H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Jobs for all by 2010: Dhumal
SUNDERNAGAR, Jan 25 — The 31st Himachal Day was celebrated here for the first time since January 25, 1971, when statehood was accorded to Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal was the chief guest. Prof Dhumal started the function by hoisting the Tricolour and inspected the parade of police, Home Guards, NCC cadets and contingents from different schools. He also took a salute from these contingents.

Maheshwar Singh’s resignation rejected
SHIMLA, Jan 25 — Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, President of the state BJP, has rejected the resignation of Mr Maheshwar Singh from the chairmanship of the party’s disciplinary committee and initiated talks with the factional groups to resolve the crisis in the Kulu district unit.

Abolish house tax: civic body chief
JAWALAMUKHI, Jan 25 — The newly-elected president of the local Nagar Panchayat, Mr Rajan Sharma, has urged the state government to abolish house tax in the town. He demanded a special status for the town and to chalk out a comprehensive plan for the development of the town.

Rs 30,000 looted from eunuch’s house
SURAJPUR, Jan 25 — At least Rs 30,000 in cash and some gold ornaments were stolen from the house of two eunuchs-Nirmal Mahant and Chameli Mahant by some unidentified persons who forced their entry into the house here last night.

Jobs for all by 2010: Dhumal
From Kishori Lal and M.C. Sharma

SUNDERNAGAR, Jan 25 — The 31st Himachal Day was celebrated here for the first time since January 25, 1971, when statehood was accorded to Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal was the chief guest.

Prof Dhumal started the function by hoisting the Tricolour and inspected the parade of police, Home Guards, NCC cadets and contingents from different schools. He also took a salute from these contingents.

He lauded the role of the first Chief Minister, Y.S. Parmar. He said since its creation the state had developed a lot and for this credit should go to people. During the Kargil operation, four Paramvir Chakras were awarded. Out of them, two were given to Himachalis.

He said the state had developed in the economic sector, literacy foodgrain and construction of roads. Electricity and drinking water had been supplied to all villages and said by the end of 2010, everyone would get employment.

The government had given more powers to the panchayats and development schemes would be provided through the panchayats.

The government had launched a scheme to improve the quality of education and had made it mandatory for schools to have three rooms.

The Indian reserve battalion of 900 Himachali youths would be created soon, he said.

Farmers had been given a subsidy of Rs 23 crore and provided support price of mango as that of apple. Passbooks would be given to all farmers by the end of March. Two wine breweries would be opened in Mandi and Shimla, he said.

The government had sanctioned 293 irrigation schemes at a cost of Rs 93 crore. Four new national highways had been created and due to this the condition of roads would be improved. For improving healthcare, the government had upgraded all 10 district hospitals to zonal hospitals. It would start a scheme for subsidised ration in March.

In the sector of hydel power, the government had started different projects which would provide 6100 MW of power.

Prof Dhumal gave a draft for Rs 2,21,348 for an ambulance in Mandi.

Regarding the creation of new districts he said he was in favour of creating more districts but these would be created only when there were more funds.

Later, various cultural troops from different districts and schools displayed on impressive show.

The Chief Minister gave state and district level awards to journalists for development reporting.

Several ministers accompanied Prof Dhumal.

MANDI: Referring to a news report published today, the Chief Minister said primary schools in the tribal areas would be kept outside the preview of the proposal, wherein the government had planned to wind up the schools where the number of students was below 20. He said 1,200 schools in the state had been identified where the number of students was less than 20. The final decision would be taken in consultation with the panchayats and in the event of the closure of schools, a stipend of Rs 20 to Rs 25 would be given to the students.

He claimed that Himachal was the first state to have decentralised power to the panchayats. The micro plans made by them would be implemented. Work for the selection of IRD families and those eligible for various pensions would be entrusted to the panchayats concerned.

The Chief Minister said computer education would be introduced in all schools.

Maheshwar Singh’s resignation rejected
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 25 — Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, President of the state BJP, has rejected the resignation of Mr Maheshwar Singh from the chairmanship of the party’s disciplinary committee and initiated talks with the factional groups to resolve the crisis in the Kulu district unit.

The factional fight between Mr Maheshwar Singh and Mr Dinesh Sein, President of the Kulu district unit, reached a flashpoint during the elections to the zila parishad and the nagar parishad. An unsavoury situation was created when Mr Karan Singh, Primary Education Minister and younger brother of Mr Maheshwar Singh, and Mr Sein clashed in public. Mr Maheshwar Singh resigned after his group lost the key posts of chairpersons and vice-chairperson in both zila parishad and the nagar parishad to the rival faction. Both Mr Karan Singh and Mr Sein have been demanding action against each other.

Senior party leaders and those heading the rival factions who were here to attend a meeting of the state executive discussed the issue.

Briefing newspersons after the meeting Mr Sharma said the party was in no hurry to take action against any one.

A discussion had been initiated at various levels to resolve the crisis. He had already held talks with Mr Maheshwar Singh, Mr Sein, Mr Khimi Ram, zila parishad chief, and Mr Ram Singh, chairperson of the nagar parishad.

Referring to the infighting in Solan district which cost the party the chairmanship of the nagar parishad, Mr Sharma said the case of Mr Mohinder Sofat was already being investigated by the disciplinary committee.

The party had reviewed the Ajiwan Sahyog Nidhi Yozna and deputed Mr Ravinder Ravi, Minister for Technical Education, to ensure its proper implementation. The objective of the scheme was not merely to raise funds but also to ensure the involvement of people in the party.

The party decided to launch “vikas jyoti karykram” to take the achievements’ of the party to the grassroots. Mr Praveen Sharma, Excise and Taxation Minister, would oversee the implementation of the programme.

A workers’ conference would be held in each of the four parliamentary constituencies.

Abolish house tax: civic body chief
From Our Correspondent

JAWALAMUKHI, Jan 25 — The newly-elected president of the local Nagar Panchayat, Mr Rajan Sharma, has urged the state government to abolish house tax in the town. He demanded a special status for the town and to chalk out a comprehensive plan for the development of the town.

While talking to mediapersons at his residence here today, Mr Sharma stressed that the state government should also set up a committee at the state-level to ascertain the facts to bring the town to limelight for its historical importance. He asserted that inspite of imposing taxes on the people, the government should come forward to bear the financial liabilities of the nagar panchayats. He said his first priority would be to launch cleanliness drive in the town with the help of local development committees and provide basic, civic amenities to tourists.

Rs 30,000 looted from eunuch’s house
Tribune News Service

SURAJPUR, Jan 25 — At least Rs 30,000 in cash and some gold ornaments were stolen from the house of two eunuchs-Nirmal Mahant and Chameli Mahant by some unidentified persons who forced their entry into the house here last night.

According to the police, the incident took place around 1.30 a.m. when the intruders knocked at the door and overpowered the occupants and later ransacked the house, taking away whatever they could find.

Sources said the victims had alleged that the rival group of eunuchs was behind the crime since they had a long-standing dispute over the area of operation.

A case has been registered at the Pinjore Police Station.