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New Cabinet policy irks contractual vets
Una rivulets face dumping threat
Salogra waste plant kicks up a stink
Seminar on IT-driven simulated training for forces
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A great treat for film fans
Power cuts lifted
HC seeks details of closed primary school
ADB funding to bridge infra gaps
Transporting of answersheets
Rampur businessman killed in collision
Budh Purnima celebrated with fervour
Buddhist monks offering prayers at the Tibetan monastery on the occasion
of Budh Purnima at Shimla on Thursday. A Tribune photo
Environment rally
Diarrhoea outbreak in Hamirpur village
Case against car dealer
CPM’s advice to students
One killed in pressure test blast
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New Cabinet policy irks contractual vets
Shimla, May 27 The jobs of contractual veterinary officials are regularised after eight years of service. However, under the new policy, the contractual medical officials will be regularised after completing six years of service. By bringing a policy specifically for contractual medical officials and ignoring the veterinary doctors, the government had added insult to injury, general secretary of the State Veterinary Officers’ Association Amit Mahajan said. The action only confirmed that the government was prejudiced against veterinary officials who were being denied non-practising allowance without any justification, he added. The associating had, over the past six months, obtained information under the Right to Information (RTI) which showed that veterinary officials were being meted out a step-motherly treatment. According to the information, contractual medical officials were being paid monthly emoluments of Rs 26,250, including a non-practising allowance of Rs 5,250, whereas contract veterinary officials were getting only Rs 21,000. This was a clear-cut case of discrimination as under the rules the veterinary officials were also entitled to 25 per cent of the basic salary as non-practising allowance like the medical officials, Mahajan added. The discontentment has increased to such an extent that 54 contract veterinary officials, around 25 per cent, have already left their jobs and this vicious cycle is continuing. The association points out that the prejudiced attitude of the government was causing frustration among young veterinarians and it was high time that the government restored parity with medical officials by giving them due benefits immediately, failing which they would be forced to launch a state-wide agitation. The contract medical officials are demanding immediate regularisation and end to the practice of recruiting doctors on contract basis. They have threatened to go on mass casual leave in the second phase of stir if the government fails to accept
the demand.
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Una rivulets face dumping threat
Dhusara (Una) May 27 Huge dumps of earth on the river beds are visible from the main road. The dumps are just about 100 m from the bridge over the rivulet on the Una-Dharamsala state highway. The huge dumps of earth on the river bed has to potential to raise the river or change its natural course. The river, that is already choked with silt, can pose a threat to the bridge nearby in the forthcoming monsoon season. In case the course of water in the river gets changed, it can damage property and crops of people residing in nearby areas. Meanwhile, officials of mining and irrigation departments seem to be turning a blind eye to the entire phenomena. About 70 rivulets of Una district, all tributaries of Swan river, are infamous for their unpredictable behaviour during monsoons. At many places near Una district headquarters, illegal colonisers have brought up colonies in the beds of rivulets. So much so, these rivulets have been reduced to small streams that cannot handle the flow of water in case of floods. Encroachments have been affected by colonisers with the idea that there have been no floods for the past many years. However, if a tragedy like in 1988 happens to strike the area, it can lead to mass destruction of property and life. Ideall, a no objection certificate (NOC) is required from the irrigation department before making any construction. However, officials of the department, while speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they had not issued NOCs in many cases. The irrigation officials alleged that in a large number of cases, the beds of rivulets were private property. “We have written to the government to empower us to stop encroachments in rivers irrespective of the fact that they are private properties. However, till date, the government has not responded,” they said. Proposals were sent to the government many times to get the river beds demarcated so that encroachments could be checked. However, the successive governments lacked the political will to execute the proposal that was in a larger interest of public, they added. According to sources, encroachment on beds of rivulets was also affecting the ground water level in the area. Una subdivision has already been marked as one of six most sensitive subdivisions in terms of ground water depletion in the entire state.
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Salogra waste plant kicks up a stink
Solan, May 27 Funded by Norad, a Norwegian government aid agency, and run by NGO Jan Seva Ashram, the plant was designed to convert municipal solid waste into biofertilizer. But it has failed to collect and dispose waste every day resulting in garbage mounds at the site and intolerable stench. Not to mention how this played havoc for villagers residing in the plant’s periphery. As if that was not enough, a sharp shower pushed accumulated waste downstream, polluting a water source. The State Pollution Control Board had slapped notices on the plant after a fire in Shimla’s solid waste management plant. Dr Nagin Nanda, member secretary, State Pollution Control Board, said that the plant management has been directed to strictly ensure that no garbage was burnt. It has also been directed to develop the site to ensure waste disposal and management as per Hazardous Waste Management and Handling Rules. Executive officer Ajmer Singh, said efforts were afoot to select a suitable site to run the plant effectively with the help of the Municipal Corporation. He added that the fertilizer alone sold for Rs 6-7 lakh. Inaugurated by Chief Minister PK Dhumal in 1998 during his earlier stint, the plant was designed to convert at least 25 tonne municipal waste a day into fertilizer. It, however, ran into rough weather right from its inception when second-hand machinery was installed. Further, in the absence of any in-house facility to test the toxicity of fertilizer produced, it could not be sold in the market. Sources added that at times, animal parts and hospital medical waste were also being used in the plant, contrary to its claims of being a biofertilizer plant.
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Seminar on IT-driven simulated training for forces
Shimla, May 27 Delivering the keynote address, Army Chief Gen VK Singh said that the Army must prepare and be operationally ready for the dimensions of full spectrum of conflict and it must factor in the nuances of short, intense, time-sensitive engagements being fought under greater transparency. “The best doctrines, strategy, tactics and equipment were not purposeful without effective training in the complex dynamics of change. An Army is as good as it trains,” said Gen Singh. In his opening remarks GOC-in-C ARTRAC Gen AS Lamba talked at length about the emerging challenges and newer threats, encompassing information, cyber and electronic warfare. “Civil industry and expertise with their modern training methodology would be of immense value. The Rashtriya Military Academy could in days ahead fundamentally alter the character and conduct of conflict and produce dramatic increase in combat potential and military effectiveness of the Armed forces. Rapidly upgrading technology would be the driving force in future war fighting,” he said. The seminar deliberated upon establishing training needs based on future security environment, analysing the present system and arriving at the means and challenges to making it result oriented, cost effective and responsive. It also addressed synchronising training, infrastructure requirements and review of courses. Participants included experts from the Army, Air Force, Navy and civil industry.
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A great treat for film fans
Shimla, May 27 Being held in Shimla for the first time, a total of 14 films will be screened in Hindi, English, Tamil, Malyalam, Punjabi, Bengali, Rajasthani and Kannada from May 28 to 30. “It is for the first time that such a film festival is being held in Shimla and now our endeavour is to keep the trend flowing so that more such events are held here,” said Ram Subhag Singh, Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department. He said efforts were on to get the National Film Archives to hold a festival of films of renowned film directors like Satyajit Ray here at the Gaiety. “Last year we held retro of Shyam Benegal who was present himself and now we are keen that Shimla figures prominently in the calendar of the National Film Archives and the Indian Panorana Film Festival,” he said The opening day will witness “Antaheen”, a two-hour Bengali film starring Rahul Bose, who will be present at the Gaiety Theatre to interact with the audience, post-screening. “It is for the first time that artistes and directors will be present at the screening to address queries on direction, acting or any other subject related to the film,” said Bhupinder Kainthola, Director of Indian Panorama. He added that these 14 films were short-listed out of a total of 120 entries received for the national film awards last year. Immensely talented actor Divya Dutta too will grace the occasion by her presence on May 29 when her film “Haat” directed by Seema Kappor would be screened. The festival will have young and upcoming directors still in their mid 20s and those past 70 who have devoted their lives to making meaningful cinema. To ensure that picture and sound quality is of utmost quality, the authorities have hired a projection system.
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Power cuts lifted
Solan, May 27 Also the generation in other hydel projects of Northern Region from which HP draws its State of Region shares and entitlements etc, including Nathpa Jhakri, Chamera-I, Chamera-II and Bairasuil, has shown the increasing trends. Availabilities on Thursday from various sources have been reported to the tune of 240-245 Lakh Units(LUs). Also the demand of the state has touched an all-time record of 215 LUs per day on Wednesday (Demand was 185 LUs on the same day last year) which is 16.22 per cent higher as compared to last year demand in May. Taking into consideration the increased availability, the HPSEB has decided to lift all load restrictions with immediate effect and all the consumers particularly industrial units have been restored with their original load requirements. Industrial units have further been advised to get the frequency meters installed on their premises to keep vigil on the frequency as the operational band of frequency has been reduced by CERC. In fact, the HPSEB had made adequate power arrangements for uninterrupted power to its consumers and the power restrictions have been there for certain days only due to less hydel generation and the stringent regulations prevalent for overdrawals which is not permitted at all below 49.5/49.2 Hz otherwise. NIA president Prem Sharma appreciated the effort of the board for providing the much-needed relief to the industry as it was suffering losses on account of
lack of power.
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HC seeks details of closed primary school
Shimla, May 27 The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Surender Singh, directed the government to place the data of all the schools of Dharmpur block in Mandi district about the strength of the students. The petitioner alleged that the daughter-in-law of the Transport Minister had proposed to establish a stone crusher in the name of Ganpati stone crusher. The site inspection committee visited the spot in March this year and observed that the school was situated within the limits as per the policy framed by the state government for establishment, which provides that crusher should be established 500 to 1,000 m distance from any educational institution. He alleged that no reason was assigned for closure of the school. The case would come up for further hearing on June 17.
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ADB funding to bridge infra gaps
Shimla, May 27 A pre-fact finding mission of the bank visited various parts of the state during the last three days and held several rounds of discussion with representatives of Urban Development Department and other agencies for funding urban infrastructure projects in the state. The ADB is considering technical assistance for preparing an investment plan for the state and multi-tranche finance facility in the range of $150-200 million. Financial assistance under this investment programme would be about Rs 750-1,000 crore for various urban infrastructure projects. The bank will provide financial assistance by giving preference to urban areas in selected district headquarters and industrial agglomerations under this project.
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Lack of security worries parents, wards
Kuldeep Chauhan Tribune News Service
Mandi, May 27 The university conducted the written examination today in four stations of Mandi, Hamirpur, Shimla and Dharamsala. Talking to The Tribune, the students said there was no vigilance for transporting of the HPCPMT answer books to the HP university. General secretary the HPMOA Dr JN Chauhan said the university must put a committee in place to keep a strict vigil on vested interests who could have manipulated the answer books on way. Meanwhile, over 5,626 candidates appeared in the HPCPMT-2010. However, as many as 253 candidates were found absent, confirmed HPU authorities. When HPU vice chancellor Dr Sunil K Gupta was quizzed on the issue of vigilance on dubious characters, he dismissed apprehensions and said answer books were transported to the HPU the same day latest by 9 pm. “We have teams of superintendents and deputy superintendents who bring the answer books here under police security,” he added. Dr Gupta asserted that there was no complaint over transporting system of answer books. “There is no scope for a mid-way manipulation in answer books as these reach us the same day after examination concluded at 1.30 pm,” he claimed.
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Rampur businessman killed in collision
Solan, May 27 The driver and cleaner of the tanker fled the spot and are absconding. Since there were no eyewitnesses, police said that Rajesh Sood was on his way to Chandigarh in his Scorpio (HP-06-B-0144) when a water tanker (HR-64-5419) coming from the Solan direction apparently hit the vehicle while trying to cross it. Upon collision, both vehicles rolled down the deep gorge and the water tanker landed on the SUV. The Scorpio had to be cut open to extricate Sood, who was killed on the spot. His body was later sent to the Regional Hospital here for a post-mortem. SHO Kandaghat Rajkumar said the police was on the lookout for the driver and cleaner. Sood was on his way to Chandigarh and is survived by his wife and
two children.
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Budh Purnima celebrated with fervour
Kullu, May 27 Addressing the gathering, the MLA said Lord Buddha’s teachings were equally effective in today’s world. He taught the lessons of
tyag, (renunciation), non-violence, truth and forgiveness, he added. He also called upon the people to adopt his teachings. He lauded the functioning of Tibetan religious leader the Dalai Lama for carrying out Buddha’s teachings in today’s world. Functions were also organised at various monasteries in this district at Syal road
Manali, Halan, Kais, Badah, Sharabai and Tibetan schools at Bahanu, Patlikuhal and Parganu
Bhuntar. Reports from Lahaul also confirmed that hundreds of Buddha devotees participated at the function held at Jispa monastery on the Keylong-Leh highway. |
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Environment rally
Shimla, May 27 Stating this here yesterday, Guman Singh, coordinator of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, said more than 2,000 people associated with various peoples’ movements on environment conservation, livelihood, displacement and forest protection will attend the gathering. He said a local preparatory committee was held at Rekong-Peo yesterday. “It was decided to mobilise more than 3,000 affected people from Kinnaur district itself to register their protest against environmental damage, destruction of forest and agricultural land and violation of tribal laws caused by hydro-power projects,” said Singh.
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Diarrhoea outbreak in Hamirpur village
Hamirpur, May 27 Villagers said every house was in the grip of disease. Said Kamla Devi and Munshi Ram, “Many residents are ill. They are being treated at private clinics and the Hamirpur regional hospital.” Villagers blamed the outbreak on dirty water from a nearby baouli and a handpump and suspect that monkeys were drinking from the open baouli. “We have been complaining about the poor quality of drinking water in the village for a long time but no action has been taken,” they said. District Health Officer Dr PK Katwal said, “I have no information about spread of the disease in the village.” Hamirpur DC Abhishek Jain also said the same. “I will get the matter inquired. If need be, a team of doctors will be sent. Clean drinking water will be provided in the village.”
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Case against car dealer
Mandi, May 27 According to the complaint, he bought an Indica (UP 16M 9839) from the dealer for Rs 2,65,000. However, the company failed to supply him legal documents of the car. The police suspect the car would have been stolen as the company was beating around the bush. Meanwhile, Mandi SP said the police would get to the bottom of the case. “We are also verifying whether the car was stolen as the complainant has not been given legal documents,” he added.
— TNS
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CPM’s advice to students
Shimla, May 27 Member, state secretariat of the party, Tikender Panwar said the letter of Shanta Kumar to the Nursing Council of India had vindicated the stand that the BJP government was opening ‘third grade commercial institutions’ in the name of making the state education hub. The Palampur institute was only the tip of the iceberg there were innumerable such institutes, vocational training centres, engineering colleges.
— TNS
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One killed in pressure test blast
Kullu, May 27 According to reports, the 4.5 m diameter tunnel was filled with 80,000 litres of water. The pipe could not sustain the pressure and blasted, killing one of the foremen on the spot and injuring seven others, including chief engineer PB Rao. The deceased was identified as Ganesh Chaudhary (38) of Jharkhand, a worker of Gammons India Limited. The workers’ union affiliated to CITU protested against the lapse and blamed the NHPC authorities for not taking safety measures. |
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Politicos betrayed Bhakra Dam oustees: Ex-MLA
Bilaspur, May 27 |
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Budh Purnima was celebrated with great fervour and gaiety today in this district with gompas (monasteries) wearing a festive look. Men, women and children, dressed in traditional robes, participated in the ceremonies performed by monks which was followed by community lunch. Local MLA Govind Singh Thakur was the chief guest during the main function held at the Buddhist monastery in Manali and organised by the Himalayan Buddhist Society.
