Nathpa-Jhakri staff stir 'politically motivated'
SHIMLA, March 14 — Mrs Kanta Sood, President of the state INTUC, alleged today that the strike by a section of workers in the Nathpa-Jhakri project was politically motivated and part of a conspiracy to break the recognised workers union affiliated to her organisation.

Sat Mahajan makes dist-level changes
SHIMLA, March 14 — In a major exercise to gear up the party Mr Sat Mahajan, President of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, has made important changes in the organisational setup of four district and seven block-level units of the party.

• Arrest of volunteer teachers flayed
• Tibetans take out peaceful march
• Women stage dharna
• Poetry seminar ends
• HVC clarification

Nathpa-Jhakri staff stir 'politically motivated'
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 14 — Mrs Kanta Sood, President of the state INTUC, alleged today that the strike by a section of workers in the Nathpa-Jhakri project was politically motivated and part of a conspiracy to break the recognised workers union affiliated to her organisation.

Addressing newspersons here today, she said CITU had no locus standi as it had no registered or recognised union and it had misused the name of the Nathpa-Jhakri Joint Venture Workers Union, which was affiliated to INTUC, to give a strike call. The strike was unjustified and illegal as no mandatory notice was given to the management.

She said there was no merit in the demands like grant of enhanced wages with effect from January 1,1994, and pension to workers as the government had increased the daily wage in the private sector only from March 1,1996. There was no provision for giving pension to daily-wage workers in the private sector.

She said CITU leaders had raised their demands to mislead the workers and they had also promised to get Rs 5 lakh for each retrenched worker whereas workers were not entitled to even one fifth of the amount under the law. The 91 workers who were retrenched some time ago had already been given all their dues.

Mrs Sood said since 70 per cent of the work had been completed retrenchment was inevitable but her union had ensured that the workers got all benefits to which they were legally entitled.

She said most of the workers had returned to work after the police provided protection to them two days ago. Work on surge shift and Rattanpur tunnel had been resumed. Had the government intervened in time the strike would have been over much earlier. However, the government by not taking prompt action allowed a handful of workers to hold the entire workforce to ransom.

Mrs Sood said CITU activities were against the interest of workers. CITU was disturbing industrial peace in the state to achieve its narrow political ends. The fact that an attempt had been made to involve local farmers in the stir clearly indicated that it was not a trade union strike to highlight worker's demands but to find a political footing in the area.

She said INTUC would urge the government to notify the enhanced daily wage in the private sector from January 1,1999, at the earliest.

The Shimla district committee of the CPM condemned the "authoritarian and terror" tactics adopted by the administration against agitating workers of the Nathpa-Jhakri power project at Jhakri. It alleged that the administration had become a stooge of companies executing the power projects at Jhakri. Last evening, a few officials along with the police entered the tents of workers and beat them mercilessly. The management, instead of holding talks with the union, had closed the mess of workers. Efforts were being made to recruit new workers in place of agitating workers. It demanded the transfer of all erring officers.

HP Govt scraps obsolete law
From Our Correspondent

JWALAMUKHI, March 14 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided on a special revision to delete the record of rights implicit in the revenue entry of "khudro darkhtan" in revenue records under which trees on farmers land were deemed to be the property of the government.

This was stated by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal at a kisan rally at Ramleela ground, Dehra, 10 km from here.

The Chief Minister also said that the existing rules regarding felling of standing trees would not change. But change of outdated revenue laws like Tah Jamin Malikan, Khudro Darkhatan, Malikan Sarkar enacted in 1850 by the then British Government was imperative as these had become irrelevant.

He said his government was committed to providing rural and farmer oriented programmes. In this connection, gram panchayats had been given more powers.

He also said that the Union Government had decided in principle to promote Himachal Pradesh as a tourist destination and the state would be put on the international air map to attract international tourism. The Centre is going to celebrate next year as "Explore India" year and the Himachal Government has selected Bankhandi village near Jwalamukhi for an international airport.

Launching a frontal attack on the Congress for raising the issue of regionalism, Mr Dhumal, said it was shedding crocodile tears .

He said that regionalism was not relevant in the present day political scenario as there has been equal development in the upper and lower areas of the state with the BJP at the helm. Mr Ramesh Dhawala, IPH Minister and Revenue Minister Rajan Sushant also spoke on the occasion.

Sat Mahajan makes dist-level changes
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 14 — In a major exercise to gear up the party Mr Sat Mahajan, President of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, has made important changes in the organisational setup of four district and seven block-level units of the party.

While Mr Vineet Gautam, Political Secretary, has been appointed as secretary of the PCC, Mr Shan Mohammed has been made member of the general house of the state committee.

The maximum changes have been made in Shimla district. While Mr Joginder Chauhan and Mr Laik Ram Sharma have been appointed general secretaries, Mr Shyam Singh Mehta and Mr Jai Prakash have been made vice-presidents. Mr Prithvi Singh Sen will be the new secretary of the Shimla District Congress Committee (Rural unit).

In the Shimla District Congress Committee (Urban) unit. Mr Arun Sharma, Mr Jai Ram and Mr Ashwini Kumar have been inducted as vice-presidents; Mr Jagmohan, Mr Adarsh Bashisth and Mr Pradeep as general secretaries and Mr Mohammed Iqbal, Mr Sanjay Kuthiala, Mr Sanjay Parmar and Mr Sanjeev Goswami as secretaries.

The other new appointment are:

KANGARA DISTRICT: Vice-President Mr Sanjeev Bakshi and Mr Lokender Thakur; general secretary: Mr Suresh Kumar Bijju and Mr Ramesh Chand Khosla; and secretaries: Mr Deep Chand Bakshi, Mr Manoj Kumar and Mr Pradeep Kumar.

CHAMBA DISTRICT: General secretaries: Mr Madan Rawat; secretary: Mr Dev Dutt Sharma.

UNA DISTRICT: General secretaries: Mr Balwant Singh, Mr Prem Prabhakar and Mr Ram Dev Kalia.

In addition, the following appointments have been made in the block Congress committees:-

Presidents: Capt Uttam Singh (Bhattiyat), Mr Surender Choudhury (Kangra), Mr Khushal Verma (Thural), Mr Roshan Lal (Paonta Sahib), Mr Ram Prakash Chauhan (Kotkhai), Mr Krishan Chand (Theog) and Mr Bhupinder Singh (Chopal). The new presidents have been authorised to appoint two general secretaries in their respective blocks.

Vice-presidents: Mr Jeet Singh Dosaik (Chopal), Mr Laik Ram (Jubbal — Kotkhai) and Mr Rajinder Verma (Theog)

Select projects on merit: engineers
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 14 — The HP Diploma Engineers Association has demanded that there should be no politics in the selection of hydroelectric projects for investigation and execution.

In a statement here yesterday, Mr R.L. Justa, general secretary of the HP Diploma Engineers Association, said that technical merit should be the criteria for selecting the projects.

He said there was disappointment due to the non-economical selection of projects for execution by the state government. The 126 MW Larji Hydro Electric Project which has been selected for execution and the 100 MW Uhl Stage III in Mandi district, which was also contemplated for execution, were among the most expensive projects and their cost would be around 50 per cent higher than other projects which could give similar output.

The Larji Hydro Electric Project involved heaviest discharge of 250 cusecs requiring large expensive tunnels and desilting arrangements for utilising smallest fall of 60 metre. The project would cost over Rs 1,000 crore and the cost of energy to consumers would be more than Rs 5 per unit.

The Uhl Stage III involved a very long tunnel of 11 km passing through fragile mountainous terrain requiring number of expensive civil works. This project would also cost around Rs 1,000 crore and the energy cost would be around Rs 4 per unit. Because of this reason, Ballarpur Industries Ltd. eventually did not execute the project.

The 12 MW Khauli Hydel Project in Kangra district costing about Rs 90 crore which had also been recently selected for execution, was no better and compares unfavourably with 22.5 MW Ghanvi Hydro Electric Project being executed in Shimla district at an estimated cost of Rs 95 crore.

The average cost of Larji, Uhl Stage III and Khauli Hydro Electric Projects would be between Rs 8 and Rs 10 crore per MW, whereas, economical projects like Kashang (70 MW) and Sorang (80 MW) located in Kinnaur district with an average cost of Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore per MW were available for execution in the state.

The association has demanded that the project investigation and execution should not be on the basis of political consideration only, but on the basis of technical merit as in the case of 120 MW Bhaba Hydel Project in Kinnaur district, which was quite economical.

Mr Justa said at present the state government was handing over most of the hydel projects to central public sector undertakings or private investors, whereas, past experience showed that these organisations had not employed sufficient Himachalis on their projects. Low cost projects like Allain-Duhangan (192 MW) in Kulu district and Karcham-Wangtoo (1,000 MW) in Kinnaur district had been given to private investors, whereas these projects were very attractive, as the cost of energy from these projects would be around Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 per unit. The association has demanded that some of the economical hydel projects, should be kept in reserve for the future generations, keeping in view the long-term interests of the state.

He urged Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, and Mr A.K. Goswami, Chief Secretary-cum-Secretary Power and Chairman, HPSEB, to complete immediately investigation and start the execution of most economical projects like 70 MW Kashang and 80 MW Sorang in Kinnaur district both costing about Rs 350 crore each.

Thousands throng Baba Balak Nath temple
From Our Correspondent

DEOTSIDH (Hamirpur), March 14 — The three-month-long mela of the Baba Balak Nath started here today with traditional gaiety. Thousands of Baba devotees from various parts of the state, Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana thronged the temple complex on the start of the fair.

Baba Balak Nath is the incarnation of Lord Kartikay and is known as Brahmachari. His cave here is nestled in Dholgiri hills.

As the pujaris offered 'rots' after performing puja and unfurling the flag of Baba Balak Nath, the slogans of 'Jai Baba Balak Nath' rent the air. The function was also attended by senior officers of the district administration who are on temple duty.

The Baba Balak Nath temple was taken over by a government owned trust in 1987. At that time in income was just Rs 48 lakh. The income by the end of 1998 was about Rs 3 crore.

Devotees reach the temple either from Shah Talai side or from Salauni side. They come in groups and offer 'rots' (Loaves of wheat atta). These 'rots' are made of desi ghee or the vegetable oil. Nobody is sure why 'rots' are offered here.

The devotees climb hundreds of steps before reaching the temple gate where one way entry system has been introduced by the temple trust. After visiting the cave of Baba Balak Nath and offering their obeisance, the devotees partake of the free langer.

A separate platform has been erected by the trust management for women to have darshan of Baba Balak Nath's cave. Women are not allowed to visit the cave as per old traditions. as Baba Balak Nath was a bachelor.

The temple trust has constructed a number of serais for devotees. A nominal rent is charged from them.

Mr Gopal Sharma, chairman of the temple trust said adequate security arrangements had been made to maintain law and order during the mela period. He is hoped the number of devotees this time would be more as more facilities had been provided by the trust.

Larji project: better late than never
From Kishori Lal

MANDI: The Beas basin in Himachal Pradesh has an identified power potential of 4300 MW. Of this, only 1550 MW has so far been exploited. The remaining — 2750 MW — is yet to be harnessed.

The Larji hydroelectric project envisages harnessing 126 MW of power. This is the biggest of all the projects executed by the HPSEB so far.

What is unique about the Larji project is that much of the infrastructure needed for the venture already exists there. Situated on National Highway No 21, barely 20 km from Bhunter airport, it is easily accessible by road and air. Another advantage is that all project components are located on the national highway.

The Larji project, whose foundation stone was laid by former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar in April 1991, had been set a deadline of six years. The work had started on a war-footing. New divisions and sub-divisions had been opened to expedite execution. HPSEB engineers, who had successfully completed the Bhawa project, were on the job determined to achieve another milestone.

However, with the fall of the Shanta Kumar Government this project received a setback. Its work slowed down and funds were diverted to a small project, Ghanwi (22 MW). The entire infrastructure and divisions were shifted there.

In July, 1995, work on Larji project was finally closed on the pretension that it would be executed by the private sector. By that time a sum of about Rs 50 crore had already been spent.

There was a wave of resentment against the government. Strikes were observed and traffic jammed. A delegation of MPs comprising Mr Krishan Lal Sharma, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Mr Maheshwar Singh and Maj D.D. Khanuria met the Governor and alleged that the project had been stalled on narrow regional consideration and the interests of the state were being given the go-by. The government ignored the public protests.

Later on mounting pressure from the Congress leaders of Kulu and Mandi, who apprehended public wrath, work on the Larji project was resumed when elections were round the corner.

However, the new BJP-HVC government gave top priority to the Larji project and the work has been restarted on a war-footing. However, the delay has led to its cost escalating from Rs 335 crore (1989) to about Rs 800 crore now. The project authorities have to complete the project by 2002.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, says the project will not be allowed to linger on any more and adds that adequate funds would be provided. He has already announced a package of incentives including special bonus would be given for the early execution of power projects.

The tunnelling and many other works have been awarded to reputed companies. A visit to the project area revealed that the entire project site was humming with activity.

The Larji project envisages construction of 26.50 metre-high concrete diversion barrage above the river level about 600 metres dowstream of the confluence of the Tirthan and the Sainj, tributaries of the Beas. A concrete-lined tunnel having a 8.5 metre diameter will open into the surge shaft linked with three pressure shafts each of 4.5 metre diameter. These will feed the turbines.

An underground power-house will be built 200 metres upstream of the confluence of Duada nullah and the Beas. A cavern will be constructed for housing auxiliaries, a control room and generating units. Three generators of 42 MW each will be installed.

A 72.5 metre spillway will have five bays to be controlled by five radial gates (11 x 12 metres) — good enough for the discharge of 8100 cusecs of flood water with an intake provision of 312.5 cusecs. Four underground chambers have been designed for desilting on its right bank.

The power generated would be transmitted through double circuit 132 kv transmission lines to Hamirpur (115 km) and Gagal (65 km). A single circuit 132 kv line on double circuit towers will be taken from Gaggal to Kunihar (15 km). The national and regional grid points are located at Hamirpur and Gaggal.

The Larji project will go a long way in easing the power crisis in the northern states, besides ushering in an era of prosperity by generating jobs in Himachal Pradesh and yielding a net annual income of Rs 100 crore. The project does not entail environmental hazards nor displacement of any population.

Gaggal airport upgradation soon, says Dhumal
From Our Correspondent

KANGRA, March 14 — Gaggal airport near here is likely to come up as an international airport. It will help the Himachal Pradesh become a direct destination for international tourists and boost the tourism of the state.

This was stated by the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, while addressing a press conference at the local rest house last evening. The Chief Minister said a committee would be constituted within a month to assess as to how much further expansion was possible on Shimla, Bhunter and Gaggal airports. He said it required at least 7,000 feet air strip for international flights and such expansion was possible only at the Gaggal airport.

The Chief Minister asked Mr B.K. Agrawal, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, who was also present at the press conference to see the availability of the land for the expansion of this airport. He said the expansions of Shimla and Bhunter airports from present 3,800 feet air strip was not possible to be developed up to the international standards.

He said a five star hotel would also come up near the airport to provide better facilities to tourists.

He said the Centre was helping the state in the sphere of tourism by providing new facilities to tourists here. He said under the programme Delhi-Shimla-Bhunter flights of Indian Airlines started from Friday. He said Mr Anant Kumar, Civil Aviation Minister, had assured him that the present Indian Airlines flights which operated thrice a week would become a daily affair when the need arises. He said the minister had agreed to start the Indian Airlines flights from Gaggal airport shortly.

He said a superfast holiday train between Kalka and Mumbai will now operate from April 11 for four days in a week instead of two days. It will give a boost to the tourism in HP. He said Rs 2 crore had been provided for developing broad gauge line between Kalka and Parwanoo.

Move to set up power regulatory
authority opposed
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 14 — The Himachal Employees Confederation has opposed the government's move to set up an electricity regulatory authority in the state.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Subash Sharma and Mr O.P. Sharma, president and general secretary, respectively, of the confederation, said the state power board was one of the few profit-making public sector units and the setting up of an authority would undermine its position. They urged the government to give up the proposal which would affect the morale of employees of the power board.

The two leaders hailed the government's move to construct 18 residential houses in every block every year for employees and urged it to give preference to the tribal areas in implementing the plan. They also underlined the need for providing transit accommodation in the tribal areas.

While underlining the need for framing unambiguous transfer rules, they asserted there had been no vindictive transfers by the Dhumal Government. About 20,000 of the 30,000 transfers had been made to rehabilitate those victimised by the Virbhadra Singh Government.

They claimed that with the repeated splits in the State Non-Gazetted Services Federation, only the confederation had emerged as a true representative of the employees. The Dhumal Government had accepted 10 of the 22 demands and given benefits to the tune of Rs 345 crore to employees.

They urged the government accept the remaining demands like ration money to policemen, allowances on the Punjab pattern and uniformity in the pension rules of boards and corporations.

Cong meetings to check dissensions
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, March 14 — The Congress has decided to step up its activities in Hamirpur, the home district of the Chief Minister and senior BJP leader, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal. It has decided to organise block-level meetings at Nadaun, Hamirpur, Lambloo and Bhoranj on March 18 and 19, respectively. The Nadaunta unit of the party has yet not decided to organise the meeting due to its reported differences with the Congress leadership led by Mr Sat Mahajan.

The decision has been taken to boost the sagging morale of the party workers who are still in a state of shock and the defeat of the party in last assembly elections in the district. The BJP had won all five assembly seats.
The meetings at the block-level are likely to be addressed by Mr Sat Mahajan and Mr Kaul Singh, president and general secretary, respectively of the state unit of the party. Mr Singh had visited the district recently and attended a district-level meeting of the party where dissensions appeared in its rank and file over the nomination of a young Dalit leader, Mr Suresh Kumar as the new president of the district unit of the party. He, however, rebuffed those who opposed the decision of Mrs Sonia Gandhi for nominating Mr Suresh Kumar to the post.

However, another group of the party men consisting of former Education Minister, Prof Narain Chand Prasher, former HP Youth Congress Chief Mr Kuldip Singh Pathania and former MLA Mr Manjeet Singh Dogra have extended their support to Mr Suresh Kumar.

Arrest of volunteer teachers flayed
From Our Correspondent

PALAMPUR, March 14 — The Himachal Pradesh Trained Teachers Association has condemned the arrest of striking volunteer teachers at Shimla while they were on a fast outside the office of the Director, Education.

In a press statement issued here today, Mr P.R. Verma, senior vice-president of the association, said an emergency meeting of the Trained Volunteer Teachers Association had been convened here to chalk out the further line of action. He warned the Prem Kumar Dhumal Government, particularly the MLAs of Kangra district, to desist from such practices failing which they would be gheroed in their respective constituencies by trained volunteer teachers. The volunteer teachers would continue their agitation till their demand for regularisation of their services was conceded.

He criticised the appointment of mere matriculates as "vidya upasaks" in the state even though over 40,000 trained teachers in different subjects were unemployed in the state. The government should give them preference as "vidya upasaks". The H P Trained Teachers Association would oppose this move of the government and would resort to direct action if the government failed to withdraw its orders.

Tibetans take out peaceful march
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, March 14 — Scores of Tibetans joined by 20 foreigners from 13 countries held a peaceful march through the town's main bazaars here yesterday and presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police for forwarding it to the Chief Minister and the Governor. Addressing a rally at Kumari Champa Park here, Mr Dava Tsering, Tibetan welfare officer, and other leaders said they had organised this 500-km journey from Dharamsala to Shimla and back for winning the support of Indians for their cause of "free Tibet".

They said Indians could persuade their government to take up the cause in the international fora or directly take up the matter of "free Tibet" with China.
Later, addressing mediapersons, Mr Tsering said the settlement of the Tibetan issue was in favour of both India and China as both countries were spending about 60 crores every day on their borders.

HVC clarification
From Our Correspondent

UNA, March 14 — Mr O.P. Rattan, HVC state spokesperson and state general secretary in a press note issued here today said that statement issued by Ms Veena Sharma state women wing of the HVC, regarding a change in the BJP leadership by replacing Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister with Mr Shanta Kumar former Chief Minister, was uncalled, and without authority.

Mr Rattan said the policy, statement could be issued only by Mr Sukh Ram, HVC Chief, Mr Vijay Kumar Joshi, state acting president, state official spokesman and state general secretaries.

Mr Rattan said the HVC was happy with the working of the BJP-HVC government under Mr Dhumal.

The support of the HVP to the BJP would continue without any condition.

Poetry seminar ends
From Our Correspondent

UNA, March 14 — A two-day state-level conference of Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad on the condition and dissection of poetry after independence concluded at Una today.

Dr Daya Krishan Vargees, Action National President of the Parishad declared the conference open and said that a lot of change had taken place in literature and poetry after independence.

He said it was the responsibility of poets and authors to ensure that literature provided a healthy outlet for the present generation.

Women stage dharna
From Our Correspondent

PALAMPUR, March 14 — Over 100 women staged a dharna outside the local police station in protest against the ghastly murder of a youth of Bundla village yesterday.

It is stated that a youth of Bundla village who had gone to attend a marriage ceremony was beaten to death with stones by another youth and his body was thrown into the forests.

Mr SR Rana, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the main culprit involved in the murder had been arrested. He claimed the situation in the village was under control.