Dharamsala, October 22
Itay Taskerman of Israel won the seven-day International Himalayan National Paragliding Championship, 2011, that concluded at Bir-Billing today. He was adjudged the overall champion of the competition

As per the results declared today, in the International Federal Aeronautical International (FAI), Category II, Men, Itay Taskerman of Israel, who since the beginning of the championship maintained a lead, secured the first position followed by Anatolij Lomovtsev from Russia and Gurpreet Singh Dhindsa from India, who were placed at second and third positions, respectively. Itay won a cash prize of Rs 25,000, while the second and third position holders were given a cash prize of Rs 15,000 and Rs10,000, respectively.

In the International FAI, Category II, Women, Anna Darchenkova from Russia and Daniela Mladenova from Bulgaria were ranked first and second, respectively, and were awarded with a cash prize of Rs 20,000 and 10,000, along with the trophy.

The Himalayan Paragliding Championship, the consolation prize was given to Ringzing Doma Bhutia for being the only woman participant from Sikkim. She was given a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a memento.

In the Tandem Spot-landing Competition, Surjit and Vinod Kumar jointly secured the first position. Similarly, the pair of Surinder and Shubash Thakur and that of Amit Kumar and Virendar Kumar were ranked second and third, respectively. In this competition, cash prizes of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 were given to the first three pairs, respectively.

In the Novice Catgory Competition, Prakash Kumar, Desh Raj and Samarath got the first and second and third positions and were awarded with cash prizes of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively.

Gulab Singh Thakur, Public Works Department Minister, while speaking at the closing ceremony of the International and Himalayan National Paragliding Championship at Bir said it was a matter of pride that more than 220 paragliders had taken part in the event.

He said the state government was keen to develop appropriate sports infrastructure for adventure sports in the state.

The government was putting forward its best efforts to boost adventure and watersports in the state. The Maharana Pratap Dam in Kangra district, Chamera (Taleru) in Chamba district and Govindsagar Lake in Bilaspur district were the sites where watersports would be carried out.

Shimla, October 22
Perturbed over increased dissident activity by Shanta loyalists, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal met BJP chief Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi yesterday to bring to his notice the activity of those owing allegiance to the Rajya Sabha member, who has been candid in expressing his views on corruption in the recent past.

Reliable sources said the Chief Minister, along with national general secretary of the party Arun Jaitley, met Gadkari to discuss the finalisation of candidates for the two Assembly byelections in the state likely to be held next month.

Dhumal is also learnt to have brought to his notice the activities of Shanta loyalists, including ministers and legislators in the recent past, which could prove to be harmful for the party, especially in view of the ensuing byelections in the Nalagarh and Renuka constituencies.

The manner in which Shanta loyalists virtually staged a show of strength in Kullu where the former Chief Minister was honoured has upset the Dhumal camp.

Even though Shanta did not attack the Dhumal regime directly, by stressing the need for introspection on the issue of corruption by the government in the hill state, he obliquely hinted that he was not too happy with the happenings.

The turnout of senior party leaders, including ministers Ramesh Dhawala and Kishan Kapoor, MLAs Khushi Ram Balnahata and Praveen Sharma, former MP Maheshwar Singh and former ministers Shyama Sharma and Mahender Sofat, does not augur too well for the Dhumal camp.

In fact, it is for the first time that the Chief Minister has admitted that there was factionalism in the party in the state even though he hastened to add that every political party was afflicted by it.

Dhumal is learnt to have discussed the party candidates to be fielded from Renuka in Sirmaur district and Nalagarh in Solan district with Gadkari as elections are likely to be held by November end.

With the dissident camp meeting Gadkari twice in the recent past to air their grouse on various party matters and government functioning, Dhumal’s meeting with Gadkari is being considered significant.

Though the belligerent MP from Kangra, Rajan Sushant, has lately been maintaining a low profile, Shanta loyalists now seem to be stepping up their activities, giving anxious moments to the Chief Minister and his loyalists.

Shimla, October 22
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today sought uniform funding for all the special category states and permission to Himachal Pradesh to undertake scientific logging, which would generate a revenue of Rs 1,000 crore per annum to the state.

These issues were raised by the Chief Minister while speaking at the 56th meeting of the National Development Council in New Delhi today.

“Problems of hill states are different from those of other states and a special approach needs to be adopted by the Centre along with special dispensation of financial resources to ensure their development,” he stressed.

He said Western Himalayan states had prepared a Common Base Paper, which had been sent to the Planning Commission in 2009.

“The commission should translate the recommendations made in the Common Base Paper by the North-Western Himalayan states into financial allocations during the 12th Five-Year Plan,” he suggested.

Dhumal said the Central industrial package given to the Western Himalayan states should be extended and permission granted for imposing generation tax on hydro power and enhancing free power royalty.

Emphasising the need to refund Himachal for its efforts for conservation of the forest wealth, he said green bonus must be provided to the state.

“Scientific logging can yield revenue to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore per annum and this should be allowed for not felling its forests,” he remarked. Dhumal said the unfavourable award by the 13th Finance Commission for Himachal had derailed the entire planning process and posed a threat to the impressive gains made by the state over the years.

He added that the implementation of Sixth Pay Commission recommendations had further weakened the financial position of the state.

“The Planning Commission should devolve a suitable interim package, till the report of the Group of Special Category States is finalised and accepted by the Centre,” he suggested.

The Chief Minister also placed the demand for continuation of the special industrial package to the state as the withdrawal had adversely impacted the investment climate.

He suggested improving the impact of MNREGA and sought the change in wage and material ratio from the present 60:40 to 40:60.

Dhumal said the number of days granted should be increased beyond 100 days, especially for BPL families, and should also include the construction of village paths under the MNREGA to facilitate movement in hilly areas.

He requested that the 12th Five-Year Plan should make provision for creating an all-weather international airport in the state and subsidised helli-taxi services on the pattern of the North-Eastern states.

Dharamsala, October 22
The Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) that is facing criticism from a section of students for not being able to recruit permanent teachers for the past over a year is likely to face problems while finding senior faculty.

Sources available here told The Tribune that though the university authorities had received a large number of applications for the ranks of assistant professors, it had received comparatively fewer applications for the posts of associate professor and professor.

Vice-Chancellor of the university Furqan Qamar also admitted this. He said: “We are hoping that senior faculty from state universities, where the retirement age is lesser than that of the central university, might opt for senior faculty positions here,” adding that “anything regarding that can only be said after conducting the interviews.”

The retirement age in state universities is 58 or 60 years, whereas the retirement age in central universities has been increased to 65 years.

The sources said the CUHP might not be able to attract senior faculty from metros due to difference in the House Rent Allowance (HRA).

In metros, Central Government employees get 30 per cent HRA, whereas in Dharamsala CUHP employees will be entitled to an HRA of just 10 per cent. This means 20 per cent difference in the salary for those opting for the posts in the CUHP.

Many have expressed apprehension that in case senior faculty from metros fails to move to the CUHP, it might become a parking lot for retired faculty from state universities and that might affect the academic standards.

The university is also facing problem as the contract of employees recruited on a temporary basis expired this month. While the university will have to hasten the process of recruitment of permanent faculty, it will also have to increase the contract of the temporary faculty by a few more months.

Meanwhile, a section of the students from the university, led by Raghav Manocha, a first-year MBA student, has come in support of the institution management. In a written petition, they have maintained that there is no issue in the university and everything, including the faculty, is in order.

When asked if they were egged by certain universities authorities, Raghav, who was leading the crusade in favour of the university management, denied the matter.

The central university has failed to conduct interviews for recruiting permanent faculty as the Visitors Nominee (the President’s nominee) to the selection committees has not been appointed.

The university management has also come under criticism for starting a host of courses without appointing permanent faculty.

Solan, October 22
DS Minhas, DGP, today exhorted students to neither become prisoners of the past nor be too anxious about the future, but exercise patience in life.

Addressing students, staff and parents on the occasion of the 21st annual day of Pinegrove School, Dharampur, he extended a word of caution to parents and urged them to devote quality time in instilling family values in the children, rather than compensating for the lack of time by splurging money, thus leading to drug abuse.

Lauding the progress made by the school in a span of 21 years, he said adoption of new technologies to aid teaching was an innovative step. Teachers played a crucial role in shaping the children and they could inculcate the right values like devotion and dedication.

Earlier, a group of 170 students presented a musical ballad “Incredible India Ka Etihasik Sur Sangam” showcasing India’s historical journey right from the times it had earned the sobriquet of the “golden sparrow” to the times it was plundered by foreign invaders.

The fight for independence and the communal violence which ensued had the audience spell-bound. It culminated with an apt presentation of the pervading corruption which has forced social activists like Anna Hazare to launch a nationwide crusade.

It also showcased the country’s cultural heritage, an amalgamation of multi-linguistic, religious, cultural and ethnic communities, with its rich and glorious past.

Gymnastics, karate display and a 120-piece ensemble of orchestra presenting a blend of western and Indian classical music were the other attractions which enthralled the audience.

Capt AJ Singh, Headmaster of the school, in his address, said: ”Constant endeavour is made at Pinegrove School to nurture young and impressionable minds so that they develop into ideal citizens. The school inculcates proper morals and values into students with a missionary zeal, so that they possess the ability to differentiate between the right and the wrong and most important of all, the courage to speak against any wrong.”

Meanwhile, six students were awarded Diamond Stars for their impeccable behaviour. Teak House lifted the Cock House Trophy.

Chamba, October 22
The Himachal Pradesh Government is endeavoring to set up the much-awaited cement plant at Sikridhar in Chamba district as early as possible with a view to generating ample employment avenues amongst local people and revitalising the economy of Chamba, thereby bringing prosperity in the region.

A cement plant is being set up at the Baroh-Sikridhar hills of the district from where huge deposits of limestone will be extracted.

Addressing mediapersons at the Circuit House here today, Himachal Industries Minister Kishan Kapoor said the process to complete the formalities pertaining to the cement plant of Chamba was under way.

The Industries Minister disclosed that at present 14 slate quarries at different locations in the district were under operation and eight stone crushers had also been granted permission by the state government after completing the procedure laid down under the provisions of the Forest Conversation Act.

The state government had decided to lay emphasis on the setting up of cottage industries in rural areas, Kishan Kapoor stated.