The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

Power tariff hike in the offing
Even BPL families to bear the brunt
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 7
A steep hike in the power tariff is in the offing with the state electricity board projecting an increase of Rs 911 crore in its revenue requirement for 2008-09.

In the tariff application filed before the State Electricity Regulatory Commission the board has projected the annual revenue requirement (ARR) at Rs 2742 crore as against Rs 1831.43 crore allowed for the current year. If the commission approves the ARR without any cuts the average power tariff will go up from Rs 3.68 to Rs 4.80 per unit, an increase of 30 per cent. Indeed, the consumers will have to pay through the nose for the failure of the government to “unbundle” the heavily overstaffed state power utility.

According to sources, the tariffs for all categories of consumers will have to be revised across the board even if the HPSEB disallows some of the projected expenditure. Even the below poverty line (BPL) families and other categories of domestic consumers, who are being supplied power at highly subsidies rates, will have to bear the brunt this time. More so because the government has in the MoU signed with the World Bank for availing a Rs 900-crore development policy loan agreed to cap the power subsidy at the existing level of Rs 132 crore.

If the government has to maintain the tariff at the existing level, it will have to give additional subsidy to the tune of over Rs 80 crore in violation of the MoU, which is neither feasible nor desirable. However, it can indirectly help in reducing the tariff to some extent by providing free power it gets as royalty from various projects to the board at reasonable rates. However, a permanent solution to the problem could be found only by unbundling the board and making it accountable. The present situation has arisen because the board has been contravening the directions of the commission with the backing of the government.

The maximum increase of Rs 585 crore is on power purchase, reflecting the inability of the board to increase its generation to keep pace with the demand. While the consumption of electricity within the state will increase from 4,693 million units to 5690 million units, the board’s own generation will come down from 1843 million units to 1735 million units. The total availability, including inter-state power purchase, will go up from 6,481 million units to 7200 million units.

The other major component contributing to the hike is the employees’ cost which will jump from Rs 531 crore to Rs 776 crore. If the commission allows the cost without any cuts the employee cost will come to Rs 1.38 per unit, the highest in the country. The transmission and distribution (T and D) losses within the state are projected to decline marginally from 17.5 per cent during the current year to 17 per cent.

The state is moving to a multi-tier tariff system and the board has in the ARR also given projections for the subsequent years. The total revenue requirement for 2009-10 has been pegged at Rs 2987 crore and at Rs 3291 crore for 2010-11.

Power availability short by 25 pc
Our Correspondent

Solan, February 7
With the state battling with an adverse power scenario where availability has fallen short by nearly 25 per cent the state electricity board has been buying power at a rate of nearly Rs 12 per unit. Though the situation is expected to improve within a week’s time but the lack of power has forced the department to impose nearly three hours cuts on the industry.

Since power availability has declined overall its rates too have gone up from Rs 7.45 per unit up till January 7 to Rs 12 per unit now. Officials in the board said with some rain received in the past week the power generation has gone up appreciably and it was hoped that there would be improvement in the overall power situation within a week. The board, however, is forced to bear this cost due to its agreement with the industry.

The industry has been forced to switch over to diesel generation (DG) sets to meet their production targets though those having no DG sets rued nearly 50 per cent decline in the production. These power cuts have taken the steam out of the industry.

With not much improvement in the power situation the department had declined to accept more applications for the use of power during the peak hours in the evenings. Usually continuous process industries avail such relaxations though power is available at higher rates during this time.

Ruing the drastic fall in production an investor opined that in addition to the scheduled cuts there were power tripping ranging from 10 minutes to half-and-hour for nearly 3 to 5 times in a day. This adversely affected the machinery and affected the production of batches. Though we have kept DG sets ready for meeting the scheduled power cuts but such tripping do more damage to the continuous process industries.

Snow in higher reaches, rain elsewhere
Tribune Reporters

Shimla, February 7
Normal life in most parts of the state remained affected as snow and rain accompanied with high velocity winds continued to lash the region for the third consecutive day today. According to the local Met office, the influence of the western disturbance will continue for another 24 hours and the weather will clear up only by tomorrow evening.

While the higher reaches had moderate to heavy snow, the lower hills had widespread rain. Dhundi recorded 60 cm snowfall, followed by Solang Nullah (35 cm), Narkanda (30 cm), Kufri (25 cm) and Kharapathar (30 cm).

The tribal belt is also having intermittent snow since last evening. Over the past 24 hours, Kalpa recorded 11 cm of snowfall while it was 8 cm at Keylong.

The upper Shimla areas remained cut off as continuous snowfall hampered road-clearing operations. The Rampur and Kinnaur-bound traffic was plying via Basantpur and Dhami.

The city and surrounding areas had intermittent snow and rain. Mount Jakhu recorded 20 cm of fresh snowfall. The mid-elevation areas had 5 to 15 cm of snowfall. The lower areas were lashed by sleet and rain. Manali (Bahang) had 12 cm of snowfall.

Keylong was the coldest with a minimum temperature of -7.1°C, followed by Kalpa (-4.5°C).

Shimla and Manali also reeled under arctic conditions with mercury hovering around the freezing point. Dharamsala, Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Solan, Jubbal Kotkhai, Solan, Nahan and Una recorded light to moderate rain which is considered beneficial for the rabi crop.

KANGRA: The Kangra valley continued to shiver for the third consecutive day on Thursday. The entire valley received showers and the Dhauladhars had heavy snowfall leading to considerable fall in temperature.

There was continual rain during the night and the morning was also cloudy. Mild snowfall was witnessed in the Naddi area of Dharamsala in the morning. Life was thrown out of gear as chilly winds throttled the normal activities. Schoolchildren were the worst affected.

There were also reports of rain from Palampur, Mallan, Jawalamukhi, Shahpur, Nagrota Bagwan, Dehra, Gaggal, Dharamsala and Gaggal. Bara Bhangal and Billing also witnessed snowfall. The minimum temperature at Kangra was 2°C.

Highway blocked
Our Correspondent

Chamba, February 7
Chamba continues to be cut off from the rest of the country due to the blocking of the Chamba-Pathankot highway at Banikhet following heavy snowfall over the past two days. The highway is the only lifeline that connects Chamba town and several other parts of the district with the outer world. The town recorded 3 cm snow last night while snowflakes continued to fall intermittently.

Many areas went without newspaper, mail, milk and power supply. Buses could not ply from Chamba to Pathankot, Bharmour, Salooni and Tissa.

Snow and intense cold has paralysed normal life in the district. The living conditions in the interior areas of the mountainous region have become arduous.

Officials of the state PWD and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) say they were on the job to clear the snow and open the Chamba-Pathankot highway.

M.S. Thakur, executive engineer, Dalhousie division of the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department, said two JCBs had been pressed into service to remove snow from the highway.

Manali all set to host winter carnival
Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Manali, February 7
All roads lead to the tourist town of Manali for the colourful snowy winter carnival starting from February 9. Hordes of tourists, local residents and other festival freaks from across the country will zero in on this tourist town for the five day-long winter carnival, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal here at the historic Hidimba Devi temple, the venue of the carnival procession.

A colourful cavalcade of cultural troupes representing art and culture of different states participating in the winter carnival begins from the Hidimba Devi temple. The yatra will then passes through the Ram Bagh and The Mall amidst the snowy white sentinels of deodars that flank the roadsides. The procession finally ends at the Manu Rangshala, so named as Manali has attained its name from the ancient sage Manu, who was believed to have descended here in the distant past.

For tourists, the main attraction will be the Kullu troupes that will give a peep into the valley of god’s rich arts and culture. Local art and crafts exhibitions are other attractions during the carnival.

Adding to the thrill of the carnival is the fact that this town has received over two feet of fresh snowfall for the past four days. The organising committee of the winter carnival has decided to conduct skiing competitions for the walk-in tourists at Solang Nala Ski Resort to make carnival a thrilling experience for them.

Solang Ski Resort is already abuzz with skiing activity, as tourists from different parts of the country have already started zeroing in on here for the thrilling wintersports for the past one week, reveal members of Manali Hoteliers’ Association.

The Manu Rangshala will be the stage for the winter carnival, where the artistes will give their performances, enlivening the chilled atmosphere of the tourist town. Even local hoteliers have spruced up their hotels for their winter guests, who revel in the winter extravaganza of culture and wintersports.

Apart from cultural events and wintersports, other main attractions of the winter carnival are selection of the “winter queen” and “main personality” of the winter carnival.

The carnival will feature Sunil Sharma from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Hindi singer Puran Shiva as night stars. Also, Himachal’s pahari pop singers like Dheeraj Sharma, Suresh Chauhan, and Rathi will be among other performers. The team from dance and drama division from the government of India will also enthral the festival freaks.

The chairman of the organising committee cum SDM Manali said over 16 teams from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and other cultural troupes from Himachal are expected to give their cultural performances during the five-day long show. “The committee has a budget of Rs 20 lakh for the show. The show will also depend on weather as the cultural events are organised in the open-air Manu Rangshala,” he added.

IGMC to get modern blood bank
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 7
The blood bank at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here is likely to be upgraded to a state-of-the-art blood bank with the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) willing to provide financial help and manpower for upgrading the existing facilities.

The State AIDS Control Society has already taken the approval of the IGMC authorities and the proposal is being sent to NACO. NACO is keen that every state must have at least one state-of-the-art blood bank. The IGMC blood bank is likely to get equipment worth crores of rupees, which it does not have so far despite being the state blood bank.

With the entire technique of treating blood changing with the acquisition of latest equipment once the state-of-the-art blood bank starts functioning, patients suffering from peculiar blood disorders would stand to gain.

“We have taken the approval from the IGMC, which is willing to fulfil the requirements of NACO and is keen to upgrade the blood bank to a state-of-the-art bank,” said Dr Sulakshna Puri, project director, State AIDS Control Society.

The IGMC will get a cell separator equipment, which will enable taking of only that component of the blood required. With its help only the plasma or platelets or other components can be used and the reaming blood can be returned to the donor there and then.

This equipment costs over Rs 25 lakh. Though the IGMC has facility of giving packed-red cells to thalasemia patients, but it does not have a cell separator, which is useful for therapeutic exchange.

Similarly, the IGMC will get another sophisticated equipment that will help in destroying certain components of the blood like lymphocytes, which could prove harmful in a particular ailment.

NACO will also provide a mobile van fitted with refrigerator and provisions for blood donation. “This will be of great help while conducting blood donation camps in the town or suburbs,” said officials. The bank will also be provided with the latest couches for use during donation.

The blood bank at the IGMC caters to the requirement of not only local government hospitals, which despite having their bank, depend heavily on the IGMC, but at the same time there is demand for blood from out station. The IGMC’s demand for blood has gone up ever since the start of the open heart surgery, which normally has a requirement of up to eight units.

On an average, the IGMC blood bank has 50 to 60 units of blood, but it is only during the winter months that there is a lot of problem, as many donors are out of station, even voluntary organisations find it difficult to hold camps.

Future of WB-aided road projects uncertain
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

Una, February 7
Uncertainty prevails over the World Bank-aided projects planned by the previous government in the district. The projects included widening and strengthening of the 50-km Mehatpur-Amb road and the Una-Bangana-Badsar road leading to the Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal’s constituency.

Both these roads are gateway to the state. The road leading to the CM’s constituency is in very bad shape as the previous government did not spend even a penny on its repairs during its tenure.

The estimated cost of the Mehatpur-Amb road project is Rs 126 crore. The project includes four-laning 17-km stretch from Mehatpur to Jhalera and two-lane raised road from Jhalera to Amb. The previous government had issued global tenders for bringing up the said road.

From the Mehatpur-Amb road, Chinese company Long Jaing gave the lowest bid. The award letter was issued to the company in October, 2007, but the agreement for the construction of road is still to be finalised between the company and government.

With the new government taking over, the process has been delayed and so has been the construction of the road. As per terms and conditions of tender, the company has to finish the job in two-and-a-half years. The road will involve demolitions in Una town due to which a section of traders are likely to be displaced. However, it will provide a boost to the economy of area due better connectivity and infrastructure.

The tendering process for the Una-Bangana-Badsar road, the only road link to Hamirpur district, has also been completed. However, no agency has been finalised for executing the work. The process was delayed due to the declaration of early elections in the state.

With Prem Kumar Dhumal becoming the Chief Minister, the residents of the area are now hopeful that the work will not be put off. The entire area along the said road that forms part of the Kutlehar constituency is one of the most backward areas of the state.

Due to poor infrastructure, the area has also been bereft of the industrial revolution. The road also leads to famous pilgrim spot of Baba Balak Nath. Thousands of pilgrims visiting the shrine have to trek the road infested with potholes much to their chagrin.

Farmers told to adopt latest farm technology
Our Correspondent

Nahan, February 7
Agricultural scientists have stressed the adoption of latest agricultural technology by farmers to get maximum returns.

The annual meeting of the scientific advisory committee concluded last evening at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dhaulakuan, under the chairmanship of Dr K.K.Katoch, director, extension education, HP Agriculture University, Palampur. It was decided to speed up the work of putting up frontline demonstrations on pulses and oilseeds also to popularise the advance technology developed the university among the farmers of this district.

Dr Katoch emphasised the role of optimum use of water in agriculture and declared that this KVK would henceforth work on watershed and soil water management. He also exhorted the farmers to grow off-season vegetables and other high-value crops to improve their socioeconomic status.

KVK scientist in charge A.R.Khan presented a report of different activities conducted by the kendra in the fields of agriculture research and extension. He said the KVK last year organised 77 one-day and 29 vocational training programmes in which 3,990 farmers participated to update their knowledge. The KVK also conducted presentations on pulses and oilseeds.

38 yrs on, Pong oustee awaits land
Ashok Raina

Meeting on Feb 9
Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 7
The ministerial-level meeting to resolve the problems being faced by the Pong dam oustees will be held at Jaipur on February 9.

Revenue minister Gulab Singh will lead the delegation. The meeting was earlier scheduled for February 2 and 3.

Kangra, February 7
A Pong Dam oustee, whose 242-8 kanals of land was acquired by the state government, has been moving from pillar to post for the past 38 years for the allotment of land in Rajasthan in lieu of his holding.

Ashwani Kumar Sharma of Bihari village, near Sothal, in Dehra subdivision said that his entire land was acquired and taken over by the Beas Construction Board on November 15, 1969. It was after six months on May 26, 1970, that he submitted his application to the Deputy Commissioner (Relief and Rehabilitation), Beas project, Talwara, along with other 509 oustees with complete documents for the allotment of land in Rajasthan before the enforcement of Rules 1972.

Sharma claimed that 8,389 oustees were allotted land in Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan till June 30, 1975, but his name never figured in the list of oustees. Even though he had knocked at every possible door for land compensation as a rightful Pong Dam oustee no relief had come his way.

Sharma said it was in 2007 that he was informed by the Deputy Commissioner ( Relief and Rehabilitation) that his case was kept pending as the affidavit submitted by him in 1970 along with his application was not attested.

It was following an offer from Rajasthan that fresh applications were moved after a fresh MoU was signed in 1981. Sharma submitted a fresh application along with 1814 applicants on June 19, 1982, complete in all respects to the Deputy Commissioner ( R & R ) out of which 1559 applications were recommended for allotment of land during 1984 - 2000.

Sharma said the Governors of Rajasthan and H.P. in his case were informed by the DC(R & R) that his case was under scrutiny and the Secretary, Revenue, HP, was informed that Sharma had completed all formalities in February, 1994.

It was following a public notice on September 3, 2000, circulated by the Financial Commissioner-cum-secretary, revenue, HP, asking 1332 applicants to collect allotment letters from the Colonisation Commissioner, Bikaner on September 20 and 21, 2000, but Sharma's name didn’t figure in the list this time too.

Sharma said the DC (R & R) on September 12, 2006, informed him that he was employed in a bank, he had a defined income which violated the 1981 MoU.

Sharma alleged after the perusal of the records it was found that even the government employees were included in the list for the allotment of land.

In the light of the apex court decision his case was processed for the third time along with 1,423 cases but a decision is awaited till date.

Lack of facilities in Jamthal colony
Oustees submit memo to DC
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, February 7
Koldam oustees of Harnoda, Jamthal, Kasol and Shedpa villages etc. who are being rehabilitated in a rehabilitation colony at Jamthal by the dam-executing agency - NTPC-- are up in arms against the NTPC alleging its total failure to provide them any civic facilities and amenities at Jamthal, where they have been provided plots for construction of their houses.

Led by Raj Kumar Chaudhary, president of the Punarvas Colony Vikas Samiti, Jamthal, a large number of members of this committee presented a detailed memorandum listing their grievances to deputy commissioner Devesh Kumar here today.

They said that no proper arrangements have been made for making available power connections to them, drinking water, link roads and paths, sewerage lines, disposal of garbage and rain water drains, playground for children, parks, parking of vehicles and streetlights etc. in this colony. However, they are being asked to vacate their age-old houses and shift to this incomplete colony.

They said the mere allotment of plots to them in this colony would not make this place habitable and some essential facilities must be provided before they were asked to shift there. The deputationists urged the deputy commissioner to visit the colony and order the NTPC management to fulfil its commitments about rehabilitation of the dam oustees. The deputy commissioner assured the delegation that he would visit the colony soon and take suitable action in the matter.

Dhumal calls on Vice-President
Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 7
Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal today called on Vice-President Mohd Hamid Ansari in New Delhi and apprised him of the steps being taken by the state government to preserve the British Raj buildings and other heritage structures in the state.

The Chief Minister invited the Vice-President to visit Shimla. Ansari told him about his childhood spent at various places in Himachal while his father was serving as a Central Government employee. He recalled his student days at St Edwards School, which he said laid a strong foundation of his academic pursuits.

He appreciated the high academic standards being maintained by various schools in Shimla. He appreciated the peace, tranquillity and cultural traditions of the hill state and said these reflected Indian culture in the right perspective.

Dhumal informed the Vice-President that all possible efforts were being made to make Himachal an education hub. He said steps had also been taken to ensure that the heritage of the British Raj was preserved.

He added efforts were also being made to keep Shimla clean and promote it as a tourist destination at the international level.

Losar celebrated with fervour
Our Correspondent

Kangra, February 7
Losar, the Tibetans new year, was celebrated at McLeodganj today. It started with a pooja in the main temple outside the palace of the Tibetan spiritual head, the Dalai Lama.

Buddhist monks and nuns worshiped the deities. The Dalai Lama did not attend the pooja as he was in meditation.

Ministers and bureaucrats of the Tibetan government.-in-exile attended the main function. Traditional dances were presented despite the inclement weather. Tibetan Prime Minister Sandong Rinpochi was also not present on the occasion as he was out of station.

Losar festival is celebrated to commemorate the advent of the Tibetan new year. The festival is celebrated for 2 weeks in December and January. The Tibetans here were seen in colourful dresses and were in a festive mood.

The festival is marked with ancient rituals, the stage fights between good and evil, chanting and passing through the crowds with fire torches. The dance of the Ibex deer and the dramatic battles between the King and his ministers add to the joyous atmosphere.

The festival is about music, dance and merry making. It is during this time that the Tibetans paint their homes, stitch new clothes, resolve quarrels and cook good food.

Homes are decorated with paintings of the sun and the moon, and small lamps illuminate houses at night. The first few days of the festivities are exclusively a family affair.

Later, the festivities roll out onto the streets. Tab-zan, a special bread, features in the family meals. Tenzin Lobsung said in Sikkim, on the fifth day of Losar, a special broth of boiled barley grains, peas and sheep meat, is prepared. Dib rug, a dish, made by stuffing sheep intestines with barley dough kneaded in sheep blood, is another speciality during Losar.

He said at night, the swishing sound of burning torches can be heard around every Buddhist home, as men whirl flaming torches over their heads in an effort to ward off evil spirits, sickness, dog bites and other misfortunes from striking their family in the new year.

Holiday in Pangi
Our Correspondent

Chamba, February 7
Resident commissioner of Pangi J.S. Pathania has declared February 8 as a local holiday to mark the advent of the fortnight-long Jukaru festival that commences tomorrow.

The festival is an occasion of leisure and pleasure for Pangi residents. For pangwalas, it holds more significance than traditional Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi and Dussehra.

Two killed in road accident
Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 7
In a late night mishap, both occupants travelling in a tractor were killed on-the-spot after it rolled into a gorge near Jingla Maur on the Mahunag road under Karsog police station.

According to the Karsog police, the victims have been identified as Kesra Singh (20), a resident of Batala Behal, who was driving the tractor and Tej Ram, Balindi, both from the Karsog area.

The villagers spotted the victims this morning and informed the police. A case has been registered.