H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

BJP for probe into change in HP excise policy
Shimla, July 14
The state unit of the BJP has demanded a high-level probe into the change in excise policy under which the quota of state-owned bottling plants was scrapped to ‘benefit’ the liquor mafia.

Kasauli’s pines giving way to concrete

Kasauli, July 14 Kasauli of pines, wines and old times is fast giving way to a concrete jungle, which now threatens to clog the periphery of this quaint hill station.

Concrete constructions like these are coming up right near the Air Force Station, Kasuali, threatening the fragile ecology of the area. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

HC sets aside life sentence
Shimla, July 14
The HP High Court has set aside the life imprisonment awarded to the accused, Naresh Kumar, in a murder case by the Additional Sessions Judge, Kangra. While setting aside the judgement passed by the trial court, whereby the court had awarded life imprisonment to the accused, a Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice L.S. Panta and Mr Justice Surjit Singh, observed that the prosecution had failed to prove allegations against the accused therefore we have no option but to set aside the judgement of the trial court and acquit the accused.”

B.Pharmacy counselling postponed
Shimla, July 14
Counselling for admission to the bachelor of pharmacy course in the Government College of Pharmacy, Rohru, for the session 2005-2006, which was scheduled to be held on July 15, has been postponed.

Landslip hits rail services
Shimla, July 14
Rail services on the Shimla-Kalka section were affected after a landslip blocked the track at Summer Hill , near here, last evening. The railway authorities plied the Kalka-bound regular services from Tara Devi and Shogi. The Shimla-bound services had to be terminated at Dharmpur, Shogi and Jutog.

BJP for probe into change in HP excise policy
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 14
The state unit of the BJP has demanded a high-level probe into the change in excise policy under which the quota of state-owned bottling plants was scrapped to ‘benefit’ the liquor mafia.

Mr Randhir Sharma, spokesperson of the party, said two bottling units of the General Industries Corporation (GIC) at Mehatpur and HIMFED at Parwanu, which were earning huge profits until 2003-04, went into the red after the change in the policy. For instance, the GIC bottling plant earned a profit of Rs 1.20 crore in 2003-04 but it suffered a loss of Rs 6 lakh last year when the quota was scrapped.

He said it was intriguing that the three departments concerned remained silent and even the two public undertakings which were severely affected by the decision also did not raise any hue and cry.

He alleged that the Congress, which promised a clean government, was patronising corruption. He said a senior police officer against whom a case was registered by the Vigilance Department on the basis of the report of the public undertakings committee of the Vidhan Sabha was not only reinstated but the case against him was being withdrawn. 

Kasauli’s pines giving way to concrete
Ruchika M. Khanna
Tribune News Service

Kasauli, July 14
Kasauli of pines, wines and old times is fast giving way to a concrete jungle, which now threatens to clog the periphery of this quaint hill station. Regarded as one of the best destinations in Asia by Time magazine recently, Kasauli is fast losing its charm, reminiscent of the days of the British Raj. The hospitality industry, on the look out for novelty “in giving the best in luxury” is eyeing the hill cantonment like never before. On the anvil is a nine- hole golf course and half a dozen resorts and apartments.

Some constructions are coming up right next to the Air Force Station here, thus posing a security threat to the defence establishment. These constructions on the hillside, believe local residents, will ruin the fragile ecology of the area. Residents say there is a shortage of water in the area, and most of these resorts and apartments coming up in the periphery will use the water of streams gushing down the hills, thus further aggravating the water shortage in Kasauli.

The old timers here have now decided to launch a concerted drive to put to an end these “development projects”. These residents have formed the Kasauli Bachao Andolan led by Mr Baljit Malik. The Andolan members have now petitioned before the Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, requesting that a stay be granted on indiscriminate constructions under way near Kasauli.

Mr Khushwant Singh, eminent journalist, who takes refuge from the sweltering heat of the North at his Old Grant bungalow for a couple of months each summer, too, is concerned about the rapid constructions around the Cantonment area. “These people, cut down trees and hill sides to build huge buildings for the city slickers. Since these constructions are outside the cantonment, these are granted permission by the Himachal government. But the latter must take into account the fragile ecology of the place, before such commercial ventures are allowed,” he says.

Mr Baljit Malik reasons that the charm of Kasauli has been retained only because it is protected by certain old regulations from the colonial times. “The British developed the hill station scientifically, giving proper distance and tree cover between bungalows. It is important not to introduce cheek-by-jowl constructions now. We agree that tourism ventures are important for the economic development of the area, but it should be planned development, on the lines that the British architectural visionaries had planned,” he says.

He suggests that new buildings coming up here should be eco-friendly. “ Make rain water harvesting compulsory for all buildings. Solar water heaters should be installed and wind energy could also be harnessed and minimum RCC should be used in buildings. Since Kasauli falls in the earthquake prone zone, wood, stone and slate buildings should be encouraged,” he says. 

HC sets aside life sentence
Our Legal Correspondent

Shimla, July 14
The HP High Court has set aside the life imprisonment awarded to the accused, Naresh Kumar, in a murder case by the Additional Sessions Judge, Kangra. While setting aside the judgement passed by the trial court, whereby the court had awarded life imprisonment to the accused, a Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice L.S. Panta and Mr Justice Surjit Singh, observed that the prosecution had failed to prove allegations against the accused therefore we have no option but to set aside the judgement of the trial court and acquit the accused.”

The court passed the direction on an appeal filed by the accused wherein he had challenged the order of the trial court. According to the prosecution, the allegation against the accused was that he murdered a girl near Palampur on September 13, 1999, when she was going to attend her college.

B.Pharmacy counselling postponed
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 14
Counselling for admission to the bachelor of pharmacy course in the Government College of Pharmacy, Rohru, for the session 2005-2006, which was scheduled to be held on July 15, has been postponed.

The Director, Technical Education, Sundernagar, said that counselling had to be deferred because of some administrative reasons.

A fresh schedule for the admissions would be notified later. However, counselling for admission against nomination seats of B-Pharmacy course would be held as per earlier schedule.

Landslip hits rail services
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 14
Rail services on the Shimla-Kalka section were affected after a landslip blocked the track at Summer Hill , near here, last evening. The railway authorities plied the Kalka-bound regular services from Tara Devi and Shogi. The Shimla-bound services had to be terminated at Dharmpur, Shogi and Jutog.

The track was being cleared and regular services were likely to be restored by tomorrow.