P R A D E S H
Sunday, January 17, 1999
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H I M A C H A L P R A D E S H |
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Sunday, January 17, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Kale Kachhewale kill 2 in
HP Villagers,
cops clash; police post shifted |
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And
now cement shortage in PWD Use
of paper bags to be encouraged Tanda
college recognition due to Dhumal: Nadda Minister
flays probe demand |
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Kale
Kachhewale kill 2 in HP SHIMLA, Jan 16 — Two persons were killed and eleven injured by suspected criminals of the "Kale Kachhewale" group who raided the Dobri Salwala village near Paonta Sahib in the early hours today. The criminals took the villagers by surprise when they broke into the house of a shopkeeper around mid-night. Those killed were brothers, identified as Ravinder Nath (40) alias Shashi Pandit and Ram Kumar (28). Among the injured were 5 women and 2 children. This is the first ever such incident in Himachal Pradesh and has created panic in the area. Reports said that there was blood splattered in the entire area as the criminals had brutally bludgeoned the inmates of the house and others those who tried to rescue them. The area was engulfed in fog when the attack occurred. The gang also allegedly showered the houses with rocks and boulders. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rakesh Kaushal, said that the criminals forced their entry into the house by breaking the main door with rocks. They cordoned off the house and did not allow outsiders to approach the house while another group of the intruders looted valuables and mercilessly beat any of the house inmates who resisted. Upon entering the intruders first disconnected the telephone to the house. Thereafter, they attacked the inmates with iron rods and ransacked the house. The police came to know of the incident only around 2.30 a.m., when the DSP and SHO of Paonta rushed to the spot. The criminals had escaped by then. The DC, who along with the SP, Mr Prithvi Raj, reached the village located about 14 km from Paonta suspected that a Kale Kachhewale group operating in the adjoining Uttar Pradesh was behind the incident. They might have entered the village after crossing the Yamuna river which separates Himachal from U.P. He said that the injured have been admitted to the hospital at Poanta Sahib. Five of the injured persons have been admitted to the hospital at Herbertpur in U.P. The IG and SP Crime Branch have rushed to the village. A dog squad was also summoned from Solan. The district
administration has provided cash relief to the affected
families and the injured. |
Villagers,
cops clash; police post shifted DHARAMSALA, Jan 16 — The police post at Sahu village has been shifted following a clash between local residents and India Reserve Battalion in the remote Tissa sector of Chamba district, bordering Jammu and Kashmir on January 5 in which a number of people were injured. Cases have been registered against the villagers as well as the IRB personnel. Resentment had been brewing amongst the locals against the high-handedness and unnecessary demands of the IRB personnel. They gave a representation to the SDM, Tissa, in this connection, on January 4. It was the very next day that the IRB personnel picked up a villager for interrogation, as they suspected that he had links with certain suspicious elements from Punjab. As news spread in the village that one person had been picked up the agitated villagers marched to the post and gheraoed it. The mob included women and children as they felt that the IRB personnel were retaliating against their complain lodged with the SDM, Tissa. What followed was a clash between the two parties, with a number of them receiving injuries. The SDM, Mr DK Rattan, and the Additional SP, Mr Arvind Sharda, visited the spot and decided that the IRB personnel must be shifted immediately, to avoid recurrence of the clashes. After undertaking the fact finding mission they have sent the preliminary report to the Commandant, IRB in Una. There was so much tension between the villagers and the forces that a DSP was asked to camp in the village during the two-three days of the shifting process. The Commandant of the IRB, at Una, Mr JR Thakur, said that since counter cases had been registered in Tissa police station, a thorough investigation of the incident would be undertaken. He, however, added that the OCP had to be shifted down because of the severe winter and the clash was not the reason for it. He disclosed that as per the version of the OCP in charge, the villagers were opposed to the stationing of forces in the village as they were facing difficulty in carrying out illicit distillation and felling of trees. Mr Thakur said that he too
was of the opinion that the forces should be made to stay
away from the village, but in the absence of adequate
facilities for them, there is no other alternative. When
prefabricated huts are provided to all the forces, this
problem would not crop up. Police sources said that the
OCP at Sahu had been put up at the demand of the
villagers only, and strategically it was not so
threatened by the militants. However, after the shifting
of the OCP, regular patrolling shall be undertaken by the
forces. |
Parbati
project best deal: Dhumal MANDI, Jan 16 — The Himachal Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, said at Pandoh today that the ownership of all hydel projects in the state under the joint sector would devolve upon the state 40 years of power generation. Reacting to the criticism of the agreement on the 2051-MW Parbati Hydel project with the National Hydel Power Corporation, the Chief Minister remarked that Congress leaders were spreading canards on "one of the best agreements ever entered upon" since Independence. "They are, in fact, covering up their own failures on the power front," he said. He said the state would get 12 per cent free power, in addition to a 15 per cent share of the Centre at the generation cost. Besides this, it would get a 4 per cent regional share. Replying to questions whether the agreement amounted to a "virtual sell-out" of the state's hydel sources, as alleged by the Congress, Mr Dhumal explained there was a clause under which the ownership of joint sector projects would automatically devolve on the state after 40 years of power generation. Answering another question, he said the ownership of BSL and Bhakhra projects would not devolve upon Himachal Pradesh as no such agreement had been executed by the Congress government with the BBMB at that time. He said the Parbati agreement also provided that 30 per cent jobs of engineers and executive officers would be filled by Himachalis and the operational staff would also be recruited in the same ratio. Another clause would provide compensation for land acquired for the purpose. Besides this, one-member of each family whose land was acquired would be given a permanent job. Mr Dhumal said the government had also decided to develop tourism in the state. Stress would be laid on promoting adventure and pilgrimage tourism. Lakes like Gobindsagar, Maharana Pratap Sagar and Chamera Dam would be harnessed for water sports. Parking for over 200 cars
and a shed for 100 horses had been provided at Kufri. |
End
stagnation, plead HP forest officers SHIMLA, Jan 16 — Resentment prevails among members of the Indian Forest Service over the failure of the state government to take steps to end stagnation and manage their cadre in line with the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission. While in the IAS officers of the 1982 batch have become secretaries and police officers of the 1974 batch Inspectors-General, IFS officers of the 1971 batch were still awaiting promotion as Chief Conservator of Forests, lamented a senior IFS officer. The Fifth Pay Commission had recommended that the cadre should be managed in such a manner that at least 50 per cent of its strength comprised officers of the Conservator level and above. In Himachal, such officers accounted for just 25 per cent of the cadre strength. The total strength of the cadre was 107, with one Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, a few Chief Conservators and 18 Conservators of Forests whereas as per the pay commission, recommendation the state should have a minimum of five Additional Chief Conservators of Forests, 11 Chief Conservators of Forests and 25 Conservators of Forests, IFS officers point out. The situation could be improved to an extent if the government sets up zonal offices headed by Chief Conservators of Forests at Mandi, Shimla and Dharamsala on the pattern of other departments. The offices of the Divisional Commissioner, Chief Engineers of the Public Works Department, state power board and the Irrigation and Public Health Department, were already functioning at these places. There was thus, a strong case for opening zonal offices of the Forest Department, they explain. Moreover, in states like Haryana and Punjab, which hardly had any forests compared to Himachal there were two posts of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Himachal should also follow suit and create one more post on the pattern of Punjab. There was also vast scope for expansion of the wildlife wing. Much emphasis was being laid on conservation of wildlife and its scientific management but the requisite staff had not been provided so far. Implementing the
recommendations of the pay commission in toto would no
doubt lead to a top heavy setup in the state but some
posts must be created to end stagnation. |
And now
cement shortage in PWD PALAMPUR, Jan 16 — There is an acute shortage of cement in the PWD adversely affecting the development works in the region. It is learnt that most of the departmental stores have not received the supply of cement for the past one month. The PWD which is already facing a serious financial crisis for the past few months, now does not have funds for the purchase of cement. A senior PWD officer told
newsmen that in the absence of adequate budget for the
purchase of cement, supplies had been withheld by ACC
Limited. Inquiries reveal that the budget allocated had
already been consumed and the department was waiting for
the allotment of additional funds.
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Use of paper
bags to be encouraged SHIMLA, Jan 16 — The district administration has decided to encourage revival of traditional paper bags in view of the ban on recycled polythene carrybags. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ram Subhag Singh, today said that several steps were being taken to revive the paper and jute bags. It has been decided to provide loans under the development of women and children in rural areas (DWCRA) project for manufacturing paper bags as their demand has increased following the ban. More and more traders were switching over to the use of paper bags. Jute and cotton bag manufacturers in West Bengal have also been contacted for supplying their products to meet the demand here. The Deputy Commissioner clarified that the ban was on all types of recycled coloured polythene bags. This also includes the transparent milky shade bags. The clear transparent bags below the thickness of .20 micron were also banned. Only the coloured bags for
which plastic granules were used would be allowed. The
ones coloured with pigment were covered under the ban. |
Snow in
Solang beckons tourists MANALI: After the season's first snowfall in this region, Solang valley has become the biggest winter attraction with hundreds of tourists thronging it every day to have fun. Riding on snow scooters or snow mobiles and sledges is irresistible. For children and youth. For the less sophisticated, playing with snowballs would suffice. The Solang valley, situated 13 km from Manali, is a picturesque tourist spot and has attained worldwide fame owing to its spectacular ski slopes and clear views of the Pir Panjal ranges. Rohtang pass, the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti tribal areas, is closed to vehicular traffic due to the thick wall of snow en route and remains closed till summer. On account of this, Solang valley has nowadays become a magnet for tourists. Although Solang valley gets tourists throughout the year, adventure lovers, trekkers, mountaineers and nature lovers flock this place frequently. With the onset of winter, the craze for skiing and riding on snowmobiles is on the increase. With winter's first snowfall, a number of shops have come up at Solang valley, offering snowboots, woollen garments, overcoats, caps and sticks to tourists. This has become a source of livelihood to the local residents. The ski slopes in Solang valley are the most spectacular in the western Himalayas. The valley has the distinction of hosting a number of national ski competitions in 1989, 1992, 1995 and 1996. A number of local youths have taken to this sport with enthusiasm and have risen to fame on the national as well as international arenas. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation will add a feather in the cap of its attractions by constructing a 1-km-long ropeway from Solang extending to the Phatru slopes. A Rs 5 crore development project has been approved by the central and state governments. The state government after having declared the Solang valley a special tourist area has constituted an 18-member board to monitor the development of the area in future. The board would lay greater emphasis on the protection of flora and fauna. Solang valley has nowadays become very popular among the tourists for snowrides. The snowmobile carries two persons apart from its driver. The ride starts from the main ground and extends up to one kilometre upstream the slopes which is a unusual thrill for tourists. The Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, extends a number of facilities for skiiers, which includes a hostel and a ski-lift. This year Manali and its environs experienced a late snowfall whereas last year the first snowfall was in early November. The late snowfall has brought disappointment to winter sports lovers. According to the Director, Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, due to non-availability of sufficient snow on the ski slopes, the MOI skiing course, scheduled to be conducted from January 7, has been postponed to January 31. Similarly, the Himachal
Ski Cup-1999, scheduled to be held on the Solang ski
slopes from January 13 to 17 along with the winter
carnival, has also been postponed to February 3. |
Tanda
college recognition due to Dhumal: Nadda SHIMLA, Jan 16 — J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, today criticised the Opposition leader and former Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, for making "irresponsible" statements regarding recognition granted to Government Medical College at Tanda in Kangra district by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Talking to mediapersons here, Mr Nadda said the credit for an out-of court settlement with the MCI goes to Mr Dhumal who held a series of meetings with the council. He alleged that the previous government was responsible for creating the chaos in the health services by opening health institutions indiscriminately on the election eve without visualising the shortage of doctors. He claimed that the BJP
government was trying to set the health services in order
by filling vacant posts of doctors. Of the 400 vacant
posts, 250 had been filled during the past eight months. |
Minister
flays probe demand SHIMLA, Jan 16 — Horticulture Minister, Narendera Bragta, has rejected the demand of the Congress to order a judicial inquiry into the destruction of apple worth Rs 2 crore procured by various agencies of the state government during the recent fruit season. In a statement here today, Mr Bragta described the demand of the Congress as "biased, politically motivated and mischievous". He said it was unfortunate that Mr Yogendra Chandra and other Congress leaders were indulging in "mischievous" propaganda. The Horticulture Minister said that recent massive rallies by apple growers at Kotkhai and Kulu had shocked the Congress party and led to the present accusation. The minister said that besides clearing the liability of Rs one crore to the apple growers left by previous government, the present government announced payment of Rs 6 crore within a short span. He alleged that in 1989, the Congress government destroyed 10,000 metric tonnes of apple while in 1995 it destroyed 2457 metric tonnes. Mr Bragta said that the
present government succeeded in realising payment of Rs
60 lakh from the J and K government. |
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