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Saturday,
September 28, 2002,
Chandigarh, India  
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No
vendetta against Virbhadra: Dhumal HP BJP
chief to meet leaders tomorrow Cong
groups avoid confrontation Board liabilities: HP to sign tripartite pact |
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‘Avoid
excessive dependence on biotech’ NIT
meeting ends in deadlock Maintain
teacher-student ratio in schools: Bhan Italian
group meets Dalai Lama ADGP,
IGP get President’s Medal Conference
of veterinary pathologists Farm
varsity staff threaten agitation Martyrs cremated with honours
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No vendetta against Virbhadra: Dhumal Nurpur, September 27 Addressing a press conference here last night, Mr Dhumal said that the government had not interfered in the functioning of government agencies and law was talking its own course. Commenting on the criticism of the Opposition over the enforcement of a new youth policy on the eve of the ensuing Assembly elections, Mr Dhumal said the Congress which has ruled the state for over four decades had failed to formulate any welfare policy for the youth and so it had no right to criticise the present government which had not only formulated but also enforced this policy within four and a half years. “Apart from this, 65,000 job opportunities had been created during the same period,” he claimed. Mr Dhumal said his government would not face any anti-incumbency factor in the Assembly election as it had fulfilled the aspirations of the people. On the grant of reservation to the Other Backward Classes as promised in the BJP’s poll manifesto, Mr Dhumal said government was awaiting the report of the OBC commission constituted for this purpose. He came down heavily on Congress leaders for spreading political canards by presenting a wrong picture of financial position of the state. He clarified that the government had repaid the loan, including interest to the tune of Rs 985 crore, within four years but the previous Virbhadra government could repay only Rs 221 crore during the five years of its term. He also explained that the present government had also enforced the recommendations of the fifth. Pay Commission and was disbursing salaries to its employees worth Rs 2,200 crore per annum. About the delay in the reconstruction of a bridge in Kangra district, the Chief Minister informed that the issue had been taken up with the Union Ministry of Surface Transport and it had declared the Himachal Pradesh Government’s National Highway Department as the executing agency. Earlier, the maintenance of the bridge had been undertaken jointly by the Punjab and HP Governments. He said the state had also pleaded for declaring the Kandwal-Bhadroya road as a national highway as it connected two national highways. |
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HP BJP chief to meet leaders tomorrow Kangra, September 27 Mr Sharma said yesterday that senior party functionaries would sit together to take proper decision after the two-member committee submits its report. Mr Sharma said he was in touch with Mr Ganesh Dutt in this connection and would take an appropriate action as per the party constitution soon. Meanwhile, the controversy took a new turn yesterday when the Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidiaya Sagar, who was served a show-cause notice by the district BJP general secretary denied that he had called senior district BJP leaders, who attended the Sunday’s meeting here, as Congress men, but reiterated that the meeting was “illegal” as neither he nor other office-bearers were informed about the meeting. Mr Sagar was addressing a conference at IPH Rest House here yesterday before he left for the Shimla. Regarding the show-cause notice served on him by the district unit of the BJP, Mr Sagar said he was yet to receive it. He came to know about the notice through ‘The Tribune’ report. He said when he receives the show-cause notice he would take the issue to the party workers and the people of his Assembly constituency. Mr Sagar said he was in touch with the party high command in this regard. Meanwhile, Mr Kamal Padda, district BJP general secretary, said today that the show-cause notice was sent to the Agriculture Minister on Wednesday by Speed Post and another copy was delivered to him through a messenger at his residence yesterday. Mr Dulo Ram, district BJP president, when contacted said it was on the insistence of the Agriculture Minister that the meeting was convened to sort out Mr Barsola’s resignation issue. Mr Sagar said seven office-bearers of BJP women’s wing which include Ms Vijay Chadda and Ms Maya Awasthi, president and general secretary, respectively, had resigned. He said 24-member and office-bearers of the OBC BJP Cell and 19 members of the BJP, Kangra unit had also resigned yesterday and sent their resignation letters to Prof Dhumal taking the number of office-bearers of the Kangra BJP unit who had resigned to 73. |
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Cong groups avoid confrontation Una, September 27 Mrs Kidwai, among with AICC Secretary Krishna Tirath, Ms Vidya Stokes, Mr Virbhadra Singh, Mr Kaul Singh, Mr K.D. Sultanpuri and other office-bearers of the HPCC and MLAs of the HP Vidhan Sabha reached the venue of the workers’ meeting here three hours late at about 6.30 p.m., where more than 3,000 workers were waiting for them. Ms Kidwai said that the Congress had decided to tone up the party keeping in view the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha election in HP and with this view, she has visited Paonta Sahib, Nahan, Solan and Una. She said the Congress party had one goal: to remove “the corrupt, inefficient and communal BJP government”. She said sitting MLAs would be given party ticket for the elections only after assessing their capability to win. Mrs Stokes, HPCC president, said there are 26 sitting MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha and remaining 42 seats would be distributed to candidates keeping in view their capacity to win. Youth, weaker sections and women would be given representation. She denied having any differences with Mr Virbhadra Singh, Leader of the House. Mr Virbhadra Singh, former CM and leader of the Congress in the Vidhan Sabha, said the people of Himachal Pradesh were fed up with the “corrupt and ineffective” state government and throw it out in the next elections. He said that BJP was a divided house. It was using government machinery for party use. |
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Board liabilities: HP to sign tripartite pact
Shimla, September 27 The decision was taken at the meeting of the Cabinet presided over by the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, here today. Giving details, Mr Harsh Gupta, Chief Secretary, said the state government would issue bonds to the Central Public Sector Undertakings which would be free to trade them in the market in a phased manner. As many as 10 per cent of the bonds would be eligible for trading in the market every year on a cumulative basis, thus releasing all bonds for trading. He said Himachal Pradesh would be the 18th state in the country to sign the tripartite agreement. The signing of the agreement was in the larger interests of the state and a part of the power sector reforms. The Cabinet approved the setting up of the state medical council and state para-medical council to facilitate the registration of medical practitioners, enforce the code of ethics and professional conduct and also to investigate complaints about negligence and professional misconduct. The councils will help to regulate the mushroom growth of para-medical institutions, prescribe standards for such institutions and register para-medical personnels. The Cabinet also approved the promulgation of ordinances to set up these councils, which would be autonomous bodies. The Cabinet approved the setting up of the Satluj valley watershed development society to ensure implementation of the catchment area treatment plans for various hydel power projects in the Satluj basin. At present, these plans were implemented by the Forest Department which was the administrative department for the CAT plans and for which funds were provided by the developers of the project. Mr Gupta said the Cabinet also approved the creation of a revolving fund for progressive utilisation of the funds deposited by the developer with the state government. It directed that proper coordination be maintained among the concerned agriculture, horticulture, PWD, IPH departments and monitoring of the progress of works at field level be ensured. The Cabinet approved the creation of a post of engineer-in-chief in the Irrigation and Public Health Department and abolishing of a post of chief engineer. |
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‘Avoid excessive dependence on biotech’ Dharamsala, September 27 Dr Bhargava voiced his concern about many new seeds developed biotechnically which had not been tested but had been introduced by multinational companies whose sole motive was profit. He said this might lead to problems later as living microbes once released in the air could not be recalled at will. In his presidential address, Prof P.K. Khosla, senior adviser to the Biotechnology Department of Himachal Pradesh, said biotechnology had the capacity to bring poor states like Himachal on a sound economic footing. He said with the help of biotechnology bioresources of the Himalayas could be saved and even multiplied which would not only benefit the state but also the country. The Director of the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Dr P.S. Ahuja, presented a brief account of the institute and said that many inventions had been successfully marketed through industry. He said the IHBT had also launched projects to take science to villages for day-to-day application and commercial use. The institute also honoured brilliant school students on the occasion. |
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NIT meeting ends in deadlock Hamirpur, September 27 However, insiders in the NIT say that it will reopen only after the Dusehra vacations as the teachers are adamant to go ahead with the teaching schedule. There will be Dusehra holidays from October 12 to 22. Today’s meeting was called by Dr S.K. Bhowmick, acting Director of the institution, as per directions received from the Ministry of the HRD and the Board of Governors of the institute. Nearly 200 people, including parents and teachers, participated in today’s meeting that lasted for about two-and-half hour. Dr Bhowmick chaired the meeting. The authorities had earlier reinstated Mr P.K. Sood, who was placed under suspension after the August 25 incidents, as per demands of the students. Divergent views were expressed in the meeting by parents and teachers. While many parents alleged that their wards were subjected to inhuman treatment even by the mess boys not to speak of the teachers. One of them said mess boys used to threaten students if they objected to their serving of food or complained about the improper services in the hostels. The teachers, on other hand, denied these allegations and said they used to treat the boys and girls as their own children. However, two of the teachers openly blasted the students for their role during the August 25 incidents. They demanded action against the erring students. They urged the parents to ask their wards to name the persons responsible for the August 25 incidents so that miscreants could be booked. Many parents in the meeting demanded the re-opening of the institution at an earliest but urged the teachers to adopt the policy of forget and forgive. However, teachers turned down their request saying that whatever was discussed in today’s meeting would be taken to the general house of the association before taking a final decision. They took part in the meeting wearing black badges. Dr Bhowmick said efforts would be made to reopen institution shortly. Dr Bhowmick said he would again meet the Chairman of Board of Governors of the institution before taking a final decision to reopen it. He said the institution would be reopened in a phased manner and dates would be decided later on. A number of parents told the reporters outside the institution that they were in favour of re-opening of the institution. They said incidents that rocked the institution were shocking. |
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Maintain
teacher-student ratio in schools: Bhan Shimla, September 27 Speaking at the annual function of DAV Senior Secondary Public School, here today, he called upon teachers to explore, identify and bring out the hidden talent of the students by taking a personal interest in their development. He emphasised on maintaining a proper teacher-student ratio in schools which was essential for better understanding and rapport between them. He said it was strange that no educational qualification had been prescribed for public representatives whereas minimum educational qualifications, condition of good character and medical fitness were laid down for even the lowest post. He suggested that there should be a minimum qualification of matric for MLAs and graduation for MPs and added that till such time these were prescribed, the people should exercise their discretion in the matter. |
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Italian
group meets Dalai Lama Dharamsala, September 27 The six-member delegation which is on the four-day official visit to this place had a round of meetings with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan parliament deputies and officials of the Tibetan-Government-in-exile also heard views of various organisations working for the Tibetan cause. Talking to mediapersons here today, the delegates said that the resolution would be discussed in Italian parliament soon. They are likely to demand the resumption of dialogue between the Tibetan-Government-in-exile and the Chinese government under UN
auspices to find a solution to the future status of Tibet. The Tibetan-Government-in-exile is to be recognised as the only and real representative of the Tibetan people by Italy and other European Union members in case China refuses to grant full autonomy to Tibet. The delegation will leave for Delhi tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Convenor, Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch, Dr Kuldeep Agnihotri, has demanded that the resolution passed by the Indian Parliament unanimously in November 1962 about getting the areas occupied by China vacated, should be implemented in full. He said the country should not be scared of waging a war to get these areas liberated. Dr Agnihotri said that India’s security depended upon free Tibet as both countries had long borders. He said Tibet’s occupation was a threat for Indian security. Increasing influence of China on all Himalayan countries, particularly Nepal and Mayanmar, can be a security threat. India should come out openly in support of Tibet’s freedom struggle, he asserted. |
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ADGP, IGP get President’s Medal Shimla, September 27 While Mr D.S. Amist, Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), Mr Vijay Pal Singh, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), were presented the President’s Police Medal for their outstanding services. Mr J.R. Thakur, Superintendent of Police, Mr Mohan Lal, DSP, Mr A.N.Sharma Commissioner of the Shimla Municipal Corporation. Mr Hari Ram, Sub Inspector and Mr Babu Ram, Head Constable were decorated with police medals. Mr Man Chand Kulvi, Instructor with Home Guards, was presented the civil defence medal. Dr Bhan also presented the Jeevan Raksha Medals to Mr Gautam Prasad of Maniara village in Palampur, and Mr Ashwani Kumar of Samroli village in Dehra. |
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Conference of veterinary pathologists Palampur, September 27 While addressing over 200 delegates from all over the country, he said farmers in hill areas were poor because the scientific community had not paid adequate attention towards their problems. He asked scientists to introspect and keep the general welfare of farmers in mind while conducting the research work so that adequate knowledge was generated about the challenges and opportunities in the hills. He also advised them to work in groups. Dr Partap Singh the large-scale changes in the environment had affected the livestock and wildlife and the nature of disease had also undergone a change in the past two decades. The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised the need to combine indigenous knowledge with modern scientific knowledge so that it may become more applicable. Capt Atma Ram, Vice-Chairman, Forest Corporation and local MLA dwelt upon the problem of infertility in animals and urged the scientists to evolve effective methods to treat it. |
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Farm varsity staff threaten agitation Dharamsala, September 27 The university has not received any information till date about the salaries of September. The university does not have its own corpus fund from which this expenditure could be met. The Joint Action Committee of Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff has already served a notice on the university that in case the salaries were not paid on October 1, they would start an indefinite strike and stop the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, from inaugurating the four-day international conference on the university campus. Various committees have recommended pruning the 2100-odd staff. Instead more employees have been appointed. The university wage bill for this year is around Rs 30 crore. The annual aid has been slashed to Rs 21 crore. This leaves a gap of more than Rs 11 crore. The State Finance Department had last month stated that funds would only be available in October. The ministers also refused to help the university. It was only after the directions from the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, that funds were released to the university to pay wages for August. The employees argue that if the state government does not increase the grant by Rs 10 crore for the current year, the employees would not get their salaries after December. Hence the employees are demanding solution now. |
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Martyrs cremated with honours Nahan, September 27 Hitesh Kumar laid down his life while fighting
Pakistan-trained terrorists in Baramula district of Jammu and Kashmir
September 24. His cremation was largely attended. His brother lit the
pyre as Hitesh Kumar was still unmarried. The mortal remains of the
martyr arrived at 5 a.m. at Rajgarh from where the body was
accompanied by Mr S.P. Rolta, SDM, and Mr Anupam Sharma, Deputy SP,
Rajgarh, to his native village. Thousands of people were standing on
the both sides of the road to pay their last respect. Meanwhile,
sepoy Balbir Singh of the ITBPF, also laid down his life in Jammu and
Kashmir. The mortal remains of the martyr arrived at his native
village Bherewala in Paonta tehsil at about 3 p.m. An ITBPF official
arrived here with the body of martyr, Balbir Singh, 28, who laid down
his life while protecting road and clearing land mines laid by
terrorists at Beri Nag in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The
mortal remains of the martyr were consigned to the flames on the bank
the Yamuna near his village. His elder brother lit the pyre. He was
youngest among three brothers. Mr Sanjay Sharma, SDM Paonta, and the
Additional SHO, Paonta, were among those who attended the funeral. |
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Bhagat Singh remembered Shimla |
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