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Govt to take up Swarghat tunnel on DBFOT basis
Carton Factory Closure
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Fresh survey to assess monkey population
Shobha yatra turns into police march-past
‘Govt failed to utilise sea buckthorn’s potential’
CPI seeks judicial probe into Hul firing
Use of rest houses as govt offices irks public
Water tariff hike in Shimla
Uniform Syllabus
NSUI activists may launch stir
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan allocation
Governor expresses grief over death
Martyr’s statue unveiled
8 kg of charas seized
Man held on murder charges
1 killed in car mishap
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Govt to take up Swarghat tunnel on DBFOT basis
Shimla, February 17 A consortium of consultants comprising Geo Consult, RITES, and Secon, which prepared the project document for the State Infrastructure Development Corporation, found it feasible under the viability gap funding scheme. There was a heavy rush of commercial vehicles on the national highway, mainly trucks transporting cement, which made the project financially viable. The volume of vehicular traffic was over 20,000 PCUs (passenger car units) which made the project feasible if the government agreed to provide viability gap funding to the extent of 40 per cent. The Centre will have to provide viability gap funding to the extent of 20 per cent and it will be matched by the state government. As such they will have to shell out Rs 72 crore each for execution of the project. The project document has been prepared for constructing the highway on a new alignment which will help reduce distance between Chandigarh and Bilaspur by 22 km. Besides, the 1,760 m long main tunnel, it will also have a small 200 m tunnel, four bridges and about 19 km of new road on both sides. The proposal is being sent to the planning commission. The highway will take off from Kainchi ka Mor and join the existing road near Mehla, short of Bilaspur town. A major bridge having a span of 400 m will be constructed on Gambar Khad. The other big bridge, about 250 m span, will come at Gambrolla. There will also be two small bridges on the highway. The tunnel and the new alignment of the road will help avoid the steep climb to Swarghat hill top, saving vehicles from wear and tear and curtail travel time between Chandigarh and Bilaspur by about an hour. The project is being pursued by State Infrastructure Development Corporation, which has been declared the nodal agency for projects to be executed in the public-private partnership mode. Other tunnels have not been found feasible for execution under the PPP mode. These include two tunnels in Shimla, one of 860 m to connect HIMFED petrol pump to IGMC estimated to cost Rs 73.71 crore and the other 1,140 m from the Lift to HIMFED petrol pump costing Rs 100.62 crore. |
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BJP members stage walkout
Tribune News Service
Shimla, February 17 Pandemonium prevailed in the house as the ruling party and the opposition members had heated arguments over the decision of the government to close the Gumma carton factory. The Congress members rued that the government had made up its mind on the issue and was not even willing to listen to anyone. As members traded charges, those belonging to the BJP left the house in protest against the insistence of the Congress to raise the issue at the meeting to know the actual stand of the government. The CPM also extended its full support to the Fruit and Vegetable Growers to mobilise public opinion on the issue of closure of the Gumma carton factory. “The government has adopted a very obstinate behaviour on the issue to the extent that even the Cabinet was not taken into confidence while inviting tenders called to dispose of the factory and open an engineering college at the site,” said Tikender Singh Panwar, member, State Secretariat. Panwar alleged that unfortunately the factory had turned out to be a loss-making unit as this was done deliberately to appease some private carton manufacturers. “The main objective behind setting up the unit was to check the misuse of forest produce for transporting apple crop and, moreover, the Gumma factory provided the best quality carton and also acted as a buffer for stabilisation of prices of carton in the market,” he said. He said the CPM would extend full support to the Fruit and Vegetable Growers to mobilise public opinion against the closure of the factory.
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Fresh survey to assess monkey population
Shimla, February 17 Even though the earlier figure of 3.17 lakh monkeys arrived at after the census in 2004 is not considered too accurate but at least the latest figure will give an idea about the exact number of simians and the strategy to be adopted to tackle the problem. Though in the earlier census the population of langurs was 50,000 but this time the census will cover only monkeys. The survey, which will be undertaken in three stages in February, June and September will be done scientifically so that the figure is more realistic. “Once we have the more realistic figures we will be in a better position to mitigate monkey menace by adopting proper management strategy,” said K.S. Thakur, conservator (wildlife). The problem of monkey menace also came up for discussion during the Zila Parishad meeting of Shimla district here today. The members were anguished over the fact that the forest department after sterilising the monkeys was leaving them in the suburbs of the town, creating problem for the farmers of the nearby panchayats. However, the members were assured by the forest officials that the department was releasing exactly the same number of monkeys in each area from where they were caught. During the past four years a total of 3119 monkeys have been sterilised in Shimla district. The forest department has set up three sterilisation units at Tuti Kandi in Shimla, Sastar in Hamirpur and Gopalpur in Kangra. There is a proposal to open a fourth sterilisation centre in Una district. Despite the failure of the primate protection park set up by the forest department at Tara Devi, there is now a fresh proposal to set up two new primate parks in the lower belt of the state, most likely in Hamirpur-Bilapsur and Kangra area. Even though the forest department has been claiming that the sterilisation is the only solution to the problem, various organisations have been demanding that more effective steps like permitting export of monkeys be allowed so that the farmers get relief from devastation being caused by monkeys in their fields. |
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Shobha yatra turns into police march-past
Mandi, February 17 The second rath yatra started under strict security cover of the police in which ‘raths’ of devis and devtas along with police bands, schoolchildren, office-bearers and members of the mela committee participated. Rural Development Minister Jairam Thakur was the chief guest of the Jaleb. The step was taken after a controversy over the protocol of devtas walking behind the Rajmatha Rath during the inaugural Jaleb cropped up. The Rajput Sabha had accused the “pujaris-dominated Sarvadevta Committee and a faction of the sabha of stage-managing the protest. “It is aimed at misleading the public by raising a baseless controversy over the protocol which did not exist in a written form,” members said. Meanwhile, president mela committee-cum-Mandi DC Amandeep Garg convened a meeting with the Rajput Sabha, Sarvdevta Committee and Kardars of the four devtas, who had walked out of the first jaleb, to resolve the issue. President of the Rajput Sabha said they had no ego hassles and always walked on the sides of the Rajmadav Rath from ancient time. “We respect devtas and there is no intention to disobey the protocol,” asserted members of the sabha. They charged that the controversy was stage-managed to get a mileage by certain vested interests in the Sarvadevta Committee and faction of the sabha. “The controversy is created by men with vested interests and not by devtas,” they added. President of the Sarvdevta Committee Shivpal Sharma claimed that the traditional protocol exists and should be adhered to by the mela committee. “I know protocol is there when I was serving in the police. Four devtas walked out as some members of the Rajput Sabha walked right behind the Rajmadhav Rath”. He claimed that the devotees were free to touch the devtas, but some order was required. “The controversy is resolved and the protocol is in place,” he added. |
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‘Govt failed to utilise sea buckthorn’s potential’
Dharamsala, February 17 While inaugurating the workshop, Dr RC Sahni, former director of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defense, said the sea buckthorn was grown in just around 12,000 hectare in India whereas in China it was grown approximately on 30 lakh hectare. As this plant was grown in high altitude and difficult areas, there was a need to harness its full potential for the benefit of soldiers and farmers. As many as 200 products varying from medicinal to cosmetics were made from it and work was in progress at the DRDO to maximize its benefits for the Army. Dr SC Sharma, dean, College of Agriculture, read the presidential remarks of Vice-Chancellor Dr Tej Partap, in his absence. Dr Partap noted that India was fifth largest resource of sea buckthorn in the world, yet much work had not been done to exploit this wonder plant. He advocated establishing a nodal agency on sea buckthorn at national-level to propagate and optimally utilise the benefits of sea buckthorn. Strong linkages between stakeholders like farmers, scientists and industry should be developed. Dr DP Atry, former director of the DRDO lab at Leh and at present director of Amity Institute of Seabuckthorn Research, said the sea buckthorn was as good as ‘Sanjeevani’ due to its multiple uses like fodder, fuel, fruit, etc and had proved highly useful to the people settled in tribal areas. Dr BC Sood, director, Research, while informing about the research work on this plant in the university, said a research project worth Rs 4 crore 11 lakh was in operation at the university. |
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CPI seeks judicial probe into Hul firing
Kangra, February 17 The CPI submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister PK Dhumal through local administration to lodge their protest against the alleged mafia-style operation being carried out at the behest of a company constructing 5 MW hydel project on the Hul rivulet. CPI state executive member Himal Chand told The Tribune that the CPI demanded a judicial probe be ordered by the state government so that the culprits could be brought to book. He expressed shock that despite protests by the workers at the project at Sillaghrat area, the government was not moved towards their genuine demands. The common people had been agitating against the high handedness of the private companies and the government was a mute spectator to the situation, he alleged. He demanded compensation for the environmental damage besides compensation of medical expenses of the injured. Work should be suspended at the power project site at Hul immediately, he said. Himal threatened that if the government failed to order a judicial probe in the incident, the CPI would launch a state-wide agitation to press this demand. Meanwhile, Himalaya Bachao Samiti leader Kulbhushan Upmanyu told The Tribune that it was shocking that environment in this hill state was being sacrificed for setting up of some power projects which he described was “criminal and callous”.
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Use of rest houses as govt offices irks public
Hamirpur, February 17 Since the state government has decided to open zonal office of the Public Works Department (PWD) at Hamirpur on the occasion of the Statehood Day function on January 26 at Bijahdi, the PWD Department has now opened its office in the old PWD rest house in the main market. This zonal office will start functioning from this rest house from Thursday, which had been decked up by the department for the purpose. The local people here are quite irked over conversion of PWD rest house into chief engineers office, since the existing rest house situated in the main market has been converted into the chief engineer’s office. Earlier also, during the expansion plan of IPH Department few months back, when chief engineer’s office was opened at Hamirpur, the IPH Department had converted its only rest house at Mattan-Sidh into residence of chief engineer. Similarly, the forest rest house at Hamirpur, which remained occupied by an officer of the department for many months, has once again been occupied by newly appointed conservator of the forest after opening of conservator’s office here. The main grudge of the local people and officials is that the rest houses of Hamirpur remain quite occupied being the home district of Chief Minister PK Dhumal and with the conversion of many of these into office or residences, it would leave few options for the common people. They said, “In fact, the departments are finding the rest houses as an easy option of housing at public’s cost.” However, the authorities told, “These are basically temporary arrangements, as it is difficult to find a place immediately for new office and residences. New buildings are coming up after which the rest houses would be restored.”
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Water tariff hike in Shimla
Shimla, February 17 The decision was taken unanimously at the special house of the MC held here today. The enhancement will be almost Rs 2 per 10,000 litre, which works out to be almost an enhancement of 40 per cent. “The enhancement was long overdue and after arriving at a consensus the decision was taken unanimously by the members,” said Harish Janartha, Deputy Mayor. He said it was in February, 2009, that a nominal increase of 10 per cent in the water tariff was made by the MC. There was a lot of pressure on the MC to enhance water tariff, which had not been done for the past six years. In fact the MC was facing lot of problems with regard to getting funding under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for various projects. In another significant development, the MC turned down the proposal of the government to extend the municipal limits by merging Fagu, Ghanatti and Kufri area into the MC limits. Most of the members were of the opinion that till the MC was not able to provide proper services in the earlier merged areas of New Shimla and Totu, no fresh areas would be taken within the MC limits.
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Principals laud Sibal’s decision
Our Correspondent
Kangra, February 17 State president of the Himachal Government Senior Secondary School Principal and Education Officers Association PC Vishavakarma in a statement here today said the decision of Union Minister for HRD Kapil Sibal would bring uniformity across the country in the syllabus of the two classes and prove helpful in bringing unity and integrity spirit among youths of the country. However, it would also provide equal opportunity to the entrance examinations for the professional courses. Vishavakarma demanded that Right to Education be enhanced up to class XII and self-financing system be evolved so that poor student too achieve the dream of better education both academic and professional. He further demanded that uniformity in syllabus of math and science should also be maintained across the country in other subjects like commerce, MBA, MCA, engineering and subjects related to environment.
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NSUI activists may launch stir
Dharamsala, February 17 The state president of the NSUI, Yadhupati Thakur, who was thrashed by the BJP workers during a rally against price rise near the district administrative complex on February 15, while talking to newsmen here today alleged that the police was under pressure from the ruling party. He alleged that the BJP workers attacked him at the behest of BJP MLAs who were addressing the rally. The BJP leaders egged their workers to attack us as we were in small strength and had come to just submit a memorandum to the district administration, he alleged. The NSUI workers said they would start the statewide agitation from here tomorrow. According to sources, the NSUI activists will try to muster their strength at Dharamsala tomorrow. They might give tough time to the police authorities. The activists of the BJP might also try to encounter the NSUI students.
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Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan allocation
Shimla, February 17 Stating this while presiding over a review meeting of his department education minister Ishwar Dass Dhiman here today said the allocation was 38 per cent higher than current year’s Rs 166 crore. He said an amount of Rs 160 lakh had been sanctioned under the Rashtriya Madhyamic Shiksha Abhiyan and Rs 48 crore under the annual plan over the past two months. The Centre and the state would share the expenditure on 75 to 25 ratio under the current five-year plan. He said under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Rashtriya Madhyamic Shiksha Abhiyan, basic amenities would be provided through public participation in all schools of the state. There was a |
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Governor expresses grief over death
Shimla, February 17 In her condolence message, she prayed the departed soul to rest in peace and give strength to the family members to bear this irreparable loss. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has also conveyed his heart-felt condolence to the bereaved family. |
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Martyr’s statue unveiled
Nurpur, February 17 His parents prepared the statue two years back, but the same could not be unveiled for want of any VIP. The local SDM I.S. Bhardwaj today unveiled the statue and exhorted the youth to get inspiration from the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs. The martyr laid down his life in Kargil on July 9, 1999. Father of the martyr Kashmir Singh said after waiting for the Chief Minister for two hours, his family decided to get the statue unveiled by the local SDM. He rued that the Chief Minister had also failed to fulfil his promise to upgrade the school to a senior secondary school.
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8 kg of charas seized
Chamba, February 17 The accused included Bhotu, Jagdish and Rajiv, all residents of the local area, and have been arrested by the police. A case has been registered against them under Section 20 of the NDPS at the Kihar police station of the district. SP Madhu Sudan said the accused had been carrying charas in a private vehicle to the neighbouring states which was intercepted by the police officials and on search 8 kg of charas was found. |
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Man held on murder charges
Kullu, February 17 Superintendent of Police KK Indoria said the victim was allegedly murdered by an axe. He added one Lotam Chand informed the police about the incident. The police arrested the alleged accused from his village with the help of the villagers. The alleged accused would be produced before the judicial court for remand tomorrow. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been sent for postmortem examination.
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1 killed in car mishap
Chamba, February 17 According to police, the body of the deceased had been extricated from the gorge and identified as Des Raj. The body has been handed over to his kin after conducting an autopsy at the civil hospital. The police has registered a case in this regard.
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