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Saturday,
August 11, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Some cheer for apple growers Ministers reject demand for white
paper Indira portrait row ends, another
begins Three killed in cloudburst Police put on high alert in
Chamba |
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IN FOCUS DISTRICT DIARY Plan to build roads
for connecting villages Give
trans-Giri people ST
status: 5 MLAs Decision on loan to Mohan Meakins
decried 8 Himsu activists
held Poll scene hots up in
Hamirpur Don fears for life, seeks security Virbhadra flays expulsion by DCC Rift within HP Cong
factions widens 18 gastroenteritis patients in
Nurpur village 2 Army jawans cremated Mandi town sans power
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Some cheer for apple growers Shimla, August 10 Harvesting of fruit is picking up gradually and till yesterday more than ten lakh boxes of apple had been exported out of the state. This was almost one-third of last year’s figure of 31 lakh boxes sent out during the same period. Indeed, it has been a lean year for the growers and the total production was likely to be around 65 lakh boxes as against 2.07 crore produced last year. However, prices, which the produce is fetching in Delhi, the main market where 80 per cent of the state’s apple is disposed of, are 70 to 75 per cent higher than last year. For instance, the medium grade Royal delicious variety, which comprises bulk of the produce is being sold off for Rs 700 to Rs 750 per box as compared to average rates of Rs 450 per box last year. Some consignments of superior grade apple even fetched up to Rs 1100 per box. Similarly, the medium grade Rich-a-Red variety is fetching Rs 525 to Rs 550 per box, almost Rs 200 more than last year. The higher prices will to some extent compensate the growers for the poor crop. However, those of lower hills will not gain from it as they have hardly any fruit to market. The growers of mid-hill areas where the plucking of fruit is on and the higher hills, where the crop is relatively good, will be better off. Normally, the prices start crashing by the time the harvesting begins in mid-hill areas as fruit from lower hills floods the market. This year the situation is different. The officers of the Horticulture Department are confident that prices will be maintained at a higher level throughout the season. More so because the apple crop has also failed in Jammu and Kashmir, the other leading apple producing state of the country. There have been some other heartening features which augur well for the growers. The charm of imported apple is slowly vanishing. Despite the large size and attractive colour the domestic consumer has not liked as its fluffy and not juicy like the indigenous fruit. The prices of foreign apple have crashed from Rs 100 per kg to Rs 60 per kg in metropolitan cities. The superior grade of apple from Himachal is also selling at the same rate. The government agencies have over the past two years come under fire for selling the processing grade apple procured under the market intervention scheme to consumers. However, it has opened up new market avenues. Traders from Punjab and Haryana have now directly started purchasing the inferior fruit at Rs 5 to Rs 6 per kg as against the government procurement rate of Rs 3.75 per kg. Last year, the government agencies auctioned fruit at Parwanoo in a bid to reduce the dependence of growers on the Delhi market. The move has worked and this year much fruit is being disposed of at the nearby Chandigarh market. Once the Chandigarh market comes up the growers will not face much problems in disposing of their produce. The government has so far opened 126 procurement centres all over the state but so far only 137 tonnes of fruit has been procured. Last year by this time over 1,300 tonnes had been procured. In all, 52,000 tonnes was purchased under the market intervention scheme but this year the figure may not cross the 10,000-tonne mark. |
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Ministers reject demand for white
paper Shimla, August 10 In a joint statement, Mr Kishori Lal, Industries Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, Mr Kishan Kapoor, Transport Minister, and Mr Ramesh Chaudhary, Irrigation Minister, said the government had presented a white paper on the financial position of the past 20 years in the Assembly last year. They said it was for the first time in the history of the country that a white paper regarding the financial health of the state had been issued for such a long period by any government. Not to speak of it, the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, had also presented the economic scenario of the state for the next 20 years for the information of the people. The ministers said Mr Dhumal while issuing the white paper in the House had clearly mentioned that the present government did not want to keep the people in the dark about the financial position of the state and had urged all, including leaders of the Congress party, to come out with their suggestions to overcome the situation. They said it was surprising that Mr Virbhadra Singh was giving “misleading” statements to gain political capital which was against the interests of the people of the state. The ministers said the Congress government from 1994 to 1998, when Mr Virbhadra Singh was the Chief Minister, went for unprecedented borrowings of over Rs 3,318 crore on a high rate of interest, which, put a question mark on the transparency of the transactions. The rate of interest on some of the loans was as high as 18.26 per cent. They further said Rs 38.48 crore was given as interest for a temporary loan of Rs 258 crore which was repaid in a few months in 1994-95. The total debt of the state increased from Rs 1,870 crore in 1993-94 to Rs 4,966 crore at the end of 1997-98 which came to 166 per cent in a period of four years. |
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Indira portrait row ends, another
begins Shimla, August 10 However, the controversy regarding the portrait has at least for once brought the leader of the Opposition, Mr Virbhadra Singh, and the PCC chief, Mrs Vidya Stokes, together as they visited the Raj Bhavan yesterday morning and saw that a black and white portrait of Mrs Gandhi had been installed. Both Congress leaders were satisfied as their demand for reinstalling the portrait has been met although it was a black and white picture instead of the coloured one which was originally there. They met the Governor, Dr Suraj
Bhan, who is learnt to have discussed the matter with them. Meanwhile, the Raj Bhavan has itself started another controversy by claiming that the table and the two chairs displayed in the Summit Hall to signify the signing of the accord in 1972 were not the ones used at the time of the actual signing. This has transpired from the video clippings transmitted on TV on the eve of the Agra summit. A report in a Hindi daily claimed that the table on which the accord was signed was now in the Cantonment Board office at
Ambala. |
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Three killed in cloudburst Shimla, August 10 The floods followed a heavy downpour, which continued till the morning. All three major nullahs — Nigalu, Madhra and Mathret passing through the area were in spate. The maximum damage was caused by Nigalu nullah in Ghadsal panchayat where nine houses were washed away and about a dozen suffered extensive damage. The bodies of the three victims was recovered this morning. They were identified as Rolu Ram (55), Shadu (60) and Jobni Devi (60). The toll would have been higher had the villagers not vacated their houses in time. Five footbridges and long stretches of village paths were also washed away making several hamlets inaccessible. The swollen Madhar nullah also caused widespread devastation completely wiping out vast stretches of paddy fields and apple orchards. The SDM, Mr S.L. Saini, and the DSP, Mr Khushal Sharma, reached the affected areas immediately and started relief operations. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr P.C. Katoch, also visited the area along with other officials this afternoon. The Jubbal area also received heavy rain which damaged some houses in Pandralu panchayat. The exact loss caused by flashfloods in the region is yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, expressed grief over the death of three persons in flashfloods and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. The Chief Minister directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance to the affected families. |
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Police put on high alert in
Chamba Shimla, August 10 The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, has reviewed the law and order situation, particularly the deployment of additional police personnel in the Pangi valley and other border areas. The Chief Secretary, Mr Harsh Gupta, talked to the Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, on the telephone and ordered that appropriate measures to prevent the entry of terrorists in the state should be taken. Mr Gupta said all border posts were being strengthened and a reccee of vulnerable areas had been done. The DIG, Northern Range, Mr K.C. Sadyal, has visited the border areas to review the deployment of police personnel. Terrorists had gunned down about 30 persons in Chamba district three years ago. |
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IN FOCUS Parwanoo Some of this cattle comes from the adjoining villages and Kalka town, let loose by the owners to graze. But most of these are abandoned cattle which have made the roads their homes. During the night, they have a free run of the town. Tell-tale signs are there for the harassed house-owners who in the morning find their lawns, kitchen gardens and flower beds messed up with dung. It is also not uncommon for people to get hurt when they drive into these animals in the darkness of night. The residents of this town also complain about the nuisance created by stray dogs and pigs. The residents say that the owners of these pigs are in Kalka but they herd their pigs towards Parwanoo in the morning. Groups of piglets following mother pigs is a common sight in the streets of
Parwanoo. Anyone who leaves the gate open by any chance, finds these small visitors enter the house and spoil the lawn. For the residents of
Parwanoo, stray cattle and dogs have become a permanent feature of this town and they have the “licence” to create nuisance for the public. But pigs are a comparatively new addition to this group of nuisance makers and have the potential to cause more harm than the cows and dogs. The Notified Area Committee, now Nagar
Panchayat, came into existence in 1981 and initially at least, it set-up a “cattle pound” in Sector 1 and imposed fines on the violators of the bylaws. Later, however, the committee demolished the pound for reasons best known to it . Rounding up of stray cattle is unheard of here, due to staff shortage, the authorities maintain. |
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DISTRICT DIARY Nurpur The estimated cost of the road has increased manifold. Residents of Galoonh and nearby villages have approached the Public Works Department (PWD) authorities on the issue several times but to no avail. The road is considered a boon for fruit growers of the area who will be able to transport their produce through this road. It will also benefit schoolgoing children who have to walk considerable distance to reach Government High School, Ladorri. There is resentment over the construction of the road being carried out at a snail’s pace. The PWD authorities, when contacted, say the department is waiting for handing over the required land for the excavation of the proposed road. The delay in the execution of the link road has emboldened.
* * * Hundreds of investors from this region who had made a beeline for depositing their hard-earned money with private finance companies tempted by handsome returns are now running from pillar to post to get back even their principal amount. One such company, JVG Finance Company, approved and recognised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had attracted local investors a few years back when it opened its office here. The company’s branch office won the faith of the depositors as the company was approved by the RBI (vide registration number SS-37612 in September, 1989). The depositors were left stunned and dismayed over the sudden ban on the company in October 10, 1997, as they could neither withdrew nor renew their deposit money. The depositors have submitted several complaints to the RBI and Union Finance Ministry but have yet to receive any reply. Intriguingly, JVG had recruited locals as money collecting agents, who not only have lost their livelihood but also their money deposited with the company. They are leading a miserable life with the depositors visiting their homes and enquiring into the fate of their hard-earned money. Depositors feel the RBI decision to ban the company without safeguarding the interests of the depositors was not fair.
* * * The local municipal council (MC) is in dire financial straits. Not only development work has suffered, but this fund-starved council is also facing difficulty in meeting its own expenses. It has to bear an expenditure of about Rs 2.5 lakh per month on its staff and telephone bills. It has to pay power and maintenance bill of about Rs 6 lakh annually. Its current annual budget is Rs 80 lakh. Last year it received Rs 30 lakh as octroi grant, despite a development grant of Rs 4.5 lakh. But this year it has received no grant so far except Rs 1.20 lakh as liquor cess collected by the Excise and Taxation Department on the sale of liquor within the municipal limits during last year. It is awaiting the release of grant for the current year and its share of electricity cess levied by the state government in April, 2000. The government had imposed a 2 per cent special cess on property sale deed registration. The local civic body is yet to receive it.
* * * Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, recently celebrated ‘Mango Day’ at Indora in this subdivision. As many as 150 fruit growers of the area took part. Dr R.P. Awasthi, Vice-Chancellor of the university, who presided over the function, pointed out that the university had been producing quality nursery plants of fruit through its regional research stations. He advised the growers to plant saplings provided by the university. He emphasised on the need for cultivating medicinal plants. |
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Plan to build roads
for connecting villages Shimla, August 10 Stating this at a meeting of the state-level standing committee on Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna, the Chief Secretary, Mr Harsh Gupta, said the roads to be constructed under the scheme would enhance the returns from the produce of villagers of remote areas by ensuring its efficient and economical transportation to the market. He said the plan for Shimla district under the scheme would involve the construction of 359 roads connecting 503 villages each with a population of 250 or more at a cost of Rs 602 crore while the plan for Bilaspur district envisaged the connectivity of 376 villages with a population of 250 or more by constructing 172 roads at a cost of Rs 130 crore. Mr Gupta hoped that all other districts would be able to get their plans approved from the state-level standing committee. He appreciated the efforts of the PWD and the Rural Development Agency in drawing up plans under the scheme speedily. |
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Give trans-Giri people ST
status: 5 MLAs Shimla, August 10 In a joint statement these MLAs, Mr Gangu Ram Musafir, Mr Kush Parmar, Mr Rattan Singh, Dr Prem Singh and Mr Harshwardhan Chauhan, said that steps regarding Schedule Tribe status was initiated by the Congress regime, but the demand was rejected when the BJP came to power. They demanded posting of doctors and teachers in the institutions virtually defunct because of un-availability of staff. They said that rights of people over the shamlat lands have been withdrawn although the BJP had promised in election manifesto that such lands will be restored to the owners. These MLAs took strong note of the diversion of funds meant for channelisation of the Giri and Batta rivers to the Swan river of
Una. They also demanded that work on the Renuka dam should be started soon. |
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Decision on loan to Mohan Meakins
decried Shimla, August 10 Mr Mohinder Singh, who is supporting the Dhumal government even after his removal from the ministry, told reporters that he had opposed the move to provide interest-free loan to the brewery when he was also holding the portfolio of Excise and Taxation. He said that the government had decided to provide a loan on similar terms to Dabur but the offer was withdrawn later. Mr Mohinder Singh along with Ms Latika Sharma, all-India president of the women’s wing of the Lok Jan Shakti Party and a large number of party activists marched in procession and presented a 12 point memorandum to Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan. He said that the state government was planning to close some forest divisions and ranges and the move would help the forest mafia. The cement factory at Rajban near Poanta Sahib was also being given to private hands. Mr Mohinder Singh said that the Dhumal government was planning to transfer some profit-making units, including the bottling plant of Una, to private parties. He alleged that the interest of Himachal was not being protected in the MoUs being signed for the construction of hydroelectric projects. Employment for Himachalis was not being ensured in these documents. He said that the chairmen and vice-chairmen of various boards and corporations, including Mr Sukh Ram, HVC leader, should be removed from their posts as they have become a burden on the public exchequer. The memorandum demanded that Himachal should be given special category status and the government should be permitted to impose generation tax on power projects. Mr Romel Singh Badayal, president of the Himachal unit of the Lok Jan Shakti Party said that many prominent Congress and HVC leaders had joined the party along with their supporters. They include, Mr Dalbir Chandel of Chopal, Mr Yashpal Tanaik, Chairman of the block development committee, Chopal, Mr Amar Singh and Mr Surat Singh, member of the Panchayat Samiti, Mr Sudesh Bhardwaj, HVC chief of Dharamsala and Ms Sushma Thakur, of the women wing of the party. |
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8 Himsu activists
held Solan, August 10 The students were reported to have blocked traffic and had damaged an ambulance belonging to the local unit of the Indian Red Cross Society parked in front of the hospital. They were protesting against the forcible removal of their fasting leader Munish Thakur from the college campus to the hospital. Thakur is a general secretary of the Himsu district body and is also a candidate for the post of the president of the Central Students Association of the college, elections to which were scheduled for tomorrow. He had gone on a fast unto death five days back in protest against the non-acceptance of Himsu demands by the college authorities. These demands included withdrawal by the government of its recent order for hiking the college fees, starting of MA (Economics) classes and provision of bus facility for students coming from adjoining villages and towns. Following deterioration in the physical condition of Thakur, the police removed him to the zonal hospital for medical aid. However, the authorities at the hospital preferred to refer Thakur to the IGMC, Shimla. This decision sent a wave of anger among the students who immediately turned violent and tried to block Thakur’s removal to Shimla. At this stage, the police intervened and ensured safe shifting of the fasting student leader. They arrested eight students allegedly for causing breach of peace. Himsu activists led by their state convener, Sandeep Kumar, took out a rally and later sat in dharna inside the office of the SDM, Mr L.R. Jhamta, today. They were demanding immediate release of the arrested students. The dharna was continuing at the time of filing of this report. Meanwhile, Sandeep Kumar had alleged that the police had resorted to a brutal lathi charge on the students in front of the hospital yesterday. The police had denied the allegation. |
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Poll scene hots up in
Hamirpur Hamirpur, August 10 Hamirpur college is one of the most important colleges of the state and its election results may have impact on the future of its political masters. And perhaps this is the reason that all main district-level leaders of these parties are camping at Hamirpur. While the BJP leadership is openly working for the success of the ABVP nominees, the leaders of the Congress and the Youth Congress are busy for amassing support to the NSUI candidates. The CPM has also sent one of its leaders here to work actively for the SFI nominees. Meanwhile, the Anu area of the town, where the college is located is humming with political activities. While political leaders are managing their campaign from the respective rest houses, their students leaders are working inside the college. The atmosphere in the Anu area is tense but under control. Police parties and patrolling in the area to avoid any possible clash among the students’ outfits. Principal of the college, Dr Narendra Awasthy, talking to this reporter here today claimed that the situation was under control. |
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Don fears for life, seeks security Shimla, August 10 In a letter to the Dean of Students Welfare she said that a former student of the university had threatened her with dire consequences after she rejected the nomination papers of Mr Kuldeep Chand for the post of departmental representative. The nomination paper had to be rejected as it was incomplete. Mr Bhushan, she said, intercepted her in front of the employment exchange at 2.30 p.m. yesterday and used harsh language against her. Later at 4.30 p.m. he rang up at her residence called her name and said “I will see how dare you come to the department. I will slap you”. She urged the Dean to take a serious notice of his act and besides taking appropriate action against him also provide security to her. |
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Virbhadra flays expulsion by DCC Shimla, August 10 Mr Manoj Kumar who is a sitting councillor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, was yesterday expelled for six years from the DCC which is controlled by PCC chief Mrs Vidya Stoke’s camp. Several councillors led by the Mayor Mrs Jeni Prem, called on Mr Virbhadra Singh today to appraise him about the expulsion and complained that the action was taken because of personal vendetta. Mr Manoj Kumar was till recently the Mayor and was replaced as the remaining term was to be given to a woman. Mr Virbhadra Singh said the expulsion exhibits the mentality of the other group and described the action as unwarranted and uncalled for. |
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Rift within HP Cong
factions widens Mandi, August 10 The Mandi unit has been urging the PCC chief and the Congress high command to end infighting for the purpose of unity in the party and in the interest of the people who it claimed had been fed up with the “BJP-HVC misrule”. The crisis within the Youth Congress worsened when the state Youth Congress chief and staunch supporter of Mrs Stokes revoked the appointments of mandal presidents appointed by the district chief last week. Interestingly, the new working president, nominated by Mr
Sukhu, is also said to be a loyalist of Mr Virbhadra Singh. |
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18 gastroenteritis patients in
Nurpur village Nurpur, August 10 A team of doctors from the community health centre, Gangath and TPH officials have visited the gastroenteritis affected village yesterday. According to the information, the villagers of affected area are depending on traditional water sources.The civil hospital has also received six such patients from Morridevi of Fatehpur tehsil. Mr T.K. Roy, Senior Medical Officer cum in charge of the civil hospital, claims that the hospital was rendering satisfactory health aid to the gastroenteritis patients. But in sanitary condition and stinking toilets of the hospital tell different story. There is a shortage of paramedical staff and sweepers in the hospital. Mr Rakesh Pathania, local MLA, also visited the hospital. |
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2 Army jawans cremated Dharamsala, August 10 Sub Vijay Singh Katoch of Indora and Hav Jagdev Singh Pathania of Hathli Jamwala village in Nurpur, were today cremated with full military honour in the presence of senior defence and civil officers. Subedar Katoch of the 9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles had gone to the railway station to take a train for Ahmedabad, where his unit was posted. According to the police, he was going to get office formalities completed as he was due to retire in two months time. Havildar Pathania also belonged to the 9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. |
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Mandi town sans power Mandi, August 10 The erratic power supply is reportedly due to poor maintenance of distribution lines. In some parts creepers are winding round the live lines and branches of trees touching them. These have become death traps, besides causing frequent disruption of power supply. The Citizens’ Council, the Beopar Mandal and the Hoteliers Association have urged the HPSEB Chairman and Chief Secretary, Mr Harsh Gupta, to take appropriate steps to improve the faulty distribution network by providing adequate funds to strengthen the ailing power supply system. |
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Two nominated to rights panel Shimla, August 10 |
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