Shimla, August 5
Adopting a pro-people approach, the Select Committee of the Vidhan Sabha has recommended that buildings raised in violation of construction norms and having up to 70 per cent deviation should be regularised by charging nominal compounding rates and incentive be given to those who will make exclusive parking on one or two floors.

The Select Committee, which met here yesterday, has taken a lenient view so that the issue of the unauthorised status of over 25,000 houses in the state can be changed to legal.

However, it has been decided that the houses which have been made on government, forest or municipal land without submitting building maps would not be approved.

To facilitate the regularisation process of these buildings, it has been recommended to make provision for online availability of the form so that those who want to seek regularisation can easily complete the formalities. It has been recommended that the owners of these houses should be given one month’s time to apply. The committee is also learnt to have recommended some concessions with regard to the compounding rate so that all house owners can pay the penalty and get their houses regularised.

The recommendations of the Select Committee headed by Town and Country Planning Minister Sudhir Sharma will be placed before the cabinet before it can be placed the Assembly where the Bill for making amendments to the Town and Country Planning Department is to be tabled. The recommendations were finalised today.

“All members were of the opinion that a lenient view be adopted so that the issue can be settled,” revealed sources. It has been recommended that houses which have been raised with up to 70 per cent deviation of norms be regularised. The number of stories would be restricted to four besides a basement for parking and attic.

Though in the last retention policy the extent of deviation allowed was 40 per cent but a majority of the houses did not qualify for regularisation as the deviation was much higher and in some cases even 100 per cent. Efforts have been made to give the maximum relief to house owners so that the issue which has been hanging fire since long can be settled.

Dharamsala, August 5
The Wildlife Department staff that have to counter poachers have guns, but these are just serving the purpose of sticks.

Sources said the department had purchased double-barrel, single-barrel 12-bore rifles and even revolvers for the protection of their staff to check poaching in 2006-07. However, since then no bullets had been purchased.

A wildlife official said, “Sometimes we sling guns on our shoulders while on patrolling in forest areas just to scare away poachers. However, if they come to know that we do not have bullets, the poachers might attack us,” he said.

The wildlife official said the department did not allow them to buy bullets for the guns as it was feared it might be difficult for them to face criminal cases if shots were fired in encounters with poachers or otherwise.

“The guns are not more than sticks and we are fortunate that the poachers do not know about it,” said a wildlife official in the field.

Lalit Mohan, Principal Chief Conservator, Wildlife, said nobody from the field informed the head office that no bullets were available for guns. “Now that the matter has been brought to my notice, bullets will be purchased,” he said.

The department also has the shortage of staff and vehicles. Most of the Forest Department officials prefer posting in the Territorial or Forest Departments. The guards posted in the Wildlife Department are those who are nearing retirement.

In the Pong Wildlife Sanctuary in Kangra district that extends across 327 sq km, there are just 12 forest guards and rangers. The post of the DFO wildlife is lying vacant. In contrast, the Bharatpur wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan that is spread across about 30 square km there are 30 forest guards. It also has the post of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF). However, the number of forest guards in the Pong wildlife sanctuary has gone up from 9 to 12.

The department in the Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary has a Gypsy and a motorcycle.

The Dhauldhar Wildlife Sanctuary that extends in Kangra and Chamba districts is spread across about 900 sq km. However, there are few wildlife guards in the area to check poaching.

The irony

The department had purchased double-barrel, single-barrel 12-bore rifles and even revolvers for the protection of their staff to check poaching in 2006-07. However, since then no bullets had been purchased.

Solan,August 5
The government has cleared the transport subsidy claims of JP Cements amounting to Rs 31 crore even as it failed to initiate any action against the unit for enhancing clinker production beyond the stipulated quantity.

Though the government had raised much hue and cry in March this year against JP Cements for enhancing its clinker production without taking the clearance, little had been done and it had now even cleared its claims for transport subsidy pertaining to the period when it had enhanced its production.

According to the findings of a report available with the Industries Department, the unit was authorised to manufacture 2.54 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of cement and 2.05 MTPA clinker. Its clinker production had, however, exceeded the approved limit and it produced 2.27 MTPA in 2010-2011, 2.29 MTPA in 2011-2012 and 2.97 MTPA in 2012-2013.

Though the committee headed by the Director, Industries, put on hold the subsidy claims of JP Cements pertaining to the first quarter of 2010 as its date of production was shown earlier than the date of land transfer, the other claims were approved. The meeting was also attended by officials of the Ministry of Commerce where the total claims of Rs 34.95 crore were approved, said Director Industries Rajinder Singh.

Ricky Sharma, GM, JP Cements, said he was not aware if their claims had been rejected or accepted as of now as no such information was given to him.

Interestingly, the claims of Ambuja Cements of Rs 10 crore were not approved.

The claims of both the cement units had earlier been put on hold early this year as they had not got themselves registered prior to commencing the production and since this had become a mandatory norm, all units which did not fulfil these criteria were not approved for transport subsidy claims.

The transport subsidy scheme had been extended for four years by the union ministry early this year while old claims of 2010 were yet to be approved. Under this scheme, the investors are eligible for 75 per cent to-and-fro freight charges from the nearby rail head for raw material and finished goods. 

The violation

The unit was authorised to manufacture 2.54 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of cement and 2.05 MTPA clinker. Its clinker production had exceeded the limit and it produced 2.27 MTPA in 2010-2011, 2.29 MTPA in 2011-2012 and 2.97 MTPA in 2012-2013.

Shimla, August 5
Vidhan Sabha Speaker BBL Butail today held an all-party meeting on the eve of monsoon session for the smooth conduct of the session.

The Speaker sought the cooperation of members from both sides of the House and said all matters be raised as rules of business with the permission of the chair and there should be no provocation that disturbed the House.

The meeting was attended by Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, BJP members Suresh Bharadwaj and Rikhi Ram Kaundal and Independent member Pawan Kajal.

The BJP members said they wanted smooth conduct of proceedings but there should be no provocation and they should be accorded opportunity to raise the issues of public interest.

The BJP members also urged the Speaker to provide the hard copies in addition to furnishing the documents and information online as it would take sometime for members to get accustomed to e-Vidhan system.

The 24-day monsoon session with 16 sittings of the House will not only be the longest monsoon session, but also the first session after inauguration of e-Vidhan system to make the House paperless.

Former BJP minister Dr Rajiv Bindal said enthused by media reports about the implementation of e-Vidhan system, he sent all his questions online but these were not accepted by the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat and he had to send the questions by courier which were delayed.

The Speaker said the procedure to accept the questions online had not been started yet as rules of business had to be amended. 

Dharamsala, August 5
A member of the NSUI, Avinash Kumar, today began an indefinite fast at Government College, Dharamsala, against the implementation of RUSA and increase in fee by Himachal Pradesh University (HPU).

Avinash, who is a BA-II student of the college, said they had earlier held protests and a chain hunger strike, but the university authorities did not pay heed. “We have been forced to take such an extreme step,” he said.

Other students’ organisations such as the ABVP and the SFI have also been holding protests against the implementation of RUSA and fee hike. 

Kangra, August 5
Members of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidiarthi Parishad (ABVP) today boycotted classes at Government Post Graduate College in Dhaliara and took out a rally against the Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in Dehra.

They gathered at Hanuman Chowk, raised slogans against Himachal Pradesh University and the state government for implementing RUSA for their alleged vested interests.

Pankaj Kumar, ABVP leader, said RUSA had “degraded” the education system and brought forth hardships for students. He alleged that admissions to the government colleges had been limited under the RUSA system, forcing a majority of the students to seek admissions in private colleges at higher fees. He said students were not free to take subjects of their choice under this system in government colleges.

The rally passed through the Mall Road, bus stand and the mini-secretariat.

They demanded that RUSA be revoked as it was detrimental for the future students of poor families.

Chamba, August 5
The BJP flayed the state government and the administration for politicising the cultural programmes of the International Minjar Fair in Chamba town.

The eight-day-long Minjar Fair is a symbol of fraternity, affection and communal harmony, said the BJP unit.

Addressing a press conference here today, BJP district leader Dr DK Soni and BJP district secretary Ravinder Singh Kistwaria said the standard of the cultural programmes of the Minjar Fair was low and unexciting in comparison to the previous years.

The BJP leaders expressed deep concern over the insanitary conditions during the fair.

They said the sitting BJP MLAs of the district would raise the issue of Minjar Fair in the monsoon Assembly session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.

Kullu, August 5
State BJP vice-presidents Ram Singh and Rama Verma and state BJP general secretary Pawan Rana participated in a district BJP meet here today.

District BJP president and Manali MLA Gobind Singh Thakur presided over the meeting and former state BJP chief Khimi Ram Sharma was also present.

Pawan Rana said 76 of the 7,283 polling booths in Himachal witnessed more than 80 per cent polling in favour of BJP candidates. He said presidents of these booths would be awarded in a function to be held in Hamirpur on September 25. He said the BJP national president Amit Shah and other BJP leaders would attend the function. District BJP general secretary Bhimsen Sharma, treasurer Naresh Karir, secretary Arvind Chandel, media co-ordinator Joginder Shukla and BJP state executive members were present on the occasion.

Shimla, August 5
As many as 24 officers and officials of the state police and Home Guards were decorated with President Police and Home Guard and Civil Defence Medals for their distinguished and meritorious services by Governor Urmila Singh in the presence of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during an investiture ceremony here today.

The Governor honoured Hardesh Bisht, Prithvi Raj and Shiv Ram Sharma with the President Police Medals (PPMs) for distinguished services, while Abhishekh Trivedi, BM Sharma, Kuldeep Sharma, Madan Lal, Paras Ram, Rakesh Pathania, Bhuvnesh Kumar and Tek Chand were presented PPMs for meritorious services.

Hari Sukh Saukta and Gian Negi were awarded Home Guards and Civil Defence Medals for distinguished services, and Deepa Ram Pundir, Vijay Singh, Ramesh Chand, Mohinder Seth, Ishwar Dass, Deva Kumari, Sunita Devi, Kalam Singh, Mangat Ram, Manorama Sharma and Ramesh Sharma Home Guards and Civil Medals for meritorious services.

The Governor and the Chief Minister congratulated the medal winners on the occasion.

Shimla, August 5
Apple farmers have raised their grouse against the failure of the successive state governments to reserve 25 per cent chambers in controlled atmospheric stores (CAS) under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) to save farmers from the distress sale in the markets.

Instead of providing CAS facilities to farmers, the CAS corporate are making money every year. They buy fruit at cheap rates when farmers are forced to sell the fruit in markets during the glut, with rates ranging from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 45 per kg for the top variety and sell these almost at Rs 130 a kg in the off-season markets, said farmers.

The government should have framed a policy and reserved some stores for farmers at affordable rates, said Laxman Thakur, Chairman, Ecohorts, Nandpur. “The Adanis and other CAS companies should be brought under the CSR so that farmers get storage facilities,” added Pradip Banchta, orchardist from Shantha, Chopal.

The corporate shrewdly declare buying rates when the markets are flooded with fruit and the rates hit low in the peak season as the government has no policy, the farmers resented.

Rakesh Singha, president, HP Apple Growers Association, said Adani had got subsidies worth Rs 15 crore under the national technology mission from the government. But the company provided no facilities for storage of fruit to farmers, he added.

The HPMC has limited stores at Jarol Tikkar and Guma where farmers can store 32,000 cartons each. “We have reserved 25 per cent chambers for farmers on a first-come, first-serve basis and charge Rs 1.45 per kg in the CAS stores. As an apple farmer, he will take up the matter with the government,” said Prakash Thakur, vice-chairman, HPMC and orchardist from Kotgarh.

The Adani group, Devbhumi, and the third one being set up at Balgahar in Theog have set up stores, but the government has framed no policy for farmers in the private controlled atmospheric stores. The Adani group runs three controlled atmospheric stores — Sainj in Theog, Kingal in Kumarsain and Mendli in Rohru.

Horticulture Minister Vidya Stokes said the government was committed to the welfare of the farmers and would explore all possibility in this regard. 

Chamba, August 5
The International Minjar Fair Sports Tournament-2014 concluded here today. Major SC Nayyar was the organiser of the events. He said Pawan Nayyar beat Neeraj in table tennis open championship by 21-19, 21-16.

In the semi-final match, Pawan Nayyar beat Amit Vakil, who was the champion for the last seven years.

In doubles, Neeraj and Ravi were the champions, while Amit Vakil and Aman emerged as runners-up.

In veteran single, Pawan Nayyar beat Sunit Puri by 21-18, 21-20.

In veteran doubles, Pawan Nayyar and Sunit Puri beat Yoginder Sharma and Yadu Chona by 21-16, 21-20.

In women’s kabbadi, Singi School beat Tikri School by 12 points.

In men’s kabbadi, Jassourgarh beat Jadhiar by 10 points.

In women’s hockey, Chandigarh beat Meerut Club by two goals.

In men’s hockey, Amritsar beat Una Club by 2-1.

In volleyball match, Adampur Club beat Khalsa College, Amritsar.

In badminton single, Rajesh beat Kusharb by 21-19, 21-20.

In football match, Sirsa Academy beat DFA, Tarantaran, by 1-0.

In chess, Jitesh Thakur beat Shyam Thakur.

In junior chess, Prince Thakur beat S Guleria.

More than 100 players from different parts of Himachal Pradesh and the neighbouring states participated in various sports categories.

Chamba SP DK Chaudhary was the chief guest on the Minjar sports tournament closing ceremony. 

Nurpur, August5
The state authorities do not seem to be serious about strengthening the police force at Nurpur, which lies near the state border with Punjab. Leave alone posting sanctioned police personnel at Nurpur police station, the successive governments have failed to notify even three police chowkis set up at Kandwal, Gangath and Rehan under this police station.

These chowkis had been set up and made functional in November 2005, April 1995 and December 1997, respectively, without the requisite sanction by the then state governments, on verbal orders of higher ups. Due to this, no regular police personnel could be appointed at these chowkis for want of sanctioning of police force strength. Inquiries reveal that in order to run these chowkis, there is a practice of “time gap” arrangement in the Police Department for shifting personnel from Nurpur police station and Police Lines, Dharamsala, to these chowkis ever since these have been made functional. However, the department is unable to set up its own buildings to house these chowkis.

The chowkis of Rehan and Gangath are being run at the local panchayat ghars, whereas the Kandwal chowki is being run from a small rented room. The Kandwal chowki, situated on the entry point of the state at the Kandwal barrier, speaks volumes about the sorry state of affairs.

A single room houses both the police chowki and a tourist information centre. Situated on the inter-state border of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and on the Pathankot-Mandi national highway, this chowki has been crying for attention for many years. The area under this police chowki connecting two border states is known for crimes such as drug trafficking, road accidents, illegal mining and entry of suspicious elements in the hill state and so the infrastructure and work force at the chowki needs to be upgraded.

Established in 1893, the Nurpur police station does not have police force as per the sanctioned strength. As per official information, it has two Sub-Inspectors against the sanctioned strength of five, one Assistant Sub-Inspector against the seven sanctioned posts, seven Head Constables against the 12 sanctioned posts and 27 Constables against the sanctioned strength of 40. The existing police force is also discharging additional duties in the sub-divisional sub-jail for escorting undertrials within and outside the state. The police lock-ups in the police station for men and women are without attached toilets, risking fleeing of criminals in police custody. Moreover, the number burglaries, murders, road mishaps and crimes against women are on the rise and inadequate police force is a major impediment in checking crimes.

Manoj Joshi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nurpur, said he had raised the issues related to strengthening of the local police station and its chowkis during the district crime meeting of the department and had also written to the higher ups. Superintendent of Police, Kangra, Kapil Sharma and Additional Superintendent of Police Basher Singh were also contacted but were not available for comments.

Shortage of manpower

The Nurpur police station has two Sub-Inspectors against the sanctioned strength of five, one Assistant Sub-Inspector against seven sanctioned posts, seven Head Constables against 12 sanctioned posts and 27 Constables against the sanctioned strength of 40

Kangra, August 5
Fiftyone students and faculty members of MCM DAV College and members of the Rotary Club today donated blood at a camp organised by the local Rotary Club in collaboration with the local MCM DAV College.

Rakesh Kathuria, president of the Rotary Club, said the donated blood would go a long way in serving needy patients.

The camp was held on the college premises. 

Kangra, August 5
A one-day Anti-Ragging Orientation Programme-2014 was organised by the anti-ragging committee of Government Polytechnic College in Kangra today.

Committee member Ashok Kumar said the deterioration of values and drifting away of youth from cultural roots were reasons for drug addiction and ragging.

He said the teacher-pupil relationship needed to be developed like that of Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna. He said the relationship between senior and junior students should be like that between Lord Rama and Bharata, who sacrificed every thing for each other.

Tehsildar, Kangra, Naresh Kumar told students to desist from getting involved in ragging at any cost.

Municipal Council chief Suman Verma, who was the chief guest of the function, told students to keep away from vices.

More than 700 students and faculty members attended the program. 

Shimla, August 5
Ayurvedic pharmacists have threatened the state government that they will intensify their stir if their demands are not met.

The pharmacists said the Health Department had not filled 503 vacant posts of pharmacist at ayurvedic dispensaries. They also blamed the department for not revising their pay grade at par with allopathic pharmacists since October, 2012.

The pharmacists opposed a recent move of the Health Department to appoint deputy ayurvedic pharmacists at lower pay grade at all the ayurvedic health centres across the state.

The Himachal State Ayurvedic Pharmacist Mahasangh lambasted the government for not fulfilling their pending demands as the Directorate of Ayurveda did not receive any order on the new pay grade and filling up of the vacant posts.

“The government is not granting a pay grade of Rs 4,200 to ayurvedic pharmacist and Rs 4,600 to chief ayurvedic pharmacist, which is equivalent to their allopathic counterparts, despite repeated assurances by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and the Principal Secretary (Finance),” said Vinod Sharma, president of the mahasangh, and Tilak Thakur, general secretary.

The members of the mahasangh said the creation of deputy ayurvedic pharmacist posts would close doors for over 5,000 un-employed trained ayurvedic pharmacists.

“Adding new posts will upset the functioning of health centres,” said Tilak.

Sandeep Bhatnagar, Director of Ayurveda, said they did not receive anything in writing from the government on the revision of pay grades. 

Other demand

They demanded filling of 503 vacant posts of pharmacist at ayurvedic dispensaries

Palampur, August 5
KK Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK HP Agriculture University, Palampur, while addressing students and staff, said the university was taking all measures to prevent ragging on the campus. He said a monitoring cell on ragging, an anti-ragging squad and an anti-ragging women squad had been constituted at the university level for the academic year 2014-15. Besides, anti-ragging squads and anti-ragging committees had also been formed at the college and hostel levels for maintaining discipline among students.

He said the Deans and the Students’ Welfare Officer had been directed to ensure a strict compliance of anti-ragging measures. He talked about various provisions of the UGC guidelines and the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009, and warned that any violation of these regulations would be dealt with strictly.

Katoch said 416 fresh students had taken admission in the current academic session. These included 305 students in undergraduate programmes and 111 in master’s programmes.

Una, August 5
The state Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Ministerial Staff Association has demanded filling up of 273 vacant posts of their cadre.

In a press statement issued here today by Ramesh Singh Thakur, district president and state vice-president of the association, he said due to the shortage of manpower, clerks posted at the IPH Divisions were forced to perform additional duties of steno-typists.

He said if the process of filling up of the vacant posts was not initiated soon, clerks would stop performing the duties of steno-typists. He demanded a one-time relaxation for the promotion of clerks to senior assistants, who were matriculates. — OC

Solan, August 5
A team of officials led by a Special Investigating Team (SIT) confiscated 475 boxes of liquor here today. The boxes were stored illegally in a godown at the Rabaon area in Solan.

“The godown belongs to a Paonta Sahib-based woman and Tajinder Singh is looking after it. A rent deed has also been recovered from the site and according to it the place is rented out to Gulshan till March this year. But, his identity appears to be doubtful as the address mentioned in the deed is fake,” said Additional SP Padam Chand.

The SIT team raided the place on a tip-off. — TNS

Nurpur, August 5
Niranjan Singh, Judicial Magistrate (1st Class), Indora, sentenced two persons to imprisonment and fine in two different cases here yesterday.

Deputy District Attorney Vijay Rihaliya said the Indora police had arrested Bishan Dass of Kandrori with illicit liquor during a naka at Kandrori in December 2009. A case under the Excise Act had been registered against him. The court sentenced him to three-year imprisonment and also fined him Rs 10,000.

Rihaliya said in another case, tractor driver Kulbir Singh of Bhadukhar had been sentenced to one-year imprisonment and fined Rs 2,700 for rash and negligent driving. Kulbir had hit and injured Raj Kumar who was going from Deothi to Badukhar on his Scooty in October 2007. The local police had registered a case under Sections 279, 337, 338 and 196 of the IPC and Sections 181 and 197 of the MV Act against Kulbir.

Nurpur, August 5
The local police today arrested Vidhya Devi and Kewal Singh, mother-in-law and brother-in-law of deceased Sapna Devi (26) of Chandrahan village who had reportedly consumed some poisonous substance last night at her in-laws’ house in the same village.

According to police information, Rakshpal Singh of Baduee village, father of the deceased, in his complaint registered with the police has alleged that Sapna’s mother-in-law and brother-in-law had been harassing and torturing his daughter for more dowry. The police has registered a case under Sections 498-A, 306 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), against the duo.

Meanwhile, the police handed over the body of the deceased to the family after conducting postmortem today. The deceased was a mother of two children and her husband is serving in the Army in Jammu and Kashmir.