Shimla, January 17
The state government today decided to award 13 hydroelectric projects with an aggregate capacity of 1,583.50 MW to IPPs (Independent Power Producers) for which global bids on free power basis were invited for the first time.

The decision was taken by the State Cabinet which met under the Chief Minister chairmanship of Prem Kumar Dhumal here today. It reversed the decision to charge upfront premium of Rs 10 lakh per megawatt up to 5 MW and decided to waive it for state domicile IPPs. However, it decided against exempting such IPPs from 6 per cent free power to be given as royalty for the first 12 years.

The projects allotted included Riyoli-Dugali (420 MW), Saili( 320 MW), Duggar( 236 MW), Saach Khas (149 MW), Miyar and Khoksar (90 MW each), Tingret

( 81 MW), Mane Nadang (70 MW), Lara (60 MW), Kuling Lara (40 MW), Siyul (13 MW), Kilhi Bahal ( 7.5 MW) and Shalvi( 7 MW). Besides an upfront premium of Rs 316.70 crore the government will get free power ranging between 13.13 and 26.11 per cent, in addition to the mandatory 12 per cent free power as royalty.

The Cabinet also approved allotment of 27 self-identified hydroelectric projects with total capacity of 81.90 MW to IPPs on BOOT (Built, Own, Operate and Transfer) basis. It assigned execution of 19 small hydroelectric having a total capacity of 76.30 MW to the public sector HIMURJA. The projects included Kothi Stage-II (1.5MW), Lower Sumez (3 MW), Tauhuk (3 MW) in district Kulu, Sechigad (3.8 MW), Kareri (5 MW), Supin (5 MW), Tangnu (5 MW), Sundru (5 MW) in Shimla, Chanju Mehad (5 MW), Tanger Bhaled (5 MW), Chakka (5 MW), Kihan(5 MW), Mehled (4 MW) and Hared(4 MW) in Chamba, Upper Neogal (5 MW) in Kangra, Sarogi (2.2 MW), Nakathana ( 2.1 )MW in Mandi, Jhaneti (2.5 MW) in Sirmour district and Rupi (Tikada) 5 MW in Kinnaur.

It granted approval for filling 50 posts of medical specialist in anaesthesisa, gyanaecology, general surgery and ortho-surgery in various health institutions, barring Shimla town, on contract basis through respective Rogi Kalyan Samitis. It has also been decided to grant Rs. 5,000 as additional incentive over and above contractual salary to such medical specialists.

It granted approval for introducing an additional diploma course in civil engineering in government polytechnic, Ambota, from next academic session and sanctioned four new posts of instructor in the discipline. It approved amendment to the Recruitment and Promotion Rules of the Ayurvedic Medical Officers to provide for 50 per cent batchwise and decided to rename the Government Degree College, Reckong-Peo, after late Speaker Thakur Sen Negi.

Dharamsala, January 17
Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau officials are conducting raids to nab the transporters accused in the bitumen scam. Sources available here said the vigilance officials conducted raids at Chandigarh to nab the transporter allegedly involved in the scam.

The vigilance officials are looking for officials of MK Enterprises, a Chandigarh based transport company, that was given the contract to shift bitumen drums from Indian Oil and HPCL companies dumps at Panipat to various PWD dumps in Himachal.

However, till the filing of this report the vigilance teams had not arrested any of the accused transport company officials.

Initially the missing bitumen drums were noticed in Una-based PWD stores. It was found by vigilance officials that about 900 bitumen drums never reached the PWD stores. Later, many more bitumen drums were found missing in various stores of the PWD located at different places across the state.

The vigilance has picked up a junior engineer who was in charge of stores and extracted information from him.

However, initially the vigilance failed to lay its hands on transporters as at many places the PWD officials had allegedly issued receipts of drums to the transport company. This made it difficult for the vigilance to establish connivance of transporters in the scam.

The vigilance officials then collected data from all check points on the roads leading from Panipat to various PWD dumps in Himachal to ascertain if the bitumen drums really reached the stores or were swindled enroute. At some places they also might have to technically inspect the roads where the bitumen was allegedly used in papers. The officials may inspect some of such roads in Chamba district.

Now after completing the investigation the Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau in looking for officials of the MK Enterprises transport company.

The sources available here also indicated that there is every possibility that the bitumen drums never reached the stores of PWD in Himachal. The drums allegedly in connivance with the PWD officials were sold to the private companies bringing roads under the built operate and transfer (BOT) scheme.

Though presently only a junior engineer of the PWD was arrested by vigilance, many more heads might role in the scam. The senior officials of the vigilance are of the view that it was not possible for junior officials to swindle the bitumen drums without the connivance of supervising higher officials.

Kangra SP (vigilance) Santosh Patial admitted that raids were being conducted to locate the officials of MK Enterprises transport company. He, however, refused to divulge further details of investigation being carried by the vigilance bureau.

Nurpur, January 17
The erratic and scanty supply of subsidised food items and edible oils in the fair prices shops of the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (FCSC) here has created a lot of resentment among the ration card holders in the area.

Even after over half month of January, the consumers still did not get some of food items like refine, mustard oil and sugar. They demand to inquire the irregularities in the supply of these commodities.

According to information, the FCSC has released quota of refine and mustard oil in the first week of January for distribution through fair price outlets, but the same was not further distributed in the urban area. The state government has been providing two pulses, grams, refine and mustard oil to every ration card holders through ration depots of the FCSC in the state, but here the whole system is allegedly shattered due to improper distribution and inadequate supply.

Subash Chand, in charge of the FCSC wholesale depot, Nurpur, claimed that existing stock of refine and mustard oil was for February. Divisional Manager, FCSC, Dharamsala, VV Gupta informed after conducting inquiry the whole allotment for January had been made and next allotment for February would be made in the first week of next month. He admitted that he had received complaints of irregularities in distribution of subsidised food items in Nurpur area and added that he would personally inquire into the matter to streamline proper distribution of commodities to the government outlets to ensure regular availability to the ration cardholders.

Solan, January 17
Realising the growing importance of the biotech industry and the state government’s vision to promote clean technology in the state, it has decided to promote biotechnology sector in Himachal Pradesh. Furthering its vision the state government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mott Macdonald, a leading British consulting firm, to set up a biotech park in the Aduwal area of the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area.

The agreement between Mott MacDonald and the state government was signed in the presence of Saojini Ganju Thakur, principal secretary, Environment Science and Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh. She said, “Mott MacDonald will prepare a blueprint for the Biotech Park, to be built initially on an area of 35 acres in public-private partnership mode and will be able to attract leading national and international players in biotechnology.”

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said, “We will provide all possible support for the growth of biotechnology sector in the state and I welcome suggestions from industry leaders so as to make Himachal a global biotechnology hub.”

The Indian biotechnology industry, which currently has 2 per cent market share of the global market, has the potential to grow and emerge as global player in coming years. The industry is expected to touch 5 billion dollar mark from current 2 billion dollars.

Minister of Environment, Science and Technology JP Nadda said, “The state is keen to support and develop biotechnology industry which is technology driven, adopts clean technology and has the potential to provide employment to the educated youth of the state.”

“The large number of pharmaceutical players located in the Baddi area can take advantage of the shared R&D facilities in the Biotech Park. The Conceptual Plan and the Feasibility Report will be ready by end February when the developers will be identified for developing the park”.

Dr Nagin Nanda, Director of the Environment, Science and Technology signed the contract on behalf of the state government with SS Acharya, director, Mott MacDonald.

Nanda said, “We will provide necessary information and all possible support to Mott MacDonald for this very important initiative of our state government.”

Acharya said Mott MacDonald is a 1.5 billion dollar company having its presence in 120 countries. It had been servicing global and Indian clients in setting up of biotech and pharmaceutical units in the country.

“We will work within the time schedule and provide the best of our services to the state government,” Acharya added.

The Biotechnology Park will give fillip to the biotechnology industry in the state; besides it will help in creating employment for the educated youth and help building vibrant technological institutes in the state.

Manali, January 17
The entire higher reaches of the Manali region experienced a fresh spell of snow while the lower parts of the region were lashed by rain, reviving the chilly weather conditions in the upper Manali region.

The higher reaches of the upper Kullu valley, including the Rohtang Pass , Pir Panjal range, Bhrighu ski slopes, Hamta slopes, Chanderkhani, Marhi, Gulaba and Dhundi experienced fresh snow.

The famous ski slopes of Solang valley also had a fresh spell of snow yesterday. But due to lack of sufficient snow for skiing on the main ski slopes, the ski lovers were disappointed a lot.

However, fresh snow was expected to revive the influx of tourists. Vehicular traffic on the Manali-Rohtang road was disrupted due to fresh snow at Kothi, 13 km from here. But the Solang valley has nowadays become a popular venue with tourists. Tourists made a beeline for Solang valley where there was enough snow to enjoy.

The sky remained overcast and icy winds lashed the region throughout the day, bringing a sharp decline in the day temperatures. The apple growers in the upper Kullu valley are hoping that the weather god will oblige them with a good snowfall. The snow which is considered as a white manure for the apple orchards is essential for a good harvest.

CHAMBA: The north-western ranges of the Himalayas in Chamba and Lahaul-spirit districts of Himachal Pradesh and the adjoining ranges of Pir Panjal mountains in Jammu and Kashmir have been experiencing heavy snow for the past 24 hours, according to reports pouring into the district headquarter town of Chamba on Saturday.

The lower areas have been experiencing heavy widespread rains. However, the road network is open and the transport services are operating as usual. Intermittent snowflakes are reported from the hill resorts of Dalhousie and Khajjiar. As a sequel to this, the entire region is in grip of chilly winds.

The heavy snow and rain have also prevented the telecommunication services with the highlands of this region. Official reports said due to heavy snowfall, the link of Pangi tribal valley had been cut off from the rest of the state due to the closure of Saach Pass situated at an altitude of 4413 metres connecting its district headquarters at Chamba.

According to district soil testing officer R. L. Chauhan, who is an agriculture expert, though the heavy rains were beneficial for the ‘rabi’ crops yet the fallings of snowfall is indispensable for the fruit crops, particularly the apple production.

Shimla, January 17
Taking a serious notice of the indifferent attitude of the government on the issue of “unbundling” of the state electricity board, which has ceased to be a legal entity due to expiry of transmission utility licence, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission has summoned the chief secretary and the principal secretary, Power, and the chairperson of the board to personally explain the position.

In a notice served on the three officers the commission has also made it clear that it will be compelled to initiate further proceedings under the Electricity Act, 2003, on account of non-compliance of its provisions. It has specifically asked the government whether the board, which is a bundled entity, continues to enjoy the deemed status of the State Transmission Utility and a licensee under the Act? The officers have been asked to appear before the commission on February 13. The commission has expressed its displeasure over the failure of the concerned authorities to furnish information sought by it regarding the permission granted by the Centre and the steps being taken by it to segregate the functions of transmission, generation and distribution in accordance with the Act.

The notice has further compounded troubles of the state electricity board and the government. It is a serious matter as under the Act the commission is empowered to make appropriate interim arrangements after the revocation of licence in regard to the operation of the utility, including the appointment of administrator, under Section 20 of the Act. In the instant case the deemed licence of the state utility has already expired following the refusal of the Centre to grant extension for the board to continue in the unbundled form. In case the government fails to start the process of unbundling to the satisfaction of the commission, it will have no option but to suspend the illegal board and appoint an administrator to tide over the legal crisis created due to expiry of the transmission licence. If no progress is made commission could even start the process for the sale of the utility by inviting bids from private companies.

The commission had been left with no alternative but to initiate action against the board because of the indifferent attitude of the government, which had been dithering on the issue of unbundling. It is the statutory responsibility of the commission to ensure that state power utilities functioned in accordance with the Act and it cannot remain a mute spectator if the licence of a utility is revoked for its failure to comply with the law.

The government can no longer drag its feet on the issue and it will have to immediately set up a separate transmission utility to comply with the provisions of the Act. The new utility could than approach the commission for a transmission licence. Any further delay would spell doom for the board, as failure to Act even after expiry of licence will show the commission in poor light.

Shimla, January 17
Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Ramesh Dhwala presented a draft of Rs 35.15 lakh on account of dividend from the State Civil Supplies Corporation to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, here today.

The Chief Minister congratulated the management for outstanding achievement of the corporation, which achieved a higher turnover and earned profit. It achieved sales turnover of Rs 908.86 crore last year, an increase of Rs 259.34 crore over the preceding year and posted a profit of Rs 194.09 lakh before tax, while the net profit amounted to Rs 128.12 lakh. He said the corporation had emerged a source of inspiration for other public sector undertakings in the state.

Dhwala informed the Chief Minister that the corporation was paying dividend at the rate of 10 per cent of paid-up capital of Rs 351.50 lakh for the year 2007-08. He said a cumulative dividend of Rs 330.16 lakh had been paid-up to year 2007-08 against the subscribed share capital of Rs 351.50 lakh.

Vice-chairman of the corporation Ram Swaroop Sharma, additional chief secretary Harinder Hira and managing director Ajay Bhandari accompanied the minister.

Hamirpur, January 17
Divisional manager of Hamirpur division of Punjab National Bank (PNB) A S Gupta said bank was issuing agriculture cards for farmers on the basis of which they could draw loans up to Rs 10 lakh on easy instalments at the rate of 3 to 7 per cent.

Giving this information to mediapersons here he said, “This card is valid for the next five years and farmers would not have to mortgage their land for obtaining the loans up to 1 lakh and he would get the personal insurance cover of Rs 50,000 by paying only Rs 5 under this scheme.”

Gupta said, “The bank is also opening a rural self employment centre at Hamirpur through which training would be given to farmers and artisans to earn their livelihood.”

He said, “Through a drive new bank accounts are being opened in the bank and non-performing assets (NPA’s) are also being cleared through settlements.”

“The bank is also having Internet banking facility, debit cards facility, PNB prudent sweep, smart roamer and such other facilities besides providing easy educational loans for students,” he said.

Gupta said all branches of the bank had come under core banking system, eight ATM’s were functioning and ATM’s at Bhota, Bhareri and Tahliwal would also be installed soon.

Bilaspur, January 17
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pushpender Rana here has categorically denied that any 30 trees have been axed while constructing a footpath from Van Vihar Danoh to Oel, along side the upper hillock of main market, here in town.

In a signed statement to press, referred to mediapersons carried by some newspapers earlier, Pushpnder Rana here today asserted that the Forest Department had immediately deputed an Assistant Conservator to visit the spot and inquire the matter and he had found that only two Khair trees of fifth grade and fifteen saplings of wide leaf varieties were found damaged and a damage report had been issued for the same.

Rana said an explanation had been sought from the Forest Range Officer and field employees under him for allowing a JCB machine on this work and also for not taking any action against the JCB owner for this lapse despite clear instructions not to deploy the machine. They have also been ordered to take immediate action against the JCB owner.

The DFO added that all work had been stopped on this footpath and the forest guard posted in this beat had been transferred with immediate effect.

It would be recalled that the 12th Finance Commission had provided an amount of Rs 20 lakh to the department here for construction of an 8 feet footpath along this hillside so that people could go for a walk undisturbed by vehicles.

Sundernagar/Mandi, January 17
In an incident of its own kind a man committed suicide by hanging himself. Before this he had killed his daughter and tried to kill his wife at Alsoo village, near Sundernagar, today. The wife had been referred to PGI, Chandigarh, as she was in a serious condition.

According to information, the incident was reported at Police Post, Dehar, falling in the jurisdiction of Police Station, Sundernagar, vide which the body of Subash (31) was found hanging in his house, the body of his daughter Shivani (2) was lying in the room and his wife Mangla (26) was found in an unconscious state.

According to Sundernagar SHO Jagdish Hans, the deceased beat his daughter and wife yesterday night (both were having injuries on their bodies). He also tried to kill his wife by administering some poison. After the post-mortem, the bodies were handed over to the relatives. According to police, it has registered a case under Sections 302, 307 of the IPC against Subash at this stage and started investigation.

The police registered the case after Subhash Chand’s elder brother, Nanak Chand, informed the police.

The police suspect it be case of suicide by man as he was a mentally sick. He must have killed them while they were fast asleep, the police added.

The post-mortem report revealed that the man died due to hanging and his daughter died due to twisting of her neck. ASP, Mandi, Madan Lal, said, “Body of Subhash was hanging from the ceiling fan while his daughter was dead and wife was in unconscious condition and was rushed to zonal hospital, Mandi, from where she was referred in critical condition to PGI.”

Shimla, January 17
The Himachal Pradesh University has served notice for initiating disciplinary action against two students after they were found guilty of misconduct and violation of rules and regulations.

The committee, which conducted inquiry into charges against Naresh Kumar of MCA and Munish Kumar of M Tech, found their replies unsatisfactory.

A spokesperson for the university said the two students had been put on probation till the completion of their respective courses and till this period they would be debarred from representing any institution of the university in any tournament, cultural competition of youth festival. They would also remained suspended from any office they might be holding in any students organisation and would not be allowed to contest election for any office of the Students Central Association.

In case of any act of indiscipline during the probation period they will be dropped from the rolls of the university.