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| Thursday, March 15, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Congress walkout over ‘tehelka’ expose
Bangaru’s quitting reprieve for Dhumal Govt days numbered: Virbhadra Hearing continues in Dy Speaker’s case Gurdwara
room set ablaze |
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HP to sell power to Delhi Vidyut Board Tibetan women oppose Olympic games in China HPU refutes teachers’ charge
on promotions Architects’ plea to HP Govt Veterinarians against allowance withdrawal
101 deodar sleepers seized Baba Balak Nath mela begins Secretariat staff oppose “single file” system
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Congress walkout over ‘tehelka’ expose
Shimla, March 14 The Congress members raised slogans against the Vajpayee government whom they accused of being involved in the worstever scam pertaining to purchase of defence equipment. The issue was raised soon after the question hour by the CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, who sought resignation of Mr Vajpayee in view of corruption in high places in his government. He said that not only the BJP, but its ally the Samata Party has also been exposed as its president, Mrs Jaya Jaitley, was also involved in the scam. The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, described the TV report as a conspiracy and said that the issue was being discussed in Parliament. Mr Bangaru Laxman had resigned from the post keeping in view the high traditions. The issue was again raised by the
Congress members, Thakur Ram Lal and Mr Kaul Singh, later while participating in the debate on the Budget proposals when there were wordy duels between the opposition and Treasury Benches. Thakur Kaul Singh said that Mr Vajpayee and Mr Dhumal should resign on moral grounds as the former was faced with the scam involving Mr Laxman and Mrs Jaya Jaitley and the latter was facing charges of corruption and nepotism against his government by his own ministerial colleagues. He said that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had come under suspicion as serious allegations of corruption have been levelled against his Principal Adviser, Mr Brijesh Mishra. The PMO has become a den of corruption in which influential industrialists were involved, he alleged. He said that the BJP could not find any evidence against the then Prime Minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi, in the Bofors case, but has landed itself into the defence deal scam with its own president taking bribe. He alleged that the BJP had institutionalised corruption. The ministers who pointed out corruption in the Dhumal government were immediately sacked instead of rectifying the malice. Thakur Kaul Singh, while reacting to the point of the BJP that the issue of the alleged corruption by the BJP president should not be raked up in the House, pointed out that the BJP members stalled the proceedings of the House when similar charges were levelled against Mr Sukh Ram when he was Communications Minister at the Centre. He accused the BJP government of discriminating in development of different areas and said that the Hamirpur district of Mr Dhumal was being given preferential treatment in all spheres. He demanded a white paper on utilisation of funds for construction of roads under the scheme and alleged that the backward districts of Chamba and Sirmaur were given a pittance out of these funds. Thakur Kaul Singh said it was for the first time that the Centre had imposed a cut of Rs 338 crore on the plan of Himachal Pradesh because the state government failed to plead its case properly on the account. People were being made to pay through the nose the hiked tariff of electricity and water. He urged the government to withdraw its decision of allowing private practice to doctors and said that the people would never spare the BJP in case the decision was implemented. Thakur Kaul Singh said that Mr Ram Lal Markanday, who is a Minister of the Dhumal government had himself accused the government of discriminating against his tribal district of Lahaul Spiti in the matter of allocation of funds and development. He warned that indiscriminate raising of loans of Rs 175 crore every month for the day-to-day affairs of the government was a dangerous trend. He said that the dispute regarding the outstanding generation tax should be settled out of court with Punjab and greater emphasis should be laid on exploiting the hydroelectric potential which could bring the state out of the current financial crisis. Thakur Ram Lal stressed the need for taking steps for development of the fruit industry and clearing the arrears of Rs 14.13 crore towards the procurement of fruit made from farmers by various government agencies. He demanded that several schools were without teachers and the students were suffering. He warned that the poor people will suffer in case the decision to allow private practice by doctors was not withdrawn.
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Bangaru’s quitting
reprieve for Dhumal Shimla, March 14 With Mr Bangaru Laxman, quitting as party president. The seven rebels, who threatened to “blast” the Dhumal government in the Vidhan Sabha if the high command failed to accept their demand for change in leadership and removal of Mr Narinder Modi as in charge of party affairs in Himachal, had been left with no option but to “wait and watch”. They were scheduled to go to Delhi to discuss their grievances with the high command. However, with Mr Laxman, who had held initial talks with them, no more at the helm of affairs they had to give up the plan. As the Vidhan Sabha will adjourn for a nine-day recess on March 15, the rebels will have no occasion to carry out their threat to “blast” the government. The Chief Minister could breathe easy until March 25 when the House reassembles to pass the Budget proposals. Dr Rajan Sushant, the spokesperson for the rebels, said they were keen for redressal of their grievances and not in a hurry to pull down the government. He said bringing down the BJP government would be the last resort. They would try their best to get matters sorted out within the party and were willing to allow reasonable time to the high command to do so. They would avoid taking any hasty step at this crucial juncture which could cause harassment to party and the government. However, he made it amply clear, that there would be no going back on demand for change of leadership and replacement of Mr Narinder Modi as in charge of party affairs in Himachal Pradesh. A new dimension has been added to the crisis by Mr Ramesh Dhwala, one of the dissidents, who not only proposed the name of Mr Suresh Chandel, MP and a former state BJP president, for chief ministership, but also promised to vacate his Assembly seat for him. Mr Chandel, however, said he was not in race for chief ministership and had full faith in the leadership of Mr Dhumal. He said he was himself keen to see the crisis resolved at the earliest and contributing his bit towards this end. Meanwhile, Mr Dulo Ram said that the rebel group was strong and united. The reports that some of them, including him, were being offered ministerial berths to create division were baseless. He said such “lollipops” could not lure them as they were fighting for certain basic principles. Moreover, four of the rebels had, in fact, sacrificed ministership to fight against corruption. |
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Govt days numbered: Virbhadra Shimla, March 14 Mr Virbhadra Singh said that the revolt by the seven ministers and legislators of the BJP had created uncertainty, which was not a healthy sign for the state. The Congress had nothing to do with the revolt, which was an internal matter of the BJP. The Congress had neither created and nor fanned the crisis, he claimed. The CLP leader said that the reports suggesting that certain Congress, MLAs had assured support to Mr Dhumal for retaining power were totally baseless. The Congress was united and would take appropriate action which is warranted by the situation. The PCC chief, Mrs Vidya Stokes, while addressing office-bearers of the PCC, said that the Congress was keenly watching the situation. The infighting in the BJP was causing damage to the interests of the state. The BJP leaders were themselves exposing ‘corruption and nepotism’ of the government. The Congress was prepared to meet any eventuality, including fresh assembly elections, she added. Meanwhile, several Congress leaders have asked Mr Dhumal to settle the crisis which has ‘stalled’ the development of the state. On the other hand, loyalists of Mr Dhumal are accusing the rebels of trying to weaken the BJP by publicly raising their voice against the government. It is being alleged that some of the rebels had no alternative but to take this stand as they have been losing popularity in their respective constituencies and feared that they could not win the next elections. So far, the loyalists had been sitting quiet, but now they have started retaliating to the moves of the rebels. They are alleging that one of the leaders whom the rebels were portraying as the next chief minister was himself involved in scams and had amassed wealth in a couple of years.
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Hearing continues
in Dy Speaker’s case Shimla, March 14 The petitioner, Mr Mahender Pal, contended in his petition that he lost the Vidhan Sabha election from the abovesaid constituency in 1998 by a thin margin of three votes. He also contended that the actual number of votes polled was 35,310 but after counting the total number of vote was 35,318. This eight-votes margin materially affected result of the election. He further contended in the petition that he contested the election on the Congress ticket while Mr Malanger contested on the BJP ticket. On March 3, 1998, Mr Malanger was declared elected by a margin of three votes only. When the petitioner verbally objected to irregularities in the counting process, the Returning Officer told him to apply for a recount after the counting was over. The petitioner moved an application before the Returning Officer after completion of the counting requesting re-counting. His application was, however, rejected by the Returning Officer by passing a non-speaking order. |
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Gurdwara room set ablaze Dharamsala, March 14 Kangra district police chief Prithviraj told UNI this morning that there was an altercation between Narinder Singh, the “granthi” of the gurdwara, and Madan Lal, an IPH fitter and president of Kotla village over water distribution. In the heated exchanges that followed between the duo, Mr Singh allegedly attacked Madan Lal with his sword inflicting injuries on his head and right shoulder. Mr Madan Lal was treated at Kotla and was stated to be out of danger, Mr Prithviraj added. The SSP said that when the news of the attack spread in Kotla, the home village of Mr Madan Lal, a mob from the village joined by the local residents of Trilokpur allegedly attacked a store room of the gurdwara. Deputy Commissioner Kangra R.C. Kapil and Mr Prithviraj rushed to the site along with police reinforcement last evening. Tension prevailed in the village till midnight and
situation was brought under control in the wee hours this morning, the SSP said. The SSP said that strict action would be taken against those found guilty including those who indulged in stone pelting and arson. Amritsar: Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, has taken a serious note of the burning of a portion of Tirlokpur (Kangra) gurdwara, by some miscreants. According to Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu, personal assistant, to the Jathedar Akal Takht, a fact-finding team had been despatched to Tirlokpuri. The portion of the gurdwara was set ablaze after altercation between granthi Narinder Singh and an employee of the Irrigation and Public Health. The Tirlokpuri police has reportedly arrested the granthi and Jasbir Singh, a sewadar of the gurdwara on charges of causing injuries to the Irrigation employee, Mr Sandhu alleged. Jathedar Vedanti has said that damage caused to the gurdwara was
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HP to sell
power to Delhi Vidyut Board Shimla, March 14 Admitting this during question hour Dr R.L. Markandey, Himachal Animal Husbandry Minister, informed Mr Gangu Ram that as against 1.21 lakh kg wool worth Rs 1.04 crore, procured in 1997-98, the total procurement was only 410 kg in 2000-2001. In all 5.18 lakh kg of wool was procured at a cost of Rs 4.70 crore over the past one decade. He said the federation auctioned 1.5 lakh kg of unsold stock of wool and incurred a loss of Rs 19 lakh. He clarified that the support price had not been discontinued and wool was being procured at Rs 38 per kg in autumn, Rs 22 per kg in summer and Rs 16 per kg in winter. Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, informed that the state Electricity Board would sell electricity to the Delhi Vidyut Board at Rs 2.40 per unit from May to August this year as against Rs 2.30 per unit last year. During this winter it purchased energy from Haryana at Rs 2.30 per unit and from Punjab under banking arrangement which was required to be returned with five per cent additional units during summer. The state had 28 lakh units of surplus power during summer months when generation in hydel projects was at its peak. Regarding the demand for review of old purchase agreement with neighbouring states has said that would not be required as henceforth the State Electricity Regulatory Commission would determine the rate for sale and purchase of energy. He informed Mr Tulsi Ram that investigation of Hibra and Kuther hydel projects in Chamba had been completed but no decision had been taken to start work as yet. He said from April 1998 to February 2001, 81 MoUs (memorandums of understanding) were signed with private parties for executing mini-hydel projects. However, work had not started so far on any of them. In all 3816 million units were produced during this period in the state. Replying to a question of Mr Kaul Singh, Mr Dhumal said as many as nine cases of encroachment on national highway-22 near Barog, Dharampur and Kandaghat had been detected. He said in case it was found that encroachment was carried out in connivance with the officials, action would be taken against those guilty. In a written reply Mr Dhumal informed Mr Kaul Singh that the airstrips at Jubbarhatti, Gaggal and Bhuntar airports would be extended at a cost of Rs 27.50 crore. He also told the House that as many as 768 cases of appointment on compassionate grounds were pending with various departments, boards and corporations as on February 28, 2001. |
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Tibetan women oppose Olympic games in China Dharamsala, March 14 In a statement here today, the president of the association, Mrs Dolkar Lhamo Kirti, said that in case China’s bid was turned down, it would be compelled to improve treatment of human rights. “It will be totally inappropriate for China to host the Olympics, while its government continues to disregard human rights in China and Tibet,” she stated. Mrs Dolkar, said that there were already complaints in the media that poor Chinese people had been displaced from their homes, without compensation due to premature preparations for the Olympics. While the poor will suffer, it is only the government and the corporations which will get a boost from the holding of the Olympics, she added. She said that if China was given the chance to hold the Olympics, which had a key role in promoting international peace and respect for human rights, then it would suggest that the international community did not care for human rights. It
will give a message of support for China and encourage their government to continue abusing human rights. She said that hosting the Olympics would give China the opportunity to present a new image to the world, providing an easy way to become accepted on the international stage despite its appalling human rights record. |
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HPU refutes teachers’ charge
on promotions Shimla, March 14 A spokesman for the university said teaching posts in as many as 13 departments had been filled and 14 lecturers had been promoted under the CAS as readers, while 92 lecturers were placed in higher scale and 58 given senior scales. Some teachers who appeared for interviews were not found to be eligible for promotion from readers to professor. Besides, the services of 60 teachers had been regularised. Promotions under the CAS were already under process in other departments and appraisal forms had been received, some of which were incomplete, whereas seven readers were yet to submit their appraisal reports. Dr S.K. Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, said he had also sorted out long-pending matters of teachers, coaches and other categories of employees. He denied any favouritism in appointments and said the process laid down by the UGC was followed and all those recruited possessed an excellent record. Further, the post of Dean-cum-Director, College Development Council, was advertised, but only one candidate had applied for it. The post of Controller of Examination could not be advertised as amendments to the ordinance were pending with the government. |
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Architects’
plea to HP Govt Shimla, March 14 In a statement here yesterday, the Indian Institute of Architects, which met under the chairmanship of Mr B.P. Malhotra, it was said that the decision of the government was against the spirit of the Architects Act 1972. This would lead to an anarchy as the major part of the state was under the seismic zone. Most of the categories were not professional and registered under the Architects Act. The Council of Architecture and the HP Centre of the Institute time and again had pointed out to the government to implement the provisions of Architects Act, 1972, passed by Parliament for proper planning and building activities in the state. Not taking a serious note of the Gujarat tragedy, the government had authorised the surveyors and draftsmen for building and planning activities in the state by such notification. The bureaucrats and politicians could not blame the professionals if such happening took place in the state, they warned. The Himachal Pradesh Government should learn from the recent calamity and revert its decision and implement the provisions of the Architects Act in the state. The Institute of Architects also urged people that they should not run after the unqualified persons and here the services of professional and qualified architects, engineers and competent contractors to avoid risks. The implementing departments were not having sufficient staff for checking, so the centre suggested that the municipal byelaws were amended in such a manner that the architect be made responsible for implementation of byelaws in their projects and taking permission from various departments so that people were not harassed unnecessarily by different agencies. This could happen only if registered architects were engaged because as per the Architects Act, in case of any violation they were liable for cancellation of licence by the Council of Architecture. Similarly, the responsibility of structure may be entrusted to the structural engineer, they added. |
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Veterinarians against allowance withdrawal Shimla, March 14 Members of the Himachal Medical Officers Association will observe a day’s strike on March 17 in protest against the decision to withdraw non-practising allowance and non-implementation of the agreement reached with the association on December 15. The programme was chalked out at an emergency meeting of the association held here today. Dr Sushil Sharma, spokesperson of the association, said emergency services in hospitals would be maintained on March 17. However, there would be a complete strike on March 26 on which the doctors from all over the state would hold a dharna in front of the Vidhan Sabha. If no steps were taken to implement their demands, the doctors would resort to work to rule from April 1. They would work only from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and stay away from duty on Sundays and gazetted holidays. The main demands include 10 per cent house rent allowance, rent free accommodation to those providing emergency services and restoration of additional increments to the postgraduate doctors. NURPUR: The Himachal Pradesh Ayurvedic Doctors Union has flayed the decision of the Dhumal government to lift ban on the private practice of the doctors in the state. Mr Sanjeev Guleria, state president of the Union, in a statement issued here on Wednesday said it would adversely affect the health services in general and rural areas in particular. |
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101 deodar sleepers seized Parwanoo, March 14 As per information , the wood was being smuggled out of Himachal Pradesh. A truck coming from the Solan side and carrying 79 sleepers of deodar and 22 sleepers of kail was stopped at the police barrier at about 11 p.m. The police found that the wood was being carried without any legal permit and arrested the truck driver Avtar Singh and the cleaner Jung Bahadur. A case has been registered under the Forest Act. The truck was impounded. In another case, the police solved a theft case of cable wire belonging to the local Telecom Department. The police arrested one person in this connection. As per reports, the Telecom Department had reported the theft of cable wire costing about Rs. 10,000. The police arrested Gurdev Singh of Barotiwala and recovered the cable wire from his possession. |
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Baba Balak Nath
mela begins Hamirpur, March 14 Thousands of people from various parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh, besides foreign tourists were present on the occasion. Baba Balak Nath is the incarnation of Lord Kartikaya, the eldest son of Lord Shiva. Devotees of Baba Balak Nath offered prashad and red flags at his holy cave. Arrangements for the night stay of pilgrims have been made by the temple trust. Jawans of the Himachal police and home guards are controlling the traffic coming frim Talai and
Salauni. |
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Secretariat staff oppose “single file” system Shimla, March 14 The confederation, which met here yesterday, said the move was against the interests of employees and it had created insecurity in their mind regarding their service. In urged the government to drop the move and alleged that such anti-employee decisions were being taken on the pretext of financial crisis. |
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