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Forest Dept to focus on chilgoza revival, lantana eradication
Govt has adopted election manifesto as policy document, says Bali
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Cong flays BJP for calling Sukhu ‘contractor’
BJP blames Cong for financial mess
KV students denied admission to JBT under sports quota
Chief Secy for barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities
Miscreants beat up media house drivers
Pain management a blessing for chronic patients: Doctor
Scientists discuss methods for value addition to chitin
NGO federation leaders’ fight turns bitter
Body recovered, 2 others feared drowned in Sutlej
Escaped undertrial prisoner arrested, consumes poison
Pakistani, old Delhi delicacies highlights at food festival
Woman dies of snake bite
Youth found murdered
Boy drowns in temple water tank
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Forest Dept to focus on chilgoza revival, lantana eradication
Shimla, June 9 The fast-depleting reserves of the chilgoza pine have been a matter of concern and the department has decided to implement a 10-year action plan for its regeneration and conservation. Under the plan, nurseries of the edible nut-bearing species will be established at Kinnaur, Bharmour and Pangi for raising new plantations. The area under chilgoza pine has shrunk to 2,100 hectare. Besides, fig, jamun, kaphal, carrisa and other fruit species will also be planted. In another important initiative, lantana, an obnoxious weed, will be eradicated by replanting the area with suitable shrubs and bushes which provide cover and food for wild animals. A target to eradicate the seed over an area of 5,000 hectare has been set for the current financial year. ‘Van sarovars’ will also be developed in the heart of forests to cater to the needs of wild animals. Principal Chief Conservator, Forests, RK Gupta said the objective was to create an environment where the wildlife could flourish to help reduce human-animal conflict. Lack of food, water and proper shelter in the forest was one of the major reasons for animals making frequent forays into human habitations, Gupta said. Further frequent forest fires also caused immense harm to the wildlife and the department planned to provide green barriers by raising perennial bushes and shrubs to check the spread of fires, he said. It would go a long way in curbing the spread of fires. More importantly, the containing fires would boost natural regeneration and improve survival rate of new plantations, he added. In all, new plantations would be raised over 20,000 hectare during the year and apart from fruit trees and bushes, about 45 lakh saplings of medicinal species would also be planted, he said. Policy shift
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Govt has adopted election manifesto as policy document, says Bali
Sujanpur, June 9 He said the state government had adopted its election manifesto as its policy document to give maximum benefits in minimum time to the common man. The minister said the state government was committed to take the state to new heights of development during the next five years. Efforts would be made to provide employment opportunities to people for which skill development programmes were being launched at various levels. Lauding the role of the Social Bodies Federation, the minister said people living outside the state were making valuable contribution in different fields. The minister also announced to start a deluxe bus from Sujanpur to New Delhi and asked officials to take steps to open an LPG agency here under the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Gas Vitaran Scheme. Local MLA Rajinder Rana also addressed the gathering. Several office-bearers of the federation were present at the function. |
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Cong flays BJP for calling Sukhu ‘contractor’
Shimla, June 9 In a joint statement here today, Congress vice-president Harsh Mahajan, general secretaries Ram Lal Thakur and Sudhir Sharma and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Rajesh Dharmani said the Congress president had never worked as a contractor. They challenged the BJP leaders to prove that Sukhvinder had ever worked as a contractor or had ever been registered as a contractor at any time during his career. They said Sukhvinder had never misused political posts for making wealth as he had never been in power earlier. The Congress asked the BJP not to challenge the status of the Congress president as it was the apex party post in the state. Counterattacking the BJP, they alleged that former Chief Minister PK Dhumal and his son Anurag were the real contractors who had commercialised politics and even cricket. They said the Congress president was ready to quit politics if proved wrong, but the BJP leaders should take up the challenge and quit politics, if they had any “morality” left in them. They said Sukhvinder had been made the party president keeping in view his honesty, transparency and morality by the Congress high command and he did not require any certificate from the BJP. He was the first person to declare not just his income, but also the sources of his income in the Vidhan Sabha in 2008, they added. Sukhvinder was not a politician, but chief servant of people and was trying to serve people of the state by cleansing it from the grip “mafias, which flourished under the father-son duo
of Dhumal and Anurag”, they added. |
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BJP blames Cong for financial mess
Shimla, June 9 He alleged that the Congress had promised employment allowance to educated youth, but after coming to power, the party had subtly converted it into skill development allowance to hoodwink the youth. Referring to the financial crisis, Dutt alleged that it was the Virbhadra government which had concealed the real deficit before the 9th Finance Commission. As a result the state was deprived of the revenue deficit grant. The BJP government inherited a debt of Rs 22,000 crore from the Congress regime in 2008 and the amount increased to Rs 27,000 crore during its five-year term. However, the present government had over a short period of five months raised fresh loans amounting to Rs 1,700 crore, he alleged. |
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KV students denied admission to JBT under sports quota
Dharamsala, June 9 Satish Sharma, an ex-serviceman from Dharamsala whose daughter Parul Sharma completed her education from KV, had sought admission to JBT under the sports quota. However, the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBSE), that had conducted the entrance test for the admissions to JBT, has refused to consider her under the sports quota. Satish Sharma, talking to The Tribune, alleged that his daughter was being denied admission to JBT. He said his daughter had scored 55 marks in the entrance test. However, students who had scored just 45 marks in the entrance test were given admission to the JBT course under the sports quota, he alleged. He said a sports officer of Dharamsala, who was a member of the interview committee for JBT admissions, said the games conducted by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sansthan (KVS) and the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti were not recognised by any sports federation. Due to this, students of KVs could not be considered under the sports quota. Following the objection raised by the sports officer, Satish wrote to the KVS, seeking clarification in the matter. In a letter to Satish Kumar, Dr Shashi Kant, Joint Commissioner, has stated that a KVS national-level sports meet is equivalent to the state-level sports meet. Satish said he met senior officials of the education board and submitted the clarification given to him by the Joint Commissioner. The officials assured him that the issue would be sorted out. However, the documents submitted by him were missing from the education board office. Secretary, HPBSE, Rakhil Kahlon said they had to go by the advice of the District Sports and Youth Welfare Departments for allowing admissions under the sports quota. Satish's request has been referred to the Director, Sports. Meanwhile, the Secretary said anything regarding the matter could only be said after counselling was over by June 17. However, sources here said seats against the sports quota were being filled and students having sports certificates from KVs and Navodayas might not get admission even if a clarification in their favour came in late. |
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Chief Secy for barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities
Shimla, June 9 He was presiding over the "State-level Conference on Disabilities Issues" organised by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Directorate of Scheduled Castes and Minority Affairs here. The government was providing assistance to voluntary organisations to make available services necessary for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including early intervention, development of daily living skills, education and skill development oriented towards employability. PC Dhiman, Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment, stressed the need for special focus on persons with disabilities. He said efforts would be made to ensure the participation of children with disabilities in important functions. Madhu Bala Sharma, Director, Women and Child Development Department, said steps were being taken for promoting physical, social and psychological rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. |
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Chief Justice visits Mandi, meets Bar members
Sundernagar, June 9 The Chief Justice interacted with the members of the Bar Association and assured them that their pending demands would be considered soon. A few advocates submitted a memorandum to the Chief Justice demanding adequate space as they were sitting in the open. The Chief Justice told the authorities to
submit a report within 30 days in this regard. The Chief Justice urged the members of the Bar to help in the speedy disposal of cases by adopting the mode of alternate dispute resolutions such as lok adalats and mediation. He said in America out of 100 disputes, 90 were solved by adopting alternate methods due to which courts were less burdened. |
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Miscreants beat up media house drivers
Palampur, June 9 Braham Dass Thakur, SHO, Bhawarna, said a case under various Sections of the IPC had been registered against unknown persons, adding that no arrest had been made so far. He said two vehicles from Hamirpur were on their way to Nagrota Bagwan to pick up paper packets from a press. At 11 pm when the vehicles reached near Kural village, some miscreants forcibly stopped the vehicles and asked the drivers to get down. Later, the drivers were forcibly taken out and beaten up. One of the drivers received serious head injuries, while the other had a fracture in the arm. The SHO said a driver's driving licence and
purse were also snatched by the miscreants. Later, the drivers managed to reach the Nagrota Bagwan police station and lodged a complaint. Thereafter, an alert was sounded to nab the culprits. Villagers had put up barriers on the Sujanpur-Palampur National Highway and other roads in the region to check the growing incidents of theft. They were “illegally” stopping and searching vehicles on these checkposts daily. A similar incident was also reported from Matt village last month when two persons were manhandled by villagers when they did not stop their vehicle. The matter was reported to the police, but no one had been arrested till date. On the other hand, villagers alleged that since the police had failed to protect their property, they had been forced to check the incidents of theft themselves. |
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Pain management a blessing for chronic patients: Doctor
Dr Deepak Thapa, Associate Professor, Government Medical College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, gave this information in an exclusive interview with The Tribune here today. Dr Thapa was here to organise a free pain management camp at Government Senior Secondary School, Matour, 10 km from here, today. Dr Thapa said pain was like an epidemic in society, especially with an increase in the number of patients of cancer, spine and disc problems. Earlier, treating the cause of the disease and giving analgesics was the only method for treating patients. However, intervention pain management was now being increasingly used for treating chronic pain patients. The Government Medical College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, was the only hospital that was having an independent pain management clinic, besides AIIMS, Delhi, in North India, Dr Thapa claimed. He said the basic concept of the management was to numb the nerves that carried pain signals from the damaged organ to the brain. With nerves turned numb, the patients did not feel pain. The methods of turning nerves numb included use of radio frequency waves, ozone therapy and steroid therapy. The Sector 32 college would soon have a spine hydrojet technology of intervention pain management that could provide great relief to slip disc patients. When asked if turning nerves numb created side effects in the body, Dr Thapa said acute pain had beneficial meanings, but chronic pain was a disease and had no benefits. The only side effect of the management was that the pain could sometimes return even after treatment and there could be sensation loss. However, patients could again be treated with similar therapies in such cases, he said. He said the number of chronic pain patients was increasing in society due to increasing age and degenerative changes in old-age patients. Many youngsters were also suffering chronic pain due sedentary life styles and spine problems. Dr Thapa said besides the Sector 32 college, a pain management clinic was also being run at a spine injury centre in Mohali. At a camp organised here today, Dr Thapa gave advice to over 300 patients suffering chronic pain. |
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2 boys hurt as pedestrian path caves in
Shimla, June 9 The incident took place around 8.30 pm last night. It was the boys' good luck that GS Rajput, Superintendent, Shimla Railway Station, was passing by with his staff. He heard the shouts of one injured boy who was trapped in the bushes. He got down to his help and found that he had a head injury and was bleeding profusely. The injured boy told him that another boy had also fallen down. After some effort they found the second boy lying unconscious in a ditch. The two boys were rushed to hospital. Rajput lamented that the footpath had not been properly maintained by the authorities. |
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Scientists discuss methods for value addition to chitin
Dharamsala, June 9 Prof Appa Rao Podile, who delivered a keynote address, in an exclusive interview with The Tribune, said chitin and chitosan were found in exoskeletons of insects, anthropods and crustaceans. The substance was derived in plenty at the sea shore from squids and other life forms. Chitin has applications in water purification, wound healing drugs, plant protection from pests, nano-biology and cosmetics. However, the cost of chitin is low in the market. Its cost ranges from Rs 150 to Rs 200 per kg. However, scientists have now found that if chitin cellulose is broken into smaller pieces, its efficiency can be increased greatly. The broken chitin cellulose will also fetch much more profit for the industry that can range up to a few lakh rupees per kg due to its improved use in the field of medicine, Appa Rao said. Prof PS Ahuja, Director, IHBT, said during the symposium the scientists deliberated on methods such as the use of biotechnology and nanotechnology in breaking chitin and chitosan molecules into smaller pieces for better industrial application. He further said strategically exploring this vast natural resource would in real terms justify the "waste to wealth" approach for industrial and social benefit. Chitosan and their derivatives had immense applications in plant protection, pests and disease management in field and plantation crops, medicines and nano-biology, Ahuja said. He further said the symposium would provide an opportunity to exchange and discuss the related research and development aspects for opening new vistas for biochemical and molecular research on one hand and development of novel products for industries on the other hand. There were about 65 delegates from different parts of the country, including Vikram Sudhakar and Prof R Jaykumar, president and secretary of the Indian Chitin and Chitosan Society, respectively, who participated in the symposium. The scientists who attended the symposium included Dr ZA Aliyamveetil, D Harish Prashanth, Dr PK Dutta, Dr Raja Biswas, Prof T Satyanarayana, Dr MV Deshpande, Dr S Meenakshi and Dr Joydeep Dutta. |
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Disruption in telecom services, blocked Saach Pass create hurdles for poll dept
Chamba, June 9 Bharmour, which is a part of the Mandi constituency, is going to the poll on June 23. An official of the Election Department said the Telecommunication Department had already been asked to improve telecom services. "If the conditions remain the same and the snow-covered Saach Pass at an altitude of 4,413 m linking the isolated Pangi tribal valley with its district headquarters at Chamba is not opened for vehicular traffic in time, the poll department will be constrained to seek the helicopter services," the official stated. Meanwhile, RK Sood, Superintending Engineer, HP Public Works Department, Dalhousie Circle, said the Saach Pass was expected to be opened for vehicular traffic within a week, adding that the work to remove the snow there was being carried out on a war footing. Some portions near the Saach Pass on the Chamba and Pangi valley sides had already been cleared of snow, he said. The Saach Pass in Chamba district overlooking the snowy Pir Panjal ranges of Jammu and Kashmir has been closed due to snowfall in November last year. The snow-clad Pangi valley remains cut off from the outer world during winter for about six-seven months. Killar township is a sub-divisional headquarters of the Pangi tribal valley. Residents of the valley have to reach Chamba via J&K route which passes through Sansari Nala and Batot. |
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NGO federation leaders’ fight turns bitter
Hamirpur, June 9 The federation, representing state government employees, has been divided between groups and leaders are struggling for the state government recognition. With the change of the state government, employee leaders are trying to prove their hold on the members by holding
NGO federation elections at different level. Governments, headed by the Congress and the BJP, had also been giving recognition to the factions headed by employee leaders close to them by inviting them for the joint consultative committee (JCC) meetings, convened to take up employees issues. Certain leaders have also approached the state high court for their recognition and the court has asked the leaders to maintain a status quo in the matter. After the change of government, employees' leaders had initiated a process to hold election of the NGO federation to impress upon the state government to give them recognition. Jitender Rana and Man Chand Rana factions have come face to face in Hamirpur district and filed FIRs against the leaders
of other faction for carrying membership drive to hold election. The first FIR was filed by the Man Chand Rana group against four leaders, Jitender Rana, Anil Soni, Ashwani Chambial and Rakesh Kumar, for allegedly illegally collecting union membership fee. After this move, the Jitender Rana group also filed an FIR against six employee leaders, Man Chand Rana, Sanjeev Prabhakar, Rajesh Dhiman, Om Prakash, Bihari Lal and Roop Lal for the same reason. However, both factions are engaged in electing respective employees bodies at different levels. |
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300 girls attend workshop on human values
Kangra, June 9 Seesh Bushan Sharma, district president of the organisation, said the workshop had "Education on Human Values" as the theme and focused on girls as to educate one girl meant educating an entire family. He said such workshops were need of the hour as the younger generation was drifting away from its cultural roots because it was going away from religion. Bushan urged the girls to be close to the Bhagwat Geeta which was a code of conduct on how one should live.
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Body recovered, 2 others feared drowned in Sutlej
Bilaspur, June 9 The deceased has been identified as Mahender Bisht of Subhash Nagar, Nainital. His wife Neelam and the taxi driver, identified as Pradip Kumar of Shimla, are also feared to have drowned in the river. They had started for Kullu-Manali on May 31 The body was seen by some persons floating near the banks of the Sutlej, near Luhnu Ghat, here in the town and the police was informed. The body has been sent for the post-mortem. Some parts of the drowned taxi and two cellphones were also recovered. The police is looking for the other two occupants of the taxi.
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Trekking-cum-nature study camp ends
Dalhousie, June 9 The students took part in activities like rock climbing, river crossing, trekking to Dainkund, Jot, Kalatop and Dalhousie itinerary and also enjoyed bird watching, star gazing etc. Capt (retd) RS Rana, manager of the hostel who was the chief guest at the valedictory function of the camp, distributed certificates and mementos to the participants. Addressing the participants on this occasion, Rana said such treks promoted adventure tourism in a big way. He urged them to become environmentally conscious and eco-friendly and at the same time disseminate this message in the society. Kunal Joshi, programme director of the club, said it was the first group of the club and more groups would come in next year. Coordinator Dhiren Meshvaniya, camp leader Jignesh Nakar and Sidhartha Jethwa also attended the camp.
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Escaped undertrial prisoner arrested, consumes poison
Bilaspur, June 9 Reports said when Sanjiv found that he had to surrender, he gulped some poison. The police team rushed him first to the local Health Centre, then to the Ghumawin Civil Hospital and then to the Regional Hospital here. The police is keeping full vigil on him and a case of attempt to commit suicide has been registered against him. He already has a case of escape from custody filed against him. He is said to be recovering here in hospital.
— OC
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Pakistani, old Delhi delicacies highlights at food festival
Shimla, June 9 An exclusive food court has been put up to tickle the taste buds of foodies with Punjabi, Rajasthani, Pakistani and old Delhi delicacies. "The event could have been much bigger with more representations from bigger brands and verticals, but for lack of space in Shimla," said Dalip Sharma, Regional Director, PHD Chamber. "This is the peak season for tourist inflow to the city and the mart has created a festive atmosphere," said Dhian Chand, Chairman, HP Committee PHD Chamber.
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Woman dies of snake bite
Bilaspur, June 9 She was rushed to nearby Badsar Primary Health Centre, but she was declared brought dead by doctors there. Villagers, led by panchayat president Taro Devi and ward member Jagdev Singh, have urged the district administration to provide financial help to this poor bereaved family.
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Youth found murdered
Solan, June 9 S Arul Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Baddi, said the youth, who was staying in a private rented accommodation at Kuruvana village, was found laying in a pool of blood outside his room by a neighbour last night. He was taken to ESI Hospital, Katha, where doctors declared him brought dead. DSP Narinder Kumar said it appeared he had been beaten to death by someone. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered and further investigations are on.
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Boy drowns in temple water tank
Bilaspur, June 9 Reports said the boy had gone to the tank to bathe, but slipped into deep water. Since he did not know swimming, he drowned. His absence was noticed after some time by the family when they wanted to return home. Later, villagers found him drowned in the water tank. They rushed him to nearby Health Centre where he was declared brought dead. The police has registered a case and got the postmortem examination conducted.
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In a shift from its normal afforestation programme, the Forest Department will focus on the revival of endangered chilgoza pine and raise fruit-bearing trees along with a variety of bushes from the ensuing planting season to make the fast degrading forests congenial for wildlife.
Dharamsala, June 9