Shimla, August 14
The Transport Department is planning to introduce radio taxis in major tourist towns of the state to facilitate the movement of both locals as well as tourists.

To begin with, the facility will be introduced only in the popular tourist destinations of Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Dharamsala-McLeodganj and the Baddi industrial area. Depending on the success of the service, it can be extended to other places also.

Earlier, attempts by the government to introduce metered taxis had failed to take off, as various associations of taxi operators had opposed these vehemently. Their grouse was that with the mileage in the hilly terrain worked out to be lesser than in the plains, it was not a practical idea to have metered taxis.

“To provide professional and quality taxi service, we propose to introduce radio taxis in the major tourist towns, shortly,” said Transport Minister GS Bali. He said the modalities were still being worked out, but the service would cover Bhuntar-Kullu-Rohtang, Gaggal-Dharamsala-McLeodganj, Baddi-Nalagarh, Shimla-Kalka and surrounding areas.

Tourists visiting the state often complain that they are fleeced by taxi owners, and the service, too, is not good.

To overcome the problem, it had been decided to start metered taxis, but the proposal was met with stiff opposition and the move had to be dropped.

With the state having only three airports at Bhuntar in Kullu, Jubbarhatti near Shimla and Gaggal near Kangra, there is a need to have good road transport service. Unlike other states, the hill state has a limited train connectivity; and during the past many decades, there hasn’t been any expansion of the rail network.

Therefore, the radio taxi service will offer good transportation facility to tourists.

There are over 14,000 taxis plying in the state, with the major concentration being in and around the major tourist sectors of Shimla, Kullu-Manali and Dharamsala. Since the state is trying to market itself as an international tourist destination, a quality taxi service is a prerequisite.

The radio taxi service will also improve connectivity from the airports and railway stations at various locations in the state.

Mandi, August 14
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh will hoist the Tricolour and take the salute of the march past of the state police, Home Guards, NCC and others to celebrate the 67th state-level Independence Day at the historic Paddal Maidan here tomorrow after a gap of eight years.

Virbhadra Singh considers Mandi his “karam bhoomi” and the state-level function here is being viewed as an exercise to prepare fresh ground for the big political battle - the 2014 Lok Sabha General Elections.

The Chief Minister, along with Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Rural Development Minister Anil Sharma, Excise and Taxation Minister Parkash Chaudhary, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, Chief Secretary Sudripto Roy, DGP Sanjay Kumar and other key officials, reached here by road this afternoon.

The Chief Minister redressed the grievances of residents at the Circuit House. He has come here nearly after one and half months after his wife Pratibha Singh won the Mandi Lok Sabha byelections by a landslide margin on June 30.

The district administration is on its toes as rain lashed Mandi twice today, making the Paddal Maidan muddy. But all arrangements have been made, said officials.

Shimla, August 14
Elaborate security plans of all vital installations, religious institutions and public places as wells as industrial areas will be prepared by the Himachal Pradesh Police to make these sensitive places more secure.

Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjay Kumar today reviewed the law and order in the state with all the district police chiefs through video-conferencing. He issued directions to all field functionaries to be aware of these security plans and their execution. He also directed that all major tourist destinations must have specially trained tourist police personnel, who were given tips in proper etiquette and history of the place, and there is better traffic management.

He also directed that visible policing, especially during peak hours, must be enhanced at public places like bus stands, railway stations, cinema halls and schools. He also stressed maintaining a proper record of all migrant labourers and domestic help, complete with their address and bank details.

The DGP asked all officers to step up surveillance against drug trafficking and have zero tolerance towards the sale of drugs at various places, including schools and other educational institutions.

He directed that Monday parades must be held in all field units without fail. He added that community policing schemes must be reviewed for better policing and, if need be, changes could be suggested.

Dharamsala, August 14
The elections for Kangra Cooperative Bank, one of the biggest and the most successful cooperative body of the state, are scheduled in September.

However, the state government has failed to implement the 97th amendment to the Constitution with respect to cooperative bodies in the state while notifying the elections for the bank. The 97th amendment to the Constitution, 2011, was notified by the Central government on January 13, 2012.

As per Section 243ZJ of the amendment, the state legislature should reserve one seat for a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe person and two seats for women on the board of every cooperative society as members.

Section 243ZT of the amendment states that any provision of any law relating to cooperative societies in force in a state immediately before the commencement of the 97th amendment to the Constitution Act 2011, which is inconsistent with the provisions of this part, shall continue to be in force until amended or repealed by a competent legislature or the other competent authority or until the expiry of one year from such commencement, whichever is less.

This means that the state was bound to implement provisions of the Act, including reservation for two women and one member of SC/ST category on board of each cooperative body in the state after one year of the notification, even if the necessary amendments have not been affected by the state legislature.

In case the provisions are not included, the elections can be held as illegal in the court of law. In case of elections for the board of directors of Kangra Cooperative Bank, the state should provide reservation to one member from the SC/ST category and two women members.

The board of Kangra Cooperative Bank has 16 elected members and the government nominates three members on the board. In the last board, 12 elected members were from the BJP and four from the Congress. The Congress removed three nominated members of the BJP from the board and nominated its own members. After some struggle the Congress also managed to appoint one of its nominated members, Jagdish Sapiya as bank chairman.

Hamirpur, August 14
Former Chief Minister PK Dhumal has warned the state government of consequences, if it doesn’t stop the “victimisation of BJP leaders”.

Addressing a demonstration held by the BJP district unit at Gandhi Chowk as a part of the statewide campaign against the alleged "Badla-Badli" (victimisation and transfer) policy of the state government, Dhumal said, “During our term, we never resorted to victimisation of political opponents and concentrated on development works in the state. But if the victimisation continues, then be ready to face the consequences as the score will be settled during our next term.”

Threatening a fierce struggle against the policy of political victimisation, Dhumal said, “Today’s dharna signifies our resolve to hold a peaceful protest. However, if atrocities become harsh, our struggle will also intensify.”

Defending the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), he said, “The luxury hotel constructed by the HPCA at Dharamsala is a public property and being run on a no- profit, no-loss basis to promote cricket in the state.”

Dhumal also criticised the state government for shifting the office of HIMUDA from Hamirpur, stopping work on the Dhola Sidh hydropower project and the cancellation of two tenders of over Rs 150 crore to provide drinking water for Hamirpur and irrigation scheme for the Nadaun area.

Former Education Minister ID Dhiman and district BJP president Vijay Agnihotri also addressed the gathering. Former MLA Urmil Thakur was also present among others.

Later, BJP leaders submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner.

Through this memorandum, the BJP has urged the Governor to take steps ensuring the smooth and fair functioning of the state government and stopping victimisation of political opponents and irrational transfers of the government employees. It has also resented the stopping of various schemes named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and criticised cancellation of tenders by the IPH Department for Hamirpur and Nadaun water schemes, etc. 

Thunag (Mandi), August 14
Even as Shafat Ali Khan, the erstwhile nawab of Hyderabad, continued his hunt for the man-eater in the leopard-infested Shikawari-Thunag-Lamba Thach belt today, the man-eater last night killed a pet dog of Hari Singh of Baronda village, located between Thunag and Lah Gala. Incidentally, this where the nawab had killed an adult male leopard, suspected to be a man-eater, last Sunday. The nawab swiftly moved to the spot when he was informed by the villagers, but in vain.

Since Sunday, the man-eater continues to strike its targets with impunity at four different spots in Thunag, Lamaba Thach and Shikawari panchayats, keeping the nawab-led forest officials' team on toes. District Forest Officer, Nachan, PD Dogra said they were on the hunt to capture the man-eater dead or alive. “We have laid traps at various locations. We will soon trap it,” he added.

Nurpur, August 14
The Forest Department has decided to plant 3.80 lakh saplings on 350 hectares of land in Nurpur Forest Division in the current monsoon season.

This was disclosed by Sanjay Sen, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Nurpur, while inaugurating the 64th Vanmahotsava in ward No. 2 here yesterday. The local Giriraj Eco Club, an NGO, and Noorpur Public School (NPS) jointly have organised this plantation drive to celebrate Vanmahotsava with the assistance of the department.

On the occasion, students of NPS, BTC Government Girls Senior Secondary, Government Boys Senior Secondary Schools and Future Foundation School planted around 1,650 saplings of medicinal plants on 1.5 hectares of forest land. The field staff of the Forest Department assisted them in planting the saplings.

On the occasion, DFO Sen exhorted the NGOs and the general public to ensure the protection of the new plants in the area so that the department's efforts to conserve the environment with an afforestation drive could succeed in achieving its mission. He also appealed to them to celebrate Vanmahotsava as a plantation drive. He said the department was laying emphasis on planting medicinal saplings in a big way as it was the need of the hour nowadays.

Bilaspur, August 14
Quite an effective show of the strength of the party at a district-level protest against, what it has been calling, "Badla-Badli" campaign against the BJP by the Congress government, turned sour when a number of leaders of the Bilaspur Sadar Mandal suddenly stood up to oppose another leader Subhash Thakur, a former state executive member, who tried to speak on the dais of the rally at the Deputy Commissioner's office here today.

Eyewitnesses said these leaders, led by Sadar Mandal president Kuldip Thakur, general secretary Bansi Ram, district vice-president Dr Ashwini Dogra, general secretary Nand Lal Thakur, treasurer Shashi Sharma, state executive member Shiv Pal Manhans, city unit president Raj Kumar Dabra and Sadar Yuva Morcha president Anil Gauttam etc rose up to oppose the presence of Subhash on the dais and also he being given the honour of addressing the BJP rally.

They alleged that this leader, himself a serious ticket seeker, was one of those who had revolted against official party candidate and even shouted slogans against the party high command for "selling" ticket to former MP Suresh Chandel. They alleged that he had opposed Chandel in the field and helped the Congress candidate. The BJP candidate had been defeated as he was "one of the betrayers".

They said they had more than sufficient CD proof against Subhash and that was why the party had taken disciplinary action against him. They declared walk-out and immediately a large chunk of the rally walked out of it.

Earlier, led by state general secretary Randhir Sharma, former Deputy Speaker Rikhi Ram Kaundal, state executive member Rajender Garga, district president Rakesh Gauttam, former MP Suresh Chandel, district general secretary Bhim Singh Chandel, state Kisan Morcha spokesman Roshan Thakur, Nagar Parishad president Rajni Sharma and district general secretary Ram Kumar Sharma, hundreds of party activists took out a rally from the Circuit House to the DC's office and presented a memorandum to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner.

The memorandum condemned the undemocratic political vendetta against BJP leaders and concoction of false cases against them.

Nurpur, August 14
Vicky hailing from Dhar near Pathankot and driver of an oil tanker (HP 38B-3588) and Pritam and Ravinder, employees at a filling station, were injured when the tanker caught fire at Tattal near here this morning. The tanker driver sustaining around 70 per cent burn injuries was referred to the Tanda Medical College in Kangra.

The devastating fire burnt to ashes the oil tanker, a roadside shop, a motorcycle and a scooter. Fire tenders from Nurpur swung into action and controlled the fire within two hours.

DSP Rajiv Atre said the tanker driver after unloading oil at a filling station tried to supply the remaining oil to employees there through a pipe, but it caught fire. He said a case under Sections 285 and 427, IPC, had been registered against the driver and the two employees.

Meanwhile, the local administration has given prompt relief of Rs 5,000 to Nasib Singh, owner of the shop, who had suffered loss in this fire. 

Bilaspur, August 14
The girl who had jumped into the Gobind Sagar from the Kadrarur bridge late evening a few days ago has been identified as Kavita. She was the elder daughter of Luxman Singh Thakur, a school lecturer, residing at Changar sector of the town. Luxman belongs to Panoh village, near here. Kavita was a third-year engineering student in Chandigarh.

Earlier, the police found Kavita’s body in the dam waters with the help of the motor boat owners. Kavita’s parents had identified her body, the police said.

The girl had reportedly come on leave here. She had left home in the absence of her parents in the evening of the fateful day. She later jumped into the water. The exact cause of Kavita’s suicide is not known. The police has registered a case and started investigations.

Bilaspur, August 14
Pensioners here have strongly resented the failure of government to give "essential relief" to them despite repeated assurances of the Chief Minister. They have urged him to fulfil their demands based on benefits being enjoyed by pensioners of Punjab for a long time.

They have urged him to make an announcement on Independence Day to provide them relief.

This unanimous resolution was adopted in a meeting of the Bilaspur Sadar unit of the HP State Pensioners Welfare Association here on Monday evening. General secretary Dr Upender Gauttam said the unit had also demanded conversion of 5 per cent of pensioners' allowance to additional pension and demanded the release of the 8 per cent dearness allowance (DA) which was due since January.

He said the practice of deduction of DA of Rs 2,520 every month from the pension of widows and daily wagers should be stopped.

Dalhousie, August 14
Residents of the hill town remembered freedom fighter Sardar Ajit Singh, a well-known icon of “Pagri Sambal Jatta Movement” and mentor and uncle of Sardar Bhagat Singh, by paying rich tributes on his 67th anniversary at his samadhi at Panchpula in the town today.

Ajit Singh had died on August 15,1947, in the town. He was cremated at Panchpula, where a samadhi sthal was erected by the local populace.

Local NGO Kalakar Evaum Lekhak Manch (KALAM) organised a shardanjali function. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, Banikhet region’s executive director Sharat Chander Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr GS Dhillon, director and principal, Dalhousie Public School, presided over the function.

The chief guest, Vir Chakra recipient N Chatrath (retd), Lt Gen Jasbir Singh (retd) and other dignitaries paid floral tributes to the martyr.

Students of Dalhousie Public School presented a cultural show. Puran Ashan and Dr Harpreet Chahal, well-known poets of Punjab, recited their poems of nationalism. KALAM presented Himachali caps and shawls to MM Kakkar, social worker, and artist Manmohan Singh Bawa.