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Retention policy set for implementation
Poll officers’ appointments expose loyalties of BJP factions
Train service between Koparlad, Jawalamukhi still suspended
Rail project: state for equity participation by cement firms
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Governor for focus on containing spread of AIDS
Minister launches irrigation schemes
CM: allottees cases to be decided on priority
CITU leader alleges torture by police
Delegates discuss wage structure
CPMT leak: Dr Gaba interrogated
NGOs urge Kokje to return societies Bill
World Bank to fund Naina Devi road project
Bachiter’s body traced in Saudi Arabia
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Retention policy set for implementation
Shimla, September 12 The Department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) yesterday released the amendment in the Section 39-C of the TCP Act 1977 and Rules 19 (E), relating to compounding and retention for public objections. Once this process is over, thousands of buildings with major violations in the 34 Special Areas and 20 Planning Areas in the state would be regularised. It was at the behest of the opinion of the Law Department that the amendment is being brought about as it was said the earlier retention policies lacked the legal backing, which was necessary. Interestingly, even though planners and architects had recommended that only 25 per cent deviation from the approved building plan should be allowed under the fifth retention policy but with pressure from influential people this was straightaway raised to 50 per cent, defeating the entire purpose of the TCP Act and the rules. As if 50 per cent deviation from the permissible limit was not enough, the projections have been excluded from this. “Up to 1-m projections will be considered for retention over setbacks provided they are used only for balcony, open passage and staircase,” informed officials. “What is the purpose of having rules and regulations, especially when most towns in the state are witnessing haphazard constructions and the government is encouraging violators by offering them the fifth retention policy besides the earlier ones in 1997. 2000, 2002 and 2004,” lamented officials. “What is even worse is the fact that as per the latest retention policy, an extra storey will be regularised in the restricted areas of Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie and Dharamsala, which have already turned into concrete jungles and face immense pressure,” said a senior official. Earlier, four storeys and one parking floor were allowed in restricted areas but under the new retention policy one extra floor will be regularised. The only saving grace is that this retention policy shall not be applicable in the green, heritage and core areas as defined in the development plan. Moreover, it will also not apply to builders and on the eight mts controlled width on the national highways. The government has also been strict with respect to violations in buildings having more than 1.50-m construction above the national highways and state highways on the valley side as they will not be compounded. In case of constructions in the sliding or sinking area, only two storeys will be compoundable subject to the recommendation of the geologist. |
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Poll officers’ appointments expose loyalties of BJP factions
Mandi, September 12 At stake in the BJP is political supremacy when it comes to the allotment of tickets for the Assembly elections, said a senior party leader who did not wish to be named. The Lahaul-Spiti BJP’s two factions — one led by Mr Mohan Lal Ralingpa and other by Mr Ramlal Markenday, a former minister in the Dhumal Cabinet — are at war with each other over the appointment of RO. In Kulu district, the two factions-one led by Banjar MLA Khimi Ram, former Gaurav Manch leader Gobind Thakur, son of BJP leader and former minister Kunj Lal and the other led by former Lok Sabha Mandi MP Maheshwar Singh and BJP general secretary Chandersen Thakur, both supporters of Shanta Kumar, revealed party sources. Mr Maheshwar Singh said over 12 senior leaders had given “conditional resignation”, subject to the condition the BJP high command and the Central Returning Officer O.P. Kohli intervenes and respect BJP men’s feelings. While Mr Khimi Ram refused to comment on the issue stating that AROs’ appointment was “fair”, Mr Maheshwar Singh said neither RO nor the three AROs turned up for the meeting of BJP workers on Friday to know their viewpoint. “Instead they held a separate meeting. We oppose the AROs, who are new-comers in the party and new AROs should be appointed”, he asserted. On the other hand Mr Satpal Satti said the three AROs had been appointed and they hoped the matter would be resolved soon by senior party leaders. “I have confirmed the appointment of AROs to the state Returning Officer Ashok Sud”, he added. Insiders revealed that the three AROs — Mr Ram Singh for Ani, Mr Dev Raj Tayagi for Kulu and Mr Hukam Chand for Banjar — are supporters of the Khimi Ram and Gobind Thakur faction. Asked to comment on the revolt in the Kulu BJP, Returning Officer Ashok Sud said he had not received a written complaint. “The party’s constitution authorises him to appoint the AROs using his discretion”, he clarified. The BJP leaders said ROs were crucial as they set the stage for the coming combinations and permutations. “The whole process for organisational elections will be completed by the end of October”, he added. |
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Train service between Koparlad, Jawalamukhi still suspended
Kangra, September 12 According to Railway Department sources track in the beginning was blocked due to landslide but later the track started sinking following erosion of land due to heavy rain between Railway stations of Koparlad and Jawalamukhi Road. The Railway traffic between the two Railway stations remained blocked for the past three days and as the work was in progress it would take three more days to restore the traffic, sources disclosed. The passengers coming from Jogindernagar, Baijnath and Palampur get down at Koparlad Railway station and then proceed to Jawalamukhi Road Railway station by road and then catch another train for Pathankot at Jawalamukhi Road Railway station. Meanwhile pillars of a bridge which had proved an effective alternative to Bathu bridge on the Lunj- Galian road last month were washed away yesterday, PWD sources said here today. Traffic on the road has been stopped. The cement slab of this 40-year old bridge remained intact but pillars on both sides were washed away following heavy rain in the area. The PWD officials attribute the damage to bridge to the heavy traffic which the bridge had during Bathu bridge collapse and its age. Buses now come on one side up to Galian and from other side it has been diverted via Nagrota Surian and Kotla Salool. Work on the reconstruction of the bridge has been started on war footing, PWD sources said. |
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Rail project: state for equity participation by cement firms
Shimla, September 12 This was stated by the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, while interacting with a high-level delegation of ACC and Ambuja Cement Companies headed by Paul Hugen Tobler, Director of Holcim, which called on him, here today, and offered to invest in more cement projects besides diversifying into other sectors. He said the government would consider convening a joint meeting of all operational and prospective cement companies for the purpose. The government had conducted a feasibility survey of the project at its own expense and posed the same for funding and approval to the Government of India. The Prime Minister had assured that it would be taken up as a national project. The project was essential to ease the increasing pressure of vehicular movement between Darlaghat to Garha Mora and Barmana to Kiratpur. He said construction of the railway line was also important from the tourism point of view, as during summer, traffic congestion caused inconvenience to visitors . Mr Virbhadra Singh said the government would soon invite global tenders for the construction of a double-laned tunnel under the Swarghat to connect at Garha Mora which would not only ensure smooth movement of traffic but also help attract tourists. He said although the state had vast lime deposits, the government was permitting cement plants only in such places which were away from habitations and had least affect on the ecology of the area. He said the cement factories were being directed to adopt latest pollution-control devices to protect the environment. Mr Paul Hugan Tobler said more cement industries needed to be set up to excavate the available limestone and generate employment. He said modern pollution-control devices would effectively protect the environment. He also offered to invest in the tourism sector which was the primary industry of the state. |
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Governor for focus on containing spread of AIDS
Shimla, September 12 He was speaking at the inaugural session of a convention on campaign on HIV/AIDS in universities, colleges and technical institutions organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department at the Himachal Pradesh University auditorium, here today. Mr Kokje said that young people could play key-role in creating awareness about the transmission, vulnerability, impact and potential for change. He said that there were about 33 per cent infected people in Himachal in the age group of 15 to 29 years. He emphasized the need for youth-friendly health services like voluntary counselling and testing, early diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and antiretroviral therapy were also essential to contain the spread of the disease. He added that it was the need of the hour to focus on youth to increase their access to core interventions necessary for the prevention of HIV, decrease their vulnerability to HIV and reduce the prevalence of HIV among them. Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, who was the chief guest on the occasion announced that the government would bear the travel costs of all AIDS patients and accompanying attendants who come for treatment to anti-retroviral centre in the IGMC from different corners of the state. The state government would organise sensitization workshops for the members of panchayati raj institutions and also associate all educational institutions upward the senior secondary schools in launching the special awareness campaign about the HIV and AIDS problems to save the most vulnerable section of society from the ill effects of the disease. The Chief Minister said that the AIDS control programme was under implementation in the state and preventive activities being carried out to contain the spread of the disease while specific interventions to cover high-risk groups, awareness through interpersonal, traditional and mass media among the general population. He said coverage of students of ninth to plus two level through school AIDS education programmes was among some of the interventions being initiated in the state. He said that HIV testing and counselling services had been made available in all districts while treatment facilities for the AIDS patiens were also being provided through anti-retroviral treatment centre establishment at IGMC Shimla. |
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Minister launches irrigation schemes
Reckong Peo, September 12 He was addressing a public meeting at Kardang village of Lahaul and Spiti district after laying the foundation stone of a Rs 82.64-lakh flow irrigation scheme last evening. He said 16,828 hectares would be brought under irrigation with the completion of this scheme. A sum of Rs 1.08 crore was being spent on sewerage schemes and installation of hand pumps at Keylong and other areas of the subdivision, he said. He said the state government was committed to the integrated development of tribal areas by reserving 9 per cent of the total Budget. He further said the government was also spending Rs 12.50 crore on the renovation and re-construction of temples and gompas in the state during the current financial year. Later, the minister presided over a meeting of district officials at Keylong and reviewed the progress of various developmental schemes. Earlier, he laid the foundation stones of Rs 1.37-crore lift irrigation Chambak-Wari-Chamber Sheling scheme, Rs 30-lakh flow irrigation Gilding-Behali scheme, Rs 62-lakh Kucumseri flow irrigation scheme which would provide irrigation facilities to 80 hectares of land in 15 villages of the cold desert belt on completion. |
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CM: allottees cases to be decided on priority
Shimla, September 12 Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, while presiding over a meeting of the Scheduled Caste Welfare Board today, said all such cases would be settled in a time bound manner. He said a number of such cases had been reported from different parts of the state. He said cases would be identified, processed and efforts would be made to hand over the possession of the land at the earliest. He directed the revenue authorities to decide the cases on priority. He said the government was providing two biswas for the construction of houses to houseless families in the rural areas and one biswa in the urban areas. The Deputy Commissioners concerned had been authorised to identify such families. He said the government would acquire private land where government land was not available for the purpose. The Chief Minister said the government would also explore the possibility of providing house building subsidy and grants to deserving families under the Indira Awas Yojna and Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojna. He said a scheme was also under implementation for Balmiki families. The government had decided to incorporate the Scheduled Castes Special Component Plan as a separate demand in the annual budget from the next financial year to ensure speedy implementation of development projects. |
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CITU leader alleges torture by police
Mandi, September 12 Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the three-day 6th national conference of Construction Workers' Federation of India (CWFI) here today, Dr Thakur rued that on August 21 CITU workers were protesting against the Dakhog killings at Darbala under Gehra police post in Chamba district. The police lodged an FIR on a complaint of a local contractor, he alleged. "I was arrested, my vehicle was impounded, and next day I was produced in the court and medically examined, which was normal. Then I was sent to police remand for two days for recovery of an alleged stick", he added. He alleged that he was beaten up during interrogation for 15-20 minutes. "I told the policemen that I did not even touch a stick". He alleged three cops, including SHO, made him naked, forced him to lie down on the floor and beat up by a hunter on the back, thighs and the under-feet. "I was then asked to go out with them at night. But I refused as I feared they would throw me in the Ravi on the plea that I tried to run from custody", he charged. Dr. Thakur alleged that when torture became unbearable for him, he was forced to put his signatures on a paper in front the two false witnesses in the lock-up, which had no light. "The torture was so severe that I could not sleep for 10 days", he complained. "Next day when I was produced before the judge, I told him that there was a conspiracy to kill him. Even legal medical examination recorded scars on my body. I was sent to judicial custody till September 4", he charged. But the SP Chamba district, Mr. Upender Thakur, when contacted, denied the allegations saying police had filed the report on the case of three bruises recorded on Mr Kashmir's body to the court and the SHO incharge of the Gehra police post had denied that it was due to any police torture. "The CITU leaders tried to stop work and beat up the contractor, who was later admitted to hospital", he claimed. The SP said the case relating to the workers demands was dealt by Labour Department, but they were stopping the workers to resume work in the company. He said that they met the Chief Minister, demanding the arrest of "all the murderers and compensation worth Rs. 5 lakh to the next of kin of the victims and action against the HCC and policemen. "But nothing has been done till today", he alleged. |
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Delegates discuss wage structure
Mandi, September 12 M.C. Donald, a delegate from Ireland, said: “The industry was on the verge of collapse till 1986 with the coming of the textiles goods from Asia and America and other countries. Today, we have skilled workforce and job and social security”. The delegates were responding to media queries at the CWFI’s national conference that concluded here today. For Rogers Punt from England, said: “The government has supported the WTO, but the trade union has opposed it. Outsourcing of jobs have led to an increase in the opening up of call centers in India, but the companies in India are paying very low to employees as compared to England”. “The wages structures are incomparable but the difference between the workers in England, Austria, France and Germany is that they get higher wages and better working conditions as the wages are linked the consumer price index giving free healthcare and transport”, said David John Kelly and Justin Freeman from Australia. CITU state leaders Kashmir Thakur and Rakesh Singha said the government should encourage indigenious industries which created more permanent jobs. |
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CPMT leak: Dr Gaba interrogated
Shimla, September 12 Dr Gaba, who was arrested by Himachal police from his native place Makhu in district Ferozepur two days back, has been a facilitator in getting admission to students in medical colleges in South India on capitation. He has also been arranging admission of students to China and Ukraine for the past many years. Dr Gaba is learnt to have confirmed to the police the involvement of Dr Kalra from Makhu village in the HP-CPMT leak. The police is still looking for Dr Kalra, who is absconding. “So far Dr Gaba has admitted to his involvement in the case only where the police was able to give proof like record of telephone conversation with some of the parents,” informed police sources said. However, the police believes that his involvement is far greater than what he is admitting. During investigation, the police has been able to establish that money was exchanged between the parents and the touts, though much smaller amounts than promised. The moment HP University ordered an inquiry into the alleged PMT question paper leak, the parents got worried. “The parents have paid amounts ranging between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh for obtaining the original mark sheet,” informed police sources. |
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NGOs urge Kokje to return societies Bill
Shimla, September 12 A detailed memorandum was presented to Mr Kokje in which the objectionable clauses were discussed. The deputation made it clear that voluntary organisations would welcome any legislation that facilitates and promotes transparency and accountability. However, such a law must be drafted after taking the stakeholders into confidence. |
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World Bank to fund Naina Devi road project
Bilaspur, September 12 Addressing a largely attended public meeting at Mandhyali, near Naina Devi ji, 90 km from here on Sunday, Mr Thakur said the Central Government had agreed to provide water from Anandpur Hydel Channel for providing drinking water to shrine of Shri Naina Deviji and the adjoining villages, including Tobba. An amount of Rs 14.50 crore would be spent on this project. This would end age-old paucity of drinking water at this hill top shrine town and some two dozen other parched villages. |
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Bachiter’s body traced in Saudi Arabia
Kangra, September 12 Mr Prakash Chand Verma, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Palampur, in whose area Mainja village falls, today told The Tribune here that the body had been traced in a hospital in a small town of Abhu Road, 60 kms from Titliph, on the basis of the information provided to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia by employer of Bachiter Singh. It would take at least a
week for the arrival of the body here as some legal formalities were being completed for the transportation of the body. |
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