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Finance corpn refuses to
give info on defaulters
Bags of apple pile up by roadside
Govt fails to regulate private varsities
ASI to bring out book on Masrur temple
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Plantation Scheme
Indira market complex in shambles
Nathpa Jhakri resumes generation after 17 days
Holidays for 2011 notified
Women lecturers rendered jobless
‘Promote ethics in research among medicos’
Rs 25 lakh for synthetic track
Ex-bureaucrat booked for attempt to rape
Boy drowned
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Finance corpn refuses to
give info on defaulters
Shimla, August 22 This has been stated by the public information officer (PIO) of the corporation in response to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Dev Ashish Bhattacharya who has sought various details about debtors. The corporation, which has accumulated losses to the tune of Rs 102 crore as on March 31, 2009, has also refused to provide any information regarding defaulters. This is quite surprising as the State Excise and Taxation Department has put names of big tax defaulters on the web. Bhattacharya had sought complete list of defaulters along with addresses of those who had not returned the loans even after 10 to 20 years, particularly current and former elected representatives, bureaucrats and their relatives. However, the corporation refused to provide any details and dismissed his five queries on a single plea that “it was of commercial confidence and related to personal information which has nothing to do with any public activity or interest and cause unwarranted invasion in the privacy of its constituents”. Bhattacharya filed a complaint with the State Information Commission maintaining that the information involved public interest as it was public money which the corporation had advanced. There was no reason for the corporation to withhold the information unless it wanted to hide the identity of high-profile defaulters. The commission issued a notice to the corporation in response to which it a gave a point-wise reply but stuck to its stand that it was “third party” information and of “personal nature”. Moreover, it had to maintain secrecy of transactions of its borrowers. Hence it could not be given under the RTI Act. Bhattacharya contested the plea and asserted that the corporation was not a banking institution but a development corporation of the state. It had been draining out public money. Further, the banks did not accumulate losses year after year but rather earned profits by recovering the loans with interest. The commission observed that the PIO had passed a quasi-judicial order and the stand taken by him ought to be considered at the highest level before it took a final view and decided the issue. It directed the managing director of the corporation to consider the issues raised by Bhattacharya as first appeal and decide the matter within 30 days. |
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Bags of apple pile up by roadside
Shimla, August 22 According to official information, as many as 7,759 tonnes of apple were procured till yesterday as against 3,190 tonnes in 2008 and just 49 tonnes last year when the state had a poor crop. According to sources, 45,000 bags of the fruit are stacked by the roadsides in various collection centres as trucks were not available for transportation to either the processing plant or the nearest market. In fact, they have already begin to rot and if not transported out immediately, the government might incur heavy loss in procurement. Short supply of trucks is the main reason as the available vehicles are readily hired by growers who are willing to pay almost double the government-approved rates to send their produce to the market. They were paying upto Rs 85 per box for transportation from Jubbal to Delhi while the approved rate was Rs 45 per box. However, government procurement agencies like the HPMC and HIMFED are bound to pay only the approved rates and little surprise that they are not getting any vehicle. The government was trying to engage trucks available with various departments and public sector undertakings (PSUs) for the purpose. However, so far, nothing has been done. In 2008 too, when 45,000 tonnes of apple were procured under the MIS, about 90,000 bags had rotted by the roadsides. This year when the state is heading for a record crop of over 3 crore boxes, over 65,000 tonnes will be procured and if no effective steps were taken for prompt transportation of the fruit, a large quantity may be spoiled. Meanwhile, incessant rains during the past 48 hours had affected plucking of fruit and caused more damage to roads. As a result, a number of apple trucks leaving the state everyday came down from the peak of 1,265 to 822 yesterday. The rate in Delhi market has further declined and the best quality royal delicious variety is being sold under Rs 1,000 per box. Traffic jams on the Theog-Hatkoti road have become worse as the Chhaila-Solan road and the the Lal Dhank-Rajban Rohru highway are blocked for the past five days. Various link roads in Chopal, Rohru, Kotkhai and Theog areas are also blocked due to landslides. |
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Govt fails to regulate private varsities
Solan, August 22 The manner in which seven private universities had come up in Solan district alone proved that it was easier to open a university than to run a college in the state. With little stress on maintaining requisite standards in infrastructure vis-à-vis norms of national regulatory authorities these universities ended up running plethora of courses in a limited infrastructure. For instance, a single professional course required several acres of land as per the mandate of the state government while universities running several courses had sprung up within smaller areas. It was this an ironical situation that running a college required more land while a university running several courses could function on a much smaller space. MD of LR Institute of Professional Courses Pratima Sharma, while lamenting this disparity in norms, said the state government should at least adopt the minimum land area norms while according permission to these private universities or else relax norms for professional colleges. While in the case of latter officials of Himachal Pradesh University ensured that even an inch of land was not less than the required norm the universities seem to be getting away with running plethora of courses at times in the same buildings. The newly set up private Chitkara university executed its counselling in Chandigarh thus harassing its students. Despite approaching various MLAs with their grievance, the students failed to get any justice. With no proper counselling procedure much chaos was witnessed at another university at Baddi which was recently given university status. The government failed to initiate action against Manav Bharti, another university running near Kumarhatti, even after its own committee detected irregularities in its functioning. Though the HP Private Educational Institutions (Regulatory Commission) Bill has been introduced in the Vidhan Sabha, it remains to be seen how soon it becomes a law to check the erring universities who are fleecing the students to make an easy buck. |
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ASI to bring out book on Masrur temple
Dharamsala, August 22 When asked, ASI officials said their department was in the process of bringing out a book regarding the temple. However, a book by Prof NK Singh, former chairman of the International Airports Authority of India, “Coronation of Shiva Rediscovering Masrur temple”, has tried to resolve the mystery of the temple. Masrur temple is one of the four monolithic rock-cut temples in the country. Two of these, including Kailash of Ellora and Mamlapuram in Deccan, are famous across the world. The third is Dhamnar located in Rajasthan. While the other three temples are in a pit or on the ground, Masrur is unique due to the fact that it is located on a hill top at a height of about 2,500 ft above the sea level. Legend has it that like many temples in the region, Masrur temple was also built by the Pandavas. However, Prof Singh opined that the temple was built likely between 6th and 8th century AD. He based his opinion on the fact that before this period, there was no evidence of rock-cut temples in the country. He studied various kings who ruled the area during the time, including King Harshvardhan who ruled Jalandher state during the 6th century, Yashoverdhan, Lalitaditya ruler of Kashmir, Jayapal and Prithvi Chand. By deliberating on the fact that the king who built the temple was a Lord Shiva devotee and had huge resources, Singh concluded that most likely it was Yashoverdhan who got the temples built. The Masrur temple is believed to have been cut out of a single rock measuring 160 feet in length and 105 feet in width. Shuttleworth was the first British civil servant who mentioned about the structure of Masrur temples. The entire theme of carving revolves around festivity and coronation of Lord Shiva. Singh, while talking to The Tribune, said though he had spent two years on researching the fact regarding the temple, much needed to be done. “It can be a world heritage site if the government takes the temple seriously,” he added. |
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Plantation Scheme
Mandi, August 22 The department is roping in villagers, who are otherwise alienated from forests, through MNREGA, for building van sarovars in each forest range. The department has distributed over 1.76 medicinal plants for applicants under the “Apna Van Apna Dhan” (AVAD) scheme, a new name for the “Jan Jan Sanjivni Abhiyan” launched two years ago, this rainy season in the district. However, the department has a long way to go to rate the success of scheme. In a population of over 10 lakh in the district, over 3,330 applicants have applied for the AVAD scheme this year. The Forest Department expects that it will pick up once they release its economic benefits, officials said. Conservator of forests BD Suyal said the Forest Department had made villagers as stakeholders in forest management under the AVAD. “We have distributed over 1.76 lakh saplings of medicinal plants to over 3,330 applicants for private plantation,” he added. Suyal said the department was constructing van sarovars in each of the 24 forest ranges in the district this year using MNREGA funds. “MNREGA card holders will be involved in the scheme”. He said van sarovars would conserve soil moisture, collect rainwater that in turn would benefit local villagers and ecology. Suyal said they were also planting saplings, out of which 25 per cent were medicinal plants in constituency-wise Van Mahotsav. “We will cover 1,150 hectares of forest under the fresh plantation this year,” he added. When asked about the survival rate of saplings planted on private land, Suyal said it had turned out to be 65 per cent. More and more people would come forward once they release its economic benefits. He said the department was planting trees like deodar, baan and other native species on the forest land and in over 400 hectares under the CAT plan. “We expect good survival rates as rains are good this year,” he hoped. |
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Indira market complex in shambles
Mandi, August 22 Three councillors of the Mandi Municipal Council had lodged their protest with the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, stating that the council had announced to spend Rs 2 lakh for replacing the railings and renovating toilets at the market complex, but the condition had turned from bad to worse. Three councillors included former president Sushila Sonkhla, Gagan Kashyap and Sarita Handa. They have pleaded the DC to take action under the Municipal Act to mitigate the problems faced by residents and shopkeepers in the complex. They claimed that 90 per cent of railings have broken on the first floor of the complex and the toilets were stinking. Residents said various works under the Rs 12 crore HIMUDA project were being done in the town under the council. “However, nothing has been done to make the market complex safe for shoppers and visitors,” they added. On the other hand, shopkeepers resented that the roof of the complex leaked from various places, ruining their goods and products. The council expects us to pay rent without improving the amenities in the complex, they said. Three councillors of the opposite camp claimed that the council had passed a resolution under its president HR Vaidya that it would spend Rs 2 lakh on the repair of railings and toilets way back in December 2009. However, the council has not spent a penny on this even under the Rs 12 crore HIMUDA project under progress in the town, they charged. Though the DC was on leave, Vaidya said tender for repairs had been done and work would start soon. The DC has inspected the complex on June 16 and agreed to do the repair work, he added. |
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Nathpa Jhakri resumes generation after 17 days
Shimla, August 22 The project, which was doing exceptionally well during the current financial year until it was shut down, has fallen behind the target of generation by a over 450 million units. The generation was resumed as discharge in the Sutlej, which had crossed 2,300 cumecs in the first week of August, came down to 1,300 cumecs. The level of silt also came down to 4,000 ppm (parts per million) as there has been no rain in the catchment of Spiti, a major tributary, though lower areas are still experiencing widespread rain. So far, the project has been shut down four times due to excessive silt during the current season. In all, 24 days of generation has been lost, so far, as against 16 days, including five days for flushing the reservoir, allowed under the memorandum of understanding signed with the Union Ministry of Power and the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). The projects have generated 3,600 million units, so far, in the current financial year as against the target of 4,050 million units. The latest closure of Nathpa Jhakri project has deprived the Nigam of revenue amounting to Rs 160 crore as it daily generates 36 million units of power worth Rs 9.5 crore. The Union Ministry of Power has set a target of 6,700 million units for the year. Last year, the project generated a record 7,012 million units against designed energy of 6,950 million units as the failure of monsoon proved to be a blessing in disguise as there was no problem of excessive silt in the river. |
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Holidays for 2011 notified
Shimla, August 22 Besides, Raksha Bandhan, Karva Chauth and Bhai Dhuj falling on August 13 and October 15 and October 28, 2011, respectively, have been declared a holiday for all women employees, including daily-wage women employees, covered under the Negotiable Instrument Act. The gazetted holidays include Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday on January 5, Statehood Day (January 25) and Republic Day (January 26), Guru Ravidas Jayanti on February18, Mahashivratri (March 2), Holi (March 20), Ram Navmi (April 12), Dr BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary on April 14, Himachal Day on April 15, Budh Purnima (May 17), Saint Guru Kabir Jayanti (June 15), Independence Day (August 15), Janamashtami (August 22), Id-ul-Fitr (August 31), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), Dusehra (October 6), Maharishi Balmiki Jayanti (October 11) and Diwali (October 26), Id-ul-Zuha (November 7), Guru Nanak’s Birthday (November 10), Muharram (December 6) and Christmas (December 26). The restricted holiday declared for 2011 include Makar Sankranti and Lohri (January 14), Bansant Panchami (February 8), Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e-Milad (February 16), Swami Dayanand Jayanti (February 27), Mahavir Jayanti (April 16), Good Friday (April 22), Easter (April 24), Parshu Ram Jayanti (May 5), Hazrat Ali’s Birthday (June 16), Maha Ashtami (October 4), Goverdhan Puja (October 27), eve of Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day (November 24) and Christmas (December 24). |
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India can play vital role in world peace: Dalai Lama
Manali, August 22 He further added that Buddhism was not a religion but science. He said the Buddhist philosophy taught one to be compassionate towards others and if one failed to do that, the person should refrain from being unkind towards the other. Modernisation is important for development but one should not ignore spiritual development as well, he added. He further added that the basic essence of all religions was same and good teachings should be given an important position in day-to-day life. The Dalai Lama also said as many as 5,000 Buddhist monks from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh were studying the Buddhist philosophy now. The Dalai Lama held a public audience at a monastery in Manali where he delivered a sermon. A large number of people from the Buddhist community from Manali and neighbouring districts were a part of the audience. In fact, a few foreigners were also present during the function. |
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Women lecturers rendered jobless
Kangra, August 22 The lecturers alleged that both Baijnath College and Nagrota Bagwan College were run by the same management of the Sanatan Dharam Sabha, but Baijnath College was taken over by the government and the staff there were adjusted in the
same college. However, women lecturers said they had served in the college for almost 20 years, but after the government set up another college in the town, they were rendered jobless. They said they had been left unemployed at such a point of time when they had no other job opportunities. They sought the intervention of Chief Minister PK Dhumal in providing them a job opportunity as was done in the case of lecturers of SD College, Baijnath. |
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‘Promote ethics in research among medicos’
Kangra, August 22 This was stated by director of Chimnaya Organisation for Rural Development Dr Khema Matri while chairing a meeting of the Ethical Committee of Dr RP Government Medical College, Tanda. The 10-member committee, which met for the first time at the TMC recently, was of the opinion that research work should be for the betterment of the humanity as a whole. Khema said the committee would follow the guidelines of the Indian Council of Medical Research, adding that the principal investigator should be ethically responsible for the safety of a person, besides legal and social aspect of research work. She said the committee’s job was not only to pass the protocol, but also to see that it was complied in letter and spirit. Member secretary of the committee Dr Parveen Sharma said the committee was of the opinion that there was ignorance about ethics in research among medical professionals and it was the responsibility of the committee to educate the fraternity about it. |
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Rs 25 lakh for synthetic track
Shimla, August 22 Appreciating the gesture, Dhumal said provision of synthetic track would go a long way in developing the popular tourist destination as an important centre for sports activities. The government was making efforts to create quality infrastructure in the state so that it could host more and more national
and international-level sports events. The Chief Minister said by providing funds for the synthetic track the company had set an example of participation of private sector in development sports infrastructure. |
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Ex-bureaucrat booked for attempt to rape
Solan, August 22 Additional SP Ramesh Pathania said it was a knock on the door that led the bureaucrat to open the door and flee the spot. Though attempts were later made to hush up the matter by offering some cash, it failed to yield any result. The police was informed around 9.45 pm about the incident, but they failed to nab the officer who had fled before their arrival. The girl’s parents who work as labourers had gone to attend to their work when the incident took place. They came back around 8 pm even though they were informed by neighbours about the mishap much earlier. A case under Sections 376 and 511 of the IPC has been registered and efforts are on to trace the bureaucrat. It was worth mentioning that the former official was earlier too facing charges of harassment by a woman colleague while he was a serving officer in the state government. The woman had then approached the state women’s commission with the complaint. |
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Boy drowned
Hamirpur, August 22 Meanwhile, one of the boys, Aman Dhiman, a resident of Hamirpur, lost his balance and slipped into the khud. To save him, the other friend also ventured into the water. While Aman died, the other boy was referred to Tanda Medical College.
— TNS
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