Dharamsala, June 16
The Resident Doctors’ Association of Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital here today condemned the statement given by Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss favouring pay deduction of doctors for the period they were on strike against the proposed reservation policy.

The doctors said the statement was in contradiction to the assurance given by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that no punitive action would be taken against the striking doctors.

Dr Prahlad Duggal, president of the association, said Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meera Kumar had also made an “irresponsible and illogical” statement that the Congress-led government would soon increase the reservation for the Scheduled Castes from 10 per cent to 16.2 per cent considering the increase in the SC population. He said the statement was made with an eye on the vote bank.

“It seems the government wants to reward those who are producing more children and making a mockery of the family planning programme of the government. Does it mean that the general category population should increase its growth rate and produce more children to get more government jobs,” he said.

The doctors also condemned the Health Ministry for allegedly harassing doctors and degrading institutions like AIIMS. “We want resignation of the Health Minister and also call upon the masses to throw out the Congress-led government in the next elections,” he said.

Shimla, June 16
With the one-man inquiry committee giving a clean chit to the HP University in the matter relating to the HP Combined Pre-Medical Test (HPCPMT), the parents of the successful candidates heaved a sigh of relief.

The one-man inquiry committee, headed by former registrar, Mr A.R. Chauhan, who submitted the report late last night, has said all procedures and formalities were duly followed and complete secrecy maintained while conducting the test.

The HPU Registrar, Dr V.D. Sharma, said it has been pointed out in the report that all records and documents were examined thoroughly but no irregularity was found.

In his report, Mr Chauhan has pointed out that the media reports which forced the university to hold an inquiry was a mere propaganda based on conjectures, hearsay and rumours, spread be vested interests.

He added that students failed to provide any concrete evidence and most of the information provided by people was more on hear say.

The Registrar, Dr Sharma, informed that as alleged by some parents and students that original Class 10th and 12th certificates of some of the toppers were lying with the mafia, the inquiry also looked into this aspect.

“Certificates of all these students were checked on June 15 and this allegation too was found to be totally false,” he added.

The Registrar said as far as the newspaper advertisement, regarding counselling and admission to various colleges, was concerned, the inquiry officer had asked the university to refer these to the state government for further investigation so that other students could be saved from exploitation.

Meanwhile, the university authorities also released the final merit list of the HPCPMT examinations today, results of which were declared almost two weeks back.

Reacting to the inquiry report and the release of merit list, some of the unsuccessful candidates today said that seeing the attitude of Mr A.R. Chauhan, they were not hoping to get justice.

“The inquiry was a mere eyewash basically to mislead the public and we never expected to get justice,” said Mr Akarshan Chauhan and Mr Bhanu Pratap Singh, two students who failed to make it to the PMT.

They also demanded that the inquiry report should be made public so that the public could know the seriousness with which it was conducted.

The action committee of the aggrieved students and parents said it was not at all surprised that the university had gone ahead and released the merit list of the HPCPMT.

The committee said it was not against the success of any particular student but against the mafia, who had spread their tentacles outside Himachal as well, and as such it was only a thorough probe that could ensure justice.

Shimla, June 16
Mr Michael Arthur, British High Commissioner in India, who is on a three-day visit to the state, met the Chief Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the state Congress president and discussed issues of mutual interest.

During his meeting with Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, he said the United Kingdom would explore possibilities of entering into joint ventures in tourism, education, horticulture, environment, agriculture and hydel power generation with Himachal. He informed that Britain had issued three lakh multiple entry visas to Indians which was an indication of the improving relations between the two countries..

The Chief Minister told him that the state would welcome collaboration in education as the United Kingdom was the oldest and highest learning centre in the world. It would be interested in setting up centres of excellence in various disciplines like information technology and medical education to become the “knowledge state” of the country. He said exchange programme for teachers between the Himachal Pradesh University and British Universities could play pivotal role in bringing about qualitative improvement in higher education. The state would welcome collaboration in starting degree and diploma courses which could lead to the United Kingdom certificates making them eligible for employment globally. There was vast scope for opening nurses training colleges in the state in collaboration with the British Nursing Training institutions.

The Chief Minister informed that tourism and hydel power were the priority sectors in the state. Private investment was being encouraged in the two sectors and the state would welcome participation of the United Kingdom Government and private sector in such ventures so that the entire potential was exploited expeditiously.

He said environment had been a matter of prime concern to his government and at no cost environment degradation was being permitted. He said all environmental safeguards were being adhered. He said his government had banned green felling and use of recycled plastic bags to protect environment.

Mrs Viplove Thakur, state Congress chief, apprised him of the development strategies and policies of Congress party and the implementation process of the Government for the same. She said that emphasis of the party and the government was on tapping the hydro electric potential of the state and encouraging eco-friendly tourism and environment friendly industries. 

Shimla, June 16
Mr J.K. Sharma has taken over as Director (Civil) of the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). Earlier, he was General Manager (Contracts) and head of the 1020-MW Khab hydroelectric project in the corporation.

He joined the organisation as General Manage (New Projects) in May, 2004 and served as head of the Nathpa-Jhakri project till January, 2006.

He has vast experience in execution of hydroelectric power projects in India and abroad. Mr Sharma has had a 10-year stint at various projects abroad and also served as Deputy Chairman of a joint venture of centre public sector of Libya and an Indian firm for about nine years. He was nominated member of Indo-Libyan in joint commission held at Tripoli in 1996.

Mandi, June 16
At least four persons were killed and an equal number injured after their van skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh late last night, police said today.

The accident occurred at Rohala village, about 45 km from here, in the district, killing four persons on the spot and injuring an equal number.

The police said the vehicle was carrying people from Prashar in the district after taking part in the Saranahuli mela when the driver lost control over the vehicle which fell into the gorge.

Three of the injured, Shyam Lal, Jeevan and Santosh, have been admitted to a government hospital in Kullu, where the doctors described their condition as critical, while the fourth was yet to be identified.

The dead have been identified as Sumninder, Manoj Kumar, Megh Singh and Soni Chand.

A case has been registered and investigations were on, the police 
added. — UNI

Kangra, June16
A 35-year-old housewife of Sanoura village, near Gaggal, committed suicide by consuming poison following a family feud, the police said here today.

Ms Bindoo Sachedeva, subdivisional police officer, Dehra, who holds the charge of Kangra subdivision too, said Ms Kanta Devi, who was married 11 years back to Ranjeet Singh, had frequent quarrels. She said that yesterday the couple had an altercation during the day and Kanta decided to commit suicide.

She said the victim consumed poison last evening and was rushed in a critical condition to the Dr R.P. Government Medical College Hospital where she died. The police registered a case under Section 306, IPC against her husband Ranjeet Singh, who works in the State Home Guards and was yet to be arrested.

Meanwhile, a class IX student, Malti of Lablayiana village falling under Jawalamukhi police station, yesterday attempted to commit suicide in anger after her mother rebuked her.

According to the police she was taken to the Dehra Civil Hospital and was later shifted to the Dr R.P. Government Medical College Hospital, Dharamsala, where she was fighting for life.

The police has registered a case under Section 309, IPC.