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Move to increase no-construction
zones in Shimla
Shimla, December 4
The government is considering declaring the highly congested pockets of the town, having more than 60 per cent built-up area, as no construction zones to prevent further degradation and as a safeguard against earthquakes.

Special scheme for handicapped in Hamirpur
Hamirpur, December 3
A special scheme for handicapped persons has been launched in Hamirpur district and Rs 63 lakh has so for been spent under the scheme to help the needy. This was stated by Dr K.D. Lakhanpla, ADM, Hamirpur, while presiding over a district level World Disabled Day programme here yesterday.

Girl goes missing
Dalhousie, December 4
A 17-year-old Class XII student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khairi, about 35 km from here, went missing on December 1. She had left for the school but did not return home in the evening.

1 held for pilfering off govt wheat
Bilaspur, December 4
The police has intercepted a truck (HP-23-5333) that was being used to transport 92 bags of wheat that were given to the village Cooperative Society, Gatwaad, for distribution under the Food and Work Programme for carrying out development projects in the area.

YOUR TOWN

Bilaspur
Hamirpur
Shimla

EARLIER STORIES

	Mayor re-elected, 7 councillors quit Cong in protest December 4, 2004
	Panchayats to be involved in health programmes December 3, 2004
	Computer to monitor Secretariat working December 2, 2004
	SJVN move to adjust amount of advances December 1, 2004
	Kuldeep takes charge on optimistic note November 30, 2004
	State to implement Rs 80 cr health projects November 29, 2004
	Academic institutions must be above politics: IIAS chief November 28, 2004
	Mankotia not keen for ministry November 27, 2004
	All eligible to get pension in HP November 26, 2004

Hearing in Dhumal case adjourned
Shimla, December 4
The hearing in the defamation case filed by former Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, against the Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt Amrinder Singh, senior Congress leader Mr Moti Lal Vohra and the Member of Parliament, Mr Anand Sharma, was adjourned today for April 30, next year.

Cong wins zila parishad byelection

Move to increase no-construction zones in Shimla
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 4
The government is considering declaring the highly congested pockets of the town, having more than 60 per cent built-up area, as no construction zones to prevent further degradation and as a safeguard against earthquakes.

It was during deliberations held in the Department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) to finalise the development plan that the need for declaring certain areas as ‘no construction zones’ was felt. The criterion for selecting such pockets would be the areas having more than 60 per cent built-up area.

Architects, spatial planner, environmentalists and prominent citizens of the town felt though there was already a ban on construction in the green area, there was an urgent need to identify such more pockets. The areas which could be declared no construction zones could include Sanjauli, Cemetery, Jiunu Colony, Kachhi Ghatti and Chakkar.

It is being felt that with the slope in some of these areas is more than 60 degrees making these areas danger zones in case of an earthquake or even mild tremors. Due to the haphazard construction in these areas, air, sunlight, water and other basic civic amenities are also a rarity. “In fact we feel that the situation is so bad that a survey needs to be undertaken to identify the problems so that corrective steps can be taken to safeguard the safety of residents,” said TCP officials.

With 60 per cent of the area of the town being urban forests, it is being felt that the prime catchment areas near Kufri, Naldehra and Ashwani Khud be preserved. One of the suggestions was that only limited constructions and that also in the form of farm houses having an area not less than 1,000 sq mt be allowed. Areas like Retreat, where the President stays during his visit to the town, should also be declared no construction zone so that at least some portions can be saved form the ills of urbanisation.

Another view that was supported by all was limiting the number of storeys to a maximum of two or three. “Relaxation should be allowed only in exceptional cases,” experts said.

Another issue raised at the meeting pertained to obtaining a certificate for construction activity right from the foundation level to every floor. “This will not just reduce the chances of deviation, but will also reduce litigation as certificate will have to be obtained after the completion of every floor, experts said.

Special scheme for handicapped in Hamirpur
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, December 3
A special scheme for handicapped persons has been launched in Hamirpur district and Rs 63 lakh has so for been spent under the scheme to help the needy. This was stated by Dr K.D. Lakhanpla, ADM, Hamirpur, while presiding over a district level World Disabled Day programme here yesterday.

He said there were 4,274 disabled persons in the district. However, only 2,274 of them were enjoying the benefits of the government schemes. He appealed to all handicapped persons to take benefits of the schemes.

Dr Lakhanpal said the disabled were honorable members of the society and they should not be disheartened by their disability.

Mr Amar Singh Walia, District Welfare Officer, said Rs 27 lakh were being spent in the district for providing artificial limbs and other facilities to the handicapped.

A cultural programme was also presented by the handicapped.

Girl goes missing
Our Correspondent

Dalhousie, December 4
A 17-year-old Class XII student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khairi, about 35 km from here, went missing on December 1. She had left for the school but did not return home in the evening.

According to the Principal of the school the girl did not reach school. Giving this information here today, Mr N.D. Sharma, Additional Superintendent of Police, said a case had been registered in the Khairi police station on the report of Mr Ram Nath Singh, an employee of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), that his minor daughter had been kidnapped by some unidentified persons.

1 held for pilfering off govt wheat
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, December 4
The police has intercepted a truck (HP-23-5333) that was being used to transport 92 bags of wheat that were given to the village Cooperative Society, Gatwaad, for distribution under the Food and Work Programme for carrying out development projects in the area. The police has arrested owner of the truck and its driver, Premlal.

The SP, Chandershekhar said Premlal of Gatwaad village, near Ghumarwin had no documents allowing the transport of wheat bags. Each bag contained 50 kg wheat. On investigation, it was found that he was carrying this wheat to sell at a flour mill at Bhambla.

Hearing in Dhumal case adjourned
Legal Correspondent

Shimla, December 4
The hearing in the defamation case filed by former Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, against the Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt Amrinder Singh, senior Congress leader Mr Moti Lal Vohra and the Member of Parliament, Mr Anand Sharma, was adjourned today for April 30, next year.

The case was listed today for recording the statement of Prof Dhumal.