Holiday horror in Mandi Search operation enters 8th day Pandoh (Mandi), June 16 The search operation to locate 16 students and a tour co-coordinator washed away in the Beas on June 8 entered the eighth day today.
A rescue operation in progress in the Beas at Pandoh in Mandi on Monday. Photo: Jai Kumar
Admn on toes post Beas tragedy Kullu, June 16 The recent tragedy in the Beas, in which 24 engineering students from Hyderabad were washed away, alerted the authorities to implement various measures for the safety of the people. Revellers enjoy near the Beas in Kullu; (right) A tourist enjoys adventure sport in the Beas. Photos By Writer
Recurrent landslides at Urni Villagers, environmentalists blame hydro projects for destabilising hills Reckong Peo (Kinnaur), June 16 The formation of an artificial lake on the Sutlej near Urni, 25 km from here, on the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway, following two massive landslides within a week has stirred up the anger of villagers. They are blaming the hydro-power projects for destabilising the fragile hills by reckless excavations for the construction of underground tunnels.
Cong finally decides to focus on panchayat elections due next year Shimla, June 16 The Congress finally decided to strengthen the organisation through better coordination between the party and the government and build its frontal organisations instead of delving on the Lok Sabha poll debacle.
HPCC chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu presides over the state executive body’s meeting at the Congress office in Shimla on Monday. Tribune photo: Amit Kanwar
‘Addiction-free Himachal’ campaign launched Shimla, June 16 In a bid to make Himachal addiction free and create awareness about the hazards of intoxicants, a 15-day campaign, organised by the Prajapati Braham Kumari Vishvavidyala, was launched by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh launches the ‘Addiction-free Himachal’ campaign at the Gaiety Theatre in Shimla on Monday. A Tribune photograph
Resource mobilisation committee evades fee-hike issue Shimla, June 16 Dithering over the issue of fee hike, the resource mobilisation committee of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) met here today.
53 yrs on, Pong Dam oustees await compensation Kangra, June 16 A 65-year-old man, a Pong Dam oustee, has been moving from pillar to post for the last 53 years, demanding land in compensation for his eight kanals acquired by the government for the Pong Dam in 1961. His struggle has borne no fruits till date, despite knocking the doors of governments of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan and despite getting relief from the judiciary.
Urban planning and growth State to tie-up with Netherlands Shimla, June 16 Hoping to get funding from the European Union (EU) for adopting the latest solid waste management techniques from the Netherlands, Himachal is looking for a tie-up with the Dutch for urban planning and growth.
Ambassador of Netherlands, Alphonsus Stoelinga, and Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma address mediapersons in Shimla on Monday. Tribune photo: Amit Kanwar
Now Kasauli, Nalagarh MLAs on hunger strike Solan, June 16 Taking a cue from the three-day hunger strike of Nahan MLA Dr Rajiv Bindal, Kasauli and Nalagarh MLAs too have resorted to a similar tactic to press for speedy developmental works in their respective constituencies.
10 killed in bus accident near Renuka ji Solan, June 16 As many as 10 persons were killed and around 20 to 25 injured when the tourist bus (UP-11-0-1078) they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge near Madharaghat village on the Renuka Ji-Paonta Sahib road this evening.
Dejected kin return to native places Pandoh (Mandi), June 16 After hopes of finding the bodies of their children were dashed, some parents returned to their native places today.
Pre-monsoon showers lash state Shimla, June 16 Pre-monsoon showers lashed several areas in the state today. Manmohan Singh, Director at the local Meteorological Department office, said the monsoon, which normally arrives near June 26, may not keep its date due to slow advances, whereas pre-monsoon showers are expected to continue for about a week.
People run for cover as it rains in Shimla on Monday morning. Tribune photo: Amit Kanwar
Demand to set up NDRF unit at Nurpur village rises Nurpur, June 16 After washing away of the 24 students from Hyderabad in the Beas, following the sudden release of water from the Larji power project in Mandi district on June 8, the demand to set up the proposed and sanctioned Disaster Management Battalion (DMB) of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for Nurpur has started gaining momentum.
After polythene, environmentalists now want to regulate thermocol Una, June 16 While the banned polythene is still merrily finding its way into the district and ending up in heaps of garbage, clogging drains or littering forest floors, polystyrene, commonly called thermocol, has started adding to the woes of environmentalists.
rISKING LIVES: Used thermocol plates dumped on the roadside in Una. Photo by writer
Efforts on to enhance fruit production Shimla, June 16 With 2.18 lakh hectares under fruit cultivation, the state government is endeavouring to make the horticulture sector a major source of income.
Anurag takes up railway issues with union minister Una, June 16 Anurag Thakur, Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur, has demanded a one-time allocation of budget for completing the ongoing work on the Una-Talwara broad-gauge line.
Need to create awareness about heart ailments: Doc Sundernagar, June 16 Around 450 patients were examined by doctors from the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, at a two-day free camp on heart diseases which concluded here yesterday.
Justice Mir to be swornin as CJ tomorrow Shimla, June 16 The Acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir, will take oath of the Office of the Chief Justice of the High Court on June 18 at 5 pm in the Raj Bhawan. Elegant moves An artiste performs in a dance event organised by the All-India Artists Association, Mumbai, at the Kalibari hall in Shimla recently. Tribune Photo: Amit Kanwar
Celebrations on at sailor’s village Nurpur, June 16 Twentythree-year-old Aman Sharma was accorded a warm welcome at his native Kardial village in Jawali subdivision yesterday.
Government invites articles on RTI Act Shimla, June 16 The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, has invited write-ups about the best practices in the Right to Information (RTI) Act. A spokesperson for the state Information Commission disclosed this here today.
One dies as car rolls down hillside Chamba, June 16 A person was killed in an accident when the Maruti car he was driving in rolled down a hillside near Vidwara village falling under the Tissa police station here last evening, a police report said here today.
One washed away in Beas Kullu, June 16 A person was washed away in the Beas near the Nehru Kund, 45 km from here, today. The police said nearby residents informed them about the incident. The police recovered the clothes, bearing an identity card belonging to Ombir (24) of Alwar district in Rajasthan, from the river bank.
425 examined at health camp Dalhousie, June 16 A free medical check-up camp was organised under the aegis of the District Red Cross Society in collaboration with the watershed development agency and the Welfare Department at Brangal village here yesterday.
Annual prize distribution function Solan, June 16 The annual prize distribution function of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, concluded here last evening. Chief guest BS Baswan, chairman, Lawrence School, Lovedale, presented prizes to meritorious students.
Delay in reopening Saach Pass flayed Chamba, June 16 The Pangi Kalyan Sangh has expressed concern over a delay in the reopening of the Saach Pass. Situated at an altitude of 4,420 metre on the Pir Panjal range, the pass is the gateway to the Pangi valley and is the shortest route from Chamba to Killar, the sub-divisional headquarters of the valley.
Holiday horror in Mandi Search operation enters 8th day SONAR, LIDER techniques used to locate bodies Dharam Prakash Gupta Tribune News Service Pandoh (Mandi), June 16 The search operation to locate 16 students and a tour co-coordinator washed away in the Beas on June 8 entered the eighth day today. The authorities today used the Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) technique for the site radar scanning of the dam and covered another area of 5 km today. Divers of the Indian Navy were unsuccessful in locating the bodies or belongings during the search operation. A diver from the Navy said, “We have received a few signals during our search operation, but these objects were wooden logs or carcass of animals.” A private agency also used the Light Detection and Ranging (LIDER) technique today for mapping of 5 km of the dam and the river area. The mapping of the water on both sides of the dam and the river was carried out by the team using this technique. The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana has reportedly sought the help of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States and the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) in search of the victims. Additional District Magistrate, Mandi, Pankaj Rai said, “The search operation is on. We used SONAR and LIDER techniques in the search operation today.” He said, “As many as 14 parents of the victims returned to their native places while 11 are staying back.” Meanwhile, Mohinder Reddy, Transport Minister of Telangana, met authorities and parents and relatives of the victims.
Pandoh (Mandi), June 16 The search operation to locate 16 students and a tour co-coordinator washed away in the Beas on June 8 entered the eighth day today.
The authorities today used the Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) technique for the site radar scanning of the dam and covered another area of 5 km today.
Divers of the Indian Navy were unsuccessful in locating the bodies or belongings during the search operation.
A diver from the Navy said, “We have received a few signals during our search operation, but these objects were wooden logs or carcass of animals.”
A private agency also used the Light Detection and Ranging (LIDER) technique today for mapping of 5 km of the dam and the river area. The mapping of the water on both sides of the dam and the river was carried out by the team using this technique.
The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana has reportedly sought the help of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States and the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) in search of the victims.
Additional District Magistrate, Mandi, Pankaj Rai said, “The search operation is on. We used SONAR and LIDER techniques in the search operation today.” He said, “As many as 14 parents of the victims returned to their native places while 11 are staying back.”
Meanwhile, Mohinder Reddy, Transport Minister of Telangana, met authorities and parents and relatives of the victims.
Admn on toes post Beas tragedy Abhinav Vashisht
Kullu, June 16 The recent tragedy in the Beas, in which 24 engineering students from Hyderabad were washed away, alerted the authorities to implement various measures for the safety of the people.
Besides the district administration deciding to regulate river-sport activities, various steps have been worked out by the state government such as warning signboards, fencing along the river and plying a warning vehicle before releasing the dam water.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has also ordered for removal of link roads to the Beas.
The media coverage on the issue and severity of the situation resulted in one of the largest search and rescue operation. Earlier, the river had engulfed over 70 lives in two major bus accidents at Jhiri in 2013 and Ramshila in 2000, besides a couple of rafting accidents.
Around 24 tourists are reportedly washed away each year in the Beas and Parbati.
Beas is a major fascination for tourists and the ease of access to the river from the road is facilitated by small paths, developed and used by localites.
In such circumstances, it is impossible to continuously monitor the entire stretch of the Beas and restrict access of the people. Some residents opined that warning sign-boards would be helpful to apprise innocent revellers from venturing too close to the river.
A travel agent, Vikrant, said as coast guards were deployed in beaches having high volume of visitors, lifeguards could be engaged at points attracting tourists near the Beas.
There are a large number of river sport activities that not only provide a means of livelihood to residents, but also cater to the needs of tourists.
A local adventure sports operator said, “Rafting rules had been framed by the government in 2005 while the river sport has been operational in the Beas since 1994. There are many adventure sports such as river crossing, rock climbing, zorbing, rope bridge crossing, trampoline jumping and similar thrilling games in which the use of appropriate gear makes them safer than rafting and para-gliding, as no life had been lost since over four years of existence of such activities in the Kullu valley.”
He said rules and guidelines for most of such activities were not existent and the regulatory authorities concerned, lack appropriate technical resources to ensure the security of adventure seekers and grant permission for commercial operation of such sports.
Operators of adventure sports were in a fix as the licensing process for such adventure sports were not clearly defined or known to the operators.
Operators rued the recent move of the administration to destroy the platforms and other infrastructure raised to carry out such activities safely without any prior notice or intimation. Some operators said they had mentioned carrying out river crossing, while applying for annual rafting license and authorities of the Tourism Department had told them to use life jacket and helmet, besides other gear already adopted by them for this purpose. Now a separate license for every such activity will not only be cumbersome for the Tourism Department but add to hassles of the operators.
Reckong Peo (Kinnaur), June 16 The formation of an artificial lake on the Sutlej near Urni, 25 km from here, on the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway, following two massive landslides within a week has stirred up the anger of villagers. They are blaming the hydro-power projects for destabilising the fragile hills by reckless excavations for the construction of underground tunnels.
The artificial lake does not pose any immediate danger as 20 to 30 per cent of water is seeping and flowing down the river, but in case the lake bursts, it can cause flash floods.
Villagers of Urni, Chagaon, Ula and Meru panchayats alleged that the crisis was man-made and tribal people were facing such natural disasters ever since a large number of hydro-power projects were constructed in tribal areas.” The 1000-MW Karcham Wangtoo project proved to be last nail in the coffin, they claimed.
Retd IAS officer RS Negi, president, Himlok Jagriti Manch, said the villagers opposed the project “tooth and nail” and pointed out that the construction of huge tunnels underneath would endanger the villages, but the promoters had their say.
The project is generating more than 1,200 MW of power, but the destabilising of hills had posed danger to the villages located at a height, and landslides at Urni was a living example of ‘geological changes’ suspected to have taken place following large-scale excavations by the projects, he said.
The devastating floods in Kinnaur district last year were a result of these human activities, but the state government did not declare it as a national calamity as it could have a bearing on the hydro power, he added.
Negi alleged that earlier the outlet for flushing out the silt was just 1 km from Karcham, but now it had been shifted to 5 km below Urni. The construction of two tunnels had de-stabilised the lose strata and the fear of the villages sinking anytime was lurking over them, he added.
Sunil Kumar Negi, Urni pradhan, said unauthorised construction of silt outlet by the hydro-power project was responsible for the situation and demanded compensation for people of four villages.
DD Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur, said there was status quo in respect of the artificial lake as the inflow and outflow of the lake was almost same. However, the water of Ula Khud was also merging into the Sutlej and as such heavy rain and faster melting of snow could pose a danger.
He said they had written to the state government to urge the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to send a team of experts to study the geological changes and also the reason for the same.
Another catastrophe in the making? Villagers of Urni, Chagaon, Ula and Meru panchayats alleged that the crisis was man-made and tribal people were facing such natural disasters ever since a large number of hydro-power projects were constructed in tribal areas. The 1000-MW Karcham Wangtoo project proved to be the last nail in the coffin, they claimed.
Villagers of Urni, Chagaon, Ula and Meru panchayats alleged that the crisis was man-made and tribal people were facing such natural disasters ever since a large number of hydro-power projects were constructed in tribal areas. The 1000-MW Karcham Wangtoo project proved to be the last nail in the coffin, they claimed.
Cong finally decides to focus on panchayat elections due next year Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 16 The Congress finally decided to strengthen the organisation through better coordination between the party and the government and build its frontal organisations instead of delving on the Lok Sabha poll debacle.
The state executive of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), which met here today under the chairmanship of state president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, decided to look ahead instead of delving in the disastrous poll debacle, wherein the Congress lost all four Lok Sabha seats to the BJP for the first time.
It was felt that the party needed to focus and gear up for the panchayat elections due next year and for the 2017 Assembly polls. Everyone was asked to give their suggestions on how this could be achieved.
Considering the past statements of both Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Sukhu, where they had tried to pinpoint the reasons for the poll drubbing, everyone, including AICC secretary Raja Ram Pal, were of the opinion that it was more important to prepare for the next elections than blame each other or look for reasons for defeat.
He insisted on strengthening the party right from the booth level. “We hope today’s meeting will finally put an end to bickering and blame-game,” said a senior minister.
“There was complete unanimity among all leaders that there was a need for better coordination between the party organisation and the government, which will help the party in gearing up for the polls ahead,” an office bearer said.
It was also felt that the four frontal organisations, including Sewa Dal, Mahila Congress, Youth Congress and National Students Union of India, need to be more active.
It was felt that these organisations should play a pro-active role and moreover should have better coordination with the state Congress president.
Sukhu had sought a report about the party’s performance in the segments of various ministers, MLAs, chairmen and vice-chairmen of Boards and Corporations and HPCC office-bearers from the District and block Congress chiefs. It was not just the ministers and MLAs who had disapproved of the move, but even Virbhadra had termed it as uncalled for.
The meeting was attended by ministers, MLAs and senior office-bearers of the party.
‘Addiction-free Himachal’ campaign launched Tribune News Service Shimla, June 16 In a bid to make Himachal addiction free and create awareness about the hazards of intoxicants, a 15-day campaign, organised by the Prajapati Braham Kumari Vishvavidyala, was launched by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today. The Chief Minister said the drug menace was growing fast in society and needed to be checked sternly as it affected the individual health and growth as well as the family. He stressed the need for preparing the society to fight against the social evil. He said the campaign being launched by the Rajyog Education and Research Institution would play a pivotal role in creating awareness among the masses and hoped that it would continue its efforts in the future also. Dr Banarsi Lal Shah, executive secretary of the Medical Wing of the Brahm Kumari Vishvavidyala, said to over view the ill-effects of drugs and make the nation free of drugs, meditation and self-realisation were the only solutions. Dr Sachin Parab, consultant, medical adviser and trainer from Mumbai, highlighted the fatal effects of drugs and the measures to be adopted to overcome the same.
Shimla, June 16 In a bid to make Himachal addiction free and create awareness about the hazards of intoxicants, a 15-day campaign, organised by the Prajapati Braham Kumari Vishvavidyala, was launched by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today.
The Chief Minister said the drug menace was growing fast in society and needed to be checked sternly as it affected the individual health and growth as well as the family. He stressed the need for preparing the society to fight against the social evil.
He said the campaign being launched by the Rajyog Education and Research Institution would play a pivotal role in creating awareness among the masses and hoped that it would continue its efforts in the future also.
Dr Banarsi Lal Shah, executive secretary of the Medical Wing of the Brahm Kumari Vishvavidyala, said to over view the ill-effects of drugs and make the nation free of drugs, meditation and self-realisation were the only solutions.
Dr Sachin Parab, consultant, medical adviser and trainer from Mumbai, highlighted the fatal effects of drugs and the measures to be adopted to overcome the same.
Resource mobilisation committee evades fee-hike issue Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 16 Dithering over the issue of fee hike, the resource mobilisation committee of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) met here today.
The committee under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor ADN Bajpai did not take any decision on this “volatile issue”. Members suggested that hike in fee should be based on fee structure of the Himachal Board of School Education, Panjab University, and universities of neighbouring states.
Despite assurances by the Vice-Chancellor that any decision in this regard would be subject to the approval of the executive council (EC), committee members were reluctant to take any immediate decision.
Meanwhile, members of the Students’ Central Association (SCA) handed over a letter to members of the resource mobilisation committee suggesting 12 alternatives for resource mobilisation without hiking the fee to bring the university out of the ongoing financial crisis.
SCA leaders said the university authorities should approach the state government, UGC and other funding agencies. SCA president Rajan Harta said, "We welcome the resource mobilisation committee, but students are not responsible for the financial crunch faced by the university and the burden should not be passed on to the students."
He said Bajpai was trying to hike the fee for achieving Vision 2020 and if he succeeded, the university fee would be at par with the private universities.
The SCA threatened to launch a statewide agitation if even a penny was increased in the fee.
53 yrs on, Pong Dam oustees await compensation Ashok Raina
Kangra, June 16 A 65-year-old man, a Pong Dam oustee, has been moving from pillar to post for the last 53 years, demanding land in compensation for his eight kanals acquired by the government for the Pong Dam in 1961. His struggle has borne no fruits till date, despite knocking the doors of governments of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan and despite getting relief from the judiciary.
AK Sharma, a resident of Sothal village, under Pong Dam water now, today said the struggle for his rights started at the age of 13 and no one knew for how many decades he would still have to wait.
He said after the government acquired his eight kanals of land he was left landless, homeless and stateless and he was not compensated even after the lapse of 53 years.
Sharma said on May 26, 1970 he moved an application before the government for issuance of eligibility certificate, which was the main document for consideration of allotment of land in Rajasthan.
He complained that for 40 years the eligibility certificate was not issued. However, on March 20, 2010, the HP High Court directed the Revenue Secretary to issue the certificate within two weeks.
He said following another judgment on May 4, 2010, the court directed the Rajasthan Government to allot land to him. He was allotted land at Nachna, Jaisalmer, on the Indo-Pakistan Border, which had no source of irrigation and essential facilities.
Instead, the land at Ganganagar, earmarked for the Pong Dam oustees, was illegally occupied by Rajasthan Government officials, ranking from a patwari to top-ranking officers. This was in violation of the apex court decision which had ordered that the land allotted once to the oustees in Ganganagar, in lieu of their acquired land, if cancelled be again utilised for the rehabilitation of the remaining oustees who were not yet settled.
He said he had decided to move against the Chief Secretary, Rajasthan, for the alleged contempt of court.
Meanwhile, Sharma said he had started receiving threats in writing that he would be shot if he entered Rajasthan asking for allotment. He said he had sent copies of these threat letters to DGPs and SPs of both the states for investigation and registering of an FIR against the culprits, but all in vain.
Shimla, June 16 Hoping to get funding from the European Union (EU) for adopting the latest solid waste management techniques from the Netherlands, Himachal is looking for a tie-up with the Dutch for urban planning and growth.
Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma presided over a mutual cooperation conference organised here today to explore the possibility of collaboration between the governments of the Netherlands and Himachal Pradesh.
The conference was attended by Alphonsus Stoelinga, Ambassador of the Netherlands, along with business delegates of various companies from the Netherlands.
An MoU is likely to be signed between Himachal and the Netherlands shortly.
“The Netherlands will provide us with the latest technology and know-how in areas such as solid waste management, urban and regional planning, city development plan, water management, sewerage, transport management, saving of energy and capacity building for all urban local bodies in the state,” Sharma said.
He said garbage disposal was one of the major issues for which the state was looking forward to adopt the model of the Netherlands.
Sharma said experts of urban planning from the Netherlands would undertake a study so that suggestions could be adopted by all urban local bodies in the state, especially in the area of solid waste management.
Stoelinga said like the Netherlands, land was very scarce in Himachal and there ought to be a proper urban planning to ensure optimum use of resources such as land, water and power.
He said the Netherlands and various business groups from there were keen to tie-up with Himachal and they were already executing some projects under the integrated urban policy framework in Goa, Tripura, Gujarat, Bihar and other states.
Stoelinga said the feasibility study would offer pragmatic key insights into the intrinsic value of waste as a resource, allowing local authorities to come up with a strategic business model to manage their waste. “There are several options such as getting bio-gas, CNG and electricity through proper treatment of solid waste and this was very essential as in the case of most of the local bodies, footing the power bills for street lighting or other uses turns out to be a big burden on the state exchequer,” he remarked.
Urban Development secretary RD Nazeem said the Himachal Government was spending a lot of funds in the field of urban development and with technical assistance from the government of the Netherlands, the state would be benefitted immensely for qualitative and planned development.
Presentations were given on waste management, urban planning and water management, city development, capacity building and energy efficient city lighting plan during the conference.
Now Kasauli, Nalagarh MLAs on hunger strike Tribune News Service
Solan, June 16 Taking a cue from the three-day hunger strike of Nahan MLA Dr Rajiv Bindal, Kasauli and Nalagarh MLAs too have resorted to a similar tactic to press for speedy developmental works in their respective constituencies.
While Nalagarh MLA KL Thakur initiated his three-day hunger strike today before the SDM office at Nalagarh, Kasauli MLA Dr Rajiv Sehzal ended his three-day hunger strike here.
The Nalagarh MLA has taken up cudgels against the slow progress of repair work of National Highway No. 105 where despite pursuing the matter with officials, work was progressing at a snail’s pace.
He said even the routine work of sprinkling water was not being done and people were forced to reside in a bowl of mud.
He presented a memorandum to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh through the SDM, Nalagarh, and sought immediate action on all pending works.
He was accompanied by Nalagarh Block Development Committee Chairperson Vandana Thakur, pradhans of more than 12 panchayats, Nalagarh Municipal Committee vice-president, BJP councillors, Beopar Mandal president, BJP state executive members and other party leaders.
Meanwhile, Kasauli MLA Dr Rajiv Sehzal today ended his three-day hunger strike and demanded an early solution to the water scarcity problem that has been affecting several areas of his constituency.
Shimla MP Virender Kashyap offered him juice and broke his fast. Sehzal said villages such as Dharampur, Pratha, Ambota, Bhojnagar and Parwanoo had been facing shortage of water, but despite taking up the matter on several occasions with the administration, no tankers had been pressed into service to provide relief to people.
Others who joined the protest included senior BJP leaders Daisy Thakur and Rajkumar Singla.
Meanwhile, Khadi Board vice-chairman Ramesh Chauhan said these hunger strikes were political gimmicks and the BJP had failed to resolve several developmental issues pertaining to these constituencies.
10 killed in bus accident near Renuka ji Tribune News Service
Solan, June 16 As many as 10 persons were killed and around 20 to 25 injured when the tourist bus (UP-11-0-1078) they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge near Madharaghat village on the Renuka Ji-Paonta Sahib road this evening.
ADM Manmohan Sharma and Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Jyoti Rana, who visited the spot to oversee the rescue operation, said the death toll could rise and more bodies were being extricated from the gorge. Rescue operations were underway at the time of filing of the report.
The injured had been admitted to the Nahan hospital, while some had been given first aid at the Dadahu Hospital.
The Sub Divisional Magistrate said the bus had hung in the middle of a cliff. The number of those killed and injured could not be ascertained as of now.
She said the administration was trying to extend all possible help to the accident victims and around 52 people were travelling in the bus when the accident occurred.
Dejected kin return to native places Dharam Prakash Gupta Tribune News Service
Pandoh (Mandi), June 16 After hopes of finding the bodies of their children were dashed, some parents returned to their native places today.
Out of the 25 relatives of students camping here in search of the bodies since June 9, 14 of them have already returned.
As many as 11 parents decided to stay back for the identification of the bodies and a few more are likely to join them in a day or two.
The authorities here have been making all-out efforts to locate the bodies by involving several agencies and their manpower, besides using new techniques.
Parents were quite hopeful of finding the bodies of their children after a massive search operation was undertaken by the state government on Saturday by minimising the water discharge in the Beas by controlling the water in Parvati II and Larji Dam, but no success was achieved.
They were also pinning hope on the use of sound navigation and ranging (Sonar) technology used by divers of the Indian Navy, but little success was achieved in searching for the bodies.
Telangana Home Minister N Narsimha Reddy, who was camping here since June 9 to coordinate with the state government and the local authorities in search of the victims, also returned home today.
Transport Minister of Telangana Mohinder Reddy reached here to coordinate with the state government in the search operation.
Though the search operations during the past few days have not borne the desired results in locating the students, parents are still hopeful of finding the bodies.
Pre-monsoon showers lash state More rain likely in the next five days Bhanu P Lohumi Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 16 Pre-monsoon showers lashed several areas in the state today.
Mid and lower hills experienced moderate rain and Kandaghat in Solan district was the wettest in the state with 45 mm rain, while Gohar in Mandi and Sunnibajji in Shimla recorded 40 mm and 35 of rain, respectively, followed by Jubbarhatti 34 mm, Mandi 32 mm, Arki 31 mm, Dharampur 30 mm, Baldwara 28 mm, Rajgarh 27 mm, Gaggal 25 mm, Bilaspur 24 mm, Chail and Sundernagar 20 mm each.
There was no significant change in the day temperature and Una was the hottest with a high of 41°C, followed by Bhuntar 35.2°C, Nahan and Sundernagar 32.7°C, Dharamsala and Solan 30.6°C and Shimla and Kalpa 25.6°C.
The minimum temperature rose marginally and Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a low of 13.4°C and 13.2°C, respectively, six to eight degrees above normal, followed by Manali 13°C, Shimla 15.8°C, Solan 18.5°C, Sundernagar 20.7°C, Bhuntar 22.4°C and Dharamsala 22.6°C.
However, Una recorded minimum temperature at 27.3°C, which was 5.3 degrees above normal.
The rain in the catchment areas of Beas in Kullu and Mandi districts increased the discharge of water in the river hampering rescue operation to search the bodies of 16 engineering students from Hyderabad and a co-tour guide.
Demand to set up NDRF unit at Nurpur village rises Our Correspondent
Nurpur, June 16 After washing away of the 24 students from Hyderabad in the Beas, following the sudden release of water from the Larji power project in Mandi district on June 8, the demand to set up the proposed and sanctioned Disaster Management Battalion (DMB) of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for Nurpur has started gaining momentum.
The project had been proposed at Kopra village, near Nurpur, during the Prem Kumar Dhumal government in the state in 2007 and was notified-cum-sanctioned on May 19, 2011, by the then Union Government.
After that, the process of acquiring 17.5 hectare private land of villagers and 3.06 hectares of forest land had been started and claims for the land owners sanctioned and settled in November 2011. The local gram panchayat had even passed a resolution in favour of the DMB. The National Disaster Authority had worked out the compensation to the tune of Rs 14.74 crore for private land owners and the Forest Department.
Inquiries revealed that the project, with an estimate cost of Rs 300 crore, would consist of about 5,000 ITBP personnel. Apart from this, the identified centrally-located place was considered strategically correct to cater to the need of Himachal Pradesh and its neighbouring states Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
Former local MLA Rakesh Pathania today alleged that with the change of government in the state the process of setting up the DMB had been stalled and shelved, depriving Nurpur of the project. He also showed various government notifications relating to the approval of the DMB. He would accompany former Chief Minister PK Dhumal, Kangra MP Shanta Kumar and BJP national general secretary JP Nadda to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for the establishment of the proposed DMB, he added.
Meanwhile, local MLA Ajay Mahajan held the previous Dhumal government responsible for the slipping of the DMB from here to Ladowal in Ludhiana.
After polythene, environmentalists now want to regulate thermocol Rajesh Sharma
Una, June 16 While the banned polythene is still merrily finding its way into the district and ending up in heaps of garbage, clogging drains or littering forest floors, polystyrene, commonly called thermocol, has started adding to the woes of environmentalists.
Polystyrene, which is another cheap petrochemical, is a synthetic polymer made from styrene, a very inexpensive resin. The chemical can be foamed by pumping in air and moulding it to get the desired shape and strength. Most polystyrenes that is found in the market is in the form of packaging material, but of late, markets have been flooded with disposable plates, tumblers and trays of varying shapes and sizes.
A local shopkeeper said he sells nearly a quintal of disposable plates and tumblers every day, while the sale almost triples during marriage season or festivals.
According to R Sapatia, who runs an inorganic chemical manufacturing unit at Mehatpur Industrial area: “Like polythene, polystyrene is also very hard to degrade naturally. It is chemically very inert, which means it is resistant to acids and bases, chlorinated liquids and other solvents. Since it is resistant to water, it does not allow rain water to seep into the underground aquifer. The deposition of polystyrene on the open soil is therefore dangerous for the sustainability of environment.”
The common trend in households and marriage palaces is to burn discarded polystyrene, as it almost vanishes into the air when burnt. The by-products of burning polystyrene are carbon dioxide, water and heat. However, since carbon dioxide is a greenhouse enabling gas, environmentalists do not approve burning it. It is also reported that styrene, the raw material used to make polystyrene, is a cancer-causing agent.The management of waste polystyrene is a growing cause of concern for municipal committees and nagar panchayats.
Dr Shrawan Kumar, Executive Engineer at the Pollution Control Board office in Una, said: “So far, there is no regulation to check the use of polystyrene.” Admitting that it causes pollution, he suggested its recycling, which he said was beyond their scope.
The hazards Like polythene, polystyrene (thermocol) is very hard to degrade naturally It is chemically very inert, which means it is resistant to acids, bases, chlorinated liquids and other solvents Since it is resistant to water, it does not allow rainwater to seep into the underground aquifer The deposition of polystyrene on the soil is dangerous for the sustainability of environment Styrene, the raw material used to make polystyrene, is a cancer-causing agent
Efforts on to enhance fruit production Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 16 With 2.18 lakh hectares under fruit cultivation, the state government is endeavouring to make the horticulture sector a major source of income.
For diversification in horticulture, additional 3,729 hectares have been brought under fruit crops and 39 new nurseries registered for the production of quality planting material, a spokesperson for the government said yesterday.
Infrastructure facilities at 60 progeny orchards and 13 nurseries had been strengthened for improving their demonstration value and increasing production capacity. To improve productivity and produce improved varieties, root stocks of pome, stone and nut fruits were being imported from advanced countries, he added.
For technological dissemination in horticulture, 74,768 orchardists and farmers had been trained by organising camps and courses and 460 farmers were trained by organising exposure visits during this period. The government had also ensured necessary steps for the integrated development of horticulture and ~42.89 crore had been spent under Horticulture Mission during 2013-14.
He said to promote protected cultivation, the state government had enhanced the subsidy on green houses and anti-hail nets to 85 and 80 per cent. During this period, 2.55 lakh sq m had been covered under green houses and 23.5 lakh sq m under anti-hail nets. To enhance apple productivity, guidelines for the Apple Rejuvenation Project have been simplified and 560 hectare area is being brought under this project. A fruit production level of 8.49 lakh MT has been achieved during 2013-14. Ensuring remunerative prices of apple produce to growers, 34,229 MT ‘C’ grade apple fruit valued at Rs 22.25 crore was procured under the Market Intervention Scheme during 2013-14.
Anurag takes up railway issues with union minister Our Correspondent
Una, June 16 Anurag Thakur, Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur, has demanded a one-time allocation of budget for completing the ongoing work on the Una-Talwara broad-gauge line.
Addressing mediapersons at Gagret on Friday evening, Anurag said he had taken up the railway issues pertaining to his segment with Union Railways Minister Sadananda Gowda.
Work on the Nangal-Una-Talwara rail line was initiated nearly 50 years ago to link it with the Jalandhar-Pathankot broad-gauge line, but the 80-odd km track was just about half complete. The line is functional only till Amb and two trains, including the Amb-Ambala diesel mobile unit and the Himachal Express, reach Amb every day.
Anurag said he had stressed that work on the remaining length of the track from Amb to Talwara should be expedited, adding that he had also taken up the issue of providing double-shift services at the Una railway station for ticket reservation since it catered to the needs of civilian passengers, besides thousands of serving military and paramilitary personnel from Una, Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra districts. He said he had demanded that a coach-washing facility be provided at the Amb railway station so that trains did not have to travel back 50 km to Nangal after every trip for washing.
Anurag said on public demand he had recommended that the halt duration of the Himachal Express at Una be increased and an additional sleeper coach be added to the train in view of the increased passenger flow to the national Capital.
Other demands One-time allocation of budget for completing Una-Talwara broad-gauge line To expedite work on the track from Amb to Talwara Double-shift services at Una railway station for ticket reservation Coach-washing facility at Amb railway station Double-shift services tion for ticket reservation Electrification of the 33-km Una-Amb section.
Need to create awareness about heart ailments: Doc Our Correspondent Dr PC Negi, Head of the Cardiology Department, IGMC, Shimla, examines patients at a camp in Sundernagar on Sunday.
Sundernagar, June 16 Around 450 patients were examined by doctors from the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, at a two-day free camp on heart diseases which concluded here yesterday.
The camp was organised by the Ashaye Seva Samiti, a local social organisation.
Samiti president Goverdhan Lal Sharma said the camp was organised on local residents’ demand. “Heart patients have to go to Shimla or Chandigarh for treatment and many of them are not in a position to go to these stations for one reason or another. So, the samiti has decided to hold such camps every year,” he said. This year, a team of doctors from the Department of Cardiology, headed by PC Negi, checked the patients in two days.
At the camp, 200 patients underwent ECG and 150 echo test and around 250 tests of blood and urine were done free of cost.
Samiti press secretary Aswani Saini said representatives of five reputed companies, who were part of the team, distributed medicines worth Rs 1 lakh free of cost.
The team of doctors and other staff were honoured by the samiti on the occasion.
Dr Negi said heart ailments were increasing in the town at an alarming rate and there was a need to create awareness about them.
Justice Mir to be swornin as CJ tomorrow Legal Correspondent
Shimla, June 16 The Acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir, will take oath of the Office of the Chief Justice of the High Court on June 18 at 5 pm in the Raj Bhawan.
He will be administered the oath by Governor Urmila Singh. He had taken over as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court on November 27, 2013.
Justice Mir hails from Rajpora village in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Born on April 25, 1955, he did LLB in 1978 and joined the Bar the same year and practised till 1993. He appeared in the Higher Judicial Services Examination in 1992 and secured the first position in the state. He was appointed Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kupwara, on May 27, 1993.
He also remained Principal District and Sessions Judge of Anantnag, Budgam and Srinagar. He was posted as Presiding Officer, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Srinagar, and the designated court of TADA/Special Judge, POTA, for Kashmir Division.
Justice Mir was sworn in as Additional Judge of the High Court on January 31, 2005, and elevated as permanent judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on July 7, 2007. He delivered landmark judgements in all branches of the law and decided 37,000 cases from Januay 31, 2005, to November 24, 2013.
He was honoured with the American Medal of Honour in 2004 by the The American Biographical Institute Board of International Research for his meritorious service to the entire community and outstanding professional achievements. In the short stint as Acting Chief Justice, he decided 4,134 cases (3,928 in the Division Bench and 206 in the Single Bench).
Celebrations on at sailor’s village Says still can’t get over his 42-month nightmarish experience with Somali pirates Our Correspondent
Nurpur, June 16 Twentythree-year-old Aman Sharma was accorded a warm welcome at his native Kardial village in Jawali subdivision yesterday.
Villagers celebrated his safe arrival after 42 months in captivity of Somali pirates.
Sweets were offered and people danced on DJ beats. Local residents, relatives and friends congratulated Aman’s father Kewal Sharma, an ex-Army man and mother Pushpa Devi. Day-long community lunch (dham) was also arranged by the family on his safe homecoming.
Aman, who was one of the 23 crew members made hostage by Somali pirates on November 26, 2010, west of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, while briefing the media, said it was due to the efforts of his parents, state, union governments and the UNO that he could be released. The UNO had arranged his transport expenditure from Nairobi in Kenya to Mumbai, he said.
Narrating his tale of woes during his three-and-a-half year experience with the pirates, he said: “It was a horrible experience, as Somali pirates tortured me physically as well as mentally. They asked for Rs 2 crore as ransom. I had to walk 4 km every day to fetch 20 litre water. Out of this, only 1 litre was given to captives, while they consumed the rest. I was kept at a deserted place in the forest for six months and forced to cook food for them. Sometimes we got just one meal a day,” he said.
He said pirates killed Raju Prasad, one of the Indian hostages in June 2012, and had released 12 hostages, including him, so far. He said seven Indians were still in captivity.
“Before releasing me, the pirates came and woke me up at 3am and I got scared presuming that I will now be eliminated. But they left me in Kenya. Only then I realised that I have been released from their captivity. It was a nightmare. But now I will opt for another career after consulting my parents,” he said.
Government invites articles on RTI Act Tribune News Service Shimla, June 16 The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, has invited write-ups about the best practices in the Right to Information (RTI) Act. A spokesperson for the state Information Commission disclosed this here today. The spokesman said the write-ups on best practices in the RTI Act being adopted by public authorities all over the country should not exceed 5,000 words and should be submitted directly to the Director (IR), Department of Personnel and Training, latest by July 2014 through e-mail --osdrtidopt@nic.in. The best 20 write-ups would be included in the compendium. He said individuals whose write-ups would be selected for inclusion in the compendium would be rewarded with ~25,000 each.
Shimla, June 16 The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, has invited write-ups about the best practices in the Right to Information (RTI) Act. A spokesperson for the state Information Commission disclosed this here today.
The spokesman said the write-ups on best practices in the RTI Act being adopted by public authorities all over the country should not exceed 5,000 words and should be submitted directly to the Director (IR), Department of Personnel and Training, latest by July 2014 through e-mail --osdrtidopt@nic.in.
The best 20 write-ups would be included in the compendium. He said individuals whose write-ups would be selected for inclusion in the compendium would be rewarded with ~25,000 each.
One dies as car rolls down hillside Our Correspondent
Chamba, June 16 A person was killed in an accident when the Maruti car he was driving in rolled down a hillside near Vidwara village falling under the Tissa police station here last evening, a police report said here today.
Passersby brought the car driver, identified as Bhagat Ram, to the Tissa hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
There was no other person travelling in the car at the time of the mishap, the report said.
A case of rash and negligent driving had been registered at the Tissa police station and further investigation was on, the report added.
One washed away in Beas Our Correspondent
Kullu, June 16 A person was washed away in the Beas near the Nehru Kund, 45 km from here, today. The police said nearby residents informed them about the incident.
The police recovered the clothes, bearing an identity card belonging to Ombir (24) of Alwar district in Rajasthan, from the river bank.
DSP Sanjay Sharma said the body could not be traced.
425 examined at health camp Our Correspondent
Dalhousie, June 16 A free medical check-up camp was organised under the aegis of the District Red Cross Society in collaboration with the watershed development agency and the Welfare Department at Brangal village here yesterday.
As many as 425 persons were examined at the camp. Those suffering from ailments were given free medicines, while five persons were provided hearing aids and five crutches.
Neena Sehgal, secretary of the District Red Cross Society, said a medical team comprising Dr Bipin Thakur, eye specialist, Dr Kamaljeet, ENT specialist, besides other doctors and para-medical staff, conducted the checkup at the camp.
Kamal Thakur, president, Bhalei Mata Mandir Committee, extended all help in organising the camp, Sehgal further said.
Annual prize distribution function Tribune News Service
Solan, June 16 The annual prize distribution function of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, concluded here last evening.
Addressing a gathering, Baswan said due to technological revolution, life had become easy and comfortable today and hoped to see the day when poverty would be eliminated.
Students who were awarded for excellence in academic and co-curricular activities included Angadbir Singh who bagged the Henry Lawrence Prize, while Asma Arora was awarded the Honoria Lawrence Prize.
Shrey Garg was given Best Prefect prize among boys and Namita Hans among girls. Apart from this, the Yog Raj Palta Memorial Trophy (Art) was bagged by Shubhangi Rana.
Headmaster Praveen Vasisht earlier welcomed the chief guest on the occasion.
Delay in reopening Saach Pass flayed Our Correspondent Chamba, June 16 The Pangi Kalyan Sangh has expressed concern over a delay in the reopening of the Saach Pass. Situated at an altitude of 4,420 metre on the Pir Panjal range, the pass is the gateway to the Pangi valley and is the shortest route from Chamba to Killar, the sub-divisional headquarters of the valley. A meeting of the Pangi Kalyan Sangh was held here yesterday under the chairmanship of its president PL Thakur, where he urged the state government to put the snow cutters and other machinery into service to remove snow from the road. Thakur said the pass was usually reopened for traffic from June onwards, but this year there was an inordinate delay in reopening it. The sangh also demanded to fill posts in different departments which had been lying vacant for long.
Chamba, June 16 The Pangi Kalyan Sangh has expressed concern over a delay in the reopening of the Saach Pass.
A meeting of the Pangi Kalyan Sangh was held here yesterday under the chairmanship of its president PL Thakur, where he urged the state government to put the snow cutters and other machinery into service to remove snow from the road.
Thakur said the pass was usually reopened for traffic from June onwards, but this year there was an inordinate delay in reopening it.
The sangh also demanded to fill posts in different departments which had been lying vacant for long.