Shimla, April 1
The expert committee, which investigated the reasons for huge time and cost overruns in the 126 MW Larji project, has underlined the need to introduce “firm price approach” in award of contracts to ensure timely completion of projects.

Blaming insufficient and improper investigations of projects for the enormous variations in tendered quantities of works and the actual execution, the committee has recommended measures to narrow down the difference, which was exploited by contractors to their advantage. In the process cost escalations of disproportional dimensions took place, it observed.

Executed by the state electricity board, Larji has been the most expensive project to date with cost escalating from the approved Rs 640 crore (at 1999 price level) to Rs 1221 crore. The completed cost was likely to be over Rs 1250 crore. Normally the per megawatt cost ranges from Rs 4.5 crore to Rs 5.5 crore but in case of Larji, which is finally nearing completion, it will be about Rs 10 crore.

The committee comprising Mr R.N. Aggrawal, a former chairman of the BBMB, and Mr C.L. Aggrawal, a former General Manager of the Thein Dam Project, has suggested that a clause be inserted in the tender documents requiring bidders to study investigation data and forming part of the tender and they should be given the choice of supplementing and carrying out their own need-based investigations which should become part of the their cost bid, along with time required for the purpose.

This approach, the report said, would help avoid post construction differences. The price variation clause should be deleted altogether form the tender documents and firm price contract be awarded. Once a firm price approach was adopted, a scheme should be introduced in the tender itself to provide incentive for completion before time. Obligation of the board to towards the contractors should be limited to the provision of construction power and land for permanent components of project.

As timely completion of project required a coordinated approach it should be headed by a General Manager and all disciplines such as civil, electrical, design and accounts should be under his control. While effecting postings personnel should be placed at the disposal of the project head instead of posting against any particular post.

Kangra, April 1
Invigilating staff for the Board examinations have started raising voices against the HP Board of School Education authorities for cancelling the matric mathematics paper at board centre at Government Senior Secondary School, Bagli, on March 4. They have alleged that it was a decision taken in haste and on flimsy grounds by the Secretary of the Board.

Mr Baldev Raj Sharma, Principal of the school and coordinator of the examination at the school centre, along with Mr Moti Ram, superintendent of the centre, today alleged that the Secretary, who was heading the flying squad, which inspected the centre during the mathematics examination, acted in a hasty manner in cancelling the paper. His action had brought disrepute to the school and demoralised its senior staff and students.

They said there were 217 students taking examination at the centre at that time and they were yet to be given the answer sheets when the flying squad visited the centre. They said objectionable material was recovered from 15 students and cases were registered against them under the Copying Act despite the fact that they were not actually copying as the answer sheets had not been distributed among them by then.

Dr R.D. Sharma, state patron, Himachal Educational Consultant Forum and former Deputy Director, Education, has termed the re-examination of the paper by the Board a mere farce. He has expressed concern over charging a fee of Rs 50 by each student taking the re-examination.

The centre for the re-examination is several kilometres from the original locale. It would cause inconvenience to the students and their parents.

Mr K.D. Lakhanpal, Secretary of the Board, was not available in his office for his comments. Mr B.R. Rahi, Chairman of the Board, told The Tribune on the phone that the Board had cancelled the mathematics paper on the basis of the report submitted by the flying squad.

He said the coordinator of the examination, Mr Baldev Raj Sharma, was asked to meet him in his office at 3.30 pm so that the Board could take a decision in the matter. But, the coordinator did not turn up and failed to submit his report, forcing the Board to cancel the paper on the basis of the flying squad report. 

Mandi, April 1
A daily-waged peon who was allegedly under the influence of liquor assaulted a senior assistant of the District Treasury Office at Sandhol in the Dharampur block, about 80 km from here yesterday.

The senior assistant, Mr Bansi Lal told TNS on phone from Sandhol hospital that he had asked the peon to go home as he was intoxicated. “At this, he assaulted me and hit me on the right face and the chest at which I fell from the chair in the office room. I am having pain in the chest as well. But the police has yet to take action in the case”, he rued.

The Block Medical Officer, Sandhol, Dr Rohit, said Mr Bansi Lal had suffered a lacerated wound above the right eye and his chest X-ray report was awaited. “We have sent the medical report to the police today”, he added.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sarkaghat subdivision, Mr Vimal Gupta, said he had deputed a police team to investigate the matter and a case would be registered after recording the statements of the daily wager and the complainant. “The medical report of the victim has shown no grievous injury, but his X-ray is awaited. The dispute is an internal matter and hence it is not a case of assault on a public servant”, he added.

The District Treasury Officer, Mandi Mr Y.S. Thakur said the senior assistant had informed him about the incident.

Kumarhatti, April 1
The police has seized 896 bottles of countrymade liquor and 156 bottles of Indian made foreign liquor in Solan district during the past 48 hours.

Eightythree persons have been booked under the Excise Act for smuggling liquor. Two vehicles carrying illicit liquor have been impounded.

Seventeen and 13 cases have been registered in Solan and Nalagarh police stations respectively. Nine cases have been registered under the Arki police station while eight each have been registered under Parwanoo and Barotiwala police stations. 

Baddi, April 1
The fourth annual sports meet of the Institute of Engineering and Emerging Technologies (IEET), Baddi, concluded today. The event, which was attended by 1,300 students, saw keen contests in various disciplines like basketball, volleyball, football, athletics, long jump and shot put.

The principal of the college, Dr R.C. Behl inaugurated the meet and later gave away prizes to the winners. Secretary Gaurav Jhunjunwala, faculty members, deans of various departments and the registrar of the institute attended the meet.

Rajguru House was declared the overall winner. Sourabh Vaid was adjudged the best athlete among boys while Nisha Goverdhan bagged the prize in the girls’ category. Sourav Kalia and Anil Chauhan were declared best player for football and volleyball, respectively while Nishant made it to the top in the basketball category. Among girls, the prize was won by Shruti.

Nahan, April 1
Sarwan Singh of Taruwala village reportedly strangulated today his mother at her residence. The incident shocked residents of Paonta valley who were busy in worshipping Goddess Durga due to the ensuing Navratras.

According to police sources, the accused surrendered before the police after committing the heinous crime. A case under Section 302, IPC, has been registered.

Servan Singh was living separately with his children but a dispute with his mother soured their relationship. His mother, Ms Gyan Kaur, had also lodged a complaint with the local Amarkot Panchayat in this regard. The panchayat had directed Sarwan Singh to construct a new toilet for him self within one month time, but he failed to comply with the directive.

Today a dispute again arose between the mother and son over the use of toilet. After exchange of hot words, Sarwan allegedly strangulated his mother.

Shimla, April 1
The Vigilance Department today registered an FIR against the additional District Magistrate, Mr H.S. Thakur, in connection with a case in which the driving licence of a dead person was renewed.

The case pertained to 1998 when Mr Thakur was the SDM, Shimla (rural). The state high court had directed the government to conduct an inquiry as to how the licence was renewed. 

Shimla, April 1
About 60 “dharas”(illegal structures) were gutted in a fire which broke out during the demolition drive being carried out on the Down Dale hill this afternoon.

Fire tenders rushed to the scene immediately and prevented the fire from spreading to the adjoining lepers’ colony. Some of the “dharas” had been pulled down when the fire broke out.

According to the police, the fire was triggered by a “dhara” owner. A case has been registered and investigation is on.