HP to promote societies
of jobless
SOLAN, Aug 29 — The Himachal Government has decided to promote co-operative societies of unemployed technocrats and other educated jobless youth for tapping the state’s vast hydel power generation potential in the micro and tiny sector.


Many Virbhadra men in PCC
SHIMLA, Aug 29 — The inclusion of Mr Anand Sharma as member of the executive of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee has annoyed the Virbhadra Singh camp here.

Create police districts in Chamba: Congress
CHAMBA, Aug 29 — The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee has urged the government to create two police districts in Chamba to check militant activities and demanded the setting up of anti-terrorist cells on the borders with Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

6 accomplices of militants held
CHAMBA, Aug 29 — In a major breakthrough, the security forces deployed on the borders in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh have arrested six persons suspected of having a nexus with Kashmiri militants who had massacred 35 labourers in the Kalaban and Satrundi border areas adjoining Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

No adulterated mustard oil in HP: Secretary
SHIMLA, Aug 29 — Miss Harinder Hira, Secretary, Food and Supplies said here today that no adulterated mustard oil had been detected in Himachal Pradesh.

Plea to amend Municipal Act
PARWANOO, Aug 29 — The local nagar panchayat, has asked the state government to amend the present Municipal Act to give more financial and administrative powers to nagar panchayat bodies.

CITU call for bandh at Parwanoo
SHIMLA, Aug 29 — The Centre of India Trade Unions has called for an industrial bandh at Parwanoo on September 1 to protest against "failure" in the enforcement of labour laws.

HP to promote societies of jobless
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, Aug 29 — The Himachal Government has decided to promote co-operative societies of unemployed technocrats and other educated jobless youth for tapping the state’s vast hydel power generation potential in the micro and tiny sector.

Addressing a press conference at Kasauli today, the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, said that 300 micro hydel projects, with a combined capacity of 750 MW, had been cleared by the government.

More such projects would be cleared soon after a proposal sent by his government to the Union Government for extending the upper generation capacity limit of tiny and micro projects from the present 15 MW to 25 MW, was accepted. He said he was hopeful of a positive response from the Centre.

The opening of the tiny and micro hydel power sector to co-operatives would help set up the needed self-employment culture among the educated unemployed of the state.

Mr Dhumal said, work on the second stage of 600 MW Chamera project would begin soon. The Union Government had released Rs 20 crore for starting the preliminary civil works to the National Hydro Power Corporation, which had been entrusted with the job of executing the project.

Work on the second stage of the Chamera project would be started in due course. He said the foundation stones of the 86 MW Malana (Kulu) and 3 MW Lingti (near Kaza in Kinnaur district) hydel power projects would be laid next month. The 15 MW Nueggal (Palampur), 12 MW Shahpur (Kangra) and 182 MW Sawra (Shimla) projects would also be taken up shortly.

The Chief Minister said in addition to the above 2051 MW Parwati project, 800 MW Kol dam and 600 MW Rampur project would be taken up soon by the Union Government.

He urged upon the Centre to create a National Hydel Power Purchase Corporation, which would go a long way in solving the "problem of selling" likely to be faced by the tiny sector.

Replying to a question, he said his government would keep an open mind towards allowing the private sector to set up captive power projects subject to the conditions that such captive project owners ensured due revenue to the state and employed Himachali youth in their units.

To another question he said he was aware of the possibility of an artificial scarcity being created by the increased buying pressure on non-mustard edible oils following the detection of adulteration of mustard oil at Delhi and some other places, including one at Kandaghat in Solan district. The government would soon initiate necessary steps to deal with any such eventuality.

He parried questions regarding the expansion of his Cabinet by saying that he could not disclose anything at this stage. He, however, admitted that the expansion would be made as soon as the "Centre desired it".

Earlier, Mr Dhumal presided over the concluding function of the three-day training camp of the active workers of the Shimla and Mandi parliamentary constituencies held at Kasauli.

Feature-writer forced to work as peon

SOLAN: But for the natural gift of a sharply focused, intense looking set of eyes capable of sizing up any given situation or personality quickly, Ramesh Kumar Verma (33) looks every bit like any other IV government employee.

In a way his eyes mirrored the long ordeal that he has been through so far, while his status — that of a peon in the D.P.R.O's office here — is a sad commentary on the state of rural education in Himachal Pradesh as well as on the practice of a majority of vernacular newspapers who did not pay a rupee to contributors of articles and other write-ups published by them.

Mr Verma holds a master's degree in public administration, besides a diploma in Journalism from Kurukshetra University, and Sangeet Visharad degree of Kashi Vidyapeeth.

He has nearly 250 published articles and features to his credit. Most of these appeared in vernacular dailies, which, at times had carried editorials castigating those who employed "bonded labour" but thought nothing of exploiting persons like him. Such dailies paid him by letting his name be printed as a byline only.

He belongs to a remotely situated village Chhatera in Gulhari panchayat of this district, 20 km from here. His father, a daily wage PWD labourer, had long nursed the ambition of seeing his son become, 'beldar' after passing the matriculation examination. However, the son had different ideas.

His dreams were fired by the extraordinary grit displayed by his uncle, Mr Padam Dev Verma, now a member of the district Bar Council here, who had to sell bidis and cigarettes at wayside places while pursuing his law course at Allahabad.

Fortunately Ramesh was spared the severe hardships of the type faced by his uncle. After passing his matric examination in 1984, he began his quest for a steady job and higher studies, while remaining based at his village. After nearly four years he had the fortune of meeting Mr Shiv Singh Chauhan the DPRO there, who got him the job of a chowkidar at his office on a daily wage basis.

This job, which basically consisted of securing a firm lock on the main gate of the office every evening followed by a good night's sleep behind it, offered the youngman enough time for pursuing higher studies. He passed his B.A. examination two years later and the M.A. and J.D. examinations in due course.

However, Ramesh Kumar's desire of becoming a "burra saheb" remained unfulfilled. All of his attempts at clearing the Himachal Pradesh Civil Services examinations failed. Other efforts at securing similar or lower status jobs also proved futile.

Ramesh ascribes his failure in the competitive examinations to the dismally low standards of teaching, particularly English in rural schools. Besides, it was common knowledge that the state education department pursued two sets of policies — one for the city-bred and the other for the rural youth. The former category was pampered with the best infrastructural facilities that the state could afford and also with the services of the best of teachers.

The village lads and lasses had to be content with ill-housed and ill-staffed schools. Needless to say that educated youth produced under such circumstances were handicapped while competing with city educated candidates in selection examinations.

Such youth were by and large required to unlearn a lot of bosh acquired at schools and then engage themselves in the process of reeducating themselves at an advanced age.

After repeated failures in getting a good job and aware of his poor English, Ramesh set his course in a different, 'more realistic' direction. Perhaps influenced by the flamboyance of local scribes often visiting the DPRO's office, he thought of becoming a vernacular language journalist.

After doing his J.D., he started contributing to numerous Hindi dailies. Barring one, none paid him for his labour. He says that the net proceeds from publishing nearly 250 articles were not even enough to pay for the cost of stationary used.

Today, Ramesh is at his wit's end. Even after burning the proverbial midnight oil for years at a stretch, he is still far away from his goal. However, the fact that he had put his daughter in an English medium public school, indicated that he had not given up entirely. Maybe, he has already thought of enjoying the fruits of his long labour vicariously.

Many Virbhadra men in PCC
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 29 — The inclusion of Mr Anand Sharma as member of the executive of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has annoyed the Virbhadra Singh camp here.

The much-awaited PCC was announced today by the AICC chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi.

It is being pointed out that Mr Anand Sharma, who was unable to get himself elected as member of the PCC in the recent organisational elections, has been nominated member of the executive committee.

Mr Sharma has been opposing Mr Virbhadra Singh for the past few years.

However, many of the Virbhadra Singh supporters have found place in the new PCC and the executive committee. The PCC president, Mr Sat Mahajan, had submitted the list of his team after consultation with Mr Virbhadra Singh.

Certain senior Congress leaders were surprised over the appointment of Mr Shiv Kumar as one of the vice-presidents of the PCC as he is not even a primary member of the party. They alleged that Mr Shiv Kumar had worked against the PCC chief, Mr Sat Mahajan, when he unsuccessfully contested the recent Lok Sabha poll from the Kangra constituency.

Mrs Pratibha Singh, wife of Mr Virbhadra Singh, has been made a special invitee to the executive committee. She had recently resigned from the post of vice-president of the PCC following her defeat in the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency.

The AICC has departed from the normal practice of appointing the CLP leader as a member of the executive committee by not including Mr Virbhadra Singh in it. He has been nominated as a permanent invitee of the executive.

Of the 47 executive members, permanent invitees and special invitees' 14 are not even elected members of the PCC.

The permanent and special invitees do not have the right to vote for decisions in the executive committee meetings.

The PCC with Mr Sat Mahajan as the president, includes 6 vice-presidents, 5 general secretaries, 5 secretaries, 25 executive members, 11 permanent, invitees, 11 special invitees and a political secretary.

The vice presidents are: Mr M.R. Goma, Mr Ram Lal Thakur, Mr Raj Kishan Gaur, Mr Kush Parmar, Mr Harsh Mahajan and Mr Shiv Kumar.

The general secretaries are: Mr Kaul Singh, Mr Gangu Ram Musafir, Mrs Viplove Thakur, Mr Harbhajan Singh Bhaji and Mrs Asha Rani.

The secretaries are: Mr Punchchog Rai, Mr Kuldeep Kumar, Mr G.S. Bali, Mr Raghu Raj and Mr Harsh Vardhan.

Mr Chander Kumar has been appointed treasurer.

Those nominated as executive members are: Mr J.B.L. Khachi, Mr Rangila Ram Rao, Mr Vikram Katoch, Mr Anand Sharma, Mr Vijay Singh Mankotia, Mr B.B. Butail, Mr Sat Prakash Thakur, Mr Ishwar Dass, Mr Nehar Singh, Mr Kashmir Singh, Dr Prem Singh, Mr Dharam Pal, Mr Tek Chand, Mr Lajja Ram, Mr Yogendra Chandra, Mr Virendra Gautam, Mr Natha Singh, Mr Rattan Singh, Mr Harsh Wardhan, Mr Vijendar Singh, Mr Singhi Ram, Mrs Kunjana Singh, Mr D.D. Thakur, Mr Moti Ram and Mr Hari Dutt Sharma.

The permanent invitees are: Mr Virbhadra Singh, Thakur Ram Lal, Mrs Vidya Stokes, Mrs Satya Parmar, Mrs Sarla Sharma, Mr Narain Chand Parashar, Mr Gyan Chand Totu, Mr Peeru Ram, Mr Krishan Dutt Sultanpuri, Mrs Chandresh Kumari and Mr Sushil Barongpa.

Mrs Pratibha Singh, Mr Sagar Chand Nayyar, Kanwar Durga Chand, Lt Gen Vikram Singh, Mrs Anita Verma, Mr Ajay Bahadur Singh, Mr Onkar Chand Sharma Ms Avinder Kaur, Mr Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Mr Laxmi Chand and Mr Rajendra Jar have been made special invitees.

Mr V. Gautam, a Virbhadra Singh loyalist, has been appointed political secretary.

Heads of frontal organisations, the Youth Congress, the NSUI Seva Dal, INTUC and the Mahila Congress have also been included as special invitees.

6 accomplices of militants held
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Aug 29 — In a major breakthrough, the security forces deployed on the borders in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh have arrested six persons suspected of having a nexus with Kashmiri militants who had massacred 35 labourers in the Kalaban and Satrundi border areas adjoining Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Disclosing this to mediapersons here today, Mr Atul Verma Superintendent of Police, said the suspects had been supplying information to militants.

The SP stated that Sharif Mohammed, who was in police custody, had been identified as the kingpin of the killings on the borders of Chamba.

He asserted that Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Indian Reserve Battalion personnel were camping and patrolling on the vulnerable points on the borders to flush out militancy, with technical security personnel handling the modern communication network.

Create police districts in Chamba: Congress
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Aug 29 — The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee has urged the government to create two police districts in Chamba to check militant activities and demanded the setting up of anti-terrorist cells on the borders with Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

Addressing a news conference here last night, Mr Sat Mahajan, president of the HPCC, said that similar police districts were created in Punjab during militancy. He suggested that these police districts should be provided with adequate security forces with sophisticated weapons.

Mr Mahajan alleged the BJP-led government had not geared up the administration to fight terrorism. He said irresponsible press statements given by BJP leaders were not only hurting the sentiments of the people, but also aggravating the situation.

Mr Mahajan asked the government to seriously deal with the prevailing situation and also provide a transportation and quick communication network on the borders.

The HPCC chief criticised the Centre for providing only Rs 1 crore for the anti-terrorist operations in Himachal Pradesh.

Mr Mahajan criticised the BJP for nurturing and nourishing militancy on the borders of Chamba during its regime in 1991 when six labourers of the Border Roads Organisation were killed by militants.

He lambasted the Chief Minister and other ministers for visiting the border areas by removing the national flags from their cars.

No adulterated mustard oil in HP: Secretary
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 29 — Miss Harinder Hira, Secretary, Food and Supplies said here today that no adulterated mustard oil had been detected in Himachal Pradesh.

She said that as a follow up of the ban imposed on the sale of certain brands of mustard oil, samples had been collected and sent to laboratory at Kandaghat for testing.

She said six samples were collected from Solan, and five from Shimla on Thursday, three from Bilaspur and six from Una on Friday. Reports indicate that no adulteration was found in these samples.

Miss Hira said eight samples were collected from Mandi, four from Solan, two from Shimla and six from Hamirpur today and had been sent to Kandaghat for testing and result of the analysis would be available by tomorrow.

She said that 115 samples were taken and checked in Kangra district through "rink testing" and no adulteration was found in any of the samples.

She said the mustard oil consumed by a family in the Kandaghat area of Solan district was brought from outside and was not sold locally.

Plea to amend Municipal Act
From Our Correspondent

PARWANOO, Aug 29 — The local nagar panchayat, has asked the state government to amend the present Municipal Act to give more financial and administrative powers to nagar panchayat bodies.

The president of the panchayat, Mr N.L. Walia, in a press note issued here today said that the state government instead of giving more powers to the nagar panchayat bodies, as envisaged in the 74th Amendment of the Constitution, had diluted the existing administrative powers by making the present a titular a head.

He said lacunae in the present Municipal Act had resulted in slow progress at all levels as the administrative powers vested in executive officers and secretaries.

Mr Walia said the nagar panchayat had not been provided with adequate land and the octroi, which was the main source of income for the panchayat, had been abolished, affecting development. He said the town which contributed significantly to the state's revenue lacked dispensaries, parks, schools and clubs.

He alleged that the housing board was favouring certain influential people and demanded a probe into violations in the allotment of plots.

CITU call for bandh at Parwanoo
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 29 — The Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU) has called for an industrial bandh at Parwanoo on September 1 to protest against "failure" in the enforcement of labour laws.

This was announced here today by Mr Rakesh Singh, president of CITU. He said that the failure of the Labour Department to enforce the labour laws had resulted in the industrial relations becoming bitter between the management and employees. The industrialists were taking advantage of the situation by violating labour laws with impunity.