P R A D E S H
Friday, August 21, 1998
|
H I M A C H A L P R A D E S H |
|
Friday, August 21, 1998 |
| weather n
spotlight today's calendar |
 |
|
|
HP minister seeks better
deal for Shimla Residents
to get arms licences |
 |
 Congress to stage rallies against
Dhumal govt |
|
Plea for review of human rights
theory Drunk
bus drivers to be sacked forthwith IIAS
not to be shifted Continuous
tomato growing can cause disease Doctors
feel neglected Sujanpurtira
to be developed |
|||||
|
||||||
HP minister seeks better deal
for Shimla NEW DELHI, Aug 20 — The Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Minister, Mr Narinder Bragta, has urged the Centre to introduce photophone scheme and other new schemes in telecommunications in Shimla town and Shimla district. Mr Bragta, who met the Communications Minister, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, here said since Shimla was a famous tourist resort and capital of the state there was a need to strengthen the telecommunication network, a state government release said today. He also informed the minister that the present Doordarshan station in Shimla was unable to provide adequate transmission of programmes and suggested increase in the telecast time. Suggesting for a regular Himachal Diary to cover developmental activities in the state, he said special attention must be paid to show the progress in the fields of agriculture and horticulture. During the day, he also called on the Minister of State for Urban Development, Mr Bandaru Dattatreya, and urged him to provide adequate funds for the drinking water supply and sewerage scheme of Shimla.He said to tackle the traffic problem in Shimla town, the state government had identified scheme to construct flyovers and modern parking places in the town. Mr Bragta sought more
funds from the Centre for these schemes.Mr Dattatreya
assured that the Centre would provide assistance for
completing various schemes for Shimla town, the release
added. |
||||||
Congress to stage rallies against
Dhumal govt SOLAN, Aug 20 — H.P. Congress Committee (HPCC) has decided to set up a high-level enquiry committee to probe charge of anti-party activities against certain party functionaries during the last general elections. HPCC President Sat Mahajan, while addressing a press conference in which former Chief Minister Vir Bhadra Singh was also present here today said that stern disciplinary action would be taken against those found guilty, "irrespective of their stature." Exuding confidence, he said that the Congress would win the coming byelections at Baijnath in a decisive battle between "peoples power" (lok shakti) and state power (raj shakti). The Congress will fight on the planks of "unprecedented inflation, skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, virtual collapse of the law and order machinery and manipulative transfers of government employees". The party proposes to hold rallies against the present government in every important town. Alleging that the Dhumal government had virtually transformed police stations into extended BJP camps, he said the rallies would expose every case of abuse of authority, especially against Congressmen. He said things had taken such a turn that the police refused to register an F.I.R. when a nephew of former Congress minister, Mr Viplove Thakur, went to Dehra (Kangra) police station to lodge a complaint against certain BJP workers who had beaten him up for no fault of his. He said the Dhumal government would fall under the weight of intra-party contradictions. The Congress president said that a state-level Narora-type leadership camp would be organised at Solan soon after the national level one at Panchmarhi. A.I.C.C. President Sonia Gandhi was expected to attend. 78 volunteers of the H.P. Youth Congress and N.S.U.I. donated blood at a camp specially organised to mark the 54th birth day of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A two minutes silence was
also observed to pay homage to former HPCC President and
senior Congress leader late Sant Ram and late Ms Champa
Rani, one time president of the district Mahila Congress,
both of whom died recently. |
Residents to get arms licences CHAMBA, Aug 20 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has said that people living on the borders of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh would be given gun licences and arms training to enable them to fight terrorism and for their protection. He said financial assistance would also be given to the people to purchase guns if need be. The Chief Minister, who was interacting with the people of the border areas of Chamba district at Salooni today to take stock of the situation risen out of killing of three innocent shepherds by militants in Sippa Cholu near Chametar Nala day before yesterday, said that the people in the area should not feel disheartened as the government was determined to fight militancy and urged people and political parties to give their cooperation in this respect. The Chief Minister said special police officers were being appointed in the border area who would be imparted training in arms. He said village defence committees would also be set up in the area to keep strict vigil on strangers and infiltration of militants. He urged people to remain vigilant and share the information with the security forces about the suspects and anti-national elements. He said the government had intensified the vigil and the security forces were doing round-the-clock patrolling. He advised people to avoid visiting such areas which were sensitive. The Chief
Minister said people should combat the militancy in
unison and added anybody found hand in glove with the
militants would be dealt with sternly. |
Plea for review of human rights
theory SHIMLA, Aug 20 — Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi, General Officer Commanding, Army Training Command (ARTRAC) has called for a review of the theory of human rights and its application to judicial processes to prevent its exploitation by the undeserving, unscrupulous and criminal elements. Delivering a lecture on "the Indian Army and human rights" at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study to mark the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations, here today, Gen Oberoi said there was a need to impartially appraise the extent to which it had succeeded in safeguarding the interests of those for whom it was intended to protect and also the extent to which it had been hijacked to further ends which were themselves violative of the Fundamental Rights of individuals. Referring to public interest litigation, he said an over whelming number of cases were initiated by front organisations of terrorist movement, in a systematic way to paralyse the security forces. The very admission of a petition was sufficient to launch a media campaign based on fabricated information, which were reported without even a modicum of investigation or corroboration and there were no effective penalties attached to the abuse of the process of law. This perversion of judicial process had to be countered in order to effectively resist the forces of destabilisation in the country. One of the strategies the insurgents or terrorists adopted was to make allegations of human rights violations by compelling people to level false complaints in order to prevent the security forces from carrying out their duty and impose caution on them. This aspect also needed to be appreciated by human rights activists. Exaggerated propaganda only encouraged the militants, because terrorism required publicity for survival. In the process, the human rights of millions of innocent people, who were subjugated through the gun by the militants, and those of the troops, were completely ignored. The armed forces, which were being increasingly called upon to assist the state and the central governments in controlling internal law and order situations had also come under the ambit of human rights. The Army had to discharge its duty with severe constraints as in an insurgency situation like Jammu and Kashmir it was not facing a regular army or a declared war but terrorists and mercenaries who had no code of conduct or moral principles. A solider would cease to be a soldier if he did not react in self-defence, which in human rights jurisprudence might be termed "excess". But one must understand the ground realities in which the soldier operated. In situations when commanders were killed or wounded due to militant action, soldiers might over react on the spur of the moment. This should be understood and appreciated in the right perspective. Gen Oberoi said the leadership of the Indian Army was intellectually alive to all aspects of human rights and its adverse effect on the image of the Army, if these were violated while conducting counter-insurgency operations. It had so far an excellent track record considering the vast deployment in counter-insurgency operations. It had also been engaged in humanitarian work, undertaking programmes to help civilian population like adoption of villages, provision of free medical aid, repair of buildings and relief to people affected by natural calamities. The nation had great faith in the Army, in an environment where all other institutions were viewed as inefficient and corrupt, this faith could not be belied by a few misguided acts. The Army took all precautions to ensure that troops did not commit mistakes which could sully its image. There were a few lessons as also some valid question like "how do the security forces of a liberal democratic state fight a hidden enemy that plays by no civilised rules as is happening in Kashmir." As a result of the proxy war by Pakistan, a large number of youths had been forced to take to militancy, women subjected to dishonour, ignominy and shame, and thousands of criminals, thugs, kidnappers, rapists and murderers had mushroomed. Were these not violations of human rights of millions, who did not dare give vent to their grievances, for fear of reprisals? he asked. It was time the nation and policy makers showed more concern towards the welfare of a soldier who was fighting terrorism and insurgency in difficult and unfriendly environment, and was ready to make the supreme sacrifice for the country. There was a need to guard the human rights of soldiers by providing adequate compensation and rehabilitation opportunities to the families of soldiers killed or wounded in action. The full
realisation of human rights could be achieved through
legislation and appropriate administrative arrangements
alone. The NHRC had not only to target the academic world
and NGOs, for the spread of human rights education, but
also the political parties and different institutions of
the government. |
Drunk bus drivers to be sacked
forthwith SOLAN, Aug 20 — A new transport policy with emphasis on an increased rural network of state transport corporation buses and employment opportunities for the educated is on the anvil in Himachal Pradesh, said Transport Minister Krishan Kapur at Kunihar, about 35 km, from here yesterday. The minister who earlier inaugurated a Rs 31.5-lakh bus stand at Kunihar, said that the government had consulted private bus operators of the state at a meeting held on August 10 in Shimla. The new policy would take into account problems of the private transporters. Criticising the former Congress regime for "favouring its own men in the distribution of route permits", Mr Kapur said his government would adhere to a predeclared route permit allotment policy. Commending the Himachal Road Transport Corporation for maintaining a zero-accident record during the tenure of the present government, he said steps at ensuring a similar level of passenger safety would be taken. A state-of-the-art training school for drivers would be set up in the state shortly. He warned that any driver of state-run buses found under the influence of liquor while at the wheel would be dismissed forthwith. The earlier system of first suspending the driver followed by the routine procedure of explanations was being done away with. If needed the necessary changes in the Conduct of Service Rules would be made. A sour note was added when a statement of the sitting Congress MLA, Mr Dharam Pal, expressing helplessness at getting some of the local demands conceded as he was in the opposition evoked a sharp criticism from some BJP leaders. Among other things, Mr Dharam Pal had said that the Congress government had allocated the bulk of the funds needed for the construction of the Kunihar bus stand. The minister described Mr Dharam Pal's claim of allocation of funds for the bus stand as a "tissue of lies". Mr Dharam Pal left the meeting in a huff even before the minister could complete his speech. Later, when
local mediapersons showed a copy of the note circulated
by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation to the
minister, he withdrew his remarks, admitting his mistake.
The note had given a break-up of the expenses incurred in
the construction of the bus stand which substantiated Mr
Dharam Pal's assertion. |
IIAS not to be shifted SHIMLA, Aug 20 — The uncertainty over the shifting of the prestigious Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) from the historical Viceregal Lodge here has blown over with the government allowing it to continue to be housed there. The decision
is learnt to have been taken at a recent meeting in which
it was observed that the IIAS has to remain in the
Viceregal Lodge as there is no alternative accommodation
of that kind available either in Shimla or elsewhere. The building was sometime ago declared a national monument and the Supreme Court had ordered that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should take it over as soon as the IIAS vacated it. A public interest litigation was filed in the court seeking the preservation of the building. Sources said the Ministry of Human Resource Development is now learnt to have decided to allow the IIAS to continue to function in the Viceregal Lodge for the time being on the plea that the Supreme Court has not fixed any deadline for vacating the building. A meeting presided over by Mr P.R. Dasgupta, Secretary, Education, is learnt to have recently decided that a sum of Rs 25 lakh will be provided to the ASI by the IIAS for carrying out urgent structural works in the building. Those who participated in the meeting included Dr R.V.V. Ayyar, Secretary, Culture, Mr Ajay Shankar, Director-General, ASI, and Mr Mrinal Miri, Director, IIAS. It is learnt that it was made clear in the meeting that as the ASI was not equipped with manpower to undertake maintenance of such types of buildings it would be separately examined whether the CPWD could be assigned the job of executing agency both for preservation and regular maintenance even while the ASI would undertake structural and special repairs of the building. The ASI and the IIAS have been asked to sign a memorandum of understanding in this regard. Fellows of the IIAS had strongly pleaded before the President, Dr K.R. Narayanan, during his visit here in June that the institute should be allowed to remain in Viceregal Lodge. The Centre has from time to time been changing its mind about the use of the building. INTACH has undertaken some repairs of the magnificent building which was the official residence of the Viceroy during the British rule. It became the summer resort of the President after Independence. Dr Radhakrishnan, the second President, handed it over to the IIAS in 1964. He felt that as the President spent hardly 120 days in 10 years in Viceregal Lodge, it was worthwhile to house the IIAS there. Viceregal Lodge has been a spectator to many historical decisions taken during the British rule. Three meetings between the colonial administration and the Indian leaders took place to discuss the issue of Independence under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The first was the Cabinet Mission meeting in June and July 1946 and then in May and June 1947. The decision by Lord Mountbatten to grant Independence to the country was also taken here. The Union Cabinet decided in August 1982 that the IIAS should be shifted to some other building. At a subsequent Cabinet meeting on May 8, 1990, it was decided that the campus of Viceregal Lodge may be transferred to the Ministry of Tourism and developed as a major tourist resort by the ITDC with the stipulation that the main building will not be used for tourism related purposes. The matter was again discussed by a committee of secretaries in February 1992 when it was decided that the main Viceregal Lodge, with a part of adjoining land, should be preserved and maintained as a national museum and the surrounding land may be handed over to the Ministry of Tourism for setting up of a tourist resort. The governing
body of the IIAS opposed a fresh move of the government
last year to shift the institute from Viceregal Lodge. |
Continuous tomato growing can cause
disease SOLAN: Could the off-season tomato, which had raked in incomes of up to Rs 45,000 per bigha to growers this season, spell disaster for them in the years to come? Farm scientists were near-unanimous in warning that unless the farmers stopped the practice of growing tomatoes only, year after year, Bacterial Wilt, could hit their tomato crop. This disease is caused by a stubborn pathogen, pseudomonas solanacaerium, and would create conditions similar to the ones faced now by the once-affluent ginger growers of Sirmour district. Ginger, which had virtually revolutionised the farm economy of Sirmour by transferring the traditional subsistence farming into a real money-spinner in the seventies and eighties, succumbed to a fungal, soil-borne disease called rhyzome rot towards the end of the last decade. Farmers, who could not think of any substitute crop as lucrative as ginger, tried to fight the disease by pumping in huge quantities of fungicides and other chemicals, and ended up by "burning their very fields". Riddled with the rhyzome rot and unwanted chemicals the fields became unproductive even for other crops. Today many ginger growers of Sirmour were forced to earn their living by working as daily-wage labourers in towns. A similar situation obtained in Solan district today where the off-season tomato had been doing to the farm economy what ginger had done to Sirmour years ago. "Bacterial wilt", had taken a heavy toll of the standing tomato crop in certain pockets along water-courses of Kandaghat, Kunihar and Nalagarh development blocks this year, with certain farmers reporting losses of up to 60 per cent. A senior vegetables expert of the Department of Agriculture, Dr Charan Singh, posted here, says that the pathogen causing the 'wilt', prospered in conditions of high temperature, high moisture and high pH.. Delayed rains and unusually hot days forced the farmers to irrigate the normally rain fed crop. This measure led to higher moisture in the crop areas, relished by the pathogen. The rapid multiplication of pathogen colonies, which were likely to spread into adjoining areas is characterised by terraced fields, through the cascading effect of water, could cause severe damage in years to come. Dr Charan Singh advocates the time-tested system of "crop rotation". The farmers must not think of planting tomato for the next three years, at least. They should go in for crops like 'Til', ladies finger, maize which do not play host to the pathogen, pseudomonas solanacaerium. Persistence with tomato cultivations would lead to the situation prevailing in Sirmour district, he warns. On the other hand, the tomato growers, numbering about 8,000 families, most of whom owned an average of only three bighas per family, were in no mood to listen. The tomato which provided incomes of around Rs 15,000 per bigha before the introduction of high-yielding varieties by certain multinational companies, few years ago was expected to grow up to Rs 45,000 per bigha this season. Even small and marginal farmers, who owned on an average about three bighas per family, were hopeful of earning anything like Rs 1,30,000 per crop this year. Even the earlier income levels of Rs 50,000 per crop per family, augmented by subsidiary incomes from animal husbandry and other lean season pursuits, had helped the tomato growers raise pucca houses, instal modern gadgets like refrigerators and colour television sets, and buy two-wheelers and in many cases even send their wards to public schools. Any suggestion of discontinuing the growing of tomatoes is simply not acceptable to them. They feel that the concept of monopolising markets at a time when all other rival producing zones had ceased producing the tomato, had paid them rich dividends. The Solan tomato reaches consumers at a time when varieties grown in the plains had long ceased to reach markets. This accounts for the fancy prices fetched by the Solan-grown varieties. This year a record price of Rs 40 per kg was registered in the Delhi market. The Solan tomato growers were afraid of losing the lucrative off-season market permanently to other hilly areas once they stopped growing it. This is a catch-22 situation for the state's scientists and agricultural planners. Perhaps some sort of government intervention could prevent such a situation arising in this district. "Chemical
control measures advocated by farm experts could exercise
a degree of check on the pathogen-causing bacterial wilt
only. Those would never succeed in eradicating the menace
and if at all they ever did, a heavy toll of soil
productivity would be taken", warned a farm
scientist. |
Doctors feel neglected KANGRA, Aug 20 — Medical officers and specialist doctors of the sub-divisional hospital here have demanded that they be designated lecturers, registrars and professors as per their qualifications, on the pattern of the zonal hospital, Dharamsala, from the same date as notified in their case. In a
statement, they alleged they were being ignored as the
government had already notified that doctors working in
the zonal hospital would be designated as lecturers,
professors and registrars. |
Sujanpurtira to be developed HAMIRPUR, Aug 20 — The HP Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs Urmila Thakur, while addressing a public meeting at Sujanpurtira, about 25 km from here, said the state government would promote important religious and historic places as tourist spots. She said Sujanpurtira, which was Capital of the Katoch rulers, would be developed. Expressing unhappiness over the failure of the Congress government in developing Sujanpurtira, she instructed the nagar panchayat to ensure that the town was cleaned properly. She stressed the need for holding meetings of the elected representatives with residents of the town to discuss various problems and difficulties faced by them. She also addressed a public meeting at Doli village and announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for the construction of additional rooms in the local primary school.
|
CPM to launch stir against
price rise SHIMLA, Aug 20 — The CPM leader, Mr Rakesh Singha, has accused the BJP-HVC government of appeasing the trading community by not checking the price rise. The CPM has announced it will launch an agitation against price rise. In a statement here yesterday Mr Singha said the trading community had been the traditional support base of the BJP. The government was hesitant to take stringent measures to curb hoarding and blackmarketing. He said the BJP government at the Centre and in the state did not have the political will to control the unprecedented price rise. The unemployed youth students, daily wage earners both in private and public sector, farmers and the middle class in the rural and urban areas had been the hardest hit. He stated that devaluation of the rupee by 15 per cent in the recent months has reduced the purchasing power of the salaried class. Apart from this the government was continuing export of essential commodities of mass consumption at a time when their production had fallen. Mr Singha
said that the Shimla District Committee of the CPM would
launch a monthlong campaign against price rise. |
Nagni Mata fair on August 22 NURPUR, Aug 20 — A district-level Nagni Mata fair will be held at Nagni Mata Temple, 9 km from here, on August 22. Mr Rakesh Pathania, the local MLA, will be the chief guest. A shobha yatra will be taken out on the occasion. Eight fairs are held at
the temple in July and August which attract pilgrims from
various states. |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Nation
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Chandigarh | | Editorial | Business | Stocks | Sport | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail | |
