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Wednesday, February
13, 2002,
Chandigarh, India  
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Dalai Lama holds public meeting Board to make loan raising easy Virbhadra’s charges baseless: Speaker Inexplicable disease
hits HP village |
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171 villages benefited by Union Govt scheme WATER TARIFF HIKE Extend form submission date, urges staff Child welfare council holds back salaries Cong leader seeks rise in SPOs’ salary Varsity centre for Chamba sought Shimla schools closed for two days HP Education Society
office-bearers LPG leak: two critically burnt
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Dalai Lama holds public meeting Dharamsala, February 12 In a complete deviation from the exiled government’s recent decision to cancel all tour programmes, private and public meetings of the Dalai Lama, in view of his illness the spiritual head of the Tibetans addressed about 500 Tibetan refugees who recently arrived here, for almost 20 minutes in his palace. The Tibetans were relieved to see him hale and hearty and tears were rolling down their cheeks. Though officials in the office of the Dalai Lama, maintained that an exception was made to enable the refugees, who had to return to Tibet, it is being felt that the audience was aimed at setting aside all speculations and
rumours that he was critically ill and suffering from some serious ailment. The Dalai Lama, who definitely looked somewhat pale and pulled down after the illness, had no difficultly in addressing the refugees. “Do not bother the refugees as I am going inside,” he told his security personnel, who tried to stop them as they jostled to move closer to him before he left the hall. “There is no cause for worry at all as I am feeling absolutely fine after the illness,” the Dalai Lama assured the refugees. Giving details of how he was taken ill on January 13, when he went for a pilgrimage to Rajgir and Nolanda in Bihar, he said he felt a severe pain in his intestine, which caused a lot of sweating.” Since I had experienced a similar pain in 1959, when I was taking my religious exams at the Gandhen Monastery in Tibet, I decided that I must get a thorough medical check-up done and so I left for Mumbai the next day,” he revealed. He added that instead of taking the ropeway to the hill top, where the Buddha had sermoned his disciples, he decided to walk, which probably exhausted him. The Dalai Lama, while stressing the need for staying back in Tibet asked the refugees to preserve their unique art, culture and rich tradition, which was under threat under the Chinese rule.” He was very optimistic that an amicable solution to the tibetan problem would be found in the near future, he added. A 65-year-old Tibetan woman, Kapo, from Amdo in Tibet, could not control her tears as she said she was relieved to see the Dalai Lama in good health and amongst his people. “People in Tibet are very worried about his health, ever since the news of his hospitalisation reached them, but now we all can go back and assure them of his well being,” she said. About 50 Russian Buddhists who came here to get the blessings of the Dalai Lama were not allowed inside the hall. |
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Board to make loan raising easy Shimla, February 12 So far loans were being raised through the State Health System Corporation, the roads and other Infrastructure Development Corporation and other public sector undertakings incorporated under the Companies Act. These undertakings had their limitations under the Companies Act, which forced the government to keep the size of its bond issues small. Consequently, it had to come out with three or four issues every year to raise the required amount from market. As per the provisions of the Companies Act for a issue to be subscribed through private placement the number of investors should not exceed 49. This condition limited the size of the issue and only a few big investors could subscribe to it. The bond value had to be kept as high as Rs 10 lakh with the stipulation that a minimum of five to 10 bonds be subscribed. As a result small investors could not subscribe to these bonds. However, there will be no such
constraints in raising funds through the newly set up board. Being a statutory body constituted by an act of the legislature, it was not subjected to provisions of the Companies Act. As such any number of investors could subscribe to bonds issued by it. The biggest advantage is that the minimum subscription could be reduced to as low as Rs 5 lakh as against Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore earlier. This will enable a large number of small investor to subscribe to the bonds. Even various provident fund trust and organisations and other small financial companies could purchase bonds. Moreover, with board becoming a nodal agency for raising funds, there will be uniform rate of interest and no overlapping of issues. The Finance Department will be in a position to plan things in a smooth The government has now decided to handle its planned Rs 300 crore issue itself to reduce the cost. Earlier, it entrusted this responsibility to the Power Finance Corporation, which raised about Rs 1000 crore for it over the past two years. This cost of the three issues handled by the corporation ranged from .25 to .40 per cent. In all Rs 1.69 crore was paid to it and no fee was paid for funds invested by the state cooperative banks. By handling the issue itself the board plans to bring down the cost of .15 to .20 per cent. As such the government will save Rs 30 to 35 lakh in the forthcoming issue. The centre had fixed the limit of non-SLR borrowings for the year at Rs 508 crore. |
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Virbhadra’s charges baseless: Speaker Mandi, February 12 In a statement he said, “I was denied the Congress ticket in 1982 notwithstanding the fact that I was the sitting MLA of the party. I was not only ditched, but humiliated also. To vindicate it I stood as an Independent candidate and won the election. Sequence of events took a turn and the Congress had to seek my support to form a government. I offered it forgetting the humiliation meted out to me in the larger interest of the party”. He said the Vidhan Sabha elected him Speaker unanimously and he had made earnest efforts to maintain the highest democratic traditions transcending political considerations. He cautioned Mr Virbhadra Singh that those living in a glasshouse should not throw stones at others and added that he (Virbhadra Singh) was attempting to divert the public attention from the allegations being levelled against him. Meanwhile, various local leaders of Jogindernagar, including Hema Thakur, member, zila parishad, and Harnam Singh Chairman, BDC, have denounced the efforts of those persons who try to tarnish the image of Thakur Gulab Singh. They have alleged that ironically Jogindernagar remained backward during the Congress rule. Its development started only when BJP came to power and Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, allocated liberal funds for the development of the constituency. |
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Drug vice grips Kulu youth Kulu Addiction to charas, brown sugar, morphine, thinner and medicines containing alcohol has become common among the young, including schoolchildren. It is learnt that addicts are also consuming shoe polish and Iodex for “kicks”. It is alleged that charas-filled cigarettes are easily available near educational institutions and students, including girls, are the main buyers. The police does carry out raids on such sale points but the menace has not been checked. Mr Suresh Awasthi, a businessman, said that society as a whole was responsible for this situation. Most people had become self-centred and did not feel concerned about those children who had fallen prey to drugs. A teacher said that the children who had gone astray were often protected by their parents. Besides, under a government decision, teachers could not give corporal punishment to students. He felt that without such punishment students could not be put on the right track. Mr Subhash Sharma , a senior citizen, said it was unfortunate that some parents did not acknowledge that their children indulged in objectionable activity. He said checking drug trafficking was the duty of the police and the administration. “However, controlling drug addiction is the duty of society, which includes the parents of the addicts”, he added A lawyer said that the law in this regard could not bring about awakening or change the situation. People would have to fight the menace. The drug mafia, active in this district, had to be checked as was done in 1984-85. Some socially aware persons organised deaddiction camps at the Arya Samaj Mandirs at Kulu and Manali where young addicts were treated. People involved in drug trafficking were socially humiliated and boycotted. Such camps had become a necessity and NGOs and those who had organised the earlier camps should be motivated to continue the good work, he added. The president of the body that organised the deaddiction camps of 1984-85 said the problems faced them had to be solved by them on their own. Though people were talking about the menace today also, no one seemed prepared to come forward to help check it. It was difficult to organise deaddiction camps as the involvement of the administration, the police and the hospital was important. A member of the Chemists Association at Kulu said the organisation had decided to intimate the guardians of the children who were regular buyers of Iodex and certain cough syrups. However, he felt that drug addicts had a tendency to turn violent and this might prevent chemists from informing their parents. |
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Inexplicable disease
hits HP village Shimla, February 12 The Principal of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Dr Harbans Kapoor, confirmed that a team of doctors of the Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Preventive and Social Medicine, was being sent to the village tomorrow. Doctors of the Health Department have visited the area and were reportedly unable to diagnose the disease. Initially, a couple was sent to the PGI, but seven other persons with similar symptoms were told to go to Chandigarh. It is learnt that the Chief Medical Officer, Shimla, has requested the IGMC to send the team to
Hatkoti. |
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171 villages benefited by Union Govt scheme Kangra, February 12 This was disclosed at the fifth meeting of the advisory committee of the Community Development Cell here today. The cell established in 1994 by the ministry and the Technical Teachers Training Institute, Chandigarh at the local Government Polytechnic College. As many as 59 villages were brought under the dissemination of information in five technologies like hygienic sanitary system, use of solar appliances, use of rain water harvesting tanks, use of modern agriculture equipment and their assembly and smokeless “chullhas”. In 62 villages services were provided under the technical support in
repairing TV, Radio, VCR, sewing machines, agriculture equipment and electrical appliances besides waste water disposal system. Fifty villages were brought under technical service and services in electrical wiring in houses plumbing, welding works, repair of furniture and solar appliances were provided under the scheme. As many as 284 persons comprising 165 men and 119 women, including 66 SCs and 27
STs, were imparted training in various fields and 26 persons got employment under the scheme. Forty two villages were covered under the transfer of technology benefiting 129 persons. Members of the committee suggested to improve the conditions of the main centre at the college. |
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WATER
TARIFF HIKE Kumarhatti, February 12 At yesterday’s meeting of the board the civilian members boycotted the meeting in protest against the move describing it as anti-civilian. A special meeting of the board has been convened for tomorrow to put its seal on the decision, but the civilian members appear reluctant to approve the decision as it could spark on agitation by the civilians. “We cannot be forced to accede to this illogical decision when no agreement to this effect had been in existence with the Central Government,” maintained Mr Sushil Garg, an elected member of the board. According to an agreement between the Central Government and the Board that had come into existence in 1942, the water rate to be charged by the MES from board was fixed at 59 paisa per 1,000 gallon, he said adding, “Since then we are paying the same to the MES and charging the same rate from the civilians.” Inquiries from the Subathu Cantonment Board revealed that trouble started after 1995 when the MES has revised the per 1000 gallon rate of water being supplied to civilians to Rs 9, Rs 17.74, Rs 22.25 in June 1995, March 1999 and April 2000, respectively. All rates were based on the actual cost basis as the MES has managed the Subathu Cantonment to be declared a commercial body from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) without consulting the board in this connection. The board did not yet accept this decision as a case in this regard was still pending with Central Government, said Mr Yogesh Kumar, Executive Officer of the Subathu Cantonment Board. |
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Extend form submission date, urges staff Solan, February 12 The federation president, Mr Jai Nand Sharma, in a press statement issued here today, said employees posted in the tribal areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti, Kulu and Chamba would not be able to submit their applications by the last date as their areas had become snow-bound. The employees were finding it very difficult to submit their applications in time. These applications under the rules had to be routed through the heads of departments, which was a time consuming process. Mr Sharma appealed to the government to direct the examining body, the HP Public Service Commission, to extend the last date for the submission of applications to March 2. |
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Child welfare council holds back salaries Mandi, February 12 The council runs 55 child centres, five orphanages, one home for the old and one women’s welfare centre in the state. The entire expenses are met through the grant-in-aid given by the government. Even the salaries for January of the wardens and Class IV employees numbering over 40 have not been paid. Inquiries made at the state office, Shimla revealed that the grant-in-aid had not been released because of the
failure of the Balbari Kendras to submit the inspection report. The non-payment of salaries is causing great hardships has manipulated to get their salaries, those working in the field were being treated with impunity. |
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Cong leader seeks rise in SPOs’ salary Chamba, February 12 In a statement issued here today, Mr Pathania said at present the SPOs were being paid Rs 1,500 per month. He urged the government to increase it to Rs 3,000 per month with a view to boosting their morale to combat militancy. He accused the government of not properly implementing the ‘vanaspati van’ project which had specially been designed to exploit medicinal herbs in Chamba and Kulu districts. |
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Varsity centre for Chamba sought Chamba, February 12 Since Chamba is about 450 km away from the state capital Shimla, and there is no such facility of appearing in the entrance tests, here poor intelligent students of the district had to travel long distances spending a lot of money to appear in these tests, said Mr Oberoy. He urged the Chief Minister to set up engineering and medical institutions in Chamba, as the region has congenial atmosphere for such institutions and it would add to the development of this remote area of Himachal Pradesh. |
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Shimla schools closed for two days Shimla, February 12 According to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr P.C. Katoch, the schools will reopen on Thursday. This has been done because of heavy snowfall for the past three days. The government primary schools will reopen on February 15. The Central School here will revert to its earlier starting time of 9.30 a.m. from Thursday. The authorities had earlier ordered that the school will start at 8 a.m. |
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HP Education Society
office-bearers Shimla, February 12 The Chief Minister will be the Chairman and the Education Minister Vice-Chairman of the society. Besides the Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary, Education Secretary, Director of Education, Director of Primary Education and Joint Director of Education (Schools) will be its members. The Joint Director of Education (Colleges) will be the Member Secretary. The government has also authorised the society to receive the grant-in-aid released by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development under various schemes sponsored by the Centre and any funds or donations received from other agencies for the benefit of the Education Department. |
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LPG leak: two
critically burnt Kangra, February 12 Asha, 45, wife of Raj Nath Bindroo, and her daughter Sonu, 16, were injured critically when the LPG, which had leaked out from the cylinder, caught fire at their residence last evening. Family sources alleged that they had been supplied will a leaking LPG cylinder by a gas agency. When Sonu tried to light the gas stove the leaked gas caught fire and engulfed Sonu. Her mother in a bid to save her daughter also received severe burn injuries. Both were admitted to the local sub-divisional hospital here and were referred to Government Medical College, Jammu, this morning, hospital sources said. The local SDM, Mr N.K. Lath, said legal action would be taken against the guilty. |
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