 |
|
Cong leaders scramble for Guler ticket Need to improve quality of farm produce, HP to have 30 pc equity in Rampur project |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
State not to revive lottery Records of IAS officer’s deputation sought
Lightning strikes house, 4 hurt Relay fast uncalled for, says VC Asserting that the students responsible for the March 25 and 26 violence on the university campus would be dealt with strictly, the Vice-Chancellor of the Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Dr S.S. Negi, said given the gravity of the violence, it was necessary to punish those responsible. Kangra, May 26 The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education will declare the results of plus 2 arts, commerce and vocational group exams tomorrow at 5 pm. The results would be available through nine different modes. The board will announce the results of the polytechnic admission test on May 28.
Child injured at function, teacher held Mr Hans Raj, a resident of Patyani village, and Mr Rajesh Kumar, a teacher in Government Primary School, Dugrain, in the Balh valley, have been arrested in connection with a child suffering a serious injury at a religious function to which students of the school were sent. High Court direction on labour court Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to establish one additional Labour-court-cum-Industrial Tribunal in the state in two months. This direction was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice, Vinod Kumar Gupta, and Mr Justice K.C. Sood on the basis of the affidavit filed by the state informing the court that it had decided to create one more Labour court. Caste-based quota opposed Federation’s plea to Chief Secy Kokje flags off trekking expedition Two-year jail for abetting suicide Man held with six unlicenced guns Charged with
rape, man ends life
|
|
Cong leaders scramble for Guler ticket Shimla, May 26 With the resignation yesterday, political activity has picked up as contenders for the party ticket have started lobbying with senior party leaders. While Mr Chander Kumar has resigned as MLA, he is likely to resign as Forest Minister on June 1. Though he is keen that the party field his wife or son, the faction led by Ms Vidya Stokes is opposing their candidature on the plea that the electorate would not accept politics becoming a family profession. “Since Mr Chander Kumar took on the challenge of contesting the Lok Sabha election despite being a minister, it is his right to choose his successor and nobody should have a problem with this,” said a Virbhadra loyalist from Kangra. Though Mr Chander Kumar’s wife, Ms Krishna Chaudhary, actively campaigned for her husband during the elections, it is learnt that he is more keen that his son, Mr Neeraj Kumar (27), makes his electoral debut. While Mr Chander Kumar’s wife is a government school teacher, his son is a software engineer, who also actively campaigned for his father. Party workers on the other hand feel that in case the ticket is given to somebody outside the family, Mr Ajit Pal Pathania, panchayat pradhan from Nagrota Suriyan, should be given priority. Apart from being a party loyalist for many years, he is the president of the Nagrota Suriyan Beopar Mandal. He is also said to be close to Mr Virbhadra Singh. Leaders of the faction led by the state Congress chief, Ms Stokes, say the claim of all those leaders from Guler who have worked for the party for several years should not be ignored to give preference to Mr Chander Kumar’s son or wife. Apart from being a close confidant of the Chief Minister, Mr Chander Kumar has been an MLA for six terms and lost only once in 1990 to BJP leader Harbans Rana. |
|
|
Need to improve quality of farm produce, says CM Shimla, May 26 Inaugurating a seminar on “Agriculture and horticulture market Development and management in Himachal Pradesh” here today, he said the latest post-harvest techniques would have to be used for value addition and ensuring high quality of produce. Besides, modern marketing infrastructure was also required for ensuring remunerative returns to the growers. He said wrok to develop advanced European-type market complex at Dhali , near here, at a cost of Rs 70 crore was in progress. The growers would not have to go outside the state to sell their produce once the market came up. He said modern markets were being constructed at Palampur and Santokhgarh at a cost of Rs 1 crore each. As many as 52 market yards had been constructed at various places in the state. Mr Satya Prakash Thakur, Chairperson of the state marketing board, said the activities of the board would be expanded to inner part of the state so that the farmers did not face problems in marketing their produce. About 200 delegates from Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states participated in the seminar organised by the board in collaboration with the Indian Society of Agriculture Marketing, Nagpur. |
|
|
HP to have 30 pc equity in Rampur project Shimla, May 26 He said this during a meeting with Mr Y.N. Apparao, Chairperson-cum-Managing Director of the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), and other officers who called on him to hand over a cheque for Rs 12 crore as part payment on account of the state’s share of free power in the Nathpa Jhakri Project here last evening. He said the modalities for signing a memorandum of understanding for the execution of the project with the SJVN were being finalised. The government intended to increase its equity share to 30 per cent in the Rampur project. It would also ensure that the interests of the employees of the state electricity board who were on deputation with the nigam were safeguarded. Regarding the 2051 MW Parbati and 800 MW Kol dam projects, which were assigned to Central agencies for execution by the previous Dhumal government, he said the state should have had equity participation in such mega projects. His government was making all efforts to get the agreements for these projects reviewed so that the state could have at least 25 per cent share, as water was the main resource for the hill state. He said the state was getting 555 MW of power from the Nathpa Jhakri project only because it had 25 per cent equity share. Detailed project reports were being prepared for the 450 MW Khab, 480 MW Jangi-Toban, 400 MW Tapan-Powari and 400 MW Shong Tong-Karcham and a decision regarding their allocation to prospective parties would be taken soon. Besides, a survey was being conducted for the 350 MW Luhri project, which would add to the existing power generation capacity of the Staluj basin. Mr Apparao urged the Chief Minister to allocate more projects to the nigam. He said the nigam would implement the projects in a time-bound manner. |
|
State not to revive lottery Shimla, May 26 The Chief Minister today interacted with MLAs’ from Kangra, Mandi and Chamba districts on the annual plan 2004-05. The Chief Minister said a vigil would have to be kept on unfruitful expenditure. He directed the Public Works Department to survey villages not connected by road. “The nine per cent budgetary provision made under the Tribal Sub Plan should be fully utilized on development and the money is not diverted to other heads,” he remarked. He suggested that the development process should be planned in advance as during lean period no work was possible in these areas. He said similar provision be made for the execution of Backward Area Subplan so that the benefit reached the poorest of poor. Mr Virbhadra Singh, also announced that the government would get a revised survey of the IRDP families in the state as a large number of complaints were being received in this regard. He also added that the government would consider undertaking a cattle survey and expressed concern over people deserting cattle. |
|
Records of IAS officer’s deputation sought Shimla, May 26 The order was passed during the hearing of the petition filed by the state government challenging the decision of the Union Government to take the officer on deputation though he was never relieved by the state government. The counsel for the state, Mr H.S. Mattewal, alleged that all documents on the basis of which Mr Diwakar Prasad, who was holding the charge of Director-General of Police, Vigilance, proceeded on central deputation soon after the ouster of the BJP-led government was fabricated by the officer in connivance with the then Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal. There was no record of the demi-official letter, dated February 27,2003, written by Prof Dhumal to the then Deputy Prime Minster, Mr L.K. Advani, in which he had stated that Mr Prasad had been relieved. There was also nothing on record to show that the government recommended his name for central deputation. Further, the fax message addressed to the Chief Secretary and the DGP concerning his deputation from the Centre was received at the fax machine of Mr Diwakar Prasad. There was no order on the original fax of the Chief Minister and the whole thing looked very suspicious. Elections were held on February 27,2003, and Mr Prasad joined duty on March 6 in New Delhi, a day before the new government assumed office. He also pleaded that Mr Diwakar Prasad was sent to Delhi in utter disregard of all norms and procedures only because his services were utilised by the Dhumal government for fabricating cases against Mr Virbhadra Singh, who was the Leader of the Opposition at that time. |
|
Shimla has hail, Dhauladhars snow Shimla, May 26 The storm, which lasted for an hour, spread a white sheet of hailstones on the roofs, streets and hill slopes. The mercury plummeted sharply as the hailstones melted. This was for the third time over the past one week that the region has been lashed by a hailstorm. While the current spell of rain and hail has brought relief from the unusually hot summer and helped in dousing forest fires, it is causing some worry to fruit growers whose crop have suffered damage. According to a Dharamsala report, the higher areas of the Dhauladhar mountains in Kangra district experienced snowfall. The tourists resorts of Narkanda , Naldhera and key tourists place of Kufri had rain. The hail with storm and rain disrupted the power supply and uprooted some trees. ROHTAK: A severe thunderstorm lashed the area late last evening, disrupting power supply and traffic as a majority of the busy roads were flooded by showers. The first signs of the storm came around 4 p.m. when dark clouds appeared on the horizon. A mild dust storm was followed by light showers. However, an hour later, the winds grew stronger and were followed by a downpour, which flooded roads in the town. The busy Civil Road was under 2 to 3 ft of water. Similar conditions prevailed at Railway Road, Gohana Road, Mata Darwaza, Vaish College Road and Sonepat Road. Several colonies in low-lying walled city areas were also flooded. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the flooded roads. Later, around midnight, the town was lashed by another severe thunderstorm. Strong winds accompanied by heavy rain uprooted trees and disrupted power supply and the communication system. Sign boards and hoardings were ripped apart. The storm subsided around 4 this morning. The weather has brought down the temperature, giving residents a respite from heat. According to officials of the Agriculture Department, the rain is beneficial for farmers, who can now sow crops. |
|
Lightning strikes house, 4 hurt Mandi, May 26 The entire region was lashed by lightning, thunderstorm and showers for the third successive day today, partially disrupting power supply and the telecommunication network. Extensive damage has been caused to the mango crop. In another incident, a two-storeyed house was reduced to ashes in a fire at Gutkar, near here, this evening. Mahinder Singh, owner of the house, said all his household goods were destroyed in the fire. A short circuit is said to have caused the fire. The SDM, Sadar, Mr Arun Sharma, who visited the site, disbursed an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 to the affected family. |
|
Relay fast uncalled for, says VC Solan, May 26 Terming the relay fast of the Students Central Association as uncalled for, he said this had vitiated the academic atmosphere and gullible students had been unnecessarilry dragged into the agitation. In an exclusive talk with The Tribune at his office, the Vice-Chancellor who held a meeting with university officials and the district administration today, said since no action had ever been taken against agitating students in the past, it had set a wrong precedent and students believed they could get away with anything. Blaming the dismissed SCA president Munish Thakur for leading the relay fast, he said since he was dismissed by the Students Welfare Officer after cancellation of his enrolment, the university no longer recognised him as the campus president of the SCA. The Vice-Chancellor earlier refused to hold negotiations with an SCA delegation, led by Munish Thakur. He, however, said if Munish Thakur filed a petition before the Dean (Horticulture), his candidature could be revoked on meritorious grounds. Munish Thakur, however, alleged that his attempt to file a petition today in the office of the Dean was not entertained. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rajesh Kumar, the Superintendent of Police, Mr Abhishek Trivedi, the SDM, Mr Lokender Chauhan, and the Additional SP, Mr Prem Thakur, held discussions with the university administration to resolve the contentious matter, which affected the academic atmosphere for the fourth day today. Tension gripped the campus as armed policemen continued to patrol the area. A visit to the campus revealed that men in uniform far outnumbered students as every possible attempt was being made to subvert any attempt of the students to resort to an agitation. Despite several rounds of discussions between the SCA and the university administration, the impasse continued today. |
|
|
HP plus two results today Kangra, May 26 The results would be available through nine different modes. The board will announce the results of the polytechnic admission test on May 28. Mr B.R. Rahi, Chairman of the board, said here today that the plus 2 results would be available tomorrow on the board website http://hpeducationboard.nic.in, besides IVRS telephone, for which the No. 951772621642 would have to be dialled. The results would also be available through the Lokmitra Information Centre, Hamirpur, through kiosks in Una district and on e-mail from the board’s website. The results would also be available on the Reliance mobile service through the R World service. Another way to get the results would be through BSNL and Airtel SMS. Dial 333 for BSNL and 457 for Airtel, send the SMS HP 12, followed by a space and the roll number. Mr Rahi, who is also the Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Technical Board, said the results of the polytechnic admission test would be available through all the nine modes on May 28 after 5 pm. |
|
|
1,300 appear for PMT Hamirpur, May 26 There was heavy rush of vehicles in the morning and afternoon when students reached the examination centre from various parts of the district of Hamirpur, Una and Bilaspur for the test. Their parents accompanied them. They came in buses, cars, taxis, and other means of transport as a result traffic was hit on the Hamirpur-AwahDevi road. Candidates said that the test was a tough. Result of the test is likely to be announced by Wednesday, according to University sources. |
|
Child injured at function, teacher held Sundernagar, May 26 The teacher had sent 17 students of class II and III of the school on May 13 to the adjoining Patyani village to attend a function at the house of Mr Hans Raj, where children were to be worshipped. The children were allegedly detained in a room for a long time, which led to a stampede in the room in which a class III student, Vikrant, fell and suffered a serious injury in the neck. Vikrant was later found in the house of one Bhup Singh of Patyani village. None of the teachers had informed the parents about the incident. The student was admitted to the Civil Hospital here and then referred to the Zonal Hospital, Mandi, from where he was shifted to Chandigarh, where he is still undergoing treatment. The matter was reported to Balh police station. The Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, had ordered an inquiry into the matter and the office of the Deputy Director, Education (Primary), has already submitted an inquiry report. Meanwhile, the father of the injured child, Mr Desh Raj, has urged the Chief Minister to order an inquiry into the incident. He has alleged that officials of the Education Department are threatening his daughter, Divya, who is in the same school in class IV, to keep quiet about the matter. He also accused the officials of favouring the teacher. |
|
High Court direction on labour court Shimla, May 26 This direction was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice, Vinod Kumar Gupta, and Mr Justice K.C. Sood on the basis of the affidavit filed by the state informing the court that it had decided to create one more Labour court. The Bench further directed the state to select the location of the additional court in consultation with the high court. It directed the state that the new court be made functional before July 26, 2004. The order was passed on a Public Interest plea filed by Ms Trisha Sharma for setting up an additional labour court in the state. |
|
|
Caste-based quota opposed Palampur, May 26 At a meeting held at Khera, 10 km from here, Mr Kamal Thakur, president of the state unit of the RYSS, said the reservation policy of the government had ignored upper castes, particularly Rajputs. He said their children had been facing a lot of hardship while seeking admission to educational institutions, despite scoring well in competitive examinations due to the reservation policy. Mr Thakur said Rajputs were the majority community in the state, but had been ignored by the government. He demanded the setting up of a Rajput kalyan board in the state. Mr Thakur demanded reservation to Rajputs in the Army, the police and other security forces. He appealed to the upper castes to come under one banner and fight for their rights. |
|
Federation’s plea to Chief Secy Shimla, May 26 In a statement here today, he said the court had observed that the elections were unconstitutional and had barred the office-bearers of the group from functioning as representatives of the federation.
— TNS |
|
Kokje flags off trekking expedition Shimla, May 26 Addressing a gathering after flagging off the All-India Girls Trekking Expedition at Kalyani, near here, he said the agencies like the National Cadet Corps (NCC) should be involved in organising such activities for the benefit of the adventure sports enthusiasts. Brig D.S. Dhillon, Deputy Director-General of NCC, Punjab ,Haryana and Himachal presented a memento to the Governor, while Group Commander, Col A.S. Chichot, highlighted features of the expedition. As many as 1000 girls from all over the country are participating in the expedition. They will trek 120 km in the hills of Kufri and the surrounding areas. |
|
Two-year jail for abetting suicide Sundernagar, May 26 The convict was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of two years and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 under Section 306 of the IPC. In default of payment of fine, he shall further undergo imprisonment for six months. The convict was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of two years and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 5000 under Section 498-A of the Indian Panel Code. In default of payment, the convict has to undergo imprisonment for a period of three months. Both the sentences shall run concurrently. The Sarkaghat police had registered case against him for ill treating his wife on account of dowry. She later died after consuming poison on October 1, 1999. The prosecution examined 13 witnesses. The court however,
acquitted his mother due to lack of evidence. |
|
Lineman killed Palampur, May 26 According to HPSEB sources, both linemen were repairing the pole, when it collapsed resulting in the death of one lineman and injury to the other one who had been admitted to Zonal Hospital at
Dharamsala. Mr R.S. Rana, Executive Engineer, HPSEB said that precautions were taken by both the linemen as they were wearing safety belts. He said he had ordered an inquiry into the incident. |
|
Man held with six unlicenced guns Solan, May 26 The police, which raided the shop of the blacksmith on a tip-off, found that he did not possess any licence for any of the guns. It was also found that an attempt had been made to erase the registration numbers of the guns. He was allegedly engaged in repairing guns illegally. Equipment used for the purpose was also found from his shop. Charged with
rape, man ends life Shimla, May 26 According to police, he consumed some pesticide. The police came to know about the incident this afternoon. He was arrested on the complaint of the woman last week and released on bail two days ago. The 24-year-old woman had alleged that he had been exploiting her since she was 14 and had fathered her three children. However, the deceased maintained that he and the complainant lived as husband and wife for more than 10 years and she disowned him only after she secured a government job recently. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | National Capital | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
