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Biomedical waste Palampur, June 24 The information gathered by The Tribune revealed that the waste generated by the health institutions was non-hazardous except the infectious waste from medical institutions that contained live pathogens and needed special treatment and disposal. In the absence of any treatment plant, it had been noticed that the liquid waste from the hospitals found their way to drains and the solid wastes were disposed in municipal dumps. The indiscriminate disposal of wastes generated from the private and public medical institutions in the state, was posing serious threat to human health. Unfortunately, the state government has not taken the threat seriously. It has allowed setting up of more medical and dental colleges in the state but no rules are framed for the compulsory setting up of biomedical waste-handling treatment plants inside these institutions. In the absence of any stringent laws to deal with the situation, these institutions are openly dumping medical waste in the municipal dumps all over the state, which later flows to local streams and khuds, the major drinking water supply sources in the state. The extensive use of plastic and polythene in the health institutions is resulting in the sharp increase of waste, which needs special treatment plants. In fact, plastic has invariable replaced glass in the medical institutions. Kangra is the biggest district of the state with a large number of private and public health institutions, including a Government Medical College at Tanda. But unfortunately, there is no provision for the scientific handling of biomedical waste. The situation in the hometown of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal at Hamiprur is no better where the medical waste is being dumped on the Hamirpur-Naduan highway, just two kilometers from the town. Similar is the situation in the hometown of state health minister Rajiv Bindal, where the medical waste is being dumped on the Solan-Shimla national highway.
It has been established that hospital wastes are potential source of spreading dreaded diseases such as cancer, HIV, hepatitis, jaundice, typhoid, and other epidemics that spread through contamination of water. The death toll because of these diseases has also gone up in the state in past few years. Official sources reveal that water-borne diseases have become quite common here and every fifth person is suffering from the same. In view of the indiscriminate disposal of biomedical wastes and increasing concern on the health and environment, the government of India has taken up on priority to regulate the wastes generated in the medical and health institutions. But no such headway has been made in Himachal Pradesh, despite the fact that the necessary amendments have been made in Environment And Forest Protection Act, 1986, from time to time. But it is a sad state of affairs that the Himachal Pradesh government has not taken these important notifications and rules seriously. Therefore, various nursing homes and health institutions are openly flouting these rules in the entire state in the absence of any check. Despite spending crores of rupees on the protection and conservation of environment, the state has been facing serious environmental threats. Besides, various foreign-aided projects have also been launched in the state to check the environmental degradation in different districts, but nothing has been done sincerely in this field so far. Experts have held our political set up responsible for the
condition. It’s time the state enforce stringent laws to deal with the menace.
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Governance Solan, June 24 The town is surrounded with pine forests, which spill the inflammable pine needles in the summers, often causing massive fires. Initially, 26 hydrants were laid all over the town to meet the requirements. With the passage of time, a large majority of these lines got embedded in various diggings undertaken by either the Irrigation and Public Health or Public Works Department (PWD). Though a plaque was duly erected within a distance of two feet, cautioning the passersby of the presence of a hydrant, many of them had been uprooted in the course of various digging operations. This often led to problems in case of emergencies as the hydrants failed to supply adequate water.
Further, with fire being an emergency service, the absence of housing quarters in the premises, often caused delay in initiating fire- fighting operations, confided officials. There are four fire tenders which cater to the needs of the town and also make their services available to other parts of the district and neighbouring Shimla. Vehicles are, however, parked in the open and being outdated, they give way in times of emergency.
These facilities were created several decades back and since then, the town had expanded both horizontally and vertically. Officials felt there was an urgent need to lay more hydrants and revamp the older ones. The department has made a number of representations to the local administration to undertake fresh digging so as to restore these hydrants, but no fruitful result has come through, revealed the fire staff, who chose to remain anonymous. A number of meetings have taken place with the concerned departments, including Irrigation and Public Health, PWD, municipal committee as well as the district administration. But apart from verbal assurances, little has been done so far, rued officials. With 15 home guards, the department has staff strength of 32 men, including one fire officer, three leading firemen and six drivers. Since the department operates from a small building, it lacks the crucial housing quarters and also sufficient space to house equipments or to carry out testing facilities. Chief fire officer Sher Singh, however, said that a project to upgrade the facilities of the entire fire department in the state had been drawn up whereby a sum of Rs 55 crore had been demanded from the 13th Finance Commission. This would help them provide adequate office space and housing quarters within the premises, garages for the vehicles and sufficient space for testing and training. Solan had been included in the second phase of this augmentation plan where infrastructure would get a major boost, he asserted. Singh further added that the commandant, home guard at Solan, has been directed to look for adequate space where the new infrastructure can be created. Once selected, its case would be taken up with the department for creating new infrastructure.
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Jail managers seek promotions Nahan, June 24 They say the CM has already issued instructions to different departments to frame Recruitment and Promotions (R&P) rules to give relief to those officials who were suffering due to non-availability of R&P rules for their promotions for the past many years. The department is one of those departments where over 500 employees are stuck in the “promotion jam”, particularly at the level of superintendent of jails. The then Chief Minister, Vir Bhadra Singh, on July 17, 2003, had asked the department of home to promote the eligible officers of the department of prisons as DIG on adhoc basis till the R&P rules were framed for their regular promotion. Unfortunately, no further notification was issued in this regard even after several deputations of employees met the concerned authorities. Supporting the decision, the state Cabinet had approved a proposal to post a departmental officer on the post of DIG prison, but to the surprise of the officers, the Cabinet’s decision was also ignored by “some powerful officers”. Even after more than a year, nobody in the department of home is ready to reveal the reason as to why the notification to implement the Cabinet’s decision had not been issued. Rajiv Sharma, state president of Him Jail Karamchari Maha Sangthan, had repeatedly written to the government and expressed anguish over the “indifferent attitude” of the previous government towards jail employees managing 13 jails in the state, including two Model
central jails.
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Supplementing income through diversification Hamirpur, June 24 After getting trained in mushroom cultivation at Solan in 2001 by the National Agriculture Technology Project and Agriculture Technology Management Association, some of these females are earning more than 1.5 lakh per annum. Pioneer in this field, Maya Jaswal had put up 200 bags for mushroom cultivation and took two crops in a year, earning about Rs 80,000 from each crop. Inspired by good returns, Maya roped in 18 other females under Baloh panchayat and formed a group named Gopi Kishan Mahila Samiti, Baloh. This group is also engaged in inorganic farming and in supplying vegetables. The members of this group not only cultivate mushrooms and vegetables, but also market their produce collectively after value addition. Today, their produce like dalia, seera and pickle, have earned a good name in the area and people buy these products for social functions and for domestic use. Talking about the success story, Maya said, “Our enterprise inspired 50 other women to start mushroom production, besides preparing pickle.” While local buyers come directly to us, we sell our products through stalls put up in the exhibitions, she added. Elaborating on the problems faced by them, members of the group said, “Marketing support from the government agencies would definitely help to sell our products better and we have urged the administration to allot a marketing outlet in Hamirpur.”
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Riot of colours at IIAS Shimla, June 24 The initiative taken by the institute offered the artists to work on the common theme of “human conditions” and also to interact with the scholars. It did not take much for them to realise that those engaged in intellectual pursuits, lacked requisite knowledge about art. “It is not a blissful situation as art can progress only if the elite appreciate the artistic endeavours. The artists and scholars must interact intensively to be able to appreciate each other’s work,” asserted Malkit Singh from Chandigarh. Eminent artists and coordinator of the programme, Viren Tanwir, also shared the view and made a strong plea for making the event an annual feature to bring artists, more importantly their creations, closer to those involved in scholastic pursuits. Local artist Surjit Singh suggested that the institute should set up an art gallery for the benefit of thousands of scholars and tourists who throng the heritage complex from all over the world every year. The imposing Viceregal Lodge complex had an overriding influence on the minds of the artists and it found expression in their works. In most of the paintings produced during the stay, the splendour and history of the majestic edifice was cleverly interwoven into their favourite themes by the artists. Tejinder Kanda from Delhi, with his deft strokes of knife (which he uses for brush), captured on the canvas a section of the building having steps, symbolising upward movement in the intellectual field, while Surjit Singh painted a huge boulder, the basic building unit of the complex built in stone masonry, alongwith colourful flowers signifying the outcome of scholastic pursuits. Chandigarh-based artist Madan Lal, while working on his pet women theme, created the aura of the building at the centre of the canvas along with a cap won by freedom fighters to point to the history to which it was intricately linked. Malkit had his favourite subjects, women and goat, at the centre-stage with books flying in the background. Pramod Arya was overawed by the greenery of the complex and recreated the aura by splashing different shades of green on the canvas, while Harsh Wardhan from Jammu depicted the stress and strain in the life of the people of his troubled state with a tension-ridden human face at the centre. The lack of adequate appreciation in the country apart, the artists were pleased over the increasing demand of Indian art abroad. What set them apart was that, unlike their western counterparts, they were deeply rooted in the traditions, and thus, their works were very refreshing and original. The large number of books and other publications on Indian art also helped. The paintings made during the programme will be the property of the institute.
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Cement Plant Sundernagar, June 24 The government is in a fix after getting a strong opposition from residents of this town as the Sundernagar land acquisition officer has received over 239 objections for the cement plant site so far. The plant site would render over 89 farmers landless and 38 farmers homeless in four villages of Chambi, Bharari, Khatarvar and Gangal for which land acquisition process is on. Over 1,004 bigha of agriculture land and 22 bigha of government land is proposed to be acquired for it. “It will push us to brink as the company is not giving us more than Rs 9.5 lakh per bigha. The current rate is Rs 40 to 50 lakh per bigha here,” said Chet Ram, a farmer from Bharari, where 266 bigha of agricultural land is proposed for acquisition for the cement plant. Gopal Soni of Chambi and Ramesh from Khatravari asserted that they opposed the plant, as they would get nothing but displacement and pollution. Interestingly, some landowners and local politicians, who own “khasnis” land in Karen, Bagain, Kangar, Trambi and Barri, support the plant as they would lose nothing but their barren land in the bargain, revealed villagers, who fear large-scale displacement. “The company is striking a deal with the cash-strapped “muzaras-turned-owners” who have taken loans from the bank as they have no option but to accept the bargain,” revealed farmers. Sundernagar land acquisition officer-cum-SDM R.K. Gautam said, “The proceedings under Section 5 will be completed within 15 days and report under Section 5 A will be sent to the government. The company has bought about 120 bigha of land for the plant site through private negotiation. We have received over 239 objections for the site so far and the process was on.” Harish Cement Ltd, a subsidiary of the Grasim Industries Ltd, Mumbai, which is setting up the plant, claimed the plant would give the rates as given by the NTPC in the area and would employ locals. Mandi DC Onkar Sharma said the government would ensure the “best possible rates” for the farmers and would ensure that landless and homeless farmers would be rehabilitated under the relief and rehabilitation plan.
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BJP govt failed to curb prices: HPCC Chamba, June 24 Talking to mediapersons here at the local Circuit House on Sunday, HPCC president Viplove Thakur said: “Withdrawing its support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre by the Mayavati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had no effect on the UPA-led government and it would survive till its full term of
five years.” Thakur said there was no faction in the party from the grassroot level to the top leadership, but at the same time she admitted that there might be some difference of opinion describing it “a democratic custom, of the party.” He alleged that the ruling BJP government in the state was nurturing “transfers and vigilance inquiries” as a major industry in the state, which had baffled the people of the state. These corrupt methods adopted by the BJP were aimed at personal “political vendetta”. Speaking about the Congress party’s future strategy, Thakur said in the wake of ensuing Lok Sabha elections scheduled in May 2009, the party had planed to form booth-level committees.
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Lavish spread at Gaiety June 24, Shimla
Having being thrown open after five long years of detailed conservation work at the Gothic structure raised by the British, the ADC is buzzing with activity as whole lot of events are lined up, much to the delight of the members. To begin with, this weekend saw the holding of a “wine and salad” festival as leading wine manufacturers sponsored their products, now considered to be part of healthy drinking.
It was a refreshing change from the routine kebab and tikkas as delectable salads, with a whole range of variety including cottage cheese-cherry-pineapple, broccoli-chicken-corn and tomato-feta cheese, were served. “Wines and salads are today not only a part of fine dining but are also considered the healthiest of foods,” explains Anil Walia, the newly elected chairman of the catering committee of the ADC. If the wines have been sponsored by big names in the industry, the fresh salads are almost fully made from local grown fruits and vegetables, absolutely farm- fresh. “The festival would present a selection of fine wines and salads for the members on weekends during this month,” says Walia. Leading wine manufacturers of the country like Sula Vineyards, Champagne Indage Ltd. and importers of Australian Wine, Brindco Ltd, have consented to sponsor their wines for this festival, he informs. With wine gaining popularity as an important beverage that accompanies and enhances a wide range of European and Mediterranean-style cuisines, it sure has caught the fancy of the people here as well. Even as the health effects of wine is a subject of several ongoing researches, studies have indicated that there is comparatively lower incidence of coronary heart diseases in France despite high levels of saturated fat in the traditional French diet. Epidemiologists believe that this difference was due to the high consumption of wines by the French. With full support from Col Jaipreet Singh, similar interesting food festivals would be held all through the year. Besides, there would also be a Sunday buffet lunch for the members. Efforts are also on to organise some theatrical activities so that the ADC can get back some of its old flavour when there were powerful performances from some of the best names in the world of theatre and drama. While the ADC has been thrown open after a complete makeover, work on other parts of the Gaiety Theatre are still going on. Conservation architects along with the department of Language, Art and Culture are working overtime to get the Town Hall, open air theatre, museum and art gallery ready.
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shimla diary Shimla, June 24
He has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema for directing films like ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ and ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’. According to Rohitash Gour, secretary of the All-India Artists Association, he has specially been chosen for the award for spreading social message of Mahatma Gandhi through his ideal social ventures. Artists from all over the country presented group dance, plays and other cultural presentations from various parts of the state. Various classical dance forms including kathak and kucchipudi were presented by artists.
Doctor bags laurel
Dr D.D. Gupta, from the department of Pharmacology, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), has been invited to present his research paper on Prescription-Cost Reduction at the 9th World Conference on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics to be held in Canada. In the last 20 years, he is the first pharmacology teacher from Himachal to be invited to any international conference. He said implementations of the study conducted by him would help in strengthening of quality control system and will save crores of rupees of the state on medical expenses, as patients will get treatment at much lower cost.
Race for HPCC seat hots up
With the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) chief, Viplove Thakur, being a stopgap arrangement till a regular party chief is appointed, the list of leaders who want to step into her shoes is quite long. Prominent among those who are aspiring to be the state party chief with the blessings of the high command include former ministers, Kaul Singh Thakur, G.S. Bali, Harsh Mahajan and Chander Chaudhary. Viplove had submitted her resignation after the party’s defeat in the assembly elections but was asked to continue till a new party head was appointed. Even though many feel that it is former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who can infuse a new lease of life into the party while it is in the opposition, it’s a different matter that the high command is in no mood to give much importance to the former CM, not withstanding the fact that he still enjoys considerable influence all over the state. There are some other Congress leaders, including MP’s, who would want to head the party but only after two to three years when the assembly elections are nearing. Remains to be seen for how long the stopgap arrangement would continue as it is not doing the party much good with the BJP getting away from hard-hitting criticism.
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Now scouting activities in private schools Hamirpur, June 24 The institution has shortlisted 25 private schools of Hamirpur district and later students in other private schools in the state will also be approached.
Talking about the drive, the district head of Bharat scouts and guides, Rajnish Rangra said, “We have chalked out a detailed strategy for implementing this scheme and soon visit other private schools in the state.” The organisation had already groomed 2,448 scouts and 2,000 guides in 76 senior secondary schools and 56 high schools under government sector. For preparing scouts and guides in the private schools, the organisation would provide special trainers. Initially, 100 boys and girls each would be enrolled in the targeted schools from the age group of 10 to 16 years from class VI to X. For imparting the training, a four-day camp will be organised and a sum of Rs 2,200 will be spent on each student. In the first phase, as many as 5,000 students from schools such as Him Academy Public School, Blue Star Public School, DAV Public School etc, would be given first and second stage training.
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Education board detect 4,266 copying cases Dharamsala, June 24 Despite so many students found innocent, no
action had been initiated against the staff that caught and subjected
them to trauma without any basis. Talking about the copying cases,
board secretary, Rajesh Sharma, said in class XII examinations 1,003
copying cases were caught by the flying squads of the board. After
investigating the matter, in 36 cases the students found copying were
barred from the board examination for one year. In 53 cases the entire
examination was cancelled at the centre, in 832 cases the concerned
papers were cancelled and in 82 cases students were found to be
innocent. In class XI examination 1,222 cases of copying were caught.
Out of these, in 21 cases, the students were barred for a period of one
year, in 103 cases the entire examination was cancelled, in 1,005 cases
the concerned paper was cancelled and in 93 cases the students were
found to be innocent. In class X board examinations 1,388 cases of
copying were caught out of which in 31 cases the students were barred
from the board examination for one year, in 140 cases the entire
examination at the centre was cancelled, in 1,118 cases the concerned
paper was cancelled and in 99 cases the students were found to be
innocent.
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Unique hobby of collecting currency notes Nurpur, June 24
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Man on a mission Churasama claimed that he had travelled on foot from Kanyakumari to Amarnath shrine twice. Visits to his home features in his itinerary only once in four months. He stays there for a couple of days and again “resumes” his journey. Covering a distance of almost 45 km daily, Churasama finds refuge in a temple, gurdwara or masjid at night.
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CITIZEN FIRST I was in Khajjiar near Dalhousie recently and was shocked to see how the place had changed over the years. Till a few years back, the tourist spot was a saucer-shaped meadow, surrounded with lush green deodar trees with a small lake. The place has today become a commercial hub with small dhabas and restaurants by the roadside, hawkers selling eatables almost everywhere and littering of plastic bottles and cans by the tourists as well as the residents. I suggest the whole meadow be fenced (like a cricket stadium), allowing only cattle to graze, in order to preserve the beauty of the place. Those littering should be heavily fined, and commercial activities on the meadow be stopped.
Wg. Cdr. A.K. Singh, Palampur, Kangra Barotiwala, Baddi
without a bus stand
Three years after the announcement of an industrial package for Himachal, the biggest industrial area of the state, Baddi and Barotiwalaa don’t even have a
bus stand. Owing to their low frequency, it is difficult to find buses plying between Baddi and Parwanoo. There is no bus stand in Baddi and we face a lot of problems, particularly during the rainy season. Passengers have to wait endlessly for the buses. Their alternative, the private maxi cabs, load nearly 25 passengers for each trip from Baddi to Pinjore, double their capacity, to generate maximum profit.
Anuradha Gupta, Baddi Readers, write in
Make Himachal Plus your very own forum and do yourselves and your neighbours a good turn. Here is an opportunity to highlight civic and other public issues, and air your grievances about government negligence and ineffectiveness and the apathy of the officialdom. Send your views, not exceeding 200 words, to Himachal Plus, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh.
email: himachalplus@tribunemail.com
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Nurpur, June 24