H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Hydel project MoUs to be reviewed
Pilot project on monkey menace soon
Shimla, June 11
Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh has said that his government is committed to safeguard the interests of the state in hydroelectric power projects and ensure due share to the local people in employment.

HP HIGH COURT
Katwal directed to surrender
Shimla, June 11
The Himachal Pradesh High Court today directed the suspended Chairman of the HP Subordinate Services Selection Board, Mr S.M. Katwal, to surrender before the investigating officer immediately for custodial interrogation. The investigating officer has been directed to release him after three days by completing the investigation.

• Water crisis: panel set up

Anticipatory bail for 3 IPH officers

Meritorious students ‘denied’ scholarships
Kangra, June 11
A large number of meritorious plus one of students of MCM DAV College here who passed their HP Board of School Education examination conducted in March, 2002, were deprived of their right to get scholarships of Rs 10,000 annually because of the alleged negligence and dereliction of the duty of the college authorities.

Fires claim two more forests
Bilaspur, June 11
The more forests — Jungel Brans and Jungle Jamothi — in this district have been virtually totally destroyed in forest fires during the past few days resulting in loss of crores of rupees to the State Exchequer and destruction of thousands of wild animals and birds, precious herbs and bushes.

Mandi areas face water shortage
Mandi, June 11
With the drying up of centuries-old water sources in the wake of the warmest summer in many decades, normal life of people in the region has been hit hard.

BSc (home science) admission norms
Palampur, June 11
To attract girl students from the rural areas of Himachal Pradesh, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, has made some changes in its admission policy for home science education from the coming academic session.

Directive to BSNL on phone connection
Dharamsala, June 11
The Kangra District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) to release a phone connection to Mr Tek Chand Nag and also pay him Rs 1000 as the cost of complaint.

Demand to save Chowgan Chamba, June 11 The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the state Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, to issue necessary directions to the district administration for saving and preserving the legendary Chowgan — a green belt in the heart of Chamba town — from degradation and pollution.

Sale of unhygienic food unabated
Parwanoo, June 11
Sale of exposed cut fruits, salads and cane juice is going on unabated in the town, despite a ban on their sale by the district authorities. Though such vendors are seen all over the town but their concentration is more around schools where children flock to these vendors during the recess period.

• Cop on poll duty drowned

• Martyrs' park to be set up

• Pujari beaten, temple looted

 

 

Hydel project MoUs to be reviewed
Pilot project on monkey menace soon
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 11
Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh has said that his government is committed to safeguard the interests of the state in hydroelectric power projects and ensure due share to the local people in employment.

Continuing consultation with MLAs for finalising priorities in the annual plan for the second day here today, he said the government had ordered a review of all MoUs signed by the previous government for the execution of hydroelectric power projects by the Dhumal government. He had also taken up the matter of equity participation in 2051-MW Parbati Project being executed by the NHPC and 800-MW Kol Dam Project being executed by the NTPC on the lines of an agreement between the NJPC and the Centre.

He said providing potable water and road connectivity to every panchayat of the state would be his top priority. All panchayats would be linked to a motorable road over the next five years. He said concerted efforts would be made to achieve the growth rate of 8.9 per cent during the 10th Plan and effective steps to achieve the target had been initiated at different levels.

Mr Virbhadra Singh also sought suggestions from MLAs for raising resources so that huge deficit of Rs 15,000 crore could be brought down, besides accelerating the pace of development in the state, especially in those areas which had remained neglected so far.

To combat the problem of stray animals and monkey menace, the government was contemplating launching a pilot project very shortly. He said to tackle the problem caused by monkeys in Shimla, humane attitude would be adopted and all precautionary steps ensured for the safety of animals and human beings as well.

He directed the Secretary and the Engineer-in-Chief, of the PWD, to visit Kangra where a bypass was being constructed and take steps for its completion at the earliest. He said the irrigation channels constructed in Kangra segment under Nabard funding would also be looked into. He directed the Chief Engineer, IPH (North), to submit a report within one month. He said a number of complaints had been received regarding the misuse of funds under it.

Mr Sat Mahajan, Rural Development Minister, said the government was committed to come up to the expectations of the people of the state and fulfil all promises made in the manifesto of the party.

Mr Chander Kumar, Forest Minister, Mrs Chandresh Kumari, Health Minister and Mr Brij Behari Butel, Revenue Minister, also participate in the discussion. Mr Vijay Singh Mankotia, Tourism Minister, said the condition of roads would be improved to boost tourism. He urged the Chief Minister to consider the proposals for diverting waters of the Pabbar to meet the demand of Shimla on a priority basis. It would solve the potable water problem of the town for at least three decades. Mr G.S. Bali, Transport Minister, enlisted priorities of his department for the current financial year.

MLAs of Kangra district presented their priorities besides suggesting various measures for effective functioning of the government.

HP HIGH COURT
Katwal directed to surrender
Legal Correspondent

Shimla, June 11
The Himachal Pradesh High Court today directed the suspended Chairman of the HP Subordinate Services Selection Board, Mr S.M. Katwal, to surrender before the investigating officer immediately for custodial interrogation. The investigating officer has been directed to release him after three days by completing the investigation.

While disposing of two pre-arrest bail petitions moved by Mr Katwal, the court observed: “Mr Katwal will make himself available for investigation as and when required by the agency.” He has been directed not to leave India without the prior permission of the court and not to influence the witnesses or tempered with the evidence.

Mr Justice Kuldeep Chand Sood observed: “The petitioner has been cooperating with the investigating agency and no fruitful purpose is to be served by custodial interrogation. However, taking into consideration the nature and gravity of the circumstances the court directed the petitioner to surrender for custodial interrogation for three days.”

There are allegations against Mr Katwal that while acting as Chairman he had misused his powers to benefit certain candidates.

Water crisis: panel set up

The high court on Tuesday constituted a committee on the issue of water scarcity in Shimla. The committee members are the Advocate-General, the Secretary, Irrigation and Public Health, the Municipal Commissioner and counsels for the petitioner, Mr Rajeev Sharma, Mr Ajay Goel and Mr K.L. Bali.

While dealing with the matter, a Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vinod Kumar Gupta and Mr Justice Arun Kumar Goel, observed: “Both the state as well as the Municipal Corporation have apparently failed in their constitutional and statutory duty to provide adequate water supply to the residents of Shimla. The hoteliers should not be provided subsidised water as they use it for profit earning.”

The court directed the corporation to install functional water meters so that the consumption could be measured properly.

Anticipatory bail for 3 IPH officers
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, June 11
Mr Dharam Chand Chaudhry, Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Hamirpur, today granted anticipatory bail to three officers of the Department of Irrigation-cum-Public Health in a case registered under Sections 420,467,468, 471, 120-B of the IPC and under Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The officers are Naveen Puri, Executive Engineer, Nahan, Mr Pratap Singh Verma, Executive Engineer, Hamirpur, and Sunil Dutt, Assistant Engineer, Khundian.

The judge fixed June 16 for reply by the state government.

Meritorious students ‘denied’ scholarships
Our Correspondent

Kangra, June 11
A large number of meritorious plus one of students of MCM DAV College here who passed their HP Board of School Education examination conducted in March, 2002, were deprived of their right to get scholarships of Rs 10,000 annually because of the alleged negligence and dereliction of the duty of the college authorities.

The protesting parents told this correspondent on Monday that the Director of Education in an order on May 6, 2002 had directed all heads of institution to appoint a senior teacher each to coordinate all activities relating to the implementation of the scholarship scheme so that the eligible students could fill the “scholarship forms in the same manner as is done in the case of admission form for the annual examination of the HP Board”. The principals were directed to ensure that all eligible students were made to apply on the prescribed proforma and submit their cases in consolidated form to the respective deputy directors of Education on or before August 31, 2002.

The parents alleged that the meritorious students were not informed by the college management regarding the scholarship scheme despite two more reminders from Director and the Deputy Director of Education and an extension of the last date of the receipt of the forms of eligible students till September 30, 2002. The parents further alleged that it was done deliberately by the college management so that the meritorious students were deprived of their rights.

According to the scheme, students of plus one who scored 60 per cent and above marks in the board examinations were entitled to Rs 10,000 as annual scholarship but in MCM DAV College even Ms Suruchi Vohra who topped the college scoring 87 per cent marks was deprived of her legitimate right. The parents threatened to move the court if no action was taken.

Meanwhile, when contacted the Principal, MCM DAV College, Mr S.K. Sharma, while denying the allegations said that the school and the college scenarios were different and the college authorities displayed the information regarding the scheme on the college notice board and 125 forms were filled and submitted to the Deputy Director of Education before the last date. He, however, said the number of the leftout cases was not with him. 

Fires claim two more forests
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, June 11
The more forests — Jungel Brans and Jungle Jamothi — in this district have been virtually totally destroyed in forest fires during the past few days resulting in loss of crores of rupees to the State Exchequer and destruction of thousands of wild animals and birds, precious herbs and bushes.

Reports say that all efforts of the Forest Department to control the fires have failed due to the paucity of proper equipment, training and manpower.

The local fire brigade is of no use as the jungles are situated away from the roads are out of reach of fire engines.

Forests of Naina Devi Suharghat, Bandla hills and four forests in the Ghumarwin area in this district have been destroyed in the past one month.

Sehajram, Vipin Sharma, Godawari and Sulochna who worked day and night alongwith hundreds of other villagers and youths to save their hutments from the raging forest-fire at Jamothi have urged the government to ensure proper training, finance, manpower and equipment for saving the jungles.

Mandi areas face water shortage
Our Correspondent

Mandi, June 11
With the drying up of centuries-old water sources in the wake of the warmest summer in many decades, normal life of people in the region has been hit hard.

The situation in Sarkaghat subdivision, the most arid part of the district, is particularly critical and people are totally dependent on tankers. In Sarpri, Khola, Tor Khola Gadhi Dharm Dharta, Jogi, Tihra and Kusri villages, the shortage of potable water has assumed alarming proportions. According to Umesh Thakur, vice-president of the Sarskan Panchayat, only seven tankers have been provided in the area, which can’t cope with the demand. People have threatened to gherao the IPH officials if more tankers are not pressed into service.

The Tungal valley in Mandi subdivision is also facing water shortage. The age-old “bowlis” (water springs) have dried up in the area. The situation in the adjoining Rewalsar belt, the Mobiseri area of Gohar subdivision and Chhamiar Panchayat of Balh Valley is equally bad Jogra, Refal, Bharhog and Barnog villages of this panchayat are facing the worst water crisis.

A large number of springs on the outskirts of Mandi town have either completely dried up or the discharge has been considerably reduced. In the Kehnwal area, people are suffering a lot due to this. A delegation of villagers met the Deputy Commissioner yesterday and urged him to provide water through tankers.

Meanwhile, in Mandi town, the drinking water situation has greatly improved after the completion of the first unit of the Rs 9.41 crore drinking water augmentation project. However, the rusted network of leaking distribution lines is making matters worse. Connections given from the mainlines on the recommendations of officials and politicians in the past is proving to be a stumbling block.

People living on the right bank of the Beas, particularly in Purani Mandi and Bhiuli areas, are also facing drinking water shortage. The water of Maigal and Bijni mainlines has not yet been totally spared for these areas.

The IPH Department is facing problem in lifting water due to excessive silt in the Beas caused by excessive discharge of water due the melting of snow.

BSc (home science) admission norms
Our Correspondent

Palampur, June 11
To attract girl students from the rural areas of Himachal Pradesh, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, has made some changes in its admission policy for home science education from the coming academic session.

Those girls who have studied home science as one of the subjects with either science or art streams and obtained not less then 50% (40% for SC/ST candidates) marks in the aggregate in the 10+2 examination will now be eligible for admission to the B.Sc Home Science (hons) degree programme.

Earlier, students were not allowed admission in home science if they had studied home science with arts subjects.

In yet another decision, now the male students will also be eligible for admission in the same programme keeping in mind opportunities of employment in the new emerging fields like post-harvest technology, quality control, dietetics and human nutrition, hotel and catering, food processing industries and marketing.

The college has secured many prestigious projects.

Directive to BSNL on phone connection
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, June 11
The Kangra District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) to release a phone connection to Mr Tek Chand Nag and also pay him Rs 1000 as the cost of complaint.

The complainant had applied in April, 2000, for a telephone connection at his residence in Sham Nagar, Dharamsala. The BSNL registered the demand in September, 2000, but later refused to provide the connection on the plea that his son had defaulted in paying his phone bills and as such a new connection could not be sanctioned. Mr Nag approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.

The forum, in its order , said the BSNL had failed to prove its case and as such the denial of a connection to the complainant was wrong, illegal, arbitrary and unwarranted and amounted to deficiency in service.

Demand to save Chowgan
Our Correspondent

Chamba, June 11
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the state Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, to issue necessary directions to the district administration for saving and preserving the legendary Chowgan — a green belt in the heart of Chamba town — from degradation and pollution. Chowgan falls within the “heritage-cum-conservation zone” already notified by the Himachal Pradesh Government in 1995.

Mr H.C. Sharma, convener, Chamba chapter of INTACH, lamented that once a lush green public park and a landmark of the ancient town and a state heritage, Chowgan was fast losing its greenery, scenery and sanctity due to apathy of the authorities concerned.

He expressed deep concern over the encroachments all around it.

Meanwhile, the Chamba Welfare Association has decided to take up its plantation drive from Nar Singh Temple to Bhagwati Chamunda Devi Temple overlooking Chamba town in the monsoon under the “haryali” programme launched by the Centre.

Earlier, the association had planted 200 saplings of different species on both sides of stone steps leading to the Suhi Devi shrine in January this year.

Sale of unhygienic food unabated
Our Correspondent

Parwanoo, June 11
Sale of exposed cut fruits, salads and cane juice is going on unabated in the town, despite a ban on their sale by the district authorities. Though such vendors are seen all over the town but their concentration is more around schools where children flock to these vendors during the recess period.

Government school, Parwanoo, is situated on the highway and the vehicular pollution settles on these food items. Schoolchildren come out of their classes during the recess and that is the time when vendors have a brisk sale.

Children coming from the nearby villages depend largely on these vendors for a mid-day snacks and are the primary victims of the unhygienic food. The vendors, sometimes, even exploit the innocent children by overcharging them. Vendors selling sugarcane juice do not wash their machines and tumblers properly and swarms of flies keep hovering over the machine and utensils.

Those who sell cut fruit do not cover them properly which also attract flies and dust. Dhabas on the roadside also do not pay attention to cleanliness and sell unhygienic food. There is no check of them to ensure the quality of the food. Drinking water is stored in rusty drums.

The sanitary inspector of the local nagar parishad said he has started a campaign in the town to check the sale of exposed and unhygienic eatables in the town, but some of the area was not under their purview as these areas of the town fall in the local panchayat area. Meanwhile, officials of the district administration said they would launch a drive a discourage the sale of exposed food items. The administration and Chief Medical Officer of the district had authorised the food inspector to carry on surprise checks in the markets, shops or places being used for manufacturing such items.

From pillar to post for pension
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, June 11
Mr Jaibant Singh, a retired employee of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Corporation (HPFC), has been running from pillar to post since his retirement on December 31, 2000, to get his pension and employee provident fund (EPF) dues.

Mr Jaibant Singh who retired from Fatehpur division of the HPFC said he lost his wife as he could not afford her treatment.

He pointed out that he had submitted his service documents for the release of EPF to the Regional concerned several times.

He lamented that recently his documents relating to the EPF which were submitted to the Regional EPF Commissioner’s office by the managing director, HPFC, Shimla on May 6 this year, were returned to him on May 29. He alleged that certain documents were missing which had aggravated his problem.

Boy crushed to death
Our Correspondent

Chamba, June 11
Tension prevailed amongst residents of Tanotu village, located on the outskirts of Chamba town, after an accident in which a 13-year-old boy was crushed to death by a private tipper truck (HP-38-3045) on the Chamba-Jhumar road last evening.

The victim, Naveen, was a class VIII student, and was returning home after purchasing some articles from the Chamba bazaar.

The driver of the vehicle was taken into police custody and a case registered against him.

Khushwant releases book
Our Correspondent

Solan, June 11
Noted journalist Khushwant Singh today released a book, “Travels to High Lands of Himachal”, authored by K.R. Bharati, a Himachal Pradesh Civil Services Officer, at his Kasauli residence.

Appreciating the efforts of Bharati, the octogenarian writer said very few civil servants were doing such a commendable job in the field of literature and cultural writings and hoped that the author would bring out more such publications reflecting various aspects of the state.

Decision to shift LAC office decried
Our Correspondent

Sundernagar, June 11
Residents of Sundernagar have resented the decision of the government to shift the office of the Land Acquisition Collector(LAC) to Bilaspur. The office had been functioning here for the past more than two years.

Local BJP leaders have criticised the decision.

According to Mr Roop Singh, ex-minister, the Congress Government had once again started politics of discrimination.

Cop on poll duty drowned

Chamba, June 11
An armed policeman returning from election duty with an electronic voting machine was drowned when he slipped while crossing a ropeway over a nullah in Bhadgran village in Pangi tribal subdivision, a delayed report said.

The body of constable Kaku Ram, who was carrying a gun and an EVM, was found a few days ago after he drowned on May 26 while he was going towards Pangi, according to official information received today. PTI

Martyrs' park to be set up
Our Correspondent

Shimla, June 11
Mr Gangu Ram Musafir, Speaker, Vidhan Sabha, today said a martyrs' memorial park would be set up at Habban, near Rajgarh, and statues of prominent freedom fighters would be installed.

Pujari beaten, temple looted
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, June 11
Two persons with masked faces reportedly looted the Mansa Devi temple, near Jawali, last night. The Jawali police which has registered an FIR under Sections 457, 323, 380 and 34 of the IPC, says that the burglars thrashed temple pujari Krishan Chand before looting. The injured pujari has been admitted to the local Civil Hospital.