Mandi, June 24
The National Council for Clinical Establishments (NCCE), proposed to be set up by the Centre under the Secretary of Clinical Establishments, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has exposed the hollow claims of the state government in the health sector. None of the clinical establishments in the government and private sector fulfill its set of standards prescribed under the Clinical Establishment Act (CEA), 2010.

The council has asked the states to compile and publish a national register of clinical establishments by 2012, as the CEA is coming into force to bridle the flourishing private health sector, which has witnessed unprecedented 80 per cent growth.

Though the state government has started the process of the registration of clinics, hospitals and diagnostics centres, none of these complies with the minimum standards prescribed by the NCCE, revealed a survey carried out by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

IMA president HL Kapur and secretary Kiranbir Singh said neither the government nor private clinical establishments fulfilled the set of standards under the new body. “We oppose it as it will decimate single-doctor clinics, which are providing healthcare in rural and small towns in the state, if the CEA is implemented in the state,” they claimed.

Under the new law, the NCCE seeks to appoint its sub-committee of experts to categorise minimum standards for clinical establishments from the fitness centre to allopathic clinics.

The state government shall maintain a register of clinical establishments in digital format, containing all information on patients, rates, treatment given, tests, beds and discharge slips.

A three-member District Registering Authority (DRA) under the DC will be constituted, which will include the Police Commissioner, a member of a reputed NGO and a member of the medical association.

The DRA will grant, renew, enforce or cancel registration and take action against the erring clinical establishment under the CEA rules.

Chief Medical Officer, a DRA convener, will ensure that each clinical establishment maintains medical records of patients, information and statistics in respect of national programmes and furnish the same to the DRA once in a quarter and records are maintained for at least three to five years.

Each clinical establishment shall comply with the standard treatment guidelines and maintain electronic medical records of every patient, rates, charges for each service and procedures and list the number of beds specialty-wise and total discharges.

IMA members claim that the new Act holds good for corporate-run hospitals, which have high budgets, and not for small clinics like in Himachal Pradesh.

But the new Act aims at bringing about transparency and improving patient care. The establishment also displays rates of their services and facilities for patients and shall carry out audit to assess the cause of death.

The clinical establishment will maintain a separate register for out-patients and in-patients, operation theatre, labour room, MTP, case sheets and medico-legal, laboratory, radiology and imaging, discharge summary, medical certificate in duplicate, complaints, birth and death.

The state and district registrar for clinical establishment will initiate action against offenders.

Health Secretary Ali Raza Rizvi said the government was seeking suggestions and working out procedures for the new guidelines.

Nurpur, June 24
Following demonstration by residents of 10 panchayats of Fatehpur development block at Fatehpur in Jawali subdivision recently to protest against the lackadaisal investigations into the alleged murder of Rajat (15), son of Ramesh of Bhatti village, the Jawali police expedited the investigations and converted the initially lodged abduction FIR into a murder case.

After receiving the forensic examination report of the deceased boy’s suspected skeleton which had been recovered from nearby Pong Dam lake on June 17, the police had registered this murder case.

Initially, the police had registered an abduction case under Section 364, IPC, on June 7 and arrested two persons suspected to be involved in the kidnapping of the boy who had gone to see wrestling bout on June 3 in a nearby Jagnolli village.

DSP, Jawali, Sanjay Sharma said after receiving forensic examination report and registration of a murder case, the police had taken blood samples of the boy’s parents yesterday for undertaking a DNA test of the skeleton suspected to be that of the deceased. 

Shimla, June 24
The decision of the government to replace telescopic cartons (TCs) for the marketing of apple by 20-kg standard universal cartons (SUCs) without adequate groundwork has left manufacturers and growers confused and the state may have to contend with the shortage of packing material during the ensuing harvesting season as a result.

The state is expecting a good apple crop and as per the estimates of the Horticulture Department, the production is likely to be around 2.67 crore standard boxes.

However, with no legally enforceable standards as required under the Fruits and Vegetables Grading and Marking Rules and the use of SUCs not made mandatory, the manufacturers are in a quandary whether to produce TCs or SUCs. Moreover, introducing SUCs in Himachal Pradesh alone will not help, as other apple-producing states like Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) will continue with telescopic cartons.

The growers are also reluctant, as they feel that the TCs enabled them to market up to 25 kg of fruit, which curtails the cost of packaging and transportation by 25 per cent. They maintain that the SUCs may be a feasible proposition for grade “A” fruit, which accounts for just 10 to 15 per cent of the produce. The bulk of fruits and vegetables in the country are sold through hawkers in the retail market where the cost is more important than the quality.

“In Europe, apple is being supplied by growers to wholesalers in the new collapsible plastic bins, which easily carry up to 40 kg of fruit and are reusable. If introduced in the country, these will substantially cut down the transportation cost,” points out Prakash Thakur, a leading grower and Director of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Standardisation is welcome in a set-up where “arhtiyas” rule the roost, and putting additional costs on growers may not help, particularly in a cost-sensitive market, he observes.

In any case, even if the SUCs were to be introduced, the government should have first got the fixed standards, which were legally enforceable and enacted a law to make use of the SUCs mandatory.

The MD of HPMC, a nodal government agency for supplying cartons along with HIMFED, said the SUCs would be made available and the company had already placed orders with some manufacturers for the supply at the same cost as the telescopic cartons. It was for the first time that an initiative had been taken towards the standardisation.

Shimla, June 24
The state police department will organise a marathon to mark the World Anti-Narcotics Day in the state capital on June 24 every year.

Stating this while giving away prizes to winners of the half marathon organised here today, the Chief Minister said the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department and other allied departments would lend support to make the marathon successful in the coming years. He said such events helped in drawing attention of people and motivating them to contribute towards the social cause.

He said the police department had been organising various events with a view to involving the common man in checking drug menace and other social evils. A number of schemes had been launched by the department to educate the masses about the positive role of the police in maintenance of law and order and protecting life and property of people.

The CM said Himachal Pradesh had emerged as a pollution-free state in the country by prohibiting use of plastics in daily use with the support of people. Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had awarded the state for making all district headquarters smoke free.

The first prize of Rs 31,000 and citation in women’s category was won by Rooma Pattan and the second prize of Rs 21,000 by Navjeevan Kaur. In the men’s category, Mukesh Rawat was the winner and Samas Yadav, the runner-up.

In the 10-km category, the first and second positions were bagged by Manju and Swarana Thakur, respectively, in the women’s category and Ganesh Thakur and Hari Shankar in the men’s category.

In special children category, Priyanka Thakur was declared first and Savita Devi second in the girl’s category, while Ravish and Rohit got the first and second prizes, respectively, in the boys’ category.

Director General of Police DS Manhas said the police was associating with various social causes with a view to win the trust of the common man.

Dharamsala, June 24
A barking deer was attacked and injured by stray dogs. The incident came to the fore at Khaniyara village near Dharamsala. Later, it was rescued by officials of the Forest Department with the help of the residents of the village.

According to Conservator, Forest, ARM Reddy, residents of the village, including Pavan Kumar and Kanchan Bala, helped the team of the Forest Department in rescuing the injured barking deer.

He said the barking deer, which was attacked by stray dogs, took shelter near the Tika Tehar of Khaniyara village at 5.30 this morning in the agriculture fields and was later taken into the safe custody of villager Kuldeep Kumar.

As soon as Forest Department officials were informed, a team of the forest flying squad was sent and the injured animal was shifted to the Dhauladhar Nature Park at Gopalpur, the Conservator said.

As per the report of a veterinarian of the Gopalpur zoo, though the animal was injured on thighs and horns, it was in good condition. After some preliminary treatment, it is likely to be normal and can be rehabilitated in the dense forest in the vicinity from where it was rescued, he said.

The Conservator has appreciated the efforts of the lower functionaries of the forest, who made efforts to rescue the animal within hours of receiving the information.

Barking deer

Barking deer is a small deer named Indian Muntjac. It is called the barking deer due to the bark-like sound it makes as an alarm when in danger.

Shimla, June 24
With a provision of taking disciplinary action against officials who fail to deliver services to the common man within the stipulated period, the State Public Services Guarantee Act will go a long way in bringing efficiency in day-to-day functioning of the government.

The government has already notified the time limit for providing various services to help ensure transparency and accountability and make the administration responsible.

People will not have to wait for the delivery of host of services, right from obtaining a ration card to a revenue paper.

For instance, an identity card to a senior citizen or a person with disabilities has to be issued within three days. The registration of birth and death and marriages certificates are being issued within two days in urban areas. Similarly, medical certificate post-illness has to be issued within a day, medical certificate for obtaining a driving licence within two days and service entry fitness certificate within three days.

In rural areas, the preparation of ration cards and registration of birth, death and marriage is being done within 24 hours and in urban areas within two days; water connection is to be provided within a month and in case of erratic supply of water, it has to be rectified within two days, and in case of a major breakdown in two to seven days.

As far as revenue services are concerned, patwaris have to remain available in their respective “patwar circles” every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The registration of deeds and other documents, attestation of affidavits from the power of attorneys is being done on the same day. The time limit for providing grazing permits, compensation for domestic animals killed or injured by wild animals or human beings is to be paid within 24 hours.

The certificate that land is not in the planning area is being issued within three days, certificate of approval (registration) of lessee under minor mineral rules within six days and essentiality certificate to entrepreneurs within 45 days.

Shimla, June 24
Having firmly established the Raid de Himalaya, the world’s highest and one of the toughest motor rallies, as a premier sporting event, Himalayan Motorsport, a local motor club, has taken upon itself to bring the neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir on the global motorsport map.

With 13 successful editions of the Raid de Himalaya becoming integral to the international motorsport calender, the club is now striving to put the two-day Mughal Rally in Kashmir scheduled for June 30 and July 1 on a firm footing. “It is relatively a smaller event, but the terrain through which the rally passes is no less challenging. During the two days the rally will criss-cross through almost half the state. It is the third edition and a hat-trick of successful events and will go a long way in promoting the state as a sporting destination,” said Majiv Bhalla, vice-president of Himalayan Motorsport.

More importantly, he said, the event would send right signals to the world at large that Kashmir was back to normal. Though only in its third year, the event had become quite popular.

The core team comprises Vijay Parmar, Manjiv Bhalla, RS Dhaliwal and Atul Handa, who are old-time rallyists themselves. They were invited by the JK Government for organising the rally.

Shimla, June 24
As a long-term measure to reduce fire incidents, the Forest Department has embarked upon a new strategy to intersperse the highly fire-prone pine plantations with broad-leaved species from the coming season.

The department has identified highly combustible needles of pine trees and “ghasnis” (grassland) as major factors responsible for unending forest fires during the summer. It has decoded broad-leaved species in depressed areas in pine forests, which have adequate moisture to support such plantations to break the monotony. Further, leguminous broad-leaved plantations will be raised around “ghasnis” which will not only help check the spread of fire, but also increase the yield of fodder, said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RK Gupta, while explaining the plans for the coming planting season. The objective was to move from monoculture to mixed plantations.

He said the new plantations would be linked with the Van Sarovar programme under which water harvesting structures were being constructed in deep forests. These water bodies would help provide life-sustaining irrigation to plantation during dry spells. The focus would be on fire-prone areas. In all, over 2 crore saplings would be planted to bring about 20,000 hectares under forests. With the monsoon likely to hit the region around June 28, the department was keen to make the best of the first rain by ensuring maximum afforestation in the first half of July.

He would hold a videoconference with all the conservators and DFOs on June 29 to review the preparations for the planting season.

The department has also decided to plant traditional mango varieties which could be lost due to the arrival of dwarf varieties and introduce some commercial species like Kashmir Willow, Michelia Champaca (an aromatic shade tree) and sandalwood.

To begin with, 5,000 saplings each of these species would be planted. The plantation of medicinal plants under the “sanjivani” programme would continue along with other economically useful species like bimal (grewia optiva), bohenia, maple and ash.

Solan, June 24
In a unusual incident, five policemen were held captive after being beaten up by workers of Aristo Pharmaceuticals around 4 this evening near Makhnumajra village near Baddi.

The captive policemen were also brutally beaten up by a mob of around 250 factory workers, who were angry at the police entry into the unit premises after they were refused permission to go to the PGI, Chandigarh, where their fellow worker, Pankaj Kumar, hailing from Bihar, died following a serious illness today.

Trouble started when the unit management asked for police assistance after about 200-250 employees started protesting against the management’s decision of not allowing them to go to the PGI. Initially, two policemen from the PCR went to the unit on their motorcycle to ensure that no untoward incident took place. The employees who were already angry for not being given permission to go to the PGI, started pelting stones on the two policemen, identified as Gurmel and Rajiv, who sustained injuries.

The police then sent three more policemen, including Additional SHO KD Khan, but they, too, had to bear the brunt of the angry crowd.

The unit employees armed with stones sat on the boundary wall of the unit and restrained the policemen from going anywhere after giving them a good thrashing.

Later, a police force, led by DSP, Nalagarh, Praveen Dhiman rushed to the unit where they had to fire at least three rounds of fire in the air to disperse the crowd and facilitate their entry into the unit.

All five policemen sustained injuries, while two, including KD Khan and Gurmel, were referred to the PGI, as they were grievously injured. The police had detained at least 100 employees till the filing of the report, confided SP Baddi Gurdev Chand Sharma, who added that cases would be registered after verifying the actual culprits.

Locals of Makhnumajra village came out in support of the police to rescue the five policemen, who had been made captive.

The police had been deployed in strength to ensure maintenance of law and order in and around the unit, though the situation was under control by evening.

Dharamsala, June 24
The Akshardham temple project for Dharamsala has been shelved as the state government has failed to provide land for it and Congress leaders have opposed the endeavour.

The Akshardham Temple Society had proposed to construct a temple here on the request of local BJP minister Kishan Kapoor. Due to lobbying by the minister, the local administration had sent a proposal to the state government to allot 5 hectares to the Akshardham society to bring up a temple at Dharamsala.

The district administration had sent a proposal for allotting 5 hectares of the Aghanjan Mahadev temple in Khaniyara village for the proposed Akshardham temple. However, the proposal failed to get through bureaucratic channels of the state government despite hectic lobbying by Minister for Industries Kishan Kapoor.

Sources here told The Tribune that the Akshardham society had now given up the idea of setting up the project in Dharamsala. The society had been allotted land in Jalandhar district of Punjab and had decided to bring up the temple in that region.

Kishan Kapoor admitted that the Akshardham society had given up the idea of bringing up a temple at Dharamsala for the time being. He, however, added that he was still lobbying with the society to rejuvenate their interest in Dharamsala.

Kapoor also blamed local Congress leaders for creating an unnecessary controversy over the project. He said they had started issuing press statements opposing the proposed project of the Akshardham temple. The seers of the Akshardham temple then gave up the idea of setting up a temple here due to controversy created by Congressmen, he said.

Though the minister might be blaming the Congressmen for losing the Akshardham temple project, the sources here said the rivalry between the Dhumal and Shanta factions of the BJP might also be one of the factors.

The Congress leaders had also been opposing the Akshardham temple project on the plea that on the one hand the state government had been maintaining that no land was available for Central University campus at Dharamsala, land was being allotted for the Akshardham temple.

The Akshardham temple besides bringing in investment could have boosted the tourism potential of Dharamsala area. It could have added another attraction to Dharamsala area that is known for the Dalai Lama and his Tibetan establishments in exile.

Shimla, June 24
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal lauded the role of non-government organisations in making blood donation a successful movement, as a result of which there were no commercial donors in the state.

Inaugurating a blood donated camp organised by the Manav Kalyan Multipurpose Society here today, he said it was a pious service towards humanity and every person should come forward to donate blood.

More than 50 persons donated blood at the camp.

He appreciated the endeavours of the society, which had been engaged in various social activities and also helping poor people. He said organising blood donation camps enabled the authorities to deal with medical emergencies.

Bilaspur, June 24
As per the directions of the Himachal High Court, the police has cautioned members of truck unions that charging any fee or money from any truck owner for loading a vehicle coming from outside the district or even the state is illegal and a punishable offence.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Santosh Patial said here today that all truck unions in the district should instruct their office-bearers and members to not charge any such fee for loading any material by any outside trucks and if any such complaint was received, a case would be registered against the person or the union for the same.

The SP also told all truck drivers and persons, who had any such complaint against any union, to inform the police and it would be curbed with a heavy hand.

Dalhousie, June 24
The Northern Command Summer Adventure Camp-2012 culminated in a glittering ceremony yesterday after a series of adventurous, fun-filled and inspirational activities held at Dalhousie from June 16 to 23.

The camp helped children refine their skills in adventure and group activities and learnt to function as a team. Trekking, rock climbing, obstacle courses, tent pitching, jungle survival skills, treasure hunt, painting and skits were some of the activities which formed part of the carnival.

The plantation and cleaning drive at Khajjiar was one of the main events aimed at increasing awareness among children and locals about the ‘global warming’, preservation of ecology for posterity and keeping the area free of poly bags and bio non-degradable items.

The event was declared closed by Brig Pradeep Sofat, Commander, at Dalhousie Cantonment in a brief ceremony where participants were given prizes for excelling in adventure activities.

Hamirpur, June 24
Consumers in Hamirpur district are not getting adequate supply of subsidised pulses at retail sales counters meant for the public distribution system (PDS), as pulses are in short supply at sales depots.

Consumers in many areas of the district have not received the supply of pulses for quite some time and are now being forced to buy the same from the open market at higher prices.

The scheme to supply three pulses at the subsidised rate to ration card holders through PDS sales counters had been launched by the state government to provide them relief from rising inflation.

Three pulses i.e. black gram, dal urd and chana are being given at a subsidised rate to consumers every month.

Around 288 PDS sales counters in Hamirpur district normally get supply of 3,32,000 kg of pulses every month for subsidised distribution every month.

But the PDS sales counters are only getting a supply of about 1 lakh kg for the past few months, as a result of which, many consumers are not getting the subsidised pulses.

Kishan Chand, a consumer from the Badsar area, said, “We have been forced to buy pulses from the open market at high rates, as the pulses are not available at the PDS sales counters for the last two months.”

After getting complaints of subsidised pulses in short supply, the district food civil supplies and consumer affair department has sought reports from the PDS sales counters.

The District Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Controller said, “The supply of pulses is in short supply, which had affected the supply of subsidised pulses to ration card holders. However, we have taken up the matter with the higher authorities and the monthly quota of pulses to ration card holders will be provided soon.”

Dharamsala, June 24
KR Bharti, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kangra, on Friday pulled up the local Municipal Council (MC) authorities for delay in the completion of parking projects in the city.

Bharti directed the Municipal Council (MC) authorities to open the lower bay of Kotwali market parking under construction. During summer when there is huge tourist influx, there is parking scarcity. Vehicles parked on roads lead to traffic jams.

The MC should, therefore, expedite the construction of parking places in Dharamsala and McLeodganj. The government had sanctioned about Rs 8 crore for the construction of parking places in the city, he added.

He also ordered the police to take strict action against those who parked their vehicles on narrow roads in the city.

The DC directed the local authorities to ban vehicular traffic on the Martyr Park-Sarah road from 6 pm to 8 pm so that people could enjoy their evening walk.