H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Stokes assails Dhumal on winter capital
Shimla, October 6
Mrs Vidya Stokes, Pradesh Congress Committee chief, said today that the winter capital decision was a crude ploy to divert attention from the “humiliations” heaped on the people of Kangra by the Dhumal government, which discriminated against the biggest district in the state in the matter of development and recruitment.

Delimitation may equalise segments
Nurpur, October 6
The ongoing process of the delimitation of constituencies by the Delimitation Commission is likely to equalise the population and area of four Assembly segments — Nurpur, Jawali, Gangath and Guler on the foothills of Kangra district, in which an imbalance had been created during last delimitation that took place in 1972.

Labour law changes on anvil
Kangra, October 6
Union Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma expressed shock over the Karnataka Government decision to defy the apex court direction seeking compliance with the order of the Cauvery River Authority headed by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, directing release of 9000 cusecs of water per day to the Mettur reservoir in Tamil Nadu.

Heavy vehicles keep away from bypass
Palampur
The traffic situation in this key town of Himachal Pradesh has gone from bad to worse in the past six months, thanks to the apathy of local administration. Despite the fact that the Kalu di Hatti - Holta bypass is fully operational and being used by a number of vehicles daily, still the major influx of traffic comes via Palampur where the narrow Pathankot-Mandi national highway has become a traffic hazard.

Jats’ demand referred to commission
Dharamsala, October 6
To the demand of OBC status for Jats of Himachal, Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal declared that the matter had been referred to the Other Backward Classes Commission for consideration. He, however, said that the demand was genuine and the commission would also be convinced. He hinted an announcement in this regard might be made before Divali.

Teachers’ union defers stir
Shimla, October 6
The Himachal Government Teachers Union has deferred its proposed stir from October 7 following talks with the government. Mr Mansingh Chandel, president of the union, said here today that the decision to postpone the agitation was taken after Mr I.D. Dhiman, Education Minister, assured that the government would review the notification in which 25 per cent of posts of headmaster were set apart for direct recruitment.

Minister against child labour
Dharamsala, October 6
Union Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma today said that the Centre was committed to ensuring that children were not employed at an age when they should be in school. The minister, who had arrived at Gaggal airport to attend the Mahasammelan of the Jat community at Lower Sakoh, near here, was talking to mediapersons this morning.

60 Cong men join BJP
Paonta Sahib, October 6
Nearly 60 Congress men, along with an ex-president of Bali-Koti panchayat of Shillai constituency, joined the BJP at a meeting and rally held at Bali-Koti panchayat.

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Stokes assails Dhumal on winter capital
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 6
Mrs Vidya Stokes, Pradesh Congress Committee chief, said today that the winter capital decision was a crude ploy to divert attention from the “humiliations” heaped on the people of Kangra by the Dhumal government, which discriminated against the biggest district in the state in the matter of development and recruitment.

Addressing a press conference here today, she said Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, not only wound up the winter residence of the Chief Minister at Dharamsala, but discriminated against Kangra district to such an extent that his own ministers were forced to raise a banner of revolt against him on the issue.

The raw deal handed out to the unemployed youth of Kangra in recruitment to government jobs was a major issue, besides discrimination in development. In fact, the very functioning of the State Subordinate Services Selection Board had come under a cloud because of blatant nepotism and favouritism in selections, she alleged.

Intriguingly, the ministers who raised this issue and levelled serious charges of corruption against their own government continued in the ministry. It only indicated that the allegations were true otherwise the Chief Minister would have sacked them. The people of Kangra had been aware of all this and they would not be taken in by the winter capital gimmick. They were anxiously waiting for the elections to give a befitting reply to the machinations of Mr Dhumal.

The Congress leader said the move had much to do with the ongoing factional war in the BJP. While the Congress was united, the BJP was plagued with factionalism.

She came down heavily on Mr Dhumal for making policy announcements with serious financial implications at the fag end of his term. He had no moral right to do so when the Assembly elections were round the corner. Such matters should have been better left to the next government, she said.

Having failed on the development front, the Dhumal government had been surviving on “gimmicks” and controversies. First it was the creation of districts which caused an upheaval in the state, then the winter capital move and now it was the delimitation of constituencies. Mrs Stokes said she was confident that the delimitation commission headed by Mr Justice Kuldeep Singh would take the views of all concerned into consideration and do justice.

She lambasted the government for scrapping the state Human Rights Commission and said it was a retrograde step which would deprive the aggrieved persons of an independent forum for redressal of their grievances.

Delimitation may equalise segments
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, October 6
The ongoing process of the delimitation of constituencies by the Delimitation Commission is likely to equalise the population and area of four Assembly segments — Nurpur, Jawali, Gangath and Guler on the foothills of Kangra district, in which an imbalance had been created during last delimitation that took place in 1972. The delimitation is being carried out by making the population as the base of the area and the patwar circles of the area will be considered as the basic units.

In 1972, the delimitation of these Assembly segments was undertaken allegedly on political grounds, which caused an unevenness in the population and areas. Jawali and Guler towns were included in Guler and Jaswan Assembly constituencies respectively.

Inquiries reveal that following the delimitation process, an average of 72 to 75 thousand people would be earmarked for each Assembly segment. The Guler Assembly segment is expected to get the maximum share of population.

There is a proposal to separate Nema, Bari Batran, Golwan, Hatpang, Sakri and Bhader rural areas from Nurpur Assembly segment and are being clubbed to Jawali Assembly segment. The politically significant areas of the Rehan belt of Nurpur, including Laroonh, Kandor and Rehan, are being shifted to Jawali.

Similarly, Baranda, Lakhanpur, Lodwan, Bhadroya and Dankwan areas are being shifted from Gangath Assembly segment to Nurpur. The far-flung areas like Minjgrah, Bhol Thakran, Jounta and Punder are also being detached from Nurpur for their merger in Guler Assembly segment. Some rural areas also being transferred from Jawali to Guler Assembly segment. These proposals of transferring areas from one segment to the other are being opposed by the local Congress units. They have alleged that the motive behind this process was political.

Labour law changes on anvil
Our Correspondent

Kangra, October 6
Union Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma expressed shock over the Karnataka Government decision to defy the apex court direction seeking compliance with the order of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) headed by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, directing release of 9000 cusecs of water per day to the Mettur reservoir in Tamil Nadu. He said that this would set a wrong precedent and affect judicial ethos of the country.

Mr Verma was talking to mediapersons at Kangra airport today on his arrival here in a aircraft to attend one-day Jat Mahasammelan at Sakoh. The Union Minister said that the Karnataka government should not mix politics with the judicial decision and should have not decided to defy the Supreme Court directive. Mr Verma said the legal options were still open to the Karnataka government to approach the full bench of the Supreme Court for justice but defiance of the apex court was unethical.

To a question Mr Verma said that amendments to the Labour Law would be put up in Parliament latest by the Budget session. He said the Labour Ministry was concerned at child labour in the country and the Child Labour law was enacted it still had scope for improvement which the government would like to do.

Mr Verma was received by Transport Minister Krishen Kapoor, Kangra district Zila Parishad chief Rattan Jagat Amba and BJP district general secretary Kamal Padda at the Kangra airport. Later he left for Sakoh to attend the Jat Sammelan.

Heavy vehicles keep away from bypass
Ravinder Sood

Palampur
The traffic situation in this key town of Himachal Pradesh has gone from bad to worse in the past six months, thanks to the apathy of local administration. Despite the fact that the Kalu di Hatti - Holta bypass is fully operational and being used by a number of vehicles daily, still the major influx of traffic comes via Palampur where the narrow Pathankot-Mandi national highway has become a traffic hazard.

Earlier the SDM, Mr Tek Chand, took keen interest in coming to grips with the traffic problem and diverted all heavy vehicles via Kalu di Hatti bypass, but after his transfer no one bothered and today all heavy vehicles again pass through the town to destinations further away, thus causing traffic bottlenecks. Wrong parking of vehicles has become a common feature. Heavy vehicles are seen unloading goods in front of the shops blocking traffic. Though traffic police constables are deployed at different places but they never bother to bring offenders to book.

There has been a manifold increase in the number of heavy and light vehicles in the town but the width of most roads has remained unchanged for 25 years. In peak hours, vehicular owners have to wait for a long time as there are traffic jams at one place or the other. Increasing political interference in the functioning of the police has made matters worse.

Palampur town has witnessed all-round development in past ten years, the population of the town has increased from 5,000 to 35,000. A number of housing colonies has come up on the town’s periphery but no links roads have been built. To compound matters, no new plans have been initiated for development. Though the proposals had been made many times for widening roads but it remained confined to the files.

The local Municipal Council, which could have played constructive role in the town’s development, has failed to come to the expectations of residents. Instead of constructing parking places, the council has converted many parking places into small markets causing great inconvenience to shoppers as well as office-goers. Many a time pedestrians are hit by the vehicles. The town has become a big “slum”.

Despite the fact that crores of rupees has been incurred on the construction of bypasses, still these roads leave much to be desired. In one bypass a major portion of road has been encroached and the Public Works Department is helpless to declare it operational. No efforts have been made to remove the encroachments as the most of the offenders enjoy political patronage. Even the Kalu di Hatti bypass is in bad shape, with potholes varying from six inches to one feet deep. Despite, repeated requests, the Public Works Department has not repaired the road.

In the absence of notified parking places, tourists are the worst victims as their vehicles are challaned or impounded by the police for wrong parking. In such a situation the traffic police gets a free hand to harass visitors.

Over 200 vehicles are added to the town every month and if no serious measure were adopted, it would become difficult even to walk through the town’s markets.

Jats’ demand referred to commission
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, October 6
To the demand of OBC status for Jats of Himachal, Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal declared that the matter had been referred to the Other Backward Classes Commission for consideration. He, however, said that the demand was genuine and the commission would also be convinced. He hinted an announcement in this regard might be made before Divali.

Addressing the Jat Mahasammelan at Lower Sakoh near here, Mr Dhumal called upon the gathering for society’s progress. He said that the communities which worked hard progressed and received help. Lauding Jats as farmers and soldiers, he said the contribution of the community could not be ignored. He appealed that all should work for the uplift of the deprived.

The Chief Minister, having a dig at the Opposition for terming his recent announcements as election stunts said that whenever a political leader did something it always had a political undertone and there was nothing wrong with it. He said criticism was welcome but it hurt when baseless and unfounded allegations were levelled.

On development in the past four and a half years the Chief Minister said sewerage for Dharamsala, Jwalamukhi and Hamirpur and several buildings built in his tenure were proof of development. He said not only the support price of apples had been enhanced but fruit produce of lower areas like mango had also been brought under the scheme by his government.

Earlier the chief guest, the Union Labour Minister, Mr Sahib Singh Verma, appealed the Himachal government to grant OBC status to Jats of Himachal. He said Himachal progressed a lot in the past four and a half years and credit for it went to Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal. He said with central assistance, a proposal for an ITI in each of the 68 constituencies was being implemented for providing vocational training to rural youths.

He also announced that Delhi would send one volunteer to every polling booth in Himachal to help the BJP in the forthcoming elections. The meeting was also addressed by Himachal Education Minister I.D. Dhiman, Transport Minister Kishan Kapoor. Former Congress MLA from Nadaunta, Manjeet Dogra, expelled from the Congress recently, also addressed the sammelan.

The Chief Minister later inaugurated Rs 8 lakh Students Activity Centre in the local government college and also a Samudayik Bhavan in Chamunda temple complex. Mr Dhumal also laid the foundation stones of two bridges across Chiran Khud and Manjhi Khud on the Dharamsala-Palampur road.

Teachers’ union defers stir
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 6
The Himachal Government Teachers Union has deferred its proposed stir from October 7 following talks with the government.

Mr Mansingh Chandel, president of the union, said here today that the decision to postpone the agitation was taken after Mr I.D. Dhiman, Education Minister, assured that the government would review the notification in which 25 per cent of posts of headmaster were set apart for direct recruitment. He said the posts of headmaster were so far being filled entirely through promotions from the TGT cadre. The decision to have direct recruitment would further squeeze promotional avenues for teachers, he said.

He claimed that the government had also agreed to grant laboratory allowance to science lecturers and make a provision of 10 per cent quota for the classical and vernacular teachers, who have improved their qualifications, for promotion to the post of lecturers. Besides, the Secretary (Education) and Secretary (Personnel) would work out a practical solution to end the anomalies in the pay-scales of Shastris and language teachers.

The other demands discussed at the meeting included the creation of post of Vice-Principal in schools with a student strength of more than 1,000, grant of special increments to the teachers holding a Ph.D degree and administrative allowance of Rs 500 per month to lecturers on promotion to the post of Deputy Director.

Minister against child labour
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, October 6
Union Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma today said that the Centre was committed to ensuring that children were not employed at an age when they should be in school. The minister, who had arrived at Gaggal airport to attend the Mahasammelan of the Jat community at Lower Sakoh, near here, was talking to mediapersons this morning.

He said stringent laws against child labour were being enforced. Amendments to the Labour Act were under consideration and they would be placed in Parliament in the next budget session.

Replying to questions on the Cauvery water issue, Mr Verma said the Karnataka Chief Minister should not defy the Supreme Court in this matter. Instead of taking a defiant stand, he should have approached the Supreme Court with a petition for review of the decision.

60 Cong men join BJP
Our Correspondent

Paonta Sahib, October 6
Nearly 60 Congress men, along with an ex-president of Bali-Koti panchayat of Shillai constituency, joined the BJP at a meeting and rally held at Bali-Koti panchayat.

They lambasted the Congress for neglecting the residents of Shillai. On this occasion, Mr Negi, former MLA from Shillai said the Congress MLA from Shillai was not interested to the development of the area. He alleged the sitting MLA was not taking any interest in making Shillai a tribal constituency.

Pradhans expelled
Our Correspondent

Chamba, October 6
Following the amended provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Amendment ) Act, 2000, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rahul Anand, today ordered the expulsion of Mr Diyala Ram, pradhan, Sanwal gram panchayat, Mr Gayatri Dutt, pradhan, Gola gram panchayat, Mr Faini Ram, member, Basodhan gram panchayat, and Mrs Nirjala Devi, member, panchayat samiti ward Rathiar-Basodhan, in Chamba district from their posts.