Shimla, May 10
Notwithstanding the chase for setting up of hydro-power projects in Himachal, surprisingly there are no buyers for power with the Himachal Government struggling to recover its Rs 300 crore outstanding amount against the power supplied to other states.

Despite having stopped power supply to Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) since December last year, Himachal is struggling to recover an outstanding amount of Rs 180 crore for the power supplied to it. It was finally in December last year that HP stopped supply to Uttar Pradesh after giving it notices to foot the bill, which remains unpaid even today.

“I have personally spoken to my counterpart in Uttar Pradesh to clear our dues amounting to Rs 180 crore for the power supplied to them,” said Sudripta Roy, Chief Secretary. He said a sum of Rs 120 crore was also due from the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) on account of free power and equity share of the state.

Being a hydro-power rich state, Himachal has been supplying power to northern states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pardesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. However, this year so far there are no buyers as even Delhi is trying to negotiate the power tariff to its advantage so that it can get cheap power.

Roy said Himachal was still weighing its options of selling power as most of the buyer states were resorting to power cuts rather than buying the abundant power in the market. “The delayed summers has had everyone rather relaxed and the HPSEB, too, has kept its options open about selling power through the northern grid,” said Roy.

Himachal had sold power at the rate of Rs 4.30 per unit to the UPPCL, which had offered the highest rate. However, with the UPPCL faltering in making payments since June, Himachal stopped the supply, which was being done through the Power Trading Corporation.

The HPSEB has been supplying power to Punjab and Haryana during the winter months under the contra-banking arrangement. Power is one of the major sources of revenue for Himachal, but of late it has been facing problems as most of the electricity boards in the country are facing a financial crunch.

It is only when the Assembly elections are round the corner that most states are willing to purchase power at even higher rates. Even Uttar Pradesh had agreed to purchase power from Himachal because of the elections, but ultimately faltered on making payments.

Shimla, May 10
Expressing dismay over the “helpless” attitude of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley Projects in carrying out its mandate, Him Dhara, an environment research and action group, has urged it not to recommend the case of the 775 MW Luhri project for environmental clearance in view of its huge fallout on “riverine ecology”.

In a representation to the chairperson of the EAC, it expressed shock over the fact that after accepting that the project would lead to the disappearance of 50 km of the last stretch of the free-flowing Sutlej, the committee made light of the matter by suggesting mitigation measures like reducing the height of the dam or the length of the tunnel. By stating that “the only remedy now available is to consider mitigating measures”, the committee had undermined its own mandate, directly implying that it was under pressure to recommend environmental clearance for the project.

It was the responsibility of the EAC to make its recommendations once all documents, including the environment impact assessment (EIA) report, were placed before it. However, the tone of “helplessness” was seriously hampering its functioning and undermining its mandate. Enlisting grounds for the denial of environmental clearance, it pointed out that in the projects on the Sutlej , the Luhri project would have the longest twin tunnels and its impact must take into account the cumulative impact of all 30-odd small and big projects planned on the basin. These project would together completely alter the “riverine ecology”, the climatic conditions and the landscape of the valley irreversibly. In short, the Luhri project would be the final nail in the coffin of the river.

The EIA report of the project was inadequate and incomplete as it overlooked the impacts of the tunnel and transmission lines and the ecological and social implications of many of the project components. No environmental clearance to projects on the river basin must be recommended until and unless there was an independent cumulative impact assessment (CIA) study by a credible multi-disciplinary committee. The CIA study had been awarded to the ICFRE, which was unacceptable as there was a direct conflict of interest. Besides, it had a poor track record in respect of the study carried out for the Renuka project in which contradictions in basic facts in the EIA forced the National Green Tribunal to stay the project.

It lamented that the EAC ignored three submissions, including the comprehensive report entitled, “A river under arrest”, and urged it to peruse these documents and consider the issues raised. There was also no mention of the representations made by the Sutlej Bachao Jan Sangharsh Samiti, formed by the people to be affected by the project. The samiti had been opposing the project on several grounds, the most serious being the impact of the 38-km-long twin tunnels, which had not even been included in the EIA report.

Solan, May 10
Low temperature prevailing in the area has proved to be a boon for forest officials this year as no major fire incident has been reported in Solan and the surrounding areas till now.

Since the forests here generally comprise pine trees which spill inflammable needles, high temperatures coupled with high-velocity winds have been causing fires every year after April 10.

However, since the temperatures have remained comparatively low this year, the Forest Department has heaved a sigh of relief with no major fire having been reported.

The department had, however, completed its preparedness by disseminating information to villagers in the gram sabhas and schools about the preventive steps to be taken to prevent fires and also how to act in case of a fire.

After a prolonged spell of low temperature, hovering around 16°C, the temperature has shot up to 28°C this week. Light showers and winds are expected to lash the region around May 11 and 12, according to scientists at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.

The low temperature has helped reduce the severity of fires, with only a few fires of smaller dimension being witnessed this time.

The department is, however, taking all precautions to prevent fires like clearing forest areas of pine needles.

Shimla, May 10
Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy today categorically stated that there would be zero tolerance towards violation of norms by corporate houses, howsoever powerful, and action would be taken immediately in case it was established that they had defied the rule of the land.

Interacting with mediapersons here today after assuming office as Chief Secretary, Roy assured that there would be no leniency of any kind with those who did not adhere to norms, howsoever powerful. “I admit there has been a failure at some level as every villager had registered his opposition to the project at a public hearing, but at the end of the day, we have to ensure that there is no repeat of such instances and those responsible for it are punished,” he said when asked about the violations by JP Associates Ltd (JAL) in setting up its cement plant.

Roy assured that in case a written complaint was received against the JP having set up an apple orchard in violation of the norms in Kinnaur, action would be taken immediately. “To create infrastructure and generate employment one has to usher in industry, but it must be ensured that they are not given undue benefit as the interests of the state and its people are supreme,” he said.

Throwing light on the vision that he has for the state, Roy said there would be complete transparency and efforts would be made to get the maximum possible funds under various schemes from the Centre. “Undoubtedly we are facing a major resource crunch, which we intend to tackle by generating resources and making a cut in wasteful expenditure, but certainly not at the cost of quality,” he said.

Stating that HP had emerged as the “showcase state of India” with even Nobel Laureate Amratya Sen lauding its development journey, he felt there was a need for shunning the policy of ad hocism and have a proper road map so that there was no conflict of interests. “There are endless number of reforms that we want to usher in like stopping of benami land deals, seeking Green Bonus from the Centre, changing the ACR format, but that cannot happen overnight as it has to be done through the consultative process,” he said.

Referring to the employees as the pillar of his strength, he admitted that there was lack of coordination and disconnect somewhere, which needed to be removed. “I want that all of us should work as a team; so my endeavour will be to motivate all employees by protecting their inertests,” he said.

He said the state was facing a paucity of IAS officers and as such HP had sought enhancement of its cadre by eight officers. “Till such time that the position eases out, we will try and do cadre management by allowing officers to proceed on training as it is essential,” he said.

Having spent most of his 34-year career in the field, he said he would visit one district every month. “Being the election year, our priority is to complete all ongoing schemes, announcements and projects for which the foundation stones have been laid,” he said.

Una, May 10
Environmentalists have expressed concern over the damage to the Swan river eco system due to rapid industrialisation along its banks and channelling of the river.

There were speaking at an exhibition of bird varieties organised by ornithologist Prabhat Bhatti at Government School, Raipur Sahoran, at Mehatpur near Una.

The exhibition was inaugurated by state president of the BJP Satpal Satti.

Speaking on the occasion, GS Chatha, an environmental expert, said the wetland created by the Swan river was home to many endangered varieties of birds, including those protected on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. The wetland of the river was home and breeding grounds for the Sarus crane, the biggest and a rare bird in the country.

However, industries and other infrastructure coming up in the wetland areas of the Swan river had disturbed the habitat of the Sarus crane, he said.

Bhatti, while speaking on the occasion, expressed concern over the pollution in the Sutlej due the Golthai industrial area in Himachal. He urged Satti to take up the matter with the officials concerned.

Satti lauded the efforts of environmentalists of the Jagrati organisation in creating awareness regarding bird species in the region. He said such exhibitions should be also organised in other areas of the state to bring children close to the nature. He also assured of all kind of support for the cause.

Sanjeev Gautam, a social activist, said children should be sensitised towards environment as they are the future custodians of ecology.

Bhatti exhibited photographs of over 100 varieties of indigenous and migratory birds found in Una district in the exhibition.

Dharamsala, May 10
Dhumal loyalists failed to discuss the issue pertaining to Rajan Sushant, the belligerent Kangra BJP MP, with party president Nitin Gadkari at the Nahan rally yesterday.

State BJP president Satpal Satti gave this information today. Satti said they had gone prepared to discuss the issue of indiscipline on the part of Sushant with the party president at the rally yesterday. However, they could not find time to discuss the issue. Now, the issue would come up for discussion in the state executive meeting to be held after May 15, he said.

However, sources said the state executive of the party had already taken whatever action it could take against Sushant. He was even ousted from the parliamentary board of the party but not ousted from the party as was being demanded by Dhumal loyalists.

However, this did not have any impact on Sushant as he continued his attack against the Chief Minister and many ministers of the present government. Recently, he announced to launch an agitation in case Dhumal was not removed as the Chief Minister within 15 days over the issue of the high court judgment in the JP cement plant case.

The BJP is finding itself in a catch-22 situation in case of Sushant. He is an elected MP of the party from Kangra. In case he is ousted from the party, Sushant will be able to retain his Parliament seat for the current term. The senior leadership of the party is of the view that in case Sushant is ousted from the BJP, he may embarrass the party in Parliament and at the national level. The Dhumal camp had already taken up the matter for ousting Sushant from the party even with senior leader LK Advani during his last visit to Dharamsala. However, Sushant retained his aggressive posture and did not even come to meet Advani despite being present in Kangra district.

Some Dhumal loyalists favoured “attacking” Sushant in public. Independent MLA from Nurpur Rakesh Pathania had even announced a press conference against Sushant at Dharamsala yesterday. However, the press conference was cancelled at the last moment due to unprecedented reasons.

Sushant has been in a combative mood against Dhumal and his faction leaders after his wife was denied the party ticket for the Jawali Assembly byelection.

His son has joined the Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP), formed by BJP rebels, and is now the state youth president of the party. He has helped HLP organise a rally at Jawali, his home town.

Sushant has been very aggressive in his attack against Pathania and IPH Minister Ravinder Ravi.

With the Assembly elections in the state due later this year, the belligerent Kangra MP is likely to cause more embarrassment to the state BJP leadership.

Mandi, May 10
Even as Mandi Deputy Commissioner Devesh Kumar has asked the regional transport officer (RTO) to submit a report on the two bus accidents that had killed seven persons yesterday, the state Transport Department has failed to check overloading, rash driving and mechanical failure by private and public transporters, including Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC), to prevent road fatalities in remote areas.

Private bus operators get road permits for fixed routes, but they operate buses on other routes to make fast bucks, charged residents.

The two bus mishaps occurred at Kelvi Morh in Seraj and Rodi Dhar in Karsog yesterday, both remote regions of the district, have exposed how the state transport authority has failed to check blatant violations of traffic rules and road permits. Bus operators are resorting to “overloading to make fast bucks”.

On papers, Anjali Bus Service runs two buses on the Kulthani-Mandi route, one at 6am and the other at 6.45 am. But the operator has been running only one bus over a period of time resorting to overloading putting at risk lives of passengers, charged commuters who survived the Kelvi Mod mishap yesterday.

Residents resented that the private operator was running only one bus instead of two catering to a population of over 20,000 in Kulthani, Surachi, Kevli and other villages.

Passengers were also travelling on the roof top of this 42-seater bus, they added.

Seraj Congress leader Vir Singh Chauhan said the matter should be looked into.

Even the HRTC was ignoring safety of passengers while operating “unfit” buses in remote areas. The HRTC had over 60 managers, while it faced a shortage of 1,000 mechanics to take care of its fleet of buses, sources said.

The HRTC bus, which met with an accident yesterday at Kanda in Karsog that killed all the five occupants, had a mechanical failure, revealed sources.

DC Devesh Kumar said he had asked the RTO and SDM concerned to hold an enquiry into the mishaps and submit a report soon.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Mandi, RS Verma pleaded innocence saying he was not aware whether or not Anjali Bus Service had a valid road permit and a fitness certificate.

“We are seeking report in the case,” he added.

Abhishek Dular, SP, Mandi, said the police was investigating whether Anjali Bus Service was running a single bus as it was supposed to run two buses in morning hours.

“We used to challan overloaded buses when the matter regarding the same comes to our notice,” he added.

Kangra, May 10
A three-day programme coinciding with the Nurses Day, scheduled to fall on May 12, was initiated today by Fortis Hospital, Kangra, with giving health talks at various schools of the town on the first day of the programme.

Dr Ravinder Maan, Director, Fortis Hospital, said nurses were the backbone of the healthcare system and as keen facilitators of healthcare, they were the pivot in the hospital-doctor-patient paradigm. He said whether it was preventive care, home care or hospital care, nurses were an indispensable part of healthcare.

He said May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birth anniversary, was celebrated as International Nurses Day every year. This year’s theme for the Nurses Day was “Closing the Gap: From Evidence to Action”.

He said the schools where talks were given included Adarsh Public School, Matour, Scholars International School, Ghurkari, Green Hills Public School, Icchhi, and Maharishi Vidya Mandir Public School, Chetru. He said nurses who participated in the programme were Taruna, Deepika, Sonika, Jyoti, Arti, Ruchi, Puja and Roji.

Bilaspur, May 10
Hundreds of youths led by Youth Congress state president Monika Bharati and state general secretary Vivek Kumar held a rally and protest demonstration at Jhandutta, 45 km from here, yesterday.

They condemned “the all-round mismanagement and lawlessness” prevailing under the BJP regime in the state.

Addressing the rally, the leaders said funds being given by the Centre were being misused by BJP leaders for their comforts instead of using the same for development works. PWD and IPH contracts were also being misused to amass great wealth by them.

A memorandum was also presented to the Governor through the local Tehsildar urging her for immediate action against the BJP government.

State Youth Congress in charge Amit Punia, Vikas Kumar, Balvinder, Ranbir Raj, Rakeh Mehta, Palvinder Singh and Yash Paul were among the other leaders of the Youth Congress who addressed the rally.

Kangra, May 10
The Block Congress Committee, Rait, has demanded a high-level inquiry into the death of 39-year-old shepherd Mool Chand, whose body was recovered under mysterious circumstances from a local river at Booh village falling under Kanool panchayat some days back.

Kewal Singh Pathania, spokesman, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, on Tuesday alleged that the police was not properly investigating the death of Mool Chand, the only bread-earner, who had left behind a widow and four children. He said as the family had no house, the Block Congress Committee collected Rs 21,000, which former member of the Lok Sabha Chander Kumar handed over to the bereaved family through Nirmal Singh, Pradhan, Kanool village.

Nurpur, May 10
Up in arms against renting out of a CSD building on the premises of the Sainik Rest House here, a large number of former Army personnel from far-off areas held protest demonstration in front of the building today.

They flayed the move to rent out CSD building.

Col NS Pathania (retd), president of the local unit of the Ex-Servicemen League, who also reached the spot, told mediapersons that the league had been battling for a permanent CSD at Nurpur, but the decision of the local Sainik Welfare Board (SWB) to lease out its premises was condemnable.

He asserted that 10 years ago ex-servicemen were having a permanent CSD on the premises of the Sainik Rest House, which had been built in 1973 following the efforts of former minister Sat Mahajan.

“At present, ex-servicemen of the area have the facility of a temporary mobile CSD here that used to come here on 10th of every month. I strongly oppose the decision to rent out its building to a private party,” he rued.

Major Puria (retd), Deputy Director, SWB, Dharamsala, said as and when he received this information he had issued clear instruction to the authorities concerned not to rent out the building and ensure its vacation this evening.

“The SWB is supposed to give preference to the ex-servicemen if it has to rent out its premises. It is also endeavoring for a permanent CSD at Nurpur,” he added.