H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Virbhadra ‘hushing up’ cases against Cong leaders
Shimla, April 5
Mr P.K. Dhumal, a former Chief Minister, said today that the Virbhadra Singh government, which completed one month today, had disappointed the people as it had done nothing except hushing up old sensitive cases involving congress leaders, and fabricated new ones to harass the political opponents.

Amarinder favours regional cooperation
Shimla, April 5
Capt Amarinder Singh, Punjab Chief Minister, favours regional cooperation between Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in hydel power generation and tourism.

SARS threat: HP Health Dept on alert
Kangra, April 5
Allaying fears about the possible spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in McLeodganj, the seat of the Tibetan Government in exile, because visitors from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Canada, China and European countries visit Dharamsala and McLeodganj to listen to the discourses of the Dalai Lama the state government has put the Health Department on an alert and directed the Chief Medical Officer to carry out health education counselling and identify and medically examine the visitors from the affected countries.

POSTINGS/ TRANSFERS
55 HP officers shifted
Shimla, April 5
In a major administrative reshuffle the Himachal Pradesh government today transferred as many as 55 state administrative service officers.

No new taxes in civic body budget
Hamirpur, April 5
No new taxes have been proposed in the budget of the local civil body for the year 2003-04. The civic body today gave approval to the budget amounting to Rs 1,69,72,388 under the chairmanship of Ms Roshni Devi, Nagar Parishad chief.

Film on exodus of Kashmiri Pandits
Kangra, April 5
The tale of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits is being picturised in Manali. The film is being directed and produced by Mr Ashok Pandit. The story of exodus revolves around an old Kashmiri Pandit, Amar Nath, role played by Raj Babbar, whose family had been living in the Kashmir valley for generations. They had to leave their home due to terrorist violence.

Subedar cremated with honours
Bilaspur, April 5
Subedar Yashpal Singh (42) of the 16 Rashtriya Rifles was cremated with full state and military honours at cremation ground, Dunala Khad near his native village of Jandauri in the Rodjaman Panchayat Area.

HPU students end fast
Shimla, April 5
Agitating students of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) today withdrew their indefinite fast after holding talks with the university authorities. This was disclosed by Mr R.D. Panwar, Registrar.

Man arrested for wife’s death

Virbhadra ‘hushing up’ cases against Cong leaders
Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 5
Mr P.K. Dhumal, a former Chief Minister, said today that the Virbhadra Singh government, which completed one month today, had disappointed the people as it had done nothing except hushing up old sensitive cases involving congress leaders, and fabricated new ones to harass the political opponents.

Addressing newspersons, here, he said the Congress was not behaving like a victorious party and instead of showing magnanimity it was acting with veangence against the Opposition. Not only BJP leaders and workers were being harassed but officers and employees were also being targeted. Vindictive transfers had become the order of the day.

An atmosphere of terror had been created as the ruling party was not sparing even petty BJP workers. In his own constituency houses had been demolished on political consideration.

Replying to a question he said the Himachal Pradesh Government should seriously pursue the states’ claim in the BBMB projects under the Punjab state Reorgansiation Act. The case was already in the Supreme Court and the arrears on account of 7.19 power share under the Act and 12 per cent on account of royalty were mounting with each passing day. He said the state could not get its share because of the follies of the Congress which was in power at the Centre, in Punjab and in Himachal Pradesh at the time of reorganisation of states. Mr Baldev Sharma, party spokesperson, who was also present at the press conference said the Congress legislators who had come out in defence of Mr Virbhadra Singh regarding non-registration of an FIR against him in a felling case had side tracked the main issue. They had not said anything about the progress of the inquiry. Their rejoinder was vague. He said the Chief Minister should have clarified the position or the enforcement department which was investigating the matter should come out with a rejoinder.

Amarinder favours regional cooperation
Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 5
Capt Amarinder Singh, Punjab Chief Minister, favours regional cooperation between Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in hydel power generation and tourism.

Talking to newsmen here today, he said there was a shortage of power in Punjab as it had an installed generating capacity of 5740 mw whereas the requirement was 6200 mw. Instead of depending on thermal power the state would like to have joint ventures with hill states like Uttaranchal and Himachal which had a vast potential for hydel power generation. Moreover, the thermal power as compared to hydel power, was quite expensive as coal was brought from far-off states.

Capt Amarinder said he already had a meeting with Mr N.D. Tiwari, Uttaranchal Chief Minister, on the issue. He would also take up the matter with his Himachal counterpart. Himachal and Punjab could jointly develop tourist destinations along their border particularly in the places like the Pong dam and where beautiful man-made lakes had come up. The lakes fell in Himachal areas but tourism infrastructure could be developed in adjoining Punjab territory. The two states could even come out with joint tourist circuits to effectively exploit their tourism potential.

The Punjab government had already come out with a terrorism policy under which the main thrust would be on the promotion of religious tourism, besides developing historic places, particularly old forts and the sites which witnessed historical battles as tourist destinations.

Replying to a question he said the crusade against corruption was on and already nine ministers and 218 officers had landed in the vigilance net. He said so far only those against whom evidence was available had been nabbed.

He said since the Congress government was in power both in Punjab and Himachal an earnest effort to resolve pending issue between the two states like power share in BBMB projects and the Shanan project could be made. He said the case matter was already before the apex court and Himachal had claimed Rs 4000 crore.

The SAD-BJP government had left the state in a financial mess with a debt burden of Rs 37000 crore and the losses of public sector undertaking amounting to Rs 190,00 crore. The first priority of the government was to bring the shattered economy of the state back on rails.

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today did not rule out the expansion of his ministry in the near future saying that there was ample scope for it as various sections needed representation.

He told reporters here that his ministry was also undersized as compared to the 44-member council of ministers of the previous Akali government.

He said some senior legislators, representatives of minorities and women and some talented newcomers could be inducted into the ministry in due course.

SARS threat: HP Health Dept on alert

Kangra, April 5
Allaying fears about the possible spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in McLeodganj, the seat of the Tibetan Government in exile, because visitors from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Canada, China and European countries visit Dharamsala and McLeodganj to listen to the discourses of the Dalai Lama the state government has put the Health Department on an alert and directed the Chief Medical Officer to carry out health education counselling and identify and medically examine the visitors from the affected countries.

Disclosing this Ms Chandresh Kumari, Health Minister, said the Chief Medical Officer of Kangra had been directed to get in touch with the Health Ministry of the Tibetan Government in exile so that a coordinated effort could be made to take precautions and keep the people here safe. She said the state government was in touch with the Central Government so that the visitors and pilgrims coming through international flights should be thoroughly checked before being allowed to reach McLeodganj. She said the health counselling was in progress.

Mr Michael Velan, a tourist from Canada, said he had been staying at McLeodganj for the past some time along with many other foreigners from the SARS-affected countries and have not been checked for the virus.

Mr Fabio from Italy, too said he came to McLeodganj from Thailand and neither he nor his friends were checked up for this dreaded virus anywhere in the country.

McLeodganj nowadays was humming with the presence of foreigners despite the fact that the Dalai Lama was not here since yesterday.

Mr Thupten Lungrig, Minister of Religion and Culture Tibetan Government in exile, who is looking after the affairs Tibetan Government in absence of Prime Minister Rinpoche said the people from all over the earth including the USA, Europe, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia besides India visit McLeodganj. He was every apprehensive that SARS may spread from Dharmsala too. Mr Lungrig suggested that the state government should take all effective steps before this dreaded disease spreads.

Dr Rajinder Puri, District Health Officer, said the Health Department had started counselling of the foreigners coming from affected countries in collaboration with the Tibetan Government in exile. He said severe cases would be investigated in Dr R.P. Govt. Medical College Hospital at Dharamsala. He said the department was in touch with the security room for the identification of the foreigners.

POSTINGS/ TRANSFERS
55 HP officers shifted
Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 5
In a major administrative reshuffle the Himachal Pradesh government today transferred as many as 55 state administrative service officers. Mr Ram Lal Mohil, Secretary, State Transport Authority, has been posted as Additional Secretary, PWD, while Mr P.S. Kutlehria, Additional Secretary, Revenue and Excise and Taxation, goes as Secretary, State Transport Authority, vice Mr Prem Singh Draik, who takes over as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Una.

Mr Narain Singh, Additional Director, health services, goes as Controller, Printing and Stationary vice Mr K.R. Bharati, who has been shifted as Assistant Settlement Officer, Dharamsala. Mr Rajiv Shankar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Sarkaghat, has been posted as Regional Transport Officer, Hamirpur vice Mr J.S. Pathania, who will take over the charge of ADM, Bilaspur. Mr Dhruv Vashisht, ADC (Development), Rohru, takes over as Additional Secretary, Home.

Mr Shyam Singh Guleria, ADM, Kangra at Dharamsala, has been posted as Member Secretary, state women commission, Shimla. Mr Rakesh Kanwar, ADM, Hamirpur, takes over as ADM, Protocol, Shimla. Mr D.D. Sharma, Joint Director of Education, has been posted as Land Acquisition Officer, PWD, Shimla.

Mr J.M. Pathania presently Joint Director, Tourism, Shimla, has been posted as Additional District Magistrate, Chamba. Mr Tek Chand, Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Una, goes as ADM, Kangra. Mr Prem Swaroop Bhardwaj, settlement officer, Hamirpur, who was under transfer as LAO, PWD, Kangra, has been posted as SDO (Civil), Mandi.

Ms Urmila Gian Bharti, Member Secretary, state women commission, goes as Deputy Director of Industries, Shimla. Mr J.S. Chauhan, General Manager, HPMC, Shimla, has been posted as Joint Director, Secondary Education, Shimla. Mr Laiq Ram Jhamta, Assistance Settlement Officer, Shimla, as Deputy Secretary (Revenue). Dr M.P. Sood, under transfer as Deputy Commissioner (R&R), Talwara, takes over as Registrar, state consumer disputes redressal commission, Shimla.

Mr Balbir Singh Dehal, SDO (Civil), Dalhousie, goes as SDO (Civil), Barsar. Mr Sanjeev Pathania, has been posted as SDO (civil), Tissa, vice Mr Amarjeet Singh who has been posted as SDO, Rohru.

Mr B.D. Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner (R&R), Talwara, takes over as SDO (civil), Bharmour, and Mr Subhash Chand Nanda, SDO (Civil), Ghumarwin, goes as SDO (Civil) Keylong. Mr Naresh Kumar Lath, SDO (Civil), Kandaghat, has been posted as Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner, Kangra at Dharamsala, vice Mr Sandeep Kumar, who takes over as SDO (Civil), Baijnath.

Mr Chander Prakash Verma, SDO (Civil), Nichar, goes as SDO (Civil), Paonta Sahib. Mr Dorje Chhering Negi, Regional Transport Officer, Solan, has been posted as SDO (Civil), Chopal. Mr Jagroop Singh Rana, SDO (Civil), Nalagarh, takes over as SDO (Civil), Dalhousie. Mr Ashwani Kumar Chaudhary, SDO (Civil), Mandi, goes to Ghumarwin in the same capacity. Mr Vinod Goel, Deputy Director of Industries, Shimla, takes over as Under Secretary, Backward Classes Commission, Shimla. While Mr Subhash Chander Pal, Deputy Registrar, cooperative societies, goes as Deputy Secretary, state public service commission, Shimla.

Mr Baldev Ram Thakur, SDO (Civil), Sundernagar, takes over as SDO (Civil), Bilaspur. Mr Darshan Lal Kalia, SDO (Civil), Rohru, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner (R&R), Talwara. Ms Shashi Thakur, Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, takes over as SDO (Civil), Kullu. Mr Arvind Kumar Shukla, SDO (Civil), Rampur as LAO, Talwara. Mr Moti Lal Damalu SDO (Civil), Kullu, as Assistant Settlement Officer, Shimla. Ms Ameeta Mahajan, Deputy Secretary (horticulture, animal husbandry & PWD), goes as SDO (Civil), Kandaghat.

Mr Ginnu Ram Bharti, SDO (Civil), Chopal, goes as Regional Transport Officer, Solan, while Mr Sanjay Sharma, SDO (Civil), Paonta Sahib, has been posted as SDO (Civil), Una. Mr Karam Dass Rana, SDO, Barsar, goes as Deputy Registrar, cooperative societies and Mr Shiv Lal Saini, SDO, (Civil), Baijnath, takes over as regional transport officer, Kullu.

Mr D.K. Rattan, Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, goes as SDO (Civil), Rampur. Mr Rakesh Dhiman, SDO (Civil), Bilaspur, as Project Officer, ITDP, Keylong. Mr Rakesh Sharma, SDO (Civil), Jaisinghpur, as Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur. Mr Duni Chand Rana, SDO (Civil), Bharmour, has been posted as Regional Transport Officer, Kangra and Mr Rupali Thakur, Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur, as SDO (Civil), Nalagarh.

Mr Pankaj Rai, SDO (Civil), Keylong, as SDO (Civil), Sundernagar. Mr Pradeep Singh Thakur, Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur, at Rekong Peo, as SDO (Civil), Nichar. Mr Harbans Singh Negi, Assistant Commissioner (Development), Shillai, as SDO (Civil), Dodra Kwar. Mr B.R. Himalayan, SDO (Civil), Dodra Kwar, as Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner, Kullu. Mr Bhim Sain Negi, LAO, NJPC, Jhakri, as Deputy Director, Panchayati Raj, Shimla. Mr Santosh Lal Negi, Assistant Settlement Officer, Kangra, as SDO (Civil), Jaisinghpur. Mr Chaman Dilta, Project Officer, ITDP, Keylong, as Deputy Director (Rural Development), Shimla.

Some police officers were also transferred Mr Prem Singh, Additional Director General, (law and order), has been given additional charge of CID. Mr J.K. Monga, DIG, Railway and Traffic, and Mr S.P. Kaushal DIG (CID), swap places. Mr Pradeep Kumar has been posted as Assistant Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) and Mr Arvind Kumar Sharda, Superintendent of Police, Security (CID), takes over as SP, Enforcement. As many as 40 officers of the state police service have also been transferred.

No new taxes in civic body budget
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, April 5
No new taxes have been proposed in the budget of the local civil body for the year 2003-04. The civic body today gave approval to the budget amounting to Rs 1,69,72,388 under the chairmanship of Ms Roshni Devi, Nagar Parishad chief.

Mr Raj Krishan Sharma, Executive Officer of the parishad, told reporters after the meeting that the parishad hoped to generate an income of Rs 1.37 cr in form of house tax, teh bazari, licence fee, rent from parishad buildings, other minor sources of income and grant-in-aid from the state government against the octroi, which stood abolished.

Mr Sharma said the parishad would spend 37.76 pre cent of the total allocation on developmental activities followed by 22 per cent on the salary and TA bills of the staff, 16.98 per cent for providing basic amenities to the people, 14.72 per cent on streetlights and 8.54 per cent on sanitation.

The Executive Officer said the parishad had increased the budget allocation for the sanitation of the town from Rs 6.50 lakh last year to Rs 13 lakh during the current fiscal year. Similarly, a sum of Rs 25 lakh would be spent on streetlighting as against Rs 16 lakh spent last year.

Ms Roshni Devi and Mr Deep Kumar, President and Vice-President of civic body, hailed the budget and said it was people-oriented.

Film on exodus of Kashmiri Pandits
Our Correspondent

Kangra, April 5
The tale of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits is being picturised in Manali. The film is being directed and produced by Mr Ashok Pandit. The story of exodus revolves around an old Kashmiri Pandit, Amar Nath, role played by Raj Babbar, whose family had been living in the Kashmir valley for generations. They had to leave their home due to terrorist violence. The film, “Sheen”, is dedicated to victims of the terrorism of the globe, said Mr Ashok Pandit while talking to The Tribune here today. He said the script of the film had been written by Dr Agnishekhar, who has been affected by the exodus from the valley. The music of the film has been given by Nadeem and Sharvan and lyrics by Sameer.

He said he was eager to shoot this film in the Kashmir valley but as a mark of his protest against the Mufti’s government for its failure to protect Kashmiri Pandits there, he decided to shift the location to Manali.

Subedar cremated with honours
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, April 5
Subedar Yashpal Singh (42) of the 16 Rashtriya Rifles was cremated with full state and military honours at cremation ground, Dunala Khad near his native village of Jandauri in the Rodjaman Panchayat Area.

Subedar Yashpal Singh was killed in Jammu and Kashmir while giving a tough fight to terrorists who had attacked their picket two days ago. His body was brought here last night. His only son, Pankaj (15) lit the pyre while local MLA and Industries Minister Ramlal Thakur presented wreath on behalf of Chief Minister Virbhdra Singh.

Yashpal Singh is survived by his aged parents and widow and three children.

Earlier a condolence meeting was held at Shiv Mandir. Industries Minister Ramlal Thakur visited Yashpal Singh’s village and consoled his family.

HPU students end fast
Our Correspondent

Shimla, April 5
Agitating students of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) today withdrew their indefinite fast after holding talks with the university authorities. This was disclosed by Mr R.D. Panwar, Registrar.

The registrar further disclosed that the order of December 25, had 2002 been revised and the expulsion of 23 students had been revoked.

The students whose expulsions have been revoked are Kuldeep Bhardwaj, Trilok Bhaluni, Vijender Mehra, Neeraj Basu, Gaurav Sood, Mast Ram, Hem Singh, Onkar Nath, Kuldeep Chambyal, Ved Parkash, Sher Chand, Balbir Prashar, Vishwa Bhushan, Ranjeet Chauhan, Sudhir Dutta, Harish, Balraj Bhaluni, Shakti Singh, Sanjeev, Dalip Mehta, Brij Lal, Kuldeep Kumar and Jai Lal. The SFI members, when contacted, said they would further hold negotiations with the Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Studies on April 10.

Man arrested for wife’s death
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, April 5
The police has arrested Kewal Singh of Kulahan village for harassing his wife Kamlesh Kumari who died at her in-laws house yesterday.

Following a written complaint to the police by Harbans Lal, brother of Kamlesh Kumari, that the deceased was beaten up by her husband, a case under Sections 498A and 306 of the IPC has been registered. The complainant also alleged that the deceased had committed suicide due to cruelties of her husband. The police, after taking custody of the body, has sent it for a post-mortem examination.