 |
|
|
Delay in completion of Khauli project
Bumper Lahaul potato crop expected
Himalaya House gets trophy
for academic excellence
Omar Abdullah leads the 1986-90 batch at the march past during the founder's day celebrations of Lawrence School at Sanawar (Solan) on Thursday. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ex-chief secy’s appointment as HPSEB chief stayed
Two participants from Australia strike a pose during a press conference for the Herclules mountain biking rally in Shimla on Thursday. The rally will be flagged off from Peterhoff on Friday morning. Tribune photo by S.Chandan
Tender notice cancelled
40,000 daily-wagers regularised: CM
BJP ‘out to belittle’ Cong achievements
New handcuffing provision to be enforced
UK team meets Dalai Lama
One convicted in triple murder case
BJP meeting on Oct 6
Miss Tibet pageant from Oct 12
41 injured as bus overturns
14 labourers injured in road mishap
ZP member removal stayed
The mangled remains of a car smashed by a tipper on the Pathankot-Mandi highway at Raja Ka Bagh on Wednesday night, leaving one person dead and three injured. The driver of the tipper fled after the accident. — Photo by Ashok Raina
Dhumal for probe into fund allocation
3 join Tibetan Cabinet
Quake rocks Chamba, Kangra
BSP to activate 25,000 workers
12 cows die of mysterious disease
|
|
Delay in completion of Khauli project Rakesh Lohumi Tribune News Service
Shimla, October 4 Against the revised cost of Rs 67 crore in June, 2001, the 12-MW project has been completed at Rs 134 crore three years behind the schedule. Worse, the designed energy at 49 million units is less than normal for such projects by 5 million units. As a result the cost of generation has gone up to more than Rs 6 per unit as against the average sale price of the board at Rs 3.67 per unit. In contrast the cost of generation in the case of the Nathpa-Jhakri project is Rs 2.83 per unit and the Baspa project Rs 2.85 per unit. The cost comes to Rs 11.2 crore per megawatt, more than double the normal cost of Rs 5 crore to Rs 5.5 crore per megawatt. The board had in the tariff application filed with the state regulatory commission for 2005-06 pegged the generation cost at Rs 1.24 per unit and projected a generation of 5 million units during the year. However, the project was not completed during the year and there was no generation. The project is likely to generate 48 million units during the current year. The board had virtually repeated the story of the Larji project, only reaffirming the fact that it was incapable of executing projects in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The quality of work came into question when the water-conducting pipe collapsed during trial. As many 80 m length of steel conduit collapsed. Apart from the use of substandard material, the engineers failed to take the necessary precautionary measures during the test run. The board had to replace the pipes with the one made from the material supplied by SAIL which caused delay and also added to the cost. The board used steel pipes in place of an open channel in some fragile portions for conducting water from the source to the reservoir to avoid acquisition of land. The engineers maintain that the cost had not increased due to laxity in execution but because of the high establishment cost and interest during construction (IDC). As the board did not have many projects in hand the salaries of staff were charged to the project as a result of which the total establishment cost swelled to over Rs 36 crore. Besides, the IDC also amounted to over Rs 34 crore. Only Rs 12 crore were allotted for the project and work got under way only in 2002. The board has not taken any initiative for the proposed 6.6-MW Khauli-II project, which will be the second stage of the Khauli-I project. The staff has been idle since the completion of the project. If work on the second-stage project is taken immediately it will be able to generate power at almost half the rate of the first stage.
|
|
Bumper Lahaul potato crop expected
Manali, October 4 The large convoys of trucks carrying Lahaul's potatoes are coming across the Rohtang Pass daily to Manali. About 60 per cent of the crop has been harvested and transported to Manali, growers said here. They said the weather was good and the sowing was in time and there were no hassles in transportation as the Keylong-Manali highway has been open for traffic. Though the government has yet to declare the procurement rate for potato yet, but the growers expect an increase of 20 per cent than last year’s rate of Rs. 1,025 per bag. The government has declared a rate of Rs 1,025 per bag last year and the production was nearly 1.50 lakh bags, said Sharab Pachigi, a progress farmer from Kardang, Lahaul. “The farmers are upbeat expecting an increase of 20 pe cent this year”, he added. The “kufri joyoti” and “chandramukhi” are the two main potato varieties grown in Lahaul valley, which produces highest disease-free seed potatoes in the country. The traders from West Bengal, Gujrat and South India come here to buy Lahaul’s potatoes at Manali every year.The growers are sending more than 50 per cent of the crop to private traders based in Manali and more than 40 per cent is sold to the traders through the Lahaul Potato Growers Co-opt, Marketing-cum-processing Society, (LPGCMS), the second largest growers' primary society after the Gujarat’s Amul. LPGCMS chairman Norbu Barongpa said this year the production is estimated to touch over 2 lakh bags. “The farmers got irrigation facility this year as the valley had good spells of snowfall. The entire crop in the valley depends on the snow-fed glaciers for irrigation”, he added. Norbu said the government had called the meeting of the members and marketing boards and traders on October 5 to decide the procurement rate for the farmers. He said “But we expect there will be an increase of around 20 per cent as compared to last year, he added. He added that about 40 per cent of the crop is yet to be transported from snowbound Lahaul. The society is getting more than 40 per cent of the crop and the rest goes to private traders, he added. Norbu said that the farmers here cultivated peas in more than 40 per cent of the cultivable area in the valley. But trend was rolling back to cultivate potato as it yielded and returns were on the higher side. “We get just one crop due to harsh weather”, he added.
|
|||
|
Himalaya House gets trophy
for academic excellence
Sanawar, October 4 Union minister of state for women and child development Renuka Chowdhury was the chief guest. She congratulated the school on its tremendous achievements over the past year and encouraged it to excel in all areas. She also gave away prizes for excellence in academics and other activities. The Chief of the Army Staff's trophy for the best student in the boys and girls category went to Raj Ude Chimni and Shagufta Bhangu, respectively. The Chief of Army Staff's Cup for best cadet was awarded to Jigme Wangchuk while Himalaya House lifted the Chief of the Air Staff's trophy for academic excellence. Reading out the school's annual report, headmaster Parveen Vasisht said that the school was keen to establish a state-of-the-art science block and permission for its construction had been sought from the state government. The results in board examinations had improved drastically and extra classes were being conducted regularly for weak students. A new foreign language, French, had been introduced for senior classes. Improvement in academic performance has not been at the cost of games and extra-curricular activities. The school won the Bhupinder Singh Memorial Football tournament in which eight schools participated. Besides winning the state-level swimming championships, the school also made its mark in cricket and basketball matches. The chief guest also went around different exhibitions, showcasing the hobbies and creative skills of the students. The newly introduced hobby 'Animation' at the computer department, glazed pottery, ceramics and fashion designing were other highlights of the exhibitions. A special session assembly in the school chapel, an old Sanawarians meet and a concert were also held today.
Old Sanawarians (OS) remain the lifeline of the school. The OS Society has donated a multi-utility vehicle to the school. The England chapter of old Sanawarians has donated Rs. 1.50 lakh for the upkeep of the school chapel while Sanjeev Bawa donated Rs. 2 lakh for the school auditorium. Every year Sanawar honours an old student who has made significant progress and distinguished himself. This year's recipient was from the 1987 batch, Tejpreet S Chopra, president and CEO, GE - India. |
|
Ex-chief secy’s appointment as HPSEB chief stayed
Shimla, October 4 This interim order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V.K.Gupta and Mr. Justice Rajiv Sharma on a petition filed in this regard. While issuing this direction the Bench further directed the chief secretary and Kanwar Shamsher Singh to file their replies on or before October 10. The petitioner alleged in his petition that Kanwar was appointed chairman of the board in violations of Section 5 of the Electricity Act. According to the Electricity Act, 2003, the board is no more to exist and the same is to be reorganised in such a manner that properties of the board are to be vested with the state and further reorganization is to be done. As such there is no requirement for any chairman. The petitioner further alleged that the state had not implemented the provisions of the 2003 Act even after the expiry of four years of operation of the Act. As per the 2003 Act the entire properties of the board are to be vested with the state and there is to be further reorganization. The petitioner urged the court that the government be restrained form reappointing Kanwar as the board chairman after the expiry of his present tenure in October, 2007. The case is to come up for further hearing on October 12. |
|
Mountain biking rally begins today
Shimla, October 4 Considered one of the toughest in the world, the cyclists will gain an elevation of 14,000 m, while traversing 650 km through the rugged Himalayan ranges. The 3,223 m Jalori pass will be the highest point of the rally. The participants will cover 80 km every day. There are about 90 participants in all, including 22 foreign cyclists from 13 countries. The race will take off from Shimla and conclude at Manali on October 14 after passing through Mashobra, Narkanda, Baghi, Sungri, Sarhan, Jeury, Rampur, Nirmand, Khanag, Jalori Pass, Ghushaini, Jhanjeli, Pandoh, Mandi, Kataula, Bajaura, Bhuntar, Bijli Mahadev, Naggar and Jagatsukh. The average riding altitude will be 2,000 m with the high point at Jalori pass (3,223 m) and touching a low at Pandoh (750 m). President of the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA), Mohit Sood, which is organising the event, said participants from the USA, United Kingdom, Brazil, Belgium, Hungry, Hong Kong and other countries will get an opportunity to explore the splendour of the hills. At every night camp, the participants would be provided the facility of ayurvedic massage and other treatments. The event carries a cash prize of Rs 6 lakh which would be awarded in three categories. Besides, the overall championship title, two separate categories for Indian and foreign participants have been created to encourage local cyclists. The rally will be flagged off by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh from Peterhoff tomorrow.
|
|
Tender notice cancelled
Hamipur, October 4 This decision was taken today by the parishad committee when it was found that the tender was technically not correct as it was not given adequate publicity in the newspapers, which had invited public criticism. The tender notice to carry different works worth Rs 22 lakh was floated on last Saturday by the parishad, by displaying the same on the notice board. The offers from registered contractors were invited by Monday, which had raised fingers on this process. The parishad is getting more than Rs 12 crore from the government under the urban development plan for which the first installment of Rs 47 lakh has already been received by it. To carry different works under this scheme, the parishad had floated this tender on Saturday. Many eyebrows were raised here on the procedure adopted by the parishad to invite offers in such a short span and that too by putting up the tender notice on a notice board. It was also debated as to why the tender notice was not given wide publicity through newspaper advertisements which was a general practice. Confirming the development, Nagar Parishad president Deep Kumar told The Tribune “We have cancelled this tender notice as it was found that it was not correct to invite offers by displaying it on a notice board and it should have been given a wider publicity through newspapers.” “Since we believe in complete transparency we have decided to cancel the tender notice issued on Saturday and now offers would be invited by October 15 through newspaper advertisements” he added.
|
|
40,000 daily-wagers regularised: CM
Nahan, October 4 He said industrial labour engaged through contractors would be checked and wages paid through cheques would also be ensured. The CM dedicated Rs 53 lakh to the Dhamog-Bunga Timbi lift water supply scheme to the people of the area benefiting 5,500 residents of 8 local villages today. He said 686 km of new roads and 15 bridges had been constructed in Sirmaur district during the past four years, besides connecting 208 gram panchayats with motorable road in the district. He said Rs 48 crore was spent under various activities and 401 habitations had been provided drinking water, besides 562 hectares of land irrigated and that 418 daily-wagers in the IPH department and 447 daily-wage workers in the PWD department had been regularized. The CM said quality infrastructure would be created at the CHC, Rajpur, by constructing additional accommodation for the hospital and the medical staff. He said at least five medical officers would be deployed at the CHC and an additional floor would be added to the existing building.
|
|
|
BJP ‘out to belittle’ Cong achievements
Shimla, October 4 In a statement issued here today, he said the announcement of Union finance minister regarding the setting up of a Central university, an IIT, completion of the Bhanupali-Beri rail track and extending the national rural employment guarantee scheme to the entire state were big achievements. He said former Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal and other BJP leaders were trying to mislead people by alleging that these projects would promote regional imbalances even though the location of the proposed institutions had not yet been decided. When Dhumal was in power, the state was plunged into debt with an outstanding loans of Rs 15,000 crore and an annual interest liability of Rs 1,800 crore, he added. The present government inherited empty coffers but with its progressive policies it not only reduced the debt burden but also managed liberal funds for education, health, poverty alleviation and other social sectors. He said the state was adjudged as the best governed state outperforming other states in education, health, social welfare, consumer market and poverty alleviation since 2005, and had achieved a growth rate of 9.3 per cent which was higher than the national-level.
|
|
New handcuffing provision to be enforced
Shimla, October 4 The IG (Law and Order), S.R. Mardi today issued directions to all SPs and DIGs in this regard. Though the provision of handcuffing is already there in Section 65 (2) of the new Police Act, it was not enforced in view of the Supreme Court directions. The death of an under trial, who jumped from the third floor of the court building in Kangra, yesterday, is one of the reasons for the decision being taken. It has specifically been mentioned that handcuffing will not be done in case of a person arrested or in lawful police custody but only when there is apprehension that such a person may turn violent, attempt suicide, escape or be forcibly released from arrest or detention. Notorious under trials and convicts like Amrish Rana and Shymal Rao Reddy have escaped in transit, while being taken to court. In recent years, there have been more than 40 cases where arrested persons, mostly those facing serious charges of murder have escaped, while in transit.
|
|
|
UK team meets Dalai Lama
Dharamsala, October 4 Prime Minister of the exiled government Samdhong Rinchope, deputy speaker Dolma Gyari and Sonam Tsering Frasi, members of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile from Europe were present on the ocassion. The UK team comprised Harry Cohen, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, Norman Baker, president of Tibet society, UK, Fabian Hamilton and Richard Younger Toss, both members of foreign affairs select committee and Julie Morgan, member of Constitutional Affairs Select Committee. The Dalai Lama told the British Parliamentarians about China’s attempts to dilute the culture and environment of Tibet. They were also told that China was disturbing the course of rivers originating from Tibet. Sources said the British MPs assured to put pressure on China over these issues.
— PTI |
|
One convicted in triple murder case
Dharamsala, October 4 Additional District and Session’s Judge L.R. Sharma said the punishment would be pronounced on October 11. As per details, a Kurukshetra- resident, Harish went to meet Vinod on September 27, 2006, at his house in Nandroli village. There they had drinks and Vinod being heavily drunk, became unconscious. Taking advantage of the situation, Harish tried to rape his wife, Meera, who resisted his advances and was strangulated by him. He also killed her 22-month-old child. Later, Vinod somehow tried to get up and get hold of Harish but he too was strangulated. The police arrested Harish from Ladwa town in Kurukshetra district on October 3, 2006.
|
|
BJP meeting on Oct 6
Shimla, October 4 All senior BJP leaders, including national vice-president Shanta Kumar, Lok Sabha MP P.K. Dhumal and state party chief Jai Ram Thakur will attend the meeting. Satpal Jain, in charge of the party affairs in Himachal, will be present at the meeting. With all political parties keen on election to the three tribal Assembly segments of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti and Bharmour before the scheduled time, the BJP wants to chalk out its strategy well in time. Another issue likely to be discussed at the meeting is the need for discipline amongst the party cadres. The incident at Rehan in Kangra where party workers from two rival factions clashed two days back has sent out a wrong signal. State BJP general secretary Khsuhi Ram Balnatah said that the state election manifesto committee would also meet on the same day in Solan. A workshop would also be held for the Shimla parliamentary constituency on the same day at Solan. All district BJP chiefs, general secretaries, mandal heads and office-bearers of all frontal organisation would take part.
|
|
Miss Tibet pageant from Oct 12
Dharamsala, October 4 There will be seven rounds in all to choose Miss Tibet, Lobsang Wangyal, director of the NGO, organising the event, said today. The competition rounds would include swimwear, traditional costume, interview, talent and presentation (talk on Tibetan culture, history, current affairs etc) rounds will be held on the concluding night of the pageant on October 14, he added. The participants would receive one-week training in yoga, dance, catwalks with workshops on make-up and hair-care, Wangyal said. Tibetan experts will speak to them about human rights, environment, Tibetan culture, literature and philosophy, he said. Wangyal has been organising Miss Tibet contest since 2002 and would also conduct a Tibetan olympics
soon. — PTI |
|
|
41 injured as bus overturns
Sundernagar, October 4 The 28-seater private bus (H.P.-31-6555), which was coming form Rewalsar to Sundernagar in the morning hours, was overloaded with about 50 persons According to the victims, the bus was being driven by driver Biri Singh in a negligent manner and he could not control the bus and it overturned on the road due to which more than 40 persons were injured The residents of the area helped in shifting the injured to the hospital. According to the hospital staff as many as 41 persons were given first aid and eight persons were still admitted in the hospital out of them four were stated to be in a serious condition.
|
|
|
14 labourers injured in road mishap
Bilaspur, October 4 They said the driver of the pick-up jeep, who was in an inebriated condition, lost control over the vehicle and the jeep fell into the khad injurying 14 passengers. The pick-up jeep was on the way to Hamirpur from Solan carrying labourers for the telecom work, the sources said.
— PTI
|
|
|
ZP member removal stayed
Hamirpur, October 4 It is notable that her election as a ZP member from the Beer Bagehda (reserve) ward was set aside by the deputy commissioner on September 11 as her reserve category status was not found meeting the criteria set for being a reserved caste. Counsel for Sunita Dhiman Anil Jaswal told The Tribune that “the financial commissioner has stayed the order setting aside her election and the next date of hearing has been fixed for November 7.”
|
|
|
1 killed in road mishap
Nurpur, October 4 The police said the deceased along with his brother and two friends was on his way from Nagabari to Jassur in the car when it was hit by a truck HP 68-1483 coming from the opposite side. He was rushed to civil hospital where he succumbed to the injuries. A case has been registered and the truck has been impounded. The truck driver is still missing.
|
|
|
Dhumal for probe into fund allocation
Hamirpur, October 4 In a press statement issued here today Dhumal said 40 per cent funds are granted in proportion to the area 60 per cent are granted in proportion to the population of the district. Giving district-wise figures of money given to six districts Dhumal said Sirmaur got Rs 58.13 lakh against Rs 125.60 lakhs, Chamba Rs 56.73 lakh against Rs 122.66 lakh, Hamirpur Rs 22.09 lakh against Rs 94.45 lakh, Una Rs 48.57 lakh against Rs 102.70 lakh, and Kangra Rs 298.29 lakh against Rs 338.89 lakh while Bilaspur got Rs 74.03 lakh against Rs 79.32 lakh.
|
|
|
3 join Tibetan Cabinet
Dharamsala, October 4 Rinpoche today proposed three more candidates to fill the vacant Cabinet seats on the concluding day of the ongoing fourth session, which resumed on September 24. The nominated candidates were all unanimously approved by the Tibetan Assembly. Paljor Tsering, a retired civil servant currently residing in Australia, Ngodup Dongchung, Secretary (Security) for Department of Security, and Tsering Dhondup, Secretary for Department of Home, were approved unopposed by the Tibetan Assembly.
|
|
Quake rocks Chamba, Kangra
Shimla, Octobers 4 According to official sources, the epicentre of the tremor, which hit the region at 10.44 a.m., was in Chamba district (latitude 32.5 ° N and longitude 76 ° E). The magnitude of the quake was recorded by the Meteorological Department was 3.8 on the Richter Scale. The people ran out of their houses in panic as doors and windows started rattling due to tremors. No loss of life or property has been reported so far from any part of the state. |
|
BSP to activate 25,000 workers
Bilaspur, October 4 He strongly criticised both the Congress and the BJP for exploiting the poor for their selfish needs and forgetting them after coming to power.
OC |
|
12 cows die of mysterious disease
Sundernagar, October 4 As per the information, these cows which were well maintained by the farmers and were the main source of income to them suddenly stopped eating grass and on the next day began bleeding and excessive discharge of saliva was detected from their mouths. They then died after a short span of time. |
|
|
Cancelled
Hamirpur:
Hamirpur DC Nandita Gupta has cancelled the appointment of three Anganwadi workers under Nadaun block for not fulfilling the income criteria for the selection. This decision has been taken after hearing block-wise complaints about appointment of Anganwadi workers on
Wednesday. — TNS
|
|
| 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 | |
Trooping the school colours at an impressive parade by NCC cadets marked the culmination of the 160th founder’s day of Lawrence School here today.
