Dharamsala, February 27
The hopes of the people of Himachal were again shattered as Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has not considered any of the long-pending demands for extending and upgrading railway lines in the railway budget, except for the extension of the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur rail line.

After Independence, the only broad-gauge rail line the state had got was a stretch of about 36-km track linking Nangal with Una up to Takrala village. The two other existing meter-gauge rail lines Kalka-Shimla and Pathankot-Jogindernagar were constructed during the British period more than 100 hundred years back.

Despite making a big hue and cry over the step-motherly treatment of the union government with regard to the extension of railways in the hill state during the past three decades, no concerted effort was made by any of the Chief Ministers.

CM Prem Kumar Dhumal recently met the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister demanding rail links between Chandigarh-Baddi, Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Rampur, Nangal-Talwara and upgrading Pathankot-Joginder Nagar rail line into broad gauge, besides, pleading for a rail link to Leh via Kullu-Manali-Keylong (Lahaul-Spiti) giving a reference of its strategic importance. Policy makers pleaded that these rail links were expected to give a boost to the economic fortunes of the state.

Upgrading the Pathankot-Jogindernagar meter-gauge rail line to a broad gauge was the need of the hour as the pressure on the trains plying on this line had increased manifold, especially in the past two decades due to an increase in the population of the area.

Although assurances of sympathetic consideration of these demands were given by the PM, no demand was, however, considered by the Railway Minister. Apart from these projects, all engines plying on the Kalka-Shimla and Pathankot-Jogindernagar meter-gauge rail lines were outdated and required a concrete plan for their replacement. But no major initiatives have so far been taken to improve the condition of these engines. 

Dharamsala, February 27
The government has decided to withdraw cases against political workers and members of the student organisations irrespective of their political affiliations on condition that they were not involved in violence or damaged public property.

This decision was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet here today.

In another significant decision, the Cabinet has constituted a sub-committee under PWD minister Gulab Singh Thakur to frame a new transfer policy for the government employees. This committee would also look into the report of the cabinet sub-committee of the previous government before finalising its report to be submitted before the next Cabinet meeting.

The 2008-2009 Annual Plan pegged at Rs 2,400 crore, including the central assistance of Rs. 450 crore, was also approved.

The agenda items on the creation of a separate directorate of energy, creation of posts on a regular basis for the Home of Disabled, Sundernagar, filling vacant posts of JBT teachers on a regular basis, among others, that were deferred in last week’s Cabinet meeting were not discussed today.

Dharamsala, February 27
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has said that the government would explore the possibility of completing the ambitious hospital project taken up by the Swami Vivekananda Medical Research Trust (VMRT), Palampur, headed by senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar as a joint venture.

Addressing a state-level meeting of the Indian Medical Association, Himachal chapter, at here last evening, he said this institution had already started treating patients through naturopathy and other ancient systems of medicine, benefiting a large number of people from within and outside the country.

Dhumal said the government would considering disqualifying the doctors involved in illegal sex determination tests and withdrawing their professional degrees as a punishment. Expressing concern over the decreasing female ratio in the state, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for creating social awareness about the drastic affects of the disproportionate sex ratio.

The Chief Minister said that state would explore the possibilities of encouraging public-private participation in opening quality medical, engineering and information technology institutions to make Himachal a hub of vocational education.

Earlier, Dr. S.P. Khera, President of the Himachal Chapter of the IMA, welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed the contribution of the organization in implementation of various central and state-sponsored health programmes. 

Nahan, February 27
Nearly 200 workers of CITU, Mahila Janwadi Samiti and the DYFI today took out a silent protest march by tying black cloth on their faces in protest against the recent hike in bus fares.

The protest march, which started from Katcha Tank, ended in the Sirmaur DC office campus where the agitators submitted a memorandum against the hike in the prices of essential commodities and bus fares.

The protesters warned of intensifying their protest if the government did not take steps to check price rise and withdraw the increased bus fares.

BILASPUR: The state CPI has condemned the 25 per cent increase in bus fares and the latest excise policy which has only benefited big liquor and wine contractors.

Talking to mediapersons here after the district executive committee meeting, state unit secretary Vasudev Vasu said while the Centre had increased the price of oil by just 3 per cent the state government had increased the bus fares by more than eight times. The government must retrace this anti-people step.

The party lashed out at the government for playing into the hands of multi-millionaire liquor magnates as they had been provided concessions worth lakhs in a single go through the latest excise policy. The objective of preventing smuggling and increasing income would never be achieved and this policy would only deprive the state of its excise revenue while cheaper liquor will help in multiplication of crime.

The CPI also opposed the setting up of cement plants, resulting in destruction of the environment, besides the increase effected in power tariff silently. All these steps would result in an increase in the prices of essential items, much against the declared objectives of the BJP.

Earlier, it was decided to hold the 17th CPI state conference here on March 15 and 16. 

Shimla, February 27
The government will resume the proposal for the setting up of wineries with Indage Ltd which could not take off despite initiatives to start commercial cultivation of grapes, specially imported from France.

It was during the previous BJP regime that talks had been held with Indage Ltd for setting up two wineries at Pragtinagar in Kotkhai and Nagwain in Kullu. An MoU was signed among the HPMC, farmers and Indage with provision for contract farming.

The company had even imported 14 special wine-variety grapes from France so that its cultivation could be undertaken on a commercial scale in various parts of the state, climatically suited for grape cultivation. In fact the winery plant at Pragtinagar was ready with structure as well as machinery but with the change of regime it could not take off as the government decided to withdraw from the project.

“We have once again got in touch with Indage Ltd as we are keen that the winery project comes up, which unfortunately could not se the light of the day due to the disinterest shown by the previous regime,” said Narinder Bragta, Horticulture 
minister.

The grapes imported from France, known for its vineyards used in making famous French wines, had been planted in the demonstration farms of the Horticulture Department so that it could be assessed as to which variety was more suited for cultivation in Himachal. The 14 varieties were planted at farms in Duttnagar in Shimla, Gaura in Solan, Kinnaur and Bajaura in Kullu, Nihal in Bilaspur for trial evaluation under agro-climatic conditions.

In fact under the proposal there was a buy-back arrangement as the farmers were to undertake contract farming in over 200 acres so that the demand of the winery could be met. The Horticulture Department had identified areas in Rajgarh in Sirmour, Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur and Una where the imported grape varieties would be grown for meeting the demand of the winery.

Out of the 14 varieties imported from France--- cabernet, chardony, ugani blac and pinot noir--were found to be suited for commercial cultivation in Himachal.

With the government showing keenness to resume the project, it is being expected that the winery, which had been set up at Pragtinagar, could start production soon.

Till the grapes requirement of the winery is met, the company will start making mixed fruit wines, to be made from surplus fruit produce in the state. The HPMC is currently making apple and plum wine, which has become a popular product identified with the state, aiming to become the fruit bowl of the country.

Mandi, February 27
The state government faces a ticklish situation as the HP Commonland Vesting and Utilisation Act (HPCVU), 1974, the Forest Conservation (FC) Act, 1980 and the notification of 1952 have brought “all construction and mining activity on the “common village land or wasteland” to a standstill in the state as it needs a prior approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF)”.

Owners of stone crushers and contractors plead that they are facing problems as “no waste land or village common land” is readily available for mining and public purpose as it needs prior approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. “The process is costly and time-consuming as the state government has yet to resolve with the ministry whether a “wasteland is forest or not”, they added.

Even construction of school buildings, village paths and cremation grounds come under the “preview of the FC Act and state notification of 1952 that have declared “all wastelands as forestland and as such need prior approval of the ministry”.

The state government has brought all “shamlat land or wasteland” in the new merged areas of Sirmaur, Hamirpur, Una and Kangra region under the preview of the HP CVU Act”.

Recently, the high court banned all stone crushers operating on shamlat land in these areas ruling that “shamlat land can be used only for the agro-based industry and agrarian purposes and narrowed down government plea that the land can be used for mining”.

The state government was put in the spot in the case when the government passed the HP CLVU Act in 1974 as “it did not get the consent of the President of India. These chinks in laws came to light when the high court disposing of a public interest litigation on November 22, 2007, ruled that “wasteland could not be used for mining lease”.

The Industry Department was pulled up by the ministry in 2003 on giving mining lease without its consent. As a result, the Forest Department issued a notification in 2003 that stopped all mining activity on “wasteland without approval from the ministry.

Chairman of the HP Stone Crusher Welfare Council Ajay Rana said the law had hit the stone crusher owners the most. They met Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal recently who promised to resolve the issue.

Council members claimed, “They have to pay Rs 6 lakh to Rs 11 lakh per hectare as lease for MOEF clearance which is unaffordable. The common wastelands are classified as “chargaha billa darkhtan, naka bila charan gair mumkim (khads) in old Himachal and shamlat land in new regions and these land are never declared forests.”

Principal sectary, forests, Avay Shukla said, “The notification could not be withdrawn as per the Supreme Court order which states that forestland cannot be declared non-forest land. The government is allowing diversion of land for public purposes after the MOEF’s approval, but I am not aware about new move on the issue.”

State geologist Arun Sharma said stone crushers operating on “wastelands” had been stopped. “The owners will have to get clearance for diversion from the ministry before they are given NOCs by the Industry Department,” he added.

Solan, February 27
A case of blatant irregularities pertaining to misuse of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds have come to light from Kuthar Block of the district.

According to information gathered from the Kuthar Block Resource Centre (BRC), cheques amounting Rs 5.5 lakh, which had been issued for repair and maintenance, had bounced. Moreover, the authorities of DIET instead of bringing the guilty to book, failed to bring the matter to the notice of the authorities despite a lapse of more than a month.

It was learnt that Rs 1.29 crore was released by the deputy commissioner’s office specifically for repair and maintenance of 24 schools under the SSA in the district. Various works were executed by panchayat pradhans in their respective panchayats, who were to be granted funds for it. The BRC of Kuthar issued cheques to these panchayat pradhans in lieu of the works undertaken in their respective schools in December 2007.

Some of these cheques pertaining to Rs 5.5 lakh, however, bounced as sufficient funds were not available in the account of the BRC Kuthar. Inquires later revealed that the funds had been syphoned off by the BRC.

Since a BRC account is a joint account under the name of block resource coordinator and block primary education officer, it requires the signatures of the two whenever funds have to be released.

The BPEO concerned was slated to superannuate in December so the block resource coordinator got blank cheques signed from him on the plea that he had to make payments of various repair works and work would suffer in his absence. These cheques were allegedly used by the BRC to withdraw funds leading to the cheques bouncing in the absence of adequate funds.

Though the irregularity had come to light in January, but the erring coordinator was granted time till February 1 to return the cash. This time period was later extended and it was only after certain people approached the police post at Kuthar that principal today sought a report from the concerned schools after meeting the concerned heads.

Principal H.V. Joshi said he was going to bring the matter to the notice of the director and seek necessary instructions.

Earlier, when his office was contacted, they hesitated to furnish any information about when the funds were issued to the Block Resource Centre Kuthar and instead professed that they were distributed directly by the DC office. The DC office, however, confirmed that such funds were distributed through the DIET.

Una, February 27
The controversy that has been raging in DAV Senior Secondary School, Una, since the present BJP government came to power, took a new turn today. The Delhi-based DAV College Trust and Management Society has obtained a stay order from the Himachal High Court against the hostile takeover of school by a local society allegedly under the aegis of local administration and ruling party leader.

In a copy of order that is available with The Tribune, the court has restrained local society from interfering in the management of school. Members of local management committee authorised by Delhi management, led by their president Kashmir Singh, arrived on the school premises with high court order today morning.

They were, however, stopped at the school gate that led to scuffle between two groups. S.P. Singh, principal of the school, who was suspended by the new committee, also took charge after some initial scuffle.

The acting principal of the school, Dewedi, who was installed on post of the management committee that took over, has lodged a police complaint alleging that force was used against him by members of management committee led by Kashmir Singh.

The police has registered a case under Section 323 of the IPC against the accused.

By the end of day, the committee had retained its hold over the school as per the high court orders. The Himachal high court has given six weeks time to defendants in the case to file their reply.

The court order is a set back to those who allegedly initiated the move to take control over the school dislodging the local management committee and principal appointed by Delhi-based Delhi management committee. The takeover of the school was allegedly affected with the active support of the police.

The SDM, who ruled in favour of the rival management society, has also been transferred by the government.

In this struggle between rival groups to retain control over 100-year-old school, the real sufferers are about 3,400 students.

Sundernagar, February 27
The State Information Commission of Himachal Pradesh summoned Additional Distt Magistrate Kullu to appear before the circuit court at Mandi on March 11 along with the record of a case pertaining to non-supplying of income and expenditure details of International Kullu Dussehara Festival (2006).

Lavan Thakur, state convener of the India People Theater Association (IPTA), a resident of Mandi town, has applied to DC Kullu under the Right of Information Act for providing the details pertaining to income and expenditure on the festival, but the same was not given to him by the information officer (ADM). On this, he had written a letter to DC Kullu, but neither any response was given nor the information was supplied.

Invoking the provisions of RTI, the applicant further filed an appeal to the state information commission on September 25 last year.

The applicant further received three letters from the D.C office. As per one letter dated September 29 (2007), the applicant was asked to deposit Rs 1,522 as fee for the information. And in the other letter dated October 12 (2007), the applicant was informed to appear in the DC office and finally he received a letter in which it was written that the information was vague so it could not be supplied.

Shimla, February 27
Based on the report received from forensic medicine experts, the principal of the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) today denied that rats had eaten away parts of a body kept in the mortuary.

As per the report received from forensic experts there was no evidence of rat bites. “ The inner aspect of lips and gums were found normal and saliva stains were present on the left angle of the mouth. The outer aspect of the eyes was also normal,” he said. He added that there were no signs of bleeding or other abnormality on the face.

It was following reports that rats had bitten into the face and eyes of a body kept in the mortuary that the principal had asked forensic experts to give their report. The Principal said the news reports that rats had bitten into the face of a body were totally wrong.

Solan, February 27
The judicial magistrate first class today remanded suspended drug controller Sher Singh to one day police remand. His earlier remand period had expired today.

Meanwhile, the Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau was evaluating the assets seized from his residence here. Nothing was found from a locker possessed by him at the local The Baghat Urban Co-op Bank here as it had not been operated since 2006.

Jawali (Nurpur), February 27
Former MLA of Jawali Assembly constituency and ex-minister Harbans Rana in a statement issued here today denied reports published in a section of Press relating to the move to close the office of the DSP Jawali.

He said he had taken up the issue with Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today at Dharamsala, who assured him that there was no such proposal with the state government. He asserted that the state police department had even strengthened the DSP office by attaching Kotla and Nagrota Surian police chowkis with Jawali police station.

“Earlier Kotla and Nagrota Surian police chowkis were attached, respectively, with Shahpur and Haripur police stations,” he added.

Nurpur, February 27
The state horticulture department is all set to submit its survey report prepared in the wake of natural calamity of frost, which hit mango crop in lower Kangra district comprising Nurpur, Indora and Fetehpur horticulture blocks. In this area, mango is considered a cash crop, which directly links economic condition of farming community as well as fruit growers.

Out of the total 5,514 hectares of horticulture area, mango crop is grown in 4,167 hectares in Nurpur area.

According to Vishav Sagar Sharma, deputy director horticulture, field staff of the horticulture department has recently conducted a survey of loss occurred to the mango crop in lower Kangra district. He told The Tribune today that in Indora, Nurpur and Fetehpur horticulture blocks, a loss of Rs 25 crore, 6 crore and 27. 83 lakh, respectively, had been estimated.

“Fresh plantation has hit badly and rare chance of revival, the big mango plants have partially affected and poor mango production has been estimated due to burning of flowering of mango fruit due to frost that hit mango orchards a few weeks back,” he added.

He also informed that the detailed survey report of the frost loss was being submitted to the state horticulture department’s director.

Meanwhile, many progressive farmers have appealed to the state government to extend relief and requisite compensation to the growers who had lost their cash mango crop due to natural calamity.