Lightning strike by HRTC staff SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The vehicular movement around the main bus stand here came to a halt as HRTC men went on a lightning strike following the alleged beating up of a driver by a policeman.

Highway cries for repairs

Children science congress ends
SUNDERNAGAR, Jan 10 — A four-day state-level function of children science congress concluded here yesterday. More than 300 participants from 11 districts attended this function.

Himachal poets honoured
SUNDERNAGAR, Jan 10 — A state-level "Sahitayik Samman Samaroh" was organised by "Him Sahitayik Parishad" here today. About 75 poets from all over the state attended the function which was held in "Community Hall" here.

Chopper flights to Pangi
SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The Himachal Government will operate helicopter flights to Pangi and Lahaul-Spiti on January 11 and 12.

Conspiracy behind attacks: Bali
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Jan 10 — Mr G S Bali a sitting legislator and Joint Secretary of the HP Congress Committee, today alleged that the attacks on Christians was a deep-rooted conspiracy, hatched by the BJP so that it could become an election issue.

Addressing a press conference here, he took strong exception to the criticism of Mrs Sonia Gandhi by some BJP leaders on the issue. "She is a symbol of secularism and the minorities in the country are not safe in the hands of a government, which criticises her on this issue," he stated.

He alleged that the BJP had grabbed power by fanning the religious sentiments of the people. As far as the question of sharing power is concerned the BJP, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal are together, but whenever there is need to check them the BJP says it has no control over these organisations.

Mr Bali said the contradictions within the BJP were very clear, as the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, said something else while his ministers made different statements. "This kind of behaviour can lead to a major crisis in the country as communal forces will have their way," he commented.

He came down heavily on the Dhumal government for increasing the power tariff. "If the hike in power tariff was in the offing, then why did Mr Dhumal not take the Assembly into confidence, while it was in session recently," he questioned.

He said the Congress would oppose the hike by submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

He said a white paper should be issued by the government on seed potatoes and apples procured from growers. "The seed potato stocks of the government are lying dumped as they are being sold at a rate of Rs 990 per bag, when these are available in the open market for Rs 330 a bag," he said.

Dhumal dares Congress to launch stir
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 10 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, today accused the Congress of spreading misinformation regarding the hike in electricity charges and dared the party to launch an agitation which, he said, would expose it as the champion of the rich and the prosperous.

Inaugurating a conference organised in connection with the proposed review of revenue laws here, Mr Dhumal said the government had increased power tariff only for those sections who could afford to pay and the poor domestic consumers had not been affected by the hike.

He questioned the motive of the Congress in launching a stir as it would only further the cause of the rich who use electricity for commercial purposes. He urged the people not to be misled by such malicious campaign and go by the facts.

He came down heavily on the Congress for opposing the agreement on the Parbati project which, he claimed, had been the best so far. The Congress Government, which caused irreparable loss to the state by delaying the project for four years, was opposing the accord merely for the sake of opposition.

Mr Dhumal said the exercise to review and amend the various revenue laws was being undertaken with a view to simplifying procedures and remove the difficulties faced by common people. He said suggestions were being sought from public, advocates, panchayat representatives and revenue experts so that best possible solution could be found. These suggestions would be looked into by a committee headed by the Revenue Minister.

He said the Revenue Department would be computerised to ensure proper maintenance and upkeep of record. He said passbooks would be issued to the farmers which would be a legal government document and remove the hurdles which they were facing in getting loans and other assistance at present.

Stressing the need for attitudinal change for maintenance and preservation of government and public property, Mr Dhumal said every government penny should be utilised properly and warned the government would not tolerate misutilisation of funds and take strict action against those found guilty.

Dr Rajan Sushant, Revenue Minister, said the purpose of holding this conference was to ensure that amendments to revenue laws were made after taking the suggestions of people into consideration.

He thanked the Chief Minister for evincing a keen interest in strengthening the revenue administration in the state.

Mr Narender Bragta, Minister of State for Horticulture, said that amendments to revenue laws would avoid delays.

Check conversions, says Chandel
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 10 — Mr Suresh Chandel, President of the State unit of the BJP, said here today that the sensitive issue of religious conversions could no longer be brushed under the carpet and effective steps should be taken to check its adverse social and cultural fallout which was apparent from the recent clashes in Gujarat.

Talking to newsmen he said religious conversion either by coercion or allurement was against the spirit of the Constitution and of late it had also become a major cause of social conflict in the tribal and backward areas of the country. He said India was a secular country only because of the majority Hindu community was extremely tolerant and secular in outlook.

However, if people of other religious did not behave in a similar way and indulged in "conversions", there could be reaction from the majority community. The recent conflict in Gujarat should be seen in the overall context of the social structure of the tribal society.

Mr Chandel alleged that stray incidents involving Christians had been blown out of proportion by anti-BJP forces within the country and some foreign elements whose only objective was to destabilise the Vajpayee government. He said the persistent misinformation campaign in the media and the over zealous attempts of political parties to exploit the situation clearly pointed towards a deeprooted conspiracy to foment communal trouble and run down the BJP led government. He warned that such an attempt could boomerang and lead to disastrous consequences.

He said the party would launch a statewide campaign to expose the real motives of various political parties and present the true picture before the people. The state executive of the party would meet at Dharamsala on January 19 to chalk out the programme. It would be preceded by the meeting of state office-bearers on January 18.

The executive would also review the political situation and the progress of the Ajeevan Sahyogi Yozna under which life members are enrolled.

Lightning strike by HRTC staff

SHIMLA, Jan 10 (PTI) — The vehicular movement around the main bus stand here came to a halt as HRTC men went on a lightning strike following the alleged beating up of a driver by a policeman.

Immediately after the incident which occurred at the bus stand, HRTC drivers blocked the highway by parking buses on the road and did not allow any vehicle to pass.

The blockade continued for more than 90 minutes leaving hundreds of passengers of long-route buses stranded. The drivers and conductors of the HRTC assembled at the main bus stand and demanded action against the erring policeman as a pre-condition for lifting the blockade.

The SDM, Shimla, M P Sood and the DSP, Romesh Pathania arrived at the spot and held discussions with the agitated HRTC workers.

The officers assured appropriate action against the policeman and the blockade was lifted.

The HRTC workers also alleged that the police was acting with vengeance against the HRTC and indulging in indiscriminate challans even within the bus stand premises to harass them.

The SDM assured that he would look into these allegations and would not allow the police to cause any harassment to HRTC staff.

Children science congress ends
From Our Correspondent

SUNDERNAGAR, Jan 10 — A four-day state-level function of children science congress concluded here yesterday. More than 300 participants from 11 districts attended this function.

Mr Roop Singh, Forest Minister, inaugurated this function on January 6 and Mr Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Education Minister, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony.

According to official sources the participants were divided into four categories — senior secondary, senior (urban), senior (rural) and junior. Competitions relating to science models, quiz projects, skits and Mathematical olympiad were held in these four categories.

Mr Dhiman witnessed different models displayed on the occasion and distributed the prizes.

Himachal poets honoured
From Our Correspondent

SUNDERNAGAR, Jan 10 — A state-level "Sahitayik Samman Samaroh" was organised by "Him Sahitayik Parishad" here today. About 75 poets from all over the state attended the function which was held in "Community Hall" here.

Mr Prabodh Saxsena D.C. Mandi was the chief guest. The state-level award for the year 1997 and 1998 were awarded, at the function to (1) Prem Kumari Thakur (2) Hari Krishan 1997 and (3) Sudershan Vasisth (4) Moti Lal Ghai 1998.

Chopper flights to Pangi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 10 — The Himachal Government will operate helicopter flights to Pangi and Lahaul-Spiti on January 11 and 12.

An official spokesperson today said that the flight on the Bhuntar-Kilar-Chamba-Kilar-Bhuntar route would start from January 11. On the following day, flights to Lahaul-Spiti would be operated from Bhuntar to Stingari and back, Bhuntar to Udaipur via Baring, Baring and back, subject to weather.

Highway cries for repairs
From Subhash Sharma

KULU: The condition of the national highway from Jhiri to Manali has put a question mark on the working style of the newly constituted NH Division for the past one year. The digging across the road done for laying telephone cables or drinking water pipes has not been filled up. More than 13 such cuttings across the road are just within the town of Kulu which is dangerous to road traffic. The debris brought by the heavy rains in November last year are yet to be cleared at many places. The setting up of offices of the Executive Engineer and other field staff at inappropriate places are said to be the main reason for the inefficient working of the NH PWD.

* * * *

The Municipal Council, Kulu, seems to be waiting for a major mishap as there is a continuous falling of boulders and stones near the meat market at the crossing of the exit road joining the main National Highway from the main bus stand of Kulu. The non-availability of drainage near Raghunathpur could prove disastrous. The dwellings situated opposite the meat market face the risk of sliding down because of the seepage and prevailing erosions. The local body should construct drains before it is too late.

* * * *

The volume of vehicular traffic in Kulu town and its surrounding areas has increased manifold. It has become necessary to provide one subway or overbridge at Sarwari crossing. School children and office-goers face the risk of an accident while crossing the road.

At present there is not a single point where the road has been marked as Zebra crossing.

* * * *

The seven local bus stops at the blind curve on Bhuntar-Kulu road are not only traffic hazards but are dangerous for commuters as well. These stops are at Bhuntar Chowk, Shamshi wood-based industry, Badah ITO, Baba Balak Nath Temple, Gandhi Nagar School, Pirdi and Government College. The factor that adds to the woes of the commuters is the racing competition among bus drivers plying between Bhuntar and Manali and vice versa. They pick up passengers from any point. They just slow down to allow passengers to get down. This is dangerous, particularly for women, children and aged persons. It is alleged that many of the drivers of local buses, taxis and three-wheeler scooters don't even possess valid licences. There are no road signs showing restriction of speed limit even within the towns and educational institutions in this district.

* * * *

The road dug up for laying the new water pipeline at the Industrial Area Shamshi remains unfilled for the past five months. The loaded trucks usually get stuck in the narrow lane. It is learnt from department sources that the contractor left the job halfway.

* * * *

A special school health check-up for children in the 6-11 age-group was conducted in this district under the District Primary Education Programme (D.P.E.P.). Mr R.D. Dhiman, Deputy Commissioner, said all 640 government primary schools and five private schools were covered, in which 47,993 school children were examined. 19,730 children were facing one or the other health problems including anaemia, worm infestation, night blindness. The Deputy Commissioner said these children had been referred to the health centres for treatment. Periodical check-ups in the schools would continue, the D.C. added.

* * * *

A master plan to channelise the Beas and its tributaries in this district is near completion and work will be started on a war footing. Mr Sukh Ram, Chairman of the State Employment and Resources Generation Committee, said certain areas in the river had been earmarked for extraction of sand, stones and other building material. A video film has been shot and the government was making comprehensive plans to manage the Beas and its tributaries so that private and government properties were not damaged. Broad leave trees like 'Kosh' would be planted on the banks of the rivers and nullahs. The residents of this district are eagerly awaiting execution of the project of river management.