H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Employ 70 pc workforce from state, CM tells private firms
Harnora (Bilaspur), February 26
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today asserted that he would never allow the “repeat of the Bhakra Beas-Sutlej link and Pong Dam” in the state. He cautioned the NTPC, NHPC, private companies, the HPSEB, contractors and sub-contractors that the government would not allow them to function if they do not employ 70 per cent of their workforce from the state at all levels in each project in the state.

Executive Director of Kol Dam Hydro Project K.B. Dubey presents an idol of hill God to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh at a public meeting in Chameon in Bilaspur district on Saturday.

ISBT, Mall Road may get ropeway link
Shimla, February 26
The government is exploring the possibility of connecting the under-construction inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) on the bypass with the Mall Road through a ropeway for the convenience of passengers and to ease out traffic congestion.

Campaign to abolish female foeticide ends
Hamirpur, February 26
A week-long campaign to educate people about the bad effects of the female foeticide and sex determination tests ended in the district today. The campaign was launched by the Chandigarh unit of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

HPRTC drivers harassed in Uttaranchal
Kangra, February 26
The non-signing of an agreement between the governments of Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal regarding the road transport policy has been putting employees of the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation under constant harassment and humiliation at the hands of Uttaranchal Road Transport Corporation employees besides putting passengers travelling in the HPRTC buses to inconvenience.

Youth kidnapped for Rs 3,500, freed
Nurpur, February 26
The Nurpur police yesterday got 18-year-old Raman, son of a railway employee Vijay Kumar, a resident of nearby Jassur town, freed within 10 hours after he was kidnapped by three persons.

Govt to allocate Rs 1 cr for college science block
Nurpur, February 26
The Revenue and Panchayti Raj Minister, Mr Sat Mahajan, while presiding over the annual prize distribution function of Arya Government Degree College here today said the state government would allocate Rs 1 crore in this year’s annual Budget for constructing a science block in the college. Announcement in this regard was made by the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, during his winter sojourn in Kangra district.

Perspective: Science Day: Need for bold initiatives

Dy Ranger held on graft charge
Nahan, February 26
A team of anti-corruption wing of the police led by Inspector Mohd. Dilshad on Thursday arrested a Deputy Ranger of the Forest Department posted in the Majra Forest Range in Paonta Forest Division on graft charge.

Employ 70 pc workforce from state,
CM tells private firms
Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Harnora (Bilaspur), February 26
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today asserted that he would never allow the “repeat of the Bhakra Beas-Sutlej link and Pong Dam” in the state. He cautioned the NTPC, NHPC, private companies, the HPSEB, contractors and sub-contractors that the government would not allow them to function if they do not employ 70 per cent of their workforce from the state at all levels in each project in the state.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Maitri Seti bridge and laying the foundation stone for panchayat ghar and a school building at Jamthal near here, Mr Virbhadra Singh said the government had burnt its fingers in the Bhakra project, Pong Dam and BSL project, where the state is still fighting to get its due share from the BBMB. The state government will ensure that each company executing the project will ensure that they implement the agreement in letter and spirit.

He said the state had yet to get its share of 7.19 per cent from the Pong dam, which is almost zero as of now, gets 2.5 per cent from the BBMB on an ad hoc basis and 15 MW ad hoc power from the BSL project. “We have moved Supreme Court to seek justice for the state”.

The Bilaspur MLA and Forest Minister Ram Lal Thakur and Sundernagar MLA S.L. Thakur highlighted the problems of the Kol Dam oustees from their constituencies.

Mr Thakur said over 70 per cent of the Kol Dam oustees are in Bilaspur district. “As many as 216 have been rendered landless by the project. The construction companies are not employing locals and even treat them inhumanly, he complained.

The INTUC president Bhagat Singh Verma highlighted the problems of the workers and submitted a charter of demands to the Chief Minister.

ISBT, Mall Road may get ropeway link
Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 26
The government is exploring the possibility of connecting the under-construction inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) on the bypass with the Mall Road through a ropeway for the convenience of passengers and to ease out traffic congestion.

Replying to a query by Mr Ramesh Chaudhary of the BJP during Question Hour in the Assembly, Transport Minister G.S. Bali informed the House that the government was exploring the possibility of connecting the ISBT through a ropeway. “I will request the local MLA to help the government identify a site on the Mall Road so that at a later stage the ropeway can be constructed,” he said.

Mr Bali said the ropeway was essential not only for the convenience of the commuters but also to ease out the traffic congestion in the city. He said the ISBT being constructed at a cost of Rs 11 crore on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis would be completed by 2007 and would have hotels, commercial complex and all public services.

He said it was in February, 2002, that the previous regime had allotted the work to a private company from outside the state. He said apart from Rs 6 crore given by the XI Finance Commission, the private company would be spending Rs 10 crore on the ISBT.

Mr Jagat Ram of the Congress sought explanation from the Irrigation and Public Health Minister as to why Jalandhar-based firms supplying pipe fittings and accessories were favoured when there were so many Himachali firms. Giving details, the IPH Minister, Mr Kaul Singh Thakur, informed the House that between 1998 and 2003 the department had bought pipes fittings from 38 Jalandhar-based firms worth Rs 3.87 crore.

“I cannot say as to why Jalandhar-based firms were favoured till the matter is looked into. But besides this purchases were made from 125 firms from within the state,” he stated.

In reply to a question by Mr Rohit Thakur of the Congress and Mr Karamdev Dharamani of the BJP, Mr Kaul Singh said 422 sanctioned strength of pump operators were lying vacant out of a total of 2,172 posts in the IPH Department. “Though 1,129 water schemes are being run without a trained pump operator but those manning it have gained enough experience to operate it smoothly,” he said.

The minister assured the members that apart from filling up the 422 vacant posts, efforts would be made to appoint new pump operators so that all schemes have a trained person.

Campaign to abolish female foeticide ends
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, February 26
A week-long campaign to educate people about the bad effects of the female foeticide and sex determination tests ended in the district today. The campaign was launched by the Chandigarh unit of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The ministry has taken a serious not of the problem of imbalance in the sex ratio in northern part of India and voiced its concern to the government as well as the people of the region.

The Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Government of India have taken a lead in educating people about the bad effects of female foeticide. This district has been selected as the venue for the campaign this time. Mr T.G. Nallamuthu, Director-General, DFP, and Press Registrar, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, had on Sunday launched a one-week multimedia campaign on health and family welfare programmes with special emphasis on abolishing of female foeticide in the district. According to the IMPCC Chairman, Mr K.S. Dhatwalia, students from schools, colleges and the university in addition to representatives of the welfare, education, health and publicity departments have been roped in under this programme.

While talking to The Tribune here today, Mr Dhatwalia said in all six DFP units in Hamirpur, Dharamsala, Chamba, Mandi, Shimla and Nahan participated in the campaign. These units had been assigned one block each and over 30 public awareness programmes were conducted in the district. He also addressed a workshop at Barsar today. He said as per the latest Census report there were 1,099 females as against 1,000 males in the district.

Mr Dhatwalia said, “The report also states there are 850 girls in the 0-six age group as against 1,000 boys in the district. Surprisingly, there are 851 girls in the rural areas as against 842 boys in urban areas in this age group.”

HPRTC drivers harassed in Uttaranchal
Our Correspondent

Kangra, February 26
The non-signing of an agreement between the governments of Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal regarding the road transport policy has been putting employees of the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HPRTC) under constant harassment and humiliation at the hands of Uttaranchal Road Transport Corporation (URTC) employees besides putting passengers travelling in the HPRTC buses to inconvenience.

Mr Des Raj Bhuwala, a driver of the HPRTC bus (HP 39 A –3903) bound for Dharamsala from Hardwar, had to face a wrath of employees of the URTC in Hardwar bus stand yesterday.

The eye witness said here today that the bus was scheduled to leave for Dharamsala at 2.30 pm. URTC employees objected when the HPRTC bus was brought at the counter at 1.30 pm. The bus driver was forced to take the vehicle to parking yard. Then he was asked to bring the bus at 1.45 pm but was forced to return again. The wordy duel started when the bus was not allowed to be parked at the counter till 2.15 pm. Employees of the URTC almost tried to drag the driver out of the bus. However, Des Raj refused to alight from the bus.

The worst sufferers were passengers of the bus, who had witness this hour-long verbal duel.

When contacted Mr Rajeev Gupta, Chief General Manager, HPRTC, said such incidents took place because there was no agreement between the Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal governments regarding the transport policy. He said the Himachal Pradesh Government was eager to sign an agreement with the URTC to avoid such harassment.

Youth kidnapped for Rs 3,500, freed
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, February 26
The Nurpur police yesterday got 18-year-old Raman, son of a railway employee Vijay Kumar, a resident of nearby Jassur town, freed within 10 hours after he was kidnapped by three persons.

According to Mr Vimukat Ranjan, three persons — Chaman Lal of Chhutrar, Bir Singh of Bhanolli and Avinash of Pathankot — allegedly kidnapped Raman from Jassur at around 11.30 am yesterday and took him to Pathankot. Raman reportedly had a dispute over the sale of a mobile with the three persons. After kidnapping Raman they kept him at Pathankot and thrashed him here. They rang up his father and demanded Rs 3,500 only for the safe return of his son. The father immediately informed the local police about his son’s kidnapping.

A police party led by the DSP, Nurpur, raided a place and got Raman freed from the kidnappers. The local police arrested Bir Singh and Avinash, whereas their third accomplice Chaman Lal was arrested by the Pathankot police.

A case under Sections 365 and 34 of the IPC has been registered.

The news of the kidnapping had created a flutter at Jassur town but his safe return last night eased the tension.

Govt to allocate Rs 1 cr for college science block
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, February 26
The Revenue and Panchayti Raj Minister, Mr Sat Mahajan, while presiding over the annual prize distribution function of Arya Government Degree College here today said the state government would allocate Rs 1 crore in this year’s annual Budget for constructing a science block in the college. Announcement in this regard was made by the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, during his winter sojourn in Kangra district.

Mr Mahajan said the vacant posts of lecturers would be filled in the near future. The state government had sanctioned Rs 11 lakh for the college canteen and Rs 20 lakh for renovating the local Bachat Bhavan building.

Students presented a cultural programme on the occasion and the chief guest gave away prizes among meritorious students.

He also announced Rs 10,000 as remuneration from his discretionary funds to lecturers who volunteered to give free coaching to students.

Dy Ranger held on graft charge
Our Correspondent

Nahan, February 26
A team of anti-corruption wing of the police led by Inspector Mohd. Dilshad on Thursday arrested a Deputy Ranger of the Forest Department posted in the Majra Forest Range in Paonta Forest Division on graft charge.

According to police sources, the team nabbed the Deputy Ranger red-handed while he was allegedly accepting Rs 1,500 as bribe from a forest contractor, Pawan Kumar, at Dhaulan Kuan under Paonta Division, about 25 km from here.

According to police sources, Pawan Kumar was carrying some wood in a tractor to Yamunanagar on February 18 for sale. He was allegedly stopped by the officer who demanded Rs 5000 as bribe.

The contractor paid Rs 1,000 at that time. He contacted officials of the anti-corruption wing and a trap was laid yesterday.