H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Giri water plan launched
Solan, January 7
The “vishvas yatra” presently being undertaken by the Himachal Chief Minister, Prof P.K. Dhumal, was given a warm welcome by BJP activists at various places in the town today.

Dawa appointed SSSB member
Shimla, January 7
The Director-General, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Himachal Pradesh, Mr Tashi Dawa, has been appointed member of the state Subordinate Services Selection Board.

Himachal promotions
Shimla, January 7
The Himachal Pradesh Government today promoted two seniormost IAS officers of the 1968 batch as Additional Chief Secretaries. The state government also ordered the promotion of two senior secretaries as Financial Commissioners-cum-Principal Secretaries following two resultant vacancies of Financial Commissioners.

Congress activists ‘manhandle’ SDM
Jawali (Nurpur), January 7
Supporters of the Congress MLA from Guler, Mr Chander Kumar, yesterday “manhandled” the SDM, Mr M.L. Sharma, while he was trying to stop the legislator from inaugurating the first phase of the newly-built mini-secretariat here. Mr Rajan Sushant, Revenue Minister, was scheduled to open it.

Vigilance files case against ex-MLA
Dharamsala, January 7
The Vigilance Department has filed a case under Sections 409, 420, 465, 468, 477-A and 120 of the IPC against a former Congress MLA, Mr Hari Dutt, some officials and others for defrauding the state government to the tune of Rs 29 lakh. The case was filed today in the court of the Special Judge, Una.

Jammu college girl is Winter Queen
Manali, January 7
Prerna of GGM Science College, Jammu, was crowned Winter Queen at the Winter Carnival-2003 here last evening. Ranjana Dass, Srijan Kala Manch, Jabbalpur, was the first runner-up and Arti Randhawa, Friends Dancing Institute, Jammu, was declared second runner-up at the five-day carnival.

30 contenders recommended for BJP ticket
Mandi, January 7
The names of 30 contenders for the BJP ticket from the 10 constituencies of the district were sent to the state unit of the party after a day-long meeting of mandals of the party, which ended late this evening. 

Electoral rolls for Kangra dist finalised
Dharamsala, January 7
The electoral rolls for all 16 Vidhan Sabha constituencies of Kangra district have been finalised. According to final figures till date, Kangra has 9,46,104 voters out of which 4,59,819 are men while 4,75,523 are women.

Malwa Manch to honour Kulu youth
Kulu, January 7
Nakul Khullar, a local youth, will be honoured at Punjabi Bhavan, Ludhiana, on January 10.

Trader robbed of Rs 3.75 lakh
Hamirpur, January 7
A trader was reportedly robbed of Rs 3.75 lakh near Palpal village of the district last night while he was on way back from Sarkaghat to Hamirpur.

Toilet project launched
Kangra, January 7
Work on 35 Sulabh International toilet and Jaan Suveedha Kendra project of Rs 2.5 crore of the Rural Development Minister was launched in the state today with the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr Shanta Kumar laying the foundation of the Rs 35 lakh Jaan Suveedha Kendra at Gupt Ganga in the town for providing better facilities to pilgrims here.

Giri water plan launched
Our Correspondent

Solan, January 7
The “vishvas yatra” presently being undertaken by the Himachal Chief Minister, Prof P.K. Dhumal, was given a warm welcome by BJP activists at various places in the town today.

Standing in an open Gypsy the Chief Minister accompanied by the Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Praveen Sharma, addressed the crowd at Solan and later Gaura, about 20 km from here. Speaking on the occasion he urged the people to vote for the BJP in the February poll claiming that the development carried out by his government had instilled confidence in the masses and it was the turn of the people to return this by helping them win.

Earlier, a pot of water was collected from Giri river by a team of BJP activists, led by the local MLA, Dr Rajiv Bindal, and offered at the local Shoolini Temple here to mark the initiation of the Rs 51.46-crore Giri water scheme for the town.

The Chief Minister addressed a public gathering at Gaura.

Earlier, a group of activists of the National Students Union of India demonstrated in front of the local degree college protesting against anti-student policies of the state government. Later a memorandum was handed over to the Chief Minister by the president of the Independent Students Union, Kushal Mehta of Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, regarding their demands.

NAHAN: The “vishwas yatra” entered Sirmaur on Tuesday evening. Addressing the gathering at Rajgarh, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal announced the opening of a degree college in the township.

Later addressing a public meeting at Nohra Dhar, a remote village in the district, Mr Dhumal announced the opening of a senior secondary school at the village from the next session. Mr Dhumal also addressed a public meeting at another remote village in the Renuka Assembly constituency, Bogdhar. He will address public meetings tomorrow at Shillai, Paonta Sahib and Nahan.

Dawa appointed SSSB member

Shimla, January 7
The Director-General, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Himachal Pradesh, Mr Tashi Dawa, has been appointed member of the state Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB).

A serving IPS officer of 1969 batch of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, Mr Tashi Dawa, is due for retirement in May, 2003.

He will replace SSSB member Dr Vidya Nath, whose term expires on January 14.

Mr Tashi Dawa hails from tribal Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. His appointment will be effective from the day he assumes charge, a government notification said. PTI

Himachal promotions

Shimla, January 7
The Himachal Pradesh Government today promoted two seniormost IAS officers of the 1968 batch as Additional Chief Secretaries. The state government also ordered the promotion of two senior secretaries as Financial Commissioners-cum-Principal Secretaries following two resultant vacancies of Financial Commissioners.

Mr Arvind Kaul, Financial Commissioner-cum-Principal Secretary, Home, Vigilance and Industries has been promoted as Additional Chief Secretary while Mr Kanwar Shamsher Singh Chairman of the state Power Board, has also been promoted as Additional Chief Secretary. Soth Mr Kaul and Mr Kanwar would continue to hold their present charge.

Mr S. Roy, Secretary, Education and Mr Subash Negi, Secretary, Personal and Tribal Development, will be now designated as Financial Commissioners-cum-Principal Secretaries of their respective departments. PTI

Congress activists ‘manhandle’ SDM
Our Correspondent

Jawali (Nurpur), January 7
Supporters of the Congress MLA from Guler, Mr Chander Kumar, yesterday “manhandled” the SDM, Mr M.L. Sharma, while he was trying to stop the legislator from inaugurating the first phase of the newly-built mini-secretariat here. Mr Rajan Sushant, Revenue Minister, was scheduled to open it.

When contacted, the SDM said that he had lodged a complaint with the local DSP in this connection.

It is learnt that the Congress unit of Guler mandal had already warned the Revenue Minister against inaugurating the “incomplete mini-secretariat complex” and threatened to gherao him.

Mr Chander Kumar, when contacted, criticised the Revenue Minister for agreeing to inaugurate “incomplete” buildings in his (Mr Chander Kumar’s) Assembly segment on the eve of the elections. He alleged that earlier too, Mr Sushant had inaugurated an “incomplete” building of the community health centre at Jawali.

Commenting on the inauguration of the complex by him before the scheduled opening by the Revenue Minister, Mr Chander Kumar said he was the elected MLA of the area and it was his prerogative to inaugurate the same in his assembly constituency. He denied any scuffle between the SDM and his supporters and alleged that the official had been functioning in his constituency as a BJP agent.

The Revenue Minister, Dr Rajan Sushant when contacted condemned the manhandling of the SDM.

Vigilance files case against ex-MLA
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, January 7
The Vigilance Department has filed a case under Sections 409, 420, 465, 468, 477-A and 120 of the IPC against a former Congress MLA, Mr Hari Dutt, some officials and others for defrauding the state government to the tune of Rs 29 lakh. The case was filed today in the court of the Special Judge, Una.

Giving details, SP (Vigilance) K.K. Indoria, in a statement issued here today, said the case pertains to the time when Mr Hari Dutt was working in the Agriculture Department as Agriculture Development Officer in the Amb block. The fraud came to light when an audit was conducted for the period 1985-86 to 1990.

According to the Vigilance, Mr Hari Dutt, in connivance with other at Una embezzled a sum of more than Rs 36 lakh during 1985 to 1990.

Winter capital move ‘a joke on people’
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, January 7
The general secretary of the Kangra District Congress Committee, Mr Ram Saroop, who was party candidate during the 1998 elections, has termed the recent announcement of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, of shifting winter capital to Dharamsala as fraud played on simple people of the lower areas. He said it was surprising that while the state government was functioning from here, the Cabinet was meeting at Shimla. He said the Chief Minister had left after just two day’s stay and only one minister was sitting at the winter capital which was a joke.

He said the Chief Minister and ministers were on an inauguration and foundation stone-laying spree and even half completed buildings and bridges were being inaugurated. Mr Ram Saroop alleged that political functions were being organised at government expense without ensuring that the buildings, roads and bridges were complete at the time of inauguration.

Mr Ram Saroop said the BJP had won the Gujarat elections by playing the communal card. 

Jammu college girl is Winter Queen
Our Correspondent

Manali, January 7
Prerna of GGM Science College, Jammu, was crowned Winter Queen at the Winter Carnival-2003 here last evening. Ranjana Dass, Srijan Kala Manch, Jabbalpur, was the first runner-up and Arti Randhawa, Friends Dancing Institute, Jammu, was declared second runner-up at the five-day carnival.

The results of other competitions are:

Personality Contest (men): Summit Sharma, Rhythm Entertainment Group, Jammu (1); Kunwar Chouhan, Muktsar Kala Manch, Punjab (2); and Vinay Srivastab, Pryas Group, Jabbalpur (3).

Jhanki: Jagriti Kala Manch, Manali (1); Ashian Social and Culture Society, Patlikul (2); and Sarhade Punjab (3).

Jhanki (Mahila Mandal): Gadherni (1); Manali (2); and Chhichoga (3).

Street Play: Sarhade Punjab (1); Partibha Darpan (2); and Ashian Kala Manch (3).

Group Song: Natraj Kala Sangam (1); Sarhade Punjab (2); and Virast Group (3).

Film Dance: Friends Dancing Group, Jammu (1); GGM Science College, Jammu (2); and Sarhade Punjab (3).

Classical Dance: Natraj, Amaravati (1); Sarhade Punjab (2); and Valcono Group, Mahsana, Gujrat (3).

Fancy Dress: Sain Naritya Kalaniketan, Mumbai (1); Akash Kala Sangam (2); and Muktsar Kala Manch (3).

Instrumental Music: Ashian Kala Sangam (1); Natraj Kala Sangam (2); and Mulund College, Mumbai (3).

Mimicry: Mulund College (1); Rhythm Entertainment Group, Jammu (2); and Sarhade Punjab (3).

Film Song: Akash Kala Sangam, Bhuntar (1); Muktsar Kala Manch (2); and Virasat Group, Punjab (3).

Rangoli: Muktsar Kala Manch (1); KMS, Manali (2); and Natraj Amaravati (3).

Fashion Show: Muktsar Kala Manch (1); Vyas Kala Manch, Patlikuhl (2); Metali Dancing Institute, Jammu (3).

Folk Dance: Sain Naritya Kala Neketan, Mumbai (1); Sarhade Punjab (2); and Muktsar Kala Manch (3).

The overall trophy was won by Sarhade Punjab while Muktsar Kala Manch came second. The best behaved team award went to the Valcono Group, Mahsana, Gujrat.

The concluding function was presided over by Mr Kirpal Parmar, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. He announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh from the MP area fund for renovation of a park and construction of pedestrian path in Manali.

30 contenders recommended for BJP ticket
Our Correspondent

Mandi, January 7
The names of 30 contenders for the BJP ticket from the 10 constituencies of the district were sent to the state unit of the party after a day-long meeting of mandals of the party, which ended late this evening. Education Minister I.D. Dhiman and Mr Suresh Bhardwaj, MP, were the observers at the meeting.

The names of Thakur Gulab Singh, Speaker, Mr Jai Ram, sitting MLA, and Mr Karamvir were recommended from Jogindernagar, Chachiot and Dharampur constituencies, respectively.

Electoral rolls for Kangra dist finalised
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, January 7
The electoral rolls for all 16 Vidhan Sabha constituencies of Kangra district have been finalised. According to final figures till date, Kangra has 9,46,104 voters out of which 4,59,819 are men while 4,75,523 are women.

According to sources in the district administration, final electoral rolls will be displayed at all subdivisional headquarters, tehsil headquarters and police stations where the voters can check and verify their names. 

Malwa Manch to honour Kulu youth
Our Correspondent

Kulu, January 7
Nakul Khullar, a local youth, will be honoured at Punjabi Bhavan, Ludhiana, on January 10.

Mr Pawan Diwan, president, Malwa Sabhyachar Manch, in a press release here yesterday said that Nakul, had the distinction in enhancing the produce of apples, plums and kiwi pears in the area. He had been nominated for the “Award of Excellence” by the organisation and it is given during the Lohri festival in Ludhiana every year.

Trader robbed of Rs 3.75 lakh
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, January 7
A trader was reportedly robbed of Rs 3.75 lakh near Palpal village of the district last night while he was on way back from Sarkaghat to Hamirpur.

Mr Abhishek Trivedi, SP, said here today that the Bhoranj police had registered a case on a complaint filed by Ajay Kumar of Hamirpur town. The vehicle of the trader was intercepted by the miscreants who beat him up and took away the cash.

Toilet project launched
Our Correspondent

Kangra, January 7
Work on 35 Sulabh International toilet and Jaan Suveedha Kendra project of Rs 2.5 crore of the Rural Development Minister was launched in the state today with the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr Shanta Kumar laying the foundation of the Rs 35 lakh Jaan Suveedha Kendra at Gupt Ganga in the town for providing better facilities to pilgrims here.

The work would be completed by Navratras in October.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Shanta Kumar said even 52 years after Independence, 80 per cent of Indians were without the facility of toilets. Mr Shanta Kumar said this was the biggest-ever project for the construction of toilets in any state and announced that such toilets would be set up in the schools too.