Shimla, July 19
A high-level team from the Centre will visit the rain-ravaged tribal district of Kinnaur on July 25 to assess the damage caused by heavy rain and cloudburst and compensate the state.

The team was headed by Veena Kumari Meena, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. She will be accompanied by senior officials from the Planning Commission and the ministries of Finance, Agriculture, Rural Development and Road Transport and Surface. The team will stay in Kinnaur for a day to assess the damages due to unprecedented rain in mid-June.

“The team will visit the state on July 25 and will visit various places, including Pooh, Reckong Peo, Gyabong and Sangla, and make an aerial assessment of the entire district,” said Tarun

Sridhar, Principal Secretary, Revenue and Industries. He added that it was on July 15 that a memorandum on the damages was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

As per the memorandum, the Himachal government has pegged the losses suffered by the entire state, including Kinnaur, at Rs 2,522 crore. This figure can go up as the reports of the damage are still pouring in and the assessment process is on.

It is on the recommendation of the team that the Centre will provide funds to the state from the National Disaster Relief Fund. The report is replete with satellite images of the snow in Kinnaur captured on June 1 and the sudden increase in snow seen on June 21 due to inclement weather. The state government has so far spent Rs 129.24 crore from the State Disaster Relief Fund on undertaking rescue and restoration work.

“On the basis of the norms laid down by the Centre for grant of funds from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDSF), we have sought a relief of Rs 1,988 crore,” said Sridhar.

He said the maximum damage had been suffered in the Public Works Department with the losses being pegged at Rs 1,006 crore. Besides this, the Border Road Organsiation (BRO) has suffered a damage of Rs 40 crore.

The second major head where losses have been huge is the electricity infrastructure with the losses being assessed at Rs 472.35 crore. The Irrigation and Public Health Department has suffered losses of Rs 472.35 crore as various drinking water schemes have damaged. With standing crop of peas and other crops being destroyed, the loss to the agriculture crops is about Rs 200 crore.

The loss to the horticulture sector, especially apple, is Rs 64 crore. The losses on account of damage to community assets like panchayat bhawans and community halls is Rs 165 crore.

Shimla, July 19
The Congress today launched a campaign to educate the poor about the benefits of food security scheme, exactly a month ahead of its scheduled rollout in the state on August 20.

Himachal is among the three states, along with Delhi and Haryana, which will launch the scheme in the first phase. The manner in which Prem Chandra Mishra, specially deputed by the AICC to kickoff the campaign, presented the issue made it obvious that the objective is not only to create awareness, but also to paint the opposition BJP as anti-poor and a stumbling block which forced the UPA regime to promulgate and Ordinance to make the right to food a reality.

The BJP never wanted the National Food Security Bill to be passed and it had been stalling proceedings of Parliament. Its negative attitude made it evident that it was least bothered about the welfare of the poor and its main concern had been that the UPA government did not get credit for ensuring food security to the poor, he said.

Mishra asserted that it was a "life saver" for the poor and not a political gimmick. The publicity offensive started by the party with the AICC sending leaders across the country left little doubt that the scheme that would benefit 67 per cent of the country's population was being seen as a "game changer" by the party for the 2014 Lok Sabha poll.

He said there would be no additional financial burden on the states as the Centre would provide assistance to meet the cost of intra-state transportation, handling of foodgrains and margins of fair price shop dealers, for which norms would be developed.

The additional storage facility would be created in the states for the purpose. The identified poor persons would have 5 kg of highly subsidised foodgrains per month, rice (Rs 3 per kg), wheat (Rs 2 per kg) and coarse grains (Re 1 per kg).

The poor households would continue to receive 35 kg per family per month under the Antyodaya Anna Yojna at highly subsidised rates.

A Food Security Commission would be set up in each state to ensure proper implementation of scheme and to redressal of grievances. A provision had been made to provide of Rs 6,000 per month to pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Mandi, July 19
The candidates who have applied for the physical education teachers (PET) test scheduled for July 21 are a harried lot as the Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Board (HPSSSB) has rejected 758 candidates for not filling forms correctly. Besides, many candidates have not received roll numbers for the examinations.

Apart from this, there is a confusion whether the PET test on Sunday is for the PET posts for which the HPSSSB has sought application forms on June 20 or this is the test for the posts advertised earlier in 2012.

“We have filled the forms in 2008, 2011, 2012 and now 2013 and dispatched these to the Secretary, HPSSSB, Hamirpur, by the registered speed post for the PET test, but we have neither received the acknowledgment cards, nor roll numbers each time”, resented many candidates from Shimla, Mandi and Kullu.

Even the candidates did not know whether they were to sit in the exams or they were rejected. The board had put up a list of 758 candidates who had been rejected for the PET test on its website, but the board had not intimated them through SMS or by post, they resented.

Most of the PET candidates came from the rural areas where the Internet facility was hardly available. The board took it for granted that the list put on its website was known to each candidate, they rued.

But the board officials claimed that they received thousands of applications and after scrutiny, the list of rejected candidates was put on the website.

“The confusion is created by the candidates themselves as the July 21 test is meant for the PET advertisement of September 2012. This test could not be conducted earlier due to election code of conduct”, said HPSSSB member secretary Vijay Kumar.

He said even the rejected candidates and those who had not received roll numbers should fax the acknowledgment cards to the board. “We are issuing roll numbers to those who are eligible and have applied for the PET posts”, he claimed.

On the 180 PET posts for which the board had sought applications by June 20, the board was scrutinising the forms and would take more than three months to conduct the examinations, said the board officials. But the candidates rejected the board claims, saying that the board was earning money as the each application form cost Rs 320. The board had earned Rs 2.42 lakh from the rejected candidates without informing them, they rued.

As per board version, 6,414 candidates would appear for the 39 PET posts on July 21. As many as 758 candidates have been rejected on one or other ground.

Shimla, July 19
Pratibha Singh, MP from Mandi, has urged the Centre to conduct the Kailash Mansarovar yatra through the Himachal route which is much safer and stable compared to the current route via Uttarakhand.

She met Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid at New Delhi today and urged him that the Mansarovar Yatra through Himachal Pradesh would be more convenient as the entire route up to Tibet was rocky and stable from the point of view of avalanches and landslides.

She said the yatra was stopped many times due to inclement weather in high hills of Uttrakhand due to threat of avalanches and landslides.

The yatra would be more safe and convenient for the pilgrims as the facilities such as medicine shops, hospitals, rescue posts, halting places were available enroute and they were much better in comparison to Uttarakhand.

She also demanded opening of the old trade route to Tibet through Rampur which would create new opportunities for the marketing of traditional produce like dry fruits, handicrafts, handlooms and other local products.

Pratibha Singh, MP, also demanded a hike in the Haj quota of the state from present 100 persons to 150 persons so that most of the aspirants for the Haj yatra could be accommodated. She thanked the Centre for accommodating all 133 Hajis this year. She also demanded the special air service from chandigarh to Mecca during the Haj yatra for the convenience of Haj pilgrims from Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand.

She also called on Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and urged him to extend the industrial package till 2020 keeping in view the industrial backwardness of the state. She requested him to provide incentives of capital investment subsidy on plant and machinery, excise duty exemption for 10 years and 100 per cent income tax exemption for five year and thereafter 30 per cent to 25 per cent for the next five years. 

Shimla, July 19
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was presented a cheque for Rs 5.20 lakh by state BJP president Satpal Satti for the Chief Minsiter’s Relief Fund here today.

All 26 BJP MLAs have contributed their one-month salary for the fund. Former Ministers Jai Ram Thakur and Ravinder Singh Ravi, Randhir Sharma, Govind Ram Sharma, Suresh Bhardwaj and Baldev Tomar, all MLAs, spokesman Ganesh Dutt and treasurer Kapil Sood were also present on the occasion. Independent MLA from Paonta Sahib Kirnesh Jung presented a cheque amounting for Rs 20,000 for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people in Uttarakhand and the tribal district Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh.

President of the Nalagarh Truck Operators’ Union, Sardar Gian Singh, presented a cheque for Rs 11 lakh and the Rotary Club, Rampur, Rs 25,000.— TNS

Shimla, July 19
The Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) today demanded setting up of a special investigation team (SIT), headed by a senior IPS officer, to probe the alleged irregularities committed by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) during the previous BJP regime.

The core group of the HLP, which met here last evening, expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of investigations in this regard. Those who attended the meeting included state president, Maheshwar Singh, Mahender Sofat, Shyama Sharma, Dulo Ram and Khushi Ram Balnatah.

“There has not been much progress in various scams and irregularities since the formation of the Congress regime, especially in the HPCA complex case,” said Tikku Thakur, HLP leader.

He said since names of senior politicians and officials are linked to these irregularities, a high-level probe can be held only by setting up the SIT.

The HLP leaders also took strong exception to any move to amend or tamper with Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reform Act. “We welcome industrialisation and investment in the state, but not at the cost of the interest of the state and its people,” said Thakur. “The previous BJP regime has violated Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reform Act to benefit outsiders,” he said.

The leaders also demanded a time-bound inquiry into the purchase case of 108 ambulances during the previous regime. “The Chief Minister’s statement that the ambulances bought now are cheaper than those which were bought by the BJP at the time of the launch of the scheme only vindicates the HLP stand that there were irregularities in the purchase,” said Thakur. The HLP leaders also supported the Food Security Ordinance and said that former Chief Minister PK Dhumal was opposing it merely because of political considerations. 

Mandi, July 19
Thanks to lack of proper drainage on the National Highway-21 stretch in the Sauli Khad locality here, the nallah today flooded the nearby houses and shops, including the IIT Mandi temporary hostel building, due to rain giving tough time to residents and commuters.

The problem worsened as the seasonal rivulet from the transport area surged due to heavy rain and turned this stretch as huge pond of muddy water.

The traffic was disrupted on the Mandi-Pathankot highway at the landslide points at Guma and Bagh between Mandi and Jogindernagar.

The residents have to waded through the water every time it rains in this temple town as the highway has no outlet to drain the water from this spot into the Beas. The NHAI has no provision to drain out water. The water enters shops and houses located on the lower side of the highway, resented local residents.

Executive Engineer, NH-21, Sunil Kapur said they had set up a pump there to drain out the water. But the concrete drain is being dug up that would carry out the rain water to the culvert located near the river bank restaurant, Kapur said.

Solan, July 19
Failure of the Nalagarh police in tracing a 25-year old missing girl has exposed the casual attitude of the police towards the crime against women in the state.

The 25-year old girl, who came to Nalagarh from Ramshehar village to take an MA examination, has been missing since June 18.

Her father, Sehdev Verma, said she did not even appear for the exam. He suspected that she had been abducted.

The police had registered a case of abduction on June 24, but even after one month there has been no clue about her whereabouts.

The parents of the girl, along with a delegation of Mahila Mandal representatives from Ramshehar, today met the Superintendent of Police (SP), Baddi, S Arul Kumar.

Verma said they would hold a dharna at Ramshehar tomorrow against the police inaction.

The SP said a team had been sent to Chhattisgarh, but nothing was traced from there and phone (mobile) numbers of the family members had been sought to trace the girl.

The case appears to have been grossly mishandled and failure to get any clue even after the lapse of one month reflected the poor working of the police in the district.

Nurpur, July 19
The local police today arrested a migrant, Dalip Singh (62) of Shivnallah, for allegedly attempting to rape a minor girl (13).

According to information, the incident happened 20 days ago, but the girl didn’t disclose it as she was warned of dire consequences. She informed her mother about the incident today and her mother registered a case with the police.

DSP Rajiv Atre, who visited the spot for preliminary investigations, said a case under relevant sections of the IPC had been registered against the migrant.

He said the victim’s medical examination had been conducted this evening.

Mandi, July 19
The Mandi Municipal Council (MMC) today demolished three illegal structures in the town following the direction of the High court.

The demolition drive was launched under the guidance of MMC executive officer KR Thakur.

The council has identified 10 such illegal structures in the town for demolition.

The High Court has directed the council to carry out the drive and get the cost of the drive from the violators. Earlier, the council has demolished six structures and it asserted that the drive would continue in the town.

Mandi/Kullu, July 19
The Himachal Kissan Sabha (HKS), in collaboration with the State Apple Growers Association and members of other progressive organisations from Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts, will organise a state-level convention tomorrowon apple issues in the face of lifting of import duty from apple in 2014 that is set to push the Himachal’s Rs 3,200 crore apple economy into crisis.

In a joint statement here today, state resident HKS Kuldeep Singh Tanvar and state president, State Apple Growers Association, Rakesh Singh said the main issue of this convention would be the proposal of the government to lift the import duty on apple after 2014.

Tanwar said after lifting the import duty, the apple growers would face problems affecting the Rs 3200 crore horticulture economy. At present there is about 50 per cent duty on apple imported from other countries, he said.

Rakesh Singha said the apple growers were also suffering due to South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). Due to this agreement, apple of Iran and China is being imported through Sri Lanka and Nepal which is cheaper than local apple.

The farmers leaders alleged that the state and the Centre were pursuing the anti-farmers policies contributing to the steady deterioration of economic condition of the apple producers. The inputs cost of fertilisers, pesticides and labour had surged over the years due to high prices of petroleum products that had pushed apple farmers in a crisis, Dr Tanvar said.

Kangra, July 19
The Ministry for Railways has granted permission to the state government to construct overbridge on the Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge line. The project of Rs 1.68 crore, connecting Bodarballa village with Sakot and Bhatti villages, will prove a boon for residents of five villages.

Pawan Kajal, local MLA of the Congress, said this while addressing a press conference here today. He said he had taken up the issue in the state assembly and later on approached former Railway Minister Pawan Bansal in Delhi in this connection and now the permission to construct this bridge over the railway line was granted.

He said a number of families from these villages had already migrated to other places for want of road connectivity and hoped that they would return to their ancestral places after the bridge would be built.

He said this bridge would be constructed at Rs1.68 crore on Banner Khad and work on this project would start soon. He said the PWD would complete this bridge by the end of the current financial year.

Bilaspur, July 19
To further improve the facilities for patients at the Regional Hospital here, three more doctors have been posted at the hospital recently. This was disclosed by local Bilaspur Sadar MLA Bambar Thakur while talking to mediapersons at the Circuit House here today.

He said a skin specialist had already joined, while two others would also join duty at the earliest so that patients get required facilities here.

Thakur said now 24 hour lab test facility had been introduced here for the first time to save patients from outside exploitation, who arrive late evening and during night hours for emergencies. A new machine has been purchased for HB-1-A sugar test for which patients had to pay higher rates earlier in outside laboratories.

He said the Chief Minister and the Health Minister have been kind to provide two108 free ambulances for Bilaspur. 

Bilaspur, July 19
A woman and a child died in the past 24 hours in the district.

Reports said Shankari Devi (48) of Godi village died under mysterious circumstances. She collapsed while spraying pesticide in her fields in the afternoon. Villagers admitted her to Markand Community Health Centre where she died. Her body has been sent for the post-mortem examination.

In another incident, Sanjiv Kumar (11) of Dadhi Badi village died of a snake bite. According to information, Sanjiv complained of some insect bite to his parents, who admitted him to Regional Hospital, where he died. — OC

Dalhousie, July 19
Two persons, including a driver of the vehicle, were injured when their pick-up van in which they were travelling went off the road near Satnala last evening, a police report received here today.

The injured have been identified as Mohinder and Tulsi Ram of the Pangi area who were stated to be out of danger. A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered at the Tissa police station. — OC