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Elections on Nov 15, 16
Rally against graft, price rise
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Lakhs of devotees visit Renuka Fair
Illegal dumping of debris in forests
Farmers seek subsidy on potato seeds
Oustees’ committee to fight for rights formed
Congress MLA takes on Satti
Cong painting BJP as anti-minorities, says Dhumal
Jyoti murder case: Two witnesses turn hostile
Wine contractor ‘assaults’ policeman, Home Guard jawan
4 hurt as factory roof collapses
2 injured as bikes collide
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CM's son front-runner for Youth Cong chief’s post
Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service
Though 41 candidates are contesting the state-level Youth Congress elections, none of them is likely to pose any challenge to Vikramaditya. The sources said the Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections (FAME) had introduced a new clause. Any candidate, who receives 40 votes, would get the post of secretary of the Youth Congress. The candidate, who secured the maximum votes, would be elected as president, while the first runner-up would be the vice-president and second the general secretary. The last elections of the Youth Congress had witnessed a bitter contest between Vikramaditya and Raghubir Singh Bali, son of now Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Transport and Technical Education. There were about 9,000 votes of delegates in the last elections out of which 5,919 were polled for Vikramaditya and 2,434 for Bali. However, FAME cancelled the elections. Later, Monika Chaudhary, daughter-in-law of former Kangra MP Chander Kumar, was elected as state president of the Youth Congress. This time the number of votes has risen to 13,000. The candidature of Vikramaditya has been opposed within the Congress. Some senior leaders have stated that the election of Vikramaditya as state Youth Congress president will provide ammunition to the Opposition BJP against the Congress on the issue of nepotism. However, Vikramaditya has reportedly brushed aside the criticism by stating that he was here to serve the society. The costly election process introduced by FAME for the Youth Congress has also drawn flak from its members. They said one had to spend about Rs 15,000 to contest the elections. The amount is high for common members, especially those who belong to poor families in the rural areas. The sources said leaders had spent a fortune to get their delegates elected at various positions in the Youth Congress due to the procedure.
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Rally against graft, price rise
Shimla, November 12 The rally was jointly held by leaders from the Students Federation of India (SFI), the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), the All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and the Apple Growers Association. Vijayraghwan lashed out at the UPA government for failing to check the price rise. He castigated the government for befooling people and allowing hike of even bare essential commodities, making these beyond the reach of common man. He said corruption was rampant and the UPA regime had been marred by one scam after another. Former MLA Rakesh Singha, state president of the Apple Growers Association, said similar demonstrations would be held on December 3 in front of health centres and ration shops against the failure of the government to provide subsidised food items at the fair price shops for the past three months. He said there was resentment among people against the recent decision of the state government to outsource the entire laboratory functions in over 103 hospitals and health centres in the state to Ranbaxy. Those who addressed the rally include Dr Onkar Shad, general secretary, AIKS Himachal state committee, Dr Kashmir Singh Thakur, general secretary, CITU, Kapil Bhardwaj, president, SFI, Balbir Prashar, general secretary, DYFI, Santosh Kapoor, president, AIDWA, Kushal Bhardwaj, joint secretary, AIKS, and Jagat Ram, president, CITU. |
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Rabi sowing starts early on good rain
Shimla, November 12 As 78 per cent of the area is rain-fed, farmers are largely dependent on rain. The target for wheat sowing is 3.57 lakh hectare in the season. "The area under wheat might increase by a few thousand hectares as frequent spells of rain since the withdrawal of monsoon have ensured adequate moisture for early sowing. As a result, the area under the crop could increase to 3.62 lakh hectares as farmers in many areas do not sow the crop if rain is delayed beyond December 15," says JC Rana, Agriculture Director. This year the soil had been saturated with moisture and the crop will continue to grow normally even if there was no rain over the next 45 days. Moreover, early snow in the higher hills had brought down the temperature and as such the moisture would retained for a longer time, he added. The target for the rabi production has been fixed at 6.95 lakh tonne, out of which the target for wheat alone is 6.50 lakh tonne. Last year, the state produced 6.20 lakh tonne of wheat against a target of 6.28 lakh tonne. The other main crops are barley and pulses for which targets of 36,000 tonne and 8,500 tonne have been fixed. The department has promoted two new high-yielding varieties of wheat during the season which was introduced last year on a trial basis. The varieties DPW 621-50 and HD-2967 were introduced to combat the yellow rust disease which broke out over large areas four years ago. The new varieties are not only resistant to yellow rust but also yield 40 to 45 quintal per hectare as compared to 30 to 35 quintal per hectare of the existing varieties. Rana said the results of the trial sowing were encouraging and this season a large number of farmers had demanded the seeds. These two varieties might account for over 40 per cent of the total wheat area. In the rest of the areas, mostly where crop was sown late, the variety developed by the farm university at Palampur, HPW-42, was being sown. The state had a good kharif crop despite damage caused by the rains and the production of maize, the main crop, was likely to be around 7.20 lakh tonne against the target of 7.42 lakh tonne. Advantage Farmers
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Government to strengthen PRIs in state: Minister
Hamirpur, November 12 Addressing a meeting of zila parishad (ZP) members here today, the minister said the elected representatives would be given training and efforts made to establish perfect combination with them. He said the elected representatives should ensure their participation in every development work and decision taken at the panchayat level and bring complaints regarding wrong selection of below poverty lines (BPL) families to the notice of the government. Talking about steps to empower women, he said special general houses of panchayats twice a year were being organised to empower women and they were linked with self-help groups (SHGs) to improve their economic condition. Several ZP members gave suggestion to improve the functioning of the parishad in the meeting. Earlier addressing mediapersons today, the Rural Development Minister said huge funds were released for various development activities by the UPA government through MGNREGA. He said maintenance of roads constructed under the PMGSY was being undertaken under MGNREGA for which funds in ratio of 60:40 were being borne by the Central and state governments. He said a special scheme had been launched for women under which SHGs were being given loans up to Rs 3 lakh on interest of 7 per cent and rest of the interest was borne by the Central and the state governments in 75:25 ratios for creating job opportunities for them at the village level. He said steps were also being taken to check the problem of stray cattle for which temple trusts and committees were being roped in. |
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Rs 1,014 cr to be spent on SC/ST staff
Palampur, November 12 Butail was addressing a state-level meeting of SC/ST government employees here on Sunday evening. The SC/ST employees had organised a special function to honour the Speaker. He said the state government was committed to the welfare of poor people. Since the new government came to power in the state, special attention was being paid to the successful implementation of development projects so that the benefit of such schemes could reach poor SC/ST people. Butail said government employees played a significant role and they were the backbone of the state administration. He said a backlog in the roaster pertaining to the vacancies of SC/ST employees would be exhausted soon and the recruitment process was likely to be completed in the next six months. He assured the employees that their demands would be considered by the government. Earlier, Butail inaugurated the office of the New Dhauladhar Taxi Operators Union in the town. Speaking on the occasion, Butail said taxi operators had always played an important role in the development and expansion of tourism in the Kangra valley, as every year they provided services to thousands of domestic and oversea tourists. He said with the opening of the office, additional facilities would be made available to tourists as the office was equipped with latest electronic gadgets. |
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Lakhs of devotees visit Renuka Fair
Renuka, November 12 Every year on the occasion of "Devprobodhini ekadashi", the traditional Renuka Fair is organised on the banks of the Renuka lake where lakhs of devotees from across the country converge. As per the tradition, the palanquin of Lord Parshuram is brought to Renuka from the ancient temple at Jamu Koti village and it departs after performing religious ceremonies, including a holy dip in the lake. The Chief Minister later addressed a public meeting at Dadahu. He also dedicated and laid foundation stones of projects of over Rs 20 crore. He laid the foundation stone of a Rs 3.23-crore Lift Water Supply Scheme at Shirguldhar which will benefit more than 2,600 people of 14 villages of Kotla-Bholar, Katah-Sheetla, Beer-Bagad and Panar panchayats. He inaugurated an office building of Renuka Dam constructed at a cost of Rs 3.47 crore and laid the foundation stone of a Rs 7-crore Referral Hospital at Dadahu. He also laid the foundation stone of a Rs 2.84-crore lift water supply scheme Kando Kansar, Mandhana and Barog Bhaneri. He said more than 3,000 youth in Sirmaur district had benefited from the Skill Development Allowance Scheme. The Chief Minister said Rs 28 crore had been sanctioned for 125 villages of the district having a high percentage of Scheduled Castes and Rs 16 crore would be spent under the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan during this financial year. A sum of Rs 35 crore would be spent on providing drinking water, irrigation facilities, hand pumps and flood control works. Virbhadra Singh said 26 drinking water supply schemes amounting to Rs 9 crore had been sanctioned for the district, besides 114 habitats had been provided with drinking water
benefiting. Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes, Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Agriculture Minister Sujan Singh, senior Congress leaders, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police were among those present on the occasion. |
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Tibetans protest China’s bid for re-election to UN rights council
Dharamsala, November 12 Today, the Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet staged a protest at McLeodganj in Dharamsala as part of a global campaign to urge 193 UN missions and foreign ministries worldwide to vote against China’s bid for re-election to the council. “The worsening situation in Tibet with more than 120 self-immolations clearly highlights China’s continuous violation of human rights. Due to China’s limitless human rights violation in Tibet, the World Report 2013 produced by a New York-based human rights watch underlines the reason why China does not deserve to be re-elected to the council. The report states that China still executes more prisoners than the rest of the world combined,” said Tashi Dolma, president, TWA. “Re-electing China as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council will be a shame to what this institution stands for. All indications from human rights organisation have shown that China has failed to improve its human rights record. Until China proves that they are serious and respect human values, social justice and equality for all, including Tibetans, the UN should hold them accountable and keep them out of the council,” said Tenzin Jigme, president, TYC. On October 22, during China’s 2nd universal periodic review in Geneva, 13 UN Member states expressed concern about Tibet, with Switzerland specifically linking the Human Rights Council elections with China’s failure to arrange a visit for High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. Hold candlelight march
Tibetans held a candlelight march at McLeodganj today to protest against self-immolation attempt by a 20-year-old monk in Tibet yesterday. The Tibetans here claimed that the monk, identified as Tsering, set himself ablaze yesterday in Tibet's Pema County in Golok. A monk of Akyong monastery, Tsering, lit himself up in protest against the China government and its policies. The Chinese police on street patrol doused the fire. |
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Illegal dumping of debris in forests
Shimla, November 12 Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri yesterday inspected the entire stretch from Raj Bhawan to St Bede’s College, where the inter-linked chain along the forest had been broken at several places and debris was dumped illegally. “We will take strict action against all those who are indulging in debris dumping and also enhance the penalty so that people do not cause damage to forests,” said Bharmouri. He said the government had released Rs 35 lakh for undertaking fencing of the stretch from Raj Bhawan to St Bede’s and more money would be released for fencing of the forests in the entire town. With large-scale construction activity being undertaken in and around the town, people are dumping the debris by breaking the inter-linked chains protecting the forests. “Though there are designated dumping sites earmarked by the MC authorities, people look for a place closer their homes so that they do not have to pay much for dumping the debris,” said MC officials. They said though the penalty had been imposed on several people, there was still many people who were dumping the debris in the forests. |
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Artistes regale Central School students
Nurpur, November 12 Pandit Kushal Das, sitar maestro and a top-class musician of All India Radio and television, performed along with Dorjay Bhowmick who played the tabla. Das is recipient of prestigious titles like the Sangeet Vesharad and Sur Mani. During an hour-long performance, students were regaled by the artistes. Principal Ashok Kumar, expressing his gratitude to the artistes for presenting Indian classical music, said this music reflected the rich Indian culture. He exhorted the students to take a keen interest in Indian music and culture to preserve it. |
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Farmers seek subsidy on potato seeds
Palampur, November 12 They said the state government should come to their rescue and provide them cash incentives or subsidy on the purchase of potato seeds. They said most of the potato seeds were supplied to the Kangra valley from Lahaul and Spiti. This year potato seeds grown in the Lahaul valley had directly been purchased by potato growers of Gujarat and West Bengal as early as in September and October. Therefore, there was a shortage of seeds in the domestic market. |
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Oustees’ committee to fight for rights formed
Bilaspur, November 12 The following persons have been selected as president Ram Singh, vice-president Capt Pyare Lal, secretary Capt Vijay Singh Chandel, treasurer Sub Prem Lal, assistant secretary Fateh Singh and office secretary Madan Lal at a largely attended meeting. It was presided over by former panchayat president Jagat Ram Sharma and held at Auhar, 35 km from here yesterday. The meeting adopted resolutions strongly condemning a serious disparity in compensation being given to various oustee families. It insisted that all oustee families should be given compensation at the rate at which their land was being acquired forcibly under the pretext of development, while almost all of them were also Bhakra Dam oustees and were being uprooted once again. Other resolutions demanded that land be given to them against their acquired land for their proper rehabilitation. They should be given work in this highway project, their children government service and their other problems regarding demarcation of land, paths, roads, water sources, pastures and roadside facilities to them solved at the earliest. |
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Kullu gets milk chilling plant
Mandi/Anni, November 12 She announced Rs 2 lakh for the construction of a school ground from the MPLAD Funds and assured the villagers that she would make efforts to provide funds for the renovation of the local Bhubneshwari temple. Those who were present on the occasion included Milkfed Chairman Chet Ram Thakur, SIDC vice-president Atul Sharma and Anni MLA Khub Ram. |
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UK schoolteacher visits Him academy
Hamirpur, November 12 After exchanging views with the school management on the education system in their institutions, the guests watched presentations by students and also interacted with them. A cultural programme was also presented. Director of the school RC Lakhanpal, Principal Naina Lakhanpal and school secretary Pankaj Lakhanpal were also present on this occasion. |
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Congress MLA takes on Satti
Kangra, November 12 While addressing mediapersons at Jwalamukhi, Sanjay said the statement of the BJP chief was far from facts and it seemed that he was not aware of the development in the state. The state made significant development in all spheres and had become the role model of development. The credit went to Virbhadra Singh. Sanjay said Satti should remember that it was the Congress leadership which made efforts for the formation of Himachal Pradesh while the then Jan Sangh had opposed this move. He said whenever the BJP came to power, it tried to divide the state whereas the Congress had always believed in development. He said it was Virbhadra who was the real architect of modern Himachal and it was due to his consistent efforts and vision that today Himachal Pradesh was considered among the most developed states. |
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Cong painting BJP as anti-minorities, says Dhumal
Shimla, November 12 Dhumal was speaking at the state executive meeting of the Minorities Cell of the BJP, here today. "The BJP has always tried to bridge the gap between the Hindus and the Muslims as a result of which many Muslims had joined the BJP," he remarked. He added that the BJP had respected all religions and even started free travel facility for all Muslim women on Eid. He strongly advocated improving the literacy level and technical education of minorities, especially the Muslim community. Addressing the meeting, state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti said Muslims too had now realised that the Congress only used them as a vote bank and did nothing for their progress and upliftment. "The BJP workers must counter the false propaganda of the Congress of terming the BJP as anti-minorities," he said. Muhammad Rajbali, state president of the BJP Minorities Cell, also addressed the meeting. |
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Jyoti murder case: Two witnesses turn hostile
Panchkula, November 12 Amarjit, owner of the truck that was reportedly used to crush Jyoti after strangulating her, said the truck had always remained in his possession and it had never been used outside Baddi. He said even on the night of the murder, the vehicle was with him and not with the accused, as per the police claims. Amarjit is the brother of accused Paramjit and as per the police, Tilak Raj had brought the same from Baddi on the directions of Chaudhary and other accused to kill Jyoti. The other important witness, Lakhwinder, owner of the Alto car that was used by Paramjit to come to Panchkula, said he had never sold any Alto car bearing that number to Paramjit. He said the vehicle had always remained with him and was with him even on the night of the murder. According to defense counsel Aman Bindra, the other witness, Krishan Kumar Joshi, owner of Altis car that was allegedly used by Dharampal and Gurmeet to reach Panchkula, said he sold his car to Dharmpal but he could not prove any evidence of the same in the court. The prosecution turned all the more worried when the cross-examination of constable Sidharth, who had prepared the tower location report was done. Bindra said two cellphones, one official number of Chaudhary and the other, as per police claims, used by him to talk to Jyoti, had different tower locations. To arrest the MLA, these locations formed the major and basic clues. “We had confronted Sidharth with the report as the numbers they were relying upon were found to be on two different locations within a period of 4-5 minutes and he was not in a position to answer,” said Bindra. Head Constable Tara Chand, who had sealed parcel of hair samples of Gurmeet and Dharampal and the DVR of the nursing home to CFSL, also gave the evidence today. Another formal witness was that of constable Gurpinder, who, on orders from the authority intercepted conversation between Nidhi, Chaudhary’s wife, Krishan Joshi and Harbhajan, also deposed before the court.
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Wine contractor ‘assaults’ policeman, Home Guard jawan
Kangra, November 12 Ashok Verma, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Kangra, said today that an FIR was lodged against Akshey Kumar, a wine contractor, Sanjay Kumar, a salesman, Joni, Banti Kumar and another unknown person for assaulting policeman Arjun Singh and Home Guard jawan Sansar Chand while on duty. A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 332, 353 and 506 of the IPC. The police said Akshey was carrying wine in his vehicle when another wine contractor RK Saini intercepted his vehicle on the bypass claiming that the wine was being transported without valid documents. This led to a clash between the two groups. Meanwhile, Akshey informed the police, who reached the spot and tried to intervene between the two warring groups. The DSP said Arjan Singh and Sansar Chand were allegedly attacked by Akshey and his four men. Meanwhile, the police also registered a case against Saini and others for allegedly stopping Akshey. However, no arrests have been made so far. In another incident, HPSEB employee Suresh Kumar of Lili village was attacked while on duty last night at Sunehar village by Muni Lal of Sunehar. Suresh received injuries and a case under Sections 353, 332 and 504, IPC, was registered against Muni Lal.
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4 hurt as factory roof collapses
Nurpur, November 12 They were rushed to a private hospital at Pathankot by the factory owner. DSP Rajiv Atre said a case of negligence under Sections 336 and 337, IPC, had been registered against factory owner Ashwani Kumar. He said the incident took place when the workers were changing the chimney of the furnace.
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2 injured as bikes collide
Nurpur, November 12 They were rushed to the Community Health Centre, Indora, in 108 ambulance and after first aid referred to the Tanda medical college in Kangra, but their families shifted them to private hospital in Pathankot. The Indora police has registered a case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC in this connection.
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Dharamsala, November 12