 |
|
Dental college staff go on indefinite strike
Sops to defaulting units put on hold
Himachal nests 36 pc bird species
Monal faces extinction
No move to reduce retirement age, says govt
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virbhadra inaugurates Hamir Utsav
Mahajan aims at reforming revenue, rural sector
Last date for admission
forms extended
Leprosy detection drive in Solan
|
|
Dental college staff go on indefinite strike
Sundernagar, October 6 Addressing mediapersons, President of the Himachal Dental College Karamchari Sangh Mr Bupinder Rawat, said the employees had joined their duties on October 4 and went on indefinite strike from yesterday if the demands were not accepted. Karmachari Sangh members would observe indefinite fast since November 1, 2004. The employees have been demanding pay scales on a par with the employees of Government Dental College, Shimla. They also said that none of the employees had been paid salaries for the last month. According to representatives of Himachal Dental College Karamchari Sangh, the college management had been paying them a meagre amount even after completing nine years of services. On the other hand teaching staff gets a big salary though they teach only for few days in month. It was alleged that the management was flouting norms of the Dental Council of India which were mandatory for the recognition of the institute. Mr Balbir Sharma and Mr D.C. Sharma, members of steering committee of the Bhartiya Mazdoor, also criticised the role of management and said that the organisation would extend support to the agitation of Himachal Dental College Karamchari Sangh in all respects. |
|
Sops to defaulting units put on hold
Solan, October 6 Only eight Himachalis were employed in the unit against its total strength of 17. Another electrical wire manufacturing unit, Plaza Electrical Industries based at Katha village in Baddi was also found employing only 40 per cent Himachalis. Since it was a new unit which had not registered itself it was directed to abide by the employment guidelines. The general manager of the District Industries Centre, Mr Lokender Chauhan, while asserting that strict instructions had been issued to the units for meeting the employment criteria said cooperation of the labour and employment department was being sought. The department which had verified the employment rolls of as many as 14 units from September 18 to October 4 found that while two units had employed 100 per cent Himachalis others had employed between 65- 80 per cent of the local youth. The inquiry was ordered after the industries minister, Mr Kuldeep Kumar during a surprise visit had found all non-Himachalis employed in Indo-Farm Tractor and Motor unit. The inquiry however established the fact that the unit had employed 68 per cent Himachalis. |
|
Himachal nests 36 pc bird species
CHANDIGARH: The lushgreen valleys and snow-capped mountains of Himachal Pradesh nest 36 per cent of the country’s species of aves.
Of the 1,228 species of birds that have been reported in India, 447 have been recorded in that state alone. Similarly, 77 species of mammals have been recorded by the Himachal State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in its biodiversity report. The report is prepared under the national biodiversity strategy and action plan. Himachal, which has diverse types of forests, has 13,082 sq km under dense and open forests, which constitute 23 per cent of the total geographical area of the state. This storehouse of biodiversity supports 3,120 species of flowering plants, including 187 species of medicinal plants, besides 5,721 species of fauna, which is about 7 per cent of the total animal life recorded in the country. However, only 100 species of vertebrate and invertebrate fauna are observed regularly. “The range of biodiversity varies from the subtropical region to that of the temperate, dry temperate and alpine regions”, says Mr Kamraja Kaisth, Senior Scientific Officer of the council. In the subtropical region, which comprises the Shivalik ranges, rhesus monkey, nilgai, sambhar, chital, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, Indian crested porcupine, jackal, red fox, leopard cat, rat snake, cobra, Russell’s viper, common krait, python and monitor lizard can be spotted. In the temperate zone (between 1,500m and 3,600m), ghoral, barking deer, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, leopard, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, stone marten, Himalayan weasel, Asiatic jackal and langur are found. Thrushes, white whiskered bulbul, nuthatch, monal, kaleej and Himalayan pied woodpecker are species of avifauna that can be spotted. Snow leopard, lynx, bharal, ibex, musk deer, mouse hare, long-tailed marmot and wild ass are found in the alpine and cold desert regions (above 3,600m). Monal, snow cock, snow pigeon, lark, Tibetan snow grouse and finch, chukor and koklas can be seen flitting in these regions. The state has the largest population of chir pheasants in the world. Western tragopan, an endangered species, is confined to the western Himalayas. In Himachal it is found in the temperate zone. “To increase the population of western tragopan, the government has set up a breeding centre at Sarahan,” says Dr Lalit Mohan, Conservator of Forests, Wildlife. He says the birds bred in captivity are released in natural habitat. Similarly, there is a proposal to start breeding of chir pheasants in natural conditions at Chail. The state has rich aquatic life. As many as 83 species of fish have been recorded which included trout, golden mahseer, cat fish, rohu, catla and mrigal. Prof M.S. Johal, who was the chief investigator of an Indo-US project, “Ecology of hill streams of Himachal Pradesh and the Garhwal regions with special reference to fish communities”, says during the recent years there has been a sharp decline in the overall fish catch from the state. He feels there is need to study the hill streams which are nurseries for 95 per cent of the fish fauna of the Himalayan region. The council has recorded endangered species of butterflies which include golden emperor, banded apollo, Ladakh banded apollo, pale jezebel and scare siren. |
|
Monal faces extinction
Chamba, October 6 Bird-watchers and researchers are alarmed at the prospect of losing the state symbol, monal. Those residing on the fringe of wildlife habitats say that Monal is hardly spotted in the interior dense forests replete with undergrowth in Gamgul-Sivabehi, Tundah, Kugti and Kalatop-Khajjiar wildlife sanctuaries of Chamba district. The emphasis now should be on a dire need to constitue a task force of naturalists, researchers, bird-watchers and wild life conservation officials under the aegis of the Wildlife Department to save monal from extinction. The first priority of the taskforce should be an accurate survey of monal numbers. It should also monitor the monal species on steeply rising forests called ‘perfect monal country’. Scientists feel that the best way of conserving monal is captive breeding and such experiments can be carried out in zoos. After the completion of a comprehensive survey, the Wildlife Department can begin long-term plans to save the monal. Meanwhile, on inquiry, officials of the Wildlife Department, however, maintain that the job of captive breeding of monal birds is being undertaken at Sarahan pheasntry in Shimla district on an
experimental basis. |
|
|
No move to reduce retirement age, says govt
Shimla, October 6 A government spokesperson today said such rumours were being spread by some mischievous elements and there was no truth in the reports that the retirement age of employees both in the government and public sector was being reduced to 55 years or 33 years of service, whichever was earlier. He said that class I, class II and III government servants retired after attaining the age of 58 years, while the age of superannuation for Class-IV staff was 60 years, irrespective of the length of service. The rumours created a sense of insecurity amongst the employees. He categorically stated that there was no such proposal at any level in the government and the retirement age would continue to be the same as before. He said that the government was committed to the welfare of its employees who had contributed significantly to make Himachal Pradesh a model-hill state in the country. |
|
|
Virbhadra inaugurates Hamir Utsav
Hamirpur, October 6 Mr Virbhadra Singh said Hamirpur district was carved out of Kangra district keeping in view its geo-physical conditions and developmental requirements by Dr Y.S. Parmar on September 1, 1972. He said since its inception the state had progressed in leaps and bounds and attained new height in all fields. He said the district had the highest road density where almost every village had been connected with motorable roads. He said the district had the highest literacy rate in the state. He further said the regional engineering college, which had now been alleviated to a regional institute of technology, was one of the best in the country. Mr Virbhadra Singh directed the I&PH authorities to deploy necessary manpower to operate the pumps and other machinery under the Longui water supply scheme and ensure supply to the town on priority. Ms Anita Verma, local MLA, thanked the Chief Minister for providing Rs. 3 crore for the construction of a bypass, funds for Hamirpur sewerage and Longni water supply schemes. She requested the Chief Minister to get the work expedited on the construction of a market opposite the
bus stand. Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner Deves Kumar honoured the Chief Minister by presenting him with a cap and a shawl. The Chief Minister also released a souvenir brought out by the mela committee on the occasion. Daler Mehndi, Punjabi pop star, was the highlight
of the night. |
|
Mahajan aims at reforming revenue, rural sector
Nurpur, October 6 This was stated by the Revenue Minister, Mr Sat Mahajan, while addressing a press conference here yesterday. Admitting the fact that the revenue record management is in the mess, Mr Mahajan said the department would endeavour to provide new manual as well as computerised records simultaneously. “All tehsil, sub tehsil and development block headquarters have been provided with computer systems on October 2, as aimed by the government, and the next target is to provide touch screen computer system at all district headquarters by January 1, 2005,” he added. Mr Mahajan, who is also Panchayati Raj Minister, informed that the present Panchayati Raj Act was being amended with an objective to ushering in the panchayati raj system in the new era of development. He added that every villager would be involved in the rural development programmes. He pointed out that under the new Panchayati Raj Act the up-pradhans would be elected by the panchayat members and would have more powers. The up-pradhan would head the panchayat budget committees. “The gram sabhas are being strengthened and budget proposals shall be placed and scrutinised in the meetings of the sabha,” he added. He said the gram sabha would function as a Legislative Assembly and gram panchayat as a rural Cabinet. Claiming complete success of the meetings of the gram sabhas organised throughout the state, held on October 2, in which survey for the below-poverty-line families (BPL) was conducted, Mr Mahajan said no report on shortage of quorum for holding the meeting had been received by the government from any part of the state. He pointed out that in order to eliminate the complaints, if any, in the selection of the BPL families the government had authorised the SDMs to delete the wrong entries, whereas the deputy commissioners had been empowered to add new names as well as to delete wrong ones. Ridiculing the accusations of the BJP leaders alleging discrimination against the Kangra district, Mr Mahajan said it was not the Virbhadra Singh government which had committed it, but the Prem Kumar Dhumal government which left no opportunity in doing that. “The appointments made in the KCC Bank and for panchayat secretaries during the BJP regime in which certain areas were favoured at the cost of Kangra district is a tip of the iceberg,” he alleged. |
|
|
Allegations against
me false: Katwal
Una, October 6 He said on August 26 the Chief Minister, in a statement issued in Kangra, made allegations that former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal had opened a shop and sold jobs through HPSSSB and also said that jobs were auctioned at Hamirpur through the HPSSSB. Mr Katwal said that the CM should clarify who had sold the jobs and name the persons who had purchased the jobs and how many jobs were Mr Katwal said that in spite of best efforts of the state government, it has been able to put up only one case against him at Hamirpur, in which allegation had been made that in the list of selected candidates, one over cutting of one mark had been done. He said during a raid on the office of the HPSSSB, the Enforcement Department carried away records from the office and where the said tampering was done is not clear, since for many months the Board records remained with the police and they were not properly sealed. He alleged that when cases were framed against him, orders were issued for the search of the Board office and his house by Mr Arvind Kaul, who was then the Secretary, Home, Himachal Pradesh. Mr Kaul was later promoted as the Chief Secretary and now when the case has been put up in the court, he may be needed as a witness. Hence, he has been rewarded by the present government by appointing him as chairman of the HP Public Service Commission. Mr Katwal refuted the allegation that he holds press conferences only when elections are due. He said that it is only when the Chief Minister levelled false allegations against him during his public speeches that he had to defend himself. |
|
Acting mother of all creations, says Sushmita
Shimla, October 6 Sushmita who towered over other contestants to become Miss Universe at the 1994, beauty pageant in Manila, is still the beauty queen full of intelligence, poise and wit, which sets her apart from her other colleagues. Today, acting for her is the mother of all creations. It gives birth to a new character every day, while one can still be oneself. She has been shooting in the hill town for the past 25 days and penning her thoughts, at times on a tissue paper, every bit of which is picked up and tucked away carefully by her sister. She is shooting here for Harry Baweja’s film, “Dil Mera Todo Naa”, along with Ajay Devgan and Esha Deol. Being of poetic temperament poetry comes naturally to her. Her maternal grandfather wrote poetry, but it was getting a birthday gift for her mother which initiated Sushmita into penning her thoughts at the age of 13. “Even today the silent part of me is best expressed on a piece of paper, be it about children, who are closest to my heart, or on the philosophical aspect of life and its precious moments,” she says. With offers from Harper and Collins and Penguin to write poetry for children, she hopes to do it later in life when she has more time. “Something like poetry about which I feel so passionately, I would only want to do it whole heartedly, giving it my 100 per cent,” is her reply. She is the essence of womanhood when she talks of her adopted daughter Renee, with so much affection. “She is my life and I can’t wait to be back with her, as this has been my longest stay away from her,” she says with a sparkle in her eyes. When asked about the poem she has written for her daughter, she says, “It may sound so paradoxical, but it is true that I have not written a word about the person I love the most.” Sushmita says that Renee leaves her speechless and words fall short when she has to write about her. “Making an entry or exit into a profession is totally in one’s own hands and I shall continue acting only till I wish to do so,” she says. After quitting films, she wants to do a whole lot of things, right from being an entrepreneur to running the most incredible night club and flying a plane. |
|
Last date for admission
forms extended
Dharamsala, October 6 Board secretary Sunil Chaudhary said that keeping in view the difficulties of students living in the tribal areas, the board had extended the last date for all regular candidates of the state. Now all the heads of schools can submit the admission forms of candidates from their schools up to October 30 by post or can deposit at the board’s counter along with the prescribed fee. |
|
Leprosy detection drive in Solan
Kumarhatti, October 6 Disclosing this here today, Dr Vijay Kashyap, in charge of Leprosy Hospital, Mandhodhar, near here, said in a similar campaign last year, 17 new cases had surfaced. More than 12 teams of health officials and workers will conduct door-to-door survey during the campaign besides giving on-the-spot medical treatment and guidelines to patients, he said. Presently, the society was organising two camps each in five blocks of Solan to create awareness to prevent deformity in leprosy. He said eight camps had already been held while two camps would be held at Baddi and Chandi this month. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Miss
Tibet pageant in Dharamsala.
(
