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Mankotia fires another salvo at Virbhadra Singh
Make CM, wife party in PIL
BJP seeks probe into CD issue
CM leaves for Delhi
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Akashwani: A boon for common people
Eight-year Service Mandatory
Tribune Impact
‘Focus’ on housing for urban poor under JNNURM
Villagers protest dowry death
73 pc girls anaemic: Survey
Dismissal set aside
Make formation of minority panels must
Complete projects in time: PAC
Former PPC chief Tutu dead
Six get life term for murder
Favouritism in IRDP lists alleged
6-month-old calf starts giving milk! Man falls to death Rain damages Parwanoo road, blocks traffic
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Mankotia fires another salvo at Virbhadra Singh
Shimla, June 20 Addressing mediapersons here today he said he had evidence of corruption against some ministers which he would reveal at an appropriate time. He urged the government to reveal the amount paid as service charges for raising the loan of Rs 5,700 crore from the World Bank along with the names of the parties which received it. He said if the government failed to make public the details of foreign jaunts and service charges, he would file an application under the Right to Information Act. He said delay in taking action against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his MP wife Pratibha Singh against whom he had levelled serious charges of corruption and also released an audio cassette as evidence was only harming the party. Virbhadra Singh's credibility as leader and political standing had plunged to abysmal depths following the release of the cassette and he was virtually presiding over the liquidation of the Congress. The conversations in the cassette had shocked the people and rocked the Congress. He said he failed to understand that if Natwar Singh could be sacked from the Union Cabinet and Suresh Chandel and 10 other MPs removed from the Lok Sabha why action could not be taken against Virbhadra Singh and his wife. He said Virbhadra Singh could not wash his hands of the audio cassette by saying that it was not his voice. He should file an affidavit to this effect or the high court which is adjudicating a PIL in this regard should direct all three persons featuring in the cassette to undergo brain mapping, lie detection, voice identification and other forensic tests. |
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Make CM, wife party in PIL
Shimla, June 20 He said since the CD as reproduced in the press clippings attach to the PIL related to conversations between Virbhadra Singh and his wife, Pratibha Singh, and retired IAS officer Mohinder Lal, their presence in court was necessary. |
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BJP seeks probe into CD issue
Shimla, June 20 Reacting sharply to statements made by the Chief Minister that the audio CD against him was a bundle of lies and a BJP conspiracy against him, MP
P.K. Dhumal and state BJP chief Jai Ram Thakur today said it only reflected the frustration on the part of Virbhadra Singh. “In order to come out clean on the issue, the Chief Minister should file an affidavit in the court that the voices in the CD are neither his nor his wife’s,” Dhumal said. Thakur said the BJP would request the Governor to order a high-level probe into the CD and other corruption charges against the government. |
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CM leaves for Delhi
Dharamsala, June 20 A senior official of the state government said the Chief Minister would stay at Himachal Bhavan in Chandigarh tonight and leave for New Delhi tomorrow morning. He was supposed to fly to New Delhi by helicopter today itself, but he had to leave by road due to a snag in the helicopter, added the official. Although, sources close to the CM claimed that he was going to New Delhi to sign nomination papers of Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patel for the presidential poll, political circles in the state were taking the visit rather seriously. Virbhadra Singh is going to New Delhi just a day after senior Congress leader R.K. Dhawan was made in charge of the party affairs in the state, replacing Ambika Soni. Sources said apart from meeting Sonia Gandhi, Virbhadra Singh would also meet R.K. Dhawan and discuss recent political developments within the ruling party in the state. He is also likely to discuss the issue of reshuffle in the state Council of Ministers and induction of legislators as parliamentary secretaries for which the decks had already been cleared by the state legislative assembly by framing an enactment in that regard. |
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Farm extension office or public toilet?
Nurpur, June 20 Keeping in view the requirements of the local farmers for agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilisers, Bachitar Singh, a villager, had donated his land about 10 years back to the agriculture department for constructing AEO. The agriculture department had spent lakhs of rupees on the construction of the building of AEO. But about four years back, the department left the building and shifted its office to a rented accommodation at Sadwan village. The deserted building of the department is now lying in a dilapidated condition with broken windows. Inquiries revealed that in the department records, no rent was being paid to the landlord of the rented accommodation. The ex-zila parishad member Pratap Shukla, ex- pradhan of Sadwan gram panchayat, has demanded to shift the AEO back to the department building. When contacted, the deputy director, state agriculture department, Palampur, was not available for comments. |
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Akashwani: A boon for common people
Kangra, June 20 This was stated by T. Dolkar, deputy director-general of Akashwani, during a workshop of station directors and program officers of Akashwani stations falling under Northern Regional Zone (I) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra here yesterday. Dolkar stressed that station directors and program officers of Akashwani should bring more transparency in their working and programs. She asked them to provide an atmosphere whereby common people would develop more faith in this "institution of the people". She told the officers that transparency had become all the more relevant now, in view of the Right to Information Act, as any one could ask the Akashwani authorities of any particular station, for any kind of information. She hoped that all Akashwani stations would come up to the expectations of the masses of the country and would maintain the quality of the programs strictly. Earlier, P.D. Malik, station director, Akashwani, Jallandar, said Akashwani radio network was the largest in the world which was providing quality programs to 36 crore listeners. He said the other channels, relying on entertainment programs, with an eye on generating revenue only, could never pose a threat to Akashwani, come what may. Malik asked the station directors and program officers to take the Right to Information Act seriously and to make it possible to provide information under this act, to people, within a specific time period. T.K. Rawal, station director, AIR, Shimla station, suggested that this workshop would prove to be a boon for improvement of the quality of programs, which in turn, would certainly help in generating more revenue. Station directors M.R. Chandel of Dharamshala, Prem Naraian of Rohtak and Dr A.S. Pal of Patiala besides program officers of Hamirpur, Hisar, Kurukhestra, Chandigarh and Bathinda Akashwani stations were also present during the workshop. |
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Mercury slips again
Shimla, June 20 In all 14.2 mm of rainfall was recorded here which brought down the maximum temperature to 22.1°C from yesterday’s 23.8°C. However, there was no change in the minimum temperature which remained at 16°C. Sundernagar recorded 5.5 mm of rain but the maximum temperature in the town rose marginally from yesterday’s 29.1°C to 32.1°C. The minimum temperature declined from 19.3°C to 17.6°C. In Kalpa, the minimum temperature rose from 7°C to 8.1°C but the maximum declined marginally from 23.3°C to 22.1°C. Dharamsala recorded a minimum of 18.3°C, which was up by 0.4°C and a maximum of 28.4°C from yesterday’s 25.8°C. Weather remained clear in Lahaul and Spiti and Kullu.
— TNS |
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Eight-year Service Mandatory
Shimla, June 20 This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, while addressing a high level meeting of principal secretaries, secretaries, heads of department and vice-chancellors of all the universities, here today. He said 1,400 police constables would be recruited on priority to improve police functioning. “The Congress government has already regularised 50,000 daily wagers, who will be entitled to all pensionary benefits,” he remarked. He said all departments had been directed to fill the sanctioned vacant posts in a time bound manner. “The government has very cordial relations with the employees who have been provided financial benefits of Rs 750 crore during the tenure of the present government,” he said. The CM said government was monitoring and keeping strict vigil over supply to the fair price shops where subsidised ration was being provided to check any hoarding by traders. “Efforts are on to complete recruitment of 100 teachers each in urdu and hindi in a time bound manner from the concerned communities,” he remarked. He said funds to the tune of Rs 500 crore received under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) would help restore the heritage status of the state capital. |
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Overtime payment to contract staff
HRTC Bonanza Tribune News Service
Hamirpur, June 20 It is notable that a report was published in The Tribune in this connection wherein the denial of overtime allowance and flouting of eight-hour duty norms by the HRTC for contract conductors and drivers were highlighted. Hundreds of drivers and conductors employed on a contract basis work 12 to 13 hours without any break, and that, too, without getting any overtime payment. Interestingly, all their colleagues employed on a regular basis are being given break after eight-hour duty and paid an overtime allowance too. Joint labour commissioner of Himachal had termed this practice by the HRTC management as a clear violation of the Transport Workers Act, 1961, and the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. HRTC chief general manager Rajeev Gupta said: " 377 drivers and 525 conductors employed on a contract basis in the corporation would be paid an overtime allowance from July 1 in proportion to their salaries."
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‘Focus’ on housing for urban poor under JNNURM
Shimla, June 20 In fact the Centre has directed the state to create a certain number of houses for the weaker section within he next 15 months, with a deadline of September 30 being fixed. Five labour hostels are to be constructed with one of them named 'ashiana' to be set up near Tutu. The Union Ministry of Housing has already sanctioned Rs 9 crore for construction of 256 dwellings there. As per a proposal made by the state government, there are 10,734 slum-dwellers scattered in 50 different pockets of the town. The government is seeking funds under the JNNURM for creating housing for the poor, including slum dwellers, migrant labourers and other weaker sections. With Shimla being one of the 63 cities in the country that are being covered under the JNNURM, proposals for slums' development, water, sanitation, roads and other basic infrastructure in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh were presented before union secretary for housing and urban development H.S. Anand today. Anand asked the state government to push the slum development programme in a big way and undertake a door-to-door survey to identify such pockets. "He is keen that a detailed mapping of the slums is done and an assessment of availability of amenities and the existing gaps is undertaken," a senior official said. Along with this, a survey of the below poverty line (BPL) categories would also be undertaken. With housing being a major concern, there is a proposal to have 80,000 houses in Shimla by 2021, as against the existing 45,000 houses. This is the projection made by the Department of Town and Country Planning as per their Shimla development plan. |
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Villagers protest dowry death
Palampur, June 20 When the news of Kanchan’s death reached her parental village Nagta, hundreds of men and women from the village started assembling in front of Palampur police station and demanded the arrest of her in-laws, including her husband Sanjay Kumar, father-in-law Roshan Lal and and mother-in-law Piungla Devi, whom they held responsible for the death of Kanchan. Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that Kanchan was married to Sanjay Kumar of Chathummi village in May 2005, since then she was being ill-treated and tortured by her in-laws on one pretext or the other. They often accused her for brining insufficient dowry. Many times she was beaten up by her husband and father in law but the matter was settled by the elders. Kali Dass, father of Kanchan, while talking to The Tribune alleged that Kanchan was killed by her in-laws and later her body was thrown in planned way in Awa khud bridge. He said it was clear cut case of murder and in laws of Kanchan were hiding the facts from police to save their skin. Kanchan’s husband refuted the charges levelled against him and said Kanchan was missing from the house at night and he immediately informed his father-in-law about it. He said Kanchan had committed suicide by jumping into the khud. K.C. Sharma, DSP, Palampur, said there were apparently no signs of injuries on the body and they had registered a
case. The husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law have been arrested. Later the body was handed over to her parents after post-mortem
examination. |
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73 pc girls anaemic: Survey
Hamirpur, June 20 The findings of Hamirpur-based NGO Trisha, which has undertaken a project in collaboration with the Indian medical association and is carrying out a survey in government schools, are a bit disturbing since the number of anaemic girls is quite high. Out of total 1,037 girls whose haemoglobin was tested, 761 had it below 10, while 206 were borderline cases. Only 70 girls had Hb level above 10. The figures indicate that 73.39 per cent girls are anaemic, 19.86 per cent borderline cases and only 6.75 normal. At Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Jol Sappar, out of 147 girls, 104 were found anaemic, 28 on borderline and only 15 had Hb above 10. At GSSS, Balduhak, out of 108 girls 98 were found anaemic, seven borderline cases and only four normal. At Government Middle School, Again, out of 11 girls, six were found anaemic, three borderline cases and only two normal, while in GMS, Booni, the figures were 16, 10 and one out of 27 students. GSS Sanahi out of 84 girls 52 are anaemic, 23 on borderline and nine with normal Hb. At Government High School, Dangari, out of 101 girls, 74 were found anaemic, 21 borderline cases and only six normal. At Government High School, Rangas, 48 girls were found anaemic, seven borderline cases and not even a single girl had normal Hb count among 55 girls. At GSS, Choru, out of 142 girls, 95 were found anaemic 95, 39 borderline cases and only three normal. Spokesperson of the Trisha society Shanta Sharma said the purpose of the survey was to contribute in the eradication of the problem of anaemia among young girls. Hamirpur CMO said, "Malnutrition among girls is one of the main reasons for the problem. While parents are not particular about giving nutritious food to girls, even girls are also casual about their food." |
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Dismissal set aside
Sundernagar, June 20 The applicant, a constable/driver, was dismissed on January 16, 1993, by Commandant of the battalion on the ground of suspicion, misunderstanding, negligence, dereliction of duty and misuse of vehicle. He appealed against the order to the DIG, Armed Police and Training, Shimla, but the dismissal order was confirmed. He then challenged the order before the Administrative Tribunal on the ground that no inquiry was held against him and the charges levelled were not proved. The Police Department said the applicant was involved in smuggling as reported by SHO Shimla Sadar police station. Interestingly, no FIR was lodged against the applicant for smuggling by the Police Department. The tribunal observed the police could not prove the allegation of smuggling against Sanjeev and set aside the dismissal as being illegal and unconstitutional. It directed the department to release all consequential benefits in four weeks. |
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Make formation of minority panels must
Shimla, June 20 Addressing a press conference here today chairman of the council Rajeshwar Negi said the commissions should be headed by eminent persons with expertise in minority affairs and have prominent jurist as vice-chairperson. Further, the commissions should be empowered to investigate, evaluate and monitor the legal and constitutional rights of the minorities and recommend prosecution and compensation. They should be vested with powers of a civil court and an independent investigating agency. These commissions should ensure rectification of all anomalies like incorrect enumeration in the Census and official records, particularly pertaining to Buddhists and Jains who had been classified as Hindus. He said Buddhists in the state had not been correctly enumerated and their number was far more than recorded in the Census report. He also demanded that the anti-conversion laws passed in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh should be repealed. |
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Complete projects in time: PAC
Nahan, June 20 He said all developmental works should be completed in stipulated time so that benefit of the schemes reached the people in time. He said all parameters should be followed while spending funds. He asked officers not to divert allocated funds for other purposes. Diversion of funds should only be made with prior sanction of higher authority, he added. He asked officers to ensure physical verification of stores every year March 31. PAC members Ramesh Dhawala, Harbans Rana, Baldev Sharma, Chaudhary Sukh Ram and Surender Pal were also present. |
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Former PPC chief Tutu dead
Shimla, June 20 The CM said Tutu was a freedom fighter, veteran congress leader whose services to the state would always be remembered by the people. The CM said he was also an able administrator and strived for the welfare of vulnerable sections. The PCC chief Viplove Thakur also mourned his death. |
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Six get life term for murder
Dharamsala, June 20 Jagtar Kaur, Kamaljit Singh, Kuldip Kaur, all residents of Bhaira village in Una district, and Amrik Singh, Balwinder Singh, Kesar Singh of Ropar district had severely beaten up Kesar Singh of Bhaira village on January 4, 2004. The victim later died at the PGI, Chandigarh. The court also ordered the convicts to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 each. The failure to pay the fine will earn them further imprisonment for six months. They have also been sentenced to three-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000 each, besides one-month each under section 341, IPC. All sentences would run concurrently, the court ordered. |
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Favouritism in IRDP lists alleged
Bilaspur, June 20 BJP spokesman Randhir Sharma said complaints had been received from a large number of deserving poor families whose names were added to these lists during meetings of gram sabhas but later replaced by families with good income, property and resources. He said the government had put to great financial loss some 4.88 lakh poor IRDP families by delaying the selection of these families by three years, depriving them of all admissible financial concessions and benefits.
— OC |
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6-month-old calf starts giving milk! Baddi, June 20 This calf, which initially gave half-litre milk twice a day, now gives one litre twice a day. Attendants at the dairy farm noticed this phenomenon when another calf whose mother had died began sucking milk from the young calf’s udders. Dr Rajiv Walia, veterinary officer at the Baddi Veterinary Hospital conducted tests on milk samples of the calf and found everything normal. The phenomenon is very rare, the doctor pointed out. Sometimes calves develop an imbalance of hormones and thus give milk early. No danger to the health of the calf was found. The feeding to the calf has also been enhanced, he added.
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Man falls to death Kumarhatti, June 20 In a separate incident, an aged woman was killed after a Sumo hit her at Harraipur, near Baddi, today. Devko Devi (85) was going to her daughter’s home when the mishap took place. She was taken to the Civil Hospital, Nalagarh, where she was declared brought dead. A case has been registered.
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Rain damages Parwanoo road, blocks traffic Parwanoo, June 20 The problem seems to be more man-made than the fault of nature. The rainwater has flooded the area due to the choking of the seasonal nullahs, thanks to mindless construction activities, in and around the two villages. The rainwater has also caused immense damage to the Parwanoo - Bhojnagar road. A wall near to the road has collapsed and huge chunks of debris completely block the road at several places between Kamli and Khareen, halting vehicular traffic for several hours. The industries at Kamli have also been affected due to the blockage of the road. A visit to the 2-km stretch beyond Kamli shows that the road has gone from bad to worse as a thick layer of malwa has covered the surface.
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