Shimla, January 27
The Himachal government today decided to constitute permanent road accident committees to ensure prompt delivery of relief to aggrieved parties and help find out causes of mishaps expeditiously.

The decision was taken by the State Cabinet which approved ‘Himachal Pradesh In-depth Study of Road Accident Scheme, 2009’. The meeting was presided over by Chief Minister P.K.Dhumal. The permanent committees would be headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrates concerned in whose jurisdiction accident takes place, and would have assistant engineer (mechanical) and inspector or sub-inspector as members. The committee will conduct an in-depth inquiry of the accident and submit report to the Regional Transport Officer concerned within a fortnight for taking action in accordance with the Central Motor Vehicle Act.

It granted permission to recruit 93 forest guards on contract basis to strengthen the forest vigilance network and check forest smuggling more effectively. It also gave nod to filling 13 vacant posts of civil judge (junior division) by direct recruitment and 11 posts of ‘acharya’ in different government Sanskrit colleges on contract basis. Approval was accorded to fill a post of research officer (class-I) in the State Rural Development Institute by deputation, one post of naib tehsildar for Shimla Division and two posts for Mandi Division through the HP Public Service Commission, four posts of assistant public relations officer and one post of boatman on contract basis.

It decided to re-fix the quota of tehsildars and non-tehsildars for promotion to the state administrative service at 27 and 23 per cent, respectively.

In compliance to the orders of the Supreme Court, approval was granted for adopting a policy to deal with encroachment cases relating to construction of religious shrines on government land in the state.

It decided to enlist 37 herbal and aromatic species of vegetation in the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture and Horticultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation), Act to encourage cultivation and marketing. It decided to name the Kalpa Sports Stadium in Kinnaur district after late Dev Raj Negi, a former MLA.

It approved amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1999, to do away with the provision of automatic cancellation on failure to renew the permits of vehicles.

Shimla, January 27
The withdrawal of order debarring District Congress Committee Shimla (rural) chief Vidya Sagar from functioning as president has set the stage for amicable settlement of the cases of six lower-rung Congress leaders who were facing disciplinary action in the wake of the recent Rohru bypoll debacle.

Action was initiated against these leaders on the complaint of party candidate Manjit Singh, who alleged that they had sabotaged his poll prospects during the bypoll. On the basis of his complaint show-cause notices were issued to these leaders. Besides Vidya Sagar, notices were issued to PCC treasurer RV Negi, general secretary of state Mahila Congress Gita Negi, organising secretary of the All-India Sewa Dal, president Rohru Mahila Congress Kiran Dutta and block spokesperson Raj Kumar. All leaders in the firing line were staunch Virbhadra Singh loyalists.

Subsequently, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Kaul Singh had debarred him from functioning as president during the all-important organisational poll. However, the decision had evoked sharp reaction from the Virbhadra Singh camp, which maintained that the party lost because it fielded a weak candidate who lost with a huge margin despite the best efforts of party men. It also alleged that the Rohru debacle was being used to throw out the loyalists of the former chief minister holding positions in the party and install those owing alliance to the rival camp to weaken him on the eve of organisational polls.

Since the issue had the potential to blow up cold war between rival Virbhadra Singh and Vidya Stokes camps into open hostilities during the organisational poll, Kaul Singh adopted a cautious approach and referred the matter to the five-member disciplinary committee headed by Raj Krishan Gaur along with the replies of the leaders to the notices.

In the meantime, Vidya Sagar also explained his position to Kaul Singh after which the order keeping him away from the poll process was withdrawn. He could now in his capacity as president be associated with various poll-related panels.

Kaul Singh confirmed that order debarring Vidya Sagar had been withdrawn. He said his main objective was to strengthen the party and not to encourage factionalism in the party. The matter regarding disciplinary action against the six leaders was still pending with the disciplinary committee and in all probability the matter would be settled amicably.

Solan, January 27
Asserting the need to provide direct funding through the state Assembly to both farm universities in the state, the newly constituted HP Farm Universities Teacher Federation said this would help provide the much-needed boost to teaching, research and extension activities.

The federation which was formed today at Nauni comprised representatives of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Teachers Association, Nauni, and CSK HP Agricultural University Teachers’ Association, Palampur. The federation headed by Dr SD Kashyap avowed to take up various common issues, which had remained unfulfilled since long.

With a view to bringing in efficiency and transparency in the working, the federation demanded representation in the Board of Management (BoM), the apex decision-making body of the universities, on the analogy of Himachal Pradesh University. Scientists opined that since all issues relating to policies, service, pay scales, recruitments, etc, were made by the BoM they should have a representation in it.

The scientists also raised the demand for granting them professional allowance to the tune of 25 per cent of their basic salary as they tended valuable service to the agrarian community by making farm visits in exigencies like disease outbreak and pest attacks which causes large-scale damage to the crops. Several such allowances were being dispensed by the premier agricultural research agency ICAR.

Since the ICAR had fixed 62 years as the retirement age the federation felt this should be adopted by the state farm universities as well for optimum utilisation of the experience of the scientist community.

With the commercialisation of agriculture, horticulture, forestry and initiation of several new areas of research, such as poly-house technology, food technology, biotechnology, agriculture, organic farming and dwindling status of nutrients in soil, diversification of agriculture, appearance of several new pests and diseases, fulfilling the research-based needs had become difficult with the prevailing strength of teachers and scientists. Therefore, it was imperative that more staff was recruited in the universities and this was more so as issues like rise in prices, decreasing growth rate in agriculture necessitated the need to give priority to this crucial need.

Shimla, January 27
Social service sector has been accorded top priority in the Rs 3000 crore annual plan for 2010-11 approved by the state planning board here today.

The plan is Rs 300 crore more than the current year’s annual plan of Rs 2,700 crore. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal presided over the meeting of the board which approved the document prepared after extensive discussions with the MLAs. It will be sent to the Planning Commission of India for final approval.

With an allocation of Rs 1010.79 crore, which comes to 33.69 per cent of the proposed plan, the social services sector comprising education, technical education, health, housing, urbanisation and social welfare has been accorded the highest priority. The Chief Minister said creating basic infrastructure for education had been accorded priority in the first three years of the 11th five-year plan and the trend would continue in the next two years to make the hill state the education hub of the country.

Transportation and communication services were the next in priority with an allocation of Rs 588.93 crore and the emphasis was on providing road connectivity in every nook and corner of the state. Dhumal said a survey conducted earlier in 1999-2000 to provide road connectivity to remote areas (39,045 km of road length) would have to be constructed. Out of this 30,302 km had been constructed by March, 2009. A target of constructing 680 km of road and 30 bridges had been fixed for the next year in the proposed plan.

The energy sector has been provided Rs 354.37 crore (11.81 per cent), followed by 342.84 crore (11.43 per cent) for agriculture and Rs 310 crore (10.35 per cent) for irrigation and flood control.

The Chief Minister said to ensure expeditiously exploitation of available hydel potential of the state, participation of private sector was being ensured besides encouraging the public sector. The 'Pandit Deen Dayal Kisan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna’ and the 'Doodh Ganga Scheme' had been launched for the benefit of the farmers.

The 11th five-year plan was fixed at Rs 13778 crore, under which two annual plans for 2007-08 and 2008-09 had been successfully implemented and the current year’s plan was also being implemented in toto. The state registered an annual economic growth at 7.7 per cent as against the national growth of 6.7 per cent last year. The endeavour of the government would be to achieve a growth rate of over 7 per cent during 2010-11.

Chief secretary Asha Swarup said all secretaries would carry out quarterly review of all developmental schemes so as to ensure timely spending of funds to help accelerate the pace of development.

Shimla, January 27
Patriotic fervour and gaiety marked the 61st Republic Day celebrations in the hill state. Colourful functions were organised at state district and sub-divisional levels to mark the occasion. The hoisting of Tricolour, impressive marchpast and cultural programmes were highlights of the celebrations.

Governor Urmila Singh unfurled the national flag and took salute at the marchpast presented by contingents of the state police, the ITBP, the Home Guards, army regiments, NCC and ex-servicemen at the state-level function held at the historic Ridge Maidan. Captain S. Tripathi of the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles commanded the parade.

The tableaux exhibiting achievements by various departments were main highlights of the function. A cultural programme was presented by troupes from within and outside the state.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta, local MLA Suresh Bhardwaj, chief secretary Asha Swaroop, Director General of Police G.S. Gill and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Speaker Tulsi Ram hoisted the Tricolour at the district level function at Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul Spiti. He said an amount of 71.11 crore was being spent in the district under Tribal Sub-Plan for various developmental activities during current financial year.

Addressing the gathering after taking salute at Nahan, Public Works Minister Gulab Singh said that the government had set a target of connecting all villages having a population of 250 or above by roads by 2012. He said Rs 80 crore had been spent on construction of roads and bridges in Sirmour district during the past two years.

Presiding over the district-level function at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur, Transport Minister Mahender Singh said to provide comfortable transport facilities and strengthen the HRTC in the state, 600 drivers had been recruited and 158 more would be recruited soon.

HAMIRPUR: Rural development and panchayati raj minister Jai Ram Thakur unfurled the national flag and took salute from marching contingents of police, Home Guards and schoolchildren in an impressive parade at the Republic Day function on Tuesday.

Addressing the gathering he said the present state government under Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal worked for the common man and had implemented many schemes and programmes in rural areas for the benefit of the people.

Thakur also paid gratitude towards families of the martyrs and the living and serving defence personnel for the sacrifices made and services rendered by them.

MANDI: Forest Minister JP Nadda said the three schemes- “sanjha van, sanjivni van; apna dhan, apna van; and Peepal-Bargad” were launched to bring about green revolution as lakhs plants were being planted in the state. He urged people to join hands to make green and clean Himachal under these schemes.

Addressing a gathering at the Republic Day celebration here on Tuesday, Nadda said best tribune to freedom fighters and soldiers of the country would be to make new strides in development and progress in each region. He also took the salute and guard of honour presented by the police, Home Guards, NCC, NSS and other schoolchildren on the occasion. He gave away the BR Ambedkar merit award to Narbada Devi of Dubnu village and the progressive milk producer awards to Hitinder, Rajinder and Narayan Singh on the occasion. He also awarded schoolchildren for their cultural performance.

SOLAN: Minister for Industries Kishan Kapoor unfurled the National Flag and took salute of march past put up by different contingents of police, Home Guards and NCC on the occasion of the Republic Day on Tuesday.

Addressing people on the occasion, he said the state had achieved major accomplishments during last two years and fulfilled most of the commitments made in the BJP manifesto. He disclosed that environment friendly industries were being promoted in the state with a view to creating more job opportunities and to strengthen the economy. Sanctions were granted to 2,051 new industries with an investment of Rs 10,640 crore and employment to 89,000 persons.

CRPF and Home Guard jawans were honoured for rescuing injured persons of bus accident at Jabali. They included Commandant CRPF Rakesh Chauhan, Sub-Inspector NB Chhetri, Head Constable Pratap Singh and Home Guards -Joga Singh, Hem Raj and Gauri Shankar. Others who were honoured included Kiran Kaundal, Sucha Singh and Guru Charan Singh for dairy activities and safai karamchari Satya Devi of Solan MC.

KULLU: The 61st Republic Day was celebrated with gaiety and fervour at Dhalpur Maidan here on Tuesday. The celebrations here took a shape of fair while the unprecedented gathering of people in their typical traditional costumes witnessed the flag hoisting-cum-cultural programmes.

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Ravinder Ravi took the salute from the contingents of police, ITBP, Home Guards, scouts and NCC led by the Himachal Home Guards Band.

While greeting people on the occasion, he said the state had achieved a lot in different fields of development and established its identity at national-level.

He said all schools in the state would be provided ‘aqua guard’ for safe drinking water to children and Rs 111 crore had been earmarked for the scheme.

BILASPUR: The state government has taken all necessary steps to ensure that the state develops into an “education hub” within the shortest period of time and that is why 16 universities are being set up here out of whom seven have already been started and now students would not have to go out of the state to get training and technical education.

This was stated by Education Minister ID Dhiman while addressing the district-level Republic Day function here on Tuesday after taking salute from the marching contingents of the police and Home Guards and cadets of NCC Naval units, scouts and guides, NSS of local government PG College and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya.

Bilaspur, January 27
A fully grown leopard is causing panic and insecurity among hundreds of villagers of about 15 villages in and around Gaahar gram panchayat areas, near Barthin, near here, since the past weeks. Villagers have sought immediate help of the government and the Forest Department to cage the leopard.

A number of villagers, including Kultar Singh, Zorawar Singh, Avtar Singh, Yashwant Singh, Santokha Ram, Bali Ram, Ram Paul and Balwant Singh said the leopard had devoured a number of their cattle and pet dogs up till now and this had emboldened it and now it could be seen any where near the vicinity of the villages.

At several times, the leopard had been spotted even during the day time and this had worried the villagers regarding the safety of their children. This situation has created a sense of insecurity among villagers. The village representatives had also urged Forest Minister JP Nadda to take immediate steps to resolve the matter.

Mandi, January 27
A majority of seven councillors in the 13-member house of the Mandi Municipal Council (MMC) moved a no-confidence motion against vice-president of the council Tosh Kumar under Section 25 of the Municipal Act in a meeting held here today. They submitted a resolution to Deputy Commissioner Amandeep Garg demanding Kumar’s removal from the post as he had lost the confidence of the majority of the house.

Talking to The Tribune after they signed and submitted the no-confidence motion against Tosh Kumar, the councillors said the vice-president had lost the confidence as he had failed to deliver the goods. He had no right to be on the post as majority of councillors have lost faith in him, they pleaded demanding his removal.

Regardless of their political affiliation, the seven councillors - two from the BJP, three from the Congress and one Independent - have joined hands as Tosh Kumar has failed on all fronts.

Those who signed the resolution included former president of the MMC Pushp Raj, former president Sushila Sonkhla, Gagan Kashyap, Yog Raj, Sarita Handa, Mohender Singh and Anil Kapur. The rest of the six councillors, including president HR Vaidya, were conspicuous by their absence in the meeting. Tosh Kumar claimed that he was ready to face the test on the floor of the house.

The DC said he had received the resolution against the vice-president. He will be served notice giving minimum of 15 days as per the Act. After this MMC will convene the meeting of the house to test the no-confidence motion on the floor of the house, he added.

Kullu, January 27
The family of Jasbir Singh, Aninder Kaur’s father, has been living in trauma since January 4. Jasbir had lodged a complaint against Aninder’s father-in-law Bakshi Ram and his son Pravin Kumar at the Ani police station on January 4 accusing them of kidnapping his daughter.

“Even the additional SHO who is the investigating official in the case is hand in glove with Bakshi Ram,” he charged.

Talking to The Tribune Jasbir Singh complained that the police had given assurance that his daughter would be traced out. “The police arrested Pravin Kumar as a cover-up while Bakshi Ram, the main culprit, has not been arrested so far as he is being protected by the police with reasons best known to them,” he alleged.

He alleged that Bakshi Ram had conspired and played the main role in his daughter’s sudden disappearance, as he was not happy with the marriage of his daughter with Pravin as the latter was married already.

Jasbir Singh rued that his family was in a traumatic situation since January 4 when Aninder was taken to some unknown place by Bakshi Ram and his son.

The police investigation into the sudden disappearance of his daughter has been tardy, Jasbir further rued. The police registered the case on January 12, eight days after he lodged the complaint and had it acted promptly she would have been traced out, he charged.

The Ani DSP had earlier promised that the police would trace out his missing daughter as “she was safe”, but it neither arrested Bakshi Ram nor traced her out, rued Jasbir.

Ani SHO Pratap Singh claimed that Pravin had been arrested on January 17 and Bakshi Ram was on interim bail. Pravin was giving conflicting statements regarding the missing woman to the police. He was in police remand till today, he added.

Kullu SP KK Indoria said the investigating official in the case had been changed after a complaint from the father of the missing woman was received.

Shimla, January 27
Deputy Inspector General of Police (southern range) Ashok Sharma has been awarded the President’s Medal for distinguished services. Besides, DSP (vigilance) Surinder Sharma, Inspector (vigilance) Narata Ram and assistant inspector (state crime record bureau) have been given police medals for meritorious service.

State police service officer Ashok Sharma was inducted into the IPS in 1992. He had made outstanding contribution during his career and the anti-sabotage check manual he compiled as the SP, CID (security), was still being used by the state police. He served at the UN Mission in Kosovo for an year and functioned as spokesperson for the UN Civilian Police in his capacity as Public Affairs and Media Officer in Prizen Region of Kosovo.

Hamirpur, January 27
Twelve villagers, most of them children, have been found affected with jaundice in Brahmna village under Mati Tihra panchayat within the past two days, after reportedly drinking contaminated water.

Though no person has been hospitalised, villagers have expressed concern after many children were reportedly found affected from the disease yesterday and today.

Some of the patients are being treated in the village by a team of doctors, headed by BMO Raghubir Singh Verma.

According to Dr DS Chandel, CMO Hamirpur, “The cause of the disease is drinking of contaminated water”.

“No patient is serious and a team of doctors with medicines has been sent to the village,” he said.

“The villagers have been facing a shortage of drinking water hence they bring water from natural sources,” villagers Aman Kumar, Manoj Kumar and Desh Raj said.

However, SS Patial, SDO, IPH Department, Hamirpur, said: “We are supplying adequate water to the area and villagers are habitual of drinking water from natural sources. We are supplying the water to the area from the NIT pipeline and water in our tanks is tested on routine basis”.