The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

Policy on climate change soon
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 27
The government will soon come out with its own policy on climate change in tune with the national action plan to take advantage of the carbon credit facility under the Kyoto protocol.

This was state by Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal while presiding over the inaugural HPPCL Power Development Lecture-2008 organised by the Power Corporation. He said the draft policy had already been circulated and was being discussed with stakeholders to give it a final shape. He said the government was encouraging independent power producers (IPPs).

He said the government had also decided to create a separate directorate of energy to coordinate actions on issues related to energy development, sale of power and monitoring the large number of projects coming up in the private sector. It would implement a master transmission plan for power evacuation for each river basin to ensure that the power project developers did not face any problem on that front.

He said the state had so far harnessed 6,370 MW hydropower, which was nearly one-third of the total potential. He said the process was on for adding 5,744 MW additional capacity by the end of the 11th plan and another 5,616 MW during the 12th plan. He said the government had devised strategies to involve all investors and the process would be completed in a transparent manner. Identified hydropower sites would be allocated to private-sector investors through competitive bidding. The government had also decided to invite offers on the basis of free power instead of upfront premium to augment financial resources of the state.

He said the upfront premium for allotment of projects had been fixed at Rs 20 lakh per MW and the bidders would have to offer free power over and above the mandatory 12, 18 and 30 per cent share to the state after 12, 18, 30 years of the setting up of the project, respectively.

Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority stressed on the need to harness hydropower expeditiously. He also spoke in favour “price variation contracts”.

Principal secretary (power) Ajay Mittal underlined the need to improve hydropower share of in total power generation that had sipped to 25 per cent as against the recommended 40 per cent. Managing director of the Power Corporation Tarun Kapoor said his organisation had set a target to have an installed generation capacity of 3,000 MW by 2017 and 5,000 MW by 2022. It would include 1,000 MW of thermal power, he added.

BJP gets into ‘poll mode’
Dhumal trains guns on Prime Minister
Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 27
Still smarting under the loss of face during the July 22 trust vote in Parliament, senior BJP leaders today went into election mode saying the “Mr Clean” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has no moral right to rule the country in the wake of alleged large-scale horse trading of MPs by the Congress and its allies.

Virtually kicking off the election campaign of former MP Satya Pal Jain at a rally here, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal trained his guns on the economist-turned politician alleging he had lost all respect for the Prime Minister in the wake of bribing of MPs to switch sides and abstain from voting.

Dhumal, who was an MP when Manmohan Singh was the finance minister, said his fondness for the “honest” Prime Minister had given way to doubting his credibility with the government resorting to buying MPs to win the trust vote. “Anyway, the Lok Sabha elections are round the corner and the NDA-led by L.K. Advani was set to form the government,” Dhumal said.

He said the rising prices, which had made the lives of the residents miserable, would prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the Congress-led Central Government. He slammed the nuclear deal terming it “elitist” as the costly power generated in these plants would of little use to the common man. With a potential of 1.5 lakh MWs, hydropower could only meet the future energy requirements of the teeming millions, he said. He alleged the Central Government was discriminating with states, including Himachal Pradesh, having vast hydropower potential.

Firing salvos at his arch rival and minister of state for finance Pawan Bansal, Jain claimed the civic amenities had gone from bad to worse in the past four years with the minister neglecting several areas, including slums and rehabilitation colonies.

Protest against ‘horse trading’
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 27
The BJP today staged a protest against the alleged “horse trading” indulged in by the UPA and its allies to save the Central Government during the no-confidence motion on nuclear deal recently.

BJP activists staged an hour-long dharna in front of the deputy commissioner’s office and thereafter marched in a procession through the Lower Bazar to hold a rally in front of Sher-e-Punjab hotel. They were led by state BJP chief Jai Ram, general secretary Khushiram Balnatah, forest minister J.P. Nadda and Shimla district president Ganesh Dut.

Addressing the protesters, Jai Ram termed the “wholesale purchase of MPs” as the darkest day in the parliamentary history of the country. He said the sordid act that undermined democracy in the country would only strengthen the resolve of the party men to dislodge the UPA regime from the seat of power.

Security tightened at Naina Devi temple
Our correspondent

Bilaspur, July 27
District magistrate P.C. Verma here has issued notifications under various Sections of concerned Acts with view to maintain total peace and order and to secure public safety during 10-day Shrawan Ashtami fairs at shrine of Shri Naina devi from August 2 to August 13, about 75 km from here.

Carrying of arms, ammunitions and explosives and loud speakers and drums in Kot kehloor police station areas are prohibited.

The road between Toba and Nainadevi has been banned for heavy vehicles.

Devotees, who throng in lakhs the shrine, would also not be allowed to offer any prasad or coconuts to the deity.

Security tightened in Kangra
Our correspondent

Kangra, July 27
Following the serial bomb blasts in Banglore and Ahmedabad cities since Friday the state police, which has been put on a high alert, today pressed the sniffer dog squads into service to detect hidden explosives, if any, in various sensitive parts of the district, here today. The exercise was undertaken in the Bajjreshwari temple, Jawalamukhi temple, Chamunda temple and at McLeodganj, SSP Atul said.

He said as thousands of pilgrims were thronging temples in the district during the Sharwan festival season, so, it had become essential on the part of the police not to take any chance and to be ready for any eventuality.

Kaul Singh lashes out at BJP
Tribune News Service

Hamirpur, July 27
Himachal Pradesh Congress committee (HPCC) president Kaul Singh Thakur has accused the BJP-led state government of taking several ‘anti-people’ steps and even working contrary to promises made during the Assembly election in the party manifesto.

Talking to mediapersons here last evening he said Section 3.19 of BJP election manifesto had clearly stated that the BJP would strengthen the administrative tribunal and open its Benches at Dharamsala and Mandi.”

He said, “Not only this election, promise has been violated by the BJP government but it is an attack on the rights of the employees who have been denied speedy justice in the wake of large scale transfers; he promised to restore the tribunal after coming to power.”

Thakur said the Congress government had large contribution in the development of the district colleges. NIT, Sainik School and several other institutions were opened during th e Cogress government and started biggest Bamsan-Mewa drinking scheme in the district.”

The Congress leader has also criticised the state government for taking credit for the schemes launched by the UPA-led central government and said three IRB’s increase in plan allocation, opening IIT and central university were initiated by the Congress government.

He said the state government had shifted the place for opening of central university to Dehra keeping in view the political interest of Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur and demanded it should be opened at Dharamsala.”

Kangra clash
16 medical students arrested
Our Correspondent

Kangra, July 27
Sixteen students of Dr RP Government Medical College, Tanda, have been arrested in connection with the violence that took place at the Dharamsala road last evening. The arrests were made during nightlong raids at different hostels on the college premises.

Those arrested have been charged with offences like rioting, arson, criminal trespass and robbery. An equal number of students were still evading the arrest, the police said today.

Kangra district police chief Atul Fulzele said those arrested were first-year MBBS students. He said two students, Mukul Sharma and Abinav Verma, were arrested last evening, while the remaining 14 were arrested in the raids.

Those arrested were: Ankush Ghautam, Vivek Sharma, Kaushal Katoch, Parveen Kumar, Raj Kumar, Neeraj Sharma, Naveen Verma, Digvijay Singh Thakur, Arjun Kumar, Sohail Sharma, Prashant Sharma, Pankaj Chouhan, Abimanu Patial and Maninder Singh. He said 32 students were involved in the crime and raids were on to arrest the remaining students.

A case has been registered against the medical students under Sections 147, 148, 149, 323, 452 and 392 of the IPC. SHO Surender Sharma said three arrested students were medically examined as they had received injuries during the clash.

Power crunch to continue beyond 2017
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 27
Despite various measures being taken by the government to augment the installed power-generation capacity, the shortage of power will continue to plague the country till 2017 and even beyond, according to Rakesh Nath, chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority.

“The total installed capacity stood at 1.2 lakh MW and the country was facing an overall shortage of over 10 per cent. The peak-time shortage was as high as 15 per cent and with a long gestation period of 5 to 6 years for thermal power plants and 6 to 10 years for hydropower projects, bridging the energy gap was not an easy task. Besides advanced planning, speedy clearances and a switchover to 10-year rolling plan were essential to boost generation,” Nath said. He was here to deliver a lecture.

He said targets of installed capacity augmentation were missed during successive five-year plans. In the 10th Plan, the achievement was only 16,000 MW as against the target of 41,000 MW. The government had set an ambitious target of 68,547 MW for the 11th plan and 80,000 MW for the 12th plan, which would not only take care of the existing shortage but also cover the growth in demand up to 2017. However, there were a number of hurdles in the way. Besides the long gestation period, delay in clearances and other such factors, there was an acute shortage of manpower and machinery required for the execution of power projects.

The Union Ministry of Power undertook a detailed exercise to identify various hurdles in the way of speedy implementation of power projects and it was of the view that the existing five-year plan format should make way for 10-year rolling plan. Projects should be planned and executed in such a way that they were commissioned in a phased manner.

He also stressed on the need to avoid delays in the execution of projects so that costs could be kept under check.

The requirement of technical manpower was immense, so the promoters of projects must adopt industrial training institutes and even start their own training courses, he said. He advised states to go for information technology-based system for monitoring projects so that timely action could be taken to rectify the situation.

He asked the state government to optimise land utilisation for hydropower projects and give only the minimum required land for the purpose.

MP promises performing arts centre at Mandi
Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 27
Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur and president of the State Cricket Association Anurag Thakur said here today that he would bring in a project to set up a performing arts centre at Mandi to tap the talent of young artistes. “We have also decided to set up a multi-purpose stadium in each district for which a budget of Rs 25 crore will be provided,” he added.

Addressing a gathering at a function organised by the Cricket Association of Mandi (CAM) to honour him, he said if the district administration provided the land on lease for the performing arts centre and the multi-purpose stadium, he would bring in the projects for the same. He said he had discussed the matter with the CM.

He said the cricket association would not only promote cricket, but also other sports. He alleged the previous Congress government did everything that it could do to unseat him and even passed the Sports Act to corner him, but the truth won and the cricket body under him was recognised by the BCCI. “Now, everything is positive and I will try my best to promote sports in the state,” he added.

He also honoured Rishi Dhavan and Munish Gupta for their outstanding performance in sports.

Bragta’s assurance to fruit growers
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 27
The state government will take up various issues pertaining to fruit growers in marketing their produce in Chandigarh with its administrator General S.F. Rodrigues (retd).

Horticulture minister Narender Bragta gave this assurance to a delegation of horticulturists that called on him under the leadership of Chandigarh Marketing Committee president Rajender Singh Pavla at Chandigarh today. He said the state government was committed to solve their problems.

Members of the Wholesalers Association of Chandigarh and fruit growers of Himachal Pradesh were present on the occasion.

Traffic restrictions spell inconvenience
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, July 27
Hundreds of daily commuters and tourists have a harrowing for the third consecutive day today following a complete ban of heavy passenger as well as carrier vehicles on the Bailey bridge on Trilokpur rivulet near Kotla on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway (NH).

The NH authorities have allowed only light vehicles for crossing the bridge after the damage of its ground-supporting wall due to heavy downpour on Thursday night. Now the heavy traffic has been diverted through the Kotla-Soldha link road being built under the Prime Minister Gramin Sarak Yozna. Owing to single and narrow road in dilapidated condition only one-way traffic is allowed on it attributing to frequent traffic jams. Vehicles from either side have to wait for hours together to cross that stretch. The passengers have a harrowing experience this morning when a loaded truck got trapped muddy stretch of the road which led to traffic jam from 6 am to 12 noon.

Intriguingly, the NH authorities had restricted passing of loaded vehicles weighing above 18 tonnes on the bridge but no government agency kept any check on the violators. D.R. Chaudhary, superintending engineer, NH circle, Shahpur, said heavy rain was hampering reopening of the bridge for heavy vehicles. It was likely to be restored by next week.

Minjar Fair begins
Our Correspondent

Chamba, July 27
The eight-day long International Minjar Fair of Chamba got off to a colourful start with its inauguration by the Himachal Pradesh Governor Prabha Rau. She hoisted the Minjar flag in the historic lush green legendary Chowgan of Chamba today.

Speaking on this occasion, the Governor said the state had kept its traditional culture alive despite the modern influences and it was a great achievement, the credit goes to various fairs and festivals celebrated in the state.

The Governor said these celebrations not only uphold the traditional values but also strengthen the spirit of fraternity and communal harmony among the people.

The Governor said the fair was not only based on emotions but also on the age-old traditions of the region repleted with the scenic beauty.

Congratulating the people of the region on the mega-event of the Minjar fair, the Governor hoped that the fair might head towards gaining its prominence at the international level and bring all-round development to the region.

On this occasion, the Governor also declared Minjar sports tournaments open amidst singing of “Kunjari Malhaar” and exposure of crackers. Later, she inaugurated the exhibition installed by various government departments and non-governmental organisations displaying their developmental activities.

The fair would conclude on August 3 with the immersion of minjars in the river Ravi.

Tradition revived

After 16 years, senior citizens and culture-conscious people of the district were delighted to get beautifully designed colourful ‘invitation card’ for the Minjar Fair.

The concept for bringing out Minjar invitation cards based on the history, arts and culture of erstwhile the state was mooted out by Devendra Barotra, a local artist, poet and scholar.

The cards brought out by the chairman of the Minjar Fair Celebrations Committee depict the unique hill crafts on stone, wood, metal, Chamba rumal embroidery, chappal etc.

Welfare scheme for journalists to be revised: CM
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, July 27
Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal has given his consent to end the disparity between the state-level journalists and those working in the districts of the state with regards to the night stay charges in government rest houses and circuit houses in the state. He said that suitable orders would be passed soon.

This assurance was given by the Chief Minister to a deputation of the state executive committee of the Himachal Pradesh State Journalists Federation, which met him in Shimla at his office on Friday.

The deputation presented charter of demands of 17 points to the Chief Minister.

Dhumal agreed to revise the Journalists Welfare Fund scheme, which received poor response due to some inconvenient rules.

The federation demanded that the government buses and private buses should provide free travel facility to the journalists.

It was demanded that all journalists should be provided with equal facilities and no government employee should be allowed to launch litigation against journalists without the written consent of the government.

They demanded that all meetings of the government’s committees should be made open and accessible to the journalists to provide them with first hand information.

The Chief Minister agreed to be the chief guest on the federation’s state-level conference and seminar to be held on September 28 at Bilaspur.

Protest against renting out Chowgan
Our Correspondent

Chamba, July 27
Expressing ire and anguish over the desecration of green-lung, the Chowgan, Chamba Welfare Association, an apex non-governmental organisation in its memorandum submitted to the deputy commissioner, has strongly protested against the ill-conceived move of the district authorities for renting out the green for commercial purposes during the historic-cultural Minjar fair.

Accordingly to president of the association Lajpat Singh Jandrotia, the unwise step allegedly taken under pressure by the administration would surely cause extensive damage to the Chowgan, which is still under repair and regeneration.

Jandrotia alleged that it was ironical that the Chowgan, which falls within the heritage zone, had been leased out for commercial activities.

The Chamba Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has also expressed concern over the exploitation of the green belt lying in the heart of 1,000-year old hill town of Chamba and has urged the DC for implementing the notified orders of the government in letter and in spirit.

Harish Chandra Sharma, district convener of the INTACH, rued that the Chowgan, which remained closed for public for about two years due to repair and regeneration works of ‘drub’ grass, was abruptly thrown open for commercial activities.

Redress grievances of public on priority: Ravi
Our Correspondent

Palampur, July 27
Ravinder Singh Ravi irrigation and public health minister today asked the officers of his department to redress the grievances of public on priority. He said under the e-complaints system the department was also receiving complaints of public through the e-grievances software. Assistant executive and superintending engineers of the department had been directed to speed-up the process and download the e-complaints daily for thier disposal of.

The minister while addressing the mediapersons here today said the state government was committed to provide safe drinking water to the people and added that had decided to install 2,000 handpumps in the drought prone areas during the current financial year.

He said the state government had also decided to simplify the rules for obtaining water connections on private land. He said as per the newly proposed guidelines, the landowner would have to submit only an affidavit instead of the certificate of Patwari.

The minister said farmers should be motivated to adopt modern irrigation, drip and sprinkler irrigation techniques.