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| Wednesday,
July 4, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Time not
ripe for porous LoC: ex-Army chief Stokes
rejects CM’s offer of open debate Rain hits road, rail
traffic Inquiry
into building collapse |
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India
won’t export wheat to Iraq, says Shanta Public tele info centre inaugurated HP
teachers to launch agitation DST to
create eco awareness in schools Dean’s appointment
evokes resentment Block
Samiti resents transfers of BDOs Tomato
growers get good price Doctors’
strike: HC notice to Secretary (Health) Residents
block traffic
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Time not ripe for porous LoC: ex-Army
chief Dharamsala, July 3 “Let the two nations take up some confidence-building measures before a stage is reached where we can consider the option of having a porous LoC,” observed General Sharma, who was the Chief of Army Staff in 1990 and fought the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan. “The fact that we have had talks four times and each time the ink is not even dry before we are stabbed in the back, should not deter India from holding a dialogue with Pakistan, ” he said while talking to TNS. He said though he was not in favour of holding talks with Pakistan after the Kargil crisis as the agenda of Kargil had not been completed, but as military strategy could not function without political back-up, he was open to any kind of dialogue between the two countries. “The difference of opinion between political strategists and military strategists deteriorated the situation in Kashmir, but it was the Kargil crisis which precipitated the whole situation, he remarked. India had been able to send a clear signal that we were defending our turf against the enemy and would not part with it. The former Chief of Army Staff felt that it was President Musharraf who was under pressure regarding issues like sinking economy of Pakistan and international acceptance of his own position. “Talks with India can help President Musharraf with the economic aspect being one of the most core issues,” he said. “I see a shift from military strategy to economic strategy as this can make the cost of living more cheap for Pakistanis and India can get ‘piped’ liquid natural gas from Iran through Pakistan,” he said. He said the Prime Minister had exhibited statemanship by inviting President Musharraf for talks as India had a fair chance to make Pakistan President agree on stopping terrorism. “With a humbled President Musharraf having no alternative to survive in his country, he might be willing to pay the price India wants from him,” he said. General Sharma observed that India had politically floundered in dealing with the Kashmir problem and this had slowly devolved into a continuous “battle” in the valley. He added that the misguided Kashmiri youth, knowing nothing of the history, culture and past, were ready to give up their lives for jehad with the required training and backing from Pakistan. On the issue of Hurriyat leaders being allowed to hold talks with the Pakistan President, he said let them at least first prove that they were Indians as they had exhibited complete disrespect for the Indian democratic set-up when they had spurned the representative of the Government of India, Mr K.C. Panth. He felt there was no need to give importance to Hurriyat leaders. On the demand for plebiscite in Kashmir, he said there was no need for it and India could take its own decisions as legally it was on a firm footing. “It is for the people to elect their leadership and the people in the valley have voted and their voice has come sailing through,” he said. While there had been elections in Kashmir every five years, Pakistan had itself remained under military rule for almost 28 years, with not a single election in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir, he said. |
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Stokes rejects CM’s offer of open
debate Hamirpur, July 3 She said there was no point in having this debate in public when the Congress was ready to hold the same on the floor of the Vidhan Sabha during the monsoon session. Talking to newspersons here last night, she said the offer of the Chief Minister was a welcome step but it could not be accepted as it was illogical to have a debate in public. She claimed that the fiscal health of the state was not good and it was due to the top-heavy administration and the “army” of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of various boards and
corporations. Mr Sukhvinder Singh Sukhoo, Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress chief, Mr Balak Ram Sharma, District Congress Committee chief, Mr Sunil Sharma, president of the district Youth Congress, and other Congress and Youth Congress leaders were also present at the press conference. She said in case the Congress came to power under her leadership, she would invite those persons to head corporations and boards who were ready to work without TA and DA. These persons, however, would be provided residence in Shimla, she added. She praised the state government for signing MoUs with private parties for the exploitation of the state’s vast hydel potential. She said that barring this, the performance of the BJP-HVC combine government had been dismal. About the recent tour of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to New Delhi, she said it was his personal tour as he had gone there to meet the bereaved family of Asha
Kumari, who was the MLA from Chamba district. She said the Congress was doing its best to come up to the expectations of the people and provide them
justice. Mrs Stokes demanded that the Chief Minister should explain how the money he had brought from the Centre had been used. She denied the charges that the Congress was to be blamed for the problems the state was facing these days. She took the Chief Minister to task for not holding any meeting with leaders of Opposition parties on fiscal matters and the drought situation in the state. She said it was up to the Chief Minister to take the Opposition into confidence on vital state-level issues. The Congress leader said the party would continue to hold rallies and go to the masses to expose the “real face” of the BJP-HVC combine government. She sought the cooperation of the people of the state to oust the BJP government. |
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Lukewarm
response to Stokes’ visit Dharamsala, July 3 It is for the first time that Mrs Stokes is touring Kangra district as she intends to hold four meetings of party workers at Dehra, Nurpur, Rajgir and Dharamsala. A majority of sitting Congress MLAs and other senior Congress leaders were not present at the meeting. Mrs Stokes was welcomed by party workers and other leaders at Nadaun from where she proceeded to the Jwalamukhi temple to offer prayers. Those accompanying her included
former minister, Mr Vijai Singh Mankotia, DCC President, Dr M.R. Goma, former minister, Mr Kewal Singh Pathania, and Mrs Viplove Thakur and Mr Harsh Mahajan, MLAs from Chamba. The All-India Mahila Congress president, Mrs Chandresh Kumari, who hails from Kangra and senior Congress leader and former PCC president, Mr Sat Mahajan, were conspicuous by their absence. Three of the four Congress MLAs from Kangra, Mr Chander Kumar, Mr B.B.L. Butail, and Mr G. S. Bali, did not attend the meeting. A majority of other Virbhadra Singh loyalists, too, did not attend the meeting. Mrs Stokes addressed the party workers at the community hall in Dehra. She lashed out at the Dhumal government for terming minor differences of opinion in the party as disunity and factionalism. She, however, said indiscipline would not be tolerated. “I will try my best to fulfil the responsibility of strengthening the Congress in Himachal,” she said. She, however, said it was wrong to confer that the Congress in Himachal was dependent on some individuals for its existence. Mrs Stokes said there was no disunity or groupism in the Congress in state. She expressed concern over the growing corruption in the country and said this had become the biggest issue of concern. Mrs Stokes also came down heavily on the Dhumal government for failing to provide relief to the farmers in the state due to severe drought. She said they were yet to get benefits from various schemes of the government, including fodder for the animal. Mrs Stokes would address a workers’ meeting at Panchrukhi in the Rajgir Constituency tomorrow. |
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Rain hits road, rail
traffic Shimla, July 3 While heavy landslide near the Solan bypass disrupted rail traffic on the Kalka-Shimla section around 7 a.m., flash floods in the Riba nullah in Kinnaur washed away a bridge on the Hindustan-Tibet highway. Numerous hill slips in the interior areas blocked roads in Shimla, Sirmour and Solan districts, snapping road link to many villages. No train arrived here from Kalka today and the two trains which left in the morning returned from Solan. A team of engineers and senior officers sent from here to the spot was busy clearing the debris. However, their task was made difficult as incessant rain brought more and more debris on the track. The officials hoped to clear the blockade by late this evening to restore normal traffic by tomorrow. A foot bridge connecting Riba village was also washed away. The state capital received 64.7 mm rain during the past 18 hours (till afternoon). In all during June 271.3 mm rain was recorded which was about 90 mm more than the normal. According to reports received here, the Kangra valley,
Hamirpur, Mandi and other areas also had widespread rain. |
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Inquiry
into building collapse Solan, July 3 He told newspersons that three basic aspects — whether the building was constructed as per approved plans, whether proper materials and structural designs were used and whether the agency that approved the building plans had adhered to the existing rules — would be considered. He said the probe had been necessitated by the collapse of several buildings here in the recent past. He said it appeared only two persons were buried alive in yesterday’s collapse. There was a remote possibility of any other persons being buried under the debris. He, however, admitted that he was basing his premise on the fact that nobody had come forward with a missing person report with the police so far. He also admitted that only some of the rubble had been cleared and the removal of the entire debris would take some time. Meanwhile, the president of the municipal council, Ms Shammi Sahni, blamed the previous BJP-led council for the tragedy. She said the previous council had approved a large number of building plans. “By throwing time-tested norms of safety, aesthetics and cleanliness to the wind”. Former MLA Krishna Mohini, expressing sympathies with the bereaved families, urged the government to institute a probe, not only into yesterday’s collapse, but also into the construction of all those buildings that had been constructed in violation of the building laws. She also demanded a review of these laws. |
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India won’t export wheat to Iraq, says Shanta Nurpur, July 3 He pointed out that Iraq had also rejected wheat of other exporters. At least 27 countries had been exporting foodgrains. India had aimed to export 50 lakh tonnes of wheat and 6 lakh tonnes of sugar for next fiscal year. He pointed out that the country had spent Rs 32 crore for providing lucrative rates to farmers for their produce and storage of foodgrains. While talking about the poor condition of the Pathankot-Manali National Highway, the minister said he was in favour of converting it into the national defence road as it was of strategic importance. During “Operation Vijay” in Kargil, this road was used for transporting goods and personnel. He said he had taken the issue of bad conditions of the National Highways in Himachal Pradesh with the Union Ministry for Surface Transport. While reacting on the arrests of the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr M. Karunanidhi and two Union Ministers Mr Murasoli Maran and Mr T.R. Baalu, he said Ms Jayalalitha had been pursuing her own agenda for political vendetta. |
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Public tele info centre inaugurated Parwanoo, July 3 Mr Prithipal Singh was welcomed by Mr N.S. Gill, Chief General Manager, Telephones and Mr S.K. Bose G.M. (T.D.), Solan. While addressing a gathering on the occasion, the General Manager (TD), Solan, said that Parwanoo being industrial hub of Himachal Pradesh, emphasis was given on providing best telecom services to the consumers. Opening of public tele info center was an important step in the regard. This public tele info center was second of its kind in Solan SSA comprising Solan and Sirmour district of the state. He added that telephone exchange at Parwanoo was adjudged the best exchange in medium category exchange because of various factors like low fault rate, on demand connections, maximum number of ISDN connection (nine), etc. He also said that effort were being made to make state highway passing through Parwanoo as poleless which will help in further reducing the fault rate. He further informed that during 2001-2002, 15 new exchanges would be opened in Solan SSA and approximate 300 km of OFC would be laid to connect exchanges on reliable media. Speaking on the occasion, Mr N.S. Gill, C.G.M.T., H.P. Circle, said that this year approximate 90,000 new telephone connections would be provided during 2001-2002 in Himachal Pradesh. In addition to these 12,000 connections would be given on cellular technology by the year-end. He added that to provide reliable media to exchanges approximate 2000 km of OFC would be laid during the current development year. Effort were being made to provide each revenue village with telecom facility by March 2002. Concrete efforts were being made to improve the customer interface by opening more of public tele info centers in all important towns and cities of Himachal Pradesh. Mr Prithipal Singh, Director (Operations) BSNL, appreciated the new public tele info center at Parwanoo. He praised the telecom staff of Himachal Pradesh for meeting all targets well in time. |
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HP teachers to launch agitation Kangra, July 3 Mr Divender Pal, spokesman for the Himachal Pradesh Government Teachers Union, said here today that on July 9 a dharna would be held in front of the District Education Office at Dharamsala. He said in the absence of a rational transfer policy the teachers were being transferred to settle scores with political leaders and even teachers, who were on the verge of retirement, were being transferred. He alleged that even the handicapped and widow teachers were not spared. The decision to grant allowances to the teachers on the Punjab pattern was still pending. He criticised the government for abolishing the posts of Deputy DEO, Deputy Director and the posts of physical instructor, drawing teacher, TGT (arts) in the newly upgraded middle schools. He alleged that certain Education Department officers dance to the tunes of political workers. He said the teachers were never consulted while taking policy matter decisions. |
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DST to create eco awareness in
schools Shimla, July 3 A spokesman of the state government said here today that the aim of the programme was to create environment awareness by the eco-clubs in the schools. He said eco-clubs would be established in about 100 schools in each district of the state in accordance with the Coimbatore Chater. The spokesman said each eco-club would be named after a tree, bird or any other object. Each club would manage at least 10 camps by planting trees in parks or open spaces. Saplings of chest-nut, brass, kachanar, amaltas, amla, mango, katha or shisham which are suitable for the region would be planted. He said trees would remain in care of the students for five years. The eco-clubs of the schools could visit any of the 28 sanctuaries and two national parks to get first hand information of flora and fauna. Visit to Pong Dam, Renuka wetlands would enrich the knowledge of the students. The spokesman said all Saturdays would be observed as environment days. The scheme would be applicable in all navodaya, Central schools and schools of the state Board in each district. He said the state government had constituted state and district level monitoring committees for monitoring the programme of the eco-clubs under the chairmanship of the Financial Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Science and Technology). The Financial Commissioners-cum-Secretaries of the IPH. Urban Development, Forests, Youth Services and Sports, Industries, Home, Revenue, PWD, Education, Health, Planning, Information and Public Relations, Ayurveda and two NGO’s to be nominated by the chairman would be its members. Member secretary would be selected from the Council for Science and Technology. |
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Dean’s appointment
evokes resentment Shimla, July 3 According to sources, Prof Suresh Kapoor was the chief warden and one year ago, he had been promoted as professor. Senior professors at the university are annoyed with the decision, the sources said. Meanwhile, the National Students Union of India
(NSUI) today urged the Vice-Chancellor, Prof S.K. Gupta, to settle their long-standing
demands. Mr Kewal Singh Pathania, president of the union, said the demands include reverting the hike in hostel fee, allowing admission to BA course to students with compartment in plus two and plying more buses for day scholars, besides regular appointment in law faculty in the regional centre at
Dharamsala, an information centre on the campus and construction of hostel for SC/ST. |
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General visits
Dagshai school Chandigarh, July 3 According to a statement issued here today, General Choudhry also visited the academic block and the hostels. He was also briefed about the newly set-up computer and mathematics laboratories. He was accompanied by the school’s patron, Maj-Gen Ashok Kapoor and the chairman, Brig V.S. Tonk. |
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Block Samiti resents transfers of BDOs Shimla, July 3 Mr Madan Lal Verma, chairman of the samiti, said that during the past one month, two block development officers had been shifted as a result of which development works were being affected. He demanded that the transfer of the incumbent officer be cancelled forthwith. He alleged that the government had also failed to grant ex-gratia relief to the families who had lost breadwinners. There were about 15 such families in Theog block which were awaiting assistance for the past one year, he said. Besides, the block was given a target of constructing 68 houses but no money had been released for the purpose for the past five months, he said. |
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Tomato growers get good price Kumarhatti, July 3 A survey by this correspondent of vegetable markets at Dharampur and Chakki ka Mour revealed that the current wholesale price of tomato is between Rs 13 and Rs 15. It was between Rs 7 and Rs 9 last time. These markets of Solan district are terminal markets for tomato growers of Bholi, Bhojnagar, Barog, Chewa, Dharampur, Anhech, Kabakalan and some surrounding panchayats of the Subathu area. The season has just started, and the growers are getting a handsome price for their produce. Around 200 quintal of tomato is coming daily to the Dharampur market and around 400 growers daily reach the market to sell their produce. During the last season, the growers had to face huge losses when the price of tomato fell below Rs 3 due to the arrival of cheap tomato from Nasik. |
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Doctors’ strike: HC notice to Secretary (Health) Shimla, July 3 A Division Bench of the court, comprising Chief Justice C.K. Thakkar and Mr Justice Arun Kumar Goel, has took a serious notice and asked the government to give its explanation within a day. Now this matter would be listed for tomorrow. Petitioner has filed this PIL on the news item published in various newspapers in which the news reports described the humiliating condition of patients and their attendants. The petitioner alleged that due to the strike of resident doctors all OPDs have been closed. Even the unit of the X-rays, scan et cetera, were not working. |
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Residents
block traffic Dharamsala, July 3 The residents said after the suspension of two doctors and some other para medical staff, there were no doctors in the health centre. They said though a doctor had been posted at the centre he had failed to join the duty. The government had suspended doctors of Primary Health Centre, Haripur, when they failed to treat the victims of a car accident, following which one person had died. The residents will meet the Chief Medical Officer, Kangra, tomorrow. |
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Petrol
station reopens Shimla, July 3 |
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