Shimla, February 19
Even as the issue of alleged irregularities in allotment of land to outsiders under Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reform Act remains a hot political cake, the process for the cancellation of 15 allotments made for tourism projects has been initiated, but without much success.

After the scrutiny of various tourism projects for which essentiality certificates (EC) were issued over the past some time, the Tourism Department has decided to withdraw permission in cases where norms were not followed.

With the cancellation of permission being a cumbersome legal procedure, the process was still under way.

It was in 15 of the 34 cases that the department withdrew the ECs given by it to entrepreneurs for seeking relaxation under Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reform Act, which bars non-agriculturists and outsiders from purchasing land in Himachal Pradesh.

The process for cancellation of permission granted under Section 118 has been initiated by the deputy commissioners concerned after the Tourism Department intimated them about the withdrawal of the EC.

After the BJP assumed power in the state, it was found that norms had not been followed in 15 of the 34 cases. While in some cases, there was diversion of land for purposes other than tourism activities, including real estate, some others had not sought permission for land purchase under Section 118 from the revenue authorities.

In some cases, work had not been started even after two years after the purchase of land for the construction of hotels or related activities.

“The promoters concerned are contesting the withdrawal of ECs on the basis of which relaxation under Section 118 had been granted,” said revenue officials.

The Tourism Department had intimated the promoters, the Secretary (Revenue) and the Deputy Commissioner concerned about the decision.

Shimla, February 19
Terming the state budget for 2009-10 as a hollow document, bereft of vision and any strategy to combat the pressing problems facing the state, Leader of Opposition Vidya Stokes today lambasted the Dhumal government for ignoring the objective of “inclusive growth” while framing the proposals.

She expressed concern over the failure of the government to address the problem of unemployment that had assumed alarming propositions.

Rising unemployment was a dangerous trend, she said. While there was nothing in the budget that pointed towards inclusive growth, there were certain unmistakable counter indications.

“The budget document accepts that growth rate has declined from 9.2 in 2006 to 7.7 per cent in 2008-09, but there is no analysis of the problem that is leading to deceleration. Moreover, there are no suggested corrective steps,” she added.

Despite huge revenue surplus, the government had not applied brakes on fresh borrowings that were expected to be around Rs 2,500 crore in 2008-09.

Why should borrowing be contracted if these were not required for capital expenditure, she asked.

Kaul Singh said the education system had been virtually paralysed as the government had retrenched PTA teachers. Even patwaris and constables were being appointed on contract basis, which was against norms.

The health services had also deteriorated with the BJP government de-notifying some of the first referral units (FRUs) set up under the national rural health mission. The most objectionable part was that some regional hospitals had been made FRUs.

Naldehra, February 19
Golfing is soon going to be an entirely new experience here as the road which dissected the Naldehra golf course into two has been given a diversion to link Shimla with surrounding villages.

The diversion of the road is complete and will be thrown open by mid-March. With the expansion of the course, the era of criss-cross golfing at Naldehra will come to an end as most players feel shy of playing on a such a course.

Till now Naldehra golf course has been one of the most challenging locations in the country. It is a hill course with a natural terrain.

Some call it the highest golf course, which it is not. The credit for being the highest golf course in the country goes to Gulmarg. But it does not take away the shine from Naldehra for the simple reason that it is offers a unique experience in terms of lies as the hilly and sharp slopes test the skills of a golfer to the hilt.

Tall pine trees around the course compel the golfer to hit the ball on a slightly higher trajectory so that it falls on the right spots. Playing here is no easy and the best of talent can falter.

But the Naldehra Golf Club is keeping fairways and greens in an excellent shape. According to Ashok Gupta, manager of the club, with road removed from the main course, playing golf will be more exciting now. With diversion ready, this course will now appear in a new avtar, attracting more golfers from the neightbouring states.

“Earlier, we did not have a really big tournament here, but inter-club competitions
had been the norm so far, but the Naldehra golf is going to enter a new phase,”
adds Gupta.

Earlier, a golfer had to hit across the road, above pine trees, over a ravine and sharp slopes to reach various greens. But all this is going to change in a few weeks.

On the spot where the road existed will be made a fairway to become part of the main 18-hole golf course, which will certainly go a long way in luring golfers to Naldehra for a new challenge.

Kangra, February 19
Three persons, including a child, were killed and 42 injured, 10 of them seriously, when a private bus in which they were travelling rolled down into a 100-foot-deep gorge at Dehrian village on the Baroh Aerla road this afternoon.

The condition of four injured was said to be critical. Dehra SDPO Kulwant Singh said the ill-fated bus (HP 39 5281) was on way from Dharamsala to Aerla when the accident took place.

He said one person was killed on the spot while another succumbed to his injuries at the PHC, Baroh. The injured were rushed to the PHC, Baroh, in private vehicles.

Private doctors also came forward to help in the treatment of the injured. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, the SDPO said.

The dead were identified as Vinay Kumar (26) of Uthragran, Gopal Singh (52) of Dhanuav and Shubam (2) of Parveen Kumar of Baroh.

SDM Shiana reached the spot. A team of the doctors was also rushed there from Nagrota Bagwan.

Three ambulances were pressed into service by the Tanda medical college authorities and all senior doctors were called to attend the injured, said Medical Superintendent Bhano Awasthi.

Bhano said 38 patients were admitted to the hospital. Four of them were critically injured. Naib Tehsildar Ram Jeet said Rs 10,000 each were given as immediate relief to the families of the deceased, while the injured were given Rs 2,000 each.

Solan, February 19
The union government may have earmarked crores for providing quality education under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to students but the abject absenteeism of teachers in the remotely located schools has defeated the very purpose.

In a glaring case of mass irregularity Deputy Director (elementary) K.R.Garg today served a show-cause notice on the entire staff of Government Middle School, Kasauli Gaon, after he found the school premises locked with neither students nor teachers being present there around 3 pm when he paid a surprise visit to the school.

The official timings of the school are from 10 am to 4 pm. Garg told The Tribune that, “It was shocking to know that the school had been closed in the working hours and there was no sign of either the teachers or the students.”

He added that the revelation had come as a shock to the department as this behaviour was tantamount to highest level of irregularity.

A show-cause notice has been issued to the entire staff comprising a headmaster and four other teachers. They are required to submit their reply within three days after which the future course of action would be decided.

He rued while the central government incurred crores on improving the standard of education such absenteeism had defeated the very purpose of quality education.

The teachers, including headmaster Balbir Singh, Vidisha Garg, Ramchander
and Nirmal Saklani, would be handed over the show-cause notice tomorrow
morning as the same had been left with the headmaster of an adjoining
Government Primary School.

Interestingly, the primary school was found operational when Garg paid a surprise visit. He said among the two teachers one was present while the other had taken a day’s leave.

The principal of the Government Senior Secondary School, Kasauli, under whose jurisdiction this middle school falls, has been directed not to release one-day’s salary till further directions, informed Garg.

It was interesting to note the erring staff comprised teachers who resided locally while two others came from Dharampur.

Manali, February 19
The five-day long winter carnival this time came out of its “local mela” mindset after 31 years, but it partially succeeded in its aim of roping in more tourists. However, it concluded with a promising note here today “trying to go the Goa carnival way”.

The crowd was dominated by the locals, mainly young boys and girls in large number from all over the district.

The committee pooled in best efforts to capture the funny and festive spirit
showcasing street processions, street plays, and singing competitions seeking
tourist participation.

Director, business development, Fashion TV, India, Sanjiv Narang, said, “The right kind of professionals in the fields of fashion designing, event management, film industry and other celebrities from Himachal Pradesh or outside can take winter carnival to new heights of promoting tourism in the state.”

President MMC Rajeshwar Goel said, “For the first time in the carnival nearly 100 cultural procession teams drawn from different parts of the country participated.” The concluding function was presided over by local MLA Govind Singh Thakur.