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Backed by Asha and Kaul Singh, Viplove named RS nominee
Viplove Thakur
Day before Delhi visit, CM says three names
for LS ‘almost final’
Roads in backward areas a priority: CM
Gaiety marks R-Day functions
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CM trashes opinion polls
Lukewarm response to move on biotech policy
Camp for differently abled held
130 villagers’ grievances redressed
Pensioners urge CM to fulfil promise
National Voters’ Day held
Shaurya Chakra for Shimlaite
Woman commits suicide in Kangra
Girl dies of poisoning
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Backed by Asha and Kaul Singh, Viplove named RS nominee
Shimla, January 27 The 70-year-old leader, who was the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president from 2004 to 2007, was able to find favour with the AICC despite Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh backing the candidature of his loyalist and former minister Gangu Ram Musafir. Besides Musafir, state Congress chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu was also in the race. This will be the second Rajya Sabha term of Viplove as she remained its member earlier also from 2006 to 2012. She did not even contest the 2007 Assembly elections. Her brother Nikhil Rajour had lost the last Assembly election from Jaswan. She was the Minister of State for Ayurveda in the Virbhadra government from 1995 to 1998. Congress circles said Viplove got the support of AICC general secretary and MLA from Banikhet in Chamba Asha Kumari and also Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur. "Asha lobbied hard for Viplove and managed to get her name cleared amid speculation that the party will nominate Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit," said a senior minister. The fact that Rahul Gandhi is keen on giving more representation to women also went in her favour. Viplove, who remained MLA for three terms in 1985, 1988 and 1993, hails from a political background with her parents remaining legislators of the Assembly. Her father Comrade Paras Ram was a CPI MLA from Jaswan in 1967, but her mother Sarla Sharma remained a Congress legislator for two terms in 1957 and 1962. Her mother also headed the HPCC from 1979 to 1982. Viplove expressed gratitude towards AICC chief Sonia Gandhi for giving her a chance to serve the party. "My priority will be to focus on sectors such as tourism, industry and the Railways, where much more need to be done," she said. She said the rail and air connectivity to Himachal was extremely poor and she would try to improve it. Viplove will file her nomination papers tomorrow. With the BJP unlikely to field a candidate, Viplove could be declared nominated on the last date of withdrawal only. Win-win situation
* With the BJP unlikely to field a candidate, Viplove can be declared nominated to the Rajya Sabha on the last date of withdrawal.
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Day before Delhi visit, CM says three names
for LS ‘almost final’
Shimla, January 27 He told mediapersons here today that the candidates for Shimla, Mandi and Kangra were almost decided though the party high command would make the final decision. “Chander Kumar from Kangra, Mohan Lal Bragta, MLA, from Shimla and Pratibha Singh from Mandi, are formidable candidates that the party can field,” he said. Virbhadra, who will leave for Delhi tomorrow, said, “The BJP thinks that it will win all four seats, but the Congress will sweep the poll because of the good performance of the UPA and state government,” he remarked. When asked about the candidature of Rajinder Rana, independent MLA from Sujanpur for the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat, he said he was one of the contenders who had applied for the ticket. “He will be the Congress candidate for the Sujanpur Assembly segment, if he loses the Lok Sabha poll on the Congress ticket,” he said when asked if Rana would get the Congress ticket if he loses election. The Chief Minister said investigations in the phone-tapping and HP Cricket Association cases were complete and soon a challan would be filed in a court. He said the Dhumal regime did not only tap the phones of Congress leaders, but also ministers in the BJP regime. “I do not know who will be named in the challan in the case but I believe that being the Home Minister, this could not have been done without the knowledge of Dhumal,” he remarked.
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Roads in backward areas a priority: CM
Shimla, January 27 Presiding over a state Planning Board meeting to approve the draft Annual Plan for 2014-15 here today, Virbhadra said the Rs 4,400-crore Annual Plan had been proposed for the year which was 7.32 per cent more than the Plan's of 2013-14. He said Rs 1,108 crore had been proposed for the Scheduled Caste sub-plan, while Rs 395 crore would be spent under the Scheduled Tribe sub-plan. He said the growth rate of the state was better than the national average and per capita income was Rs 82,611 as compared to national per capita income of Rs 68,947. The state had also performed better than national indicators in literacy and health sectors - 82.80 per cent literacy (73 of national level) and life expectancy 70 years (66.1 years national average). Virbhadra said the sex ratio is 972 while infant mortality rate is 38. The ratio of government employees is 3.95 per cent of its population as compared to 1.54 of Uttarakhand, 1.30 of Jammu and Kashmir, 1.56 of Punjab and 1.29 of Haryana. Moving Ahead
* State's per capita income is Rs 82,611 * Literacy rate is 82.80 pc *
Life expectancy is 70 yrs * Sex ratio is 972.
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Gaiety marks R-Day functions
Shimla, January 27 Governor Urmila Singh unfurled the national flag and took the salute at an impressive parade presented by contingents of the Army, ITBP, SSB, police, Home Guards, ex-servicemen, Scouts and the NSS at a state-level function held on The Ridge here yesterday. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhary were also present. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Nand Lal, MLA Mohan Lal Brakta, Mayor Sanjay Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar, Acting Chief Secretary P Mitra, Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar and government officials participated in the ceremony. Republic Day was celebrated at the HP High Court. Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir inspected the guard of honour. Justice DD Sud, Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary were also present. NCC takes part in parade
KULLU: The NCC and the Air Wing participated in the Republic Day parade here. Amidst reports of the organisation opting to not participate in the official R-Day functions in the state and district headquarters, the NCC authorities said they had received no such information. Commanding Officer, NCC, Kullu Air Wing, Wing Commander LK Vitly said the 10-day state R-Day camp was not organised this year, but was not aware whether the NCC contingents participated in the Republic Day parade in the state and district headquarters. ‘Scheme a boon for youth’
SOLAN: Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma presided over the R-Day function at the Thodo ground. The minister took a salute of the parade and unfurled the national flag. Sharma said 11,573 persons were availing the social security pension in the district. Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri unfurled the national flag at Chowgan Maidan in Nahan. Agnihotri said the skill development allowance scheme was the flagship programme of the government and a boon for unemployed youth. UNA: Agriculture and Multi-Purpose Power Project Minister Sujan Singh Pathania took the salute at the district-level R-Day celebrations at Government School for Boys here. The minister said during the rabi season, farmers were given 50 per cent subsidy on seeds, insecticides and farm implements, while the subsidy on fertilisers was enhanced from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per metric tonne. Local MLA Satpal Singh Satti, DC Abhishek Jain and SP Anupam Sharma were also present. Stokes pays tributes
BILASPUR: IPH and Horticulture Minister Vidya Stokes addressed the R-Day function here. She paid tributes to martyrs and freedom fighters and referred to war heros such as Victoria Cross winner Vir Bhandari Ram Sharma and living legend Kargil hero Havildar Sanjay Kumar of Bilaspur. She also paid tributes to George Cross winner Naik Kirpa Ram of Bilaspur. 20-Point Implementation Programme Chairman Ram Lal Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Forests) Rajesh Dharmani and local MLA Bambar Thakur were present. Bali inspects parade
MANDI: Transport, Food Civil Supplies and Technical Education Minister GS Bali unfurled the national flag at Seri Manch. Bali said the government had launched the Him Gramin Parivahan Swarojgar Yojana to create self-employment for rural youth. SDM unfurls Tricolour
SUNDERNAGAR: SDM Harikesh Meena presided over the sub-divisional-level R-Day function here. Students presented cultural programmes on the occasion. Shandil unfurls Tricolour
KANGRA: Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil unfurled the national flag and took the salute of the march-past in which the police contingents, Home Guards and students from various schools participated. Students presented cultural programmes on the occasion. Youth honoured
CHAMBA: Under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF), a sum of Rs 20.43 crore was being spent in Chamba district during the current fiscal year. This was stated by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anil Sharma while presiding over the district-level R-Day function at Chamba. The minister said 55,977 families in the district earned employment under the MGNREGA on which a sum of Rs 56.11 crore had been spent so far. The minister honoured Ashwani Kumar, a youth of the Bhandal area and a student of DAV College, Banikhet, who conquered Mount Everest as a member of the NCC Mount Everest Expedition-2013. Earlier, the minister hoisted the national flag and took the salute at an impressive parade presented by the police, Home Guards, NCC, NSS and schoolchildren. |
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CM trashes opinion polls
Shimla, January 27 Talking to mediapersons here today, he said the poll surveys were part of the BJP strategy to create a wave in its favour. “The Congress will win three seats while in Hamirpur, we are on the verge of victory,” he said about the party's poll prospects. “The random survey, giving an edge to the BJP, is erroneous and lacks credibility as it only covers a miniscule of voters,” he said. Such attempts to influence the public opinion would not cut ice with the electorate, who were aware of the ground realities, he added. “Manipulated surveys are being used to mould public opinion in favour of the BJP,” he remarked. He added that even during the Assembly elections, such surveys had predicted victory for the BJP, but the Congress ousted the Dhumal regime. Virbhadra said the opinion of a few hundred persons could not predict the mood of the entire state. He added that the manipulated opinion polls had virtually become a sort of racket and the Election Commission of India (ECI) should ban such poll surveys. He said it was the poll managers of Narendra Modi who had tried to outsmart the ECI by carrying out the exercise in advance to build a hype about the BJP wave which was nowhere seen on the ground. “Such predictions are even startling for BJP cadres as they know that their party stands little chance of winning,” he said. The Chief Minister said politically aware voters were only amused by such surveys as they could not be misled by such opinion polls. Virbhadra said these surveys had lost credibility in recent years as these were being used to create a wave in favour of a political party.
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Lukewarm response to move on biotech policy
Solan, January 27 Though the few investors that turned up were vocal in demanding exemption in taxes and making available facilities for research and development and low-cost availability of raw materials, the low participation of investors in this industrial belt left officials high and dry. The investors also highlighted the slow procedures involved in undertaking research in this sector and emphasised the need to set up research and development centres to promote BT. Dr SS Negi, Director, Environment, who convened this workshop, said since they were revising the BT policy of the state, this was the second workshop where views of the stakeholders were being sought. He said another such workshop would be held and the draft would then be put up on the department’s website for 15 days for inviting suggestions from people. It would then be presented before the Cabinet for the final approval. He said the emergence of nanotechnology, reforms in bioenergy, specific molecule-based nutraceuticals and biopreservation in food sector, specific gene therapy, sustained the release of drugs using biochips, use of biosimilars etc and the inclusion of BT in the list of thrust industries enterprises in 2009 had necessitated the need to revise this policy. While efforts to develop a BT park at Aduwal in Nalagarh with the help of a British consultant, Mott MacDonald, could not materialise, in 2009, an area of 35 acres had been earmarked for this purpose. The task was later entrusted to the Industries Department, but little could be achieved in setting up this park. With the creation of the Department of Biotechnology by the state government in 2000, the first state BT policy was notified by the government in April 2001 and the State Biotechnology Task Force was constituted in 2001. The state BT policy was intended to attract entrepreneurs for setting up biotechnology-based industry for employment and income generation utilising its rich bioresources and human resources.
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Camp for differently abled held
Kangra, January 27 The camp was organised by the Sanyukt Veopar Mandal in collaboration with the Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development (CORD) and Fortis Hospital, Kangra, on the premises of Government Polytechnic College. Anuj Garg, president, local Sanyukt Veopar Mandal, said differently abled were given 55 wheelchairs, 18 tricycles, 44 crutches, 100 blind sticks, 85 hearing aids, 10 polio calipers and 90 walkers by Raj Karan Tiwari, national president, Sanyukt Veopar Mandal, who was the chief guest . CORD national Director Kshema Metre was the guest of honour. Garg said 200 patients were examined and treated for various ailments by a team of doctors from Fortis Hospital, Kangra.
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130 villagers’ grievances redressed
Bilaspur, January 27 The remaining 14 cases were handed over to officials concerned. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rajiv Kumar, presiding over the camp, said hundreds of villagers from six gram panchayats of Bamm, Hatwaad, Ambot, Ghandalwin, Kot and Pantehada were present along with panchayat representatives. |
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Pensioners urge CM to fulfil promise
Chamba, January 27 Spokesperson for the association PC Oberoi said here today the Chief Minister had announced to convert 5 per cent pension allowance into additional pension to those who were 65 years old. Oberoi also urged the Chief Minister to constitute a joint consultative committee to resolve the problems being faced by the pensioners. |
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National Voters’ Day held
Shimla, January 27 Presiding over a state-level function on the 4th National Voters’ Day, he said the process of voting was part of the basic infrastructure of democracy. “We must exercise our vote to strengthen the system,” he said. Chief Election Officer Narender Chauhan said Himachal Pradesh was one of the few states to have issued 100 per cent photo identity cards, adding that all 46.75 lakh voters in the state had been provided photo ID cards.
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Shaurya Chakra for Shimlaite
Chandigarh, January 27 He was instrumental in generating actionable intelligence, innovative ambush and tactical deployment of various parties, which ultimately led to the elimination of five terrorists.
Major Gaurav is a resident of Shimla. — TNS |
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Woman commits suicide in Kangra
Kangra, January 27 The police said the victim, Asha Kumari, was married to Dalbir Singh of Chaoti Halerd in the town and had two daughters. The woman was living with her parents. On January 23 her husband died and she, along with her two daughters aged 5 and 10, reached her in-laws’ house on January 24. Her body was found hanging by her in-laws the next morning and the police were informed. Her daughters were also sleeping in the room. A case has been registered. — OC
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Girl dies of poisoning
Kangra, January 27 The girl was living with her maternal uncles at Lohara village and had consumed poison. When her condition deteriorated, she was rushed to a Hamirpur hospital, from where she was referred to the Tanda hospital where she died. The police said the body was handed over to her relatives after postmortem. The police have started investigation under Section 174 of the CrPC. |
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Shimla, January 27
The 65th Republic Day was celebrated with fervour and gaiety throughout the state yesterday.
As many as 402 persons were given aid during a camp for differently
abled. The camp was organised by the Sanyukt Veopar Mandal in collaboration with the Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development (CORD) and Fortis Hospital,
Kangra, on the premises of Government Polytechnic College.
