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Dept takes encroached land in possession
Plea to revive resort project
3 get RI in dowry death case
Finally, Education Dept helps poor students
Decision on release of zoo animals raises concern
Aggrieved PMT candidates approach Kokje
Book sellers seek Rahi’s clarification
‘Swajal Dhara’ workshop held
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Hike in PDS wheat grinding cost sought
NTPC awards Koldam journal
Trade unions flay reshuffle
20 labourers freed from exploitation
3 schoolchildren missing
Apple production likely to fall
Man kills wife, self
Musical programme ends
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Dept takes encroached land in possession
Nurpur, June 18 The green cover of the forest had been vanishing for the past four decades clandestinely under the nose of the field staff of the department. Inquiries made by The Tribune revealed that about 40 out of 106 hectares of forest land had been encroached upon by the grabbers who allegedly axed green trees to develop mango orchards. The grabbers had removed the barbed wire fencing and used the same to fence their orchards, obviously in connivance with Forest Department staff. Major chunks of the forest land were not encroached upon overnight but it was a gradual process in which encroachers had expanded their orchards by planting fresh saplings of mango plants every year. Even tree-felling in the forest did not draw attention of the authorities. A visit to the forest shows the encroachers were also preparing to encroach about one hectare more forest area this year by making pits for planting new saplings in the ensuing rainy season. The issue of encroachment was raked up following the news published in a section of the Press recently. As a sequel, the Forest Department swung into action on June 13. The Divisional Forest Officer, Nurpur, Mr P.C. Kaushal, himself visited the forest and took possession of the encroached land along with mango orchards which came into existence during the past decades by way of encroachments. There was a strong resentment among the local residents over the ongoing encroachments in the forest, with impunity. Mr Kaushal pointed out that a thorough investigation of the sizable chunk of the encroached forest had been conducted and the department had taken the possession of it. Meanwhile, the department removed the encroachments on four hectares of forest land near National Highway - 20 at Tanan and Bani villages in this subdivision on Saturday. The encroachers had raised kiosks and fenced the forest land.
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Plea to revive resort project
Palampur, June 18 In a press note issued here yesterday the president of the organisation Mrs Neelam Sood, said that despite spending crores of rupee on this project, the state government had left it half completed and today it was abandoned, even the approach road to the Sorabh Van Vihar damaged in last rainy season was yet to be repaired. Though the Chief Minister had given assurances for the early completion of this project, nothing was done. “Save Palampur “urged the Chief Minister to personally look into the matter and the government should not forget the martyrs but remember their supreme sacrifices.
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3 get RI in dowry death case
Sundernagar, June 18 The court sentenced them under Section 304-B of the IPC to undergo rigorous imprisonment for nine years and to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 each under section 498-A, IPC. The convict have to undergo further imprisonment for six months if they fail to pay the fine. Saroja Devi was married to Rajinder Singh in 2002. After the marriage the convicts used to treat her with cruelty and were demanding dowry from her. She was beaten up on April 1, 2004, and on next day she was shifted to her parents’ house in Bilaspur district where she died on April 4, 2004.
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Finally, Education Dept helps poor students
Kangra June 18 The students had been kept waiting for uniforms and note books, for the past three months, for the want of an dignitary for the occasion. Mr B.M.Nanta, Director of the Primary Education, told The Tribune on Friday that following the publication of The Tribune report, a departmental inquiry had been ordered. He said within a day or two, he would receive the details of the inquiry report. Mr Nanta said, “It is a serious lapse and disciplinary action against the official found responsible for it would be taken.” He said the distribution of the uniforms had been made in all 117 educational blocks of the state except the Kangra education block, which was a matter of concern. Mr Nanta said, “I have not given any order that the uniforms should be distributed through the local MLA or any other person.” He said, “It is not important who distributes the uniforms and note books but what is required is that the uniforms should be distributed in time for helping the needy and deserving poor students.” The Director added that the delay in the distribution had actually defeated the basic purpose of this scheme of the government. He said the decision to get the uniforms distributed through the local MLA would have been taken at the local level. When contacted, the BEO, Kangra, Ms Tripta Devi, refused to divulge when the uniforms, dumped in her office store, would be distributed among the poorest of the poor students. She said, “It is yet to be seen that who distributes the uniforms and when among the students.” She, however, said she had conveyed the matter to the Deputy Director of Primary Education. Deputy Director, Primary Education, Omkar Chand, when contacted, denied that he was conveyed any thing about the issue by the BEO. Mr Shiv Prasad Baba, Kangra district president of Primary Teachers Association, had alleged through these columns that the uniforms, note books and slates for the poor students of this block were dumped in the store of the Block Education Office. The information gathered by The Tribune had revealed that the Education Department was waiting for the availability of the local MLA for the distribution of these uniforms.
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Decision on release of zoo animals raises concern
Shimla, June 18 The state government has granted permission to the department to release 41 barking deer, spotted deer, goral and sambhar from the Himalayan Nature Park, Kufri, and the Renuka Zoo. However, environmentalists maintain that such a move will violate the protocol laid down for the release of animals in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). As per the protocol, animals could be released only if bred under genetically and demographically scientific management, which is not the case. Besides, it has to be ensured that there is no inbreeding and the animals did not carry any disease into the forests as it could spell doom for the wildlife. The protocol takes care of a host of issues like maintenance of a studybook, in which record of parentage, carrying capacity, vegetation and availability of food, water and overall suitability of the environment of the forest where the animals are to be released is kept. The relationship of the native wild animals with that of the released animals is also to be taken into consideration to ensure their peaceful coexistence. The most important aspect is the human imprinting on the animals who get used to living with human beings. As human beings do not scare them anymore, they could fall easy prey to poachers. The animals have to be trained to survive in the wild before their release but there were no such facilities. Moreover, most of the animals were too old to be trained. Mr R.S.Chauhan, divisional forest officer (wildlife), asserted that the protocol would be observed and that the animals would be released in sanctuaries, which had no human habitation. He also said that there would be a thorough veterinary check up and it would be ensured that diseased animals were not released in the wild.
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Aggrieved PMT candidates approach Kokje
Shimla, June 18 Having failed to get a positive response from the government after the one-man inquiry gave a clean chit to HPU, they decided to knock the doors of the Governor. The aggrieved students requested that it was essential that a thorough inquiry be conducted into the matter so that students do not loose faith in the system and merit is not ignored. “We are certainly not against the selection of genuine students but our only demand is that truth must prevail and those involved in the racket are booked,” they said. Expressing dissatisfaction over the one-man inquiry report, they said that Mr A.R. Chauhan, who had conducted the inquiry had himself admitted that it would take more than six months for him to look into all the facts placed before him. They added that Mr Chauhan tried to pacify them by assuring them that steps would be taken to ensure that no such irregularities are committed in future. They hoped that the Governor would take some action so that students did not lose faith in the system.
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Book sellers seek Rahi’s clarification
Shimla, June 18 Terming assertions of Mr Rahi contradictory, the association asked what was the necessity to recommend reference and guidebooks for the board when these books were already in the market for the past many years. It also wanted to know how the books in the same format, same study material and same price tag had become good books overnight. In its notification, the board said it had adopted the NCERT syllabus and got published its books in English and Hindi for Class XI and XII along with 100 titles for Class V to X. “The Chairman must explain the process of selection of books and give details like notice for submission of books, newspapers in which tender notice appeared and members of the selection committee,” the association said. It apprehended that Mr Rahi had made the “submission plan” only to favour seven publishers from Punjab. It felt that if Mr Rahi had given wide publicity for the submission of the books, the publishers of repute from other parts of the country, including Himachal Pradesh, could have participated in the process.
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‘Swajal Dhara’ workshop held
Nahan, June 18 Presiding over the workshop Mrs Rakhil Kahlon, Additional District Magistrate of Sirmaur, disclosed that during the last financial year, 112 drinking water supply schemes were sanctioned by the Government of India for the district and Rs 329.42 lakh was released for the implementation of these schemes. During the current financial year, 104 schemes costing Rs. 569 lakh have been approved. Mrs Manju Sharma, chairperson, Zila Parishad, called upon the Panchayati Raj functionaries to convince the common masses to come forward to construct their drinking water supply schemes under the Swajal Dhara, programme by making a 10 per cent contribution while 90 per cent cost of the scheme would be paid by the Government of India. Mr D.S. Bhatia, Member Secretary of the Project and Executive Engineer of Nahan, IPH division, gave details of the project.
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Hike in PDS wheat grinding cost sought
Kangra, June 18 Mr Jagmohan Lal Gupta, patron of the Himachal Pradesh Roller Flour Millers Association, yesterday said more than 30 roller flour mills in the state were on the brink of the closure particularly in the backward areas as they were becoming sick. Mr Gupta said the government had fixed Rs 30 as grinding charges of the PDS wheat per quintal seven years back and had not enhanced it since. He demanded that the grinding charges of PDS wheat be enhanced by Rs 25 per quintal and the burden be shifted to the consumer. This hike would save this industry from closure.
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NTPC awards Koldam journal
Mandi, June 18 The NTPC press note issued here stated that Mr K.M Prashanth, Senior Manager (PR) and Editor of Koldam Samvad, received the award from Mr P.D Hindwan, GM (Corporate Communication), NTPC Corporate Centre, New Delhi, at the inaugural session of the 17th PR meeting held in Jaipur recently.
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Trade unions flay reshuffle
Baddi, June 18 All labour officers and labour inspectors in the state have been shuffled
thought out the state. The unions have seen the reshuffle as a move to please entrepreneurs. The decision is bound to affect industrial peace in the state and cause workers’ unrest, claim the unions. This decision at this juncture will enhance industrial disputes and affect interests of workers, they add. Employer-friendly officials have been posted in key areas, say AITUC leaders.
OC
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20 labourers freed from exploitation
Reckong Peo, June 18 The Orissa government has initiated a probe into the incident and asked Labour Officer of Sambalpur M. Kar to inquire into the incident and take action against the accused persons/contractors who lured the youth with promises of higher wages. As per details available, the freed youth were brought here for labour work from the villages of Gulunda, Bhaliatikra and Bhejritikra under the Dhama police station of the Sambalpur area. These youths were brought here in the first week of May, this year. It was learnt that the youths did not even inform their parents before leaving their villages. The whereabouts of these labourers were known after Barun Ranjit of Gulunda village escaped from the clutches of the contractor and returned home. These escaped young persons after their return alleged before the labour officer of Sambalpur that Narayan Gardia, the contractor/middleman of the Sambalpur area had taken them to Kinnaur promising that they would be paid at the rate of Rs 30 per hour as remuneration. However, when these youngsters reached here in Kinnaur they were offered just Rs 10 per hour as remuneration. Moreover, living standard in Kinnaur offered to them was very poor and without basic amenities, alleged these labourers before the labour officer of Sambalpur. The labour contractor did not even pay them at the rate of Rs 10 per hour for over a month and offered meals twice a day only. Angry over the behaviour of the contractor, Barun Ranjit of Gulunda village escaped from here and went back to his village and narrated the whole story to social activist Mrutyunjay Sahu who later rescued and took all of his friends back home. On the other hand, District Magistrate of Kinnaur Amandeep Garg said today that the administration had no information or complaint that 20 labourers from the Orissa were cheated in Kinnaur. He said that no social organisation or the Orissa police had contacted the administration here in this regard. Thousands of labourers from Nepal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and other states at presently were engaged in labour work in Kinnaur district through contract system. But, there is no system to check whether these labourers had come on their own to work here in a difficult terrain of the world or were lured and forced to work under this contract system.
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3 schoolchildren missing
Reckong Peo, June 18 Sources said Sandeep (14), son of Sushil Kumar, Anuj (18), son of Bhag Chand, and Madan Chand (14), son of Gulab Chand, all residents of Kupa village, went to school but did not return home. A complaint was lodged at the Sangla police station on June 15 in this regard. However, the children could not be traced so far despite the police launching a hunt to trace them.
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Apple production likely to fall
Shimla, June 18 As against last year’s record harvest of 2.65 crore boxes, the production this season was likely to range around 1.60 crore boxes as per the estimates of the Horticulture Department. Barring the tribal Kinnaur district, where the output was likely to be maintained at the normal level of 15 lakh boxes, the crop has been affected in the entire state due to hailstorm and lack of snow during winter. In Shimla district, around 90 lakh boxes were likely to be produced as against 1.30 crore that were produced last year. In Kullu, the output was likely to decline from 62 lakh to around 40 lakh. These apple producing areas were repeatedly hit by hailstorms in April and May. The weather had been unfavourable to crop in the Shimla region. While the Shimla area went without snow, Kullu and other apple growing areas recorded scanty snowfall. The requirement of minimum chilling hours for a good crop could not be met due to lack of snowfall, which is considered as white manure for apple orchards. The temperature remained abnormally high towards the end of January and most part of February thereby affecting the crop in lower and midhills. Repeated spells of rain and hailstorm in March and April affected the crop. Wide variation in temperature during summer led to heavy droppings of fruit. Moreover, the hail-dented fruit is not likely to fetch a returns. Till last decade, the normal output was around 1.75 crore boxes. With more orchards coming into existence, the production has been rising over the past few years. The state produced 3.95 lakh tonnes of apple in 2002, 4.70 lakh tonnes in 2003, 5.26 lakh tonnes in 2004 and 5.40 lakh tonnes in 2005.
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Man kills wife, self
Solan, June 18 The couple’s three sons ran to their uncle’s house after witnessing the murder to inform him about the incident. According to the eldest son Vikram (12) , his father shot his mother and covered her body with a mattress. The gunshot woke Vikram who was then told to pull the trigger of the gun which Jeet Ram had pointed at his temple. He, however, could not muster courage to do so. Jeet Ram managed to pull the trigger of the single barrel muzzle loaded gun himself. The three children ran to their uncle’s house about 150 metres away. The police was informed by the relatives about the murder. Police officials said that Vidya had been working with Aarti Finance Company in Solan for the past one and a half year. A dispute arose between them about six months ago when she started staying away from home for days together. She would return home after 10 pm at times and ignored her family. This angered Jeet Ram who managed to procure a gun from his uncle Nathu Ram staying some distance away last night. The gun registered in 1968 is registered for crop protection. The police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC for murder and the Arms Act. About 25 splinters and gun powder was found from the room by the police. Police officials said that it appears to be a planned murder. A complaint about Vidya’s non-chalant attitude towards the family was pending before the village panchayat. A case pertaining to a dispute was also pending before the district court.
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Musical programme ends
Kangra, June 18 Mr Chhavi Kashyap, Principal of the school, said prizes were distributed among the winners by the chief guest, Mr Ajay Parashar, DPRO.
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