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CM lays foundation stones of drinking water schemes
Seven women killed as pick-up skids off road |
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Annandale controversy unfortunate: Kaul Singh
Avoid confrontation with Army: Cong
to government
Forge unity in state unit, 18 MLAs write to Sonia
HPU keen on setting up international division
Mahila Cong to send observers to all districts
BJP to contest poll on development plank: Satti
Work for BJP’s ‘mission repeat’, Satti tells party men
Bhatalwan temple made accessible
to aged
SBI ATM launched
Kidnapped girl recovered, 1 held
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CM lays foundation stones of drinking water schemes
Mandi/Sarkaghat, April 17 The Chief Minister remained non-committal on the budget allocation and the time frame for the completion of these three ambitious schemes. Later, he addressed two public meetings at Paplog and Baldwara in Sarkaghat sub-division. The Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on Mandi MP and Union Minister Virbhadra Singh, who had taken Dhumal head-on on the issue of corruption last week when he had addressed a public meeting at Sarkaghat town. Dhumal focused his speech on various schemes launched for the welfare of weaker sections. At Baldwara, Dhumal said Virbhadra was fighting a “battle for survival” within the Congress. He alleged that Virbhadra had given almost nothing to the people of the Sarkaghat region from his MP Local Area Development Fund so far. Dhumal said weaker sections, including MNREGA workers, vendors, small shopkeepers and the differently abled, had been brought under a health insurance cover. He said the lift drinking water water scheme at Sarkaghat would provide portable water to over 55,000 people. The government was opening gymnasia in all panchayats and towns for which Rs 17 crore would be spent this year, he added. He sanctioned a primary health centre and an ayurvedic dispensary at Cholgarh and Baroti, respectively, and a sub-tehsil at Tihra. The Chief Minister recounted various schemes launched for farmers, shepherds, women and children, including free institutional deliveries and 33 per cent reservation for women in the cooperative sector. The Chief Minister said the government was introducing demand-based vocational courses in technical institutions. “Over 26,000 people have been employed in the government sector, 50,000 in the private sector, while 8,000 vacancies are being filled in different departments shortly,” he added. The Chief Minister said the Rs 27-crore lift drinking water scheme would benefit over 29,000 people in the Hatli, Suranga and Pahdrota areas. He announced to open a degree college at Baldwara soon, to upgrade three high schools to the senior secondary level and two middle schools to the high school level in this area. Transport Minister Mahender Singh and Gopalpur BJP MLA Inder Singh also spoke. IPH Minister Ravinder Ravi was also present on the occasion. |
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Seven women killed as pick-up skids off road
Bilaspur, April 17 Reports said two pick-up vans, bound for a marriage ceremony in a nearby village, one loaded with menfolk and the other with womenfolk, suddenly failed to climb and negotiate a steep incline and slid down to the main road. The van loaded with women became a victim of the accident. Those killed are Shyama Devi (40), wife of Daya Ram, Kamla Devi (35), wife of Lachhu Ram, Mira Devi (22), wife of Tulsi Ram, all from Ghyana village near Namhole, Bhuri Devi(37), wife of Ram Lal, Dunglu Devi (72), wife of Pubnnu Ram, Judhya Devi (63), wife of Prem Lal, all of Jinanu village, and Seema Devi (36), wife of Shankar Singh, Bathoh village in the district here. The following have been referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, by doctors of the Regional Hospital here to which they were earlier rushed from the accident site with the help of the police, district administration and villagers: Meera Devi, Rattani Devi, Satya Devi, Kala Devi, Suneeta Devi, Saroj Kumari, Meera Devi, Deepak, Geeta Devi, Vidya Devi, Smriti, Shalu, Preeti and Rahul. The other injured women were admitted at the Regional Hospital here and are said to be out of danger. |
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Study to assess impact of power projects on ecology
Shimla, April 17 The government selected the Sutlej basin for the study, being undertaken on the insistence of World Bank, as a number of projects, including the country’s largest public sector Nathpa Jhakri plant and the largest private sector Karcham Wangtu plant, have already come up and many more are in different stages of implementation. Environment impact assessment (EIA) and environment management plan (EMP) are carried out for all projects of more than 25 MW as a matter of routine, but these do not address all issues. The cumulative environment impact assessment study (CEIAS) will take care of hitherto untouched issues like modification of hydrologic regime due to diversion of water, diurnal changes in the river, depth and quality of water during the lean period and its adequacy for various fish species and the minimum discharge that must be maintained during the lean period to sustain the “riverine” ecology and meet the requirements of downstream users. A major concern has been that most of the rivers will vanish under a cascade of projects, virtually coming one over the other, leading to an ecological disaster. The study will also take care of this aspect and also work out the length of the river stretch with normal flow after commissioning of the projects. Not only that it will also assess the impact on the livelihood of people, particularly changes in the cropping pattern, due to loss of forest, agriculture land and water sources. It will also prepare an inventory of the flora and fauna, particularly endangered species found in the area, breeding grounds of fish, human settlements and carry out characterisation of forests. All such information will enable the authorities to take an objective view while granting forest and environment clearances and plan mitigation measures. Once the exercise is competed, similar studies will be carried out for the renaming four basins of the Beas, the Ravi, the Yamuna and the Chenab where a large number of projects are coming up. |
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Annandale controversy unfortunate: Kaul Singh
Addressing a press conference here today, he said it was for the first time that a Chief Minister had threatened to file a defamation suit against the Army and students of a private nursing college were brought in to raise slogans against it after the local people refused to join a protest against it. He wondered what message the ruling party wanted to give by provoking them against the security forces. In Himachal every other family had a member in the forces and the by adopting such an approach, the Dhumal government had hurt their sentiments. He said the deplorable incident provided an indication that the BJP regime could go to any extent when it came to furthering the interests of the land mafia. The hidden agenda was to hand over the Annandale ground to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in the name of developing sports infrastructure. The association was a crass commercial body and was keen on building five-star hotels. The Congress had also pursued the matter for the transfer of Annandale as early as 1984, but when the Army indicated that it was of strategic importance, efforts were made to work out an arrangement so that the state could also use it and as a result the state helicopter was stationed there. It would be far better if the local people could use it for various sporting, social and cultural events, particularly Dasehra, like the past. For the Congress, the security of the country was supreme and it disapproved of all such efforts to create hostility against the Army. Substantiating his charge that the move for the transfer of Annandale to the state was being pursued with ulterior motives, he said the acquisition of land by some BJP supporters and illegal construction activities provided enough evidence. A public toilet had been demolished, deodar trees felled and a public path was blocked, but no action was taken as the erring builder had the backing of the government. |
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Avoid confrontation with Army: Cong
to government
Kangra, April 17 Bali said the state government should not confront the Army over a minor issue. He said national security was of prime importance and since the Army described the Annandale ground as strategically important, the government should not make it a prestige issue. Bali said land was available near Shimla which could be utilised for the construction of a stadium without disturbing the Army. However, before passing any adverse comments against the Chief Minister, Bali said the Army should have scrutinised the facts first. |
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Forge unity in state unit, 18 MLAs write to Sonia
Shimla, April 17 In a letter to the national party president, they have stressed that the people of the state are thoroughly disillusioned with the BJP rule and want to throw it out of power. The Congress must put up a united front against the BJP during the Assembly poll, due later this year. “We urge the high command to take an initiative to forge unity among senior leaders like Union Ministers Virbhadra Singh and Anand Sharma, CLP leader Vidya Stokes and state Congress chief Kaul Singh Thakur,” they said in the letter. Five MLAs - Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Rajesh Dharmani, Sudhir Sharma, Rakesh Kalia and Subhash Manglet - had earlier initiated a unity move following the Punjabi debacle. They were camping in Delhi to meet central leaders of the party to apprise them of their concerns. Besides them, the signatories included Kuldeep Pathania, Nand Lal, Sohan Lal, Anil Sharma, Nikhil Rajour, Lakhwinder Rana, Harsh Wardhan Chauhan and Yog Raj. |
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HPU keen on setting up international division
Shimla, April 17 The HPU has been approached by the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry to start its international division by admitting 20 students from this year itself. However, due to a paucity of land, the HPU is not in a position to construct a foreign student guest house and other infrastructure as there is no land available at the present site in Summer Hill. “We have been approached by the HRD Ministry to admit 20 students from different countries to various courses at the HPU, but since we have no land to construct a separate international division, we cannot admit overseas students right now,” confirmed ADN Bajpai, Vice-Chancellor, HPU. The HPU authorities approached the district administration about a fortnight ago to provide them 100 bighas of land anywhere in the vicinity of Shimla so that work could be started on setting up the alternative campus. However, the urgency is more because the HPU is keen on starting its international division at the earliest. Bajpai said he had been asked by the HRD officials concerned that the HPU should make preparations to take in 1,000 foreign students within the next four years. “I do not want this venture to get delayed at any cost; so I am keen that the HPU be provided land at the earliest so that all our requirements can be met,” the VC said. Keeping in view the salubrious environs of Himachal, a lot of foreign students are keen on studying in the HPU. In case the HPU is able to set up its international division and student hostels, the number of overseas students could go up considerably. The paucity of land is proving to be a major hindrance in the expansion and starting of new courses by the HPU. The HPU, which is spread over 160 bighas, has no more space to accommodate new buildings, which are a must for housing the proposed 57 courses, which are to be started in a phased manner. The new courses proposed to be started and already cleared by the academic and executive councils include a five-year law course and professional courses in business administration and computer application at the graduate level. |
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Mahila Cong to send observers to all districts
Hamirpur, April 17 Talking to mediapersons here last evening, Verma said observers would strengthen the Mahila Congress from the booth level and form bodies to prepare workers for the Assembly elections in these states. Taking a dig at the state government, the Congress leader said: “People of the state are now fed up with the present BJP regime since the government had taken several decisions like cutting supply of subsidised ration, pulses and oil, distribution of which was started during the previous government to beat the price rise, and the alleged diversion of the MNREGA funds.” She said, “Misuse of MNREGA funds by the state government has even been pointed out in the CAG report.” Verma also criticised the BJP high command “for not taking action against Chief Minister PK Dhumal despite the charges of corruption against his government.” In reply to a question, she said: “The charge sheet framed by the state Congress committee has been submitted to the All-India general secretary of the Congress and will soon be submitted to the President.” Verma denied that the Congress house was a divided one in the state and said, “There may be some differences but the party would be united at the time of the Assembly elections.” |
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BJP to contest poll on development plank: Satti
Nurpur, April 17 He said the party had decided to contest the elections under the leadership of PK Dhumal. He said the party rank and file was being geared up to face the “propaganda and political canards” of Congress leaders against the BJP government. To mobilise the party cadre, meetings of party workers and office-bearers and front organisations were being convened at all district headquarters. Asked about the party’s stand on the demand for carving out new districts in the state, Satti said the BJP had convened a meeting of party MLAs, ministers, office-bearers and front organisations on April 19 in Shimla and the issue was likely to be discussed in it. He said efforts were being made to bring back leaders who had left the party. Regarding the allotment of the party ticket to candidates in the Assembly poll, Satti said “winnability” would be main criteria, but the final decision would be taken by the state election committee and the party high command. Satti was given a rousing reception by supporters of local Independent (who later became a BJP associate) MLA Rakesh Pathania. Pathania and state BJP general secretary Ram Saroop Sharma were present on the occasion. |
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Work for BJP’s ‘mission repeat’, Satti tells party men
Chamba, April 17 Harping on the development works made during the BJP regime, Satti said he had asked party workers to submit reports regarding incomplete development works and other proposed schemes so that these could be accelerated by providing requisite funds. “The comeback of Rajan Sushant, MP, and Maheshwar Singh is welcome if and when they return to the partyfold as they are members of our BJP family,” Satti said while answering a question. Citing an example of the rout of the Congress in the recent Assembly elections in Punjab, he said the Congress would suffer a similar fate in the state and the BJP would certainly succeed in its “mission repeat”. Earlier, Satti addressed a gathering of party workers and appealed to them to work for the party’s “mission repeat” wholeheartedly. MLAs BK Chauhan and Renu Chadha, former minister Mohan Lal and district BJP president Group Capt Bhupinder Singh Chauhan were among those present. — OC
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LPG connections, sewing machines given free of cost
Kangra, April 17 Sanjay Choudary, local MLA, distributed these items among the beneficiaries of different programmes. Local CDPO SK Choudary said under the Mata Shabri Project 26 women were provided with free LPG connections, along with a gas stove. He said 30 mothers were handed over FDR of Rs 5,100 each under the “Beti Hai Anmol” programme for their daughters. Under another programme, “Anovarti”, 28 sewing machines were distributed among women beneficiaries. Choudary on the occasion said the government was trying to give succour to needy women and
the girl child. He added that the government had decided to increase the FDR amount from Rs 5,100 to Rs 10,000 from the current fiscal. |
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John Abraham visits Dharamsala
Dharamsala, April 17 Sources here said John had arrived here keeping off the media glare to pay homage to 101-year-old Buta Ram, grandfather of Priya Runchal. There are unconfirmed reports that John was engaged to Priya. The sources said John had arrived here on Sunday evening, stayed at the private residence Priya’s family in McLeodganj and returned to Mumbai on Monday. However, Priya was not in McLeodganj. Her father Akshay Runchal, who had recently reached here from the US, was there with other family members. |
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Bhatalwan temple made accessible
to aged
Chamba, April 17 Various development works have been carried out with a view to giving a new lease of life to the landscape in the precincts of the temple adding beauty to its backdrop. A parking lot for about 20 light vehicles has been developed, besides a steel railing in the 9-bigha compound, electrification etc. A sum of more than Rs 50 lakh had so far been spent on development activities, a spokesperson of the temple samiti said here today. |
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SBI ATM launched
Dalhousie, April 17 The new ATM was dedicated to residents of the Dalhousie cantonment area by Brig Pradeep Sofat of the Mountain Brigade, who is also the president of the Dalhousie Cantonment Board. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by SBI General Manager SK Chaudhari in the presence of SBI Regional Manager SK Sood and other dignitaries. Chaudhari highlighted the achievements of the SBI towards providing personal banking solutions to the common man in the far-flung areas of the country. Chaudhari impressed upon the need of educating citizens about the welfare banking facilities providing by the bank. He assured residents that the new building of the Dalhousie branch near the bus terminus of the hill station would be completed and commissioned by July this year.
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Kidnapped girl recovered, 1 held
Kangra, April 17 SDPO, Dehra, Manmohan Singh said this evening that Hemraj, father of the 15-year-old victim, lodged a complaint with the Dehra police accusing two youths Sunny and Vinay of Renkar village of kidnapping his daughter. He said the parents and other relatives of the girl managed to recover the victim from Sunny’s house at Renkar village. The police arrested Sunny and Vinay was absconding.
— OC
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Shimla, April 17