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“Jagati Puchch” to decide fate of ski village
Power project drying up water bodies
NHAI to speed up demolition drive
Bhattiyat residents look for healthcare
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Forest fires may be a thing of past
Family members of martyr Lt-Col Kaman Singh Pathania in a cheerful mood after receiving a letter from the Army authorities for the renaming of Aman Setu as Kaman Aman Setu at Kandrori-Surajpur village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday.
— Tribune photo by Bipin Bhardwaj.
Drug units in residential areas
Admn demands helicopter to rescue people
Make up power board, road corpn losses, plan panel tells state
Students may resist MoU with varsities
JBT, ETT courses from outside HP not recognised
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“Jagati Puchch” to decide fate of ski village
Kulu, January 22 Mr Maheshwar Singh, descendent of the erstwhile rulers of Kulu, said this here yesterday at a media conference at the local Circuit House. Mr Maheshwar Singh is also the Kardar (caretaker) of the chief deity of Kulu, Raghunath Ji, and has the powers to call the “Jagati Puchch”. Mr Maheshwar Singh said there were set norms to call the “Jagati Puchch” under the “Dev-Riti” of the valley and only the local deities could ask for the “Jagati Puchch”. He said the “Jagati Puchch” could be arranged on the request of the local deities at three places if Devtas foresee some natural calamities or danger to the people of the valley. For the small matters, the “Jagati Puchch” could be organised at Raghunath temple here. The second type was a routine “Puchch” after four-five years during the Dasehra festival at the Dhalpur ground. And the third, the most important of all, is called at Jagati Pat in Naggar village. The “Jagati Puchch” symbolises the assembly of Gods and Goddesses at a fixed venue where the deities decide the future plans for the safety and welfare of the people of the valley after intensive counselling and discussions. This is an open court where “Gurs” of many local deities sit in the meeting as the representatives of the respective deity and it is believed that the speech and words they speak are the words of the deity. The decision taken by the collective verdict is final and accepted by the people of the valley. Mr Maheshwar Singh said he, being the representative of the chief deity, invited the opposite party to attend the “Jagati Puchch”. The last time when a “Jagati Puchch” was organised was in 1970 while the Kulu Valley faced a severe draught. The February 16 “Jagati Puchch” would be called after 35 years and the first one in this century. |
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Power project drying up water bodies
Machhial, January 22 The villagers have gathered under the banner of the Uhal Project Visthapit-Prabhavit Berozgar Sangh (UPVPBS). The JVNL has acquired over 199 bighas in Balh, Chilarhag, Khuddar Dak Bagla Kundini and Konsal, but the government is yet to pay compensation to the affected villagers. “The JVNL is constructing the 8.5-km-long tunnel which has dried up the water sources in the surroundings,” they say. Sangh chief, Capt Janak Chand Katoch says that over 21 houses have developed cracks, while over 400 bighas of cultivable land have been acquired for the project. “We need a sustained water supply, suitable compensation and employment for oustees in the project”, he says. The sangh has even charged Mandi politicians, including a local Jogindernagar MLA with playing dual role and issuing “employment on chits, not to the oustees, but ones who toe his line” in the project. “We have got compensation at the rate of Rs 2 lakh per bigha at Chulah, where over 105 bighas of land has been acquired for the construction of power house, a colony and pen stock”, claim oustees. “The government should pay Rs 50 lakh per bigha for the cultivable land,” they demand. The blasting for the tunnel is damaging houses. “My house has developed crack due to the blasting, but I got Rs 7000 as compensation”, says farmer Sain Das. “We fear to live in the house. Can one rebuild a house with Rs 7000”, ask Bela Ram and Suniunu Ram, whose houses have developed cracks. Even the muck and dirt of the Uhal project is polluting Machhial, a home to the sacred Sri Machhindranath shrine, where fish are worshipped, claim sangh members. Superintending Engineer, JVNL, O.P. Kapur says: “We have diverted the water and muck from the tunnel through a pipeline to take it out downstream from here so that it doesn’t pollute the river”. The JVNL has constructed water tanks, street lights, foot paths, two footbridges in the affected area”. The farmers have been paid a compensation worth Rs 2.45 crore for 105 bighas in Chulah. The award for other villages is being processed. Land Acquisition Collector-cum- Commissioner, Mandi, D.P. Verma says: “We have sent a report to the government for approval of the award for six villages of Balh, Khuddar, Kundini, Chilarg, Dak Bagla and Kounsal, where 199 bighas have been acquired for the project. |
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NHAI to speed up demolition drive
Palampur, January 22 In the past one month, the NHAI had identified the unauthorised constructions and also procured the details and record from the Revenue Department. In the first phase of the drive, the NHAI had served notices on 84 encroachers between Kalu Di Hatti and the Baijnath portion of the NH-21. This portion of the highway comprises two major towns — Baijnath and Paprola — of the region. The authorities had given one-week time to all illegal occupants to remove their structures and after the expiry of the period, the NHAI would take up demolition drive with the help the police and use JCB machines. Over three dozen shops and a panchayat market at Paprola were likely to be demolished by the NHAI. Likewise, 40 shops at Baijnath would also be demolished. The majority of shopkeepers in these two towns have been in possession of these shops for the past 35 years, when this road was under the control of the HPPWD. Meanwhile, residents of Baijnath and Paprola have decided to oppose the proposed demolition drive of the NHAI. Many shopkeepers said when they constructed these shops no one objected and they continued their business without any hitch for 40 years in these shops. They said if the government was really committed to implement the order of the Supreme Court, it should provide them with an alternative site. |
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Bhattiyat residents look for healthcare
Chowari (District Chamba): January 22 Set in the foothills of northern ranges of the Dhauladhars, the picturesque Bhattiyat valley lacks transportation services though private bus services meet local needs of transportation. There is no interstate bus service, linking the area with Chandigarh, Hardwar and Delhi. Delhi is the country’s capital and Hardwar holy place for the immersion of remains of departed souls. Buses on these routes, should be started. It can bring Ganeshgarh and Taragarh on the tourism map. The entire valley is full of beauty spots and landscapes on the high altitudes. The area does not have divisional offices of the Public Works Department, Irrigation and Public Health Department, Divisional Forest Office, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB), regional office of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation. Due to this, development of the area has been suffering. Residents also demand a sub-divisional-level civil court, as they have to go to Chamba for court work. These offices can be accommodated by constructing a mini-secretariat at Chowari, the sub-divisional headquarters of Bhattiyat. Supply of cooking gas (LPG) is received either from Dalhousie or from Shahpur (Kangra district). There is neither any gas agency nor any depot of the Civil Supplies Department in the Bhattiyat area. Garnota, a place where helipad and a mini-stadium can be constructed and for the purpose, the government land is available, officials say. Helicopter services can be provided in case of emergency from this place. Sports activities can also be encouraged by raising a mini-stadium here. The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) building at Garnota was completed three years ago, but vocational trades have not been started for the local educated youths. Inaccessible six panchayats namely Bandla, Chadi, Bhariyan-Kothi, Jatkari, Kolka and Kupada, which do not have roads need to be connected by roads. |
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Forest fires may be a thing of past
Shimla, January 22 The highly inflammable DPNs are a major fire hazard in the state which has pine forests over an area of 1.5 lakh hectares. On an average a hectare of pine forest yields about 1.5 tonne of DPNs and every season , from April and May, over 2 lakh tonne of DPNs is produced. These get deposited on the floor, making forests prone to fires. Further, the thick layer of DPNs hampers the growth of fodder on the forest floor. The Forest Department spends crores of rupees every year on control measures to prevent fires but with little success. However, the utilisation of this hazardous forest waste for items of mass use like water cooler pads, floor covering, ceiling tiles and door mats is likely to provide a permanent solution to the problem. A proposal to set up a water cooler pad unit and other products submitted by the Himalayan Pinegold Resins and Chemicals Limited is already under consideration of the government. To begin with the company will produce water cooler pads and the process will enable it to extract lignin chemicals in the form of sodium lingo sulphate as byproduct. There are about 50 compounds of lignin which have wide applications in industries. At present these chemicals are being imported. The cooler pads made from DPNs have been found more effective than wood wool being currently used and have other advantages. The water absorption is more than 100 per cent and the fibres bound by an adhesive do not clog the water pump. It will have a life of three to four seasons. |
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Renaming Aman Setu brings cheers to martyr’s kin
Kandrori-Surajpur, January 22 After receiving a letter from Lt-Gen M.C. Bhandari, Director-General, Garhwal Rifles and Garhwal Scouts, regarding the renaming of Aman Setu as Kaman Aman Setu, the joy of the Pathania family knew no bounds. The family, along with its relatives, friends and villagers, celebrated the renaming of Aman Setu (a bridge of peace) after nine months of their ordeal. In the letter, General Bhandari, said Lt-Col Kaman Singh Pathania had been a guiding light not only to the Garhwalis but also to the entire Indian Army. The name of the bridge was changed from Kaman Bridge to Aman Setu by the Central Government during the Indo-Pak peace process in April, 2005, thus hurting the sentiments of the family of the martyr. While talking to The Tribune, Mrs Dayawanti Pathania, widow of the martyr, expressed thanks to the defence authorities for renaming the bridge over the K.D. Nullah that flows along the LoC in Uri Sector of Srinagar. Mrs Pathania said: “The government should not dishonour martyrs by removing or renaming their memorials. After spending over nine months in pain, the letter regarding the renaming of the historical bridge as Kaman Aman Setu has brought me peace,” she claimed. “We received a major jolt when we came to know that Kaman Bridge has been renamed as Aman Setu. We ran from pillar to post to get the actual name of the bridge restored that was constructed in the memory my father who sacrificed his life for the nation. We approached Ms Sonia Gandhi, Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh besides Dr Sanjay Singh, president of the All-India Kashtriya Mahan Sabha, and other top political leaders,” claimed Mr Kamaljit Singh Pathania, younger son of the martyr. Two other sons of the martyr, Lt-Col Narinder Singh Pathania (retd) and Lt-Col Daljit Singh Pathania (retd), have expressed their gratitude to the defence authorities, especially Lt-Gen A.S. Jamwal for taking up the issue with higher defence authorities for restoring the actual name of the bridge. Mr Bharat Singh, a villager, said the villagers were disappointed when the government renamed the bridge from Kaman Bridge to Aman Setu. “Renaming and removing of memorials of martyrs, who lost their lives for the motherland, would discourage the young generation to join the Army. Moreover, such decisions would rather disappoint the ex-servicemen community and scores of families of martyrs who had lost their family members forever throughout the country”, villagers opined. |
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Drug units in residential areas
Solan, January 22 A question mark has been put on their safety with Wednesday’s incidence when a blast led to fire and destruction in a new industrial unit. Not only has the building developed cracks, its surrounding structures too have been shaken with the blast. A pharmaceutical unit housed amidst the residential areas had to be shifted at Poanta Sahib when locals resented against it. Interestingly pharma units are supposed to leave as much as 50 per cent space for maintaining green space and floor area is proportional to the total space. In contrast these units have conveniently by-passed these crucial norms. With the use of hazardous chemicals and equipments which maintain high temperatures, safety of the residents living in the vicinity has become a moot question. Officials in the Industries Department revealed that as many as 17 new pharmaceutical units are being set up in Solan town alone. A majority of them have hired premises of private buildings to run the units. New units have come up at Deonghat, Saproon, Kather bypass, Rajgarh Road, etc. , in the town. It is interesting to note that while the local municipal committee has not accorded any permission to run any such unit many of them have already begun production. The Executive Officer of the municipal committee, Mr B.R.Negi, while agreeing that no such permission had been granted by the committee said no such case had ever come before them. He said running a commercial establishment within a residential area was not just a violation of the by-laws but the committee would serve notices to all such offenders. |
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Admn demands helicopter to rescue people
Reckong Peo, January 22 Revealing this to The Tribune, Dr Amandeep Garg, District Magistrate, said that he had written to the Department of General Administration and Tribal Development to send a helicopter to rescue the people who were trapped in the recent snowfall. He said at least 15 persons of the Spiti valley and 19 people of Hungrung village in upper Kinnaur were trapped in snowfall at Reckong Peo. There were reports that a few people of Kinnaur district were also trapped in the Spiti valley. However, there were no reports of tourists trapped in the snowfall anywhere in the district. |
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Make up power board, road corpn losses, plan panel tells state
Shimla, January 22 The commission during the meeting for finalisation of the annual plan took notice of the fact that the financial position of the electricity board had worsened after the government withdrew the free power available to it from various projects as royalty and called for taking steps to reduce exorbitant employee cost which was the highest in the country. |
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Students may resist MoU with varsities
Shimla, January 22 It is for the first time that the universities had been asked to sign an MoU, which calls for steps like the abolition of vacant posts, increase in income through periodical hike in fees and other charges, implementation of contributory pension scheme for fresh recruits and making it mandatory for the universities to seek approval of the Finance Department for new expenditure. The fund-starved universities have been asked to sign the document to avail enhanced grant. Further, there will be no annual increase in the grant for the next three years. The functioning of the institutions, including the implementation of the MoU, will be reviewed after three years for the revision of grant. Signing the MoU will fetch Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) an additional grant of Rs 5.20 crore. It is at present getting Rs 19 crore and the amount will go up to Rs 24.20 crore. The university is facing a shortfall of about Rs 7 crore and even after the hike in grant, it will continue to face a deficit of about Rs 3 crore. To wipe out the deficit, the university will have to take steps to curtail expenditure and increase income. Reeling under constant pressure from students and employees bodies, the university authorities have, in the past, failed to take any such steps. The Students Federation of India has already threatened to start a state-wide agitation to force the authorities to drop the move to sign the MoU. Dr
L.R.Verma, Vice-Chancellor, HPU, said so far no decision had been taken on the matter and the university had only received the MoU from the government. It would be put up before the various bodies like the academic council, the finance committee and the executive council. It was a policy matter and their acceptance was essential. Officials of the university pointed out that there was no provision in the statutes and ordinances for signing an MoU with the government. They were of the opinion that such a document could not be signed without amending them. However, the question is whether the fund-starved university could make do without the additional grant and afford ignoring the MoU. It could receive enhanced grant without MoU only is if the government relents and waives the conditions. |
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JBT, ETT courses from outside HP not recognised
Shimla, January 22 Mr B.M. Nanta, Director of Elementary Education, said that it had come to the notice of the government that some institutions in neighbouring states were opening their study centres in Himachal and enrolling students for JBT and ETT courses giving an impression that these courses were recognised by the state government. In fact, the state conducted its own competitive examination for admission to JBT course and the students obtaining diplomas from outside the state were not considered for appointment in the state. Further, no ETT course had been envisaged in the state and there was no ETT cadre in the Education Department. |
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