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BJP to copy winning formula of its states
Veteran Congress leader Sat Mahajan dead
Tanda college is organ transplant centre
Rainfall still deficient in Solan
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Ravinder wants to contest from Palampur
IPH Minister Ravinder Ravi addresses mediapersons in Dharamsala on Saturday. Photo: Kamaljeet
HPTU in dock over admissions
CM opens multi-storeyed parking lot
Chief Minister PK Dhumal addresses a public meeting at Toani Devi in Hamirpur on Saturday. A Tribune photograph
Mortal remains of martyr consigned to flames
Mortal remains of Wing Commander Ashish Sharma being carried to the cremation ground by a contingent of the Indian Air Force at Palampur on Saturday. Photo: Ravinder Sood
Dagshai school lifts declamation trophy
Three-day Hamir Utsav begins
CM PK Dhumal pays obeisance at the Shiv temple to start Hamir Utsav in Hamirpur on Saturday. A Tribune photograph
Virbhadra wants EC to check fund misuse
Rs 3,000 for sr citizens sought
Halis to decide on Assembly polls
Horticulture officials’ plea
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BJP to copy winning formula of its states
Shimla, September 1 The decision was taken at the meeting of the State Election Manifesto Committee headed by Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Jai Ram Thakur held here yesterday. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister PK Dhumal, BJP national vice-president and state in charge of party affairs Kalraj Mishra, state party chief Satpal Singh Satti, national general secretary Jagat Prakash Nadda and other senior state and Central leaders. The leaders felt that since the election manifesto was a vital document on which the whole election is based, it is essential to make it appealing and catchy to the electorate, especially among youth and women. Mishra was of the opinion that state leaders must take a leaf out of successful campaigns and manifestos prepared by Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. As such, the election management committee will study the manifestos of these BJP-ruled states where the party has beaten anti-incumbency to again form the government. The BJP is keen to retain Himachal so that it can claim that it is on account of good governance that the party has succeeded in repeating its government. This time the BJP has also decided to invite suggestions and opinions of the common man, so
that it be can be duly incorporated in the election manifesto. “By doing the same we not only get the feedback about the aspirations and needs of the public but will also make them feel to be a part of the BJP campaign,” admitted a senior leader. The BJP will invite public suggestions by giving advertisements in the media. Social organisations, employees’ associations and other bodies would be free to send
in their suggestions to the party. “As has been the tradition in the past, special thrust would be on wooing women, youth and employees as they constitute a sizeable chunk of the electorate and would hold the key to victory,” said a senior party functionary. With the BJP claiming that it has fulfilled all the promises it made in its election manifesto for the 2007 Assembly poll, the party could make some tall promises to employees and unemployed youth. Enhancement of the employees’ retirement age, making five-day working in state government offices and giving unemployment allowance could be some promises that the BJP could make in its manifesto. |
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Veteran Congress leader Sat Mahajan dead
Dharamsala, September 1 Born on July 27, 1927, Mahajan joined politics during his college days. His innings as a Congress leader started when he was elected as the president of the Municipal Council (MC), Nurpur. He remained president of the Nurpur MC consecutively for five terms. Mahajan was elected as the Congress MLA in 1977. He won the Assembly elections from Nurpur in 1977 defeating the anti-establishment wave against the Congress due to the Emergency. He was elected as MLA from Nurpur in Kangra district in 1982, 1985, 1993 and 2003. He also remained Revenue Minister in the Himachal Cabinet from 1980-85, Transport Minister from 1985-90 and Rural Development Minister from 2003-07. Mahajan also was MP from the Kangra parliamentary constituency from 1996-98. He withdrew from active politics in the 2007 Assembly elections and introduced his son Ajay Mahajan from the Nurpur Assembly segment. The veteran Congress leader is survived by his son Ajay Mahajan, who is now the general secretary of the HPCC, and a daughter. Local sources said Sat Mahajan’s cremation would take place at 3 pm in Nurpur tomorrow. Shanta Kumar, national vice-president of the BJP, termed Mahajan as a respected leader of the old generation who dedicated his life for the welfare of people. CM expresses grief
Shimla: Chief Minister PK Dhumal and HPCC chief Virbhadra Singh, along with other senior leaders, have expressed grief on the death of Sat Mahajan. Mahajan, dominated the Kangra politics for several years during the ’80s. Virbhadra Singh said Mahajan contributed towards strengthening the party and made significant contribution as a minister in the state government. CLP leader Vidya Stokes also expressed grief. Senior Congress leaders, including former ministers, legislators and party office-bearers were among others who expressed condolences. |
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Tanda college is organ transplant centre
Kangra, September 1 Stating this here recently, Principal Anil Chauhan said the authorisation committee constituted by the Appropriate Authority in a meeting held on August 6, 2012, found that the required conditions for human organ transplantation were satisfactory at the Tanda college as submitted by the DRPGMC authorities through form No. 11. The committee recommended the recognition of the
DRPGMC, Tanda, to carry out human organ transplant activities under this Act after observing all codal formalities. The Appropriate Authority of Himachal
Pradesh-cum-Principal, IGMC, Shimla, communicated to the DRPGMC authorities recently that the college was recognised as Human Organ Transplant
Centre. Meanwhile, the ball was set rolling for the establishment of an eye bank in this college which would be the first step in the direction of human organ transplant. However, sources said for the establishment of the eye bank followed by corneal transplant procedures here needed space, infrastructure and trained staff. The Department of Ophthalmology had only two faculty members against the required three. Dr Chauhan said the college had received Rs 20 lakh from the Centre for strengthening the Ophthalmological Department and further Rs 15 lakh would be received for the eye bank soon. |
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Rainfall still deficient in Solan
Solan, September 1 According to figures available from the Department of Environmental Sciences (DES), Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan has received 253.4 mm of rain in 19 days till August 27. Merely 19.3 mm of rain was received in four days of June and 317.1 mm of rain in 17 days of July, thus pointing to irregular distribution of rain. Such rain is not only of high-intensity but also triggers soil erosion and was considered more damaging, confided Dr Satish Bhardwaj, who is heading DES. He said usually 70 per cent of the rain was attributed to the first three-and-a-half month beginning June and the remaining rain was received by September with the season receding by mid-September. The figures revealed that merely 54 per cent rain had been received till August 27, which was much lesser than the average 70 per cent rain usually received in August. On an average 1,100 mm of average annual rain is received in Solan with the first three-and-a-half month contributing about 70 per cent and the remaining one-and-a-half month receiving the remaining 30 per cent rain. Dr Bhardwaj added that the dry spell was suitable for late-sown varieties and it helps plants to survive as excess water initially hampers the germination process.
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Ravinder wants to contest from Palampur
Dharamsala, September 1 His announcement is likely to create a flutter in the Shanta faction as the Palampur Assembly constituency was at present being represented by Parveen Sharma. Sharma is a Shanta Kumar loyalist and the veteran BJP leader was not likely to yield the seat to Ravi. Ravi made this announcement while talking to mediapersons at Dharamsala today. The IPH minister has been eyeing an alternative Assembly seat as his Thural constituency had been finished in the delimitation exercise and merged in the adjoining constituencies. Ravi said though his first choice was Palampur as his residence was located there, he could also contest from the Jwalamukhi or Sulah Assembly constituencies. These constituencies are represented by Shanta’s loyalists. The Jwalamukhi Assembly constituency is represented by Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Ramesh Dhawala and the Sulah Assembly constituency was represented by Vipin Parmar, general secretary, state BJP. Local sources said Shanta in a meeting of party held at Shimla recently opposed dislodging of any MLAs for accommodating Ravi. The Dhumal’s faction is of the view that in case Ravi is allowed to contest from Jwalamukhi and the Dhawala contests from Dehra, the party would have an edge in both constituencies. They are maintaining that many areas of the old Jwalamukhi Assembly constituency, including Dhawala village of Ramesh Dhawala, were now part of the Dehra Assembly seat. |
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HPTU in dock over admissions
Hamirpur, September 1 The state government has reportedly asked the HPTU Vice-Chancellor (VC) to come to Shimla and explain how the university has relaxed norms prescribed by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The HP Private Technical Education Act prescribes admissions to engineering colleges on the basis of the AIEEE or the common entrance test conducted at the state level. The HPTU recently allowed private engineering colleges in the state to admit students securing 50 per cent marks in the class-XII examination to BTech courses without appearing in AIEEE conducted this year. This decision had been taken to fill vacant seats since there was a poor response to engineering courses this year. Only about 1,500 students appearing in the AIEEE had sought admission through counselling for more than 5,000 seats. Expressing surprise, retired engineer SK Sharma said, “The main aim of the HPTU is to improve the quality of education. Only 272 of the 1,918 BTech students had passed last year.” HPTU VC Shashi Dhiman said, “The AICTE has prescribed the AIEEE test, but it allows institutions to admit students securing 50 per cent marks in class XII to make optimum use of the seats available.” Private Universities Regulatory Commission Secretary Manoj Chauhan said, “It is not in my knowledge, but is wrong. We will take up the matter with the state government.” Education Secretary Sanjay Murthy said, “I will have to check norms.” |
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CM opens multi-storeyed parking lot
Hamirpur, September 1 Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the new tehsil office and a science block in the government senior secondary school building here today, Dhumal said: “During the BJP regime, the government had launched several schemes to benefit people.” “But the Congress had tried to block these schemes by approaching courts but they lost every time and now we have brought our case (cause) in the people’s court and you have to decide our fate,” he said. “It also started a scholarship scheme for meritorious girls under which 2,000 toppers would get scholarships of Rs 15,000 per annum, each for three years to pursue further studies and distribute free laptops to toppers in Class XII examinations,” he added. Education Minister ID Dhiman was among others who addressed the meeting. Later, the Chief Minister also inaugurated a multi-storeyed parking complex near the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Hamirpur, constructed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and a shopping complex near Subzi Mandi. |
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Mortal remains of martyr consigned to flames
Palampur, September 1 Wing Commander Sharma (36) lost his life in the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter crash in Jamnagar on Thursday. Two helicopters of the IAF had collided in the sky while on routine exercise. Thousands of residents from adjoining villages came to pay homage to the brave officer. A contingent laid a wreath on the body of Sharma on behalf of the Chief of the IAF. SDM Bhupinder Attari laid a wreath on the body on behalf of Chief Minister PK Dhumal. Senior Army, Air Force and civil officers were also present. However, no minister of the district turned up. There are four Cabinet ministers in this district. Earlier, the body of Sharma was flown to Palampur in an IAF helicopter, along with his family members, who were lifted from Gwalior. Sharma leaves behind his widow and two school-going boys. Wing Commander Sharma was posted Air Force Officers Training School at Gwalior. He was on deputation at Jamnagar to train junior officers for the past one month. His deputation was to be completed yesterday on August 31, but he died a day before. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dhumal expressed shock over the tragedy. |
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Dagshai school lifts declamation trophy
Solan, September 1 The gold medal for the English section was bagged by Ekam Singh Gill of St Kabir Public School, Chandigarh, while Priyanka Thakur of the host school got the silver medal. Saloni Mimani of Vivek High School, Chandigarh, walked away with the bronze medal. The proficiency medals in the English Section were bagged by Umang Mor of Vidya Devi Jindal School, Hisar, Manleen Rekhi of YPS, Mohali, and Hitika Gupta of Army Public School, Dagshai. In the Hindi Section, Arawali Rawat of Army Public School, Dagshai, stood first and Palak Batra of Vidya Devi Jindal School, Hisar, second and Abhinav Jain of Pinegrove School third. Proficiency medals in Hindi were taken by Vidhi Joon of St Theresa’s Convent School, Karnal, Avantika Gargya of YPS, Mohali, and Adityajit Singh Kang of Vivek High School, Chandigarh. Brig Bonny Mathew, Group Commander, NCC HQ, Shimla, was the chief guest and gave away prizes to the winners.
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Three-day Hamir Utsav begins
Hamirpur, September 1 Local MLA Urmil Thakur, Chairman, KCCB, Raseel Singh Mankotia, DC, Rajinder Singh Thakur and other dignitaries also participated. Later, Dhumal also inaugurated exhibitions put up by government departments and other
organisations. |
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Virbhadra wants EC to check fund misuse
Shimla, September
1 Virbhadra in a written complaint to the EC pointed out that the BJP regime was spending government funds on publicity in print as well as electronic media by issuing advertisements, listing its achievements. “Several lakhs are being spent daily by way of these advertisements which must be stopped,” he urged. He also pointed out that huge hoardings of the BJP had been put up all along national and state highways and even on walls of educational
institutions. Virbhadra Singh also brought to the notice of the EC the manner in which ad hoc appointments were being made in various government departments in violation of the norms.
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Rs 3,000 for sr citizens sought
Chamba, September 1 The number of elderly people is increasing rapidly as a result of higher longevity. In a press note, district president of the forum PC Oberoy emphasised the need for the formulation of a tangible plan to cope with the challenge of providing medical and other requirements of the burgeoning number of senior citizens. Oberoy demanded the setting up of geriatric wards in state hospitals with trained personnel, both doctors and nurses, who could take care of the special needs of the elderly. The forum also urged the government to extend the travel concession to senior citizens in HRTC bus fares and enhance the bus fare concession from 20 to 40 per cent. |
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Halis to decide on Assembly polls
Kangra, September 1 Ramesh Barmouri, spokesperson of the community, said the community had been demanding the establishment of the Hali Kalyan Board with a chairperson from their community. He said the Hali community constituted 12 per cent of the total population of the state. He said the demand of the community for the establishment of Hali Kalayan Board had not been fulfilled for the past few decades. |
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Horticulture officials’ plea
Shimla, September 1 They said officials were on a par with veterinarians in respect of pay scales till 1996. The Fourth Punjab Pay Commission disturbed the parity and granted two-tier time scales to agriculture and horticulture officials and three-tier time scales to their veterinarians. |
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IPH Minister Ravinder Ravi, who was being targeted by leaders of the Shanta faction for his closeness to Chief Minister PK Dhumal, today categorically said his first choice was the Palampur Assembly constituency to contest the poll.
His announcement is likely to create a flutter in the Shanta faction as the Palampur Assembly constituency was at present being represented by Parveen Sharma.
Chief Minister PK Dhumal today turned into election mode and appealed to the people to vote for the BJP in the coming Assembly elections in the state.
Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the new tehsil office and a science block in the government senior secondary school building here today, Dhumal said: “During the BJP regime, the government had launched several schemes to benefit people.”
Palampur, September 1
Hamirpur, September 1
