MC lays road, damages house
DHARAMSALA, July 30 — The "callous" attitude of the municipal council authorities in undertaking the construction of a road in the local Kohlu mohallah, has led to the collapse of the house of an old and ailing woman Mrs Jai Devi.

Cong men shedding "crocodile tears"
SHIMLA, July 30 — Mr Narinder Bragta, Horticulture Minister, rejecting criticism of the government regarding import of apple under the open general licence scheme leaders of the Congress and Janata Dal, said today the agreement which paved the way far import of fruit was signed by the Narasimha Rao government in 1995.

HVC "surrendered" Mandi seat to BJP
SHIMLA, July 30 — Mr Des Raj, a former spokesman of the Himachal Vikas Congress, who was recently expelled from the party, today claimed that he had resigned in protest against the decision of the party leadership to surrender the Mandi Lok Sabha seat to the BJP.

Suspension of NJPC officer revoked
SHIMLA, July 30 — The officers and employees of the Nathpa-Jhakri power corporation withdrew their strike today after the management revoked the suspension of Mr A.K. Singh, Deputy Manager (finance), who was punished for bringing the Rs 1.82 crore scam to light.

Coop society chief’s election set aside
BILASPUR, July 30 — The Himachal High Court Bench comprising Justice Ms Kamlesh Sharma has set aside the election of Mr Jagdish Sankhayayan as President of the Bilaspur District Truck Operators Cooperative Society.

Flight cancelled
SHIMLA, July 30 — Indian Airlines Shimla-Delhi flight was cancelled today as dense fog enveloped the state capital and reduced visibility.

ASI suspended on charge of insubordination
UNA, July 30 — Mr Dhruv Kumar, ASI, posted at the Mehatpur Barrier, 12 km from here, was placed under suspension for defying the orders of the office of the Superintendent of Police , Una, Mr D.P.Sharma.

Virbhadra should quit: BJP
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 30 — The state unit of the BJP has demanded immediate resignation of Mr Virbhadra Singh from leadership of the Congress Legislature Party and the membership of Vidhan Sabha in view of his indictment by the committees which probed irregularities in appointments.

In a resolution adopted at the meeting of the state office-bearers and district convenors of the media cell, held here yesterday, the party said the report of the two inquiry committees had exposed the misdeeds of the previous Congress government which doled out jobs to at least 3000 individuals on political considerations by violating rules and regulations. The BJP had raised the issue while it was in opposition but the Congress government termed the charge as false and politically motivated. Mr Virbhadra Singh had even declared that he would quit politics if the allegation was proved.

In another resolution the meeting supported the decision of the state government to order a judicial inquiry into the incidents relating to the forcible taking away of the then independent MLA, Mr Ramesh Chaudhary (now IPH Minister), in March 1998. The government on taking over last year had ordered an administrative inquiry into the incidents but the Congress had been opposing it and had instead insisted on a judicial probe. The leaders of the Congress, who were allegedly involved directly in the incidents, did not cooperate with the inquiry officers.

The report of the administrative inquiry convinced the government of the need to hold a judicial inquiry to inspire greater confidence among the people and the politicians.

According to the BJP if the government had gone ahead with legal action against those found guilty in the administrative inquiry, the politicians involved would have raised the bogey of their persecution on political considerations. Thus in the interest of greater transparency the Dhumal government had ordered a judicial probe, which they had been demanding in the past also.

The meeting was addressed by the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, state BJP President Suresh Chandel and Mrs Urmil Thakur.

Dhumal denies rumours
Financial crisis in HP
From our Correspondent

MANDI, July 30 — Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal denied the rumours that Himachal Pradesh was reeling under acute financial crisis.

Replying to a question at a news conference in the local circuit house here today Mr Dhumal said the state’s financial problems started since 1989 when the then Virbhadra government misrepresented the case of the state before the Ninth Finance Commission by providing wrong facts and figures. Earlier the state enjoyed the special category status and the gap in plan and non-plan expenditure used to be filled up by central subsidies. He said efforts were being made to undo the wrong by pleading the state’s case before the eleventh Finance Commission.

He said the state was working to harness its vast hydel power potential not only to achieve viability but also to make it one of the most prosperous states in the country by 2010.

Replying to a Congress allegation about misuse of government machinery, Mr Dhumal remarked the Congress seemed to have lost the contest before the elections. Making such allegations months before elections spoke volumes about the frustration prevailing in the Congress which was not even getting candidates to contest.

When asked if the BJP was yet to set its own house in order, divided into the Shanta and Dhumal factions, The Chief Minister denied any "rift or rivalry in the party" and claimed the party was strong and united.

To a question what the BJP would do if Mrs Sonia Gandhi raised the Kargil issue in the ensuing elections, Mr Dhumal said the party would first abstain to drag this issue into the election campaign because the party believed that the entire credit of the Kargil victory went to the jawans and those who laid down their lives defending the border. However, if the Congress forced this issue it would have to bear the blame because the entire history of the Kashmir problem beginning from 1948 would be reopened when the first Congress Prime Minister internationalised the Kashmir issue by taking it to the UN. The subsequent events which further complicated the Kashmir problem would only damage the Congress image, he said.

Earlier, Mr Dhumal visited martyrs’ families Mandi and Sundernagar subdivisions and conveyed his condolences to the families of brave sons. He said one member of all martyrs’ families would be given employment before August 15 this year. Besides a grant of Rs 5 lakh, free education would be provided to their children. He announced the state government had also decided to give a grant of Rs 2.5 lakh to the jawans injured in Operation Vijay.

He announced the BSL Colony Chowk at Sundernagar would be named after martyr Naresh Kumar. Two rooms in the primary school at Dhaneshwari would also be named after him.

He further announced that the Padal stadium at Mandi would be named after martyr Hav Kishan Chand of Magwain of Mandi town.

Similarly the Government High School, Saigloo has been named after martyr Khem Chand of Tandu village. He announced its upgradation also. The primary school, Jahal, was also named after martyr Hira Singh.

Another Sukh Ram loyalist resigns
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 30 — The Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) of Mr Sukh Ram has received a severe jolt with the resignation of two senior party functionaries in protest against his "dictatorial" behaviour.

The first one to leave the party was Mr Des Raj Sharma, a Sukh Ram loyalist. However, the HVC leadership claims that Mr Sharma has been expelled from the party.

Mrs Tanuja Bhardwaj, General Secretary of the HVC, who also reportedly alleged that party workers were being ignored, had resigned yesterday.

The HVC has reportedly started disintegrating within two years of its formation. There are reports of simmering discontent among the rank and file of the party, particularly in the Kanora area.

Mr Des Raj, who had all along remained with Mr Sukh Ram is likely to join Mr Sharad Pawar.

He has launched an attack on Mr Sukh Ram, alleging that the HVC leader was taken care of only his personal interests while supporting the BJP government in the state.

He alleged that Mr Sukh Ram got only his son, Mr Anil Sharma, and a couple of his confidants "rehabilitated" by the BJP rulers, leaving the others in the lurch.

He said the charge sheet prepared by the HVC against the former Chief Minister and Congress leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, was a "bundle of lies" and a ploy to settle personal scores.

The charge sheet had been sent to the CBI by the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, for inquiry.

Mr Des Raj said, Mr Sukh Ram had neither been able to get a coordination committee of the BJP-HVC ruling alliance constituted, nor could he get the frontline HVC leaders appointed as chairmen of boards and corporations.

MC lays road, damages house
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, July 30 — The "callous" attitude of the municipal council authorities in undertaking the construction of a road in the local Kohlu mohallah, has led to the collapse of the house of an old and ailing woman Mrs Jai Devi.

The 55-year-old woman, who is a heart patient and suffering from stone problem, has been consistently requesting the municipal authorities for the past two years to take precautionary measures before proceeding with the work of the construction of the road. She lives alone with her daughter. Her husband died in 1996.

Despite the requests, the authorities went ahead with the construction of the road, which reportedly caused damage to her house in May last year. Later, she decided to approach the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. The judge concerned paid a visit to the spot and it was on the intervention of the court that the municipal council assured her that a retaining wall would be raised within a month for the safety of the house, stated Mrs Devi's teenage daughter, Poonam.

Despite the consumer court order being issued on April 4, 1997, the municipal council failed to comply with it. On the contrary, it continued the construction of the road, thereby causing more damage to the house.

Due to continuous rain for the past two days, the wall of the house collapsed on Wednesday.

Since Mrs Devi has been keeping unwell, Poonam, has been running from pillar to post to get justice, but to no avail.

On June 28, Poonam has written a letter to the municipal engineer, asking that an official be deputed to inspect the site as the boulders and the construction was posing a threat to their house. She said if steps were not taken to prevent the damage, other houses could also be affected. She said her neighbours had also written to the authorities in this regard.

The Municipal Engineer, Mr N.M. Gupta, when contacted, refused to own responsibility for the damage caused to the house, Mrs Devi. He said some time ago the council had helped the family to undertake minor repairs of house, adding that since the area was landslide prone, even a retaining wall would be of no help. However, he admitted that big boulders had caused damage to the house.

The Municipal Executive Officer, Mr Thakur, said after getting in touch with the district administration, they would try and give financial help to Mrs Devi.

Cong men shedding "crocodile tears"
Import of fruit
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 30 — Mr Narinder Bragta, Horticulture Minister, rejecting criticism of the government regarding import of apple under the open general licence (OGL) scheme leaders of the Congress and Janata Dal, said today the agreement which paved the way far import of fruit was signed by the Narasimha Rao government in 1995.

Ridiculing the statement of Mr Ram Lal Thakur, former Chief Minister, he said the Congress leaders were shedding crocodile tears to win over apple growers. While the agreement was signed by the Congress government, the Janata Dal government, which assumed office subsequently, also did nothing to safeguard the interests of fruit growers.

He said as a result of this agreement, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) came into existence and all its member-countries were required to remove various import restrictions in phases up to the year 2002 and every member country was bound to follow it.

He said in order to fulfil its obligations under the WTO, the Central Government brought 436 items under the OGL and now another 963 items, including fruit, had been added to the list.

Mr Bragta said these facts clearly showed that bringing apples and other fruits under OGL in the exim policy was a fallout of the policy decision taken by the previous government in which leaders raising a hue and cry now were also partners.

He said the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, had already taken up the matter with the Government of India. He said the matter was brought to the notice of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee when he visited Kulu early this month.

HVC "surrendered" Mandi seat to BJP
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 30 — Mr Des Raj, a former spokesman of the Himachal Vikas Congress, who was recently expelled from the party, today claimed that he had resigned in protest against the decision of the party leadership to surrender the Mandi Lok Sabha seat to the BJP.

Addressing a press conference here, he said his resignation had triggered off a revolt in the party and many prominent leaders of Kangra and Mandi districts had also quit. He claimed that Ms Tanuja Bhardwaj, Mr Harnek Singh and Mrs Veena Sharma had also resigned.

He said he and other leaders who had quit the HVC planned to join the Nationalist Congress Party, floated by Mr Sharad Pawar. He said he was leaving for Delhi soon to meet Mr Pawar and finalise plans to setting up a unit of the party in Himachal Pradesh.

Mr Des Raj alleged that Mr Sukh Ram, HVC chief, had ignored senior members who played a vital role in establishing the party. He was using the party to serve personal interest.

The resource mobilisation and employment generation committee which Mr Sukh Ram headed had done nothing over the past 18 months.

Mr Des Raj demanded a CBI probe into the irregularities committed in recruitment by the coalition government.

He criticised the government for its failure to make the assets of legislators public as promised by the BJP in its election manifesto.

Suspension of NJPC officer revoked
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 30 — The officers and employees of the Nathpa-Jhakri power corporation withdrew their strike today after the management revoked the suspension of Mr A.K. Singh, Deputy Manager (finance), who was punished for bringing the Rs 1.82 crore scam to light.

The management had landed itself in an embarrassing situation by taking disciplinary action against the officer soon after the Vigilance Department registered four cases against the top functionaries of the corporation including the General Manager (Projects), Executive Director (Vigilance and Senior Vigilance Officer, in connection with the scam.

The suspension of Mr Singh, by Mr V.K. Sharma, General Manager, who has been booked in these cases, was being viewed as an act of retaliation and an attempt to discourage other officers like him who were willing to cooperate with the police.

The members of the Nathpa-Jhakri Officers Association went on leave today and threatened to start an indefinite strike from Monday. The employees union and workers unions had also come out in their support.

Meanwhile, the management of the Nathpa-Jhakri joint venture, one of the three main companies involved in the execution of the project, has given notice to declare a lock-out from August 10. The step has been taken in view of the violent activities of agitating workers like the one in which one security guard was killed and some senior officers were injured at Manglad on June 25. In another incident the following day residential houses of officers were attacked and about 30 vehicles and other property damaged.

The management said that the repeated beating, threatening and terrorising of willing workers had left the company with no option but to declare a lock-out.

If the government fails to intervene to prevent the lock-out, work on the concreating of the 27 km long tunnel, surge shaft and steel liner workshop will come to a standstill further delaying the completion of the project which has already fallen four years behind schedule.

Coop society chief’s election set aside
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, July 30 — The Himachal High Court Bench comprising Justice Ms Kamlesh Sharma has set aside the election of Mr Jagdish Sankhayayan as President of the Bilaspur District Truck Operators Cooperative Society. The Bench has also set aside all nominations of office-bearers and those for the executive committee of the society constituted by Mr Sankhayayan, who was elected on May 25 last year after defeating Mr Nand Prakash Vohra.

Reports here today said the high court ordered the Himachal Registrar of Cooperative Societies to immediately appoint a team of departmental officers to take charge of the society at Barmana to run its day-to-day administration till regular elections according to law are held under the supervision of the department.

The defeated candidate, Mr Vohra, and two other leaders, Mr Deepak Sharma and Mr Ramesh Thakur, had challenged the election of Mr Sankhayayan, alleging serious irregularities in his election.

Several leaders had also charged the new management of the society with "irregularities" and had been demanding a high-level inquiry into these.

Meanwhile, Mr Dileram Dhiman, Assistant Registrar, cooperative societies, here accompanied by two of his officers, Mr Krishanlal Bhardwaj and Mr Deviram Sharma, took charge of the society at Barmana today.

Flight cancelled

SHIMLA, July 30 (UNI) — Indian Airlines Shimla-Delhi flight was cancelled today as dense fog enveloped the state capital and reduced visibility.

However, the flight to Kulu from here operated as per schedule, Indian Airlines sources here said.

Shimla town and its adjoining areas were enveloped in dense fog in the morning after continuous rain last night. Even during the day, there was intermittent rain.

The 320 km long Hindustan-Tibet Road also remained foggy at several places and vehicular traffic was blocked due to landslides at Malling nullah in Kinnaur district.

Traffic was blocked on some link roads in Chamba and Mandi districts in the wake of recent landslides.

The Shimla-Kalka national highway and the Shimla-Mandi road were also enveloped in fog at some places in the morning. However, movement of vehicular traffic on these roads was unaffected.

Reports of foggy weather were also received from Mandi, Sundernagar, Solan and upper areas of Shimla district.

ASI suspended on charge of insubordination
From Our Correspondent

UNA, July 30 — Mr Dhruv Kumar, ASI, posted at the Mehatpur Barrier, 12 km from here, was placed under suspension for defying the orders of the office of the Superintendent of Police , Una, Mr D.P.Sharma.

The SP said here today that he had received complaints from the public regarding harassment at the Mehatpur checkpoint. His office issued orders to those manning checkposts and barriers in the district not to search vehicles unless specifically asked by his office or after special permission in case of suspected crime.

He said Ms Punita Bhardwaj, Additional S.P., Una, on the night of July 25 made a surprise check at the Mehatpur barrier and found Mr Druv Kumar checking vehicles. She put him under suspension there and then directed him to report to the Police lines immediately.

Instead , Mr Druv Kumar continued to check the vehicles and while under suspension impounded scooters. He joined at the Police Lines on July 27 evening.

An inquiry had been ordered against the ASI, the SP said.