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| Tuesday,
April 3, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Dhumal for more powers to panchayats Bamsan Congress faces crisis Shanta
clarifies remark on Laxman Cong
differences come to fore |
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Forest Dept’s plan
to check fires Forest mafia fells 100 deodars Library
with problems aplenty HRTC depot
at Dalhousie sought Rabi crops
worth Rs 252 cr damaged Abducted
girl traced, 2 held 1 lakh
pilgrims throng temple Demand to
shift ITBP office Parwanoo roads in poor shape Probe sought into NGO leader’s
death Man
drowned in Sutlej Governor, CM
attend yajna
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Dhumal for more powers to panchayats Hamirpur, April 2 The Chief Minister was addressing a rural gathering at his native village Samirpur this afternoon. He was at Samirpur to take part in the meeting of the local gram sabha organised by the Samirpur gram panchayat. Mr Rakesh Kumar, the local gram panchayat pradhan presided over the meeting. Hundreds of villagers of Samirpur gram panchayat were among other dignitaries present on this occasion. They included Mrs Anuradha Thakur, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Baldev Sharma, MLA and Mr Udho Ram Chandel, member Zila Parishad. He said that the state government was committed to overall development of the state and the decentralisation of powers to the gram panchayats and other panchayati raj institutions is a step in this direction. Prof Dhumal said that the state government had made it mandatory on part of all the gram panchayats to hold four meetings of the gram sabhas in their respective areas every year. He said that the gram sabhas would be responsible for framing micro planning for the respective areas and to continue with the developmental activities. The Chief Minister assured people that funds would not come in the way of development. He said that the main aim of the government was to develop all parts of the state on balanced basis. He asked the people to give their suggestions how to strengthen the democracy and the panchayati raj system in the state. These suggestions would be incorporated in the amended Panchayati Raj Bills to be presented in the state Assembly from time to time. The Chief Minister warned the people against the designs of the Congress party and other opposition parties trying to destabilise the democratic setup in the country. He said that nation was under the leadership of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India. He announced, on the occasion, that Mr Vajpayee would address a massive rally at Hamirpur on April 7th to observe the completion of three years of the BJP government in the state. He gave a call to the people to make this rally a success. The Chief Minister on this occasion announced Rs 1.60 lakh for the development of the local gram panchayat. Sundernagar The management has already forwarded the proposal to the government to start the Bachelor of Computer Applications and the Bachelor of Physical Education courses in the college. He said in this financial year, Rs 943 crore had been earmarked for education. |
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Bamsan Congress faces crisis Hamirpur, April 2 Insiders in the Congress said the dominant section in the party had tried to give a serious jolt to Mr Kuldip Singh Pathania, former MLA and former HP Youth Congress chief. Mr Pathania had represented the Bamsan Assembly segments in the Vidhan Sabha during the last elections but lost to Professor Dhumal this time. No supporter of Mr Pathania has been accommodated in the new District Congress Committee and this has led to great resentment among pro-Pathania workers in the party. One of the supporters of Mr Pathania said the party high command had dug its own grave by ignoring supporters of Mr
Pathania. |
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Shanta
clarifies remark on Laxman Dharamsala, April 2 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Shanta Kumar, said that there was absolutely no link between his remarks and Mr Laxman being a Dalit. “There is simply no way by which we can justify what has been shown in the Tehelka tapes and the Prime Minister has himself accepted that there has been mistake,” he stated. While refraining from making further comments against Mr Laxman, he said that had he been in place of the former BJP President, such defence dealers and commission agents would not have got entry into his residence at any cost.” I have never hesitated to speak up my mind on issues, for which I feel strongly, and this time too I raised the corruption matter at the BJP National Working Committee meeting,” he said. The Union Minister admitted that there was no doubt that the party had received a major setback due to the Tehelka revelations, “but by accepting our mistake, we have ensured that we will emerge stronger.” The Congress would not be allowed to get political mileage out of the whole issue, as it had no right to comment on corruption, as the party was neck deep into it.” Despite a number of scams being unearthed during the Congress regime, nor did their party president or any other senior leader resign on moral grounds, as had been done by the BJP,” he remarked. When asked about the reported comments of the BJP General Secretary, Mr Narender Modi, that even if he is shifted as in charge of Himachal, the real control would remain with him, Mr Shanta Kumar refused to comment. |
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Cong differences come to fore Kangra, April 2 Mr Saini distributed lists of office-bearers of the Kangra Block Committee, the executive committee of the Mehla Congress, and the Kangra City Congress Committee approved by the president of the district unit, Dr
M.R. Goma, the PCC general secretary, Mr Harsh Mahajan, and the president of the state unit of the Mehla Congress at a press conference here yesterday. |
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Forest Dept’s plan
to check fires Shimla, April 2 Although widespread rain and snow over the past week has provided some relief, forests will be exposed to fire hazard as the mercury shoots up towards the third week of April, says Mr S.K. Pande, Principal Chief Conservator. The field staff of the department had been busy activating village Forest Department committees, panchayats and other organisations to effectively combat forest fires. The department, which earlier threatened to suspend the forest rights of the villagers, will give funds for the execution of development works in villages where the people lend a helping hand to the forest officials in preventing and
extinguishing forest fires. The department now plans to involve the people in checking illicit feeling in felling. The villagers will be encouraged to give information about illicit their areas. The identity of informers will be kept secret. |
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Forest mafia fells 100 deodars Mandi, April 2 The forest mafia has started felling trees at DPF forest which is totally protected and no tree is allotted even to the right holders. The Divisional Forest Officer, Nachan Division, has lodged an FIR. A retired forest officer told mediapersons that illicit felling on such a large scale had taken place for the first time and what was most surprising was that neither the police nor the Forest Department got a wind of such a large-scale operation by the mafia. No member of the mafia had been rounded up so far. Only 24 sleepers found abandoned in the forest had been seized so far, he added. Forest Minister Thakur Rup Singh has been informed about the large-scale felling of trees in the demarcated protected forest. |
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Library with problems aplenty Shimla A large number of books are reported to be missing from the library. Sources say that the figure may be around 25,000. Besides, many of the books have been spoiled. The seating capacity of the library is 600 which is inadequate when compared to the strength of students in the university. Students complain that most seats are uncomfortable and it is difficult to sit on these for a long time. The capacity can be increased if the bank, the Academic Staff College and the construction department office are shifted from the library building. ‘‘If one leaves one’s seat for a few minutes, it is likely to be occupied by someone. The seating capacity should be increased because students are facing difficulties,’’ says an economics student. Apart from this there is no proper check on the return of books borrowed from the library. Students are also to blame for the problem. A student may get a book issued for 15 days but may not return it for a month. In many cases there is only one book on a particular subject and delay in its return upsets others who wish to read it. ‘‘There is only one book on nuclear science in the library. We have written many times to the library authorities to get more books but to no avail. In such a situation both students and teachers suffer’’, says Dr Mahavir Singh, a physics lecturer. The library also does not have the latest journals on various subjects. Students say that the journals available are very old and of little use. Authoritative research journals, particularly those relating to modern physics and pure and applied physics, are lacking. Those interested in such journals have to get these from Delhi, complain teachers. Students say in other universities the libraries are open for longer hours. This library closes at 9
p.m; which is far too early. Students also complain that they find it hard to locate books as many of these are not kept in the proper place. The catalogue, too, is not properly maintained, they say. There are hundreds of books from which many pages are missing. The blame lies mainly with students who tear pages for their own use. The library staff need to be more alert to prevent such damage. The photostat machine in the library is old and most of the time is out of order. This creates problems, especially when a number of students want to use the facility. Students have demanded that a new machine should be bought. Thirteen daily newspapers are received in the library but students say the number needs to be increased. They also say that old newspapers are not available for reference. The number of magazines is also inadequate. The Academic Staff College, which is in the library building, adds to the problems of students. When orientation programmes and refresher courses are organised there, the students sitting in the library get disturbed. The total number of books in the library was 1,81,473 till December last year. Sources say that a large number of books are lying dumped in a store. A stink often pervades parts of the library. Toilets usually emit a foul smell. There are no proper water arrangements. It is reported that the library building has not been whitewashed for a long time. Windowpanes, too, need cleaning. The library staff strength is inadequate. There are eight vacant posts of Assistant Librarian, six of senior assistant, 10 of attendant and five of junior attendant. There are also three vacant posts of book cleaner. There is no gatekeeper at the library. Attendants are doing the work of gatekeeper. The librarian declined to comment on the state of the library. |
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HRTC depot at
Dalhousie sought Dalhousie, April 2 Local residents and hoteliers who are nowadays busy rejigging their hotels, restaurants, lodges and dhabas to greet the tourists from home and abroad in the ensuing summer season, have demanded that bus service should be introduced to Kulu, Mandi, Dharamsala, Shimla, Chandigarh, Delhi and Jammu to give much-needed fillip to tourism in Dalhousie and Khajjiar hill resorts. The local bus terminus reportedly not only lacks requisite staff but is also in bad shape. The people have demanded the setting up of a regional depot of the HRTC either at Dalhousie or Chowari. The only regional depot at Chamba can barely cope with the large number of cases of breakdown of buses on the zig zag roads of the hilly area. The authorities concerned reportedly are not keeping a check on the quality of services and the safety of ramshackle old buses which ply packed with commuters. |
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Rabi crops worth Rs 252 cr damaged Kangra, April 2 This was announced by the Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidya Sagar, while talking to this correspondent here today before leaving for Shimla. There was loss of rabi crop in Kangra, Chamba, Una, Hamirpur and Mandi districts. Mr Sagar said that 35901 quintals of wheat seed, 2015 quintals of oilseed and 1282 quintals of pulses seed was distributed among the farmers during the season. The target of 11.25 lakh tonnes of foodgrain during the rabi and kharif season of 2000-2001 was fixed by the department. For the kharif season last year, 2914.5 quintals of paddy seed, 10360 quintals of maize seed and 975 quintals of the oilseed, besides 401 quintals of other seeds were distributed among the farmers. To boost the vegetable production in this region, 50 irrigation schemes were identified by the Agriculture Department. This was done to achieve the target of 2.22 lakh tonnes of vegetables, 36,000 tonnes of patato and 320 tonnes of ginger fixed for 2000-2001. In this zone, 22025 farmers were imparted training. This year, 26058 agricultural machines and tools were distributed among the farmers. He said 29 power tillers and 22 tractors were going to be distributed among the garmers with a maximum subsidy of Rs 20,000 for each power tiller. |
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Abducted girl
traced, 2 held Chamba, April 2 Giving this information here today, Mr Sanjay Kundu, Superintendent of Police, said the abducted girl named Babita, daughter of Mr Dharmu, belonged to Bhadian village in the district. He said the abductors who were now in the police custody, had been identified as Munna Khan of Kulhispura village, Gumla and Sushil Kumar of Chepgon village in Jharkhand state. The accused were working in Jai Prakash Industries. The SP said Babita had gone to fetch some fodder for the livestock on March 27 but did not return home. The father of the girl suspected these two workers. A case was registered at the police station, Chamba. The police swung into action and nabbed these two workers on April 1. |
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1 lakh pilgrims
throng temple Kangra, April 2 Thousands of men, women and children, wearing yellow clothes, chanted vedic hymns and sang bhajans. The pilgrims visited the temple and washed the “dharam shila” on the occasion of Ram Navami today. Police was deployed to maintain law and order and to regulate traffic. However, there were reports of thefts from different places. |
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Demand to shift ITBP office Chamba, April 2 Presently, the Public Works Department (PWD) rest house is being used as the office, while there is an accommodation for tourists in this hill station. According to official sources, there are hardly 25 suites, including those of all government rest houses, in the town. The state government should also take steps to build a residential complex for the Sessions Judge so that the Forest Rest House could be vacated and utilised for its real purpose. The state government has so far failed to provide permanent accommodation to the District and Sessions Judge. Until now, the judge has been camping on the upper floor of the Forest Rest House. |
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Parwanoo roads in poor shape Parwanoo, April 2 The roads of all the sectors have been affected. In Sector 1, the road leading from Sandip Metal Works towards Chemiplast has gone from bad to worse. The road has not been metalled for the past many years. The road leading from Amar Flour Mills has potholes. The road leading towards the electricity office is completely damaged. Sector 1-A, which has only one circular road, is in a bad state, making it dangerous to drive heavy vehicles like trucks and tractors. This road has also developed deep and large potholes, which add to the woes of the commuters with cars and scooters. The road in Sector-2 are also damaged. Sector-4, which is a purely residential sector, has maximum length of roads. The condition here, too, is no different with the outlet roads. The road in Sector 5 from Forge India towards the railway bridge is broken and at some places the road is even not existing and drivers, especially of heavy vehicles, hesitate to drive on this road. The roads in Sector 6 are also in bad shape and require immediate repairs. Some residents feel that poor drainage system in the town is also responsible for damaging the roads. According to officials of the municipal committee, paucity of funds is the only reason for the delayed works. The officials added that Rs 10 lakh have been earmarked in this year’s budget of the MC for the repair of roads, retaining walls and other developments works. The reason for not starting the work in Sector 6 is that the Sector 6 has not been handed over to the municipal committee yet by the HP Housing Board for development works and maintenance of the sector. |
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Probe sought into NGO leader’s
death Bilaspur, April 2 The NGO leaders who accompanied Mr Ram Singh said that during the last Assembly election, Chhote Lal’s “murder” was made an election issue by BJP and Himachal Vikas Congress leaders. Both had promised a CBI probe into the “killing” but nothing had been done in this regard.
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Man
drowned in Sutlej Mandi, April 2 The deceased has been identified as Sunder Singh Guleria of Chandiara village near Pangna. According to eyewitnesses, he had virtually crossed the rive but was stuck in a marshy portion and drowned while swimming back to the other bank. |
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Governor, CM
attend yajna Shimla, April 2 Elaborate religious rituals and “bhajan” sessions were organised at all major temples. Mr Suraj Bhan, Governor, and Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, paid obeisance at the local Sankat Mochan Temple where a special function was held. They also attended a “yajna” held for universal
peace.
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