Himachal CM opens two blocks of state Secretariat

Shimla, Oct 2 (IANS) Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries at their statues on the historic Ridge in Shimla.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Leader of the Opposition also participated in a cleanliness drive, appreciating the contribution of sanitation workers and urging the state government to consider their demands sympathetically.

Speaking to the media after paying tributes, Thakur said Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of truth, non-violence, sacrifice and Satyagraha, which gave the nation a new direction, continue to inspire people even today.

He also remembered Lal Bahadur Shastri, describing him as a symbol of simplicity, honesty, dedication to duty and firm leadership.

Thakur said Shastri’s famous slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, continues to inspire respect for the country’s soldiers and farmers and recognises their invaluable contributions.

Responding to questions regarding his visit to Delhi, Thakur said he had held detailed discussions with Union ministers on various development projects related to Himachal Pradesh, the functioning of the present state government and organisational matters.

He said discussions covered several issues relating to governance and the party organisation, while feedback was also sought on ongoing schemes and ways to ensure that the state benefits from them.

He added that Union ministers continue to extend support to Himachal Pradesh.

Launching an attack on the Congress government in the state, Thakur alleged that despite claiming to be employee-friendly, the government had left employees and pensioners with no option but to stage protests.

He said Junior Basic Training (JBT) teachers had been agitating for several days over their legitimate demands, but the Chief Minister and his ministers had not found time to listen to their grievances.

Taking a dig at Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Thakur said the Chief Minister had announced the launch of the ‘Mukhyamantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana’ on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti but had failed to do so.

He alleged that even senior Congress leaders were not taking the Chief Minister seriously and claimed that several programmes and schemes had repeatedly been postponed because of the unavailability of time from the party’s central leadership.

Thakur also accused the Chief Minister of neglecting development work and focusing primarily on his close associates.

He claimed that this was the reason ministers frequently travelled to Delhi to raise their grievances before the party’s central leadership.

–IANS

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Itanagar, Jan 17 (IANS) The Army, in coordination with the police and the civil administration, on Friday successfully retrieved two tourists from the frozen Sela Lake in Arunachal Pradesh, one of whom was found dead, while search operations are underway to locate a third missing individual, officials said.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that on Friday, an unfortunate incident occurred at Sela Lake in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district, located at an altitude of approximately 13,700 feet above mean sea level, involving a group of seven tourists.

He said that during their visit, one tourist reportedly moved towards the centre of the frozen lake, where the ice gave way, resulting in the individual being submerged. Another two tourists attempted a rescue, but they were also submerged in the freezing waters, he added.

On receipt of information, an Indian Army rescue team from Gajraj Corps was immediately mobilised. Despite extreme weather conditions, sub-zero temperatures, and high-altitude area challenges, Army divers, along with police and civil administration, conducted prompt rescue operations and successfully retrieved two individuals from the frozen lake.

“One individual was revived after receiving immediate medical assistance, while another was found dead. Search operations for the third missing tourist are underway,” Lt Col Rawat said.

All remaining tourists have been safely accommodated at Army camps in the area and are being provided with the necessary care and assistance.

“The Indian Army reiterates its commitment to providing timely humanitarian assistance and advises all visitors to exercise utmost caution as per the guidelines of Civil administration,” the Army said in a statement.

A police official in Itanagar said that the tourists came from Kerala to visit the tourism hotspot Sela Lake in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

–IANS

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Visakhapatnam, Sep 24 (IANS) The Deep Depression in the Bay of Bengal crossed the coast between Kalingapatnam and Polaki in the early hours of Thursday, triggering heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The landfall, which began late on Wednesday night, continued for two hours, said officials of Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDA).

Heavy rains were lashing Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting road traffic.

The Deep Depression crossed the coast close to the southwest of Kalingapatnam between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., with maximum sustained wind speed of 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph.

The Deep Depression moved at a speed of 3 kmph over the last six hours and is expected to continue as a severe depression for another 12 hours. It is likely to gradually weaken over the subsequent 24 hours, APSDMA said on Thursday morning.

Prakhar Jain, MD, APSDMA, asked people to remain vigilant for 48 hours after the landfall.

Low-lying areas must be alert to the risk of flash floods. Officials on the ground must remain on high alert, Prakhar Jain said.

Heavy rains are likely in isolated areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Manyam, and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts on Thursday. Heavy rains are also likely in isolated areas of Polavaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Kakinada districts. Extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours. Rainfall exceeding 100 mm was recorded in 80 locations.

Meanwhile, authorities have deployed teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Five teams of SDRF and four teams of NDRF were deployed in Srikakulam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts for rescue and relief operations.

Authorities have also declared a holiday for educational institutions in Srikakulam, Vizinagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari and Eluru districts.

Disaster Management Authority control room toll-free numbers are 112 and 1070. The state control room has been set up with a toll-free number 18004250101.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with District Collectors to review the situation.

He directed the Collectors of rain-affected districts to remain vigilant until the rainfall subsides. Precautionary measures must be taken to ensure there is no loss of life, he said.

The Chief Minister asked officials to assess water inflows into reservoirs and rivers and also issue timely instructions to the field level.

He said District Collectors must remain alert on Thursday and Friday.

He directed officials to ensure an uninterrupted supply of water, food, medicines, and electricity to people in the affected areas.

Officials informed him that measures have been taken to ensure the return of fishermen who had ventured into the sea.

–IANS

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