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Saturday,
February 9, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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HP to
raise Rs 508 cr through bonds Probe
ordered into 13 lakh embezzlement 6 new veg
markets for Solan CM writes
to Ajit Singh on bio-tech park Additional
Judge sworn in |
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Hamirpur NSUI chief Hamirpur, February 8 The crisis that had developed in the district unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) ended here today with the resignation of Arvind Thakur. He expressed faith in the leadership of Naresh Thakur, president of the union. 
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HP to raise Rs 508 cr through bonds Shimla, February 8 The decision was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet held here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal. The decision to rescind the notification on contributory, pension scheme was taken in view of the fact that the Union Government had not prepared or notified any such scheme uptill now. The state had decided to introduce the scheme in line with the announcement made in Union Budget. The fresh loans to be raised were an enhancement of the earlier approved quantum of Rs 300 crore and a part of the resource mobilisation under the Annual Plan 2001-2002. The bonds issue is being proposed through newly created Himachal Pradesh Infrastructure Development board, which held its first meeting last week under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. The Cabinet also approved a proposal of the defence authorities for setting up a military station in Una district. Having such a military station would also enhance the welfare of a large number of ex-servicemen in the state. A proposal was made to set up passport cells in all 11 district headquarters, except Shimla where such a cell is already functioning. These cells will be in the offices of the respective Deputy Commissioners and the ADM concerned will look after them. The Cabinet reviewed the termination of MOUs singed with M/s
Sofimat (France) for the execution of Bharmour (45 MW) and Harsar (60 MW) hydel projects and with M/S TIWAG (Austria) for Kugti (45 MW) and Budhil (70 MW) hydel projects (HEPs) and decided to accept the recommendations of the high-powered committee for the revocation of the cancellation. It authorised the signing of supplementary amended MOUs laying down strict and time-bound conditions for the implementation, including the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) and signing of implementation agreement by August 2002, and October 2002, respectively. It also directed that while signing implementation agreement suitable provision for providing maximum employment to the local people of the relevant categories be made, The Cabinet took note of status with regard to devolution of powers to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and expressed concern about the over all tardy progress thereof. It directed that action should be expedited particularly by the departments which were lagging behind and regular review and monitoring should be continued at the level of the Chief Secretary. Cabinet approved issue of formal essentiality certificate to Vardhaman Educational Society, Nalagarh and Adhyatam Welfare Society, Kulu for the sitting up a general nursing courses (GNC) with intake capacity of 40 seats and 100 seats, respectively. The Opening of these private institutions will go a long way in augmenting professional para-medical manpower in the state. The Cabinet approved the proposal with regard to introduction of jackets in place of greatcoats & raincoats for police personnel on duty other than traffic duty. It was decided to make welfare department as the single nodal department to ensure appropriate focus upon policy formulation and effective implementation of welfare scheme meant for the Scheduled Castes and also protection of their rights and all other affairs. It further decided to rename the Social Welfare Department as “Department of Social, Women and Scheduled Castes Welfare”. To ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of the Scheduled Castes component plan it the state headquarter and as the district headquarters the Cabinet decided to create 24 posts in the department. Further the Tribal Development Department has been made the Nodal Department pertaining to Scheduled Tribes affairs, not only for the Scheduled Tribes communities living in the tribal areas but also for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes living in the non-tribal areas on the recommendations of the committee of Governors. The Cabinet also decided the multiplicity of schemes would be rationalised and new schemes for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and thrust areas of development for different areas and communities would be identified for implementation. A committee comprising Secretary (Planning) and Secretary (Welfare) will study and make recommendations to enhance the allocation under the state Plan towards the Scheduled Castes component plan so that the villages having population concentration of less than 50 per cent of the Scheduled Castes population were also
covered for development of infrastructure projects. The Cabinet issued directions to the Revenue Department to take expeditious action in cases where the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes families had been allotted land but the possession has not been handed over or the pattas had not been issued or mutation had not been carried out or there was a discrepancy between allotment as per revenue papers and actual possession of the allottees at site. The Forest Department would give preference under the Sanjhi Van Yojna to the villages having Scheduled Castes population concentration. To prevent the misuse of allotted land, the restrictions for the sale and transfer of land up to 15 years has been enhanced to 30 years and thereafter any transaction involved would be done with the prior approval of the government. It approved filling of 269 posts of supervisor through limited direct recruitment from amongst the categories of anganwari workers, balwari teachers, balsevikas and lady social workers. It was decided to create two posts of Assistant Consolidation officer, four posts of kanungo, 16 posts of patwari in the PWD in the National Highway Division. In line with the decision taken to adopt single window system in Transport Department the Cabinet decided to amend rule 33 of H.P. Motor Vehicle Act to authorise the Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) who are Secretary, Regional Transport Authority (RTA) as Registering Authority in respect of commercial vehicles only in lieu of such powers being exercised by the SDMs heretofore. The Cabinet further approved issuing of licence to 1000 youths for plying Matadors on link roads in the state. It approved granting of powers to Panchayati Raj Institutions to issue export permits for minor forest produce species, which are in the list of now endangered species on the recommendations of the concerned forest guard. It is expected that the permit fee will help generate a cumulative amount of Rs 10.00 lakh for the concerned gram panchayats per annum. |
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Probe ordered into 13 lakh embezzlement Shimla, February 8 It is learnt that Mr Loomba has ordered special investigations to dig out the exact amount involved in the scam and also verify involvement of some other officials in the case. The incident has come as an eye-opener for the authorities and collection of various taxes on the entry points of the
state, including Parwanoo, Una and Damtal, which are the main sources of revenue, is also being looked into. The amount relates to embezzlement during a period of five months and the extended audit was expected to bring more misappropriations to light and also expose the period since when the racket was going on. The misappropriation was detected during the annual audit of the office of the registering and licensing authority where the receipts are being generated through the computer. Though these receipts were serially numbered, entire bunches of these receipts were allegedly destroyed by the dealing officials on certain particular days and the amount was pocketed instead of depositing it in the treasury. It was also being investigated as to how the senior officers failed to reconcile the receipts daily and allowed the embezzlement to be done. The role of the officials of the treasury was also being looked into. When contacted, Mr Loomba confirmed these facts and said the issue was a matter of grave concern and was being inquired into. |
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6 new veg markets for Solan Solan, February 8 Board Chairman Virendra Kashyap, who addressed a public meeting after inaugurating the Badhorighati —Raopul road, near Gumberpul, 35 km from here, today said the proposed submarkets would provide local farmers easily assessable channels for selling their produce. These submarkets, after being commissioned, would ensure greater profits to the farmer who would no longer be required to bear prohibitive transportation costs for taking his produce to distant markets. Mr Kashyap said the proposed submarkets would be set up at Sadupul, Bhojnagar, Gumber Pul, Vaknaghat, Mamlig and Deegal in this district. Plots of land required for these had already been identified and would be acquired soon. He said that the Rs 50 lakh submarket at Banalgi, near Kasauli, which was almost complete, would be dedicated to the farmers on April 14. |
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CM writes to Ajit Singh on bio-tech park Shimla, February 8 In a letter to the Union Minister Prof Dhumal said the project aimed at promoting bio-business, harnessing bio-resources and create employment opportunities had already been submitted to the Indian Council of Agriculture Research. He said the state intended to diversify into bio-drug and processing for value addition to ensure better returns to farmers. The Chief Minister said the incubation facilities of the proposed park would be located in two farm universities of the state. |
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Additional
Judge sworn in Shimla, February 8 Mr Narender Bragta, state Horticulture Minister, Mr Karan Singh, Primary Education Minister, Mr Mohan Lal, Ayurveda Minister, Judges of the high court and district courts, members of the Bar Association attended the function. Born in 1944 at Dharamsala Mahanta village in Una, Mr Sood obtained a Bachelor Degree in law from Punjab University in 1968 and practiced for two years in the Delhi High Court. He was selected in the state Judicial Service in 1970 and served in various capacities. He was promoted to Himachal Pradesh Higher Judicial Service in 1982 and served as Additional district and Sessions Judge, Kangra, Joint Secretary (Law) and Registrar State High Court. A member of faculty of Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration, he was on the selection panel of the UPSC for Class-I posts in ministry of law and Justice. |
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New Hamirpur NSUI chief Hamirpur, February 8 The state president of the organisation Kewal Singh Pathania, had recently appointed Arvind Thakur as district president of the NSUI. However, this appointment was resented by Naresh Thakur and other members of the organisation. |
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