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Discrimination against Kangra due to Shanta, says Kaul Singh
Dhumal exhorts youth to transform society
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Dhumal may expand his ministry
Dhumal writes to PM
CPM seeks probe into purchase of books
Cong wants CBI probe in PDS ration scam
Anganwari workers to
observe strike on Feb 28
Faulty bus service irks passengers
Cement prices reduced
Woman commits suicide, in-laws held
Man ends his life
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Discrimination against Kangra due to Shanta, says Kaul Singh
Dharamsala, February 18 He alleged that though the BJP had been orchestrating itself as champion of lower areas, the present state government of the party had done maximum discrimination against Kangra district. Many offices of the IPH, PWD and Forest Department had been shifted from Kangra to Hamirpur district. Kaul Singh also alleged that this year the present government did not come to Dharamsala for winter sojourn. The winter sojourn in Kangra district had been reduced to mere formality by the present government. The practice of starting winter sojourn at Dharamsala was started by the Congress government. It was a general practice during the Congress stint in power that the Kangra area got due importance and many projects were announced during the winter sojourn. This had been done due to infighting in the BJP. Kangra was suffering during the rule of the present government as it was identified as stronghold of Shanta Kumar, Kaul Singh alleged. He also claimed that most of the projects that had come to Kangra district, including the Central University, National Institute of Fashion Design (NIFD) and Food and Craft Institute, had been financed and brought up by the UPA government. Kaul Singh alleged that the BJP was on the verge of disintegration in the state. The present government was facing charges of corruption from its own party members, ministers and MLAs. Apprehensions were also being expressed that senior-most BJP leader from the state Shanta Kumar might join the Lok Janhit Party formed by the splinter group of the BJP. Kaul Singh claimed that as per the information gathered by the Congress about 1.25 lakh bigga land had been sold to outsiders during the present stint of the BJP in power. Targeting the Minister of Health Rajiv Bindal, Kaul Singh alleged that his properties had grown exponentially during the present stint of the BJP government. The details of his properties would soon be made public by the Congress, he said. Kaul Singh also alleged that the 98 bigga land allotted to Acharya Bal Krishan, an aide of Baba Ramdev, in Solan district was illegal. Bal Krishan was not a citizen of the country as he was a Nepalese. The Congress would demand an inquiry by Central agencies into the land allotted to him by the present government. He said the state government had posted many tainted officers on key posts. Even the High Court had issue directions in a case of posting of certain officers at key posts by the present government. Kaul addressed a political rally organised by the Congress in the Shahpur Assembly constituency. |
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Dhumal exhorts youth to transform society
Shimla, February 18 Inaugurating two-day 6th international seminar on “Role of Youth in Social Transformation” organised by the World Organisation of Students and Youth (WOSY) here today, he said there was a huge mobilisation against privatisation in European countries where the unemployment problem was getting worse due increasing austerity measures by governments. The World Economic Forum, which met in Davos recently, devoted much attention to the problem and it had been a common view of all social thinkers that capitalism must become more inclusive and balanced and less prone to recurrent meltdowns. He criticised the system under which corporate houses were being given bailouts through tax cuts and other concessions without thinking of the welfare of the common man and weaker sections of the society. In many under-developed countries, healthcare continued to be an expensive privilege and much of the toiling world had simply no access to it. Dhumal cited the example of Africa and said the birth of South Sudan showed how societies ruptured when the government and states failed to deliver the goods to masses. Dr Rashmi Singh, Chairperson, WOSY, said winds of change were sweeping the globe and a series of protests were being witnessed even in the Arab world over the issues pertaining to governance, corruption and economic disparities. The youth were in the forefront of these movements for a change. Sunil Ambedkar, national organising secretary, said WOSY had adopted the “Vasudev Kutumbkam” (world is a family) as its theme for training youth to lead the world. |
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Dhumal may expand his ministry
Shimla, February 18 The appointment of Satpal will be announced as soon as party supremo Nitin Gadkari puts his seal of approval on the proposal worked out by the two-member review team comprising JP Nadda and Shyam Jaju, which had interacted with leaders, office-bearers and workers for three days. Gadkari, who is busy campaigning for the party in Uttar Pradesh, is likely to give his nod in a day or two. The high command is also keen to revamp the party organisation and once the new president takes over, there will be drastic changes to induct young blood and restore factional balance. Gadkari and Nadda are keen to bring in leaders with the ABVP background. Party sources said Dhumal may use the opportunity to fill the berth in the Cabinet, which has been lying vacant ever since Nadda resigned as the Forest Minister to join Gadkari’s team. However, Khimi Ram may not be the automatic choice and the honour of joining the ministry may go to Shimla MLA Suresh Bhardwaj, who has been waiting for the coveted post for the past one year. While the high command may not favour the induction of Khimi Ram in the ministry, it has already cleared the name of Bhardwaj after holding consultations with leaders of rival camps headed by Dhumal and Shanta Kumar. Moreover, elections to the Shimla Municipal Corporation is due in May and induction of Bhardwaj could help boost the party’s poll prospects. It will also help in restoring case balance as at present there is no Brahmin in the ministry. There are reports that Khimi Ram may be given the post of political adviser. Further, Satpal will have to give up the post of Chief Parliamentary Secretary and it remains to be seen whether or not Dhumal fills the vacancy. Names of Vipin Parmar, Randhir Sharma and Renu Chaddha have been in circulation. However, any such exercise could open a Pandora’s box keeping in view the fact that there were a large number of aspirants and many areas still unrepresented. |
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Dhumal writes to PM
Shimla, February 18 In a letter to the Prime Minister today, he stated that nobody could deny that the menace of terrorism needed to dealt sternly and for this no state would be found wanting in supporting the measures that the Centre might initiate. However, what was required was to adopt an approach based on consultation and consensus and not a blatant one-sided action without taking states into confidence. |
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CPM seeks probe into purchase of books
Shimla, February 18 It pointed out that the authorities, in departure from the past practice of awarding contracts to multiple parties in each district, gave a contract of over Rs 2 crore to a Ghaziabad-based party for Kangra, Shimla and Sirmaur and a Rs 1-crore contract to a proxy party from Bilaspur. The CPM alleged that heavy kickbacks were involved in the contract awarded in the guise on a first-come first-served basis and not on the relative strength of bids. It said the manner in which the contracts had been awarded smacked of deep-rooted conspiracy involving officials of the Education Department, ruling party supporters and contractors. The SSA formed a committee and on its recommendations story books were selected for purchasing from the National Book Trust (NBT). The funds were allocated to various districts comprising Kangra (Rs 1.20 crore), Shimla and Mandi (Rs 50 lakh each), Hamirpur (Rs 20 lakh), Bilaspur (Rs 22 lakh), Lahaul and Spiti (Rs 22 lakh), Chamba (Rs 35 lakh), Sirmaur (Rs 30 lakh) and Solan (Rs 25 lakh). However, the distribution was done in an arbitrary manner. |
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Cong wants CBI probe in PDS ration scam
Bilaspur, February 18 There must be involvement of some big “sharks of the BJP” in it, who cannot be caught till some impartial agency enquires into it. This was stated by Congress state spokesman Kailash Parashar while talking to mediapersons at the Circuit House here today. Dr Parashar, accompanied by state office secretary of the party Vineet Gauttam and former state secretary and now zila parishad member Hoshiar Singh Thakur and state executive member Jitender Chandel and others, said the BJP government could not satisfy people of the state by suspending a few lower officers, but the government, which had earned a “notoriety for scandals after scandals” during its four-year regime must come clean on this scandal by ordering an impartial and trustworthy probe. Dr Parashar also criticised the attempts of top BJP leaders to take credit for the awards the state got at the national level. He said these awards were based on the progress and development of the state and the efforts put in by people since the first Chief Minister “Himachal nirmata” Dr YS Parmar. All these awards were a result of labour and effort cumulatively put in by the Congress during its rule in the state and hence most of its credit went to the Congress, he added. |
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Satellite survey of forest cover in Lahaul-Spiti
Mandi, February 18 Lahaul-based NGOs - the Shailli Project Sangharsh Samiti, Jispa Sangharsh Samiti and others - have raised a banner of revolt against power projects and demanded cancellation of projects on the ground that these will ruin the fragile ecology of the valley. The tree cover is scarce and power projects will submerge it and that can be ecologically disastrous for the high-altitude cold desert, they fear. Allaying the concerns of the local NGOs, Additional Chief Secretary, Forests and Environment, Dr Sudipto Roy said they would conduct a satellite survey of the forest cover in the Chandra-Bhaga basin assessing the damage likely to be done by projects to the ecology and the tree cover in the cold region. He said the survey would start in a month’s time when the weather would be clear. The satellite findings would be compared with the results obtained from the field survey. “The counting of trees by the Forest Department could not be completed due to snow in the valley,” he added. According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), 2009, Lahaul-Spiti has just 1.39 per cent of its 13, 841 sq m geographic area under tree cover, which is the lowest in the state. The state’s average tree cover is 26.35 per cent as per the FSI. Scientific officer at state Science, Technology and Environment, SS Randhawa, said the high-resolution satellite imagery could map forest covering 1 sq m area and would be done by the National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad. But the India Satellite Multi-spectrum could do the same by covering 5.8 sq m area, which was also quite significant. Meanwhile, NGOs have also raised objections to the counting of trees, which will be submerged in the 320-MW Shailli power project in Udaipur subdivision of the tribal district. A memorandum had also been sent to the government by them opposing the setting up of hydro projects on a large-scale in the Chandra-Bhaga basin. They have also demanded that the Forest Department should also carry with them villagers to count trees likely to be submerged in the Shailli, Miyar and Jispa power projects. Fact File
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Winners of birds photo contest given prizes
Shimla, February 18 Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was the chief guest, gave away the prizes at the function held in association with Canon India. The contest was held on the theme of avian diversity of Himachal Pradesh in the last quarter of 2011. The objective behind this competition was to promote bird watching and bird photography, besides promoting state birding hot spots for tourists, said Somesh Goyal, founder president of Himachal Birds. Over 400 pictures of birds were received during the contest and 12 pictures were finally selected for three prizes and notable mentions. The grand prize of a camera kit worth Rs 50,000 sponsored by Canon India was won by Shahnawaz Khan of Delhi. The second and third prizes were bagged by by DS Dadhwal and Prashant Gahale, respectively. Besides nine entries selected for Notable Mention were given to GS Bhardwaj, Prabhat Bhatti, P Mohandas, Vikas Thakur, Arvind Kaul, Bittu Bhardwaj and Umang Dutt. An exhibition of over a 100 pictures received in the contest was also put up in the Tavern Hall which will continue till February 20. Himachal Birds has also instituted two awards for the conservation of avian habitat, the Conservation Warrior Awards, in individual and group categories. Devinder Singh Dadhwal, ACF Great Himalayan National Park, was selected for this coveted award which carries a plaque and a cash award of Rs 11,000. A book “The Common Birds of Simla” was also released on the occasion. Written and published by AE Jones almost a century ago, Himachal Birds had republished the book. A lot of research into knowing Jones and his works and contribution to birding was carried out, said Goyal. Goyal demanded that the centre at Potter’s Hill, which was being run as a commercial gallery, should be handed over to Himachal Birds for setting up an interpretation centre on bird watching and environment. |
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Anganwari workers to
observe strike on Feb 28
Hamirpur, February 18 Dhumal had announced an enhancement of wages of 18,352 anganwari workers from the present Rs 3,000 per month to Rs 3,300, payable from February 2012, and the wages of anganwari helpers by Rs 200 per month, from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,700 per month, besides increasing the monthly allowance of anganwari helpers of small anganwari centres from Rs 250 per month to Rs 330 per month. Even after the announcement, some anganwari workers were seen fuming in the conference hall itself and arguing with leaders. Terming this increase as “hoodwinking of anganwari workers and helpers”, the union has raised a banner of revolt. State president and general secretary of the Anganwari Workers’ Union, Kaushalya Patial and Raj Kumari, respectively, have criticised the state government “for befooling” them. They said: “The wages of anganwari workers are being paid by the Central Government and were doubled in the 2011 Union Budget from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 for workers and Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 for helpers, but the state government had withheld its meagre share of Rs 300 for workers and Rs 150 paid to helpers, after this increase.” “The Chief Minister has just announced the release this amount and not increased their wages, which we have been demanding since long, as many other states are paying about Rs 1,000 per month extra to our workers,” they added. The union has also decided to observe a statewide strike on February 28 to press their demand of wage increase and hold a demonstration before the state Assembly in Shimla on March 12. Justifying the increase, the Chief Minister said: “It was their demand to increase the wages to Rs 3,300 per month, which we have conceded and the state is committed to look into their other demands also.” |
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Faulty bus service irks passengers
Nurpur, February 18 Intriguingly, its route diverts from Jassur on the Mandi-Pathankot national highway, 4 km from Nurpur, at 10.15 pm. In spite of coming back to its original starting destination Suliali-Nurpur, it stops at Pathankot leaving passengers of Suliali-Nurpur and nearby areas there. Passengers from Nurpur, Suliali and adjoining areas experience a tough time to reach their destinations as they hardly get any means of transport at that time. Residents of Nurpur town, Suliali and Sadwan gram panchayats have urged the Transport Department to look into the matter and extend this bus service till Suliali during its return. Krishna Mahajan, president, Nurpur Municipal Council, Krishna Devi and Pratap Shukla, pradhans of Suliali and Sadwan gram panchayats, respectively, demanded immediate action in this regard. |
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Cement prices reduced
Shimla, February 18 The Commissioner, Industries, said here today that various cement companies located in the state had conveyed the revised rates for different locations. The revised rates vary from ACC (Rs 303), Ambuja Cements (Rs 303), Jaypee Cement (Rs 297) at Una to Rs 325 at Nichar and Rs 340 at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur. The Commissioner has directed all the Deputy Commissioners to disseminate the information among the public and also monitor that the new rates were adhered to. |
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55 participate in art contest
Kangra, February 18 Munish Saroch, spokesman of the medical college, said the Students' Central Association (SCA) of DRPGMC Tanda, organised this event. The chief guest for this competition was renowned sculptor from Shimla MC Saxena who divulged tips of art to budding artists and congratulated the SCA and Principal Anil Chauhan for organising such an event. |
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Woman commits suicide, in-laws held
Kangra, February 18 Station House Officer, Bhawarna, Prem Choudry, who was at DRPGMC Tanda, said victim Sahkshi Devi was married to Vinod Kumar of Govrang village on September 9, 2009. Dani Ram and Shukuntula Devi, parents of Shakshi and residents of Kachyiari village on the outskirts of this town, told the police that Shakshi’s in-laws used to demand dowry from her and physically and mentally torture her. Tension gripped TMC when the victim’s relatives protested against the in-laws. The police has registered a case under Sections 498-A, 306 and 34, IPC, against her husband Vinod Kumar, father-in-law Mast Ram, mother-in-law Urmila Devi and sister-in-law Bindoo Devi. The police has arrested the husband, and parents-in-law, while Bindoo, who is married in another village, was yet to be arrested. |
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Man ends his life
Kangra, February 18 Rakesh Kumar, son of Yudvir, had consumed some poison and was rushed by his family members to DRPGMC Tanda where he died almost immediately. The police is investigating the case under Section 174, CrPC. The body after the autopsy has been handed over to his relatives. |
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The state BJP government is discriminating against Kangra due to Shanta Kumar. HPCC president Kaul Singh levelled these allegations while addressing a prèss conference here today.
He alleged that though the BJP had been orchestrating itself as champion of lower areas, the present state government of the party had done maximum discrimination against Kangra district.
