 |
Monday,
April 8, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
|
Proposed rallies stoke fire in Stokes’ camp Cong list raises protests POSTINGS/ TRANSFERS Conserve water, CM tells villagers Bragta dubs Cong charge as baseless |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DISTRICT DIARY Ex-servicemen
rue govt apathy MLA alleges pilferage of NABARD funds Shanta:
time for plain-speaking A town cries for development Trade unions’ strike on April 16 Minister’s kin in HPU ‘favoured’ Lecturers end boycott of practical exams
|
|
Proposed rallies stoke fire in Stokes’ camp Dharamsala, April 7 Loyalists of the former chief minister and CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh in Kangra district are making elaborate arrangements to make the party rally at Sulah on April,9 and at Baijnath two days later, a major success. On the other hand those owing allegiance to the Stokes camp are not only planning to stay away from these rallies, but are terming it defiance of the high command’s diktat that no public meetings would be held without the prior approval of the party. The two camps are wanting to prove that it is they who have a better hold over party workers and the electorate. Great political significance is being attached to Mr Virbhadra Singh’s tour of Baijnath and Palampur. He will address a rally at Sulah, which happens to be the home constituency of the union Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar and a party workers meeting at Palampur, the home town of the BJP stalwart. A staunch Virbhadra loyalist and sitting MLA from Palampur, Mr B.B.L. Butail, said invitations had been sent to all party leaders in the district, even though it was not possible for each one of them to attend the meetings. He added the meetings were being held to activate party workers and expose the anti-people policies and misdeeds of the BJP-HVC coalition. The supporters of the All India Mahila Congress President, Mrs Chandresh Kumari, too seem to be an offensive mood as, they held a meeting of the Dharamsala Block Congress Committee, here yesterday. The meeting which was attended by her loyalists including the BCC President, Mr Digvijay Puri, Kangra DCC General Secretary, Mr Rajneesh Awasthy and Mr Navneet Sharma, passed a resolution requesting her to contest the next assembly election from the Dharamsala. This move is being viewed as a retaliatory action to the tirade launched by the rival group against her candidature from the Dharamsala assembly segment. Mrs Chandresh Kumari, too is likely to attend the rallies of Mr Virbhadra Singh in her home district. With her Rajya Sabha tenure coming to an end it is being felt that she will now play a major role in state politics. The rival Stokes camp also held a meeting here yesterday to plan their strategy, in view of Mr Virbhadra Singh’s proposed rallies. Taking exception to these rallies they said that it was totally wrong to organise party meetings by sidelining the party set up. |
|
Cong list raises protests Shimla, April 7 While Mr Satyajit Gaekwad, secretary of the AICC, who had been specially deputed by the high command to ensure unanimity in the choice of nominees, managed to accomplish the difficult task of making Ms Vidya Stokes and Mr Virbhadra Singh, the leaders of rival factions, agree with each other, discontent was all too visible among their supporters. They kept shouting slogans in the lounge of Peterhof while their leaders fought it out behind closed doors. When the things started getting out of hands, Mr Virbhadra Singh came out of the meeting and snubbed his supporters and asked them to leave the venue. Mr Gaekwad, however, maintained that there was a dispute and later the list had been finalised with complete consensus. He said there were many deserving candidates for each seat and all of them could not be accommodated. Those who would not get the ticket were disappointed and their reaction was natural. There was unprecedented enthusiasm among the workers as the victory of the party was certain. He said the high command had appointed Mr Sat Mahajan, an ex-PCC chief, as the in charge of campaign and a committee of senior leaders, including Ms Vidya Stokes, Mr Virbhadra Singh and Mr Ram Lal, would prepare the manifesto and strategy for the election. The candidates of all wards, except five, have been changed. The delimitation and reservation of one/third of the wards was mainly responsible for the large-scale changes. The following is the list of candidates: Mr Jitendra Chaudhary (ward No 1 ), Ms Asha Vaid ( ward No 2), Mr Devendra Chauhan (ward No 3), Mr N.K. Mehta (ward No 4), Ms Jaini Prem (ward No 5), Mr Sanjiv Thakur (ward No 6), Mr Harish Kumar (ward No 7), Mr Anand Kaushal (ward No 8), Mr Ashwini Kumar (ward No 9), Mr Shashi Sekhar (ward No 10), Mr Sohan Lal (ward No 11), Mr Sanjeev Kuthiala (ward No 12), Mr Ashok Sood (ward No 13), Mr Om Prakash (ward No 14), Ms Archna Dhawan (ward No 15), Ms Mala Singh (ward No 16), Ms Maya (ward No 17), Mr Rajinder Verma (ward No 18), Ms Anita Azad (ward No 19), Ms Bhawna Kumari (ward No 20), Ms Nisha Gupta (ward No 21), Mr Vijay Chauhan (ward No 22), Ms Richa Sharma (ward No 23) and Mr Sudhir Azad (ward No 24). |
|
BJP approves list for MC poll Shimla, April 7 The candidates for ward No. 12 and 13 are expected to be finalised tomorrow. The following is the list of candidates: Mr Balbir Singh (ward No. 1), Ms Saroj Thakur (2), Mr Sunil Dhar (3), Mr Pradeep Kashyap (4), Ms Swarna Sharma (5), Mr Sanjay Sharma (6), Mr Ram Ghai (7), Mr Rakesh Thakur (8), Mr Srikant Mistha (9), Mr Sanjay Sood (10), Mr Rajender Kumar (11), Mr Anil Kumar (14), Ms Deepti Sood (15), Mr Manoj Kuthiala (16), Ms Neelam Sharma (17), Mr Digvijay Singh Chauhan (18), Ms Indu Kashyap (19), Ms Navneeta Sood (20), Ms Sunita Sharma (21), Mr Kamal Thakur (22), Ms Amita Girta (23) and Mr Vijay Sharma (24). |
|
POSTINGS/ TRANSFERS Shimla, April 7 Mr Diljeet Singh Dogra on return from central deputation takes over as Managing Director of the Himachal Road Transport
Corporation, replacing Mr T.G. Negi, who goes as Registrar, Cooperative Societies, vice Mr K.C. Verma, who has been posted as Managing-Director of the Agro Industries Corporation. Mr Sanjiv Gupta, Excise and Taxation Commissioner, takes over as member, finance and accounts, State Electricity Board, relieving Mrs Upma Chaudhary of the additional charge. Mr Chamel Singh, Director, Technical Education, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur, replacing Mr J.S. Rana, who goes as Director, Transport vice Mrs Manisha Nanda, who takes over as Commissioner and Secretary, Finance and Expenditure Control, in place of Mr Narinder Chauhan, who will be the new Excise and Taxation Commissioner. Mr S.K.B.S. Negi, Director, Social Welfare, has been posted as Labour Commissioner and Director of Employment and Training, vice Mr J.P. Singh, who has been posted as Director, Rural Development, replacing Mr Manoj Kumar, who will now function as Chief Executive of HIMURJA and member-secretary of the State Council of Science Technology and
Environment. Mr Kashmir Chand, Special Secretary, Transport and Ayurveda, has been posted as Director, Social and Women Welfare Mr B.S. Nanta, Special Secretary,
Agriculture and Horticulture, goes as Special Secretary, Personnel, Industries and Information Technology. Mr Mahesh Garg, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur, vice Mr Onkar Sharma, who goes as Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, replacing Mr Rakesh Kaushal, who takes over as Special Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture. Mr Rahul Anand, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, takes over as Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, vice Mr Subhash Mehta, who goes as Special Secretary, Forests and Cooperation. Mr P.C. Jassal, Secretary, State Public Service Commission, has been transferred as Special Secretary, Transport and Ayurveda, and Mr P.C. Kashyap, Settlement Officer, Shimla and Kinnaur districts, takes over as Managing Director, State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Mr S.S. Negi, Financial Commissioner, Appeals, will now also function as Financial Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Welfare, in place of Ms Harinder Hira, who will function as Financial Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Labour and Employment. Mr Ashok Thakur, Financial Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism and Youth Services, will take charge of Cooperation. Mr Subhash Negi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, PWD and Tribal Development, will also look after Urban Development and Town Planning. Mr Ashok Ranjan Basu, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Training and Foreign Assignment, will take charge of Administrative Reforms and Science and Technology. Besides, nine HAS officers have been shifted. Mr O.P. Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Una, goes in the same capacity to Mandi. Mr N.S. Chaudhary, Secretary, State Electricity Regulatory Commissioner, goes as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Una. Mr J.C. Chauhan, Additional Secretary, Forests, goes as Director, Technical Education, Sundernagar. Mr Sunil Kumar, Registrar, Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Palampur, has been posted as Additional Secretary, Power, Science and Technology. Mr Hans Raj Chauhan, Subdivisional Civil Officer, Sarkaghat, goes as Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, vice Mr H.S. Chaudhary, who takes over as Land Acquisition Officer, Chamba. Mr Chaman Singh, Divisional Tourism Development Officer, Dharamsala, has been posted as Registrar, Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Palampur. Mr Manmohan Sharma, Subdivisional Civil Officer, Rekong Peo, replaces Mr D.K. Rattan, Subdivsional Officer (Civil), Chamba, who goes to Sarkaghat in the same capacity. |
|
Conserve water, CM tells villagers Hamirpur, April 7 Addressing members of the Panjot gram panchayat of the district today, he said the state government had taken various steps for giving more powers to the gram panchayats and gram sabhas. In future, the selection of persons under various programmes would be done by the concerned gram sabha. The function was presided over by Mrs Rama Chauhan, Pradhan of the newly formed Panjot gram panchayat. The Chief Minister asked people to conserve rainwater, otherwise, the day was not far when it would become a rare commodity. He announced that the Central Government had given its assent for the construction of 5,000 more houses under the Indira Awas Yojna. Professor Dhumal directed the district officers to ensure that the recommendations made by various elected functionaries were given due consideration. He hinted at performing mass sterilisation of monkeys in various parts of the state and admitted that monkeys were harming crops. The Gram Sabha decided on sanctioning grants for the construction and repair of houses of eight persons of the area. The Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Anuradha Thakur, gave details of the watershed development programme in the area and asked the people to take benefit of it. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister hinted at expanding his Cabinet shortly. He said the state government was in favour of converting Hamirpur Regional Engineering College into a deemed university. A decision in this respect would be taken at the next meeting of the Board of Governors of the college slated for April 12. The Central Government had assured to give 50 per cent reservation to the students of Himachal Pradesh in the college even if it became a deemed university. |
|
No hike in power tariff, promises Dhumal Hamirpur, April 7 He said work on various hydel projects in the state was in progress and a number of them were nearing completion. He said that by the end of the next year Nathpa Jhakri, Baspa, Chamera and Larji projects would start generating power and the state would get 2,500 MW of power from those projects, which would solve the shortage, especially during winters. Addressing party workers at Baroha village, he criticised dissidents in the Hamirpur district for launching a campaign against him and other MLA’s and leaders of the party. Prof Dhumal said the allegations levelled by the dissidents were false and contrary to the facts and alleged that they were trying to mislead the people. Prof Dhumal claimed he had never invited Mr Narendra Thakur, a former district BJP chief, for talks. Instead, Mr Thakur had expressed a desire to meet him to sort out same issues. However, the talks had failed, he said. He said that a college and Rs 1-crore townhall project had been commissioned at Sujanpurtira in Hamirpur district in the memory of the late BJP leader, Thakur Jagdev Chand. |
|
Give up quota, CM tells rich BCs Kangra, April 7 Prof Dhumal was speaking at a function organised by the Rajput Kalyan Sahba in connection with the 463rd birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap at Dhera today. He said those who had reached respectable positions in society and were economically well-off, after they took the benefit of reservations, must think of those who need the reservation the most now and should sacrifice their interests for the needy members of their community. He said it was better if they changed themselves with time. He said those who sacrificed for others were remembered the same way as Maharana Pratap was remembered today. Prof Dhumal, hinting towards his political rivals without naming them, said mere art of oration cannot befool people any more and the people now judged a person through his attitude and achievements. He assured Dr Sanjay Singh, former Union Minister for Communication and national president of the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Sabha, that the Himachal Pradesh Government despite being in a financial crunch would try to help him in establishing a chain of schools in the state in the name of Maharana Pratap. Earlier Dr Sanjay Singh, former Union Minister, stressed on the unity of the Rajput community for the larger interests of the community and the country. He said the Indian history without the kshatriya community was incomplete. Mr Durga
Shastri, President’s Award winner and a famous Sanskrit scholar, was honoured by the Chief Minister on the occasion. |
|
Bragta dubs Cong charge as baseless Shimla, April 7 Addressing a press conference here yesterday he said during the past four years the present government gave Rs 38.38 crore to the Congress ruled corporation as against Rs 22.91 crore it received from 1994 to 1998 when Virbhadra Singh government was in office. He said the corporation had failed to even utilise the funds at its disposal and at present Rs 2.70 crore was lying unspent. The fact was that the Congress, which had ruled the corporation for past 15 years, had failed to discharge its responsibility and as a result roads, street lights, water supply and other basic amenities were in bad shape. On the other hand the BJP government has launched several projects to strengthen the basic amenities and restore the old glory of the hill resort. A number of a car parking lots have been created at various points and in all the city now has space for parking about 1,500 vehicles. As many as 17 roads are being laid. The Sanjauli bypass is also being constructed and the permission to fell trees has been received from the Centre. |
|
Fresh snowfall in higher reaches Shimla, April 7 The tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti and the Rohtang Pass, gateway to the district, had another spell of snowfall. Keylong, headquarters of the district, recorded about an inch of snow last night. Shimla and its surrounding areas had intermittent rain during the day today, as bright sunshine in the morning gave way to cloudy weather, dipping the maximum temperature to 11.2 degrees celsius from 24.6 degrees recorded yesterday at the Ridge. The upper areas of Shimla district, including the tourist resorts of Wildflower Hall, Kufri and
Narkanda, also had rain. Tourists preferred to stay indoors due to the inclement weather.
UNI |
|
DISTRICT DIARY Kulu Sources from within the department say that the reservoirs have the capacity to supply water to the town round-the-clock, but the authorities here preferred to drain the water out rather than quench the thirst of citizens. Not only water supply, the authorities have not bothered to repair broken pipes. Not to talk of inner streets, the pipes on the National Highway from Shastri Nagar to Ramshilla have more than a dozen leaking points causing inconvenience to pedestrians and decreasing water pressure. The department should wake up before the onset of summer to repair roads to cope with tourist traffic. * * * Himachal Road Transport Corporation has stopped the operation of certain important buses connecting important destinations and put passengers to inconvenience. Is it give a free hand to private bus operators to thrive and allow fleecing of commuters? The Leh-Delhi daily bus service has been withdrawn. The evening bus to Shimla and, surprisingly, the morning bus to the Chief Minister’s district, Hamirpur, have also been withdrawn without any convincing reason. It is learnt from HRTC sources that buses on loss-making routes have been terminated and several others are likely to be withdrawn. The HRTC has to perform dual role of a commercial organisation as well as do a social obligation. Thus, conducting operations purely on business grounds with an eye on profit alone cannot be the leading principle. The HRTC should restore the Mudrika service between Vaishno Devi and Badah to provide transport to local commuters and save them from the exorbitant charges of three-wheelers. * * * The approach roads to the main bus stand at Kulu remains in a deplorable condition despite reports highlighting the problem. Not surprising, because the roads are used by the students, office-goers and common citizens and not by district administrators and ministers. Until they experience the splash of the dirty water in potholes, the roads would not be repaired, said one student leader. The best way to get the roads repaired is to have a function at the bus stand by a minister, said another. The HRTC labour unions urged the Himachal Government to expand the main bus stand as it has become over-crowded and might lead to accidents. The bus stand has a large area, most of it undeveloped. The union leaders demanded that the area within the bus stand should be used for the expansion rather than any other purpose. They also urged the authorities to operate local buses from the old bus stand at Akhara Bazar. The old offices at this bus stand should be converted to houses for HRTC staff. * * * The municipal bodies at Kulu, Manali and Bhuntar should put its thrust on the maintenance of the river-side berms along towns. The construction of “ghats” on the river banks would not only keep the area clean but would also be an additional attraction for tourists. The banks of the Beas at all these towns have of late been turned into a toilet for hundreds of people and these areas stink. One important need of all three towns is to have a “ghat” for the 10th day rituals of the deceased. * * * The PWD authorities in this district are no less important that the Irrigation and Public Health Department. The government schools at Dhalpur, Lower Dhalpur, and Akhara Bazar are situated on National Highway No 21. The PWD has been repeatedly requested to put traffic signs near these schools and paint zebra crossings to ensure school children’s safety. They do not bother because they are not answerable for any untoward happening any day. The state government should direct the authorities concerned to maintain the national highway standards and fix responsibility on erring officials. * * * The District and Sessions Judge’s order banning smoking and use of mobile phones within the judicial court complex here has elicited a good response. Prominent citizens want such orders extended to other public places as well. Though Himachal pradesh is a pioneer in banning the smoking in public places, the decision could never be effectively enforced. |
|
Ex-servicemen
rue govt apathy Dharamsala, April 7 The list of decorations ranging from the highest peace time gallantry award Ashok Chakra to Param Vir Chakra, is endless but even today the government is indifferent to the plight of the war widows and the families of
ex-servicemen, who apart from having to cope up with their personal grief have to undertake frustrating rounds of the officialdom as politicians continue to give them hollow assurances. The recently formed HP Poorva Sainik Sahayta Sangathan has decided to take up the cause of ex-servicemen and their families. The Chairman of the sangathan, Col S.C. Sharma, said “While the adjoining states of Punjab and Haryana are giving a monthly pension of Rs 1500 to every gallantry awardee, our government has not bothered much to even sort out the problems of the recipients of 584 decorations along with the 75,000 ex servicemen in Himachal.” He said Meena Devi of Nadaun in Hamirpur district is still awaiting the land promised to her by the government in 1971, while the family member of Major Sudhir Walia of Banuri near Palampur, who was given the Ashok Chakra, has not been given the job promised by the Chief Minister, when he visited their house to offer condolence. He demanded that some money out of the Rs 12.50 crore collected in the Chief Minister Relief Fund at the time of Kargil aggression be spent for the welfare of such families. The Sangathan has started giving legal, medical, welfare, financial advice and pre-recruitment training to the wards of ex-servicemen to help them sort out their problems. |
|
MLA alleges pilferage of NABARD funds Kangra, April 7 He alleged that the funds were siphoned under the political patronage of a close associate of a Cabinet Minister in the Dhumal government who was made a member of different committees meant for the construction of irrigation canals violating all rules and regulations. He said that NABARD had sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for the two canals but only Rs 7 lakh were utilised using sub standard construction material. Describing it as scam, he said that he had informed the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, about it and demanded a vigilance inquiry into the matter. He said that if the Chief Minister chose to ignore the issue he would demand a CBI inquiry. He said he had himself visited the site and had seen the standard of the work. He alleged that committees were formed at the behest of the said minister and the other members were not informed regarding the work carried out. M Bali presented eight members of the two committees before mediapersons, who also alleged that pilferage of funds had taken place. Mr Bali claimed that despite pressure from bureaucrats and politicians to hush up the matter, he would not succumb and suggested that the officers concerned should themselves deposit the ‘pilfered money’ in the treasury. |
|
Shanta: time for plain-speaking Shimla, April 7 Mr Shanta Kumar, who arrived at Palampur this morning, refused to add anything to what he had said in an interview to a daily yesterday. He said he was of the consistent view that some elements in the VHP and the Bajrang Dal had nothing to do with “Hindutva” and were indulging in acts which devalued Hinduism and tarnished the image of the country. He said it was time for introspection to rein in the elements responsible for demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, and the attack on the Orissa Assembly. Mr Shanta Kumar, who is known for plain-speaking on many controversial issues, feels that the party should also firmly deal with such elements indulging in disruptive activities. “What these elements are doing is not Hindutva as the Hindu Dharma never permits what they have done,” he added. Mr Shanta Kumar, who is likely to leave for Goa on April 10, did not confirm whether he would raise these issues at the National Executive meeting of the party. He said he was waiting for a reaction and would not react to statements of some VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders against him.
PTI |
|
A town cries for development Dharampur The only "development" that has taken place here is in the shape of the increasing number of the buildings that are marked by encroachments and violation of the construction norms. The most blatant examples of irregular construction activity can be seen on the Subathu road. The road has also become a dumping site of construction materials which remain there for days together. At certain points the road is badly congested. According to an estimate, more than 500 passengers, most of them women from the rural areas, travel by bus between this town and places like Shimla, Solan, Kasauli, Subathu, Kunihar and Arki. However, the town lacks a proper bus stand. The Dharampur panchayat has been demanding that the MES yard site should be transferred to the civil authorities for the construction of a bus stand. Despite efforts by the district administration to reduce the traffic chaos in the town, mainly on the highway, the problem persists. Owing to the lack of adequate space, private taxis have to be parked on the highway. Besides, encroachments by roadside vend owners and the opening of shops and other establishments along the highway have added to the traffic problem. At a meeting of the Dharampur Gram Panchayat Sabha residents had complained that the police usually
challaned those who parked their vehicles in the main bazar but took no action against those who encroached on the highway. The town also has a poor waste disposal system. Waste, mainly polythene bags, can be seen on hillsides. The shortage of water also worries residents. The inadequate exploitation of new water sources, heavy dependence on an old water source in Dagroh village and the increase in the population have led to the short-age. The problem becomes acute during the summer when water is usually supplied on alternative days. Facilities at the community health centre, which was upgraded from a primary centre a few years ago, are lying unused due to the lack of adequate staff. Posts at the centre have also been lying vacant despite repeated representations to the authorities in this regard. |
|
Trade unions’ strike on April 16 Shimla, April 7 Mr Ashok Purohit, President of the sangh, Mr Kashmir Singh, President of CITU, and Mr Jagdish, President of AITUC, at a press conference here on Thursday claimed that INTUC had also agreed to join the strike. They said the power section employees had also given a call and it could turnout to be a total employees’ strike in the state. They hoped private sector workers would also join the strike. The unions have already submitted a memorandum of their grievances against the Centre and the government. They are opposing privatisation and disinvestment in the public sector undertakings and the proposed amendments to the Industrial Disputes Act, the Contract Labour Act and the Trade Unions Act. They are also demanding the withdrawal of surcharge on income tax and raising the income limit to Rs 1 lakh. Their other demands include constitution of a state labour advisory board and a workers welfare board, sacking of the Transport Minister and prompt payment of medical bills. |
|
Minister’s kin in HPU ‘favoured’ Shimla, April 7 It alleged that in a bid to have its own men at key positions, multifarious charges had been given to favoured ones. For instance, Dr Nadda also holds the post of Dean Planning and Teaching Matter and is convener of the UGC cell of its Academic Staff College. Besides, certain posts had been created to accommodate those owing allegiance to the Sangh Parivar. The post of Additional Chief Warden was specifically created for Mr Rajender Chauhan, Coordinator for Youth and Sports Programme, it added. |
|
Lecturers end boycott of practical exams Hamirpur, April 7 Mr Joginder Singh Rao, president of the association, said that the minister had assured the leaders of the association that he would take up the matter with the cabinet. The association thanked the Chief Minister for the assurance and prompt action. |
|
Honour for five HP scribes Shimla, April 7 |
 |
| 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 | | 122 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
