H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

HVC leaders divided over merger issue
Shimla, October 2
While a major section of the Himachal Vikas Congress seems to be in favour of joining hands with the Congress, the senior leaders are sharply divided on the issue. With Assembly elections just a few months away there is anxiety among party men over the failure of the leadership to take a final decision in the matter.

NEWS ANALYSIS
Capital decision surprises Cong, BJP
Shimla, October 2
The sudden volte-face of the Dhumal government on the winter capital has surprised the ruling and opposition circles alike. The announcement by the Himachal Chief Minister that the government will function from Dharamsala every year from December 25 to February 15 will be taken with a pinch of salt by the people of Kangra as the BJP had decried the annual “winter move” of the previous Virbhadra Singh government as a “political gimmick”.

Capital decision a gimmick: Oppn
Dharamsala, October 2
The announcement of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, to grant second capital status to Dharamsala has evoked mixed reactions while BJP circles have welcomed the decision, opposition parties have termed it as a political gimmick with an eye on the forthcoming elections.

No headway at meeting to end workers’ strike
Chamba, October 2
Workers of Jaiprakash Industries Limited, constructing the Chamera Hydroelectric Project, stage II, on the Ravi, have been on strike since September 30 last without any prior notice to the contractor or to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

Mahatma Gandhi, Shastri remembered
Dharamsala, October 2
Programmes were organised at various places to mark Gandhi Jayanti here today. “Prabhat pheri” was taken out early in the morning in which officials, residents and schoolchildren participated. It ended at Gandhi Park, where floral tributes were paid to the Father of the Nation.

Programmes on women awareness
Nurpur, October 2
The Himachal Pradesh Women’s Commission has launched three programmes for women awareness and to take up cases of atrocities against women in the state, Ms Malvika Pathania, chairperson of the commission, said here today.

Residents to get freehold rights over SDA houses
Shimla, October 2
The state housing board has agreed to convert leasehold rights into freehold rights in respect of residential flats, houses and plots acquired by residents from the erstwhile Shimla Development Authority.

HVC leaders divided over merger issue
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 2
While a major section of the Himachal Vikas Congress seems to be in favour of joining hands with the Congress, the senior leaders are sharply divided on the issue.

With Assembly elections just a few months away there is anxiety among party men over the failure of the leadership to take a final decision in the matter. While Mr Sukh Ram, party supremo, has been asserting that the party would retain its independent identity and not merge with either the Congress or the BJP, there were reports that some of its prominent leaders were keen on joining the Congress. In fact, Mr Ram Nath Sharma, an important party leader from Una district, has already quit the party along with others and awaiting the nod of the Congress high command for joining the party.

According to party sources, personal prejudice of senior leaders in the two parties and the ongoing leadership tussle between Mrs Vidya Stokes, the Pradesh Congress Committee chief and Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Congress Legislative party leader, were coming in the way of the outright merger of the HVC with the Congress. Mr Virbhadra Singh, an arch rival of Mr Sukh Ram, who has been opposing such moves tooth and nail has recently said cases of individuals could be considered for re-entry into the party.

According to reports senior leaders like Mr Vijay Joshi, the working President of the HVC, were in touch with the Congress high command while, Mr Chaman Lal Gachli, and some others were not keen to return to the Congress fold, as they saw little possibility of securing party ticket for the Assembly election.

The lone minister of the HVC, Dr Ram Lal Markandey, was facing a dilemma and waiting for Mr Sukh Ram to take a decision. While the BJP unit of Lahaul Spiti, which he represents in the Assembly, has revolted against him, the Congress has more than one aspirant, including Mr A. N. Vidyarthi, a former Chief Secretary, for the seat. His future could be secure only if the HVC decides to have an alliance with either the BJP or the Congress.

Mr Sukh Ram has convened a meeting of the state executive of the party here on October 16 to discuss the issue. He is under pressure from the party men to take a final decision so that the party could prepare for the impending Assembly poll. He has reason to be concerned, as besides the Congress and the BJP, the Lok Jan Shakti has also entered the political scene. Some Dalit leaders like Mr C.L. Gachli, who was disgracefully removed from the vice-chairmanship of state Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Corporation, were already in touch with the Lok Janshakti leadership.

Mr Sukh Ram, when contacted reiterated his stand that the HVC would retain its separate identity. He said the options for an alliance with either the Congress or the BJP, were open. He laid down certain terms for alliance and said the party would consider electoral tie-up with the party which supported its economic agenda. He maintained that both the BJP and the Congress have failed to solve the financial crisis plaguing the state and the problem of unemployment. Only the HVC had prepared a workable strategy to address these issues. The matter will be discussed in the meeting of the state executive.

The manner in which Mr Anil Sharma, his son and the new HVC President, has been attacking the Dhumal government it seems that there was little likelihood of the party joining hands with the BJP. In fact, the only viable option for the party was to have an alliance with the Congress which will enable it to take advantage of the strong anti-establishment sentiment against the Dhumal government.

NEWS ANALYSIS
Capital decision surprises Cong, BJP
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 2
The sudden volte-face of the Dhumal government on the winter capital has surprised the ruling and opposition circles alike.

The announcement by the Himachal Chief Minister that the government will function from Dharamsala every year from December 25 to February 15 will be taken with a pinch of salt by the people of Kangra as the BJP had decried the annual “winter move” of the previous Virbhadra Singh government as a “political gimmick”. In fact, the party had dubbed it an unnecessary and expensive exercise, burdening the state exchequer.

The party on assuming to power lost no time in “undoing” the “winter move”. Kashmir House, the winter residence of the Chief Minister at Dharamsala, was restored to the State Tourism Development Corporation to be run as a hotel. Mr Dhumal maintained that there was no need to have a residence at Dharamsala for the brief winter stay. He said that he would be touring the Kangra district frequently and there were rest houses in the region where he could stay. The winter residence was a white elephant, which could be utilised as a source of income for the fund-starved state.

While the Dhumal government has been known for reversing decision, the U-turn on this important political issue will be embarrassing for it. The announcement also gives an indication how desperate the BJP has become after it was defeated by the Congress in the Shimla Municipal Corporation poll.

The problem of the “party with a difference” is that its development plank has failed in the face of serious charges of corruption, nepotism, irregularities in recruitments and mis-governance has forced it to go for gimmicks which failed to pay off.

Mr Virbhadra Singh started the winter move with great pomp and show. The people of Kangra congratulated him when he visited Dharamsala on his first winter move, which generated euphoria, in 1995. Hundreds of vehicles followed him and the towns witnessed Divali-like illuminations. He kept his date with Dharamsala for his annual winter sojourn as long as he was the Chief Minister and made it a point to hold at least one Cabinet meeting there.

Despite all the euphoria the move did not help the Congress and it could win only four out of the 16 Assembly seats in the Kangra district. The BJP is also not likely to derive any electoral mileage from the move. There is much political awareness among the people and they are note taken in by the announcement made on the eve of the elections.

Moreover, the period for which the government will function from Dharamsala coincides with the Assembly poll. Electioneering will be at peak in January and February. The ministers will be busy campaigning and it will not make any difference whether the government was at Shimla or Dharamsala.

Lastly, the state, which has been raising loans to pay salaries, could ill-afford the luxury of “Darbar move”.

Capital decision a gimmick: Oppn
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, October 2
The announcement of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, to grant second capital status to Dharamsala has evoked mixed reactions while BJP circles have welcomed the decision, opposition parties have termed it as a political gimmick with an eye on the forthcoming elections.

BJYM National Executive member and in charge for Himachal Pradesh, Mr Sanjay Sharma, welcomed the announcement and said the Chief Minister had fulfilled a long-cherished demand of the merged areas. He said the Congress had always played with the emotions of the people of merged areas but did not provide any tangible benefits. He said the Chief Minister had fulfilled all poll promises and gone a step ahead by granting second capital status to Dharamsala.

Mr Sunil Minocha, general secretary of the state BJP has thanked the Chief Minister for according second capital status to Dharamsala. He said this would not only provide relief to common people who had to run to Shimla for their official works but will also help in ending regional imbalance.

On the other hand the DCC general secretary, Mr Ram Saroop, who had contested last elections from Dharamsala unsuccessfully, termed the announcement as a political gimmick. He said that the track record of Mr Dhumal during his winter stay at Dharamsala in last three years proves that he had no interest in this town had the announcement had been made with an eye on elections. He alleged that Kangra had suffered a lot during the Dhumal regime because of the continuous tussle between the Chief Minister and Union Minister Shanta Kumar.

Mr Ram Saroop said the abandoned ropeway project for Triund, stopping of flights to Gaggal and no decision about the high court circuit Bench at Dharamsala are some examples of how the Chief Minister, Mr Dhumal feels about Kangra.

Mr Rajan Dewan, another general secretary of the DCC said the announcement was welcome provided the state government was serious about its implementation. He said the Chief Minister should also announce about setting up of a permanent high court bench at Dharamsala.

Mr Romel Singh Wadial, president of the Himachal unit of the Lok Janshakti Party, termed the announcement as another attempt to befool the people. He asked the Chief Minister to fulfil the promises made in March 1998 for Dehra subdivision. He said the Chief Minister had promised that Dehra would be made a district and a government college would be opened, besides completing the bridge on the Beas river at Chamba Pattan.

If the Chief Minister is sincere in his announcement, steps should be taken to ensure that when the government starts functioning from here, there are no such problems, he added.

No headway at meeting to end workers’ strike
Our Correspondent

Chamba, October 2
Workers of Jaiprakash Industries Limited, constructing the Chamera Hydroelectric Project, stage II, on the Ravi, have been on strike since September 30 last without any prior notice to the contractor or to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

The workers have stopped the construction and have disrupted essential services. Their demands were taken up at a meeting here today between representatives of the workers and NHPC officials.

Giving the details of the meeting, Col P. M. Sikka, general manager of Jaiprakash Industries Limited, said to give an impartial look to the workers’ demands, the meeting was also attended by Subdivisional Magistrate D. K. Rattan, Additional Superintendent of Police N. D. Sharma and the Labour Officer of Chamba.

Mr Sikka claimed that the workers were not clear about their demands, which were explained in detail by the district administration authorities. The workers expressed apprehensions about the EPF being given to them without signatures, he said.

Other facilities like basic pay and allowances, leave entitlement, accommodation, medical facilities and allied welfare measures were explained at the meeting, he added.

Though the workers nominated 20 representatives to talk to representatives of Jaiprakash Industries and the NHPC and administration officials, the points agreed to at the meeting were rejected by the workers, giving an indication of the negative attitude of the workers, he stated.

Mr Sikka made it clear that in spite of all these obstacles, Jaiprakash Industries had a positive approach and was ready to streamline and improve the procedures.

Mahatma Gandhi, Shastri remembered
Tribune Reporters

Dharamsala, October 2
Programmes were organised at various places to mark Gandhi Jayanti here today. “Prabhat pheri” was taken out early in the morning in which officials, residents and schoolchildren participated. It ended at Gandhi Park, where floral tributes were paid to the Father of the Nation.

The Archaeological Survey of India, in collaboration with the Department of Languages and Culture, Himachal Pradesh, organised a photo exhibition at Kangra Museum on monuments of the state. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Station Director of the All India Radio, Dharamsala, Mr Ashok Jerath.

The Tibetan Welfare Office of the Tibetan government-in-exile organised the sixth Indo-Tibetan Children’s Cultural Festival at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, McLeodganj.

The Kangra Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Subhashish Panda, was the chief guest. Cultural programmes were organised by other institutions also.

NAHAN: Rallies and conferences marked Gandhi Jayanti in the district on Wednesday.

At the district headquarters at Nahan, a rally of schoolchildren and residents of the town was led by Ms Shyama Sharma, vice-chairperson of the State Planning Board, she urged people to practise the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and garlanded a statue of the Father of the Nation at Shamsher Senior Secondary School, Nahan. Mr Sanjeev Sharma, Chairman, Nahan Municipal Council, and a Congress leader, Mrs Kunjana Singh, were among those who paid tributes to the Mahatma.

Meanwhile, on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, Rashmi Publications, Nahan, organised a poetic symposium here on Tuesday evening in which more than 10 poets of the town participated.

SHIMLA: Tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary on Wednesday.

Functions were organised all over the state where people paid homage to the two leaders.

The state-level Gandhi Jayanti function was held at The Ridge here. Dr Suraj Bhan, Governor, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Mrs Sheela Dhumal, wife of the Chief Minister, Mr Gulab Singh Thakur, Speaker, Mr Karan Singh, Minister for Primary Education, Mr Narinder Bragta, Minister of State for Horticulture, Mr R.D. Kashyap, Minister for Urban Development, Mr Sohan Lal, Mayor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, officers, freedom fighters and people from all walks of life paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation.

A special bhajan session was also organised.

Later, the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Speaker, ministers and other dignitaries went to Lal Bahadur Shastri Chowk where they garlanded the bust of the late Prime Minister.

Dr Bhan inaugurated a blood bank camp organised by the state Red Cross Society on Gandhi Jayanti here.

Programmes on women awareness
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, October 2
The Himachal Pradesh Women’s Commission has launched three programmes for women awareness and to take up cases of atrocities against women in the state, Ms Malvika Pathania, chairperson of the commission, said here today.

She said in the first programme, special committees would be formed at the block level by November 30 to take up cases of physical violence. She added that all Deputy Commissioners had been given directions, in this regard.

In the second programme, Superintendents of Police had been directed to ensure that FIRs were lodged at the police stations if any woman happened to visit the police for the purpose, she said. A copy of the FIR should be given to the complainant on the spot, she added.

Ms Pathania said in the third programme, women were being educated about their rights. Booklets on women’s rights had been prepared and were being distributed among women in villages, she added.

Residents to get freehold rights over SDA houses
Our Correspondent

Shimla, October 2
The state housing board has agreed to convert leasehold rights into freehold rights in respect of residential flats, houses and plots acquired by residents from the erstwhile Shimla Development Authority (SDA).

This decision was taken at a meeting of the board presided over by Mr Roop Das Kashyap, Minister of State for Urban Development, here yesterday.

The board approved the scheme for construction of a residential colony under the Partial Self- Financial Scheme at Dhaundi in Mandi, where 20 houses of category I, four houses of category II and 52 plots would be developed at an approximate cost of Rs 3 crore.

The board also approved the scheme for construction of a colony under the Partial Self- Financial Scheme at Bajaura in Kulu.

A proposal for the development of nine additional plots in the housing colony at Nahan was also approved.