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State seeks Rs 15.9 cr from Centre for PRIs
Power Evacuation Lines
Potato to be under insurance cover
Pathankot-Leh highway in bad shape
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Rail link to Chamba sought
Chamba, March 1 The National Forum of Awareness and Development, an NGO, has urged the Union Government to declare the Pathankot-Dalhousie-Chamba-Killar-Gulabgarh-Leh road as a national highway (NH) as this has been the long cherished demand of the people of this mountainous region.
Govt urged to inaugurate science block
RTI body to lodge case on ‘nazrana’ issue
Chapter on MF Hussain to be removed
27 down with food poisoning
Telemedicine project launched
Electoral rolls
MLA’s assurance on community centres
Jukaru festival celebrated
18 khair trees felled
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State seeks Rs 15.9 cr from Centre for PRIs
Shimla, March 1 Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal took up the matter with Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer, who called on him at Himachal Sadan in New Delhi today. He said the state government had submitted a proposal under the Rashtriya Gram Sawraj Yojana to the ministry and sought fund for the establishment of resource centres at gram panchayat level in a phased manner. It had urged the ministry to provide Rs 3.4 lakh per resource centre and accordingly release Rs 10.2 crore for the construction of 300 such centres in the current financial year. Dhumal has also sought assistance for the construction of “panchayat ghars” in the state. There are 3,243 panchayats in all and the state government has constructed 1,019 “panchayat ghars” out of its own resources so far. However, about 1,500 gram panchayats, which are housed in old one-room buildings, require upgrading and funds are needed for the purpose. They also require facilities like computers and libraries. Dhumal informed Aiyer that the government had set up two panchayati raj training institutes, one at Mashobra in Shimla and the other at Baijnath in Kangra. These institutes had been entrusted the responsibility of imparting training to around 25,000 elected representatives of panchayati raj institutions and about 10,000 related officials. However, they were still not able to discharge their responsibilities effectively due to lack of adequate training, accommodation and infrastructure. The government had submitted a Rs 5.7-crore proposal to the union ministry for upgrading the facilities. Dhumal said the seats reserved for women should not be rotated for at least three elections to enable the women candidates to develop emotional understanding with the area and the electorate. He also suggested that separate budget be provided for panchayat roads and other local infrastructure at the grassroot level in villages. Aiyer appreciated the steps taken by the government for the strengthening of panchayati raj institutions in the state and assured that the Centre would provide liberal assistance to the state for the implementation of various schemes. |
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Power Evacuation Lines
Shimla, March 1 Over the next two years, about 65 mini and micro-hydel projects with aggregate capacity of over 250 MW are slated for completion, but the board has so far not started work on ground for putting in place transmission lines for evacuation of power from these project. The entire power to be generated from the projects is to be supplied to the board by independent power producers (IPPs) at the rate of Rs 2.87 per unit, for which the state electricity regulatory commission (SERC) has framed a model power
purchase agreement. The agreement also provides that in case the board failed to put in place transmission lines for evacuation of power by the time the project is commissioned, it will have to pay the IPP concerned for the deemed saleable energy at a fixed rate. On an average, one megawatt of installed capacity generates 4.5 million units of electricity annually and as such even if projects with aggregate capacity of 200 MW are commissioned, over 90 crore units of power would be available annually. If the evacuation system is not in place, the board will have pay over Rs 200 crore for deemed saleable energy. The loss to the board on that count will be double as the failure to evacuate power will deprive the board of the surplus power that it could utilise for banking with other states to meet the winter shortfall or sell at an attractive rate of Rs 5 per unit or above. Thus, the net loss to the board will be in excess of
Rs 400 crore. The board had prepared a master plan after the SERC pulled up the board on the issue and laid down a policy under which transmission system beyond the interconnection point has to be provided by the board. Moreover, in absence of integrated approach, multiple transmission lines will have to be laid in narrow valleys for which there is no space. The case is no different in case of big projects. Big IPPs like the Malana Power Company, which is executing the 192-MW Allain Duhungan project, have gone ahead with their plans to erect their own transmission lines for evacuation of power. This will lead to a situation where multiple lines will have to be laid for which there is not much room in the narrow valleys. So far, very few transmission lines for the evacuation of about 2,500 MW power have been erected, mainly for Nathpa-Jhakri, Baspa, Malana and Chamera projects. The total potential of the state is 20,564 MW of which only 6,393 MW has been exploited and the projects with aggregate capacity of 5,951 MW are under execution. Transmission lines for evacuation of remaining 14,171 MW power ill have to be provided over the next 10 years. If every project builds its own transmission lines, the total length of the network will exceed 25,000 km for which there is not enough space in the narrow valleys. |
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Potato to be under insurance cover
Kunihar, March 1 He said financial provisions for the purpose had already been made in the annual plan for the next financial year. The potato produce of Kangra and Una districts and tomato of Solan district would be covered under the plan. Efforts were also afoot to extend the necessary marketing facilities for these crops, he added. He announced a slew of benefits for the farmers at a public gathering at Kunihar after laying the foundation stone of a sewerage scheme that was estimated to a cost around Rs 4.32 crore. He gave details of the achievements of his 14-month-old government. He said all recommendations of local leaders as regards educational institutions and link roads would be adopted and implemented. He reiterated his government’s resolve to implement the total sanitation programme. Undertaking sewerage schemes would help achieve that objective, he said. He said the Rs 353-crore Pandit Deen Dayal Kisan-Baagwan Samridhi Yojna was aimed at diversifying cultivation of cash crops and it would create employment and self-employment avenues for the rural youth at their doorstep. Later, he addressed another public gathering at Arki after dedicating a bus stand (constructed at a cost of Rs 60 lakh) to the people of the area. He also laid the foundation stone of a 33-KV substation (estimated to cost Rs 2.5 crore) and inaugurated a girls’ hostel at Government Degree College, Arki. The hostel has been completed at a cost of Rs 1.68 crore. He said a hydropower engineering college was being set up in the state in association with prominent power sector PSUs. The aim was to train the youth in hydropower engineering. He said the state government was committed to harness the entire identified hydropower potential of the state. Besides generating employment avenues for the local people, it would also earn income to the state, he added. He said voltage improvement programmes were being undertaken all over the state to relieve the people of the problem of low voltage, especially in rural areas. Irrigation and Public Health Minister Ravinder Ravi, Transport Minister Kishan Kapoor, officials of the district administration and MLAs of the district were also present on the occasion. |
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Pathankot-Leh highway in bad shape
Palampur, March 1 This road was declared a NH about 22 years ago, keeping in view the defence requirements for supply of goods and equipment to Leh and other border areas. Even after 22 years the state Public Works Department (PWD) could not convert 25 per cent portion of the road into a NH. The PWD, which looks after the execution and maintenance of this highway, has virtually neglected the road and the funds provided by the Ministry of Surface Transport from time to time were allegedly transferred to other NH under political consideration. The Army authorities were likely to resume supplies to Leh through this road by the end of May, but the condition of road between Pathankot and Nagrota Bagwan, Joginder and Mandi is in a bad shape. Vehicles carrying heavy Army supplies and defence equipment would find it difficult to move on this road. The PWD is well conversant with the fact that this was the lone route for carrying Army supplies to Leh, Kargil and other border areas before the passes like Rohtang and Baralacha closes, but it had initiated no steps to repair the damaged portion of the road at many points. Major portion of the highway, near Gumma, have developed big cracks and most of the drivers refuse to take their loaded trucks through
this portion. The construction of culverts between Malan and Nagrota Bagwan was going on for the past six years, but no steps were imitated for its early completion resulting in fatal accidents daily. Besides, the bitumen layer put on the NH has washed out during the rains attracting criticism on the quality of road construction. Likewise, an 8-km long portion of the highway between Ghatshani and Urla, Drand and Tandu has virtually turned into a kutcha road. If no early measures were taken in this regard the Army authorities may not be able to carry their supplies to Leh this year. |
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Rail link to Chamba sought
Chamba, March 1 The NGO has also demanded rail link to Chamba from the nearest railhead at Pathankot, besides linking the Chamba region by developing an airport somewhere at a suitable sight in the area. The proposals mooted by the NGO revealed that the plan of national highway, railway and airport to connect the region would go a long way in boosting the thriving tourism industry, marketing of apple and transporting heavy machinery to the hydropower projects in the area thereby adding wings to progress of the far-flung corner of the country. |
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Bhagsunag temple to get facelift
Dharamsala, March 1 Sources said as per the envisaged plan the authorities were planning to replace the dome of the temple. At present the dome of the temple is round that resembles Mughal architecture. However, the authorities were of the view that roof of the temple is very low for the comfort of visiting devotees. In the new plan dome of the temple would be replaced by more higher and pointed roof in the shape of traditional
Hindu temples. The community kitchen hall of the temple is also lying pending since long. With the present grant the temple development authorities plan to complete the hall. The authorities have also planned to improve approach of
the temple. At present the devotees approach the temple through a narrow staircase located in a narrow lane. The temple authorities have planned to create
a separate approach to the temple from the parking area. The idea is to create a comparatively wider approach to the temple, the authorities said. The rest of the amount would be spent for developing the swimming pool in the campus area, creating good toilet facilities and improving the trekking path to Bhagsu waterfall. The Bhagsu waterfall is a major attraction for tourists, especially during summer. However, the trekking path is narrow and steep at certain places making it difficult for old age tourists. In the new plan the authorities plan to remove the portions where the tourists have to trek sweep gradient and construct railing along these areas. Besides, tiles that were being brought in from Chamba would also be embedded on the trek. When asked about kiosks set up by locals along the Baghsunag waterfall, the authorities here said for time being there was no plan to relocate change of the existing kiosks. However, no new kiosks of temporary shops were being allowed in the area. The sources said the administration should get a master plan of the Bhagsunag area prepared. The unplanned construction is destroying the natural beauty of the area. However, if a master plan of the area is in place the haphazard construction could be stopped and the place could be developed as major tourist destination. |
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Govt urged to inaugurate science block
Bilaspur, March 1 This was alleged by village leaders of the area led by panchayat president Chajju Ram and Radhe Shyam, Prem Singh, Amarjit Kaur, Gurdial Singh, Hari Ram Sharma, Surat Singh, Bhag Singh, Hari Charan and Karam Singh in a signed statement released to mediapersons here today. These leaders said former Forests Minister and Congress leader Ram Lal Thakur had arranged funds worth Rs 42 lakh in 2005 for this facility for students of Classes XI and XII. The building was completed about one-and-a-half-year ago during the tenure of former Congress government, but it could not be inaugurated and put to its use due to premature declaration of Assembly elections, but now more than one year had lapsed and the BJP government had not inaugurated it. Nearly 90 students have been deprived of the facility. They also said the concerned authorities have also failed to construct the hall of the school for which another amount of Rs 25 lakh was got sanctioned and provided to the PWD by Thakur in 2005. Even construction of this building has not started yet. They urged the Chief Minister to ensure that the science block building is immediately inaugurated after doing the necessary repairs which have become necessary due to this utter neglect up till now and also the school hall is constructed at the earliest in pure interest of the students of this backward area. |
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RTI body to lodge case on ‘nazrana’ issue
Mandi, March 1 Though the Sarva Devta Committee (SDC) dismissed Lawan Thakur’s charges on “nazrana hike” as baseless, the committee instead demanded that the half of the Shivratri budget should be given to devtas as they were fountainhead of the week-long Shivratri mela down
the centuries. On the other hand, RTI Bureau state convener Lawan Thakur claimed that the RTI information on nazrana given to the devtas in 2007 and 2008 was not as per the 25 per cent hike announced by Chief Minister PK Dhumal, but the mela committee gave it as per its own calculation with hike ranging from 220 per cent to 31 per cent, leaving many lesser known devtas in the lurch. Lawan Thakur charged that the mela committee and SDC was hand in gloves pleasing certain devtas from the Assembly segments of certain politicians in Mandi district, giving them 220 per cent hike. Shivabadar Machial devta was given a hike of 220 per cent in 2007-08 when hike was 20 per cent, Pashakot was given a hike of 69 per cent, Hurang Narayan was given 91 per cent, Dev Tangani was given a hike of 160 per cent and Dev Chamahu 31 per cent, he added. Thakur said the RTI had exposed the tambola racket run by certain employees in the DC office as the mela committee had given tambola stall at the fair to a private party for getting Rs 90,000. Last year, tambola gave just Rs 36,070 and just Rs 7,000 in 2007. But SDC president Shivpaul Sharma said the discrepancy in nazrana appeared because all the above devtas who got more percentage of hike was due to the fact that come from long distance. The nazrana is calculated on the basis of mileage and number of the devotees who accompany the procession for the Shivratri, he explained, giving a clean chit to the mela
committee. President SMC-cum- Mandi DC Onkar Sharma could not be contacted.
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Setting up of LPG godown opposed
Palampur, March 1 In a representation made to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and Civil Supply Minister Ramesh
Dhwala, they said the government should immediately restrain the HP State Civil Supply Corporation to go ahead with the construction of the LPG
godown, which would pose as a major fire threat for them. Briefing mediapersons here recently, SK Arora and GC Sharma, president and general secretary of the Lohana Welfare Association, said if the LPG godown was constructed in the village then the residents would resort to direct action and lodge
their protest. At present the HP State Civil Supply had proposed to construct a godown near the cremation ground. Besides, heavy vehicles carrying LPG cylinders would enter in the village through its narrow roads, which would result in traffic jams. They urged the Chief Minister to personally examine the matter and direct the authorities to go ahead with this proposal at least 4 km away from the residential area. |
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Chapter on MF Hussain to be removed
Shimla, March 1 “The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education has decided to remove the chapter on MF Hussain from Class XI Hindi book prescribed by the NCERT,” board chairman C L
Gupta said. Gupta said instead of chapter on Hussain “which has nothing to inspire the students,” the board is considering including a chapter on painter Sobha Singh and ‘Missile Man’ and former President APJ Abdul Kalam from next academic session. He said the decision in this regard had been taken on the recommendation of a committee constituted by the board. Gupta, who has been accused by the Congress of having ‘saffron leanings’, said he himself perused the works of Hussain, including his controversial paintings of Hindu deities.
— PTI |
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27 down with food poisoning
Kangra, March 1 Kangra SDPO OP Jamwal said the villagers were attending a marriage party at the residence of Fugi Ram. They all had lunch there. The food was reportedly prepared yesterday. After consuming food, they started vomiting and also complained of some other complications. Medical Superintendent of the hospital Bhano Awasthi said 27 patients, including 18 children, were admitted to the hospital. All of them were treated for food poisoning and their condition was improving, he added. SDPO Jamwal said an investigation had been launched and food samples collected for forensic tests. However, nobody had been arrested in the case yet, he said. |
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Telemedicine project launched
Shimla, March 1 Under the telemedicine project 19 health centres located at all district and tribal headquarters will be linked with the PGI and IGMC so that expert advise of specialists could be taken, saving time and money resulting in early and proper diagnosis of patients. The Department of Information Technology and Health had jointly mooted the project. |
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Electoral rolls
Chamba, March 1 As per information available with the district election office, the Churah (SC) Assembly constituency has 50,296 voters and 108 polling stations; Bharmour (ST) has 68,697 voters and 137 polling stations; Chamba has 68,599 voters and 116 polling stations; Dalhousie has 59,856 voters and 102 polling stations and Bhattiyat has 62,685 voters and 109 polling stations. |
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MLA’s assurance on community centres
Shimla, March 1 He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of the first community centre at Chungi Khana in the Kaithu locality here today. He said he had also given proposal for upgrading Annandale government high school to senior secondary level. He said some more mini buses would be added to the local transport fleet to provide better services to commuters. He announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the construction of an ambulance road to Gawahi village. District BJP president Ganesh Dut said the local road from Capital Hotel to Annandale would be development as an alternative VIP road and the faulty hand pumps installed at Annandale would be
repaired or replaced. |
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Jukaru festival celebrated
Kullu, March 1 MLA Govind Singh Thakur presided over the function. He said, “Fairs and festivals are the mainstay of our culture and such celebrations help in keeping our cultural heritage alive.” Jukaru was known as Losar in the Ladakh and Spiti areas while the tribal belt of Lahaul celebrated it as Fagli to wish good health to all for the next year. President of the Pangi Jan Kalyan Sabha Ganesh Bhardwaj also spoke on the occasion. “Chinab”, a souvenir of the association was also released
the MLA.
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18 khair trees felled
Nurpur, March 1 |
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