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| Sunday, June 11, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Adopt modern tech for mining:
Dhumal Development plan hangs fire Cong flays HP govt for diverting
funds Kol Dam pact ‘to help’
oustees Parwanoo MC gears up for monsoon Develop ‘high-yielding’
tea varieties |
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Chail military school to
celebrate platinum jubilee
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Adopt modern tech for mining:
Dhumal SHIMLA, June 10 — Mining engineers have urged the government to work out a clear-cut policy with regard to the development of mineral resources in Himachal Pradesh. This demand was made at the two-day national seminar on mining technology of the new millennium, which was inaugurated here today by the Chief Minster, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal. They have made it clear that unless a clear-cut policy is worked out no private entrepreneur will come to explore and work on the deposits. It is also imperative to take faster decisions so that delays are avoided, they added. Mining engineers from various parts of the country are taking part in the seminar which has been organised by the Himachal chapter of the Mining Engineers Association of India. In his inaugural address, Mr Dhumal said the need of the hour was to make an attempt to create a proactive and passionate commitment to minimise the harmful impact of industrial activities of environment. He said it was necessary to imbibe a balance between commercial exploitation of minerals and “second use” development of the mined areas as mining was temporary first used of land. A well-engineered reclamation plan of the mined area would enhance the life span of the enterprise, imbibing a sudden change from mining to reclamation. The Chief Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Mines had approved a project to study the feasibility of underground mining of high grade limestone in Sirmour. The project will be a joint venture of the Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad, and the geological wing of the state. The project will be very beneficial to the mining industry from the point of view of environmental protection. He suggested that information technology should be so designed so that it helps the industry and institutions not only to ensure viability and improve competition to meet the challenge of environmental compliance, but also stimulate the diffusion of best practice in environmental management and development, commercialisation and acquisition of cleaner technologies through technology transfer. Mr Dhumal stressed the need for adopting modern technology instead of relying on old and outdated foreign technologies. The mining and mineral based industry should flourish in the state but not at the cost of environment. The future of mining industry would depend on self-regulation and control by lessees themselves. Emphasis should be given to small mines, which are mostly unorganised and lack technical expertise, he said. Mr V.S. Rao, president of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, said as the Himalayas were a storehouse of a number of minerals , the state government should come out with a comprehensive policy for development of mineral resources. The government should adopt an approach not only in the department responsible for mineral development but also in environment and forests as well as other departments concerned. The present exploration activities undertaken by the Geological Survey of India and the Mining Department had not been able to identify world class mineral deposits which alone could attract multinationals, he said. Mr Rao pointed out that the stipulation of public hearing for clearance for mining activity only added to the cost and delayed the mining process. Mr V.S. Mathur, Chairman of the federation, stressed the need for strengthening the industries’ performance in terms of cost, productivity, workers’ health, public health and safety of the environment. Mr T.V. Chowdhary,
president of the Mining Engineers Association of India,
demanded that mining should be declared an industry so
that banks could provide incentives. The Indian Bureau of
Mines has sent its recommendation to the Centre for
declaring mining an industry. |
Development plan hangs fire DHARAMSALA, June 10 — The resistance by people residing in the vicinity of Palampur town against the inclusion in the planning area is hampering the implementation of the Rs 1.42 crore development plan for the town. Interestingly, at a time when the planning limits of most of the town were being extended, almost half of the Palampur town was denotified in 1998, solely due to political considerations. Of the total 26 mohalas (revenue settlements) in the town 13 were denotified at the time of the elections, despite the fact that a majority of the construction work and expansion of the town was taking place in these areas. The government is now facing problems in taking these areas back in the planning area as people are reluctant to come under the purview of the Town and Country Planning Act. Unfortunately, the non inclusion of these areas in the planning area is also hampering the implementation of the Rs 1.42 crore Palampur Development Plan, for which the money has already been given to the state government by NORAD. As per the 1991 census, only 3,630 persons were residing in the Palampur Municipal Committee area, whereas the population of the adjoining areas, proposed to be taken in the planning limits stands at 22,781. “These areas have become urban areas and there is an urgent need to include them in the planning limits. By now their population must be touching 40,000,” said Mr P.P. Raina, Assistant Town Planner. Norwegian experts, who were here to attend a workshop, had insisted that before the development project could take off, Khalet, Roudi, Vanghyar, Banuri, Chowki, Maranda and Kasauti should be included in the planning limits. Since then the Town and Country Planning Department has held five workshops to convince the people of the area to agree to be included in the planning limits of Palampur. “Though people have no objection to be included in the planning area, their only misconception is that this is an indirect approach to include them in the municipal committee limits,” said Mr Raina. He added that they had been trying to convince the people that the job of the Town and Country Planning Department was merely the upgradation of environment and infrastructure. Mr Raina said till the notification regarding the inclusion of these areas in the planning limits was not issued, no headway could be made in the implementation of the development plan for Palampur, under the NORAD-aided project. Observing that the environment of the town was deteriorating due to haphazard constructions on the fringes, the Norwegian experts had suggested that the planning areas be revised. They observed that the development in and around Palampur town was taking place at a rapid pace while a lot of haphazard development was taking place in the villages beyond the notified planning limits. They felt that to regulate the haphazard development it was imperative to revise the limits of the Palampur planning area. A
heritage-cum-conservation zone would be identified and
maintained apart from promoting the town as a tourist
destination. The entire planning exercise would be in
conformity with the Dhauladhar ranges, forests, tea
gardens and the streams. |
Cong flays HP govt for
diverting funds SHIMLA, June 10 — Mrs Asha Kumari, general secretary of the state unit of the Congress, has flayed the Himachal Government for “diverting” the central grant of Rs 4 crore meant for providing modern arms and equipment to the police towards the purchase of uniforms. In a statement here yesterday she alleged that the money which was received in three instalments was not spent in the stipulated time frame for the purpose for which it was sanctioned by the Centre. This, she said, had exposed the loud hollow claims of the government of being vigilant about strengthening of the sensitive border areas. This showed that the government was not serious about tackling the problem of militancy and the Home Department was answerable to the people for misusing the fund, she added. She alleged that the
state government had already sold out the interests of
Himachal Pradesh in its power projects and it appeared
that the issue of militancy was also being compromised.
There was no justification in diverting funds received
specifically for combating militancy to improve the ways
and means position of the state, she added. |
Kol Dam pact ‘to
help’ oustees SHIMLA, June 10 — Mr Randhir Sharma, Vice-Chairman, National Savings State Advisory Board yesterday termed the signing of the agreement for the execution of the 800 MW Kol Dam hydel project by the state government as historic as all matters, including the rehabilitation of the oustees had been finalised in advance. In a statement here on Friday Mr Sharma said Himachal Pradesh would get 12 per cent free power as royalty from the project and 50 per cent electricity at generation cost besides it would also be entitled to 3 per cent to 4 per cent share on bus bar basis. Himachal Pradesh would get a revenue of Rs 150 crore annually on account of free power from the project. He said about 351
families likely to be displaced on account of the
construction of the project would be rehabilitated in
Solan, Bilaspur and Mandi districts. Each family rendered
homeless on account of the requisition of land would be
entitled for a compensation of Rs 60,000 in the form of
grant and infrastructure facilities in the oustees colony
along with a developed plot of 50x40 feet. |
Parwanoo MC gears up for monsoon PARWANOO, June 10 — The Municipal Council of Parwanoo is gearing up for the coming monsoon. The members of the council have decided, in a recent meeting held here, that some urgent works are required to be done in the town to meet the threat of the monsoon. The members have decided that all the drains along the link roads of the town should be cleaned immediately. Keeping in view the shortage of labourers and safai karamcharis in the Municipal Council, extra labourers will be hired to complete the work. It was also decided that the nullah behind the industries in Sector 1, through which the water enters various industries in every monsoon, causing heavy damage to the industry. The nullah flowing through the residential area of Sector 5 here will be channelised and flow of the water will be regularised so that the water does not enter the residential area. The members also decided to buy a small fogging machine to check the mosquito menace in the town. A new drain will be dug from the lake area near the Municipal Council office so that the water from lake area is drained out and does not affect industry around the lake area. The stagnant water collected in the lake area also becomes a breading centre for mosquitoes. The members felt that
extra labourers should be hired to cut the congress grass
in all the sectors of the town. The number of allergy
cases also goes up during the monsoon due to the growing
of congress grass. The members have also decided to start
a weekly subzi mandi near the Municipal Council office
ground, which is a long pending demand of the residents
of this industrial town. |
Develop
‘high-yielding’ tea varieties DHARAMSALA, June 10 — The Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr R.S. Paroda, has asked scientists to develop high-yielding varieties of tea as the 22 clones imported decades back had started giving a low yield. Dr Paroda, who was the chief guest at the valedictory function of scientists-tea planters interaction programme at Palampur said research work on those cropping systems should be taken up in which tea as a crop can be introduced. “Keeping in view the obligations of World Trade Organisation, (WTO), farmers should minimise the use of chemicals on their crops; otherwise their produce will not attract high prices in foreign markets” he stated. He assured full support of the ICAR for extending research work on tea. Dr Paroda asked the scientist community to be responsive to the needs of the state and the farmers. He called for closer interaction between various departments and institutions to properly utilise the available resources. he said the existing facilities should be consolidated. Dr Paroda also advised the community to give more time to students and generate resources by introducing quality research schemes from various funding agencies. The Vice-Chancellor of Palampur Agriculture University, Prof P.K. Khosla, said out of 2,312 hectares under tea-plantation in Himachal Pradesh, 1,100 acres was abandoned or neglected. He assured that production could be doubled by utilising the neglected tea-gardens within two years following university recommendations. Mr B.B.L. Butail, MLA, and a leading tea-planter, detailed the problems being faced by small and marginal farmers. Dr Paroda also
inaugurated an Information Technology Centre at the
university and advised scientists to maintain a link with
various research institutes so that relevant and correct
information might be passed on to the farmers. He also
launched the Home Page of the university on website. |
Chail military school to
celebrate platinum jubilee CHANDIGARH, June 10 -- The Military School, Chail ,near Shimla is commemorating its 75th anniversary over a period of one year. In a statement issued here today,the school principal, Mr T S Panwar, said that a host of dignitaries, including the President ,are scheduled to participate in the platinum jubilee functions. The commemoration will be inaugurated by the Minister of Defence, Mr George Fernandes, in the first week of October this year and conclude in October next with the visit of the President. The GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, is also scheduled to visit the school on June 13, while the Director General Military Training, Lt Gen M Vij, and the Additional Director General, Army Education, Brig M P S Tyagi ,are expected to visit the school from June 15 to 18. The General Officer Commanding, 2 Corps, Lt Gen G S Sihota, visited the school last week to inspect the preparations that are going on a war footing. The GOC was briefed by the principal on the academic achievements of the school, infrastructural developments and other projects which have been planned for the platinum jubilee. These changes primarily include modernisation of cadet hostels and the mess, equipping classes and laboratories with modern teaching aids and to give a facelift to the world's highest cricket ground. The GOC was also
apprised of the procurement and installation of
generators in all hostels and the academic block.He was
also informed about the proposed installation of a water
heating system based on kerosene fuel technology in all
hostels. |
Communications panel to visit HP SHIMLA, June 10 — The study group of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications is visiting Shimla and Manali from June 13 to 17 to assess the working of AIR, Doordarshan, telecom and postal services in the state. The group will meet the
public representatives at Shimla and Manali on June 13
and 16 respectively to listen to their views and then the
committee will have discussions with the officials of
AIR, Doordarshan, Telecom and Postal Departments. In
Manali, the committee members are scheduled to visit the
nearby tribal areas and evaluate the facilities made
available by these departments. |
Councillor booked on assault charge NURPUR, June 10 — The police has registered a case under Section 452, 336, 427 and 506 of the IPC against Chuni Lal, a Municipal Councillor, for allegedly assaulting a PCO holder of Chogan on Thursday. According to the police
the accused reportedly trespassed the PCO under the
influence of liquor and started abusing and beating up
the PCO owner due to old enmity. He also smashed the
panes of the PCO. |
Legal education camp held KULU, June 10 — The district unit of the Himachal Pradesh Legal Services Authority and the Himachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Centre jointly organised a camp on legal education here yesterday. Around 400 women from 30 Mahila Mandals participated. Mr L.N. Sharma, District and Sessions Judge, said in his presidential address that women in the Indian society were an oppressed lot and they needed to be made aware about relevant laws in order to fight exploitation and injustice. Mr Sharma said the Legal Services Authority was committed to providing free legal aid to the poor and the downtrodden. In his address, the
president of the District Bar Association, Mr Rajender
Thakur, provided information about various laws
concerning crimes against women. The president of the
District Women’s Welfare Association, Ms Chanderabha
also spoke. Mushroom cultivation camp ends KULU, June 10 — A five-day-long mushroom growing training camp concluded at the Agriculture Research Station, Bajaura, yesterday. As many as 21 farmers including seven women participated in the camp. Dr J.R. Thakur presided over the valedictory function. He said more and more farmers should take to mushroom cultivation. Dr R.S. Jamwal,
scientist in charge of the research station, said the aim
of the local unit of agriculture university was to make
this district a “mushroom city”. |
Red Cross fair organised SHIMLA, June 10 — An atmosphere of gaiety prevailed in Rani Jhansi Park here today where the annual Red Cross fair was organised with enthusiasm. Eatables, handicrafts and various skill games’ stalls were put up by various government departments, social and voluntary organisations. The Red Cross fair was
inaugurated by the Governor, Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri, who
is also Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Red Cross
Society. He visited the stalls and evinced keen interest
in the articles displayed. He also enjoyed eatables in
the stalls and surprised the audience by striking
bull’s eye in shooting skill game. |
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