Canadian centre to hold conference
SHIMLA, March 29 — A four-day international conference on "Twentieth century in retrospect — India and Canada" will be held here from April 12.

Virbhadra is my leader: Pathania
HAMIRPUR, March 29 — Mr Kuldip Singh Pathania, a former President of the HP Youth Congress has reiterated his faith in the leadership of Mr Virbhadra Singh, a former Chief Minister.

"Over 150 workers missing"
From Our Correspondent

RAMPUR, March 29 — More than 150 workmen of the Nathpa-Jhakri joint venture (NJJV) who were taken into custody by the police are still missing and did not report for duty till today. This was disclosed by Mr Hem Raj, vice-president of state CITU in a statement here today.

The workers "terrorised" by the police and administration were still in a state of shock, he said. Three workers, Nand Lal, Akhlu Singh and Yamuna Prasad were produced today by the police when the CITU leaders lodged a complaint in the court about missing workers. Yamuna Prasad when forced by the police to work during the strike, cross the Sutlej river and reached Kulu. From there he reached Shimla and went down to Delhi. After remaining on bus stand for few days he was sent by a fruit-seller from his village in UP, back to Jhakri. He still fears forced brutality.

Raj Kumar Sahu, badge no. 21491, a worker's leader was kidnapped by 'goons' of the management and was beaten up, said Mr Hemraj. Raj Kumar in his statement has recognised one Amrik Singh, foreman from the management.

The court now has ordered the police to investigate his kidnapping, he added.

Giving list of the untraced workers the CITU leader has immediately demanded their whereabouts. To name a few he said, Mr Jai Ram, and Yogeshwar, helpers in Surge shaft, Sukhdev, a pump operator from Manglar Sight, Ramesh Kumar and Sukh Dev drivers from Kotla camp, Nand Lal maintenance helper Raj Kumar, an auto-electrician from viva phase, Jai Pal Yadav, a welder, Swarup Chand Sharma from Machine shop at Surge shaft, Vijay Kumar and Dayaram drivers from Badhal site, Baldev Singh a load operator are few such workmen who are still missing fearing police atrocities.

Nalwari Fair concludes
FOC and UNI

SUNDERNAGAR, March 29 — The Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the seven-day-long state-level Nalwari Fair, which concluded here yesterday.

Addressing a large gathering here she said that in this hill state domestic animals were a part and parcel of the common man's life. The topography of the state was such that the farmers living on the hill slopes had to depend on bullocks for agricultural work.

The Nalwari Fair was gaining in importance as animals were now brought here not only from Himachal but also from neighbouring states, she said.

She announced that a ambulance would be provided for the Civil Hospital here soon.

She distributed the prizes, including the prestigious Suket Keshri Award.

The Forest Minister, Mr Roop Singh Thakur said the 4 per cent tax charged by the municipal council on sale of cattle and livestock at the Nalwari Fair had been reduced to attract farmers and cattle breeders.

Statue deal: notice to truckers' body
Tribune News Service
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, March 29 — The Himachal Government has served a notice on the Bilaspur District Truck Operators Cooperative Society at Barmana, near here, and demanded its explanation on why action should not be taken against it for alleged irregularities in the purchase of a life-size metal statue of prominent freedom fighter Daulat Ram Sankhayan.

A Government spokesman said here today that this notice was issued to the society following an inquiry by the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Shimla, after the government received a written complaint from truck operators and society members alleging bungling in the statue deal.

The inquiry report confirmed several charges levelled by the complaints. It was alleged that this statue was purchased on contract for Rs 2.2 lakh by the society under the presidentship of prominent BJP leader Ramdass Thakur last year. It was kept in the office of the society here for installation, but the new management, head by Jagdish Sankhayan, suddenly increased its price and declared on the day of its installation that it had cost the society Rs 7 lakh.

The complainants had sought an inquiry to know where this 'additional amount' of Rs 4.8 lakh had been utilised.

HP not to transfer good staff: CM
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, March 29 — Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has said that the state government will not transfer such employees who perform their duties well and reports of their good conduct and behaviour are forwarded by the concerned gram panchayats concerned. Such employees will be free to serve at one place till their retirement, he said here last night.

The Chief Minister said the main aim of the state government was to help the people and to provide them with all facilities at their door-step. The Chief Minister said employees were the backbone of the government and they will be provided with all necessary facilities. He, however, warned employees who shirk duties.

The Chief Minister said the government would strengthen the panchayati raj system in the state. Now the collection of land revenue would be done by gram panchayat. The money so collected would be spent for the development of the same area. This would help gram panchayats strengthen their fiscal condition.

Canadian centre to hold conference
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 29 — A four-day international conference on "Twentieth century in retrospect — India and Canada" will be held here from April 12.

About 200 delegates, including 26 from abroad, will participate in the conference being organised by the Centre for Canadian Studies. Himachal Pradesh University, in collaboration with the Indian Association of Canadian Studies.

Dr Usha Pathania, director of the centre, said the 20th century had witnessed momentous events and changes in human life and affairs and it was time to look back at them on the eve of the next millennium.

Virbhadra is my leader: Pathania
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, March 29 — Mr Kuldip Singh Pathania, a former President of the HP Youth Congress has reiterated his faith in the leadership of Mr Virbhadra Singh, a former Chief Minister.

In a statement here today, he clarified that he had not changed loyalties and Mr Virbhadra Singh was not only the leader of the party in the Vidhan Sabha but also its mainstay in the stay.

Talking about a recent tour of the HP Congress chief, Mr Sat Mahajan, to his area, he said Mr Mahajan was received by him and party workers at Lambloo. It was the primary duty of all partymen to receive the state party chief and to attend his meetings.

He further clarified that he would contest the Vidhan Sabha elections from the Bamsan area and not the Lok Sabha poll as mentioned in a section of the Press.