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Thursday,
June 6, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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War fear drives out foreigners in droves Sonia rally’s success enthuses HP Cong Sonia misleading people, says BJP State set to become ‘fruit basket’: CM TRIBUNE SPECIAL |
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Timber smuggling on rise in Mandi Govt asked to take over Shimla forests RTOs to handle commercial vehicles Notices issued to CS, Pollution Control Board 13 cr to be spent on Yol-Dadh road Tibetans celebrate govt foundation day Dhiman tells students
to shun violence Decline in HPU pass percentage
Uttaranchal, HP Transport Secys
hold talks No infiltration into Chamba: ASP
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War fear drives out foreigners in droves
Kulu, June 5 Most of the foreign missions in India have advised the citizens of their countries to leave India immediately and as a result more than a thousand foreigners have already left this district and about 200 to 300 foreign tourists, mostly Israelis, are leaving every day. Maria, a Greek, says the reason of leaving India is the fear of war. Though she is of the opinion that war might not break out, she wants to reach home at the earliest. An Israeli, Eran Prager, says: “We were unaware in Kasol (a village in the Manikaran valley) of the Indo-Pak tension as we do not read newspapers or watch television.’’ A French national, Bruno, termed his departure “unfortunate’’ as he had to cut short his stay. Those in the tourist trade in Kulu-Manali are a worried lot as the business is not up to the mark this year and now the remaining season of foreign tourist will also come to an end. Anil Sharma, a travel agent in Manali, says “dooming trends’’ in the tourism field has forced him to switch over to some other business. Another travel agent, Pranav, says the only hope of getting better foreign tourist traffic for the forthcoming trekking season has faded. Even hoteliers, in general, are not happy with the low tourist inflow this year. The worst-affected are the money exchangers.
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Sonia rally’s success enthuses HP Cong Nurpur, June 5 Addressing a press conference here today, he claimed that the rally was one of the biggest rallies held in the state in the recent past. It was attended by nearly one lakh persons. The venue rally of could not accommodate the unprecedented gathering”, Mr Mahajan asserted. He claimed that it was a united show of strength of the Congress in which no slogan had been shouted in favour of any state leader. Vindicating his assertion, he said the Congress had showed its united strength in the Municipal Corporation elections of Shimla as also Mrs Gandhi’s Shahpur rally and now in the unanimous elections for the posts of Mayor and Vice-Mayor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation. Reacting to the reported statement of the state BJP chief that people had been brought from Pathankot (Punjab) to the Shahpur rally, Mr Mahajan said the statement was released out of frustration. He said, “The BJP is perturbed over the changed mood of the masses who are fed up with the anti-people policies of the Dhumal government”. |
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Sonia misleading people, says BJP Shimla, June 5 The Congress regimes in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka had recently increased the power tariff, water charges and bus fare, he said, adding that the Congress President was either ignorant of these facts or was pretending to be so to befool the people. Moreover, the BJP government had already withdrawn the hike, he added. Mr Bhardwaj claimed that during the 45 years of Congress rule only 1,200 MW of power could be harnessed while during the past four years of the present government work on projects with an aggregate capacity of 7,000 MW had been started. |
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State set to become ‘fruit basket’: CM Shimla, June 5 Addressing members of the committee, Mr Dhumal said the state was known as “ Apple State” since apple was the only commercial fruit crop of the state. He said the cultivation of other fruits was being encouraged and it was poised to become the “fruit basket of India”. The government had imported new root stock, which was being provided to fruit growers so that old plants could be changed by hybrid and high-yielding plants. He said at present the per hectare yield of apple in the state was only 10 to 12 tonnes as compared to 50 to 60 tonnes yield in New Zealand. He said floriculture, tourism and herb cultivation was also being promoted. Discussions were being held with Biosys Group of the UK to help the state adopt bio-diversity in a big way which could help rural people, especially, the rural women, to cultivate herbs as commercial crops to supplement their income. The state had 7.33 per cent of the total bio-potential available in the country, which needed to be harnessed to its optimum, he added. Mr Dhumal said diversification of agriculture was also being given priority so that the limited land holdings could be utilised for growing cash crops. The scientists of the universities were exploring the possibilities to utilise grass lands for the cultivation of suitable species of herbs. He said that farmer cooperative bodies would be formed in this connection. He said the state aimed at harnessing its identified potential of 20376 mw hydel power in 10 to 15 years which would solve the electricity problem of north India. It would generate 2226 mw hydel power in coming years out of which it would get 250 mw power free of cost. The Chief Minister said the forest cover in the state had increased by 561 km during the past few years. Plantation work was being carried out to bring more area under the forest cover. He said people were also involved in it under the “sanjhi van yojna”. The committee is on a tour to Shimla, Kulu and Manali to review the crop insurance scheme, credit flow to the agriculture sector and crisis in rural economy. |
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TRIBUNE SPECIAL Shimla, June 5 According to a study conducted by the Fisheries Department, once teeming with a large number of trout and mahasheer, the rivers are drying up. The major reasons are pollution, increased sedimentation due to deforestation and indiscriminate mining. Rapid construction of roads and dumping of refuse into rivers have also aggravated the problem. The study pointed out that the environmental changes as a result of natural and human activity were affecting the watersheds. Pesticides and insecticides have also worsened the situation. Himachal Pradesh has a cumulative stream length of about 3,000 fishable waters, including the Beas, Trithan, Parvati, Uhl, Pabbar, Ravi and Lambadug. The fish habitat in the Giri is facing a bleak future because of indiscriminate mining in Sirmour district. Silt is accumulating in river beds because of the hydel projects. The need of the hour is to address the situation and initiate remedial measures to restore the habitat and provide ecological conditions for spawning and growth of hill fish, the study said. The Director of Fisheries, Dr Kuldeep Kumar, said the restoration of the stream habitat was a complex task as in most cases the stream had expanded. In all five stretches of trout waters covering a length of 63 km have been identified. These include 20 km in the Tirthan stream between Larji to Nagin, in the Sainj stream between Larji to Ropa (22 km), around Holi in the Ravi, 6 km between Barot and Lohardi in the Lambadug stream and 10 km in the Uhl stream between Barot to Kothikod. The study has recommended the removal of silt, deepening and widening of banks, plantation of suitable plants along banks and stocking of farm-reared seed in ecologically suitable pockets. |
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Timber smuggling on rise in Mandi Mandi, June 5 A mafia kingpin of Hamirpur having connections with politicians manipulated to get a sale depot registered at far-off Jachh in the Karsog valley in December, 1998, through the then Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) nothwithstanding the fact that the then local Conservator of Forest had opposed the move and expressed surprise why he was recommending the opening of a private sales depot despite directions by the government that no new depot would be registered. Interestingly, the DFO flouted the directions of the Conservator and registered a sales depot and a sawing machine at Jachh. According to the latest instructions, approval of the Secretary, Forest, is required for sanctioning a private sales depot as the government is aware of the fact that these depots have become smuggling dens. Another fact brought to the notice of the mediapersons during the two-day visit of the twin valleys is that the sale depot and sawing machine were registered in the name of S.S. Bharmoria, while it was actually being operated by another person having links with the forest mafia. The new DFO, Karsog, when contacted, said he had taken a serious note of it and was initiating action to cancel the registration of the sales depot at Jachh. He expressed unhappiness over the fact that the police, witnesses and driver and conductor of the seized truck were not attending his court and the proceedings were being intentionally delayed and harassment being caused to other witnesses who had to repeatedly come again. According to villagers, a person named Satish runs the Jachh depot who along with his musclemen was running the smuggling business. The villagers have demanded that a CBI inquiry should be held into the large-scale smuggling in which forest officials, police and politicians were allegedly involved. The office-bearers of the Katawachi Panchayat, including vice-president Man Singh, expressed fear that due to the high connections of smugglers the case might be hushed up. It is learnt that a part of the timber has been sold to the government departments in Lahaul and Spiti through manipulated documents. Recently four police personnel, including the SHO, Gohar, were arrested and suspended recently while attempting to smuggle timber from Samnoh in the Nachan forest division in a police truck. As a face-saving act the government transferred three senior police officers — DIG, SP and ASP — without waiting the inquiry report. In another case a DFO was transferred overnight for catching smugglers allegedly belonging to the ruling party. This has virtually demoralised honest officers. |
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Govt asked to take over Shimla forests Shimla, June 5 Members of the society, which organised an environment march here today to highlight the ecological hazards the hill resort was facing, lamented that the corporation had failed to manage the forests scientifically as it neither had funds nor technical manpower to do so. Besides encroachments and ruthless plundering of forest wealth had resulted in depletion of the green cover. Mr P.S.
Negi, president of the society, said that as per the 1883- 84 revenue settlement, the state government was the owner of the forests in Shimla and the Municipal Corporation enjoyed the rights of usufruct. Their management could be resumed by the government anytime. He said scientific management of forests was essential as they comprised cedars and oaks, which play a vital role in regulating the hydrological cycle in the hills and the weather conditions. Only the Forest Department could ensure their scientific management, he said. A forest settlement should be undertaken immediately to ascertain the status of the forest areas with exact measurement, demarcation and classification so that discrepancies between forest and revenue records are removed. Thereafter a comprehensive plan for their management and overall ecological development of the hill resort should be prepared, he said. |
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RTOs to handle commercial vehicles Shimla, June 5 The decision to transfer the handling of commercial vehicles to the RTOs was taken at a recent meeting of the Cabinet and a formal notification is expected shortly. The Cabinet has decided to make the Transport Department discretion free, with the single window system for the registration of commercial vehicles and issuing of driving licences for such vehicles. At present, the job is being done by the SDMs who are generally overburdened with multifarious duties. It is learnt that in a gradual manner, the registration and licensing for private vehicles might also be transferred to the RTOs as is the practice in the adjoining Jammu and
Kashmir. Six RTOs look after two districts each in the state and steps are being taken to provide additional staff to them for handling the new job. There is a proposal to transfer to the RTOs the staff who have become redundant following the closure of the offices of three divisional commissioners in the state. The total number of vehicles in the state is about 2.75 lakh, with at least 25,000 added every year. The tax collection by the Transport Department is also expected to be strengthened as the results at the Parwanoo
barrier, which was established on an experimental basis two years ago, have been encouraging, with a collection of Rs 2 crore in connection with various violations of transport laws. The department is learnt to have identified nine more entry points, including Baddi,
Mehatpur, Nurpur and Damtal, where such barriers could be set up to fetch an annual revenue of about Rs 10 crore which has been so far untapped. |
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Notices issued to CS, Pollution Control Board Shimla, June 5 He alleged that loudspeakers were being used by places of worships, including mandirs, gurdwaras and mosques on unearthly hours. According to the petitioner, he had informed the police on May 18, 2001, at 11.07 p.m. that loudspeakers were being used at a jagrata in the Lower Bazaar locality. The petitioner’s daughter had to set for a competitive examination. Besides, both he and his wife were suffering from hypertension, he said. Mr Rajinder Dogra, the counsel for the board, contended that the board was monitoring noise pollution level in the city and suitable action would be taken against defaulters. Petitioner prayed that the state government be directed to restrict the use of loudspeakers and take strict action against the defaulters who are using these without obtaining a permission from the authority concerned. While issuing the notices, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice W.A. Shishak and Mr Justice Arun Kumar Goel directed the respondents to file their reply within four weeks. |
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13 cr to be spent on Yol-Dadh road Dharamsala, June 5 According to Chief Engineer (North) V.K. Khurana, this road is one of the most important roads from the tourist point of view as it links Dharamsala with Palampur and Kulu-Manali. He said three major bridges costing more than Rs 3.5 crore were about to be completed on Souli khad (approximate cost Rs 50 lakh), Baner khad (Rs 2 crore) and Manooni khad (Rs 1 crore). Eight more bridges on various rivulets had been designed and would be constructed at Rs 6 crore. He said the three bridges would be opened to traffic by the year-end. Priority was being given to widen and improve other major roads of Kangra and Chamba district. |
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Tibetans celebrate govt foundation day Dharamsala, June 5 It is celebration time at McLeodganj near here as the Tibetans are celebrating the 360th founding day of the Tibetan Government. On this day, in 1642, the fifth Dalai Lama founded the Tibetan Government. The celebrations today started early in the morning when the Dalai Lama led the prayers at the main Buddha temple at McLeodganj. He was accompanied by the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, Chairman of Kashag, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, ministers and other senior functionaries of the government-in-exile. During the four hour long ceremony artistes and school children presented a cultural programme highlighting the Tibetan cultural heritage. Thousands of Tibetans, foreigners and locals participated in the celebrations. All offices of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, institutions and schools run by them are closed for two days. |
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Dhiman tells students
to shun violence Shimla, June 5 Presiding over the annual prize distribution function of Himachal Pradesh University, here yesterday, he said the present government had restored the democratic rights of the student community by holding elections in the university and all its affiliated institutions after a gap of five years. He, however, stressed that along with their rights, the students should also be concerned about their duties and responsibilities. They should do their best to maintain discipline. During the past three years, elections to the central student association were conducted smoothly. He praised the students central association of the university for honouring meritorious students. He assured all help of the university in solving the problems faced by it. |
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Decline in HPU pass percentage Shimla, June 5 According to an announcement of the university here today, of the 2,872 candidates who appeared in the examination, 2,306 have passed. The first 10 positions in the order of merit went to Vikas Thakur (Shimla), Kalpna Sharma (Bhatoli), Sanjay Kumar (Nadaun), Amit Kumar Sethi (Nadaun), Shiv Kumar (Dharamsala), Minni Aggarwal (Shimla), Amit Angra (Una), eighth position shared by Rupeet Kaur (Bilaspur) and Shaveta Verma (Bhatoli), Umeshwar Kumar (Nadaun) and Ritam Sharma (Dharamsala). |
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Children take part in environment rally Hamirpur, June 5 Various functions were also held where the children took part in debates, cultural programmes and painting competitions. At a function held at Bachat Bhavan, Additional District Magistrate Balbir Badaliya stressed the need for keeping the environment clean. He said environment preservation was essential. BADDI: The Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Industries Association celebrated Environment Day on Wednesday by organising a weeklong cleanliness drive here. Being held in collaboration with other organisations like the Paryavaran Sanskaran Samiti, Beopar Mandal and the HP State Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board, the drive also involved schoolchildren. Poster-making and slogan-writing competitions, besides a quiz, were organised for children. PAONTA SAHIB:
Environment Day was celebrated here by the Himachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Department of Environment Control Board. Mr Onkar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Sirmour, said there was need to create awareness about environment among the masses. He requested industrial unit and the municipal committee to dump solid waste properly. The units should treat solid and
chemical waste before dumping it. |
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Uttaranchal, HP Transport Secys
hold talks Shimla, June 5 The Transport Secretaries of the two states discussed problems being faced in the smooth operation of bus services yesterday. It was decided that status quo would be maintained on the issue until it was resolved at the high-level meeting to be held within a month. Following the talks the Uttaranchal authorities released three buses of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) impounded allegedly for plying illegally. A spokesman for the State Road Transport Corporation said the vehicles were impounded due to some misunderstanding. |
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No infiltration into Chamba: ASP Chamba, June 5 He described the rumour as “unfounded and baseless’’ aimed at creating panic. He said despite rumours of infiltration no untoward incident had occurred during the past over three years, the credit for which went to the security forces who had been launching surface patrolling and anti-insurgency operations round the clock in coordination with SPOs and Villages Defence Committees (VDCs). He said the security forces were getting help and information from the SPOs and the VDCs, who were equipped with arms and ammunition.
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Search on for paraglider’s body Dharamsala, June 5 According to Mr N.D. Sharma, ASP, Chamba, “A shepherd who was grazing his herd in the higher reaches had reported seeing the mutilated remains of a human body some days back. From this report, it was presumed that the remains were that of Joel Kitchen. As the exact location was not reported correctly, two police teams were sent to the Jalsoo and Quarsi pass areas which, however, returned empty handed.” Mr Sharma said that efforts were on to contact the shepherd so that he could lead the police to the spot. At the same time two new teams had also been sent to check the entire area, he said. |
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B’deshi held, gets judicial remand Kasauli, June 5 He was produced in a court at Solan where the Judge remanded him in judicial custody up to June 18. Police officials stated that on verifying his antecedents nothing incriminatory was found. He had come to India to visit Khwaja Sharif’s dargah at Ajmer. Meanwhile the local police had stepped up vigil in and around the town in view of the tense situation in the county. |
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Locals resent entry
tax on vehicles Nurpur, June 5 The Kandwal toll tax barrier set up in this sub-division had been auctioned for Rs 92 lakh annually to a private contractor of Punjab. The representatives of the affected gram panchayats have submitted a memorandum to the state government through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nurpur, demanding complete exemption of entry tax to the local vehicles. |
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Govt for balanced development Nahan, June 5 |
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Mandi DFO clarifies Reference to the news report “Forum penalises Mandi DFO” published in The Tribune on May 27, Mr H.V. Kathuria, DFO, Mandi has clarified that the May 9 order of the Redressal Forum, Mandi, was stayed by the State Consumer Redressal Forum, Shimla, on May 16. But the news report made no mention of the stay order. While objecting to the “damaging news”, Mr Kathuria claimed that an FIR had also been registered against the complainant under 3, 9 and 14 of the Sale of Timber Act, 1969. |
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