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State opens doors for Kashmiri migrants
VHP dharna fails to evoke much response
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Students’ Body Poll
Govt mulls ropeway to Chamunda temple
Projects to generate employment
Probe likely into Khauli project cost
Tibetan leader told not to leave Dharamsala
Construction of toilets at checkpost stayed
PIOs responsible for giving RTI info on time: Farka
Solan to have wayside amenities
Vends causing revenue loss to govt
Hotel occupancy declines
Film with local star cast
VC promises to concede genuine demands
WB willing to help state
Medical representatives hold protest
Proclaimed offender held
Temple looted
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State opens doors for Kashmiri migrants
Shimla, August 21 Kashmiri migrants, some of whom have been residing in various parts of Kangra district for the past almost 15 years, had been pleading to the government that they should be allowed to purchase land in view of the militancy problem in Jammu and Kashmir. The 15 persons to whom the government has granted permission for the purchase of land in Kangra had been residing there for the past over 10 years. Revenue and PWD minister Thakur Gulab Singh said the decision to permit Kashmiri migrants to purchase land in Himachal had been taken solely on humanitarian grounds. “In view of the difficult situation arising due to the outbreak of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, we have taken a compassionate view of the hardships being faced by Kashmiri migrants,” he said. The minister, however, added that the government would be very strict in granting these permissions and these would be given only after proper verification of the person concerned from the Jammu and Kashmir authorities. The 15 cases in which permission had been granted for the purchase of land between four to six biswas, applications had been pending with the government for the past quite some time. In view of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972, people from outside the state cannot purchase land without permission. The permission is granted by the Cabinet and in select cases. Only about 300 to 500 sq m of land can be bought depending on whether it is required for residential or commercial need. A large number of migrants, mostly Kashmiri Pundits, have relocated in Kangra district ever since the outbreak of militancy in the Valley. Most of them have set up business and shifted their families to Himachal in view of the problem back home. With a lot of cultural similarity and geographical closeness, people of Jammu and Kashmir prefer to live in the Kangra area. Many such migrants are already residing in Dharamsala, Kangra, Baijnath, Palampur and other areas. |
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VHP dharna fails to evoke much response
Dharamsala, August 21 The absence of BJP workers from the dharna today had local VHP leaders peeved. Many of them while speaking on condition of anonymity alleged that they would take up the matter of non-cooperation by the BJP with the party high command. The VHP managed just about 100 protesters from all over the district in its dharna organised at the local mini secretariat today morning. The VHP leaders sat in dharna for about two hours before the mini secretariat and raised slogans against the union government and Jamm and Kashmir administration for failing to restore land to the Amarnath Shrine Board. Thereafter about 25 activists of the VHP were detained by the local police and released later. The failure of VHP protest programme at Dharamsala assumes significance in view of the fact that the state president of the organisation Vishunu Dutt Sharma was here yesterday and had expressed the hope that their agitation would receive tremendous response in Dharamsala in view of fact that 12 of 16 MLAs from the district are from the BJP. The VHP activists despite being few in numbers today resolved to continue their agitation till the land was restored to Amarnath Shrine Board. Nurpur: Hundreds of protesters of the local Amarnath Shrine Committee, along with members of different Hindu organisations, staged a demonstration against the government’s decision of taking back land from the Amarnath Shrine Board in Jammu and Kashmir. The protesters raised slogans against the government and took out a procession. They held a rally at the main bazaar junction, which was addressed by state BJP secretary Rajiv Bhardwaj. They also tried to court arrest, but could not succeed. No activist was arrested by the police. Later, the committee submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the local administration and demanded immediate restoration of the land to the Board. They warned to continue the agitation in support of the Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh
Samiti. |
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150 BJP workers court arrest
Nahan, August 21 Over 300 BJP and VHP workers throng from different parts of the district took out a protest march in Nahan and sat on dharna in front of the DC office. While addressing the protesters Sukh Ram Chowdhary, a MLA, Baldev Bhandari, the BJP president and other speakers ragged the Congress and the UPA Government for “creating unrest in J & K and hurting sentiments of the Hindus just to win over minorities under preplanned vote politics, which was unfortunate for the country”. Courted arrested the BJP leaders were later released by the police this afternoon. |
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Students’ Body Poll
Shimla, August 21 The ABVP once again failed to gain control over the prestigious SCA of the HPU as it was able to win only one seat. Daleep Negi of the ABVP won the seat of the vice-president. The posts of president, secretary and joint secretary were won by SFI candidates, Shikha Chauhan, Virender Singh and Surinder Kumar. With 73 per cent polling in HPU, a total of 1,882 out of 2,574 students cast their votes. SFI candidates also won 18 seats of department representatives (DR) in HPU with the ABVP winning 11 seats, NSUI two and Independents six. The student body elections in the district remained peaceful. There were no reports of any clash or violence from anywhere. A total of 1,700 candidates were in the fray for 340 posts in various colleges all over the state. In Shimla, the SFI won all four seats in Rajkiya Kanya Mahavidyalaya (RKMV) and Theog, two seats in Sanjauli College and one seat in Kot Shera. The ABVP won all four seats in Rampur, Reckong Peo and Sunni colleges, three seats each in Kot Shera and Nerwa colleges, two in Sanjauli college, one in Saraswatinagar College, Sawra. The NSUI was able to win all four seats in Seema College, Rohru, Kullu, Ghumarwin and three seats in Saraswatinagar, Sawra, in district Shimla. In Bilaspur college, the Bilaspur Students Association (BSA) won all four seats causing a major upset to the ABVP. Despite ABVP’s poor performance in HPU, it did well in many colleges. It claimed that its candidates had won all four seats in Bilaspur, Jukhala, Naina Devi, Jhandauta, Thural, Gautam Girls College, Hamirpur, Pangi, Salooni, Deen Dayal Upadhyay College, Badsar, Chintpurni, Rewalsar, Rajpura, Naura, Nerwa and Sunni. CHAMBA: The following were declared elected in the SCA elections at government postgraduate college, Chamba: president - Nishant Sharma (ABVP); vice-president - Rahul Bhushan (ABVP); secretary - Baboo Ram (NSUI); and joint secretary - Azhar Ali (NSUI). DALHOUSIE: The ABVP won all four SCA seats at Banikhet DAV degree college. The result was: president - Neel Kumar; vice-president - Amit Kumar; secretary - Parvesh Kumar; and joint secretary - Sayra Bannu. The result at Chowari college was: president - Rajiv Kumar (SFI); vice-president - Avni Garg (NSUI); secretary - Rohil Sharma (SFI); and joint secretary - Sandeep Kumar (NSUI). KANGRA: Sheetal Choudary and Neerja Sharma of the SFI were elected general secretary and joint secretary in the SCA elections at MCM DAV College here. Manuj Trehan and Sahil Choudary of the ABVP were declared elected uncontested. At government degree college, Nagrota Bagwan, ABVP candidates Vipan, Vishal Choudary, Payal Katoch and Kamni were elected president, vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary, respectively. At government college, Shahpur, the ABVP won three seats while the Students Force Five Hundred (SFFH) bagged one seat. The winners included Vineeta Devi and Anjali of the ABVP and Nandnandan of the SFFH. At government college, Jawalamukhi, Neeraj Kumar and Rajeev Kumar of the Hindustan Vidiarthi Sena (HVS) were elected president and joint secretary, respectively; and Anu Bala and Sandeep Singh of the NSUI were elected vice-president and general secretary, respectively. Bharat Bushan, Sulekha Devi, Sheevali and Kuldeep Chand of the NSUI were elected president, vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary, respectively, at Chander Dhar Degree College, Haripur. Ankush Dadwal and Vijay Kumar of the NSUI were elected president and joint secretary, while Reena Kumari and Kuldeep Singh of the NSUI were declared elected unopposed to the posts of vice-president and general secretary at Anant Ram SD College, Badorh. MANDI: The ABVP almost swept the SCA elections in five degree colleges here. Its candidates won three seats in Sundnernagar college and two seats each in other two degree colleges in the district. The SFI was wiped out, while the NSUI, which won three seats each in Paddar and Sarkaghat colleges, came second. The ABVP swept the election in Mandi postgraduate college. It won all four seats. The winners were: Anupma Guleria (president), Surinder Sharma(vice-president), Rohit (general secretary) and Nijesh Kumar (joint secretary). The ABVP also routed the NSUI in colleges at Dharampur, Lambathatch, Karsog and Riwalsar, wining all four posts. The ABVP won the post of joint secretary at Sarkaghat and that of the vice-president at Paddar. The ABVP and NSUI won two seats each at Jogindernagar college. The ABVP won two seats at Bassa college, while the posts of vice-president and joint secretary went to the Bassa Students Union. The ABVP won three seats at MLSM Sundernagar College, while the seat of the president went to an Independent candidate. NURPUR: The Azad Chhatar Sangh (ACS) made a hat trick in the SCA elections for the third consecutive year in Arya Government College here. In a triangular fight, the ACS swept three of the four posts in the college elections. Sham Singh, Amit Dhiman and Rajivinder Kaur of the ACS won the posts of the president, the vice-president and the general secretary, respectively, whereas Praveen of the ABVP was elected joint secretary. The ACS also won three of the four class representatives’ posts. At Government College, Indora, the ABVP panel swept election in a direct contest with the NSUI. Prashant Katoch, Ravi Kumar, Aman Joshi and Anisha Devi of the ABVP were elected president, vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary, respectively. SUNDERNAGAR: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad won three seats in Students Central Association of Maharaj Laxman Sen Memorial Degree College, Sundernagar. One seat was won by an independent candidate who was stated to be a rival of the ABVP and afterwards backed by the Azad Chhaater Saganthan. Latesh Rana was declared as president (independent) who defeated Lalit (ABVP) by one vote. Rest of the three seats were won by the ABVP. Rakesh Chauhan (ABVP) was declared elected for the post of vice- president, Ritu Sharma (ABVP) as general secretary and Yash Pal(ABVP) as joint secretary. In Govt Degree College, Basa, the ABVP won two seats, Dharminder as president and Jamna Kumri as general secretary. In Lamba Thach Degree College all seats were won by the ABVP. At Govt College, Padhar (Narla) the ABVP won one seat of vice- president and rest of three seats were won by
NSUI. |
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NSUI sweeps poll in Solan
Solan, August 21 The following office-bearers have been elected to the local degree college’s student body: president - Nitin Sharma; and vice-president - Mohit Thakur; general secretary - Lata Thakur; and joint secretary - Dilawar Singh. In Arki College, ABVP’s Punam Sharma, Priti Gautam and Gopal Dass were elected the president, vice -president and general secretary, respectively, while SFI’s Punam was elected the joint secretary. Similarly, at Subathu College, NSUI candidates Rajni and Punam Devi were elected president and vice-president, respectively, while ABVP’s Rohit Verma and Govind Ram were elected the general secretary and joint secretary, respectively. No elections could take place at the Nalagarh College following rejection of the nomination papers of majority of the candidates. |
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NSUI takes regional centre
Dharamsala, August 21 In the regional centre of the Himachal Pradesh University here all NSUI leaders, including Shekhar, won as president, Rashmi Bali as vice-president, Vinmay Shivani as general secretary and Avinash as joint secretary. In the government college, Dharamsala, all ABVP candidates, including Rajesh Chauhan, won as president, Hem Lata as vice-president, Naveen Singh as general secretary and Janni Thakur as joint secretary. |
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Govt mulls ropeway to Chamunda temple
Shimla, August 21 This was stated by Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal while presiding over a meeting of the temple committee here today. “Himani Chamunda happens to be one of the prominent shrines where people have to walk over 14 km to offer prayers at the temple. The setting up of a ropeway will be of great help to them,” he said. He said the government had formulated a plan to construct a trekking route connecting the Chamunda shrine as adventure tourists fond of mountaineering would want to walk up. “A temple committee has been constituted with a view to give suggestions for managing the temple affairs effectively and create more facilities for the pilgrims,” he said. He said a large number of temples were under the direct control of the government through various temple trusts created by respective district administrations. The government would not take over any shrine unless it was in the interest of the shrine, devotees and the people of the area, he said. Dhumal said the government had de-notified many of the temples that had been notified by the previous regime. “It will be our endeavour to keep the temple management with the local committees where proper services are being provided to the pilgrims and the local people,” he said. He said taking lessons from the Naina Devi mishap, the government would take precautionary measures to ensure that such incidents did not happen again. Strict vigil would be maintained at temples to keep an eye on suspicious elements, he added. |
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Projects to generate employment
Shimla, August 21 Stating this forest minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said main focus of the government was on the employment generation and this should be kept in view while framing schemes. He said the proposed projects would benefit about 40,000 unemployed youth of the state. He said the Agriculture Department should also focus upon strengthening organic farming, which could provide long-term benefits to the farmers. The forest minister said there was also a need to focus on rainwater harvesting and soil conservation and the department had prepared a project for the purpose, which was being posed funding to the Government of India. He said that rationalisation and simplification of the agriculture insurance scheme was essential so that the farmers could take advantage of it. Marketing system had to be strengthened to ensure remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce and adequate arrangements for cold storages should also be made. Irrigation and public health minister Ravinder Singh Ravi stressed the need for formulating the irrigation schemes. He asked the department to conduct awareness camps regularly to educate the farmers about various schemes of the state government. Heath minister Rajiv Bindal said the farmers should be motivated to diversify from the traditional agriculture and grew herbal plants to get better returns. |
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Probe likely into Khauli project cost
Shimla, August 21 The commission was forced to carry out its own investigations to determine the reasonable cost after the Board filed a cost of Rs 146 crore for determining the tariff, the highest ever for any major project in the state. If the tariff is determined on its basis, the generation cost will be Rs 7.23 per unit, almost double the average sale price of Rs 3.68 per unit. The cost of the project works out to over Rs 12 crore per MW as against the average cost of Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore per MW. The commission has made it clear that consumers cannot be penalised for the inefficiency and incompetence of the Board. The high cost will not be passed to the consumers. The tariff will be determined on the basis of reasonable cost to be ascertained through an independent investigation. The Board had opposed the tariff of Rs 2.87 per unit for small hydro projects executed in private sector. In case of the 16-MW Patikari project, executed in the private sector, it has signed a power purchase agreement for buying electricity at Rs 2.25 per unit. This is the second instance when the commission has been forced to order an inquiry to determine the reasonable cost of the project. Earlier, the inquiry instituted in case of the 126- MW Larji project. |
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Tibetan leader told not to leave Dharamsala
Dharamsala, August 21 The step reportedly aims at ensuring that he does not cross over to China to protest against the holding of Olympics there. Earlier this month, Tsundue, who is also the general secretary of the Friends of Tibet, a Mumbai-based organisation, was arrested by the Mandi police on the charge that he was trying to cross over to Tibet. He was handed over to the Kangra police on August 13. It is not for the first time that Tsundue’s movement has been restrained. In January, 2002, he climbed to the 14th floor of Oberoi tower in Mumbai and unfurled a banner that read ‘Free Tibet’ while China’s premier Zhu Rongji was addressing a conference of Indian businessmen there. The event was reported in the international media. |
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Construction of toilets at checkpost stayed
Mandi, August 21 The check post was demolished illegally by the Pardhan gram panchayat, Chail Chowk, in connivance of the local administration. Issuing the order on August 19, Mandi divisional commissioner took the cognisance of the letter received from additional chief secretary (forests) Avay Shukla and directed the Mandi DC to stay the work on the construction of the toilets at the demolished check post and maintained the status quo till September 5. In his letter to the commissioner on April 13, Shukla said the demolition of the check post was illegal and penal action should be taken against the officials and the panchayat involved in its demolition under the provision of the Forest Conservation Act and other Acts. Forest minister J.P. Nadda said the matter would be resolved between the forests and the Revenue Departments soon, but the Pardhan panchayat and the local administration allegedly had crossed the limits of law and carried out the construction of the Sulabh Shauchlaya at the demolished check post. Though Mandi DC Onkar Sharma was on a tour to the USA, Mandi ADC D.P. Verma said the work was stopped and the compliance report was received. The matter would be resolved after the DC joined the duty here next week, he added. |
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PIOs responsible for giving RTI info on time: Farka
Mandi, August 21 Addressing the public information officers and assistant public information officers in a day-long training programme organised by the HIPA, Shimla here today, Farka said all officers should strictly adhere to provisions of the Act and give information to the applicants in the prescribed period. He warned that the PIOs are not acting according to the provisions of the Act and they could be penalised for it. The RTI is being implemented in the state to ensure transparency and accountability in governance and the Act enables all citizens of the state to seek any type of information which reflects public interest, he added. |
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Solan to have wayside amenities
Shimla, August 21 Stating this here today, Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal said all tourists visiting Shimla, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti come to Solan. “A plan has been formulated for erecting a massive gateway to Himachal at Parwanoo. An amount of Rs 25 lakh would be spent on putting up sign boards so that the tourists can get proper information,” he said. He said the first instalment of Rs 3.36 crore had already been received from the Union Ministry of Tourism to execute the ‘Solan Tourist Circuit’ project, which included construction of Rs 1 crore tourist reception centre at Kiarighat, besides constructing a multi-storied parking area at a cost of Rs 75 lakh. He added that similar facilities would be created at Kasauli. Dhumal said the four-laning of the Kalka-Shimla road would help regulate the flow of traffic on this route. “Efforts are on to construct tunnels to shorten the distances and make the journey more enjoyable and comfortable,” he said. |
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Vends causing revenue loss to govt
Solan, August 21 The sub-vends were initially allotted along inter-state borders to check the revenue loss within an area of 1 km. All new vends would have fetched a licence fee ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh while the sub-vend was available for a mere 5 per cent fee. This provision has been exploited to the hilt causing the revenue loss to the government and the procedure was fraught with violations. A vend has been opened at Kather village here despite stiff opposition of mahila mandals. Press secretary of Sarv Kalyan Samiti M.L.Parihar while opposing this vend said the panchayat pradhan had moved no such resolution. Liberal attitude of the department was clear when even the licence fee was deposited after days of opening the vend though as per the norms it is supposed to be deposited prior to its initiation. Commissioner excise R.D.Dhiman when contacted said the matter would be inquired into and if any official was found guilty accountability would be fixed. |
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Hotel occupancy declines
Shimla, August 21 A review of the performance of the state tourism development corporation till July this year has revealed that occupancy in its hotels has declined by 8 per cent. Managing director of the corporation Ram Subhag Singh said besides early onset of the monsoon, Gujjar stir in Rajasthan and serial blasts in Gujarat and some other states affected the tourist flow to the hill state. A large number of bookings were cancelled during peak season because these unfavourable developments. As a result, there had been a decline in occupancy in Dharmasala, Jawalaji, Hamirpur, Paonta, Parwanoo and Jogindernagar. However, the units of the corporation at Chail, Shimla and Chandigarh had still done well and achieved the financial targets. The corporation would introduce Panchkarma treatment packages at hotel Chail Palace and Club House, Dharamsala, by the end of September. It also proposed to change the uniform of waiters and catering staff to give a new look by replacing the tie with “bandgala” shirts. The field staff has been directed to attend complaints of tourists promptly. It has been decided to monitor the action taken on complaints after every three months at the level of the corporate office. |
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Film with local star cast
Shimla, August 21 The film is being directed by Umesh Kant and will be dubbed in English. It will be released simultaneously in the USA and England. Umesh Kant said the hill state had given many famous actors to Bollywood and his effort was to provide an opportunity to the emerging talent. The team will conduct auditions on August
22 at City Heart hotel, Mall road. |
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VC promises to concede genuine demands
Solan, August 21 The vice-chancellor, while addressing the employees on the occasion, said he would pursue all their genuine demands. But the government procedures took time and they should bear any delay with patience. He said he had already taken up the issue of filling vacant posts of the university at various levels with the government and the matter was under consideration. |
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WB willing to help state
Shimla, August 21 It will also explore the possibility of funding projects to upgrade the urban transportation system. It would also increase assistance for integrated management of catchment areas and river basin planning. A team of the bank, headed by Salman Zahir, manager, energy development (South East Asia), had discussions with Chief Minister P. K. Dhumal in this regard here today. He said the state was keen to associate World Bank with its hydropower generation plan and explore the possibilities of cooperation in other sectors also. |
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Medical representatives hold protest
Kangra, August 21 They protested against the price rise and demanded implementation of the labour laws, particularly in respect of minimum wages. Employees of the insurance companies and banks joined the protest to stress their demands. |
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Proclaimed offender held
Dharamsala, August 21 In a press note issued here yesterday, the SP, Dharamsala, said a criminal case of fraud was registered against the accused at the Janakpuri police station in Delhi on February 7, 2003. They had been absconding since then. Pardeep was arrested near Palampur hospital following a tip-off. He used to ply taxi in the area. Information regarding his arrest had been sent to the Delhi police, the SP said. |
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Temple looted
Kumarhatti, August 21 According to Kumbh Giri, the temple priest, the robbers struck at around 1 am. They took temple’s key from the priest. The priest informed villagers about the incidence. The police was informed. |
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