Karan Singh sworn in as Cabinet Minister

Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office and secrecy to MLA from Banjar Mr Karan Singh as the 11th Cabinet Minister of the State in a simple but impressive ceremony held at Rajbhawan here today. Chief Minister Mr Virbhadra Singh and his wife Smt Pratibha Singh were also present on the occasion.

Chief Secretary Mr P Mitra conducted the proceedings.

Speaker H P Vidhan Sabha Mr B B L Butail, Cabinet Ministers, Smt Vidya Stokes, Mr Kaul Singh Thakur, Mr G S Bali, Mr Sujan Singh Pathania, Mr Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Mr Mukesh Agnihotri, Mr Sudhir Sharma, Mr Prakash Chaudhary, Dr. (Col.) Dhaniram Shandil, Mr Anil Sharma,   Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, State President HPCC, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Former Ministers and MLAs Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of various Boards and Corporations, Advisors to Chief Minister, State Election Commissioner, Mr T. G. Negi Additional Chief Secretaries, DGP Mr Sanjay Kumar, senior officers of State Government and people of Banjar were present on the occasion.

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Decisions

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh decided to frame a special policy for regularization of encroachments by the oustees in the New Bilaspur Township in the public interest. The maximum extent of land which may be regularized shall be upto 150 sqm only and same shall be on free hold basis. 

The Cabinet decided to revise and enhance the norms of relief under Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management and Relief Manual 2012. This will enhance the relief assistance provided to the disaster affected persons in the State.

The Cabinet gave its approval to upgrade the Nagar Panchayat Santokhgarh, Dehra, Jawalamukhi and Sujanpur as Municipal Council and upgrade their posts of Secretaries as Executive Officers.

It decided to move the case for FCA clearance of land to Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (GoI) for the establishment of Central University in the State as per recommendation of the Site Selection Committee. 

The Site Selection Committee has recommended to develop both the campuses one at Dharamshala and other at Dehra in a phased manner. About 160 hectares of land at Dharamshala has been recommended for immediate development of the main campus of the University while 80 hectares at Dehra may be taken up in second phase.

The Cabinet gave its nod to upgrade Civil Hospital Nerva and Chopal in district Shimla to 50 bedded each with required staff.

It gave its approval to create 15 posts of various categories required for Police Station Sunni which was recently upgraded from Police Post Sunni to full-fledged Police Station in Shimla district. 

It approved to shift HPPWD Division No. II Shimla and HPPWD Sub Division Jutogh to Dhami.

The Cabinet approved the proposal of High Court of Himachal Pradesh for enhancement of pecuniary jurisdictions of all subordinate Courts in Himachal Pradesh by amending Himachal Pradesh Courts Act, 1976. This will enable citizens to take up their cases at the district level Courts. 

The Cabinet gave its permission to lease out Government land measuring 1540.37 sqm. comprised in Khasra No. 1380/645 and 1381/645 in Mohal Khaliar, Tehsil Sadar, District Mandi to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan on token lease money of Rs. one per annum for 99 years in relaxation of rules. 

The Cabinet gave its nod to open a Tehsil Welfare Office at Haroli in district Una.

It approved construction of Irrigation and Public Health Department Rest House (Inspection Hut) at Sidhwari in district Kangra. 

The Cabinet also approved for the publication of amendments in Himachal Pradesh Forest (Timber Distribution to the Right Holders) Rules, 2010 in H.P. Rajpatra for inviting objections/suggestions from the general public. 

It approved to transfer back the control of 842.68 hectares of forests of Shimla Urban area from Municipal Corporation Shimla to Forest Department for its proper management.

The Cabinet approved to bring all statutory towns notified or likely to be notified under the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 and Urban Growth Centres under the ambit of Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act, 1977 to meet the directives of the Government of India and fulfill the conditionalities of mandatory reforms of JNNURM for ensuring funding under said Centrally Sponsored Programme. 

The Cabinet decided to fill up 100 posts of Punjabi and 100 posts of Urdu language Teachers on contract basis. 

It was decided to fill up two posts of Station Fire Officer, four posts of Sub Fire Officer alongwith 30 posts of Firemen through recruitment of trained Firemen on contract basis. 

The Cabinet decided to fill up 15 posts of Assistant Engineer (Civil) in Irrigation and Public Health Department through direct recruitment on contract basis. 

It also approved to engage a Consultant for designing and setting up of Emergency Operation Centre at the State level and 12 Districts Emergency Operations Centres in each district headquarter in the Revenue department for Disaster Management. 

The Cabinet approved to fill up 19 vacant posts of Inspector, Grade-I in Food and Civil Supplies Department through direct recruitment on contract basis. 

Chief Minister launches Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has become the fifth State of the Country to launch Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana under National Food Security Act-2013. Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh today launched ambitious Food Security Scheme by handing over ration bags to 104 year old Shri Mast Ram and 70 year old Smt. Vidya Devi of Sunni area in Shimla district, during an impressive function organized here at the Ridge. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Virbhadra Singh said that food security was a historic scheme of the Government of India envisaged by UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh which would ensure that nobody remained hungry any more in the country. He said that food, employment and housing were the basic needs of the common man and Congress lead UPA government had done revolutionary work by fulfilling their all three requirements. He said that every family was being provided 100 days employment under MNREGA.

Chief Minister said that under Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana, 37 lakh people would get three kgs of wheat at Rs. 2 per kg and two kgs of rice at Rs. 3 per kg per month per person while Anntodya families would continued to get 20 kgs of wheat and 15 kgs of rice per month as per past practice. All the families identified under ‘Anntodya Ann Yojna’ in Gram Sabha meetings held on 7 April, 2013 would be brought under the ambit of ‘Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojna’. Apart from it all families being covered under BPL, social security pensioners and Ann Purna Ann Yojna would also be covered it. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that it had been brought to his notice that few well-off persons had also been included in BPL list in certain Gram Panchayats of the State. He said that the elected representatives of Gram Panchayats should be fare to their duties and do justice to the poor and needy and should not resort to nepotism. He said that a special Gram Panchayat meeting would be convened in the State and two Government Observers would supervise the proceedings of each Gram Sabha to ensure that ineligible were deleted and eligible poor were included in the list. The State Government would ensure that only eligible persons get the benefits of various Government Schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojna and housing schemes for poor. 

Chief Minister said that Indira Awas Yojna and Rajiv Awas Yojna were being implemented in the State to provide houses to the poor houseless people. The State Congress Government had enhanced the grant to Rs. 75,000 from Rs. 48,500 under the scheme and 10,000 families would be covered under it during this year. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that with a view to secure the future of educated unemployed youth, State Government had started Skill Development Allowance Scheme-2013. Under the scheme the matriculated youth aged between 18-35 years would be provided skill development allowance of Rs. 1000 while disabled youth would be getting Rs. 1500 per month. 

He said that providing ration at subsidized rates had always remained the priority of his Government and Food Subsidy Scheme was launched during his last tenure in the year 2007, under which every ration card holder was provided three pulses two edible oils and iodized salt. He said that consumers were being provided Moong Dal at Rs. 49.99, Kabli Channa at Rs. 35.99 and Udad Dal at the rate of Rs. 34.99 per kilogram. Likewise, edible oil was being provided at Rs. 49.99 and salt at Rs. 4 per kilogram to all families in the State. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that State Government was bearing all financial expenses of subsidized food from its own resources. The State Government had made a budgetary provision of Rs. 175 crores for this scheme during current fiscal.

Speaking on the occasion, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shri G.S. Bali said that Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana was being launched in the memory of former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi which was another ambitious scheme of the UPA Government after RTI, MNREGA and RTE. He said that Congress Party was determined to launch this scheme in the country and UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi remained present in the parliament until Food Security Act got clearance despite her illness. He said that over 70 percent beneficiaries had been identified under the scheme while rest would be covered soon. 

Shri Bali said under the scheme the ration card would be issued in the name of eldest woman member of the family whereas ration card would be issued in the name of male head of the family where the female member was less than 18 years of age. State Government was keen towards this scheme and vigilance committees had been constituted at fair price shops, block, district and state levels. He said that presently 16 lakh 99 thousand ration card holders were getting the subsidized ration including APL, BPL, Antodaya Yojna and Ann Purna Yojna. 

Secretary Food & Civil Supplies Shri K. Sanjay Murthi welcomed the Chief Minister while Director Food & Civil Supplies Shri Priyantu Mandal presented vote of thanks.

Irrigation & Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes, Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmori, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Rural Development & Panchayati Minister Shri Anil Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Shri Jagjivan Pal, Shri Nand Lal, Shri Rajesh Dharmani and Shri Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, State Congress President Shri Sukhvinder Singh Thakur, Chairman 20 Point Programme Shri Ram Lal Thakur, Deputy Chairman State Planning Board Shri G.R. Musafir, Chairman HP State Cooperative Bank Shri Harsh Mahajan, Chairman HP State Agriculture Marketing Board Shri Subhash Manglet, Vice-Chairman HP State Forest Corporation Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, MLAs, Councillors of Shimla Municipal Corporation, Chief Secretary Shri Sudripta Roy, DGP Shri Sanjay Kumar, other senior officers and prominent people of the town were also present on the occasion. 

Virbhadra struggling to restore Himachal's economy

Shimla, Sep 13 (IANS) Just eight-months-old, the Virbhadra Singh-led government has been struggling to bring Himachal Pradesh's derailed economy - largely dependent on tourism, horticulture and hydropower - back on track.

In a rare show of strength, Virbhadra Singh, who is in his sixth stint as chief minister, and his entire cabinet reached the doorstep of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier this week. They lobbied hard to get central projects and schemes, particularly dealing with infrastructure and connectivity, sanctioned, besides timely release of funds for relief and restoration in the state's flood-affected areas.
"To show the urgency on the issue, Virbhadra Singh, who has been chief minister for over 16 years, for the first time in his political career took his entire cabinet to New Delhi," a senior minister said.
Virbhadra Singh's vast experience - in the state and in the central government - would definitely help in getting adequate central funding, the minister added.
Manmohan Singh on Monday assured the delegation that the centre would release adequate funds to the state from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for calamity relief and restoration in the flood-affected areas.
"The state as a whole experienced heavy rainfall and 69 lives have been lost. And 11,157 houses, 4,519 roads and 2,763 water supply schemes have been badly damaged in the flash floods," the chief minister told the prime minister.
Assuring all possible assistance from the centre, the prime minister said all the demands of the state government, like extension of an industrial package, special plan assistance and strengthening of the rail network will be considered positively by the central government in a time-bound manner.
Official sources said a day after meeting the prime minister, the chief minister and two of his cabinet colleagues - Kaul Singh and Mukesh Agnihotri - met Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in Delhi and demanded that a railway project linking Chandigarh with Himachal Pradesh's prominent Baddi industrial hub be declare as one of national importance.
Official sources told IANS that the state has sought a special financial package from the central government to overcome a whopping Rs.29,000 crore debt.
The state is also seeking liberal funding for central-aided projects in the ratio of 90:10, like special category northeastern states were getting, an official said.
Pleading the case at a conference of civil aviation ministers in Delhi Sep 10, Industries Minister Agnihotri, on behalf of the chief minister, demanded that Himachal Pradesh be included in the list of states were 50 new low-cost airports and 20 bigger airports are to be developed.
At present, no flight operates to any of the state's three airports.
Political observers say the chief minister's decision to take his entire cabinet to Delhi was a shrewd move to put pressure on the Congress party's top bosses.
The government has already been at the receiving end for its failure to get any major central project. There is even an abnormal delay in getting calamity relief from the centre, a political observer said.
"The only major benefit the state has got so far is the restoration of the centre's capital investment subsidy for industry," he added.
Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, who belongs to the state, announced this week in Shimla that the capital investment subsidy on plant and machinery would be extended till March 31, 2017 to accelerate the state's industrial growth.
In the assembly's just-concluded monsoon session, BJP leaders, including two-time chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, said issues like development have been pushed to the background as registering fabricate cases against political opponents tops the government's agenda.
Another BJP leader and former revenue minister Gulab Singh said there was a difference in the relief being distributed to victims by the centre in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
To be fair to Virbhadra Singh, he has been credited with reforms in the education, social, infrastructure and power sectors during his previous stints as chief minister.

Via: http://in.news.yahoo.com/virbhadra-struggling-restore-himachals-economy-065003211--finance.html

SLSWC Authority approves proposals worth Rs. 78.42 crore

The meeting of State Level Single Window Clearance & Monitoring Authority (SLSWC&MA) was held here, today. Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh presided over the meeting. 

The SLSWC Authority approved four expansion and revised proposals of the existing units with combined proposed investment of Rs. 78.42 crore. This would provide employment to 433 persons. These include proposals of M/S Johnson & Johnsons Ltd. to invest Rs. 36.63 crores with employment potential to 143 persons, M/S Triupati Medicare Ltd. to invest Rs. 30.83 crore with employment potential to 118 persons and M/S Shri Parvati Steel & Allays Ltd. to invest Rs. 10.10 crore with employment potential to 162 persons. Besides, relocation of M/S Newport Sprits Pvt. Ltd. from village Bajhoul district Solan to Baddi Industrial area of Solan district was also approved. This project would be set up with the cost of Rs. 86 lakh having employment potential of 10 persons. 

Chief Minister while reviewing the expansion proposal of M/S Jaypee Himachal Cement Plant Unit-I of village Baga in Solan district for enhancement of Clinkerization capacity from 2.05 MTPA to 3.50 MTPA, directed the concerned department to check the production, capacity and other details. 

Industries Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri asked the concerned departments to provide all clearances to the entrepreneurs to set up their units within a stipulated time. He said that State Government had taken various steps to facilitate and encourage entrepreneurs to set up their industries in the State. 

Director Industries Shri Mohan Chauhan welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed about the various initiatives being taken by the department to promote industries in the State. 

Chief Secretary Shri Sudripta Roy, Principal Secretary Labour & Employment Smt. Upma Chaudhary, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shri V.C. Pharka, Principal Secretary Revenue Shri Tarun Shridhar, Principal Secretary Finance Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Principal Secretary MPP & Power Shri S.K.B.S. Negi, Principal Secretary Industries Shri R.D. Dhiman, Engineer in Chief IPH Shri R.K. Sharma, Member Secretary HP State Pollution Control Board Shri Vineet Kumar and Industries Advisor Shri Rajinder Chauhan were present among others in the meeting. 

State Government Re-constitutes Gorkha Kalyan Board

The State Government has issued notification to re-constitute the Himachal Pradesh Gorkha Kalyan Board under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister would be the Vice Chairman of the Board. 

Transport Minister, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Secretary Planning, Forest, Revenue, Education, Health, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Rural Development, GAD, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Hamirpur, Solan, Chamba and Sirmour would be the official members. Director SCs, OBCs and Minority Affairs would be the Member Secretary of the Board.

Procedure for availing benefits under FAIS simplified

The fishermen of the State now won’t have to go through the hassle of registering First Information Report and formalities of autopsy during the accidental death while fishing for availing benefits under Fisherman Accident Insurance Scheme (FAIS). Forest and Fisheries Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmouri said here today that instead the benefits of the Scheme now could be availed by submitting a certificate issued by Government Hospital and on Police report to the concerned authorities. 

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Decisions

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh gave its approval to submit the memorandum by the State Government to the 14th Finance Commission.

In line with the announcement and commitment of the State Government, Cabinet gave its nod to take over the services of more than 6300 Parents Teachers Association(PTA) provided teachers on contract basis under Grant-in-Aid (GIA) after completion of continuous eight years of service as per PTA Rules 2006 in relaxation of R&P rules. Cabinet gave its approval to regularize services of about 2100 Para Teachers working in Elementary and Higher Education departments on completion of continuous 10 years of service. It was decided to provide enhanced honorarium of Rs. 8900 per month to more than 3500 Primary Assistant Teachers (PAT) working in Elementary Education department. It was also decided to release Grant-in-Aid (GIA) to those PTA provided lecturers, who have completed their B.Ed degree after 31st December, 2010. GIA would be provided to other PTA provided lecturers from the date of completion of their B.Ed while other lecturers of the same category will be provided the same on the completion of their B.Ed degrees.

It approved ‘Himachal Pradesh Mineral Policy-2013 to regulate mines and minerals in the State. It will facilitate the mining activities under the laid provisions thereby checking the illegal mining in the State while at the same time safeguarding the requirements of local people for bonafide use.

Cabinet approved to procure sugar from open market as per the recommendations of State Level Purchase Committee constituted for the purpose.

Cabinet decided to implement National Rural Livelihood Mission (Aajeevika) in the State as per the guidelines of GoI. Required infrastructure along with professional and support staff will be set up in the State for this purpose.

Cabinet decided to raise the income criteria to exclude Socially Advanced Persons/Sections (Creamy Layer) from the purview of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC). The income ceiling was enhanced to Rs. 6 lacs from earlier ceiling of Rs. 4.50 lacs for this purpose.

It was decided to introduce new scheme ‘Him Bill Note Scratch and Win Scheme’ (HBNSWS) of Excise and Taxation Department in place of Grahak Protsahan Yojna to encourage customers to inculcate the habit of procuring the cash memos/bills.

Cabinet gave its approval to open ITI at Pubowal in Haroli constituency of Una district with 4 trades from current academic session i.e. 2013-14.

Cabinet gave its nod to the implementation and execution of approved Detailed Project Reports (DPR) under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JNNURM) by posing the entire project as a new scheme to Government of India(GOI) with an execution period extended to three years.

It was decided to develop a Car Parking-cum-Commercial Complex at Mandi under PPP mode.

Cabinet decided to create and fill up 200 posts of Panchayat Sahayaks in Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department through the HP Subordinate Services Selection Board. Approval was also given to change the cadre of the re-designated Panchayat Secretaries & Panchayat Sahayaks to the district cadre.

Cabinet gave its nod to fill up three posts of District Public Relations Officer/Information Officer on contract basis in the Information and Public Relations department, 21 vacant posts of clerks on contract basis as per prevalent R&P rules in Election Department.

It was decided to approve Amendment in R&P rules for the post of Tehsildar (Election), Class-1 (Gazetted) in the department of Election, HP.

Cabinet decided to approve post based revision of pay structures/grade pays in respect of certain categories of employees in Local Audit Department and Economics and Statistics departments.

Cabinet approved to restore the eight years service criterion for promotion from Assistant Engineer (Civil) to Executive Engineer (Civil) of HPPWD.

It was also decided to allow the change of the allotted domain in respect of Jobrie HEP (12 MW).

Cabinet approved cancellation of allotment of Lower Kalm (1.5 MW) SHEP in district Chamba.

Cabinet also approved cancellation of nine Small Hydroelectric projects namely Binwa-II(4.5 MW), Chaunda (2.40 MW), Sailan (1.50 MW), Baleni- Ka- Nala (2 MW),Joiner- II (3 MW), Chakka (1.50 MW), Shirir (1 MW), Jakhi (1.50 MW) and Nera(1.60 MW) as all these nine Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have failed to execute project in time.

ASHA Workers call on Chief Minister

A deputation of ‘ASHA’ Workers called on Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh here today under the chairmanship of Bawa Hardeep Singh, Chairman, H.P. Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. They thanked Chief Minister for taking decision to appoint 7750 ASHA workers under the National Rural Health Mission in the Health and Family Welfare Department. 

HP seeks Rs. 500 crore for construction of motorable tunnels

Member Parliament Mrs Pratibha Singh called on Union Finance Minister Sh P. Chidambaram in New Delhi and requested him to provide multilateral funding of Rs 500 crore for construction of motorable tunnels in the State.

She told him that the main source of transportation in the State was road network and the tunnels were the only medium to reduce the distances between places. She told that State Government has prepared the DPRs for four tunnels in Shimla town for decongesting the traffic from main roads which experiences heavy vehicle rush through out the day. She told that State Government has prepared DPRs for construction of motorable tunnels from lift to Lakkar Bazar(681.25 mts), Lift to Himfed petrol pump(1134.92 mts), Himfed petrol pump to IGMC (890 mts), and Sanjauli to Dhalli (147.61 mts) and added that private parties are not interested to construct these tunnels under PPP mode because of financial un-viability. She requested him to arrange funding to these tunnels from some multi--lateral funding agency.

She also requested him to arrange funding for tunnels between Chamunda to Holi, Karsehar to Telang and under Jalori Pass to reduce the distance and provide all weather travel facilities to remote and backward areas residents throughout the year .

Mrs Pratibha Singh requested the Union Finance Ministry to provide funding for upgradation and modernization of Shimla, Kangra and Kullu airports in the state to facilitate the landing of bigger aircraft and also night landing facilities to promote tourism in the State. She requested for providing central funding in the ratio of 90:10 for all centrally sponsored schemes in the State on the pattern of North Eastern States due to similar topography, geography and other working conditions. She requested to declare the Ghanauli--Baddi -Kalka and Amb-Paonta--Dehradun railway lines as project of National Importance and provide hundred percent central funding for construction of these railway projects. She also requested that construction work on Bhanupalli--Bilaspur--Beri Broad Gauge railway line should be expedited as per the cost sharing agreement held on august 2007 in PMO in the central state ratio of 75:25 of fixed cost of Rs 1046 crore and requested that the enhancement of the project cost due to delay by railway should be met by providing additionality by Finance Ministry and Planning Commission. She also requested to enhancement in Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna to Rs 150 crore keeping in view of the expansion in the agriculture activities in the state and also requested special central assistance of Rs 1000 crore to the State Government during current financial year .

Mrs Pratibha Singh demanded special financial package of Rs 7565 crore to the state to fill the gap left by 13th Finance Commission in assessing the committed liabilities of the State. She told that the gap of salary, pension and interest has been estimated at Rs 3522 crore during the year 2012-13 which will further increase to Rs 4043 crore in the year 2013-14 and requested to provide financial package to fill the gap . 

Theog - Hatkoti road: Govt sends fresh tender to WB

With the Chinese company abandoning work on the 80-km-long Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru road, the state government has sent fresh tender documents to the World Bank, making a provision for dumping sites and quarries so that work on the road which is the lifeline of the apple belt can be completed at the earliest.

Fresh tender documents were sent to the World Bank which is funding the project earlier this week. With cost escalation over seven years, the project cost has now been worked out at Rs 303 crore. Only about 20 per cent of the work has been completed.

The contract had been given to the Chinese firm in 2007 for Rs 226 crore, almost Rs 80 crore less than the firm which made the second lowest bid.

It has now been decided to undertake the work in two phases, the first being the 46-km-long stretch from Theog to Khara Pathar and the second the 34-km-long stretch between Khara Pathar and Rohru.

Global tenders will be invited for the project once the documents are approved and sent back by the World Bank. This cumbersome process can take at least six months and only then can the work be started.

This time, the PWD authorities have made a provision for dumping sites in the tender document, which will be made available to the firm on payment. The Chinese firm had a tough time making arrangements with local residents for dumping debris.

Quarrying sites will be identified and made available to the firm at both ends of the road stretch so that there is no delay and work is completed within a short span of time.

“We have sent the fresh tender documents to the World Bank. The moment approval is granted, we will invite global tenders so that the road can be completed at the earliest,” said Pradeep Chauhan, PWD Engineer-in-Chief.

Work on the road had come to a halt after the Longjian Road and Bridge Limited Company could not accomplish it. The government decided to cancel the contract awarded to it and start the project afresh.

Work on the other road project being executed by the Chinese firm in Una is nearing completion. Work on the black thick top on about a 10-km-long stretch remains to be done.

The only area of concern on the Una-Mehatpur road is the 12 bridges. Only four are complete while work on four is underway and four have yet to taken up.

Source:http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130217/himachal.htm

मंत्रिमंडल की बैठक 19 को

जागरण ब्यूरो, शिमला : प्रदेश मंत्रिमंडल की बैठक मंगलवार 19 फरवरी को होगी। बैठक मुख्यमंत्री वीरभद्र सिंह की अध्यक्षता में सुबह ग्यारह बजे शुरू होगी। अधिकारिक सूत्रों ने बताया कि बैठक में जहां अनेक फैसलों पर मंत्रिमंडल की मुहर लगेगी वहीं आगामी विधानसभा बजट सत्र की संभावित शेडयूल पर भी मंत्रिमंडल निर्णय लेकर इसे राज्यपाल को मंजूरी के लिए भेजेगा। वर्णनीय है कि प्रदेश मंत्रिमंडल की इस माह की यह पहली बैठक हो रही है। इससे पहले यह इस माह में खराब मौसम के चलते व प्रदेश सरकार के शिमला से बाहर होने की व



source: Jagran

Full Story at: http://www.jagran.com/himachal-pradesh/shimla-10132914.html

रक्षा मंत्री एके एंटनी से मिले वीरभद्र

शिमला — रक्षा मंत्री एके एंटनी ने अनाडेल मैदान को रक्षा मंत्रालय के पास रखने के मुख्यमंत्री वीरभद्र सिंह के फैसले के लिए उन्हें धन्यवाद दिया है। वीरभद्र सिंह ने बुधवार को साउथ ब्लॉक में रक्षा मंत्री एके एंटनी से शिष्टाचार मुलाकात की। इस दौरान रक्षा मुत्री ने अनाडेल मुद्दे पर राज्य सरकार के रुख की सराहना की…

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आपदा प्रबंधन पर जागरूकता फैलाएगी सरकार

जागरण ब्यूरो, शिमला : हिमाचल सरकार प्रदेश में प्राकृतिक आपदा से निपटने के लिए समुदाय की जागरूकता के लिए अनेक कार्यक्रम व्यापक तौर पर आयोजित करेगी। सुनियोजित योजना एवं चिन्हित स्थानों पर बचाव एवं पुनर्वास प्रशिक्षण शिवरों के आयोजनों पर बल दिया जा रहा है। राष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण तथा हिमाचल व हरियाणा सरकारों के संयुक्त तत्वाधान में बुधवार क ो शिमला में आयोजित भूकंप पर मेगा मॉक अभ्यास के बाद प्राधिकरण की राज्य समिति से जुड़े अधिकारियों की समीक्षा बैठक की अध्यक्षता करते हुए मुख्य सचिव एस र



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एंटनी ने अनाडेल पर सरकार के रुख को सराहा

शिमला : केंद्रीय रक्षा मंत्री एके एंटनी ने शिमला स्थित अनाडेल मैदान को रक्षा मंत्रालय के पास ही रखने संबंधी मुख्यमंत्री वीरभद्र सिंह के निर्णय का स्वागत करते हुए उनका आभार जताया है। वीरभद्र सिंह ने बुधवार को नई दिल्ली स्थित साउथ ब्लॉक में रक्षा मंत्री से भेंट की। शिमला में जारी बयान में सरकारी प्रवक्ता ने बताया कि यह शिष्टाचार भेंट थी। रक्षा मंत्री ने अनाडेल मैदान के मामले में राज्य सरकार के रुख की सराहना की।

मोबाइल पर ताजा खबरें, फोटो, वीडियो व लाइव स्कोर देखने के लिए जाएं m.jagran.



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हिमाचल के लिए रेल सेवा बढ़ाने की मांग

जागरण ब्यूरो, शिमला : नेशनल डेवलपमेंट सोसायटी हिमाचल प्रदेश ने केंद्रीय रेल मंत्री पवन कुमार बंसल से अम्ब के अंदौरा तक रेल सेवा में बढ़ोतरी की मांग की है। सोसायटी की बैठक डॉ. ओपी शर्मा की अध्यक्षता में हुई। बैठक में कहा गया कि दिल्ली से चंडीगढ़ आने वाली रेल सेवाएं उच्चाहार एक्सप्रेस, सद्भावना एक्सप्रेस, डिवरूगढ़ एक्सप्रेस चंडीगढ़ कई घटों तक रुकी रहती हैं। इस समय में ये गाड़ियां अंब अंदौरा जाकर वापस चंडीगढ़ चार घंटे में आ सकती हैं। इन ट्रेनों को अब अंदौरा तक बढ़ाने से ऊना, कांगड़ा, हमीरपुर, बिल



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विधानसभा की विभिन्न समितियों की बैठक में कई मुद्दों पर चर्चा

जागरण ब्यूरो, शिमला : हिमाचल प्रदेश विधानसभा की विभिन्न समितियों ने निर्णय लिया कि जिन विभागों से सूचनाएं लंबे समय से वांछित हैं उन्हें समयबद्ध करते हुए आगामी पंद्रह दिनों की अवधि के भीतर मंगवाया जाए। यह निर्णय विधानसभा सचिवालय में 11 व 12 फरवरी को हुई बैठकों में लिया गया। सचिवालय में अधीनस्थ विधायन जन प्रशासन मानव विकास ग्रामीण नियोजन समितियों की बैठकों का आयोजन किया गया। बैठकों की अध्यक्षता सभापति जगत सिंह नेगी ने की। बैठकों में सदस्य कुलदीप कुमार, इंद्र सिंह, विजय अग्निहोत्री एवं अनि



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