Shimla, December 31
Accusing the BJP regime of rampant corruption, the Congress today dared Chief Minister PK Dhumal to hand over the charge sheet of both parties to the CBI so that truth can prevail.

Addressing a press conference here today, HPCC chief Kaul Singh Thakur said the Dhumal regime had been victimising its political opponents by misusing the Vigilance and the police. “It is a government of the BJP, by the BJP and for the BJP and not the common man,” he said.

He added that the present regime had not only launched a campaign of “saffronisation” but also of “BJPisation” as it was only those close to the ruling party who were getting all benefits.

“Even their own leader Shanta Kumar has said that the benefit should reach out to the masses and not just to a handful of people under the BJP,” he said.

“If the Chief Minister is so confident of his government, he should hand over the charge sheet prepared by the BJP when we were in power and the one we had submitted to the CBI for investigation,” he said. He said it was only then truth would prevail.

He alleged that the government was shielding corrupt officials who had been reinstated within four months of their suspension while other officers were under suspension for more than two years.

Making reference of the allotment of power projects to Brakel Company, he said the mala fide intentions of the government in giving the project back to Brakel after cancelling it initially clearly raised doubts in everyone’s mind. “This fact has even been pointed out by the high court on whose direction fresh bids are being invited for the power project in Kinnaur,” he said.

Thakur said the BJP regime had set a very bad precedent of flouting all democratic norms as constituencies of Congress MLAs were being discriminated in terms of development. “The BJP regime crossed all limits when it cancelled an inauguration by the Congress MLA from Guler, Neerja Bharti, the previous night of the inauguration,” He said the Congress had even staged a walk out on the issue during the winter session of the Assembly.

Terming the two-year regime of the BJP as disappointing, he said the government had failed to deliver as law and order situation had deteriorated, quality of health services in rural areas failed and vacancies in educational institutions.

“Transfers are being done on political considerations and those close to the Congress party are being harassed,” he said.

Shimla, December 31
Belying all concerns about global warming and climate change, this December has been the coldest and driest month in the past 15 years in the “Queen of Hills” even though there was no snow.

While concern is being expressed over global warming, the temperatures in the state capital during December have been the lowest in the past 15 years. However, though the temperatures were low, much to the dismay of the tourism industry there was no snow, which brings them business in abundance.

“December has been the coldest and driest in the past 15 years as the minimum temperatures were almost three to five degrees Celsius less than previous years,” said Manmohan Singh, director of the Meteorological Centre, here. He says weather would continue to remain dry and cold for the next two days.

Another noteworthy factor he says is that it is for the first time since 1999, that there has been no snow in December. Even though the snow in December last year was insignificant, this year there has been none so far, he added.

Singh explained that it was due to the absence of the Western Disturbances (WD) that the nights were clear, resulting in increased emission of the long wave radiation from the earth’s surface. This in turn reduced the night temperatures by almost two to three degrees below normal. As the days were bright and sunny, the short wave radiations from the sun were making the days warmer.

As compared to previous years, the rush of tourists is at least 20 per cent less both on Christmas and New Year. While fear of swine flu and impact of recession could be the main factors, but absence of snow worsened the situation.

The fact that the average minimum temperature in 2008 was 8.3°C, this December was comparatively very cold as the temperature was around 4.8°C. In fact, December, 2008, was the warmest in the last decade. The average minimum temperature in 2004 was 6.9°C followed by 6.7°C in 2000.

According to forecast by the Meteorological Office, there could be light precipitation at few places in Himachal on January 2 and 3. However, the minimum temperatures are likely to remain on the lower side by two to three degrees than normal at this time of the year.

Shimla, December 31
Chief Minister PK Dhumal said we must learn the traditional way of protecting the environment and forest wealth from the tribals who had preserved the environment of the country.

He stated this while speaking at the closing ceremony of the four-day-long 14th All-India Banbasi Sports Meet organised by the Himgiri Kalayan Ashram at Thodo Grounds, Solan, today.

He said the government had initiated several steps towards preservation of ecology and environment. “Besides imposing a complete ban on green felling, use of plastic bag has also been banned to save the environment,” he said.

He said strict environment protection measures were being implemented by the government with the active involvement of common people. He said preservation of Himalayan ecology by the hill states was in the larger interests of the country. He said since the tribals of the country inhabited most of the forest areas where they were actively involved in preserving the ecology of the area. He said that such an endeavour of the tribals deserve all appreciation.

The Chief Minister said worshipping nature in the form of river, tree and big boulders was a visionary step promoted by saints and sages to draw people’s attention towards preservation of ecology and protection of environment. “The mindless aping of the western culture has resulted in erosion of the ancient Indian civilisation which has an inbuilt mechanism to keep the old traditions alive,” he opined.

He regretted that Himachal Pradesh had been missing projected snowfall during Christmas and New Year for the past few years and the state was experiencing dry winters. He said it was all due to the change in climatic conditions and global warming.

Shimla, December 31
The government will consider creation of a separate directorate for land acquisition and take up enhancement of HAS quota into IAS with the Centre for providing more promotional avenues.

This was stated by Chief Minister PK Dhumal while addressing the convention for the 2009-10 of the HP Administrative Services Association, here today. He said the matter of promotion after attaining the age of 54 years would also be taken up at appropriate level so that every promotional opportunity was made available to the incumbents.

Dhumal reiterated the resolve of the government to protect interests of officers and officials who were a very vital organ of the state. “The government has always been considerate towards the genuine demands of its administrative officers and officials and best efforts will be made to deliver them all due benefits from time to time,” he said.

He assured officers that all their genuine demands would be examined at appropriate level and amicable solution found to their various problems.

He said the achievement made by the state in different sectors had been possible due to the hard work put in by the administrative machinery who deserved all appreciation.

Manali, December 31
Solang valley, 13 km from Manali, is not only famous for its scenic beauty and one of the most spectacular ski slopes in the western Himalayas but also has attained popularity for paragliding and other adventure-related activities.Today, it has become the biggest attraction with hundreds of tourists thronging every day to enjoy paragliding. 

The valley is a famous tourists spot open round the year and is a favourite with skiers, mountaineering and trekkers, and now a days the main attraction during the winter season is the sport of paragliding.

Paragliding is a relatively new sport which is fast gaining ground in the state, and Solang valley becomes a big draw for paragliders. Professional paragliding outfits operate out of Kullu-Manali region and possess the latest equipment and trained pilots.

One of the first organisations, the Himalayan Institute of Adventure Sports is run by Roshan Lal Thakur of Burua village. Pioneer and well-trained paragliding pilot Roshan started paragliding in 1991 and due to his efforts a large number of unemployed youth from nearby villages have managed to earn a living.

A normal tourist is tempted to try his hand at this thrilling and safe sport. Well-trained professional instructors ensure that visitors are given a good time even through for a short while. Two types of paragliders are in use at the moment, one a single piloted one and the other a tandem which can take two fliers. The second is ideal for beginners who want to take a clear view of the upper Manali region, since a trained pilot flies with the beginner.

It is surprising that this sport, which began in the West, is gaining enormous popularity in Himachal Pradesh. This sport, besides being a big draw for tourists and adventure lovers, has also been instrumental in boosting tourism and generating employment. In the process, Solang valley, which was once a sleepy village, has become a paragliders’ paradise offering excellent facilities.

Bilaspur, December 31
The Additional Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court of Ghumarwin, Rajesh Varma, here yesterday, found five persons guilty and responsible for the murder of retired Deputy Director of Himachal Health Services Dr Ram Krishan Sharma of Kallari village, on the night of January 16, 2005, and sentenced them to life imprisonment and fines of various amounts.

Those convicted include Ram Lal, Sunder Lal, Randhir Singh, Rajiv Kumar and Bittoo, while five others were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Earlier, Public Prosecutor-cum-Deputy District Attorney RK Barwal told the court that after retirement Dr Ram Krishan Sharma was practicing in his private clinic at Ghumarwin, near his home village.

The accused had noted his movements for several days and on finding that he lived all alone, entered the house while he was asleep.

Then they plastered his mouth suffocating him to death. Thereafter, they looted his house.

The police has registered a case under Sections 395, 396, 457, 460, 412, 201, 302 and 120B. The prosecution presented 54 witnesses to prove the charges.

Dharamsala, December 31
The rich Parliament has made politicians insensitive towards the poor in the country. About 350 MPs in the Parliament now are ‘crorepati’ and they cannot realise the misery of poor due to the recent price rise. The views were expressed by former Chief Minister and national vice-president of the BJP Shanta Kumar, while talking to newsmen here today.

He said the entire onus of price rise fell on the Union government. The authority to fix the quota of levy sugar, the import of foodgrains and fixation of minimum support price was in the control of the Union government. However, strangely the Union government had not exercised any of the said options to shield the poor from unprecedented price rise in the country. During the rule of the NDA government it was the central government that kept the prices under check. The states have very little role to play in the matter, he added.

In Ruchika molestation case, Shanta Kumar said the judiciary should also be held accountable. He said the entire system, including politicians, bureaucrats and judiciary, had failed to up held justice in Ruchika case. So, the judiciary was not out of system and ways should be devised to hold judges accountable for their judgments. The 16-year delay in delivering justice in Ruchika case and that also followed by meagre sentence had evoked outrage from people. A national debate should be held on the issue to prevent such incidents.

While responding to a query, he said the two national parties in the country - the Congress and the BJP - should come together to check criminalisation of politics in the country. Certain regional parties have promoted criminalisation of politics. Instead of seeking support of such parties the Congress and the BJP should support each other on the matters of national interests.

When asked about the recent alliance made by the BJP with Shibhu Soren in Jharkhand, Shanta Kumar said it was a political compulsion. When asked about the delay in central university project in Kangra, Shanta Kumar said a panel of educationists should be formed for the site selection for the institution. Both political parties in the state should abide by the decision of the panel of educationists. The state government has already shown sites to the Union HRD Ministry team and the Union government should take a decision on the matter as early as possible, he added.

He also lauded the state government for its achievements in the last two years. However, when asked as to why certain officials who were facing serious corruption charges and were caught red handed by the Vigilance have been reinstated, Shanta Kumar evaded the query by stating that he had no knowledge about the said cases.