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| Monday, December 11, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Imports hit Kangra tea
sale HP power engineers agree with CM I owe Nobel Prize to
India: Dalai Lama 3 students held for
assaulting Principal Rescue home for leopards |
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Restricted sale of liquor in Kulu 2 Chamba panchayats
elected unopposed Kangra police chief’s
house gutted Dhumal administers polio drops UGC urged to review decision Mother, daughter missing ONGC begins drilling of well
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Imports hit Kangra tea
sale PALAMPUR: The tea industry of Kangra valley has been facing a serious crisis this year as there is no buyer for Kangra tea in the international market at Calcutta. The sudden fall in tea prices has affected the future of Kangra’s tea industry. According to official sources, over 10 lakh kg of tea has been piling up in Calcutta over the past three months in the absence of buyers. It has been revealed that last month 5,000 kg of Kangra tea was put up for sale in an auction at Calcutta but only 1,000 kg was sold and that too at the rate of Rs 40 per kg. In the previous year the same tea was sold at the rates varying from Rs 80 to 100. Though after a gap of six years there was a bumper tea crop in the valley, it was expected that tea growers would get good prices in the international market but because of relaxation in tea imports under the WTO agreement, tea prices in the domestic market have come down sharply causing a setback to the growers as well as the four cooperative tea factories of the valley, which were marketing the tea in Calcutta market. Mr Brij Behari Lal Butail, a leading tea grower and former chairman of Kangra Valley Tea Planters’ Association, says that since the tea was the one of the commodities included under the WTO agreement, therefore, the ban on tea import was relaxed by the Union Government. The production cost in Sri Lanka, Argentina, Kenya and in other African countries is much less than the production cost in India. Therefore the Indian markets were flooded with imported tea causing a major setback to the growers. The imported tea was 35 p.c. cheaper than tea produced in India. It was for the first time in 50 years that India had imported tea from African countries and Sri Lanka. India was a major supplier of tea in the international market. In European countries like the UK, Germany and Canada there was a great demand of Indian tea. But in the present scenario African countries have replaced the Indian suppliers. Now these countries have become major suppliers of tea to Europe. Meanwhile a deputation of the tea growers have urged Mr Shanta Kumar, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs and Civil Supplies, to take necessary steps to save tea industries which were on the verge of closure. They pointed out that if the import duty on tea was not enhanced and tea prices in the domestic markets not maintained, there would be total collapse of tea industry not only in Kangra valley but in other states as well. |
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HP power engineers agree with CM SHIMLA, Dec 10 — Himachal Pradesh power engineers have welcomed the statement of Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal that there is no need to trifurcate the HPSEB and reforms can be attempted within the organisation. Mr Suneel Grover, general secretary, Himachal Engineers Association, in a statement yesterday said that the other state governments and state electricity boards should take a lesson from Himachal Pradesh where a categorical stand has been taken on reforms to be initiated under the overall aegis of the state electricity board. He alleged that the World Bank was dictating and directing the Centre for the “unfortunate operation” of disbanding SEBs. Mr Grover claimed that the so-called reforms in the power sector had been a failure in many states. He said that the philosophy behind the World Bank inspired restructuring of the electricity boards was to change the basic character of the power industry. |
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I owe Nobel Prize to
India: Dalai Lama KANGRA, Dec 10 — Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader Dalai Lama said today that the Tibetan struggle, based on the principle of non-violence to alleviate the sufferings of the people of Tibet and preserve the culture and religion of Tibetans, would help in making Tibet a “Zone of peace,” which would help in improving relations between India and China. The Dalai Lama was blessing the audience present at the Tsuklag Khang main temple in McLeodganj today on the occasion of the inauguration of the sixth international himalayan festival to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on the Dalai Lama. He described the situation in Tibeat as “critical and disturbing”. He said the Tibetan culture was fast expanding outside the Tibetan boundaries and hoped that the Tibetans would achieve their goal soon. Regarding the Nobel Prize, he said “The teachings of the great Indian scholars made me worthy of the honour. “I am indebted to India and its culture for teaching me dharam and siddhant and I feel the prize should have gone to India”. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal, who was the chief guest on he occasion, said China and Tibet were coming closer for a dialogue and requested the Dalai Lama to hold talks in the interests of the Tibetans. He announced several development plans for McLeodganj. The Chief Minister said the Centre had given the nod to a Rs 1 crore sewerage project for McLeodganj. He said the Centre had given the go-ahead for the construction of a bus stand and a taxi stand at McLeodganj in order to boost tourism. He said that to promote tourism, a “Buddh Utsav” would be organised at Kelong from August 13 next year. Those who were present on the occasion included Cabinet ministers and MLAs of the Dhumal government. The function was organised by the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society in collaboration with the Tibetan government-in-exile. Tibetan and Himachal cultural programmes were part of the function. |
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3 students held for
assaulting Principal SOLAN, Dec 10 — The Principal of the local Government Post Graduate College, Mr S.K. Anand, has lodged an FIR at the Sadar Police Station alleging that he was assaulted and manhandled by a group of students owing allegiance to the Himachal Students Union (HIMSU), a breakaway group of the NSUI, in his office yesterday. He named HIMSU Convener Sandeep Kumar, General Secretary, Maneshwar Chauhan and a member of the union’s Staff Executive Committee Manoj Kumar, alongwith two others as the main culprits in the FIR. All three student leaders were later arrested on charges of rioting, trespass, assault and criminal intimidation. HIMSU had launched an agitation on the college campus following a violent clash between two groups of students near the Deputy Commissioner’s office on November 16 last, demanding the arrest of those guilty of fomenting trouble that had finally led to the violent clash in which HIMSU member was seriously injured. Following an appeal by the Staff Council of the college, a section of HIMSU-affiliated students struck an agreement with the Principal and announced the withdrawal of the HIMSU agitation yesterday. However, the action taken by them was not ratified by HIMSU State Executive. This was followed by a “forced entry into the college campus and assault on the Principal by Sandeep Kumar and other HIMSU leaders”. According to the Principal, a group of HIMSU members who were observing an indefinite fast at the Indira Gandhi Memorial College, Shimla, had broken their fast and had endorsed the agreement reached between the Principal and some HIMSU members. As per the agreement reached between the Principal and some members of the HIMSU, all demands except that of the removal of the President of the Central Students Association, Mr Sunil Kumar, would be sympathetically considered by the Principal. The demand relating to the removal of Sunil Kumar would be referred to a committee whose decision would be binding on HIMSU. Meanwhile, the chain hunger strike being observed by HIMSU here continued with two more students joining it today. |
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Rescue home for leopards SHIMLA, Dec 10 — While efforts to conserve wildlife has yielded results in protecting important animal species in the state, the rapid growth in the population of animals like leopards has created peculiar problems for the state Forest Department. Due to shortage of prey in forests, leopards have been frequently straying into towns and villages and attacking
human beings. Only last week a leopard landed in a police station in the heart of Una town. The policemen fought a protracted battle before the beast was finally gunned down. Such incidents have become a common feature over the past few years. The leopards, always on the look out for small prey like dogs, stray into human habitations and frequently get trapped in houses and even offices. They are either killed by the people or captured by the state wildlife authorities. Over the past three years, as many as 22 leopards have been captured and 30 killed. The Wildlife Department, which is finding difficulty in keeping such a large number of animals in captivity, has now decided to establish a rescue home in the state for the purpose. The leopard home will be set up either at
Renuka, near the lion safari, or by the side of Gopalpur Nature Park. Maintaining these animals is a costly affair and the upkeep of every leopard requires an expenditure of Rs 75,000 annually. According to a spokesman of the department, the rescue home will conform to the standards laid down by the Central Zoo Authority for keeping animals in captivity. The leopard population in the state, which stood at 533 in 1989, has since more than doubled. Over the past decade 45 persons have been killed and over 200 injured by leopards. Obviously, the state’s dwindling forest reserves are not adequate to sustain the increasing leopard population. Meanwhile, the Central Zoo Authority
(CZA) has permitted the department to sterilise male lions at the Renuka safari. The safari which has 16 lions has been facing a plethora of problems due to unchecked inbreeding. The vasectomy operation will be performed by expert vets of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, who are on the panel of the
CZA. The department also plans to bring a lion from the Chhat Bir zoo to Renuka for breeding purposes. Although the stock in Chhat Bir is not pure, it will help in infusing new blood into the safari where all animals are from the same genetic stock. |
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Restricted sale of liquor in Kulu KULU, Dec 10 — Mr Ajay V.Prasad, the District Magistrate, has restricted the sale of liquor in this district keeping in view the panchayat and local bodies elections, under the Punjab Excise Act 1914. On December 12 and 13, the liquor shops in Sainj, Larji, Patlikuhal, Raison, Shangri Bag, Luhari, Bagipul, Khanag and Nirmand will remain closed. The liquor shops of Kasol, Jari, Bajaura, Mohal, Klath, Jagatsukh, Katrain, Dobhi, Aluground, Haripur, Ani, Dalash, Shavand and Nithar will remain closed on December 14 and 15, and on December 16 and 17 liquor shops in Gadsa, Shamshi, Marhi, Palchan, Kothi, Nagar, Solang Nullah, Bahang and Aleo will remain closed. The liquor shops at Akhara Bazar here, Banjar, Patlikuhal, Nirmand and Ani will remain closed on December 18 and 19. On the day of elections to the urban bodies at Kulu, Manali. Bhuntar and Banjar all the liquor shops at these places will remain closed. |
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2 Chamba panchayats
elected unopposed CHAMBA, Dec 10 — The Chamba Administration is all set for the elections to panchayats on December 13, 15 and 17 and municipal councils in the district on December 20. However, the elections in the Pangi tribal valley will be held in June next year. Giving this information here today, Mr T.D. Negi, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer of Chamba, said nearly 2.65 lakh electorate would exercise their franchise. The administration has banned the use of weapons under the Arms and Ammunition Act and the sale of liquor on the polling dates. Meanwhile, a report from the local Election Office said the Sudli Panchayat of Bhattiyat block and the Brangal Panchayat of Salooni block were elected unopposed besides representatives of two wards of the Salooni Panchayat Samiti, two of the Mehla Panchayat Samiti and one of the Tissa Panchayat Samiti were also elected unopposed. |
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Kangra police chief’s
house gutted KANGRA, Dec 10 — Property worth Rs 25 lakh was destroyed in a devastating fire which broke out at the official residence of the district police chief, Mr Prathvi Raj, at Dharamshala last night, Additional District police chief A.P. Anand said here today. According to Mr Anand, the fire broke out due to a short circuit at 11.15 p.m. yesterday and the building was gutted within minutes. He said Mr Prathvi Raj and Mr Sanjay Kundu, district police chief Chamba who were in the building at that time had a narrow escape. Mr Prathvi Raj was today seen without uniform at a function of the Chief Minister as his uniforms were destroyed in fire. Mr Anand alleged that the building could not be saved because of faulty fire tender and untrained fire personnels. The 100-year old building was made of deodar wood. It had twice suffered such fire accidents earlier due to short circuit. The police is investigating the case. |
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Dhumal administers polio drops SHIMLA, Dec 10 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, launched the second phase of the pulse polio immunisation campaign by administering polio drops to children at The Ridge here today. He said during the campaign as many as 7.14 lakh children would be given polio drops. In all, 5855 booths had been set up across the state for the purpose and 28213 employees of various departments involved in the campaign. He lauded the efforts of
non-government organisations, particularly the Rotary International, in assisting the government for effective implementation of the programme. The second dose of polio drops will be administered on January 21. Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, Mr Narinder Bragta, Horticulture Minister, also administered polio drops to children. |
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UGC urged to review decision SHIMLA, Dec 10 — The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers Association has urged the University Grants Commission to review its decision on deputing an observer in the selection committee for promotions to the posts of Reader and Professor under the career advancement scheme. Dr Rajinder Chauhan, president of the association, said here today that such a provision was “illegal” and an “encroachment” on the autonomy of universities. Besides, there was no such clause in the agreement on pay revision signed between the teachers and the commission. The notification issued by the commission in 1998 concerning revised pay scales clearly mentioned that the selection committee for promotion to the post of Professor would be the same as that for direct recruitment. There was no provision for a commission’s observer in direct recruitment. It was not feasible for the commission to send observers to hundreds of universities for different subjects. This could cause unnecessary and avoidable delays. Mr Chauhan said members of the association would go on casual leave en masse to participate in the protest rally being organised by various teachers associations on December 12 at Delhi. |
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Mother, daughter missing KANGRA, Dec 10 — A 36-year-housewife, Neelam Devi, and her 12-year daughter, Sonia residents of Sudaird village of this district, are reportedly missing since June 20. The police has failed to trace them. Mr Pramod Kumar, husband of Neelam Devi who is moving from pillar to post, in search of his wife and daughter, said his wife left for her father’s house on June 17 along with Sonia for two or three days. When she did not return even after six days, he rushed to his in-laws’ house at Satuwari to bring them back on June 23. He said that he was told by his in-laws that she had returned on June 20 and might have gone to some relatives on the way. He searched for them for nearly 20 days and ultimately registered a missing report with Dharamsala police station on July 13. He alleged that the police made no efforts to search the two. The Dharamsala police yesterday refused to divulge anything about the case, saying that the SHO was busy making arrangements for the Chief Minister’s visit to
McLeodganj. |
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ONGC begins drilling of well SUNDERNAGAR, Dec 10 — The Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) today started drilling a well at Dhaban village, 11 km from here, under the Sundernagar Project. Mr B.C. Bora, Chairman of ONGC, switched on the drilling rig E-2000-VIII, which has been recently brought here from Bangladesh. Later, while addressing mediapersons, Mr Bora said about Rs 70 crores would be spent on the project. It would take 5-6 months to drill the well whose depth would be more than 5 km, he added. Mr Bora said ONGC had started drilling at the second site in Himachal Pradesh after 11 years. Earlier, the Chauman sanctioned two rooms for the middle school of the village. |
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