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It’s snow(full) in Shimla, at last
‘Shoe Bite’ disrupted
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Avalanche alert sounded
Frost hits wheat, peas crops
22 IAS, 7 HAS officers transferred
96,000 migratory birds ‘holidaying’ at Pong
Govt steps in, dissolves hospital kalyan samitis
BJP eyes now on Delhi
12 honoured with Himotkarsh
DAV committee writes to bank
Computers working only in 85 panchayats
Proposal to link Kahri belt underway
Grazing rights sought
2 gram panchayats declared ODF
Misuse of Domestic LPG
41 traders challaned in Bilaspur
They spent night in buses
Probe ordered in RTI fee case
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It’s snow(full) in Shimla, at last
Shimla, February 3 The sun shone brightly all through the day yesterday and not many had expected it to snow. It was the third snowfall of the season but there was only mild snow on the previous two occasions that left the winter revellers longing for more. In fact, tourists had to rush to Kufri and Narkanda to enjoy snowfall. It started snowing in the wee hours and by the time the residents woke up, the nature’s brush had already transformed the landscape into a fairyland by spreading a soft white layer of feather-like flakes. The cottony flakes settled on everything, the trees, bushes, steep slopes and bushes, rooftops, roadside railings and even power lines lending a unique charm to scenery. It continued to snow throughout the day and by the evening a thick white blanket had covered the entire city. Braving extreme cold, tourists came out of their hotels to experience the thrill of falling snow. Most of them had not experienced a snowfall and they were delighted to see the soft flakes wafting down lazily from the sky. The higher areas were lashed by a blinding blizzard that left areas like Khara Pathar, Narkanda, Hatu peak and upper areas of Kinnaur and Rampur under knee-deep snow. Churdhar and Chanshal slopes and the Dhauladhar ranges donned a spotless white mantle with 50 to 80 cm of fresh snow. By the evening, Kalpa had received 50 cm of snow, followed by Narkanda (45 cm), and Manali (35 cm). Chail, Solan, Barog and Kasuali also had snow. Maximum temperature plunged sharply across the state with Shimla recording a minimum of -1.7°C and a maximum of 0.7°C. Kalpa had a low of -8°C and a high of -3.4°C. In lower hills, Bhuntar was the coldest with a minimum of -1°C and maximum of 6°C. The 75-km stretch of the Hindustan-Tibet highway between Shimla and Odi was under 20 to 45 cm of snow. The roads leading to Rohru, Chopal were also blocked. The Rampur and Kinnaur bound buses were diverted via Basantpur. The upper Shimla area and parts of Kinnaur district were cut off as roads beyond Shimla were blocked due to heavy snow. The Rampur bound buses were diverted via Dhami and Basantpur. The buses to Rohru area were being plied through Vikasnagar. The Shimla-Chandigarh and the Shimla-Kalka routes were still open, but very few buses were plying due to slippery conditions in some stretches. Traffic came to a grinding halt and queues of vehicles lined up on both sides of Circular road, Dhalli, Sanjauli and other areas in the city. Commuters had to tread through snow for several kilometres to reach their destinations. Mount Jakhu, the highest peak of the city had 35 cm snowfall, while it was 15 to 30 cm in lower areas. The nearby tourist resort of Kufri and Fagu had 40 cm snowfall. About 300 special athletes who had come to participate in winter special games were stranded at Narkanda. They were supposed to leave for their respective home states today but heavy snow blocked the roads. The national sub-junior winter games, which were scheduled to commence tomorrow, will be delayed as the participants will not be able to reach the venue at least for the next two days. KULLU: Heavy snowfall during the past 20 hours disrupted life in the Kullu-Manali area. This led to blocking of many link roads and suspension of bus traffic from Patlikuhal to Manali on the national highway No. 21. However, small vehicles having four-wheel drive were plying on the route helping tourists and others to reach Kullu. HRTC sources confirmed the buses were not plying beyond Patlikuhal due to heavy snowfall. More than one-foot snowfall was recorded in Manali town till 4 pm. The lower region of Kullu experienced heavy incessant rain and mild snowfall. Ten buses of the HRTC and a few buses of the private operators were stuck at rural destinations, sources added. The flights from Delhi to Kullu were also cancelled due to the bad weather conditions. SOLAN: The district witnessed moderate snowfall last night. Kasauli, Barog, Dagshai, Chail, Solan and Kathlighat, all had snow. With Kasauli and Barog witnessing snow, there was a rush of tourists from Chandigarh and its surrounding area who were seen photographing the picturesque view. Intermittent snow continued even during the afternoon. While local residents preferred to stay indoors, tourists who were seen enjoying the weather. With fog engulfing roads, the visibility was low and vehicles were seen moving at a snail’s pace. It is after almost a decade that a good snowfall has been witnessed in the region. The roads wore a deserted look. Power supply remained affected in some parts of Solan due to the ongoing maintenance work.
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‘Shoe Bite’ disrupted
Shimla, February 3 Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and other actors could not reach the venue of the shooting because of slippery roads. The entire unit had no option but to stay put in the hotel. The unit is in an upbeat mood as the snow will last a few days and it will be able to carry on with its shooting schedule once the roads are cleared. |
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Avalanche alert sounded
Mandi, February 3 The district administrations in these areas have sounded alert urging residents not to venture out of their homes in the next 24 hours. Even the SASE, near Manali, has sounded an alert for villagers in the Burwa, Kothi, Shanag, Majach, Solang Nala and other areas. The snow-bound belt of Chauhar valley, Jogindernagar, Janjheli-Shikari Devi, Kamrunag and Karsog in Mandi district, tourist towns of Manali and Kullu, Ani-Dalash, Banjar and the fire-ravaged Malana village have been covered under snow. All the roads leading uphill from Janjheli, Karsog, Manali, Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Kharapathar, Jalori Pass connecting Banjar and Ani subdivisions were blocked by snow suspending traffic in upper areas in the region. Meanwhile, the driver of a jeep was killed and when the vehicle skidded off the slippery road at Pangana on the Mandi-Karsog road.
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Frost hits wheat, peas crops
Kumarhatti, February 3 The prospects of a healthy wheat crop in rain-fed area were earlier hit by prolonged dry weather conditions, which were followed by long duration of frosty conditions. A random visit of nearby villages showed that frost has completely damaged wheat crop in the fields. Peas’ crop that fetched good earnings to farmers by this time of year was nowhere to be seen. According to a distressed farmer of Bohali village, it all started after January 15 when the weather suddenly turned adverse. The weather generally opened up by late January, but this time it was no like that. Wheat and pea plants have withered in the fields due to severe cold. Wheat sowing had to be delayed by a month due to lack of rain, pointed out a farmer at Bhojnagar village. Later, when it was sown, the sprouted plants had to face biting cold that brought about their premature end, they said. “It’s going to be a major economic crisis for us, rued farmers at Jorhji village,” they said. The situation was bad in the Banasar area where farmers were finding it hard to arrange fodder. |
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22 IAS, 7 HAS officers transferred
Shimla, February 3 Parminder Hira Mathur, additional chief secretary, industries, has been posted as additional chief secretary, cooperation, labour and employment while additional chief secretary, transport, Avay Shukla takes over as additional chief secretary, forests. Shukla will continue to hold additional charge as financial commissioner, appeals. Additional chief secretary, horticulture and pollution control, J.P.Negi has been posted as additional chief secretary, urban development, town and country planning and housing. Principal secretary, health and family welfare, has been shifted and given charge as principal secretary, environment and scientific technologies, while principal secretary, forests, Ashok Thakur takes over as principal secretary, transport and tribal development. Principal secretary, PWD, Subhash Chander Negi has been posted as principal secretary, industries, while principal secretary, information and public relations and excise and taxation T.G.Negi takes over as principal secretary, youth services and sports. Principal secretary, irrigation and public health, Deepak Shanan has been posted as principal secretary, heath and family welfare. He will hold additional charge of ayurveda. Principal secretary, power, Ajay Mittal has been given additional charge of PWD while principal secretary, housing, printing and stationery, P.C.Kapoor has been posted as principal secretary, agriculture and horticulture. He will continue to hold additional charge of home and vigilance department. Secretary,
Lokayukta, Desh Deepak takes over as MD, State Financial Corporation and secretary, town and country planning, Tarun Sridhar goes as secretary, animal husbandry. Member, administration, state power board, Tarun Kapoor has been posted as MD, Himachal Power Corporation, vice
S.K.Baldi, who takes over as secretary, rural development and panchayati raj vice Narinder Chauhan, who goes as secretary, irrigation and public health. Secretary, labour and employment, Sanjiv Gupta has been posted as secretary, information and technology and technical education.
J.R.Gazta, who was awaiting posting, takes over as MD, State Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, while MD of State Financial Corporation Ajay Bhandari goes as MD of the State Civil Supplies Corporation vice B.S Nainta, who takes over as secretary, Lokayukta and Human Rights Commission. Bhandari will continue to hold additional charge as chief executive officer,
Himurja. Secretary, HPSC Kashmir Chand and director of land records vice V.C.Katoch swap places, while director of rural development Rakesh Kaushal takes over as secretary, revenue, relieving Diljeet Dogra of the additional charge. Director of food and civil sullies R.S Gupta takes over as director, rural development. He will continue to hold additional charge as director, food and supplies, and registrar of Himachal Pradesh University. S.S. Guleria, who was under transfer as secretary, state transport authority, takes over as director of technical education vice
K.R.Bharati, who has been posted as special secretary, general administration and director of hospitality. Special secretary, GAD Nand Lal Sharma goes as director of
ayurveda. ADM,Kulu, Vijay Chandan goes as such to Hamirpur vice Hira Singh Thakur, who has been posted as additional excise and taxation commissioner, south zone, Shimla. Bhuvaneshwari Vohra, who was awaiting posting, takes over as assistant commissioner to the Chamba DC. |
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96,000 migratory birds ‘holidaying’ at Pong
Pong Dam , February 3 Nestled in the sylvan surroundings of the Kangra valley, the area is at its picture-postcard best. The crystal-clear water, verdant forest, grassy swamps and rich flora and fauna are attracting thousands of migratory birds every year even from far-off countries, including Russia, Siberia, Poland and China. According to a three-day survey conducted by the Forest Department from January 29, more than 96,000 water birds were recorded at the dam. This year again the largest influx is of the bar-beaded goose, coot, common
pochard, red-crested pochard, great cormorant, pintail duck, river tern and the spotbill duck. S.K. Guleria, DFO, Wildlife, Hamirpur, said 25 teams were formed to conduct the dawn-to-dusk survey. Ornithologists of the BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society), the Wildlife Institute of India, the Worldwide Fund, the Zoological Survey of India and the Kangra Bird Club assisted the Forest Department in conducting the survey. Twenty local bird lovers were also involved in the survey. Guleria said this year only the census of water birds were conducted. The water bird is a bird, which inhibits near the water body. In previous years all species of birds were counted. Last year, 1.11 lakh birds were recorded in the area. This time four new species were recorded. These are the slender-billed gull, the common snipe, the white-tailed lapwing and the ferruginous
pochard. Guleria claimed that the ferruginous pochard was recorded for the first time. However, a book written by Jan Willem den
Besten, “Birds of Kangra”, says a few dozen ferruginous pochards have been recorded at Pong wetlands. It is a small chestnut bird with white
undertail-coverts. The common snipe is a common winter migrant throughout lowlands. It also found in Europe, Africa and Asia. But, according to bird lovers, it has been spotted for the first time in this area. The influx of birds can be seen at Nagrota
Suriyan, Sathana, Sansarpur Terrace, Rancer island site areas. During sunrise and sunset, “V” formations of large cormorants in the sky are of much to the delight of bird lovers. Prabhat Bhatti, a wildlife photographer, said this time gulls, a seashore species, were recorded in good number in the Sathana lake, near Pong Dam. He said the arrival of birds would continue till March-end. Interestingly, some of the migratory species like cormorants, egrets, herons and pochards have made their permanent colonies in Rancer Island. Even during the summer, they preferred to stay at the island. However, this year the water level in the reservoir is quite low. The wetlands, which are spread over 220 sq km, have reduced to 200 sq km. Forest minister J.P.
Nadda, who was here yesterday, said the government would improve the habitat of the area as it was important from the biodiversity point of view. |
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Govt steps in, dissolves hospital kalyan samitis
Palampur, February 3 It may be recalled that the government had set up these samitis in the district and sub-divisional hospitals with a view to generating funds to meet the day-to-day financial requirements of these health institutions. These samitis were authorised to collect funds from the patients undergoing medical tests and other medical procedure in the hospitals. The patients had to pay between Rs 10 to Rs 300 to these samitis, and these funds were suppose to be incurred on the welfare of patients and for the betterment of the hospitals. The SDMs of the subdivisions concerned were made the supervisory officials of these samitis. It was most surprising that no proper rules and regulations were made by the government to keep a check on the functioning of these bodies. No provisions were made as to how the funds collected were to be utilized. As a result most SMOs failed to maintain proper accounts. In many hospitals nobody knew how much money was collected and where it was spent. The funds in crores collected by these samitis in the past five years were not subject to any audit by the Accountant-General of Himachal Pradesh or internal audit by the Health Department. In various hospitals funds amounting to Rs 30 to 40 lakh were received annually by the SMOs and the same were shown having been spent on the welfare of hospitals in one year. However, the true picture was entirely different as many SMOs purchased luxurious items, furniture, mobile phones, fridges and airconditioners from these funds in gross violation of rules. Besides, these funds were also spent on dinners and lunches hosted to MLAs and ministers. Huge amounts were shown having been paid to architects, engineers and contractors. Under the government rules items costing above Rs 2500 could not be purchased without calling open tenders, but these rules were not followed by these samitis and contractors and subcontractors were paid lakhs of rupees. Besides, machinery worth lakhs of rupees was also purchased by these samitis in gross violation of the rules. No income or sales tax was deducted on the payments made It is learnt in one of the hospitals in Kangra district over Rs 1.5 crore was collected by the kalyan samitis in the past five years from the patients and the money was shown having been spent on the welfare of patients, purchase of water coolers and other infrastructure.
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BJP eyes now on Delhi
Solan, February 3 The party plans to hold at least one rally of Advani at Dharamsala or Hamirpur in the near future. The concluding day of the two-day session today saw senior party leaders, including national organisation secretary Ram Lal, regional organisation secretary Manohar Lal, state affairs in charge Satya Pal Jain, state president Jai Ram Thakur as well as Chief Minister P.K.Dhumal give a straight talk on the issue of maintaining perfect coordination between the organisation and the government. The executive decided to constitute a coordination committee soon to maintain perfect coordination. The party would also ponder over its loss in 27 seats. With a view to winning back those panchayat samiti, nagar panchayat and zila parishad posts where the BJP had suffered a defeat the state executive decided to pursue all such cases. Having learnt a lesson from its earlier defeat in the 2003 Vidhan Sabha poll the party executive decided to bring about double accountability. While a minister would be made in-charge of separate districts a party in-charge from an organisation would also be appointed for each district. It has been further made mandatory to convene at least one meeting of office-bearers, MLAs and ministers in 45 days. Jai Ram Thakur said a workers’ convention would be held in each district to thank the people for their overwhelming support in the polls. The first such convention would be held in Kullu district on February 10. It passed resolutions seeking an inquiry into the irregularities committed in finalising the lists of BPL and IRDP families, besides its own chargesheet against the Congress misdeeds submitted to the Governor earlier.
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12 honoured with Himotkarsh
Shimla, February 3 Presiding over the 33rd annual function of the Himotkarsh, Sahitaya, Sanskriti Avam Jan Kalyan Parishad at Una today he said social organisations were not only doing commendable job for betterment of the society but also spreading awareness and encouraging new thinking process to the masses. Kokje said the Indian society was not dependent on the government only but the non-governmental organisations were also coming forward to help the suffering humanity. He expressed happiness that the Himotkarsh had played a leading role in various campaigns for the eradication of polio and leprosy and setting an example in the society. It was also providing scholarship to the meritorious students and indirectly helping them in realising their dreams. He also appreciated its efforts in honouring renowned personalities of the state and country. The Governor honoured seven persons with Himotkarsh Rashtriya Akatamakta Puraskar and five persons with Himotkarsh Himachal Sri Puraskar on the occasion. Correspondent of outlook magazine Chander Sutta Dogra; Commandant, 14th SSB Battalion, Bihar, Lal Singh Thakur; superintendent of police, Una, Atul Fulzle; Madhu Bhaudri; Rajender Rehber; Dr Amar Singh Badhan and M.L. Diwan were honoured with national Akatmakta Puraskar. Chief electoral officer Manisha Nanda was honoured with Sharesth Lok Sewak Himachal Sri Puraskar. Dr M.L. Arey with Himachal Sri Puraskar for lifetime achievement, Prem Pakhrolvi with Himachal Shri Puraskar in the field of literature and NGO of Sirmaur Himachal Metri Bhoomi Sewa Sansthan Maryog with Himachal Sri Puraskar. Besides, toppers of various exams were also honoured on this occasion. |
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DAV committee writes to bank
Una, February 3 In a letter written to the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank, the management committee has stated that the school accounts could be operated only by the local management committee members appointed by it. It had warned the bank officials of legal complications in case the other society that now had the control of the school was allowed to operate its accounts. The result is that now the local society that had been put in charge of the school by the district administration allegedly at behest of the government would not be in a position to operate the school accounts. Director colleges and other institutes of the DAV Management Committee, Delhi, D.R. Gupta while talking to The Tribune on phone admitted that the said direction has been given to the bank authorities and a copy has been submitted to the deputy commissioner Una. He said the Una based school in question was founded in 1911. In 1962, the local management committee of the school moved an application before the DAV Management Committee to takeover the institution. In 1964, the DAV took over the school. As per the takeover agreement all property of the school is in the name of the committee. Besides, the principal is to be appointed by the DAV committee and rest of the teachers are to be appointed by the selection committee appointed by the local management committee. The DAV committee would move court against the developments taking place at its Una based school. Earlier also, some ambitious persons had tried to takeover its institutions at Batala and Quadian areas of Gurdaspur district of Punjab and Palampur. In all cases the courts have ruled in favour of the DAV Management Committee, he said. He also said the DAV committee runs 700 education institutions across the country. We cannot allow such hostile takeover of our institutions. From our side S.P. Singh is still the principal of the DAV Senior Secondary School, Una, he said.
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Computers working only in 85 panchayats
Hamirpur, February 3 The government had decided to computerise all panchayats in the state in a phased manner and work on this project had started in June, 2007, in Hamirpur district too and 143 panchayats were selected, where computers were installed in the first phase. Only 85 computers have been put to use in the district till now and computers in 58 panchayats are yet to start functioning. Though the department claims that 85 computers have been put to full use, there are reports that many of these have not been used properly. While residents in these blocks have been deprived of the fruits of computerisation, the agencies involved in this process are giving different reasons for not using the computers. The district panchayat department claims that computers in 58 panchayats of Bijhari block have not been put to use due to technical reasons. The computer and monitors were supplied by DEL and the printers by WIPRO. District panchayat officer Satish Sharma said, “We have taken up this matter with the project coordinator of HP Electronics Development Corporation and computers are giving good services to residents in 85 panchayats as people get lot of work done through them.” The desktop engineer of WIPRO computers Praveen said, “Many computers have not been linked since the panchayats lack furniture to install these and we have been trying to contact panchayat secretaries for installation.” On the other hand, project coordinator Ashok Sharma said “There is no technical problem in synchronisation of monitors or lack of furniture but real problem lies in contacting the panchayat secretaries for installations.” |
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Proposal to link Kahri belt underway
Dalhousie, February 3 In the absence of road network, the residents of this wooded belt had to trudge for about several kilometres to reach the main road, connecting the main towns. According to executive engineer of PWD Dalhousie division M. S. Thakur, a proposal under the Prime Minister Gramin Sarak Yojna (PMGSY) had been drawn to connect these difficult areas. The length of this road was expected to go more than 30 km as this belt was having steep hillsides Thakur said adding that the preparation of detailed project report of this road was in process. The proposed road will link the other end of the road at Awan village leading to Chowari subdivisional headquarters. A 3 km patch of road was under construction from Awan village, for which Rs 1.73 crore had been earmarked under the PMGSY, Thakur said. He claimed that one-and-a-half-kilometre motorable road had so far been completed. “In fact, forest clearance is a time consuming process and it takes a lot of time to get environment clearance from the Forest Department and this is the major bottleneck which delays the construction of rural roads”, Thakur said. “The people residing in these areas have small land-holdings and therefore, efforts are made to construct the road through the forestland for which clearance is indispensable”, he said.
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Grazing rights sought
Dalhousie, February 3 Veena Pathania, zila parishad member of this ward, in her letter to the Chief Minister has urged the state government to solve the problem allowing the cattle of local residents to graze in the adjoining forests. Since the Dainkund peak, located at an altitude of around 2,800 m, is the base location of the Air Force station and the area falls in ‘no-entry zone’, outsiders, including residents of surrounding villages, are not allowed enter the prohibited area. This despite the fact that the Department of Environment and Forests is the owner of this forestland under the
Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary. Local MLA of Bhattiyat Kuldip Singh Pathania had taken an initiative of solving the issue with the Air Force authorities in 2006, but nothing fruitful has come out yet. It is the most remote, tough and undulating hilly terrain of
Kahri, Rakhed and Dhamgran secluded belts. The area still continues to remain neglected in the absence of roads, education and health facilities. The residents of this wooded belt had to trudge around 12 km to reach the main lifeline connecting the main towns. The officials, however, maintain that a draft project report for the construction of a road from Ahla point, from where the area could be linked with the outer world, is being drawn up. |
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2 gram panchayats declared ODF
Nurpur, February 3 Nurpur has become the second development block in Kangra district for achieving better performance in developing the ODF panchayats after the Panchrukhi development block. Inquiries reveal that Mandi and Bilaspur districts are leading in developing these panchayats under the total sanitation programme. According to Sanjay Dhiman, block development officer Nurpur, all 52 gram panchayats of the block will be covered under the ODF programme of total sanitation drive. He informed that although no government financial assistance was rendered to the rural people for constructing toilets but they were being educated against open defecating. “People are being motivated to change their habit and behaviour,” he added. |
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17 refills seized during raids
Our Correspondent
Nurpur, February 3 Seventeen domestic cylinders were seized in the raids. However, no such raids were made to check the misuse of domestic LPG refills in private vehicles and taxis in the area. It is pertinent to mention while domestic users are facing a shortage of refills vehicle owners, hoteliers, dhaba owners and other consumers are using domestic refills for commercial use. As there is a lot of difference in the prices of refills for domestic and commercial use, domestic refills attract commercial users. Similar is the case with kerosene which is available to rationcard holders at Rs 10 per litre while it is sold to truck and private bus operators for Rs 18 to 20 per litre for use in lieu of expensive diesel.
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41 traders challaned in Bilaspur
Bilaspur, February 3 These fines were imposed for failing to get the official seal affixed on weights and measures, keeping packets without weight, rate, date of manufacture and full address of manufacturer written thereon, besides charging more than the printed price. Devesh Kumar has also issued strict instructions to all traders to observe the ban on use of polythene bags. He also instructed the officers concerned to ensure regular checking of shops and trading premises to enforce the ban. He has also instructed them to keep a vigil on all barriers of the district to stop the inflow of these polythene bags. |
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They spent night in buses
Sundernagar, February 3 A bus of the HRTC’s Dharmasala depot was on its way to Reckong Peo from Dharamsala. It crossed Sundernagar around 10.45 pm. When it reached Rohangalu, about 32 km from here, it got stranded due to heavy snowfall. The passengers, along with the driver and the conductor, had to spend night in the bus. They reached Kateru village in the morning. The second bus was en route to Jalma from Reckong Peo. It was stranded at Choki village, about 40 km from here, around 2 am. The passengers and the bus crew spent night in the vehicle. In the morning, they had to walk 13 km to reach Kateru village.
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Probe ordered in RTI fee case
Bilaspur, February 3 This was announced by the Chief Minister at Shimla after a delegation of NGO leaders led by Ram Singh met him in his office. |
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Pong Dam , February 3
