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| Monday, July 31, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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HP plan on population control SHIMLA, July 30 — The Himachal Government has formulated a long-term plan to meet the challenge of population explosion under which the crude birth rate in the state will be brought down from the present 22.5 to 12 over the next 20 years. Gaggal airport to be upgraded Circuit court likely at Chowari Cycling through dizzy heights Dhumal inaugurates
helipad ABVP stir to ‘expose’ VC |
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Sirmour HVC chief’s bail rejected SHIMLA, July 30 — The District and Sessions Judge, Mr Surjit Singh, yesterday rejected the bail application of Sada Nand Chauhan, president of the Sirmour district unit of the Himachal Vikas Congress, who was arrested in connection with the firing incident at the local Snow View lodge last week. Rotary Club function RSS dharnas on Aug 7
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HP plan on population control SHIMLA, July 30 — The Himachal Government has formulated a long-term plan to meet the challenge of population explosion under which the crude birth rate in the state will be brought down from the present 22.5 to 12 over the next 20 years. The population of the state had swelled from a meagre 23.85 lakh in 1901 to 51.71 lakh in 1991, an increase of 210 per cent over 40 years. The decennial growth rose from 1.22 in 1911 which rose to 20.79 in 1991 and the density of population increased from 34 persons per sq km in 1901 to 93 persons per sq km in 1991. The projected population of the state as on 31 March, 2000 is 61.48 lakh, indicating an increase of about 10 lakh since 1991 census. The state is alive to the problem and over the years has been initiating effective measures to check the population growth. The government has already constituted the State Population Commission on the pattern of the National Population Commission to arrest the population growth. As per the report of the national family health survey the state has done quite well in the field of family planning. It reveals universal awareness about permanent methods of family planning whereas knowledge levels about spacing methods is more than 90 per cent. The coverage of eligible couples with family planning methods in the state is around 68 per cent, which is quite high. The total fertility rate of the state came down from 2.97 in 1992 to 2.14 in 1998. This figure is very close to the national goal of replacement level of fertility of 2.1 to be achieved by 2010. Other the demographic rates such as crude birth rate of the state is 22.5 per 1000 population, crude death rate at 7.7 per 1000 population and infant mortality rate at 64 per 1000 live births as per the sample registration system of the Registrar General India-1998. These rates are lower than the national averages. It also shows that the annual growth rate for the state in 1998 as 1.48 per cent which is quite significant. The goal of the long-term plan, the Himachal Health Vision-2020 is to achieve crude birth rate of 12, crude death rate 6 infant mortality rate at 15, child mortality rate 5, mother mortality rate less than two per thousand and overall reduction of diseases like diarrhoea, acute respiratory infection malaria, leprosy, water-borne diseases, anaemia and other micro-nutrient deficiencies with specific emphasis on the containment of AIDS and HIV infections. Another significant achievement of the state has been the increase in the marriageable age of girls. Which is 20.5 years at present. But the state is faced with constraints posed by terrain, topography and poor means of communication, which affect the delivery, and accessibility of services. However, in the coming days with improvement in infrastructure and outreach of services, the state will steadily head towards a goal of zero population growth by the year 2015. As of today, more than 3100 health institutions are providing family planning services as a part of comprehensive health care across the state. With the substantial and active cooperation of other related departments like Indian system of medicines, women and social welfare, public health and irrigation, integrated child development scheme projects and education sustained efforts are on to increase the accessibility of the services to the masses. Community awards are also given to Panchayati Raj Institutions and local self-government institutions in the form of cash awards for their meritorious services rendered to control the population. The status of women is quite high in the state, which is indicated by high sex ratio of 976 according to the 1991 census and 1019 in 1999 as per national family welfare health survey-II. |
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Gaggal airport to be upgraded DHARAMSALA, July 30 — To enable the landing of bigger aircraft at Gaggal airport, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has decided to extend the runway from 3900 feet to 4500 feet. A team of officials from the Airport Authority of India and the district administration yesterday, held a joint inspection of the airport, to ascertain the possibility of the development and expansion of the airport, to give a boost to tourism. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr R.C. Kapil, said that the AAI had appointed a consultant agency to undertake soil testing and topographical survey of the land under acquisition for the extension. About 6.91 hectares of land had already been acquired at Behri, Rachialoo and Sanora villages, adjoining the airport. An amount of Rs 1.88 crore would be given as compensation to those whose land had been acquired. After the extension of the runway, 50 seater ATR-72 type aircraft would be able to land at the airport. This would go a long way in promoting tourism and air traffic. An amount of Rs 10.75 crore would be spent on the development and extension work of the airport. A new building would be constructed for extending the terminal building, to accommodate 100 persons. A separate building would be constructed for the administrative offices of the AAI. Parking facility for over 50 cars would be available after the expansion of the airport. Mr Kapil, said that the state government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the AAI of India, in March, this year to execute the work at the airport. A sum of Rs 30 crore had been sanctioned as grant by the Tenth Finance Commission, for the development of airports. |
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Circuit court likely at Chowari CHOWARI (Chamba), July 30 — The Himachal Chief Minister Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal has announced that the state government will consider the setting up of a circuit court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate at Chowari, the subdivisional headquarter in Chamba district after taking up the matter with the Himachal High Court. The Chief Minister who was speaking at a public meeting on the inauguration of a Rs 1 crore newly-constructed Government College building at Chowari yesterday, exhorted the youth in to form cooperatives and set up mini and micro- hydro electric projects for which the government would provide all possible assistance. The Chief Minister said the state had a number of such projects. The generation capacity of these had been identified at about 750 MW. He said the Centre had decided to bring hydroelectric projects up to 25 MW under ambit of mini and micro hydel projects. Reiterating his government’s resolve for speedy, equal and balanced development of all areas of the state, Mr Dhumal said to speed up the development process in the rural areas, the government had decided to link every village in the state with roads network in next three years and asked people to give their whole-hearted cooperation to the government by giving land for the purpose wherever required. The Chief Minister announced the upgradation of primary school at Chowari to middle school for girls. Mr Kishori Lal, Industries Minister, stressed the need for taking up of mini and micro hydel projects in the area and opening of circuit court of Judicial Magistrate at Chowari. Mr Lalit Mohan Sharma, Principal Government College Chowari, welcomed the Chief Minister and apprised him of the achievements and activities of the college. |
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Cycling through dizzy heights SHIMLA: Six young college students of Shimla, aged between 19 and 21 years, having heard so much about the dedication and devotion with which Army jawans have been guarding the country’s frontier in Kargil and Siachen areas, felt fired by the spirit of patriotism. They longed not only to see the brave jawans manning the posts but also to convey to them the high esteem which each and every citizen of the country, especially the Himachalis, held for their valour. And, fired by zeal for adventure they decided to do the trip on bicycles. Nitish Dhiman, Shakun Sud, Amit Negi, Shiv Prasad, Sandeep Dadhwal and Saurabh Khanna completed their 27-day adventure recently and received a hero’s welcome not only from their doting parents but also from a gathering of adventure-lovers. The reception organised in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue on the Ridge was specially graced by Mrs Pratibha Singh, wife of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. The function was organised in the capital’s Khel Parisar (sports stadium) by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department and presided over by Mr T.R. Mahajan, HP’s Director-General of Police. Acknowledging the hearty welcome extended to the team, its captain, Nitan Dhiman (21) a post-graduate student of HP University, narrated the harrowing experience he and his team had at the hands of nature as well as some uncooperative officials en route. The team had cycled through Bilaspur, Kangoo, Mandi, Kulu, Manali, Rohtang pass, Gramphoo, Keylong, Bara Lacha pass, Sarchu, Taklangla, Rumtse, Upshi and Leh — a distance of 750 km. On the way back, they cycled on the same route up to Gramphoo and thereafter returned via Batal, Kunzum, Kaza, Sumdo, Rampur — about 730 km. They were keen to go up to the much-talked-about posts at Kargil heights as well as Siachen glacier but were not allowed to do on security considerations. They had, therefore, to be content in going only up to Khardung la, the highest motorable pass at 18,380 feet above mean sea level. However, the team could meet a lot of jawans and officers en route and were highly impressed how the troops coped with the difficult working and living conditions. While supporting Nitish’s narration about the exercise, the other youths pointed out that whereas their adventure was so tough an ordeal, yet the pride of having accomplished the feat took away all their fatigue. The team experienced several tyre punctures, yet it was appreciative about the road condition and praised the cooperation extended to them by the Border Roads Organisation. They, however, complained about the condition of the 137km stretch from Gramphoo to Kaza. Bubbling with ecstasy of their achievement, the youths applauded the profession of ‘soldiering’ as a career for themselves — at an appropriate point of time. Mrs Pratibha Singh lauded the grit and enthusiasm of the youth in undertaking such a dare-devil adventure. She also praised the part played by the parents in allowing their young wards to go out to such far-off places. The youth were presented with attractive mementoes.
— K.L. Noatay |
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Dhumal inaugurates helipad SHIMLA, July 30 (UNI) — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today inaugurated a helipad at Bhanjraroo in the Tissa area of Chamba district today.
To mark the occasion, the Chief Minister alighted from a helicopter at the helipad built at a cost of Rs 39.93 lakhs. Hundreds of people in their colourful dresses had assembled at the helipad to welcome him. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dhumal said this helipad had been constructed from a security point of view and added that one more helipad at Strundi in the area was likely to be completed in the next three months. He said this would meet the long felt demand of the people of the area and would also go a long way in beefing up security. Besides, these helipads would also boost tourism, he added. He said the state government had decided to construct helipads at places that were important from tourism point of view in the state.
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ABVP stir to
‘expose’ VC SHIMLA, July 30 — The state unit of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad has decided to launch a statewide stir to expose the dictatorial attitude of Dr
S.K. Gupta, the Vice-Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University. Mr Kamal
Nayan, secretary of the parishad said the effigies of Dr Gupta would be burnt at all colleges in the state on August 4. He said Dr Gupta’s attitude had forced the parishad to take action. The demands of the students were being ignored despite repeated pleas. The parishad is demanding the holding of elections to the students central association giving a golden chance to failed students, inquiry into appointments made at the regional centre of the university, Dharamsala, and Chakmoh College, and making English an optional subject at the degree level. The parishad also alleged serious irregularities in admissions and pointed out that a university employee had benefited by adjusting his son, who was admitted under the NRI quota, against a subsidised
seat. |
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Sirmour HVC chief’s
bail rejected SHIMLA, July 30 — The District and Sessions Judge, Mr Surjit Singh, yesterday rejected the bail application of Sada Nand Chauhan, president of the Sirmour district unit of the Himachal Vikas Congress, who was arrested in connection with the firing incident at the local Snow View lodge last week.
The court also rejected the bail of Niten Chauhan, Rakesh Saini and Ravinder Sharma, while seven other accused were released on bail. While rejecting the bail application the Judge observed that Sada Nand Chauhan was a habitual offender, as per police records, and was also allegedly an influential person and in case he was enlarged on bail, he would threaten and intimidate the witnesses. |
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Rotary
Club function PARWANOO July 30 — The installation ceremony of the Rotary Club of Kalka 3080 for the year 2000-2001 was held in Shivalik Hotel here yesterday. Former President Bipin Bogra handed over charge to Mr Gurjeet Singh, Mr Ish Kapoor took over as secretary of the club. Rotarions from Nalagarh and Parwanoo also attended the function Mr Sunil Garg, President of the Kalka Municipal Committee, was the chief guest and the Tehsildar of Kalka was the guest of Honour. Mr Garg said that the Rotary Club of Kalka was doing a good work for the uplift of the
poor. |
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RSS dharnas
on Aug 7 NURPUR, July 30 — The members of the Rashtriya Sawayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) will observe August 7 as a protest day and stage dharnas on sub-Divisional and district headquarters all over the country to protest against the failure of the Centre and the Tripura Government to get the four RSS activists released, who were kidnapped by the NLFT, a militant outfit a year ago.
Mr Vijay Nadda, the sangh parcharak of Kangra and Chamba districts, while talking to media persons at Sadwan near hear yesterday, said the RSS would also submit memorandums to the Centre and the Tripura Government. The RSS would not allow the repeat of ‘Kandahar Episode’ in the release of the activists he said, adding that the militants outfit should be crushed. |
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