The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Fake permits: SDM’s office employee found guilty Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service Reckong Peo, May 9 Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kalpa based at Reckong Peo, Sumit Khimta, has found an employee of his office guilty of ‘official procedure lapse’ in the fake permits allegedly issued to the Nepali migrants. The report has been submitted to the District Magistrate for further action against the ‘guilty’ employee. Talking to The Tribune, Dr Amandeep Garg, DM Kinnaur, while confirming this said he was likely to issue a charge sheet to the ‘guilty’ employee after suspending him from service. The employee was supposed to keep the blank permits and related record under his control in the SDM’s office but main accused Bhagwan Singh already arrested by the police, at present on bail, had stolen these documents due to the negligence in duty of the employee. When asked whether the case of the ‘guilty’ employee would be forwarded to the police for action, the DM said that it was up to the police to look into his ‘criminal intention’ in the fake permits case. As far as the district administration was concerned, action was being initiated against him for being found guilty of ‘official procedure lapse’. Meanwhile Dr. Garg has asked the police to check illegal entries of Nepali migrants by cross-checking the record of entries maintained by the police post at Jhangi in upper Kinnaur. Adding the district administration now has decided to computerise the record of issuing permits to Nepali migrants and other foreign nationals so as to avoid such incident”, he said that a software in this regard was being prepared by the computer software experts that would be installed by next week. The DM further clarified that the permits issued to the Nepali migrants were different from those issued to other foreign nationals. There are separate set of rules and procedures for issuing both these permits, he added. On the other hand, police sources said that one other person was taken in custody for making stamps of SDM’s office and providing the same to main accused Bhagwan Singh. The fake permits case came to light last week with the arrest of Bhagwan Singh of Ropa village from whose possession blank inner-line work permits issued to Nepali migrants and stamps of local sub-divisional magistrate were recovered. During investigation, the police arrested Tarlochan Singh running a photo studio in the main market here. They were booked under Sections 420, 468, 471 and 120B of the IPC.
	Bhakra oustees hail CM’s decisions Our Correspondent Bilaspur, May 9 All-Party Bhakra Oustees Rights Protection Committee has hailed decision of state level committee under Chairmanship of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for accepting several long-pending demands of oustees and for ordering solution of several of their problems. Oustees committee general secretary Jai Kumar said here on Sunday that the Chief Minister has ordered I.P.H. Department to prepare a plan for lifting of drinking water for Bilaspur town from the Satluj river which is flowing with this town. He also ordered Deputy Commissioner and the department to take immediate suitable steps to solve water scarcity problem prevailing in Bilaspur town and other areas by setting up tubewells in the town and press into service trucks and tankers for meeting the challenge of water scarcity. Committee has specially welcomed the assurance of the Chief Minister that he would consider the demand for setting up of Oustees Welfare Board for providing all help to them for their economic upliftment and also for setting up of Gobindsagar Tourism Development Board for making Gobindsagar and Bilaspur town as attractive tourist spots. His order that Bairi Dorallari-Khairiyan Bridge would be constructed in Bilaspur town at the spot where it would have maximum utility, was also welcomed. The Chief Minister declared that the government would appoint a special Revenue Officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner so that these problems can be solved within the minimum period. Bhakra oustees also appreciated order of the Chief Minister that some prominent centuries old temples of old town of Bilaspur should be relocated in new Bilaspur township in the land of Horticulture Nursery at Nihal.
	Illegal buildings: new retention policy likely Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, May 9 After compounding 963 cases of unauthorised construction in the five special area development authorities (SADA) last year, the state Cabinet may approve a new retention policy to accommodate fresh cases of violations as well as the 449 cases which were rejected or closed in the earlier policy. The government had earlier said that it would take a sympathetic view of the cases of violations and could bring anew the retention policy. The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has already submitted the number of cases which could be covered under the new policy and the proposal for the consideration of the Cabinet. In response to the last retention policy, a total of 1413 cases were received till June 2004, on which a final decision was taken only on July 31, 2005, after giving more time to the authorities to study each case minutely. A total of Rs 2.20 crore was collected under the retention policy which is to be utilised for undertaking development work within that area from where it has been collected. Environmentalists and planners have been critical of the soft policy being adopted by the government as far as encroachers and violators are concerned, especially at a time when the capital town is witnessing haphazard and unregulated constructions. "Adopting a soft policy of regularising unauthorised construction through retention will further embolden violators, thereby defeating the entire purpose of having planned growth," admitted a senior official. Out of those who had earlier applied under the retention policy, 421 were in Dhalli, 419 in New Shimla, 328 in Kufri and 121 in Tutu and 124 in Shoghi. Sources in the TCP Department said new cases would be covered under the new retention policy if approved by the government but ultimately it is the 152 cases which were rejected and 297 which were closed, which could be considered afresh. "Despite the fact that these cases were rejected or closed because they were not in accordance with the guidelines of the retention policy, they will once again be considered, which is wrong," remarked a senior official. A large number of these cases (163) are those in which either there is encroachment or more land in possession than owned. The number of cases (238) which were closed for want of requisite revenue papers or construction plans is also pretty huge. Officials point out that these 449 cases would come under the purview of the new retention policy only if they vacate the encroached forest or government land or any other such condition.
	Haphazard industrial growth Solan, May 9 Inordinate delay in setting up an industrial development authority to regulate industrial growth in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area has adversely affected planned development in the area. Though Chief Minister himself had announced setting up of this authority in October 2004, its constitution is still awaited. The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, which is supposed to notify it, has conducted an in-depth study of the Noida Developmental Authority. It has proposed that a Chief Executive Officer holding the rank of a secretary would head it. The authority is supposed to coordinate among various departments like revenue, TCP, industry, power, etc. The proposal, however, is awaiting Cabinet approval. In the absence of a coordinating authority, haphazard industrial growth has taken place in the region. This has led the industries coming up in places earmarked for green parks, open spaces and housing. Though the TCP Department has drawn up a draft development plan there was little adherence to it. The TCP Department has now sought an NOC from such industries to surrender about 24 metres of land for sector roads when required. A section of investors rued that it was after having invested lakhs on purchasing land and seeking a change in land use (CLU) from the TCP Department that they were directed to leave 24 metres from their plot. — OC
	DC denies report Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 9 Reacting to news-items “1482 foreigners visited Kinnaur illegally last year” and “Operation cover-up in fake permits case alleged” carried in these columns on May 1 and May 3 respectively, the Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur district, Peo, has clarified that foreign nationals have not been allowed to go to the border areas. As such, it was wrong to contend that there was a threat to the national security. In a communication to The Tribune, he has added that the matter referred to in one of the news reports does not pertain to “inner-line border permits” issued to foreign nationals. The alleged forgery pertains to work permits issued to the Nepali labourers. Written orders have already been issued to the Kalpa Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM) to look into the misplacement of official stationery. The report in the matter is expected to be submitted soon. The Deputy Commissioner has further added that the district police has registered a case on Kapla SDM’s complaint. The matter was being investigated by the in-charge, CIA, directly under the supervision of the Kinnaur Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Superintendent of Police. Efforts were not being made to save any culprit and necessary action would be taken against any person involved in the matter. The Tribune Correspondent adds: I stand by my story. Fake labour work permits and blank inner-line border permits have been recovered by the police.
	Hailstorm, rain lash Palampur areas Our Correspondent Palampur, May 9 High-velocity winds accompanied with heavy rain and hailstorm lashed several parts of Palampur, damaging several house, standing crops and adversely affecting power supply in the region. There was considerable fall in a temperature. The normal life was paralyzed as several rural and urban areas remained without power for 12 hours. A number of houses were damaged and electricity poles uprooted. At Ghuggar village, near here, a house was damaged when a big tree fell down on it. The occupants of the house had a miraculous escape as they were out at a social function. Reports received from lower areas said that hailstorm damaged the standing crops. Mr Abhishek Jain, SDM, told media persons that no loss of life had been reported from any part of the region. He said revenue officials had been asked to submit the damage report so that the necessary assistance could be sanctioned to the affected persons.
	Long-term plan to end water problem Tribune News Service Shimla, May 9 The Himachal Government is preparing a long-term plan to end the water shortage problem of the Shimla city under which water will be brought all the way from the Pabbar river in Rohru. Stating this here today, Mr Kaul Singh, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, said that a scheme to lift water for the city from the Giri river was already under implementation. It was likely to be completed by December, 2007, at a cost of Rs 40 crore. It would make available about 20 million litres of additional water per day which would be sufficient to meet the requirement for the next 30 years. However, to a find long- term solution a Rs 600- crore proposal to bring water from the Pabbar river has been formulated. Over 200 km of pipeline would be laid for the purpose. He said the government was considering to have a one-time settlement with the farmers which used the water from the Gummah nullah, the main source of water supply to Shimla, for irrigation. During peak summer when the discharge in the nullah came down, the villagers were asked not to irrigate their fields so that the water could be supplied to the city. They were paid compensation of about Rs 35 lakh in lieu. The government was keen to hand over the control of water supply schemes to panchayats in a phased manner.
	Narcotics team destroys poppy in Kulu villages Tribune News Service Mandi, May 9 A joint team the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Himachal Pradesh Police today launched an anti-poppy drive in Glincha, Mashiar, Thanegar, Majheli, Chipni and Kalmer villages in Banjar sub-division in Kulu district and destroyed poppy crop worth several crores, cultivated in 150 bighas of both private and forest land. As soon as the joint team of 150 NCB and Kulu policemen converged on the six villages in the morning today, villagers fled from their houses, fearing the wrath of the anti-narcotics team. The team was jointly led by the NCB Zonal Superintendent, Chandigarh, Mr O.P. Sharma, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manali, Mr Kushal Sharma.
	Lovers commit suicide Our Correspondent Kangra, May 9 A 26-year-old youth and a girl of the same age allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison following refusal of their families for their marriage. The bodies were found on the roadside at Rajiana near here last night, the police said here today. Kangra district police chief S.P. Singh said Naveen Singh, resident of Seri village in Jawali tehsil, who was serving in the Dogra Regiment and was on a month leave here, was in love with the girl, Reetu Rana, a B.Com student and resident of Duggiari and both got engaged last year. The families of the couple were not agreeing for their marriage following which the duo consumed poison while on their way to Rajiana last evening, investigating officer Kamal Jeet Singh said.
	Jail inmate flees, caught in shootout Our Correspondent Nahan, May 9 Rajesh Kumar, an inmate of Nahan Model Central Jail, on Saturday escaped from the custody of the Nahan police with the help of his accomplice Anil Kumar at Sonepat. The Sonepat police was called immediately by jawans of the Himachal police who after chasing them for about 3 k.m. on the GT Road nabbed both of the accused after a shootout in which accused Rajesh Kumar was injured. Mr D.K. Yadav, S.P. Police, Sirmour, revealed that accused Rajesh Kumar, who was lodged in Nahan Jail in connection with a murder case of Rajgarh (Sirmour), which took place in 2004, was being taken to court in Sonepat. After court attendence, when the police party was returning to Nahan with him, he wished to use toilet near the GT Road at Sonepat. A police party took him to the toilet of a petrol pump where Anil Kumar, a resident of Dhanoura (Haryana), attacked the police party. He pushed the Head Constable Ram Singh to the other side and threw chilly powder in the eyes of Constable Karnel Singh and fled with the accused Rajesh Kumar.
	Manali-Leh road opened Our Correspondent Kulu, May 9 The Manali-Leh road, the second highest motor able road in the world and the highest in Asia, has been opened for vehicular traffic today up to Khokhsar, 36 km short of Keylong, the headquarters of the border district Lahaul and Spiti of the state. An Army convoy made a trial drive up to Patsio and the Border Road Organisation (BRO) authorities would the official opening. This was stated by Major Rama Subramaniam, the Officer-in-Charge of the Deepak Project of the BRO, on telephone.
	Bridge washed away Tribune News Service Reckong Peo, May 9 A bridge dividing the old and new townships of Kaza in Spiti valley was washed away in flash floods due to the overflowing nullah on Sunday. Reports reaching here revealed that the discharge of water in the nullah increased all of a sudden due to heavy glacial melting. As many as 15 houses built on the banks of this nullah are also under threat. The local administration is taking precautionary measures to tackle the problem. Efforts have been initiated to strengthen the banks of this nullah so as to prevent any further damage.
	ITBP jawan cremated Tribune News Service Mandi, May 9 An ITBP Inspector posted in Sikkim, Satish Kumar, who died in an accident while he was on patrol on the insurgency-hit outskirts of the Gangtok along with five other colleagues last Sunday, was today cremated here with state honours. Satish Kumar, along with five others, died on the spot after their vehicle fell into a nullah when they were on night patrol outside areas of Gangtok, informed ITPB official Raj Kumar Bhramouri, who escorted the body here. Satish is survived by his two minor children and his wife and parents.

	6 killed in two road mishaps Shimla, May 9 All the three occupants of a Maruti Alto car died on the spot when it rolled 800 metres down into a gorge at Rattanpur, 18 km from Rampur in Shimla district on Sunday, police sources said. The deceased, identified as Bhupinder kumar hasta (42), Mohan lal (26) and karan singh, were on their way to attend a marriage. The bodies of the victims had been recovered and sent for q post-mortem examination. In another accident, three persons were killed on the spot while eight received injuries when a Tempo trax rolled into a khud near harlog in bilaspur district, 30 km from district headquarters. The deceased were returning after attending a condolence meeting last night. The deceased were identified as sada ram, Barfu ram of herlog village and sarwan ram of Chalhali village. — PTI
	Wall falls on jhuggi; 2 killed Kumarhati, May 9 A young woman and her minor daughter were buried alive when a factory wall collapsed on their jhuggi at Baddi last night. The incident took place around midnight when a 10-foot-high boundary wall of PD Steel collapsed due to high velocity winds. The jhuggi had been constructed just near the wall on a gurdwara land. Kirana (28) and Seema (4) were killed on the spot, while the woman's husband, Chiranjee Lal, sustained injuries. Nearby residents rushed to the spot after hearing a loud noise. By the time they reached the spot the woman and her daughter had died. Chiranjee Lal was rushed to a private hospital. The family hailed from the Chatarpur area of Madhya Pradesh. — OC
	8,637 treated at free camp Tribune News Service Reckong Peo, May 9 Thousands of tribal people, mostly women, from remote areas of Kinnaur district attended a six-day free medical camp organised at Regional Government Hospital here last week. As many as 8,637 patients were examined by a team of specialists during the camp, said a spokesman of “Abhyodya” a self-help group that organised the camp. The spokesman said that patients were treated for dental, eye, reproductive, cardio-related, chest and TB, ENT and general diseases. More than 300 surgeries were conducted of various diseases.
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