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Saturday,
June 16, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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11,000 tonnes of grain for HP: Shanta HP to strengthen
Panchayati Raj Re-entry of Sukh Ram
opposed No more free health services in
HP Ropeway project: villagers up in
arms |
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Bhakra Dam oustees’ rehabilitation
sought DYFI protest against user charges Reinterpret texts, says
scholar Ex-MLA Sher Singh
dead, cremated Dhumal lays stone of ITI
building CM urged to fill posts in schools Exclusion of merged areas
from corpn hailed Council decries water tariff
hike Shanta gets bail Postage stamp on Yash Pal sought
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11,000 tonnes of grain for HP: Shanta Dharamsala, June 15 Addressing a press conference here today, he said the fact that the deaths were not due to starvation had been confirmed in the inquiry report. Mr Shanta Kumar, said due to serve drought in some parts of the country, 16 lakh tonnes of foodgrain worth Rs 1,600 crore was being given to the states. Himachal alone had been provided with Rs 19 crore and 11,000 tonnes of foodgrain free of cost, he said. Apart from this 25 lakh tonnes of foodgrain was being given to various states free of cost for various schemes like food for work. He said the government was spending 11,000 crore on the public distribution system in the country and efforts were being made to improve its functioning. Two new programmes were being introduced to make it more efficient. He said regional consultative committees would be formed in 27 states to ensure proper coordination between the Centre and the state. Apart from this consumer awareness programmes would be launched all over the country. Mr Shanta Kumar said compared to a buffer requirement of 158 lakh tonnes of foodgrain, the country had 447 lakh tonnes. “Despite having an export target of 20 lakh tonnes last year we exported 35 lakh tonnes”, he said. He said India had become the seventh largest foodgrain exporter out of 27 nations in its first year of export foodgrain. He said there was immense potential of export of wheat to Iraq which had a requirement of more than 35,000 tonnes, but India would have to meet the specifications of Iraq. He said the high-level delegation which had been sent to Iraq to look into the reasons for the rejection of wheat, had given its findings. He said as per international export standards, two per cent foreign material, including 0-5 per cent inorganic material, was permissible, but Iraq wanted this to be even lower. Efforts were being made to meet the demand of Iraq, he added. |
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Probe suicide by 2 farmers:
Mankotia Dharamsala, June 15 Mr Mankotia, while addressing a press conference here today, said the people of the Kangra were suffering for no fault of theirs. “We have been at the receiving end of all the negative decisions taken by the government, but the people will give a befitting reply at an appropriate time”, he added. He demanded that a judicial inquiry be ordered into the suicide of two farmers of Kangra district. “It was due to adverse circumstances, poverty and frustration that they decided to put an end to their life, rather than leading a life of destitute”, he said The Congress leader accused the Dhumal government of being indifferent towards the plight of the farmers. He said the Kangra District Congress Committee, was meeting on June 20, to take stock of the situation and chalk out its future strategy to tackle the situation arising out of the drought. Mr Mankotia said the Ex-servicemen League of Himachal Pradesh would hold its annual session on June 20 at Dharamsala. The Governor would be the chief guest. He said the issue of one rank one pension would be raised at the meeting. Mr Mankotia said it was only the officer and JCO rank defence personnel who were getting all benefits recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission, while the lower ranks constituting 86 per cent of the forces were yet to get benefits. |
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HP to strengthen
Panchayati Raj Hamirpur, June 15 The Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting at Bagwara village in the district yesterday after dedicating the Shaheed Swami Dass Chandel Memorial Primary Health Centre to the people. He said the people of the state were proud of their soldiers and the government would leave no stone unturned to help and rehabilitate the families of martyr. He said the government was also implementing three watershed schemes costing about Rs 15 crore being financed by NABARD to strengthen the economy of the state. He said once completed these schemes would usher an era of green revolution in the district. The Chief Minister said the government was mainly concentrating on the construction of roads, opening and strengthening of educational institutions and starting health institutions with modern facilities. He announced a cash prize for those who had constructed primary health building at Bagwara at a cost of Rs 35 lakh as against the sanctioned budget of Rs 42 lakh. He announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for providing additional buildings at the senior secondary school at Bagwara. HP Education Minister, Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Mrs Urmila Thakur, Parliamentary Secretary, and Mr Pyere Lal Sharma, Chairman, Hamirpur Zila Parishad, also spoke on the occasion. |
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Re-entry of Sukh Ram
opposed Shimla, June 15 The
dal, which met here today, made it clear that it would oppose the entry of such leaders tooth and nail. Mr Baldev Thakur, chief organiser of the
dal, who chaired the meeting, said public apology from errant leaders was essential to enforce discipline in the party. He said the re-entry of Mr
O.P. Rattan and Mr Kewal Ram Chauhan without making a public apology was also wrong. Mr Kuldeep Rathore, secretary of the PCC, clarified that Mr Sukh Ram had
neither sought entry into the party nor there was any move to reinduct him. He said Ms Vidya Stokes, PCC chief, had already written a letter to Mr Rattan and others, who were taken back into the party, to withdraw the allegations made by them against the party and its leaders. The dal condemned the scrapping of the Vidhayak Nidhi scheme and alleged that the decision was politically motivated. Funds were being allotted in the constituencies represented by Congress legislators on the recommendation of defeated BJP candidates, it said. Mr Baldev Thakur alleged that the government was discriminating against them even in supplying such essential items as medicines. To substantiate his charge he cited the letter from the Director of Ayurveda to the District Ayurveda Officer asking the latter to divert the medicines procured for Ani constituency to Hamirpur and Una. He said the dal would launch a mass agitation if the government failed to withdraw the letter with in fortnight and ensure that medicines meant for Ani reached the destination. |
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No more free health services in
HP Shimla, June 15 The Ripon hospital here, which is the oldest hospital in the state, will start levying user charges on patients in a phased manner. At the first instance, X-ray charges will be levied. Most of the hospitals, including the two medical colleges here and at Tanda in Kangra and the dental college, have already been registered as societies for levying the user charges. It is learnt that all hospitals will not simultaneously levy the user charges and the scheme is being introduced by governing councils of the respective societies. The BJP government had initiated the move in October last to levy user charges on patients by converting most of the hospitals into societies, but it was not implemented because of political pressure as the panchayat elections were coming. However, now that the elections have been completed even in the tribal areas, clearance has reportedly been given for imposing the hospital fee in a phased manner. The issue was reportedly discussed at a recently held meeting of chief medical officers of all districts here. The families living below the poverty line will be exempt from paying user charges in hospital. At the moment all those having a monthly income of less than Rs 600 were provided free medical facilities. However, allegations of misuse of the provisions were received. Because of the bad financial position, the government was unable to continue free medical facilities because of the heavy increase in the prices of medicines and other equipment over the years. Dr Suman Gupta, Medical Superintendent of the Ripon hospital, said the hospital always remained short of X-ray films as a result of which the Hospital Welfare Society had decided to impose a fee on X-rays. The move of the government to levy user charges had come under severe criticism from the opposition parties. The previous BJP government, headed by Mr Shanta Kumar, had also imposed user charges in hospitals, but the measure was withdrawn as soon as the Congress came into power. The Democratic Youth Federation of India has said the conversion of the hospitals into societies will not be in the interests of patients because charges would be levied on all type of pathological and other tests.
The X-ray charges will be increased by about Rs 50. |
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Ropeway project: villagers up in
arms Palampur, June 15 According to sources, Conveyor Ropeways of Calcutta has submitted a proposal to the Himachal Government to set up a ropeway in private sector. This ropeway will start from the Neogal Cafe area and link Saurabh Van Vihar and Dodan Khola near snowline in the Dhauladhars. The earlier site where the foundation stone for the ropeway project was laid by the then Chief Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, has been rejected by the new party and they have decided on the area immediately behind the cafe owned and managed by the HPTDC. The land is owned by the Tourism and Industries Department and the government has decided to lease it to the party. But the problem is with the land at Dodan Khola which is owned by villagers. The authorities are keeping the entire project a secret till the land is purchased so that rates do not go up. This is being done with a view to help the industrialist at the cost of the local villagers and it is alleged that some influential politicians are also in the race to buy land in the area for themselves. The villagers are opposing this. Revenue officials are not ready to disclose anything in this matter though recently representatives of the industrialist, Tourism Department and revenue officials had visited the area and asked the owners of the land to sell it. Even the tourism officials deny any knowledge and state that the matter is being handled by the head office, the district authorities say no lease has been sanctioned as yet. This gives rise to the suspicion that directions from high-ups is the reason for the silence of the authorities. Former pradhan of Kandi panchayat Harbinder Singh has criticised the attitude of the officials for not disclosing the truth to the villagers. He alleged that at the behest of some BJP leaders, officers were trying to cheat the people of their land at low prices. This would not be tolerated, he added. |
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Bhakra Dam oustees’ rehabilitation
sought Bilaspur, June 15 Addressing mediapersons at Circuit House here yesterday, the leaders said they would support any such amendments in the Himachal Assembly, for the benefit of Bhakra Dam oustees. They demanded immediate rehabilitation of those poor Bhakra Dam oustees who’s khokhas, rehris and houses on the national highway up to Nauni were demolished by Bilaspur district administration few weeks ago. They objected to the uprootment of Kol Dam oustees in Bilaspur district without properly ensuring them all facilities for their rehabilitation. They demanded that the terms and conditions of the Kol Dam Project agreement between the government and its implementing agency — National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) — should be made public and adequate agricultural, plot for houses and employment to each family in technical and administrative branches should be ensured. They objected to the immediate transfer of a Land Acquisition Officer posted in the dam area who was said to be sympathetic towards oustees and who was not dancing to the tunes of the NTPC in matter of compensation of property being acquired. The leaders lashed the government for failing to provide cheaper and better quality cattle fodder and demanded high level inquiry into the “scandal”. |
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DYFI protest against user charges Shimla, June 15 They raised slogans against the BJP government and described the decision as “anti-people”. They submitted a memorandum to the Chief Medical Officer. Mr Tikender Singh Panwar, general secretary of the DYFI, said the poor would be deprived of health services as the hospitals in the state had been converted into societies for imposing user charges on patients. The government was shirking its responsibility of providing healthcare to all, he alleged. The claim of the government to provide healthcare to all by 2002 had become a force. The DYFI demanded that the government should immediately withdraw its decision of imposing user charges as the poor world be badly hit. Residents of farflung and remote areas were already being deprived of medical facilities because doctors and para-medical staff were not available there. |
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Reinterpret texts, says
scholar Shimla, June 15 In his keynote address, Prof Kapil Kapoor, Rector, Jawaharlal Nehru University, said the Indian society was amenable to reforms and the Hindu law was a codification of the customary law rooted in dharma shastras. Indians as a whole led a life of restraint and discipline, he said. He made references to stories from the Upanishads which could help solve several problems. Prof Chandrakala Padia of Banaras Hindu University, who is also convener of the seminar, emphasised on the need for reinterpretation of traditional philosophical and religious texts. She was of the opinion that the texts were “mutilated and fabricated” in favour of the male. She quoted ample examples from the Manusmriti where women had been accorded a number of rights which were absent today. Her emphasis was on a “balanced objective and openeyed reading and evaluation of the texts.” She said on the “ontological level we had gender differentiation but no gender discrimination.” She said the wisdom of ancient sages and seers could give an insight into a collective way of life in place of a narrow self centred one. Prof S.K. Gupta, Vice-Chancellor of HP University, who was the chief guest of the inaugural session, called for reinterpretation of texts for “balanced and objective meaning of both tradition and modernity.” In his presidential remarks, Prof V.C. Srivastava, Director, IIAS, dwelt on the three title words of the seminar “feminism, tradition and
modernity.” He said tradition had become one with dogmatism and modernity
with progress. Making a reference to the book “The Image of Virgin” written in 1975, he said woman was a symbol of creation and harmony. He made a reference to several movements by women. |
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Ex-MLA Sher Singh
dead, cremated Dhawal (Sundernagar), June 15 Sher Singh (44) had gone yesterday to attend a fair at Kamrunag which is at height of 9000 feet. Mr Keshav Ram, who was accompanying him, said while coming back after attending the fair Sher Singh complained of pain on the left side of his
chest. He was taken to the primary health centre, Rohanda, where he was declared
dead. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. All markets remained closed yesterday and today as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Thousands of persons were present on the banks of the Sutlej to pay their homage. His elder son Rohit lit the pyre. Mr Rup Singh, Forest Minister, was present on behalf of the state government. Mrs Vidya Stokes, President of HPCC, Mr Kaul Singh, former Speaker (Congress), besides several former ministers. SHIMLA: The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, has expressed grief over Sher Singh’s death and said the latter had made a place in state politics, and services rendered by him would always be remembered. The CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, said the death of Mr Sher Singh was a great loss not only to Mandi district but also to the entire state. Earlier, Mrs Vidya Stokes held a condolence meeting at the PCC
office. Thakur Gulab Singh, Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha, said Sher Singh, always took interest in the upliftment of weaker sections. Mr Mohinder Singh, a sitting MLA and leader of the Lok Jan Shakti, has also expressed grief over the death of Sher Singh. |
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Dhumal lays stone of ITI
building Hamirpur, June 15 Training of plumbing, electrician, fitter, welder, computer operator and programmer, dress making, embroider, photography and fruit and vegetables preservation would be given at the centre. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed building of a police station at Bhoranj. An amount of Rs 49 lakh has been spent on its construction. Mr A.K. Puri, DGP, said five new police station buildings and 106 quarters for staff costing about Rs 24 crore had been spent during past three years. The work on police stations at Nadaun and Bangana was complete and Dharampur and Nirmand were at final stages. He said the community policing scheme started in 22 police stations earlier would also be introduced in remaining 62 police stations of the state. Mr Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Education Minister, Mrs Urmila Thakur, Parliamentary Secretary and Mr Baldev Sharma, MLA, were also present on the occasion. |
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CM urged to fill posts in schools Una, June
15 Ms Maya Devi, pradhan of the panchayat, said only one JBT teacher was working at Government Primary School,
Paroian. There were no teachers at primary schools in Bohru Jagat Khana and
Kusiyala. A single teacher was posted at Chugath primary school. She said in Bohru gram Panchayat two primary schools had one teacher each whereas three schools were being run without teachers.
She urged the Chief Minister to appoint teachers in the schools at the earliest. |
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Exclusion of merged areas
from corpn hailed Shimla, June 15 Mr Ganesh Dut, the party spokesperson, said these areas were merged into the corporation by the previous Congress government despite strong opposition of the local people. By undoing the wrong act of the previous government the Dhumal government had fulfilled its election promise. |
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Council decries water tariff
hike Mandi, June 15 The council has also taken exception to levying of property tax at the rate of 10 per cent and urged that the rate should be reduced to 7 per cent. They also requested the government to change the method of valuation of property for the purpose of house tax. The tax should be charged on the cost of construction and not the market value, it said. |
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Shanta gets bail Dharamsala, June 15 Mr Shanta Kumar, who came to the court accompanied by Transport Minister Kishan Kapoor, Mr Dulo Ram and Mr Des Raj, both MLAs, was granted bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1,000. Mr Rajan Deewam appeared on behalf of Mr Sat Mahajan while Mr Abhimanyu Chopra was the lawyer for Mr Shanta Kumar. |
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Postage stamp on Yash Pal sought Shimla, June 15 In a letter to the Union Communication Minister, Mr Dhumal, said Yash Pal took active part in the freedom struggle. |
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