Shimla, September 3
Though admitting that 100 days were too short a period to assess the performance of the Modi regime, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said people in general were dissatisfied with the performance of the government.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said the hype created by Narendra Modi and the BJP had led to a rise in expectations from the government.

“Having remained in the government myself in different capacities, I also understand the difficulties faced, but at the same time I can say that people are dissatisfied,” he said.

He said it would be wrong to assess the performance of the Modi regime in a brief period of governance.

Virbhadra came down heavily on the BJP in Himachal for seeking disqualification of four independent legislators. “The four MLAs, Pawan Kajal, Karnesh Jung, Balbir Verma and Mohan Dhiman, are not primary members of the Congress and all that they are doing is supporting the Congress government,” he said. He said during the BJP regime, the independent MLAs had supported it and one of them even remained a minister.

In an oblique reference to his predecessor PK Dhumal, the Chief Minister said the BJP leadership was narrow-minded.

“I too faced several cases, including the Sagar Katha and CD case filed by Dhumal, but I fought a legal battle and came out clean, without using the party to settle personal scores,” he stated.

He said as far as the cases against Dhumal and his family were concerned, these were being investigated by the Vigilance based on the charge-sheet prepared by the Congress committee headed by GS Bali.

He said he was not even associated in the preparation of the chargesheet and being the Chief Minister, it was his duty to get it probed.

Regarding the cases pending against him in the Delhi High Court, he said these had been filed at the behest of certain state and central leaders of the BJP to malign his reputation.

Shimla, September 3
Condemning the Kugri-Sugnam sedition episode, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said there was no dearth of funds for the development of tribal areas. He added that some disgruntled politicians, who were hand in glove with some mediapersons, prompted villagers to issue a statement which was anti-national.

“I condemn the action of such people who highlighted the issue, which is a clear act of treason towards the nation,” said the Chief Minister, adding that if need be, action would be taken against those who highlighted the issue.

He said the Pin valley on the left bank of the Spiti was well-connected with roads and bridges. A steel bridge at Atargu on the Spiti connects the valley to the main highway and the government had constructed roads to Mudh, the last village of the valley.

The Chief Minister said due to flood in the Kiri nullah, between Atargu and Gulling, a small bridge was washed away, which would soon be reconstructed and work on it would start in a day or two as the tender had already been awarded.

It would cost Rs 1.63 crore. Besides, a foot bridge and a ropeway had been set up to transport the pea crop, he added.

He said besides motorable roads, the Pin valley had been provided schools, health facilities, electricity etc and there was no shortage of funds for development of all tribal areas.

Speaking on the ragging issue in one of the private educational institutions in Hamirpur, the Chief Minister said, “My government has adopted the zero-tolerance policy towards such activities and we will see that the action be taken in the matter”.

Shimla, September 3
State Congress president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu met All-India Congress Committee (AICC) chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi today.

Sukhu apprised Sonia about the organisational issues concerning the state party unit. He is also learnt to have discussed the current political situation with the Congress chief.

“I met the AICC chief to apprise her about the steps taken to strengthen the party,” said Sukhu after meeting Sonia. He said he had also stressed the need for making certain changes which were the need of the hour.

“I have requested her that some steps need to be taken to activate the 12 departments of the party, including the Intellectual, Legal, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribe Cells,” he said.

He also hinted that some major changes could be made in the party to ensure that all those holding party positions were active and did not remain office-bearers only in name.

Sukhu also met AICC general secretary and in-charge of Himachal Ambika Soni to discuss party matters. At his meeting with Soni, Sukhu stressed the need for entrusting greater responsibility to the younger leadership so that the party could be geared up for the panchayat and later Assembly polls. 

Mandi, September 3
The government has released Rs 77 crore for the areas affected by heavy rainfall in the state this year.

This was stated by Health and Revenue Minister Kaul Singh Thakur during a review meeting with officials of the Revenue Department today.

“In Mandi district alone, Rs 7.56 crore has already been given,” the minister said.

On the swift movement of revenue officials in case of natural calamity, he said hiring of taxis by tehsildars and naib-tehsildars was under consideration.

He said all vacant posts would be filled after completion of training of 778 patwaris. “At present, retired patwaris and kanungos are giving their services so that the revenue work does not suffer,” the minister said. The government was planning to open more patwar circles in remote areas of the state, he added.

He directed the revenue officials to assess crop losses also while preparing estimates of other losses in case of natural calamity.

He said between May 2013 and May 2014, as many as 416 cases of revenue appeal, 44 cases of the PP Act, 1,746 cases of divisions, 558 cases of encroachments on government land and 19,013 cases of mutation had been settled.

Shimla, September 3
The monsoon deficit in the state this year remained high at 37 per cent, even as light-to-moderate rain lashed some parts today. The local meteorological office has predicted heavy-to-very-heavy rain at isolated places in lower and mid hills during the next 48 hours.

The state, on an average, received 455.2 mm rain, against the normal rainfall of 722.1 mm (-37 per cent) and the deficit in tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur, which received 67 mm and 40.8 mm rain, was high at 82 and 80 per cent. Chamba district received 70 per cent less rain, followed by Sirmaur (-33 per cent), Kangra (-31 per cent), Bilaspur (-25 per cent) and Kullu and Solan (-20 per cent).

The deficit was negligible in Una, Mandi, Shimla and Hamirpur, which received 2 per cent, 3 per cent, 6 per cent and 14 per cent rain which is considered normal, Manmohan Singh, Director of the local Met station, said.

Bharmaur was the wettest in the region, with 32 mm rain, followed by Kalatop 27 mm, Manali 24 mm, Dalhousie 21 mm , Bhandal 20 mm, Chamba 18 mm, Tissa 17 mm, Dharamsala and Udaipur 16 mm each and Keylong 14 mm.

The scanty rain is harmful for maize and vegetable crops in rain-fed areas and farmers are worried. However, apple growers are happy as roads are clear and no major landslide has occurred during the past 10 days and marketing of the crop is in full swing.

The day temperature rose marginally and Una recorded a high of 32.8°C, followed by Sundernagar 29.2°C, Bhunter 29°C, Solan and Dharamsala 27.5°C, Nahan 27°C, Shimla 22.5°C and Kalpa 21°C.

Shimla, September 3
Greater participation by the financial sector to increase the use of banking services through technology enabled services, innovation of products and services is the need of the hour, said Chief Secretary P Mitra, presiding over the Himachal Pradesh State-Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meeting here today.

Congratulating the banks for opening 1,92,500 accounts within a week under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) in the state, he said bankers should aim to open bank account of all leftout households both in urban and rural areas before the end of October.

Stating that there was 3,757 persons per branch against the national average of above 13,000, he said he state was well-placed in the banking sector as economy and education of the people was quite good compared to other states.

Mitra said the credit growth during the first quarter of the fiscal was 20.15 per cent as compared to deposit growth of 12.23 per cent which had helped in improved Credit Deposit (CD) ratio.

Principal Secretary, Finance, Dr Shrikant Baldi said the state government would provide all assistance to achieve the allocated targets of the banks.

Chairman and Managing Director, UCO Bank, Arun Kaul said the outreach of banking services in the state was one of the best in the country and under the new PMJDY scheme, banks were identifying the leftout households to achieve the cent per cent target. He said the total deposits of the banks in the state had recorded a growth of 12.23 per cent to Rs. 65,877.48 crore from Rs 58,698.36 crore during the previous year. 

Shimla, September 3
It will be a Teachers’ Day with a difference for students who will be glued to their TV sets to view live telecast of the speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his
interaction with students through video conferencing on September 5.

Although Himachal is not covered on the list of stations where students will have a direct interaction with the Prime Minister through video conferencing, Principal Secretary (Education) Ali Raza Rizvi has issued a circular to principals and headmasters of all schools to make necessary arrangements for viewing the telecast and also directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the instruction of the government are complied with.

However, students of about 6,000 schools in the state will face difficulty in viewing the programme as these do not have internet and electricity. Schools have been asked to make arrangements and if TV sets are not available, these should be hired and at places, which fall outside the coverage area of satellites, radio sets be provided for listening to the speech.

Modi’s telecast will be live on Doordarshan and radio from 3 pm to 4:45 pm and students will stay back after the school hours to listen to Modi.

While government schools are following the instructions, private schools are taking it up as a routine activity as viewing the telecast of Modi’s speech is optional. “We have all arrangements in place and it is for the students to view or listen to the speech,” said staff members of Lawrence School, Sanawar, in Solan district.

Principal of Laureate Public School, Shimla, Meera Singh said, “We have made announcements in the morning assembly and also informed the parents through SMS about the interaction and arrangements have been made for viewing the PM’s live interaction with students.”

Suresh Kumar, Centre Head Teacher of Government Primary School, Sainj, Kwarg, Shichara and Malagha, said arrangements had been made in all four schools in the cluster and teachers would bring the television sets.

Sunil, a student of a government school, said he and his friends would stay back to view the programme as it was happening for the first time. Another Class VIII student Ankur of St Edwards Schools, said, “When we cannot interact, there is no point in staying back in school though I will watch the interaction at my home.”

”We are excited,” said Kishore Sharma, a teacher at GPS, Kwarg.

Teachers’ Day will be celebrated in the traditional manner in the schools across the state and Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh will attend the state-level function at Raj Bhawan.

Kangra, September 3
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) BM Gupta has ordered an inquiry into the incident at the Kangra Civil Hospital on August 27 when a bleeding gynae patient was refused by a radiologist saying that she won’t do the ultrasound without Form F by the referring gynaecologist. It had led to a commotion and the bleeding patient had to leave the hospital without treatment. The story was carried in the columns of The Tribune.

Dr BM Gupta today said he had called a meeting of all doctors and some senior district officers were also present in the Civil Hospital. Senior Medical Officer Gurdharshan Gupta was directed to enquire into the incident and submit the report within a week. The CMO said such incidents would not be tolerated.

Dr Gurdharshan Gupta started the inquiry and got a written complaint of the husband of the patient. He said the parties were asked to submit their views regarding the incident.

The patient, who was bleeding, was referred by gynecologist Dr Anurag Sharma for an ultrasound without filling of Form F and radiologist Dr Param Preet Bawa refused to entertain the patient without the form.

Despite intervention of the SMO and the CMO, the patient was denied ultrasound forcing her to get it done from a private clinic before she was treated by the gynecologist the next day.

Chamba, September 3
Ravi Thakur, vice-chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, has impressed upon Public Works Department officials to ensure the construction and commissioning of roads in the Scheduled Tribes (ST)-dominated areas in a time-bound manner.

Presiding over a meeting of district officials at the Bachat Bhawan here today, Ravi Thakur said the delay in road construction resulted in cost escalation in the approved estimates, thereby putting more burden on the state exchequer and further delaying the project.

ARM Reddy, Chief Conservator of Forests, apprised the vice-chairperson in the meeting that there were 87 cases of clearance under the Forest Conservation Act, relating to various development projects. The PWD officials also apprised him of 192 habitations without road connectivity.

He directed the officials of the Health Department to organise check-up camps in the tribal areas under the National Rural Health Mission programme. He asked the Irrigation and Public Health Department officials to ensure provision of clean drinking water in the schools.

He also asked Education Department officials to submit a list of the schools where water purefiers had been installed. Chamba DC M Sudha Devi, ADM Subh Karan Singh and tribal delegates were also present.

Palampur, September 3
Students of Maharaja Sansar Chand Memorial Government Degree College, Thural, 30 km from here, went on an indefinite strike today against the alleged failure of the state government to accept their genuine demands.

Students, who have been protesting for the past one month, want the posting of a regular principal, teaching and non-teaching staff at the college; they want that science classes should start at the college, new college complex at par with other government colleges, proper library and hostel facility.

Students had sat on hunger strike earlier also, but they called off the strike on August 26 following assurances given by local MLA and Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Jagjivan Pal, who said their demands would be met before August 31. However, despite his assurances, the state government failed to accept their demands, hence, students went on an indefinite strike today and boycotted classes.

A spokesman of the students’ association said: “The college was taken over by the government seven years ago. Since then not even a single brick has been added to this institute. The BJP as well as the Congress government extended step-motherly treatment and neglected the expansion of this education centre.”

He said the colleges which were taken over by the state government along with this college had been provided adequate funds for the construction of college buildings and residences of teachers. However, so far it had neither appointed teaching or non-teaching staff nor created any infrastructure for government college Thural, which had adversely affected the academic atmosphere.

He said students had now approached local panchayats and residents to get their support. They had urged the public to support their cause . He also criticised CPS Jagjivan Pal for misleading students. 

Shimla, September 3
Crucial talks between the Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) authorities and major student organisations, including the Students Federation of India (SFI), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP) and National Students Union of India (NSUI), failed as Vice-Chancellor ADN Bajpai refused to accept their demands to restore the Students Central Association (SCA) polls and rollback in fee hike.

The representatives of the ABVP and the SFI were adamant on the restoration of the SCA elections and withdrawal of fee hike and argued that the proposed hike would make higher education unaffordable for students with poor economic background.

They said the deferring of the SCA polls was an infringement of democratic rights of students and the university should abandon the move.

SFI representatives demanded the restoration of the old-fee structure and immediate notification of SCA elections.

NSUI members also opposed the fee hike and said the increase was too much for poor students to afford.

They demanded a lower fee structure for low-income group, below poverty line families and students from backward and remote areas and also made a strong plea for filling vacant posts of teaching and non-teaching employees.

The VC appealed to the students to maintain peace and cooperate in maintaining cordial academic environment in the university and colleges affiliated to HPU.

He said their suggestions regarding the re-constitution of the fee structure were welcome, but at the same time refused to restore the SCA elections in the present format and surcharged atmosphere. 

Dharamsala, September 3
After facing stiff resistance from college teachers, who boycotted the evaluation of papers under the new system for over a week, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has decided to change the pattern of evaluation.

It has now decided to adopt an inter-cluster evaluation system giving up the intra-cluster checking of paper systems adopted earlier. However, the changed pattern will cause further delay in evaluation as papers will now be reshuffled from one part of the state to the other.

The university is already facing the ire of students for the delay in the declaration of results. Students pursuing graduation courses have appeared in the third semester. But so far, the university has not declared the first semester result.

HPU had earlier formed area-wise 25 clusters of colleges in the state. Papers were sent to a college from among the cluster, where evaluation centre was formed.

Teachers from that particular cluster of colleges had to evaluate the papers. Since the clusters involved nearly five local colleges, college teachers boycotted the evaluation on the plea that under this policy they would be evaluating their own students. Teacher united under the College Teachers’ Union said since the cluster teachers would be evaluating their own students, it would be biased.

State president of College Teachers’ Union RK Kiastha said the government implemented the Rashtriya Uchchatar Sikhsha Abhiyan (RUSA) without making any preparations at the ground level.

Controller of Examination, HPU, Sham Lal said: “The teachers have a wrong notion that they will be evaluating their own students. In the present system, intra-cluster checking of papers is planned. In it the university will have designated controllers, who will make sure that they do not evaluate their own students.”

He said: “However, since the teachers are still objecting to it, we have now decided to adopt the inter-cluster method of evaluation. In this, a particular cluster will not evaluate the papers of the colleges coming under it. The process for it will be started from Monday.”

On being asked about the delay in the declaration of results, he said the results would be declared within the next fortnight.

Sources said though the college teachers had decided to take back their decision to boycott the evaluation system, they were still not ready to fulfil several duties imposed on them under the new system. Under the new evaluation system, college teachers after evaluating the papers were asked to enter the marks online. The college teachers, however, said they were against working as a computer operator.

“We will prepare the evaluation sheets on paper and hand it over to the university. They should get the entry of results on the computer themselves,” a few college teachers said.

Shimla, September 3
Peeved over the exorbitant fee structure at Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College (MMMC), Kumarhatti, approved by the government last year, parents of MBBS aspirants, who have cleared the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) have urged the government to “subsidise” the fee structure for Himachali students.

They said the annual burden of Rs 7 lakh was unaffordable and unjustified; adding that they had earlier sent an e-mail to the CM and the Health Minister and also intimated the Leader of the Opposition about the high-fee structure, but nothing had been done to give reprieve to Himachali students.

“What is the relevance of having a state quota when poor students of the state have to pay through their nose and the college is not affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University?” asked Rooplal, father of an MBBS aspirant from Mandi.

Pointing out that the annual fee had been fixed at Rs 5 lakh, examination fee Rs 18,000, hostel fee between Rs 96,000 and Rs 1,00,000, refundable security Rs 50,000, parents said a total burden of nearly Rs 7 lakh per annum was unaffordable for those with average economic background, but high merit.

They pleaded that the counselling be conducted through Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) and the college be affiliated to HPU.

However, official sources said the fee structure for 2014-15 had not been approved so far and the college had already started the admission process.

The MMMC management claimed that it was not affiliated to HPU and was a constituent college of Maharishi Markendeshwar University, but as per the Private Universities Act, there was no management of NRI quota in private universities.

Chamba, September 3
To increase footfall to the famous Manimahesh shrine in the Bharmour tribal terrain of Chamba district and provide all possible facilities to them in the years to come, the district administration will draw a master plan for wider and better arrangements during the pilgrimage.

In an introductory meet with mediapersons here today, new Deputy Commissioner of Chamba M Sudha Devi said the master plan would be unique in its kind, covering all government departments, non-governmental organisations and various other voluntary agencies working for the noble cause of disaster-rescue activities.

To make the pilgrimage en route the Manimahesh shrine more comfortable and memorable, the DC said the synchronised and concerted approach of all departments and voluntary agencies was indispensable thereby making the journey of devotees an attainment of blessings of lord Shiva.

She said every aspect of the holy pilgrimage as well as religious tourism would be taken into consideration while preparing the master plan. The shrine was visited by pilgrims and tourists from several parts of HP and neighbouring states.

“Efforts will be made to set this plan as a benchmark for future ,” she said.

Shimla, September 3
Even as the volume of the Indo-China trade has increased gradually, Tibetan refugees in India are the real beneficiaries with local traders from Kinnaur deriving little benefit.

Carpets made by Tibetans living in Dharamsala, Paonta Sahib and other refugee settlements are in demand. As such, the main beneficiaries of the Indo-China trade are the Tibetan refugees whose carpets are sold in a large number and local traders only get a small percentage of the profit.

The ban on trade of livestock since last year and issuance of a brief permit of only three days by the administration have made the cross-border trade unattractive for villagers on the Chinese border.

The Indo-China trade is undertaken between June 1 and November 30 every year. This year the highest number of 125 traders applied for permit. “So far 90 permits have been issued to traders and the remaining 35 are being processed,” said Vijay Rai, tehsildar, Pooh.

Chamurthi horses, chiku goats and yaks were among the main trade items and in great demand in India. The local traders would procure these and earn good profit by selling them in the Lavi fair at Rampur in November. However, with the ban on livestock trade, the local traders sell carpets bought from Tibetan refugees.

Vijay Chand, who has just returned after three days from China, said extending the duration of the stay would help enhance trade volume.

President of the Kinnaur Indo-China Traders Association Hishey Negi said a request has been made to the Trade and Commerce Office to allow at least one week’s stay for traders across the border. He says another major demand of the traders which will help in growth of the trade is allowing the trade of livestock. Though in 2012, 20 new items were added to the trade list, with the ban on livestock, the traders are unhappy.

Una, September 3
The state Non-Gazetted Officers Federation (NGOF) today unanimously opposed the proposal of the state government to enhance the service period from 20 years to 33 years to be eligible for pension. The resolution was passed at a meeting of the district NGOF, presided over by its president Vipan Rana.

A resolution was also passed to demand the effective date of payment of arrears under the Assured Career Promotion Scheme after putting in four, nine and 14 years of service from January, 2006.

Federation press secretary Sanjeev Marker said the meeting resolved that the government notifications of February 2013, May 2014 and June 2014 regarding payment of arrears should be immediately withdrawn.

He said revised pay band and grade pay to employees of some departments were not at par with their Punjab counterparts.

The federation also demanded sanction of additional posts in various departments to cater to the increasing burden of the Right to Information Act and the Public Service Guarantee Act.

Marker said it was also resolved to demand adequate funds for travelling allowance and medical bills of the employees, besides filling up of vacant posts of drivers.

The demands will be forwarded to the state unit for inclusion in the agenda of the next meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting to be chaired by the Chief Minister, he added.

Kangra, September 3
During a function held at DRPGMC, Tanda, on Monday, Dr Ramesh Bharti, officiating Principal, welcomed the newcomers and told the new MBBS students not to tolerate ragging. 

Dr Bhanu Awasthi, Chief Warden, Dr Suman Yadav, Adviser, Student Welfare, and Dr Parveen Sharma, member secretary, also addressed the students and emphasised the importance of discipline.— OC

Dalhousie, September 3
The district-level sports meet for under-19 boys commenced at the Padhar Ground, Banikhet, 6 km from here, today. Malok Singh Thakur, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Dalhousie, inaugurated the tournament, which would conclude on September 5.

The SDM said students could choose their careers through sports for which discipline and hard work were essential. “Games keep students away from intoxicants. So, they should actively take part in sports along with their studies,” he said.

Briefing the gathering about the arrangements for the tournament, Anupama Anand, organising secretary and officiating principal, Government Senior Secondary School, Banikhet, said 380 students were taking part in the tournament.

She asked the students to show their worth in the meet and extend wholehearted cooperation to each other.

Mandi, September 3
The police have seized a huge quantity of illegal liquor from different parts of the district in the past 24 hours.

The Aut police seized two bottles of country-made liquor and two bottles of English wine from the possession of Kahan Singh, a resident of Padhar, and owner of Sher-e-Punjabi Dhaba at Takoli, and 1.88 litre country liquor from the possession of Gurdyal Singh, a resident of Palshar, and owner of Jalpa Bhojnalya at Takoli. In another case, the Sadar police seized 4.82 litre of illicit liquor from Ram Chander, a resident of Dhanog in the district.

The Karsog police seized three bottles of illicit liquor from Roop Singh, a resident of Kani madlah in Karsog tehsil. The Sarkaghat police recovered 15 litre of country liquor from Sulender Kumar, a resident of Darkalag.

In another case, the Jogindernagar police recovered 11 bottles of country liquor from Om Parkash, a resident of Shanan, and five bottles from Pawan Kumar, a resident of Bhagehar.

The Balh police seized 24 bottles of country liquor from Leeladhar, a resident of Lehra, and six bottles of from Manoj Kumar, a resident of Lehra.