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| Saturday,
July 21, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Resolve Tibetan issue, says European
Parliament Law no deterrent to female foeticide HP to spend Rs 175 cr on SCs
welfare Training camp fails to unite
BJP |
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Fed up, man “killed wife, self” Labour panel chief for simplifying
laws
HVC keeps options open on
alliance Declare Gujjars, Gaddis STs, Centre
urged MLA meets Dhumal
on Minjar fair BSNL to expand network in
Mandi Six fresh enteritis cases in
Dharampur Term of Backward Classes panel chief extended
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Resolve Tibetan issue, says European
Parliament Dharamsala, July 20 Interacting with mediapersons here today, the 11-member delegation of the European Parliament said in case China wanted to join the mainstream and get acceptance from the world community, they would have to work out a solution to the Tibetan problem with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. “The Dalai Lama during his interaction with our delegation, yesterday reiterated he was willing to negotiate with the Chinese anywhere, without any preconditions,” revealed Mr Per Gahrto, the president of the parliamentary delegation dealing with China. He said he had also conveyed to the Dalai Lama the three conditions laid down by the Chinese leader, Mr Li Peng for holding talks with the Tibetan leader. “The Chinese want that the Dalai Lama must accept the Chinese Constitution, dismantle the exiled Tibetan Government and accept autonomy for Tibet instead of independence,” he stated. Mr Gahrto has been in constant touch with the Chinese leadership and conveyed their political view point to the Dalai Lama. “There is no doubt that China wants to wipe out the Tibetans to have a free land in Tibet and for this Tibetan culture and religion is a major obstruction,” observed the delegation members. Sounding optimistic about a solution to the Tibetan problem in the near future, Mr Thomas Mann, the President of the Tibet Inter Group, said there were differences of opinion even among the Chinese leadership and there were some who felt that China should take the opportunity to make a deal with the Dalai Lama. He added that some of the leaders were being very rigid as the stakes were very high but hoped that with change of leadership things could look up. On the issue of the Olympics 2008 going to China, the delegation members felt with worldwide focus being on Beijing the occasion could be used to demand a better human rights record from the host nation. Regarding the call for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics, the vice-president of the Tibet Inter Group, Mr Reinhold Messner, said it would be inappropriate to take this stand right now as China had ample time to improve its human rights record during the next five years. “In case the human rights violations remain just the same, apart from a call for a boycott we could think of other alternatives,” he commented. The members of the delegation said they were prepared for protests from China for inviting the Dalai Lama to address the plenary October session of the European Parliament. “The Dalai Lama’s address to the European Parliament on October 24 will be a historic occasion despite the fact that there will be very aggressive protests by China on the issue,” stated the members of the delegation. Apart from meeting the Dalai Lama for two hours yesterday the delegation members visited various institutions and schools run by the Tibetan Government-in-exile during the past five days. |
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Law no deterrent to female foeticide Shimla, July 20 Experts, officials, representatives of non-government organisations and politicians attending the workshop expressed concern over the sharp decline in the female sex ratio in the age group of zero to six years. Over the past decades if this is not corrected it could have serious implications for society in the years to come. While the over six female sex ratio in the state had declined from 976 in 1991 to 970 in 2001, in the zero to six age group it had plunged from 951 to 897 over the period, which was alarming. The decline at the national level was marginal from 945 to 927. The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, at whose initiative the workshop was held said this one negative aspect had undone the state’s achievements in the field of literacy, health, education and other sectors. It was indeed a cause of concern that the increasing literacy and spread of education had not made the people wiser otherwise they would have not gone for sex selective abortions. The declining female sex ratio was a social indicator reflecting the medieval thinking and attitude. The status of women in the state was much better as compared to other states it had been the front-runner in the case of girl education, literacy rate, health institutions and infrastructure development. In spite of all these favourable conditions the declining sex ratio had given “us” much to ponder over. A startling fact which had come to light was the sudden decline in sex ratio in some of the districts in the state, which were earlier favourable. The child sex ratio which was favourable in Kangra, Hamirpur and Una districts in 1971 had become lowest in 2001. In these three districts the number of female children was higher than the number of male children in 1971 but in 2001 the number of female children has come down considerably and the sex ratio now stood at 836, 864 and 839, respectively. The use of prenatal diagnostic techniques like sonography and strengthening and expanding facilities for safe abortion under the National Population Policy had been held responsible for this harmful phenomena. He said strict medical officers who had been designated appropriate authorities in the state enforcement of the provisions of Prenatal Diagnostic (Prevention of Misuse) Act could only be a deterrent. The real objective could be achieved only by educating the people. He said the government would ensure the law was implemented in letter and spirit and a committee could be set up to monitor the progress of remedial measures. Dr Kamala Gupta, expert from the International Institute of Population Science, Mumbai, in her presentation painted a grim picture of the number of states with negative female sex ratio increasing with each census. She said in 1971 there were only four states — Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan — which had fewer women than men. In 1981 their number rose to five with Gujarat also earning the dubious distinction. In the latest census the number had risen to eight. In all, in 3 per cent of the districts the sex ratio was less than 800, in 6 per cent between 801 and 850, in 13 per cent between 851 and 900 and 22 per cent between 900 and 935. Thus, in 44 per cent of the districts in country the female sex ratio was below the desired level. The main reason for the decline had been that with the availability of modern health care the sex differential mortality had been controlled as reflected by the similar infant mortality rates but the sex selective abortion had increased. Mr Dhumal sat through the entire session to know the views of participants on the basis of which the government would frame a policy to arrest the negative trend to restore the balance of sex ratio. |
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HP to spend Rs 175 cr on SCs
welfare Shimla, July 20 He said that in the current year provision of imparting training to 531 Scheduled Castes beneficiaries and providing of loan to 3650 persons had been made, he added. Presiding over the second meeting of the Kabir Panthi Kalyan Board organised by the Himachal Pradesh Social and Women Welfare Department here, Mr Dhumal, reiterated government’s resolve for speedy uplift of the weaker sections of society. He said that to ensure that the poor students of Scheduled Caste were not deprived of getting education after school level, 2000 poor meritorious students of Scheduled Castes were being given a scholarship of Rs 10,000 each under “Ambedkar Meritorious Students Scholarship Scheme”. He said that Himachal Pradesh University was organising coaching to prepare of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes students from time to time to enable them compete in professional and other competitions and stressed the need that it should be ensured that maximum Scheduled Castes availed this facility. He said that it was a matter of concern that though crores of rupees had been spent for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes and other weaker sections of the society in the past under various programmes, but it was unfortunate that the benefits of these progress could not percolate to the needy in right perspective. Mr Mansa Ram, Himachal Welfare Minister, said that the Welfare Department was implementing various schemes amounting to Rs 82.92 crore, during current year for the welfare of weaker sections and other vulnerable sections of the society. |
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Training camp fails to unite
BJP Dharamsala, July 20 The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Mr Shanta Kumar, who represents the Kangra seat, expressed displeasure at the “hypocritical” behaviour of some ministers and MLAs from Kangra and Chamba. Without naming any one, he said, “some leaders left the training camp along with the Chief Minister and preferred to sit in rest houses for hours rather than attend the function at Chamunda”. Some of those owing allegiance to the Chief Minister came to the training camp at Chamunda yesterday, but left as soon as Mr Dhumal left for Shimla. Mr Shanta Kumar, who camped at Chamunda, the venue of the training camp, for two days said in his address that it was high time that we shun politics of hypocrisy”. He aired his displeasure at the absence at the venue of the MLAs and ministers from Chamba district, who were attending the camp over 70 party workers from Chamba, however, attended the camp. Mr Shanta Kumar, said before the elections the BJP promised to provide a clean government and to “overcome Congress culture” and now was the time to introspect
whether “we had been able to achieve this”. “It should be the responsibility of every party worker to improve the image of the BJP and believe in its ideology,” he said. On corruption he said it was high time to check graft in the form of commission taken by middlemen for transfers. Mr Shanta Kumar said the Agra summit should be viewed as an effort towards bringing about peace in the subcontinent by the Vajpayee government. The minister admitted that the main objective of the training camps being held all over the state was to prepare the party and the workers for the next elections. He informed that such camps would now be held at the constituency level. He added that there was no groupism in the party and all were united. A Central BJP leader and in charge for Himachal, Mr O.P. Kohli, addressed the party workers today. He said the party workers must not become complacent simply because the party was in power. The state BJP chief, Mr Jai Kishan Sharma, also addressed the party workers. A major grievance of the party workers was that there was a big gap between them and senior leaders and their work was not done. |
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Fed up, man “killed wife, self” Manali, July 20 According to local hotel owners and tourism traders, no incident of suicide by a tourist couple took place in the valley in the history of Manali so far. Vikas Saini, son of Tara Chand Saini of the Pahari Dheeraj area of Sadar Bazaar Delhi and his wife were found dead in room No 25 of Vivendi Resorts in the outskirts of Manali on Thursday last. According to police sources, Vikas (26) first killed his wife Garima alias Gudiya shooting in her right temple and then he shot himself with a revolver that was made in England. Suicide notes left by Vikas in his own writing revealed that the couple particularly Vikas had some problem which he did not mention clearly in the suicide note. It is learnt that in one of the suicide notes written by him in his diary cover note, he addressing his father-in-law and the maternal uncle of Garima had written that had they caused less interference in the life of the couple he might have less sorrows in his life. Suicide notes had been written on paper napkin and diary covers. The couple had come to Manali a week ago. Vikas asked his cousin brother Rohit Saini and younger brother Akash Saini to come to Manali over telephone on Wednesday last to enjoy beauty of Manali since it had pleasant atmosphere in Manali these days. On this, Rohit and Vikas on the request of the deceased reached Manali yesterday at 2 p.m. When Rohit and Akash got the room No 25 of Vivendi Resorts opened, they were shocked to see the couple lying dead. According to the statement of Akash Saini, the same couple had come to Manali on their honeymoon trip and at that time they had stayed in hotel Honeymoon Inn. The couple in their recent stay at Manali had taken a number of photographs as per two albums recovered by the police from the room occupied by them. The police have also taken the revolver into possession that was used by Vikas to commit the crime. In one of the suicide notes, Vikas has held himself and his wife responsible for the suicide. The date written on the suicide note is 18.7.001. |
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Labour panel chief for simplifying
laws Shimla, July 20 Speaking on the occasion of two-day conference of the National Commission on Labour here yesterday Mr Verma said that the commission would work for the welfare and protection of labour class. He said the commission was fully seized of the problems and difficulties of the working class and would make efforts to protect and safeguard their interests. He said that 90 per cent work force of the country lived in rural areas and the commission would work for the upliftment and amelioration of their conditions. He said that the commission would study all aspects relating to labour class and also invite suggestions and views from trade unions etc for improving the condition of labourers. He said that in an era of globalisation which is a great challenge before us, we should lay stress on quality products with less cost so that our products would compete in world markets. He said that our approach should be positive in all respects and not to concentrate on self-interest but instead prefer common interest as a whole. He also stressed the need for cordial and congenial relations between workers and industrial establishments to maintain industrial peace and social justice. He said that it would be our social responsibility to eradicate poverty from the society and commission would work for it whole-heartedly and make
recommendations and suggestions to the government to launch public welfare schemes, which would benefit the working class. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kishori Lal Vaidya, Himachal Industries Minister, stressed the need for
simplification of labour laws and added that laws should be uniform, simple and viable which could benefit the working class. He said that state government was fully aware of the interests of the working class and efforts were afoot to safeguard their interests. Mr Vaidya said that industrial peace was essential for industrial development which could be possible only when there was cordial relations between managements and working class. He said that trilateral committee at state-level and bilateral local committee at project-level had already been constituted by the government to ensure better understanding between workers and managements and meetings of these committees were convened accordingly. The Industries Minister said that in an era of technology, the advanced and latest technology was being developed and available rapidly and there was a great need to impart training to labour class so that they could acquaint themselves with the latest technology. Which would not only bring working efficiency but also help accelerate the pace of development. Earlier, Mr Ravinder Verma, chairman, Mr Kishori Lal Vaidya, Himachal Industries Minister and members of the commission were presented with shawls and Himachali caps on the occasion. Mr J.P. Singh, Labour Commissioner-cum-Director, Labour and Employment welcomed the chief guest and others on the occasion. Mr Rajinder Bhattacharya, Financial Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Labour and Employment and Officers of the Labour and Employment Department were also present. |
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HVC keeps options open on
alliance Mandi, July 20 He said as already made clear by the HVC supremo, Mr Sukh Ram, the options of the party were open for the next term. The HVC leader reiterated that the party would continue its support to the BJP-led government both in the state and at the Centre for the full term. Mr Sharma, who was talking to newspersons at the local Circuit House, claimed that the HVC would emerge as a third force in the state and its main rivals would be the Congress and the BJP and added that a former PWD Minister, Mr Mohinder Singh, stood nowhere in the political scene of the state. Reminded about his recent comments that the party should quit the government and extend support from outside, Mr Sharma said he did so due to tremendous pressure from the rank and file of the party who felt that development had come to a halt and they could not face the people. He said Mr Mohinder Singh, who had been expelled from the party and later removed from the Cabinet, was spreading canards in frustration. He said Mr Sukh Ram was a man of the masses and the false propaganda being made by the expelled leader was boomeranging on him. He said it was amusing to note that at his recent public meeting in the Tungal area both Congress and BJP leaders were present. This manifested the strength and popularity of Mr Sukh Ram, he said. Mr Sharma said the tremendous development made by Mr Sukh Ram in his constituency and the state over the past 40 years was the secret of his popularity. Mr Sharma expressed regrets over certain remarks allegedly made against the media by some HVC leaders which had compelled newspersons to boycott meetings and news coverage of the HVC. He assured that such an unfortunate thing would not be repeated in future. |
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Declare Gujjars, Gaddis STs, Centre
urged Shimla, July 20 The Chief Minister said that to ensure that these communities received the benefit of various programmes launched in the state for the uplift of weaker sections, the state government was giving facilities to Gujjars and Gaddis of merged areas which were being given to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Reiterating his government’s resolve for the uplift of Gujjars, Prof Dhumal said the state’s Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes corporations were also implementing various schemes for their welfare. He said the Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation would benefit 325 families of OBCs by providing loans at subsidised rates to help them become self-employed. |
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MLA meets Dhumal
on Minjar fair Chamba, July 20 Mr Mahajan apprised the Chief Minister of the historical background and significance of the fair, which was started during the 10th century when King Sahil Verman founded Chamba town and celebrated the victory over the King of Kangra. The fair is an inseparable part of the cultural heritage of Chamba, Mr Mahajan said. He urged the Chief Minister to provide financial support to the residents and the authorities engaged in organising the fair. Mr Mahajan urged Prof Dhumal to promote the folklore of the state. Mr Mahajan said he would extend full cooperation to make the Minjar fair a success. |
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BSNL to expand network in
Mandi Mandi, July 20 Addressing a news conference here today, General Manager, Telecom, Mr Pradeep Kumar, said 18,500 new lines would be added to the telecom network in the district and as many as 10,000 connections provided. He said Mandi telecom district, at present, had a capacity of 58,496 lines with 124 exchanges in the far-flung areas. He said to cover remote areas, it had been envisaged to open 16 more telephone exchanges in areas like Sudhar, Bahandhi and Gada Gusaini. Seven C-Dot 256 exchanges would be replaced with higher capacity SBM exchanges and as many as 37 exchanges linked with optical fiber cable (OFC) ensuring fault-free service, even in difficult and far-off hilly pockets. Mr Pradeep Kumar said each of the 10 blocks of the district would be provided an “Internet Dhaba” in pursuance of the policy of the government to promote information technology. He said in rural areas, free internet access would be allowed to owners of such “Internet Dhabas” while in urban areas 1,500 free hours would be given to them annually. Replying to a question, he said the work of modification of software of Mandi exchange was in progress and added that with the CLIP facility would be available at Mandi, Bhiuli, Chandyal and Bhangrotu exchanges. He further said intelligent network services would also be
introduced by mid-August in the Mandi exchange. He said the BSNL would also launch its mobile communication service which would be far better than what the consumers had been getting presently. Mr Pradeep Kumar said special stress was being laid on linking revenue villages with the telecommunication network. Of the 3338 revenue villages in the district, as many as 1676 had already been provided telecom services while the process to link the remaining villages was being taken up on a war-footing. |
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Six fresh enteritis cases in
Dharampur Kumarhatti, July 20 Two fresh cases came from Panewa village last night and were referred to the ESI Hospital, Parwanoo. A woman from Seri village was admitted to the district hospital in Solan this morning. A teacher in Government Primary School, Manjholi, complained of vomiting during schooltime and another person from Khareen village was also hit by gastroenteritis, said Mr Upendra. He expressed dissatisfaction at the measures taken by the health authorities to arrest the disease in the panchayat area. He said in addition to establishing health camps, health workers should distribute chlorine packets in the affected villages of the panchayat. Chlorination of springs and other natural sources of drinking water had failed to control the disease. The chlorine-mixed water being supplied by the IPH Department did not reach several areas. Hence, the measures did not yield the desired result. The main reason for the outbreak of gastroenteritis in the area was lack of water supply by the IPH Department to all areas in Takrota, he said. The villagers had to depend on contaminated natural springs. However, since the past one week the department had started supplying water on alternate days. Health officials denied deaths due to gastroenteritis. |
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Term of Backward Classes panel chief extended Shimla, July 20 The commission was established by the government on the directions of the Supreme Court in 1993. The commission consists of a Chairman and four members and has been carrying on survey of castes in different parts of the state and inquiring into the social status, backwardness or otherwise. |
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Man washed away Kulu, July 20 |
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Shimla, July 20
