May 26 2021

Dalai Lama—People must come together to overcome global threats

Vijyender Sharma

Dharamsala —People must come together to overcome global threats, including COVID-19, Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama said on Wednesday.

In his message for Buddhists on Buddha Purnima, the Nobel Peace Laureate said that by developing a sense of respect for others and a concern for their welfare, one could reduce their self-centredness, which is the source of many problems.

"I started my Buddhist education as a child and although I am now nearly 86 years old, I am still learning. Even though our world has changed substantially since the time of Buddha, the essence of his teaching remains as relevant today as it was 2,600 years ago," he said in a statement.

"…Let us all join together in doing whatever we can to overcome the global threats we face, including the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought such pain and hardship across the world," he added.

He said Buddha’s teaching was essentially practical not just for one group of people or one country but for all sentient beings.

"People can follow this path according to their ability and inclination," the spiritual leader said.

He further encouraged Buddhists everywhere to discover what the teaching really means to be able to apply it in their life.

"This entails listening and reading, thinking about what you have heard and read and making yourself deeply familiar with it."

He stressed that Buddha’s advice was to avoid harming others and to help them always in whatever way possible.

else is just like us in that…they want happiness and dislike suffering. Seeking joy and freedom from suffering is the birth-right of all beings. But personal happiness very much depends on how we relate to others," the Dalai Lama said.

May 24 2021

HP Cabinet decided to further extend the Corona Curfew in the whole State till 31st May

HP Cabinet decisions

Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA—The meeting of State Cabinet held here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur reviewed the Covid-19 situation in the State. Thus, in order to break the virus chain, the Cabinet decided to further extend the Corona Curfew in the whole State till 31st May, 2021 with same restrictions. It was decided that Department of Health would encourage private hospitals in the State to increase vaccination in their institutions. It was felt that MLAs may review along with concerned SDM the welfare/ treatment being provided to Covid patients in home isolation.

The Cabinet gave its approval to excise policy for the financial year 2021-22 which envisages collection of Rs.1,829 crore revenue during the year which is Rs. 228 crore higher than the financial year 2020-21 thereby registering an increase of 14 per cent.

Considering the present situation arising out of Covid, the excise year 2020-21 has been extended by one-month up to 30th June 2021. The new excise policy will be operational for 9 months i.e. 1st July 2021 to 31st March 2022. Approval was also given for the renewal of retail excise vends in the state for the year 2021-22 for the renewal fees of 3 per cent of the value of unit/vend with an objective to gain adequate enhancement in government revenue, reduction in the price of liquor and to curb its smuggling from the neighbouring states. According to the New Policy, low-price brands of IMFL will be cheaper as license fees and excise duty have been reduced, facility of transfer of quota within district and inter-district has been approved. The new excise policy also allows 15 percent of country liquor quota for liquor manufacturers and bottlers to be supplied to the retail licensees. The balance 85 per cent quota can be lifted by the retail licensees from the suppliers of their choice. This was earlier 30 per cent. It envisages the increase in license fees by 5 per cent and quota by 3 per cent. New license for serving of liquor in tented accommodation has been approved and new licenses for visitor centre in wine manufacturing units and wine tasting festivals has been approved. Similarly, new License in form D-2E has been approved for production of ethanol for the purpose of exclusive supply to petroleum companies, sale of certain high-end brands of liquor in departmental store through license in form L-10BB has been approved subject to certain terms and conditions and liquor quota of bars attached to hotels has been reduced by 50 per cent. License fees for CSD canteens have been reduced and facility of liquor canteen license in L-9 & L-9A has been allowed to all the Central Armed Police Forces.

Cabinet has approved in principle to have Excise Police in the Excise and Taxation Department to check the inter-state and intra-state smuggling of liquor, illicit trade and bootlegging of liquor leading to substantial loss of excise revenue to the government exchequer. The price of adding a sub vend has been significantly reduced and penalty on unlifted quota has been rationalised, whereas breakage for wholesaler for storage and transport has been increased from 0.5% to 0.6%. It is hoped that this policy has taken into account all stakeholders which include government, consumers, retailers, wholesalers, bottling plants, distilleries and hotels and bars. All sections were engaged by the department in taking feedback based on which these decisions have been undertaken.

The Cabinet also decided to extend the current year Toll Leases by one month upto 30th June, 2021 which subsequently would be auctioned. The Leases for the year 2021-22 would be operational from 1st July, 2021 to 31st March, 2022.

The Cabinet approved new scheme for implementation of Project on Fodder Development as per the announcement of the Chief Minister in the budget- 2021-22. The project envisages propagation of planting stock of perennial high yielding grass species, fodder trees and their further dissemination on farmer’s fields as well as gausadans in the state.

The Cabinet also approved 33 posts of different categories, 11 each in newly created Municipal Corporations, Mandi, Solan and Palampur for smooth functioning of these Corporations.

The Cabinet gave its consent to fill up 20 posts of Drivers in Agriculture Department for its smooth functioning.

It also approved to declare historic Dussehra Festival, Junga in Shimla district at District level Fair.

The Cabinet decided to open new Sub Tehsil at Thakurdwara under Tehsil Indora in Kangra district alongwith creation of requisite posts, new Sub Tehsil, Telka in Chamba district and also decided to upgrade Sub Tehsil Nagrota Surian in Kangra district to Tehsil alongwith creation of required posts to man this Tehsil. It also gave its consent to create new Patwar Circles at Toba Sangwan (Kaunlawala Toba) in Shri Naina Devi Ji Tehsil, Kharsi in tehsil Sadar and Badol and Rohal in Jhanduta Tehsil of Bilaspur district alongwith creation of one post of Patwari and one post of part time worker for each patwar circle to facilitate the people of these areas.

It gave its consent to provide approval in favour of M/s R.K.V. Spirit Private Limited Kala Amb, Tehsil Nalagarh in district Solan for setting up distillery, Brewery and Ethanol Plant based on extra neutral Alcohol (Liquor).

The Cabinet gave nod to open new Division of Public Works Department at Sarahan in Sirmaur district and Sub Division at Gagal Shikor alongwith two new Sections at Sarahan-II and Gagal Shikor alongwith creation of requisite posts to man these offices.

It decided to open a new Government Pharmacy College in Sulah Vidhan Sabha area of Kangra district alongwith creation of requisite posts to man this college.

The Cabinet gave its consent to fill up 34 vacant posts of Associate and Assistant Professors in Dr. Y.S. Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan, district Sirmaur, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Ner Chowk, district Mandi, Dr. Radhakrishanan Government Medical College, Hamirpur, IGMC, Shimla and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda in Kangra district through direct recruitment to provide specialized health services in these medical colleges.

It also gave its consent to create and fill up one post of Assistant Professor in Rheumatology Cell in Department of General Medicine in IGMC, Shimla.

It gave its permission to fill up five vacant posts of Professors, Assistant Professors and Associate Professor in Department of Nephrology in IGMC Shimla and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda to benefit the patients.

The Cabinet accorded its approval to procure CT Scan 128 Slice machine at cost of Rs.4.28 crore for Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda in district Kangra to facilitate the patients of the area.

The Cabinet also its nod to upgrade Primary Health Centre Garh Jamula in Kangra district to Community Health Centre.

It also decided to upgrade Primary Health Centre Patta Mehlog in Solan district to Community Health Centre.

It also decided to enhance the number of doctors in Civil Hospital Dehra in Kangra district from existing 9 to 14 by creating five new posts to benefit the people of this area.

The Cabinet decided to upgrade Community Health Centre Dharampur in Solan district from six bedded to 50 bedded CHC to facilitate people of the area.

The Cabinet also accorded its nod to shift Health Sub Centre Tatapani in Mandi district to Sanwidhar Khanderi to facilitate the people of the area.

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May 24 2021

Chief Minister dedicates Makeshift Hospital at Paraur in Palampur

Vijyender Sharma
Shimla—-Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today dedicated Makeshift Hospital at Paraur in Palampur Sub Division of Kangra district virtually from Shimla for Covid-19 patients. In the first phase, the Hospital would have bed capacity of 250 beds.
While speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister thanked the Radha Soami Satsang Beas for providing this space to the Government for constructing this Makeshift arrangement. He said that the volunteers of Radha Soami Satsang Beas would provide food to the patients and their attendants free of cost which was a great service towards humanity. He said that all beds in this Makeshift Hospital were equipped with oxygen supply to ensure better treatment to the Covid patients.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government has laid special emphasis on capacity building in health infrastructure to facilitate the patients. He said that it was due to the efforts of the State Government the Central Government has enhanced the oxygen quota of the State from 15 MT to 30 MT. He said that now the Government has urged the Centre to increase the same by 10MT for which the Government has agreed in principle. He said that the State Government has also increased the number of D-Type cylinders from 2500 to about 6300 thereby enhancing the storage capacity of oxygen by 25MT. He said that not only this, the bed capacity has also been increased from 1200 to about 5000.
The Chief Minister said that the main focus of the State Government was to ensure timely detection of Covid-19 patients so that they could be provided timely treatment. The State Government was also ensuring that patients get proper and timely treatment in Covid hospitals and Covid care centres. He said that during last few days the recovery rate has gone upto 83 percent which was the matter of satisfaction. He said that the Government would also ensure the patients in home isolation were regularly contacted so that their health parameters could be monitored and treatment could be provided accordingly.
Jai Ram Thakur said that to ensure the speedy recovery of Covid patients the State Government was also providing home isolation kits to them. He said that the elected representatives must ensure that these kits were made available to the Covid patients at the earliest. He also thanked the Central Government for providing all possible help to the State in fighting this pandemic.
Speaker H.P. Vidhan Sabha Vipin Singh Parmar while speaking on the occasion said that 250 bedded Makeshift Hospital at Paraur would help the people of Kangra district in particular to get better Covid treatment. He also thanked the Radha Soami Satsang Beas for their philanthropic gesture and appreciated the efforts being made by the Chief Minister in sailing out the State during this difficult time.
Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal said that the role of several religious organizations and NGOs was commendable in tackling the Covid situation in the State. The Makeshift Hospital at Paraur was completed in a record time which would facilitate the patients of the area.
Additional Chief Secretary J.C. Sharma and Secretary Health Amitabh Awasthi were present with Chief Minister at Shimla whereas Member of Parliament Kishan Kapoor, Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha Indu Goswami were present at Paraur on the occasion.

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May 23 2021

Properties worth Rs. 11.37 crores attached in 19 drug related cases: CM

Vijyender Sharma

Shimla

May 23 2021

Dalai Lama condoles demise of noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna

Vijyender Sharma

Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has expressed his sadness on learning that his good friend, Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna had passed away at the age of 94.

“I offer my condolences to his family,” he wrote, “as well as his many admirers and friends, and I will offer prayers for him.

“I deeply admired the way he made ‘ahimsa’ the core of his tireless campaigns to protect the environment. Having grown up in the Garwhal in Uttarakhand he was not only acutely aware of the need to preserve the rivers, forests and hills of the Himalayan region, but felt it was his mission to draw other people’s attention to it too.

“On one occasion, Bahuguna asked me to spread the word about the importance of planting trees and caring for them whenever I can. I agreed to do so and when I visit places like Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere I urge people to go out of their way to care for the environment, which has ramifications far beyond the regions where they live.

“Although he has left us, having led a long and meaningful life, Shri Bahuguna’s spirit will live on,” His Holiness’s message concludes. “The best tribute we can pay him will be to continue to support the movement he began to plant trees, take care of them, and protect our Earth.”

May 19 2021

Chief Minister reviews Covid-19 situation in Kangra District

Chief Minister reviews Covid-19 situation in Kangra District

Vijyender Sharma

Dharmshala—Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today while reviewing Covid-19 situation in Kangra district at Dharamshala expressed concern over the increase in number of Covid related deaths in the district and felt need for ensuring that the serious patients be shifted to health institutions immediately from home isolation so that proper treatment could be made available to them.

Chief Minister said that State Government had increased the bed capacity from existing 1500 to about 5000 to cater to the demands of Covid patients in the State. He said that on the request of State Government the Central Government has also increased the quota of oxygen from 15 MT to 30 MT. He said that the State Government has also urged the Government of India to further enhance the oxygen quota for the State by 10 MT.

Jai Ram Thakur said that keeping in view the gravity of the situation, the State Government was also increasing ICU beds in the health institutions of the State. He said that 20 additional ventilators have been provided for Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda and 25 additional ventilators for IGMC, Shimla. He said that arrangements have been made to ensure adequate supply of oxygen in Civil Hospital, Nurpur.

Chief Minister said that in order to ensure adequate staff in the health institutions, State Government has recruited about 3000 employees on outsource basis to cater to the health requirements of the people. He said that efforts were also on to make fresh appointments in health institutions. He said that the State Government has also issued SOPs for dead body management of Covid patients. He said that the Government has also decided to provide financial assistance to next of kin of the corona deceased to carry the dead body to their native places if they wish to do so.

Jai Ram Thakur said that efforts must be made to strengthen the home isolation mechanism as about 90 percent of the total Covid patients were in home isolation. He said that elected representatives such as MLAs, Pradhans, BDC members, Zila Parishad members and ward members must actively participate in strengthening the home isolation mechanism by keeping in touch with the family members of the corona patients. He said that usually the delay in shifting the corona patients from home isolation to hospitals results in health deterioration of corona patients. He said that paramedical staff must also regularly monitor the health parameters of the home isolation patients.

Chief Minister also launched Home Isolation Kit ‘Sanjeevni’ of district Kangra for the patients under home isolation in the district. He said that the kit would be provided to every patient in home isolation. He said that this kit would help the patients in speedy recovery from corona virus.

Jai Ram Thakur also interacted through video conferencing with Covid patients admitted in Zonal Hospital Dharamsala and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda. Besides inquiring about their health he also enquired about the treatment and quality of service being provided to them in the hospital.

Chief Minister also took stock of the progress of Makeshift Covid Hospital, Paraur through video conferencing and directed the executing agency to complete this at the earliest. He was apprised that this Makeshift Hospital would be completed within 2-3 days.

Jai Ram Thakur said that Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) Ward had been started at Ayurvedic Hospital Dehra to cater to the health problem of the people of the area. He said that similar ward has already been made functional at Palampur few days ago.

Secretary Health Amitabh Awasthi joined the event virtually from Shimla.

Deputy Commissioner Kangra Rakesh Prajapati made a detailed presentation on Covid situation in Kangra district.

Speaker Vidhan Sabha Vipin Parmar, Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, Members of Parliament Kishan Kapoor and Indu Goswami, Deputy Chairman State Planning Board Ramesh Dhawala, MLAs Arun Mehra, Arjun Singh, Rita Dhiman, Mulkh Raj Premi and Vishal Nehriya and other officers attended the meeting among others.

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May 19 2021

INDIAN ARMY FACILITATES CIVIL ADMINISTRATION SHIMLA IN FIGHTING AGAINST COVID PANDEMI

Vijyender Sharma
Shimla 19 May, India’s COVID -19 Crisis and the extraordinary surge in the second wave has become a matter of national concern. In the spirit of Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic in a synergistic manner, the Indian Army on special request of the Chief Minister of Shimla (HP) have created and handed over a 60 bed furnished COVID facility in Sanjouli, Shimla.

The facility would be run by the civil Administration who would be staffing and managing the COVID -19 facility on the Army premises. This COVID facility has been dedicated to civil Administration under , Operation CO -JEET’.

Indian Army Forces are always at the forefront to provide assistance and contribute at every Level in times of a National Crisis.Military Station Commander at Shimla handed over the facility to the state Administration and reiterated the Indian Army’s Commitment to provide support to the Civil Administration in its fight to control the pandemic.

May 17 2021

Chief Minister launches vaccination drive for 18-44 years age group

Himachal Chief Minister launches vaccination drive for 18-44 years age group

Vijyender Sharma

Shimla—-Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today launched vaccination drive for 18-44 years age group in the State from Government Senior Secondary School, Chhota Shimla at Kasumpti, Shimla to check Covid-19 pandemic.

While interacting with media on the occasion, Chief Minister said that for this 213 vaccination centres had been set up in the State. He urged the people to get them registered and schedule their appointment. He said that they should come at the vaccination centres as per their schedule to avoid unnecessary crowd at these centres. He said that 21090 persons had booked their schedule till now. He also appealed them to observe Covid appropriate behaviour at the Centres. He said that the next date of vaccination for 18-44 years would be 20th May, 2021 and sessions for that day would be published on the COWIN portal on 18th May, 2021. He said that other sessions for the vaccination would be held on 24th, 27th and 31st May, 2021 for this age group.

Jai Ram Thakur said that the State has emerged as front runner State in the country by providing vaccination to 31 per cent of its population. He said that till date a total of 21,50,353 doses of vaccine had been administered to the people of the State. He said that vaccination drive for health care workers had been started on 16th January 2021, for front line workers on 2nd February, 2021, for 60+age groups and 45-60 years with co-morbidities on 1st March, 2021 and for 45+ population on 1st April, 2021 and people were coming in large number to vaccinate them against Covid-19 which is a matter of satisfaction for all of us.

Chief Minister said that 386 cold chain points had been established alongwith State Vaccine Store-I and Regional Vaccine Store-2 through which these vaccines were being distributed. He said that these points were being monitored on Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) basis.

Jai Ram Thakur urged the people to wear facemasks and maintain social distancing besides following SoPs and guidelines of the State Government issued from time to time.

Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, Mayor Shimla Municipal Corporation Satya Kaundal, Secretary Health Amitabh Awasthi, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Aditya Negi and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

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