Shimla, February 17
Refusing to take notice of the verdict given by the dharam sansad against the setting up of the $ 500-million ski village project in Kulu, the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, today accused the BJP of using the institution of deities for their political gains.

Talking to mediapersons here after completing his 45-day winter sojourn of Kangra today, he said the entire assembly of devatas was a conspiracy to involve them in state politics. “The government after receiving the detailed project report (DPR) from the Ford company will decide about the fate of the ski village on its merits and demerits alone,” he stated.

The Chief Minister accused the BJP leader and former MP, Mr Maheshwar Singh, who happens to be the erstwhile ruler of Kulu of resorting to a devious method to exploit the religious sentiments of the people for his own political gains. “It is significant to note that the Raghunath temple is located inside the Rupi palace, which is the private property of Mr Maheshwar Singh,” he said.

“I am surprised that in the 21st century such a concord of ‘gurs’ (medium) has been convened by Mr Maheshwar Singh in his capacity as the self-anointed ‘kardar’ of Jagatpeeth and the proprietor of Raghunath temple at Kulu,” he remarked. He added that the BJP was keen that the project be shifted to some other state.

While admitting that he himself was a firm believer in the institution of ‘devatas’ he felt that the blatant misuse of the institution for political purposes has only belittled their importance and shattered the faith of the people. “I personally feel that apart from the religion, the institution of ‘devatas’ represents the social and cultural heritage of the state, which nobody should misuse for their personal gains,” he opined.

The Chief Minister also said it was wrong to call the religious meeting a dharam sansad of the entire state as only devatas from the Kulu and Banjar region were present, most of whom pay obeisance to Lord Raghunath during the Dasehra festivities.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said no divine soul can be against the process of development and this was perhaps the first instance of its kind where the devtas have been involved to block development.

Kumarhatti, February 17
The Parwanoo Industries Association (PIA) has accused the state Electricity Board of defying the HP State Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) orders by collecting augmentation charges, which the commission had ordered to be refunded.

Taking suo motu notice of a news item published in these columns in August —“Implement HPERC regulations, demand industrialists” — the commission had observed that the board had contravened the provisions of the HPERC regulations (Recovery of Expenditure for Supply of Electricity) 2005.

It had held the board as squarely guilty of violation of the regulations and liable for penalty under Section 142 of the Act.

The regulations had come into effect from current fiscal, but these have not been implemented yet, the PIA alleged.

According to a complaint written by the PIA to the commission yesterday, the board continues to collect augmentation charges, which the commission had ordered to be refunded.

Field offices of the board were still issuing notices to the consumers in Parwanoo, Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh for further recovery of expenditure for supply of electricity under the circular already struck down by the commission.

As per regulation 13 of the recovery of expenditure for supply of electricity regulations, 2005, the distribution licencee can collect only such charges that may be as per cost data approved by the commission on an annual basis. The commission has not so far approved the charges that were being demanded by the board.

Therefore, it was apparent that the action of the board in issuing notices and sanction letters were in clear violation of the commission orders. It has been alleged in the letter that consumers are forced to pay charges according to whims and fancies of the board rather than on the regulations in force.

The board had not refunded the augmentation charges worth Rs31,21,400 deposited by 72 consumers of the Parwanoo region within the period of six weeks of the order that ended on January 20.

Solan, February 17
Taking note of various irregularities committed by head of the Jabli panchayat, Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar suspended him last evening.

Confirming the suspension, the DC said an inquiry had been constituted, which would be completed at the earliest.

Panchayat head Duni Chand Dhiman was found guilty of having usurped government funds worth lakhs under various schemes.

An inquiry conducted by district inspector Babita Pal had revealed that the panchayat secretary and the owner of a ration shop had also connived with him in the embezzlement.

Police investigations had revealed that schemes like Food for Work had been shown only on papers, while its money had been swindled by the chief.

The police had earlier arrested the secretary and the ration depot owner.

In other cases, funds for constructing a school playground were sanctioned several times and public toilets were not constructed despite funds.

Even wages of several labourers were withheld while fake muster roles were prepared to swindle government funds.

Also, revenue generated by the panchayat in shape of house tax were not credited to the government account.