Strengthen security in
Chamba: Dhumal
SHIMLA, Aug 26 — The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, today ordered the authorities to beef up security and strengthen communication links in Chamba district.

CLP: Dhumal has
played into HVC hands
SHIMLA, Aug 26 — Congress Legislature Party members have accused Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal of having played in to the hands of HVC leader Sukh Ram by asking the Centre to hold a CBI inquiry against Congress leader and former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Strengthen security in Chamba: Dhumal
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 26 — The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, today ordered the authorities to beef up security and strengthen communication links in Chamba district.

The Chief Minister ordered that village defence committees should be made functional at once so that a sense of security was instilled amongst the residents. He further directed that police officers should be recruited at the earliest and SSB training camps organised to impact training to the local residents without any loss of time. He directed that the police post in Sundla should be opened and the one at Salooni upgraded.

Mr Dhumal directed the PWD authorities to stock petroleum products at Kihar, Tissa and Salooni for the use of police personnel posted there, as there was no petrol pump in the area.

During his visit to the area, he directed that the Langhera bridge bye-pass should be made available for traffic within two days and temporary bridge made functional within six days by the PWD authorities. He further directed that the concrete bridge should be constructed within a period of three months.

He said that health institutions in the area should be stocked with medicines. All vacant posts in health and Ayurvedic institutions should be filled and it should be ensure that the personnel posted there joined duty at once.

The Chief Minister also directed immediate filling posts of Ranger and 20 posts of Forest Guards in the Bhalai range besides filling of posts of SDO (PWD), SDO (IPH) at Bhalai and Salooni, respectively.

CLP: Dhumal has played into HVC hands
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 26 — Congress Legislature Party members have accused Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal of having played in to the hands of HVC leader Sukh Ram by asking the Centre to hold a CBI inquiry against Congress leader and former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

In a joint statement issued here today, Mr Chander Kumar, Mr Kashmir Singh, Mr Kuldeep Kumar, Mr G.S. Bali and Mr Singhi Ram, said that the "frivolous" move of the BJP-HVC government had "denigrated" the status of the Chief Minister in a democratic set up. "Such inquiries should be entrusted to the Lokayukata".

The Shimla District Congress Committee, which met here today under the chairmanship of Mr Pratap Chauhan, also adopted a resolution condemning the BJP-HVC government.

The Congress legislature pressing the BJP government for a CBI probe against Mr Virbhadra Singh were "themselves facing CBI cases".

Senior Congress leaders, including Mr Virbhadra Singh, Mr Sat Mahajan, PCC chief Ram Lal Thakur, Mr JBL Khachi, Mrs Vidya Stokes, Mr K.D. Sultanpuri, MP, and other office-bearers attend the meeting of the DCC.

The DCC also adopted a resolution criticising the government for its "failure" to check the prices.

Virbhadra raised unproductive
loans : Sukh Ram
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Aug 26 —HVC president Sukh Ram alleged today that the financial irregularities by former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had resulted in resource crunch which was hampering development in the state.

Mr Sukh Ram said the Himachal government had to pay about Rs 650 crore per annum as interest on the “unproductive” loans taken by the previous government.

Mr Sukh Ram urged the Centre for a financial package of about Rs 1000 crore as grant or a long-term loan to tide over the financial problems.

He said an inquiry by an impartial agency like the CBI was one of the conditions imposed by his party before extending its support to the BJP-led government in the state.

Himachal Chief Minister Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal had earlier this week forwarded the “chargesheet” prepared by the HVC to the Prime Minister for a CBI probe. Mr Sukh Ram released allegations of misuse of office for pecuniary gains on 41 counts. The charges include the raising of loans by Mr Virbhadra Singh at a 24 per cent rate of interest and payment of Rs 10 crore as commission to parties in Delhi and Mumbai. The commission rate was higher than the 11 per cent norm set by the RBI, he said.

The HVC president alleged that the former Chief Minister had bought two plots in the Capital by filing wrong affidavits.

Mr Sukh Ram said the former Chief Minister had amassed huge wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income and demanded a thorough investigation by the Income Tax Department too.

Under construction since 1991
From Ravinder Sood

PALAMPUR: The construction of the bus stand here has been going on at a snail's pace since 1991. During this period not even a single building has come up and it seems that if no earnest efforts are made it may take another 10 years for its completion.

Although the state government had set up a special construction division for the execution of this project, yet in the absence of adequate funds this division has failed to make any progress.

The foundation stone of this project was laid with much fanfare during the BJP regime of Mr Shanta Kumar and it was announced that the bus stand would be fully operational in next two years.

The government acquired over 75 kanals of land in the heart of the town. The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation levelled the site and also shifted the bus stand to the new site without providing any facilities for the passengers.

A few small sheds were constructed to accommodate a booking office and a waiting room for passengers.

Since at that time Mr Shanta Kumar was the Chief Minister, the building and site development plans were approved without any delay and funds sanctioned.

A retiring room, a clockroom, a guest house and an official complex along with a green belt around the bus stand were planned. The Chief Minister announced that the bus stand would be the most modern and biggest one in the state.

As per the original blueprint shown to mediapersons, the three-storeyed building was to have a basement for parking buses and other vehicles. There was also a plan to have a shopping complex along the Pathankot-Mandi highway facing the bus stand. Over 100 shops were to be constructed here which were to be rented out to raise funds for the maintenance of the bus stand.

So long as the BJP was in power the HRTC took keen interest in this project and spent over Rs 30 lakh, in addition to Rs 1 crore paid to land owners. The new Congress government headed by Mr Virbhadra Singh allegedly did not release funds for the project.

In the June,1998 elections the BJP was again voted to power. But the new government followed the same policy. Instead of taking up the original plan for the execution of this project, the government decided to construct only a few rooms and abandon the original blueprint.

Mr Krishan Kapoor, Transport Minister, says that adequate funds would be made available so that the bus stand could be completed soon.

CPM stages dharna
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 26 — Members of the CPM to staged a dharna to protest against failure of the government to control rising prices.

The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and took out a procession which culminated in a public meeting.

The party alleged that the Central Government instead of taking concrete steps to check price rise had taken certain wrong decisions which would further push up the price line.

It denounced the decision to delicense the sugar industry. It would affect both the availability and prices of sugar and ultimately hurt the common man. The decision was pro-mill owners and as they would not be under obligation to sell a portion of their produce to the government any more. Earlier, it was mandatory for them to sell 40 per cent of their produce to the government for supply through the public distribution system.

The undue haste shown by the government in pushing through the decision smacked of a deal with the mill owners.

It urged the government to link daily wages of workers with the prices and provide ration cards to them.

Sanskar Bharati to hold cultural show
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 26 — Sanskar Bharati, a non-government body, will organise a cultural show to provide a glimpse of the country's rich and varied fine arts, handicrafts and performing arts at Nagpur from October 10 to 12.

Mr Yoginder, organising secretary of Sanskar Bharati, said today in the three-day event entitled "Kala Sadhak Sangam" renowned artistes like music maestros Naushad Ali and Bal Murali Krishnan, film actor Nana Patekar would be the star attraction.

Veteran poet Pradeep would inaugurate the show.

The artistes would perform at seven places in the town which would be decorated with "rangoli" in the traditional style. Cultural troupes from various states would perform street plays and folk dances during the day. Classical singers would regale the audience throughout the night.

An exhibition of paintings depicting the freedom struggle would also be held. As many as 800 artistes would participate in the on-the-spot painting contest.

Mr Yoginder urged the government to form a comprehensive policy for the preservation of the country's rich cultural heritage. Sanskar Bharati, he said, had already set up a committee headed by Mr O.P. Sinha to prepare a draft policy in consultation with artistes and experts.

Warm reception for cycle expedition team
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 26 — A five-member cycle expedition returned here today after traversing through six mountain passes in 41 days.

The expedition was flagged off at Shimla on July 17. It was received at The Ridge by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr N.C. Joshi. Later, members of the expedition called on Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The Chief Minister congratulated the members of the expedition for their bravery and sanctioned Rs 10,000 to the team as grant.

The expedition comprised Mr Dev Kant Prakash, Mr Chander Shekhar, Mr Rajesh Jhingta, Mr Vikrant Singh Rana and Mr Arun Sharma.

This is the first cycle expedition to have reached Siachen after crossing Kunzum, Baralacha, Tanglang Pass, Rohtang Pass, Lachlangla and Khardungla Passes.

The Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Mr Ram Subhag Singh, the SP, Mr A.N. Sharma, and president of the Jogi Sports Club, Mr Chanden Jogi, were among those present to receive the team at The Ridge.

Shugden activists intercepted
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Aug 26 — In order to avert a major law and order problem here in McLeodganj, the district administration intercepted 132 Shugden activists at Jwalamukhi who were on their way to attend the convention of the United Cholsum Organisation uninvited.

According to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Anuradha Thakur, two buses and a few vans carrying the Shugden activists from Delhi, were intercepted by the police at a barrier near Jwalamukhi and Dehra last night. For the time being they have been lodged at the Jwalamukhi Bachat Bhavan till talks are being held with the officials of the Tibetan Government-in-exile to arrange out a settlement.

Four representatives of the Shugden activists came to the district headquarters here to hold talks with the officials. They are insisting upon having a meeting with the representatives of the Tibetan Government and the United Cholsum Organisation.

On the other hand, officials of the Tibetan Government-in-exile have warned the district administration that the Tibetan in McLeodganj were very agitated and infuriated at the attempts of the Shugden supporters to "gatecrash" into their convention. At least 500 Tibetans had assembled at the main chowk in McLeodganj last evening to express their resentment and take on the Shugden supporters.

Meanwhile, the authorities have deployed adequate police force in McLeodganj to avert any clash between the Shugden activists and supporters of the Dalai Lama. Apart from the United Cholsum Organisation meeting, the Tibetan Youth Congress convention is also being held at TCV School in McLeodganj.

Demonstration by SFI
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 26 — Members of the Students Federation of India today staged a demonstration on the Himachal Pradesh University campus in support of their demand for immediate holding of elections to the Students Central Association.

They also tried to gherao the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Their federation also opposed the decision of the university to reduce general seats in various courses and reserve some of the seats for wards of non-resident Indians.

The federation also demanded abolition of pre Ph.D. course and introduction of M.Phil. It also demanded the filling of vacant posts of lecturer. The other demands include allotment of hostel seats on the basis of merit and purchase of more books to make up for the 24,000 books stolen or lost from the library.