The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, October 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India

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H I M A C H A L P R A D E S H

Himachal to modify decision on hoardings
Mandi, October 12
The Himachal Government has agreed to revise and modify its earlier decision to remove hoardings on the national highways after the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, was apprised of the loss being caused to the tourism industry by the removal of these hoardings and sign boards by the hotel association.

Devotees at the famous Jawala Jee temple Devotees at the famous Jawala Jee temple (one of the nine sisters of Durga Mata) of Himachal Pradesh on the occasion of 'Navartri' (nine-day rituals). — PTI

Israeli held with foreign currency
Shimla, October 12
The Kulu police arrested an Israeli national, Ovadia Haim Siton, during routine checking at the Bajaura police barrier last night and seized from him currency of seven countries amounting to Rs 7 lakh.

Obscene posters: cops look for culprits
Chamba, October 12
The police is on the lookout for those pasting obscene posters on walls in the town since the past few months.

YOUR TOWN

Chamba
Shimla

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Himachal to modify decision on hoardings
Our Correspondent

Mandi, October 12
The Himachal Government has agreed to revise and modify its earlier decision to remove hoardings on the national highways after the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, was apprised of the loss being caused to the tourism industry by the removal of these hoardings and sign boards by the hotel association.

Briefing newspersons Munish Sood president, Mandi Hoteliers Association said today the Chief Minister told a delegation that the hotel associations that he had directed the Chief Engineer, Mr Harbans Kumar, to frame rules and guidelines regulating the putting up of hoardings. Meanwhile, the authorities had been advised not to go ahead with reckless demolition of hoardings he said.

Members of the delegation lamented that hoardings worth crore of rupees had been damaged by the highway authorities while implementing government orders. The orders seemed to have been issued in panic after the apex court slapped a fine of Rs 1 crore on the state government without giving it an opportunity of being heard.

It was also brought to the notice of the Chief Minister that all hoardings were intact in Shimla while in Manali, Kulu, Mandi and Bilaspur towns even the small indicators put up for the guidance of the tourists had been removed resulting in resentment among the hotel industry.

The Chief Minister assured that nothing would be done to cause inconvenience or harassment to the tourists. He said necessary instructions were being issued to the authorities concerned.

When contacted Chief Engineer, National Highways, Mr Harbans Kumar Sharma, confirmed that the decision to remove hoardings on the highways was being revised and modified on the instructions of the Chief Minister.

Israeli held with foreign currency

Shimla, October 12
The Kulu police arrested an Israeli national, Ovadia Haim Siton, during routine checking at the Bajaura police barrier last night and seized from him currency of seven countries amounting to Rs 7 lakh.

The Kulu district police chief, Mr N. Venugopal, said the foreign national, who was coming from Mandi to Kulu, was stopped for checking in view of the Kulu Dasehra festival. On suspicion, the police searched his belongings and found him in possession of a large number of foreign currency notes.

He was taken to Kulu and at the office of the DSP Indian currency amounting to Rs 3,18,500, $ 5100, £146, 20,000 Japanese yens, 50 Swiss francs, 10 euro and 40 Israeli sequim were seized from him.

When DSP Prem Chand asked Ovadia to produce bank encashment receipts, he failed to do so. He also could not convince the police about the source of the money.

Some gold jewellery and precious stones were also seized from him. He was taken into police custody after the registration of a case.

On persual of his travel documents, it was found that he had visited India six times since July 2000 and was also arrested under the NDPS Act for allegedly carrying 1.25 kg of charas in 1998, but was later acquitted by the court. PTI

Obscene posters: cops look for culprits
Our Correspondent

Chamba, October 12
The police is on the lookout for those pasting obscene posters on walls in the town since the past few months.

Such posters have been pasted on walls of government and private buildings, levelling slanderous charges against senior ministers journalists, administrative officers, executive magistrates and other persons of high social standing belonging to this region.

Stating this here today, Mr N.D. Sharma, ASP, Chamba, said the police had gathered some evidence and handwriting experts were trying to identify the miscreants. Posters defaming the Himachal Industries Minister, Mr Kishori Lal, his family members, the Ayurveda Minister, Mr Mohan Lal, and administrative officers, besides journalists, have been pasted on walls.

Himachal postings, transfers
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 12
The Himachal Government yesterday posted Mr Daljit Dogra, Managing Director, State Road Transport Corporation, as Deputy Resident Commissioner, Delhi, vice Ms Priya Ajit Singh who becomes additional Director, Industry.

Mr Sanjeev Gupta, Commissioner-cum-Director Transport, will hold the additional charge of Managing Director of the corporation.

Mr Hans Raj, Joint Secretary, Revenue, has been given additional charge of Editor-in-Chief of District gazetteers.