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Manhas likely to be next DGP
Elevated rapid transport system mooted for Shimla
HP temples for national register of monuments
RTI exposes discrepancies in procurement data
Congress alleges Modi-HPCA nexus |
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Powers decentralised for fund use
Class XII exam: Bilaspur boys achieve top honours
BJP: Money was released for improving infrastructure, not IPL
Juvenile justice boards formed
Villagers oppose hydro projects on Pabbar
Sanawar school conference today
Five booked for forgery
Teacher terminated for misconduct
Rain in Palampur region
BMS leaders booked
BSNL employees stage dharna
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Manhas likely to be next DGP
Shimla, April 20 The development assumes significance as
Manhas, currently DGP (Vigilance), has been given the additional charge of the DGP rather than any other IPS officer senior to him. The decision to give additional charge to Manhas is an indication that he is likely to be given the top post once Gill retires in June. It is reliably learnt that Gill had expressed the desire to avail medical leave till his superannuation in June and it is likely that he will remain on leave till his retirement. Speculation about Manhas being the obvious choice for the top post seems to be coming true as in a deviation from the past practice, he has been given the additional charge rather than Sohan Singh, DGP (Prisons). Singh had been given the additional charge of the DGP when Ashwini Kumar was appointed director, CBI, till Gill was finally given the top post on August 20, 2008, on his return from posting in the
BSF. Manhas, a 1977 IPS officer, ranks on the fifth position in the seniority list of IPS officers. Gill who was a 1974 batch officer is followed by Ajit
Lal, who is a special director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and is also of the same batch. Sohan Singh, currently DGP (Prisons), is also from the 1974 batch. The third senior most IPS officer in the state is RN Gupta, who is also on central deputation as CMS and Anti RO. He is from the 1976 batch while the next officer in line is Anirudh
Uppal, who is serving with the National Security Guard (NSG). Two senior IPS officers who retired last month include Deepak
Baghai, a 1975 police officer, and the controversial cop, BS Thind, who belonged to the 1974 batch. The name of Manhas as the strongest contender for the top post had been doing the rounds as he was considered a hot favourite with the present regime. During his stint as head of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau he had been very particular in ensuring that nobody, including IAS officers, chief engineers and senior officials, was spared for which he had also incurred the wrath of a section of the BJP leadership. |
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Elevated rapid transport system mooted for Shimla
Shimla, April 20 Even as proposals to have aerial ropeways and tunnels to improve connectivity and reduce congestion in the town are under consideration, a proposal has been submitted by a British company to set up elevated rapid transport system, which will run on a spiral track at an elevated height. The director Urban Development has been asked by the government to examine the proposal and look into its financial viability. “The elevated rapid transport system is in place at the Heathrow Airport in London and its biggest advantage is that it requires minimum possible space and can pass through buildings and structures,” municipal commissioner AN Sharma said. Even as far as the cost aspect is concerned the elevated rapid transport system having pods, in which six persons can be seated will workout to be far cheaper than having escalators or a circular rail line. The cost for 1-km-length of the elevated spiral track will work out to be about Rs 45 crore, including the cost of the pods. The company, which has submitted the proposal, is keen to set up and run the project on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis or as public-private partnership (PPP) venture. “The biggest advantage of the system is that it can cover maximum area with not even a single tree or other structure having to be removed,” Sharma said. In case the proposal is found to be suitable, the government is keen to cover the Core Area, which according to their estimate can be covered within an 8-km stretch. The main area where there is acute traffic congestion from Victory Tunnel to Lift and the Mall area will be covered initially. This high-tech transport system will be fully computerised and services can be availed at specific time on a short notice. Such a modern transport system will prove to be a major attraction for tourists, as it is so far nowhere available in India. The local MC and the Urban Development Department had earlier proposed to have an escalator from Darni Ka Bagicha on the bypass to the Mall so that those commuting along the bypass could be provided with good connectivity. Having any such transport system is the need for the hour in the “Queen of Hills” where there is too much of traffic congestion as it is the Cart Road, which takes the entire load of vehicles. |
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HP temples for national register of monuments
Mandi, April 20 NMM’s state coordinator OC Handa, an author of many books on arts and architecture in the state said, “The NMM aims at registering all built-up heritage in the state and country as whole. After this exercise in each state is complete, all monuments will be registered in the national register of monuments.” Handa said the national register would include monuments, temples, ancient bridges and buildings, coins, wood carvings, idols and other artifacts recorded in published materials or which were not recorded in any form. There are many monuments, temples, buildings and artifacts in the state which have not been documented so far, he added. He said the Victoria Bridge, Damdama Palace, Bijay High School building in Mandi, Balson Palace in Shimla district, Daleth building in Kullu were some examples that would now figure in the national register under the NMM. “We will record archaeology, material and documentary evidence of each monument in the state,” he informed. “The NMM will save theft and plunder of the state’s rare pieces of arts at the hands of the antique smugglers. Each minute details of each monument will be recorded in the national register and will be available for the ready reference for the police and other investigation agency probing thefts of monuments,” Handa said. Experts revealed that monasteries and gompas in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and rare wood carvings and artifacts have emerged as haunts for the antique smugglers and private museum keepers around the world. Once all monuments will be registered in the national register, the thieves can be caught, Handa informed. He said the HRD Ministry would sign a memorandum with the state coordinators and then staff and infrastructure would be put in place. The exercise will start soon, Handa said.
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RTI exposes discrepancies in procurement data
Shimla, April 20 The information made available by the corporation in response to two different applications shows that procurement of rice for the first six months of 2009-10 was more than that for the whole year, which is absurd. As per the information provided by the central public information officer of FCI Usha Pahuja in response to the first application of RTI activist Dev Ashish Bhattacharaya filed on January 6, 2010, the total procurement of rice till September, 2009, stood at a record 336.9 lakh tonnes with Andhra Pradesh accounting for the highest quantity of 90.60 lakh tonnes, followed by Punjab 85.52 lakh tonnes, Uttar Pradesh 36.87 lakh tonnes and Chhattisgarh 28.47 lakh tonnes. However, the data supplied in respect of the second application filed by him on April 1, 2010, puts the total procurement of rice for the whole year as on April 1, 2010, has been shown to be 255.11403 lakh tonnes which is 82 lakh tonnes less than the figure up to September, 2009. The procurement state in respect of Andhra Pradesh has been put at 37.93 lakh tonnes, which is 52.67 lakh tonnes less than the earlier figure. Similarly, in case of Uttar Pradesh it has come down from 36.87 to 25.49 lakh tonnes, Orissa from 27.89 to 18.12 lakh tonnes, Tamil Nadu from 11.99 to 8.25 lakh tonnes, Bihar from 10.83 to 5.46 lakh tonnes and West Bengal from 16.66 to 8.34 lakh tonnes. Similar is the case of most other states which make marginal contribution to procurement, though some states like Punjab (92.70 lakh tonnes), Haryana ( 18.14 lakh tonnes) Chhattisgarh ( 30.29 lakh tonnes) show increase as expected. “The absurdity in the data puts a big question mark over its authenticity. It stinks of manipulation to suit the political stance of union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar who has been blaming poor monsoon for price rise,” asserts Bhattacharya. There has been no discrepancy in respect of data pertaining to procurement of wheat. The total procurement in 2008-09 was 226.89 lakh tonnes and 253.82 lakh tonnes in the following year. The procurement of rice in 2008-09 was 287.32 lakh tonnes. |
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Congress alleges Modi-HPCA nexus
Shimla, April 20 Addressing a press conference here, he said the “special bond” with Modi was evident from the fact that the government helicopter was used to ferry the family of Modi from Dharamsala to Delhi, whereas cricketers and other officials went by tourism bus after playing the IPL matches. He said his party had come to know from various sources that members of the association were virtually on a “land acquisition” spree and it was suspected that they were only a front for investing other people’s money. Only an inquiry into the sources of income and assets of those entering such deals could expose the real persons behind the deals. The party would not allow the land mafia to spread its tentacles in the state in garb of sports promotion. He declared that if the BJP government failed to order an inquiry the Congress would do so on coming to power and ensure that land involved in such shady deals was vested in the government. He maintained that the government had given Rs 3 crore to the association initially, but when the Congress raised an objection it came out with an explanation that the funds were meant for the facelift of Dharamsala. He demanded a white paper on how the funds were utilised and also details of the funds received by the association from various sources, particularly the cement companies, over the past two years. He said it was not a coincidence that the price of cement in the state was increased by Rs 27 per bag on the eve of Lok Sabha poll and again by Rs 10 per bag only recently. It was paradoxical that cement being manufactured in the state but sold at much higher prices than the neighbouring states. Further, the government leased out land to the association for a five-star hotel which in turn had given it to a private party which raised several questions as IPL was totally a commercial venture and the land should have been provided on market rates. The association boasted of the Dharamsala stadium but senior players like MS Dhoni said it was not fit for holding international matches, not even one-day encounters.
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Powers decentralised for fund use
Hamirpur, April 20 As per the new financial guidelines issued on March 30 under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), each sub- centre would make expenditure of annual maintenance grants (AMG) and untied funds approved by village and sanitation committees (VHSC) administered by the health workers. These changes in the expenditure procedure of these funds have been effected by the NRHM to remove various procedural delays by involving local people of that area. It was being observed while sub-centres were waiting approval from the higher-ups for making measly expenditures for maintenance and upkeep of these centres, crores of rupees received under these funds were getting lapsed due to procedural delays. Earlier, sub-centres were required to seek approval from the block medical officers and chief medical officer for using these funds for even spending amounts for creating facilities and upkeep, which took quite some time and caused delays. Under the new guidelines, after approval from the VHSC , health sub-centres would be able to purchase medicines for emergency case patients, incur expenses to purchase furniture, erect boundary walls and gates, getting electricity and water connection, paying dues for the centres, carrying maintenance, carry repairs and undertake any other work as per local needs. The purchase of petty items like bleaching powder, disinfectant, providing safe drinking water, heating arrangement for patients etc could also be made from these funds. Payment to women delivering child could also be made in cash. |
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Class XII exam: Bilaspur boys achieve top honours
Dharamsala, April 20 Anupam Sharma of Minerva Senior Secondary School, Bilaspur, remained at the second spot scoring 480/500 marks. The other toppers include — Uttarhanica of Government Senior Secondary School, Nandgarh (Una), stood third scoring 477 marks; Vishakha Gupta of MCM DAV College, Kangra, fourth with 473 marks; Prashant Guleria of Government Senior Secondary School, Mandi, fifth with 471 marks; Rhijul Sood, MCM DAV College, Kangra, sixth with 470 marks; Kanika Singh Thakur of King Goerge’s Public School at Ner Chownk (Mandi) and Sahil Sharma of Him Academy Hamirpur, both eighth with 468 marks; Isha Badan and Arvind Singh Cahuhan of MCM DAV College Kangra, Yushandar Krishan Singh of Him Academy Hamirpur and Rittesh Gupta of Kullu Valley Public School all tied at ninth spot scoring 464 marks and Abhshek Pathania and Kanwar Shiv Raj Singh both from Him Academy at 10th spot scoring 463marks. The chairman of the education board at a press conference held here today said 20,165 candidates appeared for class XII board examinations conducted by the board this year. The candidates included 11,696 boys and 8,469 girls. Out of total 14,169 candidates passed keeping the percentage at 70.43 and 2,551 candidates would have to reappear in one subject. The board has given a special relaxation to candidates who have compartment in one subject. If they clear it in the first attempt in September, nothing regarding reappear would be mentioned on their certificates issued by the board. The students who want to get their papers rechecked or can fill the forms till May 5, the chairman said. The results have once again brought to the fore fact that just 15 to 20 per cent of students opt for science subject at school-level in the state. The percentage is very low and has not improved despite efforts of the education board and the state government. The low percentage of students opting for science subjects at the school-level in Himachal lead to lesser production of technically skilled labour in the state.
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BJP: Money was released for improving infrastructure, not IPL
Shimla, April 20 The government clarified that a request had been received from the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, for allocation of Rs 3 crore under the State Development Plan (SDP) during the last financial year for improving infrastructure in and around Dharamsala as a measure to facilitate the tourists and also in view of the expected spectators for IPL matches. Keeping this in mind, he said the government had released Rs 3 crore, of which Rs 1.5 crore was for improvement of roads, Rs 50 lakh for drinking water supplies, Rs 25 lakh for improving the power supply and distribution system and Rs 75 lakh for renovation of parks, street lights and beautification. |
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Juvenile justice boards formed
Shimla, April 20 An official spokesperson said here today that these boards would also include chief judicial magistrate, additional chief judicial magistrate and judicial magistrates as principal magistrate with two social workers, one of whom would be a woman. The juvenile justice boards would be set up at Kullu (excluding Ani subdivision), Kinnaur (including Rampur subdivision of Shimla district), Spiti subdivision of Lahaul-Spiti district, Ani subdivision of Kullu district,
Mandi, Kangra at Dharamsala, Bilaspur, Sirmaur at Nahan, Hamirpur, Solan and
Chamba. The functions of the board would be to achieve objectives of the Act such as adjudicate and dispose of cases of juveniles in conflict with law, take cognizance of crime committed under Sections 23 and 28 of the Act and monitoring institutions for juveniles. |
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Villagers oppose hydro projects on Pabbar
Shimla, April 20 In a memorandum to Chief Minister P.K.Dhumal it pointed out that these projects, if executed , would virtually cause the river, which was the lifeline of the people, to vanish with over 60 km of its total 72 km stretch passing through tunnels or impounded by dams. It would not only spell disaster for the environment but also endanger the livelihood of the local people. Moreover, the river is one of the best habitats of trout fish and needed to be preserved for its propagation. It also demanded withdrawal of cases registered against people who had been agitating against hydroelectric projects and all the clearances granted to these projects should also be withdrawn. |
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Sanawar school conference today
Chandigarh, April 20 Some of the participating schools are: Assam Valley School, British School, New Delhi, Chittagong Grammar School, Bangladesh, Daly College, Indore, Mayo College, Ajmer and Punjab Public School, Nabha. Asha Swarup, chief secretary, Himachal Pradesh, will be chief guest on the opening ceremony. |
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Five booked for forgery
Nurpur, April 20 According to the complaint lodged by a cousin of Kalawati Ganesh Dutt, the accused had allegedly forged the will to grab property of Kalawati who had been living with him till death. Ganesh alleged that after mutation of Kalawati’s immovable property in revenue records on March 17, the accused entered his house and forced his family members to vacate. He claimed that he was successor to the property of Kalawati and she had executed a registered will in his favour on February 19 last. A case under Sections 420, 452, 506, 323 and 147 of the IPC has been registered.
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Teacher terminated for misconduct
Kangra, April 20 Director NIFT Dinesh Kumar Rangra said assistant professor Rajan Kocher was terminated from his services for alleged improper conduct. He confirmed that he along with a girl student of the NIFT had been away at Bharote with mutual consent. He said he was served termination orders on Friday and relieved. When asked why a case was not registered against the assistant professor, Rangra said he was awaiting permission from director general of the NIFT Rajeev Trakru. Rangra said the duo had filed applications that they were visiting Delhi as it was an extended weekend, but instead a faculty member saw them at Bharote rest house and informed him. He then took the police into confidence and a committee was rushed to the rest house where statement of the chowkidar was recorded. When everything was proved beyond doubt the assistant professor was terminated and parents of the girl were summoned. Residents said enforcement of discipline among NIFT students was vital. |
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Rain in Palampur region
Palampur, April 20 The rain is stated to be beneficial for the mango and other fruit crops. In the lower areas, the rain obstructed the harvesting of wheat. However, according to experts of HP Agriculture University, it was learnt that overall the rain would help farmers in early sowing of fodder in the region. In the subtropical zone it would give boost to wheat crop, where harvesting would start later.
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BMS leaders booked
Sundernagar, April 20 A case of rioting and wrongful restraint (under Sections of 143/341 of the IPC) has been registered today on the complaint of KV Jain, deputy chief engineer BSL (Project) BBMB. According to the complaint, the daily labourers of BSL Project and some office-bearers of BMS under the banner of the BBMB Karamchari Sangh staged a dharna yesterday that had blocked the workshop complex, township areas and main gate leading to the offices of BSL Project. Also, the chain hunger strike completed the
41st day.
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BSNL employees stage dharna
Mandi, April 20 Addressing the protesters, the Union president said the Centre was not clear on its stand on the Sam Pitroda Committee’s recommendations, which the union opposed tooth and nail, he added.
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Alleging an “unholy nexus” between IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), Pradesh Congress Committee chief Kaul Singh today demanded an inquiry into the reported “nami and benami” land deals in the hill state involving members of the association.
