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Experts take stock of
damage to Cong has no leader of PM’s stature: BJP BJP on weak wicket, says Chander Kumar BJP not serious on temple issue,
says CM BJP seeks White Paper on state’s finances |
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Minister gets clean chit on code violation Freak weather hits apple crop Employees’ leader held in transfer scam Nishant, Prabal top plus two exam Hike DA arrears, say pensioners The Himachal Pradesh State Pensioners Welfare Association has criticised the decision to disburse the arrears of hike in dearness allowance (DA) in two instalments in October 2004 and June 2005 and demanded that the entire amount be paid in lumpsum immediately. Youths held for beating
Dalit to death The Baijnath police has solved the mystery behind the death of a resident of Nagta village, Mast Ram. Mast Ram, a Dalit, was allegedly beaten by four youths of same village on April 20 while he was returning home. One convicted for possessing charas Mr J.L. Gupta, Sessions Judge, Mandi division, has convicted Dilbagh Singh, a resident of Samrala Chowk, Ludhiana, for possessing 500 grams of charas and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for two and half years and to pay a fine of Rs 20,000. 
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Experts take stock of
damage to fields in Balh Mandi, April 29 The team visited various spots this week and took stock of the damage caused to the field of the farmers. The committee also met the members of the action committee of the farmers who have been struggling over the past 27 years against the BBMB authorities who had been ejecting silt from the open hydel channel and reservoir and throwing it into the valley, once called the granary of this district, which is fast turning into a desert. Officials of the BBMB submitted before the committee that the project was not responsible for the silting problem of the valley and argued that the damage to the fields had been caused by mining. This stand was taken by the BSL authorities for the first time leading to heated exchanges between BSL officials and farmers. The team was also not convinced by the contention of the officials. Mr Paritosh Tyagi, chairman of the Pollution Congrol Board, assured the agitated farmers that their case would be placed before the government and the BBMB would be asked to take remedial measures. The woes of the farmers of the Balh Valley started from the day the BSL was completed in November, 1977. It is privately admitted by engineers that the problem of the disposal of the silt had been overlooked at the time of the designing of the project. The BBMB authorities have not found a permanent solution to the problem over the past 27 years. Some years ago the BBMB had referred the problem of silting of the valley to the National Engineering and Research Institute at Nagpur for recommending a permanent solution. In its 14-page final report the institute had categorically recommended four years ago that the only lasting solution to the problem was to release the silt into the Sutlej through a tunnel. The BBMB authorities have shelved the report and no action has been taken so far. The BSL project has diverted 4716 million cubic metres of Beas water into the Sutlej with the construction of a dam at Pandoh. The water has been taken through a 38 km water conductor system, the largest in Asia. The fall into the Sutlej has been utilised for the generation of 990 MW at Dehar. Its daily power generation is 1.5 crore units. Ironically, Himachal Pradesh, where the project was built with 90 per cent central assistance, is not a partner in it. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are the beneficiary states. |
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Cong has no leader of PM’s stature: BJP Nurpur, April 29 Addressing a press conference here last night, Mr Parmar who was here to campaign for the BJP candidate, Mr Shanta Kumar, said even the Congress had withdrawn the candidature of AICC President, Ms Sonia Gandhi as prospective Prime Minister. Lashing out at the Virbhadra Singh government, Mr Parmar said the Congress had come to power in the state with the promise of providing job to one person in each family. Notwithstanding, creating any job opportunity in the state the Virbhadra government had only one point programme to frame opposition leaders in false cases to tarnish their image, “The unemployed youth have been befooled by the state government,” he added. He alleged that the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh had also befooled the people of Kangra district by laying foundation stones and inaugurating development projects undertaken by the previous Dhumal government during his winter sojourn in Kangra. He condemned the statement of the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, that a former Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, would be booked soon. He advised Mr Virbhadra Singh to campaign for his party in a decent manner. |
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BJP on weak wicket, says Chander Kumar Dharamsala, April 29 Mr Chander Kumar said that even BJP leaders had agreed that there was no feel good or India shining and had reverted to the old trick of playing up the name of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said while Congress was confident of coming to power, rattled BJP leaders were trying to seek the support of SP Leader Mulayam Singh. Coming down heavily on Himachal BJP MPs Mr Chander Kumar said they had failed to get Himachal its due share from Punjab under the reorganisation Act. He said the BJP had never worked for protecting the interests of Himachal as Shanta Kumar and other leaders had opposed the formation of Himachal Pradesh. Launching attack on former Union Minister and BJP candidate for the Kangra seat Mr Shanta Kumar, the Congress leader said he had misused his official position to collect funds for his personal trust and must come clean with all details of funds collected. He said people were now favouring the Congress and predicted the victory of his party on all four seats. |
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BJP not serious on temple issue,
says CM Nahan, April 29 In his over eight election meetings which he addressed yesterday in Sirmour district, he targeted the BJP and termed it as anti-Muslim. He also referred to several scandals which took place at the national and state level during the past five years. Attacking the previous BJP government of the state, he claimed that development during the regime of the previous government had come to a standstill. The BJP made false statements of development and put the state under heavy loans, he added. |
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BJP seeks White Paper on state’s finances Shimla, April 29 Addressing a press conference here today, he said Mr Virbhadra Singh had been reiterating the “lie” that the previous Dhumal government left the state under a debt of Rs 15,000 crore, even though he gave a much lower figure in the Vidhan Sabha. It was a deliberate attempt to discredit the BJP regime in the eyes of the people during Lok Sabha poll. The fact was that the state plunged into a perennial financial crisis ever since the Virbhadra Singh government concealed the actual Budget deficit before the 9th Finance Commission. Consequently, the state did not receive an adequate revenue deficit grant during the 1990-95 period. The situation worsened as instead of mobilising resources, Mr Virbhadra Singh, who also held the Finance portfolio, raised indiscriminate loans to bridge the revenue gap. He said Mr Virbhadra Singh had been accusing the BJP of mismanaging the state’s finances but he should tell the people what corrective steps he had taken to improve the situation by bringing out a White Paper. It should not only reveal the status of the outstanding loans and interest liability but also the amount paid back and the resources mobilised. He said the one-year rule of the Congress had brought the state on the verge of bankruptcy. The government had not paid the medical reimbursement bills of employees and the arrears of apple growers whose fruit was procured under the market intervention scheme. He said the extent to which the Chief Minister could go to mislead the public could be judged from the fact that he was alleging that the NDA government had not given adequate assistance to the state, conveniently forgetting that only months ago his government passed a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha expressing gratitude to Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the special package of Rs 553 crore given by him to maintain the size of the Annual Plan. |
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Minister
gets clean chit on code violation Solan, April 29 The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rajesh Kumar, refused to disclose the details of the report submitted by the Kandhaghat tehsildar saying that the report would be submitted to the government. Sources said that the report while admitting that the rally was held near the school, said it was shamlat land. No account was taken of party bunting and banners that were displayed on the school premises and students along with the staff were present at the rally. While the BJP lodged a written complaint with the Election Commission, the Congress claimed that the rally was held on the ground belonging to the Revenue Department. Not only was school furniture used for the rally, but also the entire place wore a festive look with Congressmen having made the arrangements. |
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Freak weather hits apple crop Shimla, April 29 The current spell of hailstorms, which has brought relief to people from the oppressive heat of an unusually hot summer, has caused widespread damage to the crop in the region. Preliminary reports received by the Horticulture Department from its field staff indicate that 30 to 35 per cent crop has been damaged in the upper Shimla areas, which account for about 70 per cent of the total production. The Kotkhai, Narkanda and Rohru are the worst hit. The Kulu valley, which accounts for about 20 per cent of the apple production, has been so far spared the fury of the weather. The damage has been on the higher side as the stormy weather has been preceded by a prolonged dry spell, which caused premature dropping of fruit. Mr R.P. Sharma, Director, Horticulture, said as per the initial estimates the production was likely to be 2.32 crore boxes but with weather playing truant it would not exceed 1.75 crore boxes. Last year the state produced a record 2.52 crore boxes. It could further come down if the stormy weather continued for a few more days. The field staff has been asked to assess the extent of damage, which varies from one pocket to the other, and send a detailed report. The growers were expecting a bumper harvest for the third successive year after the apple belt experienced widespread snow during winter after a gap of 12 years. Normally a bumper crop is followed by a lean harvest. However, last season was an exceptional one. The state not only witnessed the rare phenomenon of two consecutive bumper crops but also recorded the highest-ever production of 4.50 lakh tonne. The year 2002 was also a good one with a total outturn of 3.58 lakh tonne. However, the prolonged drought, which followed it and the current spell of hailstorms, has taken a heavy toll of the crop. The mercury shot up abruptly in March making the dry spell all the more harmful for the crop. The lack of moisture in the soil led to heavy premature dropping of fruit. Besides apple, stone fruits like apricot and plum have also been affected in Shimla, Solan, Sirmour, Kangra and Mandi districts. In the lower hills the mango crop has also suffered damage in some pockets of Kangra and Mandi districts. |
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Employees’ leader held in transfer scam Shimla, April 29 Mr Brij Mohan Sharma, Superintendent of Police, said a case under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and various Sections of the IPC had been registered against Mr Verma in connection with the transfer scam. The police had received several complaints from employees that they had paid money to him for transfers. They were willing to give evidence if provided security and protection under law. Mr Verma had also been charged with amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. Later, Mr Verma was taken for medical examination. He will be produced in the court tomorrow. The CID is already investigating a case of embezzlement of government funds against Mr Verma and some other employees of the Fire Brigade Department. He was dismissed from service two months ago after a departmental inquiry found him guilty of misutilising house loan. SOLAN: Meanwhile, the BJP has termed the act as undemocratic. The BJP state spokesman, Dr Rajiv Bindal, while alleging that the behaviour of the Chief Minister was detrimental to interests of the state, said such a move before the elections would cost the Congress dear. He alleged that those who dared to oppose policies of the Chief Minister were being victimised and subjected to harsh treatment. He claimed that Mr Verma had been arrested to settle political scores as he had recently urged the Election Commissioner to remove the Chief Minister till the completion of the poll process in the state as his wife was contesting from Mandi. He had made this appeal in view of the Election Commission’s recent order, directing the Haryana DGP to proceed on leave till the completion of elections there as his wife too was contesting from the Sonepat seat. |
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Nishant, Prabal
top plus two exam Kangra, April 29 The Chairman of the board, Mr
B.R. Rahi, said Nishant Sharma of A.N.S. Government Senior Secondary School, Badhera Rajputan (Una) stood first in the medical group while Prabal Sharma of Government Senior Secondary School, Kulu, stood first in the non-medical group. He said 11,160 students, including 4,451 girls, took the examination and 7,062 students were declared successful. In the medical group, Sofia of Him Academy Public Senior Secondary School (Hamirpur) and Ashutosh Nadda of Silver Bell Senior Secondary School (Hamirpur) shared the second position. Ankita Chandel of Him Academy Public Senior Secondary School got the third position. |
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Date extended Shimla, April 29 |
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Hike DA arrears, say pensioners Shimla, April 29 The association pointed out that most of the pensioners were very old and some of them might not live to receive the arrears. It also urged the government release the instalment of dearness allowance, which had became due from January 2004, and issue the notification for merger of 50 per cent dearness allowance in the basic salary. The Punjab Government had already released the instalment to its employees. |
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Youths held for beating
Dalit to death Palampur, April 29 A police spokesman, briefing mediapersons here today, said for five days Mast Ram did not disclose their names and continued to get treatment from a private clinic. In a statement to the police, his wife said she repeatedly asked him to disclose the names of the persons who had attacked him. Later, when his condition deteriorated he related the incident to one of his relatives, who immediately shifted him to the Civil Hospital, Palampur. Doctors referred him to the Zonal Hospital, Dharmshala, where he was declared brought dead. The police said Mast Ram was under great stress to not disclose the names of the accused. The police said all four accused had been arrested and they all belonged to upper caste. Meanwhile, deteriorating law and order situation in this part of district has become a major cause for concern. In the past six month, six murders have been reported from different parts. In many villages of Palampur and Baijnath subdivisions, people have stopped venturing out after the sunset. There has also been an increase in the number of theft cases and other crimes. |
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One convicted for possessing charas Sundernagar, April 29 In default of the payment of the fine he would have to further undergo simple imprisonment for a period of three months. The police had seized the contraband from Dilbagh Singh on January 1, 2003, at Bindrvani check post. |
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