Dhumal promises equitable growth
HAMIRPUR, Aug 15 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal, today announced enhancement of monthly pension of freedom fighters from Rs 500 to Rs 750. As many as 1372 freedom fighters would benefit from this announcement.

No threat to Dhumal govt, says Nadda
DHARAMSALA, Aug 15 — The Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, today said there was no threat to the government, as there was a complete rapport between the BJP and the HVC.

Volunteer teachers threaten fast
KASAULI, Aug 15 — The district unit of the Volunteer Teachers Association (VTA) has threatened to go on hunger strike if the government did not take immediate steps to regularise trained volunteer teachers.

11 hurt in bus collison
SUNDERNAGAR, Aug 15 — Eleven persons were injured in a collision of two buses. One of these buses was belonged to the HRTC and the other was a private bus.

Dhumal promises equitable growth
From Tribune Reporters

HAMIRPUR, Aug 15 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal, today announced enhancement of monthly pension of freedom fighters from Rs 500 to Rs 750. This step of the government he said was to salute those who struggled for the freedom of India. As many as 1372 freedom fighters would benefit from this announcement.

Prof Dhumal was addressing a gathering on the 51st anniversary of the Independence Day here today. Despite inclement weather and braving heavy downpur, thousands of men, women and children from various parts of the district came to listen to the Chief Minister at the local boys school ground. The Chief Minister unfurled National Flag and took the salute from the contingents of Himachal Pradesh Police, Traffic Police, Home Guard jawans and NCC cadets. The parade was commanded by Mr Vimal Gupta, DSP Una.
Mr Roop Dass Kashyap, HP Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs Urmila Thakur, Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Babu Ram Mandyal, Mr Baldev Sharma and Mr Rikhi Ram Kaundal MLAs and Mr O.P. Yadav Chief Secretary and Mr B.S. Thakur, DGP were also present on this occasion.

The Chief Minister gave a call to the people to be vigilant and help the government in taking the state forward in every field of the life. He said that the Chamba incident was most unfortunate, where 30 persons were shot dead by militants. He said that such persons had no right to live in this country.

Prof Dhumal blasted the previous Congress government for not developing the state in balanced way basis. He said that the main endeavour of his government would be to develop all parts of the state without any caste, religion or political considerations. He said that the present government not only enhanced the support price for the apples but also took a bold decision to announce support price for mangoes and citrus fruits.

He assured farmers that the state government would do a lot for their uplift. He said that the state government had earmarked a sum of Rs one crore in this year's budget under a new crop insurance scheme. The state government would bear the insurance premium of the farmers from its own funds. He said that in the event of the crop losses, the insurance companies would provide fiscal help to the affected farmers.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was also helping the employees and in service and the retired government employees. The government had decided to increase their family pension amount to Rs 1310 as a minimum pension.

He said that the state government had fulfilled its promise with regards to the volunteer teachers and as many as 4,198 volunteer teachers were absorbed as Primary teachers.

He however, expressed his unhappiness over an agitation started by another section of volunteer teachers. He said that if this class of the teachers was satisfied that their cause was legal, they were free to continue their agitation. He however, said that the state government was still working on lines to frame their Recruitment and promotion rules and justice would be given to them.

The Chief Minister said that the state government had increased its budget under the sector from Rs 368 crore to Rs 558 crore in this year's budget. The monthly pension rates of the widows, destitute and others had also been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 150.

Prof Dhumal thanked the people of the state in general and the Hamirpur district in particular for giving massive support to the BJP during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. He said that the state government had decided to construct a new building for the local boys senior secondary school at a cost Rs 1.47 crore . Money for this project had been transferred fully to the Public Works Department for the construction work. This school would be named as Swaran Jayanti senior secondary school for boys, Hamirpur.

He paid rich tributes to the late BJP leader, Mr Jagdev Chand and announced that a statue of the leader would be installed at Hamirpur, where a town hall would also be constructed.

The Chief Minister also announced a special grant of Rs two crore for the Hamirpur towns water supply scheme. He said that the water for this scheme would be lifted from the same venue from where water was being lifted for the local Regional Engineering College water supply scheme. He said, "we believe in work and not in spreading false rumours or making false promises."

Prof Dhumal said that the BJP government would develop all parts of the state equally and shortage of funds would not come in the way of development. He said that it was the duty of the government in power to arrange funds for the development of the state.

He said that the present BJP government in the state had full rapport with the government at the Centre and as such a special grant of Rs 300 crore had been sanctioned for the state by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. He thanked the Prime Minister and other BJP leaders for helping the government to come out of red.

The other highlights of the function were cultural programmes by various groups of students and others presented on this occasion. The Chief Minister also gave away prizes to children and praised their skill. He also gave a cash prize of Rs 2.50 lakh to Mr Tashiram Negi of Kinnaur for scaling the Mount Everest and a sum of Rs 5000 to Mr Shiv Singh the winner of National youth prize.

BILASPUR: Himachal Civil Supplies and Social Welfare Minister Mansa Ram has declared that Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had blessings of Himachal Vikas Congress chief Sukh Ram and the BJP and the HVC government led by Dhumal was as strong today as it was ever earlier before.

Addressing Independence Day function after unfurling national flag and taking salute from contingents of police and men and women Home Guards and naval cadets here today.

Mr Mansa Ram paid tributes to those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the stake of freedom of our country and also praised freedom fighters who bore great hardships for the country.

Mr Mansa Ram said that the Social and Welfare Department was spending Rs 1.50 crore in Bilaspur district for providing financial help and grants to weaker sections.

UNA: Thakur Roop Singh, Forest Minister, Himachal, unfurled national flag and took the salute from troops of police, NCC and Home Guard here at Una today on the occasion of Independence Day.

While addressing the people Thakur Roop Singh called upon people not to forget those freedom fighters who lost their lives in freedom struggle.

Prominent citizens, freedom fighters senior government servants and Mr Jai Kishan and Ram Das Malangor MLAs and ex-MLAs and ex-ministers were present on this occasion. School children presented a colourful cultural programme.

NAHAN: Speaking on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of Independence, Narender Baragta, Minister of State for Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh in the historical Chaugan ground here today paid tributes to martyrs who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. He also made special reference to freedom fighters of Himachal Pradesh who suffered during Independence struggle. He also paid tributes to Himachal Nirmatta Dr Y.S. Parmar and Pt. Shiva Nand Ramaul of Nahan who led the Suket Satyagraha.

He disclosed that an increase of 33 per cent had been made in the budget for horticulture for the current year. A sum of Rs 508 crore had been provided in the social service sector for the current year as compared with Rs 396 crore provided during the last year.

He disclosed that a sum of Rs 1.05 crore had been provided for the construction of Kisan Bhawan in Delhi. He disclosed that for the first time mango had also been provided support price and in the case of other varieties of fruits the support price was announced on time.

Earlier the Minister unfurled the national flag and took salute of a march past presented by the contingents of police.

MANDI: A function was held here on the occasion of golden jubilee celebrations of independence here today.

Thakur Gulab Singh, Vidhan Sabha Speaker, unfurled the national flag and took salute from the contingents of Police, Home Guards and NCC.

He paid tributes to the known and unknown martyrs who laid down their lives for attaining freedom. He stressed the need to maintain strict vigilance for safeguarding it as powers hostile to India were out to weaken our country.

He complimented the scientists for having achieved great milestones for safeguarding the country.

Referring to Himachal he said 50 years ago Himachal lagged in every sphere of development. Now there was a huge network of roads, educational and health institutions.

CHAMBA: Border areas of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir have been sealed by deploying a battalion of a Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) and security personnel of the Himachal Pradesh Police comprising about 1100 contingents to check infiltration and to curb militancy on the border belts. Presiding over a function to celebration of Independence Day at the local Chowgan Mr Kishori Lal, Himachal Industries Minister, said that a hunt had been launched to trace the six hostages caught by militants at the time of massacre of 35 persons at Kalaban and Satrundi in Churah subdivision of Chamba district. He said that situation in the affected region was now returning to normalcy and there was no panic in the area as the people were now living in harmony. He said that the Centre and the state governments were providing all possible help to the bereaved families of the massacre. The Industries Minister said that the government had earmarked Rs 2.09 crore for the construction of an alternative route instead of landslip-prone Parel Ghar.

To provide all weather road on the Chamba-Pathankot highway which was a lifeline of Chamba region. He said that a sum of Rs 1.70 crore had also been allocated for the construction of Mehla bridge in the district and added that Lahal bridge would also be constructed at a cost of Rs 56 lakh. The Industries Minister said that this year jobs to 1.30 lakh unemployed youths would be given and expedite the setting up of cement plant in Chamba district. The Industries Minister announced the upgradation of district hospital Chamba to regional hospital level to provide better health care to the residents of this far-flung area. The Industries Minister paid tribute to the revolutionaries and heroes of freedom movement of the country and appealed to the people to contribute their efforts in nation building.

Chautala's kin, friends leave hotel bills unpaid
From M.S. Warrior

SOLAN: An incident proving how the progeny of top politicians exercise influence in hill resorts has come to light at Barog, 8 km from Solan.

According to a delayed report, on 26th of April, 1998 the manager of leading Barog hotel lodged a complaint at Dharampur police station that Abhay Singh along with 14 of his companions has left the hotel without paying their bills.

The inquiry officer sent by the Solan police to probe the incident at Chandigarh found that the person named above is none other than the son of Mr Ajay Chautala. According to the informed sources, Mr Chautala's personal assistant asked the police party not to divulge the incident to Mr Chautala. Notwithstanding the assurance given by Mr Chautala's personal assistant, the hotel bills have not been cleared so far.

Serial no. 3344 at page no 329 of the guest register reveals that on April 25, Abhay Singh along with seven boys and eight girls entered Korinns Hotel hutments at 10.30 p.m. and booked room nos 203, 204 and 205 for the night.

The waiter who served them, said Abhay Singh along with his friends played loud music throughout the night and disturbed others in the hotel.

In the morning when the waiter asked them to pay Rs 4951, they showed him the door and fled in three vehicles with Chandigarh number plates.

According to hotel records one of the vehicles bore CH-01 - R-0500 number.

The hotel manager when sensed something fishy, chased their vehicles up to Dharampur. Though a wireless message was sent in time to the Parwanoo barrier but the group, according to the barrier staff, sped away without paying any heed to the signal to stop.

No threat to Dhumal govt, says Nadda
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Aug 15 — The Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, today said there was no threat to the government, as there was a complete rapport between the BJP and the HVC.

Talking to newspersons here today, he said the HVC leader, Mr Sukh Ram, discussed all important issues with the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal.

In reply to a question regarding seat adjustments with the HVC in the Baijnath byelection, Mr Nadda said a final decision would be taken by the party leadership. He, however, made it clear that the BJP had decided to contest the seat. "The BJP and the HVC are alliance partners, but being two separate political parties they have their own commitments." He hoped that the issue of seat adjustment would not become the bone of contention between the two alliance partners.

Commenting on the statements of PCC president, Mr Sat Mahajan, that the option of taking support from the HVC for government formation were open, Mr Nadda advised the Congress leader to first strengthen his position within the party. "It is high time that Mr Mahajan should get close to grassroots politics, than indulge in politics of manipulation and opportunism", he observed. He further said that the era of politics solely in the name of the party was over, as the electorate was now assessing the personality of leaders.

Regarding the uncertainty at the Centre, Mr Nadda said problems with the alliance partners were a political compulsion, which will ultimately prove to be very beneficial for the BJP." Every action and move of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, clearly reflected the commitment of the government and the party towards the nation. He added that the Congress and other parties had been exposed on the issues of nuclear tests and the women reservation Bill.

Regarding the dropping of corruption charges against some officers, Mr Nadda reiterated that there was no question of any compromise on the issue and those found guilty would not be spared. He said the government had received complaints of some doctors indulging in private practice, and the government would take action against them. He said in order to check corruption and fix responsibility, a procedure would have to be developed.

Volunteer teachers threaten fast
From Our Correspondent

KASAULI, Aug 15 — The district unit of the Volunteer Teachers Association (VTA) has threatened to go on hunger strike if the government did not take immediate steps to regularise trained volunteer teachers.

Ms Subhadra Sharma, president, District Volunteer Teachers Association, in a press statement has criticised the state government for not implementing its election manifesto in which it had promised to give regular services to volunteer teachers. She said the volunteer teachers who served the department for seven years at a meagre salary were now being compelled to sit on the fast.

11 hurt in bus collison
From Our Correspondent

SUNDERNAGAR, Aug 15 — Eleven persons were injured in a collision of two buses. One of these buses was belonged to the HRTC and the other was a private bus.

According to the police, buses collided on National Highway No 21 near Dhanotu village. The injured were given first aid at the civil hospital here. The police has registered a case against the driver of private bus and has impounded the vehicle.