H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

HP to take care of freedom fighters: Dhumal
Shimla, September 20
Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said that the state government was committed to the welfare of the freedom fighters and their wards for the selfless services rendered by them for the cause of the country. 

CM opens meet on tourism
Shimla, September 20
The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, today said the tourism industry was likely to emerge as a major foreign exchange earner in the new century, especially in the present globalised and liberalised economy.

Rinpoche allots portfolios to 3 ministers
Dharamsala, September 20
Mr Karma Choephel was today elected Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament, a post which had fallen vacant due to the appointment of Mr Thupten Lungrik as minister in the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Shimla MC to meet today
Shimla, September 20
A special meeting of the general house of the Shimla Municipal Corporation has been convened here tomorrow to discuss the issue of loss of Rs 1.40 crore due to repair of roads which were dug by the Irrigation and Public Health Department for laying of pipes last year.

No threat along Chamba border
Chamba, September 20
The Superintendent of Police, Mr S.R. Ojha, has ruled out any possibility of terrorists sneaking into Chamba from the adjoining state of Jammu and Kashmir. 

6 pradhans join BJP
Shimla, September 20
The BJP got the much needed fillip in Rohru, the Assembly constituency represented by the Congress Legislative Party Leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, when six panchayat pradhans and as many up-pradhans joined the party.

• Asst. Dist Attorney
  
  
  
  

HP to take care of freedom fighters: Dhumal
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 20
Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said that the state government was committed to the welfare of the freedom fighters and their wards for the selfless services rendered by them for the cause of the country. He was presiding over the 11th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Board here.

The Chief Minister said that due to the supreme sacrifice made by the freedom fighters, the country achieved freedom and need of the hour was to inculcate patriotism amongst the young generation by taking inspiration from them to safe-guard hard won freedom.

Mr Dhumal expressed concern over the falling moral values, which would prove deterimental to the society. He emphasised, the need for acquainting the younger generation with freedom movement’s history and sacrifices of the freedom fighters.

A three-member committee comprising Mahashya Tirth Ram, vice-chairman, Himachal Pradesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Board, Mr Sita Ram Sharma, freedom fighter and former MLA and Director, Language, Art and Culture was set up to update freedom fighters’ directory.

It was also decided at the meeting to direct the Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation to ensure that seat numbers eight and nine were reserved for freedom fighters and so that they did not face any inconvenience while travelling. The meeting was informed that instructions had been issued to all the departments to adhere to reservation meant for wards and grand children of freedom fighters. Mahashya Tirth Ram vice-chairman, Himachal Pradesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Board thanked the Chief Minister for sympathetic attention to the welfare of freedom fighters and their wards.

CM opens meet on tourism
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 20
The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, today said the tourism industry was likely to emerge as a major foreign exchange earner in the new century, especially in the present globalised and liberalised economy.

He was inaugurating a two-day international conference on “Tourism in the 21st century — challenges and opportunities” organised by the Master of Tourism Administration Department, Himachal Pradesh University, here today.

Mr Dhumal said the state government had given a big boost to tourism development as Himachal Pradesh was the ultimate destination for “all seasons and all reasons”.

He said the private sector was also being encouraged for tourism development in the state in a big way. The public sector, the private sector and other institutions would have to work in unison to attract Indian and foreign tourists. He said the government was laying stress on creating basic infrastructure to facilitate the tourists. He said for this trained manpower and professionals would be needed and institutions like universities would have to play a leading role.

The Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh had been allowed a 10-year exemption on entertainment duty to boost tourism. He said income tax holidays for industries had been extended up to 2020, which was likely to be extended further.

He said Himachal Pradesh had Buddhist monasteries, stupas and temples. There was a vast scope for “religious tourism” in the state. Adventure and nature tourism was also being encouraged in a big way.

Mr Rakesh Pathania, MLA and Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, gave details of steps being taken for the development of tourism in the state.

Mr M.P. Bezbaruah, Secretary, Tourism, Government of India, in his keynote address stressed on sustainable development of tourism. He said the tourism industry was much ahead of traditional industry as far as contribution to world economy was concerned.

He said the entire world had become a global village and the tourism sector was being considered an agent of growth and development. He said it could also be an agent for redistribution of wealth.

Prof N.K. Sharda, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh University, in his presidential address, said Himachal Pradesh had attracted 47 lakh domestic and 88,000 foreign tourists in 1999 and this flow was increasing constantly, the credit for which went to the development of infrastructure during the past few years.

Rinpoche allots portfolios to 3 ministers
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, September 20
Mr Karma Choephel was today elected Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament, a post which had fallen vacant due to the appointment of Mr Thupten Lungrik as minister in the Tibetan government-in-exile.

It is for the first time that the Tibetans have directly elected their Prime Minister as part of efforts to democratise the exiled Tibetan administration. The Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, allotted portfolios to the three ministers elected yesterday, on the first day of the second session of the 13th Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies. The Prime Minister has kept the portfolios of Information and International Relations and Security with him. Former chairman of the Tibetan Parliament, Mr Thupten Lungrik, has been given charge of Education and Department of Religion and Culture.

The Executive Director of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Mr Lobsang Nyandak, has been made Minister for Finance and Health. The third minister, Mr Lobshng Nyina, has been given the charge of Home.

Though there is a provision for a maximum of eight ministers, including the Prime Minister, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, has only taken three ministerial colleagues so far. Sources said Prof Rinpoche wants to continue with this arrangement till he feels there is a need for more ministers. The Tibetan Parliament will remain in session till September 28.

Shimla MC to meet today
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 20
A special meeting of the general house of the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) has been convened here tomorrow to discuss the issue of loss of Rs 1.40 crore due to repair of roads which were dug by the Irrigation and Public Health Department for laying of pipes last year.

It is reliably learnt that the councillors at the meeting might also discuss the alleged interference of the Horticulture Minister, Mr Narendera Bragta, in the functioning of the SMC.

Although the general house of the SMC was scheduled to meet on September 29, the Mayor, Mrs Jenny Prem, ordered the Commissioner of the corporation to convene the special meeting tomorrow.

She said the meeting was being held to discuss the ongoing development works. A committee of councillors has in its report regarding the pipes issue reportedly pointed out that the SMC had suffered a loss of Rs 1.40 crore due to the wrong decision of the Commissioner of the corporation.

No threat along Chamba border
Our Correspondent

Chamba, September 20
The Superintendent of Police, Mr S.R. Ojha, has ruled out any possibility of terrorists sneaking into Chamba from the adjoining state of Jammu and Kashmir. He said there was total normalcy along the border and tourists were constantly visiting the region.

The SP has also denied recent reports about some suspects having been spotted in the Bharmour area of the district adjacent to the militancy-infested Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. He said they were sadhus who had come from Kangra to visit Manimahesh. He appealed to people to seek assistance of the police to know the truth. Mr Ojha said paramilitary forces were keeping surveillance along the borders .in coordination with village defence committees.

6 pradhans join BJP
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 20
The BJP got the much needed fillip in Rohru, the Assembly constituency represented by the Congress Legislative Party Leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, when six panchayat pradhans and as many up-pradhans joined the party.

The pradhans led by Mr Khushi Ram Balnatah, Vice-Chairman of the state Road Transport Corporation, met Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, and expressed faith in his leadership. They included Mr Kishori Lal (Karasa), Mr Rawel (Diswani), Mr Suresh Kumar (Khashdhar), Mr Ram Nath (Shiladesh), Mr Mukesh (Ranol) and Mr Ram Manta (Dhakgaon), all pradhans, Mr Prem Raj (Shakel), Mr Laik Ram (Samoli), Mr Jai Lal (Jangalakh), Mr Dhyan Singh (Dhagoli), Mr Surender Singh (Todsa) and Mr Krishn Lal Chauhan (Sariwasa), all up-pradhans.

Asst. Dist Attorney
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 20
The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission today announced the names of candidates selected for the post of Assistant District Attorney. They are Mr Vivek Sharma, Mr Hemant Vaid, Mr Ravinder Kumar Barwal and Mr Harish Chander Singh Negi.