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Cong-BJP war of attrition intensifies
CM forcing officers to depose against me: Dhumal
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BJP unable to digest state’s development, says Cong
Experts to caution wheat growers against yellow rust
Better facilities in offing at Mandi Zonal Hospital
Strikes inimical to growth, says industries’ association
Higher education council set up
Complaint against CM hits grey areas in Representation of People’s Act
Another rainy spell brightens rabi prospects
Health Department condemned vehicles await auction
jyoti murder case
buti ram threat case
8-yr-old burnt alive
Man gets 5-yr RI under NDPS Act
Another girl alleges physical abuse by teacher
garbage dumped in beas
2 agriculture colleges to open in Kullu, Sirmaur
Need for centre of excellence, not degree colleges: Expert
Quashing of FIR against cricket body sought
Teach children to respect women, says Dharmani
3-storeyed house gutted
Youth Cong objects to BJP's allegations against CM
Free medical camp at Dulehar from tomorrow
3-storeyed house in village gutted
Proclaimed offender nabbed
Patwari among 5 held for fraud
Man arrested for setting wife ablaze
RINGSIDE VIEW
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Cong-BJP war of attrition intensifies
Shimla, January 7 In a joint statement, they said the then DC of Kangra, KK Pant, had reportedly revealed to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) that the two-storeyed building comprising residential quarters of faculty of Government College was demolished on the direction of the then CM Prem Kumar Dhumal and later, the land was encroached upon by HPCA. They said the building was demolished without following any norms merely on direction of Dhumal, who should now admit his involvement and resign form the BJP party leadership. The duo said a letter reportedly written by the then Deputy Commissioner Pant on May 24, 2008 to Deputy Director, Higher Education contains reference to direct involvement of Dhumal in the issue. They stated that in 2008, when the BJP came to power, Dhumal got the newly renovated building declared as unsafe to oblige his son Anurag Thakur, president, HPCA and the government went out of the way to gift precious government land worth crores at five places to Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association headed by Anurag Thakur. |
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CM forcing officers to depose against me: Dhumal
Hamirpur, January 7 Dhumal said, “The statement given by IAS officer KK Pant before the Vigilance at Dharamsala in the HPCA case was prepared beforehand at the behest of the state government.” He said, “During my tenure as the CM, I had asked the then Kangra DC to prepare a report regarding a damaged building and take appropriate action in the matter. Action was taken by the administration on the report of the executive engineer and other officers.” “Is it a crime to suggest action in such matters and what was wrong in this?" Dhumal added. He alleged, “Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is in the habit of first committing irregularities and then blaming others for his follies.” Dhumal added, “Certain charges have been levelled against the CM. Instead of replying to the questions, he is blaming others and trying to misrepresent the facts to mislead the Congress high command and the state's people.” He said, “The BJP is determined to take the charges of alleged corruption against CM Virbhadra Singh to their logical conclusion and would continue its agitation demanding his resignation till he resigns from his post.” |
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BJP unable to digest state’s development, says Cong
Shimla, January 7 Hitting back at the BJP for making scathing attacks on Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, both the ministers here yesterday questioned the motive behind making such disreputable, false and fabricated accusations time and again. In a joint statement, both the ministers said the state had well-educated voters, who had rejected the BJP in the last Assembly elections. They added that since their defeat, the Dhumals had resorted to cheap tactics and sought help from their national leader Arun Jaitley, who in a recent press conference suppressed relevant facts and misled people. They alleged that earlier also the same baseless allegations were levelled by Dhumal’s sons, Anurag and Arun, and now Dhumal too was doing the same. “Fearing a probe, as incorporated in the Congress chargesheet wherein charges of corruption and land scams by Dhumals were brought to the fore, they are perplexed and trying to divert the attention of the people of the state through the media,” they said. Bharmauri and Pathania said people of the state were aware of the nefarious designs of Dhumals, who have their business interests in Punjab. “But when it comes to political interests, they look for green pastures in Himachal Pradesh,” they added. “If they are so sure of the allegations they are levelling against the CM and his family, then why don’t they approach the Lokayukta instead of issuing slanderous statements in the media,” they added. |
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Experts to caution wheat growers against yellow rust
Shimla, January 7 The meeting had been convened by JS Sandhu, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Government of India, to ensure that there was no recurrence of the disease during January and February. This was a follow up of the meeting held at Chandigarh in December last year, said JC Rana, Agriculture Director, Himachal Pradesh. Agri scientists of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir will participate in the brainstorming sessions. The selection of Una as the venue is significant as a study conducted by scientists of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has revealed that the disease has come from the hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh. While the wheat acreage in the current rabi season has touched a record high of 302 lakh hectares in the country, due to more area covered by farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, the occurrence of yellow rust disease in a village in Yamunanagar district of Haryana, adjoining Himachal Pradesh, has put agriculture experts on the alert. The area under rabi sowing was 299 lakh hectares in 2011-12 and 296 lakh hectares in 2012-13 and the country had produced a record 259.29 million tonnes of wheat in 2011-12 which dropped marginally to 255.36 million tonnes in the 2012-13. Yellow rust is a fungal disease which manifests as powdery yellow stripes on leaves. These stripes hinder photosynthesis, make the grains shrivel and stunt growth of the plant. It is a serious disease, which has been threatening wheat cultivation in the country during the past few years and all the wheat growing states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, the tarai region of Uttarkhand, Uttar Pradesh and the low-lying areas of Jammu and Kashmir are susceptible to the disease. According to estimates, farms spread over 3,00,000 hectares were hit by yellow rust in 2011. High temperature combined with rains during the wheat season aid the growth and spread of the disease, says Indu Sharma, head of the Directorate of wheat research, Karnal. December is marked by low temperature but the temperatures start rising from mid-January and are accompanied by rain and fog. The environment becomes conducive for yellow rust and the impact of temperature and other factors is visible only in January, but timely intervention can check the spread of disease. We have advised farmers to visit their farms regularly to prevent the disease at an early stage, she
adds. About the disease
Yellow rust is a fungal disease which manifests as powdery yellow stripes on leaves. These stripes hinder photosynthesis, make the grains shrivel and stunt growth of the plant. It is a serious disease, which has been threatening wheat cultivation in the country during the past few years and all the wheat growing states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, the tarai region of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and the low-lying areas of Jammu and Kashmir are susceptible to the disease. |
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Better facilities in offing at Mandi Zonal Hospital
Mandi, January 7 For linking the Zonal Hospital with the ESIC medical college, hospital upgradation will be necessary as per the requirements. Dr DS Dhiman, Dean, ESIC Medical College, said: “We have sent a proposal to the state government in this regard and the ESIC on its part will provide services of 200 specialist doctors and other medical and paramedical staff, besides other requirements, which will improve health facilities at the zonal hospital.” “The infrastructure at the zonal hospital will be built by the state government, as this will remain with the hospital, when we will start our hospital later,” he added. The Medical Council of India (MCI) in its meeting held recently had asked the authorities to take up the matter with the state government. Since the ESIC has announced to start the medical college in 2014 by beginning its first batch of MBBS and other courses here, the ESIC medical college would be linked up with the Zonal Hospital, Mandi, as per the MCI norms. It is mandatory to link up with any hospital to start classes in any medical college. Facilities offered
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Heavy snowfall, storm expected in higher reaches
Shimla, January 7 Intermittent snowfall was experienced in the tribal areas of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Pangi and Bharmaur while the Churdhar and Dhauladhar ranges and the higher reaches in Chamba district had another spell of snowfall. The sky remained heavily overcast and the mercury dipped to minus 11.3 degrees Celsius and minus 7 degrees Celsius in Keylong and Kalpa, respectively, while the temperature dipped to minus 5.3 degrees Celsius in Manali. The minimum temperature hovered around the freezing point in the lower reaches of Solan recording minus 0.4 degrees Celsius. In Sundernagar and Bhuntar, the minimum temperature was minus 0.2 degrees Celsius; in Shimla, 0.7 degrees Celsius; in Una, 1 degrees Celsius; in Palampur, 3 degrees Celsius and in Nahan, 3.6 degrees Celsius. However, the maximum temperature dropped marginally and Una was the warmest at 18 degrees Celsius while Sundernagar and Solan recorded a maximum temperature of 14.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Nahan at 13 degrees Celsius, Dharamshala at 11.8 degrees Celsius, Bhunter at 10.7 degrees Celsius, Shimla at 8.8 degrees Celsius and Kalpa at 3 degrees Celsius. Natural resources of water such as lakes, springs, rivulets and tributaries of major rivers in the tribal areas have been frozen for the past six weeks. This has drastically reduced the
discharge of water in snow-fed rivers and affected hydro-power generation, which has dropped to 30 to 40 per cent. However, hoteliers are pinning hopes on the forecast of heavy snowfall and gearing up to accommodate the tourist rush. Even the apple growers are upbeat as fertilisers need moisture for absorption and trees need about 1200 hours of chilling.
The PWD engineers said they had stationed snow-clearing machines and bulldozers at key locations on the Shimla-Narkanda-Kinnaur National Highway-22 and on the Theog-Hatkoti and Chaila-Chopal roads. |
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Strikes inimical to growth, says industries’ association
Solan, January 7 Association president Rajinder Guleria, who addressed a press conference at Baddi on Friday evening, while expressing concern at the ongoing strike in a tractor-manufacturing unit and labour unrest in a textile unit, stated that the unhealthy practice of strikes initiated without proper notices were no solution to any problem and reconciliation through dialogue could instead address problems. The association urged the state government to intervene in the matter so as to restore normalcy at the earliest. While assuring safeguarding of legitimate rights, the association said it would extend support for genuine demands. Guleria said the Industrial Peace in Himachal, which is the Unique Selling Point of such massive industrial investment in a span of 10 years, was fading out and the law and order situation and labour unrest were two issues which were a matter of concern and needed to be addressed on a war footing. He said BBNIA believed in reconciliation through dialogue, a path which must be adhered to by the industry as well as workers' unions. The association also appealed to the union leaders to maintain industrial peace in the state at all costs as had been done in the past so as to retain the present investment and attract fresh industrial investment in future. Guleria urged the union leaders to withdraw the present strike as soon as possible. The strike had entered its fourth week in a tractor manufacturing unit while labour unrest had caused an unsavoury situation at another textile unit last week where the management had withdrawn
its expansion plans to invest Rs 50 crore after having shifted its proposed Rs 500-crore investment to Gujarat. |
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Three nabbed as vehicles smuggling wood seized
Una, January 7 Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) RK Dogra said he had constituted an eight-member special team headed by Assistant Conservator Manish Rampal to keep a watch along the Punjab border near Gagret in Una district. He said early Tuesday morning, the team seized three vehicles which were illegally transporting banned forest species to Punjab. He said two other vehicles managed to give the slip, adding that the main accused Naresh Kumar of Gagret, who was in a car some distance ahead, guiding the other accused drivers over cellphones to safe exit routes, will also be booked. The DFO said of the three vehicles impounded, one was bearing registration number HP-19B-2894, while the other two were unregistered, adding that none of the vehicles had any documents of the transport or forest department. He said a damage report had been filed under sections 41 and 42 of the Indian Forest Act. It is learnt that of the 100 sanctioned posts of guards in the Una forest division, only 66 are filled up, of which, about 12 have recently been promoted as Deputy Range Officers. Dogra said it being a border district, Una has a number of escape routes for elements involved in smuggling forest produce. He said vacant posts of guards need to be filled up, while a couple more vehicles are required if the borders are to be plugged properly. He added that all cases pending with the department are being put into court to deter those engaging in illegal forest activities. |
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Higher education council set up
Shimla, January 7 Officials said under the flagship programme of the UPA government, which would be implemented over two plan periods (XII and XIII), the council had to be an autonomous body, which would function at an arm’s length from the state and the Central governments. It is mandatory for the states to be eligible for funding under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan to fulfil certain prerequisites which include setting up of a State Higher Education Council, creation of accreditation agencies, preparation of the state perspective plans, commitment of certain stipulated share of funds towards RUSA and academic, sectoral and institutional governance reforms. The council would prepare an institution-wise plan and the perspective of the state higher education plan with a focus on “access, equality and excellence”. It would advice the government on quality education and address key issues such as regional imbalance, coordination with other bodies, additional faculty and information and communication technology support, the officials said. The hill state had taken the lead in implementation of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan and it had introduced the semester system along with the choice-based credit system (CBCS) in colleges on the basis of the draft document from the current academic session. Under the new system, 50 per cent weightage would be given to “internal assessment” based on two term tests and assignments. The stress will be on continuous comprehensive evaluation for qualitative improvement in education. The government has already received Rs 4 crore from the Centre. The major thrust of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan would be on increasing enrollment in higher education to achieve the target of increasing Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) from 24 to 32 by end of 13th five year plan (2017-22). Council's work
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Complaint against CM hits grey areas in Representation of People’s Act
Shimla, January 7 According to sources in the state election department, the ECI had sent a fax message seeking details of the affidavits filed by Virbhadra Singh and Pratibha Singh on the complaint lodged by Anurag Thakur. Thakur’s complaint has gained political colour as he also heads the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), which is currently under lens of the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, which has already booked a case under sections 406, 420, 120-B and under section 13/2 of Prevention of Corruption Act on August 1, 2013, turning the heat on Anurag Thakur and his father and former Chief Minister PK Dhumal. The Vigilance has charged that when the HPCA, which was earlier registered as a cooperative, got government land at Dharamsala for the cricket stadium, it was converted into a company in connivance with key officials, all being questioned by the Vigilance as the Congress government has asserted it would unearth all shady land deals of the former BJP regime, said official sources. The district returning officers are of the view that they can only verify the facts stated by candidates in the affidavits filed with the ECI at the time of nomination for both state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. “We have received no communication from the ECI so far, but we can only give information to the commission as all actions are initiated under its direction on non-disclosure of assets and liabilities and properties. We take comments of the individual candidates and send them to the ECI," said a district returning officer. The complaint would be examined under Section 125-A of the Representation of People's Act, said the official. The Apex court gave its direction on punitive action against a candidate who concealed information in the declaration of assets and property in affidavits in September 2013 when the elections were over, said the election department officials. State electoral officer Narender Chauhan confirmed the election department had received a fax message and not the annexed material, which was being sent through the messenger by the ECI. “We will examine it and send the report back to ECI,” he added. Anurag Thakur’s complaint and the letter that leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley wrote to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in connection with the ongoing war of words between Virbhadra Singh and PK Dhumal over the corruption charges, is being viewed in this background both in BJP and Congress circles as a run-up to the coming Lok Sabha polls. |
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Another rainy spell brightens rabi prospects
Shimla, January 7 Rains at regular intervals after the withdrawal of monsoons during November and December encouraged farmers to go for early sowing and nearly 90 per cent sowing was completed by December end. With sowing on 1,200 to 1,500 hectare left-out area in Kullu and some parts in upper Shimla region, the sowing has been completed on the entire targeted area of 3.58 lakh hectare. As 78 per cent area under agriculture in the state is rain-fed, timely rains are crucial for good kharif and rabi crops. “The rains have proved manure for the wheat crop and even if there are no rains till end of January, there is no threat of dry spell as the soil would retain the moisture and evaporation would be very less due to low temperatures,” Director of Agriculture JC Rana said. The farmers can breathe easy and expect good crop as rains in the month of February are expected to ensure a bumper crop as rains at the time of sowing and germination have proved a boon for farmers. He said besides sowing of wheat on 3.58 lakh hectare area, barley and pulses have been sown on about 24,000 hectare and 8,000 hectare area and the area under wheat could increase to 3.62 lakh hectare due to early rains. The department has promoted two new high-yielding varieties of wheat during the season; these were introduced last year on a trial basis. The varieties DPW 621-50 and HD-2967 were introduced to combat yellow rust disease. The new varieties are not only resistant to yellow rust but also yield 40 to 45 quintal per hectare as compared to 30 to 35 quintal per hectare yield of the existing varieties. These two varieties account for over 40 per cent of the total area under wheat. The figures
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Health Department condemned vehicles await auction
Una, January 7 The District Health Department has been unable to process the auction case of about six condemned vehicles for the past three years, which have been dumped in
the backyard of the District Hospital to depreciate further. The condemned vehicles include a bus procured under the leprosy programme, an insulated vehicle for transporting immunisation kits, Mahindra Armada jeep, a Maruti van and a
Maruti Gypsy, lying behind the hospital. However, there are a couple of more condemned vehicles at peripheral health institutions, including a jeep at the Chintpurni Civil Hospital and one at the Primary Health Centre, Amlehar, in the Gagret block. “These two vehicles will have to be towed to Una for auction,” said an employee, wishing anonymity. He admitted that the last auction of vehicles was held in 2009 and that vacant posts of clerks in the department were the reason
for the auctions to be kept in abeyance for years together. The process of auction of condemned vehicles is not very cumbersome and is done at the district level by a condemnation committee chaired by the Assistant Deputy Commissioner, while the members include an official from the department concerned, besides a
competent person from the District Transport Department. Chief Medical Officer GR Kaushal, when contacted, said the auction process had now been initiated and would be completed in a month’s time. Admitting that the value of the vehicles had depreciated during the past three years that they braved rough weathers, he said the process was almost half way through and would be completed very soon. |
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Doon MLA's wife goes into hiding
Hina Rohtaki Tribune News Service
Panchkula, January 7 Chaudhary’s wife has been accused of threatening Jyoti’s father Buti Ram for him to state in the Panchkula court that he didn’t know the MLA. Meanwhile, the police rounded up a mediator identified as Laddoo, from Ludhiana for threatening Buti allegedly at the behest of Chaudhary and his kin. A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, said, “Our policemen have been deployed in Baddi as raids were conducted at the MLA’s residence but his wife wasn’t found. She is not at her residence after the case has been registered.” The officers have conducted an inquiry in the case after the Panchkula police registered a zero FIR lodged against Chaudhary’s wife and other middlemen under sections 195-A, 323 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on Buti Ram’s complaint to Panchkula Commissioner of Police Rajbir Deswal. “We sent our team and Laddoo was rounded up from Ludhiana. He has been included in the investigations and we will verify all the facts from the CD that has been provided by Buti,” said the officer. Yesterday, on request by the Panchkula police and a zero FIR being sent by them, the Punjab Police registered the case against five persons including Ram Kumar Chaudhary under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy).
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Hoshiarpur police arrest one accused
Our Correspondent
Hoshiarpur, January 7 The accused Malkiat Singh aka Laddoo was arrested from his village Mallian Pandori. In the FIR lodged in this case, Buti Ram had complained that Laddoo had been threatening him along with Rajender of Ludhiana and had told him that he could not do anything to Ram Kumar as he had not let the police complete the investigation and had bribed them. Buti had alleged that on December 1, 2013, Laddoo and his wife came to his home and took him to a tea stall outside Hoshiarpur bus stand in their car and again threatened him. Buti has recorded the discussion and the CD has been handed over to the police. On December 6, 2013, being sick, Buti could not report for evidence. Laddoo and Rajender came to him and threatened him not to go for evidence.
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8-yr-old burnt alive
Una, January 7 Police sources say Shobha Ram was living along with his wife and three children. At the time of the incident, Chandervati was reportedly studying, while her mother and two younger siblings were sleeping inside the single room dwelling. Shobha Ram was sleeping in the verandah of a nearby house. At about 11 pm, fire engulfed the migrant’s house and in the ensuing melee, while the mother and two children managed to escape, Chandervati succumbed to the burns. A postmortem was conducted on the spot after the fire was doused. Amb Tehsildar Manoj Thakur visited the spot, while local philanthropists donated utensils, clothes and provisions to the family. |
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Man gets 5-yr RI under NDPS Act
Sundernagar, January 7 In default of payment of fine, the convict would further undergo simple imprisonment for six months. The convict was nabbed by a police party at Suki Bain near Pandoh of Mandi district while checking the bus the convict was travelling in - a Punjab Roadways bus which was on its way to Chandigarh. On seeing the police, the convict tried to escape from the bus window. Upon search, 2 kg charas was recovered from him. The police registered a case under Section 20 of NDPS Act. It arrested the accused and filed a chargesheet in court, producing 12 witnesses. As per the court verdict pronounced yesterday, the prosecution was successful in proving the case and proved that the convict was carrying the contraband. The court, after hearing the convict on quantum of sentence, passed the order. |
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Another girl alleges physical abuse by teacher
Nahan, January 7 The police registered a case under Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, against the teacher, confided DSP, Paonta Sahib, Yogesh Rolta. A police team, led by the DSP, also visited the school and enquired into the case as the offence had taken place on the school premises. It was surprising that the teacher had been carrying out these nefarious activities on the premises and staff members had failed to detect them. The school had a staff of three male teachers and two female cooks. While the drawing teacher has been sent to a four-day police custody, the emergence of another case has put a question mark on the working of the school. Eight more such cases had come to light before a meeting of the school management committee. The girls had been attending this school owing to its roadside location. Though the monthly report is sent on a proforma which has a separate column for girls, it was surprising that no heads were rolled when the number of girl students saw a regular decline in the school, thus proving how this exercise had been reduced to a cursory formality. Since the first girl belonged to the SC category, the police have also included the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the FIR. |
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Show-cause notices issued for violating NGT orders
Our Correspondent
Kullu, January 7 Abhishek Rai, president, Himalayan Environment Protection Society (HEPS), a local NGO here, had filed a PIL urging for checking pollution in the Beas and its tributaries. The NGO had submitted photographs along with a newspaper report showing a tractor-trolley full of municipal solid waste being dumped directly into the Beas near Bhuntar. Earlier, during a hearing on July 29 last year, the NGT had also issued a show-cause notice to the secretary, marketing committee, Bhuntar, and tractor owner (contractor), sighting reason for not being saddled with a fine of at least Rs 5 lakh each, for restoring the environmental degradation caused by dumping of vegetable waste near the Beas. During a hearing on September 17, 2013, the NGT had ordered the Member Secretary, HP State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), to submit an affidavit and report, related to pollution being caused near the Beas by hotels located in Kullu, Manali, Bhuntar and Mandi, in consonance with the respective municipal council or gram panchayat. The Member Secretary, SPCB, had submitted an affidavit on November 6, 2013, giving an overview of the sewage disposal done by the hotels within the limits of the municipal councils, Kullu, Bhuntar, Manali and Mandi. Sr Environmental Engineer, SPCB, had filed an affidavit on November 12, 2013, stating that “electricity supply to the hotels which were being conducted without obtaining due consent has been cut-off and applications moved by the hoteliers for obtaining the consent are being processed”. Further, the secretary, Urban Development, has stated in an affidavit on November 20, 2013, that clusters for commissioning of the municipal solid waste treatment plant had been identified, as directed by the tribunal. In its latest orders on January 2, 2014, the NGT has sought objections and suggestions on the report submitted by the SPCB. The NBT further observed that its orders were being flouted with impunity after the NGO had resubmitted photographs showing dumping of human faeces and municipal waste without treatment directly near the Beas and report of the local commissioner. Therefore, the NGT has directed the authorities of municipal committees, Kullu and Manali as well as the SPCB, to submit a composite scheme for restoration as well as for channelising the sewage discharge on the next hearing scheduled for March 27, 2014. The NGT directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, to be the chairperson for organising these meetings. The NGT has also allowed the petitioner to be present during these meetings. The NGT had observed that it was a fact that cleanliness in an area had to be a joint venture between the authorities and the general public at large. While on one hand, it is the duty of municipal authorities to make adequate arrangements for proper disposal of garbage, at the same time, it cannot be denied that a large number of people do not hesitate to dirty the public areas and shout about incompetent attitude of the municipal authorities.
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2 agriculture colleges to open in Kullu, Sirmaur
Palampur, January 7 Official sources said here on Saturday that there was a huge rush for admissions in the College of Agriculture at the university in the last session and the new colleges at Bajura in Kullu and Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur districts would be able to cater to the ever-growing rush of farm graduates. It was also disclosed that Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari had given a grant of Rs 4 crore for setting up a science museum at the university. It was also learnt that efforts would be made to support inter-institutional research and extension on the consultancy mode. The hybrid seed production of various crops would be taken up on the public-private mode. Quality distance education in agriculture would be started so that rural youth could be imparted education in agriculture. This would increase manpower to achieve the goals of food security, nutritional security and poverty alleviation. The university would explore the possibility of reserving some seats for the wards of farming families in its educational programmes. The university would also set up a solar power plant of 50-KW capacity on the campus at a cost of Rs 1.30 crore with a 90 per cent subsidy from the Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy to get solar panels for each hostel and important unit. The new Vice-Chancellor indicated an era of e-governance at the earliest. |
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Need for centre of excellence, not degree colleges: Expert
Shimla, January 7 With the opening of nine new colleges, the number of colleges will increase to 106 in the state, which includes 77 government and 29 private colleges. Further, private BEd colleges have mushroomed in the state and 72 BEd colleges are adding 8,000 qualified trained teachers every year to 60,000 unemployed teachers already waiting for jobs. The Congress government, which has closed five colleges opened by the BJP government a few months before demitting office, not only decided to reopen these collages at Rewalsar, Lad Bhadol in Mandi, Dharampur in Solan, Sarahan in Sirmaur and Nankhari in Shimla but also gave nod to open four new colleges. Even the High Court had upheld the decision of the government to close colleges sans infrastructure and staff. The opening of colleges producing simple graduates also runs against the policy of the government, which has launched an ambitious skill development programme to hone skills of technically trained youth, who are getting better jobs in both private and government sectors. “There is a need for a centre of excellence in the state and not degree colleges,” NK Sharda, former Pro Vice-Chancellor Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, said. He feels that the policy must be reviewed and suitably amended, keeping in view the future scenario as employment situation would worsen with an increase in gross enrolment ratio (GER) from the current 24 to 32 in the next 10 years.
— TNS |
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Quashing of FIR against cricket body sought
Shimla, January 7 The matter was listed before the court today. As the hearing on the case could not take place, it was adjourned. It is contended that once the government has withdrawn its decision of cancellation of lease deeds, no criminal action can be maintained. It added that the FIR did not disclose any offence and the Prevention of Corruption Act was not at all attracted as the petitioners were not public servants. The petitioners alleged that Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was unnecessarily targeting them. Petitioners contended that the working of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Associationdid not come under the purview of
the HP Society’s Registration Act and the provision of the act was not applicable to it. |
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Teach children to respect women, says Dharmani
Bilaspur, January 7 He was addressing mediapersons in Ghumarwin near here yesterday. Dharmani said during ancient times, women were respected and worshipped as goddesses, but today, unfortunately, people worshipped gods and goddesses in temples only. He urged people to impart moral education to children and teach them how to respect women. While narrating last year’s incident from the Bharaadi area, where a brave woman, Shilpa Sharma, jumped to save her brother from a leopard, he said others should take a cue. Dharmani said the construction work of the Ghumarwin-Kutheda-Sarkaghat road would be started soon. |
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3-storeyed house gutted
Chamba, January 7 The report said the two families were rendered homeless due to the fire. Villagers managed to save the livestock tied in the basement of the house. Oficials rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operations. The house belonged to Gian Chand and Sanjeev Kumar. The loss was estimated at about Rs 20 lakh, the report
said. — OC |
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Jobs sought for locals in ESIC college
Mandi, January 7 The rally was addressed by CITU leaders Bhupinder, Paras Ram and Kisan Sabha leader Kushal Bhardwaj. They asserted that the ESIC should ensure that maximum local people were employed in the medical college. The CITU leaders submitted a memorandum to the ESIC authorities and Himachal Pradesh Government through Dr DS Dhiman, Dean, ESIC Medical College.
— TNS |
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Youth Cong objects to BJP's allegations against CM
Chamba, January 7 The district president of the Youth Congress, Shivank Sharma, hit back at BJP leaders for "misleading" the public by levelling false charges against the Chief Minister. Sharma said the activists of the youth congress had pledged to fight against the conspiracy launched by the BJP leaders to tarnish the image of Virbhadra Singh. Yesterday, district Youth Congress leaders and activists gathered here and burnt effigies of BJP leaders involved.
— OC |
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PWD ignores MLA in invites for CM’s function
Nurpur, January 7 The invitation cards are being given on behalf of the Chief Engineer, officers and employees of the
PWD. These are not carrying the name of the MLA who has been putting in efforts to draw a big crowd for the success of the CM’s visit. The Congress supporters in the area are in a predicament over the name of the local MLA being ignored in the invitation cards. The official version of the PWD authorities was not available. |
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Virbhadra supporters burn Dhumal’s effigy
Una, January 7 Congress, Youth Congress and NSUI activists gathered at the main bus stand chowk where they burnt Dhumal's effigy, raising slogans against the BJP besides former CM and his sons, Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur and Arun Dhumal. Just as the straw-packed effigy burst into flames, a spark shot onto the trouser of Sanjeev Saini, Director of the General Industries Corporation. It took some effort to douse the flames. |
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Free medical camp at Dulehar from tomorrow
Una, January 7 A government communiqué stated free
medicines would be distributed to patients and there would be no charges for surgeries conducted at the camp. It stated that minor operations would be conducted at Dulehar and for major surgeries, patients would be transported to the Una District Hospital. The team of super specialists, specialists and paramedics would be drawn from health institutions within and outside the state. Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri will inaugurate the camp. |
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3-storeyed house in village gutted
Chamba, January 7 The report said the two families were rendered homeless due to the fire. Villagers managed to save the livestock tied in the basement of the house. Meanwhile, officials rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operation and provide immediate relief to the fire victims. The house belonged to Gian Chand and Sanjeev Kumar. The loss was estimated at about Rs 20 lakh, the report further said.
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Proclaimed offender nabbed
Bilaspur, January 7 He has been arrested about ten years after he absconded. He never attended court after his first appearance in the court post-bail. Superintendent of Police Kapil Sharma said Bhawani had given a fake address to them and was evading arrest by changing his residence repeatedly. A case was registered against him under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC since May 16, 2004. He was arrested from Issaru village, where he had gone to meet his family. He was produced in a court here and has been sent to judicial remand till January 8.
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Patwari among 5 held for fraud
Kullu, January 7 The bank management had submitted a complaint in November last year, against four persons, who had allegedly secured a loan of Rs 3 lakh each by providing forged revenue documents. — OC
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Man arrested for setting wife ablaze
Kangra, January 7 They said Monika Sharma (27) married Tilakj in 2005 and the couple had a son and daughter. Tilak, who is a truck driver working in Baddi, had come home after two months and had an altercation with his wife on a minor issue. The police said there was a heated argument between the two and in a fit of rage, Tilak sprinkled kerosene oil on Monika and set her ablaze. — OC
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RINGSIDE VIEW
State Congress president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu is in a quandary as to what stance he should adopt regarding the allegations levelled against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
With the Congress high command not giving its mind clearly on Virbhadra Singh, Sukhu is walking a tight rope so that he does not go wrong in his estimation of the political situation. Sources close to Sukhu point out that he may have issued a statement defending Virbhadra Singh, but will not do the same when he meets party bosses in Delhi. Knowing Rahul Gandhi’s stand on zero tolerance towards corruption, he will tread cautiously and convey the situation in a tactical and subtle manner. “There is no denying that in the present scenario, there is little we can do to counter the issue of corruption when our own party Chief Minister has been barraged with serious charges,” a Congress office-bearer has said. Oblique reference Even though BJP leader and former Chief Minister PK Dhumal refrained from making any direct adverse comment on the Prime Minister or All-India Congress Committee vice-president Rahul Gandhi, he could not help making an oblique reference to their remarkable capability of sitting over urgent matters indecisively. “He must be applying his mind,” was his curt and short reply when asked by the media at a press conference here that the Prime Minister had said he had received a letter from BJP leader Arun Jaitley. Dhumal once again sarcastically repeated the remark when asked about Rahul Gandhi’s resolve of zero tolerance towards corruption, but no action against Virbhadra Singh. Dhumal indignant Peeved at the manner in which the Congress regime is hounding him and his family by undertaking Vigilance inquiries, Dhumal lashed out at Virbhadra Singh and his family at a recent press conference here. The bitterness was so evident that he did not even hesitate to draw a comparison between his and Virbhadra’s lineage while taking pride in being the son of a farmer and an ex-serviceman. “It is news to everyone that Virbhadra’s son and daughter have shares in Maple Destinations even though everyone spoke of my family having bought a hotel by the name of Destination and Bantony while the BJP was in power,” he said. “Now the truth is out as everyone knows who has the fondness for Destination and other similar investments,” Dhumal remarked. He said it was because of Virbhadra Singh that Himachal Pradesh would become infamous for the apple scam, in which the fruit worth crores was transported on scooters and in tippers and oil tankers. Tongues wagging As the allotment of hydroelectric power projects in the state is becoming an issue between the Congress and the BJP with the fresh round of allegations and counter-allegations in the allotment of the Sai Kothi power project to a private firm, people are deeply analysing the role of parties in the allotment of power projects. Since the 17-MW Sai Kothi project is a small project compared to several big projects with huge costs, people are analysing the enormity of the issue as well. People are talking in hushed tones about allegations of money changing hands between politicians and power companies and are sceptic about the role of politicians who had been in power in the state. While it is for courts to decide the truth of the allegations of bribe in allotment of power projects, such allegations have created suspicion in the minds of the people here about the role of ruling parties in the state in the allotment of power
projects. Contributed by Pratibha Chauhan and Dharam Prakash Gupta
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