H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Rescue team airdropped at
Chhota Dara
Manali, November 21
Air recce was conducted at Chhota Dara and Chhatru points on the Manali-Kaza road by a rescue team from the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, today to locate the persons who trapped at Chhota Dara and Chhatru due to heavy snow on November 16 last.

Ladakhis’ march for freedom of Tibet
Hamirpur, November 21
Carrying national flags of India and Tibet, a group of 15 members of the Ladakhi-Tibet Support Group march through Hamirpur town this morning on their way to McLeodganj, the capital of the Tibetan government in exile, preaching the message of world peace to seek support of the Indian people for their freedom movement and for the long life of the Dalai Lama.

BJP plans to counter Cong propaganda
Shimla, November 21
The state unit of the BJP will soon come out with an “offensive plan” to counter the tirade against the party launched by the Congress on the basis of the findings of the two inquiry reports into the affairs of Himachal Pradesh University as a ploy.

Expulsion of 30 Cong men revoked
Shimla, November 21
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Vidya Stokes has revoked the expulsion of 30 Congress men.

Another case against Service Selection Board officials
Dharamsala, November 21
The North Zone of Enforcement Directorate of Himachal Pradesh today registered another case against HP SSSB Hamirpur. Confirming this, SP Enforcement at Dharamsala Mr Negi said the case had been registered at Enforcement Police Station here.

Selection of CAT members: HC summons records
Shimla, November 21
The Himachal Pradesh High Court summoned the records pertaining to the selection of judicial members of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) from the Government of India, on the allegation that the joint secretary (personnel) had changed the selection list and dropped the name of petitioner which was at serial No 1.

Directive to govt on subordinate courts
Shimla, November 21
For the creation of more subordinate courts in the state with a view to clearing the pending cases, the High Court granted a last opportunity to the state government to clarify its stand to the court on this issue within four weeks.

HP transfers 16 IAS officers
Shimla, November 21
The Himachal government today sifted 16 IAS officers, including six Principal Secretaries.

ST/SC Commission team visits village
Hamirpur, November 21
Mr Tanjin Wangyal, Director of the All-India ST/SC Commission said today that there was a need to implement the laws relating to the ST and SC’s in letter and spirit. He said that for want of this, people of these communities were suffering. He stressed the need for redressal of cases of atrocities against the Dalits.

Cops beat up student, probe ordered
Hamirpur, November 21
The Nadaun police of Hamirpur district allegedly roughed up Sunil Kumar, (21) of Koohna village of the district on Wednesday received last night as a result he suffered bruises.

Noted lawyer Chitkara dead
Shimla, November 21
Noted lawyer and writer Madan Gopal Chitkara, who was also advocate-general and acting chairman of the Himachal Administrative Tribunal died here this afternoon.

Video

Snowfall in Dharamshala. (28k, 56k)

 

 

 

Rescue team airdropped at Chhota Dara
Our Correspondent

Manali, November 21
Air recce was conducted at Chhota Dara and Chhatru points on the Manali-Kaza road by a rescue team from the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, today to locate the persons who trapped at Chhota Dara and Chhatru due to heavy snow on November 16 last. Mr P.C. Akela, Subdivisional Magistrate, Udaipur subdivision of Lahaul and Spiti District, said that two rescuemen from the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, have been dropped at Chhota Dara with food packets, medicines and blankets for the four stranded persons including the family of Rahul Thakur, a resident of Manali. He told mediapersons at Manali that today the stranded persons could not be airlifted adding that they would be airlifted tomorrow by an IAF chopper from Chhatru and Chhota Dara to Sissu (Lahaul).

The SDM told that the rescued persons would be shifted to Keylong where the District Administration would look after them. He said that five persons stranded at Chhatru were safe and had sufficient ration. According to Mahavir Thakur, a senior instructor from the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, two instructors Nanak Soni and Jagat Thakur have been dropped at Chhota Dara to rescue and boost the morale of stranded family. In the meantime the rescue team and police personnel from Manali have retrieved the body of a person at Rahni Nallah, 45 km from here. The reports said that the body had been brought to the roadhead which was likely to reach Manali by late night.

Shimla: Body of a pedestrian, who died while crossing the Rohtang Pass, was recovered, all nine persons reported missing from Chhatru and Betal villages of Lahaul-Spiti after sudden snowfall two days back, are safe. The helicopter recce conducted by the administration confirmed that the missing persons were lodged in a rest house and homes of the local people. According to official sources 250 vehicles were stranded at various places in Lahaul valley due to closure of the Rohtang pass.

Ladakhis’ march for freedom of Tibet
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, November 21
Carrying national flags of India and Tibet, a group of 15 members of the Ladakhi-Tibet Support Group march through Hamirpur town this morning on their way to McLeodganj, the capital of the Tibetan government in exile, preaching the message of world peace to seek support of the Indian people for their freedom movement and for the long life of the Dalai Lama.

The group, headed by Lopjang Khatup from Leh, travels 25-30 km everyday. All 15 yatris are more than 60-year-old and have so far undertaken many journeys covering a distance of 9,000 km for their cause to extend their support to the Tibetan community. Mr Lopjang Khatup told reporters here today that they would meet the Dalai Lama and seek his blessings before going to New Delhi to submit a memorandum to the Indian Government for seeking its help for the freedom of Tibet.

Adorning Ladakhi traditional costumes and headgears, the team members also carry utensils, cooker and other materials with them to cook their food. Team members praised the Indian Government for giving shelter to the Tibetans in various parts of India since Tibet was captured by China. The team members also distributed literature to the people of the town as well as all those areas which they visited during their tour.

BJP plans to counter Cong propaganda
Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 21
The state unit of the BJP will soon come out with an “offensive plan” to counter the tirade against the party launched by the Congress on the basis of the findings of the two inquiry reports into the affairs of Himachal Pradesh University as a ploy.

Stating this at a press conference, Mr Ganesh Dut, party spokesperson, said the Congress was politicising the reports of the Chief Secretary and the Comptroller and Auditor General to defame the BJP.

He said a Chief Minister had no role in appointments in autonomous institutions like the university and the Subordinate Services Selection Board, yet the Congress was blaming Prem Kumar Dhumal for the alleged irregularities and asking him to quit politics. He said the Congress charge that Mr Dhumal gave jobs to his relatives was baseless as none of his close relatives figured in the list released by the party.

He said the government was trying to frame Mr Dhumal in false cases as evident from the statement of Mr S.M. Katwal, a former chairman of the Subordinate Services Selection Board, who said that he was pressurised by the investigating agencies to name the former Chief Minister in the alleged recruitment scams.

Expulsion of 30 Cong men revoked

Shimla, November 21
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Vidya Stokes has revoked the expulsion of 30 Congress men.

An official release issued here today from the party’s state office said the expulsion of Mrs Indu Patiyal, vice-president of the Kulu district committee, was revoked. In addition, the HPCC chief also revoked the expulsion of Kanwar Rupinder Singh, chairman, Kisan Khet and Mazdoor Congress, and 28 others. — UNI 

Another case against Service Selection Board officials
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, November 21
The North Zone of Enforcement Directorate of Himachal Pradesh today registered another case against HP SSSB Hamirpur. Confirming this, SP Enforcement at Dharamsala Mr Negi said the case had been registered at Enforcement Police Station here.

The case refers to the recruitment of 20 shastris in 2002. He said the SSS Board advertised 17 posts of shastris for Nahan district and three posts for Kinnaur district. According to Mr Negi the advertisement was published on May 6 , 2002 and written test held on July 25, result of which was declared on July 31. The selected candidates were called for interview between September 16 and 18 and after final selection, they were appointed.

According to the SP Enforcement, when records were verified, the fact came to light that the marks awarded during checking of answersheets did not tally with marks shown in the result declared sheet. He said in some cases the marks were enhanced to ensure the selection of a candidate while in other cases the marks were reduced to ensure disqualification. This clearly showed that some candidates were favoured. Mr Negi said this was the fifth case registered against HP SSSB officials. 

Selection of CAT members: HC summons records
Our Correspondent

Shimla, November 21
The Himachal Pradesh High Court summoned the records pertaining to the selection of judicial members of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) from the Government of India, on the allegation that the joint secretary (personnel) had changed the selection list and dropped the name of petitioner which was at serial No 1.

The bench headed by Chief Justice V.K. Gupta directed the Secretary (personnel) Union of India to produce complete record of the selection and appointment of judicial members on January 7.

It was alleged in the petition that the Joint Secretary (Personnel) Union of India had not followed prescribed procedure and changed the selection panel. Instead of forwarding the panel to the Cabinet Committee, he sent it to the Chief Justice of India for his concurrence. And made some endorsement in the selection panel. Petitioner Kali Dass Batish alleged in the petition in the petition that on the basis of fabricated Intelligence Bureau report the selection panel was changed by the Joint Secretary (personnel) Mr Pradeep Kumar Deb. This report was allegedly managed to get selected Mr Mohan Lal Chauhan, who was related to the then I.B. DSP, Mr Balak Ram Chauhan.

Mr Batish has prayed that the selection of Mr Mohan Lal Chauhan, judicial member CAT, Jaipur and Mr J.K. Kaushik judicial member CAT, Jabalpur be quashed. He further prayed to take strict action against Mr Pradeep Kumar Deb, Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel (Union of India) and Mr Balak Ram Chauhan DSP (I.B.).

Directive to govt on subordinate courts
Legal Correspondent

Shimla, November 21
For the creation of more subordinate courts in the state with a view to clearing the pending cases, the High Court granted a last opportunity to the state government to clarify its stand to the court on this issue within four weeks.

The court further directed the government that if the state, despite this last opportunity, fails to do so, the court would issue binding directions upon the government on the next date to create a specified number of additional courts of subordinate judges.

While dealing with the public interest litigation, filed by a local advocate Anil Chauhan, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mr Justice Vinod Kumar Gupta and Mr Justice K.C. Sood constituted a four-member committee under the chairmanship of High Court judge Mr Justice L.S. Panta to monitor all the nine fast-track courts established in the state by December 31.

The court further directed the Secretary (Home) to file affidavit with respect to compliance in all directions. The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 18.

HP transfers 16 IAS officers
Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 21
The Himachal government today sifted 16 IAS officers, including six Principal Secretaries.

Mrs Renu Sahni Dhar, Principal Secretary Education and Technical Education, has been posted Principal Secretary, Industries, Relieving Mr Shamsher Singh of the additional charge. Mr Avay Shukla, Principal Secretary, Transport, takes over as Principal Secretary, Education, while Mr C.P. Pandey, Principal Secretary, Welfare, goes as Financial Commissioner-cum-Revenue. Dr A.R. Basu, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, has been posted a secretary to the Governor, vice Mr Prem Kumar, who takes over as Principal Secretary, Welfare.

Mr T.G. Negi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister will also hold the additional charge of Principal Secretary, Excise and Taxation and Mr Deepak Shanan Secretary, Rural Development will hold the additional charge of Secretary, Agriculture.

Mr T.C. Janartha, additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, has been posted Director Rural Development, relieving Mr J.P. Singh of the additional charge.

Mr Vijender Kumar, additional Secretary, Technical Education, takes over as Managing Director, General Industries, relieving Mr Sanjiv Gupta of the charge. Mr V.C. Katoch, Director Town and Country Planning, has been posted as additional Secretary Urban Development and housing and Mr R.S. Negi on return from leave has been posted as Additional Secretary Power.

Mr Jeet Ram Katwal, additional Secretary Health, has been shifted additional Secretary, Education, Mr Vikas Labroo, Secretary State Board of School Education and Mr Chaman Singh Registrar, Krishivishva Vidyalaya, Palampur swap places and Mr Rajeev Sharma, Additional Secretary, power goes as Additional Secretary, Health.

ST/SC Commission team visits village
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, November 21
Mr Tanjin Wangyal, Director of the All-India ST/SC Commission said today that there was a need to implement the laws relating to the ST and SC’s in letter and spirit. He said that for want of this, people of these communities were suffering. He stressed the need for redressal of cases of atrocities against the Dalits.

Mr Wangyal was at Bara to probe a complaint of atrocities on Dalits in the villages of Daryal and Jhagrial, where the Dalits had been denied the use of water from a baoli of non-Dalits.

Mr Wangyal was pained to say that the police never acted promptly as and when such complaints were reported to the police. He said that though total number of cases against Dalits was just 10 in Himachal yet it flared up once any such case was reported from any part of state. He said that 1,100 such cases were pending with his Chandigarh office.

Earlier, he met the villagers and heard complaint of Dalits. Dr Sonak Shastri, member of the commission, Mr Mohinder Singh DSP, Barsar, Mr Onkar Bhatia, a Dalit leader and local officers were also present on this occasion.

Dalit villagers of Daryal and Jhagrial villages had alleged that they were denied water facilities by the majority community and as such they had sent their complaint to the commission for action.

Mr Wangyal said that he would send its report to the commission for action.

Cops beat up student, probe ordered

Hamirpur, November 21
The Nadaun police of Hamirpur district allegedly roughed up Sunil Kumar, (21) of Koohna village of the district on Wednesday received last night as a result he suffered bruises. The police beat up him with sticks for more than half an hour, he told reporters.

The matter was reported to the SP, Hamirpur, who ordered the DSP, Barsar to inquire into the incident. — OC

Noted lawyer Chitkara dead

Shimla, November 21
Noted lawyer and writer Madan Gopal Chitkara, who was also advocate-general and acting chairman of the Himachal Administrative Tribunal died here this afternoon.

Born at Banno in west Pakistan, Chitkara started practice as lawyer in early sixties and shifted to high court after separate high court for Himachal was set up. Chitkara authored over 50 books including Encyclopaedia of World Environmental Laws, running into 15 volumes and a series of books on Tibetan philosophy. — PTI