Shimla, September 8
The Jagati (Dharam Sansad) of over 200 deities of the Kullu Valley has been convened on September 26 at Naggar to know the views of the devtas on the ban on animal sacrifice in Himachal. It will cast a shadow on the religious ceremonies associated with the festival of Dussehra.

Since the rituals associated with Dussehra, which will commence on October 3, involve animal sacrifice, there is a question mark as to how these can be made in view of the Himachal High Court, banning animal sacrifice in its order on September 1. The Kardar Sangh, which comprises representatives of the deities, today held a meeting at Kullu to discuss the situation.

“Though we will file a review petition in a court in a day or two, since it is a question of our age-old belief, we have decided to know the wishes of the deities by holding a Jagati at Naggar on September 26,” said Maheshwar Singh, the erstwhile ruler of the Kullu estate and a sitting MLA from Kullu.

A Jagati had been convened in Februray 2006 to decide the fate of the Himalyan Ski Village (HSV), which was to come up between Kullu-Manali. With over 100 local deities giving their pronouncement against the project on the grounds that it would vitiate the religious-cultural atmosphere, the locals opposed it and it never saw the light of the day. Old timers say that prior to 2006, a Jagati had been held almost 35 years ago when there was a severe famine.

Maheshwar, who accompanies Lord Raghunath, the main deity during the Dussehra festival, said it was after whole night deliberations that the deities would give their pronouncement on the animal sacrifice.

“During Dussehra, we offer five sacrifices of a buffalo, male sheep, fish, crab and chicken and without this the prayers remain incomplete,” he said. He added that he. along with others. associated with Dussehra have full respect for the court, but the people were keen to know the wishes of the deities on the issue as they had a lot of faith in their deities.

There are 265 deities who take part in the Dussehra festival in Kullu, which has been granted the status of an international fair by the Himachal government. In fact, it is the district administration which even gives a “nazrana” to each deity who comes here as a travelling allowance. This nazrana varies from one deity to another and depends mainly on the distance the deity travels to come to Kullu.

Kullu, September 8
Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister PK Dhumal has alleged that the present mode of functioning of the state government was “inclined towards settling personal vendettas” and officers and employees were being “targeted”.

He said this during a press conference at Mahadevi Tirath temple near Kullu today. He was here to address members and office-bearers of the state BJP Mahila Morcha, who participated in the three-day Abhyas Varg (training camp) that concluded today. He said “turmoil” in the present state government was evident from the fact that senior Congressmen had to rush time and again to Delhi and the development of the state had “halted” altogether.

Dhumal urged the members of Mahila Morcha to apprise the masses about various schemes for empowerment of women, which had been initiated by the BJP government at the Centre. He said during his tenure as Chief Minister, he had increased the reservation quota for women in all tiers of Panchayati Raj. He urged women to participate in the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections next year. He congratulated members and officer-bearers of the Mahila Morcha for successful organisation of Abhyas Varg. 

Dharamsala, September 8
The sub-committee set up for resource mobilisation and economy measures has sought suggestions from the general public as well as leaders of all political parties on the steps that can be taken to raise resources which can help in curbing wasteful expenditure.

GS Bali, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Transport and Technical Education, said this while addressing a press conference in Dharamsala today.

Faced with one of its worst financial crises, the state government constituted the sub-committee on August 22. Initially it was decided that the panel would be headed by the Minister for Health Kaul Singh and two ministers GS Bali and Mukesh Agnihotri would be its members.

The notification for the formation of the committee came as a surprise for Kaul Singh. Viday Stokes was made the chairman of the committee, while Kaul Singh was made the member with other two ministers.

Sources told The Tribune that Kaul Singh sulked at not being made the chairman of the committee and might not participate in it. Initially the committee was to meet on September 9, but now it would meet on September 12.

Now, led by Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Minister Vidya Stokes, the four-member committee is slated to meet on September 12.

Other three members include Kaul Singh Thakur, GS Bali and Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri.

“The committee intends to take suggestions from the general public on the steps that should be taken to pull the state out of financial crunch and raise its resources,” Bali said.

He said Himachal, like other states, was facing severe financial constraints.

The situation in Himachal was a little better as compared to others states but a lot of work was needed to overcome the problem, he added.

“Any person can send his or her suggestion to any of the four members or to the secretary, finance, through post or any other means of communication,” the minister said.

“We also invite suggestions from the Leader of Opposition, and leaders of all political parties having presence in the state,” he said.

The minister said the committee has invited the Leader of the Opposition as well as the heads of all political parties to air their views when the panel meets on September 12.

“We need cooperation and contribution to revive the economy and chalk out a roadmap for the next 50 years,” Bali said.

The minister said heavy rains have caused Rs 60 crore loss in Kangra district. “Of it 75-80% loss is estimated to public property, including roads, irrigation and drinking water schemes etc,” he said, adding: “The state government has released Rs 8 crore for relief works and the amount could be raised later.”

He said the district grievances committee would meet in the last week of September.

Bali, who also holds food and civil supply portfolio, said he had reviewed the stock and availability of ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state.

New Delhi, September 8
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today urged the Ministry of Human Resource Development to extend uniform funding pattern for Centrally sponsored schemes to all the “special category” states, including Himachal, on the pattern of north-eastern (NE) states which are also part of the special category grouping.

At his meeting with HRD Minister Smriti Irani, Virbhadra reasoned that liberal assistance to the hill state was needed to boost up development.

Highlighting the alleged anomalous situation, he cited the funding pattern for Himachal for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which is in the ratio of 65 (Union government):35 (state government); Rashtriya Madhiyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMA) in the ratio of 75:25; and Mid-Day Meals Scheme which is 75:25.

On the contrary, all the north-eastern special category states have been getting Central funding in the ratio of 90 (Union government):10 (state governments).

Virbhadra sought Irani’s intervention in the matter.

He apprised the HRD Minister that all primary schools in the state had been covered under the Mid-Day Meals Scheme.

Expressing concern on the falling standard of education in the elementary sector, he informed Irani that the Himachal government had proposed to conduct examination of students of Classes V and VIII till the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) was implemented in the state. The Vidhan Sabha had adopted a resolution in this regard and a request has been sent to the Centre to make amendment to the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Expressing gratitude to the Centre for sanctioning Indian Institute of Management (IIM) for the hill state, the CM told Irani that the state government had identified 188 acres at Mauja Kolar village near Paonta Sahib in Sirmour district for the project. He said a site selection committee would be sent to finalise the site to start work on the project in time.

Solan, September 8
Representatives of the Yuva Jagriti Mandal and social organisations staged a two-hour protest against the pitiable condition of rural roads of Solan constituency in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) here today.

The representatives, including Vikas Thakur, Sandeep Verma, Tek Chand, Sunil Thakur and others, said the indifferent attitude of the local MLA, Town and Country Planning Department, Municipal Committee, PWD, etc, was the reason behind the deplorable condition of various roads leading to Damrog, Jatoli, Shamti and Badkhor. The youth also raised slogans against local MLA DR Shandil.

Later in the afternoon, they met the MLA and apprised him of their grievances. The MLA assured them of doing the needful in this regard.

They demanded the immediate removal of encroachments from these roads and said action should be initiated against officials responsible for creating such a mess. They warned the district administration that if their demand was not met they would resort to a more aggressive agitation.

They also submitted a memorandum to the DC in this regard urging him to take necessary steps to address their woes. 

Una, September 8
The district administration has allocated a 10-marla plot at Barnoh village on the Hamirpur road for setting up a Nirbhaya Centre. The centre is also named Damini Kendra.

It is going to be a one-stop centre for victims of molestation, rape, sexual assault and domestic violence. This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Jain here on Saturday.

The Nirbhaya Centre, a tribute to the December 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim, is a scheme of the Union Women and Child Development Ministry. Around 660 such centres are being established across the country at a cost of Rs 477 crore.

These centres will be equipped with medical assistance, police protection, psycho-social support and temporary shelter for victims.

Jain said the facilities for filing First Information Reports (FIRs), free legal aid, counselling and short stay with food and clothing would be a part of these centres, along with video-counselling support.

As per the guidelines, a retired police officer will be posted at the centre to facilitate prompt and accurate filing of an FIR.

The centre will be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and will be open 24 hours a day.

The local management of the centre will be done under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner concerned.

The other members of the centre will include the superintendent of police, district Judge, chairperson of the District Bar Council, district panchayat officer and members of the Civil Society.

Shimla, September 8
The intermittent spell of rain marked by thick fog in the hills today hit the apple plucking and disrupted the transport services, tourist arrivals and movement of public in the state.

Farmers have stopped plucking apples following rain. The link roads in the apple belt turned slushy and unmotorable.

The tourists arrivals in Shimla, Kullu-Manali was also, said hoteliers.

The Baldwara in Sarkaghat subdivision received 33 mm of rain, the highest in the state. The Sunni-Bhaji in Shimla district recorded 18 mm, while Rajgarh in Sirmaur received 17 mm, Mashobra and Bangana 14 mm each, Nurpur 12 mm, Kahu 9 mm, Karsog 8 mm, Shimla 7 mm, Sangrah 6 mm, Keylong, Kalatop and Chamba 5 mm each, revealed the weather report from the state MET office here.

The department predicted that the weather would remain cloudy in the lower hills, while the middle and higher hills get light to moderate rainfall in 24 hours. The weather would clear on September 12.

The lowest temperature was recorded at Keylong and Kalpa at 11.4° C, while Barthin in Hamirpur recorded 35°C, the highest in the state. Shimla recorded the maximum temperature of 24.5° and lowest at 15.6° C. 

Kangra, September 8
Lawyers of Kangra Bar Association today boycotted work, alleging that the high court authorities were contemplating to withdraw the facility of a temporary circuit court of District and Sessions Judge that was functional in Kangra for a week in a month for the past six months.

Kuldeep Choudhary, president, Kangra Bar Association, today said Kangra sub-division had 1,200 to 1,300 cases pending and withdrawing the facility of the circuit sessions court there would deprive the litigants of justice at their doorstep. He said for the past six months, the circuit courts were functioning at the sub-divisional levels for a week, providing succour to litigants. He said these circuit courts were a step in the direction of providing justice to people at their doorstep.

Kuldeep alleged that in Kangra district, only Kangra sub-division, which has the maximum cases, was being singled out as the remaining sub-divisions — Nurpur, Jawali, Dehra, Palampur, Baijnath and Indora — would continue to have the facility.

He said they would continue to strike work tomorrow and would call on Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court Mansoor Ahmed Mir during his visit to Palampur at the end this week in this regard.

Their concern

The lawyers alleged that the high court authorities were contemplating to withdraw the facility of a temporary circuit court of the District and Sessions Judge in Kangra

Nurpur, September 8
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kangra, BM Gupta today ordered a departmental inquiry into the mysterious death of indoor patient, Anju Devi, who was referred to Nurpur Civil Hospital last evening from Community Health Centre (CHC).

The CMO, who had rushed to Jawali last evening to pacify agitating relatives said the block medical officer, Nagrota Surian, had been deputed to hold the inquiry.

The agitating residents led by local gram panchayat pradhan Ravi Kumar had held a protest demonstration on the entrance gate of the CHC and also blocked traffic at railway crossing in the town. They were demanding police action against the erring doctor who allegedly did not attend to the patient suffering from high fever.

The patient was admitted at the CHC on September 5, but allegedly was not attended by the doctor on duty and referred to Nurpur Civil Hospital yesterday. — OC

Shimla, September 8
The Himachal government will sign a memorandum of understanding tomorrow for the launch of the 102 ambulance service which will be linked to 116 hospitals.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said the facility was being launched in all 12 districts so that people had access to easy transportation facility to avail medical help. In all, 125 ambulances would be launched, which would be linked to 116 health institutions.

Health officials said that the 102 ambulance service was meant only for dropping the patients back home after discharge from hospitals. — TNS

Shimla, September 8
Chief Justice (CJ) Mansoor Ahmad Mir today said the concept of plea bargaining and the procedure laid down under the Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Penal Code should be effectively used to dispose of criminal matters at the earliest. He was speaking during the inauguration ceremony of a three-day course on “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Negotiable Instruments Act, Plea Bargaining, Law relating to Child Marriage and Procedural Issues of Trial in Civil Cases”.

The course has been organised by the HP Judicial Academy for Civil Judges (Senior and Junior Division) of the state judiciary. Nineteen judicial officers are participating in the course.

Palampur, September 8
Workers of the Om Power Project continued their agitation for the fifth day today in protest against the termination of 22 workers by the management.

The agitated workers also continued their chain hunger strike in front of the office of the SDM Palampur. Ashok Katoch and Bittoo Thakur, president and general secretary of the district unit of CITU, announced that they would intensify the agitation if the project management failed to restore the services of workers.

The construction on the project site remained suspended as no worker reported for duty. The execution and power generation was affected. However, the project management did not show any interest to end the deadlock.

Local villagers and members of the District Gaddi Union also joined the agitation. Hundreds of villagers including men women and children took out procession in the town and raised slogans.

Ashok Katoch and Bittoo Thakur said CITU would not tolerate the exploitation of workers and it would continue its fight against the management. 

Hamirpur, September 8
“Success doesn’t happen overnight and youth should understand the value of patience,” said Star Bollywood designer and stylist Ashley Rebello. He was in Hamirpur to address students of the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD).

He said there were only 40 per cent students who were serious about fashion designing and only five per cent have the potential of becoming star designers. “Though there is a lot of potential in students for fashion designing but most of them are not ready to venture out of the state to brighten their career prospects,” he added.

The designer, who created a new look for actor Salman Khan for reality show Big Boss- Season 8 and his latest movie ‘Kick’, visited INIFD to conduct a fashion design workshop. He guided the students on fashion style and the latest design trends.

His designs were seen in movies Jai Ho, Ek Tha Tiger, Bodyguard, Ready, Dabangg, Bigg Boss-Season 7, Ek Mein Aur Ekk Tu, among others. 

Kangra, September 8
GAV Public School, Kangra, was given the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) Sports Promotion Award 2013-14 on Teacher’s Day. Smriti Irani, Minister for Human Resource Development, government of India, gave the award.

Sukhvinder Singh, Principal, GAV Public School, Kangra, said here today that the award was received by Dinesh Thakur, handball coach and physical education teacher of the school, at Manikshaw Cantonment Centre, New Delhi.

He said GAV Public School, Kangra, was the first school of this hill state to receive this award for the promotion of sports in a right perspective.

He said the school hosted handball and volleyball tournaments organised by the CBSE on national level in 2010 and 2013 for New Delhi zone. He said his school defeated handball teams of Katter and Doha in 2013 during international tournament of under-19 boys when GAV represented India.

He said the CBSE had started the sports promotion awards first time to encourage sportspersons.

He said a citation on the name of both coaches of the school Dinesh Thakur and Shailash was awarded to the school besides an award and a shawl.

Solan, September 8
Nine drugs, including two injections, manufactured in the state have been found to be substandard as per a drug alert issued by the Drug Controller General of India today.

Out of the 22 drug samples which have failed to conform to the norms in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, nine have been manufactured in Solan and Sirmaur districts.

These drugs include ibuprofen tablet manufactured by Biogenetic Drugs, Baddi, mahacef injection by RK Laboratories, Manpura, ramipril tablet by Kanha Biogenetic Labs, Baddi, diclofenac sodium gel by Caplin Laboratories, Baddi, serratiopeptidase, diclofenac sodium and paracetamol by Santo Pharma, Solan, rabeprazole and domperidone sustained release caps, Dallas Formulations, Baddi, salbutamol tablets by Wings Pharma, Baddi, sumol plus suspension by Alkem Laboratories, Baddi, and mahacef injections, Mankind Pharma, Paonta Sahib.

Officials of the Central Drug Standard Control Organisations had drawn samples of these drugs and were tested in the Central Drug Laboratory, Kolkata, and the Regional Drug Testing Laboratory, Chandigarh, before arriving on the results.

A perusal of the drug alert, a copy of which was available with The Tribune, revealed that these drugs had failed to have the appropriate assay content or for issues like lack of clarity of solution in case of injections.

The drug controller has issued directions to the units to withdraw the batches of the drugs.

Drug Controller Navneet Marwaha said apart from withdrawing these drugs, the unit premises would also be inspected by field officials and show-cause notices would be issued to the managements.

Nurpur, September 8
The police recovered a woman’s skeleton in bushes near a hilltop temple on the Pathankot-Jalandhar road last evening. Sources said the skeleton was spotted by some evening walkers, who reported the matter at Kandwal police chowki. The woman was wearing black trousers. No missing report was lodged in Nurpur and Indora police stations of this sub-divison.

DSP Manoj Joshi said the body had been sent to the Nurpur Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination and further to Zonal Hospital, Dharamsala, for forensic examination today. He said a case had been registered and action would be taken after receiving forensic examination report. In order to establish the identity of the deceased, the neighbouring police stations have been alerted.