Solan, April 8
Five members of a family were killed while two children were injured, one of them seriously, when an Indica car (HP-34 -A-5653) rolled down a gorge near Bangora village on the Shimla-Mandi national highway around 1:25 a.m. on Sunday. The family hailing from the Dhundan area of Arki tehsil was returning from Shimla when the mishap occurred.

Those killed include Devi Chand (55), wife Devki (50) and sister Nirmla (50), Nirmla’s son and driver Naresh (30) and Devi Chand’s nephew Ketan (14).

Micky (9) and Ishu (7) were referred to the IGMC, Shimla.

As Micky’s condition was stated to be serious, he was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh while Ishu was discharged.

Naib Tehsildat Keshav Ram, who visited the spot, said it was the 15th fatal accident occurring on the spot in recent years. This stretch of the highway has no parapet, leading to frequent accidents. A sum of Rs 50,000 was given to the family as immediate relief by the Naib Tehsildar.

The bodies were handed over to the family after a post-mortem.

Nahan: Two persons were killed as a jeep (HP 17-0777), which was on its way from Nohra Dhar to Haripur Dhar, fell into a deep gorge near Sail village, about 120 km from here, on Sunday evening

The jeep feel into the gorge as its driver could not control the vehicle while negotiating a turn. Driver Balwant Singh (22) of Panar village in Dadahu sub-tehsil and Vinod Kumar (20) of Sainj village under Sangrah tehsil were killed on the spot. The bodies have been sent for a post- mortem to the Dadahu hospital.

Shimla: The driver of a tipper was killed at Bhathal, near Nerva, around 130 km from here, after the vehicle fell into a gorge Saturday night.

Sources said the driver of the vehicle, Narinder Singh, 20, was killed on the spot, while another person, Naresh, was injured in the accident.

He was admitted to a government hospital at Nerva. A case has been registered. 

Shimla, April 8
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) will provide research backup to the hill state in combating forest diseases, besides establishing seed production areas and preservation of sample plots of important forestry species.

These issues were discussed during a meeting between ICFRE director-general Jagdish Kishwan and chief secretary S. S. Parmar here today.

Parmar expressed concern over the mortality of willows, deodars and chir pine and sheesham in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. The chief secretary appreciated the timely and useful recommendations of the Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI) to deal with the problems. He also agreed to explore the possibility of providing financial support to the HFRI to handle such problems in future. He also appreciated the ICFRE initiative in setting up a demonstration village and van vigyan kendras (VVKs) in the state.

Kishwan also held a meeting with Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Pankaj Khullar, and other senior forest officers and discussed in detail the problems and issues pertaining to forestry research. The establishment of van vigyan kendras, seed production areas and revival of preservation and sample plots of important forestry species were discussed.

Kishwan also suggested that all forestry projects, particularly the externally aided projects, must have a built-in research component to support the concurrent forestry research problems. He also inspected the proposed site for establishing a multipurpose complex in Panthaghati along with A. K. Trivedi, chief engineer, civil construction unit, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The complex, to be built at a cost of Rs 1.68 crore, will have facilities for training, including an auditorium, for capacity building of various user groups. The state forest department has already provided a financial assistance of Rs. 50 lakh for the construction of this complex.

Kullu, April 8
The only scheduled airline between Kullu and Delhi has adopted a monopolistic attitude and started charging between Rs 6, 200 and Rs 10, 397 per ticket from Kullu to Delhi.

At its inaugural flight function on October 16 last year, the managing director of Air Deccan had promised to keep the tariff up to Rs 2,700, but the promise was being hardly maintained.

Those in the tourism sector said that the airline’s monopolistic fare structure would hit tourism.

Director of a four-star hotel Arun Sharma said the people of Kullu had high hopes on the introduction of Air Deccan flights from Delhi to Kullu, but these had been belied as the airline had not lowered the fares.

The MD of the airline had indicated that the flight from Kullu to Delhi would be within the reach of the common man. He had said that the fare would be around Rs 2,700, but it remained between Rs 4,000 and Rs 7, 400 till last month and now it was more than Rs 10,000.

Travel agents are also critical of the functioning of Air Deccan. Atishaye Vashisht, a representative of the only authorised ticketing agent in Kullu, said Air Deccan website did not work for a month and on-line booking was not possible.

Now the site was working, but the fares were so high that the sales had come down.

A leading travel agent and hotelier, has urged the Chief Minister to take up the issue with Air Deccan and urge the authorities to stick to their announcements regarding fares.

Dalhousie, April 8
After around 18 years of its commissioning, all three 130-MW units of the Dulhasti hydroelectric project were fully commissioned last week. With this, the project has started generating power to its full capacity. The delay in achieving the goal tested overstretched tolerance and endurance levels, but feat has been quite satisfying for the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) authorities, its contractors, employees and the nation as a whole.

The project is headquartered at Kishtwar in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, adjacent to the difficult border region of Chamba.

The project is a run-of-river scheme on the Chenab. It envisaged construction of a 65-metre-high, 186-metre-long concrete dam, two 240-m deform type desilting chambers, a 10.6-km-long headrace tunnel (HRT), a 90-metre-deep surge shaft of 18.25-m diameter and an underground powerhouse accommodating three Francis turbines of 130 MW capacity each. The tail water will be discharged through a 298-m tailrace tunnel (TRT).

The government sanction for the execution of the project by a French consortium was accorded in July, 1989, at a cost of Rs 1,262.97 crore.

The work was awarded on turnkey basis to the consortium led by the CEGELEC with a completion period of 57 months.

A rescission agreement was signed with the French consortium in July, 1995, allowing the contractors to go out of the contract, while other consortium members like the CEGELEC, the COMELEX, the SEITP and the COB were allowed to continue the work. The NHPC was allowed to make alternative arrangements for the execution of the remaining civil work and the same were awarded to a joint venture.

Most of the civil and other works of the project were completed in 2001-02. However, the construction of 10.6-km-long headrace tunnel was a challenging task for the NHPC since excavation was carried out from the two upstream and downstream faces only and the construction of any intermediate access tunnel was not technically feasible. The excavation from upstream face was planned to be executed with the help of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) and from downstream face by normal drill blast method (DBM). A TBM brought from the USA by the French consortium and was used for the first time in India.

The project will generate 1,928 million units (MUs) of energy annually. The evacuation of power from the project will be done through 400 KV Kishtwar-Kishanpur and Kishanpur-Pampore transmission lines. The project will benefit Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and Uttrakhand, according to S.K. Dodeja, director (projects) of the NHPC.

The project has been completed at an overall cost of over Rs 5,000 crore and shall be supplying power to the grid at a tariff of over Rs 3 per unit with 12 per cent free power assigned to Jammu and Kashmir.

Dharamsala, April 8
All is not well with the public distribution of essential commodities through fair-price shops of cooperative societies in the state and the system needs to be improved to extend maximum benefit of subsidy to the poor.

It was quite evident from the fact that 211 fair-price shops in five out of the 12 districts were found involved in irregularities during the past few months. The details of the rest of the districts were not available.

As per details available, 82 fair-price shops in Kangra were raided by teams of special flying squads constituted by the state Food and Civil Supplies Department over the past few months and 58 were found involved in irregularities. An FIR was registered against one such shop, while fine was imposed on others.

Similarly, 127 such raids were conducted in Mandi district and irregularities were detected in 49 cases and penalty imposed. In Chamba district, 29 raids were conducted and 16 shops penalised by imposing fine on them. In Kullu district, 38 shops were penalised by imposing fine while fine was imposed on 48 shops in Hamirpur district. An FIR was also registered in one case for alleged irregularities.

The biggest scandal of selling subsidised ration on the black market was unearthed in the far-flung area of Bara-Bangal in Kangra district in which a magisterial inquiry was conducted and two separate FIRs registered under the Essential Commodities Act and the IPC. Initial findings revealed that 630 quintals of ration meant for the poor had gone missing.

Investigations in the case were still on and evidences were coming to the fore that subsidised ration was never transported to this village for the past many years. It was distributed from Chota-Bangal village, around 16 km from here.

Senior officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department maintained that they were trying their best to put a check on fair-price shops, but the support from the panchayats was lacking.

“The people should become more aware of their consumer rights and come forward to help the authorities in detecting irregularities so that they can avail themselves of the maximum benefit of subsidy,” said Yadwinder Paul, district food and civil supply controller of Kangra district.

Shimla, April 8
Efforts to propagate sea buckthorn, the wonder plant, which could change the face cold desert areas of the state, has failed to make headway over the past two decades.

There have been lot of seminars, workshops and study visits of officers to China, which has through a sustained research and development effort transformed the wild bush into a money-spinner. However, not much has happened on this ground in the state. China has developed as many as 192 products from the plant making its cultivation a highly remunerative proposition. Even in the adjoining Jammu and Kashmir, the wild berry was being used to produce juice with the help of private sector.

A number of organisations including the two farm universities, Himalayan Research Institute (HRI), state council for science and technology and the forest department were involved. The efforts failed to yield the desired results due to lack systematic, scientific and well-coordinated approach.

According to the scientists of the HRI, the main problem was that propagation was started without identifying the most suitable species and attempt was made to grow it on slopes having little water. A large number of berries belonging to a particular species were produced in the Leh and Spiti areas. Hippophae Salicilia, the dominant species in Lahaul and Hippophae tibeciana of Kinnaur, comparatively bore less fruit. The yield had to be taken into consideration for commercial viability.

The institute, which started working on sea buckthorn about six years ago has found that the Hippophae rhamnoides of Pin valley, as the most suitable species for propagation. However, it maintains that it could not be commercially exploited like China or even Leh because of the difficult topography. It was a water loving plant, which required a lot of moisture. There was hardly any flat land with sufficient moisture in Lahaul and Kinnaur like Leh where the banks of Indus River and its tributaries provided the fertile ground for growth of the bush.

The hills in the tribal areas were too steep and dry. As such it can be grown only along the rivulets, which flowed through precipitous hills. However, keeping in view its importance in preventing soil erosion, conserving moisture and fixing atmospheric nitrogen, the species needs to be propagated for ecological rehabilitation of the cold desert areas to begin with. It is currently being used only as live hedge and fuel wood.

Deputy commissioner of Lahaul and Spiti, R Selvam has taken a fresh initiative for growing sea buckthorn on a commercial scale in the district. He has submitted Rs 50 crore project to the union ministry of environment and forests under which 3000 hectare of area will be brought under the medicinal plant over a period of six years. Already about six lakh saplings have been raised for the plantation programme. It will also take care of the post harvest handling and processing of the fruit.

The director general of forests has convened a meeting of technical experts from various organisations to ascertain whether the project was a feasible proposition or required changes.

Palampur, April 8
Kangra valley narrow-gauge railway line, which plays a significant role in the economy of the state, is in bad shape thanks to the apathy of the Indian Railways, which has made no effort in the past 70 years to convert this 120-km track into a broad-gauge line.

The British laid this line in 1932 linking all important and religious towns of Kangra and part of Mandi district. It is stated that the main objective to lay this track was to carry heavy equipment for the installation of the first ever hydroelectric power house at Jogindernagar.

Unfortunately, the Railways has not added anything to this track in the past 73 years. A number of plans were drawn to convert it into a broad-gauge line, but all remained confined to files.

With manifold increase in the population and tourist traffic in the past 25 years, the Railways has failed to come up to the expectations of the people.

The same century-old and outdated engines and coaches have been plying on the track. The authorities could not even introduce a regular first-class compartment.

At present, seven trains are plying on this route daily, covering 33 stations and passing through important places like Nurpur, Jwali, Jwalamukhi Road, Kangra, Nagrota Bagwan, Chamunda, Palampur, Baijnath and Jogindernagar, which are also major tourist centres of the state. No efforts were made to set up a proper ticket window at Pathankot.

The condition of the rail track between Pathankot and Jogindernagar has gone from bad to worse in the past 10 years, as the authorities have no funds to repair the same.

Several small and big bridges are in bad shape. The retaining walls have developed cracks. Wooden logs of the line have already lived their life but no efforts are being made to replace these. The residential quarters and railway station buildings are also crying for repair.

Besides, almost all 33-railway stations of the Kangra valley lack basic facilities like drinking water, cleanliness and waiting room for passengers.

Shimla, April 8
The Himachalis Hydropower Developers Association has expressed concern over the tardy pace of implementation of mini micro-hydel projects in the state and urged the government to remove the bottlenecks responsible for slow growth.

The association, which met here yesterday, pointed out that the mini micro-hydel projects were eco-friendly and the government had declared HIMURJA as the nodal agency for their development. However, the procedure adopted by HIMURJA was so complex and complicated that it involved all clearances and procedures as applicable to mega hydel power projects. There was urgent need to simplify the procedures.

It decided to meet the Chief Minister and urge him to take the necessary steps. It also requested the government to reserve projects up to 5 MW exclusively for Himachalis and preference be given to them for projects up to 25 MW.

Chamba, April 8
The age-old practice of throwing the debris in water bodies like nullahs and rivers is nowhere visible in Chamera hydroelectric project stage-III, which is being executed by the NHPC in Chamba district.

In fact, Chamera stage-III project has devised a unique way of dumping the muck being extracted due to construction of the project, which not only helps in maintaining the wholesomeness of the Ravi but also has the potential to reduce the scouring of riverbank during peak flow in it.

An inclined cement concrete cladding of adequate height having its foundation deep beneath the ground is being erected all along the dumping yards on both the banks of the river Ravi. The concrete cladding has been considered as permanent measure against scour action during flood condition. A grid arrangement is being laid over the stable embankment slope for protection against surface erosion due to concentrated flow from rainfall, says K.K. Joshi, chief engineer , Chamera hydroelectric project (stage III).

The way the work is going on brings a lot of direct as well as indirect employment opportunities in this area. The local contractors are executing the work at dumping sites by engaging local labourers.

It is for the first time in the history of Himachal Pradesh where the riverbanks of any river like the Ravi in Chamba district stretching for about 20 km within the Chamera-III project catchments has been strengthened and reinforced. The NHPC is going to set up a benchmark by carrying out retaining works on both side banks of the Ravi to curb the muck flowing into the Ravi during rains.

The ongoing development plan of NHPC would help checking massive soil-erosion which would go a long way in protecting the roads and conserving the hill slopes along the river Ravi from further triggering of landslips.

Chamba, April 8
In order to meet the requirement of drinking water in Chamba town, a flagship project for the execution of an additional water supply scheme has been finalised and the work on it has been started. The new project will have a new gravity main, including a water-treatment plant. The government has approved an outlay of Rs 5.9 crore for the purpose.

Chamba was provided with a drinking water supply scheme that was the first of its kind in the state in 1993. The scheme commissioned in June, 1993, was constructed at a cost of Rs 1.4 crore.

Under the existing scheme, water is being tapped from the Chameenu nullah, near Jadera village, by a 13-km-long gravity line that passes through the difficult terrain to the outskirts of Chamba town. Its water-treatment unit has a capacity of 7.28 lakh gallons.

Two storage tanks, having a capacity of one lakh gallons each, and a fire-fighting tank with 40,000 gallons capacity were also constructed. Headworks and feeder channels had also been built. At that time, the scheme was constructed to meet requirement of town’s population of 17,028 (as per 1991 census).

With the passage of time, the town expanded as a result of increase in population. Commercial and industrial activities also went up necessitating the need to augment the existing water scheme.

Animal husbandry and urban development minister Harsh Mahajan took the initiative and got the new additional drinking water supply scheme drawn up and approved by the state government.

Bilaspur, April 8
Several prominent Panchayat and village leaders here in the district have urged Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to recommend name of former legislator Krishan Kumar Kaushal Advocate to Congress Party High Command for party ticket in Hamirpur Parliamentary by-election.

In a representation addressed to the Chief Minister, these leaders have said that presently Krishan Kumar Kaushal can successfully beat BJP candidate from this constituency.

These leaders included Block Development Committee Members, Premlal Thakur - Nahmol, Nikka Ram Thakur- Jugat Khana, Sher Singh Thakur- Dhaun Kothi, Hari Ram Sharma-President Gram Panchayat Solda, and former BDC members - Dr Dharam Pal Sharma- Swahan, Jeet Singh-Behal, Krishan Singh Thakur- Tarwad, Achhar Singh Chaudhary- Dhalet and former Gram Punchayat Presidents Daulat Singh Thakur- Rani Kotla and Romesh Babu Kaundal- Harnoda. 

Solan, April 8
Residents of surrounding areas of Kasauli, including Garkhal, Kimughat and Sanawar, are facing water scarcity due to mismanagement by the IPH Department.

Though the residents are supposed to get water supply every alternate day, the actual periodicity depends on the whims and fancies of those responsible for operating the system. Adding to their woes is the callous attitude of the officials concerned. They care little to address their problems and are generally not available when residents approach them.

Residents allege that water is clandestinely sold to builders as a large-scale construction activity is going on in the area. Though the builders are supposed to arrange water for constructions through tankers, hardly any builder is found doing so. A number of palatial hotels and houses have come up in the Chabal area. Obviously, a lot of water was used in the process and the residents had to face water scarcity.

Linemen said it was due to the large number of new connections and the limited capacity of the existing water tanks that the water supply had been reduced, although there was no shortage.

When contacted, the junior engineer did not bother to attend the phone and was found resting at home at 3 pm. He had joined recently. The assistant engineer based at Dharampur was transferred on March 19 and hence an official from Solan held the dual charge. The executive engineer was out of station. The SE at Nahan said he would look into the problem.

Kumarhatti, April 8
The education scenario at Banasar in Dharampur block is in a mess. Staff shortage and teachers' absenteeism has been plaguing most of the schools here.

Posts of teacher have been lying vacant for a long time. Their absenteeism, late arrival and earlier departure from schools have allegedly affected education scenario in schools. Due to this, the schools are generally closed well before their official timings and unscheduled holidays are galore.

There are six government primary and one high school at Banasar. Primary schools are functioning under Central Primary School, Naya Gram.

“The problem has put a question mark on future prospects of children,” said Banasar panchayat vice-president Shakth Ram Sharma. Teachers coming from outside reach the school late generally, he said. They were always in a hurry to return before time, without caring much about the children, he said. There were occasions when teachers failed to turn up in schools and in a situation like that the children had no option but to leave for their homes, he maintained.

The teaching work was being outsourced to others, accused former president of Banasar panchayat Upender Sharma. “Temporary appointees hired for meagre amounts run the schools for days together,” he added . It amounted to gross misconduct, he said.

However, teachers said they were forced to work in difficult situations. With very limited resources, they had to keep the show going on. Transportation was the main problem for them to reach schools on time.

Staff shortage was another de-motivating factor, they maintained. The two primary schools here had one teacher each, they added. Government High School at Manjhol had been functioning without a headmaster for a long time now.

Bilaspur, April 8
Himachal Government has decided to give Rs 1200 monthly remuneration instead of present Rs 750 to all village water carriers employed in schools throughout the state. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh gave this assurance to a deputation of H.P. State Education Department Class Four Employees Association led by its State President Amar Singh Chandel at Shimla last evening.

Chief Minister also said that he has also passed orders to the Education Department to discontinue the system of village water carriers signing an agreement with the concerned Panchayat. He said now, as earlier also, these water carriers would sign the agreement with the Education Department and thus they would be treated employees of Education Department.

Deputation, which included state general secretary Bhim Singh and some two-dozen other leaders from all parts of state, also stressed association's other pending demands and Chief Minister assured to look into them sympathetically and take a decision soon.