H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

NJPC staff resent Chief Secy’s remarks
Shimla, August 14
The Nathpa-Jhakri Power Corporation Employers Association has taken exception to the remarks of Mr Harsh Gupta, Chief Secretary, that the corporation employees will be asked to “quit” or join “elsewhere” to reduce the staff strength and has asserted that it will strongly oppose any such move.

HP Cong factions to hold parallel rallies
Shimla, August 14
The two warring groups of the Congress led by the PCC chief, Ms Vidya Stokes and the CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, will hold separate rallies on the Independence Day tomorrow.

VHP men block traffic over killing of cows
Shimla, August 14
Activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad today blocked traffic at Chhota Shimla for over four hours in protest against the killing of two cows near the Ramchandra Chowk two days ago. They alleged that the cows were killed by a retired Deputy General of Police, who lives in the area, and demanded his arrest. They also pelted stones at his house.

Kalka-Shimla rail traffic disrupted
Kumarhatti, August 14
Traffic on the Kalka-Shimla rail section was disrupted today as heavy rain since last evening had triggered landslips at many points on the section. The track was blocked near Koti, Gumman, Dharampur, Kainthalighat and Jatog due to debris flow from hills.

• Manali-Leh highway damaged

NJPC staff resent Chief Secy’s remarks
Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 14
The Nathpa-Jhakri Power Corporation Employers Association has taken exception to the remarks of Mr Harsh Gupta, Chief Secretary, that the corporation employees will be asked to “quit” or join “elsewhere” to reduce the staff strength and has asserted that it will strongly oppose any such move.

The association pointed out that the strength of the corporation employees accounted for only about 25 per cent of the total strength as compared to those on deputation from the state electricity board. The project was overstaffed not because of the NJPC cadre but because of the deputationists.

Moreover, the NJPC cadre was recruited keeping in view the requirement of the staff during the operation and maintenance phase. The Chief Secretary who is also the chairman of the board should instead think of reducing the staff strength in his own organisation. The board, with an installed capacity of less than 500 MW, had about 40,000 employees. The NJPC on the other hand recruited only 500 employees for the 1500 MW capacity.

Instead of trying to harm the interests of the NJPC cadre, the government should make efforts to raise funds to pay its share of Rs 300 crore to the corporation so that the project could be completed expeditiously.

HP Cong factions to hold parallel rallies
Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 14
The two warring groups of the Congress led by the PCC chief, Ms Vidya Stokes and the CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, will hold separate rallies on the Independence Day tomorrow.

While Ms Stokes will hold a rally at Janetghat in the Kasumpti constituency of the Assembly near here, Mr Virbhadra Singh has left for Kangra to address a rally at Guler in the Jawali constituency which is represented by Mr Chander Kumar of the Congress.

Supporters of both leaders are competing with each other to make their respective rallies successful.

This is not the first time that they are holding parallel rallies. It is expected that most of the Congress MLAs will attend the rally of Mr Virbhadra Singh. He has asked some MLAs of the Sirmour district, including Mr Harshwardhan Chauhan, to participate in the state-level Independence Day function at Shillai which will be presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal.

Efforts of various Central leaders of the party to persuade both warring factions to unite have so far remained futile.

VHP men block traffic over killing of cows
Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 14
Activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today blocked traffic at Chhota Shimla for over four hours in protest against the killing of two cows near the Ramchandra Chowk two days ago. They alleged that the cows were killed by a retired Deputy General of Police, who lives in the area, and demanded his arrest. They also pelted stones at his house.

The police later detained the retired police officer and his son for questioning. The VHP had alleged that the cows were shot but the first post-mortem report did not give any final opinion on it. The case had been referred to forensic experts.

The post-mortem report was likely to be received tomorrow.

Kalka-Shimla rail traffic disrupted
Our Correspondent

Kumarhatti, August 14
Traffic on the Kalka-Shimla rail section was disrupted today as heavy rain since last evening had triggered landslips at many points on the section. The track was blocked near Koti, Gumman, Dharampur, Kainthalighat and Jatog due to debris flow from hills. No train could move today, according to sources in the Railway Department.

The first landslip was reported around midnight, sources said, adding that the work to clear the track had begun and it was expected that by midnight the traffic could be restored.

Manali-Leh highway damaged
Our Correspondent

Manali, August 14
Hundreds of civilian and Army vehicles were stranded on the Manali-Leh highway, about 4 km from here, this morning as about 30 m stretch of the road was damaged last night due to flashfloods originating from the Pagal nullah near the Solang valley.

The Palchan-Solang link road was also damaged due to floods. The water level in the Beas has risen and the entire riverside faces danger.