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Chopper did violate PM’s security
Hamirpur LS Byelection
Rural areas without water for 3 days
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Poppy crop in 2,200 bighas to be ready by May-end
Cement Plant
Himalayan Ski Village
Cong gears up to take on CM’s son
Silver jubilee of AWES celebrated
Sacrifices of freedom fighters to be highlighted
Extension in service opposed
Dharna in front of police station
Women block traffic near Chhota Shimla on Wednesday to protest against slow police action in a case of attempt to rape a minor. Tribune
photo by S. Chandan
Bus passengers thrash 4 persons
Butail charges BJP with neglecting Palampur
Chamba areas lack health services
3 killed in accident
Baddi tehsil functional
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Chopper did violate PM’s security
Shimla, April 30 This fact has come to light in the inquiry conducted into the episode by P.L. Thakur, DIG, Mandi. The inquiry report was recently sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Director-General, Civil Aviation (DGCA) for appropriate action. The landing of a chopper very close to the PM’s chopper at Luhnu ground in Bilaspur when he was ready to take off after addressing an election rally had caused a flutter as a a major mishap could have taken place. Seeing the sensitivity of the matter an inquiry was ordered into the incident of breach in PM’s security. “As per the inquiry, the pilot of the Air Deccan chopper had landed at Bilaspur solely on the written directions of Congress leader S.P. Katyal, who had no authority in this regard,” said Ashwini Kumar, DGP. During the inquiry it was found that the pilots did not have permission either from the air traffic control (ATC) or the flight information centre (FIC) to fly in the airspace where the PM was to travel. It was pointed out at that time that there had been a clear violation in the PM’s security as per the blue book. “As per the blue book, no chopper can enter the airspace three hours before the PM lands and two hours after the PM has left,” said a senior police officer.
Following the incident the pilot and co-pilot were taken into custody and the chopper was grounded. The pilots were released on payment of personal bonds while Rs 2 crore had to be paid to get the chopper released. A case had been registered by the police in this regard at Bilaspur. Since it is the Home ministry and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), which takes care of PM’s security, the report has been sent to them. The chopper hired by the Congress for election purpose was to ferry senior leader R.K. Dhawan from Bilaspur to Palampur. Dhawan is in charge of party affairs in Himachal and was to travel in the chopper to attend the PM’s rally on the last day of campaigning for the assembly elections in the state. The polling took place on December 19. |
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Anurag files papers
Tribune News Service
Hamirpur, April 30 Accompanied by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, in charge of BJP affairs Satya Pal Jain and O.P. Dhankad and BJP chief Jai Ram Thakur and other leaders. Anurag Thakur earlier reached Gandhi Chowk where a public meeting was held before the filing of nomination. Addressing the gathering at Gandhi Chowk, Jain said “everything connected with Gandhi becomes historical and in the same sequence Gandhi Chowk of Hamirpur has become historical since after beginning his campaign from here Dhumal became the CM the state and after the present campaign L.K. Advani would become the next PM.” Defending the allotment of the BJP ticket to Anurag Thakur, he said “the BJP gives the ticket on the caliber of the person and have given the ticket to many celebrities like Hema Malini, Navjot Sidhu and Chetan Chauhan for their achievements in different fields.” Criticising the Congress for promoting family rule, Jain questioned “What qualification does Rahul Gandhi has except being the son of Rajiv or Sonia Gandhi?” Addressing the rally, Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal criticised the central government for failing to control the prices and said “while the NDA government had supplied cheap ration and controlled prices the present UPA government has failed to control prices.” Dhumal said “while the state government cannot control prices it is committed to providing cheap ration by allocating Rs 90 crores in the budget and has even met the commitment of previous Congress government amounting to Rs 70 crores for this.” He said “to increase the purchasing power of people we have enhanced old age and widow pensions and given 5 per cent interim relief to state government employees with disbursement of Rs 300 crores.” While Anurag Thakur highlighted his achievements as the HP Cricket Association president during the past five years, state BJP chief Jai Ram Thakur, O.P. Dhankad and others also addressed the rally. When several ministers, MLAs and other leaders were present, BJP vice-president Shanta Kumar was conspicuous by his absence on the occasion. His assets BJP candidate Anurag Thakur, who filed his nomination papers today, listed landed property worth Rs 1, 18, 87,857 and Rs 35, 17,418 as deposits in different bank accounts and other institutions besides assets in the name of his wife and child. According to details of financial assets submitted with his nomination paper he has Rs 1,48,487 in deposit with SBI Jalandhar, Rs 6,35,710 with ICICI Bank, Rs 18,020 with HDFC Bank, Sant online system Rs 1,50,000, Moti Lal Oswal securities Rs 2,08,257, HGR industries Rs 40,000, PPF account Rs 44,079, LIC policies Rs 4,91,509 and Rs 1,95,824 all in Jalandhar among others. He also owns 100 gm gold worth Rs 1,00,000, 1 kanal 11 marlas land at Moti Marian worth Rs 4, 26,250 in Hamirpur district, 22 kanal 11 marlas at Samirpur worth Rs 8, 95,837, share in land at Fati and Kothi district Kullu worth Rs 23, 41,170, land at Dharamsala valued at Rs 3, 18,800, plot at Pragpur village in Jalandhar district valued at Rs 5, 86,800 and a residential house in the same village valued at Rs 72, 99,000. His wife Shaifali has Rs 2, 10,804 in HDFC Bank Jalandhar, 4500 shares in novelty industries worth Rs 3, 82,500, LIC policy of Rs 75,140, gold 50 gm, plot at Pragpur village Jalandhar of 11.78 marlas valued at Rs 5, 30,100. In the name of his son two FD’s of Rs 22,000 and Rs 70,965 have been shown at Jalandhar. While no criminal case exists against him he has a bank loan of Rs 25, 55,769 as per the details submitted.
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Rural areas without water for 3 days
Solan, April 30 The villagers after having failed to get the supply restored wrote a letter to the Chief Minister so that directions could be issued to the IPH Department to restore the water supply. The villagers resented that their repeated requests to the IPH Department have gone unheeded. Led by pardhan Sat Kaur the villagers said the district administration should have made alternate arrangement to supply drinking water if the scheme could not be restored soon. They rued that with no other option in hand they were forced to consume the contaminated water, which was an invitation to the outbreak of diseases. The villagers said the supply had been irregular from some time and all their requests had fallen on deaf ears. The main reason leading to frequent breakdown of the supply lines was the fact that the supply lines had been laid down in the open. Since the department cared little to mend the system it forced them to trudge long distances to get water to meet their needs. It was the remote location of this scheme, which affected its proper maintenance observed villagers of the affected Doon constituency. The immediate reason for the breakdown was reportedly some technical fault in the water lifting pumps at the Beja rivulet. Officials said the fault was being repaired and they would soon ensure that the water supply was restored. People rued that ever since its inception it had found little attention of the department, as it was located in a remote area. With its reservoirs being located on a hill near Kaintha village and its pumping station being at Beja rivulet its upkeep had become a tedious job for the department due to which the scheme remained suspended for days as it developed any snag, revealed the villagers. |
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Poppy crop in 2,200 bighas to be ready by May-end
Mandi, April 30 Unless destroyed, this crop will be ready for harvesting by the end of May, yielding about 5,000 kg of opium. The anti-poppy drives are almost over with law enforcers citing limitations of resources as a
big cripple. Poppy plants are in full bloom in over 300 bighas in Tulag, Gharat, Ghanarni in Luhardi area beyond Barot and in over 50 bighas in Arang, Panjoun, Samalang in Chohar valley. The police and the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) had already concluded their anti-poppy drive in these areas, sources said. The police launched an anti-poppy drive in Bishladar panchayat in Ani on Saturday last for one day. However, poppy plants continue to flourish in over 500 bighas in Phanoti, Karsai Gad, Takrasi, Deem, Gaun, Karad, Pokri and Ropa areas. The law enforcers have yet to reach Bithukanda, Badathatch, Sachani top, Bhalan Kandi, Gohi, Kundal, Majhan, Pashi, Baghi Shiyadi, Varkol, Banogi, Sawakti Bharod, Lapah and Suchain areas in Gadsa and Sainj valley. Over 310 bigahs are under poppy cultivation in this belt in Kullu district. The picture is no different in Banjar subdivision in Tirthan valley, where the anti-poppy drive has not reached so far. Poppy pants are in full bloom in over 1,400 bighas in Padorni, Katehra, Badahi, Sujahu, Sapnir, Sanaad, Pakhri, Bathahar, Nahi, Lagta, Shrikot, Dadan, Thari, Dhanedhar, Machial, Sharchi, Shili Guridi and Shurangarh in Zonal director, NCB, Saji Mohan said, “We have to get report from the police on the scale of poppy cultivation. Destroying the crop is not our job. It is the job of the police and the revenue and forests departments after which they have to report the matter to the NCB. We only assist the law enforcing agencies.” Admitting that a large area has come under poppy cultivation in the Mandi and Kullu belts, DIG, central range, P.L. Thakur said, “The police will launch a drive in areas where illegal cultivation has been detected. We will seek the assistance of the NCB and other agencies in destroying the contraband crop and will take action against the offenders.” |
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Temperature soars
Shimla, April 30 According to the Meteorological office, there will be further increase in temperature and it could possibly be one of the hottest summers of Shimla. The maximum temperature in Shimla was recorded at 27°C as compared to 26.6°C yesterday. The minimum temperature in the state capital was 15.9°C. Despite both the day and night temperatures being higher than normal for this time of the year yet the warmest April day till date on April 30, 1999, remains unbroken. The mercury has soared above 27°C on two earlier occasions on April 29, 2004, when it was 27.4°C and 27.1°C on April 25, 2003. At the same time the record for the highest minimum temperature in April stands at 24.9 °C recorded on April 29, 1996. The minimum temperature on April 21, 2005, was 24.5°C and on April 25, 1997, it was 24°C. The temperatures in other parts of the state also shot up with little possibility of rain in the immediate future. The maximum temperature in Una shot up from 40.8°C yesterday to 41.2°C degrees today. The temperature in Sundernagar was 37.5°C, Bhuntar 33.2°C, Kalpa 21.4°C and Dharamsala 33.8°C. |
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Sunstroke claims life
Nurpur, April 30 It happens to be the first case of death due to sunstroke this summer.
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Villagers allege atrocities by company
Tribune News Service
Shimla, April 30 The villagers were led by panchayat pradhan Deep Chand Sharma. They said the JP Industries was forcibly evicting people from their houses with the help of the police. “People have still not received compensation and they are being thrown out of their houses,” Deep Chand said. “Last night, people were driven out of their houses and their belongings thrown out. Bulldozers were used to pull down their houses and cattle sheds,” he alleged. He said 70 families of Baga village in Arki tehsil of Solan district had still not got any compensation for their land and houses. “The company has got disconnected the water and electricity connections to the sheds in which some of the families had been accommodated,” he said. He said the villagers had called off their dharna after they were assured by MLA Govind Ram that their grievances would be redressed. “In case we do not get justice, we will intensify our agitation and not allow the coming up of the cement factory,” he threatened. He further alleged that the company was exploiting the people and not even paying them the minimum wages.
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HC disposes of plea
Vijay Arora
Shimla, April 30 While disposing of the matter a division bench comprising Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla and Justice Sanjay Karol observed that they had faith and were confident that the committee would expedite and decide the matter at the earliest. During the course of hearing Advocate General R.K. Bawa placed the notification before the court with regard to constitution of the committee. The members of the committee include secretary (revenue), principal chief conservator of forest or his representative, director Environment, Kullu DC and commissioner Tourism besides secretary (Tourism). According to the notification issued by the state government, the committee would look into the aspects related to environment impact assessment, financial closure, share proposed to be allotted to the state, financial status of the chairman, requirement of power, fuel and water and impact on location, permission from Ministry of Defence for setting up of this project in Manali. It is pertinent to mention here that a PIL had been filed before the court against the setting up of this project in Manali area on the ground that this mega project would adversely affect the environment and culture of the area. Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal had expressed apprehensions with regard to the safety aspect in view of the Manali-Leh road being an important link to the border areas where the Army is deputed. The BJP while in opposition had all along opposed the coming of the ski village, one of the biggest foreign direct investment projects with the American giants, Ford being associated with it. They had said that on assuming power their government would look into all the aspects in a fresh manner and would not accept in its present form. The Cabinet headed by the then Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh, had granted initial approval for setting up of the project.
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Cong gears up to take on CM’s son
Shimla, April 30 Addressing a press conference here today HPCC spokesman Kuldeep Rathore said that the Congress would fight the election on the achievements of the UPA regime and the ‘anti-people’ decisions taken by the BJP government in Himachal. “The Congress workers must highlight the anti-people decisions like the 25 per cent hike in bus fares, failure of the PDS system and political victimisation of Congress leaders and employees related to the opposition leaders,” he said. The Congress workers must not get demoralised as the Congress was not just fighting the BJP but the entire state government. Rathore accused the BJP of misusing official machinery in Hamirpur to ensure BJP victory. “The party workers must remain alert and bring to the notice of the state Congress all incidents of misuse of government machinery,” he said. He also requested the Election Commission to take note of the fact that the government hoardings of the Chief Minister had still not been removed in the areas falling under the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency. Saying that the Congress would not release election manifesto for the by-election Rathore said that “within a short span of four months the graph of the BJP government has fallen and people are already getting disenchanted with its rule,” he remarked. Besides top state leaders, all MLAs, office-bearers and senior leaders had been entrusted duties to campaign for party candidate O.P. Rattan. He blamed the BJP for forcing another election on the people of Hamirpur, a fact which the Congress would highlight. |
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Silver jubilee of AWES celebrated
Kangra, April 30 Sandeep Marahatta, spokesman of the Army school, said 2007-2008 was celebrated throughout India as the silver jubilee year of the AWES. He said the aim was to bring the students at par with the latest trends of present education system. It caters to wards of Army personnel. Marahatta said the function was marked by a number of activities organised by the Army School, Yol Cantt, which included essay writing, poem recitation competitions, Hindi pakhwara, etc. An inter-house cultural competition on the theme of ‘National Integration’ was held to conclude the programme. Prem Varsha Tuli, wife of Brigadier A.K. Tuli (DDEME and chairman Army School), was the chief guest and Col S.S. Rawat additional director AWES presided over. Mementos were presented to the best student of each class, best in cleanliness and 100 per cent attendance. The cultural programme “Desh Premi”, a short skit depicting the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and the secular outlook of India was followed by a rejuvenating orchestra performance. Sen House bagging the first position; Teresa House was declared runners- up, followed by Raman and Tagore Houses, respectively. |
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Sacrifices of freedom fighters to be highlighted
Shimla, April 30 Social justice and empowerment minister Sarveen Chaudhary said this here yesterday. She handed over the ‘shaheed kalash’ containing sacred soil of all places connected with the First War of Independence to the Assembly Speaker, Tulsi Ram. She received the kalash on behalf of the state government from Sushma Swaraj at Delhi on April 22. “Naman 1857 programmes would be organised all over the state to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence,” she said. The kalash containing sacred soil from various places connected with Independence from all over the country will be taken to different parts of the state. Chaudhary said programmes would be organised in the state so that the sacrifice and valour of those who participated in the freedom struggle can be highlighted. “Freedom fighters and their families would be special guests at all such functions so that they can share their experiences with the youth,” she added. She said the college and university students would be involved in the programmes in a big way so that they can be educated about the freedom struggle and are emotionally integrated with their motherland.
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Extension in service opposed
Shimla, April 30 The executive committee of the association, which met here recently also disapproved of the decision to merge the two special purpose vehicles into the state power corporation and called for its reversal. General-secretary of the association Suneel Grover said the association had also urged Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal to take up the matter regarding consent of the Centre for the board to continue in the unbundled form. He said under the Electricity Act, 2003, there was no legal binding for trifurcation for the board. The withholding of consent was nothing but an arm-twisting tact of the Government of India. The board was one of the good-performing state utilities in the country with lowest transmission and distribution losses at 15.15 per cent, minimum percentage (5.5) of un-electrified households and had also achieved 100 per cent utilisation of the APDRP funds. He said the government should allot more hydroelectric projects to the board for execution to ensure optimum utilisation of the vast pool of experienced manpower. |
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Dharna in front of police station
Shimla, April 30 The protesters were angry over the delay in the getting X-ray done of the girl. The ASP reached the spot to pacify them. The incident took place on April 28, but the report was lodged yesterday. “We have already arrested the accused, Sham Lal, and remanded him in police custody for three days,” said SP, R.M. Sharma. “The girl was got medically examined yesterday. Today, she was taken to the hospital for an X-ray,” he said. The police had taken all necessary action and there was no negligence on its part, he claimed. The report of the medical board was likely
tomorrow. |
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Bus passengers thrash 4 persons
Kangra, April 30 These persons had reportedly boarded the bus from
Dard, near Chamunda shrine, around 6 am for Mallan. While alighting from the bus, they tried to slide her briefcase along, the woman alleged. Passengers and other people caught hold of them and thrashed them. The four persons were identified as Diwan Singh, Ram Kumar, Joginder Singh and Inder, all residents of Aryan Nagar, Sonepat. They have been arrested under Section 41(2) and 109 of the CrPC. The complainant, Surjet Kumari of Bandi village, however, said her belongings were intact and she was not eager to follow the case. The arrested persons told The Tribune that they had come to Chamundaji on pilgrimage and were on their way to Baijnath when they were thrashed by the people without any reason. |
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Butail charges BJP with neglecting Palampur
Palampur, April 30 Addressing newspersons here this morning he said despite the fact that adequate budgetary provisions had made by the previous Congress government, the construction of various buildings had been suspended by the PWD authorities. The Congress government had allocated a sum of Rs 5 crore and Rs 9 crore, respectively, for the hospital and college complexes, work on these two projects had been suspended after the BJP government assumed power. These two buildings were to be inaugurated in December 2007, but because of the early assembly elections their inauguration was delayed. Now the BJP had virtually neglected these projects. |
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Chamba areas lack health services
Chamba, April 30 When some mediapersons toured this area, the residents described this adversity as a ‘compulsory punishment’ imposed on them by nature. Many a time, a patient dies on the way to health centres. Residents of these areas, including elected representatives of the panchayati raj institutions (PRIs), have urged the government to provide accessible health services.
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3 killed in accident
Shimla, April 30 The ill-fated vehicle (HP-06-4191) was on its way from Nankhari to Rampur. The seriously injured persons, Ritu Devi (22), daughter of deceased Govind Ram, and Khem Ram (35) of Bail village have been admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College. |
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Baddi tehsil functional
Kumarhatti, April 30 As many as 17 parwar circles from Kasauli and Nalagarh tehsils have been included in Baddi tehsil. While the patwar circles of Barotiwala, Mandhala, Kaindhala and Nalka from Kasauli tehsil have been included in Baddi tehsil, those of Bhatouli Kalan, Baddi, Sandhouli, Abhrani, Souri, Pali, Buasani, Bhud, Thana, Dhala, Manpura, Beli and Lodhimajra pertain to Nalagarh tehsil. |
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Mishra sworn in HC judge
Shimla, April 30 Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla administered him the oath in his courtroom in a simple ceremony. The number of judges has now increased to 10, including the Chief Justice. All judges of the high court were present on the occasion. Justice Mishra was appointed a permanent judge of the Allahabad High Court in April, 2001. Thereafter, he was transferred to Guwahati High Court on January 7, 2005. |
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Anurag Thakur, BJP candidate and son of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, today filed his nomination papers for the Hamirpur parliamentary byelection before returning officer Nandita Gupta.
Shimla, April 30
