 |
|
|
Shimla to get back old British charm
Hike in bus fares proposed
Army officer, family booked
Heli-taxi gets lukewarm response in Himachal
Stones laid twice for mini-secretariat
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Residential wing of school gutted
Cong has failed to check price rise: BJP
Encroachments on forest land removed
Many tribals booked on SJVN’s complaint
Residents gherao PWD official
1 killed as car rolls into gorge
Shoolini Fair inaugurated
Virbhadra turns 72
Man falls from bus
|
|
Shimla to get back old British charm
Shimla, June 24 The forest department has already started the process of finding out the location of these old walking trails from the British time maps that they have in their records. The number of such trails, say forest officials, could well run into hundreds and as part of the beautification campaign, these would be restored. The endeavour by the forest department is part of efforts by the government to restore the old world charm of the 'Queen of Hills' by preserving the heritage and culture given to the town by the British. Barring a few popular and frequently used trails, majority are not in use and in bad condition. "All that we intend to do is to clear the debris and fix a railing along the entire stretch of the trail, so that it is not a concrete patch but a walk close to nature, which will give the tourists a real feel of being in a hill station," remarked, R.K. Raj, Divisional Forest Officer. Once the process of collecting the data is complete, the proposal will be sent to the state government for seeking funds, he added. Most of the hills like Jakhu and Kamna Devi and other places like Chaura Maidan to Annadale and Rashtrapati Niwas had trails going up to them from all four sides of the hill. Interestingly, during the time of the British, these tracks were very popular, not just with locals but also visitors who loved taking a quiet walk along the hills. Old timers say these identified and well maintained trails were often used by them as they were short cuts. The forest department is keen to restore all such trails because as a result of rapid urbanization and unregulated growth in the town, those who enjoy their morning and evening walks often complain that the peace one expects in a hill station is completely lost. Taking a quiet walk on roads like the Forest Road, connecting the Ridge with St. Bede's College, is no longer possible due to increased traffic. Restoring the old trails will give an opportunity to such nature lovers and health freaks to get the feel of a hill station.
|
|
Hike in bus fares proposed
Shimla, June 23 It has been worked out that the latest hike in the price of diesel will put a further burden of Rs 8 crore taking the overall loss during the current year to Rs 83 crore. Being aware of the fact that the revision of bus fare is a politically sensitive matter, the corporation has proposed that in case it was not possible to hike bus fares, the grant-in-aid should be increased to make up for the loss. At present, the grant-in-aid has been pegged at Rs 48 crore and the corporation has sought an additional grant to the tune of Rs 35 crore to make up for the loss. The cost of operation has gone up from Rs 22 to Rs 23 per bus per km as against the income of Rs 16 per bus per km. The losses are mounting as the government had not revised bus fares since April 2003. The price of diesel had gone up by Rs 11 per litre during this period. With the government sitting over the proposal to increase bus fares, the financial position of the corporation is turning from bad to worse. The accumulated losses of the corporation, which have been perpetually in the red, will cross the Rs 400 crore mark by the end of the current fiscal year if the government fails to revise the bus fares. To maintain the bus fares at the present level, it will have to enhance the grant to Rs 83 crore. The grant was increased from Rs 27 crore to Rs 48 crore on the condition that the corporation would implement a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) to cut down the staff by about 500 and reduce the number of buses to 1600 by March 2006 and to 1500 in the following year. However, so far, only 200 employees have taken retirement under the VRS and the bus fleet still has a strength of 1650.
|
|
|
Army officer, family booked
Kangra June 23 Kangra Sub Divisional Police Officer Bindoo Sachdeva today told The Tribune that Lieut Col. Naresh Kumar Singh, a resident of Malan village in this subdivision and presently posted at H.Q. 10 Corps at Bathinda, had lodged a
complaint with the local police that his daughter Swati Singh, 25, had committed suicide by consuming zinc phosphide after her fiancee, Capt Anirudh Singh, informed her that he was breaking their engagement. The couple had got engaged on May 24, 2006 at Nagrota, Jammu. The DSP, Ms Bindoo Sachdeva, said Lieut Col. N.K Singh, had further said in his complaint that his daughter Swati, who had done her MBA from N.I.M.C Kolkata, was engaged to Capt Anirudh Singh, who was posted in 16 Div. E.M.E Bn. at Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan on May 24. The complainant added that as the father of Capt Anirudh Singh, Col. A.S Bias was posted at Nagrota, Jammu so the engagement ceremony was performed there. The marriage was to be solemnised on December 10. However, four days after the engagement ceremony Col A.S Bias conveyed to the girl’s father telephonically that the horoscopes of Swati and Anirudh were not compatible so the marriage could not take place. Ms Bindoo Sachdeva further said that according to the report Lieut. Col N.K Singh and his cousin Col Mohinder Singh rushed to Nagrota along with their families and found that there was no problem in the horoscopes as both the boy and girl were manglik. Meanwhile, Anirudh allegedly called up Swati and during an hour-long conversation he told Swati to remove the engagement ring as he was not prepared to marry her because her parents had not ‘‘given a luxury car and Rs 5 lakh cash to him at the ring ceremony’’. Lieut Col N.K Singh told The Tribune on phone that he had received the recording of this telephonic conversation between his daughter and Anirudh. After receiving the phone call Swati got nervous and before her parents could reach Malan she consumed poison. She, however, did not tell her parents about this her on their arrival. She hid this fact even from the local doctor, when her condition deteriorated she was shifted to Bathinda and ultimately was admitted at Military Command Hospital in Chandimandir where she died on June 3, 2006. A suicide note addressed to her parents was recovered from her purse in which Swati wrote that she felt sorry for committing suicide, but had taken the step to save her parents from social embarrassment. She wrote, “ I am sorry for this but this one time pain will save you from so much of embarrassment. My last will is do not leave this Bias family”. Ms Sachdeva said a police party would go to Bathinda to ascertain the authenticity of the ‘suicide note’ written by Swati. She said a police party would be rushed to get the original medical report from the Chandimandir hospital too. But inquiries made by this correspondent revealed that till date no police party had been sent to either Bathinda or Chandimandir despite the fact that the case was registered a week back. Swati’s father today alleged that police was giving the alleged accused time to escape as both father and son had gone on leave.
|
|
Heli-taxi gets lukewarm response in Himachal
Shimla, June 22 According to sources, the Tourism department today sent the proposal to the government so that the ambitious project aimed at giving a fillip to tourism can be re-advertised for a better response. The government wants to improve air-connectivity in the state by launching chopper service to popular destinations in Himachal. It was learnt that Jagson airlines had sought an assured 40 hours of flying every month besides a minimum rate for flying per hour. The state government had sought Rs 7.50 crore from the Centre three years ago for providing chopper service to many sites in Himachal, where air connectivity is very limited. For the past some time, the state government has been very keen to start the
heli-taxi service, which will enable easy connectivity to remote and unexplored areas as well as popular tourist destinations in the state. It is basically targeted at the high-end tourist, who has the money but not the time for undertaking a holiday by road. "With the operator seeking minimum assured flying hours per month, it is a must for us to have budgetary provision, in case we cannot meet this target that we mutually agree upon," informed a senior tourism official. One of the main hindrance to promotion of tourism in the state has been the absence of good air connectivity. The hill state has only three airports at Jubar Hati near Shimla, Bhuntar near Kullu and Gaggal in Kangra district. The problem is not just of a few flights but also their erratic
nature. The helii-taxi service will also enable easy access to tribal areas like Sangla valley in Kinnaur and the Tabo monastery in Lahaul Spiti. Large number of tourists, especially foreigners, have keen interest in undertaking the Buddhist circuit, which can be covered better by air travel. Moreover, during the winter months, roads to most of the tribal areas are closed due to heavy snow. At present, there is no chopper service from Chandigarh to Shimla, which also adds to the traveling time.
|
|
|
Stones laid twice for mini-secretariat
Nurpur, June 23 First, was laid on August 13, 1996 in the premises of old hospital building with fanfare with an eye on byelection to the Nurpur Assembly constituency. No administrative approval was granted nor the then government made any provision in the Budget. The second foundation stone of mini-secretariat was laid by the Chief Minister on January 10, 2004 with a new name, Combined Office Building (COB) at another place a few metres away from old Nurpur fort, a monument managed by the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI). This time the project to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore has to be funded by the HUDCO. Intriguingly, before the laying of the new foundation stone the old foundation stone and its plaque was removed overnight. Following demands of residents the government selected another venue for the proposed COB on old Vishesher Pond opposite block development office. The Public Works Department has prepared drawings of the project and awarded tender to start construction. Sources reveal a hurdle has again come in the way of the COB as no construction can be undertaken within a radius of 200 metres of monument managed by the ASI and the government cannot utilise pond for this purpose in the wake of the Supreme court’s directions. After hanging in the balance the mini-secretariat cum COB for over eight years, the project has become laughing stock among locals. Mr Bharat Khera Deputy Commissioner, Kangra who recently visited the old hospital premises said that the final venue for the proposed COB would be finalised in a week keeping in view the sentiments and demand of the citizens. The mini-secretariat is a dream project of local MLA and Revenue Minister Sat Mahajan but the delay and confusion in selecting the venue for the secretariat in the heart of the town is a major hindrance in starting construction. There is a demand to build the COB in the old hospital premises, which is 13 kanals. Municipal Council president R.K. Mahajan has urged the government to decide the venue and allow construction of this project.
|
|
Residential wing of school gutted
Dalhousie, June 23 Meanwhile, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dalhousie, Mr D. C Rana, said the fire broke out reportedly due to an electric short-circuit while the teaching work was going on in the school at about 11 am today. On receiving the information, the IAF authorities acted swiftly and ordered the fire tenders to rush immediately to the spot members of the local truck operators’ union along with the local residents also came to help the school management in rescue operations. ‘‘Had the Air Force tenders not reached in time, the fire would have spread to the entire school complex resulting in causalities’’, the SDM told. The SDM also informed that the revenue officials were present at the fire incident site to carry out relief and rescue operations. ‘‘They are assessing the exact loss caused to the school residential complex and provide relief to the victims as per the relief manual of the government’’, he added. The police had registered a case in this connection.
|
|
Cong has failed to check price rise: BJP
Kangra, June 23 The rally started from Kacheri was led by former Transport Minister Krishan Kapoor. Workers raised anti-government and anti-Congress slogans and held a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and submitted a memorandum for its onward transmission to the Governor. Addressing the protesting workers, the former Transport Minister alleged that poor people had reached a point of starvation due to the steep price hike of the essential commodities. He expressed concern that corruption was rampant in government offices and alleged that the officers with political patronage were indulging in corruption. He described the Congress government as anti-poor and anti-people. He said the UPA government had failed to stabilise economy of the country. He said the vegetables of common use had gone out of the reach of the common man. He also expressed concern over the growing unemployment in the state.
|
|
Encroachments on forest land removed
Shimla, June 24 The MC will be removing 134 encroachments on forest land in the town in the second phase of the anti-encroachment drive launched by it. In all these cases formalities have been completed and eviction notices issued to the encroachers. There are about 250 more cases in which the cases are still being processed before ordering their eviction. While 22 structures were removed in the Tara Hall area, some of them owned by MC employees, a total of 27 “dharas” were removed in Summer Hill. Twelve persons in Summer Hill had on their own vacated the structures and the MC staff only removed them. The MC had removed some of the illegally occupied “dharas” in the Shankali area below Auckland House School, yesterday. The MC has given time to some of the “dhara” owners in Shankali to move out on their own by Saturday or else they would be evicted. With more than 900 encroachments on forest land alone in the town, the High Court had directed the MC to get these evicted at the earliest. The “dhara” owners had approached the court, seeking some more time for relocation and now the deadline of June 30 has been set by the court.
|
|
Many tribals booked on SJVN’s complaint
Reckong Peo, June 23 A reserve battalion of the police, apart from the extra force available at the district headquarters, had also been called at Pooh to face any unwanted situation. The tribal people had come out openly against the beginning of a preliminary survey on the 1020-MW Khab-Shasho hydroelectric project being commissioned by the Sutlej Jal Vidhyut Nigam (SJVN). There were reports of clashes between the local people and officials of the SJVN early this week. Reacting to the situation, the police had registered an FIR at Pooh police station reportedly against 18 tribal people for creating hurdles in the SJVN’s work and breaking the law and order situation. When contacted, Dr Amandeep Garg, District Magistrate of Kinnaur, claimed that the situation was peaceful and under control.
|
|
Residents gherao PWD official
Nurpur, June 23 Significantly, the PWD has built the Jassur-Bhaloon road just adjoining this locality but had not made any provision to drain out rainwater from the sides of the link road. The residents have been facing the problem of waterlogging as rainwater gets accumulated in their locality. When contacted, the Executive Engineer, Mr N.K. Kapila, admitted the waterlogging problem of the locality in rainy days but clarified that the department had its own limitations. He said the department could provide the drainage system in the locality only after acquiring private land.
|
|
1 killed as car rolls into gorge
Kumarhatti, June 23 Shyam Sunder was declared brought dead at the Community Health Centre, Dharampur. The injured Khem Chand from Malti village, his wife Lata Kaushal and his son-in-law Des Raj, were admitted to the CHC, Dharampur. The deceased, who hailed from New Delhi, was a friend of Khem Chand. The car was being driven by Des Raj. A case has been registered.
— OC
|
|
Shoolini Fair inaugurated
Solan, June 23 The fair is attended by a large number of people from far and wide. Various cultural events would be held later in the evening to entertain the people. The Chief Minister was accompanied by IPH Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha G.R. Musafir, local MLA Dr Rajiv Bindal, Doon MLA Lajja Ram, Kasauli MLA Raghu Raj, Zila Parishad Chairman Ramkumar and other dignitaries.
|
|
Virbhadra turns 72
Shimla, June 23 While the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the Governor, Mr
V.S. Kokje, and senior leaders of the Congress felicitated him on the telephone, his Cabinet colleagues, legislators, chairpersons of various boards and corporations, senior officers and party workers thronged his residence to greet him. Mr Virbhadra Singh thanked all the people and said their good wishes would make him work for progress of the state with renewed vigour.
|
|
Man falls from bus
Parwanoo, June 23 The police informed his family at Sultanpur Katal village. Nirmal (35) was out of danger.
|
| 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 | |
