Solan, October 28
An Associate Director of the Regional Horticulture Research Centre, Mashobra, Dr S.P. Bhardwaj, a sub-centre of Dr Y.S.Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, has been suspended by the university on grounds of indiscipline.

The university authorities issued this order last evening as Dr Bhardwaj failed to join duty at the main university campus, despite being transferred there on September 1.

The suspension letter was notified last evening by the university. Dr Bhardwaj, while abroad on an official tour in August, was informed of the transfer as soon as he returned on September 1. He, thereafter, proceeded on medical leave. He had procured a medical certificate from the state’s premier medical institute, the IGMC in Shimla. Despite this, the university did not consider his leave. He was first relieved in absentia from Mashobra on September 27 and directed to join within two days or else face action. His failure to join duty led to his suspension last evening.

It is, perhaps, the first case in the university where a senior scientist on medical leave has been suspended. The Registrar had written to the Chief Medical Officer, Solan on September 17 to constitute a medical board is examine Dr Bhardwaj. This board is yet to conduct its examination and submit report.

The Medical Superintendent of the local Regional Hospital, Dr P.D. Sharma, said he had directed Dr Bhardwaj to make himself available at the hospital on any Saturday, barring the second Saturday of a month, to get himself examined before the board. An intimation in this regard had been sent to Dr Bhardwaj only yesterday, he added.

The action has drawn flak from the university faculty members who say it is unfair to suspend him on grounds of indiscipline when he was only on medical leave. Interestingly, the university took no action against a professor and Head, Post-Harvest Technology, for having given marks to Ph.D students without evaluating their answersheets in 2005. Even though this laxity was established by an inquiry committee, the university simply issued a verbal warning to the erring professor. An adverse entry was however, made in his Annual Confidential Report later.

Dr Bhardwaj, when contacted said, he had helped control mite which could have caused colossal losses to the apple crop. He had many other achievements to his credit.

Shimla, October 28
The BJP today demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister for allegedly sheltering ADGP B.S. Thind, who has been arrested by the CBI in connection with land cases in Punjab and Haryana.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said the BJP’s stand had been vindicated as the name of Mr Thind had figured prominently in the charge sheet prepared by the BJP in March this year. “Since the Chief Minister has been shielding the ADGP all along, he has lost the moral right to continue in office after the arrest of Mr Thind by the CBI.”

The BJP chief said despite non-bailable warrants being issued against Mr Thind by various Punjab courts, he had not been arrested due to his links with the Chief Minister, who was shielding him. “After the arrest of Mr Thind, it becomes imperative that the charge sheet prepared by the BJP be handed over to the CBI for a thorough inquiry.”

The BJP chief, demanding a CBI probe into the allegations levelled against the Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mr Singhi Ram, said since the charges had been made by a close relative, it was all the more essential to inquire into these.

He took exception to the manhandling and intimidation of Mr Brij Lal, BJP candidate from the Rampur Assembly segment, by a relative of Mr Singhi Ram. “The BJP will not take this kind of treatment and I caution the government and the Congress leaders to desist from these kind of tactics and misuse of power,” he said.

He said the suspension of some officials of the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department was done after the scam had been revealed by the BJP. “It is simply not possible to do all this without political patronage. As such, it is essential that the role of the person heading the IPH Ministry must also be probed.”

Mr Bhardwaj said the government had been appointing teachers through the PTA without following norms on reservation, eligibility criteria or merit. “This is a way of making a backdoor entry for those close to the Congress at a time when the government has completely failed to take concrete measures to check growing unemployment,” he alleged.

He said the Congress which had come to power by promising job to at least one member of each family was only taking care of the relatives of Congress leaders and party workers.

The BJP leaders said after the completion of the party’s organisational elections, the party would launch an agitation against “rampant corruption” in the state.

Dharamsala, October 28
The sleepy town of Dharamsala is bustling with activity. Preparations are afoot for AICC president Sonia Gandhi’s public rally here on October 30.

More than 700 constables and Head Constables would be deployed, besides 250 Home Guards and 72 woman constables, to make sure that the event goes off peacefully. The helipad for Ms Gandhi’s chopper is being set up at Dharamsala cantonment, instead of the Gaggal airport.

Superintendent of Police Ajay Yadav said movement of regular traffic would be stopped at 10.50 am, 25 minutes before the arrival of Ms Gandhi’s cavalcade to the Police Grounds, the venue for the event. Traffic would again be stopped before the meeting ended at 12.15 pm.

After addressing the public meeting, the AICC president would go straight to the Circuit House to chair a meeting of Congress leaders. Her departure from Dharamsala is scheduled for 1.40 pm.

Apprehending chaos in the town, many schools have declared a holiday on Monday. Students of the Government Degree College, located close to the venue, are likely to face problems commuting and would have to stick to the schedule finalised by the police.

As many as five recovery vans would move around the city to tow away vehicles parked along the main roads.

Mr Bharat Khera, Deputy Commissioner, said a total of 10 entry points had been identified for the public meeting. People would no be allowed to carry water bottles, cigarettes or matchboxes inside the venue.

He said officers would be deployed at the parking sites and diversions to make sure there were no bottlenecks.

The Police Grounds has the capacity for a crowd of over 30,000. The Congress leadership is busy mobilising people for the meeting. Besides Kangra and Hamirpur districts, Congress workers from parts of Mandi are expected to converge on Dharamsala.

Heavy police bandobast can also be seen in Baijnath where Ms Gandhi will unveil a statue of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi before arriving in Dharamsala.