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Govt will build houses for fire victims: CM
Hamirpur dist hospital made first-referral unit
Bitumen Scam
JBT candidates accuse govt of breaching agreement
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Dealers not to lift petrol, diesel from Nov 28
PTA teachers demand framing of permanent policy
Adopt modern technology for road construction: Chief secy
DTH TV to reach far-flung areas
3 AAGs appointed
Lakes freeze in Lahaul-Spiti
Kangra woman to work as election observer in Ghana
Kangra Fort still a great attraction for tourists
A group of foreign tourists at the Kangra Fort. A Tribune photo
Agitating students lock college premises
Girls stage dharna outside college
3 arrested in murder case
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Govt will build houses for fire victims: CM
Manali, November 26 Dhumal said that under the Atal Avas Yojna the government would construct the houses and will provide all help to the fire victims. A link road to Solang village and bridge over the Beas would be constructed soon he added. Dhumal directed the district administration to speed up the relief and rescue operations. He said the fire tenders could not reach the spot because there was no link road to Solang village. The local people struggled along with fire engines to control the fire and saved the adjoining houses, he added. More than 49 families were the worst affected by the fire. The district administration has started providing a temporary shelter and some of the families shifted to other places. Only 17 houses were saved from the devastating fire. The Chief Minister said that the Solang village was one of the beautiful villages in Manali region and many domestic and foreigners tourists visited this village. And the Solang valley is also famous for its skiing slopes and other adventure related activities. But in yesterday’s devastating fire more than 25 houses were reduced to ashes. He assured the state government would provide all the relief to the affected families. A number of voluntary organisations and corporate houses came forward to help the fire victims. Five hundreds blankets and one truck of ration were also provided to the fire affected families by the Sai Engineers Company. AD Projects is also helping the fire victims families by providing a truck of iron sheets. Amitabh Sharma said that free electricity would be provide to Solang village. A relief of Rs 25,000, four blankets and tarpaulins has been given to all affected families and Rs 5,000 also given to those who were partially affected by the Chief Minister. Govind Thakur, local M.L.A, also expressed sympathy with the fire affected families and assured all possible help to the fire victims families. Rajiv Bindal, Health Minister and Khimi Ram deputy speaker also visited to Solang village. |
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Hamirpur dist hospital made first-referral unit
Hamirpur, November 26 While state government has notified to make Hamirpur hospital an FRU, a grant of Rs 20 lakh has also been received in the district hospital here. The grant has been released under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for the current year. A sum of Rs 20 lakh will be released next year also. After becoming an FRU, the district hospital will be provided additional infrastructure and medical facilities for providing treatment to patients referred from community health centres (CHCs) and other hospitals to the district hospital, besides local patients. Though the previous government had mooted the idea of notifying lower-level hospitals as FRUs at many places in the state and Sujanpur and Toani Devi health centres were chosen for converting these into FRUs in Hamirpur district, the effort did not succeed as the government failed to employ specialists, a prerequisite for FRUs. Finding it difficult to appoint so many specialists, the state government has now decided to convert some district hospitals into FRUs. The district health authorities are preparing a list of the equipments and facilities that are to be provided on priority basis in the hospital. Medical superintendent of district hospital P.K. Sharma said, “Converting district hospital into an FRU will help in improving infrastructure and medical facilities in the district hospital and only serious cases will be referred from here after this.” |
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Bitumen Scam
Dharamsala, November 26 Sources said the PWD officials whom the vigilance was hoping to arrest in connection with the case have already secured anticipatory bail from the court. Though the anticipatory bail petitions of these officials were rejected in the lower courts, they managed to get it from the high court. The vigilance officials failed to act in the matter despite the fact that they had information and record that about 900 drums of bitumen destined for Una district had never reached the PWD stores. They were also looking for officials of the MK Enterprises, the transport company that was given the contract of transporting the drums from the Panipat-based stores of the Indian Oil and the HP Oil Company to PWD stores in Una. No official of the transport company has been arrested so far. While the vigilance is still pondering over the case, the HP Agro Corporation has already imposed a penalty on the transport company. SP (vigilance), Kangra, Santosh Patial admitted that one of the accused the vigilance was looking for had secured bail from the high court. “The next date of hearing in the case is December 2 and we will oppose his bail. Since the official was directly involved in the case, the investigation will move only after information was extracted from him,” he added. Sources maintain the present scam was only a tip of the iceberg. It is being suspected that the bitumen drums that had gone missing might have ended up with some private road contractors in Punjab. The sluggishness on the part of investigating agencies may allow accused to cover their tracks. |
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JBT candidates accuse govt of breaching agreement
Dharamsala, November 26 The candidates while talking to The Tribune alleged that 1,611 candidates took admissions in various JBT schools of the state. The state government entered into an agreement with them that after completing a three-year course they would be recruited as permanent teachers in primary schools of the state. In the agreement it was also inculcated that for three years the teachers would have to serve in difficult areas of the state. However, now when the candidates have completed their training and were waiting for appointment letters, the government told them they would be recruited on contract basis. The candidates are alleging that recruiting them on contract basis was direct breach of agreement reached with them by the previous government. Under contract employment they would be paid just Rs 6,825 per month whereas in permanent employment they could have got Rs 10,500 per month. Besides, all other benefits as holidays and allowances would not be paid to them under contract employment. Some of the affected candidates alleged that they would also move court, besides carrying out an agitation against the government. Education minister I.D. Dhiman said though the candidates are being recruited on contract, nobody would shunt them out from jobs. They would be treated as permanent employees on contract and after some years there services can also be regularised. He said the candidates should perceive their appointments as regular. The JBT candidates are, however, unwilling to take the justification given by the minister. They alleged that the act of the government is breach of the contract. |
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Dealers not to lift petrol, diesel from Nov 28
Solan, November 26 Earlier, the region got supply from Parwanoo and it led to direct crediting of VAT to the state’s exchequer. But the IOC has now floated a new tender (after the expiry of the earlier one on September 30) and the supplies will now be lifted from Ambala to the hill areas in the state. The change has, however, failed to find favour with petroleum dealers of the state. The Himachal Pradesh Petroleum Dealers Association has decided to boycott lifting of supplies for an indefinite period from November 28. President of the association Sukumar Singh said certain terms and conditions of the new tender were inimical to their interests. He said the association had also decided not to accept their terms anymore. Though they had earlier decided to extend the earlier tender by two months till the new contract was put in place, they had now decided to withdraw it. The decision was taken at a meeting of the association held yesterday, he added. Around 120 dealers, who lift supplies to areas like Kullu, Manali, Solan, Shimla etc., will be hit by the new terms of the IOC tender. The association has decided not to fill oil tankers from the Ambala terminal for further supplies to retail outlets on the IOC’s new terms. They have also decided to boycott the contract tender, if certain changes are not incorporated. They have demanded a benchmark rate for plain and hilly terrains for each segment that should be at least 25 per cent above the prevailing rate. The price bid for hills should be segregated from that of plains, the association has demanded. They have also stressed that the conditions like bottom-loading fittings and GPS system at the cost of dealers should be withdrawn. The association has also demanded that the escalation and de-escalation of transportation rates due to change in the price of diesel should be applicable with immediate effect, instead of quarterly basis. |
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PTA teachers demand framing of permanent policy
Shimla, November 26 In a statement issued here today, the president of the Union, Vivek Mehta, said the teachers had decided not to gherao the Chief Minister and the ministers as per their earlier plans during the assembly session at Dharamshala. “We are hopeful that after the holding of initial talks with Rajinder Rana, chairman of the Media Advisory Committee, the stalemate would be resolved,” said Mehta. He said the teachers were hopeful that they would be given an opportunity to present their case before the Chief Minister so the issue can be resolved amicably. “We have decided not to go ahead with our plans to gherao the Chief Minister and ministers, but we will continue with the chain hunger strike which has entered the 43rd day today,” he said. He demanded that the government should frame a permanent policy for the PTA teachers and review decision to hold inquiry into the appointment of teachers appointed earlier. |
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Adopt modern technology for road construction: Chief secy
Shimla, November 26 Inaugurating a workshop on “Geo-technical engineering and landslide investigation” here today, she said road construction projects should be meticulously planned and executed in a systematic manner to ensure that there was no destabilising impact on the mountains. In hills, the roads suffer massive damage due to landslides. Improving the construction techniques could mitigate the problem. Scientific studies should be conducted to devise appropriate methodology for road construction in different areas, she added. She said geo-environmental studies were essential to tackle the problem of landslips and damages caused by natural disasters in geologically unstable hills. She stressed the need to identify suitable fast-growing forest species, which could arrest soil erosion, for planting along the slopes after completion of roads. She also underlined the need to keep roads open during winter and rainy season as lack of road connectivity affected access to various basic services such as health and education. She said the project-executing agencies should make proper provision of dumping sites to ensure scientific disposal of muck and protecting the environment. Secretary of the Public Works Department Balram Sharma said the total length of the motorable road in the state was 29,525 km comprising of 1,260 km of national highways, 1,824 km state highways, 1,770 km major district roads and 23,951 km rural roads. About 50 engineers of the Public Works department, the State Road Project and the horticulture wing participated in the workshop that was jointly organised by the State Road Project, the Infrastructure Development Corporation and the Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi. |
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DTH TV to reach far-flung areas
Shimla, November 26 Director of the Information and Public Relations J.R. Katwal while reviewing the functioning of the department, here today, directed the field officers to complete the process of installation of DTH systems in the land-locked tribal areas at the earliest. He said that the use of latest technology would enhance the efficiency of PR professionals and keeping this in view the department had provided laptops, digital cameras and other latest equipment to the field officers. He said the website of the department had been improved by incorporating information about various important events, including the engagements of chief minister, press releases, cabinet decisions, photographs, besides features and background material regarding various government schemes. Katwal directed that prohibition campaign should be carried out in a more effective manner on a larger scale by involving non-government organisations, local opinion leaders, youth and children. |
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3 AAGs appointed
Shimla, November 26 This decision was taken in order to strengthen the office of the advocate-general with adequate manpower to represent the government in various courts more effectively. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal presided over Cabinet the meeting. The Cabinet approved the filling of eight posts of non-teaching categories in Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital at Paprola in Kangra district. Recruitment and promotion rules for the post of director of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, were also approved. Earlier, the Cabinet adopted a resolution to condole the demise of Hima Thakur, wife of PWD and revenue minister Gulab Singh Thakur. — UNI |
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Lakes freeze in Lahaul-Spiti
Shimla, November 26 Chander Tal and Suraj Tal, lakes of Lahaul-Spiti, along with other water bodies in the region had frozen to huge ice bodies after the temperature declined in the higher hills. The night temperature at Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti was minus 2.5 degrees Celsius followed by Kalpa in the tribal district of Kinnaur at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius and Manali 1.8 degrees Celsius. Bhuntur in Kullu district was cold at 2.1 degrees, Una 3 degrees, Sundernagar 2.9, Mandi 5 and Dharamsala 8.1 degrees. Shimla where weather remained clear was cold at 9.1 degrees Celsius. — UNI |
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Kangra woman to work as election observer in Ghana
Nurpur, November 26 She will represent 54 countries of the World Common Wealth (WCW) there and work as an election observer in the elections of president and parliament of that country scheduled from December 7 to 12. According to information, she will remain there in the first fortnight of December and return after completion of elections. After getting selection and intimation from the secretary of the WCW Katoch’s pleasure touched new heights. She had also been selected as Indian representative in WCW’s youth programme wing in July last year. Sarika Katoch told The Tribune that she was keen in joining the Indian Army, but due to certain reasons she could not succeed and ultimately joined social services in the state. She had started her social service activities from Nehru Yuva Kendra, Kangra district, and was declared Best National Service Volunteer a few years back. She worked for AIDS awareness campaign relentlessly and was adjudged as Yuva Star in that programme, too. As an Indian representative in the WCW she happened to represent nations of the Asian region as vice-chairman in the meeting of representatives of the WCW held in Pakistan in December 2007. Apart from this, she had represented in a meeting of delegates of WCW’s youth wing in China. She is also taking part in the meeting of WCW scheduled in January 2009 in Malaysia. She had brought laurels not only for Kangra district, but whole state by getting global recognition within past 16 months only. |
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Kangra Fort still a great attraction for tourists
Kangra, November 26 The Kangra Fort is also unique in the sense that it finds mention in all histories- be it of Mughal, British, Sikh or Indian history, such an aweful reputation of invincibility it held for invaders. But it was highly assuring to find that Indians as a whole have not lost sense of history for, small batches of Indians kept pouring into the fort during the two hours that this reporter spent in the fort yesterday The tiresome journey from Chandigarh to Kangra dissolved in thin air once this scribe entered this courtyward of history ruled by Raja Sansar Chand Katoch. Families were seen dragging their small children to the top of the fort- women who could not climb the steep steps of the fort, rested on the way to catch their breath, but their interest and love for history propelled them upwards- where once lived the family of Katoch Raja. Unfortunately, those royal mensions do not exist now. Raja’s living quarters were destroyed in the 1905 quake. But people still show great interest in the archeological remains. So much so that one tourist from Baijnath, Gobind Sood, was a bit annoyed when quizzed why he was undertaking such an arduous task of climbing this historic citadel along with his wife and a small child. “We need to tell our children our glorious past,’ quipped he. ‘This is such an ancient piece of our glorious heritage which held interest among people and invaders for centuries,’ he said further up. It was also satisfying to find that the Kangra Fort has been handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India for its upkeep and maintenance which required expertise from those entrusted with the task of maintaining Mughal monuments. During the two hours that this reporter spent at the fort, he saw about 40 workers engaged in the work of restoration of those portions which had either collapsed under the weight of time or were on course of decay. The contractor on duty told me that the restoration work was going on non-stop to mend dilapidated parts of the fort. In the 19th century Kangra was prominent in Punjab’s hilly states.. It had a powerful fort, no one knew who built it but it was known for its impregnability. Barring Ranjit Singh’s army, none could conquer it. It had 23 ‘burj’ (minarets) and seven gates. The passage to the fort is so narrow; it is just wider by a couple of feet than Jallianwala Bagh entrance; so an invading army was constantly under the firing range of defending troopers from the ramparts above. The Kangra region was ruled by Rajput Hindus in those days, who paid tributes to the Delhi emperor for enjoying the royal protection. True, the Himachal Government has also done well to keep the interest alive by maintainng a museum on its premises which gives a peep into its past. The ticket to visit the fort has been kept to the minimum to allow every kind of visitor. No wonder, every now and then a carful of visitors keep pouring in thoughtout the day. Though the fort’s care has been handed over to the archeological department, yet the state government could do well to spare some funds to make the surroundings more attractive to lure more tourists to this historic site. |
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Agitating students lock college premises
Nurpur, November 26 The agitating students led by Central Student Association (SCA) of the college today locked the college premises as token protest and boycotted the classes. The SCA was supported by the NSUI and ABVP, the other students’ organisation units of the college. SCA president Sham Singh and Azad Chhatar Sangh leader Swaran Singh, who are spearheading the agitation, said the director of Education, Shimla, had ordered the posting of three lecturers from the Government College, Dharamsala, on deputation at the Arya Government College, Nurpur, on November 12. However, the principal of Government College, Dharamsala, did not relieve these lecturers allegedly due to political pressure. They demanded that the government should take disciplinary action against the erring official for not adhering to its order. Meanwhile, the agitating students burnt the effigy of the principal of the Government College, Dharamsala, and took out a protest rally from the college to the SDM office. They also submitted a memorandum to the government through the SDM demanding immediate arrangement of lecturers in the college as only two regular lecturers were posted and most of the posts were lying vacant since long. In this connection when O.P. Sharma, director of the Education, Shimla, said he would hold an inquiry to know why the order of deputation was not implemented and added that he would make requisite arrangement within a couple of days. |
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Girls stage dharna outside college
Nahan, November 26 Girl students raised slogans against the college administration and demanded adequate facilities in the hostel. Girls complained that though the college administration was charging heavy amount as annual board and lodging charges but was not paying attention to the poor conditions of the hostel despite several complaints. They alleged that the hostel had been leased out to a contractor who was not providing quality food. They alleged that they were not being served even bed tea. There was no proper arrangement for cleanliness of the women’s hostel. Girls did not allow principal of the college to go even out of the complex for two hours. After the assurance of the college administration, agitators gave one week’s time to improve conditions and mess as per the demands of the students. |
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3 arrested in murder case
Solan, November 26 Giving details SP S.P.S.Vema said the murder had been plotted after Om Prakash, who resides at Ghanol village near Kasauli, suspected his wife and some other women of the village of having illicit relations with the deceased. He wanted to teach Dutt a lesson and he came in contact with Nirmala, who was also having illicit relations with Dutt. The duo also roped in a local driver Om Prakash, who owned a Maruti car (HP-15-7802) and hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Dutt on November 6. Narrating their plot as admitted by them after their arrest Verma said Nirmala informed Om Prakash and Parmanand that Dutt had taken her to Sanwara in the evening of November 6. At this they followed him in Om Prakash’s car and there they manhandled him in the nearby forests thus making him unconscious. They lifted him to Kandahghat in the car owned by the deceased and duped him near Galog village on the Sairi road. The trio then came back and they first picked up their car from Sanwara where it had been left after killing Dutt and then they came and set the car of the deceased ablaze on the Band Road near Shaktighat. The police, which had recovered Dutt’s body on November 10, managed to crack down on the trio after comparing their cell phone details. It was Nirmala’s frequent calls to Om Prakash, which made the police suspicious of some intrigue and their doubts were confirmed after Nirmala’s confession following her arrest. A police team led by DSP Narvir Rathode arrested the trio today. |
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Hamirpur, November 26
Kangra, November 26
Nurpur, November 26
