 |
|
|
5 killed, 64 hurt in bus mishap
‘Euro bank note’ keeps authorities puzzled
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
HRTC scam: 2 more suspended
Hamirpur Byelection
Congress violating code: BJP
Forcible Conversions
150 votes deleted, 200 added
SSB jawan cremated
Photography for voter cards
HRTC buses not to ply in Punjab today
Churah herbal project makes headway
Spiritual garden in nature park
Rajiv Gandhi remembered
Poor BSNL broadband service in Solan
Insurance Co told to pay Rs 69,000
Rs 10-lakh draft for Shaurya Chakra winner
75 single teacher schools in Chamba
Growth to be Cong poll plank
|
|
5 killed, 64 hurt in bus mishap
Kullu, May 21 Four persons died on the spot, while one succumbed to her injuries at the regional hospital here. The condition of seriously injured persons was stable, according to doctor Om Paul Sharma, medical officers in charge. The hospital would decide about their shifting to the PGI, Chandigarh, or the IGMC, Shimla, after 24 hours. He said 64 persons had been admitted to the hospital. Chet Ram Negi, an employee of the Education Department who was also travelling in that bus, said overspeeding was the cause of the accident. The driver could not control the vehicle when a jeep came from the opposite side, he said. He said the driver immediately fled from the scene of accident, whereas passengers having mild injuries volunteered for the rescue operation. People from the Neul area condemned the government for not providing more buses on the route. People had to travel on rooftops of buses as there were not sufficient bus service, they said. Naresh Sharma from Neul said on many occasions one could see conductors driving the buses beyond Sainj to Neul. However, it was not so in the present case. Those killed in the accident were: Mohan Lal (32) of Kathougi village, Hira Lal (35) of Tung village, Radhu Devi (55) of Neuli, Guddi of Shenshar village and Chura Devi (35) of Shanghar village. Deputy commissioner Chamel Singh announced an immediate relief of Rs 1 lakh each to next of kin of the deceased, Rs 10,000 each to the seriously injured, and Rs 500 each to other injured. Sumer Nath Awasthi, secretary of the District Red Cross Society, said the society would bear the cost of all medicines provided to the victims. |
|
94 vie for 25 seats
Tribune News Service
Shimla, May 21 The polling will take place on May 23. While eight wards are reserved for women, three have been reserved for the Scheduled Caste category. A total of 600 employees and 381 police and home guard personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling. To ensure that there is no poll related violence, 15 polling boots have been declared hyper-sensitive while 51 have been designated as sensitive. There are a total of 150 polling booths spread across 25 wards. As compared to the last MC polls, which had 24 wards a new ward has been added after the merger of the three special area development authorities of Dhalli, New Shimla and Tutu with the MC. The Election Commission has directed the district administration to ensure that the voters can freely exercise their franchise. The commission has also appointed two senior IAS officers as observers for the MC polls. In view of the polling on May 23, holiday has been declared within the jurisdiction of Shimla MC. Counting of votes will start on May 25. Door-to-door campaign With campaigning for the local MC elections coming to an end today, all political parties today held their last-minute public meetings with focus shifting to door-to-door campaigning. Being able to spare only two days for the MC polls because of the Hamirpur by-election, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh addressed 18 public meetings yesterday and seven today. He was able to cover all the 25 wards in a short span of a day and a half as he even addressed a midnight public meeting at Nacho, last night. On the other hand, former Union minister Santa Kumar spent almost three days addressing public meetings and holding close interactions with party workers right at the booth level. Besides former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, who is the in charge of party affairs in Himachal also camped here for several days. The CPM, which already has one ward of Summer Hill under it, is all rearing to increase its tally as they have fielded 11 candidates and extended support to like-minded candidates in other wards. |
|
‘Euro bank note’ keeps authorities puzzled
Manali, May 21
The preliminary investigation revealed that such “fake draft-like currency” has become fairly common mode of duping people in Jammu and Kashmir and even Punjab. The investigating teams that arrived here from Shimla today appeared to be hesitant to chart out any plan of action because the “one million euro transaction mode is unknown to them”. Even the local bank officials could not say anything with certainty about the note. IG, law and order, B. Kamal Kumar said such notes were reportedly used in Jammu and Kashmir as a fake document used for duping people. “We are trying to verify its authenticity and are in touch with the Jammu and Kashmir Police to find out whether or not the arrested persons had link with militants,” he added. DIG (central range) J.R. Thakur, who assisted the investigation team here, said they were verifying the genuineness of the document from the RBI and this could take two days. “But this is no reason to be complacent on the issue as if it turns out to be a genuine case, it will have its ramifications,” he added. The “one-million euro note” has become a talk of the town here. It has a number NB 115 428 valid from 2000 to 2008 and mentions one Naples bank note company in its so-called letter of authenticity and a zinc copper plate. The arrested Kashmiris have been identified as Faiz Ahmad, 33, a resident of Mukam Pandgaon, Kupwara, and Riyas Ahmad, 27, Tarakpur, Hundwara, in Jammu and Kashmir. They were produced before a judge at Kullu today who remanded them in police custody till May 25. Manali DSP K.C. Rana said the duo was arrested from a hotel near Nehru Kund, about 5 km from here, last evening while the accused were trying to approach a property dealer to sell the “euro note”. “The duo has been running their ready-made shawl business in Manali for the past five years,” he added.
|
|
HRTC scam: 2 more suspended
Dharamsala, May 21 HRTC divisional manager Hitendra Kumar Gupta said the services of accountant Kuldip Kumar and cashier Arvind Kumar had been suspended with immediate effect. Earlier, the local police arrested regional manager Mahinder Singh Rana and inspector Sudarshan Kumar on Saturday. They were currently on a three-day police remand. Gupta said the departmental inquiry revealed that all four persons were hand in glove in the scam. The accountant and the cashier had helped the regional manager and the inspector in the embezzlement of HRTC funds Preliminary investigations revealed that the total embezzlement by both officials in connivance with the accountant and the cashier ran into Rs 46 lakh. A senior police official revealed that the investigating team would also arrest the accountant and the cashier to strengthen the case. On the other hand, HRTC staff have threatened to launch an agitation against the arrests, claiming that the employees were unnecessarily being harassed.
|
|
Willing bhi, winning bhi, says Dhumal
Our Correspondent
Una, May 21 He said when the BJP top leadership cleared his name as the party candidate for the Hamirpur parliamentary byelection, he accepted the decision willingly and to win the seat. He was talking to this correspondent at the PWD rest house, Una, today. He said the rising prices, corruption and unemployment were the main issues against the Congress government during this byelection. Anti-incumbency factor would also help the party as employees and officers of the state were not happy with the ruling party. They had not got dearness allowance and interim relief of 6 per cent that Virbhadra Singh had announced before the Budget session. The Chief Minister had also failed to provide them fixed medical allowance on the Punjab pattern. Dhumal said the Congress government was making false developmental claims in the state. He was on a tour of Una district for three days. He addressed a number of village meetings in the district.
|
|
Congress violating code: BJP
Shimla, May 21 In a complaint sent to the commission today, state BJP chief Jai Ram Thakur said despite repeated complaints, the Chief Minister and his colleagues were using the helicopter, official vehicles and their staff. “In order to ensure free and fair election in the parliamentary by-election the Congress leaders must be directed to abide by the code of conduct,” he said.
The BJP chief pointed out that one of the most glaring example of the misuse of helicopter was by the Chief Minister on May 19 when he flew from Hamirpur to Bilaspur to address a public meeting. “Thereafter he flew to Shimla and campaigned for the municipal corporation polls and the next day went to Narkanda and came back to join the election campaign,” he said giving details. The BJP chief pointed out that the ministers were making programmes in the areas adjoining Hamirpur segment so that they could use official vehicles for campaigning. He said revenue minister Sat mahajan, IPH minister Kaul Singh Thakur, food and supplies minister Singhi Ram and animal husbandry minister Harsh Mahajan were using their official vehicles while canvassing.
|
|
Christian body, Hindu activists at loggerheads
Our Correspondent
Kangra, May 21 There was a hue and cry in the Penial Prathana Bhawan on Sunday and a group of local residents headed by Hindu Mahasabha state president Nalinder Ghautam and local village Panchayat Pradan Rajinder Kaur entered the bhawan to know the cause of the problem. It was alleged that under the pretext of warding off evil spirit from a newly married couple from Kholi village Pastor J.G. Sandhu had asked them to embrace Christianity. Nalinder Ghautam said at Penial Prathana Bhawan they were allegedly converting people to Christianity. He said the Hindu Mahasabha would not tolerate forcible conversions from Hinduism to Christianity at any cost. He said Christians with their family members could hold prathana but they had no right to convert people to Christanity from another religion. Anita Behal, wife of the Captain Timotheus Bhel, who is running the Prathana Bhawan said a young couple had come to the bhawan but she denied that there was any activity of forcible conversions. Meanwhile, Anita Bhel today lodged a report with the local police station SHO Surender Sharma confirmed about the complaint and said the police would inquire into the matter and appropriate action would be taken.
|
|
|
Traffic bottlenecks on Pathankot-Mandi NH
Nurpur, May 21 Traffic hazards and rampant encroachments have created chaos on the junction. Frequent traffic jams due to prolonged parking of passenger vehicles have become a daily feature on the highway. Owing to the absence of parking place or bus stand, buses stop on the highway for a long time creating traffic bottlenecks. The parking of taxis and maxi cabs on the roadside has also aggravated the situation. There is need of a taxi stand to ease out traffic hazard on the highway. Though the town has three bus stops at
Niazpur, Dakki and Chogan but it has no bus stand. Recently, the Chogan beopar mandal has raised the longstanding demand of a bus stand at the Chogan junction through the local MLA and revenue minister Sat Mahajan. The state government has built a rain shelter on the side of the highway which is usually surrounded by hawkers and rehris. There are also many kiosks. There is a demand to build permanent shops for vendors. The local town welfare committee has urged the transport minister G.S.Balli to set up an HRTC booking counter in it so that all long route buses which at present ply via Jassur 4 km from here can halt at the last bus stop of the town. |
|
|
150 votes deleted, 200 added
Shimla, May 21 Deputy Commissioners Tarun Kapoor that it was on the directions of the Election Commission that some names were deleted and others added after an inquiry was conducted. Besides, the district administration today issued notices to all political parties and other candidates to remove posters and banners from public places or face action for defacement. The defacement squad constituted by the administration and the MC has been removing posters and banners from public places. Kapoor said the candidates and political parties had been asked to remove the posters and banners on their own failing which a police case could also be registered against them. |
|
SSB jawan cremated
Chamba, May 21 According to the kin of Rajender, he was a resident of Kashmiri mohalla of Chamba town and was posted in the Bhairavkund sector of Udyalguri district in Assam. He had taken leave to come to Chamba. He started form Guwahati a few days ago, but went missing on the way. After some days, he was found in an unconscious condition in a hotel in Guwahati and was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment where he died. He had reportedly withdrawn cash from his savings account and was carrying it with him. The kin of the jawans suspected that there might be a foul play behind his death. The members of his family have urged the Central Government to conduct a high-level inquiry into the death.
|
|
Photography for voter cards
Shimla, May 21 She said voters of Shimla district would avail the opportunity from May 21 to June 12. Sirmaur district from May 21 to June 26, Chamba from May 21 to July 7 and voters of Kangra district from May 22 to July 9 at their respective polling stations. Photography of voters in Solan and Kinnaur districts will take place up to June 30 and May 27 respectively. She said in case any voter failed to appear for photography, he could submit the prescribed form alongwith an application and passport size photograph to the concerned electoral registration officer (SDM). |
|
Samrat Shankar to
open magic academy in state
Nahan, May 21 Speaking at a press conference here today, he said he had discussed the proposal with political leaders and government officials. He was soon going to submit a proposal in this regard to the government for grant of two to five acres of land for the academy, he said. He said magic should be declared a fine art and the government should scrap entertainment tax on magic shows. The government should also give loans and aid for the promotion of this art as was being done in foreign countries. He thanked the Himachal Government for abolishing entertainment tax on magic shows. He will hold shows in Basant Theatre, Nahan, for 15 days and would donate a part of his income to the Sirmaur Red Cross Society. The shows would be inaugurated by the Sirmaur DC tomorrow. On Tuesday morning, he will drive a motor cycle in the busy market after tying a cloth on his eyes. |
|
|
HRTC buses not to ply in Punjab today
Dharamsala/Shimla, May 21 The buses from Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, Chamba and Kangra districts would now go via Nalagarh through Haryana to Chandigarh. Buses going to Delhi via Chandigarh from Shimla would be diverted through Haryana. Bus services from Shimla, Dharamsala and Manali to Delhi and Hardwar would ply via Himachal and Haryana areas during the day. In case there is no problem, night bus services would be operated as per normal routes. This step had been taken to avoid harm to buses and passengers. The HRTC would lose lakhs of rupees for suspending its bus services to Punjab. |
|
Churah herbal project makes headway
Chamba, May 20 The project falls in the alpine Churah valley. The main species of medicinal plants existing in this valley are patrish (aconitum chasmanthus), kaur (picrorhiza kurroa), dhoop (jurnea macrocopiza), patlain (heracleum candicans), bhutkeshi (selium veginatum), mushakbala (valeriana wallichii), ban kakri (podoplyllum emodi), among others. All these species of herbs grow naturally in this valley. However, due to excessive and unscientific exploitation of these medicinal shrubs by local people and traders, most of these species are either rarely noticeable or have become extinct. Through this project, efforts are being made to conserve and propagate medicinal plants in the Churah valley. |
|
Spiritual garden in nature park
Dharamsala, May 21 The mini-zoo of the nature park houses many species of local animals and birds. The main idea is to make the visiting tourists and children aware of the plants and the animals in the zoo by linking it with ecology, flora and fauna. Different varieties of plants and trees made available in the park have significance in the mythologies of Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism and Buddhism. Environmental scientists are of the view that this idea could be best utilised to involve the coming generation in the conservation of environment. Nine small parks have been developed in the spiritual garden. These have been named as Guru-ka-Bagh, Kurani Trees, Hari Shankari Vatika, Dhanavantri Vatika, Jain Vatika and Budh Vatika. |
|
|
Rajiv Gandhi remembered
Shimla, May 21 Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was the first one to pay floral tributes at his statue at Sadbhavna Chowk, Chhota Shimla. He was followed by his cabinet colleagues power minister Vidya Stokes, IPH Minister Kaul Singh, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Singhi Ram, Animal Husbandry Minister Harsh Mahajan, Dhani Ram Shandil and Pratibha Singh, both MPs, and other leaders. The Chief Minister administered the pledge of anti-terrorism and non-violence to the gathering. He reiterated the resolve to root out terrorism from the country. Devotional and patriotic songs were sung and “prabhat pheries” taken out in the town in the morning. |
|
|
Poor BSNL broadband service in Solan
Solan, May 21 DGM Deepak Kumar assured that the problem would be sorted out soon. It is difficult to reach the customer care service at 1957 as most of the time no one attends the call.
|
|
Insurance Co told to pay Rs 69,000
Shimla, May 21 The commission has also imposed Rs 20,000 as punitive compensation along with Rs 5,000 as cost on the insurance company. Justice Arun Kumar Goel passed this order on an appeal filed by Kushal Chand wherein he had challenged the order passed by the District Consumer Forum, Mandi. While allowing the appeal the commission has set aside the order passed by the consumer forum rejecting the insurance claim claimed by the complaint. The insurance company had rejected the claim on the ground that at the time of the accident the driver was not having a valid driving licence. |
|
Rs 10-lakh draft for Shaurya Chakra winner
Hamirpur, May 21 Santosh Kumar was awarded Shaurya Chakra for showing exemplary courage in killing three terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on May 18, 2006.
|
|
|
75 single teacher schools in Chamba
Chamba, May 21 Apart from it, there is a great dearth of teaching staff in the government senior secondary, high and middle schools functioning in various parts of the district. Consequently, the teaching work in the schools is suffering but the government has not bothered to raise the education standard here. According to official sources, the strength of students in government primary schools from class I to class V is 56,474 in the district.
— OC |
|
Growth to be Cong poll plank
Hamirpur, May 21 Exhorting the party workers to work unitedly to win the Hamirpur byelection, he said " the Congress would contest the byelection on the twin issues of corruption by BJP leaders and communal politics of the party." "Large-scale development in this tenure would be our election plank," he said. HPCC vice-president Rajinder Jar said the issue of corruption and price rise had boomeranged on the BJP after its MP, Suresh Chandel, was caught in "
cash-for-question scam". |
|
Interviews put off
Shimla, May 21 |
|
| 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 | |
Shimla
MC Elections
