P R A D E S H
Sunday, November 15, 1998
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H I M A C H A L P R A D E S H |
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Sunday, November 15, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Rain water harvesting made
mandatory Parties
hosted for 'special' kids Protest
rallies by NSUI activists |
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Congress accuses BJP of
violating norms HPASCA
condemns manhandling Traffic
blocked ASI
plan to take control of temple HP
plan on water exploration |
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Rain water harvesting made
mandatory SHIMLA, Nov 14 — In a bid to meet the chronic water scarcity, the installation of a rain water harvesting technique structure in all buildings in the urban areas of Himachal Pradesh has been made compulsory by the state government. Rain water harvesting has been made mandatory for all private buildings which come up in the urban areas of the state in future and for even the existing commercial and institutional buildings, and tourist and industrial complexes. The proposal for compulsory rain water harvesting was approved by the State Cabinet in its recent meeting. Sources said that it was approved that all buildings constructed within the urban limits of the towns in future will have a separate rain water collection tank as a compulsory feature. No building design will be approved if it did not include rain water harvesting as part of essential service. The design, dimension and type of storage tanks would be based on the roof area, average rainfall in the area and the purpose for which stored water is proposed to be used. Suitable amendments will be made in the municipal building laws to incorporate the provision of rain water harvesting structures compulsory. Himachal has become the first state to introduce the technique for all buildings. So far, only Chennai has made rain water collection for domestic use compulsory. Sources said that under the new scheme, all commercial and institutional buildings, tourist and industrial complexes, hotels etc, existing or coming up and having a plinth area of more than 1000 square metres will have rain water storage facilities commensurate with the size of roof area. No objection certificates required under different statutes will not be issued to the owners of the buildings unless they produce satisfactory proof of compliance of the new law. Toilet flush systems will have to be connected with the rain water storage tank. It has been suggested that the use of public water for watering lawns and gardens should be restricted. It has been recommended that the buildings will have rain water storage facility commensurate with the size of roof in the open and set back area of the plot at the rate of 0.24 cft. per sq mt of the roof area. Although the state receives about 1134 mm of average annual rainfall, almost all the 59 urban settlements are facing an acute scarcity of water. The average water supply in Shimla town is 101.79 litre per capita per day against the desirable supply of 150 lpcd. Interestingly, the then Commissioner of Shimla, Mr H.C. Fanshawe, had nearly 100 years ago on September 6, 1899 written a letter to the government suggesting that storing of rain water for drain flushing and domestic purposes other than drinking should be made compulsory. Apart from legislative
measures, some countries also give incentives for
popularising the use of rain water. California provides
tax credit to those implementing rain water catchment. |
Parties hosted for 'special' kids SHIMLA, Nov 14 — Children's Day was celebrated with enthusiasm, gaiety and fervour throughout the state today. Cultural programmes were organised and rich tributes were paid to Jawaharlal Nehru. A state-level function was held at The Ridge here. Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor, was the chief guest. She lit a lamp before a portrait of Nehru and paid floral tributes to him. Greeting and blessing the children on the occasion, she said they were the future of the country and it was the social responsibility of every individual to ensure their welfare and development. Later, Mrs Devi visited Sarvodaya Bal Ashram and hosted a lunch for the inmates, who presented a cultural programme on the occasion. The Governor also hosted a tea party for the inmates of a home for the physically handicapped and orphans, Dhalli, at the Raj Bhavan. The CLP Leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, paid floral tributes to Nehru at the Congress office here. The Nehru Bal Samiti also celebrated Children's Day at the YWCA hall here. KULU: Mr Karan Singh, Minister of State for Primary Education said all vacant posts of teacher would be filled in a phased manner. He was addressing a
gathering at Senior Secondary School during the
Children's Day celebrations. |
Protest rallies by NSUI activists SOLAN, Nov 14 — NSUI activists took out processions and held rallies on the main campus of Parmar University, near here and also in this town in protest against "partial police attitude in the conduct of investigation into Wednesday's violent clash between two groups of students in which 10 were injured." While the S.P. Mr M.L. Negi, claimed that seven persons were arrested soon after the police reached the campus on the night of incident, NSUI leaders maintained that four were arrested from the campus and the other three were arrested when they voluntarily reached the police station to lodge an FIR. Mr Pragya Verma and Ms Archana Jandev, Vice-President and General Secretary respectively of the campus unit of the NSUI told newspersons here yesterday that the police had booked cases of attempted murder against NSUI members while it had shown its bias in favour of the ABVP, a frontal organisation of the ruling BJP by registering cases of rioting and similar lesser offences against the ABVP activists. They maintained that one of their activists, Mr Anil Jokta, was injured seriously and had to be referred to the IGMC, Shimla, following development of symptoms of critical head injury. They also claimed that Mr Jokta had named certain persons as his assailants who had not been arrested so far. Mr Negi, however, denied the allegations of the NSUI leaders saying that appropriate cases as warranted by the statements of leaders of the two organisations had been registered without any bias. He also denied that he was under any political pressure. Replying to a question, he initially denied that Mr Jokta had made any kind of statement but later admitted that he had indeed made one "which he would disclose only in court". Asked why a case was not registered following the statement of Mr Jokta, the S.P. said that he had not received the final medical opinion. It had been unofficially learnt that Mr Jokta, who had suffered a fractured arm and head injuries had made a second statement contradicting his earlier one. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof
L.R. Verma, could not be contacted as he went on tour. |
Congress accuses BJP of violating
norms SHIMLA, Nov 14 — The Congress has accused the ruling BJP of misusing its official position and flouting election norms for the byelection for the Baijnath Assembly seat in Himachal Pradesh and has sought deployment of CRPF in the constituency. In a statement here today, Mr Yogendera Chandra, MLA, and Congress spokesman said that Dr Ram Lal Markanda of the HVC was inducted in the ministry by Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, as an election gimmick. He was sworn as minister on October 30 when the election code of conduct had come in force. He alleged that chairpersons of various boards and corporations were misusing their official vehicles in the byelection. The Congress leader also alleged that the Dhumal ministry made certain announcements recently about the medical college at Tanda with a view to influence the electorate. All these issues have also
been brought to the notice of the Election Commission. |
HPASCA condemns manhandling DHARAMSALA, Nov 14 — The Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services Cadre Association has strongly condemned the manhandling and misbehaviour with the SDM, Barsar, by some anti-social elements. In a statement issued here today, the district coordinator of the Association, Mr B.R. Jamwal, ADM, Kangra, demanded that in view of the manhandling and assault of Mr Gopal Sharma, security guards must be provided at the official residence of magistrates. He added that despite the Bilaspur incident, in which the then ADM, Mr M.L. Nahar, was brutally murdered, the government had not provided security to magistrates. He pointed out that at certain places no chowkidars or class four employees were available for the watch and ward leading to odd situation. The association demanded
that it was high time the government paid attention to
the important aspect of the security of magistrates to
avoid any further untoward happening. |
Traffic blocked DHARAMSALA, Nov 14 — The residents of Saplet village and surrounding areas, near Dehra, blocked traffic for two hours today in protest against the failure of the police to arrest the culprits, involved in the murder of a Dalit girl Sunita. The angry villagers, who
blocked traffic at Nain Pukhar Chowk, complained that the
police had failed to arrest those who had murdered
18-year-old Sunita last month. |
ASI plan to take control of
temple CHAMBA, Nov 14 — The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) proposed to take control of an ancient temple of Champavati in the heart of Chamba town. Official sources said a team of ASI experts had conducted a survey and submitted a report to the higher authorities for further action. The sources said the step
was taken by the ASI on a request by the Himachal Pradesh
State Archaeological Department to take control of the
ancient temple as the Archaeological department of the
state had failed to protect it. |
HP plan on water exploration JAWALAMUKHI, Nov 14 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to formulate a plan for scientific exploration of water to utilise it for drinking and irrigation purposes. Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) minister Ramesh Chaudhry told mediapersons here today that the irrigation schemes which had become defunct would be made functional. The minister said the BJP Government would utilise all available water resources for extending irrigation facilities to farmers in the middle and lower hills. The minister said he also
proposed to order inquiries against officials responsible
for mishandling the water schemes. |
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