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Bad weather, poor roads hit tourism The Pathankot-Mandi national highway near Baijnath. Photo by writer
Ropeway project: Cabinet cancels MoU with Punjab |
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Pharmacy institutes to get time-bound approval for courses
Monsoon session begins today
Workers prepare the Vidhan Sabha building for the monsoon session of the state Assembly in Shimla on Tuesday. Photo: Amit Kanwar
Leaders remember Rajiv Gandhi
Baddi police nabs murder accused at barrier
Illegal mining: 14 tractor-trailers seized in Paonta Sahib
Death case: Protesters gherao Bilaspur DC
‘Rehabilitate flood-hit villagers’
Bus stranded in river; 80 passengers rescued
Man gets 7-year RI for rape
'Badla-Badli’ campaign misleading: Rahi Mobile phone explodes
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Bad weather, poor roads hit tourism in Kangra
Palampur, August 20 The occupancy in category-I and II hotels in the valley remained confined to only 30 to 40 per cent in June, July and August. Even HPTDC hotels failed to do good business in these months. Most hotels in McLeodganj, Palampur and other places in the Kangra valley, which had registered occupancy up to 80 per cent in the previous year in the above-mentioned months, could not do business even up to 60 per cent this year. Weekend tourism has also been adversely affected this year. No tourists are seen on Saturdays and Sundays at major tourist destinations like Palampur and McLeodganj. A number of hoteliers said they did not expect better inflow of tourists in September and October, as tourists preferred Jammu and Kashmir over the state. In fact, the Jammu and Kashmir government has come out with a new tourism policy, providing adequate facilities and security to tourists visiting Srinagar and other tourist centres. The J&K government has also reduced taxes on tourists’ vehicles like luxury coaches and taxi cars plying in the state. Besides, the subsidised air fare to Srinagar is also less as compared to the air fare to the Kangra valley. In the peak tourist season, the air fare between Delhi and Dharamsala ranges from Rs 7,000 to Rs 11,000 per person, whereas the air fare between Delhi and Srinagar remains between Rs 4,000 and Rs 7,000 per person. Travel agencies situated in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Gujarat are making bulk bookings for Srinagar tourist circuit. At present, only two flights of Spice Jet and Air India are operating between Delhi and Dharamsala daily. Till date, the state government has made no efforts to persuade the Union government either to subsidise the air fare or expand the Dharamsala airport. The state highways and national highways connecting the Kangra valley with adjoining states are also in bad shape these days. |
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Ropeway project: Cabinet cancels MoU with Punjab
Shimla, August 20 The Cabinet, which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief minister Virbhadra Singh, granted approval for cancelling the MoU, as recommended by the committee headed by Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy. The committee had specially been constituted to review the MoU, which was signed during the BJP regime on July 26, 2012. It has been decided to invite fresh expression of interest. As per the amendments in the SDA scheme, the eligibility criteria will be 18 to 35 years of age, instead of the earlier provision of 25 to 35 years of age. The educational qualification has also been lowered to matriculation instead of Class XII. The beneficiary should be registered with an employment exchange in the state as on the date of application instead of the earlier provision of a minimum two years. Besides, the affidavit of the applicant of being unemployed will be considered instead of unemployment certificate issued by Executive Magistrate. It gave approval to grant permission to Forest, Horticulture and Fisheries departments to use polythene bags of suitable sizes for nurseries and transportation of fish seeds, etc. during the next two years in relaxation of the ban imposed by the state government on use of non-biodegradable polythene bags. The cabinet gave its approval to introduce the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and Himachal Pradesh Municipal (Amendment) Bill, 2013 in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha session with a view to revert to direct election system for the office of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Shimla. Important Cabinet decisions
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Pharmacy institutes to get time-bound approval for courses
Solan, August 20 The PCI, which is the national-level body granting approval to the various institutes to conduct degree and diploma courses in pharmacy, has given a time-frame for the submission of applications in relation to new institutes, courses, increase in the intake of students, etc. The PCI has also devised a mechanism to cope with the deficiencies in applications, encourage compliance by the institutes and in case of non-compliance of time-schedule to reject the proposal. State Drug Controller and member PCI from Himachal, Navneet Marwaha, said the time-bound procedure would ensure cutting down on delays in granting approvals. He added that the PCI would soon convene a meeting to deal with the pending issues this month. The PCI has clarified that no relaxation would be granted in the time schedule chalked out for various purposes. Applications have to be submitted between August 1 and 31, as per the schedule. The PCI will come up with incomplete application forms by September 30 and the compliance would have to be met by October 15. If the institute fails to submit the compliance report, the application would be rejected by October 25. This time-schedule will ensure that the institutes do not have to wait for long for availing approvals and if found complying with the conditions laid down by the PCI they would get time-bound permissions. Earlier, cases had come to light where institutes had to wait for several months to avail clearances and this created problems in starting new batches for new courses. |
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Monsoon session begins today
Shimla, August 20 The BJP has been trying to use the issue of political vendetta as its main weapon against the Congress in the state ever since the vigilance department registered a case against the HPCA. It has also launched a campaign terming the Congress regime as “badla-badli sarkar”. On the other hand, the Congress and CPM leaders have been embarrassing the BJP by highlighting the irregularities in the sports body, which they allege had been reduced to a captive organisation of the Dhumal family by inducting life members. The BJP will certainly have much to answer on the issue. The BJP is not pleased with the decision of the government to grant prosecution sanction against former BJP Minister Rajeev Bindal in a case pertaining to irregularities in jobs in the Solan Municipal Committee; it has been terming it as an act of political vendetta. The Congress has been maintaining that it was only probing the allegations which figured in its charge sheet against the Dhumal government for which it was given the mandate by people. It had been a standard practice in the state. The Dhumal government had had also carried out vigilance inquiry into its charge sheet against the previous Congress regime. Spiraling prices, which has been a major issue across the country, will come in handy for the opposition to pin down the government. The BJP has already announced its plan to stage a demonstration in front of the Vidhan Sabha on August 23 to highlight various issues. Non-availability of subsidised sugar for the past more than two months and large-scale transfers of employees are the other important issues likely to be raised by the opposition. The issue of illegal mining, particularly the alleged attack on SDM
Nalagarh Yunus Khan, who had launched a drive against mining mafia, will also be raised. The Congress will also bring in the issue of phone tapping to blunt the opposition attack. The damage caused by rain and flash floods will also come into focus along with environment protection in the wake of the Uttarakhand disaster. Some bills are also likely to be passed. There will be seven sittings in all and one day has been earmarked for private member business. Stormy affair expected
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Leaders remember Rajiv Gandhi
Shimla, August 20
The Chief Minister also flagged off a rally of schoolchildren from his official residence Oakover organised to celebrate Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Divas. The Chief Minister said HIMURJA, with the support of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, organises functions to create awareness about use of eco-friendly renewal energy which had no recurring fuel cost. He said the development and more use of renewal energy sources could lead to sustainable and environment-friendly energy security in the state. The Chief Minister said the state government was endeavouring to preserve the depleting conventional resources to meet the increasing demand of power. He added that the government would soon come out with a new power policy with a view to harness solar energy. The Chief Minister congratulated the National Students Union of India (NSUI) for winning maximum seats in the recent Student Central Association (SCA) elections in the state. Record 915 units blood collected
Congress workers created a history of sorts by ensuring donation of a record 915 units blood on a single day as a tribute to Rajiv Gandhi here today. A statewide blood donation campaign was organised under the aegis of the District and Block Congress Committees. A maximum of 150 units of blood was contributed by Kangra district, followed by Sirmour (148 units) and Shimla (137 units). A blood donation camp was inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Rajiv Bhawan in Shimla. Addressing party workers on the occasion, Virbhadra said Rajiv Gandhi had given a new direction to this country by lowering the voter age to 18 years, thus, making youth a part of the electoral process. Sukhwinder also donated blood on the occasion. Several women participants, including former Mayor Madhu Sood and Youth Congress president Monika Bharti, also donated blood. A majority of the donors were from the Youth Congress and the NSUI. Minister for Housing and Urban Development Sudhir Sharma, vice-presidents, HPCC, Harsh Mahajan and Gangu Ram Musafir, general secretary Nikhi Rajour, MLA Anirudh Singh,
vice-chariman, HPFC, Kewal Singh Pathania and several others were present on the occasion. Need for mass movement
Hamirpur: Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) ID Lakhanpal said, "We should not restrict blood donation to blood donation camps, but turn it into a mass movement in villages to motivate youth for coming forward in donating blood." Addressing a gathering at a camp organised by the DCC here today, the CPS said encouraging blood donation was very important as it could save human lives. Congress state general secretary Sunil Sharma, DCC president Naresh Thakur and party spokesman Deepak Sharma also addressed the gathering. Employees
take oath
The birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi was observed as Sadbhawna Divas at the Deputy Commissioner office here today where employees were administered an oath by SDM Satish Sharma. Through this oath the employees resolved to maintain unity and integrity of the country by shunning all divisive slogans based on caste, creed and religion and resolve all their problems through proviso enshrined in the constitution of India. Sadbhawna Divas organised
Kangra: The Kangra District Congress Committee (DCC) today fondly remembered Rajiv Gandhi. Sixtynine persons donated blood at the local Civil Hospital during a camp organised by the DCC on the occasion. The camp was inaugurated by Kangra DCC chief Suman Verma. She said Rajiv Gandhi had heralded the information and communication technology revolution in the country. Ajay Verma, HP Congress Committee secretary, BD Choudary, member, HPCC, Sanjeev Gupta, City Congress chief, Nanneet Sharma and Ajit Mahjan, Congress leaders, were among the leaders who paid tributes to the departed leader. Members of the NSUI, Sewa Dal, Indian National Youth Congress and Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) were also present. 'He gave a new direction'
Bilaspur: Late Rajiv Gandhi gave a new direction to India on issues which have led the country on the path of progress very fast. This was stated by Himachal Excise and Taxation Minster Prakash Chaudhary at a function organised here by the DCC on his birth anniversary here today. Ram Lal Thakur, Planning Development and 20-Point Implementation Committee Chairman, MLA Bambar Thakur, former MLAs Dr Babu Ram Gauttam, Dr Biru Ram Kishore and Tilak Raj, DCC president Santosh Dhiman, District Mahila Congress president Anjana Dhiman, DCC senior general secretary Gopal Sharma and District Mandi Committee Chairman Vivek Kumar were among the Congressmen who paid floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at the Indira Bhawan here. The DCC also organised a blood donation camp on the occasion in which 30 persons donated blood, including prominent Congress leaders Tejaswi Sharma, Narvir Thakur and Madhu Chandel. |
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Baddi police nabs murder accused at barrier
Solan, August 20 Since the police is on an alert following rumours of a gang indulging in
thefts and looting being active in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) area, the cops stopped the biker rider. Amandeep, who was carrying two loaded pistols and six magazines in a bag, tried to brandish a pistol to scare away the policemen. However, they stopped
him and recovered the arms from him. His interrogation led to the revelation that he had come to eliminate Mohan Singh, alias Mohna, who is undergoing trail in a murder case and was to appear for a hearing at the Nalagarh court today. Amandeep wanted to kill Mohan following an old rivalry as both belonged to opposite gangs which operate in the bordering areas of Punjab and were involved in several heinous crimes. He is also wanted in a murder case in Ropar and the Punjab police has been informed about his arrest, said the DSP. A case under the Arms Act has been registered and further investigations are underway. The police said Amandeep had been hiding in the Solan area as the Punjab police was on the lookout for him. He had been residing in the New Nalagarh area for the past two years though he belonged to Ropar in Punjab. He was riding a bike (Pb-12-Q-8447) bearing a Punjab number. |
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Illegal mining: 14 tractor-trailers seized in Paonta Sahib
Paonta Sahib, August 20 Mining Officer Sanjeev Sharma said as many as 14 tractor-trailers had been confiscated and a fine of about Rs 50,000 had been realised from offenders. The figure could rise as more tractor owners were coming forward to deposit the fine and get their vehicles released. While some tractor drivers fled the spot after being caught red-handed by the team, others were fined for indulging in the illegal activity on the spot. The operation continued from morning till late in the evening. With mining being banned in the area after 5pm, the campaign led to confiscation of a huge quantity of sand and gravel. The mining officer said more such raids would be conducted in other parts of the district. |
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Death case: Protesters gherao Bilaspur DC
Bilaspur, August 20 The villagers raised slogans against the Barmana police and alleged that the inquiry carried out by the police was “biased”. They demanded that an officer above the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police be deputed so that real facts were unearthed. Later, a deputation comprising panchayat president Ramesh
Thakur, Block Development Committee former member Nirmla, the mother and the wife of deceased Beli Ram, party leaders Daulat Ram Sharma, Krishan Kumar
Kaushal, Kesh Pathania, Hoshiar Singh Thakur and others met the DC. Sharma assured the delegation that he would take up the issue with Superintendent of Police Kapil Sharma and ensure a free, fair and an impartial inquiry into the case. The villagers ended their demonstration, but warned that if their demands weren’t met, they would resort to agitation again. |
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‘Rehabilitate flood-hit villagers’
Mandi, August 20 The most affected villages included Kolang, Khuddi, Kunduni, Chanehr, Urla and Kufri in Jogindernagar sub-division. Besides five gharats and a footbridge on the Shawag-Bheen road, 10 houses washed away at Satrehar and Mathi Bhanvar villages in Dharampur in the flash floods last month, HKS activists said during its meeting here today. About 50 villagers at Tamled village in Sarkaghat were evacuated last week when the entire hillock crumbled, triggering a massive landslide. Three bighas of cultivable village land and 200-ft-long stretch of the Ner Chowk-Kalkhar-Jahu Express Highway were washed away in the landslide. As many as 20 persons living at Kundni village in Ner Kharwasra panchayat in Joginderangar were evacuated after the landslide threat last week, they added. Sabha leaders Kushal Bhardwaj and Bhupender Singh said they would stage a block-level protest as villagers were not properly rehabilitated and compensated by the government. |
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Bus stranded in river; 80 passengers rescued
Solan, August 20 To add to the passengers’ woes, the Chikni river suddenly flooded due to rain that had lashed the area in the afternoon. The 62-seater bus was packed to capacity and there were almost 80 passengers in it. The bus was en route Nalagarh-Bhogpur-Dhabota and had taken off from Nalagarh around 6:10 pm this evening. All wheels of the bus got submerged in the water. However, locals and policemen reached the spot and started the rescue operation. The passengers were rescued with the help of ropes to safety. Vehicles have been passing through the Chikni Khad ever since the bridge on it washed away in August 2007. The new bridge is yet to be constructed. Motorists risk crossing the river even in the rains when the water level can rise suddenly. DSP Shushil Sharma said the passengers were rescued within half an hour with the help of locals. Recently, an HRTC bus belonging to the Nalagarh depot had suddenly caught fire and the passengers had a narrow escape. |
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Man gets 7-year RI for rape
Chamba, August 20 In default of the payment of the fine, he would further undergo one-and-a-half-year imprisonment. Of the fine amount, Rs 40,000 is to be paid as compensation to the prosecutrix. Giving details, Deputy District Attorney Surinder Singh Pathania said Ghindro Ram of Suinda village in Chamba district, along with Ghunghar, were returning to the Salot nullah on February 12 last year. They heard a woman's screams from near a culvert below the highway and Tilak Raj leaving the site. They brought the victim to Salot village from where they informed the police and called a 108 ambulance. They took her to the Regional Hospital, Chamba, where she was medically examined and a case registered against accused Tilak Raj. Tilak Raj had been sentenced under Sections
376 and 323 of the Indian Penal Code.
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Inclement weather, heavy rain, flash floods and poor conditions of roads have adversely affected the tourism industry in the Kangra valley this year.
The 10-day monsoon session beginning here tomorrow is expected to be a stormy affair with the opposition BJP set to make political vendetta a major issue and the Congress all geared up for a counter attack using the alleged irregularities in the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association
(HPCA), headed by Anurag Thakur, BJP MP and son of former Chief Minister PK
Dhumal.
Mandi, August 20
