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Indian monks come out in support
State is tourism diamond: Patel
Union minister of state for civil aviation Praful Patel inaugurates a new terminal building of the Kullu-Manali airport at Bhuntar on Wednesday. Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal and Lok Sabha member Pratibha Singh are also seen in the picture. A Tribune photograph
Power directorate vital for hydel sector
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Centre discriminating against state: CM
Shanta elected to Rajya Sabha
Hamirpur DC Nandita Gupta greets Governor V.S. Kokje at Sujanpur Tihra on Wednesday.
— Tribune photo by Dharam Prakash Gupta
Hoteliers’ eyes light up
Bribe charge
Exemption from Sec 118 sought
3 school kids hurt
Hospital sans anaesthetist
Mandi to be fruit hub: Bragta
Appoint insider as V-C: Teachers
Bail of Singhi Ram, daughter extended
Landslide
Order to stop contractors’
registration
Rescue posts
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Indian monks come out in support of Tibetans
Dharamsala, March 19 This was for the first time that the Indian community had openly come out in favour of Tibetans and staged a protest against China. Over the past few days, a few foreign nationals had joined the protests even as Indians living here harmoniously with Tibetan refugees for the past around 50 years kept themselves away from these protests. Under the banner of the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association, these protesters first gathered at McLeodganj in the morning and later walked down to Dharamsala and finally gathered outside the secretariat complex and raised slogans against China. They urged the Indian Government to interfere in the Tibet issues and exert diplomatic pressure on China to stop violating human rights in Tibet and reopen the process of dialogue for a meaningful solution to the problem. The protesters were of the view that a solution to the issue of Tibet was in the interest of the nation from the strategic point of view. They requested the Union Government to allow the ongoing ‘Return March to Tibet’ so that a message of peace could be conveyed to the people living in Tibet and outside in the world. Meanwhile, the ongoing relay fast by Tibetans entered the fifth day at McLeodganj. The state unit of the BSP has also come out in support of the ongoing movement of the Tibetans. State convener of the party Major Vijay Singh Mankotia said the Union Government could not remain a mute spectator to the turmoil in Tibet merely on the ground of an agreement that the nation would not allow any protest against China on its soil. The best agency to solve the issue was the UN and it should come out boldly to press upon China for a meaningful solution to the problem, he said. Protest march
Nahan: To lodge their protest against the alleged ‘brute of the Chinese Army’ in Lhasa and other parts of Tibet, hundreds of Tibetans held a protest march in Nahan today. They were holding Tibetan flag and placards against China. The march started from the bus stand and reached the Sirmaur DC’s office after passing through the main market. |
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State is tourism diamond: Patel
Kullu, March 19 He said the Union Government was committed to boost tourism in the state. It could give a boost to economy of the state besides generating employment for the people, he added. The minister said his ministry was planning to provide night-landing facilities at the Kullu-Manali and the Kangra airports and improve the available facilities at the Shimla airport. He said Air India flights that were curtailed from four to two times a week would soon be made daily. He said the ministry had introduced the regional airlines theory to connect small destinations in the country. He said the ministry also planned to introduce cargo plane services to far-flung areas. He said Himachal was a “diamond” as far as tourism was concerned and the Union Government would render all support to exploit this potential for generating employment and improving the economy of the area. He suggested the state government to construct heliports at inaccessible areas and start heli-tourism in the state. He assured all support from the Union Government for that purpose. He said the Shimla airport runway would also be extended though geographical constraints had to be looked into. He said the airstrip would be expanded to enable bigger aircraft to land there. Earlier, Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal urged Praful Patel to take constructive steps for the extension of the Kullu-Manali and the Shimla airports and provide night-landing facilities at all three airports in the state. Minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma also requested the civil aviation minister to increase the frequency of Air India flights to Kullu and introduce regular services to Shimla and Kangra. |
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Power directorate vital for hydel sector
Shimla, March 19 Having opened the floodgates for the private sector, a directorate of power was the need of hour. In its absence the government was totally dependent on the state power board for floating tenders, evaluation of bid preparing, scrutinising detailed project reports and all other related matters. It had no set up in terms of infrastructure, manpower and other resources to enforce the hydropower policy, exercise quality control in private sector projects and resolve disputes, which are likely to arise in future due to the fact that several projects were coming on the same river and its tributaries. In the post-reform scenario the status of the board was equivalent to that of any private power company and it could no longer be assigned such responsibility anymore. Hence, the need to create a separate directorate, says principal secretary power, Ajay Mittal. The announcement made by Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal to merge all subsidiaries of board means that the Beas Valley Power Corporation would also be merged into the Himachal Power Corporation. The Virbhadra Singh regime had last year taken a decision to merge the Kinner Kailash Corporation and The Pabbar Valley Corporation but for it left out the Beas Valley Corporation from the merger plan for no plausible reason. However, the government has so far not paid attention to transmission network, most crucial infrastructure for evacuation of power. The board has not prepared any blueprint for laying transmission lines to evacuate the 14,171 MW of additional power to be generated over the next decade. As a result independent power producers are being asked to lay their own high-tension (HT) lines and in some areas power grid corporation is doing the job. It is leading to multiplicity of HT transmission lines for which there is not enough space in the narrow valleys. Local people also averse to allow HT lines to pass through their land. A proper transmission plan has been formulated only for the Sutlej basin for which the initiative was taken by the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam by forming a forum of power producers. To safeguard its long-term interests and exercise effective control of private generating companies the state urgently needs to set up a separate transmission utility like Uttarakhand without any further delay. Failure to do so will not only deprive the state of the much-needed revenue but also lead to a situation where it would be at the mercy of the private companies. |
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Centre discriminating against state: CM
Palampur March 19 Dhumal said the Union Budget was an open example of discrimination as not even a single project had been sanctioned to the state. The Centre had approved over 12 IITs in the country and provided funds to states for setting up these institutions but Himachal was completely ignored. Likewise, the demand for a central university in the state was also not accepted. He regretted that even the announcements made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the state had also not been implemented. As the BJP government had inherited a debt of Rs 22,000 crore from the previous Congress regime, it was very difficult to run the government without financial assistance from the Centre. While states like Bihar, West Bengal and Assam had been given a special financial package by the Centre, Himachal failed to get even what was due to it. Dhumal said if the Centre was not ready to provide any financial assistance, it should permit Himachal to levy a cess on power generation and felling of green trees so that it could generate own financial resources. Despite repeated requests and efforts the Centre had not come to the rescue of the state for the settlement of inter-state disputes, making Himachal lose crores of rupees every year. The Chief Minister said the BJP government had cleared the cement projects as these would generate employment opportunities. The government would force the owners of these plants to implement the environment norms to check pollution. Earlier, Dhumal inaugurated the three-day state-level Holi fair and visited various stalls set up by government departments and other agencies. |
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Shanta elected to Rajya Sabha
Shimla, March 19 Speaking after being formally elected to the Rajya Sabha, the BJP leader said in case the Centre could not get Himachal its due, it should scrap the Act, which had no relevance. “Himachal has been denied its rightful share and I will fight to get the state its due at every possible forum,” he said. Shanta Kumar was today formally declared elected to the Rajya Sabha after the expiry of time for withdrawal. Senior BJP leaders, including state party chief Jairam Thakur and in charge of BJP affairs in Himachal Satya Pal Jain, were present. Shanta Kumar said he, along with Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal, would chalk out a strategy so that they could jointly fight for Himachal’s rights at every level. “Himachal has been given a raw deal for the past 40 years as the state has not got its due,” he remarked. Himachal has been demanding ownership of the Shanan power project and a share in the Bhakra, Pong and Dehar projects as per the Punjab Reorganisation Act. Shanta Kumar said that in case Himachal get its share at the rate of 7.19 per cent, the state’s financial position would improve and it would not have to seek funds from different quarters. The BJP leader, who will enter the Rajya Sabha for the first time, said he was grateful to all parties, especially the Congress which had not put up a candidate. The formal announcement about Shanta Kumar’s election to the Upper House was a mere formality as he was the only candidate to have filed the nomination. |
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Kokje opens Holi festival
Sujanpur Tihra (Hamirpur), Marh 19 The governor was presented the traditional pagri by the president of the local organising committee after which he marched in a procession to Murli Manohar temple where he performed a traditional puja. Addressing on the occasion, governor congratulated the people of Sujanpur Tihra for preserving their old traditions and felicitated them on this occasion. He said fairs and festivals go a long way in preserving the cultural heritage, besides strengthening the bonds of brotherhood. The Holi festival of Sujanpur Tihra is a true depiction of the culture of the area. Afterwards the governor also inaugurated the exhibitions put up by the government and other organisations and hoped that these would enlighten people about welfare schemes of the government. A firework show was also organised on this occasion. Local MLA Urmil Thakur, DC Hamirpur Nadita Gupta, SP Asif Jalal, ADM Vijay Chandan and other officers were also present on this occasion. |
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Hoteliers’ eyes light up
Mandi, March 19 They took the announcement with reservation as it came at a time when the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre was at the fag end of its tenure. The state already has a network of helipads in tribal areas of Lahaul-Spiti (famous for its monasteries and
gompas), Pangi-Tisa and Bharmour, Sangla, Peo and Pooh in Kinnaur and Dodra Kuar in Shimla district, but Patel’s suggestion to construct more such helipads in remote areas will go a long way in connecting these neglected areas to the mainstream and boost local economy, they say. President of the Manali Hoteliers’ Association Gautamnath Thakur said, “The government should select helipads sites keeping in mind that these do not disturb wildlife and villagers. The scenic spots should be promoted in such a way that the tourists can enjoy nature and stay there so that local villagers get something in return.” The youth could be trained to cater to the tourists in remote areas so that they got employment and could earn some income, said travel agents. Stakeholders in the tourism industry could join hands to make
heli-tourism a meaningful activity, they added. Patel’s promise to expand the Shimla airport and extend the Kullu-Manali airport runway would go a long way in roping in high-end tourists in chartered flights in the state, if the promise is translated into reality, said travel agents. |
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Inquiry against Thind
Tribune News Service
Shimla, March 19 It is almost a month back that the businessman complained that he had allegedly given money to the IPS officer for getting his premises vacated in Parwanoo. He has alleged that neither has the premises been vacated nor the money returned to him. The complaint has been handed over to the Vigilance Bureau. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Vigilance Bureau is holding an inquiry into the complaint. The complainant has alleged that he had paid over Rs 16 lakh to the police officer for getting his premises vacated. He has urged the government to get him justice. In fact public interest litigation (PIL) has also been filed against Thind in the High Court, where petitioner Babu Ram had sought intervention of the court in directing the government to take cognizance of the cases and allegations against the police officer who has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The matter had come up for hearing in the court yesterday but the government is yet to file its reply. The complainant had said that despite the officer facing so many cases and media reports appearing from time to time, the government had not taken any action against him. Thind, who had made headlines when he was arrested by the CBI for raising loans worth several lakhs against the same property had even been placed under suspension by the then Congress regime.
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Exemption from Sec 118 sought
Solan, March 19 This demand was raised with Chief Minister P.K.Dhumal during his recent visit to the
Baddi-Baroiwala-Nalagarh area by the CII Himachal chapter and the former promised to get the issue examined. CII president R.S.Guleria said this would ensure faster industrialisation as securing this permission cost an investor minimum three to four months.” An investor has also to seek clearance from other agencies like
the Town and Country Planning Department, Pollution Control Board, Revenue Department, Power Department etc. after obtaining section 118 clearance from the state, delaying his project. While the industry is hopeful of the state government bringing about this change once the issue has been examined it would ensure that the genuine entrepreneurs are spared the lengthy exercise of seeking this clearance. Moreover, zoning of the industrial areas would ensure that once a particular zone has been identified for industrial activity it does not have to seek separate permission under section 118 of the Act. |
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3 school kids hurt
Dharamsala, March 19 The heavy wind that lasted for about half-an-hour had also caused widespread damage to property, besides, flattening the wheat crop, which was due for harvest in a fortnight in the region. As per the details reaching here, the roof of the house of one Surinder Singh a resident of Dhannoo village also collapsed in which he had suffered loss to his property and belongings. However, no one was injured in this incident. Reports of loss to property and crops were also pouring in from other parts of the district, when the news report was last filed. District magistrate of Kangra K.K. Pant said the administration had asked the local SDM and revenue authorities to assess the loss of property and provide immediate relief to the victims as per the manual.
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Hospital sans anaesthetist
Nurpur, March 19 Though the hospital has a surgeon and gynaecologists no surgery is being undertaken for want of the anaesthetist and blood transfusion facility. The hospital has a well-equipped blood storage centre with requisite infrastructure but the Health Department has failed to make it functional. |
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Mandi to be fruit hub: Bragta
Mandi, March 19 Talking to mediapersons Bragta, who was here in connection with the proposed ‘Bagwan-Kisan Milan’ land-based programme for farmers, said, “Farmers will be assisted to grow not only apples but other fruits and medicinal herbs in Mandi district. They will get free soil testing facility and other technical inputs. Views of farmers, scientists and horticultural experts will be considered for the scheme.” On the pending two-winery projects proposed at Nagwani in Mandi and Pragtinagar in Kotkhai (Shimla), Bragta said the previous government changed the MoU signed by the BJP government during its previous regime. But now we have asked the private companies to expedite the work on the wineries, he added.
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Appoint insider as V-C: Teachers
Shimla, March 19 In a statement issued here yesterday, president of the association Prof Vidya Sharda and secretary Prof C.L. Chandan said having an insider, as the new V-C was important for streamlining the education system in the university. “The past experience of appointing outsiders as V-C’s have proved that they could not serve in the interest of the university and the state at large,” she said. They also demanded withdrawal of the cases of political victimisation against teachers who had been terminated and charge sheeted by the Congress regime. They demanded that the six teachers, three of whom have been terminated must be reinstated as a duly constituted selection committee made their appointment.
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Bail of Singhi Ram, daughter extended
Shimla, March 19 A case was registered against them under Section 420 of the IPC in connection with a forged certificate of class XII obtained by Upma Kashyap from the Himachal Board of School Education. It was on the basis of that certificate (with 90 per cent marks) that she had sought admission in Lady Sri Ram College in Delhi.
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Body retrieved
Our Correspondent
Manali, March 19 According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Vijay Kumar (45), alias Raja, of Jalakhi village, Amb tehsil, Una. Vijay Kumar, who had been missing for the past three days, had been running a hair cutting salon at Nehru Kund. The body of Ishwar Dass of Bajaura (Kullu) is still lying buried under the debris. The rescue operations continued at Nehru Kund for third consecutive day today. The body of Vijay Kumar has been handed over to his family after a postmortem. An immediate relief of Rs 25,000 has been provided to next of kin of the deceased.
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Order to stop contractors’
registration
Nurpur, March 19 Inquiries revealed that the engineer in chief (IPH), Shimla, has issued office orders vide number 10667, 10668 dated March 7, 2008, directing all departmental chief engineers, superintending engineers and executive engineers to stop registration of contractors of the specified category only. It is pertinent to mention that the D class contractor can be awarded tender up to Rs 6 lakh only. |
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Rescue posts
Manali, March 19 The deputy director, mountaineering and allied sports, said the rescue posts would help monitor the safety of pedestrians to crossing the Rohtang Pass and to meet any eventuality due to bad weather. |
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Kullu, March 19
Former union minister Shanta Kumar said today that the Centre should ensure that Himachal gets its share under the Punjab Reorganisation Act as the hill state had yet to get its due even after 40 years.
Speaking after being formally elected to the Rajya Sabha, the BJP leader said in case the Centre could not get Himachal its due, it should scrap the Act, which had no relevance. “Himachal has been denied its rightful share and I will fight to get the state its due at every possible forum,” he said.
