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 Shimla, April 10
Mr Rajnath Singh, Union Agriculture Minister, today lambasted Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for calling Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee a “kapoot” and said he was at least a “son of the soil” and not a foreigner like Ms Sonia Gandhi. No differences
with CM: Stokes
Shanta didn’t allow AIIMS status to Tanda College: Cong
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NDA
manifesto is BJP agenda: Cong
Maheshwar counters CM’s charge on development fund
20 BJP activists join Congress
Manjit Dogra back in Congress
BJP opposed state interests, says CM
Army refuses to hand over Annandale
grounds to govt
No differences with CM: Stokes
Setting up of hospital a poll issue in Kangra
BJP rejects Health Dept’s explanation
Denial of increments to draughtsmen resented
Hike honorarium of NCC officers, says DG
Notice to Health Secy on MRI facility
Thakur dubs NDA govt anti-farmer
Truckers urge govt to increase loading capacity
Rohtang Pass opened
to light vehicles
Old man found murdered
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Virbhadra’s remarks against PM
Shimla, April 10 Addressing a press conference at Kiarighat, 22 km from here, he said Mr Vajpayee was the most respected leader of the country, and a normal person would not make such uncharitable remarks against him. He said Mr Virbhadra Singh did not seem to be normal and required immediate medical check up. He said the response of people to the NDA campaign had caused panic in the Congress camp and its leaders were indulging in character assassination out of sheer frustration. He said the Congress, which was raising an accusing finger at Mr Vajpayee, was being led by a foreigner, who refused to accept Indian citizenship for 15 long years. He said people could not accept a foreigner as Prime Minister in the same manner as Himachalis would not like to see a person from Uttar Pradesh like him to adorn the office of the State’s Chief Minister. It was a natural sentiment , as people did not want to be led by someone whom they consider an outsider. Mr Rajnath Singh said that under Mr Vajpayee’s leadership, the country was on its way to become a world economic power. The gross domestic product (GDP) has swelled from Rs 13,19,148 crore in 1997-98 to Rs 22,36,128 crore in 2002-03 and the defence budget, which remained static during the rule of the Congress which succumbed to pressures from international funding agencies, had been increased by 65 per cent. It shot up from Rs 39,897 crore in 1997-98 to Rs 66,000 crore in 2002-03. He denied the Congress charge that there was no employment generation and said as against 34 lakh jobs created during the 1993-97 period, over 84 lakh persons were given employment from 1998 to 2002. The agriculture credit increased from Rs 36,000 crore to Rs 82,000 crore over the period and crop insurance scheme had been launched in a phased manner. Referring to the Congress demand for an apology from Mr Vajpayee on the Bofors issue, he said morality demanded that Ms Sonia Gandhi should herself come forward for an inquiry into the matter in the light of the latest revelations in the case. Replying to a question, he said the BJP was in favour of granting reservation to the economically backward irrespective of caste, creed and religion. SOLAN: The BJP today launched its poll campaign for the Shimla parliamentary seat with union agriculture minister Rajnath Singh addressing a workers' rally here today. Terming the BJP as the only party with a vision and philosophy, the Union Minister expressed hope of his party repeating its earlier performance, in the forthcoming parliamentary poll. Attended by workers from all 17 vidhan sabha constituencies, the rally drew a large strength of workers. Dwelling on the achievements of the NDA-led BJP government at the Centre, he said the BJP had come a long way from winning two seats in 1984 to winning the highest number of seats in the last Parliament. It was a rare occasion when former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and former Union Minister Shanta Kumar shared the same dais. Earlier, Mr Dhumal, while enlisting the development works during his tenure, said all development had come to a standstill under the Congress government in the state. Mr Shanta Kumar also presented details of development schemes undertaken by the Centre Government. The state BJP president Suresh Bhardwaj while terming the state government as bankrupt said its sole interest was to initiate inquiries against the BJP politicians and those owing allegiance to the party. |
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No differences
with CM: Stokes Nahan, April 10 She said some mediapersons in the state do not want to see both leaders together. They are always busy concocting such stories to create “media hype” about differences and misunderstandings between them. Denying any differences with the Chief Minister, she praised him for his “dynamic leadership” in the state. She claimed that there was no question of opposing the entry of Mr Dhani Ram Shandil in the party. She said the entry of Dr Shandil in the Congress was unanimous decision of the Congress leaders of the state. Ms Stokes claimed the BJP had no issue against the Congress in the state. There was no “feel good” for the BJP in the state and claimed that the Congress would win all four seats in the state with a good margin. Ms Stokes said the Congress had given open offer to the HVC superemo Sukh Ram to join Congress without any pre-condition. She, however, clarified that the decision to take back expelled party workers and other like-minded persons was exclusively taken by the party high command. |
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Shanta predicts split in Cong after poll
Chandigarh,
April 10 Addressing media persons here, Mr
Shanta Kumar said the unprecedented developmental activities conducted
out by the NDA government headed by Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee had
created a vast amount of goodwill among the people. For
instance, in Himachal Pradesh from where Mr Shanta Kumar was seeking
re-election (Kangra the constituency), the Centre’s decision to
increase the free ration from 10 kg to 35 kg to those living below the
poverty line had won it a large number of grateful admirers.
Similarly, expenditure of hundreds of crores of rupees on the
construction of new roads in difficult, hilly terrain had not only
brought about a change in the life of the people but also created
additional job opportunities for them. The BJP leader felt that
coming election would prove to be the last electoral battle for the
Congress party to maintain its existence. The Congress had won the
lowest number of seats in its history in the last elections. Going by
the present trends, the party would get even less this time. The
Congress would suffer a defeat followed by a split which would greatly weaken the
party. This might not be good for democracy
but this was the writing on the wall. The Congress party had been
unable to project any of its leaders as the future Prime Minister of
India. It was pathetic to see a 120-year-old party banking upon
political novices like Rahul and Priyanka in order to improve its
electoral performance. Mr Shanta Kumar said people of India could
never accept a person of foreign origin as their Prime Minister of
India. It was not a personal issue. It was the question of India’s
self-respect and pride. He likened Mrs Sonia Gandhi to a flower grown
in a flower pot which could be put in a verandah or the drawing room
of a house but could not be accorded the pride of place in a garden.
He asserted that the BJP was in a strong position to win all four
Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh. The infighting in the Congress
party and the weakening of Mr Sukh Ram would further help the BJP to
improve its performance. |
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Shanta didn’t allow AIIMS status to
Nurpur, April 10 In a statement issued here on Thursday Ms Chandresh Kumari said Mr Shanta Kumar was interested in the Vivekanand Medical College and Research Trust (VMCRT). Most of the members in the trust were from Mr Shanta Kumar’s family, she added. She said if Mr Shanta Kumar desired, he could have included the Tanda Medical College in the Central Government proposal to set up five AIIMS like hospitals in the country. She said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had written to the Union Ministry of Health for proposing the Tanda medical college on the pattern of the AIIMS, instead of proposing Vivekanand Medical Hospital, in the larger interest of the state. But the Centre had not replied to the state government in this connection. Referring to the Shahpur rally of the BJP, Ms Chandresh Kumari claimed that there was nothing unusual in it and it had no impact on the people of Himachal Pradesh. |
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NDA manifesto is BJP agenda: Cong Shimla, April 10 Addressing a press conference here, party spokesman Kuldeep Singh Rathore said the inclusion of issues like Ram temple was a clear indication that the BJP had bulldozzed the allies and had its way. He said the BJP manifesto talked of good governance and security but its performance during the past five years had belied these claims. He accused the BJP of raking the Bofors issue on the eve of the election, to draw political mileage and said the BJP was trying to reinvent an issue which had been decided by the court. Mr
Rathore alleged that six-ye rule of the NDA had been full of scams and
scandals and people would give their verdict on the performance of the
NDA government by bringing the Congress back to power. — PTI |
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VHP welcomes NDA manifesto Solan, April 10 Addressing mediapersons here today, he said no one could stop them from fulfilling the dream of crores of Hindus across the nation. Earlier, while addressing VHP workers he termed politicians as a bunch of scoundrels. |
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Maheshwar counters CM’s charge on development fund
Kulu, April 10 Mr Maheshwar expressed surprise over the lack of knowledge of Mr Virbhadra Singh who alleged in newspapers that Maheshwar Singh should give details of Rs 20 crore and said if Mr Virbhadra Singh was talking of the MP’s special development fund, then he should know that during his tenure as an MP the amount referred to never touched Rs 20 crore. Mr Maheshwar Singh said rather Mr Virbhadra Singh was answerable to the people of the state about the funds allocated by the Centre for various development projects. Mr Maheshwar Singh, blamed Mr Virbhadra Singh for having failed to utilise development funds provided by the Union government in Himachal Pradesh. Talking about the statements given by Pratibha Singh, wife of Mr Virbhadra Singh and the Congress candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, Mr Maheshwar said she had told various public meetings in the district that whatever development had taken place in the district was the result of the successive Congress governments. Referring to the statements of Mr Sukh Ram, the HVC chief, Mr Maheshwar said he would like to tell “Pandit ji” that he had also lost to him by 25,000 votes in 1989 in the ninth Lok Sabha elections. He agreed that Mr Sukh Ram had given him support while he had alliance with the BJP but that time too he had secured good lead from Kulu. He challenged Mr Sukh Ram for proving his allegations that there was a crusher in his son’s name and contractorship given to the family members. |
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20 BJP activists join Congress
Chamba, April 10 Announcing their decision to join the Congress, these activists expressed full faith in the policies of the Congress under the leadership of Ms Sonia Gandhi, AICC President and Himachal Chief Minister Mr Virbhadra Singh. Of these BJP activists, at least seven were members of the urban mandal executive body of the BJP who included Mr Manoj Kumar Mahajan, Mr Rakesh Mahajan Mr Kulvinder Mahajan, Mr Yogesh Rana, Mr Vikram, Mr Narottam Kumar, and Mr Pawan Kumar. |
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Manjit Dogra back in Congress
Hamirpur, April 10 Mr Kuldip Singh Rathore, General Secretary of the party, in a letter to Mr Dogra has stated that his expulsion had been revoked as per talks held with Mr Ashok Gehlot, party’s in charge for Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh had recommended to the Congress party high command for revoking expulsion of Mr Dogra from the party. Mr Kaushal is a confidant of Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh and had organised gatherings for the Chief Minister despite being out of Congress party. There are reports that Ram Lal Thakur, party candidate from Hamirpur seat also played a major role for ending the expulsion of Mr Dogra from party. Mr Dogra organised a feast for the party workers at Bijheri yesterday. He thanked the party high command for his readmission into the party.
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BJP opposed state interests, says CM
Bharmour (Chamba), April 10 Quoting several instances, the Chief Minister said it was then Jan Sangh (now BJP) led by Mr Shanta Kumar, which had not only opposed the land reforms legislation but also thwarted its implementation in 1971. He said the Laghu Jimindar Sabha, led by Mr Shanta Kumar, was formed to prevent the implementation of land reform laws of the government in the state. Referring to the Swami Vivekananda Hospital Trust at Palampur, the Chief Minister said the state government had donated 25 acres to the trust, which was valued at Rs 35 crore. He asked Mr Shanta Kumar to clarify the irregularities found in the hospital trust in public. In the press conference, Ms Pratibha Singh, a Congress candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, said progress and prosperity of the area and its people would be her poll plank. Later, addressing an election rally at Bharmour Township, Mr Virbhadra Singh said the formation of the previous BJP-led government in the state was a historical mistake, which proved a corrupt and inefficient polity. The Chief Minister said the state government had given pension benefits to 28,300 old persons, widows and handicapped persons besides social pension to 17,000 persons. He promised to enhance the daily wages to Rs 75 and linking all panchayats of the state by motorable roads. |
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Army refuses to hand over Annandale
Shimla, April 10 After a number of sites were rejected by the Army authorities, the state government had, some time back, suggested a 30-acre piece of land in Ghandal village, about 22 km from Shimla. A team of Army officers, which had visited the place reportedly found the uneven terrain of the site and a seasonal culvert flowing there unsuitable. The actual area which could be utilised was reduced to about four-five acres only. Government moves to take over the lush green Annandale ground, spread over an area of around 33 acres and with the history of being venue of the Durand football tournaments, were initiated in early 80s and intensified during the previous BJP rule. The Army authorities had also apparently agreed to shift to some other site provided it could fulfil their requirements. Even state government officials agree that an alternative site should have the basic infrastructure to meet the requirements of defence authorities. The Annandale ground has been the only parade ground, training and sports centre for Army units stationed in Shimla, Sanjauli and Kufri. The complex was leased to the Army by the Punjab government in 1955. With the re-organisation of Punjab in 1966, Shimla district was transferred to the state of Himachal Pradesh. State authorities argue that the Annandale ground is now government property. Apart from being the hub of training and sports activities for Armymen, the ground has proved its utility in times of distress. It was used as a helipad by the Army while carrying out relief and rescue missions during the devastating floods in Kinnaur in July 2000.
— UNI |
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No differences with CM: Stokes
Nahan, April 10 She said some mediapersons in the state do not want to see both leaders together. They are always busy concocting such stories to create “media hype” about differences and misunderstandings between them. Denying any differences with the Chief Minister, she praised him for his “dynamic leadership” in the state. She claimed that there was no question of opposing the entry of Mr Dhani Ram Shandil in the party. She said the entry of Dr Shandil in the Congress was unanimous decision of the Congress leaders of the state. Ms Stokes claimed the BJP had no issue against the Congress in the state. There was no “feel good” for the BJP in the state and claimed that the Congress would win all four seats in the state with a good margin. Ms Stokes said the Congress had given open offer to the HVC superemo Sukh Ram to join Congress without any pre-condition. She, however, clarified that the decision to take back expelled party workers and other like-minded persons was exclusively taken by the party high command. |
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Setting up of hospital a poll issue in Kangra
Dharamsala, April 10 In 1991, when BJP was in power in Himachal Pradesh and Mr Shanta Kumar was the Chief Minister. He mooted an idea for the setting up a super-speciality hospital and medical college in the private sector and an agreement was signed with the Apollo Hosptial group. The foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister in November 1992 where donors promised almost Rs 25 crore. The state government agreed to provide land to set up a trust headed by the Secretary Health. The government fell in December and the BJP was voted out of power after one year. Mr Virbhadra Singh , who took over the reigns of the government shelved the project and most of donors withdrew their offers. The BJP raised it during subsequent elections as an issue . In 1998 , the state government started a government medical college at Tanda. Mr P. K. Dhumal, who became the Chief Minister in 1998, in one of his first statements declared that it was not possible to run two medical colleges in one district and ruled out the possibility of a medical college and hospital at Tanda annoying the Shanta faction. Later when Mr Shanta Kumar was inducted into the Union Cabinet, he revived the project. Interestingly the old trust was shelved and a new trust with Mr Shanta Kumar as its Chairman was set up and state government gave 40 acres of land and the money already deposited. With his resignation from the Union Cabinet, the project once again came under cloud and the construction is going on at a snail’s pace. The Congress raised the issue of financial irregularities. It got help from an unexpected quarter when one of the former trustees Mr S. Alok, a retired bureaucrat, levelled serious charges against the trust Chairman Mr Shanta Kumar. Mr Shanta Kumar while rebutting these charges accused the Virbhadra Singh government of not giving a clearance for the handing over the trust to the Union Health Ministry for setting up of an AIIMS type hospital . According to him he had taken up the matter with the Chief Minister without any success. The Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh while denying any such move has accused Mr Shanta Kumar of trying to rake up a controversy to gain public sympathy. Now leaders of the two both parties have started levelling charges and counter charges against each other. This has put national issues and other political agenda on the back burner. Thousands of people from the Kangra, region who had donated their savings for the construction of this hospital are sad at the turn of affairs and feel that the issue has got mired in political wranglings and the controversy is doing no good to the setting up of the hospital at
Holta. |
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BJP rejects Health Dept’s explanation
Shimla, April 10 Mr Ram Swaroop Sharma, vice-president of the party, said the clarification issued by the department had failed to convince the people about the genuineness and fairness of the deal. The department had claimed that the purchases were made through the state electronics department corporation and that there was no question of favouring any individual firm. The BJP vice-president said the government had failed to reveal whether the corporation had invited open tenders for the supply of colour dopplers or the rates quoted by the firm from which purchases were the lowest. He wanted to know whether the payment to the firm was made in cash or through cheque because the department had drawn money in the middle of the night. |
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Denial of increments to draughtsmen resented
Bilaspur, April 10 Addressing mediapersons here today, president of the association Ramsingh said the decision to scrap the ban was unanimously taken at the state NGOs’ joint consultative committee meeting under the chairmanship of th eChief Secretary of the state government some two years ago. Ramsingh said the association also demanded filling of all vacant posts from Junior Draughtsman to Planning Assistant and the upgradation of post of Junior Draughtsman to Draughtsman in every divisional office to open avenues of promotion, and to remove frustration among them as they have been working for 18 to 22 years without any promotion. |
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Hike honorarium of NCC officers, says DG
Shimla, April 10 Addressing a press conference, here today, he said Himachal Pradesh was one of the states which had not been implemented the recommendations of the pay commission. He said all states must take steps to encourage students to take up NCC as it inculcated a sense of discipline in them. He said Himachal Pradesh not only excelled in NCC but also provided accomplished officers to the Army. He also stressed the need for creating more job opportunities for NCC cadets. Later, General Bopanna called on the Governor, Mr V.S. Kokje, and apprised him of the activities of the NCC. He also presented a memento to the Governor. |
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Notice to Health Secy on MRI facility Shimla, April 10 The petitioner alleged that both premier institutions lack MRI facility. Mr Rajiv Sharma contended on behalf of the petitioner that patients in the state of HP have to visit the adjoining states for MRI, which is very expensive. Issuing notice to the Secretary (Health) the court further directed the respondent to file their reply on or before April 21. |
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Thakur dubs NDA govt anti-farmer
Hamirpur, April 10 He alleged that while the government earned huge foreign exchange by exporting foodgrains, it failed to help those farmers who had produced them in such a large quantity. Talking to mediapersons here last night, he dubbed the NDA government as anti-farmers. Mr Thakur denied charges of misuse of official machinery by the Congress ministers and candidates during the elections. He said the Congress was doing its campaign while fully observing the code of conduct fixed by the Election Commission. |
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Truckers urge govt to increase loading capacity
Bilaspur, April 10 Addressing mediapersons here today federation’s state president Ramdass Thakur said a deputation on the state president led by him, met Union Minister for Surface Transport Maj Gen Bhuvanchandra Khanduri and presented him a memorandum. |
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Rohtang Pass opened to light vehicles
Shimla, April 10 The pass, which was closed in the last week of November last year, was opened about one and a half months in advance as compared to previous years. The pass, which is normally cleared in the middle of June every year, was opened on May 17 last year. It is for the forst time that the pass has been opened in the second week of April. The pass will be opened to heavy vehicles by April 12 and efforts will be made to open the Manali-Leh highway to vehicular traffic within a
week. — PTI |
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Old man found murdered
Solan, April 10 A case has been registered and police is investigating into the matter. Preliminary investigations revealed that the old man lived alone with his widow daughter-in-law and owned some land besides a few animals. |
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Rohtang Pass reopens ahead of schedule. (
