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| Thursday,
May 24, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Tibetans condemn Chinese ‘atrocities’ SC, ST bodies oppose statute’s
review Report denies starvation suicide Drought situation
discussed |
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Liquor shop near police
post HP to give jobs to needy poor Delay in road repair: MC blames
govt Fresh norms to increase PWD
efficiency The Bhagavat in
Kashmiri 1,407 cases of
STD,
RTI detected Ban on fresh admissions in pvt B.Ed colleges Una students top merit list in plus two
exams Building raised in prohibited area Body found, 3
cops suspended
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Tibetans condemn Chinese ‘atrocities’ Shimla, May 23 The Tibetan Youth Congress staged a protest march from Naaz to CTO and later held a rally at which the speakers condemned the Chinese atrocities on Tibetans. Mr Ogyan Dorjee, president of the Congress, said this controversial document, forced upon the Tibetan government, compelled Tibet to co-exist with resurgent China. It would again flaunt this dubious legal instrument to legitimise its claim on the vast resource-rich Tibetan tableland. China would use the anniversary to showcase its achievements in Tibet to justify its continued occupation. Its propaganda machinery was set on high gear to churn out statistics of a wide range of “benefits” the Tibetans had enjoyed since the signing of agreement. Tibetans had been told that their salary or pension would be withheld if they failed to participate in the anniversary festivities. He said agreement didn’t have the seal of the Tibetan government, but personal seals of the Tibetan delegation members. With whatever fanfare China commemorates this infamous agreement, the glaring fact was that the struggle of the Tibetan people to restore its independence had intensified over the past 50 years. The anniversary celebration of the agreement would not whitewash this vital fact or of the atrocities committed on the Tibetan people in the name of “liberation” by the occupying power. |
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SC, ST bodies oppose statute’s
review Hamirpur, May 23 Addressing a press conference here yesterday, he stressed the need for a casteless society through Buddhism. He said society was facing a grave danger from the caste-based politics and thus harming the cause of the nation. Dr Onkar Singh Bhatia, general secretary of the confederation, also attended the press conference. He said it was shocking that many people could sit with dogs and cats, but not with human beings of the same society. He said political system was bad due to the caste equations. Merit figured nowhere. Even if meritorious persons contested elections they were bound to be defeated due to lack of votes from his own caste. Contrary to this, an illiterate or a criminal could win the election if his caste equations dominated his constituency. Mr Ram Raj opposed the review of the Indian Constitution and demanded the immediate dissolution of the Constitution Review Commission. He said the Indian Constitution was framed by eminent persons after indepth study of the society and if anything was found against the interest of the people that could be amended through a legislation and for that purpose the review of the Constitution was not needed. Mr Ram Raj said in modern democracy, political system affected other institutions and therefore denial of merit in political field meant denial of merit in all other fields. He said even today judiciary and executive were not functioning well because of bad political system. The Dalit leader gave a call to save the hard-won freedom. He said then Indians suffered for centuries and only then freedom came to India. But it was sad that multi-nationals and foreign forces were again invading our economy and the present political set-up was to be blamed for the mess. He said if these forces were allowed to interfere into the Indian economy, local markets would collapse as had happened in Surat and Coimbatore. He said all Indians should unite to oppose the anti-people policies of the Central and other state governments. Mr Ram Raj said our prime motive should be to unite the divided society by ending the caste system. Some high class literates and elites disowned the belief in the caste system, but when it came to practice in real sense, they were just the opposite of what they claimed e.g. establishing social and marital relationship in their caste only. He said the confederation would organise a massive function in New Delhi on October 14, 2001, where more than 10 lakh persons from various castes would convert to Buddhism to uphold the old culture and religion. Only Buddhism could provide a casteless society in India and this had been seen during the rule of King Ashoka. Moreover, Buddhism was still practical in most parts of the world and it was the second largest dharma in the world, he added. |
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Remove
casteism, say SC bodies Hamirpur, May 23 Addressing a press conference here yesterday, he stressed the need for the formation of a casteless society through Buddhism. He said Indian society was facing a grave danger from the caste politics. Dr Onkar Singh
Bhatia, general secretary of the confederation, also attended the press conference. He said it was a matter of great shock and dismay that people here prefer sitting with dogs and cats but not with members of some other
castes. Mr Ram Raj opposed the review of the Indian Constitution and demanded immediate dissolution of the Constitution Review Commission. He said the Indian Consitution was framed by eminent persons and if anything was found against the interest of the people it could be amended through a legislation, and for that purpose the review of the Construction was not needed. The Dalit leader gave a call to save the hard-won freedom. He said it was a sad thing to say that multinationals and foreign forces were again invading our economy and the present political set up was to be blamed for the mess. He said if these forces were allowed to interfere in the Indian economy, the local markets would
collapse. Mr Ram Raj said our prime motive should be to unite the divided society while removing the caste system. He said the confederation would organise a massive function in New Delhi on October 14, where more than 10 lakh persons from various castes would be converted to Buddhism to uphold the old culture and religion. He criticised the Central Government for not providing justice to the
Dalits. He said Dalits would fight for their rights. |
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Report denies starvation suicide Dharamsala, May 23 The Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Mr Prabodh Saxena, said that the Naib-tehsildar, Nurpur, had been directed to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the report of death due to starvation, on May, 21, itself. He said that the SDM, Nurpur, along with teshildar, conducted a detailed inquiry, the report of which revealed that Amar Singh, was an ablebodied man, who never asked for employment or any other help from either his family, relatives or other people, who were in a position to help him. Mr Saxena, said that from the facts available, Amar Singh, had not told anyone, including his mother and in-law regarding any hardship faced by him. “His neighbours and relatives have declined any information regarding economic hardship of Amar Singh in general and the situation of starvation in his family,” he added. Mr Saxena, said that the SDM, Nurpur, will complete his inquiry at the earliest in this regard. He said that Amar Singh’s family had some assets also. There was no report of any attempt to those. Preliminary inquiry, had also revealed that on the day he committed suicide, he visited his mother and in-law, but did not discuss any problem with them. He is learnt to have had his meal at his in-law. |
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Drought situation
discussed Hamirpur, May 23 At the meeting it was reported that about 80 to 90 per cent loss to rabi crops had been reported from 1,702 villages covering 35,035 hectares. The loss to crops in terms of money was stated to be Rs 34.16 crore approximately. In order to mitigate the loss, the government had suspended the entire land revenue amounting to Rs 62,200. Other than this hybrid maize seed is being provided to the farmers at 50 per cent subsidy. The minister expressed satisfaction over the role of I&PH Department in tackling drinking water shortage in the district. Till now, only four water tankers had been pressed into service. The Superintendent Engineer, I&PH, assured the members that vigil was being kept on the situation and if any requirement were felt water tankers would be pressed into service. In addition to the above, he said 97 handpumps had been installed in Hamirpur district, last year. The minister stressed the need for taking timely action for the upkeep of water sources, and added that of the 7,788 traditional water sources, 7,030 sources had been cleaned and disinfected till now and the remaining would be done at the earliest. The representative of the Department of Health said constant supervision was being kept by the department and measures taken to prevent any outbreak of an epidemic. |
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Water shortage in Shimla suburb Shimla, May 23 The residents pointed out that for the past few days there was no water in their taps. They said they had complained to the authority concerned a number of times, but to no avail. They alleged that due to lack of roads, the tankers supplying water were not reaching them. There was no natural water source near the area from where the residents could fetch water for their daily need, they lamented. |
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Liquor shop near police
post Parwanoo, May 23 The shop has also become an eyesore for the residents of the area as well as for the tourists. The residents say that if the liquor shop is not removed, they will launch an agitation soon. The residents also claim that even another liquor shop which is being run in the middle of the town, is also violating the rules but despite various representations, the government has not taken any action but has allowed another liquor shop to be opened in violation of all rules. The first liquor shop, which is already in the town, has a government school and a cinema hall nearby and is just on the National Highway. Sources say that surprisingly the Excise Department of the Himachal Government has approved the liquor shop on the reserve forestland for which the permission can only be granted by the Government of India. The source adds that a partner in this shop says that they have taken all permission from the authorities concerned but officials from the Forest Department and National Highway authorities deny the grant of any such permission but they say that necessary steps shall be taken against the contractor so deemed fit. |
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HP to give jobs to needy poor Shimla, May 23 Mr Dhumal said the step had been taken to guarantee employment to the poorest of the poor who may be in urged need of employment due to the drought. This would enable them to purchase essential commodities, including food. The Chief Minister said that a person in whose family no member is in regular employment, wage employment and self-employment and he is in urgent need of wage employment as
labourer, he could contact the nearest Block Development Officer. The officer, with the consent of the Deputy Commissioner concerned would provide wage employment to the needy person within five days of the request from the needy persons. If there is no work going on in that particular area, then the BDO will start a new work within five days and provide employment as labourer on the wage fixed by the state government to the needy persons. The persons engaged as labourer would be given 3 kg of rice per day worth Rs 21 and the remaining wages would be paid in cash. The state government has also authorised the deputy commissioners to start new works at their own level in case there are persons in need of employment in any part of Himachal
Pradesh. |
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Delay in road repair: MC blames
govt Shimla, May 23 In a joint statement here today, they said the corporation had started the repair and metalling of the roads but the government, for reasons best known to it, had decided that the work would be carried out by the Irrigation and Public Health Department. The decision was taken without taking the corporation into confidence, they said. In the normal course, such works were executed by the corporation, they added. They also alleged that the corporation was not getting adequate grants from the government, as a result of which it was facing problems in carrying out development works and maintaining basic facilities. The councillors of the corporation had met the Chief Minister and urged him to give adequate grants to the corporation. They said the development of the town was the responsibility of all concerned, including Mr Narinder
Bragta, Horticulture Minister and local legislator. They urged him not to bring in politics in the matters concerning the development of the town and sanction funds from his Local Area Development Fund. The councillors said more funds were needed by the corporation, particularly for the development of the newly merged areas. They said the corporation was carrying out development works in these areas from its own resources, even though it was not earning any revenue from the areas. They urged various departments to clear the arrears so that the corporation could speed up development works. |
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Fresh norms to increase PWD
efficiency Shimla, May 23 Evolving of new work norms, rationalisation of manpower deployment and standardisation of design for all functional government buildings are the main features of the exercise being conducted to increase the efficiency and productivity of the department. A sharp increase in the cost of construction has over the past one decade rendered the financial norms for opening new divisions and subdivisions irrelevant, calling for a review to ensure adequate workload for each unit. While evolving new workload norms, the geographical conditions of the area would be taken into consideration. This would ensure that the hard areas, where the working period was less, would not be neglected. Besides, the technological advancements and use of construction machinery would also be taken into account. The most important part of the exercise is the standardisation of designs for various types of functional government buildings as also to specify the construction material and fittings so that no arbitrary changes could be made. This will go a long way in reducing, ensuring use of quality material, and timely completion of projects.
Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, has already issued orders to the department not to change the design of buildings once the work gets under way. Modifications in design during the course of constructions delay work and escalate the cost. There is also a proposal to assign the responsibility of the design wing to the Engineer-in-Chief, who is also the chief designer of the state. Under the rationalisation of manpower, the continuation of certain divisions and subdivisions which were created for specific projects will be reviewed. In the past, units once opened were allowed to continue even after the completion of projects, putting an unnecessary burden on the state exchequer. Excess manpower will be deployed in deficient units. The government has also initiated steps to boost the morale of the engineers and other workers to motivate them to deliver better goods. It has instituted awards for outstanding workers and officers from the divisional level to state level. A Rs 5000-award has been instituted for the best carpenter, mason, plumber and electrician in each division. A similar award has been instituted at the divisional level for the best mate. An award of Rs 25,000 for the adoption of new technology and for observing economy of time and money in project execution has also been instituted. For publication of a technical paper in a professional international journal, an award of Rs 50,000 will be given to the public works personnel. Such a paper if published in a national journal will be entitled to an award of Rs 25,000. An effort to promote technological excellence in the department has been made for the first time. The department is being provided with the latest machinery for
efficient and economy execution of various works. The efficiency and high productivity of new machinery will bring down the cost of execution of works. |
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The Bhagavat in
Kashmiri Kangra Currently living in Birta village, near here, Bagwan was born into the family of a teacher in Anantnag town on April 21, 1921, and was brought up under the guidance of two poets, Laxmanjoo and Shivaji Raina. Bagwan attended the Central Mission School at Anantnag and graduated from S.P. College, Srinagar. He obtained the BEd degree from Kashmir University and started working as a primary school teacher. In 1950 he was selected as a member of a mobile squad to train teachers in modern methods of teaching. He worked for 23 years at the Teachers Training School at Anantnag from 1954 and was later promoted as Head Master of the institution. In 1976 Bagwan retired from his teaching job. Bagwan, who started writing poetry during his childhood, published his first collection of ghazals, ‘‘Nala-e- Dil’’, at the age of nineteen in 1940. This brought him recognition as a poet and he never looked back. Bagwan became a household name in the Kashmir valley following the publication of ‘‘Sharika Daya’’, a collection of devotional songs, in 1950. These songs were sung by well-known musicians of the state, in temples and at Hindu marriages. Bagwan’s urge to eradicate social and political evils from society led to the publication of ‘‘Tuth Nabad’’ (bitter sugar), a collection of songs on the subject. His other publications are ‘‘Acchar Gund,’’ another book of devotional songs, and ‘‘Mallul Sarmayi’’, containing phrases, idioms and proverbs in the Kashmiri language. Bagwan took up the translation of 17,800 verses of 334 Adhyayas from 12 Skandhas of the Bhagavat when he had crossed the age of 77. ‘‘It took me two and a half years to translate this valuable scripture. I thank Lord Krishna for giving me a chance to complete the mission’’. He said the translation of the Bhagavat was in two volumes, each of 800 written pages. The Bhagavadgita, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata had been translated into the Kashmiri language but not the Bhagavat. ‘‘God gave me the inspiration and strength to start and complete the work. My poet friends, too, prompted me to take the work in hand as it required a lot of patience, which they knew I had’’. He felt the translation of the Bhagavat had “helped me during the past two and a half years to move in the direction of transformation in myself.” He added the translated work had not yet been printed for lack of funds (Rs 1.5 lakh). |
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1,407 cases of STD,
RTI detected Nahan, May 23 The patients were trD and RTI were completely curable if medical aid was availed within time. He urged the people to use condoms as a preventive measure and added that if either the husband or the wife suffered from STD or
RTI, both should come forward for treatment. |
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Una students top merit list in plus two
exams Dharamsala, May 23 Rajat Dogra from DAV School, Una, has topped the plus two examinations by securing 89 per cent, followed by Monika Angra and Vijender Thakur from the same school. According to the Secretary of the board, Mr Vikas Labru, the pass percentage this year stands at 43.79 per cent. Out of a total of 10,462 students who took the examinations 4,526 have been declared pass while 2,104 have got under compartment. Apart from this, 3,568 students failed. It was for the first time that the board had managed to declare the results in a record period of 35 days, Mr Labru said. Others whose names appeared on the merit list prepared by the board are Visharad Sharma (4) followed by Munish Mahajan, Manoj Kumar and Isha Saini have got the sixth and seventh positions, respectively and are from DAV Senior Secondary School, Una. Smriti Khullar from Government Senior Secondary School, Bilaspur, stood eight, while Samriti Katoch of St Bede’s College, Shimla was ranked ninth. Vikas Chauhan, manish Anand and Asha Kumari, got the remaining three positions, respectively, in the merit list of 12 students. |
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Building raised in prohibited area Dharamsala, May 23 ASI Kangra sub-circle in charge Charan Dass Attri, who lodged the FIR with the police on May 8, said the building was being constructed without the permission of the ASI and in violation of Section 32 of the Archeological Monuments Protection Act, 1959. According to the Act, no building can be constructed within 100 m of the prohibited area and 200 m of the protected area. He said the building under construction, was just 5 m from the prohibited area and 50 m from the protected area. It would affect the view of the historical fort. The construction at the site was going on, he added.
UNI |
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Body found, 3
cops suspended Solan, May 23 Head Constable Sohan
Lal, Constable Ashwini Kumar and Constable Ramesh Kumar have been suspended in this regard. The DIG Southern Range, Mr I.D.
Bhandari, along with senior district police officer has taken a serious view of the incident. The recovery of the body near the checkpost and that too only after having been informed by a villager had raised a question mark on the efficiency of the Nalagarh police. |
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PWD Ministerial Staff Assn office-bearers Shimla, May 23 |
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Kabir Jayanti holiday Shimla, May 23 |
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HP wins first prize Shimla, May 23 |
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