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Mankotia fires salvo at Virbhadra
Rs 18-crore loss due to rain, hailstorms
Youth’s Murder
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Cong resents police inaction in assault case
Plight of small entrepreneurs highlighted
Resentment among doctors
Cement Plant
Bilaspur DCA joins cricket issue with Anurag
Rapist father escapes
BJP’s no to VAT cut on petro products
6 of liquor Co booked
Third accused held in car-snatching case
PTA teachers begin strike today
Palampur varsity wins sea buckthorn project
Cong threatens stir over college posts
Stokes denies rift with Viplove
BJP workers behind mass transfers: MLA
Debris eating up fertile land
Boy falls to death
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Mankotia fires salvo at Virbhadra
Shimla, June 22 Releasing copies of the memorandum submitted by him to Governor V.S.Kokje in this regard Mankotia said the distortion of recorded history was a serious matter and merited immediate investigations to determine whether or not the government printing press printed approximately 1000 copies of a fresh gazetteer without the alleged portions. If it was established that certain portions had been subtly tampered with, those involved in criminal conspiracy to distort the recorded history and tampering with an official document should be brought to book. In the detailed memorandum Mankotia also drew the attention of the Governor to the 15th Maharaja Padam Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament he inaugurated early this month and said that the meet had been named in memory of the late ruler of erstwhile Bushair state but the use of “maharaja” as the title was a grave constitutional impropriety. The British had conferred the title of only “raja” to the rulers of six states, including Busahir. Further, while all other saluted states w ere granted the salute of 11 guns, the rulers of Bushair were accorded a nine-gun saluté. He urged the Governor to advise the government to take appropriate action in the matter and not to allow such elements take liberty with history and facts. It should also be ascertained if an order was issued to withdraw all copies of the district gazetteer of Kinnaur published in 1971 and an order was placed for printing fresh copies of the Shimla district gazetteer. Mankotia said that he had supplied all documents and other information to the state investigating agencies probing various cases and said he had handed over the original cassette relating to the “audio CD’ case. The ball was now in the court of the Dhumal government and it should ensue time-bound investigations to bring the culprits to book. The investigation should be conducted in a professional manner using latest forensic techniques like brain mapping and narco-analysis tests to uncover the real culprits. Mankotia said he was unable to understand why the BJP government had not taken any action in the issues like ski-village, Mumbai musical blast and MoUs for power projects which were its main election plank and used to whip the Congress on the issue of corruption. |
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Rs 18-crore loss due to rain, hailstorms
Mandi, June 22 In all, the rains and hails have damaged over 25 per cent of the crops comprising apple, mango and citrus fruits worth Rs 18 crore this year, hitting the farmers badly in the district. As a result, the fruit production is likely to be 30 per cent less than what was recorded last year. According to farmers, hailstorms and rains that lashed the area destroyed 20-30 per cent crops, which added to the woes of the farmers. The hailstorms have destroyed 15-30 per cent crops worth Rs 17 crore in the district till now. These hails and rains have hit the apple, pea, wheat and barley crops in over 12 panchayats of Khalwan, Bhaldidhar, all panchayats in the Chiuni valley, Som Nachan and Shilibagi, the farmers rued. The pradhans of these panchayats have urged BJP chief and Chachiot MLA Jai Ram Thakur to take up the matter with Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal to compensate the farmers. Deputy director Horticulture Y.R. Sharma said the department had not received a fresh report on the damage to crops so far. But the hail and drought have damaged over 15-20 per cent crops of apple, citrus fruits worth Rs 18 crore in the district this year. “We have submitted a report to the state government recently,” he added. |
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Youth’s Murder
Solan, June 22 Trouble started when relatives of the deceased who hailed from Boch village, near Deothi, forcibly took the youth’s body from the mortuary of the local Regional Hospital and marched in protest on the Mall Road. They raised anti-administration slogans and protested against the deteriorating law and order situation during the three-day long Shoolini fair. The protesters marched through the Mall Road and after reaching the national highway near Deori Dwal they obstructed the movement of vehicles. Though the police diverted the traffic through an alternative route some damage was caused to a few passing vehicles windowpanes of which were smashed. Some policemen who tried to stop the mob were manhandled. The situation assumed a violent turn when the protesters were stopped near the Sainik Rest House where the police had to allegedly resort to a minor lathicharge to disperse the mob. Some shops downed the shutters as the agitators tried to get all business establishments closed. According to police officials, Sanjeev was murdered following a clash between two rival groups last night at Thodo ground. Sanjeev Kumar was stabbed to death while three others sustained grievous injuries. While Kamal was referred to the IGMC, Shimla, Vikas and Pawan were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. The police arrested four youths-- Monti, Abhishek, Pankaj and Pawan Kumar-- in this case. Another youth, Yogesh, was detained for questioning. According to the police, there was an altercation between two groups of youths over some issue a few days ago, leading to the clash last night. The irate relatives of the deceased also staged a dharna outside the Sadar police station, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits. They were pacified only after the police arrested the four accused. A case under sections 302, 307, 201, 147, 148 and 149, IPC, had been registered in this connection. SP S.P.S. Verma said the police managed to arrest the culprits within no time but an inquiry would be conducted into the role of the respective sector officer in whose area the crime had taken place. While refusing that any lathicharge had taken place he said the additional SP would probe the allegation levelled by the protesters and submit a report within 24 hours. The CM said a thorough probe would be conducted into the incident and those found guilty would not be spared. |
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Cong resents police inaction in assault case
Bilaspur, June 22 District Congress president Onkar Singh Chandel, state INTUC general secretary Bhagat Singh Verma, district party finance secretary Bant Singh Chandal and Kot Kehloor block Congress secretary Sarpal Singh said here today that this protection is being given to this person because he is a near relation of a top BJP leader of the Centre and instead of arresting him he is being allowed to roam about and enjoy the climate of Kullu valley and has not even been interrogated for ‘the lawlessness’ created by him. They said the police even did not want to register a case against this person but it had to do it on intervention of the District Bar Association president Rajender Thakur. They said even then the police recorded wrong name and address of the accused and made a crude attempt to shield the real culprit. The accused is said to belong to Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and is related to BJP national president Rajnath Singh, these leaders alleged. They demanded immediate suitable action in this matter and a judicial enquiry in this unfortunate incident to prove the claim of the state government that it is determined to provide a transparent and clean government in the state. They warned that the Congress would be forced to consider other means to get justice if the state government does not ensure that law is allowed to take its own course in this case as in others. |
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Plight of small entrepreneurs highlighted
Shimla, June 22 A two-day national-level conference organised by the organisation concluded at Kufri today. The plight of small entrepreneurs was highlighted in the conference. It was said that immediate steps like lower rate of interest on loans, subsidy on industrial plots and a comprehensive policy to encourage micro and small units were needed to sustain this sector. The units with connected load up to 100 kw should be deemed as small units and industrial plots for these should be provided at 50 per cent of the allotment rate. Representatives of the LUB should be nominated to various bodies related to industries. Other demands included loan up to Rs 50 lakh without collateral security, reconstitution of the small-scale industries board. Chief guest of the concluding session Chief Minister P. K. Dhumal said the small units were the backbone of the nation in employment generation. He said the demands made by the LUB were likely to fall on deaf ears of those at the helm at the Centre. He asked them to wait for the impending change at the Centre, which, he said, was likely to happen soon. He said agriculture and small-scale industries had saved the country from crisis and he would love to grant permission to small units rather than the giants. He said the state was earning 50 per cent of its revenue from power generation, which would be doubled over the next few years. To save the fragile environment and reduce geographical distances, tunnels would be given priority in construction of roods. National president of the LUB Sushil Gupta said there was no social security for an entrepreneur who contributed significantly to the nation. In case of loss, entire assets of the entrepreneurs were attached and they were made homeless. At least, basic facilities to have a decent living must be secured for small entrepreneurs, he said. He also asked for the rationalisation of VAT. Himachal chapter president of the LUB M.P. Sharma and general secretary Sanjay Bhasin also spoke on the occasion. |
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Resentment among doctors
Hamirpur, June 22 Their demand of creating more avenues of promotion has not been met. The department has failed to hold even routine meeting of the departmental promotion committee (DPC) for more than a year. The DPC has not being convened though office-bearers of the Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association (HMOA) had urged the health minister to hold it on March 26, 2008. The demand to hold DPC is quite genuine since about 25 posts of higher category are lying vacant in the department. The vacant posts include three posts of joint director, five posts of deputy director, one post of CMO for Lahaul and Spiti, one post of principal for the health institute at Parimahal, Shimla, and a post of in charge, TB Sanatorium, Dharampur, etc. General secretary of the HMOA Jiva Nand Chauhan said, “Though we have been highlighting our grievances before the successive state governments for the past six years, most of our demands have gone unheeded. Not holding a DPC meeting for more than a year is a matter of concern.” “Medical officers do not get even a single promotion during their 25 to 30 years of service. Now, the stagnation has started causing frustration among them,” he added. Health minister Rajiv Bindal said, “We are in the process of streamlining the department after taking over the reigns of government recently and would try to resolve all grievances of medical officers, including holding of DPC meetings. |
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Cement Plant
Sundernagar, June 22 The farmers demanded action against a senior official of the district administration for allegedly helping the company in grabbing the land of the poor farmers at throwaway prices. They told the MLA that five meeting convened by the administration to negotiate the price of the land had proved unsuccessful as the company wanted to purchase land at a very low price. They said the company had entered into agreements with some poor farmers and started paying some advance money to them. However, they had not been given any copy of the agreement so far. A senior official of the Mandi administration was also seen attending corner meetings with farmers and alluring them on behalf of Harish Cement Limited, they alleged. The matter was brought to the notice of the administration, but the practice had not been stopped so far. The MLA reportedly assured the farmers that he would look into the matter and not allow any illegal practice to be adopted by anyone for cheating farmers. The farmers also urged the MLA to help them in presenting their case before Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal. |
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Bilaspur DCA joins cricket issue with Anurag
Bilaspur, June 22 Addressing mediapersons here on Friday, Vikas Thakur, son of former sports minister Ramlal Thakur, reminded Anurag that his HPCA did not release a single rupee for promotion of cricket in Bilaspur during these five years and whatever cricket activities were organised here were only with the personal efforts of the district association here. He said a total of Rs 15 lakh was spent on cricket activities and this was due to own efforts of the DCA. While the cricket stadium was levelled, six wickets were also constructed here and for the first time two players from Bilaspur played in Ranji matches. Vikas said there was no other cricket association here in the district except the one which he was leading as its elected president and it is not known how now Anurag is posing himself as the president of this DCA also. If Anurag is interested in becoming the president of the DCA here, he has to strive hard here and become member of this association according to the rules and then face election as no nominations are allowed here. Vikas said Anurag had no contribution towards cricketing in the state and he is only gloating over funds, which are being provided by the BCCI, which in turn, had to provide at least 75 per cent of its income to the state associations, according to the rules. |
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Rapist father escapes
Nahan, June 22 An alert message was sent to all police posts in Sirmaur, adjoining districts and police of neighboring states around noon after the constable on duty in the hospital reported escaping of Raju Bihari from the hospital. Nakas were laid on all main roads going out from Nahan. Police parties were
sent to Kala Amb where the accused resided last as a worker of a steel factory, to confirm his possible hide out
from his relatives and friends. Till late this evening the accused was away from the reach of the Sirmaur police. As per details available, the Kala Amb police arrested Raju Bihari on March 8, 2007, on
charge of raping his own three-and-half-year old daughter. The girl was rushed to PGI, Chandigarh, where her life was saved. Ashok Shandil, superintendent Nahan Model Central Jail, said the under trial Raju Bihari was suffering some serious
skin ailment and was admitted in the ahan Hospital on June 17, under police supervision. |
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BJP’s no to VAT cut on petro products
Shimla, June 22 Addressing mediapersons here today, he said the Virbhadra government had left the economy in a shambles and the government could not afford to give anymore concessions. The state’s finances were in a mess and it would take sometime to put things back on track. The only practical way to help the poor people reeling under unprecedented price rise was to increase their purchasing power and the BJP government did it by increasing the minimum daily wage by Rs 25 and the social security pension by 50 per cent in one go at the very outset. It also provided Rs 70 crore for the subsidies ration scheme started by the Virbhadra regime without making any budgetary provision and continued it. It was the total failure of the UPA at the Centre price front, which had created such a serious situation. The prices of foodgrains, edible oils and other essential commodities had increased from 50 per cent to 120 per cent and the inflation rate which was 4.5 per cent during the NDA regime had shot up to 11.05 per cent. The onus to provide relief to the people was also on the UPA government which messed up the with the country’s economic policies. It could have easily managed the situation by curtailing taxes on petroleum products and limiting the margins of oil companies. |
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6 of liquor Co booked
Shimla, June 22 According to sources, the incident appeared to be a sequel to the seizure of liquor belonging to the company from the Bamloe area. The company suspected that Yakub had given information to the police about the liquor and he had been receiving threats ever since and even demanded Rs 3 lakh from him for the loss suffered by it on this account. Yakub maintained that he had informed the police about the threats but no preventive action was taken. This emboldened the mafia men who dared to attack him and his family in his house. So far no one has been arrested in connection with the attack. Yakub has been admitted to the IGMC hospital while his wife was discharged after treatment. In the FIR Yakub had named Kaundal, Pappu, Ram Singh, Raju, Ajay and Batish. |
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Third accused held in car-snatching case
Bilaspur, June 22 SP K. K. Indoria said here today that a special police party led by assistant sub-inspector Hira Singh Thakur of Suharghat police station nabbed Chinda from his hide out at Ahmedgarh in Ludhiana and had brought him here for presenting him in the court. Chinda is said to be the mastermind of this crime. Earlier on June 10, four persons, who posed as passengers and hired an Indica car of Sukhvinder Singh for paying obeisance at Naina Devi temple in this district, had suddenly attacked the driver injuring him seriously and later fled with the car. Indoria said the police worked on whatever clues the injured driver could provide them and now it is on way to arrest all accused in this case as the fourth accused would also be arrested soon. |
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PTA teachers begin strike today
Shimla, June 22 The call for boycotting the teaching work has been given by the Himachal Pradesh PTA Lecturers and Teachers Union in protest against the non-release of grants to PTAs for payment of salaries. President of the union Vivek Mehta said seeing the negative attitude of the government, there was no hope for the PTA teachers. He said, “What is the purpose of inquires when the government has already announced in the Vidhan Sabha that PTA teachers will not be removed till March 2009?” If the government was honest, it should review all appointments of teachers made under various schemes till date and throw out all those appointed in violation of the norms, he said. He sought support of various political parties for the agitation to be started by them from tomorrow. He warned the union would not relent even if it led to closure of some schools. |
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Palampur varsity wins sea buckthorn project
Dharamsala, June 22 According to director of research S.C.Sharma, sea buckthorn, indigenous to the region, is a rich source of vitamins and other anti-oxidants, which have potential in health food and drug industry. The project scientists, namely Virendra Singh, A.S.Saini, Mandeep Sharma, V.K.Sharma, Y.S.Dhaliwal and S.P.Tyagi have won this project after competing at the national level. The main objective of the project is to improve the agro-techniques, identify high- yielding cultivars, improve silvi-pastoral system, besides identifying developmental agencies in sea buckthorn resource generation in the Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh region. |
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Cong threatens stir over college posts
Nurpur, June 22 Addressing a press conference here, he alleged all development activities launched during the previous Congress regime had been stopped by the present government. |
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Stokes denies rift with Viplove
Shimla, June 22 She said the news stories appearing in the media in this regard were the figment of reported imagination and there was no truth in it. She asserted that she and Viplove were working in close coordination and making efforts to strengthen the party. |
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BJP workers behind mass transfers: MLA
Bilaspur, June 22 If things did not improve soon, he would be forced to launch a people’s agitation seeking accountability of ministers concerned, he added. |
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Debris eating up fertile land
Shimla, June 22 Social activist and environmentalist
Ratan Chand told mediapersons here today that the administration was least bothered
about the loss of fertile land and the devastation being caused by debris being dumped into Saal Nullah, a tributary of
the Ravi. The villagers had got no compensation for the loss of land, he said. He said the Saho
village was not the only case, it was the same story at every site where roads were being constructed. He said a special drive should be launched for speeding up the restoration work. |
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Boy falls to death
Bilaspur, June 22 |
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