The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Baspa-II project restarts power generation Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service Karcham (Kinnaur), May 4 Power generation in the 300 MW Baspa-II Hydro Electric Project here has begun after a gap of more than three months, giving some relief to the northern states from the ongoing power crisis. The production of electricity in this 100 per cent private venture owned by Jaypee Hydro Power Corporation Limited was shut down after its switchyard was damaged in landslides triggered by heavy snowfall and rain on January 19. According to Mr K.P. Sharma, president-cum-Chief of Project, the powerhouse was at present generating on an average 220 MW of power, which was likely to increase to its maximum capacity of 300 MW in the next couple of weeks. The volume of water in the river was less at this point of time and that had lowered the production of power. Given the present weather conditions, the volume of water in the river was likely to increase in the next few days followed by an automatic increase in the production of power to its maximum capacity. Meanwhile, Col A.S. Ghumman, Assistant General Manager (P&A) of Jaypee Hydro Power Corporation Limited, revealed that the total loss to company on account of suspension of power generation during the past over three months, the loss of machinery and expenditure incurred on the repair of the switchyard was more than Rs 300 crore. The fresh machinery installed in the switchyard was imported from France and a few other countries, he said. He said the total loss to the company on the water barrage site at Kupa in Sangla valley during floods in June last year had so far been estimated at Rs 100 crore. The walls and gates of the tunnel were damaged in the floods. Col Ghumman said the restoration and strengthening work on the barrage site had almost been completed, except for the completion of construction work on a few walls that would take another couple of weeks. An estimated sum of more than Rs 90 crore had already been spent on this work, he said. Adding that the power company has also made efforts to tackle the problem of silt in Baspa, he said the river bed in an area of more than 551 metres had been strengthened with concrete and 15-metre deep sheet piling, the material of which was imported. “The underneath slabs made of metal sheets will prevent silt and sand from moving further into the flow of water to the power house through the tunnel”, said Col Ghumman. He further revealed that more than 2,000 personnel, including officials and engineers of the company, had been put on task after the floods to repair the tunnel gates and strengthen the riverbed and run-through water reservoir. This huge manpower carried out the work throughout the day and night in two shifts even under harsh weather conditions to enable the power project to begin generation.
	Panel to evaluate success of power projects Tribune News Service Shimla, May 4 Concerned over the indifferent implementation of the catchment area treatment plan (CAT), Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister, today announced that an independent high-level committee of experts would be set up to evaluate the success of plantation campaigns launched in the state over the years. The committee would submit its report to the government within a month. Presiding over a meeting of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture of the Government of India and the Himachal Pradesh Government, to review the progress in exploitation of hydro electric potential of the state here he emphasised the need for adopting latest techniques like tissue culture for raising plant material. The Chief Minister said environmental aspect was vital as degradation of hills in any respect would have long-term implications for the state. The hydro electric companies should execute the CAT plans in their project areas more effectively to show visible results on the ground. He said it was the responsibility of project authorities to restore the damage caused to environment due to the construction activity and they should carry out additional plantation work to check soil erosion. He also directed the forest authorities of the state to regularly inspect all plantation sites. Mr Virbhadra Singh stressed that the project authorities should deposit the entire amount with the state government for the effective implementation of the CAT plans so that a master plan could be formulated for completing the task in a time bound manner. He also emphasised the need for developing quality nurseries in the government and the private sector to produce quality planting material. He said the government was concerned about the implementation of the condition of 70 per cent employment to local people in all hydel projects, besides rehabilitation of the affected families. He said the project authorities must employ atleast one member from each affected family who had given their land for the project. He said the state government had made some amendments in the Relief and Rehabilitation Plan and families left with upto five bighas of land also qualified to be in the category of the landless. He further added that the project authorities also needed to contribute towards the local developmental requirements of the people of the area and a provision of 1.5 per cent of the total project cost had been made mandatory for spending over such activities by every project. The Chief Minister asked the authorities to refrain from acquiring irrigated land of the farmers for colonies and other avoidable construction activities. He said the cultivable land needed to be saved for the farming activities.
	Rs 11 cr to be spent on watersheds Tribune News Service Dharamsala, May 4 A state level agriculture officers’ workshop on kharif crops was held at CSK Agricultural University in Palampur today. Addressing around 200 officers from the State Department of Agriculture and scientists from the university, Mr Raj Krishan Gaur, Minister of Agriculture, who was the chief guest, said the state government had decided to adopt the Model Marketing Act enacted by the Central Government in totality. This would end the exploitation of farmers by middlemen. The Department of Agriculture, he said, had fixed the food grain production target at 10.6 lakh tonnes in the kharif season and Rs11 crore would be made available for the development of 37 watersheds in the state. The Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project was to be reintroduced in seven districts of the state for the benefit of the farmers, he added. The minister said good results had been achieved in the field of agricultural crop diversification, vegetable, oil seed and pulses production. He said efforts should be made to decrease the cost of production to maximise farm income. Mr Gaur exhorted the university to make efforts for the quick transfer of relevant technology to the farmers. The minister also called for making farmers aware about organic farming, making available quality seeds, etc. Dr D.S. Rathore, Vice-Chancellor, said 71 per cent of population was dependent on agriculture in Himachal Pradesh and there were over 8 lakh unemployed youths registered with employment exchanges. Hence it was imperative to make farming remunerative. He said his university was making all out efforts to popularise the cultivation of high value cash crops, rain water harvesting, vermin-composting, mushroom cultivation, bee keeping and quality seed production so that harvests became more profitable. Dr J.C. Rana, Director of Agriculture, elaborated on various plans for the ensuing kharif season. He said one lakh soil health cards would be made available to the farmers.
	Development plan to curb illegal structures Our Correspondent Dalhousie, May 4 The implementation of the development plan for Dalhousie recently is surely going to curb the unplanned and uncontrolled development in the hill station of Dalhousie. As a sequel to this, the evil designs of construction and land mafia have been smashed. In order to ensure planned and regulated development of the town, the development plan for Dalhousie approved by the Government of Himachal Pradesh has started making headway taking into account the problems and potential of physical growth trends and government policies. The development plan contains provisions for a projected population of 8,976 people which is anticipated to occupy the Dalhousie planning area comprising of 766 hectares by the end of 2021. Out of this, 536 hectares is under government and private forests and 8.82 hectares under water bodies. According to official sources, the development plan envisages developing an additional land of 87.09 hectares to meet the requirements of various urban uses by the end of plan period. Each phase shall be of a five-year duration. The total cost for implementation of the development proposals of this plan is estimated to be Rs 20.18 crore.
	Medical interns work 30 hours without break Vibhor Mohan Tribune News Service Dharamsala, May 4 Medical students doing internship at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College here are a harried lot because of the long duty hours and poor working conditions. Fed up with the treatment being meted out to them, some interns have sent an anonymous complaint to the Principal of the college. During the course of inquiry conducted last week, none of the interns corroborated the charges for fear of getting poor assessment even though in private they stick to their guns. When contacted, the interns said for them night duty meant being on the job for over 30 hours without a break, without getting a day off the next day. “We go at 9 am and come back the next day at 6 pm, which is not fair,” said an intern on the condition of anonymity. Another intern added that even the daily duty hours from 9 am to 6 pm leave them stressed out. “Our duty goes beyond the hospital schedule of 9 am to 4 pm. In some medical colleges, the interns are on duty from 8 am to 2 pm only,” she said. With half-a-dozen interns in one duty room, which has no provision for taking a bath, it is hard for them to freshen up for the day after a night duty and continue to be on the job. A day off after night duty is a basic necessity, she said. Even the casualty medical officers in the same hospital get a day off a day before and a day after the night duty, said another intern. The interns said they did not speak out openly during inquiry for fear of getting poor assessment, as then they would have to repeat the internship process. Nearly 50 students are on internship at the zonal hospital here. Dr N.K. Kaushik, Principal, told The Tribune that he found substance in the grievance of the medical students on internship and had ordered immediate remedial measures. “The interns can now go back after morning round following the night shift for a day off. The duty has also been staggered by having only one intern instead of two on a night,” he said. The interns, however, pointed out that the orders regarding the day off after night was yet to translate on the ground and the strength of night interns had been reduced only in the Medicine Department and things had not changed in the Gynaecology Department. “As no order has been issued in black and white, the Heads of Department are continuing with the old schedule even after the inquiry,” said an intern.
	Drought-like situation damages crops Kuldeep Chauhan Tribune News Service Mandi, May 4 Drought-like situation has damaged over 20-40 per cent of crops of pulses, oil seeds, vegetables, wheat and fruit in the region for past one month. According to the Horticulture Department, drought-like situation has damaged over 30-40 per cent of crops in the district. “Earlier, sowing of cereals was delayed. Then spell of bad weather damaged crops of vegetables, wheat, oil seeds and pulses in development blocks in Hamirpur, Bilaspur and parts of Kulu districts, said officials. Though farmers in most of the 10 blocks have reported over 20 per cent damage to crops, but farmers in Sundernagar, Gopalpur, Drang and Gohar blocks have reported over 30-40 per cent damage to crops this season, reveal reports. Mandi MPs Mrs Pratibha Singh and Congress president and Kangra MP Mrs Viplove Thakur, who were on tour of Mandi district for the past three days here have assured the drought-hit farmers to take up the matter with the Centre and demand relief for farmers. Crop of mango has been hit by over 30 per cent in the lower belt in Mandi, Hamirpur, said Mr S.K. Guleria, owner of mango grove from Balh in Mandi. “Oil seeds like mustard, wheat and vegetable have been damaged due to the lack of rain during sowing time and after that,” he added. Deputy Director, Agriculture, Dr S.K. Katoch said over 20-40 per cent damage had been reported from the district due to prevailing drought-like situation this season. “The department has sent a report to the Revenue Department. Even sowing was delayed due to lack of rain. As relief to farmers, the government has offered over 50 per cent subsidies on seed of vegetables and other hybrid crops, but the farmers could not buy it due to lack of rain this season,” he added.
	Starved of funds, sanctuaries get neglected Tribune News Service Shimla, May 4 The Centre has made it clear to the Himachal Government that no funds will be granted for the management of five wildlife sanctuaries which continue to be under the control of the territorial wing of the forest department. The Centre has been asserting that for proper management the protected areas must be kept under the wildlife wing. However, the state had been reluctant to transfer the control of important sanctuaries of Tundah, Kugti, Sach, Shimla catchment forest and the Dhauladhar to the wildlife wing. These sanctuaries together are spread over 1,500 sq km and account for 21 per cent of the total protected wildlife area. The continuation of these sanctuaries under the territorial wing is affecting their management as the Centre has not been providing funds for the implementation of the management plans. In the process the forest is losing funds to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2 crore annually. Consequently, these protected areas are suffering neglect as hardly any works are being undertaken for habitat improvement in conservation of the wild life in these protected areas. Even otherwise the territorial wing has its own schemes of things in which conservation of wild life is not a priority. The Centre has also underlined the need to create conservation reserves adjacent to sanctuaries and national parks in government-owned areas for protecting the landscape and the habitat of fauna and flora. Such reserves could also be set up in corridors linking two protected wildlife areas. However, the Wildlife Department has found the proposal feasible, except for the Great Himalayan National Park in Kulu around which a buffer zone varying in width from 2 km to 4 km is being created. The department maintains that there is little room for creating such buffers around protected areas as over 12 per cent of the state's total geographical area is under sanctuaries.
	Rajput sabha opposes quota Our Correspondent Palampur, May 4 The Rajput Yuva Shakti Sangathan (RYSS) has demanded that caste should not be any criterion for reservation in government services, educational institutions, semi-government bodies and other institutions. At its meeting held here, Kamal Thakur, president of the state unit of the RYSS, said the present reservation policy of the government had ignored the upper castes which would prove fatal for any government in future. He said the upper castes had suffered a lot as there was none to watch their interests. Their children were facing a lot of hardship while seeking admission in educational institutions despite scoring good marks in competitive examinations.
	Congress on eco management Our Correspondent Palampur, May 4 Preparations for the eighth World Congress on Environment Management, (WCEM) being held here from June 9 to June 11, are on. Picturesque tourist resort nestling in the lap of Dhauladhar hills and known as tea town of Himachal is being spruced up to receive foreign delegations and other policy makers, thinkers, environmentalists and industrialists from all over the country. Consecutively this is the fifth World Congress being held at Palampur. In view of degradation of environment due to green house gases (GHGs) in atmosphere challenge before mankind has become more serious. Dr Madhav Mehra, President, World Environment Foundation (WEF) here today warned on one hand the governments, NGOs, Scientists, environmentalists and businesses were denouncing climate change, on the other hand nation was witnessing the worst of the consumerism causing loss to ecological equilibrium. He announced “Partnering to Prevent Climate Change” as theme of the eighth World Congress on Environment Management (WCEM). Elaborating his strategy Dr Mehra announced the formation of a global human chain to prevent global climate change. For this organisers of the Congress are trying to reach out to millions of people, connect with every single organisation, industry, NGO, educational institution and make every body aware of the consequences of climate change for our generation next. Regional offices of WEF in Palampur, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore in India, London (U.K) and Portugal abroad, are working overtime to make partners with hundreds of organisations to make it happen through a collective approach. As a prelude to the WEF had given the slogan to the participants “We take a pledge to combat global warming and change in climate. So far, besides 130 organisations from within India, 14 countries such as the USA, the UK, Austria, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Portugal, Pakistan, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nepal etc have confirmed participation of delegations in the eighth WCEM here.
	Chautala’s ‘farmhouse’ raided Our Correspondent Kulu, May 4 A CBI team raided a farmhouse allegedly belonging to Mr Om Prakash Chautala, former Haryana Chief Minister, at Jarar village, near Bhuntar, about 13 km from here, today. Though the revenue records here showed the farmhouse as belonging to Mr Hari Krishan Sharma, a case of benami property regarding it was already pending in the court of the District Magistrate here. It may be recalled that Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, had ordered a probe into the properties registered in the names of Himachalis but owned by outsiders. The Himachal Pradesh Government had banned the purchase of agricultural land by people of other states under the Revenue Act. It was alleged that there were dozens of such benami registrations in this district. This correspondent spoke to Mr Sharma, the official owner of the property, who confirmed that a CBI team was in his house today for some investigations with regard to Mr Chautala. He expressed ignorance about the purpose of the investigations. He said the property case was sub judice and he would not comment on it. However, he confirmed that the property belonged to him. Asked whether the team had also raided some property at Manali, Mr Sharma again expressed ignorance. Meanwhile, the CBI team seized 67 bottles of whisky, including imported scotch, from the house. The seized material was handed over to the local police. Mr G.D. Bhargava, SP, confirmed the seizure. He said the investigation officer had gone to the spot and would register a case under the Excise Act. The police chief said he was not aware of the purpose of the raid.
	Punjab keen on joint power venture with HP: Bhattal Tribune News Service Shimla, May 4 Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal , Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, today said her state was keen to collaborate with Himachal Pradesh in the hydroelectric generation and farm sectors for mutual benefit. Talking to mediapersons, here, she said hydroelectric power was a key area for cooperation between the two states as dependence of Punjab on thermal generation was not desirable. It was a costly affair as coal was being brought all the way from Bihar and it also caused pollution. The hydroelectric power was not only environment friendly, but also cheaper. She said she would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, during her five-day visit to the state. Himachal Pradesh had done well in crop diversification as a result of which it was producing off-season vegetables. The experiment could be replicated in the Kandi belt of Punjab where agro-climatic conditions were similar. She said Punjab was the only state in the country which was producing surplus of food grains for which there was not enough storage facilities. The problem of surplus could be solved by crop diversification which would also ensure better returns to farmers. The government had submitted a project to the Centre for the purpose and urged it to grant a subsidy of Rs 5,000 per hectare to encourage farmers.
	Sangla’s agro-ecological tourism to be promoted Tribune News Service Dharamsala, May 4 Farmers in the state will now get a chance to showcase their farming and lifestyle for foreign tourists under an agro-ecological tourism project finalised by the CSK Agricultural University at Palampur. A Switzerland-based NGO has offered to enter into an agreement with the university and local farmers to promote agro-ecological tourism at Sangla in Kinnaur district. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr D.S. Rathore, said modalities of the agreement were being chalked out and the project was likely to take off soon. He said this would be a pioneering effort in the region to give foreign tourists a chance to get a glimpse of Himachali farming and experience village life. He said Sangla was known for its scenic beauty and cultivation of traditional crops like ‘kesar’ and ‘kala zeera’ could be found only in this part of the state. The university planned to spread agro-ecological tourism to its eight ‘krishi vigyan kendras’ and 12 research stations. The university had also been sanctioned a hill agricultural school for running various vocational and certificate courses by the Indian Council of Agriculture and Research and the faculty had been asked to finalise details of curriculum. The ‘krishi vigyan kendras’ at Berthin in Bilaspur and Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti had become fully functional last month with the appointment of scientific staff. Staff vacancies of other ‘krishi vigyan kendras’ and research stations in the tribal belt were also filled up after a long gap and 35 scientists had been appointed this year. Dr Rathore added that a record number of 49 research projects worth Rs 9.6 crore had been sanctioned to the university by different funding agencies. A total of 94 research projects worth Rs 25.34 crore had been awaiting sanction from different funding agencies during the past one year. A series of monthly seminars had been organised, where scientists delivered lectures on new technologies and use of science in daily life. Lectures on personality development had also been introduced for students.
	1,800-cr eco-tourism project submitted Rajiv Mahajan Nurpur, May 4 The Himachal Pradesh Government has submitted an ambitious Rs 1,800-crore project for the ecological, sustainable and integrated development of the Pong wetland in Kangra district to the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of India, for approval. The wetland had attained international recognition due to its bird sanctuary and was declared an international wetland Ramsar site in 2002. The project had been envisaged by Kangra MP Chander Kumar when he was the state Forest Minister and mooted by the wildlife wing of the Department of Forests. Under the project, to be executed by the Department of Forests and its wildlife wing, Rs 300 crore would be spent by the Ministry of Forests and Environment and Rs 1,500 crore would be generated from the private sector for the development of eco-tourism in the biggest man-made wetland in the state. There had been apprehension among inhabitants of areas surrounding the wetland about their displacement following the execution of the project and an action committee headed by Ramel Badiyal had been formed to oppose it, but Mr Chander Kumar made it clear that there was no proposal to displace people. According to Dharamshala Conservator Vijay K. Singh, the project had been divided into four zones — multipurpose zone, rehabilitation zone, Pong reservoir channelisation zone and eco-tourism zone. He said the Ministry of Forests and Environment would fund the first three zones and the eco-tourism zone would be open to the private sector, adding that 13 points had been identified in the wetland to harness its tourism potential. New plantation was being aimed at to facilitate the nestling of migratory birds in the wetland and measures would be adopted for soil, fish and flora conservation in the wetland to attract migratory birds.
	Routine patients suffer, as NGO takes over hospital Tribune News Service Reckong Peo, May 4 Patients from far-flung areas of Kinnaur district visiting the regional government hospital here are suffering allegedly at the hands of an NGO that has virtually taken over the hospital premises for six days in the name of organising a free multi-specialty medical camp for tribal people. The district administration and health authorities have granted permission to the NGO that called medical officers from outside to take over the OPD rooms and medical machinery from medical staff posted in the hospital. This has hit routine OPD check-up of patients visiting the hospital daily. A visit to the regional hospital by this correspondent revealed that the routine patients visiting the hospital for medical check-up were being asked by the supporting staff of the NGO to go to long queues meant for the patients who had come for check-up in the medical camp. One could even see pregnant women standing for hours in the open on premises of the hospital waiting for their turn for medical check-up. More than 2000 patients have visited the hospital in the first days of the medical camp. The health authorities, NGO or the local administration made no arrangement for the patients thronging from far-flung remote areas of the tribal belt. Neither the facility of drinking water has been provided to the patients visiting for free check-up. A specialist doctor posted in the regional hospital told The Tribune that the patients whom he had given time for consultation and check-up for today were not allowed to enter his room for hours. Moreover, it was learnt that the hospital authorities assisting the organisers of the free medical camp were also distributing sample medicines among the patients. Few patients showed their medicines to this correspondent that were labelled ‘physician’s sample, not for sale’. The Tribune tried to contact the District Magistrate and the Chief Medical Officer of Kinnaur for comments. Both were said to be out of station.
	Power policy applicable to new, old projects Tribune News Service Shimla, May 4 Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister, has said provisions of the new power policy of the state would be applicable to both old and new hydel projects. He was Reviewing the status of the Baspa-II and Karchham-Wangtoo hydel projects being executed by Jaypee Industries in the state at a high-level meeting, here today. He said the government had approved of the power policy after gaining experience from the hydel projects already executed to ensure that the interests of the state, affected people and the entrepreneurs were safeguarded. He said the power policy had the provision for 70 per cent employment to Himachalis at all levels by every project authority down to the sub-contractor level, 1.5 per cent of the project cost for the local area development activities and maintaining 15 per cent of the total water discharge down stream for aqua life, water and irrigation schemes.
	Bilaspur being ‘ignored’ Bilaspur, May 4 Former Health Minister and prominent BJP leader Jagat Prakash Nadda has declared that the BJP will soon launch an agitation here on major issues concerning the district as the district is being ignored by the HP Government. A large number of its problems are pending solutions despite repeated requests by the masses. Addressing mediapersons at Circuit House here on Tuesday Jagat Prakash Nadda said Bilaspur district was in the grip of serious drought and most of the drinking water supply schemes had either failed to serve purpose and had become unfunctional. The government is sleeping whereas it should have been active in supplying clean drinking water through trucks and tankers. — OC
	Man held with 15 kg of charas Our Correspondent Chamba, May 4 The Himachal Pradesh police, in a major breakthrough, has seized charas weighing 15 kg from Joginder, a resident of Dunera, falling in Dhar subdivision of Gudaspur district in Punjab last evening. The accused was smuggling charas in a private Fiat car to Punjab. The accused was arrested and the vehicle confiscated by the police. The court today remanded the accused in police custody for three days. The seized charas is valued at Rs 60 lakh in the open market. Inspector Jitender Kumar said Joginder was arrested on the spot. A case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act, the police said.