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CM promises services to prevent recurrence of TB
State Act protects
MPs holding office of profit: CM
‘Green societies’ for increasing forest cover in Shimla
Backlog of 3700 posts for SCs, STs
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Vacant posts plague college
Trilokpur museum, old age home stones laid
Rally in support of Sonia
Sonia’s resignation publicity stunt: BJP
Museum, old age home stones laid
HPMC to sell its land at Kundali
Job scam: HC stays proceedings
Bilaspur bridge soon: CM
AITUC protest on Mar 30
Move to shift ITO office resented
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CM promises services to prevent recurrence of TB
Shimla, March 24 This was stated by the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, while flagging off awareness rally taken out by schoolchildren on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Bacilli Day here today. He said all districts had been covered under the pilot project launched from Hamirpur in 1995 to contain the disease. “The health workers under the DOT programme being implemented in all health institutions of the state ensure that the patients consume the medicines in their presence,” he stated. He informed that a total of 75,592 patients had been cured since the inception of the DOT programme and 10,015 lives saved. “Since people infected with HIV are more susceptible to TB, the staff of the Renewed National Control Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP) and AIDS awareness programme must work closely for better results,” he said. The Chief Minister said consultation and diagnostic facilities for detecting the disease and its source were available at all health institutions in the state. Sundernagar:
In order to educate people about the disease of TB and its treatment a one day
district level workshop organised by the District TB Control Society at Kangoo, 15 km from here,
on the eve of World TB Day today. Mr R.S Gupta, ADC, Mandi, was the chief guest on the occasion. About 300 delegates from the Medical Department, the Welfare Department and representatives of public representative institutions attended the workshop. While addressing a select gathering, Mr Gupta appreciated the efforts of various government departments and stressed the need to ensure people participate to make the programme successful. He lauded the role of aganwari workers in the implementation of the programme. The treatment of TB was free of cost. A quiz related to TB was also organised. The chief guest gave away prizes to the winners. Mr K.C Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, Mandi, said last year sputum of 8,600 persons was examined and 746 cases were found positive. This result was much below the national average. He said at present in Mandi district 2,177 patients were given treatment under the DOTS programme. Mr R.K Sharma, programme officer, Social Justice and Empowerment, Mandi, said all 1,202 aganwari units functioning in the district were helping in the implementation of the programme. Children of Aganwari unit Kangoo presented a cultural programme. |
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State Act protects
MPs holding office of profit: CM
Shimla, March 24 Talking to mediapersons here today, he said Section (3) of the State Legislative Assembly Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1971, clearly stated that the members of the Assembly “shall not be disqualified” for holding various specified offices, including that of chief parliamentary secretaries, parliamentary secretaries and chairpersons of various boards and corporations. He said the case of 12 chief parliamentary secretaries and parliamentary secretaries whose appointments had been quashed ab intio by the High Court was entirely different. They were protected under laws as far as the matter of disqualification for holding an office of profit was concerned. The chief minister hailed the decision of the Ms Sonia Gandhi to resign as the member of Parliament and chairperson of the National Advisory Council as a “bold and morally correct” step which had further raised her status as a national leader. She had once again proved that “ideals and morals” were dearer to her than power. Replying to a query whether the election of Ms Viplove Thakur, PCC chief, to the Rajya Sabha would help strengthen the Congress in Kangra region, he said he did not believe that giving any position to a particular individual made the party stronger. The party gained strength only by sincerely working for the uplift of people and there was no other option. Answering another question, he said the ministerial berth lying vacant since the resignation of Ms Asha Kumari as the education minister would be filled soon, but refused to give any indication about the person he had in mind for the job. |
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‘Green societies’ for increasing forest cover in Shimla
Shimla, March 24 The department intends to save not only the depleting deodar forests but also to increase the forest cover within the capital town through intensive plantation drives with public participation. It was against the wishes of the MC that the state government took a decision to transfer the control of over 1,860 hectares of the forest area within the municipal area and the catchment to the Forest Department for better management. The department, which has already chalked out a proposal for a “green Shimla” is just awaiting the necessary notification. The department will create a separate forest division, called the city division, under which the forest area that has been transferred from the MC will be put. “The first and foremost priority will be on plantation and though it depends on the site and area, our priority will be to plant deodar and oak saplings,” informed Mr R.K. Raj, Divisional Forest Officer of the MC. He said since it would not be possible to depute staff for looking after each and every plant, the people would be entrusted with the responsibility of tending to the plantation next to their houses. “The pattern of plantation that we will undertake in the town will be different from the one undertaken by the Forest Department as even space for one plant will be utilised,” said Mr Raj. The department will also undertake plantation in the forest areas from where encroachments will be removed. “Our effort will be to cover every inch of forest area in the town with trees and a request will be made to various Central Government departments, which own land, to give it for plantation,” said Mr Raj. Another task that the Forest Department intends to take up is maintaining and redoing the 80 parks on forest land within the town which was created under a project almost 15 years back. |
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Backlog of 3700 posts for SCs, STs
Shimla, March 24 Replying to a question of Mr Damodar Dass (BJP), he said the backlog of such posts in various boards and corporation was 693 in direct recruitment and 281 in promotions. He said a special drive could not be launched to fill the posts expeditiously in of view the introduction of post-based roaster system in accordance with the Supreme Court order at the Centre which had been adopted by states. In response to another question he said the government was keen to ensure that various public sector undertakings functioned as commercial organisations and it was considering to bring in professionalism in their management. The government was providing adequate financial support to undertakings like the state road transport corporation (HRTC) and the khadi board while discharging social responsibilities. In all Rs 93.27 crore was given as grant-in-aid during 200-4-05 and Rs 119.45 crore in 2005-06 to enable select undertakings to carry out their activities. The grant to the HRTC had been increased from Rs 27 crore to Rs 48 crore and interest on the loan of Rs 12 crore raised by the HPMC had been waived. Various steps like introduction of voluntary retirement scheme and merger of loss-making units were being implemented to improve the financial
position. |
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Vacant posts plague college
Nurpur, March 24 Only four lecturers have been posted in the college whereas six subjects of arts faculty are being taught, forcing the students to seek their enrolments at government colleges at Chuwari in Chamba district and Dehri and Indora in this subdivision. Students have no choice to choose subjects. The posts of lecturer in political science and history have been lying vacant. The government has failed to add any new faculty or add any new subject. The Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, had sanctioned the science block in the college in 2004, the funds for which were released last year. The CM had laid the foundation stone of the block seven months ago, but so far not even a single brick had been laid. Construction awaits the formalities of the Public Works Department. The construction of the college canteen is also going on at a snail’s pace, causing resentment among the college students. Mr Sawarn Singh, president of the Students Central Association of the college, has urged the state government to introduce faculty of commerce and add more subjects in the arts faculty in the coming academic session as the proposed science block was still to come into existence. He also demanded the construction of the science block within one year so that science faculty could be started in academic session 2007-2008. |
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Trilokpur museum, old age home stones laid
Nahan, March 24 The Deputy Commissioner of Sirmaur, Mr R.S. Negi, who is Chairman of the trust, yesterday laid the foundation stone of the folk museum and old age home at Trilokpur. He disclosed that it would be a three-storey building spread over 1,000
square metre bearing touch of hill architecture. The elders’ home will also be a three-storey building where 100 people could be housed. It will have thirty rooms with three dormitories and residential accommodation for staff. The facility of lift will be available in this building. A doctor and a nurse will also be available. The DC said priority would be given to persons from Sirmaur. Regarding the folk museum, the DC revealed that pilgrims coming from other states would be able to have a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of Sirmaur and of the entire state at this point. This place will act as information centre for tourists and help in the promotion of tourism in the district. The Deputy Director Language and Culture, Mr Sudarshan Vashist, disclosed that it would be first big folk museum of this magnitude in the state. |
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Rally in support of Sonia
Dharamsala, March 24 Holding placards and banners, the Congress workers passed through the main Kotwali Bazaar of Dharamsala and assembled near the Mini Secretariat. They were led by Transport and Tourism Minister G.S. Bali. Addressing them, he said sacrifice was not something new for the Congress Party and Ms Sonia Gandhi had done the same by not accepting the Prime Ministership of the country, thereby setting an example for others. Attacking the BJP leadership, he said the opposition had been making baseless allegations against her even though she had always helped in uniting the secular forces in the country. He said hundreds of Congress workers from the state, led by the Chief Minister, would soon hold a rally in Delhi. Local Congress leaders also spoke on the occasion and asked the Congress workers to face the situation with patience. Chamba: Mr Surinder Bhardwaj, MLA and President, District Congress Committee (DCC), described the resignation of Ms Sonia Gandhi as “a noble example of the principles of politics”. Ms Sonia Gandhi lives for the people of the country and the people too love Sonia”, Mr Bhardwaj said. |
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Sonia’s resignation publicity stunt: BJP
Shimla, March 24 In a statement issued here, the state media in charge of the BJP,
Mr Rajinder Rana, said that Mrs Gandhi had declined the post of Prime Minister as she knew that her
citizenship could be challenged as it was conditional. “The Congress men had always tried to project Mrs Gandhi as a “devi of sacrifice” whereas on the contrary she declined the post of Prime Minister as she knew that she was ineligible to hold the top post in the country,” he remarked. He demanded that many Congress MLA’s in the state, who were holding offices of profit, should resign from the assembly.
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Museum, old age home stones laid
Nahan, March 24 The Deputy Commissioner of Sirmaur, Mr R.S. Negi, who is Chairman of the trust, yesterday laid the foundation stone of the folk museum and old age home at Trilokpur. He disclosed that it would be a three-storey building spread over 1,000
square metre bearing touch of hill architecture. The elders’ home will also be a three-storey building where 100 people could be housed. It will have thirty rooms with three dormitories and residential accommodation for staff. The facility of lift will be available in this building. A doctor and a nurse will also be available. The DC said priority would be given to persons from Sirmaur. Regarding the folk museum, the DC revealed that pilgrims coming from other states would be able to have a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of Sirmaur and of the entire state at this point. This place will act as information centre for tourists and help in the promotion of tourism in the district. The Deputy Director Language and Culture, Mr Sudarshan Vashist, disclosed that it would be first big folk museum of this magnitude in the state.
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HPMC to sell its land at Kundali
Shimla, March 24 Stating this while presiding over a meeting of the HPMC board of directors, Mr Ishwar Dass, Chairman of the corporation, said the land would be given to the State Civil Supplies Corporation. Besides, the cold storage at Mumbai and Delhi would be upgraded. He said expression of interest (EOI) had been invited from various reputed private companies such as Reliance India Limited, the Adani Group and the ITC, besides the Container Corporation of India, for taking over of the HPMC facilities in the producing areas for the procurement of apple. He expressed satisfaction over the sales turnover of the corporation. The board approved the release of 4 per cent DA to its employees with effect from July, 2005. This would entail a financial burden of about Rs 17.80 lakh on the corporation.
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Job scam: HC stays proceedings
Shimla, March 24 This order was passed by the high court on a petition filed by Mr Katwal for transferring these cases to another court as he was apprehending that he may not get justice from the Special Judge, Hamirpur. Mr Katwal has leveled allegations against the Special Judge. He has also given specified instances to this extent. The high court had in its earlier order directed the Special Judge not to pronounce the judgement in these two cases, but yesterday after hearing the parties the court stayed the further proceedings in the matter. |
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Bilaspur bridge soon: CM
Bilaspur, March 24 This was announced by the Chief Minister at the concluding function of the seven-day state-level Nalwari fair at Bilaspur yesterday in front of a record mela gathering. This would be the costliest bridge of Himachal Pradesh which would be constructed on Gobind Sagar. He also announced that the construction of a sector for the rehabilitation of the remaining Bhakra Dam oustees would start soon. |
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AITUC protest on Mar 30
Kumarhatti, March 24 He alleged that the state government had failed miserably to protect the welfare of the workers in state units. The government was hand in glove with industrialists, he said, adding that the workers were being harassed and under paid. Mr Bhardawaj said the government was only interested in new investments without paying any heed to the problems of the workers. |
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Move to shift ITO office resented
Nurpur, March 24 There are over, 8,000 income tax assessees in lower Kangra district. According to the information, the department has started shifting operation. The beopar mandals of Nurpur and Jassur have opposed the move to shift the office which had been opened in the year of 2000. The trading community and assessees have urged Mr Chander Kumar, MP from Kangra, to take up the issue with the Government of India in larger interest of the people of his parliamentary constituency. |
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Scooterist killed in accident Baddi, March 24 The injured were taken to Nalagarh hospital where Rampyara was declared dead and Yashpal was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. The police has registered a case under sections 279, 337 and 304-A of the IPC.
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Fire at factory Parwanoo, March 24 The fire has reportedly caused an estimated loss of over Rs 10 lakh. A short-circuit is stated to be the reason behind the fire. Fire engines managed to control the fire after an hour.
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