Shimla, April 12
While reiterating its resolve to bring about the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy And Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill, 2010, in the interest of the people of the state, the government today agreed to refer the Bill to a Select Committee of the House in the absence of Congress legislators who have been very critical of it.

It was local BJP legislator Suresh Bhardwaj who demanded that the Amendment Bill be referred to the Select Committee. He raised the issue in the assembly today when it came up for discussion in the absence of Congress MLAs who had left the House after staging a walkout. Incidentally, CLP leader Vidya Stokes and HPCC chief Kaul Singh Thakur had given their suggestions for amendment but could not take it up as they had left the House in protest against the lathi charge.

“Though the intentions of the government in making Section 118 of the HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972, more stringent and in the interest of Himachalis is very clear, there is need for serious discussion on it after which it can be debated upon in the assembly,” said Bhardwaj.

Public Works and Revenue Minister Thakur Gulab Singh said the government was in no haste to bring about the amendment even though it was aimed at benefitting Himachalis. “I have no objection if the amendment Bill is referred to a Select Committee of the House as it can be taken up later,” the minister said. As such, Speaker Tulsi Ram referred it to a Select Committee.

The minister said the amendment proposes to make the definition of an “artisan” more specific where a revenue officer could allow lease of land by a land owner through a registered lease deed.

Later, talking to the media outside the assembly, Stokes and Kaul Singh said they wanted that the amendment should not be brought about at all as it would dilute and render infructuous Section 118. “The relaxation will only help private builders and open flood gates for outsiders, putting more pressure on infrastructure which is insufficient for existing population as well,” said Stokes.

She said promoting builders and colonisers by way of multi-storeyed structures would harm the eco-sensitive areas of fragile hill ecology.

Shimla, April 12
Seeking a debate in the assembly on the lathi charge on Congress activists outside the Vidhan Sabha on April 9, Congress members today staged a walkout when the Speaker did not accede to their demand.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vidya Stokes raised the issue before start of Question Hour in the assembly. “The use of police force on Congress workers is a very serious issue which requires immediate discussion for which adjournment notices have already been given by myself, Gangu Ram Musafir, Mukesh Agnihotri and Nand Lal,” she said.

Turning down the request of the Congress legislators, Speaker Tulsi Ram said since he had received the notice this morning only, it would take some time for the government’s reply to come in. He said the discussion could take place at a later stage when the information was received.

Dissatisfied with the ruling of the Speaker, the Congress members left the House, raising slogans against use of police force to crush down peaceful demonstrations. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister JP Nadda lashed out at the Congress for behaving in such an irresponsible manner.

“Neither does the Congress have issues nor the intention to discuss people’s problems. Hence, they are trying to disrupt proceedings and divert attention of the people from core issues,” he said.

He said the government was open to discussion in the House but that could be possible only as per rules.

Later, while talking to mediapersons, CLP leader Vidya Stokes said the Congress wanted the government to order an inquiry into the incident in which there was unprovoked lathi charge on Congress workers when they had dispersed after the demonstration got over.

“If the government fails to do so, we will knock the doors of the court as the authorities cannot use force without any justification,” she said. She added the CLP will once again raise the issue in the assembly tomorrow as the police had not even bothered to register a case against the driver who critically injured state Youth Congress general secretary.

HPCC chief Kaul Singh Thakur said on the one hand the government claimed that anyone could walk into a police station to get an FIR registered and at the same time no case had been registered on the complaint of former minister Asha Kumari. He said the government was adopting double standards on the issue as two cases had been registered against the Congress workers who were beaten up.

Shimla, April 12
The government will provide additional funds for repair and maintenance of the Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru road being upgraded under the State Road Project by a Chinese company.

Stating this while presiding over the meeting held here today to review the progress of various ongoing works under the State Road Projects, Public Works Minister Gulab Singh Thakur said the government was aware that the road required improvement to facilitate smooth transportation of apple and other farm produce to the markets. He said landslide-prone areas would be identified and necessary precautionary measures undertaken to avoid any inconvenience to the commuters. The department would be more vigilant during the ensuing apple season and additional funds would be provided for maintaining this important road.

He said proper drainage facilities should be ensured along the roads to minimise damage due to rains. The minister said under the Rs 1365 crore World Bank-funded project, improvement of about 2435 km of state highways and major district roads would be taken up.

He said Rs 238 crore would be spent on upgradation of Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru road for the convenience of apple growers of the region. He said timely completion of the road would be ensured.

Stressing the need for regular monitoring of the upgradation work he said officers of the department should make frequent inspections on the whole stretch of the project. He said more dumping sites would be identified to check environment and vegetation.

Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta said work should be carried out in a planned manner so that the commuters were not put to inconvenience.

Shimla, April 12
Poanta-based frozen food company Himalya International will set up the country’s largest canned soup plant at Vadnagar in Gujarat in technical collaborations with US-based Wayne Farms.

Chairman of the company Manmohan Mallik said the equipment would be imported from Georgia (USA) at a cost of $1.8 million and canned soup would be launched in Indian and overseas market by January 2011 under its brands “Himalya Fresh” and “Uno Italiano” and also under private labels. The company would set up the plant with a production capacity of 1,100 cans per minute of various sizes and had concluded the deal for the automatic soup canning line from its US partner and the project would be set up with an initial investment of $2.5 million, deploying about 100 trained persons.

Commercial production would start by October, 2010, and company was expected to generate a revenue of Rs 120 crore by 2014 from the plant. In all 50 tonnes of vegetables would be processed per day at full capacity and inputs like mushrooms and tomatoes would be grown in house and by way of contract farming in Gujarat. The company would process cream of mushroom, tomato-basil and lentil soups at the facility.

The chairman said the company proposed to launch condensed soups in cans to which equal amount of water or milk could be added providing better value to the customer. Worldwide canned soups were preferred over powder soups due to healthier profile and great natural taste. Almost 75 per cent of soup market had been captured by canned soup due to its healthier and tastier characteristics in comparison to dehydrated soups, being sold in India as dried powders till today. 

Shimla, April 12
The Himachal Pradesh Municipal (Amendment) Bill, 2010, and the HP Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2010, were introduced in the state assembly today to make necessary provisions for holding of direct elections for the post of president, vice-president, mayor and deputy mayor in the urban bodies.

Transport and Urban Development Minister Mahender Singh introduced two Bills in the House. The amendments will not only bring about provisions in Section 22 of the Himachal Pradesh Act, 1994 (Act No 13 of 1994) for indirect elections of president and vice-president, but will also make provision for establishment of ward sabha and ward committee for each ward in the municipalities.

Horticulture and Technical Education Minister Narinder Bragta introduced the Himachal Pradesh Technical University (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2010. The legislation is being brought about so that affiliation can be given to the existing government and private engineering colleges and professional institutions and to conduct counselling, certification and award of degree.

The fourth Bill which was introduced in the assembly today was the Himachal Pradesh Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays and Casual and Sick Leave) Amendment Bill, 2010. The Bill was introduced in the assembly by Industries Minister Kishan Kapoor.

Solan, April 12
Taking a serious note of false affidavits filed by 37 investors who had applied for consent to operate, the HP State Pollution Control Board has issued show-cause notices to them and sought reply within 15 days. While the offenders could face legal action, including imprisonment up to seven years, the step has been taken after referring the matter to the government.

Board’s member secretary Dr Nagin Nanda, while talking to The Tribune, said, “The submission of false and wrong statement and declaration upon oath on affidavit was not only a violation of section 199 of the IPC, but also the Water Act, 1974, and Air Act, 1981, and was a punishable offence under the law. A 15-day notice has been served to these investors and an appropriate action would be taken after this.”

It is worth mentioning that 37 such cases had been unearthed by the board, including 19 in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) area, eight in Paonta area, one each and Una and Kangra and 10 in Parwanoo industrial area. With the proposed investment of these units being almost Rs 97.58 crore in the BBN alone, one could well estimate the gravity of fraud which these units were planning to swindle by accruing various benefits under the central industrial package.

In the case of M/S Design Edge, which had submitted a false affidavit claiming completion of the construction and plant installation, including pollution control devices to establish and consent to operate, the board has strictly asked the unit as to why its application should not be refused and legal action initiated for furnishing incorrect information and suppressing material facts. The notice sent to this investor also mentions that in case no reply was received within 15 days, it would initiate appropriate action, including punishment, which may extend up to seven years of imprisonment. The investor was proposing an investment of Rs 16 crore at Mauja Kotla near Baddi besides a plot where some construction had 
been initiated.

Other proposed investors who had been served notices included Shkshan Genset, Punjab Engineering, Abhishek Pharma, Xaltd Information Systems, Shri Guru Kripa Udyog, Verma Glass, Esteem Projects, Sai Nara Home Appliances, Scott Edile pharmaceuticals, Seicneus Medipole, Sunnox International, Niple Industries, Icomm Telly Limited, JK Concrete Technologies, Aman International, Jai Gurudev Print o Pack, Wings International and Fontec Polymers in the BBN area. 

Una, April 12
The state government will make efforts to get approval for the third phase of Swan channelling project at the earliest from the Union Government. This will save thousands of hectares of agriculture land for farmers of Una district.

Chief Minister PK Dhumal said this while addressing a public meeting in the Santokhgarh area of the district today. He earlier dedicated Milkfed plant at Lalsinghi completed at a cost of Rs 1 crore to the people of the area.

About the Swan channelling project, he said Rs 108 crore had been spent on the construction of first phase of Swan River Channelling Project and Rs 235 crore had been approved to extend it further. He said on completion of second phase, the state government would take up third phase to complete the channelling of the entire Swan river.

He also inaugurated a bridge over Lalsinghi rivulet, completed at a cost of Rs 1.52 crore and new bus stand at Santokhgarh completed at a cost of Rs 68 lakh.

The state government was trying to open a medical college and another university in the private sector in the district. Rs 73.37 crore has been spent on various buildings and road projects in the area, Dhumal said.

The Chief Minister announced Rs 1.36 crore for Santokhgarh sewerage, Rs 20 lakh for water supply scheme, Rs 85 lakh for Mehatpur sewerage scheme completion and Rs 2.58 crore for improvement of Ajouli-Santokhgarh road.

He assured people that work on inter-district bus stand at Una would be carried out on priority to facilitate local and other commuters. Rs 2,75,87,000 has been approved for various water supply schemes in the district, Rs 50 lakh for Kala Kendra at Una and Rs 53 lakh for dairy development scheme for Una, he said.

Satpal Singh Satti, chief parliamentary secretary and local MLA, welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for adding two important milestones. He said foundation stones worth about Rs 50 crore were laid during the past two years in his home segment.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, Zila Parishad chairman Balbir Bagga, Milkfed chairman Mohan Joshi, and Water Management Board vice-chairman Parveen Sharma were among others present at the function.

The Chief Minister is also scheduled to inaugurate the Sombhadra festival in Una district later in the evening.

Una, April 12
With Baisakhi festival around the corner, hundreds of commercial vehicles like trucks and tempos are entering the district with loads of passengers. The Himachal High Court and prevailing law has banned carrying of passengers in commercial or goods-carrying vehicles.

However, officials of the Excise and Taxation Department are legalising carrying of passengers in commercial vehicles in the district. They are allowing such vehicles to ply by charging passenger tax from them.

The Tribune has, in its possession, the receipts of passenger tax charged from a large number of commercial vehicles carrying pilgrims or passengers by Excise and Taxation Department officials of Una district. As per the receipts available with The Tribune, the tax has been charged at the rate of Rs 280 and Rs 20 as surcharge from commercial vehicles carrying passengers illegally.

Interestingly, Chiranji Lal Chaudhary, a resident of Dhandari village under the Takarala panchayat, had sought information under the Right to Information (RTI) from the office of Assistant Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Una, regarding the amount collected as passenger tax from goods-carrying vehicles. In reply to his query, the department had maintained that no such tax was being collected.

However, the receipts of tax charged from commercial vehicles, available with 
The Tribune, reveals different facts.

Counsel for RTI applicant, Seema Sharma, while talking to The Tribune, said either Excise and Taxation Department officials had given wrong information under the RTI, or the tax collected had not been deposited in the government treasury. She said since they had the receipts of the tax collected, an appeal would be filed against such officials for supplying wrong information.

Since the high court has ruled against carrying of passengers in commercial or goods carrying vehicles, the officials were committing contempt of court by legalising such activities, she said.

Carrying of passengers in commercial vehicles leads of accidents almost every year. This year also in Mairi mela, organised in Una district in March, three persons were killed and many others injured when a truck carrying passengers overturned. The Una police has been writing to their counterparts in Punjab to stop the same. However, the practice has been continuing unabated.

The officials concerned should challan the commercial vehicles carrying passengers under the appropriate provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Excise and Taxation Assistant Commissioner was, however, not available for comments on the matter.

BIlaspur, April 12
The Himachal government has started a campaign to extend cooperative movement to every village and household of the state so that it helps in faster economic development of all sections of society. This was stated by Himachal Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Rikhi Ram Kaundal while addressing a largely attended villagers’ meeting at Kathune in Balh Seena gram panchayat after inaugurating a fair price shop of essential commodities at Mallari Sehkari Sabha, about 80 km from here yesterday.

Kaundal said this shop would provide facility of cheaper essential commodities to 2,018 persons of the area. He said 196 cooperative societies, 156 fair price shops, 154 food supply depots and 74 agriculture cooperative societies were serving people in the district here with membership of 74,563 persons and securities worth Rs 51.23 crore.

The Deputy Speaker was appreciative of the fact that the entire ration distribution system in the district was under the control of cooperative societies.

He said Rs 53 lakh would be spent on tarring of the Kathune-Gajrehada road and Rs 60 lakh on the Ghandhir road. Cooperative Society president Devender Singh and secretary Nardev Singh also addressed the function.