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PIL the right pill for eco-maladies: CJ
Regulatory policy on wetlands soon: Meena
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BJP panel to address poll grievances
Women Quota
Rs 4-cr project for agricultural university
Ankit, Dimple are best athletes
Skiing championships from Feb 5
Cold wave to intensify
Army recruitment
Farmers encouraged to adopt PHF technique
Govt urged to conduct survey on loss to fruit crops
Acting DCC chiefs appointed
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PIL the right pill for eco-maladies: CJ
Shimla, February 2 Interacting with mediapersons after the swearing-in ceremony, he, however, said in case the authorities concerned checked the violations and initiated action against the defaulters at the right time, the courts would not have to entertain such PILs. It would be far better if the government machinery swings into action while an unauthorised structure or road was coming up rather than waking up when the damage was already
done, he said. “Had there been no PILs on certain important issues, we would have witnessed only cemented cities. Each one of us is answerable to the coming generations and duty bound to protect ecology,” he opined. Another area which is very close to the heart of Justice Bhalla is reaching out to the poor litigants in every part of the state. “Justice should go to the door of the poor. In order to ensure that we are able to wipe the tears from the eyes of the poor litigants by giving them justice, sub-judiciary officers can hold camps in various parts of the state,” he said. This, he added, would be a great achievement for the entire legal fraternity as the people look towards the judiciary for guidance and relief. On the issue of judicial activism, he said one should be moderate within the framework the law. “When the issue concerns the welfare of the nation or the society at large, the judiciary should deal with the situation firmly,” he said. On the issue of pending cases, he said the situation could be eased out through joint efforts of all. “Depending on the backlog in the Himachal High Court, we could consider increasing the working hours and also fix the time for arguments after taking the Bench and the Bar into confidence,” he added. Justice Bhalla was appointed a judge of the Allahabad High Court in April, 1995, while he took over as acting Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court in May last year. |
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Regulatory policy on wetlands soon: Meena
Fatehpur, February 2 Addressing the national-level function on World Wetland Day at Fatehpur, near Pong Dam, he said the ministry was preparing a draft under the Environment Protection Act to regulate the wetlands. “The regulatory framework is under preparation and it will be implemented soon after consulting all stakeholders, including all states,” he said. “Most of the wetlands in the country are coming under pressure due to over exploitation of their resources, pollution, encroachments, degradation of catchment areas, etc. The regulatory framework would check their further decline,” he said. The union minister said the rate of loss of wetlands and the wetland species were greater than those of many other habitats like forests and grasslands and urged the states to make efforts to halt their further destruction and restore those already degraded. The states had been asked to prepare an inventory of wetlands. So far the ministry had declared 94 wetlands of national importance. He said it was for the first time that the ministry had decided to celebrate World Wetland Day somewhere near the wetlands. Since Pong Dam wetlands is an internationally recognised site and one of the largest man-made wetlands in northern India, so the ministry had decided to celebrate the day near the Pong Dam. Earlier, most of the functions coinciding with the day were held in New Delhi. Surprisingly, no minister of the state government was present at the function. Two local MLAs, Rajan Shushant (Jawali) and Neeraj Bharti (Guler), were present at the function among officials of the Forest Department and the ministry. Both MLAs highlighted local issues and problems rather than focusing on the importance of the day. Principal secretary, forests, Ashok Thakur said the state government was planning to rationalise the sanctuaries. On this issue, the union minister said a meeting in this regard would be held in New Delhi on February 19. |
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BJP panel to address poll grievances
Solan, February 2 The committee also comprises of state legal cell convener Rajinder Kumar Sharma and senior vice-president Col Ganga Ram Jamwal. This committee will enquire into all such cases, which were brought to the notice of the state president and will decide them within a period of one month. Disclosing this party spokesman Randheer Sharma told mediapersons that maintenance of discipline was a significant issue and all such cases where partymen had worked against the party in the Vidhan Sabha would be dealt with appropriately. He also clarified that the case pertaining to former Rajya Sabha MP Kripal Parmar’s anti-party activities would be taken up and dealt with by the state president, as he was also a senior vice-president of the party. He also made it clear that mandals could only recommend suspension against those who were found involved in acts of indiscipline while it was only the president who could take such a decision. A mandal president could, however, relieve an office bearer of his post if found guilty he asserted. The BJP’s state executive which was convening its first two-day state level meeting here after constitution of the state government also passed certain resolutions in its first session held today. The first meeting of the state executive was conspicuous by the absence of its national senior vice-president Shanta Kumar who had gone abroad to meet his daughter. Leaders were seen cutting a sorry figure for his absence, which did not sound convincing enough. Informing about these decisions Randheer Sharma said a unanimous resolution thanking people of the state for their success in the poll had been passed and special thanks had been accorded to the people of the tribal areas for their support. Another resolution assuring victory in all four parliamentary seats in 2009 poll was also passed, whereby, the partymen avowed to work in unison to assure their projected Prime Minister L.K. Advani a thumping victory in the poll. |
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Women Quota
Shimla, February 2 Talking to mediapersons here yesterday, president of the state BJP Mahila Morcha Roopa Sharma said the Congress was not serious about providing reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies. “She said despite three-and-a- half-year rule of the UPA regime the Women Reservation Bill had not been passed despite UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi promising that she would ensure that it is passed by parliament,” she said. Sharma said the BJP would support the Bill provided it is introduced in Parliament. She said the Congress despite being in power was not serious about providing reservation to women. |
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‘Shoe Bite’ hurts
Shimla, February 2 People had to face inconvenience as the film unit of ‘Shoe Bite’ being directed by Pradeep Sircar shot throughout the day at Hotel Willows Bank, located on the Mall, near Metropole. In fact, the police personnel deputed there even stopped movement of the public on the road, while the shots were being taken. The worst was when even ambulances carrying patients were made to wait as Amitabh Bachchan was giving shots. Dinesh, an onlooker who is holidaying in Shimla, was roughed up and his video camera damaged. “Just like others, I was only standing there and did not take any shots on my handycam, still the security personnel destroyed my cassettes and damaged my camera,”he rued. A local photo journalist was also reportedly roughed up by the security staff posted there. Although the shooting was taking place inside the hotel, lights, screens and other paraphernalia of the unit was placed on the road, thus hampering the movement of traffic and putting the public to inconvenience. Besides Amitabh Bachchan, former beauty queen Diya Mirza is also featuring in the movie. While Bachchan has been here for the past almost a week, Mirza arrived here only two days ago. Sarika, famous star of the 80’s, is likely to join the unit in a week. Prior to this, Bachchan shot for the film for several days in Manali. |
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Rs 4-cr project for agricultural university
Palampur, February 2 This would help make available good seeds of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and planting material of horticultural crops for farmers of the hill state, besides increasing the production and productivity of crops. The university was already executing a Rs 2.5-crore seed production project. Dr. Tej Partap, Vice-Chancellor, hoped the university would get more projects. In a state like Himachal where land holdings were marginal and agriculture was mainly dependent on rain, the availability of quality seeds and planting material would help boost the socio-economic condition of the farming community. |
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Welfare schemes for ex-servicemen launched
Dharamsala, February 2 This was in continuation of the efforts initiated by the local station of the Army for the welfare of ex-servicemen and widows of defence personnel and martyrs living in Kangra district. Col N.S. Katoch said 110 chairs besides many tables and mats were distributed among the ex-servicemen of Nurpur, Sansarpur, Shahpur, Chari, Harchakkian and Lunj areas of the district. The station commander also listened to the problems being faced by ex-servicemen and assured them that he would take appropriate steps to redress their grievances. He said the local unit of the Army would soon organise a training camp for the children of ex-servicemen and widows to prepare them for recruitment in the Army. The Army would pay half of the cost incurred on the training, he said. |
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Ankit, Dimple are best athletes
Bilaspur, February 2 Earlier, principal Subhash Gupta inaugurated the meet and exhorted students to pay equal attention to studies, sports and extracurricular activities for balanced development of their personalities. Ankit got the first position in 200 m and 400 m events, besides emerging at the top in long jump and at the second spot in the 100 m event. Dimple was the first in javelin throw, shot-put, discus throw and second in 100 m and long jump events. Ajay stood first in 100 m and second in 200 m events. In the 400 m event, Pradeep stood second, while Nishant was first and Narender second in the in 800 m event. In 1,500 m, Jivan was first, Satish second. In long jump, Vipan stood second; in discus throw, Yugvir was the first, Rakesh second. In javelin throw, Yugvir stood first, Balvir second. In shot-put, Anand stood first and Yugvir second. Among girls, Puja stood first in the 100 m event. In 200 m, Anchal was first, Nisha second. In 400 m, Anchal was first, Puja second. In 800 m, Ranjana was first, Sapna second. In 1,500 m, Ranjana was first, Sharmila second. In long jump, Archana was first. Lecturers also tested their stamina in races. In 100 m, Suresh Soni stood first, Prof Sarvan second. In 200 m, Surender Sharma was first, Rajesh Chandel second. In musical chairs, Prof Surjeet Chandel excelled. Sports organising secretary Pravin Ranote said more than 800 students participated in the meet. |
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Skiing championships from Feb 5
Mandi, February 2 According to sources in the HP Winter Games Association, which is organising the event, over 150 young skiers from across the country mainly northern India will compete for ski events of slalom and giant slaloms and cross country races and other events in the 3-day long event. The games would be inaugurated by leader of opposition in Vidhan Sabha, Vidya Stokes, who is also the vice-president, Indian Olympic Association, while the Chief Minister will preside over the concluding prize giving ceremony on February 7. Talking to The Tribune the two-time national champion, who also had participated in the Winter Olympics, Chuni Lal from Manali said, “Winter games are becoming popular among youngsters in the region as it gives thrill that other sports lack. If the vast potential in the state is tapped it can provide not only jobs to unemployed youth, but sportspersons can also excel in winter sports in the world.” “Himachal needs infrastructure, more equipments and proper ski slopes. Manali, Sangla, Chansel, Chunjar-Deorighat, Kupar, Churdhar-Saranha (Chopal), Narkanda, Lahaul-Spiti offer a vast reservoir of skiing, the skier added. Secretary HP Winter Games Association, Rupesh Kanwal, said over 150 skiers representing Mountaineering Institute Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, Mountaineering Institute Manali, New Delhi, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Ice skating Rink, Shimla have confirmed their participation while teams from Punjab and Haryana have yet to confirm their entry in the games. |
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Cold wave to intensify
Shimla, February 2 The minimum temperature of Shimla showed further improvement as it increased from - 0.8°C to 0°C today. There has been a slight increase in the temperature due to the prevailing
cloudy conditions. The minimum temperature was recorded as - 1.6 °C at Bhuntar, - 0.9°C at Sundernagar, -9.8°C at Kalpa, 4.7°C at Dharamsala and 6.3°C at Nahan. As per the forecast, moderate to heavy rain and snow may occur at many places in the state due to the approaching western disturbance over the next 48 hours. Even the maximum temperature has shown some improvement at most places. Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of 9.0 °C, Sundernagar- 15.4°C, Bhuntar- 16.3 °C and Dharamsala- 13.2°C. |
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Army recruitment
Hamirpur, February 2 Giving this information executive director recruiting Neeraj Garg said on February 6 nursing assistants from the state would be recruited for which candidates should be between 17-and-a-half and 23 years on that day. For soldiers (technical) candidates should have done class XII with chemistry, physics, mathematics and English and for nursing assistant’s candidate should have biology in addition to the above subjects. On February 7 candidates from Sirmaur district would be selected for general duty soldiers for which candidates should be between 17-and-a-half and 21 years on that day. The candidates should have caste certificate issued by tehsildar or gram panchayat or MC president he added. |
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Farmers encouraged to adopt PHF technique
Nurpur, February 2 The representatives of the two poly house manufacturing companies apprised farmers on ways to get rid of the monkey and stray cattle and by adopting the farm technique of the PHF. Presiding over the seminar, local MLA Rakesh Pathania, in a message said he would promote the new technique of PHF, which would ameliorate the economic condition of the farmers and vegetable growers in the area. He informed that the government was according a subsidy of Rs 3.25 lakh for creating a poly house. He said Nurpur had become the first development block in the district where poly houses was built at Raja Ka Bagh village in which Holland flowers Jarveta were being produced. |
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Govt urged to conduct survey on loss to fruit crops
Nurpur, February 2 Ajay Mahajan, the state general secretary of the HPCC, said the growers of the lower areas of the state had suffered huge loss due to the frost which had played havoc to the mango, litchi and papaya fruit crops. He urged the state government to conduct a survey of the loss to the growers and also release relief to the growers as per the relief manual. |
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Acting DCC chiefs appointed
Shimla, February 2
Budhi Singh Thakur has been appointed as the acting District Congress Committee (DCC) chief of Kullu. Similarly Shiv Kumar has been appointed the acting DCC chief of Solan district.
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