H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Virbhadra promises to root out corruption
Shimla, March 27
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government would eradicate corruption and all charges against the previous Dhumal government would be probed. No guilty person, however highly placed, would be spared.

Dharam Pal elected Dy Speaker
Shimla, March 27
Mr Dharam Pal of the Congress was today unanimously elected Deputy Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. The resolution proposing his name for the post was moved by Mr Ram Lal, Industries Minister, and seconded by Mr Mukesh Agnihottari, Chief Parliamentary Secretary. 

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh with newly elected Deputy Speaker Dharampal in Shimla on Thursday.  — PTI photo

Barriers’ auction tomorrow
Solan, March 27
Despite repeated assurances from Congress leaders on annuling entry tax on vehicles entering Himachal, the state government has given the go-ahead to the auction of barriers in the state.

Seven HP IAS officers reshuffled
Shimla, March 27
In a minor administrative reshuffle, the Himachal Pradesh Government today shifted seven IAS officers. Mr J.P. Negi, Principal Secretary, Forest, has also been given the charge of Horticulture and Bio-technology, relieving Mr Ravi Dhingra, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, of the charge of bio-technology.

Private bus operators evade Rs 2.5 m tax
Kangra, March 27
Passenger tax evasion of Rs. 2.5 million, allegedly committed by private transport operators plying buses on contract in the state, was detected by the Himachal Pradesh transport authorities during raids conducted at different places. 

Panchayat teams meet CM

Virbhadra promises to root out corruption
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 27
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government would eradicate corruption and all charges against the previous Dhumal government would be probed. No guilty person, however highly placed, would be spared.

Replying to the debate on motion of thanks on the Governor’s Address, he said corruption had always been a major issue in the state and did not crop up on the eve of elections when Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh made certain allegations against Mr P.K. Dhumal, the then Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. The issue came into focus as early as August 2000 when the Congress submitted a well documented charge sheet against the Dhumal government to the Governor and sought a CBI inquiry into the matter, he said.

Thereafter, four BJP ministers and three legislators levelled serious charges of corruption against their own government. However, the action of Capt Amarinder Singh did provide impetus to the Congress campaign against corruption, added Mr Virbhadra Singh.

He lamented that the Dhumal government had adopted double standards on the issue and sent the charge sheet of the HVC against him to the CBI even without scrutinising the allegations, but took no action on the Congress charge sheet. Instead, Mr Dhumal repeatedly asserted that those who had any complaints of corruption should go to the Lokayukta.

He said the government would conduct an in-depth inquiry into the charge sheet submitted by the Congress and also probe allegations made by the BJP ministers. However, there would be no witch hunting and no innocent person would be harassed and the Congress would pursue only those cases in which evidence, which could stand judicial scrutiny, was available, he assured.

Mr Virbhadra Singh alleged that Mr Dhumal had violated all democratic norms, surpassed the limits of decency and blatantly misused the state machinery to decimate his political rivals. He said he himself was a victim of Mr Dhumal’s vendetta and other Congress leaders and workers were also not spared and implicated in false cases.

The Chief Minister announced that the process to regularise daily wage workers, who had completed seven years of service, would be initiated soon and the user charges imposed by the Dhumal government in hospitals would be rationalised within a fortnight to ensure that only those who could afford were made to pay.

He said the allegations that the funds collected through user charges were used to purchase cars and organise the convocation of IGMC Medical College would also be probed.

Regarding the enhancement of salaries of members of the Subordinate Judicial Services, he said the government would bring a legislation in consultation with the judicial officers at an appropriate time in this respect. The issue had been pending for the past one year and the previous government had failed to take any decision on it. The new government had no option but to refer the matter to the Centre, but the aspirations of judicial officers would be met, he added.

He also referred to the bunglings in putting up hoardings, displaying the achievements of the Dhumal government. He said it had come to the notice of the state government that the payment to the contractor, who had put up the hoardings, was first deposited in the account of the Private Secretary to the Chief Minister and then released to the contractor.

BJP members staged a walkout, expressing dissatisfaction over the Chief Minister’s reply.

Dharam Pal elected Dy Speaker
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 27
Mr Dharam Pal of the Congress was today unanimously elected Deputy Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.

The resolution proposing his name for the post was moved by Mr Ram Lal, Industries Minister, and seconded by Mr Mukesh Agnihottari, Chief Parliamentary Secretary. As there was no other candidate for the post, the resolution was unanimously adopted.

Soon after the election Mr Dharam Pal was escorted to the chair of the Deputy Speaker by Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, Mr Kaul Singh, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, and Mr Ishwar Dass Dhiman of the BJP.

Congratulating Mr Dharam Pal on his election, Mr Virbhadra Singh said he had enough experience for the post. He had entered the House for the third time and was fully aware of the responsibilities of the Deputy Speaker.

Mr Dharam Pal thanked the House for electing him and assured that he would maintain the healthy traditions of the House which was known for its decorum and discipline.

The Speaker, Mr Gangu Ram, adjourned the House since die after the reply of the Chief Minister to the debate on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s Address.

Mr Gangu Ram said that it was the first time that the proceedings of the House were telecast live by the local City Channel. He said the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat would soon organise a workshop to provide training to legislators in computers. Besides, a Panchkarma camp and an Art of Living course would also be organised for them.

Barriers’ auction tomorrow
Ambika Sharma

Solan, March 27
Despite repeated assurances from Congress leaders on annuling entry tax on vehicles entering Himachal, the state government has given the go-ahead to the auction of barriers in the state.

As many as eight barriers in Solan will be auctioned on March 29 in the local Municipal Committee Hall. These include Parwanoo, Barotiwala, Baddi, Derowaal, Bagheri, Dhabota, Navgaon and Gulerwala.

The move of the government to auction these barriers has come in for stiff opposition from various quarters, including the locals as well as the tourists. Mismanagement at two other barriers — Mehatpur and Swarghat in the state — had forced the former BJP government to make alternative arrangements for revenue collection after the party which had earned the auctioning rights left mid way.

The Parwanoo barrier had come in for severe criticism on account of rash behaviour of the staff deputed there for the collection of entry tax. The situation was so deplorable that a number of Congress leaders had avowed to annul the entry tax if voted to power. Even MLAs, including the Education Minister, Ms Asha Kumari, were forcibly made to shell Rs 30 despite exemption. Not only this, a scuffle had taken place between the Transport Minister, Mr G.S. Bali, and the barrier staff on the issue of payment of entry tax last year.

The bidders are not expecting high bids this time and they opine that the auction may be far less than the last year. Even the reserved money fixed by the government is far less than the last year’s value at the Parwanoo barrier. This is despite the fact that the barriers were auctioned for a period of 300 days last year and the bids this time have been invited for 365 days. The officials, however, opine that the amount has been worked out as per the official formula.

Seven HP IAS officers reshuffled
Tribune New Service

Shimla, March 27
In a minor administrative reshuffle, the Himachal Pradesh Government today shifted seven IAS officers.

Mr J.P. Negi, Principal Secretary, Forest, has also been given the charge of Horticulture and Bio-technology, relieving Mr Ravi Dhingra, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, of the charge of bio-technology.

Mr Vineet Chaudhary, Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, has also been given the charge of Science and Technology, earlier held by Mr Negi.

Mr T.C. Janartha, Additional Principal Secretary, Chief Minister, has been given the charge of Special Secretary, Multi-Purpose Projects and Power, in place of Home and Vigilance.

Mr S.C. Mehta, Special Secretary, PWD, takes over as Secretary, State Public Service Commission, vice Mr T.D. Negi, who has been posted as Registrar, Cooperative Societies, relieving Mr S.K. Baldi of the additional charge.

Mr J.R. Verma, Special Secretary, Education, has been posted as Labour Commissioner-cum-Director Employment and Mr Rajesh Kumar, Director, Urban Development, takes over as Director of Vigilance and special Secretary, Home and Vigilance.

Private bus operators evade Rs 2.5 m tax
Our Correspondent

Kangra, March 27
Passenger tax evasion of Rs. 2.5 million, allegedly committed by private transport operators plying buses on contract in the state, was detected by the Himachal Pradesh transport authorities during raids conducted at different places. Some private buses were impounded in this connection.

Disclosing this here, H.P. transport Minister G.S.Bali told mediapersons at his residence today that these private transporters were depriving the state of millions of rupees.

He said private bus operators were fined Rs 84,000 for violation of the route permits during the past few days during raids conducted by the Regional Transport Officer. He said that such raids would continue.

Mr Bali said the state government would sign an MoU with the Delhi Government for providing DTC flying squads to check HRTC buses in Delhi.

He said this would help generate more revenue for the department. He said the HRTC would generate funds by inviting tenders from the restaurant and dhaba owners en route from Delhi to Pangi where buses would stop for meals and the rate lists would be exhibited in the buses.

He disclosed that Himachal Pradesh would allow the recruitment of girls as conductors in HRTC on the pattern of some metropolitan cities.

Mr Bali expressed shock over the killing of the 24 innocent Kashmiri Pandits at Nadimarg village of Pulwama district and criticised the Central Government for its failure to protect the lives of innocent citizens.

Panchayat teams meet CM
Our Correspondent

Shimla, March 27
Two deputations — one of the Himachal Yuva Congress Kisan Sangh, Chauhara, led by Mr Vikram Rishwan — and another led by Mr Ran Vijay Singh Negi, President, Rohru Mandal, and comprising presidents of panchayats and mahila mandals of Jakha, Pandaraj and Dodra called on Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, here on Wednesday in connection with the problems of their areas.