Minimum Temperature Drops In Himachal Pradesh, Water Pipes Freeze In higher Hills

Jan 3, 2017

SHIMLA: The tribal areas, higher hills and several places in lower hills of Himachal Pradesh reeled under biting cold wave conditions as the minimum temperature dropped by three to five degrees in spite of clear weather on Monday.

Minimum Temperature Drops In Himachal Pradesh, Water Pipes Freeze In higher Hills

Thick ground frost occurred in mid and higher hills.

Slippery road conditions made driving hazardous, while water pipes froze and burst at several places affecting water supply.

The high-altitude tribal areas groaned under freezing conditions with minimum temperatures staying between minus 10 and minus 16 degrees Celsius while Keylong and Kalpa in tribal, Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a low of minus 6.1 degrees and minus 2 degrees Celsius.

All natural sources of water including lakes, springs, rivulets and tributaries of major rivers including a 70 km stretch of Chandrabhaga river were frozen, drastically reducing the discharge of water in snow-fed Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers, affecting hydro power generation.

The key tourist destination of Manali reeled at minus 1.2 degrees while mercury dropped to 0.6 degree at Bhuntar and Sundernagar, followed by Solan 2 degrees, Palampur 3.7 degrees, Shimla 4.4 degrees, Una 5.6 degrees, Nahan 6.7 degrees and Dharamsala 8.8 degrees Celsius.

Yesterday’s rain and snow marginally reduced the rain deficit from October 1 to December 26 from 94 to 92 per cent as the region received 7.5 mm rains against normal rainfall of 90.6 mm.

The maximum temperature increased by a few degrees and Una in Shivalik foothills was hottest in the region with a high of 23.8 degrees while Sundernagar and Solan recorded maximum temperatures at 20.4 degrees and 19.5 degrees, followed by Bhuntar 18 degrees, Dharamshala 16.6 degrees, Nahan 17.5 degrees, Shimla 15.9 degrees, Manali 13 degrees and Kalpa 9.6 degrees Celsius..

The local met office has predicted dry weather in the region from December 27 to January 1.

Mumbai tourist killed in road accident near Raison in Kullu

Dec 20, 2016

tata-sumo-accident-lahaul-spiti-keylong — Representational Image

SHIMLA: A female tourist from Mumbai was killed while five others were injured in a road accident near Raison in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The tourists who had come to visit Manali were returning in their car. When they reached near Raison, a truck trying to overtake another vehicle hit the car during the morning hours.

Sources said after accident the truck driver managed to flee from the spot while those injured in the accident were rushed to Regional Hospital Kullu in ambulance. While being shifted to the hospital, the female tourist, identified as Alka Tanha – wife of Pankaj Tanha, resident of Madhur Apartment, Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West, Mumbai – succumbed to her injuries, but others were admitted in the hospital for treatment.

The injured have been identified as Pankaj Tanha (49), his son Shubh Tanha (15) and daughter Zeenal Tanha (23) besides Dara Sarita, a resident of Gokuldham Goregaon East and Amrit Pal. The car driver, too, has been injured.

Sources said the condition of Pankaj Tanha and another person is serious. Police have registered a case and has started the investigation. Hunt is on to nab the accused truck driver.

Himachal Pradesh government to reward best performing teachers

Dec 19, 2016

150 primary schools will be merged, 78 more schools with less students will be denotified

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the government has started the ‘Shikshak Samman Yojana’ to reward best performing teachers giving good results by extending their service by a year.

“Teachers giving 100 per cent results in Mathematics, English and science subjects for five years in a row will be rewarded with one year extension in service,” he said at a function organised by the Government Teachers Association at Jawalamukhi.

On increasing schools in the state, Singh said the government has opened or upgraded 1,329 schools and opened 42 new government colleges in remote areas.

“Initial grant of Rs 5 crore has been provided to each new college and the state has created 1,177 posts for teachers and other categories in colleges. Besides, 5,608 posts were created for teachers in government schools,” he said. The government has filled 9,538 posts of teachers, regularised 6,937 teachers and appointed 3,226 teachers on contract basis, Singh said.

“Besides, 2,609 teachers and non-teaching employees were regularised in the higher education sector and 1,959 posts of trained graduate teachers (TGT) were filled through direct appointment and services of 2,647 contract teachers were regularised,” he informed.

The Chief Minister said honorarium of TGT teachers appointed by the parent teacher association has been raised from Rs 6,950 to Rs 14,130; for classical and vernacular teachers from Rs 6,750 to Rs 13,590 and primary teachers from Rs 7,500 to Rs 11,000 per month.

Himachal Pradesh becomes 6th state to attain 100 % Aadhaar saturation

Dec 18, 2016

Himachal Pradesh has become the sixth state in the country to achieve 100% Aadhaar saturation.

Himachal Pradesh has achieved 100 per cent Aadhar saturation on the basis of population of year 2015, making it the sixth state after Delhi, Telangana, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh to have achieved this milestone.

In this small hill state Aadhaar numbers have been generated for 72, 52,880 residents. In order to maintain this achievement in future, special arrangements have been made under which services of Anganwari workers and health services will be taken to cover different age groups.

About 240 Permanent Enrolment Centres are operational for updating and enrolment activity while 22 Aadhaar Mobile Vans are also covering any left out citizen or elderly person in the remote areas of the state.

ISIS Suspect, Planning To Visit Syria, Arrested In Kullu

Dec 18, 2016

isis-suspect-arrested-in-himachal-pradesh-kullu — 23-year-old Abid Khan, a resident of Bengaluru, was arrested from a church in Kullu district.

Shimla(IANS): A suspected member of ISIS was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and local police from a Himachal Pradesh village. He was accused of planning to go to Syria.

23-year-old Abid Khan, a resident of Bengaluru, was arrested from a church in Banjar area in Kullu district, about 250 km from Shimla. He was living in Kullu for the past five months and was working as a helper there with a fake identity.

A mobile phone and a laptop has been seized from his possession and has been sent to forensic lab for further investigation.

Abid was in touch with the ISIS operatives and was planning to travel to Indonesia and then to Syria from there, Superintendent of Police Padam Chand said. Another police official said that the accused had recently visited Sri Lanka.

The National Investigation Agency had conducted raids last month in Delhi and arrested some ISIS suspects. During interrogation, the suspects named Abid and said he was in touch with them.

A case has been filed against him and he is likely to be produced in a court in Kullu town today.

Usha Breco to Build Kullu-Bijli Mahadev Ropeway in two years

Dec 17, 2016

Tribune News Service

Himachal Pradesh Infrastructure Development Board (HPIDB) has awarded the Rs 100-crore Kullu-Bijli Mahadev ropeway to Usha Breco after making major changes in the alignment and increasing the span from one to two kms.

Despite being considered one of the most commercially viable aerial ropeway projects in the state, the Himachal Pradesh Infrastructure Development Board had to make some major changes to make it attractive to investors. There has been no response to the Sarahan-Bashal Kanda aerial ropeway project in Shimla district so far.

Usha Breco had quoted a price of Rs 10.32 crore as bidding amount for the Kullu-Bijli Mahadev project. “They have been given one year’s time to obtain all clearances and two years construction time and a concession period of 40 years,” said sources. However, the cost of the ropeway has straightaway gone up from the earlier Rs 50 crore to Rs 100 crore as its span has now been doubled to two kms.

The Kullu-Bijli Mahadev ropeway project had been hanging fire for quite some time and on one occasion there was no bidder. The HPIDB changed the alignment of the ropeway and doubled its span from one to two kms to make it more viable. The ropeway will now take off from the Left Bank on the Kullu-Manali national highway instead of the earlier planned site near Pacho village, which was located on a link road.

The fact that the take off site was on a link road for which tourists would have had to travel for 18 kms to take the ropeway was a major deterrent which was proving to be the biggest deterrent.

Usha Breco has also been given permission to set up an eco-tourism site at the upper terminal of the ropeway so that the project becomes viable.

Usha Breco Company has already been awarded the 4.1-km Himani -Chamunda ropeway in Kangra and Tutikandi-Mall ropeway in Shimla. Similarly, TATA has signed agreement for other aerial ropeways, including 2.1-km span Dharamsala-McLeodganj in Kangra.

However, there has been no response from investors for the three ropeways from Toba to Naina Devi in Bilaspur (2.3 km), Shah-Talai to Deod Sidh (1.8 km) in Hamirpur and Dharamkot-Triund in Kangra. Despite having been advertised on four occasions, entrepreneurs have shown disinterest in these projects. The Tourism Department is examining the possibility of giving further relaxations so that investors come forward to take up these projects.

Delhi High Court reserves order on Virbhadra’s plea to quash CBI case

Dec 15, 2016

New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict on the plea of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh, seeking quashing of FIR lodged against them in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

Justice Vipin Sanghi concluded the hearing on the pleas, which claimed that there was no order, direction or judgment by any court that had authorised the CBI to inquire, investigate or register regular cases and exercise jurisdiction in the territory of Himachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister has pleaded during the hearing that the raids on his private residence and other premises here were conducted with “malafide intentions and political vendetta” by the central investigating agency.

He has alleged that CBI had overstepped its jurisdiction in filing the case as the cause of action did not arise in the territory of Delhi.

Seeking setting aside of the entire process of CBI investigations and case filed against him and his wife, their counsel argued that the permission of the state government and Home Department was not sought before raiding the residence of a sitting Chief Minister.

Opposing their contentions, CBI had earlier said the allegations against Singh in the case are “very serious” as a huge amount of money was involved and the state government has shown “over anxiety” in protecting him.

It had said that they had jurisdiction to register and investigate the case in Delhi as the disproportionate assets were allegedly acquired by the Congress leader from the income generated here when he was a Union minister during UPA regime.

Singh had already got an interim order from the Himachal Pradesh High Court (HC) on October 1, 2015 restraining the agency from arresting, interrogating or filing a charge sheet in the case without its permission.

Over one lakh youth enrolled in skill development programmes: CM

Dec 15, 2016

Highlighting the importance of skill development to increase employability, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said presently over one lakh youths are being trained under programmes of the Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam.

“The state government has established the Kaushal Vikas Nigam to synergies skill and livelihood training programmes of different departments for the youth, and has launched a Rs 640 crore ADB funded HP Skill Development Project to improve employment opportunities,” he said at the ‘Kaushal Himachal, Samridh Himachal’ conclave here.

The Nigam has signed several MoUs with various industrial organisations to increase employment opportunities, Singh said.

The Chief Minister urged the industry and sector skill councils to associate themselves with the Nigam for seamless and integrated training.

He said a budgetary provision of Rs 100 crore had been made for the Skill Development Allowance Scheme in the current fiscal and the government has also started vocational education in 500 schools with 35,000 students learning various trades.

“The government is conscious of the need to provide college going youth with advanced vocational education and short term courses aligned to the National Skill Qualification Framework in various government colleges,” Singh asserted.

Under a pilot training programme 1,080 youths from six districts are enrolled in eight sectors. In Kangra it is retail and hospitality; textiles and life Sciences in Solan; IT in Shimla; furniture and fittings in Mandi; automobile in Nahan-Paonta and hospitality in Kullu, he informed.

The Chief Minister also interacted with the trainees and industrialists through video-conferencing.

Tridev Sammelan a flop show: Virbhadra Singh

Dec 12, 2016

– Tribune News Service

Terming the ‘Tridev Sammelan’ of the BJP at Solan as a flop show, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said that the claims of the BJP national president Amit Shah for forming a BJP government in Himachal Pradesh was like a dream which will never come true. Talking to media persons at Annadale here he said that it was unfortunate on the part of the BJP president to level charges of corruption against the state government without any evidence. The BJP leaders should prove it before misleading the people, he remarked.

Referring to the speech made by Amit Shah that ‘Himachal mein aise Sarkar banao jo bees saal tak satta mein rahe’ (Form such a government in Himachal which will remain in power for next 20 years), the Chief Minister said that the people of the state were better judge to differentiate between the functioning of both the the BJP and the Congress. They have full faith in Congress leadership and its policies and in the coming Vidhan Sabha election the people will make them bite the dust, he said.
The BJP is eager to form the government in the state for which they were issuing sensational statements to misguide the people. They are involved in malicious propaganda, he said.

He said the Congress Government was synonymous with development and the people of the state realize that. Moreover, the state has been adjudged as the Best Big State in the field of education and the Improved Big State in the category of inclusive development, adding, “Education was the top priority of the government and we don’t mind whatever was said in the rally”.

The Chief Minister said that the Congress was also not afraid of the charge-sheet BJP was preparing. If any unfounded charges are leveled against the government or any individual in the charge Sheet, the government would take appropriate action. Taking strong exception of the tall claims being made by the BJP president Amit Shah in a rally at Solan, Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma said that the Congress Government would not only complete its present term but would again form government in 2017.

In a joint statement issued here the ministers said that the claim by the BJP president that the state had been given 62 new National Highways was a mere political announcement as not even a penny had been received from the Centre till now.
They said that the Centre has not even approved the estimates of Rs 240 crore for preparing DPRs for these roads.

If ‘corrupt’ Himachal Pradesh government uprooted, India will be Congress-free: Amit Shah

Dec 11, 2016

IndiaTimes

SOLAN (HP): BJP chief Amit Shah today gave a clarion call to party workers to “uproot the corrupt” government in Himachal Pradesh and make India “Congress-free” by bringing BJP to power with majority in the Assembly elections due next year.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vijay Rath will reach Himachal Pradesh after conquering Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in Assembly polls. The Congress government in the state will also fall and India will become Congress-free,” he said at a conclave for booth-level BJP office bearers of Shimla (Reserve) Parliamentary constituency here.

Defending the Centre’s demonetisation move, Shah attacked previous UPA governments and the Virbhadra Singh dispensation “for patronising corruption”.

Hitting out at those raising a “hue and cry” over note ban, he claimed that “only those with piles of black money are feeling the heat. The common man has no problem and has welcomed the move”.

“Demonetisation is a lethal step to destroy a parallel economy that runs on black money, choke funding to terrorists, stop extortions by Naxalites and take on fake note rackets,” he said.

Shah said the Prime Minister while announcing the decision to scrap high-value notes on November 8 had said that there would be some inconvenience for the initial 50-day period.

Twenty-five per cent of black money deposited with banks will be used for the welfare of the poor. 50 per cent will be deducted as tax and 85 per cent penalty will be imposed on undisclosed money, the BJP chief said.

Hitting back at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh for criticising the government, he said, “Scams to the tune of Rs 12 lakh crore surfaced in the UPA regime but not a single case of corruption has been reported in the two-and-half years of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.”

“The country has a Prime Minister who speaks out, has dialogues with people, understands problems of the masses, cracked down on black money and rolled out 92 public welfare schemes,” Shah said.

Accusing state government of not allowing welfare programmes of the Centre to percolate to people, Shah said, “The Centre has giving projects to Himachal Pradesh but the state government is not accepting the same.”

The Centre’s efforts will yield results when a BJP government is installed in the state, he asserted.

Ranji Trophy 2016-17, Round 9, match report: Himachal Pradesh beat Goa by 7 wickets; both fail to make quarter-finals

Dec 10, 2016

Himachal Pradesh did incredibly well to beat Goa by 7 wickets on the final day of Round 9 of the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 at Bandra-Kurla Complex at Mumbai. Goa were 99 for 2 at the start of the day, still trailing Himachal Pradesh by 49 runs. Sumiran Amonkar resumed on 54, but could add just another run to his overnight tally. Darshan Misal however scored a brilliant century — his second of the match — which helped Goa take a 100-run lead. But then, Goa lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 286, setting Himachal Pradesh a target of 139 with very less time left. Off-spinner Gurinder Singh’s four wickets played a key part in bundling Goa out. Bipul Sharma and Mayank Dagar chipped in with a couple of wickets apiece as well.

Himachal Pradesh ensured that they reached their target in 27.2 overs and collected 6 points, but still fell short of making it to the quarter-final stage. Paras Dogra led the run chase with an unbeaten 55 off 69, which included four fours and a couple of sixes. Opening batsman Ravi Thakur scored a quick fire 37 as well. Robin Bist (28*) and Dogra ensured that there was no further damage.

In the first innings, Goa scored 380, thanks to centuries from Misal and skipper Sagun Kamat. They lower-order too scored some handy runs, which ensured Goa got to a reasonably good score. Fast bowler Akshay Chauhan picked up three wickets. In reply, Himachal Pradesh scored a mammoth 528. Prashant Chopra fell 6 short of a deserved double hundred, while Sumeet Verma scored 160. Skipper Bipul Sharma too chipped in with 60, to go with his 2 wickets in the first innings.

When one thought this match would end up as a draw, Himachal Pradesh seized the opportunity to convert this into a win, much to Goa’s disappointment. It was Goa, who won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite The three teams to progress from Group C are Hyderabad, Haryana and Andhra.

Brief scores:

Goa 380 & 286 (Sumiran Amonkar 55, Darshan Misal 119; Bipul Sharma 2 for 36, Gurinder Singh 4 for 82) lost to Himachal Pradesh 528 & 139 for 3 (Ravi Thakur 37, Paras Dogra 55*; Rituraj Singh 1 for 28, Amulaya Pandrekar 2 for 31) by 7 wickets

Allegations against CM Virbhadra Singh serious, Himachal Pradesh govt protecting him: CBI

Dec 10, 2016

Kasmir Monitor

New Delhi: CBI claimed before Delhi High Court that allegations against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in the disproportionate assets case are “very serious” as a huge amount of money is involved and the state government has shown “over anxiety” in protecting him.

The agency told Justice Vipin Sanghi that CBI has the jurisdiction to register and investigate the case in Delhi as the disproportionate assets were allegedly acquired by the Congress leader from the income generated here when he was a Union minister during UPA regime.

“The allegations against him (Singh) are exclusive of his tenure in Delhi,” Additional Solicitor General (ASG) PS Patwalia said, adding, “Allegations are very serious. Crores of rupees are involved in this. Money have been shifted from one bank account to other accounts”.

“The state government is not a petitioner here. Whatever is argued by the state (government) is not liable to be considered at all. It infact shows the over anxiety on the part of the state (government),” he said, adding, “The state is going two steps ahead to protect the petitioner (Singh)”.

Patwalia also alleged that Singh’s son had purchased a farm house here in August 2011 for Rs 1.20 crore and Singh had given Rs 90 lakh for this.

“This is nothing but a property acquired by the disproportionate assets of Virbhadra Singh. It (farm house) is situated in Delhi. A number of bank accounts are in Delhi. The income is generated in Delhi as he was posted here. CBI has the jurisdiction to investigate the matter here,” he said.

The court has now fixed the matter for further arguments on December 15.

Earlier, Singh’s counsel had said in the high court that CBI cannot on its own decide to probe offences outside Delhi without the consent of the concerned state government.

His counsel had contended that in this case, the alleged offence was committed in Himachal Pradesh as disproportionate assets were located there and hence, the police of that state should have been probing it.

Singh had earlier claimed that CBI’s FIR was “premature” as it was based on the proceedings of Income Tax department, which were still pending.

CBI had told the court that its probe in the DA case was “complete” and it wanted to file a charge sheet in the matter.

Central Government issued Rs. 3 crores to Drang Rock Salt Mine

Dec 8, 2016

The salt extracted from these mine is very useful for animals as well as humans. The government already have submitted Rs. 3 crores to the State Government budget.

Mandi: The central Government has issued Rs. 3 Crores for the reproduction at Rock Salt Mine at Drang in Mandi. The production of rock salt will be starting soon. MP Ram Swaroop Sharma and State Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur have jointly inaugurated this Salt Mine recently.

Not only this mine was closed, but other Rock Salt mines like one at Gumma still remain closed. But, now the Drang Rock Salt Mine is going to be active once again.

The salt extracted from these mine is very useful for animals as well as humans. The government already have submitted Rs. 3 crores to the State Government budget.

This confirmation has been done by MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. He has thanked PM Naredra Modi and Heavy Steal minister Anant Geete for the sanctioning of budget for Drang Rock Salt Mine. Apart from this others ministers like MLA Jairam Thakur, District BJP member and other were thankful to the PM Modi , MP Ram swaroop Sharma and Health minister Kaul singh for the grant.

State Government Not Serious About Development Of Himachal Pradesh: JP Nadda

Dec 7, 2016

The state government is not serious about the development of Himachal Pradesh and the projects and schemes approved by the central government had not made much headway due to its casual approach. It has failed to keep pace with the proactive Modi government,” he said in a statement issued here today

SHIMLA: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda today alleged that the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government was not serious about the development of the state.

“The state government is not serious about the development of Himachal Pradesh and the projects and schemes approved by the central government had not made much headway due to its casual approach. It has failed to keep pace with the proactive Modi government,” he said in a statement issued here today.

Despite efforts of the Centre, which is working in the true spirit of “cooperative federalism”, most interventions, projects and schemes have either failed to take-off or their implementation is far from satisfactory, Mr Nadda claimed.

The Centre is doing its bit by approving schemes and sanctioning funds without delay, but it is the responsibility of the state government to do the necessary spade work and ensure its implementation, he said.

“But the state government has not shown the same zeal either due to political reasons or sheer incompetence. It is not a healthy approach as in a federal system the Centre and states should work in unison, rising above party lines, to accelerate the pace of development,” the Minister said.

He claimed he was not saying all this to derive political mileage but out of concern, as people deserved better roads, health care and education facilities among others amenities.

“There is a long list of projects and schemes which have not made much headway because of delay by the state,” he said.

Prime Minister Narender Modi was keen to lay the foundation of the IIM at Paonta Sahib in his last visit but it was postponed because the state had not obtained forest clearance for its land, he claimed.

The state is also dithering implementation of projects, including a Level-I trauma centre in Shimla, he said, adding eyeing high casualties in road accidents the Health Ministry had approved the state’s plan to acquire a private hospital to make it functional immediately.

However, it is learnt that the state has shelved this proposal, he claimed.

Two IT Parks to be set up in Himachal Pradesh

Dec 7, 2016

“One of these two IT parks shall be developed in Gaggal near Dharamsala. The second IT park shall be constructed in Shimla”, IT Advisor to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gokul Butail informed.

Shimla: Two IT Parks will shortly be developed in Himachal Pradesh with the help of Software Technology Park of India (STPI), a senior official said on Tuesday.

“One of such park shall be developed in Gaggal near Dharamsala,” IT Advisor to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gokul Butail informed. As it is valley area and adjacent to airport, experts consider it as the best place, he said.

The second (IT) park shall be constructed in Shimla, he added.

Butail said that the formal announcement regarding this will be made after the next cabinet meeting. He further said that such parks will give a boost to hundreds of IT engineers of state working outside state”

If this plan is executed swiftly and in time it may make the hundreds of IT engineers working outside their own state state to think about moving back to state which will empower the state IT facilities & structure and create new jobs.

SMC not able to implement ‘green tax’ after 2 years of declaration

Dec 6, 2016

SHIMLA: Shimla Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) claims to control vehicular traffic and pollution in the town by collecting revenue have become mere talks as the civic body has not been able to impose ‘green tax’ in Shimla even after two years of its declaration.

SMC said that with the green tax collection, parking problem will be sorted with lesser vehicles entering Shimla, traffic jams will be reduced and the corporation will generate revenue of Rs 15 crores yearly to be utilized in measures to control environmental pollution.

Earlier, SMC had begun the green fee collection system in September 2012 and it had erected barriers at four entry points of the town. But within a year, after the high court directed the civic body to stop the collection as it was resulting into frequent traffic jams. In January 2015, the corporation had included green tax collection in its annual budget, the same was announced in 2016 budget as well in which collection of green fee was major highlight. The tax wasn’t imposed for two years and the SMC has now said it will be implemented with the new year celebrations. But even after issuing a public notice in September this year, the process has not begun yet.

Shimla municipal commissioner Pankaj Rai said they will be charging green fee by the end of December and the corporation will be benefited at a large scale as estimated Rs 15 crores will be collected through it annually.
First, the collected fees would be spent on the sanitation and beautification of Shimla and secondly, SMC will have information of each vehicle and its registration numbers, he added.

“Once an outstation vehicle enters Shimla and it pays the tax, it will remain valid for only seven days after which the owner will have to pay the tax again. The four wheelers will have to pay Rs 200, more than four wheel vehicles will have to pay Rs 300 and two wheelers will be charged Rs 50. The tourist vehicles will not be troubled anywhere by stopping them from entering Shimla and they will not be asked to pay green tax, but they will have to pay it, else they will be fined Rs 5,000,” he added.

The BJP media in-charge Karan Nanda said that by agreeing to the green tax implementation, the state government is promoting corruption in the name of collecting green tax as the money can be collected in illegal way too. He said the green tax will also discourage tourism in Shimla.

240 new HIV positive cases detected in Himachal Pradesh

Dec 6, 2016

The Statesman

Call it lack of awareness but 240 new HIV positive cases have been detected in Himachal Pradesh in tests conducted by the government officials, taking the total of such cases 298 in the state. These findings have been revealed in a report released by the state government today.

A government official said 95820 blood samples were screened for HIV under National AIDS Control Program by government officials, out of which 298 were tested positive and 240 new AIDS cases were added to this fatal disease.

He said the state government was aiming to provide qualitative health care facilities nearer to the door steps, new health centres have been opened and upgraded in remote and far-flung areas.

“The government is also aiming to maintain child sex ratio in the state and various programs have been launched to improve skewed child sex ratio,” he said, adding, as per 2011 census, child sex ratio (0-6 yr) of the state is 909 which is not satisfactory.

Galore block of district Hamirpur district has lowest CSR of 845 followed by Ladbharol of Mandi 850, Tiara of Kangra 875, Gangath of Kangra 877 and Baldwara of Mandi 879.

A total of 265 Ultrasound Clinics have been registered in various districts of the State of which 86 in government and 179 in private sector and these clinics are under strict vigil of the Health Department, the official said.

He said the registration of Ante-Natal Cacre cases has been recorded 70269 which is 85.38 percent under maternal health program and institutional deliveries are being encouraged in the state.

The government official said immunization is another important aspect of health care policy of the government and a target of immunizing 128560 pregnent women and 108183 infants has been fixed for 2016-17 against which 62223 TT, 57976 BCG, 58474 OPV, 82 DPT and 63628 measles have been provided.

Besides this, 117716 cataract operations have been done against the target of 27500 under Control of Blindness program. While under leprosy program, 92 cases were detected out of which 90 cured whereas 150 were under treatment and these are old cases. 28600 unit of blood was collected from donation and replacement during the above period, he added.

Himachal Pradesh to install tracking device to bridle female foeticide

Dec 6, 2016

Taking cue from Madhaya Pradesh to bridle female foeticide, Himachal Pradesh too has decided to install tracking device to ultrasound machines in the state.

The Statesman

female-foeticide-getty-feticide — Representational image (Photo: Getty Images)

Taking cue from Madhaya Pradesh to bridle female foeticide, Himachal Pradesh too has decided to install tracking device to ultrasound machines in the state.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said, “The tracking devices will put all the ultrasound machines on surveillance in the state. The devices will be mandatory installed in phased manner in all the ultrasound machines in both governments as well as private sector. This will not only help in curbing female feticide but also improving Child Sex Ratio (CSR).”

On pilot basis Una, Kangra districts bordering Punjab and Hamirpur district have been selected. Rest of the districts will be covered gradually, he added.

The electronic device is attached to the ultrasound machine which will help in tracking sonographies conducted to keep a check on pre-natal tests.

“The device enables online monitoring of the ultrasound machine, which is linked to a control room. The location of the control room, is yet to be finalised,” he added.

To lend impetus to the initiative to be taken, health officials have already been provided training from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, said Kaul Singh Thakur.

The cost of the single device is around Rs.30,000 to 35,000 and the expenditure in private ultrasound centres will be shared both by the owner and the state government, he disclosed.

He said that the government was already taking a number of initiatives to check sex determination and strict action was being taken against the offenders under Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test (PC and PNDT) Act.

According top 2011 census, the state has overall CSR (0-6 years) of 909 females per 1000 males, Una district had the lowest CSR at 875 among the districts 100 districts in the country.

The tribal district of the state Lahaul and Spiti was top in the country with highest CSR of 1033 females per 1000 males.

Kangra district has CSR 876, while Hamirpur 887.

Himachal Pradesh figured amongst the worst 10 states with lowest CSR in the country.

Cashless system to be implemented across Himachal Pradesh universities

Dec 5, 2016

INI

After implementing the cashless system at Raj Bhawan in Himachal Pradesh, Governor and Chancellor of Universities Acharya Devvrat has taken the initiative to extend the system in all government and private sector universities in the state.

A special meeting has been called by him on December 7 at Raj Bhawan to discuss the implementation of this system.

The Vice Chancellors of Universities, heads of the leading banks and senior officers of the Reserve Bank of India would also attend this meeting.

In order to impart training to the students for making use of cashless system, another meeting has been also fixed for 17 December in which topper students of the universities would participate along with Vice Chancellors.

The representatives of leading banks like State Bank of India, UCO Bank, Punjab National Bank and Cooperative Bank would guide the students to adopt the cashless system.

These students would further train other students of their respective universities and also in the rural areas during the vacation time.

Later on the exercise would be carried out at college level so that Himachal Pradesh could become the leading state in implementation of cashless system in the country.

Himachal Pradesh CPI(M) to contest in 19 Assembly seats

Dec 5, 2016

Press Trust of India

Himachal Pradesh CPI(M) will contest in 19 out of the 68 Assembly seats in the state and support candidates of CPI and other like-minded parties in remaining constituencies, a party leader said.

State secretary of the party, Omkar Shaad, who presented the agenda at the party plenum said CPI(M) has identified 19 seats from which it will contest the polls. It will support the candidates of CPI and other like-minded parties in other seats.

Inaugurating the plenum, the party’s central secretariat member Vijayraghwan accused the Modi government of a pursuing a policy for the benefit of capitalists and corporates.

“The Modi government is implementing the liberalisation policies started by UPA government more vigorously and trying to divide people on communal lines,” he alleged, adding BJP has “failed” to fulfil its poll promises.

Vijayraghwan also slammed the Centre’s demonetisation move, for which, he claimed, the common people are suffering.

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