 |
|
Asha’s
reinduction after talks with high command :CM Rs 40-cr
water supply scheme for Shimla Nod to
hydel projects may lead to unrest
Milking of natural resources eating into Chamba’s charm
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carriage tax on drugs anti-poor, say Chemists
Bollywood personalities to perform in Kangra
Chief Engineer dumps debris into riverbed
Dhiman heads Public Accounts Committee
Centre, state govts termed anti-worker
Garbage problem persists in Palampur
One killed, 11 hurt in jeep accident
Janartha is Civil Supplies Corpn MD
|
|
Asha’s reinduction after talks with high command :CM Shimla, May 1 Talking to mediapersons here he said he would go by the decision of the high command on the issue. He added that he had not seen the court judgement in which charges against her had been set aside. The Chief Minister, who returned from Delhi after three days said he had met senior Congress leaders, including the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. “I have apprised the high command about the ongoing organisational elections in the state and the factual position about the controversy involving the State Election Authority Chairman, Mr K.C. Lenka,” he said. He said there was a section of people who were spreading canard about him and trying to malign his image but it did not bother him. “A mountain has been made out of a mole hill as far as the issue is concerned as during organisational elections such disputes do arise,” he remarked. Mr Virbhadra Singh, said Mr Lenka would shortly be returning to complete the task entrusted to him by the high command. “The initial process of party elections at the block-level is complete and now it is the election of the district chiefs which has to be done,” he remarked. The Chief Minister said he had met Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mrs Ambika Soni, AICC general secretary and in charge of Himachal, Mr Ahmed Patel and Mr Oscar Fernandes. Answering a question about the reported discontentment brewing amongst MLAs after the induction of 11 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) and Parliamentary Secretaries (PS), the Chief Minister said whatever had been done was in consultation with the party high command.
|
|
|
Rs 40-cr water supply scheme for Shimla Shimla, May 1 The 12th Finance Commission has given Rs 38 crore for the project which will help meet the water requirements of the town up to 2018. The project is likely to be completed by 2007. Under the scheme, water will be lifted from the Giri river from Sainj to Theog up to a height of 1,200 metres. The water will be stored by raising an 8-metre high dam for the purpose. Submersible pumps will lift the impounded water to the treatment plant to be set up at Sainj. The treated water will be lifted in two stages of 620 m each. Six pumps of 1,200 horse power will be used in both the stages. A storage reservoir of eight lakh litres will be constructed after the first stage and 50-lakh litre reservoir at the end of the second stage at Bakhelti. Thereafter water will flow through gravity up to the Mashobra reservoir in which the water from the Nauti khud is stored. The total length of the pipeline would be 31.50 km. At present over 290 lakh litres of water is being provided to the residents of the capital from five sources. Thus, the availability of water will increase by 70 per cent. All the 16,807 census villages have already been provided drinking water in the pradesh. Out of 45,367 left out habitations, 38,729 were provided the facility by December 31, 2004. Efforts are afoot to cover the remaining habitation over the next three years. Besides, 1,750 partially covered habitations were provided the facility last year and 1,651 in 2003-04. The state government will spend Rs 461 crore on the water supply, sewerage and irrigation schemes and allied activities during the current financial year. Emphasis is being laid on providing safe drinking water to the partially covered habitations. The number of hand pumps installed in the state had also gone up to 14,000. The work on water augmentation schemes to supply water to 28 towns of the pradesh have also been completed. The Centre has also sanctioned 471 projects involving an expenditure of Rs 7.33 crore under the Swajal Dhara Programme recently. Out of 85 drinking water supply schemes sent for approval under NABARD, 42 have been sanctioned. It has also been decided that the Departments of Agriculture, Forest, Irrigation and Public Health and Rural Development will also be involved at the district level to identify villages where check dams could be built.
|
|
|
Nod to hydel projects may lead to unrest Shimla, May 1 The state has reasons to oppose the grant of environmental clearance unilaterally as the decision came even as the final meeting of the State Level Environment Impact Assessment and Monitoring Committee had been fixed for considering the case of environmental clearance to Parbati-III project and discussing corrective measures required to undo the colossal damage to the environment being caused in the Garsda and Manikaran valleys due to the construction of the Parbati-II project. The government has written a letter to the Managing Director of the National Hydel Power Corporation, which is executing both projects, that in case, tangible action is not taken in this regard it will be constrained not only to withhold its recommendation for environmental clearance of Parbati-III project but also to initiate appropriate legal action in case of Parbati-II project as per the provisions contained in the Environment Protection Act. It was pointed out in the letter that the environment management plan was not being adhered to and muck was being dumped in nullahs recklessly. Even the Pulia Nullah, where flashflood claimed 40 lives two years ago, was not spared. As far as the Chamera-III project is concerned the NHPC authorities had failed to conduct a proper public hearing. The government had asked the corporation to conduct the public hearing afresh after making all relevant information like location of dumping sites and the location where blasting will be done so that concerns of the local people could be taken care of. There are other related issues to be sorted out like minimum discharge to be released in the river, compensatory afforestation for trees to be felled and protection to fisheries. In case, the Centre fails to review its decision, all these issues will remain unaddressed. In such a situation the project could pose a serious threat to the fragile hill environment and lead to unrest among the local people. It could hamper the implementation of the projects.
|
|
|
Milking of natural resources eating into Chamba’s charm
Chamba, May 1 These enterprises have not been providing employment to the local people, which is unfortunate and betrayal of the interests of the local people. Resentment prevails among the masses of the region in this regard. The authorities concerned are giving environment clearance to these hydropower projects without giving proper thought to the invaluable ecology of the region. The greed of the government for so-called development of various hydropower projects, proposed cement plant and mining in the fragile slopes of the alpine Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh is eating into the magnificent old charm of Chamba. Set in the northern aspect of mighty Dhauladhars, Chamba valley, in fact, is replete with perennial wealth of tourism potential. Environmentalists, while taking strong excepting to the so-called hydropower developments that are going to take place in the coming years in Chamba — depository of ancient cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes and traditional lifestyle — have invited attention of the government towards the threat being faced by this scenic region due to these projects. A large population lives in villages and leads a comfortable and contented life. But, with the allotment of a number of hydropower projects in the length and breadth of the state, the very fabric of their life has been disturbed. It would result in hardship and degradation. The rivers that flow through the valley and are the lifelines of culture that has flourished here through centuries, will be affected. These proposed mini and micro hydro-projects have their share of misfortune for local populace and ecology of the area and the benefits are not proportionate to the hardships likely to be caused to the public. The region is witnessing destruction of all sorts and exploitation of natural wealth. Already irreparable damage has been caused by overexploitation of slate quarries by unscrupulous agencies whose aim had been to mint money. Sand and gravel are being lifted from the riverbed in huge quantities. It not only affects the flow of the river, but also make sand and stones unavailable for local construction. It may be observed here that the old town of Chamba is already under threat from the erratic flow of the Ravi, which is flooded during the rainy season and gushing water strikes against the boulders that support the town. A 2-MW powerhouse being fed by the waters of the Sal rivulet, near Chamba town, has completely drained the river in its lower run where it makes confluence with river the Ravi. |
|
Carriage tax on drugs anti-poor, say Chemists
Nurpur, May 1 The state government had issued a notification (EXN-Tax, 9998-10004) on April 23 directing the district-level Excise and Taxation Commissioners to collect Rs 5 a carriage tax per kg of pharmaceutical products and Rs 5 per 10 litres of packaged drinking water on their carriage. Taking strong exception to the imposition of the special carriage tax, the Himachal Pradesh Ayurvedic manufacturers Association alleged that it was an anti-poor and anti-patient decision. Mr Ashok Sharma and Mr Upendra Gupta, president and general secretary, respectively, in a statement here yesterday said that it would not only increase the prices of packaged syrups and other medicines but also hit the pharmacies (ayurvedic medicine units) in the state which had already facing closure due to the apathy of the state government. They alleged that the carriage tax had been imposed in an clandestine manner, even without the knowledge of the state Cabinet. They claimed that this cess would be against the basic spirit of the value-added tax (VAT) and hit the ongoing industrialisation revolution in the state. The association revocation of the notification in the larger interest of the patients and local drug industry. Meanwhile, a deputation of the local Chemists and Druggists Association yesterday met the Revenue Minister and local MLA, Mr Sat Mahajan, and urged him to take up the matter with the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh. |
|
Bollywood personalities to perform in Kangra
Dharamsala, May 1 Giving details of the event, Tourism Minister G.S. Bali said a crew of around 50 artistes would be coming to perform from Mumbai. It would include singers Kumar Sanu, Poornima, Babul Supriyo, Vinod Rathore, Shankar Sahney and Paritha. The tickets for the show would be available at all hotels of Tourism Development Corporation and bus stands of the HRTC, as both departments are the official sponsors of the nite. “A fashion show with 12 well-known models, including Miss India finalists, would be the first item of the evening. Traditional designs, including the bridal wear of Kangra, would also feature. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh would be the chief guest,” he said. Ms Nidhi Sharma, producer and director of the show, said a similar show would be organised in Ludhiana in the same week. The music directors would be performing with their own orchestra team and Archna Puran Singh would anchor the show,” she said.
|
|
Chief Engineer dumps debris into riverbed Parwanoo, May 1 The clandestine operation that has been going on for the past three weeks has not only endangered the bridge, but also created panic among villagers residing downstream. A visit by The Tribune team today revealed that a JCB machine and two trucks were busy smoothening a hillock to pave way for some plots. An area of about five bighas had been purchased by a Chief Engineer of the state electricity board and it was now being carved into plots. Its debris was being dumped in the riverbed a few metres away from the digging site. The villagers, who had reported the matter to PWD officials several times, said the debris was dumped every day from 6 pm to 5 am. The PWD workers working nearby said trucks dumping debris had broken the parapet near the bridge to facilitate dumping. Their efforts to stop them had met with no success, they said. Continuous dumping of debris has created a 15-20 m platform of loose soil at the site. Narayan Singh and Bidhi Chand said being a flood-prone area, it would adversely affect hundreds of houses during rains. With as much as one third of the riverbed near the bridge being filled with debris, the extent of damage would be colossal during rains, they said. Not only would it lead to the river changing its course, but also washing away of Kamli village where houses were constructed right across the riverbed, opined Narata Ram residing there. It posed danger to a housing board water lifting scheme located barely 150 m away. The scheme, which supplied water to the entire Parwanoo town, was severely disrupted a few years ago during rains. With villagers raising a hue and cry, the debris was also dumped at another site in a nullah a few metres ahead. This also posed danger to housing board’s water supply scheme as its pipes were laid across the nullah, opined villagers. Despite several complaints from the villagers, little had been done to check the menace. Local officials were afraid to book the Chief Engineer, opined villagers. Also endangered were about 15-20 jhuggi-dwellers, who worked at a nearby stone crusher. The XEN of the PWD, Mr R.K. Chaudhary, said he had directed his SDO to visit the site and submit a report, but it was yet to be received. He agreed the village pradhan and other locals had brought the matter to his notice a few days back. He said suitable legal action would be taken against the offender on receipt of the report and dumping work would be immediately stopped. Though neither the SDO nor the JE of the housing board were present at their office yesterday, the Superintendent said a notice had been issued to the offender. Another notice would be issued on Monday, he added. A copy had also been sent to the state Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board. It remains to be seen when officials would wake up to address the concern of hundreds of villagers.
|
|
|
Dhiman heads Public Accounts Committee
Shimla, May 1 The Public Accounts Committee will be headed by Mr Ishwar Dass Dhiman and have Major Vijai Singh Mankotia, Mrs Asha Kumari, Mr Sujan Singh, Mr Ramesh Chand, Mr Harbans Singh Rana, Mr Jagjivan Paul, Thakur Surender Pal, Mr Sukh Ram (Paonta-Doon), Mr Rohit Thakur and Mr Naveen Dhiman as members. The Public Undertakings Committee will be headed by Mr Brij Bihari Lal Butail and have Mr Ravinder Singh, Mr Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Mr Jai Ram Thakur, Mr Rakesh Verma, Dr Rajiv Bindal, Mr Karam Dev Dharmani, Mr Sukhvinder Singh, Mr Subhash Chand and Mr Sohan Lal Thakur as members. The Estimates Committee will have Mrs Chandresh Kumari as chairperson and Mr Sukh Ram, Mr Hari Narain Singh, Mr Ishwar Dass, Mr Tilak Raj, Mr Khimi Ram, Mr Bikram Singh, Mr Virender Kanwar, Mr Rakesh Kalia, Mr Sohan Lal and Mr Sadanand Chauhan as members. Mr Dharam Pal, Deputy Speaker will be the Chairman of Privileges Committee and Mr Ishwar Dass, Mr Harbans Singh Rana, Mr Mast Ram, Mr Atma Ram, Mr Rakesh Verma and Mr Khimi Ram as members. |
|
|
Centre, state govts termed anti-worker Shimla, May 1 Mr Tapan Dev, national secretary of the CITU, and main speaker at the rally, lambasted the UPA government for pursing anti-worker policies. He said the workers had to fight for their due at every step, which reflected the attitude of the government. He said the policy of liberalisation, globalisation and privatisation had hit the working class the most. There was at complete ban on recruitment and the profit-earning public sector units were being sold out to foreign companies by raising their equity holdings. Labour laws were being changed to the disadvantage of workers. In the information technology industry, the workers were being forced to perform duty for more than 12 hours. Mr Kashmir Singh Thakur, general secretary of the state unit of the CITU, said the situation was not different in the state and workers were at the receiving end. Instead of giving employment, workers were being retrenched. Mr Ravinder Kumar, chairman of the union, urged the government to fix minimum wages for workers of the hydroelectric projects. He said the state had betrayed the workers by not setting up a welfare board even after the enactment of a legislation in that respect by the Centre. Meanwhile, the state unit of the BJP has termed the Virbhadra Singh government as anti-worker and said it has thrown as many as 4,650 workers out of job over the past two years.
|
|
Garbage problem persists in Palampur
Palampur, May 1 Official sources say that the Municipal Council is finding no place to dump the garbage. Earlier it used to dump garbage in a forest near Kalu Di Hatti, 2 km from the town, but since it was a reserve forest, the authorities put a barbed wire fencing and served a notice on the Executive Officer of the council not to dump garbage in the forest. Since then the administration and municipal authorities have been trying to find a suitable place to dump the garbage but all in vain. |
|
One killed, 11 hurt in jeep accident
Nurpur, May 1 According to the police, which has registered an FIR against jeep driver Mohammad Ali, the accused was under the influence of liquor and failed to negotiate a curve at Chogan here. The driver of the jeep was also injured in the accident. The injured have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital. The marriage party was coming from Pardah village under Fatehpur tehsil to reach Khazan village near here.
|
|
|
Janartha is Civil Supplies Corpn MD Shimla, May 1 Mr Subhash Negi, Principle Secretary, PWD, has been given additional charge of Revenue following the retirement of Mr C.P. Pandey. Ms Upma Chaudhary, Secretary, Urban Development, has been given additional charge of Town and Country Planning, while Ms Bharti Sihal, Secretary, Agriculture, will hold additional charge of Animal Husbandry. Mr B.K. Aggarwal takes over as Divisional Commissioner, Kangra, on return from deputation.
|
| 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 | |
