Kangra, January 15
Agitating lecturers of the local MCM DAV College called off their 62-day-old dharana outside the college gate and 14-month-old non-cooperation movement with college authorities following negotiation between them and the DAV Management in Delhi.

Mr Sanjeev Sharma, spokesman of the local unit of HPNGCLA, which was spearheading the agitation, told The Tribune today that the DAV Management had called lecturers for negotiations in New Delhi and the DAV Management accepted their major demand of merger of the 50 per cent ADA with their basic pay. He said the management had decided to implement the merger from January 1 this year.

Mr Sharma said the Management had accepted to pay the arrears of the ADA merger from April, 2004, subject to the release of the 95 per cent grant-in-aid by the state government. He said the implementation of the senior and selection scales and an advance increment of M.Phil and Ph.D had been kept pending till the release of the grant-in-aid.

Mr Sharma said a delegation of the DAV Management, New Delhi, would call on the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhdra Singh, with a request to release the grant-in-aid to the MCM DAV College.

The lecturers had been sitting on dharna outside the college gate during their vacant periods for the last 62 days.

Shimla, January 15
The biggest challenge before the new Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Dr Anil Wilson, will be to uphold the university’s autonomy while still remaining accountable to the state government, a major fund provider.

Dr Wilson, who was the Principal of the reputed St. Stephen's College, New Delhi, assumed the office of the Vice-Chancellor here today. “Maintaining the institute’s autonomy is undoubtedly important but at the same time we cannot shirk from the accountability we have towards the state government, on whom we are dependent for funds,” he remarked, in an informal chat with mediapersons.

He said examination reforms would be undertaken but that was something which could not be done overnight. “Everyone makes mistakes but what is important is to learn from these mistakes,” he opined.

When asked about his views on hiking the fee, he said it was something, which could not remain stagnant. “What must be borne in mind while increasing the fee is that it should be very much within the means of those who are studying here,” he observed.

Talking about the political activities on the campus, he said politics was an integral part of the university and there was no problem as long as the objective was positive and constructive. “Instead of imposing restrictions on the students it would be better if we make them more responsible and sensitize them towards politics and other issues pertaining to the university,” he said.

Dr Wilson said his endeavour would be to make the university a global center of learning by raising the academic standard and developing the overall personality of those studying here. He said he would consider starting new courses after consulting everyone.

Dharamsala, January 15
The Social Justice and Empowerment Department of Himachal Pradesh has introduced training in computer applications and allied activities for candidates belonging to the SC, ST, OBC and minorities.

A spokesman of the department said 1,000 candidates would be imparted computer training every year so that these candidates could avail the benefits of employment in government and private sectors.

Computer training would be imparted to the candidates of these categories having an age of below 35 years and belonging to below poverty line families. Training fee of Rs 1,200 per month per candidate under the scheme would be borne by the department. Apart from this, Rs 1000 per month would be given as scholarship to the candidates during the training period. — TNS

Daroh (Kangra,) January 15
As many as 552 trainees of the police passed out from the state Police Training Centre during its 8th passing-out parade held here today. The Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, took the salute and witnessed the march past of a police contingent.

He awarded merit certificates and cash awards to the outstanding recruits Vasu Dev Sharma of 3rd Battalion for topping in the examination, Ajay Kumar of 1st Battalion for outstanding record in indoor performance, Vishal Singh of 3rd Battalion for outdoor performance, Vikas Kumar of 1st Battalion for excellence in shooting, Dinesh Kumar of 3rd Battalion for outstanding performance in sports activities, battle proficiency and efficiency tests.

The instructors were also awarded merit certificates.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that wireless training, driving school, dog training, equestrian training, computers and Internet training would be incorporated in the training curriculum of the state police trainees to make the Police Training Centre a centre of excellence.

He claimed that Himachal Pradesh had emerged as the first state in the country where computerisation process of all the police stations was at an advanced stage and many of them were getting FIR copies from computers instantly.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said the police had to deal with criminals sternly, besides protecting the life and properties of the common man. He said the department was poised to emerge as a role model for the country and should perform its duties more effectively and competently.

He said the recruitment process to fill 1,400 newly created posts was in progress which would ensure sufficient manpower for all essential duties.

He said the state government was providing 15 per cent training allowance to the instructors. He said the training standards would be raised further to meet the emerging challenges.

Mr Ashwani Kumar, Director-General of Police, gave the historical background of the training centre and Mr A.N. Sharma, DIG, Police Training, read out the annual report and administered the oath of duty to the passing-out recruits.

Shimla, January 15
The Himachal Government today promoted four DIGs to the rank of IG and ordered the posting of five IPS officers and 17 DSPs.

Those who have been promoted from the rank of DIG to IG are Mr K.C. Sadyal, Mr Prithvi Raj, Mr I.K. Deka and Mr O.C. Thakur.

Mr Jagjit Kumar, IG (Vigilance), has been posted as IG (P), R and T, against the downgraded post of ADG (P), R and T.

Mr B.N.S. Negi, on promotion, has been posted as IG, State Vigilance (SV) Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), here.

Mr O.C. Thakur, on promotion, has been posted as IG, Police Headquarters, Shimla.

Mr S.R. Sharma, DIG (P) SV and ACB, Shimla, has been transferred and posted as DIG (P), CID, Shimla, in place of Mr Thakur.

Mr Ashok Tiwari, SP, Bilaspur, on promotion, has been posted as DIG (P) SV and ACB, Shimla, in place of Mr S.R. Sharma.

Besides Mr Ashok Tiwari, Mr Anurag Garg, has also been promoted as DIG.

The government also ordered the transfer of 17 DSPs today.

Kangra, January 15
Himachal Chief Minister Virbhdra Singh has said the BJP has no agenda and every time Ram mandir was raised as an issue to arouse sentiments of people for political interests.

He was addressing a meeting at Taira, village of former Tourism Minister Vijay Singh Mankotia yesterday. He said Prof P.K.Dhumal had proved a failure as Chief Minister and as leader of the opposition. He said during recent four day winter session at Tapovan Prof Dhumal could not place things in right perspective and most of the precious time was wasted.

He said the opposition raised no issue except ‘Thind’ in the Assembly and failed to play constructive role of the opposition.

The Chief Minister did not announce upgradation of the Primary Health Centre TIARA to Community Health Centre but sanctioned an ambulance for the Centre.

Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated the lift water supply scheme, Tiara phase-1 and distribution system through tube wells completed at a cost of Rs. 99.05 lakh.

The Chief Minister also visited shrine of Mata Jwalamukhi to pay obeisance. He also dedicated the tourist information centre in the shrine constructed by the Temple Trust at a cost of Rs. 45 lakh to the devotees.

He laid the foundation stone of the augmentation of the lift water supply scheme, Gahlian and Thakurdwara, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 123.71 lakh and to benefit 6,000 residents of 16 villages in the area.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said there was no ban on government recruitments and vast avenues were being created in almost all departments and semi-government undertakings.

Nahan, January 15
Mr Jai Ram Thakur, president BJP, Himachal, addressing a press conference here today said there was no rift among BJP workers and the party was geared up for the Vidhan Sabha poll.

Blasting the Congress leadership, he said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was giving shelter to ADGP B.S. Thind, instead of subjecting him to legal action.

He said the Chief Minister had grown old and should retire from politics or work in right spirit. Mr Thakur reminded the electorate that the Congress had come to power on the issue of removing the corruption from the state but it had itself indulged in this vicious practice. The corruption was rampant in every nook and corner, he lamented.

He said in the state there was a glaring imbalance, every section of society was not progressing coherently. The partywould have to face the wrath of the electorate in the approaching elections.

He said the law and order in the state had deteriorated.

He added that in the coming elections, the BJP's poll plank would be the Thind issue who has been sheilded by the Chief Minister. Mr Thakur also appealed to party workers to remain disciplined and work for the party cause.

Nurpur, January 15
The failure of the Central as well as the state governments to release funds for the double-storeyed multipurpose community building and allied development projects of the town is likely to force the municipal council to halt the ongoing construction work.

Inquiries reveal that the Government of India under the Integrated Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns had sanctioned a development project for Nurpur during the NDA regime on which Rs 1.31 crore was to be spent. The Union and state governments will share funds worth Rs 48 and 32 lakh, respectively, and the rest amount worth Rs 50 lakh is to be shared by the council by raising loans.

Under the project a double-storeyed community building, a parking lot and a shopping complex are to be built in the town. In the first phase, the council has started constructing the multipurpose community building last year for which the Union and state governments had released Rs 14 and 9.33 lakh, respectively, as first installment of their share. The council is still awaiting the second installment for the ambitious project. The failure of both governments to release the sanctioned amount will ultimately stall the ongoing construction work. Already the work is going on at a snail's pace. Mr R.K.Mahajan, president of the council, said he would raise this issue before the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh.