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Rs 3,700-crore annual
plan for 2012-13
Shanta loyalists air grouses
Electricity tariff may be revised on monthly basis
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Budget session from March 9
Heavy snow throws life out of gear
Cong leader Upamanyu joins Lokhit Party
2 held in missing girl case
Kol Dam to be completed by 2013
Two-day ENT camp concludes
Property worth Rs 1 lakh destroyed
Student commits suicide
Power men to hold protests from Feb 22
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Rs 3,700-crore annual
plan for 2012-13
Shimla, February 13 Stating this while initiating discussions with MLAs for finalising the priorities here today, Chief Minister PK Dhumal said the growth rate at 9.5 per cent was being fixed for the 12th Five-Year Plan period as compared to 9 per cent fixed at the national level. It would be a challenging task, but not difficult and would be achieved fully with the effective implementation of developmental schemes. As 2012-13 would be first year of the next five-year plan, it would be a trendsetter for the remaining years and go a long way in accelerating the pace of development. He urged the MLAs to give priority to the projects nearing completion so that the people could avail of the benefits at the earliest. He directed the officers to give utmost attention to the priorities of the MLAs and ensure that the contractors who did not complete work on time were blacklisted. Referring to the plan priorities, Dhumal said all possible steps were being taken to get the detailed project reports (DPRs) prepared at the earliest and forest clearances had been obtained from the Centre in 250 cases of which 148 were sent by the present government while 102 had been sent earlier. Referring to the implementation of schemes under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), he said with the efforts of the government, the spending in 13 of the 29 segments had improved from Rs 20 crore and now ranged between Rs 30 and Rs 50 crore. Nand Lal (Rampur) wanted the evolvement of a mechanism for the time-bound preparation of DPRs of road projects and urged for connecting the Pandrah-Beesh area with a motorable road, while Khushi Ram Balnahata (Rohru) stressed for the early completion of the Rohal road and the construction of a bus stand at Rohru, re-location of the subzi mandi and sought additional funds for BPharma College and Seema Degree College. Vidya Stokes (Kumarsain) wanted advance preparedness to meet the challenges posed by heavy snowfall, check the monkey menace, deployment of trained pump operators and schoolteachers. Subhash Manglate (Chopal) wanted snow cutters for snow-bound areas and replacement of old machinery, while Rakesh Verma (Theog) underlined the need for allotment of IPH projects exclusively to one contractor and review school upgrade norms. Suresh Bhardwaj (Shimla) demanded the creation of a capital fund for the development of Shimla, construction of more parking slots and tunnels in the town, and long-term planning for drinking water supply scheme from the Sutlej. Sohan Lal (Kasumpti) urged for the construction of general and zonal hospitals in rural Shimla, sewerage schemes for Shoghi and Ghanahatti towns and development of tourist spots in the segment. MLAs of Solan, Sirmour, Mandi, Chamba and Bilaspur also gave their priorities. Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu said the plan priorities were being reviewed frequently by a high-powered committee through meetings and asked the officers to ensure the effective implementation of the priorities given by the MLAs. |
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Shanta loyalists air grouses
Shimla, February 13 National BJP secretary JP Nadda and secretary Shyam Jaju today continued parleys with senior leaders, including ministers and MLAs, to take stock of the party affairs in the state. Though the endeavour of the whole exercise was to contain dissidence, what became evident is the fact that the state BJP is divided into two camps, literally at war with each other, with chances of a ceasefire being nowhere in sight. A majority of the leaders owning allegiance to former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar minced no words in stating that there was rampant corruption and nepotism, resulting in the party image being sullied. They accused the government of deliberately trying to marginalise Shanta loyalists by discriminating against their constituencies in development works. They went to the extent of commenting that a sitting Congress legislator from Kangra had far more say in the government than they or any other BJP leader had. They also openly expressed displeasure at the high-handedness of a minister from Kangra who was interfering in their Assembly segments. They also lamented the sidelining of some senior leaders who had now formed a separate political outfit and the fallout of the move for the BJP. Shanta loyalists who expressed their views before the central team included Industries Minister Kishan Kapoor, MLA from Rohru Khushi Ram Balnahata, MLA from Sulah Vipin Parmar and district BJP president of Kangra Ranjit Pathania. Another Shanta loyalist, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ramesh Dhawala, and other MLAs, including Praveen Sharma, are likely to place their views before Nadda and Jaju tomorrow. A majority of the ministers, including Gulab Singh Thakur, Ravinder Singh Ravi, Rajiv Bindal and Jai Ram Thakur, chief parliamentary secretaries and party legislators also met the central leaders and gave suggestions to strengthen the party for the Assembly poll. Last night, a meeting of state officer-bearers and district party chiefs was held in the presence of Chief Minister PK Dhumal, state party chief Khimi Ram, Nadda and Jaju. The two will return to Delhi tomorrow and apprise party chief Nitin Gadkari of the state of affairs in Himachal. |
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Electricity tariff may be revised on monthly basis
Shimla, February 13 At present, the power tariff is revised annually on the basis of the annual revenue requirement (ARR) and any additional costs incurred by the distribution companies during the year is taken care of in the “true up” next year. The losses have been piling up due to the increasing revenue gap and also due to the fact that the distribution companies in some states are not filing tariff petitions at all. As a result, the combined losses of the state power boards have crossed Rs 1 lakh crore. Concerned over the mounting losses, which have put a big question mark over the sustainability of some state power boards, the Union Ministry of Power, the Forum of Regulators (FoR) and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) in order to remedy the situation have, after detailed consultations, decided to frame model regulations for determining the tariff. Accordingly, the state regulatory commission will have in place a mechanism for adjustment of incremental fuel and power purchase, preferably on a monthly basis, on the lines of the CERC regulations for the generating companies, but in no case exceeding a quarter within six months. Further, in the determination of the tariff, the revenue gaps ought not be left and regulatory asset should not be created as a matter of course, except where it is justifiable in accordance with the tariff policy and the regulations. The recovery of the regulatory asset should be time bound and within a period not exceeding three years. The state electricity regulatory commission has already framed the draft regulations as per which the incremental cost on account of variation in fuel surcharge will be computed and charged on the basis of actual variation in fuel prices and the cost approved in the tariff order and shall not be computed on the basis of estimated or expected variation in fuel surcharge. The incremental cost on power purchase on account of short-term requirement over and above the approved quantum due to any factor beyond the control of the distribution licensee will be directly passed on to the customer without prior approval of the commission. However, the cost of such power will be allowed at the weighted average price of power exchange rates and bilateral market purchases for the same quarter. The new regulations will be notified after taking into consideration the objections and suggestions of the stakeholders.
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Budget session from March 9
Shimla, February 13 A notification to this effect was issued here today. There will be 21 sittings in all and the session will conclude on April 6. As it is the first session of the calendar year, the proceedings will start with the customary Governor’s Address. The Budget for 2012-13 will be presented by Chief Minister PK Dhumal, who holds the finance portfolio, on March 19. Two days have been marked for private members’ business and besides the Budget and motion of thanks on the Governor’s Address, the House will also pass the supplementary demands for 2011-12.
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Heavy snow throws life out of gear
Manali, February 13 The tourist town of Manali and its adjoining areas had the season’s heaviest snowfall since yesterday. Intense cold wave conditions are prevailing in the upper Manali region following a fresh spell of snowfall. The national highway between Manali and Kullu was blocked near Kalath due to avalanche this morning. The avalanche hit the road at Bindu Dhog, about 7 km from here. The vehicular traffic in the entire upper Manali region was disrupted due to heavy snowfall and a thick layer of snow on the roads. All long-route Manali-bound buses suspended their journey at Patlikulh, about 20 km from here today, causing great inconvenience to tourists and local residents. Local buses on the Manali-Naggar road also remained suspended today. Traffic on the Manali-Rohtang Pass road was also disrupted. Heavy snow has accumulated on the housetops, treestops and electric wires due to continuous snowfall in the region. In the wake of heavy snowfall since yesterday, residents of the entire upper Manali areas could be seen clearing snow from their rooftops today. Power and water supply were also disrupted by the fresh snowfall at a number of places in the upper Kullu valley. The entire upper Kullu valley reeled under arctic conditions with mercury hovering around the freezing point. Most of the people preferred to stay indoors. Kangra valley shivers
Kangra: The Kangra valley continued to reel under severe cold wave conditions on the second day on Monday after rain and icy cold winds lashed the Dhauladhar range, while its foot hills experienced fresh snowfall. The sky remained overcast throughout the day. The Dhauladhar range and its foot hills received a heavy snowfall this morning throwing normal life out of gear. Due to snowfall, the temperature dropped considerably, forcing the people to remain indoors. Kangra recorded minimum temperature of 3.1 degrees Celsius, 4 degrees below normal, and maximum temperature of 14.8 degrees. Reports of rain and severe cold wave conditions were received from different areas of the valley, which included Mallan, Shahpur, Dehra, Jawalamukhi, Nagrota Bagwan, Gaggal, and Ranital. Dharamsala and Kangra towns too received rain which left people shivering. Vehicular traffic hit
Chamba: After heavy downpour and fresh snowfall in the district for the past two days, the Chamba-Hadsar, Chamba-Bajol and Chamba-Satrundi highways have been closed due to landslips and deep crisp snow on the highways. Consequently, the transportation services were disrupted and normal life was affected in the region. According to reports, the Chamba-Shimla highway crossing over the high-altitude Jot Pass has been closed due to fresh snowfall. People in the snow-bound areas remained indoors. |
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Cong leader Upamanyu joins Lokhit Party
Shimla, February 13 He is a brother of former minister Shiv Kumar, a son of Jaywant Sharma, the first Speaker of the Himachal Vidhan Sabha, who founded the Bharat Sewa Samaj. Upamanyu said he had joined the newly set up party to help provide a third alternative to people of the state who were disillusioned with both the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress.
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2 held in missing girl case
Mandi, February 13 girl. The duo has been charged with abducting and kidnapping the minor girl under Sections 363, 366 and 120 B, IPC. The police has arrested the woman agent, identified as Maghi Devi (50), who runs a tea stall at Aut on the Kullu-Mandi stretch of the National Highway-21. She allegedly had sold the girl to Ajay Kumar (20) of Sujanpur. The police claimed that the boy had confessed to buy the girl from Maghi Devi. But later he married her and they started living together at Sujanpur, he told the police. On the other, the girl, after she was examined medically at the Mandi zonal hospital today, told the police that “she is now married to Ajay and is happy with him”. But parents of the girl, who also hail from the Aut area in the district and are economically poor, had lodged the complaint at Aut police station in December last, naming the local woman as an accused behind the missing of their daughter. With the arrest of the woman in the case, the police is investigating the role of Maghi Devi in the missing of other girls from the area. SP, Mandi, Abhishek Dular, said the police was questioning the duo and the girl. The accused have been sent to police custody after they were produced in the court today and investigation in the case was on, he added.
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Kol Dam to be completed by 2013
Sundernagar, February 13 He said majority of the project works was likely to be completed soon, the work of the dam would be completed by the end of this year and next year the generation would be started. With the completion of the project, which is situated on the border of Mandi and Bilaspur districts, the state government would get 12 per cent of free electricity and 15 per cent electricity at bus bar tariff. He said the construction of the Kol Dam would further enhance the life of the Bhakra Dam by 30 years. The AGM said the delay in project was due to geological surprises as the work was being done in open its depends upon the weather as it was rock-cum-gravel fill dam. He added that till January 31, 2012, the project authorities had already completed the work worth Rs 4,092 crore.
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Two-day ENT camp concludes
Kangra, February 13 PR Agnihotri, convener of the Kendra, said in view of the increasing hearing impairment cases in the state, particularly among women and children, the Kendra had been holding such camps here every month. He said Dr Sachdeva had examined 106 patients in the free OPD camp yesterday at Gopal Bagh, near here. Besides Kangra, patients from Hamirpur, Kullu, Una, Mandi, Chamba and Bilaspur districts also received the treatment. He said the Kendra had requested to hold the free surgical camp at Dr RP Government Medical College, Tanda, where equipment and surgical microscopes were available but were not being used for want of expertise. He added that the Kendra had also requested Health Minister Dr Rajeev Bindal time and again to allow such camps at Tanda so as to help the people who were in distress because of serious ENT problems and needed super specialised surgical intervention. He said the Kendra was trying to get a microscope and micro drill with micro instruments donated by some philanthropist of the country so that complicated surgeries, which were not being performed in the state, could be conducted at the Zonal Hospital, Dharamsala, in future.
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Property worth Rs 1 lakh destroyed
Bilaspur, February 13 Reports said the fire was detected when both Usha Devi and her daughter were in the house. The cause of the fire could not be known and was being investigated. A large number of people who immediately gathered on the spot helped in controlling the fire and preventing more damage to other houses and property nearby. The revenue authority is assessing the loss. Ghumarwin Nagar Parishad president Reeta Sehgal rushed to the spot and urged the district administration to provide immediate and suitable financial assistance to the family. |
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Student commits suicide
Solan, February 13 According to Baddi SP Gurdev Chand Sharma, the boy was a student of Swarghat-based Saraswati Vidya Mandir and his name had been struck off from the school rolls for remaining absent. This had become a cause of tension for the boy, which led him to leave his home last evening. Though he was directed to join classes, he failed to do so and continued to remain tense as he was to appear for board examinations. The boy reportedly went towards the nearby forest area and did not return home, which led his parents to search for him. Though his family members tried to contact him on his mobile phone number, they failed to get any response form his side. His body was found hanging with a tree early this morning by a passer-by who informed the nearby Jogo police post about the same. The SP said the autopsy report was yet to be received. Victim’s classmates and schoolteachers were also being questioned. His call details were also being verified by the police.
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Power men to hold protests from Feb 22
Shimla, February 13 General secretary of the union Hira Lal Verma alleged that the management was deliberately depriving employees of their legitimate and statutory rights and it was reluctant to resolve issues amicably by sitting across the table. The union had been left with no option but to lodge a strong protest to press for its demands. It had decided to launch mass demonstrations from February 22 onwards at various levels in the state. It would also hold gate meetings on February 28 during lunch hour in front of various offices of HPSEB Ltd. It demanded a regular meeting between the management and representatives of the union to discuss the various demands. It opposed the closure of board’s offices and outsourcing of work, and demanded the recruitment of technical and commercial staff at lower levels. The government must evolve a proper mechanism with regard to continuous disbursal of pension, gratuity and other social securities and allocate appropriate grant to the board in this regard. The tariff must cover the revenue gap and the entire amount of arrears from the BBMB projects be provided for creating a corpus for meeting the future pension liabilities. It also demanded the immediate release of financial benefits related to the revised pay scales such as arrears, enhanced allowances, mobile allowance and increase in gratuity to Rs 10 on the pattern of successor entities of the erstwhile PSEB. |
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