The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

57 villagers down with food poisoning
Our Correspondent

Kangra, October 5
Fifty-seven residents of Sunnhi village in this subdivision were taken ill after consuming food at a marriage party. Forty-two of them were admitted to the emergency ward of Dr RP Government Medical College, Tanda, this morning.

These persons had participated in a feast at the residence of Ghian Chand on October 3 in the evening. During the night, they developed symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea. They were taken to local dispensaries.

MLA from Nagrota Bagwan G.S. Bali has alleged that the district administration did not take the incident seriously, resulting in deterioration of the condition of most of them.

He alleged he had communicated about the incident to the DC yesterday, but no action was taken. He said it was on his request this morning that the Tanda hospital authorities sent ambulances to Sunnhi and 42 patients were shifted to that hospital.

Medical superintendent of the hospital Bhano Awsathi said the patients admitted to the hospital included 11 children.

Patients were responding well to the treatment, he said. Around 20 doctors had been deputed to look after these patients, he said.

This was the second incident of food poisoning in the Nagrota Bagwan area during the past four days. On October 1, 60 residents of Kulthi village had taken ill due to food poisoning.

Irate farmers stop CM’s cavalcade
Rajiv Mahajan

Nurpur, October 5
Up in arms against the slow progress in the revival of three defunct tube wells in Gangath assembly constituency in this subdivision the irate farmers yesterday stopped the cavalcade of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal near Kathgar where he had to lay the foundation of a private university.

The farmers reportedly apprised the CM about three defunct tube wells nos. 23, 37 and 39 for the past over seven years. They pleaded that their fields were being deprived of irrigation facility due to outlived tube wells. The CM immediately took action and directed the Irrigation-cum-Public Health (IPH) Department to ensure revival of tube wells at the earliest.

Inquiries revealed that these tube wells had been sunk in 1978 by the then Shanta Kumar government under the Indo German project at Churpur, Indora and Indpur (Thath) and were irrigating over 70 hectares of agriculture land in the area.

In this connection R.K. Mahajan, executive engineer, IPH, Indora division, informed that Rs 70 lakh had been sanctioned by NABARD last year. “A detailed project report for rejuvenating these tube wells was also prepared and the department is awaiting administrative approval for the project from the state government,” he added.

Govt in the dock over Jakhu ropeway
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5
The state government is in the dock for allowing the construction of the Jakhu ropeway without environment clearance. The disastrous consequences of the project that included a massive landslide at the base station site posing threat to the lives and properties of the local people could have been avoided if due process for granting various clearances had been followed.

A number of deodar trees have been uprooted to clear the way for the construction of the base station. Local residents are demanding action against the private company executing the project for violating environmental norms. The structures which are under threat include three hotels and some residential buildings. All this has happened as there is no environment management plan (EMP) to take care of the issues like slope stability, muck disposal and likely damage to flora and fauna.

As per sub-rule (3) of rule 5 under the Environment Protection Act, environmental clearance is mandatory for all ropeway projects that figure in category “B” of the schedule. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority is competent to grant clearance for the projects placed in category “B” in general. However, if the project is in the vicinity of a protected wildlife area, the case goes to the central authority.

Under the laid down process, an environment impact assessment (EIA) report is prepared to bring out potential environmental impacts. On its basis, a public hearing is conducted to address the concerns of the local people while framing the environment management plan (EMP). A public hearing is conducted under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner concerned or his nominee, not less than the rank of additional district magistrate. Necessary restrictions are imposed in the EMP to ensure that the project is implemented without damaging the environment or harming the interests of the local people.

In this case, no such exercise was carried out. Environment clearance is invariably granted after the clearance from the Forest Department. While the forest clearance was granted for the project and Jagson Airlines, which is executing the project, was permitted to fell 31 trees, no environment impact assessment report or environment management plan was prepared as the environment clearance was not obtained.

The principal secretary (environment) has ordered the stopping of the work and the company has been directed to take up some remedial measures to contain the damage.

Hamirpur set to have its first hydel project
Dharam Prakash Gupta
Tribune News Service

Hamirpur, October 5
The state government has cleared the Dhola-Sidh hydel project and entrusted the survey and investigation work to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). This would be the first hydel project to be set up in Hamirpur district.

The nigam has initiated the process to select consultants for carrying the investigation and survey work for updating the feasibility report. The survey is likely to be completed by March 31 after which actual work on the project (around 40 MW) would begin. The project would cost around Rs 300 crore.

The BJP government had initiated the project during its previous term in 1999.

The project would be established on the Beas at Dhola-Sidh, near Nadaun.

Principal secretary Ajay Mittal confirmed the clearance of the project.

Chairman-cum-CMD of SJVN H.K. Sharma said, “We are in the process of updating the feasibility report for which we are hiring consultants. The actual work on the project will begin after the signing of an agreement with the state government.”

Virbhadra strongest candidate from Mandi: HPCC chief
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 5
The former Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh, seems to be evolving a strong Congress candidate from the Mandi constituency in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The indication to this affect was given by Thakur Kaul Singh, the HPCC president, while addressing a press conference here yesterday.

He said Virbhadra was the strongest possible candidate from the Mandi parliamentary constituency. Interestingly, Virbhadra Singh had already announced that he was ready to contest from Mandi.

About grease scam Kaul Singh Thakur said the BJP was misusing the case to defame him. The BJP has nothing to do with the grease scam. It was detected during the Congress regime and I had ordered a vigilance inquiry into the case. Some of the officers of the department were suspended in the case during the Congress regime.

Kaul Singh also indicated that the Congress would make the abolition of administrative tribunal as an election issue. He said the BJP had gone back on its election promise by abolishing the administrative tribunal. In its election manifesto the BJP had promised strengthening of tribunal by installing its permanent Benches at Dharamsala and Mandi. However, after coming to power the government has abolished it. He also alleged that the most of the development works being inaugurated by the BJP ministers were started by the Congress under the aegis of the union government.

N-deal biggest diplomatic triumph: Anand Sharma
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5
Union minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma today said the NSG waiver for supply of nuclear material had established credentials of the country as a nuclear power and emerging economic power in the comity of nations. He said the step would have far-reaching consequences in the new world order. It was the biggest diplomatic triumph for the country for which the government had worked very hard.

Addressing a press conference, he said relentless efforts put in by the UPA, which put its government on stake for the nuclear deal, had finally ended the country’s nuclear isolation and opened new vistas for economic cooperation, particularly in the field of nuclear commerce.

The entire nuclear suppliers group supported India, but opposition came from within the country. The answers to the issues raised by the BJP and the CPM were provided by the pamphlet circulated by Pakistan, which alleged that India was being given favoured treatment by ending its nuclear isolation without signing the NPT or the CTBT.

He said there was nothing against the interest of the country and the only commitment made was that it would abide by the unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests imposed by the NDA regime.

The agreement with France had been singed and the pact to be entered with Russia had been finalised and likely to be inked shortly. It would be followed by agreements with the UK, the USA and other countries, he added.

He said there had been no change in the attitude of the UPA regime towards the state after installation of the BJP government and it was being provided the same generous support as earlier. Out of the 30 proposed central universities, one was being set up in Himachal. Similarly, of the seven IITs, one would be established at Mandi. A medical institution on the pattern of AIIMS was also proposed to be set up in the state.

He said 6,000 college of excellence and 10,000 polytechnics were being set up to meet the global shortage of qualified and skilled manpower. Simultaneously, efforts were being made to strengthen the basic infrastructure in rural areas through programmes like the Bharat Nirman Yojna.

Stresses timely completion of projects
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5
Union minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma has stressed the need for timely completion of all ongoing works and submission of utilisation certificates under the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) Schemes.

Reviewing the progress of the works at a meeting here today he said so far Rs 7 crore were received and a total of 245 works were approved under this scheme and Rs 624.69 lakh had been sanctioned. However, so far utilisation certificates of only 67 works worth Rs 154.54 lakh had been received from the executing agencies.

He said to get more funds under the scheme for speedy development, timely submission of utilisation certificate was essential. He directed the concerned district magistrates and executing agencies to complete the works at the earliest.

The union minister said it was a matter of concern that 178 works were pending with the executive agencies and as per reports 41 works were not started due to land dispute, non-availability of land and delay in signing of agreement with the panchayats.

He said 137 works were in progress at different stages and some of these have been completed, but the utilisation certificates were still awaited. Sharma said adequate money would be given for upgrading Shimla’s Municipal Corporation laboratory.

Power men oppose move on pension trust
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5
The State Electricity Board Employees Union has opposed the proposed move to set up a pension fund trust, terming it as a ploy of the board management to get rid of its responsibility of disbursing pension.

It said once the trust was set up, the board would have no role in the payment of pensions for which huge funds would be required over the next couple of years. The Regulatory Commission had allowed only Rs 40 crore for the payment of pension, which was insufficient to make payment to 1,100 pensioners. The liability was to increase by Rs 20 crore annually. After the pay revision, the annual burden would have gone over Rs 200 crore. In other words, the board should have at least a reserve of Rs 1,000 crore for the purpose.

The union said the unilateral decision to start a trust with a paltry amount Rs 40 crore would undermine the interests of the retired employees. General secretary of the union Deep Chand Bhardwal said the trust should have a fund of Rs 1,000 crore and the government should give a counter-guarantee for regular disbursement of pension.

UPA failed to curb terrorism: BJP
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5
Setting the agenda for the ensuing Lok Sabha poll the state BJP today targeted the UPA regime for its failure to curb terrorism, hold the price line and rampant corruption and patted the Dhumal government on its back for various achievements on the development front.

It also took stock of the situation arising due to heavy damage caused by heavy rains and urged the UPA government to the given special financial assistance of Rs 1,589 crore to the state for carrying out relief and resonation works.

The political resolution adopted at the meeting of the state executive held here today blamed the wrong economic policies of the Centre for rising inflation which had touched 12 per cent and is showing no declining signs. The prices have been rising despite a good monsoon and high farm production. The party decided to launch a campaign to apprise the people of the failure of the UPA on the price front.

It accused the UPA of begin soft on terrorism and said that the policy of appeasement being followed by it was encouraging anti-national elements. The country was in the grip of terrorists, Naxalwadis and other disruptive forces, but the Centre was not allowing states like Gujarat and Rajasthan to enact stringent anti-terror laws.

The party took notice of the devastation caused by rains, which damaged public and private property to the tune of Rs 2,076 crore. It placed on record the excellent work carried by the Dhumal government in carrying out relief and restoration works. It lamented that the Congress had not provided due support to the state in dealing with the natural calamity and pointed out that it was nothing new as it adopted similar negative attitude during the Kargil conflict.

The party appreciated the achievements of the Dhumal government in securing three IRBs and two new national highways from the Centre and obtaining approval in principle for the Jogendernagar-Manali-Leh rail track.

Besides, P.K. Dhumal and Shanta Kumar, the meeting was also attended by regional secretary (organisation) Manohar Lal, in charge of party affairs Satya Pal Jain and his deputy O.P. Dhankar.

Congress opens doors for all
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5
Adopting the policy of “look ahead” to gear up the party, the Congress today took a conscious decision not to delve deep into the reasons for its defeat in the Assembly election in the state. It instead opened the doors for all those who wanted to join the party unconditionally.

The first meeting of the general house of the party after Kaul Singh’s appointment as the state party chief was a routine affair and there were no fireworks. It was made clear by senior leaders that a post-mortem of the poll debacle will not serve any purpose and only fuel the blame game to create division which the party could ill-affords on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections.

There was no specific announcement regarding any prominent BJP leader joining the party, but Kaul Singh said anyone who wanted to enter the party without any conditions would be welcome.

Party supreme Virbhadra Singh and former PCC chief Viplove Thakur were conspicuous by their absence.

Kaul Singh reiterated that the party would stand by PTA teachers and oppose the decision to abolish the administrative tribunal. It would also expose the failure of the BJP regime on various fronts.

Minster for external affairs Anand Sharma called upon the party workers to highlight achievements of the UPA government.

ADB offers $90m for tourism
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has proposed to provide over $ 90 million for raising tourism-related infrastructure in the state.

This was stated by Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal after a meeting with a five-member team of the bank here today. The ADB team, led by Michael Green, had returned to the state capital after assessing potential for investment on tourism projects in eight districts of the state.

Himachal was one of the six states the bank had selected for funding and had prepared a detailed roadmap for tourism infrastructure development in the country. The bank had identified various tourism circuits and other allied activities and it intended to create and enhance institutional and regulatory framework useful for promotion of environmentally and culturally sustainable, socially inclusive and financially viable tourism.

During the preceding calendar year, over 92 lakh tourists visited the state, which was more than the total population of the state, Dhumal said. Over 57.5 lakh tourists have visited the state by June this year. The bank had agreed in principle to fund tourism infrastructure projects, restoration and conservation of heritage properties and community development projects.

Secretary (tourism) Manisha Nanda said the ADB team had visited around 60 different sites in eight districts of the state during August, September and October this year, identifying potential for development of tourism destinations with the involvement of local people.

ADB team leader Michael Green explained the tourism infrastructures development plan for the state and said details of the project were being worked out.

Plea to ensure transparency
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, October 5
The Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress (YC) has suspected fishy deals in setting up private educational institutions in the state. State YC president Manmohan Katoch while addressing a press conference here asked the state government to ensure transparency while setting up universities and educational institutions in private sector in the state. The terms and conditions of the MoUs should be made public.

He said the BJP government had failed to fulfil its pre-poll promise to set up a second high court Bench at Dharamsala and even scrapped the administrative tribunal.

Quarrel in gram sabha meeting, 6 booked
Our Correspondent

Nahan, October 5
The Paonta police today booked six limestone businessmen and their supporters for allegedly attacking residents of Khodri Majri gram panchayat under Paonta subdivision and took their one vehicle into custody.

Poanta DSP V.S. Thakur said today that some limestone contractors hailing from Kamrou and other panchayats today stormed in the Panchayat Bhawan of Khodri Majri gram panchayat at Gojar village where hundreds of residents were assembled in connection with the gram sabha meeting and attacked the local residents. They were armed with hockey sticks. In this connection a cased under Sections 147, 148, 149 and 341 of the IPC has been registered against Sher Singh, Tapender Singh, Rajender Singh, Chattar Singh and others on the complaint of Amar Singh, a local resident.

He said that after getting information that some elements from other panchyats of the area had stormed in the gram panchayat meeting of Khodri Majri and had started terrorising local residents by allegedly pressurising them for passing a resolution in their favour to facilitate them for carrying out mining operation on the Yamuna river bed. Police force was sent to the spot, which controlled the situation. A vehicle (HP 17B-7077) used by attackers with hockey sticks has been nabbed and the police parties to nab other offenders and vehicles have been dispatched.

It is pertinent to mention here that some influential Congress leaders had got sanctioned a mining lease of 124 bighas on the bank of the Yamuna river adjacent to Gojar village, from where the Yamuna river enters in the Paonta area. Local people were opposing the sanction of this mine and a stone crusher to be established on the site pleading mining would divert flow of Yamuna towards Himachal Pradesh and more than 24 villages of Paonta valley situated on the bank of Yamuna river, including Gojar village, would have to face the wreath of Yamuna flood which may wash away these villages at any time. The local panchayat had recently rejected the plea of contractors to grant them no objection certificate.

The local panchayat residents led by Yamuna Youth Club have already brought this matter in the notice of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and several other senior officers of the state, including Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner.

Army to seek entry tax exemption for ex-servicemen
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 5
The Army would take up the matter of exempting ex-servicemen from entry tax with the Himachal government. The GOC Rising Star Corps, Lt- Gen Vinay Sharma, said this while responding to queries from newsmen at Yol cantonment today.

The matter pertained to Rs 30 entry tax that the ex-servicemen have to pay while entering the state. It was contended that all other states even Punjab have exempted ex-servicemen of toll taxes within their respective jurisdictions.

The GOC also said that he has taken up the matter of bad condition of Yol-Dharamsala road with Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. The road is vital and the CM has assured that its condition would be improved very soon, he said.

While responding to a query Lt-Gen Vinay Sharma said the infiltration bids from Pakistan have increased in the past few months. There have been two infiltration bids on Jammu border in the recent past both of which have been foiled and three terrorists were killed.

The terrorists also try to infiltrate into the areas of Himachal bordering Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Army has taken steps to stop the infiltrations and no terrorist would be allowed to seek safe heaven in Himachal, he said.

Earlier, the GOC inaugurated the first ex-serviceman rally organised by Rising Star Corps at Yol cantonment. As many as 3,000 ex-servicemen from the area participated in the rally.

Former Chief of the Army staff Gen (retd) V.N. Sharma, former Army commander Lt -Gen (retd) K.S. Jamwal, and first corps commander of Rising Star Corps Lt-Gen (retd) A.S. Jamwal were among the senior Army veterans present at the rally.

Gallantry award winners and wives of martyrs of Kangra district had been invited for the rally and were felicitated by the GOC Rising Star Corps.

Elaborate arrangements to provide various medical facilities, canteen facilities, pension grievance cell, resettlement guidance and ex-servicemen contributory health scheme were made at the rally.

The GOC while talking to newsmen also told that after his perusal the Himachal Chief Minister has agreed to empanel the Tanda medical college and Indira Gandhi Medical College for treatment of ex-servicemen under the ex-servicemen contributory health scheme.

Police gears up to improve efficiency
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, October 5
The Police Department here has started a campaign to bring more efficiency and responsibility among its cadres.

Superintendent of police K.K. Indoria said here today that any public complaints regarding the police cadres were being viewed seriously and immediate inquiries and actions are being held. Any body found guilty of dereliction of duty or non performance in the event of emergency are being sternly dealt with, which would certainly help the department to bring it closer to the people apart from improving the police image among the masses.

Indoria said two inspectors, three sub-inspectors and one assistant sub-inspector have been served with notices of warning for remaining more cautious in performance of their duty in future.

He said one sub-inspector, one head constable and two constables of traffic wing, who were charged with allegations of corruption, have been ordered to be sent to the lines after preliminary inquiry while a regular departmental inquiry has been ordered against them.

The SP said two inspectors and one constable were already facing departmental inquiry for ignoring duty and for showing negligence of duty while another constable had been punished with adverse remarks in ACR for non performance of duty.

He said explanation had been called from three inspectors and two sub-inspectors on complaints from people.

He said complaints from people received in the office were being given top priority while he himself is listening to the grievances and complaints of the people and deciding the issues
on merit.

Plea to set up commission of Indian languages
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5
Speakers at the 21st Akhil Bharatiya Hindi Sammelan have urged the Centre to set up a national commission of Indian languages to promote regional languages in league with Hindi.

Several resolutions were passed on the concluding day of the sammelan for promotion of Hindi yesterday. The government was urged to take necessary steps for making books on technical subjects in Hindi and standardising the glossary of technical terms. Various departments should come out with reward and incentive schemes to encourage authors to write books on technical subjects. The NCERT should also bring out textbooks on such subjects.

It was further demanded that an award should be instituted by the government to encourage use chaste Hindi in newspapers and TV channels. Translation cells should be set up in every department and knowledge of Hindi should be made mandatory for recruitment to public sector undertakings at all levels.

Concern was expressed over the discontinuation of Hindi programmes by Voice of America. The Computer Manufacturers Association was urged to come out with a standardised keyboard for Hindi script to facilitate the use of the language.

Devotees throng temples in Kangra valley
Our Correspondent

Kangra, October 5
More than 30,000 pilgrims visited Jawalamukhi temple in connection with the fifth day of Ashwani Navratas today. Minister of state for railways T.R. Balu and his family also paid obeisance at the temple.

Temple officer Suresh Nayar said more than 1.25 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine during the past four days. Devotees offered Rs 12,74,704 in cash, 47.3 gm gold and 1.395 kg silver during this period at the temple. For the convenience of pilgrims, the temple would remain open round the clock during Navratras, he added.

Around 50,000 pilgrims have visited the Chamunda temple during navratras so far. The figure is 80,000 in case of the Bajjreshwari temple. Tight security has been put in place at these shrines in view of the militant threat.

Khimi Ram praises private schools
Our Correspondent

Kullu, October 5
All-round development of children through realistic education is very important in today’s world. Keeping this in view, the hill state has introduced yoga, physical education and computer education from elementary level in government schools.

This was stated Deputy Speaker, Vidhan Sabha, Khimi Ram while addressing a gathering at the annual function of the Mother Touch childcare centre at the SSB Women Training Centre, Shamshi. He said private educational institutions were doing well in the state and the government might plan to look into the provisions of better infrastructure at these schools.

He appreciated toddlers’ performance and congratulated the management for inculcating wonderful skills among them.

State short of technical manpower: CII study
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 5
The non availability of technically skilled manpower in the state was again came to the fore during the Job Fair organised at Kangra by the CII Himachal Pradesh State Council.

Chander Shekar Gupta, chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh while talking to The Tribune said during the job fair organised at Government Polytechnic College, Kangra, the companies came with offer of 2,200 vacancies. Around 8,400 unemployed youth from all over the state came in the job fair.

Despite this good turn out, industries could shortlist just 1,600 candidates. They failed to fill 600 vacancies due to shortfall skilled labourers in traits as tuners, fitters and mechanists.

He further said the intent behind organising the fair was not only to provide a platform to local youth but also to understand the gap between the industry requirements and the available manpower and work out a long-term strategy to bridge the gap for skilled workforce.

The CII has been continuously working towards bridging the skill gap.

Learning from the experience of Mandi Job Fair, a dire need to enhance the employability of the local youth was felt. As a long-term strategy, the CII has already launched a soft skills training programme reaching out to 3,000 college students in Mandi division.

On the same lines, to bridge the shortfall of recruitment against the available vacancies at the Kangra Job Fair, the state council of CII has chalked out a multi pronged strategy. As a first step, feedback from the participating companies would be immediately collated, based on their response; action plan will be worked out. The Institute Management Committees (IMC) set up in the seven ITIs adopted by the CII member companies will be consulted since their primary objective is to address the internal and external inefficiencies present in the ITIs by establishing the industry-institute linkage. It would be a constant endeavour of CII state council to align the curricula in the ITIs in tandem with the industry requirements, Gupta said.