Party being hijacked: Butail
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Oct 15 — Raising serious objections over the manner in which the party elections were held in Kangra district, the outgoing District Congress Committee (DCC) President, Mr B.B.L Butail, said the party was being” hijacked by a handful of leaders who had no mass base”.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said he was not opposed to the newly elected Kangra DCC President, Mr M.R. Goma, but to the unfair manner in which the elections were conducted.

“Four senior leaders from the district decided among themselves as to who was to be the next DCC President and the decision was made in the absence of the District Returning Officer without consulting the elected delegates,” he alleged.

Mr Butail said the elections were a mere farce.“All this is sending a very bad signal to the people and party workers are disillusioned that some leaders are misusing the name of AICC President Sonia Gandhi and other central leaders,” Mr Butail stated.

He clarified that he was not against Mrs Sonia Gandhi as she was the leader of the party. “I am from a traditional Congress family and there is no question of my being opposed to her leadership, though such an impression is being created by some,” he said. He made it clear that he did not aspire for a big party post and would support Mr Goma.

Drinking water for all HP habitats
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Oct 15 — The government has decided to provide drinking water to all 18637 uncovered and partially covered habitats during the next few years in the state.

According to an official spokesman, the main thrust of the government is to first provide drinking water supply to the not covered habitats. About 8947 habitats in the partially covered category and 3750 habitats in the uncovered sector will be provided drinking water in the next few days.

About 2300 habitats will be provided potable water at a cost of Rs 94 crore during the current year.

The spokesman said that it had also been decided to provide sewerage in all 55 towns in the state. Bilaspur, Rekong Peo and Rohru had been provided sewerage and Manali would be covered during the current year.

As most of the villages had been provided potable water, the focus now would be on the leftout habitats. Of a total of 45367 habitats as per an estimate, 26730 are fully covered habitats.

Priority was also being given for the repair, maintenance and upgradation of the natural water sources. The installation of handpumps had been geared up and 670 of them were installed during 1998-99, 1019 in 1999-2000 and 690 were proposed to be installed during the current financial year in different parts of the state.

Emphasis was being laid on rehabilitation and augmentation of the old water supply schemes. The water supply scheme at Arki, Daulatpur and Hamirpur towns had been augmented and the ones in Kulu, Manali, Kotkhai and Jogindernagar would now be undertaken.

Cooperatives’ work dismal, admits minister
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Oct 15 — The Himachal Pradesh Minister for Cooperatives, Mr Rikhi Ram Kaundal, admitted here on Friday that people no more reposed faith in cooperative societies because of their dismal performance.

Talking to mediapersons, he suggested that the societies should not indulge in political affairs. He said only those persons who had faith in the cooperative movement should join the societies.

The minister warned that the societies incurring losses would be merged with other societies.

He regretted that the Mandi Multi-purpose Cooperative Society had been collecting share money over the past 13 years, but had done nothing worthwhile so far. He said the society had 4,300 share holders and the share capital had gone up to Rs 95 lakh. The society had planned to set up an oxygen plant by next year.

Mr Kaundal disclosed that a Rs 15-crore ICDP project had been forwarded to the Centre for its approval. The project envisages to build a network of godowns in the district.

Move to sell STDC units opposed
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Oct 15 — Mr Gopal Das Verma, a senior employee leader, has opposed the government move to sell some units of the state Tourism Development Corporation to the private sector.

Condemning the move, Mr Verma said the corporation had invited offers from the private sector for disposing of its six profit-making hotels and restaurants. He said the employees would not allow the government to go ahead with the proposal. It was strange that the corporation was retaining loss-incurring units, he said.

Mr Verma blamed Mr Ganga Singh, president of the state Non-Gazetted Services Federation, for the “anti-employees” decisions of the government.

Taking research from lab to field
From Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Oct 15 — Boosting indigenous research and its largescale commercial application is the only way to face the challenge of globalisation, says Mr S.B. Krishnan, Secretary of the National Technology Development Board.

With a large network of universities, research institutions and laboratories along with a huge pool of scientific manpower, India has a vast potential for developing new technology. However, indigenous technology has not been put to commercial use due to a gap between research institutions and industry with institutions functioning in isolation and never trying to reach out the industry. This was the main reason why the country looked to importing technology he told The Tribune during an interview.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) had been set up to provide funds to industrial concerns for the development and commercialisation of indigenous technology and adapting imported technology to wider domestic application. It was also functioning as an agency to facilitate interaction between industry and research institution.

During the past three years the board had given financial assistance to 74 projects involving an expenditure of Rs 901 crore. The total amount sanctioned was Rs 333 crore of which Rs 188 crore had been released. Some of the projects promoted by it proved a big success.

Indigenous technology can work wonders as is evident from the successful development of Hepatitis-B vaccine. The Board had provided financial assistance to two Hyderabad-based companies, Shanta Biotech and Bharat biotech for developing the vaccine. The indigenous vaccine cost about Rs 140 per dose against Rs 600 for the imported one. The success of the indigenous effort forced the multinational company to slash its price.

The endeavour of the board, Mr Krishnan said, had been to identify gaps in technology and provide all possible assistance to industry to bridge it. Recently, it funded a project for manufacture of special cables using irradiation technology. These cables, which are mostly used in rail engines, are very thin and fire resistant. Similarly a telemedicine project had been funded in Vijaywada.

The board had also been giving financial assistance to scientists and others with innovative ideas to venture into industry. The focus was on technology-driven projects. The board provides 50 per cent of the total cost of projects at an interest rate of six per cent.

Industry was increasingly realising the need for boosting the indigenous research effort and some companies like Ranbaxy, Dabur, and Eicher have set up very good research and development units. Indigenous technology was essential to enable small and medium industrial units which account for 95 per cent of total industrial units 40 per cent of total industrial production and 80 per cent of industrial employment to compete globally. He said so far the board had not got in opportunity to provide financial assistance to any project in Himachal Pradesh.

A dream-inspired temple
From Ambika Sharma

KASAULI: Commonly known as Thara ka Thakurdwara by the local people,this nearly 71-year-old temple near Dharampur needs to be preserved as part of the state's heritage.

Built by a local villager,Kanshi Ram,old timers say that a dream inspired him to construct it.Later, he delayed work on it after he dreamt that the completion of the temple would lead to his death.

Intricately carved stone and white marble idols adorn the temple.Small idols of various deities,including Rama and Krishna, on the four walls of the structure add to its splendour.The carvings of flowers and tendrils on the main door enhance the beauty of the temple.

The doors of the temple were specially transported by train from Rajasthan.The image of a railway engine also decorates the temple walls.The structure is supported by white marble pillars which have delicately carved patterns,adding to the grandeur.

Images of Gurkha soldiers in red mud can be seen on outer walls.It is believed that the artisans were influenced by Gurkha soldiers stationed in the adjoining cantonment town of Sabathu.Two lions cut in stone are placed at the doorstep of the building.

The main structure is surrounded by four dome-shaped smaller structures which speak of the typical temple architecture prevalent at that time.It is craftsmanship and architectural ingenuity at its best.

The temple compound,originally spread over 300-400 bighas,cries for maintenance.There is no proper access from the main road.The surrounding area has been used for the construction of houses by people,leaving little space for a passage.The number of visitors has declined considerably over the years,say residents of the area.

The temple,if it is completed,could match the best in the region,they say.Adequate care can go a long way in preserving this valuable part of the state's ancient heritage ,they add.

Infighting in BJP factions
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, Oct 15 — The infighting in the state unit of the BJP has come to the fore with the neglect of a local MLA Mr Rakesh Pathania, at two functions organised in his Assembly constituency by his opponents within the party. His name was missing from the invitation cards issued by the organisers. On September 10 the Revenue Department had organised kisan pass book distribution function at Rehan near here. The function was presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Mr Pathania was also not invited at a function organised by the RSS which conducted a three-day long sports tournament at Wazir Ram Singh Pathania Memorial. The torunament was inaugurated by Mr Rajan Sushant, State Revenue Minister, on Firday.

BJP executive meeting concludes
From Our Correspondent

UNA, Oct 15 — The two-day state-level BJP executive meeting concluded at Bharwai, 48 km from here, today. Besides the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Mr K.L. Vaid, Minister for Industries, Mr Vidya Sagar, Agriculture Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, Mr Praveen Sharma, Minister of State for Excise and Taxation, Mr Jai Kishan, MLA and state BJP chief, Mr Suresh Chandel, MP, 80 state executive members participated. Mr Dhumal asked the members to highlight the government’s achievements in front of the masses and work hard for the ensuing panchayat elections. He denied any rift in the BJP and said some vested interests were spreading rumours in this regard.