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| Wednesday, February 9, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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4 IAS men want to go to Centre |
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| Dhumal overrules Gehlot's
objections SHIMLA, Feb 8 — Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, has rejected the objection of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the signing of a new agreement between the Himachal Government and the National Hydel Power Corporation for the execution of 2051 mw Parbati project and asserted that the interest of Rajasthan were "well protected" as the state of the region. Driver alleges extortion by ‘cops’ NAHAN, Feb 8 — A gang of cheats is operating on the G.T. road between Samalakha and Panipat. The gang extorts money from truck drivers by threatening them that cases under the Narcotics Act would be registered against them. C.P. Pandey is HPSEB member SHIMLA, Feb 8 — The Himachal Pradesh Government today appointed Mr C.P. Pandey, member, HPSEB, as Commissioner-cum-Secretary, GAD and SAD, in place of Mr B.S. Chauhan. 
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4 IAS men want to go to Centre SHIMLA, Feb 8 — At least four senior IAS officers, considered close to the Union Minister for Public Distribution, Mr Shanta Kumar, have sought central deputation from Himachal Pradesh. It is learnt that these officers, who were considered as trusted lieutenants of Mr Shanta Kumar when he was the Chief Minister of the state, were vying for certain plum posts under his ministry now. It is being said that these officers have been lying low ever since Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal became the Chief Minister. They reportedly grabbed the opportunity to put in their applications for central deputation soon after Mr Shanta Kumar was inducted in the Union Cabinet. Mr Ram Subhag Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, was the first to be summoned by Mr Shanta Kumar as his Secretary by Mr Shanta Kumar. It is learnt that among those who have sought central deputation are: Mr B.K. Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Mr Srikant Baldi, Managing Director, HPMC, and Mr Sanjeev Gupta, Special Secretary. Sources said the appointment of Mr P. Mitra, Managing Director, General Industries Corporation, here as Managing Director of the Delhi Super Bazar is in the final stage of clearance. Mr Aggarwal and Mr Baldi were expected to be given some important assignments in the Food Corporation of India, it is learnt. Some other senior officers whose deputation to the Centre has already been cleared are: Mrs Rajwant Sandhu, Financial Commissioner; Mr R.K. Jain, Director, Industries; and Mrs Nisha Singh, Special Secretary, Home. The Opposition has alleged on several occasions that never before has the bureaucracy here got divided on political considerations as it is now. A section of officialdom was now divided between the Dhumal and Shanta camps.
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Medicos threaten agitation KANGRA, Feb 8 — Students of the Dr Rajender Prasad Medical College, Tanda, near here, today threatened to resort to an agitation if the government failed to take up issue of the the recognition of the college seriously. The students expressed deep concern over their uncertain future and said they had already lost one and a half years. They said they were still not aware about the decision of the Medical Council of India (MCI) taken during its meeting of the executive on Feb 3. The government had not bothered to inquire from the MCI or the Centre regarding the decision of the MCI even though a week had passed. One of the student leaders said: "Our future is bleak, the college was virtually closed for want of recognition." He said the boys hostel was to be handed over to the medical college authorities by January last year, but the building was still incomplete. The students said the hospital building was required to be completed within two years for permanent recognition of the college, but the work on the hospital project was yet to start. They said the state Chief Minister had laid the foundation stones of the OPD block and library but the work had not been started on these projects. When contacted, the Director, Medical Education, Dr Nath, told this correspondent that no information was received about the recognition from the Government of India. Same views were expressed by the Secretary, Health, Mr Ajay Kumar. The two-member MCI team
had raised some issues like the appointment of principal
and teaching staff on contract basis and differences in
the pay scales of the contract and the regular teaching
staff. |
"Madarsas" being defamed: Quasmi SHIMLA, Feb 8 — Moulana Mumtaz Ahmed Quasmi, president of an organisation of Madarsas in Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, has accused the BJP Government of having hatched a conspiracy to defame the Muslim education institutions of "madarsas" by linking these with anti-national agencies. In a statement here today, Mr Quasmi alleged that "communal" organisations like the RSS and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) with the support of the government were trying to defame the "madarsas" where only basics of Islam along with the government-approved syllabus was taught. His statement comes following the controversy which has sparked off after the arrest of a Maulvi of a mosque in the military area of Dharamsala from whom certain provocative audio tapes were recovered by the police. Mr Quasmi invited the RSS and the VHP to come and see what was being taught in these "madarsas". He demanded that in case the government was impartial, it should first ban the "shakhas" of the RSS which, he alleged, "preach" hatred for communities. He said these organisations have failed to prove that "madarsas" were imparting communal education and alleged that the Vidya Bharti schools were imparting communal education. Repeated attempts were being made to tarnish the image of "madarsas", he alleged. Mr Quasmi said it was
unfortunate that the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari
Vajpayee, has deviated from the common agenda of the
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and has started openly
supporting the RSS and its activities. It was astonishing
that he has justified the action of the Gujarat
Government in allowing its employees to join
"shakhas". |
Justice Sood sworn in Additional
Judge SHIMLA, Feb 8 — Mr Justice Kuldip Chand Sood was sworn in as Additional Judge of the H P High Court at an impressive ceremony at Raj Bhavan here today. Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri, Governor, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Justice Sood. Mr A K Goswami, Chief Secretary, read out the appointment order issued by the President of India. Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Acting Chief Justice of the H P High Court Kamlesh Sharma, Judges of the high court, members of the H P Administrative Tribunal, senior officers and lawyers were present on the occasion. Mr Justice Sood was born in the family of freedom fighters on April 12, 1944, at Dharamsala Mahanta village (Chintpurni) in Una. He graduated from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council, Punjab, after obtaining a bachelor's degree in law in 1968. He practised law for two years at the Delhi High Court. In December, 1970, he was selected in the Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service and served in various capacities as the Subordinate Judge, Senior Subordinate Judge, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Rent Controller. He was selected as Presiding Officer of the Labour Court in Delhi in 1979. However, he did not join. He was Joint Secretary (Law), Himachal Pradesh, in June, 1984. In December, 1984, he was appointed as Legal Remembrance-cum-Secretary (Law) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh and worked as such till August 1987. On reversion to the parent department he was assigned the job to open a new sessions division in Chamba district. He served as the District and Sessions Judge in various sessions divisions of the state. He was posted as
Registrar of the high court in January 1991. Till now he
was the District and Sessions Judge, Mandi. |
Decision on felling to hit
eco-system PALAMPUR: The forests in Himachal Pradesh not only contribute to maintaining the ecological balance but also play a significant role in the economic development of the state. Forests provide physical sustenance to the fragile eco-system and also act as a source of precious raw material for rural and industrial development. According to the forest policy of the state, the forests were no more a source of revenue and supply of raw material. The government was a lying emphasis on the protection and conservation of forests. The state government had imposed a complete ban on felling of green trees. Besides, it had made forest laws more stringent to deal with smugglers and poachers in the state. It had allowed only the removal of dead, diseased and decaying trees and had salvaged lots of trees to meet the requirements of the masses. However, the extraction of herbs had been allowed only on a selective basis. But now the state government has taken a major decision in its forest policy and decided to allow felling in the state on a commercial basis. It is an open fact that since the BJP Government assumed power in the state it was under constant pressure from the forest lobby to withdraw the ban imposed on felling 15 years ago by the then Congress government. In the present circumstances the Chief Minister was bound to yield to such pressures. This decision of the government will have serious implications which the state will face in coming years. Every section of society and various social and other organisations had opposed this decision. But Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is adamant and not ready listen to anyone. On paper, in Himachal Pradesh the area totals 37,591 sq. km., of which only 11,780 sq. km. is under tree plantation, that is less than one-third of the state's total area. The economists in 1995 has put the total value of the state's forest wealth at Rs 39,000 crore. It is evident from the various surveys and studies conducted by the non-governmental agencies that the drive for plantation for more trees in the state has failed to gain momentum. The state has planted trees only on paper and there is nothing worthwhile. Even the survival percentage of saplings has come down. In a number of divisions the survival percentage was between 10 and 30 per cent. It is surprising that before lifting the ban on felling, the government had failed to understand that the growing population here has led to disastrous over-use of forests for fuel wood, timber under TD and boxes for apples in the past decade. There has been a manifold increase in the requirement of fuel wood in the state: it has increased to the tune of two lakh tonnes, valued at Rs 160 crore per year. The forests are already under great stress therefore there is no justification to allow commercial felling of forests. Though the central government revised the forest policy in 1988, its main objective was the conservation, protection and development of forests in the country. Besides, much stress was laid to minimise the burden of fuel wood and other local requirements on the forests. But in the absence of political will, successive governments had failed to implement the policy in its letter and spirit. The state government must understand that the country has 752.3 lakh hectares notified as forests. That is 19.47 per cent of the country's total geographical area. This brings the per capita area to a meagre 0.088 hectare — the lowest in the world. In fact, only 50 per cent of the forest area is under tree cover and remaining the 50 p.c. in various stages of degradation. The same is the situation in Himachal Pradesh. Way back in 1952, the forest policy had stipulated bringing 33 per cent of the state's area under forest cover. But after a gap of 50 years, the picture in Himachal Pradesh is dismal. The natural forests are being destroyed at rate faster than nature or what man can regenerate. It is on record that the country is losing forest cover at the rate 1.3 million hectares every year, which would prove fatal in the near future. People feel that Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, has failed to understand these important aspects while lifting the ban on green felling.
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Students seek gap between exams KANGRA, Feb 8 — Students of plus two class in this district here have demanded that there should atleast be three-day gap between the two major subjects of chemistry and biology instead of one day in the final examinations to be held next month by the H.P. Board of School Education. The date sheet was recently published. In a statement issued here yesterday the students said the chemistry examination would be held on March 13, and biology on March 15. As these were the major subjects there should atleast be a three-day gap instead of one-day as was the practice. Mr Sunil Choudhary,
Secretary, H.P. Board of School Education, when contacted
said the examination date sheet was made keeping in view
the interests of the students. |
Neglect of locality alleged PALAMPUR, Feb 8 — The local citizens council has expressed concern over the plight of residents of Sorabh Nagar that was named after martyr Capt Sorabh Kalia, who sacrificed his life while fighting Pakistani intruders in Kargil last year. In a press note issued here today, the council said despite assurances given by the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, no steps had been taken to develop this locality. The roads dug up for laying telephone cables and water supply pipes were yet to be repaired. The council urged the Chief Minister to personally look into the matter and advise the district administration to take necessary steps. It also invited the attention of the Chief Minister towards the condition of Vikram Batra Marg, where the family of the Capt Vikram Batra (PVC) had been residing. A proposal for a sum of Rs 15 lakh for the development of this road forwarded to the government about six months ago, was yet to be sanctioned by the government. The council said the
Deputy Commissioners of all districts should be directed
to personally supervise those projects which were named
after the martyrs by the government, otherwise people
would soon loose faith in the declarations of the
government made during the Kargil conflict. |
Dhumal overrules Gehlot's
objections SHIMLA, Feb 8 — Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, has rejected the objection of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the signing of a new agreement between the Himachal Government and the National Hydel Power Corporation for the execution of 2051 mw Parbati project and asserted that the interest of Rajasthan were "well protected" as the state of the region. Talking to newsmen here today he said the earlier agreement involving five states, including Rajasthan, had to be scrapped as the partner states failed to release funds for the mega project requiring an investment of over Rs 16,000 crore. The Union Energy Ministry had followed the due procedure and issued notices to the concerned states before rescinding the agreement. He said the Himachal Government would welcome investment in the hydro power sector from any quarters and if the Rajasthan Government had surplus funds it could do so. A large number of projects, including the 800 mw Koldam project, were in line for execution and the state could invest in any of them. Already the Rajasthan-based Bhilwara group was executing the 86 mw Malana project in Kulu district from which entire power would be transmitted to Rajasthan for its own use by the company. Regarding the restructuring of the Himachal State Electricity Board he said government would not take any decision in haste and besides conducting detailed studies on various aspects, it would also take the views of the employees into consideration before taking the final decision.
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Driver alleges extortion by
‘cops’ NAHAN, Feb 8 — A gang of cheats is operating on the G.T. road between Samalakha and Panipat. The gang extorts money from truck drivers by threatening them that cases under the Narcotics Act would be registered against them. Mr Jagdev Singh, driver of a truck owned by Ms Gill Chemicals Private Ltd, Paonta Sahib, has reported to Paonta Sahib police station that on February 1, last while he was on way from Delhi to Paonta Sahib at about 3 p.m. he was signalled to stop by a person in police uniform on the G.T. road in between Samalakha and Panipat. The person along with his accomplice got into the cabin of the truck and demanded Rs 1,000 from him. The driver reluctantly offered to pay Rs 100. The miscreants demanded Rs 1000, and threatened he would be implicated for possessing opium or poppy husk if he didn't pay up. One of the miscreants took out a packet wrapped in a cloth from his pocket. The driver pleaded that he would not be able to pay the amount. They thrashed him and snatched his purse containing Rs 700. They further threatened him that if he lodged a report in Haryana he would face dire consequences. It may be recalled that
last year also a similar incident was reported to the
Secretary, Home, Haryana, by Mr S.S. Gill, senior
advocate, Nahan vide his letter dated February 13, 1999.
No action has been taken in the case. |
C.P.
Pandey
is HPSEB member SHIMLA, Feb 8 — The Himachal Pradesh Government today appointed Mr C.P. Pandey, member, HPSEB, as Commissioner-cum-Secretary, GAD and SAD, in place of Mr B.S. Chauhan. Mr Arvind Mehta, Member (Finance), HPSEB, will hold additional charge of member (administration). Mr S.C. Mehta, Additional Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Dharamsala, has been posted as Additional Secretary (Home). Mr Ajay Sharma, Secretary, HP Ex-servicemen Corporation, Hamirpur, has been appointed as Additional District Magistrate, Chamba, in place of Mr Beer Singh Thakur, who has been shifted as Deputy Secretary, Revenue. Mr Subhash Nanda has
been posted as Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Sarkaghat,
in place of Mr D.P. Verma, who goes as RTO (Headquarters)
at Shimla. |
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