 |
|
Monsoon session to be lively affair
Tourists face water problems in Triund
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Govt to have equity in power projects
Laying of sewers: HC directive to DC
Parking slots: HC directive to form probe panel
Protest against parking fee
Governor’s directive on Red Cross buildings
No-trust move against MC vice-president
Varsity cautions students
|
|
BJP’s memo to Kokje against Bali
Shimla, August 3 A delegation of the party led by Mr Ramesh Dhawala, president of the district unit, met Mr V.S. Kokje, Governor, in Raj Bhavan and handed over a memorandum urging him to order an impartial inquiry into the show, featuring Bollywood stars, which was organised to raise money for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The delegation impressed upon the Governor that Mr Bali misused his official position to forcibly collect funds from transporters, businessmen and contractors which made the “mega show” a “mega scandal”. Further, there were no numbers on the tickets and no proper account of the funds collected was maintained . While the money collected ran into crores of rupees, only Rs 31 lakh was deposited in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Since it would not be possible to hold an impartial inquiry until Mr Bali was in the government , he should be immediately removed as Transport Minister to facilitate a fair probe. While all the leaders of the Shanta camp, Mr Krishan Kapoor, Mr Dulo Ram, Mr Des Raj, Mr Vipin Parmar, Mr Harbans Rana and Praveen Sharma accompanied Mr Dhawala, the prominent supporters of the rival Dhumal camp, Mr Ravinder Ravi, Mr Rakesh Pathania and Mrs Sarveen Chaudhary, were conspicuous by their absence.
|
|
Monsoon session to be lively affair
Shimla, August 3 The BJP has been attacking the government on the inept handling of the flood situation and accusing it of being indifferent to the woes of the people of Kinnaur district, large parts of which are still cut off. The session will provide the party an opportunity to raise the issue effectively in the House. The focus will be on problems being faced by farmers in transporting peas and apple crops due to disruption of road links and the inadequate relief provided by the Centre. The UPA government at the Centre will also come under attack as the BJP has already dubbed the Parechu lake disaster a diplomatic failure and blamed its indifferent attitude for the lack of authentic information regarding the water body formed by blockade of river in Tibet. The party is likely to target Mr G.S. Bali, Transport Minister, and Mr Ram Lal Thakur, on the issue of corruption. It has been gunning for the two ministers and had demanded a CBI probe into the charges against them. The stage has already been set with the Kangra district unit of the BJP submitting a memorandum to Mr V.S. Kokje, Governor, demanding an inquiry into the Mumbai musical blast organised by Mr Bali in Kangra on the eve of the session. The routine issues like failure to provide employment, financial health of the government and deteriorating law and order situation, particularly the acid throwing case in Mandi and the ruckus created by an IAS officer at Solan will also be raised. Besides the burning issues, important legislative business will also be transacted during the session. At least half-a-dozen bills are likely to be passed. The most important of them is the state groundwater regulation, control and management bill which will go a long way in ensuring scientific exploitation of the ground water in the hill state. Equally important is the Shimla Municipal Corporation Amendment Bill to enhance penalty for offences relating to felling of trees and failure to obtain sewerage connection. The state Municipal Amendment Bill to delete the clause debarring those having more than two children from contesting municipal elections will also be passed. The bills to replace the professional tax amendment ordinance and the state value added tax amendment ordinance will be passed during the session There will be five sittings in all and so far 325 questions have been received. The BJP Legislative Party is holding a meeting late this evening to finalise its strategy for the session, while the Congress will meet tomorrow. |
|
|
Tourists face water problems in Triund
Dharamsala, August 3 While trekkers are forced to carry potable water with them all the way up to the 2,842-metre pt, it is virtually impossible to find parking place in McLeodganj during tourist season, especially after the traffic police has launched a massive drive to check haphazard parking in the area. Almost all basic amenities are missing in Triund, which has been developed as a tourist spot since 1994 and is a favourite trekking spot for tourists coming to Dharamsala. Hundreds of foreigners trek to the snow-covered place every season, said Mr Prem Sagar of Eagle Height Trekkers in McLeodganj. Mr Vikas Labru, district tourism officer, said the Tourism Department was in the processing of identifying a parking lot in McLeodganj and the problem would soon be solved. “We have shortlisted three sites and the Forest Department has been contacted for transfer of land. A sum of Rs 50 lakh has already been sanctioned for the project. We are also working on providing proper streetlighting system,” he said. On the unavailability of drinking water in Triund, he said they were in the process of finalising a water supply scheme, wherein water would be brought to Triund from the Illaka mountain base, which was at a height of 3,100 metres. Even though Illaka is not a perennial water source, the Lhas cave, at a height of 3,350 metres could be developed as a good source of drinking water to Triund. Initially, four public toilets would be provided in the area, besides a solar electricity system, setting up of two camping sites and addition of four toilets to the forest rest house in Triund. A total of Rs 40 lakh has been sanctioned and work would soon start on the project,” he said. Mr Labru informed that the Tourism Department had launched a major drive in collaboration with the police to check the business of unregistered rest houses in McLeodganj and its adjoining Dharankot and Bhagsunag. He further said a decision had been taken to put up barbed wires around the Khajjiar Lake in Chamba and to provide walking tracks for tourists. A trekker’s hut, which was a heritage building, would also be spruced up.
|
|
|
Govt to have equity in power projects
Shimla, August 3 These are the salient features of the power policy guidelines approved by the state Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, here today. As per the policy, the equity participation could extend up to a maximum of 49 per cent. The policy also lays stress on time-bound clearance of projects. It was decided that all the micro-hydel projects be cleared within the next four months so that these could be allotted at the earliest for execution. The rates of royalty from private sector projects had also been fixed. The government will be entitled to 12 per cent free power as royalty for the first 10 years, 18 per cent up to 30 years and 30 per cent up to 40 years, thereafter the project will go back to the government. It also gave its nod to the revised special area development plan for Trilokpur in Sirmaur district for ensuring systematic and planned development of the religious place. The Cabinet also discussed the draft bill for setting up the ICFAI university but it was not cleared and it sought clarifications on some points. Creation of 23 posts of teaching and non-teaching staff from Government Degree College, Rajgarh, and a post of programme officer in the Social Justice Department were approved. |
|
Laying of sewers: HC directive to DC
Solan, August 3 Expressing concern at the manner in which the sewage pipes are being laid, Dr Bindal had filed the petition. It had pointed out that since the 1991 census figures had been taken into account while designing the project, it would cater to a population of 21,231 only. The scheme had been designed for a period of 30 years with projected population of 49,776 persons. The inordinate delay had led to mere initiation of the treatment plant by 2000 and by now only phase-B work of laying pipes was being executed. The fact that Rs 12 crore had been incurred on a single phase, the entire three-phase work would entail an expenditure of Rs 25 crore as against the projected estimate of Rs 4 crore. “The town has an estimated population of 35,000 where there is an added floating population of 60,000, while the scheme has been devised for merely 21,231 persons. Not only this, the digging work carried out in various parts of the town has led to pits which have been endangering life. The sewage pipes which lack a considerable diameter have been laid close to water pipes raising the concern of locals.” The MLA has demanded one-time release of grant for this scheme for speedy work and laying of a service lane throughout the town for the water and electricity lines. |
|
|
Parking slots: HC directive to form probe panel
Shimla, August 3 While passing the order, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V.K. Gupta and Mr Justice Deepak Gupta observed that “our intention is to know whether the principle of Article 14 of the Constitution of India has been followed while granting the contract to the
above said firm”. This order came on a petition wherein the petitioner had urged the court to direct the state government to construct more parking slots in Shimla. The court had directed the state government to find out new places for the construction of parking places in the town. Pursuant to these directions, the state government engaged the services of the above said firm for consultancy services for the construction of six parking slots for Rs 10 lakh. The Bench after hearing all the parties directed the Chief Secretary to inquire into the matter and file an affidavit by August 17. |
|
|
Protest against parking fee
Dharamsala, August 3 Mr Balbir Choudhary, vice-president of the Kalyara panchayat, said that the imposition of the fee was unfair as patients from economically weaker sections came to the government hospitals for treatment. It being rainy season, most patients come in taxis or their own cars. But they are not allowed in until they paid the charges. At least the emergency should be spared of the parking fee and entry charges considering the urgency of those coming there, said Mr Choudhary. Kanwar M. P. Singh of Jan Chetna also met with hospital authorities to demand withdrawal of the entry charges and parking fee. “The Medical Superintendent told us that although he had cancelled the agreement with the contractor regarding parking fee, he claimed to have sought stay from the local court. As far as hospital authorities are concerned, they say there is no need to pay parking fee,” he said.
|
|
Governor’s directive on Red Cross buildings
Shimla, August 3 The Governor issued the directions during his visit to the Red Cross building at Dhalli near here. He stressed the need to ensure people’s participation in the welfare activities related to the handicapped and orphan children, besides generating funds. He said the people should donate liberally so that such noble activities could be carried out in an effective manner. The Governor also visited the deaf and dumb home at Dhalli and enquired about the facilities being provided there. |
|
No-trust move against MC vice-president
Nahan, August 3 Today, a notice of no-confidence was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Sirmour, Mr R.S. Negi, by the six elected members under the leadership of Ms Pramita Dhiman, president of the MC. Out of a total of 11 members, seven have signed the no-confidence motion notice. The six members who met the Deputy Commissioner here were Ms Pramita Dhiman, Mr Naresh Khapra, Mr Shiv Singh Aswal, Ms Neelu Singhal, Mr Avtar Singh Tari and Ms Kesar Kaur. |
|
Varsity cautions students
Shimla, August 3 Dr V.D. Sharma, Registrar, said that the students seeking admission in the college would do so at their own risk and the university shall not be responsible for any problems they might face subsequently.
|
|
|
Youth killed in accident Kumarhatti, August 3 Khem Chand (26), driving the scooter, was killed on the spot, while Raj Kumar (25), riding pillion, got injured. He was admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh. Khem Chand hailed from Manjhoto village. Ram Ratan, driver of pik-up van fled. However, he surrendered before the police today. A case under Sections 279 and 304-A, IPC, has been registered against him.
|
| 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 | |
