Shimla, September 12
As a first major step aimed at sending a clear signal that there will be complete curb on wasteful expenditure, the cabinet sub-committee on resource mobilisation today recommended a ban on the purchase of new vehicle by the government till March 2015.

The committee, headed by Irrigation and Horticulture Minister Vidya Stokes, held its first meeting here. Its two members, Transport and Civil Supplies Minister GS Bali and Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, also attended the meeting. The committee decided to invite the suggestions of the public, political parties, including Opposition members.

Having resigned from the committee earlier, Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur did not attend the meeting and instead accompanied Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on his tour to Dharampur in Mandi district. Thakur had said under no circumstances would he be part of the committee.

The committee took stock of the financial health of the state. Principal Secretary, Finance, Srikant Baldi apprised the members of the position of receipts, both taxes and non-tax, accruing to the state and the expenditure incurred under various heads. They were of the opinion that those areas must be identified where wasteful expenditure could be cut down and revenue generated without imposing taxes and putting liability on the public.

“The committee has decided to impose ban on the purchase of new vehicles by any government agency whether for ministers, chairmen, vice-chairmen, bureaucrat or any other functionary as the gesture has to come from the top,” said sources.

The fact that some persons, including vice-chairmen and bureaucrats, are keeping more than three government vehicles was also pointed out by the committee members. As such some of them, who are still retaining more than one vehicle, could be asked to return extra vehicles again.

The committee has decided to hold its meeting at regular intervals to take stock of the financial health of each department. It is likely to have a close look at the financial health of some select departments, including Revenue, Mining, Forest and Tourism for non-tax resource mobilisation at its next meeting, the date for which is yet to be finalized.

Solan, September 12
A woman labourer and her two children died after the boundary wall of a utensil-making unit fell on their jhuggi set up on a private land. The incident took place around 3pm today at Jharmajri in the Baddi.

The deceased have been identified as Manisha Devi, her son Bhagat Singh, of Mahu Nag in UP. Another child Kundan Singh was sleeping in the jhuggi, when the mishap took place. Locals rushed to their rescue but their lives could not be saved. Four other children playing near the jhuggi also received minor injuries.

DSP, Baddi, Narinder Kumar said a case of negligence has been registered against the unit management and the issue pertaining to existence of jhuggis on a private land was being examined.

SDM, Nalagarh, Lalit Jain also visited the spot and disbursed Rs 10,000 to the kin of the deceased. 

Shimla, September 12
The Students Federation of India (SFI) today “outrightly rejected” the nominated Students Central Associations (SCA) in Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) and affiliated colleges and threatened to launch a non-cooperation movement in case the University insisted on implementing the decision of the Executive Council (EC).

The alleged adamant attitude of the University on fee hike and deferment of SCA elections had led to a turmoil in the colleges and HPU.

Hoshiyar Singh, SFI campus president, today said the agitation would be intensified “to force the University to withdraw the fee hike and put elected SCAs in place”.

“The plea of the University, that the decision to hike the fee has been taken in view of acute financial crunch, is untenable as it is the responsibility of the government to provide adequate funds and grants to enable the University to fill the vacant posts and run the affairs smoothly,” he added.

He said the stand of the University was contrary to the policy of universalisation of elementary and secondary education as the pass outs from the schools would not be able to seek admission in colleges due to high fee.

Lashing out at the Vice-Chancellor for the fee hike, SCA secretary Piyush Sewal said instead of reining in the private colleges and universities, which are charging exorbitant fees, the University had itself hiked the fee.

Stating that the charges of name correction, confidential results and duplicate roll number had been increased to Rs 500, he asked why were the students being panelised for the mistakes of the administration as confidential marksheet is required when the result is not on time, duplicate roll numbers are required when the roll number are not sent to specified address on time and names need to be corrected due to administrative errors.

Ridiculing the reported statement of the Vice-Chancellor, that nominated SCAs would encourage educated and intelligent political leadership, Piyush said “it is an attempt to undermine the intellect and leadership qualities of elected members of SCAs in the past and deny the students their democratic right to have their own elected bodies.”

Mandi, September 12
Members of the Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank Workers Organisation and the Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank Officers Organisation went on an indefinite chain hunger strike in support of their demands here today.

MP Soni, general secretary, said three members of the organisation were on a chain hunger strike for the past three days near the bank’s headquarters.

He said among others, their main demand was regularisation of services of the part-time sweepers working in 188 branches of the bank for the past 15 to 25 years.

He said they were being paid Rs 1,800 per month, which was far below the minimum daily wages.

He also demanded rectification in the transfer policy implemented by the government. They had already submitted a charter of their demands to bank Director Pankaj Rai and Chairman SK Chawla, he added.

On future course of action, he said they had given a call for state-wide strike on October 20 and would resort to indefinite hunger strike from November 24 if the government failed to accept their demands.

Kullu, September 12
The District Youth Services and Sports Department, Kullu, organised a three-day district-level rural sports meet under the auspices of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyaan here today.

The event was organised under sixteen category at Outdoor Sports Complex in Dhalpur.

Kullu ADM Vinay Singh Thakur inaugurated the event. He said sports not only developed physical and mental skills, but also promoted spiritual development.

He said the state government had provided 3 per cent reservation for national and international-level sportspersons.

Earlier, Sanjay Sharma, district youth and services officer, Kullu, welcomed the chief guest and said over 500 sportspersons were participating in the event.

He said various games like hockey, volleyball, athletics, badminton, boxing, judo, taekwondo and basketball would be played during the meet.

“Outstanding sportspersons will be selected for the state-level sports meet to be held on November 7,” he added.

Mandi, September 12
A 20-year-old married woman allegedly committed suicide by jumping into Suketi khud around 8 pm last night.

The victim has been identified as Rama Devi, a resident of Galma village in the district. Sources said she jumped into the rivulet from a bridge and left her mobile and Adhaar card on the bridge.

Meanwhile, the police today called in divers from the Bhakhra-Beas Management Board to find her body.

Shimla, September 12
Himachal will open its doors for visitors to get a peep into the erstwhile British time heritage cantonments which are dotted with pre-independence magnificent architectural marvels.

“The army authorities at major cantonments in Kasauli, Dagshai, Sabathu, Dalhousie, Bakloh, Dharamsala and Shimla have given their consent to allow visitors to see history and heritage in these establishments,” said Vijai Singh Mankotia, vice-chairman of the State Tourism Board, while addressing a press conference here today.

He said efforts would be made to ensure upkeep and maintenance of the ancient heritage structures. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was not taking care of these structures.

“We need to save the ancient rock-cut temple of Masroor and the Tabo monastery in Spiti considering the poor maintenance by the ASI,” he said.

He said he had brought the matter to the notice of the Union Ministry for Tourism and Culture and sought funds for the preservation of Tabo and Masroor.

“The ASI officials should coordinate with the Tourism Department, so that these places can be promoted and brought on the global tourism map,” he said.

He also lamented that despite the Greening and Cleaning Campaign which was launched by the Prime Minister, none of the corporate houses having units in the state volunteered to come forward and contribute in the initiative.

“I will ask the CM to convene a meeting of the heads of the industrial houses in the state, so that they can shoulder their corporate social responsibility (CSR) in making the state more green and clean,” he added.

He said a lot more needed to be done as far as infrastructure of tourism development was concerned.

“Bad roads and poor connectivity are the biggest problem during the peak tourist season. We are making efforts to improve roads, create more parking space and have an international airport,” he added.

Shimla, September 12
After becoming the first Assembly in the country to switch to paperless functioning with the launch of e-Vidhan project, the Himachal Vidhab Sabha has now decided to digitise the entire documents, speeches, budgets and business lying in the sheets of history since the first House of 1952.

Disclosing this here today, Assembly Speaker Brij Bihari Lal Butail said the entire record of the successive Vidhan Sabha and Legislative Councils in the state since 1952 will now be digitised by the e-Vidhan team.

He also launched the website of the Vidhan Sabha on the occasion meant for the public and authorised users such as the MLAs.

“The e-Vidhan team will scan each and every document since the first Assembly of 1952 so that it can be digitised and we can save these precious speeches and other proceedings of the House which have shaped the destiny and shape of the hill state,” he said.

Butail said the digitisation would help make this record available to anyone for viewing and documents, some of which are in a bad state can be destroyed.

“The paperless functioning of the Assembly will save Rs 15 crore annually for the state exchequer and above all, it will save precious time, paper and money which had to be spent during Assembly sessions,” Butail said.

He said some legislators had found digitised functioning a little difficult, but with its frequent use they too were becoming comfortable.

He said the launch of the website will make the elected representatives more accessible and accountable to their constituents.

The public dynamic website of the Assembly (http://evidhan.nic.in) will provide details about the profile of members, ministers and their contacts, tour programme of MLAs and their personal gallery.

It will also provide complete information about the list of speeches of the Governor, Speaker, questions, debates and Bills taken up by the House during the session.

The authorised website (http://secure.evidhan.nic.in) will enable MLAs to submit their questions and notices online and update their tour programme.

“We have developed a special constituency management software which will help MLAs to manage their constituencies and monitor the progress of development works,” said Dharmender, Director, Information Technology (IT), Vidhan Sabha.

He said complete details of works in the Assembly segments of MLAs would be uploaded along with details of field officials in each department.

This way they will be able to monitor the progress of various works and status of public grievances.

Shimla, September 12
Education needs to have a combine of social, spiritual and scientific component to make it globally relevant, value-oriented and economically productive, said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, speaking on the annual function of Saint Edwards School ‘Phulwari, 2014’, here yesterday.

He said the dissemination of knowledge was a serious and sacred mission and it need to be carried out holistically as the children had highly impressionable mind and were pliable and could be shaped.

“Our futures are shaped in our educational institutions and, therefore, teachers have a very sensitive role to play in the education of the students. I feel that there should be a greater interaction and activities between government and private schools,” the CM added.

Private schools were supplementing government efforts in spreading education and I would expect the institutions to maintain high standards of learning, he said, adding that, “It is a pleasure for me to be here on the occasion and also of being student of this school in fifth class for one year, when this institution was run by Irish brothers”.

Calling upon the students to devote themselves in service of the people and contribute in building a healthy and a strong nation, he said the youth should be committed for the Integrity and unity of the country.

He said the government was giving top priority to education and was spending 18 per cent of the total states budget in the sector and ~4,282 crore had been earmarked for education sector during the current fiscal.

The Chief Minister also distributed prizes to students for their achievements in academics and overall performance in various school activities and lauded their colourful cultural performance based on the themes of integrity of the nation and of love for all.

Palampur, September 12
Gokul Butail, a local youth, joined as the information and technology adviser to Chief Minister Virbhadhra Singh today. He is a non resident Indian (NRI) and studied in the USA. He is the great grandson of late Kunj Behari Lal Butail, senior Congress leader, who was MLA from Palampur for a long period and also served as HPPCC president.

 Gokul is a product of the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago. He did his degree in BS-mechanical engineering & aerospace engineering.

Kullu, September 12
The GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Mohal, celebrated its foundation day by organising a seminar, under the Himalayan Popular Lecture Series, today.

The seminar was based on the theme of admiring actions and opinions for sustainable development of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Scientists, forest officials, teachers, researchers and officials from the Horticulture and Agriculture Department gave lectures on environmental changes.

Nurpur, September 12
The Nurpur police have registered a case for thrashing and scaring by firing in air against Chhindu Pandit of Keori village today.

The complainant, Pappu, a resident of Chowki, alleged the accused came to his house. He first abused, quarreled then assaulted him with his rifle butt. The accused then allegedly fired in the air to scare him. The complainant, along with his brother Rakesh, overpowered the accused and snatched his rifle and later handed it over to the police.

DSP Manoj Joshi said a case under Sections 336 and 337 of the IPC and Section 25 of the Indian Arms Act had been registered against. He said the police had also seized the rifle.

Mandi, September 12
Adequate relief will be provided to the people whose houses were damaged and land washed away due to cloudbursts and intermittent rain last month, said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during his visit to Dharampur subdivision of the district today.

Revenue Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Disaster Management Authority Chairman Rajinder Rana and the officials concerned of the district also accompanied the Chief Minister.

He directed the officials and departments to immediately provide adequate relief to the people. He said Dharampur was the most affected area where floods and cloudbursts had created havoc last month.

The Chief Minister visited seven villages of four panchayats of the subdivision. He met people at Bardana, Dhardi, Dhar, Harnayala, Tanehar, Lower Tanehar, Bahalada and Thati which were the most affected areas where many houses, including land, were washed away in gushing waters.

He said channelisation of all nullahs should be done on priority so that protection could be provided to the houses located along the banks. He also directed the Deputy Commissioner to make immediate provision for their rehabilitation.

The Chief Minister also directed to provide adequate land to the people who wanted to shift from the place where their houses were destroyed.

He also met people en route to the badly affected panchayats and listened to their grievances and assured them of every possible help.

The CM also directed to repair all roads on priority besides restoring the irrigation schemes and electricity.

The Revenue Minister said the government had received the exact amount of loss and was awaiting financial assistance from the Centre.

“The state government has again taken up the issue with the Central Government to release the remaining amount soon so that the people could be provided immediate relief,” he said

Earlier, at a meeting with officials, the Chief Minister was apprised that approximately Rs 68 lakh had been released so far as per the relief manual to the affected families and the remaining amount would be distributed to the left out families within a week.

As many as 383 families suffered losses during the heavy rain on August 13 and 14 and about 12 panchayats bore the brunt of the fury of floods in the area.

Palampur, September 12
Veteran BJP leader and MP from Kangra Shanta Kumar today turned 80. The leader was greeted by his supporters at his residence in Palampur at a low-key function.

Shanta Kumar said his disciplined lifestyle, yoga and adoption of the philosophy of the Gita had kept him fit even at 80.

Shanta said, “I have never compromised with my principals in the 60-year of public life. This might have shortened my stint in power a bit but has boosted my conscience and kept me hale and healthy. I have urged the government of introducing yoga and natural therapy in school curricula so that our generations can live long and healthy life.”

When asked about the biggest achievement of his life, Shanta said at the national level implementing the Antodya Scheme in the Vajpayee government, in which foodgrains were given to the poor at subsidised rates, was his biggest achievement.

“For Himachal, I feel that getting royalty in power projects approved from the Union Government was one of his biggest achievements. As Chief Minister, I took up the case with then Congress Prime Minister Narsihma Rao. He was kind enough to accept the proposal. Today Himachal is getting a royalty of Rs 2,000 crore annually on the power produced in the state without making any investment. It will increase in the coming years and make Himachal financially prosperous,” he said.

For Palampur, the creation of the Vivekanand trust that now runs a super-speciality hospital, was his biggest achievement. The people did not have to run to far-flung areas for trauma treatment. Soon the hospital would also have full-fledged cardio department, Shanta said.

“I started my public life by joining the Kashmir agitation in 1953. I had just joined the job of a teacher in SD school when it started. I left my job after 17 days. I remained in jail at Gurdaspur and Hisar for eight months during the agitation. Ironically, none of the leaders, who laid the foundation stone of the BJP, is now occupying the chair when the party is at its prime. However, I am thankful to Prime Minister Modi for remembering those leaders during his first address to the party leaders,” Shanta said.

Shanta also said the party had offered him the job of Governor. However, he denied the post on the plea that it would be a betrayal with the people of Kangra who had made him win with a record margin of 1.70 lakh votes this time.

Shimla/Kharapathar,September 12
Thousands of commuters, including apple carrying trucks, got stranded between Kharapathar and Nihari in Kotkhai for six hours today.

The 90-km Rohru-Hatkoti-Kharapathar-Theog highway is full of potholes giving a tough ride to commuters.

“We started our journey from Rohru at 8am and reached Kharapathar at 11am and got struck till 4 pm,” Dr Vineet Jishtu, a scientist from the Himalayan Forest Research Institute, said.

The district administration and police claim that they had deployed extra police force to regulate traffic on the troubled highway during the ongoing apple season, but farmers resented that traffic chaos prevailed as no policemen was seen anywhere on the highway leaving commuters stranded.

“We did not see any policeman regulating traffic on the road,” Brijbhushan, a resident of Sirmaur, who was travelling to Shimla from Rohru said.

Farmers are dispatching supplies to the markets as the prices of fruit have increased due to low arrivals in markets. Arun Sen, a farmer from Giltari, said: “Hundreds of trucks are plying on the highway to transport apples, which has added to the problem.”

ADM, law and order, DK Rattan, who rushed to the spot in the evening told The Tribune that extra police was deployed today as the number of trucks carrying apple have shot up.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, traffic, Shimla city, Dinesh Sharma said the police was on the job after the problem was brought to the notice. 

Shimla, September 12
The HP High Court today granted anticipatory bail to the Principal of Gautam Polytechnic College, Hamirpur, in an alleged ragging case.

Granting the bail, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan has directed the Principal to furnish personal and surety bail bonds of Rs 1 lakh each. The court further directed that he would not tamper with the evidence. The court has granted the bail after perusing the status report filed by the prosecution agency and directed Principal of the college, Dr Rajnish Gautam, to cooperate with the investigation. Following the death of a private engineering college student, the police had registered a case against the college management and two students.

The 18-year-old Amit Kumar, hailed from Palampur, was the first-year civil engineering diploma student of Gautam Polytechnic College.

Mandi, September 12
One person was killed and two others injured when their car rolled down a gorge near Jachh, under Chachiot tehsil of the district, yesterday.

The police today said Karam Chand, a resident of Jahal village, under Chachiot subdivision of the district, along with Sanju and Yash Pal, was going to his village by car. When the ill-fated vehicle reached near Jachh, driver Yash Pal lost control and the vehicle rolled down a gorge. Yash Pal succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. — TNS