H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

3-member power panel likely
SHIMLA, May 1 — The Himachal Government is having second thoughts regarding the composition of the state electricity regulatory commission. The commission was to be set up a month ago.

Will Sukh Ram relent?
SHIMLA, May 1 — Mr Sukh Ram, the HVC supremo, seems to be in no mood to relent on the issue of expulsion of Mr Mohinder Singh, the PWD Minister, from the party, even as Mr R.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, appealed to the warring leaders to sink their differences and unite.

Lecture on mentally retarded kids
UNA, May 1 — Prem Ashram, a home for mentally retarded children, run by the local Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary organised a two-day lecture which concluded here yesterday evening. Mr K.N.Ojha, officer-in-charge of the National Institute of Mentally Retarded and Handicap Regional Centre, New Delhi, delivered a lecture on Mental Retardation: nature, needs, assessment and management.

May Day turns protest day
PARWANOO, May 1 — Various workers’ unions of this industrial town celebrated the May Day here today. The workers held demonstrations and gate meetings in front of factories. A rally was also taken out here which ended at the Labour Office. Union leaders said the government was drafting policies which were unjustified and anti-workers.

Calcutta school wins debate contest
SHIMLA, May 1 — St James School, Calcutta, won the three-day fifth Dr Samuel Slater annual debate contest which concluded at Bishop Cotton School here yesterday.

Euphoria shoots video in Kasauli
KASAULI May 1 — Euphoria group of dhoom fame is in the town to shoot for the title song phir dhoom. The video is produced by Watermark films. Director Amitabh Roy and his 60-odd crew comprising young boys and girls, had the locals dancing to the tune of phir dhoom.

INTUC flays hike in power tariff
SHIMLA, May 1 — The state unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has criticised the recent hike in power tariff in Himachal Pradesh and demanded revision of daily wage from Rs 51 to Rs 100.

3-member power panel likely
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 1 — The Himachal Government is having second thoughts regarding the composition of the state electricity regulatory commission. The commission was to be set up a month ago.

Initially, it proposed to establish a single-member commission with all the mandatory powers provided under the Central Electricity Regulatory Authority Act. The commission, which will set in motion the process of restructuring of the state electricity board, was to be in place before March 31.

However, the setting up of the commission has been delayed as there is a feeling in the official and political circles that a multi-member body may be more suitable than a single-member commission for carrying out the regulatory functions. A single member commission could be vulnerable to whims and fancies of an individual officer. On the other hand a multi-member commission will be more realistic on account of pooled wisdom and expertise of the members. The government will have a choice to have economists and other experts, besides engineers on the commission.

As per the fresh proposal the state may have a three-member commission. A final decision on the matter is expected soon. A 21-member committee will also be constituted to advise the commission. Which will carry out the job of fixation of tariff of electricity produced by the board and independent power producers. After the restructuring of the board it will also decide financial issues relating to transmission and distribution of electricity like the wheeling charges.

The opposition Congress and the employees of the board are opposing the move. The Congress feels that by setting up a commission the government will lose its power to fix tariff which will not be in the interest of consumers.

The employees see it as a precursor to the trifurcation of the board which will pave the way for privatisation of power sector. The power engineers have cautioned the government not to take a hasty decision in the matter under pressure from financial institutions. Instead, it should appoint a professional committee comprising technical, financial, commercial and legal experts to go into the details of reforms and restructuring.

Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, who also holds the power portfolio, has assured that the government would take a decision after taking the political parties and employees into confidence. He said that detail studies would be conducted to know what kind of restructuring and reforms were required in the state.

Meanwhile, the board has initiated the process for selecting consultants to conduct various studies. The finding of the studies will decide the model to be adopted for the reorganisation of the board. Some states have carved out three or four independent corporations from their respective boards to look after the generation, distribution and transmission of power. Which may not be feasible in a small state like Himachal. The thinking is that the only two corporations — one for generation and the other for transmission and distribution should be set up.

The reform and restructuring of the board is being supported by the power finance corporation which has agreed to provide funds for carrying studies. Simultaneously the government has also decided to prepare a power systems master plan to take care of the infrastructural required for transmission and distribution of electricity in the state.

Will Sukh Ram relent?
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 1 — Mr Sukh Ram, the HVC supremo, seems to be in no mood to relent on the issue of expulsion of Mr Mohinder Singh, the PWD Minister, from the party, even as Mr R.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, appealed to the warring leaders to sink their differences and unite.

In sharp contrast to the stand of Mr Mohinder Singh, the expelled minister who responded positively to the appeal and stated that he was willing to settle matters to forge unity in the party, Mr Sukh Ram said it was “too late” for Mr Dhumal to intervene. He said things would not have come to such a pass had the Chief Minister stopped Mr Mohinder Singh from holding a rally on March 1, misusing the government machinery. He said even if he agreed to take back the expelled leader, there was no guarantee that he would not indulge in divisive policies and split the party.

By suspending Mr Mohinder Singh he only wanted to give a “shock treatment” to the minister so that he mended his ways, however, the BJP leadership encouraged him to revolt. Finally, when Mr Mohinder Singh announced formation of a new party even as the state executive of the party was deliberating what action be taken against him, he was left with no option but to expel him.

Further, Mr Dhumal sent a wrong message by not stripping Mr Mohinder Singh of the Public Works portfolio regarding which he himself had complaints against the minister. Not only that he downgraded the stature of the long HVC minister, Mr R.L. Markanda, by giving him a less important portfolio.

Mr Sukh Ram reiterated that he would not do anything to destabilise the coalition government but meet the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr L.K. Advani and other senior BJP leaders to apprise them of the political developments in the state.

Mr Mohinder Singh, however, said he was prepared to do anything to unite the party. Unlike Mr Sukh Ram, he had not demanded that Mr Markanda should be dropped. He maintained that party split due to adamant attitude of Mr Sukh Ram.

Mr Dhumal wondered how could he drop a minister who was unconditionally supporting the government. He said since both factions of the HVC had extended support it would be in fitness of things that the two estranged leaders patched up their differences and united the party.

The Chief Minister, who played safe by not touching the major portfolios of his ministers during the recent reshuffle, indicated that one or two chairpersons of various boards and corporations may be shown the door. The chairpersons had also tendered their resignations along with ministers to give a free hand to Mr Dhumal in reconstitution of his ministry. Besides, a number of them were likely to be shifted to ensure better coordination with the concerned minister.

Those in the firing line included Mr Chaman Lal Gachli, a senior HVC leader and presently the Vice-Chairman of State Scheduled Cast and Scheduled Tribe Corporation. He had been openly criticising the government and creating problems for the Chief Minister.

Lecture on mentally retarded kids
From Our Correspondent

UNA, May 1 — Prem Ashram, a home for mentally retarded children, run by the local Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary organised a two-day lecture which concluded here yesterday evening. Mr K.N.Ojha, officer-in-charge of the National Institute of Mentally Retarded and Handicap Regional Centre, New Delhi, delivered a lecture on Mental Retardation: nature, needs, assessment and management. It was attended by 30 parents of children of Prem Ashram and sisters working there.

Mr Ojha said that it was neither a disease, nor a medical problem but was based on psychological and social problem. He added that there was considerable ignorance among the people about it. If parents, teachers and professionals entrusted with the care of the mentally retarded children share their responsibility they could play an important role in overall development of these children.

He said that several non-official studies suggest that India now has about six to nine million mentally retarded children and 21 million adults.

Mr Ojha told the parents that a mentally retarded child could be encouraged to play and talk with normal children. They could even be sent to school along with other children and with the training he or she could participate at least partially if not completely in all activities.

May Day turns protest day
From Our Correspondent

PARWANOO, May 1 — Various workers’ unions of this industrial town celebrated the May Day here today. The workers held demonstrations and gate meetings in front of factories. A rally was also taken out here which ended at the Labour Office. Union leaders said the government was drafting policies which were unjustified and anti-workers.

They said the recent hike in kerosene oil and LPG was a clear indication of the unjustified policies of the government. One of them said the recent hike in power tariff by the Himachal Pradesh government had hit the common people hard. Leaders of the CITU-affiliated unions also gave a call for a nationwide strike May 11 in support of their demands. The demands include amendments in labour laws, linking minimum wages with the price index, resuming operations in the closed industrial units and revamping sick units.

An end to the entry of multinational companies especially in the small-scale sector was also sought.

Calcutta school wins debate contest
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 1 — St James School, Calcutta, won the three-day fifth Dr Samuel Slater annual debate contest which concluded at Bishop Cotton School here yesterday.

Spring Dales School, New Delhi, ended up as the runner-up at the competition held on league-cum-knockout basis, while Anirudh Sen of the St James School, Calcutta, was adjudged the best debater. Varun Gulati (Spring Dale School) and Sunarashi Sen (St James School) shared the prize for the second best debater.

Neha Sharma, who led the Spring Dale School, got the Cecil trophy for courage in the face of adversity.

Mr Hari Jaisingh, Editor of The Tribune, who was the chief guest at the concluding function, appreciated the high standards of debate and the confidence exuded by young boys and girls which, he said, was quite in contrast with the falling level of debate in Parliament. He felt reassured by their outstanding performance that the future of the country was bright.

There was no dearth of talent in the country as evident from the runaway success of Indians aboard. There was an urgent need to create an environment in the country in which talent and merit could flourish.

Mr Kabir Mustafi, Headmaster of the school, said in all 12 selected schools, including Doon School, Meo College and Scindia School, participated. As many as 19 topics were debated during the event.

Euphoria shoots video in Kasauli
From Our Correspondent

KASAULI May 1 — Euphoria group of dhoom fame is in the town to shoot for the title song phir dhoom. The video is produced by Watermark films. Director Amitabh Roy and his 60-odd crew comprising young boys and girls, had the locals dancing to the tune of phir dhoom.

The lead singer, Pallash, and the other group members, including Hitesh, DJ, Kenny, Chris and Gaurav all clad in white cotton kurtas and blue jeans enjoyed shooting in this quiet hill town.Pallash, a practising doctor of the University College of Medical Science in Delhi, is a staunch believer in destiny.

Talking about the tremendous success of his first two albums, he said failure and success should be humbly accepted as God’s will.Trying to balance music and medicine, the famed leader of the group hardly finds leisure time to invest elsewhere to the youngsters trying to make big in the world of music, he says, “Acquiring adequate education is a must.

It makes one a better human being, if not a greater human being.”The group expects to launch their third album by the year end. In the charming cool hills, the crew had a welcome respite from Delhi’s scorching heat. The beautiful locales of the town have caught the fancy of the group.

INTUC flays hike in power tariff
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 1 — The state unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has criticised the recent hike in power tariff in Himachal Pradesh and demanded revision of daily wage from Rs 51 to Rs 100.

Ms Kanta Sood, President of the INTUC, urge Mr Dhumal to spare the poor who were not in a position to bear it. She also criticised the Central Government for increasing the prices of cooking gas, kerosene and essential commodities and demanded a review of the decision.

Zila Parishad resents govt apathy
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, May 1 — The Zila Parishad at its meeting held in the Panchayat Bhavan yesterday expressed its anguish over the “evasive attitude” of the state government in the speedy implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act.

Mr D.D. Thakur, Chairman, Zila Parishad, told mediapersons today that even the decision of the Cabinet meeting held on October 27, 1999, in which it was decided that schools, health sub-centres, anganbaris, hand-pumps and public taps would be set up with the concurrence of Panchayats and no other authority, had not been implemented at all.

He said Sections 184 and 185 of the Panchayati Raj Act pertaining to the preparation of the micro-plans and their implementation were being flouted by the bureaucracy.

Mr Thakur said members were bitter about the attitude of the MLAs/MPs and ministers who seldom attended the parishad meetings despite advance notice to them.