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Tuesday,
June 26, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Liquor
smugglers flourishing in HP Are BJP,
HVC parting ways? HP schemes
focus on floriculture Need to
demystify art: historian 5 killed
in bus accident |
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Meeting
not to encourage dissidents: Shanta Faculty
eludes HP varsity dept Probe
sought into stoning of train Honesty is
still alive Irked
villagers lock school Irate
residents hold demonstration
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Liquor smugglers flourishing in HP Palampur, June 25 The police sources revealed that earlier the activities of liquor smugglers were only confined to Shimla, Solan and Sirmour districts, but now they have extended their network to other districts like Kangra, Hamirpur and Una. The state excise authorities are worried after the arrest of three persons and seizure of two consignments of smuggled liquor carrying 350 boxes, for the first time in Palampur and Nadaun last week. A senior officer of the department told The Tribune that the seized liquor was carrying the false trademark of two distilleries situated in the state, and it was to be supplied to the small vendors for sale in the rural areas. Because of high rates of excise duty and sales tax on different brands of liquor in the state, it is costly in the official vends, however, smuggled liquor is sold at half the price and provided at the doorstep, he added. From the information gathered by this reporter from the state police and the Excise Department, it is learnt that most of the liquor smugglers run their activities from outside the state and liquor is bottled and packed in Parwanoo, Chandigarh and Kalka. Though the senior officers of the department are well conversant with the situation, yet they find themselves helpless in initiating any action against the culprits. Recently a private liquor manufacturing unit, which was allegedly found involved in this racket, was sealed by the Excise and Taxation Department, but because of high political connection no action was initiated. Later it was allowed to run its business. In the prevailing circumstances, the state is losing a net revenue of Rs 8-10 lakh daily. It is an open fact that “liquor mafia” in the state has been thriving and flourishing with the blessings of senior political leaders and officials of the Excise and Taxation Department. Vehicles carrying smuggled liquor are seldom checked on the interstate barriers and its free movement is deliberately allowed in the state. Increasing
political interference in the transfers and postings of senior and junior officials of the Excise and Taxation Department is one of the factors which has made the matter worse. It is stated that the “liquor mafia” have close links with the
political leaders of the state and manage to get posting of the staff of their choice in the border district of the state, which extends full assistance to them. It may be recalled that this year there was no buyer for the liquor vends of Solan, Shimla and Sirmour because of the fact that smugglers have a strong network here. Later these vends were auctioned at nominal increase and government suffered a loss of Rs 2 crore. There was only 11 per cent increase in the revenue in these three districts as compared to an increase of 30 per cent in the other districts of the state over the previous year’s collections. |
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Are BJP,
HVC parting ways? Shimla, June 25 If the outburst of Mr Sukh Ram, HVC supremo, and some BJP leaders is any indication, the days of the alliance in the state may be numbered. Mr Sukh Ram, who was authorised by the state executive of the party to take a final decision on the withdrawal of support, is moving around in the state openly attacking the Dhumal government. He has accused the senior coalition partner of taking important decisions without taking his party into confidence. He has not only openly criticised the decisions like imposition of user charges and hike in electricity tariff but also justified his act on the plea that there was no common minimum programme to follow. The BJP was ignoring the HVC manifesto and taking “anti-people” decisions without consulting it. At the same time, he has been asserting that his party will continue to support the government despite pressure to pull out from the alliance as it did not want to create political instability in the state. A shrewd politician, Mr Sukh Ram is gradually changing his stance with an eye on the next Assembly poll. By publicly criticising the imposition of user charges by the government, he is trying to send the message across that his party has nothing to do with such “anti-people” decisions. He wants to distance from the BJP, the popularity graph of which has been on the decline. While Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, and senior BJP leaders have refrained from reacting to the HVC criticism, middle rung party leaders have started demanding that the party should call off the alliance. Meanwhile, Mr Gian Chandel, Shimla district president of the BJP, has refuted the charge of Mr Sukh Ram and Mr Anil Sharma, MP, that the BJP was now following the coalition culture and ignoring the HVC. He said the BJP joined hands with Mr Sukh Ram when he had become a “political untouchable” in the wake of charges of corruption against him to rid the state from the feudal rule of Mr Virbhadra Singh. It sent Mr Anil Sharma, his son, to the Rajya Sabha and allotted important
portfolios of PWD and Excise to the HVC ministers. Besides, the Shimla Lok Sabha seat was also allotted to the HVC but its MP, Col Dhani Ram Shandil, never contacted BJP leaders after the election. It was surprising that the HVC, which was inducting former MPs and former MLAs of the BJP into the party fold was accusing the party of “trying to split” the HVC. |
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HP schemes focus on floriculture Shimla, June 25 Floriculture has been a major thrust area for the diversification of horticulture industry in the state in recent years as a result of which the area under floriculture has increased from 30 hectares in 1993-94 to 154 hectares in 2000-2001. Nearly 1,500 farmers are engaged in the cultivation of flowers and at present 40.70 hectares in Sirmaur, 26.36 hectares in Mandi and 23.50 hectares in Kangra district are under floriculture. The government plans to bring 10 times additional area under flowers during the next 10 years. Flowers grown in the state are gladiolus, carnation, marigold, lilies, chrysanthemums and other seasonal plants. The diverse agro-climatic conditions in the state ensure availability of flowers from different climatic zones all-through the year for domestic market. Floriculture has also the potential to earn foreign exchange from the export of cut flowers and floriculture produce. The flowers produced in the state are being sold in the domestic markets, especially Delhi, Chandigarh and Amritsar. Growers associations and cooperatives have been formed for marketing. Their success has proved that cooperative marketing is a good solution to marketing problem. An apex body of flower growers cooperatives of the state was also formed recently. So far, nearly 48 flower cooperative societies are functioning. The state government is providing quality seeds and nurseries to growers through these societies. The Department of Horticulture has also been undertaking the registration of individual flower growers for the import of improved floriculture
germplasm for their own use. To boost commercial floriculture in the state a nodal
floriculture centre is being established at Mahog, to offer facilities to the flower growers. Rupees 46.84 lakh has already been spent on this centre. Seven floriculture nurseries have been set up in various parts of the state to provide plant material and training to the commercial flower growers and entrepreneurs regarding technical know-how and motivation to the growers to adopt commercial floriculture as an avocation. The floriculturists are also being provided scientific facilities for post harvest management of the produce. Collection grading and packing house and cold storage facilities are being provided in Bilaspur, Mandi and Kangra districts. The state government is also giving financial incentives to the farmers for development of floriculture. Subsidy on packing carton at the rate of Rs 10 per carton subject to maximum Rs 15,000 is being given to the farmers. In addition, subsidy under area expansion programme is also being made available to the individual growers for a unit of 0.2 hectares depending upon the type of crop grown. The extent of subsidy on various crops range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 20,000. Apart from this, short duration training is also being provided. A model scheme for cultivation of gladiolus, carnation and lilium has been approved by Nabard under which credit facility for cultivation of flowers is being made available to the growers from commercial and co-operative banks. To familiarise farmers with the latest production and post-harvest techniques, training camps and study tours are conducted in the state. In the past two years, four study tours for 207 farmers were conducted under the Centre-sponsored scheme. |
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Need to demystify art: historian Shimla, June 25 Works of art are appreciated only by a minuscule minority and common people suffer from a “fear complex” that they will not be able to understand the underlying philosophy. It was mainly due to ignorance about how to look at artistic works, he observed in an interview with The Tribune, here today. Art is capable of bringing a person to the
threshold of a new world of perception and understanding. Once his aesthetic sense is stimulated he is able to see works of art in a different light. People were unable to respond to works of art largely due to inadequacy of knowledge. Ordinarily we look at art in a passive manner and little energy is used in the act of viewing. It must be understood that works of art are meant to be visually entered and that requires a measure of commitment and some effort, he explains. We tend to take the Indian artist of the past as a simple craftsman, translating other people’s ideas. What needs to be done, however, is to see the artist as a thinking man, capable of and involved in taking decisions, something that even a mildly thoughtful viewing of works will reveal. It was the responsibility of art historians, critics and artists to bring art closer to people by sharpening their sensibilities and heightening their perception so that they are able to appreciate art. Art reviewers address a small section of enlightened artists and scholars contribute little towards broadening the base of understanding of the common man. Work of art transforms reality and does not represent it. How an artist transforms the reality provides an insight into his mind. Professor Goswamy firmly believes that the coarseness which plague life could be removed if people are sensitised to understand and perceive art in the right context. He said in Japan there was a tradition to display the best works of art treasured in various monasteries once every year for the common people. This helped in creating “awareness” among people about art. The art historian has selected three different series of Indian paintings for his ‘Mirrors of the mind’ lectures. These include the celebrated “Chaurapanchasika” based on a 13th century Sanskrit poem, the Bhagwat Puran painted at Mewar or Mathura in 16th century and Rasmanjari, ascribable to painter Kripal who was active in the Nurpur, Basholi region in the last quarter of the 17th century. |
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5 killed in bus accident Shimla, June 25 The vehicle (HP 01 — 8857), which daily carries the newspapers packets from Shimla to the Upper Shimla area, was on the way from Rampur when the mishap occurred. The injured have been admitted to the IGMC hospital, here. Three of the deceased have been identified as Mukesh Kumar of Delhi, Charan Das and Phindu Ram both of Kamlali village in
Rampur. The injured persons are Gautam Sen and Atma Ram, both Rampur and Manoj Kumar of Delhi. |
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Meeting
not to encourage dissidents: Shanta Hamirpur, June 25 He said old party cadre should not be discarded. He advised partymen to extend cooperation to the governments at the centre and states. Mr Suresh Chandel, MP, while talking to the partymen urged them to spread the message of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, among masses. He said the nation was progressing under the dynamic leadership of Mr Vajpayee. When contacted, Mr Shanta Kumar told this reporter last night that there was no truth in the reports that he had come to encourage dissidence in the party. He had gone to Mr Narendra Thakur’s residence only to meet old time friends, he said. |
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Faculty
eludes HP varsity dept Shimla, June 25 It is learnt that the department was to commence at Dharamsala but due to some reasons it was started here on the campus. For running a fullfledged faculty one professor, one reader and three lecturers are required. But the university has made no appointments since 1998. No separate laboratory is being provided to these students who use physics apparatus for their practicals. Students allege they have urged the Vice-Chancellor many times but to no avail. They allege the Vice-Chancellor is busy with seminars has turned a blind eye to the needs of the department. How can he think of national and international matters when his own university lacks adequate facilities and infrastructure, they queried. The apparatus in the laboratory is not up to the mark. Students allege that most of the apparatus is very old and some instruments etc are out of order. During the morning the electronic science students do their practicals and in the evening physics students work on the same apparatus. |
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Probe sought into
stoning of train Chandigarh, June 25 In a statement Mr Harbhajan Singh and Mr Paramjeet Singh
Chanana, president and general secretary of the unit, respectively, said the incident was against the tenets of any religion. The West Bengal Chief Minister should order a high-level inquiry into the incident. |
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Honesty
is still alive Mandi, June 25 The couple had stayed in the hotel four days ago. Shikha had left her purse on the swing where she was sitting with her children. She forget to pick up the purse before leaving for Mandi. Chand Ram, an attendant, had handed over the purse containing Rs 8,000 in cash and jewellery, to the owner of the hotel. Their joy knew no bounds when the owner of the hotel handed over the purse to the Chopras when they came to enquire about it. |
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Irked villagers lock school Nurpur, June 25 According to information, only five out of 67 students were declared successful in the examination. Irked over the poor performance of the school the Parent-Teacher Association also held a protest after locking up the school. The police rushed to the spot following reports of tension in the village. According to the SDM, Mr Vidman Chand, the agitating villagers were demanding the transfer of a few teachers of the school. He said the villagers were persuaded to lift the lockout. |
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Irate residents hold demonstration Dharamsala, June 25 As many as 250 residents held the demonstration. The protesters said that had doctors been available at the hospital, one of the accident victims could have been saved. Two persons were killed when a car rolled down a khud near Haripur last night. Kanchan (32) and her father-in-law Uttam Chand were killed and five others were injured. The villagers claimed Uttam Chand, who succumb to injuries at the hospital, could have been saved. |
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