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Acid attack: Kangna’s kin, accused trade charges
BJP at war with Chief Minister
State to tap snow to check drought
Vivekanand Medical College awaits completion for want of funds
Nagpur NGO to get garbage collection rights
Widow of BSF jawan lodged in Pak jail
Bhoranj to be subdivision
Charas smuggler get 10-yr RI
CM’s servant traced |
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BJP launches ‘Jan Jagran’ campaign
BJP rally in Shimla on March 6
10 houses gutted
Banks distribute 2.76 lakh cards among farmers
Medico killed in road mishap
Bilaspur gets new police chief
Khullar is Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
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Acid attack: Kangna’s kin, accused trade charges
Mandi, January 31 The accusations came at a time when bail application of Mr Abhinash in the acid attack case is coming up on February 2 at Dehra Dun. Ms Kangana, who played lead role in ‘Gangster’ and ‘Wo Lamhein’, has filed a complaint at Varsova Police Station in Mumbai, stating that “she had been receiving harsh SMS and threatening calls from some person whom she suspected to be the accused in the acid attack on
her sister”. Ms Kangana’s father, Mr Amardeep Ranaut, who lives at Bamvla village in Sarkaghat, and Mr Abhinash who is doing M.Sc in Bioinformatics and hails from Sarkaghat area, have also complained against each other at Sarkaghat, accusing each other of issuing life-threats to
each other. The co-accused in the case of acid attack on Ms Rangoli at Dehra Dun last year, Mr Abhinash, today held press conference here. He denied the charges stating that they had launched a propaganda to victimise him and weaken his bail application in the case that would be coming up for hearing at Dehra Dun court on February 2. Mr Abhinash said that he was being falsely implicated in the case just as a ploy to ruin his career. “My studies have suffered. I have being receiving threats to my life from the Ranauts and there is danger to me and my family. If something happens to his life they will be responsible for that,” he alleged. Mr Amardeep Ranaut said that his daughter had told him on the phone that she had received threats from Abhinash as he was trying to defame the reputation of the family. “Mr Abhinash is accused in the acid attack on my daughter in Dehar Dun last year”, he alleged”. When the Press secretary of Ms Kangana Ranaut Ms Parul was contacted on her phone in Mumbai she told The Tribune that Ms Kangana has lodged a complaint at the police station there stating that she had been receiving harsh messages and threatening calls from some person. The DSP Sarkaghat, Mr Vimal Gupta, said both the parties had registered the complaints stating that they have being receiving threats and demanded
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BJP at war with Chief Minister
Hamirpur, January 31 During his winter sojourn, Mr Dhumal's name had predominantly figured in almost every public meeting that Mr Virbhadra Singh addressed. The Chief Minister who had gone to inaugurate a regional diagnostic centre in the district hospital was again greeted by black flags waving BJP workers. They also held demonstrations against the government policies at the Nadaun and Bhota Chowks in However, the police acted swiftly and picked up a few persons for questioning and identifying the other demonstrators. The BJP leaders said this indicated that the Chief Minister was getting frustrated. The BJP’s state general secretary, Mr Khusi Ram Balnatah, said the Chief Minister's visit was a 'flops show'. “The writing is on the wall that there is resentment among people of the district against the state government and it is time for the Chief Minister to do some introspection,” he added. Referring to the Chief Minister's remarks about the BJP leadership, Mr Balnatah said, "Mr Virbhadra Singh should practice restraint on the kind of words he uses against Leader of the Opposition during his public addresses. Remarks like calling Mr Dhumal a second rate leader does not suit the vocabulary of an experienced leader like him." Asked if such flags would be shown during the Chief Minister's tours to other districts as well, he said there was no such plan but the protests in the town had definitely highlighted the feelings of the people. “It is the democratic right of people to demonstrate against the policies of the government and those rounded up by the police should be immediately released,” he demanded.
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State to tap snow to check drought
Shimla, January 31 The Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Mr Kaul Singh Thakur, stated this while presiding over a meeting to review the functioning of his department. He said the weather had become erratic due to global warming and there was a perceptible decline in the pattern of the snow and rainfall. In the emerging situation the construction of rain water and snow harvesting structures had to be given top priority. Thus, the government was stressing on sustainability measures like rooftop rainwater harvesting structures in all institutional buildings. The collected water could thus be used for flushing of water closets, gardening and cleaning purposes. So far the department had completed 72-rain water harvesting structures and work on 64 was in progress. Providing computers up to subdivision level throughout the state were setting up a management information system. The web site of the department had been launched to facilitate transparency and to provide more information about departmental activities. Mr Thakur said water supply scheme for Solan would be completed by October and that for Shimla by December. The schemes for Bhuntar, Bhota, Shah Tlai and Nauti Khad Shimla would be completed by the year-end. He said sewerage schemes at Rampur, Hamirpur, Una, Dharamsala, Jogindernagar, Arki and Kulu would be completed during the current financial year. He said out 45,367 habitations in the state only 4,080 were to be provided with the drinking water facility. The state had fixed the target of 3,000 partially covered habitations to be provided the facility during 2006-07 and 1,335 such habitations had been covered up to December 2006. He said the remaining 1,080 habitations would be covered during the next year. Mr Thakur said the Swajaldhara programme with people's participation was being implemented throughout the state and schemes worth Rs 47.15 crore had been taken up for execution and so far 1,030 schemes had been completed. He said the state’s Cabinet had decided to hand over 20 per cent of water supply schemes instead of 10 per cent to the Panchayati Raj institutions. The department had identified 1,101 schemes for handing it to such institutions.
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Vivekanand Medical College awaits completion for want of funds
Palampur, January 31 This institute was meant to provide quality medical care to people of the lower region of the
state. Local people feel that this project has of late become a victim of dirty politics as the successive governments during the past 10 years have not bothered to get this project completed in time. The proposal to set up this super-specialty medical institution was approved by the state government in 1992. This project was being set up under the guidelines of experts from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS),
New Delhi. For many years, the experts had been regularly visiting and watching the progress and were also providing technical guidelines to the trust. Later, they also stopped coming after the construction work was stopped. At its infancy stage, this project was a joint venture of the state government and the Apollo Group of Hospitals that was to run this institution through a local trust. Later, the Apollo group left this project. Neither the state government nor any other private party has thereafter shown interest in the completion of the project. For the past over 10 years, the project has remained confined to the official files only. The Congress as well as the BJP that have ruled the state during the past 10 years have virtually abandoned this project. In 2002, another trust headed by former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar was formed to execute the pending work on the project. Many local social workers and senior citizens of the region were included in the trust. The old trust in which the state government was also a party was dissolved. After this development, the state government also transferred all funds lying in the bank and valuable land measuring 40 acres situated in the heart of the town to the new trust on a token lease of just Re 1 per year. With the setting up of a super-specialty hospital having an indoor capacity of 500 beds, the project was envisaged to provide a medical college, nursing institution, para-medical school and yoga/naturopathy treatment facilities. The trust had made specific provisions in its by-laws to keep 20 per cent beds reserved for poor patients and free medical aid would be given to
them. The trust was also committed to provide other medical facilities on most affordable rates to other patients. The first phase of project which included a naturopathy centre known as the Himalayan Research Institute for Yoga and Naturopathy has already been commissioned. It provides quality services in naturopathy and yoga to the people of this region and adjoining states. Five naturopathy and yoga experts in different fields have been appointed by the trust. Indoor facility to over 100 patients have also been provided. After the formation of the new trust, the entire funding of project is being met by donations from individuals and institutions. The Dalai Lama, spiritual head of the Tibetan community, has also contributed Rs 5 crore to complete one block of the hospital which has been named Mount Kailash
Prakhand. The Birla group of industries has also donated Rs 3 crore for the construction of the yoga and naturopathy centre that has already been commissioned. However, the trust is at present facing a financial crisis even after spending crores of rupees. It seems that it will be unable to complete the project in the near future if funds are not arranged.
However, Mr Shanta Kumar, when contacted, said he was hopeful that the institution would be functional by next year.
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Nagpur NGO to get garbage collection rights
Shimla, January 31 At its monthly meeting, the Municipal Corporation (MC) today authorised the Commissioner to hand over the letter of intent to CDC Trust, which is already engaged in garbage collection in eight other towns of the country. The trust will now make a presentation before the MC, before being assigned the task finally. The Advisory Committee constituted by the High Court had shortlisted the name of CDC Trust, Nagpur, as they were the only ones found to be technically sound. Prior to this, a local NGO, Green Carpet, used to collect garbage from over 30,000 households in the town. With the merger of the three Special Area Development Authorities (SADA) of Tutu, New Shimla and Dhalli into the MC, the number of households had almost doubled. It was felt that Green Carpet could not handle garbage collection from over 50,000 households and a bigger NGO that was technically equipped had to be given the task. The MC had started the door-to-door collection of garbage in order to keep the town clean and ensure that it was not littered out in the open. A nominal amount was being charged, which varied for homes, shops, hotels and offices. The MC also approved around 25 estimates amounting to over Rs 50 lakh for works like construction and repair of roads, construction of toilets and laying of pipes. The MC also decided to revise the minutes of the sub-letting issue, discussed at the last meeting. This is being done as the issue instead of being decided on the basis of the latest 1999 policy was based on the old 1989 policy. |
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Widow of BSF jawan lodged in Pak jail
Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), January 31 In February, 2006, she disappeared and despite all efforts by her two children and other relatives she could not be traced. Her son Arun (16) lodged a report about his mother with the Dharampur police in April last year. The police made efforts, but could not trace her, Mandi Superintendent of Police Chandra Sekhar said. "Last week I got a call from the BSF, Jalandhar, about a woman resembling Chandra Devi being lodged in a jail in Pakistan," the SP said. "A BSF DIG told me that the woman had strayed into Pakistan and is lodged in a jail there and asked the Mandi police to verify the photograph of the woman," he said. Her relatives went to Jalandhar and confirmed that it was the photograph of Chandra Devi, the SP said, adding "the BSF DIG told me that they were in touch with the Pakistan Rangers for the return of the woman". The DIG said the matter would be discussed during talks with the Pakistan Rangers on February 14, The Mandi SP said. Meanwhile, Chandra Devi's two children - Arjun (16) and Asha (11) - are facing a fund crunch as after her disappearance, there was no scope for drawing pension money registered in her name. While Arjun is a student of Class XI, Asha is studying in Class VII. The children are pinning their hopes on Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma for help to bring back their mother from Pakistan jail, the sources added.
— PTI |
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Bhoranj to be subdivision
Hamirpur, January 31 Earlier, he inaugurated the regional diagnostic centre, competed at a cost of Rs 2.90 crore and the administrative block of NIT. The Chief Minister said the government would soon make the new civil sub-division functional to provide better administration. He also announced the upgradation of government high school, Jahu to senior secondary level, government primary school Garjayan, Sai Dhar to Middle, level primary health centre at Karohta. He also announced the upgradation of government high school, Kot to Senior Secondary School. Mr Virbhadra Singh said the creation of separate district for people of Hamirpur was the vision of the Congress government to provide efficient administration. He said sub-divisions, tehsils and other revenue and administrative units were opened all over the district for good governance. Mr Virbhadra Singh said his five-day long visit to Hamirpur district had been a success. He said he had laid foundation stones of a number of projects. Mr Kashmir Singh Thakur, Chairman, Land Development Bank said Jahu happened to be a business center in the past and business flourished in the hill State. He said his bank had been catering to financial needs of farmers. He urged the upgradation of government high school, Kot. |
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Charas smuggler get 10-yr RI
Chamba, January 31 In default of payment of fine, the convict shall further undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years. In the judgement passed by the Additional Sessions Judge of the Fast-Track Court here yesterday, it was stated that on March 14 last year, police officials were on patrol duty at zero point Goli on the Chamba-Pathankot highway in day time, the accused Dharam Singh came from Choura roadside wearing a jacket. His jacket was searched by the police and during the checking, the police found polythene envelopes containing 2 kg of charas being smuggled by the accused.
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CM’s servant traced
Shimla, January 31 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr A.P. Singh, SP, said Rajinder Singh, who had earlier worked at the residence of the Chief Minister was found working in the restaurant at Bhambla, on the Mandi-Hamirpur border. “He is working at the restaurant as a cook out of his own choice and wants to continue working there,” the SP added. An employee leader had earlier alleged that the police had not tried to track down the servant, who had gone missing. The paternal uncle of Rajinder Singh had lodged a missing report at a local police station. The police on its part had flashed his photograph and other details on All India Radio and Doordarshan, he added.
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BJP launches ‘Jan Jagran’ campaign
Rajnagar (Chamba), Jan 31 In a statement here today, the district BJP president and former minister, Mr Mohan Lal said that in the wake of current year as “an election year”, the BJP had decided to bring awareness among the masses of the region about the landmark achievements attained during the previous BJP regime in the country and the state as well. The awareness drive had been launched from the Rajnagar constituency which is the northern corner of Himachal Pradesh, Mr Mohan Lal said. The second phase of the campaign would be chalked out by the party high command in due course of time, Mr Mohan Lal added.
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BJP rally in Shimla on March 6
Hamirpur, January 31 The decision was taken at a meeting of the state leadership here today. It was attended among others by former Chief Ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar. Solutions to important issues like price rise would be discussed at the rally. Addressing a press conference, BJP state general secretary Khusi Ram Balnatah said the rally would coincide the completion of four years of Congress government in the state. He demanded a clarification from the Chief Minister on the Congress government’s plan to set up three new universities and four medical colleges in the state.
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10 houses gutted
Chamba, January 31 The fire which broke out all of a sudden in the tribal village during the midnight caused damage in lakhs of rupees and rendered about a dozen families houseless. The sources revealed that the subdivisional officials had rushed to the site of fire incident to ascertain the cause of fire and assess the damages caused due to fire. The revenue officials had undertaken relief and rescue operation and were identifying the fire victims so that immediate relief could be disbursed to them as per the relief manual of the government. |
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Banks distribute 2.76 lakh cards among farmers
Shimla, January 31 He said that the synergy between government agencies and financial intermediaries had helped the state’s economy to record an above national average growth of 8.2 per cent with ever increasing per capita income, which now stood at Rs 33,600. The state had recorded the highest growth in health, education and consumer’ s market in the country. The annual credit plan based on the potential linked plan for 2006-07 had projected an annual growth of 38.40 per cent and envisaged a total credit expansion of Rs 2,501.92 crore in the state. The banks had already disbursed Rs 1,145.53 crore during the first half of the plan period. |
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Medico killed in road mishap
Sundernagar, January 31 According to the police, all were riding a motor cycle and were coming to Sundernagar from Dhanotu side and met with an accident near the bus stand. The cause of accident could not be ascertained immediately. The killed youth was identified as Manish (22) from Shimla and the injured were identified as Sajal Negi of Hamirpur and Akilesh of
Bilaspur. The police has registered a case and started investigations. |
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Bilaspur gets new police chief
Shimla, January 31 Mr Prem Thakur, ASP, Sirmaur, has been posted as SP, Vigilance and ACB, Dharamsala. Mr Kapil Sharma, Commandant, IIIrd India Reserve Battalion, will hold the additional charge of SP, ACB, Mandi. Mr Yog Raj, DSP, Enforcement, Dharamsala, has been posted as DSP, ACB, Keylong, against the newly created zone. |
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Khullar is Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
Shimla, January 31 He replaces Mr R.A. Singh who retired today after putting in 36 years of service. A 1971 batch officer, Mr Khullar was ignored for the top post in 2001 despite being senior to Mr Singh. He was promoted to the rank of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests but posted against an ex-cadre post as Chief Wildlife Warden. At present he was posted as Managing Director of the General Industries Corporation and was holding the additional charge of the HPMC and Agro India Packaging Limited.
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