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| Saturday, March 11, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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Help make China see reason: Dalai
Lama
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| Man selling rare bird’s meat
held CHAMBA, March 10 — A Gujjar, Ibrahim, resident of Malethi village in Sillagharat area of Chamba district was arrested by the police for killing two female monals (local name nalwai) an endangered species native to the high Himalaya. Father jailed for rape CHAMBA, March 10 — Mr J.L. Gupta, Sessions Judge, today convicted Bachan Singh of Tunnuhatti village in this district in a rape case under Section 376 of the IPC and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 years and to pay a fine of Rupees 5,000 failing which he would have to undergo further imprisonment for a period of six months.
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Help make
China see reason: Dalai Lama DHARAMSALA, March 10 — The Dalai Lama, today said that given China's lack of political will and courage he was left with no other option but to appeal to the international community to persuade China to change its policy on Tibet. Tibetans at the main temple in McLeodganj on the occasion of the 41st Tibetan National Uprising Day, today, he said that given the lack of response from the Chinese government to his overtures over the years, only increased international efforts could help resolve the Tibetan issue. "I remain committed to the process of dialogue as it is my firm belief that only with the willingness to look with honesty and clarity at the reality of Tibet can we find a solution to the issue," he stated. He added that the narrow minded policies reveal the ugly face of racial and cultural arrogance and a deep sense of political insecurity. "The developments concerning the escape of Agya Rinpoche, the about of Kumbum monastery and more recently of the Karmapa Rinpoche, are pointers towards the misguided policy of China on Tibet," said the Tibetan leader. "It is very sad that the human rights situation in Tibet has taken a critical turn with the "strike hard" and "patriotic reeducation" campaign against the Tibetan religions and culture being intensified." he regretted. He said if China was truly concerned about unity it must make honest efforts to win over the hearts of the Tibetan people and not attempt to impose her will on them. The Dalai Lama, regretted that some Chinese leaders were calculating on the Tibetan issue disappearing with time. "Irrespective of the passage of time, the freedom struggle of the Tibetan people will continue as it is not the struggle for the cause of one man, nor is it that of one generation of Tibetans," he said. He once again reiterated his commitment to the approach of genuine autonomy within the framework of the Republic of China. The Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet, Mr Sonam Topgyal and the Vice-Chairman of the Tibetan Assembly, Mr Thupten Lungrik, also addressed the gathering at McLeodganj. Later, thousands of Tibetans, including monks, nuns and school children took out a procession from McLeodganj to Dharamsala. They were carrying placards and banners saying "UNO we want justice", "We want freedom". "Tibet is our home by right", "Release Panchen Lama and Karmapa's parents". They raised anti-China slogans. The protesting Tibetans went around the town and were accompanied by a large number of foreigners and Indians. They were later addressed by the president of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Mr Ajai Mankotia, Mr Ram Swaroop, Mr Sunil Minocha from the Bharat Tibet Maitri Sangh, and the Tibetan Welfare Officer, Mr Dawa Tsering. Our Correspondent at Nahan adds: On the the eve of the 41st anniversary of the Tibetan uprising the Tibetan leaders here sought the support of the world community in freeing Tibet. In a written statement the presidents of Tibetan Cholsum Industrial Society, Kham Kathok Tibetan Society, Sakya Tibetan Society and Tibetan Gopa Welfare Society of Sirmour district urged the world community and Indian to continue their support for the cause of free Tibet. They urged China to respect 'the middle way approach' of Dalai Lama and resume dialogue with Tibetan Government in Exile immediately to resolve the Tibetan problem peacefully.
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Staff
tussle delays NJPC work SHIMLA, March 10 — Endless wranglings between direct recruits of the Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation (NJPC) and the staff of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) are coming in the way of speedy execution of the 1500 mw project, which is already behind schedule by over three years. The latest agreement between the state government and the Centre to settle the demands of the employees of the board who are on secondment with the corporation has failed to restore industrial peace to the project, which has been marred by employee and workers' unrest all these years. While the employees of the board, whose secondment will be treated as deputation as per the accord, are elated, the direct recruits who will be affected are up in arms against the management. They have accused the corporation authorities of succumbing to pressure of the state and handing out a step-motherly treatment to their own staff. The NJPC Employees Union Association has already started a work-to-rule stir and threatened to go on strike if its demands were not settled immediately. It is also demanding release of three additional increments to direct recruits simultaneously with the benefits to be given to the seconded employees. The latest accord, a spokesman for the association pointed out, had created more anomalies between the direct recruits and the seconded staff. For instance, the post of under secretary, earlier equivalent to senior officer of the NJPC, had now been equated with manager, which was two steps higher. Consequently, subordinates have become the bosses overnight. The under secretary-level officers, who used to report to deputy managers, had become managers. Their initial pay scale after the revision would now jump from Rs 10,000 to Rs 17,5000 instead of Rs 14,500. Another anomaly had been created by equating diploma-holder junior engineer of the board with graduate assistant engineer of the corporation. As per the rules of the corporation, a diploma holder cannot be promoted beyond the level of supervisor and can never become an officer. However, with the latest equalisation, the junior engineers who reported to the assistant engineers have been elevated to the same level. The situation, the association feels, is not conducive to the smooth and efficient functioning of the corporation. It has no option but to agitate for justice and it may further affect the implementation of the project. The other demands of the
direct recruits include amendment of the promotion
policy, ad hoc payment of 30 per cent of basic salary in
view of the impending pay revision, conveyance
maintenance on a par with the NTPC, immediate release of
arrears of revised pay scales from January 1, 1992, and
revision of house building allowance to Rs 7.5 lakh on a
par with public sector undertakings. |
Long wait
for basic amenities CHAMBA: Residents of Sudli, Mornu, Mail, Draman and Chuhan panchayats and the adjoining areas of Dalhousie tehsil in the district are still waiting for the basic amenities as their area is the most backward and neglected. They have expressed resentment over treatment the state government is giving them. Having a population of about 18,000, these panchayats are located on the barren hillslopes on the left of the Ravi and have escaped the attention of the state authorities with regard to their development activities. Adjacent to it, on the right side and across the Ravi, are unkempt border villages of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir. There is no government senior secondary school in the area. Students of plus I and II have to go to Banikhet and Kakira senior secondary schools, about 20 to 25 km away, to get education. The health services are also in bad shape due to the absence of any primary health centre (PHC) there. The two high schools and Ayurvedic and veterinary dispensaries at Mail and Chuhan are already understaffed. The condition of primary and middle schools is even worse in the area. The woes of inhabitants do not end here. There is hardly any sign of development in agriculture and horticulture. The only link road is unmetalled and remains blocked due to landslips during rains. ***** The process of delimitation and reservation of words in Chamba and Dalhousie Municipal Councils and Chowari nagar panchayat has been completed under the HP Municipal (Delimitation and Reservation of Wards) Rules, 1994, in Chamba district. According to Mr K. Sanjaymurthy, Deputy Commissioner, a meeting in this connection was held here recently under his chairmanship which was attended by the sitting president of the Municipal Council, Chamba, Miss Anita Thakur, president of the Municipal Council, Dalhousie, Mrs Renu Chadha, vice-presidents, sitting members of these councils and nagar panchayat, Chowari and nagar panchayat. The DC says that for the purpose, draw of lots were taken out at the meeting after the objections of the members were disposed of. Out of 11 wards of Municipal Council, Chamba, six were declared reserved — Chowgan, Chauntra, Hatnala for women, Hardarpura for the Scheduled Castes women, Kasakra for the Scheduled Castes and Sultanpur for the Scheduled Tribes. In the Dalhousie Municipal Council, out of nine wards, three were reserved — Kathlog and Convent for women and GPO was reserved for the Scheduled Castes women. Likewise, in the nagar panchayat, Chowari, out of seven wards, three were reserved — Kuther for women, Bhalada for the Scheduled Tribes women and Kasba Chowari (first) for the Scheduled Castes. ***** The Centre has launched a Rs 5 crore Integrated Wasteland Development Project (I.W.D.P) for the development of Mehla and Tissa blocks for a period of four years. According to an official spokesman, the IWDP has specially been designed for the backward blocks of Mehla and Tissa by the Union Ministry of Rural Development. The project envisages to cover five micro watershed development schemes in Mehla block in an area of 6747 hectares and four micro watershed development schemes in an area of 5753 hectares in Tissa block. During the current year, Rs 75 lakh have been released by the Union Government. ***** Under the project, the major works to be undertaken include afforestation, treatment of soil erosion points, conservation of water resources, forest pastures and grasslands. Besides development of agro-horticulture would also be given a boost. ***** The residents of Chamba town have urged the state government to amend the rules of tax on vehicles entering municipal council limits with some minor modifications simplifying the procedure of imposing tax on vehicles either yearly or half-yearly to avoid wastage of time being faced by the local vehicle-owners daily. They allege that charging of vehicle tax daily on the entry points of municipal limits causes a lot of inconvenience to them and they could benefit if the procedure is simplified. Some local residents
have already given some suggestions in this regard to the
state government. |
HP
Speaker’s ruling on sub judice SHIMLA, March 10 — In his ruling disallowing discussion on the resolution for review of the government decision on green felling in the Vidhan Sabha today, Speaker Thakur Gulab Singh said that the notice of Mr Kaul Singh Thakur under Rule 101 (101) on the issue was received on February 15 and was admitted for ballot as it was in order. After ballot when the resolution was sent to the government as per rules, the Forest Minister intimated that the matter was sub judice before the Supreme Court by way of a writ petition and vide its interim order dated February 14 in which the court had directed that if any order had been issued by the state government lifting the ban on felling trees, its operation shall remain stayed till further orders. After going through the comments of the government, the interlocutory orders of the Supreme Court and the relevant rules of the Vidhan Sabha, the notice of Mr Kaul Singh Thakur as admitted earlier had to be reviewed. It is clear under Rule 105 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of HP Legislative Assembly, 1997, that any matter which was under adjudication of a court of law was not admissible. The Speaker added that a committee of presiding officers of the country had also considered the scope of rule of sub judice and had recommended that in case of writ petitions the rule of sub judice applies from the date these were admitted till further orders were passed. In view of these rules and precedents etc, the discussion on this topic could not be allowed at the stage, he said.
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Armed men
in snow set off alarm bells CHAMBA, March 10 — Around 10 heavily armed men have been spotted moving around Guppa Choli at an altitude of more than 3000 metres on the border of Chamba with adjoining Jammu and Kashmir by some local people yesterday. Since this alpine region is still covered by deep snow, it is being presumed that the armed men are probably staying in hide-outs across the mountain on the Jammu side. On receiving information of the movements the Superintendent of Police, Chamba, Mr Rajinder Mohan Sharma, and the Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) Ist Battalion Commandant Mr H.S. Goraya rushed to the site. They are now camping on the region. In the meanwhile night patrolling and surveillance have been stepped up to thwart possible militant strikes. Further information is awaited. According to residents of the area the region in which the men were spotted is steep and snowbound and it will take at least a month for the snow to melt. Thus the authorities do not anticipate a major militant threat for the moment. But aerial recces may be required to ascertain scale of the problem before summer sets in.
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Man
selling rare bird’s meat held CHAMBA, March 10 — A Gujjar, Ibrahim, resident of Malethi village in Sillagharat area of Chamba district was arrested by the police for killing two female monals (local name nalwai) an endangered species native to the high Himalaya. Giving this information here today, a spokesman of the forest department said Ibrahim was arrested on a tipoff at the market of Chamba town while he was trying to sell the meat of the rare bird. He said a case in this connection had been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the dead birds recovered.
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Father
jailed for rape CHAMBA, March 10 — Mr J.L. Gupta, Sessions Judge, today convicted Bachan Singh of Tunnuhatti village in this district in a rape case under Section 376 of the IPC and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 years and to pay a fine of Rupees 5,000 failing which he would have to undergo further imprisonment for a period of six months. The facts of the case
are that on March 11 last year, Poonam, daughter of the
accused, was alone at her house along with her brother
and her mother Nirmala Devi had gone to her parents'
house. At about 8.30 p.m. when Poonam went to bed after
serving meals to the accused, he raped her. |
3 die as truck falls into khud SHIMLA, March 10 —
As many as three persons were killed and two injured when
a private truck fell into khud near Sainj, about 80 km
from here, today. Those killed have been identified as
Vijay Negi and Gopal Singh (both of Chopal) and Pyare Lal
of Kangra. Besides, Dolu Ram of Kulu and Khem Singh of
Mandi were injured. The truck was carrying stationery. Vijay Bhushan new CPMG SHIMLA, March 10 —
Mr Vijay Bhushan today assumed charge of Chief
Postmaster-General of Himachal Pradesh. He had earlier
held the post here from 1991 to 1993. He replaces Mrs
Kavery Banerjee. |
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