 |
|
|
We only want autonomy,
says Dalai Lama
Budget has no vision, says BJP
Legal Literacy Mission launched
4 cops transferred for ‘negligence’
12 IAS officers shifted in HP
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Literacy Mission launched
Mazdoor Sangh threatens statewide stir
School board chairman visits exam centres
Vehicle thieves’ gang busted
|
|
We only want autonomy,
says Dalai Lama
Dharamsala, March 11 Interacting with a delegation of mediapersons at his residence, he said since there was no contradiction in the two ‘mantras’, the only hurdle in solving the Tibet problem was the mistrust in the mind of Chinese authorities. We have resumed dialogue with the Chinese Government and so far ‘confidence building’ has been the goal. But China, he said, seemed suspicious about his mid-way approach. “But I want to clarify that we are only seeking genuine autonomy and not independence. And autonomy is something that is also provided by the constitution of China. The decision to allow autonomy, instead of a military-political regime, was conveyed to me when I was in China in 1954-55 and we were overjoyed,” he said. This already promised autonomy is something we are seeking and it would be provided in the real sense if the preservation of our Tibetan culture and environment is guaranteed to us. If people of China say that they want unity and stability, it cannot be achieved in an environment of suspicion and fear. Till now, the Chinese have depended on weapons to achieve this. But we have been telling them that give us meaningful freedom that would satisfy the Tibetans and it would automatically lead to unity and stability. China may have made tremendous economic progress recently, but the lack of human rights, undemocratic actions and unequal implementation of autonomy rights continue to exist. “Once the Tibetan issue is satisfactorily resolved, the 7 million Chinese in Hong Kong will also get more confidence. A large Chinese population in Taiwan may also be linguistically the same but they too don’t want to live under unnecessary control,” he said. Even though the Tibetans living as refugees in India are only a small section of the Tibetan population, we represent the general feelings of all Tibetans, he said. Commenting on the changing scenario in China, he said Tibetan Buddhism was becoming increasingly popular in China and the younger generation was more aware and considerate of their point of view. “But about the new leadership in China, it would be too early to read their mind on the Tibet issue,” he said. Most probably, I will see the day of our return to Tibet. “But living in the Potala palace, the official residence of Dalai Lama won’t be very convenient as it has a thousand rooms and just three toilets. It would be better if it is preserved as a historic monument only,” he said in a lighter vein. When we return to Tibet with a certain degree of freedom, I will not hold any office in the Tibetan government or any other political position and the present Tibetan administration will be dissolved. On the issue of succession, he said it was entirely up to the Tibetan community whether or not they want the institution of Dalai Lama to continue after him. “I personally feel that if there is a need for a successor very shortly then they would want to continue, but if it happens after 10-20 years, there may not be any further need. Tibetans may then think that the Dalai Lama has done well and it is good enough,” he said. |
|
Budget has no vision, says BJP
Shimla, March 11 A former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Mr P.K. Dhumal, while interacting with media persons, said it was for the first time in Himachal Pradesh that not even a single section of society had been spared from the burden of unnecessary taxes. “The tax proposals in every Budget clearly indicate the revenue that they are likely to generate, but this Budget has no such mention,” he said. “As far as the position on loan interest payment is concerned, there is factual difference in what the Chief Minister is saying and what the Budget figures indicate,” he remarked. This figure, he added, had shot up from Rs 1,171.51 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 1,723 crore in the current year’s Budget. The BJP leader lashed out at the government for burdening the common man instead of striking at the upper segments of society. “It is surprising that a regime, which claims that there can be no development without taxes, does not hesitate in burdening the common man, but has money to buy luxury cars for its ministers,” he quipped. Mr Dhumal regretted that the Budget for elementary education had been reduced by Rs 16 crore over last year and this time the domestic consumer would have to pay more for electricity charges. “The formation of various tariff bodies would pave the way for enhancement of charges for water, health, transport and every other service areas, burdening the common man,” he cautioned. The state secretary of the CPM, Mr Rakesh Singha, regretted that the entire state would now be at the mercy of the World Bank from where all loans were to be taken. |
|
|
Legal Literacy Mission launched
Shimla, March 11 Mr Justice Gupta, who is the patron-in-chief of the HP State Legal Services Authority, today launched the National Legal Literacy Mission here today. He flagged off the rural communication network unit mobile van which will spread the message of “From ignorance to legal empowerment”. Mr Justice Gupta said the fact that Himachal Pradesh had a very high literacy percentage would greatly help in disseminating the objectives and aims of the Legal Literacy Mission. “The panchayati Raj institutions, local bodies, NGOs lawyers and other such resource persons can play an important role in making this mission a success,” he stressed. He said children, minority community, victims of militancy, crime, disaster, bonded labour, Dalits, tribesmen, sex workers and the poorest of poor would be given priority under this mission. Mr Justice Gupta said Himachal Pradesh was a rural state and the people would greatly benefit from the legal literacy camps. “The main objective of this programme is to make justice more accessible and affordable, especially for the deprived and underprivileged,” he said. Mr Justice Lokeshwar
Panta, Mr Justice A.K. Goel, Mr Justice M.R. Verma, Mr Justice Deepak Verma and members of the Bar Council were present at the function. |
|
|
4 cops transferred for ‘negligence’
Nahan, March 11 Harjeet, an undertrial and inmate of the Central Model Jail, Nahan, was freed from the police custody by his companions at the Nahan district hospital compound. Harjeet and his accomplice crossed through the Kala Amb barrier in a vehicle but due to alleged negligence on the part of police officials on duty at the Nahan Gunnu Ghat police post, Kala Amb police post and Kala Amb police barrier, culprits could not be nabbed despite receiving a message from police officers at Nahan. Head Constable Manjeet Singh, who was on duty at the Kala Amb barrier on that day, was immediately placed under suspension by SP, Sirmour, and this action was announced by Mr R.L. Sood, DIG, Southern Range, on his visit on February 6. He had assured detailed departmental inquiry into the incident. Mr S.R. Sharma, SP, had ordered a preliminary inquiry into the whole episode which was conducted by Mr Jaipal, Addl SP, Sirmour. In his report he had found four officials negligent in performing their duty. Confirming his action, Mr Sharma, said here today that Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Raj Mohd, incharge, Constable Satpal (on duty as night Munshi) of police post Kala Amb, Head Constable Mushtaq Ahamad, incharge, Kala Amb barrier, and Ram Phal, ASI, incharge, police post Gunnu Ghat, had been transferred to police line, Nahan, and a departmental probe ordered against them. He further assured strict action in this case and in any other case of police negligence. |
|
12 IAS officers shifted in HP
Shimla, March 11 Mr Tarun Sridhar, on return from Central deputation, takes over as Managing Director of the State Tourism Development Corporation relieving Mr T.C. Janartha of the additional charge. He will also hold the additional charge of Director of Tourism. Mr Srikant Baldi, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, as Secretary, Finance. Mr Anil Khachi, Director, Public Finance, has been posted as Secretary, Labour and Employment and Housing and Mr Kashmir Singh, Director of Social Justice, goes as Labour Commissioner. Mr Rakesh Kaushal, Settlement Officer, Kangra Division, takes over as Special Secretary, PWD. He will also hold additional charge of Commissioner, Departmental Inquiries. Anuradha Thakur, on return from leave, posted as Director of Social Justice and Empowerment, while Mr Bharat Khera, Director, Labour and Employment, will be the new Deputy Commissioner, Kangra. Mr V.C. Katoch, Special Secretary, PWD, goes as Settlement Officer, Kangra. |
|
Legal Literacy Mission launched
Shimla, March 11 Mr Justice Gupta, who is the patron-in-chief of the HP State Legal Services Authority, today launched the National Legal Literacy Mission here today. He flagged off the rural communication network unit mobile van which will spread the message of “From ignorance to legal empowerment”. Mr Justice Gupta said the fact that Himachal Pradesh had a very high literacy percentage would greatly help in disseminating the objectives and aims of the Legal Literacy Mission. “The panchayati Raj institutions, local bodies, NGOs lawyers and other such resource persons can play an important role in making this mission a success,” he stressed. He said children, minority community, victims of militancy, crime, disaster, bonded labour, Dalits, tribesmen, sex workers and the poorest of poor would be given priority under this mission. Mr Justice Gupta said Himachal Pradesh was a rural state and the people would greatly benefit from the legal literacy camps. “The main objective of this programme is to make justice more accessible and affordable, especially for the deprived and underprivileged,” he said. Mr Justice Lokeshwar Panta, Mr Justice A.K. Goel, Mr Justice M.R. Verma, Mr Justice Deepak Verma and members of the Bar Council were present at the function. |
|
|
Mazdoor Sangh threatens statewide stir
Nurpur, March 11 In a statement released here today, the Kangra district president, Mr Madan Rana, who is also the state vice-president of the IPH Workers Union, said that the sangh had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, demanding regularisation of daily wagers who had completed seven years of service, merger of 50 per cent DA in the basic pay, enhancement of daily wage to Rs 100 and revocation of the practice of giving break to the daily wagers. Mr Rana alleged that the Virbhadra Singh government had failed to protect the interests of the workers and added that those daily wagers who had completed even 13 years of service had not been regularised. Mr Rana said there were 11,000 workers in the state waiting for regularisation. He alleged that the government was harassing workers by ordering transfers in the IPH Department. |
|
School board chairman visits exam centres
Hamirpur, March 11 Mr Rahi said since the start of annual examinations on March 5, as many as 390 cases of adopting unfair means were reported. He said this was despite the fact that strict measures were taken by the board in co-ordination with various district administrations. He said the board was serious to check menace of copying and it had made special arrangements for that. The board had set up 1,473 examination centres in the sate. |
|
|
Vehicle thieves’ gang busted Nalagarh, March 11 Babu Ram has admitted his involvement in stealing of vehicles from Solan, Shimla and Sirmour districts.. Till November last year ,the gang had stolen 23 light vehicles from these two districts. On December 14, during a police naka at Surajpur near Nalagarh a car that being taken away from the Baluganj area of Shimla was seized. Two of its occupant, Ram Lal from Nanuwal in Nalagarh and Parshutam from Bharatpur in Rajasthan, were arrested. During interrogation, the two revealed the identity of other gang members. The police arrested Mohinder and Hira Singh Mina and recovered two stolen vehicles from their possession. On the information provided by a gang member that was arrested by the Panchkula police a Maruti car and Maruti van were recovered.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
