Leopard’s killers will be punished, says minister

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 28

Himachal Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri today said in the Vidhan Sabha that the culprits responsible for the brutal killing of a leopard in Bhabhori forests in Jogindernagar on March 22 last would be punished and there would be no laxity in investigations.

Replying to a calling attention motion of Gulab Singh Thakur (BJP), he said that the first information about the killing of the leopard was given by up pradhan of Khajur village adjoining the forest, following which the forest department officers, along with veterinary experts and police examined the spot and found that the leopard was trapped in iron wires and killed. Its head, legs, tail and paws were chopped off with some sharp-edged weapon.

A case was registered and more than two dozen persons were questioned but no credible clue or evidence has surfaced so far. The forest and wildlife departments have been alerted and the villagers of Khajur village had been asked to immediately contact the forest department officers in case any information was received in connection with the crime.

As many as 3,89,168 persons are covered under the social security pension scheme in the state and the government incurred an expenditure of Rs 2,68,879,2659 during 2016-17 upto February end while 24679 pending cases would be sanctioned in next 5-6 months, said Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil.

Replying to a question of BJP members Jai Ram Thakur, Maheshwar Singh, Krishan Lal Thakur, Randhir Sharma and Bikram Singh Jaryal, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said that 18,532 cases of old age pension, 3,514 cases of widow, destitute or single women and 2,633 cases of handicapped pension were pending and would be cleared in five-six months.

When Suresh Bhardwaj (BJP) pointed out that some pensioners had not received pension for the past six months, he informed the house that the pensions are disbursed quarterly in all areas except far-flung areas where the pension is disbursed half yearly.

Replying to the supplementary of P K Dhumal, Shandil said the state and the Central share in the Indira Gandhi national old age widower pension is Rs 450 and Rs 200, respectively, Indira Gandhi National old age pension is Rs 700 and Rs 500, respectively, Indira Gandhi national widow pension is Rs 350 and Rs 300 and Indira Gandhi national disable pension is Rs 900 and Rs 300, respectively.

Revenue Minister Kaul Singh Thakur informed the house that the state suffered losses to the tune of Rs 863.96 crore and Rs 121.50 crore due to heavy rains during monsoon and winters, respectively, during the current year but no funds have been received from the Centre.

Replying to a question of Asha Kumari (Congress) regarding the distribution of relief in faulty and irrational manner and the areas where damage and loss was more got lesser funds, the minister said the funds are released as per the report of losses submitted by the deputy commissioners and departments keeping in view the money available.

In reply to another question of Govind Singh Thakur (BJP), the forest minister assured an enquiry would be conducted into dumping of silt from the mining site in Sapru river and forest land.