Shimla, October 16
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the police should make efforts to complete investigation in cases of harassment of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) at the earliest. Also, the issue of setting up special courts for speedy disposal of such cases be taken up with the High Court.

He was presiding over the meeting of State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee constituted under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The Chief Minister directed the district-level committees to look into harassment or atrocities on SC/STs and see that cases were not being withdrawn by the victims under duress. The investigating agencies must also ensure that people are not using this Act for settling personal vendetta, he added.

He urged the HP State Legal Service Authority to create awareness amongst people regarding the aid being provided to victims of atrocities or any other person who wants to be party in the case in favour of the victims.

Kullu, October 16
Manali MLA and district BJP president Gobind Singh Thakur alleged that the announcements made by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in the past two years had not witnessed any concrete development at the ground level.

He said this while addressing mediapersons at the Circuit House here yesterday. Similar projects and schemes were time and again announced by the CM, but were not actually implemented, he alleged.

He took credit for the setting up a Navodaya school and polytechnic institute in the district and stated that to attain cheap publicity, the present government was taking credit for development jobs initiated by the previous BJP government.

He said the budget for the bridge near the Bhootnath temple in Sarwari was approved during the BJP regime, while he was the MLA.

No visible development was evident during the past two years of the Congress regime. Various party leaders had been making claims regarding the land near 15 mile but he would prioritise to setup a medical college in the area. The Congress was only misleading the masses and even while it was in power at the Centre, the state government could not mobilise any development works in the state, he added.

Shimla, October 16
The HP High Court has directed the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College and Hospital, Nerchowk, Mandi, to remove the deficiencies pointed out by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in all respects within three months.

The court said the assessment report would be supplied to the MCI and the council would be at liberty to re-inspect the medical college within a month.

The MCI on the basis of re-inspection shall submit the case to the Centre for issuance of permission to the college.

However, the court refused the plea of the petitioner to order the authorities to open the college for the academic session 2014-2015 by saying: “In view of the deficiencies pointed out by the MCI, we cannot order the opening of the college from this academic session.”

This order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Sureshwar Thakur on a Public Interest Litigation wherein the petitioner urged the court to direct the authorities to open the college from the current academic session.

The petitioner alleged that the MCI has denied the permission to open the medical college being established by state government and the ESI.

It was further stated that in 2009, the state government provided around 31 acre land to the ESIC at a token lease of Rs 1 for 99 years for constructing and starting the ESI Hospital and Medical College at Nerchowk in Mandi which would be providing specialised medical services to people.

It was further stated that it was a joint endeavour of the Centre and the state government and this would be the super-specialty 500-bed ESIC Medical College and Hospital and as per the information of the petitioner, MBBS classes for 100 seats in this medical college was to be started from the academic session 2010-2011.

The petitioner alleged that around Rs750 crore has already been spent to establish this world-class institution by the both governments to provide better health services to people of the state.

It was submitted that the state government and ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Nerchowk, Mandi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make the medical college operational from the 2014-15 session.

Shimla, October 16
A high-level French delegation headed by Francois Richier, Ambassador of France in India, held deliberations with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and senior state government functionaries on possible tie-ups in the field of energy, water treatment and urban transport.

Francois Richier, the Ambassador of France in India, addresses mediapersons in Shimla on Thursday. Photo: Amit Kanwar

“We are keen on adopting the latest technology in various areas of urban development, energy, transport and tourism so that there is infrastructure development in a big way,” said Virbhadra.

He said HP was keen on developing world-class ski slopes.

“It is a challenge to provide good infrastructure and latest technologies, especially in the view of growing population and great expectations of people,” said Richier, while talking to mediapersons here today.

He said several French companies having expertise in various fields could offer the latest technology which in turn could offer good solutions.

He said tourism was one area which was high on the agenda of French companies as Himachal had immense scope for it.

He said it was very important to have a master plan so that there was an integrated perspective and solutions could be offered accordingly.

“Having experience of executing projects in mountainous region, some French companies can offer good solutions for a state like Himachal,” he said.

He said setting up smart cities was another area being discussed for a tie-up.

He said French Development Agency, a government undertaking, could also enter into collaboration for executing projects which contribute in sustainable development.

“It will be our endeavour to ensure that all technologies offered are environment friendly considering serious implications of issues such as climate change and global warming,” he said.

Vineet Chaudhry, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development, said Himachal was looking forward to building a fruitful partnership where the state would get appropriate technological solutions to various issues.

The other members of the delegation were Jean-Rene, Minister Counsellor and Head of Regional Economic Services for South Asia, Ilika Mann, Counsellor for Regional and Legal Relations, Embassy of France, Fanny Herve, Counsellor Sustainable Development, Camille Severac, Project officer, French Development Agency in India (AFD) and other delegates specialised in the field of urban development and solar energy.

Keen on investing in the state, the delegation interacted upon the issues especially related to transport solution and mobility, technical solutions for waste collection, urban transportation and re-cycling, appropriate technology for introducing decentralised seepage management system among other things.

Solan, October 16
Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department has successfully bred more than 50 cheer pheasants, a rare species bird, whose population is suffering a sharp decline at its Chail pheasantry.

Dr Lalit Mohan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Wing, said the project was initiated in 2008 and the team comprised zoo directors, wildlife veterinarians and other frontline staff.

Earlier, DNA profiling of the bred stock was carried out by an independent agency to assess the success rate of conservation breeding and buoyed by the results the officials had decided to release the birds in suitable locations to ensure their propagation.

The Chail pheasantry is the only facility in the country where a systematic conservation breeding programme is being undertaken for cheer pheasants. With the recovery plan already appearing in the agenda of the HP Zoos and Conservation Breeding Society and being approved by the wildlife wing, the officials have now initiated the process to seek approval and funds from the Central Zoo Authority to proceed with this crucial stage, Dr Mohan added. The global population of this bird is estimated to be 70 only, while in Asia their captive population is 28.

Cheer pheasant is restricted range species endemic to the Western Himalayan region and is declared as vulnerable in the Red Data Book of the International Union of Conservation and Nature and Natural Resources, which makes it essential to undertake such breeding projects to enhance their population.

Chamba, October 16
As many as 67 government schools are without toilets in Chamba district as per the data posted on the website of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD) recently. There are 999 government schools in the state, which are functioning without toilets.

According to the information available on the website, there are 46 government schools in Sihunta education block which are without toilets, nine government schools in Pangi block, seven in Hardaspura block, two in Banikhet block, two in Chamba block and one in Garola block that are without toilets.

The toilets are to be constructed at government schools under the National Mission of Swachh Bharat: Swachh Vidyalaya (Clean India: Clean Schools) launched recently by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The mission envisages providing water, sanitation and hygiene at schools, while swachh vidyalaya is the essential element.

Meanwhile, there are reports that in Bharmour tribal terrain, a government primary school at Malkouta is functioning without toilets. 

Chamba, October 16
In wake of the advent winter season in the Pangi tribal valley of Chamba, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) today commissioned its 3rd and 4th radiation towers for mobile users, providing them telecommunication facilities at their doorstep.

An official communiqué of BSNL issued today said the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications of BSNL in Mindhal and Chalouli terrains of the valley had started working today.

“The BSNL is the only mobile service provider operating in the remote tribal valley of Pangi”, the communiqué claimed.

The valley remains cut off from other parts of the state during the winter season due to heavy snowfall and the BSNL cellular phone is the only media to keep their contacts with officials as well as with their kin.

Solan, October 16
With drugs manufactured by some pharmaceutical units repeatedly being declared sub-standard, due to their failure to maintain good manufacturing practices (GMP) on their premises, the Drug Controller today directed all inspectors to tighten noose around such firms in the next fortnight.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) issues a drug alert every month, listing firms whose drugs have been found spurious or sub-standard on the basis of sampling and subsequent testing. A number of drugs manufactured in various firms all across the state often figure in the list, putting a question mark over their manufacturing standards.

Navneet Marwaha, Drug Controller, said a special 15-day drive would be launched during which all inspectors would short-list firms whose samples have been repeatedly faring in the monthly alert.

Such units would be thoroughly inspected and directed to remove their shortcoming within a stipulated period so that drugs manufactured by them adhere to the standards.

Some of the drugs declared sub-standard or spurious in the state often fall in the thermo-labile category, whereby they change their composition when exposed to heat since all medical shops storing them fail to maintain optimum temperatures.

Though the DCGI has strictly directed all officials who lift drug samples to take note of the conditions under which a drug is stored, it is the manufacturer who bears the brunt as little is being done to ensure maintenance of optimum conditions for storing drugs, production head of a leading pharmaceutical unit in Baddi said.

While some firms were known to be habitually indulging in failing to maintain good manufacturing practices in the manufacturing processes, the move to check such erring firms would help instill some discipline.

In the latest drug alert issued recently, drugs manufactured by nine firms, including Unix Biotech, BHC Labs, Shiva Biogenetic, Laborate, Brooks Labs, Marc Labs, Zee Labs, Biogenetic Drugs and Comed Chemicals, have been declared sub-standard out of 45 samples found sub-standard across the nation.

Tough talk

* DCGI issues drug alert every month, listing firms whose drugs are found spurious or sub-standard

* A number of drugs manufactured in firms across the state often figure in the list

* Drug Controller has directed inspectors to tighten noose around such firms in the next fortnight

* Such units will be thoroughly inspected and directed to remove their shortcoming within a stipulated period

Mandi, October 16
World Rural Women Day was observed at Chulla Thach village under Siraj block here yesterday. On the occasion, rural women organised an exhibition of local handicrafts and set up stalls of several agriculture and fruit products.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kadam highlighted the importance of the day.

He said rural women were playing an important role in increasing the income of the family by engaging themselves in agriculture, orchards and animal rearing despite difficult geographical conditions.

The Deputy Commissioner said residents should keep their village clean and make appropriate arrangements of the proper disposal of waste.

Local artistes and self-help groups performed Haran and Naati dances and gave the message of cleanliness on the occasion.

Solan, October 16
A student of Solan-based LLR Institute of Professional Courses was killed and three others injured in a road accident at Raison village in Kullu district last evening. They were on their way to Manali.

Superintendent of Police, Kullu, Surinder Verma, confirmed that a student Navjot Chauhan was killed and three others — Dinesh, Yash and Ankit — were injured in the accident involving rash and negligent driving last evening.

Surprisingly the victims had gone on a holiday, whereas according to their parents they were supposed to be at the institute. There is no administrative control at the institute after the declaration of holidays till October 26 and hostel students are all by themselves.

No authoritative person was available to hold the accountability of such incidents.

Not only this, the stalemate arising out of strike by the teaching and non-teaching employees in protest against the non-grant of salaries since the past three months has not been resolved. “No one from the institute’s managing committee turned up before the Labour Department officials yesterday following which the officials are now preparing to forward the case for prosecution,” said Labour Officer Pratap Verma.

He said: “Despite being directed to appear before us none from the management bothered to appear and clarify their stand or initiate any move to resolve the issue, thereby forcing us to prosecute them.”

The state government had failed to initiate any action against the institute management who had failed to disburse salaries to the employees and who had arbitrarily declared holidays till October 26 though a majority of the students had failed to vacate the hostels.

Manoj Kumar, vice-chancellor, HP Technical University (HPTU), had said he would send a team to the institute to take stock of the situation soon, but action was still being awaited.

The institute’s staff have already given representations to the CM, Governor, Minister for Technical Education, VC HPTU and others to get their dues but in vain. 

Kullu, October 16
A legal literacy camp was organised by the Sub-divisional Legal Services Committee at Laran Kelo village, 20 km from here, yesterday.

Praveen Chauhan, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kullu, who is also the Chairman of the committee, presided over the camp and detailed the provisions under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act and Domestic Violence Act.

Advocate Tej Singh Thakur spoke on the fundamental rights and duties, Alok Parmar on the NDPS Act, Laxmi Devi on the rights of women and Shyam Singh Thakur on the provisions under the Consumer Protection Act. 

Dalhousie, October 16
Two persons riding on a motorbike were killed when a truck coming from the opposite side hit their bike at Devi Dehra, about 15 km from here, today, a police report said.

The report revealed that Ashish Kumar died on the spot while pillion-rider Vijay Kumar succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital. Both deceased were belonged to the nearby areas of Dalhousie.

The police report confirmed that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the truck driver, adding that a case against the driver had been registered at the Dalhousie police station.

Shimla, October 16
Even after 67 years of Independence, Shimla has not been able to shed the British legacy of dependence on labour force, which still holds the key of business and economic activities.

Migrant Kashmiri labourers carry heavy goods on their back in a congested area in Shimla. Photo: Amit Kanwar

The approach roads to main markets of the town -- Ram Bazar, Lower Bazar, Middle Bazar and Mall Road -- are not fit for heavy vehicles and the vehicular movement is restricted and the carriage of goods solely depends on labourers. Be it foodgrains, fruits or vegetables, construction material, consumers goods, heavy articles and gas cylinders, labourers carry these to shops and godowns and shopkeepers recover the extra expenses from consumers.

Right from offloading the goods from trucks and bringing these to godowns and shops and delivering these to consumers, the labourers and coolies are an indispensable and integral part of business.

About three decades ago, Chowdhri labourers used to carry heavy loads, especially in grain markets, but now Kashmiri labourers have replaced them to a large extent. Big businessmen have permanent labour force for carriage, but small businessmen are at their mercy.

In most places, the construction materials are carried by labourers. Since, the materials are unloaded on the roadside, people have little time to lift the material to the site and labourers, especially Kashmir labourers, make a fast buck.

For carrying the material of one truck to 300 to 600 m, the charges range between ~1,200 and ~1,500, says Kashmiri labourer Altaf. He said: "We earn extra during the tourist season which goes for almost eight months now as a large number of hotels are not approachable by vehicle and touristsfrom plains find it difficult to go with baggage."

A project to build multi-storey Subzi Mandi and a commercial complex at the present Subzi Mandi site is eating dust and in spite of laying the foundation stone twice, work has not commenced and the road to Subzi Mandi is blocked due to debris and the movement of trucks is forbidden.

As a consequence, the shopkeepers whose business premises are located along the roads are doing better business as the consumers find it convenient to buy goods from these shops. Even the hotel business is dependent on porters who act as touts and bring customers to the hotels on heavy commission.

“Our business has been reduced by 50 per cent as the labour charges have gone up many times and in spite of this, labourers are not available, said Romesh Sood, a former president of the Shimla Beopar Mandal.

Shimla, October 16
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said a week-long session of the Vidhan Sabha would be convened shortly so that important Bills, including the proposed amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act, could be passed.

“The BJP has not attended the last three sessions,” he said, talking to mediapersons here. He said though the government completed the business listed for the session, Opposition legislators did not participate in the debates and discussions for which they had given prior notice.

“We intend to convene a week-long session before the winter session so that important Bills and other business can be taken up,” he said. He said the BJP had created disruptions during the Budget session and later they also forced the abrupt end of the monsoon session.

Virbhadra also said the government would not succumb to any pressure exerted by employees, when asked about the protest of employees of the Revenue Deparment.

“I have asked my ministers and officers to mitigate the grievances of the people, including employees, but we will not tolerate if it becomes a habit with some people to threaten a stir every time,” he said. He added that nobody was indispensable. 

Probe into missing wireless sets

The Chief Minister said the incident relating to 20 wireless sets of the Police Department going missing from a bus during transportation was a major security lapse and an inquiry would be ordered into it. “The wireless sets should have been sent more carefully and under the supervision of some responsible officer,” he said.

Una, October 16
Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri yesterday laid the foundation stone of an additional building and auditorium of the HIMCPES Nursing College in Badheda village of the Haroli constituency. The total cost of the project is Rs 5 crore.

Agnihotri said it was the Haroli segment which got th credit of starting the cooperative movement in the world as the first cooperative was formed by Mian Hira Singh at Panjawar village and the movement gradually spread to other parts of the world.

He said Rs 97 lakh had been sanctioned for constructing the approach road to the HIMCPES College from the village link road. He also inaugurated a high mast light, installed on the campus at a cost of Rs 5 lakh. The institution would be provided with a gymnasium also, he added.

On the occasion, nursing students of the college presented cultural programmes.

Institution chairman Capt Jagdev Singh (retd), former vice-chairman of the Agro-Packaging Corporation Omkar Sharma, SDM Dhanvir Thakur and Assistant Commissioner (development) Dr Richa Verma were also present.