 |
Sunday,
May 27, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
|
Sorry, PM is taking rest
Himachal BJP refutes charge Declare Hola Mohalla state festival:
SAD Probe ordered into ‘fake’ resignation
episode
21 cr sanctioned under Nabard scheme |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
S.K. Chaudhary suspended Insurance firm told to pay
compensation No forest fires in HP
reported Chief Justice’s welcome party
missing Restoring Nahan’s
glory Conference of teachers
opens Cataract-free HP by March: Dhumal RTOs to register contract vehicle Radiology body’s conference
Lost glory of Kasauli Club restored Constable rescues kids
from marsh Decision to cancel poll
flayed
HP to sell power to Gujarat Man held on charge of poisoning daughter Himachal academy awards announced
|
|
Sorry, PM is taking rest Shimla, May 26 Reports here said that many deputations and individuals went to Preni in the hope of being given an opportunity to meet Mr Vajpayee, but they were told that the Prime Minister had come to take rest. Ever since his arrival in Manali on Thursday, only Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, a Punjab Minister has been allowed to meet Mr Vajpayee yesterday. There were indications that he might meet some delegations on Monday. People were making a beeline for Mr Vajpayee’s residence from the day he reached Manali. He is scheduled to visit the world famed Roerich Art Gallery at Naggar on the left bank of the Beas tomorrow and see the works of the famous Russian artist. He will have lunch at Naggar Castle Hotel of the HPTDC. The Prime Minister will have dinner with ministers, legislators and BJP office-bearers at the mountaineering institute on May 28. The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, will also be present there. Prior to the dinner, the BJP Legislature Party will meet in Manali and chalk out the issues pertaining to Himachal Pradesh which they will discuss with Mr Vajpayee in the nearly-three-hour dinner meeting. The BJP legislators and office-bearers had earlier sought a meeting with Mr Vajpayee and he invited them for the dinner. It is learnt that some cultural programme might be organised for the Prime Minister. Mr Dhumal will fly straight to Manali tomorrow from Una to meet Mr Vajpayee and appraise him of the problems being faced by the state on the financial and drought fronts. Mr Dhumal told the TNS here today that there was no proposal of the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana meeting Mr Vajpayee along with him to sort out the outstanding issues related to the share of Himachal Pradesh from the BBMB projects and payment of arrears to the tune of about Rs 3000 crore to the state. A delegation of local people of Kulu and Manali is likely to be allowed to meet the Prime Minister for seeking immediate development of the Kulu airport to enable bigger aircraft to land there so that tourism was further promoted in the valley. |
|
Himachal BJP refutes charge Shimla, May 26 Mr Ganesh Dutt, party spokesman, said there was no truth in the allegation that the government had not given any funds to the corporation and was carrying out development works with its own resources. Giving figures, he said during the past three years the corporation received Rs 12.67 crore as grant in lieu of octroi and Rs 13.43 crore for water supply. Besides, it was also given Rs 1.28 crore for committed liabilities and Rs 75 lakh for the construction of a modern slaughter house. In addition, under the NORAD project it got Rs 5 crore, while Rs 2.21 crore was given through the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla. These figures clearly indicated that the government had been more generous to the corporation in providing funds. He also refuted the charge that the corporation was not given funds for the repair of roads dug for laying sewerage lines and said that Rs 1.28 crore was given to it for the purpose. The Mayor should deveote time to repair work rather than making false allegations. |
|
|
Declare Hola Mohalla state festival:
SAD Paonta Sahib, May 26 According to a statement issued here today, the dal has demanded that the state government fulfill its promise to allocate land for setting up a school in Shimla to mark the tercentenary of the birth of Khalsa, which would pave the way for the Punjab government to release a grant of Rs 25 lakh to the state education board. The dal has also demanded that Punjabi language teachers be appointed for class six. While proposing that the lone seat representing for Himachali Sikhs in the SGPC be increased to five seats, the dal had also suggested that Hola Mohalla be declared a state festival. The dal has further suggested that more programmes in Punjabi language be broadcast by the Shimla station of AIR. Representation for Himachali Sikhs in service selection boards as well as in district complaint centers and non-government organisations, has also been sought. Another proposal put forward is allowing all Indian citizens to purchase residential land in Himachal Pradesh. The dal has also condemned the stoning of kar sevaks by anti-social elements at Paonta Sahib and sought immediate action. The dal has also demanded that liquor shops near the Nahan gurdwara be removed and land belonging to an adjoining club be transferred to the gurdwara at government rates. |
|
|
Probe ordered into ‘fake’ resignation
episode Shimla, May 26 The Speaker, who personally heard Mr Rattan Singh here today, has decided not to take the “fake” resignation into consideration. In his deposition, Mr Rattan Singh said he had not sent any resignation, and termed it as a conspiracy by his political opponents. He demanded that the matter should be referred to the police for investigation. The secretary of the Vidhan Sabha, Mr Ajai Bhandari, said a letter dated May 19, purported to have been written by Mr Rattan Singh, who represents the Paonta-Doon constituency in the Assembly, addressed to the Speaker, submitting his resignation from the membership of the Vidhan Sabha with the request for immediate acceptance, was received on May 21. On receiving the letter at Port Louis (Mauritius), the Speaker directed his office to get in touch with Mr Rattan Singh so as to verify the contents of the letter. Consequently, Mr Rattan Singh denied on May 23 in writing that he had not sent any such resignation letter. On his return here from the foreign tour, Thakur Gulab Singh summoned Mr Rattan Singh to his office and heard him in person. Meanwhile, the “fake” resignation letter has generated heat in both factions of the Congress. Persons close to Mr Rattan Singh said they would go to Delhi and apprise the AICC President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and other top functionaries of the dirty tricks, which the rivals were playing. They said one senior functionary of the PCC misbehaved with Mr Rattan Singh and refused to listen to him on telephone when he rang her up to talk on the resignation issue yesterday. It is being said groupism among Congress leaders in Sirmaur district can be one of the reasons behind someone faxing the “fake” resignation. |
|
|
21 cr sanctioned under Nabard scheme Shimla, May 26 The RIDF was among the most low-cost funds available with the states for strengthening the rural infrastructure, he said. The Chief Minister said the total funds sanctioned by Nabard for various projects was Rs 453.68 crore, out of which Rs 339.85 crore had been sanctioned during the past three years. The number of projects sanctioned stood at 2250. The government had been diversifying the coverage of activities under the RIDF, he said. The RIDF-VII facility had been started from April. The government had already been sanctioned Rs 21 crore for 10 projects including roads, bridges and watershed development. The inter-district shares were close to the population percentages for the respective districts, he said. The roads and bridges sanctioned under the RIDF-VII facility included the Mehli-Shogi road in Shimla, Hallam-Mattansidh-Lambloo road in Hamirpur, Jharet-Ghaneta-Drang-Bandla Rehan-Hauridevi-Hatli-Badhukhar and Bir-Barot roads in Kangra, Sain-Gujra Ropru, Panjai-Thachi and Ahju-Basahi roads in Mandi and three bridges on the Marwai-Bhadsali road in Una. One of the projects relates to promoting adventure tourism in Kangra in the Bir-Billing area. The Chief Minister said a watershed project had been sanctioned for Hamirpur district covering 133 micro-watersheds in the chronic water stress areas. |
|
|
S.K. Chaudhary suspended Shimla, May 26 The state government had issued a notice to the Drug Inspector and was not satisfied with his reply that he had issued the licences for the manufacture of 19 drugs early last year under the impression that these were “parallel drugs” and he was competent to issue licence. The government held the view that it was serious lapse on the part of the Drug Controller and “ignorance of law was no excuse”. The government had taken a serious view of the matter after the Union Health Ministry sent a stinker, pointing out that a new drug ‘Manforce’, the local version of Viagra, was being manufactured and marketed by a Paonta-based unit, in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The state government was also asked by the Union Health Secretary to take immediate action to stop the manufacture of the drug and ensure that the drug already in the market was withdrawn. The state government also sealed the factory and seized the entire stock of drugs already manufactured by the unit. During investigations by the government, it came to the notice of the government that there were 19 other drugs which were being manufactured in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act and the scope of the probe had to be widened. The state Health Minister J.P. Nadda, had also taken a serious view of this lapse and directed that exemplary punishment should be awarded after completing the inquiry. The firm concerned had also put the onus on the licensing authority and maintained that it had manufactured these drugs after getting the licence from the competent authority. |
|
Insurance firm told to pay
compensation Shimla, May 26 The complainant, Mr Ramesh Kumar was the owner of the truck which was insured with the company from March 20, 1998, to March 19, 1999. On June 26, 1998, the truck met with an accident due to failure of the brake system. An FIR was registered at Bhawa Nagar police station in Kinnaur. Information was sent to the insurance company regarding the accident. The company contended that it was found in the spot survey that the truck was being driven in violation of the provision of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and also in breach and violation of the term and conditions of the insurance policy. Also it was carrying five “unauthorised” passengers at the time of the accident. Delivering the order, Mr Goel said the company had failed to prove or establish on record that the driver of the truck had picked up passengers which resulted in the accident. It could not prove from the material on record that the term and conditions of the insurance policy was violated wilfully by the complainant, he added. Shimla, May 26 Will very little snow and rain during winter, the forests had virtually become a tender box. In fact, fires had started breaking out as early as February in most areas, alarming the department. Under normal weather conditions, forest fires start breaking out towards the end of April and are at their peak June. There has been no major incident of fire during the past two months. The absence of forest fires during peak summer is as unusual as their breaking out in peak winter. Thick columns of smoke and flames greeted summer tourists during this part of the year. This year there is no trace of smoke. Rain, officers say, has cooled down the region and increased the moisture content. The forest floor is covered with a thick layer of inflammable material but it will not catch fire easily due to the high moisture content. With another month to go before the monsoon begins, they are hoping for a few more spells of rain. The department is, however, not lowering its guard and keeping its field staff geared up to combat fires. The setting up of village forest development committees under the “sanjhi van yojna” are helping the department in securing people’s cooperation in combating fires.
|
|
Chief Justice’s welcome party
missing Manali, May 26 The Chief Justice was on his way to Keylong district headquarters of the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti. However, Mr Justice Thakker was welcomed at Manali court complex by the local judicial staff, members of the Manali Bar Association and the sitting members of the Lok Adalat. He reviewed the functioning of the court in the present building complex and reviewed the scope for further expansion of court complex. Later the Chief Justice conducted an informal inspection of the court of Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Manali. He will also inspect the court of Senior Sub-Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate, Lahaul and Spiti, at Keylong. |
|
Restoring Nahan’s
glory Nahan The president of the Municipal Council has contacted almost all social organisations to get their support for the project. Army jawans, police personnel, Home Guards, students from different schools, employees of the Nahan foundry and employees’ unions have volunteered for the kar seva. Among the regular volunteers are Mr Rakesh Kaushal, Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, members of the Environment Society of Nahan, the Bhartium Sanstha of Naya Bazar, the Nagrik Sabha and the Satya Sai Seva Samiti and the council president. Mr Sanjeev Sharma, president of the council, said more than 250 trucks of silt had been removed from the tank (May 21). Twentyone carved stone steps had also been cleaned. The tank was constructed by the then Maharaja of Sirmaur State about a century ago to meet the water requirement of the residents. It has also been a source of water for the Nahan foundry, which is situated on the bank of the tank. Seth Sewai Mal of the local Naya Bazar constructed a beautiful ghat on the mandir side of the tank in 1912. The kar seva at the tank may continue for a few weeks. Most of the desilting work has been done. Later, a park is planned to be developed on its bank. A large amount will be spent on the beautification of the area. Desilting and cleaning of the tank will be a regular feature in future, says Mr Sharma. He says later kar seva will be started at the pucca tank, which is the biggest and most important tank among five historic tanks in Nahan. A Rs 25 lakh beautification plan has been drawn up in this connection and the Chief Minister will be requested to sanction financial assistance. Mr Suresh Joshi, a retired college principal and president of the Environment Society, says that it is for the first time that the council and voluntary organisations have started such a project. The five historic tanks, developed by the then rulers of Sirmaur State, were seen as beauty-spots of the town. Mr Yogesh Gupta, councillor and president of the Bhartium Sanstha, hopes that with the support of residents, the NGOs and the council will be able to implement various plans for the benefit of the town. |
|
Conference of teachers
opens Paonta Sahib, May 26 Mr Sridhar Datey president presided while Mr Dhani Ram Singh Negi, general secretary, conducted the proceedings. Earlier, Prof Mrimoney Bhattacharya, former secretary general of All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Associations and Mr A. Syam Sunder Rao former President of AISTF
addressed the conference. At least 1500 delegates from different states attended the conference. Mr Syam Sunder Rao delivered the S.P. Roy Memorial Lecture on the privatisation of education. Mr Kedar Pandey (Bihar), Amiya Bosu (West Bengal), V.A. Narsihman (AP), Saroj Bhashar (Maharashtra), Ranbir Dhillon (Punjab) and Prit Bhash (Orissa) also participated. |
|
Cataract-free HP by March: Dhumal Shimla, May 26 He said as many as 55,000 cataract operations had been performed by various health institutions of the state in collaboration with the state branch of the National Society for Prevention of Blindness, and other voluntary organisations. He said the remaining 6,000 bilateral blindness cases would be cleared by next March to make the state free of cataract. The Chief Minister said around 4.5 lakh students from VI to X classes had been screened for various eye problems. Another two lakh would be covered by the end of October, he added. Shimla, may 26 The government has also allotted code marks and numbers for registration. The RTO, Shimla, will have HP-01-A as code number and 0001 to 5000 as registration marks while RTO, Solan, will have HP-01-S as code number and 0001 to 5000 as registration marks. The RTO, Mandi, will have HP-01-M as code number with similar registration marks while RTO, Dharamsala, will have HP-01-D as code number. The RTO, Hamirpur, will have HP-01-H as code number and RTO, Kulu, HP-01-K as code number. |
|
Radiology body’s conference Shimla, May 26 Mr Nadda, who was here to inaugurate a conference of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, stressed for security and proper sanitation system in hospitals. He said there should be proper security system, so that everyone in the hospital can have the feeling of safety. Medical education needs to be improved. As many as 100 participants attended the conference. Dr N.K. Kaushik, head of the Radiology Department said that for the first time the conference was being held. The guest professor from the AIMS and PGI would discuss the latest developments in the field.
Kasauli, May 26 Social activity had been suspended owing to factionalism between some members and at least half a dozen court cases during the regime of the previous executive committee. A number of financial irregularities, illegal locking up of club premises and members staying without paying their dues had tarnished the image of this club. The members of this club include an elite list of 400 men from the armed forces, bureaucracy, besides Supreme Court Judges. The committee has brought about transparency in its working and has restored discipline in the club. The old building has been renovated and the natural lustre of the old teak wood furniture restored in the interiors. The entire place has been spruced up. The old leaking roof has also been given a new look. Painting of Cavalry man from Mughal and Sikh history, have been installed and the bar has been done up. Old timers recalled interesting anecdotes relating to the British era when “khidmategars” had to wait at the table and private servants were not allowed inside. One of the finest wine was provided by G.F. Kellner and Company Limited of Shimla which used to import it from Europe. Prrier Joet was the finest champagne priced at Rs 54.8 per dozen.
|
|
Constable rescues kids
from marsh Mandi, May 26 The constable, who was on traffic duty on the Victoria Bridge, was told by a passerby that two children were trapped in a marsh while playing on the river side. Lal Chand rushed to the spot abandoning his duty and rescued the children partly drowned in the mud at the risk of his life. Mr J.R. Thakur, SP, said Lal Chand had been recommended for bravery award. |
|
Decision to cancel poll
flayed Hamirpur, May 26 In a statement here today, he denounced the statement of Mr Prem Singh Bharmauria, general secretary of the state federation in this respect. He said Mr Bharmauria had no right to cancel the elections, which were held democratically. Mr Verma said Mr Ganga Singh and Mr Bharmauria were trying to remain in power and that was why they were taking such undemocratic steps. Mr Verma said all district units of the federation would strongly oppose such moves of the state federation.
HP to sell power to Gujarat Shimla, May 26 These issues were discussed at a meeting of officers of both states here today. While the Himachal team was led by the Additional Chief Secretary- cum-Chairman of the HPSEB, Mr Harsh Gupta, the Gujarat team was headed by Mr Vijay Ranchan, Principal Secretary, Energy and Petroleum, Gujarat. A spokesman of the HPSEB said it was agreed that Himachal can sell an agreed quantum of power to Gujarat with effect from October 2003. The details and terms could be finalised
later.
|
|
Man held on charge of poisoning daughter Jaisinghpur, May 26 According to police sources, the deceased, identified as Babita (13) of Chhaij village in Sarkaghat subdivision of Mandi district, was allegedly poisoned by Dharam Chand, her father, who has been arrested. A case under Section 364, IPC, has been registered.
Himachal academy awards announced Shimla, May 26 The awardee include S. Shashi for performing arts, Chandu Lal Raina and Maharaja Sansar Chand for fine arts, Dr Pratyush Guleri for “Ghore Geetanden”, M.R. Thakur for Hindi literature for 1997, Prof Avtar Angil for Hindi poetry for 1997-98 and Dr Shabad Lalit for Urdu literature for the year 1997-98. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 121 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
