Shimla, October 11
While Himachal Pradesh University (HPU)has been earning a huge revenue from the sale of its “expensive” prospectus for the annual CPMET (combined pre-medical entrance test), it has not been taking due care to ensure that the admit cards reach the candidates in time. Not only that, it charges additional amount for providing duplicate admit cards to candidates who do not receive the cards sent by ordinary post, without any proof of acknowledgement.

This has been revealed by information supplied under the Right to Information Act by the university to RTI activist Dev Ashish Bhattacharya who had raised a number of queries regarding the conduct of the test.

The sale of prospectus for CPMET-2009, priced at Rs 1,000 for general category and Rs 500 for SC and ST candidates (Rs 50 extra if sent by post ), fetched a whopping Rs 49,92,650. However, it still chose to sent the admit cards by ordinary post under postal certificate (UPC).

A number of candidates did not receive the admit cards and when they contacted the university authorities in this regard, they were told to collect the card a day before the examination. According to information, in all 55 candidates obtained duplicate cards for which they were charged Rs 20 each. They had to come to Shimla a day in advance.

Bhattacharya lamented that even after charging an exorbitant amount for the prospectus, the university was not willing to spend a nominal amount on postage to ensure that admit cards reached the candidates. At a time when even mobile phone bills are being sent by courier and registered post, approach of the university was shocking.

In contrast, the prospectus for the civil services examination, conducted by the union public service commission, cost Rs 20 and the total postage charged is only Rs 50. Obviously, the university was using the test as a means for raising funds.

The test was not only expensive but also lacked transparency as evident from the RTI information. There was no provision for providing carbon copies of OMR answer sheets to the candidates. However, a candidate could get a copy of the OMR sheet duly authenticated if he or she applies under the RTI Act to the Dean of Studies.

Bhattacharya also wanted to know what action the university had taken against the teacher who was associated with the private institution which provided coaching for the CPMET.

Shimla, October 11
A traditional stronghold of the Congress, the Rohru Assembly constituency has, over the past two decades, virtually turned into a pocket borough of Union Minister for Steel Virbhadra Singh who has won the seat for the five consecutive time.

He first contested from the constituency in 1990 when he trounced his Janata Dal rival Satydev Bushehari by a record margin. The ruler of the erstwhile Rampur Bushhar state secured as many as 89.06 per cent of votes polled as against just 9.60 per cent Bushehari got. The BJP fielded Khushi Ram Balnatah from Rohru for the first time in 1993 and he did much better as compared to Busheahri, polling 20.09 per cent votes. The share of Virbhadra Singh came down to 77.10 per cent.

The result of 1998 Assembly poll presented more or less a similar picture with Virbhadra Singh (80.91 per cent) and Balnatah (18.01 per cent) with the former improving his vote share slightly. However, Balnatah did much better in 2003 to increase his vote share to 31.97 per cent, registering a significant increase of 14 per cent. The vote percentage of Virbhadra Singh declined by almost 13 per cent to reach 68.03 per cent.

The best performance of Balnatah came in the last Assembly polls when he managed to secure 32.11 per cent votes in four-cornered contest. The two other losing candidates, Randhir Ranta (BSP) and Goverdhan Singh (LJSP) together polled 7.32 per cent vote. The vote share of Virbhadra Singh further declined to 60.58 per cent, his lowest ever.

The data makes it clear that the vote bank of Balnatah has been increasing steadily at the cost of Virbhadra Singh’s support base.

For a change, Balnatah will not be facing his famed rival in the November 7 by-election. The Congress, in all probability, will field Pratibha Singh, wife of Virbhadra Singh, from the seat. However, whosoever may be the candidate, the BJP will have to contend with the might of Virbhadra Singh for whom ensuring the victory of Congress is a matter of prestige. With the Dhumal government registering a case against him and his wife, he has a point to prove.

It is the last and also the best opportunity for Balnatah as his traditional rival Virbhadra Singh will not be in the electoral arena and the BJP is in power in the state with three more years to go. The Rohru constituency has been reserved for the Scheduled Castes during the delimitation exercise. The next Assembly election will be held according to the delimited constituencies. As such, Balnatah will be contesting from the seat for the last time. There is a considerable amount of sympathy for Balnatah on this account. However, given the stature and clout of Virbhadra Singh, his task remains uphill.

Mandi, October 11
Even as the ABVP, the BJP students’ outfit, made the removal of Mandi Deputy Commissioner Onkar Sharma a “personal and prestige issue”, BJP leaders here today claimed that they would resolve the matter amicably as it had vitiated the administrative energy in the district for the past three days.

Rural Development Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who was here for the inauguration of the Red Cross mela, said they would resolve the DC-ABVP standoff shortly.

On the other hand, ABVP national secretary Umesh Dutt, state leaders Naresh Chandel and Chaman Sharma asserted that they would not relent on their demand of removal of the DC.

“We have given an ultimatum to the government that they should remove him and not give him any post that involves public dealing,” they said.

The ABVP wore black badges in protest yesterday, but the anti-DC tirade is losing steen among the students on the campus. They opined that the outfit should instead take up students’ or youth issues rather than making removal of the DC a prestige issue.

The NSUI has maintained its silence over the issue but the SFI has come out in support of the DC, calling the ABVP’s demand illogical. “The DC did the right thing by not allowing the ABVP to collect funds from his office for its national conference.” they said. However, ABVP leaders claimed that they would take up the issue during the state executive meeting at Una on October 13 and would decide future course of action.

DC Onkar Sharma reiterated ABVP leaders’ stance that they met him regarding IIT classes at the postgraduate college was a “figment” of their imagination.

“I have nothing to more to say on this,” he added.

Meanwhile, PWD Minister and Jogindernagar MLA Gulab Singh Thakur told The Tribune that they were trying to sort out the issue amicably.

Hamirpur, October 11
Despite the state government’s tough stance on cancellation of ‘fake ration cards’ and directive to fix responsibility of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs inspectors almost a year back for this work, not much headway has been made in this direction.

Interestingly, inspectors of the department have not been able to collect the data of deletion of ration card holders from respective panchayats presidents and secretaries, who were entrusted this job.

Though around 10,000 ‘fake ration cards’ were detected in Hamirpur district alone, the government has reports of just 6,000 cards cancelled so far throughout the state out of which about 1,000 names have been deleted in Hamirpur district.

This despite the fact that additional chief secretary had issued directions to all District Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affair (DFCSCA) officers in January last to collect information about such cards by February 5.

Not getting desired results after its earlier directive to cancel the ‘fake ration cards’ by September 30, 2008, the state government had even asked to fix responsibility of concerned inspectors involved in the process.

The issue of ‘ fake ration cards’ came to light when the number of existing ration card holders had risen largely after the exercise undertaken by respective panchayat presidents in the state.

In Hamirpur district alone the number of ration card holders was recorded as 89,384, which had risen by 10,000 cards in a year.

When the DFCSCA department found that the number of ration card holders was much higher than the census population in any area, it started a drive to cancel the ‘fake cards’.

More so since thousands such card holders were drawing subsidised ration through public distribution system (PDS), for which the state government alone was bearing an annual subsidy of more than Rs 100 crore, besides subsidy given by the central government for the PDS.

The DFCSCA officer, Hamirpur, blames lack of staff as major reason for not collecting information about cancellation of these cards and now fresh directions through DC have been sent to panchayat presidents and secretaries to detect and cancel these cards.

The secretary, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, said, “We have taken up fresh drive to delete fake ration cards from October to December and fresh directions have been issued to DCs, DFCSCA officers, panchayat presidents and secretaries to speed up the work.”

Palampur, October 11
The Baijnath police today impounded eight Maruti cars which were sold by the agents of Competent Motors, Mandi, at half price on the demand drafts of third persons. The police had already registered a case and 15 persons had been arrested in this case till date.

Earlier, eight officials of Competent Motors, an authorised dealer of Maruti Udyog Limited, were also arrested in this case for their alleged involvement in supplying the cars to its agents on the demand drafts of third persons who were not the rightful owners.

‘A Maruti car for half the price’, which had lured over 106 residents of Baijnath town, were virtually cheated by agents of the company.

Later, the police swung into action against the culprits who had pocketed over Rs 1 crore collected from them.

It may be recalled that Anish Achraya, an agent of Competent Motors, Mandi, had collected over 106 demand drafts for Rs 1.30 lakh each from different persons from Baijnath and had assured them that he would provide them Martui car at half the price. He provided the vehicle to 50 persons but the remaining 56 were yet to get the cars.

Later, when the victims approached the agency in this regard, they were shocked when the management of the company told them that it had not launched any such scheme. The victims suffered another setback when they came to know that some other persons had got the vehicle against their demand drafts.

Solan, October 11
Absence of adequate land has hampered expansion of the state’s oldest industrial area of Parwanoo with merely 50 per cent of the proposed investment coming through in the past seven years.

Figures available from the Industries Department revealed that proposals worth Rs 600 crore had been received but it was lack of land which acted as a deterrent for the industrial expansion. Therefore, the actual investment was reduced to Rs 325 crore which was barely 50 per cent of the proposed amount.

The problem is basically on account of the hilly terrain surrounding the area and the presence of forest area which has reduced the actual land availability, confessed an official of the department. He added that this had left little scope even for acquisition of land to expand industrial zones.

Lack of land had also hampered a crucial Central Tool Room project, which was to be set up here, that would have, otherwise, helped industrial units to get their moulds manufactured here. These moulds have to be bought from Ludhiana which is a far off place.

Shortage of land had also marred the development of any labour hostel though the town houses nearly 500 units where nearly 20,000-25,000 labourers are working. In the absence of any accommodation, they are forced to commute from neighbouring Kalka and this puts an additional financial strain on them. This has deterred the labour force from working here as the lone alternative is to reside in shabby jhuggis.

“Lack of accommodation made it difficult for industries to meet the 70 per cent mandatory Himachali employment norm. Even scant accommodation, which was available, was highly priced, making it difficult for workers to afford it,” confided Rakesh Bansal, general secretary, Parwanoo Industries Association.

GS Chauhan, member secretary, Single Window Clearance Agency, however, said efforts were afoot to revive a 35-bigha labour hostel project at Masulkhana. He added that this project would be worked out shortly and some relief would be given to workers engaged in the industries here.

The problem had arisen specially after the shamlat land was returned back to farmers a few years ago and this left virtually no land for undertaking any such community projects. Since the agricultural land could not be used for industrial activity, the area failed to witness much development. 

Bilaspur, October 11
The Nagar Vikas Sabha, a social organisation of senior citizens here devoted to the cause of development of Bilaspur, has drawn attention of the district administration and the PWD authorities towards a nullah which has been left incomplete on the entry of the Luhnu Sports Complex here by the contractor and which should have been constructed up to the nearby choe alongside the wall of the Adventure Sports Complex.

Sabha convener AP Sharma told mediapersons here yesterday after meeting of the sabha that it adopted a resolution demanding inquiry why this nullah, which carried rain water and other effluents from various drains of the Raura sector, was left incomplete and it was not constructed up to the nearby choe so that all contents, which it carried with it were drained into this choe. Now debris, sand, gravel and all sorts of garbage from various houses are being spread by this nullah at this entry point of the ground.

In an another resolution, the sabha has urged the police administration to ensure check of activities of garbage collectors, which was essential to prevent thefts of things made of iron and other metals in the town and villages.

Kangra, October 11
The Himachal Pradesh Government Teachers’ Union on Friday criticised the report of the Punjab Fifth Pay Commission as the teachers’ community in the state was allegedly feeling deceived because of the commission’s recommendations.

Onkar Rana, district president, Himachal Pradesh Government Teachers’ Union, in a statement here said the increase in the salary was negligible and in some cases there was cent per cent neutralisation of interim relief as compared to the prescribed salary of August 2009.

Criticising the state government, Rana said the government had not protected the Assured Carrier Progression (ACP) benefit unlike Punjab, thus depriving state employees of the benefit of 4-9-14 ACP, which was a clearcut deviation from the Punjab pattern and the state government was thus killing the spirit of the 1970 Agreement reached between the state government and the employees’ leaders.

Rana demanded that prompt release of the ACP benefit of 4-9-14 years , protection of the ACP increment on the analogy of the Punjab, announcement of revised house rent, medical reimbursement, hill compensatory allowance and enhancement of the retirement age.

He also demanded that the teachers should be kept away from the extra educational duties for the sake of quality education.

Shimla, October 11
The police will launch a special drive to remove all old and redundant vehicles, which are permanently parked along roadsides and at public places. The decision was taken at the routine crime meeting of the district police, chaired by SP R.M. Sharma here recently.

The presence of such vehicles further compounded the problem of traffic congestion along the main roads. “In case we are able to get the registration number we will direct the owner to remove the vehicle within a stipulated time or else we will auction it or sell it as junk,” he said.

It is learnt that Chief Minister PK Dhumal had some time back raised the issue and had directed the police department to get all these discarded vehicles removed. Police officials too admitted that they caused traffic congestion.

Sharma said besides this the police would launch a special campaign against eve teasing outside all schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the district from October 12 to 30.

Another area where the police would focus its attention would be to check gambling as a large number of people resort to it in a big way during the festival season around Diwali. However, action could be taken only if gambling is done at public places.

Mandi, October 11
Rural Development Minister Jai Ram Thakur today urged people to donate liberally to the Red Cross Society making it a people movement to reach out to the poor and needy.

Inaugurating the district Red Cross mela organised by the district Red Cross Society, Thakur said the society was helping and assisting poor patients who have no sources to meet out their expenses for treatment. The society has collected Rs 1.66 crore from 2007 to October 2009 and spent Rs 1.2 crore for the poor and needy, creating facilities for patients, he added. Thakur urged residents to donate liberally to the society and the CM relief fund as the money goes for helping out the poor.

Red cross society’s president-cum-DC, Mandi, Onkar Sharma said the society received a donation of Rs 38.3 lakh this year till October and spent Rs 18.69 lakh on poor and needy patients. The society was giving x-ray films to the patients at the zonal hospital and has run a cloth bank to help the needy, he added.

The minister donated hearing aid to three patients on occasion and inaugurated the exhibition showcased by the self-help groups and government departments. The society had also organised a baby show and a dog show.

Shimla, October 11
Kullu won the team trophy in the Dr YS Parmar Memorial Golf Tournament held at Naldehra, near here, today. The winning team posted an aggregate score of 84 points. Lahaul-Spiti ended up as the runners up with 81 points.

The men’s title was bagged by Arjun Sood, while Prithvi Vikram Sen came second. In the veterans’ event, Ajit Singh bagged the title and the second place was shared by TP Sood and JD Bhardwaj.

Ten-year-old Arjun Channa turned out the best performance in the junior event with a tally 47 points, the highest of the tournament. The great grandson of Dr YS Parmar, Jai Singh, was the runners up.

The trophy for local professional category was won by Balkrishan along with a cash prize of Rs 7,500. Hari Saran was the runners up.

In the local professional junior category, Jitendra was the winner and Barat the runners up.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal presented the trophies to the winners of the championship organised by Dr YS Parmar Memorial Foundation in association with the Naldehra Golf Club.