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| Thursday, March 1, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Dry spell worries farmers DCC demands drought relief for farmers ‘Glaciers can fulfil water needs’ 2 more krishi vigyan kendras on anvil Plan to
conserve soil, water |
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HP Assembly site launched Leave to appeal dismissed Education code ‘being flouted’ HAS officers for
review of allowance Students seek white paper on selections DC seeks report
on vacant posts 7 die as truck falls into khud Shivratri fair
concludes Withdraw sewerage tax: councillors Hindi Ratna
Award for Shimla DC
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Dry spell
worries farmers Kasauli, February 28 The current evaporation rate is 1.0 mm per day, which is much higher in comparison to the last five years. This is due to nine and a half hours of sunshine per day coupled with higher light intensity of 547 mv/cal/cm2/per minute for most part of the day. Whereas, data recorded in the past few years indicate that the sun shone for about 6.6 to 7.7 hours per day in February. Maximum temperature above 23 degrees have been recorded for most of the days during February which has ordinarily remained between 18 to 20 degrees in the last five years. Likewise, a comparatively high diurnal temperature has also been recorded in February causing a negative impact on agriculture. Light showers witnessed in early January did provide some relief to the farmers but with no subsequent rain, vegetation faced more adverse affects as compared to the benefits due to higher evapotranspirative demand. This has been increased after the brief showers last week as the rain only removed dust from the vegetation and increased the demand of water further, pointed out the Assistant Scientist, Dr Parvinder Baweja. In areas where wheat was sown germination had started after the first rainfall in January. But it prospered only in patches and did not show any uniform result thus leading to the poor vegetative growth. Consequently, less cluster formation in the earlier reproductive stage is likely to affect the yield. Crops particularly peas have become susceptible to diseases like powdery mildew which normally strike towards the end of March. The prevalent shift of weather phenomenon has increased the incidents of this disease attack on plants. The inclement dry spell has also affected curd formation in cauliflower thereby affecting the colour, which has changed from snow white to pale white. The yield of palak, methi is also likely to suffer in the prevailing weather. The scientists also pointed out that if 2-3 mm rainfalls occur in the coming days it might improve the prospects of getting an average yield of crops here. Light showers are expected in the coming days according to data available reviving hopes of farmers added the scientist. |
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DCC demands drought relief for farmers Solan, February 28 They demanded that the government should give top priority to the supply of water through tankers to the affected villages and supply fodder free of cost or at subsidised prices. They alleged that many farmers who after the failure of their crops were not able to pay back their loans taken from banks were being harassed. The government should ask the banks to put a moratorium on the recovery of loan instalments. The amount of interest on loans should also be waived. They criticised government for ignoring the district claiming that many rural civil and veterinary dispensaries were without any staff, with quite a few being run by pharmacists. They said many schools were without teachers. The condition of rural link roads had been steadily deteriorating. Unprecedented rise in rural unemployment, especially of the educated youth, could aggravate the already bad law and order situation in the district in particular and the state in general. They were critical of the recent decision of the government to reduce the prices of liquor and increase those of water as also of a recent government decision simplifying the licensing of beer vends. They alleged that illegal quarrying of stone and sand was rampant in the district and there appeared to be no governmental control on such activities. They said the state government was mooting the idea of filling all posts falling vacant in panchayat bodies by nomination. Their party would fight this undemocratic move tooth and nail, he added. The two Congress leaders demanded the immediate scrapping of the recently introduced system of imposition of entry taxes on vehicles at panchayat and municipal barriers. |
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‘Glaciers can fulfil water needs’ Shimla, February 28 Glaciology has emerged as a new area for scientific investigation and at least five universities, three in the USA and one each in Canada and England, have set up departments to pursue such studies. It was all the more important for a country like India where life was largely sustained by a network of glacial rivers originating from the tectonically active and highly unstable Himalayan rangers, Dr Kalyanaraman, who was here to deliver a lecture on “Socio-cultural and economic relevance of the Saraswati” at Himachal Pradesh University, told The Tribune. He said there was no dearth of water resources. In fact with the unique monsoon system India had the highest per capita availability of water but there was a problem of management. A glacier like Gangotri could feed the Ganga river for over 10,000 years and there were about 1500 such deposits in the Himalayas. In fact, there was enough water resources to cater to the need of a population of over 400 crore. However, scientific study of these glaciers would have to be carried out for the development of water resources. He suggested that universities in Himalayan states like Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh should focus their research on glaciology and if need be set up independent departments for the purpose. In the past tectonic disturbances had changed the course of some rivers and the Saraswati was completely wiped out and reduced to a myth. Scientific investigations over the past three decades have proved that the river did exist. Dr Kalyanaraman maintained that country could be saved from the vicious cycle of drought and deluge if the plan to interlink the Himalayan rivers and peninsular river was implemented. Under the plan the surplus water from the Brahputra basin would be brought to the Ganga river through network of canals and further taken to western and
southern parts of the country by linking the Ganga to the Sharda, the Satluj and finally to the Saraswati which flowed along the Pakistan border. On the other hand the Ganga would also be linked to the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and finally to Cauveri to take the sweet Himalayan water right up to Kanya Kumari. The project estimated to cost about Rs 3.30 lakh crore could be implemented on the pattern of the Konkon Railway by involving each beneficiary panchayat as a shareholder. An independent corporation could be set up for the purpose. While it would raise funds, finalise design and take care of other technical aspects, the panchayats could be betrusted even the execution of the mega project in their respective areas. The project was technically and economically feasible. The canal system could provide a mode of inland water transport and help reduce the consumption of oil. At present country was importing oil worth Rs 30,000 crore annually which could be brought down to Rs 10,000 by executing the canal system. There would be a big boost to farm output. At lest 10 per cent of the barren land would be transformed into fertile fields and the availability of water for irrigation would increase production. More importantly, the project would provide employment to about one crore person for 10 years. The Global Water Partnership (GWP) had evinced keen interest in the project which was already before Parliament. It was essential that it was taken up as a national project with complete political consensus. There was enough ground water along the course of Saraswati river in
Rajasthan which could be exploited and the Satluj water could be used for recharging if the canal was extended to Kutch, the same thing could be done there. The option of recharging the ground water was better as there was no loss due to evaporation. |
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2 more krishi vigyan kendras on anvil Mandi, February 28 Addressing the Scientific Advisory Committee meeting held here today, Dr A.K. Mehta, Zonal Coordinator, Transfer of Technology, said with this the number of Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the state would go up to 14. He said these kendras were playing an important role in acquainting the farmers with the latest techniques of agriculture which had led to increase in the yield. The demonstrations at different places had greatly benefitted the farmers in learning the new techniques, he said. At the meeting, which was attended by scientists, field staff and farmers, progress and impact of various schemes launched by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras over the past three years were assessed and means to combat various challenges being faced by the farmers discussed. The Scientists In charge of the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dr S.K. Sharma, said a dependable technology had been developed by Agriculture University, Palampur, for the effective control of noxious weeds like Ageratum and Parthenium. These weeds were ravaging pastures and fields. Demonstrations showing destruction of weeds were being held in each block, he said. Dr Sharma said the local kendra had organised 184 workshops for the farmers during the past two years in which about 7,000 farmers were given training in mixed farming through scientific techniques. Besides this, six Kisan |
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Plan to
conserve soil, water Kangra, February 28 Disclosing this here on Monday, the Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidya Sagar told mediapersons that check dam water harvesting structures and farm ponds would be constructed besides tree plantation. He said under the NWDPRA programme Rs 2.50 crore was spent on 61 projects in developmental blocks. He said Rs 300 crore would be allocated for next financial year for the purpose. A sum of Rs 44.30 lakh had been spent on the catchment of Satluj, Ravi and Vyas rivers under the R.V.P. programme. Mr Vidya Sagar said keeping in view the problems of the soil and water conservation, new schemes in under macro management plan were being proposed to the Centre to provide Rs 1.68 crore for the next financial year. Work on these schemes would be executed through Kisan Vikas sanghs to encourage farmers’ participation. These schemes would be maintained by these sanghs. He said Rs 3 crore were being spent on these programmes this year. He said another 177 schemes were proposed to Nabard for 2001-2002 to cover 3796.53 hectares with an estimated cost of Rs 15.18 crore. |
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HP Assembly
site launched Shimla, February 28 He said 397 starred and 34 unstarred questions had been received so far. Notices for discussions on drought, water crisis, shortage of doctors and teachers and deteriorating law and order situation had also been received. The Speaker said the Budget session would begin tomorrow with the Governor’s Address. The supplementary Budget would be presented on March 2. The Chief Minister would present the Budget on March 9 to be passed on March 28.
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Leave to appeal dismissed Shimla, February 28 The state has approached the court for leave to appeal against the acquittal of Ranjit Singh who was alleged to be involved under Section 61 (1), A of the Punjab Excise Act as applicable to the state of HP recorded by the Judicial Magistrate, Kasauli, at Solan in their judgement vide
dated on July 18, 2000. Brief story of the prosecution is that on May 9, 1994 ASI alongwith some police officials was on routine patrolling and excise checking near Joharji. An information was received that Ranjit Singh was selling, IMFL in his shop for country-made liquor. During the course of search the ASI seized five cardboard boxes containing 24 bottles. Ranjit Singh could not produce any valid licence in respect of the liquor seized having been put to trial, Ranjit Singh pleaded not guilty. And moreover independent witnesses in whose presence the liquor and beer was seized did not support the case of the
prosecution. They have categorically stated that nothing was recovered in their presence. According to this only evidence with regard to the seizure is the statement of ASI who conducted the raid. The judge observed that the acquittal of Ranjit Singh is based upon proper appreciation of evidence and no interference is called here with. Therefore the petition was dismissed. |
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Education code ‘being flouted’ Chamba, February 28 Schools in the rural and far-flung areas are understaffed whereas schools in the urban areas are normally overstaffed. Norms like the pupil-teacher ratio, sections and the number of periods per week as formulated in the education code are violated to adjust “favourites”. Teachers who have links with politicians get postings in schools of their choice in and near their homes and villages. District Education Officers (DEOs) are helpless due to political interference and have become mere transferring authorities. Of late, a number of transfers have been made under the guise of 5 per cent quota transfers in Chamba district this year. A senior officer of the Education Department said some politicians would often intimidate them with regard to transfers and adjustment. |
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HAS officers for
review of allowance Shimla, February 28 The association, which met here yesterday, felt that instead of linking the allowance with the pay scales, the government should take into account the nature of duties and utility of the officers. The allowance should be fixed keeping in view the needs and exigencies of the services. While assuring full cooperation to the government in the implementation of the decision, the association called for a rational review of allowance in the public interest. |
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Students seek white paper on selections Shimla, February 28 The memorandum stated that the selection process of recruitment was questionable, and full of administrative
improprieties. The appointments were being conducted on political affiliations and merit was totally being ignored. The SCA alleged that new posts were being created to adjust people from the panel drawn last year. These posts were being filled violating UGC norms. The advertisement for the new posts and roster system were not taken into consideration by the university authorities. The memorandum also sought by placement cells in the Departments of Business Studies, Tourism Biotechnology and Computer Sciences. New courses in MA Philosophy, anthropology, geology, M.Sc in polymer science and environment sciences, biodiversity was also demanded. The SCA alleged that the issues had been raised with the university administration time and again, but to no avail. |
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DC seeks report
on vacant posts Chamba, February 28 Presiding over a meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) of the district Non-Gazetted Employees Federation here yesterday, Mr Negi said the authorities concerned had been asked to take stringent action to remove unauthorised constructions around the zonal hospital. He said parking of the vehicles had been restricted in the ‘silence zone’ of the hospital and defaulters were being challaned by the police. Regarding land to the federation Mr Negi said five bighas of land had been identified and added that the case of exemption of lease amount was under the consideration of the state government. Introduction of the bus service from Salooni to Bhanjraron had been taken up with the officials of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and as soon as the approval was accorded it would be launched, Mr Negi added. |
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7 die as truck falls into khud Kangra, February 28 The Subdivisional Magistrate of Dehra, Mr Gopal Sharma, confirmed seven deaths. He told this correspondent that the truck was carrying the pilgrims from Tarn Taran in Punjab to Jawalaji. Four pilgrims died on the spot while three succumbed to their injuries on way to hospital. Most of the injured had multiple fractures. Mr Sharma, who was supervising the rescue and relief operation said that doctors were called from Kangra, Dharamsala and Jawalaji in view of high number of injured pilgrims. Seriously injured were referred to Dharamsala and the remaining were being shifted after the first aid. Local residents helped the authorities in the rescue operations and tried to save some seriously injured. Mr Santosh Patial, sub divisional police officer said that at least 70 pilgrims were travelling in the ill-fated truck when the accident took place. |
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Shivratri fair
concludes Mandi, February 28 The last “shobha yatra” marking the conclusion of the fair started from Madho Rai (Lord Vishnu) temple on the premises of mini secretariat. Dr Suraj Bhan, Governor, who was the chief guest could not participate in the “shobha yatra” probably due to some health problem and drove straight the venue of the fair. |
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Withdraw sewerage tax: councillors Shimla, February 28 They alleged that the priority work in their areas had been ignored by the Corporation. They said the employees and officers working on deputation should not be given extention. At least 53 employees and officers are working in the corporation and most of them have already completed their tenure. Many of them have been working since 1988. This issue was raised by the former Mayor, Mr Manoj Kumar. |
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Hindi Ratna Award
for Shimla DC Shimla, February 28 The award will be presented to him by Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri, Governor of Uttar Pradesh, at a function to be held in Delhi on April 15. Mr Katoch has over the past two decades authored more than 40 books in Hindi, English and Pahari. |
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CAG report
submitted Shimla, February 28 |
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