Shimla, July 10
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today intervened and passed the proposal for the standardisation of 23.5-kg apple carton which was approved by five other ministers. Governor Urmila Singh is likely to give her assent tomorrow. The proposal will be passed through an ordinance.

Taking the suo motu cognizance of a report published today in the columns of The Tribune, Virbhadra Singh gave his assent for the proposal as desired by Horticulture Minister Vidya Stokes and other government agencies, revealed sources.

The General Administration Department (GAD) took the initiative after the Chief Minister’s intervention and circulated the proposal for other four departments. Apart from Chief Minister and Horticulture Minister, Agriculture Minister Sujan Singh Pathania, Forest Minister TS Bharmouri and Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri gave their assent to the proposal moved by GAD, sources revealed.

The assent of five ministers was needed for the prosposal before it was made an ordinance after the assent of the Governor, said officials.

It is learnt that the Horticulture Minister will take up the proposal with the Governor tomorrow and she is expected to give her assent, considering that the apple season is only a week away and farmers are uncertain about the standard packing material.

The government had made punitive provisions for apple farmers, commission agents, truck operators and others to adhere to the standard apple cartons. They would attract penalty for overweighing, overloading and overgrading, revealed the officials.

The proposal had been move through circulation as the state Cabinet was expected to meet on July 14 that would have delayed the matter for another week or so, sources said.

Stokes said the government would enforce the standard carton norms strictly this season. The idea was to save farmers from exploitation and making the apple industry globally competent as they were prepared to face the World Trade Organisation challenge, she said. 

Shimla, July 10
With the apple marketing season approaching, apple growers in Kinnaur are a worried lot due to blocking of the Hindustan-Tibet national highway due to massive and continuous landslide at Urni.

The people are using the narrow “diversion road” from Chulling Nullah via Urni village to Tapri, but the road is not fit for heavy vehicles. A frequent landslide at Urni has become a major traffic bottleneck with frequent landslides in the fragile hilly area.

The apple marketing season starts in the last week of August as crop matures late in high-altitude areas and apple fetches handsome returns in the market, but growers are apprehensive about the opening of the road ahead of the market season.

Apple growers are pressing the government to clear the road and find some durable solution to the problem of frequent landslides. They fear that they will be forced to hire small vehicles for marketing which involve higher cost.

Kinnaur farmers, who went through the trauma of excessive rains and devastating floods last year, are already facing a major problem in transportation of peas, a supplementary cash crop, and have urged the state government to find permanent solution to the problem and adopt scientific techniques for “treatment’ of the areas to stabilise the fragile hills.

“As only small vehicles are plying on the narrow bypass road, more vehicles will be needed for transportation of apple which increase the cost and damage in loading and unloading will be more,” says Arun Negi, a farmer from Reckong Peo.

Convener of the Him Lok Jagriti Manch RS Negi, a retired IAS officer, fighting for the rights of Kinnauri people, said loaded heavy vehicles could not commute through the diversion roads due to the steep climb from Chulling Nullah to Urni village and if the road was not widened and gradient not improved before the commencement of the apple season, the farmers would also suffer losses.

During the apple season, 100-150 trucks carry apple from Kinnaur to different parts of the country every day and about 30-35 lakh boxes are transported during the season, he added.

Deputy Commissioner DD Sharma said Rs 5.47 crore had been sanctioned for the widening of roads and the work was going on a war footing to open the road and also keep the diversion road in a good condition.

“We have written to the state government and also sent a CD depicting the situation and stressed that clearing of debris at Urni has become a routine exercise and even today stones are rolling down at the landslide site,” he said.

Shimla, July 10
The CPM, including its student outfits, today staged a statewide protest against the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) system in colleges and submitted a memorandum to Governor Urmila Singh.

CPM leaders state secretary Rakesh Singha and Shimla Mayor Sanjay Chauhan participated in the protest and later submitted a memorandum to the Governor highlighting the problems being faced by students and teachers under the new system of RUSA, which was implemented hurriedly in the state.

They claimed that RUSA was implanted just to get funds without preparing students, teachers and staff for the new system. The result for the RUSA system had not been declared for 2013, leave alone the examinations for the current year, they charged.

The Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti, an NGO, also held a workshop on RUSA at the city college and came to the conclusion that RUSA was creating a lot of problems for students and teachers in all colleges in the state.

Shimla, July 10
Taking a serious note of non-recovery of house tax from defaulters, the HP High Court today directed the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Shimla, to file the list of defaulters before the court.

For framing the draft bylaws, the court also directed the Municipal Commissioner and the Mayor, Shimla, to convene the General House of the MC within a week and take all steps to frame draft bylaws and forward these to the government.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice VK Sharma took this petition suo motu.

It was informed to the court on the last date by the MC, that it had made recoveries in some cases and, recovery certificates were sent to the Tehsildar (Recovery) through the District Collector, Shimla.

He stated that no recovery certificate was received from the MC through the District Collector for recovery of dues. The District Collector, Shimla, submitted that all recovery cases had been returned to the Municipal Commissioner as per government notification vide which the Joint or Assistant Commissioner, MC, has been conferred with the powers of Collector for recovery of dues.

The court directed the Assistant Commissioner, MC, Shimla, to do the needful for effecting recovery of dues for which the Tehsildar (Recovery) would provide assistance to him as the corporation stated that it did not have expert revenue officials.

The court also impleaded the Principal Secretary (Urban development) as party in the case and directed the government to do within two weeks from the receipt of draft bylaws. The court posted the matter for August 14 for further hearing.

Palampur, July 10
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh attended the passing-out parade ceremony at the Police Training Centre (PTC), Daroh, 10 km from here, today.

While addressing the police personnel, he asked them to serve society with full dedication, devotion and selflessness.

“You have an important role to play in serving the humanity and I hope that you will rise up to the expectation of people and will carry out your responsibilities in a befitting manner giving due respect to the law of the land,” the CM said.

“The training you have received and the show you have demonstrated indeed was of high standards and I believe that you will maintain such standards in your day-to-day life and will set an example for other colleagues as well,” he said.

He said the police personnel were the image makers of the government and their true behaviour in general public, their rapport with the masses and their sincere efforts to solve the problem of the people will simultaneously improve the image of the Police Department.

He said Himachal Pradesh had always been a source of attraction for tourists from all over the world because of its beauty and for places of religious importance.

“I hope you all will have a friendly and helping attitude towards them and will ensure the atmosphere of peace in the state,” he said.

He advised the cadets to maintain the dignity of the ‘khaki’. He said it was their duty to protect the weak and needy.

He said for 2013-14, Rs 21.15 crore had been given for constructing residences and other non-residential buildings of the department, besides Rs 23.66 crore had been sanctioned for residential and non-residential purposes this year.

He said as many as 2,359 posts of different ranks were lying vacant in the Police Department and the government was considering filling the same on a priority.

The CM also distributed prizes to the meritorious cadets and also inspected the parade and took salute from an impressive march-past presented by the cadets. He also planted a sapling on the campus. Sarita, a women cadet, was declared as the best overall cadet.

The CM also inaugurated the barracks constructed at a cost of Rs 1.65 crore and Rs 3.25 crore, respectively.

He announced Rs 20 lakh for furnishing the inaugurated buildings of the centre and Rs10 lakh each for the renovation and maintenance of existing buildings and inner roads and paths within the campus of PTC, Daroh.

Earlier, Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar welcomed the Chief Minister.

He said as many as five buildings were constructed earlier and the proposal of starting post-graduation and MA MPhil courses at the training centre was under consideration. IG, Training, PTC, Daroh GD Bhargava administered the oath of allegiance and secrecy to the passing-out cadets.

He said some cadets were highly qualified and well versed with the latest technology, besides being sportsperson par excellence.

Transport Minister GS Bali, Agriculture and MPP Minister Sujan Singh Pathania, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jagjivan Pal and other senior officers of the Police Department were also present on the occasion.

Dalhousie, July 10
The Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) of the Government Hospital, Dalhousie, has given the nod for its annual budget to the tune of Rs 23 lakh for the current fiscal year. The decision was taken at its annual meeting held under the chairmanship of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Malok Singh here yesterday.

Senior Medical Officer Vipin Thakur, who is also member secretary of the RKS, said as many as 50,551 patients were examined in the out-patient department (OPD) of the hospital last year which was a big record.

Dr Vipin said 12,000 eye patients had been checked up and eye operations of 240 patients conducted.

He said the check-up of 2,216 dental patients had been conducted. Also, free delivery of 140 women had been done successfully and they had been sent home by the hospital ambulance.

Shimla, July 10
Good news for youth aspiring for higher studies and job opportunities in Europe: The first school of foreign languages (SOFL) has come up in the capital town in collaboration with the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA).

The school inaugurated by Anirudh Singh, Congress MLA from Kasumpti, is the first of its kind in the state offering opportunities to students to acquire proficiency in foreign languages. To begin with, the school will impart lessons in German language and in due course French, Spanish and Chinese will also be introduced.

Anirudh said: “The initiative will provide avenues to the youth eyeing studies and jobs abroad, especially in the European belt, as German is a widely spoken language in Europe.”

Seema Sharma, Principal of the school, said: “The advancement of technology and communication has turned the world into a global village and with multi-national companies venturing in India, knowledge of a foreign language will certainly provide a cutting edge in the highly competitive job market and career advancement, not only for those looking for a career abroad, but to Indian residents as well.”

Naresh Scott, Head, YMCA, Shimla, said: “The YMCA, Germany, will support the kids wanting to go to Germany for studies and jobs which will be an additional advantage.” The basic course in German will be of three months with moderate fee of Rs 8,500, including the study material.

Hamirpur, July 10
The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Hamirpur, bagged the Education Leadership Award by ABP News for the third time this year.

NIT was awarded for being an outstanding engineering institute of North India for 2014 and for various achievements in the field of technical education.

Dr Kuldeep Kumar Sharma, Associate Professor and Coordinator, Informatics Centre, NIT, received the award on behalf of Director Rajnish Shrivastava.

Ashok Venkatramani, CEO of Media Content and Communication Services (MCCS), presented the award at a ceremony held in Mumbai recently.

Vice-Chancellors and Directors of other NIT institutes and IITs and academicians of different educational institutions across the country were also present on the occasion.

Shimla, July 10
The Ridge, The Mall, Rivoli road and Lower Bazaar are set to be declared vendor-free zones as about 222 vendors, including 76 Tibetan vendors in the Tibetan market on the Rivoli road, will get shops in the Rs 3.85-crore eight-storey Aajivika Bhawan, the foundation stone of which will be laid by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh tomorrow.

The Ridge from the Scandal Point to the Roller Skating Rink and the Ritz Theatre and The Mall from the Central Telegraph heritage building to the Shimla Club and the Scandal Point-Rivoli road will be made the vendor-free zone. These road stretches are a part of the core heritage zone.

Aajivika Bhawan will be built on the old Bakery Building facing the HP Tourism Lift near the edge of the Subzi Mandi under the challenge fund received from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. The Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) has already received Rs 2.50 crore challenge fund from the ministry on October 22, 2013.

The MC sought to rehabilitate 168 registered street vendors and 76 Tibetan vendors in this bhawan for which the MC house and vendors have already given their consent, said Municipal Commissioner Amarjeet Singh.

The Rivoli road will be declared the ambulance road providing facility to residents in the Lower Bazar, middle and other localities. The project aims to make the city vendor-free for the smooth movement of the public, said Sanjay Chauhan, Shimla Mayor.

“The approach roads and streets to Aajivika Bhawan will be beautified to make shopping a pleasant experience. Tibetans will add to the attraction as they are good salesmen,” said Tikender Panwar, Deputy Mayor, Shimla. The bakery building will be demolished to make way for the rehabilitation of street vendors who are an integral part of city life.

The MC has found 642 street vendors in the city.

The Lower Bazaar, Lakkar Bazaar and Indira Gandhi Medical College road can be categorised as partial vending zones.

Kullu, July 10
To teach self-defence to 7,500 girls as part of its campaign under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan, the police imparted martial arts training for 10 days to 492 girls.

DSP Sanjay Sharma today awarded certificates to 275 girls of Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Sultanpur, 132 girls of GSSS, Raison, and 85 girls of GSSS, Shirad, at different functions held at these schools.

He said, “This is a comprehensive form of Samarth Yojna, earlier launched by the Police Department. It aims to increase the level of confidence among girls to enable them to meet challenges of life and deal effectively with anti-social elements.”

He said a memorandum of understanding in this regard had been executed between the Police and Education Departments of the state. Martial arts training camps for girls would be launched at various schools of the district, he added. 

Chamba, July 10
The Chamba District Progressive Council, a leading registered non-governmental organisation (NGO) of the area, has hailed Revenue Minister Kaul Singh Thakur’s decision to remove the cantonment toll barrier at Banikhet near Dalhousie on the Chamba-Pathankot road.

The council, as per its president Hari Ram Puri and general secretary GS Bedi, had been persistently demanding the removal of this unjustified toll barrier. They had also submitted representations to the government from time to time over the past few years, they said.