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PMT Paper Leak
Global convention on climate security from tomorrow
College starts admissions without affiliation
BJP rebels may face music
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NPV issue delays road projects
Natural cure for kidney stone
Probe against students of coaching centre sought
Residents seek institute on BBMB’s ‘unused land’
No complete AIDS test at testing centre
Over 100 cr lying unutilised with govt depts
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal flagging off special police vehicles equipped with modern facilities at Shimla on Wednesday. A Tribune photo
Probe into missing rice bags sought
Purchase panel constituted
Woman gang-raped
Adventure camp for kids
Kisan Sabha formed
Tourism conclave
HAS results declared
Leopard kills child
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CID seeks details of 50 top rankers
Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 10 HPU Vice-Chancellor Sunil Kumar Gupta today said it had been decided not to issue the merit list in view of the ongoing inquiry. The VC also met the Chief Minister and briefed him about the issue. ADGP (CID) ID Bandari also met the Chief Minister today. “We have sought names of the 50 students whose name figure at the top so that we can start investigations by questioning parents of those candidates,” said a police official. The CID also collected records from the HPU about the PMT examinations. “The records of the PMT for the past four years have been collected by the investigating team from the said coaching centre in Lakkar Bazar to ascertain if there is any truth in the allegations,” police sources said. Investigations conducted by the CID team have indicated that 126 candidates taking coaching at the said centre had appeared for the PMT exam. “Though we are still calculating the exact number, preliminary investigations reveal that 27 candidates from the centre have cleared the exam while seven can be placed on the merit list,” they said. The complainant had failed to give any clue about the paper leak except for the fact that 22 students from the said coaching institute had cleared the PMT exam. Meanwhile, Ravinder Awasthy, director of the coaching institute that has come under the scanner, today said when 13 of his students could clear the IIT exam and 17 were placed in the top 200 ranks of the All-India Engineering Entrance Exam (AIEEE), then why 23 students from the centre could make it to the HP-PMT. “Does this mean that the IIT and the AIEEE question papers were also leaked and there should be an inquiry into it,” he said. The allegations had been levelled against the institute by some coaching institutes because of professional rivalry and there was no substance in these allegations. “Once we get a clean chit in the inquiry, we will initiate legal proceedings against those who made the complaint as our reputation has been severely hit,” he said.
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Global convention on climate security from tomorrow
Dharamsala, June 10 The other major topic would be as to how climate change can prove an as opportunity for creating employment. Madhav Mehra, president for the corporate governance, said developing technologies to cap the emissions was an opportunity for the Indian industry to fight the global recession and generating employment. “For instance, our agriculture waste of 600 million tonnes can produce 80000 MW of electricity, that is, over 60 per cent of our installed capacity. But we need technology to turn it into cellulosic ethanol,” he said. “India has a crippling energy deficit. As studies by IPCC show coal-fired power generation is most inefficient besides being harmful to environment and climate change. There is no way India can meet its energy requirement through conventional sources. Our only sensible and viable alternative is to go aggressively for solar technology and subsidise each youth willing to
harvest it,” he said. Colossal advances are being made in R&D in solar energy worldwide. Despite the cash constipation, huge funds are available for renewable energy resources. India despite its specific advantage in solar energy figures nowhere in the big league of solar power players. China is far ahead. Our installed generation capacity is 130,000 MW. China’s capacity is more than five times 800,000 MW. Solar energy is our only hope to bridge this yawning gap, he said. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is scheduled to inaugurate the convention. The Golden Peacock awards would also be given on the occasion for environment management, eco innovation, occupational health and safety and combating climate change. |
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College starts admissions without affiliation
Hamirpur, June 10 An engineering and polytechnic college being set up near Badsar by the Sai Ram Education Trust is still in the process of construction of the college building, but no affiliation has been granted for any of the proposed courses. The college has already started admission process and sale of prospectus for all its courses, including engineering courses, and according to the college authorities counselling for the students would begin from July 11 and new session would start from August 1. Interestingly, this admission schedule is being given by the college authorities to any information seeker about taking admission into the college. However, an inspection team for the polytechnic has visited the college to make assessment of educational facilities to grant affiliation to polytechnic courses run by the institute. As per the norms of the All-India Council for Technical Education
(AICTE), any institution seeking affiliation for its courses has to provide complete facilities for students. As per the AICTE guidelines, the institute is issued letter of intent and the actual process of admission can be started only after affiliation to courses on the basis of report submitted by its inspection team. The courses being offered in this college are civil, mechanical, computer sciences, B.Pharma etc and polytechnic courses. Giving information about the admission schedule Principal of the college BR Sharma said, “Counselling for all courses will start from July 11 and academic session will start from August 1”. On being asked whether the college has obtained affiliation for
its courses, he said the process is on. Director, Technical Education, SS Guleria said, “Admission cannot begin till affiliation to courses is given by the government, an inspection team had recently visited the college to assess facilities for the polytechnic courses.” |
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BJP rebels may face music
Shimla, June 10 The state disciplinary committee of the party headed by former minister Nagin Chander Pal is likely to meet within the next 15 days to look into such complaints. Besides written complaints, the party can also take action in cases where it has got feedback from its own channels about the negative role of certain leaders. “Those who may face the wrath of the party include leaders like state BJP secretary HN Kashyap against whom no written complaint has been received but there are reports that he worked against the interest of the party candidate,” revealed senior BJP leaders. There are strong indications that such leaders might be saved from strict action like expulsion but will be denied important positions in the party set-up and chairmanship of various boards and corporations. There are serious written complaints against some party workers, including Tarsem Bharti in Kasumpti, Ramesh Sharma in Darang and some leaders of Bhattiyat in Chamba district, about engaging in anti-party activities. The party has already taken stern notice of the complaints received against senior leaders Dulo Ram from Baijnath and Urmil Thakur from Hamirpur. Similar action may also be taken in four-five other cases. “Suitable action will be taken against such leaders on the basis of recommendations of the disciplinary committee,” said state BJP chief Jai Ram Thakur. In case, the allegations against Dulo Ram were found untrue, the option of revoking his suspension would be open, he added. The party has suspended Dulo Ram for anti-party activities. He has been asked to appear before the disciplinary committee after which a final decision on his expulsion will be taken. Similarly, MLA Urmil Thakur can also face music as a three-member committee, comprising Khushi Ram Balnatah, Praveen Sharma and Renu Chaddha, has been constituted to look into the allegation of anti-party activities levelled against her. The committee will submit its report within 20 days. Congress candidate from Hamirpur Narinder Thakur happens to be the brother-in-law of Urmil and it is alleged that she did not work in favour of BJP candidate Anurag Thkur.
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NPV issue delays road projects
Shimla, June 10 In all 221 cases have been pending and there are 95 cases where approval has been granted in principle but the final clearance could not be accorded as the state is not keen to pay the net present value (NPV) for diversion of forest land. The state’s plea is that rural roads should be exempted from payment of NPV as it increases the already high cost of road construction in hills. A majority of the cases pertain to Chamba, Kullu and upper areas of Shimla district. The NPV works out from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 9 lakh per hectare and the total amount to be paid for the cases approved in principle works out to over Rs 40 crore. The state had taken up the matter with the union ministry for forests and environment and urged it to exempt the roads being constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna as it was crucial infrastructure. The matter is now before the central empowered committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court. The state also became a party in the case and had been asked to submit certain details by the committee. The state had earmarked Rs 15 crore in the budget for payment of NPV in case the CEC rejects the plea for exemption. Over the past decade maximum forest land has been diverted for construction of roads. The implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, the World Bank-funded state road project and NABARD-funded schemes have provided impetus to road construction in interior areas. Till date 525 cases for diversion of 1200 hectares forest land under the forest conservation act have been cleared. In all 8016 hectares of forest land have been diverted since 1980 when the forest conservation act came into force.
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Natural cure for kidney stone
Solan, June 10 Explaining the motivation behind this research Dr Bijarnia told The Tribune that “research conducted by me has shown that the persistent use of seeds of Dolichos biflorus (kulthi, kulth or kultha) in the diet of a kidney stone patient would help alleviate the problem. Its immature seeds are widely consumed as food in south Asian countries, including rural India.” “Kidney stone disease which is common in North India so far have no sureshot cure. The Ayurvedic medicine system has, on the other hand, documented various drug and herbal formulations for its treatment which are very useful. The scientists are trying to find the rationale behind these herbs and plants, which make them effective for kidney stone treatment.” Dr Bijarnia in his research has studied such medicinal plants used for the treatment of kidney stones. He explained the procedures and added that the antilithiatic ability of about 16 plants was compared in the laboratory. Among them seeds of Dolichos biflorus (kulthi, kulth or kultha) showed maximum ability to inhibit kidney stones formation. Apart from kulthi seeds, other plants which possess the ability to prevent kidney stone formation were milk of coconut, stem of ‘manjistha’, roots of ‘puthkanda’, bark of ‘varuna’ and ‘terminalia’. The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr Tandon, Jaypee University, based at Waknaghat. The research conducted on the seeds of kulthi showed that the plant have many biomolecules which have anti-urolithiatic properties. Dolichos biflorus L. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae), locally known as ‘kulthi’ is a fast growing annual herb. Its branches climb and twine while producing clusters of pea-like yellow flowers. Its immature seeds are widely consumed as food in south Asian countries. In extension of their research to authenticate the ability of a protein from kulthi seeds for preventing kidney stone formation, they have also observed the effect on rat model by generating kidney stones in them at Panjab University, Chandigarh. It was found that the kidney stone formation in the rats which were given protein doses was very less.
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Probe against students of coaching centre sought
Mandi, June 10 Roop Upadhayay, who was the first to complain to the Vice-Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh university on Monday, said the inquiry team should have conducted simultaneous raids on the premises of the Shimla-based centre and doubtful candidates. This could have helped in clinching vital evidence in connection with the case. “We still feel they can gather evidence by launching investigation against the students who had seen the solved biology paper a day before the test”, said aggrieved parents, who would meet later this week to decide on the future course of action on the issue. They cited the list of candidates who have secured unusually high percentage in the paper of biology. “This is not digestible that 22 meritorious candidates who made it to the PMT belonged to one coaching centre,” they said. Meanwhile, a five-member team of the CID has started probe into the case following Chief Minister PK Dhumal’s orders. The team has found that one of the lecturers in the Department of Chemistry, HPU, Shimla, is a partner in the Shimla-based private coaching institute. Vice-Chancellor SK Gupta said the university would initiate action against anybody only after the inquiry was complete. “The counselling for PMT would be held on July 15,” he added. ADG, CID, ID Bhandari said team was still probing the matter, but there was no specified time frame for the inquiry. |
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Residents seek institute on BBMB’s ‘unused land’
Mandi, June 10 Former chief organiser of the Himachal Seva Dal Chander Mohan, who led the delegation that met Virbhadra Singh at his Delhi residence on June 8, said Virbhadra Singh assured them that he would take up the matter with the concerned ministries and consider setting up of some institute there. The delegation requested that the vast land and infrastructure of the BBMB colony at Sundernagar, which is Government of India's prime property, should be put to use by installing some central government organisation there. They informed him that the land runs into thousands of acres and is centrally located near the National Highway-21. At present it is lying unused and is being encroached upon by unscrupulous persons, they pointed out. They said the central departments like the BSNL and Posts Department have built their residential colonies there, but the land used by them is negligible. There is a vast scope of accommodating some big educational institution. The delegation also requested to use the BBMB colony at Baggi, which too is lying unused, by installing a centrally sponsored polytechnic because children of the area have to go to far-off places to acquire technical education. The delegation also requested him to address a public meeting at Baggi on June 13.
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No complete AIDS test at testing centre
Hamirpur, June 10 Though the ARTC was set up at district hospital, Hamirpur, about three months back, it is yet to start complete AIDS test and free distribution of medicines to AIDS-affected patients. This Centre has been set up here by State AIDS Control Organisation (SACO) on the recommendation of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). Non-arrival of testing equipment (CD4) is stated to be main reason for not starting this centre and the process of transferring of cards of patients is also cited as a reason for non-distribution of medicines to the patients. The ARTC has special significance for Hamirpur district since 56 lives have been claimed due to AIDS during the past few years and still about 1,000 patients are HIV positive and about 500 having AIDS. In its absence in the district the patients have to go to Shimla for the test. Hamirpur Chief Medical Officer Dr DS Chandel said, “We are yet to get CD4 after which only complete AIDS tests will start at the centre and since cards of patients are to be transferred from Shimla the distribution of medicines will start from the ARTC after registration. The whole process will be completed soon and then the centre will start functioning,” he added.
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Over 100 cr lying unutilised with govt depts
Dharamsala, June 10 A sum of around Rs 100 crore is lying unutilised with the department in Kangra district alone. In most of the cases, block development officers (BDOs), through whom most of the funds are to be spent, have released only around half of the amount for various schemes so far. In many cases, there has been no release of funds for small bridges on rivulets and strengthening embankments in villages after the release of initial amount. The result: These areas continue to face the threat of breach of embankments during the monsoon. If that happens again, it will mean wastage of funds already spent on these projects. An amount of around Rs 23 crore released by the government for flood-relief measures has also been lying unutilised in the coffers of various government departments. It indicates that the works initiated after last year’s floods have not been completed so far and the residents continue to face hardship in those areas. All this speaks volumes about the project-execution efficiency of these departments. Kangra Deputy Commissioner RS Gupta admitted that huge funds were lying unutilised with various government departments. The departments had been asked to furnish data regarding unutilised funds. The first priority would now be to complete the pending works, rather than submitting new projects, he added. In a meeting with administrative officials, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had clearly stated that pending works should be completed first before going in for fresh projects, he said.
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Police Dept gets 30 new vehicles
Shimla, June 10 The newly acquired vehicles, which are equipped with communication system, first aid kit, breath analyser and speed guns would be effective in checking drunken and rash driving besides other violations of law. These would also serve as
ambulances in case of emergency. The CM said every police station and police post in the state would be provided with at least one vehicle in a phased manner to ensure mobility of the police force. A sum of Rs 46.26 crore would be spent on the modernisation programme of the force during the current financial year. The Chief Minister said the state had 113 police stations and 115 police posts. All these would be equipped with the required infrastructure for ensuring effective policing.
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Probe into missing rice bags sought
Bilaspur, June 10 He stated this while addressing mediapersons at the Circuit House here today. He demanded an immediate high-level inquiry into this scandal. He said since these stores are checked every six months, how 1,000 bags of rice have been carried away and nobody held responsible for the same up till now. Thakur strongly objected to the breaking of the foundation stone of the Suharghat bus stand laid by the former Transport Minister, who had also handed over an amount of Rs 10 lakh to the PWD as initial amount for construction of the Rs 58 lakh bus stand. He demanded immediate action against the culprits. |
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Purchase panel constituted
Shimla, June 10 An official spokesman said here today that fish seed was being procured by the department by floating tenders annually well before the start of the fish-breeding season. The seed procurement was completed by October every year. Suppliers quote rates after the assessment of fish health and probable seed production. Tenders were being floated every year to procure the seed in the beginning of the financial year. The suppliers were mostly from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand. |
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Woman gang-raped
Shimla, June 10 A case has been registered at the New Shimla police station. According to the police, the woman lived here with her husband and two children. The accused told the woman that they were going to Mandi and could drop her at Sundernagar. They told her that she could pay them the bus fare. On reaching Shalaghat, about 20 km from here, they raped her and dropped her at Ghaggas. The victim reported the matter to a traffic constable who helped her contact her husband, an HRTC employee. Her medical examination confirmed rape. “Though she told us the number of the vehicle, but when the driver of that vehicle was rounded up, she failed to identify him,” said Additional SP Anand Dhiman. She could possibly be confused about the number as she was illiterate, he added.
— TNS
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Adventure camp for kids
Dharamsala, June 10 The Commander of the Gurj Artillery Brigade inaugurated the camp here. While addressing children, the Commander said these kinds of camps are excellent opportunities for participants to acquaint themselves with the art and culture of Kangra and various adventure activities planned during the camp would inculcate self-confidence, determination and a sense of achievement in the children. He expressed hope that the camp would be a great fun as well as a good learning experience for the participating children. The Children Summer Adventure Camp is being organised in two parts.
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Kisan Sabha formed
Bilaspur, June 10 The sabha was formed so that it could deal with the problem of crop destruction by animals and also with a view to solve other problems. Chief adviser of the sabha Shyam Lal Thakur said farmers have now left hope that the government would be of any use to them in solving their main problem of destruction of crops by wild animals and monkeys. So they took an initiative to do something to save their crops and themselves from leaving farming as a profession.
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Tourism conclave
Shimla, June 10 Secretary (Tourism) Manisha Nanda has said here that the two-day conclave would be inaugurated by Chief Minister PK Dhumal on June 12 while the tourism mega mart would be inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism Selja Kumari at the Ridge on the same day.
— TNS
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HAS results declared
Shimla, June 10 An official spokesperson said the results of qualified candidates were available on the website of the HPPSC at www.himachal.nic.in/hppsc and also on the notice board of the commission.
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Leopard kills child
Shimla, June 10 The incident took place when the child was playing in the courtyard of his home. The child was so badly mauled by the leopard that he died on the spot. |
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