H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Hydro-electric project dedicated to people
CHAMBA, March 17 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has signed agreements with private entrepreneurs on various hydro-electric power projects to harness river waters for generating 4500 MW of hydro-electric in Himachal Pradesh during the past two years.

Injunction in road repair case vacated
NURPUR, March 17 — The court of the Sub-Judge First Class, Jogindernagar, has vacated the interim injunction granted in connection with the execution of the work of special repair of the Pathankot Chakki-Mandi National Highway from Raja-ka-Bagh to Khushinagar in Nurpur Sub-division.

Nalwadi fair inaugurated
BILASPUR, March 17 — The state-level seven-day annual Nalwaadi Fair was inaugurated by Mr Karamdev Dharmani, vice-chairman of the 20-Point Economic Programme Implementation Committee, here today.

Parwanoo lacks bus stand
PARWANOO, EVEN after having come on the world industrial map, Parwanoo is yet to have a proper bus stand. The town, which came into existence about 20 years ago, was planned and developed by the HP Housing Board. It seems the planners never thought of earmarking a proper place for a bus stand in this industrial town of Himachal.

Housing scheme for rural poor launched
NAHAN, March 17 — First of its kind Himachal Pradesh, a total habitat development project namely Samagra Awas Yojna was launched by Mr Rakesh Kaushal, Deputy Commissioner, Sirmour, yesterday at Danda Pagar village in Paonta Sahib Tehsil.

Another cannon shell found
NURPUR, March 17 — The local Police today recovered a cannon shell at Jachh near here.

Hydro-electric project dedicated to people
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, March 17 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has signed agreements with private entrepreneurs on various hydro-electric power projects to harness river waters for generating 4500 MW of hydro-electric in Himachal Pradesh during the past two years.

Addressing a public meeting at Baloo in the outskirts of Chamba town today, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, the Chief Minister, said that there was 85,000 MW hydro power available in the country, out which 21540 MW alone was available in Himachal Pradesh which was 25 per cent of the total hydro potential.

The Chief Minister said that the Padmashree Kailash Chand Mahajan hydro-electric project near Chamba town, constructed at a cost of Rs 14.79 crore, was the first hydel project of the year and the new millennium too in the state. He dedicated the project to the people of Chamba today. In the power house, the Chief Minister also unveiled a plaque having an image of the late Mr Kailash Chand Mahajan being decorated by the former president of India, Mr Fakhrudin Ali Ahmed with the Padmashree for his distinguished services.

The Chief Minister announced that the state government had introduced insurance scheme for the women living below the poverty line. The state government would deposit the premium.

The government had already launched stipend schemes for the education of the students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes, but from this year, 2000 intelligent children of the upper castes would also be covered under this scheme every year. A sum of Rs 10,000 has been earmarked for stipends and scholarships.

The Chief Minister underscored the need of roads in the state, specially in the most backward districts like Chamba and Kulu. He said that Rs 103 crore had been allocated for the construction or roads in Chamba district besides Rs 8.34 crore assistance for the roads from NABARD.

The Bharmour-Baijnath via Holi highway was being laid on priority. The highway would reduced the distance of about 200 km from Chamba town to Shimla.

The Chief Minister also announced that the state government had decided to appoint nurses and other para-medical staff from within the district. This step would help providing employment from within the district.

The Chief Minister said when he assumed office there were 10,684 primary schools some of which were without buildings, some were functioning in rented buildings and some in shacks. But he said that this government had launched a Sarswati Bal Vikas Yojna at a cost of Rs 42 crore last year for the construction of primary school buildings adding that Rs 42 crore had also been allocated for the ensuing financial year under this yojna.

Mr Kishorilal, Himachal Industries Minister, said that the state government had cleared Rs 500 crore cement plant for Chamba. The project was under the consideration of the Union Ministry of Environment. He said that this cement plant would provide employment to about 30,000 people of this region. Mr Ravinder Ravi, Minister of State for Power, Mr Mohan Lal, State Ayurveda Minister, and Mr Tulsi Ram, MLA, also spoke.

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stones of Rs 3 crore Sheetla Mata Mandir Bridge on the Ravi, a jeepable bridge on the Sal rivulet, a tributary of the Ravi, a Rs 2.37 crore District Ayurdic Hospital building at Baloo near Chamba town.

Later the Chief Minister, launched the commencement of Van Vansapati Project costing about Rs 8 crore at Mani village, about 40 km from Chamba town. This project would envisage the raising of nurseries of high value medicinal herbs, propagation of medicinal herbs in suitable patches of forest lands and conservation of medicinal herbs through the active participation of local people.

Injunction in road repair case vacated
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, March 17 — The court of the Sub-Judge First Class, Jogindernagar, has vacated the interim injunction granted in connection with the execution of the work of special repair of the Pathankot Chakki-Mandi National Highway from Raja-ka-Bagh to Khushinagar in Nurpur Sub-division.

The interim injunction was issued on February 21 to the Executive Engineer, National Highway (NH) Divison, Public Works Department, Joginder Nagar and Nurpur contractor R.K. Mahajan following a suit filed in the court by other contractors Daljit Singh and Brothers, Dhangu Matra, Damtal, Kangra district. According to the information, the tender for executing this work was awarded to Messers R.K. Mahajan.

The Sub-Judge, while disposing of the application of the plaintiffs seeking to restrain the defendant from executing the work, stated that the tender had been awarded to the defendant as per set norms and conditions.

The defendant had also fulfilled the condition of having computerised hot mix plant and vibrating road-roller and sensor paver to be used in executing special road repairs. The repair of this part of the national highway was started on Thursday.

Nalwadi fair inaugurated
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, March 17 — The state-level seven-day annual Nalwaadi Fair was inaugurated by Mr Karamdev Dharmani, vice-chairman of the 20-Point Economic Programme Implementation Committee, here today.

Mr Dharmani hit a peg in the Luhanu Ground on the bank of Gobindsagar and tied a bullock to it. Then he garlanded it and distributed sweets as a mark of thankfulness towards the bullock considered to be a ‘‘symbol of prosperity’’.

Earlier, the Health Minister, Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda, was scheduled to inaugurate the cultural event but could not be present due to a sudden death in his family.

Parwanoo lacks bus stand
From M.M. Bhandari

PARWANOO, EVEN after having come on the world industrial map, Parwanoo is yet to have a proper bus stand.

The town, which came into existence about 20 years ago, was planned and developed by the HP Housing Board. It seems the planners never thought of earmarking a proper place for a bus stand in this industrial town of Himachal.

The buses running between Shimla and Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab pass through this town. As a result there is a heavy rush of vehicles and passengers on the road. This generally leads to traffic bottlenecks and accidents.

As most of the long-route buses do not stop here due to space constraints, the daily commuters to this town from Chandigarh, Panchkula, Pinjore face a lot of hardships. On the other hand, as long-route buses do not stop here, anxious people start approaching these vehicles as soon as they see these. Many a time this leads to accidents.

Some of the HRTC buses that have to take diesel from the HRTC petrol pump situated on the national highway find it more convenient to drop the passengers there. Most of the long-route buses coming from Chandigarh side do not take passengers for Parwanoo and if someone wants to get down at Parwanoo, he is forced to take the ticket for a longer distance.

Among the people who suffer in this process are industrial workers, labourers engaged in construction work, students, employees and working women. Passengers keep waiting for the next bus. There is no shed or resting place for passengers waiting for buses.

Residents of the town and social organisations have repeatedly urged the state government and the local administration to do something in this regard but to no avail.

Housing scheme for rural poor launched
From Our Correspondent

NAHAN, March 17 — First of its kind Himachal Pradesh, a total habitat development project namely Samagra Awas Yojna was launched by Mr Rakesh Kaushal, Deputy Commissioner, Sirmour, yesterday at Danda Pagar village in Paonta Sahib Tehsil.

Mr Kaushal laid the foundation stone of ‘Chetna Kendra’ at the village. The project is to cost Rs 25 lakh.

On this occasion Mr Kaushal said the project will help solve the housing problem of the rural poor of this district. He said that the project was the first of its kind in the state.

The project also envisages to propagate low-cost earthquake resistant housing technology suitable for the hilly states like Himachal Pradesh. He said under the project nine houseless rural poor of the panchayat will be provided with such low cost houses each costing Rs 50,000. Thirty-five other rural poor would be aided for renovation of their houses with an assistance of Rs 2,000 each.

Mr Kaushal told the villagers that apart from this construction of drains, garbage pits, construction of 87 latrines and a drinking water supply scheme would be set up.

Another cannon shell found
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, March 17 — The local Police today recovered a cannon shell at Jachh near here.

According to information the shell weighs about 25 kg and is 24 inches long.

Earlier on February 28, the police recovered a cannon shell near the rail track at Jassur.

The police claimed that both shells were old.