H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Cong leaders skip ex-servicemen’s function
Hamirpur, March 30
Mr Suresh Chandel, BJP nominee from the Hamirpur Lok sabha seat, today assured the ex-servicemen that he would do his best to take up their demands, including that of one-rank-one-pension, in the Lok sabha as he had done earlier, if he was re-elected to the Lok Sabha.

• Cong violating poll code, alleges BJP

Jal Nigam signs MoU with Centre
Shimla, March 30
The Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), a public sector undertaking, has signed an MoU with the Centre for setting physical and financial performance targets for 2004-05.

Two held in murder case
Nahan, March 30
The Pacchad police yesterday arrested two persons in connection with the murder of two Scheduled Caste persons in Motipur village of Pacchad tehsil. This was stated by Mr S.R. Sharma, SP, Sirmaur, while talking to TNS yesterday evening.

Two killed as truck, scooter collide
Dharamsala, March 30
Two persons were killed when a truck collided with a scooter  today. The deceased have been identified as Amin Chand and Bhushan.

• Assurance to pensioners
  

Cong leaders skip ex-servicemen’s function
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, March 30
Mr Suresh Chandel, BJP nominee from the Hamirpur Lok sabha seat, today assured the ex-servicemen that he would do his best to take up their demands, including that of one-rank-one-pension, in the Lok sabha as he had done earlier, if he was re-elected to the Lok Sabha. He said this while addressing a function, “Parakh — 2004”, organised by the ex-servicemen of the state. Sqn. Ldr Brij Lal Dhiman (retd) chaired the meeting.

As many as 50 ex-servicemen were present on this occasion. However, there was no one from the Congress at the function. Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, HP Tourism Department Minister, who was to chair the meeting also didn’t turn up. Ram Lal Thakur, Congress candidate from Hamirpur Lok sabha seat, also did not attend the function.

The main aim of “Parakh — 2004” was to listen to the views of candidates of the BJP and Congress before the elections.

Earlier, Sqn Ldr Dhiman presented demands of the ex-servicemen in the sammelan and asked the BJP nominee to clarify his stand on this issue. While talking to mediapersons Dhiman thanked Mr Chandel for attending the sammelan. He said the failure of Congress leaders to attend the sammelan had proved their apathy towards the ex-servicemen and their families.

Cong violating poll code, alleges BJP
Our Correspondent

Palampur, March 30
Mr Ravinder Thakur, former minister and BJP leader, today alleged that the state government was violating the model code of conduct and ordering large-scale transfers for employees. He said he would take up the issue with the Election Commission.

Addressing newspersons here today, he said after the implementation of the code of conduct, 57 transfers had been ordered by the government in the Thural constituency alone. He said 42 JBT teachers had been transferred overnight by the government.

Jal Nigam signs MoU with Centre
Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 30
The Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), a public sector undertaking, has signed an MoU with the Centre for setting physical and financial performance targets for 2004-05.

The MoU was signed by Mr R.V. Shahi, Union Secretary of Power, and Mr Y.N. Apparao, chairman-cum-managing director of the SJVN yesterday. The targets include revenue realisation of Rs 1,185 crore and gross profit of Rs 878 crore during the financial year.

On the physical performance front the nigam will generate net saleable energy of 5,697 million units, obtain ISO 9000 certification for corporate office, prepare an environment manual, impart training to its employees to improve their performance-related skills and finalise a long-term corporate plan. The Government of India will delegate necessary powers to the SJVN and assist it to upgrade to a “Schedule-A” Central Public Sector Undertaking.

The nigam has completed the works related to the commissioning of all six units of the 1500-MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydel Project.

Two held in murder case
Our Correspondent

Nahan, March 30
The Pacchad police yesterday arrested two persons in connection with the murder of two Scheduled Caste persons in Motipur village of Pacchad tehsil. This was stated by Mr S.R. Sharma, SP, Sirmaur, while talking to TNS yesterday evening.

One of the arrested persons is the brother of the girl, who had married a boy of a Scheduled Caste family. The members of the aggrieved family were attacked on Saturday night and two of them were beaten to death.

Those arrested persons were Ritesh, a resident of Thana Salyari village (brother of the girl), and Brij Mohan, a resident of Chakla village under Pacchad tehsil, Mr Sharma added.

Two killed as truck, scooter collide
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, March 30
Two persons were killed when a truck collided with a scooter  today. The deceased have been identified as Amin Chand and Bhushan.

According to a report lodged with the police, Amin Chand and Bhushan  were riding a scooter  when it collided with a truck. Both died on the spot.

The police has arrested Shyam Singh, the truck driver, and impounded the truck.

The bodies were handed over to the families after a post-mortem examination.

Assurance to pensioners
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, March 30
The Himachal Chief Minister assured the state Pensioners Welfare Association on Sunday that 4 per cent additional DA would be given to pensioners also. The Chief Minister also ordered that medical reimbursement bills of the pensioners be cleared, it was reported.