H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Sex racket: probe fails to establish charges against SHO
Dharamsala, September 3
The magisterial inquiry by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Dharamsala, into the alleged beating up of an accused by an SHO in police custody, here today could not establish any charge. The accused had been arrested in a sex racket unearthed on August 24.

Ayurvedic dispensaries shut down in Kinnaur
Reckong Peo, September 3
Even as the popularity of ayurvedic medicines is growing and the Himalayan regions are most suited to grow herbs with medicinal values, Himachal Pradesh has shut down 15 ayurvedic dispensaries in the tribal district of Kinnaur.

Return pay, BJP tells ex-Parliamentary Secys
Shimla, September 3
The BJP has advised the 12 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and Parliamentary Secretaries, whose appointment was quashed as “unconstitutional”, to repay the salaries and perks drawn by them within a week, failing which it will move court for the recovery of the amount.

Water rates exorbitant, says panel
Chamba, September 3
The Chamba Welfare Association has charged the Himachal Pradesh Government with selling drinking water to its people on exorbitant rates.

ZP members’ abduction: next hearing on Sept 24
Kangra, September 3
The three former BJP ministers and a former BJP MLA and two others against whom a charge sheet was submitted by the Kangra police in connection with the alleged abduction and kidnapping of two Independent women Zila Parishad members in 2001, today did not appear in person in the court of Judicial Magistrate Class I.

Sex racket: probe fails to establish charges
against SHO
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, September 3
The magisterial inquiry by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Dharamsala, into the alleged beating up of an accused by an SHO in police custody, here today could not establish any charge. The accused had been arrested in a sex racket unearthed on August 24.

Sources say that variation in the statement of the accused, Amit Sood, was one reason for the inquiry not establishing the charges. The SHO has been maintaining that the accused had sustained injuries when he tried to flee the banquet hall, which had been raided by the police.

This follows reports by an ENT specialist and a medical board, confirming that Amit Sood, who allegedly rented out rooms of the banquet hall to call girls, had sustained grievous injury in ear.

Though a report of the magisterial inquiry has been sent to the Superintendent of Police, Mr S.P. Singh, for further action, he was not in town to confirm whether or not the SHO, R.P. Jaswal, who was suspended following the allegations, would be reinstated.

The Police Department had referred the case to the District Administration to either order a magisterial probe or go for a police inquiry into the allegations, following which SDM Rakesh Sharma was asked to look into the case.

Earlier in the day, representatives of nearly 10 panchayats staged a dharna outside the SP, office with black flags to protest against the suspension of the SHO. They later marched to the DC’s office. Mr Balbir Choudhary, vice-president of the Kaliara panchayat, said they had also sent a memorandum to the Governor, saying that a free and fair inquiry should be ordered into the suspension of the SHO. They have alleged that the Police Department had suspended him under pressure.

Ayurvedic dispensaries shut down in Kinnaur
Kulwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Return pay, BJP tells ex-Parliamentary Secys
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 3
The BJP has advised the 12 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and Parliamentary Secretaries, whose appointment was quashed as “unconstitutional”, to repay the salaries and perks drawn by them within a week, failing which it will move court for the recovery of the amount.

Mr Sat Pal Jain, national convener of the party’s legal cell, said the court had ruled that Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, had no power to make such appointments and held these as void ab initio with all consequences.

As such, it was incumbent upon the government to recover public funds spent by them by way of salary, telephone bills and other perks. He said more than two weeks had passed since the court announced the verdict, but no steps had been taken to recover the illegally spent amount.

Further, under the Article 191 of the Constitution, they were liable for disqualification from membership of Vidhan Sabha as legislators could not hold office of profit. Only ministers were exempted under the law, but the court had also held that “Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Secretary are not ministers”.

He took exception to the remarks by the Chief Minister that the verdict was not the last word and said it undermined the authority of the court. The judgement of a Division Bench was final and only the Supreme Court could grant leave to file an appeal against it.

Mr Jain expressed concern at the delay in deciding the petition filed by the BJP, seeking disqualification of five Independents who had joined the Congress as associate members, for violating the anti-defection law. He urged the Speaker to decide the matter expeditiously, failing which the party would be constrained to move court. 

Water rates exorbitant, says panel
Our Correspondent

Chamba, September 3
The Chamba Welfare Association has charged the Himachal Pradesh Government with selling drinking water to its people on exorbitant rates.

According to a press note issued here today, the Irrigation and Public Health Department has implemented the recent steep hike in drinking water tariff with effect from June 1.

The association said the flat rate for a domestic drinking water connection had been increased from Rs 40 to Rs 100 per month and the metered rated of Rs 2 per 1,000 litres had been increased to Rs 4. In case of commercial rates, these were increased from Rs 4 to Rs 8 per 1,000 litres.

Likewise, the rate for a sewerage connection would now be Rs 50 instead of Rs 6 per toilet seat per month. Moreover, a provision of imposing an increase of 10 per cent on the existing rates every year had been made.

Interestingly, the application form for seeking a new domestic sewerage connection was being sold at Rs 250 as against the existing rate of Rs 10. For a new commercial sewerage connection, the application form was being sold at Rs 500 as against the existing cost of merely Rs 50.

The increase in the tariff did not end here. Even fee for a domestic sewerage connection had been enhanced from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 and for a commercial sewerage connection from Rs 250 to Rs 1,500, the association said.

The bills on the basis of new rates with balance pending from June were being issued, thereby sparking resentment among the people of the area.

HRTC merges 50 pc DA with pay
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 3
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation today decided to merge 50 per cent dearness allowance with the basic salary of employees.

Mr G.S. Bali, Transport Minister, said the arrears of 17 months up to August, 2005, amounting to Rs 3.23 crore on this account would be credited to the Provident Fund of the employees and payment made in cash from the current month.

He said the corporation had given this benefit to the employees though it was facing a financial crunch due to non-revision of bus fares.

The increase in rates of diesel since April 2003, when the fares were last revised, had put an additional burden of Rs 27 crore on the corporation. However, as of now, there was no move to increase bus fares. Instead, efforts were being made to reduce expenditure by ensuring better fuel efficiency and encouraging the employees to avail of voluntary retirement. So far 95 employees had opted for premature retirement.

He said keeping in view the success of yellow cards, the corporation had decided to extend the facility for another year. The cost of the card would be Rs 50 and it could be purchased within a month. The cost of smart card had been increased from Rs 60 to Rs 80. At the same time, the condition of a minimum 10 km distance had been done away with.

The government had made training from a recognised driving school mandatory for drivers of buses, taxis and other public vehicles. The Registration and Licensing Authority had been directed to issue driving licences only to those who had undergone training.

Three weeks training was essential for a new licence and a week’s training for renewal of licence.

ZP members’ abduction: next hearing on Sept 24
Our Correspondent

Kangra, September 3
The three former BJP ministers and a former BJP MLA and two others against whom a charge sheet was submitted by the Kangra police in connection with the alleged abduction and kidnapping of two Independent women Zila Parishad members in 2001, today did not appear in person in the court of Judicial Magistrate Class I following a direction from the Additional Sessions Judge (I) Kangra at Dharamshala seeking the record of the case. The next date of the hearing has been fixed for September 24.

According to Abimanyu Chopra, advocate for Ravinder Ravi, former Technical Education Minister, whose name also figures in the charge sheet, said former Transport Minister Kishen Kapoor had moved a revised petition before the Additional District and Sessions Judge against his being summoned as an accused in the case. The court had therefore sought the records of the case. The case pertains to the alleged abduction and kidnapping of Ms Swarna Devi and Ms Punia Devi, both independent members of Zila Parishad.