Shimla, November 23
Keen to extract their pound of flesh in case there is a fractured mandate, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rebels trying their electoral fortunes as Independents are keeping all options open, including joining hands with parties like the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), after the counting of votes on December 20.

Having taken the initiative to get together all Independents who stand a fair chance of winning, Rakesh Pathania, sitting Independent legislator from Nurpur, has got in touch with about a dozen such candidates. He has also been in touch with leaders of the Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP), floated by a breakaway group of the BJP.

Some prominent Independent candidates are likely to hold a meeting in New Delhi next week to chalk out their strategy. “I have held talks with many Independent candidates from all over the state who are potential winners so that we can assert our viewpoint after December 20 and have a say in the new regime,” says Pathania.

Independent candidates have already started aligning so that they have a say in the formation of the next government. “We do not know how many will win, but we are trying to ensure that we function as a group and have an identity of our own. We are even deliberating on the idea of merging with a national-level party like the NCP, the TMC or the SP and we are in touch with them,” he asserts.

The HLP, which is hopeful of winning some seats, is appreciative of the move to get all Independent candidates together. “We will not compromise on the principles on which we fought the elections even though we are open to the idea of forming a front with all parties and individuals who can help us in ousting corrupt forces,” says Mahinder Nath Sofat, HLP spokesperson and a former minister. He has added that the HLP is keen to strengthen the third front in Himachal Pradesh.

Though the HLP has formed a joint front with the CPM and the CPI, it has also extended support to three Independent candidates, Roop Singh Thakur (Sundernagar), Karnesh Jung (Paonta Sahib) and Sudha Sushant (Fathepur). More than a dozen formidable candidates of the Congress and the BJP are in the fray. Senior leaders of both parties are already engaged in wooing potential winners.

Shimla, November 23
Faced with a severe financial crunch, the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) has sought the help of the Union Urban Development Ministry on certain projects pertaining to the creation of basic civic amenities.

In a letter to Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar has sought the intervention of the Centre to ensure the completion of some important projects.

He sought help on certain projects, including water supply and sewerage, solid waste management, e-governance, beautification and urban housing for poor. He wrote that without the help of the Centre, it would not be possible to sustain the momentum of development. He pointed out that two projects worth Rs 127 crore had been sanctioned for water supply and sewerage.

“The project is scheduled to be started by April 2013 and so, it is requested that the project be treated as a special case by allowing the spillover of JNNURM funds till 2016, as urged by the Chief Minister,” he pleaded. He also requested that the project be executed by the MC and not on the PPP model.

He also sought permission from the ministry to either allow a reduction in the number of 636 dwellings proposed for the urban poor or the grant of additional funds as the cost of houses had gone up due to the terrain being hilly. He added that the burden could not be shifted on to the beneficiaries as they were poor, with a majority of them being Dalits.

He also urged the minister to incorporate special parameters to allow the construction of roads and tunnels in the comprehensive mobility plan, which was in the final stage and was to be submitted shortly to the ministry. He also sought funding for heritage and tourism projects worth Rs 70.4 crore so that the town could be promoted as an international tourist destination.

Bilaspur, November 23
The government is giving special attention to develop cooperative societies in the state so that a large number of people can take advantage of this system, which is very beneficial to all sections of society.

This was stated by Additional Deputy Commissioner Darshan Kalia while addressing the concluding function of the three-day district-level ‘Sehkar Mela’ recently. he said there was a great scope of earning well and showing talent in the cooperative system.

Presiding over the function, District Cooperative Federation president Ashutosh Sharma said the Bassi Cooperative Society was founded in 1967 and had now become one of the best cooperative societies in the state, winning prizes at the district and state levels.

Renuka, November 23
Chief Minister PK Dhumal today inaugurated the week-long traditional international Renuka Fair here by offering prayers before the palanquin of the presiding deity, Lord Parshu Ram, at Dadahu. Afterwards, he led the procession by carrying the pious palanquin of Lord Parshu Ram towards Renuka.

Every year on the occasion of "devprobodhini ekadashi", the traditional Renuka fair is organised on the banks of the Renuka lake where lakhs of devotees from across the country pay a visit.

As per the tradition, the palanquin of Lord Parshurama is brought to Renuka from the ancient temple in Jamu Koti village and it departs after performing religious ceremonies, including a holy dip in the lake.

Since the past two years, the enforcement of the model code of conduct has deterred the Chief Minister from making crucial announcements in the fair.

Chief Minister was accompanied by Dr Rajiv Bindal, former Health Minister; Sukh Ram Chaudhary, Chief Parliamentary Secretary; Hirda Ram, MLA, Renuka; Chander Mohan Thakur, Chairman, HP State Cooperative Bank; Baldev Tomar, president, BJP, Sirmaur district; other prominent residents of the area and senior party functionaries.

Later, Dhumal also visited the temple of Mata Renuka and Lord Parshu Ram to pay obeisance.

He also evinced keen interest in exhibition stalls put up by various organisations at the fair.

Shimla, November 23
The state Wildlife Department conducted a statewide survey to assess the population of the western tragopan, a highly endangered pheasant, in the ensuing spring season to plan the release of birds bred in captivity at the Sarhan pheasantry in forest.

The survey will be conducted both inside and outside protected wildlife areas in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in April. The focus will be on the high-altitude areas, ranging from 7,500 ft to 11,000 ft in Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Kangra and Kinnaur where the gorgeous pheasant is found.

The department has entered an agreement with the WII for both ex-situ and in-situ conservation of species under a three-year programme.

After assessing the population in different natural habitats across the state, the birds bred in captivity early this year will be released in areas where they have scant presence.

If all goes as planned, the exercise will be completed by June in accordance with the protocol laid down by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Scientists of the WII are also planning long-term research to study their behaviour, survival, domain and other related aspects in the wild for which they plan to put tracking transmitters on birds before release so that their movement could be monitored.

The decision was taken following successful hatching of eight chicks during the current season after a gap of over three years. Out of these, seven chicks survived and have grown into healthy birds. Unlike the past, when broody hens were used, the eggs were hatched by natural mothers and the department did not require incubators for the purpose. The prestigious project for the conservation breeding had run into rough weather following the outbreak of E-coli infection in the pheasantry two years ago, forcing the authorities to stop the breeding process midway during the season.

Sarahan is the only place in the world that has nine pairs of the rare species in captivity.

Shimla, November 23
Writers will get a new home in Dharamsala in place of the Sanskriti Sadan, which was given to Central University about three years ago.

An assurance to this effect was given by Chief Secretary Sudripto Roy on a representation submitted by Rajendra Rajan, senior writer and Editor of Iravati, a literary journal.

Rajan said the Chief Secretary assured him that he would take up the matter with Manisha Nanda, Secretary for Art, Language and Culture, and ask the Kangra Deputy Commissioner. Rajan pointed out that the Sanskriti Sadan was constructed in 2005 at a cost of Rs 60 lakh and soon emerged as the hub of literary activities.

He further stated that the state government was earning Rs 30,000 per month as rent, but did not make alternative arrangements for a writers’ home in the last three years.

He rued that the state government was instrumental in the closing down of Sanskriti Sadans in Kullu, Chamba and Shimla. Rajan said the Chief Secretary assured him that the Sanskriti Sadan building in Dharamsala would be handed back to writers after Central University constructed its administrative office.

Nurpur, November 23
After a long wait, the Union Forest and Environment Department has granted its nod in principle for transferring of forest land in the town to the state Education Department for the construction of the new building of Arya Government College here.

According to information, 1.80 hectares (around 48 kanal) had been identified by the Revenue Department in Rampuri Upmohal in the town for this purpose.

Now, the state Education Department (user agency) has to deposit its net asset value along with forestation compensation to the Forest Department.

It has been worked out at Rs 16.41 lakh.

After that the, Union Forest Department will accord its final nod for acquiring this land.

Local MLA Rakesh Pathania, who took initiative in the matter, said the Government Senior Secondary School, (boys), had been running since September 1928 on the premises of historical Nurpur fort premises, which was declared as protected monument by the Archeological survey of India (ASI).

“Keeping in view the dilapidated condition of this government school building and restriction of undertaking and repair or alternation of the existing building by the ASI, it has been proposed to shift this building into the government college premises and to build a new college building in the Rampuri area of the town,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ravinder Pathania, college principal, confirmed that after getting the Union Forest and Environment Department’s clearance in principle, the state Education department had been intimated for further action.

Dharamsala, November 23
Concerned at the poor results of engineering colleges functioning under the Himachal Pradesh Technical University, the Education Department has started conducting a survey to find the reasons behind it. A team constituted by the department has already visited some engineering colleges in the state.

The results of engineering colleges in the state has been dismal for the last two years. The percentage of students clearing examinations has hovered between 10 per cent and 20 per cent. The situation is worse in private diploma colleges. In some such colleges, not a single student has cleared the examination this year.

Sources in private engineering colleges say the government has inspected infrastructure and interviewed faculty to gauge capability. The actual fault lies in the kind of intake they get from the state.

Most engineering colleges have to reserve at least 85 per cent seats for students from the state. Colleges are allowed to admit students from other states only if they do not get students from the state.

Communication skills and the level of the English language of students taking admission in engineering colleges is poor. Coupled with the heavy syllabus of engineering courses, these do not give time to colleges to improve their basic skills.

The basic skills of students in languages and other subjects have to be inculcated in schools. The result is that only a few students are able to pass the stringent standard of engineering examinations, says a senior official with a private engineering college on the condition of anonymity.

Though the Himachal Pradesh Technical University conducts an entrance examination for screening students for admission to engineering colleges in the state, it hardly has any value.

This year, engineering colleges in the state offered about 6,000 seats, but only 3,000 students bought the prospectus and even fewer appeared in the entrance examination. Engineering colleges could not fill even 50 per cent of the seats.

Senior management officials also blame politicians for defaming the institutes. They say politicians have carried out a campaign against the institutes that have come up. Due to this, good students are opting for colleges in adjoining states.

Kullu, November 23
The police and relatives of Kshatra (22), a Mumbai-based advertisement executive missing since November 9 from the Kasol-Rasol area, an infamous haven of drug peddlers in the Parbati valley, have failed to trace him. They have launched a manhunt to trace him.

SP, Kullu, Ashok Kumar said Kshatra had arrived at Kasol on November 8. But some of his friends said he had gone for trekking to Rasol. However, he was last contacted on his mobile phone on November 9. There were reports that he was seen in Rasol and Manali.