Himurja flays demand of HPSEB engineers
SHIMLA, Dec 15 — The Technical Staff Association of Himurja has criticised the demand of diploma engineers of the HPSEB to revert the micro-hydroelectric projects to the HPSEB.

1 killed in mishap
CHAMBA, Dec 15 — One person was killed on the spot and another was seriously wounded when a Canter veered off the road and fell into a nallah at about 5 p.m. today at Mangla, 12 km, from here, on the Chamba-Khajjiar road.

Kangra loses another soldier
DHARAMSALA, Dec 15 — Yet another brave soldier from Kangra rifleman Pawan Singh of the 28 Rashtriya Rifles, laid down his life fighting Pakistani intruders in the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir, yesterday.

Assets Bill referred to select panel
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 15 — The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Disclosure of Assets and Liabilities of Members) Bill was referred to a select committee of the House by the Speaker, Mr Gulab Singh, following some objections from the Opposition members.

The Congress members were of the view that certain clauses in the Bill, particularly those pertaining to action against the defaulting members, needed to be specified by laying down definite parameters. Mrs Asha Kumari said laws were not enacted on rumours, but the present Bill says that "it is rumoured that elected members amassed wealth...", while justifying the need for having a law. She also wanted senior officers and other functionaries to brought under the purview of the Bill.

Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Leader of Opposition, said the objective of the Bill was to bring transparency in public life and promote ideal conduct among legislators. Instead of rushing through the Bill its provisions should be discussed threadbare.

Mr J.B.L. Khachi (Congress) suggested that the Bill be referred to a select committee to which Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, agreed. He said the Congress members were accusing the government of delay in the matter but since Mr Khachi, was a seasoned parliamentarian he was accepting his suggestion.

Mr Dhumal said efforts would be made to pass the Bill during the budget session itself.

The Chief Minister also introduced two amendment Bills providing for payment of rent by ministers and deputy ministers for the residential accommodation they occupied. The Bill followed the Government decision to abolish rent-free accommodation to officers. The State Salaries and Allowances of Ministers Amendment Bill provides for payment of rent at the rate of 10 per cent of the monthly salary by the ministers. The other amendment, but with similar provisions, pertained to deputy ministers.

Governor's remarks on temples cause flutter
From Birender Sharma

JAWALAMUKHI, Dec 15 — Recent statement of Himachal's Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri has posed a question to present set-up of the various government controlled temples of the state. By advocating the Vaishno Devi set up for proper and smooth management of the state's temples, he expressed dissatisfaction over the present system on the management of the temples during his recent visit to pay obeisance in the shrine of Jawalamukhi.

Resentment has been prevailing among the people of the area over the state of affairs ever since the temples were taken over through a legislation by the state government in 1987. Prior to that, the temples were being managed by the traditional Baridars. The temples were taken over by the government on the plea of socialisation. Government controlled temples have became a bastion for politicking. The legislation has been laid down that these very temples will be under the control of the Art Language and Culture Department where as at present these are under the direct control of Revenue Department. It has led to mis-management and misappropriation of the temple funds which come by way of offerings from devotees who visit these shrines. Even the present set-up has become a subject of criticism. In view of the above, the recent statement of the state's Governor has created waves among the intelligentsia of the area.

Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri during his visit to the shrine of Jawalamukhi stressed in particulars that all traditional Baridars ought to be well versed in performing rituals pertaining to worship of deity. With the same, he appealed to all Baridars to make efforts to maintain sanctity of the shrine. Not only that he reminded that persons connected with the system of temple management should have thorough knowledge of both historical importance as also importance of mythology. Traditional Baridars must be qualified in Sanskrit literature so that the recitations of hymns in the glory of deity be vivid and audible. Being a renowned scholar the Governor was not happy with the present set-up, which has been into being since the enforcement of the Hindu Religious Places and Endowment Act. It was why he insisted on adopting the Vaishno Devi pattern to manage the state's temples during his interaction with the media persons of the area.

Meanwhile, Mr Kamlinder Singla, a devotee from Ludhiana, who was here to pray for benediction to deity Jawalaji hailed the stand-point of the Governor. He demanded that the state government should prepare a comprehensive plan for the promotion of temple tourism. He added that the state government should declare Jawalamukhi a holy town on the Punjab Pattern. Instead of collecting revenue and imposing taxes on devotees the state government should provide more facilities to the devotees.

He built his fortune on concrete blocks
From Kishori Lal

MANDI: A self-employed youth, Deepeshwar Datt Sharma, has made a fortune by making solid concrete blocks, which have proved to be a better substitute for stone and brick masonry in this part of the country.

He made a humble beginning in the new venture after thoroughly going through the precast stone masonry block walling scheme pioneered by the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee.

He launched the project by making blocks manually in the beginning on a small scale at Sauli Khad in Mandi town with the help of semi-skilled labour, using both fix-type and split-type steel moulds.

Later delighted by the tremendous response from the users of the new blocks, he switched on to mechanise production by using gang moulds, vibrators and small machines to achieve higher production and better quality.

With the help of five gang moulds he produces 500 blocks per day to meet the local demand. Production can be further increased to any extent depending on the demand from private and government sectors.

He told this reporter that a smooth but hard surface was required for casting the blocks made of lean cement and concrete stone pieces. A lean concrete mix of cement, sand and 10 mm down coarse aggregate in a proportion of 1:5:8 is used for making the blocks. A slightly over-sanded concrete mix gives a better finish.

It has been noted that the use of the stone spalls not only results in saving cement, but the blocks so produced possess greater strength and lower drying shrinkage.

The use of concrete blocks is recommended for regions where bricks are costly, poor in strength or not available easily. The size of blocks can be designed keeping in view the structural requirements of masonry units by using the ingredients available.

The moulds are filled thoroughly with the help of trowel and compacted with a surface vibrator. Demoulding is done after five to 10 minutes.

Deepeshwar claims that concrete block masonry is cheaper, faster and stronger. The work of a mason becomes simpler and at the same time perfect shape and size gives an attractive aesthetic appeal.

As the number of joints is lesser, the consumption of mortar is reduced. Besides, the block masonry construction provides better thermal insulation, enhanced fire resistance and sound absorption. Another advantage is that land for making bricks is also saved. More carpet area is available for use.

It is estimated that an overall 35 per cent saving can be achieved in this type of construction. The boundary walls, made of concrete blocks, give a fine look besides saving time and expenses on construction.

Visualising the potential use of the concrete blocks the demand for them is increasing for various private and government civil engineering works.

Dhumal for review of timber policy
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 15 — Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, today called for a consensus for the review of the timber distribution policy under which trees were allotted to right holders to check malpractices and conserve the depleting forest resources.

Replying at the discussion on the degradation of the Himalayan environment raised by Mr Chander Sen, Mr Dhumal said such politically sensitive issues could be effectively resolved only if members agreed to take corrective measures rising above party lines. He said there was a need to check the misuse of TD facility and one option could be to raise the price of allotted trees to a reasonable level. At present the trees allotted to the poor were being grabbed by the rich and the influential, and timer was being smuggled out.

He further said his government was committed to protect the forests and it had already decided not to encourage industries and projects which damage the environment. The category of prestigious units under which the cement industry availed certain concessions had been scrapped altogether.

He said the government would carry out silvicultural fellings as per the working plan in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court. Besides, the environment impact assessment report and the environment management plans were being prepared for all major hydel projects. Mr Dhumal the environmental clearance for the Parbati project, based on these plans, was obtained before the foundation stone-laying ceremony. He said compensatory plantation was being raised for the forest area lost due to the construction of hydel projects.

The Chief Minister said a balance had to be struck between development and environment to ensure sustainable development and the maintenance of the ecological balance.

He added that the state had already banned the use of recycled polythene bags. The State Council of Science, Technology and environment and the pollution control board had prepared a Rs 50-lakh scheme for the rehabilitation of the 23 polythene bag-manufacturing units which were closed down due to the ban.

Initiating the discussion, Mr Chander Sen said if the studies conducted by scientists were any indication then the Himalayan region would be transformed into a desert by 2078. The Himalayan glaciers which feed the river system were already receding at an alarming rate and the weather cycle had also been altered considerably in the recent years with snowfall becoming increasingly scarce and cloudbursts, floods and drought becoming a regular feature. Apple production was declining as the minimum chilling hours for the plants were not available due to lack of snow.

He suggested the setting up of an eco-development authority to protect the Himalayan environment. He said it was a pity that the state had not evolved a forest policy to ensure sustained development of the hills.

Mr Sukh Ram opposed the setting up of a cement plant which would devastate the hills due to largescale mining. He said areas like Paonta were being transformed into deserts by reckless mining.

He said the forests could be saved only if the people get cheap electricity to reduce their dependence on forests for fuel.

Mr Sukh Ram, who is also the Chairman of the Employment Generation Committee, said he would soon come out with a scheme which would help green the denuded hills over the next year and generate employment for thousands of youth.

Meanwhile, Mrs Asha Kumari expressed concern over the construction of a tunnel in the Parbati project through the core area of the great Himalayan national park. She said the government should review the plans for the stage-I and ensure that the tunnel was not constructed in the park.

She also expressed concern over the reckless dumping of large quantities of debris on green areas during the construction of hydel projects. The debris ultimately found its way into various nullahs, rivers and were increasing the silt and damaging vegetation.

However, she favoured the setting up of cement plants as it was the only viable industry which could be set up in the state.

Replying to another question, the Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, said 193 HIV positive cases had been detected in the state up to October 31, 1999, of which 69 were AIDs cases.

He said necessary steps were being taken to educate the people through various programmes.

Himurja flays demand of HPSEB engineers
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 15 — The Technical Staff Association of Himurja has criticised the demand of diploma engineers of the HPSEB to revert the micro-hydroelectric projects to the HPSEB.

A general house meeting of the association said the organisation had done a remarkable job by installing 13 micro-hydel projects in four years. A project had been commissioned in the remote area of Pangi where the HPSEB failed to provide electricity.

The Himurja was executing the projects at Lingti, Kothi, Gharola and Juther, which were tough areas. UNDEP-GEE had sanctioned six projects for HP out of the 20 for the whole country. Besides this, 98 MOUs had been signed with private investors for 139-MW capacity.

The association demanded that instead of taking any assistant engineers on deputation from HPSEB, parent cadre engineers should be promoted. The scale and allowances to the Himurja staff should be given at par with the HPSEB. Subdivisions should be created at Lingti, Kothi, Juther, Gharola and Purthi in order to execute, operate and maintain the projects. Himurja cadre engineers and staff should be promoted immediately, it added.

1 killed in mishap
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Dec 15 — One person was killed on the spot and another was seriously wounded when a Canter veered off the road and fell into a nallah at about 5 p.m. today at Mangla, 12 km, from here, on the Chamba-Khajjiar road.

An official spokesman informed here this evening that the deceased had been identified as Bhuto, a cleaner of the truck, and added that the driver Manoj had been admitted to the district hospital in a serious condition. He said that both of them belonged to Masroond village in Chamba district.

The truck was coming from Gajnoi to Mangla and was loaded with stones. The police have registered a case.

Kangra loses another soldier
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Dec 15 — Yet another brave soldier from Kangra rifleman Pawan Singh of the 28 Rashtriya Rifles, laid down his life fighting Pakistani intruders in the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir, yesterday.

Twenty-three-old Pawan Kumar, who belonged to Sardyal village in Indora tehsil of Nurpur, got married last month only. He is survived by his wife, father Hav Milkhi Ram and mother. His body was brought to his native village from Pathankot, today.

Rifleman Pawan Kumar, will be cremated in his village with full military honour, tomorrow.