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Saturday,
September 1, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Gormo-Lhasa rail line ‘security threat’ Pangi faces militant threat Health Director arrested HPSEB to set up 3 independent
systems Virbhadra prepares to take on
Dhumal |
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Virbhadra replies to Dhumal’s charges CM opens computerised
postal services Repatriation of power staff
opposed A landmark in
neglect Chamera III to cost 1500 crore Firm directed to settle insurance claim Federation for ‘rational’ transfer policy 7 teachers to get state award Buddha festival on Sept 15, 16 Public help in town planning sought 2 killed as truck
falls into khud
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Gormo-Lhasa rail line ‘security threat’ Dharamsala, August 31 Addressing a press conference on the occasion of a book release on the rail line project, the Secretary in the Department of Information and International Relations, Ms Kesang Y. Takla, said the decision to go ahead with the project was politically motivated, despite suggestions that it was not commercially viable. She said the Chinese President, Mr Jiang Zemin, in an interview, had admitted that this was a political decision which the Communist regime would go ahead at all costs even if there was a commercial loss. “China’s construction of the Gormo-Lhasa railway line and its plan to link the Tibetan capital with three other railway routes will mean the total absorption of Tibet into China,” she said, adding that it would spell the end of Tibet’s distinct cultural identity. The study clearly reveals that the railway lines will facilitate China’s population transfer on to the Tibetan plateau and exploitation of Tibet’s untapped natural resources. The study — “China’s Railway Project: Where will it take Tibet” — makes mention of how so far lack of reliable transport facilities has restricted China’s military manoeuvrability on the plateau. It states that the advent of the railway line will allow China to surmount this obstacle. Ms Takla said the railway line, along with China’s naval base development on Burmese territory, will pose a serious threat to the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia. She said with the completion of the railway line China hoped to increase the speed of its troop deployment, strengthen its grip on restive Tibet through securing Tibet’s total economic and commercial integration to China. She said the four railway line projects connected with Tibet were aimed at the exploitation of the plateau’s natural resources to serve the power hungry industries in China’s prosperous eastern regions. She said the project would encourage massive influx of Chinese settlers, leading to marginalisation of Tibetans, stigmatising them on the basis of race and language and ultimately eroding their culture and identity. “Apart from this, the project will escalate military build-up on the Tibetan plateau, which will invite arms race and the stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction in the region,” she said. Beijing eventually hopes to link the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, with China through the four railway lines. The Gormo rail line, construction on which began on June 29 this year, will be completed by 2007. |
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Pangi faces militant threat Dharamsala, August 31 According to Army sources, over 200 hardened Afghan mercenaries have recently entered the Padam area in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir which borders the Pangi region of Himachal. Till recently, the militant threat was restricted to the Kehar, Tissa and Khairi sectors in Chamba district which shares a boundary of about 167 km with the militant-infested Jammu and Kashmir. The villages of Khangsar, Rusmus and Kutha in Pangi are very close to the Jammu and Kashmir boundary. Gandhari Nullah and Shiv Shankar Pass in the region are being perceived as the two ideal and easy approaches for the militants to manage entry into the Pangi area. The latest information regarding the infiltration of 200 Afghan mercenaries into the Padam area has put the police on high alert in Himachal. Apart from the existing police force in the area, one additional company has been rushed to the Pangi region. The DIG (North), Mr K.C. Sadyal, toured the border areas of Pangi extensively for reinforcement of the forces. The latest information has rung alarm bells for the Himachal police as it was only
recently that it had been tipped-off by its counterpart in Jammu and Kashmir about plans of the militants to strike in the Himachal area. Interception of wireless messages being sent by the terrorists had indicated that there was a possibility of a strike by them in the Himachal area. This fact had been further confirmed by seizure of militant diaries during a raid on their hideout. The latest information about the Pangi sector becoming vulnerable has added to the worry of the police. Eversince the killing of 35 innocent labourers in the Kalaban and Satrundi areas of Tissa on the night of August 2, 1998, the Himachal police, along with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), has been guarding the bordering areas of Chamba. Except for the killing of three Gaddis by militants, within days after the Kalaban and Satrundi incident, there has been no attack by the militants within the Himachal territory. With no militancy-related incident taking place during the past three years, the police had this year allowed the residents of the Kehar and Tissa areas to venture to the higher reaches for picking up medicinal herbs, which is a major source of livelihood for the locals. Having being pushed to the brink of starvation with no other sources of livelihood, it was with the police protection that these people were this year allowed to go to the higher reaches. The stepped-up campaign by Islamic religious outfits in Chamba district during the recent past has put the police force on the guard as these fundamentalists have just not restricted themselves to the towns, but have also reached the rural and remote areas. The police is apprehensive that the arrival of outsiders, belonging to various religious groups, into Chamba could well be a hunt for fertile grounds. Keeping in mind the case of Jammu and Kashmir, where madarsas became fertile breeding grounds for militancy, the Himachal police is not taking any chances on this account. |
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Health Director arrested Shimla, August 31 Vigilance sources said that Dr Chauhan, who was currently on long leave, was named in the FIR about forged payment of Rs 2.17 crore for purchase of equipment. The Vigilance Department had earlier registered a case against Dr Chauhan and also a former Director of Health Services, Dr Sohal. The High Court today rejected the bail application of a Senior Assistant of the Health Department, Mr Pawan Kumar, who has already been arrested in the case. The FIR relates to alleged fraudulent purchases worth about Rs 10 crore by the Health Department. |
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HPSEB to set up 3 independent
systems Shimla, August 31 The HPSEB, which has so far resisted trifurcation, has now started implementing the countrywide system in its own way on the completion of its 30 years in existence today. A spokesman for the HPSEB said all three centres would function under the umbrella of the board. This would enable public and private investment in the electricity industry. The Himachal Pradesh Government has already signed a MoU with the Ministry of Power for undertaking reforms in the HPSEB and to put into place a commercially oriented system to provide quality services to the consumers. The spokesman said the HPSEB had electrified all 16,809 villages. Of about 8 lakh dwellings, 7.8 lakh had been provided electricity. A master-plan has been drawn up for computerising the entire functioning of the board. Billing has been computerised. The HPSEB is currently executing eight medium and big hydro-electric projects in the state. These are the Kashang (176 MW), Larji (126 MW), Uhl (100 MW), Renuka (40 MW), Khauli (12 MW), Bhaba Augmentation (3 MW), Holi (3 MW) and Gumma (3 MW). Himachal Pradesh is laying stress on tapping the entire hydro-electric potential available in the state so as to generate resources to make the state financially viable. Otherwise too, the history of hydropower development in the state is quite old. The Chamba project in Chamba district was the first hydro-electric project which was installed in 1908 by the then ruler, Raja Bhuri Singh. This was followed by commissioning of the Chaba power house which was constructed by British rulers in 1912 to meet the power requirement of Shimla town. The Shanan power house was built in 1925 at Jogindernagar for which the Kangra railway line from Pathankot was constructed. The power house of Bharmour was commissioned in 1933. |
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Virbhadra prepares to take on
Dhumal Shimla, August 31 This is for the first time after the BJP came to power that Mr Virbhadra Singh is holding a public meeting in the Chief Minister’s constituency in Hamirpur district. The CBI clean chit to Mr Virbhadra Singh in the “charge sheet” of the BJP-HVC combine government has infused renewed vigour in him and he has decided to proceed to Bamsan to challenge Mr Dhumal. Reports said supporters of Mr Virbhadra Singh were mobilising their men for a large turnout in the rally which would be an acid test for them. There were reports that the district Congress committee of Hamirpur, which is loaded with office-bearers belonging to the other faction of Mrs Vidya Stokes, was hardly taking any interest to make the rally a success. Mr Virbhadra Singh had so far not been adopting such aggressive postures although he had submitted a “charge sheet” against the BJP government to the Governor a few months ago. He is likely to intensify his campaign to exploit the anti-establishment sentiments of the people. By directly challenging Mr Dhumal he was perhaps trying to send a signal that whatever be the position of the Congress in the state, he was the natural replacement for the top post. With the election type fever having already gripped various parties, the BJP has made it a one-point programme to launch a campaign against Mr Virbhadra Singh in their month long rallies in all constituencies of the state. |
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Virbhadra replies to Dhumal’s charges Shimla, August 31 In a hard-hitting reaction to the allegations which Mr Dhumal had levelled against him yesterday, Mr Virbhadra Singh said that the people were aware of the simmering discontent within the ruling BJP and the Council of Ministers because of the “rampant corruption. |
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CM opens computerised
postal services Solan, August 31 Speaking on the occasion, Mr Dhumal lauded the Postal Department for providing state-of-the-art facilities in the state. He said people, particularly the rural folk, reposed more faith in the post offices as compared to commercial and nationalised banks. The introduction of computerisation, by minimising chances of fraud, would further increase the depositors’ faith in the post offices. Meanwhile, Mr Dhumal released an integrated textbooks covering all subjects taught to class I students here today. The attractively brought out book, hailed as a landmark achievement in the educationist’s quest for lightening the burden of school bags, fulfilled a pledge taken by the Chief Minister soon after assuming office. Mr Dhumal, while speaking at a function organised in connection with the inauguration of the new building of the State Council of Educational Research and Training, said he had vowed to “do something” towards reducing the burden of school bags after a primary schoolboy tugged at his trousers, begging him to lighten the weight of his school bag. This
happened when he went to the Jwalamukhi temple to pay obeisance soon after becoming the Chief Minister in 1998. SARAHAN (NAHAN):
Mr Dhumal on Friday announced that his government was considering to lift the ban on the export of resin in the interests of farmers. He was addressing a huge gathering at Sarahan on the occasion of the closing ceremony of the two-day traditional “Bawan Dwadashi” fair. |
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Repatriation of power staff
opposed Shimla, August 31 The association said the move of the NJPC management smacked of their vested interests in reducing the HPSEB involvement in the project and was in gross violation of the agreement entered into at the time of handing over the project to the corporation by the HPSEB. At the time of handing over the project to the NJPC, it was agreed that 2870 employees and executives who were working on the project would be retained till its completion and their replacement would be made from time to time on one to one basis from the HPSEB. It was also agreed that only such staff as was not available in the HPSEB would be recruited directly from outside. Over the years, the NJPC has systematically tried to go back on the agreement, with the result that while direct recruits category has swelled, only around 1300 employees and executives of the HPSEB are now left in the corporation. The latest circular further aims at cutting down the HPSEB strength so as to have a complete domination of the recruits from outside the state in the NJPC, it alleged. The association sought intervention of the Chief Minister to ensure that the interests of Himachalis were protected particularly when the project is a joint venture of the Himachal Pradesh and the Centre. The association advised the NJPC to refrain from making “irresponsible” statements. |
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A landmark in
neglect Shimla With plaster peeling off the structure, the church is fast losing its charm. Grass has started growing on the outer walls and roof. The walls have been invaded by fungus. Though beautification of Shimla is in full swing no attention has been given to the church, the pride of the town. It is the most photographed building here and many movies have been shot with the church in the background. Both the state government and the Municipal Corporation will have to take immediate steps to preserve this relic of a bygone era. At present the maintenance is being done by the church committee which has little finances. The two main sources of income are the collection at the Sunday service which is about Rs 400 to 500. But during the festivals the amount goes up from between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500. The second source is the munificent Christian community whose donation vary according to their pocket. For this purpose a subscription book is being maintained. Even local schools also take the initiative and assist the church in other miscellaneous work. The century-old wiring in the church needs to be replaced. The four clocks on the tower, an attraction of the church, were repaired some time ago, but have again stopped. The church is open only on Sunday because of lack of manpower and many tourists wishing to enter it have to go disappointed. Deacon Arun Wilson, an official of the church, said: ‘‘We are concerned over the maintenance of the church. As soon as the monsoon is over, repair work would start.’’ The church was built in 1844 during the British Raj. It was known as the Viceroy’s church as he offered prayers in it during summer when the capital was shifted here. |
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Chamera III to cost 1500 crore Dalhousie, August 31 The Industries Minister said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed between the Himachal Pradesh Government and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) for the execution of this project. He said the project would cost about Rs 1500 crore. The Industries Minister said the authorities of the NHPC had been asked to draw a comprehensive report on the environment management plan for its clearance from the Union Environment Ministry. He said the project would provide a lot of indirect employment to the residents of Chamba district. By undertaking the execution of hydroelectric projects having a capacity of 1700 mw in recent three years, the government taken the step to make Himachal Pradesh “a power state” in the country, he added. |
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Firm directed to settle insurance claim Shimla, August 31 Mr Kumar the owner of a Swaraj Mazda had got it insured with the abovesaid company. During the subsistence of the insurance policy, the said vehicle met with an accident. A surveyor was appointed by the company who assessed the loss to the tune of Rs 2,98,500. But the company failed to settle the claim. The company contested the complaint and raised the defence that the matter was treated as a “non standard claim” and the complainant was entitled to get only Rs 2,23,875, which was 75 per cent of the assessed amount. While delivering the order, Mr Goel observed that the company was not entitled to treat the said claim as “non standard claim” and the deduction of 25 per cent made from the total amount by the company was illegal. |
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Federation for ‘rational’ transfer policy Hamirpur, August 31 This was decided at a meeting of the federation held at Kaja in Lahaul and Spiti recently, according to Mr Prem Singh Bharmauria, its general secretary. As many as 101 delegates took part in the meeting. The federation also demanded scrapping of the HP Administrative Tribunal and setting up a special cell in the Himachal Pradesh High Court to deal with the services’ cases, he
said. The federation took a serious note of closing down three Land Acquisition offices in the Public Works Department. The federation asked the state government not to take any decision concerning the employees without taking the federation into
confidence. The federation, through a resolution, demanded the immediate release of outstanding payments of house rent allowance that is due between July 1, 1997 to August 31, 1999, and a final decision regarding the medical allowance. The federation demanded opening of a degree college near Kaja and enhancement of all allowances in the tribal areas of the state in view of their tough topographical
conditions. It also decided to extend support to the right-thinking policies of the state government so as to create congenial atmosphere between the government and the employees. |
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7 teachers to get state award Shimla, August 31 The teacher selected for the award are Mr Jaishi Ram, Headmaster, Samot (Chamba), Mr Ravinder Nath, Lecturer, Senior Secondary School, Dhussara (Una), Mr Durga Dass, TGT, Trilokpur (Kangra), Mr Mast Ram, PFT, Senior Secondary School, Didwin (Hamirpur), Mr Ashutosh Sharma Shastri, Kuthar-Kalan (Una), Mr Ishwar Dass, JBT, Jaisinghpur (Kangra) and Mr Pratap Singh, Primary School, Jia (Kangra). The national awardees of 1999, Mr Prem Chand, Bijhari (Hamirpur), Mr Todar Ram, Thela (Kulu) and Miss Vijay Laxmi, Principal Jogindernagar (Mandi), would also be honoured at the function. |
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Buddha festival on Sept 15, 16 Shimla, August 31 Disclosing this here today, Mr Ashok Thakur, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism, said discourses by eminent scholars, seminar on national integration, folk dances, the Thanka exhibition, local food festival, and the Himalayan Herbal Medicine and Heritage exhibitions would be the main
attractions. The aim of the festival is to promote peace, progress and friendship by bringing together people from the different Himalayan and Buddhist regions. |
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Public help in town planning sought Dalhousie, August 31 He underscored the significance of planned development of town and villages without disturbing the ecology of the area. He said while preparing development plan and undertaking construction works special attention needed to be paid the facade of the buildings. |
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2 killed as truck
falls into khud Mandi, August 31 This was stated by Mr J.R. Thakur, Superintendent of Police. The deceased have been identified as Sant Ram of Nanawa village, near Ratti, and Pradip Kumar. The injured, Diwan Chand, has been admitted to the Regional Hospital. The cause of the accident could not be ascertained. |
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