Residents seek closure of brick kilns
NADAUN (Hamirpur), March 30 — Thousands of residents of Gauna, Pakhrol, Karaur, Bhaloon, Chowki and Jarol villages of the Nadaun sub division are upset over the pollution caused by three brick kilns operating in the area.

BJP-HVC coordination committees sought
NURPUR, March 30 — Mr Rakesh Budyal, president of the Kangra district Himachal Vikas Congress, who has been leading a "vikas kranti padyatra" in the district since March 21, has alleged that the Prem Kumar Dhumal government was ignoring HVC workers at the grassroots speaking to newspersons at Jassur, near here yesterday.

Rama Devi, Dhumal express grief
SHIMLA, March 30 — Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor, has expressed grief over the loss of life and property in the earthquake which rocked northern India and caused destruction in the Garhwal region early yesterday.

Wildfire control measures
MANDI, March 30 — Vigorous wildfire control measures have been launched all over the Mandi forest circle.

Income tax survey
MANDI, March 30 — Income tax officials lead by Mr S.S. Guleria, ITO, Mandi, conducted a survey under section 133-A and succeeded in netting Rs 25.5 lakh from two premises of the sub-divisional headquarters today.

HP liquor policy under fire
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 30 — The proposal of the government to transfer the excise revenue collected through the special duty of Re 1 per liquor bottle directly to the panchayats came under fire in the Himachal Assembly during discussion on demands for grants pertaining to various departments here today.

The issue was raised by Mr Kaul Singh and Mr Gangu Ram Musafir while speaking on their cut motions concerning the demand of Excise and Taxation Department. They expressed apprehensions that the decision would trigger off an unhealthy competition among panchayats for the opening of liquor vends. The panchayats who earlier opposed the opening of vends in their area were now sending resolutions demanding such outlets.

They expressed the surprise that there was only 2 per cent increase in the revenue through auction of liquor vends in Sirmaur district as compared to 15 to 18 per cent hike in other districts. Doubts were being raised regarding the fairness of the auction as the liquor contractor concerned was considered close to the seat of power. Mr Lazza Ram, said if a fresh auction was carried out in the district the revenue would go up by at least Rs 10 crore.

Intervening in the discussion Mr P.K. Dhumal Chief Minister, assured the House that in case the policy led to unhealthy competition, the government would not hesitate to review it. He said the government would also look into the members' complaints and apprehensions regarding the auction of liquor vends in Sirmaur.

Replying to the discussion, Mr Mohinder Singh, Excise Minister, reminded the Congress members that the cess was first imposed by the Virbhadra Singh government in 1989-90 at the rate of 50 paise per bottle. It was raised to Re 1 per bottle by the previous Congress government in 1995-96. While the cess was imposed for raising funds for panchayats, the amount was never disbursed. The present government had rectified that flaw by paving the way for the transfer of revenue to panchayats concerned.

The opposition members refused to withdraw the cut motions and the demand was passed by voice vote after rejecting the motions.

The discussion on demands for grants for the Health Department generated much heat as all Congress members highlighted the shortage of doctors, paramedical staff and other facilities at the medical institutions.

Mr Kaul Singh pointed out that the state had failed to achieve the target of bringing down the birth rate and infant mortality rate by the year 2000. He said the main reason for it was that the government had failed to provide doctors in the remote areas. He suggested that doctors be appointed on contract basis to fill posts in the rural areas.

Mrs Asha Kumari and Mr Singhi Ram referred to the prevailing shortage of doctors in their respective areas. Mr Virbhadra Singh, leader of the Opposition, urged the government to take necessary steps to make the ‘cath lab’ at Indira Gandhi Medical College functional.

Replying to the discussion Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, said the shortage of doctors was country-wide and not confined to Himachal alone. He said the programme of health for all by 2000 was unrealistic. He would take up the issue during the Health Ministers’ meeting to be held in Delhi next month and urge the Centre to modify it to suit Indian conditions. Stress should be on preventive medicine and the programme to achieve health target must be based on Indian system.

The government was making all possible efforts to post doctors in the remote areas. The government was even prepared to hire the services of retired doctors. He said the problem of shortage of doctors and paramedical staff became acute due to indiscriminate opening of health institutions by the Congress regime during 1997-98.

Mr Nadda said he was trying to rationalised the postings of medical specialists to provide best possible services with the limited manpower at his disposal.

Himachal had become the second state after Delhi in the country to adopt essential drug policy of the World Health Organisation which would go a long way in ensuring adequate supply of quality medicines for the poor in the state. He said infrastructure facilities would be created through the health corporation proposed in the budget.

The demand was passed by voice vote after rejecting the cut motions.

Congress opened schools "not provided for" in Budget
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 30 — The previous Congress regime opened hundreds of schools which were not included in the Budget for 1997-98 by issuing backdated notifications.

This was disclosed by Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, during question hour in the Vidhan Sabha today. He said the government had documents which proved that the decision to open these schools was taken in December and January, but notifications were issued for various dates of November. This year, the government had opened only those schools which were specified in the Budget. These could be opened only in February because the Budget for the year was passed as late as July.

Earlier, Mr B.R. Mandyal, Mr I.D. Dhiman, Education Minister, informed the House that the Virbhadra Singh government opened as many as 142 senior secondary schools as against the budgetary provision for 20. It opened 17th high schools as against the 50 announced in the Budget. Similarly, 359 middle schools were opened, while only 250 were mentioned in the Budget.

Replying to a question by Mrs Viplove Thakur, Mr Dhumal claimed that the BJP government had purchased lesser vehicles this year as compared to those bought in a year by the previous regime. In all, 90 vehicles, including 60 cars, were purchased at a cost of Rs 2.93 crore during the year, whereas the number was 212, 281, 194 and 227 in 1994-95, 95-96 and 97-98, respectively.

Mr Dhiman, Education Minister, assured Mr Rakesh Pathania that action would be taken against the headmaster of Government High School, Golwan, who embezzled Rs 7045, which was meant to be disbursed as scholarship to poor students. He said an inquiry had confirmed embezzlement and the errant official had been suspended.

Residents seek closure of brick kilns
From Our Correspondent

NADAUN (Hamirpur), March 30 — Thousands of residents of Gauna, Pakhrol, Karaur, Bhaloon, Chowki and Jarol villages of the Nadaun sub division are upset over the pollution caused by three brick kilns operating in the area. These brick kilns were installed during the previous Congress regime.

Villagers alleged that dust and smoke emitted by these brick kilns was not only harming their crops but also causing irreparable damage to the health of the people, especially children. According to them, many children had developed asthmatic problems.

Mr Balak Ram Sharma of Pakhrol village said employees engaged by the brick kiln owners were cutting wood for cooking purposes. He warned that if deforestation activities in the area continued, these villages will turn barren.

He expressed his concern over the failure of the HP State Pollution Board to look into the problems and difficulties being faced by the people of the area. He urged the Chief Minister to instruct the Pollution Board authorities to visit the area and get the three kilns closed in the larger interest of the people of the area.

He said that if timely action was not taken by the government, the economic condition of people of these area would be affected.

BJP-HVC coordination committees sought
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, March 30 — Mr Rakesh Budyal, president of the Kangra district Himachal Vikas Congress, who has been leading a "vikas kranti padyatra" in the district since March 21, has alleged that the Prem Kumar Dhumal government was ignoring HVC workers at the grassroots speaking to newspersons at Jassur, near here yesterday. He stressed the need for forming coordination committees of BJP-HVC workers. He admitted that there were cordial relations between HVC supremo Sukh Ram and Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal.

Mr Budyal said the padyatra aimed at strengthening the HVC in the district which had emerged as a third political force in the state and knowing the problems of the people of Kangra district. The padyatra would end at Nagrota Bhagwan on April 17.

Rama Devi, Dhumal express grief
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 30 — Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor, has expressed grief over the loss of life and property in the earthquake which rocked northern India and caused destruction in the Garhwal region early yesterday.

Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, said the people of Himachal Pradesh stood behind the earthquake-affected families in this tragic hour.

Wildfire control measures
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, March 30 — Vigorous wildfire control measures have been launched all over the Mandi forest circle.

Disclosing this to mediapersons here today, Mr R.A. Singh, Conservator of Forests, said a 'operation control burning' of pine needles was being carried out in 6000 hectares of chil forests in the circle.

Responding to the concern voiced over these fires by some voluntary organisations, Mr Singh said there was nothing to be panicky about these fires.

Income tax survey
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, March 30 — Income tax officials lead by Mr S.S. Guleria, ITO, Mandi, conducted a survey under section 133-A and succeeded in netting Rs 25.5 lakh from two premises of the sub-divisional headquarters today.

The authorities swung into action after receiving information from the sales tax authorities, which levied heavy penalty on the two parties.

A large scale sales tax evasion was likely to affect income tax collection in cases where income was being estimated on sales under Section 44 AF.