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Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam told to stop free power
Offer on temple
turned down
NRI township to be set up in Una
Pong wetlands home to
1.17 lakh migratory birds
Nadaun awaits basic amenities
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Cold wave unabated
Chopper crashes near Vajpayee’s house
Film
company to launch talent hunt from Feb 10
Man held for
attempting suicide
Truck burnt at Paonta
Assam Rifles to hold recruitment rally
Patwari held for taking bribe
Academy award for two
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Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam told to stop free power
Shimla, February 2 The board and the nigam have been fighting over the rate at which the free power is to be supplied. The nigam has been of the view that it can sell free power to the board at Rs 2.35 per unit, the rate fixed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. However, the board maintained that it was bound by the tariff order of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission according to which the free power was to be supplied at the rate of 70 paise per unit. Consequently, the board has not been paying for the free power and the arrears on this account have exceeded Rs 15 crore. The state has 25 per cent equity in the project and it is also entitled to 12 per cent free power as royalty and another three per cent being the state of the region in the 1500 Nathpa Jhakri project. The nigam has been daily supplying over 21 lakh units, including about 7.5 lakh units of free power, to the board. Until October the nigam was selling the entire power generated from the project to various power utilities across the country and making payments to the state in lieu of its share at the rate of Rs 2.35 per unit approved by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). However, the state government asked the nigam to sell its share from November onwards to the board. It has been supplying the entire share of the state to the board as per the directions of the government. The hill state has surplus power but it has to purchase it from outside during winters when generation in various hydro-electric projects falls due to low discharge in rivers. Meanwhile, the power situation has eased somewhat with Punjab resuming the supply of 10 lakh units from today. With this the daily availability has increased to 108 lakh units as against the requirement of 118 lakh units. |
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Offer on temple
turned down Shimla, February 2 Addressing a Press conference, here today, Mr Karam Chand Bhatia, president of the sabha, rejected the offer of the government to provide land and funds for construction of Ravi Das Temple at another site and said the dalit samaj would not allow shifting of the shrine. He claimed that the temple existed at the site since 1926 and this fact was not brought to the notice of the Supreme Court. He alleged that the administration had been playing a partisan role to help an influential family and demanded a CBI probe to know how it managed to acquire the land on which the temple existed. He also demanded that the officers responsible for beating up and humiliating the Dalits should be booked. He also warned the government against preventing Dalits from other places from entering
Santokhgarh. He said if required the dalits would start a “jail bharo” stir in protest. |
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NRI township to be set up in Una
Una, February 2 Talking to mediapersons after inaugurating a biscuit manufacturing facility at Tahliwal, near here, said NRIs during their visits to the state had shown interest in setting up units here and the model township would provide them the required infrastructure for investment. This would not only generate employment opportunities but also promote industrial development in the hill state. “The state government has already identified 300-400 such NRIs and the modalities for setting up the township were being worked out.’’ They would also be required to give preference to natives by providing employment to at least 70 per cent bonafide Himachalis in their units. While many leading industries have shifted their units to the border areas of the state in the wake of the tax exemptions and holidays announced by the Centre and the new industrial policy of the state, the Chief Minister said the focus would now be more on dispersal of the industry uniformly through the state and taking industries to the interiors of the state. He expressed satisfaction that the less developed Una belt was also becoming a nucleus of industrial development and assured that special incentives would be made available based on the industrial backwardness of the area. Preference would also be given to non-polluting industries to protect and keep environment clean and green, he said. Since Himachal Pradesh is primarily an agricultural state with 92 per cent of its people in villages, thrust would be on providing more incentives to agro-horticulture-based activities, information technology and tourism and allied sector with backward and forward linkages. Stress would also be laid on strengthening the service sector and units providing value-added products, he added. |
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Pong wetlands home to
1.17 lakh migratory birds
Chandigarh, February 2 This year again, the largest influx is of barheaded geese (25,970), coots (25,100), common pochards (16,750), pintails (15,600), cormorants (12,400) and spotbill ducks (10,110). Dr Suresh Kumar, Conservator, Wildlife (North), Dharamsala, says the avian migration, which began at the fag-end of September, will continue till March. He says after the recent snowfall in the higher reaches of the Dhauladhars and trans-Himalayan areas, the arrival of the feathered guests has increased. He says this year their number is expected to break last year's record of 1.35 lakh. He says three new species, including Eurasian thick and woodcock, have been recorded this year. The presence of gulls, a seashore species, at the wetlands also attracts the attention of
ornithologists. This year 1,430 gulls were recorded by the wildlife wing. Pong Dam wetlands, one of the largest man-made wetlands in northern India, is known as a bird’s paradise, especially for migratory birds. With suitable climatic conditions, rich biodiversity, regulation of optimum water level (1,318 feet), introduction of fish species (52 lakh fingerlings released last year in the reservoir) and other features, the wetlands attract varieties of avian species. It has the distinction of being one of the important winter grounds for some of the rare species in India. Some of the migratory species preferred to stay at Pong wetlands even after the winter. The wetlands were formed with the construction of a dam on the Beas. The dam resulted in the formation of a 432-sq-km water body. Spread over nearly 20 hectares during winter, Ranser island, one of the islands in the Pong reservoir, is one of the spots always brimming with a riot of feathers. The others areas where one can encounter a huge influx of birds include Terrace, the Shah Nehar barrage, Dhameta, Nagrota Suriyan and Dhera. In order to create public awareness on environmental issues, the Himachal State Council for Science and Technology recently organised a bird-watching programme for schoolchildren at Pong Dam. “Our aim is to help the public understand the role of wetlands in sustainability of environment and its support to biodiversity,” says Dr Subhash Gupta, Senior Scientific Officer of the council. Mr A.K. Gulati, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, says a project for “holistic development of Pong Dam wetlands” has been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. |
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Nadaun awaits basic amenities
Nadaun (Hamirpur): Once known as the second kingdom of great Katoch rulers of Kangra hills, this small town of Hamirpur district has been waiting for basic amenities.
Located on the Hamirpur-Dharamsala highway on the banks of the Beas, the town is known for its wholesale markets in quality food grain. The town has the offices of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the Judicial Magistrate. It is governed by a Nagar Panchayat. However, the infighting among its members on political considerations has harmed its cause. Its narrow streets stink for want of proper cleanliness. No sincere efforts have been made so far for keeping the town neat and clean. On many occasions members of the Nagar Panchayat fight on petty issues. The bus stand has become congested. The nearby vacant place where a so-called stadium is located also presents a ghoulish look. The ground is full of wild grass and is used for holding public meetings. The town recently became famous all over the country when five one-day matches of the North Zone Ranji Trophy were played at the Amtar ground near here. The ground is located in front of the old palace of the Katoch rulers. Two of the successors of the Katoch kings live in the town. The historic Daswin Padsahhi gurdwara is located on the left bank of the Beas here. The residents are highly upset over the failure of their politicians to develop the town as one of the most modern towns of the state. Talking to The Tribune Sukhvinder Singh Sukhoo, local Congress MLA, says he is planning to get funds from the Central Government for the uplift of the town. He said he would ensure that the Amtar ground was handed over to the District Cricket Association so that it could be upgraded. Ranji and Daleep Trophy matches would be held in the ground. The residents are optimistic that the town will witness development, if Mr Sukhoo is made a minister in the state Cabinet. |
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Cold wave unabated
Shimla, February 2 Waterpipes were frozen at many places in higher hills and thick ground frost occurred
in the morning, hampering the vehicular traffic. The high altitude areas in tribal belt continued to groan under biting cold wave conditions as minimum temperature stayed between minus 17 and minus 28 degrees in
Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi, Pin and Hangrang valleys. The majestic Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra district donning a mantle of impeccable white snow presented a fascinating look as morning sun rays fell on snowclad pinnacles. The minimum temperature stood at 2. 4 degrees celsius in Shimla while it remained at 0. 6 degrees at
Mashobra. Sundernagar recorded minimum temperature at 1. 7 degrees while Bhuntar shivered at 0. 6 degrees
celsius. However, the day temperature rose to 12 degrees in Shimla and 18. 9 degrees and 16 degrees at Sundernagar and
Bhuntar, respectively. The lower hills had some respite from biting cold as day temperature maintained its upward trend. The region had a clear day in the morning but thin clouds covered the sky in Shimla and other mid hills as the day advanced.
— PTI |
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Chopper crashes near Vajpayee’s house
Kulu, February 2 Sources said the chopper was badly damaged. However, the pilot sustained minor injuries. The helicopter which did not have any passenger aboard fell down after reaching a height of about 40 feet. However, Manager of the company Manjit Bhalla denied any crash saying that the chopper had to be grounded due to mechanical reasons. This was the third helicopter crash of the company in the past four years. Four persons had been killed in a crash near Aleo Nullah last year while a chopper of the company was on a joyride flight with three tourists on board. Another helicopter had been crashed on a mountain top near the Hamta Pass in 2002. However, the pilot had managed to drop the passengers safely on the snow. Senior Aerodrome Officer K.M. Nehra said it was mandatory to get permission for all aviation-related activities and remain in contact with the ATC. The heli-skiing management has also been told to be in touch with the ATC, he added. Mr Nehra said the company had started filing plans of their helicopter movements and the airport officials guided the air traffic accordingly. Film company to launch
talent hunt from Feb 10 Hamirpur, February 2 Actor Aditya Pancholi will inaugurate the office of the AAR Movies at Hamirpur. He will be accompanied by Syed Julfi, singer Shabir Ali and budding star Kangna Ranaut on this occasion, according to a spokesman of Triple R movies. He told The Tribune here this afternoon that the talent search hunt programme will have three phases. In all, six boys and girls from the state will be selected. They will be taken to Mumbai and will be given acting lessons. Later, they will be given roles in the next three films to be produced by the company. According to the spokesman, Mr Ramesh Sharma would also take part in the inaugural programme. Ramesh Sharma, who hails from Jhaniari village of Hamirpur district, is keen to set up a film city in the state and to develop the state from the film industry point of view. |
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Man held for
attempting suicide
Nurpur, February 2 According to the police Naresh Kumar was upset after having an altercation with his wife. In a fit of anger he allegedly tried to commit suicide by hanging himself from a tree about half kilometre away from his house. However, some villagers noticed him and saved his life.
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Truck burnt at Paonta
Nahan, February 2 As per the report filed with the Paonta police by the factory management, the incident took near the office of Truck Operator Union near
Taruwala. No loss to life has been reported so far. The truck was completely burnt in the arson. The situation in the area was ‘tense but under control’ as per the police authorities of Paonta subdivision. Representatives of the Paonta and Kala Amb Chamber of Commerce has condemned the incident and demanded strict action against the offenders. It is learnt that a conflict was going on between Truck Operator Union and the factory over the transportation work of the factory. |
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Assam Rifles to hold recruitment rally
Shimla, February 2 The documents required at the rally site are certificate of educational qualifications, domicile and character certificate, photographs four) and certificate of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and other Backward Classes from candidate of these categories. The candidates should be matriculates between 18 and 23 years in age for all trades. Relaxation of five and three years respectively will be given to SC and ST, OBC candidates.
— PTI |
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Patwari held for taking bribe
Nahan, February 2 The family members and friends of the patwari alleged that he was innocent and he was a victim of conspiracy hatched by some local people to press for their unjustified demands. A case has been registered at Paonta police station. |
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Academy award for two
Dharamsala, February 2 |
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