Govt takes up issue of ‘khudre darakhtan’
DHARAMSALA, Feb 4 — The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, today said that the Government was making concerted efforts to solve the problems of the "khudre darakhtan", which was a major problem of the people of Kangra.
Power engineers to
revive stir
SHIMLA, Feb 4 — Enraged over the failure of the government to settle the demands of the engineers of the state power board, who were on secondment with the NJPC, the State Electricity Board Project Engineers Association has decided to revive its agitation.

Govt takes up issue of ‘khudre darakhtan’
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Feb 4 — The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, today said that the Government was making concerted efforts to solve the problems of the "khudre darakhtan", which was a major problem of the people of Kangra.

This was stated by the Chief Minister, while addressing a public meeting at Kasba Kotla village in the Jaswan area of Kangra district. He said that the Government had already set up a committee to give its recommendations, which would be given due consideration, as this would solve the long awaited problem. He added that kisan passbooks were being made available which would save them from the inconveniences, they are facing now.

Mr Dhumal said that it was due to the proper presentation and pleading of the cases of Himachal Pradesh that the Budget allocation under various schemes and developmental programmes, had almost been doubled under the Central assistance. He disclosed that against the Rs 6.83 crore central assistance given during 1997-98 under the Jawahar Rozgar Yojna, this year the amount had been raised to Rs 13.64 crore. Similarly, under the Indira Awas Yojna, the amount had been raised from Rs 3.46 crore last year to Rs 9.75 crore this year. "There is no problem in getting assistance from the Centre for the various schemes, only if the cases are presented in the right perspective", he claimed.

The Chief Minister, reiterated his government's commitment to undertake a uniform development of the state. "The decision of the Government to upgrade the district hospitals at Hamirpur and Nahan to zonal status is a clear example towards this aim", he said.

Mr Dhumal, said Rs 35 lakh had been sanctioned this year for the development of the Maharana Pratap Sagar from the tourism point of view. He announced the giving of Rs 25 lakh for the construction of a community health centre building at Kasba Kotla. He said that a residential colony would also be constructed at Kasba Kotla for the staff of the tehsil. He also inaugurated the building of the tehsil today.

The Transport Minister, Mr Krishan Kapoor, the Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidya Sagar, the IPH Minister, Mr Ramesh Chaudhary, the Revenue Minister, Mr Rajan Sushant, and the Technical Education Minister, Mr Ravinder Ravi, were present on the occasion.

Vimla sworn in chief of HPPSC
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Feb 4 — Ms Vimla Bhagat, was sworn in as Chairperson of the HP Public Service Commission here today.

Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor, administered the oath of office to Ms Bhagat in a simple and impressive ceremony.

Ministers and senior officers were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Mr V.K. Bansal, Member (Administration), HPSEB, has been posted as Managing Director of the HP Electronics Development Corporation.

Mr C.P. Pandey, Managing Director of the HP Electronics Development Corporation, goes in place of Mr Bansal in the HPSEB.

Mr Kamlesh Pant, Resident Commissioner, Pangi, has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Hamirpur district, in place of Mr Manoj Kumar, who has been posted a special secretary to the Chief Minister.

Mr J.C. Rana took over as Director of Agriculture here today.

He comes in place of Mr B.D. Goma, who has been appointed Adviser, Agriculture.

Tourism victim of HP apathy
From Ravinder Sood

PALAMPUR: Tourism, the lifeline of this hill state, is facing rough weather, thanks to the apathy of the state government. Little attention has been paid for planned development of tourism in the past 15 years. Haphazard construction of hotels, dhabas and log huts on roadside has become common. Most of the favourite tourist stations have already become slums. There are problems like disposal of garbage, contamination of water and large-scale soil erosion because of unplanned construction of hotels and other buildings.

Although the state government has announced several times to come out with a master plan for the development of tourism in the state, its decisions have remained confined to files. Unfortunately nothing worthwhile was done for the promotion of this industry in the state and the government put much stress on the building of hotels in Shimla, Manali and other places. The H.P. Tourism Development Corporation, which plays a vital role in the expansion and development of tourism in the state, has failed to deliver goods. A number of hotels belonging to the HPTDC are in bad shape. It is revealed that because of increasing political interference in the functioning of this corporation, it is facing an acute financial crisis. The previous government had taken up a number of new projects in the state but in the absence of adequate funds and political will, a number of them have been left half-done. The expansion of Hotel T-Bud at Palampur has also come to a standstill. The corporation has already spent over Rs 50 lakh on this project.

Tall promises were made to provide better amenities to the tourists visiting the state, but nothing was done. Bumpy, narrow roads, costly hotels, poor parking facilities and heavy taxes (entry and toll taxes) are what greet a visitor here.

Promotion of tourism in Himachal is essential for its faster development as it is an important revenue earner and also a major source of foreign exchange. Himachal has enormous tourism potential. It matches Switzerland in its scenic beauty and climate. Snowcapped peaks of the majestic Himalaya are a visual treat. The lushgreen Kangra valley and sprawling tea gardens situated in the foothill of the Dhauladhar ranges are bewitching.

A large number of tourists, both international and domestic, are attracted to natural parks and sanctuaries which offer them a glimpse of wild life. Mountains, jungle, rivers, lakes also allow for "adventure tourism", hiking, skiing and other similar activities.

Tourism and environment are intrinsically related and the expansion of tourism depends on clean environment. But in Himachal the state government has forgotten this important aspect and allowed the setting up of big cement plants and hydroelectric projects in the state, adversely affecting tourism. Deforestation, large-scale soil erosion and unscientific mining have further put a question mark on the future of tourism.

If the state government is really keen on developing tourism in the state, it should not permit heavy industries that spoil environment. The state should opt for eco-friendly industries, keeping in view its vast tourism potential.

Controversy over new college
From Our Correspondent

JAWALAMUKHI, Feb 4 — A controversy has arisen over the opening of a degree college in the building of the Yatri Niwas here from the next academic session.

The issue has taken political overtones following the local MLA and IPH Minister, Mr Ramesh Dhaula's announcement regarding the college opening. Though the Minister has promised that the building would soon be shifted to another place with the infrastructure requisite for a college, former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has apprehensions regarding the viability of the college run by anyone except the government.

It is being felt that middle-class tourists, mostly devotees, will be adversely hit by the move as they normally put up in the Yatri Niwas building during the pilgrimage.

Dental College working hit
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Feb 4 — The functioning of the local Government Dental College and Hospital was completely paralysed as students started an indefinite strike in support of their demand from yesterday.

The striking students blocked traffic for some time and also gheraoed the Principal and staff of the college.

A spokesman of the Students Central Association alleged that the government was playing with the future of students and it had made no serious effort to get recognition for the college, which was opened in 1994-95.

He expressed surprise that while private dental colleges which were opened much later had received approval, the government had not been able to get its own college recognised.

Power engineers to revive stir
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Feb 4 — Enraged over the failure of the government to settle the demands of the engineers of the state power board, who were on secondment with the NJPC, the State Electricity Board Project Engineers Association has decided to revive its agitation.

The association had suspended the stir on July 30, last year following a categorical assurance from Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, that he would take up the issue with the Union Energy Minister and all issues would be resolved to the satisfaction of the association.

Mr Ravi Uppal, General Secretary of the Association, said more than six months had passed since and nothing had been done. The association had been left with no option but to revive the stir. It had served a 15-day notice on the management and if no steps were taken to settle the demands, the association would start direct action from February 18.

The main demands include revision of terms and conditions of the seconded engineers to bring parity, with NJPC recruits, filling of all vacant posts in the corporation, liveries and washing allowance on a par with NJPC staff. Strict adherence to the repatriation and replacement policy laid down by the state high court, immediate release of engineers selected for deputation to other projects, adequate representation to the board and the state government on the board of directors of the corporation and participation of board staff at maintenance and operation stages of the project.

Harsh Mahajan's plea to Sonia
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Feb 4 — The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has appealed to the All India Congress Committee President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, to form a government at the Centre in view of the failure of the BJP-led coalition government's economic policies.

Addressing mediapersons at Chamba on Wednesday Mr Harsh Mahajan, Vice-President of the HPCC and whip of the party in the Vidhan Sabha, lambasted the Central Government.

Mr Mahajan flayed the BJP's fundamentalist off shoot: the Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad for tarnishing the secular fibre of the country. He accused the Prime Minister of having failed to protect the minorities.

He criticised the unproductive expenditure of the BJP-led government. Mr Mahajan also lashed out at the coalition partners of the government.

Glacier blocks highway
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Feb 4 — The Hindustan-Tibet highway has been blocked by a huge glacier in the Rally nullah near Karcham in the tribal district of Kinnaur.

Reports said that the Border Roads Organisation was expected to clear the glacier by Saturday.

The tribal area had fresh snow today. About 60 cm of snowfall was recorded at Kalpa and about 30 cm at Rekong-Peo.