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Monday,
August 13, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Dhumal
rules out snap poll BJP gears
up for Vidhan Sabha poll Dhumal
visits flood affected village Security
for Manimahesh pilgrims tightened Hydram
irrigation picks up in HP |
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Sectt
staff transfer issue unresolved ABVP
ends SFI’s hegemony Heritage
temple in decay Healing, the
Tibetan way No decision taken
on wildlife office: CM Janmashtami
celebrated with fervour HPSEB blamed for
power breakdown HP JEs get new
designation Probe trucker’s
death: sabha HP tea
development policy formed Indo-Tibetan
society meeting held Spanish tourist
dies in Lahaul Mahila Cong to
educate women on rights
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Dhumal rules out snap
poll Hamirpur, August 12 Talking to mediapersons at Mattan Sidh campus of the HP State Power Board, he denied reports of dissidence in the party. All its leaders and workers were working in unison for the well-being of the state, he said. The party cadre would be asked to be ready for any elections any time. He denied any move by the state government to shift the office of the Chief Wildlife Warden from Hamirpur back to Shimla. He said talks were on with employees of the department on the issue. He, however, said in case the office of the Chief Wildlife Warden was shifted, the office of Conservators, Wildlife, would not be shifted from Hamirpur. Moreover, another office of the Chief Conservator, Sanjhi Van Yojna, would also be shifted to Hamirpur from Shimla. He congratulated college and university students for peaceful polling. The Chief Minister claimed that the victory of the ABVP in most colleges and HP University was an indication that the students had full faith in the government. Earlier, the Chief Minister dedicated to the people a Rs 50-crore load despatch sub-centre at Mattan Sidh. The Chief Secretary to the state government, Mr Harsh Gupta, who is also the Chairman of the State Power Board, was also present. The Chief Minister said in future the State Regulatory Authority also would be responsible for revision in power prices. The state government would not play any role in this respect. In case of increase in power rates, views of the public and employees would be considered . The function was attended by Education Minister Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Mr Ravinder Ravi, Minister of State for Power, Mrs Urmila Thakur, Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Suresh Chandel, MP, and other local MLAs and senior district-level officers. |
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BJP gears up for Vidhan Sabha poll Una, August 12 He said due to the approaching Vidhan Sabha elections, the state BJP had speeded up the coordination between party workers and the government. He said in order to reach out to the masses at the village-level, the Chief Minister would meet the constituency-level party office-bearers at his office in Shimla and sort out and discuss major problems of the area and take feedback on development issues. Mr Sharma said under the national BJP executive programme, each district would hold a programme at any constituency which would be addressed by national party executive member. Training would be imparted to the office-bearers and feedback presented at the next executive meet, he said, adding that 15 adarsh karyakarta
sammelans’ were being organised throughout the state in which important state party functionaries would inform the people about development activities and future programmes of the state government. Two of them had already been completed, one at Paonta Sahib and other at
Haroli. Mr Sharma further said of the total 5,000 crore for the year 2000-2001, the state had been given Rs 60 crore to build roads in villages with 250 population. He said the yearly schedule of fund allocation had already been worked out till the year 2007. The funds for Una under the scheme were 3.8 crore, he added. |
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Dhumal visits flood
affected village Shimla, August 12 He also met the family members of those killed and assured all help from the government to them. He was informed by the administration that the four persons and 30 head of cattle were washed away and 10 houses suffered extensive damage in floods. The Chief Minister gave away Rs 10,000 each to the next of kin of all victims besides utensils and clothes. The administration had already distributed Rs 10,000 each to them as an immediate relief. He sanctioned Rs 5 lakh for the reconstruction of seven-foot bridges that had been washed away and directed that work on these should be taken up on a war footing to avoid inconvenience to the people. He said the work on improvement of the Badiyar — Dumreha road would be undertaken by Nabard so that the people of the area did not face problem while transporting their produce to the market. The Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner to construct a mule road to Matlee under food for work programme and announced Rs 1.60 lakh for the construction of additional rooms in Devidhar High School. Mr Dhumal said work on 70 mw Dhamwari Sunde hydel project would begin soon. It would boost the economy and provide employment to the people of the area. He said work on some more hydel projects on the Pabber river would start soon which would involve an investment of Rs 1500 crore. Dr Rajan Sushant, Revenue Minister, who accompanied the Chief Minister said so far a loss of Rs 25 crore had been reported in the state. Mr Narender Bragta, Minister of State for Horticulture, said an apple collection centre would be set up at Dumrehr which had been cut off due to floods. Mr Harsh Gupta, Chief Secretary, Mr S.S. Negi, Financial Commissioner (Revenue) and other senior officers also accompanied the Chief Minister. |
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Security
for Manimahesh pilgrims tightened Chamba, August 12 Mr Sanjay Kundu, Superintendent of Police, Chamba, said here today that this group of pilgrims would be received by security personnel of the Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) and the Himachal Armed Police (HAP) at the Padri Gali for their onward journey to Manimahesh where they would take dip in the icy waters of the Manimahesh lake on the auspicious occasion of Sri Radha Ashtami. The SP added that the first group of pilgrims from Bhaderwah who already had a holy bath in the lake on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami had started their return journey under tight security cover by the ITBP and Himachal police jawans. The pilgrims would be handed over to Rashtriya Rifles jawans, the CRPF and the J&K police at the Padhari Pass enabling them to reach home safely. The SP stated that the security arrangements had been tightened for the peaceful conduct of the Manimahesh pilgrimage in the district. He said village defence committees (VDCs) and the special police officers (SPOs) functioning on highland borders of Himachal Pradesh and J&K were constantly boosting the morale of the security forces. |
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Hydram irrigation picks up in
HP Shimla, August 12 Hydram, which was invented about 200 years ago in Europe, has become popular with the farmers in this hill state. The state government has chalked out a programme to install at least 500 hydrams in different parts of the state. It is proposed to establish at least 100 hydrams in Shimla district at a cost of Rs 2.82
crore. Himurja is implementing the scheme of installing hydrams. So far, 72 hydrams have been installed in Shimla, Kulu, Mandi and
Lahaul- It was the people of Kiyar panchayat in Shimla district who introduced this technique in their fields. A quick impact study of installation of hydram at Jot village in Kiyar panchayat was conducted by
Himurja. It found that the shift from the cultivation of coarse grains to finer grains and more significantly cash crops realised greater returns. The production of wheat, which was 90 kg per bigha prior to irrigation rose to 210 kg. Similarly the production of maize increased to 145 kg from 120 kg per
bigha. The encouraging results of this experiment inspired the farmers to switch over to the cultivation of off-season vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes and beans instead of the traditional maize and wheat by making use of this new cheaper technique. The availability of additional income has changed their life style from traditional labourer cum-marginal-farmers to dignified small farmers. As per the estimate of beneficiaries, they are able to earn Rs 1200 per bigha of land. Around Rs 9 lakh was generated in Jot during 1998. It was also observed that the local habitants used all modern gadgets like TV, telephones etc., which are visible indicators of
prosperity. Hydram is based on the concept of hydrolic ram. It works by utilising the momentum of a large flow of water under a small head to raise a small quantity of water to a higher elevation up to 25 to 30 times without fuel or use of any energy. This technique is cheaper in comparison to other irrigation facilities. It requires minimum maintenance resulting in least recurring expenditure. At present, about 5.83 lakh hectares are under cultivation in the state and about 1.92 lakh hectares have been brought under irrigation. Out of this, 1.79 lakh hectares are under minor irrigation. Minor irrigation facilities are proving helpful to the farmers for growing cash crops. About 29,000 hectares are under vegetable cultivation and the vegetable production has touched the figure of 5 lakh
tonne, valuing Rs 300 crore. Out of this, 4 lakh tonne off-season vegetables valuing Rs 250 crore are being exported. Keeping in view the topography of Himachal Pradesh, there are greater possibilities for the expansion of hydram technique in respect of minor irrigation
facilities. Himurja has submitted a proposal to the Centre to install more hydrams in view of the keen interest shown by the farmers. Consequently, the Centre has sanctioned a pilot project to install 100 hydrams each in Shimla and Kulu districts. It is targeted to install 25 hydrams in each of these districts every year. The Central Government has also accorded sanction to install 500 hydrams under the Swaran Jayanti Gram Swarojgar
Yojna. These would be installed through the Rural Development Department in the various parts of the state during the next two years. The sites would be selected by Himurja with the help of block development employees and this agency would also provide technical knowhow to the beneficiaries. The responsibility has been entrusted to Humurja to acquire, establish and maintain these
hydrams. So far, 230 sites have been selected under this scheme and 156 hydrams taken to the sites. Farmers will have to constitute self-help groups to establish hydrams under the Swaran Jayanti Gram Swarojgar
Yojna. Training would also be imparted to the members of these groups. A provision of Rs 50 lakh has been made under the project for awareness building, education and training of potential beneficiaries. Civil works such as construction of storage tank, distribution channels etc. are to be done by the beneficiaries themselves. The cost for undertaking such work is also to be met by the beneficiaries by way of raising loans and voluntary manual contribution. To provide marketing infrastructure support, it has been decided by the government to construct ropeways under the project so that farmers could take their produce to the roadsides. A provision of Rs 1 crore has been made in the project for the construction of ropeways. |
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Sectt staff transfer issue
unresolved Shimla, August 12 It is learnt that the ministers differed on the contentious issue of breaking the monopoly of the Secretariat employees and amending rules to transfer them to various districts and departments outside. Sources said that while some ministers were opposed to the move as it might spark a controversy, others were in favour of the proposal which, they said, would be welcomed by the majority of employees who were working outside the Secretariat. However, a final decision could not be taken on the matter and the issue might be taken up in the next meeting of the Cabinet as the ministers will get enough time to examine the pros and cons of the issue. The earlier BJP government headed by Mr.Shanta Kumar had burnt its fingers by mooting a proposal to merge the cadre of employees of the Secretariat, Public Service Commission and the Governor’s Secretariat so as to enable their transfer from one office to another. However, Chief Minister
P.K. Dhumal has been cautious on the issue and has avoided any confrontation with them. The Vidhan Sabha has its own cadre of employees. There was heartburning among the employees working outside as they were frequently transferred from one place to other, but the employees of the Sceretariat enjoy the privilege at one place only. Meanwhile, taking note of violation of the orders of the government regarding a ban on the transfer of employees in Himachal Pradesh, the ministers have been asked not to make any transfers without prior approval of the Chief Minister. The government had banned the transfer of employees with effect from May 11, but many departments were violating these orders. |
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ABVP ends SFI’s
hegemony Shimla, August 12 It is for the first time in the history of the university that the ABVP has been able to win all four seats with handsome margins. It has virtually remained an impregnable citadel of the SFI and the only aberration had been in 1991 when the ABVP had managed to win three seats. The all important post of the president was, however, retained by the
SFI. The success of the ABVP has been largely on the account of the tough posture adopted by it against both the university authorities and the government. Despite being a frontal organisation of the
BJP, it did not toe the line of the ruling party and kept raising issues concerning students forcefully, at times causing embarrassment to the government. The parishad also sprang a surprise in Mandi district by wresting the SCA’s of the degree colleges in Mandi and Sundernagar from the
SFI. The parishad lost some colleges to the federation but it established its supremacy in Dharamsala, Hamirpur and Mandi, the three most important educational centres of the state, besides the state capital. The SFI made up for the loss of university registering impressive wins in three colleges in Shimla whereas the Azad Chhatra Sangthan swept the poll in the evening college. The federation also wrested the SCA of degree colleges at Solan and Una from the
parishad. However, it fared badly compared to last year. The National Students Union of India
(NSUI) also improved its position. It did well in Kangra district sweeping the polls in
Kangra, Baijnath and Palampur. It joined hands with the Himachal Vikas Chhatra
Sangthan, the student outfit of the HVC, to upstage the ABVP in Bilaspur. However, it lost heavily in Shimla district where the factional fight in the Congress had divided the student organisations too. Out of the 50-odd colleges where elections were held, the ABVP has won in 24 colleges, the SFI in 14 and the NSUI in 11. The 220 seats for where results were available, the ABVP bagged 96, the SFI 51 and the NSUI 40. The Himachal Students Union
(HIMSU) and the Himachal Vikas Chhatra Sangthan won eight seats each. SOLAN
(OC): The candidates made a clean sweep by winning all four seats in elections to the students Central Associations of Government Postgraduate College, Solan and Government College,
Arki, in this district, the results of which were announced here last evening. The ABVP won all four seats of the Government College,
Nalagarh, where it had to content with the candidates jointly nominated by the NSUI and
SFI. The ABVP also cornered two seats out of four in the SCA of Goswami Ganesh Dutt SD College,
Subathu. The other two went to Himachal Students Union (HIMSU) candidates. In all, the SFI emerged with eight wins, the ABVP followed with six and the HIMSU with two in the four colleges of the
district. HAMIRPUR (OC): The ABVP won all four posts of the president vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary of the Students Central Association of Government College here election for which were held today results were declared this afternoon. The ABVP also won 22 of the 25 seats of class representatives. The ABVP winners are : Ajay Kumar president, Ashish Kumar Sharma vice-president, Pankaj Thakur general secretary and Vikas Sharma joint secretary. In all 2146 out of 4380 students participated in the elections. A victory procession by winners was also taken out in which many BJP leaders also took part. |
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Heritage
temple in decay
Chamba The roof of the temple is decaying and rain water trickles in causing damage. The small temples built within the precincts of the main temple are in a state of disrepair. Filth can be seen on the premises. According to history, King Sahil Verman (920-940 AD) of the Brahmapur (Bharmour) kingdom founded Chamba town in the 10th century when the King, accompanied by his daughter, Princess Champavati, on a hunting expedition camped here on the right bank of the Ravi (Iravati). The site, situated in the Dhauladhars, attracted Princess Champavati. She urged her father to migrate to the area and accordingly the King shifted his capital from Bharmour to Chamba. The ancient town was thus named after the princess and was called Champa or Chamba. The ancient temple dedicated to Champavati near Chowgan in the heart of the town is known as Champavati Temple or Chamesani Temple. Legend has it that the princess was of a religious disposition and used to visit the log hut of a sadhu to engage in religious discussion. However, her father was suspicious and followed her secretly on one occasion with a sword in hand, only to find that the hut was empty. As he entered, a voice came from the stillness upbraiding him for his suspicion and telling him that his child would be taken away from him as a punishment. He was further commanded to build a temple to her on the spot where he stood to atone for his sin and avert further calamity to his family. The temple was accordingly built and named after his daughter who is worshipped there as a goddess. A black stone image of Goddess Durga astride a lion is kept in the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple. Goddess Durga represents the deified form of Champavati. She remains the dynastic goddess of the erstwhile rulers of Chamba state and her blessings are sought on every auspicious occasion. Besides, Champavati is the Kul Devi (family goddess) of residents of Chamesani and families in other parts of the town. According to Mr H.C. Sharma, convener of the Chamba chapter of the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage, following a request from the trust the Archaeological Survey of India is planning to take over this temple for preservation and conservation under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Act.  |
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Healing, the Tibetan
way Shimla The clinic of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute of their government in exile, which caters to a small population of Tibetan refugees here, has become popular with non-Tibetans. Fifty to 60 patients visit the clinic every day for treatment which is mainly based on herbs. The Dharamsala-based institute has opened more than 30 clinics throughout India. Besides, there are a number of private clinics. Dr K. Dolma, Chief Medical Officer, told TNS that medicines were supplied by the headquarters of the institute at Dharamsala. She said annual camps were organised for collecting herbs from the Manali area and other higher reaches. Some raw material was obtained from Amritsar, which had become a market for herbs. During the past few years, it had become difficult to procure rare herbs as goats and sheep destroyed these on the mountains. These had to be plucked before August when shepherds reached the high passes. She said some herbs were being obtained from Tibet, Sikkim and Bhutan. Agar-35, consisting of 35 ingredients, was the most difficult medicine to make as not even a single herb could be left out while preparing it. She said under the Tibetan medicine system “we treat the cause or the root of the disease or illness and not the symptoms.” The Tibetan system has been practised for more than 2,500 years and those aspiring to become doctors have to undergo seven years’ training at Dharamsala. The first four years are spent in studying the main medical tantras and in the fifth year the students take examinations. In the sixth and seventh years they are sent for practical training under a senior doctor at one of the branches of the Tibetan institute. About 95 per cent of Tibetan medicines are based on herbs and precious metals. These are also used for manufacturing seven kinds of costly pills are known as “Rinchen Rilpo.” Tibetan doctors claim that their medicines are particularly successful in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, ulcers, chronic digestive problems, asthma, liver disease and problems related to the nervous system. |
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No decision taken on wildlife office:
CM Mattansidh (Hamirpur), August 12 Talking to mediapersons, Mr Dhumal said his government was for de-centralisation of all offices and that was why the office of the Chief Wildlife was shifted to Hamirpur from Shimla. Prof Dhumal was here in connection with the inauguration of the load despatch subcentre here. A sum of Rs 50 crore had been spent on this project. Mr Harsh Gupta, Chief Secretary to the Himachal Pradesh Government was also present in the press conference which was followed by the inauguration ceremony. The Chief Minister said in future only the State regulatory authority would be responsible for revision in power prices. The state government would not play any role in this respect as the state regulatory authority was the final body to take the decision. |
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Janmashtami celebrated with fervour Shimla, August 12 Thousands of people in their festive best visited tastefully-decorated temples since early morning all over the state and offered prayers. Special discourses on the life of Lord Krishna were organised in the temples to mark the occasion. Men, women and children in their colourful best visited various temples, including Kalibari, and Rama-temples and offered prayers. They also listened to religious discourses. Reports of Janmashtami celebrations were also received from Kulu, Mandi, Kangra, Solan and Hamirpur districts. Mr Suraj Bhan, Governor, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, have felicitated the people on this occasion. The Governor said this festival gives us a message to follow the path of truth and expressed the hope that it would further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and fraternity. The Chief Minister in his message expressed hope that the festival would bring prosperity in the lives of people.
UNI |
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HPSEB blamed for power
breakdown Chamba, August 12 At the moment there is only one 33/11 KV substation at Chamba, which is not able to cater to the need of the bulk load of electricity supply of this region. To increase voltage and to meet the increasing powerload in the area, the HPSEB had a plan to install a 132/33 KV substation in the region at a cost of Rs 5 crore. Twenty bighas of land was to be acquired by the HPSEB in 1990, for this purpose but the scheme appears to have been shelved because of paucity of funds, sources reveal. Meanwhile, expressing concern at the problem, representatives of various panchayats of this area have demanded a solution to their problem and upgradation of the substation to a 132/33 KV substation, as well as revamping transmission lines from Bathri to Chamba. |
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HP JEs get new
designation Shimla, August 12 The Himachal Pradesh Government has introduced a “career progression” scheme for the Junior Engineers which has come into force this week. The Junior Engineers who have completed eight years of service on the same post in the existing pay scale of Rs 5,800-9,200 will be granted the next higher scale of Rs 6,400-10,640 with the same designation. At least one increment will be given to them at the time of placement in the higher scale. The Junior Engineers who have completed 16 years of service in the scale of Rs 6,400-10640 will be granted the next higher scale of Rs 7,220-11,320 with Class-II gazetted status and designation of Additional Assistant Engineer. With the grant of gazetted status and the new designation, there will be no addition to the cadre strength of Junior Engineers. They will continue to discharge the same duties and exercise same powers even after the change of designation. |
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Probe trucker’s death:
sabha Nurpur, August 12 The deceased, Promod Singh, who was standing near a shop became
unconscious. The MLA and his supporters allegedly surrounded him and did not allow him to be taken to any hospital. The sabha alleged that had Promod Singh been given medical aid in time his life could have been saved. The MLA’s supporters even did not allow the police to pick up the body of the deceased for several hours and went on staging demonstration against the police. The sabha has urged the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, to order a judicial probe into the death of Promod Singh. |
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HP tea development policy formed Chamba, August 12 In an official press note issued here today, Mr Kishori
Lal, Industries Minister, said the new policy provided for the development of tea gardens by private entrepreneurs. He said 2,000 hectares of land had been identified in Chamba and Kangra districts for raising tea plantation. The minister said a Rs 7.32 crore project was being implemented for the improvement of crops, transfer of technology, and production of off-season vegetables. He said for the development of rain-fed areas, 61 watershed projects covering an area of 4600 hectares had been launched and Rs 7.50 crore had been spent under these projects during the past three years. |
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Indo-Tibetan society meeting held Nahan, August 12 In a press note, the ITFS has said that the Dalai Lama never questioned the status of Kashmir at any time. He had always accepted that Kashmir is an integral part of India. He also believed and stated that India is the land of Lord Buddha and his guru. He had also said that India has become a second motherland for the Tibetan people. Hence, the Tibetans should have special attachment, love and gratitude for India and its people. |
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Spanish tourist dies in Lahaul Shimla, August 12 His body was brought to Keylong by the state helicopter today. The Spanish expedition team informed about his death to the district administration, which made arrangements to bring the body down. The state government has informed the Spanish Embassy in New Delhi and urged it to make arrangements for taking the body to Spain. |
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Mahila
Cong to educate women on rights Shimla, August 12 The president of the Mahila Congress, Ms Krishna Mohini, said the party had launched a five point programme for the betterment of women. She said women would be made aware of their legal rights, lack of knowledge placed them at a disadvantage at work. The party would hold seminars to make women aware of their rights against atrocities and social injustice. |
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