Shimla, December 7
Banking on hydro power generation for revenue, the arduous task of mapping of the five major river basins in the state has brought some good news for Himachal Pradesh as its generation capacity has been enhanced from 23,000 MW at present to almost 27,000 MW.

International consultant Leh Meyer had undertaken the mapping of the basins of the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Yamuna and the Chenab. It has finalised its report and presented a draft to the Power Department, which is scrutinising the exhaustive document so that it can be readied to be placed before the new Cabinet by the end of this year.

The experts have identified every possible site for hydro power generation on the tributaries of the five major rivers, indicating even sites for projects as small as 0.5 MW.

“The good news is that the mapping has indicated that our hydro power potential is about 27,000 MW, which means an increase of almost 4,000 MW over the present estimates,” said Deepak Sanan, Additional Chief Secretary for Power.

The submission of the report will also pave the way for bidding for new hydro power projects. It had been decided not to approve any new project till the mapping was complete.

“We will try and invite bids for the sites identified as early as possible so that work can be allotted and the generation capacity enhanced,” Sanan said. Power is one of the main sectors on which the state depends for revenue generation.

Besides identifying potential sites for projects on the rivers and tributaries, the experts have indicated the capacity of and distance between two projects.

The mapping has been undertaken keeping in mind the protection of flora and fauna in low-lying areas so that it does not adversely affect the lives of people living downstream.

The Power Department had, in the past, taken a decision not to use the Tirthan and the upper Baspa for hydro power projects as a step towards protecting fish species and other forms of aquatic life.

“We can consider excluding some other tributaries, like the upper Ravi in Bara Bhangal. This is mainly because of environmental concerns as it is a sanctuary,” Sanan said.

It is for this reason that the government had divided the 180-MW Bara Bhangal project into two and decided to go ahead with only one 92-MW project outside the sanctuary.

At present, there are about 600 micro, mini and mega hydro power projects in Himachal Pradesh, which are being executed by independent power producers and government undertakings like Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, National Hydro Power Corporation, HIMURJA and Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board.

Going online

The Power Department will shortly launch web-based monitoring of all power projects being executed in the state. Anyone can access online every detail about the projects, including cost, time schedule for completion and capacity.

Mandi/Kullu, December 7
Backed by the chief representative of Lord Raghunath, Maheshwar Singh, the Kardar Sangh of Kullu and Mandi and devotees of devis and devtas have cautioned non-government organisations (NGOs) on the issue of animal sacrifice, warning them not to meddle in religious beliefs and practices.

Responding to suggestions sought by the High Court (HC) on a public interest litigation filed by an NGO on animal sacrifice, Maheshwar Singh said the HC should constitute a high-powered committee to seek public opinion as it was a sensitive issue connected to faith. “Animal sacrifice is as old as humanity. The tradition is linked to ‘dev sanskriti’ in Kullu district,” he added.

Mandi Sarv Devta Committee president Shivpaul and Kullu Kardar Sangh president Dot Ram joined hands to lambast the NGOs. “Animal sacrifice is done with a procedure mentioned among religious practices with the sanction of devis and devtas since ancient times. The NGO should first seek a ban on slaughterhouses to stop cruelty on stray animals in the country,” they pointed out.

“We are shocked that certain persons are trying to get animal sacrifice banned in Himachal Pradesh, where it is done in a ‘humane’ manner. Compare it with the inhuman conditions in which animals are butchered at slaughterhouses and poultry transported and killed,” they further said.

Sonali Purewell of the People for Animals had filed a public interest litigation in the HC, seeking a blanket ban on animal sacrifice at temples and public places, including the Hidimba temple in Manali and during the Kullu Dasehra. “We should stop cruelty to animals in the name of seeking blessings from gods,” she had said. The next hearing would be on December 14.

Shimla, December 7
Chief Minister PK Dhumal today asserted that the government was committed to protect the interests of small traders and entrepreneurs by not allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail in the state.

In a letter to Anand Sharma, Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, he made the stand of the state government clear on the issue of FDI.

The Chief Minister noted that a large number of the educated unemployed were engaged in small trade in different parts of the state and they would be hit badly with the coming of FDI.

He expressed surprise over Sharma’s ‘misleading statement’ about the stand taken by Himachal Pradesh on FDI during the debate in the Lok Sabha.

“His statement in Parliament on the stand is concocted and contrary to facts,” he added. He pointed out that Sharma never communicated with the state government at any level to seek consent for FDI.

He noted that the Bharatiya Janata Party had always opposed FDI and the same was the case in Himachal Pradesh. He added that the state government was committed to not allowing FDI.

Dhumal further pointed out that the state government had been repeatedly requesting Sharma to increase the import duty on apple to protect the interests of apple growers, but it was not even acknowledged.

He added that apple cultivation was a major income-generation source and levying heavy duty to discourage the import of apple was under the jurisdiction of the Centre.

He reminded Sharma import duty was increased and restrictions imposed on the import of apple during the NDA regime, which had benefited growers.

Dhumal claimed that FDI was not in the interests of the country as a major chunk of the population was engaged in small trade. He requested the minister to take into consideration the economic status of the poor and downtrodden.

Shimla, December 7
With the Centre approving a mega tourism project worth Rs 34 crore for the Kullu-Manali circuit, the state government has chalked out an extensive plan for strengthening the tourism infrastructure and addressing environment concerns in the area.

Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy said here recently that 28 lakh tourists visited the Kullu-Manali area last year out of which 1.5 lakh were foreigners.

He said to provide basic facilities to tourists, the bathing ghats on the bank of the Parbati river in the Manikaran area would be renovated at the cost of Rs 40 lakh, besides constructing biodegradable and electronic toilets at a cost of Rs 60 lakh.

A tourist reception centre would be set up at Manali along with beautification of the Mall. The Chief Secretary said for preserving the pristine beauty of the area, scientific disposal of garbage would be done and adequate number of dustbins and solar lights would be provided at Manikaran.

He said the state was embarking upon eco-tourism activities in the Banjar area in a big way. The trek route to Lambri would also be improved.

Roy said the government was taking adequate measures to protect the environment en route Rohtang Pass and tourists were regulated beyond Manali.

He said to attract more tourists to the area 30 camping sites at Bahu, Gada-Gushani, Deori and Sainj with modern facilities were being set up.

He said efforts were on to divert 20 per cent of tourist traffic to these places keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the environmentally sensitive valley.

He said similar activities were being conducted in the Solang Nullah, Kothi and Rohtang to facilitate tourists.

The Chief Secretary said trekking routes from the Beas nullah to the Sagu waterfall and Gulaba to the Bhrigu lake were being restored.

He said keeping in view the demand for a world-class auditorium in Manali, a convention centre would be developed with a capacity of 500 persons with the parking facility for 150 vehicles.

He said the present green tax barrier would be replaced with the State of Art Tourist Facilitation Centre, besides beautifying Manali town, adding that a water sports centre was proposed at Pandoh.

Hamirpur, December 7
The death of a student of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in a freak accident last night has again brought to the fore growing indiscipline among NIT students and the failure of the authorities to discipline them.

Complaints of objectionable behaviour by students after consuming liquor have been lodged several times. The hill where the accident has occurred is a favourite joint of NIT students for consuming liquor.

Villagers have complained about rowdy behaviour by students in the past. The Kalanjahdi panchayat president had lodged a written compliant with the Hamirpur Superintendent of Police some time back, after which the police told the NIT authorities to keep a check on rowdyism.

Many students residing in NIT hostels are often found roaming around drunk during late hours in the town. This should be checked with firm handling and stern action against offenders, feel local residents.

The NIT authorities say it is a social problem. They have been urging parents of students to help them by remaining in constant touch with their children and the teachers. Parents want the teachers to keep a watch on the activities of their children as they act as guardians at the institute.

NIT Chief Warden IP Singh says, “We have been taking stern action and are committed to maintain discipline on the campus. We have expelled many offenders from hostels and have imposed heavy fines in the past.”

Nurpur, December 7
The Regional Water Sports Centre (RWSC) on the Pong reservoir on the foothills of Kangra district has been conducting a special two-week water sports training camp for officers and jawans of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Coastal Security Force (ICSF).

A team of water sports experts, led by BS Guleria, water sports course in charge, has been imparting new techniques of water sports and water safety-cum-rescue operation.

Rakesh Kumar, in charge, RWSC, said this camp had been started on December 1 and would close on December 15 and three officers and four jawans of the IAF and one officer and eight jawans of the ICSF were being imparted training. He added that trainees were also being imparted water sports training for swimming, kayaking, keying, surfing and skiing.

Shimla, December 7
Himachal tourism will strengthen its infrastructure, wayside amenities and create 75 new parking slots in the state for improving the tourism product of the state and attracting more tourists.

Presiding over a meeting of district tourism officers and forest officials here yesterday, Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy said Himachal had registered the highest growth in domestic tourists in the country.

“The current year has registered a 10.26 per cent growth in tourists arrival with 1.50 crore people visiting the state,” he said.

He said 75 new parking slots with a capacity of 2,000 would be created in the main tourist destinations, including Dalhousie, Dharamsala and Shimla, at a cost of Rs 4.52 crore. Wayside amenities would be created at 40 places, which would include an information centre, cafeteria, toilet, souvenir shop, clock room and parking. He admitted that at present Himachal was lacking wayside amenities and public conveniences in a big way.

He said so far a sum of Rs 52 crore out of the Rs 86 crore received from the Centre had been spent on tourism promotion. The Tourism Department was executing works worth Rs 52 crore and the state had spent Rs 2.50 crore on eco-tourism. “We are keen to create new unexplored circuits by linking rural and urban areas that will also give a fillip to Home Stay scheme, which is a major success,” he said.

The Chief Secretary added that a monthly meeting would be held with departments like Forest, Irrigation, Revenue, Power and Municipal Corporation.

Dharamsala, December 7
The tourist this winter season in Dharamsala is a damp squib. Enquiries from tour operators and hoteliers in the area revealed that November this year had been the worst in terms of business in the past decade.

They gave various reasons for the low tourist inflow in the region this winter.

Deepak Dhiman, who runs a tours and travels agency at McLeodganj, attributed the fall in business to the reduced teaching schedules of the Dalai Lama.

He said teaching by the Dalai Lama was scheduled from December 25 for his Russian followers.

Russians used to arrive in big groups for the teaching. They were high-end tourists and used to stay in the area for about one week. It used to create business for tour operators, hotel owners and taxi operators of the region. However, the teaching programme had now been shifted to Delhi. This is the biggest loss for the tourism industry of Dharamsala in December, he said.

Local sources said the Dalai Lama had also cancelled the one-week scheduled teaching programme in January. Groups of foreigners used to throng Dharamsala and McLeodganj during the teaching of the Dalai Lama. This was a major source of earning.

People connected with the tourism industry of the region said the government should request the Dalai Lama for organising his teaching programme in Dharamsala.

Prem Sood, an hotelier, said opening of tourism in the Kashmir valley had also hit the tourism industry of Himachal hard.

The J&K government allocates big Budget for tourism in there. However, Himachal keeps a dismal Budget for the promotion of tourism and the budget available was spent in an unprofessional manner, he said.

Other professionals connected with the tourism industry in the region said recession in European countries and disturbed situation in Israel was also responsible for the low inflow of foreign tourists.

Tourists from Israel and Europe were a major component of the foreign tourists visiting the area. However, the recession in Europe has reduced the inflow of tourists. The Indian Government has also imposed visa restrictions on tourists coming from Israel. Earlier, tourists from Israel were issued visa for six months.

Now, they are issued a tourist visa for three months. After the expiry of visa, they are not being allowed to extend the same. This has severely affected the inflow of Israeli tourists.

Dharamkot village, 2 km from McLeodganj, known as “little Israel” due to heavy flow of Israeli tourists also wears deserted look these days.

The discontinuation of flights at the Gaggal airport by Kingfisher airlines, the sole operator in the region, and poor infrastructure in McLeodganj are among the other reasons that are attributing to decline of tourists in the region.

Bilaspur, December 7
In the four-day ‘free eye camp’ that concluded on Wednesday, 114 patients were operated upon and given lenses. The camp was organised by ACC cement factory management at the ACC hospital, Barmana, near here. Chief guest, ACC General Manager Navneet Chauhan, said all patients were given free medicines while eyes of several hundred patients were tested and given free treatment at the camp.

He said the operations were performed by a team of doctors led by eye specialist Dr Salil Kumar Ali, assisted by experts including Hari Pal, Cannett, Sisters Dimple and Ashleena. All patients were also given free spectacles by Neelam Garga, a philanthropist of Bilaspur town. PK Gupta, Rajender Thakur, Hitender Kapoor, Satvir Singh and village leaders led by gram panchayat president Ramesh Kumar were present.

Solan, December 7
Concerned at the growing pollution due to the use of rice husk as a boiler fuel, the state government yesterday decided to take effective steps to address the issue.

Since the use of rice husk generates fly ash that is dumped unscientifically by some units in the open in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial area, its safe disposal has become a cause of concern for the administration.

The issue was discussed during a meeting held with Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy; CEO, BBN Development Authority, Hans Raj Sharma; Deputy Commissioner, Solan, Mira Mohanty; representatives of the BBN Industries Association and officials of various departments yesterday.

Hans Raj told The Tribune that officials of the State Pollution Control Board had been directed to deal with the issue effectively and ensure a proper disposal site for the same.

In a bid to ensure that the BBN acquire a clean and green look, deliberations were held to explore the possibility of recycling waste and work out modalities for collecting waste.

The industry also stressed on the need to link the sewage treatment plant to the ongoing Common Effluent Treatment Plant so that both projects could be implemented effectively.

Since the BBN is battling the issue of unscientific disposal of waste, the industry opined that a mechanism should be put in place to ensure its proper disposal.

The need to get rid of jhuggis also echoed in the meeting where private land owners were being issued notices to vacate jhuggis while those proliferating on government land were being removed by the local administration. Since there are 4,000 jhuggis in the BBN area, the need to provide basic hygienic conditions to its dwellers was also raised by the industry.

Arun Rawat, president, BBN Industries Association, who represented the industry, said issues like mixed land use in the BBN, provision of regular funds for the maintenance of internal roads and exploring the possibility of using fly ash in industries were also discussed.

Kangra, December 7
The teachers of Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (DRPGMC), Tanda, are in a dock over the uncertainty regarding their vacations due to the visit of Medical Council of India (MCI).

Dr Atul Mahajan and Dr Amit Gupta, President and General Secretary, Teachers’ Association of Medical College of Tanda (TAMCOT) respectively, said the college teachers had complained in a general body meeting, that for the last 4 years they had not been able to plan their vacations because of the MCI inspection.

They said they had approached the Director, Medical Education and the Secretary, Health, to look into their grievance as the Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, had declared their vacations from December

24, 2012 to January 31, 2013 and from February 7, to March 15, 2013, despite the MCI inspection being due.

The duo said there could not be different set of rules for medical colleges of the state. They protested against the alleged indifferent attitude of authorities towards them in this regard.

They said the TAMCOT was of the opinion that the matter should be brought to the notice of HP High Court before taking any action like mass casual leave or mass resignation, as they believed in peaceful solution.

They said doctors had requested the Secretary, Health, to grant specialist allowance to them to the tune of Rs 5,000 per month, as they were also giving special duties in addition to their teaching liabilities and alleged that due to this allowance certain residents were getting more salary than their consultants.

Shimla, December 7
Chief Minister PK Dhumal appealed to the people to liberally contribute towards the welfare of armed forces and their dependants by sending donations to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.

The appeal was made on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, at the CM’s residence here today. He said every year the day was observed to remind people of their responsibility towards the martyrs, ex-servicemen, their wards, war widows and injured soldiers who had contributed significantly to the cause of the nation.

He said the day was a mark of solidarity towards the armed forces of the country. “It is the duty of every individual to contribute liberally so that the funds thus collected are spent on the welfare of the dependants of martyrs, ex-servicemen and war widows.

He said the state was proud of its defence personnel who had made supreme sacrifices.

Dhumal said a separate department had been created to look after the welfare of the ex-servicemen and their dependants besides a welfare corporation to cater to their needs for rehabilitation. He said the state had a glorious history of having won the first Param Vir Chakra (PVC) after attaining independence and out of the four PVC’s awarded during Operation Vijay, two had been awarded to soldiers belonging to Himachal Pradesh. 

Hamirpur, December 7
A student of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here died last evening as he fell off a hill a few kilometres from the campus. The body of Abhishek, hailing from Paonta Sahib, was located by the police with the help of local residents and fire officials around 10 pm.

A third-year BTech (mechanical) student, he appeared in the sixth semester examination yesterday. After that, he and four other students, Nitish Rajoria, Vikas Kumar, Vipin Negi and Kshitij Negi, went to the hill near Kalanjahdi village to consume beer.

Kshitij told this correspondent, “We came here to consume beer. We were sitting on the hilltop when Abhishek said he wanted to cross to another hill. He went towards a gorge and one of us followed him.”

He further said, “We shouted and told them to stop. After some time, the other student returned and told us that there was no trace of Abhishek. We all went to search for him, but could not locate him. We later informed the police.”

Abhishek’s father Ram Bhaj Sharma reached here this morning. He met the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) and sought a thorough probe into the incident.

Hamirpur ASP KG Kapoor said, “We registered a case and started an investigation. The body was handed over to the family after post-mortem examination.”

Dalhousie, December 7
A motorcyclist died on the spot when he met with an accident at Guraal, near Banikhet, 8 km from here, last night, said an official report received here today.

The report said the deceased was identified as Chhotu, a resident of Karun village of the Dunera area in Pathankot district of Punjab. The body was handed over to his kin after autopsy.

A case of rash and negligent driving had been registered at the Dalhousie police station, it added. — OC

Palampur, December 7
A gang of liquor mafia tried to run over a police party that stopped a vehicle carrying illicit liquor, near Bundla Chopatti on the outskirts of town, last night.

A senior police officer told mediapersons that the police party was doing a routine check of vehicles when it tried to stop a car coming from the opposite direction. The car stopped for a while but when the occupants saw other policemen on the spot, the driver of the car tried to run over the ASI and other members of the police team.

The police chased the suspects and recovered 13 boxes of liquor from the vehicle. The occupants of the car were asked to produce documents and carriage permit of liquor but they failed to do so.

Both the accused were arrested and police also seized the liquor boxes. The accused were identified as Mukesh Kumar of Kasba Kotla and Sanjay Kumar of Banal Sarkaghat. Cases have been registered under section 353, 336, 187, 34 of IPC and different sections of the Excise Act.

This was the third incident where liquor mafia attacked the police. Earlier, SHO Bhawarna was attacked by anti social elements near Daroh.

In another incident, a constable was murdered at Baijnath, when he tried to stop a vehicle near Chobin chowk.

Solan, December 7
The Darlaghat police registered a case of cheating and criminal conspiracy against Ramdass for having drawn undue monetary benefits from the state government by submitting a false date of birth certificate.

The accused was working in the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department at Arki and he had changed his date of birth from 1941 to 1952 to prolong his date of retirement by more than ten years.

Despite having attained the age of superannuation in 1999 he continued to work in the IPH Department till 2010 and drew undue monetary benefits by cheating.

The matter came to light when a complaint was made to the state Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau who, after conducting an inquiry, concluded that he had submitted a date of birth certificate from the panchayat at the time of being regularised in the department. The panchayat had failed to verify his age before issuing the certificate.

The officials, while inquiring into the matter, obtained records of his date of birth from his school and also found that the gap between his children’s age and his age was relatively less. Since the date of birth obtained from the school records did not tally with the certificate issued by the panchayat, the inquiry concluded that Ramdass had obtained a false certificate.

DSP Arki, Ashok Kumar said they were inquiring into the matter and records were being procured to verify the correct age of the accused.

Mandi, December 7
Deputy Commissioner (DC), Mandi, Devesh Kumar yesterday launched the 1,000 women self-help groups (SHGs) programme, assisted by NABARD, in backward and hilly areas of the district.

The Central Government has included Mandi and Sirmaur districts under this income generating scheme for women being launched in 150 districts of the country.

Addressing the gathering at the workshop organised under NABARD, DC said the scheme would target remote areas of the district to enable residents to reap the benefits of social welfare schemes of the government The SHGs would be linked with three banks - PNB, Himachal Grameen Bank and State Bank of Patiala - for the purpose, he added. He said they had set up a target of launching 1,000 women SHGs in the district and linking them with the banks.

The SHGs would be linked with the government scheme and it would enable them to create income-generating activities and empowering them economically and socially, he added. GM, NABARD, NK Gupta said they would train women SHGs linking them with different income-generating activities and they would be made aware about various banking schemes.

An NGO would organise workshops for the purpose. He said the banks would assist the setting up of the grameen haat at Mangarh with the help of the Sundernagar Cooperative Society where the SHGs could sell and market their products.

Kangra, December 7
Kangra district has the highest number of suicides in Himachal Pradesh and there has been a 30 per cent increase in suicide rate during the last year.

Dr Abhijit Rozatkar, Assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (DRPGMC), Tanda, said this in his work entitled “Exploring the Stigma of Suicide”.

He was awarded the best poster award in the recently concluded Annual National Conference of Indian Association of Social Psychiatry at Chandigarh.

He said suicide was among the common preventable causes of death but people refrained from seeking help when they had such thoughts.

His work was co-authored by Binod Pandey, Clinical Psychologist at DRPGMC.

Dr Rozatkar said people who attempted suicide and their family members hid this fact from other society members, including their relatives. He said they did so fearing that society would think less of them and revealing such facts may cause impediment in job, marriage or any other aspect of life.

He said people did not understand that because of the stigma, individuals who could be offered treatment by a psychologist or a psychiatrist were not brought for the treatment.

He highlighted the various aspect of this ‘stigma’.

Dr Rozatkar, MD, Psychiatry, from AIIMS New Delhi, was awarded fellowship by World Psychiatry Association and had received training under the World Health Organisation programme.

Palampur, December 7
Choudhary Sarvan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University (CSKHPAU) got a grant of Rs 1.60 crore from the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.

The Department of Agricultural Biotechnology got a financial support to the tune of Rs 1 crore under Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure (FIST) in higher educational institutions programme for a period of five years. An amount of Rs 60 lakh has been earmarked for purchase of equipment, Rs 15 lakh for lab renovation and modernisation, Rs 20 lakh for networking and Rs 5 lakh for maintenance.

Another Rs 60 lakh has been sanctioned to the College of Basic Sciences under FIST by the ministry. This grant has been sanctioned for purchase of infrared gas analyser (photosynthesis system), fermentor, HPLC, cold room and augmentation of existing computer lab.

Dr SK Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, CSKHPAU, congratulated the concerned scientists for getting the grant sanctioned after tough competition at the national level.

He said the department of agricultural biotechnology had already started a PhD programme and this support would add ‘sophisticated equipments’ required for quality research work.

The support covers all departments of Science and Technology including agriculture, veterinary and medical sciences, having post-graduate teaching and research program of three years in existence. There is a two-tier mechanism ie, Subject Expert Committee & FIST Advisory Board (FISTAB) for identification & recommendation of support to a department/centre/school.