H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Development not hit by fund paucity: CM
HAMIRPUR, June 17 —The Himachal Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, yesterday claimed that the fiscal health of the state was good and all development activities were going on. He said the government was doing its best to accelerate the pace of development despite the fact that it was short of funds. The government was resorting to austerity measures and thus sparing more funds for the development.

J&K youths losing interest in militancy
DHARAMSALA, June 17 — Killing of top militant leaders and the disinterest being shown by the local Kashmiri youth in militant activities in the valley could help reduce terrorist pressure in the Chamba areas bordering the militancy-affected state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Non-Himachalis being given jobs: HPCC
DHARAMSALA, June 17 — A former minister and vice-president of the HPCC, Mr Vijay Singh Mankotia, today charged the Dhumal government of opening the doors of the state for jobs to outsiders, ignoring the talent and qualification of Himachalis.

Himachal to set up institute of IT
SHIMLA, June 17 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, has said that Himachal Pradesh Government will set up an institute of Information Technology on the pattern of Andhra Pradesh industry — government partnership — he said that the government proposed to set up this institute in collaboration with M/s Jaiprakash Group of Companies.

Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass a distant dream
PARWANOO June 17 — The much-needed bypass on the National Highway No. 22 near the towns of Pinjore, Kalka, and Parwanoo, appears to be a distant dream even though the survey has been completed in this connection. The need of the bypass has become urgent due to the growing traffic between Parwanoo and Pinjore and the rise in number of accidents taking place on the highway between these towns.

• Kaza-Samdoo road reopens

Development not hit by fund paucity: CM
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, June 17 —The Himachal Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, yesterday claimed that the fiscal health of the state was good and all development activities were going on. He said the government was doing its best to accelerate the pace of development despite the fact that it was short of funds. The government was resorting to austerity measures and thus sparing more funds for the development.

He said the previous Congress party had done nothing for the people. He said during his recent visit to Dodra-Kwar area of the state, he found that development there was erratic and nothing had been done by the previous rules for the people. He said former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had been representing this area in the state assembly since long.

He came down heavily on Congress leaders for criticising the working of his government. This propaganda of the Congress party about ill development was contrary to facts.

Addressing a rural gathering at Swahal village, 4 km from here, the Chief Minister criticised former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh about the functioning of the HP Subordinate Service Selection Board. He said this board was formed to help the people of the state especially those living in remote areas. He denied charges of discrimination in matters of granting of jobs to the youth. He claimed that only deserving persons were given jobs through the board and its criticism was unfounded.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Jamli-Bhalera drinking water supply scheme costing Rs 17.60 lakh. It will help people of the Swahal gram panchayat of the district. He also inaugurated the building of Government Middle School, Swahal, in Bamsan Assembly segment.

The Chief Minister lauded the role of jawans of the state for guarding borders of the nation with Pakistan and other neighbouring countries. India was proud of bravery and all- out efforts would be made to rehabilitate the families of the martyrs. He said it was wrong to say that the state government was misusing Kargil funds. He said reports to this effect were to defame the government in the eyes of the public. He asked the Congress leader, Major Vijai Singh Mankotia, who is the President of the HP Ex-Servicemen League to tell how much money the league, had given to the families of the Kargil martyrs.

The Chief Minister announced on the occasion that free power would be made available to the people of the state once the target of harnessing 10,000 MW of power was achieved by year 2010. He said the government was doing its best to make Himachal Pradesh a model state in the field of electricity.

Mr Baldev Sharma, MLA and District President of the BJP, also addressed the meeting. Senior district level officers and BJP leaders were present.

J&K youths losing interest in militancy
From Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 17 — Killing of top militant leaders and the disinterest being shown by the local Kashmiri youth in militant activities in the valley could help reduce terrorist pressure in the Chamba areas bordering the militancy-affected state of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to information received by the Jammu and Kashmir police, the various militant outfits are facing difficulty in recruitment as Kashmiri youths are shunning violence and keeping away from such activities. Though a large number of foreign mercenaries have been inducted by militant outfits, the presence of local youths is a must to make them effective.

It was during the inter-state coordination committee meeting held here yesterday that the Jammu and Kashmir police officials informed that some dreaded foreign mercenaries heading militant outfits had been killed in encounters during the past few days. Prominent among those killed are Lashker-e-Toiba commander Abu Sharka, alias Dr Jaffar. Hailing from Pakistan, he was killed with his accomplice in the Sanbai area of Jammu and Kashmir. Another militant leader recently killed was Riaz, belonging to Luang in Pakistan. He was the Section commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Though these foreign mercenaries are dreaded militants, the absence of local contacts and help and unfamiliarity with the local language is posing a big problem and making them less effective.

The DIG, Mr I.D. Bhandari, said that with the movement of militants being noticed by the security forces in the Nagnidhar and Kol Jugasar areas of Jammu and Kashmir, close to the Himachal Pradesh border, the police of both states, along with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will soon conduct a joint operation. This is being done more to provide adequate and foolproof security to the pilgrims coming for the Manimahesh Yatra to Chamba from the Bhaderwah area of Jammu and Kashmir. The police and security forces on both sides of the border have been on an alert since the killing of a village defence committee (VDC) member and two other persons by the Hizbul Mujahideen in Kol Jugasar area of Jammu and Kashmir.

The border posts which had moved down due to heavy snow and inclement weather during winter have been moved up to their original locations in the Chamba areas, bordering Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Bhandari said that the Jammu and Kashmir police had been asked to try and plug the Pangi-Kishtwar-Doda Road (Chenab valley road) as labourers and mule contractors cross over to Himachal Pradesh from here in large numbers. “Though logistically, this is very difficult for the Jammu and Kashmir authorities as this road is in the far interior of the state, but it can be helpful for Himachal if there is proper checking here”, said Mr Bhandari.

Unable to keep a proper check on the Kashmiri youths entering Himachal, particularly Chamba, the police of both states has decided that in case of any suspicious element in the age group of 15-30, the person’s photograph along with information will be sent to the Jammu and Kashmir police for verification. At present there is no single authority issuing identity cards to these Kahsmiri youth, who are coming to Himachal in search of work.

The Jammu and Kashmir police had also been asked to look into reports that the Gujjars on their side were being exploited at gun point by militants. The Himachal police has also requested its Jammu and Kashmir not to allow Bakarwals from their side to cross over to the Pangi area of Chamba for grazing their cattle. Reports of Bakarwals visiting the higher reaches of Pangi, where the Chamba Gujjars are not being allowed access for the past two years, had led to apprehensions in the minds of Gujjars that their grazing areas may be taken over by the Bakarwals.

Non-Himachalis being given jobs: HPCC
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 17 — A former minister and vice-president of the HPCC, Mr Vijay Singh Mankotia, today charged the Dhumal government of opening the doors of the state for jobs to outsiders, ignoring the talent and qualification of Himachalis.

Addressing a press conference here, he said despite ample available talent in the state, non-Himachalis were being given jobs of doctors, teachers and in other fields. “This is being done by the Dhumal government for various considerations, including exchange of underhand money and priority to people from a particular area of Punjab,” he alleged.

He added that the selection of non-Himachalis in government jobs had created a lot of resentment amongst the people of the state as the interests of Himachal were not being protected. He said top government posts in various institutions were being given to people who were close to BJP leaders and hailing from outside the state.

Demanding a high-level probe into plundering of government wealth through alleged monthly collections being made in the Exercise and Health departments, he demanded that the facts be placed before the public. He further alleged that a big racket in the purchase of sub-standard medicines was going on in the Civil Supplies Corporation. “It is a pity that they are playing with the lives of the poor people as procurement of medicines with no efficacy is being done.” he alleged.

Mr Mankotia alleged that homeopathic medicines were being prescribed by allopathic doctors in government health institutions to promote a pharmaceutical firm owned by a top BJP leader. He further alleged that sub-standard machinery and equipment was being bought for Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College at Tanda as commissions were being charged. On the other hand, technicians and para-medical staff required to operate these machines were not available in the health institutions, he added.

Mr Mankotia said there were allegations that during the Khuki Adalat held by the Excise Department here, offers had been made to defaulter excise contractors that their arrears could be waived off or reduced if they made liberal contributions to the ruling party funds. He demanded that the government should reveal how much recovery of government money had been made during this adalat.

Mr Mankotia demanded that the Chief Minister ask all his party colleagues, including the HVC leaders, to declare and make public their assets, movable and immovable, as there were allegations that they had accumulated assets not proportionate to their known sources of income. This should apply to the families and relatives of ministers of the Dhumal government, he added.

Himachal to set up institute of IT
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 17 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, has said that Himachal Pradesh Government will set up an institute of Information Technology on the pattern of Andhra Pradesh industry — government partnership — he said that the government proposed to set up this institute in collaboration with M/s Jaiprakash Group of Companies.

The Chief Minister said that the Jaiprakash Group has sought technical expertise of the University of California at Berkeley (UCB), one of the world’s two top universities in the field of Information Technology, and experts from the university had detailed discussion with him regarding setting up of the institute.

Mr Dhumal said that Himachal Government would provide land and other clearances, Jaiprakash Industries Ltd. will build, manage and run the institute, which would be developed as a State-of-Art-Centre of Excellence. The Himachal government would then apply for and get deemed university status for the institute from the University Grants Commission to give it the autonomy imperative for such an institute of higher education.

Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass a distant dream
From M.M. Bhandari

PARWANOO June 17 — The much-needed bypass on the National Highway No. 22 near the towns of Pinjore, Kalka, and Parwanoo, appears to be a distant dream even though the survey has been completed in this connection. The need of the bypass has become urgent due to the growing traffic between Parwanoo and Pinjore and the rise in number of accidents taking place on the highway between these towns.

The Public Works Departments (B&R), Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, have proposed that the bypass will take off 55 km from the highway. The feasibility study for the project is near completion, sources said.

The highway passes through Pinjore and Kalka in Haryana and Parwanoo, Solan and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.

According to officials, besides industrial activities, specially marketing and distribution of apples and other fruits, the road also caters to the tourist traffic to Himachal Pradesh which coincides with the peak fruit season. The heavy machinery movement to the hydel projects in Himachal Pradesh through this national highway has also resulted in increasing traffic. Moreover, it becomes very difficult for the traffic from the Shimla and Chandigarh sides to pass on through Pinjore and Kalka.

The 1 km stretch of the road which passes through Kalka is also encroached by the rehris, fruit and vegetable sellers. The congestion, delays, traffic jams and increasing accidents cause huge economic and human losses.

The officials say that in order to relieve congestions on this section of the national highway and to ensure safe, efficient, economic and channelised flow of local as well as tourists traffic, the Union Ministry of Surface Transport proposed the construction of the integrated bypass.

The length of the bypass in the Haryana sector will be 5.6 km up to Tipra village where the Himachal Pradesh sector begins. The HP sector joins the existing highway at 69.62 km. The length of the bypass in HP sector will be 8.73 km

When this correspondent talked to the various sections of the people of these towns regarding the problems being faced while driving on this stretch of the road, one of the daily commuters from Chandigarh to Parwanoo said that it had become very difficult to reach in time to the work place due to the frequent traffic jams on the way. Mr Neeraj Mohindru, a resident of Kalka, said the bypass is the need of the hour.

Rs 80 lakh sought for repair works
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, June 17 — At an emergency meeting today the municipal committee Mandi Nagar Parishad urged the government for the immediate release of Rs 80 lakh to carry out repair and restoration work in the own. A cloud burst had spelt disaster in a radius of 5 km in and around the town besides leaving two persons dead on the night of June 15.

Mr Pushp Raj Sharma, President Nagar Parishad, said torrential rain caused huge damage to property besides damaging roads, culverts and lanes. A large number of houses in the town had been damaged and retaining walls had collapsed. Rain water channel at various places diverted their course and water entered into residential colonies and debris had piled up several place in the town.

Mr Sharma said a sum of Rs 80 lakh was required to carry out repair and reconstruction of damaged streets, channels culverts.

He has also called upon the public representatives of the district to help in providing relief to the affected persons.

MC rejects water tariff hike move
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 17 — The proposal to increase the water tariff here has been rejected by the Congress-controlled Shimla Municipal Corporation.

The decision was taken at a meetings of the general house of the Municipal here yesterday.

The ticklish issue was put off at the last meeting when detailed proposal was sought on the matter. However, the councillors yesterday decided not to increase the water tariff.

On the other hand it is learnt that the Irrigation and Public Health Department (IPH) was considering to hike the water tariff throughout the state. The matter might be brought before the Cabinet.

The proposal of the Municipal Corporation to set up a entry tax barrier for vehicles coming here, has also not been accepted.

Kaza-Samdoo road reopens
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 17 — The Kaza-Samdoo road in the Spiti valley was reopened for vehicular traffic yesterday. It was earlier blocked on June 8 due to landslides.

This was informed by Mr L.R. Chauhan, Additional Deputy Commissioner, at Kaza today.