October Current Affair Himachal

Oct 1, 2013

International Day of Older Persons October 1

Oct 3, 2013
Parbati-II power project 10 yrs behind schedule
Tardy pace of tunnel work, scams double project cost
In the past seven years, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) could bore just 33 m of the 31-km tunnel of the 800-MW Parbati-II project. The project cost has doubled from Rs 2,700 crore in 2007 to Rs 5,693 crore.
As per the NHPC’s revised schedule submitted to the Central Electricity Authority, the project will be commissioned in July 2018, if all goes well.
Besides the problem in boring in the “shear, weak and loose rocks zone”, a series of cement, steel and other scams, which are being investigated by the CBI, have doubled the cost of the project from Rs 2,700 crore in 2007 to Rs 5,693 crore till July 2018.
The water ingress and silt discharge in the zone of the Parbati mountain at 25 km inside the tunnel was 7,000 litres per minute in 2007; now it has been reduced to 1,000 litres per minute. “Though we had expected the water ingress when we prepared the detail project report, we never expected it to pose such a challenge,” said Sharad Bhatnagar NHPC geologist.
The NHPC expects seven more shear zones in the remaining 4.8-km tunnel. “The tunnel boring machine (TBM) work has resumed. It takes time to first treat the loose layers and proceed further in the tunnel,” he added.
It took the NHPC almost five years to award the fresh contract to Gammon India Ltd for the boring work in the 4.8-km tunnel. The corporation had cancelled the contract given to Satyam Company after it could construct 25-km tunnel till 2007 and failed to complete the work as it got stuck in the shear zone.
The tunnel, once complete, will take the Parbati water from Pulga dam to its power house at Siund in the dam of the 520-MW Parbati-III, which would be used to run all four units at Bihali, said engineers.
The NHPC claimed that 87-m-high dam on the Parbati at Pulga was ready. It was only the boring of the 4.8-km tunnel that remained, said JK Sharma, Chief Engineer, Parbati-II. “As per the revised schedule, the project will commission in 2018,” NHPC managers said.
The Parbati power projects, which started in 2001, will produce 3,160.66 million units every year. The state will get 12 per cent as free power from the projects as per the pact signed with the NHPC.

Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) president Maheshwar Singh

Oct 4, 2013
Pinto is overall champion
World number 9 Luis Leao Pinto from Portugal emerged as the overall champion of the 9th Discovery Montra MTB Himalaya-2013 which concluded here today

Prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile Dr Lobsang Sangay

Oct 7, 2013

Sea buckthorn to check soil erosion in Lahaul-Spiti

The government has drawn a 10-year plan to bring 1,000 hectares of land under sea buckthorn in Lahaul and Spiti district to check soil erosion.

Krishi Vishva Vidyalaya, Palampur, will raise 50,000 saplings of the Drilbu variety of the plant annually. The Drilbu variety has 10 times more Vitamin C as compared to the Russian variety and it is rich in three omega acids.

Hidimba temple at Sarahi Chiuni in the Seraj valley – Mandi

                                                                                                                Oct 7, 2013

Kaul for extension of Swedish health prog

Shimla, October 8
Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said he had requested the Swedish government to extend the ongoing health programme for adolescents in Shimla, Mandi and Chamba to the remaining nine districts of the state.
Kaul Singh has returned after a visit to Sweden on the invitation of the University of Lund, which is providing technical cooperation in many Indian states in various fields. “The ongoing project for improving health facilities and awareness among adolescents and youth in the three districts will be complete by December this year, but we have requested them to extend it to the remaining nine districts,” he said.
Kaul Singh said an analysis of good practices in Sweden would be made to implement these in the state.
During the visit, the delegation interacted with Swedish public officials both at the national and provincial levels. The delegation also visited a number of health facilities, including the Swedish Institute of Public Health, Institute of Communicable Disease, Primary Health facilities and a Youth Clinic.

Raja of Bilaspur dies at 75
Kanwar Kirti Chand (75), crowned by the Chandel clan with a title of “Raja of Bilaspur” and the younger son of the last ruler of the princely state of Bilaspur late Raja Anand Chand (later MP), died at his residence in Chandigarh last evening. He was ailing for the past some time.

Neugal- tributary of the Beas, Palampur

Oct 10, 2013

SJVN wind power plant to be commissioned soon

The Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) is all set to announce its entry into the wind power sector with its 47.6 MW project at Khirveri in Maharashtra to be commissioned within a fortnight.

The SJVN had awarded the contract for execution of the project to Spanish company Gamesa Wind Turbine. The project is estimated to cost Rs 300 crore. As the plant availability factor is much lower in case of wind power plants, the cost of generation will be on the higher side and the feed in tariff for will be Rs 5.67 per unit.

Oct 12, 2013

Govt to intensify fight against drug addiction
To rope in police, education dept; prepare database

Shimla, October 11
With alarmingly high incidence of drug addiction among youth in the state, the Health Department has decided to launch a joint campaign with the police and education department. Even though no comprehensive state-level survey has been held so far to ascertain the extent of the drug menace, but with several youth — including girls — hooked to drugs, the government has decided to step in. Several cases of youth having lost their lives due to drug overdose have also been reported.

“Seeing the gravity of the situation, the Health Department will launch a campaign jointly with other departments so the youth can be saved,” said Kaul Singh Thakur, Health and Family Welfare Minister. He said a comprehensive database would be prepared by involving teachers, parents, voluntary organisations and the police before preparing a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the problem.

The government has opened 12 de-addiction centres at each district headquarter. Efforts are on to depute psychologists, counselors and other trained staff to guide and treat youth. “We will not only generate awareness among youth through trained health personnel, but will also step up surveillance and check sale of drugs and other such products so they are not easily available,” said Thakur.

A survey by the Himachal Pradesh Voluntary Health Association (HPVHA) on consumption of tobacco and its other products among children up to the age of 17 revealed that 50 per cent of school-going children were into drugs. “The situation is already very grave and there is need to take some major initiatives immediately to arrest the problem,” said Narender Sharma, executive director of the association.

Alarming numbers

• A survey by the Himachal Pradesh Voluntary Health Association on consumption of tobacco and other products revealed that 50% school-going children (up to the age of 17) were into drugs
• The survey also found half the students and 22% girls were into smoking or consuming tobacco in some form
• The government has already opened 12 de-addiction centres at each district headquarter

Experts bat for new apple, peach varieties

In a workshop organised by the Directorate of Extension Education of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, farm experts deliberated on various issues of fruit and floriculture crop cultivation.

Experts suggested use of new apple and peach varieties. They suggested scarlet spur variety for apple and suncrest and Masshoori nactrine variety for peach.

Students to appraise teachers from current session

Students will now have a role in improving academic standards in institutions of higher education, with the state government making “evaluation of teachers” by students mandatory from the current session under the Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). The basic objective of the move is to seek feedback to strengthen the quality of teaching-learning environment and to look for opportunities to improve teacher performance in classroom engagement with students to bring excellence in teaching and learning.

However, the initiative will also have a bearing on the career graphs of teachers. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made it obligatory for teachers to get the feedback proforma filled from students and the same could be produced at the time of submitting their academic performance indicator (API) scores.
Universities and other higher education institutions are required to have accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in which the “teachers' evaluation” by students is one of the essential components.
Teachers will be rated on the five-level Likert scale — below average, average, good, very good and excellent — on six broad parameters pertaining to their performance in the classroom. Only students with a minimum 75 per cent attendance will be eligible to give feedback on the performance of teachers.
Evaluation points include punctuality and regularity in taking classes, coverage of syllabi, self-confidence, communication skills, use of teaching aids and innovative methods, transparency in evaluation of answer books, ability to address inappropriate behaviour of students and delivery of structured lectures.
Feedback will be provided on 41 points for objective evaluation of performance of teachers covering all relevant areas. Himachal Pradesh University has already approved the feedback proforma, designed by its internal quality assurance cell.

Oct 13, 2013

Suresh Rana wins 15th Raid de Himalaya

Nine-time winner Suresh Rana hailing from Manali was today crowned winner of the 15th Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya which concluded at Leh yesterday.

Mount Shitidhar in Manali.

The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun

The Great Himalayan National Park is one of the few places in the world supporting a substantial population of endangered western tragopan.

Oct 14, 2013

Baijnath town never celebrates Dasehra

Dasehra was celebrated with fervour across the country today. However, in Baijnath town in Kangra district, 60 km from here, people do not burn the effigy of Ravana, symbol of evil. Even the markets remained closed both in Baijnath and Paprola today.

A strong belief that celebrating the festival will bring the wrath of Lord Shiva on them keeps residents of the town away from burning the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkaran and son Meghnath as per the tradition on Dasehra. Residents said Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

The belief of people that keeps them away from the festival is also associated with the famous Shiva temple located in the town.

As per the legend, it is believed that during the Treta yug, Ravana to have invincible powers worshipped Lord Shiva in the Kailash mountains. He even offered his 10 heads in the hawan kund. Impressed by his extraordinary deed, Lord Shiva not only restored his heads, but also bestowed him with powers of invincibility and immortality.

Ravana also requested Lord Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. Shiva consented to his request and converted himself into a ling. Shiva asked him to carry the ling and told him that he should not place the ling down on the ground on his way. Ravana started moving in the southern direction and reached Baijnath where he felt the need to answer nature’s call. On seeing a shepherd, Ravana handed him the ling and went to relieve himself. On finding the ling very heavy, the shepherd kept the ling on the ground and the ling got stuck there.
Another interesting thing about Baijnath is that there is no shop of goldsmiths. However, nobody knows the reason for it. 

State bird - Western Tragopan

Oct 16, 2013

Ghumarwin-Sarkaghat road gets WB nod
Shimla, October 15
The work on the 42-km Ghumarwin-Sarkaghat road repair project, which has been hanging fire for over two years, will finally get under way with the World Bank (WB) granting approval for the award of work for a 24-km stretch after re-tendering.
The project was split into two parts due to a problem in the acquisition of land, and fresh tenders were invited only for the 24-km section of the road from Ghumarwin to Jahu. The work on the remaining 18-km stretch from Jahu to Sarkaghat will be taken up after sorting out the land issue.
The project will be awarded to Panchkula-based MG Construction.

Oct 16, 2013

CM on inauguration spree in Nalagarh

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the state would bear 25 per cent cost of Bilaspur-Bhanupalli Broad Gauge Railway Line and the construction cost of a new railway line connecting Baddi would be shared with the Centre, as per an agreement signed with the Ministry of Railways.

Oct 16, 2013

MC offices to vacate Town Hall for repair

The Town Hall building will be the second British era heritage structure after the Gaiety Theatre to undergo an exhaustive restoration project with the help of conservation architects.

Oct 21, 2013

Verifiers from Germany to quantify carbon credits in state

Dharamsala, October 20
Verifiers from Germany will visit Himachal to quantify the carbon credits generated under the mid-Himalayan project being run under the aegis of the World Bank.
Sources said a team of verifiers would arrive in Himachal on October 24 and visit various spots developed across the state, including 14 spots under the Dharamsala circle, developed as per the directions under the carbon credit earning scheme, under the mid-Himalayan project.
Director of the project at Dharamsala Pavnesh Sharma said if the areas developed under the carbon credit scheme were approved, it would be the first such successful scheme in the country.
Under the scheme, any kind of earning made from the scheme would be passed on to the stakeholders or the villagers who have participated in maintaining the green areas developed under carbon credit scheme.
The carbon credit scheme was much publicised during the stint of previous BJP government in power.
The people who are involved in the project will earn about Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per acre per annum for maintaining the plantations and helping in generating carbon credits for six years. After six years, the verifiers will again verify the state of plantations.

About the scheme

Any industry coming up in developed countries will have to buy carbon credits in developing countries. The carbon credits are to be generated in the form of plantations to be developed in the specific areas under the guidelines of the scheme.
The scheme based on the concept that industrial houses add carbon dioxide to the environment. The industries that add carbon dioxide to the environment should also help generate plantations in any part of the world to neutralize the carbon added by them in the environment.
Himachal Pradesh under the mid-Himalayan project has developed green areas in various parts of the state under guidelines under the carbon credit earning scheme.

Oct 22, 2013

Kuldeep Kumar, MLA from Chintpurni, Chairman of the 4th State Finance Commission (SFC) in the rank of a Cabinet minister

Gangu Ram Musafir, ex-Speaker, as Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board in the rank of a Cabinet Minister.

Oct 23, 2013

Mansa Ram sworn in as CPS

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to MLA from Karsog Mansa Ram as Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) here today.

HPSSSB Chairman - JK Chauhan.

Oct 25, 2013

CM lays stone of Rs 922-cr Swan flood control project

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today laid the foundation stone of the Rs 922-crore Swan river distributaries canalisation project in Una district. He claimed that it was the biggest flood control project in the country and had been sanctioned by the Union Government for the district.

The Union Government will give 90 per cent grant for the project while 10 per cent will be contributed by the state government. The canalisation work will be completed within four years as per the project report. The canalisation of 70 tributaries of the Swan river will help in reclaiming 7,000 hectare agriculture land in Una district.

Almost the entire district will be a major beneficiary from the project. With the project, the entire Swan river along with its tributaries will be canalised. The Swan was once called the sorrow of Una district due to massive flash floods in the river during monsoons.

Three highland motorable passes, 13,050-ft-high Rohtang, 17,480-ft-high Tanglang La and 16,043-ft-high Bara Lacha, located on the 473-km-long Manali-Leh national highway

Jakhu ropeway- The promoters of the ropeway, Jagson International Limited

July Current affair Himachal

Jul 2, 2013

State declared smoke-free, a 1st for HP in country
Himachal today earned the distinction of becoming the first state in the country to be declared smoke-free with a compliance of 84.52 per cent, based on a scientific technical survey conducted as per international standards.

Balbir Tegta is school education board chairman

July 23, 2013

Setback to Kangra valley small tea planters 
Vijay Arora

Shimla, July 22
In a major setback to the Kangra Valley Small Tea Planters Association, the HP High Court has upheld the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holdings (Amendment) Act.
The Petitioners Association has challenged the amended provisions of the Act which stipulates that if the tea estate is put to use other than the raising or maintenance of tea plantation or a purpose subservient to tea plantation, irrespective of the fact as to whether such land is in excess of the permissible area or otherwise, it is treated as surplus area and deemed to have been acquired by the state government for a public purpose on payment of amount.
The association further challenged Section 7-A introduced by the amendment Act and seeks to impose a complete ban on the transfer of whole or even part of the land under a tea estate by way of contract, agreement, custom or usage. It further provides the transfer in respect of land under a tea estate has been declared to be void ab initio, notwithstanding the fact that the transfer is effected in favour of a third party before coming into force of the amendment Act on March 29, 2000. Apart from this some more provisions of the Act were challenged by the association.
The petitioner have contended that the amended provisions give unbridled and unfettered powers to the authorities in respect of the grant of permission to transfer and change of user of the land. There are no guidelines as to when permission can be granted and in what circumstances the same should be rejected. Similarly, there are no guidelines as to the manner in which, the land, which is vested in the state government, will be used for public purpose.
The state government has contended before the court that these amended provisions are intended not only to preserve the tea estates in the state, but also to promote and encourage tea estate activity in the state, which is on the downhill for quite some time. While upholding the amended provisions of the Act, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice RB Misra observed that “taking an overall view of the matter, we find no merits in the challenge to the validity of the amended provisions”.




July 24, 2013
State to move apex court for more BBMB arrears
Himachal will prepare an action plan for contesting its claim in the Supreme Court for the release of power arrears on account of its share of 7.19 per cent from the Bhakra Beas Management Board projects.
he state, which had earlier claimed over Rs 4,200 crore, had brought down its share to Rs 2,751.69 crore. However, the Centre had reduced Himachal's claim to mere Rs 1,497.39 crore which the state is unwilling to accept and is now planning to knock the doors of the Supreme Court.

Shipki La Pass- Kinnaur district

July 25, 2013
Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College, Sundernagar
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Engineering College, Pragtinagar

Una gets world-class astroturf hockey stadium
The Una district of Himachal Pradesh that has produced two Olympian hockey players, Chanranjit Singh and Deepak Thakur, now has an international-level astroturf hockey stadium.
This is the second astroturf hockey stadium in the state. Earlier, an astroturf hockey ground was brought up in the Shilaru area of Shimla district.

Buddhist monasteries
Tabo, Kei in Lahaul-Spiti
Tsughlakakhang monastery opposite the Dalai Lama’s residence in McLeodganj
Gyuto Tantrik Monastery at Sidhbari on the outskirts of Dharamsala, which is the abode of the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee.

July 26, 2013
Affected people of Himachal, U’khand to raise issues jointly
The Himalayan Niti Abhiyan (HNA), an apex body of an non-government organisation pursuing environment-related issues, has brought Uttarakhand and Himachal on a common platform to put pressure on the government for formulating a conducive model for the development of the region.



July 30, 2013
Red rice 1st crop from HP to get registration
The efforts of the experts at the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University (HPAU) to register the red rice variety of Himachal Pradesh, locally known as 'Chhohartu' yielded results when the rice variety got registration under the Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Right Act 2001.
Thakur Nehar Singh, representative of the farming community, had grown 'Chhohartu' in Rohru tehsil, Shimla, got the registration certificate from Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Tariq Anwar at a function held in New Delhi recently.
'Chhohartu' is the first variety of any crop from Himachal Pradesh to get the national recognition. The red rice variety was grown in Chhohara and Ransar Valleys of Rohru sub-division, at the altitudes between 1,500 and more than 2,000 meters above the sea level.
The red rice had a special significance in the social life of the community. The paddy of 'Chhohartu' -red rice was gifted on various occasions under different names such as 'Poli' when gifted on occasions of happiness, 'Path' when gifted to a sick person.

"Himalaya ke Sath Sath" by Jagan Singh

Sarbari - a secondary river in Kullu that divides the town of Kullu into two. “A legend is that once the Raja of Kullu offended Devi Phugni. She raised the level of the waters of Sarbari to inundate his place in Kullu. He begged pardon. Devi exonerated him. Since then, Raja goes annually to Devi to offer prayers.”

Great Hindi Short Stories
One of the popular Hindi short stories of Himachali writer SR Harnot’s “M.dot.Com” has found place in an English book entitled “Great Hindi Short Stories”. It has been translated from Hindi to English by renowned English poet and critic Prof Ravi Nandan Sinha, founder editor of The Quest and currently the head of the Postgraduate Department of English, St Xavier’s College, Ranchi. The book has been published by Anubhuti Foundation Mission, New Delhi.
The ‘Great Hindi Short Stories’ is a collection of classic Hindi short stories written during the last 100 years. It is an honour for Harnot that one of his short story has been included alongside works of many celebrated writers
The story M.dot.Com was first published in a renowned Hindi magazine, Kathan, and later included in Harnot’s most popular and awarded book “Jeenkathi Tatha Anya Kahaniyaan” published by Adhar Prakashan Private Limited. The Hindi story has also been included in the book “Hindi ki Classic Kahaniyaan” published by the Harper Collins Publishers, India. The story has been translated in several other Indian languages. Harnot’s famous short story “Maa Reads” had been included in the  book “Gray Areas” published by the Oxford University Press.
State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Junga

July 31, 2013

Swan tributaries, Chhonej khad to be canalised
Rs 1,102 cr sanctioned for projects in Una, Kangra

Two irrigation projects worth Rs 1,102 crore were sanctioned for Himachal this evening by the Technical Advisory Committee for Flood Control of the Union Ministry for Water Resources.
Sources told The Tribune that Rs 922 crore was sanctioned for the canalisation of Swan river tributaries in Una district and Rs 180 crore for the canalisation of the Chhonej khad in Indora of Kangra district.
The Centre would give 90 per cent grant while 10 per cent be contributed by the state government. The canalisation work would be completed within four years.
The canalisation of 70 tributaries of the Swan would help in reclaiming 7,000 hectare agriculture land in Una district, while of the Chhonej khad would help in reclaiming 1,800 hectare in Indora.

The Swan was once called the sorrow of Una district due to massive flash floods in the river during monsoon.

Green tribunal gets tough on polluters
Solan MC to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation for air pollution

McLeodganj, also known as little Lhasa, is an international tourist destination of Himachal Prsdesh. The presence of the Dalai Lama and headquarters of the Tibetan parliament in exile makes it a destination of international tourist interest.

Work yet to start on Dhola Sidh power project

The construction of the 66-MW Dhola Sidh Hydro-Power Project is likely to be delayed further as the financial approval for the enhanced project cost from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) will take some more time.

The work on the first hydro-power project being built on the Beas in Hamirpur district was mooted in 2002 and it was allotted to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) for the execution in 2009 after which the SJVN had been obtaining various clearances.

Patwari Vacancies in Himachal

Selection of Candidates for The Post of Patwaris in the Districts in
H.P.

Applications are invited from the eligible candidates of Himachal Pradesh on or
before 02.1 1.201 3 for the selection of candidates for the posts of Patwaris on
contract basis.
1. Essen tial Ed uca tional Qualificntion
(a) Candidates should have passed 10+2 examination or its equivalent
from a recognized Board of School Education/University.
(b) Knowledge of customs, manners and dialects of Himachal Pradesh and
suitability for appointment in the peculiar conditions prevailing in the
Pradesh.
2 . Age Between 18 and 45 years.
3. Number of Posts to be filled 778

For more detail visit:





http://admis.hp.nic.in/hprevenue/PDFFiles/PatwariVacancy-Oct2013.pdf

August 2013 Himachal Current Affair

Aug 1, 2013

Peter d’Souza leaves IIAS

Prof Chetan Singh, who has been associated with the IIAS as the editor, has taken over as acting Director in his place.

DGP Kamal Kumar retires

Harinder Singh elected APMC chairman

Former president of the Sundernagar Municipal Council, Harinder Singh, was elected chairman of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), Mandi

Kasauli research institute to certify yellow fever vaccines

KK Katoch is Palampur farm varsity VC

Earthquake zone turns into concrete jungle

Palampur, July 30
Despite the fact that the entire Dhauladhar ranges in the Kangra valley falls among the most sensitive earthquake-prone areas of the country (Zone V), the state government is yet to regulate large-scale illegal construction going on here. 


Aug 3, 2013

CM inaugurates data centre of cooperative bank

Shimla, August 2
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh inaugurated an "ultra-modern" data centre of Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank (HPSCB) at the Training Institute of the bank at Shangti-Summerhill, here today.
Chief Justice AM Khanwilkar

Ram Lal Thakur, chairman of the HP state Planning Development and 20- Point Programme Implementation Committee

Forests and Fisheries Minister Thakur Singh Bharmauri

Kaul Singh Thakur, Revenue minister.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister GS Bali

Governor of Nagaland and Manipur Ashwani Kumar interacted with newly enrolled students at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) at Shahpur.

                     Now grow Shitake mushroom on willow sawdust
Solan, August 30
The Shitake mushroom, an integral ingredient of medicines used for treating cancer and valued for its long shelf life, has been successfully grown on wood of clones of willow wood by a private entrepreneur

Aug 4, 2013
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu

American strawberries to boost output
The declining strawberry cultivation in the state might finally pick up with the import of high-yielding varieties from California and Miami by Edge India Agrotech, which will set up the biggest nursery with five lakh saplings in the state. The company will also provide a buy-back arrangement to overcome marketing problems faced by growers.
The total area under strawberry cultivation in the state is a mere 54 hectares with a production of 348 metric tonnes. Incidentally, it is Sirmour district which is producing 99 per cent of the strawberries at 342 metric tonnes.
We will be importing the two most suitable varieties of Albion and Whitney from California so that the quality and yield of strawberry increases


Aug 5, 2013

State seeks better share in Central taxes

Dharamsala, August 4
State Principal Accountant General Satish Loomba will make a presentation before the 14th Central Finance Commission regarding the financial state of Himachal Pradesh in Delhi on Monday.
Sources here said the presentation assumed significance as the Finance Commission would arrive in Shimla on August 12 and during its visit, the state government would present its case for better share in Central taxes.
Loomba said he would provide an overview of the financial condition of the state before the commission and suggest measures through which it could be improved. The commission has been constituted by the Central Government under the Chairmanship of YV Reddy, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. The commission recommends the principals governing the distribution of finances between the Centre and the states.
The revenue collection in the state had shown a marked improvement in 2011-12. However, in the current financial year, it is showing a downward trend. The VAT collections in the state have gone down alarmingly as per reports. The fiscal deficit of the state has increased. Out of the total resources generated by the state government, about 66 per cent are committed liabilities, including salaries and pensions. The pension liability of the state government is increasing. The subsidy burden of the state is also slated to increase.
The sources said the Principal Accountant General would suggest measures on increasing the non-tax revenue in the state. The non-tax revenue could be generated from forests, mining and irrigation taxes.
The condition of the municipals councils and corporations in the state also find a special mention in Loomba's report. Most of the councils and corporations are spending most of their revenue in paying the salaries of the staff and hardly anything is being left for development purposes.
Loomba will give the Finance Commission an overview of major areas of expenditure in various sectors of the state government and an assessment of the performance of the state public enterprises, local bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions.

                    8-day Minjar Fair concludes
Chamba, August 4
The immersion of golden "minjars" (top blossoms of the maize plant)with coconuts into the Ravi by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh heralded the end of the eight-day International Minjar Fair amid the performance of religious ceremonies here today.

Speaker Brij Behari Lal

Nagni fair celebrated with religious fervour

Nurpur, August 4
The historical Nagni fair was celebrated at the Nagni Mata temple, near here, yesterday, with religious fervour.



Aug 7, 2013

Villagers up in arms against Jispa Dam

Jispa (Lahaul-Spiti), August 6
Villagers of three gram panchayats in the Jispa valley have said they will never allow the 300-MW Jispa Dam on the Bhaga river, which has been declared a project of national importance by the Central Government as it is being executed as part of the Indus Water Treaty. The dam will displace 74 families, submerge their land and dry up water springs.

Shravan Navratra begins at Naina Devi

Bilaspur, August 6
The famous Shravan Ashtami Navratra fair began at the hill top shrine of Mata Naina Devi today. The fair would continue till August 16.

No flood worry for Himachal from Chinese lake: Experts
Parechu Lake (in Tibet)
The Parechu river, a tributary of the Spiti river, originates in Tibet and joins the Spiti river at Sumdoh, 350 km from here, in Kinnaur district.
The Spiti river is the major tributary of the Satluj river basin. It joins the Satluj at Khab, also in Kinnaur district. The sudden increase in the outflow in the Parechu river posed a grave threat to life and property on the Indian side.



Aug 9, 2013

Move to cultivate saffron in state

Shimla, August 9
Cultivation of the golden herb saffron will be possible in the state with excellence in the field of plant science. Himachal Pradesh can become the second saffron-producing state, after Jammu and Kashmir, with grasslands in the Mashobra and Kasumpti area to be covered under the plant which can change the economy of the area. 



Aug 10, 2013

Bara Shigri glacier in the Lahaul-Spiti valley

National seminar on Indian languages from today

Shimla, August 10
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) here is organising a four-day national seminar on “Waves in Silent Pool: Literatures of the Modern Indian Languages” from tomorrow. 



Aug 15, 2013

97th amendment to the Constitution is with respect to cooperative bodies in the state

Floral tributes paid to Sardar Ajit Singh
Dalhousie, August 14
Residents of the hill town remembered freedom fighter Sardar Ajit Singh, a well-known icon of “Pagri Sambal Jatta Movement” and mentor and uncle of Sardar Bhagat Singh, by paying rich tributes on his 67th anniversary at his samadhi at Panchpula in the town today.




Aug 17, 2013

Skill development programme to help provide jobs
The Skill Development Scheme launched by the government to enhance employability will benefit 83,000 youth during the current year. The programme started to generate trained manpower required by various sectors in the state will entail an expenditure of Rs 500 crore over five years. The emphasis of the programme is on skill development of youth so as to provide them better employment and self-employment opportunities.
Under the scheme, eligible educated youth in the age group of 18-35 years will be provided Rs 1,000 per month as skill development allowance for a period of 2 years. Persons with 50 per cent or more disability will get an allowance of Rs 1,500 per month. Any unemployed bona fide Himachali, who has passed matriculation, can avail the benefit under the scheme, provided his name is registered with the employment exchange in the state as on the date of application. Besides, his income from all sources should not exceed Rs 2 lakh per annum.

NSUI dominates HPU polls
The National Students Union of India (NSUI), the students wing of the Congress, dominated the elections to the Students Central Association in the state, bagging a majority of the seats in Shimla, Kangra, Una, Solan, Lahaul-Spiti and Sirmour districts. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), associated with the BJP, led in Mandi and Kullu districts, while the Student Federation of India (SFI) emerged victorious in the Hamirpur district.

CM launches website for Pre-World Cup Paragliding
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here today launched a website for the Pre-World Cup Paragliding Championship-2013 to be held from October 24 to 30 at Bir-Billing in Kangra. He said it was a matter of pride that the Paragliding World Cup Association had given approval to organise the paragliding championship in India for which the government would extend all assistance.
The Bir-Billing site in the Dhauladhar ranges had emerged as one of the top five paragliding sites in the world. It started with hang-gliding introduced in 1984 by Israeli Pilots at the site and thereafter, it was replaced by paragliding in 1992 by French pilots.

Book on Hindi literature released
Former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha member Shanta Kumar today released a book, ‘Hindi Sahitya Ka Itihaas’, authored by renowned Hindi writers Sushil Kumar Phull and Ashu Jethi Phull today.

Eight-day Nalwar Fair - Mandi District During this eight-day fair, a large number of cattle brought here from various parts of Mandi district is either sold or exchanged



Aug 18, 2013
Pea crop rots in Lahaul-Spiti village
The pea crop is rotting in Miyar and Naingar valleys in Udaipur sub-division and the Pin valley in Spiti sub-division

The Charan rivulet that passed through Dharamsala has a history of sudden surges in water levels due to cloudbursts. The water level in the Charan khad and the Bhagsu waterfall area rises suddenly due to heavy rain in the Triund region.


The state-run 126-MW Larji power project – Mandi

Aug 20, 2013
International Centre for Human Development opens at IIASThe Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) today took a big stride on road to becoming a “global knowledge centre” with the inauguration of the International Centre for Human Development (IC4HD)


Aug 21, 2013
Government fixes 2,000 MW target for current year
The state government has fixed a target of commissioning projects with aggregate capacity of over 2,000 MW during the current financial year. The major power project, expected to start generation during the year include 520 MW Parbati, 24 MW Kut, 800 MW Kol Dam, 400 MW Ramur, 65 MW Kashang-I, 10 MW Ghanavi-II, 16 MW Jogni, 8 MW Kurmi, 9 MW Parala, 6 MW Daned, 11 MW Tangun-II and 24 MW Bada Gaon within 2013. Some more projects like 25 MW Lamadug , 9 MW Fuzal, 9 MW Brua and 14 MW Nanti will be completed by March 2014.
The state has an identified hydropower potential of 27,436 MW and it is giving utmost priority to run-off-the-river projects. The latest assessment reveals that Satluj basin has the maximum potential of 13,331 MW, up from 10391 MW. In all, 8,418 MW has been harnessed so far and projects of 4243 MW capacity were being executed through different agencies while project with aggregate an capacity of 2,982 MW were awaiting clearances.

Child marriages still prevalent in Himachal, admits govt

Himachal Pradesh has failed to root out the social problem of child marriage, with 15 reported from five panchayats alone in Sirmaur, one of state's backward districts, from December 2007 to November 2011, the government has admitted.

The customary practice of "Har chali gayi" or "girl went to her in-law's house" is quite prevalent there.
Under this practice, during fairs and festivals, commonly in January, relatives and near and dear ones visit each other's houses and stay as guests.

Hamirpur was established by Raja Hamir Chand (1700-1740) from the Katoch dynasty. He was son of Alam Chand who ruled for a short period of three years from 1697 to 1700.

Aug 27, 2013

Tourism Dept to convert Bantony heritage building into museum

The Tourism Department will acquire the heritage building, Bantony, the palace of Maharaja of Sirmaur, here on the Mall to convert it into a city museum by acquiring the main structure and the vast expanse of land around it.

New Zealand apple industry keen to collaborate with state

The New Zealand apple industry is keen for collaboration with the hill state both at the level of growers and institutions to bring about qualitative and quantitative improvement in the indigenous fruit.
“The average production in New Zealand is 56 tonne per hectare whereas it is 8 to 9 tonne per hectare in Himachal. Unlike Himachal, apple is grown on flat land in our country but the yield could be easily increased to 20 to 30 tonne per hectare,”

Aug 28, 2013
Kangra paintings

Ram Gopal temple located in the Damtal area of Kangra district is located in an old fort associated with the rulers of former Nurpur state. he walls of the temple have famous Kangra-style miniature wall painting frescos. The paintings are historic as they display Rajput warriors fighting in local wars and durbars of local kings. Kangra paintings flourished during the times of the famous ruler of Kangra, Sansar Chand Katoch. The artists practising Kangra paintings use local material like stones and leaves of local trees for producing colours. They also use a slight amount of gold and locally produced poison for long life of paintings. Generally the Kangra paintings are used to depict the gods as Radha Krishna or the local rulers during their war campaigns and durbars of local rulers

The seven-member team of students of Lawrence School, Sanawar, who had successfully scaled Mount Everest on May 21 and had set a record of being the youngest team to conquer the world’s tallest peak met President Pranab Mukherjee

The much-publicised cement plant to be set up at Baroh-Sikridhar hills in Churah subdivision of Chamba district .

The 74-year-old Tandon Club, Kangra, located in the heart of the town and spread over nearly three kanals of land, the foundation stone of which was laid on April 3,1939, by the then Deputy Commissioner BR Tandon

Dalhousie remembers Sardar Ajit Singh, icon of 'Pagri Sambal Jatta Movement'

People of Dalhousie town remembered the great revolutionary titan freedom fighter, Sardar Ajit Singh, a well known icon of “Pagri Sambal Jatta Movement” - the mentor and uncle of great martyr Sardar Bhagat Singh. They paid a rich tribute at his "Samadhi Sthal" at Panchpula in Dalhousie hills.

Sardar Ajit Singh (2 February 1881-15 August 1947) was born in Khatkar Kalan village, district Jalandhar (now Nawanshahr district) in a military family from Punjab in India.
He resented the high-handedness of the British rule and openly criticised the British Government. He was declared a political rebel and had to spend many years of his life in jails or in exile from India.

I bow to thee! Glorious Mother India

Vinod Kumar Lakhanpal who retired in 1996 as Joint Director from the State Information and Public Relations Department

His book ‘Bhartiya Swatantrata Sangharsh-1757-1947’ (BSS) published in 2009 from Samaj Dharm Prakashan, Mehatpur, Una, accomplishes his mission.

Vinod’s father first. He was Baldev Mitra ‘Bijli’, also a member of the Revolutionary Party in Punjab and Editor of Urdu weekly ‘Karak’ in 1929.

1846-49: Wazir Ram Singh Pathania of Nurpur was fighting against the British forces and ran to safety to Kangra from the battle-field at ‘Kummani-ka-Pel’ on January 16, 1849, when he found that his army was encircled on three sides by the British. While doing Pooja in Kangra, he was trapped and surrendered but not before he killed a few British soldiers hitting them with utensils used in Pooja. He was sent to Rangoon Jail where he died on November 11, 1849.
1895: Chamba was not under the rule of the British. Here the Raja was stifling the popular voice through his Wazir Gobindu. The farmers were made to do ‘begar’ (free service); they protested against it. The protesters from Balhana village in Sihunta were Larza, Billu and others. Larza was brought to Chamba, tied to a pole, made to stand naked, then Raja Sham Singh ordered to cane him. He was caned 144 times but he remained stuck to his stand. The matter was solved through British counsel.
1909: Raja Bhawani Sen of Mandi was completely under the influence of Wazir Jivanand Padha. Padha was synonym for corruption and fraud. A youth, Shobha Ram, from Gadhiyani village of Sarkaghat raised his voice against this corruption. Raja did not pay any heed to it. Shobha moved to Mandi with 20,000 farmers, put the tehsildar and other officers in jail. A common saying in Mandi then was ‘Bhawani Singh rules; Shobha Ram dictates’. The British interference ended the dispute.

'Curfew' brings out superficiality in relationships

The play "Curfew" staged by the Shimla-based Vasudha Art and Culture Society (VACS) at the Gaiety Theatre successfully brought out the superficiality in relationships which binds the man and the woman in the traditional marriage.

Directed by Devender Sharma, who also played the male lead, the play focused on the constraints imposed by the traditional marriage, which turns strangers into life partners.

Aug 29, 2013

Shimla, August 29
Awaiting allotment of a temporary accommodation to shift out its office, the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) has urged the government to defer the Rs 4-crore restoration and conservation project of the historic Town Hall Building, which is housing its office, and let work on the beautification of the Mall project begin first.

Aug 31, 2013

25% apartments reserved for Himachalis

The Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act, 1977, was amended in the Assembly today to ensure that 25 per cent plots and houses being sold by government or private colonisers were reserved for bona fide Himachalis and economically weaker sections of society.

Sanjay Kumar takes over as DGP