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lease cancellation case
violation of norms
Govt seeks time to verify encroachments by Tibetans in state
Submit Bal Ashrams’ status reports, DCs, Chief Secy told
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Apples under threat of dual fungal attack
Shimla, June 4 The threat of a twin attack, from alternaria blotch and marssonina blotch, both fungal pathogens, looms large on the apple belt. The infectious fungi that trigger premature leaf-fall in orchards have shown signs of revival because of the extended spell of rain in the state.
MCI flayed for allowing 150 seats in MBBS 1st batch in pvt college
Administrator’s appointment at Una college
HC hands over missing children's case to CBI
Residents resent hike in auto fares
Villagers hold protest over missing patient
Villagers protest scarcity of drinking water in Tahliwal panchayat
Manimahesh Yatra to begin from August 15
Ex-servicemen seek mobile CSD facilities
Man held for Nurpur villager’s murder
Transfer of employees banned
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HPCA’s plea dismissed
Vijay Arora
Shimla, June 4 While dismissing the plea, a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan observed: “No specific mala fide or bias is averred against the proposed respondents. It is stated in some paragraphs that action of the respondents is on the basis of the Congress chargesheet, but there is nothing specific that it was on the directions of CM Virbhadra Singh”. Justice Mir observed: “No specific averment has been made against him, which can be termed as bias or mala fide, except vague and afterthought allegations, that too, without furnishing necessary particulars”. “However, nothing was alleged against RD Nazeem right from the first day till the filing of the application. No specific allegation is made against him about bias or mala fide or that he has made the order in connivance with any other person,” the Bench observed. It said: “In the case, it is averred in the applications and also in the writ petition that the action of the proposed respondents is politically motivated and there is bias, though no specific allegation is made against any person in the writ petition, except vague and general allegations. No prima facie case is made out for arraying the proposed respondents as party/parties in the array of respondents. Thus, both applications are dismissed”. HC had earlier also dismissed the plea filed by the HPCA to implead CM Virbhadra Singh and other government functionaries in the case. Aggrieved with this order, the HPCA had moved the Supreme Court, which sent the matter back to the High Court for deciding it afresh. The HPCA and its president BJP MP Anurag Thakur filed the petition against the decision of the state government to cancel the lease deed granted to it and the decision of the Registrar, Cooperative Societies. In this petition, it had also challenged the action of the state government to take over the lease premises. The petitioner has challenged the decision of the state on the ground that it had not given proper opportunity of being heard before taking the decision of cancellation of the lease deed granted in favour of the HPCA. What the Division Bench says
No specific mala fide or bias is averred against the respondents. It is stated in some paragraphs that action of the respondents is on the basis of the Congress chargesheet, but there is nothing specific that it was on the directions of CM Virbhadra
Singh. |
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Government to initiate action against JP Cement
Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 4 Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today chaired a meeting of the departments concerned to get feedback on violations by various cement companies, including JP Cement. A sub-committee had been constituted to ascertain the veracity of the allegations the company was facing. “The report submitted by the departments concerned clearly indicates violations and we have asked them to initiate action as per law as nobody will be allowed to violate the norms,” said Agnihotri. “Whether it is a cement company or any other industrial unit, they will have to adhere to the norms laid down by the government,” he said. JP Cement has been in trouble for a number of reasons in the recent past with the latest being the enhancement in its production capacity without seeking the mandatory clearances from various departments like the Forest, Environment and Excise Departments. It had been detected that the company was extracting 3.46 metric tonnes of clinker against the permissible limit of 2.05 metric tonnes granted to it and it was only now that it had submitted its request for enhancing its capacity before the single window umbrella committee. The Electricity Department had also been asked to undertake electricity audit of the plant since it was extracting more clinker than its sanctioned capacity. The company could even face disconnection of power for the reported violations. The government had withdrawn some of the tax concessions enjoyed by the company on account of it being set up in a backward panchayat as these were far more than the investment made by the company. The company has challenged the move of the government in court. In May 2012, the High Court had asked Jai Prakash Associates Limited to pay Rs 100 crore as damages for flouting environmental norms. Besides ordering dismantling of its proposed 25 MW thermal plant at Bagheri in Nalagarh subdivision, the government withdrew the environmental clearance granted to the plant.
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Govt seeks time to verify encroachments by Tibetans in state
Shimla, June 4 The government had sought time from the NGT to undertake the entire exercise and accordingly proceed further in the case. Even though the NGT has ordered that all encroachments on forestland be evicted, the government is treading cautiously as any issue concerning the Tibetans is very sensitive and has international ramifications. The Tibetan administration too had urged the state government to settle the cases of Tibetans regarding forest encroachments and benami deals in violation of Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reforms Act. The government cautioned them not to encroach on forestland, but action against them was still pending. Revenue and Forest Department officials have been asked to prepare exact details of the area occupied by Tibetans as per the land allotted to them. An official said: “They have also been asked to collect exact information about the encroachments by Tibetan refugees in and around their settlements or even at other places.” The Union Ministry of Forest and Environment recently met in Delhi to examine the issue. “The problem does not pertain to Himachal only, but all other states where there is a sizeable Tibetan population. So the Himachal Government too is likely to take a stance in accordance with the directions of the government of India,” said officials. Though the official number of Tibetans residing in Himachal is only about 25,000, their number is estimated to be much more than this. Besides, the Tibetans have spread to almost all parts of the state apart from the sites allotted by the government for their settlement at various locations, including Dharamsala and Shimla, since the’60s. Huge monasteries, several other Tibetan establishments, including educational and cultural centres, have come up at various places in the state. The highest number of Tibetans has settled in McLeodganj, Dharamsala, Palampur and Baijanth areas of Kangra, other districts such as Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur too have their sizeable population. The local population is, however, irked over the fact that different yardstick was applied while dealing in
violations committed by them and those by the Tibetan populace. |
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Submit Bal Ashrams’ status reports, DCs, Chief Secy told
Shimla, June 4 The court further directed the Chief Secretary to monitor the entire process and also ensure meetings of all officers concerned. The court ordered the Chief Secretary to remain present in the court on July 14. The secretary (welfare) and director, Women and Child Welfare, were also ordered to be present before the court on the next date of hearing. The high court also directed all the state District and Sessions Judges to inspect the Bal Ashrams falling in their respective jurisdiction within two weeks and submit their reports before the court containing the deficiencies noted and remedial steps required to be taken. The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) taken up by the court, on a letter written by Justice Madan B Lokur of the Supreme Court. Court diktat
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Apples under threat of dual fungal attack
Shimla, June 4 Due to the possibility of fungal attacks, scientists at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, have advised farmers to spray a combination of fungicides immediately to check the spread of the diseases. The fungi trigger premature leaf-fall, damage the quality of the fruit, put the trees under stress and mar the chance of the fruit crop next year as well, the scientists cautioned. The alternaria has shown signs of revival in orchards where fungus had attacked the trees last year. The leaves are showing signs of shrinking at the edges and some signs of brownish spots in orchards of the Shantha Valley in Chopal, said Deepak Kumar, an orchardist. The farmers said they had sprayed the cantop fungicide, as advised by the scientists, but the infection was not being controlled. Leaves with yellow patches on the undersides of the branches could be signs of marconina blotch, they said. The fungal attacks have been reported from several areas in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu districts as well. Last year, farmers could not get a hint of the alternaria fungus in time and suffered extensive damages to both leaves and quality of fruit. "Once the fungi spread their tentacles, it is difficult to control them later," said Laxman Thakur, Chairman, Ecohorts, Nandpur. He said they had observed that the combination of indofil and cantof or score and indofil fungicides had turned out to effective in controlling the alternaria fungus. “We are advising farmers to spray this combination to prevent the onslaught of fungal attacks,” he said. Dr Vijay Thakur, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said, “Apart from the combination, the dodene fungicide is also effective in controlling fungal disease. The farmers should spray it without delay where leaves are showing signs of shrinking as this is the right time to control the disease”. The fungi flourish in humid condition in orchards due to the excessive growth of weeds and grass. The apple orchards should be clean of grass and weeds and dead leaves for better air circulation as well, said the scientists. |
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Dalai Lama urges China to join mainstream of global democracy
Dharamsala, June 4 His brief statement was read out today to Tibetans participating in the campaign organised to mark the Tiananmen Square massacre at McLeodganj today. Students for a Free Tibet-India and the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Dharamsala, joined the global solidarity campaign to pay homage to the victims of the massacre. The campaign also called for the release of prominent Chinese democracy activist Liu Xiabo, Human Rights activist Ilham Tohti and South Mongolia freedom movement activist Hada. The event took place at the TCV School in McLeodganj with a photo exhibition of the Tiananmen democracy movement and the subsequent crackdown by the Chinese Communist regime. Leaders of various organisations and the Tibetan movement participated in the event and expressed their solidarity. "Like Tibetans, Chinese have been suffering a similar fate of repression under the Chinese regime. This regime has been making every possible effort to conceal the truth from the public and the world," said Nyima Yangtso, vice-president, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Dharamsala. "The Tiananmen massacre in 1989 is a dark side of the Chinese history where hundreds of innocent students who called for democracy and freedom in China were mercilessly killed by tanks and machine guns," said Tenzin Tselha, Grassroots Director of Students for a Free Tibet-India. Miss Dhadon Sharling, memberm Tibetan parliament-in-exile, Tenzin Jigme, president, Tibetan Youth Congress, Lukar Jam, executive member, Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, and Dorjee Tseten, Director, Students for a Free Tibet Asia, addressed the audience. A screening of the documentary "The Tank Man" followed the talk. Tibetan activists said signed petitions and
messages would be delivered to the Chinese Embassy in Delhi. |
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MCI flayed for allowing 150 seats in MBBS 1st batch in pvt college
Shimla, June 4 While government doctors have accused the MCI of favouring the private medical colleges sans faculty and infrastructure and acting tough with government-run medical colleges, the state unit of CPI (M) has demanded a CBI inquiry into the functioning of the MCI for issuing letter of permission to Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College, affiliated to Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Kumarhatti (Solan). It was alleged that the university did not have powers to affiliate the medical college under the Private Universities Act. Tikender Panwar, CPM state committee member and Deputy Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation(SMC), said, “It is shocking that the MCI is creating hurdles to scuttle the proposal of the state government to increase the MBBS seats in two government medical colleges and on the other hand it has permitted an infant private medical college to admit 150 students to the first batch of MBBS”. The actions of the MCI raise serious apprehensions about its designs. The alleged connivance of MCI officials with corrupt promoters can only be exposed through a high level CBI probe, he stressed. Panwar said the 2010 Act, under which the MMU was established, categorically stated that the university can run courses on the campus and has no right to affiliate colleges. Further, there is also no provision for management quota in private universities but the medical college has availed 50 per cent quota. The approved fee structure and management quota could be applicable only if it was affiliated to the Himachal Pradesh University but the college had not abided by the orders of government to get itself affiliated to the HPU even after five months. The future of 150 MBBS students, who have paid hefty fees, is in danger but the college has not taken effective steps to ensure that the affiliation row is sorted out and the students could appear in semester I examination. Intriguingly, the principal of the MM Medical College is a nominee of the state government in the MCI. |
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SP asks community to suggest steps for traffic regulation
Kullu, June 4 He proposed a time-bound entry for heavy vehicles and medium commercial vehicles
into the city limits, besides making it one way from the Gammon Bridge at Ramshila to the Sarwari Bridge near
the bus station. He also welcomed opinions from the participating community members. Dharamvir Dhami, president, Manali Vikas Manch, said, “While the truck union had
been moved from inner Akhara Bazar, the influential truck owners were habitual of parking their trucks on the roadside, in the narrow roads of localities.” A resident of inner Akhara Bazar, on the condition of anonymity, rued that sometimes vehicles were parked for weeks together, acting as a major cause of traffic jam. Sunder Singh Thakur, Kullu Congress president, said the township from Bhuntar to Kullu had a large number of business settlements. Diverting vehicles of tourists, especially luxury coaches from Bhuntar, would have serious impact on the livelihoods of people in this stretch. He also stressed on developing pedestrian sub-ways in Sarwari and Bhutti Chowk in Dhalpur, rather than building the proposed fly-overs in these places. Another resident
highlighted the violations of traffic rules by some private bus operators, while the issue of plying of tippers by drivers not holding a valid license was also raised. The district administration carried out a survey of the Sarwari region to assess the possibilities of regulation of traffic and to avoid congestion and jams, later in the evening. Nihal Chand, Kullu
ASP, Manu Sharma, vice-president, Municipal Committee, Kullu, officer-bearers of the Zila Parishad, heads, professors, lecturers and teachers of various educational institutions, president, Beopar Mandal, Kullu, representatives of
truck, tempo and auto unions, and many other dignitaries were present in the meet. |
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Administrator’s appointment at Una college College principal threatens to sit on fast unto death Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service
Una, June 4 The committee of one of most successful aided colleges in Una district had complained to the Governor regarding the attempts being made by HPU to appoint an administrator at the institute “at the behest of CM’s principal-cum-private secretary Subhash Ahluwalia”. In a letter to the Governor, Data Ram alleged that the state government tried to take over the college in 2006. However, the state High Court struck down the notification through the orders issued on May 29, 2008. After the present Congress government took over, attempts were once again made to take over the college. However, since it was not legally possible, a committee was deputed to enquire into the working of the college. The committee visited the college on November 9 and 10, 2013 and recommended the appointment of administrator. The agenda for the same was passed by the executive council of the university on March 1, 2014, as a supplementary agenda. Data Ram said the college had not violated any condition of affiliation or other mandatory requirement of law or statutes of the university to necessitate the appointment of an administrator. The president said the move was motivated by Subhash Ahluwalia who wanted the college to be taken over by the government so that his real sister Lilly Walia and her husband Dharam Pal Thakur could be accommodated. He said the college’s management committee had legally constituted a body which was duly approved by the university. The committee has requested the Governor to prevent the university from appointing an administrator at the college. Subhash Ahluwalia was not available for comments. Data Ram also alleged that the mala fide intention of the university authorities was illustrated from the fact that they wrote to the Election Commission during the Lok Sabha elections seeking permission to appoint an administrator at the college. Besides, the university also filed a caveat petition in the HC regarding the issue of the appointment of administrator at the college. By filing a caveat petition, the university authorities indicated that their action was illegal and they suspected court interference in the matter, he alleged. The college management and staff have threatened to launch a stir and the college principal too has threatened to sit on fast until death in case the government appointed an administrator at the college.
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80 trees make way for transmission lines
Palampur, June 4 Villagers said labourers of the company had come to the site on Sunday and in a few hours axed over 50 trees and left the spot. They said the construction of transmission lines was already in progress in the forest and the trees had become a hindrance for the company. The Forest Department had declined the request of the company to remove the trees. Amar Singh, forest guard of the area, stated that the Forest Department had not given any permission to the power company for felling the trees. So the company chose a Sunday to complete the operation. Illicit felling of trees has also been reported from the Jiyakharati Forest. Villagers confirmed that 30 trees were axed by the same company in the area. Meanwhile, senior officials of the department have become mute spectators and till date no case has been registered against the company. Both the spots from where illegal felling has been reported are situated on the roadside and are easily accessible. Villagers also alleged that officials of the Forest Department and the power company were hand-in-glove, otherwise, such a large number of trees could have never been axed. However, the District Forest Officer (DFO), Palampur, said the matter was under investigation. A senior officer of the power company said the company had only pruned the trees. He could not give any satisfactory reply to whether any permission was taken from the Forest Department to conduct this operation or not. |
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7-day workshop on research, statistic analysis begins
Solan, June 4 The workshop is being held in collaboration with the MAU and Panjab University, Chandigarh. Dr Manjula Chaudhary of Kurukshetra University delivered the key note address highlighting various aspects of research methodologies in practice at various institutes. She presented a detailed account of research being carried out in diverse areas and further dwelt on the significance of research and its utility in our day-to-day lives. Prof (Dr) SP Bansal, Vice-Chancellor, MAU, while addressing the delegates, said the university endeavoured to bring the best brains together and discuss and analyse various research methodologies adopted in research nowadays. He said such interactive sessions provided information about a variety of new techniques and tools of research. Dr Bansal also provided a detailed account of the foreign academic collaborations recently forged by the MAU. Singhal announced that the university would soon start a research and development centre. During the technical sessions, Prof O P Verma, Prof CS Sharma, Dr Satish Mittal, Dr Nitesh Goel, Dr Anil Gupta and Dr Purva Kansal will interact with the participants by sharing their experiences in the areas of research and methodology. Prof George Thomas, Director, Maharaja Agrasen School of Management, proposed a vote of thanks on the occasion. |
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HC hands over missing children's case to CBI
Shimla, June 4 The court passed these orders on a petition filed by the parents of the missing children. The petitioners had lodged an FIR at Dhalli police station on December 1, 2013, alleging that both the children were missing since November 27, 2013, from City Public School, Bhattakuffar, Sanjauli. It was alleged in the petition that since then the police was investigating the matter, but had failed to trace the boys. In its earlier order, the court had asked the police to file a status report in this matter. The court directed the police officers concerned to hand over the entire record to the Superintendent of Police (SP), CBI, who is commanded to take all the steps to trace the missing children and utilise modern techniques to take the investigations/inquiry to its logical end. The court directed the SP, CBI, to file a status report on or before July 14, 2014. |
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Residents resent hike in auto fares
Kangra, June 4 Local residents today lodged a protest against the hike in fares and sought the intervention of the local authorities in
the issue. The Auto Rickshaw Union decided to double the fare from Rs 5 to 10 from the bus stand to the Tehsil Chowk, the gateway to the Brajeshwari temple, and the decision was implemented from June 1, without any check from the authorities. The union sources said they had been carrying eight to 10 passengers in auto rickshaws and were charging Rs 5, but the authorities challaned them for over loading. So there was no option for them, but to hike the passenger fare. They added that they had communicated their resolution to the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) at Dharamsala, but there was no reply from his side. The RTO was not available for comments. Ajeet Bhardwaj, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Kangra, said he was communicated about the fare hike by auto rickshaws and had taken up the matter with the RTO. He said the fare hike was implemented on the Tanda-Tehsil Chowk and Tanda-53 mile routes also. The SDM added that he had called the Auto Rickshaw Union office-bearers to his office tomorrow to sort out the issue. Meanwhile, a Mudrika bus service would be initiated between the bus stand and the DRPGMC, Tanda, to help tourists, pilgrims and patients reach their destinations at a normal fare. The modalities in this connection were being finalised, Bhardwaj added. |
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Villagers hold protest over missing patient
Palampur, June 4 However, the hospital staff found him missing next morning from the ward. Pharmacists and nurses on duty presumed that Sali had gone back to his village without getting proper discharge slip from the hospital. In the morning when Amit Kumar, son of Sali Ram, came to the hospital he found his father missing. He told the hospital authorities his father had not reached home. Amit tried to trace his father in the past five days, but in vain. He also lodged a complaint at Thural police post in this regard. Today angry villagers reached Thural hospital and lodged a protest. They demanded action against the hospital staff for their lukewarm attitude and carelessness. Later, SDM Bhupinder Attari deputed Tehsildar PL Sharma to handle the case. Sharma persuaded the villagers to end the dharna and assured them that efforts would be made to trace the missing patient. |
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Villagers protest scarcity of drinking water in Tahliwal panchayat
Una, June 4 Local residents Jaswant Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Bhushan Singh, Poonam, Darshana Devi, Saroj and Sushma said if the drinking water situation did not improve, they would be forced to gherao the Deputy Commissioner. PL Sharma, Assistant Officer, Haroli IPH Department, tried to pacify the villagers. Contending that there was no shortage of drinking water, he said he would ask his subordinate staff to check the problem at the grass root level, if any. |
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Manimahesh Yatra to begin from August 15
Chamba, June 4 The Gaurikund is situated 2-3 km beneath the Manimahesh lake where devotees take a
dip and get a view of Kailash Mount, the abode of Lord Shiva. Initially, the helicopter operators would have
to obtain approval from the Director, Tourism, the information further stated. The Manimahesh
shrine is 216 km from Pathankot railhead via Chamba. The Kailash Mount,
situated at an altitude of about 5,656 metre, is clearly visible to devotees from the
Manimahesh lake, situated at an altitude of 4,170 metre.
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Ex-servicemen seek mobile CSD facilities
Una, June 4 There are a considerable number of ex-servicemen and their families residing in these areas. The demand was raised at a meeting of the league, chaired by Una district president Jai Singh. He later said the pension anomalies caused during the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission should be removed by the Union Government and the arrears, due to their cadre since January 2006, should be paid at the earliest.
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Man held for Nurpur villager’s murder
Nurpur, June 4 Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Manoj Joshi said after questioning over a dozen residents of the village, the police arrested Rakesh Shah. The DSP said the accused had confessed to his crime. The duo had consumed liquor on Monday night and after an altercation, Rakesh attacked Fouju with a sharp-edged weapon. The DSP said they had rounded up the parents of the victim on suspicion as the deceased had thrashed his father Roshan Deen and stepmother Fatima Bibi on Monday.
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Shimla, June 4 "The general transfers have been banned by the government. The transfers will be considered only to fill up vacancies or in case of grave administrative exigencies, with prior approval of the Chief Minister," the spokesperson added. The state government imposes restriction on the transfer and postings of its employees every year. — PTI
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