 |
| Friday,
March 9, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Bid to divide rebels: Dulo Ram Dissidents’ demand
unjustified: Parmar Shanta-Dhumal showdown
imminent Not keen on CM’s post: Sukh
Ram HP House adopts motion of
thanks |
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HP highway
accident-prone Scrap ST on khair trees:
Cong Gherao of CM’s car:
FIR registered Excise policy amendments
opposed 988 farmers get credit cards Demonstration by Tibetans
tomorrow HC notice to HP varsity Resin unit closed till June Rs 38 cr to be spent on
women’s welfare Rise in water level
of lakes Two scooterists killed in
mishap
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Bid to divide rebels: Dulo Ram Shimla, March 8 The dissidents, who came to the Vidhan Sabha but did not attend the session, were enraged over the activities of some emissaries who were “trying to create misgivings” among them. Without giving details, Mr Dulo Ram, spokesperson for the rebels said persistent efforts were being made to split the group by weaning away Dr Rajan Sushant and Mr Des Raj. It appeared to be part of a “sinister gameplan to weaken the group which could have serious repercussions”. The “operation divide” and talks for a patch-up could not go together. It could only precipitate matters and plunge the government into a deeper mess. The dissidents held several rounds of meetings today at which implications of defying the party whip were discussed. The high command had urged them not to take any action till the presentation of the Budget on March 9. The dissidents will decide their further line of action on March 11 which could include “exposing” the government in the House itself. In case there are positive developments, they may go to Delhi once again to make a last-ditch effort to “save” the government. The dissidents have been in constant touch with the Himachal Vikas Congress supremo, Mr Sukh Ram. Last night Dr Sushant and Mr Kishan Kapoor held a long meeting with him at his residence. Mr Sukh Ram said he had advised the dissidents not to embark on the “suicidal mission” of defying the whip and bringing down the government. However, so far they were adamant on their demands and prepared to got to any extent. He hoped that better sense would prevail on them and they would soften their stand to pave way for a amicable settlement. Much will now depend on the Sangh Parivar. The RSS leaders, who held the first round of talks with the dissidents in the presence of Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, state BJP chief, on Tuesday are expected to meet the dissidents again over the next two days. The dissidents had sought time to discuss the proposed settlement and giving a response. After considering all aspects, the dissidents today decided to stick to their demand for change in leadership and replacement of Mr Narinder Modi as in charge of the party affairs in Himachal. The consensus was that once issues concerning the state leadership were settled, their main demands would be relegated to the background, Mr Dulo Ram said. Unless the RSS leaders manage to pacify the dissidents, an impasse is likely to continue with the rebels sticking to their stand that “the BJP government will stay but Mr Dhumal and Mr Modi will have to go”. |
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Dissidents’ demand
unjustified: Parmar Shimla, March 8 Speaking at “Meet the Press” organised by the Shimla Press Club, here , he said the rebels might have been facing certain personal problems as legislators, which could be redressed through talks but their demand for replacement of Mr Dhumal and Mr Narinder Modi, Central leader in charge of party affairs in Himachal, was misplaced. The elected members must respect the sentiments of party workers and the people at large. They would be held accountable by the people whenever the opportunity came. He said a political party was like a big joint family in which there were differences of opinion but matters were ultimately settled amicably. He said the grievances redressal machinery was active and talks were being held at various levels with the dissidents which could lead to some positive results over the next two or three days. He admitted that the action of dissidents had caused harm to the image of the party. He maintained that the allegations of corruption levels by them were baseless. Mr Parmar exuded confidence that the BJP-HVC government would last its full term. Mr Dhumal and Mr Sukh Ram, HVC supremo, had laid the foundation of coalition culture in the state. The two leaders had handled all situations with maturity and sorted out all irritants, which had been cropping up between the alliance partners from time to time. |
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Shanta-Dhumal showdown
imminent Dharamsala, March 8 The supporters of the former Transport Minister, Mr Kishan Kapoor, are holding a party workers meeting at Sidhbari on March 11, to plan future strategy and present the rebel leader with a vehicle. It has become a tradition in the BJP to gift luxury vehicles to their MLAs and party leaders. The Kangra BJP chief and legislator from Baijnath, Mr Dulo Ram, was presented with a vehicle after he took charge of the party affairs, last year. Prior to that the MLA from Ganggath, Mr Des Raj, was presented with a “Tata Qualis”, when he revolted against the Chief Minister by resigning from the vice chairmanship of the State Finance Corporation. It is now the turn of Mr Kapoor, who has been very vociferous in criticising the national BJP General Secretary and in charge of Himachal, Mr Narender Modi and the Chief Minister. Eversince the seven rebel MLAs revolted against the Chief Minister, the Shanta faction in Kangra has been extending them full support and even threatened to resign enmase, if the grievances of the rebels were redressed out. They have made elaborate arrangements to accord a grand reception to the rebels, on their arrival at Kangra. Though the supporters of the Chief Minister in Kangra, have so far been lying low, they too are now planning to hold a party workers’ meeting to show that Mr Dhumal, has a following in Kangra, considered to be the citadel of Mr Shanta Kumar. All arrangements have been made for the meeting, which will only be held after a nod from senior leaders of the Dhumal camp. There could be a major showdown between the Shanta and Dhumal factions if a grand welcome is accorded to the rebels, six of whom belong to Kangra. The district BJP leaders, Mr Kamal Padha, said the programme had not been cancelled but postponed, as the rebels were at Shimla. If the Shanta faction goes ahead with its plan, the Dhumal faction will retaliate by showing them black flags. The supporters of the Chief Minister have decided to take on the Shanta camp, who they feel, was backing the rebels. “If Shanta supporters can hold a party meeting, where they openly criticised the Chief Minister, we too can prove that Mr Dhumal has his own following in Kangra,” retorted a Dhumal loyalist. On the other hand Shanta loyalists are trying their best to prevent the dragging of the name of the Union Minister, in the whole episode. When the rebel leaders still busy with the Vidhan Sabha session, the Shanta faction in Kangra is eagerly awaiting their arrival, here to show that they would support the dissidents in their fight. |
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Not keen on CM’s post: Sukh
Ram Shimla, March 8 Mr Sukh Ram, who was talking to mediapersons here, said it was useless becoming a Chief Minister without a thumping majority in the Assembly. He said there was no point in becoming Chief Minister at the fag end of the tenure of the Assembly. “Nobody from the Congress has so far approached me with the offer of supporting me for the post of Chief Minister”, he claimed, dismissing such rumours as baseless. He said he would refuse the post even in case he was offered one. Mr Sukh Ram, with whom the seven BJP rebels have established contact, hoped that they would not take the “suicide;” step of cross-voting against the Dhumal government on any matter which might lead to the fall of the government. This would lead to a mid-term poll which was not wise at the moment as people of the state were reeling under a severe drought. He said there was no imminent danger to the Dhumal government and he favoured direct talks between the Chief Minister and the rebels. He had himself done some “spade work” in settling the grievances on both sides, he claimed. He said as a coalition partner, he did not wish political uncertainty in the state. Mr Sukh Ram said the rebels had told him their two main demands replacing Mr Dhumal as Chief Minister and removing Mr Narendera Modi from the charge of the party affairs in Himachal. He said he had made it clear to them that both demands were out of his purview as he was only a coalition partner of the BJP. He said because of the numerical strength in the assembly, no single party was in a position to form government in case the present set-up was made to fall. The HVC leader was hopeful that the present crisis would be settled with the intervention of the BJP high command. |
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HP House adopts motion of
thanks Shimla, March 8 There was no occasion for trial of strength even though the seven rebels were waiting at the members’ lounge adjacent to the House. Replying to a debate on the motion, Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, said he had no role in the registration of the FIR against three ministers and the truth would be revealed during investigations. He said he would not stoop so low as to implicate his ministerial colleagues in false cases. He expressed his disgust over the declining standards in politics and said it was time for introspection for all, including himself. The Chief
Minister was confident that the misgivings caused in the minds of his party colleagues due to the FIR episode would be removed once investigations were completed. He said in a democratic set-up, a balance had to be struck between internal freedom and discipline. He had no ill-will against anyone. All through, the tone of Mr Dhumal was conciliatory, indicating his willingness to patch-up differences with the dissidents. Without making any reference to the allegations levelled by Dr Rajan Sushant, one of the rebels, Mr Dhumal said works under the Shahnehar project were allotted through open tenders and there was no room for manipulations. Contractors from neighbouring states were able to bag contracts as their bids were the lowest. He quoted several figures to give an idea about the large difference in the bids of Himachali contractors and outsiders. He lamented that certain Congress members continue to parrot the utterances of their leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, despite clarifications by the ruling members. For instance, most of the Opposition members alleged that there was no mention of the situation created due to drought in the Address, even though the page numbers and paragraphs devoted to the issue were mentioned during the debate. He said the government was alive to the situation and had already sought an assistance of Rs 80.25 crore from the Centre for installation of hand pumps, maintenance of traditional water resources and employment. A high-powered committee headed by the Chief Secretary had been set up to monitor the situation. The government had made rainwater harvesting structures compulsory for all buildings. Deputy Commissioners had been directed to arrange for tankers for the supply of water in scarcity areas. He denied any undue favour was granted to a industrial unit of Parwanoo during the one-time settlement of loan as alleged by the Leader of the Opposition. The fact was that the unit which had raised a loan of Rs 7.27 lakh had repaid Rs 17.91 lakh. At the time of settlement, the outstanding total amount was Rs 3.72 lakh out of which Rs 1.35 lakh had been paid. The Chief
Minister also refuted the charge of favouritism and irregularities in appointments of teachers in Himachal Pradesh University and read out the biodata of some of the selected candidates to drive home the point that they were more qualified than the ones recruited during the Congress regime, particularly in the Journalism and History Departments. He also mentioned the case of the engineering college at Kala Amb while referring to acts of omission and commission during the previous Virbhadra Singh regime. The college was allowed to come up in an industrial shed without basic facilities and permitted to charge exorbitant fees from students. Quoting comparative statistics, he said the crime graph had declined over the past three years. Steps had been taken to improve the quality of construction work under NABARD funded schemes. Samples of the material used in the construction of some roads had been sent for examination. Earlier, participating in the debate, Mrs Vidya Stokes, PCC chief, said under the present government liquor had become cheaper and water dearer. If the new excise policy was any indication, “beer” would become the state drink instead of apple juice. She also referred to the revolt in the BJP and said the only inference that could be drawn was Mr Dhumal had failed to win the confidence of his own partymen. |
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HP highway
accident-prone KASAULI: The increasing number of accidents together with the number of casualties occurring on the National Highway No. 22 in the past few years has raised questions about the safety of road users. The upward graph of casualties is a pointer towards the loose ends which the department needs to plug before it is too late. Accidents in Solan
Accidents on National Highway No. 22
Information available from the district police authorities indicate that as many as 46 persons were killed and 215 injured in the year 1999 in 145 accidents on NH-22 alone. The figure stood at a mere 29 and 28 casualties in the year 1998 and 1997, respectively. The above index of road accidents indicate that more than half of these mishaps occurred on the NH. The most alarming relevation of the year 1999 indicates that out of the 48 total casualties in the district 46 alone occurred on the NH alone. The Additional SP of Police, Mr Sunder Lal, revealed that the cause of most of these accidents was human error. The figure is an alarming 85 per cent. About 10 per cent of these accidents occurred due to head-on collision. Mechanical defects accounted for a mere 5 per cent of mishaps. If what the figures reveal is any indication, concrete steps need to be taken by the departments to review their system and ensure road safety. Besides buses from the other states, a fleet of HRTC and private buses ply in the region. A serious review of the existing system needs to be considered and steps formulated to bring down this casualty rate. A careful study of these accidents leads to certain findings which need to be analysed for transport safety. For most accidents which occurred on the NH in the last six months barely any bus belonged to the HRTC. The credit for the same should be indisputably accorded to the HRTC. Most of the ill-fated buses which met with accidents belonged to the transport depots of other states like the CTU, Pepsu Roadways, Haryana Roadways, besides private mini buses plying in the region. The drivers used to driving in the plains lack the necessary experience of driving on the more than 1000- metres high mountainous stretch in this region. This is seen as one reason accounting for these mishaps, opines one HRTC official. The wide roads of the NH some times make the drivers overconfident and they pay little heed to safe driving thereby resulting in fatal accidents. The frequent curves coupled with the reckless driving by callous youngsters is considered to account for a large number of accidents. This often leads to confusion when bus drivers try to steer clear these vehicles on the curves. According to a doctor working in the community health centre located on the NH a minimum of three accidents per week on an average occurred on this stretch of NH which involves casualties as well as injured. Another problem confronting the motorist on this NH is the springing up of Dhabas on both sides leading to haphazard parking. These eating houses thrive on business generated by the vehicles plying on the NH, particularly the state roadways buses. With little or no parking space vehicles are seen parked on both sides of the busy NH thereby obstructing the smooth flow of traffic. The workshops set up to repair vehicles at various places, including the entry and exit points of many places, including Solan, Dharampur and Parwanoo, has led to vehicles particularly trucks stationed there permanently. These workshops at times extend up to a stretch of a half a km or more reducing the NH into a virtual corridor of automobile workshops posing hurdles for the passing vehicles. In the light of these observations it becomes mandatory to suggest measures to mend the system. Discussions with various officials led to the following conclusions: 1. Earmarking particular areas on the NH where automobile workshops can be set up by the district administration. 2. Appropriate space for parking trucks and other vehicles should be provided near the workshops. 3. Provision of parking space should be made mandatory for roadside restaurants and dhabas. 4. Disallowing simultaneous use of both sides of the NH for setting up eating places. 5. Drivers plying on hilly terrains of other state depots should be imparted special training. 6.Frequent and surprise checks should be conducted to check over-speeding and driving documents of drivers plying on the NH. 7. Setting up of eating-places in the areas earmarked for workshops. |
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Scrap ST on khair trees:
Cong Shimla, March 8 The issue came up in the Assembly when a question in this regard was tabled by Mr Chander Kumar (Cong). The CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh and Mr Chander Kumar said owners of khair trees were being harassed as instead of the end product of “katha”, the sales tax had also been imposed on the trees. The Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Parveen Sharma, said the issue of rationalisation of khair wood trade and tax structure was under active consideration of the government and a decision would be taken shortly. The minister said khair wood was being treated as converted timber and not a cash crop since 1968. Mr Virbhadra Singh, however, pointed out that the policy was introduced by the then BJP government in 1991. Mr Virbhadra Singh did not agree with the minister’s claim that khair wood prices had fallen because of import of synthetic “katha” under the OGL and said had it been so then the price of khair wood would not have been high in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. Mr Chander Kumar said farmers were selling khair trees between Rs 500 and Rs 600 against the normal price of about Rs 1400. Mr Sharma said no fresh sales tax had been imposed on khair and the tax rate had not been revised. Sales tax was levied on khair in 1969 and the present rate of 30 per cent sales tax was applicable since 1991. However, growers and forest contractors had resented the tax. The Revenue Minister, Mr Mohan Lal, turned down the demand of a Congress MLA, Mr Dharampal, to cancel the sale deeds of land which had been purchased by outsiders in the Solan district. The minister, who was replying to a question of Mr Dharampal, said the land was purchased by non-agriculturist following permission of the government for which procedure was followed. The minister said 149 non-agriculturists were granted permission to purchase land in Solan district last year. Mr Dharampal said despite a ban on the purchase of land by outsiders, people from Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh and UP were allowed to acquire properties here. Many such properties had come up on both sides of the Kalka-Shimla highway. UNEMPLOYED: The Industries Minister, Mr Kishori, Lal, informed the House that a total number of 8,99,691 unemployed persons were registered at various employment exchanges in the state as on February last. Of these, about 26,000 were postgraduates. Among the registered unemployed 2.82 lakh were women. The minister said 53,472 unemployed were registered in the regional employment exchange at Shimla, 47,133 at Mandi, 38,911 at Sarkaghat, 38,162 at Dharamsala, 26,313 at Dehra and 31,806 at Una. In a written reply to Mr Kaul Singh and Mr Singh Ram (Cong), the Minister of State, Ayurveda, said there was no move by the government to remove ban on the allotment of nautor lands in the state. In another written reply to Mr Raghu Raj and Mr Chander Kumar, the Forest Minister informed that 14 cases of poaching were registered in the state between April last and January this year. |
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Gherao of CM’s car:
FIR registered Chamba, March 8 Taking exception to the situation, members of the Brahmin community of the town and Sarol, Kiyani, Mangla, Luddu, Sungal and Mehla suburbs assembled at the local Laxmi Nath temple today and took out a procession to court arrest. A large number of women, besides members of other communities also joined the procession. A deputation comprising members of the Brahmin Pratinidhi Sabha and action committee met the Deputy Commissioner, Mr T.D. Negi, and informed him about the incident. The appealed them to sort the matter amicably to which the deputationists said the FIR should first be withdrawn. Mr Negi said the FIR would be cancelled. He said the Chief Minister wanted an amicable solution to the issue. The deputationists agreed to suspend the agitation for a week. The meeting was attended by the SP, Mr Sanjay Kundu, the ASP, Mr B.M. Sharma, the ADC, Mr Subhashish Panda, besides mediapersons. Later, talking to the Press, spokesman for the Brahmin sabha said the agitation would have a ramification throughout the country if the government failed to find an amicable and “honourable” solution soon. |
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Excise policy amendments
opposed Palampur, March 8 He said the association had always cooperated with the government in the past and had played a vital role in the enhancement of excise revenue in the state, but this time they were not taken into confidence before making such drastic changes in the excise policy by the government. He said though a meeting to this effect was held at Sundernagar, but these issues were not discussed at length. Even the suggestion made by the members were not considered by the senior officers of the government. They said only five days were left for the auctions or submission of tenders and still the concept of the new policy was not clear. |
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988 farmers get credit cards Chamba, March 8 Presiding over a function here yesterday Mr S.D. Sharma, regional Manager, Dharamsala region of the bank said the bank had collected deposits of Rs 660 crore by the end of February in Dharamsala region, through its 56 branches spread in the far-flung areas. Mr Sharma said a loan of Rs 142 crore had been advanced by these branches of the bank adding that Rs 67 crore had especially been advanced in the priority sector of the government for the benefit of the weaker sections of the society. He said with the help of the credit cards, the farmers would be able to withdraw cash in any bank branch of the bank all over Chamba district. |
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Demonstration by Tibetans
tomorrow Dharamsala, March 8 Tibetans all over the world observe March, 10, as the uprising day, against the Communist regime for self-determination and freedom of Tibet. It was on this day that Tibetans rose against the might of the Chinese army. In the process thousands of Tibetans lost their lives, while many monasteries and idols were razed to the ground, leading to the escape of the Dalai Lama, to India. According to officials of the Tibetans Government, the 42 years of Chinese repression of Tibetan culture and Buddhism had not only threatened the very survival of the Tibetan culture but had also led to a ban on the display of photographs of the Dalai Lama. |
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HC notice to HP varsity Shimla, March 8 He contended that the action of the university was unconstitutional. According to the petitioner, the university had issued prospectus for entrance test for postgraduate degree (MD/MS) and diploma courses in IGMC, Shimla, for the session 2000-02/03 on behalf of Himachal Pradesh Government and conducted entrance test on October 22, 2000. The petitioner appeared in the test and secured 98 marks out of 200. The petitioner further contended that the UGC had issued some guidelines for the term “intertransferability” of the seat and this was brought into notice of the respondents by the petitioner but the respondents violated all rules and regulations. |
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Resin unit closed till June Nahan, March 8 According to Mr Sushil Kumar, G.M. of the factory, the unit may resume normal functioning in June. Only 52 employees of the total 94 had been sent to other units of the corporation. He said most workers had been temporarily adjusted in Nahan and adjoining tehsils. As many as 22 daily-wage workers had been posted on the bamboo project at Balsar in Nahan. While 30 regular workers had been posted in Nahan, Rajgarh and Renuka Divisions of the Forest Department, the rest including security guards of the factory, were put on maintenance work of the factory. Mr Sushil Kumar said by the end of May, fresh resin would start reaching the factory. He expressed the hope that the unit would get resin as per its annual installed capacity. |
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Rs 38 cr to be spent on
women’s welfare Shimla, March 8 Mr mansa Ram was addressing a rally on the occasion of International Women’s Day.He said to provide proper place to women in the society and to include them in the mainstream of development, year 2001 was being celebrated as women empowerment year. Different programmes would be arranged during the year by Social and Women Welfare Department with the help of other departments, social organisations and Panchayati Raj Institutions to inculcate in them a sense of self-respect and dignity. Mrs Indu Goswami, chairperson, State Welfare Board, emphasised the need of celebrating International Women’s Day for the economic and social uplift of women in society. |
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Rise in water level
of lakes Shimla, March 8 These lakes are situated near the Manali-Leh and the Tandi-Pangi Kishtwar roads. These lakes are fed by the 16,600 ft Baralachala glacier which has started melting due to a rise in the temperature, which was evident from less snow in the winters. The Chief Engineer of the Deepak Project of the BRO, Brig B.M. Bakshi, told TNS here yesterday that level of these lakes was rising alarmingly and might cause flashfloods. The Chandra river coming out of the Chandratal lake passes through Sisu, Koksar and Tandi in the tribal area. The Bhaga river coming out of the Surajtal meets the Chandra river at Tandi, and thereafter is called as the Chenab which goes into Jammu and Kashmir. These rivers are also posing a threat to the Koksar bridge. The newly constructed Pangi road was damaged sometime ago by an artificial lake formed due to the melting of a glacier. The Surajtal is just near the strategically important Manali-Leh road. The Chandratal falls in the area which is controlled by the state PWD. While the BRO has hardly any role to play in it. Brigadier Bakshi said men of the BRO were regularly keeping an eye on these lakes.He said the BRO had cleared the Lahaul-Spiti areas of snow for the first time in March. |
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Two scooterists killed in
mishap Solan, March 8 According to an eyewitness, the scooter of the
deceased dashed against a stationary bus. A truck ran over them as soon as they hit the road. The deceased have been identified as Jitendra and Divendra of Vakna village under Kandaghat Tehsil. |
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