 |
| Tuesday,
July 25, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
|
BJP not in
haste to drop HVC Minister Amended
land Act from August 15 Spiti
gears up for Kalachakra Cong
decries cut on afforestation budget HP
to streamline health services Subathu
lacks medical facilities Vigil
along Chamba border raised |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Plan
to observe ‘Vijay Divas’ Parking
fee opposed Students
buried under hutment Nagni
fair begins
|
|
BJP
not in haste to drop HVC Minister SHIMLA, July 24 — The BJP high command seems to be in no mood to take any precipitate action on the demand for dropping Mr Mohinder Singh, Himachal Public Works Minister, from the Cabinet in view of the crucial role played by the Himachal Vikas Congress in the formation of the coalition in the wake of a hung Assembly. An indication to this effect was given by Mr Narinder Modi, All-India General Secretary of the party and in charge of Himachal affairs while talking to reporters here today. Evading a direct reply to the question whether the high command was considering the demand, he said the party felt that those who helped in the installation of a BJP-led government should not be left in the lurch, particularly, after gaining majority on its own in the House. He said the happenings in the HVC were an internal matter of the party and he would not interfere in it. However, the BJP would like Mr Sukh Ram, the party chief supremo and the expelled leader, Mr Mohinder Singh to sink differences and settle the issue amicably. He said he could only make an appeal to the leaders in this regard but could not play the role of a mediator. He had already conveyed his views to the two leaders and now it was for them to decide. Referring to the action initiated by the Maharashtra government against Mr Bal Thackeray, he said it was the result of personal animosity between Mr Chhagan Bhujbal the Deputy Chief Minister, and the Shiv Sena chief, which reflected the double standards of the Congress. He said there were about 20 cases against the Shahi Imam, Abdulla Bukhari, registered when the Congress was in power but not a single case was pursued where action had been initiated against Mr Thackeray after a gap of eight years. The standard plea was that it would create communal tension. Replying to a question he said the Centre had made all moves, including that of holding talks with the Hurriyat, in Jammu and Kashmir after taking Mr Farooq Abdullah into confidence. He said autonomy resolution was not accepted as it was not possible to restore the pre-1953 position. Mr Abdullah passed the resolution to divert attention from the failure of his government on all fronts, even during the last election he harped on autonomy but managed to secure only 5 per cent of votes in the valley. He could not convince his own partymen on the issue and had to issue a whip for passing the resolution. Regarding the resignation of
the Law Minister, Mr Ram Jethmalani, he said Prime Minister Atal
Behari Vajpayee, had upheld the dignity of judiciary and avoided an
unsavoury situation which could lead to a confrontation between the
two organs of the democracy. |
|
Amended
land Act from August 15 SHIMLA, July 24 — Revenue administration in the hill state will enter a new era with the enforcement of the amended land revenue Act from August 15. The government will also start distribution of kisan pass books on the same day. The outdated Act, which was amended on the recommendation of the high-powered committee set up to review the plethora of land laws, will pave they way for revenue courts to ensure expeditious disposal of disputes pertaining to ownership and possession of land and prompt rectification of faulty land record entries. Dr Rajan Sushant, Revenue Minister, said the civil courts would not have any jurisdiction in such matters and the financial commissioner would be the appellate authority for decisions given by the collector and thereafter the matter could be taken to the high court. He said government planned to evolve a specialised cadre right from the level of tehsildar to the collector to tone up the revenue administration. He said it had been noticed that the deputy commissioners, who had been burdened with multifarious duties neither had time nor experience to decide revenue cases. The government was considering appointing separate collectors for revenue administration and development. Inexperienced officers would not be made collectors anymore as the amended Act stipulated certain minimum experience for the post. Besides revenue training and passing of the prescribed examination, at least six months’ experience as assistant collector grade II would be essential for posting as assistant collector grade 1. Similarly, for the post of collector, a minimum of two year’s experience as assistant collector grade 1 would be essential. The amended Act also bestowed legal status on kisan pass books, in which the complete record of the ownership of land, its map, legal heirs, the market value of land, allotment of trees under timber distribution rules, would be entered. The land owner could instantly avail loan from banks on its basis. He would not have to produce any other document. In the first phase from August 15 to 31, about 50,000 farmers would be given the pass books. Settlement operation would be carried out by taking the villagers into confidence and final record would be published after settling all complaints. The land owners would be given copies of both the old and the new record so that he could compare the changes effected during the settlement. It would be mandatory for the tehsildars to visit the spot and hear all share holders before approving mutation of land. Besides, to expedite partition of property after the death of the owner the "khangi takseem" had been accorded legal status. A patwari would immediately record the "takseem" which would be duly certified by the tehsildar within three months. Other important features of the Act include reducing the discretion of revenue officials in demarcation and measurement of land from the present 1 m to 10 cm, provision of fine and imprisonment of one year for encroachers, empowering the government to formulate a policy for regularisation of encroachment to help the deserving poor and 20-fold enhancement of fine for shifting the boundary pillars demarcating the land. Since demolition of structures
raised on encroached land was not always feasible, the amended Act
provides, for automatic vesting of ownership of such structures in the
government. The same would be the fate of the orchards raised on
encroached land. |
|
Spiti
gears up for Kalachakra SHIMLA: The ancient Key monastery is being decked up for the first "Kalachakra" ceremony of the 21st century in which the Dalai Lama will deliver religious discourses. The 14-day "Kalachakra" begins on August 3 with the inauguration of the new prayer hall at the monastery by the Dalai Lama. Pilgrims from Sikkim, Bhutan, Ladakh. Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and various Tibetan settlements in the country are expected to participate in the ceremony. About 500 tents are being pitched by private tourist agencies for the pilgrims. Besides, there is provision for putting up 2000 tents in the Key maidan. Mr Subhash Negi, Commissioner cum Secretary, Tribal Development, said that arrangement for water supply and special bus services has been made. The roads have been metalled for the occasion. This is the 25th Kalachakra and the third in the Spiti area. The last ceremony was held at the historical Tabo monastery in 1996. He said that about 30,000 pilgrims were expected to participate in the ceremony. Most of the hotels, guest houses and private houses have been booked by the pilgrims in advance. Lots of bookings were being sought by foreigners. The Kalachakra empowerment programme includes sacred dance of consecration and two-day seminar on culture and language of Indian Himalayas: tradition and change, which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and blessed by the Dalai Lama. The Centre has relaxed the inner line restrictions for foreign tourists who will be allowed up to Key and Tabo via Manali without a permit. On the left bank of the river Spiti, the Key gompa is regarded as the largest in the sub-division. No definite date can be ascribed to the construction of the gompa that acted both as a monastery and as a fort. Some scholars believe it to have been built by Dromton (1008-64 AD). Key is the repository of rare "Thangka" paintings and several musical instruments. It is the largest Indian Buddhist monastic institution and most spectacular in the Indian Himalayas. The "Kalachakra" ceremony and ritual is regarded as an essential part of Vajrayana Buddhism. The "Kalachakara" or the wheel of time is regarded as the highest and most secret of the tantra yanas — disciplines — of Vajrayana Buddhism. This is a ritual of initiation,
purification and benediction. |
|
Cong
decries cut on afforestation budget SHIMLA, July 24 — The Congress party has criticised the BJP-HVC combine government for cutting the budgetary allocation for afforestation and has said this will have a serious fallout on the green cover. In a joint statement here today, Congress leaders, Mr Ram Lal Thakur, Mrs Asha Kumari and Mr Yogendra Chandra, said the decision to reduce the area to be covered under plantation from 10,000 hectares to 2500 hectares was a matter of serious concern. Labourers engaged by the Forest Department were being retrenched. A large number of them have completed the requisite period for regularisation. As per information at least 30 to 35 persons have been retrenched in every forest range. During the rainy season labourers used to get additional temporary employment. The area under forest cover
would shrink, which in any case far lower than the minimum requirement
for hill state like Himachal Pradesh. The HP Cabinet had approved a
plan for felling of green trees with silviculture marking in a great
hurry. Government has slashed the afforestation area for 2000-2001,
they alleged. |
|
HP
to streamline health services HAMIRPUR, July 24 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to streamline the health services in the state. Under the programme, the state government has already released Rs 50 crore to the Department of Health and Family Welfare for providing staff quarters and operation theatres. Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda, Health and Family Welfare Minister, said this here yesterday while inaugurating the annual general meeting of the HP Medical Officers Association. He said the state government had demanded Rs 250 crore from the world power project for providing the infrastructure in various health institutions. He said the government had also signed an MoU with some companies for setting up health centres at all district headquarters and important towns. Details were being worked out and would be announced soon. Mr Nadda said the government had decided to accord top priority to health services along with roads and education. He said the government was preparing standard guidelines for prescription to medical officers. These would be issued next month and the medical officers would have to act accordingly. He said the aim of the government was to provide standardized medicines to patients in order to save them from quacks. The minister asked the medical officers to work with dedication and improve their public relations. He said most of the patients were unhappy with the doctors though these doctors were performing their duties honestly. He said the government was also examining a proposal to construct toilets for the attendants of the patients at all hospitals. Talks with Sulabh International were going on in this regard and he was hopeful of a decision soon. He also announced that the
meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee would be held shortly
to give promotions to doctors and other staff members. |
|
Subathu
lacks medical facilities SUBATHU (Solan), July 24 — The bus accident at Haripur, a few km from here on Gumber Pul-Shimla highway, on July 16, in which seven persons were killed and 19 injured, has sparked off an agitation against lack of medical facilities in this cantonment area. Among the victims was three-year-old Himanshu and his mother who belonged to Subathu. Residents felt that the duo could have been saved had adequate facilities been available at the Cantonment Hospital, where the injured were brought for treatment. Residents after forming an 18-member Citizens Action Committee had started a chain hunger strike which entered its seventh day yesterday. The nine-bed cantonment hospital, run by the local Cantonment Board, has only one regular doctor, a pharmacist, a ward boy, a midwife and a nurse. The board has recently appointed a lady doctor on contract basis. Besides, Subathu’s own sizeable population of an estimated 10,000 people living in 20 adjoining panchayats are dependent on this hospital. Successive state governments had from time to time tried to secure some piece of land within the town for setting up a Primary Health Centre but failed due to Cantonment rules which barred transfer of land to civilians or civil authorities. Over 90 per cent of the 1,400 acres allotted to the cantonment hospital remain unutilised. Mr Rakesh Dhiman, SDM, who had rushed to Haripur along with other officials soon after receiving report of an accident, said the District Administration was sympathetic towards the medical needs of the Subathu people. He said that
the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sunjay Murthy, had instructed him to
explore the possibility of allotting suitable land for setting up a
health centre in the periphery of Subathu cantonment area. |
|
Vigil
along Chamba border raised DHARAMSALA, July 24 — With militants’ presence being ascertained in the 30 km "no man’s land", between the inhabited areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba, vigil has been stepped up by the police and intelligence agencies. It is the search party sent by the Himachal Police, to find out the whereabouts of the six persons taken hostages, by the J and K militants, after gunning down 35 persons on the night of August 2, 1998, which established this fact, on their return. This was the first sincere effort made by Himachal Police to find out the six hostages, who had been missing since the massacre at Kalaban and Satrundi, in the Tissa sector of Chamba district. After making an unsuccessful attempt, the two parties sent out by the police, returned with not much information. The first party, which went across the glacier, confirmed that the hostages were taken up to Chhotri village, which is situated at a distance of 25 km from the site of killing at Satrundi. This party was compelled to return as it was not possible to cross the 14,500 feet, Sarotri Pass. This is the place from where the militants had sent back the two Muslim hostages, whom they had also brought along after the killings at Kalaban and Satrundi. The party managed to find out from the local people that the six hostages from Chamba, were seen till village Dharat, in J and K. This point is almost at a distance of 50 km from Satrundi, where the carnage had taken place. It is learnt that the search parties after interacting with the locals in the J and K territory, were told that the uninhabited area, comprising dense forests, in the higher reaches, were infested with militants. There is hardly any habitation in this area making it an ideal place for taking refuge. When pressure is mounted by security forces inside J and K. Unconfirmed intelligence reports had even indicated the presence of these J and K militants in the higher reaches of Chamba area, just along the boundary between Himachal and J and K. There have been incidents when the locals too reported to the police the presence of outsiders in the area. However, it could not be confirmed whether the persons spotted by the locals were terrorists or others. The Superintendent of Police, Chamba, Mr R.M. Sharma, when contacted denied the presence of any militants in the Himachal territory. He said that the police was maintaining a vigil and no militant had been spotted in the Chamba area bordering J and K. With reports
that the ISI had recruited a large number of youth, many of them being
foreign mercenaries, the Himachal Police, is maintaining a constant
vigil, as these days the high mountain passes in the border areas
remain surmountable. |
|
Plan
to observe ‘Vijay Divas’ SHIMLA, July 24 — The state unit of the BJP has prepared a programme to observe July 26 as "Vijay Divas" to mark the completion of the Operation Vijay carried out by the Indian Army to throw out Pakistani intruders from the Indian territory. Reviewing the arrangements for celebrations here today Mr Jaikrishen Sharma, the party chief, asked partymen to ensure that an oil lamp (diya) was lighted in every house of the state in memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the Operation Vijay and that the celebrations were held right down to the panchayat level. He said the people should not forget the negative role of the Congress during the conflict which was quite in contrast with the overwhelming support given by the BJP as Opposition to the government during various wars. Mr Sharma also hailed the
decision of the government to celebrate the victory officially by
holding functions at all district headquarters. |
|
Parking
fee opposed SHIMLA, July 24 — The Sanjauli Beopar Mandal has opposed the decision of the local Municipal Corporation to charge a fee for parking vehicles between the Sanjauli and Lakkar Bazaar areas. It pointed out
that the corporation was charging Rs 300 per month per vehicles at its
authorised parkings where a chowkidar was on round-the-clock duty.
Imposing the fee on vehicles parked on roads was unjustified and
illogical. |
|
Students
buried under hutment DHARAMSALA, July 24 — Two students of Yol were killed when they got buried under a temporary hutment built in the Karleli forest for storing fodder last night. According to the police, the mishap took place when the temporary hutment collapsed following heavy rains. The deceased are Rajender (16),
a class X student, and Satish (20), a plus two student. |
|
Nagni
fair begins NURPUR, July 24 — The two-month long Nagni Mata fair started here today with great religious fervour. The fair is held every Saturday of "Savan" and "Bhadon" months. It is believed that the temple mud has curative value for snake bites. The Nagni fair is celebrated at
district level every year. Lakhs of pilgrims pay their obeisance at
the temple. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
