H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Kol dam notwithstanding , this is the plight of the people of Barmana in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh for whom carrying water from tankers to their distant houses is an everyday occupation. — Tribune photo by Karam Singh

Dhumal clears air on financial crisis
JAWALAMUKHI, June 6 — The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, has denied rumours that the state is reeling under an acute financial crisis. Talking to this correspondent, Mr Dhumal said the state’s financial problems started in 1989 when the then Congress government misrepresented the case of the state before the Ninth Finance Commission by providing wrong facts and figures. 

8 killed in HP bus accident
SHIMLA, June 6 — Eight persons were killed and 30 others were injured when an HRTC bus plunged into Chuling nullah near Udaipur in the tribal Lahaul valley in Himachal today.

Recycled polythene bags back in use
SHIMLA, June 6 — The hill slopes here as well as in other tourist destinations of Himachal are littered with polythene bags even as the state celebrates World Environment day.

2 youths die in road mishap
DHARAMSALA, June 6 — Two persons were killed and two others seriously injured when a Maruti van in which they were travelling rolled down a khud near Jia, close to Chamunda, yesterday night.

Ban on quarrying demanded
CHAMBA, June 6 — Lt-Col Ravi Vaid (retd), an environmentalist of Chamba, has alleged that politicians are in league with the environment mafia involved in disturbing the ecology of the Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh.

Dhumal clears air on financial crisis
From Our Correspondent

JAWALAMUKHI, June 6 — The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, has denied rumours that the state is reeling under an acute financial crisis.

Talking to this correspondent, Mr Dhumal said the state’s financial problems started in 1989 when the then Congress government misrepresented the case of the state before the Ninth Finance Commission by providing wrong facts and figures. Earlier, the state enjoyed the special category status and the gap in plan expenditure used to be filled by central subsidies.

Mr Dhumal while rejecting criticism of his government regarding the financial situation of the state said Congress leaders were shedding crocodile tears to win over the people of the state. “In spite of financial constraints we have not allowed the process of development to slow down. If we had more resources, the development would have been faster and widespread”, he said.

Mr Dhumal said his government gave an interest of Rs 870 crore this year on the loan raised during the Congress rule. He accused the previous Congress government of discrimination in the distribution of health institutions in the state and favouring its supporters at the cost of the needy.

He pointed out that there were about 3,800 health institutions in the state even though many panchayats did not have a single one. The BJP government is determined to ensure a balanced development of the state for which numerous schemes had been initiated aiming at the creation of infrastructure for a sound economic base, he said. Mr Dhumal said in a short span of time the government had succeeded in getting a financial package from the Union Government and had launched many schemes to ensure the socio-economic upliftment of the people.

Tourism was an important source of income for the state, he said, adding that his government had initiated numerous schemes for the development of tourism aiming at the creation of infrastructure in remote and tribal areas. Mr Dhumal said the government was negotiating with the Minister of Railways for a direct train from Mumbai to Kalka as well as to run a few more trains on the Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge. Negotiations were also on with the Aviation Ministry for providing subsidised air services to the hill state in order to encourage tourism.

In reply to a question, Mr Dhumal said there was no dissidence in the party in Himachal Pradesh. He said this had been demonstrated by their successive electoral victories since March, 1997.

The Chief Minister said his government was trying its best to solve various disputes with the neighbouring states. A breakthrough had already been achieved in this regard and the Punjab Government had agreed to provide jobs to one member each of 500 families of the oustees of the Thein Dam Project.

Punjab had also agreed to pay a compensation of Rs 66.61 crore for private and government land acquired for the dam. It had also agreed to release 25 cusecs of water to Himachal from the Anandpur hydel channel for which an agreement was signed in 1983 and which would irrigate 2,516 hectares, he added.

8 killed in HP bus accident

SHIMLA, June 6 (PTI) — Eight persons were killed and 30 others were injured when an HRTC bus plunged into Chuling nullah near Udaipur in the tribal Lahaul valley in Himachal today.

The ill-fated bus (HP-34-6379) carrying about 40 persons was on its way from Udaipur to Keylong, police sources said.

The injured have been admitted to a hospital at Udaipur and the condition of 10 of them is stated to be critical.

The Governor, Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri and the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, have expressed deep shock over the tragedy and conveyed their sympathies to the bereaved families.

Recycled polythene bags back in use
From S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 6 — The hill slopes here as well as in other tourist destinations of Himachal are littered with polythene bags even as the state celebrates World Environment day.

The environment is getting polluted with recycled polythene bags scattered everywhere despite a ban having been imposed on such bags last year. The ban, which came into force with effect from January 1,1999, was being observed more in defiance.

Even though the authorities initially took action against the erring shopkeepers the previous practice of using recycled bags had resurfaced. Some businessmen, who had reverted to paper bags, have also switched back to polythene bags for packing their products.

The ban was imposed with a view to making the state completely free of recycled polythene bags which are not only hazardous for health but also a major source of environment pollution.

Although various voluntary organisations have from time to time cleared the hill slopes of polythene bags but this has not solved the problem.

Many nullahs and drains in the towns get choked due to these polythene bags. Coloured polythene bags also appear like scars on the lush-green hills around the town.

Traders were, however, free to use transparent and thick polythene bags which were not made out of recycled material. Some traders were taking the advantage of the concession by using semi-transparent bags which were also banned under the Himachal Pradesh Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act.

These bags have become a virtual nuisance in the towns of Solan, Nahan, Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, Manali and various other places.

The Rohtang Pass (13,700ft) is badly polluted because of polythene bags which tourists throw there after use. In the winters, these bags get buried under snow and re-appear again in the summer when the snow melts.

A workshop was recently organised to educate Deputy Commissioners and local body officials about the new Act. The Act provides that a person violating the ban will be slapped a fine of Rs 50 at the first instance and thereafter Rs 100 for each offence. The Act also provides for one month imprisonment, besides a fine of Rs 500 or both.

World Environment Day was observed here on Monday with a procession of school children carrying placards against the use of polythene bags and for protection of environment.

2 youths die in road mishap
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 6 — Two persons were killed and two others seriously injured when a Maruti van in which they were travelling rolled down a khud near Jia, close to Chamunda, yesterday night.

According to the police, Raj Kumar (24) and Sanjeev (23) died on the spot while the injured were taken to a Palampur hospital. They have been referred to Dharamsala Zonal Hospital.

The van was on its way from Jia to Gopalpur when the accident occurred.

In another incident, a foreman, Onkar Chand (52), working in the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board at Jwalamukhi, shot himself dead.

The police said the deceased belonged to Shahpur and shot himself in the neck. A note was found in his pocket which stated that nobody should be held responsible for his death.

Ban on quarrying demanded
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, June 6 — Lt-Col Ravi Vaid (retd), an environmentalist of Chamba, has alleged that politicians are in league with the environment mafia involved in disturbing the ecology of the Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh.

In representations made to the Union Government to mark the Environment Week, Col. Vaid has sought a ban on sand, gravel quarrying by project construction companies on the banks of the Ravi. He has sought an open debate on ways to conserve environment in this alpine region. He charged the construction companies with destroying hills by extracting mineral resources and creating deep cavities in the river-bed. He urged the government to take suitable steps in this connection.

Yogi’s case : all 4 granted bail
From Our Legal Correspondent

SHIMLA, June 6 — All four accused who were arrested in connection with the disappearance of Dr Dev Yogi were released on bail by the District and Sessions Judge, Mr Surjeet Singh, here today.

Counsel for the petitioner pleaded that they were innocent and now that Dr Dev Yogi has already appeared before the police, there was no justification of keeping the petitioner in police custody.

Meanwhile, Dr Dev Yogi has been remanded in police custody till June 9 by the Judicial Magistrate.

KULU

ARRESTED: Yotaka Kouchi, a Japanese, was arrested at Dhoonkhra village on Monday and 550 gm of Hashish (Charas) seized from him. The foreigner had been staying illegally in India. A case has been registered against him under the NDPS Act and the Foreigners Act.