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| Tuesday, August 15, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Sack of Dhumal govt sought Desecration of
statue: Cong leader named Rs 1.58 cr distributed
as relief Hospital water system poor Villagers to barge into park today |
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Plan to improve vet services Himachal
scheme to encourage farmers Parishad
plea for grant of NPA Lawyers to hold
protest rallies Effigy of Pervez Musharraf burnt E-I classification’s
abolition sought Sat Mahajan’s voting
right upheld
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Hospital water system poor KULU: After a lull in the charas trade for a couple of years, it has once again picked up in this district. During the harvest season (August/September), many foreigners who are among those engaged in the trade become active. The police has failed to take effective steps to check the activities of the charas peddlers and traders. ««« The water supply system at the Zonal Hospital at the district headquarters is in bad shape. Indoor patients have to fetch water from a nearby hand-pump. The Irrigation and Public Health Department (IPH) has installed overhead tanks in the building which, however, leak. Sanitation, too, has been hit. The hospital authorities have been requesting the IPH authorities for the past many months to repair the tanks but to no avail. ««« In Kulu town The Mall, which links the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the SP’s office, the District Courts, the Zonal Hospital and the district mini secretariat, is need of repair. It has sunk at many points. Officials of the PWD, who are supposed to maintain the road, have done little to improve its condition over a long period of time. ««« The office premises of the Assistant Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, here lack essential facilities for those coming in connection with tax matters to the AET, ETOs and other officials. Shopkeepers, hoteliers, transporters and others from the business community are often seen sitting on benches meant for peons outside the offices. In the summer there are no fans in the verandah. Tax-payers have demanded better facilities for them on the premises. ««« Politicians have been promising the construction of the Kulu-Silbdhani-Bir road for the past 30 years. The latest to do this was the Public Works Minister of Himachal Pradesh, who made the promise at a public meeting. The road will be an important link between National Highways 20 and 21. It will also connect more than 20 villages of Kulu, Mandi and Kangra districts. The road will also be an alternative route to Pathankot. ««« Unhygienic conditions prevail in Inner Akhara Bazar, Ramshila, Dhalpur and Shashtri Nagar with many residents pumping out septic tank waste into municipal drains, particularly late in the evening. The pumps are fitted in the open without any fear of action by the administration. It is alleged that “money power” and political influence of the offenders are preventing the authorities from taking action. |
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Congress charges baseless: Dhiman HAMIRPUR, Aug 14 — The Himachal Pradesh Education Minister, Mr Ishwar Dass Dhiman, yesterday came out strongly against the Congress and its leaders for campaigning against the BJP government in the state on irrelevant issues. He said after having failed in its mission to get people’s sympathy, the Congress was now levelling baseless charges against the BJP and the government. At a press conference here, Mr Dhiman blasted, the Congress for launching an agitation on the desecration of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at Hamirpur. He said the agitation was uncalled for and launched only to tarnish the reputation of the BJP. The government was doing its best to apprehend the persons
responsible for the desecration of the statue, he said. He termed yesterday’s incident as unfortunate and undemocratic in which the Congress leaders and activists compelled the police to release Ashok Kavi, a Congress activist, who was being interrogated in this case. He said this proved that the Congress was not interested in solving the case. Mr Dhiman said the Congressmen had lost their mental balance and were now resorting to unfair means to remain in the public eye. He said the people of the state were fully aware of the design of the Congress. He said the state government would get the statue reconstructed by the local civil body. |
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Villagers to barge into park today KULU, Aug 14 — Enraged by the government decision of extinguishing the rights of people dependant on the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), in Kulu district the residents of the surrounding areas have decided to barge into the park for grazing their cattle and collecting herbs tomorrow. Resentment had been brewing up among the residents of the Seraj and Jiwa valley for the past quite some time over the decision to ban them from grazing cattle and collecting medicinal herbs in the park, their source of livelihood for many generations. In protest against this decision and denial of proper compensation to all the right holders, the residents have decided to flout the government orders. According to the park authorities a total of 16,000 families spread across 130 villages in the “buffer” zone outside the park, will be affected. The Director of the park, Mr Sanjeeva Pandey, said they were making efforts to provide alternatives to the people and an amount of Rs 70 lakh had already been distributed, while an additional amount of Rs 80 lakh was being awaited from the Centre. The right holders contest the claim. They said the list of right holders prepared on the basis of the Anderson Settlement Report of 1886 was wrong as only a few right holders had been included in the list. Over a period of time new right holders had emerged. “On the basis of the Anderson report very few people have been given compensation and that too a very small amount,” complained Mr Anuj Kumar, president of the local Naunda Jan Sangthan. He said since there had been no response to the representation given to the SDM, they have decided to enter the park area on August 15, a form of civil disobedience by the residents of Naunda, Sarsi, Tung, Mashyar, Shangad, Railla and Sanchar panchayats. “We will enter the park area with our flock, from the Gushiani side”, he said. According to sources in the Forest Department, the World Bank, too has refused to give extension to the Phase-II of the bio-diversity project because of the non-settlement of the compensation issue and the denotifying of the 10 square kilometre area of the park for the execution of the Parbati power project. The government had no reservation in denotifying the 10 square kilometre area of the park, but it was indifferent on the livelihood of the locals. There were about 45 species of herbs which the locals collect from March to September. Environmentalists contest that even after the ban, illegal picking of herbs was going on from the Jiwa Nullah side and sent across on mules to the Manikaran side. “If the locals are involved in everything and are not denied their rights, they are the best people who can conserve the area and even check timber smuggling,” says Mr Pradeep Chaudhary, who is supporting the cause of the locals. The Director of the park, Mr Pandey, said a list of 349 right holders had been prepared by the revenue authorities. The problem was from the people of the outer Seraj area as they never had the rights, but used the area. “Since 416.6 square kilometre of the area will remain open it will be enough to sustain the people,” he added. He stated that to provide alternative source of income, they were encouraging organic farming, handicrafts, marketing of local produce and growing medicinal herbs in areas outside the park. The locals find the proposition unviable. Medicinal herbs can survive only at a particulars height. They say that their rights should be restored otherwise they will launch an agitation. The district authorities and the forest officials blame each other which has further added to confusion. The Deputy Commissioner. Kulu, Mr Ashwani Kapoor, was not unavailable for comments, as he was on a visit to the Seraj area. |
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Plan to improve vet services SHIMLA, Aug 14 — The state government has drawn up a plan for integrated development of the animal husbandry sector through a number of schemes aimed at improving the veterinary services and availability of fodder. To provide better veterinary services all over the state, the government opened 200 veterinary institutions during 1998-99 and 100 during 1999-2000. At present, more than 2039 such institutions are providing veterinary aid to livestock owners. The main stress is on the upgradation of genetic stocks, improved feed, improved health services and building of market infrastructure for livestock products to ensure that primary producers get a remunerative price. The procurement price of milk has also been enhanced by Rs 2 per litre to benefit the farmers. To introduce high class germplasm, special emphasis is being laid on the development and expansion of artificial insemination network. Efforts are also afoot to improve and strengthen bull stations, frozen semen banks and artificial insemination centres with a view to producing disease-resistant and high-quality breeds of livestock. During 1998-99 and 1999-2000, 60 verterinary institutions were provided artificial insemination facilities. In
addition to this, 6.10 lakh animals were artificially inseminated during this period. The state government has initiated various fodder development programmes to benefit the farmers. They are also being provided high-yielding fodder seeds to ensure qualitative and quantitative improvement in fodder production. During the past two years, nearly 1000 quintals of fodder seeds were distributed to the farmers. These quality fodder grass seeds are being provided at 50 per cent cost to the farmers belonging to weaker sections and backward areas. Stress is also being laid on rabbit breeding for the purpose of wool, meat and for production. Himachal Pradesh has an ideal temperature, humidity and climatic conditions, thus the angora wool has promising prospects in the state. The government has started angora rabbit farms at Palampur in Kangra district and Nagwain in Mandi district by importing rabbits from Germany. To give a boost to milk producers, efforts are afoot to strengthen the cooperative activities apart from the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation. A special centrally sponsored scheme was launched in 1998-99 to organise and protect the interests of the milk producers of the state. |
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Sack of Dhumal govt sought PALAMPUR, Aug 14 — Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, a senior Congress leader and vice-president of the HPCC, today demanded that a Central team should be sent to Himachal Pradesh to review the law and order situation. Addressing reporters here today, he said there was a Bihar-like situation in the state and the common man was feeling insecure. There had been a sharp increase in cases of murder, rape and theft. He said anti-social elements were active in the state and the police was inefficient. In the past three days three persons had been killed at different places and the culprits were still at large. He demanded dismissal of the state government as it had lost its credibility. He said corruption in the state government was rampant. Though the Chief Minister was aware of the situation, he was helpless in initiating any action against the corrupt. Referring to development activities in the state, he said most of the departments like the PWD and the IPH had no funds to step up development works. Even the government had no funds to complete the ongoing projects launched during the Congress regime four years ago. Hundreds of PWD and IPH contractors had not been paid their bills for the past six months in the absence of funds. He alleged that the Chief Minister was adopting a pick-and-choose policy in sanctioning funds for development. He said the Congress would mobilise people on these issues and launch a statewide agitation. |
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Himachal scheme to
encourage farmers SHIMLA, Aug 14 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has formulated an award scheme to encourage farmers to adopt the latest farm technology. Stating this here today, Mr Vidya Sagar, Agriculture Minister, said that under the scheme the best farmers and officers of the Agriculture Department, who make outstanding contribution in dissemination of the latest knowhow would be given awards. The highest “Krishi Pandit” award carrying a cash prize of Rs 21,000 would be conferred on the best farmer of the state annually. Similarly, 72 best farmer awards, one for each development block, would be given after taking into account a host of factors like use of new technology and productivity. It will carry a cash reward of Rs 1,000 and a citation. The district with the highest yield would also be given a reward of Rs 10,000. The Agriculture Development Officer, who makes an outstanding contribution would also be given a reward of Rs 5,000. Besides, Agriculture Extension Officers, who give the performance in the dissemination of knowhow in each district, would be given a reward of Rs 1000 each. Mr Vidya Sagar expressed the hope that the scheme would go a long way in boosting agricultural production in the state. |
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Parishad plea for grant of NPA CHAMBA, Aug 14 — The Himachal Pradesh Ayurvedic Chikitsa Adhikari Parishad has urged the state government to concede its demand for the grant of non-practising allowance (NPA) to ayurvadic doctors. At a meeting of the district unit of the parishad held here today, Dr Ashok Chadha also announced his resignation from the post of state vice-president and demanded early election to the central body of the parishad. Dr Ashok Chadha who presided over the meeting said the term of the central body had already ended and the six-month extension period was not acceptable to the district units. |
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Lawyers to hold
protest rallies SHIMLA, Aug 14 — Members of the 34 bar councils in the state will hold rallies on August 16 protest against the amendment to the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act effected by the government recently. Mr Devendra Chauhan, president of the Shimla Bar Association, said that most of the amendments would hurt the interest of litigents who would be denied the opportunity to seek judicial remedy. The revisional powers of Commissioner had been given finality, taking away the legal remedy of further revision to the Financial Commissioner. Similarly, with the insertion of a “provision” in Section 45 of the principal Act the litigents would not be able to challenge the wrong entries in the record of rights which might have crept in due to a bona fide mistake or mala fide intention. The representatives of the bar would meet Mr P.K. Dhumal and urge him to restore the original Act. The future course of action would depend on his response, he said. |
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Effigy of Pervez Musharraf burnt HAMIRPUR, Aug, 14 — About 100 activists of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) here today burnt the effigy of Gen Pervez Musharraf outside the Mini Secretariat for proxy war against India. Earlier, the activists took out a procession through various parts of the town, raising slogans against the Pakistan and its leader. The ABVP activists at a rally blasted the Pakistani leader for sending its mercenaries to Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India. |
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Rs 1.58 cr distributed
as relief SHIMLA, Aug 14 — An amount of Rs 1.58 crore had been distributed as relief among flood-affected people in the Rampur area of Shimla, Kulu and Kinnaur districts. The Chief Secretary, Mr A.K. Goswami, while reviewing the progress of relief and restoration measures in the crisis management committee meeting here today, said that two rope bridges at Khab, Karcham and one each at Kharo, Purbani, Shongtong, Kaksthal, Kachrang, Gharsu, Khaneri, Junjun, Pandoa and Ramni had been installed. In all 15 such bridges had been made operational and work was on in 22 others. Karcham-Shongtong pedestrian path and Tinku Nullah mule path had also been completed. Besides 19 km long Urni-Roghi pedestrian and mule path had also been completed. The Luhri-Behna road was being made operational for light vehicles. The Luri-Suni road would be made operational for vehicular traffic in a day or so. However, the Jeori-Ghanvi road had been made fit for heavy vehicles up to the Ganvi power house. The Chief Secretary said that Wangtoo Tapri road was opened to vehicular traffic and another 2.5 was fit for mule path. Over 1800 quintals ration supplied to flood-affected area of Kinnaur district by 107 sorties of helicopters till today. Meanwhile, 12 sorties of helicopter airlifted 240 quintals of essential commodities to Rukling, Peo, Sangla and Ropa today. The state government would bear the transportation charges for carrying of produce near Wazir Bowli where the span was installed by a private party and concrete bridge was washed away during floods. Meanwhile, Mr Ashwani Kapoor, Deputy Commissioner, Kulu, has said that the Ani-Luri road had also been opened for light vehicles and efforts are being made to open it to heavy traffic also. Besides the SSB men, sufficient labour had been deployed to clear the debris at Jagatkhana and Brow. Adequate precaution had been taken to check the possibilities of outbreak of diseases in the flood-affected areas by the Health Department. |
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Desecration of
statue: Cong leader named HAMIRPUR, Aug 14 — The Hamirpur police is reported to have achieved a major breakthrough in the desecration of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi by naming a senior Congress leader, Prem Kaushal in this case. Mr Kaushal had contested the Mewa Assembly seat on the Congress ticket in last Assembly election. Mr K.C. Sadyal, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Northern Range, told reporters here this evening that Mr Kaushal had been named in the FIR registered with the Hamirpur police station under Section 295 and Section 3 of the Damage to the Public Property Act. He said Mr Kaushal could not be arrested as he had got an interim bail from a local court. The bail has been granted till August 17. However, Mr Kaushal will help the police in investigations, the police officer added. He said the Maruti car of the Congress leader bearing registration number of CHK-1364 had also been impounded. He said the case against Mr Kaushal was registered on the basis of recovery of a marble from his car. Resembled with that of the broken statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Meanwhile, Prem Kaushal told this reporter at the police station that he had been implicated into this case on political grounds. He said the police had planted some substance in his car and he had nothing to do with the desecration of the statue of
Bapu. |
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E-I classification’s
abolition sought KUMARHATTI, Aug 14 — The Uttariya Railway Mazdoor Union has demanded immediate abolition of E-I (essentially intermittent) classification of Railways employees and the calculation ceiling of Rs 2500 as payment of bonus under productivity linked bonus scheme. According to a press note issued here yesterday, Mr G.S. Rajput. president of the union, alleged that under this classification the gateman, points man, assistant station master, driver and other staff were forced to perform duties for 12 hours in a day and 72 hours in a week. This was in gross violation of the National Law and Practice which stated, “the hours of employment of a worker should not exceed more than eight hours in a day and 48 hours a week”. The union expressed apprehension that working more than the stipulated hours would not only risk the health condition of the railways employees but also endanger the lives of passengers as well. It urged the authorities to calculate the bonus on the actual wages rather than on fixed ceiling. |
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Sat Mahajan’s voting
right upheld NURPUR, Aug 14 — The local Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mr Vidhan Chand today rejected the objections of BJP activist Atul Sudan and upheld the voting rights of Mr Sat Mahajan, the PCC chief, and his family members in the electoral roll of Ward No. 2 of the Municipal Council. Following this decision, the supporters of Mr Mahajan heaved a sigh of relief. The revising authority had heard the arguments of both parties on August 12. The decision was delayed for over two hours as the opposition had submitted some documentary proofs before the SDM in his chamber. Mr Ved Pathania, block Congress President, and Mr R.S. Bakshi, the former MLA, said it was a victory of justice. |
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