 |
| Monday,
July 30, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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End
strike, minister urges Larji staff Minjar
Fair opens Steps
afoot for silvicultural operations Cell to
expedite hydel project clearance Rs 3.29 cr
for potable water schemes |
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Ray of
hope for physically challenged Thakur
seeks probe into road construction Companies
allege threats by scribes Lawyers
oppose change in consumer Act Impostor
held for duping woman Kisan
passbooks distributed BJP
appointments K. L.
Gupta dead 2 held
for selling leopard skins Woman,
son found murdered
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End strike, minister urges Larji
staff Shimla, July 29 He said due to the strike, representatives were not only depriving workers of finances but also creating hurdles in completion of a project of national importance. He said at present an unskilled worker was getting Rs 3000 per month which was much more than that of Rs 1530 stipulated by the government as lowest labour charges. He said construction work of the project was started in September, 1998, and was scheduled to be completed by July, 2003. Electricity board had awarded the construction contract to Satyam Shankarnarayanan and Continental Construction Company. Workers union of these companies had submitted 27-points demand charter to the management, which contained 10 demands related to the Labour Act while 17 other pertained to financial benefits of the workers. The Labour Officer, Mandi, after receiving a demand charter held several rounds to resolve their issues. Mr Kishori Lal further said after failure of initial talks the Joint Labour Commissioner held four meetings from June 21 to July 10 during which deliberations were held to implement the provisions of the Labour Act. He said the Act was being implemented in right perspective and there was no pending demand pertaining to it. The Industries Minister said the union had demanded 85 per cent increase in basic pay in lieu of rest of their financial demands, which was rejected by the management. After long deliberations, the union was ready to accept a 20 per cent increase in basic pay and the management proposed an increase of 8.33 per cent, thus mutual agreement could not took place. He said suddenly on July 12 the workers struck work at the construction site. To normalise the situation the Labour Commissioner held agreement talks which were also attended by the SP Mandi. Satyam Shankarnarayan company proposed an increase of 13 per cent while the representatives of the union stuck to their demand of 20 per cent increase, which resulted in stalemate. He said their demands pertaining to additional financial benefits did not fall under the ambit of the Labour Act and to press on these demands by resorting to strike was not a proper medium as the Labour Department relentlessly tried to arrive at mutual agreement between both the parties. |
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Minjar Fair
opens Chamba, July 29 Speaking on this occasion, the Minister said festivals like Minjar Fair were an integral part of our cultural heritage and called upon the people especially the youths to keep these traditions alive. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner S.C. Mehta accompanied by district officers, and citizens of the area offered silken minjars (top blossoms of the maize plant) in the local ancient temples of Lakshmi Narayan and Lord Raghuvira in a traditional way. The fair will conclude on August 5 with the immersion of Minjars in the Ravi. Meanwhile the local citizens have lodged a protest over the way the managers of the Minjar Fair are behaving and superseding the old traditions of inviting the masses in general and the elderly citizens in particular. They say the invitation cards carrying detailed programmes have not been distributed though the festival has been inaugurated. They were critical of the negligence on the part of the district administration. On the other hand, the authorities of the Minjar Fair Celebration Committee feel that it is quite an unpleasant task for the administration to make arrangements for the fair. Had it been better the arrangement of the fair celebration activities would have been assigned to the local civic body as the fair belongs to the local people. |
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Steps afoot for silvicultural
operations Shimla, July 29 The fund-starved state has been desperately seeking approval for green feelings to increase its revenue from forest for the past decade. In fact, it twice lifted the moratorium on green feelings imposed in 1983 during this period first during the Governor’s rule in July, 1993, and then in February, 1997, when the state forest corporation floated SLR bonds to raise Rs 460 crore from the market. However, it could not be implemented due to the intervention of the Supreme Court, which ruled that green trees could be axed only in accordance with forest working plans duly approved by the Centre. Since the state Forest Department had at that time not prepared working plans, feelings could not take place. The present Dhumal government also took up the issue with the Centre in February, 2000, but it expressed its helplessness in allowing green fellings in view of the orders passed by the Supreme Court. The move, which attracted flak for various quarters, was not pursued any further. However, the recent verdict of the court allowing the Madhya Pradesh Government to carry out silvicultural operations has encouraged the state to take up the issue afresh. The court while passing the order laid down that feelings must keep pace with natural regeneration of forests for which adequate funds be kept apart. Besides, the Centre should closely monitor the feelings and ensure proper regeneration. Being a hill state, where as per the national policy two-thirds of the total areas should be under forests, the apex court may not take the same view but the state is confident that principles enunciated in the case of Madhya Pradesh will also be applied in its case. The Forest Department has already revised 21 working plans out of the total 31 and five are under preparation. It fulfils all conditions laid down by the apex court for allowing green feelings. If the court gives the nod for silvicultural operations the annual revenue from the forest would double to Rs 90 crore from the present Rs 45 to Rs 50 crore and help ease a bit the tight financial situation. Out of the state’s total about 55,673 sq km geographical area, 35,407 sq km has been recorded as forest but tree cover actually extends over only 13,082 sq km. However, dense forest with a canopy of over 40 per cent stands over only 9,120 sq km and the open forests accounted for 3,962 sq km. The department is formulating a 30-year plan to being 6000 sq km of additional area under forest it will take care of the silvicultural operations. Mr S.K. Pande, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests said green fellings was a misnomer and create a wrong impression in the minds of people and conservationists. It would be more appropriate to call it silvicultural operations, as the whole idea was to improve the health of the forest by removing mature and over mature trees administer adequate sun light intensity on the forest floor, essential for natural regeneration. The department had learned from its past experience and it would not go for clear fellings. Silvicultural operations would be carried out only in those areas where natural regeneration was possible, steep slopes, soil erosion prone hills and other fragile areas would be let out. The recalcitrant areas would be supplemented through artificial regeneration. The main emphasis of the plan would be on natural regeneration, which was much cheaper. The areas would have to be closed for 15 to 20 years depending on the species. The saplings which sprout naturally had to be protected from trampling, grazing and browsing by animals. The permission of silvicultural operations will certainly help the state forest corporation improve its financial position. With more workload its overhead expenses on felling would be reduced and the quality of timber will also be better and thus fetch a higher price in the market. It will be then in a better position to compete with foreign timber which is flooding the domestic market. |
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Cell to expedite hydel project clearance Shimla, July 29 According to as spokesman of the HPSEB, this was a per the policy of the state government to give top priority to hydel potential of the state. The cell would help get forest and environment clearances from the quarters concerned and cut down on the time wasted on these. It will also help the public and private sector entrepreneurs prepare and scrutinise the applications for diversion of forest land to the HPSEB under the Forest Conservation Act, guide preparation of catchment area plans and maintain close coordination between the Forest Department, HPSEB and the Ministry of Environment and Forest. The entrepreneurs had been complaining that work on projects was being delayed because of red tapism. |
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Rs 3.29 cr for potable water
schemes Nahan, July 29 Chairman Sirmaur Zila Parishad Chander Mohan Thakur who is also Chairman of the District Water and Sanitation Mission stated this here at Nahan, while presiding over a meeting of the mission. Speaking on the occasion Mr Chander Mohan said drinking water was a scarce resource. It should be conserved and utilised properly. Contribution of user has been envisaged in the scheme to introduce, a sense of belongingness in the water supply schemes by the users. Active involvement of women, Scheduled Caste and Tribe, people below poverty line, has been drawn in the schemes. He said that schools without water provision would be covered in the scheme with involvement of the Parents-Teachers Association and added that Panchayati Raj Institutions, Yuva Mandals, Mahila Mandals would be also be associated with the scheme. Pacchhad MLA Gangu Ram Musafir asked the mission to speed up formation of committees at village-level and ensure that quality was executed best. Deputy Commissioner Sirmaur, Rakesh Kaushal said that positive points of a similar project by the name “Swajal” in Uttranchal would also be incorporated after a study team visits the project in that area. |
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Ray of hope for physically
challenged Shimla, July 29 According to a survey, about 5 per cent population is disabled in India of which 90 per cent live in rural areas where rehabilitation services are very scarce. To reach this deprived section of the society, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment came to their rescue. To help the handicapped lead a respectable life it was decided to set up district rehabilitation centres in 107 district of the country. Himachal was fortunate enough to be allocated two centres one at Shimla and the other at Dharamsala. The rehabilitation centre is functioning under the aegis of the National Institute of Visually Handicapped, Dehra Dun. The functionaries of the rehabilitation centres are visiting each panchayat to identify the beneficiaries and provide them assistive devices at their door step. Assessment of existing infrastructure, to identify persons with disability, to facilitate the issuance of disability certificates, prevention, intervention and early detection of the disability are the few objects of the centre amongst the multifarious objectives. Another important area of the centre includes corrective surgery to provide assistive devices, repair and follow up of assistive devices and to provide barrier-free environment. Not only this the centre is poised to provide supportive and complementary services to promote, educate, vocational training and employment to the handicapped. Apart from this, the centre is also identifying suitable vocations based on the available local sources. The centre will also provide referral services for higher-level education and vocational training. The rehabilitation centre in collaboration with the Red Cross Society of Dharamsala is organising special camps for the identification of the handicapped. The need-based measurements for the preparation of artificial limbs are also being taken during such camps. So far three camps have been organised at Jaisinghpur, Nurpur and Dehra. Medical certificates are also being issued to the handicapped to enable them to avail the facilities at the rehabilitation centre. Registration and medical examination of each disabled person is being done at the camp by a team of medical experts to fulfil the purpose. Till date, the rehabilitation centre has registered 1160 persons with disability and medical certificates have been issued to them accordingly. During the past over six months the rehabilitation centre has provided assistive devices to as many as 113 persons. A survey was conducted to identify the number of handicapped persons in Kangra district. It was found that over 6,000 persons were suffering either from one or the other disability in the district alone. The rehabilitation centre at Dharamsala is catering to the needs of the handicapped throughout the state since it is the lone centre of its kind. A computer database of the disabled is also being developed. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sanctioned Rs 14 lakh for the rehabilitation of the disabled. However, there is no limit of the funds. The basic concepts of
rehabilitation centre is to cover all disabled persons and enable them to lead a respectable life in the society. The rehabilitation centre is being headed by a nodal officer along with a team of experts in various fields such as special educator in hearing impaired, ortho and prothetics, mobility instructor, special educator in visually handicapped and audiologist. The district rehabilitation centre plans to provide comprehensive services to the disabled of all categories viz, orthopaedically handicapped, visually handicapped, hearing impaired, mentally retarded of Kangra and adjoining districts. Although any disabled person from any part of the state can draw benefit from the centre, yet some parameters have been fixed to avail these facilities. For IRDP beneficiaries and for those having an income of Rs 5,000 per month, all appliances and aids are being provided free of cost. For those whose income is above Rs 5,000 and below Rs 8,000 per month these will be available at a cost of 50 per cent. For those having an income of Rs 8,000 and above per month all charges will be borne by the handicapped persons. Another scheme for the rehabilitation of the disabled is also underway in Kangra district, known as ADIPS-assistance to the disabled for purchase, fitting of aids and appliances. An outlay of Rs 29.79 lakh has been made under this scheme for providing assistive devices. |
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Thakur seeks probe into road
construction Bilaspur, July 29 Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, Mr Thakur said the work on 15 km stretch of the national highway No. 88 was given to a contractor of Hamirpur, who was said to be a “close associate” of the Chief Minister, without completing all necessary formalities in the absence of any competition. Moreover contract was awarded at higher cost, Rs 1 crore approximately. The construction work was of poor quality and the entire road, which was laid about a month ago, got destroyed within two weeks of its construction. Mr Thakur demanded that the material used in the construction of the road should be tested in laboratories outside the state and also the total quantity of bitumen brought by the contractor from the firms concerned should be investigated. He said the PWD Department was now repairing the newly built road, which breaches the contract as section 35 (iii) of the contract inter alia states that “the contractor shall be responsible for rectifying defects noticed within a year from the date of the completion of the work and the portion of the security deposit relating to asphaltic work shall be refunded after the expiry of the period.” |
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Companies
allege threats by scribes Chamba, July 29 They have complained to the owners of the newspapers in this connection and submitted a copy of the complaint to the government. The companies allege that the representatives often threaten to write against them “whatever they like” if they do not book advertisements in papers. |
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Lawyers
oppose change in consumer Act Bilaspur, July 29 Addressing mediapersons here today,
Mr Nadda said the move was most unjustified and unwanted as was also the reason given by the Law Minister, Mr Arun Jaitly, who had said this move was being taken since advocates prolonged cases in these courts. Mr Nadda said the reason why a large number of cases were pending in these courts was that each consumer court in the state had to take care of at least three districts. As such, these forums had only five to six working days in a month and it took thrice the time in the settlement of cases. Mr
Nadda said normally the chairmen at these consumer courts at the district, state and national levels were the District and Sessions Judges, High Court Judges and Supreme Court Judges, respectively, or persons of that status. he said the advocates helped them to come to the right decision as the consumer courts were entirely different from the lok adalats. He demanded that this amendment to this Act should be withdrawn immediately, failing which advocates in the state would be forced to launch an agitation. |
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Impostor
held for duping woman Nurpur, July 29 According to the information, the miscreant told the mother of Vijay Kumar, who is serving in the CRPF at Jalandhar, that her son had asked him to buy a colour television from the Army
canteen. The impostor took Rs 10,000 from her and went to Pathankot accompanied by Vijay’s sister and a boy from the family’s neighbourhood. In the canteen premises at Mamoon, Pathankot, he vanished with the cash he brought from Jugni Devi. The impostor was nabbed by the Chowari police yesterday where he went to the house of a woman constable pretending to be a friend of her brother serving in the CRPF. The family of the constable became suspicious and intimated the police which nabbed him. On interrogation, he confessed having duped Rs 10,000 from Jugni Devi. He has been identified as Raghubir Jasrotia, alias Bittu son of Shankar Dass of Mandli village. The Chowari police intimated the Nurpur police. It also took judicial remand of the miscreant till August 1. |
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Kisan passbooks distributed Kasauli, July 29 A total of 15,925 kisan passbooks would be distributed in Solan district. Out of which 2551 had been already distributed. The minister also added that those who had not been able to get the passbooks could approach the Revenue Department for the same passbooks. An individual presenting a kisan passbook to the officer concerned could also get his domicile as well income certificate, said the minister. Others present on the occasion included the Chairman, marketing board,
Mr Virender kashyap, Mr Satpal kamboj, former MLA, Mr Virender Sehgal, SDM, Solan, Mr L.R. Jhampa, DRO, Mr Sandeep Sood, RTO, Mr Verma, Tehsildar Kasauli. |
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BJP appointments Shimla, July 29 Mr Viram Thakur, state Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, has appointed Mr Aseem Ahluwalia in charge of the morcha affairs for Bilaspur district. |
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K.
L. Gupta dead Solan, July 29 He was 61 and is survived by his mother, wife, two sons and a daughter. Mr Gupta was a votary of human rights and democratic values. He was arrested soon after the imposition of Emergency and was lodged along with leaders like Shanta Kumar in the Nahan central jail. He was nominated as the first president of the district Janata Party in 1977 and held that post till its split in 1980. He remained president of the district Bar Association for a number of years. His cremation, held here this morning, was largely attended. |
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2 held for selling
leopard skins Shimla, July 29 The department laid a trap to catch the culprits who had been illegally selling animal trophies. The police sent a decoy customer to Dinesh who agreed to sell the leopard skins for Rs 1 lakh. The policeman, who were waiting at a distance, caught him and another accomplice. A case has been registered. |
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Woman, son
found murdered Nahan, July 29 He said last night the police had brought Fakiria, husband of Meena, from his house at Bilaspur, Haryana, for interrogation. The police was collecting evidences and recording statements of the local residents of Majra and Bilaspur and relatives of the deceased. Formal arrest of any person in this case was yet to be made. Mr SP Singh and bodies of the deceased persons had been sent for post-mortem examination to Subdivisional Hospital, Paonta. |
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