H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Congress undivided: Kidwai
Shimla, June 27
Ms Mohsina Kidwai, AICC general secretary, said today that Mr Virbhadra Singh, CLP leader, and Ms Vidya Stokes, PCC chief, should jointly address public meetings to remove the impression that the Congress was divided in Himachal Pradesh.

AICC General Secretary Mohsina Kidwai, flanked by CLP leader Virbhadra Singh and PCC chief Vidya Stokes, addresses mediapersons at Shimla on Thursday. — Photo Anil Dayal

Collapse of school building to be probed
Dharamsala, June 27
The district administration has ordered an inquiry into the collapse of a retaining wall which had led to the death of four primary schoolchildren at Kharauta village, about 10 km from here, yesterday.

Hall repair: govt depts pass buck
Kangra, June 27
The Technical Education Department and the Public Works Department are at loggerheads over the repair of the Rs 50-lakh multipurpose hall on the Polytechnic College premises here, with the latter today claiming that according to a directive of the state government, the job was to be carried out by the user department.

BPL families to get 35 kg ration
Chamba, June 27
The Union Government has increased the quantity of ration being supplied to 36 crore people living the below poverty line from 10 kg to 35 kg at subsidised rates.

Veterinary teachers’ strike continues
Dharamsala, June 27
As the matter regarding the payment of non practising allowance (NPA) on enhance rates remained un-resolved even after the matter was taken up by the Vice-Chancellor of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, Dr Tej Partap, the boycott of classes by teachers continued for the 22nd day today.

Probe HPU paper scam: ABVP
Shimla, June 27
The state unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has urged the Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, to order a high level inquiry into the question paper scam in Himachal Pradesh University and take action against those responsible for it.

Stress on Gandhian philosophy laid
Kasauli, June 27
Stressing the need to emulate Gandhian philosophy by our countrymen the grand daughter of the father of the nation, Ms Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, in an interaction with newspapers here today stated that here was a need to undertake an indepth study of his values and original works. 

‘Prayaschit’ gets best drama award
Shimla, June 27
The Sanghiya Natya Goshti Sanstha, Jorhat, lifted the G.C. Lagan best drama award with its Hindi play “Prayaschit” at the 47th all India drama and dance competition which concluded here yesterday.

Thyroid disease detection tests at low rates
Kangra, June 27
In view of a rise in the number of cases of thyroid diseases in the Kangra valley, the medical authorities have started conducting detection tests at cheaper rates and providing timely medical treatment to patients.

New revaluation system
Dharamsala, June 27
The HP Board of School Education has decided to introduce a new system for the revaluation of examination papers. Stating this here today, the Secretary of the board, Mr Vikas Labroo, said from the next year, students of plus one would not be given the facility of revaluation but re-examination of the paper would be allowed as before.

• Tourist rush picks up in Mandi

• Voter ID cards

Congress undivided: Kidwai
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 27
Ms Mohsina Kidwai, AICC general secretary, said today that Mr Virbhadra Singh, CLP leader, and Ms Vidya Stokes, PCC chief, should jointly address public meetings to remove the impression that the Congress was divided in Himachal Pradesh.

Ms Kidwai, talking to mediapersons on the conclusion of her two-day visit here, said the Congress would formulate a policy to fight the “dictatorial” BJP in the coming Assembly elections. The AICC secretary, Mr Satyajit Gaekwad, Mr Virbhadra Singh, Ms Stokes, Thakur Ram Lal, a former Chief Minister and Mr Sat Mahajan, a former PCC chief, were also present.

She said if Mr Virbhadra Singh and Ms Stokes addressed the meetings separately there was no harm as these were also aimed at strengthening the party. Both of them had decided to address a couple of meetings together. However, there was no party which did not have any internal differences.

She said the complaints pertaining to the PCC elections would be settled soon.

Replying to a question, Ms Kidwai said the Congress did not have the tradition of naming the party’s chief ministerial candidate before the elections. The recommendation of the elected MLAs would be taken into consideration by the high command while choosing the leader. She said all the 28 sitting MLAs of the Congress in the 68-member Assembly would not be disturbed while allocating ticket. Ticket could be denied only if there were some serious complaints against a particular person. She, however, said there would be many new faces.

Ms Kidwai remained silent over a question regarding an electoral understanding with the HVC but Ms Stokes said the Congress would fight the elections on its own and anyone who wished to return to the party should put in an application which would be considered on merit.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said no more back door entries would be allowed and sentiments of workers should be kept in mind.

Ms Kidwai ruled out that 33 per cent ticket would be given to women. Mr Vajpayee and Defence Minister, George Fernandes, had been giving contradictory statements on sensitive issues relating to the defence of the country, she said.

She said the decision of the Centre to allow foreign investment in media was “dangerous and unfortunate”. The Congress would oppose the move when a Bill was brought in Parliament.

She criticised the NDA government for shielding Mr Narendera Modi even after the massacre of people in Gujarat. “It was unfortunate that the BJP was pursuing the two-nation theory of the RSS, she said.

Collapse of school building to be probed
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, June 27
The district administration has ordered an inquiry into the collapse of a retaining wall which had led to the death of four primary schoolchildren at Kharauta village, about 10 km from here, yesterday.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, Mr Prabodh Saxena, who along with other senior civil and police officials had visited the site has directed the Executive Engineer (Rural Development), Mr Tandon, to probe into the causes for the collapse of the retaining wall and school building which is still under construction.

A portion of the old building of the Government Primary School, Kharauta, was unsafe and a teacher had shifted all 57 students, including four of the anganwari workers, to a room which was constructed recently.

Due to sudden heavy downpour, the retaining wall erected for the protection of the school building collapsed and the room wall also gave way filling the room with slush.

Its collapse also led to the death of four children while 14 others were injured and admitted to a hospital.

According to the district administration, the construction was going on under the supervision of a local panchayat pradhan. Action will only be taken after the report is submitted by Mr Tandon.

The primary school has two teachers on its roll and on the day of the tragedy, one was found to be absent from duty. According to the Deputy Director (Primary Education), Mr Rakesh Kumar, was found absent and has been placed under suspension.

Hall repair: govt depts pass buck
Our Correspondent

Kangra, June 27
The Technical Education Department and the Public Works Department are at loggerheads over the repair of the Rs 50-lakh multipurpose hall on the Polytechnic College premises here, with the latter today claiming that according to a directive of the state government, the job was to be carried out by the user department.

Mr B.S. Thakur, Executive Engineer, PWD, reacting to the allegations of Mr D.R. Sharma, Principal of the college, said here today that the hall, inaugurated by the Chief Minister on September 16, 2000, required regular maintenance by the polytechnic authorities. Mr Thakur said the state government had decided in 2000 that the annual repair and maintenance of the building would be carried out by the user department and funds would be made available to it.

Mr Thakur claimed that the Technical Education Department, despite repeated requests, had not paid Rs 4 lakh as the salary of the four PWD employees who were engaged in supplying water to the college as well as the residential quarters and hostels at Chaib on the outskirts of the town.

Meanwhile, Mr D.R. Sharma said the college had no funds for carrying out the repair of the building. He said the PWD authorities had been approached in this regard but in vain.

BPL families to get 35 kg ration
Our Correspondent

Chamba, June 27
The Union Government has increased the quantity of ration being supplied to 36 crore people living the below poverty line from 10 kg to 35 kg at subsidised rates.

Mr Shanta Kumar, Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies stated this while inaugurating a 1,670-tonne capacity godown constructed at a cost of Rs 70 lakh by the FCI at Baloo on the outskirts of town today.

Mr Shanta Kumar said ration to five crore people was being distributed at Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 3 per kg for rice.

He said 78,000 families in Himachal Pradesh were also benefitting from this.

Mr Shanta Kumar said India was also exporting foodgrains to 25 countries which also included wheat and rice after fulfilling the country’s demand.

Regarding power sector, he said the Centre had undertaken hydroelectric projects with an outlay of Rs 17,000 crore in Himachal Pradesh, which included 2051 mw Parbati Project, 800 mw Kol Dam Project, 300 mw Chamera Project stage-I) and 231 mw Chamera project-III. These projects would solve the problem of power shortage in other states of the country.

Veterinary teachers’ strike continues
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, June 27
As the matter regarding the payment of non practising allowance (NPA) on enhance rates remained un-resolved even after the matter was taken up by the Vice-Chancellor of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, Dr Tej Partap, the boycott of classes by teachers continued for the 22nd day today.

The teachers of veterinary college started their agitation on June 4, when despite their notice, the university authorities failed to release the NPA at the rate of 25 per cent of the salary. The Board of Management of the CSKHF Agriculture University had accepted the demand in principle, but the request for funds has been turned down by the state government.

Dr Partap said the board had agreed to enhance their NPA as the pay scales of veterinary teachers were lower those of veterinary doctors working in the field in Himachal Pradesh and the only way to compensate the teachers to release the NPA as permissible under ICAR rules.

The Vice-Chancellor said the teachers had been informed that the higher NPA would be paid only if the state government released funds as the university cannot bear this burden which amounts to about Rs 20 lakh annually. But the Finance Secretary in his letter has shown the government’s inability in making the funds available.

Meanwhile, in a new development, more than 100 faculty members of other colleges met the Vice-Chancellor opposed any move for grant of enhanced NPA to veterinary teachers. 

Probe HPU paper scam: ABVP
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 27
The state unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has urged the Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, to order a high level inquiry into the question paper scam in Himachal Pradesh University and take action against those responsible for it.

A deputation of the parishad led by Dr Nagesh Thakur, its president, met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to him in this regard. It drew the attention of Dr Bhan to the errors in over 24 question papers of various classes and other irregularities in conduct of examination.

The other demands included making English an optional subject beyond plus two level, reservation of 75 per cent seats for Himachalis in the newly set up Information and Technology Institute at Vaknaghat and introduction of public administration subject at plus two level.

Stress on Gandhian philosophy laid
Our Correspondent

Kasauli, June 27
Stressing the need to emulate Gandhian philosophy by our countrymen the grand daughter of the father of the nation, Ms Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, in an interaction with newspapers here today stated that here was a need to undertake an indepth study of his values and original works. Describing these basic principles of Gandhi’s life she stated that by swadeshi he meant self-control where every responsible individual was answerable. Sarvodya according to Gandhiji was renaissance of the mind where the spirit of reconstruction of the society is utmost. The concept was followed to an extent by Jaiprakash Narayan and Vinobha Bhave, she added.

Presenting concern over the chaos prevailing in the country due to rampant anarchism she stated that there was violence in the mind and this polluted the environment of peace and harmony.

Ms Gandhi, who has been actively involved with the promotion of khadi for the past about 20 years, stated that khadi was always an item of fashion emulating beauty. She said Himachal had immense scope for the promotion of khadi and the state could take a lead in this direction. She stated that she would try to explore the possibility and would work in this direction.

‘Prayaschit’ gets best drama award
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 27
The Sanghiya Natya Goshti Sanstha, Jorhat, lifted the G.C. Lagan best drama award with its Hindi play “Prayaschit” at the 47th all India drama and dance competition which concluded here yesterday.

The Raj Laxmi of Cuttak got first prize in Odissi solo dance, and Ragni Chaurasia of Nrithyathi for Bharat Natyam Bhilai . The awards were given away by acclaimed educationist G.C. Lagan, Director, Bal Bhavan Schools, Delhi.

Thyroid disease detection tests at low rates
Our Correspondent

Kangra, June 27
In view of a rise in the number of cases of thyroid diseases in the Kangra valley, the medical authorities have started conducting detection tests at cheaper rates and providing timely medical treatment to patients.

Stating this here today, Dr Rajender Yadav, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Dr Rajender Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda said so far 2,000 patients had been examined in the valley, of which 50 per cent had been detected as thyroid patients. He said 40 to 50 cases were detected in the town itself.

Dr Yadav said the tests were being conducted in the college at rate of Rs 150. He said the thyroid SH test was being done daily whereas other two tests, T3 and T4, were being conducted once in three weeks. 

New revaluation system
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, June 27
The HP Board of School Education has decided to introduce a new system for the revaluation of examination papers. Stating this here today, the Secretary of the board, Mr Vikas Labroo, said from the next year, students of plus one would not be given the facility of revaluation but re-examination of the paper would be allowed as before.

He said only those students who got a minimum of 20 per cent in matriculation and plus two examinations would be allowed revaluation.

The board would also allow the students to see their answersheets and a teacher would satisfy their queries. 

Tourist rush picks up in Mandi
Our Correspondent

Mandi, June 27
The tourists season has picked up here after a short spell of dull season due to the trouble in Gujarat.

A sudden spurt of tourist traffic over the past fortnight has given a fresh lease of life to the hotel industry. All hotels in town were packed last evening. According to Mandi Hotel Association president Munish Sood, the occupancy rate in most hotels ranged between 50 and 100 per cent. 

Voter ID cards
Our Correspondent

Paonta Sahib, June 27
Identity cards for voters of the Paonta Sahib and Shillai constituencies will be made from July 19 to 29.

According to Mr Sanjay Sharma, SDM, Paonta Sahib, the cards will be distributed after 10 days after they are made.