Shimla, January 2
Local area development and rehabilitation packages for the people affected by the construction of hydroelectric projects have been incorporated in the state hydro power policy, which makes it mandatory to maintain 15 per cent of the total discharge in rivers downstream dams and diversion structures. Himachal Pradesh has become the first state to frame such a policy which will have a bearing on development of hydropower in the country.

The policy released today lays down the parameters for award of hydroelectric projects to independent power producers (IPPs). The projects with generation capacity between 5 MW and 100 MW will be allotted through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by giving wide publicity for attracting bidders. The big projects of more than 100 MW capacity will be awarded through global bids. The state will charge a premium of Rs 10 lakh per MW for projects above 100 MW.

The state will have the right to equity participation in private sector projects above 100 MW with equity share up to a maximum limit of 49 per cent. The small projects up to 2 MW will be earmarked for Himachalis and they will be given preference in projects up to 5 MW.

The state power board and the newly set up Himachal Power Corporation (HPC) will identify new projects. The government will have the right to allot the projects up to 25 MW, either to the board or the HPC and those above 25 MW to either the HPC or IPPs.

The state will realise as royalty ranging from 12 per cent to 30 per cent of the generation up to 40 years after the commissioning of the project, which will revert back to the government subsequently.

Mr J.P. Nagi, Principal Secretary (Power), who took initiative to formulate the policy, says the emphasis is on ensuring that maximum benefits of projects percolated to the local people, besides addressing the environmental concerns. The policy makes it mandatory for the promoters of projects to spend at least 1.5 per cent of the total project cost on local area development and they will also provide funds for opening police stations and labour offices in projects having capacity more than 50 MW.

The local area development committee will oversee the restoration of facilities affected due to execution of the project, implementation of the relief and rehabilitation plans and the catchment area treatment plan and development activities to be carried out under the project. The cost of deployment of police personnel during the construction phase of the project will also be borne by them.

Shimla, January 2
Election of the state (BJP) chief will be held here on January 5, in the presence of central and state  leaders.

With the high command being in favour of installing Mr Jai Ram Thakur, MLA from Chacchiot assembly segment of Mandi district, as the party chief, it is mere formality which will be performed on that day. The election will take place at the state party office at Chakkar.

Mr Thakur will file nomination paper in the morning and after scrutiny and withdrawal time is over, he would be elected. Mr Birj Lal Renwa, a former Punjab BJP chief will be the observer for conducting the election.

Mr Sahib Singh Verma, former Delhi Chief Minister and in charge party’s affairs in Himachal, will be present at the election. It is not certain whether Mr O.P. Kohli, national returning officer would be present on that day.

Even though being appointed against the wishes of Mr Shanta Kumar, it is expected that all leaders including a former Union Minister, former Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal and outgoing state party chief, Suresh Bhardwaj will be present at the election.

The delay in forging consensus on the name of one person to be appointed as state party chief exposed bickering in the party. Despite several rounds of talks with the central leadership in Delhi, Mr Shanta Kumar, Mr Dhumal and Mr Bhardwaj could not agree on one name, resulting in the postponement of the election.

The high command was of the opinion that there should be consensus on one name so that there is no voting as this would split the party. Despite this a section of the party leadership led by Mr Mahsehwar Singh was keen on a contest.

Claiming the support of majority delegates, supporters of Mr Maheshwar Singh, Mr Shanta Kumar and Mr Suresh Bhardwaj were keen that there should be voting and person with majority support should hold the reins of the party. However, the wish of the party high command prevailed and it was decided that on January, 5 Mr Thakur would be elected party chief.

Shimla, January 2
Moninder Singh Pandher, the businessman accused of sexually assaulting and killing at least 17 children in Noida, had a disturbed childhood due to which he began drinking heavily later in life, say those who knew him here.

“I remember Pandher had a somewhat disturbed childhood on account of his mother. I also know he began drinking heavily three-four years ago, which strained his relations with his wife. I suspect he developed a serious mental sickness in recent years,” a classmate of his said.

Pandher studied at the elite Bishop Cotton School here from 1963-73 after which he graduated from St Stephens College in Delhi.

“Moninder was called Goldy Pandher at school. I remember him as a wonderful chap,” said another classmate of Pandher on the condition of anonymity.

“I have been in touch with him through college and even later. I last spoke to him about a year ago,” he told IANS.

Pandher mostly lived in the house he owned in Noida.

Another schoolmate recalled: “I remember him as a very tolerant senior boy in school and find it hard to believe he could be a paedophile and psychopath.” Pandher’s son, too, recently passed out from the same school.

After graduating, Pandher inherited a successful family transport business, which spreads across Delhi, Noida, Chandigarh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Pandher’s estranged wife Devinder Kaur and son Karan live in Chandigarh and were also questioned by the police yesterday.

Pandher is said to be severely diabetic and is likely to undergo a narco-analysis test.— IANS

Shimla, January 2
Dr Anil Wilson, Principal of St Stephen’s College New Delhi will be the new Vice Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University.

With the tenure of present VC, Prof L.R. Verma coming to an end decision on Mr Wilson’s appointment taken by chief minister, Virbhadra Singh in consultation with Governor and Chancellor of the HPU, V.S. Kokje, here today. The notification of his appointment has also been issued.

a few days back, there was speculation that Prof Verma might be asked to continue. Even though direct involvement of the HPU in the HP-CPMT paper leak scam has not been established but in view of the case there was little possibility of Prof Verma being given another term.

The government today morning issued a notification appointing, Mr Ashwani Kapoor, Secretary Education as the Vice- Chancellor of the HPU till a regular VC was appointed. However, with the approval of Mr Wilson’s name, the notification of his appointment was issued later in the evening.

Dr Wilson earlier was Pro-Vice Chancellor of HPU from July 1995 to April 1996. He had to return to St Stephen’s College when his leave was cancelled.

A doctorate in English from the HPU, he served for 20 years, first a government college lecturer and then professor in English department at the university. He was appointed principal of St Stephen’s College in 1991.

Born on October 21, 1947 he did his schooling from St. Edwards School here. His wife Rita Wilson, is an educationist and remained principal of Auckland House School, here. His father Mr M.M. Wilson was a headmaster of Gorton High School, Kotgarh and later House Master at Bishop Cotton School. His mother, Mrs D. Wilson taught at Auckland House School for several years.

Mr Wilson, has been a member of the Board of Governors and Managing Committees of the reputed schools, colleges and universities all over the country.

Kangra, January 2
Nestled in the green surroundings of the Kangra valley, the sprawling Pong Dam Wetland has been a major habitat for migratory birds attracting more than 90,000 migratory birds this year. Two cases of poaching have been registered against three persons arrested at Nagrota Surian and Dhameta in the district during the past three months.

Talking to The Tribune, Mr V.K. Singh, Conservator (Wildlife), Dharamsala, said the Department of Wildlife had taken up various steps to ensure the protection of migratory birds, apart from improving their habitat. At least 40 village forest development committees had been set up to keep a vigil on the poachers.

According to residents of Nagrota Surian, last year, too, reports of bird poaching were registered while most of such cases went unnoticed as the poaching was allegedly carried out in early morning hours.

The Conservator said 9 check posts had been set up at different places within the bird sanctuary besides two mobile check posts. The migratory birds had made Nagrota Surian, Guglara, Tairess, Jambal Bassi, Nandpur Bhatoli and Dehra and some of other areas their abode.

The birds from trans-Himalayan region had started reaching Pong Dam wildlife sanctuary in October this year and their migration continued unabated. Their number was likely to touch 1.50 lakh, the highest of the last three years.

Last year 1.42 lakh migratory birds came to the Pong Dam reservoir while in 2004 the number of winged guests from Sibaria and Central Asian countries visiting the area was 1.30 lakh. Till date more than 90,000 winged guests had landed at the reservoir.

The most common bird species that had arrived and often visited the lake every year included ruddy shell ducks (surkhab), bar-headed geese, mallards, coots, pochards and pintails. Besides rare red-necked grebe and gulls were also seen there. They came from as far as Afghanistan, Mongolia China, Sybaria, Central Aisa, Pakistan and Ladakh. The swamps in the area between the barrage and the Shah Nehar down streams made attract majority of the bird species during the season. Built in 1960, the reservoir was the only place in the country after the Bhartpur Sanctuary where the red-necked grebe came every year, he said.

The arrival of gulls, commonly found on seashores, on the lake made the reservoir an exception. It was in 1920 when a British police officer counted 27 bird species in this region. Subsequently, it was designated as protected area.

The Conservator said during winter season tourists from within the country and abroad thronged the Pong Dam area for bird watching.