Mandi, May 29
As many as 228 drinking water schemes have run short of water and 99 hand pumps, out of which 37 hand pumps are irreparable, are out of order hitting water supplies in summer in over hundreds of villages in the district. This, in turn, puts a question mark on the functioning of the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department.

The sad plight of IPH schemes and hand pumps came to light recently after a team of IPH engineers headed by Superintending Engineer Rakesh Malhotra presented facts to mediapersons at a meet-the-press programme chaired by Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, Devesh Kumar.

The DC directed the IPH engineers to take immediate remedial measures so that the affected residents do not face water scarcity during the dry hot summer months.

IPH engineers disclosed that the IPH department was running 1,382 different drinking water schemes in the district. But the water discharge in 228 IPH schemes had reduced by 50-70 per cent and 68 schemes were badly affected as water level in these sources had receded due to the scorching heat, they added.

As many as 45 IPH schemes were suppling water without filters, they said. The water was supplied directly from water sources to consumers, they added.

Though the IPH has installed hand pumps to provide water to people, 99 hand pumps are out of order. Of these 37 hand pumps are irreparable raising questions about the “site selection and quality of hand pumps installed at the site”.

The faulty hand pumps costs the IPH Department over Rs 40 lakh. A hand pump costs Rs 1 lakh-1.5 lakh, insiders revealed.

Hand pumps are installed at the behest of local politicians to please voters rather than by using satellite imagery and expertise of hydrological wing of the department, they said.

Under the IPH provision, 10 per cent margin of error in judging the right spot of hand pump is allowed, but the fact is otherwise. A hand pump needs service in two years by way of flushing to improve quality of water.

The assembly pipe can be repaired, but a tendency these days is to label the hand pump as defunct or irreparable, said a hand pump expert who works in the IPH hand pump division. IPH engineers denied these allegations claiming that departments install hand pumps on the recommendation of the hydrological wing and maintain and repair them from time to time.

Sundernagar, May 29
Over 20,000 residents of panchayats of Chowk, Kanaid, Bhor and Dadour have opposed the proposed four-laning of the 4.7-km road from Naulakha to Dadour.

They sent a memorandum to the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways through the DC, Mandi, recently and demanded some alternative road between this patch as widening the road between this patch would affect the lives of residents of these four panchayats, which are thickly populated. The copies of the memorandum have also been sent to Chief Minister PK Dhumal, Union Minister Virbhadra Singh, along with other public representatives, with the request to intervene in the matter. It has been stated in the memorandum that the four-lane project would create more trouble to residents of these areas and also to the vehicular traffic as it would pass from thickly populated area.

Residents said construction/widening of road would make the life of 20,000 residents miserable as inhabitants of 500 houses and 200 commercial establishments would suffer a lot as the height of the existing road would be raised up to 3m and they would lose connectivity with the road.

Chamba, May 29
The Bhatalwan temple is fast becoming a nucleus of tourist attraction as a result of the beautification and landscaping in the environs of the temple complex.

Situated at a scenic spot in front of the hill town of Chamba across the river Ravi, the Bhatalwan temple has been gaining popularity day by day.

Various development activities undertaken by the Bhatalwan Mandir Vikas Samiti are making headway courtesy funds donated liberally by the public and other organisations thereby giving impetus to the ongoing activities.

Over1,000 saplings of deodar and other trees have been planted around the sacred place. A variety of flowers have been planted in great numbers, the samiti president Hari Ram Puri said.

“Newly constructed 108 red stone steps lead to the temple and 30 steel benches have been installed, besides two rain shelters have been raised,” Puri said, adding that a big pole light had also been installed to illuminate the temple compound.

A cost of over Rs 50 lakh had so far been incurred on beautification plan while around Rs 30 lakh more was required to accomplish the proposed civic works, Puri said.

Bilaspur, May 29
The Nagar Parishad has resented the Central government decision to sideline Bilaspur town in the NH 21 four-laning project.

While shifting the route from Jabbali to Rishikesh area across Gobind Sagar and then to Bhaged through Auhar and to Dehar and Kangoo, into Mandi district, Bilaspur town has been given a total go by from Jabbali to Sallapar area of the district, covering a distance of around 31 km.

Meeting of the Bilaspur Nagar Parishad presided by its president Rajni Sharma (BJP) and attended by all its members, including those from the Congress led by vice-president Kamlender Kashyap, recently adopted a unanimous resolution urging the Central government, the Central Highway Authority of India and the state to intervene in the matter. The decision would adversely affect the economy of Bilaspur, they said.

The Nagar Parishad suggested that if there is any practical difficulty in extending and broadening NH-21 (Chandigarh - Manali) in the main market area, a flyover could be considered as a viable option. — OC

Solan, May 29
With a few industries coming forward to employ people with disabilities in the state, their rising numbers has become a matter of concern.

Figures available with the Labour and Employment Department reveal that nearly 16,946 people with disabilities had registered themselves with the department and they were awaiting employment opportunities. With no act binding the private sector and their being limited options in the government sector to employ people with disabilities, these hapless individuals had little employment opportunities.

Despite various limitations in employing them, Baddi-based Elin Appliances has not only set an example in employing several such people, but also endeavouring to employ 10 per cent of their workforce from among the people with disabilities in the next five years.

Throwing light on their mission, JS Kang, head of the unit, says: “We are trying to identify roles within the unit which can be performed by the people with disabilities and we are also working closely with the government to identify individuals who can be given employment”.

In order to achieve this, he says they have been working on how to upgrade the existing infrastructure and design upcoming sections keeping in mind easy accessibility for these people. Efforts are also afoot to create a structured mentorship programme to provide regular guidance and support to the people with disabilities.

Kang, who is totally committed to the mission of empowering people with disabilities, narrates an incident which occurred three years ago which has strengthened his resolve to engage people with disabilities in the unit operations.

He fondly remembers the incident - “Dev Raj, the local pradhan, called me almost three years ago and told me that he wanted to meet urgently. I went to meet him in his office and he introduced a boy Santosh. Santosh was born with deformed arms and at first sight, it seemed like he will never be able to do any work. But, Dev Raj asked him to fetch a couple of files and then write down a few lines. I was shocked when I saw Santosh could pick up the whole bunch of 8-10 files lying there with ease and then jot down a few lines in one of the most beautiful handwritings I had ever seen. I offered Santosh a job immediately and since then he has been performing above expectations. If there are any others like Santosh out there, I will gladly employ every one of them.”

Elin Appliances Pvt Ltd has been employing and providing sufficient growth opportunities to the people with disabilities, be it people who were born with deformities, those who contracted the deadly polio virus or those who lost their limbs in an accident. The unit has strive hard to create relevant roles for these individuals and to provide them an opportunity to contribute as per their capability and earn their livelihood with pride and honour. At present, seven or almost 3 per cent workers from a total workforce of around 250 are people with disabilities, says Kang.

The people with disabilities, who are employed, earn their livelihood with a sense of pride and honour as the unit management is aware of their disabilities and the associated limitations.

“The unit also ensures that the people with disabilities do not face inconvenience while working. Therefore, they have to undergo tests which can help judge the exact work they are fit for and the work does not inconvenience them in anyway,” explains Kang, who adds that they are even trained to ensure career growth and advancement.

With a few industries coming forward to employ the people with disabilities, Elin Appliances has not only set an example for others to emulate, but also exhibited its humanitarian approach for the lesser privileged.

Bilaspur, May 29
Tributes were paid to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at a function held at Indira Bhawan here recently. The day was observed as Anti-terrorism Day.

The chief guest Ranjit Singh Varma, former industries minister and now the state president of Rajiv Gandhi Punchayati Raj Sangathan of the Congress party said Rajiv Gandhi played a pivotal role in empowering gram panchayats in the country. He said his path breaking steps brought a sea change in the functioning of this basic and deep rooted unit in every village of the country.

A large number of Congress leaders and party men were present.

Varma said it was Rajiv Gandhi who laid a strong foundation of modern India through a number of historical steps, including the introduction of modern technology and IT technology in a big way as the Prime Minister of India. Like his illustrious mother Indira Gandhi, he also laid down his life for the country. The country needs to be vigilant against the threat to national security.

Ranjit said Gandhi took bold steps such as introducing 30 per cent reservation for women in local bodies and gram panchayats and gave real power to the youth of the country by reducing the age of voting to 18 years. Apart from these he ushered the IT revolution in the country, he added.

District Sangathan president and former MLA Dr Babu Ram Gauttam, former MLA Tilak Raj Sharma and prominent leaders state party spokesman Dipak Sharma, district Congress president Santosh Dhiman, Colonel (retd) AP Gauttam, Mast Ram Varma, Pratap Kaundal, Sita Ram Sharma also spoke on the occasion.

Raj Kumar Tadu, Prithvi Singh, Captain Ram Singh, Manender Chandel, Basant Ram Varma, Bhag Singh, Shankar Singh Chandel, Sunder Lal Vardhan, Kamlender Kashyap, Rakesh Varma, Narottam Sharma, Narendra Billoria, Rajender Thakur, Himmat Singh, Roshan Lal Varma, Mast Ram Katwal, Shashi Bala, Pravin Sharma, Devender Sharma, Ram Dass Gauttam, Tara Devi, Rup Lal were also present.

Chamba, May 29
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has embarked on a flagship environment management plan (EMP) in a big way to cater to all aspects of environment conservation with respect to hydropower development in the environs of the ongoing 231 MW Chamera hydroelectric project stage-III on the river Ravi.

In addition to this, community and social development plan for the affected areas has also been undertaken. The NHPC is actively participating to create a pollution-free environment in and around the project.

In the Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) plan, rehabilitation of construction areas and dumping sites, disaster management plan, fisheries development plan, public health delivery system, provision of fuel wood and energy conservation measures will be covered.

Under the EMP, an allocation of Rs 56.60 crore has been made, out of which an expenditure of Rs 49.80 crore has been incurred on the execution of various aspects of the plan, said AK Malhotra, General Manager of the project.

Besides establishing a separate identity in the construction of hydropower projects, the NHPC is also performing its responsibilities in social development. In Chamera-III project, the NHPC has completed development works like construction of roads, bridges, school building, community centre, rain-shelter, footpath, playgrounds, public toilets and crematoria etc.

In the field of education, the poor and needy students in the precincts of the project area are being provided free school bags, study material, school uniforms, shoes, etc and also awarded scholarships to motivate and encourage the poor but talented students.

In the field of health, the project holds free medical camps in remote areas where medical facility is limited. The medical check-up and treatment of local people is undertaken through specialist doctors and the project doctors. Besides, free medicines are also given to the patients.

The Chamera-III project is conducting free job-orientated training programmes like tailoring and sewing courses for promoting self-employment among the women folk in local villages.

Self-help group movement in the state is quite vibrant. It has covered over 6.50 lakh families through a network of SHGs and farmers’ club by extending a loan of 11.08 crore. It has gradually evolved as an effective instrument for transforming the lives of rural poor, mainly due to the pioneering and dedicated efforts of non-government organisations and banks.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) fittingly honoured the self-help groups (SHGs), farmers’ club, banks and other organisations which excelled in the field of micro-credit in the state. A total of 46 awards were given away, 16 relating to farmers clubs and 30 to the SHGs promoting institutions.

The NABARD initially planned to have minimum one farmers’ club for each rural and semi- urban bank branch for effective technology transfer and credit outreach, but had now succeeded with the close cooperation of banks and NGOs in forming 2,263 farmers clubs associating about 30,000 farmers and covering 5,700 villages as against 1,527 semi-urban and rural bank branches in the state. The facilitation of technology transfer absorption from universities to farmers and improving access of the small and marginal farmers.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was also the chief guest on the occasion, lauded the role of NABARD in making the micro-credit movement in the hill state a big success to boost the development process and bringing about a quiet socio-economic transformation in the rural areas of the state, especially through the participation of women.

Presiding over the function, Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy emphasised the close and effective linkages between the banking sector and farmers as also the members of the SHGs to enable sustainable socio-economic development in the rural areas.