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Admn recommends shepherd for
award
Govt staff urged to help
remove polythene
Tribals flay govt for ‘unfair’
treatment
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Villagers up in arms against
pvt school
Manali abuzz with revellers
Two held on murder charge
DC flags off rally
Panchayat pradhan removed
One killed in mishap
Rising crime in border areas
cause for worry
Ropeway Projects
Step up vigil, says Dhumal
Snow continues to elude
tourists
CM exhorts youth to preserve
culture
25 injured as bus overturns
Charas seized
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Admn recommends shepherd for
award
Dharamsala, December 24 Simpleton Shayam Lal, who is in Una’s lower
Shivalik hills for grazing his flock, said he was more concerned about his
sheep flock than the award. Narrating the incident for which he is being
recommended for bravery award, Shayam Lal said he got a call from friends who
knew of his knowledge of Dhauladhar mountains. He was told to accompany the
mountaineering institute’s professionals and the police party to retrieve the
body of Russian pilot that had been spotted from a helicopter. However, the
mountaineering experts cold shouldered them. They were told that it was not an
amateurish job to climb the mountains. This hurt Shyam Lal’s self-esteem. The
next morning he left for the spot early in the morning with around seven other
gaddi associates. “We climbed about 12 kilometres to reach the spot. The
dead body was lying in a deep gorge filled with water. We had to use seven
ropes to climb down into the gorge. We then jumped into water and dragged the
body out. However, pulling the body out of gorge was a really difficult task as
it had become very heavy after remaining soaked in water for many days. We
pulled it out and were bringing it back when we encountered the mountaineering
institute and the police party. We just handed over the body to them and made
our point that nobody knows the higher reaches of Himalayas better than gaddis,”
Shyam Lal said. Shayam Lal belongs to Limmu village of Chamba district and is among declining numbers of his tribe who still follow their ancestral profession of rearing sheep and selling wool. The issue of giving award to Shayam Lal also came up in the recently concluded winter session of the Himachal Assembly at Dharamsala. The issue was taken by the Congress MLA from Chamba district, Kuldeep Singh Pathania. Earlier, Shayam Lal was given a cash award of Rs 8,500 by the district administration of Kangra for his act of bravery. |
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Govt staff urged to help
remove polythene
Shimla, December 24 She also participated in the cleanliness drive near the Secretariat here today. She said the special week-long campaign had been launched with the motive of involving the masses and motivate them to make the state polythene free. She said the nature had bestowed Himachal Pradesh with immense natural grandeur and it was the prime duty of everyone to save the environment from further degradation. She appealed to the people not to litter polythene and instead store the same at one place so that it could be disposed off properly. She said after collecting polythene waste at one place the same would be segregated and further handed over to the Public Works Department so that it could be utilised for metalling of roads. She also urged the students to motivate their near and dear ones to actively involve themselves for the success of the campaign, as they were the future of the country. Swaroop said the polythene was harmful to the environment as it was non-degradable and toxic. She further said littered polythene also choked the drains and was responsible for spreading various diseases |
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Tribals flay govt for ‘unfair’
treatment
Kullu, December 24 Dr BS Raval, who had contested as BSP
candidate from Lahaul-Spiti in the last Assembly election said, “The
successive state governments have always been giving stepmotherly treatment to
Lahaul and Spiti. The tribal belt has been made as centre for political
punishment, which is a great injustice to people living on the other side of
snowbound Rohtang Pass.” He added whenever government servants or even teachers are found to be corrupt or inefficient or found guilty, they are transferred to the area. Even new probationers or learners are being posted in the tribal belt. Dr
Raval, who retired as joint-director in the health department, further said the
tribal are being punished doubly by the governments over the years by posting
unwanted public servants in tribal districts, including Kinnaur and Pangi in
Chamba district. “Does the government treat tribal people as the lesser human
beings, who do not deserve better administrators, teachers and other officials?”
he asked. He cited numerous instances, including the recent one in which the
government ordered transfer of about four teachers to Lahaul as they were found
inefficient in their duties. “Will these teachers or other transferred to
tribal area will do better there?” he further asked. |
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Villagers up in arms against
pvt school
Nurpur, December 24 As many as 60 villagers, most of them parents of
school goers, signed the memorandum. Led by pradhans of both gram panchayats,
the villagers submitted it alleging that aided-school’s management had been
charging exorbitant fees and other funds from the students and violating set
norms and guidelines laid down by the government. They also rued that despite efforts of the panchayats, the management had failed to solve the controversy with the teaching staff. As a result, tension has gripped the academic atmosphere of the institution. The villagers have also submitted a copy of memorandum to the local MLA for his intervention. Meanwhile, the SDM has confirmed the receipt of the memorandum from panchayat residents. |
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Manali abuzz with revellers
Kullu , December 24 Defying the scare of swine flue created by the media over the seven deaths reported in the state recently, the honeymooners are making beeline to Kullu and Manali to make 2010 a memorable year of their union and celebration. Even hoteliers are offering discounts on hotel tariff up to 50 per cent to attract more tourists. They have put in place DJs, music concerts, bonfires and other attractions for their guests. The government-run hotels welcome tourists in Kuluvi way and organise Manali queen and other competitions for tourists, the HPTDC managers said. In fact, the recent snowfall in the uphill of Manali in Gulaba and Dhundi snow points has added to the main attraction for newly weds coming in from all over the country to usher in 2010. “We
hope to stay on in the valley for a week for celebrating honeymoon amid snow in
Manali,” quipped Ashi and Rehan, a newly wed couple from Ahmedabad. “The
main attraction is snow as it is rare to celebrate honeymoon amid it, added
Saraubh and Aarti, a couple from New Delhi. Though hoteliers had expressed apprehensions that the Christmas and the New Year will be low key affairs due to the swine-flu scare and the recession, they are now all smiles as occupancy rates in the small and big hotels are rocketing every day. “The
snowfall in the uphill acted as a big attraction this time. The occupancy is
going up everyday raging from 70 to 90 per cent in many cases,” said Tek
Chand Thakur, president, Manali Hoteliers Association. |
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Two held on murder charge
Bilaspur, December 24 The court has remanded both accused to the police custody till December 26. The police said the two have been arrested on the complaint of a relative of the deceased as it had been alleged that the duo killed Rati Ram under a plan with a gunshot due to enmity. Rati Ram was missing since Monday and his body was found lying in bushes in the Balh Churani jungle the next day. The accused are said to have admitted that Rati Ram was killed due to gunshot by mistake as they all had gone into the jungle for hunting. The police has handed over the body to the family after a post-mortem examination and is investigating the matter. |
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DC flags off rally
Bilaspur, December 24 This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Nandita
Gupta while flagging off an anti-plastic and polythene rally from the DC’s
office for spreading awakening regarding dangers of these non-degradable
pollutants which have become a virtual menace for the state.
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Panchayat pradhan removed
Chamba, December 24 According to an official communiqué issued here yesterday, the DC in his directives asked the pradhan to hand over all records and other inventories of the panchayat to the respective panchayat secretary with immediate effect. The post of Maloonda panchayat pradhan has now been proclaimed as vacant, the DC divulged in his orders. |
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One killed in mishap
Dalhousie, December 24 The vehicle was on its way to Bharmour and it met with an accident at Goli on the Chamba-Pathankot highway, 15 km from here. The report said the deceased had been identified as Balwinder and the two injured - Suman and Bir Singh - were rushed to the local hospital for treatment. |
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Rising crime in border areas
cause for worry
Shimla, December 24 Even as the state police seeks solace in the fact that there has been a considerable decline in the crime graph, rising criminal activities in the border areas, especially in the industrial belt of Baddi-Barotiwala, and practically no let up in the illegal cultivation of narcotics like cannabis and poppy continues to give anxious moments to the law enforcing agencies. However, it was the mysterious journey of the George Cross medal from the house of Brahmi Devi in Bilaspur to the auction house in London which made the headlines. Relentless efforts of the police finally paid off in stalling its auction with the help of Interpol and Scotland Yard. The other big news makers this year were suspended ADGP BS Thind and IAS officer Sanjay Gupta, who kept up with their reputation of being embroiled in serious corruption charges and other controversies. Going by statistics, the number of murders (115), molestation (299) and other crimes were less as compared to previous years but with dacoities and thefts becoming an every day feature in Baddi-Baroriwala, calling for stepping up the vigil along the borders, especially in Solan, Una, Sirmour and Kangra. The rapes, however, showed an increase of about 20 per cent as the number rose from 145 last year to 173 till November 30. The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau certainly won accolades for its tirade against corruption as it spared none, including the high and mighty IPS, IAS, chief engineers and senior officers, in sharp contrast to its past record of nabbing only small fish. Despite claims of decline on the narcotics front by the police, the socio-economic problem persists in the Kullu-Manali and Mandi areas with some new areas also being added to the list. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) too has admitted that the problem persists on the account of the huge seizures. “Considering
the security angle, we restored the 30 check posts along the border areas last
year to ensure that there is complete check on the anti-social elements from
the neighbouring state who are active in the state,” said DGP GS Gill. He
says the constitution of the high-powered committee to a great extent has
helped in tightening the grip against those indulging in illegal drug trade. “Seeing
the increase in rapes, we need to look into reasons and take preventive
measures,” he says. As part of modernisation, the endeavour would be to have
total online communication network for faster response system, he added. |
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Notice to promoters for tardy
progress
Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service
Shimla, December 24 The Tourism Department has given the two companies 30 days time to reply to the show-cause notice issued today. “They have been asked to explain as to why their performance guarantee and payment guarantee may not be forfeited due to delay in completion of the project,” confirmed Arun Sharma, director, Tourism. It is reliably learnt that as far as the Jakhu ropeway is concerned, the promoters had given September 2009 deadline for completion of work. Now, they have sought more time from the department and set a deadline of June 2010. Similarly, the Himalayan Power company is setting up a ski resort-cum-ropeway at Solang beyond Manali. In both cases, the construction period performance security that has been given by the two companies is Rs 10 lakh each. Now, it remains to be seen whether the government agrees to give them some more time if they are able to justify the delay or forfeit the security deposited by them as per the agreement. The Jakhu ropeway coming up in a green area has invariably been involved in one controversy or the other. The request of the promoters of Jakhu ropeway is still pending with the government for granting them permission to add another storey to the already approved 11 storeys. The plea taken by them is that this will help in saving more trees from coming in the way of the ropeway and they required this height for proper functioning of the ropeway. “I have forwarded their request to the competent authorities, including the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, so that a final decision could be taken,” said Municipal Commissioner AN Sharma. He added that a final say in the matter rests with the Green Area and Core Area Committees of the government. The Ministry of Forest and Environment had granted permission for cutting 32 trees for the coming up of the ropeway, which is aimed at promoting tourism in the state capital. Work had to be stopped in-between at the site following a threat to some of the houses located in the vicinity of the take off site in the US Club area. Incidentally, the Jakhu aerial ropeway is the first project to have taken off. Other ropeway projects of the government, including the one at Dharamkot-Triund, Kullu-Bijli Mahadev, Palchang-Rohtang and Naina Devi-Anandpur Sahib, have been pending for one or the other reason.
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Step up vigil, says Dhumal
Shimla, December 24 He directed the law and order maintaining authorities to ensure
foolproof security arrangements at different destinations of tourist
importance, including Shimla, Dharamsala, Kullu-Manali, Chamba, Dalhousie,
Mandi and Kasauli. “Since majority of tourists throng such tourist
destinations on festivals and to celebrate New Year added attention is required
to be paid towards the security aspect,” he remarked. He said the local authorities needed to undertake frequent patrolling and maintain strict vigil to keep an eye on suspicious persons entering the state. He said safety of life and properties of each of the local as well as visiting individuals need to be ensured. Dhumal
said the police must also guide visitors in a most decent and friendly manner.
“Himachal Pradesh has an ancient tradition of good hospitality and decent
mannerism which need to be adhered to by law and order agencies as well,” he
said. He said vehicular traffic during the season need to be controlled effectively so that there was no inconvenience to anyone. He said the intelligence authorities needed to be vigilant and over cautious and report any suspicious element or event to the higher authorities so that timely preventive action could be initiated to control the damage of any kind. The Chief Minister also directed the other concerned departments to ensure regular supply of electricity and water and check against overcharging by traders from the visitors. |
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Snow continues to elude
tourists
Shimla, December 24 Considering the early setting in of winter this year along with reduced temperatures, it was being expected that there would be good snow in December itself. However, with the minimum temperature in Shimla being two degrees Celsius and the maximum being 12.0 degrees Celsius, there are little chances of snow on Christmas. Much to the dismay of Christmas revellers and those hoping to celebrate a white Christmas, the local meteorological centre has forecast that there will be clear sky and dry weather in lower, middle as well as high hills of Himachal. Even
though tourists have started trickling in, hoteliers predict a greater rush
tomorrow considering a long weekend. “Even though most hotels have received
good bookings but hoteliers are disappointed at seeing the crystal clear skies,”
admitted a hotel owner. Another interesting fact that has come to light is that the minimum temperatures at other towns is lower than Shimla. Minimum temperatures in other places were Una- 0.2, Sudernagar- 0.3, Solan- minus 0.8, Mandi - 1.6 and Palampur - 2 degree Celsius. It has been more than 15 years since the residents woke up on Christmas to see the town under a white blanket. Though it was almost a decade back that there was snow on New Year but a white Christmas still eludes locals as well as tourists. |
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CM exhorts youth to preserve
culture
Shimla, December 24 He said the youth could play a pivotal role in preservation of rich cultural heritage of the state by propagating it on all appropriate occasions. He said that such activities would not only preserve the culture but also bind society into the bond of brotherhood. Dhumal said it was a historical fact that only those countries and communities have flourished who were deeply rooted into their culture, giving them a distinct identity. The CM announced a grant of Rs 25,000 towards the cultural promotional activities of the association.
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25 injured as bus overturns
Shimla, December 24 The private bus was on its way from Shimla to Nahan and had not even reached the bus stand when it overturned near the police headquarters. However, with many passengers already boarding the bus
from various stops within the town 25 persons sustained injuries. The police said passengers travelling in the bus said the mishap took place due to rash driving by the driver. Moreover, the bus could have skidded due to frost on the road early in the morning. None of the passengers are serious and most of them have been discharged
from hospital.
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Dharamsala, December 24
Winds of industrialisation and influx of migrant labour are taking a heavy toll
on the peaceful environs of the hill state as there has been a major spurt in
crime in the industrial border areas along with the illegal cultivation and
trafficking of drugs.
