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| Thursday, January 11, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Illegal slate mining in Khaniyara goes
on Rift in Cong comes to the
fore Cong wins Bhoranj
samiti post ZP chief, deputy’s
election put off ZP election
put off |
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Chandresh ‘unable to
digest defeat’ More powers given
to panchayats Focus on managing water resources:
CM Raise Tibet issue with
Li Peng: NDPT E-governance at
grassroots level Sood appointed
HPSEB Member Probe ordered into
forged judgement HP aims at
raising life expectancy Illegal zoo to close down after 16 years Winter carnival begins Workshop on forest
management held NJPC staff
serve notice on management
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Illegal slate mining in Khaniyara goes
on DHARAMSALA, Jan 10 — Despite approval from the Ministry of Forest and Environment for undertaking slate extraction in the Khaniyara area, almost three months back, failure of the authorities to fulfil laid down conditions has hampered resumption of legal mining. It is interesting satellite imaging shows that eversince the ban was imposed by the court on unscientific slate extraction in Khaniyara, four years back, total mining area has increased due to illegal mining being in full swing. With the efforts of the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Mr Shanta Kumar, permission was granted to undertake mining in the forest area of over 25 hectares, as large population of the area is dependent on slate extraction for livelihood. Permission by the Ministry of Forest and Environment was conditional, as the state government had to undertake compensatory plantation in 50 hectares of land and the submission of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Even after the passage of three months the user agency, that is the Industries Department, has not made payment towards the cost of compensatory plantation. This amount works out at Rs 11.80 lakh. Even the EMP has not been prepared. Mining cannot be resumed in the area, till formal orders are passed by the Ministry of Forest and Environment, after the compliance report is sent from here. It was with great difficulty that the approval for undertaking non-forest activity in 25 hectares area could be obtained, but the failure of the authorities in fulfilling the conditions is creating hurdles. The Mining Department has reportedly received nearly 115 applications from the lessees. They have already attached the no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the revenue, PWD and the IPH departments. The delay in the issue of short term permits has been for want of NOC from the Forest Authorities, who will have to wait for the final approval of the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment. Some of the mining lessees, who admit that illegal mining is in full swing, blame the authorities for letting the condition go from bad to worse. “When the major hitch from the side of the Forest and Environment Ministry has been overcome then there should be no delay on the part of the state authorities,” complain some of them. People of Khaniyara, feel that the prepration of the EMP, will help in the extraction being done on more scientific lines, so that a balance is maintained between the environmental aspect and the economic criterion. It is better to undertake regulated mining than doing it haphazardly, which once again can lead to complete ban, they add. In the absence of other means of livelihood, people in Khaniyara have engaged in illegal mining, and sending out slates under the pretext of disposing of old stocks. The ban on the extraction of slates in the Yol, Narwana and Bhagsu area, will continue, as these places have already been declared unfit for mining. Though people are
eagerly awaiting the grant of NOC’s by the Mining Department, but with work on the EMP, in slow progress, it can take a few more months before decks can be cleared for legal mining in the area. Fresh notices on
limestone mines SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The government has served fresh notices on owners of the 23 unscientific limestone mines of the Sirmaur district closure of which has been recommended by the Central Mining Research Institute (CMRI), Dhanbad. The state Cabinet had sometime ago accepted the report of the CMRI and ordered closure of these mines which were not only causing pollution, but also eroding soil. It is learnt that the fresh notices have been sent because the report of the CMRI was not supplied to the mine owners with the earlier notices. The mine owners have been asked to furnish replies within 30 days. |
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Rift in Cong comes to the
fore SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The division in the Congress in Himachal Pradesh came to the fore in the yesterday’s rally of the PCC chief, Mrs Vidya Stokes, at Theog which was boycotted by the CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh and his supporters. The rally indicated that even in Shimla district division among the Congress legislators and the rank and file of the party was existing. Three out of the six party legislators of the district participated in the rally. They included, Mrs Vidya Stokes herself, Thakur Ram Lal and Mr J.B.L. Khachi. Those who abstained were Mr Virbhadra Singh, Mr Yogendera Chandra and Mr Singhi Ram. The function was basically organised to honour Mrs Stokes in her constituency after having been appointed the PCC chief. However, it was highlighted as a kisan rally. The absence of Mr Virbhadra Singh and his supporters indicated that they had not yet reconciled to the appointment of Mrs Stokes as the PCC chief. His absence was a point of discussion even among the participants. This is not for the first time that they have boycotted a function of Mrs Stokes. The Virbhadra Singh loyalists had boycotted the election of Mrs Stokes as the PCC chief last month. Thereafter, they did not participate in the birthday celebrations of the Congress in the PCC headquarters and complained that they were not invited for the function. Although, Mr Virbhadra Singh and his supporters had authorised Mrs Sonia Gandhi to nominate the new PCC chief, but they had reservations against the appointment of Mrs Stokes whom they accused of having engineered mass rigging of the organisational elections. They were also annoyed over the “arbitrary” constitution of the District Congress Committees of Shimla and Chamba by Mrs Stokes without consulting them and without waiting for the final disposal of the nearly two dozen appeals against the organisational elections. Mr Virbhadra Singh said he had nothing personal against Mrs Stokes. The ball was now in her court and it depended on her how to get his cooperation. However, in the process, Mr Virbhadra Singh has become the target of not only his detractors within the Congress, but also the ruling BJP leadership. Both were trying to create an impression that Mr Virbhadra Singh was out to split the party. His detractors have reportedly been conveying such reporters to Mrs Sonia Gandhi. As many as 18 of the 28 Congress legislators have reportedly expressed in writing their resentment against the rigging of the organisational elections in an organised manner. Discontent is simmering in the party rank and file over the delay in disposal of appeals by the central election authority of the Congress. Mr Virbhadra Singh has made it clear that there is no question of his splitting the party and he will continue to raise his voice against the wrongs from within. |
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Cong wins Bhoranj
samiti post HAMIRPUR, Jan 10 — The Congress party achieved a major victory in the BJP stronghold when its nominee, Mrs Kantadevi, was elected as the Chairperson of the Bhoranj Panchayat Samiti of Hamirpur district. She got 11 votes as against 10 by the BJP nominee, Mr Suresh Kumar. However, the BJP won the post of vice-chairman by one vote. The BJP nominee, Mr Prem Singh, got 11 votes as against 10 of the Congress nominee, Mr Gianchand. MANDI: The post of the chairman of the Block Development Committee Sadar has been won by the HVC candidate, Mr Ravi Singh. He defeated his nearest rival, Mr Manohar Lal of the Congress by 10 votes in the election held in the office of the Block Development Officer, Sadar, this evening. The BJP candidate was at the third place. |
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ZP chief, deputy’s
election put off KULU, Jan 10 — The election for the chairman and vice-chairman of the zila parishad here has been postponed till January 15 by the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ajay V
Prasad, on the plea that the elected members did not reach the venue of the elections. But the 10 members, contrary to the claims of the Deputy Commissioner, today claimed they had reached the Bachat
Bhawan. They told the mediapersons that while they reached the Bhachat Bhawan there was no official present from the administration’s side. They alleged that the Deputy Commissioner had been pressurised by the ruling party’s local leaders and the Deputy Commissioner had postponed the elections at their instance. All 10, out of the total 14 elected members of the new zila
parishad, sat on a fast inside the Bachat Bhawan, venue of the election, today. They said they would continue the fast till the Deputy Commissioner clarified his stand on the postponement of the elections, which was totally undemocratic. The agitating members said that in the election notice issued by the Deputy Commissioner, there was no time and duration given during which the elections were to be held, nor any verbal instructions were issued. Mr Khimi Ram, senior BJP leader, told the mediapersons that the Deputy Commissioner had played an unconstitutional role at the instance of the local BJP leaders. The Deputy Commissioner, when contacted, said that whatever action had been taken was according to the rules and he had satisfied the agitating members, who had accepted the postponement of elections. |
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ZP election
put off CHAMBA, Jan 10 — The election to the post of chairperson of an 18-member zila parishad of Chamba district scheduled for today has been put off to January 15 as it could not form a quorum of at least 12 members. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr
T.D. Negi, informed that there were 17 elected members in the zila parishad and the election to one seat of Purthi in the Pangi tribal valley of Chamba district was yet to be conducted in June which he said could not be held owing to snowy season. In another official information, January 15 has also been pronounced as the date for elections to the posts of president and vice-president in the municipal councils of Chamba and
Dalhousie. |
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Chandresh
‘unable to digest defeat’ SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The BJP has taken strong exception to the statement of the Congress leader, Mrs Chandresh
Kumari, alleging the kidnapping of panchayat representatives by the BJP government. Mr Ganesh
Dutt, party spokesman, in a statement here on Monday said Mrs Chandresh Kumari was, perhaps, peeved at the defeat of her party in the recently concluded panchayat elections. He said there was no necessity for the BJP to indulge in such things as the panchayat elections had been conducted according to election norms. He asked the Congress leader to worry about her own party and not blame the BJP for the disintegration of her party. He said that panchayat elections were held according to provisions of the Panchayati Raj Rules and Act and the BJP was committed to giving more powers to
panchayats. He said the BJP government was firm on providing transparent and responsible system which should be free from nepotism. |
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More powers given
to panchayats SOLAN, Jan 10 — The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, today announced sops by way of enhancement of financial and administrative powers to the panchayati raj institutions in Himachal Pradesh. Mr Dhumal was speaking at the oath-taking function of newly elected pradhans and up-pradhans of Solan and Sirmaur districts at Nauni, near here. He said that henceforth panchayats would be free to recruit panchayat secretaries and assistant secretaries and village-level water carriers ‘vidya upasaks’ and helpers in rural institutions. The panchayats were also being given ownership rights of primary school buildings and power for maintaining these. The panchayats would also be entrusted with the construction and maintenance work of link roads, funds for which would be provided under the Prime Minister’s Sarak Yojana. The panchayats would be given 1 per cent of the total decentralised budget (like MLA/MP Funds) of the state and 7.5 per cent of the total outlay of the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana. |
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Focus on managing water resources:
CM SOLAN, Jan 10 — The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal today called upon farm scientists to give top priority to research on the optimum utilisation of the state’s water resources, including harvesting of rain water. Mr Dhumal, who was addressing a large gathering at a Kisan Mela organised by the Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Nauni, near here, said that since farming in Himachal was largely rain-fed, it was necessary that every drop of available water was put to the maximum of use. He also stressed upon the need of taking research work from the laboratories to the fields and assured all possible government help in this task. The Minister of State for Horticulture, Mr Narendra Bragta gave details of the steps taken by the government to boost the farm, economy. He said that the government had procured Rs 40 crore worth of apple in Kinnaur district, which had become land-locked owing to the unprecedented floods during the previous apple harvesting season. The semi-government agro-packaging unit at Pragatipur in Shimla district had also turned a new leaf and registered a first-time net profit of Rs 2 crore. The Horticulture Produce Marketing Corporation had exported 1500 tonnes of apple juice last year. The Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, Mr R.P. Awasthi, said that the university, in an effort to broad-base its extension facilities, had opened two research stations at Bhota and Neri in Hamirpur district. The university was also organising supervisory and entrepreneurship courses which would be of immense help to young farmers. The Local MLA, Dr Rajiv Bindal, welcomed the Chief Guest. Twenty two government departments, besides some leading agro companies, exhibited their wares at the mela. The State Horticulture Department’s stall was adjusted the best, while that of The H.P. Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, was adjudged second. A total of 308
varieties of fruit, vegetables and flowers were put up in the competition for best varieties. Twenty prizes were given to those who were adjudged the best in their respective sections. Three university scientists - Dr J.N. Sharma, Dr S.S. Bhardwaj and Dr I.P. Sharma — were awarded connection certificates. A special attraction of the mela was a cattle fair, which, however, failed to be much of a draw. |
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Raise Tibet issue with
Li Peng: NDPT DHARAMSALA, Jan 10 — The lone Tibetan political party, the National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT), has urged the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, to raise the issue of Tibet’s freedom with the visiting Chinese leader, Mr Li Peng, as this would not only be in the interest of India’s security, but for the overall peace in the South Asian Region. In a statement issued here today, the president of the NDPT, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, said India could play a major role to facilitate the early and peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue by raising the ongoing genocidal action and violation of human rights with Mr Li Peng. “Unless the issue of Tibet is solved, the restoration of peace and tranquil relations between India and China will merely remain a diplomatic show,” he stated. Expressing concern over the proxy threats to India’s security, he said China had continued to transform the Himalayan borders in Tibet into a military zone and had extended assistance to the insurgents in the neighbouring countries of Pakistan, Nepal, Myanamar and Bangladesh. Acharya Yeshi, said he would be meeting the Prime Minister personally, to request him to raise the issue of Tibet with Mr Li Peng, as a peaceful and constructive dialogue between China and Tibet, without any pre-conditions was the best way to solve the problem. Meanwhile, the Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch, has also requested the Indian Government to take up the Tibetana issue with the visiting Chinese dignitary. The convener of the manch, Dr C.L. Gupta, Chairman, Board of School Education, said apart from being a political problem, the issue has a vital human angle attached to it. “Lakhs of Tibetans, who have been forced to flee from Tibet, which is under Chinese occupation, are leading a life of misery in India and various parts of the world,” said Mr Gupta. He added that this was the right time for India to intervene and impress upon the Chinese Government to resolve the issue for ensuring world peace. |
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E-governance at
grassroots level SHIMLA, Jan 10 — As a first step towards e-governance in Himachal Pradesh, a pilot project is being launched in Hamirpur district to enable residents to flash their grievances directly to the highest authorities. The project is expected to be commissioned by the end of March under which 25 locations in the district will be provided the facility. The project has been named “lokmitra”. Citizen information centres will be established in 25 panchayats. The pilot project is being launched by the National Informatics Centre, Mr Ambreesh Kumar, director of the centre told TNS here today that initially Internet would cater to the grievances and specific complaints of the people. Over 90 per cent funds for the project had been provided by NABARD, he added. |
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Sood appointed
HPSEB Member SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The Himachal Government today appointed P.K. Sood, Chief Engineer, (Commercial), as Member, Operations, in the state electricity board. He succeeds Mr S.S. Gupta, who has been appointed as one member State Electricity Regulatory Commission. |
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Probe ordered into
forged judgement SHIMLA, Jan 10 — A Division Bench of the Himachal High Court comprising Chief Justice C.K. Thakker and Mr Justice K.C. Sood yesterday directed the police to investigate the matter of forged judgement of Himachal High Court. The court held that this was very serious matter and dignity of the judiciary must be maintained therefore court directed that the investigation should be made by an officer of the D.S.P. rank. The report of the inquiry be produced before the court on March 12. This petition was filed by Mr Subhash Chand of Nadaun village Hamirpur district wherein he alleged that Mr Ved Prakash of Seri village Hamirpur district has forged the judgement of high court whereby said person had obtained a favourable order and got the government land measuring three kanals, 16 marlas muted in his name. He also had filed an affidavit before the tehsildar to the effect that the judgement was true. In that forged judgement Ved Prakash stated that the land was given to his father by the Raja Narender Chand of Nadaun. The Bench further directed that no benefit would be given to Ved Prakash or anyone by way of this forged judgement. Illegal zoo to close down after 16 years SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The Himachal Government has finally ordered the closure of the 16-year-old zoo in Solan which has been running without the mandatory approval of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The Chief Wild Life Warden has issued the order to close the zoo, managed by the local municipal committee on the basis of inquiry conducted by a Divisional Forest Officer (Wild Life) into its functioning. The wild life authorities have decided to shift the animals, which include 10 barking deers, two cheetals, one wild cat and some pheasants, to the Renuka Zoo in Sirmaur. This will take a week after which the zoo will be closed. However, some bird species like pigeons and ducks, which are not under the definition of wild animals, will continued to be kept in the park. The inquiry was ordered following the death of a deer in September last. The zoo neither conformed to the minimum standards laid down by the CZA for keeping animals in captivity nor was being managed on scientific lines. In fact the municipal committee did not have the requisite trained manpower and resources to manage it properly. Death of animals due to negligence had become a routine feature in the zoo. Two male deer died in 1995 and eversince the committee failed to find a mate for the female deer. There had also been instances of animals dying after being entangled in fencing. The zoo was set up in 1984 and the authorities did not make any effort to secure permission for keeping animals in captivity from the CZA, the apex regulatory body which came into being in 1992. In fact, the CZA, taking suo motu cognizance of newspaper reports, had written to the municipal committee to either fulfil the minimum norms and secure the mandatory permission for keeping animals in captivity or close down the zoo. The committee ignored the directions and the zoo continued to function illegally all these years. Since the committee is governed by elected representatives it became a political issue and those at the helm of affairs made it a point that the zoo continued to function without bothering about the fact that the committee was in no position to fulfil minimum standards and manage it on scientific lines. The intervention of the Supreme Court, which had last month asked all states to file affidavits that they were following the guidelines of the CZA in managing zoos prompted the wild life authorities to close down the illegal zoo. The apex court had made it clear to states that henceforth no zoo would be opened without its permission and the mandatory approval of the
CZA. |
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Winter carnival begins MANALI, Jan 10 — The five-day eighth annual winter carnival and the all-India youth festival started with great fanfare at Ram Bagh here today. Mr Chander Sen Thakur, local MLA and vice chairman, HPMC, inaugurated the carnival. The five day winter carnival will conclude on January 16. Earlier, a large procession was taken out after the worship of Goddess Hadimba at Dhungri Temple to Ram Bagh in which a large number of villagers and artistes dressed in local costumes participated. About 25 folk troupes will take part in different cultural programmes and a winter queen will be elected. |
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HP aims at
raising life expectancy NEW DELHI, Jan 10 — Himachal has set an ambitious target of raising average life expectancy from 64 years to 78 years in the next 20 years. Talking about highlights of ‘Himachal Health Vision,’ HP Health Minister J.P. Nadda said a comprehensive review of the health scenario in the state had been done to make the state one of the top five in the country by 2020. The main objective of the review was to spell out long-term goals with clearly defined strategies to achieve health for all within 20 years. Mr Nadda, who also discussed highlights of the vision document with representatives of international agencies providing assistance, said all efforts would be made to take medicare to the doorsteps of people by the target year. |
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Workshop on forest
management held MANDI, Jan 10 — A two-day state-level workshop of forest officials and scientists of the state concluded here today. A 10-point joint forest management strategy was reviewed to launch vigorous efforts for sustainable forest management with the active cooperation of the beneficiaries of forests. Addressing newspersons, Mr Vinay Tandon, Chief Conservator Forests (projects) said the forests of the state were subjected to enormous human and cattle pressure and had to bear the brunt of overgrazing, forest fires and illicit felling, besides catering to the needs of fodder and fuel. He said it was essential to involve the teeming poor, whose very existence depended on forests, in the task of sustainable forest management. He said the new drive aimed at creating a state-level consultative forum which would include beneficiaries who largely depended on forests. This would facilitate inter-sectoral coordination at the state and village levels and create a sense of responsibility among the users of forests. Mr Tandon said it has also been envisaged to provide technical support to the private sector, including individual farmers and community groups, for raising forests and forest goods in private barren lands. The process of organisational changes and capacity development had already been initiated in the department, he added. He stressed the need to develop a vision for the balanced use of land based on the needs of the present and future for forest goods and services. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests S.K. Pande, who was also present in the workshop, underlined the importance of the people’s participation in protection of forests. Their active involvement in planning, plantation and preservation would go a long way in ensuring sustainable development of the forests wealth, he added. He said there was a dire need to preserve and develop the existing forests for maintaining ecological balance besides integrated watershed development for the regular supply of water as basic infrastructure for hydel power projects. |
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NJPC staff
serve notice on management SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The Nathpa Jhakri Employees Association has served 10 days’ notice on the NJPC management for convening the meeting of the departmental promotion committee (DPC) failing which it will start an agitation. The demand of the association comes in the wake of the Himachal Pradesh High Court judgement setting aside irrational and equivalence of posts held by the seconded employees of the state electricity board and the direct recruits of the corporation, which allowed undue benefits to the seconded employees. Under the rules, it pointed out, management was supposed to convene a meeting of the DPC in April every year. However, no meeting was held last year. It alleged that the management was using suppressive measures against direct recruits and trying to force its decision on them, which had already been quashed by the court. |
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