Dharamsala, July 19
The much-talked-about concept of making Himachal an education hub seems to have failed. The state of engineering and polytechnic colleges that mushroomed in Himachal over the past few years is appalling.

There are about 6,000 engineering seats in various private and government engineering colleges in the state. However, only 3,000 students have filled in forms for attending the counselling being conducted by Himachal Pradesh Technical University. Sources said of them, only 1,500 students were expected to attend the counselling. This means that even if all students who attend counselling take admission to engineering colleges, only about 25 per cent seats would be filled.

The state of polytechnic colleges is even worse. The sources said there were about 10,000 polytechnic and engineering diploma seats in the state. However, just 500 students had come through counselling conducted by the state technical education department.

Owners of engineering colleges and private universities are blaming politicians and certain vested groups for carrying out a slander campaign against the institutions that have come up in the state.

An owner of an engineering college in Kangra district said on condition of anonymity that most engineering colleges had raised loans ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore. In case the colleges failed to fill at least 60 per cent seats, they would not be able to reach the break-even cost of running the institutions.

If such a scenario continued for another year, many colleges might be forced to close down, he said.

The Chancellor of a private university said they had set up colleges investing amounts ranging up to Rs 100 crore in Himachal with a view that students from across the country would be attracted to take admission here due to the serene environment in the state. However, politicians and other vested groups had carried out such a malicious campaign against the institutions that had come up in the state that students from other states were not willing to take admission in Himachal.

Leave aside students, even senior faculty was not coming to many institutions in Himachal due to “bad branding” of the institutions here caused by statements of state leaders. Many promoters had put expansion plans of their institutes in the state on hold due to discouragement on the part of state politicians, he said.

The sources also blamed the overall slowdown and a sudden decline in the tendency of students towards technical education for the poor state of technical institutes in the state. The tendency of students towards technical education has declined due to the slowdown in the Indian industry and shrinking jobs in the private sector. This year more students had opted for courses such as BCom and BSc than engineering or diploma courses.

Shimla, July 19
Performing plays at the historic Gaiety Theatre will be a delight for theatre groups with the availability of readymade scripts, a range of stage props and other facilities required to create impressive sets.

It has become the first theatre in the country to set up a script bank and acquire a range of stage properties which will come in handy for the performing groups for creating various sets and for use as props. The Gaiety Dramatic Society (GDS), which manages the theatre, has already acquired scripts of about 400 plays. The bank includes 108 scripts of English plays staged at the theatre during the pre-Independence era from 1890 to 1940. Some books on stage craft and theatre of the British are also available which are quite useful for the performing groups.

The script bank will get richer with the passage of time as the GDS has made it mandatory for all performing groups to provide a copy of the script of the play to be staged by them.

Besides a state-of-the-art sound system, which has been installed without undermining the aesthetics and ambiance of the oval-shaped theatre, a range of stage properties has been acquired which can be used to create impressive sets for various performances. In all, an amount of over Rs 40 lakh has been spent for the purpose.

“In big cities like Delhi, theatre groups have their own stage properties. However, in the hill state, performing groups are financially weak and cannot afford such a luxury. As a result, they mostly avoid staging plays which require large sets, resulting in the scope of their performances getting severely limited. Now, they will be able to stage many more plays,” says Rakesh Kanwar, Director of the Art, Culture and Language Department.

He said in due course, traditional jewellery and costumes of the state, commonly required by folk artistes for various performances, will also be acquired. Theatre groups and cultural troupes which become members of the GDS will get these facilities on minimal charges. The groups in the “A” category will be provided the old theatre for three days, the multi-purpose hall for two days and the conference hall for one day and the amphitheatre for seven days in a year free of cost. Similarly, the groups in the “B” category will get the old theatre for two days and the amphitheatre for five days, while those in the “C” category will be entitled to free use of the old theatre for one day and the amphitheatre for three days.

With these added facilities and concessions, the Gaiety Theatre will go a long way in promoting performing arts in the state.

Shimla, July 19
Governor Urmila Singh has sought a report from the government on alleged violations of human rights at an old age home at Basantpur, run by the state Social Welfare Board, where a mentally challenged inmate died recently and a physically challenged inmate disappeared mysteriously.

The issue was raised by a local NGO, Umang Foundation, which demanded a judicial probe into the “gross human rights violations” at the old age home, particularly the death of the mentally challenged inmate on June 18, so that those responsible for the prevailing mess could be held accountable.

Chairman of the NGO Ajai Srivastava had written a letter to Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy in this regard and drawn his attention towards the pitiable condition of inmates in the institution and sought his intervention to help save their lives.

He said he was forced to seek a judicial probe into the functioning of the home as the board had failed to take any corrective steps even after his organisation highlighted the “sorry state of affairs” over three months ago. The issue
was also raised in the Assembly subsequently.

Srivastava added that the underpaid staff of the home had not been paid salaries for the past four months.

Blaming the callous attitude of the government agencies concerned for the mess in the home, he had demanded prompt action in the matter.

Shimla, July 19
The move of the Himachal Government to “beckon” IAS officers of Himachali origin serving in other state cadres has got a thumbs down from a majority of the states which had been approached to send them on a home deputation to tide over the shortage of bureaucrats.

In a bid to tide over the problem of paucity of IAS officers, letters had been sent to states and the UT cadre to allow officers of Himachali origin serve in their home state.

Seven states — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Meghalaya — have sent their response, expressing their inability to do so as they are themselves facing a shortage of officers.

Himachal has already taken up the issue of enhancement of its IAS cadre strength with the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). But till such time that the move gets the nod from the Centre, it was decided to try and get Himachali IAS officers serving in other states on home deputation.

The exercise to identify IAS officers from Himachal, whose number is over 30, was undertaken and letters sent to the respective Chief Secretaries of the states to spare Himachali officers for a home deputation.

“We are awaiting the reply of other states, but the seven responses that we have received are all in the negative,” confirmed Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary, Personnel.

Sources said in all likelihood the response from the other states would also be in the negative.

At present, Himachal had a cadre strength of 129 IAS officers.

The state wanted at least eight more officers. The issue was pending with the DOPT and the state was hopeful that the move would come through.

With several officers out on central deputation and study leave, the government is finding it difficult to appoint bureaucrats on all prime postings.

In fact, most senior officers are holding the charge of three or four important departments.

Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy is looking after the Tourism and Environment Department with there not being too many officers available to take on the responsibility.

With some more IAS officers seeking a central deputation and others keen on an extension, there is a lot of pressure.

However, considering the present situation, the government is not in a mood to let more officers leave the state on assignments.

Kangra, July 19
At least 12 persons, including six medicos, were injured in a clash at the Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (DRPGMC), Tanda, this evening. The clash took place after a medico was allegedly attacked with a sharp-edged weapon by a village youth.

The police said trouble started when a village youth and a medico got into an argument over an eve-teasing incident. The village youth allegedly attacked the medico, injuring his hand.

Soon, word spread in the college and medicos gathered near the gate. By this time villagers had also arrived there and both groups clashed.

Six medicos and an equal number of villagers were reportedly injured in the clash. It was a free far all and stones and lathis were used.

The police later reached the spot and controlled the situation. The Additional SP, Kangra, and the local SHO persuaded both groups to disperse.

MR Chauhan, SHO, said a medico was injured first and the person who used the weapon had been booked. He said the injured medicos were treated at the medical college, Tanda, while the injured villagers were treated at the Civil Hospital, Kangra.

Students held a protest inside the college. The villagers, mostly women, protested at the gate of the college. The villagers raised slogans against the medical college and demanded its closure.

Dr Anil Chauhan, Principal, reached the spot and asked the students to disperse. He also met the villagers.

Kamal Dutta, an intern, said youths from outside often entered the college and indulged in eve-teasing with girl students. An argument over the issue resulted in the clash.

Shimla, July 19
State BJP general secretary Rajeev Bindal today warned former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to desist from indulging in politics of vendetta as people of the state were vehemently opposed to this negative trend.

Addressing a press conference here today, Bindal said people of the state had given a befitting reply to the feudalistic mindset and political vendetta unleashed by Virbhadra Singh in his last tenure by voting against the Congress.

“People have still not forgotten the manner in which BJP legislators, including Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal and myself, were beaten black and blue by the then Virbhadra regime on the Ridge here in March 2003,” he said reminiscing the episode. The former minister said cases had been registered by the Congress regime against all senior leaders as well as party workers on political considerations. “Many of us are still facing cases, so this is not new for us though Virbhadra Singh is habitual of indulging in such petty politics,” he remarked.

Bindal said the BJP was fully geared up for the Assembly poll and during the next three days the party would hold a meeting of the state office-bearers and executive at Mandi. “The meeting will discuss all poll-related issues and how to gear up the organisation in the presence of Dhumal, Shanta Kumar, Kalraj Mishra, Shyam Jaju, JP Nadda and Satpal Satti,” he said.

He said a big rally would be held in Balh near Mandi on July 22. He said a big Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) rally would be held on August 11 in Hamirpur.

Bindal said the BJP regime had taken care of all the sections of society, including employees, farmers, women and youth. “The decisions taken by the BJP regime yesterday with regard to employees’ demands are historic and unprecedented,” he remarked.

He said besides filing up 40,000 vacancies in the past four-and-half-year rule, the biggest demand of employees regarding time-scale promotions had been fulfilled. The ceiling on house loan had been raised from the present Rs 7.50 lakh and demands concerning promotion, transfer and increment had been granted.

Hamirpur, July 19
The Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Board (HPSSSB), Hamirpur, has failed to take action against an employee facing a trial in court in an embezzlement case.

This despite the fact that the state government had advised disciplinary action against the employee, who continues to occupy a “sensitive post” in the board.

The employee, Jeevan Lal, superintendent in the secrecy branch of the HPSSSB, was booked by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Mandi, in July 2010 under various Sections of the IPC for a criminal act while working as a clerk in Government Senior Secondary School, Sarkaghat, in Mandi district.

The bureau had filed an FIR against him for allegedly syphoning off over Rs 1 lakh collected as tuition fee from students of the school.

The bureau had filed a challan in court in this case and the trial is on. The employee later joined the HPSSSB office in Hamirpur and is still working for quite some time now.

The HPSSSB authorities never bothered to verify the antecedents of the employee. On the advice of the Principal Secretary, Home, and the Principal Secretary, Education, the Director, Education, had asked the HPSSSB what disciplinary action it had taken against the employee after the criminal case against him.

However, no action has reportedly been taken by the HPSSSB even after this query from the Director, Education. SP, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Mandi, Virender Sharma said, “We have filed a challan in court in this case.”

Secretary, HPSSSB, Hamirpur, Vinod Kumar said, “This is an old case and is not in my knowledge.”

Mandi, July 19
Chief Minister PK Dhumal will virtually launch the party’s election campaign in Mandi district tomorrow with an eye on voters of Drang, Balh, Nachan, Mandi Sadar and Sundernagar in particular.

The Chief Minister will lay the foundation stones of three schemes and inaugurate three projects during his three-day Mandi tour. He will try to use the occasion to woo voters of the region. The BJP is also holding a meeting of its state executive in Mandi on July 21.

The BJP has planned a big rally, to be addressed by Arun Jaitley, Shanta Kumar and PK Dhumal among others, at Kansa Chowk in Balh to woo voters of Balh, Sundernagar, Nachan and Mandi Sadar.

The Chief Minister will be on a three-day tour of the district from tomorrow. He will lay the foundation stones of two lift irrigation schemes, the Triamle-Tandu scheme and the Tung- Bijni scheme, in the Drang constituency tomorrow. The constituency is at present represented by state Congress president Kaul Singh Thakur. He will later inaugurate a water scheme at Dudar in Mandi Sadar and lay the foundation stone of a hostel at Sundernagar.

Drang BJP leader Jawahar Thakur has alleged that the Congress has ignored the Drang constituency over the years and winds of change are now sweeping Drang as the BJP has done more development than what the Congress could do in its past three terms.

Though the inauguration of the Mandi bus stand has been postponed due to the non-completion of some works, the Chief Minister will inaugurate the mini-secretariat building at Sundernagar on July 21.

Dhumal will inaugurate the Balh valley left bank irrigation scheme at Kaloud in Sundernagar before attending the rally at Kansa Chowk on July 22.

State BJP secretary Praveen Sharma said the state executive meeting of the party would be attended by senior leaders, including state party in charge Kalraj Mishra, Shanta Kumar, PK Dhumal, state BJP president Satpal Satti, co-in charge Shayam Jaju among others to chalk out the poll strategy.

Nurpur, July 19
The mystery of the alleged murder of Rajat (15), son of Ramesh of Bhatti village under Jawali police station, which had sparked off tension at Fatehpur on June 25 when agitating villagers had turned violent, was today solved by the investigating team of the CID (Crime).

The Kangra police had handed over the inquiry of the case to the CID on June 28 following public protests against it. The police had to resort to mild lathi charge and tear gas shells to disperse a violent crowd which had blocked vehicular traffic at three different places on June 25.

DSP, CID (Crime), Sunil Negi said the ongoing investigations had concluded that Rajat was not murdered, but had died after drowning in the Pong Dam lake from where his skeleton had been found on June 17. He said during investigation the CID had gathered enough substantial evidences to indicate that Rajat had died of drowning.

Negi said Rajat, along with his three friends Vijay, Karan and Akshay, had gone to see a wrestling bout at Jagnolli village on June 3. His friends came back and concocted a story to hide the drowning mishap as they were afraid of being thrashed by their families.

“They had concocted a story that on their way back to the village two bike riders had met Rajat and suddenly the trio disappeared from the scene. But during investigations the friends admitted that they all had come on the bank of the Pong Dam lake near the Jagnolli bridge to have a bath. They also noticed a boat there and took fishing hooks lying in it. These hooks had been recovered from the clothes of the deceased. When the four boys were taking a bath, Rajat slipped into deep water. The trio came out safely, but were frightened and had concocted this story,” he informed.

Chamba, July 19
In order to depict the identity of the historic Minjar fair of Chamba, a logo was released yesterday by Deputy Commissioner (DC), Chamba, Sunil Chaudhary, who is also the chairperson of the Minjar Fair Celebration Committee.

The Deputy Commissioner said the logo would be a lifetime identity of the fair, which would henceforth be used on the souvenir and badges.

The logo, which was conceived and designed by Chamba artists Padma Shri Vijay Sharma and Hansraj Dhiman, signifies the meaning in itself and apparently suggests a happy synthesis of tradition and metaphors.

It is for the first time that such a logo for the age-old Minjar fair has been designed. It comprises various flags, parasol, maize plant and Minjar tassels.

The logo denotes the monsoon season and the “sun” insignia of the royal house of Chamba. On the occasion, president, local Municipal Council, Anita Thakur said the logo symbolised the folk culture of the Chamba region.

Various NGOs, including Chamba Welfare Association, District Progressive Council, Shilpa Parishad, and other local organisations have hailed the release of this logo.

Bilaspur, July 19
Jaundice has gripped villages of the Ghumarwin area in this district resulting in the hospitalisation of 42 persons within the past two days.

Reports said most of the victims were children and students who had taken polluted water mostly from an IPH dug handpump and from villages situated on the periphery of Ghumarwin town near here.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) DR Sehgal said 23 patients affected with jaundice were admitted to the Ghumarwin Civil Hospital, while 17 were admitted to the Regional Hospital here till Wednesday evening.

Two patients affected with the disease were admitted to the Ghumarwin hospital on Wednesday and 12 were discharged from the hospital till now, he said.

The CMO said the remaining cases in these hospitals were stable and there was no cause for worry. People should consume boiled water to avoid such water-borne diseases.

He added that immediate steps had been taken to control the spread of the disease and a team of specialists, including District Medical Officer Rakesh Bhardwaj, Block Medical Officer TS Chandel and officers of the IPH Department, was immediately dispatched to the villages affected by the disease. Steps were also taken to provide health education in these villages.

Shimla, July 19
With a view to improving medical facilities in rural areas, the state high court has directed the Principal Secretary (Health) that if any doctor, having specialisation in the field of radiology, gynaecology, paediatrics and orthopaedic, makes a request for transfer to Shimla district, he/she will only be transferred to the Civil Hospital, Rohru.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice DC Chaudhary passed these orders during the hearing of a PIL where it was highlighted that how the hospital is running without basic facilities and lack of medical staff.

It was also pointed out how 300 patients are at the mercy of only three doctors.

It was brought to the notice of the court that there is no radiologist, gynaecologist, pediatrician and orthopedist in the Rohru hospital.

It was learnt that there was a lot of pressure on the government from doctors to come to Shimla district.

Bilaspur, July 19
Almost all political parties and social and cultural organisations here have demanded the immediate reversal of order of the transfer of child specialist Satish Sharma posted at Regional Hospital here.

Some organisations have even threatened to stage protests and dharnas if these orders are not withdrawn in pure public interest.

Former MLA and Himachal Kisan Sabha state general secretary Krishan Kumar Kaushal, former Congress MLAs Tilak Raj Sharma and Dr Babu Ram Gauttam, HLP state joint spokesman Kesh Pathania and district president Daulat Ram Sharma, CPI state secretariat member Pravesh Chandel, state NGOs president Ram Singh and organisations like All-Party Bhakra Oustees’ Rights Protection Committee, Bilaspur Nagar Sabha, local Beopar Mandal and Rainbow Star Club of District Youths have urged the Chief Minister to order the cancellation of the order.

They said Dr Satish Sharma has earned the reputation of being a good doctor and is always available in the service of women and children.

“He should be allowed to continue here and some other doctor be posted at the Hamirpur hospital where he has been told to join,” they added.

Hamirpur, July 19
Several applicants keen on appearing in the JBT entrance test and screening test to select patwaris are finding it hard to appear for the same as the dates of these tests are not only coinciding with each other but also coinciding with the BEd exams being conducted by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

All these exams are being conducted on August 19. Since many candidates are keen on appearing in the JBT entrance test being conducted by the HP Board of School Education and the screening test to select patwaris being conducted by the Revenue Department, they have urged the state government to change the date of the screening tests.

Mandi, July 19
BJP state secretary Praveen Sharma today alleged that state Congress president Kaul Singh Thakur was feeling the pinch of being ignored within his party and was thus making wild allegations against Chief Minister PK Dhumal.

Referring to Kaul’s remarks made at Paddar yesterday that Dhumal was a “petty trader”, Praveen Sharma said in a statement that Kaul Singh was frustrated as the Congress had “cornered him”. — TNS