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HLP expels senior leader
It’s Mohan Bragta vs Virender Kashyap in Shimla
Cong allowed 2,398 land deals in one year: Dhumal
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Clearance to 39 projects hangs in balance due to poll code
Pharmaceutical licensing arrangement in Baddi
Pharma unit staff transfer kicks up row
7,339 HIV, 2,570 AIDS cases detected in state
VIGNETTES
Dependence on power purchase cost state Rs 84.26 cr from 2008 to 2012
Nigerian researcher to work with Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agriculture University team
Palampur varsity invites students from Mongolia
Rescued leopard shifted to Dhauladhar centre
1 killed, 4 hurt in Kangra road mishaps
Two found hanging
Two foreign nationals arrested
Forest officials get tough on sand mafia
Dowry victim succumbs to burns
2 salesmen injured in attack
Hamirpur varsity VC attends meet in Norway
Labourer dies after fall
115 join BJYM
Gaiety, fervour mark Holi celebrations
Guv, CM greet people on Holi
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HLP expels senior leader
Mandi, March 16 The HLP convener has already issued a warning to leaders and expelled senior party leader Khushi Ram Balnatah from the core committee of the party and post of state vice-president. The core committee of the party had held several rounds of meetings to discuss its strategy for the coming election and decided to support candidates of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in all four seats. Interestingly, the central leadership of AAP had already rejected the proposal of the HLP leadership for an alliance as the party didn’t have such a provision in their party constitution. Since a majority of leaders are those who had left the BJP before the last Assembly elections, many of these were keen to return to the BJP as its leaders had urged them to join back. Even formal talks were held between top leaders of the HLP and the BJP but this proposal was turned down by the HLP core committee. Though the HLP leadership had offered support to AAP, the formal announcement regarding their relations has still not been made. Sources in the HLP say, “A group within the party is keen to contest the coming parliament elections, especially the Mandi seat, but the party leadership is not showing any interest to contest the seat which has created serious differences in the party”. “The decision of the HLP leadership to support the AAP candidates is also taken to avoid contest parliament elections” they say. A few leaders such as Dulo Ram and Karam Devi Dharmani have already returned to the BJP. The dithering on this issue has led to further bickering in the HLP and there are reports that a group led by senior party leader Khushi Ram Balnatah is thinking of quitting the party shortly to return to the BJP. Meanwhile, senior vice-president of the HLP Babu Ram Mandial has supported the HLP leader Maheshwar Singh’s action to deal with the leaders engaged in "anti-party" activities. He said such people were harming the interests of the party and action against them was must to maintain discipline in the party. |
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It’s Mohan Bragta vs Virender Kashyap in Shimla
Shimla, March 16 CPM candidate Jagat Ram, a new face, is in the fray only to “keep its lean vote bank intact”. After enjoying the backing of the Congress high command, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has made a tactical move to field Mohan Bragta, a sitting legislator from Rohru (reserved) this time, cashing in on the party main support base of 8-member Shimla district where Congress had won six Assembly seats by handsome margins in the 2012 Assembly elections. Bragta, a Virbhadra’s protégé, had won the Rohru seat by a record margin of 28,000 votes, mainly riding on Virbhadra’s support base in the area. Out of the 17 Assembly segments in the Shimla Lok Sabha seat, the Congress had won 10 seats, while two Independents - Balbir Verma from Chopal and Kirnesh Jung from Paonta Sahib -- have joined the Congress as associate members. The Shimla Lok Sabha seat remained a Congress bastion dominated by its candidate KD Sultanpuri, who had won the seat since 1980 till 1998. In 1999, Sultanpuri was defeated by Dhani Ram Shandil of the Himachal Vikas Congress, which later merged with the Congress. As a Congress candidate, Shandil won the seat in 2004, defeating BJP’s HN Kashyap by over 10,000 votes. However, the BJP’s new face Virender Kashyap won the seat in 2009 defeating Shandil by a margin of over 2 lakh votes, when the Dhumal government was in power in the state. It was the time when the BJP had won three seats while Virbhadra Singh was a lone Congress winner from Mandi. Only the Shimla Assembly seat was bagged by BJP’s Suresh Bhardwaj by a narrow margin of about 600 votes. He had defeated Congress Harish Janartha as the votes got divided between him and CPM candidate Tikender Panwar, who came a close third. Though both Bragta and Kashyap have launched their campaign in the apple belt, Kashyap, who hails from Solan, faces a Vigilance probe in the cash-on-camera sting case, still pending in the high court. The BJP has rallied behind Kashyap as he remained accessible to the public, claimed his supporters. Kashyap enjoyed the confidence of PK Dhumal. His detractor in the party, HN Kashyap, a ticket contender, who had deserted the party during Assembly elections, has been taken back at the instance of Shanta Kumar, BJP veteran contesting from Kangra this time. Virbhadra Singh has a firm footing in the state as all four Lok Sabha candidates are of his choice The hills are becoming steeper every day for Kashyap, claimed Harish Janartha. AAP has yet to find a candidate, but the CPM has fielded Jagat Ram, who hails from Sirmaur. The CPM has some base in only Shimla urban, Kusumpati and Theog segments. The party has entered the fray to keep the party cadre ticking in the Shimla as there is scope for the third party, claimed CPM leader Rakesh Singha, who had contested the last Assembly election from Theog and came third. |
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Cong allowed 2,398 land deals in one year: Dhumal
Shimla, March 16 He said it was much higher as compared to 1,640 land approvals worth 14,500 bighas under the same section during the BJP regime. Dhumal said land in the state was on sale and its recent example was the temple land of McLeodganj which was given on lease to a Punjab resident. Dhumal said the BJP government got 85 awards in the field of development, while the Congress government was acting on a political vendetta and engaged itself with large-scale transfers in the past 15 months. He alleged that corruption was at its peak. Reacting to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’a media statement that he would not answer any corruption charges, Dhumal said he was ruling the state like a dictator where nobody could even talk about the corruption issue. Ban interview
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Clearance to 39 projects hangs in balance due to poll code
Solan, March 16 The model code of conduct is also acting as a deterrent for the constitution of new committees. About 39 projects have to obtain environment clearances where they have to conduct a study detailing impact of their industrial activities on the environment and provide a detailed report on mitigation measures. This helps in analysing potential environmental problems and plan strategies while the project is being planned and designed. Major investors comprise cement and mining units, commercial builders and users of bulk chemicals. Projects which fall under this category have been categorised in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Even projects which use certain chemicals of sizable quantities have to seek clearance from the SEIA committee and SLEAC and provide information related to proper storage and measures to ensure safety of the staff working in such units. With the model code of conduct enforced till May 16, new committees cannot be constituted and this will delay all works related to two committees of these projects. An investor who has availed loan of several crores from the banks said the state government should take special permission from the Election Commissioner to ensure that industrial projects were not delayed under the present circumstances. It would incur undue financial loss in lieu of the interest liability, he said. |
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Centre rejects NH-20 four-laning proposal
Palampur, March 16 Official sources said in the absence of political will, the National Highways Authority of India had not included this important road project in its plan outlay for 2014-15. The state government has been hoping that the Centre will clear this project in its plan outlay for the next year. Last year, the state government had got cleared two national highway projects, relating to the Shimla-Kalka and Chandigarh-Nair Chowk national highways, for their conversion into four-laned highways. This year, the government failed to get the go-ahead for any new major road project for the state. The Pathankot-Mandi highway is considered a lifeline for 30 lakh residents of the northern region of Himachal Pradesh. The road links Pathankot with Leh via Manali. This road was declared national highway in1987 by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi keeping in view defence requirements. Even 27 years after that, the state Public Works Department (PWD) has failed to make even 50 per cent portion of the road double-laned. The national highway is still narrow and prone to accidents at many points as the PWD abandoned widening work midway. Over 50 bridges on the highway which were constructed by the British years ago are on the verge of collapse. Neither the HP Government nor the Ministry of Surface Transport is taking a serious note of the prevailing situation.
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Pharmaceutical licensing arrangement in Baddi
Solan, March 16 The new arrangement was implemented a few days ago after pharmaceutical investors from Parwanoo and Solan pleaded before the authorities that Nahan was located far off and they had to visit it for day-to-day work relating to product approvals and licensing. Acceding to their demand, the state government has now brought the pharmaceutical units located in Parwanoo and Solan under the purview of the licensing authority at Baddi. The pharmaceutical units in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial areas were already being dealt with by the Baddi authority and two authorities were earlier operative in one district. Vinod Gupta, president of Baghat Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, thanked the Chief Minister, Health Minister and Solan MLA DR Shandil for facilitating investors who were facing problems in commuting to Nahan. Drug Controller Navneet Marwaha, confirming the news, said the new arrangement had become operational a few days ago. It had eased things out for investors of Parwanoo and Solan who earlier had to go all the way to Nahan. There are nearly 300 pharmaceutical units in BBN which is a pharmaceutical hub of Asia. The new arrangement will facilitate about 50 pharmaceutical and cosmetic units of Parwanoo and Solan. Besides, there are 150 pharmaceutical units in Sirmaur district and an office of the assistant drug licensing authority has been opened at
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Pharma unit staff transfer kicks up row
Solan, March 16 The unit management, which is planning to close its operations at the Parwanoo plant, had directed its employees to shift either to their sister concern in Jammu or that in Baddi. While 70 employees joined the Baddi plant, the remaining 117 sat on a protest outside the unit premises at Parwanoo, protesting the management's abrupt orders. The plant management has decided to close its Parwanoo plant. It has, therefore, directed its employees to join its other plants. This has triggered an agitation. The employees have been caught unawares by the abrupt decision where no benefits such as 50 per cent salary for shifting, provision of transportation facility and sufficient time to join the new place are being offered. With the employees failing to budge, Labour Officer Pratap Verma had to intervene to chalk out an amicable solution. It was finally decided to maintain status quo till March 24 as the unit was yet to inform the state government about its decision to close the plant, said Verma. He added that the employees who were desirous of joining the Baddi unit would be extended all due benefits and the company management had been directed to adopt the due procedure in closing the unit and keeping the state government in the loop before arriving at such a decision. The case has brought to the fore the manner in which units are gradually winding up their operations as major monetary incentives of the 2003 Central industrial package have lapsed. Since pharmaceutical units had specially initiated their operations in Himachal after a grant of the Central industrial package which promised lucrative incentives like exemption in Income Tax, central excise, transport subsidy and capital investment subsidy, they are apparently losing out on their viability after a majority of these incentives have lapsed. Asian Paints India Limited is another major investor that has closed its operations. Others like JP Cements have sold off their hydel power projects in the wake of losses. |
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7,339 HIV, 2,570 AIDS cases detected in state
Stressing upon the gravity of the disease, Dr Nikhil said Africa, with the maximum number of the cases, is the capital of the disease. Round the globe, there are 3.5 crore cases, while In India, it is now 23.9 lakh. He said the number of cases had fallen down to 50 per cent from 2000 to 2009. In Himachal Pradesh, 7,339 HIV cases have been registered and 2,570 cases of AIDS were detected up to December 31 last year. He said 2,081 HIV cases have been registered from Kangra, 1,554 in Hamirpur, 776 in Shimla and 789 in Una. Describing the HIV-transmission risk by different routes, Dr Nikhil informed that the viral load is 90-95 per cent by blood transfusion, 15-40 per cent by peri-natal route, 0.1 to 10 per cent by sexual route, 0.05-0.1 per cent by vaginal route, 0.67 per cent by injecting drugs use and 0.3 per cent by needle-stick exposure. The needle-stick exposure was one of the occupational exposures, Dr Nikhil said. Post-exposure prophylaxis should be provided ideally within two hours, but certainly within 72 hours. The state Health Department is providing services free of cost. Integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC), prevention of parent to child transmission (PPTCT) for anti-natal mothers, anti-retro viral drugs, link ART centres to patients and a helpline number for anyone who wants to clarify his doubts in privacy. He said the Red Ribbon Club was an on/off campus intervention programme and was meant for adolescents/youth aged 15-29
years and to have correct and concise knowledge of HIV/AIDS. |
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Neugal Khad — The Grand Tiny Canyon
Shriniwas Joshi Whenever I go to a foreign land, I unwittingly try searching for Himachal Pradesh there. I was in Grand Canyon two years back. I was awestruck at the staggering size and magnificence of the Colorado flowing a mile below appearing like a streak of water. My thoughts veered to the Tiny Canyon at Palampur where the Neugal flows about 100 metre below (see photo). All indicators on the roads of Palampur point to Neugal Café and none of these mentions Neugal Khad. Neugal Khad needs to be named Tiny Canyon to draw tourists. Tourists tend to go to a place where they are offered more than tea and snacks that Himachal Tourism’s Café provides them there. There should be a provision for a skywalk there, over the 305-m-wide span of the canyon, a few bridges, protected track for a family on tour that may come sauntering and more such attractions. A comment on a social networking site says: “The place is an exotic location for anyone who likes adventure. The path connecting Neugal Café to the Sarita Bridge is without a railing or other protection. One wrong step and one will land 500 ft below into an abyss smashing his head against one of the rocks that stare at you from below.” Saurabh Van Vihar, across the bridge, on the other side of Neugal, is a pleasing spot. It is a worthy memorial for martyr Capt Saurabh Kalia. I tried to find out the source and course of Neugal Khad, but my acquaintances living in Palampur had never given it a thought and there was no genuine book available at any bookstore. Kangra District Gazetteer 1924-25 says: "Nigal (note the old spellings), a snow-born stream, discharges itself into the Beas opposite Tira Sujanpur. Nigal is proverbially the life blood of the Palam valley.” I happened to meet Virender Chauhan, who had been a trekker in his youth and loved the mountains. He told me that the source of Neugal Khad was "Obre ka Katora" in the Dhauladhars (The White Mountains) and that a portion of the Dhauladhar range flanked by two greenish mountains was visible from Neugal Café. Adjacent to Obre ka Katora is the Bhainsri Mata Temple. Bhainsri Mata, I believe, is ahishasurmardini, because Bhains and Mahish, both connote buffalo. The waters of the Kinger Cho waterfall and the Bagh Nullah merge with Neugal before it reaches Palampur. It then flows to Praur, then taps the Sullah constitutency and touches Dhaniara village in Lambagaon to meet the Beas at Alampur. In all, it traverses a distance of 30 to 35 km. Neugal, on its course, passes by Thathri and Uarna, plateaus of extreme beauty, gives life to Bandla, Kandi and several other villages and, near its source, provides a view of Ukhal Mool: three mortar-shaped peaks of mountains. Legend has is that gods pound the paddy there. There are several temples on the sides of Neugal-Bundla, Vindhyavasini, Virni, Jakhni Mata and others. I could make a quick trip to the Jakhni Mata Temple which is about 9 km from Palampur. It is a newly built temple and offers a panoramic view of the Palam valley from all the four sides. Neugal is also the source for two ongoing private power projects - Subhash and Om - of 5 and 15 MW, respectively. When I walked up to Neugal from Palampur, I crossed the tea gardens opening out against the background of the majestic Dhauladhars (see photo). Tea cultivation at Palampur is a gift from Dr Jameson, Superintendent of Botanical Gardens, who brought the shrubs from Almora in 1849. The ‘oei’ trees that adorn the tea gardens in Palampur are mothers to the tea plants. They bear the brunt of the raindrops and protect the soft leaves of the tea plants from their severity. I am sorry that I could not find the botanical name of this tree. TAILPIECE
Palampur is known by two other names. British called it "the tea capital of North India" and the foggy hills, striped greens, tea plantation and ample water baptised it as "Coorg of North India". Coorg is called Scotland of India, so Palampur is Scotland of North India. Am I right? |
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Dependence on power purchase cost state Rs 84.26 cr from 2008 to 2012
Shimla, March 16 Though the Congress and the BJP talked big about the state's power potential, all is not well with the implementation of power purchase agreements with private companies. The government had to shell out an extra Rs 84.24 crore to buy electricity from outside the state from 2008 to 2012. Not only this, the successive state governments have been giving a free run to private power companies as dues worth Rs 60.67 crore remained unrecovered from them over the years, revealed the audit findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General 2013 report, a copy of which is with The Tribune. Not only this, the state had to pay an extra Rs 33.08 crore as it failed to take action on direction of the Appellate Tribunal Authority of Electricity issued in 2009 for fixing of tariff by 11 power producers. The tariff was not decided on the basis of specific cost and capacity utilisation factor of each project that resulted in payment of an extra Rs 52.50 crore, auditors revealed. Of the target of installing 409.94 MW of power fixed for 2008 to 2013, the state could achieve just 208.80 MW during the period. Owing to the shortfall of 201 MW, the HPSEB had to draw 676.79 million units of electricity from the northern grid. It bought power at a much higher rate of Rs 2.95 per unit fixed by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission to meet the demand in the state in 2008-12, the auditors found. The CAG further found that the 15 MW Neogal power company inserted a clause of 12 per cent free power to the state in its power purchase agreement instead of 15-20 per cent as envisaged in the supplementary implementation agreement. This would result in a loss of Rs 41.20 crore to the state in 40 years operational life of this project, CAG revealed.
CAG findings
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Nigerian researcher to work with Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agriculture University team
Dharamsala, March 16 Professor and Head of Department of Microbiology in Agriculture University, SS Kanwar, while talking to The Tribune said though the concept of "Bench space" research was common in foreign universities, especially in the US, it was for the first time that any foreign student had asked for it in this region. Issac, who was working in a Nigerian University as an Assistant Professor, saw a research paper published by the department on research done on yeasts used in traditional foods of Himalayan region. He approached us to work in the field. Vice-Chancellor KK Katoch accepted the proposal of the department to award the "Bench space" to Issac in the department of microbiology. Under the concept of Bench space, Issac would be provided all facilities of laboratories and technical expertise for his research on yeasts being used in traditional foods of Nigeria. In return, he would pay Rs 10,000 per month to the university, SS Kanwar said. Researchers could be provided particular training in laboratories of universities against a fixed payment. Issac, while talking to The Tribune, said he was being given full cooperation by officials of the department of Agriculture University in his research. I am undergoing training in identifying the traits of yeasts used in traditional foods of Nigeria and their exploitation for commercial use. Kanwar said Indian universities had developed expertise in various fields over a period of time. They have modern equipment that is generally underutilised. The Indian universities can offer technical expertise to researchers from Africa or other third world countries. The process can help in generating income for the Indian universities and lead to increase
in knowledge though mutual interaction.
About Bench space
Researchers are provided training in laboratories of universities against a fixed payment |
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Palampur varsity invites students from Mongolia
Dharamsala, March 16 Sanaasuren Bayaraa, Ambassador of Mongolia, and KK Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, discussed the modalities of cooperation. The Vice-Chancellor informed the visiting dignitary that high-altitude cold arid areas such as the Spiti valley in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur district had agro-climatic conditions similar to Mongolia. The university already had research and extension education centres catering to the farm needs of tribal farmers and livestock keepers. The university had excellent farm education facilities on the campus which included an international student hostel and an indoor stadium. He invited the students of Mongolia to study in any of the four colleges offering around 60 courses. The Vice-Chancellor also gave information about various other research network facilities of his 36-year-old institute in the mountain agriculture. The Vice-Chancellor assured them to extend all help to the farming communities of Mongolia by developing technologies through Mongolian State University of Agriculture. Sanaasuren Bayaraa said he was impressed with the achievements of the university and said he would send a delegation of
senior officers and scientists from Mongolian State University of Agriculture in July so
that they might visit tribal research stations and explore the areas of mutual cooperation. He said his country was having around 44 million livestock population and predominantly a dry climate country. The farming community could imbibe many useful technologies developed by the Palampur farm varsity. Bayaraa said he would like
the students of his country to study in the beautiful environment of Palampur farm varsity. He expressed gratitude to Katoch and his team for making detailed presentations to him. University statutory officers attended the meeting.
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Rescued leopard shifted to Dhauladhar centre
Chamba, March 16 He raised the alarm and with the help of villagers overpowered the animal. They kept it at a nearby place tied with ropes. A team of forest officials, led by block officer Salooni Kuldeep, guards Narasm Singh, Kamlesh and other workers, rushed to the site. Divisional Forest Officer Salooni Dinesh Sharma and wildlife range officer Yeshpal also reached the site with a tranquilliser gun and other equipment. They took the leopard into their possession from the villagers and brought it to the Surangani mela ground after tranquilising it. The leopard today was rushed to the Dhauladhar Rescue Centre at Gopalpur near Dharamsala after giving it first aid.
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Nigerian researcher to work with agri varsity team
Dharamsala, March 16 Professor and Head of Department of Microbiology in Agriculture University, SS Kanwar, while talking to The Tribune said though the concept of “bench space” research was common in foreign universities, especially in the US, it was for the first time that any foreign student had asked for it in this region.
Issac, who was working in a Nigerian University as an Assistant Professor, saw a research paper published by the department on research done on yeasts used in traditional foods of Himalayan region. He approached us to work in the field. Under the concept of Bench space, Issac would be provided all facilities of laboratories and technical expertise for his research on yeasts being used in traditional foods of Nigeria. In return, he would pay Rs 10,000 per month to the university, SS Kanwar said. Researchers could be provided particular training in laboratories of universities against a fixed payment. Issac, while talking to The Tribune, said he was being given full cooperation by officials of the department of Agriculture University in his research. I am undergoing training in identifying the traits of yeasts used in traditional foods of Nigeria and their exploitation for commercial use. Kanwar said Indian universities had developed expertise in various fields over a period of time. They have modern equipment that is generally underutilised. The Indian universities can offer technical expertise to researchers from Africa or other third world countries. The process can help in generating income for the Indian universities and lead to increase in knowledge though mutual interaction. About bench space Researchers are provided training in laboratories of universities against a fixed payment
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1 killed, 4 hurt in Kangra road mishaps
Kangra, March 16 Another person in the accident was injured who was admitted to the DRPGMC, Tanda. The police registered a case under Sections 304-A, 279 and 337 of the IPC was registered at Dehra police station. The police said Chiplu Ram, a resident of Ambari village, was hit by a motor cycle (HP 37 C 6646) at Hatwas yesterday and was admitted to the Tanda hospital. A case under Sections 279 and 337, IPC, was registered against motorcycle driver Vikas Chander, a resident of Samrihal. Two persons travelling on a scooty (HP 39 C 1726) were injured at Bhatehair today when the scooty was hit by a car (HP 39 C 0494). The police registered a case under Sections 279 and 337, IPC, against car driver Sanjay Kumar, resident of Barwala.
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Two found hanging
Kangra, March 16 Vinod was reported missing since Tuesday afternoon. On Thursday some women went to the forest to collect fodder and found Vinod hanging from a tree. They said the police removed the body late Thursday night and a postmortem was conducted on Friday. The police have registered a case. In another case, Surjit Kumar (28), a married man, committed suicide at his home in Droug village near Chadiyar under the Baijnath police station. The police said Surjit was found hanging in his house and the postmortem was conducted yesterday. The police have registered a case.
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Two foreign nationals arrested
Kullu, March 16 Kullu DSP Sanjay Sharma said a case under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act had been registered against him. In the other incident, a Japanese national, Mizuta Natsuhiro (23), was nabbed with 190 gm charas at a check post near Bajaura. He was travelling in a bus with the contraband. The DSP said a case under Section 20 of the NDPS Act had been registered against him. The embassies concerned had been informed, he added.
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Forest officials get tough on sand mafia
Chamba, March 16 There have been reports of collection of material in a commercial manner from the Ravi, Siul and other local khuds in Pukhri, Chamba, Sahu and Sundla. Appreciating the efforts of the staff of Chamba and Churah forest divisions, Chief Conservator of Forests Chamba ARM Reddy said the department had taken cognisance of 24 fresh incidents of mining of sand and stone from riverbeds and indiscriminate dumping of muck generated from construction activities. Cases were registered under the Indian Forest Act and Mining Acts, thereby realising a compensation of Rs 46,455 in February, he said. Speaking to mediapersons, Reddy said in Chamba district, the forest officials had so far taken note of 113 cases in the last 11 months ending February. “Illegal muck dumping is continuing surreptitiously in odd hours in the surroundings of Chamba. We are keeping track of them and the culprits will be brought to book soon," said Reddy.
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Dowry victim succumbs to burns
Kangra, March 16 DSP, Nurpur, Manoj Joshi said on a complaint of the victim's father Dharam Pal, the police registered a case under Sections 498-A, 306 and 34,
IPC, against four members of her in-laws, including her husband Kewal
Krishen, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Teenu allegedly had strained relations with her in-laws over dowry as per the complaint lodged by her father. No arrests had been made as yet by the Rehan police in this connection.
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2 salesmen injured in attack
Palampur, March 16 A police team immediately reached the spot and registered a case under Sections 452, 382, 325, 505, 506 and 34, IPC, against the accused. Later, the police arrested the main accused, Raka, from a nearby village, while the other two were still absconding. Injured salesmen Ashok Kumar and Anup were referred to the DRPGMC, Tanda.
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Pollution by cement plant plagues residents
Sundernagar, March 16 On the other hand, the ACC authorities and government officials deny these allegations claiming that now the system has been improved. Local residents allege that the plant mostly emits pollution in the early morning hours.
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Hamirpur varsity VC attends meet in Norway
Hamirpur, March 16 The organisation works for diversification of crops and their varieties for improving productivity and adoption in farmers’ fields to meet all future challenges ahead such as the removal of poverty in rural areas and urban slums and create self-employment. As many as 137 countries are members of this organisation and delegates from Switzerland, the US, the UK, India, Ethiopia, Brazil, the Philippines, Germany and the UNO participated in this meeting to discuss its plan for the year. — TNS
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Labourer dies after fall
Kangra, March 16 He was rushed to the Tanda hospital where he was under treatment in the ICU. Before going into a coma Ashok told the police his name and age, but could not divulge his address. The police were investigating the case under Section 174,
CrPC. |
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115 join BJYM
Shimla, March 16 According to a BJYM press statement, the new members would join campaign. The BJYM has enrolled 25,000 members, he claimed.
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Gaiety, fervour mark Holi celebrations
Kangra, March 16 Later, members of the colony attended a common lunch organised by the Vivekananda Vihar Development Committee. Hundreds of residents enjoyed the feast. The Bajjreshwari temple, one of the 52 shakti peeths, was visited by a large number of people. Devotees paid obeisance and sought the blessings from the goddess. In Kangra town, all shops and business establishments remained closed. Reports of Holi being celebrated in different parts of the Kangra valley today were also received. Celebrations conclude
in Kullu
Kullu: Holi was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety here today. People passed through streets singing songs and playing with colours. Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, Rakesh Kanwar celebrated Holi with children of the Kalheli child home and members of the media fraternity of the town. The last day of celebrations concluded here. Local deities were worshipped on the occasion.
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Guv, CM greet people on Holi
Shimla, March 16 It would strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and go a long way in promoting unity and integrity in the country, she hoped. Virbhadra said the festival was celebrated by people of all faiths and religions and helped in strengthening the social fabric. He urged the people to celebrate the festival in its true spirit and wished that it would help in promoting brotherhood in society.
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The uncertainty of the Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) leadership about the future course has led to bickering in the party with reports of a group likely to part ways with it shortly.
The HLP convener has already issued a warning to leaders and expelled senior party leader Khushi Ram Balnatah from the core committee of the party and post of state vice-president.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has made a tactical move to field Mohan Bragta, a sitting legislator from Rohru (reserved) this time, cashing in on the party main support base of 8-member Shimla district where the Congress had won six Assembly seats by handsome margins in the 2012 Assembly elections.
The BJP has rallied behind Virender Kashyap as he is accessible to the public, claimed his supporters. Kashyap enjoys the confidence of PK Dhumal. His detractor, HN Kashyap, a ticket contender, who had deserted the party during the Assembly poll, has been taken back at the instance of Shanta Kumar.
Kangra, March 16