The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

High alert sounded at temples, borders
Tribune Reporters

Shimla, July 28
The state police has sounded a high alert at all places of tourist interest, main temples and along inter-state borders, especially the Chamba areas, bordering militancy-infested Jammu and Kashmir.

All district police chiefs have been asked to take precautionary measures and spread the message among the public to be alert against movement of any suspicious persons or objects. High alert has been sounded along the inter-state borders with states like Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab and Uttrakhand.

The police is maintaining high alert and has beefed up security at all famous temple shrines like Jwalamukhi, Chintpurni, Chamunda and Kangra where people turn in large numbers. Special security arrangements have also been made at places where fairs and festivals are being held, including the famous Minjar fair at Chamba.

With Chamba sharing a 260 km boundary with Jammu and Kashmir, patrolling has been intensified along the borders with Doda and Bhaderwah areas. The Himachal Police, IRB forces along with ITPB personnel are undertaking combing operations along the borders. “We need to have high alert along the J and K border as the possibility of militants seeking safe haven in the Chamba areas cannot be ruled out,” said DGP Ashwini Kumar.

He said there needed to be greater alert along Chamba border because J and K could witness a spurt in militancy in view of ensuing assembly elections. The incident where some people from Chamba reported having seen armed men when they strayed into the Mandi Dhar area of Doda in J and K territory to collect herbs has also put the police on the alert.

Even though it is not certain whether the armed men who threatened the herb collectors were militants or not but the police alerted its J and K counterparts and intensified patrolling along the borders.

With the Minjar fair in Chamba being held these days, the police authorities in Chamba are taking extra precautions. In fact, the carnage in the Kalaban and Satrundi areas of Tissa when militants gunned down 35 persons in August, 1998 took place while the Minjar fair was being held.

SOLAN: A red alert has been sounded in the district following series of bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore. The police has stepped up its vigil with continuous watch being maintained all along the borders of Punjab and Haryana in the district.

The Solan SP said as a precautionary measure all inter-state escape routes sharing border with the adjoining Haryana and Punjab have been sealed. Further the SHOs have been directed to check all public places, including bus stands, hotels, buses and vehicles entering the state, to detect any anti-social elements.

An appeal has also been made to the public, especially the students and children, not to touch unclaimed bags, cycles, scooters, etc. as it could contain any explosive material. The SP has also appealed to the public that if any such unclaimed substance lying under suspicious circumstances is found, it should be reported immediately to the police.

NAHAN: A security alert has been sounded in Sirmour district, which shares its boundaries with Uttarakhand, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

While interacting with mediapersons here today, SP Sirmour J. P. Singh said the security had been beefed up in the boarder areas and night petrol been increased in the district. He said the police was continuously keeping a watch on the activities of outsiders in the district, and checking of suspected people was on.

Cong: BJP protests a ‘face-saving’ exercise
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 28
General secretary of the state Congress Kuldeep Rathore has termed the nationwide protests being staged by the BJP as a “face-saving’ exercise in the wake of the ignominy it suffered during the confidence vote in Parliament on the issue of nuclear deal.

He said here today that the poor response to the protest in the state was a clear indication that people were convinced that the drama enacted by three MP’s, who flaunted wads of currency notes in the Lok Sabha, was a stage-managed affair. The party knew that it did not have the numbers to defeat the motion even after joining hands with the Left parties and the BSP, and it enacted a drama to defame the UPA government, which passed the floor test with a comfortable margin.

He demanded that criminal cases should be registered against the three MP’s and proper inquiry be conducted to ascertain from where they got the money so that those behind the drama could be exposed and action taken against them.

He said with the UPA government no longer at the mercy of the Left, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could carry forward the agenda of economic reforms to speed up the pace of development.

Regarding the serial bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad he said the menace of terrorism had to be fought together, rising above the party lines. It was a matter of national security and protecting the integrity of the country. Petty politics should not be allowed to come in the way taking stern action against the inimical forces.

Govt exempts stamp duty, registration fee
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 28
The Himachal Government has decided to exempt stamp duty and registration fee on mortgage deeds for agriculture and horticulture loans up to Rs 10 lakh, approved a rate of Rs 5.25 for procurement of apple under market intervention and allot two mega hydroelectric projects to the highest bidders.

The decisions were taken by the State Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister P.K.Dhumal here today. The stamp duty and registration fees has been exempted on mortgage deeds to be executed with financial institutions, inducing gramin banks and private banks.

It approved allotment of Gondhla (144MW) and Yangthang (261MW) hydroelectric projects - Moser Byer India Limited and Gammon India Limited ,respectively, the highest upfront bidder for the two projects. However, the Cabinet decided to re-advertise the Bardang (114MW), Tandi (150MW) and Rashil (150MW) hydro electric projects.

It proposed construction of eight vital tunnels with aggregate length of 16.86 km at a cost of Rs 1,852.96 crore at different places in the state and pose these for funding to the 13th finance commission. The tunnels proposed include Rs 73.71 crore HIMFED petrol pump - IGMC, Shimla (860 metres), Rs. 100.62 crore lift to HIMFED petrol pump, Shimla, (1,140 metres), Rs. 297 crore Kainchi Mor to Mehla on Swarghat-Bilaspur bypass (1,750 metres), Rs. 35.57 crore Ranital-Kangra Road (270 metres), Rs. 200 crore Bagana to Dhaneta ( 2 km), Rs. 400 crore Karsehar to Telang (4 km): Rs. 246.56 crore Khara Patthar tunnel(2.840 km) and Rs 500 crore Holi to Utarala ( 4 km).

To help modernise the existing system of payment of stamp duty the Cabinet approved the 'H.P. Stamps Franking Impression Rules, 2008' for introduction of the system initially in 33 pilot offices. Sanction was accorded for filling of 282 posts of various categories in different departments.

It also approved the capacity increase in small hydroelectric projects with revised capacity not exceeding 25 MW in respect of the executors which have already deposited the upfront premium amount. Those allotted projects for execution earlier would be required to deposit the upfront premium on revised capacity basis in addition to free power.

It approved award of Rs 33.50 crore for undertaking the widening and strengthening of the 15.39 km Jahu-Kalkhar road and the the Memorandum of Association and Article of Association in respect of the new entity Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited. It also sanctioned one post of Director along with 30 other posts of different categories to man the newly created department of energy to oversee the hydro power generation activities in the state. It also decided to transfer government land measuring 130 hectares for the construction of Karchham-Wangtoo hydro electric project in district Kinnaur.

It granted benefits and allowances to members of the subordinate judiciary, including retired judicial officers, pensioners, based upon the Shetty Commission. Cabinet decided to consider applications of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers for land allotment in forest area under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

It decided to include winter sports under the existing provisions of reservation applicable to the outstanding sports persons in different sports and approved introduction of three additional trades of welder, plumber and electrician at ITI ,Una, from current academic session.

It decided to create a new PWD subdivision at Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi. It decided to offer appointment to 16 candidates as JBT against vacant posts on contract basis who have passed Teacher Training Course from St. Bede's College, Shimla and RTTI, Kullu.

Plea to resolve issue of Tibetans-in-exile
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, July 28
The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile has written to Presidents of the USA, European Council, France and Prime Ministers of Japan and Russia to take up the issue of Tibetans living in exile with the Chinese government.

In a letter, Tenzin Chodon, under secretary to the Tibetan parliament-in-exile said, “Tibet continues to remain under martial law. According to our information, China is planning a programme of harsh political repression in Tibet.”

“We continue to call upon the Chinese government to open Tibet to the world and address the grievances of the local people. China should stop making false allegations against the Dalai Lama. The dialogue between representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government do not seem to be leading to any solution in the past seven meeting,” he said.

“The Tibetan people neither ask separation nor larger economic share from China. Our sole objective is to retain the identity of Tibetan people and genuine autonomy for the three traditional regions of Tibet.” The parliament-in-exile has also requested the Independent media teams from West to visit Tibet to highlight the plight of people.

In the letter, parliament-in-exile has made their plea to leaders of the West and Japan. However, it has made no such request to Indian leaders.

Earlier, the Tibetan Youth Congress had also announced to intensify their agitation against the Beijing Olympics from today. The representatives of the Tibetan Youth Congress, in a press conference held here recently, announced that they would fast until death from today in Delhi to protest against the alleged atrocities of the Chinese government.

Action against pvt colleges sought
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 28
The Students Federation of India (SFI) today demanded that the private B.Ed colleges in the state should be directed to adhere to the authorised fee structure and provide regular faculty and infrastructure.

The SFI unit of Himachal Pradesh University submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor highlighting the illegal money tactics being adopted by the private B.Ed colleges. The SFI president, Surender Verma said the colleges were making the students pay more than what was mentioned in the prospectus.

He demanded a strict action against the colleges who were demanding more than the fee structure.

Workers allege non-payment of wages
Our Correspondent

Nahan, July 28
Suresh Kumar and Jeet Singh residents of Jablog village in Sangrah tehsil, in a written statement issued here, has alleged that they were not paid wages for the past six months by the Mid Himalayan Project under which they were engaged as nursery labourers for the past more than one year.

They said when they visited Dadahu range office of the project and demanded their salary they were paid only Rs 7,645 as wages and got fired from the job.

They alleged that the project had entered in a five-year agreement with Suresh Kumar, according to which he was assured a job of labourer for next five years in the nursery of the project grown on his land.

They said they started working in the nursery in April 2007, and were got their salaries up to January 2008, by the then range officer of the project.

The project officials could not be contacted despite efforts.

Lack of funds mars implementation of employment scheme
Our Correspondent

Solan, July 28
With the Union government failing to release the first instalment of Rs 127 crore for the much-hyped National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in time, this ambitious scheme has hit a roadblock at its very onset.

Though an interim fund of Rs 5 crore was provided to the state when the scheme was launched in April, with no further funds the Rural Development Department is facing flak for their inability to make payments.

This inordinate delay in release of funds has defeated the very purpose of this Centre-sponsored scheme that promises assured payment of work within specified time. While as per the scheme mandate if employment is not provided within 15 days of receipt of the application, daily unemployment allowance will be paid to the applicant. Though the department could provide the jobs, they failed to provide payments defeating the very mandate of the scheme.

Initially launched in four districts of Mandi, Kangra, Chamba and Sirmaur by the Union ministry of rural development funds to the tune of Rs 340 crore for the implementation of the scheme.

However, the scheme was launched in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Solan, Una, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and Shimla districts in April this year. The state was granted an interim fund of of Rs 5 crore to initiate the scheme with the direction that the state government should ensure its implementation through panchayati raj institutions and district rural development agencies without any delay.

As per the norms, the department decided to make the payments to each beneficiary through nationalised banks. Thousands of beneficiaries who had been given employment were now making repeated rounds of the banks to collect payments. As per the information about 2, 15,000 job cards had been issued and this ensured provision of at least 100 days employment to them in their respective panchayats. About 18,000 families had been issued job cards in Una, 57,000 in Hamirpur, 10,615 in Kinnaur, 14,375 in Bilaspur, 43,000 in Shimla, 21,000 in Solan, 46,381 in Kullu and 4,000 in Lauhal-Spiti.

As per the mandate, the Central government shall meet the cost towards the payment of wage that includes three-fourth of the material cost and certain percentage of administrative cost. State Government shall meet the cost towards unemployed allowance and one-fourth of material cost and administrative cost. The state government later submitted a demand of crores of rupees to the Union Rural Development Ministry after assessing their demand.

However, it was the delay in furnishing complete details, including total number of beneficiaries and man-days, which led to objections from the ministry. This delayed the first instalment of Rs 60 crore and hit a major roadblock to the scheme’s implementation.

Officials of the ministry, who confirmed the delay in receipt of funds, said they were likely to be received soon.

Himachal to be herbal hub of country
Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 28
Forest and environment minister J.P. Nadda said on Friday that each household would plant a medicinal plant on August 3 along with the Forest Department which would plant different species of medicinal plants in the 10 hectare area in 37 territorial divisions, turning the Jan Jan Sanjivni Abhiyan (JJSA)- 2008 into people’s movement. The effort is done to make Himachal as the herbal hub of the country.

Addressing a workshop to popularise the JJSA among stakeholders like NGOs, panchayat representatives and mahila mandal, he said, “Each household would plant one medicinal plant on their premises and nurture it with the assistance of the Forest Department.”

Nadda urged all schools, mahila mandals, NGOs and farmers to come forward to plant the medicinal plant suitable for their climatic zone. Some of the species of medicinal plants to be planted are harad, behera, amla, jamun, bel, alovera, muskbala, bara, daroo, taxus, ritha, deodar, kafal, imli.

People advocating breaking of Ram Setu criticised
Tribune News Service

Gasota (Hamirpur), July 28
Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal has criticised the people advocating the breaking of the Ram Setu in the country.

Addressing a religious congregation in the concluding ceremony of week-long Ram Katha at Gasota Mahadev temple on Saturday, Dhumal said, “There are people in the country who are advocating destruction of the Ram Setu and have even denounced the very existence of Lord Rama by filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India.”

He said, “Not only the people of the country believe that the breaking of the Ram Setu would hurt the felling of millions but even scientists warn such a step would lead to destruction and bigger calamity than Tsunami.”

Talking about immense value of Ram Katha for millions of Indians Dhumal said, “No one can read any book 10 times but people read and listen Ram Katha hundreds of time because of its moral values and ideals of Lord Rama.”

Poor attendance of docs irks patients
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, July 28
The poor attendance of doctors as well as specialists in the local civil hospital here on Friday hampered the smooth functioning of the health services being rendered by it.

The hospital caters to the needs of people of Nurpur, Jawali and Chuwari subdivisions. Patients faced a lot of inconvenience as five doctors were on leave and three were on deputation at the district hospital Chamba. Only two doctors, the hospital in-charge and the orthopedic surgeon were on day-time duty in the OPDs. The functioning of the OPDs remained crowded throughout the day.

The chief medical officer J.S.Chandel said the hospital had surplus doctors and the hospital management had managed the OPDs properly when there was poor strength of doctors on duty.

Plea to restore IT Commissioner office
Our Correspondent

Palampur, July 28
The Taxation Bar Association, Palampur, has urged union finance minister P. Chidambaram for the restoration of the office of commissioner of income tax appeals, which was abolished by the Income Tax Department in the year 2006, without assigning any specific reason.

The association hold its meeting which passed a resolution, which stated that there was complete justification to the office of CIT(A) at Palampur as there was adequate workload on it. The association said the office was covering the income tax appellate work of eight districts of the state which included Kangra, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kullu, Bilaspur and Lahaul Spiti. Since the closing of the office of CIT (A) the jurisdiction of all appellate cases had been attached with CIT (A), Solan, which was very inconvenient for the tax payers.

The association said the CBDT has assured that it would review its decision but till date nothing was done and the tax payers were facing a lot of problems in the disposal of their appeals.

Briefing the mediapersons Romesh Sood, president of the Bar Association said the northern region of the state contributed 60 per cent of the revenue of the tax to the state exchequer and still the tax payers were not getting justice.

Women’s panel urges for reconciliation of disputes
Our Correspondent

Chamba, July 28
The Himachal Pradesh State Commission for Women has underscored the need for reconciliation of disputes relating to women with mutual understanding so that smooth relationship between husband and wife and as well as each human being of society could be maintained and retained lifelong.

Addressing mediapersons here on Saturday, Krishna Tandon, chairperson of the commission, said the commission was committed for providing speedy justice to women and added that the commission had helped many women, making their life tension free thereby setting an example for society to lead an amicable life.

“The chief objective of the commission is to work for the welfare of women and minimising atrocities on afflicted women,” she said.

Tandon disclosed that since the inception of the commission in 1997 in the state, 3,122 cases pertaining to the disputes of women had been placed before the commission out of which 2,566 cases had been decided so far. Most of these cases belonged to disputes between husband and wife, dowry and atrocities on women; she added.

Referring to one of such cases of Shimla, Tandon said the commission had imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh. Similarly, in another case of a couple, who were living separately, the husband had agreed to pay ‘maintenance allowance’ of Rs 4,000 per month to his wife, she said.

She said in order to provide immediate help to the women, four helplines had been set up at Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala and Una in the first phase, which were being availed by the distressed women and the commission was promptly addressing their grievances. She said more helplines were proposed for other places of the state.

Speaking about Chamba, Tandon said 28 cases had been decided while in two cases detailed reports had been invited from the concerned departments for deciding these cases within the time frame of six months.

Tandon said the commission was also organising awareness camps in the length and breadth of the state to educate the masses about the Women Atrocities Act and the legal aid being provided by the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority; adding that the police was also helping to register the cases relating to atrocities on women on the directions of the commission.

ABVP holds protest
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 28
Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists today staged a demonstration against Islamic fundamentalist forces that were trying to create instability in the country.

The activists assembled outside the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) and burned the effigies of the fundamentalist outfits.

They said such divisive and communal forces would not be allowed to raise their heads in the secular country where people from various religions and cultures had been living in complete harmony.

Rana lauds role of NGOs
Our Correspondent

Nahan, July 28
P.S. Rana, chief information commissioner (CIC) of the state, said on Saturday that the state had taken lead in the north India in implementing the RTI Act in its letter and spirit. To demand information under the RTI, NGOs of the Paonta area have played a remarkable role. He was speaking in a meeting of the NGOs of Paonta subdivision at Paonta.

He said it was the example of public awareness about the RTI Act that till Saturday 5,300 requests under this Act were received in the state while only 170 were rejected.

He advised the representatives of NGOs present in the meeting to demand only that much information under this Act which is essential. He also appealed to people that if in any information they smell any kind of embezzlement or irregularity, a complaint must be lodged before the senior officer of the department.

The Paonta area NGOs were represented by Prof Santosh Kumar, president Sirmaur Vichar Manch; Subhodh Abbhi, founder of Jan Ekta Samiti; M.S. Kalra, secretary Upbhokta Sarankshan Samiti; representatives of Kalindi Residential Society and imminent citizens of Paonta submitted a memorandum to the CIC demanding reduction in the per page charges of information from Rs 10 to Rs 2 on Delhi pattern.

They also demanded that the essentiality to club postal order with application under the RTI should be waived off in the larger public interest. They also complained that some officers avoid giving information under this Act and generally took two three months to give even small information.

Rana promised that their memorandum would be forwarded to the government for appropriate action.

Kangra Clash
16 students bailed out
Our Correspondent

Kangra, July 28
As many as 16 students of Dr R.P. Government Medical College, Tanda, who were arrested in connection with rioting and arson, were bailed out by the court yesterday but 18 more were wanted in the case, the police said here today.

Kangra district police chief Atul Fulzele said the arrested students were produced in the court and as they had to give the examination today, the court bailed them out. He said the parents of the arrested students paid compensation for the loss to the shopkeeper.

The SSP said 18 more students, who were at run after the incident, were wanted in the case. He said the concerned SHOs of their residential areas have been informed to arrest them if they were hiding at their homes.

Parents of the students and local Beopar Mandal office-bearers held talks to defuse the situation in order to bridge the gap between the students and the locals.

The SSP said after the remaining 18 students were arrested, the challan would be produced before the court.

Exemption in house tax to continue
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 28
The local Municipal Corporation (MC) has deferred imposition of the House Tax in the recently merged special areas development authorities (SADA) of New Shimla, Totu and Dhalli till proper facilities are provided to residents.

The decision was taken at the monthly meeting of the House, here today. The two-year relaxation given by the government on imposition of the tax in these areas, which were merged into the MC, was to expire on August 1. The members decided that till proper roads, streetlights and other facilities are not created in the merged SADA, a House Tax would not be imposed.

The issue was discussed in light of the directives of the 13th Finance Commission that the municipal bodies will have to generate their own resources.

7 sites for disposal of debris
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 28
A seven-member committee, set up by the government to identify suitable sites for the scientific disposal of debris generated by the construction activities, has selected seven locations in and around the city. The sites that were identified by the panel are-- Shanan village, housing board colony, Sanjauli, MLA hostel, Tutikandi and two sites on the Tutu-Tardevi bypass.

Harinder Hira, principal secretary, environment, said these sites would have a capacity for 5 lakh cubic metre of debris and could be developed into utility areas and parking lots after their capacity was exhausted.

She said the Urban Development Department should take necessary steps in coordination with the local municipal corporation as well as the Town and the Country Planning Department for the utilisation of these sites on priority. The unregulated and unscientific disposal of the debris was causing damage to the environment.

The waste dumped on the slopes eventually found its way to into nullahs and streams, which got choked frequently. It also polluted the water sources in the downhill areas.

‘Lift ban on felling of trees on private land’
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, July 28
The Nurpur Kisan Vikas Sabha, led by its president Jagdeep Singh Samyal, today submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal through the local SDM.

It demanded that the ban on felling of trees on private land of the farmers should be lifted.

It asserted that such trees were directly linked to the economy of the farming community in lower Kangra district.

“The farmers here are financially backward and are totally dependent on rain,” it said.

The Sabha claimed that lifting the ban on felling of trees on private land would not affect the environment adversely.

While opposing the ‘Jan Jan Van Sanjivini’, the sabha said it was of no use. As the farmers were not allowed to fell trees, grown on their land, even for fulfilling their domestic needs.

The sabha warned to hold a demonstration from Gangath to Nurpur on August 18 if no action was taken by the state government.

Proposal to check trash menace
Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Larji (Mandi), July 28
Larji project engineers have come out with a solution to check trash menace faced by 126 Larji project in barrage here. They have proposed to lay Rs 1.5 crore fiber log booms in 60 m area across the intake tunnel to isolate the floating trash, saving the project from damage and regular shut downs.

Sources in the HP Board told The Tribune that the board had sent Rs 1.5 crore proposal to keep a check on the trash menace that had resulted into a loss of Rs 1 crore this year.

The engineers said “log booms” would be laid at the intake tunnel in over 60 m long area that would keep it afloat in water. The log booms will be attached to 3 m long net that will disallow the trash to enter into the intake tunnel, the engineers added.

Resident engineer Pankaj Kapur said the NHPC had tried the method of log booms in some of its projects successfully. They remain afloat in water checking the trash, including plastic bags, from entering the tunnel, he added. He said the trash would be then lifted by the hydraulic machine. The log booms once operative would keep the project running, Kapur added.

The project engineers said the project was shut down when the inflow of trash into the intake tunnel increased. “The trash affected the water cooling system of the project for which the project needed to be shut down to clean the system,” they explained.