H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Centre for forage production opened
Palampur, March 1
To manage the forage resources of the state on the scientific lines, a centre for forage production and grassland management was inaugurated here yesterday at CSK Agricultural University by Prof P.K. Khosla, Vice-Chancellor.

Two women ZP members lodge protest
Kangra, March 1
Two women zila parishad members, Swarana Devi and Punia Devi, who had lodged an FIR against three ministers, district BJP chief and two BJP workers, for allegedly kidnapping them on February 4 and depriving them of right to vote during elections for the post of zila parishad chairman on February 5, last, today lodged a protest before the first meeting of the zila parishad held at Dharamsala.

High court denies bail to suspect
Shimla, March 1
Mr Justice M.R. Verma of the H.P. High Court yesterday dismissed the bail application of Mrs Sunita Gupta alleged to be involved in a embezzlement case.

Kangra mishap: one more dead
Kangra, March 1
The death toll in yesterday’s accident at Daliara in the district has gone up to eight as one more pilgrim Raj Rani succumbed to her injuries at Dr Rajender Prasad Medical College and Hospital Dharamsala, this morning, the police said here today.

HVC flays CM over ‘hollow’ promises
Chamba, March 1
The Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) flayed the Himachal Chief Minister for his hollow promises of securing tribal status for nine non-tribal panchayats, which fall in the Bharmour tribal assembly constituency in the district.

Suggestions for sports policy invited
Hamirpur, March 1
The HP Government has invited sportspersons and sports lovers for the proposed sports policy of the state government. This was stated by Mr Praveen Sharma, Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, here on Tuesday night. He said the policy was still under consideration and would be announced after the sports policy of the Central Government was announced.

China trying to score point: Tethong
Kangra, March 1
Mr Kalon T.C. Tethong, Minister for Information and International Relations of the Tibetan government- in-exile today expressed concern at China’s bid to hold the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing in total disregard of the sufferings of millions of Chinese and Tibetans.

Subathu Cantt to impose entry tax
Kumarhatti, March 1
In a significant development, the Subathu Cantonment Board, 19 km from here, has decided to levy tax on vehicles entering the cantonment from April.

Wiring in MC building to be replaced
Shimla, March 1
The wiring in the municipal corporation building will be replaced to protect it from a short circuit. This is being done in the wake of the recent fire which broke out in a portion of the building but was controlled.

Streetlights cry for maintenance
Shimla, March 1
Streetlights here are crying for maintenance due to lack of coordination between the municipal corporation and the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB).

Centre for forage production opened
Our Correspondent

Palampur, March 1
To manage the forage resources of the state on the scientific lines, a centre for forage production and grassland management was inaugurated here yesterday at CSK Agricultural University by Prof P.K. Khosla, Vice-Chancellor.

Addressing scientists, the Vice Chancellor said the new centre would undertake multifarious research and extension activities on fodder crops and produce seed and plantation stock of forage and grass.

He said the new centre would organise fodder production awareness programmes, seminars, and workshops and integrate fodder production strategies with the existing land use system.

Prof Khosla advised scientists to reorient their research plans keeping in view the challenges of the World Trade Organisation agreement. Farmers must be advised about the new problems which they might face due to the implementation of new rules and regulations of the WTO so that they might not face any problem by sticking to old agricultural practices, he added.

Dr M.P. Narang, Director of research, said 30-quintal fodder seed was required in the state but the production was about 3 quintal only. As farmers were not able to feed the livestock green fodder so the cost of milk production was very high in the state. He said the university had released improved varieties of fodder and forage.

Dr D.C. Katoch, Assiociate Director of the new centre, said the deficiency of green fodder and hay was around 50-60 per cent in the state and large quantity of dry fodder had to be imported from the neighbouring states. He emphasised the importance of improving grasslands and pastures.

Two women ZP members lodge protest
Our Correspondent

Kangra, March 1
Two women zila parishad members, Swarana Devi and Punia Devi, who had lodged an FIR against three ministers, district BJP chief and two BJP workers, for allegedly kidnapping them on February 4 and depriving them of right to vote during elections for the post of zila parishad chairman on February 5, last, today lodged a protest before the first meeting of the zila parishad held at Dharamsala.

According to an eye witness, the two members protested against their alleged kidnapping and holding of the elections without their participation. There were arguments and counter arguments between zila parishad members allied with the BJP and the Congress.

Sensing the trouble, the zila parishad chief, Mr Rattan Jagatamba, did not go directly to the zila parishad hall — the venue of the first meeting — but went to the district panchayat office till the situation was brought under control. Both the members were calmed down by the district panchayat officer, Mr S.R. Sharma. The two members were assured that an inquiry was under way and the police was investigating their case.

Later on, in the meeting, it was resolved that guidelines regarding developmental works to be carried out by the zila parishad members be defined by the concerned authorities. The first meeting of the zila parishad was not attended by any district officer. When contacted Mr S.R. Sharma, District Panchayat Officer, said perhaps the district officers were not invited.

High court denies bail to suspect
Our Legal Correspondent

Shimla, March 1
Mr Justice M.R. Verma of the H.P. High Court yesterday dismissed the bail application of Mrs Sunita Gupta alleged to be involved in a embezzlement case.

While serving at the post office in Solan, the accused allegedly misappropriated an amount of Rs 7 lakh by way of telephone bills during the period between January 9, 1994, and September 25, 2000.

The accused was granted interim bail by the High Court on different dates. On October 20, 2000, the interim bail was again extended keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case. The court directed the accused to join investigation and co-operate with the investigating officer.

Dismissing the bail application, the Judge observed that the matter was of serious nature and the public money had been embazzled by the accused in a systematic manner. The relevant record and the data compiled in the computer was removed or destroyed in a planned manner.

Therefore, this was not a fit case for granting bail and custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary at this stage.

Kangra mishap: one more dead
Our Correspondent

Kangra, March 1
The death toll in yesterday’s accident at Daliara in the district has gone up to eight as one more pilgrim Raj Rani succumbed to her injuries at Dr Rajender Prasad Medical College and Hospital Dharamsala, this morning, the police said here today.

The District police chief, Mr Prathvi Raj, said 28 persons were undergoing treatment at Subdivisional Hospital, Dheera, and 15 were admitted to Dr Rajender Prasad Medical College and Hospital, Dharamsala. The dead had been identified as Janak Rani (70) Prem Lata (40), Kamlesh Rani (60), Kiran Bala (50), Rohi (22), Lovely (26) and Jaspal (28), driver of the truck.

The deceased belonged to Tarn Taran in Punjab. The other injured passengers were discharged after first aid.

The ill-fated truck was on its way to Jawalaji from Tarn Taran carrying 70 piligims and reportedly rolled down into a deep khud near Daliara when the driver failed to negotiate the curve. A case has been registered.

HVC flays CM over ‘hollow’ promises
Our Correspondent

Chamba, March 1
The Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) flayed the Himachal Chief Minister for his hollow promises of securing tribal status for nine non-tribal panchayats, which fall in the Bharmour tribal assembly constituency in the district.

Addressing a news conference here today, Mr Brahmanand Thakur president of the district unit of the HVC, alleged that after the 1998 assembly elections, Mr Dhumal had turned his back on the residents of these panchayats.

He criticised the BJP-led government’s lackadaisical approach to the development of these nine non-tribal panchayats. These non-tribal panchayats included Kiri, Sarahan, Guwad, Priyana, Radey, Kulod, Kuned, Batot and Khundel, he said.

He warned of serious consequences if these panchayats were not given the tribal status in the near future.

He opposed the setting up of a cement plant at Sikridhar in the district as it may be a serious hazard to environment. He sought the promotion of tourism in the exquisite and picturesque region like Chamba.

He added that a mobilisation drive had been launched in the district on the directions of state body of the HVC and so far 7,000 activists had been enrolled in the district.

Suggestions for sports policy invited
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, March 1
The HP Government has invited sportspersons and sports lovers for the proposed sports policy of the state government. This was stated by Mr Praveen Sharma, Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, here on Tuesday night. He said the policy was still under consideration and would be announced after the sports policy of the Central Government was announced.

Talking with mediapersons, the minister said the government was not in a hurry about the announcement of the new sports policy. It would incorporate the suggestions of all before making it public. He was, however, pained to say that except for one set of suggestions from Hamirpur, no other person had so far sent any proposal to the state government about the new policy.

The minister said the main aim of the state government was to help the hidden sports talent to come out and don the state colour at the national and international levels.

He said four major projects were being given to Hamirpur district for the promotion of sports by his ministry.

The state government was in search of a suitable land for an international cricket stadium, a shooting range, an indoor stadium at Hamirpur and a big pavilion in the main bazaar ground.

The minister further endorsed the commitment of the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, made here on October 23, 1998, for laying a synthetic track in the ground of the local Government College.

China trying to score point: Tethong
Our Correspondent

Kangra, March 1
Mr Kalon T.C. Tethong, Minister for Information and International Relations of the Tibetan government- in-exile today expressed concern at China’s bid to hold the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing in total disregard of the sufferings of millions of Chinese and Tibetans.

Mr Tethong said that China’s bid to host the Olympic Games was to score a political point in order to show to the international community that China was “morally and socially” qualified to host the games.

He expressed opposition to any attempt by the IOC to award Beijing with the 2008 Olympic Games in view of human rights violations in China. 

Subathu Cantt to impose entry tax
Our Correspondent

Kumarhatti, March 1
In a significant development, the Subathu Cantonment Board, 19 km from here, has decided to levy tax on vehicles entering the cantonment from April.

The proposal was pending for the past six months as the board was finding it hard to generate sufficient funds for development activities, Mr Sushil Garg, elected member of the board, said. The cantonment, one of the oldest in the state, is a loss making cantonment.

The total annual budget of the board was Rs 25 lakhs, of which only 15 per cent was used for the development activities, Mr Gard said. Nearly 40 per cent of the total budget was used to give salaries and rest for the office expenses, he added.

He said the income other than annual budget was Rs 10 lakh, which came from property tax, water tax and other such sources.

Interestingly, vehicles of the present and ex-board members have been exempted from the entry tax. Ambulances, government and military vehicles have too been exempted from the entry tax. The board is expected to generate around Rs 5 lakh annually through the tax.

However, confusion prevails among residents whether the parking fees, that generates Rs 2.50 lakh annually for the board, would be scrapped after the enforcement of entry tax. The entry tax would be collected through the contractors. 

Efforts on to unite Akalis, says Talwandi
Our Correspondent

Nahan, March 1
Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, president of the SGPC, said at Paonta Sahib, 40 km from here, today that he was making efforts to bring different Akali factions under one umbrella.

Talking to media persons at the Paonta Sahib Gurdwara today, Jathedar Talwandi appreciated the services rendered by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra for the Panth.

He said that the process of sending a ‘sangat’ to Pakistan on the occasion of Baisakhi and presentation of a siropa with prasad in the Golden Temple had been resumed. These practices remained suspended earlier.

Mr Talwandi attended the foundation stone laying ceremony by the Panj Piaras near the gurdwara for the construction of about 100 rooms for pilgrims.

Kar sewak Baba Harbans Singh announced that he would undertake the construction. This project is expected to be completed within two years.

Mr Talwandi also took part in the akhand path at ‘Dastar Asthan’, organised by the Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Paonta Sahib, to felicitate him on becoming president of the SGPC. He was honoured with a siropa by Jathedar Baba Nihal Singh, head of the Tarna Dal Nihang Singh Sect of Harian Belan. Kar Sewak Baba Harbans Singh and Jathedar Kartar Singh Takkar, general secretary of the gurdwara committee, also welcomed him.

Agro-packaging unit officers deny charge
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 1
The Officers Association of the government-owned agro-packaging unit has denied that any attempt was being made by it to scuttle the inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the unit.

In a joint statement here yesterday, Mr Joginder Chauhan and Mr Dinesh Goel, president and general secretary, respectively, of the association, have claimed that the entire record sought by the Vigilance Department has been handed over to the investigating agency.

Wiring in MC building to be replaced
Our Correspondent

Shimla, March 1
The wiring in the municipal corporation building will be replaced to protect it from a short circuit.

This is being done in the wake of the recent fire which broke out in a portion of the building but was controlled.

The decision was taken at a monthly meeting of the municipal corporation held here yesterday.

The corporation passed the estimate amount of Rs 7,24,980 for the work.

The decision was unanimously taken at a meeting.

The estimate was prepared by the electrical wing of the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD).

The recent fire incident in the building forced the corporation to get the wiring changed.

According to the Deputy Mayor, Mr Shashi Shanker, work will start immediately to save the building. 

Streetlights cry for maintenance
Our Correspondent

Shimla, March 1
Streetlights here are crying for maintenance due to lack of cordination between the municipal corporation and the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB).

The maintenance of the streetlights is being looked after by the Electricity Department. The Elecricity Department claims that the payments given by the municipal corporation are partial.

It alleged that if the lights are out of order the department is blamed yet the municipal corporation is showing no inclination regarding the payments.

The HPSEB claims that they have to collect more than Rs 4 crore from the municipal corporation while the corporation claims that the Electricity Department has been using its property.

Sources say that the corporation was informed about the payment of Rs 3 lakh but in vain.

There are two divisions comprising 1500 connections and 4600 connections. Shimla has more than 6000 street lights of which 40-50 per cent are non-functional. The lights near bus stand have been out of order. In some areas the streetlights have not been installed.