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Ragging Row
Ordinance by next week
Front favours death penalty
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Overfeeding fish spelling doom
for Rewalsar wetland
Forest thanas from April 1
It was warm and dry this winter
Concern expressed over debris dumping
Poll Code Violation
Illegal mining goes unchecked
JE, three others booked for trespass
5 cops hurt in mishap
60 jhuggis gutted
Hamirpur Seat
Madan Lal shows willingness
BJP has fulfilled all promises: Dhumal
Plea to allot project to local contractors
Workshop on ‘continued medical education’ ends
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Ragging Row
Shimla, March 15 He said this while talking to mediapersons here today. In other countries across the world, seniors interacted with juniors only to help them, but here they were acting like tormentors, he said. The only way out to curb this practice was to deal with such cases sternly and award exemplary punishment, he added. A foolproof mechanism must be worked out to provide ragging-free environment in various institutions. “As there is no specific section in the IPC to deal with ragging so far, it should be suitably amended to provide one. It will be a better option than every state enacting its own law to deal with such cases,” he said. Regarding the need for a more stringent anti-terrorist law, he said experience had shown that such laws did not prove effective in combating terrorism. On the other hand, these compromised on the liberty of innocent citizens. Merely enacting laws did not help unless required infrastructure, intelligence set-up and weapons were provided, he said. On declaration of assets by judges, he said they should act as role models for society and voluntarily declare their assets. However, the Chief Justice of India could not do much in the matter as he had no power to issue directions to other judges in that regard, he said. The parliament could enact a law, but that would lower the esteem of judges, hence the need for voluntary declaration. Delay in doing so was creating an impression among public that the judges were against declaring their assets. At a time when people have lost faith in other organs of democracy, it was extremely important for the health of the democracy that confidence in the judiciary, still largely intact, was maintained, he said.
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Ordinance by next week
Shimla, March 15 “I have directed the Home Department to prepare a new ordinance against ragging,” Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said. The new ordinance was likely to come into effect as early as next week. “The Home Department has started working on it. The ordinance would be enacted after consulting the Law Department,” he
said. Dhumal said the ordinance would be tabled in the state assembly during the monsoon session.
— PTI |
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Front favours death penalty
Shimla, March 15 The front has demanded that there should be a provision of death penalty for those indulging in ragging. Addressing a press conference here today, national chairman of the front Viresh Shandilya said students were still being subjected to ragging in violation of the orders of the Supreme Court. He said only a CBI inquiry could bring out the truth in the Kachroo case. He said another equally serious case of ragging had come to light in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, where a 20-year-old girl had tried to commit suicide following ragging. It was time that the Government of India took notice of the matter and came out with remedial measures to provide for punishment to those indulging in ragging. Action should also be taken against the principal, the warden and the management of the institution, he added. Shandilya said the front would file a public interest litigation in the Himachal Pradesh High Court in the Aman Kachroo case and another in the Supreme Court to pursue the Guntur case.
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Havan in Aman’s memory
Kangra, March 15 Six havan kunds were prepared for the religious offerings and it continued for two hours. Students, faculty members and local residents paid homage to Aman Kachroo with prayers so that his soul rests in peace. Swami Ram Swroop of Ved Mandir Yol delivered a satsang on the occasion and spoke on the importance of holding havan on the eighth day after the death of Aman. Arrangements for the entire havan were made by local residents headed by Nalinder Ghautam, a social activist.
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Overfeeding fish spelling doom
for Rewalsar wetland
Rewalsar, March 15 For the past three days over 12 fish have died. The pilgrims continue to feed fish in the lake due of some religious belief and also there is no check on feeding, more particularly during the local mela when over 5,000 pilgrims visited here last week. More frightening is the fact that silt from the three
nallahs, which has accumulated along the lake’s banks have caved into the lake. As a result the level of the lake has come up, rued residents. Moreover, there is neither any outlet nor any inlet for the lake, which in turn has turned this wetland into a suffocating dead pond with a little oxygen available for the fish, experts revealed. Seepage from private septic tanks continue to leak into the lake which continues to cry for a sewerage system for this religious township associated with Buddhist sage Padam
Sambhav, or Lomesh Rishi for Hindus and Sikh guru Gobind Singh. Mandi DFO Kunal Satyarhti said the 126-hectare catchments of the lake under the Forest Department are being treated for checking silting into the lake. But fresh water is not flowing into and out of the lake remains a big problem, he
added. Rewalsar nagar panchayat president Pawan Gupta said they have submitted a proposal for the sewerage system to the government but no one is bothered. “We check feeding at the lake but pilgrims come here and feed fish due to religious faith”. Officials of the Guru Gobind Singh gurdwara and the Guru Padam Sambhav Buddhist Committee said all departments should coordinate their efforts and put in place a sewerage system and clean silt from the lake before “wetland becomes a dry land”. Director fisheries BD Sharma said the department had taken out four tonnes of fish from the lake and released them into the Beas river recently and introduced cat fish to take care of swelling number of fish in the lake. Overfeeding and seepage of dirt into the lake is a major reason of fish deaths, he added.
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Forest thanas from April 1
Shimla, March 15 The government plans to set up six forest thanas in the state in the first phase to effectively curb illicit felling, timber smuggling and encroachments in selected areas notorious for such unlawful activities. To begin with, four thanas will start functioning from rented buildings at
Deha, Habban, Deokhand and Shamshi. The remaining two thanas will become operational from October 1 at Tikker
and Panarsa. No fresh recruitment has been made for these thanas and staff would be provided by reorganising and merging existing forest beats. Under the thana system, five to six forest guards will work collectively to check offences over a larger areas rather than looking after small beats individually. Each thana will be headed by an official of the rank of deputy ranger, who will be assisted by a team of forest guards for carrying out patrolling. A “munshi” will also be provided to record complaints and maintain records. The thanas will be equipped with vehicles, wireless systems, mobile phones, arms and other required facilities. The department already has flying squads, but these have not proved very effective in curbing forest crime. With the coming into existence of these
thanas, the department will be able to concentrate on selected areas where mafias are more active. The forest mafia has been becoming bolder and more organised by the day, making it difficult for the field officials to discharge their responsibilities. With the road network reaching even the remotest of villages, smuggling of timber has become easier, convenient and economically attractive. The new system has worked well in Madhya Pradesh and Additional Chief Secretary, Forests, Ajay Shukla is optimistic about its success in the hill state. Maximum instances of illicit felling have been reported from Deha and Tikker in Shimla district, Habban in Sirmaur and Panarsa in
Mandi. A few cases of forest offenders intimidating and even assaulting the field staff have also taken place in these areas. Moving in the area in bigger teams, the field staff will be in a position to physically take on those indulging in organised crime. |
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It was warm and dry this winter
Shimla, March 15 Up to March 15, the last day of winter season, 11 out of the total 12 districts have received deficient rainfall. The exception is Kullu district that recorded 74 per cent excess rain. Bilaspur was the driest with a deficiency of 82 per cent, followed by Solan (78), Sirmaur (76), Mandi (75), Hamirpur and Shimla (74 each), Kinnaur (67) and Kangra (61). The western disturbances did not cause any significant rainfall in the central and southern parts of the state. Due to persistent cyclonic circulation over the Arabian Sea, there was warm air “advection” that led to temperatures above normal. The temperature remained higher and the mean maximum and minimum for January, February and up to March 15 were higher than normal by 1 to 4°C. In January, the mean maximum for Shimla was 14.4°C, 5.6°C more than normal, while the mean minimum temperature was 5.8°C, which was 3.8°C above normal. For Sundernagar, the mean maximum was higher by 2°C while the minimum was higher by 2.4°C. The same trend was visible in February with Shimla recording a mean maximum temperature higher by 5.2°C and mean minimum 3°C above normal. The weather turned warmer in March with mean maximum temperature shooting up 6.5°C while mean minimum was 4.5°C above normal.
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Concern expressed over debris dumping
Shimla, March 15 They have urged the
government to take necessary steps to protect environment. Member of the Jubbal Kotkhai Panchayat Samiti Sushant Kapret alleged debris was being dumped on slopes without sparing any thought for environment. It was not only destroying vegetation
and causing aesthetic degradation of hills, but also polluting the natural water sources. If no steps were taken to discipline the company, the muck being dumped in the nullahs would eventually find its way into the Giri river and disrupt the water supply to Shimla town,
he added. He urged the government to take immediate steps ensuring that debris was disposed of only at designated sites approved by the pollution control board. A proper environment management plan should be formulated while executing such “Haphazard dumping of waste can play havoc with life and property during rainy season as rivers and nullahs can change course as muck piles up,” he added. |
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Poll Code Violation
Shimla, March 15 In the complaint addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, general secretary of the party Kuldeep Rathore has alleged that Gupta’s name figured in the three-member panel set up by the state BJP for preparing election material for the campaign. A news item to that effect appeared in the media today, he said. Gupta had given a statement in the media that he had been appointed adviser by the election campaign committee of the BJP. The relevant press clippings had been enclosed with the complaint. He has urged the commission to take notice of the violation of the code of conduct and remove Gupta from the post of chairman of the board. Chief Electoral Officer Anil Khachi said the DC concerned would be asked to submit a report on the issue. Gupta’s reply would also be sough in the matter. Further, action would be taken after receiving the report and the reply, he said.
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Illegal mining goes unchecked
Nurpur, March 15 The BKS in its meeting held at Zikli Khanni gram panchayat recently, which was presided over by its president Baryam Singh, rued that due to scanty rains the underground water-level had come down. The illegal quarrying had also brought down the underground water-level resulting in drying up of kuhals, wells and hand pumps. They also held unscientific mining in the rivulet responsible for collapsing of irrigation schemes in the area. The BKS also expressed its resentment over the alleged silence of the state Mining Department and local administration over the unabated illegal mining in the area. They also gave an ultimatum to them to curb the menace within one week otherwise the BSK would launch dharna and block traffic. The BKS had also demanded stern action against the mining mafia and conserve environment and underground water resources in the area. |
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JE, three others booked for trespass
Mandi, March 15 The case was registered after direction from the Judicial Magistrate, Jogindernagar. Raghu Ram had alleged that JE PWD, Paddar, Chaman Lal, Kanshi Ram, Jiwa Nand and Sant Ram came to his house and started razing it with the help of a JVC. The accused also threatened him with dire consequences when he tried to stop him, he alleged. The accused have been booked under Sections 447, 427, 504, 506, and 34 of the IPC.
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5 cops hurt in mishap
Mandi, March 15 Driver of the police vehicle Narinder Kumar had reportedly lost control on the vehicle. He was taken to the IGMC, Shimla, for treatment where his condition was stated The other four injured were admitted to the zonal hospital here. They had sustained minor injuries in the accident, the police said. A case has been registered under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC at the Aut police station. They were coming to Mandi from Aut when the accident took place.
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60 jhuggis gutted
Solan, March 15 The incident has rendered homeless around 500 migrant labourers. All their belongings were reduced to ashes. However, there was no loss of life. Two fire engines from Baddi and one from Nalagarh had to be summoned to control the fire. No official of the administration visited the site even hours after the incident, forcing the nearby villagers to initiate community food services for the affected
labourers. The villagers were also collecting funds to provide food to those who had lost all
the belongings in the incident. The exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained. |
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State ready to provide security for IPL matches: Anurag
Dharamsala, March 15 They were here in connection with making arrangements for the live coverage of proposed two IPL matches to be held here. President of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Board (HPCB) and MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur said the state government had assured the IPL that all security arrangements would be made for organising matches at Dharamsala. He said the work for installing floodlights at the Dharamsala cricket stadium had already started. “We would conduct the first practice match of the IPL under floodlights on April 20,” he added. IPL matches would be viewed by 100 crore persons across the world. This would bring Dharamsala on the world cricket map and help in promoting tourism and sports activities in the area, he added.
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Hamirpur Seat
Dharamsala, March 15 After losing from Hamirpur continuously for more
than two decades, now the party is looking towards “stars” to help it win
the seat. The party leaders initially proposed the name of Preity Zinta. She
was connected to Hamirpur as she had a maternal aunt based in the remote area
of the constituency. Fielding her was also justified with a view that she had
spent some days in Hamirpur in her childhood. However, much to the chagrin of Congress leaders Zinta did not show much interest. Now, when the other
three candidates have been announced in the state, the name of former
cricketer, Madan Lal, has been proposed from the Hamirpur constituency. Madan
Lal has been connected to the constituency on the plea that he belongs to the
Badsar area. Moreover, it is said that he is related to proprietors of Mohan
Meakin distilleries. The Congress leaders, however, failed to apprehend that
the family of Madan Lal had moved out of Hamirpur about three decades ago and
have kept very little contact with the area. Sources in the Congress said the
party high command had delayed announcement of party candidate from
Hamirpur to assess the chances of Madan Lal. The party is contemplating sending
observers once again to the Hamirpur constituency to collect feedback regarding
fielding Madan Lal. The former MLA, OP Rattan, who unsuccessfully contested
last time, is also in contention. The panic in the Congress regarding the
Hamirpur constituency stems from the fact that the party had not won the seat
in the last five Lok Sabha elections consecutively. However, the Congress
leaders here were of the view that for the last two terms the margin of win had
been considerably low. At one time Ram Lal, the Congress MLA from Bilaspur,
lost to Suresh Chandel, the BJP nominee, by just over 2,000 votes. The
situation of the Congress is not as worse as being projected by the state
leadership.
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Madan Lal shows willingness
Hamirpur, March 15 While talking from New Delhi on telephone he said, “My name has been recommended by few well wishers in the Congress party since I belong to Hamirpur and I would like to contest for the seat if the party high command decides so.” He said, “My roots are in Himachal Pradesh. I hail from Adri village of
the Hamirpur district and all my relatives are living there; while my sister and brother-in-law reside in Hamirpur itself.” He was one of the team members of the Indian team that won the Cricket World Cup in 1983. He had played for the country from 1974 to 1986. On being asked why he did not talked about his Himachal connection earlier, he said, “I have been frequently visiting Hamirpur but being a sportsmen I never thought it fit to highlight the issue in the media as sportsmen are generally quiet people.” “I have strong roots in Hamirpur district but you know one has to move out for studies and to look for a career outside the state since one has limited opportunities here,” he added. Madan Lal, whose name has emerged in the last meeting of the Election Committee of the Congress held few days back at New Delhi, said, “Though it all depends on the Congress leadership to allot me ticket or not, I would contest against BJP candidate Anurag Thakur if party decides so and decision in this regard might take some more time.”
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BJP has fulfilled all promises: Dhumal
Sundernagar, March 15 He stated this while addressing the one-day convention of Himachal Pradesh Mahila Morcha here today. He said the BJP government had fulfilled all promises, which were made in its election manifesto during the Assembly elections. The state government had already declared holidays on Karvachauth and Bhai Dooj for women and free travelling facilities to women on Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj. The state government had already launched the Matri Shakti Bima Yojana for women of BPL families and increased the amount four times from Rs 25,000 to 1 lakh in case of death and from Rs 12,500 to 50,000 in case of any disability suffered by women. The government had made mandatory to post at least three women constables in every police station so that women could comfortably report crime. He said in the state the women were enjoying more than 50 per cent reservation and they could also contest elections on the open seat and further said that the experience of giving reservation was good and less number of corruption cases were reported in the panchayats which were headed by women representatives. Mahila Morcha’s national president Kiran Maheshwari and general secretary Kiran Ghai while addressing the volunteers criticised the UPA government that it could not pass the Women Reservation Bill and appealed to the workers that it was high time to vote out the UPA government as it was anti-women. State president of Mahila Morcha Roopa Sharma also spoke on the occasion. PWD Minister Gulab Singh, Roop Singh Thakur, Dile Ram, Jai Ram, Randhir Shrma, Col Inder Singh, Hira Lal along with other party office-bearers were present on the occasion.
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Plea to allot project to local contractors
Bharmour, March 15 A decision to this effect was taken during a meeting held here recently. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of samiti president Jogender Sharma. It was decided to seek detailed information about the government projects allotted to “outsider contractors” till March, 2009. The samiti has demanded that tenders and quotations should be advertised through leading newspapers so that local contractors could derive benefit from the ongoing government schemes. A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the government through the Additional District Magistrate,
Bharmour. |
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Workshop on ‘continued medical education’ ends
Kullu, March 15 As many as 52 ayurvedic doctors participated in the workshop.
A detailed discussion on heart diseases, oral hygiene and hemorrhoids was held during the workshop while papers were presented by Dr Ramesh Arya, Dr Satish Sharma, both from Rajiv Gandhi Ayurvedic College, Paprola, and Dr Vijay Chaudhary, assistant director, ayurveda. Dr Ramesh Arya, head of the Surgery Department of Rajiv Gandhi Ayurveda College, said ayurveda is a science that not only provides treatment to ailments but also teaches the art of living. He called upon the participants to concentrate on the century old ayurvedic treatments with the mixture of yoga. Dr Ajay Sood presided over the workshop. She said that the department would provide all possible assistance to the district ayurvedic hospitals to meet their requirements of medicines and surgeries. Dr Baldev Awasthi urged the department to organise crash courses at Rajiv Gandhi Ayurvedic College for doctors working in the state, particularly in the rural areas for surgeries and other latest technologies.
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Sewerage from private septic tanks and silt from three nallahs along with pilgrims overfeeding the fish are slowly spelling death not only for the “sacred fish” but also for state’s rare “wetland and pilgrimage centre for the Buddhists, the Sikhs and the Hindus” under the nose of the state government which has failed to put the sewerage system and maintain ecology of the lake over the years.
