Strap: Defence authorities reject site proposed in UnaNod given four years ago— At present, there is no CSD depot in the state and the serving and retired personnel of the armed forces have to go to the CSD depots situated at Jalandhar or Chandigarh.— Defence authorities had given their consent for setting up a CSD depot in the state about four years ago.— Since Una district has a direct broad gauge rail link, the depot was proposed to be set up here.

Rajesh Sharma

Una, November 4

The finalisation of land for setting up the state’s first Canteen Stores Department (CSD) depot — hanging fire for the last four years — is set to be further delayed with the defence authorities rejecting the site proposed by the district administration in Samoor Kalan village.Consequently, the district administration is looking for alternate land in Upper Kutheda Khairla and Kadd villages.The CSD depot directly caters to the needs of the serving and retired defence personnel regarding purchase of items like vehicles and electronic goods, besides being a source of supply of liquor, provisions and consumable goods to the various CSD canteens in its area.At present, there is no CSD depot in the state and the serving and retired personnel of the armed forces have to go to the CSD depots situated at Jalandhar or Chandigarh. About four years ago, the defence authorities had given their consent for setting up a CSD depot in the state and since Una district has a direct broad gauge rail link, the depot was proposed to be set up here.The land proposed during the BJP regime at Barnoh village near Una city was rejected after the Congress government took reins of the government. Subsequently, the second site at Samoor Kalan village was transferred in the name of the defence authorities. The latter have rejected the offer on the plea that the land was prone to floods.Efforts were made by the district administration to search for suitable land in Palkwah, Bathadi and Rampur villages, but these could not materialise.Additional District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Maria said since about 300 kanals of land was required, such a huge chunk of government land having an approach road and suitable geographic contours was difficult to trace. He, however, said the revenue records of Upper Kutheda Khairla and Kadd villages were being scrutinised as there was adequate government land in these villages.Meanwhile, at a recent meeting of the District Sainik Welfare Board, Deputy Commissioner Vikas Labroo directed that the process of land identification and allocation for the CSD depot be speeded up.Director of the Sainik Welfare Board SK Sharma said as soon as the district administration demarcates suitable land for the depot, senior defence authorities will visit the proposed site to finalise the issue.

BRO official visits Rohtang tunnel

Manali, November 4

Anil Kumar, Deputy Director General (DG) Tunnel at the HQ DG BRO, New Delhi, visited north and south portals of the Rohtang Tunnel to take stock of the progress of the tunnel.Chief engineer Brig DN Bhatt briefed him about the present position and various issues regarding the tunnel, including non-allotment of quarry at the north portal.Kumar, who is a graduate in Civil Engineering and postgraduate in Earthquake Engineering from the IIT Roorkee, gave suggestions to improve the progress of the tunnel and appreciated the approach adopted by the chief engineer to run multiple activities concurrently.The chief engineer assured him of a breakthrough in July 2017 and completion of the tunnel by the second half of 2019. — OC

Mountaineer selected for expeditions in Europe

Our Correspondent

Chamba, November 4

Local lad Ashwani Kumar (25) has been selected in a special group of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), New Delhi, to move to Switzerland in Europe for mountaineering expeditions.Ashwani, who left for Switzerland on Monday, through an email informed he had scaled the Mount Everest along with a group of 13 mountaineers of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) on May 19, 2013. He also received a certificate for the same from the Nepal government.Besides, he has received several awards, including a gold medal in mountaineering. The Raksha Mantri Commendation Card (RM Padak) was conferred on him by the Director General, NCC.Ashwani completed the advance course from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling,from April 4 to May 1, 2016.