The Tribune...Himachal

H I M A C H A L

Sunday, July 5, 1998

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Bus drivers to blame for HP mishaps
From Ravinder Sood
PALAMPUR: The sharp increase in bus mishaps in Himachal Pradesh during the past few months has caused serious concern among the public here. In past six months over 200 persons have lost their lives in different road accidents in the state.
Despite the fact that 98 per cent of the total population of the state is largely dependent on road transport nothing worthwhile has been done by the state government to ensure the safety of travelling public. Though there has been manifold increase in the number of vehicles and inter-state traffic but there is very little improvement in the conditions of roads.
The width of most of the roads is the same as it was 20 years ago. The condition of three national and state highways has also gone from bad to worse.
The state has an accident rate of 160 per 10,000 vehicles in comparison to national average of 100. According to official sources in 1996-97, 600 vehicles were involved in accidents resulting in deaths of 390 persons, injuries to 942 and loss of Rs 75 lakh to the HRTC and private operators. In most of the major accidents HRTC buses were involved.
The state government promptly set up inquiry committees headed by Deputy Commissioners after accidents. These committees submit their report to the government, but nothing had been done to implement the recommendations of these committees in the past eight years.
Enquiries made by this reporter reveal that two-third of these accidents could be avoided, since these are attributed to human failures. It is also seen that 75 per cent of fault lies with the drivers. The accidents near Kulu near Hanogi Temple occurred because of human failure. According to preliminary inquiries drivers of the vehicles were at fault.
In Himachal Pradesh a "a accident free day" is a news while heavy casualties have become a matter of routine.
Enquiries reveal that no proper rules and regulations are followed by the licencing authorities for issuing driving licences. Due to rampant corruption in Transport Department licences are issued to incompetent drivers. Motor Vehicles Inspectors which is a major agency for issuing of licences for heavy vehicles allegedly flout norms and issue licences without conducting proper test as required under the Motor Vehicle Act. Even selection of drivers in the HRTC is made under political pressure.
Though the driver is the most important component of the overall road transport system, unfortunately there is no system to ensure that vehicles are driven by good drivers.
The HRTC has still a monopoly in all long and inter-state bus routes. The drivers who perform duties on long routes are changed after certain distance and second driver is deputed to take over the bus for further destination. If the second driver is not available or falls ill, then the first has to take bus without any rest on further journey. Last year such driver caused an accident near Kulu killing 20 persons on the spot. Besides, there is no proper accommodation or proper arrangements for drivers to take their meal at halting points.
Another factor responsible for increasing number of accidents is opening of liquor shops on national highway, state highways or near bus stands. Drunken drivers often cause accident.
The HRTC Employees Association says that no proper amenities are provided to drivers and other staff who perform their duties round-the-clock. Working condition in workshop are very poor and workers are forced to work in unhealthy atmosphere. There is also shortage of funds and technical staff which adversely affect the functioning of the HRTC.

Age limit for admission
Tribune News Service
SHIMLA, July 4 — The Academic Council has decided to increase the age limit for admission in the undergraduate classes from 22 years to 23 years from the current academic session, Vice-Chancellor C.L. Kundu disclosed while presiding over the 44th meeting of the council here today.
He said that the council has also decided to reserve two seats in social sciences and management departments for army pesonnel as supernumary seat.
Prof Kundu said that regarding appointments of eminent professors to different chairs in the university, the condition of 15 years as a professor of the university is reduced to 10 years.
The Academic Council authorised the Vice-Chancellor to coopt three members.
Dr V.K. Ahluwalia, Principal, Government College, Sarkaghat, was unanimously elected to the Executive Council from among the members of the council.

Virbhadra dubs Budget directionless
Tribune News Service
SHIMLA, July 4 — While the ruling BJP-HVC combine hailed the Himachal Budget presented by Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal in the state Assembly yesterday, the Congress dubbed it as anti-poor and directionless.
Mr Virbhadra Singh, leader of the Congress Legislative Party, said there was nothing new in the Budget. Fresh taxes had been imposed in the name of rationalisation. This would certainly push up prices and put additional burden on the people of the state.
The BJP-HVC combine had not kept its election promise of increasing the daily wage to Rs 60 per day, he said.
Mr Dhumal, however, maintained that he had done his best to come up to the expectations of the people, given the grim financial situation of the state.
Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, said the Chief Minister had shown political and moral courage to break the farce of tax-free budgets presented by previous governments and made a sincere attempt to raise the much needed resources.
Mr Sukh Ram, president of the HVC, hailed the budget as growth oriented and pro-people.