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BJP springs surprise by fielding Chaudhary
Black Diwali for agro corpn staff
‘BJP has no right to oppose dynastic rule’
Tourism Dept approves aero sports site
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External aerosols causing blurring of Himalayan skyline
Suppliers resent allotment of BSNL work to particular party
Adulterated food products sold at depots
Resolve public grievances: CM
HC notice to Secy, SP
Voting info through SMS
‘Rahul’s visit energised youth’
Sports meet ends
Two get 10-year RI
Pratibha withdraws from ticket race
One convicted for carrying charas
One dead in car mishap
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BJP springs surprise by fielding Chaudhary
Shimla, October 15 The decision to field an
OBC, who was not a very strong contender, for the party ticket from Jwali where the by-poll is to be held on November 7, was taken at the central Parliamentary board meeting, held in New Delhi today. The decision of the party came as a surprise to many as it was being felt that one of the four leaders, whose names had been forwarded by the state election committee, would get the ticket. The uncertainty over ticket has finally ended as Khushi Ram Balnatah is to be fielded from
Rohru. “The decision to field Chaudhary is a unanimous one in consultation with Chief Minister PK
Dhumal, MP Shanta Kumar and Rajan Sushant,” said Khimi Ram Sharma, state party chief. He added that Chaudhary was a very strong candidate and all leaders and workers would ensure his victory. It is also being felt that the BJP has played the caste card well so that it can get votes of the OBCs who constitute a sizeable chunk of the electorate. With the potential Congress candidate Sujan Singh Pathania being a
Rajput, the BJP wants that it gets sizeable OBC votes, who have always been a deciding factor in Kangra politics. The state Election Committee, after failing to arrive at a consensus, had forwarded names of Sushant’s wife
Sudha, his brother Madan Sharma, former BJP mandal chiefs Baldeb Thakur and Arjun Singh. “The fight for ticket had become so intense and bitter that we all realised that a new candidate will have to be fielded in case the seat is to be won by us,” admitted a senior BJP leader. Even though chances of undercutting still cannot be ruled out, at least the bitterness will be reduced as the party chose a person other than the four contenders, some of whom had already started campaigning. In fact, Rajan Sushant’s wife Sudha who was working as a college lecturer, had even tendered her resignation to take the electoral plunge. After having finally decided the party candidate, BJP leaders now want to ensure that
Sushant, who had vacated the seat following his election to the Lok Sabha, should work whole heartedly for the party’s victory. Considering the clout that Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh enjoys in
Rohru, the BJP wants to ensure that all goes well for the party in Jwali to ensure at least one seat. |
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Black Diwali for agro corpn staff
Shimla, October 15 The 218 employees of the corporation, deployed in 29 branch offices across the state, have not been paid salaries for the past three to nine months. The total arrears on this account have crossed Rs 2.25 crore mark. They have also been deprived of benefits like interim relief and revised pay scales. The financial health of the corporation has deteriorated to such an extent that it has not been able to pay the provident fund contribution for the past two years and the total outstanding amount comes to Rs 2 crore. The main reason for the dismal state of the corporation is the decision of the government to transfer some of its main activities of supplying bitumen, horticulture implements and veterinary medicines to various departments which earned it a handsome income. While the supply of bitumen is now being handled by the state small scale industries corporation, veterinary medicines are being supplied by the State Wool Federation. The bitumen business alone amounted to about Rs 45 crore, while the supply of veterinary medicines accounted for another Rs 2 crore. Consequently, the turnover of the corporation came down from Rs 75.60 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 55.70 crore in the last financial year. The situation has turned worse during the current year and the total business till August has been only Rs 11.50 crore. The total turnover is not likely to touch even Rs 30 crore. The employees, who had raised loan for house construction and other purposes, are the worst hit as their instalments are being deducted from the salary but not paid further to the financial institutions. They are being charged penal interest and issued notices by the institutions. In the meantime, 24 employees retired without receiving their terminal benefits. The matter had been taken up at different levels but no progress had been made and the staff continue to suffer financial hardships due to non-payment of salaries. The employees maintain that the crisis could be resolved if the government provides lump-sum amount to the corporation to liquidate outstanding liabilities and transfer back some of the activities to make it a viable unit.
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‘BJP has no right to oppose dynastic rule’
Shimla, October 15 Addressing a press conference here today, he said a party like the BJP, which had been favouring kith and kins of leaders, had no right to raise a hue and cry over dynastic rule. If a young leader like Rahul Gandhi had made a beginning to bring the common people into the party fold through a process based on merit, the BJP should not find fault in it and rather try to emulate him. The situation was worse in the BJP as evident from the fact that Narinder Thakur, son of late BJP stalwart Jagdev Chand, had to quit the BJP and join the Congress to fight against the family rule being pursued by Dhumal. BJP leaders, who lacked vision and were averse to change, had been debunking any initiative to take the country forward. Citing an example, he said when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi took initiative for computerisation and modernising telecommunication, BJP leaders ridiculed him. Today, India was a leader in the world of Information and Technology only because of the path-breaking policies of the late leader, he added. The BJP paid heavily for pursuing archaic policies and programme and suffered serious setback at the national level. However, it seemed that its leaders had not learnt any lesson and were still not aware of the winds of change blowing across the country. The party did not have a young leader to match the calibre, vision and charisma of Rahul Gandhi. Their negative approach would not take the party anywhere as the Congress was bound to emerge stronger with the initiative launched by the young MP to reform the organisation, he said. |
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Tourism Dept approves aero sports site
Solan, October 15 SDM Rajesh Maria told The Tribune that professional paragliders had undertaken trial flying at this site in December last year. Later, they approached the Tourism Department to get the site approved and thereafter a four-member technical committee headed by SDM, CMO, district tourism development officer and two paragliders was constituted to assess its possibility. He added that since there was a natural helipad and successful tandem flights have been conducted where the locals too have participated, a recommendation for its approval would be forwarded to the state government. Professional paragliders, including India’s ace gliding instructor Gurpreet Dhindsa, who recently fared number two in the World Championships, and Surinder M Talwar, found the site apt for various adventure activities. Speaking to The Tribune, Talwar said, “The site has a perfect table top measuring 340x70 m and it offered the twin advantage of top landing and take off with adequate flat land being available. Not only this, but also three options were available for landing where a site lying along the Giri river which measured about 9 bighas and was bereft of any vegetation was considered ideal. Rating the site even better than Bir-Billing, he added that being a huge tract of clean, green and hurdle-free site it was apt for aero sports. Recalling their last year’s discovery of the site, Talwar added that, “It was a quest to locate a virgin site for such sports that I along with Dhindsa chanced to locate this site on Google about two years back. Offering a perfect air strip with zero hurdle made us keen to test fly which was later executed in last December.” Ideally located at a distance of 38 km from Solan the site offers an array of aero sports activities, including paragliding, skydiving and hot air ballooning etc. |
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External aerosols causing blurring of Himalayan skyline
Kullu, October 15 Scientists have identified these “new external invisible villains” at research stations in high concentration at Mohal in Kullu. The “external aerosols” are hand in glove with “local internal aerosols” contributing into the blurring of the Himalayan skyline from Leh, and Henle in Jammu and Kashmir through Kullu, Nainital to Dibrugarh in Assam, they revealed. The scientists found that, “Local aerosols are raised by vehicular traffic, tourism and biomass burning, forest fires, dusty roads and motor rallies and external aerosols of much fine particles are coming from Thar and Sahara deserts, making the Himalayan skyline hazier day-by-day.” In a first of its countrywide ISRO-sponsored Geosphere Biosphere programme, the scientists at the four institutes — GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED), Kullu and Almora (Uttarakhand), Aryabhat Research Institute of Observational Science, Nainital, and IIRS Dehradun — in the Himalayan region have tracked down the “external and internal aerosols”. In fact, ISRO has engaged 19 other institutes across the country for studying the impact of aerosols on land, ocean and atmosphere in the country using modern equipment. Dr JC Kuniyal, senior scientist at GBPIHED, said, “The aerosol optical depth (AOD) at Mahol in Kullu has come out to be 0.26 AOD, which is very alarming when it is compared with 0.5 AOD of Kanpur city, one of the most polluted
cities in India.” From Leh at 3,441 m, Henle in Jammu and Kashmir, Mohal in Kullu valley, Manora Peak in Uttarakhand to Dibrugarh in Assam, the results are almost the same. As a result, scanty rainfalls, wild weather, scorching heat, faster melting of glaciers, dusty crops and pulmonary diseases are the in-thing in the Himalayan region,
scientists revealed. Director, GBPIHED, Dr LMS Palni said, “The objective of the programme is to monitor the aerosols in the atmosphere as they travel long distances and rise local temperature as these are heat absorbers. They also speed up the melting of snow and glaciers in a way. We will club database to arrive at a conclusion.” |
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Suppliers resent allotment of BSNL work to particular party
Hamirpur, October 15 These suppliers have not only resented the allotment of supply order to a particular party for the past so many years despite their lower bids but have also decided to take up this matter with higher authorities and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur. Three shoe suppliers of Hamirpur have also made a written complaint to the general manger of the BSNL in this regard. One of the complainants talking to The Tribune said, “The local BSNL authorities had invited offers to purchase shoes for its staff worth several lakhs through quotations some time back.” The purchase committee of the BSNL had decided to purchase Combo shoes and leather shoes with maximum retail prices of Rs 480 and Rs 430 per pair, respectively, for these shoes. One of these suppliers who had submitted a quotation to supply these shoes has said “though we had quoted lower rates of Rs 480 ad Rs 450 for these shoes but the BSNL authorities did not consider our offer and instead placed the order to a party which had quoted higher rates to supply these shoes.” Resenting this decision of the BSNL these suppliers later made a written complaint to the general manager of the BSNL. They have alleged that ‘this particular supplier had been patronised by the BSNL for the past five years and was given the supply order this year too despite difference in the rates.’ These suppliers have demanded that such huge quantity of goods should be purchased through open tenders. They have also decided to take up this issue with Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur. Divisional engineer (planning), who makes such purchases has said that ‘the process of this purchase is still on and supply order for final decision in this regard is taken by the general manager.’ The general manager said, “I am not aware of any such supply order and would take the decision when it comes to me.” |
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Adulterated food products sold at depots
Mandi, October 15 After the victims approached the Mandi RTI Bureau, it decided to drag the corporation to the consumer court. The ambitious salesmen in the town and other parts of the district have been targeting poor villagers. “Nobody listens to us. We have even approached the manager, showing him rice and black wheat, sugar and dals of substandard quality, but no action has been taken,” the villagers rued. Narrating his tale of woe, Tara Chand, a resident of Chadiar village in the town, rued that he bought 15 kg of rice, 20 kg of wheat flour and 3 kg of dal from Tarna road sales depot yesterday after paying Rs 281 on the ration quota. “However, I was shocked when I saw it contained sand, rat shit and chura in large quantities,” he complained. Tara Chand said he got the ration after haggling with the salesmen for three days. “I brought it to the notice of the manager but he told me to return it and get better quality material from the depot. However, the salesman rebuked me and refused me the ration,” he said. Tara Chand is not the only BPL cardholder who is suffering in the hands of such salesmen. Complaints are also pouring in from Magwani, Suda Mohala and Tarna against salesmen who were allegedly hand in glove with the local traders who were selling substandard ration to innocent cardholders, they charged. Salesmen are selling open dals even as the corporation claimed it supplied dals in packets. After Tara Chand approached the RTI bureau for assistance, president of the bureau Lawan Thakur told The Tribune that they had seen the ration and receipts and would lodge a complaint on behalf of Tara Chand at the district consumer courts tomorrow. On the other hand, RK Rakesh, joint director, FSCC, claimed that the salesmen could not sell open dal as it came in packs. “We have received complaints from Mangwani depot and would initiate an action in the case,” he added.
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Resolve public grievances: CM
Shimla, October 15 He was addressing a high-level meeting of top bureaucrats here today.He said the administrative set up required to get updated by making use of technological advancements to achieve efficiency and time period curtailed substantially by maintaining transparency and accountability towards the general public. Dhumal said the government would consider introduction of the e-governance system in its entire functioning so that all were interlinked and process of file system minimised to make the same paperless in the coming time. He said such softwares were available in the private sector, adding that such a system would bring about transparency and efficiency in delivering the goods to the public. He said unnecessary delay in file movement and deciding the matter needed to be curtailed and regular monitoring of pending applications made by the office incharge. Dhumal directed the authorities to carry frequent inspections of the ongoing projects.
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HC notice to Secy, SP
Shimla, October 15 While issuing the notice, Justice Kuldeep Singh directed officials to file reply within three weeks. The court passed this order on a petition filed by the JCBL Company of Chandigarh, which alleged that one Nipun Nath had cheated the company by producing forged documents and misappropriated Rs 4 lakh of the company. The petitioner alleged that the FIR against Nath was registered at the Dharampur police station on August 26. The police party from Dharampur went to Delhi and arrested Nath on September 9, from his house. The police then took the accused to the Nizamudeen police station, New Delhi, and then let him go in an illegal manner. The petitioner company in an affidavit filed by Nirmal Sharma alleged that some senior-level IPS officer from Himachal Pradesh remained present at the Nizamudeen police station and secured the release of the accused.
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Voting info through SMS
Shimla, October 15 Disclosing this here today, Chief Electoral Officer Anil Khachi said the facility, which would be available upto November 7, had been launched for the convenience of the voters. “All relevant information, including Assembly constituency number and name, polling station number, polling station address, voter serial number and name can be obtained through SMS service on a pre-defined number 56300,” he added. He said the Election Department had been able to achieve this task in coordination with the Information Technology Department. The information could be obtained by sending EPIC (voter ID card) number through SMS in the format "EPICEPIC-Number" (e.g. EPIC CLF0460121) to the pre-defined number 56300. He said in reply to the SMS, voters would be able to get all above mentioned information on their
mobile phone. |
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‘Rahul’s visit energised youth’
Bilaspur, October 15 This was stated by NSUI state president Vivek Kumar while addressing mediapersons at the Circuit House
here today. Vivek said this visit had also helped the NSUI in increasing its membership several folds and it would also be reflected in the next election of the students’ body. He said Rahul was very frank and candid in replying to questions and giving his forthright opinion on burning issues like the future of youth in Indian politics and the Congress, problem of unemployment, scope of students in politics, role of youth in meeting demands of agriculture and role of students of weaker sections, including that of girls, without any consideration of caste, region, religion and community. He said the NSUI would now launch a campaign in the entire state to ensure that the message of the young leader reached every corner. Strenuous efforts would be made to involve maximum number of students in this
task, he added.
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Sports meet ends
Solan, October 15 Chief guest Col SS Bisht, Deputy Commandant, 14 GTC Subathu, gave away prizes to students. He exhorted the students to participate in sports activities as it led to the overall development of a child. While congratulating the winners, he said those who could not win should not be disheartened, as participation was more important. He added that such activities inculcate a spirit of cooperation and discipline among children and hence it was crucial to participate in such activities during the course of one’s education. Earlier, principal Col VK Maini
(retd) also addressed the students. Vishali Negi was declared the best girl athlete in the senior category while Manish Kumar was adjudged the best boy athlete. Pranav Priya was declared the best boy athlete in the middle school category while Pritam and Shalun were adjudged the best boy and girl athlete in the junior boy and girl category, respectively. The five-day sports meet saw children participating in various field and track events, including javelin throw, discus throw, shot put, high jump, triple jump, long jump and relay races.
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Two get 10-year RI
Chamba, October 15 In default of payment of fine, the convict shall further undergo rigorous imprisonment for another year. According to the judgment, 9.1 kg of charas was recovered from their possession on December 16, in a raid conducted by a police party at Jukyani Mor. The accused were apprehended by the police party and a case was registered against them under the NDPS Act.
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Pratibha withdraws from ticket race
Shimla, October 15 She has sent a communication to the party high command that she could not contest the election for the same personal reasons which kept her from contesting the
Lok Sabha poll. There is no change in the situation as a result she is withdrawing her application. The Central Election Committee of the party will meet after two days to decide about the candidate. Pratibha Singh had not applied for the ticket initially. However, her was the only name recommended by the block and district committees for the seat which fell vacant due to resignation of Virbhadra Singh.
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One convicted for carrying charas
Bilaspur, October 15 Earlier, District Attorney Rajender Paul Kashav told the court that a police party, led by inspector Gurdial Singh of the Bilaspur Sadar police station, had found Bhim Bahadur carrying the contraband in his bag when they nabbed him as he tried to run away near the Transport Workshop near here on February 25.
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One dead in car mishap
Hamirpur, October 15 Madan Lal Chadda, resident of Patta village, was going to attend a wedding at Mehre in his Santro car (HP22B-6000) along with his family members when the vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a 200 feet ditch near
Har village. He died on the spot as a result of serious head injury and his wife
Santosh Kumari, son Nitin, daughter Nishtha and nephew Vivek have also been injured in
the mishap.
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