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Session advanced to avoid poll
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State to import fruit plants from NZ, US
Snow lures sports lovers to Solang valley
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Jyoti Murder Case
HP restricts ammonia use in fertilisers
Complete project reports in time: CM to officers
Tribune impact
Illegal mining continues in border areas of Una district
A monsoon rivulet vandalised due to mining along the border of Punjab in Una district.
Debris litters roads dug up for telecom cables
14-quintal butter idol prepared on Sankranti
Digital radiography at IGMC
People will teach Cong a lesson: Anurag
Anurag fires salvo at Virbhadra
Microchip to curb cattle menace
6.75 lakh saplings to
be planted in Chamba
BJP to step up stir against Virbhadra
Ex-servicemen pay homage to martyrs
Ex-servicemen march on Army Day in Mandi on Wednesday. Photo: Jai Kumar
Soil conservation officer booked
Married woman raped at Baijnath
bjp chargesheet
Rs 25 crore okayed for road repair
Two bikers killed in road accident
‘Restore bus services on 7 routes’ Bilaspur lad bags youth award No AI flight to Kullu on Thursdays
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Session advanced to avoid poll
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Shimla, January 15 The budget session will commence on February 3 and conclude on February 21. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh will present the budget for 2014-15 on February 7. Normally, the budget session begins in early March and continues till April, including a week-long break. This time it is expected that the session will be brief, but animated as the BJP will try to pin down the Congress on the issue of corruption. As expected, the budget session seems to have been advanced so that some populist announcements can be made in the session which can be en-cashed by the ruling Congress during the Lok Sabha poll. Though Himachal has only four Lok Sabha seats, registering an impressive victory in the poll has become a political compulsion for the Chief Minister who is under fire for alleged corruption charges from the Opposition BJP. Had the government not advanced the budget session, the announcements to be made in the budget would have clashed with the election code of conduct which could come into effect from March. "It is but natural that with the Lok Sabha poll scheduled for April, we will come out with a budget which has many sops to woo the voters," admitted a senior minister. On the other hand, the BJP is all set to take on the Congress during the brief session. The BJP, which has already mounted a lot of pressure on the Chief Minister by levelling serious corruption charges against him, is likely to raise the issue vociferously on the floor of the House as well. Senior BJP leaders confirmed that it was the Chief Minister who will be the prime target in the session. The BJP is also cheesed off with the Chief Minister for dragging them to court by filing a defamation case against their senior leaders. "The Chief Minister cannot wash his hands off the serious corruption charges by merely filing a defamation case as this does not prove his innocence," said state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti. He added that the threats to initiate legal action would not deter the BJP from seeking the ouster of Virbhadra Singh. With both Congress and BJP geared up to take on each other during the brief budget session, there will be fireworks and political manoeuvring to outdo the other. Brief but animated
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State to import fruit plants from NZ, US
Shimla, January 15 Bids have already been invited from experts so that growers can be provided with quality plant materials which can give good returns. The department has 94 demonstration farms in the state. Entrepreneurs, including those having experience in growing these fruits in New Zealand, have been asked to submit their proposals which will be examined for their suitability for the agro-climatic conditions of the state. It is only after receiving the proposals that a final decision will be taken on giving out these farms on the PPP mode in the first-ever experiment of its kind in the state. “We are concerned about ensuring plant protection and introducing new varieties and fruits which can help maximise the returns to growers,” said Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Horticulture. He said a conference had been held here on November 25 last year in which participants from New Zealand, Australia and other countries had taken part. The entrepreneurs will not only import plant materials from New Zealand, Australia and the USA, but also guide the growers about the technique for its commercial cultivation. “There will be facility for farmers training and also the buyback arrangement as growers will take to cultivation of such new fruits only if the marketing aspect is taken care of," said an official. The new varieties will be distributed among the growers only after its successful trials and creation of the necessary infrastructure at the farms. The Horticulture Department has already received response for getting good and newer varieties of fruits such as apple, pear, strawberry and walnut from France. The department has placed an order of 40,000 plants at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore. Officials said while taking the plant materials from any agency, the department would ensure that the agency provided genuine material and plants which were suited agro-climatically. The department also intended importing good varieties of walnut which were being demanded by the growers, especially in the mid-hills. Juicy Deal
Exotic fruits such as avocado, red kiwis, yellow kiwi and strawberries to be imported
Plant materials to be imported from New Zealand, Australia and the USA
Growers to be imparted training
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Snow lures sports lovers to Solang valley
Manali, January 15 The Solang valley is not only famous for its scenic beauty, but also one of the most spectacular ski slopes in the Western Himalayas with an extensive view of the mighty Pir Panjal ranges. The ski slopes have hosted the Alpine Premier League and a number of national and state-level ski competitions. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) skiing centre at the Solang valley is conducting various skiing courses at the Solang ski slopes. ABVIMAS Deputy Director Mahavir Thakur said as many as 123 boys and girls drawn from all over the country were participating in the basic skiing course. As many as 15 boys and girls were participating in a 14-day advance skiing course. A seven-day elementary skiing course also began from today, he added. The ABVIMAS is playing a vital role in promoting adventure-related activities and has produced many enthusiastic mountaineers and skiers of national as well as international arenas. The institute has produced many skiers who participated in international skiing competitions. The institution also played a pivotal role in generating employment among youths as many skiers have started their own ski schools, trekking agencies, river rafting and other allied sports. The entire upper Manali areas and higher reaches in the region experienced a fresh spell of snowfall today. The ski slopes of the Solang valley also experienced a fresh spell of snowfall. |
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Another witness turns hostile
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, January 15 As per the statement of the prosecution, Narottam Jeet Singh, a witness, was working as a driver with Ram Kumar Chaudhary’s friend, Randhir Singh, in Baddi. During Chaudhary’s hiding, he asked his friend to keep the car at his company in Baddi, who later asked Narottam to keep it at his residence. Later, the police recovered the car and took his statements. Defense Counsels Aman Bindra and AS Sukhija said Narottam told the court that he never gave any such statements to the police. Narottam also informed that he was the driver of Randhir’s son. He did not know anything about the case and not even the MLA. As many as seven witnesses, including Narottam, were deposed before the court today. Others were formal witnesses, including three bank managers, Chandimandir toll plaza general manager, a forensic expert from General Hospital Sector 6, Panchkula, and an EASI. No vehicle used in crime?
Earlier, claims of the prosecution about other two vehicles used in the crime fell flat. Amarjit, the owner of the truck that was reportedly used to crush Jyoti after strangulating her, said the vehicle was in his possession and was never sent outside Baddi. He said even on the night of the murder, the vehicle was with him and not with the accused, which was claimed by the police. Amarjit is the brother of one of accused, Paramjit. Father moves application in court
Buti Ram, father of the victim, has moved an application in the court under Section 311 of the CrPC requesting to give evidence against Chaudhary again. Buti Ram turned hostile on the last hearing of the case. Later, he informed the police about how he was threatened by MLAs to say that he doesn’t know Chaudhary. After Buti Ram’s application, the police had lodged a zero FIR in Panchkula and sent the investigations to the Punjab Police. |
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HP restricts ammonia use in fertilisers
Solan, January 15 The two ammonia-based fertilisers, including calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and ammonium sulphate, were widely used as inorganic fertilisers by apple and tea growers in the state. The government is now recommending use of calcium nitrate as an optional fertiliser. The Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Marketing and Consumer Federation (HIMFED), which was hitherto supplying CAN fertilisers to the agrarian community, has now started disbursing this fertiliser to the growers and 500 tonnes has already been sold out. “Since it was a new option, the federation had undertaken an awareness campaign to educate the farmers about its application and frequency of use," confided BC Bhardwaj, Senior Manager, HIMFED. He added that apart from district-level campaigns to educate people, several camps were being organised in the entire apple belt and Kangra district over the last about two months. As much as 15,000 tonnes of CAN was earlier being used every year in the state, with a large chunk of it being used by the apple growers. Calcium nitrate is a cheaper option as only 0.5 kg quantity is used for a single plant as against 3 kg of CAN for one plant. Horticulture experts opine that the farmers will have to be made well aware of its use as its excess use could affect the colour and quality of the apple crop. Moreover, lack of knowledge could lead to the use of readily available spurious CAN from the markets by the growers and this could damage the crops. Dr Vijay Singh Thakur, Vice-Chancellor, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, who has several years of experience in serving the apple belt of upper Shimla, when quizzed, said since the nitrogen fertiliser is recommended for use before June, its over-use could affect the colour. Hence, there is an urgent need to make the people aware of its exact usage. |
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Complete project reports in time: CM to officers
Shimla, January 15 Virbhadra said the matter regarding "outsourcing" the task of preparation of DPRs should be taken up well in time and forest clearances cases should be taken on priority. Holding discussions with MLAs of Kangra, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur and Kullu districts, the CM said providing best road connectivity to people was a top priority of the government and directed the PWD authorities to ensure regular maintenance of the roads. Asserting that the government was encouraging labour-intensive and environment-friendly industries in the state, Virbhadra said it must be ensured that ample employment opportunities were provided to the local people in areas where industries were being set up. The CM said priority was being given to remote and far-flung areas to bring these on a par with other areas of the state. Observing that roads, irrigation and drinking water were the main focus of MLAs priorities, he asked departments concerned to expedite work on priority schemes. He said in order to provide efficient and transparent services, Rangers, Deputy Rangers and Forest Guards in Forest Department and Constable in Police Department should not be deployed in their home beats. Referring to the man-monkey conflict, Singh said a multi-pronged strategy needed to be worked out on priority to tackle the problem on priority. He said natural habitat of monkeys must be maintained and fruit species should be planted in forests to provide enough food to the Simians in their natural habitat. Underlining the need for better coordination among various departments, the CM said inter-state matters pertaining to roads, demarcation of boundaries, water disputes etc must be solved on priority to save people from undue harassment and provide them facilities at the earliest. He said Damtal-Kandrauri-Indora road would be repaired and maintained keeping in view heavy vehicular traffic in the area and a 100-bedded hospital would be opened in Jaisinghpur Assembly constituency as also a government degree college at Khundiyan in Jwalamukhi Assembly constituency. |
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IGMC to bring in 60 more cushioned trolleys
Kuldeep Chauhan Tribune News Service
Shimla, January 15 “We have brought only blankets from home. It is so cold in Shimla and trolleys add to the inconvenience,” rued patients at the Emergency, which is short of 30 blankets. After The Tribune highlighted the plight of patients at the Emergency in the winter months, the IGMC has decided to increase the bed capacity by adding 60 more cushioned trolleys. While the richer patients can afford to shift to special ward, poor patients have to survive on trolleys and bare minimum facilities that hospital provides here, said an attendant. "Patients who do not get beds stay in the green house or in ‘sarai’. Daily up-down to the hospital deteriorates their health,” said a doctor. The Nursing Superintendent at the IGMC said they were facing a severe shortage of blankets at the Emergency. “The problem is some of the patients take away the blankets after they are discharged. Officials on duty cannot refuse them in view of a hard winter,” she said. The IGMC authorities said they would solve the problems of the patients. “We have got a budget of Rs 10 lakh to add 50-60 cushioned trolleys and beds with drips for patients. Patients will no longer have to face inconvenience related to beds,” said Dr Ramesh Chand, Senior Medical Superintendent, IGMC. “We will complete the expansion work within six months,” he added. Ending winter woes
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Illegal mining continues in border areas of Una district
Una, January 15 Tilak Raj Sharma, General Manager, Industries, Una, who heads the Mining Department, said mining was totally banned in rivulets and rivers in the entire state. "If any particular case comes to our notice, we will take action," he stated. The Mining Officer, Una, said mining was banned in rivers and rivulets since August last year. However, in some areas people had been given permission for levelling the hills and engaging in mining. When asked how much levelling of hills was allowed, the officer said there was no such limit. Sources told The Tribune that there were just three stone crushers in Una district that had the permission for levelling of hills and carry out resultant stone crushing operations. In case just these three stone crushers are operating, they cannot generate about 100 tippers of stone crushed material that move out of the state every day as per information collected from border posts of Punjab. Sources here said as per rules, the farmers were allowed to bring down hills by just 5 m for levelling the land for farming. Levelling of hills, specifically for mining, was not allowed. After the National Green Tribunal ordered a ban on mining in all rivers of the country, the Himachal government allowed stone crusher owners to clear their stocks. Sources here said the stone crusher owners of Una were carrying out illegal mining and supplying material to Punjab areas where the prices were very high due to scarcity of material. As per the rules, the stone crushers cannot operate without Environment Impact Assessment studies. Very few stone crushers have obtained clearance from state-level Environment Impact Assessments in Himachal. Ram Kumar, BJP leader from Haroli area, alleged that most of the stone crushers were operating under political patronage. |
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Debris litters roads dug up for telecom cables
Shimla, January 15 The Citizens Council, Shimla, urged the SMC and the PWD to monitor the digging work and smoothen each road stretch. The dust, boulders and potholes on roads have made lives miserable on The Mall, Middle Bazaar and almost every part of the city. The digging is being done in a haphazard manner, worsening the traffic mess and movement of public, said Balbir Parmar, vice-president of the Citizens' Council. Managers of the telecom company claimed they had an NOC from the SMC and the PWD and were upgrading the network to 4G telecom connectivity. This digging was one-time, they added. What has irked the residents more is that all the government agencies, including the SMC, PWD, IPH, forest, pollution board, BSNL and other service providers, have no vision plan for laying of a one-time "duct system that can accommodate the cables the service provider needs from time to time". Heaps of debris on The Mall and other city roads have made movement of the public difficult, rued Rajiv Sood, general secretary, Mall Business Association (MBA). "We are proposing duct system for key areas so that digging is not required," said Sanjay Chauhan, Shimla Mayor. "Service providers seek approval from time to time. We have told them to dig up the road in parts and fill it up soon," he added. BK Chauhan, Superintending Engineer, PWD, said the roads belong to both SMC and PWD. "One-time duct system is a welcome idea," he said.
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14-quintal butter idol prepared on Sankranti
Kangra, January 15 Temple officer Pawan Patial said the idol of butter weighing 14 quintals was prepared by 20 priests in nearly 12 hours and was decorated with dry fruits. He said 14 quintals of butter was made using ghee donated by devotees from across the country, by 18 priests with a specific technique by washing it with water 108 times. He said the process of preparing butter was started on January 5 and completed today. Pawan said according to legend, when the goddess was injured during a fight with demons, her wounds were treated with butter on Makar Sankranti by gods. He said the butter would remain on the "pindi" for a week and be removed on the morning of January 20. He said the temple authorities received ghee from devotees from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Agra, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, MP, UP and other states like Gujarat. Ghee was contributed by locals too. He said the butter, when removed, would be distributed as prasad among the devotees, which treats chronic skin ailments and joint pains. Ajit Bhardwaj, SDM, Kangra, said the temple was decorated with lights and flowers and recitation of Vedic hymns, bhajans and continuous pooja was being carried out on the sound system on the pattern of Akshar Dham in the temple. The Promoters, a local NGO, organised a two-hour bhajan programme at the temple complex today and a jagrata was organised last night.
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Digital radiography at IGMC
Shimla, January 15 The Chief Minister said the machine was a new era in radiography and Virbhadra Singh said the machine had 60 per cent less radiations as compared to traditional photographic film and the ability to transfer images to different computers where X-ray could be visualised immediately. Moreover, X-ray of the body could be done without shifting a patient or cassette, he added. Virbhadra Singh said the IGMC, Shimla, had the paucity of space and the government had decided to shift the Dental and Nursing Colleges near Ghanhatti, which would help in decongestion. The Chief Minister said the ESI Medical College and Hospital was being constructed at Ner Chowk in Mandi district which would cater to the needs of people. Top priority had been accorded to the health sector and a full-fledged Mother and Child Care Hospital was being developed at Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH), Shimla, the Chief Minister said, adding that all medical, surgical and gynaecological speciality facilities would be provided at the KNH and a new block was being constructed. Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said the state government had increased 200 posts of doctor of which 160 would be filled this year and 40 next year. |
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Vigilance grills Anurag again
Dharamsala, January 15 Vigilance officials had details of the HPCA company and the company registered earlier by Anurag at Kanpur in similar name. The Vigilance had also registered cases against the HPCA for demolishing staff quarters of the Government College, Dharamsala, and alleged encroachment on the land by the body. The sources said the Vigilance was also preparing another case against the HPCA for illegally felling pine trees on the land allotted to it for the construction of sports hostel. The HPCA has constructed Pavillion hotel on the land and was paying a commercial lease of about Rs 23 lakh per annum to the state government. Anurag Thakur was questioned earlier also by the Vigilance. It was also recording the statements of various government officials allegedly involved in the cases, including former DC of Kangra and senior IAS officer KK Pant. The SP, Vigilance, refused to comment on the interrogation of Anurag. The sources said the Vigilance had expedited its proceedings in the case as it wanted to file a chargesheet at the earliest. |
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People will teach Cong a lesson: Anurag
Bilaspur, January 15 Anurag said the Congress had promised that they would reduce prices of essential items within 100 days. But all these years prices of every item actually had risen from two to five times. He said the UPA government had promised to provide employment to at least one crore youth every year, but, actually, one crore youth were joining the ranks of the unemployed every year. Anurag said Congress had wasted this year and crores of government funds on hounding out BJP leaders and indulging in baseless propaganda against them. He announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the Nog-Balhi Jhaleda link road and would also provide funds for a school playground. Those who were present on the occasion included Bilaspur Sadar BJP president Kuldip Thakur, former MP Suresh Chandel and district Yuva Morcha president Brij Lal
Thakur.
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Anurag fires salvo at Virbhadra
Una, January 15 "I challenge Virbhadra Singh to file a suit," said Anurag, adding that "After the facts regarding his acts of corruption came to light in the court of law, no power on earth will be able to save him." He charged that the CM and his family members had procured 9.8 lakh shares, amounting to crores of rupees, of a company, which belonged to a person who had been allotted a power project in the state. Besides, the MP said a company, owned by Virbhadra Singh's son, had purchased a farmhouse in Delhi and the money reportedly came from the bank accounts of Vakamulla Chandershekhar. He said Virbhadra Singh should understand that as per Sections 11 and 20 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, any favour, cash or valuable item taken by a person holding government office was deemed to be considered as a bribe. The MP, who is also the president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, stated that Union Minister Jayanti Natrajan had fumed over allegations of "Jayanti Tax" being levied illegally in Delhi in the name of the environment clearance. However, he said, a similar tax was in force in Una district in the name of sand and gravel mining. He said influential persons in the district were benefiting from the illegal trade, while the general public was being taxed. |
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Microchip to curb cattle menace
Shimla, January 15 The Animal Husbandry Department has sent a proposal to the government for implanting microchips on cattle and Rs 33.37 crore is likely to be spent on the project, senior technical officer Seema Chahal said. The project is pending approval of the government, but Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has given a positive indication to check the cattle menace. There are about 31,000 stray cattle, most of them buffaloes and oxen, but the entire cattle population would have to be covered to effectively check the menace. The microchip will be implanted by a veterinarian just under the skin of the animal, using a specially designed needle. Each chip comprises a Unique Cattle Identification or serial number that will reveals all details such as data on age, breed, owner's name and details, dairy to which it belongs, the health history, vaccination details and sale/purchase details. |
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6.75 lakh saplings to
be planted in Chamba
Chamba, January 15 According to official sources, the department will do plantation on a mass scale and about 2,398 hectares of planting will be carried out so that a target of plantation of about 30.4 lakh plants could be achieved. To augment the water resources, one ‘van sarovar’ is being constructed in each forest range at an estimated cost of about Rs.74.08 lakh by the forest department and so far 10 van sarovars have been constructed in Chamba district. Regarding the elimination of lantana, about 355 hectares will be made lantana-free while 400 hectares of last year will be treated again to remove the reappearances of lantana, the sources said. Now the department was also bringing out a comprehensive treatment plan for rivers like the Ravi and the Chenab in Chamba district. |
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BJP to step up stir against Virbhadra
Shimla, January 15 In a statement here yesterday, state BJP spokesperson Ganesh Dutt said top BJP leaders had resolved to continue its fight against corruption. “All senior BJP leaders, including national vice-president Balbir Punj, who is also the state in charge, feel that the corruption charges levelled against Virbhadra Singh are serious and he cannot dismiss these by simply stating that this is a conspiracy to defame him,” Dutt said. Accusing the Congress for possessing double standards on the issue of corruption, Dutt said even Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi did not practise what he preached. “Rahul keeps harping about having zero-tolerance towards corruption, but when it comes to taking action against a person facing serious charges,
he too develops cold feet,” he said, adding that it was wrong to call this fight against corruption
as a fight between the former and present Chief Minister.
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Ex-servicemen pay homage to martyrs
Mandi, January 15 State chairman of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement Brig Khushal Thakur
(retd), organiser of the function, said, "Army Day is observed on January 15 every year to pay tribute to our martyrs, who laid down their lives in the wars of 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971 and Kargil war of
1999, defending the country's borders, besides in routine Army actions in fighting terrorists." He said Army Day began in 1948, as a mark of taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army by Lt Gen MM Cariappa from Francis Butcher, last British Commander of the Army. |
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Soil conservation officer booked
Nurpur, January 15 According to DSP Raiiv Atre, complainant Bhushan Kumar of Jachh said Rs2.50 lakh had been sanctioned by the government under the MGNREGA for the construction of a protection wall to save his agriculture land. The protection wall had to be built by the Soil Conservation Department, but due to political pressure, the work was stopped by the junior draughtsman after 10 days. He alleged that after the completion of work, he submitted requisite documents to the sub-divisional soil conservation officer for releasing labour payment, but in spite of making payment they used undignified caste-related language against him. Nurpur sub-division soil conservation officer Rajesh Dogra categorically denied the allegations and said the police had already conducted investigations into the case.
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Married woman raped at Baijnath
Palampur, January 15 The police said when the incident occurred the woman was alone in the house. Vinod Kumar (30) entered her house by breaking the window and committed the crime. Later, the woman raised an alarm and villagers assembled on the spot. Vinod was immediately overpowered by local youths and handed over
to the police. Puneet Raghu, DSP, Baijnath, said Vinod had been arrested and his potency test was conducted which was mandatory under the amended provision of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He said a case under Sections 376-A, 452-A and 506, IPC, had been
registered against the culprit at the Baijnath police station. |
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CM should seek CBI probe: Satti
Tribune News Service
Shimla, January 15 In a statement issued here today, Satti said the BJP was unperturbed by such threats of legal action by the Chief Minister. “Since the allegations of corruption levelled by the BJP against the Chief Minister are based on facts, we have nothing to fear and we shall continue with our campaign seeking his ouster,” Satti said. The BJP chief said Virbhadra Singh was well known for his habit of filing defamation cases and then very conveniently compromising by withdrawing the cases. “With such serious allegations being levelled against Virbhadra and his family, he should have had the moral courage and grace to step down and offer for a probe by any agency,” he opined.
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Rs 25 crore okayed for road repair
Una, January 15 This was disclosed here through an official communiqué from the office of Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. The road will provide better connectivity to the upcoming industrial area of Pandoga in Una district. A sum of Rs 15 crore has already been received for sprucing up the Ajauli-Laluwal road and the work is under way. This road will serve the Tahliwal industrial area. According to the communiqué, a detailed project for repairing the Jaijon-Tahliwal road will be completed by January 22 and sent to the Union Commerce Ministry for approval. |
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Two bikers killed in road accident
Nurpur, January 15 According to police information, the deceased indentified as Vijay Kumar of Jarot and Jagdish of Talara village were returning to their homes after working in a factory at Baduee. Their speeding motorcycle dashed against the bus. They were rushed to hospital in a 108 Ambulance but doctors declared them as brought dead. The bodies were handed over to the families today after a postmortem examination. The Jawali police have registered a case under Sections 304-A and 279 of the Indian Penal Code in this connection. |
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Illegal mining is continuing along the borders of Punjab in Una district. In many areas, hills are being destroyed and rivulets getting choked due to illegal mining.
A survey by The Tribune in areas along the border revealed that about 100 heavy-duty tippers cross into Punjab from Himachal every day. These tippers carry crushed material and gravel.
Ex-servicemen and their families paid homage to martyrs by organising a march in Mandi town on Army Day today.
Ex-servicemen and their wives, including war widows, assembled at the Kargil Park and paid floral tributes to martyrs after observing a two-minute silence in their memory. Later, the ex-servicemen marched from Seri Manch to Victoria Bridge through the bazaar.
