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| Wednesday, October 25, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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DA slab released for HP
staff Don’t commercialise
media: Governor Italian envoy opens hospital
project A checkpost of
harassment MPs’ fund issue
generates heat Coop movement on last
legs |
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Kasauli Club:
Army holds AGM KASAULI, Oct 24 — The Army authorities regained their hold over the 120-year-old prestigious Kasauli Club by holding the AGM yesterday even as certain former executive committee members termed the elections as illegal. NGO jatha continues
awareness mission
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DA slab released for HP
staff SHIMLA, Oct 24 — As a Divali bonanza for the Himachal Government employees, the state Cabinet today released the instalment of additional dearness allowance which was due since July. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting which was presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal. According to an official spokesman, the employees will be entitled to 41 per cent DA with effect from July 1. It will be paid in cash from January 1, 2001 and the arrears up to December 31 will be credited to the GPF account of the employees. The Cabinet approved amendments in the HP Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, in order to make the panchayati raj institutions including gram sabhas more effective. The Cabinet approved creation of up-gram sabhas at the ward level to ensure better participation of residents in village affairs. The up-gram sabha shall send its recommendations to the main gram sabha. The Cabinet approved that at least four meetings of gram sabha will be held every year and also fixed the dates as first Sunday in every quarter. The existing provision is for two meetings. The provision regarding quorum will be changed to ensure better representation of families. The Cabinet also decided to give powers to gram panchayats to protect all public property in its area, including water supply schemes, public taps, road signs, mile stones, public buildings including school buildings. The panchayats will have powers to impose a fine of up to Rs 1,000 on any person who damages public property. In a major decision, the Cabinet decided to allow panchayats to borrow funds on its own without prior approval of the government for creating income generating assets. The Cabinet also decided to allow the panchayats to prepare plans at their level. The Cabinet has decided to constitute district planning committees in each of the 12 districts. In a major initiative, the Cabinet decided to finalise tea development policy for the state. The state government intends to shortly allocate land to established tea companies in the blocks of 200 hectares or more. The idea is to bring the best established players in tea cultivation to the state. The Cabinet has given green signal for appointment of alternative instructors for 75 schools, 25 each in Chamba, Sirmaur and Kulu districts. They will be paid an honorarium of Rs 800 per month and would be helpful in providing education to mobile type of population like Gujjars, Gaddis etc. The Cabinet also approved to increase seats from 60 to 100 in the dental college, Paonta, run by Dr Puran Chand Charitable Trust. The Cabinet approved opening of dress making trade in ITI Nehran Pukhar in Kangra district. The Cabinet decided to amend the recruitment and promotion rules of Homeopathy doctors to provide for 50 per cent batchwise recruitment and also to relax the upper age limit up to 48 years. The Cabinet also decided to fix uniform term of five years for managing committees of all cooperative societies in the state. The Cabinet decided to create 48 posts of school lecturers in various subjects for seven government senior secondary schools. It approved development plan for Una and Poanta areas. The Cabinet approved the interim development plan prepared for the Shimla Planning Area for adoption in the newly constituted special areas in Shoghi and Kufri. |
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Don’t commercialise
media: Governor SHIMLA, Oct 24 — The Himachal Governor, Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri, has expressed concern over the commercialisation of media and cautioned that this unhealthy trend would lead to negation of social objectives in the long run. Addressing participants at a seminar on “Media and society”, organised by the Journalism Department of Himachal Pradesh University here today, he lamented that journalism had degenerated since Independence from a mission to a profession. Consequently, the media had lost the missionary spirit which motivated national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Lok Manya Tilak to bring out newspapers to create awakening among countrymen against foreign rule. He said with the media becoming market-driven, sensationalism had become an integral part of journalism. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof S.K. Gupta, announced that a multimedia studio and a photo lab would be established in the department to enable the students to receive training in media production. He said Internet facilities would be used for imparting training in online journalism. The chairpersons of the department and convener of the seminar, Dr Vir Bala Aggarwal, while presenting her report said 28 papers had been received for the seminar. As many as 60 participants attended the seminar. |
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Italian envoy opens hospital
project KANGRA, Oct 24 — The Italian Ambassador to India Mr Benedetto Amari, today appreciated Himahcal Pradesh, for achieving success in the primary health care. Mr Amari, who arrived at Dharamshala yesterday to inaugurate a new extension project of the Delek hospital of the Tibetan government-in-exile funded by the Government of Italy, in his speech today said though a tiny state, primary health care had been a great success, here. Lauding the Tibetan authorities for implementing the project Mr Amari said, “It represents a reasonable achievement of which we should not be proud of. We do not have to forget the difficult objectives of this hospital. Dr Tsetan Dorji Sadutahang, Chief Medical Officer of the Delek hospital welcoming the Ambassador of Italy. Said the project had its beginning in June 1990, when the Dalai Lama was touring Italy and he saught assistance in health care in the Tibetan settlements. Dr Tsetan pledged to give best treatment to all regard less of their Client’s social or financial status. The Delek hospital, a non-profit charitable institution, he said had been in existence for 30 years. Traditional Tibetan medicines is the main attractions at this hospital. The hospital staff also claims to have close connection with the senior faculty members of the PGI, Chandigarh, to facilitate referrals and to avail Internet consultations with super specialists. The Minister for Health in the Tibetan Government-in-exile, Ms Yanke Sankar, said the Tibetans had to depend on the assistance of the world community. |
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A checkpost of
harassment SUNDERNAGAR: Ghatasani forest checkpost in Jogindernagar subdivision of Mandi district is only one in HP where vehicles not carrying forest produce are detained unnecessarily and vehicle owners or drivers are asked to sign a register maintained by the Forest Department. Interestingly this is not mandatory under forest laws. The vehicles crossing the checkpost, whether they are entering the forest or coming out have to follow this procedure. This procedure has been going on for five decades due to which hundreds of vehicle owners are detained and harassed daily. This checkpost, situated about 75 km from here, is considered the entry point to the Chohar valley and the road leads to Lohardi in Kangra district passing through the tourist centre of Barot. This valley is considered a paradise for photographers due to its scenic beauty in spite of all this anglers not only from India but from all over world visit this valley to catch trout. On getting information about this practice adopted by the forest officials, this correspondent himself visited Barot and on the way crossed the checkpost. The official on duty did not come forward for checking of vehicle but waited so that the driver would come to the ‘‘forest hut’’. He asked for the reason of visiting Barot and obtained the signature of the driver. On enquiry the staff was unable to show any written order why all vehicles numbers were entered in the register even though these were not carrying forest produce. When the Range Officer of Urla was asked he said this was being done to protect the forests. He justified the action of the department but was unable to cite any forest law to back his stand. In Himachal Pradesh, the forest checkposts were established under Rule 13 of HP Forest Produce Transit (Land Routes) Rules, 1978, which provide that the Divisional Forest Officer can with the permission of Conservator of Forests set up any checkpost through which forest produce passes. A register, prescribed under the rules, is also to be maintained at the checkpost. According to police officials, the forest officials are committing an offence by forcing vehicle drivers to sign the register and detaining them unnecessarily or wrongful restraint, which falls under Section 341 of Indian Penal Code. One who commits this offence can be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or a fine up to Rs 500 or both. The police had not received any complaint on this behalf. At this checkpost, officials’ vehicles were neither entered nor checked. Though the department officials support this wrong practice to prevent smuggling of forest produce, but many a time vehicles carrying forest produce are detected by the police. During the tourist season hundreds of tourists’ vehicles were detained and their drivers are detained and asked silly questions. If this practice is not stopped, tourists would avoid visiting tourist spots like the Chohar valley. |
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MPs’ fund issue
generates heat SHIMLA, Oct 24 — The issue of alleged misutilisation of grants out of the MPs’ Local Area Development Fund in Kangra district generated heat in the Cabinet meeting here today when the ministers of the Shanta Kumar camp had a debate with the faction led by Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal. The issue was reportedly raked up by the Transport Minister, Mr K.K. Kapoor and the Irrigation Minister, Mr Ramesh Chaudhary, when all ministers sat informally after the Cabinet had finished the items listed on the agenda. The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, was also present. He pacified his ministerial colleagues who were locked in the wordy duel. Sources said the Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidya Sagar, who is one-time loyalist of Mr Shanta Kumar, defended the state government and took exception to certain remarks which Mr Shanta Kumar had reportedly made during the course of his speeches recently in Kangra. All these three ministers belong to Kangra district which is represented by the Union Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar. Sources said the apparent provocation for raising the issue was the allegation that a sum of Rs 25,000 was misutilised out of the grant which was sanctioned by Mr Shanta Kumar for the construction of a road in a Kangra village. While addressing a BJP workers’ meeting in Kangra district yesterday, Mr Shanta Kumar reportedly took exception to the government having taken no action in the matter although he had written a letter to the Chief Minister in this regard. Sources said some ministers claimed that the state government had nothing to do with the matter and it could be probed. Mr Vidya Sagar reportedly took exception to Mr Shanta Kumar highlighting the issue of “growing” corruption in the state while addressing a rally in Kangra. However, ministers of the other camp claimed that the speech of Mr Shanta Kumar was being twisted and clarified that he had said this in context to conviction of the former Prime Minister, Mr P.V. Narasimha Rao and not the BJP government in the state. |
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Coop movement on last
legs KANGRA: The cooperative marketing movement in Himachal Pradesh has crumbled. Nearly 100 marketing cooperative societies are heading for closure, rendering 1000 employees jobless. Mr R.C. Verma, President of the Ichhi Cooperative and Consumers Society, said this here. He blamed the policies of the government for weakening the cooperative movement. He said cooperative movement in India was born in Una district in 1892. Now this movement has started dying in the same state, he underscored. He said the cooperative movement had been started to maintain the supply line of essential commodities to the rural areas. The cooperative societies have godowns, vehicles and staff. They procure and supply controlled as well as non-controlled goods, he added. Mr Verma said in 1982 the government transferred these functions to the Civil Supplies Corporation. However the delivery of goods to the fair price shops remained with the cooperatives. He said the corporation has withdrawn this work too from the cooperative societies. The cooperative societies had been asked to refund the sugar commission on the distribution work between February 1999 and April 2000 by the sub-wholesalers. He said the recovery was contrary to law. Mr Shanta Kumar, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Prof. P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister and the state Minister for Cooperation were apprised of the resentment of the sub-wholesalers three months back. These leaders have not given any response so far, Mr Verma said. Mr Verma alleged harassment to the sub-wholesalers by the Civil Supplies Corporation by withholding their claims for transportation, loading, unloading charges and commission paid to the retailers for the delivery of levy sugar for April, May and June months this year. The government has decided to withdraw the doorstep delivery of chemical fertilisers from the cooperative societies and entrust the job to HIMFED. He said the sub-wholesalers have already suffered losses in the foodgrain business under the public distribution system due to escalation in the price of wheat, wheat flour and rice in comparison to the open market. He said rice at fair price shops was sold at Rs 13.25 kg, wheat flour at Rs 1065 per quintal and wheat at Rs 1030 per quintal. He said only 10 to 15 per cent population living below the poverty line was benefited by the PDS. |
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Kasauli Club:
Army holds AGM KASAULI, Oct 24 — The Army authorities regained their hold over the 120-year-old prestigious Kasauli Club by holding the AGM yesterday even as certain former executive committee members termed the elections as illegal. According to Army officers at least 100 members, including 70 civilians and 30 Army officers both serving and retired, amidst a total strength of 396 members, held the AGM yesterday and elected Brigadier, V.S. Tonk as chairman, Captain S.P. Singh vice-chairman, honorary secretary Lieut-Col Karnail Singh, and six executive members are Madhukar Malhotra, Lieut-Col Surender Kumar, Lieut-Col T.S. Bakshi (retd), Mr Gurpreet Singh, Mr Jagmohan and Mr Pradeep Virender. As per bylaws of the club one-tenths majority is required to conduct an AGM and therefore it was legally correct. The Army sought help from the police to ensure peaceful conduction of the AGM in the wake of a incident in which some miscreant tried to break into the club a night before the AGM. The dissident group led by the former executive members, Major R.S. Mann, Mr Rajpal Singh Mann and Mr A.P.S. Dhindsa have declared the AGM as illegal as they content that a stay was sought against the holding of the AGM till October 25. Whereas the Army officials said they had received a notice which stayed the AGM till October 22. It was decided to hold it on October 23 after members pressed for it. The dissidents further allege that they were deliberately disallowed from entering the club on Monday by the Army. A number of cases regarding membership to the club are lying pending on the district court. The Kasauli Club which was set up as a reading room and library in 1880 to provide recreation to the Army officers posted in Kasauli and Dagshai contonments was initially open only to the British civil servants and the Army officers. In 1898 it was converted into a limited company and the civilians were given the membership only after 1960. Obtaining membership to this club has since then become a prestige issue for the people here. The last decade has seen many bickerings over the membership issue. An old member, whose association with the club dates back to 43 years said indiscipline had spread in the club and norms were being ignored.
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NGO jatha continues
awareness mission CHAMBA, Oct 24 — The Millennium Kala Jatha, launched by the Himachal GyanVigyan Samiti, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to tour various far-flung areas of the state, arrived here today. This was stated by Mr Jianand Sharma, the in charge of the jatha. The jatha will complete its campaign on November 15 in Shimla on the occasion of a state-level health convention. Mr Sharma said the jatha had been disseminating information about the “Health for all by 2000” programme from the village level to the state level. He said the samiti would discuss various aspects of health services at the convention and present a demand-charter about providing better health facilities to the people living in distant belts of the state. Mr Sharma said the literacy level achieved during the nation-wide Total Literacy Campaign was not sufficient and needed to be enhanced. He said the samiti was paving the way for total literacy in the state in coordination with the Literacy Mission launched by the Union Government.
Virbhadra’s plea
dismissed SHIMLA, Oct 24 — A Division Bench of the high court consisting of Chief Justice C.K. Thakkar and Mr Justice K.C. Sood today dismissed the petition of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in which he challenged the notification of the government to constitute the Kainthla Commission to look into the incidents of lawlessness in and around Shimla between March 3 and March 12, 1998, and the misuse of official machinery during the elections. It may be recalled that Mr Virbhadra Singh was the Chief Minister when these incidents had occurred. In his petition, Mr Virbhadra Singh said the government had no power to constitute the commission and the commission had no jurisdiction in this regards. Nadda pays surprise
visit to hospital NURPUR, Oct 24 — Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, paid a surprise visit to the local 100-bedded Civil Hospital last night. He expressed displeasure over the poor sanitary conditions in the hospital. Mr Nadda collected information about an ultrasound machine which is not being used and which had been installed by the District Red Cross Society in August 1999 in the hospital.
He was accompanied by the Chief Medical Officer, Kangra. Mr Nadda was also apprised of the vacant posts in the hospital. |
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Abnormal increase
in marks MANDI, Oct 24 — Smriti Vaidya (roll No 667364, who received 25 marks in English in the matriculation examination conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Education Board in March 2000, has got 85 marks in the subject following a re-evaluation. Smriti had applied for re-evaluation after she got a compartment in English. Her joy knew no bounds when she got a distinction following the re-evaluation.
Girl dies in
wall collapse BILASPUR, Oct 24 — Ten-year-old Radha Laxmi was killed while her brother Birsingh (13) and mother Nirmla Devi (35) sustained injuries when the wall of an adjoining house collapsed on their kitchen while the family was taking meals at Kothi village, near here, yesterday night. The condition of Birsingh is stated to be serious and he has been referred to the PGI, Chandigarh.
The district administration has given Rs 10,000 as ex gratia to the family. |
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Gram sabhas
to select pensioners JWALAMUKHI, Oct 24 — The Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Mr Ramesh Choudhary, said here today that the government had decided that the IRDP and social security pension beneficiaries would be selected through gram Sabhas. The decision had been taken to provide transparency in the selection process and ensure that the needy were not deprived of the benefits. Addressing a gathering at Khundian village, near here, Mr Choudhary, laid stress on coordination between the government and the panchayati raj institutions in the state to make them the main mode for expanding health and education facilities in rural areas.
He said panchayat elections should not be contested on party basis. |
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