Shimla, December 3
A hike in power tariff is in the offing with the state electricity board projecting an increase of about Rs 500 crore in the annual revenue requirement (ARR) for 2013-14 filed with the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC).

The board has pegged the ARR at Rs 4,127 crore against the expenditure of Rs 3,669 crore approved by the SERC for the current financial year. The increase had been mainly on account of rising employee cost and power purchase cost. If the ARR is approved as it is, the power tariff will go up by 10 to 12 per cent that means that the average cost of supply will shoot up from the current Rs 4.59 per unit to over Rs 5 per unit.

The employee cost is projected at Rs 1,097 crore, an increase by Rs 200 crore over the current year.

The power demand is projected to increase by about 7 per cent and accordingly the board will require over 8,100 million units (MU) as against 7,500 MU in the current year.

Chairperson of the SERC Subhash Negi said that the board had been advised to arrange at least 400 to 500 MU more to ensure that there were no power cuts due to shortfall in generation due to unforeseen circumstances. Since Himachal was a power surplus state, power cuts were not expected.

The board will have to arrange for around 8,500 MU and the power purchase cost will increase from the current Rs 2,524 crore to Rs 2,864 crore , an increase of about Rs 340 crore. The existing tariff will fetch revenue of Rs 3,725 crore, up from current years’ revenue of Rs 3,450 crore.

Consequently, the projected revenue gap will be Rs 297 crore for 2013-14, which will further increase as the commission will also provide for the deficit on account of true up for 2010-11.

In the tariff order for the current year, the SERC had effected an average hike of 13 per cent in the power tariff but domestic consumers were spared any increase by the government by increasing the subsidy from Rs 163 crore to Rs 240 crore.

The implementation of revised pay scale had sharply increased the employee cost from Rs 650 crore to about Rs 1,100 crore over the three-year period. The cumulative loss of the state electricity board has crossed Rs 1,450 crore and it is hoping to tide over the crisis by taking advantage of the bail-out package announced by the Centre.

Solan, December 3
The new directive of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to grant drug manufacturing license under the generic name has led to confusion in the pharmaceutical industry with manufacturers failing to comprehend the nitty-gritty of the directive. The licences were earlier issued under brand names.

The DCGI as per its October 1 notification has stated that this direction would be applicable to the grant and renewal of licences for the sale and distribution of drugs under various categories by the state drug controllers. Stating that granting licences is not as per the spirit of legislation, the DCGI has stated that the licence for drug formulation should be granted only in generic names and for drug formulations containing multiple ingredients the licence should be granted under the category of products like multivitamin/ tablets/ capsules/ syrups, antioxidants, etc.

The issue was also discussed in the July 20 meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee and in view of the provisions of Section 33 (P) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; all state licensing authorities have been directed to follow the fresh directive.

While the regulators aim to provide cheaper drugs to the people by granting licences under generic names but a crucial issue of concern is how to deal with the menace of spurious drugs if the drugs are not marketed by the brand names, the plant head of a key manufacturing plant in Baddi said. He said it would open floodgates for the flow of spurious drugs in the market and retailers would call the shots as they would decide which the drugs of which company should be sold to the consumers. The notification would also adversely affect small manufacturers who manufacture drugs on a third party basis.

Since the directions have become applicable since October 1 it will fail to provide a level playing field to the new licensees as those who got their licences under the brand names shortly before the implementation of these directions would use the brand names for a period of five years.

Vinod Gupta, working chairman, Himachal Drug Manufactures Association, said though they had sought several clarifications from the DCGI regarding marketing the medicines under the brand name but no such clarification was made available to them. This led to confusion as the notification was silent on this issue, he said.

He said the exports have been exempted from this notification as per the clarification sought by the Confederation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry and those exporting drugs would be granted license under the brand names.

Shimla, December 3
The Rohtang-Solang and Palchan areas in Manali are prone to landslides and a heavy influx of tourists and vehicles had ruined the aesthetic value of the region. These are the findings of a report of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, on the environmental vulnerability assessment of the area.

The report has already been submitted by NEERI to the Green Bench of the High Court with its recommendations and comments. The scientific study was undertaken during peak winter and summer season indicates that road construction activity has had a disastrous effect on the natural habitat and was also responsible for the destruction of the forest cover.

On November 25 last year, the Green Bench of the High Court had banned all construction activity in Rohtang area except those being undertaken for defence purposes. The decision was aimed to protect and preserve the fragile ecology, bio-diversity and environment of the area, especially in view of heavy vehicular movement in the region. NEERI had been asked to conduct a vulnerability assessment study of the area and the Town and Country Development department was asked to prepare the Interim Development Plan (IDP) to regulate construction activity.

Experts from NEERI also observed that the width of the roads was not enough to sustain heavy traffic, causing traffic jams daily, which in turn resulted in higher emissions. As per statistics given by NEERI, 3,180 vehicles went to Rohtang in the end of May; 86 per cent of them were cars, 12 per cent were two wheelers and two per cent were heavy vehicles.

The samples collected along Manali-Rohtang-Koksar highway during April-May indicate that 80 per cent of the area is prone to high risk of landslides. Out of this, 32 per cent of the area falls in the very high to severe risk category. These samples were taken to assess the soil erosion and conservation measures that need to be taken.

“Deterioration has started and with an increase in the number of tourists over the years. The air quality would go down unless steps are taken to check it,” the report states. The report also expresses concern over the possibility of outbreak of water-borne diseases as faecal waste was entering the river and nullahs.

NEERI report points out that certain disturbing facts on the biological environment aspect as it observed that heavy influx of tourists and trekking activities were leading to trampling and plucking of new saplings of plants, gaseous emissions from vehicles was harming the plants and increased use of horses and sledges was leading to loosening of the soil.

The report also points out towards the need for increased solid waste disposal system, including polythene and plastic, ruining aesthetic value of the region.

NEERI also undertook remote sensing analysis with the images taken on October 29, 2005. Though no alarming trends have been noticed but the small percentage in the built-up area at inappropriate places or landslide-prone zone could prove to be detrimental to the environment, the report points out.

Mandi, December 3
Des Raj, a supporter of Anna Hazare, today held a protest against the government inaction over the thrashing of Ghanu Ram, a student of Class IX, who was still undergoing treatment at a Sundernagar hospital.

Activists led by Des Raj, said the headmaster was bribing the family to hush up the case and the government had failed to take action against him so far.

The police has booked Ram Swarup, the Headmaster of Government High School, Bhatkidhar, under Sections 342, 323, 352 of the IPC and Section 23 of the Juvenile Act in this connection, but no arrest was made so far.

Ghanu Ram was shifted from zonal hospital, Mandi, to the Sundernagar hospital as there was no surgeon at the hospital here.

The police has booked the headmaster on the complaint of victim’s father Manglu Ram who had alleged that his son was beaten up brutally by the headmaster on Friday.

He was beaten up when he failed to remove a big boulder from the school ground.

The medical examination showed that the victim’s muscles and veins of the backbone were badly raptured.

RTI Bureau convener Lawan Thakur demanded that the Education Department should take action against the headmaster.

Shimla, December 3
Taking a serious note of the issue of slow investigation in Vigilance cases by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SVACB), the HP High court has directed the Additional Director General of Police (Vigilance) to conduct an appropriate and effective review as far as the Vigilance cases of 2009 and earlier is concerned.

It said whether any fruitful purpose would be served in continuing with the investigation since so far the investigating agency had not been in a position to conclude the same effectively.

The Division bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Rajiv Sharma passed this order after perusing the report filed by Inspector General of Police (Vigilance) vide which it had disclosed that at present 150 cases are pending for over six months with the SV&ACB.

It further said out of these, seven cases prior to 2009, 21 cases of 2009, 25 of 2010, 66 of 2011 and 31 of 2012 were under investigation.

It added that out of the 150 cases, eight cases were pending with the State Forensic Science Laboratory and the CFSL at Delhi, Gujarat and Chandigarh, and 20 cases were pending with various authorities for according prosecution sanction.

The active investigation is in progress in the remaining 118 cases. Out of these, 26 cases pertain to 2012, 58 to 2011, 18 to 2010 and 16 to 2009 or the period prior to it.

In its earlier order the court had directed the IGP (Vigilance) to furnish the details of vigilance cases pending quite long with them for investigation.

In compliance to this direction, the IGP has furnished the details by way of filing a report before the court explaining reasons of delay in pending cases and submitted that there was low strength of investigation officers and they were not at par with the desirable level required for handling corruption cases.

He further explained that due to immense work load, complexity of cases and paucity of resources, the bureau was unable to attract the right kind of talent required to investigate corruption cases.

After considering the issues explained by IGP (Vigilance) in his report, the court further directed the Chief Secretary to convene a conference of all officials and make an assessment of the situation as to how to strengthen the SV&ACB in the state and file its report before the court within a month.

It passed this order after having come across an instance of a vigilance case that was still not investigated even after three-and-a-half year.

Bilaspur, December 3
Greenhouse owners should share their grievances with scientists of the Agriculture Research Centre (ARC) set up at Barthin in this district. This was said by Dr SK Ghabru, in charge of the ARC while presiding over the concluding function of the three-day training camp organised by the ARC for training of greenhouse owners at Barthin, 42 km from here, today.

Dr Ghabru said they should grow vegetables and fruits as per the seasonal demand of the market and be particular to ensure that their quality control of products did not deteriorate as this would not only reduce their income, but would also affect their future business and reputation.

Dr Ghabru also gave them detailed instructions regarding the selection of proper produce and its quality seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, temperature and humidity control, air pollution and control, upkeep and care of plants and roots.

Vegetable experts Dr Ravinder Singh and Dr Sanjay Kumar also gave detailed information for better quality production and normal maintenance procedures of all possible crops inside a greenhouse. A question and answer session was also held. Thirty greenhouse owners from across the district participated in the training camp.

Shimla, December 3
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today called on the family of former Prime Minister late IK Gujral in Delhi. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.

He said Gujral’s death was not only a great loss to the family but also to the nation. The void created by his death would be difficult to fill, he said. He said the services rendered by Gujral in various capacities would always be remembered.

Chandigarh, December 3
Technology may be keeping pace with the present requirements in agriculture, but its transfer to the fields and its adoption by farmers seems a distant reality.

From straw balers to rice transplanters, high-powered tractors to micro-irrigation systems, the farm technology on display at the Agro Tech is meant to solve most of the problems faced by the agriculturists. These technological solutions are attracting farmers in droves, but the high cost of these machines, poor availability of finance and scarce availability of spares and service centres across Punjab are standing in way of adoption of technology by state farmers.

Punjab, with its strength of 4.35 lakh tractors, 6,070 tractor driven and 8,130 self-propelled combines, 8,700 rotavators and 5,250 potato planters, is considered amongst the most mechanised states for farming activities. However, because of the fragmented land holdings, low returns, poor finance availability and almost no subsidies on these farm equipment, their adoption is low.

Pradeep Malik, member of board, Claas India Ltd, said technology transfer to the fields was much low. “Technology is available. But because of poor finance options and few subsidies, farmers find it difficult to buy farm equipment. Though Claas India has set up regional training centres to make technology available to the farmers, it needs government and agri-extension support before the farmers adopt equipment like straw balers, which can cut off paddy/wheat straw in a scientific manner,” he said.

Gurcharan Singh, a farmer from Joga village in Mansa, said an average farmer could not afford to buy straw balers, which cost Rs 8.75 lakh. “Haryana gives a subsidy of Rs 1 lakh to buy these balers. But there is no such scheme in Punjab. High-powered and air-conditioned tractors or rice transplanters that can solve the problem of labour shortage are also expensive. Besides, cooperative buying is not prevalent in the state,” he said. Palwinder Singh, a farmer from Baronga village near Fatehgarh Sahib, said while crop loan was available at an interest rate of 4 per cent, interest charged on buying farm equipment was almost 13 per cent. “Besides, banks are not keen on financing these machines,” he said.

RS Khadwalia, chairman of Indo Farm Equipments, which will launch 120 HP and 150 HP tractors soon, said though farmer cooperatives were buying some equipment, it was still limited to a few pockets.

“Our high-powered tractors have been bought by some cooperative societies in Mansa. But since private ownership is preferred in Punjab, adoption of such equipment is slow,” he said.

Chandigarh, December 3
A session on the food processing sector at CII Agro Tech today underlined that food processing can provide an opportunity to the industry to contribute to the growth of the rural economy.

Amit Saraogi, managing director, Anmol Group, in his keynote address, said FDI in retail would be beneficial for the food processing sector as it had a great future. Giving an example of Bihar, he said in the last five years, this sector had done wonders in the state where a slight change was made in taxation laws.

Piruz Khambatta, chairman, CII National Committee on Food Processing, said: “To make India the ‘food factory of world’, a good advertisement campaign is needed”.

S Venkatraman, senior vice-president and principal, Rabo Equity Advisers, said packaging these days contained a lot of information, but the consumers did not care to read it.

During a session on grain storage and warehousing as part of a conference on post-harvest infrastructure, it was pointed out that grain storage played a crucial role in promoting agriculture marketing, rural banking, financing and ensuring food security in the country. It solved the problems of both glut and scarcity.

Sanjay Kaul, managing director and chief executive officer, National Collateral Management Services Ltd, said 80 per cent of the handling and warehousing facilities were not mechanised and traditional manual methods for loading, unloading and handling of foodgrains and other commodities were used. “The production of grain is far more than the storage houses in India. The storage houses lack scientific technology due to which 50,000 tonnes of grain is wasted every year. There is an urgent need to overcome this problem,” he added.

Ferozepur, December 3
Brahmins who organised a yatra to express their gratitude towards the Ninth Sikh Guru had to go without langar at Rakabganj Sahib gurdwara on November 23. Hurt and humiliated, they have written a letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, seeking his intervention.

Talking to TNS over the phone, Devi Dyal Prashar, president of the Shree Brahmin Sabha, which had organised the “Rin Uttar Yatra”, said the sangat comprising 6,000 elderly men, women and children were not allowed to enter Bhai Lakhi Shah Hall even though they had permission of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) PS Sarna to stay there for the night. The sangat had to go without langar. Prashar alleged that despite the sabha having booked the hall for November 23 night (vide letter no. SBSP/2012-13/2025), the sangat was not allowed inside entry when it reached the gurdwara at 10. 30 pm.

“When I, along with senior functionaries of the sabha, went inside, a group led by Charanjit Singh threatened us that we would be thrashed by members of the gurdwara task force. It was only on the intervention of some Sikh devotees that the staff allowed us to spend the night in the langar hall,” said Prashar.

“It is probably for the first time that a Sikh shrine has turned away devotees seeking shelter and food,” he regretted. 

Hamirpur, December 3
A woman was killed and 25 others were injured in an accident, when a private bus fell into a gorge, near Karot village under Sujanpur police station, today. A majority of the injured 
are women.

The bus belonging to Jarial Bus Service was on its way to Nadaun from Sujanpur, when the driver of the bus lost control and the bus fell into the gorge.

Mansa Devi of Darudu village died on the spot. The injured were taken to the hospitals at Sujanpur and Hamirpur. The condition of four of the injured admitted at the Regional hospital, Hamirpur, is stated to be critical.

Deputy Commissioner, Hamirpur, Rajender Singh Thakur, has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 10,000 to the family of the deceased and Rs 5,000 to the injured. The police has registered a case of negligent driving against the driver of the bus.

Shimla, December 3
Three persons were killed in separate accidents in the district over the past 24 hours.

Anand Kumar and Chattar Singh who was driving the Balero camper (HP-06 B- 0883) died on the spot in an accident near Deo road, Kinnu late last night.