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Tuesday,
June 11, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Close
shave for IB, RAW officials Centre
rejects hydel generation tax Power
engineers want SERC scrapped Non-farmers can buy village land now Water
shortage ‘delayed’ fire operation |
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Research
projects on seabuckthorn Pathania
to seek ticket from Nurpur Chamba
tourists being fleeced Governor’s call for
uplift of poor Dhumal
ropes in Nadaunta dissidents Jawan
cremated with military honours Governor
names school after martyr Seminar
on working of mind
3
escape from Una jail Porters on
strike Chemist
shop gutted 
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Close shave for IB, RAW officials Dharamsala, June, 10 The chartered flight was carrying five passengers, all of them senior officials of the IB and RAW, apart from the two crew members,
when it crashlanded at about 10.15 a.m. after overshooting the runway by almost 75 metres. A major mishap was averted as the aircraft nosedived and the cockpit hit the ground next to the fencing along the boundary of the airport. The Home Ministry team was to leave by
the same aircraft for Delhi in the afternoon. “After being given clearance for landing, the aircraft seemed to have overshot the runway, and fell right next to the fencing, barely 10 metres away from the Pathankot-Mandi National highway,” said Mr
S. K. Sharma, Aerodrome Officer at the airport. Luckily, there was no casualty or injury to the passengers as the aircraft did not catch fire. Mr Sharma said all landing arrangements were in perfect order and it could not be said with certainty whether the mishap took place due to a technical snag or due to the fault of the pilot. He said only a court of inquiry could find out the real cause of the mishap. Baintaloo village, which falls under the Kuthiana panchayat, is situated barely 30 metres from the site. Though there was no major damage to the aircraft, the fuel had leaked, apparently due to the impact of the crash. Interestingly, the district administration and top police officials
were unaware about the identity of the passengers and their whereabouts after the mishap. They were not aware of the visit of the team from the Home Ministry and despite their best efforts, they were unable to trace the mission for which the senior officials were here. Though there was a meeting regarding the security of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, at McLeodganj, it could not be confirmed if the officials were here for this purpose. According to highly-placed sources, the officials, including a Major-General of the Special Frontier Force (SFF), drove straight to the palace of the Dalai Lama and had a meeting with him for an hour. They also had an hour-long meeting with the Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, at the Central Tibetan Administration Office at the Secretariat. Senior Tibetan officials said the discussions between the Home Ministry team and the Dalai Lama, revolved around the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, who had been living here since his escape from Tibet. Officials at the airport said it was not for the first time that the pilot carrying senior officials, including an officer of the IB of IG rank, was on a flight to this area. They said the pilot and the co-pilot were familiar with the topography and terrain of the area. However, all senior officials were tight-lipped about the mishap and refused to divulge details. |
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Centre rejects hydel generation tax Shimla, June 10 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Prabhu said the proposal presupposed that the states where such projects were located should get some additional financial resource which they were already getting as free power. Besides, levying generation tax would further increase the cost of power, which was not desirable at all. Moreover, there was no consumptive use of water in hydel generation. Lastly, issues related with water always created disputes as riparian rights came into picture. In case the tax was levied, it would have to be decided which of the riparian states, the upper, the middle or the lower, should be given the benefit. Replying to a question regarding the recent roll back of power tariff by the Himachal Government, the minister made it very clear that the states who failed to carry out power sector reforms would not be given Central funds. He said devolution of funds had been linked to reforms and to speed up the process, the government was bringing the Electricity Bill 2001 which would bring the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions closer to the national objectives. The basic aim of the reform was to benefit the consumer which had not happened so far as over the past decade the focus was on attracting investment in the power generation sector. The problem area was, however, the distribution sector which was being taken care of now under the Accelerated Power Reform Development Programme for which a budget of Rs 3,500 crore had been earmarked in the current year. The outlay for the power sector had been increased by over 270 per cent which was unprecedented. The basic thrust of the programme was on improving the quality of power and reducing losses and theft of power. A six-level intervention strategy had been worked out to check power theft involving the Centre, the state concerned and state electricity board, distribution circle, distribution feeder and finally the consumer to pinpoint the problem area. The entire power supplied would be metered. Simultaneously, to augment the installed generation capacity, an action plan had been formulated to add 41,000 MW of capacity during the 10th Plan. This along with reduction in power losses and theft would enable the country to meet the demand of power fully and there would be no peak-time shortages. Referring to the hydel power potential, he said an action plan was being prepared to exploit the full potential over the next 10 to 15 years. The Central Electricity Authority had completed the “ranking studies” of all the six river systems in the country to fix priorities of the hydroelectric projects. An international hydropower conference would be held in Delhi soon to give a commercial shape to the plan. Several countries like Canada, Russia, Sweden and Austria were eager to invest in the hydel power sector. Regarding the huge cost and time overruns in the implementation of power projects he said the Centre had set up the Hari Salve Panel to look into the issue. It would suggest changes in the tendering system to cut delays. |
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Power engineers want SERC scrapped Shimla, June 10 The future of the power sector will be shaped by the Regulator and not the government and the state electricity board will be like any other company engaged in generation, transmission and distribution of power. The state government, has so far only delegated mandatory functions under Section 22(1) of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, like the determination of power tariff, finalisation of power purchase agreements, promoting efficiency and competition. However, after the enactment of the new law there will be nothing non-mandatory and all powers will be vested with the commission. It will even advise the government on policy matters concerning the power sector. The licence to distribution and transmission companies to operate in any area will be granted by the commission and it will also be empowered to grant approval to investment proposals in the power sector. Not only that it will also set standards and benchmark for generation, distribution and transmission to ensure high quality of service to people. An apex Appellate Commission will be set up at the national level for hearing appeals against the orders of the state commission. Thus, even the high court will be out of picture. The government will have to make the present one-member Commission at least a three-member body as there are certain provisions in the proposed bill, which they will be required. For instance, in the cases of power theft the assessment will be made by an officer to be designated by the commission. Appeal against it will be with the commission, which may ask a member to adjudicate over it. The commission will also have power to allow access to state transmission networks to a purchase for evacuating power across various states. This will certainly help power surplus states like Himachal Pradesh. The states will not be able to starve the commission of funds as under the proposed law they will have to set up a Electricity Regulatory Fund. The issue was discussed by the Parliamentary Committee on energy, which is in the city, with the state government as well as the state power engineer association, here on Saturday. While the government, which has not given its views on the electricity bill so far, sought some more time, power engineers rejected it outrightly on the plea that it will pave the way for complete privatisation of the power sector. The distribution and transmission companies will not require any licence to operate in the rural areas. With privatisation the cost of power generation and supply will increase and the commission will have no option but to fix a higher power tariff, which in turn will not be in the interests of people, it points out. The association has even demanded the scrapping of the existing one-member Commission. This is however, not possible as it has been set up under a Central Act which will have to be repeated. Moreover, under the new law the states will not have any option, it will be mandatory for them to set up regulatory commissions. |
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Non-farmers can buy village land now Shimla, June 10 The Cabinet approved that in order to ensure that expeditious disposal of cases for providing employment on compassionate grounds to the dependants of deceased government employees, the ban on direct recruitment would not be applicable to them and the approval of the Finance Department would not be also necessary. Henceforth, the cases would be decided as before by the administrative department concerned or the appointing authorities, subject to fulfilment of all essential conditions of the policy circulated on January 18, 1990 as amended from time to time. The Cabinet approved retention policy guidelines for compounding unauthorised construction for newly constituted nagar panchayats of Dhalli, New Shimla (Kasumpti) and Tutu so as to ensure that residents of these areas got civic amenities, including electricity and water connection. It would apply to all houses constructed upto December 31, 2001. The cases for granting deviation permission for demarcation of land and marking of trees for felling up to a maximum of two years at present were being considered. Now, through an amendment under the Land Preservation Act, 1978, which the Cabinet approved for the purpose of granting deviation, the compensatory plantation cost from the present Rs 3 stood enhanced to Rs 10 in case of private owners who failed to plant three trees for each tree felled. The Cabinet approved that the Hospital Service Consultancy Corporation be asked to carry on the process of construction of a 500-bed hospital for Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda, and okayed the proposal for funding the construction of the hospital to HUDCO or other appropriate financial institutions. It approved the creation of 207 posts of various categories for this college. The Cabinet, in another decision, approved that the Rs 1.50 crore given by the state government to Vivekanand Medical Care Education and Research Trust, Shimla, be transferred along with accumulated interests to Vivekanand Medical Research Trust, Palampur, for the establishment of a super-speciality Hospital at Palampur. The Cabinet gave its approval for filling of 109 posts of medical officer in the Department of Health and Family Welfare on ad hoc basis for six months. This decision was taken to ensure services of doctors in health institutions in the state, particularly in tribal and upper areas. The Cabinet also approved an amendment in Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Societies Rule, 1971, which envisaged that there would be no need for break after two terms for presidents and vice-presidents of cooperative societies and institutions.
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Water shortage ‘delayed’ fire
operation Parwanoo, June 10 According to the local fire officer he received the information of fire at about 4.30 p.m. and he along with his team reached the spot at about 4.35 p.m. with two fire-tenders. He said the water in the fire-tenders was consumed in about 20 minutes and then there was no water in the hydrant for about next 30 minutes as there was no communication system available between the fire office and the water supply tank. The water is being supplied by the HP Housing Board. The officer aid as it was a holiday on that day it took more time to locate the housing board guard to release the water from the supply tank. Fire-tenders from Solan, Nalagarh, Baddi, Panchkula and Chandigarh were called and they arrived in about one hour. The officer said during various meetings held between the local housing board and the fire office, demand to provide a telephone connection at the water tank was raised. The officer said the hydrants which were available in sectors and the one provided near the fire office were connected with water lines of drinking water system of the town and water were only available when the drinking water was released to the lines. The officer suggested that a separate water line should be provided from the water tank to a hydrant near Shitla Mata Mandir. The officer said the actual losses had not been calculated so far. Mr Arun Anand, Managing Director of the company, said they had recently got ISO-9001-2000 certification and there could be no lapse of any safety measures. He said in such type of fire only foam type of fire extinguishers would work. One of the officers of the company said fire-tender from Solan reached very late. Regarding the case of fire, Mr Anand said though it could not be ascertained at this time, probably printing ink lying in the tub caught fire. Meanwhile the local police has registered a case under Section 285 of the IPC.
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Research
projects on
seabuckthorn Dharamsala, June 10 The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India has sanctioned Rs 19 lakh for “bio-chemical characterisation and micro propagation of
seabuckthorn”. The three-year research project has Dr Virendra Singh as the supervisor. The project has been approved in collaboration with the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Science, New Delhi, and Dr
R. C. Sawhney of the institute has been provided Rs 12 lakh for research on the subject. The two scientists will evaluate the promising forms of seabuckthorn for vitamins and other bio compounds and standardise the micro propagation techniques for mass production of the selected forms for the plantation programmes of the region. Another project “Studies on the efficacy of seabuckthorn on soft tissue repair with particular reference to skin wound, burns and ulcer” has been sanctioned by the National Agriculture Technology Project
(NATP). The Rs 21 lakh project will be supervised by Dr A. C. Varshney and Dr
S. P. Tyagi of the Veterinary Surgery Department and Dr V. K. Gupta of Veterinary Pathology Department of the College of Veterinary Sciences of the agriculture university, Palampur. The clinical studies to be conducted for three years will help in the medical application of seabuckthorn for curing these diseases. GTZ of Germany has also sanctioned Rs 12 lakh to an NGO of
Lahaul-Spiti for production of health food for the benefit of tribal farmers. Disclosing this, Dr Virendra Singh, a pioneer scientist on
seabuckthorn, said it was an indigenous plant of the cold desert areas and was highly valued as fuel wood, fodder, soil binder and for making various food products. He said in recent years, it had emerged as a wonder plant which had tremendous applications in medical, pharmaceutical and food industries. He said defence organisations all over the world were conducting research on the plant as it had been found capable of curing skin cancer and helping soldiers deployed at very high altitudes where oxygen was rare. Dr Virendra Singh said China and Russia had emerged as leaders in industrial application of seabuckthorn and recently Pakistan had also started cultivation of this plant. He said industries associated with defence in India were also using the plant and berries of seabuckthorn for making many products. He said an international workshop organised by the Palampur Agriculture University at Delhi in February had resulted in many industrial and pharmaceutical companies evincing a keen interest in the plant and at present more than 16 institutions had undertaken research on
seabuckthorn. |
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Pathania
to seek ticket from Nurpur Nurpur, June 10 In 1993 after joining the Congress, Mr Pathania was shifted to the Jawalamukhi Assembly segment where he won the election and elevated as Transport Minister in the Virbhadra Singh Cabinet. In the 1998 Assembly elections he was defeated at the Jawalamukhi Assembly seat. Once known as Virbhadra Singh’s staunch supporter Mr Pathania drifted from the Virbhadra camp after losing elections in 1998 from Jawalamukhi. Addressing his supporters at Nagni, Mr Pathania said he would stake his claim to contest from his native Nurpur Assembly constituency before the party high command. |
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Chamba tourists being fleeced Chamba, June 10 The prices go unchecked at these hill resorts. Those who insist on getting a cash memo or bill from shopkeepers have either to face rough behaviour or are threatened with dire consequences. The Special Area Development Authority (SADA) was constituted by the state government for the development of Khajjiar. It is not known whether the authorities concerned have fixed these rates or not? Tourists are annoyed at the negligence on the part of the authorities who are unable to keep a tab on the prices. The shopkeepers display price-lists only when officials concerned come for checking. The tourists demand that the authorities should ensure that the shopkeepers do not overcharge for any article and those violating the directives must be dealt with sternly. It is also surprising that a bottle of distilled water, which costs around Rs 13, is costlier than the milk which is being sold at Rs 10 per litre there. When contacted, the District Food and Supplies Controller, pointed out that raids were being conducted to make shopkeepers display price-lists at all shops and commercial establishments despite the fact that they had not received any such complaint of overcharging. Meanwhile, local residents, shopkeepers and hoteliers complained of an acute water shortage at Khajjiar. The augmentation work on the existing water supply scheme was going at a snail’s pace. The tourist traffic to the hill resort is badly affected due to this problem, they added. There is a need to deploy traffic police to regulate the vehicular traffic. Parking lots are not well-managed. The only Food Inspector looking after Chamba and Kangra districts is reportedly busy in court cases than carrying out raids in the markets. |
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Governor’s call for
uplift of poor Parwanoo, June 10 The Governor was speaking at the annual function of the Kalka-Parwanoo branch of the Bharat Vikas Parishad at Parwanoo yesterday. He underlined the need to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice amongst the students. He said it was unfortunate that the younger generation was hardly aware of the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters. Lauding the efforts of the Bharat Vikas Parishad in fostering a spirit of patriotism and service amongst school students, in
particular, and other people, in general, Dr Bhan said it was also making contribution in bringing about social equality. He emphasised on acquainting students with the culture, history and geography of the country by conducting cultural exchange tours of various regions. Dr Munjal of Indswift Laboratories, while presiding over the function, pleaded for assisting the poor.
C. S. Jain informed that the Bharat Vikas Parishad was running 15 handicapped rehabilitation centres in the country besides a Vanvasi welfare scheme. He said the Parishad was extending social services through its over 35,000 members and 1000 branches. Mr Ashok Kansal, secretary of the branch, said the branch is providing free uniforms and books to 500 students annually, besides artificial limbs to five handicapped persons. Free uniforms, books and copies were distributed amongst 502 poor students from 18 schools of the area. Sewing machines were provided to five poor women with a view to assisting them in self-employment. |
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Dhumal ropes in Nadaunta dissidents Hamirpur, June 10 Manch activists, led by its convener, Mr Dhian Chand Sharma, took the decision after a meeting with the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, at Shimla last evening. They expressed full faith in the leadership of the Chief Minister and vowed to work for the party in the Nadaunta area during the coming Assembly elections. While talking with reporters here today, Mr Dhian Chand Sharma and Mr Nand Lal Sharma, a BJP leader, said all misgivings with the Chief Minister had been cleared and the matter solved for ever. They said the manch would not function from today onward and all decisions would be taken in consultation with the Chief Minister. They refused to say anything whether they had patched up with Mr Baldev Sharma or not. They, however, clarified that they were the party loyalists and would continue to work for it. There are reports that the rapprochement bid has started on the direction of top leaders of the party in New Delhi after their meetings with the Chief Minister, Union Minister Shanta Kumar and Member Parliament from here Suresh Chandel. Sources said efforts were still on to have talks with other party dissident leaders of the various parts of state. The party high command was reported to have deputed some of its top state-level leaders to visit all parts of the state and hold talks with the dissidents before arranging their meetings with the Chief Minister. |
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Jawan cremated with military honours Dharamsala, June 10 Twentytwo-year-old Ram Kumar was recruited in Dogra Regiment three years ago and was unmarried. he is survived by his father, Mr Karam Chand, and mother. Senior Army, police and civil administration officials attended the funeral and wreaths were placed on behalf of the Governor, Chief Minister and Chief of Army Staff. |
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Governor
names school after martyr Solan, June 10 The Governor, who was speaking at a specially organised function there lauded the role of freedom fighters in the country’s independence and also the role of defence services officers and jawans in preserving it. He, however, regretted that the younger generations did not seem to be fully aware of the importance of sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and defence personnel. He suggested that TV serials depicting struggle of freedom fighters along with documentaries on the freedom movement should be produced and screened in schools. He called upon educational institutions to invite freedom fighters and arrange special lectures of the history of freedom struggle in their respective schools and colleges for “inspiring students”. At present over 45 crore acres was yet to be brought under agriculture in the country. “Nearly 4 crore families below the poverty line could be benefitted if the government introduced a scheme allotting 5 acres of agricultural land to them,” he added. Mr
K. D. Sultanpuri, former MP and president of the Shaheed Sikander Singh Committee, presided over the function. Local MLA Raghu
Raj, veteran Congress leaders Gian Chand Tutu and Amba Dutt Sharma and the chairman, zila parishad, were among those present. |
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Seminar
on working of mind Shimla, June 10 In his address, Professor Srivastava, Director of the institute, emphasised on the distinctive character of the seminar. He mentioned that this was a brain-storming seminar. This seminar had presentations by selected speakers, he added. Prof
G.C. Pande, Chairman of the IIAS governing body, delivered the inaugural address. Quoting Plato, Vatsyayana and Bradley, he pointed out the need for a different kind of knowledge beyond the usual demonstrative or experimental scientific knowledge. He cited some pertinent problems of philosophy. Prof P.N. Tandon, President, National Brain Research Centre Society, New Delhi, spoke on “Recent Advances in Studying Higher Mental Functions”. He summed up the research data of the past 10 years and the progress in neurophysiological understanding of the brain and its inexorable connection with the mind. |
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Dalai Lama arrives in Shimla today Shimla, June 10 The monasteries in the town are being decorated and welcome arches are being put on the roads. The Dalai Lama is coming here after 10 years. The last visit was in 1991 when he inaugurated the Thupten Dorjee Dakawam Awam Chogar monastery near Kasumpti. He will deliver the sermons from June 12 to 15 at the Jonang monastery and thereafter is expected to meet the Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, and the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal. Sources said the Dalai Lama might come here on Wednesday incase he made a halt at Bilaspur while on his way from Dharamsala. |
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3 escape from Una jail Una, June 10 Balwinder, alias Punjabi, was facing trial for a murder and rape case while Raj Kumar and Sukhwinder were facing trial for a theft case. The SDM, Mr Tek Chand, who is also superintendent of the jail, and Ms Rani Bindu Sachdeva, DSP, reached there after getting an information yesterday at 6.30 p.m. The undertrials were last seen in the jail at 12 noon by jail staff, said prison sources. Mr Tek Chand said he would recommend suspension of Home Guard jawans — Gandhi Ram, Sucha Singh and Des Raj — who were on duty inside the prison and Vidhi Chand who was posted outside the jail premises. This is for the fourth time during the past six years that undertrials escaped from the jail. |
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Porters on strike Shimla, June 10 Mr Nazir Ahmed, a Spokesperson for the striking porters, said the labour charges for delivering the LPG cylinder at home was fixed at Rs 25 in June 1995 and there had been no rise in the charges since then. However, now after seven years a reduction of Rs 8, almost 33 percent, was being affected . He urged the administration to settle the issue so that people were not put to inconvenience because of the strike. |
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Chemist
shop gutted Shimla, June 10 It is suspected that the fire started because of short circuit of electric wires. However, firemen acted swiftly and prevented the blaze from spreading to the adjoining buildings. A loss of about Rs 2.50 lakh is estimated by the Fire Department. |
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Rao promoted Shimla, June 10 |
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