Shimla, May 28
Battlelines have been drawn for the byelection to the Mandi Parliamentary constituency with Congress president Sonia Gandhi approving the candidature of Pratibha Singh, wife of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, to take on former BJP minister Jai Ram Thakur.

While forwarding a panel of two names for the seat, the State Election Committee of the Congress had left the final decision to Sonia Gandhi. The other aspirant whose name figured in the panel was Rakesh Dharwal of Jogindernagar. Virbhadra Singh has been camping in Delhi to press for an early declaration of the party candidate.

The election notification will be issued tomorrow and with this, the process of filing nomination will also commence. The BJP declared Jai Ram as its candidate three days ago and he has already started his campaign.

Pratibha said there was very little time for canvassing given the fact that Mandi was the second largest constituency in the country in terms of geographical area and encompassed difficult landlocked tribal areas with sparse population.

She said she would file her nomination on May 30. Both the Congress and the BJP have fielded the strongest candidates ignoring factional considerations as the two parties are well aware that the outcome of the bypoll will have a bearing on the ensuing general election. The seat has been a traditional stronghold of the Congress all through and it lost it for the first time in 1977. Virbhadra Singh was elected thrice from the seat in 1971, 1980 and 2009, while Pratibha Singh won in 2004. Former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram emerged victorious in 1984, 1991 and 1996.

Maheshwar Singh, who won the seat for the BJP in 1989, 1998 and 1999, had parted ways with the party and floated the Himachal Lokhit Party. In his absence, the BJP has put its best foot forward by nominating Jai Ram Thakur. A down-to-earth leader, he has risen from the ranks and enjoys a clean image. He is new to the parliamentary election, but well introduced in the entire constituency as he has travelled a lot as the state BJP chief and the Rural Development Minister.

Solan, May 28
With a majority of government hospitals failing to provide anti-rabies serum to poor patients, the latter are forced to visit the Kasauli-based Central Research Institute for getting the serum administered.

Scientists at the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, which manufactures anti-rabies serum, said several patients from all over the state had been visiting their institute for getting anti-rabies serum for the last several months. Patients from Kangra, Sirmaur, various parts of Shimla and even from tribal areas of Kinnaur had been coming to the CRI for getting this serum.

The anti-rabies serum is a life-saving drug for victims of serious dog bites, which, in medical terms, are classified as ‘Class III’. The administration of the serum to the victims helps prevent the spread of the rabies virus.

According to scientists of the CRI, Kasauli, this sterile solution contains pre-formed antibodies which provide immediate protection and it is life-saving for patients who show symptoms of rabies. This serum is given to victims who suffer serious bites on fingers, hands or near the head since the transmission of the virus to the nervous system is easier in such cases.

Since the serum has a short life span and a single ampule costs about Rs 500, hospitals shy away from stocking it in adequate numbers. Its dosage depends on the body weight and a person will have to shell out anything from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 depending on one’s body weight. It is, however, administered free of cost at the CRI, Kasauli.

Though this serum figures in the list of 38 medicines which every Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKI) in a hospital is supposed to provide to patients below poverty line, poor patients are forced to go to Kasauli to get this dose administered.

Kulbhushan Sood, Director, Health, said RKIs were authorised to purchase anti-rabies serums and if there was a shortage in any hospital, they would serve them a notice and seek explanation.

However, he added that there was a shortage of anti-rabies serum in the CRI and since it had a short life span and was priced heavily, hospitals only bought a limited stock.

Shimla, May 28
The state government today rejected the offer by Mashobra Resorts Limited for an out-of-court settlement on the dispute over Hotel Wildflower Hall and decided to seek an early disposal of the matter pending before the High Court.

A meeting was held here today under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy with the representatives and chartered accountant of Mashobra Resorts Ltd. VC Pharka, Principal Secretary, Tourism, and Subashish Panda, Director, Tourism, were also present during the deliberations aimed at resolving the dispute in which an arbitrator had handed out an award in 2005.

“The offer made by the group was simply not acceptable to us as it would have diluted the arbitration award and gone against the interest of the state,” said sources. It is learnt that the representatives of Mashobra Resorts Ltd were seeking implementation of the award from 2013 rather than 2005 when it had been awarded. This would have meant that the enhancement that would have come to the government would be delayed and further the 40-year-lease would continue till 2053 and not 2045 as proposed.

As per the offer, the arbitration award of Rs 12.50 crore would have been paid in bits and pieces which was not acceptable to the state government. Prior to this, a meeting had been held about 10 days ago where it was decided to explore the possibility of an out-of-court settlement and then place the matter before the Cabinet for a final decision. However, now the possibility of an out-of-court settlement has been completely ruled out.

It was on February 21, 2013, that the Congress after assuming power decided to get an audit of the Mashobra Resorts through the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) since 1995. Following the Cabinet decision, the audit was been started by the CAG. Besides an audit by the CAG, a case challenging the arbitration award over Wildflower Hotel, owned by the Oberoi Group, is also pending in the High Court.

Shimla, May 28
The State Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission has taken a serious notice of the advertisements being published by private universities regarding admissions to PhD and MPhil for which the government had not granted approval so far.

“It has been observed by the commission that some of the state private universities and their sponsoring bodies were issuing advertisements specific to MPhil and PhD courses for the academic session 2013-14. These advertisements are not only misleading students but also a violation of the admission norms,” the commission has said in a letter to all the private universities.

It has directed the universities not to issue any advertisements specific to the MPhil and PhD courses for the session till necessary approvals were granted by the commission. Any deviation on this account would be liable to appropriate action under the law.

The matter was brought to the notice of the commission by the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) which had filed a complaint against Shoolini University along with copies of advertisements and demanded action against it. The parishad alleged that some private universities had not withdrawn the admission notice to these courses on their websites.

Dharamsala/Una, May 28
Liquor is being sold at prices higher than their maximum retail price (MRP) in Kangra and Una districts.

Consumers alleged that liquor vend licence holders were not issuing any receipt to them for the purchase of liquor bottles. They were charging more than the MRP mentioned on the bottle, thus violating consumer rights.

Paramjit Singh, a consumer from Una, sought information under the RTI Act from the Excise and Taxation Department in this regard. He asked the department if liquor could be sold at prices more than the MRP by the vend licence holder. The department in its reply maintained that under Rule 35 of the HP Liquor Licence Rules, 1986, the licensee shall not charge from the consumer more than the MRP on labels of bottles or containers of liquor.

Paramjit Singh talking to The Tribune said most of vends in Una district were charging more than the MRP. Paramjit alleged that he had asked for a receipt from persons working at vends, but it was not issued.

“I complained to the excise officials, but no action was taken,” Paramjit alleged.

Inquiries by The Tribune also revealed that liquor was being sold at prices much higher than the MRP at tourist places like McLeodganj and its adjoining stations. Since no receipt was issued for the sale, generally the consumers could not prove that they had been over charged.

Hitesh Sharma, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Palampur, who controls the entire region, said the sale of liquor at prices higher than the MRP was illegal. He said MRP lists of all kinds of liquor should be displayed outside vends as per rules. In case any consumer was being over charged, he could complain to local excise officials and suitable action would be taken.

However, the Deputy Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, failed to clarify as to why the issuing of bills for the purchase of liquor was not being made mandatory.

However, liquor vends licence holders claimed that they would go in loss in case the liquor was sold at the MRP. They claimed that for the past more than six years, the Excise and Taxation Department of the state had been following a policy of extending licences of vends by affecting a nominal increase in fee. They had given up the policy of auctioning vends as many vends might remain unsold in case the auction policy was followed.

“The licence fee of vends has increased to such an extent that we cannot generate profit in case liquor is sold at the MRP,” they claimed.

Earlier, liquor was sold without any MRP. However, for the last two years, the Government of India has made it mandatory to print the MRP on liquor bottles.

“Now it is a question of state revenue over consumer rights. In case the Excise and Taxation Department makes it mandatory to issue receipt for sale of liquor, it is likely to lose revenue,” the sources here said.

Palampur, May 28
The Palampur police has booked two teachers of HP Agriculture University (HPAU) under Sections 306 and 34, Indian Penal Code, for allegedly forcing Anchal, a student of BSc-III, College of Basic Sciences (HPAU), to commit a suicide. Anchal had committed suicide by jumping into a 1,000-ft-deep gorge in the Neugal river near Neugal Café this morning.

Sub Inspector Subhash Sastri, who is investigating the case, said Anchal had left a two-page suicide note in which she had held Dr Sharda Singh and Dr Nageshwar responsible for her death. He said on the basis of the suicide note an FIR was registered at Palampur police station and both the teachers were booked for the abetment of suicide.

Sastri said in the suicide note Anchal had alleged that she was tortured by both the teachers, therefore was forced to resort to the extreme step of ending her life.

Dalip Kumar, father of the deceased, told the police that his daughter had recently gone on an educational tour to Goa. She was highly depressed when she returned from the tour. She had complained that during the tour she was humiliated by both the teachers who had accompanied the group of students. Besides, in the class she was also forced sit on the last bench.

Meanwhile, the police raided the residences of both the teachers this afternoon, but they had already gone underground. The police also requested senior officers of the HPAU to direct the teachers to cooperate with the police.

An FSL team from Dharmsala was also summoned by the police who visited the spot of the suicide to gather more evidence.

Later in the evening, the police handed over the body of Anchal after postmortem to her parents.

Hamirpur, May 28
The Himachal Pradesh High Court (HC) has upheld the decision of Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HPTU) in December 2012 to cancel the affiliation of MG Engineering College at Badu in Mandi district.

This was the first time the HPTU took such a harsh action against a private engineering college for lacking infrastructure and faculty.

The affiliation was cancelled on the recommendation of two inspection teams sent by the HPTU to review infrastructure and teaching facilities.

The teams had found that the college did not have facilities and recruited teaching staff against whom students' complaints were received.

The HPTU had said the teams had found that the college management had dismissed a majority of the teaching staff and did not create facilities or improve infrastructure despite reminders.

As a result of affiliation cancellation 60 students admitted to various courses were shifted to other institutes and the college was told to reimburse their fees.

The institute had been running Bachelor of Technology and other professional courses for many years and was one of the first private engineering colleges to be set up in the state.

The college management had filed an appeal in the HC challenging the decision to disaffiliate it. Upholding the decision the HC recently dismissed the appeal.

HPTU lawyer TR Chauhan said, "The decision of the HPTU to disaffiliate the MG Engineering College at Badu has been upheld by the HC."

Solan, May 28
Students of various schools in the district excelled in Class XII results of the CBSE which was declared yesterday.

In Pinegrove School, out of 52 students who had appeared for the Class XII commerce and science stream exams, 15 students scored more than 90 per cent marks. Ravyansh stood first in the science stream securing 95.80 per cent while Nikunj Garg secured first position in the commerce section with 94.20 per cent in the school. All the students have secured a first division with no failures and no compartments.

In Army Public School, Dagshai, out of 78 students, 65 scored above 70 per cent marks and rest scored high first divisions. The academic index has shot up by 24 points as compared to the last year’s index of 190 to 214.1 points. Vaishali Sharma of Class XII (Humanities) topped the school with 91.4 per cent. Shruti Dabas of Class XII (Science) stood second in school with 91 per cent marks, while Akhileshwari Kanwar of Class XII stood third with 90 per cent marks.

The subject average of geography, information practice and fine arts is more than 90 per cent.

Meanwhile, Lawrence School, Sanawar, clarified in a press release here today that there was one failure among 57 students and the result was hence not 100 per cent as claimed earlier.

Hamirpur, May 28
While the HRTC has failed to maintain public utility services at the Hamirpur bus stand, commuters have accused the HRTC authorities of lack of facilities here.

Lack of basic facilities like cold water, choked drains and stinking water can be witnessed any time at the bus stand.

Though four water coolers have been installed at the bus stand, only one cooler meant for the staff is operational and the other three are lying dumped.

A daily commuter Yog Raj said, “Commuters have to purchase mineral water at a high price in the absence of the facility of cold water and the only functional water cooler is full of worms.” Poor sanitary conditions and lack of general cleanliness is also a matter of concern here.

Another commuter Jeevan Lal says, “The bus stand stinks. The walls are not painted for years and abandoned tyres, scooters and other articles can be found strewn at many places here. The kiosk owners have allegedly encroached upon the bus stand and goods have been stored at their will."

Interestingly, Transport Minister GS Bali had visited the bus stand and also directed the HRTC authorities to take several steps, but nothing seems to have changed so far.

Avtar Singh, Regional Manager, Hamirpur, said, “We have installed fans at the bus stand and are working to provide cold drinking water here.”

Manali, May 28
The state government today sought time to file its reply on the Marhi dabha owners’ petition, seeking a stay on the anti-encroachment drive in the Marhi-Rohtang region, in the High Court.

On the other hand, tourists and taxi operators heaved a sigh of relief as the district administration has allowed tourist vehicles to go up to Marhi on Tuesdays. Earlier, Tuesdays were observed as maintenance day by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

The traffic, however, will be allowed beyond Marhi to the snowy 13,050-ft Rohtang Pass on alternate Tuesdays only, said officials. The BRO maintains the 473-km Manali-Leh National Highway.

The tourists seeking to travel in their own vehicles to Lahaul-Spiti and Leh and Ladakh have to get permits from the SDM office in Manali. The Manali-Leh highway has been restored for the normal traffic last week.

The district administration could not resume the anti-encroachment drive as the HC today adjourned the hearing in the Marhi dhaba owners’ petition as the state government sought time to verify the factual position. The government sought to file a reply in the HC on the claims of dhabha owners that they have been living there for so many years. The next hearing in the case is on June 10.

To comply with the HC order, the Himachal Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has installed its three stalls at Marhi, catering to the needs of the tourists. “We are planning to set up 25 stalls at Marhi and 10 at the Rohtang Pass for the benefit of the tourists,” said Vinay Dhiman, SDM-cum-district tourism officer, Manali.

Shimla, May 28
The International Summer Festival this year will be bereft of big Bollywood actors barring Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi forcing organisers to keep the focus on Himachali artistes, including hill girls who have made a mark in the glamorous world of fashion.

Addressing a press conference here today, Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Malhotra said this year the festival would be held from June 1 to 5. “With renowned Bollywood stars, including those hailing from Himachal, demanding hefty performance charges, it will not be possible to have big performers,” hesaid. The Summer Festival being organised here since the '60s has had great performers like Mohammad Rafi, Hema Malini, Jagjit Singh, Mahender Kapoor and Suresh Wadekar.

He said the focus would be on giving maximum exposure and opportunity to Himachali folk artistes who would get to perform every day. “The star attraction of the five-day festival will be Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi, who will perform on the last day on June 5,” said Malhotra. A Bollywood Symphony Orchestra Night will be held on the opening day on June 1.

He said another major event would be the Miss Shimla Beauty pageant and a fashion show on June 4 for which famous model Marc Robinson would be the judge. Malhotra said several girls from the hill state who had made a mark in the world of modelling, fashion and participated in the Femina Miss India contest were expected to take part in the fashion show. Comedian Bhagwant Mann would perform on June 3.

The total expenditure on the festival would be around Rs 35 lakh. “Some of the events have been sponsored by private companies like the ACC and, besides this, the Union Ministry of Cultural Affairs has provided Rs 5 lakh for holding the festival,” he stated.

Superintendent of Police Abhishek Dullar said elaborate security arrangements had been made to ensure the smooth holding of the festival. “Closed-circuit cameras will be installed and all shows will be over by 10 pm to ensure there is no hooliganism,” said Dullar.

A number of other events too have been planned during the festival, including a flower show, baby show, dog show, rock band concert, Himachali food festival, painting competition, band show and a half marathon.

Shimla, May 28
The state police will maintain a separate register for sexual offenders and display the names of such offenders on its official website.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) B Kamal Kumar here today. The meeting was attended by Sanjay Kundu, Inspector General (IG), Law and Order, and Police Superintendents of Mandi, Shimla, Chamba, Kinnuar and Lahaul-Spiti. The DGP said gender-sensitisation training programmes would be held for all the police personnel all over the state during the next three years.

“We have decided to prepare a comprehensive spectrum of sexual and gender-based violence starting right from crank calls to aggravated sexual assault and send it to all the police officials for their suggestion,” said Kundu.

Finally, it would be sent to the Home Department for an approval and then circulated to the entire police machinery all over the state to register and investigate all the cases related to sexual offences against women, he said.

This will probably make Himachal the first state to adopt a standard operating procedure to deal with sexual offences crime. Other issues discussed at the meeting included guidelines for medical and forensic science examination, guidelines for victim compensation scheme, sentencing guidelines and maintaining a register of sexual offences.

The other steps proposed by the police include posting of at least one woman non-gazetted officer in every police station during the next three years. The department also proposes to build infrastructure in every police station and police post to provide rest, stay and recreational facilities for women police officials.

Shimla, May 28
The State Public Service Commission has deferred interviews for recruitment to the post of frash and gateman-cum-mali to be held from May 28 to June 6 due to the enforcement of model code of conduct for the Mandi bypoll.

A spokesman of the commission said here yesterday that the next date for holding the interviews would be intimated later.