 |
|
|
Congress, BJP gear up for MC poll
CM launches job guarantee plan
Hamirpur Byelection
No water for construction
from May 1: MC
Clinic sealed after raid
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The road to Shimla is a foodie’s delight
IRB jawan beats up woman, son
Quality electronic meters bought: Power board
Thakur Ved Ram awards given
Development authority penniless
124 cases settled at
lok adalat
Truckers block highway
Monkeys
attack woman
Relief for farmers demanded
2 killed as bus overturns
|
|
Congress, BJP gear up for MC poll
Shimla, April 21 While the Congress is awaiting the notification for holding the MC election before it can invite applications from its candidates keen to contest from the 25 wards, the BJP has already received over 200 requests from party men. The fact that former Delhi Chief Minister and in-charge of party affairs in Himachal, Sahib Singh Verma is holding a meeting with the local leadership and a nine member committee specially constituted to select candidates for the MC poll, reflects the importance the BJP is giving to these elections. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh would be the star campaigner in the poll. The BJP which has yet to gain control over the Shimla MC eversince it was formed in 1986, is determined to create history by wresting it from the Congress. “There is no denying that the party which was able to gain control over the Shimla MC would sweep the assembly poll due in February next year, so there is no way we can afford to lose,” a senior BJP leader said. The BJP has constituted a nine-member committee headed by former state party chief and MP, Suresh Chandel, for selecting the most suitable candidates for the poll. “We have already received over 200 applications for the 25 wards and shortly after the election notification, we will start screening the requests for the official party candidate,” informed Madan Sharma, president of the local BJP Mandal. At present the Congress has a majority in the 24 member MC, as 16 Councillors are from their party. The BJP has seven members while, the CPM has control over one ward. With the merger of New Shimla, Tutu and Dhalli Special Area Development Authorities (SADA) with the local MC, the number of wards have been increased to 25. The BJP is likely to chalk out its strategy tomorrow and senior party leaders like Jai Ram Thakur, P.K. Dhumal and Shanta Kumar will be entrusted the task of ensuring victory for the BJP in MC poll. The BJP will be highlighting issues like hike in water tariff, water scarcity, jaundice outbreak, handing over of the local forest from the MC to the forest department and the removal of encroachments. The Congress would list achievements like inclusion of the state capital in the list of 63 towns in India which would receive huge funding under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). A sum of Rs 8 crore has already been received for construction of a tunnel near Auckland House school and Rs three crore for a bridge alongside.
|
|
CM launches job guarantee plan
Paddar (Mandi), April 21 Addressing a public meeting here after launching the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) in Mandi district, he said the BJP, the Vishva Hindu Parishad and the RSS had misused both ‘religion’ and ‘Dev Sanskriti’ to increase their vote banks in the state, while the Congress rule had created temple trust of Rs 12 crore for the upkeep of temples in the state.
“I will be the first to add brick at the Ayodhya temple, but the BJP never wanted to build the temple as by doing so it would become a party without agenda for the people,” he asserted. He charged the BJP of proposing to break Kangra and Mandi into different districts in its bid to grab votes in which it had failed. Reacting to the BJP demand for a CBI probe into a chargesheet against Congress ministers, Virbhadra alleged that conviction of the SSSB's former chairman Katwal in three cases during the then Dhumal regime had proved that he had destroyed the records allegedly at his behest turning the board into a den of corruption. “Even the CM is under Lukayukta jurisdiction as far corruption is concerned.” He termed Dhumal's remarks that his government would remove the PTA teachers once it comes to power as a ‘statement of a dictatorial mindset’. “But PTA teachers have made up for shortage of teachers in schools in remote areas and B.Ed as condition for PGTs in schools under the PTA has been removed now.” He said any number of workers from each family could take work under the NREGP which ensured 100 days work in a year and Rs 75 per day as wages in a radius of 5 km from his/her house. “Anybody whose income is less than Rs 10,000 is eligible for land for houseless scheme.” He said the rising prices were under the government control and warned black marketeers and hoardings including those who were using domestic LPG for commercial purposes. We have proposed to keep ‘domestic cylinders as red’ and ‘commercial ones as green’ to check malpractice.” Secretary rural development Narender Chauhan gave a brief account of the NREGP and informed that 77,000 job cards had been issued in Chamba and Sirmaur districts generating 30 lakh working days. The CM also awarded district level prize of Rs 3 lakh to Dheem Kataru, panchayat and block level prize of Rs 1 lakh to Kiling, Rajwari and Sandhol panchayats for achieving total sanitation. He also gave NREGP's job cards to five persons from each block in the district. He also laid the foundation stone of the college building at Narla and PHC building. Later he presided over the function of homeguards at Mandi.
|
|
Hamirpur Byelection Tribune News Service
Shimla, April 21 Talking to mediapersons here today, former Delhi Chief Minister and in chagre of the party affairs in Himachal, Sahib Singh Verma said the names of Dhumal and Shanta Kumar were among the probable candidates and the possibility of either of the two contesting could not be ruled out. Verma held a meeting with party workers to discus poll strategy for the Shimla MC election and Hamirpur byelection. He said the name of the candidate would be announced after the notification for the elections. “Though there have been discussions on some names, it will be too early to disclose them,” he said. While being highly critical of expelled BJP MP Babubhai Katara, who has been arrested on the charge of human trafficking, he was relatively soft on dismissed BJP MP Suresh Chandel. “Chandel is still a member of the BJP and the party also feels he should have been given an opportunity to plead his case,” he said. Verma was, however, candid in admitting that the arrest of Katara on such a serious charge would dent the image of the party. “When a member of some reputed family is involved in some shameful act, the name of the family does get spoiled and the same applies in this case also as Katara was a BJP MP,” he said. He said price rise and inflation would be the main issues in Hamirpur bypoll and Shimla MC elections.
|
|
No water for construction
from May 1: MC
Shimla, April 21 The decision was taken at the meeting of the MC here today, and it was decided that all connections given for construction purpose would remain disconnected till the shortage eases out. The mayor, Mr Sohan Lal informed the house that the water problem would be solved to a great extent once the Giri water supply scheme is completed. He said after the completion of this scheme the residents would get six lakh gallons of water daily. Some of the councilors pointed the problem of water bills being given to the residents not on the basis of the actual meter reading, but on the average amount that was being paid. It was pointed out that average billing of water was being done as large number of water meters were faulty. |
|
Clinic sealed after raid
Nahan, April 21 During the search operations under the (PNDA) Prenatal Diagonostic Act 1996,a number of irregularities in the record of ultrasound tests were traced following which the unit was sealed. In another raid at Pawar Clinic at Paonta Sahib, due to erratic record,the clinic was served with a show cause notice said Mr Gupta. |
|
The road to Shimla is a foodie’s delight
Dharampur , April 21 From the times when 'desi dhabas' (local eateries) were the only option along this 85-km stretch, the National Highway 22 now boasts of a McDonald's, a couple of Café Coffee Day outlets and many more family-owned restaurants. "There is never a boring moment on this road. The eating joints lined up on both sides of the road and the cool breeze from the hills make for a heady combination," says entrepreneur Rohit Sehgal. "For those coming uphill to beat the summer heat, the options are there for the taking." The small town of Dharampur along the highway now has nearly 36 well-established dhabas, restaurants and fast food joints. With the road to Kasauli hills and the famous Sanawar boarding school where the likes of Sanjay Dutt and Omar Abdullah have studied also taking off from here, the convoy of travellers is almost non-ending. The most popular food joint for tourists though is still 'Giani da Dhaba' on the outskirts of the town. For nearly three decades now, this dhaba has been satisfying the appetites of those going to and coming from Shimla and other places. It has expanded considerably from being a small eating joint a decade ago. "We get hundreds of customers every day. The rush is particularly high on weekends," said an employee of the dhaba. Bang opposite Giani's is Shan-e-Himachal, run by a retired Indian Army officer and his family. This dhaba-cum-restaurant is famous not only for its food but also for the midnight knock that it got from celebrated author Salman Rushdie five years ago. The India-born Rushdie - one of the most well protected persons in Britain following an Islamic fatwa against him - came here in a cavalcade of five black Mercedes cars en route from his ancestral property in Solan, 20 km away. Near these two dhabas are the modern Café Coffee Day, Golfer's multi-continental cuisine restaurant and Chandigarh's fast food chain Hot Millions. Everyone along the highway does brisk business - be it dhabas or the regular restaurants. Many people just travel uphill from Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and other nearby towns of Punjab and Haryana for a drive and a meal. "Business is good for all eateries that make good food and offer a variety of services like phone booths, confectionery and proper sitting arrangements," says dhaba owner Pawan Kumar. — IANS
|
|
IRB jawan beats up woman, son
Chamba, April 21 The Tissa police has registered a case in this connection. Following the incident, great resentment prevails among the villagers and the situation is tense in the area. The residents said some jawans of the Bhounderi check-point in the Tissa security sector of the IRB had an altercation with the woman and her son. After this, one of the jawans beat up the two. The residents of the area have represented to the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the incident. They have also strongly demanded the withdrawal of the security forces deployed across the borders of the two states.
|
|
Quality electronic meters bought: Power board
Shimla, April 21 A spokesperson of the board said today that purchase orders for 83,188 single-phase electronic meters had been placed at a cost of Rs 3.39 crore for the current financial year. He said the rate of these meters had been fixed at Rs 408 as compared to Rs 416.70 during 2005-06. While no meter was purchased last year, a sum of Rs 16 crore was spent on purchase of single-phase and three-phase electronic meters in 2005-06. “The process of purchase of meters is completely transparent. The purchasing is being done at the minimum possible cost and under proper quality control,” he said. He said out of 5.95 lakh meters bought during the past five years, only 12,329 had been reported defective, which worked out to be a mere two per cent of the total purchase. “Moreover, these meters are guaranteed for a period of five years from the date of supply and in case of any defect during this period, free replacement is ensured by the suppliers within 30 days of notification,” he added.
|
|
Thakur Ved Ram awards given
Kulu, April 21 DC Chamel Singh was the chief guest, while chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Marketing Board Satya Prakash Thakur presided over the function. Khalid Hussain, a short story writer from Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, received the Thakur Ved Ram National Award for literature. Norbu Barongapa was awarded for his contribution in the cooperative movement. Rup Chand was awarded for his contribution in the field of handloom and handicraft. Gautam Sharma got the Purohit Chander Shekhar Bebas Smriti National Award for his contribution in promoting ‘Pahari Bhasha Aur Sanskriti’. Khub Ram Khushdil was awarded the Molu Ram Thakur Award for his contribution towards translation of ‘Tankri Lipi’ into Hindi. Gautam Sharma Byathith was given the Lal Chand Prarthi Award for his contributions in the field of local literature. Braham Swaroop Thakur, managing director of Bhuttico, said 700 families were directly involved in the Bhutti Industrial Cooperative Society that makes more than two lakh shawls annually. He thanked the Chief Minister for getting patent for Kullu shawls.
|
|
Development authority penniless Baddi, April 21 The authority has not got a single penny from the state government to carry out its development plans. It got Rs36 lakh in the last fiscal to meet its administrative expenses. A part of the amount was used to set up its office in Baddi. The authority had sought Rs 20 crore from the government for carrying out development works. However, the demand was brought down to Rs 11 crore later. In January, the proposal was sent to the government. But, till date there is no word from the government in this connection. The development projects like improvement of roads, cleaning of the public streets, paths, internal roads and drains, development of parks and parking lots, garbage disposal and sanitary improvement have failed to take off for the want of funds. Initially, Rs 100 crore was sought by authority as equity capital from state government to execute its projects. It has a plan to acquire land, develop it for industry and then sell it on commercial rates. However, the state government has asked the authority to first identify the land for the project. A few such proposals sent by the authority to the government are awaiting approval. Meanwhile, this fiscal the authority has sought Rs 30 crore from the government. Secretary, finance, Arvind Mehta said the funds were not a problem. We were extra cautious to avoid the duplicity of funds granted to authority, he pointed out. There was a mechanism to grant funds for development in the Baddi belt. The funds were also routed through department of industries and other government agencies involved in providing infrastructure to industries, Mehta added. The process to allocate funds worth Rs 30 crore to the authority was under process, he added. |
|
|
124 cases settled at
lok adalat
Shimla, April 21 This was stated by registrar (vigilance) V.K. Gupta. As many as seven benches were constituted to dispose of these cases, he added. Present on the occasion were Mr Justice Deepak Gupta, Mr Justice Surjit Singh, Mr Justice Dev Darshan Sud, Mr Justice V.K. Ahuja, Mr Justice Surinder Singh, Mr Kuldip Singh and Mr Justice Rajeev Sharma. Earlier, four such lok adalats were organised by the High Court Legal Services Committee in which 447 cases under the Motor Vehicles Act were disposed of and the aggrieved parties were given compensation of around Rs 6.68 crore. |
|
Truckers block highway
Solan, April 21 They blocked the highway near Purolater Chowk and insisted the police should stop harassing them. Though police officials managed to pacify them after around 20 minutes, a case was later against three unions of truckers for blocking the highway under Sections 341 and 34 of the IPC. The police said vehicle parking by these truckers along the road led to traffic problems. On the other hand, truckers maintained there was no earmarked parking lot for them anywhere in the town, so they had no choice but to park their vehicles along the roadside.
|
|
Monkeys attack woman
Kumarhatti, April 21 The woman was saved by her neighbours. Sandhya suffered injuries on her back and was taken to the
CRI, Kasauli. Meanwhile, residents of the town have demanded that steps should be taken to check the monkey menace. They have blamed the district administration for the nuisance.
— OC |
|
|
Relief for farmers demanded
Shimla, April 21 In a statement issued here yesterday, president of the sabha Tikender Panwar said “Since the estimated damage to apple, mango, stone fruits, wheat and vegetables in Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra and Una is over Rs 80 crore, the government should provide immediate relief.” |
|
2 killed as bus overturns
Nahan, April 21 Police sources said Dhanbir Singh (28), a resident of Danda Paggar, died on the spot while Anil Kumar (35),a resident of Puruwala village died on way to hospital. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
