PWD flouting norms?
PALAMPUR, Dec 10 — The Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) under a cloud for allegedly flouting rules and bypassing norms in the submission of tenders and giving unlimited supply orders to some contractors with questionable background.

Plea to regularise contract teachers
KULU, Dec 10 — The Himachal Pradesh Primary Contract Teachers Association will hold a meeting at Bilaspur on December 12 to chalk out an action plan against the discriminatory policy of the Himachal Government, Mr K.L. Sharma, senior vice-president of the state unit of the association, said here yesterday.

Three killed in bus mishap
UNA, Dec 10 — Three persons died last evening around 7.30 p.m. when a bus (HP-19-4870) carrying a marriage party from Lohara to Gagret was involved in a mishap near Amba Da Pathar, 45 km from here.

Cancel "irrational" postings: teachers
SOLAN, Dec 10 — The Himachal Pradesh Government Primary School Teachers Association has threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the Education Directorate does not rescind its decision to transfer a number of its members in the name of "rationalisation of postings".

• Cable operators' stir on Dec 12

Special drive to fill vacancies
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 10 — As many as 5656 appointments will be made under a special drive to fill he vacancies in various government departments in the tribal and backward areas of the state.

This was announced by Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, in the Vidhan Sabha while replying to the discussion on a private members resolution urging the government to immediately fill the vacant posts in the backward areas moved by Mr Kaul Singh (Congress). He said the recruitment was being under the sub-cadre created by the government for tribal and backward areas. The employees recruited under the cadre would have to serve in these areas for a minimum of five years after appointment.

In all 256 doctors, 1084 trained graduate teachers, 2100 vidya upasaks, 790 school lecturers, 432 veterinary pharmacists, 409 classical and vernacular teachers, 191 gram panchayat Vikas Adhikari and 41 junior engineers would be recruited.

Besides, the government had also started training of 260 nurses, 120 male health workers, 150 ayurvedic pharmacists, 1146 JBT teachers, 60 laboratory technicians and 22 radiographers. They would be posted on the completion of training.

Referring to the efforts being made by the government to fill vacant posts in difficult areas, Mr Dhumal said it had been decided to give preference in admission to postgraduate courses to those doctors who served in the tribal areas for three years. Besides in technical categories like pharmacists and laboratory technicians, it had been decided to appoint exservicemen and retired persons on a contract until those undergoing training passed out.

The government had also rationalised postings of teachers and as many as 1275 surplus primary teachers had been posted out.

He clarified that the government had not scrapped the rule under which employees posted in the tribal areas were not relieved on transfer until the arrival of the substitute. Exceptions had been made in certain emergent cases. He denied the Opposition's charge that large-scale transfers after the BJP-HVC came to power virtually caused migration of employees en masse from the tribal areas. He said vacancies in these areas were created due to opening of new institutions, retirements and unwillingness of employees to serve in hard areas. Those posted in such areas used political influence to get the posting modified. The problem could be solved if politicians, particularly the legislators, did not interfere in the transfers.

Earlier, initiating the discussion Mr Kaul Singh expressed concern over the large number of vacancies in the backward and tribal areas and called for immediate filling of the post. He said the situation was worse in the Education and Health Departments. While one teacher was looking after two primary schools at a time, the primary health centres were run by class IV employees.

The decision of the present government to allow the employees transferred out from the tribal areas to move without a substitute had led to an acute shortage of staff in all the departments.

Mr Ram Lal Markanda, Minister for Rural Development, said when the present government took over more than 50 per cent posts were vacant in Lahaul and Spiti district. A large number of posts had been filled over the past 18 months. Employees from the tribal areas should not be transferred out without a substitute.

Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Leader of the Opposition, said that despite repeated assurances the Health Department had failed to post doctors and paramedical staff in various institution and teachers in schools. As many as 43 posts were vacant in the Rohru hospital. The only radiographer available in the institution had also been transferred.

No doubt there was a shortage of doctors but it should be shared equally by all areas of the state. Those posted to hard areas invariably got their transfer orders modified and consequently the posts remained vacant. The present government lacked the political will to send employees to hard areas. It was time to ponder whether the interest of employees or that of the people should be dear to the government.

No Great Prayers in 2000
From Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Dec 10 — Breaking a 20-year-old tradition, the Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader, the Dalai Lama, will not be holding the annual 15-day teaching session in March, which attracts people from all over the world.

According to Mr Atishah, spokesperson in the Department of Information and International Relations, it is for the first time over the past so many years that the annual teachings in March next year, have been cancelled. "Since the Dalai Lama, shall be in retreat during that period in March, the annual teachings by him stand cancelled," he announced.

When asked if the teachings could be rescheduled, he said that there was no such proposal, as the calendar of the Dalai Lama, had already been set and any change would be difficult. The teachings by the Dalai Lama, for his followers from all over the world, for about a fortnight are called the Great Prayers and begin with the Prayer Festival on the first day.

Followers of the Tibetan leader from all over the world throng Mcleodganj, which is the headquarters of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, to attend the teachings. Celebrities like Hoolywood star Richard Gere have been attending the teachings for the past so many years, and arrive here by chartered flights. Monks and nuns from the Tibetan monasteries in south India and the North-East make it a point to be here in time for the teachings.

The importance of these teachings is so much that simultaneous translation into French, German and Taiwanese is done.

More than the religious aspect, it is the business prospects that are worrying the thousands of people in the tourism industry here. Hoteliers, travel agents, taxi owners and other businessmen are a worried lot, as they say that this was the period when they used to make maximum profits which could see them through the year. It is difficult to find a place in a hotel during the Great Prayers as people from all over the world descend upon the place, a travel agent said. The booking in hotels and travel arrangements are made for the event well in advance.

"It was during the teachings by the Dalai Lama that high-class foreign tourists would arrive here, unlike at other times of the year, when it is crowded by shoe-string budget travellers," stated another hotelier.

Even at the time of Losar (Tibetan New Year), not as many tourists turn up in McLeodganj as compared to the Great Prayers, which are held in morning and afternoon shifts in the main temple opposite the Dalai Lama's palace.

Mr Lalji Singh in his address said that McLeodganj has attained world fame only because of the presence of the Dalai Lama, here but it was everyone's duty to keep the place clean and prevent it from becoming a concrete jungle. "There is need to check encroachment as they are grabbing on the already vary narrow roads, adding to the congestion and parking problem," he stressed. Regarding the relations between the locals and the Tibetans, he said that there are bound to be differences whenever two communities live together in one place. He added he was glad to know that the Tibetan government-in-exile had no plans to shifts its headquarters from McLeodganj, to nearer Delhi.

Mr Sonam Topgyal, senior Minister in the Tibetan Cabinet, said that the Dalai Lama has sought to resolve the Tibet China problem through peaceful and non violent means and has taken the mutual benefit of Tibet and China into consideration. "The Dalai Lama is seeking peaceful negotiations aimed at securing genuine self rule for Tibet, happiness of six million Tibetans and survival of Tibetan culture, religion and language.

Mr Topgyal, was highly critical of the White Paper, issued by China on its policy towards" minority rationalities" "people outside are made to believe that the Chinese respect the human rights of the Tibetans, but in reality the Chinese White Paper, is nothing more than a typical propaganda aimed at deceiving the world, "he regretted.

On the occasion, member of the Assembly of Tibetan Peoples Deputies, Mr Tsering Phuntsok, thanked the Indian government for their unwavering support to the Tibetan people. The president of the into-Tibetan Friendship Association, Mr Ajay Mankotia, also spoke on the occasion.

HP plan to open up more tourist centres
from Ravinder Sood

PALAMPUR: The Himachal Pradesh Government, in collaboration with the Union Government has drawn up an ambitious plan for the promotion of tourism in the state. The plan has been envisaged tapping the rich tourism potential of various places in the state and promoting new tribal and other areas as tourist destinations. There would be an emphasis on enabling pilgrims visiting shrines like Naina Devi, Jwalamukhi, Chintpurni and Kangra visiting other destinations and to provide adventure and water sports at Pong and Bhakra lakes. A beginning has already been made in this direction.

According to Mr P.C. Kapoor, Managing Director, H.P. State Tourism Development Corporation, there is a proposal to set up five tourism townships. The five sites selected for these townships are Holi near Bharmaur, Jhanjali (Mandi), Parbati (Kulu), Nerwa (Shimla) and Jot Khajjiar (Chamba). He says the state government has decided to involve private parties for these projects and over 10,000 hectares of land would be identified. The projects would be set up totally on commercial lines. All facilities like golf course and swimming pool etc will also be made available to the tourists visiting these townships.

Mr Kapoor says because of disturbed conditions in adjoining states, the tourism industry had suffered a lot, but after peace had returned to Punjab, there had been a sharp increase in the entry of Indian and foreign tourists into the state. Now the state government has decided to provide better facilities to foreign tourists. The Tourism Department has earmarked new tracking areas and sites for mountaineering in the state. Likewise, there is also a proposal to organise para-gliding and hang gliding championships.

He says under the current plan, there is a proposal to set up tourist resort in the state and to develop infrastructure facilities at various places. The state government is also committed to encourage the private sector in the tourism industry, therefore the government has already announced plans to hand over HPTDC properties to private parties on lease. Prominent industrial houses have expressed their keenness to take over these units and agreed to train staff.

Mr Kapoor says that pilgrim is another aspect, which can also fill up the coffers of tourism industry. This has shown promise in the past decade. There has been a manifold increase in pilgrim traffic to holy shrines in the northern region of the state, ever since the management of these shrines was taken over by the state government. Even places like Manimahesh, Trilokpur, Chander Tal lake and Prasher lake have come on the international map. Hundreds of foreign tourists have been visiting these areas now.

The Union Government's decision to grant permission for the opening inner lines of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Leh via Manali for tourist traffic has given a boost to the tourism industry, Mr Kapoor adds.

HP to start MLA’s area development fund
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 10 — The Himachal Government has decided to start a scheme on the pattern of the MP’s local area development fund scheme under which substantial funds will be placed at the disposal of every legislator for carrying out development works in his constituency every year.

Announcing the scheme entitled “Vidhayak Kshetra Vikas Nidhi Yozna” in the Vidhan Sabha today Mr P.K. Dhumal, chief minister, said that this year Rs 15 lakh would be allotted to each legislator and the amount would be raised to Rs 20 lakh next year. The decision was taken as a part of the government efforts to ensure balanced development as per the local needs.

The government had introduced the district local area planning programme to decentralise the planning in 1984. However, over the years problems were being faced under the programme in the allocation of funds at the lower levels and ensuring timely completion of works. It was also found that funds earmarked under the programme were not being utilised fully and the progress of works was also not being monitored effectively.

Keeping all these shortcomings in view the government had decided to replace the district area decentralised planning programme by the MLA local area development fund scheme.

He clarified that other schemes under decentralised planning like “vikas mein jan sahyog” and sectoral decentralised planning would continue as before.

Mr Dhumal expressed the hope that the new scheme would ensure greater involvement of legislators in development works, besides equitable distribution and proper utilisation of funds.

The House also unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to extend the “Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yozna” to fruit crops also so that hill states like Himachal, where horticulture was the mainstay of people, could also benefit.

Replying to the debate on the resolution, Mr Narinder Bragta, Horticulture Minister, said over 2 lakh hectares of area was under horticultural crops and 4.60 lakh families earned their livelihood from it. The total fruit production was 4.50 lakh tonnes generating an overall economy of Rs 1000 crore. However, the growers were exposed to the vagaries of weather and at times the damage to crops due to natural calamities like floods, hailstorms and drought was as high as 90 per cent. The fruit growers of hill areas deserved some financial security like the farmers of plains.

Earlier, initiating the discussion, Mr Jai Ram Thakur (BJP), said with the opening of domestic market for imported apples under the OGL, the local growers would have to improve the quality of fruit to face international competition. The insurance cover would encourage growers to adopt the latest know-how and maintain their orchards properly, which in turn would increase production.

PWD flouting norms?
From Our Correspondent

PALAMPUR, Dec 10 — The Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) under a cloud for allegedly flouting rules and bypassing norms in the submission of tenders and giving unlimited supply orders to some contractors with questionable background. The disturbing nexus between corrupt officers and contractors has become a cause of serious concern among the public. The corrupt officers of the state are draining the state exchequer.

The large-scale purchase of bitumen emulsion made by the PWD has become a big scandal in the state. According to reliable sources, over Rs 20 crore bitumen emulsion was purchased by different divisions of the PWD in the state in past one and a half year which had been piling up in different stores of the department since it could not be used in a state like Himachal Pradesh where there was heavy rainfall throughout the year. Reliable sources revealed one zone of the PWD made maximum purchase of this bitumen worth Rs 5 crore. There was no practical requirement of this material because wherever this material was used for metalling of the roads it was washed away after the first showers. The PWD made a trial of bitumen emulsion at Paprola near here but it survived for hardly two days on the road and was washed away in first monsoon showers.

It is revealed that suppliers organised a day-long workshop in Hotel Holiday Home at Shimla, which was attended by officers, including Chief Engineers, of the PWD who recommended utilisation of this material in Himachal Pradesh. Thereafter, the firm dealing with the supply of bitumen emulsion came on the rate contract of the HP Government. No one knows under which circumstances the rate contract was finalised and rates were approved.

Since there was an official rate contract with the state government, the Public Works Department started bulk purchase without looking into the quality and strength of the material, resulting in huge loss to the state exchequer. In many divisions of the PWD the payments of daily wage workers were stopped and money was spent on the purchase of bitumen emulsion.

A senior officer of the state government told this reporter that in the 1980s a similar case was reported when divisional forest officers in 18 forest divisions of the state made huge purchases of Sintex water tanks. Later, the then Chief Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, handed over the case to the state enforcement wing of the police. These officers faced prosecution for about 15 years and a number of them were fined and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment.

Plea to regularise contract teachers
From Our Correspondent

KULU, Dec 10 — The Himachal Pradesh Primary Contract Teachers Association will hold a meeting at Bilaspur on December 12 to chalk out an action plan against the discriminatory policy of the Himachal Government, Mr K.L. Sharma, senior vice-president of the state unit of the association, said here yesterday.

He criticised the government for overlooking the "genuine" demands of contract teachers despite repeated assurances by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The employees, leader said the government was breaching the contract by deducting 52 days' wages from a teacher's salary every year. He alleged the government was not releasing JBT scales to the contract teachers as agreed upon in the contract.

As all graduate trained teachers were working against vacant posts of JBT teachers contract teachers should be regularised at these posts, he demanded.

Three killed in bus mishap
From Our Correspondent

UNA, Dec 10 — Three persons died last evening around 7.30 p.m. when a bus (HP-19-4870) carrying a marriage party from Lohara to Gagret was involved in a mishap near Amba Da Pathar, 45 km from here.

According to police sources, Neeraj Kumar (22), Sanday and Akash (3) died in the accident.

The driver of the bus, Jeet Kumar, had asked members of the marriage party to get down from the bus when it was going up a steep incline. Only some passengers got down. The bus was not able to completely go up the steep road and rolled back and fell down. Many of the passengers who had remained in the bus received injuries.

The district has announced Rs 5,000 each as grant to the next of kin of the deceased.

Cancel "irrational" postings: teachers
Tribune News Service

SOLAN, Dec 10 — The Himachal Pradesh Government Primary School Teachers Association has threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the Education Directorate does not rescind its decision to transfer a number of its members in the name of "rationalisation of postings".

The association president, Mr K.D. Sharma, said here yesterday that the Director of Education had recently ordered transfers without consulting his directorate's block, and in some cases, even district-level officers.

Besides causing hardships, this had also resulted in certain "irrational" postings. In one case, seven teachers who had retired long ago had been transferred.

Mr Sharma said the association would hold an emergency meeting at Lal Pani (Shimla) on December 12 where a strategy for launching a stir against the present transfer orders would be chalked out.

Cable operators' stir on Dec 12
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 10 — Cable operators have decided to observe a strike on December 12 in protest against the levy of 20 per cent entertainment duty by the state government.

A spokesman of the cable operators said they would shut their transmission at 7 p.m. on Saturday (December 11) and resume it after midnight on Sunday (December 12).