H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Rs 3 crore for land development plan
Mandi, November 19
The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Subhashis Panda, said that over five hectare of barren land in nine panchayats would be brought under Aggregated Wasteland Development programme in Sundernagar subdivision.

Engineering college students stage dharna
Nahan, November 19
Hundreds of students of IIT College of Engineering of Kala Amb came out of their classes yesterday to protest against the alleged action of the college management in pressurising some students to change their trade just one month ahead of their first terminal examination.

• Cold wave grips Kinnaur, Spiti
• Town Planning Act likely

Rs 3 crore for land development plan
Tribune News Service

Mandi, November 19
The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Subhashis Panda, said that over five hectare of barren land in nine panchayats would be brought under Aggregated Wasteland Development (AWD) programme in Sundernagar subdivision.

Inaugurating AWD programme at Bharari village in the subdivision yesterday Mr. Panda said the government is spending Rs. 3 crore under the programme in the district till 2010. In all, Chambi, Jaidevi, Thalota, Jhirir, Doldhar, Porakohti, Dumatvalley, Maloh and Manwar panchyats in the subdivision will be brought under it, he added and urged the gram panchayat pardhans and villagers to take part in the programme.

The project officer, DRDA, Mr Tashi Sandup, said that the run-off on the slopes would be stored in small dams and tanks, and water will be used for re-charging the watershed. The water sources, which had been dried up will be revived.

Engineering college students stage dharna
Our Correspondent

Nahan, November 19
Hundreds of students of IIT College of Engineering of Kala Amb came out of their classes yesterday to protest against the alleged action of the college management in pressurising some students to change their trade just one month ahead of their first terminal examination.

The students staged a dharna in the college campus and shouted slogans against the management. They threatened to sit on a hunger strike if the management did not amend its behaviour and stop harassing the students just to hide the mistakes made by the management for one reason or the other, students charged.

It was alleged by the students that the management was forcing six students to change their trade from Electronics Communication to the other trades where seates were lying vacant.

The management had admitted six students more in this trade, which was in excess to the seates allowed by the government to the college authorities.

The first terminal examination of this year was due in the month of January next as per the students. Despite several efforts, the management did not utter any word on this issue.

Cold wave grips Kinnaur, Spiti
Tribune News Service

Reckong Peo, November 19
Kinnaur and the Spiti valley are reeling under a cold wave following reports of fresh snowfall on the higher reaches of the Himalayas, including Kinner Kailash and the entire hill region bordering Tibet, disturbing the normal life of people.

People living in the upper areas of the Sangla valley and Pooh subdivision in Kinnaur and the Spiti valley lay shivering with snowfall reported from different places. Snowy and stormy winds have forced the people of these areas to remain indoors.

Town Planning Act likely
Our Correspondent

Chowari (Chamba), November 19
Taking into account the present affairs in the underdeveloped townships of Chowari and Sinhuta where the constructions are fast mushrooming, the state government is contemplating to extend the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act for the planned development before the industrial concept penetrates into these townships.