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State to start
heli-taxi service
Leopard strays into St Bede’s College
Schoolkids to monitor environment abuse
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Varsity flouts norms as state sleeps
HPU beefs up security
JBT trainees protest outside DIG office
Rain, storm hit normal life
Cong workers
victimised: Kaul
ITI student drowned
Doctors invited for talks
Cheaper cement for panchayats
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State to start
heli-taxi service
Shimla, June 5 On June 8 a meeting has been convened for awarding work to one of the 12 companies. Interestingly, some of the companies keen to get into the heli-taxi business have already brought in their helicopters and stationed them at Chandigarh and Delhi as part of their preparedness. Prominent companies which are in the race includes Pawan Hans, Mesco Airlines, Global Vectra, Shiva Helli Services, Virat Aviation and Acro Tech Aviation Private Limited. The Cabinet has already given nod for the launch of the scheme along with the new guidelines, so it is being expected that chopper service linking several destinations in the state and outside would start shortly. The completion of formalities with regard to seeking 75 per cent viability gap funding from the Planning Commission are also in its final stages. “As per the directives of the Planning Commission we have filed the prescribed performa about the heli-taxi scheme and sent it on June 3 so that the funds can be granted for the ambitious scheme aimed at attracting the high-end tourist,” said Arun Sharma, Director, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Himachal is seeking 75 per cent viability gap funding from the Centre on the pattern of north-eastern states as subsidised air fare is a must for promoting tourism. The Tourism Department has sought viability gap funding of about Rs 20 crore for a period of three years from the Planning Commission. To begin with the department intends starting flights connecting Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Dharamsala, Chamba and tribal areas of Kinnaur and
Lahaul-Spiti. |
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Leopard strays into St Bede’s College
Shimla, June 5 It was at about 11.15 am that the animal was spotted by geography teacher Neelkamal Bedi near the principal’s office. “I spotted a bushy tail thinking it to be a dog or a cat. However, when I took a closer look and saw the spots, I knew it was a leopard,” said Bedi. She immediately informed principal Sister Molly Abraham who directed the staff to ensure that the students were safe. Security and other staff members of the college, after ensuring safety of the students inside the classrooms, locked the leopard in the corridor of block B where classes were being held. Since admissions were going on in the college, there were a few students. However, a few parents were also present when the animal entered the college. Police personnel from Chotta Shimla arrived immediately followed by the wildlife team led by Yogesh Verma, DFO (wildlife). “We faced great difficulty in tranquilisng the animal as it kept moving in the corridor and entered the classrooms along it,” said Verma. He said the leopard was a six-year-old healthy animal which was kept in the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Tuti Kandi. “She has regained consciousness and appears to be in a perfect health. After keeping her under observation for some time, we will release her back into the natural habitat,” he added. The wildlife authorities have to follow the Release Policy Guidelines laid down by the Central Zoo Authority and the state government for reintroduction of the captured animal back into the natural habitat. “Since the college is located right next to a forest, it is not unusual for leopards to stray as their natural habitats are shrinking,” said Verma. Bedi, who stays in Nav Bahar area, said her neighbours had spotted a pair of leopard this morning on the road next to the residential area. “Probably one them entered the college so we need to be cautious and guard against the other who could be in the vicinity,” she said, sounding a note of caution. The frequency of leopards straying into residential areas in Shimla has lately increased as several such incidents have been reported in the recent past. |
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Schoolkids to monitor environment abuse
Shimla, June 5 This was stated by Sarojini Ganju Thakur, Additional Chief Secretary (Environment, Science and Technology), in her inaugural address on the occasion of World Environment Day here today. “There is an urgent need to change our daily habits pertaining to use of water as every drop is precious and the message has to be disseminated to people to protect environment degradation,” she said. It was high time we started evaluating the ill effects of climatic change leading to environmental hazards, she added. “Members of the eco clubs wil now act as civic monitors and would report any such incident causing harm to the environment to the authorities,” she said. She also distributed prizes to children who participated in various activities like painting, debate, quiz, essay writing and other activities held on the occasion of World Environment Day. Thakur also released the HP State Environment Report on the occasion. Earlier, Nagin Nanda, Director, (Science, Technology and Environment), gave details of the steps initiated to conserve environment through awareness campaigns. He said the government had introduced nine-point environment oath to be read in the morning assembly in the schools to make children aware about the importance of environment protection. KULLU: World Environment Day was celebrated by organising rallies, declamation, painting, slogan and essay writing contests in this district at different places on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner BM Nanta flagged-off a rally from Senior Secondary School, Dhalpur, that passed through the town. Earlier, a function was organised at the school where various contests were held. Himalayan Environment Protection Society president Abhishek Rai expressed concern over the damage being done by the ongoing hydro-electric projects in this district. He said green trees were being cut haphazardly not only for site development, but also for laying transmission lines. Meanwhile, Kartik and Tenzin of Government Senior Secondary School won the first and second prize (senior group), respectively, in the painting contest while Vibha of Bharat Bharti School stood first and Arya High School student Vasundhara stood second in the junior group. |
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Varsity flouts norms as state sleeps
Solan, June 5 An investigation into the university affairs by The Tribune revealed that it began its first academic session in November last. Though university’s chairman Dr Rajkumar Rana claimed that the first session started in August 2009, a copy of the notification affixed in its prospectus showed that the university came into effect on November 4, 2009, as per the Manav Bharti University (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2009. It was, therefore, strange how this university admitted students before it came into existence. While talking to The Tribune, a few students, on condition of anonymity, said many subjects in the university were taught by unqualified staff. This was in utter violation of the UGC and the AICTE norms and no permission was taken from these technical bodies. Though the chairman claimed that he had appointed around 100 faculty members, advertisements showing faculty required for all streams were appearing in the newspapers every other day. There was a lone PhD faculty member in the commerce stream and one wondered who taught over 52 regular M Pharma students. Still worse, it was shocking that Dr SP Bhardwaj, former scientist of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, had been shown as its vice-chancellor in the prospectus who, when contacted, said he had nothing to do with the institute. The prospectus, however, duly carried his picture and message weeks before Dr Bhardwaj retired from the university on May 31 this year. Further, the BAMS faculty had been deputed to teach B Pharmacy course. Though the chairman claimed that he had procured an NOC from the PCI, sources at the PCI said the institute had merely sent an application for starting this course and an institute was suppose to seek clearance from the AICTE and the state government at the time of seeking permission. The university, interestingly, stated in its prospectus that approval of the AICTE was not necessary and it had vaguely given reference of an apex court judgment. While this was misleading, the apex court had, in a case referring to Chhattisgarh, ruled that an institute evolving over a period of time and having multiple faculty could be considered for a university status provided it fulfilled all norms. |
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HPU beefs up security
Shimla, June 5 Meanwhile, inmates of the girls hostel today staged a demonstration outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office, seeking better security arrangements. Vice-Chancellor Prof Sunil Kumar Gupta today ordered tight security and surveillance in the girls hostel area. Presiding over a meeting, he said no vehicle would be allowed inside the hostel complex and proper entry would be made at the gate, which will be manned by security personnel of the HPU. As a step towards strengthening security, flood lights would be installed on the hostel buildings and fencing of the area would be done, he added. He said no male visitor would be allowed in the complex after 6 pm except blood relations and, that too, after obtaining prior permission. |
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JBT trainees protest outside DIG office
Dharamsala, June 5 Later, they sat on a dharna outside the deputy director (elementary) and the DIG office at Dharamsala. The protesters alleged that the government was forcing them to intensify their agitation by using force against peaceful protesters. Meanwhile, members of the Youth Congress today accompanied the JBT protesters in Chamba. State president of the Youth Congress Manmohan Katoch, while talking to The Tribune, said the Congress activists had been directed to extend full support to the protesters. It was a sorry state of affairs as even girl students were not spared by the police, he added. |
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Rain, storm hit normal life
Hamirpur, June 5 Tractor driver Rakesh Kumar of Bharmad village died near Sujanpur last night when his tractor overturned after getting entangled in a thorny bush due to poor visibility. The dust storm started at 8.30 pm and was followed by rains which continued for several hours. As per initial reports, 20 private houses, five cowsheds and a school building were damaged as strong winds carried away their roofs or trees fell on them. The district revenue officer said, “Though reports are still being collected, 13 houses in Hamirpur, one in Bhoranj and roof of government school at Danddu was blown, besides several cowsheds.” The forest and agriculture departments have also asked the field officers to prepare reports on damage caused by storm in their areas. A house was also damaged at Kutheda when a mango tree pierced its wall and roof. Dharamsala: Rain and storm washed away the first day of summer festival of Dharamsala that started on Friday. It started at 7 pm with a performance by children. However, soon after, a storm hit the region and participants and organisers had to run for shelter as heavy rains followed storm. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Tulsi Ram had arrived for inauguration of the summer festival, but had to remain confined to circuit house. To add to it the VIP had to grapple in dark as the power lines to the circuit were also snapped. Due to storm and rains power supply in many areas of Dharamsala remained cut off throughout the night. |
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Cong workers
victimised: Kaul
Shimla, June 5 Addressing office-bearers and party workers from Shimla, he alleged that the BJP regime in the state had unleashed political vendetta against the Congress workers who were being implicated in false cases. “Different set of rules are being followed while dealing with the Congress workers while the BJP workers can get away even after doing bigger crimes,” he added. The HPCC chief also accused the BJP regime for tampering with Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reform Act to facilitate purchase of valuable land in the state by outsiders. He also dismissed the BJP allegations that the Centre was discriminating with Himachal. “You name any major project or development work, it has been granted by the Centre and this includes the IIT, Central University, ESI Hospital, Medical College and Fashion Technology Institute,” he added. CLP leader Vidya Stokes said the state BJP had failed to come up to the expectations of the people. “The Congress workers must expose the failure and inefficiency of the Dhumal-led regime in addressing the issues concerning the common man,” she said. |
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ITI student drowned
Solan, June 5 Nalagarh SHO Om Prakash said the boy, who did not know how to swim, jumped into the bouri which was full of water. His friends raised an alarm as soon as they saw their friend drowning and villagers came to his rescue within no time. He, however, died before being fished out by villagers. The boy hailed from Lahaul area. — OC |
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Doctors invited for talks
Shimla, June 5 Principal Secretary (Health), P.C. Dhiman said representatives of the Himachal Medical Officers Association, the Joint Action Committee of contract doctors and the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) had been invited here to discuss their demands. There are over 350 MBBS doctors who have been given contractual appointment through RKS and are currently serving mostly in rural health institutions. Serious action like mass resignations by these contract doctors can completely jeopardise health services in the already under staffed health centres. |
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Cheaper cement for panchayats
Shimla, June 5 As per the policy decision taken by the government, the supply of cement will be made by the Civil Supplies Corporation through its outlets in the state. Earlier, cement was being purchased from private companies for MNREGA works, which was costing Rs 100 extra than the government rate contract. He said the cement would be supplied through depots/outlets of the Civil Supplies Corporation in the state.
— TNS |
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