 |
| Monday, September 25, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
|
Kisan Passbooks for all by 2001 Technical education given priority in
HP Claims of 200 Pong Dam oustees
rejected Drought affects Bharmour
areas Disabled jawans honoured Kinnaur apples get transport subsidy |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Policy change to hit eco-balance Parivar to unite BJP
factions Virbhadra to fight poll ‘farce’ 600 dead phones restored in Bhuntar Relief work
reviewed Minor encroachments
to be regularised Irrigation schemes to be revived Varsity teachers threaten
stir Shops to chemists on
contract opposed Forced to walk to work Power cuts irk residents Thakur supports
nomination move HP Cong leader warns
Hanumantha Rao I.C. Gupta is JD (S) chief
|
|
Kisan Passbooks for all by 2001 KULU, Sept 24 — Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said here today that the distribution of Kisan Passbooks and implementation of amended revenue laws was a step towards providing a transparent, responsive and efficient revenue administration to the people. Distributing Kisan Passbooks to farmers of the district on the conclusion of his two-week-long tour of the state in this respect, Prof Dhumal said that Kisan Passbooks, which carried full revenue records, had been accorded legal status to save farmers from any inconvenience. Amended revenue laws would ensure cheap and speedy justice to them. He said the government would not hesitate to make further amendments in the interest of farmers. The Chief Minister said all 12.97 lakh rights holders in the state would get Kisan Passbooks by March 31, 2001, and the campaign to distribute these would be launched at the sub-divisional and block level. He praised the employees of the Revenue Department and said the government would reward those employees who did outstanding work in the respect of distribution of Kisan Passbooks. The Chief Minister ridiculed those making irresponsible statements in this respect and described them as “anti-farmers”. He urged the farmers not to be misguided by vicious propaganda by such vested interests. Prof Dhumal said to ensure the betterment of the people living in rural areas, his government had given more powers to Panchayati Raj institutions during the past two years. He said in future beneficiaries under the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and the Social Security Pension would be selected by gram panchayats at gram sabhas so that benefits of these programmes percolated down only to the needy and deserving. Reiterating his government’s resolve to provide better healthcare facilities to the people at their doorstep, the CM cautioned them against the vicious propaganda against the setting up of societies for the IGMC Hospital, Shimla, and regional hospital in all districts. He said this was needed to ensure better management of hospitals by involving the people’s representatives and experts in the field. The Chief Minister said the pace of development in the state had been accelerated with special attention to areas which had remained neglected so far. The construction of Rohtang tunnel under Rohtang Pass announced by the Prime Minister during his visit to the area would provide a link to the people of Lahaul valley to the outside world throughout the year. Referring to the development of Kulu district, Prof Dhumal said that Rs 11.87 crore had been sanctioned under NABARD for construction of roads in the district as against Rs 5.05 crore sanctioned by the Congress Government. He said Rs 34.87 crore had been spent on construction of roads in the district during the past two years. The Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for construction of Kulu-Smalang road in Lug valley. Dr Rajan Sushant, Minister of State for Revenue, who presided, spelt out the benefits of the amendments made in the Revenue Act. Dr Sushant said the clearance of revenue had been made time-bound to save the people from inconvenience. |
|
|
Technical education given priority in
HP SHIMLA, Sept 24 — Top priority is being accorded to development of technical education in Himachal Pradesh for which a “100-day action plan” has been prepared. According to an official spokesman, the plan envisages opening of new institutes in industrial states and private sector investment in technical education. World Bank schemes have been prepared under the vocational training programme for development of ITIs. The new policy on technical education lays greater stress on the strengthening infrastructure, opening of new courses and new institutions in the new emerging areas of technology, education, entrepreneurship development and strengthening of libraries and learning resources. Keeping in view the national education policy, top priority is being given in the state for the development of technical education. A sum of Rs 1057 lakh has been allocated for its development during 2000-2001. In the Eighth five year plan, Junior Technical School, Kangra, was upgraded to the level of a polytechnic. In addition to this, some faculty members from various polytechnics were deputed abroad for learning about new technologies in the field of education, resulting in marked improvement in the standard of education. A World Bank-assisted project has been launched to upgrade the standard of technical education in the state. Under this project, computer centres have been established in all polytechnics. In addition to implementing various schemes on technical education, funds are being provided for salaries of the staff, office expenses, motor vehicles and construction of infrastructural facilities such as buildings and labs etc. Total cost of this project has been approved at Rs 45 crore out of which 80 per cent expenditure shall be borne by the Centre. Directorate General of Employment and training, Ministry of Labour, Government of India, has approved a World Bank-Aided skill development project to be implemented in the state at a cost of Rs 8.13 crore as a 50:50 sharing Centrally-Sponsored scheme. This project envisages modernisation of audio visual aid in ITIs, provision of introduction of skill developments of self employment and introduction of new trades in ITIs. Under the innovative scheme of community polytechnic government Polytechnic Rohroo, Kandaghat (women) and Kangra were identified as community polytechnics to act as focal points to solve the technological problems of rural masses and also to promote appropriate technology to rural community. This has also helped to rural students in getting technical education at their own living places. A new
scholarship scheme has also been introduced to ensure that students of the poor families are not deprived of getting quality technical education. Stipend is being given to students belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe and also to eligible students of general categories. All girl trainees have been exempted from paying tuition fee. In addition to this, poor students are also given loans to buy books. To make available skilled craftsmen in different skills as per the demand of industry, a craftsmen training scheme has also been started to impart vocational training through the ITIs in the state. At present one regional engineering college, six polytechnics and 34 ITIs, including 16 ITIs for women, are providing job-oriented professional training to the students. In addition to this, the government during the current year itself, has opened eight new ITIs and one polytechnic is being opened in near future. Besides, the state government has set up a driving, training and heavy machinery drivers training school of its own kind at Amb in Una district. With a view to harness the advantage in the field of information science technology and generation of employment opportunities at local level, the state government has decided to establish a software technology park at Shimla at an estimated cost of Rs 5.80 crore. The government is also planning to formulate a state policy on internal revenue generation (IRG), under which, additional resources are to be mobilised to share the cost of institutional management in an innovative manner. Stress has also been laid on the involvement of voluntary agencies and private sector participation in the opening and conduct of technical education institutions. |
|
Claims of 200 Pong Dam oustees
rejected NURPUR, Sept 24 — The functioning of the Deputy Commissioner, Relief and Rehabilitation, Pong Dam Oustees (PDO), came under criticism when he led a group of 1,332 PDO families to Bikaner in Rajasthan for handing over possession of allotment of land on September 20 and 21 but had to return empty handed. Intriguingly, these 1,332 hapless PDO families were among 16,100 families found eligible for land allotment in 1973 as per the Pong Dam construction agreement between the H.P. Government and Government of India. Unfortunately, the woes of PDOs have become a poll gimmick. Their rehabilitation had become a nightmare due to the apathy of the Rajasthan Government. The Prem Kumar Dhumal government after coming into power had shown its seriousness in solving the three-decade-long problem. The Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister, Mr Rajan Sushant, during their visits in Kangra district had called upon the PDOs to visit Bikaner in Rajasthan on September 20 and 21 and get possession of land allotment certificates. The Deputy Commissioner (R&R) reportedly held a meeting of the PDOs at Labh in Jawali subdivision and chalked out a strategy for visiting Bikaner. Each PDO deposited Rs 1200 for the same. The PDOs were astonished when the authorities at Bikaner refused to render any possession or allotment certificates under the pretext that files pertaining to the allotment were yet not complete. According to information, the D.C. (R&R) and the PDSAC members accompanying them managed to get a list of 948 PDOs released but they were not given any allotment certificates. They found that over 200 claims had been rejected on technical grounds. However, Mr B.S. Pagrotra, a member of the PDSAC, claimed that the visit to Bikaner had been successful as 948 PDOs had been shortlisted for allotment of land in Rajasthan. He claimed the PDOs would soon get allotment certificates from the Rajasthan authorities. |
|
Drought affects Bharmour
areas CHAMBA, Sept 24 — as many as 13 gram panchayats in Bharmour tribal subdivision in the district have been hit by a recent drought, particularly the tribal regions, as there has been no rain for the past two months. As a result maize crop has been damaged and the prospects for growing seasonal vegetables have been marred. According to a survey of the areas Khani, Garima, Siur, Saihu, Ulansa, Garola, Chanauta, Tiari, Holi, Nayagram, Deol, Durgathi and Bajol panchayats have been affected. Residents of these panchayats have demanded the state government to provide relief. They also demanded their area be declared a drought-hit region. Also, health centres in Quarshi are functioning without any staff. No wonder then that three persons died of diarrhoea here last year but the government has reportedly paid no heed to the agony of tribals. |
|
Disabled jawans honoured SOLAN, Sept 24 — As many as 44 battle-disabled soldiers and kin of soldiers killed in action were honoured at a ceremony organised here today. All those honoured
belonged to the Punjab Regiment and are residents of Himachal Pradesh. Cheques for Rs 1 lakh each were presented to nine battle-disabled soldiers. The recipients included Nk Dan Chand and Sepoy Pyare Lal (both from 9 Punjab), Sepoy Mohan Singh, Sepoy Khushi Ram, Sepoy Salig Ram and Sepoy Dharam Pal (all four from 13 Punjab), Sepoy Kishan Singh (1 Punjab), Sepoy Dharam Pal (7 Punjab) and Sepoy Sita Ram (19 Punjab). Besides, 35 next of kin of battle casualties were given financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each. Among them there were widows of three gallantry award winners — Mrs Kanta Kumari (W/o Sepoy Vijay Singh Chandel of 20 Punjab), Mrs Soma Devi (W/o Sub P.C. Sharma of 23 Punjab) and Mrs Hakmi Devi (W/o Hav Himmat Singh of 22 Punjab). While Hav Himmat Singh and Sepoy Chandel had been decorated with the Sena Medal, Subedar Sharma had been awarded the Shaurya Chakra. The Minister of Health and Family Affairs, Himachal Pradesh, Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda, emphasised that the nation should not forget its soldiers after wars are over. He claimed that the welfare package designed by the Himachal Pradesh Government for martyrs after the Kargil conflict was the best in the country and all state governments had adopted its guidelines. The Colonel of the Regiment, Maj-Gen S.K. Awasthy, said that this was the fifth such ceremony organised by the Punjab Regiment this year to honour its war veterans and war widows. He said that a sum of Rs 2.48 crore from the Army Central Welfare Fund and the National Defence Fund had been disbursed among 401 beneficiaries hailing from the Punjab Regiment. On January 17 and 18, a rally was organised at Jalandhar, where Rs 88.25 lakh were disbursed among 177 beneficiaries, while 141 beneficiaries received an assistance of Rs 70.50 lakh at Pathankot on March 26. Maj-General Awasthy added that similar functions were also organised at Fazilka, Kapurthala and Delhi. The others present on the occasion were the Commandant of the Punjab Regimental Centre, Brig R.N. Sharma, former GOC-in-C, Southern Command, Lt-Gen R.S. Dayal (retd), and Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (retd). Both Lt-Gen Dayal and Brig Chandpuri are recipients of the Maha Vir Charka, the former in the battle for Haji Pir Pass and the latter in the battle of Laungewala. Officers from 21 Punjab, the battalion responsible for organising the ceremony, estimated that over 500 ex-servicemen from various parts of Himachal Pradesh and invited guests attended the function. |
|
Kinnaur apples get transport subsidy SHIMLA, Sept 24 — The state government has made elaborate arrangements to transport apples from the flood-ravaged areas of Kinnaur. The road link to Kinnaur was snapped in the floods. According to official estimates, the total production of apples in the district is expected to be about 12 lakh boxes (nearly 22,000 tonnes) this season. Steps have been taken to market apple produce. Supply of the packing cases and cartons in sufficient quantities and at reasonable prices to the growers in Kinnaur has also been ensured. To offset the increased cost of transportation resulting from damage to the roads due to recent floods, the government has decided to provide subsidy both for the transport of packaging material and for the transport of apple boxes to be exported out of the district. Subsidy on packing material is also being given for the transportation of material both via Kunzam and Wangtoo. The transport subsidy via Kunzam ranges from Rs 7 to Rs 10 per wooden box and Rs 2.50 to Rs 4 per telescopic carton. Via Wangtoo, it ranges from Rs 7 to Rs 20 per wooden box and Rs 3 to Rs 10 per telescopic carton. In case of packing material transported via Kunzam, additional subsidy is being given for carriage of packing material by head load or mules up to different focal points ranging from Rs 3.50 to Rs 8.50 per wooden box and Rs 1.50 to Rs 3.50 per telescopic carton. Besides, Rs 16 to Rs 28.50 per bundle of 100 apple trays is being provided. The government is also providing transport subsidy on the import of wooden boxes from outside the state at the rate of Rs 1.00 per standard box or Rs 1000 per truck load which is in addition to the special carriage subsidy. Financial assistance on the cost of cartons at the rate of Rs 10 per telescopic carton, subject to a maximum of Rs 12,000 per orchardist, is also available to the farmers. Till date, 3.74 lakh telescopic cartons, 81,085 wooden boxes and 19,676 bundles of 100 apple trays each have been supplied to the growers. The transport subsidy on export of apple via Kunzam ranges from Rs 49 to Rs 83 per standard box, depending upon the distance. Whereas for export of apples via Wangtoo, local transport subsidy to the tune of Rs 50 to Rs 140 per apple box is being given to the growers. The market intervention scheme for apples in Kinnaur district is being implemented for both
process able as well as “A” quality apples. For this, 28 apple collection centres have been opened in the district. The processing grade apples are being procured for Rs 3.75 per kg and the “A” grade apples for Rs 10 per kg. So far, 324 tonnes of processable apple and 12 tonnes of “A” grade apple have been procured. More than 1.05 lakh apple boxes have been exported from Kinnaur and nearly 7,500 apple bags from the area below
Wangtoo. |
|
|
Policy change to hit eco-balance PALAMPUR: The recent decision of the Himachal Pradesh Government to impose a drastic cut on the plan outlay for sapling plantation during the current financial year has attracted widespread criticism, particularly from
environmentalists, as it will have long-term adverse effects. In June the government had reduced the plantation target for the state. For Kangra, the largest district in the state, the government had fixed a target of only 300 hectares as against 2,500 hectares in the previous year. Similar is the situation in other districts. Saplings have begun to pile up at various Forest Department nurseries. Senior officers of the department and others are worried over the change in the forest policy. A senior forest officer says it is for the first time in 15 years that the target has been slashed. Major rivers originate in this region and its forestation is of prime importance. In the past two decades the state has been ruthlessly stripped of its forest cover. According to the forest policy, emphasis should be laid on the protection, conservation and plantation of forests. Keeping in view the low survival rate of saplings in the state, it was decided to bring more areas under forest cover and impose a ban on “green fellings.” At present the total area under forests, according to the records of the Forest Department, is 37,591 sq km. Of this, only 11,780 sq km is reported to be actually under forest cover. Way back in 1952, the forest policy had stipulated bringing 33 per cent of the state’s area under forest cover. But in 2000, the picture is quite dismal. Instead of bringing more areas under forests, the state has lost rich green forest cover in Shimla, Kulu, Sirmaur and Mandi districts. The state’s Forest Department is top heavy. In the past 10 years more posts of Conservator and Chief Conservator have been created. The number of posts of divisional forest officer has also gone up. However, it is unfortunate that the department has badly failed to protect the forest wealth. Hundreds of cases of illicit felling have been reported from various parts of the state. Shimla district is the worst affected where illicit felling and
smuggling of timber have become lucrative for antisocial elements. After the setting up of major cement plants and power projects, the state has been further stripped of its protective vegetative cover, resulting in flash floods year after year in which life and property have been lost. Last year the state government had permitted Ambuja Cement to axe 10,000 trees in the Darlaghat area. Likewise, the authorities of the Nathpa-Jhakri and Parbati projects are being allowed to cut thousands of trees. Even reserve forests have been opened for the setting up of power projects in Kulu district. A survey conducted by a government agency revealed that in the mid-Himalayan belt, the forest area was originally estimated at one-third of the total area. This has now been reduced to mere 6 per cent to 8 per cent. |
|
Parivar to unite BJP
factions SHIMLA, Sept 24 — Perturbed over the reports of dissidence in the state BJP, the Sangh Parivar has taken an initiative to iron out the differences between the warring factions. The top leaders of the Sangh Parivar have discussed the issue and spoken to the senior leaders of the BJP. A high-level meeting has been convened here on October 1 to resolve to differences in the party which have come out into the open in the past few months. Besides, Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, the State Party Chief, senior functionaries of the RSS will be present at the meeting. The Sangh Parivar feels concerned as the elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies are round the corner. These developments can undermine seriously the electoral prospects of the party, they feel. There has been considerable uneasiness within the party about the recent happenings which could have serious implications for the stability of coalition government. Workers want the issues facing the party resolved at the earliest. Recurring reports in the media about the ongoing factional fight they feel, are tarnishing the image of the party and sending wrong signals to the people. The dissidents have been to Delhi to apprise the new leadership, after the change of guard at the national level, of the political situation in the state and their grievances. They have sought the intervention of Mr Bangaru Laxman, the party chief, for resolving the crisis in the state unit. The partymen, who have been disgusted with the policy of drift being followed by the leadership so far, are pinning hopes on the initiative taken by the Sangh Parivar. They also want the party to evolve some internal mechanism to redress grievances of any faction or individual leader within the party. Meanwhile, the party leaders, including Mr Kishan Kapoor, Mr Hari Narain Singh, Mr Ramesh Dhwala, all ministers, and some legislators, have returned from Delhi after meeting Mr Bangaru Laxman, the party President, Mr L.K. Advani, the Union Home Minister, Mr Pramod Mahajan, the Union Minister for Information and Technology and some other central leaders. Their main grouse was that no follow up action had been taken by the state leadership to redress their grievances. DHARAMSALA: Supporters of Himachal Transport Minister, Kishan Kapoor, today retaliated against party leaders, who had complained against him to Chief Minister, P.K. Dhumal, by demanding their expulsion from the party. The Dharamsala BJP block meeting, which was convened basically to target those who were opposing the Transport Minister, was attended by about 500 party workers from all over the constituency. The controversy was sparked off, when a few leaders, who are opposed to Mr Kapoor, met the Chief Minister, Mr Dhumal, during his recent visit to Kangra, to register their protest against the functioning and behaviour of the transport minister. These ministers along with other MLAs belonging to the Shanta camp, have yet to respond to the notice issued to them by the state BJP president, Mr Jai Kishan Sharma, for not attending the dinner hosted by him, at Shimla. |
|
|
Virbhadra to fight poll ‘farce’ SHIMLA, Sept 24 —Mr Virbhadra Singh, Leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) today declared that he would continue his fight against “bunglings” in the ongoing party organisational poll and said the “false” report being spread that he was out to “split” the party was part of a conspiracy by his detractors to mislead the high command and defame him. Addressing a press conference here, he said he would not accept the “farce” being enacted in the name of organisational poll in certain constituencies. He said grievances of party members had been brought to the notice of the central election authority headed by Mr R.N. Mirdha and Mrs Sonia Gandhi, party President. However, he did not rule out the possibility of his contesting the election of the PCC chief in case there was no consensus. He said he stood by the “one man, one post” principle and would quit the leadership of the CLP if elected party President. There were many complaints of rigging and in some cases the election was not held at all. There were instances when Returning Officers had not reached the venue and had prepared the list of elected persons somewhere else, he said. He asked Mr Hanumant Rao, head of the three-member state election authority, to come to Shimla and dispose of all appeals pertaining to irregularities to the satisfaction of the aggrieved parties. |
|
|
600 dead phones restored in Bhuntar KULU, Sept 24 — The Department of Telecommunication could restore about 600 telephones till on Friday in Bhuntar and adjoining areas out of the total 2,500 telephones that went dead last Saturday. Manual joining of the burnt cables had delayed the process as the Department of Telecommunication here did not have the “pair jointing machine”. Six cables with 400 pairs each, were damaged in a fire caused due to the burning of garbage above the cables about 20 feet from the telephone exchange-cum-SDO office at Bhuntar. However, the weather office, the airport, the NHPC offices and all airlines offices at Bhuntar are still without “live” telephones. The sources revealed that the Kulu Telecom District comprising two revenue districts of Kulu and Lahaul Spiti is having only one “cable jointer” The authorities could not managed to have additional staff even for emergencies like the one at Bhuntar. |
|
|
Relief work
reviewed SHIMLA, Sept 24 — A high-level meeting of officers was held at Rekong Peo, the headquarters of Kinnaur district, to review the progress of relief and restoration work in flood-hit areas. Mr S.K. Sud, Finance Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the PWD, who presided over the meeting, said the state government was making efforts to complete the restoration work without waiting for assistance from the Centre. He said the construction of a bridge over the Yula nullah between Urni and Roghi on the Hindustan-Tibet road would be completed in a couple of days, besides restoration of traffic between Akpa and Khab. The state government had helped the Border Road Organisation for speedy reconstruction of damaged roads in the areas. Mr S.S. Parmar, Financial Commissioner, Horticulture, said that 28 procurement centres had been set up under the market intervention scheme and 324 metric tonnes of processable apple and 12 metric tonnes of “A” grade apple had been purchased. He said government had also opened four procurement centres at Rekong Peo, Tapari, Sangla and Pooh to facilitate procurement of apple from local growers and for on-the-spot payments
|
|
|
Minor encroachments
to be regularised MANDI, Sept 24 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal announced here yesterday that all the 12,97,567 right-holders of land would be provided newly introduced Kisan pass-books by March 31, 2001. Speaking at a special function to distribute Kisan pass-books here Mr Dhumal said the revolutionary changes in the age-old Land Revenue Act had been effected with the view to mitigating the hardships of the farmers who were subjected to making rounds of the revenue officials right. The recent amendments were carried out in the
paramount interest of the farmers and save them from exploitation by vested interests. The new system had brought about both transparency and simplicity in solving the revenue matters. He said Congress leaders were spreding canards with regard to the proposed stringent measures to be adopted against large scale encroachments on government land and the poor were being instigated that their cow-sheds and huts would be bulldozed. He assured the poor that minor encroachments by them would be regularised and no cow-shed or hut would be demolished. He, however, warned the influential people that hundreds of bighas of government land grabbed by them shall be vacated with an iron hand. Earlier, talking to mediapersons at the local Circuit House the Chief Minister said an ambitious plan had been drawn up to promote tourism in Himachal Pradesh in a big way. The Chief Minister said a new experiment was being conducted in the state for the first time to make the Shimla-Kangra National Highway-88 with concrete bitumen had not proved much successful due to heavy rains. The Chief Minister inaugurated second block of the mini-secretariat of Deputy Commissioner and also laid the foundation stone of Gandhi Chowk Parking Place. |
|
Irrigation schemes to be revived JAWALAMUKHI, Sept 24 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to formulate a plan to undertake scientific exploration of water for drinking and irrigation purposes. The Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Mr Ramesh Choudhary, told media persons here today that irrigation schemes which had become defunct would be made functional. The project would utilise all available water resources for extending irrigation facilities to farmers in middle and lower hills, he said. The minister said he proposed to institute inquiries against officers responsible for mishandling water schemes. He said the formulation of a new action plan would involve farmers, who would be imparted training on the scientific irrigation methods. The concept of roof-top water harvesting and the use of perennial water sources would also be promoted, he said. Mr Choudhary said the handpumps scheme, which had helped the state government in meeting water scarcity, would be launched on war a footing. The government would conduct a survey of villages prone to acute water shortage during the summer to install handpumps on a priority basis, he added. He said the government was inviting short-term tenders for the supply of new rigs and installing handpumps. Some private parties would also be entrusted with the job, he added. Mr Choudhary said he would also emphasise the training of technical staff of his department. He said the government was planning to reopen the controversial pipes purchase scandal during the previous Congress regime. The government would hold an inquiry into the matter, he added. |
|
Varsity teachers threaten
stir SOLAN, Sept 24 — The teachers’ association of Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, near here, has threatened
to launch a stir if its demand for the release of salary arrears is not met. The association president, Dr S.K. Sharma and general secretary Dr S.K. Thakur, in a press note issued here, said the salary arrears which were due following the revision of UGC pay scales in 1996 had not been paid to Parmar University teachers whereas teachers in Himachal Pradesh University had received the arrears long time ago. The association leaders claimed that repeated requests made to the authorities had proved futile. They further claimed that the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, had promised to release the arrears during his visit to the university on the occasion of the kisan mela on January 9. The leaders alleged that in spite of repeated assurances, the teachers did not get their dues. At a meeting held on September 19 the association decided to boycott university functions and examinations beginning from October 3. It has been learnt that out of the total arrears of around Rs 6 crore, a sum of Rs 5 crore has been received by the university from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research while the state government is yet to pay the balance amount to the university. |
|
|
Shops to chemists on
contract opposed SHIMLA, Sept 24 — The local Chemists and Druggists Association has opposed the state Civil Supplies Corporation’s practice of giving chemist shops on contract to pharmacists and urged the government not to allow the corporation to open any retail shop in hospitals. A deputation of the association, led by Mr Sanjiv Pandit, president, met Mr Narinder Bragta, Horticulture Minister, and urged him to make the system for allotment of shops more transparent so that unemployed pharmacists could get opportunity to compete for the same. It alleged that there appeared to be a nexus between officials of the corporation and some
pharmacists as a result of which the latter had been employed for years. It also alleged that outlets of the corporation were being used to sell substandard medicines purchased privately and profits were not being passed on to the corporation. There were also complaints that regular cash memos were not being issued to customers and patients were made to pay bills on the basis of verbal calculations, the deputation alleged. |
|
|
Forced to walk to work SHIMLA, Sept 24 — Resentment prevails among commuters, particularly students and teachers, over the irregular and inadequate bus service on the Banutti-Pahl route in Ghannati. Hundreds of commuters have to walk long distances to reach their places of work due to the erratic bus service. Not a single bus has plied on the route in the past fortnight. The local people and some teachers were allegedly insulted by the Regional Transport Officer when they went to his office
to complaint against the non-plying of buses. The officers, they alleged, even misbehaved with a head teacher. In a representation to the Transport Minister, they have condemned the act of the officer and demanded action against him. |
|
Power cuts irk residents SUNDERNAGAR, Sept 24 — Residents of the town and its adjoining villages have been receiving erratic power supply for the past one month. Power cuts are also inconveniencing residents of Sadar, Karsog and Gohar subdivisions. The cuts are allegedly being imposed without any prior notification and only in villages, while municipal areas are getting a regular supply of electricity. Villagers have alleged that the cuts are due to mismanagement of power distribution. The authorities have said the power supply in rural areas is erratic as two out-dated transformers which were burnt recently were no properly repaired.
|
|
|
Thakur supports
nomination move SHIMLA, Sept 24 — Mrs Viplove Thakur, General Secretary of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCO), has supported the idea mooted by certain party workers that Mrs Sonia Gandhi, All-India Congress Committee President, should be authorised to nominate the state party chief. Mrs Thakur complained the three-member pradesh election authority, headed by Mr Hanumantha Rao, for conducting a fair and impartial poll. She said there were only a few complaints and party workers were by and large satisfied with the manner in which the poll had been conducted. Meanwhile, the state unit of the BJP has criticised the proposed move of the Congress to get the state party President nominated by the party high command. |
|
|
HP Cong leader warns
Hanumantha Rao KULU, Sept 24 — “The irresponsible statements uttered by Mr Hanumantha Rao, Chairman of the Pradesh Election Authority, for conducting the Congress party organisational elections in Himachal Pradesh will make a vertical division in the party”, Ms Anita Verma, a former Parliamentary Secretary and district election officer for the party elections, said here yesterday while talking to mediapersons. She alleged that large scale rigging had taken place at the instance of Mr Hanumantha Rao. She accused Mr Rao for hatching a conspiracy to let down Mr Virbhadra Singh. She further said Mr Virbhadra Singh was a leader of the masses and Mr Rao would have to face more situations like that of Mandi where he had been mobbed by Congress workers. Ms Verma said the Congress workers and leaders should follow an example of this district where the party elections were held in congenial atmosphere. She warned Mr Rao not to make any personal remarks against any leader of the state and asked him to remain within limits. |
|
I.C. Gupta is JD (S) chief SHIMLA, Sept 24 — Mr I.C. Gupta was elected president of the Himachal unit of the Janata Dal (S). The party elections were held here yesterday. Mr Sant Ram Chauhan and Mrs Nalini Sharma were elected as vice-presidents. Mr K.L. Thakur, Mr R.K. Verma and Mr M.R. Azta were elected general secretaries. Mr Ranjit Singh, former MP, was appointed as coordinator. Mr Ashok Azad was elected president of the Yuva Janata Dal. |
 |
| 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 | |
