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Assembly in session
Anti-hail guns to be allowed for a year
Fate of engineering colleges uncertain
PSUs suffer a combined loss of Rs 522 crore
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NIFT students boycott classes in protest against fee hike
Governor inaugurates All-India Police Games
Governor Urmila Singh inaugurates the 61st All-India Police Games in Dharamsala on Monday.
Duping Jobless
Justice Gupta is Chief Justice of Tripura HC
Man arrested for sending obscene SMSes
Builders dumping earth without authorisation in Kasauli areas
Tributes paid to freedom fighter
Ambulances donated
Parents worried as school denies admission
Police officials transferred
Book released
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Assembly in session
Shimla, March 18 Initiating in the Assembly the debate on Budget proposals for 2013-14, he said the increase of 7.5 per cent in Budget size from Rs 20,244 crore this fiscal to Rs 21,767 crore for the next fiscal was not enough to offset the impact of inflation. He said the increase was 16.88 per cent last fiscal and the main reason for the inadequate increase was that the government had not made any effort to mobilise resources. He said capital expenditure which increased from Rs 3,431 crore to Rs 4,275 crore in 2012-13 came down to Rs 4,120 crore which would slow down the pace of development. He said the picture on the receipts front was dismal with projected increase of Rs 1,358 crore to Rs 17,701 crore as receipts He said this Budget was based on the annual Plan of Rs 4,100 crore which was yet to be approved by the Planning Commission. He said allocation declined in absolute terms across the board compared to the current fiscal. He said outlay was curtailed for rural water supply from Rs 185.92 crore to Rs 168.48 crore, for Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan from Rs 89.43 crore to Rs 85.50 crore, for transmission and distribution from Rs 140 crore to Rs 97.61 crore and for NABARD roads from Rs 183 crore to Rs 176 crore. He said the Congress was taking credit for a 65 per cent increase in the size of the 12th Five-Year Plan. He said instead it was due to the good performance of the BJP regime in implementing the 11th Plan and spending the entire amount. Dhumal claimed that in contrast, the Congress government had faltered in implementing the 10th Plan as expenditure was only Rs 8,493 crore compared to approved size of Rs 10,300 crore. He added that the Congress government secured from the Centre a special Plan assistance of Rs 2,228 crore during 2003-08 while the BJP regime got Rs 4,132 crore during 2008-13. He claimed that there was no change in Budget priorities and the government was retrenching employees instead of providing jobs, as announced in the Budget. Dhumal cited the example of 500 data entry operators with the Election Department whose services would be terminated on March 31. Taking him on immediately, former minister Asha Kumari ridiculed him for indulging in self-praise and boasting of the performance of the BJP government which was rejected by the people who voted it out of power. Refusing to join the “game of statistics”, she gave a hard-hitting political speech, attacking him for indiscriminate opening of private universities and giving Ramdev a huge chunk of land at a throwaway price. She said the government was not against Ramdev but it was a case obliging a commercial company by giving land that was donated to the government by the Maharaja of Patiala for setting up a children’s park. She said the Congress government had reopened schools closed by the BJP regime and taken back parent-teacher association teachers rendered jobless. She said the Budget had pleased everyone except the BJP.
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Anti-hail guns to be allowed for a year
Shimla, March 18 The issue was raised in the Assembly during Question Hour by Suresh Bhardwaj of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who wanted to know whether or not the pilot scheme was a success. Replying to his query, Horticulture Minister Vidya Stokes told the House that apple orchards around the area where anti-hail guns were installed suffered extensive damage and there was a big question mark over their effectiveness. She said the guns were installed at orchards without scientific evaluation. She said over 80 per cent growers maintained that the guns installed on an experimental basis at three places in Shimla district had failed to protect the apple crop. She said this was the reason the Congress government had come out with a scheme of 80 per cent subsidy for anti-hail nets which were far more effective. She said the feedback was negative but the government would not remove the three guns as of now and take a decision after one year. Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal said the government should not discard the new technology imported from the US for which funds were provided by the Centre in undue haste. He claimed that people from at least one of the three areas where anti-hail guns were installed had found those effective in protecting the crop. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh claimed that the anti-hail gun technology was obsolete and belonged to the 19th century. He said it had been discarded by the world long back and was not in operation anywhere else in India.
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Fate of engineering colleges uncertain
Dharamsala, March 18 The government decided to allow admissions in engineering and other technical education colleges in the state only through the Joint Entrance Examination
(JEE) to be organised by the CBSE for admissions to engineering colleges and Polytechnic Aptitude Test (PAT) organised by the Himachal Pradesh State Technical Education Board. The previous BJP government took this decision at the fag-end of its stint in power after facing criticism for allowing so many engineering and polytechnic colleges in the state. There are about 16 private engineering and polytechnic colleges functioning under Himachal Pradesh Technical University. Besides, there are an equal number of private universities in the state that are also offering technical courses. Private and government engineering colleges functioning in the state have about 6,000 engineering seats in various streams. There are about 10,000 diploma seats in private and government colleges in the state. Last year, 3,000 students applied for counselling for admissions to various engineering colleges in the state and only 1,500 students attended the counselling organised by the State Technical University. Last year, the colleges managed to fill seats as they were allowed to admit students from other states against the seats that remained vacant after the counselling organised by State Technical University and the State Technical Education Board. The seats that remained vacant after the said counselling were converted into management quota with the permission of the government. However, this year, the situation has changed as the government has decided against allowing admission of students who do not appear in JEE organised by the CBSE for admissions to engineering colleges and PAT organised by the State Technical Education Board. The managements of private technical institutions in the state are alleging that many students in the state, including those residing in far-flung areas, do not appear in JEE or PAT due to the lack of awareness. They take admissions in the colleges directly. However, now the government would not allow them to take admissions. Besides, the decision of the government also places the technical institutes in the state at a disadvantage vis-a-vis colleges in other states. The others states are allowing their technical institutes to admit students on the basis of Class XII scores against the seats that remain vacant after government
counselling. The technical education institutes in the state are comparatively new. In case they are not allowed to admit students from other states, their viability will be hit. Already an engineering college in the state has applied for closure due to lesser intake of students. However, those supporting the move of the government alleged that it would bring quality in technical education and benefit the institutes in the state in the long run. |
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PSUs suffer a combined loss of Rs 522 crore
Shimla, March 18 As many as 12 of the 20 PSUs have been perpetually in the red. The remaining posted only marginal profit during the year. Government investment in the companies increased from Rs 1,877 crore to Rs 2,022 crore during the period. Losses exceeded total investment for the first time. The number of employees declined marginally from 43,165 to 42,386. The state electricity board with 25,208 employees, the highest in the category, tops the list of loss-incurring companies with a cumulative loss of Rs 1,406 crore, including Rs 512 crore during 2011-12, as on March 31, 2012. Cumulative losses of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation mounted to Rs 653 crore, an increase of Rs 80 crore, last year. It was followed by the Himachal Financial Corporation (Rs 118 crore), HPMC (Rs 69.94 crore), Forest Corporation (Rs 35.82 crore), Himachal Pradesh Agro-Industries Corporation (Rs 19.69 crore), Milkfed (Rs 21.44 crore) and Tourism Development Corporation (Rs 16.77 crore). The Handicraft and Handloom Corporation lowered its loss from Rs 21.06 crore to Rs 20.38 crore. The Himachal Housing and Urban Development Authority was the only undertaking earning profit (Rs 127.32 crore), but during 2011-12, it earned a meagre Rs 5.62 lakh. The Himachal Civil Supplies Corporation earned a profit of Rs 3.90 crore during the year, taking its cumulative profit to Rs 22.40 crore. The Himachal Industrial Development Corporation earned a profit of Rs 7.03 crore, taking its cumulative figure to Rs 16.89 crore. The Himachal Ex-Servicemen Corporation earned a profit of Rs 2.87 crore, taking its cumulative profit to Rs 13.33 crore. The financial position and functioning of PSUs is deteriorating each passing year because of lack of political will on the part of the government to carry out fiscal reforms. As per the report presented in the House yesterday, 15 of the 23 PSUs are in the red with cumulative losses amounting to Rs 1,124.39 crore as on March 31, 2010, up from Rs 936 crore in the previous year. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation tops the list of loss-making units with a cumulative loss of Rs 549.72 crore, followed by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (Rs 383.18 crore), Himachal Financial Corporation (Rs 102 crore), Agro-Packaging India (Rs 76 crore), HPMC (Rs 53 crore) and Himachal Forest Corporation (Rs 40.95 crore). The Himachal Housing and Urban Development Authority earned the highest cumulative profit of Rs 121 crore, followed by the Himachal Civil Supplies Corporation (Rs 17.51 crore). The total investment of the government in the PSUs increased from Rs 929 crore to Rs 1,792 crore over the period. |
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NIFT students boycott classes in protest against fee hike
Kangra, March 18 The striking students were demanding the revocation of the fee hike which they said was anti-students. They took out a procession from NIFT at Chaib and moved through Donga Bazar, Jayanti Vihar, Main Market, Tehsil Chowk, Dharamsala Road and culminated at the new main bus stand. They blocked the national highway at Tehsil Chowk and later burnt the effigy of the NIFT authorities at the new main bus stand. There was no police personnel in sight anywhere in the town when the protest was going on and vehicles were left stranded. The striking student leaders said fee was enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. Besides they had to pay Rs 12,000 as hostel fee separately. They also alleged that there were miserably low placements. They said they would boycott their classes tomorrow too. Director, Kangra NIFT, Bala Sidaratha denied that there was a fee hike from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. Only 10 per cent fee was hiked as a matter of routine, he said, adding that fee was increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 55,000 only. Professor Bala said he had no information why students remained absent from their classes as they had not submitted any representation to him. Bala said many fee subsidies were being given to students under different economic criteria. He said students were given 75 per cent, 50 per cent and 25 per cent fee subsidy as per their economic standards. Besides, a pre-approved student loan with concessional interest rates was being provided to NIFT students through the Union Bank of India. He said the students had signed the forms at the time of their admissions where in the prospectus it was clarified that 10 per cent fee hike was a regular feature. The new fee structure would be implemented from July this year, he added. Professor Bala said there was no boycott of classes. However, some students were absent from classes. As for students protesting against NIFT on Kangra roads, he said everybody was free to do whatsoever outside the campus. But nothing had happened on the campus, he added.
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Governor inaugurates All-India Police Games
Dharamsala, March 18 Lauding the efforts of the organisers, the Governor said the event would not only break the monotonous routine of police personnel, but also provide a wholesome entertainment to them and an opportunity to interact with their counterparts of other states, providing them more exposure. The Governor also released a souvenir on the occasion. B Kamal Kumar, Director General of Police, welcomed the Governor on the occasion. Rakesh Aggarwal, IG, North Zone, proposed the vote of thanks. The games being held here include a four-day volleyball cluster games. This is the second time that Dharamsala is hosting the All-India Police Games. Dharamsala had earlier hosted the All-India Police Games of volleyball cluster in 2004. As many as 103 teams of 32 police organisations, including various state police, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, RPF and SSB are participating in various categories of games. As many as 1,497 sportspersons, including national and international players, Arjun awardees, 131 officials and 80-90 referees and umpires are at Dharamsala for the games. As many as 30 teams are participating in volleyball, 26 in basketball, 21 in handball and 26 in Kabaddi and 158 matches will be held during the event. The teams have been divided into eight pools in league stage and winner teams from each pool will advance to quarterfinal stages. The games are being held under the All-India Police Sports Control Board. |
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Police looking out for kingpin
Dharam Prakash Gupta/TNS
Hamirpur, March 18 Those associated with the NGO had held interviews in Una district a few days back and collected Rs 450 each as registration charges. They had even issued appointment letters after charging Rs 10,000 for providing them training and the candidates were still awaiting a word from the NGO. Those associated with the NGO organised a walk-in interview in Hamirpur yesterday. The police got suspicious and swung into action before any interview could be held. After reading the advertisement, Kanchan of Balh Ropa had called up the telephone number given. She then got suspicious and approached the Hamirpur SP. He had received one more complaint in this connection. More than 5,000 jobless persons assembled at the venue of the walk-in interview yesterday. SP Jagat Ram said, “We are investigating and trying to reach the main persons on the basis of information gathered from Abhishek, Ajeet and Chandan, the trio arrested.”
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Justice Gupta is Chief Justice of Tripura HC
Shimla, March 18 Known as an Environmental Judge, he delivered many significant judgments on issues concerning environment and ecology of the state while heading the Green Bench. In a landmark judgment, the Bench headed by him had imposed a fine of Rs 100 crore on JP Cement Company for violating environmental laws. He also passed many other important orders like banning the use of non-biodegradable packing on junk foods, regulating the prices of essential drugs, framing of transfer policy and installation of GPS system in commercial vehicles. He played a pivotal role in computerisation of the high court. He also remained the Administrative Judge of various divisions of the state like Shimla, Solan, Kinnaur, Mandi and Kangra and also remained the executive chairman of the HP State Legal Services Authority. The HP High Court Staff Welfare Association hosted a farewell party in his honour today. In his address to the employees, Justice Gupta urged them to shun reluctance in accepting new technologies and ideas. Acting Chief Justice RB Misra expressed hope that the State of Tripura would benefit from the judicial acumen of a Chief Justice like him. |
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Man arrested for sending obscene SMSes
Nurpur, March 18 The woman had reportedly sent her online complaint to the police crime branch, Shimla on February 26. In her complaint she had alleged that the accused had been sending obscene SMSes and threatening to upload her obscene photos on Face Book by creating a fake ID. She had accused him of demanding Rs 25,000. The Jawali police, in co-ordination with the state police crime branch, had put the mobile number of accused Vikas Chouhan on observation and nabbed him yesterday from Nagrota Surian where he was running a mobile shop. A cyber crime case under Section 67 of IT Act and Sections 354-D, 504, 506 and 509, IPC, has been registered against him. The police has seized his computer and laptop and started further investigations. |
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Builders dumping earth without authorisation in Kasauli areas
Solan, March 18 The Dharampur-Garkhal, Dharampur-Sanawar and Kasauli-Jagjitnagar roads are being used to dump earth. Owners of private land encourage dumping of earth on their land for money. This has led to development of plots which are sold to outsiders. Panchayat members sometimes allow the activity to make a quick buck. Local transporters do not visualise its adverse affects. Some houses constructed on dumped earth without a strong foundation have collapsed in the Kasauli tehsil. There is little check from the authorities. Villagers have dumped earth near potable water and lift irrigation schemes. This a cause of concern for the authorities as irrigation schemes can be contaminated or damaged. Many trees have been uprooted on the Dharampur-Garkhal road. Forest Range Officer Renu Sehzal says most land is privately owned and there is little they can do. She says she will tell field officials to check if forest land is being used. |
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Tributes paid to freedom fighter
Bilaspur, March 18 They were led by Planning Development and 20-Point Programme Implementation Committee Chairman Ram Lal
Thakur. Local legislator Bambar Thakur also came to pay tributes. Elder Citizens Association general secretary RL Sharma, Himachal Pradesh State Non-Government Organisations Federation president Ram Singh, Ramesh Chandra’s associate RN Pillai and Ramesh Chandra’s sons Arvind and Anup were present. Others present included Lekh Ram
Kaundal, Chet Ram Varma, Anil Chadha, Malkeet Singh Chandel, Shankar
Patial, AL Nadda, Shekhar Sharma, Ram Saran Thakur, OP Garga, Purushottam Sharma, Prakash Chand
Sankhyayan, Raj Kumar Varma, Pawan Sharma, PK Sharma, CL Gupta, Ramesh
Bhatia, RK Sharma and Dhirender Varma. |
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Ambulances donated
Shimla, March 18 Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said apart from catering to the banking needs of people of the state, the bank was also providing valuable services in health, education and social service sectors. He said such activities would go a long way in providing relief to the poor and needy sections of society. Virbhadra said the Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy was also working for the well being of persons with disabilities. He urged them to reach out to every person suffering with muscular dystrophy. Harsh Mahajan, chairman, HP State Cooperative Bank, Ravi Thakur, legislator from Lahaul & Spiti and AK Sahani, Deputy General Manager, was also present on the occasion. |
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Parents worried as school denies admission
Mandi, March 18 The KVS had been asking the state government for suitable land for the school to accommodate more students. But the successive governments had failed to do so, parents said. Sources said the school had pasted the notification issued by the sangathan on the notice board that had raised the concern of parents and students. The sangathan was preparing to close the school soon as it needed extra land to accommodate more students, sources said. School Principal Sangeeta Sharma said the management had sent a notification not to admit students from Class I. “It is the management which can comment on the issue, but we do need extra space to accommodate more students,” she said.
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Police officials transferred
Shimla, March 18 The police also transferred Anand Kumar Dhiman, SP, Welfare, Police Headquarters, as SP (Leave Reserve) at Police Training College, Daroh. Navdeep Singh, DSP, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau at Keylong, has been posted as DSP, India Reserve Battalion, Sakoh, Dharamsala. The government has cancelled the transfer of Surinder Sharma, DSP, Jawali, which was ordered earlier on March 8, 2013.
— TNS |
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Maintaining that inadequate allocation for key sectors will severely hurt growth and development, Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal today asserted that the Budget had shrunk in real terms compared to the last Budget of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime.
Dharamsala, March 18
