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| Monday, September 4, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Flood relief: Jaswant
allocates Rs 10 lakh Dhumal opens
tourist resort Former CE disputes NJPC claims Forest diseases sound alarm bells Contaminated water
source sealed REC staff demand
regular Principal |
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HP releases action
plan for children Bumper tea crop in Kangra Efforts for unity in
Kangra Cong Workers oppose
retrenchment Plan to beautify
Rewalsar Lake Sept 5 planned
as black day State award for 7
school teachers Youth stabbed
to death
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Flood relief: Jaswant allocates Rs 10 lakh SHIMLA, Sept 3 (UNI) — External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh has given Rs 10 lakh from the mp local area development scheme for relief work in areas affected by floods in Himachal Pradesh. Responding to an appeal of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal made to all mps, including union ministers, Mr Jaswant Singh has informed the Chief Minister that he has requested the Minister of Programme Implementation to allocate Rs 10 lakh for this purpose from funds. Meanwhile, to ensure adequate and timely supply of essential commodities in Kinnaur district before winter, 14,000 quintals a ration has been sent via Kunjam for stocking at Taboo and Chango and 2400 quintals via Bhawanagar. TNS adds: Mr R.P. Tripathi, Chairman, National Mineral Development Corporation, Hyderabad, has donated Rs 5 lakh towards the Chief Minister’s relief fund. A cheque of the amount was presented to the Chief Minister here, yesterday. Officers and staff of the Settlement Office, Shimla division, contributed Rs 53,115, Mr Ahulwala, of Amritsar Rs 11,000, students of the Institute of Road Transport Technology, Erode, Tamil Nadu, Rs 6,677 and Shiv Kumar Negi, Shakti Kendra, Bhaba Nagar contributed Rs 5,252 towards the fund. Dr M.R. Verma, Deputy Director (retd), Solan, contributed Rs 5,000 Mr Duli Chand Sharma, Chief Pharmacist, Shimla Rs 2,500 Secretary, Himachal Vikas Sangthan Samiti, Rs 2,100, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Katgaon (Kinnaur) Rs 3,676, Mr Dharam Dass Negi (retd) teachers, Rs 1,234, Mr Jagdish Chandra Sood of Nagrota Bagwan, 1,001 and Mrs Rajwant Sandhu, Joint Secretary Ministry of Social Justice and Employment, Delhi Rs 1,000. |
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Dhumal opens
tourist resort SHIMLA, Sept 3 — Known for scenic grandeur, Chindi, a little known village in the interior of Karsog, was put on the national tourism map with the inauguration of Mahableshwar orchard resort by the Mr P.K. Dhumal Himachal Chief Minister, today. Situated in the midst of thick forests and orchards the complex with 10 double bedrooms, a restaurant, a fast food corner and other facilities has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1 crore by the state Tourism Development Corporation. The design of the building harmonises with the surroundings making it a perfect hill resort to give boost to eco-tourism. It was part of state’s effort to develop lesser known places having scenic beauty and natural grandeur. Chindi is an ideal place for those who wish to spend time in the lap of nature away from the hustle and bustle of life. The other places which can be touched from this Chindi are the famous Shikari Devi, Mahunag, Pangna and apple valley of Karsog. The Chief Minister said that state government was making efforts to develop tourism in the state with special emphasis on nature, adventure and religious tourism for which there was a great scope. He said that the new tourism policy formulated by the state government recently also laid emphasis on it. By developing tourism the government intended to create maximum employment opportunities and economic activity to uplift the people. Earlier, en rout at Basantpur, Mrs Veena Thakur, newly elected president of the state BJP Mahila Morcha, arranged a warm reception for the Chief Minister. He was given a rousing welcome at Sunni, Tattapani, Alsindi, Churag, Chindi and other various places. |
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Former CE disputes NJPC
claims DHARAMSALA, Sept 3 — Ignoring warnings of the Geological Survey of India, the absence of precautionary measures and the improper disposal of muck has converted the 1500 mw Nathpa-Jhakri power project into a “graveyard” for men and machines. Mr B.L. Aggarwal, a retired Chief Engineer with the HP State Electricity Board, who was associated with the project in 1988, blamed those entrusted with project assignments for the death of hundreds of innocent persons. He said an all-time risk, endangering the very operation of the project had been created. Disputing the claims of the NJPC authorities and the HPSEB that the damage had been done due to a natural calamity, he said the disaster was a result of wrong planning and carelessness on the part of engineers and planners. “The absence of proper coffer dam walls, which are removed only once the project is complete, was the major reason for the entry of water into the tunnels”, he said. Mr Aggarwal, accusing the engineers of incompetence, said the failure to protect the intake and tail-race tunnel against flood eventualities had resulted in the flooding of the desilting chambers, the headrace tunnel, the surge-shaft and the power house. “Another great blunder committed was ignoring of the catchment area, which required large-scale preventive and rectification measures against rockslides and slope stabilisation measures”, he observed. Provisions had been made for river-shed management, but these were completely ignored, he said. The improper disposal of excavated material dumped either in khuds or thrown along the river course spelled doom for the project. This unprofessional, unethical dumping coupled with hill-slides caused a rise in the water level of the Sutlej”, he observed. He disclosed that in the beginning the Geological Survey of India and World Bank experts had expressed apprehension about the project site as the area was prone to slips. “Ignoring the warnings of the GSI, construction of a road and bridges was undertaken on the right bank, despite it being unstable and not even a requirement for the project”. Disputing the claims of the project authorities on the number of casualities, he said the number was much higher. The government must reveal the labour rolls to determine the number of deaths, he said. Mr Aggarwal said as of now, a question mark had been put on the future of other projects — Bhaba and Ghanwi. He demanded a high-level judicial inquiry to go into the technicalities of the disaster.
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Forest diseases sound alarm bells SHIMLA, Sept 3 — The large-scale appearance of forest diseases in Himachal Pradesh has sounded the alarm bells for the dwindling forest resources of the state which are already under strain due to the increasing pressure of population. Over the past three years, fungal diseases have been detected in the precious deodar and sheesham, giving sleepless nights to forest managers. While the root-rot by fungus psytophthora connamomi, which has dried up about 1,000 deodar trees in Chail area, is largely localised, fusarium and genoderma fungi have infected sheesham in epidemic proportions. Thousands of sheesham trees have either died or are wilting under the onslaught of the twin fungi in the districts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Mandi, Kangra, Una other low-lying areas of the state. The infestation of fomes fungus in robinia has been detected in the state capital itself. Diseases in the Himalayan region, particularly Himachal Pradesh, were virtually unknown and as such the Forest Department did not have the infrastructure and trained manpower to contain the diseases. It has been able to solve the mystery of drying trees with the help of the Himalayan Research Group, a non-government organisation engaged in forestry research. Dr Lal Singh, scientist in charge of the group, has cautioned that environmental changes, particularly global warming, has made the once cold northern hemisphere conducive to the growth of pathogens. As such Himalayan forests will be facing increased onslaughts of disease-causing organisms in future. An alarmed Forest Department is gearing up to face the new challenge. It has come out with a silvicultural action plan to combat the menace of fungal diseases with the specific objective of identifying and propagating disease-resistant phenotypes of deodar, sheesham and other tree species which have become vulnerable. Detailed studies will be carried out to device measures to prevent the spread of dreaded fungus which wreaked havoc in one of the best deodar forests of Chail. The stress is on identifying disease-resistant strains as unlike agricultural and horticultural crops, forest diseases cannot be controlled by spraying insecticides and fungicides or other such methods, says Mr Sanjay Sood, Head of Silviculture Division. The Action Plan includes comprehensive projects to produce high-quality saplings of conifers resistant to root diseases through the application of mycorrhiazal biotechnology. The division has already achieved success in raising saplings of the endangered Taxas buccata from cuttings. The establishment of seed production areas of western Himalayan conifers, standardisation of techniques for large-scale cultivation of medicinal plants and eradication of obnoxious weeds like lantana, agiratum and perthenium are other main features of the action plan. To ensure better utilisation of its seed testing laboratories at Shimla and Palampur, the department has decided to share the facilities with the Agriculture Department on a reciprocal basis. |
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Contaminated water
source sealed DHARAMSALA, Sept 3 — Following a number of gastro-enteritis cases in the district the health authorities have sealed a “bowri”. According to information, five persons from Sukkan Kot, Kahaniyara were admitted to the Zonal Hospital here, with complaint of gastro-enteritis. Five persons Madan Lal, Rekha Devi, Ashok, Uttam Chand and Mast Ram, fell ill after consuming water from the “bowri”. A team of doctors visited the village to inspect the water being consumed by the villagers. After finding the bowri, having contaminated water, they sealed it and warned the villagers not to consume water from it. Other precautionary measures like the distribution of chlorine tablets were also undertaken by Dr R.S. Rana and Dr Vinod Mahajan. Last month there had been a large number of gastro-enteritis cases from the Palampur area of the district. People blame the IPH department for providing them contaminated water and at places scarcity of water lead to the problem as the traditional sources of water are not maintained and cleaned. The absence of a Chief Engineer in the IPH, in the North Zone and some other vacant senior posts is causing a lot of inconvenience to the people. |
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REC staff demand
regular Principal HAMIRPUR, Sept 3 — The REC, Hamipur Teachers Association (RECHTA) has demanded immediate posting of a regular Principal for the college. It has expressed concern over the failure of the state government to take any action in this matter. Dr P.C.Rehal and Dr Ahok Kumar Gupta, president and general secretary, respectively of the association in a statement said here yesterday that if no regular appointment was made on September 8 when an interview for the post of the Principal would be held, the RECHTA would adopt tough posture. They said that the atmosphere of the college was becoming polluted day by day and all activities had come to a complete standstill. They also demanded starting of a personal promotion scheme for those teachers and faculties where there had been no promotions since the opening of the college in 1986. The failure of any such scheme had debarred the teachers from any benefit. The teacher leaders also demanded rotation of heads of departments in the college from among Professors and Assistant Professors only. This progressive idea should be implemented forthwith, they demanded. They also demanded filling of vacant posts of all categories of teachers in the college.
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HP releases action
plan for children SHIMLA, Sept 3 — Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, today released the Himachal Pradesh plan of action for children brought out by the Social Welfare Department to give a new direction and to instil a sense of urgency in the activities being undertaken to ensure the welfare of children. The state action plan has been divided into 12 chapters, each dealing with specific issues, and outlining present strategies and future line of action to achieve the goals set for 2002 and 2005. The plan envisages reduction in maternal mortality rate to two per 1000 by 2002 and one by 2005. The plan also envisaged the reduction of vitamin deficiency among pregnant women and lactating mothers to 40 per cent by 2002 and 30 per cent by 2005. It has been mentioned in the plan that 80 per cent of the population of the state would be provided access to clean drinking water by 2002 and 90 per cent by 2005 and 85 per cent access to safe means excreta disposal by 2002 and 90 per cent by 2005. There will be universal enrolment of children in primary schools by 2002 and enrolment rate in middle will be raised to 83 per cent by the end of 2005. The Chief Minister lauded the efforts of the Social Welfare Department for formulating action plan for children and said that this would go a long way in achieving the targets. Mrs Manisha Nanda, Director-Welfare, detailed the steps being taken by the government for the development of women and children. |
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Bumper tea crop in Kangra PALAMPUR: After a gap of five years, the Kangra valley has had a bumper tea crop. Almost all plantations have had a record output. All four cooperative tea factories have been functioning to full capacity. The favourable weather, including adequate average rainfall, is a major factor behind the bumper crop. Besides, this year most of the tea gardens were almost disease free. In past the tea crop was adversely affected by various diseases, causing a huge loss to the growers. In the Kangra valley about 2,500 hectars are under plantations. The total factory production is 1.6 million kg of tea. The average production per hectare is about 700 kg, which is much lower than the national average of 1,500 kg. In Darjeeling, Assam, Karnataka and Kerala the average production of tea per hectare is about 800 kg. In the valley some of the well-maintained tea gardens like the Bundla, Wah, Mansimbal and Khalet estates have an output that compares well with the national average. Tea has been grown in the valley since the middle of the 19th century. The British established plantations near the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges. The commodity was first introduced between 1830 and 1840 by Nissan Tea Company. The valley grows a hybrid variety of China tea which compares favourably with the tea grown in other parts of world. The tea gardens in the valley are 100 to 130 years old and located between 900 metres and 1,500 metres above sea level. The industry thrived till 1905, when a major earthquake destroyed a number of tea gardens and tea units. Many tea planters were killed. Till 1905, the British managed a majority of the tea units. The valley was declared an “unsafe zone” by the British Government and almost all European planters left the area after selling their plantations to Indian companies. Kangra tea received another setback after the outbreak of the World War in 1914. Many persons joined the Army, there was an acute shortage of skilled labour and tea plantations were adversely affected. Tea prices started falling, production came down by half and the demand became limited. New owners could not look after the tea plantations properly due to a lack of technical knowhow. After the earthquake, the factories were ill-equipped and in poor condition. The prices were unremunerative and continued to fall. The quality of tea produced deteriorated steadily and, ultimately, Kangra tea lost its world market. To revive the demand for Kangra tea, various measures were taken by the state government and the agencies concerned. In the past few years more areas have been brought under tea cultivation and efforts have been made to boost production. Various state and Central Government agencies have come forward to provide the latest technical knowhow to the growers. Now there is a high demand for Kangra tea in the international market. The Central Government, in collaboration with the National Development Corporation, has launched a Rs 25 crore project for the integrated development of tea in the valley. Under this project, money is being provided to cooperatives to upgrade their technology and strengthen their infrastructure. Besides, under this project there is a plan to revive the sick units and persuade growers to revive those tea gardens which were abandoned by them three decades ago. In fact, the setting up of four tea factories in the cooperative sector has proved a boon to growers. These units have gone a long way in improving the quality of tea and solving various problems of the growers. However, much remains to be done. The tea produced at the Palampur Cooperative Tea Factory has a strong flavour. Likewise, the green tea produced here is popular in certain markets. |
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Efforts for unity in
Kangra Cong KANGRA, Sept 3 — Former Transport Minister and Congress leader Kewal Singh Pathania today admitted that the Congress was a divided house in Kangra because of the power struggle. An effort by senior leaders was on to forge unity among the different factions of the party. Mr Kewal Singh was addressing a press conference here today. He said former Tourism Minister Vijay Singh Mankotia would meet PCC member Chand Saini in this connection, Chand Saini organised a parallel meeting of the Congress delegates here yesterday. Mr Pathania refused to comment on the appointment of the 13 DROs by the AICC. He said the Congress was contemplating to start an agitation against the “misrule” of the BJP-HVC Government. He criticised the amendments in the revenue Act and described it as “anti-people”. He was also critical of the government’s move to hand over district hospitals to cooperatives in the state and the decision to increase the cost of the water connection form from Rs 2 to Rs 50 and the increase in security for the water connection from Rs 60 to Rs 150. He slammed the government for rampant corruption and alleged that a minister demanded Rs 1 lakh from a youth for his appointment as a forest guard. He alleged that Prof Dhumal was inaugurating those projects in the state which were either completed by the Congress Government or were nearing the completion stage when Mr Virbhadra Singh dissolved the assembly. Mr Kewal Singh Pathania was here in connection with “janchetna abhiyan”.
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Workers oppose
retrenchment NURPUR, Sept 3 — Agitating daily wage workers of the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH), Chuwari subdivision, near here, yesterday held a demonstration and locked the office in protest against the retrenchment of 300 workers from Chuwari and Sihunta subdivisions. It is alleged that the department had given a brake in the service of the workers engaged in 1994-95. The workers alleged that the department had retrenched them without any prior notice. The workers also gheroed the IPH office. The office was unlocked following the intervention of the local Subdivisional Magistrate. Meanwhile, Mr Kuldeep Pathania, former MLA of the Bhatiyat Assembly segment, in a statement today demanded that the services of those daily wage workers who had completed five years should be regularised. He alleged that the local MLA and Industry Minister, Mr Kishori Lal, during his poll campaign had promised to get completed their 240 regular days of service of without any break in service. But the government had been giving break in their service on political ground. He demanded that retrenched workers be employed
again. |
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Plan to beautify
Rewalsar Lake MANDI, Sept 3 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has drawn up a plan to develop and beautify the legendary lakes of Prashar and Rewalsar in this district. A sum of Rs 80.27 lakh would be spent on these lakes to make them attractive for tourists from home and abroad. Mr Prabodh Saxena, Deputy Commissioner, said yesterday the project was discussed at length at a meeting of the Prashar and Rewalsar Development Board held here under the chairmanship of Mr Bal Ram Sharma, Director, Tourism. He said the adventure and pilgrimage tourism potential of Prashar Lake, which was located at a height of 9000 ft above the sea level, would be harnessed fully. Similarly, Rewalsar Lake was sacred for Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists and was a system of the confluence of three religions, he said. Half the amount on the beautification of these lakes would be borne by the Centre and the other half by the state government. Mr Sharma disclosed at the meeting that a three-dimensional strategy had been adopted to promote adventure tourism, water sports and pilgrimage tourism in Himachal. He said vigorous efforts were being made to attract, maximum number of tourists from abroad. A network of information offices would be opened at important places to provide the latest information to the guests. He advised the foreigners to organise tours through recognised and reputed travel agencies and avoid unauthorised guides. The state government had already beefed up security arrangements for the tourists, particularly foreigners, after the two recent incidents when tourists from abroad were killed.
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DHARAMSHALA, Sep 3 (UNI) — Nearly 1200 teachers of 56 state government recognised and aided schools in the state have decided to observe “Teachers’ Day” as black day on September 5 in protest against the alleged failure of the state government in providing them salaries by June 30 under the Supreme Court directions. State President of hp State Government Recognised and Aided Schools Employees Union Om Prakash Dhiman in a statement here said that nearly 1200 teachers of 56 schools had not been given salaries for the last 18 months and the government had thus allegedly violated the apex court direction. He said the Supreme Court had directed the state government to disburse the salaries to these teachers by June 30. Criticising the dual policy of the state government, Mr Dhiman said on one hand the Chief Minister was eager to sort out the issue outside the court but on the other hand he had failed to give regularly their salaries.
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State award for 7
school teachers SHIMLA, Sept 3 — Seven government school teachers will be given state award on September 5 for their outstanding services in the field of education and taking special interest in teaching. Those selected for the award are, Mr Tirath Ram, Primary School, Dhundla (Una), Mrs Prem Lata Dubey, Headmistress, High School, Sehdala (Una), Mr Sucha Singh Kang, Senior Secondary School Khad (Una), Mr Sita Ram Verma, High School, Alma (Mandi), Mr Krishan Chand Soni, High School, Kunsal (Kangra), Mr Gian Chand, Senior Secondary School, Bhagwara (Hamirpur) and Mr Laiq Ram, Primary School, Kiar-Koti(Shimla). The state Governor, Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri, will present these awards at a function at Hamirpur. |
Youth stabbed
to death PALAMPUR, Sept 3 — Lakhvinder Singh, a 20-year-old youth, was stabbed to death in Panchrukhi village near here last night. According to the police, Lakhvinder Singh and his two associates were attacked by Vijay Rana and his nephew in the fields with sharp-edged weapon while they were returning to their village. Lakhvinder who received serious injuries died on the spot, while Surinder Singh was admitted to the local civil hospital in a serious condition. Both the assailants managed to escape in a scooter after committing the murder. A police officer said there was an old enmity among the youths and it was a planned murder. |
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