|
|
|
|
|
All clear, Cong in fight mode
EC orders removal of Virbhadra’s calendars
Fighting graft my aim: Kamal Batra
IAS officer, ex-babu face probe in HPCA case
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
4 years on, health scheme fails to click in Una
Use of red beacons
Clearance of investment projects delayed
Job-on-chit Scam
HPSEB state executive meeting to take up service issues
Abhishek Raj Singh Memorial win cricket match
Monkey menace in Chamba
Work on four-laning project halted
Bank deals under scanner
Reject Cong, says CPM
Holi festival begins
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
All clear, Cong in fight mode
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh managed to get the Congress ticket for his nominees, Chander Kumar from Kangra and Rohru MLA Mohan Lal Bragta from Shimla, even as a formal announcement from Hamirpur is still awaited. It is expected that the Congress high command will again go with Virbhadra’s choice of Rajinder Rana, independent MLA from Sujanpur, from the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat. The delay in finalising Congress ticket had made matters more complicated for leaders as they did not know whom to seek votes for. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, too, was yet to start his campaign as the high command had not made up its mind on the candidates to be fielded from Hamirpur, Shimla and Kangra. Though he had been widely travelling all over the state, the pending decision had stopped him from going full hog into the campaign. The party was hoping that the candidates would be finalised before the rally of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's rally at Dharamsala on March 20. It is from Dharamsala that the Congress will kickstart its campaign as compared to the BJP, which started with a bang by holding a massive rally of its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on March 8 at Sujanpur. The Chief Minister had admitted that he would prefer to start the campaign once the candidates were announced so that he could take them along while touring various areas. With the election code being enforced, neither the Chief Minister nor the ministers were able to attend government functions. So they were anxiously awaiting formal announcement of candidates. On the other hand, BJP leaders are extensively campaigning in their respective areas except in Mandi from where the candidate is yet to be decided. Both former Chief Minister PK Dhumal, whose son Anurag Thakur is contesting from Hamirpur, and Shanta Kumar, who is the candidate from Kangra, are travelling in the two segments. CM’s power
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has managed to get the Congress tickets for his nominees, Chander Kumar from Kangra and Rohru MLA Mohan Lal Bragta from Shimla, even as a formal announcement from Hamirpur is still
awaited. |
|
EC orders removal of Virbhadra’s calendars
Shimla, March 13 The BJP yesterday filed a complaint before the ECI, seeking its intervention on stopping the Congress from getting publicity through government calendar for 2014. Chief Electoral Officer Narender Chauhan confirmed that the Chief Secretary had directed the removal or covering of all calendars. He said since the calendars fell in the category of hoarding and banners, these would have to be removed. Chief Secretary P. Mitra has also ordered the removal of pictures of the Chief Minister from the official website of the Himachal Government due to the code of conduct. The BJP filed a complaint before the ECI regarding the publicity of various schemes of the Congress government through the state government calendar being used in all offices. The BJP had accused the Congress of getting publicity of its Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojna along with five other schemes which are mentioned on the government calendar. They had pointed out that it amounted to violation of code of conduct. The calendar has a picture of Virbhadra Singh distributing ration among the people. Besides, there is a mention of the skill development scheme, national ambulance service, Janani Suraksha Yojna, free travel facility for students of government schools and enhancement in social security pensions. The BJP also field a fresh complaint before the ECI regarding over-activism being displayed by the police in Hamirpur. “The police are forcefully getting posters and hoardings of the BJP removed from private buildings, which is the misuse of government machinery,” said Ganesh Dutt, BJP State Spokesperson. He said the ECI should immediately stop the police from acting as Congress agents. The BJP also demanded immediate transfer of Rati Ram Verma, Block Development Officer, Sangrah, Sirmaur, for acting as a Congress worker and misusing his position to threaten people if they do not support the ruling party. |
|
Fighting graft my aim: Kamal Batra
Invoking “Yeh Dil Maange More” war cry of Captain Batra, Kamal Kanta will launch her campaign on Saturday, sweeping the bastion of Leader of the Opposition PK Dhumal. She will take on Anurag Thakur, the sitting BJP MP. Talking to The Tribune on the phone after AAP declared her its candidate, Kamal Kanta said, “I have joined politics to take up positive issues. Corruption has plagued the country like a termite. We will take AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s agenda on corruption, crime against women and unemployment, agricultural crisis and price rise to the common public through roadshows and mass contact programme”. Hailing from Sujanpur in Hamirpur district, she added she would not target any individual, but highlight the failure of both the sitting BJP MP and the Congress government in solving the problems that farmers, women and youth and soldiers or ex-servicemen had been facing in the state. “It is difficult to face the harsh reality of losing one’s son in a war. But I am proud that my son died defending the country,” said the proud mother. “My message to the youth is join the Army as it is a great thing to die for the country. The youth should rise to fight corruption, injustice, drug menace and misuse of the social media or Internet for sleaze as technology should be used for spreading love not hatred,” she said. Politicians visit people for votes and forget them after that, she said. “We will ensure that the unemployed youth get jobs in all projects that come to Himachal if AAP comes
to power”. She said ex-servicemen were facing not only the one-rank, one-pension issue, but war widows and families of ex-servicemen had other problems as well. “We will take up these issues and try to solve these,” she added. Even farmers were facing crisis as they lacked irrigation and drinking water facility, she said. “Arvind Kejriwal will also come to Himachal for campaign”. |
|
IAS officer, ex-babu face probe in HPCA case
Shimla, March 13 Sources confirmed that having found the reply filed by the two officers in response to their chargesheet unsatisfactory, the government had decided to start an inquiry. While Sanan is serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Gupta retired last month. "The moment the Vigilance Bureau completes its inquiry, which is in the final stages, the two officers can be named in the already filed first information report (FIR) along with another IAS officer who was holding additional charge," said sources. Since the inquiry officer in the chargesheet case has to be senior to Sanan, the options are very limited. "The options are to appoint Acting Chief Secretary P Mitra or entrust the task to the Secretary, Law, but ultimately the choice may fall on a retired IAS, preferably of the rank of Chief Secretary," said sources. A Presenting Officer will also be appointed who
can be of the rank of District Attorney. It was on July 26, 2013, that the government had chargesheeted the two IAS officers. They faced action for allowing the change of land use by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association for construction of a hotel, which amounted to commercial use of common land. Sanan was Principal Secretary (Revenue) and Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra. A show-cause notice had been issued to Sanan on March 29, 2013, and he was finally chargesheeted along with Gupta under Rule 8 of the All-India (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. The two officers had filed their reply to the chargesheet, stating that no norms were flouted in allowing commercial use of the land given for sports purpose. Sanan has been charged with approving change of land use initially to the HPCA at Mauja Khaniyara for the purpose of construction of a residential building for players. The allegation against him is that he granted the permission without seeking the approval of the Cabinet, which he was not competent to do. In case of Gupta, the main allegation is that he forwarded the request of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association for allowing commercial use to the Financial Secretary (Revenue) without obtaining the NOC from the gram panchayat. He has been accused of not following the proper procedure. Gupta had filed the reply on April 12, 2013, to the notice issued to him. Babus in the dock
|
|
4 years on, health scheme fails to click in Una
Una, March 13 The RSBY was launched by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment to provide health insurance cover to low-income families. It provides cashless health service up to Rs 30,000 per year to every member of a family who receives indoor treatment at empanelled health institutions. A premium of Rs 398 per person is shared in the ratio of 75 per cent to 25 per cent between the Centre and the state government per year. Eleven public health institutions have been empanelled to provide RSBY services in the district. These include District Hospital, Una, Civil Hospital, Chintpurni, Community Health Centres (CHCs) at Amb, Gagret, Daulatpur Chowk, Haroli and Bangana, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) at Amlehar and Thanakalan, District Ayurvedic Hospital, Una, and Ayurvedic Hospital, Ispur. Statistics reveal that while the PHC at Amlehar and Thanakalan could not start work on RSBY due to lack of indoor facilities for patients, the implementation of the scheme at ayurvedic institutions was yet to see the light of the day. The beneficiaries are issued a smart card, authenticated by finger prints. Upon hospitalisation, the card provides online connectivity with the software, which books a specified amount of money for the treatment on the basis of the disease package. District Ayurvedic Hospital staff said the computer software was not functional and there was shortage of trained computer personnel to operate it. Other health institutions were also facing the same problem. The data reveals that only 1,628 patients have benefited from the RSBY in Una this year. While Rs 44 lakh was spent by health institutions to provide free medicines from the market, only 54 per cent of the claims have been settled by the insurance company. It was also found that only 1.4 per cent claims have been settled at the CHC, Amb. The claim settlement data for Daulatpur Chowk and Chintpurni was also very less (1.6 and 9.8 per cent, respectively). In Bangana, the claims of all 15 cases were pending. Chief Medical Officer GR Kaushal said peripheral institutions suffered from problems such as network connectivity and lack of trained manpower. He said in such cases the claims were submitted through the off-line mode, which consumed more time. He, however, said efforts were on to ensure better coordination between all agencies involved. Relief for ragpickers, taxi drivers
As per a new notification issued on February 21, 2014, ragpickers, sanitation workers, auto and taxi drivers, contractual workers and registered street vendors would also be brought under the ambit of the scheme after the General Election. |
|
VVIPs, legislators slammed for defying SC order
Kuldeep Chauhan Tribune News Service
“The use of red beacon lights is a colonial culture aimed at putting a ruling master superior over the rest. The police must strictly enforce the Supreme Court order and government’s notification,” said Dr Kuldip Tanvar, state president, Himachal Kisan Sabha. “MLAs talking of moving the court on the issue have proved that they do not want to get identified with the common man,” he added. It is not only MLAs, but also a few persons in power are using red beacons atop their private vehicles, making a mockery of the government notification and Supreme Court order. “VIPs, MLAs and politicians still use them as a mark of a status symbol. This colonial culture should go now,” said Kulbhushan Upamanyu, an environmentalist, and president of the Himalayan Niti Abhiyan. “Red beacons are misused by family members of MLAs, VVIPs or even anti-social elements and are a nuisance for the public. They think that the Supreme Court order is meant for constitutional authorities,” said Ranjit Negi, a former IAS officer and convener of the Himlok Jagriti Manch, Kinnaur. While BJP and Congress legislators are silent over the issue, the Aam Aadmi Party and the CPM have hailed the move to check its misuse. “We demand a complete ban on red beacons. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal never used red beacon on his car,” said Des Raj, an AAP leader. CPM leader and Mayor, Shimla, Sanjay Chauhan has never used red beacon on his official vehicle, claimed the CPM. “We were the first ones to oppose this in the country,” said Tikender Panwar, CPM state secretariat member. Officialspeak
There is no special drive to check the misuse of red beacon lights atop vehicles, but if we come across such cases, violators are challaned. We are checking its misuse whenever we receive
complaints. Sanjay Kumar, DGP |
|
Inclement weather dashes hopes of mango growers
Nurpur, March 13 Besides, flowering can be attacked by mango hopper, an insect which sucks mango flowers before setting fruits on the plants. Fruit growers in the area, who have been expecting a bumper mango crop, are dismayed over the unfavourable weather condition during February and March. As per an estimate, lower Kangra area has the cultivation of mango fruits on around 10,640 hectares. Usually mango flowering starts from February 15 and ends on March 15, but this year the cold weather has delayed this process in orchards. SS Rana, Associate Director, Regional Horticulture Research Station, Jachh, Nurpur, said the cold weather was likely to hit the coming mango crops in the area as it was the right time for the flowering of the fruit. But prevailing weather conditions have delayed flowering and fruit setting. He advised the fruit growers to use fungicide spray to control threat of blossom blight disease. “In order to curb the attack of mango hopper, growers can spray both fungicides and insecticides in one go by mixing these in water in a prescribed quantity,” he informed. |
|
State loses lakhs due to officials, power firms nexus: RTI activist
Palampur, March 13 The fact has come into light following information gathered under the Right to Information Act
(RTI) by Onkar Dhawan, an RTI activist. The information supplied by the state Forest Department revealed how officials of the Forest Department tampered with rules for making fair estimates of damages caused to the forest wealth by power companies and other industries coming up in the state. Addressing mediapersons here today, Dhawan said two power companies, Om Power Project and Lanko Hydel Project, who had installed power projects in the Palampur region, were extended undue favour while preparing damage reports pertaining to green trees axed during the execution of power projects. He said while charging compensation for the damages, officials reduced the rate from Rs 250 to Rs 50 per cubic
metre. He said for Om Power Project, the actual loss caused to forest wealth was fixed at Rs 64,54,695 in 2008 as per the official rates. But officials of the Forest Department deliberately tampered with the officials rates and calculated the compensation at Rs 12,90,939. Likewise, for Lanko Hydel Project, the actual compensation was calculated at Rs 40,19, 241 in 2009. In this case too, officials tampered with the government rates and calculated the total damage at Rs 19,65,699 to the state exchequer. It was also disclosed that two officials of the state Forest Department, Satish Kumar, a range officer, and Vinod Kumar, a forest guard, who had prepared actual reports by visiting the spot were victimised by the department as they had refused to follow verbal instructions issued by senior officials. Later, the forest guard was also placed under suspension, Dhawan disclosed. |
|
Kangra residents protest erection of telecom towers
Kangra, March 13 The residents gathered at the Municipal Council office and protested against the authorities for issuing an NoC to a private company for the erection of telecom towers in ward Nos. 4 and 7 in the town, which they said violated state government rules. They said the towers were hazardous and posed several health risks, adding that these should not be allowed to be erected. They alleged that the NoC granted by the municipal authorities was illegal, as there was no mention of it in the site plan map. They rued that there was a school and a private nursing home in the vicinity of the tower coming up at ward No. 4. They said the work here was carried out even on Saturday and Sunday, which were holidays, adding that they protested on Monday and forced the company to stop the work. They submitted a memorandum of demands to Municipal Council executive officer and its president Suman Verma and Kangra SDM Ajit Bhardwaj. They threatened to take up a legal recourse in case the authorities failed to intervene. The Kangra SDM said he had received the memorandum, which was sent to the authorities for appropriate action. |
|
|
Train young minds to boost scientific research: Expert
Mandi, March 13 While addressing the audience on the occasion, he asked scientists to enhance research and development by training young minds in this area keeping the future needs in view. He called upon engineers and scientists to come forward and contribute effectively in the challenging field of nuclear science, engineering and associated technologies. RK Singh, a known scientist and Head of the Media Relations and Public Awareness Section at Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, was the guest of honour. He said: “Wrong perception about nuclear energy is depriving India from achieving energy security, which can be dangerous. Scientists should clear misconceptions, myths and confusion among people in this regard.” Earlier, convener of the seminar Kuldeep Kumar Sharma welcomed the participants and said the atomic energy had emerged as an important discipline in India. He said country was looking towards it as an important source of energy. An exhibition on BARC technologies was also held on the occasion on the campus. |
|
|
Clearance of investment projects delayed
Dharamsala, March 13 Officials of the Industry Department alleged that projects were being delayed due to lack of coordination between the Revenue and Industry Department. They said the Revenue Department was causing an inordinate delay in giving permissions under Section 118 of the Land Tenancy Act. The case of about Rs 100-crore Food Park in Una is a classic example of the delay being caused in clearance of projects in the state. The Food Park was applied by the Bector Group about two years ago in 52 hectares in Haroli area of Una district under the Mega Food
Park scheme of the Government of India. Even though the Centre cleared the project about a year ago, the case lingered on with the state government for another year. It was only about a fortnight ago that the foundation stone of the project was laid. Sunder Singh, a resident of Una, said the case of Food Park was cleared by the state government after one year, despite the fact that the project was coming up in the Haroli Assembly constituency represented by Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. General Manager, Industries, Tilak Raj Sharma when contacted said the case of the Food Park was cleared this month. He said most of the industries, including food storage, juices and processing, would be set up by the Bector Group. The Food Park has been set under the Vision 2015 document of the Union Government. Under the scheme, the industry coming up in the Food Park would be given subsidy up to 50 per cent. Meanwhile, Industry Minister was not available for comments. The sources said the ongoing power struggle was also delaying the investment. In Kangra, the Industry Department has been planning a new industrial area. However, files for the same are also lingering on with the Revenue
Department. |
|
|
Hilarious poetry marks kavi sammelan
Kullu, March 13 Shyam Kullvi, state president, Media Manch, welcomed the guests and members. The poets, including Satyapal Bhatnagar, Ishwari Dass Sharma, Dr Dayanand Gautam, Dr Surat Thakur, Kehar Singh Thakur, Priyanka Rajput and Nisha Kayath, participated in the sammelan. Satyapal delivered a composition on the plight of the present-day education system. He sarcastically presented the change in the development of youth due to the abolition of examination till Class VIII in public schools. Dr Gautam presented “Chidiyon Ki Sansad” and Vivek made everyone laugh with his typical Pahari style composition on Holi. Kehar took a dig at the prevailing corruption in his poem “Development Ho Raha Hai”. Raj Singh Raj, in his Haryanvi style, presented the humorous aspect of an Indian wife of taking everything in a lighter vein. Tarachand Tharmani drew a loud applause as he poetically described all aspects of development works carried out during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Promila stressed inculcating cultural values in the youth, adding that such events promoted literature and culture. |
|
|
Probe complete, state to HC
Legal Correspondent
Shimla, March 13 After hearing the matter, a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan directed the state to file a compliance report before the registry of the court within two weeks. The Bench passed this order on an application filed by former Chairman of the HP Subordinate Service Selection Board SM Katwal, alleging that despite registering an FIR on the directions of this court on November 7, 2005, no investigation was done in the alleged illegal recruitment case and no progress was made in the case after the court stopped monitoring it. In its earlier order passed on November 7, 2005, the court had directed the Vigilance Department to register a case and probe the scam and identify the persons who had been instrumental or at whose instance the appointments were made. The court passed the order on a petition filed by Katwal wherein he alleged that the state government had given appointments to their close ones by violating the norms during 1993 to 1998. Taking the note of the allegations mentioned in the petition, the court had directed the Vigilance to probe the case. But the court disposed of the matter on May 22, 2008, in view of the investigation order passed by it. Dissatisfied by the progress of investigation, Katwal again approached the court with a plea that no investigation was being made in the case and no progress was made.
|
|
HPSEB state executive meeting to take up service issues
Una, March 13 Association president RD Agnihotri, in a communiqué issued here today, said the successive governments had denied several financial and service benefits to their cadre. Agnihotri said it was observed that filling annual appraisal reports for their cadre was faulty as their superior officers had no knowledge on the issue. This, he said, was one of the main reasons for stagnation. He said around 60 contractual JEs in the department, looking after two sections each, were not being given mobile allowance. He said diploma holder JEs, who entered the service in 1982, were still working on the same post. He sought promotion for them, which, he said, would not add an additional burden on the Board. He said the HPSEB should also implement enhanced pay grade and provide 30 litre petrol per month, as transportation allowance to JEs, on a par with their Punjab counterparts. He said a decision to corner the government would be taken up in the meeting, adding that DS Dathwalia, who served the association for 29 years, would be honoured on the occasion. |
|
Workshop on network security system begins
Hamirpur, March 13 Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Dr Awasthi said with the growth of the Internet network threats of hacking Internet account and unauthorised access to the network had increased. He said the Internet security system had become very important to check such threats and secure personal information and vital data. Rakesh Kapoor, Principal of the college, said 200 students from engineering and polytechnic colleges were participating in the workshop. |
|
Abhishek Raj Singh Memorial win cricket match
Kullu, March 13 Veer Singh smashed 51 runs in 34 balls while Dalip took three wickets by giving 14 runs in three overs. The Press Club team survived for 12.1 overs and accumulated 77 runs, while only two batsmen, Alok and Tejasvi crossed the single figure mark, at 15 and 12 runs, respectively. Tejasvi took three wickets, while all bowlers were hammered by players of the organising committee. Dhanesh Gautam, president of the club, said, “A healthy mind lives in a healthy body and various fitness activities are being carried out by the club for the scribes.” He said the club would continue to organise such activities in the future. |
|
Chamba, March 13 Housewives are the most vulnerable to monkey attacks, as they enter the kitchen and run away with eatables destroying several other things.Children too are at the risk of being attacked. The residents of different villages of Bhattiyat and Chamba had brought the matter to the notice of the government, but no concrete step had been taken to eradicate the menace so far. — OC
|
|
|
Work on four-laning project halted
Mandi, March 13 Samiti president Joginder Walia said the NHAI authorities had ignored various problems being faced by local people because of which they were forced to stop the work. The NHAI had started the felling of trees in the morning when samiti members reached the spot and stopped the work.
|
|
|
Bank deals under scanner
Una, March 13 Presiding over a meeting of bankers, he said these reports would be submitted to observers through flying squads or the Investigation Directorate of Income Tax. The DC said the standard operating procedures prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India for transporting cash by ATM vans should be followed. Each contesting candidate was required to open a separate bank account for election expenditures and all expenses should be duly recorded in a register. Individuals carrying cash exceeding Rs 1 lakh should possess valid financial documents, failing which the amount would be confiscated, he said.
|
|
|
Reject Cong, says CPM
Shimla, March 13 According to a party statement after its state committee meeting here today, the party had decided to work with the slogan of elect the CPM and strengthen the Left. It appointed a three-member manifesto committee comprising Onkar Shad, Tikender and Kuldeep Singh to prepare a state charter in 10-day time.
— TNS
|
|
Hamirpur, March 13 He inaugurated the festival by participating in a colourful shobha yatra. Earlier, the chief guest paid obeisance at Murli Manohar temple. DC, Hamirpur, Rohan Chand Thakur, SP, Hamirpur, Beena Bharti and other dignitaries and prominent citizens participated in the shobha yatra. — TNS
|
|
|
|
| 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 13
Shimla, March 13
Shimla, March 13