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Entry through tax barrier made mandatory
Tourism Promotion
Sex Scandal
A correction |
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Youth killed
Society Scam
Removed for encroaching on govt land
Awareness camp
Tunnel to cut distance by 63 km: Dhumal
NIFT locks horns with villagers
Board staff for hold on recruitment
Govt to check forest fires
INTUC not to join LIC strike
Dhumal gets pat on back
26 hurt as bus turns turtle
No arrest in modesty case
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Entry through tax barrier made mandatory
Shimla, September 15 Failure to comply with the provision will attract a penalty of Rs 10,000 in addition to the existing penalties for evasion of tax on such consignments under the state Value Added Tax Act. The provision was required as a large number of roads are being constructed every year but the tax barriers have been established only at 38 entry points. Besides, unscrupulous traders have also been bringing consignments passing through dry riverbeds, bypassing the barriers. In the neighbouring Punjab, such a provision is already in force. Further, to effectively check the undervaluation of goods, it has been made mandatory for staff to carry out physical verification of at least two trucks everyday at each barrier. These measures will help plug the escape routes and curb tax evasion as all goods being brought into the state will have to be accounted for. Last year, a revenue of Rs 64 crore was collected at the barriers and the amount was likely to go up significantly after the enforcement of new provisions, which are likely to be notified in a day or two. The government has also done away with discretionary powers of officers to impose penalties for various offences which left ample scope for malpractices and exploitation of traders. The discretion, which allowed officers to impose penalty ranging from 10 per cent to 150 per cent, has been replaced by fixed penalties. A provision for imposing deterrent punishment on those making false claims of input tax credit (ITC) has been made. If it was established that a trader had submitted false ITC claim, he will be punished with a penalty double the claimed amount. After the introduction of VAT, traders have also found new ways to evade tax and false ITC claim has been one of them. The period for scrutiny of tax returns has been extended from October 31 to December 31 to allow assessing authority ample time to thoroughly examine the returns so that only those traders, who had not field proper returns or not submitted all the required documents, were summoned. This will provide much relief to the traders as very few of them will have to appear before the assessing authority.
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Tourism Promotion
Shimla, September 15 This was the observation made by delegates who attended the two-day conference on “Destination Image and Branding-Strategies and Implications” orgainsed by the Institute of Vocational (Tourism) Studies at the Himachal Pradesh University, which concluded here today. “Despite Himachal being blessed in terms of natural beauty, rich culture and recreation sites, the state still lags behind in identification of a unique image that can portray real Himachal like Haryana is known for highway tourism while Kerala is synonymous with its backwaters,” said Prof SP Bansal, director of the institute. The delegates feel that Himachal should adopt an exotic theme which should be its unique selling proposition, he added. “The state, no doubt, has scenic beauty, unique culture and hospitable people. Hwever, it is undoubtedly the Himalayas which remain the biggest attraction,” said Professor Bansal. It was felt that though Himachal qualified as a safe destination, but with regard to other parameters like cleanliness and environment, the state needed to improve. With immense scope for adventure tourism in the state, it was stressed that attention must be paid towards promoting sports like mountain biking, river rafting, skiing, golf and aero sports. It was recommended that the planners must promote health tourism as this area had been lying untapped. “This will not only bring a lot of tourists, but more importantly, the duration of stay would go up from present one week to a month,” he said.
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Sex Scandal
Shimla, September 15 The inquiry in this regard was entrusted to Hardesh Bisht, SP, Special Investigation Unit (SIU), in the Vigilance Bureau on September 8. It was on the night of September 4 that a Vigilance Bureau team, accompanied by the local police, raided a hotel where they chanced upon two call girls who had allegedly been brought here at the behest of an Environment Department official. It is reliably learnt that the Vigilance sleuths have questioned the two call girls who were present in the hotel when the police team had raided the hotel. All three persons, whose name are allegedly being linked to the incident, including a businessman, have also been questioned about their presence at the hotel. Now it remains to be seen whether a case can be made out under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act. “This can only be established if the commercial angle to the presence of the two girls at the hotel can be established as this will result in flesh trade, otherwise no case can be made out,” admitted a senior police officer. The incident, which even led to the resignation of Rajinder Rana, chairman of the Media Advisory Committee, has been the talk of the town in political, bureaucratic and media circles. Though Rana had resigned, he made it clear that he was in no way linked to the incident and was stepping down as his name was being dragged unnecessarily. An inquiry had then been ordered into the incident following criticism by the Congress and the CPM. Following the name of Suresh Attri, secretary of the Expert Appraisal Committee of the Environment Impact Assessment Committee, being allegedly linked to the incident, the government sidelined him by removing him from the important post. Interestingly, it was on getting a tip-off that a big deal involving exchange of money was to take place at the hotel that the raid had been planned by the Vigilance. However, on reaching there, the team stumbled on the call girls and, per force, it had to bring into record the findings of its mission.
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Youth killed
Solan, September 15 The mishap occurred when the scooter was trying to give pass to the bus which was
travelling with great speed. The police registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the bus driver under Sections 304-A, 337 and 279 of the
IPC. He was later arrested. The deceased hailed from the Kotla nullah area
of the town.
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Society Scam
Solan, September 15 The society had 2,586 members and majority of them had opened FDs which had matured in March. Since the society had utilised the funds elsewhere to purchase land and other activities, there was virtually little cash left to pay back to the depositors. While an inquiry was underway by the joint registrar, a three-member board of administrators comprising a deputy registrar, district inspector and a local inspector, had been constituted to oversee the society affairs. The assistant registrar had already been appointed the administrator earlier, confided KS Dhaulta, joint registrar, who was conducting the inquiry. Though the assistant registrar was already conducting a separate inquiry after receipt of complaint from the members, but the members were pressing for early receipt of their dues. The manager of the society had been suspended earlier by the assistant registrar. The society executive council had been accorded an opportunity to present their view by September 24. The members were, therefore, hopeful of getting back their funds soon. Interestingly, the society had set an example by bagging a district-level award in 2005 for its outstanding performance after enrolling 2,586 members from nine panchayats comprising 52 villages. The society’s working had, till recently, been applauded due to its vast membership and innovative ideas like making tractors available to the farmers and enhancing income by purchasing land. But both the deals appear to have fallen sour with the funds to the tune of Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore being allegedly misused.
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Removed for encroaching on govt land
Hamirpur, September 15 The DC passed the order here today in an appeal filed against Veena Devi, ward member of the upper Ser ward falling under the Karor panchayat, by Kirana Kumari. Veena Devi was elected as a ward member for the Karor panchayat from the upper Ser ward in the election held on December 22, 2005. Since encroachment on government land was a disqualification under the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) Act, an election petition was filed against Veena Devi by Kirana Kumari before the SDM, Nadaun, and later, before the DC, Hamirpur, on January 9, 2007. While evidences regarding encroachment of the government land by Veena Devi were produced before the court, demarcation was also undertaken by the Revenue Department to confirm the charge against the ward member. After the charge of encroachment against Veena Devi was proved she was found ineligible to contest PRI’s election and thus her election was declared null and void. Jain said, “Veena Devi, ward member from the upper Ser ward of the Karor panchayat, has been removed from her post in an order passed on an appeal filed against her under the PRI Act after charge of encroachment on the government land was proved against her.” |
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Awareness camp
Hamirpur, September 15 The camp
was being attended by the elected members of PRIs, NGOs, self-help groups and others. Addressing the participants, Thakur said the state government had taken several steps for women empowerment and the recent decision to give 50 per cent reservation to them in the PRIs would go a long way in this direction. He also laid stress on social, economic and political uplift of women and said education could play a very vital role in this direction. Talking about women education, the MP said education would not only help in protecting their rights, but also contribute a lot for building a better society. He said the government was making every effort to stop women exploitation and empower them in every field. It had also launched a “Beti anmol hai” programme to check female infanticide. Speaking on the occasion local MLA Urmil Thakur said while women should be well aware about their rights, they should also be concerned about their obligations. It was important for women to imbibe family values, she added.
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Tunnel to cut distance by 63 km: Dhumal
Kullu, September 15 This was stated by Chief Minister PK Dhumal while addressing the centenary celebration of Government Senior Secondary School, Bhutti, in Lug valley today. He said the completion of 100 years of its existence was a proud moment for any institution or individual. “The school has been playing an important role in imparting quality education and has produced students who have excelled in their respective fields,” he said. Dhumal said three major tunnels were envisioned for construction at different places in the state. The Holi-Uttrala tunnel would connect Holi area of district Chamba with Baijnath in district Kangra, Silh Badhani-Bhubu Jot would connect Jogindernagar with Kullu and Bangana-Dhaneta tunnel would connect district Una with Hamirpur, thereby reducing distances and traffic congestion. Independent Power Producers (IPPs) had been made responsible to contribute towards the development of the project areas by becoming a partner in socio-economic upliftment of the project-affected families, he added. He also announced Rs 60 lakh for construction of science block in the school and Rs 20,000 for cultural promotion activities.
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NIFT locks horns with villagers
Kangra, September 15 Disclosing this here today, local MLA Sanjay Choudary told mediapersons that at least 50 residents of the two villages had approached him with a complaint that their movement was stopped by the NIFT authorities. He asserted that he was with the residents and their grievance needs to be addressed. He said he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister. Earlier, the NIFT had locked horns with scientists and other officials of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) as they were also not allowed to visit their centre for official business and were asked to carry identity cards. |
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Board staff for hold on recruitment
Shimla, September 15 It pointed out that the corporation had been formed by the merger of two special purpose vehicles of the board, the Pabbar Valley Power Corporation and the Kinner Kailash Power Corporation, the office of the chief engineer, design, and the Sainj hydroelectric project. At least 1,000 employees had been transferred from the board to the corporation. Presently, the board had 40 per cent equity in the corporation. However, it took unilateral decision on various issues. It had started direct recruitment without deciding the fate of the board staff working in the corporation on secondment. Besides, employees from other government departments were also being absorbed In the process, two different cadres had been created in the organisation. General secretary of the union Deep Chand has demanded immediate stay on direct recruitment and absorption of employees from other department in the corporation. He has also sought the intervention Chief Minister PK Dhumal in the matter.
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Govt to check forest fires
Shimla, September 15 This was stated by Forest Minister Jagat Prakash
Nadda, while presiding over the review meeting of senior forest officers, here today. He said efforts would be made to check fires on the parched hilly tracts that destroy precious trees on the analogy of Madhya
Pradesh. He disclosed that a meeting of conservators and DFOs of fire-prone areas would be held next month to chalk out a strategy to control forest fires and minimise damage. |
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INTUC not to join LIC strike
Shimla, September 15 Vice-president of the federation Devender Sharma said here today that the AINLIEF was of the view that insurance sector was an independent body and wage settlement of the employees must be effected independently, without emulating the banking sector. The federation
had already been pursuing the matter with the government for expediting the negotiations for wage revision of the employees of state-owned life insurance companies. |
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Dhumal gets pat on back
Shimla, September 15 They said it was a matter of great pride that Himachal had been adjudged the best state in the field of education, health investment and macro economy. They added that even in the overall performance Himachal had been adjudged the fastest mover state. They said the fact that Himachal won seven of the 41 awards was an indication of the achievements of the BJP regime in the state over the past
21 months. The Shimla district BJP chief Ganesh Dutt also congratulated the chief minister for strides in the filed of development made by
the state. |
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26 hurt as bus turns turtle
Palampur, September 15 According to eyewitnesses, when the speeding bus reached near the PWD rest house at
Chadiar, the driver failed to negotiate a curve and the bus turned turtle on the road injuring 26 persons. Later, the Baijnath SDM reached the spot and supervised the relief and rescue operation. All injured were referred to the Civil Hospital,
Palampur. The SDM also distributed financial assistance among the injured passengers.
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No arrest in modesty case
Chamba, September 15 According to a press note issued by the police here today, an FIR in this connection had been registered with the Kihar police station. The woman had alleged that accused Govind Ram had restrained her and outraged her modesty while she was returning home from the fields. However, investigation into the case was in progress, the press note revealed. |
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