• Income tax staff go on strike
• 5-year jail for raping girl
• 10 years' RI for rape

Govt stand on katha unit quota sought
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 10 — Mrs Asha Kumari and Mrs Viplove Thakur, both General Secretaries of the state Congress Committee, today urged the government to make public facts regarding the allotment of 25 per cent quota of khair wood to a Kala-Amb-based private katha factory by the Congress regime and not resort to a vilification campaign against Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, for action taken in the normal course.

Expressing concern over the reports appearing in the press regarding undue favours shown to the unit, the two leaders said the government must clarify its stand. They pointed out that till 1993, the Una-based katha unit was the sole mechanised unit in the state. It was allotted a quota of 25 per cent of khair wood in 1984 which was subsequently raised to 40 per cent in 1987 at a rate 10 per cent less than the average auction price realised by the state Forest Corporation. In 1991, the quota was increased to 50 per cent up to 2001.

The allotment was made at a rate which was 6 per cent less than the average auction price realised by the corporation. Further, a 12.5 per cent quota was allotted to katha bhattis and the balance 37.5 per cent sold in open auction. However, the export of khair wood was not permitted.

In 1993, when the state was under President's rule, the government opened the katha manufacturing sector by inviting new industries to be set up in the state. Many persons obtained licences for the same but after litigation. Only two new units were allowed to be set up by the high court.

The Sirmour-based unit made an application to the State Government in July, 1997, for allotment of khair wood quota. The matter was considered by the government at various levels and eventually it sanctioned quota of 25 per cent to it on November 24, 1997, on the analogy of the Una unit.

Though the Sirmour unit had got a smaller quota and on the same terms as the Una unit, an impression was being given that some undue favour had been shown to the former.

HP has taken up case of Gujjars: CM
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 10 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, today said that the government was committed to safeguarding the interests of the minority community in the state.

Presiding over a meeting to review the implementation of Prime Minister's 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities here today, he expressed satisfaction that there was complete harmony in the state.

He said that representation to the minorities had been given in various committees so that their interests were safeguarded. The state government had also taken up with the Centre the case of Gujjars of the areas which had been merged in Himachal Pradesh from Punjab as schedule tribes so that they could get the benefits being enjoyed by their fellow brethren in other parts of the state.

The meeting was informed that candidates of minority communities who fulfilled the eligibility conditions were being regularly appointed in various services.

Earlier, the Chief Minister presided over the meeting of officers in connection with the celebrations of the 125th year of Sri Aurobindo.

It was decided that a seminar on the teachings and philosophy of Aurobindo be organised at Himachal Pradesh University.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister yesterday released the soil research map of Himachal Pradesh prepared by the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) in collaboration with the state Agriculture Department.

He said the map would go a long way in ensuring sustainable and proper use of land and better management of the state's natural resources.

MES staff begin relay fast
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 10 — Members of the Military Engineering Services Clerical (cadre and group "D" Employees Association based at the Jutogh station near here started a relay fast in support of their demands here today.

The demands include revised pay scales for the clerical cadre, creation of posts of administrative officer and record-keeper in the garrison engineers office, re-instatement of Mr T D Pandey, a former general secretary of the association, and restriction on transfers up to the level of upper division clerk.

BJP not punishing hoarders: CPM
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 10 — The Shimla District Committee of the CPM organised a protest march here today to highlight the failure of the government to check the rising prices of essential commodities.

The procession ended in a rally where the speakers held the policies of the central government responsible for the unprecedented price rise. The government, they alleged, was not taking firm action against wholesale dealers who were indulging in hoarding. The BJP-led government lacked the political will to act against the trading community, which was the backbone of the party, they alleged.

10 years' RI for rape
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Nov 10 — Mr B.S. Chauhan, Sessions Judge, Chamba, today convicted and sentenced Om Parkash (24) a resident of Ohla village in Tissa, to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment for raping a pregnant woman on August 22, 1997.

He was also fined Rs 2000. According to the prosecution, the victim had gone to the fields when she was overpowered and raped by the accused.

The accused was arrested on August 26, 1997, from the court premises where he had gone to seek anticipatory bail.

Income tax staff go on strike
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Nov 10 — All work at the local offices of the Income-Tax Assistant Commissioner and Income-Tax Officer remained paralysed as gazetted and non-gazetted officers of the departments went on three-day strike.

The strike is in response to the call given by various unions of income-tax, Central Excise and Customs departments to protest against the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission, which has allegedly discriminated against these departments.

5-year jail for raping girl
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 10 — Mr Surjit Singh, District and Sessions Judge, today convicted Vijender Singh of Khabbal village in Chirgaon tehsil for raping a girl of the same village on August 20,1996.

The court also sentenced him to five years rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs 1000, in default of payment of fine further imprisonment for six months.

In another case the judge convicted Jagriti Devi of Rohru for murdering a woman. She was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 2000. The convict had killed the victim with a khukri on June 2, 1996.

The state was represented by Mr Jeewan Sharma, district attorney, in both the cases.