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| Tuesday, March 13, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Rebels put off move to “blast” Dhumal
govt Dhumal blamed for
instability Tight security for
Karmapa Tibetan women stage
protest HP ‘followed’ Punjab
pattern pay scales |
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Problems plague attorney’s
office HP varsity staff to launch
stir Steps to transfer technology to farmers CPM to oppose move on DA freeze Measures to prevent forest fires MLA gheraoed
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Rebels put off move to “blast” Dhumal
govt Shimla, March 12 The decision was taken after a definite assurance from the party high command that it was serious about resolving the crisis. Earlier the dissidents held a long meeting at which Dr Rajan Sushant and Mr Krishan Kapoor informed the group about the progress of talks being carried out with the high command with the intervention of the Sangh Parivar. The two leaders maintained that they had taken a collective decision keeping in view the appeal of senior party leaders Mr Shanta Kumar, Mr Maheshwar Singh, Mr Suresh Chandel and Mr Jaikrishan Sharma and the categorical assurance given by the high command. According to party sources Mr Bangaru Laxman had a long telephonic talk with the dissidents and convinced them that the issue was top on the agenda of the central leadership but sometime was needed to sort out matters. The ground work for holding talks with the high command was done by the local RSS leaders and Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, the state party chief. All seven dissidents plan to go to Delhi to have detailed talks with Mr Bangaru Laxman tomorrow. A final decision regarding it would be taken tonight as there was also a possibility of the high command sending a central leader to Shimla for the purpose. Dr Sushant said the operation “blast’ had been deferred in the larger interest of the party and they were hopeful that the high command would be able to find an amicable solution to the crisis. However, if the matter was not settled to their satisfaction, they would have no option but to take extreme step of “exposing” the government in the House. While efforts to defuse the crisis gained momentum, one more irritant cropped between the dissidents and the ruling camp following the publication of an interview of Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, in a Hindi weekly. Mr Shanta Kumar, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, has taken a exception to certain remarks attributed to Mr Dhumal and made known his displeasure publicly. Mr Dhumal today clarified that he had been “slightly” misquoted in the interview. He said certain phrases actually framed by the correspondent while asking question, were quoted in his name, which created a misunderstanding. When he was asked “do you feel Mr Shanta Kumar was a party to inciting dissidence against you”, he had clearly replied that he could not believe it. The correspondent himself mentioned that people were taking his name, he only said that it could not be true as Mr Shanta Kumar occupied such a high office. Mr Dhumal said Mr Shanta Kumar came to Shimla as a representative of the high command on the direction the Prime Minister and made a sincere effort to sort out differences. In another ominous development Mr Mohinder Singh, a former PWD Minister, has blamed Mr Dhumal for the present crisis and demanded his resignation on moral grounds. He has also demanded an inquiry into the allegations, levelled against the government by an idependent agency. The support of Mr Mohinder Singh, who has been siding with the Dhumal government even after being forced to resign from the ministry is crucial during the ongoing Budget session. |
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Dhumal blamed for
instability Shimla, March 12 Mr Virbhadra Singh, who was initiating the debate on Budget in the Vidhan Sabha, urged Mr Dhumal to solve the turmoil amicably and made it clear the Congress was not interested in thriving on the instability caused due to the revolt by four ministers and three legislators against Mr Dhumal. Mr Virbhadra Singh said that Mr Dhumal had failed to take action against corrupt elements despite persistent complaints of growing corruption and instead came out to defend those against whom these allegations were made. The rebel ministers and legislators had also raised their voice against the Dhumal government only because of the growing corruption. He advised Mr Dhumal not to prolong the uncertainty and settle the dispute within the party as the issue had now got spilled over to the streets with people expressing concern over the developments. The development process had come to a standstill and officers had deferred vital decisions because of the turmoil. Mr Virbhadra Singh said that the turmoil was the creation of Mr Dhumal himself as he did not act in time and delayed settlement of disputes. Timely action and political will to curb corruption would have saved him from the current embarrassment. Referring to the earlier revolt by three ministers and three legislators in November last, Mr Virbhadra Singh pointed out that as a settlement Mr Dhumal had dropped the then PWD minister, Mr Mohinder Singh, against whom they had levelled allegations of corruption and now the sacked minister had started seeking Mr Dhumal’s resignation on moral grounds as similar charges were being levelled against his government. He accused Mr Dhumal of having turned a blind eye towards the “charge sheet” with specific incidents which the Congress had submitted to highlight the misdeeds of certain higher ups and instead came out to defend these elements. He said the financial position had been going from bad to worse and the state government was raising loans to the tune of Rs 175 crore every month for its survival. Himachal had a debt ratio of 85 per cent on the state domestic product. It was for the first time that the plan allocation of the state was cut by Rs 338 crore because of the failure of the government to spend the amount. Although Mr Dhumal had prepared his Budget on the hope of getting the plan approved for Rs 1,720 crore, but it was uncertain whether the Planning Commission would oblige the state government or not. Mr Virbhadra Singh produced some documents pertaining to alleged irregularities in purchase of medical equipment worth Rs 84.74 lakh from some firm of Delhi without seeking tenders. The authorities were trying to defend the deal which was done with the Bharat Business Centre of Delhi which was said to be falsely registered with the Super Bazar of Delhi. An excess payment of Rs 53 lakh was made to the firm. He said that a loan of Rs 35 lakh of a political bigwig was written off and demanded action against the officers and politicians involved in the episode. Those enjoying political clout were able to get anything done, he alleged. The CLP leader said that the Congress was totally opposed to the anti-people decision of the government to lift the ban on private practice by government doctors. He described it as a retrograde step which would create problems for the poor. He said that increasing of the age limit for intake in government jobs would not solve the problem of growing unemployment. |
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Tight security for
Karmapa Dharamsala, March 12 A high-level team of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) arrived here today to review the existing security of the 17th Karmapa, who gave the slip to Chinese security men, to arrive here in McLeodganj, on January, 5, last year. It was after almost one year that India, took a final decision on the status of the Karmapa, when they accorded him refugee status. The IB team accompanied by the SSP, Mr Prithvi Raj, and the local CID officials visited the Gyuto Monastery in Sidhbari, where the Karmapa has been residing for the past one year. “In view of the changed scenario, when the movement of the Karmapa, will be much more, it was a review of the security of the religious head”, remarked Mr Prithvi Raj. It is reliably learnt that security system will be further strengthened as the Karmapa, will now be meeting a large number of visitors, from India and abroad. At present the Karmapa is on a pilgrimage to Sarnath and Varanasi, and will be returning here after one week. During his one year stay here in Dharamsala, the movement of the Karmapa, had remained completely restricted as he was not granted permission to move around. Barring his few visits to McLeodganj to see the Dalai Lama, his repeated requests to be allowed to go on a pilgrimage were turned down by Indian security agencies. The security personnel on duty at Gyuto Monastery, where the Karmapa, is residing, will be sensitised, as he will be getting a lot of visitors. Though he will not be getting the kind of security the Dalai Lama, is given but the security system will be strengthened and some sophisticated equipment will be installed. However, there is no immediate move to shift him from Gyuto monastery to another place. The Karmapa, has also not been granted permission to visit the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim. |
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Tibetan women stage
protest Dharamsala, March 12 The march, organised by the Tibetan Women Association (TWA), was held to commemmorate the 42nd anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day. The women, including schoolgirls, nuns and old women, marched from the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile to the main town, raising anti-China slogans and holding placards and banners. The president of the TWA, Ms Olkar Lhamo, said on March 12, 1959, thousands of Tibetan women representing the three provinces of Tibet staged a freedom march on the grounds of Lhasa’s Dri-bu-Yul-Khai in front of Potala Palace. “Since it is the responsibility of all Tibetan women living in and outside Tibet to fulfil the objectives of our late martyrs, the revival of the Association of Tibetan Women from all the three provinces in 1984 was a significant landmark in the meaningful struggle,” she explained. Ms Lhamo said the Tibetans in China had no freedom to preserve their cultural heritage and practice their religious beliefs. Ms Lhamo said despite Tibet being sparsely populated, there continued to be restrictions on the birth of more than one child. The official “one family, one child” policy was also followed in parts of the cities and towns of Tibet and for Tibetans working under the communist regime. The Tibetan Youth Congress today warned the Chinese authorities not to interpret humility on the part of Tibetans as weakness. The vice-president of the association, Mr Karma Yeshi, said on the occasion of the National Uprising Day, all Tibetans had pledged to rise above provincialism and sectarianism and to toil together to regain independence. |
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HP ‘followed’ Punjab
pattern pay scales Shimla, March 12 He stated this while replying to a question of Mr Gangu Ram Musafir, regarding the steps being taken by the government to implement the demands of employees for the grant of medical allowance and bonus on the Punjab pattern. He also informed the House that the government was not contemplating any changes in the existing policy for providing jobs to the next of the kin of government employees who died in harness. He made it clear that in such cases under the policy job was not a matter of right and employment was to be given on a selective basis in extremely indigent circumstances where immediate help was required for subsistence. Moreover, while doing so efficiency in the administration had to be maintained. He said his government had cleared a large number of pending cases for employment on compassionate grounds. There was no provision for giving employment on compassionate ground in case of the death of ad hoc and daily-waged employees. Replying to another question Mr Dhumal said the government would not take any action on anonymous complaints. Action would be taken only if the complaints were duly supported by affidavits. In a written reply Mr Dhumal, told Mr Chander Kumar that as many as 15,222 cases were pending with the high court as on January 1, 2001. Out of these 77 cases were more than 10-year old. He also informed the House that as per the BJP’s election manifesto daily waged workers who had completed five years of service were to be regularised. However, at present only those who had put in 8 years’ of service were being regularised. Replying to another question the Chief Minister said so far 11,120 census villages of the state were yet to be connected by road. A sum of Rs 3680 crore was required to provide single road to 11,089 villages, while as many as 31 villages could not be connected due to technical factors. He informed Mrs Vidya Stokes that since April 1998 hired heavy construction machinery which included 56 excavater-cum-loaders, five dozers, five compressors and six road rollers. The total charges for it came to Rs 1.70 crore out of which Rs 1.39 crore had been paid. Dr R.L. Markandey, Animal Husbandry, told the House that 5611 tonnes of wheat and 1222 tonne of rice had been received from the Centre to be distributed as cattle feed. It was being distributed through the dispensaries and hospitals of the department. |
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Problems plague attorney’s
office KASAULI: The office of the District Attorney at Solan is faced with a number of problems which the authorities concerned have failed to solve for a long time. Located at more than half a kilometre from the district courts, a kutcha path leads to the office housed in a private rented building. It was shifted in 1993 after the office located on the court premises was allotted to the Sub-Judge and his staff. The Assistant Public Prosecutor, Mr N.L. Sain, says the success rate in the matter of prosecution is as high as 33 per cent in criminal cases and 80 per cent in civil cases which is far more than the national rates. In spite of this, the office lacks facilities like the Internet, fax, and photostat machines and vehicles. These can go a long way in the efficient performance of duties by the staff. Government lawyers complain that their counterparts doing private practice have the edge on them, being better equipped. With facilities like the Internet they have access to the latest developments in law worldwide. Besides, with proper transport arrangements they can easily visit the scene of the crime. Prosecution lawyers, on the other hand, have to rely on brief written statements made available to them through the post which are often supplied to them at a late stage. A large number of messages from various departments are sent out each day. Unavailability of fax machines delays the receipt of these messages, often for weeks, affecting urgent prosecution matters. An ill-equipped library and the absence of the staff concerned after 5 pm lead to obvious problems. They say that every important government department should have a law officer who can provide able guidance so that unnecessary litigation can be avoided. Further, the government lawyers complain that they have not been provided having accommodation with adequate security which is an important requirement in the wake of threats by criminals. The post of superintendent has also not been sanctioned for this office despite the workload. The main room is divided into two by placing almirahs. Staff members of the Parwanoo office have also been posted here. An independent establishment, including a separate office, a stenographer and a library, is needed for each law officer. The HP Attorneys Association has been demanding proper infrastructure to enable its members to discharge their duties independently and impartially. It has also sought an enhancement in their status to Class I , increase in pay and grant of non-practising allowance on a par with other professionals. |
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HP varsity staff to launch
stir Shimla, March 12 The association, which met here on Saturday, expressed resentment over the failure of the university to hold interviews under the career advancement scheme, despite a written assurance by Vice-Chancellor S.K. Gupta to this effect. All other universities, it pointed out, had promoted eligible Lecturers and Readers, but in Himachal Pradesh University even those who had completed 21 years of service were awaiting promotions under scheme. On the other hand, direct recruitment had been carried out to accommodate “favourites” against “non-existent” posts. Merit had been ignored and mere postgraduates had been appointed. Posts like that of Registrar, Controller of Examination, Dean, Colleges, Planning and Development Officer and Secretary to Vice-Chancellor were being filled from non-teaching incumbents on an ad hoc basis without following due procedure under which these were to be filled through interviews held by a statutory selection committee and with the approval of the Executive Council. In other universities, these posts were held by the teaching community. The association decided to take up these issues with the Chancellor and the Chief Minister. Its members will bear black badges and go on casual leave en masse followed by a dharna and boycott of classes and examination work from April 1. |
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Steps to transfer technology to farmers Nahan, March 12 The workshop was organised to apprise the scientists working in zonal research stations regarding the work of transfer of technology to farmers in addition to their own research programmes. The zonal research stations have been remandated to carry out the functions of Krishi Vigyan Kendras also. At present there are 261 full-fledged independent kendras in the country and after the remandating of 53 zonal research stations, the number has risen to 314. In his key-note address, Dr L.N. Singh, director (extension education), CSK Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, appreciated the steps taken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in remandating research stations. It would smoothen the transfer of technology to the farmers, he said. Dr S.N. Chander, senior extension specialist-cum-scientist in charge, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhaula Kuan, said the kendra was the first in Himachal Pradesh to establish an agriculture technology information-cum-sale centre with a view to provide advisory service to farmers and to sell produce to them and other consumers. Dr
A.K. Mehta, Zonal Coordinator, ICAR, said zonal research stations in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir had been remandated to take up the functions of Krishi Vigyan Kendras to speed up the transfer of technology to farmers. |
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CPM to oppose move on DA freeze Shimla, March 12 The party said it would oppose the move to reduce the strength of employees and freezing of dearness allowance. It demanded the BJP-HVC regime should, instead, cut the size of the ministry to 10 per cent of the strength of the Vidhan Sabha. Disinvestment in public sector units was no solution to the present crisis. The Budget proposed heavy charges on essential services like healthcare and education which “negated the very concept of welfare state”. Moreover, doing away with non-practising allowance would lead to “dilution of ethics in the medical profession.” The meagre hike of Rs 4 in the daily wages was a “cruel joke” on the workers. The CPM appealed to legislators to rise above party lines and ensure that the “anti-people” Budget was not passed by the Vidhan Sabha. |
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Measures to prevent forest fires Kasauli, March 12 Stating this, the Divisional Forest Officer, (DFO) Mr S.K. Sharma, said the cleaning up of fire lines was also being undertaken as a measure to prevent the spread of fires. Besides this, forest guards are maintaining vigil over the firesensitive areas. Active participation of all departments as well as village development committees and schoolchildren is being sought by the department. Public awareness is being created through the distribution of pamphlets to tourists and well as cable television networks. Range Forest Officers have been directed to organise periodic meetings with panchayats and mahila mandals to apprise them about the safety measures. A telephone directory containing the names of village volunteers and forest staffers will be brought out and displayed at prominent places like panchayat ghars and guard huts. The villagers have been warned against lighting fires particularly in an area of 100 meters from the forest area. According to the
DFO, those who kindle fires without permission will be punished by curtailing their timber distribution rights. He has also said that if it becomes necessary to burn something then the operation should be carried out under the supervision of the forest staff. |
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MLA gheraoed Nurpur, March 12 The irate villagers allegedly also removed the name plate from the foundation stone in protest against the place being selected for the construction of the bhavan. The situation became tense when BJP activists also arrived on the spot and started countering Congress activists. Activists from both sides raised counter slogans. A case had been registered under Sections 147, 341 and 506 of the IPC and Section 3 of the Damage to Public Property Act. No arrest had been made so far. |
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Man kills wife Mandi, March 12 |
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