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High-level committee to probe phone tapping
Alcohol to cost dearer in hill state
Winter Sojourn
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Govt aims at aerial, ground seeding of sea-buckthorn
Govt to revive Pabbar water supply project
Organised crime on the rise in BBN area
Teachers seek change in vacation, exam schedules
Insurance co told to pay Rs 1,87,125 as claim
Mandi police organises mini marathon
Chief Justice Kurian Joseph to be Judge in SC
Cong flays BJP for lack of development
Martyr cremated with full honours
‘Khadi board to generate job opportunities for youth’
Property worth lakhs gutted
Kullu Dasehra
Tech project to help farmers
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High-level committee to probe phone tapping
Shimla, March 4 Even as the terms of reference of the high-powered committee being constituted to probe the matter are being decided, it is certain that it will determine who was responsible for the alleged illegal act which had violated the privacy of individuals, including senior politicians and bureaucrats. The committee will comprise senior police officials with integrity and forensic experts who will hold the inquiry and submit its report to the government. Based on the findings of the committee, the government will decide whether an FIR is registered against the guilty or some other action is taken under the Indian Telegraph Act. The first and foremost task of the team will be to ascertain the number of phones illegally put under surveillance. “They will try to find out whether the lapse was at the level of the police or the service provider was also a party to it,” said a senior bureaucrat. Service providers will be told to produce documentary evidence to prove innocence. Though the team of experts from the State Forensic Science Laboratory at Junga had given two separate reports on the alleged phone tapping by the CID and the Vigilance Bureau, enquiries revealed that only the technical wing of the CID had the equipment for surveillance and interception of phones. Vigilance routes its request for putting under surveillance phones of officials whose integrity is in doubt through the CID. The CID seeks permission from the Home Department on behalf of Vigilance and then intercepts the phones. “Since Vigilance has no equipment for direct surveillance, the CID intercepts the phone and redirects it on the number of the Vigilance Bureau,” said an official. There is a possibility that the numbers retrieved from the hard disc of the computers of the Vigilance Bureau are the same as those are found in the hard discs of the CID. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had confirmed that a majority of the over 800 numbers found in the hard discs of the CID computers had been intercepted without permission. He had said since this was a serious and sensitive issue, the guilty would not be spared. looking for the guilty
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Alcohol to cost dearer in hill state
Shimla, March 4 The new Excise Policy for 2013-14, which was approved by the state Cabinet on March 2, proposes almost 25 per cent increase in the receipts from excise, considering the poor financial health of the government. The target of raking in Rs 1,005 crore through the sale of liquor will include Rs 55.36 crore on account of VAT. To increase the income from excise, the government intends hiking the licence fee as well as duty on liquor. The duty on country liquor will be increased from Rs 130 to Rs 141 per proof litre and for IMFL from Rs 184 to Rs 210 per proof litre, while taking into account the prices in the neighbouring states. While on beer, which is mostly imported into the state from outside, the proposed hike in duty will be Rs 7 per proof litre. Much to the discomfiture of distillers, the wastage, which was earlier fixed at 6 per cent, has been brought down to 3 per cent. “This has been done on account of the modernisation of bottling plants and latest techniques and the fact that it will also check the siphoning off of liquor,” said state Excise and Taxation Commissioner Rajinder Singh Negi. While the quota for country liquor has been marginally increased from Rs 1.87 crore proof litre to Rs 1.89 crore proof litre, in case of the IMFL there will be a decline over last year from Rs 1.49 crore to Rs 1.06 crore proof litre in the coming financial year. A significant feature of the policy is the withdrawal of the discretionary power to field officers of the department to deviate from the allowed quota so as to check its abuse and misuse. He said stringent measures had been incorporated in the policy to negate the power of overcharging. “We will ensure stringent enforcement of the Excise Policy and a provision has been made to cancel the licence of anyone who is found guilty of selling it at a price higher than the maximum retail price (MRP) on more than three occasions.” The directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to instal closed-circuit cameras in all distilleries, breweries and bottling plants during the Assembly elections to check the illegal flow of alcohol proved to be a blessing in disguise for the government. The increase in receipts from distilleries from Rs 18.54 crore to Rs 22.84 crore on this account has prompted the government to make the installation of cameras in all the 22 such units in the state compulsory in the new policy. |
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Winter Sojourn
Dharamsala, March 4 He played down the hype surrounding the undoing of projects and moves of the previous government. He concentrated on providing better governance to the people by redressing their grievances. During his stay in Dharamsala, he was flanked by Minister for Housing and Urban Development Sudhir Sharma and Himachal Road Transport Corporation Vice-Chairman Kewal Singh Pathania. Talking to mediapersons, the Chief Minister said the government might take some time before taking action on the issue of Pavillion, the five-star hotel of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) here. He said an inquiry was going on regarding the violation of laws on land allotment. He said they wanted a thorough probe into the matter before taking any decision. Responding to a question regarding allotment of tea garden land to the Prashant Bhushan’s educational society, the Chief Minister said records of land allotment were being collected. Replying to a question if the government would constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe phone tapping during the previous regime, he said the case had been handed over to Vigilance and there was no move on a SIT. On reconstituting the state administrative tribunal, the Chief Minister said employee unions had not approached the government on the matter. The government would consider reviving the tribunal when demanded, he said. The Chief Minister downplayed the tussle between Independent MLA from Kangra Pawan Kajal and Congress candidate Surinder Kaku who had lost. The Chief Minister said Kajal was an associate member of the Congress and Kaku was a leader of the party and so, both would be given importance by the government. Speaking on restoration of air services, he said it was unfortunate that flights to all three airports in the state had been suspended. He said this had affected the tourism industry. He accused the BJP government of misusing funds sanctioned for development of tourism infrastructure. The Chief Minister inaugurated the secrecy branch building of the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board. Parliamentary Secretary for Education Neeraj Bharti was present. Kangra: Virbhadra Singh said on Monday that he had not received the report of the Kangra district authorities on the Prashant Bhushan tea garden land issue and the government would take effective steps only after receiving it. The Chief Minister was talking to mediapersons at PWD Rest House here after his arrival on the second day of the first phase of the winter sojourn. The Chief Minister said he had no personal grudge against Ramdev, but the land was meant for a recreation park for children. He said the purpose of land use had been changed and the matter would be decided only in court. In reply to a question where the foundation stone of the Central University would be laid, he said clearance of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests was awaited and the decision would be taken only after receiving it. He said Kangra would be developed with an eye on temple tourism. He said work on sewerage would be expedited to make it operational. In reply to another question, the Chief Minister said the bachat bhavan project would be looked into by the government to ensure its completion. He pointed out that former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar had laid its foundation stone two decades back after which it was left in the lurch by the BJP despite two terms in power. Asked about the expansion of municipal limits of the town, Virbhadra Singh said, “This is a suggestion and the government will take action.” He said the state government had decided to bring back both the PWD division and subdivision to the DRPGMC in Tanda to provide daily maintenance at the medical institution. He said the politicians who were raising the issue of his bad health were mentally sick and living in a fool’s paradise. He said in a lighter vein that he could run on the main roads without stopping. Virbhadra Singh said the Kangra block Congress committee led by Kewal Choudhary constituted by him was the actual one and not the one led by Raj Kumar Jaswal. Virbhdra Singh assured MCMDAV College lecturers and employees that their demand of restoring 95 per cent grant-in-aid would be met so that the employees did not suffer. Members of the Himachal Pradesh Non-Government College Lecturers Association led by its president Kapil Vaid called on the Chief Minister and requested him that 95 per cent grant-in-aid be restored. The Chief Minister assured resident doctors with the DRPGMC in Tanda led by Dr Rahul Gupta which demanded a ‘serai’ for attendants of patients and an increase in the number of registrations counters for patients. The Chief Minister heard and and redressed grievances of the people. People waited for their turn in long queues. The Chief Minister was flanked by Sudhir Sharma and Pawan Kajal. Palampur: Virbhadra Singh said on Monday that the government would investigate all cases of benami land deals that had come to light during the previous regime. The Chief Minister said the government would scrutinise each deal and would not hesitate to take over the land if any illegality was detected. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said it was a serious matter and the government could not remain silent on the issue. He said the issue of benami land deals was part of the charge sheet against the PK Dhumal-led government submitted to the President and his government was morally bound to look into such cases. In reply to a question, he said the government would go through all cases of land transfer to private universities by the previous BJP government. He said proper rules were not framed while transferring land and his government would incorporate provisions that land would vest with the state government if a university become defunct. The Chief Minister said his government wanted to promote cricket in the state. He appreciated the efforts of the HPCA in setting up a cricket stadium in Dharamsala and said his government was never prejudiced against the HPCA. The Chief Minister said he was concerned at the crisis being faced by tea growers in the Kangra valley. He said the Centre had announced a project for the development and revival of the Kangra tea industry. He said new plantations would be developed and existing ones replaced. He said a special financial package would be given for the revival of abandoned tea gardens. He added that the state government would extend its full cooperation to the Union Commerce Ministry which would execute the project. |
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Govt aims at aerial, ground seeding of sea-buckthorn
Kullu, March 4 The project awaits the nod of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The state has planned aerial seeding like China which has raised sea-buckthorn on 30 lakh hectare and set up 500 industries based on it. River siltation will be checked as sea-buckthorn grows at an altitude of between 1,500 metres to 4,000 metres, say scientists. The Centre has proposed the Rs 46,000-crore Green India Mission under which sea-buckthorn accounts for Rs 1,000 crore in Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Himachal Pradesh will get Rs 300 crore, say the scientists. Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri said they would expedite their case with the MoEF so that farmers, cooperative societies and local non-government organisations could be trained and involved in the mission. “We will take up the proposal to set up a department of sea-buckthorn at the agricultural university in Palampur,” he said. “An improved variety of drilbu has been planted and the model on sea-buckthorn has been submitted to the Centre. We propose plantation on 2,000 hectare once we get the nod,” said Dr Virender Singh, senior scientist at the university. He claimed that the drilbu variety was the richest source of Vitamin C. According to him, this variety had 10 times Vitamin C compared to the best known Russian strains and had a bigger fruit size. He claimed that 100 fruits of this variety yielded 32 gram of juice which was the highest yield as the same number of the best known Himalayan variety yielded between 12 gram and 15 gram of juice. Dr Virender Singh said the drilbu variety was rich in omega and fatty acid. He added that it was good for those suffering from cardiovascular diseases and was used in the cosmetics and drugs industries. He said the model developed by the university has been submitted to the Centre. “We will train farmers and self-help groups and give them plants so that the target of plantation on 2,000 hectare in 10 years is achieved. Two Russian varieties are being tested,” he said. He pointed out that China has gone in for aerial and field sea-buckthorn seeding. |
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Govt to revive Pabbar water supply project
Shimla, March 4 The augmentation of water supply to the city by lifting water from the Giri river has provided only a temporary relief and will suffice only for the next three to four years. A permanent solution could be found only by tapping the Pabbar water as it could provide 68 MLD of additional water, which would be enough to serve a population of six lakh, three times the current population, said Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes. Although water will have to be fetched from sources located 180 km away near Chander Nahan, the scheme is considered attractive as no pumping of water will be required. Shimla is located at 2,200 m and water will flow down by the force of gravity which will help save about Rs 50 crore spent on electricity required for pumping. However, the major problem is that the Rs 1,350-crore (2009 estimate) scheme involves construction of a 180-km double pipeline, a large portion of which will pass through the virgin forest areas and private land. Almost 65 km length starting from Narkanda, Baghi, Sungri, Moral Danda, Deodhar and other places up to Janglik will have to be laid through thick forests. It will require virtually a five-metre-wide corridor for which thousands of trees will have to be axed and another 35-km length will pass through private land. Forest clearance and acquisition of private land will be major hurdles. However, Stokes said if the state carried out compensatory afforestation, there should be no problem in securing forest clearance. Besides, the department was also working on some other proposals, which include lifting of water from the Kol Dam reservoir and tapping water from the tail race of the Luhri project. Engineer-in-Chief RK Sharma said the Kol Dam scheme would cost Rs 515 crore as water would have to be pumped up in two stages and treatment would be carried out after stage-I. In case of the Luhri scheme, the advantage was that de-silted water would be available from the tail race from a point upstream the Kol Dam reservoir. However, the project would not come up before 2022 and as such it could not be an immediate option, he added. |
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New technology can revolutionise solar power generation: Scientist
Sundernagar, March 4 This is the highest level of efficiency achieved in the world so far, claimed eminent scientist Chandra Shekhar, who heads the Instrument Design and Development Centre at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi. This new technology held the key to the future in harnessing solar energy, he said. Dr Shekhar was here to deliver the keynote address during the national workshop on renewable energy at Jawahar Lal Nehru Engineering College here. India would benefit if it built solar power stations, he suggested. The initial cost could be high, but the country which adopted this new technology would lead in the near future, he claimed. He said they had not calculated the exact cost of a solar power plant. “It is as competent as thermal and hydroelectricity power plants and the cost will not exceed Rs 5 crore per megawatt. Solar energy has an advantage over thermal, hydroelectric and nuclear energy as it is clean, free and environment friendly and involves little maintenance,” he said. He pointed out that conventional solar cells broke when the temperature increased beyond 100 degree Centigrade. “The holographic solar concentrator has found a universal solution to this problem. We have used a tracking system as sunlight shifts and have achieved the highest efficiency level,” he said. The tracking system focused sunlight into a small beam and photo-voltaic cells converted light into electric current using the photoelectric effect, the scientist explained. This breakthrough had come at a time when the National Solar Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change aimed at generating 1,000 MW of solar power by 2013, he said. India increased its grid-connected photo-voltaic cells from 2.5 MW to 1,000 MW last year, he further said. The government should use the new technology as the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aimed to instal 4 GW of solar power in the Central sector and 6 GW in the state sector, he said. He added that Himachal Pradesh could play a pivotal role in it. Dr SS Chandel, solar technologist, said they had developed a hybrid of solar and wind energy using heat and steam for cooking and lighting. “We lit the NIT campus. Government buildings and other institutions could adopt it as it saves electricity and liquefied petroleum gas consumption, he added. The 354-MW Mojave solar power plant in California and the 214-MW Charanka solar park in Gujarat figured among the world’s largest solar plants, he said. The Thar desert, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Ladakh were potential areas for tapping solar power for local and commercial use, he added. |
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Organised crime on the rise in BBN area
Solan, March 4 He had been arrested in a case involving theft of vehicles on April 7, 2011, and was presently on bail. The police has recovered a country-made pistol, eight bullets, eight cellphones, seven SIM cards, a laptop and a debit card from Rajkumar, who is part of an organised gang of criminals. What was more surprising was the easy availability of country-made pistols, which are being recovered every now and then from criminals. While the police has failed to trace how such pistols are available with ease in the BBN area, their availability to criminals has become a cause of concern for the residents. An ATM of Axis Bank at Jharmajri was uprooted by miscreants in January and about Rs 12 lakh was stolen from it. Not only this, miscreants had looted around Rs 4.7 lakh cash from a youth near Khera in Baddi in February while he was going to Nalagarh after collecting cash from various agents. A migrant labourer was beaten to death using stones near Bagvania a few days ago. These are not isolated incidents and such incidents have been reported time and again in the area. S Arul Kumar, SP, Baddi, said an easy availability of country-made pistols was an alarming revelation which necessitated the need to step-up vigil and undertake preventive measures like checking of migrants at every entry points. “Since such weapons are easily available in states like Uttar Pradesh, they appear to be brought here by the migrants,” he said. |
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Residents demand withdrawal of college closure orders
Sundernagar, March 4 The memorandum said the college was opened by the previous government in August 2012 and the staff was deputed and arrangements for a building were made, but it was unfortunate that the Congress government had ordered the authorities to close the college, which was situated in the most interior area of Mandi district and was catering to the needs of residents of 10 panchayats who had to come here by travelling a distance of more than 60 km and had to cover an equal distance to visit
Karsog, another subdivision of Mandi district. |
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Teachers seek change in vacation, exam schedules
Nurpur, March 4 Onkar Rana, general secretary of the union, said here today that the old vacation schedule had proved to be appropriate to winter as well as summer-closing schools. The union leaders urged Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to regularise the services of ad hoc principals, contract and para-teachers who had completed three years of service. They also demanded the filling of vacant posts in government schools by promoting teachers to lecturers and trained graduate teachers (TGTs) from qualified JBTs and C & V teachers and raise the retirement age of teachers from 58 to 60 years. |
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Insurance co told to pay Rs 1,87,125 as claim
Sundernagar, March 4 It further directed the company to pay Rs 1,500 as compensation and Rs 1,500 as the cost of litigation to Suraj Soni, proprietor of Soni Electronics based at Bhojpur Bazar in the town. The complainant, selling mobile phones, digital cameras and other electronic items at his shop, had, to cover the risk, taken out the Shopkeeper Insurance Policy, w.e.f November 12, 2010, to November 11, 2011. On June 26, 2011, when he opened the shop, he found his cash box broken and 32 mobile phones and 10 digital cameras missing. The matter was reported to the police. The complainant submitted the claim to the insurance company. The investigator of the insurance company worked out the loss at Rs 1,87,125, but later the claim was rejected on the ground that no force was stated to be used during theft as per the investigation report. The complainant filed the complaint before the forum for allowing the claim along with compensation. The forum held that the act of insurance company (rejecting the claim of the complainant) amounted to deficiency in service as given in the Consumer Protection Act, and directed it to pay the amount assessed by the surveyor. |
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Mandi police organises mini marathon
Mandi, March 4 Flagged off by Atul Verma, IG, Police, Central Range, from the historic Seri Manch, as many as 128 male and 113 female participants took part in the event. Of them 109 males and 19 females contested for the race. Policeman Dinesh Kumar came second and got a prize of Rs 15,000. Ishwar Singh, Army man from Gugan, Una, won the third prize of Rs11,000. Eight of the participants won consolation prizes of Rs 1,000 each in both
the categories. Arpita of Muzzafarnagar (UP) came second and won Rs 15,000 cash prize, while Kanta Devi of Kandhi (Seraj) won the third prize of Rs 11,000. Eight others also got consolation prizes. Accompanied by SP, Mandi, RS Negi, IG, distributed the prizes among the winners.
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Chief Justice Kurian Joseph to be Judge in SC
Shimla, March 4 The Chief Justice said, “Judicial function is divine, but the whole problem starts when judicial officers start thinking that they
are divine.” He said judicial institutions should be people-friendly as citizens came to the court as a matter of right and not for charity. So they must be respected and justice given to them by understanding their pains and sufferings. He added that a person should not be denied justice for not having any wealth. He added that he had made an attempt to make this institution people-friendly so that litigants would approach the court without fear and talk to the Chief justice in the open court. The High Court Bar Association has a mixed feeling of sorrow and joy about the news of the elevation of the Chief Justice. The Bar appreciates the efforts made by the Chief Justice of bringing a system of grouping the case, which has ultimately resulted in the speedy disposal of cases. The Bar has appreciated the Chief Justice’s efforts of mediation between family members in the open court and many disputes were resolved this way. Bar Association members stated that the Chief Justice was a great human being and had made efforts to provide
justice to citizens.
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Cong flays BJP for lack of development
Bilaspur, March 4 This was stated by Ram Lal Thakur, chairman, State Planning Development and 20-Point Programme Implementation Committee, while addressing a public meeting at Suharghat, about 42 km from here, yesterday. Thakur said it was Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who got sanctioned the Changar Medium Irrigation Project, which was expected to bring a new era of financial boom in the area. He said it was the Chief Minister, who inaugurated the Baghchhal bridge, near Jagatkhana. He alleged that the BJP did not take any interest in the construction of the bridge during its tenure and thus deprived the people of its benefits. Thakur said not only a large number of employment would be generated but also a system of unemployment allowance would be introduced in the state for the first time. He said social service pension had been increased by Rs 50 per month and all the students would be entitled to travel free of cost to schools on HRTC buses from April 1. Those who were present on the occasion included block Congress president Sarpal Thakur, general secretary Narvir Thakur and 25 presidents and vice-presidents of various gram
panchayats.
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Sanskrit contest held
Kangra, March 4 Prof Harekrishna Mahapatra, principal of the institute, spoke on the importance of Sanskrit literature on the occasion. Two plays, “Sawapanvasavadattam” and “Uttaramcharitam”, written by Poets Bhasa and Bhavabhuti were staged on the occasion. In the closing session, Prof KB Subbarayudu, Registrar, Professor Harekrishna, principal and Prof Ramakant Shukla addressed the gathering.
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Martyr cremated with full honours
Bilaspur, March 4 Army personnel fired several rounds in the air and sounded the Last Post after reversing the arms as the last salute to the martyr after they placed wreaths on his body at the cremation ground of his village, 55 km from
here, today. Hundreds of villagers were present, including former MLA Dr Biru Ram Kishore, BDC member Nand Lal, BJP Mandal president Subhash Minhas and panchayat president
Baldev Dass. Tehsildar BR Thakur and Deputy Superintendent of Police Pratap Singh Thakur placed wreaths on the behalf of the government as his six-year-old son lit
the pyre. Kuldip Singh was in the Assam Rifles and posted at Dimapur (Nagaland). He died in harness as he suddenly collapsed after a massive heart attack during night duty at a treacherous terrain on February 28. A large number of Army men accompanied by officers arrived here last night with his body draped in the national flag. He is survived by his wife, son Gaurav (6) and daughter Anjali (3).
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‘Khadi board to generate job opportunities for youth’
Nurpur, March 4 He said the board would also launch a special drive to motivate youth to wear khadi clothes. “With the support of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, I will try my best to revive the khadi board in the state. The board will also formulate a strategy to generate self-employment career opportunities for the youth,” he said. Katoch was accorded a rousing reception by Congress workers. Local MLA Manohar Dhiman said he would also try to revive the cottage industry in the state.
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Property worth lakhs gutted
Bilaspur, March 4 Though members of the family escaped, nothing could be saved from inside the house as each and every item turned into ashes within a very short time. All efforts of villagers, who also gathered on the spot, failed to salvage anything. The fire could be brought under control after more than two hours. A short-circuit is said to be the cause of the fire. The actual loss is being assessed by the revenue authorities. A case has been registered by the police. Meanwhile, Chairman, State Planning Committee, Ram Lal Thakur also visited and consoled the family. He also assured the family of full financial help.
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Kullu Dasehra
Kullu, March 4 Baldev Singh issued the order after hearing a petition filed by Abhishek Rai, who runs Himalayan Environment Protection Society,
an NGO. The order said the petitioner had cited a report published in The Tribune, which had highlighted the increased levels of pollution during the festival, which posed health hazards to patients at the Regional Hospital, Kullu. The Judge directed the Chairman of the committee to allot kiosks properly. The petitioner has alleged that the committee allowed kiosks and stalls for weeks even after the festival was over. “These kiosks posed health hazard to patients, created pollution and did not have proper toilets and waste disposal facilities,” Rai charged. The kiosks should be removed immediately after the fair was over, he demanded. |
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Hamirpur, March 4 This information was given by Deputy Commissioner, Hamirpur, Ashish Singhmar, while presiding over a review meeting of the ATMA project, here today. He said 12,690 farmers had been benefited by spending Rs 93 lakh to provide them information regarding hybrid seeds and taking them for excursions to have knowledge of technology, besides providing them various inputs for farming. — TNS
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