it on all fronts and informed that the medical college and hospital would start functioning in Tanda complex next year for which the OPD block was almost ready. The Chief Minister inspected the OPD block, which was nearing completion. He said he had directed the concerned authorities to acquire more land adjacent to the college complex for serai, additional residential quarters, a stadium and a swimming pool. He also inspected the site of residential quarters which were under construction, besides quarters for nurses and hostels. He was accompanied by Transport Minister, Mr G.S. Bali, besides the Health Secretary, Mr P.C. Kapoor, Chief Engineer, PWD, Mr G.R. Kaundal and the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Dr Shrikant Baldhi. |
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e-post service a hit with people, says officer
Shimla, October 12 Stating this at a press conference, Mrs T.K. Aryavir, Chief Post Master-General, said here yesterday that over the past two years, there had been a decline of 11 per cent in the personal mail, while speed posts and the electronic mail registered a growth of 40 per cent. The e-post service launched early this year had become popular. On an average, about 250 messages were being sent daily through e-posts. India Posts, as the department is being called now, planned to computerise the functioning of the department right up to the branch post office level during the Tenth Plan period. The post offices would have paperless functioning. The department had also provided customers with the facility to lodge complaints through the Internet. She said to increase income, the department had started the sale of prospectus of various universities. |
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Hamirpur CMO dead
Hamirpur, October 12 A large number of persons, including medical officers and leaders and workers of various political parties and social organisations, were present at time of her cremation at the Hathli crematorium here today. Rakesh Kumar, nephew of Dr Sharma, lit the funeral pyre. Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, former Chief Minister, has mourned the death of Dr Suman Sharma. |
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HP pays little heed to AIDS
project
Solan, October 12 A project for spreading awareness among the truckers plying along the four national highways in the state — Baijnath-Pathankot, Shimla-Jhakri, Kandror-Nadaun and Mehatpur-Bilaspur — was chalked out by the AIDS Control Society of the state after consultations with the Health Department. The project which was to be completed within a year with an aid of Rs 8-9 lakh per highway never saw the light of the day. Its details which were advertised in November last year invited NGOs to come forward for carrying out the requisite interventions. A number of non-government organisations were interviewed for working along these highways in February this year. Despite a lapse of several months, the Health Department could not finalise the project. They, however, took the plea that it were the Parliamentary elections first which forced them to hold back the project and later the fresh instructions from the authorities concerned which defeated the very objective of the project. Officials on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the World Bank, which had been funding all AIDS awareness projects in the country through NACO, had issued instructions for advocating an integrated approach in such projects. |
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Sweet my child I live for
thee
Bijhari (Hamirpur), October 12 For the past five years, ill fate has been dogging the path of Kiran Kumari, as she alternates between hope and despair following the death of her husband. The news of Parveen Kumar’s causality in the Kargil War came as a bolt from the blue to her. The harried widow still remembers that dark day. “It was July 11, 1999. Suddenly, Kulehra, our village, appeared like a
desert. I was not even aware of the storm in waiting.” Soon after the cremation of Parveen Kumar’s mortal remains, a day after his death in the war zone at Kargil, commotion found home in Kiran Kumari’s life. Relatives of the martyr were already involved in the game of calculation as they learnt of the benefits the Union Defence Ministry, the state government and other philanthropic organisations, had announced as ‘‘gestures of honour’’ for the soldier. In less than a month after his death, Kiran Kumari was remarried to her ‘devar’, Sanjeev Kumar, to ensure that the fortune due to the family was not squandered. The marriage was solemnised at Jawalamukhi Temple in the presence of a few relatives. After a week’s stay with Sanjeev Kumar, Kiran’s relations with her in-laws started souring, with the family members seeking an equal share in the financial and other benefits accorded to her by virtue her being a martyr’s widow. They staked claims and ensured the same were honoured. Kiran was sent back to her parents house when her parents demanded that her marriage with Sanjeev be registered with the village panchayat. Wary of her in-laws’ designs, Kiran assumed control of her life and refused to grant to her second husband the job which the government had offered to her. She also declined to share with him the grants offered by the state government for housing purpose. While talking to this correspondent, Kiran Kumari recalled old days when the sun shone brightly over Kulhera’ssky. Inconsolable, she narrated the last few words Parveen had said to her, ‘‘We may never meet again. But I wish our daughter Nisha manages a decent education and achieves big goals in life. It’s my dream to see her evolve into a bright professional.’’ Back to reality, Kiran struggles with painful memories. She adds, ‘‘My life has been reduced to a drama. I have been tormented beyond description since Praveen’s death. Now I want to live only for Nisha. I will seek to realise Parveen’s dreams.’’ Narrating her woes, Kiran said she got married on June 18, 1998, and was widowed on July 7, 1999. During this period she stayed with Parveen for only two months. ‘‘Praveen had come home on a two-month leave and had to rejoin duty following a call from the unit in March, 1999’’,she recalled,
adding, ' I had hardly recovered from the tragedy of his death when my in-laws arranged my second marriage with Praveen’s younger brother Sanjeev. Following the marriage, I was asked to transfer the money, which I had received as financial assistance, to my father-in-law Ishwar Dass, mother in-law Satya Devi and Sanjeev. I did so.’’ Problems surfaced only when Kiran’s father, a retired Army man, asked her in-laws to get the marriage with Sanjeev registered with the village panchayat. Kiran’s in-laws turned down the suggestion and chose to banish her. She returned to her parents, while her in-laws again arranged the marriage of Sanjeev. Ishwar Dass, Kiran’s father-in-law, was not available for comments. However Sanjeev Kumar, a sepoy with Assam Rifles, reasoned that Kiran had herself distributed grants among family members. He also claimed that Kiran first agreed for remarriage but later snapped ties and left for her parental house. ‘‘She hardly stayed with me for a week. So there was no question to get the marriage registered.’’ Sanjeev Kumar added that Kiran’s parents had been misleading her ever since financial aid arrived from the government. They did not let her adjust with her in-laws, he said, adding that she even moved court of the Sub Judge, Barsar, against them over a property dispute. Amidst claims and counter-claims, Kiran’s own identity seems quite misplaced. A class IV employee at the office of Sub Tehsil, Bijhari, she is now residing in her own house, constructed with the financial assistance which the government granted to her. Her daughter Nisha attends school, hoping to be a bright professional one day. |
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Tourism policy in 6
months
Nahan, October 12 Addressing a press conference, Mr Bali said the tourism policy of the government would be out within six months. He said the government had decided to promote tourism in the state. He said the government was not against disinvestment in this field. In the second week of December, an international conclave would be held at Shimla or Manali to attract the private sector towards the tourism industry in the state. The theme of the conclave would be ‘Discover Himachal and Invest’. He said while handing over hotels and other institutions to the private sector, the government would hold at least 50 per cent share. Ropeways are the other priority of the government and tenders to establish ropeways at Shimla (Jakhu) and Dharamsala had been floated, he added. A proposal about large parking spaces at Shimla and Manali had also been forwarded to the Centre. Mr Bali announced that payment of overtime due to staff of HRTC would be done before Divali. He said new staff was being recruited in Himachal Road Transport Corporation and persons not discharging their duties honestly would be sent on long leave. The Minister also announced that a superfast bus service would soon be started from Dehra Dun to Katra which would touch Nahan and Chandigarh. |
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HRTC drivers, conductors to be fined for
smoking
Dharamsala, October 12 The conductors and drivers found smoking in buses while on duty, would be fined Rs 500. He said copies of a new set of guidelines for the drivers, in the form of stickers, were being pasted near steering wheels of all 1,700 buses of the corporation. The guidelines would also act as a continuous reminder for the drivers on how to avoid accidents. “Essentials ‘dos’ like checking the brakes of the bus before starting, driving slow and avoiding overtaking during fog are included in the guidelines,” he said. The HRTC is in the process of pasting another set of stickers listing out the rights and responsibilities of passengers. “These would include things like prohibiting drunken travelling and throwing trash in buses. The passenger would also be reminded of the penalty in case he does not buy a ticket,” he said. Mr G.S.Bali, Transport and Tourism Minister, said the stickers would ensure that the ban on smoking was implemented effectively. “Recently, we also conducted a survey to ensure whether all buses have tarpaulin to cover the luggage of passengers. It was found that most of the buses were carrying them and the rest had been asked to comply immediately,” he said. Another Transport Department official said the decision to go tough on drivers and conductors smoking in buses was taken following increasing complaints by passengers. “However, this ban is applicable on the passengers as well,” he said. On the issue of enhanced involvement of the private sector in the department, Mr Bali said although the process had started, the private parties were not very keen on providing services like providing free passes to students. “But we are working on this aspect as well,” he said. |
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Writers’ meet warns against ‘Fascist’
forces
Mandi, October 12 Addressing a gathering of the over 150 writers during a two-week sammelan, on “Fascism, its growing dangers” that concluded here yesterday, he said it were the writers who first recognised the demon of fascism let loose by Hitler in Germany. Dr Namvar Singh alleged that issues which ought to be discussed and resolved on the floor of Parliament were being dragged out into the streets by the BJP-RSS-VHP fascist combine. Writers from Delhi, MP, J and K, Punjab, Chandigarh and other parts of the country participated in the sammelan organised by the state unit of the Progressive Writers Union, Mandi. |
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Seminar on property
rights
Solan, October 12 He said the hasty tendency of the scientific community to get the results of their research works published immediately served the interests of the scientists abroad. He was addressing a conclave of around 70 scientists drawn from all over the country at a national level two-day seminar on ‘Intellectual Property Rights in Horticulture Crops’ at the university campus today. He said high property rights could be generated here as the region was bestowed with a rich heritage of traditional knowledge. Sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the seminar aims at imparting knowledge about patenting to the scientific community. Dr R.P Sharma said knowledge of such rights could safeguard the exploitation of the farmers who were the repository of traditional knowledge. Director research and coordinator of the seminar, Dr K.K. Jindal, said the university had filed five patents. |
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Norwegian killed in
mishap
Kulu, October 12 The Maruti van (PB-01-0544) in which they were travelling rolled down into a 100-foot deep gorge. The body of the deceased was brought to Zonal Hospital here for post-mortem. The injured were shifted to the community health centre at Ani. The Norwegian has been living at Shamshi, near here for the past many years. |
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Five held for planning to loot bank
Una, October 12 The accused, who belonged to the Amroha area of Muradabad district in Uttar Pradesh, were seen moving around the bank in a Maruti car in suspicious circumstances and a local canteen employee informed the police. The police swung into action and traced the car near the bus stand and made a thorough search. Several incriminating articles, including equipment to cut iron, gas welder, three oxygen cylinders, one LPG cylinder, one jack, two countrymade pistols with live cartridges, two car registration books and a fake number plate, two big suitcases and gaspipes with nozzles were recovered from the car. —
PTI |
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Demolition of jhuggis flayed
Kumarhatti, October 12 In a press note here today, Mr Gurdev Singh, district secretary of party, demanded rehabilitation of the displaced families. At least, 60 jhuggis of migrant labourers were demolished by the department after it failed to get the land vacated through notices. The jhuggis had regular electricity, water and telephone connections. |
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IITT students donate blood at Kala Amb
Chandigarh, October 12 According to Mr R.P. Sood, Principal, IIT College of Engineering, Kala Amb, the camp was followed by a special seminar on “How good health can help you study better” in which 350 students participated and also got their blood tested for their blood group. This is part of the ongoing initiative of the college to educate the students on the importance of health care and also their responsibilities towards society.” |
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