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Crime vulnerability mapping on
Building owner wants school
to vacate premises
High Court directs state to remove unauthorised eateries
PWD gears to wrap up ‘unfinished’ work
CM for curbing illegal mining in state
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2 held in child murder case
Rs 2.44 crore okayed for water supply schemes
Aadhaar cards enrolment touches 85 pc in Chamba
Department removes 66 illegal encroachments from forestland
Female leopard with cubs sited near Mehla
LPG delivery vehicles to equip with loudspeakers soon
Special relaxation in NIT admissions
Sir Sai University gets AICTE approval
Nagar parishad adopts budget
Bharmouri calls on Union minister
Speed up work to achieve targets: DC
Body found in check dam
Blood donation camp
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Crime vulnerability mapping on
Shimla, May 3 The entire exercise could take another month when the crime profile of every district and region based on exhaustive data and statistics would be available. Once the mapping exercise is over, the police will initiate intervention programmes jointly with other agencies concerned. “This is primarily being done so that the police is aware of the crime profile of an area and is accordingly trained and equipped to tackle the problem,” said Sanjay Kundu, Inspector-General of Police (Law and Order). He added that based on results of the exercise, an early warning system would be put in place to be able to check the specific crime peculiar to a district or an area. This would be followed with proper tracking and neutralising so that the crime graph could be brought down, he added. Citing examples, he said industrial belts were witnessing a spurt in looting, dacoity and theft whereas there were instances of women going missing in the interior parts of Sirmaur and Shimla districts. “Once we have a complete database, we will be in a better position to undertake focused intervention rather than being non-specific,” said Kundu. The mapping exercise will also help the Himachal Police gear up in terms of training of personnel to tackle specific crime. With national highways witnessing major accidents resulting in loss of human lives, the police will suggest in consultation with other government agencies like the public works and health departments steps which can be taken to reduce accidents and provide a quick response to deal with the injured. Steps will be taken to check inter-state crime by undertaking Google plotting of state barriers. Data on temple theft will help identify shortcomings which help international smugglers in laying their hands on antiques which find way into international markets. An exhaustive exercise will be taken to recover illegal arms and ammunition as it has been witnessed that such arms are used in looting and murder, especially in districts like Una, Sirmaur and Solan which border neighbouring states.
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Building owner wants school
to vacate premises
Mandi, May 3 Owner Yogesh Behl had leased out the building to the school, but later he noticed that the roof was leaking and seepage in the back wall had made the house unsafe for the kids. “I will not be responsible if any tragedy or accident takes place due to the negligence of school management,” he claimed in a letter, written to the principal and the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, a copy of which is available with The Tribune. He also alleged that the construction done on the government land nearby his house could endanger the safety of the children studying there. “We stand by the revenue inquiry, but he bears no responsibility if something happens to the kids in the school,” he added. Behl claimed that a big landslide had erupted on the Mandi-Kamand road right behind the house. "The illegal construction on the nearby government land was complicating the safety of the house and schoolchildren. I cannot risk their life just for the sake of Rs 12,000,” he stated in the complaint lodged with the DC. On the other hand, the school owner-cum-principal Shailja Sharma claimed that the school had got a safety certificate from the PWD after they took the building on lease from the owner for two years. “The owner is bothering us unnecessary and we have replied to his letter through our legal advisor,” she claimed. DC Mandi Devesh Kumar said they had marked an inquiry in the case to the SDM, Mandi Sadar, Shubhkaran Sharma. “The station house officer and tehsildar sadar have been asked to conduct the inquiry and submit the report to him,” Sharma added.
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High Court directs state to remove unauthorised eateries
Shimla, May, 3 The High Court further cautioned the officers that “failure to take prompt action, as per this direction, would entail an appropriate proceeding against the secretary of the Forest Department, and Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. The court also directed the police authorities to provide all logistical support to the officials concerned when-ever required. Passing the order, a Bench comprising Chief Justice AM Khanwillkar and Justice RB Misra observed, “The zero-tolerance level should be maintained for such unauthorised activities in the forest area.” The Bench further observed, “We are not inclined to accept the excuse offered by the state authorities that it will not be possible for them to provide mobile food stalls as an alternative to the tourists or visitors in such a short time. At the same time, we have observed that the visitors or tourists do not travel till Rohtang for food and drinks, but to enjoy the nature and observe the surroundings.” The Bench also said, “The state cannot be party to the littering of the area due to strewn disposed of food items and packing material in the region and especially when it is not in a position to reassure the court that the mechanism provided by the state for clearing and disposal of waste in the highly sensitive ecological area.” The suo motu proceedings have been initiated by the court in relation to environment issues arising on account of the increasing number of private vehicles and taxis of those visiting Manali and Rohtang Pass.
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PWD gears to wrap up ‘unfinished’ work
Solan, May 3 It was worth mentioning that the PWD had got this road repaired from a private contractor who not only delayed the work, but also executed substandard work. The road was, however, repaired again after completion of the work, but it has led to a situation where the formation width appeared to be much greater than the carriageway at several places. The PWD labourers were seen giving finishing touches to the road which involved filling the sides with muck. With poor finishing, the sides of the entire road were at a lower level than the carriageway which was now being levelled using mud fillings. With no provision of laying bituminous macadam to ensure a smooth finish and improve the alignment, one wondered why Rs 1.37 crore were invested on this road which was barely about 7-km-long. Though officials of the PWD asserted that six new culverts were laid and an equal number of old ones were repaired apart from repairing the old carriageway, but it was surprising to note that the formation width and the carriageway were of the same width at several places after the repair. Despite the road having been widened by the PWD much before the private contractor was awarded, the contract to repair its bitumen was laid only on the old alignment. This not only made driving risky for the two-wheelers, but the lack of proper finishing would lead to early wear and tear of the edges once it rains thus defeating the very purpose of having undertaken an elaborate repair work stretching over the two years. PWD officials, when quizzed, said there was no provision of finishing the contract, hence bitumen was laid only on the old existing road. The department was yet to erect a board displaying the amount spent and work executed on this road though it was a standard norm. The substandard work executed on this road has remained under a controversy ever since there was a delay of one-year-and-a-six months and later for shoddy work.
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CM for curbing illegal mining in state
Una, May 3 The Chief Minister, who was on a visit to Una district, yesterday announced opening of a subtehsil at Jol in Chintpurni Assembly constituency. He was addressing a public meeting at Jabehar after laying a foundation stone of a bridge on Lander khad to be constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore on Sohari-Chaksarai road of Una district yesterday. The Chief Minister said the state government would adopt zero-tolerance towards corruption. He said anyone found involved in corrupt practises, including the employees of the state government, would be dealt with strictly. He said the state government was committed for an overall development of the state and efforts were afoot to strengthen the economy by initiating various austerity measures. He said the state government had taken numerous decisions and started many ambitious schemes to benefit every section of the society within four months of its reign. The Chief Minister announced opening of a primary health centre at Chaksarai, constructing a stadium in Behar Jaswan and installing 50 hand pumps in Chintpurni area during the current financial year for ensuring adequate drinking water facility to the people of the area. He said Jabehar, Takrola, Bhaira and Kinnu schools would be upgraded to Senior Secondary Schools, besides starting Science classes at Senior Secondary Schools, Behar Jaswan and Suri. Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, MLA Kuldeep Kumar and Deputy Commissioner-cum-commissioner, Chintpurni Temple Trust, Abhishek Jain presented a cheque of Rs 51 lakh to the Chief Minister towards the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Earlier, the Chief Minister was given a rousing reception en-route to Jabehar from Una. MLA and former minister Kuldeep Kumar welcomed the Chief Minister and said the people would be benefited with the construction of Lander bridge. He said 10 panchayats of Kutlehar area had been included in the Chintpurni Assembly constituency. He apprised the Chief Minister about various problems of the area.Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri, vice-chairman, HRTC, Kewal Singh Pathania, former Deputy Speaker Ram Dass Malangar and senior leaders of Congress Party and senior officers were also present on the occasion.
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2 held in child murder case
Nirmand (Kullu), May 3 According to the police investigation, Kishore lured the boy from his house where he was playing. Kishore reportedly offered Sumit chocolate in a bid to silence him when he cried. Contractor Manohar Lal, also from Bihar, who had employed Kishore, was arrested for destroying evidence. The accused had put the body in a carton which was placed in a cement bag nearby, according to the police investigation. Victim’s parents Ganga Devi and Bhasker Dev demanded strict action against the accused and the contractor. They demanded strict action against sub-inspector Het Ram who had allegedly snubbed them and delayed action. They lodged a report on April 22, but the first information report was lodged on April 24. The delayed action had infuriated local residents who had gheraoed the Nirmand police station. They had demanded strict action against the accused and proper monitoring and registration of migrant labourers and contractors from outside the state. Kullu Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar said the police had arrested both and they would remain in police custody till May 4. The contractor was involved in construction at Nirmand, he added. He said the migrant labourers with him were registered with the police. The sub-inspector was under suspension and allegations against him were been probed, he added. The police had recovered the body from a field near a government school three days after the crime. The police had nabbed A team led by Assistant Directors BR Rawat and Rajesh Kumar had collected evidence from the spot and established the link with the accused.
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Rs 2.44 crore okayed for water supply schemes
Bilaspur, May 3 This was said by the Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Forests and Fisheries, Rajesh Dharmani, while addressing a large gathering at Bhapraal village after hearing the grievances of villagers in a day- long "Meet the People" camp here on Wednesday. He said Rs 1.24 crore would be spent on the Kaamli-Kothi-Ghandalwin drinking water supply schemes while work on Bhapraal - Bani - Badaun lift drinking water supply scheme would be implemented at top priority during this year. He advised the farmers to form “Kisan Committees" so that they could take advantage of several Central Government irrigation schemes which were easily sanctioned for Kisan committees and could usher in a new era of prosperity and happiness. Earlier, Dharmani inaugurated Rs 11.94 lakh veterinary dispensary building at Kathlag and exhorted villagers to rear goats and sheep for improving their financial position. He said farmers were being provided good quality goats and sheep under the Mid Himalaya Watershed Development Project and they should take full advantage of the facility. Addressing a public meeting at Badhaghat, Chief Parliamentary Secretary said a project on goats and sheep rearing would be prepared and implemented in the area. He honoured farmer Narender Patial, who donated his 3 biswa land for the veterinary dispensary building. He said work on the Karyalag-Nagori Pind Talab road would be started soon as Rs 3.6 crore had been sanctioned for it.
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Aadhaar cards enrolment touches 85 pc in Chamba
Chamba, May 3 Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, Kadam Sandeep Vasant, revealed here today that a population of 4,17,176 had been enrolled for the preparation of their Aadhaar cards against a target of 5,18,844, adding that the process for preparation of the cards had also been speeded up. The DC said so far 3,87,907 Aadhaar cards had been prepared and issued to the recipients. As many as 16 booths for the preparation of Aadhaar cards had been set up in the district, the DC asserted. The DC appealed to the public to come forward voluntarily for the enrolment of their Aadhaar cards. |
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Department removes 66 illegal encroachments from forestland
Bharmour, May 3 The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Chamba, ARM Reddy, revealed here today that even well grown apple orchards raised by the encroachers in Trehta forest range, falling in the Holi tribal terrains of Bharmour in the district, had been got evicted from the forestland. So far, a total of 66 encroachments had been evicted from the fringe of forests at different places stretching out over an area of 19 hectares, the CCF further divulged. Reddy informed that the campaign removing the illegal encroachments on the environments of the forests was going on at war footing and forest officials had been directed to carry out their operation continuously without any interruption.
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Female leopard with cubs sited near Mehla
Chamba, May 3 The female leopard has reportedly killed few dogs of gaddis and villagers. The panchayat pradhan had been advised to take precautions and caution the people of the adjoining areas not to roam in the early hours of the day or at dusk to avoid any conflict with the animal. Confirming the news, the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Chamba, ARM Reddy, said he had already advised the staff to caution the public living in and around the place where the leopard was sited. He also said the leopard was moving upward as the temperature had picked up in the lower reaches and it followed the flock of the graziers which were also moving to the high pasturelands.
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LPG delivery vehicles to equip with loudspeakers soon
Dharamsala, May 3 Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Transport and Technical Education GS Bali made this statement while addressing media at Dharamsala today. He said the decision had been taken for the convenience of rural people who had to otherwise wait for long hours for the delivery of cylinders. With the announcements, they could be easily informed about arrival of the vehicles. The minister also met leaders of the HRTC Employee Federation. They requested him to enhance the allowance for drivers and conductors from Rs 300 per month to Rs 1,400 per month. They said instead of hiring private taxis, the HRTC vehicles should be used for ferrying government employees. “The HRTC has decided to give an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to relatives of any employee, who died in an accident while he was on duty. The employees injured in accidents will get a grant of Rs 1.5 lakh each,” Bali said. Bali said the HRTC would buy 20 Volvo buses on lease to improve its services and the Baijnath-Delhi and Chintpurni-Delhi Volvo bus services would be started soon. He said the state government would develop transport nagars at Nagrota Bagwan, Damtal and Gaggal in Kangra district to provide better parking facilities for other heavy vehicles. Bali said the HRTC would soon conduct a recruitment drive for drivers, conductors and other employees.
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Special relaxation in NIT admissions
Hamirpur, May 3 As per the previous norms of the NIT, the students having less than 75 per cent attendance in an academic session were not allowed to appear in the final semester examination and were suppose to spend another year on the campus to fulfil the attendance criteria. According to new notification, "The students having attendance less than 75 per cent, but higher than or equal to 60 per cent in a theory course will be allowed to appear in "However, the marks obtained for the 20 per Similarly, the internal assessment would be reduced to 40 per cent for those students having less than 60 per cent attendance in lab course accordingly. While the decision has been welcomed by the student community by and large, however, eyebrows have also been raised over the decision claiming that it would lower the academic standards and give respite to non-serious students. Authorities have justified the move saying, "The decision would save a precious year of the students having lower attendance to coax them to complete the course instead of wasting a year, which could prove crucial for their career." Director, NIT, Prof Rajnish Shrivastava said, "The students in the NIT are brilliant and low attendance is just due to their casual attitude. We have given them one time relaxation to pursue their courses instead of wasting their precious year of life by not allowing them to sit in the final examination."
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Stern action demanded against Sarabjit’s killers
Palampur, May 3 Talking to this correspondent here this morning, Dr Kalia said Pakistan had indulged in the most dastardly act by killing an Indian citizen at the high-security jail. He said the government should take up the issue at the international level and pressurise Pakistan to punish the jail inmates or staff responsible. He said no legal action against the culprits could be expected from Pakistan. He urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene effectively and save the lives of hundreds of other Indian citizens who were languishing at jails in Pakistan for the last between 20 and 30 years. He said the government should make earnest efforts for getting repatriated prisoners of war and other Indian prisoners, including fishermen. He regretted that India had done nothing for getting released the prisoners and which had resulted in Sarabjit Singh’s killing.
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Sir Sai University gets AICTE approval
Palampur, May 3 Addressing mediapersons here today, Sir Sai University Vice-Chancellor Bal Ram Dogra said a team of experts visited the university last month and it appreciated the infrastructure and facilities being provided for the engineering courses by the university, Finally, the AICTE gave its approval yesterday. Dr Dogra said the university had launched research-based courses in many subjects. It had been regularly publishing many research papers. It had also started an advance programme in yoga and naturopathy. He said it was a matter of concern that the state government had set up the University Regulatory Commission to keep a close watch on the private universities, but it had not brought government-run universities under its ambit. He claimed that at present over 50 per cent teaching staff posts were vacant in many government universities.
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Nagar parishad adopts budget
Bilaspur, May 3 The civic body will spend Rs 74 lakh on salaries and allowances, Rs 19 lakh on streetlights, Rs 18.5 lakhs on sanitation and maintenance and Rs 50 lakh on development works. It hopes to earn Rs 22.37 lakh from taxes, Rs 2.2 lakh from rent, Rs 25,000 from certificate issuance and Rs 15,000 from slaughterhouse fee. The meeting was presided by parishad president Reeta Sehgal. Members Rattan Lal, Vinod Sheela, Prem Singh, Meera, Nirmala, Nisha Sharma, Harish Uppal, Prem Lal Khachi and Amar Singh, executive officer Vinod Sharma and officials Khem Chand Varma and Kuldip Chauhan were present.
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Bharmouri calls on Union minister
Shimla, May 3 Appreciating the measures being taken by the state government for the development of the tribal areas, Deo said development of these areas had become a role model for other states. Bharmouri was accompanied by Himachal Roadways Transportation Corporation (HRTC) vice-chairman Kewal Singh Pathania. Bharmouri said the Central Government had agreed to provide financial assistance to the state for plying more minibuses in tribal belts. The state government would send a detailed project report to the Union Tribal Ministry in this regard soon. “The road network in the tribal areas is the only source of connectivity with rest of the country and it is need of the hour to strengthen transportation facilities for the development of such areas,” said Bharmouri. He said Deo had agreed to visit tribal areas of Pangi and Bharmour in June to assess the impact of various development projects being taking place in the tribal areas. He said Deo would also hold a meeting with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and representatives and officers of the tribal areas. He would seek their suggestions to expedite the pace of development. He said this input would prove useful for adopting corrective policy decisions at the level of the Government of India, keeping in view of ground realities.
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Speed up work to achieve targets: DC
Mandi, May 3 Devesh Kumar said the Fisheries Department would set up 15 trout and 10 common carp fish ponds in the district this year. An amount of Rs 1.85 crore was spent under the scheme on different works in the district last year. As many as 1.5 lakh plants and 2,800 vermi beds were provided to the farmers to encourage them to use vermin-compost in the district, he said. He said medicines, worth Rs 12 lakh, for herd were given to 2,280 shepherds last year. — TNS
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Body found in check dam
Bilaspur, May 3 The police has registered a case and handed over the body to his family after conducting the post-mortem. The police is yet to ascertain the exact cause of his death and investigating the case. He is survived by his wife and a daughter. |
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Shimla, May 3 A total of 44 units of blood was donated. A team of doctors from the Indira Gandhi Medical College conducted the camp. Blood donation camps have been organised by Sambhav in the past to help the blood bank at the IGMC to tide over the shortage and help patients, especially the poor and needy. — TNS
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The owner of the building, which houses the private Taxila International School in Khaliar locality, has declared the building unsafe for schoolchildren due to leakage from a roof and seepage in the back wall.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today announced that steps shall be taken to curb illegal mining in the state. Strict action would be taken against those involved in illegal mining, he said.
Bharmour, May 3
Vehicles used in delivering LPG cylinders will be equipped with loudspeakers to make announcement regarding their arrival. Route maps will be pasted on these vehicles so that people can keep a check on their movements.
