H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

HP not to close any block
SHIMLA, June 21 — The Himachal Government today reviewed its decision regarding reorganisation of development blocks and decided not to close down any of the existing blocks.

Panel on Biotech Dept
SHIMLA, June 21 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to set up a subcommittee consisting of Vice-Chancellors of Himachal Pradesh University, Agriculture University, experts in the field and heads of four departments namely agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and P and T to identify the activities of the Bio-Technology Department being set up by the state government.

MLA denies rape charge
HAMIRPUR, June 21 — Mr Babu Ram Mandyal, a BJP MLA who is also the Chairman of the Kangra Central Co-operative Bank Ltd, today denied charges of rape and intimidation levelled against him by two of his former maid servants.

HP BJP executive announced
SHIMLA, June 21 — Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, President of the Himachal BJP, announced the state executive of the party here today.

UGC warning on fake universities
SHIMLA, June 21 — The University Grants Commission (UGC) has cautioned students and the academic community against fake educational institutions which are claiming through advertisements that they are empowered to award degrees to those, enrolled with them.

HP not to close any block
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 21 — The Himachal Government today reviewed its decision regarding reorganisation of development blocks and decided not to close down any of the existing blocks.

Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, convened an emergency meeting of his Cabinet to reconsider the decision which had evoked protests from people and political leaders, particularly those belonging to the Congress.

Giving details, Mr Dhumal said as per the revised decision only three development blocks, instead of nine, would be created and there would be no sub-blocks. The new blocks would be set up at Santokhgarh, Bamsen and Sulah. The Rewalsar block, which was to be wound up, would now be shifted to Ner Chowk in Balh constituency.

Earlier, it was decided to close down 10 out of the 72 existing blocks and create nine new blocks and 11 sub-blocks. There would be thus, 75 development blocks in all in the state after reorganisation.

The objective, Mr Dhumal said, was to make the blocks co-terminus with assembly constituencies and ensure smooth implementation of development schemes. While doing so the government had ensured that no area was adversely affected due to closure of blocks and set up sub-blocks with the officer in charge vested with full powers of Block Development Officer.

However, this was not liked by certain leaders and they tried to politicise the issue which was in the larger interests of the people. The government instead of madlessly entering into a controversy reviewed the decision. Consequently, at least six assembly constituencies would be without a block. He said the decision on opening any new block would now be taken only on the recommendation of the panchayats.

Regarding the function being organised by partymen at Indora to honour and present a car to Mr Des Raj, the party legislator from Gangath who recently resigned form the chairmanship of the state Finance Commission, Mr Dhumal said it was good that a leader was being honoured. However, the partymen who were honouring Mr Des Raj had opposed the same gesture when Mr Suresh Chandel, a former party president, was presented a car two years ago. It was for them now to decide which of their action was correct.

When asked about the fate of the resignation submitted by Mr Des Raj, he said his one-year term as chairman of Finance Commission had already expired. For the time being Mr A.K. Goswami, Chief Secretary, would hold the post.

He refused to comment on the charges levelled by two maid servants against the party legislator, Mr B.R. Mandyal, and asserted that nothing could be said until the police investigations were completed into the case. Regarding the Congress demand for Mr Mandyal’s resignation, he said similar charges were levelled against a member of Mr Virbhadra Singh’s Cabinet and he did not resign. There could not be two yardsticks on such issues.

Panel on Biotech Dept
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 21 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to set up a subcommittee consisting of Vice-Chancellors of Himachal Pradesh University, Agriculture University, experts in the field and heads of four departments namely agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and P and T to identify the activities of the Bio-Technology Department being set up by the state government.

This was decided at a meeting of the task force on bio-technology which was presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, today.

In his address, the Chief Minister said the benefits of modern biotechnologies should percolate down to the farmers or the end-users. He said the endeavour would be to provide an inbuilt mechanism in the department so that the benefits reached the grassroots and farmers had access to information.

He said the state was endowed with a wide range of agriculture, horticulture, medicinal, aromatic and forest plants species. He said these natural biodiversity resources were being eroded indiscriminately, resulting in a threat to their existence. The Chief Minister said there was a dire need to conserve these endangered species.

He said rapid improvement of the animal wealth of the state, access to animal biotechnology like embryo transplant, production of genetically superior calves, invitro fertilisation etc. could play a great role in the near future. He said all institutions in the state were basically involved in conducting basic research on biotechnology and certain remarkable results had been achieved; yet these needed to be utilised and exploited on a large scale.

He urged the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, to provide liberal financial assistance to the state for strengthening research and development efforts in the field of biotechnology. This would greatly help in the diversification of farming system in an eco-friendly manner.

He said that merging biotechnology had strengthened the hands of the plant scientists in several ways. With the available tissue-culture techniques, it was now theoretically possible to produce millions of identical plants from a limited initial material, he added. He further said this technology had great scope in the fields of agriculture and horticulture.

The Chief Minister said it was important to develop new and improved varieties of crops, but it was more important to protect them from biopiracy and patenting by certain unscrupulous agencies.

Ms Manju Sharma, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, appreciated the Himachal Pradesh Government for setting up of biotechnology department in the state and assured all possible help to the state for intensifying his boitechnology activities.

She said an action plan of the department should be prepared so that thrust could be laid on each and every aspect.

The Vice-Chancellors of the state universities and other experts detailed the steps being taken by the universities for popularising biotechnology in the state.

MLA denies rape charge
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, June 21 — Mr Babu Ram Mandyal, a BJP MLA who is also the Chairman of the Kangra Central Co-operative Bank Ltd, today denied charges of rape and intimidation levelled against him by two of his former maid servants. He said the charges were baseless, false, contrary to facts and politically motivated.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Mandyal said the conspiracy against him was the creation of a ginger group of the BJP and the Congress leaders. He said those who were upset over the reorganisation of gram panchayats of the Nadaun area prepared a complaint which was registered against him by a woman of Nadaun. He said these persons feared that once the new panchayats were formed, they would be defeated in the elections next time.

Mr Mandyal said it was incomprehensible why the woman took so much time to lodge a complaint against him. He said it appeared that she was tutored by some frustrated elements within and outside the BJP.

The BJP legislator said the allegation of another woman was also wrong. He said she had served with him for eight years. She left him when she got another job. He said she was also telling a lie as Congress leaders had pampered her. He alleged that the manner in which a press conference by the second woman was held at the residence of a senior Congress leader of Hamirpur proved that she was instigated by the Congress leader to depose against him.

Mr Mandyal said he had full faith in the democratic set up of the country and would cooperate with all investigating agencies. He said he had committed no wrong and would emerge without blemish in the case.

HP BJP executive announced
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 21 — Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, President of the Himachal BJP, announced the state executive of the party here today.

The executive including the special invitees is as follows: Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Mr Maeshwar Singh and Mr Suresh Chandel, both MPs, Mr Nageen Chander Pal, former minister, Mr Kishori Lal Vaid, Industries Minister, Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda, Health Minister, Mr Roop Singh Thakur, Forest Minister, Mr Vidya Sagar, Agriculture Minister, Mr Mansa Ram, Food and Supply Minister, Mr Narendra Bragta, Horticulture Minister, Mr Mohan Lal, Ayurveda Minister, Dr Rajan Sushant, Revenue Minister, Mr Parveen Sharma Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Ravinder Ravi, Technical Education Minister, State Minister, Mr Chet Ram Negi, Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs Urmil Thakur, Parliamentary Secretary, Ms Shyama Sharma, Vice-Chairman, Planning, Mr Vipin Parmar, Chairman Khadi Board, Mr Rakesh Pathania, Vice-Chairman, Tourism, Mr K.D. Dharmani, Vice-Chairman, 20-Point Programme Committee, Mr Ram Chand Bhatia, Ex-MLA, Mr Kannhya Lal Thakur, Ex-MLA, Mr Khushi Ram Balnath, Vice-Chairman Transport, Mr Randhir Sharma, Vice-Chairman Small Savings, Mrs Hema Thakur, Jogindernagar, Mr Ram Pal Saini, Una, Mr Subhash Thakur, Bilaspur, and Mr Virender Sehgal, Parwanoo.

UGC warning on fake universities
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 21 — The University Grants Commission (UGC) has cautioned students and the academic community against fake educational institutions which are claiming through advertisements that they are empowered to award degrees to those, enrolled with them.

These institutions have found an easy way to hoodwink the students. They are projecting themselves as universities by simply suffixing the words like university, vishvavidyalaya or vidyapeeth with their names.

Under the University Grants Commission Act, universities can be established through an Act of the Centre or state legislatures and as such no other institution can use the word university in its name.

The commission has detected 18 such fake institutions located in various states. It has urged all universities in the country to beware of such institutions. It has warned people against dealing with such unrecognised institutions for pursuing academic studies.

It has also urged people to bring to its notice if they come across any institution issuing degrees unauthorisedly.

The fake universities identified by the commission include Maithili University, Darbanga, Bihar, Mahila Gram Vidyapeeth (women’s university) Prayag, Allahabad, Varanasey Sanskrit Vishvavidyala, Varanasi (UP) Commercial University Ltd, Daryaganj, Delhi, Indian Education Council of UP, Lucknow, Gandhi Hindi Vidyapeeth, Prayag, Allahabad, the National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University) Achaltal, Aligarh. D.D.B. Sanskrit University, Putur, Trichim Tamil Nadu, St John’s University, Kishanattam, Kerala, United Nations University, Delhi, Vocational University, Delhi. Uttar Pradesh Vishvavidyalya, Kosi Kalan, Mathura, Maharana Pratap Shiksha Niketan Vishvavidyalaya, Pratapgarh (UP). Raja Arabic University, Nagpur. Kesarwani Vidyapeeth, Jabalpur, Delhi Vishva Vidyapeeth, Model town, Delhi and Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak, Belgaum (Karnataka).

The list of these institutions has been circulated to various state governments, public service commissions and other agencies concerned with recruitments, besides various universities and education boards.

Development blocks’ closure flayed
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 21 — The BJP- HVC government has kicked up a controversy by reconstituting the development blocks and winding up 10 of these in Himachal Pradesh.

The controversial decision was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet here on Monday.

The decision to close 10 blocks has evoked criticism from residents of these areas and also the Opposition Congress.

The Congress has described the exercise as “politically motivated”.

A top Congress leader and MLA, Mr J.B.L. Khachi, has expressed strong resentment over the decision to wind up the development block at Basantpur. He told TNS that it was unwise to close one of the oldest blocks of the state. Residents of Basantpur have been put to much inconvenience by closing the block office.

Mr Vineet Gautam, Secretary of the PCC, said the government had created problems for the people by reorganising the blocks in a haphazard manner.

He pointed out that residents of far-flung villages in Chamba, Bilaspur and various other districts had been hit hard by the decision. They would have to travel long distances now to reach the block headquarters.

Mr Gautam alleged that the exercise was aimed at deriving political mileage in many areas.

It is being pointed out that residents of the Sujanpur area of Hamirpur shall now have to go to Bamsan where the headquarter of the development block has now been shifted. The new block has been created by merging 22 panchayats of Hamirpur, 13 panchayats of Bhoranj and 9 panchayats of Sujanpur.

On the other hand, BJP circles point out that reorganisation of the development blocks was done with the sole purpose of making these coterminous with the Assembly constituencies and no politics was involved in it. They point out that 9 new development blocks have been opened in the constituencies where these did not exist so far. Moreover, 11 subblocks have been created for the convenience of the people.

The Kot-Kehloor block has been created in Bilaspur district by merging 41 panchayats of the Sadar Bilaspur area.

The development block at Solan has been closed and the block headquarter has now been shifted to Kandaghat where all 23 panchayats of Solan have been merged.

A development block has been created at Doon in Solan district by merging 28 panchayats of Nalagarh and 15 panchayats of Dharampur.

The Santokhgarh block in Una district has been created by merging 24 panchayats of Una block and 11 of Gagret.

The Basantpur block in Shimla district has been closed by merging 22 panchayats with Kumarsein and four with Kasumpti. However, a subblock has been opened at Basantpur.

It is worth mentioning that the central pattern does not recognise the subblocks and the state government shall have to provide funds out of its own resources for them.

MOUs signed for 8 hydel projects
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 21 — The Himachal Pradesh Government today signed Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) with independent power producers for the execution of eight hydel projects with an aggregate generation capacity of 254 MW.

Different MOUs were signed for assigning the projects up to 25 MW capacity, which fell in the category of mini and micro hydel projects and those with a capacity higher than 25 MW. While the state electricity board will purchase power at the rate of 2.25 paise per unit from mini hydel projects, the power producers will be free to sell power outside the state in case of bigger projects.

Ms Asha Swaroop, Secretary, Power, signed the MOUs on behalf of the government with five private parties, including three foreign companies.

For the mini and micro hydel projects the power producers are required to review and submit detailed project reports to the government within six months of the signing of MOUs and these will be valid for 12 months from today. The state will get 12 per cent free power of the net generation and purchase the whole of the remaining power at Rs 2.25 per unit.

The signing of these MOUs is likely to provide further impetus to harnessing of hydro power in the state and take it a step ahead towards becoming the “power state” of the country.

Action against HAS officer recommended
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 21 — The Lokayukta has recommended disciplinary action against a Himachal Administrative Service (HAS) cadre officer, who has been found guilty of having crossed his jurisdiction by issuing bailable warrants against a person while he was functioning as a collector in a subdivision.

The Lokayukta made the recommendation today on the basis of a complaint that the officer bore ill will against a complainant regarding the partition of land.

During an inquiry it came out that the officer misused his position intentionally to cause undue harm to the complainant by having passed the illegal order.

The Lokayukta considering the seriousness of the allegations has recommended to the competent authority that disciplinary proceedings should be initiated against the officer and action taken against him in accordance with the law.

Unity of country in danger: Cong
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 21 — Mr Vijay Singh Mankotia, vice-president of HP Congress has accused the NDA government led by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee of having put the unity and integrity of the country to danger by allowing its constituent of the National Conference to debate the controversial autonomy report in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

Mr Mankotia today warned that the implementation of the report would lead to the disintegration of the country.

He said it was surprising that the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah was advocating a drastic change in the existing set up even though he was an ally of the Vajpayee government and his son a minister in the Union Cabinet.

Mr Mankotia said since Jammu and Kashmir was a sensitive state whose borders touched Himachal Pradesh, the matter was of grave concern to the people of Himachal because of the security factor and under no circumstances could it support this brain wave of Dr Abdullah.

He described it as a very dangerous trend which had resulted directly from the “irresponsible” statement of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr Karunanidhi who was a senior member of the NDA government regarding granting of special status to the LTTE and Tamils of Sri Lanka on the Czech pattern

4 killed as bus falls into gorge
From Our Correspondent

MANDI (HP), June 21 (UNI) — Four persons were killed and 15 others were injured, six of them seriously, when a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus, in which they were travelling, fell into a 100-metre deep gorge while negotiating a sharp curve at Rasaingaloo, near Sarkaghat, in the district today.

Two persons died on the spot while two others succumbed to their injuries on way to hospital. The condition of the two seriously injured persons is said to be serious. All the injured have been rushed to the Civil Hospital, Sarkaghat.

The deceased have been unidentified as Rup Lal (55) of Bag village, Banka Ram (40) of Bhatwan village, Roshan Lal (60) of Harlot village and Prakash Chand (40) of Chaleli village.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner who was camping at Sarkaghat supervised the relief and rescue operation.

An immediate ex-gratia relief of Rs 5,000 each was given to the next of kin of the deceased, according to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Prabodh Saxena.