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Cong violated Sec 118 of land act: Dhumal
Residents welcome Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal when he arrived for his winter sojourn at Dharamsala on Tuesday. Photo: Kamaljeet
Revenue official hurt in clash over land possession
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New code to em(power) consumers
BJP leaders trying to influence Cong choice?
School gets two classrooms under SSA
Plea to frame transfer rules
Teachers’ transfers condemned
Panchayat pradhan suspended
Appointment of junior scientific assistant illegal: HC
BJP ‘outruns’ Congress in declaring LS candidates
Two held in taxi driver murder case
Kamla Nehru hospital to be shifted
Two found dead
UPA regime overlooked state’s interests: BJP
Police post upgraded
Rau to unfurl Tricolour at the Ridge
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Cong violated Sec 118 of land act: Dhumal
Dharamsala, January 20 While talking to The Tribune he said the Congress had been levelling allegations regarding violations of the act against the present government. However, we have recently gone through 48 sanctions given by the previous Congress government under the act. Out of these, 47 cases of glaring violations committed under the act. Under the current provision the government cannot allow permission to outsiders to buy agriculture land in case the agriculturist becomes landless. However, the previous government overlooked the fact while granting permission. In some cases permission was granted on the day application was moved. How can the government verify all the credentials of buyers and sellers in a single day. In other cases permission has even been granted to sell the kitchen garden land that is against the prevailing rules. The cases would be put before people to expose the propaganda being launched by Congress leaders, he said. While responding to a query he also said that in case the UPA government reduced prices of diesel the Himachal government would also reduce the bus fares in a similar proportion. The UPA government is exploiting the people by not reducing the fuel prices when the crude oil prices in international market have reduced to just 35$ per barrel. The bus fares in the lower areas of state would also come down when the CNG gas pipeline reaches Solan by 2010. An agreement for the purpose has already been reached with GAIL. On the issue of election campaign the CM said that corruption committed by previous Congress government in the state would still remain as their main poll plank. Besides, the failure of UPA government to check the corporate scam like Satyam that instilled bad sentiment for Indian industry would be brought to the fore before the people. The CM also met a delegation of JBT students from various parts of the state. The students requested the CM to allow the job assurance clause in their agreement entered by them with government while taking admission in JBT institutions. The CM assured to look into the matter. The CM also that Sham Saran, Adviser to the Prime Minister, would visit Dharamsala to deliberate on the issue of environment. |
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Revenue official hurt in clash over land possession
Solan, January 20 The villagers who rued that they had not been handed over the due compensation were protesting this acquisition and demanded suitable rehabilitation of the displaced families. According to information available here, revenue officials led by Arki SDM Rohit Zambal and comprising of tehsildar SP Sharma, president of JP Associates Rajiv Gaur, policemen and some labourers descended on the house of Daulat Ram and in a bid to take possession of his house started dismantling his structure comprising of five rooms and a cow shed. Daulat Ram’s wife Nanki was alone at home when the team arrived. The villagers on learning about this demolition reportedly attacked the team and some villagers pelted stones at the tehsildar causing him some injury in his finger. The irate villagers who were demanding payment of their compensation failed to listen to the revenue officials that their dues had been deposited in the treasury and it would soon be disbursed to them. They were also demanding a rehabilitation package in lieu of this displacement. The SP, Solan, SPS Verma, said the revenue officials were proceeding legally, but the irate villagers later gheraoed the two company officials- Mukesh Sharma and Ashok Sharma. It was after a lot of effort that the police managed to free them from the villagers and brought them to the police station for safety. Seeing the situation assume a provocative stance the police from Pandoh Battalion in Mandi district and neighbouring districts of Bilaspur and Shimla was requisitioned to maintain peace in the area, the SP confirmed. More than 100 policemen had been deployed as a precautionary measure. He added that the additional SP and ADM were also rushed to the spot to take handle the situation. A case under Sections 353 and 147 of the IPC for rioting, assault and use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty was later registered on the complaint of the tehsildar, the SP added. A police naka had also been put up at Shalughat to prevent the entry of any untoward persons in the area. |
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New code to em(power) consumers
Shimla, January 20 The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has already notified the draft code for filing objections and suggestions, which will be received up to January 31. The final code will be notified after conducting a public hearing. As per the code, the board will have to provide electricity connections to consumers from LT (low-tension) line within one month in case no extension of distribution mains or commissioning of a new substation is involved. The period will extend to 45 or 60 days in case extension is required and up to a maximum of 120 days where a substation has to be provided. Similarly, a temporary connection will have to be provided within seven days from the receipt of application in case no extension of distribution mains or commissioning of a substation is involved. In case of new or additional load, the licensee will have to seek approval of the commission for extension of period, if power availability clearance is likely to take more than 30 days. For shifting of a meter or service connection for feeding the same premises or for diversion of existing lines, time schedule will be 7 days (meter or service connection), 20 days (LT and HT lines) and 30 days (transformer). As far as possible, the board will maintain supply in a frequency band from 49 Hz to 50.5 Hz, as stipulated in the grid code and not permit the frequency to vary by more than 3 per cent. The voltage at the point of supply will remain within the prescribed limit of plus-minus 6 per cent for low tension, 6 per cent to -9 per cent for high tension and 10 per cent to -12.5 per cent for extra-high tension. The board will be required to give a minimum of 15-day notice in writing for disconnecting the supply in case of non-payment of bill by the due date. Supply will not be disconnected if any sum is not recoverable as per the code. Further, the supply will not be disconnected on a day when the next day is a holiday, except in case of theft of power. The consumers will be able to make advance payment of future bills on the format approved by the commission. The board will continue to issue bills that will indicate the amount adjusted and the balance amount of advance payment. |
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Lok Sabha Candidates Dharam Prakash Gupta Tribune News Service
Hamirpur, January 20 There are reports that some top leaders are even trying to influence the Congress’ choice of candidates through their “close friends within the state Congress”. They are even keeping a close watch on the moves of the Congress leaders in that regard. BJP leaders are showing keen interest in the selection of Congress candidate for the Hamirpur constituency from where son of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Anurag Thakur (sitting MP) has been fielded once again. Former BJP leader Narinder Thakur, who recently joined the Congress, is one of the strong contenders for the party ticket from here. Being a son of former BJP stalwart late Jagdev Chand Thakur, a few BJP leaders are apprehensive if Narinder Thakur is made to contest from Hamirpur by the Congress, he may cause damage to the party. These leaders are, therefore, trying to ensure that the Congress fields somebody else from here. “Efforts of such manipulations are already in the knowledge of top Congress leaders,” sources said. President of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee Kaul Singh Thakur said, “There is no question of influencing the party’s choice of candidate from any constituency by any quarter.” Winning prospects of candidates would be the sole criterion for their selection for the party ticket, he added.
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School gets two classrooms under SSA
Kangra, January 20 Project Officer, SSA, Dev Raj Sharma after visiting the school said the dilapidated Government Primary School building at Icchhi with damaged rooms and leaking roofs was inspected and decision was taken to construct two classrooms through the SSA. He said the junior engineer was directed to make an estimate for major repairs of the other three rooms, which were leaking, to be submitted to the Director, Elementary Education, for funds. He said work on both the projects would start expeditiously so that the children were relieved of the present trauma, particularly during the rainy season. Block education resource person Ram Chand accompanied him during the visit. During a visit to the school it was found that one room was completely damaged and roofs of the three remaining classrooms were leaking and 105 children of the primary classes were shivering in the cold on the veranda of the building during the school hours. The authorities had been informed in writing too about the building condition, which had resulted in the sufferings of the children, but of no avail.
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Plea to frame transfer rules
Dharamsala, January 20 However, the committee failed to arrive at any conclusion. In previous Congress regime also, a committee was formed under the former minister Kaul Singh. Once again the memorandum for framing rules for transfer has been submitted to the present government. The state president of HP Karamchari Parisang Vinod Kumar stated this while addressing a press conference here today. He said that the present government had taken lead by adopting policy for transfers. However, we are hopeful that rules for transfers would also be adopted soon that can curb the transfer industry in the state. The transfer industry started in the state during the regime of previous Congress government. He also alleged that during the previous Congress regime Rs 80 crore were forcibly collected from employees for accidental insurance scheme and contributions for various calamities. However, no transparency has been adopted in accounts of funds collected. We have requested the present government to probe said funds collected from the employees. Interestingly, parisang leaders supported the government move to abolish the administrative tribunal. The employee leaders of parisang alleged that the administrative tribunal had failed to redress the genuine problems of the employees. Most of the appointments in tribunal were political due to which its decisions were tainted, the employee leaders alleged. When asked if employees won’t face problem while contesting there cases in the high court at Shimla, Vinod Kumar said that they had asked the government to get a special court constituted for hearing the cases of employees at district headquarters.
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Teachers’ transfers condemned
Bilaspur, January 20 Addressing mediapersons here this afternoon, Congress district spokesperson Mast Ram Varma said while a large number of teachers have been displaced at the instance of BJP leaders with an eye on ensuing parliamentary election, it amply proves how much the BJP is worried about the future of students. He said these transfers have caused great resentment and worry among the parents of students where teachers have been given these marching orders.
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Fund Bungling Tribune News Service
Mandi, January 20 According to sources, Rangila Ram was found guilty by the inspection team appointed by the DC. The funds were reportedly meant for the construction of water tanks at Dhivi Galu, village paths from Nehr to Mornu and from Bagligalu to Chery school. Pradhan was found guilty of cornering NREGA funds worth Rs 1.2 lakh, Rs 1.63 lakh and Rs 1.84 lakh, respectively, under these schemes. The investigation found that out of Rs 2.4 lakh allotted for the water tanks, a sum of only Rs 45, 845 was actually spent on the work while the rest of the amount was bungled by the pradhan. Out of Rs 2.32 lakh meant for village path from Nehr to Mornu, the pradhan spent just Rs 52, 390 on the path and rest of the amount was cornered by him, the inspection claimed. In case of the Bagligalu-Cheri path, pradhan spent Rs 56,666 on the construction of the path and the rest of the amount was pocketed by him, the team claimed. The pradhan was also found guilty of entering his name in the records as an IRDP member and forging documents. He owns a car, a motorcycle, a tipper, and runs two shops in Thuna township, sources added. He had reportedly deposited Rs 75,600 in his PNB account on July 26, 2008. He had also reportedly given a cheque for Rs 1.23 lakh and transferred NREGA amount in his name. Sources said the DC Mandi had issued a show-cause notice to the pradhan asking him to file a reply within 15 days, but he did not respond. The DC ordered his suspension after the inspection team found him guilty of committing irregularities in the NREGA funds, sources added.
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Appointment of junior scientific assistant illegal: HC
Shimla, January 20 Justice Rajiv Sharma further observed that the appointments to the public offices must be made in a very very transparent manner in accordance with law and the persons, who are not eligible, should not be considered at all. The petitioner, Deepa Sharma, challenged the selection process for the aforesaid post on the ground that the selected candidate was not in possession of requisite essential qualification i.e. MSc Degree First Class on the last date of receipt of application on May 22, 2006. The advertisement for the aforesaid post was issued on April 30, 2006 and the last date of receipt of application was May 22, 2006. But at the time of submission of application the selected candidate had appeared in fourth semester of MSc and the result of the last semester was awaited. She was called for the interview on October 16, 2006 and was
selected. Deepa contended that the selected candidate was not eligible on the last date of receipt of application. It is well settled that the candidate must be eligible on the last date prescribed in the Recruitment and Promotions Rules or if there is no date prescribed in the rules in that eventuality it has to be the last date of receipt of application. |
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BJP ‘outruns’ Congress in declaring LS candidates
Mandi, January 20 Top party cadre attended the crucial meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) and the BJP parliamentary board in New Delhi yesterday. The CEC meeting was chaired by BJP prime ministerial candidate LK Advani, national BJP president Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, former CM and vice-president Shanta Kumar, party charge de affairs for Himachal Satya Pal Jain, state president Jai Ram Thakur and other senior party leaders in New Delhi, sources added. Taking the Congress head on, which hold three out of four Lok Sabha seats in the last elections, the BJP had scored a political point over its Congress rival by declaring all four candidates ahead of the former. On the other hand, the state Congress is facing music from the rival candidates staking claims for the tickets. The in charge for state party affairs, RK Dhawan, during his recent visit to Shimla had asked the state Congress to recommend the list of candidates to the CEC for final selection by January 31. Virbhadra Singh had already expressed his desire, if the high command wants, to contest from Mandi this time. In fact, he had emerged as the best bet against former MP Maheshwar Singh, the BJP candidate for the Lok Sabha. Sitting MP and wife of Virbhadra Singh Pratibha Singh had already declared her unwillingness to contest from Mandi this time due to some personal reasons. Even the name of state president Kaul Singh Thakur is doing the round from Mandi, the sources added. The party may try the old warhorse and sitting MP Chander Kumar, a leader of the Other Backward Caste (OBC), which is a deciding factor in Kangra district, pitting him against newcomer Rajan Sushant for the BJP. To cash in on the legacy of Chander Kumar, who was rival of Shanta Kumar, the Congress may field Narinder Thakur from Hamirpur against Anurag Thakur, the sources added. The names of former Forest Minister Ram Lal Thakur, who had contested last two elections unsuccessfully, and sitting Nadaun MLA Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu are also doing the rounds, the sources added.
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Two held in taxi driver murder case
Kangra, January 20 Kangra District Police Chief Atul Fulzele said today that the Punjab Police with the help of Kangra police and CIA official from here arrested two persons from Ludhiana. They were identified as Yogesh (18) and Nav Deep (28), both residents of Ludhiana. He said both the arrested youths were cousins and the absconding accused was Yogesh’s father. Fulzele said the duo had confessed the crime and efforts were on to trace the third accused. He said the police was now trying the trace out the stolen Tavera (HP01D-1242). |
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Kamla Nehru hospital to be shifted
Shimla, January 20 This was stated by health minister Rajiv Bindal here today while presiding over a meeting to review the functioning of the health department. At present the medical staff, patients and attendant have to shuttle from the IGMC to Kamla Nehru Hospital located more than a kilometre away. Bindal said the shifting of hospital would go a long way in providing medical services to patients under one roof and patients would not face problems in getting various lab tests conducted. He said that the office of the Chief Medical Officer would also be shifted from the local Deen Dayal Updhayay Hospital to help provide parking facilities and adequate space for accommodating patients and staff in the new complex. He also said that the work on the construction of new building meant for B-Pharmacy course in Ayurveda would soon be started so that the classes could commence at the earliest. |
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Two found dead
Nurpur, January 20 According to DSP Bidhi Chand Verma, the villagers noticed the body of Ganesh Dutt (37), son Raghubir Singh, lying in the bushes. He had been missing for the past five days. He said the deceased was habitual drunkard and might have fallen in the bushes after consuming liquor. The severe cold is stated to be the cause of his death. In another case the villagers of Panjara village today noticed a body floating in a well. According to the police, the deceased was identified as Balbir Singh (28), son Purn Singh of Panjara village. He had been missing for the past 12 days. He was stated to be in depression before he got missing. |
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UPA regime overlooked state’s interests: BJP
Shimla, January 20 Addressing a press conference here today, sitting legislator and state BJP spokesperson Randhir Sharma said the Congress-led UPA regime had discriminated against Himachal on certain issue. “Unfortunately, the MPs from Himachal had failed to effectively take up the issues concerning the state with the Centre,” he said commenting on the performance of the Lok Sabha MPs, three of whom are from the Congress. |
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Police post upgraded
Palampur, January 20 MLA Parveen Sharma this afternoon said 50 panchayats, which was earlier within the jurisdiction of Palampur police station had now been attached with Bhawarna police station. He said earlier it was very inconvenient to residents of lower areas of Palampur to visit Palampur police station even for petty complaints. Besides, he said this decision would particularly benefit the residents of Changer area falling in Sulaha, Palampur and Thural constituencies. |
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Rau to unfurl Tricolour at the Ridge
Shimla, January 20 Cultural troupes from all districts of the state would enthral the gathering on the occasion. Troupes from Punjab and Haryana would also perform on the occasion. Rana said marshal art, yoga and other such shows would also be part of the Republic Day presentations. Development activities of various departments would also be exhibited during the function. |
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launched a counter offensive against the Congress on the issue of violations committed while giving sanctions under Section 118 of the Land Tenancy Act.
