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World Bank nod for Theog-Rohru highway project
Mining: State empowered to grant green clearances
Officials told to complete MNREGA works in time
Mandi Cong unit gears up for LS polls
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Speed up work in tribal areas, Virbhadra tells officials
CM announces tunnel beneath Chehni Pass
21 killed as bus falls
into gorge in Sirmaur
World cyclists come calling as Discovery Montra starts today
World Tourism Day: Tourists get warm welcome in Manali
Rs 3,836 cr allocated for education sector: Butail
Central team visits Tanda medical college
Asaram’s ashram sealed in Sirmaur
BJYM activists burn Pak effigy
Power board urged to consider JEs’ demands
Equal growth of all regions priority: CPS
Panchayats to get computer operators
One killed, 2 hurt in road mishaps
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World Bank nod for Theog-Rohru highway project
Shimla, September 27 The Rs 321-crore work on the highway, which is the lifeline of the apple belt in upper Shimla, will commence before the year-end and complete by December 2015. Gurgaon-based C and C Company, which was the lowest bidder, has been given two years for completing the work. The 48-km stretch from Theog to Kharapathar and the 32-km Kharapathar-Rohru portion on the highway will be completed for Rs 179 crore and Rs 142 crore, respectively. The entire project was initially awarded to a Chinese firm, Long Jian Road and Bridge Construction Company, for Rs 228 crore as a single package. However, the company failed to arrange the necessary funds and manpower and could not execute work in time. The company could execute only 22 per cent of the work in five years for which it was paid Rs 62 crore. As such the total cost of the project will now increase to Rs 383 crore. The tardy implementation of the project made driving through the road a nightmare as the company had started widening work by cutting the hillside through the entire 80-km stretch. The road was virtually reduced to a dust bowl and it turned into a pool of slush during rain. The apple growers faced endless problems in transporting their produce to market. Truck operators refused to ply vehicles on the road. There was also a sharp increase in number of fatal accidents due to bad condition of road. It became a major issue during the Assembly polls and the government was forced to rescind the contract. However, by the time the entire process was completed the project had already fallen behind by three years. The delay has increased the overall cost of the World Bank-funded State Road Project under which 10 roads were being upgraded from Rs 1,365 crore to Rs 1,802 crore. The bank has agreed to provide additional loan to the tune of $61 million to meet the increased cost and revised the completion schedule from December 2013 to 2016 accordingly. Out of the ten road projects, Una-Badsar (45 km), Ranital-Kotla (39.17 km) and Bhawarna- Junga Devi (26.28 km) roads have been completed. Badsar-Jahu(46 km) and Jahu-Kalkhar (15.30 km) roads were in final stages and likely to be completed by December. On right track
* The 48-km stretch from Theog to Kharapathar and the 32-km Kharapathar-Rohru portion on the highway will be completed for Rs 179 crore and Rs 142 crore, respectively. *
Rs 321-crore work on the highway, which is the lifeline of the apple belt in upper Shimla, will commence before the year-end and complete by December 2015 *
The World Bank to provide additional loan to the tune of $61 million to meet the increased cost and revised completion schedule of road projects from December 2013 to 2016.o be released in October |
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Mining: State empowered to grant green clearances
Shimla, September 27 The notification, empowering states to grant environmental clearances for less than five hectares of mines was issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on September 9. “The move to grant powers to the states is a very welcome step as it will provide great relief to everyone since the cases seeking environmental clearances will be processed faster at the state level,” confirmed Mukesh Agnihotri, Industries Minister. He said the only condition that had been imposed was that there should not be another mining lease within 500-metres distance from the site for which environmental clearance was being granted. “The ministry has also decided that forthwith environmental clearance will have to be obtained only once at the time of grant of the mining lease and not each time when the case goes for renewal,” said Agnihotri. He added that the Himachal Government would very shortly approach the National Green Tribunal, seeking relaxation and allowing of river bed mining. Following the issuing of the notification by the Centre, all those who had applied for seeking the EIA report to the Centre could now apply to the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority before November 4, 2013. The ban on river bed mining has led to acute shortage of building material like sand and gravel and has also affected various development works of the government under various schemes like MNREGA and projects of the Public Works Department. The prices of sand and gravel, too, have shot up with the blanket ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal. The ban had also led to a spurt in the illegal mining activity, especially in the border areas of Kangra and Solan districts. The Himachal Government had time and again been urging the Centre to resolve the problem arising out of the delay in grant of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for river bed mining. They had requested that the Centre must give the powers to the states to give environmental clearances to leases below five hectares as in the past three years, only one case had been approved and 110 cases were pending. There are a total of 515 mines in Himachal, including 50 mines of limestone. Within this year, the Mining wing of the Industries Department has imposed a penalty of almost three crores and registered 3,000 cases of illegal mining. To check illegal mining, the Industries Department has imposed a ban on sending sand and gravel outside the state, there is a ban on mining between 8 pm to 6 am and dumping is not allowed by tractors.
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Officials told to complete MNREGA works in time
Mandi, September 27 Addressing a meeting of the zonal-level officials here to review the progress of various works, Shridhar directed them to speed up works and send files with complete requirements as per provisions of the Forest Conservation Act. He further said the sprinklers would be laid to irrigate 500 hectare of land in the Left Bank irrigation phase II, which would include 450 hectare land under it. The Balh valley Left Bank would irrigate 2,356 hectares of land in the valley, he added. Mandi DC Devesh Kumar, SP RS Negi and Assistant Commissioner Neelam Dulta were also present in the meeting. — TNS
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Mandi Cong unit gears up for LS polls
Mandi, September 27 Mahajan said the Congress had kept the meeting of the Mandi parliamentary seat on October 18 at Shimla which would be attended by the Chief Minister, Congress MPs and all ministers and legislators and district and block presidents. Lahaul-Spiti legislator Ravi Thakur would preside over all meetings of the block Congress committees in Mandi and Sunil Sharma, general secretary will preside meetings in Kullu on 15th of every month. “The office-bearers who are inactive would be replaced by the new members,” he cautioned office-bearers. |
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Speed up work in tribal areas, Virbhadra tells officials
Mandi/Udaipur, September 27 Addressing the gathering at two public meeting at Udaipur and Keylong today, Chief Minister further said the government would give half loan and half subsidy to the potato society to help it to meet the loss of Rs 1.90 crore. The Chief Minister said the priority would be given to the residents while executing power projects and addressed the locals’ concern against the projects in Lahaul valley in the light of the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The Chief Minister warned officials posted in tribal areas to speed up the work and use the budget which otherwise got lapsed. “The officials who are posted and transferred in the tribal areas would be made accountable and would not be promoted and entry would be made in their service books, if they were found wanting in execution and completion of works,” he cautioned. He further said the state government has allocated the budget of Rs 764 crore to the tribal areas this year. The officials should expedite the completion of the works so that the budget is used. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his wife and Mandi MP Pratibha Singh, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri and Lahaul-Spiti MLA Ravi Thakur. Chief Minister also directed local administration to ensure completion of works and stocking of civil supplies to snow-bound Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi sub-division and Kinnaur, which are disconnected from the outside world during the six winter months. He listened to the grievances of the people at Udaipur and Keylong. On a whirlwind tour of the three tribal constituencies - Bharmour, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur - of the Mandi parliamentary seat, the Chief Minister told people that the “Congress government has adopted a zero tolerance to corruption and nobody, irrespective of his position, would be spared.” State Congress president Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also held a block committee meeting in Anni in Kullu district today in his bid to gear up the block cadre.
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CM announces tunnel beneath Chehni Pass
Killar (Chamba), September 27 Addressing a gathering at Killar, the sub-divisional headquarter of the Pangi tribal valley yesterday, the Chief Minister announced that a tunnel would be constructed beneath the Chehni Pass and Rs 30 lakh had been sanctioned for conducting the survey. With the construction of the tunnel, the mountainous Pangi tribal valley would be connected by an all-weather shortcut highway with Chamba and other parts of the state, the Chief Minister said. He said the state government was endeavouring to fill up all the vacant functional posts in the tribal areas of the state and preference would be given to the local youth. |
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21 killed as bus falls
into gorge in Sirmaur
Nahan, September 27 One of the passengers, Sanjay (20), who was critically injured, was shifted to the Zonal hospital,
Nahan, for treatment but he, too, succumbed to his injuries. The deceased included 18 men and three women, all of whom were sisters and were returning from their parents' home. The deceased also included two brothers. A majority of the deceased hailed from Jabdhog village and they were identified as Nita Ram (33), Rajender (25), Rajiv (17), Hari Chand (36), Dalip Singh (34), Kalyan (45), Kanthi Ram (47), Guman Singh (35), Yash Pal (18), Kapil (20), and Joginder Singh (25). Three of the deceased belonged to village Uccha Tikkar and they were identified as Balbir Singh (20), Anil Kumar (25) and Amar Singh (40)
.Guman Singh from village Manal, Virender Singh (30) from village Lana
Palar. Sandhaya Sharma (34), Lajwanti (45) from village Kathiana, Asha Devi (38) from Bhatan village, Kali Ram (57) from File village and Surender Singh (45) from Deva-Manal village, were also among those killed. Deputy Commissioner Vikas
Labroo, who visited the spot soon after the accident said since there was no survivor, it was difficult to assess the actual cause of the accident. Being a steep slope with no tree or any other barrier, the bus rolled down into the deep gorge, killing all the passengers. Superintendent of Police Sumedha Devedi and SDM Sangrah Harbans Negi also visited the spot. The DC while terming it as an unfortunate mishap where there was no survivor said a magisterial inquiry had been ordered and the
ADM, Nahan, would submit a report within one month after conducting an inquiry into the incident. An immediate financial assistance of Rs 20,000 had been extended to the families of the deceased. Rescue work was started soon after the accident and the local administration along with the locals helped in pulling out the bodies from the site. |
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World cyclists come calling as Discovery Montra starts today
Shimla, September 27 “I have peddled through the hills in Portugal, Spain, Italy and other European countries and the maximum elevations I encounter range from 2,000 to 2,300m in Barcelona. Here the highest altitude will be almost double and the slopes seem much steeper than back home. It will be quite an experience,” Luis, who is currently at ninth place in the world rankings, said. “I have to participate in the Brazil Ride, a prestigious cycling rally, and MTB Himalayas will provide the right turf to prepare for the event. Apart from the attractions of the Himalayas, this is also one of the reasons for coming all the way to Himachal for the event, which is gaining in popularity,” he said. While talking about the status of the sport, he said mountain biking was fast emerging as a popular sport in the entire Europe, US and other parts of the world and with it the quality of machines was also improving and companies had come out with several technically advanced models. The sports had indeed become expensive and one required sponsorship for participating in major events. The carbon fibre cycle of the Torpedo brand manufactured in Italy cost over $7,000 and it was good for mountain biking as it weighed only 9 kg. The 20-gear machines came handy in negotiating steep slope and it could climb uphill slopes up to 34 degree inclination, he said. World number 16 Ricardo Rodrigues Martins and Luis Canto Moniz, both from Portugal, and Zoe Beeseley from the United Kingdom were among the 16 foreign riders who were keen to peddle in the Himalayas. Besides, there are those like Jaskeerat Bedi from Delhi, who is participating in the event to spread awareness among the people about breast cancer. She is representing the Forum for Breast Cancer Protection which organises a host of activities for creating awareness about the disease. In all, 84 riders, including 21 from the Army and the Air Force, are participating in the 9th edition of the rally which will be flagged off by Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy.
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World Tourism Day: Tourists get warm welcome in Manali
Manali, September 27 On the occasion, visitors were presented with traditional Kullu caps and garlands. A colourful Kullu folk dance was presented by local artists and many tourists also participated in it. A tourist from Delhi, Seema Malhotra, who arrived in Manali this morning, was surprised to see the arrangements for their welcome. She said she was very happy with the comfort provided in the HPTDC Volvo coach. “I am happy to see such an arrangement for our welcome on the occasion of World Tourism Day,” she said. Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation Deputy Director Ashwani Kumar, said efforts were being made to promote the rural tourism in Himachal. “Undeveloped tourism destinations of Kullu like Bhekhali, Jibhi and Anni will be developed to attract tourists. Efforts are also being made to open Hamta pass for tourists which can become an alternative to congestive Rohtang pass,” he said. — OC |
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Rs 3,836 cr allocated for education sector: Butail
Palampur, September 27 Speaking on the occasion, Butail appreciated the education department for holding such exhibitions which enhanced the knowledge and skill of students. He said in present scenario, science and technology played a major role in our life, therefore science exhibitions came as an exposures to the students. Butail said students hailing from rural areas also got a platform to expose their skill on such occasions. The Speaker said in the current financial year the state government had allocated Rs 3,836 crore for the education sector. State had also planned to set up smart classrooms in 1,455 schools in the state. Butail said for the first time the state government had also announced to grant an assistance of Rs 75,000 per student for the coaching of IIM. Later, he also visited the stalls, set up by different schools and also met the children who had come to attend the exhibition.
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Central team visits Tanda medical college
Kangra, September 27 Dr Anil Chauhan, Principal, DRPGMC, today said here that the team of the ministry inspected the Burn Injury Unit funded under the National Programme for Prevention and Management of Burn Injuries (NPPMBI) in the college. He said they also assessed the feasibility of establishing a trauma centre at Tanda medical college. The team visited the ICU of the college which will be a part of the trauma centre in the college. The team visited the already existing supporting units of X-ray, laboratories and ultra sound in the college which could be part of the trauma centre. The two senior officials made a few observations during their visit. Rajiv Manjhi, Director, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said it was difficult for him to give a clear-cut answer regarding the establishment of a trauma centre at this juncture. The team would submit its recommendations to the Centre.
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Asaram’s ashram sealed in Sirmaur
Nahan, September 27 SDM, Paonta Sahib, Shravan Manta told The Tribune that the land was an evacuee property which was vested with the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation on August 30. He said the total land occupied by the trust was 30 bighas. An inquiry was being conducted to ascertain the status of the remaining land where a printing press and a pharmaceutical unit of the trust was functional. The inquiry would also ascertain whether the trust had obtained permission under section 118 of the HP Land Reforms and Tenancy Act, 1972, which was mandatory for a non-Himachali to buy land in the state. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, during his recent visit to the district, had ordered an inquiry into the whole affair after local people had brought to his notice that Asaram had been carrying out construction activity on the forest land. |
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BJYM activists burn Pak effigy
Nurpur, September 27 Led by Ranbir Singh, general secretary of the Nurpur district BJP, and Nurpur BJP mandal president Lekh Raj, around 100 BJYM activists staged a protest and shouted anti-Pakistan slogans. |
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Power board urged to consider JEs’ demands
Nurpur, September 27 JC Sharma, state president, and Rohtash Sharma, general secretary of the association, in a joint statement here today alleged that the non-diploma holders were being discriminated against in the promotions as well as in pay scale increments. They urged the management to accept the demands of the non-diploma holders to bring parity in the pay scales and promotion avenues with diploma holders. — OC
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Equal growth of all regions priority: CPS
Kangra, September 27 Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Jagjeevan Pal today said this while addressing workers of the Block Congress Committee at Rait. He said after the Congress assumed power it made its election manifesto as its policy documents and enhanced Social Security Pension from Rs 450 to 500 whereas people above 80 years were getting Rs 1,000 per month. He said the pension of the ex-servicemen and their widows, too, was enhanced. He said students of the government schools were provided free bus travel to their schools. On the occasion, Kewal Singh Pathania, vice-chairman, Forest Corporation, said educated unemployed youth of the state were provided Kaushal Vikas Bhata. He said one lakh such unemployed, who were under training in different training institutes, would also be entitled for the bhata. Later, Pathiania listened to the grievances of people and redressed them. Former MP Chander Kumar, Shahpur Congress Block president Susheel Sharma, Shahpur Block Mehla Congress president Madhubala besides panchayat representatives and Congress office-bearers were present on the occasion. |
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Panchayats to get computer operators
Mandi, September 27 Addressing a meeting of members of the zila parishad here today, he said the government had a budget of Rs 35 crore for the purpose. He urged the members to use the budge provided to the panchayats and zila parishad. — TNS |
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One killed, 2 hurt in road mishaps
Kangra, September 27 The police said Chuharu Ram, a cyclist, was hit by a motorcycle at Jhanyara Kaleshwar and died on the spot. The police registered a case under Section 304 A and 279 the Indian Penal Code and 187 MV Act. The biker fled the scene of the accident. In two other accidents, Minakshi, who was a pillion rider, fell from the motorcycle driven by her brother, a resident of Sahunta. She was injured and rushed to a hospital. A case under Section 279 and 337 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against victim’s brother. Another person was injured when his motorcycle was hit by a Tavera taxi near the court complex, Dharamsala, the police said.
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Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today directed officials to speed up the restoration work in the flash-flood hit Miyar valley and announced the bailout package for the Lahaul Potato Society (LPS). He also assured residents that their interests would be kept in mind while executing power projects in Lahaul and
Spiti.
All 21 passengers, who were travelling in a private bus (HP-71-1316), were killed when the ill-fated bus plunged into a 300-m deep gorge while going from Ucha Tikkar to Renuka at Jabdhog village falling under Sangrah tehsil of Sirmaur around 7:30 am this morning. While 19 passengers were killed on the spot, another two, one of whom was a child, succumbed to their injuries while being taken to the hospital.
It was the call of the lofty Himalayan mountain ranges that brought ace Portuguese biker Luis Leao Pinto to India for the first time to participate in a six-day Discovery Montra MTB-2013, one of the toughest cycling events in the world, set to take off from here tomorrow.
Brij Behari Lal Butail, Speaker, HP Assembly, declared open a two-day science exhibition organised by the state education department here today. Students of 60 government and private schools of Palampur region are participating in it.
