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Rs 155 crore for poly-houses
Kalka-Shimla Rail Track
Prolonged dry spell upsets fruit growers
Economic Census |
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Strict vigil for X-mas, New Year celebrations
BJP acting with vendetta: Virbhadra
Dhumal urges people to help eradicate polio
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal administers anti-polio vaccine to a
child in Shimla on Sunday.
Minor girl goes missing
Tourists throng Solang valley
The Solang valley, 13 km from Manali, has become a favourite haunt of tourists ever since it donned a white mantle after the season’s first snowfall. Photo: M.C. Thakur
Cement Smuggling
State mulls mandatory HIV test before marriage
MLA flags off trekking expedition
Stop misuse of CFL scheme: Cong to BJP
Rs 2,094 crore spent on education: MLA
Eight nominated to temple trust
State turns warmer
Encroachments removed
Six hurt in blast
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Rs 155 crore for poly-houses
Shimla, December 21 An official spokesperson said here today that out of the total project cost of Rs 200 crore, Rs 117.32 crore would be given as assistance to the farmers in the form of subsidy while the remaining amount would be borne by the farmers. The project component includes construction of poly-houses equipped with sprinkler and drip-irrigation systems with the help of the Agriculture Department. He said over 6,000 persons were likely to get gainful employment during the project period besides 1,000 rural artisans being engaged to construct poly-houses under the supervision of experts. The project would see judicious use of natural resources like land and water, ensuring year-round availability of vegetables and other cash crops, bringing major financial gains to farmers. Emphasis would be on sprinkler and drip-irrigation facilities for which the farmers would be provided 80 per cent subsidy. He said farmers would be provided 50 per cent financial back-up for creation of water resources for these poly-houses like farm tanks, shallow wells, pumping wells, pumping sets etc. |
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Haphazard construction posing threat
Rajmeet Singh Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 21 Railway officials admit a lot of money is being spent every year on repairing the track, often damaged due to landslides during rains. The last major landslide was reported at Solan in September last. “Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site last month, the excavation work is in progress at different sites on both sides of the track, towards the hilltop and the valley. This is an alarming situation and the Himachal Government needs to be strict”, P.J. Singh, a member of the Indian Steam Railway Society (ISRS) pointed out. The ISRS, which has been in the forefront in preserving the steam heritage of the Railways in the country had been seeking a ban on the construction activity which could result in sliding of the embankments holding the over 102-year-old KSR section. As a result of the multi-storeyed structures, it has become difficult to find access to railway stations along the section, said the ISRS member, who has carried out a survey along the track. The construction activity has been done right below the picturesque Barog Station. Due to the activity, the historic tunnels could be blocked in case of a landslide. The officials admit that it was a serious matter and a prompt action needed to be taken. As per rules, no construction activity could be allowed up to a distance of 5 m towards the valley and 3 m towards the hilltop. Singh, who had few weeks ago inspected the track from Koti Railway Station to Barog, had reported to the Solan SDM and the Railways about the fresh construction activity towards the hilltop at Solan. The tree line along the track has been disappearing. The society had also reported to the Railways last year that a concrete structure had come right on the top of the tunnel No 10 at Kumarhatti Railway Station. Apart from threatening the structure of the tunnel, the sewerage disposal from the structure atop the hill was creating nauseating smell. Pictures of the construction activity, taken by the society, had also been given to the Railways. Being of historical importance to the country, the tunnels would cease to exist in case of a landslide along the track.
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Prolonged dry spell upsets fruit growers
Nurpur, December 21 Nurpur subdivision is known as mini Nagpur for producing quality orange and kinnow, but the dry winter spell has attributed to poor growth of the fruits. According to official information gathered from the state Horticulture Department, an average production with fall of 30 per cent in the citrus fruits has been estimated this year. Owing to dry spell the fruit could not gain even normal size and juice. The orchard produce has been fetching poor rates to the growers due to poor quality of the citrus fruits known as cash crop of the growers. Inquiries reveal that citrus fruits are being produced over 1,000 hectares land in Nurpur and Indora horticulture blocks. Horticulture experts feel that if winter dry spell continues for another fortnight it would also hit flowering of mango fruits. According to D.P. Singh, horticulture development officer, Nurpur, flowering of mango is deemed normal in the end of February, but dry spell can result in pre-mature flowering in January, which is not conducive to normal fruit growth. He said prevailing dry spell condition is not favourable for fruit production. Meanwhile, a visit to different citrus fruit orchards in Nurpur subdivision revealed the plight of progressive fruit growers who were concerned over the poor citrus fruit crop. Their common problem is relating to marketing of their crop. Manoj Pathania, a fruit grower at Bassa Waziran, lamented that poor fruit crops and dry winter spell had dashed the hopes of growers in the area. Plucking of citrus fruits had started, but the HPMC, the government agency, had failed to open procurement centres. The delay in opening of collection centres has forced the growers to sell their produce in vegetable mandis at Jassur, Pathankot and Jammu. Onkar Singh Guleria, vice-president of the Nurpur fruit growers association and a progressive fruit grower from Dhaneti, opined that dry spell was a natural climatic problem nobody could change it. He lamented that growers were facing major problem of marketing of their produce and being exploited by middlemen while selling their produce outside the state. Bhopal Katoch and Dinesh Pathania, prominent growers from Indora horticulture block, said the growers were facing marketing of the produce as a major problem and the concept of setting up procurement centres by the HPMC was not serving the real purpose. |
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Only 4 pc establishments involved in agricultural activities
Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, December 21 As per the report, most of the economy of state in based in rural areas. Out of total 2,67,773 establishment set up in the state, 215248 (83 per cent) are located in rural areas while just 52,525 (19.62 per cent) are located in urban areas. Out all these establishments, just 12,014 (4.49 per cent) are engaged in agricultural activities. The remaining 2,55,759 (95.51 per cent) establishments are involved in non-agricultural activities. The report has also brought to the fore the fact that very few persons in the state are employed in establishments involved in agricultural activities. These establishments have employed 6,59,479 persons. Out of these, just 19,116 (2.9 per cent) are employed in agricultural activities and the remaining are involved in non-agriculture activities. Even among the establishments involved in agricultural activities, most are involved in farming of animals. Out of 12,014 establishments involved in agricultural activities in the state, 8,933 (74.36 per cent) are engaged in farming of animals. The maximum number of non-agriculture establishments are involved in retail trade. Out of total 2,55,759 non-agricultural establishments in the state, 96,427 (37.7 per cent) are involved in retail trade, 49,751 (19.45 per cent) in manufacturing, 19,675 (7.69 per cent) in education and 18,079 (7.07 per cent) in hotels and restaurants. The highest numbers of persons (1,24,235 or 18.84 per cent) are employed in Kangra district. The figure is the lowest in case of Lahaul-Spiti (5,888 or 0.89 per cent). The number of hired workers is the highest in Shimla district (75,767 or 17.9 per cent) and lowest in Lahaul-Spiti (4,324 or 1.02 per cent). Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has been stating that modern agriculture techniques such as poly-houses, fisheries and animal husbandry can help in creating self-employment opportunities in the state. However, the economic census report indicates that the government would have to do a lot to attract people towards agriculture. At present, just 19,116 persons are involved in agricultural establishment. After the economic package was given to the state, a lot was said about the employment that would be provided to the local people by the industry coming to the state. The politicians had been making statements that they were ensuring 70 per cent jobs for Himachal residents in various industrial units. However, the economic census has illustrated that just 49,751 persons were involved in manufacturing establishments in the state. The report has also indicated towards uneven developments in the state. Just Kangra and Shimla districts are having the maximum numbers of employed persons. The numbers of persons employed in Kangra and Shimla district can also be attributed to the fact that these districts have the maximum concentration of population. Still, the economic activities have to be distributed equally across the state for its planned development.
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Strict vigil for X-mas, New Year celebrations
Shimla, December 21 Even as snow still eludes the “Queen of Hills”, the tourism industry is making all preparations to welcome the Christmas and New Year revellers, but with much stricter security and vigil by the police and hoteliers. The district police has sought additional force from outside during the last week to ensure that there is no untoward incident during the New Year celebrations. District police chief R.M. Sharma said almost 200 police personnel would be on duty at various points to maintain tight vigil. All vehicles entering the town around Christmas and New Year would be checked thoroughly at the Tuti Kandi barrier. He said in view of the visit of BJP leader L.K. Advani to Shimla on December 30 in connection with the rally to mark the completion of one-year of the government, there would be additional security arrangements. He added that even the hoteliers had been asked to be more vigilant. President of the Shimla Hoteliers Association Harnam Kukreja said the tourist traffic was picking up. “Almost all hotels are receiving good bookings for Christmas and New Year as there are queries from tourists from all over India,” he said. He said following the Mumbai attacks the hoteliers are themselves being very particular about security aspect. “All precautionary measures are being taken in hotels to ensure that no anti-social elements are allowed in and in case of suspicion the police will be alerted,” he said. He added that the hoteliers would extend all possible cooperation to the police and administration to ensure that the atmosphere remains peaceful. Even thought the rush of tourists, especially foreigners, at this time of the year is far less than the previous years, but majority of the government-owned and private hotels are getting good bookings for Christmas and New Year. Most of the hotels owned by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, including Holiday Home, Peterhoff and Palace Hotel, Chail, are almost fully booked. Most of these hotels are registering about 80 per cent occupancy these days as well. However, there had been a steep decline in the foreign tourists post the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
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BJP acting with vendetta: Virbhadra
Shimla, December 21 Talking to mediapersons here today, he said it was unfortunate that instead of checking the increasing crime rate in the state, the government was misusing the police force to settle score with its political opponents. “Another area that has kept the police and the government busy during the last one year has been holding of inquiries to get back at their political opponents,” he said. The Congress leader accused the BJP regime of breaking all records as far as ordering transfers of employees was concerned. “Within the first year of its rule, the government has made more than 1,000 announcements but not made the required efforts to fulfil these,” he said. Virbhadra said all road and water supply projects inaugurated by the Dhumal regime so far were the projects that had been completed during the Congress rule. “Work on most of the projects had been completed during our regime, but due to the coming into force of the election code of conduct, their inauguration could not be done,” he said. “Not only the central university, the IIT, three battalions of the IRB but even the loan of Rs 1,340 crore from the World Bank has been given to Himachal due to the efforts of the Congress regime,” he claimed. He said the BJP regime had not inaugurated the Giri water supply scheme so that they could take credit for solving the water problem of the state capital. He also accused the government of being partial towards the PTA teachers simply for the reason that they were appointed during the Congress regime. Virbhadra Singh demanded that the government should reduce bus fares in view of the reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel, as promised earlier. |
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Dhumal urges people to help eradicate polio
Shimla, December 21 Dhumal said the employees engaged in the campaign would cover 12.59 lakh households all over the state. He said all steps would be taken to achieve the objective of making Himachal polio-free. “No polio case has been registered in the state since 2006 and it is being hoped that the sate is already polio-free,” he remarked. He said making Himachal polio-free would further enhance the position of Himachal as a state with one of the best health indicators in the country. CHAMBA:
Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Tulsi Ram today gave an impetus to the ongoing pulse polio campaign by administering polio drops to a child at Bharmour, the tribal subdivisional headquarters in Chamba district. To further augment the pulse polio campaign, the Health department had set up 542 polio booths, including 17 in the urban areas, in the district. To handle the mission 2,200 employees had been engaged in the task. So far, about 62,000 children had been administered drops in length and breadth of the district. |
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Minor girl goes missing
Mandi, December 21 With pressure from villagers, beldar Amar Singh and his second wife Rekha yesterday went to the Sundernagar police station and lodged an FIR alleging that Talib, son of Muhammad, a resident of Zeneta in UP, had kidnapped Sunita on December 12. A police team has left for Sonepat in Haryana as Talib had told some villagers that he was going there. Though the police has registered a case under Sections 363, 366 of the IPC against Talib, the police suspected a foul play in Sunita’s missing. But as soon as Amar Singh reached home from the police station, he allegedly took poison as the villagers pulled him up for allegedly “selling off his daughter to Talib”. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital, Sundernagar. He was stable and out of danger, but there was no physician to check him and was referred to the Mandi zonal hospital, medical officer Dr R.K. Gupta said. But he did not go to the zonal hospital and was roaming in Sundernagar town, police and hospital sources said. The villagers revealed that it was Sunita’s friends and their parents who when came to know that she had not been coming to the school since December 12 visited her home and discovered that she was not there also. Talib had come to Khural village a few months ago and had taken a room on rent at Ratan Singh’s house. He went underground since December 12, the villagers revealed. ASI Jasvir Singh said, “So far the police has launched a manhunt to found the girl and Talib.” A case has been registered.
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Tourists throng Solang valley
Manali, December 21 With the winter’s first snowfall in Solang ski slopes, which offers one of the most spectacular ski slopes in the western Himalayas with extensive view of the mighty Pir Panjal ranges, the Solang valley today is a popular venue with winter sports lovers and tourists. Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti district, is closed to vehicular traffic due to the thick wall of snow. On account of this the Solang valley has nowadays become a magnet for tourists. With winter’s first snowfall, a number of small temporary shops have come up at different places on the Manali-Rohtang road, Kanchni
Kut, Bahang, Nehru Kund, Kulang, Palchan, Solang and Kothi, offering woollen garments, snow shoes, overcoats and caps for the unprepared visitors. This has become a source of livelihood to the local residents. Although Solang valley gets tourists throughout the year, trekkers, adventure lovers, para gliders, mountaineers and nature lovers flock to the valley fervently. With the onset of winter, the craze for skiing, sledges and riding on snow scooters is on the increase. The snow scooters carry two persons apart from its driver. The ride starts from the ground and extends up to about 1 km up stream the ski slopes, which is an unusual thrill for visitors. The Solang ski slopes are the most spectacular in the western Himalayas. The Solang valley has the distinction of hosting a number of national ski competitions. Many local boys and girls have taken to this winter sport with enthusiasm and have risen to fame on the national as well as international arenas. |
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Consumers forced to pay extra
Our Correspondent
Nurpur, December 21 Enquiries reveal that major cause of the smuggling of the cement in these areas is difference of consumer price. In Punjab, the cement costs Rs 234 per bag whereas the same bag is available here for Rs 247. Interestingly, the cement is being manufactured in the hill state and is supplied to the local dealers as well as those in Punjab. There is resentment among local cement dealers as the smuggling of cement across border areas of the district has increased due to difference of consumer price. They allege rampant smuggling of cement from Dunera, Chakki and Hazipur - the three entry points of inter-state routes. Sukesh Kumar, a cement dealer of the area, has underlined the need to remove price difference of cement that would ultimately curb the menace of smuggling. In 2003, the Prem Kumar Dhumal government had constituted a high power committee to remove this price disparity and in 2004 the then Virbhadra Singh government had also decided to ensure low rate of Rs 3 to local consumers in comparison to the prevailing rate in neighbouring state. But so far nothing has been done in this regard. The area manager, ACC, Anish Kumar, and head (sale) of the company S.M. Sharma refused to comment on the issue.
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State mulls mandatory HIV test before marriage
Shimla, December 21 Dhumal made the announcement without elaborating on details of the time frame for implementation of the proposal. Inaugurating a month-long state-level AIDS awareness campaign initiated by an NGO, Ashadeep, in association with the State Health and Family Welfare Department here yesterday, Dhumal said no endeavour of the government would achieve its objective without the active support of NGOs and society. The newest initiative of the state cannot succeed without the active participation of young couples and full public support, he said. Dhumal further said awareness in society was the need of the hour and the public should be updated about various health problems and dreaded diseases along with the symptoms, besides suggesting remedial steps for a cure. He also emphasised on the need of discussing such issues at family and village levels. Himachal has about 477 cases of full-blown AIDS at present with 2,511 cases of HIV infection. — PTI
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MLA flags off trekking expedition
Dalhousie, December 21 While addressing the trekkers she said it was a good relaxation to trek in the Dalhousie, Kalatop, Khajjiar, Chamba itinerary, because this region had still virgin forests. “Participants of the YHAI organised treks that do not show difference in cast, creed, region, religion and this is real national integration. The present day youth, who are put to a lot of tension, need to be brought closer to the nature through such programmes. This will help in easing their tension and stop them from going on wrong paths,” she said. She further said the Government of Himachal Pradesh was giving importance to adventure tourism. She was also taking personal interest to identify new trekking routes in this region and also to develop new camping sites for the sake of nature lovers. She also promised all help and support to the youth hostel in its efforts to promote Dalhousie as an adventure destination. Co-director Solanki informed that nearly 900 trekkers from 18 different states were participating in this expedition. The participation of the members from the southern states was increasing every year, because they wanted to experience the beauty of snow.
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Stop misuse of CFL scheme: Cong to BJP
Bilaspur, December 21 Addressing mediapersons here today afternoon at the Circuit House, Congress district spokesperson Mast Ram Varma said ministers and MLAs of the BJP have been making mockery of this process. They and have been addressing the public which gathers to collect the free CFLs from the employees of the electricity board about their party and criticise the Congress and its leaders. He said this was highly objectionable and actually unethical as people do not come there for listening to the BJP leaders, but they come to that spot to collect the CFLs under this environment scheme. Varma said this process of CFL distribution had been further converted into a party campaign as the packet which carries in it the four CFLs had a so called “sandesh” of the Chief Minister along with his photograph printed on it which smacks off the open election propaganda and poster of the BJP at the cost of the government expenditure.
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Rs 2,094 crore spent on education: MLA
Bilaspur, December 21 Presiding over the annual prize distribution function of the Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanathar, about 60 km from here, today afternoon, Gehadwin MLA and former co-operatives minister Rikhi Ram Kaundal said special emphasis is being given to vocational and professional courses so that youths could either get gainful jobs in industries or could start their own small industries and become self-employed. Kaundal said Rs 2.57 crore would be spent on construction of Badole Devi drinking water supply scheme, which would be completed within a year. He said Rs 20 lakh would be spent on improvement of Thuran road, Rs 86 lakh on construction of Teehari road and Rs 32 lakh on Tanyoor to Gulani road. Principal Pradip Singh Thakur read the school report and presented its difficulties and achievements. The MLA also laid the foundation stone of two rooms of the school, which would be constructed at an expenditure of Rs 5 lakh.
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Eight nominated to temple trust
Kangra, December 21 The temple was supposed to have a 21-members trust having 11 official and 10 non-official members to run the activities of the temple. As only eight members have been nominated, the total number of the members in the trust has been reduced to 19. The temple has generated a revenue of Rs 2.5 crore this year against last year’s Rs 1.99 crore. The Tribune had highlighted the delay in the formation of the trust last month. |
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Shimla, December 21 Shimla and its surrounding areas witnessed a sunny day, the Met office said. The Rohtang Pass, lifeline of Lahaul-Spiti district and its adjoining areas, had experienced 5-feet snowfall, while the Pir Panjal ranges of the Chamba district were brushed with a mantle of snow. Vehicular traffic had stopped beyond Pooh, the subdivision of Kinnaur district after snow accumulated on roads. At Kalpa in Kinnaur district, minus 2°C was recorded, while Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti district, registered minus 4.5°C. Minimum temperature at Shimla was recorded 8°C, Sundernagar 7.9°C, Bhuntar 5.8°C and Dharamsala 8.5°C, sources said. — PTI
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Encroachments removed
Palampur, December 21 A team of senior officers comprising executive magistrate of the PWD, police and Revenue Department today removed 12 encroachments near the railway station in Panchrukhi sub-town. The JCB machines were pressed into service. The local beopar mandal also extended their support to the team and persuaded the encroachers to lift their material before their shops were dismantled. An official spokesperson said all these persons had encroached upon a government land near the railway station for the past many years, which was resulting into the frequent traffic jam in Panchrukhi sub-town. |
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Six hurt in blast
Palampur, December 21 All of them were working on a road project being undertaken by the HP Public Works Department. According to reports reaching here this morning, the accident occurred while these persons were laying explosive material for blasting the rocks to pave the way for vehicular traffic. A time gap of 10 minutes was set for the blast, but the explosion took place before the scheduled time, injuring those who could not run for safety. Those seriously injured have been identified as tractor-trailer driver Raj Kumar, JCB driver Hans Raj, Jhandu Ram and Santosh Kumar. They are employees of the contractor executing the project. A spokesman of the PWD said the project was awarded to Devender Rana by the department. An enquiry has been ordered into the incident. The injured have been admitted to the Government Medical College, Tanda. |
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Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal has urged the people to extend full cooperation in the
effective implementation of the pulse-polio campaign to ensure polio eradication.
He administered anti-polio drops to children below the age of five year as part of the 14th pulse polio immunisation campaign here today.
Manali, December 21
