Shimla, November 13
Keen to provide adequate staff against functional posts in remote areas, the state government today decided to set up sub-cadre of employees for all the tribal and various hard areas of the state.

The proposal to form a separate sub-cadre was approved by the state Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here today. The Churah Block, sub-tehsil Kupvi, Shillai and Sangrah, Pandrah Bees, Atharah Bees and Barah Bees area of Rampur sub-division, Kuki, Darkali, Munish and Kashapath panchayats (Rampur), Dodra-Kwar sub-division, Jabal, Khabal, Pekha, Tangnu, Janglik, Dundi, Mehala, Sindasli, Dagoli, Rohal, Ranol, Kharshali, Gaonsari, Diswani, Dakgaon panchayats of the Chauhara Block of Rohru and the Chhota and Bara Bhangal area of Kangra district have been included in the sub-cadre list.

The modalities for recruitment of staff of district level under the sub-cadre for health, education, animal husbandry, Public Works Department and other departments, which are important from the point of view of development and public service, will be finalised later.

The Cabinet also gave approval to create and fill 60 posts of Medical Officers in the Health Department.

It enhanced the rates for the procurement of citrus fruits under the Market Intervention Scheme for 2013-14 by 50 paise per kg. Kinnow, malta and orange will now be procured at the rate of Rs 6.50 (class-B), Rs 6 (Class-C) per kg and galgal at Rs 5 per kg. The scheme will be effective from November 20, 2013, to February 15, 2014.

It was decided to invite tenders for six months under the subsidised ration scheme and gave consent for providing an additional subsidy of Rs 62 crore to carry out the scheme in the current financial year. It also approved additional food grains for BPL families and they would be provided an additional 11 kg wheat per ration card at Rs 5.25 per kg and 9 kg rice per ration card at Rs 6.85 per kg.

The Cabinet also approved amendment to the Himachal Panchayati Raj (Election) Rules, 1994, to insert a clause that every nomination paper would be accompanied by a “no dues certificate” issued by the panchayat concerned. The Cabinet also adopted a sustainable Tourism Development Policy, 2013, for development of tourism based on global and national good practices and participatory planning exercises.

It also gave nod to the Dharamsala (Kangra Valley) Sustainable Tourism Action Plan.

The Cabinet decided to amend the Himachal Pradesh Tax on Luxuries (in hotels and lodging houses) Act, 1979, by promulgating an ordinance to provide benefit of exemption of luxury tax for Home Stay Scheme for the next five years. It also made it mandatory to file electronic returns for all the dealers registered under the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005, and Central Sales Tax (HP) Act, 1956, without any turnover limit with effect from July 2014.

It decided to fix quota of State Administrative Services and departmental candidates in the ratio of 60:40, respectively, for filling the post of regional transport officers. 

Shimla, November 13
With the commissioning of the Rohtang tunnel making the tribal district of Lahaul & Spiti accessible round the year, the Tourism Department has prepared a perspective policy so that the infrastructure is accordingly created and strengthened once the tunnel is through.

Though the Rohtang tunnel is likely to be complete only by 2018, with a heavy influx of tourists, both domestic and foreign, facilities will have to be created. A beginning in this direction has already been made by preparing the perspective policy with the technical assistance of the World Bank.

The Tourism Department has also prepared an action plan for tourism development in Kinnaur district. Despite Kinnaur being a popular destination for a large number of foreign and domestic tourists from Maharashtra and Gujarat, there is no proper planning and growth. The facilities, too, are not matching and a lot of haphazard growth has taken place resulting in eyesores in the otherwise pristine environs.

The ball has been set rolling by preparing a proposal to pull down the dilapidated Tourist Bungalow at Keylong and constructing a new structure in its place. This task is being undertaken with the help of funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Similarly, sites are being identified to create ample parking space to accommodate tourist vehicles.

The Tourism Department has already taken up the issue of strengthening the road infrastructure connecting the tribal district and also the interior roads. “Most of the roads in the district are not suited to cater to heavy vehicular movement so this aspect will have to be taken care of,” said tourism officials. Similarly, water and power supply to the district will also have to be augmented to cater to a larger floating population.

In the last few years, the number of tourists visiting Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti has gone up tremendously. In 2012, a total of 3.96 lakh domestic and 47, 413 foreign tourists visited Lahaul & Spiti. In 2012, the figure of domestic tourists to Kinnaur was 4.67 lakh and of foreign tourists were 17,860.

The two tribal districts have ancient Buddhist monasteries replete with antiques and many temples, depicting beautiful wood architecture.

A large number of foreigners visit the Tabo Monastery and other areas in the vicinity. The Tourism Department has developed a special Buddhist circuit linking various places of interest.

Shimla, November 13
Arun Dhumal, younger son of former Chief Minister PK Dhumal, today demanded a review of the revised income tax returns assessment of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh approved by the Income Tax (IT) Department.

Addressing a press conference here today, Arun said the Income Tax Department too must clarify its position as doubts were being raised on its action. “IT officials must explain under which IT law they have accepted and approved the revised income tax returns,” he said.

Arun, while accusing the Congress regime of getting back at its political opponents by registering false cases, said the Chief Minister and his wife must explain to people the reason for taking an unsecured loan and that too from a private individual. He said everyone was still waiting for the Chief Minister’s clarification on the issue.

Accusing Virbhadra of promoting dynastic politics, Arun also launched a tirade against Vikramaditya Singh, son of the Chief Minister.

He alleged that a major transaction made in Vikramaditya’s account had not been reflected in the affidavits filed by both his parents at the time of their elections, despite Vikramaditya being shown as a dependent. 

Shimla, November 13
While refuting allegations levelled against him by Arun Dhumal as baseless, Vikramaditya Singh, son of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, today said the act was nothing more than a cheap political gimmick aimed at diverting public attention from the wrongdoings of the HPCA.

“I am a PAN card holder and I regularly file my income tax returns. So there is no question of hiding anything,” he remarked. He added that it was for the Income Tax Department to detect any irregularity if there was any, to which he would reply. He advised Dhumal junior to refrain from making such baseless and vague allegations.

“The manner in which Arun Dhumal is levelling allegations, clearly reflects his desperation as the HPCA is in the dock and several inquiries are being conducted against the sports body by investigating agencies,” he said. — TNS

Renuka, November 13
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh released a souvenir and calendar of the year 2014 brought out by the Shri Renuka Ji Mela Committee on the occasion of the Renuka Fair from the Renu Manch here after inaugurating the fair last evening.

During his second day visit to the area, he made a plethora of announcements for various constituencies of the district, thus addressing long-pending demands of people.

In the Renuka constituency, the Chief Minister announced the filling of requisite sanctioned staff as per norms of the SDM office, Sangrah, and other key posts of other offices such as Electricity, I&PH, Veterinary etc. He announced the construction of a science lab for Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Bechar Ka Bag, and bus stand at Dadahu.

He also announced the upgradation of various high schools, including Deva Manal, Bhatgarh and Chachheti, to senior secondary schools; middle schools Khoor, Tali Chandrauna, Sainj and Kando Kansar to high schools; and the opening of new primary schools at Panian Mandoli in Panjhal gram panchayat, Thappal in Dagera gram panchayat, Teel Dhar in Khoor Dravil gram panchayat, Basali in Lana Cheta gram panchayat and Mundia Kumanu in Sainj gram panchayat. He said a Cooperative Bank branch would be opened near Dhartidhar.

In the Paonta constituency, the Chief Minister announced the construction of a bus stand at Paonta Sahib, a primary health centre at Bhangani, a bridge over the Bata river at Kirratpur village on the Kundion Kirratpur-Bhagwanpur road and NH-72 to Gadria Basti, Surajpur, Rudana to Thera Jijla and NH 73A to Bangala Basti roads.

Likewise, in the Pachhad constituency, the Chief Minister announced the opening of new sub-tehsils, besides the construction of a bus stand at Rajgarh.

In the Shillai constituency, besides the upgradation of various schools, he said link roads to Bhag-Habra, Harlog and a bridge at the Bindla khud would be constructed. He also announced a lift irrigation scheme for Ajroli and said efforts would be made to open a Co-operative Bank branch at Jakhana.

Others present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Vinay Kumar, DC Vikas Labru and SP Sumedha Dwivedi. 

Una, November 13
Three senior office-bearers of the Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) today resigned from their posts. The office-bearers, who announced their resignation from the party, are Yashpal Sharma, district president, Raj Kumar Goswami, treasurer, and Ram Rakha, Bangana block president.

While addressing a press conference at Una today, district president of the HLP Yashpal Sharma alleged that party president Maheshwar Singh had established a tie-up with the Congress.

“We had joined the HLP with an idea that the party would provide an alternative to the BJP and the Congress. However, since now the party president was toeing the line of the Congress, we felt cheated,” he said.

While responding to queries from newsmen regarding his rejoining the BJP, Yashpal said that BJP was his parent party.

Sources here said the HLP leaders were negotiating with the BJP leadership on certain conditions to rejoin the party.

He also alleged that the only person who had gained from the formation of the HLP was Maheshwar Singh, while the rest of the party workers had been left high and dry.

The sources here said candidates who contested on HLP tickets from the Chintpurni and Kutlehar Assembly constituencies were also likely to join back the BJP soon. Already, Narinder Parmar, HLP candidate from the Gagret Assembly constituency, had joined back the BJP in the presence of BJP MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur.

Shimla, November 13
The Himachal Pradesh High Court today directed the University Grants Commission (UGC), state government and all the 16 private universities in the state to file their reply by December 2 in the matter pertaining to allegedly granting admission to ineligible candidates by the state private universities.

The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Kuldip Singh on a request made by respondents where they had sought time to file their respective replies.

The matter came to the notice of the court by a news item published in these columns of The Tribune on October 25, “Private universities defy norms, UGC sleeps”. After taking cognisance of this, the court treated the news item as a Public Interest Litigation and issued notices to all the respondents and sought their response on the alleged irregularities mentioned in the news item. Today, counsels for the private universities and the UGC have sought some more time to file their responses.

It was mentioned in the news item that the UGC seemed to be unconcerned about enforcing its regulations pertaining to the establishment and operation of private universities and till date it had conducted inspections of only five out of 16 private universities in the state. It further mentioned that the regulations framed to safeguard the interests of students made it mandatory for a private university to provide all the relevant information relating to the first degree and postgraduate degree or diploma programmes. Thereafter, the UGC was required to make an assessment to ascertain any deficiencies in infrastructure and faculty and whether or not its regulations were being complied with.

It specifically alleged that most of the private universities had not even been inspected and assessed by the UGC and these were already awarding graduate, postgraduate and other degrees. This is the main reason that these institutions have been violating norms and granting admissions to ineligible candidates, including matriculates.

It was further mentioned that if a university failed to rectify the deficiencies pointed out by it within the specified time, the UGC could pass an order prohibiting the private university from offering any course for the award of the first degree. 

Shimla, November 13
Governor Urmila Singh today presented medals to officers of the state government for their distinguished and meritorious services at the Investiture Ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan here today.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was also present on the occasion. Besides 24 medals, one Jeevan Raksha medal was also presented.

The Governor conferred the Distinguished Service Award on Additional Director General of Police Sita Ram Mardi. Meritorious Service Awards were given to Daljit Thakur (IPS), RS Negi (IPS), Ramesh Kumar (HHC), Puneeta Bhardewaj (IPS), Daulat Ram (Police Inspector), Kapil Sharma (HPS), Anand Kumar Dhiman (SP), Mukesh Bakshi (Police Inspector) and Babu Ram (Head Constable).

Urmila Singh presented the Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service to Sher Singh Thapa (Chief Fire Officer) and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to Devender Dutt Sharma (Sub Fire Officer), BS Mahal (Station Fire Officer), Paras Ram (Leading Fireman), Jagdish Chand (Fireman), Madan Lal (Sub Fire Officer), Ramesh Chand (Sub Fire Officer), Rajinder Kumar (Leading Fireman) and Kubaj Singh (Fireman).

She conferred Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service on Bhupal Singh Chauhan (Commandant) and Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service on Rach Pal Nepta (Honorary Company Commander), Ram Rattan Sharma (Hony Company Commander) and Laja Devi (Company Commander).

Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service was presented to Deepak Shandil, Head Warder, Model Central Jail, Kanda, and Jeevan Raksha Padak to Pardeep Kumar of Sarain village in Chopal.

Additional Chief Secretary, Home, P Mitra, who is also holding the charge of Chief Secretary, conducted the proceedings at the ceremony at which Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri and Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri were also present.

Chamba, November 13
All four occupants, including the driver, were killed on the spot when the Tata Sumo they were travelling in went out of control and plunged into the Chanderbhaga river near Rei in the mountainous Pangi tribal valley here on Monday night, a delayed official report said here today.

The report said the Tata Sumo was on its way from Killar to Purthi. The bodies of the deceased persons had been retrieved from the river by the local administration on Tuesday with the help of local people.

The deceased had been identified as Raj Kumar (driver), Bhupinder Singh, Suresh Kumar and Ashwani Kumar who belonged to the nearby Shour area of the Pangi valley, the report said, adding that the deceased were between 25 and 35 years.

The bodies of the deceased had been handed over to their kin after an autopsy at the Purthi Primary Health Centre.

However, a case to ascertain the cause of the accident had been registered at the Pangi police station.

The administration of Pangi subdivision had sanctioned an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 to the next of kin of the deceased.