Palampur, November 30
Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal today assured the people of Kangra district that the Vivekanand Medical Research Trust (VMRT) Institute and Medical College would be functional in next two years and this time there would be no hurdle in completion of super speciality hospital here as it would be a joint venture of Jay Parkash Group of Industries and VMRT. An MOU to this effect had already been signed between VMRT, state government and JayPee Group to run this project.

Dhumal was speaking on the occasion of handing over the VMRT to JayPee Group here this afternoon. Now JayPee would take up the construction of half completed buildings of VMRT which were left half way for want of funds in 2003, when the Congress government in the state assumed power and did not show any interest in this health institution which was urgently needed in Kangra district.

Dhumal said he and Shanta Kumar had jointly requested chairman of the JayPee Group Jay Parkash God to come forward and take over the VMRT. He said he was grateful to God who honoured their request and had agreed to invest over Rs 300 crore in this project. God and other directors of JayPee Group were also present on the occasion.

Dhumal said besides VMRT, four more medical colleges were coming up in private sector in the state at Solan, Una, Hamirpur and Mandi.

Earlier welcoming the Chief Minister, Shanta Kumar appreciated his efforts in setting up super speciality hospital and medical college in a joint venture with JayPee Group at Palampur. He said it was all because of Dhumal that his dream project was coming as reality.

Speaking on the occasion Jay Parkash God said all efforts would be made to complete this project before stipulated period of two years so that necessary health facilities could be provided to poor public of the state. In the first phase cardiology and trauma centres would be made operational. In the next phase Medical College and Nursing Training Institute would be set up here. 

Hamirpur, November 30
Experts from the Board of Research in Fusion Science and Technology (BRFST) have suggested that fusion energy is not only the best alternative to meet the future demand of energy, but also most suitable for a country like India which have to depend on other countries for the uranium needed for producing the nuclear energy.

This was the opinion of the experts working in this field at the Indian Plasma Research (IPR) Centre, Gandhinagar, who are attending the meeting on popularising fusion energy for north India, being organised at the NIT, Hamirpur, in collaboration with the BRFST.

The experts highlighted that fusion energy can be produced from hydrogen, deuterium and proteome, which are available in abundance and energy can be generated from water.

Moreover, the fusion energy has no byproducts like nuclear waste produced in fission energy and thus is environment friendly.

This process also emits helium, which is capable in recouping depletion of helium and can also be used in cryogenics.

Telling about the future national fusion programme secretary of the BRFST Dr P.K. Atrey said, “India has taken lead in the research in fusion energy and has collaborated with six other countries- France, Russia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea and the European Union to set up an International Thermal 
Nuclear Energy Reactor (ITER) in France which would be put to test in 2016.”

He said, “The IPR centre is carrying research to provide cryo distribution transferring line and recovery link, a major component for ITER.”

Earlier while inaugurating this meeting, director of the NIT Prof I.K. Bhatt called upon young scientists and engineers to take up research in this challenging field of nuclear domain and expressed hope that a nodal centre of this activity would come up at the NIT, Hamirpur, to cater to the research needs in nuclear fusion.

Shimla, November 30
Concerned over the extensive damage caused to roads due to rain, the state Public Works Department has come out with a multi-pronged strategy to minimise such damage in future and ensuring timely execution of maintenance work. Replacement of bitumen-paved roads with cemented ones in a phased manner is part of the plan to minimise rain damages and enhance their life in sun-shadowed and waterlogged areas.

The department has decided to invite tenders for road repair for the next year well in advance in view of the short working season. In all, over 4,000 km out of the total 17,000 km of tarred road will be covered under the periodic surface renewal programme at an expenditure of about Rs 800 crore.

PWD secretary Balram Sharma said all projects would be awarded by February so that tarring could be carried out right from March onwards and completed before the onset of monsoon. The department had been facing problems as by the time the tenders were finalised, the working season was almost over that affected the maintenance of roads.

It has also been noticed that the tarred roads were not very successful in cold, sun-shadowed and waterlogged stretches where drainage was a problem. The department has decided to construct reinforced cement concrete roads in such portions. In all, about 25 km cement roads will be constructed during the next financial year.

The initial cost of cemented roads is much higher, but these last much longer, almost three times, compared with black-topped roads and were virtually maintenance-free. Another major advantage of concrete roads is savings in fuel by commercial vehicles to the extent of 14 to 20 per cent. Concrete roads can withstand extreme weather conditions like wide variation in temperatures, heavy rainfall and water logging. Despite slightly higher cost than a flexible pavement initially, they are economical when their overall life is considered.

The debris generated during excavations carried out for widening and construction of new roads will be dumped only at designated sites and exposed hill slopes will be stabilised using a mix of civil and bioengineering works to prevent landslides and damage to environment. Such environmental safeguards have been made mandatory in case of the roads being upgraded under World Bank projects.

Shimla, November 30
Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district, was the coldest in the hill state over the past 24 hours. The place recorded a temperature of -2.5°C as icy winds swept across the tribal belt.

However, the night temperature in the capital town of Shimla is rising. It was about 11°C above normal. Manali also got some relief from chilly weather, as the minimum temperature increased to 3.2°C against yesterday’s 0.8°C.

The minimum temperature in Shimla rose to 14.6°C degrees against yesterday’s 13°C. Nahan recorded 12.7°C. At Dharamsala, the temperature slightly came down to 10.1°C against yesterday’s 10.7°C.

Kalpa (Kinnaur district) recorded a night temperature of 2.5°C. Bhuntar in Kullu district shivered at 2°C, Sundernagar at 3.3°C, Solan at 1.5°C, Una at 3.5°C and Mandi at 4.6°C.

The Met office has forecast dry and clear weather over the next 24 hours. — UNI

Shimla, November 30
The ‘e-mail complaint’ facility launched by the state government as part of its e-governance programme has already found favour among the common people. According to officials, more natives of the state are tuning into the virtual world to send their complaints through e-mails, which is now emerging as an effective public grievance redressal system.

Conceptualised by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, the system has made it easier for people to send their grievances directly to the highest authorities.

The government is receiving an average 15-20 e-mail complaints everyday on its website through a link “Write to Chief Minister”, Director Public Relation Department J.R. Katwal told PTI.

“These mails are checked by a Special Cell in the Chief Minister’s office on daily basis and the CM is briefed about them. The complaints are then sent to concerned authorities for immediate redressal,” Katwal added.

He said the idea was also turning out to be an important tool in plugging loopholes in the implementation of schemes meant for people’s welfare. For instance, he said, an e-mail informed the government about the black marketing of kerosene by one depot at Juhu in Mandi district.

“On basis of the complaint a raid was conducted and the kerosene depot holder was booked under the Essential Commodities Act,” official said.

Similarly, an e-mail was received regarding hardships faced by farmers of Gharoli village in Kangra district. The mail was forwarded to the secretary, Agriculture, and a team of experts visited the village and held discussions with local residents and remedial steps were taken, he claimed.

The government also received a complaint against a professor of Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda, accusing him of sexually assaulting a girl student.

“On the basis of this complaint a case was registered at the Kangra police station and challan of this case was sent to the court,” official sources said.

Besides, the e-mail letters also make requests on humanitarian grounds, which are also being taken care of in regular basis, Katwal said.

He said one such e-mail was received from Nagaru Devi, who was working as ‘beldar’ in subdivision soil conservation office Sarkaghat in Mandi district requesting for her transfer on medical grounds to her hometown Jogindernagar as she was suffering from gall bladder cancer. “Her case was forwarded to the CM and she was transferred to the place of her choice,” the official said. — PTI

Prini (Kullu), November 30
The 192-MW Allian-Duhangan project being executed by LNJ Bhilwara group-run Allain-Duhangan Hydropower Limited (ADHL) has been delayed by around eight months and the cost of the project has nearly doubled from Rs 932 crore to Rs 1,667 crore.

The cost can go up even further. The ADHL is facing opposition from villagers as the contentious issue of transmission line remains unresolved. A petition is pending in the high court in that regard.

The Domya Ganga Sangharsh Samti, Jagatsukh, has moved the high court challenging diversion of the Duhangan river to the Allain river and the destruction of forests due to haphazard road construction.

The writ petition is pending in the high court and the next hearing is scheduled for December 16. The Kisan-Bagwan Sanghasrh samiti remains firm on not allowing the transmission line through their orchards and agricultural land.

The project is expected to become operational in June, 2009, almost six months behind schedule.

Experts say the state, as per its share of 12 per cent free power, will lose around Rs 16 to Rs18 crore revenue every year due to the delay. The state will get 18 per cent free power from the project after 15 years of operation as per an MoU signed with the LNJ group, sources added.

As per the tie-up, Norwegian company Statekraft and Norfund Power (SN Power) has 43 per cent stake in the AD project. The company has reportedly expressed its concern over the delay in the project and cost overrun.

President (projects) and ADHL in charge Ashok Joshi said, “The project cost has already gone up from Rs 932 crore to Rs 1,667 crore and it may go up further after the final revision. Factors like geology and tough terrain, rising prices of cement and steel have pushed up the constriction cost of tunnels, roads, transmission line and other components of the project over the years.”

Joshi claimed the company would take into confidence all villagers before starting work on the transmission line.

Nahan, November 30
Frustrated with the ‘dubious behaviour’ of the Renuka Dam authorities, residents of the Renuka area today announced to launch an agitation under the banner of Renuka Bandh Jan Sanghrash Samiti against the dam authorities from December 10 to press for the acceptance of their demands.

Interacting with mediapersons at Dadahu this evening, Yoginder Kapila, convener, Renuka Bandh Jan Sangrash Samiti, announced that hundreds of members of the samiti would assemble at Dadahu on December 10 and would stage a Dharna after taking out a protest march against the dam authorities.

He said in a memorandum submitted to the deputy general manager of the Renuka Dam last week, the samiti had warned if their demands were not met within one week they would start an agitation. The authorities had miserably failed to address the main demands of the residents. The samiti workers have already stopped the dam work in the field and decided not to allow even the entry of dam officials in their villages.

Kapila ragged the dam authorities for allegedly misleading the residents of the area on the whole matter. He demanded to quash all recruitments made by the dam authorities and photostat tender of several lakhs of rupees given to a person who do not deal in this profession. He alleged that they were not even informed about these contracts and recruitments contrary to the assurance.

He alleged that the authorities were continuously ignoring their long pending demands and not giving them any written reply of the demands raised by them. He alleged that no information about outsees policy of the authorities was being given to them. The samiti had rejected the value of their land offered by HP Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL), constructing the dam. He criticised officials of the HPPCL for allegedly misleading the people and the government on this issue.

He said the samiti had asked to change the dam site to Mohtu village from the present one to save the submerging of the Sangrah road. The present site is also adjacent to the Renuka Lake. The samiti had questioned the construction of three tunnels on the Giri bed adjacent to the historic Renuka Lake and apprehended that heavy blasting to be used for the construction of tunnels may destroy the lake.

Nurpur, November 30
The Wildlife Department has started acting in its own style to curb the menace of noise pollution being generated at Pong Lake, the International Ramsar Site, by frequent usage of steamer boats (with diesel engine) following news item published in these columns on November 22 with heading “Norms violated at Ramsar Sanctuary”.

The story has exposed violation of international standards, rules and guidelines laid down by none but the Wildlife Department to keep the bird sanctuary of the Ramsar Site, which had come on international map in 2002, free from noise pollution due to the silence zone requirement for it.

In spite of imposing complete ban on plying of steamer boats in the wetland the department has awakened to the extend that it had written letters to the concerned SDM, BDOs and Fisheries Department to submit information about the exact number of steamer boats being plied in wetland, which have been issued licenses contrary to the set norms of the Wildlife Department by the block development offices.

These licenses have reportedly become bottleneck for the Wildlife Department to stop plying of steamer boats forthwith.

Meanwhile, local environmentalists who have been protesting illegal plying of noisy steamers in the wetland have decided to file public interest litigation (PIL) in the state high court to curb the menace. Noted environmentalist U.K. Guleria told The Tribune that owing to apathy of the Wildlife Department it had become necessary to file PIL.

According to information, 12 steamer boats are plying and generating noise pollution in the wetland with impunity allegedly under the nose of offices of the Wildlife Department set up at Dhameta and Nagrota Surian.

Inquiries reveal that steamer boats are not only being used for fishing, but also providing commercial transport illegally in the silence zone of the wetland and no government authority is keeping any check on safety measures risking lives of wetland travellers.

Shimla, November 29
The BJP may not be going to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but his name still echoes in the hill state.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal apparently sees the former Prime Minister as an ace up his sleeve and has been launching scheme after scheme in the name of the veteran BJP leader.

One of the schemes, the Atal Bijli Bachat Yojana, under which compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) will be distributed to the people was launched just last week. At the launch of the power-saving scheme in Kullu, Dhumal announced that the town had been specifically selected as Vajpayee’s house (in Prini village) is located near here.

“The hill state is indebted to Vajpayee, who, as the Prime Minister, provided all support to speed up development here and approved some major projects like the multi-billion dollar Rohtang tunnel,” Dhumal said.

Ahead of the launch, Dhumal and his politician son Anurag Thakur called on Vajpayee in New Delhi to seek his blessings.

“The Dhumals made it a point to inform the veteran leader that the CFL scheme was being launched from Kullu district,” a senior official said, requesting anonymity.

The government also announced that the CFLs would be distributed among residents across the state by December 25, Vajpayee’s birthday.

In less than 24 hours of the launch of the scheme, Dhumal announced that an education hub would be set up near Baddi. The Rs 145-crore hub, too, has been named after Vajpayee (Atal Shiksha Kunj) considering his pioneering work in the field of literacy.

“There is a lot of political colour attached to the schemes launched by the government,” former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh observed. “By rechristening the country’s premier mountaineering institute based at Manali as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in August this year, the Chief Minister has expressed his gratitude to the former Prime Minister who considers Manali his second home,” he said.

And when the Chief Minister is doing this, others are no exception.

Following in Dhumal’s footsteps, senior minister Rajeev Bindal expressed his gratitude to the former Prime Minister at a public function held recently in Delhi. He thanked Vajpayee for extending a special industrial package for the state to make it economically self-reliant.

The state’s industrial sector received a major boost in 2003 following the special package announced by the Vajpayee-led NDA government at the Centre, he said. “Vajpayee is surely the BJP’s idol in the hill state for which he has shown great love,” Bindal said. — IANS

Mandi, November 30
Residents of Bhiuli locality has demanded police action in the increasing incidents of household burglaries, which has become a serious concern as the burglars are suspected to be the members of rag pickers staying in the nearby colony there.

After meeting the SP and apprising him of the increasing incidents of burglaries in the locality, the residents alleged that the police have not nabbed the gang of burglars active in the area. They break into the house when they found the house-owner absent and decamp with anything they lay their hands on, the residents rued.

Narrating his tale of woe, a retried DPRO K.L. Vaidya said he was out of station recently.

However, when he came back here, he found that burglars broke into his house and decamped with clothes and other household items worth Rs 50,000. “It is for the sixth time that burglars have broke into my house as there is nobody when we go out,” he rued.

The members of the delegation said the police vigilance should be increased in the area at night. During daytime the female members of the rag pickers spot houses that are locked and at night they strike and break into those houses, they informed.

Shimla, November 30
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will launch a number of programmes on World AIDS Day on December 1 to create awareness among the people about the dreaded disease.

An official spokesperson said here today that Dhumal would launch free tele-counselling service centres and 176 Red Ribbon Clubs. The main function would be held at Sarkaghat in Mandi district. Similar clubs would be constituted in collaboration with the Nehru Yuva Kendra to make people aware about the hazards of AIDS.

The Chief Minister would also flag off an IEC (information, education and communication) publicity mobile van and a rally. 

Sundernagar, November 30
A police constable from the Third Battalion, Pandoh, yesterday entered in the campus of the Government Senior Secondary School (girls), Sundernagar, under the influence of liquor and started abusing the staff and girls.

Later on, the staff overpowered the constable and locked him into a room and intimated the police about it. Subsequently he was handed over to the police. The police jawan was identified as Sanjay Kumar, who is a Constable at the Third Police Battalion, Pandoh.

According to the police, it had got the constable medically examined and he was under the influence of liquor. He was challaned under Section 114 of the HP Police Act. Later, he was released on bail.

A source from the Sundernagar police station confirmed that no FIR was lodged into the matter, but the constable was just challaned.

The people from different localities of Sundernagar have accused the police that it dealt with the matter lightly as the police constable was involved in the matter and had not registered an FIR.

According to them if some other person had been involved in such type of incident the police would have booked him under the stringent provision of law. They further confirmed that they would make complaint to higher police officers as the subordinate police officials have tried to shield their fellowman.

Solan, November 30
Jashoda (43) was brutally murdered after being raped by a Nepalese labourer Govinda (19) at her native village Darwa in Kasauli tehsil last night. The woman’s body was later dumped in a gorge near the village.

Irate villagers later gheraoed the policemen and stopped them from taking away the culprit demanding a “tit for tat” action. A police vehicle was also damaged in the melee.

Parwanoo SDPO Ramesh Pathani said the youth, after committing the crime, informed village pradhan Puran Chand, who rushed to the spot along with some villagers. They took Govinda in their custody and informed the police. He was later handed over to the police by the villagers.

According to Pathania, Govinda had waylaid the woman while she was on her way to attend a wedding in the village. He raped her and later killed her by repeatedly hitting her with a stone as she was trying to raise the alarm. The policemen had to make a lot of effort to fish out the body from the deep gorge in the dark.

Govinda had rented a room in Vipan Kumar’s house in the village was working as a labourer with a local contractor for the past few months.

The villagers were infuriated over the incident. They wanted that instead to taking him to the police station, he should be punished then and there. When the police tried to take the accused to the police station, they pelted a police vehicle with stones and damaged it.

Later, Kasauli tehsildar K.K. Sharma reached the spot and pacified the villagers.

The police later registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC against the accused and added that relevant section for rape would be added once the post-mortem report corroborated it.

Kangra, November 30
Two married women were burnt in two separate accidents over the past 24 hours in the district, the police said here today.

Dehra SDPO Kulwant Singh said Beena Devi (48), mother of a 13-year-old girl, caught fire while working in the kitchen in Gagarh Dharghata village yesterday. She was first seen in burning condition by her daughter who raised the alarm. The woman died before she could be taken to hospital.

According to her family members, Beena was suffering from epilepsy and she might have fell on the burning chullah in the kitchen due to a sudden fit. A post-mortem 
examination was conducted on the body at 
Dehra hospital.

In another case, Sunita Rani, 30-year-old housewife of Bilvan Ghati, died of severe burn injuries today.

The woman was taken to the BBMB hospital at Talwara from where she was referred to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The cause of fire could not be ascertained immediately.