|
|
|
|
|
Cabinet nod to 2 medical colleges
Rahul Gandhi’s rally postponed
Himachal to restrict red beacon from March 10
Mission to decongest, upgrade roads at a standstill
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
JP keeps state out of loop on sale of two power projects
Rs 170 cr for irrigation projects
Rs 13-crore pension to 20,000 in dist: Official
Govt to conduct fresh survey of manual scavengers
Produce HPCA report by March 11: HC
Jyoti Murder case
Lab’s opening costs students time in Chail
Building gutted in Mandi village
Need for linking forest dept with eco-tourism
Steps for women’s security
Three hurt in car accident
RINGSIDE VIEW
|
||||||||||||||
|
Cabinet nod to 2 medical colleges
Shimla, March 4 It decided to engage 500 water guards for 543 rural water supply schemes and recruit 150 clerks in the state Secretariat. The Cabinet also approved 12,000 pending applicants under the Social Security Pension Scheme and enhanced the pension from Rs 500 to Rs 550 per month. The approval was also granted for giving of Rs 1,000 pension per month to the persons above 80 years of age, irrespective of income criteria and enhancement in pension to physically challenged persons from Rs 500 to Rs 750 per month from April 1. The Cabinet also gave its nod to provide scholarships to the physically challenged students of schools, colleges and universities without considering their family income. It also decided to provide Rs 8,000 marriage grant to persons with 40 per cent to 69 per cent disability and Rs 40,000 marriage grant to the persons with 70 to 100 per cent disability. It decided to allot the work of the Rajput Kalyan Board and the Brahmin Kalyan Board to the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Secretariat. It also gave approval for recruiting four Excise and Taxation Officers and 26 posts of Excise and Taxation Inspector in two years. The Cabinet gave its nod for simplification of procedures under the Hydro Power Policy for expeditious harnessing of small hydro power projects. It was also decided to reduce electricity duty and additional concessions on duty for new industrial units coming up in the state from April 1. The Solar Power Policy for setting up of solar photovoltaic projects was also approved. The Cabinet gave its approval for resettlement and rehabilitation scheme of the Tidong-I Hydro Electric Project. It gave approval to set up three police posts at Kotli and Padhar in Mandi, and Nihri in Karsog. The Cabinet approved the payment of ex gratia to all employees of the Himachal Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation at 8.33 per cent of pay with the maximum ceiling of Rs 15,000 per employee for the financial year 2012-13. Other decisions
|
|
Rahul Gandhi’s rally postponed
“Rahul Gandhi’s rally scheduled to be held on March 8 has been postponed due to his busy schedule,” said Naresh Chauhan, HPCC spokesperson. The HPCC had intended to formally kickstart its campaign for the Lok Sabha poll from Dharamsala with Rahul’s rally. It had become imperative for the Congress to have a grand show with its star campaigner after the successful rally of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at Sujanpur on February 16. The top brass of the Congress, including its ministers, had been camping in Dharamsala for the past few days to make arrangements for the rally. The biggest concern for them was to ensure huge mobilisation, especially from Kangra and adjoining districts of Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur. In fact, Transport Minister GS Bali and Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma, both from Kangra district, did not even attend the Cabinet meeting held here today as they were busy with the preparations. Neither Congress leaders nor ministers were aware of the exact cause of the cancellation of the rally. The Congress, which is yet to finalise its candidates for the Lok Sabha poll from three seats of Kangra, Shimla and Hamirpur, is hoping to start the campaign after Rahul’s rally at Dharamsala. Now with the cancellation of the rally, the Congress will have to wait for the fresh dates and make preparations all over again. So far, it is only the candidature of Pratibha Singh, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s wife whose name has been finalised by the Congress high command. During his one-day visit, Rahul was to attend a function by ex-servicemen at the auditorium of the Tanda Medical College. |
|
Himachal to restrict red beacon from March 10 Shimla, March 4 Sources said the state Cabinet today decided to meet the March 10 deadline set by the Supreme Court for the enforcement of the guidelines. After March 10, only a handful of officials will be entitled to use red and blue beacons. The Cabinet had discussed the use of red beacons during the last meeting but failed to arrive at a decision. It was then decided to seek inputs from other states as to how they would implement the order. Prominent among those who will no longer be able to enjoy the privilege include MLAs and chief parliamentary secretaries. During the BJP regime, the Assembly had passed a legislation authorising MLAs to use red beacons atop their vehicles. Chairmen and vice-chairmen of boards and corporations will also be stripped off the facility. Bureaucrats such as additional chief secretaries, financial commissioners, and police officers of the rank of additional director general and inspector general will no longer use red beacons. Those entitled to use red beacons are the Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Justice, ministers, High Court Judges, Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. In districts, divisional commissioner, inspector general of police, deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, sub-divisional magistrate and deputy superintendent of police will be entitled to use a blue beacon atop their vehicles. Who’s entitled Governor, Chief Minister, ministers, Chief Justice, High Court judges, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police
|
|
|
Mission to decongest, upgrade roads at a standstill
Shimla, March 4 The NIT had suggested solutions to the PWD, following a PIL filed in the high court in 2010, ranging from foot flyovers to foot overbridges to decongest the bottlenecks, but nothing has been done till date. The circular road is bursting due to ever-increasing traffic load. The road was designed by Britishers for pedestrians, animal-drawn carts and wagons. It received over two lakh tourists in the peak season. Shimla alone received about 70,000 new vehicles on the New Year’s Eve, chocking city roads with traffic jams and gluts. According to the NIT report, a copy of which is available with The Tribune, there are as many as 12 traffic bottlenecks in the city — the Victory tunnel junction, old inter-state bus terminus (ISBT), old ISBT to local bus stand, local bus stand near Gurdwara road stretch, both sides of the Lift parking near the HP High Court, St Edward School, Talland, Sanjauli chowk, Lakkar Bazaar terminus, Lakkar Bazaar bus terminus to Tara Hall School, Kaithu Road stretch up to the Victory tunnel. The NIT had suggested a feasible solution to ease up these traffic bottlenecks by ejecting encroachments at the Sanjauli chowk. The road can be widened at the Victory tunnel by retaining a wall or bridge and a one-way flyover from the Vidhan Sabha side for traffic heading towards the old bus stand. Similarly, the foot over-bridge at the old bus stand has eased up pedestrian movement, but there is no possibility to increase the road width at the entry point of the bus stand. The team suggests a local bus stand-cum-shopping complex, relocating transport agency at the bypass road near the new ISBT, widening of the Ganj Bazaar-Congress Bhawan road stretch by relocating the shops in the shopping complex, construction of a new bridge at the Lift. A foot overbridge can be added for pedestrians connecting the rain shelter to the Lift and parking lots. St Edward School has no unboarding or boarding points. A foot over-bridge was constructed, but it is rarely used by pedestrians. The road at Talland can be widened and a foot over-bridge can be made there. The main bottleneck at the Sanjauli chowk can be widened if shops on both sides of the rotary are relocated. The Himfed petrol pump-IGMC tunnel will ease up traffic at the Sanjauli chowk. PWD Superintending Engineer BS Chauhan said they were awaiting the high court’s direction as they had filed a reply on the NIT report. Traffic bottlenecks in city
The Victory tunnel junction, old inter-state bus terminus (ISBT), old ISBT to local bus stand, local bus stand near Gurdwara road stretch, both sides of the Lift parking near the HP High Court, St Edward School, Talland, Sanjauli chowk, Lakkar Bazaar terminus, Lakkar Bazaar bus terminus to Tara Hall School, Kaithu Road stretch up to the Victory tunnel. |
|
JP keeps state out of loop on sale of two power projects
Shimla, March 4 The company has got a short-term profit of Rs 2,500 crore-Rs 3,500 crore from selling the projects, but the state has got nothing in the new deal except 12 per cent free power as the state has no share in both projects, said project engineers. Though the company as per a press note has sold the power projects to bail it out from debt, state officials said the company had not intimated the state government, which had signed an implementation agreement with JP to execute the projects. According to official sources, the company had commissioned the Karcham Wangtoo project for about Rs 7,400 crore in 2011. The cost of the 300 MW Baspa was about Rs 1,500 crore, which was commissioned in 2006, revealed officials. “We have come to know that the two projects have been sold to the Abu Dhabhi company”, said Principal Secretary, Power, SKBS Negi. The company could sell the project after six months of commissioning as per the agreement signed with the state, he added. Negi said the company had not applied for the state’s approval so far as the selling and buying of the projects were governed by the Company Law. But the company’s commitments and liabilities to the state such as 12 per cent free power would be transferred to other company, he added. Baspa is the first biggest private hydel project and sells power to the state. The JP sells the electricity generated in Karcham-Wangtoo project outside the state though its own transmission line. Acting Chief Secretary Parthsarthy Mitra said they were not aware of the selling of the projects as the matter was brought to his notice so far as it was dealt with by the Power Department. Govt unaware
|
|
Rs 170 cr for irrigation projects
Palampur, March 4 He stated this while inaugurating an irrigation water supply scheme at Bundla village, 4 km from here, this evening. He said the state Irrigation Department had fixed a target to cover 1,500 hectares under irrigation in the district in the current year. Butail added that the government had given top priority to providing tapped drinking water in all left out villages by the end of 2014. Besides, special funds had also been allocated for the augmentation of old drinking water supply schemes. Under this programme, old water supply pipes would be replaced with new pipes and additional water would flow in the old schemes. He said 245 localities would be covered under the programme. In the Palampur constituency, Rs 30 crore had been sanctioned for new irrigation and drinking water supply schemes. In addition to this, 490 motorised hand pumps would also be installed to provide drinking water in far-flung villages where there was no tapped water facility, he added. Later, the Speaker also heard public grievances in half a dozen villages of Palampur. Most of the problems of residents were solved on the spot and a team of officers accompanying the Speaker was directed to implement the orders within two days. |
|
Takeover of Shiv Bari temple starts
Una, March 4 Also referred to as the Drona Shiva Temple, it is believed to be about 5,000-year-old. Named after Drona Acharya, the mythological teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas, the adjoining forest area is known as Drona Nagri. It is believed that this is the place where the Kauravas and the Pandavas received training from Drona Acharya. Within the forest area are four cremation grounds on all four sides of the temple, and each cremation ground has one well. The wood from this forest is used only for cremation purposes or for performing religious rites. Besides the main temple that houses the Shiva Linga, there are other small structures with idols of different deities. The temple does not have a place for the stay of devotees as it is surrounded by crematoriums. It has great religious reverence among the locals. A section of the devotees were in favour of the government taking over the temple so that the offerings could be accounted for and better facilities could be developed here. However, the idea was opposed by the local priests. The matter was put in the court of law and after the case was disposed of, the state government notified the takeover of the temple. The SDM said while the sanctum sanctorum and other places of worship were open, the store rooms and other structures had been sealed for the purpose of making an inventory of items. The local patwari had been asked to look after the property till senior officials from the District Revenue Department prepare the inventory of items in the temple and formally take over the charge, he added. |
|
|
Rs 13-crore pension to 20,000 in dist: Official
Kullu, March 4 He said 4,768 persons in this district were covered under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, 1,234 women were under widow pension, 29 persons under National Disability Relief Allowance, 6,268 were under old age allowance, 4,818 women were under widow and Ekal Nari pension scheme while 2,793 persons were under pension plan for differently abled and 81 people
were covered under the leprosy rehabilitation programme. All these people were being provided with a monthly pension. He added that Rs 71.29 lakh were being spent under the housing scheme for Scheduled Castes, benefitting 95 families. An amount of Rs 75,000 for construction of new houses and Rs 15,000 for repairs was being provided under the scheme. Priority was given to those people whose houses were damaged in landslides or other natural calamities, including fire, or for those residing with domesticated animals under one roof, he said. The ADM said 31 new cases were approved in the meeting and an amount of Rs 75,000 each would be provided for construction of houses. He said an amount of Rs 3.5 lakh had been disbursed amongst 11 couples under the inter-caste marriage incentive scheme. Kullu SDM Suresh Jaswal, Banjar SDM Virender Sharma, District Welfare Officer Pratap Negi and other officers were present on the occasion. Fact file
|
|
|
Govt to conduct fresh survey of manual scavengers
Shimla, March 4 The issue was discussed at a meeting of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) held recently under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (Social Justice and Empowerment) Sharabh Negi, in which all ULBs were directed to complete the survey by March 15, 2014. The survey includes preparation of a list of insanitary toilets with owner’s name and its condition with the remarks of the authorised officer. The report would be published in local newspapers and displayed at the ULB’s notice board within seven days of completion of the survey. The list would be placed before the general house of the respective ULB and a notice served to the owner or individual to either demolish the insanitary latrine or convert it into a sanitary latrine latest by June 6, 2014. The progress of implementation of the Act would be monitored by a high-level committee headed by the Chief Minister. The panel would meet at least once in six months, said Sharabh Negi, who is also the director of the Department of SC, OBC and Minority Affairs. Vigilance committees, headed by Deputy Commissioners of respective districts, would be formed for each district and subdivision. Chief Executive Officer of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) would be the nodal officer, while members of the state legislature belonging to Scheduled Castes from their district would be the members. The committees would advise the District Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional Magistrate on the action needed to ensure that the provisions of the Act or of any rule made there under are implemented properly. The panels would also oversee the economic and social rehabilitation of manual scavengers and coordinate the functions of all agencies concerned to channel adequate credit for their rehabilitation. The Centre provided Rs 12.79 lakh for conducting the survey of manual scavengers, out of which Rs 11.79 lakh had been provided to the district managers of SC and ST Corporation of all districts except the tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur, but the report on the progress of work was still awaited. |
|
|
Community policing tops new SP’s agenda
Chamba, March 4 Addressing a press conference here today after taking over his charge last week, Dr Choudhary said to curb crime, police-public partnership and people’s confidence in the police were indispensable. Community policing would promote a sense of security among people and act as a bridge between the police and the community, he said. The community policing scheme had been steadily bringing out a drastic change in the law and order scene since its inception in the state, he added. Answering a query, the SP said the police staff had been asked to keep
an eye on instances of drug-addiction. Speaking about the strategy on Chamba borders adjacent to Jammu and Kashmir, the SP said in wake of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the security forces deployed on the borders had been directed to be on their toes. Two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) had been deployed, he added. |
|
Produce HPCA report by March 11: HC
Shimla, March 4 Passing this order, acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir further directed the investigating agency to produce the report by March 11. The court passed this order on a petition filed by the HPCA and its president for seeking quashing of the FIR against the cricket body. The petition was filed on the ground that the FIR registered against them was politically motivated and alleged that mala fide intention was clear from the news items published in various newspapers in this regard. Today the matter was listed before the court and after hearing the matter for some time, the court listed it for March 11, 2014. It is contended that once the government has withdrawn its decision of the cancellation of lease deeds, no criminal action can be maintained. |
|
Villagers seek fair probe into petrol pump salesman’s murder
Nurpur, March 4 The deceased was a salesman with the petrol pump. The Indora police had arrested Shashi Raj, son of the pump owner, in connection with the case on Friday. Shashi was sent to police remand for five days by the court. But so far, the police have not succeeded in recovering even the weapon used in the murder. Karan Singh, father of the deceased, his relatives and villagers, led by former MLA Rakesh Pathania, also gave a memorandum to the DSP and sought a free and fair inquiry into the case. The DSP assured the family and the delegation of the villagers that the police would investigate the case from all angles and give justice to the family. Meanwhile, accused Shashi Raj was produced in the court today after police remand of five days and the court has extended his remand by a
day. |
|
Jyoti Murder case
Panchkula, March 4 The prosecution had stated that after Jyoti was strangulated, a heavy vehicle was run over her head to show that it was an accident case. Later, those tyres were burnt. However, on the last hearing Chaudhary heaved a sigh of relief when a doctor said it was not clear whether a heavy vehicle was used or not. But the reports (a copy of which is available with The Tribune) revealed everything. The report formed a part of the supplementary challan submitted by the prosecution recently. The case was tried at the Special Crime against Women Court for the first time. It was transferred recently from the District and Sessions Court. The report stated: “Based on the observations of the studies such as ash analysis, burning behaviour and chemical analysis, the nature of material is identified to be a part of semi-burnt heavy motor vehicle rubber tyre.” The police had sent the ashes to a forensic science laboratory at Karnal and then to Delhi for re-examination and the decision was given. Meanwhile, an application was moved by Defence counsel AS Sukhija and Amandeep Bindra stating that all the reports sent to laboratory would be made available with their recent status. Also four witnesses were examined: the then Inspector Raj Kumar, constable Ramdhan, sub inspector Subash and Sanjay Mittal. All of them were formal witnesses.
|
|
|
21 migrant workers’ dwellings gutted
Una, March 4 Though no one was injured in the incident, the loss of property was put around Rs 5 lakh. It is learnt that most of the workers belonged to Moradabad district (UP). Police sources said the fire broke out around 2 pm when adult members were away on work and there were only children in the settlement. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained. The Fire Department had to be summoned to douse the flames. The police are investigating the case.
|
|
|
Lab’s opening costs students time in Chail
Solan, March 4 Even the fact that the annual examination of Class XII starts tomorrow and of Class X begins from Thursday have failed to deter the minister from inaugurating the lab just to seek electoral gains as the code of conduct is likely to be announced soon, the rued Devinder Verma, district president, HLP. With children coming from neighbouring villages in the forest area, the fear of animals always remained high, especially in the winters, added Verma.
|
|
|
Building gutted in Mandi village
Mandi, March 4 The fire was spotted at about 11 pm by neighbours who helped in pulling out occupants from their houses. The houses of Prakash Sharma, Prem Lal, Ratu Devi, Dev Mani, Pushap Raj, Murari Lal, Mahender Mani, Ram Kishan and Gopal Kishan were destroyed in the incident. The local tehsildar visited the spot and gave Rs 10,000 each and other articles of basic necessities to the victims.
|
|
|
Need for linking forest dept with eco-tourism
Shimla, March 4 Addressing a meeting of officers of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department at Tirupati, he said the eco-tourism should be strengthened and people apprised of the forest management system. The minister also spoke about various forest and wildlife management schemes and activities in
Himachal.
|
|
Steps for women’s security
Shimla, March 4 Twelve motorcycles have been purchased for the purpose. A batch of 12 motorcycles will be flagged off from the Ridge tomorrow by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. The fleet is being flagged off prior to International Women’s Day falling on March 8 to create awareness among masses regarding legal provisions and requirement of law in dealing with crime against women. Moreover, it will also highlight the steps taken by the police for women’s security and safety.
|
|
|
Three hurt in car accident
Dalhousie, March 4 The report said the injured, identified as Loki Ram, Geigal and Dharam Singh (driver), had been rushed to the Tissa Civil Hospital. The accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving, the report said, adding that further investigation was on.
|
|
|
RINGSIDE VIEW
Though senior Congress leaders are claiming that the ticket for the Kangra Lok Sabha seat has been decided in favour of former MP Chander Kumar, there are many who are not ruling out royal connections that another contender has.
Union Minister for Culture Chandresh Kumari, who is presently the MP from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, is very much in the race for the ticket for the Kangra Lok Sabha seat. Hailing from Rajasthan, she contested the last elections from Jodhpur, but is now keen to return to Kangra, where she is married. The buzz in political circles is that she not only enjoys cordial relations with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, but also President Pranab Mukherjee. Besides royal connections, it is being said that she has even used Mukherjee clout to get a word put in her favour. Now it remains to be seen whether Chander who has the full backing of Virbhadra, the erstwhile ruler of Rampur, finds favour or Chandresh from Jodhpur and Kangra royal families manages to get the ticket. BJP unhappy over Azad’s noble gesture
Hailing from the militancy-affected hill state of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad very well understands the problems being faced by hill areas. This was the reason for the magnanimity shown by him in announcing several projects for Himachal, including two medical colleges, two trauma centres and burn wards, during his visit to Mandi. He was very generous, but there is a clamour amongst politicians to take credit for the projects he gave to the state. Two senior ministers in the Cabinet have been claiming that it is owing to their cordial relations with Azad that Himachal stood to gain. It is immaterial as to what was the reason for the generosity exhibited by Azad, but one thing is clear that it is the Opposition BJP which is unhappy with the decision. Rather than welcoming Himachal’s gain, the BJP did not hesitate to say that Azad had done this in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll. AAP leaders in
a dilemma
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) still seems to be in a quandary over its real leadership in the state. Still in a stage of infancy, it is unclear about who are the actual office-bearers of AAP. A few who have jumped on to the AAP bandwagon claim that they are the real leaders, so the statement in the media should not be attributed to other self-styled leaders. Now with nobody from the Kejriwal team or AAP leadership being much interested in Himachal politics, even mediapersons are not sure about who the authorised leaders are. Another sore point with the AAP workers is the allotment of the Lok Sabha ticket from Kangra to former BJP leader and MP Rajan Sushant. “If we are going to adopt the rejected Congress and BJP leaders, then how can our party be any different from these two corrupt political parties,” admit AAP leaders. Is anybody from the Kejriwal team hearing the sentiments of these people whose euphoria seems to be already dying
down. (With inputs from Pratibha Chauhan and Dharam Prakash Gupta)
|
|
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Shimla, March 4