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State to implement Rs 80 cr health projects
Kuldeep is HP Cong chief
Minister favours annual audit of Panchayati Raj bodies
Indiscipline rises in HP govt schools
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Target to lower neo-natal mortality rate
Hill women overworked,
have no role in decisions
Horticulture plan to change Himachal’s face
Decks cleared for Jakhu ropeway
12 years, bus stand yet incomplete
Controversial toll barrier notified
Girls rounded up for creating scene on Mall
1 killed as van falls into khud
Mamal wins vocal music contest
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State to implement Rs 80 cr health projects
Shimla, November 28 This was stated by the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, while presiding over a high-level meeting of the Health Department here yesterday. “The Rs 58.50 crore KFW German Bank-funded project will help in equipping the health institutions in the state with necessary infrastructure, maintenance and repairs,” he informed. Giving details of other external aided projects he said the Rs 12 crore European Commission project would cater to the needs of hospitals and the Rs 10 crore Integrated Disease Surveillance project would adopt 99 villages for monitoring of diseases. He said Himachal Pradesh was one of the 10 states in the country which had been granted the Integrated Disease Surveillance project and was leading in computerising the block-level health institutions, where instant information regarding health was available. He said efforts were afoot to bring two hospitals of the state under the ISO recognition. “We have directed the authorities to ensure that each and every health institution in the state is made functional and people avail all benefits,” he said. He added that while having functional staff to provide the necessary health services was essential, efforts were being made to provide specialised services at more places. Mr Virbhadra Singh said all efforts were being made to make Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College at Tanda in Kangra one of the premier medical institutes of the state. “The government is keen to start more vocational courses so that the youth can set up their own self-employment ventures and even the pass-outs from medical colleges should have their own set-up,” he said. The Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Mukesh Agnihotri, and Secretary, Health, Mr P.C. Kapoor, were also present at the meeting. |
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Kuldeep is HP Cong chief
Shimla, November 28 A communication to this effect was received at the PCC office from the party high command this evening. However, it was not made clear whether he would be allowed to hold the office of Industries Minister or asked to quit the Cabinet under the one-man -one-post principle. A staunch Virbhadra Singh loyalist, Mr Kuldeep Kumar was not keen on taking over as the PCC chief, but had been maintaining that he would abide by the decision of the high command. Mr Virbhadra Singh was keen on having the new PCC chief from Kangra. However, once it was decided that the incumbent would be chosen from among the leaders belonging to the Scheduled Castes, not much choice was left. The choice was narrowed down to Mr Kuldeep Kumar, Mr M.R.Goma, Kangra district Congress president and a supporter of Mrs Vidya Stokes, the outgoing PCC chief , and Mr Ishwar Das , MLA from Kullu. The three were called to Delhi for a one-to-one interaction with Mrs Ambika Soni, General Secretary of the AICC who looks after the party affairs in the state, and finally Mrs Sonia Gandhi four days ago . Reports from the high command indicated that Mr Kuldeep Kumar was being handpicked for the job but the announcement came only today. The appointment has in no way helped in restoring the imbalance created in Kangra due to dropping of three ministers as part of the downsising exercise, but the Chief Minister will be in a position to induct a minister from the district as and when Mr Kuldeep Kumar resigns from the Cabinet. The process of organisational poll is already under way and it remains to be seen whether Mr Kuldeep Kumar's appointment is only a stopgap arrangement or he will be elected for a full term. |
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Minister favours annual audit of Panchayati Raj bodies
Shimla, November 28 Speaking at the sixth round-table conference of ministers-in-charge of Panchayati Raj, convened by the Centre at Guwahati today, he said a provision for annual audit had already been made and gram sabhas had been empowered for social audit in Himachal Pradesh. He said the government was ensuring that audit of Panchayati Raj institutions was conducted annually. Audit of 88 per cent gram panchayats was conducted last year, he added. An audit agency, comprising 88 Auditors, 13 District Audit Officers and Deputy Controller (Audit), had been established for the purpose. It was also imparting training to the office-bearers of these institutions in maintaining accounts in proper way. Himachal Pradesh was one of the few states that had empowered gram panchayats to hear and decide applications for maintenance under Section 125 of the Cr. PC. Independence had been ensured to the gram panchayats for executing the works worth up to Rs 50,000 without taking any sanction. While these could execute project costing up to Rs 5 lakh after taking approval of the competent authority, he added. The gram panchayats had been made appointing authorities in respect of panchayat sahayak, tailoring teacher, panchayat chowkidar and takniki sahayak. Not only this, the remuneration of these employees were also being provided through the panchayat, he added. |
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Indiscipline rises in HP govt schools
Mandi:
Government schools in the state have become centres of indiscipline resulting in tiffs among students and teachers, thanks to widening gulf between teachers and the taught. As a result parents are worried over the future of their children as most of them come from lower and middle-class background.
A survey in government schools revealed that there was an increasing trend among students to indulge in ‘indiscipline’ in the schools, while the teachers remained unconcerned or they resorted to physical punishment. Though parents’ associations are formed in the schools to foster greater interaction among the teachers, the taught and parents, yet the state education department has yet to address the issue of bridging the gap between the teachers and the students. Today’s children are being either overprotected or ignored by their parents, who tend to be more concerned with their own profession or work. Pointing at the trend among student, especially in high and senior secondary schools across the state, the teachers disclosed that the students were taking to drugs and other forms of addiction in a big way, which are resulting in confrontations between the two sides. “If we try to rebuke or discipline the students, the parents overreact and approach the media,” say the teachers. Himachal Pradesh Government Teachers Union’s (HPGTU) president Roshan Lal Kapur said that this trend had vitiated academic atmosphere in the schools across the state. “If the students smoke, consume illegal substances and misbehave with others or do not come in school uniforms, should the teachers not discipline students? HPTU’s general secretary Ramesh Gularia said if the students did not maintain discipline in the schools then what are the teachers expected to do? But there is other side of the story too. A spokesperson of a parents’ association said that the teachers acted as dictators, without understanding the changing needs of the adolescent behaviour. The teachers tried to control students through corporal punishment which was banned. They should exert moral authority over the students rather than abusing and physically punishing them, added a retired principal in the town. Director of Education (secondary schools) O.P. Sharma said that there was need for the teachers and parents bodies to meet and discuss the problems related to adolescent behavior. “We expect the teachers should respect the children’s rights as they are part of the culture in society. The corporal punishment is banned in schools. The parents’ bodies are also compulsory in schools,” he added. |
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Target to lower neo-natal mortality rate
Shimla, November 28 Stating this, Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, while addressing the participants at a two-day conference organised by the Department of Paediatrics of Indira Gandhi Medical College, here, said for achieving this goal an integral approach by the professionals engaged was required. He said besides a proper and effective health delivery system, awareness in the community regarding the care of newborn was also essential. The Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh was one of the three leading states in India as far as life expectancy, literacy rate, sex ratio and lower below poverty line (BPL) percentage was concerned. He said Himachal Pradesh is the second state after Kerala where neo-natal mortality was the lowest. He said the state had enforced the pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 very strictly under which pre-natal sex determination were banned. He said the registration of all genetic laboratories, genetic councilling centers and clinics had been made mandatory. He said the neonatal period was the most precarious and any shortcoming in its management could lead to lifelong disabilities. He said the paediatricians and obstetricians need to pay special attention towards this aspect. Mr Virbhadra Singh said it was a matter of pride for the people of the state that its performance under various health programmes had been remarkable and much better than the national average. He said as per 2001 census the sex ratio in the state had registered at 968 females per 1000 males while Hamirpur district ranked second after Kerala where sex ratio is 1099 females per 1000 males. He said social indicators like the sex ratio, female literacy and life expectancy revealed that women are favourably placed in the state. He said new buildings of the college and the Kamla Nehru Hospital would be completed in the beginning of next financial year. Further, MRI facilities would be soon made available at the IGMC hospital along with open heart surgery facilities for which Rs 4.25 crore had already been sanctioned. |
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Hill women overworked,
have no role in decisions
Shimla, November 28 These are the findings of a study conducted by Dr Meenakshi and Dr Ranveer Singh from the Agroeconomic Research Centre of Himachal Pradesh University. It was found that women in mid-hill zone, where off-season vegetables and fruit are grown, are the most burdened, putting in almost 10 hours of work. Almost 89 per cent of the women population of the state is engaged in agriculture. In fact, it was found that women put in almost double the number of hours put in by men. It is only in the affluent horticultural belts that women need to work less as dependence is more on hired labour. Otherwise, they attend to all farm activities like sowing, manuring, interculture, harvesting and threshing. Apart from bearing the main burden of agricultural tasks, the entire responsibility of fetching water, fuel collection, cooking, looking after the children and washing clothes is on women. As far as keeping cattle is concerned, they bear the entire burden. It is interesting to note that despite such significant contribution of women in agriculture and household activities, 50 per cent are not consulted in farm decisions. The study revealed that only 15 per cent are consulted in matters pertaining to home expenditure, savings, loans and investment. Since women hardly have any technical knowledge of handling modern equipment related to agriculture, their role in decision making is negligible. The study suggests that women need to be involved in extension programmes like training and camps for farmers in a big way. This will go a long way in enhancing their status in society and at home. Another suggestion stresses the need for planting quick-growing fodder and trees on farm forestry and common land to minimise the workload on women. |
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Horticulture plan to change Himachal’s face
Shimla, November 28 The varied agro-climatic conditions of the hill state are conducive for growing a wide variety of fruits. However, so far the state had made its mark only in apple production. The technology mission will not only help improve the productivity of apple but also focus on fruits like apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, mango, litchi and citrus verities. Not only that root and tuber crops, hybrid vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants have also been covered under the mission. Under the project an assistance to the tune of 50 per cent of the cost of cultivation of these crops with maximum limit of Rs 13,000 per hectare is being provided to farmers. A provision of Rs 292.50 lakh has been made for the purpose. Only 16.75 per cent of the total cultivated area has irrigation facility as a results of which the productivity is low. The farmers are being encouraged to construct water storage structure by giving assistance at the rate of Rs 1 lakh per hectare upto a maximum of Rs 10 lakh. Assistance is also being provided for the construction of tubewells. For optimum utilisation of water sources, large area is being brought under drip and sprinkler irrigation and plasti-culture technology. Assistance is being provided at the rate of 50 per cent of the cost with maximum limit of Rs 28,500 per hectare drip irrigation 50 percent of cost upto a maximum limit of Rs 15,000 per hectare for sprinkler irrigation. Setting up of green houses for growing of flowers is also being encouraged in a big way by providing financial assistance upto Rs 1.50 lakh. Assistance is being provided to the farmers to establish “on farm” handling units at the rate of 30 per cent of the total cost upto a maximum of Rs 50,000 per beneficiary. The mission also envisages establishment of integrated multi-crop nurseries both in public and private sector and assistance at the rate of 50 per cent of cost is being given upto a maximum of Rs 8 lakh. Training programmes are being organised in different part of the state to upgrade the technical skills of farmers. With a view to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the mission aims to encourage the use of organic fertiliser. Organic farming is being encouraged and vermi compost units are being installed. Keeping in view the low availability of skilled manpower for managing horticulture activities, modern horticulture equipment like power-tillers, power-operated and diesel engines is being provided to farmers. For this assistance of Rs 1500 per farmer was being provided for manually operated equipments, Rs 5000 per farmer for power-operated equipment, Rs 45,000 per farmer for power tillers and Rs 9000 per farmer for diesel engines is being provided. It has been decided that to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, bio-pesticides will be introduced in a big way. The farmers will be given Rs 1000 per hectare per for adopting bio-pesticides control measures. |
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Decks cleared for Jakhu ropeway
Shimla, November 28 The ropeway, having a length of 750 metres, will have its base at a place near Shiwalik Hotel, close to the U S Club area and will end near the Jakhu temple. “Now, the biggest task before us is to assign the job to a private company willing to make the ropeway above the tree line so that the minimum possible number of trees are axed,” said an official. A major concern shared both by the government as well as environmentalists is that not too many trees should be cut while setting up the ropeway as the area has old deodar trees, the biggest attraction of the hill town. “Having the ropeway above the tree line will considerably reduce the chances of too many trees being felled and even if the cost of the project goes up because of this, we are more than willing,” said a senior official. It is a Delhi-based government undertaking which conducted the survey and submitted the report to the government, with all technical details. Preference will be given to a bidder who already has experience in setting up and operating a ropeway within the country. Though the state government had drawn an ambitious plan for setting up a number of ropeways in various parts of the state, none of them could come through. The Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation yesterday floated tenders, inviting bidders to set up the ropeway on a build-transfer-operate basis. With hundreds of tourists making a beeline to the Hanuman temple at Jakhu everyday, the ropeway is likely to be a major added attraction. As per the proposal, there will be about 12 and Rs 16 cabins in the Gondola style, which will be plied on this ropeway.It is only after the bids are received that a final the decision on the estimated cost of the ropeway will be worked out but it is being expected that the cost should be anywhere between Rs 12 to 15 crore,” said an official. The government is keen the ropeway comes up as early as possible so that other similar projects at other places can be initiated. As such the time period for the completion of the project has been fixed from 18 to 24 months after the MoU for award of tender is signed. In the meantime, formalities for setting up the next ropeway near McLeodganj in Dharamsala are also being completed. |
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12 years, bus stand yet incomplete
PALAMPUR: A modern bus stand is yet to come up even after 12 years. The foundation stone for this bus stand was laid in 1991 by the then Chief Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, who hails from this place.
The construction of this bus stand has been lying suspended since 1998 when the BJP Government took over the reins of the state. During this period of five years not even a single brick was added to this half-completed complex. The Himachal Pradesh Government had acquired over 75 kanals of land in the heart of the town for the construction of a bus stand in 1990-91. The construction was first taken up in 1991. While laying the foundation stone, the state government announced that the bus stand would be operational within two years and there would be no shortage of funds for this project. The government later sanctioned adequate funds and its construction was taken up on a war footing. It was planned to construct a booking office, clock room, guest house, a complex to house HRTC offices, bank square and a green belt around the bus stand. Since the HRTC had acquired commercial land, it was also proposed to construct a shopping complex also. A three-storeyed building was to have a basement for the parking of buses. The HRTC had estimated an annual income of Rs 50 lakh from this complex. In 1992, when the BJP was in power a few sheds were immediately constructed and the old bus stand was shifted to the new site. The construction work was taken up on priority. But in December , 1992, after the demolition of the Babri Masjid the BJP Government in the state was dismissed. President’s rule was imposed on the state. The construction of the bus stand was left half way and the entire machinery and other equipment were shifted. Since then the construction of the bus stand has been hanging fire. Mr Virbhadara Singh, who was in the town recently, assured the residents that his government would complete this project within two years. Palampur town, he said, had suffered a lot during the BJP regime because of the differences between Mr Dhumal and Mr Shanta Kumar. |
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Controversial toll barrier notified
Nurpur, November 28 The Excise and Taxation Department Commissioner, Kangra, has sent a communique to the local civil and police authorities last week and sought their cooperation in the collection of toll tax from the vehicles on the two notified toll barriers set up by contactor, Nishwar Singh and company. Earlier, the state government had only notified only one barrier at Kandwal near the Chakki bridge but the contactor had started forcible collection of toll tax from vehicles by setting up an illegal barrier on the Kandwal-Bhadroya link road. This had resulted in frequent traffic jams on the highway. This also caused altercation between employees of the contractor with the vehicle owners. Meanwhile, a private truck operator filed a civil suit in the court here in August this year, seeking permanent injunction restraining the contractor from the collection of toll tax from the unauthorised barrier. The court has granted injunction against the alleged illegal barrier. |
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Girls rounded up for creating scene on Mall
Shimla, November 28 According to the police, about 15 girls, mostly hostlers, and some boys had organised a dance party at a local hotel close to The Mall. Some of the girls later came to The Mall and created a scene, apparently under the influence of liquor. A police party reached the scene and took away the girls for medical examination. The police contacted the college authorities and handed over the girls to them. Mr Jog Raj Thakur, Superintendent of Police, denied that the girls were rounded up and said the police assisted them as they were not in a position to take care of themselves. |
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1 killed as van falls into khud
Nahan, November 28 According to police sources, Mahesh Kumar, driver of the van failed to negotiate a curve on the Nahan-Paonta Sahib road and the van rolled down into the khud. One passenger, Madan Lal, a resident of Naraingarh, died on the spot, while Darshan Lal, Geeta, Sanjay, Rajni, Reeta and driver Mahesh received multiple injuries. They were rushed to Nahan district hospital. |
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Mamal wins vocal music contest
Dhaliara , November 28 Mamal has already performed at many school and college music competitions and won accolades. |
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