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No forcible land acquisition, says minister
Concern over slow pace of water schemes
CD Episode
Ministers take exception to Mankotia’s remarks
Shoolini fair gets under way
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Thermal Plant
BSP to contest all seats
Garima Suri tops BA (III) exam
No shortage of water, says XEN
Hi-tech system for forest fires
Parmar’s village gets link road
Action sought against doc
Reduce carbon to curb global warming
4 bodies recovered
Auditorium at Chamba sought
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No forcible land acquisition, says minister
Shimla, June 22 Addressing mediapersons here he said the policy was being framed on the principle of “rehabilitation before displacement”. He said interests of the farmers would be paramount and industries would not be given overriding priority. He said there would be no forcible acquisition of land and for industrial development the concept of “voluntary displacement” would be followed. He said the farmers whose land was acquired for projects would not have to run from pillar to post for rehabilitation once the new policy was finalised. Meanwhile, the consultative committee of the Union Ministry of Rural Development has expressed concern over the slow pace of the rural drinking water supply schemes and the quality of rural roads being constructed under Bharat Nirman, the flagship programme of the UPA government. While expressing satisfaction over the progress made in the implementation of the programme, Union Minister for Rural Development Raghvansh Prasad Singh said, the committee noted that a large number of schools and “balwadies” did not have drinking water supply and toilets. He said in some schools these amenities were inadequate and not in proportion to the number of inmates and the supply of adequate drinking water for all was still a challenge. He said concern was also shown about the quality of roads being constructed. He also emphasised to achieve targets under the programme on which Rs 1,74,000 crore was being spent in four years, the ministry should step up its pace of implementation and carry out monitoring more effectively. He said there would be no compromise on the quality of works for which his ministry had put in place a three tier system. The roads constructed under the programme were to be maintained by contractors for five years which would automatically ensure quality, he added.
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Concern over slow pace of water schemes Shimla, June 22 While expressing satisfaction over the progress made in the implementation of the programme, Union Minister for Rural Development Raghvansh Prasad Singh said, the committee noted that a large number of schools and “balwadies” did not have drinking water supply and toilets. He said in some schools these amenities were inadequate and not in proportion to the number of inmates and the supply of adequate drinking water for all was still a challenge. He also emphasised to achieve targets under the programme on which Rs 1,74,000 crore was being spent in four years, the ministry should step up its pace of implementation and carry out monitoring more effectively. He said the performance of Himachal was excellent and it had done well in implementing every component. He said there would be no compromise on the quality of works for which his ministry had put in place a three tier system. The roads constructed under the programme were to be maintained by contractors for five years which would automatically ensure quality, he added.
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CD Episode
Nahan, June 22 Thakur said the Chief Minister should file an affidavit that contents of the CD were doctored. The BJP would get it examined at a forensic laboratory, he added. The contents of the CD were sufficient to initiate action against the corrupt practices of the Congress regime, he alleged. Thakur appealed to the BJP central leadership to release the list of probable candidates for the coming Assembly elections. Former BJP minister Shayama Sharma said unannounced power cuts had made the life of the masses miserable and industry at Kala Amb, Paonta Sahib and Baddi had suffered losses due to inadequate power. The youth was not finding employment as promised under the Rozgar Guarantee Scheme despite having requisite qualifications, the minister claimed. The CD had been released by Congress MLA Vijay Mankotia.
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Ministers take exception to Mankotia’s remarks
Shimla, June 22 In a statement issued here today they said foreign visits of ministers were well regulated and undertaken only after clearance by various agencies in the state and at the Centre. Information regarding foreign visits undertaken by ministers was available with the government and it could be made available to any person making a request to the quarter concerned. It was unfortunate that Mankotia, who himself remained a minister and was aware of all procedures and modalities of foreign tours, was making such malicious statements, they added. Referring to the audio CD released by Mankotia they said it reflected his dubious character. He was using the issue time and again. Since the matter was pending with the high court, it would not be appropriate to make any comment. The state government had the highest regard for the judiciary and firmly believed that the rule of law must prevail. Regarding the loan approved for the state road project by the World Bank and the alleged service charges paid, the ministers clarified that a loan amount of Rs 990 crore was being raised and not Rs 5,700 crore as stated by Mankotia. He should be aware that loans negotiated from the World Bank did not involve any service charges. It was preposterous to allege that service charges were paid by the government.
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Shoolini fair gets under way
Solan, June 22 The fair began with a traditional puja of Maa Shoolini at the temple. It was attended by prominent citizens of the town. A large number of devotees turned up to seek blessings of the deity. Later, a procession, accompanying the bedecked palanquin of Maa Shoolini, was taken out from the temple. It was received on the Old Court Road by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who sought the blessings of the goddess. The procession passed through various areas of the town. Traditional activities marked the fair with games like thoda being performed on Old Court Road. The three-day fair culminates with the return of Maa Shoolini to her own abode located at Shilli Road. According to the tradition, Maa Shoolini appears before the devotees fulfilling their wishes and therefore people from far and wide throng the town to seek her blessings. The fair, which started more than 100 years ago, has become a popular event in the district.
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Thermal Plant Nalagarh, June 22 Besides, workers of various political parties and office-bearers of Jagjitnagar (Kasauli)-based NGO Sutra and BJP MLA H.N. Saini also took part in rally. Addressing the villagers, Saini assured them of highlighting the issue in Himachal Pradesh assembly. Akali Dal state president Daljeet Singh Bhinder said the plant would not only affect 40 villages of the state but also adjoining villages of Punjab, beyond Kiratpur Sahib. Himprivesh president Jagjit Singh Dukhia asked the JP management to roll back the move. He said the group had bought the land at Bagheri to set up a cement plant. “There was no mention of a thermal plant in its project report,” he pointed out. He accused the management of putting the lives of thousands of people at risk. The cement plant, which is under construction, has already affected the ecology of area, he maintained. He said the plant would pollute air and water within 10-km radius of the area by emitting tonnes of ash and suspended particles. Sangresh samiti president Gurdial Singh called upon those affected to come forward and oppose the plant. Samiti general secretary Anil Sharma and BDC member from Khilliyan said they would run a parallel public hearing on June 27 when the Pollution and Control Board planned to hold a hearing over the project. Later, a memorandum was handed to the chief minister through the SDM. JP unit general manager Pritpal Singh termed the concerns shown by protesters baseless. “No plan had been changed, as the setting up of plant was preplanned bearing in mind the environmental concerns. The plant would not harm the ecology of the area,” he said. The project report of the plant proposes effective measures to control air pollution and waste.
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BSP to contest all seats
Shimla, June 22 General secretary of the party Man Singh Manera said here today that the people had been thoroughly disillusioned with both Congress and the BJP and were looking for a third alternative. He said his party would not have an alliance or understanding with any party and would contest all 68 seats on its own. BSP chief Mayawati would tour the state in September. Meanwhile, I.D.Bali, a senior Congress leader who remained a member of the State Human Rights Commission , joined the BSP along with several others .
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Garima Suri tops BA (III) exam
Shimla, June 22 While Grima Suri has topped with a score of 781 out of 1,000 marks, Priyanka Rana of Government College, Dhaliara, has come second with a score of 777. Saruchi Sharma of Government College, Indora, has been ranked third with a score of 760. Abhishek Chauhan (758) of Government College, Shimla, is fourth, while Tarun Sharma (757), a student of Government College, Sundernagar, has been placed fifth. Prabhjot Kaur (755) of St Bede's College, Shimla, has been placed sixth. The seventh position is shared by Vijay Kumar (742) of Government College, Hamirpur, and Renu Kumari of DAV College, Kangra. Anil Kumar (738) of Government College, Chamba, has been placed eighth. Tanu Uppal (737) of MLSM college, Sundernagar, has been placed ninth followed by Shubhra Sharma (735) of St Bede's college, Shimla. —
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Gourav-2007 organised
Hamirpur, June 22 Sushila Sharma, retired deputy director of education, who was the chief guest, exhorted the students to excel in their respective fields. She also asked them to work for a better society. Sharma also gave away prizes to the winners. Centre head of the institute Praveen Sharma said such competitions provided a platform to students to prove their skills and perform better in life. In group dance, Earth bagged the first prize, Saturn second and Mars and Jupiter third. In play, Earth won the first position, Venus and Jupiter second and Mars and Saturn third. In solo dance, Swati was adjudged first, Sonia second and Shiva third. In the fashion show, Mars and Earth won the first position, Jupiter and Saturn second and Venus third.
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No shortage of water, says XEN
Palampur, June 22 Two energised hand-pumps are being used to supply water to the village. The Holta-Banuri-Saliana gravity water supply scheme is also adequately serving the village, which has a population of 750, adds the technocrat. |
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Hi-tech system for forest fires
Shimla, June 22 The system developed by the National Remote Sensing Agency (NARSA) will provide fire alerts to the department in “near real-time” on the basis of satellite data received from the moderate resolution imaging spectra radiometer (MODIS). It captures both visible and infrared wavelengths to help detect forest fires. The system uses a contextual algorithm that exploits the strong emission of mid infrared and thermal radiation from the fire for detection. To accurately locate the site of fire the system provides satellite imagery, besides latitude and longitude. The department is using the data being provided on trial basis to validate the system by correlating it with the situation on the ground. Detailed maps of forests, right down to the compartment level, are being provided to the NARSA for the purpose. Once the system is in place the department will not require watch towers and watch and ward staff to keep an eye on fire-prone forests. Besides using hi-tech system for fire detection, the department also plans to involve the local people in the implementation of the preventive measures, like control burning and maintenance of fire lines. The Centre has approved a Rs 3.5 crore fire protection plan for the current year and also released its share of Rs 3 crore.
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Parmar’s village gets link road
Nahan, June 22 Addressing a public meeting at Basanha and Dinger Kinner, he said the government was undertaking several developmental works in the rural areas. The Backward Regional Grant Fund scheme would go a long way in fulfilling the gaps in developmental works in Sirmaur district. A sum of Rs 15 crore would be spent every year under this plan in this district. |
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Action sought against doc
Hamirpur, June 22 In a written complaint to the CMO, Thakur has said that after an insect bite on June 18 he went to the hospital where he was administered a few injections by the doctor on duty after which his condition started deteriorating. Later he was admitted to the ICU and treated by a medical specialist. Thakur has demanded action against the doctor for alleged negligence since he is still getting blood with cough. The CMO has initiated an inquiry into the matter by the medical superintendent.
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Reduce carbon to curb global warming
Shimla, June 22 The Asian Development Bank has taken the initiative for resuming financing of hydel-projects and provided technical assistance to Himachal Pradesh to get a study conducted on the total CDM potential in the power sector in the hill state through a consultant. The Chairman of the HP State Electricity Board (HPSEB), Kanwar Shamsher Singh, highlighted the role the power sector could play in combating climatic changes. He expressed concern over the fact that many power projects did not even qualify for earning carbon credits. He exhorted the participants to deliberate on this crucial issue and come up with ways to earn credits from completed projects. “We will not only extend all possible help to complete the ongoing CDM potential study but also facilitate carbon credits through early completion of the projects. Speaking on the occasion, chief secretary S.S. Parmar said efforts should be made towards carbon reduction in various sectors and garnering carbon money to mitigate global warming. |
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4 bodies recovered
Dharamsala, June 22 Santosh Patial, ASP, said the bodies of Lekh Raj (43) and his three children Poonam (13), Sachin (10) and Abhishek (8), were recovered this morning. The body of Ami Chand, a relative of Lekh Raj, was recovered later the incident by some local youth. The boat was ferrying nine members of the family who were returning back after participating in a religious mela at Dhameta village. Luckily, the other four members of the family were rescued.
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