H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with Himachal Pradesh
Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal at Kulu on Friday.
— PTI photo

PM arrives in Manali
MANALI, April 7 — The Prime Minister arrived here today on his four-day visit here. A former Horticulture Minister, Mr Kunj Lal Thakur, a local MLA Mr Chander Sen Thakur, the HVC chief, Mr Sukh Ram, received the Prime Minister and state Chief Minister at the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment helipad at Bahang on the Manali-Leh highway, 4 km from Manali town.

Harsh steps will "benefit" all
DHARAMSALA, April 4 — Justifying the hike in the prices of PDS items, the Union Minister for Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution, Mr Shanta Kumar, said these harsh decisions had been necessitated due to the wrong policies of previous governments.

PM arrives in Manali
From Our Correspondents

MANALI, April 7 — The Prime Minister arrived here today on his four-day visit here.

A former Horticulture Minister, Mr Kunj Lal Thakur, a local MLA Mr Chander Sen Thakur, the HVC chief, Mr Sukh Ram, received the Prime Minister and state Chief Minister at the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) helipad at Bahang on the Manali-Leh highway, 4 km from Manali town.

From SASE helipad Mr Vajpayee was brought in a cavalcade under tight security to the farm house at Prini (near Manali) where he would spend his vocation on Kulu-Nagar (left bank) Road.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Mr Brajesh Mishra, National Security Advisor and Principal Secretary.

According to sources the Prime Minister will stay at Prini for four days and will abstain from addressing any public meeting. This is Mr Vajpayee’s second visit to Manali during his present tenure as the Prime Minister.

Earlier Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister, was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at Bhuntar airport in Kulu on Friday. He was received by the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, his ministerial colleagues, state BJP President Suresh Chandel, State Chief Secretary A.K. Goswami and other senior officers of the state government along with some local citizens.

From Bhuntar Mr Vajpayee left for Manali in an IAF chopper to further go to his own house at Prini village, where he would stay till April 10. The Chief Minister also accompanied him to Manali.

Harsh steps will "benefit" all
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, April 4 — Justifying the hike in the prices of PDS items, the Union Minister for Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution, Mr Shanta Kumar, said these harsh decisions had been necessitated due to the wrong policies of previous governments.

Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone of a community hall at Nagrota Suriyan in the Guler constituency yesterday, he said the harsh decisions taken by the BJP-led government would benefit the nation in the long run.

"Not only will these help in speeding up the pace of development but shall be in the larger interest of the public", he stated.

Mr Shanta Kumar said the government headed by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had given a clean administration to the people. He assured the people that all promises made by the BJP would be fulfilled.

Mr Shanta Kumar said schemes worth Rs 12,000 crore sanctioned by the Centre for the state would bring about a revolution in Himachal though the benefits would be recalled after a few years.

"These schemes have specially been designed to tackle the problem of unemployment so that the standard of living of the people of the state can be improved", he stated.

The Union Minister, announced that beginning this month, 700 gm of sugar per person was being given on the basis of the 1999 census.

Mr Shanta Kumar said the money provided to MPs under the Development Fund would be utilised for speeding up development works in villagers. He urged government officials and others to cooperate in the process of development.

Mr Shanta Kumar said keeping in mind the long standing demand of the people, gas agencies would be opened at Jawali and Indora.