HP withdraws order on contract appointments
SHIMLA, May 12 — The Himachal government today withdrew its order for making all recruitments for government jobs on contract.

500 nurseries to be run by women
HAMIRPUR, May 12 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to set up 500 nurseries in the state which will be manned exclusively by women.

Panchayat body to stage dharna
SHIMLA, May 12 — The Himachal Panchayat Parishad has decided to stage a dharna at the state headquarters on May 20 in protest against the failure of the government to grant adequate financial, functional and administrative powers to the panchayati raj institutions.

Girl found buried under sacks
DHARAMSALA, May 12 — A 12-year-old maidservant of a police constable, was found buried under sacks of marble chips in a serious condition, at a godown of a hardware shop, here today.

• New Himachal Chief Electoral Officer
• Forest guard dies of burns

Land mafia in high spirits
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 12 — The land mafia and those involved in illegal construction are in high spirits following the categorical statement of the Housing and Urban Development Minister, Mr Roop Dass Kashyap, that the Himachal Pradesh Government does not intend to take action against such elements who have violated the building laws in the prime tourist destination of Dalhousie in Chamba district.

It is believed that the minister issued the statement recently under political pressure as certain influential BJP activists were allegedly involved in illegal construction work in the district.

Dalhousie and Khajjiar have become targets of the alleged land mafia which has thrown to the winds all construction laws. Certain influential persons from outside the state have reportedly constructed high-rise buildings, particularly at Dalhousie, which has become an important tourist destination. It is feared that Dalhousie will go the Manali way if immediate steps are not taken to check the menace.

Although the Minister has claimed in his statement that the government has not received any report regarding illegal construction work in Dalhousie, the facts are otherwise.

Enquiries reveal that the government has received reports that five constructions have been declared unauthorised at Khajjiar, which the government has been projecting as a "mini Switzerland".

Interestingly, a portion of the panchayat ghar at Khajjiar has been given to a women on a paltry rent of Rs 200 per month for being run as a hotel.

This "lukewarm" approach of the government towards illegal construction work has boldened violators of the law. The government has already announced its decision to regularise unauthorised constructions on the payment of a certain amount.

During the past 11 months, 97 buildings constructed illegally have been regularised by various municipal committees and the state government.

A building with over 12 per cent deviation from the norms has been regularised at Dalhousie.

The foundation stones of government buildings are being laid by political bosses without waiting for the approval of the building plans by the Town and Country Planning Department. Government buildings are exempt from the construction laws as per the rules.

According to official records, there are about 10,000 illegal buildings in the state. Nearly 175 government and semi-government buildings are in the list of illegal structures.

BJP to go it alone in Himachal: CM
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, May 12 —The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, has said that the BJP will contest all four Lok Sabha seats in the state its own and as of now, the party has not discussed seat-sharing with any party, including the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) of Mr Sukh Ram.

In an exclusive interview with this correspondent here late last night, Professor Dhumal said his party had a good rapport with the HVC, but it had decided to fight the parliamentary elections on its own.

The Himachal Chief Minister, who was here in connection with the "Jagrat Bharat Diwas" organised by the state BJP to mark one year of the Pokhran nuclear test, claimed that his government, which had completed over a year in office, had given a stable government to the people. "The previous governments in Himachal had divided the state in to two parts — new and old Himachal, upper and lower Himachal and apple growing and non-apple growing Himachal, but my government has removed all such discriminations and today Himachal is one,"he said.

He said the achievements of his government included the 143-crore Shahpur nahar project, Thein dam and Anadpur project. He claimed that for the past about 15 years, the Shahpur nahar project had remained pending and none of the previous governments could get it moving . It was only after he contacted the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal ,that the issue was resolved.

Work on this project had already started and when completed, it would irrigate 28,000 hectares. Regarding the Thein dam, he said Rs 81.66 crore would be provided to Himachal as compensation by the Punjab Government. Of this, Himachal had already got Rs 30 crore.

Out of the total power generation capacity of 84,000 mw in the country, Himachal Pradesh had the capacity of producing 21,640 mw. However, the state had not been able to exploit its potential fully.

To attract private investors and to increase the efficiency of the workers the Himachal Government had introduced efficiency-linked incentives. It had also tried to lure investors and entrepreneurs for citrus fruit processing units and had given tax exemption for 10 years on these.

Magician fails to pull crowd for BJP
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, May 12 — After film stars, it might well be the turn of magicians to enter the political arena.

Organisers of a public meeting of the BJP here yesterday, had requisitioned the services of a magician to pull crowds. He was given total charge of the stage for an hour before the start of the meeting. The charmer, who claimed to have ascended here from Bombay, however, failed to be of much help.

A total of 126 persons, by actual head count, sat on the durees spread before the podium when a party leader, Mr Bangaroo Laxman began his speech. As the venue was in the Ganj Bazar, one of the busiest market places of the town, another 100 or so of curious passers-by watched and with some coming and leaving after few minutes.

In sharp contrast, over 300 persons witnessed the magician's tricks, which in spite of being ordinary run-of mill stuff kept them in good humour. However, most of them melted away as soon as the magician got down from the stage. But for the presence of some hardcore party activists, including some who were normally seen occupying seats at the dais, the venue of the meeting wore a near deserted look.

A former BJP minister, Mr M.N. Sofat, ascribed the thin attendance to the farmers being busy in the fields after the brief but welcome rains here on Monday and also to the current Hindu marriage season. Another BJP worker, told this correspondent on the condition of anonymity that the Shanta Kumar group in its bid to demonstrate the strength of the Dhumal group here to the visiting BJP leader "managed" the thin attendance at the meeting.

Essential service status sought
From Our Correspondent

KANGRA, May 12 — Medical Laboratory Technologists of Himachal Pradesh have demanded that they be brought under the purview of the essential medical emergency services on a par with the other employees of the Health Department.

Mr Sudershaina Patial, District Secretary of the All-India Medical Laboratory Technologist Association, Kangra, said here today that the medical laboratory technicians were rendering the emergency and the essential service but the government was not bringing them under the purview of the Emergency and Essential Services Act. He said the Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, assured them but it was only lip sympathy. He demanded that they be provided with accommodation or 10 per cent house rent allowance.

Mr Patial demanded that the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, should intervene and help the laboratory technicians.

HP withdraws order on contract appointments
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 12 — The Himachal government today withdrew its order for making all recruitments for government jobs on contract.

The decision to withdraw the order was taken following criticism of the decision by various opposition parties.

The decision to make appointments on contract basis was taken recently as a measure to exercise economy in the fund starved state.

A spokesman of the government said that the state government has decided to withdraw these orders immediately till detailed guidelines regarding contract appointments were formulated.

He clarified that appointments on contract was not a new process. It always has remained a viable alternative in special circumstances.

He said that the orders were withdrawn as certain apprehensions were being created regarding appointments to be made on contract.

500 nurseries to be run by women
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, May 12 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to set up 500 nurseries in the state which will be manned exclusively by women. The objective behind setting up these nurseries was to help women earn money said, Mr Narendra Bragta, Minister of State for Horticulture, while presiding over a function at Dhabiri village in the district.

The Minister also inaugurated a building of the local Government Primary School, constructed at a cost of Rs 4.68 lakh. He praised the role of Mr Acchruram, a local resident, who not only donated a Sum of Rs 1.20 lakh for the school building but also got it constructed and furnished it from his own funds.

The Minister announced that the government would give priority to setting up citrus-based industries in the lower hill areas of the state. There was ample scope for growing lemons and mangoes in these areas and the government would provide all facilities to the farmers to plant saplings of citrus-based fruits, he said.

The Minister said Rs 1 crore would be sent in Hamirpur district in horticulture and allied activities.

Panchayat body to stage dharna
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 12 — The Himachal Panchayat Parishad has decided to stage a dharna at the state headquarters on May 20 in protest against the failure of the government to grant adequate financial, functional and administrative powers to the panchayati raj institutions.

Mr Dila Ram Dhiman, president of the parishad, said the "indifferent" attitude of the government had compelled the parishad to take up this course of action. He said the cabinet subcommittee set up for the devolution of powers to panchayati raj institutions had not held even a single meeting so far. Mr Kishori Lal, Industry Minister and head of the subcommittee, had assured the parishad that a decision would be taken on the matter soon. However, though more than a month had passed, the issue was pending.

The parishad is demanding that the district rural development agencies be put direct under the parishad and district planning committees be constituted in accordance with the Panchayati Raj Act.

It said the government had not passed on the revenue raised through the imposition of cess on liquor to panchayati raj institutions, as recommended by the first state Finance Commission. The amount, which came to over Rs 20 crore, should be distributed among the panchayats along with interest, it demanded.

Girl found buried under sacks
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, May 12 — A 12-year-old maidservant of a police constable, was found buried under sacks of marble chips in a serious condition, at a godown of a hardware shop, here today.

The girl, who belongs to Rohru area of Shimla, had been missing since last night. A truck driver, who had come for unloading at the hardware shop, found her this morning. She was admitted to a hospital.

The SSP, Mr K.C. Sadyal, said the girl had been missing since last night and the missing report was lodged in the police station. He said the girl had probably come there to hide. The medical examination of the girl was yet to be done, as she was reported to be in a state of shock. She had also not made any statement to the police so far.

However, rumours are rife in the town that the police was trying to cover up the matter. It is also being alleged that the missing report in the police station was lodged today to save the police constable.

New Himachal Chief Electoral Officer

SHIMLA, May 12 (PTI) — Bhim Sen an IAS officer of 1981 batch, presently Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh Financial Corporation, will be the next state Chief Electoral Officer in place of Mr Parminder Mathur.

The services of Mr Mathur have been placed at the disposal of the Central Government for posting as Director, Vigilance, in Videsh Sanchar Nigam (VSNL).

The name of Mr Bhim Sen has been cleared by the Election Commission for appointment as Chief Electoral Officer of the state.

Forest guard dies of burns
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, May 12 — Mr Longuram, a forest guard of Sathwin in the district, died of burn injuries at IGMC Hospital, Shimla, last night. He was extinguishing the fire in forests of his beat when he received serious burns.

Mr P.K. Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer, told reporters here today that Rs 50,000 would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. Mr Longuram hailed from Chakmoh village of the district.