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Kuldeep takes charge on optimistic note
CM for marketing policy on farm products
BJP seeks probe into power project contracts
CM denies proposal on retirement
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Assembly session from Dec 17
Threat to water schemes
Tribune
impact
IIAS head for probe into saffronisation of history books
Sutlej nigam signs MoU with Konkan Rlys
Move on Mayor’s term shot down
Unwed mother booked for bid on baby’s life
8 workers hurt
as pipe bursts
Teachers lambast transfer policy
3 killed as Sumo falls into gorge
Inter-school dance contest
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Kuldeep takes charge on optimistic note
Shimla, November 29 The two seniormost party leaders escorted Mr Kuldeep Kumar to the office of the PCC chief in a public show of unity to send right signals to the rank and file of the party. A staunch Virbhadra loyalist, Mr Kuldeep Kumar said he would endeavour to take every worker along with him to ensure complete unity in the party. He said the party and the government would function in close coordination and workers would be given due respect and importance in party affairs. Mr Virbhadra Singh expressed the confidence that under the leadership of an experienced leader like Mr Kuldeep Kumar the base of the party would expand further. Ms Sonia Gandhi had taken a good decision in appointing him as the party chief which would go a longway in strengthening the organisation, he observed. Ms Stokes also hailed his appointment and said it would help bridge the political divide. According to party sources, the principle of one man one post will be held in abeyance for now and Mr Kuldeep Kumar is likely to hold both the posts until the completion of the organisational poll which is already underway. It remains to be seen if the he is elected for a full term through the ongoing election process. KUMARHATTI:
The newly elected Pradesh Congress Committee Chief, Mr Kuldeep Singh was given a warm welcome at Parwanoo by Congress workers on Monday. Hundreds of Congress workers led by Mr Amarjeet Singh Bawa, state INTUC president and Mr Raghu Raj, local Congress MLA garlanded the new party chief Mr Kuldeep Singh was on his way to Shimla. Interestingly, no Vidya Stokes' group party worker was presented during the occasion. |
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CM for marketing policy on farm products
Shimla, November 29 He was speaking at the inauguration of the 18th national conference on Agriculture Marketing, organised by the HP Agriculture Marketing Board and the Indian Society of Agricultural Marketing, Nagpur. He asked the scientists, development administrators and marketing experts to deliberate on the important issue of marketing strategy for farm products. He said Himachal was focusing on modernisation and expansion of marketing infrastructure by developing integrated produce markets and associated grading and packaging facilities, cold storage and upgrading facilities in market yards. He said an integrated produce market was being set up at Dhalli at a cost of Rs 71 crore and 44 market yards and seven collection centres had been set up at a cost of Rs 30.17 crore. He said ‘model contract farming agreement’, incorporating specificities of every state, was also being worked out. “There is need to maintain appropriate balance between the Public and the Private sector and in its enthusiasm for reforms the government must not curtail the involvement of public sector severely. He said with the coming into force of the WTO treaty, it had become imperative that the products achieved global standards. A liberal trade regime was required for increasing productivity, grading, sorting, packaging and market capacities in the agricultural
sector. |
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BJP seeks probe into power project contracts
Shimla, November 29 Addressing a press conference here today, the state BJP chief, Mr Suresh Bhardwaj, said the work for execution of 900KW Saach power project in Pangi, had been given to contractor who did not have the necessary infrastructure and expertise. He alleged that the irregularities in the allotment of contracts for such mini and micro projects were rampant and the government must order an inquiry into the matter. “If the government does not order a probe the BJP will come out with all the details and expose those involved in these irregularities,” he said. The BJP chief also expressed concern over the visible impact of the MoU signed by the sate government with the Centre. “The pension leave encashment facility has already been withdrawn by the government and gradually other facilities will be done away with,” he said cautioning the employees. |
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CM denies proposal on retirement
Dharamsala, November 29 He further said the government was not thinking of modifying the pensionary benefits of employees. “We had only received a note from the Finance Department, suggesting the state various financial options. But this does not mean that we have any plans to implement these,” he said. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, he rejected the charges of discrimination against the Kangra region and said such statements by the Opposition were not substantiated by facts and were “fragments of their imagination.” He further said his party had the maximum number of ministers from the lower Himachal region, something even a Chief Minister from Kangra, would find difficult to achieve. About the fate of the students of Dr Rajindra Prasad Medical College, Tanda, who do not have recognition to practice, he said he had taken up the matter with the Medical Council of India. |
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Assembly session from Dec 17
Shimla, November 29 The notification in this regard was issued by Raj Bhavan, here today. As per the tentative calendar, there will be five sittings in all. The last day has been earmarked for private members' business. |
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Threat to water schemes
PALAMPUR: Illegal and unscientific quarrying and mining in this region has resulted in large-scale deforestation, landslides and flash floods in the past two years. The situation in Palampur, Baijnath and Jaisinghpur subdivisions is no better as over 20,000 hectares of land has seriously been affected by mining, quarrying and other construction activities.
The reckless mining in Neugal khud, which passes through the town, has badly damaged “Sorabh Van Vihar”, a tourist resort being constructed by the government on the right bank of the khud. Mining and quarrying has also posed a serious threat to over 36 irrigation and drinking water supply schemes. The existence of Kirpal Chand kuhal passing through this town feeding over 20 panchayats comprising 100 villages in Palampur, Bhawarna and Daroh blocks and Charnamati and Lower Baijnath kuhals feeding 15 panchayat in Baijnath block is in danger because of continuous mining in the catchments areas. In the absence of any mining policy, the large-scale illegal and unscientific mining, quarrying in this region is not only creating environmental imbalances but also causing a huge loss to the state exchequer every year. The government is loosing revenue worth crores of rupees every year. In most cases those involved in this illegal activity have no legal rights to extract sand, stone, bajri and other raw material from these khuds and quarries, but because of alleged political protection from ruling party leaders the
administration has become a silent spectator. The mining and Forest Departments are liberally granting them no-objection certificates for the extraction of stone, sand and other raw material. It many cases the Mining Department has also granted five to 50 years lease for quarrying and mining on the recommendations of ministers or MLAs, violating all rules and regulations laid down for such allotments. A senior officer of the Industries Department admitted that in most cases they had to obey the orders of ministers and MLAs. Mr Kaul Singh, HP Irrigation and Public Health Minister, says his department has time and again requested the Mining Department to initiate serious efforts to check illegal mining but nothing has been done so far. The minister claims that if no timely action is taken over 24 drinking water supply schemes in Kangra that draw water from Neugal, Binwa and other khuds will go dry in the next five years. He disclosed the water level of not only Neugal but do other khuds like Binwa, Gaj, Baner, Awa, Bathoo, Mol and Bhiral had gone down in the past five years. These khuds are the major source of drinking water for 200 water supply schemes in Kangra district. During the last summer, people had to face the worst-ever water crisis as most of these khuds had gone dry in April and May. |
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Tribune
impact
Mandi, November 29 According to sources, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ali Raza Rizvi, has asked the officials to submit a detailed report by tomorrow on the complete revenue records of Bhyarta village and its surrounding areas where the mining mafia has been operative. “As we have to work in the fields and graze cattle in pastures, there is always a danger of electrocution,” said Mr Des Raj Sharma, a resident of Bhyarta village. The government must ensure the safety of the villagers, he added. The Tribune has highlighted the menace of illegal mining in the village and its surrounding areas in its report published on November 19. The SDM, Mandi Sadar, Mr Arun Sharma, said the team raided the sites, but it found no one at the spot. “We have challenged over 13 tractors-trailers and imposed a fine of Rs 5000 each on their owners under the Mining Act. Three vehicles have been impounded as the drivers were not carrying required documents with them”, he added. The team challaned vehicles at Rani Bai, Gutkar, Chandya, Chakkar and Badiyal. The officials said the administration would examine the revenue records and serve legal notices under the Section 133 of the CrPC. “Since the mining impose threat to life of the villagers, the administration will act as per law. We expect that we will get the report from the Revenue Department tomorrow”, added Mr Sharma. |
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IIAS head for probe into saffronisation of history books
Shimla, November 29 “I firmly believe it is our duty to fully cooperate in the inquiry because if one has done things in the right manner then there was no reason to be afraid,” he said interacting with mediapersons after assuming charge here today. He, however, added that this did not mean that there was something radically wrong with the institute. The HRD ministry has ordered an inquiry into the functioning of the institute over the last three years amidst the allegations of pushing through the agenda of saffronisation and in selection of fellowships. The eminent historian, tried to steer clear of any controversy that has kept the premiere academic institute in news for the past some time, as he maintained that being a historian he could not make a statement off hand as he would want to base his views on facts and evidence. “I would want to go through the publications brought out by the institute during the past 10 years so that I am in a position to make statement when the allegations of the agenda of saffronisation at the institute is made as the issue is very much alive,” he stated. “Rather than allegations of saffronisation what was more disturbing for me was the distortion of facts by way of sub-standard text books,” he remarked. He added by selection and omission of facts in history you could introduce distortion. “As a historian it is not saffronisation or its political dimensions but providing sub-standard history books to students which concerned me more,” he remarked. Mr Grewal was one of the members in the panel, constituted to look into the allegations of saffronisation and distortion of history in text books. “If you are putting across the view point of only a section of the people and not all the citizens then in that sense it does amount to saffronisation,” he opined. He added that the viewpoint should be representative of the Indian people and their culture, the way we see it today. Regarding the allegations of favouritism in granting fellowships, Mr Grewal said he was not in a position to comment as he had yet to acquaint himself with the functioning of the institute but added that this could be looked into by seeing if all academic areas were included and if there was the concentration of people from a particular area. |
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Sutlej nigam signs MoU with Konkan Rlys
Shimla, November 29 The Konkon Railways is latest to seek the consultancy from the nigam for the tunnelling works between Katra and Laole in the Udhampur-Baramula rail link . The two leading construction companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the purpose under which the nigam will train the engineers of the Konkon Railways in the preparation and supply of construction drawings of approach cuttings and excavation, supporting system and lining details of the tunnels in different kinds of rock and soil strata. The consultancy services being provided by the nigam include preparation of pre-feasibility reports, detailed project reports, engineering for dams, tunnels and other underground works in the hydropower sector. It has provided consultancy to the Central Electricity Authority for preparing pre-feasibility reports for the 450 mw Khab-I and 186 MW Khab-II hydroelectric projects in the Sutlej basin ,Bobba and Mount Kailash Power projects in Karnatka, Modalities are being finalised to reach an agreement with the Uttranchal Jal Vidyut Nigam for providing consultancy services for the designing of dam on the Song river and various component of the Maneri-Bhali project. The Government of Chhattisgarh has also approached the nigam for preparation of detailed project reports of five projects. The nigam has developed world-class expertise in tunnelling and other underground works by constructing the one of the longest tunnel (27.4 km) , largest underground de-silting chambers in the world and the biggest underground power house for the Nathpa Jhakri project. Meanwhile, the Nathpa Jhakri project which became fully operational in July last has so far generated 5545 million units of power to earn a revenue of Rs 1250 crore. It has started infrastructure works for the 434 mw Rampur project which was assigned to it by the state government
recently. |
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Move on Mayor’s term shot down
Shimla, November 29 At present the tenure of the Mayor is two and a half years and the present incumbent, Mr Sohal Lal, is completing his term on December 2. The corporation had passed a resolution to get the term increased to five years. The cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, turned down the proposal after a detailed discussion. It was pointed out that the election process was already underway and as such a decision to increase the term could not be taken at this stage. Further, the winter session of the Assembly was being convened from December 17 and it would not be appropriate to issue an ordinance. The Cabinet also approved the termination of the implementation agreement signed with M/s Dhamwari Sunda Power Company for the execution of the 70 MW Dhamwari Sunda hydro project in Shimla district. The agreement was signed in October 1996 and the company was required to fulfil obligations such as obtaining statutory clearances. It failed to sign the power project agreement (PPA) and also could not deposit Rs 2.20 crore as security. The Cabinet assigned the 465 MW Luhri and 450 MW
Khab-I hydroelectric projects on the Sutlej as joint ventures between the state government and Satluj Jal Vidyut
Nigam. Expost facto approval was given for signing power purchase agreements with the NHPC with regard to the Parbati stage-II (800 MW),
Chamera-II (300 MW) and Chamera-III (231 MW) enabling the state government to get allocation of 3.67 per cent “state of region” share and 15 per cent unallocated Central share from these projects. The Cabinet gave nod for appointing 76 trained JBTs on regular basis. With a view to simplifying tax structure and providing relief to people in tribal, remote and difficult areas it also approved the replacement of the existing three- slab system by two slab system upto 250 km and over 250 km for taxation of carriage of goods by road. |
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Unwed mother booked for bid on baby’s life
Dharamsala, November 29 According to police sources, the girl has stated that the man had threatened her with dire consequences in case she revealed this to her family and continued to sexually exploit her for months. She claimed that she suffered never realised that she had got pregnant. Taking suo-moto notice of the case, the State Commission for Women has asked the police to investigate the girl’s relations with the man in question and submit a report. The commission has also asked the district administration to immediately shift the girl to a private ward on the expenses of the Red Cross. “We found that the girl was facing humiliation at the hospital and needed a private ward. The police has been asked to book the man if found guilty,” said Ms Viplove Thakur, chairperson, State Commission for Women. Although the police is yet to formally record the girl’s statement as she is still not in a stable state of mind, they have started investigating the charge of sexual exploitation. Sources said the police was also looking into the possibility of the girl having an affair. Medical Superintendent J.R. Azad said they were not allowing anybody to meet her. The woman has been booked for trying to kill her new-born child in a toilet of the Dr Rajinder Prasad Medical College and Hospital, where she had come to seek treatment for stomachache. There are also doubts about her actual age. While the police claims that the girl, who is a class VIII student, is 18 years old, doctors treating her believe that she is much younger. |
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8 workers hurt
as pipe bursts
Nahan, November 29 Additional Superintendent of Police J.P. Singh said the incident was caused by the bursting of a safety valve and leakage of steam from the pipe. |
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Teachers lambast transfer policy
Mandi, November 29 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Lal alleged that the government had constituted a committee under the IPH Minister, Mr Kaul Singh Thakur, on transfers but it had not met even once. “As a result, many schools are overstaffed while remote schools remain understaffed as few teachers want to join there,” he claimed. Accusing the Education Minister, Ms Asha Kumari, with ignoring the interests of the students and teachers, Mr Lal alleged that the Education Minister had lost sight of vital issues. “The school infrastructure is poor and government school teachers prefer to teach their wards in the private schools,” he added. |
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3 killed as Sumo falls into gorge
Sundernagar, November 29 According to information received here, a Sumo vehicle (HP-01A-3467) which was
carrying a marriage party fell into a gorge, about 35 km from here. Three persons, who died on the spot, were identified as Daya Ram (Dehri), Parveen (Nalag) and Ram Pal (Chai Ka Dohra). The two, Sanjay and Raj Kumar, were referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, in serious condition. A case was registered against the driver of the vehicle at Ghumarwin. |
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Inter-school dance contest
Nurpur, November 29 |
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