M A I N   N E W S

Hold panchayat poll by Mar 31: SC
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — The Supreme Court today directed the Haryana Government to complete panchayat elections in the state by March 31.

Allowing four special leave petitions preferred by the Haryana Government, a Bench of the apex court headed by the Chief Justice, Dr A.S. Anand, also asked the state government to hold elections to municipalities on or before April 7.

The Bench handed down this order after the state Advocate-General apprised it of the difficulties the government faced in holding these elections by February-end, as directed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in view the announcement of the Assembly elections by the Election Commission of India.

The Advocate-General told the court that the state government and the Election Commission of Haryana were willing to hold these elections soon after the conclusion of the Assembly poll.

Appreciating the difficulties of the state government, the apex court granted more time for holding elections to panchayati raj institutions.

The Bench also clarified that the state government or any officer of the government was at liberty to approach the High Court for expunging any strictures passed on the government or its officers. It was further clarified that the contempt proceedings initiated by the High Court would be decided keeping in view the apex court order. The High Court had issued contempt notice to former Advocate-General Mohan Jain, the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Verma, and the state Election Commissioner, Mr T.D. Jogpal, on December 3, 1999, for “withholding the legal provisions from the Bench.”

The Supreme Court has put at rest the controversy by the Congress in October last about elections to panchayati raj institutions. The gameplan of the Congress was to get these elections before the Assembly elections to gain political mileage. Panchayat elections usually divide people and create bitterness due to factionalism in villages.

A Congress delegation consisting of Mr Bhupindeer Singh Hooda, President of the party, Mr Bhajan Lal, former Chief Minister, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala a Congress spokesman, and Mr Harbhagwan Singh, former Advocate-General, who had represented the party both at the High Court and the apex court, had called on the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr M.S. Gill, for postponing the Assembly election till panchayat elections were held in the light of the High Court judgement.

Dr Gill had, however, declined to accept the request of the delegation on the ground that the Election Commission of India was not a party to the case before the High Court.

The controversy about the panchayat elections was kicked up when the former Advocate-General obtained an order from the High Court by withholding the legal provisions that these could be deferred till June, 2000.

A Division Bench of High Court comprising Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice A.S. Garg had recalled their order of September 30, issued contempt notice to certain persons and had directed the state government to hold these elections by February-end positively.

IMA cuts training period
By Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — The training period for gentlemen cadets at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, has been reduced by six months. This unprecedented step, sources say, has been done in an endeavour to fill the deficiency in the Army’s officer cadre.

Cadets in their final term at the IMA, who were earlier scheduled to pass out in June this year, will now receive their commission on May 13, while the batch scheduled to pass out in December this year will now pass out on June 24 — the latter six months ahead of schedule.

Cadets entering the IMA directly after obtaining their bachelors’ degree will undergo 12 months’ training instead of 18 months, while cadets who come through the Kharakvasla-based National Defence Academy will undergo a six-month training period instead of the earlier 12-month period.

This implies that the cadets’ stay at the IMA — referred to as the Cradle of Leadership — has been reduced by 50 per cent for NDA alumni and by 33 per cent for direct entry cadets.

There is no change, however, in the training period for technical graduates, who will continue to undergo a one-year training course.

A cut in the training period at the Chennai-based Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) is also being implemented. OTA conducts a nine-month training for cadets selected for short service commission in the Army.

An Army Headquarters spokesman, when contacted, confirmed that the training period at the IMA had been reduced, but added that no aspect of the training had been done away with.

‘’For example, if we had 40 training hours in a week, it will now be increased to, say, 50 hours per week. Though the overall training period has been condensed, there will not be much effect on the total number of training hours,’’ he said.

The Army has a reported shortfall of over 13,000 officers, with at least 6,000 in the junior rung. With the cut in the training period, the Army hopes to significantly make up the deficiency in about three years. ‘’With the change in policy, we are effectively adding one course per year,’’ the spokesman added.

Sources say that this step has been taken on an ‘’experimental basis for a few years’’. The effect and fallout of this policy change will be examined and further changes in this policy will be made thereafter.

This decision has produced a mixed response within defence circles. While a section believes that it will have an adverse effect on the quality of officers passing out, others welcome this step on the grounds that it is not likely to have any adverse impact on training while filling deficiencies at the same time.

‘’Quality will not be affected if they cut down on academics and other superfluous activities but carry out normal outdoor activities. Also greater emphasis can be laid on the development of officers when joining a regiment as well as at the Young Officers Course,’’ commented Lt-Gen G.S. Kler, former Director-General, Military Training.

On the other hand, several serving officers felt that though the reduction in the training period may be alright for NDA alumni who have already spent three years in a military academy, but may leave the grooming of direct entry cadets wanting in certain respects. ‘’There is a lot more to becoming an officer than just learning battlecraft,’’ a Colonel remarked.

Fresh snow cuts off valley
From Tribune reporters and UNI

CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — Widespread snowfall and rains disrupted normal life and revived cold wave conditions in most of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours, reports here said.

The 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link to Kashmir Valley and the 320 km-long Hindustan Tibet highway were blocked by heavy snowfall and landslips, reports said.

The forward areas in northern-most Ladakh district reported spells of snowfall since yesterday.

Srinagar received snowfall equivalent 6.8 mm of rainfall till 8.30 this morning as the minimum dipped to minus 0.7°C. This was, however, three degrees above normal. Banihal, Jawahar Tunnel area and Qazigund, along the Jammu-Srinagar highway, too, reported heavy snowfall.The Border Road Organisation (BRO) pressed its men and machines to clear hundreds of stranded vehicles at various points. All incoming and outgoing flights scheduled for day from Srinagar were cancelled.

Jammu, winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir reported 35.4 mm of rainfall, while the minimum this morning hovered around 11° C, two degrees above normal.

Weathermen here warned of heavy snowfall and rains at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh under the influence of westerly disturbances moving along North Pakistan adjoining Jammu and Kashmir areas over the next 48 hours.

The persisting upper air system induced low pressure area over Central Pakistan and West Rajasthan with upper air cyclonic circulation over North-West Rajasthan, extending up to 3.1 km above sea level was likely to cause light to moderate rains at a few places in Haryana and Punjab and moderate to rather heavy rain or snow at many a place in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh during the next two days.

Most of the Kashmir valley and higher reaches of Jammu region, including Patnitop and tribal belt in adjoining Himachal Pradesh wore a white mantle of snow. The entire Peer Panjal range of mountains in Kashmir, too, received widespread snowfall.

World famous skiing and tourists resorts of Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, Yusmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, Deksum Aharbal, the holy cave shrine of Amarnath and the Lidder valley reported heavy snowfall. Similar reports have been received from Deksum, Harabal, Charar-e-Sharif, Tangmarg, Baramula and Kupwara.

Shimla, state capital of Himachal Pradesh and and its adjoining areas were lashed by fourth spell of snowfall today that hit the normal life. The minimum temperature in and around Shimla today slumped to 2.9° C, one degree above normal and against 5.7° C yesterday.

Upper areas of Shimla district and higher reaches in Himachal Pradesh experienced moderate to heavy snowfall. In tribal belts, people groaned under sub-zero temperature.

Snowfall blocked the 320-km Hindustan-Tibet road at Kufri and Narkanda in Shimla district. Movement of vehicular traffic in the interiors of Shimla district was also affected. However, Shimla-Kalka and Shimla-Mandi roads were through for traffic.

Reports received here today said that about six inches snow had accumulated at Khada Pathar and tourist places of Kufri and Narkanda. Jakhu, the highest peak in Shimla town, had about four inches snow.

High-altitude areas in tribal districts of Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur and Pangi Valley in Chamba district had intermittent snowfall since last night.

The 13050-foot Rohtang Pass, gateway to Lahaul Spiti district, and the majestic Dhauladhar mountain ranges, facing the Kangra valley, experienced moderate to heavy snowfall.

Sundarnagar, Una, Kasol, Nagrota Surian, Sujanpur Tira, Nadaun were among stations in Himachal Pradesh reporting 2 to 14 mm of rainfall till 8.30 this morning.

The people in Chandigarh and adjoining areas of Punjab and Haryana heaved a sigh of relief from high velocity dust raising winds, unprecedented at this time of the year, following intermittent rains since the wee hours today.

The day temperature in and around the city dipped to 19° C, about two degrees below normal, following about 2 mm of rainfall till this evening.

Ambala, Hisar, Rohtak, Gurgaon (Haryana), Amrtisar, Ludhiana Patiala (Punjab), Delhi and national capital region reported five to seven degree above normal temperatures in the minimums today.

KANGRA: The Kangra valley on Tuesday shivered with cold following night-long rains in the valley and heavy snowfall since Monday evening on the Dhauladhar mountain range overlooking the valley.

The valley remained in a grip of cold forcing people to stay indoors. This was the third heavy snowfall on the Dhauladhar mountain range of this season. This rains were accompanied by high velocity winds damaging some roofs of the houses. No loss of life was reported from any part of the valley.

Reports of rains were received from Palampur, Dharamsala, Nurpur, Jawalaji, Shahpur, Nagrota Bagwan and Mallan. Kangra town also witnessed heavy rains.

MANALI: The entire Manali region received the third snowfall of the season. The lower areas had rain.

The snowfall started on Tuesday morning. Icy winds which lashed the region throughout the day further intensified the cold wave. The severe cold forced the local residents to remain indoor.

The ski slopes of the Solang valley also recorded about one feet snowfall. The snow on the Solang ski slopes brought cheers and smiles on the faces of ski lovers who have come from different part of the country to participate in the national winter games.

HAMIRPUR: Widespread rains in various parts of the district since Monday night paralysed normal life on Tuesday as a result temperature fell sharply. Icy cool waves lashed the region compelling the people to remain indoors.

Power and water supply and telecom services were also hit in rural areas of the district as per reports received from there.

Farmers have welcomed the rains claiming to be beneficial for the growth of Rabi crops.