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Speed up disposal of revenue cases, says CM
Convene all party
meeting: Dhumal
Stokes granted relief
64 schools lose recognition
Cheer pheasants reared
in captivity
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Pong Dam fails to enthuse tourists
Power(less) bodies, delayed projects
Illegal mining poses threat to life, property
New water pipeline gives way
Post-facto approval for Law College
Suspension of tourism officials condemned
Seminar on national policy for tribesmen
Schoolgirl crushed to death
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Speed up disposal of revenue cases, says CM
Shimla, November 18 Addressing a meeting of Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and other senior officers, here today, he said the revenue work was mostly connected with the general public and as such the functioning of the department affected the image of the government. He said if the people were satisfied with the working of revenue officers, it definitely helped in projecting a good image of the government. However, if they adopted an indifferent attitude and caused hardships to the people the image of the government suffered. He said all the revenue officers right from higher echelons to the lower rung officials should strive to ensure speedy disposal of revenue matters. The Chief Minister also stressed the need for proper maintenance of revenue record which would help improve efficiency of the revenue administration. He said Indian revenue system was one of the best, but there was a need to redefine some of the clauses. Some additions and deletions were also required in the present context. The need of the hour was to implement the revenue laws in the right perspective and to serve the best interests of general public. Referring to the revenue of settlement, Mr Virbhadra Singh disapproved of the manner in which it was being undertaken and stressed that it should be carried out in a systematic and planned way in minimum possible time. Only trained and experienced personnels should be entrusted with the settlement work and they should also be made accountable. The Chief Minister asserted that encroachments on government land should be discouraged and the offenders be dealt with firmly. The government was of the firm view that the encroachments involving poor and downtrodden could be dealt with leniently but big sharks would not be spared at any cost, he added. Mr Sat Mahajan, Revenue Minister, said training of revenue officers and officials was in full swing and more than 7,000 jamabandies had so far been computerised. He said updating and correction of data entries needed to be accelerated. He said one tehsil in each district would be online by the end of this year and three tehsils by the end of January, 2005. He informed that a sum of Rs 9.15 crore was being spent on the computerisation of land records. He asked the Deputy Commissioners to identify the landless and homeless and other eligible persons for allotment of land as the Congress party had promised 2 biswas of land to such persons. |
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Convene all party
meeting: Dhumal
Shimla, November 18 In a statement issued here today, Mr Dhumal said it was unfortunate that the Centre was coming to the rescue of only those states which had been facing the problem of insurgency, while the peaceful states like Himachal had been left high and dry. “Either the Chief Minister should get a special package for Himachal or representatives of all political parties from the state should pressurise the Centre to give some financial assistance to Himachal,” he said. Mr Dhumal said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced a Rs 2,400-crore financial package for Jammu and Kashmir so that the pace of development could be accelerated in the state. He said even in Himachal Pradesh there was increasing frustration and disappointment among the youth and in case something was not done immediately to generate employment and strengthen the economy, there could be trouble. He said even Home Minister Shivraj Patil had said that special battalions might be raised in J and K to tackle militancy and provide employment to educated unemployed youth.
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Stokes granted relief
Shimla, November 18 This order was passed by Mr Suresh Chaudhary, president of the forum on a complaint filed by Mrs Vidya Stokes, who is also the owner of Himalayan Beauty Orchards situated at Premal, Thanedhar. She had alleged in her complaint that on November 8,2000, she sent an appeal to the Employees Provident Fund appellate tribunal, at New Delhi, through registered post from a local post office. It was further alleged that the registered letter was not delivered to the addressee. She said that when she came to know that the letter had not been delivered, then she was forced to send a special messenger from Shimla to Delhi to enquire about the appeal sent through the registered post.
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64 schools lose recognition
Chamba, November 18 Talkint to The Tribune here today, Mrs Asha Kumari, Education Minister, said that the action had been taken against these schools for their negligence in fulfilling the norms laid down for obtaining affiliation of the board own building, playground, laboratories, library, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) arrangements and other necessary infrastructure. The absence of these facilities and provisions in the private schools amounted to violation of the laws, she said. Moreover, granting affiliation to such institutions by the school education board was painful which led to playing havoc with the career of students, the Education Minister said. She said that a campaign to monitor the infrastructure and other arrangements in private schools and their functioning were still under process and it was expected that some schools might face action in this regard. Consequent upon the state government’s move to improve quality of education in government school, the Education Minister warned that knitting of pullovers, sweaters, etc during school time would not be tolerated and those women teachers found knitting in the school would be treated as derelication of duty and dealt with sternly. In order to curb this evil, flying squads had been deputed to keep an eye on such activities, she said. Meanwhile, Mrs Asha Kumari assured the district boy of the Himachal Pradesh Non-Gazetted Employees Federation that she would take up their demand for enhancement of the compensatory allowance on par with the Palampur and Rampur-based employees and the provision of project allowance with the state government. She said this at a function organised by the district unit of the NGOs at the local Bachat Bhavan. Mrs Asha Kumari said that the funds for the
construction of an office building of the NGOs at Chamba would be provided in a phased manner. |
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Cheer pheasants reared
in captivity
Solan, November 18 A population of 60 pairs was recorded in the sanctuary in 1979 which plummeted to as low as 32 in 1983, necessitating the need for captive breeding. Having a strong preference for sparsely populated vast grassy slopes the pheasants lie very close in cover and do not fly until the danger of being tread upon looms large, explains Dr Lalit Mohan, who played a crucial role in their successful breeding. A total of 14 pheasants(eight males and six females) were housed in six breeding pens. Prior to this experiment there were 22 pheasants housed in six breeding pens which created an unhealthy atmosphere for food, perching space and home range between the cheer and khalij pheasants. Officials observed that the lone pair which was kept separately bred successfully while the rest could not. This prompted the officials to shift all other khalij pheasants at Khariun, Chail, before the onset of the breeding season. Compatibility of both sexes was a key factor in deciding the pairing of pheasants. This was done after observing their behaviour for at least 15 days. Mr Sat Pal Dhiman, range officer, who is assisting Dr Lalit Mohan, said. Though experts opine that DNA testing is necessary to know the degree of inbreeding, if any, but no such record was made available. Five potential pairs were, however, selected for parent rearing with experts making use of the available stock for developing it. Experts felt that the existing feeding formula was not sufficient and it was modified to encourage natural behaviour. In order to supplement proteins and vitamins diet they were provided with trays of wheat and barley grass. Soil was replaced in the breeding pens every week by the one from the forests containing natural foods like tubers, roots and insects. Crushed shells of poultry eggs were also provided as a calcium supplement. With a view to keeping the predators, wire meshes were installed around the opens. Moreover every aviary was provided with a suitable nesting site to encourage natural breeding. This comprised of grass woven night sheds made of bamboo sticks and as many as two to three nesting sites were developed in each aviary. This allowed the pheasants to select a nest of their choice and it was observed that four of the five pairs used these sites successfully for natural breeding. These modifications led to encouraging results when four of the five pairs successfully laid eggs. |
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Pong Dam fails to enthuse tourists
Pong Dam, November 18 The sole restaurant at the dam, constructed at a cost of Rs 55 lakh, has been converted into a canteen for participants of water sports camps. The tourists have to drive back into Punjab border or make do at a dhaba for food. Mr S.C. Kalsotra, District Tourism and Development Officer, admits that the dam does not offer much in the name of tourism promotion “but we are open to any proposal submitted by the Water Sports Department.” Officials of the department, however, feel that they do not have the expertise to promote tourism. Mr R.R. Thakur, Director, Water Sports, says that most tourists seek information about migratory birds or want to go boating. “However, due to the absence of an information centre, there is nobody to guide them. Only the Department of Fisheries has a full-fledged office here,” he says, adding that tourists can have food at the canteen provided they order in advance. Restrictions on the plying of vehicles after 6 pm and taking pictures are also a dampner for the tourists. The absence of a regular bus service to the dam is also a disadvantage, he said. Sources say that boating facility was stopped after the Forest Department objected to the use of powerboats, which, it said, disturbed migratory birds. Mr Surinder Singh, a tourist from Jalandhar, says that the dam was a major disappointment. “They do not even have pedal boats to take us for bird watching. The place is deserted and there is nobody to guide us about wildlife, mountaineering or migratory birds,” he adds. An official of the Tourism Department says that the water body offered much more than the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh in terms of bird watching, fishing sites and a view of the hills. “The Water Sports Department should not have taken over the site if it felt it was unable to maintain it,” he said. The dam is also known for basic and advanced water sports courses run on 77 kanals on the banks, he added. |
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Power(less) bodies, delayed projects
Shimla, November 18 The two organisations were created as the state electricity board has not been able to execute projects in a time-bound and efficient manner. Cost overruns and delay in execution of major projects have over the years become a common feature in the board. At present, there were over 30 ongoing schemes the execution of which was behind schedule and the time overrun ranged from one year to 18 years. The increase in cost, including interest, because of delay amounted by Rs 585 crore. In such a situation, creation of new bodies was required. However, with no financial powers and functional independence, these bodies have virtually become conduits for raising loans. The whole-time members of the board have been made directors of the two bodies. While the HPJVVN has a whole-time managing director, the Director (Civil) of the board is holding the additional charge as regards the Pabbar Valley Corporation. In such a set-up, ultimately all decision are taken with the approval of the whole-time members of the board. Even the funds raised for the execution of various projects are not placed at their disposal. These are released through the board. The HPJVVN, which has been assigned four projects, does not have a full-fledged accounts wing. The state Electricity Regulatory Commission had also expressed its displeasure over the situation which tantamounted to giving responsibility without commensurate authority. It has also directed the board to come up with a proposal to grant reasonable administrative and financial autonomy immediately. It has also expressed concern over delay and cost overruns and asked the board to come out with comprehensive plan spelling out the overall control, monitoring and coordination mechanism in respect of major projects. |
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Illegal mining poses threat to life, property
Sundernagar, November 18 The high tension (HT) lines that run over several villages across the area to the Baggi powerhouse have exposed villagers to the danger of electrocution as the mining mafia has indulged in mindless mining in the area. Reckless mining has exposed poles of high tension lines and these can fall any time, endangering the lives of those living in surrounding villages. Though the villagers have brought the matter to the notice of all departments concerned several times, all their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The result is that the mining mafia is carrying on its activity right inside the demarcated protected forest
(DPF) areas. “We have been exposed to the danger of electrocution as electric poles can fall any time as the miners have dug up the foundation of the poles”, said Mr Des Raj Sharma, a resident of Bhyarta village. “We have brought this menace in the DPF areas to the notice of the Forest and the Mining departments, but nothing has been done so far”, he rued. A complaint was lodged with the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, but he was out of station today. We will meet the Chief Minister shortly,” he added. Pointing out the danger posed by HT lines and the mining activity, which has destroyed the ecology of surrounding villages over the past three years, the villagers said the mining had also destroyed water sources and hundreds of trees had been cut over the past few weeks to facilitate mining. “Those involved in illegal mining are local residents and are employed in the government offices. They are using their influence to extract bajri and sand,” villagers say. Mr Bihari Lal, vice-president of the Bhyarta Panchayat, said hundreds of trees had disappeared in the area and the mining had been carried out even near the Panchayat Bhavan. “The government should take action to restore the confidence of villagers”, he added. He also expressed the fear that the HT lines might collapse. Expressing ignorance over illegal mining in the DPF in the area, the Chief Conservator of Forest, Mandi division, Mr
C.S. Singh, said the department would initiate legal action for mining in the DPF area. “The complaint has not been brought to my notice so far”, he added. The District Mining Officer, Mr S.
Guleria, however, said they had visited the spot several times, but the labourers and miners managed to flee. “We have challaned many vehicles carrying sand and
bajri, but nobody has ever been caught on the spot. May be they manage to get prior information about our raids”, he added. |
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New water pipeline gives way
Mandi, November 18 Though the field staff of the department managed the crisis soon after the incident, the pipelines exposed chinks in the system that promises to add over five lakh gallons of water to the residents under the command of IPH Minister Thakur Kaul Singh, who hails from the town. “It was around 9 p.m. when the underline pipeline burst breaking open the road with gushes of water that inundated the entire road, said Mr S.N. Vaidya, a local resident, who was sitting in his shop at the time of the incident. “But the IPH staff reached the spot after a few minutes and they stopped the supply”, he added. The water testing also damaged the road at several points in the town. “The water has gushed out at three or four points around the market complex also,” added a shopkeeper. The Chief Engineer, IPH, Mr S.K. Malhotra, told The Tribune that they were doing the testing of the new pipeline laid in phases over the years. “We are aware about the faults as some caskets have got dislocated. The water was released for testing. The pressure exposed the loose caskets which are being rectified. It would take a month to finally operate the new pipeline system,” he added. |
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Post-facto approval for Law College
Shimla, November 18 The Vice-Chancellor's decision of giving permission to the L.R. Institute of Legal Studies to start a Law College at Solan had become controversial after the BJP accused the authorities of bypassing the council. The BJP had said that the admissions to the law course had been made on the basis of the academic merit rather than an entrance examination as was the procedure. The council granted approval with the rider that from the next academic session, admissions would have to be made strictly on the basis of an entrance test and not on merit. The council also decided to readvertise the posts of Controller of Examination and Planning and Development. The council gave approval to the promotion of four readers to the post of professor. |
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Suspension of tourism officials condemned
Chamba, November 18 In a handout issued here today, the spokesman of the union disclosed that the Deputy General Manager (Administration) investigated the matter and observed that no official of the HPTDC had been accountable for this delay in the departure of the bus. The spokesman regretted that before taking the action, officials concerned had not been offered an opportunity to explain their position. The union spokesman condemned this measure vehemently and urged the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, to restrain the Transport Minister from issuing such statements which tarnished the image of the state government. |
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Seminar on national policy for tribesmen
Shimla, November 18 This was stated by the Chief Secretary, Mr S.S. Parmar, while speaking at the North and Cultural Zonal seminar on national policy for tribals, held here today. “There should never be any effort to impose views on the tribals as it is only after taking their viewpoint that decisions should be made,” said Mr Parmar. He said the powers given to the Deputy
Commissioners and Resident Commissioners in the tribal areas had greatly helped in accelerating the pace of development in these remote and far-flung areas, especially in the field of communication, education, health and transport. He said the problems faced by the Scheduled Tribes were very different from those of the Scheduled Castes and unfortunately the tribals had to sacrifice a lot before coming into the mainstream. He stressed the need for preserving the tribal culture and distinctive identity and encouraging women to go in for proper education. He said certain problems pertaining to grazing under the Forest Act need to be resolved. The Union Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Dr A.V.S. Reddy, said the national policy on tribals seek to bring the Scheduled Tribes into the mainstream of society through a multipronged approach to ensure their all round development without disturbing their distinct culture. |
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Schoolgirl crushed to death
Solan, November 18 The truck driver was later arrested and a case under Sections 279, 337 and 304 of the IPC was registered against him for rash and negligent driving. |
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College staff to go on indefinite fast
Sundernagar, November 18 Mr D.C. Sharma of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Himachal Pradesh, and Mr Bhupinder Rawat, president, Himachal Dental College Karamchari Sangh addressing a press conference here, said the Management of the College was earning profit in crores per year, but was not willing to heed to the demands of the employees. |
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