H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Rs 365-cr watershed project launched
Bilaspur, February 19
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today launched the Rs 365 crore mid-Himalayan watershed development project in the state by planting a sapling at Parohi village in Kothipura of Bilaspur district. He was joined by Forest Minister Ram Lal Thakur, and Daniel Sallen, World Bank team leader to mark the launching of the project.

CM has hurt people’s feelings: Maheshwar
Kulu, February 19
Mr Virbhadra Singh had hurt the religious sentiments of the people of Kulu by stating that the ‘Jagati Puchch’ was blatantly misused for political ends, said Mr Maheshwar Singh, a former MP and Kardar of the chief deity of Kulu, Lord Raghunathji, while addressing a media conference at his residence here today.

BJP seeks action against Nadda, Mohinder
Sundernagar, February 19
The Nachan Unit of the BJP has demanded disciplinary action against Mr Mohinder Singh, BJP MLA from Dharmapur Mandi and a former PWD Minister Mr J.P Nadda, and some of the Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) office-bearers for anti party activities.

Aero sports school to boost tourism in Mandi circuit
Mandi, February 19
The Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, said that Aero Sports School in Delu in Jogindernagar will boost adventure tourism, including paragliding, hang-gliding and other aero sports in the Mandi-Kangra tourist circuit in the state.

Rs 365-cr watershed project launched
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, February 19
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today launched the Rs 365 crore mid-Himalayan watershed development project in the state by planting a sapling at Parohi village in Kothipura of Bilaspur district. He was joined by Forest Minister Ram Lal Thakur, and Daniel Sallen, World Bank team leader to mark the launching of the project. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the first community hall of the project at Parohi.

He said the state had succeeded in winning the first-ever repeater Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project which would bring about economic rehabilitation in the rural area, especially the 545 identified gram panchayat of 42 blocks of 18 districts of the state.

He said Himachal happened to be an agricultural state and over 90 per cent people inhabited in the rural area and their livelihood depend upon agriculture-related activities. He said the endeavour of the state government had been to provide better living conditions and improved economy.

CM has hurt people’s feelings: Maheshwar
Subhash Sharma

Kulu, February 19
Mr Virbhadra Singh had hurt the religious sentiments of the people of Kulu by stating that the ‘Jagati Puchch’ was blatantly misused for political ends, said Mr Maheshwar Singh, a former MP and Kardar of the chief deity of Kulu, Lord Raghunathji, while addressing a media conference at his residence here today.

He said that the way Mr Virbhadra Singh tried to jeer the deities and ‘Jagati Puchch’ was regrettable. He lashed out at the Chief Minister and said that the people of this valley would never accept insult to their Gods and Goddesses.

It may be recalled that ‘Jagati Puchch’ was called to decide the fate of Ford’s dream of $150 million, Himalayan Ski Village project near Manali, by the conclave of local Gods and Goddesses on February 16. The verdict of the deities went against the construction of the Ski Village in the present form and place.

Mr Maheshwar Singh said he was ready to face any challenge in the battlefield. The Devta culture was never mixed with politics by him. He said that Mr Virbhadra Singh should know that if someone tried to misuse the Devtas, his forthcoming generations would have to pay the price. Such allegations were baseless.

Mr Maheshwar said that the Chief Minister pointed out in his statement that all deities were not present and were not brought in their respective palanquins. He said that in ‘Jagati’ or at places, only the ‘chinha’ (symbol) of the deities were brought. As far as the attendance, he said that they had invited about 400 deities out of which 226 participated.

He further said that ‘Malohi’ ceremony was also performed to confirm the final verdict as per the traditions, which confirmed that the verdict was for non-acceptance of the project. If Mr Virbhadra Singh was not aware of the traditions he should ask Mr Devender Negi, Member, Board of Directors, HRTC, who was present at the ‘Jagati’. Mr Maheshwar Singh said that ‘Jagati’ was the Supreme Court of deities and no one has the right to comment over its verdict.

Mr Maheshwar Singh also lashed out at Mr Raj Krishan Gaur, Agriculture Minister, for raising questions against the ‘Jagati’. He disclosed that he had personally invited Mr Raj Krishan Gaur for ‘Jagati’ and asked why he did not come. He should have asked questions at the ‘Jagati’ instead of asking authenticity of the ‘Jagati’ now.

He said that Kulu was known as the Valley of Gods and urged the Chief Minister and the Agriculture Minister not to defame the deity culture of this valley. He said that he was only the medium for ‘Jagati Puchch’ and ‘Tapobhumi’ (sacred soil) was more important for him than politics. He said politicians come and go but the ‘Dev-Sanskriti’ would remain forever.

BJP seeks action against Nadda, Mohinder
Our Correspondent

Sundernagar, February 19
The Nachan Unit of the BJP has demanded disciplinary action against Mr Mohinder Singh, BJP MLA from Dharmapur Mandi and a former PWD Minister Mr J.P Nadda, and some of the Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) office-bearers for anti party activities.

According to sources at a meeting of executive held yesterday and it was unanimously decided that two former ministers, along with BJYM workers were indulging in anti party activities. Hence a disciplinary action was demanded. The copy of resolution had been sent to the district unit of the BJP and the state unit for necessary action. The resolution was passed at the behest of Mr Dile Ram , president of district unit of BJP and the former BJP Minister who had been contesting Assembly elections from Nachan on BJP ticket.

Aero sports school to boost tourism in Mandi circuit
Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 19
The Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, said that Aero Sports School in Delu in Jogindernagar will boost adventure tourism, including paragliding, hang-gliding and other aero sports in the Mandi-Kangra tourist circuit in the state.

Addressing a gathering at Dhog after he laid the foundation stone for the Rs 1 crore aerosports centre at Delu and inaugurated the Rs 49 lakh-Kisan Bhawan at Dhog in Jogindernagar in the district Mr Virbhadra Singh said the government had allocated Rs 47 crore to develop tourism and adventure sports in the state in each tourist circuits. “The Rs 2 crore each will be spent on tourism and allied sports in Kangra, Mandi, Chamba and Bilaspur district”, he added.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said that the government would promote the rural tourism in the state by engaging the rural youth in tourism activities.

“The government is pending Rs 5 crore on promoting tourism in Chanshal in Rohru and Sirmaur district”, he added.

He also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for Dhog school. Later, he laid the foundation stone for the Rs 1.14 crore ITI building there.

Mr Virbhdara Singh also listened to the grievances of the Uhal oustees and promised to provide drinking water immediately to the affected farmers.

The IPH Minister, Mr Kaul Singh Thakur, said that the 5-mw project would be given to Himachali entrepreneurs who should come forward to tap the microhydel power potential.

Meanwhile the Secretary, HP Aero sports Association, Dr SP Katyal, said that the aerosport training school would provide training in basic, intermediate and the advance paragliding courses for the learners that will last for 10 to 30 days. Even the tourists will get facility of the joyrides and in-tandem flights at the school from the trained instructors, he added.

The Commissioner Tourism, Mr Tarun Shridhar, said the Billing international paragliding site was located nearby and will give a new facility to the tourists and would-be professionals visiting the state.

Refund power charges, says assn
Our Correspondent

Parwanoo, February 19
Accusing the state electricity board of not complying with the orders of the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Parwanoo Industries Association said the board had committed a contempt of the commission’s orders dated December 9, 2005.

The association's general secretary, Mr Rakesh Bansal, said despite clear orders from the commission the board had failed to refund Rs 31. 21 lakh to 72 consumers within a period of six weeks as directed by the commission.

The period expired on January 20 and instead of refunding the amount the board continued to collect recovery of charges till now without any approval from the commission. The board had earlier collected the amount in lieu of augmentation charges of the line and substation from these industrial units’ said Mr Bansal.