Mandi, November 23
Waking up to the increasing hazards posed by rash or drunken driving and overloading in buses in the state, Himachal Pradesh Police has launched round-the-clock patrolling on all National Highways running through the state. The patrol teams will check violations of traffic rules to ensure safe driving and prompt first-aid response to accident victims.

According to police officials, the Director-General of Police has issued directions to all the districts to patrol the National Highways running in each district to put safety standards in place, checking traffic rules violations like overspending, drunken driving, negligence in driving, overloading in private and HRTC buses and other hazards on the highways.

Mandi Superintendent of Police M Chandersekhar said parts of the three national highways - Pathankot-Mandi (NH-20), Kiratpur-Leh(NH-21) and Hoshiarpur-Mandi(NH-70) - passing through the Mandi district have been divided into sevens beats.

"Two policemen will patrol each beat on a motor cycle carrying a logo and a hooter. It would be equipped with a talkie-walkie set and a first-aid box to aid accident victims and rush them to the nearby hospitals", he said.

Mr Sekhar said the police patrol team will work round the clock, checking traffic violations like use of pressure horns and talking on mobile phones while driving. "The team will respond to commuters in case of an emergency as and when the passengers contact the team by dialing 100", he informed.

To check drunken driving, pollution and provide help to the accident victims, seven beats have been divided into two ranges. "Each range will have a patrol van equipped with a wireless set, an alcohol sensor, a doppler radar and an anti-pollution device to check violations on the highways", he added.

Patrol teams would ensure smooth and safe flow of traffic. "The team will not challan and check the documents, etc, unnecessary. The team will also keep a watch on the highway crimes like timber smuggling and drug pedaling and hold awareness camps from time to time".

The patrol teams have been sensitized on the new scheme in the Mandi district and have been put in place for the purpose.

Chamba, November 23
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered revision of photo electoral rolls with reference to January 1, 2007, as qualifying date in respect of 62 assembly constituencies of 10 districts except Arki, Doon, Nalagarh, Solan and Kasauli (SC) of Solan district and Kinnaur (ST) of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh. The total number of assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh is 68.

The orders issued by the Election Commission to all the district election officers had directed them to carry out the revision of photo electoral rolls according to the scheduled stages beginning from this week.

In the orders, it was stated that the first stage of issuing enumeration cards to the heads of family by conducting house-to-house verification of photo electoral rolls and registration of new electors with reference to qualifying date of January 1, 2007, had commenced which would finish on December 19.

The data entry would be compiled (uploaded) from December 20 to February 28 while printing of photo electoral rolls for draft publication, including multiple printing of copies of basic rolls - 2007 would be accomplished from March 1 to 31, the orders revealed stating that April 9 had been fixed as the date of draft publication of electoral rolls.

Likewise, the period for filing claims and objections had been fixed from April 9 to 23 and their disposal with printing of supplement would be made from April 24 to May 30 while the final publication of photo electoral rolls would be put through by June 5, the orders further divulged.

The Election Commission has also directed that the photography and electors' photo identity cards campaign for residual electors, including ones whose photo images were not readily available and new electors, would be undertaken during April to June next year.

Chamba, November 23
In order to keep pace with the globalization in commerce and industry across the world, the Chamba Welfare Association, a leading non-government organization (NGO), of this region, has demanded the state Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, to create infrastructure for the setting up of eco-friendly IT-related software and electronic industry in Chamba district as the dust-free and serene surroundings of this zone are conducive to the growth of IT industry.

The association has also demanded that multinational companies should be invited for setting up such eco-friendly industries in this quiet hilly region of Himachal Pradesh, which has been deprived of any industry since Independence.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the association general secretary Mr Tej Singh Jasrotia appealed to the Chief Minister that it was high time the Chamba district came up with IT-related software and electronic industry, which was the need of an hour.

Since Chamba has been identified as the 50th backward district of the country by the Government of India with no proper industry, the efforts to set up IT industry would help the area forging ahead with new developments.

Mr Jasrotia also urged the Chief Minister to save the Chowgan from meeting a slow death. The Chowgan is located in the middle of the town, which is the core area of the Chamba’s heritage zone as notified by the Himachal Pradesh Government. The Chowgan is the only lush green patch left for the residents to have stroll.