Shimla, December 3
The Shimla Ice Skating Club has drawn up a proposal to install a refrigeration plant to overcome the adverse impact of changing micro-climate being caused due to the degradation of the environment on the Asia’s oldest natural ice-skating rink here.

The club has already started widening the rink to increase its effective area by cutting the hillside. The area of the rink, which is originally extended to five tennis courts, has over the years declined to almost half due to gradual loss of trees on the hillside, which provided shade to the rink from the sun.

A large part of the rink is now exposed to direct sun rays due to which ice melts away and evening skating sessions, which were held regularly till a decade ago, are possible only for a few days.

Weather conditions play a crucial role as water is frozen naturally under the sky to create a sheet of ice for skating. However, irreversible changes in the micro-climate caused due to environmental degradation in the recent years have been making it increasingly difficult for water to freeze in natural conditions. With large tracts of thick forests making way for concrete structures, the ambient temperature has increased. Until the late 1970s, mercury remained below freezing point from November to March and plunged to -6°C during peak winter. However, nowadays it seldom touches the freezing point.

Consequently, the ice skating season has been shrinking with each passing year. The season exceeded 15 weeks and up to 165 sessions were possible, but these days the number of sessions seldom touches the century mark. There have been several occasions when even 50 sessions were not possible.

“Refrigeration facility will not only help extend the season to at least four months but also make it possible to have ice skating during cloudy weather,” said secretary of the club Bhuvanesh Banga.

He said the government had sanctioned Rs 40 lakh for widening the rink and the work would be completed before the next season. The width would be increased by about 3 m and with dimensions of 56 m x 29 m, the rink would meet international standards and it would be spacious enough for laying out ice hockey field. The proposal to install a refrigeration plant would be implemented after completing the widening work, he said.

This year, the season has not started as the rink is still bereft of ice. Ground staff sprayed water on the rink last night for the first time but cloudy weather in the morning played spoilsport.

The ice skating enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the start of the season. 

Shimla, December 3
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is currently funding four hydro-power projects with $ 800 million in Himachal, today agreed to finance the 45 MW Surgani Sundla project in Chamba district.

Takesshi Shiihara, Portfolio Management Specialist, Energy Division, South Asia Department, ADB, today met Power and Agriculture Minister Sujan Singh Pathania here. The two held discussions on important issues related to hydro-power projects and various agricultural schemes being funded by the ADB in the state.

Shiihara on the request of Pathania agreed in principle to finance the 48 MW Surgani Sundla Hydro-Electric Project. He also assured the minister that the ADB would provide all assistance for power generation and agriculture to the state.

The bank is currently funding four hydro-power projects being constructed by HP Power Corporation. It has extended $800 million loan under the Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Development Investment Programme. The projects are 111 MW Sawra Kuddu Project, 195 MW Integrated Kashang Project, 100 MW Sainj Project and 450 MW for Shongtong-Karcham Project.

Discussions were also held on Tranche-IV loan of $315 million for the 450 MW Shongtong-Karcham Hydro-electric Project. This loan is being given under the investment programme to establish a sustainable power sector in Himachal Pradesh to improve the state's finance.

DK Sharma, Managing Director, HP Power Corporation, and PC Negi Managing Director, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, were also present at the meeting.

Shimla, December 3
The government will soon introduce water ATMs in the state to ensure the availability of safe drinking water to the public.

A water ATM is a step aimed at combating water-borne diseases and off-seasonal jaundice, which is an annual feature in the state capital.

The Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department has floated the expression of interest (EOI), inviting bids for setting up and running these water ATMs, initially as a part of the pilot project.

To begin with, six water ATMs will be set up in Shimla and a few pilgrim centres and tourist destinations, frequented by a large number of visitors.

“If the pilot project is a success, we will extend the water ATMs to other places and institutions as these provide affordable, clean and safe drinking water,” said Vineet Chaudhray, Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Public Health.

He said with very nominal charges of about 30 to 50 paisa per litre, the public is assured of potable water, free of bacteria throughout the day.

The jaundice-prone localities of Shimla such as Vikasnagar and Battakuffar, which have witnessed off-seasonal outbreak of the ailment, will get the ATMs first. The famous shrines of Chintpurni in Una and Jwalamukhi in Kangra district will also get these water ATMs, considering the huge influx of pilgrims to the temple towns. In case of pilgrim centres, the temple trusts will bear the entire expenditure of providing the water ATM facility to the pilgrims.

The other place chosen for the water ATMs is Mcleodganj, headquarter of the Tibetan government and the abode of the Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama.

Three companies, including, Sarvajal, a subsidiary of the Piramal Foundation, have evinced interest in the project so far. “The only way to fight water-borne diseases is to provide affordable and clean drinking water so that people do not fall victim to such ailments,” Chaudhary reiterates.

The outbreak of jaundice in the winter months has practically become an annual affair which can be tackled only by providing safe drinking water.

The organisation which is entrusted with the responsibility of setting up the water ATMs will set up a central monitoring cell which will supervise the quality and supply of clean water.

Even though the water quality in Himachal is relatively better than the other states with negligible chemical trace, providing safe drinking water remains the priority of the government.

As per the State Water Policy, all the public water posts in the state are to be gradually converted into water ATMs.

Shimla, December 3
Left wing frontal organisations, Himachal Kisan Sabha, CITU, Democratic Youth Federation of India, SFI and others today staged a protest at Kasumpti and in front of the DC's office here, opposing the outsourcing of diagnostic tests to a private laboratory in 24 health institutions in the state.

They also sought opening of warehouses in the state as the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the fair price shops have no coordination when it comes to providing ration to the cardholders in time.

Addressing the protesters, Himachal Kisan Sabha state president Dr Kuldip Tanwar and CPM leader Dr Onkar Shad claimed that they opposed the government’s move to out-source 24x 7 diagnosis facilities to a private company in 24 government hospitals including the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC).

It would put the patients at the mercy of private labs as there was a tendency among certain doctors to ask the patients to go for the tests even if these are not required, the leaders alleged. The government should strengthen the Emergency services and tests should be provided through the hospital labs, which should function round the clock, they demanded.

Dr Tanvar said the PDS system had collapsed in the state; the ration card-holders had to visit the depots three to five times as all items were available at the fair price shops. The 15,000 fair price shops should be run on public-private partnership mode and government should open more warehouses with the help of the Food Corporation of India so that these shops function properly and people get ration in time, it was stated.

The government should appoint a full-time managing director of the PDS to improve coordination among different organisations in the state, it was added.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the director health services and PDS.

Bilaspur, December 3
The state government has provided a number of facilities and concessions to freedom fighters and their families. This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while addressing the state-level “Swatantarta Senani Sammellan”, which was attended by a large number of freedom fighters and their dependents here today.

The Chief Minister paid tributes to all freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle and boldly faced tyranny of the foreign rule.

He announced enhancement of their monthly pension from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, pension to widows of freedom fighters from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000, marriage grant of Rs 51,000 to their daughters and Rs 21,000 to grand daughters, cremation honorarium of Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 on the death of freedom fighter’s wife. — OC

Kullu, December 3
District committees of the Himachal Kisan Sabha and CITU staged a protest demonstration outside the District Zonal Hospital here today. District CITU committee general secretary, Hotam Singh Sonkhala, said while the Bill to raise the salaries of the legislators was passed unopposed within 10 minutes in the Legislative Assembly, the Government was not filling up the vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff on the pretext that there was no budget for the same.

He said that ‘Swasthya Kalyan Samiti’ is nothing but privatisation of medical facilities. He urged the state government that medical tests should be available free of cost and the practice of sending patients to private laboratories should be checked and stopped.

Though the hospital has been able to get the services of another gynaecologist since yesterday in the wake of a lot of resentment among the locals, many posts are vacant, causing a lot of hassle to the people.

State general secretary of CITU, Prem Gautam, said though the Government was talking of Food Security Bill on one hand, on the other hand, the quota of ration in the Civil Supply Stores was being reduced.

He said a memorandum related to these demands was being forwarded to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh through the Kullu Deputy Commissioner. They also took out a protest march from the hospital to the DC's office.

President of District CITU committee, Bhup Singh Bhandari, secretary Rajesh Thakur, district vice president of Kisan Sabha, Anil Kumar, joint secretary Moti Ram Katwal, treasurer Khem Chand and other SFI leaders were part of the protest march.

Una, December 3
The state government will spend a sum of Rs 22 crores on providing social security pensions to the differently abled. This was stated here today by vice-chairman of the state Planning Board, Gangu Ram Musafir, while presiding over a function at Babu Jagjiwan Ram Charitable and Education Trust at Mehatpur on the occasion of the International Day for the differently abled.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Musafir said at present, 39,942 differently abled persons were being given a monthly pension of Rs 500 in Himachal Pradesh, while the state Social Justice and Empowerment department has now updated its list of persons with disabilities to 69,079.

He added that those with more than 40 per cent disability who are presently not covered under the social security pension schemes, would be included in the ambit from the current financial year.

The former Vidhan Sabha speaker said children with more than 40 per cent disability are also eligible for scholarships and skill development allowance. The latter has been introduced recently.

He said people who marry those with 40-75 per cent disability are given Rs 8,000, while those marrying persons with higher percentage of disability are given Rs 15,000 as a social incentive. He appealed to the differently abled to contact the respective offices of Social Justice and Empowerment department to enroll for various benefits being given by the government.

Trust chairman Dr KR Arya said their organisation was running vocational courses for differently abled children. On the occasion, differently abled children presented cultural items. Former Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Ram Nath Sharma was also present.

A similar function was held in Una at Prem Ashram, a home for mentally challenged children where District and Sessions Judge Rattan Singh Thakur was the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, he said there was a provision of free legal advice to persons with disabilities and the Constitution of India provides various concessions to such persons. District president of the Handicapped Persons Association, Sunita Thakur, also spoke on the occasion.

Solan, December 3
A case of illegal poaching of Siberian cranes has come to light in the border area of Paonta Sahib-Uttarakhand. Some poachers were allegedly seen poaching three cranes on a wetland there.

Though the police after receiving the information had conducted an investigation, nothing could be done as the area falls on the border of Uttarakhand-Himachal, said Yogesh Rolta, DSP, Paonta Sahib.

According to information, the incident came to light when Vijay Kumar, who was viewing birds through his binoculars, saw some people carrying Siberian cranes. However, they fled with the cranes towards Uttarakhand.

Chamba, December 3
A rally of ex-servicemen was organised by the 8 Garhwal Rifles under the aegis of the 323 Mountain Brigade at Chamba today. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chamba Kadam Sandeep Vasant inaugurated the rally.

The DC said ex-servicemen’s contribution to society had been significant. Their grievances would be addressed on priority, he added.

Brigadier JS Bhardwaj interacted with them and listened to their problems. He thanked the district administration for its co-operation in organising the rally.

The officer-in charge of the rally, Major L Khongsai, said 215 ex-servicemen participated in the rally.

Besides, the medical team examined over 200 patients and distributed medicines free of cost among them.

During the rally, grocery items were also made available to ex-servicemen, the Major said.

Those present included SP Jagat Ram, Colonels SK Tanwar, KL Bishnoi, MK Yadav and Vikram Iyenger, Lt-Col N Ranganath, Assistant Commissioner to the DC Deepti Kapoor, District Health Officer YD Sharma, DPRO Ravi Verma and other military and state government officers.

Solan, December 3
The Principal Secretary, Health, Ali R Rizvi, today conducted a check at the Regional Hospital, Solan.

During the inspection, the Principal Secretary found that the hospital lacked proper healthcare facilities and had been functioning in unhygienic conditions.

He directed Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr YS Verma, who was absent from duty and had been summoned, to produce records collected under the Rogi Kalyan Samiti at his office tomorrow.

He constituted a committee, led by Deputy Director, Health Services, Dr Rakesh and comprising two members, including the MS and medical officer, Health, to review the purchase order for buying a new generator for the hospital and enquire if it was made as per the existing norms.

A controversy had arisen after an old generator, which was purchased at a cost of Rs 18 lakh about four years back, was lying defunct. He came down heavily on the hospital management for poor cleanliness and insanitation and directed re-tendering of the contract. He directed the staff to remove them and pave way for the smooth movement of patients.

The Principal Secretary also directed the administration to ensure that adequate nursing staff was available at the hospital. 

Bilaspur, December 3
Dr ML Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, said here today that out of five samples of drinking water taken by the Health Department from various spots of two gastroenteritis affected villages near here, two had been found unfit for human consumption. He said the samples were sent to the Kandaghat laboratory three days ago.

He said samples, which had been found with dangerous bacteria called “shigella bacteria”, were taken from two different sources, one from an inlet of water storage tank from where drinking water was supplied to villagers by the IPH Department, and other from a private bore well of the panchayat president in the village.

He said three other samples taken from a few houses had been found safe.

Shimla, December 3
The police have arrested three taxi operators for thrashing local youths here yesterday. They were booked under Sections 341, 506 and 147, IPC.

The accused had threatened the youths and taxi drivers against entering the area near the railway station.

The ASP, Shimla, said the three accused had been arrested after people complained against them. They would be produced in a local court tomorrow.

Kangra, November 3
The police arrested a resident of Gaggal town for an alleged burglary attempt at Dagwar village, 10 km from here, today.

Kangra DSP Ashok Verma said he attempted burglary at the house of Asha Rani on Sunday night when she was out of station. He said after hearing the sound of breaking of locks, her neighbours raised an alarm and the thieves managed to flee leaving their motorcycle on the spot.

He said taking clue from the motorcycle, the police reached its owner, who told the police that he had sold the bike to Vikaram of Gaggal town. The police arrested him under Sections 454, 380 and 511 of the IPC.

Vikaram is being interrogated and the police hoped that following his arrest, a number of burglaries committed in the area in the recent past might be traced. However, the police sources said so for he had not confessed to the crime.

Shimla, December 3
The BJP today flayed the Congress regime for taking a U-turn on the issue of removing officers with doubtful integrity from important postings due to pressure from this powerful section of tainted officers.

State BJP spokesperson Ganesh Dutt said despite court orders to the state government to remove all such officers from sensitive postings, it had suddenly developed cold feet. “Government should not just remove them from their postings, but also make public such officials,” he said. — TNS

Shimla, December 3
The HP High Court today issued a notice to the state government for upgrading government schools without following a proper procedure.

Issuing notices to the Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary and the Director (Education), a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir and Justice Kuldip Singh directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks.

The court passed this order on a letter addressed to the Chief Justice, alleging that the state government was upgrading government schools without following the proper procedure.

It was further alleged that just to gain political mileage, schools were upgraded by the government without taking into consideration the strength of students and the minimum distance from one school to another as prescribed by rules.

In some schools, there were no proper infrastructure and playgrounds despite the fact that the state was upgrading schools. Treating this letter as a petition, the court passed the order and listed the matter for further hearing on January 6, 2014.