 |
Wednesday,
September 11, 2002,
Chandigarh, India  
|
Stokes:
deals on power projects Viceregal
Lodge to continue housing IIAS Construction
norms further relaxed Bus
mishap: 2 more bodies retrieved HVC blames
govt for fiscal crisis |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Jawan
cremated 
|
|
Stokes: deals on power projects a sell-out Chamba, September 10 The HPCC would include employment aspect on priority basis in these memoranda. Addressing a press conference at the local Circuit House today, Mrs Vidya Stokes, state president of the HPCC, alleged that these memoranda had been executed in haste and were “a total sell-out” of the interests of the state. She alleged that BJP leaders had given preference to their vested interests while signing these memoranda. Mrs Stokes castigated the BJP-regime for landing the state in a debt of more than Rs 15,000 crore. She said the Congress government would first think-thank to revitalise the ruined economy of the state. Mrs Stokes said it would prepare an action plan for boosting developmental activities in the state and find out ways of withdrawing electricity and water tariffs which were being charged from the people. Mrs Stokes dared the BJP-led government in the state to arrest the Congressmen on the directives of the Kainthla Commission. She described the Kainthla Commission report as “politically motivated”. Earlier, addressing a gathering after holding a rally at Chamba town last evening. Mrs Vidya Stokes criticised the Prime Minister for remaining a silent spectator, even as his ministerial colleagues were trading charges of corruption against each other. Earlier, Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, a former minister castigated the BJP government for spreading communalism. Mr Harsh Mahajan, a local MLA alleged that the state government had sold out the interests of the people while signing memoranda regarding hydroelectric projects with the private enterprises. Mr Shiv Kumar Upmanyu, Mr Milkhi Ram Goma, Mr Nand Kumar Chauhan and Mr Laxmidhar Sharma, President DCC were also present on this occasion. However, loyalists of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh which included Mr Sagar Chand Nayyar, Mr Kuldip Singh Pathania and Mrs Asha Kumari were not seen on the dais of the public meeting. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Health Minister J.P. Nadda has taken strong exception to state Congress chief Vidya Stokes’ remark that all memoranda signed by the BJP-led government for hydro-power projects would be reviewed if her party was returned to power. In a statement issued in Shimla today, Mr Nadda said the Congress, having failed miserably to make any headway in the field of hydel power generation during its more than 40 years of rule in the state, was upset with the success of the present BJP government in power generation. Work on power projects with a generation capacity of over 8000 MW has started in only in last three to four years, he said. He said, the Congress could harness only 3800 mw of power during its rule, out of which only about 300 mw were generated in the state sector. Mr Nadda said Mrs Stokes was “day-dreaming” about coming back to power as the people of the state would never give the party an opportunity, having been failed by them for more than 40 years. |
|
Viceregal
Lodge to continue housing IIAS Shimla, September 10 The decision to allow the institute to continue in the present premises was taken by the Union Cabinet last week. It took the view that since the building was a gift by the then President, Dr
S. Radha Krishnan, to scholars of the country, any other use of the premises would be against his wishes. It also decided to file a review petition before the Supreme Court to pave the way for the continuation of the institute in the sprawling Rashtrapati Nivas complex. The institute had been dogged with uncertainty ever since the Centre mooted a proposal to either shift or altogether close down the institute in the mid-70s. In fact, the architectural grandeur of the imperial building led successive governments to come out with plans to set up a five star hotel in the sprawling complex. Finally, a decision to close down the institute within three months was taken by the Union Cabinet in June 1979. However, before it could be implemented the Janata government collapsed abruptly. The caretaker government headed by Mr Charan Singh put the decision on hold so that the matter could be reconsidered by the next government. Subsequently, the government gave final shape to its plans to set up a five star hotel in the complex. It even allotted accommodation in the Asiad complex for housing the institute in 1985. The decision could not be implemented. Uncertainty continued as the V.P. Singh government, which assumed office in 1989 again vigorously pursued the proposal to set up a hotel. The plans again went haywire when some conservationists moved the apex court to restrain the government from setting up a five star hotel in the complex. After a protracted legal battle the court passed an order in March 1997 that the complex be handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India, to be maintained as a “heritage” property, as and when the institute vacates it. Dr
V. C. Srivastava, the Director of the Institute, said that the Centre would now file a review petition to apprise the court of its decision not to shift the institute and seek modification of its order. The elegant building housing the institute would now be maintained as a living monument. The ASI, which had been carrying out major restoration works in the complex since the past four years, would continue to maintain the main building along with other structures spread over 25 acres. The CPWD would take care of the routine maintenance in the entire complex. He said the end to uncertainty would not only ensure better upkeep of the complex but also provide fillip to research activity. |
|
Construction
norms further relaxed Shimla, September 10 It also decided to allow the construction of two-storeyed houses in sinking and sliding areas with lightweight material. The Cabinet authorised the Commissioner of the municipal corporation to allow construction on old lines within his jurisdiction except the core heritage and green areas. It approved the creation of 732 posts of various categories, including teacher for 122 upgraded middle schools. Mr Harsh Gupta, Chief Secretary, said the Cabinet decided to grant ration allowance to all police personnel from the rank of constable to inspector at the rate of Rs 100 per month with effect from August 1, 2002. It also approved amendment to the Himachal Pradesh Home Guards Rules, 1971, for framing the uniform and equipment rules for the Home Guards Department. These rules provided for the maintenance allowance to regular Home Guards on the pattern of the police. The Cabinet approved in principle to establish seven fast-track courts in a phased manner in the state for the disposal of old cases. The Cabinet also decided to grant a one-time relaxation in age to anganwari workers, “bal sevikas” and balwari-cum-craft teachers beyond 45 years age up to 50 years, subject to fulfilling other eligibility criteria. The condition of 10 years service to 5 years was also relaxed. He said the Cabinet merged the state Minorities Finance and Development Corporation, Shimla, and the Mahila Vikas Nigam, Solan, with the Backward Classes Development Corporation to form the Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and minorities finance and development corporation and have its headquarters at Solan. The Cabinet also approved the Himachal Pradesh Press Correspondents Accreditation and Recognition Rules, 2002, to pave the way for grant of free travel facility at the sub-divisional level. |
|
Bus mishap: 2 more bodies retrieved Kulu, September 10 District administration personnel have been trying hard to fish out more bodies and damaged bus. The bodies have been identified as those of bus driver Sushil, alias Sonu (26), son of Gian Chand of Archchandi village of this district, and Ashok Kumar (25), son of Shiv Ram of Barai village. The bodies were handed over to relatives of the deceased after post-mortem examinations at the Jari Community Health Centre today. Meanwhile, Mr Virbhadra Singh, CLP leader and former Chief Minister, left for the scene of the accident along with some local Congress leaders. He would visit the injured at the Zonal Hospital. He is further scheduled to visit villages of Barai and Bhutti in the Lug valley of this district. Bhutti village lost 24 of its residents in the mishap. A complete bandh was observed in the town as mark of respect to the victims of the mishap. |
|
HVC blames govt for fiscal crisis Nurpur, September 10 Mr Khanuria, who is also the chairman of the observers committee of the HVC said the committee had been entrusted the task of mobilising the party rank and file and look for “winnable” candidates. He said there was no proposal for an alliance with the Congress, adding that the HVC would contest all 68 seats in the Assembly poll. |
|
Jawan cremated Nahan, September 10 Kamal Kant, of Fourth Grenadiers, laid down his life while fighting against Pakistan-backed terrorists at Udhampur on Saturday. The mortal remains of the martyr arrived at his village today. His pyre was lit by Kabul Singh, his younger brother. Contingents of Army jawans and cadets of the Himachal police fired shots in the air and reversed their arms as mark of respect to Kamal Kant. Shops and other commercial organisations were also closed as mark of respect to the martyr. |
|
Rare sculptures stolen Kumarhatti, September 10 According to information received here, the sculptures of Durga Maa and Garud Dev, weighing 5 kg and 3 kg respectively, were found missing when a priest of the temple opened it today morning. The thieves, however, left eight sculptures of the same kind. |
|
Zonal Hospital to get analyser Nahan, September 10 About the national highway status for
Nahan-Saranha-Kumarhatti road, Ms Shyama Sharma, said that the matter would be taken up with the Centre with help of state government. She informed Mr Gangu Ram
Mussafir, MLA, that the extent of damage due to drought in Sirmaur district was around Rs 36 crore. Of Rs 2 crore received as drought relief, money was being spent on creating, income generating
resources and water schemes. Mr Rattan Singh, MLA, Paonta Sahib, raised the matter of pollution, being created by
a gutter, near a bridge at Paonta Sahib. |
|
Parmar university
staff stir ends Kumarhatti, September 10 Meanwhile, the university authorities have expressed commitment to achieve the internal income target of Rs 3.41 crore in the current financial year. |
|
New varieties of Kiwi fruit Shimla, September 10 The fruit requires T-bar support and one vine can give a yield of 80 to 100 kg of fruit. Kiwi is rich in vitamin C and excellent for diabetes patients. It also has a long shelf life. Mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh are ideally suited for growing this fruit. Horticulturists say the fruit is ideal for crop diversification and has a market among high-end consumers. It fetches Rs 60 per kg in the Delhi market. Kulu and Solan districts are ideally suited for kiwi cultivation. |
|
NRI gives $ 1 lakh Solan, September 10 Deputy Commissioner Bharat
Khera, addressing a press conference here today, said Mr Sood was approached under the government’s recently launched community participation in health programmes. |
|
Agricultural staff’s salaries not paid Una, September 10 A Himachal Pradesh University Teaching Union executive member, Dr Narinder Kumar Sankhyan, said the agitation, which formally began with a token pen-down strike, would intensify with each passing day till the salaries were disbursed. He said despite the fact that the salary share of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research
(ICAR) had already been received by the state, the state government had “failed” to make payments.
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 | |
