H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

SC relief for HP on JBT teachers’ recruitment
New Delhi, February 20
In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh Government on its policy on recruitment of junior basic trained teachers, the Supreme Court today stayed the quashing order of the state high court.

Escape from police custody, SP orders probe
Kangra, February 20
The Kangra district police chief today ordered an inquiry in to the alleged negligence of some members of the police station staff here who led an accused Ranjeet Singh alias Jeetu, detained in connection with the Arms Act case, to slip away from the police station during police interrogation on Saturday evening.

March against power project authorities
Chamba, February 20
Activists of the Centre of Indian Trade Union and the Kisan Sabha here today marched in procession in bazaars of Chamba to protest against the apathy of the authorities of the hydroelectric projects under construction in Himachal for not implementing decisions of the government to provide 70 per cent jobs to the local educated youths.

SC relief for HP on JBT teachers’ recruitment
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, February 20
In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh Government on its policy on recruitment of junior basic trained (JBT) teachers, the Supreme Court today stayed the quashing order of the state high court.

A Bench of Mr Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Mr Justice P.P. Naolekar in an interim order stayed the operation of high court’s January 12 directive, quashing the policy of the state government under which it had reserved 15 marks for interview and extra-curricular activities of candidates.

While granting interim relief to the state, the apex court issued notices to all those persons who had challenged it in the high court.

It directed the state government to publish the notices in two leading dailies published from the region so that the respondents could know about the interim order considering the large number of petitioners before the high court.

Senior advocate M.N. Rao, appearing for Himachal Pradesh, along with its Additional Advocate-General (AAG) J.S. Attri, questioned the high court ruling on the ground that enrolment of candidates for JBT training was in fact an exercise of recruitment as the selected persons were given direct appointment on completion of the training.

Besides, the training was only conducted by the government when substantial number of vacancies of primary teachers had occurred and it was not merely a general academic course, Rao said, adding that “it is a guaranteed employment process under the policy of the state government and courts have limited scope to interfere in any policy matter as laid down by the apex court in its various judgements.”

Accepting the plea of state’s counsel, the court, while granting the interim relief, sought replies from the respondents, who were petitioners in the high court. With the interim relief, the apex court virtually paved the way for the Himachal Government to go ahead with the interview process, which was held up due to litigation after the Department of Primary Education had conducted written test for selection of nearly 2,000 candidate for JBT training in view of shortage of primary school teachers.

Escape from police custody, SP orders probe
Our Correspondent

Kangra, February 20
The Kangra district police chief today ordered an inquiry in to the alleged negligence of some members of the police station staff here who led an accused Ranjeet Singh alias Jeetu, detained in connection with the Arms Act case, to slip away from the police station during police interrogation on Saturday evening.

Mr S.P. Singh, district police chief, said here today the inquiry was ordered following the receipt of a preliminary inquiry report from the Kangra Sub Divisional Police Officer. He said Jeetu slipped from the police station when he was in detention and his interrogation was in progress so it was necessary to go to the root of the problem.

Mr S.P. Singh said that Ranjeet Singh alias Jeetu, involved in indulging in negligent firing and who slipped from the police detention, meanwhile surrendered in the Kangra Police station last night and was arrested under the Arms Act. He said that following pressure mounted on Ranjeet Singh alias Jeetu after raids at number of places of his hiding by the Kangra Police for 24 hours he was left with no option but to surrender.

Mr S.P. Singh said that Romy a friend of Jeetu had beaten up Vicky in a gang war case at Gaggal on Friday and on Saturday gang members of Vicky chased Romy who took shelter at the residence of Ranjeet Singh alias Jeetu resulted in the clash between two gangs and Jeetu fired in air and later on fired on the car in which Vicky group had arrived here. DSP V.S. Thakur said that the car in which Vicky group had arrived here was damaged in the firing by Jeetu.

DSP Thakur said that Jeetu fired from a licensed 12 bore gun license of which has been issued by the District Authorities of Amritsar.

Ranjeet Singh was produced in a court at Dharamsala today.

March against power project authorities
Our Correspondent

Chamba, February 20
Activists of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) and the Kisan Sabha here today marched in procession in bazaars of Chamba to protest against the apathy of the authorities of the hydroelectric projects under construction in Himachal for not implementing decisions of the government to provide 70 per cent jobs to the local educated youths.

The processionists carrying placards and banners displaying slogans against the project authorities and the government’s negligence in the implementation of its decisions were also demanding compensation for the damages caused to their houses and land due to construction of hydroelectric projects in their respective areas.

The procession was also attended by Dr Kashmir Singh Thakur, general secretary, Himachal unit of the CITU and a member of its national executive who flayed the authorities of the hydroelectric projects for not providing employment to the locals and compensation for damages.