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Himachalis grow in number, literacy
300 Tibetans to be deported
No jagrata should defy pollution norms: HC
BJP blames Cong for rising inflation
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CPM’s protest against BJP begins today
2 killed, 15 hurt as bus falls into rivulet
Jail for 2 in charas seizure case
4 convicted for attacking minor
Sushant, Saini may face action
3 judicial officers shifted
Shortage of LPG cylinders in Hamirpur
Civil Supplies Corpn gives Rs
31 lakh to relief fund
IIT, agri dept come to farmers’aid
Teachers contest VC’s claim
Nod to Rs 1 cr project for Tanda hospital
Water filters for HPTDC hotels
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Himachalis grow in number, literacy
The decadal (2001-2011) growth rate came down to 12.81 from 17.54 (1991-2001), which was less than 17.64 per cent for the country, and the state accounted for only 0.57 per cent of the country’s population. Males (34,73,892) accounted for 50.67 per cent of the population as against 50.81 per cent in 2001 and females (33,82,617) for 49.33 per cent up from 49.19 per cent in the last Census. The overall sex ratio improved from 968 to 974 but there was a decline in six out of the 12 districts. Hamirpur had the highest ratio of 1096 (down from 1099) and the tribal Kinnaur the lowest at 818 (down from 857). The other districts which showed a falling trend were Kangra (1025 to 1013), Mandi (1013 to 1012), Una (997 to 977) and Bilaspur (990 to 981).
The tribal Lahual-Spiti registered the maximum improvement of 114 (802 to 916) followed by Solan 32 (852 to 884), Chamba 30 (959 to 989), Kullu 23 (927 to 950), Shimla 20 (896 to 916) and Sirmour 14 (901 to 915). In fact, the sex ratio had been steadily improving since 1901 (884) with every Census except 2001 when it declined from 976 to 968. Females still outnumber males in Kangra, the most populous district, Mandi and
Hamirpur.
The overall literacy rate rose from 76.48 to 83.78. The increase was 5.48 (85.35 to 90.83) for males and 9.18 (67.42 to 76.60) for females. Hamirpur district topped with a literacy rate of 89.01 (95.28 for males and 83.44 for females), followed by Una (87.23), Kangra (86.49), Bilaspur (85.67), Solan (85.02),Shimla (84.55), Mandi (82.81), Kinnaur (80.77), Kulu (80.14), Sirmaur (79.98), Lahual-Spiti (77.24) and Chamba (73.19). The population density increased to 123 from 109 persons per sq km over the period. Hamirpur had the highest density of 406 persons per sq km and Lahaul-Spiti 2 persons per sq km. Other high density districts are Una (338), Bilaspur (327), Solan (298) and Kangra (263). Kinnaur (13), Kullu (79) and Chamba (80) were among those with low density. Kangra accounted for the highest 21.98 per cent of the total population, followed by Mandi (14.58), Shimla (11.86), Solan (8.41), Sirmaur (7.73), Una (7.60), Chamba (7.57), Hamirpur (6.63), Kullu (6.38), Bilaspur (5.57) Kinnaur (1.23) and Lahaul-Spiti (0.46) The percentage of population in the 0-6 age group declined from 13.05 in 2001 to 11.14 , the decline was more in males 2.02 (13.55 to 11.53) compared to 1.79 (12.53 to 10.74) in case of female which was a positive sign.
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300 Tibetans to be deported
Dharamsala, April 1 The Tibetans had come to India on a special entry permit through Nepal on the pretext of paying homage to the Dalai Lama. Most of them were given permission to stay in McLeodganj for periods ranging from 3 to 6 months. However, they did not return within the stipulated period. Some of them have been staying here for the past few years despite the fact that the special entry permit issued to them has expired. Nobody cared about the overstaying Tibetan pilgrims till the Karmapa controversy broke out in February this year. After that, the police collected a data regarding the Tibetans staying illegally in Dharamsala. The data revealed that over 300 Tibetans did not return. SP, Kangra, Diljeet Thakur said: “After collecting the data, we had taken up the matter of the overstaying Tibetan pilgrims with the Central Tibetan Administration. They were allowed to stay here till March 31. Now that the time limit has passed, we will write to the Central Tibetan Administration and the Ministry of External Affairs regarding this. If the pilgrims do not go back on their own, their deportation proceedings will be initiated”, he said. Sources revealed that most of the Tibetans coming to India first report to the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ office in Nepal. The ministry issued them a special entry permit that was a kind of visa after which they were allowed to visit India. Many Tibetans visit India to undertake studies in the Tibetan Buddhism in monasteries established here by the Dalai Lama. Earlier Chinese authorities were also liberal towards the Tibetans sending their wards to India to learn the Tibetan Buddhism. However, after the riots in Tibet just before Beijing Olympics, the Chinese authorities have imposed curbs against Tibetan employees who used to send their children for studies in Tibetan schools and monasteries in India.
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No jagrata should defy pollution norms: HC
The court further clarified that this direction was not confined to jagratas but to all social and religious functions. Jagratas could be held but there should be no noise pollution. The court also directed all SPs and inspectors to ensure that pressure horns were not used on automobiles within the state. While passing this order, a green bench comprising Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Rajiv Sharma observed, “This court has repeatedly held that once the government has laid down the standards both for ambient air quality as well as the maximum decibel limits to which instruments and noise making devices can be played, it is the duty of the state to ensure that such notification is complied with in letter and spirit. There is no use of issuing notifications and laying down standards if on the ground these standards are not maintained and the officials charged with the responsibility of ensuring the maintenance of such standards totally abdicate their duties and functions.” The bench further observed that the authorities charged with maintaining the noise standards were not carrying out their duty. There were hardly 3-4 challans under the Noise Pollution Act. “The authorities may be deaf but we certainly are not. Even in court, we hear pressure horns and loud music being played day in and day out. This court can take notice of the fact and we have experienced that there is widespread violation of the noise pollution norms.” The bench further observed, “It is obvious that something is not right in our system. It is also obvious that the officers, who have been charged with the duty of maintaining such standards, are not doing their duty. There can be no dispute with the point urged on behalf of the petitioner that noise pollution has grave and serious consequences. It has great ill-effects on the health of the populace of the state. The bench also directed all authorities to ensure that they perform this duty in letter and spirit.” The bench cautioned the authorities that in case this court found that violations had taken place and the SPs and district magistrates had not taken any action, it would not hesitate to initiate contempt proceedings against the officials also. The court further listed the matter on May 13.
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BJP blames Cong for rising inflation
Shimla, April 1 In a resolution passed during the two-day meeting of the state executive of the party which concluded last evening, the party alleged the Centre had given a long rope to the black marketers and it had also failed to keep the prices of essential commodities like diesel, kerosene, cooking gas, wheat, rice and sugar as a result of which the life of the common man had become miserable. Rampant corruption had also fuelled the prices and the unravelling of one scam after the other like the 2G spectrum, the CWG and the Adarsh Society had sullied the image of the country. The evasive approach of the government to probe the sources of black money had shown Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in bad light. The government was reluctant to take action in the matter despite the direction of the apex court which also made some serious observations regarding the perfunctory investigations being carried out by the police. In another resolution, the party appreciated the achievements of the Dhumal government. |
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CPM’s protest against BJP begins today
Shimla, April 1 The party attacked the policies of the Dhumal government at its three-day meeting which concluded here today and took a serious notice of the dilution of the Section 118 of Land Reforms and Tenancy Act by opening the floodgates for the entry of real estate speculators. The party targeted the BJP for allowing the benami land transactions in lieu of granting relaxation under Section 118 and alleged that a large number of such deals were taking place at the behest of BJP activists. It condemned the decision to close down more than 700 bus routes and maintained that it was a ploy to privatise the routes. It was not surprising that BJP leaders Rajan Sushant and Hari Narayan Saini were openly criticising their own party and government and participating in people’s protests for roads, employment and other issues. A strong nexus of politicians, businessmen, bureaucrats, corporates and contractors had emerged and in one case, a superintendent of police was in the dock. All this had impelled Sushant to demand that the Chief Minister should undertake a narco test. The party was at a loss to understand the reluctance of the government to provide any land to the local Himachalis but at the same time had allow large-scale benami transations and encroachments by Tibeteans. The first protest demonstration will be held on April 2 in front of the Shimla Municipal Corporation office for outsourcing the supply and distribution of water into private hands.
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2 killed, 15 hurt as bus falls into rivulet
Chamba, April 1 The report revealed that on receiving the information about the accident, SDM Rohit Rathore and chief medical officer Dr.Rakesh Verma along with a team of doctors, police and Home Guards jawans rushed to the accident site to carry out relief and rescue operations. The deceased had been identified as Usuf and Sukura Patni, the report said, adding that the bodies of the deceased had been handed over to their kin after the post-mortem examination. The injured had been identified as Akbar, Mohd, Suman, Sanjeev Kumar, Asho Ram, Gian Chand, Umesh Kumar, Gulam Rasul, Ismile, Maneesh Kumar, Basheer Mohd, Aasan Deen, Yog Singh, Pawan Kumar and Akbar Khan, the driver of the bus. All occupants of the bus were the residents of the surrounding areas and daily commuters travelling by bus towards the Chamba town. The injured were brought to the regional hospital, Chamba, with the help of the locals who were undergoing medical treatment, the report confirmed. The administration had distributed an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 each to the next of the kin of the deceased while the seriously injured had been provided Rs 5,000 each and minor injured Rs 3,000 each. An inquiry had been instituted into the accident to ascertain the cause of mishap, the report said, adding that a case had also been registered by the police. In another accident, the lone driver of a Bolero killed on the spot when his Bolero swerved off the road and fell into the Ravi near Gehra on the Chamba-Bharmour highway. The deceased had been identified as Bhagi, resident of Darwin village of the district.
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Jail for 2 in charas seizure case
Bilaspur, April 1 In default of payment of fine, they would undergo simple imprisonment for three months under Sections 20 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Earlier District Attorney Shamsher Singh Kaushal told the court that these two accused were caught by the CIA staff team led by SI Bhoop Singh on April 22, 2007, after a secret information, in a raid on a dhaba at Kandraur.
— TNS |
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4 convicted for attacking minor
Nurpur, April 1 It was a
much-publicised case in which Munish had received an injury in his right eye when the accused had an altercation with his parents at their home. A stone thrown by one of the accused had hit the child and as a result Munish had lost his eyesight. According to additional district attorney Bhisham
Chand, the court after convicting the accused has fixed the next hearing on April 18 for pronouncement of punishment.
— OC |
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Sushant, Saini may face action
Shimla, April 1 An indication to this effect was given by Kalraj Misra, national vice-president and in charge of party affairs in the state who was here for a two-day meeting of the state executive. The two leaders have been openly critical of the government and causing embarrassment to the party. While Sushant had even joined public protests against the government, Saini had put the ruling party in an awkward position in the Vidhan Sabha by saying that there had been no development in his constituency. While addressing a meeting, Misra firmly said indiscipline would not be tolerated at any cost and action would be taken against all those who cross the “Laxman Rekha” irrespective of the stature. He said the party had taken a serious notice of the conduct of the two members. Party sources said Misra would discuss the issue with the high-command and action was likely to be initiated only thereafter. Misra also reviewed the programme to bring the government and party cadres closer under which ministers were asked to hold meetings across the state to listen to their grievances. He also exhorted the party men to make the mass contact programme to expose the acts of omission and commission of the UPA regime. A committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Praveen Sharma for organising the programme. The meeting adopted two resolutions, one highlighting the achievements of the Dhumal government and the other castigating the UPA government at the Centre for discrimination against the state.
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3 judicial officers shifted
Shimla April 1 As per the notification issued by the registry of the court, D.K. Sharma, registrar (Subordinate Judiciary & Judicial) transferred and his services placed at the disposal of the state government for his appointment as presiding officer, Labour Court/Industrial Tribunal, Shimla. While RL Azad, president, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Shimla, transferred and posted as District and Sessions Judge, Hamirpur, against the vacant post. DS Khenal, presiding officer, Labour Court/Industrial Tribunal, Shimla, transferred and his services placed at the disposal of the state government for appointment as president, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Shimla.
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Shortage of LPG cylinders in Hamirpur
Hamirpur, April 1 Expressing concern over delay in distribution of the cylinder refills, the ZP member said residents of Anu, Mati Tihra, Sarahkad, Kuthera, Majhog, Tibbi, Amroh, Bassi and Jhaniara panchayats were not being supplied the LPG refills. He said, “The Hamirpur gas agency is not supplying the LPG cylinder refills in these villages as a result the residents have to walk several miles to get a refill, which has led to great resentment among them.” Drawing the attention towards a notification issued by the district administration on fixing rates of the LPG cylinder refill for these villages, the villagers have alleged that the gas company was not supplying them cylinder refills. Joginder has urged the DC to direct upon the gas agency staff to provide timely supply of the LPG cylinder refills to the consumers.
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Civil Supplies Corpn gives Rs 31 lakh to relief fund
Shimla, April 1 Padam Singh Chauhan, Managing Director, and other senior officers of the corporation accompanied him as they made a contribution towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Dhumal congratulated the management of the corporation for earning a record profit during the financial year 2009-10, when the corporation made a turnover of Rs 1,123 crore registering an increase of Rs 73 crore over the preceding year and earned a net profit of Rs 189.55 lakh. He appreciated the commercial activities of the corporation, which had been instrumental in earning record profits with every passing year. He said the Civil Supplies Corporation happened to be one of the profit earning public sector undertaking of the state government, which through diversified commercial activities was earning profit.
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IIT, agri dept come to farmers’aid
Mandi, April 1 Ram Subhag said the IIT would provide the technology for the post-harvest management that would help farmers in growing vegetables and fruits both in farms and poly-houses across the state. Sometimes farmers face glut and have no idea as how to manage the post-harvest phase of their produce, he added. Singh said the state government was now promoting the poly-house scheme among the marginal and below the poverty line farmers to raise their income levels. |
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Teachers contest VC’s claim
Shimla, April 1 It pointed out that even if the Executive Council had taken a decision under the provision, the same was referred back. In the instant case, the issue was that on what rationale BJP MLA Suresh Bhardwaj decided that a post of professor in Pahari Language and Culture, crucial to the development and growth in the study of the state’s cultural heritage, would be abolished and transferred to the physics department which already had a good number of Professors? Further, the move had been initiated at a time when the interviews for the post of professors had already taken place and a selection committee had made its recommendations. Obviously, it was an attempt to adjust all three candidates who appeared in the interview held on February 26, 2011, only for 2 posts. The position of professor in each and every discipline in a university should be linked to some specialisation. Whatever justification the vice-chancellor might give, the fact remained that the entire exercise was carried out in a hush hush manner and warranted a probe. His assertions that all members were informed of item numbers 17, 18 and 27 were misplaced as two member, Waryam Singh Bains and professor Balkrishan, had pointed out this lapse and they were shocked to see the Item 27 as approved in final proceedings. The association reiterated that it was done with malafide intention. It invited the vice-chancellor and Suresh Bhardwaj for an open debate on the irregularities which had been taking place in the university due to political interference. The Executive Council needed a visionary and not the politicians and bureaucrats. The whole episode had been brought to the notice of the Governor and the association had urged her to probe the affairs of the university and also demanded that the meeting of the Academic Council scheduled for tomorrow should be cancelled. |
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Nod to Rs 1 cr project for Tanda hospital
Dharamsala, April 1 Dr NL Sharma, professor, skin department, said, “This is not a very common disease for the state. There were no signs of this disease before 1988 and then a few cases were detected in 1992. But after that a study revealed that the numbers of cases had been increasing every year and at least 200-300 patients were being diagnosed every year with the disease in Rampur only.” Sharma said the disease had been found in the upper parts of the state like Shimla, Kinnaur, Rampur and Mandi. It occured on the exposed part of the skin and takes two-three years to heal. He disclosed that the teams would be sent to the areas where patients had been found with this disease. Another disease showing signs of occurrence in the state is “Kala Azar” or “Black Fever”. It is again a very rare disease for the state. Around 21 cases were diagnosed in 2008. There is a need to carry out a research to find out the root cause. It is believed that it spreads with the bite of a sand fly. The Black Fever has been responsible for the deaths of five lakh people in Bihar. |
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Water filters for HPTDC hotels
Shimla, April 1 In the first phase, these facilities have been provided at Goofa-Ashiana, Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala and Dalhousie complexes for the convenience of tourists and general public free of charge. Managing director of the corporation Vineet Kumar said the facility was being provided at the Hotel Pinewood, Barog, Apple Cart Inn, Kiarighat, Apple Blossom, Fagu, Lake View, Bilaspur and Hamir, Hamirpur which were located on the main highways.
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Chamba, April 1
Shimla, April 1
Shimla, April 1