Shimla, January 8
The state electricity board has proposed to increase the power tariff from 15 to 20 paise per unit for all categories, except the domestic and agriculture consumers in the annual revenue requirement (ARR), for the year 2007-08 filed before the state electricity regulatory commission.

The board has projected the revenue requirement of Rs 1,878.11 crore for the year, an increase of Rs 467 crore over the ARR allowed by the commission for the current financial year. The employees’ cost accounts for Rs 579 crore and interest payments for Rs 258 crore, while Rs 1,099 crore will be spent on power purchase.

The tariff for the non-domestic, non-commercial power is proposed to be increased from Rs 3.65 to Rs 3.85 per unit up to 20 KW and from Rs 2.95 to Rs 3.10 per unit for load above 20 KW. Similarly, for commercial supply the charges are proposed to be revised from Rs 4 to Rs 4.20 per unit up to 20 KW, from Rs 3.20 to Rs 3.35 for 20 KW to 100 KW and from Rs 3 to Rs 3.15 above 100 KW.

A nominal increase of 10 paise per unit has been proposed in industrial sector up to 20 KW and 15 paise per unit above 20 KW. The maximum increase from Rs 2 to Rs 2.45 per unit has been proposed in the extra high tension supply, followed by high tension supply the charges for which are proposed to be revised from Rs 2.10 to Rs 2.50 per unit.

The board own generation will increase from 1,408 million units in the current year to 1,823 million units in 2007-08, mainly due to the commissioning of the 126 MW Larji and 12 MW Khauli projects. The total availability, including inter-state power purchase, will be 6,481 million units. The sale within state will go up from 4,112 million units to 4,693 million units mainly due to the coming up of new industries.

Despite a shortfall of about 75 per cent in power generation in Himachal on account of low discharge in rivers, power cuts have not been imposed even though restrictions have been put on industrial units.

Against a daily requirement of 162 lakh units, only 130 lakh units are being generated by various projects being run by the state, the Centre or joint ventures.

During the winter, the generation at all projects in the state is reduced by almost 70 per cent to 80 per cent as there is hardly any melting of glaciers and snow, thereby reducing the water discharge in the rivers, hitting generation.

In order to ensure that there is no power shortage, industrial units have been asked not to run between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. when the consumption is at its peak.

However, those industries requiring continuous power supply have been exempted from this order.

The power projects being run by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) are able to generate only 23 lakh units per day as against 100 lakh per day during the peak generation.

To meet its requirement these days, Himachal is getting about 4.5 lakh units per day from Delhi under a barter system practiced by the two states on account of their varying requirements during the summer and the winter. Similarly, Punjab is providing about 22 lakh units to Himachal daily under a banking arrangement when the hill state gives all its surplus power in summer to its neighbour and receives it in the winter.

Solan, January 8
An exorbitant amount of about Rs 1.41 crore has been spent on the construction of a link road of less than a 3-km stretch connecting Kotla village to Tirnali near here.

It was constructed to facilitate lifting of pumping machinery for the Giri Water Scheme at a time when it was decided to undertake three-stage lifting of water. Later, this was modified to single stage lifting in 2004. The tenders for this road were floated in July 2004 and by that time the single stage water lifting had been finalised.

The BJP has raised questions over the exorbitant cost of this road. Addressing mediapersons here yesterday the BJP’s state spokesman and local MLA, Dr Rajiv Bindal, said it belied all logic how Rs 1.41 crore could be incurred on merely cutting a road stretch of less than 3 km.

He pointed out that roads constructed on similar hilly terrain in the adjoining villages like Jaunajee-Dharo-Ke Dhar stretching 7.5 km were constructed at a cost of Rs 1.71 crore while a road of less than 3 km has costed Rs 1.41 crore here.

On other stretches works like cutting, tarring, cross drainage etc were accomplished in this amount while here merely cutting had been done.

He has demanded an inquiry into the matter and said public money was being misused. He listed names of six contractors who had benefited in the process.

They included Ms Kamlesh Puri, M/S S.R.M. Constructions, Mr Mahesh Puri, Mr Sanjol Aggrawal all from Shimla, M/S Flora Udyog Solan, M/S Hill Constructions, Solan, who received Rs 11.45 lakh, Rs 15.43 lakh, Rs 51.44 lakh, Rs 4.52 lakh, Rs 17.72 lakh, Rs 40.42 lakh, respectively. It was strange why the soling and tarring work was disbursed among six firms.

Dr Bindal alleged that according to their estimate work of not more than Rs 40 lakh had been executed in this road and only a complete inquiry would bring out the facts of the matter.

The villagers had raised questions about the road having failed to connect their village by merely 800 metres before the IPH minister during his recent visit to the Giri Water Scheme at Guara.

The minister had alleged that it was the local MLA who was creating hurdles for further connecting it to the village.

The fact that despite this excessive cost the department has failed to link the road to Tirnali village having a population of nearly 200 people it has drawn severe protest from the villagers.

Hamirpur, January 8
Even as the National Highway Authority is yet to consider the idea of double-laning of the National Highway-88 passing through the heart of Hamirpur, traffic bottlenecks have become common on the busy stretch. The only solution in sight is the ambitious Rs 16-crore project of making a bypass from Pucca Baroh to Mattan Sidh, which would ease the traffic congestion to some extent as heavy vehicles which do not have to pass through Hamirpur would use the bypass.

Talking to The Tribune, Mr Satish Nag, Executive Engineer, National Highway Authority, said acquiring land on the National Highway-88 in the main market would be an impossible task as there are shops on both sides of the road. Double-laning of the stretch is, therefore, not a part of any proposal. This was one key reason that the decision to make a bypass was taken so that the flow of heavy traffic is reduced considerably.

"The bypass will be around 6 km long and will be the ideal route for trucks and buses which at present have no option but to pass through the Hamirpur town. A massive exercise of acquiring land for the bypass is complete and the project has been included in the next plan of the National Highway Authority," he said.

Meanwhile, traffic snarls are a common sight throughout the day on the highway. The flow of traffic is also obstructed by the buses coming out of the inter-state bus terminus, which is located right in the middle of the market.

"Since most passengers prefer to alight outside the bus stand, most buses stop at the entrance of the bus stand and this invariably leads to traffic jams. The presence of traffic policemen makes little difference, as scores of buses and trucks, besides vehicles of locals, get struck up in the traffic blockades. Considering this, the administration has mooted a proposal to shift the bus stand for long distance buses outside the municipal limits," said an official.

The situation has been aggravated by the unplanned digging up of all key roads in the town for laying of sewerage and underground telephone wires. Delegations of Residents' Welfare Committees of different colonies have been meeting the district administration officials in this regard to highlight the inconvenience being faced by the locals.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rajneesh Kumar, said in view of these complaints, a committee with officials with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department would be constituted to make sure that the digging work is carried out in a planned manner and traffic policemen were deployed to guide commuters through the diversions to alternative routes.

Kangra, January 8
One thousand and four hundred posts of medical, paramedical and other staff will be created for Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College at Tanda to make the institution self-contained and a top centre of medical education.

Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, stated this while addressing a public meeting at Rakkar Majherna in the Rajgir Assembly segment of Kangra district today.

The Chief Minister said he had envisioned it to be the best medical college and hospital in the entire north India and added that Rs 300 crore had so far been spent while an additional amount of Rs 50 crore was being spent on the procurement of machinery and equipment of world standard.

This would help students avail the latest medical education facilities in the state, he added.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said he had initiated the tradition of winter sojourn to lower areas in order to provide the people an opportunity to approach the government at the doorstep and help them redress their grievances at the earliest. He dedicated the Rakkar Majherna augmented water supply scheme completed at a cost of Rs 45.28 lakh to the people.

Kangra, January 8
Himachal Transport and Tourism Minister G.S. Bali expressed resentment against the Delimitation Commission for decreasing one constituency out of 16 of Kangra district.

Mr Bali was addressing a press conference at his residence here today. He said he had sought time for tomorrow from the Chairman of the Delimitation Commission and members to place actual situation of this district before them. He said, “Himachal Government has placed it views before the commission but it did not take those suggestions in right perspective”.

Mr Bali said it was unfortunate the commission sought views of people and the public representatives on delimitation in the state but their views were never considered. The process seemed to be ‘eyewash’ only. Public views were ignored and seeking suggestions by the commission was only a formality.

He said all 16 constituencies were coming under the norms of the commission but under which norms one constituency was deleted and other constituencies reorganised in Kangra district Mr Bali asked?

He said Nagrota Bagwan constituency, which he represented was extended to Balogolava and Jadrangal and other areas were cut, seemed unjustified. He said on maps the situation was different but on ground topography of the hill state was different. He said, “The Delimitation Commission cannot penalise only district in the state”. The Family Welfare movement will receive a setback in the district because of this decision of the commission.

He said protest against the commission’s report started from today and he gave a call to concerned all to join against this decision. He suggested the commission should give more time and reconsider the issue in the larger interests. The political observers here say the decision of the commission would imbalance political fortunes of some leaders of the Kangra district irrespective of party alliance in February 2008.

Shimla, January 8
The CPM has urged the government to immediately cancel the lease of prime land allotted to a local Congress legislator at the SDA complex in Kasumpti. The party said the land had been allotted in violation of the Supreme Court’ direction of not changing the pattern of the land use.

In a statement issued here today, the Secretary of the district committee of the CPM, Mr Sanjay Chauhan, alleged that the existing park near the Himurja building at the SDA complex in Kasumpti had been allotted on 99 years lease to the Congress MLA, Mr Harbhajan Singh Bhajji, for commercial purpose by putting pressure on the Housing Board.

Palampur, January 8
Mr Virbhadra Singh ,Chief Minister, today asked journalists to maintain high standards of journalism and desist from mud slugging and yellow journalism.

The Chief Minister who was speaking after inaugurating a Press Club building at Baijnath said the Press was the fourth pillar of democracy and it had a significant role to play in the present democratic set up. He said people had still faith in the media and it should maintain its credibility. He appealed to newspersons to highlight constructive stories and problems of people.

Mr Virbhadra Singh the government was aware of the problems of mediapersons in the state and various steps had already been initiated in this regard.

He said the government had already relaxed the accreditation rules so that journalists working at the subdivisional headquarters could also get accreditation.

Manali, January 8
Manpreet of Shimla was crowned Winter Queen at the winter carnival-2007 here last evening. Deepika of Shimla was the first runners-up and Surekha Verma of Manali second runners-up at the five-day carnival.

The following are the results of other competitions: personality contest (men): Ajay Shimla-1; Raj, Virasat group of Punjab-2; and Ram Lal of Manali-3.

Jhanki (Mahila Mandal): Jharag Mahila Mandal-1; Bran Mahila Mandal-2; and Gojara Mahila Mandal-3.

Jhanki: Jagriti Kala Manch, Manali-1; Aakah Kala Sangam, Bhuntar-2; and Muktsar Kala Manch, Punjab-3.

Solo song: Mandvia Kala Manch, Mandi-1; Mudra Rakshas Group, Kulu-2; and Punjabi Virsa Club, Punjab-3.

Clasical dance: Government Degree College, Kulu-1; Mandvia Kala Manch, Mandi-2.

Film dance: Mudra Rakshas Group, Kulu-1; Mandvia Kala Manch, Mandi-2; and Natraj Natya Kunj, Jammu-3.

One-Act play: Mandvia Kala Manch, Mandi-1; Sharad-e- Panjab-2; and Mudra Rakshas, Kulu-3.

Fashion show: Mudra Rakshas Group, Kulu-1; Mandvia Kala Manch, Mandi-2; and Jagriti Kala Manch, Manali-3.

Folk dance: Mandvia Kala Manch, Mandi-1; Government Degree College, Kulu-2; and Punjabi Virsa Club, Punjab-3. The overall trophy was won by Mandvia Kala Manch, Mandi.

The concluding function was presided over by Mrs Pratibha Singh, Member of Parliament .

Speaking on the occasion, she said a sum of more than Rs 1 crore would be spent on the construction of adventure tourism building in Manali. A sum of Rs 90 lakh was being spent to develop Naggar as heritage village.

Kangra, January 8
One person was killed and three others were injured in two different road accidents in the district during the past 24 hours, the police said here today.

According to the police, a jeep (HP-39A-212) hit a scooter (HP-49-2020) leaving two persons, Rakesh Kumar and Anil Kumar, travelling on the scooter injured at Pasu More falling under Dharamsala police station. The police said that Anil Kumar later succumbed to his injuries in the Dr R.P. Government Medical College at Dharamsala. The driver of the jeep was arrested and jeep impounded.

Two persons, Sonu and Kalu, were injured when a tractor on which they were travelling rolled down into a khud at Nowsi falling under Shahpur police station. A case against the driver was registered.