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Saturday,
July 6, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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SAD holds protest march Snag delays Holi hydel project ‘Apple price hike political gimmick’ Panther
skins, explosives seized Ruckus over Shanta loyalist’s appointment |
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Cong MLA to get security cover NPA issue divides
HPAUTA Villages without water
for one month Minor raped, 2 taxi drivers held Man suspects foul
play in son’s death Probe collapse of school
building: NGO
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SAD holds protest march Paonta Sahib, July 5 The provocation for holding the protest march came as the government ordered withdrawal of teaching of this language from 11 schools in Sirmaur district, says Mr Harbhajan Singh and Mr Paramjit Singh Chanana, president and general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Shiromani Akali Dal. The procession started from the library of Gurdwara Paonta Sahib and moved through various parts of the city before terminating at the office of the Subdivisional Magistrate. A memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister was handed over to the Subdivisional Magistrate. “Punjabi was being taught in all these schools by volunteer teachers,” they said. “Instead of encouraging them, the government has ordered discontinuation of Punjabi classes in the midway of the current academic session to the great dismay of students who had taken Punjabi as an optional subject. The Himachal Pradesh School Education Board has already included Punjabi in its curriculum as an optional language for high school students.” The Punjabi classes have been discontinued in government schools at Nagheta, Abhoa, Gorkhuwala, Kolar, Rampur-Bhagpur, Nahan, Kaffota, Majra, Kalyari, Shataun and Shilai high schools. It was in 1999 during an official function to celebrate tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa that the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, announced introduction of Punjabi classes in selected schools of five districts of the state. Later, the number of districts was increased to seven. The major problem facing the state in implementing its decision, which was also ratified by the Cabinet, was the non-availability of Punjabi teachers. In many areas, some of the volunteers who were well versed in Punjabi offered to conduct these classes till regular arrangements were made. Since the state government did not make any initiative, the matter was taken up before the National Commission for Minorities where senior administrative functionaries of the state government appeared and promised that they would get back to their government to ensure proper implementation of the decision of the Cabinet. Instead, strict instructions were issued to all those schools where volunteer teachers were conducting these classes to discontinue teaching of Punjabi. A letter to the District Education Officers questioned their authority in allowing “volunteer teachers” for conducting these classes. It further held that the government was facing a lot of embarrassment as some of these volunteer teachers have started staking their claims for regularisation of their services. The Himachal Pradesh Shiromani Akali Dal feels that it is because of lack of sincerity that the government could not implement its decision. If Tamil and other languages could be taught in Himachal, why not Punjabi as before reorganisation, Himachal was a part of undivided Punjab and Punjabi was taught in all schools before 1966. The Himachal Pradesh Shiromani Akali Dal maintains that parents of some of the students who sought legal redressal of their grievance have been successful as courts have given verdicts in their favour. “We will continue to fight for our right. After today’s protest march, we will soon chalk out our further course of action. We want to remind the BJP government that in the coming Assembly elections, it should not take minorities for granted as it has failed to keep its promises with them,” Mr Harbhajan Singh and Mr Paramjit Singh Chanana added. |
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Snag delays Holi hydel project Holi (Chamba), July 5 It will be recorded in the history of Himachal Pradesh that a mini-hydroelectric of 3-megawatt capacity, work on which was undertaken in 1995, took 7 years to complete. According to official sources, the indigenous hydropower machinery and equipment were installed on the project by a private enterprise, but some foreign components of the powerhouse machinery could not operate and the experts working on the project failed to rectify the snag. Later, the experts belonging to the company that manufactured these components of powerhouse machinery were invited to rectify the snag who assured to replace the components on or before September next. The sources revealed that it were, in fact, the foreign components which did not operate and now these are to be imported from abroad. Situated at an altitude ranging from 1960 m to 3500 m, the scenic tribal valley of Holi in Bharmaur tribal area of Chamba district is the most far-flung corner of Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister had already fixed May, 2001, deadline for the completion of this project, which is being constructed by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) at a cost of Rs 25 crore. Amazingly, the project was started in 1995 with an outlay of about Rs 12 crore. With the rising cost of the materials and the components of powerhouse machinery and equipment, the cost has escalated to Rs 25 crore. During the period of construction, the project was hit by natural calamities like the floods, which washed away various works many times, thereby leading to surplus expenditure. This project is expected to generate 23.13 million units of energy in a year, which will ensure continuous power to tribal people mitigating their voltage problems and boosting the cottage industry. |
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‘Apple price hike political gimmick’ Shimla, July 5 Mrs Stokes, who was talking to mediapersons here, said that the issue would be included in the party’s manifesto for the coming Assembly elections. This promise was also made in the last election when the Congress could not retain power in the state. She criticised the BJP-HVC combine government of Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal for “retrenching” a large number of daily wage earners and keeping several posts vacant in hospitals and schools. She said the decision of the government to regularise encroachments was an election gimmick and the ruling BJP was bound to resort to pick and choose in the matter. The government should have given land to the landless people instead of rewarding those who had done encroachments. Mrs Stokes said that the decision of the government to increase the support price of apple by 25 paise was aimed at creating an impression that the BJP government was a well-wisher of the fruit-growers. She said that the bad financial position of the state should be kept in mind by the government before creating three new districts. |
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Panther
skins, explosives seized Nahan, July 5 Mr S.P.S. Verma, Superintendent of Police, Sirmaur said here today that after receiving tip-off he had deputed intelligence personnel to take information about the business of wildlife skins and narcotics going on in the area. After receiving the information last night 15-member raid party led by Sub Inspector Lekh Ram left for the destination and made raids simultaneously on the residence, shop and cowshed of Lal Singh son of Budh Ram resident of Gata-Dhar village early this morning. Mr Verma said that one nine-foot long panther skin and another skin of a small panther cub has been recovered from the cowshed. Price of these skins in the international market has been estimated over Rs two lakh. Along with the skins 775 gm charas was recovered from the cowshed. The police party was surprised when it recovered explosive material — 19 gelatine sticks, 34 detonators and 20 metres of fuse wire from his shop. Nearly Rs 2.5 lakh in cash was also recovered from the possession of other family members, Mr Verma added. Accused Lal Singh has been arrested and is being
interrogated. |
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Ruckus over Shanta loyalist’s appointment Nurpur, July 5 Mr Bhardwaj, who is a close confidant and relative of Mr Shanta Kumar, had been nominated to a number of posts with the blessings of the latter. Mr Pratap Shukla, Zila Parishad member and Yuva BJP leader, in a statement here today took strong exception to the appointment of Mr Bhardwaj. He lamented that earlier Mr Bhardwaj was appointed president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, Kangra district, a member of the Manak Bureau, a member of the Telecom Advisory Committee and a member of Parvatiya Bank. He said such appointments by the Union Minister to please his staunch supporters had sent a wrong message to the BJP cadre. He alleged that senior BJP activists had been neglected while making such appointments. He said Mr Bhardwaj should be asked to contest an election of Panchayati Raj institutions before he was selected for these appointments so that he could know his mass base in the area. Mr Shukla has urged the party leadership to put a stop to such nominations as these had demoralised grassroots party workers in the area. |
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Cong MLA to get security cover Shimla, July 5 Mr Gautam, who has been hospitalised in Delhi, had sent a message to the Congress Legislative Party leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, that he was receiving threatening telephone calls from unidentified persons and requested him to take up the matter with government. He also contacted the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, in this regard. The Chief Minister sought reports from the Una district police chief and the CID department on the basis of which a decision was taken to provide security to the legislator. The police has not ruled out the possibility of political rivals of Mr Gautam adopting such intimidating tactics to subdue him. Besides, providing security officers to him, the police has also stepped up patrolling around his residence. |
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NPA issue divides
HPAUTA Dharamsala, July 5 On one hand, Veterinary Teachers’ Association (VASTA) has announced its decision to function like an independent body of veterinary teachers, while The Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University Teachers’ Association (HPAUTA) which was formed in 1998 after merging associations of all four affiliated colleges had declared that VASTA was not a recognised teachers’ body. In a press note, HPAUTA has charged VASTA of releasing irresponsible press statements and demanded that the university authorities should take disciplinary action against the teachers. A deputation of HPAUTA recently met the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Tej Partap, and urged him to take strict action. HPAUTA also demanded that the university should adopt uniform policy with regards to the grant of allowances to colleges. |
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Villages without water
for one month Kulu, July 5 The Executive Engineer of the Irrigation and Public Health (I&PH) Department of Bhuntar, confirmed that acute shortage of the drinking water in the area was due to the diversion of the source water to the vegetable fields by villagers. He said that he had visited the spot where the water had been diverted and the water tank for the supplies remained empty. He said that the department could take action against those who diverted the water as the villagers claimed that it was their right and they turn violent if our staff reconnect the supply to the tanks. The Executive Engineer, added that the Irrigation and Public Health Department had approached the district administration for the supply of the drinking water through mobile tanks to the villagers in the areas between Pipala Aage and Bagicha. He told that the department had also requested the Deputy Commissioner for funds to lay pipeline from another source Khobi Nullah. He said the estimates had been submitted and Rs 10 lakh could solve the problem of the area partially. But no funds could be provided, he added. The Deputy Commissioner could not be contacted as he was away to Nirmand. The Sub Divisional Magistrate said that he had approached the state government for funds for the water supply to made through tankers. But he did not get anything. Answering that there should be some emergency provisions for this kind of eventuality, the SDM said that the demand had been sent to the government. The villagers, seeking drinking water, lamented that their repeated request to the SDM bore no fruit. They now urged the government to take immediate action considering agony and provide them with drinking water either tapped or by mobile tankers. |
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Minor raped, 2 taxi drivers held Kangra, July 5 The ASP, Mr N.D. Sareen said a 15-year-old girl from Rohini, Delhi, who had come to this town to pay obeisance at the Bajjreshwari temple here, was repeatedly raped by two youths for three days after keeping her allegedly in wrongful confinement. They later abandoned her at Lunj village in this subdivision. According to the police, the minor girl, a ninth class student, who reached here all alone from Delhi on July 2, had hired a taxi for the temple from the bus stand. When she paid her obeisance at the temple she was taken by taxi driver Arjun Kumar, to a guest house in the town where he raped her, another taxi driver Suman Kumar also allegedly raped the girl in two other guest houses in the town for two nights and later left her at Lunj village. The police was informed by the pradan of Lunj village about the girl and the police recorded her statement. Arjun and Suman were arrested and two taxi vans used in the crime were impounded. Meanwhile, the parents of the girl reached here today and the victim was medically examined. Mr N.D. Sareen, said Ravi Kant (25), resident of Purana Kangra who was working as a daily wager in the Veterinary Department allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a few thousand-feet-deep ditch near PWD Rest House in the town this morning. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination. Mr Sareen said in another incident a 22-year-old MBBS third year student of Dr R.P. Government Medical College, Tanda, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan of his hostel room on Wednesday. Neeraj Kathialer in his suicide note had said: “I am not able to perform my duties as a student, as a person and otherwise. I am a failure in my life”. College sources disclosed that Neeraj was under depression for quite sometime and was undergoing treatment. He was placed under compartment in Anatomy paper. He was to appear in this subject on July 9. The body of Neeraj was handed over to his mother and brother here yesterday. |
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Man suspects foul
play in son’s death Hamirpur, July 5 Mr Kant told reporters at Nadaun today that there was no reason for his son to commit suicide. He further said Neeraj was married on May 3. He added that the body had bullet marks on head, legs, chest, throat and knees. Mr Kant said he would appeal to the President of India to order an enquiry into the death of his son. |
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Probe collapse of school
building: NGO Dharamsala, July 5 In a letter to the state Human Rights Commission, convener of Jan Chetan, Kanwar M.P. Singh said it was alarming that school buildings were being constructed by using substandard material. He said poor men were suffering whereas those responsible for such crimes were going unpunished due to political clout. Talking to this correspondent, he said Jan Chetna had appealed to the Human Rights Commission to ensure that no school building collapses in future due to sub-standard construction. |
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HP High Court
launches Web site Shimla, July 5 |
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