Sukh Ram reorganises "loyal" ministers
SHIMLA, Dec 16 — Himachal Vikas Congress chief Sukh Ram, an alliance partner of Himachal Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal, is reorganising his "loyal" ministers by holding public meetings in interior areas of the Shimla district.

HP insurance staff join strike
SHIMLA, Dec 16 — The LIC and GIC employees went on strike today at various places in the state in protest against the IRA Bill. They held protest demonstrations outside their offices and raised slogans against the privatisation of insurance sector and its opening up to foreign companies.

• CITU's call for Parwanoo bandh on Dec 22
• No decision on land for ITI building
• ARTRAC celebrates victory day

Sukh Ram reorganises "loyal" ministers
From S. P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 16 — Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) chief Sukh Ram, an alliance partner of Himachal Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal, is reorganising his "loyal" ministers by holding public meetings in interior areas of the Shimla district.

The exercise is aimed at showing his teeth to the former Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party Leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, as both public meetings are being organised in his Assembly segment, while the first rally has been fixed at Rohroo on December 22, the other will be held in the nearby Chirgaon village.

Mr Sukh Ram is probably trying to activate himself after having gone into a virtual hibernation after Mr Dhumal did not take his deadlines so seriously for taking action against Mr Virbhadra Singh and nor did he allocate the portfolio of his choice to Mr Ram Lal Markanda, who was recently inducted into the ministry.

Another reason for regrouping his loyal ministers is said to be the reported increasing leaning of two of them towards the ruling BJP. Political circles point out that the two ministers, Mr Mansa Ram and Mr Prakash Chaudhary, kept Mr Sukh Ram waiting in his native village in Mandi where he had summoned them on the eve of his latest deadline to the Dhumal government on November 6 for ordering a CBI inquiry against Mr Virbhadra Singh.

It is being said that the reported defiance of the summons of the HVC chief by the two ministers, who had won the Assembly election as HVC candidates and were later made to join the BJP as a strategy, had annoyed Mr Sukh Ram.

He had obtained resignations of his ministers in October in a bid to flex his muscles at Mr Dhumal and also show that all was well in the HVC.

In a bid to present a picture of unity among his men, Mr Sukh Ram has reportedly asked Mr Mansa Ram and Mr Prakash Chaudhary to be present at public meetings in which his other HVC ministers, Mr Mohinder Singh and Mr Ram Lal Markanda, will also participate.

Mr Sukh Ram had been claiming that although Mr Mansa Ram and Mr Prakash Chaudhary were in the BJP as a part of his strategy, but their heart and soul was in the HVC.

An impression has gone around that the BJP was not taking Mr Sukh Ram seriously after winning the Baijnath Assembly seat which had made their position comfortable even without the support of the HVC. On the other hand, a section of the BJP does not relish continuing the government in partnership with Mr Sukh Ram against whom the CBI has registered cases. They point out that the BJP has already tasted the outcome of its dual policy in Delhi and Rajasthan Assembly elections. The party has made the alleged corruption cases against Mr Sukh Ram as an issue during the Lok Sabha elections, but later joined hands with him to form the government in Himachal.

Discontent has been simmering in BJP circles following the inclusion of all HVC legislators in the ministry and allocation of plum portfolios to them. Mr Sukh Ram had resigned from the ministry following corruption related controversies. But was again made a chairman with cabinet status.

It is learnt that Mr Sukh Ram himself was annoyed over the style in which the BJP government was functioning, but was waiting for an opportune time to react.

There were reports that he was also maintaining a liaison with a section of the Congress leadership which was against Mr Virbhadra Singh. This section has already renewed its efforts to get Mr Virbhadra Singh removed from leadership of the CLP and install someone from among themselves to the post.

The critics of Mr Virbhadra Singh, some of whom claim to have close relations with Mrs Sonia Gandhi, are learnt to have already started a campaign against him in the Delhi circles.

However, the party high command was reportedly so far convinced that none other than Mr Virbhadra Singh had the capacity to fight the BJP and also enjoyed a good following.

Mr Sukh Ram’s supporters have been saying that the HVC could consider the proposal of supporting the Congress only after Mr Virbhadra Singh was removed as leader of the CLP. But it is to be seen as to how the Congress high command responds to the issue in view of its commitment to keep the tainted leaders away.

HP insurance staff join strike
From Tribune Reporters

SHIMLA, Dec 16 — The LIC and GIC employees went on strike today at various places in the state in protest against the IRA Bill.

They held protest demonstrations outside their offices and raised slogans against the privatisation of insurance sector and its opening up to foreign companies.

Here, the employees working in the Oriental Insurance Company, the New India Assurance Company, the National Insurance Company, the United India Insurance Company and the Life Insurance Corporation assembled outside the LIC office and held a rally which was addressed by their leaders.

Leaders of the employees threatened to intensify their struggle in future if the centre did not withdraw the Bill immediately.

HAMIRPUR: Insurance employees held a rally at the Gandhi Chowk and flayed the Centre for resorting to anti-employees stance. They alleged that the decision of the government was virtual sell out.

The rally was addressed by Mr Harnamsingh Verma, Vice-President of the Shimla division of the LIC, Employees Association. The leaders gave a call to insurance employees all over India to join hands against the anti-employee moves of the government.

Meanwhile, Comrade Lakhanpal Sharma, the District President of the CPM in a statement today criticised the government for the Bill and demanded immediate withdrawal of it.

MANDI: Employees of insurance companies working in this district observed a complete strike.

Mr KD Milapi, President of the General Insurance Employees Association said the joint front of the LIC and GIC would wage a relentless fight against it.

KANGRA: Employees of LIC boycotted official work and held demonstration outside their office here. Mr Sanjeev Sharma, General Secretary of the NZIEA local unit said, the country was being sold to World Bank and other foreign institutions. The striking staff took out a procession in the town raising anti-government slogans.

HP launches energy conservation drive
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Dec 16 — Mr V.K. Bansal, Member of Administration, HPSEB, said here yesterday that a vigorous energy conservation movement had been launched in the state to make optimum utilisation of power and at the same time to take "effective precautions" to avoid wastage of electricity.

Speaking at a seminar held in connection with the Energy Conservation Week, he said the adoption of energy conservation measures was of paramount importance now when power demand was rapidly increasing. The HPSEB was, therefore, creating awareness for energy saving not only among consumers, but also among all those connected with generation, transmission and distribution of power. Steps were being taken to minimise transmission losses. Effective measures to prevent the misuse of electricity could yield dramatic results, he asserted.

Mr Bansal said with the gradual economic growth the power consumption had marked manifold increase, both domestic and industrial. Even the common man was switching to modern gadgets and electrical devices. In the changed scenario, energy conservation had assumed the same significance as that of energy generation, he said.

Of its vast power potential of 24,000 MW, only 4,000 MW of Himachal's hydel power had been exploited so far. A plan had been drawn up to harness 12,000 MW hydel power by involving the private sector, he said.

Mr V.S. Malhotra, Chief Engineer, said the situation at the national level was also grim. The country's annual additional demand was to the tune of 10,000 MW. The hydel power was not only the cheapest, but also pollution-free, he said.

Congress camp to train party workers
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, Dec 16 — Mr Sat Mahajan, Himachal Congress chief, addressing a press conference at Raja Ka Bagh near here yesterday said the state Congress committee had decided to organise a state-level party workers’ training camp at Nurpur on the pattern of the camp organised by the AICC at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh. Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President of the Congress, would be urged to inaugurate the camp. The date for which would be finalised after consulting the Congress President.

Mr Mahajan said if Mrs Gandhi accepted the invitation, the Congress would hold a big rally at Raja Ka Talab near Nurpur. Senior Congress leaders would participate in the camp.

The PCC chief called upon the state government to complete the Shah Nehar irrigation project of Kangra district. He wanted proper measures to check floods in that area. He emphasised the need to promote the fish farming in the Shah Nehar area as there was potential for it.

Mr Mahajan who is also patron of the local Arya Girls College announced that the managing committee of the college was ready to hand over the management of the college to the state government.

The college would be shifted into new building on January 31.

Mr Rakesh Pathania, the local BJP MLA, had also in a press statement in September demanded government take over of this college. Now the ball is in the court of the Prem Kumar Dhumal government.

Civic property leased out sans sanction
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Dec 16 — Two floors of a Municipal Council building at Mcleodganj have been leased out without the knowledge of the House. The Municipal building is located right next to the bus stand. The President of the Council, Mr Kamal Kant Minocha, said the matter had come to his notice only a week back and shall be taken up at tomorrow’s meeting of the council. "The matter was never granted approval by the House and it was only later that the entry was made in the minutes of the meeting," he said. "We are not only considering to cancel the lease agreement for the two floors of the building but also holding an inquiry into the matter".

He said "from now on members would sign on the fair minutes of the meeting and it would be prepared there and then".

The Vice-President of the Municipal Council, Mr Nirmal Singh, said the guilty would not be spared. He alleged that the entry had been made after the meeting of the House was over in May.

Mr Nirmal Singh assured that the council would not permit sub-letting of its property. He admitted that there were cases where the council property had been sub-let, that too without clearing the dues payable to the Council.

The Executive Officer of the Council was not available for comments.

Mr Nirmal Singh said no construction could be undertaken without the approval of the Town and Country Planning Department.

HP transfers officers
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 16 — The Himachal Pradesh Government today ordered transfers of SDMs and also those in the secretariat.

Mr CRB Lalit, Additional Secretary, Welfare, has been given charge of Cooperation and Stationery and Printing also.

Mr NS Chaudhary, Additional Secretary, Cooperation, has been appointed Additional Secretary, Industries and Tribal Development.

Mr Khem Chand, Under Secretary, Law, has been asked to look after Finance Budget, Planning and Manpower Planning.

Mr Puran Chand Kaundin on promotion has been posted as Under Secretary, Education and Technical Education.

Mr Mehar Singh Thakur on promotion has been posted as Under Secretary, Law.

Mr GP Goonta, Addtional Director, Rural Development has been appointed as Editor, District Gazetters.

Mr Amit Kashyap, Assistant Commissioner, Shimla Municipal Corporation, has been shifted as Deputy Director, Rural Development.

Mr Amitabh Awasthi, Sub-Divisional Officer (Rural), Shimla, has been appointed in place of Mr Kashyap.

Mr DD Sharma, Under Secretary, Finance, has been appointed SDM (Rural), Shimla.

Mr PN Negi, SDM, Karsog, has been appointed as Land Acquisition Officer (Public Works), Rampur.

Mr Narinder Ashok, Land Acquisition Officer, Kangra, has been posted as SDM, Amb in Una.

Mr BR Bhalaik, Under Secretary, Revenue, has been appointed as SDM, Karsog.

Mr RP Bhardwaj, SDM, Nichar, has been appointed Deputy Director, Secondary Education.

Mr MK Sharma, Administrator, Ayurvedic College, Paprola, has been posted Land Acquisition Officer, Kangra.

Mr Amrit Lal Sharma, Regional Transport Officer, Hamirpur, has been shifted as SDM, Manali and Mr Arun Kumar Sharma, Land Acquisition Officer, Hamirpur, has been appointed in his place.

Mr Moti Lal, AC to DC, Mandi, has been shifted as SDM, Nichar.

11.42 cr NABARD aid to HP
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 16 — The Government of Himachal Pradesh has been granted an assistance of Rs 11.42 crore by NABARD.

The funds were sanctioned by NABARD at its meeting on Monday for 16 projects. These include 12 flood control projects, seven in Beas basin and five in Swan basin as well as four road projects in Kangra, Bilaspur and Chamba.

The road projects will provide improved connectivity to 293 villages in the state. The flood protection project will give protection to human life, livestock, human dwelling, agricultural land and property, including rural infrastructure in 16 villages of the state.

Panel on proprietary rights on trees
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 16 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Dr Rajan Sushant, Minister of State for Revenue, on proprietary rights on trees on private lands.

The other members of the committee are Mr Kashmir Singh Rana, ex-MLA, Vice-Chairman, Mr Babu Ram Mandial, MLA, Mr Ram Dass Malangarh, MLA Mrs Viplove Thakur, MLA, Mr Baldev Sharma, MLA, Mr Ranjeet Singh, ex-MP, Mr Yoginder Pratap, Kangra, Mr Rameshwar Singh Katoch, Indora, Mr Desh Raj Modgil, Mr Bhagat Ram Patiyal, Mr Romel Singh Badial, HVC, and Mr Radha Krishan Sharma.

The Financial Commissioner (revenue) and the Financial Commissioner (Forest) are official members.

The committee will go into the details of this type of entries in the revenue records and will submit its recommendations to the government by March 31.

Disaster relief fund being set up
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 16 — The Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, presiding over the state Red Cross Managing Committee meeting here today, said a disaster relief corpus fund would be established in the state to meet any emergent situation in case of natural calamity.

He said in order to spread computer education to disadvantaged and low income group a computer course would be started.

He emphasised the need to take Red Cross activities to villages and involve voluntary organisations in this process.

CITU's call for Parwanoo bandh on Dec 22
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 16 — The state committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has given call for a bandh in Parwanoo on December 22 to protest against the harassment of workers by the police.

Mr Rakesh Singha, president of CITU, disapproved of the way the police was investigating the incident of fire in engineering innovation. He said the police not only believed the management's version regarding the alleged role of workers in the fire in the factory but also started harassing them at the management's instance.

He charged the police with acting in connivance with the factory owners and this had not happened for the first time.

He also condemned the partisan role of the BJP government in the ongoing struggle of workers for the enforcement of labour laws.

He supported the ongoing agitation of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh for the payment of outstanding bills under the Employees State Insurance Scheme.

No decision on land for ITI building
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, Dec 16 — Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Department is yet to provide the requisite land to the Public Works Department for the construction of a building of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Nurpur. For this purpose a sum of Rs 10 lakh has been allocated to the Public Works Department. According to sources, the authorities of the Technical Education Department only inspected a piece of land at Khusinagar, a few months ago, but did not select it.

Residents of the sub-division apprehend that the allocated sum may lapse or be diverted after March 31, 1999. Moreover, the department has yet to calculate the estimated cost of the proposed ITI building.

The ITI was started on October 28 last year on a godown of the HP Agro Industries Corporation at Jachh, 4 km from here, with two trades and a skeletal staff sans basic amenities.

ARTRAC celebrates victory day
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 16 — Vijay Divas was celebrated at the headquarters of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), here today.

Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Commanding Officer of the Army Training Command, gave monetary assistance to 16 war widows and seven soldiers and families of ex-servicemen, which were in financial distress, on the occasion. He paid homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. He also expressed his gratitude to the war widows and the ex-servicemen for the service rendered to the country.