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Policy correctives need of hour for growth
in Himachal, says report Stokes issuing contradictory statements: Virbhadra Cong in a fix over fielding of candidates: MP Kangra suffered due to BJP rivalry: minister |
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Expert favours blending of flyash with cement Panchayats to get more powers, says CM Martyrs cremated with honours Conditions laid for autorickshaw permits Water supply
scheme stone laid ‘Missing’ cop yet to be traced 
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Policy correctives need of hour for growth Chandigarh, February 11 It should also focus on regional development by signing MoUs with neighbouring states, evolve a common minimum programme for its human resource development and set up technological, medical and professional institutions. It should follow development patterns applicable to hill regions. While Himachal Pradesh should spread and share its “feel-good” ambience of environment, ecology, flora, fauna and hydroelectric power with its neighbours through an integrated regional approach, it must also introduce reforms and improve its financial health and reduce the fiscal deficit. All this is suggested for future economic development in a 587-page development report prepared by the Chandigarh-based Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial development (CRRID). The report, commissioned by the Planning Commission, was presented to Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh, yesterday. Unlike a similar report that CRRID had prepared for Punjab, this one is more oriented towards what needs to be done in future rather than delving into the past. The report provides a clear roadmap to the state to make the necessary policy correctives for balanced socio-economic growth as well as to forge regional co-operation and coordination with neighbouring states for larger benefits to the region. Where it describes the topography, geography and natural assets, forests, minerals, 20,000 MW of untapped hydro-power potential, non-availability of potable drinking water in 20,000 villages, exploiting potential tourism industry, health resorts, it also mentions about the state’s poor financial health and weak economy. Incidentally, Himachal Pradesh is the main source of water for both Indus and Ganga basins. If the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej flow into the Indus, the Yamuna merges into the Ganga. Despite huge water sources, the state not only suffers from periodic droughts a large number of villages are without drinking water. The report also lists the cyclic disasters that visit Himachal Pradesh: earthquakes, landslides, flash-floods, cloud-bursts, avalanches, forest fires, droughts. Most of what Himachal Pradesh has achieved in the social sector was due to involvement of the people. The community participation and the role of panchayati raj institutions made a real dent. Of late, Himachal Pradesh has been given special category status, with special central financial assistance flowing in. It is remarkable, the report notes, that Himachal Pradesh, which had logged a slow economic growth rate between 1971 and 1985, reversed this trend to record impressive strides in the nineties, which enhanced the per capita income. Since the social sector was paid focused attention, the state reduced the percentage of population below the poverty-line from 26.4 in 1973-74 to just 7.6 in 1999-2000. Unfortunately, the state continued to lag behind in agriculture. The cultivable area is merely by 10 per cent, with first one-fifth of it receiving proper irrigation. The state must, therefore, weave the social sector experience into the matrix of economic development agenda for holistic development, suggests the report. The report goes on to describe the lack of will to tap revenue resources, declining expenditure on development as also identify some worrisome areas, like poor health of women and children. Similarly, absenteeism among teachers is high and so is the drop-out rate of school students taking the board examinations. The failure rate is 50 per cent up to matriculation and 60 per cent at the 10+2 level.
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Stokes issuing contradictory statements: Virbhadra Kulu, February 11 Condemning the previous decision of refusing re-entry to the expelled Congressmen at the meeting of the HPCC held in Shimla, he said Ms Stokes had accepted that no such resolution was passed and only suggestions were made. He expressed surprise over her statement in a press conference that the expelled workers would not be considered for entry. In reply to a question whether Ms Pratibha Singh, his wife, would be fielded from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, he replied in the negative. |
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Cong in a fix over fielding of candidates: MP Nurpur, February 11 He said the BJP was not a party of particular individual whereas the Congress had no option but to accept the dynastic rule of the Nehru family. He claimed that the BJP was the only party which had a disciplined force of workers. Asked on the re-admission of the dissidents and
suspended members of the state BJP, Mr Parmar said the matter would be discussed at the meeting of the state executive. |
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Kangra suffered due to BJP rivalry: minister Dharamsala, February 11 Talking to mediapersons here today, he alleged that Kangra suffered due to rivalry between BJP leaders, Mr Shanta Kumar and Prof Dhumal, and at one time the state government had decided to carve out more districts out of Kangra. He said timely return of the Congress government in the state had saved the situation. Mr Agnihotri said later Prof Dhumal had approached the Prime Minister in a bid to stop aid to the Congress government. |
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Expert favours blending of flyash with cement Shimla, February 11 “The country has a vast network of engineering institutions but students are pursuing obsolete courses and did not have the teachers to impart requisite knowledge to them for practical use. The engineering courses barely dealt with the basics of the concrete technology which is the foundation of all modern construction activity.” Dr Mehta, who was here in connection with an international workshop on “Green concrete” organised by Ambuja Cement Company, told The Tribune during an exclusive conversation. There had been a lot of advancement in material sciences and emphasis was on enhancing the durability and sustainability of the building materials. Cement blended with flyash was being increasingly used in developed countries but not much was happening in the country on this front, he lamented. No doubt the country had done well in information technology, oil and gas and some other sectors but the overall development right from infrastructure to housing and basic amenities, hinged on concrete technology in which it was way behind. To give practical shape to the initiative of Mr Vajpayee, manpower trained in latest construction practices in concrete would have to be developed under a crash programme. The green and white revolutions must be followed by a concrete revolution to make India a developed country. To begin with the government could identify engineering institutions in every region of the country for upgradation. The best technical professionals should be engaged by these institutions to train engineering teachers in latest technology who in turn impart the requisite skills to students. Referring to advancements in concrete technology he said blending flyash with cement increased the strength and durability of the binding material. High volume flyash cement (with equal ration of cement and flyash) was being widely used in countries like Holland, China and Japan. He had himself used up to 70 per cent fly ash in the blended cement in the USA with best results. Unlike the high performance cement which was widely being used by construction companies in India, the high volume flyash cement did not generate much heat on hydration and there was also very little drying shrinkage. As a result the structures did not develop any cracks and their strength increased up to two or three times a couple of years after construction. Consequently, the reinforced steel never got exposed, increasing the life of structures manifold. At present only a fraction of the 90 millions tonne of flyash generated in the country was being used. In China more than 30 per cent of the fly ash was being used for blending cement, while Holland used to it the full. Use of flyash reduced carbon dioxide emissions in cement and also helped check pollution from thermal plants. It was an environment-friendly material. |
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Panchayats to get more powers, says CM Mandi, February 11 Addressing a public meeting at Thachi (Chachiot valley), he said the process of devolution of powers to PRIs initiated by the Congress a few years ago would be accelerated to bolster democracy at the grassroots level. The government had decided to place most of the village-level functionaries under the control of the panchayats by arming them with more powers. This would not only ensure their active participation in the development activities, but also yield better results and speedy development, he asserted. The Chief Minister maintained that the administrative structure of the PRIs was also being reinforced by providing an assistant secretary in each panchayat and at least three junior engineers in each block to execute works efficiently. Besides this, technical assistance would also be made available at the block level. Block Development Officers henceforth would be answerable to the chiefs of panchayat samitis who would also assess their functioning and performance in the respective area. Mr Virbhadra Singh claimed that it was during the Congress regime that 33 per cent reservation in PRIs for women was provided and at present there were as many as 950 women panchayat pradhans and 2000 women members looking after the development matters in their respective panchayats. He said similarly the involvement of the Scheduled Castes in development was also ensured by providing them reservation in Scheduled Caste dominated belts. The Chief Minister announced the opening of new PWD sub division at Bali Chowki besides upgrading half a dozen of schools and opening a new primary school at a Khanao village. He assured that adequate staff would be provided in schools and health institutions. Thakur Kaul Singh, IPH Minister, claimed that the present government had generated new employment avenues for 10,000 persons. Mr Rangila Ram Rao, Excise and Taxation Minister lambasted the previous government for misleading people on non-issues like the regularisation of encroachments, the creation of new districts etc. Mr Chet Ram, Chairman, Milkfed, welcomed the Chief Minister. |
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Martyrs cremated with honours Mandi, February 11 Rifleman Jagmohan displayed courage when he entered bunkers where the militants were hiding and attacked them. Another martyr, Ved Prakash, was also cremated at his native Hart village near Kotli in Sadar subdivision today with full civil and military honours. Ved Prakash laid down his life in an encounter while combing the forest of Bandipura (J&K). He killed three militants. The contingents of the Army and the police fired shots into the air and reversed arms as a mark of respect. |
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Conditions laid for autorickshaw permits Shimla, February 11 A notification issued in this regard said that only autorickshaws with four-stroke petrol engines, three-plus-one seating capacity and an area of operation up to 20 km from the subdivision at headquarters would be granted permits. Further, in the interest of public safety, the government prohibited the plying of autorickshaws in the Shimla (urban and rural), Theog, Rohru, Chopal and Dodra Kwar in Shimla district, Solan (Sadar) including Kasauli, Rajgarh and Nahan, Kulu, Manali, Banjar, total Lahaul and Spiti area, Chamba (Sadar), Dalhousie, Bharmour, Churah and Pangi, Dharamsala and Palampur and Mandi (Sadar) subdivisions and the entire Kinnaur district. The ban will not be applicable to autorickshaws already plying on the basis of permits in these subdivisions. |
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Water supply
scheme stone laid Nahan, February 11 The villlages to benefit are Katal, Dwade ki Ser, Majhyana, Dimber, Shiller Shaliyon and Cholli. Addressing a public meeting at Srimauri Mandir, he said the life of the people would be now comfortable with the availability of water. He asked the people to discard the traditional sources of water which could be used as an alternative during the lean period. He announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for Bagodh road, Rs 1 lakh for Janga ki Seir-Sudiya road and Rs 80,000 each for the construction of a community hall and a mahila mandal. |
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‘Missing’ cop yet to be traced Kumarhatti, February 11 Mr Ravinder Jamwal, officiating Commandant of 3rd battalion termed allegations of Ms Rita Devi as baseless. A case under Section 364 of the IPC was registered in this regard, said Mr K.D. Sharma, SHO Mandi Sadar Police station. |
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BSP to contest all HP seats Bilaspur, February 11 This was decided today at a state-level meeting of the party held here under the chairmanship of state president Tulsidass Bansal. |
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