Shimla, April 8
People were put to great inconvenience as vehicular movement in the state capital and other parts of the state was severely affected on account of “chakka jam” by CPM activists against the price rise and hike in bus fares.

Even though the police had made elaborate arrangements but it was schoolchildren who were the worst affected as most of them reached their schools late in the morning.

In a tactical move, the CPM activists positioned vehicles on the road and deflated their tyres in the night, causing inconvenience to commuters in the morning.

The police managed to clear all roads by 11 am, but later in the afternoon the activists reassembled and blocked traffic at various places, including Victory Tunnel, Dhalli and Totu.

Shimla SSP said 254 youths had been arrested in connection with the disruption of traffic and causing inconvenience to the public.

State secretary of the CPM, Rakesh Singha claimed that total bandh was observed in Shimla.

HAMIRPUR: Thirty activists of the CPM, including eight women, were arrested here on Thursday by the police at the Nadaun chowk while stopping vehicular traffic during their state-wide jail bharo protest against price rise and recent bus fare hike in the state.

Earlier, activists of the Left parties and CITU, the SFI, the JMS and anganwari workers, carrying placards and raising slogans, took out a procession in the bazaar of the town and also held a public meeting at the DC office.

Prominent among those taken into police custody include CPM state secretariat member Dr Kashmir Singh, district secretary Amin Chand, CPI leaders Mukesh Kumar and Vipat Raj, CITU district secretary Joginder Kumar, SFI leader Anil Mankotia and JMS leader Satya Galoda.

Hamirpur ASP Gurdev Chand said 30 activists of the Left parties were taken into police custody under Sections 341 and 143 of the IPC.

The Left parties have demanded immediate withdrawal of the recent 30 per cent hike in bus fares and steps to control prices of essential commodities failing which they would intensify their agitation.

MANDI: On a statewide call for “jail bharo andolan” against the price rise and bus fare hike, over 1,000 activists of the CPI and the CPM were arrested and later released after they protested and blocked the national highways, state highways in Mandi, Jogindernagar, Ner Chowk, Sarkaghat, Janjheli and Karsog Thursday.

Though the protest ended peacefully, the movement of traffic on the highways was disrupted for one hour in Mandi, Jogindernagar, Ner Chowk, Sarkaghat, Janjheli and Karsog. CPM leaders Bhupender Singh and Kushal Bhardwaj and CPI leader Lalit Thakur alleged that the UPA government at the Centre and the state government were engaged in one-upmanship over the price rise, but none has taken steps to check the price rise so far.

At Ner Chowk, the agitation was led by women activists. In Mandi, the CPI and the CPM held the protest rally at Seri Munch and then they moved to the National Highway-21 and blocked it near the ITI for more than 30 minutes before the activists volunteered arrest.

Similar protests were held at Karsog, Sarkaghat, Janjheli, and Jogindernagar where the protesters blocked the highway for an hour before they were arrested and later released by the police.

BILASPUR: The police here arrested 25 leaders and activists of the CPI at the main bus stand chowk in the Diara Sector on Thursday as they blocked the National Highway-21 and protested against the anti-people policies of the state BJP and the central government.

Earlier, a police team arrived on the scene and whisked these leaders away in buses as scores of CPI activists staged dharna on the road, blocking vehicular traffic.

Those arrested were later released by the police at Bandla hill about, 30 km from here, this afternoon. 

Shimla, April 8
It was after two days of pandemonium in the assembly over registration of an FIR against Chopal MLA Subhash Manglet that the Congress legislators today participated in the proceedings as the issue was resolved following mediation at the government level.

SDM Ramesh Thakur has reportedly agreed to withdraw his complaint so that the case can be dropped. It was at the behest of the Deputy Commissioner JS Rana that the Congress legislators discussed the issue last evening and today, following which it was decided that the complaint would be withdrawn, paving the way for cancellation of the case later in the court.

Informing the House about the stalemate being resolved, Congress Legislature Party leader Vidya Stokes said she was happy that the issue had been resolved amicably. “However, I would urge the government to ensure that no such incident happens in future as it undermines the prestige and authority of the institution of MLA,” she said. She added that the privilege motion by Manglet against the SDM would be withdrawn.

In response to Stokes’ statement, Chief Minister PK Dhumal reiterated that the government was never a party to the police action. “It was a matter pertaining to two individuals and we never wanted that the authority of the legislator be undermined in any way but at the same time every citizen has the right to protect his interest,” he said.

SSP RM Sharma said the Deputy Commissioner had telephonically conveyed to him that the SDM had agreed in writing to withdraw the case stating miscommunication as the reason for the complaint. He is learnt to have stated in writing to the DC that he is not keen to pursue the case any further.

Sharma added that it was not possible to withdraw the case at this stage and it was only when the challan is put up in the court that a request would be made for cancellation.

Protesting against the registration of an FIR against Chopal by the local SDM, all Congress MLAs had threatened to give arrests if the case was not withdrawn. During the past two days, they had refused to take part in the House proceedings and as a mark of protest they sat in the House with their mouth covered with black bands.

It was following mediation by the Deputy Commissioner on the directions of the government after senior Congress leadership held a meeting with the Chief Minister and the Speaker to resolve the issue yesterday that the matter was finally settled today.

Shimla, April 8
Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal today said the state government with the support of Congress leadership would try to impress upon the Centre to extend industrial package as this was necessary to help provide jobs to 8.05 lakh unemployed youth in Himachal.

In reply to a query about providing unemployment allowance to jobless youth by Congress MLA G.S. Bali during question hour in the assembly, the chief minister informed the House that there was no such proposal. “I agree that unemployment is proving to be a serious problem having socio-economic repercussions, so it is essential that the jobless are motivated to have self- employment units or seek jobs in the private sector,” he said.

Dhumal stated it was not possible to provide government jobs to all and as such the mindset of the youth must change as there were ample opportunities in the private sector. “If need be we will not only seek the support of HPCC chief and CLP leader but also the Congress MLAs to urge the Centre to extend the industrial package as coming up of industry will help in tackling unemployment,” he said.

He added as per the latest unemployment figures there were a total of 8.05 lakh unemployed youth. “If you further reduce this number by 36 per cent since many who get jobs in private sector or are on lower posts do not delete their names, then the actual figure of unemployed stands at 5.14 lakh,” he said while stating that the 11 lakh figure of jobless was inaccurate.

He said there were 94,416 postgraduate, 1.08 lakh graduates, 5.53 lakh matriculate and above and 85,000 below matriculate among the unemployed youth. “We intend to computerise all employment exchanges during the current year so that exact figure can be obtained and there is no duplication of names,” he said.

Dhumal said the youth must set up their own independent units as several schemes like the polyhouse and Doodh Ganga had been launched. “We are not only providing huge subsidies but will also help the educated unemployed to get loans from the banks so that they can set up their own work and help others secure jobs,” he said.

He said during the past two years a total of 16,000 jobs had been provided by the BJP regime while during the entire five-year tenure of the Congress, merely 3,386 government jobs had been provided to youth.

Shimla, April 8
Seeking justice for their daughter Ritu Kalmotia who committed suicide on March 28, the family of the college teacher today approached the High Court, seeking a CBI inquiry into her death as it involved high-ranking officials who could influence the inquiry by a state agency.

A petition was filed by Sampuran Singh Kalmotia, father of the deceased, seeking a CBI inquiry which, according to him, could bring forth the truth in the high profile case. He said she was in constant touch with Siddharth, a judicial officer and son of IG (Law and Order) Pradeep Kumar Sarpal. He stated that his daughter could not have ended her life and hence the investigations be handed over to the CBI.

The petition is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow. The family of Ritu has also attached details of phone calls between Ritu and Siddharth during the month of March. The two had known each other for the past 15 years since their school days.

The petition was filed by Pankaj Bhardwaj, a lawyer from Chandigarh, who fought the case of Ruchika Girotra, a tennis player who committed suicide after allegedly being molested by former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore.

A case has already been registered against the IG, his wife and son under Sections 306 and 201 of the IPC for abetment to suicide and causing destruction of evidence.

The government had handed over the inquiry to the CID wing of the police but the family of Ritu has, so far, refused to join investigations, expressing doubts about fairness of the probe.

It was only two days back that the IG proceeded on leave for 15 days till the completion of the inquiry by the CID.

Shimla, April 8
Under fire over irregularities in the award of contract for painting of 6,600 street light poles in the city, the state electricity board today scrapped the controversial scheme under which work was to be carried out on sponsorship basis by involving private companies.

The board has decided to wind up the “HPSEB pole painting pool account”, jointly operated by the superintending engineer and senior executive engineer (division-I), in which funds received from private parties like Jaypee Cement, Ambuja Cement and ACC for the purpose were deposited.

The amount, Rs 12 lakh, deposited in the account, will be returned and the companies will be asked to pay the contractor for the work already executed directly.

Chairman of the board Subhash Negi said in future the board would execute any such scheme involving private funds only as “deposit work” following all codal formalities and also recover departmental charges.

Alternatively, the companies would be asked to make their own arrangements for carrying out any such work.

Irregularities in award of the contract were highlighted in these columns and the matter was also raised subsequently in the Vidhan Sabha which led to Chief Minister PK Dhumal ordering an inquiry into the scam.

Under the rules, all works involving an expenditure of more than Rs 2 lakh are to be awarded by inviting open tenders in the press. However, in this case, the contract for painting poles of different shapes and sizes was awarded on quotation-basis at a lump sum rate of Rs 1,100 per pole.

Shimla, April 8
Governor Urmila Singh has stressed the need for qualitative changes in higher education to help meet the challenges of modernisation and globalisation effectively.

Presiding over the 23rd annual meeting of Himachal Pradesh University Court here today, the Governor said there was a need to start professional and job-oriented courses in the university to open employment avenues for the educated youth. She also underlined the need for introducing new courses related to the field of Information Technology and tourism which had a huge employment potential in the present scenario.

She said students should be prepared to face competitive examinations so that they did not encounter problems in securing employment. She also said results of the examinations conducted by the university should be declared in time.

Vice-Chancellor Sunil Kumar Gupta said the university had taken many steps to build the infrastructure and that buildings of the examination block and institute of management studies had been made functional. A new course in bio-technology would be introduced from the next academic session, he added.

The court approved the annual reports of the university, 2007-08 and 2008-09, and annual accounts for 2005-2006.

SK Baldi, Principal Secretary, education, OP Sharma, director of higher education, and senior officials of the university were among those present at the meeting.

Dharamsala, April 8
With the state government trying to project the IPL matches at Dharamsala a mega event, the disgruntled groups in the state have also chosen it as an opportunity to air their grievances.

Various associations and parties in the state have already started their protest in the town.

The Bar association members again disrupted traffic today on the main road near secretariat.

They continued their protest despite the fact that the police yesterday registered a case against the president of the association Tek Chand Rana and other office-bearers for disrupting the traffic.

The members of the Bar have also threatened to gherao the CM on his visit to the town during the IPL matches.

Members of the Left parties, including the CPM, also blocked the traffic today near the secretariat to protest against the price rise and increase in bus fares by the state government.

They raised slogans against the Union and state government for failing to check the prices of essential commodities.

Many other organisations like the teachers’ association and the HRTC employees association have also threatened agitations at Dharamsala during the IPL matches.

Though the state government has deployed about 1,200 police personnel to maintain law and order situation during the matches, it would be a tough task on their part to stop the protesters.

Meanwhile, with the Chandigarh and Punjab police charging heavily from the IPL franchise holders for providing security to the teams and maintain law and order, the issue might also be raised by the Opposition in case the state government provides free security for matches.

In most of other states, the police charges IPL organisers for providing security. Sources said last year the West Bengal police charged Rs 75 lakh for providing security in a single match. The Punjab police has also raised a bill of over Rs 2 crore from the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA).

Solan, April 8
With 15 per cent shortfall in power generation in various hydel projects in the state and low frequency of the northern grid, the State Load Dispatch Centre has been forced to impose power regulation across the state, including the industrial areas of Parwanoo, Baddi-Barotiwala and Nalagarh.

This has reduced the power availability by 15 to 22 per cent, confided Suneel Grover, director, Power Regulation, who added that no cuts had been imposed on 
domestic consumers.

This has reduced the power availability to the industrial areas where investors have been directed to bear power cuts on alternate days. In Parwanoo, an overall 15 MVA load has been made available as against the demand of 24 MVA. In Barotiwala and Baddi industrial areas, as against the demand of 360 MVA, about 40 per cent shortage was witnessed. In Nalagarh, as against the demand of 55 MVA to 60 MVA, barely 20 MVA laod was now available, forcing the electricity board to impose cuts.

This was an extraordinary situation as against 15 per cent increase in power generation on March 31, a similar amount of shortfall in generation was witnessed in various thermal power projects, including Nathpa Jakhri, Chamera I and II, Bairasiu and other hydel projects operating under the state electricity board, including Baspa II, Malana, etc.,

Further, owing to outages in various thermal plants in Rihand-I 500 MW, Rihand-II 500 MW, Singrauli 210 MW and Obra and Kota, the total shortfall was to the tune of 2,140 MW, confided Grover. He added that with the grid frequency falling to 49 hertz and even below, excess withdrawal of power was not permitted as it attracted legal penalty as per the Electricity Act, 2003.

Further, any excess power drawn during this frequency was charged at Rs 7.35 per unit along with 40 per cent surcharge. This left the State Load Dispatch Centre with no option but to devise in-house power regulation.

The power scenario was being monitored on an hourly basis and more power would be released to the state as soon as the gird situation improved, confided Grover.

Since the industry had faced no power cuts in lean winters, this sudden power reduction had come as a surprise to the investors.

Shimla, April 8
The State Electricity Board Pensioners’ Welfare Association has accused the management of the power board of adopting dilatory tactics in release of revised pensions and urged Chief Minister PK Dhumal to ensure that senior citizens were given their due without any delay.

The association lamented that the board had neither revised the pensions nor paid additional dearness allowance (DA) even though it had, on February 23, decided that ad hoc pension would be paid to all, irrespective of the date of retirement on the basis of the fitment table. This had happened because the board did not issue clear-cut instructions to the banks which were in a fix regarding the amount 
and the date from which the revised pensions were to be paid.

The association has urged the board to fix the pension of those who retired before and after January 1, 2006, according to the fitment table and arrears be paid in cash with effect from January 1, 2010. It also demanded arrears of ADA accrued after January 2009, in cash.

It also urged the board to ensure disbursement of arrears of pension, gratuity, leave encashment and other dues with effect from January 2006, in lump sum rather than instalments as these benefits had already been delayed by over 
four years.