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| Tuesday, January 16, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Power reform delay ‘boon’ for HP Chamba ZP chief to be elected today Both BJP, Congress claim majority BJP wins block panel elections Ram Singh is Kulu MC chief |
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India urged to raise Tibet issue Bindya Tikku is Winter Queen Residents seek
repair of road Freedom fighter
dead Councillors to be sworn in today ABVP activists
stage dharna Youth shoots self
accidentally 
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Power reform delay ‘boon’ for HP SHIMLA, Jan 15 — The inordinate delay in initiating structural reforms in the power sector may prove a boon for Himachal Pradesh as it can learn from the mistakes of other states, which blindly went ahead with the dismantling of the electricity boards and had to suffer, says Mr S.S. Gupta, the newly appointed one-member state Electricity Regulatory Commission. In a democratic set up no policy or reform effort could succeed unless it directly benefits the consumers. The fact that the ultimate objective of the entire “restructuring” exercise was to ensure quality power at reasonable rates was overlooked by the states, which took lead in implementing reforms, Mr Gupta told The Tribune during an interview here today. The hasty manner in which some states initiated the reform process on the dictates of the World Bank proved counter-productive as in the perception of the common man it meant dismantling of electricity boards, large-scale privatisation and consequent reduction in jobs and sharp increase in power tariff without any tangible benefits to them. It was hardly surprising that the process was derailed midway and now many of the states were considering to roll it back, he pointed out. He said the Himachal Pradesh Government had evolved its own model of reforms and decided not to dismantle the board and instead carry out the restructuring within the existing set up. It was a much better proposition than the trifurcation of the board. Coordinated action was a strength of the existing board and by creating there independent corporations to look after generation, transmission and distribution some states turned it into a “weakness”. The need was to transform weaknesses into strength by appropriate reforms. The model evolved by Himachal Pradesh had attracted the attention of other states and they were keen to follow it. He added that the process of reforms in the state would take off from April 1. The reforms must lead to an improvement in the performance pertaining to transmission and distribution (T and D) losses, efficiency of transmission lines and substations. At present the T and D losses ranged between 25 to 30 per cent as against the ideal 12 to 13 per cent. This could be brought down to the desirable level over the next 10 years if the board achieves a reduction of 1.5 to 2 per cent annually, which was not a difficult proposition. Similarly, in transmission much improvement can be brought by rectifying the overloading and underloading of lines and ensuring their optimal use. Since the state only had hydel projects, the generation largely depended on discharge in the rivers. However, the functioning machines had to be monitored to ensure efficiency. Mr Gupta said the most important function of the commission was to determine power tariff, which would depend largely on the revenue required by the state electricity board. Meanwhile, four micro-hydroelectric projects to generate about 5 mw of power in Chamba district have been allotted to the private sector by the state government. The decision to allot these to the private parties was reportedly taken at the recent meeting of the Cabinet. A total of 106 projects for generating 170 mw of power have been allotted recently in the third phase. 24 projects to generate 50 mw of electricity were allotted in the second phase and 64 projects with the generating capacity of 71 mw were granted to the private sector in the first phase. |
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Chamba ZP chief to be elected today CHAMBA, Jan 15 — The elections to the post of Chairman of the 18-member Zila Parishad, Chamba, were postponed today for want of a quorum. Only 4 of the 17 elected members were present. The Deputy Commissioner, who is also the Returning Officer for the parishad poll, had no choice but to put off the elections to tomorrow. Similarly, the Chamba Municipal Council could not form a quorum of nine members. In the 11-member council, only eight members were present. The Subdivisional Magistrate, Chamba, who is also the Returning Officer for council poll, said the next date for the elections to the posts of President and Vice-President had been fixed for January 18. DALHOUSIE: Mrs Asha Kumari, a Congress MLA from the Banikhet Assembly constituency, has charged the Returning Officer of the Block Development Committee (BDC), Salooni, with the violation of the provisions of the Panchayati Raj election rules. Talking to mediapersons, Mrs Asha Kumari said a former Chairman of the Salooni BDC, Mr Dharam Singh Pathania, her staunch supporter, had been asked to file an election petition demanding an inquiry against the Returning Officer who acted in violation of the rules during the elections to the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman on January 12 at Salooni in Chamba district. Countering the claims of Mrs Renu Chadha, a BJP leader, that the BJP had captured the municipal and panchayat elections in the Banikhet constituency, Mrs Asha Kumari said the facts were distorted as the elections had not been contested on party basis. |
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Both BJP, Congress claim majority DHARAMSALA, Jan 15 — The day was marked with hectic lobbying and efforts to build-up consensus by both BJP and the Congress for the post of chairman of Kangra Zila Parishad, the election for which is to be held tomorrow. With both parties claiming to have a complete majority, there is likely to be a keen contest. With a total of 56 members, at least 38 members are required to complete the quorum. Even as the contenders for chairmanship, both in the Congress and the BJP are trying to garner support, the seven Independents will play a significant role in deciding the outcome of the election. However, the large number of contenders and the differences among senior Congress leaders could damage the party’s interest. For the past few days, the All-India Mahila Congress president and Rajya Sabha member, Mrs Chandresh Kumari, has been camping here to bring about a consensus on the person to be fielded. The names of Mr Navneet Sharma, Mr Manoj Kumar, Mr Karan Singh Pathania and Mr Ran Singh are doing the rounds. Having remained Chairman of the Kangra Panchayat Samiti, Mr Navneet Sharma, has emerged as a probable. However, he is facing opposition from former minister Vijai Singh Mankotia. There is speculation that Mr Sharma might be able to get support from the Independents. On the other hand, the BJP, which claims that it has support from the Independents, is considering Mr Ratan Jagdamba, Mr Manakya Katoch and Mr Hari Narain for the post. Mr Jagdamba, who has won from the Kangra area for the third time, is emerging as a strong candidate. He reportedly enjoys the support of Union Minister Shanta Kumar. The BJP has also circulated the name of Mr Manakya Katoch from Thural. Mr Shanta Kumar arrived at Palampur today and is expected to play an important role in bringing about a consensus among the elected members. However, even in the BJP, the rivalry between the Shanta camp and the Dhumal camp may prove to be damaging. Efforts are being made to woo the Independents and Transport Minister Kishan Kapoor and the district BJP president and MLA from Baijnath, Mr Dulo Ram, remained busy all through the day trying to garner support for the party. A three-member committee comprising Mrs Chandresh Kumari, former PCC president, Mr Sat Mahajan and former minister Narain Chand Prashar held a meeting today to elicit the views of the elected members. Some of the Congress leaders expressed apprehension that since they had a majority, the BJP would try to get the election deferred by not completing the quorum. |
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BJP wins block panel elections NURPUR, Jan 15 — Despite the adjournment of the elections to the posts of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the local Block Development Committee (BDC) twice, the BJP today won the elections by an overwhelming majority. Mr Achhar Singh and Mr Vipin Choudhary were elected the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman, respectively, on last evening. Of the 29 BDC members, 19 supported Mr Achhar Singh and 18 Mr Vipin Choudhary. Mr Baldev Pappi and Mr Chain Singh were the Congress nominees for the posts of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman, respectively. Earlier, the elections could not take place on the scheduled dates due to lack of quorum as the Congress-supported members abstained from the election meetings held on January 4 and 9. The jubilant BJP workers took out a victory procession led by the local MLA and Vice-Chairman of the HP Tourism Development Corporation, Mr Rakesh Pathania. |
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Ram Singh is Kulu MC chief KULU, Jan 15 — Mr Ram Singh of the BJP was elected President and Mr Gopal Mahant of the Congress was elected Vice-President in the results announced at the office of the municipal council at Akhara Bazar here today. Mr Maheshwar Singh, MP brought six councillors of the total 11 to the venue of the elections amidst a slogan-shouting mob that had started gathering at the MC office since morning. Mr Ram Singh, who defeated Mrs Sushila Thakur by one vote, was the choice of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, and the BJP General Secretary, Mr Narender Modi. Similarly, Mr Gopal Mahant bagged the seat of the Vice-President by defeating Mr Sumer Nath Awasthi, a former President of the municipal council, by one vote. It was a big jolt to the local MP and the Minister of State for Primary Education, Mr Karan Singh, as they had taken the six councillors along with them. One of the councillors deceived them. Meanwhile, the police had a tough time in controlling the traffic as hundreds of supporters of both factions gathered on the national highway near the MC office. Mr Karan Singh was manhandled by the irate mob while he exchanged hot words with Mr Dinesh Sen, district President of the BJP. Mr Maheshwar Singh, elder brother of Mr Karan Singh, took him away. The crowd raised slogans against the MP and the minister and the atmosphere became very tense. The elections to the zila parishad were also held today which, again, gave a jolt to the local MP and the minister. The 10 members of the total 14, who participated in the election on the first day on January 10 and protested against the Deputy Commissioner, reached the venue on time and unanimously elected the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the zila
parishad. The name of Mr Khimi Ram for the post of the Chairman was proposed by Dil
Khush, a BJP member, and seconded by Ms Deep Lata Sharma, a Congress member. Similarly, for the post of the Vice-Chairman, two sets of papers were filed in which the BJP member proposed the name and the Congress member seconded it. Mr Ses Ram was elected, Vice-Chairman. Renu Chadha
elected MC chief DALHOUSIE, Jan 15 — Renu Chadha (BJP) and Mr Parkash Chand were today declared elected as President and Vice-President, respectively, of the Dalhousie Municipal Council, according to the SDM, Mr J.S. Pathania. Disciplinary panel
chief quits SHIMLA, Jan 15 — Mr Maheshwar Singh,
chairman of the state Disciplinary Committee of the BJP today resigned
from the post for his failure to maintain unity and discipline among
partymen in his home constituency of Kulu. It is learnt that he was upset over his failure to get a candidate of his choice elected as chairman of the Kulu Municipal Council. While he was in favour of Ms Sushila, a majority of the elected council members voted for Mr Ram Singh, also of the BJP. The election for the post of chairman and the vice-chairman was held at Kulu today.
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India urged to raise Tibet issue DHARAMSALA, Jan 15 — The Tibetan Women Association (TWA) today urged the Indian leadership to raise the Tibet issue with the visiting Chinese leader, Mr Li Peng, so that negotiations could be held between Beijing and Dharamsala. In a statement issued here today, the additional secretary of the TWA, Ms Tenzin Tselha Simo, said India could play a crucial role in resolving the Tibet issue. She said the TWA had sent appeals to Mr Li Peng, the Vice-President of India, Mr Krishna Kant, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mr G.M.C., Balayogi, and a general request to the people of India to help the Tibetans. She said when Tibet was an independent country, India had no border problems with China because Tibet was a buffer zone between the two countries. “A free Tibet will not only save crores of rupees being spent by India on defence but will help in maintaining peace and harmony in South Asia, she said. She said the Dalai Lama’s proposal of negotiations without any preconditions was genuine and should be taken seriously by China. She said since the occupation of Tibet by China, the Communist regime had followed a consistent policy aimed at the complete destruction of Tibet’s national identity, religion, culture and environment. She said China should end its repressive policies in Tibet, release the Panchen Lama and other political prisoners in Tibet, end the ban on the fundamental rights of Tibetans, halt the continuous transfer of Chinese into Tibet and earnestly consider holding negotiations with the Dalai Lama without any preconditions. |
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Bindya Tikku is Winter Queen MANALI, Jan 15 — Bindya Tikku of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, was crowned Winter Queen at the Winter Carnival-2001 here last evening. Amrita Thakur of Shri Natraj Kala Sanstha, Amravati, and Shalni Chandra Mohan of Madras School of Social Work were the first and second runners-up, respectively, at the concluding day of the five-day carnival. The following are the results of other competitions: Personalty contest (Men) — Tarun Kumar of Shri Jan Kala Kendra, Jabalpur (1), Sandip Behal of Rang Trang Bhuntar, Kulu (2), and Ajay Verma of Natraj Kala Sangam, Kulu (3). Classical dance — Lala Lajpat Rai College, Mumbai (1); Madras School of Social Work (2) and Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu (3). The overall trophy was won by the Muktsar Kala Manch. The concluding function was presided over by the Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports and Excise and Taxation, Mr Parveen Sharma. He also gave away the prizes to the winners. |
Residents seek
repair of road KUMARHATTI, Jan 15 — Resentment prevails among residents of Dagshai town, Anhech and Gandhi Gram over the failure of authorities concerned to repair the Dagshai-Anhech link road. Being an alternative route to Kumarhatti-Nahan road, which often gets blocked in the rainy season, this road passes through a cemetery. Due to the bad condition of the road, people have to face inconvenience to reach the graveyard. According to residents of Anhech all efforts to draw the attention of authorities in this regard have been failed as nothing has happened so far. Moreover, private bus operators have also discontinued the bus service on the road due to its bad condition. Due to the lack of bus service the residents of Anhech have to cover a long distance to board the buses. It is learnt that the feud between the cantonment board, Military Estate Service and the PWD about the jurisdiction of work has led to the current situation. |
Freedom fighter
dead MANDI, Jan 15 — Freedom-fighter and member of the Azad Hind Fauj, Biri Singh (83) died in his native village, Brehal, near Barsu in this district today. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had honoured him in 1972 by presenting him a Tamra Patra. He was cremated in Bagla near here. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons. The district administration gave a sum of Rs 1,000 to the family of the deceased for the last rites. |
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Councillors to be sworn in today PARWANOO, Jan 15 — The oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected members of the nagar parishad here will be held tomorrow. According to the Assistant Commissioner of Parwanoo after the oath-taking ceremony, there will be elections for the post of president and vice-president of the parishad. The post of president has been reserved for the woman member and the vice-president will be elected from amongst other members. The election for nine wards of Nagar Parishad of this town were held on December 20 and the result of the elections were declared on the same day.
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ABVP activists
stage dharna SHIMLA, Jan 15 — Activists of the ABVP today staged dharna in front of the office of the Vice-Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University in protest against the decision to close hostels in the campus. The activists also submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor and raised slogans. A meeting of the Students Central Association was also held who urged the Vice-Chancellor to take immediate action. |
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| Youth shoots self
accidentally SHIMLA, Jan 15 — Varun Rathore, a 23-year-old local youth died when the air gun he was carrying went off accidentally at Molog village in Shogi, near here, last night. According to the police, the deceased, who was a resident of Boileauganj, had gone to the village along with two friends for dinner. He was fiddling with the gun when it went off and he was hit on the head. He was taken to hospital by his friends where the doctors declared him dead. |
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SE promoted MANDI, Jan 15 — Mr S.P. Sharma, Superintending Engineer, HPSEB, has been promoted as Chief Engineer of the HPSEB Central Range, here. He has joined duty. On being contacted, he said his top priority would be to streamline power supply and transmission system to check frequent breakdowns in the Central Range area. Negi is DIG of
Central range SHIMLA, Jan 15 — The Himachal Government today posted Mr M.L. Negi, DIG, Lokayukta, as DIG, Central range, Mandi, in place of Mr Sumesh Goyal, who takes over as DIG, Lokayukta. |
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12 injured
as buses collide SHIMLA, Jan 15 (UNI) — Twelve persons were injured when two buses collided with each other at Dhihan Ghati, 13 km from Theog, in this district today. One bus belonged to the Himachal Road Transport Corporation and was going from Solan to Sangla, while the other was a private bus and going from Majiahana to Theog when the accident
occurred. |
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Two arrested for smuggling charas MANDI, Jan 15 — Charas weighing 7.8 kg was seized from a Mandi-Pathankot bus of the HRTC during a naka here last night. The contraband charas seized is valued at about Rs 1 crore in the international market. Two persons, Ashwani Kumar of Kinnaur’s Riba village and his accomplice Man Chand of Kotli were arrested in this connection and a case under the NDPS Act has been registered. |
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