Shimla, May 14
The government has urged the Army authorities to relocate their ammunition depot at Powari in Kinnaur district to enable work on the 450-MW Shong Tong Karcham project. Work on the project has been stalled following a court order.

“The Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police have suggested that the ammunition depot should be relocated till work on the project is on and it should shifted permanently preferably in small dumps at more than one location if possible,” says Bharat Khera, Secretary with the General Administration Department.

The issue is likely to come up for discussion during the civil-military liaison meeting scheduled here for May 20. With the ammunition depot close to the site where tunnelling has to begin work can be started only after getting clearance from the High Court.

The court had stayed further work some time back as the Army authorities had sought a ban on work on the project. The Army has about 67 bighas under its possession at present.

The government is of the opinion that it will be a wise move to relocate the ammunition depot to an uninhabited area preferably at more than one place since villages with sizeable habitation are located close to it.

It has been reliably learnt that the Army has sought about 600 bighas in case it has to shift its ammunition depot. Officials say the availability of such a huge chunk of land free of human interference and activity is not easy.

Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited is executing the hydro power project with its completion is scheduled for 2015. The Army has objected to the project due to its ammunition depot and the use of explosives for road construction.

Khera suggests, “There are a school and a fuel station close to the ammunition depot and work on the tunnel is possible under the strict supervision of Army personnel.”

No activity or structure is allowed within 1,200 metres of an ammunition depot according to the Works of Defence Act. The Army authorities had urged the Chief Secretary to get relocated a part of the project outside the notified area.

Dharamsala, May 14
The state government will take up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the issue of increasing for the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bulk prices of diesel.

Minister for Transport, Food and Civil Supplies and Technical Education GS Bali gave this information while talking to mediapersons here today.

Oil companies had increased for public transport companies like the HRTC bulk prices of diesel after the Centre deregulated diesel prices.

State transport companies are paying about Rs 10 per litre more for diesel compared to private consumers. This has severely hit the viability of the HRTC.

Bali said, "I have taken up with the Union Minister for Petroleum the issue. Many public-sector transport companies across the country have taken up with the Centre the issue."

He added, "We hope that the matter will be resolved soon as public-sector transport companies are helping oil companies in reducing fuel subsidy by carrying passengers in bulk and discouraging the use of private transport."

Bali further said Air India would restart flights from the Gaggal airport in Kangra district from tomorrow. The flights had been suspended over six months ago after Kingfisher had been grounded.

Responding to queries regarding the growing number of accidents, the minister said it had been occurring as the previous government did not implement the transport policy adopted by the state government in 2006.

He claimed that the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government had issued in bulk permits for commercial vehicles in violation of the transport policy.

He said a committee had been set up under the Secretary for Transport to review licences issued by the previous government for commercial vehicles.

He said action would be taken after the report of the committee was received.

Responding to a query, Bali admitted that the scheme launched by the HRTC to run exclusive buses for women was not receiving much of a response from the public.

Solan, May 14
With a contradiction appearing in the collection of entry fee at the inter-state toll tax barrier, the Nalagarh Taxi Operators Union has decided to show black flags to Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chowdhary during his visit to the area tomorrow as the issue has remained unresolved despite several assurances from officials.

As per the rates fixed for paying toll tax at the inter-state barrier, a taxi carrying six-plus-one passengers is supposed to pay Rs 40 and a maxi carrying six to 12 passengers should pay Rs 60. But barrier employees are allegedly charging more from these vehicles. Even the annual pass which is supposed to be made available at Rs 2,400 is being given for Rs 3,600.

Vehicle owners say they should be charged fee according to their registration as per the Motor Vehicle Act where Rs 40 is fixed for a taxi having six-plus-one capacity and Rs 60 for a maxi having six to 12 capacity. They say even if they carry more passengers over and above their stipulated capacity, the barrier employees have no right to charge them more fee.

Bagga Ram, president, Taxi Operators Union, Nalagarh, said they had failed to get justice from the local administration. Despite giving a week’s ultimatum to the SDM, Nalagarh, to sort out the issue and the intervention of officials of the Excise and Taxation Department, the problem had remained unresolved, he said.

Clashes have become common between barrier employees and taxi drivers.

Assistant Excise and Taxation Officer Rajiv Dogra said they had sought a clarification from the commissioner on the issue and taxi operators who had been charged more would be given a refund in case the clarification was in their favour.

He said the issue related only to the barrier in Nalagarh and no such issue had cropped up at any other barrier in the Baddi-Barotiwala area, but it would be sorted out soon. 

Hamirpur, May 14
The management of Jaypee Polytechnic and Training College at Sameerpur is reportedly not admitting from this session at its Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students for the diploma course in cutting and tailoring and embroidery.

The college management has been running since 2002 ITI and polytechnic diploma courses at Sameerpur, former Chief Minister PK Dhumal's ancestral village.

The management closed polytechnic diploma courses last month. Sources said admission would not be made from the new session to the course in cutting and tailoring and embroidery.

The management is tight-lipped. The sources say verbal orders have been issued. Courses are also offered to train computer operator, motor vehicle mechanic, refrigerator and air-conditioner mechanic and electrical fitter.

The sources say the courses have been closed as those are turning economically non-viable.

Reports say the polytechnic and the ITI will be closed permanently in two or three years and the university intends to open an engineering college at Sameerpur.

University Registrar declineded to comment on the issue. He said, “We do not talk to mediapersons on starting and closing courses at our institutes.”

Bharmour, May 14
The present Congress government has reopened all the 149 schools which were de-notified by the previous BJP government and is committed to providing quality education to youth near their homes.

This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while addressing a mammoth public meeting at the Chourasi temple complex in Bharmour tribal township after laying the foundation stone of a police station to be constructed at a notional cost of Rs 1.46 crore and a three-storeyed car parking having a capacity to park for vehicles at an estimated cost of Rs 66.39 lakh.

The Chief Minister said tribal areas of the state had a rich cultural heritage which needed to be preserved and promoted, adding that the government was endeavouring to promote all these areas as religious tourism destinations. He said he had represented the Mandi Parliamentary constituency five times and many areas of this constituency were in the tribal belt and he was aware of specific local problems of inhabitants there.

He said the state government was encouraging private entrepreneurs to construct hydel projects which would provide employment avenues to the local youth.

Slamming the previous BJP government for neglecting the interests of people, Virbhadra said the present government had made significant achievements during the last five months. Many important decisions had been taken which would go a long way in developing the state.

He said various jobs were given on party lines during the BJP rule, whereas the Congress government was committed to providing jobs on ability and merit basis. He said the state government was trying to fill up vacant posts in all the departments and priority was being given to people of tribal areas.

The Chief Minister assured people that their demands would be conceded sympathetically. He announced Rs 5,000 each to cultural troupes for presenting a colourful cultural programme on the occasion.

He was given a rousing reception. He paid obeisance at the Chourasi temple.

Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed him about various developmental activities being carried out in the Bharmour and Pangi tribal areas. He requested him for the construction of a Holi-Chamunda tunnel which would reduce 300-km distance for Shimla and provide an all-weather road connectivity to people of the tribal area and benefit 21 panchayats of non-tribal areas. He also requested him to declare the Manimahesh pilgrimage of Bharmour as an international fair.

Congress MLA Asha Kumari, Chairman, HP Pollution Control Board, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Vice-Chairman, HRTC, Kewal Singh Pathania, senior officers and prominent persons of the district were also present.

Solan, May 14
Officials with the Industry Department were exploring the possibility of new industrial areas in a bid to provide the ready availability of land to investors in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) area.

The officials are on the lookout for large chunks of land especially on the outskirts of the BBN area where new industrial areas may be developed. This may help set up planned industrial belts and facilitate new investors.

The officials have earmarked about 4,000 bighas which largely comprises government land. At least 1,000 bighas is a clear patch minimum permission will be required, says an official.

He adds that they will ensure that various clearances are speedily done for other areas to facilitate investors. The officials are exploring land to set up industries with the Chief Minister having made a budgetary allocation for an industrial area.

Investors are coming forward for expansion of units even though the 2003 Central industrial package has expired. Enquiries are being made, says confided an official.

With the inner pockets of the BBN area saturated with pollution the endeavour is to develop industries in outer areas after assessing carrying capacities.

The BBN area had emerged as the hub of industrial activity in Solan district and Parwanoo and Chambaghat are the other industrial areas in the district.

Industries Director Mohan Chauhan says they are serious to rope in new industries and are trying to facilitate the setting up of new units by making available fast land and other permissions.

Bilaspur, May 14
All farmers and orchardists should take advantage of financial help and subsidies provided through departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary, Forests and Fisheries.

This call was given by Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Forests and Fisheries) Rajesh Dharmani while addressing a public meeting at Nain village under Luharwin panchayat, 50 km from here. He held a meet-the-people programme organised to solve problems.

Dharmani praised the efforts of local farmer Subedar Jagdish Singh Chandel, who had developed a poly house for growing off-season vegetables, with help from the Agriculture Department, which had provided him 80 per cent financial subsidy and an additional facility of free wormi compost beds at home.

He said farmers could get subsidy of Rs 75,000 for constructing a shed for silk production from the Silviculture Department, apart from the free allied equipment.

Dharmani said some areas of Dhar had been found good for vegetable production and farmers should go in for growing vegetables and fruit plants in their fields to improve their financial position. They should also plant bamboos and other fodder varieties in large number on their ‘beeds’ (field sides) for cattle fodder.

He said the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments were providing subsidy of Rs 71,000 for constructing a 50,000-litre water tank and Rs 39,000 for constructing 20,000-litre water tank.

Shimla, May 14
Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) today remained peaceful amidst heavy police deployment as there were strict restrictions on the entry of outsiders into the campus.

The police deployed in large numbers following yesterday’s clashes, permitted the entry of students into the campus on the basis of their identity cards. However, students coming for taking entrance examinations were allowed to enter. The boys' hostel too remained calm since last night.

The Students Federation of India (SFI) today sought the personal intervention of the Superintendent of Police (SP) so that action could be taken against the culprits. “Yesterday's clash is not the only incident as over the past some time ABVP activists have been indulging in goondaism and spreading violence in the campus,” alleged Kapil Bhardwaj, president of the SFI State Committee.

He sought action against the ABVP activists who had critically injured five SFI activists in the campus yesterday. The SFI activists also held a demonstration outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office to protest against the attack by ABVP activists.

Dharamsala, May 14
Bollywood actors will clash with MPs in a celebrity match to be organised at the HPCA international cricket stadium in Dharamsala on May 20. The match will be held besides the two IPL matches being organised here on May 16 and 18.

Stating this here today, an HPCA spokesperson said the Bollywood actors who would be coming to Dharamsala included Sohail Khan, Vikas Kapoor, Jordy Patel, Adil Jagmagia, Shyam Sunder, Suniel Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani, Bobby Deol, Raja Bherwani, Yash Tonk, Shabir Ahluwalia, Kanchi Kaul, Sachin Joshi, Varun Badola, Vatsal Sheth, Rajniesh Duggal, Ashish Chaudhary, Dilip Aggarwal, Aijaz Ashai, Dhwani Shah, Dinesh Lad, Stefan Martyres, Rakesh Singh, Jeetendra Sharma, Asif Shaikh, Rajkumar Tiwari, Gendraj Yadav, Rajendra Bainda, Raju, Parshuram Tiwalekar, Bijli Raut, Ajay Chhabria, Vikram Chopra, Vibhor Gupta, Rakesh Sharma and Dipesh Sharma.

The list of MPs who would be coming for the match was yet to be received, he said.

Nurpur, May 14
Two boys drowned and one accompanying them saved himself by swimming in the Beas in the mand area under Indora police station this morning.

According to information, the deceased Sandeep Kumar (20), son of Gurparkash, and Vivek (19), son of Ram Murti, residents of Rakri and Chownki villages, respectively, of Talwara tehsil in Hoshiarpur district (Punjab) had come at Ulaharian village to attend a jagrata at their relatives Chaman and Gopal's house.

They, along with Manish of Chakk Kalan (Hazipur, Punjab), who also had come for the jagrata, left for boating in the Beas. While boating, the boat suddenly capsized and they drowned in the river as they did not know swimming. Manish, however, saved his life by swimming to the bank.

The drowned youths were rushed to the Community Health Centre at Indora at 9 am with the assistance of local residents and the police, but they were declared brought dead by the doctor on duty.

DSP Rajiv Atre said the bodies had been handed over to their families.

Hamirpur, May 14
Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur has accused state Congress leaders for levelling baseless allegations against him to remain in the limelight.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said, “Certain Congress leaders, who had been helping me in the elections in the past and have assured to help me during the coming election, are levelling baseless allegations against me for political reasons to remain in the limelight.”

He said, “I never thought it prudent to respond to unfounded allegations made by them since I do not want to fall prey to their tactics of distracting me from my work.”

Criticising the UPA government at the Centre, Anurag said, “Different sections of the society have been on agitations for months on issues like women's security, corruption, farmers' suicides etc, which is reflection on the failure of the UPA government on every front.”

He said, “The BJYM had launched an agitation programme to expose corruption of the Central Government demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which has received tremendous response.”

Anurag claimed, “The resignations of Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Law Minister Ashwani Kumar is a result of agitations and ongoing contradiction between the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.”

Replying to a question, he said, “If allegations of land purchased by me and my family and giving land to private universities by the previous government are true, why has the present government failed to take action in these matters after coming to power in the state.”

He accused, “The state government has failed to take action against ongoing illicit mining in Una district which will damage the Swan channelisation project on which the previous government had invested Rs 400 crore. Strict action should be taken to check illicit mining in the state.” 

Kangra, May 14,
The golden jubilee celebration of Kendriya Vidyalaya at Naleti was organised yesterday and on the occasion Anurag Thakur, MP, Hamirpur, motivated students to develop cultural values.

Anurag, while addressing students and teachers on the occasion, expressed concern over the deterioration of cultural values among the youth and said now the responsibility was on the shoulders of teachers and parents.

Principal Usha Bhatia welcomed all the dignitaries.

Solan, May 14
Constable Sumit Sen of First IRB was killed when a speeding tempo (HP-12-E-5115) ran over him after he fell off from a scooter (HP-33A-4118) after being hit at Baddi last night.

The tempo driver, who was in an inebriated state, failed to control the speed of the vehicle and after hitting the scooter he ran over the constable who had fallen down due to the impact of the accident.

The deceased was on his way to attend his official duty.

The driver then sped off from the spot though policemen tried to stop him. He was, however, chased and finally nabbed from the Sarsa river near Sheetalpur.

A case of rash and negligent driving under Sections 279 and 304-A, IPC, has been registered against tempo driver Ashwani Kumar of Dhela village in Baddi. He has been arrested and the tempo impounded. 

Chamba, May 14
A forest guard at the Mani beat has been placed under suspension after inspection of the site by the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and the Chamba Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).

They had received a complaint that the forest guard had started constructing a path from Bhanard to Sangnahar in forestland with funds provided by the district administration without approval of the authorities.

Work on the path was started before the DFO ‘s approval in the demarcated protected forest of Dhrunda without following prescribed norms.

The Masroond Range Officer had demanded the forest guard’s explanation, but the latter did not pay any heed. Chamba CCF ARM Reddy confirmed the development.

He said the forest guard was being chargesheeted for dereliction of duty and not following due procedure.