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Early winter reduces power generation
Draft proposal to decide on eco-sensitive zones ready
Hoteliers oppose raising room limit from 3 to 5 under Home Stay Scheme
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No surgeon at Mandi Zonal Hospital
Plea against Virbhadra quashed
Execute Leh rail project, Shanta urges Centre
Meet on MNREGA today, govt reminds panchayats
Wireless set found near China border
School principals allege departmental bias
Withdraw order on PAN: Pensioners
Be ready to help weaker sections: DC
2-day w’lifting tourney from December 24
Kabaddi tourney: Bilaspur trounce Solan
CM condoles freedom fighter’s death
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Early winter reduces power generation
Shimla, December 8 Generation at the country’s largest hydro power project, the 1,500-MW Nathpa Jhakri, being executed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, has come down to almost 20 per cent of capacity. The slow melting of glaciers and snow on high peaks has reduced water flow to barely 80 cusecs per minute, thereby affecting generation. The project, which has a capacity to generate 36 million units per day, is able to generate only between 7 million and 8 million units these days. The flow of water starts reducing after September 15, but nowadays it is probably the lowest. The situation is no different at the 1,000-MW Karcham Wangtoo and the 300-MW Baspa projects, being executed by the JP Group. Generation has been reduced to barely 20 per cent of capacity. Generation at most projects starts declining in winter, but this year, the early onset of winter in October has affected generation earlier than expected. Most independent power producers lament that generation was less even in summer and the decline started in September. This can affect the total generation targets for the year. Generation at Karcham Wangtoo is down to 18.49 per cent, with the water discharge being 77.18 cusecs per second. Of the four 250-MW units, not one is being to run with the current discharge. Generation is possible only after accumulating water for five hours. Generation is down to 21 per cent at Baspa . The discharge has been reduced to 7.38 cusecs, with not one of the three units being able to generate normally. The thumb rule for hydro power generation is that 70 per cent of the generation is done from April to August. Generation starts going down after September 15 and is the least in December and January. It starts picking up once temperatures begin to rise in April with the onset of summer. The minimum temperatures in most parts of the state, including tribal areas, had plummeted quite early in November, affecting the melting of snow and in turn, reduced generation. |
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Draft proposal to decide on eco-sensitive zones ready
Chamba, December 8 The proposal was drawn at a meeting of Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), including DFO (Wildlife) and other forest officials of the district, held under the leadership of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Chamba, ARM Reddy here yesterday. The CCF introduced the background of the issue in the meeting that was attended by 35 persons. Talking to mediapersons, the CCF said with the declaration of eco-sensitive zones, the rights and concessions of local residents would not be affected. Only, large industries, or polluting industries or mining activities would
be affected. “On the directions of the Supreme Court, a committee has been constituted by the Principal Secretary (Forests) to the state government to decide about the extent of eco-sensitive zones to be notified in and around the sanctuaries and the national parks, Reddy said. Stakeholders from the five wildlife sanctuaries that included Kugti, Tundah, Kalatop-Khajjiar, Sechu Twan Nalah and Gamgul Siyabehi sanctuaries participated in this meeting. The guidelines issued by the Central Government in this regard were discussed comprehensively in the meeting, the CCF said. The representatives from each sanctuary were shown map of the sanctuaries and proposed eco-sensitive zone and its extent was also discussed. The concerns of stakeholders were also considered. Stakeholders were also sensitised about the wildlife and its importance. The stakeholders also discussed their issues like grazing permits, forest rights, construction of houses and agriculture and road connectivity within eco-sensitive zones. |
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Hoteliers oppose raising room limit from 3 to 5 under Home Stay Scheme
Shimla, December 8 The opposition from the hotel industry comes at a time when the Tourism Department is considering the request of beneficiaries of the Home Stay Scheme to raise the limit on the rooms they can let out from the present three to five. At present there are 499 persons who are availing the benefits under the scheme. The Home Stay Scheme had been launched by the department to popularise rural tourism and give a feel of the socio-cultural life, festivals and cuisine to those wanting a get local flavour. This scheme has been quite a success, especially with foreign tourists who come here specially to get a feel of the rural and local life which they get best while staying in the homes of locals. “We are keen to raise the limit on the number of rooms from three to five, but the Hoteliers Associations is strongly opposed to it,” said Arun Sharma, Director, Tourism and Civil Aviation. He said the Home Stay Scheme was a big success in the state and the Association of Home Stay Units had sought an increase in the number of rooms they were allowed to run under the scheme. The hoteliers plea is that the scheme is affecting their business as people prefer to stay in homes where the tariff is low and one can get a decent room with complete home comfort. Moreover, home-cooked food and a feel of local life is the biggest attraction, which the hotels cannot offer. “We have made a huge investment on constructing a hotel and paying luxury tax. The home stay scheme is affecting our business, besides not giving much revenue to the government,” laments Harman Kukreja, president, Shimla Hoteliers Association. Anup Thakur, president, Manali Hoteliers Association, too has expressed resentment over the plans of the department. “The scheme was basically aimed at promoting rural tourism, but some people have constructed separate buildings to avail benefits under it, which is wrong,” he said. He said, moreover, many such home stay ventures were right next to the town as the area was out of municipal limits. “We fully support the promotion of rural tourism, but not when people are taking undue benefit and have commercialised the ventures which were meant to run from homes,” said Thakur. He said in Manali some of the people owning summer homes had converted these into home stay sachems, which was totally wrong. |
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No surgeon at Mandi Zonal Hospital
Mandi, December 8 There are in fact 47 sanctioned posts of doctor at the Zonal Hospital, but as many as 17 posts are lying vacant and that speaks volumes of the way the Health Department is running the hospital. As many as five doctors are appointed as programme officers. There is one gynaecologist and a physician at the hospital. The gynaecologist has to attend family planning camps leaving behind emergency patients at the mercy of MBBS doctors. Patients in need of surgeries are being referred to private hospitals or the Civil Hospital, Sundernagar, from the Zonal Hospital daily due to the unavailability of surgeon. Besides, the Civil Hospital, Sundernagar, had two gynaecologists, but the only gynaecologist at the Mandi Zonal Hospital was assigned the work of
family planning camps. Why are such camps not assigned to family planning officers or a gynaecologist from Sundernagar deputed for the same,
ask insiders. On an average, the Zonal Hospital receives 300 to 400 new patients daily from across the region. Of these, two or three require surgery, say doctors. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) , Mandi, AB Gupta said they were referring patients to the Sundernagar hospital as the only surgeon at the Mandi
Zonal Hospital here had been on leave for the past one month. Though the Zonal Hospital was upgraded six years ago, the government has failed to fill the vacant posts of surgeon and gynaecologist at the hospital. |
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Plea against Virbhadra quashed
While dismissing the application filed by the prosecution, the Special Judge has fixed the case for recording of evidence on December 20, 21 and 22. However, the court
has accepted the plea of prosecution for recalling of witnesses. In this case till date over 40 witnesses have either recorded or been abandoned by the prosecution and about 20 more witnesses are to be examined by next dates. |
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Dhumal visits Naina Devi temple
Bilaspur, December 8 This morning, Dhumal paid obeisance at the Naina Devi temple. He was accompanied by Randhir, Ranjit Singh, Ashutosh Sharma and Ram Kumar. Deputy Commissioner Ritesh Chauhan and Superintendent of Police Santosh Patial were present. The Chief Minister said steps should be taken to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the town. He said steps should also be taken to provide more comfort to pilgrims from the money collected in the temple. |
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Execute Leh rail project, Shanta urges Centre
Palampur, December 8 He said in the present situation the Central Government should give top priority to this rail project. In a press statement here today, Shanta said China had already expanded its rail network up to Lhasa in Tibet and Arunachal, whereas in the past 40 years India had not added even a single brick for the expansion of rail or road network up to the Tibet border. He said at present there was a negligible road network to Leh that was accessible only for four months in a year. Most of the defence supplies were airlifted from Chandigarh and other places resulting in a huge financial burden on the exchequer. Shanta said he had already written a number of letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard, thereafter the PMO had asked a private company to prepare a detailed project report (DPR), yet much required to be done. The BJP leader said financial crunch should not come in the way of the execution of this project and the Centre should go ahead for global tenders. He added that at present crores of rupees were spent by the Ministry of Defence for the movement of troops and supplies to Leh and other forward areas, the same could be saved if the rail track was laid for Leh. Besides, the project would also boost tourism as Leh and Laddakh would remain connected with rail line throughout the year. He assured the Centre that the state would extend its full cooperation for the speedy execution of the project. There would be no delay on part of the state government in the acquisition of land if the Union Government approved the project. |
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Meet on MNREGA today, govt reminds panchayats
Hamirpur, December 8 The Centre has also included work undertaken under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan under the MNREGA. The construction of soak pits to build individual toilets will also be covered under it. The state government has proposed to cover every village in Hamirpur district under this drive by 2013. In the new guidelines, the Centre has laid emphasis on the construction of storage tanks for rainwater harvesting. The state government has set a target of constructing at least 15 rainwater harvesting tanks in every panchayat of the district. Around 200 tanks are under construction. About 20,000 tanks are proposed for 2013. The district administration has started a programme to train elected panchayat representatives. Several panchayat presidents, vice-presidents and members have been given training in workshops. Efforts are being made to ensure maximum participation in meetings tomorrow. |
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Wireless set found near China border
Shimla, December 8 Residents of Jangi village, who went to the forest to collect wood and chilgoza, noticed the presence of the wireless set tied to a tree. They informed the local police about the contraption, which the police has now taken into its possession. The area is about 40 km from the Chinese border. “A solar-charged wireless set has been recovered and we are trying to ascertain how it reached there,” said KC Sadyal, Additional Director General Police, (Law and Order). Sources said the Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Forest authorities who had a presence here have denied to put the wireless set there. |
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Railway authorities urged to reopen 80-yr-old road
Paprola (Palampur), December 8 It is learnt that the Railway authorities had recently blocked the 700-m road leading to Burli Kothi village without assigning any reason. Though the land belonged to them, this road was open for the public in the past. In the past 80 years, the Railway authorities had never objected to the use of the road by villagers. Local residents said they were facing inconvenience as the Railway authorities had put iron barriers on the road. The state government had cemented and carpeted this road many times in the past 50 years by spending lakhs of rupees. Sudhir Sharma, MLA from Baijnath, had also sanctioned funds for the repair and maintenance of this road in 2005 and 2010. The PWD records say this is a public path. Villagers, in a representation sent to Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, urged him to intervene and allow them to use the road. However, Kishori Lal, local Congress leader, met the residents recently and assured them that he would take up the matter with the Railway Minister soon and the road would be opened for the public at the earliest. |
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School principals allege departmental bias
Kangra, December 8 Spokespersons for the association Anil Nag and RK Prashar said here yesterday that indiscipline had nothing to do with the marking of attendance by principals as had been shown the reason behind these orders, which the duo described was illogical. They said indiscipline in the school was an administrative failure of the principal and the association would support action against such principals by the government. The duo, however, alleged that indiscipline was rampant in colleges where boycott of classes by students, rowdyism, violence on the college campus and even consumption of drugs was increasing day by day. The Department of Higher Education should have issued marking of attendance orders to principals of colleges instead of issuing to school principals. They said school principals were discharging their duties honestly and effectively despite being located in remote areas. They said school principals should continue to enjoy such privileges what other Class I officers were enjoying in Education and other departments of the state government as per the guidelines in the government office manual. They warned that the association would not allow the department to adopt double standards for the same Class I officer of the same department. They said the matter would be taken up with the state government against the alleged ‘bias’ being adopted against the school cadre principals as the recent orders, which were allegedly issued at behest of some vested interests, had humiliated and lowered the morale of the school principals in the state. |
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Over 200 examined at ENT camp
Kangra, December 8 Patients who required surgical intervention to reduce their deafness were called for surgeries to be conducted tomorrow at the local Civil Hospital. The camp is a monthly affair of the kendra that was being attended by Dr Sanjay Sachdeva, Director and HoD, ENT, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Max Group of Hospitals. Dr Sachdeva said lack of awareness of ear diseases was a cause for concern in the state. Talking to mediapersons here today, he said ear diseases causing deafness were also on the rise in the state because of ignorance and awareness. Any repeated ear discharge and ignoring ear symptoms were potential causes of temporary or permanent deafness. The kendra used to educate the public during camps and hold free diagnostic camps to detect deafness among patients and afterwards free surgical camps are being conducted to treat the same. He said nerve-related deafness too was more prevalent among men than in women in Himachal. Tobacco and alcohol might contribute to this ailment. A team from Delhi and technicians from Chinmayanand Organisation for Rural Development today conducted nearly 50 audiometric tests during the ENT camp. The kendra would hold the surgical camp at the Civil Hospital, Kangra, tomorrow in which super-specialised microscopic surgeries would be conducted. Audiometric tests would also be held at the Civil Hospital. |
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Withdraw order on PAN: Pensioners
Chamba, December 8 In a press note issued here recently, a spokesperson for the association has sought clarification from the Finance Department regarding the importance and utility of PAN. He described this move as a sort of “punishment” for pensioners and their families, especially those residing in far-flung areas of the state who might not have heard about PAN. The spokesperson stated that PAN should only be asked from those pensioners who come under the slab of Income Tax . “Since a pensioner is also a senior citizen who depends only on his pension, then why is the government asking PAN from them,” he added. He demanded that the government should withdraw such decisions and retirees drawing pension less than Rs 20,000 per month should be exempted from the submission of PAN. |
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Be ready to help weaker sections: DC
Bilaspur, December 8 He said the District Red Cross Society
(DRCS) was devoted for this noble cause. He said this year the DRCS had collected Rs 10.07 lakh as donations out of which Rs 3.73 lakh had already been given to 149 needy beneficiaries. Society secretary and CMO DR
Sehgal, Addl DC Darshan Kalia, SP Santosh Patial and Rohan Chand Thakur, SDM, were among those present.
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2-day w’lifting tourney from December 24
Nurpur, December 8 Susheel Kumar, state secretary of the association, said winners of the championship would be awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals along with certificates. He said the association had been organising this 12th championship for men and 6th championship for women in which senior and junior participants could take part. “Besides, probable weightlifters will be identified for a national weightlifting championship scheduled on January 6 to 10 in Delhi during this event,” he added.
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Kabaddi tourney: Bilaspur trounce Solan
Bilaspur, December 8 In the girls’ category, this championship was won by Sai Training Centre, Dharamsala, after it defeated Sirmaur district girls’ team by 53-27 points. In the sub-junior category of girls, the Bilaspur team defeated Sirmaur team by 47-43 in the final match while in the boys’ category Solan district defeated the Mandi district team by 49-43 points in the finals.
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CM condoles freedom fighter’s death
Shimla, December 8 The Chief Minister in his condolence message said Gopal Singh had actively participated in the freedom struggle and would always be remembered.
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Shimla, December 8