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BJP to urge Centre to probe cases against CM & family
Solan, July 26
The state BJP will ask the Centre to probe cases of corruption it had made out against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife and son. The party had been raising those at various platforms, but the cases were not probed during the UPA regime. The party’s executive committee unanimously passed a resolution pressing for a probe.

BJP leaders during the party’s state executive meeting in Solan on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

Extension of railways, ropeways priority for state, says Virbhadra
Una, July 26
Chief minister Virbhadra Singh today said the extension of railways and ropeways in the state was of utmost importance to boost tourism. Addressing mediapersons here today, he said the Union Government’s proposal of laying a broadgauge line till Leh, via Bilaspur and Mandi was welcome.

I have faith in judiciary: Capt Saurabh Kalia’s father
Palampur, July 26
Dr NK Kalia, father of martyr Capt Saurabh Kalia, who sacrificed his life in the Kargil War in 1999, said here today that he had full faith in the country’s judicial system and would get justice in the Supreme Court, where his petition was pending.

Govt wants DPR for Shimla, Dharamsala metro cable
Shimla, July 26
The Himachal Pradesh Government has asked the Urban Mass Transport Corporation (UMTC) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for metro cable in Shimla and Dharamsala and tram service in Una.

Rain deficit rises to 36% Shimla, July 26 The rain deficit in the state during the current monsoon has increased to 36 per cent as the region had deficient rains in the past one week. The deficit had come down from 43 per cent on June 30 to 28 per cent in mid-July, rising to 36 per cent today. Vehicles stand in a long queue during rain in Shimla on Saturday. Photo: Amit Kanwar

Company staff end four-day strike
Kullu, July 26
Patel Engineering Company employees ended their four-day strike on Friday after the management assured them that it would clear the payment of two months’ wages by July 31 and remaining dues by August 15.

Remembrance: Army men pay tributes to Kargil War heroes on the occasion of Vijay Diwas in Dharamsala on Saturday. Photo: Kamaljeet

Man gets 7-yr jail for rape
Chamba, July 26
Sessions Judge RK Sharma today convicted Bablu, resident of Mandon village falling in Churah tehsil of Chamba district for rape and criminal intimidation, under sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. He was sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 50,000.

Man kills self, wife, daughter
Solan, July 26
A case of man killing himself, his wife and daughter after consuming some pesticide came to light last evening. According to SP S Arul Kumar, Ranjeet Singh, 40, a resident of Massewal village near Nalagarh, consumed a pesticide and administered it to his wife Jaspal Kaur, 35 and his 15-year-old daughter Paramjeet forcibly last evening, leading to their death.

51-yr-old dies of poisoning
Kangra, July 26
A 51-year-old Hatwas resident employed in the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) died late last night in Tanda Medical College following consumption of poison, police said here today.

BJP to urge Centre to probe cases against CM & family
Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service

Solan, July 26
The state BJP will ask the Centre to probe cases of corruption it had made out against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife and son. The party had been raising those at various platforms, but the cases were not probed during the UPA regime. The party’s executive committee unanimously passed a resolution pressing for a probe.

It said BJP leaders had submitted a charge sheet listing various allegations of corruption like possession of disproportionate assets and irregularities in filing income tax returns to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the President, but no action was initiated against him.

Addressing mediapersons, BJP spokespersons Anurag Thakur, Randhir Sharma, Ganesh Dutt Sharma, Ajay Rana and Chander Mohan Thakur said the party would step up its stir against the Chief Minister and not rest till he resigned.

They said instead of accepting the worst-ever drubbing of the Congress in the Lok Sabha poll, the Chief Minister was undeterred in his efforts to victimise BJP leaders by slapping false cases.

Attributing the victory of the BJP in the Lok Sabha poll to Narendra Modi wave and anti-people policies of the Congress government, they said the BJP had secured a record 53.3 per cent vote share and secured the lead in 59 of the 68 Assembly seats, including the Chief Minister’s home turf.

The BJP leaders condemned the haste shown by the state government in giving a clean chit to those responsible for the Mandi mishap, in which 24 engineering students had drowned. It said a proper inquiry had not been conducted into the incident.

Attacking the state government for not having a well-defined mining policy, the BJP leaders alleged that the mining mafia was ruling the roost in border areas, where those getting political patronage had a free run.

They said measures like extending provisions of the Town and Country Act in rural areas had caused inconvenience to people in villages, who were facing hardship in undertaking need-based construction.

They said issues like non-availability of adequate rations at fair price shops and reduction of funds for BDCs was directly affecting the common man.

The BJP flayed the flip-flop of the state government on the education policy, wherein relaxations had been granted in admission to various courses after a large section of students took admission in other states. They condemned implementation of RUSA, which was posing a hardship to students and teachers.

Taking the Congress to task for introducing amendments in Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act for the seventh time, the BJP leaders said it would barely benefit outsiders.

The BJP passed resolutions lauding efforts of Modi government to ameliorate the lot of various sections of society by presenting a balanced Budget and announcing a hill development council for hill states.

State affairs in charge and national vice-president Balbir Punj, national organising secretary Ram Lal, Rajya Sabha member and national vice-president Mahesh Sharma, state BJP president Satpal Satti, former Chief Minister PK Dhumal and MPs Ram Swarup, Anurag Thakur, JP Nadda and Virender Kashyap were present.

Kangra MP Shanta Kumar was conspicuous by his absence. He had not attended the last meeting of the state BJP organised in Baddi.

Extension of railways, ropeways priority for state, says Virbhadra
Our Correspondent

Una, July 26
Chief minister Virbhadra Singh today said the extension of railways and ropeways in the state was of utmost importance to boost tourism. Addressing mediapersons here today, he said the Union Government’s proposal of laying a broadgauge line till Leh, via Bilaspur and Mandi was welcome.

The Chief Minister said a sum of Rs 27 crore was sanctioned for the ongoing work on the Amb-Talwara section of the Nangal-Una-Talwara rail line was not adequate.

He said the proposed Chandigarh-Baddi rail line should be initiated at the earliest so as to benefit the industrial belt.

“An agreement was signed for the Bhanupalli-Beri-Barmana rail line project between the Centre and the state about a year ago. It was decided in the agreement that the state and the Centre will fund 50 per cent in the project. This project also needs to be initiated at the earliest,” he said.

The Chief Minister opined that like Switzerland, Austria and other countries in the Alps, transportation in Himachal Pradesh was best suited through ropeways. “This amounts to minimum ecological damage as it will minimise the construction of roads,” he added.

The Chief Minister also informed that a Regional Centre of the Himachal Pradesh University would be opened at Rampur village of Una district, where adequate land had been procured for the purpose.

He said a Canteen Stores Department (CSD) depot of the Ministry of Defence had been sanctioned in Una and the state government had allocated land in Barnoh village.

“Around 17 new bridges will be constructed in Una district during the current financial year, for which a sum of Rs 150 crore has been sanctioned. This includes construction of nine bridges on the Mehatpur-Mubarikpur road, funded by the World Bank,” he said.

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, he also paid tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation during the Kargil War.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of a multi-purpose tourist centre near Chintpurni temple. The estimated Rs 45.5 crore multi-storey facility will include interpretation centre, rest places and parking space.

Industries minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Chintpurni MLA and Chairman of the State Finance Commission Kuldip Kumar, Gagret MLA Rakesh Kalia and Vice-Chairman of the State Tourism Development Board Vijay Singh Mankotia were also present.

CM gets bail in defamation case

Una: The Chief Minister today secured bail in a defamation case filed by SM Katwal, former chairman of the Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB), in the court of Una Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM).

Congress president Varinder Dharmani said Katwal had pleaded in 2003-04 that Virbhadra Singh had said in a public statement that during the Dhumal regime, the SSSB had remained a den of corruption.

Dharmani said the case was remanded back to the court of Una CJM by the Himachal Pradesh High Court. He said the Chief Minister had also been exempted from appearance during the court proceedings. — OC

Virbhadra inspects district hospital

Una: Chief Minsiter Virbhadra Singh made a surprise visit to inspect Una district hospital today.

Reacting to the complaints, he directed the officials of the Health Department to submit last three months records of patients’ to other hospitals.

He said approval for the construction of another floor on the existing three-storey building would be given soon. He also interacted with the indoor patients and their family members.

I have faith in judiciary: Capt Saurabh Kalia’s father
Ravinder Sood

Palampur, July 26
Dr NK Kalia, father of martyr Capt Saurabh Kalia, who sacrificed his life in the Kargil War in 1999, said here today that he had full faith in the country’s judicial system and would get justice in the Supreme Court, where his petition was pending.

Dr Kalia, talking to this correspondent on the completion of 15 years of the Kargil War here, said the Supreme Court had asked the Government of India to file a reply as to under what circumstances it could not take up this matter with Pakistan seriously to bring the culprits to book. He said October 2014 was the deadline set for the Centre by the apex court for filing of the reply.

Dr Kalia said he had gone from pillar to post in the past 15 years and approached the Government of India and several national and international organisations to pressurise Pakistan to identify, book and punish those who kept his son in captivity for three weeks and subjected to him to brutal torture.

Dr Kalia said he was disappointed with governments who ruled the nation in the past 15 years as none of them was serious about this important matter and none initiated any efforts to take up the issue with Pakistan during bilateral talks held several times. Therefore, he was left with no other alternative but to approach the country’s highest court for justice, he said.

Dr Kalia said 15 years on, his wounds were yet to be healed. He said not only had the parents lost a son but also the Indian Army and the nation had lost a dedicated and honest solider.

Dr Kalia said he was proud of his son and his team who fought the battle for 22 days. The enemy gave in, but these valiant sons did not, while undergoing savagery, he stated. The Pakistan army ultimately shot them.

Govt wants DPR for Shimla, Dharamsala metro cable
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 26
The Himachal Pradesh Government has asked the Urban Mass Transport Corporation (UMTC) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for metro cable in Shimla and Dharamsala and tram service in Una.

The services will provide relief to local residents and tourists from traffic congestion plaguing most towns in the state.

Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma held a meeting with representatives of the UMTC here two days back to push the proposed metro cable and tram projects for Shimla, Dharamsala and Una.

The UMTC, a Government of India undertaking, has already submitted the pre-feasibility report for the metro cable and trams service in the public-private partnership mode.

“We are keen to take up the metro cable project in Shimla and Dharamsala and tram service in Una as it will ease traffic congestion and attract tourists,” he said. He said the project would be expedited the moment the UMTC submitted the DPR to ensure early completion.

The proposed metro cable will cover the entire town of Shimla along the Cart Road. It will pass through Victory Tunnel, Chhota Shimla and Sanjauli and may be extended to Summer Hill.

There is a plan to have a ropeway from the Tourist Information Centre ahead of Sankat Mochan, connected to Fir Hill Hotel, Nabha, Lift and a little above Rani Jhansi Park on the Mall.

While Shimla and Dharamsala have been chosen as high and mid-hill towns, there is a proposal to run tram service in Una, located in the plains.

Located near the inter-border town with the Mehatpur industrial estate close by, Una, too, is plagued by traffic jams. The launch of a tram service will improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion.

With traffic congestion choking roads in Shimla, Dharamsala, McLeodganj, Manali, Kasauli, Dalhousie and Kullu, the state government has been looking for alternative means of transport to relieve traffic pressure.

Though there has been talk of aerial ropeways, tunnels and escalators in the City Mobility Plan for the state capital, it exists only on paper.

Rain deficit rises to 36%
Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 26
The rain deficit in the state during the current monsoon has increased to 36 per cent as the region had deficient rains in the past one week. The deficit had come down from 43 per cent on June 30 to 28 per cent in mid-July, rising to 36 per cent today.

The state received 228.1 mm rain from June 1 to July 26, against normal rainfall of 355.8 mm (-36 per cent) and all districts except Solan, Shimla and Una received deficient rains. While Solan and Shimla received 456.3 mm and 296.3 mm rains against normal rainfall of 443.4 mm and 296.4 mm, Una received 340.3 mm rain against normal rain of 354.9 mm (- 3 per cent).

Tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur received 83 per cent and 72 per cent less rains while the shortfall was 70 per cent in Chamba, 36 per cent in Kullu, 25 per cent in Kangra, 24 per cent in Bilaspur, 23 per cent in Sirmaur, 20 per cent in Hamirpur and 13 per cent in Mandi. Manmohan Singh, Director, local Met station, said heavy rains were likely in the region during the next few days and moderate to heavy rains would occur at many places from July 29. The deficit would come down considerably by the end of July, he said.

Heavy rain lashed Shimla and its surrounding areas this afternoon and the town received 27 mm rains in less than two hours. The sky remained heavily overcast and thick fog engulfed the region, reducing the visibility considerably.

The dry spell continued in the tribal Lahaul and Spiti district while the minimum and maximum temperatures rose to 18.4°C and 30.4°C, which was unusual.

The middle and lower hills also experienced moderate rain. Gohar received 36 mm rain, followed by Jubbal 25 mm, Jhungi 19 mm, Tissa and Mandi 17 mm, Rohru 16 mm, Karsog and Baijnath 15 mm, Theog 14 mm and Pandoh and Jogindernagar 13 mm rain. The maximum temperatures remained steady in the region. Una was the hottest, with a high of 32°C, followed by Bhuntar 31.5°C, Nahan 31.3°C, Sundernagar 29.8°C, Solan 28°C, Dharamsala 26.4°C, Kalpa 23.2°C and Shimla 22.2°C.

The minimum temperatures stayed close to normal. Kalpa and Manali recorded a low of 14.6°C and 15°C, followed by Shimla 16.4°C, Dharamsala 17°C, Nahan 18.2°C, Solan and Palampur 20°C, Bhuntar 20.5°C, Sundernagar 21.1°C and Una 23.3°C. Sowing of paddy and maize has picked up after rains, which are also beneficial for apple and vegetable crops.

Company staff end four-day strike

Kullu, July 26
Patel Engineering Company employees ended their four-day strike on Friday after the management assured them that it would clear the payment of two months’ wages by July 31 and remaining dues by August 15.

The workers are engaged in the construction of the NHPC’s Parbati-II project in Barshaini. Manager Rishi Dev Sharma said Chief Engineer (Dams) US Sharma, Senior Manager Ramesh Sharma and Manager (Civil) Kulbhushan met the protesting workers and resolved the issue. He said the workers were being retrenched as the work was over and pending dues would be cleared by August 15. The workers had alleged that the management had been indulging in malpractice by dismissing them at will and clearing pending dues for five or six months through post-dated cheques.

Various labour unions had supported and joined the stir. Leaders rued the role played by authorities of Labour and Employment Department. They alleged that there was no self-regulatory mechanism to ensure that the companies did not evade paying wages in time. — OC

Man gets 7-yr jail for rape
Our Correspondent

Chamba, July 26
Sessions Judge RK Sharma today convicted Bablu, resident of Mandon village falling in Churah tehsil of Chamba district for rape and criminal intimidation, under sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. He was sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 50,000.

In case of default of payment of the fine, Bablu would undergo further imprisonment for one month and pay a fine of Rs 10,000. In case there is default in payment of this fine, he would be imprisoned for another 15 days.

Assistant District Attorney LM Sharma said here today that the case was registered on the basis of the statement of the girl’s mother, who stated that her elder daughter used to remain sad.

On September 27, 2012, when she asked her daughter about the reason why she was sad, she told her mother that 4-5 days after the jattar (a local fair), when she had gone to collect khasrod (a local vegetable), Bablu had sexually assaulted her.

The girl also said the accused had threatened her not to disclose what she had undergone to anyone. She further said that after about 14-15 days of the incident, when she had gone to graze her cattle, the accused approached her, dragging her and sexually assaulting her again.

The girl’s mother talked about the incident with her kin, who advised her to report the matter to the police. She went with her daughter to the police station and lodged an FIR.

Accordingly, the accused Bablu was then charged and tried.

Man kills self, wife, daughter

Solan, July 26
A case of man killing himself, his wife and daughter after consuming some pesticide came to light last evening. According to SP S Arul Kumar, Ranjeet Singh, 40, a resident of Massewal village near Nalagarh, consumed a pesticide and administered it to his wife Jaspal Kaur, 35 and his 15-year-old daughter Paramjeet forcibly last evening, leading to their death.

His son, a minor, ran away. According to preliminary investigations, Ranjeet, who was under a debt of nearly Rs 35 lakh from banks, was an addict and was mentally disturbed. He had sold off the land given to him by his family and was a transporter.

He told police about his deed last evening. His daughter died at First Referral Unit, Nalagarh. His wife died this morning at PGI, Chandigarh, where she had been referred along with him. He himself died late last night. — TNS

51-yr-old dies of poisoning

Kangra, July 26
A 51-year-old Hatwas resident employed in the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) died late last night in Tanda Medical College following consumption of poison, police said here today.

SHO Nagrota Bagwan Inder Singh today said Surender Kumar, a resident of Hatwas village, who was working as an employee with HRTC, last evening returned home at 6 pm in an inebriated condition. His son told the police that Surender started vomiting in his room and upon inquiry, it came to light that he had consumed some poisonous substance.

He was rushed to the Tanda medical college, where he died late last night. The police handed over his body to his kin today after post-mortem. Investigation under Section 174 of Criminal Procedure Code was on, said the SHO. — OC