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Fear of Infiltration
Jobs-on-chits Scam
Dhumal assures probe
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Environmental Norms
Experts lay stress on water harvesting
Shoolini Idol Theft Case
Tribune Impact
Hamirpur: Four left in the fray
BSNL broadband service goes awry
Minister: Take Red Cross activities to villages
Docs rue working conditions
Govt declares holiday on Oct 8, 29
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Fear of Infiltration
Shimla, May 8 Even though there have been no recent reports of infiltration into Himachal territory the possibility of militants using the remote and higher reaches in Chamba bordering Jammu and Kashmir as a safe haven cannot be ruled out. In the past also whenever the security forces mounted pressure and intensified their operations in Jammu and Kashmir, militants have taken shelter in Himachal territory. “In view of the recent reports of possible infiltration, we have stepped up vigil along the border area in Chamba, where round-the-clock vigil is being maintained by ITBP and Himachal police personnel,” said S.R. Mardi, IG, Law and Order. Some of the posts which used to move down in the winter due to a heavy snowfall had moved up while some areas were still snowbound and inaccessible. Mardi said routine patrolling was being undertaken jointly by the police and the ITBP in their respective areas. “We are in constant touch with the Jammu and Kashmir police and on the situation in the border areas,” he said. He said there was no need for deployment of additional forces as there was no reason for alarm. Chamba Additional SP D.K. Chaudhry said out of the total 29 posts along the border, 13 posts were those which used to move down during the winter. “While seven posts have moved back to their locations on the higher reaches, the remaining would do so once their summer locations become accessible,” he said. With the elections in Jammu and Kashmir to be held within six months, there have been intelligence reports that there is a high possibility of infiltration from Pakistan side into Jammu and Kashmir. There has been a spillover of militancy from Jammu and Kashmir into Himachal with the militants undertaking stray killings. The Himachal police has deployed its jawans along with ITBP personnel in the Kehar, Tissa and Khairi sectors from where there are high chances of infiltration into Himachal territory. It was in August, 1998, that militants had gunned down 35 innocent road construction labourers in the Kalaban-Satrundi area. Himachal has maintained vigil along the border and even constituted village defence committees so that infiltration or militant-related activities are under check. In fact, villagers in the Kehar and Langera areas have been banned from going to the higher reaches to collect herbs which are a regular source of income to the people. |
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Jobs-on-chits Scam
Shimla, May 8 It was on the directions of the Special Judge (Forests) that the matter was reinvestigated by the Vigilance Bureau. Even though the previous Congress regime had moved the court seeking withdrawal of the case, the Special Judge (Forests) had directed the Vigilance to reinvestigate the matter in March. After conducting a preliminary inquiry into the matter, the Vigilance Department had found that about 336 persons had been provided jobs on recommendatory slips. “We are likely to question 40 officials, including 11 IAS officers, with regard to their role in granting jobs to these persons,” said a senior police officer. As per the list of persons who had got undue benefit from the scam, a maximum of 103 had been absorbed in the Urban Development Authority, 61 in the marketing board, 52 in the Shimla Municipal Corporation, 47 in the Himachal Pradesh Small Industries Development Corporation (HPSIDC), 29 in the Agro Industries Corporation and 25 in Himurja. |
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Dhumal assures probe
Hamirpur, May 8 Talking to newspersons here last evening Dhumal said “the government has received a payment of Rs 173 crore and we have asked the bank to disclose the source of payment.” “Though these projects were allotted by the previous government there is a fight between two industrial houses and we would not sign the PIA till the matter is settled” he added. Talking about the Hamirpur byelection Dhumal said :“Price rise would be our main issue in this election since the common man has been badly affected due to faulty policies of the UPA government and the wide response to the BJP-called May 2 nationwide strike has abundantly proved it.” He said while the state government had taken several steps to provide relief from inflation, the central government should immediately ban MNCs and big houses from trading in grains. Dhumal clarified that there had been no reduction in the supply of cheap ration through PDS shops and only malka masar has been replaced with kala chana. Dhumal said the government had made efforts to bring employees to their native places by waiving the 25-km condition of posting under the new transfer policy which had been framed after wide discussions. |
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Nitish tops Class X exam
Kangra, May 8 Nitish of Government Senior Secondary School, Nehrian, Una, secured 674 marks out of 700 and bagged the first position. Chirag Kumar of HIM Sarvodaya Senior Secondary School, Ghumarwin, Bilaspur, and Akhilesh Sharma of Saraswati Vidya Mandir High School, Auhar, Bilaspur, both secured 671 marks and shared the second slot. Saurabh Rana of Bharatiya Public Senior Secondary School, Jogindernagar, Mandi, Garima Rana of Dayanand Model High School, Dharamsala, Anmol of Him Academy Public School, Hamirpur, and Ekta Sharma of DAV Senior Secondary School, Una, occupied the third slot jointly by securing 667 marks each. Secretary (board of school education) Rajesh Sharma said 1,18,184 candidates, comprising of 62,858 boys and 55,326 girls, appeared in the matriculation examination in March this year. Out of them, 67,902 students were declared successful, while 20,602 were placed under compartment. Seventeen students, nine boys and eight girls, bagged the first 10 positions and figured in the merit list. Other top rankers: Vishv Mohan of SVM Boys School, Rora, Bilaspur, (663); Rajat Dutta of DAV Senior Secondary School, Una, (661); Shanta Vij of Geetanjali Public School Ghalol, Hamirpur, (660); Kanika Singh Thakur of King George Royal Public School, Ner Chowk, Mandi, (659); Prateek Sharma of DAV Senior Secondary School, Bhardai, Kangra, (659); Vivek Sharma of Government Senior Secondary School, Dhaneta, Hamirpur, (659); Himanshu of Him Sarvodaya Senior Secondary School, Gumarwin, Bilaspur, ( 659); Aakanksha Sharma of TR DAV Public School, Kangoo, Hamirpur (659); K. Vashisth of DAV Public School, Ner Chowk, Mandi (659); Prashant Guleria of Himalyan Government Senior Secondary School, Sarkaghat, (658); Sheeni Sharma of Government Senior Secondary School, Baroh, Kangra, (657); and Komal Katna of Him Academy Public School, Hamirpur, (656). Six candidates bagged seventh position securing 659 marks each. |
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Chinese repression fuelled protests: Dalai envoys
Kangra, May 8 The two envoys addressed a joint press conference for more than 45 minutes at Dharamsala today. They said the meeting between them and executive vice-minister Zhu Weiqun and vice-minister Sithar of the United Front Works Department of the Chinese Communist Party was completely informal. He appreciated the hosts for accepting their suggestion to hold an informal meeting. He described the meeting frank and friendly in a good atmosphere despite the prevailing grave situation in Tibet. The meeting was aimed at discussing the situation in Tibet. No other issue like that of Panchen Lama was discussed. He said the accusations made by their counterparts that Dalai Lama had instigated unrest in Tibet were refuted strongly by them saying, “The recent crisis in Tibet is a clear symptom of deep-felt grievances and resentment against Chinese policy on Tibet.” The need was to address the legitimate concerns of Tibetans in a realistic and constructive way, he said. They said they stressed on ending the current repression in Tibet. They also demanded the release of all prisoners, allowing the injured to get medical aid and free access to the media to cover Tibet. They said they stressed on putting an end to the “patriotic education campaign”, which was resented by the Tibetans as being against their faith. They said the accusations of China that the Dalai Lama was sabotaging Olympic games were rejected. On the contrary, they made it clear to the Chinese authorities that the Dalai Lama had been supporting the Beijing games right from the beginning. Despite difference on important issues, both sides showed willingness to seek common approach in addressing the issues, they said. They said an understanding was reached to continue the formal round of discussions. The date for the seventh round of talks would be finalised soon, they added. They welcomed the recent statement of President Hu Jintao that his government was “serious” about the dialogue process and his acknowledgement that the Dalai Lama was “conscientious and serious”. They said the statement as encouraging as it came at a time when there was growing skepticism about China’s sincerity in resolving the Tibet issue through dialogue. Earlier in the day, the duo briefed deputy speaker Dolma
Gyari. |
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Dharamsala, May 8 The only issue on which the two sides agreed was to have the next round of talks, Gyari said. — PTI
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Environmental Norms
Shimla, May 8 A 10-member monitoring team of the bank headed by Judith Plummer inspected the ongoing works at the project and also interacted with the affected families and contractors, besides officers, over the past three days. It was particularly impressed by the measures put in place to mitigate the impact on fragile hill environment and the disposal of muck. The bank has been keen on achieving highest standards on environmental norms and proper rehabilitation of displaced families in projects funded by it. The Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam, which is executing the project, is one of the seven companies in the country selected for the purpose. The World Bank mission, which has been regularly monitoring the resettlement and rehabilitation activities carried out in the project, has appreciated the efforts made for rehabilitation of PAFs. It has gone to the extent of saying that “the success of the resettlement activity undertaken in the project is quite rare for India, and can be considered as one of the best examples of resettlement implementation in bank-assisted projects in India. It should be considered as an example for other projects”. All 202 landowners have been provided compensation for their acquired land and houses. The rehabilitation package for 35 landless families has been deposited with the Kullu DC for disbursement and 15 houseless families have been provided plots and cash assistance for construction of alternative house. As many as 145 members of the PAFs have been provided employment with various contractors and 111 contractors from PAFs have been provided petty contracts. An infrastructural development scheme with a recurring annual budget of Rs 2.5 crore is being implemented in all affected panchayats. Besides, financial assistance has been given to the state for various development projects, including Rs 8 crore for construction of a bus stand at Rampur, Rs 1 crore for Government Senior Secondary School , Rs. 1.5 crore for a steel truss bridge across the Sutlej and Rs 2 crore for widening of the Wazir Bowari- Bayal road. As many as 70 students have been sponsored for technical education in the ITI. A mobile health van regularly visits the project-affected areas for providing free medical services and medicines. A Rs 45.52 crore environment management plan has been formulated with a CAT (catchment area treatment) plan of Rs 29.57 crore under which 280 sq km will be treated by various activities like afforestation, pasture development, soil stabilisation, erosion and landslide protection works. |
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Consider NHPC for power projects: Shinde
Chamba, May 8 Talking to mediapersons at the Chamera guest house at Karian near here this afternoon, he said huge hydropower potential (over 20,000 MW) was available in the snow-fed river waters of the state. The country’s total hydropower potential was around 84,044MW. “The NHPC should be given preference while awarding hydropower projects in the state,” he emphasised. Three projects had been allotted to the NHPC in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. He praised the NHPC for abiding by the Corporation Social Responsibility and Community Development (CSR-CD) Scheme aimed at ensuring development of adjoining areas of hydroelectric projects. As per the new policy formulated by the Union Ministry of Power, the NHPC would give additional 1 per cent free power as royalty to the state government. This would be in addition to 12 per cent free-power royalty. He urged the state government to contribute 1 per cent free power from its share of 12 per cent royalty so that 2 per cent of free power could be utilised on the welfare and rehabilitation of affected families around the respective projects. The affected families living in and around hydroelectric projects would also get 100 units free power every month, he added. He said around 20 states had already implemented the policy formulated by the Centre regarding trifurcation of their state electricity boards (SEBs). The left-out states, including Himachal, had been given ample time to implement the policy and trifurcate their power boards in the national interest. He said trifurcation had brought down losses to around 30 per cent. Moreover, the policy would not affect employees’ interests or employment prospects in these boards, he claimed. He said industrial training institutes would be opened in adjoining areas of hydropower projects where requisite training would be imparted to aspirants so that they can be employed in hydropower projects. He eulogised the feeling and attitude of the people and their wholehearted cooperation in building hydroelectric projects. |
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Lays stone of power unit
Chamba, May 8 He was accompanied by Central power secretary Anil
Rajdan, NHPC chairman and managing director S.K. Garg, director (projects) S.K. Dodeja and executive director (region-II) Nain Singh. General manager of the project K.K. Joshi told power minister about the ongoing work through a layout plan of the project. Shinde expressed satisfaction over the project work. He also inspected the adit-6, headrace tunnel and excavation being done by boomer machines. Saplings were also planted at the office complex of the project at Dharwala by the power minister and other dignitaries. Earlier, he also laid the foundation stone of a residential complex of the project at
Karian. |
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Experts lay stress on water harvesting
Solan, May 8 These views were expressed by Dr Pankaj Khullar, principal chief conservator of forests, while delivering his keynote address on the occasion of a two-day seminar on ‘Sustainable management of micro watershed resources in northwest Himalayas’ at Barog today. The seminar, which was organised by the Department of Soil Science and Water Management and Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, was attended by nearly 70 delegates from various universities. Expressing concern over global warming, he said there was an urgent need to preserve all habitats ranging from deserts to grasslands as well as the glaciers. Dr Khullar said it was unfortunate that the underground water had been facing worst degradation as little had been done to recharge it. Illustrating his point he said the stretch of NH-22 between Kalka to Shimla sometime back had nearly 40 springs, which had now been reduced to as less as 14. He directed the university scientists to address the concerns of global warming and study the effects of climate change on forestry. Later addressing the gathering, vice-chancellor Dr K.R. Dhiman said the depletion of water was an alarming situation. As per the National Water Commission report 68 per cent of water is lost as surface run-off, while a mere 10 to 12 per cent is used for production. He advocated the need for effective utilisation and recycling of water and said India’s rural poor live in rain-fed regions, which face natural calamities causing poor yields. While the increased silt in the rivers and multi purpose projects was threatening the viability of these projects. Appropriate erosion control measures were needed to check attrition, he added. Dr S.D. Sharma, dean, College of Forestry, proposed a vote of thanks on the occasion. Others present on the occasion included additional PCCF K. Dass, officials and scientists from the university. |
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Shoolini Idol Theft Case
Theft in temple SHIMLA: Silver ornaments and coins worth Rs 1.15 lakh were stolen from the ancient Suryavanshi temple in village Bial under Nirman police station in Kullu district. According to the police, among the ornaments that have been stolen were a 2-kg silver chattar and old silver coins weighing 1 kg.
— TNS
Solan, May 8 Kulwant was produced before mediapersons here today by the Solan SP. The SP said a police team would be sent to Nepal to nab the remaining two culprits-Besant and Nirmal. Kulwant told the mediapersons that the three had initially decided to strike at the temple in search of hard cash. But since there was little cash found at the temple they decided to decamp with three idols as their sale could fetch them good money. After planning to target three temples at Solan the trio first watched a late-night movie here. They then went to Thodo Ground and consumed liquor. The three first targeted a temple located at Sunny Side where they found nothing but Rs 500. Their next target was another temple at Kaleen where they tried to break open a cash chest with an iron rod. The trio then proceeded towards Shoolini temple where Kulwant stood guard outside the temple while the other two broke the lock and went inside. Failing to find cash there, they fled with three idols in a gunny bag. The three then took a bus to Chandigarh and later to the Nepal border where they gave Rs 2,000 to Kulwant and asked him to return. Kulwant said as the police was looking for him, he kept shuttling between Kalka and Dharampur to evade arrest. He was finally arrested at Kalka today.
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Tribune Impact
Shimla, May 8 Chief minister P.K. Dhumal said her case had been recommended for financial assistance by Shanta Kumar recently and a sum of Rs 1 lakh had already been released as immediate relief to Seema. Her plight had been highlighted in The Tribune today. Taking note of the news, the Chief Minister said all possible help would be extended to her to lead a socially and economically normal life. “Officials have been directed to get the exact estimate of the entire treatment expenditure by getting Seema examined by a specialist so that the money can be directly made available to the institute concerned where she will get treatment,” he said. “Efforts are made to extend help to as many people as possible for medical treatment, operations, medicines, marriage and other such responsibilities,” he said. The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund was created with the aim of providing help to all such needy persons. He appealed to the people to make liberal donation towards the fund as it bring relief to the needy and deserving. |
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Hamirpur: Four left in the fray
Hamirpur, May 8 Those left in the fray are Anurag Thakur (BJP), O.P. Rattan (Congress), Rattan Chand Kaundal (Bahujan Shakti Party) and Amin Chand, an independent. The polling for the seat would be held on May 22 and counting would be taken up on May 25. The main contest is between traditional rivals the BJP and the Congress. The byelection was necessitated due to the resignation of Dhumal after becoming the CM of the hill state. It is considered an important indicator of the political strength of the BJP and the Congress before the general election next year. The byelection is also considered as a referendum on the four-month-old Dhumal government in HP. A total of 11,73,362 voters would exercise their franchise on May 22 for the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat having 17 assembly seats spread in Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una and Kangra districts. |
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BSNL broadband service goes awry
Kullu, May 8 The broadband complaints go astray in the internal blame game of the BSNL even as the customers beg for repairs time and again. The BSNL staff here is not available after 5 pm and broadband users, particularly the tourists, journalists and airlines are the most affected lot. Bhuntar telephone exchange is the worst hit as nobody attends to the complaints. The TDM was not available for comments. SDO Khushal Singh said he could not comment until the BSNL outdoor man asked him to locate the fault. |
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Minister: Take Red Cross activities to villages
Shimla, May 8 Speaking on the occasion of World Red Cross Day, he said the Red Cross Society had rendered yeoman’s service in mitigating the suffering of those in need and distress. He said the Red Cross was also instrumental in bringing about universal solidarity towards all those in need of protection and assistance. World Red Cross Day was also observed at the Raj Bhawan. |
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Docs rue working conditions
Shimla, May 8 In a letter addressed to the principal of the IGMC, the resident doctors’ association demanded that the registrars of the Orthpaedics Department posted in the casualty ward were being made to work day and night without off. |
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Govt declares holiday on Oct 8, 29
Shimla, May 8 The spokesman further said the holidays would not be applicable for the daily wage employees.
— UNI |
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