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| Thursday, November 30, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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I faced no pressure: Des Raj Dhumal ‘dragging’ Cong into crisis BJP ridicules ex-CM’s remark Defiant Cong MLAs to face action HP Cong chief after poll? Nominations for ZP poll filed |
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Corruption case: father,
son refused bail Withdrawal in fee
hike demanded Sobha Singh’s birth anniversary celebrated Plea to form hydro
power corporation Expenditure limit fixed for elections Wireless system to cover remote areas Community policing scheme launched
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I faced no pressure: Des Raj DHARAMSALA, Nov 29 — Setting aside all speculation that he had made a statement in favour of the Chief Minister under pressure, the BJP legislator from Ganggath, Mr Des Raj, today said that his grievances had been sorted out and he would continue to support the Dhumal government, which would last its full tenure. Talking to TNS, Mr Des Raj, who reached his native village, Sheikhupura, late last night, said that since he was unable to speak to his family, his son got worried and expressed apprehension about his whereabouts and safety. “The question of making a statement under pressure simply does not arise as the Chief Minister listened to my grievances and summoned the Rajya Sabha member, Kripal Parmar, specially from Delhi,” he stated. Mr Des Raj said that his only grouse was the undue interference by Mr Parmar in his assembly segment of Ganggath. “The Chief Minister told both of us to consult each other as far as the question of allotting money from the MP’s Local Development Fund was concerned,” he disclosed. Mr Des Raj, who defected from the dissident group to join hands with the Dhumal camp, said that any move to destabilise the government would not be allowed to succeed. “There are bound to be differences in any party but they can be resolved through dialogue,” he opined. He said that he had personally spoken to the all-India BJP President, Mr Bangaru Laxman and Mr Narender Modi, general secretary and in charge of Himachal. He said that no doubt Mr Shanta Kumar was his leader but at the same time Mr Dhumal was the head of the government. He said that 32 MLAs had attended the meeting called by the Chief Minister, and hoped that the crisis would be resolved at the earliest. “The Chief Minister is personally talking to all dissident ministers and MLAs and talks with Mr Dulo Ram, were going on,” claimed Mr Des Raj. Mr Des Raj said that there were no other MLAs who would join the dissident group, as was being claimed by some leaders. Mr Des Raj said that the letter addressed to the Chief Minister and the State BJP President should not have been leaked out to the Press. “I was surprised to read the story in the newspapers, when I was at Nalagarh, to attend the wedding of Mr Harinarain Singh’s son,” he stated. He added that he immediately clarified his position to the Chief Minister, who resolved his grievances. When asked if the revolt by the ministers and the MLAs was ill-timed and would affect the party’s prospects in the coming panchayat elections, Mr Des Raj said that the matter would soon be sorted out. Mr Des Raj, today, arrived at the office of the SDM, Nurpur, along with his supporters, who filed their nominations for the zila parishad elections. |
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Des Raj keeps
scribes waiting NURPUR, Nov 29 — Mr Des Raj, MLA from
the Gangath Assembly segment of this subdivision who, the Dhumal camp
claims, has returned to their fold, today kept mediapersons waiting
for a press conference he had fixed. Mr Des Raj arrived with his
supporters who filed their nomination papers for the zila parishad
elections at the SDM’s office here. He avoided mediapersons and
slipped away without intimating the waiting mediapersons. |
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Dhumal ‘dragging’ Cong into crisis SHIMLA, Nov 29 — Mr Virbhadra Singh, Leader of the Congress Legislative Party, has accused Chief Minister, P.K. Dhumal, of dragging the Congress into the BJP crisis to keep his flock together by boosting sagging morale of his men. In a statement here today, Mr Virbhadra Singh alleged that Mr Dhumal was fabricating stories of Congress leaders telephoning him to convey that they wanted his government to stay. He challenged Mr Dhumal to name the Congress leaders who telephoned him as claimed by him. He said the statement of Mr Dhumal, is “preposterous and mischievious” and meant only to boost sagging morale of his supporters. It is inconceivable that any leader in the Congress worth his salt could even think like this leave alone to telephone the Chief Minister. The Congress men in the state are united in their resolve to oust this “corrupt and inefficient” government as and when the opportunity arises. The people of the state are groaning under the misrule, nepotism, corruption, financial bungling, outright cheating in the matter of public appointments. Galloping increase in cost of essential commodities, breakdown of law and order and increasing atrocities on women, dalits and other weaker sections of the society and they are eagerly awaiting to see the back of this government, he said. It will be better that the Chief Minister does not drag the Congress party into this present crisis which is his own creation and also in his effort to keep his flock together by boosting their sagging morale by fabricating stories, he added. |
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BJP ridicules ex-CM’s remark SHIMLA, Nov 29 — The state unit of the BJP has ridiculed the statement of Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Congress Legislative Party Leader, urging the Governor not to accept any recommendation by Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, to dissolve the Vidhan Sabha, and termed it as an attempt to mislead the people. Mr Ganesh Dut, the party spokesman, said the Dhumal government was solid like a rock and the banner of revolt raised by six legislators was nothing more than a storm in the tea cup. He said the issues had been sorted out but the former Chief Minister was making misleading statements to create an impression that the rebel legislators had withdrawn support. He said the fact was that they had only written a letter airing their grievances but it was mischievously leaked to the media creating problems for the party. He said the Chief Minister had emerged stronger from the crisis and the government would complete its full term. A leader like Mr Virbhadra Singh, who threw all norms and rules to winds in showering undue benefits to favourites, had no locus standi to criticise Mr Dhumal. He said corruption was rampant during the Congress rule and jobs were given on recommendating “chits” rather than merit. The people had not forgotten the “injustice” perpetrated by Virbhadra Singh government on them during his prolonged rule and it was hardly surprising that his own party had completely sidelined him during the recent organisational poll. Meanwhile, Mrs Veena Thakur, president of the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha, had said that party men, particularly women folk were solidly behind Mr Dhumal and the party would emerge victorious under his leadership in the ensuing panchayat poll. She condemned the attempts of vested interests to create dissidence in the party.
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Defiant Cong MLAs to face action DHARAMSALA, Nov 29 — The pradesh Congress committee chief, Mr Sat Mahajan, today said that had the BJP not prompted some Congress MLAs to cross vote, they would not be facing such a crisis. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Mahajan, dared the Chief Minister to disclose the names of those Congress legislators, who were willing to support him, as had been claimed by Mr Dhumal. “We have never interfered in the internal matters of the BJP where as Mr Dhumal has always tried to create problems within the Congress”, Mr Mahajan alleged. Mr Mahajan, disclosed that the party had identified the Congress MLAs who had cross-voted. “We have informed the high command, about these three legislators and appropriate action like, denial of assembly ticket, will be taken against them,” he said. He said the Congress will regain power in the state on the basis of its positive agenda rather than taking benefit of the internal bickerings in the BJP. He said like its previous track record the BJP would not be able to complete its full tenure. Mr Mahajan, demanded that the state government hand over the charge-sheet prepared by the Congress to the CBI, as the same charges contained in it were now being made by the BJP and HVC MLAs. “We are confident that the new Governor, Mr Suraj Bhan, who has a track record of being an impartial person, will hand over the charge-sheet to the CBI,” he said. He disclosed that a second charge-sheet was being prepared by the Congress under the chairmanship of former Speaker and MLA, Thakur L. Kaul Singh. |
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HP Cong chief after poll? NEW DELHI, Nov 29 — With Panchayat elections round the corner in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress high command is likely to delay the decision on the new PCC chief in the state. Sources in the AICC said the decision on the new PCC chief is likely to be made only after the Panchayat elections to prevent any differences among senior leaders affecting the performance of the party in the polls. Though the PCC delegates from the state have left it to Congress President Sonia Gandhi to choose the new President, supporters of former Speaker Vidya Stokes and CLP leader Virbhadra Singh have met Mrs Gandhi to convey their feelings. While opposing Ms Vidya Stokes’ candidature, Mr Virbhadra Singh has indicated that any other leader, appointed in keeping the caste and regional balance in mind, will be acceptable to him. Supporters of Mr Virbhadra Singh have maintained that the new chief should be from the Kangra region and have suggested the name of Mr Chander Kumar, an OBC. The decision to delay the appointment of the new PCC chief will cause some setback to the Stokes’ camp which wanted an early decision in the matter. Her supporters had felt that the post-Panchayat election scenario would have its own ramifications which may not necessarily work to the advantage of Ms Stokes who had support of a majority of PCC delegates. The supporters of Mr Virbhadra Singh, on the other hand, had not disfavoured status quo till at least the Panchayat elections. The incumbent PCC President, Mr Sat Mahajan, who met senior leaders in Delhi recently, also agreed with such a step. Another factor that may work to Mr Virbhadra Singh’s advantage by the delay in decision on the new PCC chief is that the complaints tribunal will by then be able to decide on the large number of petitions filed regarding the organisation elections in the state. Asserting that 26 files had been filed before the Congress Central Election Authority, Mr Virbhadra Singh’s supporters had been categorical that decision on the PCC chief should not be made till these petitions were decided. Mr Virbhadra Singh, who has been on record to say that the organisation elections have been marred by a large number of irregularities, was taking up the issue of election appeals with Central leaders in Delhi. He is hoping to have favourable decision in at least some of the appeals which will change the equation in the PCC. Inquiries from the CEA reveal that the tribunal looking into the complaints from Himachal Pradesh had yet not started its working. Maintaining that the complaints would be disposed of by the tribunal in due course, they indicated that changes in the PCC list “would not be easy.”
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Nominations for ZP poll filed MANALI, Nov 29 — The Bharatiya Janata Party organised a show of strength in support of its official nominees today at
Manali. Ms Dhaneshweri Thakur, a daughter of former Horticulture Minister, Mr Thakur Kunj Lal and the former member of the Himachal Pradesh Social Welfare Advisory Board filed nomination papers from Katrain ward of Zila Parishad and Alam
Chand, the former Chairman of Zila Parishad Kulu filed nomination papers from Neoli ward of Zila Parishad in the office of Mr Rajneesh
Garg, Sub Divisional Magistrate Manali, amid raising of slogans by BJP enthusiasts drawn from different parts of Kulu valley. Before the filing of nomination papers the BJP loyalists reached Manali from Neoli and Patli Kuhal in a cavalcade and at Manali they took out a procession in support of the BJP-sponsored candidates from one corner of the Mall to the office of Sub Divisional Magistrate Manali. The procession was led by former Horticulture Minister Thakur Kunj Lal and Mr Chander Sen Thakur local MLA cum vice-chairman of the HPMC. Later a public meeting was organised at the local Ram Bagh by the BJP. Prominent among those who addressed the gathering were former minister and a senior BJP leader Mr Thakur Kunj Lal, Mr Chander Sen Thakur MLA cum vice-chairman of HPMC, Mr Alam Chand former chairman of Zila Parishad, Ms Dhaneshweri Thakur and Mr Govind Thakur former president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Himachal Pradesh. The speakers underlined the achievements of the BJP government in their address. Others who filed nomination papers for zila parishad are Ms Kamla Sharma (Congress) from Naggar ward, Ms Vimla Thakur (BJP), from Naggar ward, Mr Surender Kumar (Congress) from Neoli ward and Elu Ram (BJP) covering from Neoli ward and Padma Thakur (Congress) from Katrain ward of zila parishad. Besides, to contest the election for Nagar Panchayat Manali Tek Ram and Puran Chand filed nomination papers from ward No 1, Ms Madhu Bala, Ms Kanchan Bala and Ms Tara Devi filed nomination papers to contest from ward No 2, while Mr Jaspal Sharma, Surender Pal, Mr Nihal Chand and Mr Raghunath Sood filed nomination papers from ward no 4. Similarly, Mr Harbans Awasthi filed his nomination papers from ward no 5 and Mr Govardhan Sharma filed his papers from ward no 6 of Nagar Panchayat Manali. |
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Corruption case: father,
son refused bail CHAMBA, Nov 29 — Sessions Judge Chamba, J.N. Gupta, yesterday rejected the anticipatory bail application of Punnu Ram and his son Raj Kumar, residents of Gagla Tebu village in Chamba district in a case under Sections 420, 468, 120-B of the IPC and under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act registered against him at Chamba Vigilance Police Station. The bail applications of Punnu and his son Raj Kumar were rejected by the court on the grounds that these applicants had committed very grave offences and they were not entitled for anticipatory bail. Facts of the case are that in 1994, the applicants forged documents and obtained loan of Rs 74,000 from the State Bank of India, Mehla branch, State Bank of Patiala, Hardaspura branch and from the Sub divisional Magistrate, Chamba, under the flood relief schemes. Even Raj Kumar son of Punnu Ram was found to have obtained a fake matriculation certificate in his favour from the HP Board of School Education, though on verification from the board, it was found that the same certificate was not issued by the board nor any such student has appeared in the board’s martriculation examination. The accused were found to have prepared false stamps of the different officers posted and stationed at Chamba and were in the habit of getting various benefits from the different government departments. Raj Kumar is stated to be in employment of the HP State Forest Corporation since June 1, 1992, but he was shown to have taken loan from different scheduled banks on the recommendation of the General Manager, District Industries Centre, Chamba, by forging false documents and stamps of such officers. Punnu Ram is already facing similar case in the court of the Sessions Judge, Chamba and the matter is pending against him. |
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Withdrawal in fee
hike demanded MANDI, Nov 29 — The state-unit of the Democratic Youth Federation of India has demanded immediate withdrawal of fees hike and ban on recruitments. Talking to mediapersons, the state president of the federation, Mr Kushal Bhardwaj said the NDA government, which had promised to generate 1 crore jobs annually for the unemployed, had betrayed the people by imposing a ban on recruitments. He regretted that with the gradual withdrawal of the government from the educational sector under the pressure of the World Bank, education had gone beyond the reach of the poor and the middle class. The youth of the country was revolting against the commercialisation of education and the All-India Rally at New Delhi held on November 27 a warning signal, he cautioned. Mr Bhardwaj said the blind race for privatisation, liberalisation and globalisation would adversely hit the domestic
industry and result in economic slavery. |
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Sobha Singh’s birth anniversary celebrated DHARAMSALA, Nov 29 — To commemorate the 99th birth anniversary of renowned artist Sobha Singh, an on-the-spot painting competition for schoolchildren from all over the district was organised at the Sobha Singh Art Gallery at Andretta, near Palampur, today. The Director, Institute of Himalayan Bio-resources Technology, Dr P.S. Ahuja, who was the chief guest on the occasion, recalled the significant contribution of saint-philosopher-artist Sobha Singh, to the art and culture of Himachal and bringing it on the international art map through his paintings. An art critic and writer, K.L. Vaidya, detailed the different aspects of Sobha Singh’s art pieces, including portraits and sculptures. He asked the students to minutely study the works of the legendary artist to improve their skills. The secretary-general of the Sobha Singh Memorial Art Society, Mr Hirday Paul Singh, said a request had been made to the Central Government to issue a commemorative stamp on the artist. He disclosed that the Punjab Government had already constituted a committee to celebrate Sobha Singh’s birth centenary. He hoped that the state government would follow suit to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner, as the artist had spent almost 40 years in Himachal. |
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Plea to form hydro
power corporation SUNDERNAGAR, Nov 29 — The HPSEB Project Engineers Association urged the state government to form a hydro power corporation to ensure the exploitation of hydroelectric potential and further urged to hand over the projects (above 5 mw capacity) completed or ongoing projects to the HPSEB. The project engineer of HPSEB held its 16th annual general body here on November 27. Mr Harash Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary was chief guest. The members of the association further urged the government not to allow the private sector to explore more than 50 per cent of hydro electric potential in the interest of the state. The office-bearers of association were also elected. Mr Naresh Chaudhary was elected president, Mr Vijay Attari general secretary, Mr D.S. Thakur senior vice-president, Mr Man Mohan Verma, Mr T.R. Soni, Mr Sushil Mahajan were elected as joint secretaries and Mr Subash Gupta finance secretary. |
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Expenditure limit fixed for elections NAHAN, Nov 29 — The Election Commission has fixed the limit of expenditure during elections for Panchayati Raj institutions and municipalities. The limit has been fixed at Rs 1,000 for contesting for the post of member, panchayat, Rs 5,000 for the post of vice-pradhan and pradhan, Rs 15,000 for the post of member, panchayat samiti and Rs 30,000 for the post of member, Zila Parishad. In elections for municipal councils, candidates can spend up to Rs 8,000, and for nagar panchayat Rs 5,000. This was disclosed by the Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, Mr Rakesh Kaushal, who said all accounts of the candidates could be checked at any time by the Assistant Returning Officer (Panchayat), Returning Officer or any person authorised by the Deputy Commissioner for the purpose. The State Election Commissioner has also appointed three election observers for monitoring elections in the district. |
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Wireless system to cover remote areas CHAMBA, Nov 29 — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has planned to set up the wireless system at Tissa and Dalhousie to cover remote areas of the district in Himachal Pradesh, especially the border villages adjoining Jammu and Kashmir. It will provide public telephones in the villages by March 2001. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr N.S. Gill, Chief General Manager, Himachal Telecom Circle, BSNL, announced that the feasibility of linking the Pangi valley and Palampur Town with the district headquarters here by a three-digit local number would be examined in the near future. Mr Gill said the border district of Chamba adjacent to Jammu and Kashmir would get mobile phone services in the first quarter of the next fiscal year. He said 12,000 lines had been provided for mobile phone services in Himachal Pradesh, out of which the secondary switching area (SSA), Dharamsala, had been allotted 2,000 lines. |
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Community policing scheme launched KULU, Nov 29 — Mr Somesh Goel, DIG, Central Range, here today launched the community policing scheme. He said initially 22 police stations in the state would have the community policing scheme. He admitted that the working of the police at present was reactionary, whereas we need a police that play a preventive role. |
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