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Mega Hotels
‘CM trivialising package issue’
Low student strength may force govt schools’ closure
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‘CM to review deal on cement-loading work’
Nalwar fair faces threat from encroachers
Chief Justice for steps to check drug menace
CPM to protest against price rise on April 8
Cost price of mined materials to be fixed
Children visit police station
37 hurt as bus turns turtle
Nigerians dupe man
Virbhadra replies to land grab charge
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Tourism Dept offers sites to private players
Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service
Shimla, March 27 With the Budget speech of Chief Minister PK Dhumal making specific mention of inviting private players for setting up of big resorts, the department has completed the formalities for inviting The six sites that have been identified for the purpose include Fossil Park, Suketi, (600 bighas), Nalagarh (374 bighas), Baragaon near Manali (102 bighas), Jhatingri in Mandi (60 bighas), Shoja (3 bighas) and Bilaspur (6 bighas). “We have already identified the sites which would be open only for those who are already in the business of five and seven-star hotels and have the necessary financial and technical skills,” said Arun Sharma, director, Tourism and Civil Aviation. It is expected that the department will float the expression of interest shortly so that bids can be invited. It is reliably learnt that certain established names in the hospitality sector like Taj, Marriott, Hilton, Blue Coast and Orchids have expressed keen interest in making investment at these sites. In fact, representatives of some of these groups have already visited the sites. “The fact that we will offer them ample land means that they can develop health resorts and spa for which Himachal is ideally suited,” said officials. Barring Wild Flower Hall and Cecil hotel owned by the Oberoi group, Himachal does not have any five-star hotel. One such hotel is now being constructed by the HP Cricket Association at Dharamsala, considering it a necessity for holding international cricket events. In fact, the Taj group is keen to have its presence in Himachal and had shown interest in some of the properties owned by the HP Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). However, with disinvestment of HPTDC units being a ticklish issue, the proposal might not come through. Attempts by the Tourism Department during the Congress regime to offer government as well as private properties to investors did not take off. In fact, more than 100 such sites were offered to private players at a conclave organised in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) but with hardly any results.
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‘CM trivialising package issue’
Shimla, March 27 Addressing a press conference here today, he took strong exception to accusations by Dhumal and his ministers that despite being a union minister, he was trying to create hurdles in extension of the package. “I am equally concerned about protecting the state’s interest and have taken up the matter with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister,” he remarked. He said it was very strange the manner in which Dhumal regime was on the one hand seeking extension of the package and at the same time, threatening to resort to legal action. He said efforts were being made by him as well as his colleague Anand Sharma for getting the package extended. However, there was counter pressure of states who were opposing it for fear of their interests being harmed. Virbhadra said during his tour of the state, he saw development works had either come to a halt, or were being undertaken at a snail’s pace. “Rural health services are in a complete shambles as institutions
are without hospitals. What is worse is that instead of opening first referral units under the National Rural Health Mission in villages, district-level hospitals are being strengthened,” he said. He said privatisation was being done by the BJP regime to favour its own men. |
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Low student strength may force govt schools’ closure
Hamirpur, March 27 The number of such schools which have been closed during the past some time due to rationalisation policy of the Education Department in the state is quite high even in a small district like Hamirpur, three schools have been closed and many more are facing closure as many of these schools are having zero or very
low strength. Government primary schools at Sahlvien, Kangu and Badehda have recently been closed in Hamirpur district. Three more schools at Thathi, Dudhala and Dabrial will face closure as no student is turning up in any class. There are 15 schools in the district, which are having less than 10 students on their rolls. These include- Pohanj (7), Gudhvien (8), Hawani (9), Thana-Lohana (9), Dhabrial (8), Patheej (9), Panyali (6), Samlog (8), Bhadru (3), Duhak (8), Sanu (9), Darti (8), Nalangar (6), Barisivi-Baliad (8) and Chalsai (9). Citing reasons for low strength, an educationist tells, “Many of the new schools are opened for political consideration and many times teachers also try to create political influence through their political masters to get posted near their homes.” Retired officer from the Education Department MR Chandel tells, “During the last few decades a large number of schools have been opened for political consideration without conducting proper survey, which used to be sole criteria for opening a new school.” “Mushrooming of government schools and craze for private schools, which have been opened in rural areas in large number, is leading to decline of students,” he adds. The deputy director of education said, “The department is in the process of implementing the rationalisation policy and all schools with low strength will be closed under it.” |
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‘CM to review deal on cement-loading work’
Bilaspur, March 27 This was stated by chairman of the All-Party Sangharsh Samiti Daulat Ram Sharma to a largely attended deputation of leaders. He had met the Chief Minister at his office in Shimla last evening. The Chief Minister has asked the secretary of the Industries Department to present him a detailed report on all points raised by the samiti in their memorandum. Sharma said the memorandum demanded 90 per cent loading share at the Baga JP Industries and 50 per cent loading work at Ambuja Cement at Dadlaghat factory. The samiti also demanded that the state government should ensure that cement made at all factories in the state be provided at cheaper rates in Himachal, as it was actually higher than the adjoining states. Other demands included starting of a state-of-the-art hospital and an engineering college at Bilaspur with contribution of these factories and proper redistribution of loading share to ex-servicemen in all cement factories of the state. State Congress vice-president Ram Lal Thakur, former MLA Krishan Kumar Kaushal, state BMS vice-president Shankar Dass Thakur, CPI assistant secretary Pavesh Chandel, among others were also present. |
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Nalwar fair faces threat from encroachers
Sundernagar, March 27 From the entry point to exit point downstream, farmers and bullocks are virtually “eating and breathing” dust raised by the unending streams of cattle-carrying vehicles that move down the dusty Nalwar ground. Private builders have dumped debris all along the khud, the main “water lifeline for the animals, which have dried up at several places”. The plight of Nalwar mela is understandable as both director and deputy director, animal husbandry, Mandi, do not know where the venue is as both express their ignorance about the problem farmers are facing. Even the president of Nalwar mela committee-cum-SDM Sundernagar visited the venue when Chief Minister PK Dhumal inaugurated the fair. However, the government has also given land to a private dental college, which has encroached into the mela ground, alleged local residents. Farmers rued that they did not get fodder for the past three days. “I have brought four pairs of calves for the fair, but did not get fodder to feed them. I bought a quintal of turi at Rs 8 per kg. However, it did not last long,” rued Gulaba, a cattle breeder from Nalagarh. The farmers also rued that they have to pay 3.6 per cent sales tax to the mela committee. SDM-cum-president of the Nalwar mela committee RK Gautam said the committee had given grass contract to Mahedev-based contractor and he had confirmed to him that there was no shortage of grass and sales tax had been charged over the years. “We are giving grass as per need, but nobody has brought dust or debris problem to his notice,” he said. Gautam said houses had been built on private land over the years and he was not aware about the encroachments. Director animal husbandry BC Bisht and deputy director Mandi PR Vaidya claimed that they had deputed a team of doctors and pharmacists for vaccination and all arrangements were done by the mela committee. |
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Chief Justice for steps to check drug menace
Shimla, March 27 Justice Joseph, who is also the Patron of the Himachal Pradesh Judicial Academy, was speaking at the inauguration of a workshop on “Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Related Issues” organised by the Himachal Pradesh Judicial Academy, here today. The Chief Justice apprised the officials with provisions of the NDPS Act and the laid down procedure. Expressing concern over the drug problem, he stressed the need for taking remedial measures so that the rule of law and effectiveness of criminal justice delivery system could be improved. “The guilty must not be spared but it is equally important to ensure that innocent were not implicated by taking undue advantage of the stringent provisions of the Act,” he emphasised. He said there was a dire need to develop strong investigation mechanism for dealing with the NDPS and related issues. “The need of the hour is to sensitise people about narcotic menace and abuse so that its trafficking can be curbed,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, Subhash Negi, Principal Secretary (Home), said the NDPS Act should be implemented in letter and spirit. He said the government had constituted a high-powered committee to check cultivation and trafficking of narcotics. |
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CPM to protest against price rise on April 8
Shimla, March 27 Addressing a press conference here today, state secretary of the CPM Rakesh Singha said the party had chosen April 8, as it was on this historic day 150 years ago that Mangal Pandey was sent to the gallows. “Price rise is only one of the off shoots of the neo-liberal policies, as such issues like increasing unemployment, withdrawal of 30 per cent bus fare hike and providing ownership rights of the non-green forest cover in the possession of farmers have also been included,” he added. Singha said the CPM would also expose the failure of the Centre in launching a meaningful drive against Maoist violence in West Bengal. “The Centre is not serious in checking Maoist activities and Trinamool Congress ministers are conniving with them to destabilise the Left government in West Bengal,” he alleged. Singha said the Centre was not concerned about the inflation. “The Food Security Act will cause more insecurity as such the government must universalise the public distribution system and provide 35 kg of foodgrains every month to each ration card holder at RS 2 per kg,” he said. |
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Cost price of mined materials to be fixed
Dharamsala, March 27 While talking to The Tribune here yesterday, the minister said, “I have directed officials of the Mining Department to fix per cubic metre rate of the mined material. Those taking mines through open auction will not be allowed to sell mined material at prices higher than that fixed by the government.” Necessary directions have been passed to the department officials, the minister said. Officials of Kangra district had earlier also been demanding per cubic metre rates of mined material so that prices of construction material could be kept in check. Interestingly, the government has allowed open auction of mines just in Kangra district this year. In all other districts, the earlier policy of giving mines on lease to locals has been continued. Apprehensions are being expressed that the policy has been changed at the behest of mining cartels of Punjab who are eyeing the rivers in the Himachal area along the borders of Gurdaspur district of Punjab. Officials of the Mining Department, on condition of anonymity, admitted that they were being pressurised by mining cartels to hold auctions of mines at the earliest. To counter the threat of dominance by mining cartels, the department had decided to break up the auction. Earlier, it was to be held at district headquarters in Dharamsala. However, now the department had decided to hold it at sub-divisional level. With the minister now accepting the assertion of fixing per cubic metre rates of the mined material, it was being expected that it could shield the common man from dominance of cartels. Most of the construction material for roads, building and bridges is mined from the rivulets of Kangra district. The rivulets in the plain areas of Kangra district have huge deposits of gravel and stone that is raw material for crushers. Rampant mining from these rivulets has already damaged many government water supply schemes. The IPH Department has recently written to the government for complete ban on mining in Chaki and Neugal rivers of Kangra district. Many water supply schemes are located in the said rivulets. |
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Children visit police station
Mandi, March 27 SP Sonal Agnihotri said the children were involved in the working of the police to instil confidence among them. This was a part of the police welfare programme to promote community policing, he added. |
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37 hurt as bus turns turtle
Bilaspur, March 27 According to reports, Jai Devi was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, while 19 others were admitted to the regional hospital here in the town and 14 injured to nearby Ghumarwin hospital. Most of the injured were schoolteachers who used this bus service. The police has registered a case and is investigating the matter. The cause of the accident is not known yet. In another incident, one Raj Kumar, son of Suraj Bhan Chaudhary of Lethwin village, was found hanging in a gorge under suspicious circumstances yesterday. The police extricated the body with the help of villagers and sent it for a post-mortem examination. Raj Kumar used to earn his livelihood by carrying load on mules and his wife had deserted him some time ago. |
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Nigerians dupe man
Dharamsala, March 27 The callers asked him to deposit Rs 39,520 in an SBI account before the award money could be dispersed to him. The complainant complied and deposited the asked amount in the said account. When he did not received any award later, Chauhan lodged a police complaint. The police found that the account in which the complainant had deposited Rs 39,520 was the account of a shopkeeper, who had no knowledge regarding the transaction. It seems like the accused had hacked the account of the shopkeeper to commit the forgery. However, the police had failed to trace the call yet. A case has been registered. |
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Virbhadra replies to land grab charge
Shimla, March 27 Reacting to allegations levelled against him by Chief Minister PK Dhumal, he said the property and land he owned had been given to him by the Union government as part of merger agreement under the established law. He said whatever land he had to give up under ceiling was surrendered and the remaining land in his name was as per law. |
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Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh said Himachal’s case for extension of industrial package was still pending with the Centre and if it failed to come through, Chief Minister PK Dhumal and his government would be solely responsible for trivialising and politicising the issue.
