Dharamsala, March 17
Prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile Samdong Rinpoche has constituted a five-member committee under the chairmanship of the speaker of their parliament to coordinate the ongoing worldwide agitations in a peaceful way.

A five-member information monitoring committee has also been formed to collect and update information on the latest situation in Tibet.

The contact persons and telephone numbers to give or take any information related to the latest situation in Tibet are: Tseten Norbu (981870928), Molam Tharchin (9816272440), Serta Tsultrim Woser (9902488562), Tenzin Gonpo (9418506721), Serta Tsultrim (9816178505), landline number of the parliamentary secretariat 91-1892-222481 and email at tibetanparliament@gov.tibet.net <mailto:tibetanparliament@gov.tibet.net>.

The PM has made a fresh appeal to the United Nations and the international community to persuade China not to resort to force after the end of today’s deadline given by the Chinese authorities to the peaceful protesters in Tibet to surrender.

He has also appealed to the Red Cross to make arrangements for providing medical aid to 400 Tibetans injured in the recent turmoil. The PM, for the first time, confirmed that at least 100 persons had been killed in Tibet.

He said his government and Tibetan envoys in foreign countries were in touch with leaders of the big nations to exert diplomatic pressure on China to stop using force against Tibetans.

In reply to a question, he said he had a communiqué with the Chinese authorities to normalise the situation in Tibet but no positive response had come from the other side. “We are also in touch with the Indian leadership in Delhi for help,” he said.

Meanwhile, protest rallies continued on the streets of McLeodganj showing signs of growing frustration over China’s alleged crackdown on Tibetan dissenters. Processions, candle light vigil and fasts by Tibetans had become a routine.

“Tibet belongs to Tibetans”, “China out of Tibet”, “What we want? We want freedom” were some of the commonly raised slogans during the regular protests here.

Thousands of Tibetans gathered at the McLeodganj square in the morning and raised slogans against China. They also blocked traffic on the main roads leading to the town, but the local authorities managed to restore traffic only after a few minutes. There was no unprecedented incident reported from the town.

Tibetans burnt an effigy of the Chinese President and flags of China. They were also carrying banners against hosting of Olympics in Beijing.

Deputy speaker of the Tibetan parliament Dolma Geri said the Tibetans living here and elsewhere in the world were worried about the fate of their fellows in homeland as the deadline to surrender was drawing near.

McLeodganj, March 17
Uneasy calm prevails at the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile as China’s ‘surrender deadline’ ends this midnight.

Tibetans living here are concerned over the fate of their fellows in Tibet fearing bloodbath there.

Ven Ngawang Woebar, president of the Gu-Chu-Sum Ex-political Prisoners’ Movement in Tibet, has been quoted in local Tibetan media saying, “We fear the worst for our marchers and sisters as the Chinese authorities have locked down Lhasa and deployed armed police and troops across the country.”

Many Tibetan NGOs also held press conferences today condemning Chinese action in Tibet. Tibetan Women’s Association president B. Tsering said, “We condemn the violent crackdown in Tibet.”

President of the Tibetan Youth Congress Tsewang Rigizin appealed to the Indian Government to show restraint in dealing with Tibetans’ peaceful protests being staged in different parts of the country.

There was little movement in streets of McLeodganj today. Elders were seen offering prayers in temples for the safety of their countrymen in Tibet.

The Dalai Lama reported talked to some top leaders of the world to exert diplomatic pressure on China to prevent bloodbath in Tibet.

Nahan, March 17
Hundreds of Tibetans held a protest march in Paonta today. The protesters were carrying placards.

They raised slogans against the Chinese suppression and use of force on thousands of men, women, children, monks and nuns in Lahasa and other parts of Tibet.

The march started from Bhoop Pur. It went through Badri Pur and the main market of Paonta Sahib. Protesters trampled the Chinese flag and set it on fire.

Later, secretary of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society, Paonta Sahib, Gita Ram Thakur appealed the UNO and the Indian Government to pressurise China to stop use of force against Tibetans.

Chandigarh, March 17
Urging the protesting Tibetans to exercise restraint, Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said today the government would not interfere with the peaceful protests being held by the Tibetans in various parts of the state.

Addressing a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club, Dhumal said the Dalai Lama and his followers were the guests of the country. He, however, appealed to the protesting Tibetans not to indulge in violence.

Tibetans are protesting in various parts of the state, especially McLeodganj and Dharamsala, to mark the 49th anniversary of uprising against Chinese rule and to press their demand for independence ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

About the impact of growing presence of Tibetan population staying in the state since 1959, on the law and order situation, Dhumal said: ''We are alert and keep in touch with the Central government in this regard.''

Dhumal stressed the need for extending the Pathankot- Jogindernagar railway line, up to the areas bordering Tibet.

''This would not only boost development in the border areas but also be of immense help to the defence forces deployed in the area, especially in view of China laying a railway line up to Lhasa in Tibet,'' Dhumal said.

Bilaspur, March 17
Presiding over a seven-day state-level historical and cultural ‘Nalwari Fair’ at Luhanu Maidan here today, forest minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said the Chief Minister had presented a pro-people and pro-farmers’ budget.

The budget allocation for health has been increased to Rs 104 crore, a 209 per cent increase then that of last year, while an amount of Rs 197 crore has been provided for education and Rs 374 crore for roads, an increase of 16 per cent.

Earlier, the forest minister inaugurated the fair in the centuries’ old traditional manner by pitching a wooden peg in the mela ground and tethering a bullock with it and worshipping it and praying for prosperity and well-being of the people.

Mela management committee chairman deputy commissioner Devesh Kumar presented a stick to the chief guest, which is a traditional symbol.

Large number of people headed by the forest minister joined a procession from Shri Laxmi Narayan temple through town accompanied by traditional musical instruments and drums.

Shimla, March 17
With the committee constituted to look into election-related complaints submitting its report, the state leadership of the BJP could take disciplinary action against those whose conduct has been found to be against the party interest.

The committee headed by state BJP vice-president Rashil Singh Mankotia submitted its report to party chief Jai Ram Thakur a week back.

The committee has given a complete report from over 30 mandals from where complaints had been received.

“I have yet to go through the report and it is in consultation with senior leaders of the party that I will take a decision about the action to be initiated against those who have been found guilty of anti-party activities,” said Jai Ram Thakur.

The final decision would be taken in consultation with senior leaders, including Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal and BJP vice-president Shanta Kumar.

The committee had received complaints with regard to anti-party activities, including a campaign against the official nominees, from more than 30 of the 68 assembly constituencies in the state.

Though the committee was to submit its report to the state BJP chief by March 1 it was delayed by a fortnight. The other members of the committee include Rajender Kumar Sharma, convener of the state legal cell, and Col Ganga Ram Jamwal from Jogindernagar.

The party chief said the report was suggestive and not the ultimate word on the conduct of party men. “Though feedback has been taken by the committee from all those concerned but in case we are not satisfied in certain places we could get views from other quarters and give it a fresh look,” said Thakur.

In many places the party men for fear of disciplinary action had decided to resolve the disputes among themselves and the committee members, too, encouraged the workers to settle the disputes.

In more than 90 per cent of the complaints allegations have been levelled against party leaders who were contenders for the party ticket but could not make it.

“We have tried our level best to conduct the inquiry to everyone’s satisfaction and given an opportunity to every individual to present his case,” said Mankotia. It was now for the party to take action.

The maximum number of 10 complaints had been received from Kangra district, followed by five from Mandi.

Though complains were received from about 30 of the 68 assembly segments their number was much more as more than one complaint had been filed from each constituency.

Interestingly, while the Himachal CBSE topper for plus two had 83 per cent marks, Upma secured a fake certificate with 90 per cent marks.

The police could not verify the roll number on her certificate as the board did not have any matching roll number.

Shimla, March 17
The Himachal Power Corporation (HPC), set up for expeditious exploitation of the state hydropower potential, will be structured on the pattern of the central public sector undertakings.

As per the structure approved by the Board of Directors here today the corporation will have a strength of 960, including about 250 engineers. Unlike the other state public undertakings it will have separate contract, finance and personnel departments.

With the merger of the Kinner Kailash Corporation and the Pabbar valley Corporation last year the HPC has five projects with an aggregate generation capacity of 896 MW in hand, with two more were in the pipeline.

The manpower approved in accordance with the norms for central undertakings will suffice for the execution of these projects.

The 111-MW Sawara Kuddu project and the 65-MW (first stage) of the 243-MW Kashang project are scheduled to be commissioned within the 11th Plan.

The other projects assigned to the corporation are 402-MW Shong Tong-Karcham, 100-MW Sainj and 40-MW Renuka.

The 40-MW Chirgaon-Manjhgaon and 76-MW Dhamwari-Sundah projects are also being awarded to it.

Managing director of the corporation Tarun Kapoor said the projects would be commissioned within the stipulated period by 2012.

He said major contracts pertaining to construction of a power house, electrical works and erection of dam would be awarded by June.

The Asian Development Bank(ADB) has already given its nod for funding the Kashang, Sainj and Shongtong-Karcham projects.

The projects with an aggregate generation capacity of 740 MW will involve an expenditure of 4,500 crore.

Shimla, March 17
Chief minister P.K. Dhumal said the government would approach the Centre to include protection of crops from stray and wild animals under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Assurance (NREGA) Scheme.

Replying to a resolution moved by Mohinder Singh and Jai Ram Thakur of the BJP in the Assembly, he said he also shared the concern of the House on the issue as the situation was grave.

“Practically every panchayat in the state is badly affected by the damage being caused by monkeys, wild boars, blue bulls and other animals to crops, forcing many of them to leave farming,” he said.

“Since it would not be possible to kill animals like monkeys and blue bulls due to religious sentiments, the only way out is to appoint people who will work as guards and protect the crops against devastation by animals,” he said.

He sought suggestions from the members so that the Centre could be approached in that regard.

He said though only eight types of jobs had been included under the NREGA, there was a provision for new inclusions in the list on the recommendation of the State Employments Guarantee Council.

Nalagarh, March 17
Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal today announced that the Gandholi-Nalagarh-Ramshehar-
Kunihaar-Jubarhatti road would be converted into a national highway.

Being a state highway at present, the proposal would be submitted to the Ministry of Surface Transport for the change, he said. This will be the first national highway to be developed by the BJP government.

Dhumal was speaking at a public meeting at Nalagarh after laying the foundation stone of the Chikni bridge to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.65 crore.

He also inaugurated a college hostel and the Deoli bridge constructed at a cost of Rs 1.75 crore.

He blamed UPA government at the Centre for rising inflation. He sought a mandate for the NDA in the ensuing parliamentary elections.

This alone could ensure a check on rising prices, he said. He said nobody indulging in black marketing would be spared.

He said the previous Congress regime had left the state in a debt of Rs 22,931 crore. He announced the setting up of a transport nagar in 200 bighas at Baddi.

He announced the construction of another 60-m Chikni bridge on the National Highway No. 21-A at a cost of Rs 5.33 crores after seeking approval from the Ministry of Surface Transport.

His another announcement related to Nanowaal-Khera bridge the proposal for which would be sent to Nabard for the required funding of Rs 8 crore.

Interestingly, the BJP government had laid the foundation stone of a 12-km road near Chikni bridge in January, 2003, while Shanta Kumar was the union minister.

Dhumal today began his stone laying activity from this very place. Though the road project has been brought under the Prime Minister’s Gramin Sarak Yojna, it has remained a kutcha road so far.

Kullu, March 17
Civil aviation minister Praful Patel will inaugurate the new Kullu-Manali airport terminal building at Bhuntar on March 19.

The building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 10.5 crore. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will be chief guest at the function, while, minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma will preside over the function.

However, the aerodrome officer said he had not received any official information in that regard so far.

The DC and the SP, on the other hand, confirmed the tour of the civil aviation minister and the Chief Minister.

Though the inauguration would make the new terminal building operational, its capacity will remain a matter of concern, especially if more flights are started from here.

Senior manager (engineering) of the Airport Authority of India Mullik said the building had been designed for 50 incoming and 50 out going passengers.

These days, two airlines are conducting daily flights with a carrying capacity 96 passengers (Air Deccan, 48, and Air India, 48).

Many other airlines like MDLR, Jagson and King Air plan to operate flights to Kullu. How would the new building will meet the requirement is a question.

Nurpur, March 17
The poor family of 11-year-old Abhimanyu from Gangath in this subdivision has heaved a sigh of relief with a large number of individual donors as well as voluntary organisations offering to extend financial aid for the heart surgery of the ailing child.

The plight of the poor family was highlighted in The Tribune today. R.K. Mahajan, president of the local municipal council, had offered to supervise the collection and utilisation of donations.

He said he had so far received over 50 calls from Chandigarh, Delhi, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Shimla, Mohali, Mansa, Karnal, Gurdaspur, Batala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Gohana, Jammu, Patiala, Bathinda, Shimla and Rohru, promising financial help for the child.

Mahajan said he had also got offers of the child’s medical treatment from the Rotary Club, Chandigarh; Ludhiana Medicity, Ludhiana; Escorts Hospital Amritsar; and Grecian Hospital, Mohali.

The parents and the ailing infant were being sent to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, tomorrow for the surgery. Mahajan said that two bank accounts (Stata Bank of Patiala account No. 65034343184 -branch code 50125 and SBI account No. 30349689591 with branch code 2369) had been opened for collecting donations.

Nurpur, March 17
Despite no facility or provision for LPG and CNG refilling in filling stations throughout in the state, the Registration Licensing Authority (RLA) here is registering LPG vehicles.

And under the disguise of registration of LPG vehicles the violators are indulging in misuse of cooking gas in their vehicles, which is illegal. Inquiries reveal that eleven LPG vehicles have so far been registered by the local RLA.

The domestic consumers here are facing shortage of cooking gas refills but vehicle owners have uninterrupted supply to ply their vehicles. Local RLA cum SDM Inder Singh Bhardwaj clarified that the LPG vehicles were registered following permission of the commissioner, state road transport, Shimla.

But on the other hand, the assistant commissioner (technical) road transport, Shimla, clarified that the permission for LPG vehicle registration was granted only for approved special gas kits.

He admitted that there was no LPG filling station for vehicles in the state but added that the permission was granted following request of the vehicle owner.

He failed to convince that how permission was being granted when no LPG filling station existed in the state.

He, however, informed that such filling stations are available at Chandigarh and Jalandhar cities in UT and Punjab, respectively. He made it clear that using of domestic LPG cylinders in vehicles was unauthorised.

Shimla, March 17
The government today transferred the deputy commissioners of Kullu and Kinnaur and 12 other officers.

Director of town and country planning P.S.Draik has been posted as the DC, Kinnaur, vice M.Sudha Devi, who takes over as Kullu DC, replacing Abhishek Jain who goes as director of information and technology with additional charge as MD, State Electronics Development Corporation.

Director of transport Rajinder Singh has been named MD of the state cooperative bank vice Anita Tegta, who takes over as director of land records, replacing Kashmir Chand who goes as director of vigilance. Rajinder Singh will continue to hold additional charge as the director, transport.

Secretary of the public service commission V.C.Katoch has been given additional charges as director, town and country planning. Director of social justice and empowerment Subhashish Panda has also been given charge as special secretary of the department.

Additional director, higher education, Mohan Chauhan, goes as special secretary, PWD, while assistant settlement officer, Shimla, Kishori Lal, under transfer as settlement officer, consolidation, Hamirpur, takes over as joint director, panchayati raj.

Rakesh Sharma, who was under transfer as SDM, Pangi, has now been posted as such at Dehra. Harbans Singh, under transfer as deputy transport commissioner, Shimla, now goes as project officer, ITDP, Reckong Peo, vice Layak Ram Negi’ who takes over as RTO, Hamirpur.

Chaman Dilta, under transfer as ASO, Solan, has been posted as assistant commissioner to the DC vice Avinash Chander Dani, who goes as assistant commissioner (leave reserve) to the Solan DC.

Rima Kashyap, under transfer as RTO ,Solan, has been posted as assistant settlement officer, Solan.

The transfer of RTO, Solan, Yashpal Sharma, as SDM, Banjar , has been cancelled. The transfer of Pangi SDM Prabhat Singh as such to Bhoranj has also been cancelled.