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Irregular Appointments
Nahan foundry to be merged with HPSIDC
Woman alleges husband set her on fire
Govt committed to welfare of farmers: MLA
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Assault Case
CM: NIFT classes to begin from August
Doctor booked for using fake degrees
VHP wants Antulay sacked
Corpn to finance projects
Outlets to sell organic products
Remand of Chinese national extended
CM to take up trifurcation issue again with Centre
Bill-deposit service sought at DC office
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BoM meeting ends minus bureaucrats
Ambika Sharma
Solan, December 26 Several attempts to contact the VC and other members proved futile, as none was willing to talk. Sources said all members had been directed strictly not to disclose any information to mediapersons. This secretive approach had put a question mark over the meeting as on all earlier occasions the media was duly issued press notes giving complete information about the outcome of the BoM meetings. It was interesting to note that it was under the directions of the state high court that the matter regarding irregularities in the appointments made during the tenure of previous vice-chancellor was put up before the chancellor and a BoM meeting was specially convened to look into the issue. But despite this the BoM did not cared to decide the contentious issue. The attempt to keep the matter on hold had put a question mark over the BoM. Various significant issues like placement of an information officer as an assistant professor bypassing UGC norms, irregularities committed by the selection committee in the appointments of various assistant professors/ training associates in June 2006 were to be decided today. The issue had generated much hype as the case of the son and nephew of a former VC was to be decided. The lack of decisiveness had left the aggrieved candidates who had approached the chancellor high and dry. The university was rife with rumours that attempts had been made to influence the BoM members from even abstaining from the meeting as in the event of non-fulfilment of the quorum the meeting could have been postponed. However, though all official members, including vice-chancellor Dr KR Dhiman, Director Research Dr SD Bhardwaj, Director Horticulture Gurdev Singh, Director Agriculture JC Rana, former Director Horticulture Dr KC Azad, president of the Fruit Growers Association Lekh Raj Chauhan, former chief engineer of the PWD GR Kaundal and Director of the Himalayan Forest Research Institute Mahinder Pal marked their presence, but no bureaucrat turned up. Incidentally, the selection committee whose role had come under scanner for the alleged irregularities was headed by a senior bureaucrat and the university circles were abuzz with the discussion that it was for this reason that the bureaucrats had avoided turning up for the meeting. It was also being felt that since all BoM members were nominated during the previous Congress regime they would do little to inquire into irregularities conducted during the Congress rule. This convenient indecisiveness of the BoM meeting had put a question mark over the working of the BJP government as it appeared that there was a little will to undo the injustice meted out to the meritorious candidates by the former Congress government, the aggrieved candidates opined.
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Nahan foundry to be merged with HPSIDC
Shimla, December 26 Chief Minister PK Dhumal revealed this while chairing the 237th meeting of the Board of Directors of Nahan Foundry Limited held here today. He said the government had put in its best efforts to revive the Nahan foundry keeping in view its historical importance, but the prevailing marketing trends were not suiting to the proposals coming forward. He said finally it had been decided to merge Nahan foundry with the HP State Industrial Development Corporation (HPSIDC) and also transfer all its assets and liabilities to the latter. He said the prominent foundry location had attracted many entrepreneurs with their proposals, but after closely examining them the government was looking for better options, which could not only generate economic activities in the area but also generate employment in the area. Dhumal said the government would prefer some non-polluting renowned multinational IT or BT industry to take over the entire properties so that it is put to optimum utilisation. He also emphasised the need to invite expression of interests for the properties located in different states, including national capital, so that best returns were secured by disposing off such properties. He said the real estate belonging to the Nahan foundry would also get automatically transferred to the HPSIDC while the plots located in different locations of the state could also be taken over for further optimum utilisation. He directed the authorities to take effective steps to settle all pending issues relating to the foundry on priority and settle them all well before the final merger. Manoj Kumar, Director of Industries, apprised of the latest position of the foundry matters. |
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Woman alleges husband set her on fire
Kangra, December 26 With burn injuries on her face and head, she wept throughout her interaction with mediapersons and alleged that her husband Joginder Singh, a driver in the HPSEB, had been torturing and not looking after her for quite a long time. She said she was putting up in a government accommodation in Kangra town, which was allotted to her husband when he was serving the department here and was thrown out of it by the department with the help of the police after he was transferred to Nadaun. Then she rented a room on the Hoshiarpur road where her husband came on December 24 and abused her in drunken condition. She said yesterday morning he sprinkled kerosene on her in the kitchen and tried to set her on fire in which she received burn injuries on her face and head. She said she somehow managed to douse the flames with the help of a bucket of water. The local people informed the police. She reported the matter to the Kangra police yesterday and the police instead of registering a case against her husband abused her and left her in the corner of the police station unattended acing with burn injuries for one-and-half-hour before she was rushed to the hospital by her son Amit. Officiating Kangra district police chief PS Thakur said the police was investigating the case. |
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Govt committed to welfare of farmers: MLA
Bilaspur, December 26 Sharma said the bridge had reduced distances between this area and other areas of the district by 15 km and now efforts would be made to start a regular bus service on this route to provide facility to villagers. Sharma said the stamp duty on all agriculture loans up to Rs 10 lakh had been exempted, which had reduced the govt income at least by Rs 34 crore annually, while an ambitious Rs 154.90-crore project had been sanctioned for the state under which 20,000 poly houses and 8,000 drip irrigation schemes would be set up in the state for bringing a virtual revolution in the economy of the farmers. He said the government would provide 90 per cent subsidy in this project and farmers would have to contribute only 10 per cent of the cost of each poly house or the drip irrigation scheme. Sharma also laid the foundation stone of a health sub-centre building in the village, which he said, would provide health facilities to about 2,000 persons of this area. Sharma said the BJP government had fulfilled 80 per cent of its election promises and interests of all sections had been protected in this process and that was why all those who had been benefited were praising the efforts of the government.
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Irate mob blocks national highway
Our Correspondent
Kangra, December 26 The mob blocked the traffic outside the Nagrota Bagwan Bus stand raising anti- police slogans and demanded action against the culprit and the police officials of the Nagrota Bagwan police station in whose presence, Ram Krishen, the HPSEB employee, was allegedly thrashed. The police was deployed on the spot and Kangra Subdivisional Police Officer OP Jamwal persuaded the mob to lift the blockade. The highway was blocked from 12 noon till 3.45 pm, leaving vehicles on both side of the road stranded. The mob lifted the blockade after the police officers assured them that they would investigate the case in a time frame and action would be taken against the guilty officials. Jamwal said the police would inquire if the victim was thrashed in the presence of the police, if so, then action could be initiated against the guilty official. He said that Ram Krishen was assaulted while on duty on Tuesday last and the accused was arrested this morning. He said injured Ram Krishen had been shifted from DRPGMC, Tanda, to PGI for treatment. He said the investigation was getting delayed because those required to depose before the police in this case had rushed to PGI and their statements were important in the case. He said the HPSEB employees too held a demonstration here today demanding protection during their duty hours. A case had been registered.
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CM: NIFT classes to begin from August
Shimla, December 26 Chief Minister PK Dhumal said here today that the classes would start from August next year. “Union Minister for Textiles Shankarsinh Vaghela will lay the foundation stone of the NIFT on January 23,” he added. He said Vaghela had confirmed his programme when he would formally lay the foundation stone of the prestigious project. “The state government will provide 10 acres of land for the setting up of the NIFT, besides giving its share of Rs 58 crore to the project,” he said. Dhumal informed that the proposed site at Chheb had been inspected and approved by a team headed by Rajiv Tarku, director-general, NIFT. “The required formalities for transfer of land and other modalities were also nearing completion,” he said. “The construction work on the project would be started immediately after the inauguration and the classes would be started in temporary structures so that by the time the buildings are ready all batches have been admitted,” he disclosed. He added that the approach road to the campus would be improved to ensure proper movement of vehicles. He said he would take up the issue of reserving some seats for the students from Himachal at the institute. “The setting up of the centre will ensure lots of development and economic activities in the area, thereby benefiting the locals by way of indirect employment,” he stated. |
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Doctor booked for using fake degrees
Dharamsala, December 26 The Vigilance is seeking custodial interrogation of Dr Mohan Sharma for using fake degrees on letterhead and medical prescription slips. Kangra SP (Vigilance) Santosh Patial said they had been receiving complaints that Dr Sharma was illegally using MD and DM degrees on his letterheads. His basic qualification was just MBBS. The doctor had also got his hospital empanelled with BSNL in Hamirpur district on the basis of the plea that he was possessing MD and DM degree. After receiving the complaint we started an inquiry into the case. In the inquiry it was found that the doctor did not possess any degree but that of MBBS. He was illegally using the degrees of MD and DM behind his name on letterheads of his hospital and medical prescription slips. A case has been registered against
the doctor. The doctor had initially obtained anticipatory bail from the high court. However, the Vigilance has presented the case before the court. The high court has now directed the accused doctor to surrender before the investigating officer. The court has also allowed three days custodial investigation of the doctor. The Vigilance was waiting for the doctor to join the investigation so that further action would be taken in the case, the SP added. |
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VHP wants Antulay sacked
Shimla, December 26 Addressing a press conference here today, the international general secretary of the VHP Pravin Togadia said that Antulay should be sacked from the ministry as he was virtually siding with Pakistan, which will not be tolerated by the VHP at any cost. He said strict action must be taken against Antulay besides being dropped from the ministry who was speaking the same language as Pakistan. He lashed out at the Congress for trying to consolidate its Muslim vote bank by remaining soft on the highly objectionable remarks made by Antulay. “It is high time that the central as well as all the state governments rise above party politics to jointly combat terrorism which was posing a threat to the security of the country,” he remarked. Togadia lamented that the Centre as well as the state governments all over the country had failed to take effective steps to combat ‘jehadi terrorism’ which was targeting the economic prosperity of the country. Opposing Section 370 in J&K the VHP leader said if Ghulam Nabi Azad can become the chief minister of J&K after remaining an MP from Uttar Pradesh then why should Atal Bihari Vajpayee or any other Indian be prevented from becoming a councillor of the Srinagar municipality. |
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Corpn to finance projects
Shimla, December 26 This was stated by chief minister P.K. Dhumal while chairing the meeting of the Board of Directors of the SIDC here today. “A Rs 2.25 crore loan would be extended to Himachal Phytochem for producing herbal extracts like aescin, L-Dopa, hypericin and podophylotoxin,” he informed. He said the young entrepreneurs would encourage farmers to undertake polyhouse cultivation of herbs and other aromatic plants to adopt diversified and income generating farming. “The SIDC will also be made the nodal agency for getting captive mining blocks from the union ministry of coal to venture into thermal power generation,” he sated. Dhumal said the SIDC would complete all the formalities to get coal pits allocated in favour of Himachal. “After the completion of the initial process, companies which are experts in thermal power, especially the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), would be roped in to set up thermal plants,” he stated. He said with the setting up of thermal plants, the additional requirement of power in the winter months, caused due to decline in water discharge could be met comfortably. “The possibility of generating solar and wind energy are also being explored so that additional income can be generated,” he said. Dhumal stressed the need for diversification of the activities of the SIDC so that it could generate sufficient income to meet its financial liabilities. “The various public sector undertakings need to adopt a professional approach to compete in the open market so as to get more business. The BoD also approved the merger of Nahan Foundry Limited with the HP State Industrial Development Corporation and the change in the allotment process of the industrial plots from direct allotment to public auction.
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Outlets to sell organic products
Shimla, December 26 This was revealed by chief minister P.K. Dhumal while chairing the 193rd meeting of the Board of Directors of the board held here today. “Himachal Pradesh is known for different farm produce which includes Kangra and herbal tea, being processed by the University of Agriculture, Palampur, which will not be sold at retail outlets outside Himachal,” he said. He said that organic tea was gaining popularity with the tea lovers all over the country for its flavour and taste. He said the government would be exploring possibilities of opening retail outlets outside the state, especially in Himachal Bhawan, New Delhi and Chandigarh, to display all such products. He said there was great demand for organic products and Himachal had potential to capture the market by making such products available to them. He said that encouraging response had been received at trade fairs organised in New Delhi and at other places where such products were appreciated by the consumers. He said similarly woollens, handloom, handicraft and artifacts could be exhibited to the consumers at these retail outlets. He added that KVIB was responsible for generating employment to the rural masses and artisans at their doorsteps by marketing their products at remunerative prices with a view to keeping the traditional art and craft alive. |
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Remand of Chinese national extended
Dharamsala, December 26 Sources available here said the police is now seeking the help of other security agencies to extract information form the suspected spy. Language was proving to be major barrier for police officials to extract information from the accused Chinese resident. The sources said the police is trying to take the help of officials of security agencies who have knowledge of Chinese language. The accused was produced in the Kangra court today. The police demanded extension of his remand on the plea that it was matter of national security. It also pleaded that they were trying to take help from experts knowing Chinese language to extract information from the accused. On the plea of the police the judge increased the remand of suspected spy till January 8. The police had arrested the Chinese national near the Dalai Lama temple on December 12. He did not have requisite papers for travel to India and how he managed to reach McLeodganj is still an unsolved mystery for police officials. The sources said besides the police other security agencies have also questioned the accused. After the arrest of the Chinese national the security of the Dalai Lama has also been beefed up.
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CM to take up trifurcation issue again with Centre
Shimla, December 26 Representatives of various employee factions, including the HPSEB Employees Union, Electricity Board Power Engineers Association and Project Engineers Association met the Chief Minister and chairman of the HPSEB RK Jain, here today. Chief secretary Asha Swaroop and Jain had pleaded the case of Himachal, which was turned down by the Union Power Ministry, last week. Following this Dhumal said he would once again raise the matter with the Centre during his trip to Delhi in January. Vehemently opposing the trifurcation of the board, the employees urged Dhumal to once again raise the matter with the Power Ministry. |
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Bill-deposit service sought at DC office
Dharamsala, December 26 RL Mahajan, president of the association, said that in many other places as Chandigarh and metro cities, the bill-deposit service for senior citizen had been started by respective administrations. We have suggested the local administration also to start such a service here. In the proposed service, the administration can charge Rs 5 per bill from the senior citizens and deposit them on their behalf at respective offices. This will save senior citizens from standing in lines to deposit the bills that take toll on them. Besides, it can also help generate income for some unemployed youths. He also said the senior citizens had suggested the government to deploy atleast one traffic policeman each in the civil lines area and near the office of Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education. Both the points are accident prone and strict compliance of traffic rules there can help prevent accidents. |
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