The final Census data has brought out an overall improvement in sex ratio in the state from 968 to 972 over a decade, but a declining trend in the rural areas is a cause of concern.

The Himachal Pradesh government has claimed R1,365 crore in damages from Brakel Corporation of Netherlands for the delay in execution of the 980-mw Jangi Thopan Powari hydroelectric project. The private developer had bagged the project by quoting the highest upfront premium payment to the state in an auction held in 2005.

Meanwhile, sources said the state cabinet in its meeting on April 23 decided to invite fresh bids for the project rather than award it to the second highest bidder, Reliance Infrastructure.

This financial year has begun on a promising note for the authorities of the Nathpa Jhakri hydroelectric project with generation surpassing the target for April.

There had been a sharp decline in production during 2012-13. The project owned and operated by the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) has generated 449 million units in April against a target of 410 million units. It was after a gap of more than a year that the project exceeded the monthly target thanks to favourable weather conditions which brought abundant snow in the mid-hills during winter leading to an early upsurge in the Sutlej.

The state Cabinet today decided to invite fresh bids for the 960-MW Jangi-Thopan Powari hydro power project in Kinnaur district.

No relief from the cold wave as skies stay dry and clear

There was no relief from the bitter cold in North India on Monday with the mercury sliding further under mainly dry conditions as skies stayed clear following the brief spell of rain and snowfall this past week. Although it was a sunny morning in the national Capital on Monday, temperatures in Delhi did register a wee bit slide with the maximum and minimum both dropping a degree below normal at 19.9 and 6.2 degrees Celsius respectively. There was also light fog in the city in the morning.

Environment protection groups in Kinnaur have welcomed the interim order of National Green Tribunal directing the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation not to cut trees on disputed lands and using the

The cold wave in the hill State worsened on Thursday with the sky remaining overcast for the second consecutive day. A sharp decrease in the day temperatures was felt all over the State with the mercury plummeting to minus 0.7 degrees Celsius in Keylong, the headquarters of tribal Lahaul-Spiti.

The Meteorological Department said the State witnessed complete to partially cloudy weather for the second day on Thursday owing to westerly winds. The night temperatures have remained almost stationary. The maximum temperatures are likely to dip further. A plunge of three to four degrees has been observed in past couple of days.

Heavy rainfall leading to flash floods in Himalayan rivers in July-end devastated three states — Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. It claimed 34 human lives and damaged property extensively. It also brought into focus the precarious condition of more than a dozen dams in the region.

Within just one week, starting August 1, these states received about half the rainfall they receive over an entire year—Uttarakhand received 44.6 per cent of its annual rainfall; Himachal 51.8 per cent and Jammu and Kashmir 55.6 per cent. Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region was the worst hit. The Bhagirathi, flowing much above the danger mark, washed away houses, hotels, roads and bridges. Nineteen labourers working on the Assi Ganga hydropower project in Uttarkashi were swept away by the river which they were trying to harness.

Brisk showers, accompanied by thunder, lashed parts of the state this afternoon.