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EC orders removal of e-publicity material
Distributes letters clarifying position
BSP finalises candidates for tribal seats
Despite poll, Lahaul wears a deserted look
10 Bharmour panchayats await tribal status
SC turns down taxi operators’ plea
Doctors question date of transfer
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Manali-Keylong highway reopened
Bilaspur DC shifted
Tantrik held on murder charge
Police week celebrations
HIV/AIDS awareness campaign
Power cut was only for two days: HPSEB
General category staff hold protest
Tanda Hospital
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EC orders removal of e-publicity material
Solan, October 24 The letter, a copy of which was available with The Tribune, dated October 23, while taking strict note of all references on political parties and ministers on all official websites currently available in the state, the EC has directed the chief secretary to get them removed. The letter specifically mentions that all such references where the achievements eulogising the working of the government have been shown as personal achievements of politicians are a clear violation of the model code of conduct. The chief secretary after the receipt of this letter had forwarded it to the secretary, IT, the same day for prompt action. Sanjeev Gupta, secretary, IT, when asked agreed that such instructions had been received and he added that nearly 140 letters to all DC, heads of departments, including boards, corporations, managing directors, vice-chancellors of all three government universities in the state, etc., have been sent with clear instructions to rid the official websites of all such material by tomorrow evening. He added that after receipt of the information from all these officials an action taken report would be sent to the EC, as desired by them, by October 26. Sources added that the Information and Public Relations Department, which was primarily responsible for highlighting the state government’s achievements, had been given a firm rebuff for having continued to display such items on its website. A change in their website was noticed today where a write-up on functions attended by the Governor found prominence as against the political functions of various ministers.
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Distributes letters clarifying position Tribune News Service
Nagrota Bagwan (Kangra), October 24
He has clarified his position and explained that he got a clean chit from the judicial probe panel. In his letter, Bali has explained that the news clipping shown by a private news channel was fabricated and sensationalised to harm his position in the government as well as within the party. “It was a family get together and all my family members were present in the party but the news channel has shown only a part of the recording that was edited with cut-and-paste technology for the reasons best known to them”, states his letter. In order to express his emotional bonding with people, he has stated that the news channel had played with the emotions of the people of Nagrota Bagwan and tried to stop the ongoing developmental works in the area. Bali has stated in the letter that certain strong political lobbies were working against him. Adding that these lobbies could not digest the pace of development going on in Nagrota Bagwan, he cautioned the people to be aware of such elements. “I think, now, I have learnt how to work under adverse conditions with your help and cooperation, which hopefully will go a long way to help the poor and for the overall development of the area,” states his letter. Bali further clarifies in the letter that he immediately resigned from the Cabinet and demanded a judicial probe into it. “I did not want my people to feel ashamed of what was shown on the channel, therefore, I demanded a judicial probe”, he added. Apart from this, Bali for the past one week has been continuously visiting every village in his constituency, going door-to-door, clarifying his position to the people and seeking support for the coming Assembly elections.
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BSP finalises candidates for tribal seats
Dharamsala, October 24
Man Singh Manhera, national general secretary of the party, said Sushil Sana had been nominated from Kinnaur, Vir Singh Rawal from Lahaul-Spiti and Balbir Pathania from Bharmour. Sushil Sana is a young environmentalist from upper Kinnaur, who led an agitation against the proposed Khab-Shasho hydropower project in Pooh subdivision of the district. On couple of occasions, he was arrested along with his supporters and remained in the judicial custody for many days before coming out on bail. The agitation was so strong and successful that the defence ministry opposed the project, the idea of which was finally dropped. Vir Singh Rawal is a medical professional who worked as the district health officer at Dharamsala in Kangra district and retired from the state health services from the post of a deputy director. Balbir Pathania is a relative of sitting MLA and Congress nominee Thakur Singh Bharmouri and has a good say in his area. The BSP general secretary said the BSP would come out victorious in the Assembly elections with a clear majority because the people were fed up with the Congress and the BJP. He said the party would release its second list for the remaining 65 non-tribal seats around Diwali. He said Mayawati would extensively campaign in support of the party candidates during the second phase of elections. In reply to a question, he said the BSP had no intention of attracting dissidents of the Congress or the BJP. He said the BSP would give 80 per cent ticket to the youth and new faces in the Assembly elections.
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Despite poll, Lahaul wears a deserted look
Keylong, (Lahaul-Spiti), October 24 According to a local estimate, more than 80 per cent of villagers have left for shopping, pilgrimage and for the ongoing Kullu Dusshera and pilgrimage to Riwalsar as it is the “peak outing season” for them. It’s a time when the Lahaulis stock essential supplies to make arrangements for the approaching six winter months. The pass will be closed after November 15. Located on the Manali-Keylong highway, from Koksar, the first major village across 13,050 Rohtang Pass through Sissu, Kondla, Tandi and till the district headquarters, no party banners could be seen in these villages. “For us stocking for winters are more important than the elections”, said Kishan Singh, who was travelling to Kullu-Manali with his families. On the highway, Congress candidate Phun Chowk Rai’s convoy of four vehicles were seen going up on the link road to a ‘gompa’ at Koksar. Three jeeps of the BJP candidate Ramlal Markande were parked on the wayside at Sissu with five supporters standing on the highway. “It is holiday time in the valley and it is difficult to locate villagers here as they have locked their houses and left for Kullu, where they own their orchards or houses and live during the six winter months”, Charanjiv Lal, a Koksar resident, who runs a dhaba there, said. “The campaign will pick up after nominations”, he said. “Nobody has come here so far”, Doma, a village woman at Gondla said, It wears a neglected look. Lahaul-Spiti voters will decide the fortunes of the four parry candidates contesting here for the first time: Phunchowk Rai(Congress), Ramlal Markande(BJP), and the new entrants, Lal Chand Dhissa(CPI) and Dr Bir Singh Rawal(BSP) on November 14. “All restaurants, hotels have been closed as there are no tourists here at this time. Even local customers do not turn up during the day time. After Dussehra, residents may come back for voting that is too if the Rohtang Pass remains open till November 14”, Amirjeet, a resident of Keylong and a travel agent said. The political hustle-bustle that generally marks elections in the rest of the state is missing here. Contestants here spend very less on posters and banners as door-to-door canvassing is more popular, a villager said. Lahaul-Spiti has road connectivity, internet cafes, telephone lines reaching out to almost every nook and corner of 28 panchayats in the district “It is easier for the candidate to contact voters online”, Norbu Cherring, a BSP supporter, here said.
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10 Bharmour panchayats await tribal status
Chamba, October 24 Both the BJP and the Congress have ruled the state one after the other but have failed to provide them the tribal status. Therefore, it will be the main election issue for the BSP and for the inhabitants of these panchayats in the poll scheduled for November 14. There are 10 such panchayats falling in the Bharmour tribal Assembly segment namely Kidi, Uthluin, Sarahan, Guwad in Kidi belt, Preena, Baloth, Khundel, Kilod, Radi and Kuned in Lihl Vales belt of the Bharmour tribal assembly constituency. The residents of these panchayats are living in remote areas and the benefits extended by the state and the Central governments have not yet reached these panchayats. The government included these belts in the tribal segment way back in the 70’s. The people of this terrain have small land holdings with one crop a year, which is often trampled upon by wild beasts. The area has few schools and is devoid of medical facilities. Besides, they still lack basic amenities. The Kidi belt consisting of four panchayats Kidi, Uthluin, Sarahan and Gowad has not been developed. Since these panchayats fall within the jurisdiction of the Mehla development block, the residents have to travel for about 25 km to reach Mehla after crossing Chamba town to get their work done and have to spend a lot of money on fare and food.
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SC turns down taxi operators’ plea
New Delhi, October 24 The court, which had earlier issued a notice to the state government on a petition by taxi operators on an identical petition, was approached by the Dharamsala Taxi Operators Association. When a Bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices R.V. Raveendran and Dalveer Bhandari questioned their lawyer, Sunder Khatri, as to why the operators had an objection to installing meters, he said, they were ready to have the meters installed but the “state’s policy was faulty”. He said difficulty arose when long-route taxis had to go to other towns and had to park their taxis beyond 40 km limit, which was practically not possible. A recent notification issued by the state government made it mandatory for all taxis operating in 40 km radius of specified towns to have meters installed, failing which they would be challaned. Khatri said though the high court in its order had given time to the taxi operators to get meters installed by December 2008, the state authorities had started issuing challans to those who had not complied with the government notification. The court said the petition of taxi operators would be heard together with the earlier petitions.
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Doctors question date of transfer
Hamirpur, October 24 The manner in which orders are being implemented raises doubts about the entire process; though the orders were issued on October 6, but transfers orders carried a dispatch date of October 18 from the HP Secretariat, Shimla. These orders were received by few doctors on October 22 as per the information, and some were still to receive the same. The anesthetists, who have been transferred, are Dr Atul Sood from CHC (Community health centre), Nichar, to RH (regional hospital), Bilaspur, Dr Bhupinder Singh, CHC, Nadaun, to RH, Chamba, Dr Gopal Ben from CHC, Sujanpur, to RH, Hamirpur, vice Dr Reetu Sood, Dr Rajesh Guleri, CHC, Nagrota, to CHC, Mashobra, vice Dr Ashwani Sood, Dr Mani Ram from PHC Deothi (Shimla), to MGMSC, Khaneri, vice Dr Harmit Singh, Dr Manoj Malan from CHC, Chirgaon, to CH, Rohroo, vice Dr Ravi Kant, Dr Jagjit Singh, PHC, Nerwa, to SDH, Rajgarh, Dr Rakesh Jaswal, CHC, Sunni, to CH, Nurpur, Dr Pankaj Prashar, CHC, Gagret, to RH Una and Dr Ashwani Sood from Mashobra to PHC Deothi ( Shimla). The principal secretary (health), who has ordered these transfers was not available for comment. The under secretary in the department, who had signed the orders, when contacted, said the charge given to him was temporary.
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Manali-Keylong highway reopened
Keylong, October 24 The blockade which was caused by a rockslide due to the ongoing widening work on the highway on Monday night, was cleared by the BRO around 10 pm last night, giving a breather to over 500 passengers who were stranded on the highway.
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Bilaspur DC shifted
Shimla, October 24 Davesh Kumar, a 1998-batch IAS officer has been posted as the DC, Bilaspur, in place of Thakur. Thakur has been posted as the director, Town and Country Planning Department, relieving Onkar Sharma of the additional charge. Thakur was shifted during the Hamirpur byelection on the complaint of the BJP. Later, the government reappointed him as the DC here. |
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Tantrik held on murder charge
Hamirpur, October 24 Police sources said Lata, wife of Raj Kumar, had gone to her parents’ house at Jangal under the Jangal Beri panchayat before Navratras and was apprehensive that some evil spirit was troubling her. She sought services of a tantrik, who used to beat her up in a closed room as part of his treatment. Lata was found dead in the room on Wednesday. Hamirpur ASP Sumedha Divedi said, “This seems to be a case of delusion.”
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Police week celebrations
Nurpur, October 25 Presiding over the week-long celebration, local SDM Inder Bhardwaj addressed the representatives of the general public, trade unions, beopar mandals and called upon the public to come forward fearlessly to assist the police to cope with cognizable and non-cognizable offences in the area advised to adhere to the traffic and motor vehicle rules to bring down the road mishaps. Subdivisional police officer-cum-DSP K.C. Shandil elaborated on various police-public interest schemes like community policing, vishwas, samarthya, Suvidha and mattry and called upon the masses to assist the police to check women atrocities which were on the rise in this border area of the state. He said taking inspiration from the Haryana police the Himachal Pradesh police had decided to set up a traffic aid centre at Nurpur for which requisite land was being provided by the government. “This centre will help timely succour to the victims of road mishaps on the highway and enable the police to nab the culprit swiftly,” he added.
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HIV/AIDS awareness campaign
Dharamsala, October 24 A decision in this regard was taken at a conference organised by Francois-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB), an international NGO, at McLeodganj on Tuesday. The FXB is working for the welfare of children orphaned by AIDS. It was felt by the participants at the conference that there was a communication gap within the family and in the society. “We want to involve young students, adolescents and college students, and bring them in the mainstream of designing and implementation of basic ideas of this programme”, FXB general-manager Vijay Sharma said. |
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Power cut was only for two days: HPSEB
Una, October 24 He said no power cut was now being imposed on industrial units or any other consumer in Una district. |
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General category staff hold protest
Shimla, October 24 The federation maintained that the instructions contravened the order of the Supreme Court which held that since promotion was a state subject and the amendment purely dealt with reservation and promotions, it was for the state to implement it or not. If at all this amendment was to be implemented, the reservation should be cadre based and not on the running vacancies which would multiply their percentage leading to excessiveness. Further, reservation was to be given if backwardness still existed in the state and the creamy layer had to be excluded. In any case, reservation should not exceed the quantitative limit of 50 per cent in all categories. |
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Principal secy told to file fresh affidavit
Legal Correspondent
Shimla, October 24 It was reported that the college lacked basic facilities and none of the equipment for medical tests had been made functional. The operation theatre had also not been made functional. Principal secretary (health) had earlier filed an affidavit in the court that the college was ready and all medical equipment had reached there. A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice V.K. Gupta and Mr Justice Rajiv Sharma observed that in view of the news item, the affidavit filed by the principal secretary (health) seemed to be factually incorrect.
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