H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Poor denied benefits under TPDS
SHIMLA, April 21 — Over 1.37 lakh families living below the poverty line (BPL) were denied benefits under the Targeted Public Distribution System Scheme (TPDS) Himachal Pradesh because of the failure of the government to carry out proper identification of such families.

Tibet finds support in UN
DHARAMSALA, April 21 — Despite the resolution on human rights situation in China being defeated in the UN, the Tibetan government-in-exile, is encouraged by the increased support it received this time.

Imposter arrested
HAMIRPUR, April 21 — The local police has arrested one Rajesh, a resident of Salauni, of this district, who sat in B.Com. examination at Government Degree College last evening. He appeared in the examination in place of Kamlajeet Sharma, according to official sources.

Poor denied benefits under TPDS
From Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, April 21 — Over 1.37 lakh families living below the poverty line (BPL) were denied benefits under the Targeted Public Distribution System Scheme (TPDS) Himachal Pradesh because of the failure of the government to carry out proper identification of such families.

The scheme, which was launched in June 1997, stipulated that BJP families would be identified on the basis of provisional estimates arrived at by the Planning Commission for supplying essential commodities at specially subsidised prices. The commission recommended the allocation of foodgrains for 4.26 lakh BPL families but the department concerned identified only 2.89 lakh families on the basis of IRDP (Integrated Rural Development Programme) lists. No effort was made to include BPL families living in the urban areas or identify the remaining poor families in the rural areas before the implementation of the scheme.The Urban Development Department identified. 11,734 BPL families in 48 municipalities but benefits under TPDS Scheme had not been extended to them until March 1999.

A review of the scheme by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) revealed that the process of the identification of the families was bad which had led to the denial of benefits to them. On the one hand the BPL families were left out of the scheme and on the other the ration card population of the state was found to be 1.73 lakh higher than the projected figure in 1998-99. Indicating a large number of bogus ration cards, random checking of fair price shops carried out by the department led to the defection of 88,608 bogus cards. A 100 per cent checking would have revealed more bogus cards.

The department also failed to make a suitable endorsement by an appropriate stamp on the cards of the BPL families. Test checks revealed that 11,685 BPL families were not covered by stamping of ration cards in Bilaspur, Kangra and Kinnaur districts.

The demand for foodgrain was made on an ad hoc basis and no realistic assessment was made on the basis of card population of the state. As a result the demand was exaggerated and the state could not lift its quota. The shortfall in lifting and distribution of wheat during 1992-99 range between 5 per cent and 33 per cent and in case of rice between 5 per cent and 65 per cent shortfall in coverage of the BPL families ranged between 11 per cent and 34 per cent from June 1997 to March 1999. However, in some months the shortfall was as high as 50 per cent in Bilaspur district, (August 1998) 65 per cent in Kangra (October 1997),73 per cent in Mandi (June 1997) 98 per cent in Kinnaur (June 1997). Such a huge shortfall in the coverage of BPL families along with the fact that a large section had already been left out of the scheme clearly indicated that the food security objective of the BPL families was not achieved to a large extent.

Moreover, the beneficiaries were charged higher rates. The whole meal “atta” (wheat flour) was to be supplied at the landed cost but the government fixed the sale rate of Rs 600 per quintal against the landed cost of Rs 577 per quintal. The state Civil Supplies Corporation sold 4.10 lakh quintals of atta under the TPDS and earned a profit of Rs 94.38 lakh.

Due to lack of control a substandard wheat, “atta”, rice and sugar valued at Rs 83.84 lakh were supplied to consumers during 1997-99.

Tibet finds support in UN
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, April 21 — Despite the resolution on human rights situation in China being defeated in the UN, the Tibetan government-in-exile, is encouraged by the increased support it received this time.

The secretary in the Department of Information and International Relations, Mr Thupten Samphell, said though discussion could not be held on the resolution in the UN Human Rights Commission on April 18 in Geneva as 22 member nations supported the Chinese no action motion, but 18 voted against it this time.

“We are extremely dissatisfied with the fact that discussion could not be held on China’s human rights record in the UN but the support of 18 nations and 13 abstentions is an encouraging development for us,” he commented. He added that another encouraging factor was the support extended by certain African nations to the Tibetan cause.

Mr Samphell said, “The human rights situation in Tibet as well as China was worsening and to check this the international community must play an active role. Various nations should take a firm stand on the issue, he stated.

Meanwhile, to provide an accurate chronicle of the Tibetan tragedy to the present and coming generations, a Tibetan museum will be set up at Mcleodganj, headquarter of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

An initiative of the Department of Information and International Relations, it will be inaugurated by the Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader, the Dalai Lama, on April 30. It will present Tibetan history through exhibitions, installations and educational activities.

“We believe that knowing the past gives strength and guidance for the future. We hope that our museum will be instrumental in both these aspects” stated Mr T.C. Tethong, Minister for Information and International Relations.

The museum’s opening exhibition, “A Long Look Homeward”, is the work of 11 Tibetan curators. It is divided into two conceptual sections, the first one presenting the Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet and its results. The second section focuses on Tibet’s historical past and its aspirations for the future. A special section presents the Dalai Lama’s future vision for Tibet.

Imposter arrested
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, April 21 — The local police has arrested one Rajesh, a resident of Salauni, of this district, who sat in B.Com. examination at Government Degree College last evening. He appeared in the examination in place of Kamlajeet Sharma, according to official sources.

The sources said during course of checking it was found that he was appearing in place of Kamlajeet as the photograph pasted on the roll number slip was different.

This is the second case of impersonation in examinations at the college centre during past three days. Earlier, the police had arrested one Rajeev, who had appeared in place of Neeraj Thakur in the BA II examination.