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18 killed as bus falls into gorge
Gear up for 2nd Green Revolution: Virbhadra
Congress reposes faith in Viplove, Virbhadra
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Metered Taxi Scheme
Police gets vital clues
Transcend social
limitations for research
Delegates from various states at the seminar on “Research methodology in political science” held at the Institute of Advanced Study in Shimla on Monday. — A Tribune photograph
New projects threat to green cover
Villagers resent delay in road project
It poured 113mm at Renuka
Pharma institutes continue to
battle staff shortage
Mahila Swasthya Sanghs not getting dues
Nurses observe strike, demand police security
Firm pulls out of bus stand project
Sanctioned posts to be filled on priority
D’ Souza likely to be new director of IIAS
Korean official seeks details
Police posts likely to be upgraded
Shortage of lecturers in Chamba colleges
BJP regime — a black chapter: Thakur
Graft: BJP to spread public awareness
Agriculture project
extended to entire state
Notices to Centre, HP, Ski Village MD
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18 killed as bus falls into gorge
Nahan, July 2 The incident took place late in the afternoon after the driver lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a sharp curve near Ganduri, 120 km from Sirmaur, superintendent of police J.P. Singh said. Among the injured were nine women, five children and 14 men who were under treatment in the Rajgarh hospital. Among the dead are Saligram (45), Rakesh (22), Kamlesh (26), Kishore (30), Rekha (30), Rupud (16), Ankush (18), Sagun (2), Sangam (5), Balwant (40), Birendar (25), Soma (10), Herdev (40) and Om Parkash (35), said chief medical officer R.K. Gupta from Rajgarh. A team of specialists had left Nahan to evacuate and provide emergency relief to the victims. As many as 12 seriously injured patients had been referred to the Regional Hospital, Solan, said R.S. Negi, deputy commissioner, Sirmour. He said financial relief would be given as per norms. Negi added that the Rajgarh SDM and the Sirmour SP were supervising the rescue operations. There were about 50 persons travelling in the bus which was on its way to Solan from Gatadhar in Sirmaur. The administration has announced interim relief of Rs 5,000 each to next of kin of the deceased, Rs 5,000 each to those seriously injured and Rs 2,500 each to those with minor injuries. Governor V.S. Kokje and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed grief over the accident and conveyed their condolences to bereaved families. |
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Gear up for 2nd Green Revolution: Virbhadra
Palampur, July 2 He said at the time of Independence, India was importing food grains to feed 32 crore population, but now with the farsighted policies of the government the country was self sufficient to feed around 105 crore population. Yet, renewed efforts were required to increase crop production with a second green revolution. He exhorted the scientific community to provide marketing information and impart related skills to farmers in view of the entry of multinationals and other private companies in agricultural marketing in the state. The Chief Minister said that organic farming was picking up and the farming community needed scientific information on this aspect. He said they needed to be trained in getting remunerative price for their farm produce and it could be done by informing them about grading, packaging, marketing etc. They should also be informed about scientific farming of medicinal and aromatic plants, vegetable cultivation, floriculture, high-value cash crops, etc. so that they could compete at the national and international level by quality produce. He appreciated the university for initiating a Rs 3.5 crore project in Chamba district to strengthen sustainable agricultural activities. He also lauded its collaborative efforts with the state irrigation and the Public Health Department for crop demonstration and training activities in Chamba, Mandi, Kangra and Solan districts. The Chief Minister, while elaborating the importance of crop diversification, advised that scientific information on livestock rearing must percolate to the small and marginal farmers. He said women play an important role in the farming so they need to be befitted with all training programmes and other facilities at the university. He expressed hope that with newly added infrastructure and facilities, the university will be able to serve the farming community in a better way. The Chief Minister assured that the government would give permission to fill up the functional posts and would also extend all possible financial assistance to the university. Agriculture minister Raj Krishan Gaur appreciated the university for solving major agricultural-related problems of the farming community. He, however, advised that to achieve desired growth rate, special emphasis was needed. He said educated farm youth should be trained in modern farming. political advisor to chief minister B.B.L. Butail appreciated the efforts the university had made to transfer the relevant technology to the farming community. He said extension and training programmes should be given impetus to serve more number of farmer men and women folks. Vice-chancellor Dr. D.S.Rathore, while welcoming the Chief Minister, informed about various teaching, research and extension education activities of the university. He said that with the financial support of the state government and other funding agencies, around three dozen posts of scientific staff were filled-up to give boost to various farm extension activities in the Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the university, especially in tribal areas. He thanked the Chief Minister for helping the university to tide over financial crunch and fulfill all genuine demands of the staff. Dr.K.K.Katoch, director of extension education, told that new farmers hostel, to be built with the full financial grant from Indian council of agricultural research, shall house 72 trainee farmers and shall also have modern training facilities. Messers Surinder Kaku, Surender Pal Thakur, Sudhir Sharma, Jagjivan Pal, Thakur Singh Bharmouri and Bodhraj, all MLAs attended the function. A large number of farmers, scientists, farm officers and officers from the district administration were also present on the occasion.
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Congress reposes faith in Viplove, Virbhadra
Palampur, July 2 Although four MPs of the party, Anand Sharma, Pratibha Singh, Dhani Ram Shandil and Chander Kumar, and many other senior party leaders, including revenue minister Sat Mahajan, animal husbandry minister Harsh Mahajan, former union minister Sukh Ram, former minister S.C. Nayyar, women leader Krishna Mohini and around 20 members of the state executive, did not attend the meeting, those present there reposed faith in the leadership of both Viplove Thakur and Virbhadra Singh. After the meeting, state party president Viplove Thakur said the BJP gave hype to certain local issues that helped it in attracting voters. Virbhadra Singh announced in a press conference that only those candidates would be given the party ticket in the forthcoming Assembly elections who could win the seat. He did not rule out the possibility of few sitting MLAs being dropped from the list. He said the party would highlight the development done by the state government. He hoped the people would vote in their favour keeping in view the development carried out by his government. Asha Kumari, a former minister and MLA from the Banikhet constituency of Chamba district, did not hesitate to point out internal bickering within the party that led to Hamirpur debacle. She said the need was to take corrective measures to strengthen the party. It was felt that the workers of the party needed to be given more respect by the ministers and the bureaucracy so that issues related to the common people could be solved through them in a democratic way, he added. |
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Challaning put on hold: Govt
Tribune News Service
Shimla, July 2 Additional chief secretary Avay Shukla told mediapersons here today that though an assurance had been given to taxi operators by the Chief Minister, but the modalities would be worked out after a meeting of senior transports officials. He said the issue of a separate T-series being launched for taxis, which would ply locally and would have to install a meter, will be examined in detail. “Since the metered-taxi scheme is being implemented on the directions of the high court, it has serious legal implications which will have to be taken into consideration,” he remarked. Shukla also said the implementation of the metered-taxi scheme was important as it had a direct impact on tourists visiting the state. Meanwhile, the taxi owners in Dharamsala are still continuing with the strike as they are demanding an assurance in writing and not just a verbal assurance. The transport officials will be holding a meeting with the Chief Minister shortly to look into all aspects concerning the metered-taxi scheme.
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New CS swears by transparency
Shimla, July 2 "During my long stint as a bureaucrat I have mostly served in the state and as such I am fully conversant with the functioning of the government and quite aware of the setup. Moreover, I know most of the officers belonging to various services who make a very good team," Dhingra, who assumed charge as the chief secretary today, told The Tribune. The state apparatus was in a fine fettle and the programmes and policies of the government were being implemented effectively. The performance of the government had been appreciated at various fora. He would not only see to it that the tempo was maintained but also ensure that the programmes were implemented with more vigour and efficiently. Appropriate action would be taken to remove any shortcomings. Dhingra said he believed in maintaining transparency but with the Right to Information Act in place it had become institutionalised. It had made a lot of difference to governance as people now had access to information which was earlier denied to them. If required a campaign would be launched to create awareness among the people about the Act. Dhingra who won the national junior badminton title in 1966 feels that sports had become highly competitive now. It was no more an amateur affair as only hard-boiled professionals could make it to the top grade. The chief secretary later said that all sanctioned posts would be filled on priority and daily wagers who had completed eight years of service as on March 31,2006, would be regularised. Addressing senior officers he said decisions of the government should be implemented expeditiously. He said there was need to monitor programmes and schemes meant for the welfare of people to ensure that benefits were reaching them. He exhorted officers to work with renewed zeal and dedication and ensure that the programmes and decision were implemented in a time-bound manner. The budget assurances and announcements made by the Chief Minister from time to time should be implemented on priority. He urged them to strictly enforce the policy of providing 70 per cent employment to Himachalis in various hydroelectric projects and industries coming up in the state.
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Youth’s
murder at helipad
Shimla, July 2 The murder of 25-year-old youth Vikas Verma, at the Kalyani helipad near the ‘Retreat’, the residence of the President of India near here, has sent shock waves in the area. Vikas, a medical representative, was brutally beaten up by some youth and later run over by a vehicle bearing Punjab registration numbers. Vikas, hailing from Theog, died while on the way to the hospital, while his friend, Virender Negi, was admitted to the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), here. The incident took place while Vikas along with four other friends had gone to Kalyani helipad, where they were drinking and dancing on pahari tunes. According to the police, 10 youths from Punjab who too were singing and dancing in another corner of the helipad thrashed Vikas and later crushed him and they drove away. “Vikas, went across and started dancing with the Punjabi youth while his friends continued drinking in the other corner but all of a sudden they started beating him and by the time his companions could come to his rescue, they fled in their vehicles,” informed police sources. The police said Vikas’s friends were so taken aback by the sudden brawl that they were unable to see the number of the vehicles in which the youth from Punjab were travelling. “However, we have got some important leads and we will be able to get to the culprits shortly,” said a senior police official. Surprisingly, the incident took place at the Kalyani helipad which is reserved exclusively for the use of the President of India. In fact, the office of the President has turned down several requests by the state government for allowing the use of the helipad for launching its heli-taxi service to various tourist destinations within the state. |
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Transcend social limitations for research
Shimla, July 2 Inaugurating a two-week summer school on “Research methodology in political science” at the institute here today he said those hailing from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other reserved categories generally tend to justify the policy of reservation, while those from other castes oppose it. Similarly, non-Muslims have a tendency to challenge the nationalist credentials of the Muslims. Such prejudices were rooted in the social system also which influenced the researchers. In such a scenario, it was important to ensure that methodologies which reduced subjectivity to the minimum were used in research. After all objectives of all knowledge that was created through research was to help develop an equitable society. Prof K.S. Suri from the Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi, said researchers should accept the limitations of the measurement in social sciences which were not exact like the natural sciences as they dealt with human mind. He said while quantification was the core of empirical research it was not essential that everything should be quantified. There was a qualitative aspect too which complimented the quantitative research. He said ‘lokniti’, the research wing of the CSDS was pursing theoretically grounded empirical research on issues pertaining to democracy and it had been carrying out large elections surveys since 1996 to study the voting pattern and political values. Convener of the summer school Prof T.R. Sharma, said verifiability, exactness and predictability were the key to empirical research. The analysis of data was important but it had some limitations. |
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New projects threat to green cover
Palampur, July 2 The government has failed to initiate measures for the restoration of environmental degradation caused by 12 power projects set up in Shimla, Kulu, Chamba and Kinnaur districts in the past eight years. All statements issued by the government in this regard remained confined to official files as nothing worthwhile was done in the field. The government could not effectively implement the catchment area treatment (CAT) plan in the affected areas. Funds deposited and collected from private parties for the CAT plan were diverted and not utilised in the designated areas. Reckless industrialisation, more power projects, increasing pressure of population, overgrazing and over-cultivation by land-starved peasants are responsible for the depleting green cover in Himachal, which was once known for its rich forests. Conservation of natural resources is as important as their exploitation and these resources should be used only up to a limit. The conservation of forests in the state is indispensable for human life. The state urgently requires an environment policy to address these concerns. |
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Villagers resent delay in road project
Shantha (Shimla), July 2 Pratap Singh, a village nambardar, and Nika Ram, a retired principal from Shantha, said the Chief Minister was informed about the slow pace of the work last month. He had directed the PWD to expedite the work, but the contractor did not pay heed. The project cost was Rs 2.63 crore. The PWD had released Rs 84 lakh to the contractor, but he had yet to construct culverts and widen the road at curves, said PWD engineers. The work on the rest of the road was yet to be started, they said. “We were hopeful that transportation of fruit become easy from this season with the construction of the road, but that was not to be,” said Pradip Banchta, former vice-pardhan of the Dewat gram panchayat, which has emerged as a major apple belt in Chopal tehsil. On the other hand, the contractor said the work was halted at Bahal village, the last point of the 5-km stretch, as a villager had obtained stay orders from the court. “We are helpless as the government has yet to acquire the land. We will make the 5-km stretch motorable till then,” he said.
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It poured 113mm at Renuka
Shimla, July 2 Renku of Sirmaur district witnessed the heaviest rainfall of 113 mm. Shimla recorded 8.3 mm rainfall this afternoon, while it was 6.5 mm at Jogindernagar, 9.7 mm at Kalpa, 3.1 mm at Sundernagar and 20.4 mm at Dharamsala. The maximum temperature at Shimla was 23.1°C, while the minimum was 16.5°C. The figures were 32.5°C and 22.6°C at Sundernagar, 19.6°C and 12°C at Kalpa and 28°C and 19.7°C at Dharamsala, respectively. The minimum temperature was 20.4°C at Bhuntar, 24.5°C at Una, 21.4°C at Solan, 21.8°C at Nahan and 20.5°C at Palampur. The Met office has forecast mild to heavy rainfall at most places of the state over the next 24 hours.
— UNI |
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Pharma institutes continue to
battle staff shortage
Solan, July 2 Though the state government had opened a B.Pharmacy college in Rohru in 2005 and provided D.Pharmacy courses in Kandhaghat Polytechnic College, the lack of trained staff has adversely affected the study of this technically advanced course. This is despite the fact that the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Industrial Area is emerging as the pharmaceutical hub of the country where an estimated 300 prestigious units have set up their operations. Investment worth Rs 5,000 crore has been pumped into this area alone. With the state government having bound the industries to recruit at least 70 per cent Himachali youth, the government has been readily according permission to open more pharmacy colleges. The deplorable plight of these colleges is manifested in the manner in which the limited faculty has been shifted from one college to another to keep the session going. This has put a question mark on the quality of education imparted at these institutes. As per Education Regulations, each college is supposed to have at least four specialised faculty members having a minimum qualification of M.Pharma along with adequate teaching experience. Each college is also bound to have a principal having at least 10 years’ experience along with M.Pharma qualification. Enquires from the two colleges revealed that while the Kandhaghat Polytechnic for Women was short of one faculty member and the other faculty members were rotated between the two colleges, the situation in Rohru college was even worse. Despite being the Chief Minster’s constituency, there was a shortage of at least three faculty members and advertisements have now been placed to recruit them on contractual basis. At least two other private colleges had come up in the state and the industry was hopeful of getting adequate trained youth. However, industry sources said since these colleges offered little remuneration ranging from Rs 10,000 to 12,000 per month, few preferred to take up teaching jobs. They instead preferred to join industrial units where the growth potential was immense and the salaries offered were higher. |
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Mahila Swasthya Sanghs not getting dues
Hamirpur, July 2 These sanghs, having a total membership of more than 44,000, are being run under sub-health centres for the past 14 years. Their activities include creating health awareness, promoting personal hygiene, propagating and adopting several national health programmes and disease eradication drives being undertaken under the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) of the Central Government. These bodies not only undertake training programmes by roping in new members, but also act as chain between the government and the rural masses. For this, they are paid Rs 100 per month, but even this meagre amount has not been paid for the past one year. Even the dues for 2005 were paid after much hue and cry sometime back. State secretary of multipurpose health services employees federation Satish Shukla said, “Though the Central Government is spending crores under the NHRM, the important component of these programmes (i.e. these sanghs) are not getting this meagre monthly allowance when they have already met the expanses from their own pockets.” Mission director of the NRHM Nandita Gupta said, “We are getting this money from the Central Government and releasing the same on being received through CMOs.” Meanwhile, it is learnt that some officials are not taking the issue seriously and hence there is a delay in payment. |
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Nurses observe strike, demand police security
Nahan, July 2 “In view of sudden death of Indira Devi yesterday, her son, Parveen Kumar, had gone berserk alleging carelessness by the hospital staff. He had reportedly hit his hands against the window pain and bled profusely,” medical superintendent Dr Galfat said while talking to The Tribune. Dr Galfat said Parveen mother was a cancer patient, under treatment, at the PGI, her condition deteriorated and she collapsed. He charged Parveen Kumar for hitting nursing sister Saroj Bala on duty and creating obstruction in routine medical services in a drunken condition. The staff wanted to attend to his bleeding hand but he had even hit the medical superintendent, added Dr Galfat. ASP Bindu Sachdeva, however, declined that Kumar was in a drunken state, but was annoyed with the hospital staff for not attending to the patient who was in critical condition. The security was provided no sooner the request came to us, said the Sirmaur ASP. The Deputy Commissioner, R.S. Negi with regard to the meeting with the hospital delegation said that necessary steps had been initiated to enhance the security at the hospital. |
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Firm pulls out of bus stand project
Mandi, July 2 Though top HRTC officials claimed that the formalities for transfer of additional 2000 square feet of forest and PWD land had been completed, the contractor has withdrawn from the project. The bus stand has been hanging fire for the past three years with the government failing to hand over the site to the contractor. HRTC chief general manager Rajiv Gupta said the matter was taken up at the Board of Directors (BoD) meeting, which had decided to hold a meeting with the construction company. |
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Sanctioned posts to be filled on priority
Shimla, July 2 Addressing senior officers here today he said decisions of the government should be implemented expeditiously. He said there was need to monitor programmes and schemes meant for the welfare of people to ensure that benefits were reaching them. He exhorted officers to work with renewed zeal and dedication and ensure that the programmes and decision were implemented in a time-bound manner. The budget assurances and announcements made by the Chief Minister from time to time should be implemented on priority. He urged them to strictly enforce the policy of providing 70 per cent employment to Himachalis in various hydroelectric projects and industries coming up in the state. |
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D’ Souza likely to be new director of IIAS
Shimla, July 2 His name figured at the second place in the panel recommended by the three-member search committee. Dr Amitabh Kundu, dean of social sciences in the Jawahar Lal Nehru University, who name was at the top in the panel, declined the job. According to sources, D’Souza has already given his consent and his name has been forwarded to the Cabinet Committee on appointments for approval. Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar, chairman of the governing body of the institute, said in all probability the new incumbent would be appointed within this month. He said there was no delay on his part or the governing body as the Search Committee had been set up in February 2006, two months before the last incumbent, Dr Bhuvan Cahndel, Completed her term. It was the government procedures which was causing the delay. |
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Rape Case
Kullu, July 2 On his arrival here, Chong, first secretary in the embassy, sought details about the incident from the district administration, sources said. A 28-year-old South Korean woman was allegedly raped near Manali by a youth on Friday. He had given her a lift on his motorcycle on the pretext of helping her catch a Delhi-bound bus that she had missed. Shrawan Singh, SHO of the Kullu police station, said the police had obtained information about the youth whose photograph was clicked by the victim using her digital camera. He said the woman was taken to Manali to reconstruct the incident.
— PTI |
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Police posts likely to be upgraded
Kangra July 2 Additional police chief of Kangra Santosh Patial said two more ASIs, one head constable and seven constables were posted at the post as per directions by the DGP on June 30. There would now be 20 police personnel, instead of 11, there. He said both Nagrota Bhagwan and Forsetyganj police posts were likely to be upgraded as police stations soon. He said the DGP issued instructions to the DIG during an inspection of the police post on Saturday. He had directed the PWD authorities to complete two-story new police post
building by August so that the post could be shifted there from the present dilapidated building. He said the DGP directed the DIG to submit an estimate of new family quarter building for Nagrota Bhagwan to be constructed nearby. |
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Shortage of lecturers in Chamba colleges
Dalhousie, July 2 Representatives of students said here today that 17 posts of lecturer were vacant in Government College, Chamba, seven in Government College, Chowari, seven in Government College, Bharmour; besides Government Colleges at Saloon and Tissa. Most of the posts of lecturer at the Tissa College were filled on a PTA (parent-teacher association) basis. Likewise, some posts of lecturer at the Chamba and Salooni colleges were also filled on a PTA basis. Since the fresh academic session was going to commence this month, there was need for regular lecturers to fill the vacancies.
— OC |
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BJP regime — a black chapter: Thakur
Mandi, July 2 Criticising the BJP leaders of making baseless charges against the Congress government Thakur stated that Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had taken steps to solve problems of unemployment and rising prices issue. |
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Graft: BJP to spread public awareness
Shimla, July 2 State BJP general secretary Khushi Ram Balnatah said that public awareness on issues like the audio CD against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, reinstatement of IPS officer B.S. Thind, unemployment and price rise would be accomplished. He said it had been decided that state BJP chief Jai Ram Thakur would lead the party men at Mandi, Kulu, Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur, Shanta Kumar at Kangra, Chamba and Sirmaur, P.K. Dhumal at Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Solan and I.D. Dhiman at Una and Shimla.
— TNS |
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Agriculture project
extended to entire state
Shimla, July 2 The Centre granted approval for covering the remaining districts under the project at a meeting held in Delhi on June 29. The state government had requested the Centre to include these districts so that the entire state was covered under decentralised extension
programme.
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Notices to Centre, HP, Ski Village MD
Shimla, July 2 The court passed this order on a petition filed by Manali-based Jan Jagran Avam Vikas Sansthan where in it was alleged that the establishment of this mega project in the Manali area would adversely affect ecology. The petitioner alleged that the state Cabinet had granted approval to the company in violation of the law. |
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Regularise daily wagers
Dalhousie, July 2 |
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Underlining
the need for maintaining a high degree of objectivity in empirical research
Bhalchandra Mungekar, a member of the Planning Commission and chairman of the
governing body of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, has said work of
Indian social scientists was not taken as seriously as those of western scholars
because of their failure to cross the boundaries of their social origin.
