|
|
|
|
Plea to designate apple a Special Product
Dhumal to expand ministry today
Cong flays Dhumal over appointing PSs
Hindi writers honoured
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
State to enact law against encroachers
Dispensary’s work stalled
Symposium on use of fungicides
Punjab nursing colleges ‘selling’ degrees in state
PTA teachers to finalise stir on July 14
Five held in car scam
Central ministers urged to help BJP govt
Raj Bhawan’s website launched
Pedestrian killed
Cash stolen from car
Accused flees from custody
|
|
Plea to designate apple a Special Product
Shimla, July 8 In a letter to Union Minister for Commerce and Industries Anand Sharma, she said under the WTO regime the country was committed to liberalise economy by lifting trade barriers. Imports of several agriculture products had already increased significantly and one such product was apple. Nobody had taken notice of the rising imports of fresh apple from the USA, Australia, New Zealand and China, as it did not affect a large section of farming community at the national-level. The government had been able to restrict imports so far due to reasonable level protection through import duties. At present the maximum permissible import duty was 50 per cent, but under the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) of the WTO negotiations the member countries would be asked to further reduce the protection levels by curtailing duties. The chances were that import duty would be slashed significantly. In such a situation, the apple growers in the country would be exposed to global competition. However, there was a provision in the DDA under which developing country-members could designate an appropriate number of agriculture products as Special Products. |
||
|
Dhumal to expand ministry today
Shimla, July 8 The induction of state BJP chief Jai Ram from the Mandi district is certain. The core committee had, last month, given a nod for filling the vacant berths from Mandi and Una districts. It was felt that being a big district, Mandi was under-represented with a solitary representative in the Cabinet and Una was totally unrepresented. There was no decision on appointment of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs) and PSs . While in Opposition, the BJP had opposed to such appointments which it termed as unconstitutional and against the spirit of the law, limiting the size of the ministry. However, as there were strong claimant in Virender Kanwar and Sat Pal Satti from Una, a proposal to appoint CPSs and PSs was mooted so that both could be accommodated and some other districts could also be given representation. With this, a former minister Mohinder Singh from Mandi district itself, has emerged as a strong contender for the second berth, though his induction could create problems as another former minister Roop Singh is also in line for the post from the district. Party sources said he might be accommodated as adviser, a post earlier offered to Education Minister Dhiman, who declined it. Jai Ram is likely to be replaced as state party chief by Deputy Speaker Khimi Ram which would enable Dhumal to accommodate another legislator for which Rikhi Ram Kaundal could be a possible choice. Hectic lobbying is on by aspirants for the posts of CPS and PS, which include Gobind Thakur, Sukh Ram, Vipin Parmar, Renu Chaddha, Des Raj, Randhir Sharma, Tejwant Negi and Baldev Sharma, who have emerged as the front runners. However, two former ministers, HN Singh and Ram Lal Markandey, have declined the offer of CPS. However, much will depend on the decision of the core committee which will take a final call on the issue.
|
||
|
Cong flays Dhumal over appointing PSs
Shimla, July 8 Addressing mediapersons here, he said while in Opposition, the BJP had termed the appointment of PSs as “unconstitutional” and illegal. The entire party, right from leaders like Arun Jaitley and Satya Pal Jain, worked overtime to get the appointments quashed by moving the high court. In fact, Satya Pal Jain, who is in charge of party affairs in the state, had pleaded in the high court that the appointment of PSs was against the law, limiting the size of ministry enacted by the NDA regime in letter and spirit. He had even announced that if the BJP came to power, no such appointments would be made. Similar, arguments were advanced by Jaitley in the Supreme Court. Similarly, as the Leader of Opposition, Dhumal had, in the Vidhan Sabha, vehemently opposed the appointment of PSs and maintained that it would not only violate the law, but also put unnecessary financial burden on the exchequer in a small state like Himachal Pradesh. Further, he had also stated that the law, limiting the size of ministry, would also limit the scope for political bargaining. Kaul reminded Dhumal that after taking the oath, he had categorically stated that no PSs would be appointed in view of the party’s stand on the issue. Moreover, as per the law enacted by the Congress regime, the status of PSs was equivalent to that of a legislator and they were not authorised to use the National Flag on vehicles. The only reason for him to backtrack on the issue could be that he was facing insecurity and losing support in the party, Kaul stated. This was also reflected in the lacklustre performanceof the government on the governance front. He said Dhumal had been accusing the UPA government of ignoring the state’s demand for extension of industrial package but it was not a matter to be announced in the budget. A decision in this regard was to be taken by the UnionCabinet and the two ministers from the state — Virbhadra Singh and Anand Sharma — were on the job.
|
||
|
Hindi writers honoured
Shimla, July 8 Presiding over the All-India Story Competition Award Ceremony organised by the Department of Language, Art and Culture in collaboration with the central Hindi directorate, here today, he lauded the role of the organisations which had been contributing significantly towards the promotion of Hindi language in non-Hindi speaking areas of the country. Dhumal congratulated the winners of the competition which attracted eminent writers form all parts ofthe country. Sanjay Singh of Wardha (Maharashtra) who won the first prize for his story ‘Aapka Beta America Main Hai Na’ could not attendthe function. Dr Babu J. from Tiruvananthapuram was given the second prize for his story ‘Maglomania’ and Padam Gupt Amitabh from Solan bagged the third prize for his story ‘Hill Station KiEk Shaam’. Consolation prizes were awarded to Dr Yash Goyal from Jaipur for his story ‘Shashtipurti’, Yogeshwar Sharma (Mandi) for his story ‘Paani Pee Lo Bhaiya’, Trilok Mehra (Palampur) for ‘Bhayagra’ and Dr Seraj Khan Batish (Kolkata) for his story ‘Doctor ofthe Cross’. Dhumal also released the special edition of quarterly literary magazine “Vipasha” devoted to story to markthe ceremony.
|
||
|
State to enact law against encroachers
Shimla, July 8 The state government yesterday apprised the court that it would come up with an appropriate and stringent law to deal with encroachers. It may be mentioned here that the court, on April 29, had asked the state government to explain steps taken by it for preservation of forests. The court had also asked the government about the action taken against encroachers. In compliance to the earlier order of the court, this statement came on an affidavit of Secretary, Revenue. He had urged the court to grant three months’ time to do the needful. The secretary stated that appropriate proposal was required to be placed before the Cabinet. He said this process would take some time. However, the government, in its affidavit, did not explain about the action taken against encroachers. When the court asked about this, the government counsel urged the court to grant time to file an appropriate affidavit in this regard. Earlier, the petitioner submitted that the law, as envisaged by the government, was the need of the hour. He added that the forest land belonged to all and the same was required to be protected. The court, after hearing both the parties, adjourned the case till August 16.
|
||
|
Dispensary’s work stalled
Shimla, July 8 While passing this interim order, a division Bench comprising Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla and Justice Rajeev Sharma Court issued notice to the secretary & director, Ayurveda; district officer, Ayurveda, and executive engineer, HPPWD, Bharwain (Una) and directed them to file reply. The court further observed that since the fresh proposed site is half than the land donated by Maya Devi, therefore the petitioner had made out a prima facie case, hence the respondents were restrained from raising any construction on the fresh proposed site till further orders. This order came on a petition filed by Rakesh Kumar and Jeewan Sharma, both residents of Gind Pur Mallon village. The petitioners mentioned that the government had sanctioned an Ayurvedic Dispensary in the village. Since dispensary was running in the sarai, therefore Maya Devi had donated 0-13-40 hectare land for construction of the building and land was mutated in favor of the state government. The concerned MLA also sanctioned Rs 1,200 lakh for development of land as well as villagers also spent Rs 40,000 and the gram panchayat constructed one room in consultation with the authorities. The petitioner added that the government sanctioned Rs 10.32 lakh for construction of the building on this land and the tender for the work was opened on June 8, 2009. The petitioner mentioned that on June 23, 2009, one Rahul donated 0-05-04 hectare land and the government asked the contractor to raise the construction of the building on this land. The villagers opposed this order and the gram panchayat passed resolution against this order of the government.
|
||
|
Symposium on use of fungicides
Solan, July 8 Addressing a two-day national symposium on “Rational use of Fungicides in the management of horticulture crop disease” being organised by the Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology (ISMPP), on the university campus, Dhiman said since it was not possible to do away with the use of fungicides as 26 per cent of the crops were damaged annually, farmers should rationally use fungicides. About 120 delegates from 10 universities are attending the symposium. He said though the use of fungicides in India was only 12 per cent, which was lesser as compared to its global use, keeping in view the human health and eco-friendly environment its use should be minimum. Their use was more in fruits and vegetables, which were directly consumed by the human beings than in the cereals. Earlier, Dr SK Sharma, director, research, highlighted achievements of the university pertaining to various diseases in fruits, vegetables, mushroom and flowers. Dr GS Saharan, president of the ISMPP, and Dr BBL Thakore, secretary, highlighted the achievements of the society.
|
||
|
Punjab nursing colleges ‘selling’ degrees in state
Dharamsala, July 8 The classes of nursing students are, in fact, held in Dharamsala itself and they are trained in local private nursing homes. For this the local agents charge Rs 10,000 extra or even more from students, thereby minting money through this illegal activity.The Tribune team today visited one such centre located on the Civil Lines road here. The attendant was initially cautious. He asked our antecedents to ensure if we were genuine customers. After initial inquiries, he revealed that they were merely helping students of the state as there were not many nursing training colleges in Himachal. He said they admitted students for three- and-a-half-year General Nursing and Midwife (GNM) course in three nursing colleges located at Batala, Gurdaspur and Ludhiana. The students were charged Rs 44,000 per annum which went to the college fund and an extra Rs 10,000 per annum was given to the agent. The total cost of the course would be about Rs 2 lakh, he added. He said the students would be on rolls in nursing colleges in Punjab but were not required to attend classes there. After doing the GNM degree from Punjab, students could get themselves registered in Himachal and get government jobs, he added.The agent explained that the business was thriving as Punjab-based GNM nursing colleges were finding it hard to fill seats. “They approached us and offered Rs 10,000 per student as commission for one admission that we gave them,” he said. However, most of the students of Himachal were not ready to go to Punjab. So we talked with the nursing colleges and devised a plan, he said. When asked about the number of students enrolled with them, the agent said this was their second batch. “In the first batch, we had 12 students. This year also 12 students have deposited the fee,” he said.The illegal activity is thriving because of the fact that there is a huge demand of nurses in the state health department. However, there are not enough colleges that can produce the requisite numbers of students.
|
||
|
PTA teachers to finalise stir on July 14
Kangra, July 8 The PTA Association today decided to hold a meeting on July 14 at Shimla to finalise the modalities of the statewide agitation against the government for violating their alleged human and democratic rights.President, HP PTA Teachers Association, Kangra district, Rajesh Bhatta described the ouster of the PTA teachers a ‘pre-planed conspiracy’ against the well qualified youth of the state which he claimed was ‘intolerable’. He demanded that the promotion of the TGTs should be made against the vacant posts and not against the PTA lecturers. He said Dhumal had assured them during the Lok Saba elections that there would be no ouster of the PTA teachers following the promotion of the TGT to lecturer cadre and assured that the government would frame a stable PTA policy in the state.Bhatta alleged that the assurance could not be translated into reality by the Chief Minister. He further alleged that 15,000 PTA teachers were without salaries for the last five months.He said the PTA teachers would hold meetings in 19 blocks of the district from tomorrow and state executive would meet on July 14.
|
||
|
Five held in car scam
Palampur, July 8 The accused were produced in the Baijnath court and was remanded in police custody for four days.A senior police official, while talking to mediapersons here today, said Anish Achraya, an agent of Competent Motors, Mandi, and the main accused in this case, was on bail till July 9. The police would request the court to cancel his bail plea and send him in police custody so that the amount collected by these persons could be refunded back to the customers. All accused had admitted during interrogation of having collected cash and DDs from the customers but never supplied them cars, he added. The police had also taken details of the their bank accounts.It was also revealed that these persons had given 53 cars for half the price to various persons against DDs of third persons who were victims of the the scam. It had been established that these drafts were enchased in the bank accounts of Competent Motors, Mandi. The police is also compiling details of all 53 persons and would ask them to surrender the cars to the police. However, till date, the police had not interrogated officials of the company who had accepted these drafts and sold cars despite the fact that these DDs did not pertain to rightful owners. Meanwhile, Mulakh Raj Mehata, spokesman of the scam victims, alleged that officials and management of Competent Motors were directly involved in this scam. He said they were well conversant with the fact that the DDs given to them by the accused pertained to third persons.
|
||
|
Central ministers urged to help BJP govt
Bilaspur, July 8 Addressing mediapersons here today, Randhir Sharma said those Congress leaders who are wasting their time in criticising the state BJP government, were only wasting their time and effort in a fruitless exercise which would not benefit anybody and also not help them individually as such an approach is always counter-productive. He said the two central ministers from the state should compensate efforts of the Chief Minister in getting permission of the Centre to levy 10 paise per unit electricity production cess on power production in the state.
|
||
|
Raj Bhawan’s website launched
Shimla, July 8 The Raj Bhawan, housed in a 177-year-old heritage complex, called the Barnes Court, had a history and had been witness to some momentous events like the Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan signed in 1972. The website has an exclusive collection of photographs, covering different facets of the heritage structure along with important events which had taken place here, including the 175th anniversary celebrations of the Barnes Court.
|
||
|
Pedestrian killed
Hamirpur, July 8 The deceased was admitted to the regional hospital, Hamirpur, from where he was referred to the Tanda medical college, but died on the way near Nadaun. The police has arrested Devinder Kumar who was riding the motorcycle (JK02-J-4687).
|
||
|
Cash stolen from car
Solan, July 8 The car belonged to Sanjay Singla who had withdrawn the cash some time ago from the local branch of the HDFC bank. He had stacked them in bundles and had callously left them on the front seat of his car while he went to drop some papers in the office of some chartered accountant. It was surprising to note that the incident took place around 1.15 pm when the market remains full of people. The fearlessness of the miscreant was clear from the fact that he had stolen it within minutes of the car being left unattended and had dared to break the windowpane in broad daylight. While this was not the first such incident in the area, the repeated police warnings to the people for not leaving cash in vehicles had gone unheeded. It also showed how the fear of law had ceased to exist, as large number of such incidents had remained untraced.
|
||
|
Accused flees from custody
Dharamsala, July 8 He was brought from Panchkula by a Himachal police ASI, Inder Singh. However, the accused gave a slip to the cop at the Kangra bus stand and fled. The Kangra police has registered a case under Sections 223 and 224 of the IPC. The police sources said all nakas in the state had been informed regarding the accused who might try to get out of state. — TNS
|
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
