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CM: Drought to hit power generation
Hydropower Projects
Setting up of thermal plant opposed
CM asks Cong to plead for state interests
Congress leaders burn CM’s effigy
Justice Mishra appointed as acting CJ
Varsity accused of making back-door entry
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Police accused of shielding officer
Vigilance to question Virbhadra
Kufri cycle rally
Testing facilities for swine
flu soon
2 swine flu suspects in Himachal
Statesman’s ex-Resident Editor cremated
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CM: Drought to hit power generation
Shimla, August 10 This was stated by Chief Minister PK Dhumal in reply to a question on power generation during the Question Hour in the Assembly today. “Prolonged dry spell and deficient rains are likely to have an adverse impact even on our power generation as it is expected that we will be able to produce far less than the estimated target for the year,” he said. Dhumal informed the House that till June 30 this year, a total of 511 MW had been generated which would make it almost impossible to achieve the target of 1,909 MW for the current year. Last year, the generation was 2062.81 MW which was 113 per cent of the target of 1,825.90 MW, he added. “Despite the fact that transmission losses in Himachal are far less than in other states, the figure on this account stands at 13.52 per cent,” he said. The government was considering starting community level sanitation centres, especially for labourers and slum dwellers, he added. Forest Minister JP Nadda, in reply to a question on compensatory afforestation management plan (CAMPA) fund, said it was due to relentless efforts of the state government that it had now been decided to release 10 per cent of this amount to the state. “The Chief Minister has taken up the issue on several occasions with the Prime Minister, Planning Commission and Finance Commission, so that the state gets adequate release from this fund,” he said. For the current financial year, the state had sent an operational plan of Rs 46 crore, he added. In reply to a query by Suresh Bhardwaj (BJP) about creation of tourism infrastructure, Dhumal said a long-term master plan had been prepared to promote Shimla as an international tourist destination. “Seven important points, including Mall Road, Rani Jhansi Park, Jakhu, US Club, Lakkar Bazaar, Glen and Chadwick Fall, have been identified for being developed as tourist sites,” he said.
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Hydropower Projects
Shimla, August 10 The government had allotted 13 projects with aggregate-generation capacity of 1,583.50 MW in January last but the mandatory upfront premium (at the rate of Rs 20 lakh per MW) has been deposited by them only for three projects. Successful bidders for the remaining 10 projects have virtually backed out. As against the total upfront premium of Rs 316.70 crore due from the allotted projects, only Rs 83.4 crore has been deposited. Moser Baer, which bagged five projects, had deposited the amount for only the 90-MW Miyar and 320 MW Saili projects, while BLA Industries for the 7-MW Shalvi project. The last date for depositing the upfront premium was June 30, which was extended till July 31 on request of the successful bidders. However, instead of depositing the amount, they sought more time. The government has decided not to grant any further extension and invited unsuccessful bidders for negotiations. If they agreed to match the successful bids, they would be allotted the projects --- Riyoli-Dugali (420 MW), Duggar (236 MW), Saach Khas (149 MW), Khoksar (90 MW each), Tingret (81 MW), Mane Nadang (70 MW), Lara (60 MW), Kuling Lara (40 MW), Siyul (13 MW) and Kilhi Bahal (7.5 MW). The IPPs are, particularly, wary of investing in projects in the landlocked Lahaul-Spiti region because of uncertainty over the transmission network. The projects will not come up before 2017 but they do not want to take risk. In fact, the private company executing the 192-MW Allain Duhungan project had to construct its own transmission line while projects at Tisa and Rohru also faced similar problems. The state electricity board has, over the past 40 years, built transmission system with a capacity to evacuate just about 1,200 MW, whereas an additional capacity of over 1,000 MW will have to be added annually to help evacuate 10,000 MW of power from projects already under execution. It is a tall order given the “financial health and competence” of the board which is running an overdraft of Rs 700 crore. The Asian Development Bank is willing to fund the transmission masterplan if an independent corporation is set up for its implementation, which will require proper unbundling of the board.
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Setting up of thermal plant opposed
Solan, August 10 Hundreds of villagers, who held a mahapanchayat at Bagheri near Nalagarh last evening, chalked out a strategy to present their objections emphatically at its September 7 public hearing for its environment-impact assessment. Led by a local NGO Himpravesh, its general secretary Balkrishen said high level of air and water pollution would cause widespread damage to their fields and the environment. While the air-cooling system proposed by the plant would cause air pollution, groundwater sources too would suffer immensely. The NGO contended that the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area had already reached a saturation point and no more industrial units, especially the highly polluting comprising Z category ones, should not be permissible at all for the thermal plant would virtually spell the death knell for villagers. The NGO has decided to mobilise mass support for this public cause and demonstrations would be held before the public hearing, confided its members. They also contended that the chimney of this plant would lead to smoke, making way right in houses of the nearby residents as the plant was being set up in the foothills. The NGO representatives said the company should go in for a hydro-based power project rather than a themal one. Further, their assertion of comparing it with a Ropar-based plant belied all logic as that plant drew water from a canal while here the groundwater would be put to use, it said.
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CM asks Cong to plead for state interests
Shimla, August 10 Addressing the concerns expressed by members on the issue of extensive damage to crops and water scarcity due to prolonged dry spell raised under Rule 63, the Chief Minister regretted that practically no relief had come from the Centre. “Despite the situation being so grave, we have received only Rs 21 crore from the Centre to meet the situation,” he said. Despite the Assembly adopting a resolution seeking Rs 2,000-crore relief as damage due to rains last year, not a single penny had been given. “I assure the House that there will be no politics on the issue of relief to farmers, fruit growers and the common man as we need the cooperation of the Congress members in pleading our case effectively before the Centre,” he said. He said the Centre must restore Himachal’s quota of rice, sugar and other foodgrains so that there was no shortage. “We have also sought advice of agri-experts and the ICAR in suggesting changes in cropping pattern in view of climatic changes and global warming,” he said. In his reply to the House, Revenue Minister Gulab Singh said the government was assessing the exact extent of damage and once the report was ready, it would be sent to the Centre. Earlier, speaking on the issue, GS Bali expressed concern over creation of reservoirs by those executing micro and mini hydropower projects which had affected flow of water downstream. “Stern action must be taken against those creating illegal reservoirs as this has affected the irrigation and other rights of the villagers,” he said. Sukhwinder Singh and Mukesh Agnihotri criticised the government for dragging politics into the issue of drought relief. “It is unfortunate that even in issues like distribution of fodder, the government indulged in petty politics,” they lamented. Suresh Bhardwaj and Randhir Sharma of the BJP regretted that the Congress was indulging in petty politics even on a sensitive issue like drought relief. “Had the Congress, while in opposition, taken effective steps, the farmers would have suffered less.” they said.
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Congress leaders burn CM’s effigy
Mandi, August 10 Burning the effigy of Dhumal in protest against lodging of the case against Virbhadra Singh at Chobata bazaar here today, slogan-shouting Congress leaders and workers of its frontal organisations, went on to charge that the BJP government had turned the state vigilance into party bureau to implicate Virbahdra Singh in the forged audio CD case which had no legal standing. The protest was led by Rangila Ram Rao former Excise and Taxation Minister, Sohal Lal Thakur, state spokesperson and former Sundarnagar MLA, Surinderpal, convenor, state Kisan Sabah, Puran Chand, district president, Tek Chand Dogra, former Nachan MLA, Mast Ram and Mansa Ram from Karsog, Shivlal from Seraj and others. After a brief address, the Congress leaders alleged that the CM, far from bringing relief to suffering farmers and public in general, was targeting Congress leaders and implicating them in false cases. They warned that if the state government failed to withdraw the case against its political rivals, they would resort to state-wide protest against rule of repression. Later, the leaders also submitted a memorandum through Mandi DC to state Governor Prabha Rao as a mark of protest against the Dhumal government. Meanwhile, the BJP has been stating that it was Virbhadra Singh himself who went to the court on the CD issue. “The Vigilance is only investigating the case,” party spokesperson said.
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Justice Mishra appointed as acting CJ
Shimla, August 10 Justice Mishra, after taking over the charge, addressed the Bar association and sought its cooperation in delivering justice. He said cooperation and affection were the most important factors for success of any institution. Justice Mishra was elevated as Judge on April 24, 2001, in the Allahabad High Court. He was later transferred to the Guwahati High Court. Justice Mishra was transferred to the Himachal Pradesh High Court on April 30, 2008. He has also served as Sales Tax Officer and taught general laws to sales tax officers/assistant commissioners at the State Sales Tax Training Institute, Lucknow, UP, as a guest teacher from 1979 to 1981. He has also worked as the Arguing Counsel for the Union of India in the Supreme Court from August, 1987, to March, 2001. He has been a Standing Counsel for the Bar Council of India, Chancellor of state universities of UP, Public Service Commission, UP Jal Nigam, Development Authorities and for large number of state corporations, including UPSIDC and UP Financial Corporation.
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Varsity accused of making back-door entry
Dharamsala, August 10 She was initially recruited on a part-time basis. However, after putting a few years now, a proposal has been sent to regularise her services. Another dimension of the case is that Promilla Devi is the sister of Wool Federation chairman Trilok Kapoor. Sources available here told that university authorities were pressurised to forward the case to the government for regularisation of her service. Ideally, for recruiting a permanent employee, the university should have advertised the post. Tej Pratap, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, is, however, on leave. Satish Sharma, the acting VC, when contacted, said he would look into the case. Meanwhile, Neeraj Kumar, registrar of the university, when contacted, admitted that the case of Promilla Devi had been sent for regularisation. When asked if it was a back-door entry, he said it was a normal practice. Whenever an employee, recruited on contract, completed requisite time period in the institution, his or her case was sent to the government for regularisation, he added. About the number of employees who were initially recruited on contract without advertising posts and then regularised, the registrar said he could not give the exact number. Trilok Kapoor was not available for comments. The university is already reeling under financial crisis. Strength of the employees has grown to three times the total strength of students. Presently, there are about 2,200 employees in the university against 780 students. To add to it, the number of non-teaching employees, who are recruited to carry administrative work for 380 teachers and 780 students, is around 1,700.
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Police accused of shielding officer
Mandi, August 10 They have demanded an action against the officer. In a joint statement issued here, Mohan Lal and Tek Chand, president and vice-president of Drang Youth Congress, and Lilamani, pradhan panchayat, Shivabadra, said the officer, along with his friends, allegedly thrashed three youths-- Praveen Kumar, Saurabh Sharma and Vikas Jaswal--- who were on bike (CH-043-6321). Pravin was injured and referred to the PGI on Saturday, they said. They alleged that they chased the trio on the Shivabadar road and caught them after their bike got stuck in the mud. They thrashed them and informed the police. The police, instead of going to the bottom of the case, arrested the youths and took injured Pravin Kumar to zonal hospital, which further referred him to the PGI as he had sustained head injuries, they claimed. Even residents of Jal colony and Pandoh told The Tribune that the officer was often seen with his friends racing in siren-fitted car, creating panic here at odd hours. When Ritesh Chauhan was contracted, he said he was on leave since August 7 and there was no question of his involvement in the case. Mandi DC Onkar Sharma told reporters that Ritesh Chauhan was on station leave on Friday. Mandi SP Sonal Agnihotri said the police was not aware about what had happened prior to the nabbing of three persons when they tried to escape from a naka at Pandoh. Pravin got injured as he tried to run away and fell into a nullah. All three were drunk and arrested by the police, he claimed.
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Vigilance to question Virbhadra
Shimla, August 10 “We are preparing the questionnaire through which we would like to seek information from the two named in the FIR,” confirmed DGP (Vigilance), DS
Manhas. Besides the names of the former Chief Minister and his wife, names of seven others have been mentioned in the FIR registered by the Vigilance Bureau on August 3. Sources said the bureau would seek information about the names and references that have been made in the audio CD, on the basis of which the case has been registered against the Union Minister. The bureau also questioned suspended IAS officer Sanjay Gupta today with regard to the case registered against him. |
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Kufri cycle rally
Shimla, August 10 The rally will be flagged of from the Ridge and culminate at Chini Bangla after passing through Sanjauli , Green Valley, Chhrabra and Kufri. A spokesman of the organisation said the aim was to introduce carbon-free tourism in the state, generate interest in cycling in the younger generation and clean the Green Valley spot through voluntary efforts. This is the second event being organised by the organisation to promote environment-friendly products and educate the masses about the need to recycle the waste, protect the water resources and planting tree. It recently organised the ‘Ride to Save Solang’ event on June 28, 2009, at Manali, to highlight the need to preserving the environment by promoting sustainable tourism.
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Testing facilities for swine
flu soon
Shimla, August 10 This was stated by Health Minister Rajeev Bindal while presiding over a high-level meeting to review arrangements for meeting possible threats of swine flu in the state here today. In addition, testing facilities would also be made available at the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, by the government of India, he added. He said isolation wards had been provided and arrangements for separate beds for the treatment of swine flu patients been made at the IGMC and all district hospitals. Bindal said till now no case of swine flu had come to light in the state. All necessary material, such as personal protective equipment and N-95 masks, had been made available in all district hospitals. Tamiflu tablets in sufficient number had also been made available. He said the facility to get swine flu samples tested promptly at the NICD, Delhi, had been provided in each district hospital and test reports would be received the next day. The minister directed doctors in all district hospitals to take samples for test of suspected swine flu patients only after complete check-up. |
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2 swine flu suspects in Himachal
Shimla, August 10 Though it is only after their reports from the NICD is received in a day or two that it will be confirmed whether they are swine flu cases or not. However, not willing to take any chances, the two have been segregated at home. While one of the patients is a 20-year-old local boy who is an engineering student in Pune, the other is a local youth who had returned from Delhi yesterday. “Though their treatment will start only after the report is received, but as a precautionary measure, in view of their travel history and symptoms, we have asked for their segregation at home also,” said Dr SS
Minhas, medical superintendent, IGMC. |
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Statesman’s ex-Resident Editor cremated
New Delhi, August 10 Kumar was 79. He is survived by his wife Vindhya, journalist son Siddharth and two daughters, Himani and Shalini. Kumar served The Statesman in Delhi for over three decades and retired as its Resident Editor in 1992. In mid-60s, he was posted at Chandigarh as special representative. After retirement, he worked for some time as political editor of News Time. He did a course as a Neiman Fellow at Harvard in 1968, and won many awards |
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