Shimla, June 28
Heavy rain during the past two days wreaked havoc as landslides and uprooting of trees brought all vehicular traffic on the main roads in the city to a halt, causing inconvenience to thousands of weekend tourists amid reports of several houses and retaining walls collapsing.

There has been a widespread damage to private and public property in and around the state capital. Traffic on the Circular Road, the lifeline of the town, came to a halt as a huge deodar tree fell on a moving Gypsy near Hotel Holiday Homer.

The occupants of the vehicle had a miraculous escape with only minor injuries. However, traffic could be resumed only after 4 pm after the tree was cut and the muck removed. Traffic also reminded suspended near tunnel-103 on the Kalka-Shimla highway where two huge trees came down, damaging vehicles in morning. It took almost six hours for the labourers to clear. This caused huge inconvenience to local residents and tourists.

Commuters, including schoolchildren and office-goers, had a tough time walking back home as traffic was disrupted at various places. Landslides had occurred near Hotel Oberoi Clarks and Loreto Convent School, near Kaithu.

Municipal commissioner Amitabh Awashty said preliminary reports suggested that property worth Rs 25 lakh had been damaged due to rain during the past two days. “We have deputed staff to extend round-the-clock help to the people in case of any damage like collapsing of houses and retaining walls so that there is minimum possible inconvenience to them,” he said.

Water supply in the town is likely to remain affected due to problem in pumping at Ashwani Khud and Gumma station due to heavy silt. No pumping could take place at Ashwani Khud due to heavy silt while only three of the five pumps at Gumma could function.

There are reports of many houses being damaged due to water seepage and collapsing of retaining walls at several places, including the US Club and Totu, forcing occupants to vacate the unsafe structures. Roads have been damaged at many places in the town. The National Highway 22 also remained blocked for about four hours due to a heavy landslide at Matiana.

Solan, June 28
With the roads of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area getting over flooded after continuous showers, which lashed the area since last evening the maintenance aspect of these roads has been exposed.

Though the department claims to have executed time-to-time maintenance works, the large number of potholes and over flooded roads have bared the claims of the department. So pathetic is the condition of roads that it had created particular problems for the pedestrians who have to slush each time vehicles cross the roads.

With hundreds of vehicles entering the area daily the wear and tear of roads is immense. What had added to their poor maintenance is the encroachments on drains which hamper smooth flow of excess water after showers. This was not the first time that the roads have faced such a plight as every monsoon the people are forced to live with such inconvenience. The condition of internal roads like Sai Road was equally appalling as the main road as huge puddles of water could be seen all over the roads.

At places the roads gave the impression of dirty water pools and there was no site of road for metres together. The investors rued that despite tall claims of improving the infrastructure the rains appear to have exposed the claims of the PWD.

Una, June 28
Two residents of Bassi village in Hoshiarpur district, including Mangal Singh and Bhinda, were washed away in a flash flood in Swan river today afternoon.

Sources available here said three residents of Hoshiapur had entered the river in a tractor-trolley, near Ispur village on Una-Hoshiarpur road, to collect the wild grass that was to be sold to the paper mill in their area.

The water of the river started rising suddenly. The tractor that was laden with wild grass got trapped in the rising water of the river. While the third person, Satnam Singh, managed to swim to the bank, the other two were washed away.

MANDI: The family members of Sunil Kumar, a class IX student of the Senior Secondary School, Brang in Dharampur block, who was feared washed away in the surging Son khad continued to be in a state of shock as their attempts to trace out his body bore no fruits today.

The police and local administration, including villagers, today continued their search to locate the body of Sunil Kumar, son of Bhik Ram, a resident of Chanehr village in Dharampur, who was feared washed away in the surging Son Khad yesterday.

SDM Sarkaghat J.C. Patial said the body could not be traced out today by the team. The search along the flooded Son Khad was made till Sandhol but to no avail. The khad is containing a lot of silt and body remained untraced, he added. The family members of Sunil said he had left for school around 7.30 am yesterday but went missing as he was washed away in the flooded khad.

Shimla, June 28
In a major administrative reshuffle, the government today ordered transfers and postings of 20 Himachal Administrative Officers (HAS).

K.R. Bharti, special secretary (GAD) and director (hospitality and protocol), will swap places with M.P. Sood, posted as the secretary, HP State Electricity Board.

Hans Raj Chauhan, additional deputy commissioner (development)-cum-project director, DRDA, Bilaspur, has been posted as the additional director, industries. Ginnu Ram Bharti, regional transport officer, Shimla, has been posted as the resident commissioner, Pangi in Chamba.

Karam Dass Rana, additional director industries, has been posted as the joint secretary, environment and scientific technologies. He will also hold the additional charge of the post of joint secretary (environment, pollution control and biotechnology).

Kumud Singh, district tourism development officer (DTDO), Kullu, who is functioning as the AC to the DC, Kullu, has been posted as the AC to the DC, Kullu. She will also function as the DTDO, Kullu.

K.K. Khanna, additional director, tourism and civil aviation, has been posted as the secretary, HP State Election Commission, relieving B.R. Jamwal of the additional charge.

Rattan Singh, managing director of HIMFED, has been posted as the registrar of Himachal Pradesh University, relieving R.S. Gupta of the additional charge.

Dhruv Vashisht MD, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank, Dharamsala, who is also functioning as the special secretary to the Chief Minister, has been posted as the MD, HIMFED.

Jagdish Singh Pathania, resident commissioner, Pangi (Chamba), has been posted as the MD of the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank, Dharamsala.

Chander Prakash Verma, SDM, Palampur, has been posted as the ADM, Bilaspur.

Sandeep Kumar, SDM, Paonta Sahib, has been posted as the ADM, Kangra, at Dharamsala.

Gopal Chand, posted as the SDM, Chopal, has been posted as the SDM, Udaipur (Lahaul-Spiti).

Man Mohan Sharma, SDM, Nalagarh, has been posted as the SDM, Paonta Sahib.

Ashwani Kumar Sharma, joint secretary (environment and scientific technologies), has been posted as the SDM, Chopal. Manoj Kumar Chauhan, SDM, Dodra Kawar, has been posted as the SDM (urban), Shimla, in place of Gian Chand Negi, who has been posted as the SDM, Rampur.

Dalip Kumar Negi, SDM, Rampur, has been posted against the same post at Dodra Kawar. Avinash Chander Dani, assistant commissioner (leave reserve) to the DC, Solan, and holding the additional charge of AC (protocol), Parwanoo, has been posted as the RTO, Solan.

Sushil Kumar, SDM, Jawali (Kangra), has been posted as the SDM, Nalagarh.

Chandigarh, June 28
India could withdraw its support to Tibet dispute if they felt that it would affect its relations with China. Prof Samdong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in exile, stated this while addressing a two-day conference of All-India Tibet support group here today.

He said India had to decide what strategy they should adopt on this issue, as it would have direct impact on the future of international peace. This issue was not related to India but it would directly affect its relations with Tibet and timely precautionary steps were needed to be taken. He remarked that the Tibetan people had not appreciated India’s stand on this issue.

Yashwant Sinha, a senior BJP leader, suggested an amicable solution tothe Tibet dispute.

When asked as to why his government did not support the Tibetan Youth Congress march? He revealed that immature group organised the march and there was no possibility of the positive results for the Tibetan people.

Rinpoche revealed that the issue of China should be taken up at the international platform, as it would be a threat not only for Tibet but also for countries around the world.

Criticising the UPA government on its policy of China, Sinha made it clear that if the BJP came to power they would safeguard the interest of Tibetan people and there would be no agreement with China at the cost of Tibet.

Sinha said conferences, discussion and events were organised to sought out the dispute but now it was time to take action.

Lashing out at the UPA government for soaring inflation and price rise, he remarked that it was due to the failure of the government to take stringent measures at the right time.

On the issue of nuclear deal with USA, Sinha clarified that the BJP wanted the terms be re-negotiated as some clauses in the deal were against India’s interest. 

Kullu, June 28
The activities of China during the Tibetan agitation in India and other parts of the world were objectionable as far as the view of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was concerned.

This was stated by P.P. Singh, IGP northern western zone, ITBP, while addressing mediapersons after the passing out parade and oath taking function of the ITBP at Babeli which was held at the ITBP 35 Battalion Centre, Babeli, about 6 km from here today.

He, however, added that the activities were inside the Chinese territory so we did not bother. Singh emphasised that China would not dare aggression on the Indo-Tibetan border keeping in view India’s defence position.

Singh said the ITBP was interested in establishing a battalion in the state provided the state government allocates land.

The IGP said the ITBP was now stressing upon the modernisation of communication and training skills. Earlier, the IGP took the salute and administered the oath of secrecy to the jawans. As many as 479 jawans passed out the 44-week training and were absorbed into the ITBP force.

Singh further offered to provide security to the pilgrims of Mansarovar if Himachal route was cleared.

Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal was the chief guest at the function but he could not reach from Shimla due to the inclement weather. However, he sent his best wishes to the jawans.

Shimla, June 28
Vipasha Kashyap, a student of St Bede’s College, Shimla, has topped the BA III (pass course) examination, the results of which were declared by Himachal Pradesh University today.

Vipasha has topped by securing 801 marks out of a total of 1,000. Sandeep Kumar of Government College, Ghumarwin, has been placed second in the merit list. He secured 796 marks. Surabhi Aggarwal of Government College, Nahan, has been placed third in the list. She has got 780 marks.

Next in the merit list are: Charu Sehgal of Government Collage, Saraswatinagar, Sawra, (779 marks); Akil Bakshi of Government Degree College, Dharamsala, (778 marks); Suresh Kumar of Government College, Sarkaghat, (773 marks); Sushma Devi of the same college (766 marks); Shweta Thapa (765 marks) and Shaifali Dixit (758 marks), both from Government Degree College, Dharamsala. Seema Chaudhary of Government College, Sanjauli, Archana Devi and Maya Devi of Degree College, Dhaneta, have got 10 place in the merit with 757 marks each.

Larji Barrage (Mandi), June 28
The 126-MW Larji power project run by the HP State Electricity Board has suffered a loss of around Rs 1 crore (over 31.82 lakh units) in power generation because the project remained shut for 21 hours this month.

The reason: discarded cement and plastic bags, bottles and trash flowing into the Beas, and its tributaries, Allian-Duhangan, Parbati, Sainj and Thirthan, chocked the gates of the intake tunnels of the project.

The power project was shut down for the third time from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm yesterday to clear the intake tunnels.

This caused a power generation loss of 4.14 lakh units.

The project was shut down on June 8 for six hours for the first time and then on June 15 for 12 hours. That resulted in a loss of over 22.68 lakh units in power generation.

“All three units were shut down for 18 hours as board cleared over 500 tractor-loads of trash from the gates of the intake tunnels on both occasions,” site engineers said.

“Though trash does damage turbines or other machinery, it affects the water cooling system. Hence, it becomes mandatory to clear the system by shutting down the project,” they said.

Senior scientist at the GP Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kullu, J.C. Kuniyal said, “Over 70 per cent of the waste produced in Kullu-Manali and Rohtang Pass areas and other tourist places ends up in the Beas.”

Larji project’s resident engineer Pankaj Kapur said, “We have no option but to shut down the project. Earlier we used to clean it manually, but now we have installed a hydraulic machine at a cost of Rs 1.7 crore that takes out the trash.”

Dharamsala, June 28
To feed the ever-growing population, the country will need roughly 300-325 metric tonne (MT) of foodgrains by 2020. There is a challenging task ahead of bridging the demand and supply gaps, by accelerating the pace of domestic production of foodgrains through considerably enlarged investment in farm production. The question of food security should be viewed as an integral part of national security and accordingly top priority should be accorded to sufficient production of foodgrains.

Dr S.C. Jha, member, economic advisory council to the Prime Minister, expressed these views. He was here to take part in a seminar on “Issues and perspectives in Indian agriculture” at the CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, here today.

He suggested that appropriate technological innovations for yield improvements through adequate R&D support, adequate price and marketing support to farmers, progressive land leasing policy, trade policy, enlarged investment support to agriculture, improved food delivery system at the grassroot level and efficiency in food management are the measures that should be taken with immediate affect.

Jha said in recent years agricultural teaching, research, and extension services have been accorded lowest priorities in development funding. India should compete in the world trade for its farm produce and to protect from the danger of emerging food crisis. India’s share in global trade must increase early in the arena of farm products.

Shanta Kumar, member, Rajya Sabha, who was the chief guest at the function, expressed anguish at the callous attitude towards agriculture in the country. He said it was tragic that two divergent classes have emerged in the country- one super rich and the other striving to make two ends meet. Giving figures, he cited that population below poverty line was on rise, investment in the farm sector had declined and merely 24 per cent research had percolated down to the fields as funds have decreased for the agricultural extension sector. Around 1.5 lakh farmers have committed suicide. These are very serious challenges.

Shanta Kumar also inaugurated sports complex constructed at the cost of Rs 1.10 crore in the university. This had been constructed from Prime Minister’s special grant to the university.

Palampur, June 28
Sakshi Sharma, a resident of Chhaproh village of Una district, is moving from pillar to post to seek justice and get a criminal case registered against the culprits who had beaten up her husband Rajesh Kumar mercilessly on January 21, at Shimla. At present Rajesh is in coma and is admitted in the PGI, Chandigarh.

A team of mediapersons from Himachal called on Rajesh recently. Sakshi told reporters that her husband was working in a gift centre at The Mall in Shimla for the past 18 years.

She said because of some theft in the shop her husband was beaten up mercilessly and was handed over to the police. The Sadar SHO, Shimla, contacted her through the owners of the gift centre at Chhaproh village and asked to take her husband for medical treatment to the IGMC, Shimla.

She said on reaching Shimla she was shocked to see that he had received multiple injuries as he was beaten up with iron rods and sticks either by the police or the shopkeeper.

She said when she asked the police about this condition of her husband, she failed to get any satisfactory reply, rather an ASI and SHO of the Sadar police station asked her to sign some blank papers. In first instance she refused but when the ASI became furious and misbehaved with her, since she was already in shock she signed them and took her husband to the IGMC. However, the doctors at the IGMC expressed their inability to admit Rajesh as he was in comma and had multiple injuries. Later, on January 23, she took him to the PGI. Since January 21, Rajesh is in coma, the doctors had shifted him to the PGI serai, where Sakshi was attending him.

As she has no money for his treatment, the employees of Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh, and Mamta Sharma, human right activist (Sivananda Divine Mission, Chandigarh) has come to their rescue. She approached mediapersons of Himachal and on her instance a team of mediapersons from Palampur visited ailing Rajesh. On enquiring from the Sadar police station about this case, the munshi of the police station said no such case was ever registered in January.

Sakshi had appealed to Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal and DGP Ashawani Kumar to order a high-level probe and to do justice with her.

Chamba, June 28
The use of telephone and electric poles for commercial purpose by the cable operators for their network operation in different parts of the state is not only hazardous to human life but also a huge loss to these departments if genuine charges for its use are not being imposed.

Hanging cable wires on the telephone and electric poles without the permission of BSNL and the HPSEB is “illegal and unauthorised”. The reasons of which are perhaps best known to officials of these departments why they do not dare to remove these cable wires and take punitive action against the “erring cable operators”.

Admitting the fact, Ajit Kumar, deputy general manager of Dharamsala BSNL telecom district stated that using telephone poles for commercial purpose of hanging cable network wires was “unauthorised”; asserting that notices in this regard for removing these wires with immediate effect were being issued shortly.

HPSEB secretary M.P. Sood said misusing electric poles for cable network wires was “illegal and unauthorised” as at the moment no charges were being imposed by the HPSEB on the cable operator for such use.

It needed to be banned in the interest of the safety and security of human life, he opined.

Moreover, the matter could also be taken up for imposing annual charges for the commercial use of telephone and electric poles for hanging cable network wires by these departments, both the departmental authorities suggested the same in their separate versions.

Bilaspur, June 28
The state non-gazetted employees federation has urged the Chief Minister to order streamlining of all timely procedures and bring back on rails the entire process of appointments and promotions of employees and also filling of vacant posts in all government and semi-government departments of the state.

Addressing mediapersons here today, federation president Ram Singh demanded that all employees of the state should retire on attaining the age of 60 and differentiation in this matter among various categories of government employees must end at the earliest.

He said all vacant posts should be filled up with already appointed employees who fulfil the minimum qualifications and experience with departmental promotions and diploma holder draftsmen deputed on contract against posts of beldars should be promoted against vacant posts.

The state federation also demanded that provision should be made of adequate government residential accommodation at all district headquarters and proper budget should be allocated for the same along with sufficient budget for regular maintenance of these quarters so that government employees who come at these stations after their transfer, do not experience any difficulty in this matter.

Shimla, June 28
Four persons were killed when their vehicle met with an accident near Seema village on the Rohru-Chirgaon road last night.

The accident took place around 9 pm. All four persons travelling in the car (CS-03E-5315) died on the spot. It was with great difficulty that the bodies could be extricated from the badly mangled remains of the car that was totally damaged.

Those killed were: Duni Chand of Kehloor village, near Nadaun, Ajay Kumar of Malau village in Palampur, Ashok Kumar and Surender Kumar of Palampur. Duni Chand and Ajay Kumar were employed at Hateshwari petrol pump at Rohru.

The car owner, Ashok Kumar, ran a dhaba near the meat market at Rohru. Surender Kumar, his relative who had come from Palampur, also died in the mishap. A sum of Rs 10,000 each has been given as relief to the families of the deceased by the administration. The Chief Minister has expressed grief over the mishap.