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Makeover plan for Chail cricket ground
Indians in Iraq: Sandeep’s family a harried lot
In Manali, paraglide at your own risk!
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Green loss near tara devi temple
Expect water transport in state soon
BJP has failed in keeping its promise on black money: Sukhu
Govt protecting forest mafia: Dhumal
Farmers inform police about illegal mining
PCB team to inspect hotels along Beas in Kullu
Entrepreneurs can apply online to avail incentives
Dagshai school remembers ex-student
118 empty cement bags seized, 2 held CM releases Sanskrit book House torched to set woman ablaze
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Makeover plan for Chail cricket ground
Solan, November 29 He said his government did not believe in politicising games and was committed to promote all games in the state, particularly rural games in a big way. Lamenting the inordinate delay in constructing this hospital building, he said: “It is a matter of disgrace that the work at this hospital was unduly delayed by the previous BJP government.” He said such public welfare works should not have been delayed and dumped in the name of politics. The CM said every panchayat in the state would be made ‘Nirmal’ and the state government was endeavouring to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of attaining total cleanliness, as the idea of cleanliness and complete sanitation was mooted by him way back. He said they would ensure that all villages and every household of the state have toilets. He said the state government was committed to the welfare of every person and had initiated various measures for the empowerment of women and girl child and to achieve this, the government had opened many schools and colleges in rural and far-flung areas. He announced a grant of Rs 3.37 crore for the construction of Sadhupul and directed officials to undertake its work on a war-footing. Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said Rs 30 crore had been earmarked for the purchase of generic medicines and they were endeavouring to strengthen the health infrastructure in the state by upgrading health institutions. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil was also present, besides other political leaders.
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Indians in Iraq: Sandeep’s family a harried lot
Nurpur, November 29 Although Union External Minister Sushma Swaraj had dismissed these speculations in the Lok Sabha yesterday, an uneasy calm still prevails at Samker village in Dhameta gram panchayat of Jawali subdivision. In the breaking news, the channel had quoted assertion of Harjit Masih a youth from Batala, who along with two Bangladeshi nationals had fled from the captivity of militants. Sandeep is one of the three persons from Kangra district who had gone to Iraq in September last year for earning livelihood as JCB operators in a construction company. Sandeep’s father Dilavar Singh (75) said he had not spoken to his son since June 14. He said the state government had neither provided any financial succour nor taken up the issue of safe home return of his son with the Union Government, whereas the Punjab Government had been rendering financial assistance to families of people stranded in Iraq. Apart from old parents, Sandeep’s wife and two children are facing a tough time ever since he got stranded in Iraq as they have no other source of income. The family had also submitted a memorandum in this connection to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh through the SDM, Jawali, on Thursday seeking his intervention for the safe homecoming of Sandeep from Iraq.
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Green loss near tara devi temple 15-member team still looking for untraceable logs in nearby villages Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service
Shimla, November 29 A 15-member team of the Forest Department recovered 28 logs of deodar which were untraceable. They scanned several villages near the Tara Devi temple complex and recovered nearly 7 cubic metre wood from the forests near Raghaon, Bhog, Baar and Charaon villages. The search operation, which began yesterday, was still on as the wood of other two deodar trees was yet to be traced. “The demarcation was done today in the presence of Revenue, Forest and police officials and it has been established that the illegal felling took place only on private land and no forestland was involved,” said Raman Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Mashobra. He said most of the oak and other species of wood (82.5 cubic metre), which had been felled, had been recovered from near the Tara Devi temple, earlier. Even though the report given by the Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, points out that no demarcation had been done of the private land, Praveen Sharma, who has been helping Amreek Singh Nagpal, director of Pristine Hotels and Resorts Pvt Ltd, in obtaining the permissions has given it in writing that he had got it done on November 12. As such the Revenue officials who did the demarcation should also be questioned as to why they did not report the felling of hundreds of trees. The fact that not even a single tree has been felled from the forestland outside the private land measuring 38.5 bigha indicates that the felling had been done in a planned manner with the possible connivance of Forest and Revenue officials. The white marking to indicate the boundary of the private land is still visible on the site, which clearly points to the fact that the demarcation has taken place. Landowner Parminder Kaur had made an online compliant with the police that a case of trespass and theft be lodged as trees had been cut from her property. “With both the owner as well as Nagpal, who had entered into an agreement with Parminder, disowning Praveen, it is the police which should question Praveen to know on whose directions he got the demarcation done on November 12?” an official pointed out. A case was registered at the Boileauganj police station against the owner for illegal felling and the National Green Tribunal had also issued notice to the state government. Though five forest officials, including the DFO, the Additional Conservator of Forest (ACF) and the Conservator, have been suspended, the role of revenue and police officials in the incident is yet to be found out. Nagpal’s manager arrested
The police today arrested Praveen Sharma, who is the manager of Nagpal and the one who helped him in getting all clearances and completing the formalities. He had allegedly forged the signature of the owner Parminder Kaur on the application given to the revenue authorities for holding the demarcation of land. "We have arrested Praveen as he forged the landowner's signature to get the demarcation done," said DW Negi, SP, Shimla. The demarcation was carried out by the revenue staff only on the request of the owner and in this case it had been done without the knowledge of the owner. |
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In Manali, paraglide at your own risk!
Mandi, November 29 Recently, a technical team, headed by the Director of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, had rejected the claim of all paragliding facilitators for a
licence. Not only were the paragliding equipment found wanting, operators too were found lacking in experience. Manali Tourism Deputy Director Ashwani Kumar said according to the HP Aero Sports Rules, 2004, permission to operate could be granted only to a cooperative society or an individual who should have a travel agency, a glider and other safety gears. He said the operators had formed an association and registered it under the HP Societies Registration Act, 2006, which was constituted for the purpose of promotion of the activities. He said paragliding was a commercial activity and the association had been asked to get it registered under the HP Cooperative Societies Act, 1968, before applying of the
licence. “Right now, they are operating without approval,” he
added. Rajender Singh, a tourist from Chandigarh, said in 2012 he had suffered a tailbone fracture in the Solang valley and had to stay in bed for nearly three months due to untrained and non-certified paragliding operator. Manali Paragliding Association advisory chairman Roshan Lal Thakur said the licence should be given to the association as it would take the responsibility of training of operators and safety of tourist. On untrained operators, he said some youths from Bihar and UP, who had come here for menial jobs, had become paragliding operators and they were spoiling its name, he said and added that when they had never been to school, how they would understand aerodynamics and flying. It was wrong to say that all operators were untrained and equipment were substandard, he said and added that there were nearly 250 paragliding operators and the government should form a committee of experts and conduct a test before giving the
licence. “For the last three years, no licence has been issued. If something wrong happens, then who will be responsible for it,” he said. The next meeting of the committee would take place in April next year and till then they would have to operate without
licence, he added. Solang Valley, located at an altitude of 8400 ft, has an excellent geographical location for winter and summer sports. He said paragliding was not a business, but a source of employment for local youth. Fatal flight
In June this year, a tourist was killed in an accident allegedly due to lack of safety standards and untrained and non-certified pilot. Rajender Singh, a tourist from Chandigarh, in 2012 had suffered a tailbone fracture in the Solang valley and had to stay in bed for nearly three months due to untrained and non-certified paragliding operator. |
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Expect water transport in state soon
Shimla, November 29 “We had sent the proposal to the Surface Transport Ministry for allowing water transport services in three districts and they referred our case to the Inland Waterways Authority of India, which is likely to give its nod,” he said. Bali said there was a dire need for providing alternative transport in the state with dependence being mainly on land transport. “We have already identified a total of 16 routes, 14 of which are in Bilaspur and one each in Chamba and Kangra districts,” he said. Bali said the one in Kangra would be at Pong Dam reservoir and one in Chamba reservoir. He said besides transporting passengers, arrangement for carrying goods would also be made to facilitate farmers and horticulturists. He said water transport would be undertaken under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode and after its successful implementation it would be extended to other parts of the state. Bali said road safety had been accorded priority in new transport policy and modern facilities would be provided at drivers’
training schools. He said the new policy was likely to minimise road accidents in the state. He said emergency management training would be given priority and special training would be imparted to drivers and conductors. He said all buses of the Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation were being connected with the GPS system, so that their location and condition of the bus could be monitored from district headquarters. The Transport Minister inaugurated a workshop for instructors of driving training schools here today. Instructors and in-charges of 56 driving training schools of the state participated in the workshop. |
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BJP has failed in keeping its promise on black money: Sukhu
Nahan, November 29 He said Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu during a debate in Parliament said the BJP had never promised to bring back black money in 100 days and this clearly proved that their poll promises on corruption, black money and unemployment were merely aimed at gaining electoral benefits. Sukhu said making promises and tall claims and running a country were different affairs and so far Modi and the BJP had not shown keenness to fulfil their poll promises. Sukhu was addressing a meeting of the Block Congress Committee at Shillai, where other senior Congress leaders, including former MLA Harshvardhan Chauhan, District Congress Committee president Ajay Solanki, Block Observer Brij Raj, Block Congress Committee president Rattan Singh, were also present. He said the credit for Himachal’s development was attributed to successive Congress governments in the state and the opening of a medical college and an IIM in Sirmaur district would help in ushering in a new era of development. He said other developmental works such as the opening of a sub-divisional office in Shillai were illustrations of the developmental endeavours of the state government. Lauding the efforts of the former MLA Harshvardhan Chauhan, he said: “Chauhan is working for the development of Shillai at a time when he is not an MLA and this shows his dedication towards the welfare of the people of the area.” Sukhu urged former CM PK Dhumal and other BJP leaders to play the role of a constructive Opposition in the upcoming winter session and help redress peoples’ issues. He said the BJP had failed in fulfilling its role in the last Assembly sessions due to which discussions on public issues could not be held and the Assembly had to be adjourned before its scheduled sittings. |
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Govt protecting forest mafia: Dhumal
Hamirpur, November 29 Addressing a press conference here today, he said the some influential people in the government were trying to hush up the matter, but this would not be possible as the BJP would raise the issue vociferously. He said transfer, forest, wine and mining mafias were all getting shelter from the government in the state. “Hundreds of illegally mined sand and gravel truckloads are being sent to the neighbouring states with government machinery remaining mute spectators,” he said. He pointed out that illegal mining of stone and sand was being done in the Swan river channelisation project, reflecting gross negligence of the government. He said other issues would be increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel and petrol and demand for reduction in bus fare. “The Opposition will extend its full support to the government on pro-people issues, but will oppose decisions which are against the public,” he said. Earlier, Dhumal distributed relief to flood-affected families of the area at a function organised at Bohani village near here today. |
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Farmers inform police about illegal mining
Nurpur, November 29 Nurpur Additional SHO Tilak Raj and Kandwal police chowki in charge Ajit Singh confiscated the vehicles. Tilak said the police had impounded the JCB machine and tippers under the Mining Act and the same would be released through the court. He said the JCB machine and tippers were owned by Shiva Stone Crushers in Kandwal. Hoshiar Singh lamented that the High Court had banned mining and enforced Section 144, CrPC, but the mining mafia still continued with the illegal activity. “Now, the farmers are forced to come forward and save their fields from the mining repercussions as the government has failed to curb this menace, playing havoc on ecology, agriculture land and natural water resources,” he added. The Bhartiya Kisan Sangh had earlier submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh against the ongoing illegal mining on the Chakki riverbed. |
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PCB team to inspect hotels along Beas in Kullu
Kullu, November 29 PCB authorities said the inspection campaign was intensified as per the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to protect the Beas. The authorities said strong action would be taken against hotel owners found guilty of dumping waste into the river. Sources said the team of the Board would examine the measures adopted by hotel operators to dispose sewerage and municipal waste. The environmentalists in Kullu and Mandi said despite repeated directions by the NGT, the authorities concerned had not only failed in implementing anything concrete to curtail the pollution in the Beas, but were indifferent to further violations of the NGT orders. They said immediate action should be initiated by local authorities to
prevent any damage to the environment. They demanded stern action against officials found adopting liberal approach in implementing NGT orders. |
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Entrepreneurs can apply online to avail incentives
Shimla, November 29 A spokesman of the Industries Department said here today that the prospective entrepreneurs could file the Entrepreneurs Memorandum Part I (EM-I) online to avail various incentives or clearances being given by the Central and state governments. He said entrepreneurs who had already set up their units could also file the Entrepreneurs Memorandum-Part II online as it was also required for availing various benefits. “The proposals that fall under the list of negative industries will be decided and approved by the state-level Single Window Clearance and Monitoring Authority,” he said. He said to avoid cumbersome process of manual filing, the government had decided to provide benefit of online filing of EM-I and II at www.msme.gov.in from December 1, 2014. “Manual filing will be discontinued after December 1 and the forms will only be accepted online,” he added.
— TNS |
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Dagshai school remembers ex-student
Solan, November 29 Principal Sanjay Kumar Mishra garlanded the bust of the young soldier said Udai was not only an inspiration for students, but also a role model. “The school has earned a name for itself owing to the selfless services of such heroes. We are proud of our students, who have set a glorious example of valour,” he said. Late Major Udai Singh was a student of APS, Dagshai, from 1988 to 1992 and commissioned from the Indian Military Academy in the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), in June 1997.
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The state government may soon start water-transport services on 16 routes in Bilaspur, Kangra and Chamba districts as an alternative mode of transport.
Transport Minister GS Bali today said the state government officials would be meeting officials of the Inland Waterways Authority of India in Delhi on December 4.
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal accused the state government of protecting and sheltering the forest mafia, saying that it was trying to save the culprits responsible for the illegal felling of 477 pine trees on a private land near Tara
Devi.
The staff and students of Army Public School (APS), Dagshai, today conducted a special assembly session in memory of their former student Major Udai Singh, who had laid down his life on this day while fighting militants in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir in 2003.
