Shimla, May 20
Asia’s first of its kind bio-carbon project has hit another roadblock with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) suspending the licence of the independent validator, TUEV SUED Industrie Service (TUV SUD) for procedural breaches and giving a positive validation opinion to some projects overlooking concerns about “additionality”.

Informed government sources said the registration of the World-Bank funded project under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) will be delayed further as credibility of the German company had been seriously undermined following suspension of its “designated operational entity” (DoE) license for validation functions. A redeeming feature is that the executive board for CDM has barred the company only from taking any new validations or verification and allowed it to continue with existing work. As such, there will be not need to appoint a new validator, which would have meant starting the time-consuming validation exercise afresh.

The project design document has already undergone several changes over the past two years, curtailing its size to less than half, and is still awaiting approval. Originally, about 10,000 hectares of non-arable and degraded forestland was to be brought under green cover but after repeated revisions, the area has been reduced to just 4,400 hectares in 275 panchayats.

The project had to be pruned drastically after the government came out with a new definition of a forest, as per which a patch of 500 sqm or more with woody growth of more than two metre height and 15 per cent density constituted a forest. The project was formulated on the basis of earlier definition under which growth of five metre height or more and 30 per cent density was deemed to be a forest.

The ongoing exercise for validation of the project will attract greater scrutiny following suspension of licence of the company and, thus, take more time. Progress of the project would be monitored through satellite images using global positioning system data. Beneficiaries will receive Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per hectare annually, depending on the carbon credit market and the species planted. About 40 identified species that have a good capacity of carbon sequestration and also help regulate the hydrological cycle were being planted. Already, about 1,700 hectares has been covered.

Shimla, May 20
Chief Minister PK Dhumal said today that the government would take all possible steps, including legal recourse against those creating hurdles in allotment of land to Pong Dam Oustees on priority in Rajasthan, after taking legal opinion and all other related issues into consideration.

The Chief Minister was speaking at state-level Pong Dam and Kol Dam Oustees’ Rehabilitation and Advisory Committee meetings, held here today. He said the left out rehabilitation cases should be settled on priority by the Rajasthan government failing which Himachal would explore the possibility of prosecuting respective authorities for their negligence in various courts of law.

He assured that the interests of the people affected due to construction of 800-MW Kol Dam project would be safeguarded and the project would be commissioned by March 2012.

Dhumal said government officials had been visiting all venues identified for rehabilitation of Pong Dam oustees but the issues still remained unresolved. “Despite our best efforts at all levels to get the Pong Dam oustees their due during the last half century, it is unfortunate that the affected families are yet to get possession of land in Rajasthan,” he lamented.

He said the oustees who had been allotted land in Rajasthan should be recognised as bona fide residents of the state and bona fide resident certificate be issued to them so that members of their family were eligible to get all benefits as admissible to other bona fide residents of Rajasthan.

Dhumal said it was the legitimate right of the rehabilitated oustees to get domicile certificate issued in their favour. He said the Rajasthan government also needed to consider moratorium provisions in its law so that plots allotted to oustees would not be permitted to be re-sold for a particular period of time.

He said the state high-level committee had visited the area to take stock of the situation and relief and rehabilitation measures initiated by the Rajasthan government. He said on the request of Himachal, the Supreme Court had intervened to get the issue resolved and 21 days time had been granted for holding meetings between Centre and all stakeholder states to arrive at an amicable solution sought within three months.

Dhumal said partner states had benefited from water for irrigation of land and electricity for domestic and commercial consumption while Himachal which had surrendered its most fertile land for the project, rendering thousands of families homeless, was not being given even a single unit of power from the project.

Shimla, May 20
Stepping up its campaign against indiscriminate opening up of private universities, CPM state secretariat member Tikender Singh Panwar today demanded a vigilance inquiry into gross violation in norms by these institutions.

Panwar said that most private universities lacked requisite infrastructure, qualified staff and recognition from statutory bodies. In a letter to Chief Minister PK Dhumal, Panwar pointed out that in the absence of any regulatory mechanism, the CPM had conducted investigations and stumbled upon startling revelations that necessitated action to save students from being exploited.

He said the manner in which private universities were being opened, standard of education were bound to decline, he said. Panwar said that when the government had assured that there will be no compromise on quality of education, why were universities being allowed to flout norms.

Citing the case of a Solan university, Panwar said that it was more of a grocery shop and alleged that PhD degrees were virtually on sale. He said that the university had not obtained recognition from any statutory body and to top it all, graduate and postgraduate pharmacy courses were being run without laboratories.

Dharamsala, May 20
Once again girls have outshined boys in the class XI results declared by the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education. The toppers in science, commerce and arts streams are all girls as per the merit list released by the board here today.

In science stream Priyanka Jaswal from Gokal Model Senior Secondary School Nehrian topped scoring 485/500 marks. Other toppers included Sakshi of NJSM Government Senior Secondary School at Sera stood second; Alakh Thakur of St DR Public School Senior Secondary School, Gagret, third; Harkaran Singh Snower Valley Public School, Bajoura (Kullu), fourth; and Asitha Kapil Him Academy Public School Hamirpur, fifth.

In commerce stream Sezal Mahajan from Government Girls Senior Secondary School Chamba topped scoring 454/500 marks.

Other toppers in commerce group included Rajdeep Bharadwaj from DAV Senior Secondary School, Una, second; Purvashi Government Senior Secondary School, Sarahan (Sirmour), third; Sujata Kaundal IGMP Senior Secondary School, Dehra, fourth; and Swati Dhawan Khashi Ram Memorial Senior Secondary School, Mastpur (Kangra), and Akshita Negi Government Senior Secondary School, Nalagarh, jointly fifth.

In arts stream Diksha Sharma from Government Senior Secondary School Ambota in Una district topped scoring 429/500 marks.

Other toppers included Rishav Soni Government Senior School, Daslehra (Bilaspur), second; Poonam Bala, Public Senior Secondary School, Chalwara (Kangra), third; Rupesh Kumar Government Senior Secondary School, Sharti (Mandi), fourth; and Pooja Devi Public Senior Secondary School, Chalwara (Kangra), fifth.

In vocational group, Dinesh Kumar from Government Senior Secondary School, Galore (Hamirpur), topped scoring 697/800 marks.

Other toppers included Ganga Kaur Government Senior Secondary School, Bhangrotu (Mandi), second; Abhishek Kumar from Government Senior Secondary School Galore (Hamirpur), third; Uttam Ram, Government Senior Secondary School, Banjar (Kullu), fourth; and Monika Kumari Government Senior Secondary School, Krishan Nagar (Kangra), fifth.

Board chairman CL Gupta said 1,05,585 students appeared for class XI examinations this year out which 80,652 passed. The result percentage remained at 77.77 per cent. In vocation courses the result percentage remained at 93.80 per cent. Students who want to get their answer sheets re-evaluated or re-checked can do so by applying to the board with requisite fee of Rs 200 and Rs 150, respectively, till June 6, the chairman said.

Hamirpur, May 20
The state government’s purchase of maize seeds from an American company even after reports of crop failure in some parts of the country has raised eyebrows.

Its agriculture department has bought tonnes of Dekalb (double) variety of maize seeds from Monsanto and is selling them to farmers at subsidised rates. Though two varieties of seeds — single cross and double cross — are reportedly being distributed among farmers, it is for the first time that single cross (hybrid) maize seed has been purchased from Monsanto at Rs 91 per kg when the double cross varieties have been purchased at Rs 41 per kg from other companies.

Sources said that the single cross (hybrid) was purchased at a higher rate despite the fact that Monsanto had not submitted breeders’ certificate, considered authentic certification, and instead submitted a certificate from the company and a report procured from the agriculture university.

Meanwhile, Congress state spokesperson Deepak Sharma has questioned the purchase of Dekalb seeds as hybrid (single cross) on higher rates from Monsanto despite reports of crop failure in some parts of the country. He has demanded a high-level probe in this matter.

Despite repeated calls to Director of Agriculture JC Rana’s office telephone and on his cellphone, he was not available for comment.

Mandi, May 20
Allotment of the government zonal hospital’s diagnostic laboratory to a private firm here has kicked up a storm.

While the District Red Cross Society said that the lab was allotted to Harihar Hospital under the public private partnership model, the Himachal Pradesh Medical Officer Association (HPMOA) and Mandi Bachao Morcha (MBM) alleged that a private, profit-making businessman had made a “de-facto presence” in the government hospital.

Both bodies have alleged that a deliberate attempt had been made to bypass the role of the hospital’s Rogi Kalyan Samiti, as it had no medical superintendent.

However, District Red Cross Society chairman and Mandi Deputy Commissioner Dr Amandeep Garg claimed that the agreement signed with Harihar Hospital was transparent. He said that tenders were invited to set up the lab.

“Ten companies participated and the contract was given to the highest bidder, Harihar Hospital, for three years at rate of Rs 15,000 a month on public private partnership basis,” he said. “Prices are fixed for each test and are about four to five times lower than other diagnostic centres. In fact, the prices are at par with RKS and even lower,” Garg said.

Garg said that Harihar Hospital was roped in for testing since the Rogi Kalyan Samiti offered testing facility only till 11 am. However, HPMOA general secretary Dr JN Chauhan said that the Rogi Kalyan Samiti could also provide testing facility till 8 pm.

Mandi Chief Medical Officer Dr AB Gupta also said that the Rogi Kalyan Samiti had limited resources and the Red Cross-run lab performed tests at lower rates.

Shimla, May 20
People will be able to register their grievances pertaining to different government departments under e-Samadhan through a network of 3,366 Lok Mitra Kendras (LMKs)being set up in the state for delivery of citizen-centric services.

A decision in this regard was taken by the State Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal here yesterday. As per the decision, grievances can be registered through LMKs by any person on payment of a nominal fee of Rs 4 to help meet the expenses incurred on connectivity, computing infrastructure and manpower.

The Cabinet also decided to increase the honorarium of members of the HP State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and District Redressal Forums from Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 and from Rs 500 to Rs 750, respectively, with effect from June 1, 2010.

It accepted the recommendations of the Atwal Committee constituted by Himachal Pradesh University and implement the decisions of the Executive Council of Himachal Pradesh University with regard to step-up benefits to senior employees of the university. It approved Mahrishi Markendeshwar University (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2010, for setting up of the institution in the private sector.

It approved creation of three posts of different categories in the science, technology and environment council and granted permission for filling nine existing posts, creation of six new posts in the State Environment Pollution Control Board.

It decided to revive the post of Principal Private Secretary in the state secretariat and created one supernumerary post of senior entomological assistant in the Department of Health and Family Welfare in compliance of orders of the Supreme Court of India.

Solan, May 20
With nearly 40 small and big fire incidents taking place in the industrial areas of the district leading to losses worth several crores, the fire preparedness appears to have taken a back seat.

Though a committee headed by the CEO, BBN Development Authority, comprising Baddi SP, Nalagarh SDM, labour officer, commandant Home Guards, fire officer and others had found 30 per cent industrial units lacking fire preparedness and were declared unsafe last year, little appears to have been done to bring about any appreciable change.

The committee, which had assessed nearly 720 industrial units after receiving directions from the Chief Minister following a fatal fire incident in which nine lives were lost, found 5 per cent units to be highly vulnerable as they lacked even the basic fire-safety measures.

While blaming the units for adopting a casual approach towards this crucial factor, the committee concluded that a vast majority of over 700 units examined had failed to avail a permanent fire-safety certificate and continued to run on provisional certificates.

Despite these laxities little was done by the government to enforce fire-safety regulations. Fire officer Sukhdev Singh, while blaming the units, said though each unit was suppose to invest about 20 per cent of their investment in putting in place fire-safety equipment, but only a fraction of this amount was spent.

He added that there have been cases where such laxities have been pointed out to the units but enhancement of equipment was either not a priority or it was unduly slow making the unit vulnerable to such incidents. He pointed out that the absence of hydrants in one of the units which suffered losses worth Rs 4 crore severally hampered in-house fire-fighting operations and had the system been upgraded the loss would have been much lesser.

Interestingly, though a report had been submitted into the fire preparedness of the industrial areas, no recommendation was ever made by the state government to look into this crucial aspect.

The Industries Department too appears to have done a little to check planning hazards like lack of set backs and though the report had recommended adoption of national building code in construction of industrial units, no such practice was followed anywhere reducing the report to a paper formality.

Shimla, May 20
Encouraged by the response of customers to the gold coins project, the Department of Posts has decided to start sale of India Posts Gold Coins from its branches in Himachal Pradesh from May 22.

A spokesperson of the department said to begin with the gold coins with the India Posts logo of would be sold from the General Post Office and the Sub-Post Office at Kusumpti in the state capital. The coins would weigh 0.5 gm, 1 gm, 5 gm and 8 gm of 24-carat gold. Valcambi from Switzerland produced the coins in association with the World Gold Council and Reliance Money Infrastructure.

The department had come out with a special inaugural offer under which 6 per cent discount would be given to customers up to May 31. The day-to-day prices would be communicated by the Reliance Money Infrastructure.

Dharamsala, May 20
An official handout of the Public Relations Department released on May 18 in which Shanta Kumar, a Rajya Sabha member and former Chief Minister, had praised present Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had supporters of the former leader fuming.

Shanta Kumar when contacted also said he had not stated anything that was carried in official handout. He said that generally he kept doing programmes in Kangra district. However, the department had never covered his individual functions. They just covered him whenever he was accompanying certain VIP visiting the area. They covered his individual function for the first time and gave misleading information in it.

Supporters who are upset that they are not being given due share in power have been stating that Shanta did not say what was stated in the official press release. Later inquiries also revealed that the PR department as a professional proprietary had missed certain statements of Shanta Kumar in which he had lamented tardy progress over certain development projects. — TNS

Bilaspur, May 20
Mathari Devi (70), wife of late Havildar Shiv Ram honoured for bravery during World War-II with “Order of Merit”, died suddenly at her native Behna Jattan village across the Sutlej river yesterday.

She was not keeping well for the past some time.

Various NGOs and leaders of parties condoled her death and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family.