Shimla, April 18
The government today accepted in principle the proposal of the Town and Country Planning Department for a development plan for the “Shimla Planning Area” and decided to extend the social security pension cover to all those aged above 60 years and residing in various old-age homes in the state.

The state Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, also decided to release the “revised secretariat pay” to different categories of employees working in the state secretariat, the Governor’s secretariat, the State Public Service Commission, the state high court, the Vidhan Sabha and the Lokayukta on the analogy of Punjab with effect from December 1, 2011.

While accepting the development plan proposal, it decided that the possibility of acquiring vacant plots in the green area should be explored by the Shimla Municipal Corporation. It approved various amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Rules in light of the objections and suggestions received. The Cabinet decided to extend the time limit for preparation of detailed project reports in respect of the hydroelectric projects allotted for execution in Dodra-Kwar in Shimla district, Lahaul and Spiti district and the Pangi area of Chamba to 36 months in view of the difficult geographical conditions.

It allowed extension to projects at an advanced stage of execution by charging an extension fee at the rate of Rs 10,000 per MW per month, to be deposited within 30 days of the issuance of the approval letter. The companies will be required to pay 12 per cent interest in case of non-deposit of the extension charges. It cancelled the allotment of Upper Chanju and Lower Chanju projects in Chamba by terminating the MoUs for not adhering to the provisions.

It decided to open gymnasia in all 3,243 gram panchayats in the state and approved a higher education allowance of Rs 5,000 per month for specialised medical officers possessing a postgraduate degree and Rs 2,000 per month for others with a diploma in different disciplines of medical sciences.

It decided to grant a relaxation of 5 per cent in the minimum qualifying marks in the Teachers Eligibility Test for posts of TGT (Arts, Medical and Non-Medical), Shastri, Language Teacher and JBT, to the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, OBCs and differently abled categories. It accepted the compliance report in respect of Maharaja Agarsen Technical Education Society and the AP Goyal Charitable Trust for setting up private universities.

Shimla, April 18
While urging Himachal leaders to restrain themselves from issuing statements on Annandale, Rajya Sabha MP and National Vice-President of the BJP Shanta Kumar today said security of the nation was far more important as compared to the creation of a cricket ground.

In a statement here today, the BJP leader said this kind of controversy involving the Army was very unfortunate. “Himachal leaders must exercise restraint in issuing statements concerning the military as it can harm the morale of armed forces and, moreover the issue is already in the notice of the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Chief of Army Staff,” he said.

He said after the controversy over the date of birth of the Chief of Army Staff, the dispute over a small patch of land in a tiny hill state had hit the headlines. “The controversy regarding the date of birth of the Army Chief remained a public issue for months together and now the issue of Annandale ground has become another matter of hot discussion,” he remarked.

He said military officials should not have released any statement against the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and if at all there had been a mistake from their side, the statements issued by leaders in retaliation were also unfortunate. “Allegation of land mafia being active on one side and indiscipline in the Army on another side is very unfortunate and a symbol of childish behaviour,” he opined.

Shimla, April 18
The state high court yesterday modified its earlier orders restraining the HP State Civil Supplies Corporation to further proceed with the tender of Gupta Textile Trading Company for providing cloth for school uniforms for government schools under the Atal School Uniform Yojna subject to the final outcome of the petition.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice DC Chaudhary passed these orders in wake of the documents produced by the government in the court to the effect that the petitioner companies Excel Marketing Corporation, Shimla, and Surya Industries, Mehatpur, Una, were not the authorised distributors of Mumbai firms they were claiming to be.

As the government and the petitioner companies produced conflicting documents, the court said it would not be appropriate to interfere at this stage. It ordered to implead both Mumbai firms, Morarjee Textiles Ltd and Gimatex Industries Pvt Ltd, as respondents and directed them to file affidavits within a month clarifying position as to whether the petitioner firms were their authorised distributors or not.

It observed that much water had flown down since the tenders were opened on March 19 and the writ petition filed on April 10. The tenders to Gupta Textiles were awarded on March 20 being found lowest in rates and orders placed on March 22. An advance of Rs 8 crore was also paid to the company on April 10. An agreement was also executed with the company to supply the first lot of uniforms in April and the second lot in August this year.

It also directed the Chairman of the Purchase Committee - Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) to file affidavit as to the steps taken by it to ensure that the company will stick to the quality and quantity as undertaken by it.

Palampur, April 18
The state government will spend Rs 10 crore this year to check the monkey menace in the state. The monkey menace has posed a real challenge as there are over 3.5 lakh monkeys in the state.

The farming community in the state is the worst-hit as out of total 3,200 panchayats 2,600 are affected by the menace. Even farmers have stopped cultivation in various parts of the state. Monkeys are damaging crops worth Rs 500 crore annually. Concerned over the issue, the government has taken various steps and a sum of Rs 10 crore has been allocated in the current Budget to tackle the menace.

Under a special programme, HP Agriculture University, Palampur, is also preparing its veterinary graduates to tackle this menace. Dr RS Kishtwaria, an expert in human-animal conflict management of HP Agriculture University, is training students on how to capture monkeys.

Talking to this correspondent, Dr Kishtwaria said students were being given hands-on exposure to improve their skill as every situation was different which required meticulous planning as there was considerable risk involved. Explaining a recent case, he told that a furious monkey was found injured from wire trap injury, thus attacking the people. Such issues can be addressed through public participation in the human-animal conflict management centres.

Dharamsala, April 18
The demand for the creation of Dehra district out of Kangra has gathered momentum. The people of the area have started a special campaign to create public opinion for the creation of Dehra district. They are travelling in villages around the Dehra area carrying speakers mounted on vehicles to gather public support for the creation of a new district. Yesterday, the campaign was carried out in the Bankhandi area of Kangra district that falls under Dehra subdivision.

Dehra subdivision comprises areas starting from Chintpurni, where the boundary of Kangra district starts. The demand for the creation of Dehra district out of Kangra district is being justified geographically as the people of the area have to travel about 100 km or more to reach the district headquarters at Dharamsala. Politically also Dehra subdivision is part of the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency unlike other areas of the district that are part of the Kangra parliamentary constituency.

Many political leaders have vocally supported the demand for the creation of Dehra district.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had recently stated that if there was a demand from people, new districts would be created in the state.

Ramesh Dhawala, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, who belongs to the Shanta Kumar camp and represents the Jwalamukhi Assembly constituency, has also supported the demand for creating Dehra district.

Though Congress leaders are not opposed to the demand for the creation of Dehra district, they have opposed the timing. They have been maintaining that in case the government wanted to create a new district, it should have been created earlier. Creating districts just a few months before the Assembly elections was a political stunt, the Congress leaders have been maintaining.

Sources said though the government wanted to carve out Dehra district out of Kangra, it feared a backlash from other areas. There is a strong demand for the creation of Nurpur and Palampur districts also. In case Dehra is created as a district at this juncture, a similar demand would be made from Nurpur and Palampur areas also that might prove counterproductive for the ruling party in the coming Assembly elections in the state.

Senior leaders of both the Congress and the BJP from Kangra district are against the division of the district. They feel that it will finish the political identity of Kangra district.

Minister for Industries Kishan Kapoor, who represents the Dharamsala Assembly constituency, has announced that he will oppose the division of Kangra tooth and nail.

The demand for the creation of a new district is also being opposed on the grounds that it will lead to an additional financial burden on the cash-starved state.

Hamirpur, April 18
With only about eight months left for the next Assembly elections in the state, political activity has witnessed a sudden spurt here.

State units of the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress are now geared up for the next Assembly elections and their top leaders are touring the state and 
holding rallies.

After the last session of the state Assembly came to an end, political leaders have increased tours to districts.

Chief Minister PK Dhumal, who had already been addressing public meetings after attending various functions, is now holding these programmes more extensively.

On April 10, a women’s conference was organised at Bhota in Hamirpur district to celebrate the birthday of the Chief Minister, which was attended by his Cabinet colleagues, MPs and MLAs.

In the coming days, Dhumal is going to be more mobile and will touch almost every district of the state.

The BJP is also planning to invite national leaders to hold public meetings in different parts of the state.

State BJP president Satpal Singh Satti is also holding organisational meetings at the district level and already had held meetings in Una, Hamirpur, Chamba and Bilaspur districts and is likely to hold meetings in every district.

Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Virbhadra Singh has also held several public meetings in Kangra and Mandi districts and is likely to address public meetings at other places soon.

HPCC president Kaul Singh Thakur has also held public meetings at many places.

Union Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma, who had not visited the state regularly in the past, also attended a programme at Palampur recently and addressed a public meeting there. He is also scheduled to visit the state in the last week of this month to address public meetings in Hamirpur, Una and Bilaspur districts.

Palampur, April 18
The failure on the part of various state government agencies to take up the construction of important projects for which foundation stones were laid by Chief Minister PK Dhumal during the past four years have worried BJP MLAs of the Palampur region, since Assembly elections are in the offing.

Though the Chief Minister had laid the foundation stones for six new projects in Palampur town in the past over four years, the construction of these projects could not be taken up because of official bottlenecks and lack of political will.

Inquiries made by this correspondent said despite adequate funds available for these projects, years had passed, but no state government official bothered to take any step in this regard. The Chief Minister also laid a foundation stone for a multi-storey parking project in the town on June 8, 2008, but the construction of this project had failed to take off.

The local Municipal Council had already transferred land for this project. Besides, funds had also been sanctioned by the government. Money was lying in the account of the MC, Palampur.

The Solid Waste Garbage Disposal Plant too had been hanging fire, the foundation stone of which was laid by the CM on March 20, 2011.

The government had also sanctioned Rs 85 lakh for this project. These funds were also lying in the bank account of the MC, Palampur. Another project for residential complex of doctors in the local Civil Hospital was also hanging fire. PWD officials blame health officials as the site was not handed over to the PWD, therefore, the construction was delayed. In yet another case, the government had also given Rs 60 lakh to the MC for the construction of two parking lots in the town, but the MC failed to take any step.

Mandi, April 18
Echoing the demand of art lovers and painters of this temple town, renowned painter Vijay Kumar Sharma (Padma Shri) today urged the government to preserve and protect the Mandi Kalam School of Painting from its “imminent death” by setting up an art gallery here.

Talking to The Tribune, Vijay Sharma, who was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony of a two-day seminar on World Heritage Day organised by the HP RTI Bureau here today, said, “The Mandi Kalam School of Painting is dying a slow death as the government has not done enough to preserve and protect it. The school has a rich heritage and is one of the oldest schools and has been as popular as the Kangra and Chamba schools of painting”.

He said it was a pity that there was not even a single art gallery in this town to showcase Mandi paintings to art lovers from India and abroad. “I have seen Mandi paintings showcased in museums and art galleries abroad, but it is dying a slow death in its birthplace,” he said.

Sharma said there was need for starting a training school in the town to train young painting enthusiasts.

Mandi Divisional Commissioner Rajinder Negi, who inaugurated the seminar, underscored the need for protecting heritage, including the ramshackle building of Vijay High School. “It is unique because of its Pahari architecture. We need to protect it. Institutions should put in coordinated efforts to protect heritage,” he added.

The participants urged the government to set up an art gallery-cum-library in the Vijay Boys School building and declare it as a heritage building.

They also demanded that the main gate of the Tarna temple be declared as a heritage item as it was built to welcome the Dalai Lama in the 1960s.

President and convener of the seminar Lawan Thakur said more than 50 schoolchildren participated in declamation and painting competitions. The theme of the heritage day was sustainable development and role of communities in heritage protection, he added.

TR Sharma, Superintending Architect, Archaeological Survey of India, said the ASI would hold functions in Mandi to celebrate its 150 years.

Chandigarh, April 18
An investiture ceremony was organised by Army Public School, Dagshai, to nominate students for various appointments in the school. Students excelling in academics, sports, co-curricular activities and showing overall excellent performance were given the school and house appointments.

The chief guest for the occasion was Col Dushyant Singh, Deputy Commandant, 14 Gorkha Training Centre, according to a statement issued here today.

Addressing students, Colonel Dushyant said the school had bestowed a huge responsibility on them and they should carry out their duties in such a way that they set an example for the entire school. Avidesh Sharma has been appointed as school captain (boys) and Shruti Dabas as school captain (girls), with Kushal Bhadu and Renu Gharwal as the respective vice-captains.

Mandi, April 18
The Mandi police has registered two cases of kidnapping in Mandi Sadar and Balh on the complaints of the mothers of the two girls, who went missing from their homes yesterday and on April 11, respectively.

Lata Devi of Sakrohal village in Mandi Sadar complained that her minor daughter was kidnapped by Churamani of Banyar yesterday. Tripta Devi of Gagal village said her minor daughter was sleeping in her room on April 11, but went missing the next day. She claimed that she was kidnapped by Durga Dass. — TNS

Nurpur, April 18
The Indora police arrested Baljinder Singh of New Model Town, Batala (Punjab), from Pathankot where he had come to appear in a court case today.

According to information, the accused had been declared a proclaimed offender (PO) in 2008 by the Indora court where a case under the Negotiable Instrument Act was under consideration against him after his bank cheque bounced. The Indora police had also lodged a criminal case against him under Sections 174-A,506 and 458, IPC, last year. He will be produced in the local court on Thursday.

DSP Rajinder Jaswal said the accused was also declared PO in Punjab and half a dozen cases were filed against him in the courts there. He said following a tip-off a police team, led by ASI Prem Kumar, arrested him when he was coming out of the court at Pathankot after appearing in a case today. 

Bilaspur, April 18
With the death of one more girl Saroj (19), daughter of Daulat Ram, Kothi-Deoth village, the death toll in the overloaded pick-up accident near Kharotta near here yesterday, rose to eight. Saroj succumbed to her injuries before reaching the PGI in Chandigarh late last evening.

More facts have come to light as the police has started inquiry into the cause of this accident in which 26 women were injured, 15 of them seriously.

Reports said the ill-fated van was being driven by an inexperienced minor driver, allegedly son of van owner Kala Ram. Besides it was not only packed to capacity, but was also being driven on a very bad road. The 17-year-old driver also did not have any driving licence.