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| Monday, November 6, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Virbhadra’s plea outrageous: YC A home away from home Making projects eco-friendly UK may fund 2nd phase of project Balh valley to have
development block Policy on merged areas opposed |
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Woman found
murdered Vocational training by minority corp Scribe’s car
damaged 
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Virbhadra’s plea outrageous: YC SHIMLA, Nov 5 — Congress Legislative Party leader Virbhadra Singh’s plea that Ms Sonia Gandhi should take caste and regional factors into consideration while appointing the Pradesh Congress Committee chief has evoked a strong reaction from the youth and students’ wings of the party. Expressing shock at his statement, Mr Sukhwinder Singh, the Youth Congress chief of the state unit and Mr Kewal Pathania, President of the state unit of the NSUI, said that being a secular party, the Congress had fought against the parochial and casteist forces and as such the former Chief Minister’s stand was against the principles of the party. Without naming Mr Virbhadra Singh, the two leaders said it was unfortunate that a senior party leader, who accused the Opposition of exploiting the caste and regional sentiments, was trying to use the same tactics to further his political ends. Party workers, particularly the youth, had been thoroughly disillusioned by the plea of Mr Virbhadra Singh, they said. They pointed out that caste and region never had been an issue in the state. In 1993, the CLP Leader and the PCC chief were from a particular caste and region. Yet the party scored an unprecedented victory in the polls. They denounced “vested interests” who were trying to split the party on caste and regional lines and appealed to the high command to contain such forces to preserve the secular fibre of the party in the state. |
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A home away from home DHARAMSALA, Nov 5 — A home away from home. That’s what the SOS Tibetan Children Village at Gopalpur is for hundreds of young Tibetan refugees trying to cope with life away from parents, family and their homeland. Young Tibetans, some of whom lost their parents while escaping from Tibet, live like one big happy family. Located in the midst of beautiful pine forests and tea gardens, these children live with their foster mothers, brothers and sisters. The dedication ceremony of the SOS Tibetan Children Village was held at Gopalpur today in the presence of the official “SOS Ambassador”, Princess Salima Aga Khan. “Though no amount of love, care and comfort can compensate for life with your family in Tibet, but life here is far better than we had expected”, said a teenaged Tibetan girl, young children some barely four, have no concept of a family or life outside the SOS village. They appear happy with their foster families. Almost all children residing in the village have their parents living in Tibet. “It’s once in two years that the parents are able to make a trip here to meet their children escaping the watchful eyes of Chinese policemen and putting their life to risk, said a teacher at the Tibetan village. An SOS family comprises eight or nine children. The village has 20 cottages, each with three rooms and a garden. The village in charge is a father figure. He runs the village along with co-workers. The children stay here till they become adults and self-sustaining. The SOS movement in India, which started 35 years ago, has now 32 villages and 122 allied projects. The Tibetan Children Village at Gopalpur has a strength of 917. With aid from the SOS the village infrastructure and buildings will be improved. During the past one year, the Chinese authorities have issued orders asking those in Tibet to withdraw their children from the schools being run by the Tibetan Government in India. The Tibetan children village became a member of the SOS Kinderdorf International and an associate member of SOS Children’s Villages of India in 1972. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, who was to be the chief guest at today’s function, cancelled his programme at the last minute as he was unwell. Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who was to attend the function, could not make it as she left the town last evening. The Director of the SOS, Mr Helmut Kutin, and the Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet (Kashag), Mr Sonam Topgyal, addressed the gathering at the occasion. |
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Making projects eco-friendly DALHOUSIE: In Chamba district, two major hydroelectric projects — the 198 MW Baira-Siul project and the 540 MW Chamera project — have been completed keeping the environmental aspects in focus. The projects were constructed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which has all along been making efforts to ensure that its projects are eco-friendly. Suitable environmental measures were taken with the result that the construction work proceeded without hurdles being created by environmental lobbies. The Chamera project on the Ravi was taken up for construction during the 1985-1994 period. It has been a trendsetter from the environment angle. The measures taken included compensatory afforestation, rehabilitation, reservoir rim treatment, the drawing up of a fisheries management plan and landscaping. The Executive Director, NHPC (Region II), Mr S.K. Dodeja, says these environmental steps were financed and implemented by the project authorities. Implementation of the plans was monitored by the NHPC as well as the Himachal Pradesh Government. Under the compensatory afforestation and soil conservation plans, about 40 lakh saplings were planted on 2,000 hectares. Various soil conservation measures such as check damming, gully plugging and vegetative wattling were also taken. To compensate for the loss of migratory fish, a fish farm was developed at a cost of Rs 30 lakh at Sultanpur, near Chamba town, with the help of the state Fisheries Department. It was set up in the vicinity of the reservoir to produce fingerlings. The NHPC has invested over Rs 8.50 crore in the environmental aspects of the Chamera project . It ensured proper coordination with the state government and the local administration in this sphere. The result has been a boost to
afforestation. |
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UK may fund 2nd phase of project SHIMLA, Nov 5 — The government of the United Kingdom may agree to fund the second phase of the Indo-UK Forestry Project in the state, despite a change in its policy to shift focus from development schemes to poverty alleviation. The state had given up hope for securing funds for the Rs 75 crore second phase of the project after the Labour Government decided not to support isolated development projects which did not help much in rooting out poverty. The Department for International Development had early this year, in accordance with the new policy, selected West Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh for providing financial assistance on the basis of social and economic indicators. It had also made clear that it would not support ‘‘stand-alone’’ development projects elsewhere in the country and fund schemes in these four partner states. Since Himachal Pradesh was not among the partner states, the possibility of the UK Government funding the second phase was bleak. However, the situation has changed after the visit of a five-member team headed by Dr Cavin Crowford, Rural Development Adviser, which held a series of discussions with top officers of the state. The team was informed that the state government was in the process of restructuring its forest policy and programmes to shift focus from sustainable development to sustainable livelihood for forest dependent communities. The second phase would not be a afforestation project but an integrated programme to remove poverty in which the departments of rural development, Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Non-conventional Energy would be involved. The head of the team was reportedly satisfied with the new approach of the state. He assured the government that he would recommend to his government that financial support be given to the second phase of the project, even if Himachal was not a partner state in the Indo-UK Development Programme. The new forest policy being worked out by the state will be based on ground realities and recognise the fact that causes of deforestation lie outside the forestry sector. Unless there is a commonality and convergence of other departments concerned, the forests resources cannot be preserved. The government has decided to set up a policy development and planning committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to ensure inter-sectoral coordination. The plethora of village committees set up under different programmes has also been a bottleneck in implementation at the grassroots level. Committees have been set up for the implementation of schemes related to education, forestry, health, security and rural development. These single issue committees were more often than not found to be working at cross-purposes. The common view was that instead of setting numerous lopsided committees, the departments should depend on Panchayati Raj institutions. The state plans to introduce the concept of green accounting to help evaluate intangible benefits of forests like water, purity of air, cultural and heritage value, eco-tourism and soil conservation. So far only forest produce is accounted for. The new concept will be implemented under a pilot scheme in the second phase of the project. |
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Balh valley to have
development block MANDI, Nov 5 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said today that the Bhakra and Beas Management Board had agreed to give additional 14.75 cusec of water for the second phase of the Balh valley Irrigation project in response to the request by the state government. Addressing a public meeting at Kansa in Balh valley Mr Dhumal said Rs 41.46 crore irrigation scheme had been forwarded to the Central Government and was likely to be cleared. He said the food and vegetable production in the Balh valley, the granary of Mandi district, would further increase with the execution of the project. He said another Rs 6.71 crore minor irrigation scheme had already been cleared which would irrigate 63 hectares of land in Balh area. Besides this Nabard had also approved three other irrigation schemes which would provide irrigation for additional 130 hectares of land in the valley. A special cell had been set up in the directorate of the Panchyati Raj for assisting the panchayati raj functionaries and to answer their queries in “Giriraj” weekly. The Chief Minister announced the formation of a new development block for the people of Balh valley. The declaration of the new bonanza was cheered with clappings by the large gathering. The new block would be located at Ner Chowk. Earlier, inaugurating Rs 1.77 crore bridge over the Suketi khud Mr Dhumal expressed surprise over the delay in the completion of the bridge the foundation of which had been laid in 1983. He also inaugurated the milk producers training centre at Chakar constructed at the cost of Rs 35 lakh. He said for the first time interests of the farmers were being given top priority. The issuing of kisan pass books and amendments in the Revenue Act were among the many steps taken for the welfare of the farmers. Mr Prakash Chaudhary, Minister of State for Rural Development and former minister Dile Ram also spoke. |
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Policy on merged areas opposed SHIMLA, Nov 5 — The residents of the peripheral areas, which were merged into the local municipal corporation, have rejected the retention policy formulated by the state government to regularise unauthorised buildings. The residents, who have formed about a dozen associations to fight for their rights, met here today to chalk out their course of action. They made it clear that they would not cooperate with the government. They refused to submit building plans to the corporation on the plea that construction in rural areas was carried out as per the norms set by panchayats. Moreover, no development had taken place in the merged areas since these were brought under the corporation. They decided to hold a protest rally on November 19 at the local Panchayat Bhavan. They also accused the administration of registering false cases against the office-bearers of various associations representing the residents of the merged areas. They sought the personal intervention of Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, in the matter, failing which they threatened to intensify their agitation. |
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Woman found
murdered MANALI, Nov 5 — Brikami Devi (46) was found murdered inside a cow shed at Rangri village, 3 km from here, on the Kulu-Manali national highway here today. A domestic servant, a Nepalese, is suspected to have killed the woman. According to neighbours and tenants of the deceased a Nepalese youth aged about 23 years had been working at her house for last 20 days. The body did not bear any injury marks, however, blood was seen oozing out of the mouth. The ear rings of the victim were also found missing and her belongings on the first floor of the house were found scattered and almirahs opened. A case under Sections 302 and 392 of the IPC has been registered. The body has been sent to Kulu for post-mortem examination. |
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Vocational training by minority corp SHIMLA, Nov 5 — The state Minority Finance and Development Corporation has given loans to the tune of Rs 1.86 crore to 370 beneficiaries over the past eight years. The corporation, set up to ensure the uplift of minority communities in the state, provides loans to entrepreneurs from minorities for setting up self-employment ventures. While 85 per cent of the amount is given as loan, the balance is contributed by the beneficiary. Loans are given to the beneficiaries at an interest of 7 per cent upto Rs 2 lakh and at 10 per cent upto Rs 5 lakh. Efforts are being made by the corporation to streamline the loaning and effective recovery through postdated cheques. The corporation also plans to provide vocational training in various trades. A scheme regarding vocational training to potential beneficiaries will be shortly submitted to the National Minority Development Finance Corporation. The corporation has been declared as a state channelising agency by the National Handicapped Development and Financial Corporation to help the disabled. So far it has sanctioned 24 projects involving a loan of Rs 19.97 lakh, out of which 6.25 lakh has been distributed among the beneficiaries. Loans up to Rs 20 lakh for setting up small industrial units, Rs 5 lakh for agricultural purposes and up to Rs 25 lakh for
cooperative societies and federations formed by the handicapped and up to Rs 25 lakh for manufacturing and production of assistive devices are being provided by the corporation. Any person with 40 per cent or more disability between the age group of 18 to 55 is eligible for loan up to Rs 55,000 in rural areas and Rs 60,000 in urban areas. The corporation proposes to disburse loans to the tune of Rs 2 crore during the next financial year to help the handicapped set up self-employment ventures. |
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Scribe’s car
damaged SHIMLA, Nov 5 — Miscreants damaged the car of Shashi Bhushan, local Bureau Chief of “Bhaskar”, at Devnagar in Kasumpati last night. They broke the driver’s window and damaged the body of the vehicle. While some audio-cassettes, a pair of spectacles and some other belongings kept inside the vehicle were thrown around, an attempt was made to take away the cassette player. Items worth about Rs 10,000 were missing from the car. The police has registered a case in this regard. |
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YC supports
scribes’ stance HAMIRPUR, Nov 5 — Resentment prevails among journalists over a recent incident in which newspersons from various parts of the state were prevented from holding a silent procession at Kangra by some persons. Mr Sunil Sharma, political secretary to the state Youth Congress chief, has condemned the incident. In a press note issued here today, he urged the state government to arrest the persons responsible for the Kangra incident. BILASPUR: Mr Narayan Singh Swami, a senior BJP leader, has also condemned the incident and demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter. |
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