 |
| Wednesday, January 3, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
|
HP ex-Speaker Negi dead Shanta: FCI to probe corruption Panchayati Raj bodies to get more Vigilance probe into Agro Packaging bungling Row over ex-minister joining LJP Gurpurb celebrated with fervour |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ‘Declare Jawalamukhi heritage town’ 4 Dogra builds ‘shardha dwar’ Crime graph shows upward trend Scribe beaten up Murder case: HC upholds conviction Head Constable killed in mishap PWD staff present 20.57 lakh to CM BJP wins ZP posts in Sirmaur HP Vidhan Sabha prorogued Robbers fail to loot bank 
|
| HP ex-Speaker Negi dead SHIMLA, Jan 2 — Mr Thakur Sein Negi, veteran politician of Himachal Pradesh died last evening at the age of 92 following prolonged illness. Mr Negi had been Speaker of the Assmebly in 1979, 1982 and 1990. He died at his residence at Salogra in the Solan district. His body was brought here for cremation with state honours. The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, his ministerial colleagues and senior political leaders attended the funeral. Before joining politics, Mr Negi was the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh and he served in various positions. He graduated in Agriculture and Law from Layallpur in Lahore. He was a bachelor. Born at Shong village in the Kinnaur district on September 5, 1909, Mr Negi distinguished himself in various fields and also served the Navy. He represented the constituency five times. He was the leader of the Opposition from the Samyukt Vidhayak Dal and the Lok Raj Party. He played active part in the Praja Mandal Movement. Mr Negi was now affiliated with the BJP. His body was brought to the Assembly complex from Salogra were leaders and a large number of officers laid wreaths on his body. It was then taken along a procession to the cremation ground at Sanjauli. The Forest Minister, Mr Roop Singh Thakur, Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Chet Ram Negi and several others joined the procession. The Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Speaker, Thakur Gulab Singh, leader of the Opposition, Mr Virbhadra Singh and the PCC President, Ms Vidya Stokes, have expressed shock over the death of Mr Negi. Mr Dhumal said the services rendered by Mr Negi would always be remembered by the people. Mr Negi took keen interest in the development of the tribal areas. |
| Shanta: FCI to probe corruption DHARAMSALA, Jan 2 — Reiterating his resolve to fight corruption, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Mr Shanta Kumar, said that he had directed the Food Corporation of India (FCI) Chairman to look into the fresh allegations of corruption, apart from the scams worth Rs 450 crore detected in the department, earlier. Addressing a press conference here today, he said it was about a fortnight back that certain allegations, through an anonymous letter were brought to his notice. “Despite the letter being an unsigned one I immediately directed the Chairman, Mr Bhure Lal, to investigate the matter. I assure everybody that there would be no compromise with corruption at any cost.” he added. The minister also inaugurated the district handicapped rehabilitation centre. today. The minister said certain decisions taken by him could have led to a lot of discomfiture to those, who have gone to extent of complaining to the Prime Minister against him. He added that if the allegations are found to be true, the guilty would not be spared. Sounding optimistic about the success of the Antodya Ann Yojna,” launched on December, 25, throughout the nation, he was hopeful that all the state governments would implement it. Mr Shanta Kumar, said the government was committed towards taking care of the poor people and the launching of the yojna was just the beginning in this direction. “The scheme which will put an additional burden of Rs 2300 crore on the exchequer, will provide subsidised ration to over five crore people” he said. The minister said the notion being created that the scheme had been launched to get rid of the buffer stocks of grains was absolutely false.. Mr Shanta Kumar, while stating that hunger and democracy cannot go hand in hand, said the scheme formulated earlier had not been implemented properly. “Despite huge amounts of money being spent on various welfare schemes, some of them were rendered ineffective due to corruption ,” he stated. He said as per UNICEF report 36 per cent of the world’s children, who are suffering from malnutrition reside in India and about five crore people in our country are suffering from hunger. He said various schemes like the Annapurna Yojna, Sarvpriya Yojha and Antodya Ann Yojna had been framed keeping these sections of the society in mind. Mr Shanta Kumar said as compared to states like Orissa, Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh fared much better in this respect. He disclosed that as per a survey there were about 5.14 lakh households living below the poverty line in Himachal and those who fell in the poorest of poor category were just 15.33 per cent. |
| Panchayati Raj bodies to get more powers: CM SHIMLA, Jan 2 — Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has given a call to presidents, vice-presidents and all other Panchayati Raj functionaries to play a role in the development of the state as the government wanted to make Himachal Pradesh a model state. He was addressing newly elected presidents and vice-presidents of gram panchayats of Shimla and Kinnaur districts after administering oath to them here today. Mr Dhumal said the state government was committed to strengthen the Panchayati Raj institutions and had made devolution of powers to these institutions during the past 33 months. They would be given more powers for ensuring speedy development, he said. The state government would give grants to the panchayats and they would have to manage the affairs and ensure that every penny was utilised judiciously, he said. He said a provision had been in the Panchayati Raj Act to ensure regular meetings of the gram sabha on every first Sunday of January, April, July and October every year. The Chief Minister said beneficiaries of IRD, social security pension and other poverty alleviation programmes would be selected through the gram sabhas. He said the government had decided to link all villages by roads in next three years. |
| Vigilance probe into Agro Packaging bungling SHIMLA, Jan 2 — The Himachal Government has ordered a vigilance inquiry into the bunglings in the Agro Packaging India Limited following the detection of gross financial irregularities and flagrant violation of rules in appointments during the special audit. The inquiry has been instituted to pin point responsibility for the irregularities, which caused pecuniary loss to the public sector undertaking, that guilty official could be brought to book, the bunglings pertain to the 1994-98 period when Congress was in power, the public sector undertaking has accumulated losses to the tune of Rs 34 crore. Maximum irregularities pertain to payment of commission to agents engaged by the unit for the sale of cartons. The Board of Directors had approved appointment of agents for the sale of commercial cartons through advertisements. However, the then MD signed an agreement with a Chandigarh based party without following the due procedure for not only commercial but also horticultural cartons on profit sharing basis. The party was paid Rs 14 lakh as commission without even calculating the profit. The audit has now revealed that the unit suffered a loss of Rs 10 lakh in the deal. Similarly, a sum of Rs 11.50 lakh was advanced to a Delhi-based agent which was supposed to procure orders for supply of commercial cartons from the United Arab Emirates. The agent neither procured any order nor refunded the amount. In another instance a Punjab advocate was paid Rs 2 lakh as fee for cases which had nothing to do with the public sector undertaking. Moreover, no proper record of the fees paid was maintained. Failure of the company to manufacture cartons of agreed specification for companies like Dabur, Hindustan Breweries, Markfed and Pepsi Food caused a loss of Rs 13 lakh. These companies rejected the cartons as substandard and below specification. The PSU paid Rs 2 lakh to a Delhi based company with which it had no dealing at all. Besides half a dozen private parties were given advance payments in violation of rules as a result of which an amount of Rs 3.5 lakh was still outstanding. Some parties got payments without even raising a claim. A favoured storekeeper of the Managing Director was allowed to draw advance salary to the tune of Rs 2.33 lakh which was utilised by him for boarding and lodging during tours and expenditure in connection with business promotion, the audit revealed that the money was actually used for purchasing cassettes, hotplate, books, sarees, shawls, mattresses and other items which had nothing to do with business promotion, Moreover, no proper record of gifts (worth Rs 8.64 lakh) presented in for business promotion was maintained. An orchestra was purchased at a cost of Rs 48,000 and 8 persons were engaged for it for 21 months on ad hoc basis were paid Rs 62,000. Besides financial bunglings, irregularities were also detected in recruitment. As many as 54 persons were appointed on daily wages and allowed to continue beyond 89 days in violation of rules. At the same time contract labour was also engaged for which there was no justification. A retired commandant of Home Guards was appointed as Chief Security Officer for the plant at Pragatinagar but has headquarter was fixed at Shimla. When the government directed the management to shift it to Pragatinagar, the officer proceeded on medical leave. He was allowed to draw salary and pension in violation of irregular promotions were also effected against non-existent posts. A manager (Finance) was promoted as general manager, law officer as manager and personal assistant as executive secretary. |
| Row over ex-minister joining LJP SHIMLA, Jan 2 — A former Public Works Minister, Mr Mohinder Singh, has raked up yet another controversy by joining the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Legal experts are of the opinion that an expelled member can neither float a new party nor join any other party. Moreover, the Speaker, Mr Gulab Singh, has already declared him as an unattached member. Under the Anti-Defection Law an unattached member could not join any party and if he does so, it attracts disqualification. The President of the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC), Mr Sukh Ram, said his party would move the Speaker for disqualification of Mr Mohinder Singh who was expelled on April 25, for anti-party activities. He said an announcement of his appointment as president of the state unit of the LJP clearly indicates that he had joined a new party. Mr Mohinder Singh committed a blunder by claiming his faction to be the real HVC rather than splitting the party. The Speaker had rejected his claim of being the real HVC as two out of the total three legislators were with Mr Sukh Ram. The Election Commission of India also dismissed his claim. Thereafter, Mr Mohinder Singh floated the HVC. However, it could not be registered as Mr Sukh Ram filed a caveat with the Election Commission that any new party with a name similiar to his HVC should not be registered. In between, the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, who had all along supported Mr Mohinder Singh, was forced to accept his resignation from dissidents. Mr Sukh Ram had been demanding his resignation from the Cabinet eversince Mr Mohinder Singh raised a banner of revolt against his leadership. The Congress had also pitched in to take advantage of the situation and levelled serious charges of corruption against Mr Mohinder Singh in the chargesheet submitted by it to the Governor against the Dhumal government. However, it was the pressure from BJP dissidents which finally saw the ouster of the Public Works Minister. There has been no smooth sailing for Mr Mohinder Singh even and a majority of his supporters after that favoured merger of the splinter group with the HVC. |
| Gurpurb celebrated with fervour SHIMLA, Jan 2 (PTI) — Gurpurb, marking the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, was celebrated with religious fervour throughout Himachal Pradesh today. Thousands of Sikhs thronged famous gurdwaras at Paonta Sahib and Revalsar and Manikaran and took bath in holy rivers and lakes, braving the intense cold wave conditions. The gurdwaras were tastefully decorated and illuminated and Shabad-kirtan and religious discourses marked the festivities. In Shimla, main function was held at Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara near the bus stand. Shabad-kirtan and langar were also organised. Reports of Gurpurb celebrations were also received from other parts of the state. |
| ‘Declare Jawalamukhi heritage town’ JAWALAMUKHI, Jan 2 — A senior Congress leader and former Transport Minister, Mr Kewal Singh Pathania, today demanded that Jawalamukhi be declared as heritage town of the country. Talking to mediapersons at the local rest house, Mr Pathania demanded the Union Human Resources Development Ministry to study all pros and cons and make the Jawalamukhi a heritage town of the country. He demanded that a high-level committee be framed and sent to conduct a detailed on-the-spot survey of this historical town which had so far been left neglected by people of certain vested interests. He went to extent that on his part the Archeological Survey of India should come forward to make a comprehensive plan keeping in view the historical importance of the town. He reminded that Jawalamukhi town ought not be considered a mere temple town. Elaborating, he pointed out that old buildings of the town were proof of the Mughal architecture. The ruins of the abode of Elaichi Gir who was a seer of distinct Gosain community, narrate the story of the grandeur of this community who were principal traders of the hill areas before the emergence of the Sood and Mahajan community on the scene. It may be mentioned that as many as 22 “maths” were established from Jawalamukhi to Kulu by this community. Even today their traditional “gaddi” has been kept under lock and key in Devi Talab building located in town. He lamented that this historical town had been systematically and intentionally relegated to the background. He was of the opinion that the state government should not dither on its part to shoulder the responsibility to bring this town on the historical map. 4 Dogra builds ‘shardha dwar’ JAWALAMUKHI: A “shradha dwar” was recently constructed by 4 Dogra Regiment here on the Dharamsala-Shimla highway. The gate was inaugurated by Col Sunil Sharma of 4 Dogra. Prominent persons of the city and ex-servicemen of the area were also present .Colonel Sharma traced the history of the regiment and lauded the role of the jawans in maintaining national security and in social service. He said the jawans of the regiment were the epitome of gallantry. The “shradha dwar” constructed in this temple town was dedicated to the memory of the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in action. The regiment was raised in 1940. It was awarded the “Yudh Samman” (Magwe) in 1945 and in 1948 (Barwali). It has won more than 131 awards, including one Mahavir Chakra, six Vir Chakras, one Kirti Chakra, one Shaurya Chakra and three Sena Medals. Its first platoon served in Siachen in 1984. During the 1990-1993 period the regiment set an extraordinary example in Punjab in the fields of social service and internal security. Jawans of this regiment believe that at the Jwalamukhi Temple, Goddess Durga is present in the form of a celestial flame. The battle cry of the regiment is “Jawala Mata ki Jai”. Several years ago a marble idol of Goddess Durga was presented by jawans to this temple. It has been placed in Shaiyya Bhavan on the temple premises. Later they offered a bell which has been hung in front of the gate. The doors of the main gate were constructed by jawans of 4 Dogra a few years ago. The welcome gate behind the bus stand was also constructed by them. The Dogra Scouts built a gate in front of Gopi Man Kuthiala Dharmshala. Jawans of the regiment come to pay obeisance to Jawalamukhi throughout the year. They have constructed a yatri nivas in the vicinity of the temple. Ex-servicemen from the regiment are unhappy that the state government is not making serious efforts to preserve certain memorials to valiant jawans in this town. |
| Crime graph shows upward trend MANDI, Jan 2 — The crime graph in the district has reflected an upward trend with a marked increase in the cases of rape, rioting, kidnapping, attempt to murder and road accidents in the year just ended as compared to the previous year. The crime figures obtained from Mr O.C. Thakur, SP, reveal that as against 13 cases of rape in 1999 there were 24 rape cases reported in 2000. The number of rioting cases has gone up from 50 in 1999 to 60 in 2000. The number of road accidents has also increased to 79 in 2000 from 61 in 1999. There has been an alarming increase in the cases of kidnaping in the district. As many as 19 such cases were reported in 2000 compared to only 7 in 1999. Mr Thakur said the police launched a campaign against illicit distillation and narcotic drugs last year and registered 437 cases under the Excise Act. Illicit liquor measuring 850 litres, and three working stills were seized. As many as 27 cases were registered under the Forest Act while 15 cases under the NDPS Act. The police seized 13.4 kg of charas and 5 kg of opium during last year. Scribe beaten up SOLAN, Jan 2 — Balbir Singh, a correspondent of Divya Himachal, was allegedly beaten up by two persons near Badhalag, near Kasauli, yesterday. The scribe was on his way from Chandi to Badhalag. The police has registered cases under Sections 341, 323 and 506, IPC. Balbir Singh alleged that the persons who attacked him appeared to have taken an offence over his reports and had threatened him with dire consequences if he did not mend his ways. He has demanded police protection. |
| Murder case: HC upholds conviction SHIMLA, Jan 2 — A Division Bench of the H.P. High Court comprising Mr Justice L.S. Panta and Mr Justice R.L. Khurana has upheld the judgement of Additional Session Judge, Shimla, in which he convicted Bal Bahadur for offences under Sections 302 and 307 of the IPC for having caused the murder of Sunita and for attempt to kill Anuradha Negi on August 6, 1998 in the area of Samala village in Rohru tehsil. He was convicted and sentenced to life and fined Rs 5000 and rigorous imprisonment for three years and a fine of Rs 1000. The two sentences of imprisonment are to run cuncurrently. According to the prosecution Sunita was standing on the roadside when the accused attacked her with a “drat”. Before the incident the accused had assaulted another girl Anuradha. The counsel for the accused contended that the accused had been able to discharge the burden of proof placed on him and it had been proved on record that the accused at the time of committing the crime was not capable of understanding the acts committed by him. Therefore, he was entitled to the benefit of Section 84 of IPC. Delivering the judgement the judges observed that there was nothing on record to show that the accused was suffering from any mental illness at any time prior to the occurance. Since the accused had failed to prove that he was of unsound mind at the time of the commission of the offences and was incapable of knowing the nature of his acts, he was not entitled to the benefit under Section 84 of the IPC. He was rightly convicted and sentenced for the two offences under Sections 302 and 307 of the IPC. Head Constable killed in mishap JAWALAMUKHI, Jan 2 — A Head Constable was killed and two persons were seriously injured in an accident near Dehrian village on the Dharamsala-Shimla national highway yesterday. According to police sources, Head Constable Kashmir Singh, 45, who was working in the traffic cell of the local police station, died on the spot when a private bus of the Padma Bus Service hit the van in which he was travelling along with three persons. The local police has registered a criminal case against the two drivers. While the bus driver was arrested, the van driver absconded from the spot. |
| PWD staff present 20.57 lakh to CM SHIMLA, Jan 2 — Officials of the Public Works Department contributed Rs 20.57 lakh towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. A cheque for Rs 20.57 lakh was presented to the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, here yesterday by the Secretary PWD, Mr S.K. Sood, Engineer-in-Chief, Mr S.S. Juneja and the president of employees’ union, Mr Ganga Singh Thakur. |
| BJP wins ZP posts in Sirmaur NAHAN, Jan 2 — The BJP has captured both posts in Sirmaur Zila Parishad today. Mr Chander Mohan Thakur, Vice-President of the state BJP and loyalist of Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, was unanimously elected chairman of the Zila Parishad. Ms Anita who was elected vice-president of the parishad defeated former vice-president of the parishad, Ms Rajeshwari. PANCHAYAT SAMITI: In an unprecedented political development at Paonta Sahib, the Congress lost the post of chairman and had to satisfy with the post of vice-chairman. The only nominee of the BJP, Ms Paramjeet Kaur, was unanimously elected chairman of the panchayat samiti, Paonta Sahib, and Congress-supported Punjab Singh was elected vice-president of the samiti. Pyere Lal is new ZP chief HAMIRPUR, Jan 2 — Mr Pyere Lal Sharma, vice-president of the district unit of the BJP, and Mr Atma Ram were elected chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the Hamirpur Zila Parishad today. Three sets of nomination papers in favour of both of them were filed. Mr S.R. Verma, Additional District Magistrate, conducted the election in the DRDA hall. Fifteen out of 18 members were present in the hall at the time of election. These include 14 BJP members and one Independent. Three Congress members, Mr Atul Katna, Ms Dhruban Devi and Mrs Nimmo Devi, boycotted the election alleging that the state government was downgrading the prestigious institution of the Panchayati Raj through various legislations. They also handed over a joint letter to the ADC before the election. HP Vidhan Sabha prorogued SHIMLA, Jan 2 (PTI) — The Governor, Suraj Bhan, has prorogued the Vidhan Sabha, which adjourned sine die after the eight-day winter session on December 29, 2000. A notification to this effect was issued by Raj Bhawan today. |
| Robbers fail to loot bank NURPUR, Jan 2 — A group of robbers targeted the Damtal branch of the State Bank of India in wee hours on Monday. The robbers, eight to 10 in number, failed to break the iron door of the strong room of the bank. They, then, used a gas cutter to break it, failing which, they decamped with guard’s 12 bore rifle and 10 cartridges. According to information, when the staff arrived on the bank premises in the morning, they found the lock of the grill gate broken. The police chowki, Damtal, was informed immediately and the case registered with the Indora police. The robbers left gas cylinder and the cutter on the spot and tied Durb Singh, a chowkidar of the telephone exchange opposite to the bank, with his bed. |
 | | Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
