The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Virbhadra: 10th Plan to check fiscal deficit Shimla, June 10 The Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, today said the government was committed to provide social justice, political stability besides creating employment avenues to the unemployed especially to those living below the poverty line in the state. He said the government would embark upon a developmental process which would ensure balanced development of all areas. He was speaking at the inaugural three-day meeting of MLAs convened here today to discuss the priorities to be included in the Annual Plan 2003-04. He said Himachal Pradesh had an ambitious target of 8.9 per cent per annum growth in the economy during the 10th Five Year Plan. To achieve this ambitious growth rate, it would require concerted efforts to ensure that an increase in capital formation and also in efficiency of resource use was ensured, he added. The Chief Minister said the major areas of thrust during the 10th Plan would be checking of increasing fiscal deficit, to accelerate the pace of harnessing the huge hydropower potential to raise the resources. Expressing concern that though the state was known as leading apple state in the country, but its production was not up to the desired level, the Chief Minister asked the Horticulture Department to take effective steps to raise quality and productivity of apple and other fruits. He also directed the Horticulture Department to take a survey of mango trees that had dried up and formulate a scheme for replantation. The Chief Minister said stress would be laid on providing drinking water to water scarcity areas and connectivity to all villages. He said development of biotechnology and information technology, refocusing industrial policy towards promoting locally relevant industry would also be on the priority agenda of the government. On the first day of meeting in the forenoon session MLAs from Shimla, Sirmaur and Bilaspur districts participated in the meeting. The government would take mid- term appraisal of the implementation of plan schemes in the future to ensure their effective implementation. He also laid stress on reviving the silk industry in the state. The Chief Minister directed the PWD authorities to take immediate and effective steps for the construction of Sanjauli by-pass in Shimla town to avoid traffic congestion and inconvenience to the people. He also stressed for the widening of circular road in Shimla. Mr Vidya Stokes, Power Minister, Mr Ram Lal Thakur, Industries Minister and Mr Singhi Ram, Food and Supplies Minister who participated in the meeting also gave their suggestions Mr Ram Lal Thakur, Industries Minister, urged for the rehabilitation of Bhakra Dam oustees by setting up two sectors and solving problem of drinking water scarcity in the Bhakra Makri and Saloha area. Mr Singhi Ram, Food and Supplies Minister, stressed the need for creating self-employment opportunities, especially in the tourism sector. Mr Maheshwar Singh MP, said the matter regarding the construction of roads under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana passing through forests should be taken up with the Centre so that villages on the other end of forests were not deprived of this facility. He also urged that employment to the people in hydel projects, especially in Class III and Class IV posts, be ensured to the people of the state. Mr Tilak Raj, Bilaspur MLA, urged for the installation of more hand pumps in the Bilaspur Sadar area. Mr K.D. Dharmani, urged for the construction of a bridge on the Seer khud on priority basis. He also urged for the augmentation of existing water supply scheme. Mr Biru Ram Kishore, MLA, urged for the upgradation of medical services in the health institutions. Mr Harbhjan Singh Bhajji, MLA from Shimla, urged for the construction of more tubewells to solve the water problems of Shimla town. He also urged for construction of Sanjauli by-pass on priority basis and also overbridges in the town. The state government is actively considering to revive the Vidyak Vikas Nidi. The Chief Minister during the discussion of plan priorities with the MLAs also asked them to give their suggestion on raising resources with regards to cutting down expenditure keeping in view the difficult financial situation of the state. PTI
	BJP blames CM for cut in Plan size Tribune News Service Shimla, June 10 The Himachal unit of the BJP has expressed shock over the reduction in the size of the state’s Annual Plan for 2003-2004 and alleged that this had happened for the first time in the history of the state because of the failure of the Virbhadra Singh government to properly present its case before the Centre. Mr Ganesh Dutt party spokesperson, said here today that the plan size had been drastically reduced from Rs 1,900 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 1,335 crore for the current year. He said Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, was trying to conceal his failure by stating that the non-plan expenditure had been taken out from the plan. He said it was a crude ploy to mislead the people. He said the Dhumal government was able to secure liberal financial Assistance from the Centre as a result of which the plan size increased steadily from Rs 1,008 crore in 1997-98 to Rs 1,900 crore last year. The BJP spokesperson said that the Centre had advised the state to raise additional resources and cut down unproductive expenditure to reduce the widening gap in plan and non-plan expenditure.
	MC official held for embezzlement Tribune News Service Shimla, June 10 The Enforcement Department has arrested Mr Karam Singh, Junior Assistant, Solan Municipal Council, for alleged embezzlement of Rs 6,72,489 collected by him as registration fee and evasion of stamp duty in purchase of a house. A case was registered against him under various sections of the Indian Panel Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act after conducting an inquiry into these charges. During investigation it was found that 640 registries of sale deeds in the committee area of Solan had been made in the court of the local tehsildar from August 2000 to November 2002. According to the rules, 2 per cent of the registration fee, which was to be deposited in the account of the council, was misappropriated as against Rs 11,57,524 only an amount of Rs 4,85,035 was deposited by Karam Singh with the council. The remaining amount of Rs 6,72,489 was allegedly embezzled by him in connivance of other employees. The Superintendent of Police (Enforcement) said Karam Singh had purchased 195 sq metres of land along with a constructed house from Mr Shyam Lal for Rs 3.85 lakh. However, on assessment of the property by the PWD authorities, its value was found to be Rs 6,83,874. To escape the stamp duty, he made a registry of Rs 3,85,000 only. It had also been found that a water supply connection which was issued in the municipal area was shifted illegally to his newly constructed house without authorisation in connivance with other officials of the council.
	Stokes visits martyr’s village Our Correspondent Solan, June 10 Expressing concern over the lack of job avenues for the residents of Himachal Pradesh in the power projects in the state, the Power Minister, Ms Vidya Stokes, said a committee which is reviewing MoUs signed by BJP regime would ensured that necessary changes would be made in these to provide jobs for the locals. Talking to The Tribune here today, she reiterated her party’s resolve to provide government job to at least one person of a family. Earlier, the minister visited Kargil martyr sepoy Sikender Singh’s native village Bohli, near Kumar- hatti, and paid tributes on his third death anniversary. Addressing a gathering comprising Mr Mahender Singh and Ms Nirmala Devi, parents of the martyr, she said it was a matter of pride that Sikender Singh had laid down his life while fighting for the country.
	Counting of votes today Shimla, June 10 The fate of 17 candidates, who were in the electoral fray, will be decided tomorrow when the counting of votes in the three tribal constituencies of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Bharmour in Chamba district will be taken up tomorrow. According to the State Electoral Office here, the counting will commence 8 am at five centres and the results are expected before noon. Chief Electoral Officer Manisha Nanda said all arrangements for the counting had been completed and tight security arrangements had been made at all five centres where the polled EVMs had been kept. UNI
	100-yr-old Faridkot House gutted Shimla, June 10 Over a century-old building, Faridkot House, owned by a former ruler of Faridkot state was reduced to ashes at Masobhra near here following a fire which broke out in the building last night. According to the Superintendent of Police here, Mr Yog Raj Thakur, the fire was noticed in the library of the building by some labourers of a nearby hut. They immediately woke up the grand son of the former ruler who was looking after the repair work being carried out under his supervision these days. He at once informed the Dhalli police station and contacted fire brigades but the fire had gone out of control when the fire tender reached the spot. The police has registered a case and an inquiry is being conducted. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained. Faridkot House and other properties of the former ruler of the Faridkot are being looked after by a trust headed by his daughter. Faridkot House was purchased by former Raja Faridkot, in 1880 from Conl Mecanzy of the British Army who had participated in Anglo-Afgan war. PTI
	Unadjusted advances galore in varsity Our Correspondent Solan, June 10 The unadjusted advances by various department in Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni near here, is becoming a matter of serious concern with cases pending for as long as 10 years. In its annual report the university’s Audit Department has not only demanded speedy clearance of all such cases but has also suggested suitable action against the departments concerned. It is reliably learnt that Rs 3,27,98,083 remained unadjusted up to March, 2002. The university’s Estate Office along had the highest number of 231 unadjusted cases, the Department of Entomology 176 such cases, the Comptroller Department 46 cases and the Students’ Welfare Office has 39 unadjusted cases The Principal Secretary, Finance, who took serious note of such cases issued instructions to the Audit Department some time ago to stop issuing no-objection certificates to the officials retiring prior to adjusting such cases. The Deputy Controller of Audits, Mr Vinod Gupta, when asked about it, stated that the outstanding unadjusted amount had been brought down to Rs 1,88,12,709 till June this year and efforts were being made to streamline the system. He said as per the accounts manual, the accounts were not only supposed to be surrendered but were also to be presented to the Audit Department within a month of drawing the advance. He lamented that despite assurances by the university authorities, nothing concrete was being to instill financial discipline in the university. He stated that an 18 per cent penal interest on the original amount was charged from individuals whose cases were settled after a considerable delay. This measure, he added, would act as a deterrent for others and especially since the university had been directed by the Financial Commissioner to cut down its expenditure and generate income.
	Jwalamukhi boy tops matric exam Our Correspondent Dharamsala, June 10 Aditya Rana of MGM Public High School, Jwalamukhi, has topped the matriculation examination of the HP Board of School Education held in March. He secured 669 out of 700 marks, while Shashi Bala of Shivalik Senior Secondary School, Kharuni, Solan district, secured second position with 667 marks. Husan Chand of Shivalik Senior Secondary School secured third position with 661 marks. The board Chairman, Mr B.R. Rahi, said students from Hamirpur district had secured six of the first 12 positions closely followed by Solan district with four. As many as 1,30,982 students appeared for the examination and 61,628 were declared pass, while 23,458 candidates were placed under compartment. The pass percentage is 47.76 per cent, he said. In English and improvement papers, 1673 students appeared out of which 1023 have passed. Mr Rahi said students could submit their forms for supplementary examinations due in September without late fee till June 30 and with the late fee till July 31. For revaluation and rechecking, the forms could be submitted till July 9 without late fee and till July 24 with late fee. Only those students who have obtained 20 per cent marks in a paper can submit application for revaluation. The following have secured the top 10 positions: Aditya Rana, MGM Public High School, Devital, Jwalamukhi, 669; Shashi Bala, Shivalik Senior Secondary School, Kharuni, Solan, 667; Husan Chand, Shivalik Senior Secondary School, Kharuni, 661; Anu, Government Senior Secondary School, Maharal, Hamirpur, 644; Achla Sharma, T.R. DAV Public School, Kangoo, Hamirpur, 641; Amardeep Daroch, Government High School, GeolaSolan, 637; Kulbir Singh Patial, Blue Star SS Public School, Hamirpur; 634; Amandeep Kaur, DAV Senior Secondary School, Una, 634; Manoj Sharma, Blue Star Senior Secondary School, Hamirpur, 631; Amit Kant Surendra Public School, Nalagarh, 630; Vandana, Raghuvanshi, Him Academy Public School, Hamirpur, 629; and Shailza Sharma, Silver Bells SS School, Hamirpur, 629.