Nurpur, January 23
The Rs 180-crore Chhonchh khud channelisation project, the foundation stone for which was recently laid by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh at Dahkulara in the Indora Assembly constituency in lower Kangra district, is expected to prove a boon for the inhabitants of 35 villages of 13 gram panchayats who have been struggling against the flood fury of Chhonchh khud for the past many years.

Chhonchh khud, a tributary of the Beas, starting its course from Dhaneti in Nurpur, joins the Beas in Mirthal, Punjab. It wreaks havoc on hundreds of hectares of fertile agriculture fields in the area every year in the monsoon season.

Inhabitants of Nurpur and Indora areas of lower Kangra district have to put up with a huge loss to their property and crops in this season. This water body has virtually become a curse for people of lower Kangra district in the monsoon season as it changes its course when in spate.

The completion of this ambitious project within the targeted four years is poised to let the affected people heave a sigh of relief as it will cover watershed area around 199.50 km with a 34-km channel.

Agriculture experts envisage that this channelisation of Chhonchh khud will not only save the area from flooding, but will also usher it into a green revolution by enhancing productivity of foodgrains and vegetable along the river banks.

People of the area had been demanding channelisation of Chhonchh khud for the past many years.

According to information, the Central Water and Power Analysis Laboratory, Pune (Maharashtra), in April 2013, prepared a detailed study report of this project and submitted it to the state government last April. The Central Water Resources Ministry had given its technical nod to this project in August last year.

The Union Planning Commission had rendered its investment clearance to the project last October.

Thereafter, the state government granted its administrative and financial approval in November last and finally, the Government of India cleared this project under the Flood Control Programme.

• Chhonchh khud, a tributary of the Beas, starting its course from Dhaneti in Nurpur, joins the Beas in Mirthal, Punjab
• It wreaks havoc on hundreds of hectares of fertile agriculture fields in the area every year in the monsoon season

Dharamsala, January 23
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said here today that the Kangra-Holi tunnel would be constructed on a priority basis which would provide all-weather connectivity to Bharmaur. He was speaking during a meeting of the Gaddi Welfare Board.

The previous government had got the survey for the tunnel in the Uttrala area near Baijnath. However, the government planned to get the tunnel constructed from the Himani Chamunda area of Kangra.

The CM said Sitlu Nag Mandir, Satimata Mandir Kadah, Kilka Mata Mandir and Old Shiv Temple of the Nadal tribal area would be developed for tourists. The unemployed youth of the tribal areas were being trained in the handicraft and handloom production.

Virbhadra Singh said the government had formulated various schemes for the welfare of weaker sections and constituted welfare boards to ensure their speedy development.

The Chief Minister said the government had identified 670 tribal hamlets out of which 480 were in Chamba and Kangra districts. He said the villages having more than 40 per cent population of tribals were being given special Central assistance apart from the State Plan and priority was being accorded to complete ongoing schemes in these areas.

He said Rs 450 lakh would be spent on road construction, Rs 125 lakh on irrigation and water supply schemes, Rs 157 lakh on agriculture, Rs 95 lakh on horticulture, Rs 89 lakh on animal husbandry and Rs 72.47 lakh on community halls in the tribal areas of the state.

He said a community hall was being constructed at Banuri for Rs 50 lakh to facilitate sheep breeders.

The Chief Minister said a water supply scheme for GP Gagwal, Balir and Ladhwan areas of Kangra district would be launched on priority. He directed the Education Department to reopen Government Primary School, Kulani, in Chandpur as the government had already taken decision to reopen 149 schools de-notified by the previous government. He directed PWD officers to construct a bridge at Hared-Fataher via Taras in Baijnath.

Dharamsala, January 23
The Cabinet today decided to cancel the tender allotted for the Chintpurni temple parking. The Rs 40 crore tender was allotted on single tender basis. The tender would now be reissued. Sources said certain issues were debated hotly for about 45 minutes during the Cabinet meeting.

It also gave clearance to governing and executive bodies of the Swan river channelisation project. The governing body of over Rs 922.49 crore project would comprise Minister for Irrigation and Public health Vidya Stokes and Minister for Industries Mukesh Agnihotri. Both ministers would also be part of the executive body of the project that would include officers of the department. The move is aimed at completing the project in three years.

The Cabinet also decided to provide relief to farmers who want to own tractors. Earlier, the permission for registration of tractor used to come from the Directorate of Transport. The Cabinet decided that Regional Transport Officers would register new tractors and farmers, who own one hectare land, would be allowed to purchase tractors. It also gave approval to two sub-tehsils in Kotgarh and Naura.

The Cabinet also approved amendment to the HP Member Legislative Assembly (Discretionary Grant) Rule-2013. The discretionary grant will be Rs 8 lakh for ministers and Speaker, Rs 6 lakh for Deputy Speaker and Rs 4 lakh for Chief Parliamentary Secretaries. The MLAs have discretionary grant of Rs 2 lakh.

The Cabinet gave its nod to impose ban on felling of bargad and peepal trees on private land. It gave its nod to construct an additional VIP suite at PWD Rest House, Sujanpur Tihra, Hamirpur. It approved to convert the newly created post of Engineer-in-Chief, (Quality and Control/ World Bank Project) to Chief Engineer (World Bank) in the PWD.

It approved Financial Restructuring Plan of electricity board and approval was also granted for the state government guarantee of Rs 1,462.50 crore for the board.

The Cabinet also approved regularisation of six contractual drivers in the Transport Department. It also approved the upgrade of one post of driver as Supervisor in the Governor's Secretariat.

The approval was given to fill six vacant posts of Civil Judge (Jr. Division).

Shimla, January 23
Amid a furore over the ban imposed on the sale of 25-odd junk food in plastic packaging in Himachal, a private company has stepped in with eco-friendly and biodegradable packs.

Gopal Group (now rechristened as GCL) on Tuesday launched the eco-friendly packaging for their brand in seven major towns of Himachal. Eyeing children to boost the sale of the product, the company has imprinted the picture of “Chhota Bheem”, iconic hero of a popular cartoon film, on the packs.

The implementation of the notification imposing the ban on these items has been extended to February 14 instead of January 26 and traders have also challenged the order of the government in the apex court.

“We have got a solution in view of the ban on plastic packaging and our initiative will raise awareness among children about preserving nature,” says Apoorv Gupta, Managing Director, GCL.

The company has hastened to descend on Himachal as launch of the product has coincided with a ban on plastic packaging and no other competitor is in the field with a viable and affordable alternative.

The pack, which looks like a plastic pack, is made out of corn. The paper is said to be 100 per cent biodegradable and certified by agencies of the Union Government concerned.

It is said food items packed in these paper packs can retain the product's freshness for three to four months.

The paper pack is a bit costly and this biodegradable pack will increase the price of a pack, but it is new and eco-friendly, says Gupta.

"This minor increase in cost will not hit the sale as the consumer will not mind paying a little more,” he claimed.

Shimla, January 23
Normal life was hit and vehicular traffic disrupted in several parts of the state as mid and higher hills experienced moderate snowfall while lower hills had widespread heavy rain.

The 350-km-long Hindustan-Tibet Highway was blocked beyond Shimla due to heavy snow and Rampur and Kinnaur route was diverted via Dhami-Basantpur-Kingal. Most of the roads in the upper Shimla region were closed due to snow and efforts were on to open the Shimla-Jubbal, Shimla-Chopal and other roads.

“Efforts are afoot to open the roads. Snow will be cleared on most of the roads and vehicular traffic be resumed at the earliest,” said Dinesh Malhotra, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla.

The high-altitude tribal areas, mountain passes, Dhauladhar and Churdhar ranges had intermittent heavy snowfall while other mid and higher hills had moderate snow, causing sharp fall in the minimum temperature.

Shimla received 10 cm of snow while adjoining resorts of Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda had 15 cm to 30 cm of snow.

The water pipes froze in several parts of Shimla town as minimum temperature touched the freezing point.

Koksar in Lahaul Spiti recorded 65 cm of snow while Kalpa in Kinnaur district received 30 cm of snow. Keylong and Bharmaur in the tribal belt had 20 cm of snow, followed by Kotkhai and Saloni 8 cm and Manali 3 cm.

The minimum temperature plummeted to -10.1°C, -8.9°C, -3.8°C and -2.5°C at Bharmaur, Keylong, Kalpa and Manali, respectively.

Shimla and Sundernagar shivered at 0.1°C and 1.6°C while Solan and Nahan recorded a minimum temperature of 2.4°C and 2.8°C, followed by Bhuntar and Palampur 3.1°C and 3.5°C, while Una and Dharamsala recorded a minimum temperature of 4°C and 5.8°C.

Two sorties of state chopper were conducted from Bhunter to Stingri and Tandi in Lahaul & Spiti from where 40 persons were evacuated from the snow-bound areas.

The mid and lower hills were lashed by heavy rain and Una was the wettest in the region with 91 mm of rain, followed by Bangana 70 mm, Dharamsala 67 mm, Mehre 66 mm, Amb 65 mm, Bharwara 64 mm, Beer 63 mm, Ghamroor 62 mm, Guler 55 mm, Palampur 53 mm, Gohar and Kangra 51 mm each. However, the day temperature rose by a few notches due to the clear sky and Una recorded the maximum temperature of 20°C while Sundernagar and Solan recorded a high of 18.1°C and 17.5°C, followed by Bhuntar 16.6°C, Nahan 16.3°C, Dharamsala 13.2°C and Shimla 12.0°C.

The local Met office has predicted a dry weather tomorrow and rain and snow in the higher hills from January 25 onwards.

Mandi, January 23
After getting a 48-hour ultimatum to stop work on the four-laning project by farmers of Balh, the company, executing the Kiratpur-Ner Chowk fourlaning project, has agreed to redress their grievances by holding a joint inspection of the site.

Leaders of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti said, “Officials of the company have agreed to find a solution to the issues raised by us by conducting a joint inspection of the site.”

The farmers, affected by the project from Nagchala-Dadour-Naulakha, had served a 48-hour notice on January 19 on the company.

The national highway authority has started acquiring about 250 bighas from Naulakha to Nagchala for the fourlaning project.

The main concern of the farmers is alleged unilateral action by the company for acquiring their land who are also demanding demarcation of their land in their presence.

Since this portion of the project will be filled up with soil to raise the road by about 6 feet, the farmers are fearing that adjoining fields along the highway will be denuded during rainy season as water from upper hills will accumulate in the fields.

President of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti Bhoop Singh and Kisan Sabha leader Paras Ram said, “After getting response from the officials of the company to hold a joint inspection of the site on January 25, we have decided not to stop work on the project.” 

Nurpur, January 23
A hunter’s bullet seriously wounded Surekha Devi (25) of Siola village in Jonta gram panchayat here today. She, along with her mother, was collecting fodder in a forest when a hunter fired at her presuming her to be a wild animal.

She, along with her mother, was collecting fodder in a forest when a hunter fired at her presuming her to be a wild animal. As per the information, she was wearing a sweater bearing a colour similar to that of an animal. The hunter fled the scene after the incident.

The victim, who hails from a very poor family, received serious injuries.

Later, villagers rushed her to the Civil Hospital from where she was referred to the DRPGMC, Tanda.

Meanwhile, DSP Rajiv Atre said a case under Sections 336, 337 and 286 of the IPC had been registered against the unidentified hunter and efforts were afoot to nab the culprit. 

Solan, January 23
Birds are abandoning areas having high radiation levels in Solan district and the disappearance of birds is indicative of the presence of high radiation in urban areas.

A study conducted by the Department of Electronic and Communications (DEC) of Waknaghat-based Bahra University in Solan district has revealed these startling facts wherein the radiation level has been found to be as high as 100 times more than the prescribed safe limits.

Ratish Dhiman, Professor and Head, DEC, Bahra University, sharing his findings, said a research team of his department noticed that the bird population had decreased considerably in areas where Global System for Mobile (GSM) base station antennas were installed in the district. This prompted them to enquire into this phenomenon.

During the study, it was found at several points and streets that had high electromagnetic contamination, that the birds had disappeared. It was also found that at certain points, the birds left areas contaminated by electromagnetic radiations gradually. The population of birds, like house sparrows, showed an increase in low-contamination areas as they migrated from the areas having high electromagnetic contamination, confided Ratish Kumar.

Researchers explained that the electromagnetic radiations from mobile towers consisted of particles. The more energy the particles of radiations transmitted to living cells, the more they could affect them. Birds are known to be sensitive to magnetic radiation as microwaves can interfere with their sensors and misguide them while navigating and finding food.

Their behaviour can provide us a clear indication to the amount of harmful electromagnetic radiations in human habitations, he said.

Terming it as a significant observation, Vice-Chancellor of the Bahra University, SK Bansal said they had applied for the project to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to evolve technologies to protect the lives of birds in the wake of increased use of technology. The infrastructure for the project would be provided by the university and it would involve two research fellows and three faculty members.

The researchers would work on suggesting modifications in designs of antennas and mobile towers so that their impact on lives of bird populations could be mitigated. As against the daily two-hour radiation exposure which was considerably less damaging, these antennas transmitted radiation for 24 hours.

Dharamsala, January 23
Chander Kumar, former Congress MP from Kangra, has opposed the designation of certain areas as OBC belts in the state.

Taking to The Tribune after a meeting of the OBC Welfare Board, Chander Kumar said during the stint of the previous BJP government, Bara Bhangal and Chota Bhangal areas of Kangra and Churah valley of Mandi district were designated as OBC areas.

This means that all the residents of these areas had been given OBC status. The reservation for OBCs in the state was just 18 per cent. With the inclusion of all areas under OBC categories, the benefits of backward classes had been marginalised in the state, said Chander Kumar.

He further said both the recruitment boards in the state, including the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Services Commission, did not have any representation from the OBC community.

Chander Kumar is the senior vice-president of the HPCC and member of the OBC Welfare Board. He is a prominent OBC leader from Kangra.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, after chairing the OBC Welfare Board meeting, said the government had increased the income limit of creamy layer to Rs 6 lakh per annum from Rs 4.50 lakh with a view to provide benefits to maximum OBCs.

The CM said as per the 2001 Census report, OBC population was 9,27,542, which was 15.27 per cent of the total state population. He said to provide proper representation to OBCs in government jobs, 12 per cent reservation for Class-I and II category and 18 per cent reservation for Class-III and IV has been provided.

He said the state government had taken up the matter to include more sub-castes in the OBC schedule. The Government of India, in February 2006, included Tarkhan, Badhai, Ramgarhi, Dhiman (excluding Lohar), Vishwakarma, Pumba, Hadi and Saini in the schedule.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, while welcoming the Chief Minister, said the state government had started various schemes for the upliftment and welfare of OBCs.

Una, January 23
The Youth Congress will focus on the Hamirpur seat during the coming Lok Sabha elections, said state YC president Vikramaditya Singh.

Talking to mediapersons at Una, he said he would visit all 17 Assembly segments of the constituency and interact with people to spread awareness about the policies and programmes of the Congress.

Vikramaditya said unemployment was the biggest problem being faced by the youth, adding that he would press upon the government to organise job fests so that the youth gets job in the local industries and hydel projects.

Taking on the BJP, he said it was unfortunate that some leaders were indulging in mudslinging against the Chief Minister. He said these persons had hijacked the BJP for personal interests, while the Congress would give befitting replies on the political and legal fronts. He appealed to Opposition leaders to approach the Lokayukta with complaints instead of trying to defame the CM.

Earlier, Vikramaditya visited an exhibition organised by the Khadi and
Village Industries Commission at Una. He said it provided a unique opportunity for the youth to start their own enterprises. Member of the KVIC (North Zone) Des Raj Gautam was also present.

Kangra, January 23
A pacemaker was installed on a patient from Nagrota Bagwan by doctors at DRPGMC, Tanda, here yesterday.

Dr Anil Chauhan, Principal, Tanda hospital, today said patient Ramesh Chand (70) of Nagrota Bagwan was admitted at the hospital on January 21 with a history of suffocation. The case was diagnosed as complete heart block.

He said Dr Mukul Bhatnagar, Assistant Professor, Cardiology, put him on a temporary pacemaker immediately, relieving him of the symptoms. He said a "permanent" pacemaker was installed on the patient who was now stable and recovering in the Intensive Care Unit. He said this was the first pacemaker installation on a patient at the DRPGMC Tanda.

Dr Dinesh Sood, Medical Superintendent, said the patient was a smartcard holder under the National Health Insurance Programme, and both temporary and permanent pacemakers worth nearly Rs 75,000 were thus provided to the patient free of charge.

Palampur, January 23
The state government has geared up its efforts to save the ancient Shiva temple at Baijnath. It has been decided there will be a complete ban on mining and quarrying in the Binwa river within a 500-metre radius of the temple with immediate effect.

Talking to mediapersons here on Tuesday, Kishori Lal, MLA Baijnath, said he talked on the matter to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh last week and brought to his notice that retaining walls of the temple had developed cracks, posing a threat to its existence.

He said the CM issued directions to higher authorities to take steps to check soil erosion and construct retaining wall on the left of the 1,200-year-old temple.

The MLA said the Chief Minister had assured him that there would be no shortage of funds and the state government would construct the retaining wall on priority so that the temple was saved from further loss.

The MLA also appealed to locals to cooperate with the administration to save the historical monument.

The temple was built by two local merchant brothers Ahuka and Manyuka 1,200 years ago. It consists of an adyum 8 sq ft inside and 18 ft outside, surrounded by a spire of the usual conical shape and mandapa (front hall) 20 sq ft inside covered with a low pyramid-shaped roof. Adyum contains the stone Shivling and is entered through a small anteroom.

The roof of the mandapa is supported by four massive pillars - In the porch, they rest on four columns. Raja Sansar Chand, a Katoch ruler of Kangra, renovated this temple in the 19th century. But Aurel Steil, who studied the monument in 1892, said it had not undergone much alteration but for the room.

The Archaeological Survey of India has been maintaining the temple.

Chamba, January 23
To revive the glory of the Chowgan of Chamba, the district administration has undertaken fresh nurturing of original ‘droov’ (a local evergreen grass) and plotting roots in areas of the Chowgan.

After a heavy downpour said to be a suitable time, from today onwards, grassing is being done on the wet subsoil of the Chowgan by deploying local workers who are conversant with nurturing the 'droov'.

Chamba Deputy Commissioner Kadam Sandeep Vasant, said here today that initially a sum of Rs 2 lakh had been sanctioned for the conservation and regeneration of the Chowgan, adding that the local civic body, which is the executive agency, had been directed to accomplish the grass work in time so that the Chowgan might not lose its shape and grace.

The Chowgan of Chamba town stands on a plateau on the right bank of the Ravi.

Solan, January 23
The Baddi police today managed to nab an undertrial, Mohammed Usman, who had fled after outsmarting the policemen in court complex on January 13 at Baddi. The undertrial was brought from Chandigarh to attend court hearings here.

Superintendent of Police (SP) S Arul Kumar said a police team, led by ASI Pradeep Kumar, arrested the accused on the basis of his cell phone location.

He would be produced in a court tomorrow. He was facing trial on the charges of attempt to murder, robbery and theft since April 2011.

The SP said the police had interrogated his aides and relatives who had come to meet him. They confessed that they handed over a cell phone to Usman. It was on the basis of this cell phone that the police managed to track his movements. 

Chamba, January 23
The demand for regularisation of the services of women craft teachers working in the Panchayat Department at the panchayat level had been raised in the zila parishad meeting here on Tuesday.

Raj Singh Thakur, a zila parishad member, while raising his demand, revealed that these teachers had been deployed in the tailoring and crafts centres opened by the Panchayat Department with a view to impart training to women in 1997.

The craft teachers had been deployed on the basis of a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,400 which was later increased to Rs 1,600, Raj Singh disclosed.

He regretted that these teachers were not regularised till date, despite the fact that a period of 16 years had elapsed.

Raj Singh said a resolution in this respect had been passed requesting the state government to regularise the services of these teachers taking into account the well-being of their families.