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Govt to fill posts of MO, says CM
HP has best healthcare facilities: CM
Virbhadra: cap is symbol of Himachali culture
Varsities Bill violates SC verdict
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Probe indicts Mayor for encroachment
Police drive to check liquor smuggling
Development plan for Hamirpur, Dharamsala, Mandi
Snow in upper reaches of HP
Notification to end contract labour soon
Mandi, Hamirpur, Dharamsala to be developed
Rs 5.28 crore for water supply in Bilaspur
New edition of Irawati released
Devta mela begins
17 injured as bus falls into gorge
Departmental exams from July 28
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Govt to fill posts of MO, says CM
Dharamsala, April 2 Besides, it has also created best health infrastructure facilities with one health sub-centre to serve 2,838 persons against the national average of 5,401, one primary health centre to 13,367 persons against the national average of 32,469 and each community health centre serving 88,911 persons of the area against the national average of 2,43,427. This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during the inauguration of the first state-level conference-cum-CME programme, “HIM-MEDICON-2006”, organised by the state chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) here today. The Chief Minister said the state was among 18 states of the country to have implemented the National Rural Health Mission. The Chief Minister said the state government had provided MRI and open heart surgery facilities at the IGMC, Shimla, besides strengthening diagnostic services at diagnostic centres at Hamirpur, Solan and Bilaspur. Expressions of interest had been invited from private parties to set up two nursing colleges and 15 nursing schools in the state, he added. He said the government was committed to filling vacant posts of Medical Officer in the state and opening promotional channels. He added that the government endeavoured to absorb all medical graduates passing out from the IGMC, Shimla, and the RPGMC, Kangra, at Tanda. The government would also consider regularising Medical Officers appointed on contract. Eminent physicians like Dr T.S. Mohanti of Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Dr D.S. Rana, Dr Randhir Sood, and Dr Sudhir Sharma of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, all former students of the IGMC, Shimla, also spoke on the occasion. Dr Dharam Prakash, secretary general, National IMA, said the association would adopt 400 villages in the country. |
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HP has best healthcare facilities: CM
Dharamsala, April 2 Besides, it has also created best health infrastructure facilities with one health sub-centre to serve 2,838 persons against the national average of 5,401, one primary health centre to 13,367 persons against the national average of 32,469 and each community health centre serving 88,911 persons of the area against the national average of 2,43,427. This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during the inauguration of the first state-level conference-cum-CME programme, “HIM-MEDICON-2006”, organised by the state chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) here today. The Chief Minister said the state was among 18 states of the country to have implemented the National Rural Health Mission. The Chief Minister said the state government had provided MRI and open heart surgery facilities at the IGMC, Shimla, besides strengthening diagnostic services at diagnostic centres at Hamirpur, Solan and Bilaspur. Expressions of interest had been invited from private parties to set up two nursing colleges and 15 nursing schools in the state, he added. He said the government was committed to filling vacant posts of Medical Officer in the state and opening promotional channels. He added that the government endeavoured to absorb all medical graduates passing out from the IGMC, Shimla, and the RPGMC, Kangra, at Tanda. The government would also consider regularising Medical Officers appointed on contract. Eminent physicians like Dr T.S. Mohanti of Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Dr D.S. Rana, Dr Randhir Sood, and Dr Sudhir Sharma of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, all former students of the IGMC, Shimla, also spoke on the occasion. Dr Dharam Prakash, secretary general, National IMA, said the association would adopt 400 villages in the country. |
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Virbhadra: cap is symbol of Himachali culture
Dharamsala, April 2 Taking a dig at his detractors in the Congress, who had floated the idea of having a new design cap as the identity of the people of the lower Himachal region, he said anybody who tried to tinker with the cultural symbols of the state would be betraying his lack of love for the state. Without naming anybody, he said the leaders who were behind the idea, were ridiculing the rich cultural heritage of the state and resorting to such gimmicks for cheap political popularity. “The cap I am sporting is not a Virbhadra trademark, but a symbol of Himachali culture,” he reiterated. In an oblique reference to statements by Major Vijai Singh Mankotia, Shahpur legislator, that he would make public a list of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats, Chief Minister said if he had any such information; let him come forth with the list. “If there is substance in the allegations of corruption, I would definitely inquire into them, otherwise he will have to face the music. I am myself committed to fighting corruption, but people should not use the issue as a tool to stay in the limelight,” he said. Like previous years, the winter sojourn of the Congress in Kangra region had been very successful and had infused a new whiff of enthusiasm among the people, he added. The BJP, he said, was in a shambles both at the Centre and in the state. “It was left with no political, economic or social programme and that is why it is resorting to political gimmicks like regionalism,” he said. He said Government Medical College at Tanda was almost ready and the government had recently sanctioned a sum of Rs 50 crore for the purchase of equipment for the hospital. He also inaugurated a girls’ hostel at the Government College of Teacher’s Education on Saturday evening. Addressing the teachers and students, he said teachers with a stint in interior areas would be given priority in promotion. |
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Varsities Bill violates SC verdict
Shimla, April 2 Regulation 3.1 of the University Grants Commission concerning establishment and maintenance of standards in private universities also enunciates that a separate legislation has to be brought for setting up a private university. It also makes it clear that a private university will only be a “unitary” institution. As such it will be essentially a campus university, which cannot affiliate other institutions. The moot point is whether the private parties which have approached the government with proposals will be interested in establishing a unitary university. The court has in the verdict observed that a university cannot not be set up merely on a paper proposal. It pre-supposes existence of a campus, classrooms, lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, offices, besides some playgrounds and also sport facility for overall development of personality of the students. What is required is a large number of good colleges and institutions and universities without any teaching facility, it further said. As such a better course will be to affiliate the proposed institutions with existing universities for a period of five to 10 years and grant the status of a full-fledged university only after they have the faculties and the required infrastructure in place. There are other important issues concerning the Bill, which has been referred to the select committee for closer scrutiny. Privatisation without adequate regulatory mechanism leads to unashamed commercialisation and this could not be allowed in the education sector. Further, it is essential to ensure a rational fee structure, uniform academic calendar, transparency in examination system, common entrance test for admission to similar courses and ,above all, ensuring high academic standards. All these issues could be addressed by putting in place a regulatory body which would not only decide the fee structure for different institutions in a transparent manner on the pattern of the electricity regulatory commission but also ensure strict adherence to norms laid down by various statutory bodies. Such an arrangement will reduce the government interference to the minimum and ensure a level playing field for all private players. In the absence of a regulatory body the government has been facing problem in rationalising the fee structure of dental colleges and other private institutions. It is common knowledge that expenditure shown in the annual revenue requirement is exaggerated by manipulating accounts and the ultimate sufferers are the students who have to pay through the nose for higher education. The Bill also provides for dissolution of a university after giving notice of one year which is ridiculous as the fate of passouts would be sealed once the institution was wound up. As the land and other assets will revert to the sponsor, he could set up some other business. Closure should not be permitted and instead a provision should be made for merger with some other university or government takeover. The amount under the endowment fund to be established by the sponsoring body which is Rs 2 crore should also be raised to at least Rs 5 crore. |
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Probe indicts Mayor for encroachment
Shimla, April 2 The government is learnt to have received the report of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sushil Negi, who conducted the inquiry, last week. According to sources, the inquiry has concluded that the “dhara” in Krishnanagar colony, which was occupied by Mr Sohan Lali until recently, belonged to him. It was not a dhara but a two-storeyed concrete structure with floors paved with marble and tiles and must have cost Rs 3 lakh to 4 Rs lakh. The inquiry found no truth in the claim of Mr Devinder Kumar, who lived nearby, that the dhara was constructed by him and given to Mr Sohan Lal free of rent as he was himself lived in a small katcha
dhara. The evidence collected during the inquiry included copy of an affidavit filed by Mr Sohan Lal in 1989 in which he had pleaded that since he was a landless person his encroachment should be regularised. While the original affidavit was not traceable the entry of the affidavit was found in the register maintained for the purpose in the office of the local sub divisional magistrate. Further, during the settlement operation 902 encroachments were detected in the municipal area and the relevant file was sent to the corporation for ejecting the illegal occupants. The name of Mr Sohan Lal figured in two cases. While the list of encroachers was available the file was untraceable. The Forest Department had also issued damage reports against Mr Sohan Lal for encroaching on forestland twice but no action was taken. Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, has announced that action would be taken if the charges against the Mayor were established. Now that the inquiry report has been submitted to the government it remains to be seen what action would be taken in the matter. |
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Police drive to check liquor smuggling
Parwanoo, April 2 Liquor shops in the industrial belt have witnessed a great rush of Bacchus lovers. The police has been on its toes to check the illegal stocking of liquor. In fact, a special two-day drive was launched by the police. The police has seized 429 bottles from Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh and Parwanoo out of which 154 bottles were of IMFL and rest were countrymade. 27 cases have been registered under the Excise Act. The difference in rates here and in the neighbouring states could lead to smuggling of liquor. In Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, the draw system of
allotting liquor shops has ended the monopoly in the liquor trade which could bring the rates down. Moreover, the Chandigarh Administration’s decision to decrease VAT on liquor from 22 per cent to 4 per cent would reduce the prices of liquor in Chandigarh.
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Development plan for Hamirpur, Dharamsala, Mandi
Mandi, April 2 The Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority has already sought the estimates from the municipal councils of three towns for the project. The Central Government will fund 80 per cent of the cost, while the rest will be shared by state
government. HIMUDA’s Chief Executive Officer Y.R. Sharma said the three towns had been chosen under the scheme, while Manali, Parwanoo and Solan had been covered under the present budget for improving civic amenities there. He said the work on the project would start within three months. Mandi Municipal Council (MMC) president H.R. Vaidya said HIMUDA had inspected the sites for parking lots near Town Halls, Jail road, Old Mandi, Sakodi Bridge, while the Kargil Park and Indira market park would be beautified.
— TNS
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Snow in upper reaches of HP
Shimla, April 2 The tribal valleys of Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi, Bharmaur and higher hills of tribal Kinnaur district and Kulu district experienced intermittent mild snowfall last night, while the lower areas were lashed by light showers, making people reel under freezing cold wave conditions. Pangi valley in Chamba district was receiving intermittent snowfall since 2.30 pm while the Bharmaur area of the district was lashed by rain. The minimum temperature stayed between minus seven and minus 15 degrees Celsius in the tribal districts, while the minimum temperature dipped to 0.8 degrees at Kalpa in Kinnaur district. Shimla and its adjoining areas and the famous tourist resort of Manali in Kulu district were greeted with bright sunshine today, while the day and night temperatures in mid and lower hills continued to soar. The state capital recorded a night temperature of 12.4 degrees, while Sundernagar and Bhuntar recorded 14 and 11.2 degrees Celsius respectively. Kalpa in Kinnuar district also recorded 8 mm of rain till 8.30 am, the Met office said.
— UNI |
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Roads in Baddi get from bad to worse Baddi, April 2 With the drastic increase in the number of vehicles in the past three years the roads have been facing excessive wear and tear. The plight of the road from Baddi to Nalagarh is the worst. The drive is not only bumpy but plumes of dust chase all vehicles as the road surface has not been carpeted for years. Interestingly, with the Chief Minister’s visit to the region on April 8, a facelift is being given to the roads. PWD workers could be seen working to carpet the Nalagarh
road today. The absence of side drains has added to the bad condition as rains corrode the roads adversely affecting its condition. The PWD has only been able to repair patches of roads which too have eroded in the absence of quality work. The worst suffers are scores of MNCs, including Cipla Pharmaceuticals, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Glenmark, Alchem and Dr Reddy, who have set up their units in villages where proper roads have not been laid. With virtually no tarring in the link roads connecting various industries at Malkhumajra, Harraipur, Kishenpura, Malpur, Shitalpur, Bhud, etc., to the main road the region presents a very gloomy picture to a visitor. A section of investors who have invested here said despite taking up the issue with the government several times little had been done. They rued that the situation became embarrassing when foreign executives heading these MNCs visited the region and came across mud and slush on the roads. With little planning the roads had been reduced to mere passages. Officials of the Himachal Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (HPSIDC) cut a sorry figure by stating that fund availability was a major constrain. Superintendent Engineer S.C. Sehgal while ruing the encroachments made by shopkeepers said the Deputy Commissioner had been urged to get them removed. This will enable them widen the roads and effect some repair. He said tenders worth Rs 9 crore would be awarded by April 25 so that roads could be strengthened. Executive Engineer of PWD K.K. Malhotra, however, said Rs 2.62 crore had been approved under NABARD for the upkeep of various roads in the region though not much could be done to maintain link roads.
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Tribune Impact Our Correspondent
Kumarhatti, April 2 Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister has already announced to check contract labour in manufacturing units in the ongoing Vidhan Sabha session. Moreover, at a meeting with AITUC representatives led by its state chief, Mr Jagdish Bhardwaj, two days ago the Chief Minister assured to issue the notification soon. The government’s dilly dallying approach over issuing the notification has attracted severe criticism from Left trade unions. AITUC and CITU blamed that the state government in order to fetch new investment and facilitate industrial growth, has ignored the plight of labourers working in units. As per trade union leaders’ claim over 50 per cent employment in the twin industrial belt of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh and Parwanoo was on contract. All big units were hiring contract labourers, the leaders accused.
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Mandi, Hamirpur, Dharamsala to be developed
Mandi, April 2 The Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority has already sought the estimates from the municipal councils of three towns for the project. The Central Government will fund 80 per cent of the cost, while the rest will be shared by state government. HIMUDA’s Chief Executive Officer Y.R. Sharma said the three towns had been chosen under the scheme, while Manali, Parwanoo and Solan had been covered under the present budget for improving civic amenities there. He said the work on the project would start within three months. Mandi Municipal Council (MMC) president H.R. Vaidya said HIMUDA had inspected the sites for parking lots near Town Halls, Jail road, Old Mandi, Sakodi Bridge, while the Kargil Park and Indira market park would be beautified. “Each councillor will get Rs 2 lakh for providing streetlights and other facilities in their respective wards,” he added.
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Rs 5.28 crore for water supply in Bilaspur
Bilaspur, April 2 Inaugurating two lakh litre capacity overhead water storage tank at the Industrial Area here today, Mr Ramlal Thakur, Forest Minister, a Rs 14-crore
sewerage plan, including provision for a water treatment Plant for the town, had also been prepared and sent for approval. He also inaugurated a link road competing Raura
octroi with the Industrial Area. He said the government would provide plots to the remaining Bhakra Dam oustees by constructing a New Sector in the next three months here. Another Sector would be created thereafter, he added. He said the Forest Department would also construct a rest house at the top Bandla hill here. The project would cost Rs 28 lakh and be completed in one year. He thanked the Chief Minister for providing Rs 4 crore as additional amount for clearance of pending bills and construction of essential link roads for Bilaspur district. |
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New edition of Irawati released
Dharamsala, April 2 The Chief Minister said there was no dearth of talented writers and other forms of art in the state and the literary magazine would go a long way in providing the budding writers appropriate platform to exhibit flair for writing. He said state-level awards were also being given for the outstanding contribution in promotion of different forms of art to inspire budding talents work had and get their talent polished. |
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Devta mela begins
Sundernagar, April 2 Mr Sohan Lal, local MLA, performed puja of all deities on the inauguration of the fair. These fairs start after the Nalwar fair which is a trade fair of cattle. These fairs are religious and popular among residents of the area. In the mela deities mainly from Suket Estate are brought here by devotees (crew members) carrying them on shoulders. According to Mr Pankaj Rai, chairman, the Devta Mela Committee, all arrangements had been made to provide facilities to devotees coming with chariot of hill Gods. Today hill Gods were given warm welcome at Community Hall and later shifted to the Jawahar Park where places had been earmarked for the hill Gods. Thousands of devotees were seen performing puja of hill Gods.
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17 injured as bus falls into gorge
Palampur, April 2 According to reports here when the bus was about to reach at its destination the driver of the bus failed to negotiate a sharp curve and the bus rolled into a 50-foot gorge. Thirteen men and four women are among the injured passengers. Sixteen injured passengers were admitted to Primary Health Centre, Nagrota Bagwan, while one seriously injured person Roshan Lal was referred to Dr Rajinder Prasad Medical College, Dharmsala. Mr Jagjivan Pal, local MLA and Vice-Chairman, state Forest Corporation, expressed shock over the accident. Villagers and the police helped injured persons and lifted them to roadside for shifting to hospital. The police has registered a case under Section 304-A of the IPC against the driver for negligent driving. |
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Departmental exams from July 28
Shimla, April 2 He said candidates should send application forms through their respective heads of department by June 15. The examination in financial administration will be conducted in Dharamsala and Mandi, besides Shimla. |
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