 |
Sunday, February 24, 2002,
Chandigarh, India  
|
Virbhadra
likely to be grilled on land grab Rivalry being converted into enmity: Virbhadra HP to
computerise police stations: DGP Land problem
hits development |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probe BJP
MLA’s assets: manch Govt told
to stop work on highway Probe sought
into girl’s harassment at IGMC Snowfall
in HP continues Cold wave
sweeps Mandi region PM’s
Shimla rally on March 24 Sheep,
goats to be vaccinated
|
|
Virbhadra likely to be grilled on land grab Shimla, February 23 Although the opposition Congress has not yet finalised its strategy for the crucial session which will also set the issues for the elections, there were indications that the party will try to corner the BJP-HVC combine government of Mr
P. K. Dhumal on the issue of alleged rampant corruption, nepotism and regionalism. The ruling BJP has reportedly finalised its agenda to target the CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, on the issue of alleged land grab by him and the findings of the Kainthla Commission on the incidents of “lawlessness” in March, 1998. The issue of outbreak of plague in the upper areas of Shimla district is expected to dominate the proceedings of the House. The Congress has been complaining of shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in the hospitals in the interior areas. It is being keenly watched as to how the Opposition Benches this time counter the attack of the Treasury Benches which have in the past maintained an upper hand by pinning down the divided Congress on many vital issues. The Congress is also expected to highlight the allegations of corruption and nepotism which were levelled against the BJP-HVC combine government by its own ministers who had revolted sometime ago. The BJP has taken an aggressive posture on the issue by turning the tables and booking Congress MLA, Mrs Asha Kumari, in the land transfer case and also launched a campaign against Mr Virbhadra Singh. However, Mr Virbhadra Singh has produced documentary evidence and has accused the Dhumal government of “concocting” such stories against him. |
|
Rivalry
being converted into enmity: Virbhadra Jwali (Kangra), February 23 Addressing a rally at Fatehpur in the Jwali Assembly segment, he said seeing the falling popularity graph, the BJP-HVC regime was trying to fabricate cases not only against senior Congress leaders but also party workers. “It is very sad that the present regime is introducing an alien culture into Himachal politic, which will have serious repercussions in the years to come,” he remarked. “Today instead of focusing on the development of the state, the entire government machinery was being used to frame charges against me ever since I was given a clean chit by the CBI,” he said. “The pace at which the government has raised loans worth Rs 7,000 crore through various institutions, it will be an uphill task for the next regime but political will and able leadership can again take Himachal on the path of prosperity and development,” he said. He said people of the state, who had been burdened by taxes, would give a negative verdict against the government. “A government which believes in giving relaxation to big industrial houses instead of farmers and the common man does not deserve the votes of the public,” he said. Leaders from Kangra, owing allegiance to the Vidya Stokes faction, stayed away from the rally. However, former minister Sujan Singh Pathania, who had attended the Kangra rally by Ms Stokes, said it was only Mr Virbhadra Singh who could lead the party to victory. The PCC delegate from Jwali, Mr Nishwar Singh, who was also a contender for ticket stayed away from the rally. |
|
HP to computerise police stations: DGP Nahan, February 23 Mr Puri said that with help from the central government Rs 13.40 crore was being spent on the modernisation of the force in the state. The DGP called upon the police personnel to work with cooperation of citizens to improve image of the Police Department. He said that to win people’s trust first time in the country the Himachal citizens can get registered complaint/FIR anywhere in the state. All SPs have been directed that if they received any complaint of corruption against any police personnel charges my be got inquired into through the CIA officers. Mr Puri said that serious efforts were being made to curb drug addiction in the state specially among teenagers. He said that he would approach the state government to empower the chief medical officers instead of drug inspectors to take action under the act against the law breaking chemists and other “neem hakims” involved in drug supply and unauthorised business of certain drugs. Mr Puri sought co-operation of local residents to open a counselling centre at Nahan for the drug addicts and launch a campaign against the drugs through persuasion, education and public participation. He also directed the police to start patrolling from 10 p.m and nab all drug addicts. He said that results of community policing was very encouraging and under the scheme 1437 meetings in the state were organised last year. He added that under the samarth scheme of the state police 400 girl students have got training in
judo and during the next financial year 5000 girl students would be trained in this marshal art of self-protection. He also said that for the help of women 61 help centres and special women cells have been created in the state. The Director General of Police inaugurated one Police Assistance Centre at Nahan bus stand, one library and gymnasium in Nahan Police Lines and one Police Reporting Room and two Police Assistance Centre at Paonta. |
|
Land problem hits development Kasauli The plans include the setting up of a court complex, which has been hanging fire for quite some time. In the absence of vacant land the Kasauli Sub- Judge has been operating from the premises of the district courts at Solan where there is a shortage of
space. The incumbent also holds additional charge as Solan Sub-Judge. The demand for the complex was accepted some years ago after it was found that people from Barotiwala, Parwanoo and villages around this town had to travel all the way to Solan for court work. The unavailability of land has in particular affected the civilian population. An effort to provide land for shifting a state government-run dispensary has yielded no result. It continues to function in a dilapidated building on the periphery of the town and is visited by only a small number of patients. Some years ago a Central School was proposed to be set up but no land could be made available for the purpose and it had to be opened on the Air Force station premises. Recently, a bank wanted to expand its premises but could not find a suitable site. Officials at the Cantonment Board say that land use was earmarked in cantonments at the time of their institution during the British era. Depending on the population, specific areas were reserved for various purposes, including civilian use, with some scope for expansion. Now after one and a half centuries of the town's establishment and a big increase in its population, an expansion of the infrastructure is urgently called for. In order to make available some land to meet the basic needs of
residents, it is necessary to effect changes in the land use rules, which
is a lengthy process. Clearance from the Ministry of Defence is needed if a proposal in his regard is presented before the Cantonment Board by civilians, explained the Cantonment Executive Officer. The cantonment bylaws disallow fresh construction. Those with political and bureaucratic influence manage to purchase land in violation of the rules. With only limited vacant land the next best option is buying old houses in the cantonment which are later renovated. The plinth area is often altered by buyers, contrary to the laws, and the construction later got regularised. It remains to be seen what impact the move of the Air Force authorities regarding banning new construction within a distance of 900 metres from the crest of their area has on ambitious builders. Land prices have skyrocketed. This has made it difficult for the state government to purchase privately owned land for much-needed development activities, say revenue officials. |
|
Probe BJP MLA’s assets: manch Hamirpur, February 23 Mr Dhian Chand Sharma, convener of the manch, in a statement here today asked Mr Baldev Sharma to clarify to the public how a person who was having a damaged Maruti van in 1998, had now become the owner of four brand new vehicles and houses at five different places in the state. Mr Sharma has charged the MLA with terrorising those persons who were witness against him in the graft case with help of the police and revenue officers. |
|
Govt told to stop work
on highway Dalhousie, February 23 An official spokesman said here today that the state Public Works Department (PWD) had violated the norms of the Wildlife Conservation Act, though the highway was short cut from Dalhousie to Chamba and was significant from the tourism point of view. He said widening of the Chamba-Pathankot highway from Saroo to Gandihar for transportation of heavy machinery and equipment for the 300-Chamera hydroelectric project and the 231-MW Chamera hydroelectric project had also been banned by the ministry as the highway crossed the wildlife habitat. Banning the construction of the Dalhousie-Chamba highway and widening a section of the Chamba-Pathankot highway has caused resentment among residents of the Chamba region. They say it is important to link Dalhousie with Chamba via a short-cut route and it has been their long pending demand to widen the Chamba-Pathankot highway which was prone to accidents. |
|
Probe sought into girl’s harassment at
IGMC Shimla, February 23 A final year student of MBBS at the college was allegedly sexually abused by her fellow students earlier this month. It is reported that the girl was schizophrenic and was under treatment at the hospital. The victim left the hostel before the authorities could come to a conclusion. Mr Sanjay Thakur, President of the organisation said strict action should be taken against boys involved in the crime. The organisation alleged that reports of sexual harassment at the IGMC were being received for quite sometime but the government and authorities are turning a blind eye to the issue instead of taking action. In letters to the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Human Rights Commission, the organisation has urged them to look into this matter. |
|
Snowfall in HP continues Shimla, February 23 The tribal districts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Pangi valley in Chamba district received snow last night. Keylong, headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, recorded about 45 cm of snowfall till morning. A report from Kaza said Reckong Peo also recorded about 20 cm of snowfall. Meanwhile, tourist resorts of Narkanda and Khadapathar in Shimla district also received mild snowfall. About 3 cm of snowfall was recorded at Narkanda this morning. In Shimla and its surrounding areas, the sky is partially overcast. The sun continued to play hide and seek during the day. Kufri experienced rain accompanied with snow flakes, a report said.
UNI |
|
Cold wave sweeps Mandi region Mandi, February 23 High altitude valleys in the region — Chuhar, Prashar, Chachiot, Kamrunag, Rohanda, Pandasr, Nihri and Bandli have been covered with blanket of snow. Rains have recharged drying water sources. Farmers and apple-growers are happy with heavy snowfall as this will yield bumper apple and wheat crop in the high hills. |
|
PM’s Shimla rally
on March 24 Shimla, February 23 Disclosing this here today
the BJP spokesman, Mr Ganesh Dutt, said a meeting of the state office-bearers of the party and chairpersons of boards and corporation was held here today to take stock of the preparations being made to make the rally a success.
PTI |
|
Sheep, goats to be vaccinated Shimla, February 23 Presiding over a meeting of the Animal Husbandry and Forest departments and shepherds at Nahan today, state Parliamentary Secretary Chet Ram Negi said that problems of shepherds who take their sheep to Uttaranchal would be taken up with the Uttaranchal Government. He said that availability of vaccinations would be ensured in the border areas of the state to curb the spread of diseases. Doctors would be deputed to check animals entering the state from outside. He asked the shepherds to start handloom ventures so that finished product could be sold in the market at a higher price. He directed the Forest Department to remove anomalies in the issuance of permits in Nahan and Paonta Sahib range and also to fix certain days for the issuance of permits. President of the Sheep Owners Association Dharma Nand asked for raising support price of wool.
UNI |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 122 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
