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July 14, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Summit: stakes high for
Pakistan CM seeks details of pending
works Probe ordered into picture
issue HPCC suggests fiscal
discipline 3-day police remand for
XEN |
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Include Chuharika in BC:
Speaker HRTC employees to strike work on July
17 500 sheep die of mysterious
disease Hike apple support price:
HVC Cong rejects apple support price Problems of apple growers discussed Telephone exchange upgraded Four kids drowned in khud
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Summit: stakes high for
Pakistan Shimla, July 13 Given the complexities of the issues involved, no dramatic results were expected from the summit but it would certainly help enhance India’s image as a responsible nuclear power in the world community even if the talks failed. If no headway is made Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, with his dignified approach to talks, which is in sharp contrast to Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s loud rhetoric centered on Kashmir, could always claim that he tried his best to resolve the issue Prof Kapoor told The Tribune during an interview here today. The bureaucrat-turned-academician, who served the IAS for 12 years, did not approve of General Musharraf’s “all or nothing” approach to confine the summit to the Kashmir issue. He might be a good military officer but not a proven statesman and his battlefield tactics could lead to a few problems in the diplomatic arena. Focusing on Kashmir could be a great policy but it did not leave any scope for manoeuvering. The invitation to Hurriyat leaders had already queered the pitch and confusing signals were emanating from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, he said. Obviously, the Pakistan President was playing to the domestic constituency and the army his major power base which he has to keep intact, he added. Professor Kapoor, who landed in the country last week, said general impression in India was that the USA was deeply interested in a solution and that it was under pressure to hold talks. However, there was no such impression in the USA. Experts at the Stimson Centre of Washington D.C. which specialised in South Asia had been discussing the summit and over the past six weeks. He also had several sessions with them. The conclusion drawn was that it was the compulsion of “realpolitik” which forced the two countries to hold talks for a possible breakthrough. India could still afford to wait, not Pakistan which was in economic doldrums. The industrial productivity was declining and it was surviving on World Bank loans. The situation turned so grave that the World Bank was constrained to force the country to take corrective measures, which included curtailment of defence expenditure. In fact, Pakistan was forced to peg the defence allocations at last year’s level, which in real terms meant a significant cut down. The media hype preceeding the summit, he felt, was uncalled for. The expectations should be “very very” low as at best the talks could lead to a road map to move forward in an incremental manner towards a permanent solution which would be a long drawn out process. The two countries had adopted totally contradictory stand on Kashmir and a headway could be made if only one of them was prepared to yield some ground. Moreover, any accord between the two leaders could be implemented only after taking into confidence various indigenous groups like the National Conference, Kashmiri Pandits and also those representing militants. A mechanism would have to be evolved to involve Hurriyat leaders at some stage. Not only that for a permanent solution people on the Pakistan side (those representing the Muzaffarabad regime) must also be brought into the equation. All this would require a sustained and sincere effort. He lamented that trade did not figure anywhere in General Musharraf’s agenda as was evident from the absence from economic experts in his team. Strengthening of economic ties could pave the way for better relationship between the two countries as in the globalised trade regime economic interest would dictate foreign policy. The example of the USA and China was there for all to see. Besides, confidence building measures like easing of restrictions on travel, movement of capital and collaboration in other areas could also help build the right atmosphere for resolution of the vexed issues. Professor Kapoor who has been teaching American foreign policy, international relations and inter cultural communication at the university-level in various states, was here to deliver a lecture on the Kashmir problem at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. |
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CM seeks details of pending
works Shimla, July 13 Stating this, while presiding over a meeting of the state-level coordination committee on rural development, here today, Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, said a sum of Rs 72.83 crore was sanctioned for the implementation of various watershed development schemes which would directly benefit the rural people. The Chief Minister underlined the need for a proper utilisation of funds and completion of works in a time-bound manner. He lamented that though the Centre and the states had been sanctioning crores of rupees for the development of rural areas, a large part of it was lying unutilised. He asked deputy commissioners details of pending works and also the reasons for the delay by month-end. He expressed concern over schemes pending for a long period and called for a special campaign to complete these works and utilise the unspent funds. The Rural Development Department had now got Rs 9.08 crore project approved from the Government of India for marketing of rural products under which 50 Himachal Gramin Bhandars and one Central Himachal Gramin Bhandar would be set up. He exhorted the deputy commissioners to select places for setting up these bhandars. Mr Dhumal said a Rs 1.62 crore project was being started soon in Kulu, Solan and Hamirpur districts for strengthening mahila mandals. While reviewing the progress of various schemes, it was revealed that 30 beneficiaries under Matri Shakti Bima Yojna had been benefited so far in the state. Twelve cases were under process. The Chief Minister directed that the scheme should be implemented with utmost care and the payments made without delay to the affected families. As many as 1583 self-help groups had been formed under Swaran Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna and a sum of Rs 42.11 lakh had been given to them to generate economic activities last year. The meeting was informed that 13.08 lakhs mandays had been generated under Jawarhar Gram Samridhi Yojna last year. The Chief Minister said that the state government was formulating a scheme for the unemployed. They would form cooperatives and would be given land for plantation. For this various afforestation programmes would be integrated and 75 per cent of the income from such plantations would go to the cooperatives and 25 per cent to the panchayat concerned. He also stressed for creating employment under the food for work programme and make the best use of the scheme by educating people that the food being provided under the scheme was of good quality. While reviewing the Integrated Watershed Development Project, Drought Prone Area Development Programme it was suggested that stress should laid on water harvesting and maintenance of traditional sources of water. The Chief Minister stressed that the banks should ensure that beneficiaries of various poverty-alleviation programmes, where cases had been approved by the government, were not put to unnecessary harassment. Mr Prakash Chaudhari, Minister of State for Rural Development, said that achievements of various programmes being implemented for the uplift of the poor and development of rural areas were good and added that stress should be on physical achievements rather than financial targets. Mr Maheshwar Singh and Mr Suresh Chandel, both MPs and Ms Renu Chadda, a non-official member, also attended the meeting. |
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Probe ordered into picture
issue Shimla, July 13 The inquiry will be conducted by a high-powered committee headed by Mr Gulab Singh, Speaker, and having Mr Kishori Lal, Industries Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, Leader of the Opposition, Mr Vidya Stokes, pradesh Congress committee chief, and Mr Jaikrishan Sharma, state BJP president, as its members. The opposition Congress had been agitated over the issue and had termed it as an attempt to undermine the prestige and dignity of the great leader. The party and its various frontal organisations had been holding dharnas and demonstrations all over the state to protest against the removal of the portrait. The committee will inquire into the controversy, raised in the media regarding the display of a plaque on the wall behind the chairs and table used for signing the historic Simla agreement at the summit and establish specifically as to when and what type of coloured photo was displayed on the wall. It will also establish when exactly the portrait was shifted from the place of its display and the reasons thereof. It will also make a recommendation about whether the said photo of Indira Gandhi or the existing plaque or any other befitting object be displayed at the place and remedial measures taken in the wake of the controversy, if any. The committee will submit its report at the earliest. The controversy had taken a curious turn as Raj Bhavan initially claimed that the portrait was removed when changes were made in the interiors on the advice of the chief architect vide his letter dated May 19,2000. It also claimed that Dr Vishnukant Shastri, the then Governor, had nothing to do with it. However, subsequently it stated that the portrait might have been shifted during the tenure of Ms Rama Devi who had great taste and made unending efforts to improve the interiors and exterior of Raj Bhavan. |
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HPCC suggests fiscal
discipline Dharamsala, July 13 Talking to mediapersons here today, he said “downsizing the jumbo-sized ministry, reducing the number of chairmen and vice-chairmen of corporations and boards and additional advocate generals, will help the government to cut expenditure, he observed. He said it would be very difficult for any party to run the next government, as the loans taken by the government had crossed Rs 3,000 crore. “The financial crunch through which the state is passing is not just the concern of the government, but of all political parties. The Opposition should have been taken into confidence on this crucial issue,” he emphasised. The BJP regime, which used to criticise Mr Virbhadra Singh, for failing to get any financial help from the Centre, has not been able to handle the financial crisis despite getting the help of the Centre time and again. All payments to contractors for the government work have been stopped and development works had come to a standstill, he said. He said that the government has earned a name for itself by being labelled as a “roll back” regime, and takes back its own decisions, within no time. “The latest example is that of the MLA Area Development Fund, which the Chief Minister, after starting the scheme has withdrawn it,” he regretted. In reply to a question about the return of Mr Sukh Ram, the HVC chief, back to the Congress, he said that with the framing of charges against him, as a policy matter he would not be taken into the party, till he is absolved of these charges. Mr Bali, observed that with the framing of charges against Mr Sukh Ram, electoral alliances were likely to change and the vote bank of the HVC was bound to be affected. “It will be the endeavour of our party to keep politics in Himachal a clean affair, to avoid a situation like Tamil Nadu and Bihar,” he said. |
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3-day police remand for
XEN Sundernagar, July 13 In June two trucks loaded with iron bars were impounded by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Vigilance Department, at Daka Balah village in Joginder Subdivision while unloading 16.5 quintals of the material at the residence of Chauhan. The material was being transported to PWD, stores Kulu, from Kandrori and Pathankot. Later the Vigilance staff had registered a case under Sections 13 (I) (D) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 420 and 120-B of the IPC. The accused had given a version that the material belonged to his son and was duly purchased from Kandrori. He had also reportedly produced a cash memo to this effect. However, on investigation his version was not found to be true. The accused moved the bail application before the Special Judge on June 30 at Mandi. He was granted a pre-arrest bail and this order was extended on three dates. The Judge after hearing the case adjourned it for orders on July 12. In his nine page orders he observed that the accused had not joined investigations from the day he was granted pre-arrest bail for the past 11 days. The court was of the view that in the present case ‘custodial interrogation was required’. The court relied on the judgement of “Anil Sharma case” wherein the Supreme Court had observed that custodial interrogation was necessary in corruption cases. The court rejected the bail application of the accused yesterday. He was today produced before the Special Judge, who remanded him in three days police custody. Chauhan was reportedly transferred from his present place of posting after the case was registered. According to highly placed sources in the PWD Department, he could be placed under suspension if he remained in custody for more than 48 hours, under the service rules. According to the Vigilance Department the intimation of Chauhan’s police remand has been sent to the PWD Department. |
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Include Chuharika in BC:
Speaker Shimla, July 13 He made the plea during the sitting of the full Bench of the State Backward Classes Commission held at Jogindernagar today. He said the living conditions of these people were much below an average family in the state and their representation in services was nil. He vehemently pleaded that the populace known as Chuharika should be included in the list of other backward classes. He cited many customs of the area to show that the people there were backward. They were socially cut off from the mainstream and could be hardly compared with backward classes included in the list. The Bench explained various parameters as also informed the public representatives that the full commission of the bench was likely to visit Barot, Thaltukoad, Silbadhani, Bethari and Balh in coming months. Several panchayat pradhans, members of the panchayat
samitis including sizeable number of women, expressed their anguish for having been left behind whereas the populace of Bara Bhangal and Chhota Bhangal which was comparatively socially and educationally better had been included in the list. They urged the Bench of make early recommendation for the inclusion of Chuharika. The Bench also held deliberations with the officers of the state government who narrated actual position of the people of Choharghat and apprised the Bench of their social, educational and economic conditions. |
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HRTC employees to strike work on July
17 Nurpur, July 13 Mr Rajneesh Sharma, state president of the HRTC Employees Federation and secretary of the committee, in a statement issued here yesterday said the employees would strike work on July 17 and keep the HRTC buses off the road for two hours. He alleged that the government had not taken any notice of their demands even after one month of the submission of the charter. Mr Sharma said the government was responsible for the losses of the HRTC as it had failed to release aid to the tune of Rs 82 crore. The government had even failed to settle the ratio between the HRTC and the private buses. He alleged that the government had failed to amend the existing recruitment and promotion rules and release the payment of leave encashment. |
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500 sheep die of mysterious
disease Kulu, July 13 The affected farmers, who are from the Goshal area of the district, told this correspondent that the epidemic had reached an alrming point but the Veterinary Department was yet to equip itself for fighting the disease. It is learnt that on an average, 20 to 25 animals are dying every day. The farmers said the symptoms of the disease were stomach swelling and contracted jaws. Mr Vinod Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Manali, said a team headed by a Tehsildar had visited the spot and the possible help was being rendered. He said he had advised the Assistant Director, Animal Husbandry, Kulu, to send a team of doctors. This correspondent spoke to Dr P.C. Kapoor, Assistant Director,
Animal Husbandry, who confirmed that 495 sheep had been reported killed and 170 others affected by the mysterious disease. He said the in charge of the Mobile Veterinary Dispensary, Dr C.P. Thakur, had visited Goshal village near Manali, where dead sheep were brought from Bhrigu. The heart and lungs of the sheep were being examined to ascertain the disease, he said. He said a team of technical experts had been sent to the spot. The affected farmers have urged the government to take the necessary steps to control the disease and provide compensation to them. |
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Hike apple support price:
HVC Shimla, July 13 Mr Raj Pal Chauhan, president of the district unit of the Congress, said the state was facing a financial crunch, but the growers whose crop had already been hit by the adverse weather conditions deserved a better deal. He urged the government to release new high-yielding varieties so that growers could face the challenge posed by the unrestricted import of fruits under the open general licence. A deputation led by Mr Chauhan met Mr Narinder Bragta, Horticulture Minister, and urged him to take up with the Delhi Government the issue of 8 per cent commission being charged by agents at Azad Market. Under rules only 6 per cent commission could be charged and it had to be paid by the against and not the growers, he added. The deputation also urged the minister to ensure timely and adequate supply of pesticides and fungicides to growers in view of the adverse weather conditions. |
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Cong rejects apple support price Shimla, July 13 Mr Kuldeep Rathore, the party spokesperson, said there had been no increase in support price over the past three years, despite sharp increase in prices of farm inputs like fertilizers, fungicides and also the cost of transportation. A minimum support price of Rs 5 per kg was essential. |
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Problems of apple growers discussed Shimla, July 13 An official spokesman said the discussions covered the present status of horticulture industry, problems being faced by the growers and the ways to overcome them. The growers expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the apple industry, low productivity, poor quality of produce, lack of post-harvest handling facilities, marketing and processing problems. The team of experts comprising Mr Harbans Singh, Mr R.S. Rana and Mr V.P. Suri assured the growers that the problems would be taken up at the time of the preparation of a project which would included state-of-the-art technologies. They would also submit proposals for the creation of infrastructures in post-harvest handling of produce and the production support services required for the industry, they added. |
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Telephone exchange upgraded Kasauli, July 13 Mr Bose gave information about the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) which has introduced inbuilt facilities like the calling line identification facility, home metering, call forwarding and video conferencing, besides a host of other facilities. He said the technology which was being used in 50 other countries worldwide had now been introduced in the Solan telecom district which had 58,000 working connections with a capacity of 75,000 lines in its 41 exchanges. It was proposed to open another 15 exchanges by the year-end. The department had already started installing telephones on demand and it was proposed to grant about 12,000 new connections in the far-flung areas. |
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Four kids drowned in khud Shimla, July 13 District police chief N. Venugopal said the deceased had been identified as Suresh Kumar (13), Ramesh Kumar (12), Prabhat Singh (12) and Nidhi Singh (13). The body of Nidhi Singh has been recovered and handed over to his parents for cremation. He said the local police, with the assistance of villagers, was trying to trace out the bodies of the remaining children. Divers from the Bhakra Beas Management Board were being called to fish out the bodies. Mr Venugopal said five students of the fifth standard of Government Primary School, Kartah, in Saini valley, had gone to take a bath in the Saini khud. However, one of them managed to
survive while the others were drowned. UNI |
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Applications for Haj invited Shimla, July 13 Deputy Secretary, Home, who is also a member secretary of the committee, said applications along with a draft of Rs 10,550 for adults and Rs 1,400 in case of infants be sent to him before July 25. The applicants are also required to obtain bona fide and character certificates from the Superintendent of Police concerned. |
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S.S. Gupta power panel chief Shimla, July 13 Mr Gupta was earlier a member of the commission. |
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Life sentence for killing uncle Hamirpur, July 13 According to the prosecution, the accused Rajendra had shot dead his uncle in Pipramaaf village on December 29, 1996, following a property dispute.
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