Toani Devi (Hamirpur), October 19
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has accused the Congress of trying to exploit the sentiments of the people in the name of former BJP stalwart Thakur Jagdev Chand.

Addressing a pubic meeting after dedicating the new building of Toani Devi Civil Hospital today, he said, “Late Thakur Jagdev Chand has always been accorded full respect and honour in the party. After his death, several institutions like Sujanpur degree college and a research centre at Neri have been named after him besides installing his statue in the town hall, Hamirpur. The Congress has been trying to derive political mileage by using his name.”

He said, “The Congress government has always discriminated against Hamirpur and lower areas. The development works started during our earlier regime remained at a standstill under the previous government. We have now once again restarted these works.”

Talking about various development projects being carried out in the state, he said, “The government has given top priority to health, education and roads and efforts are being made to provide road links to all villages. Sufficient budget has also been allocated to these sectors.”

He announced to name the civil hospital at Toani Devi after Dr Lashkari Ram, former MLA, in recognition for his contribution towards creating infrastructure in the rural area. Hotelier Gopal Aggarwal donated an ambulance to the hospital on the occasion.

Dhumal said, “The present government has recruited 8,000 persons in different departments till now and 235 posts of pharmacists and nine radiographers in the Health Department will be filled soon. The government will make it mandatory for health officers to live at their places of postings and provide health care at the doorstep of the people.”

Education minister I.D. Dhiman also addressed the gathering. MLA Urmil Thakur, director health services Sulakshna Puri and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Bilaspur, October 19
Dr Biruram Kishore, prominent Congress leader and former MLA from Gehadwin constituency in this district, has contested claims of MP Anurag Thakur that the BJP government has spent Rs 4.89 crore in this constituency and has thus set up a record in development of the area within the past nine months of its rule.

Addressing mediapersons here today afternoon, Dr Kishore challenged Thakur to name any one project or development work, construction of which was started by the BJP within these past nine months and which had been completed and now inaugurated by Thakur during his two-day tour of this constituency.

Biruram said Thakur inaugurated about 12 development projects worth crores of rupees, but he should know that all these development projects were sanctioned and were being implemented since the days of former Congress government led by Virbhadra Singh and he only turned up to inaugurate these projects whose credit does not go to the present BJP government.

The former MLA alleged that up till now the BJP government has not started a single project of its own in this constituency, while it is purposefully ignoring some very important and vital projects and development works which were sanctioned during the earlier Congress government and not a brick has been added to those projects like construction of Government College, Jandhutta, and Beri-Dharola bridge on Gobindsagar.

Shimla, October 19
With Vijay Singh Mankotia “saying quits” to politics, the nearly 30-year-old chequered, but eventful, career of the soldier-turned-politician has come to an abrupt end, at least for now.

At a time when even sportspersons are wary of announcing retirement, a flamboyant leader giving up a career in politics, where age is no constraint, could surprise many. However, those who have been closely following the career of Mankotia know that he is capable of taking sudden and, at times, imprudent decisions.

Aggressive but articulate, impressive orator and born fighter, Mankotia had all qualities to make it big in politics. However, his career has been full of crests and troughs. Somehow, he was not been able to attain success commensurate to his capabilities. It was perhaps the lack of patience and his inability to stick to an ideology that held him back from exploiting his full potential.

He has been a relentless crusader against corruption and regional discrimination all through his career and virtually became a symbol of anti-establishment sentiment. Even as a member of the ruling party, he had been causing embarrassment by raking up inconvenient issues. In fact, he twice revolted against former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and levelled serious charges against him. The two leaders have also been fighting legal battles in courts on the issue.

As a result he has been in and out of the Congress. While out of the Congress, he unsuccessfully tried to raise a third political force in the state where politics had been a bipolar affair with the Congress and the BJP occupying the centre stage. He exploited the Shimla versus Kangra political divide to the hilt and even designed a distinct cap “taringini” to assert the cultural identity of the merged areas and, more importantly, to challenge the supremacy of the green cap that has over the years come to be identified with Virbhadra Singh and the ruling Congress.

As far as the issue of discrimination on regional basis was concerned, Mankotia did not spare even his own party government and minced no words in accusing it of being partial towards merged areas, particularly Kangra district, in the matter of development. While he could not raise the third force, the issues he raised did help the BJP to strengthen its position in the merged areas.

Politicians never retire and by saying goodbye to politics at a rather “young” age of 68, Mankotia has set an example for other leaders to follow. It is a message to the leaders who are in no mood to say “quits” even after attaining the age of 80 years.

Shimla, October 19
Discharged from the Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital (IGMC) after being examined by a medical board, Subhash Ahluwalia, former principal private secretary to the Chief Minister, landed in a private medical institute, Indus Hospital, last night. He was arrested in connection with a case of disproportionate assets.

He remained in the causality throughout the day yesterday as he was suffering from high blood pressure and sugar. However, while being taken away by the Vigilance officials, he fell unconscious in the vehicle.

His relatives refused to take him back to the IGMC and insisted on taking him to Indus Hospital so that he could be provided proper medical treatment.

Ahluwalia was arrested on October 8 and the Vigilance had been seeking extension of his remand on the plea that they could into interrogate him as he remained hospitalised for most of the time. The investigation team maintained that more time was required to interrogate him regarding the sources of his income. He was remanded in police custody by special judge J.L. Gupta till October 20.

Meanwhile, the court has requisitioned the record pertaining to the treatment of Ahluwalia in connection with a petition field by his wife, Meera Ahluwalia, for seeking permission to get him medical treatment outside the state.

Mandi, October 19
Over 250 schoolchildren participating in the 18th state-level Mahatma Hansraj Aryan Athletics Meet of DAV schools had to wait in the blazing sun for over two hours as the chief guest of the concluding function, IPH minister Ravinder Ravi, reached the venue late.

Although some students complained of symptoms of sunstroke, their escorts managed the show by silencing them. They were made to sit in Paddal stadium around 10 am. The minister was supposed to come around 11.30 am, but he reached the venue around 12.30 pm.

Addressing the gathering, Ravi did not even apologise for being late.

He said the DAV group was complementing the government’s effort of making the state education hub of the country. Later, he gave away prizes to winners.

The spokesperson of the organisers refused to comment on the issue.

Vishal and Prashan (DAV-Dehra) emerged winners in the junior boys’ category, while Sakshi of DAV-Ner Chowk won the best athlete trophy. Anup Singh (DAV-Ambota) in emerged winner in the senior boys’ category. Players of DAV-Dehra were adjudged the overall champions and DAV-Ner Chowk team followed them. Over 19 schools participated in the meet.

Regional director, DAV, P.N. Bhatt was also present at the concluding function.

Nahan, October 19
Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, chairman Punjab Mandi Board and also president Bhartiya Kissan Union, presided over the annual function and sports meet of the Akal Academy run by the Kalgidhar Trust in Baru Sahib under Rajgarh subdivision today.

In his speech Lakhowal assured full cooperation from the Punjab government for the opening of 150 Akal academies in Punjab during the next five years along with 25 colleges, exclusively for girls in rural Punjab.

He appreciated the Kalgi Dhar Trust for contributing in a big way for imparting quality education with spiritual fervour. He said with the setting up of 37 day boarding schools benefiting 25,000 rural children in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and establishing of 18 rural Akal academies in these states this year and plan to open 15 more academies during the next year, the Akal Academy has broadened its base to impart quality education in the country.

He said it was a matter of immense satisfaction that 1,462 students were on rolls at Baru Sahib, including children from 16 countries with 150 odd American citizens.

On this occasion sports meet also concluded. The chief guest distributed prizes to the winners of different sports and cultural events. A colourful cultural function also marked the occasion.

S.S. Parmar, information commissioner of Himachal Pradesh, Brina and Matthew Bunt, vice-consul in the American Embassy, New Delhi, Pushpinder Singh, member Minorities Commission, Delhi, were among the large number of prominent personalities, who attended the function. In addition to this, parents of children, who came from different parts of the world like the US, Canada, Hong Kong and the Middle East also participated in the function.

Mandi, October 19
PNB chairman-cum-managing director K.C. Chakravarty today claimed that financial inclusion scheme (FIS) would bail out the rural poor from the clutches of moneylenders, but he was on the defensive on PNB’s dismal record in rural credit that stands at just 20 per cent, while the Reserve Bank of India has set the target of 40 per cent for each bank so that country’s “rural unbanked poor lot is bailed out from the clutches of moneylenders by the way of availing loans from the no-frill accounts”.

The PNB launched the “financial inclusion scheme” in Mandi district here today as the “RBI has directed all banks in the country to cover each and every household that comes in their territory in the state and country as a whole”. The PNB has no credit schemes in returns for their zero balance accounts under the FIS. “The FIS will be launched in the northern and central India in the near future if it turns out be successful venture in Kullu and Mandi district in Himachal and other parts in Rajasthan,” Chakravarty said.

Bilaspur, October 19
The PWD has constructed a rest house on top of Bahadurpur hill, which is the  highest hilltop tourist resort in Bilaspur district. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will inaugurate the rest house on October 21.

The Bahadurpur hill is the only resort in the district here, which is located some 15 km from National Highway No. 88 (Shimla-Bilaspur) road, ahead of Nahmole, from where a road leads to this destination to the hilltop. This is the only resort, which has snow every winter as soon as it falls on Jakhu hill in Shimla.

Blessed with a salubrious climate and nestled in high-rise snow range trees with breathtaking scenery all around, this rest house is expected to be a popular resort for the tourists who earlier did not find any cover at this tourist spot.

This rest house has been constructed at cost of Rs 27 lakh by the government.

Nurpur, October 19
The Union Ministry of Surface Transport and National Highways has given nod for the reconstruction of four bridges and widening of the Pathankot-Mandi national highway from Jonta to Batees Meel under the NH circle, Shahpur.

Superintending engineer D.R. Chowdhary said the authorities had submitted the proposal to the union ministry which had now sanctioned Rs 1.46 crore and Rs 4.99 crore, respectively, for widening the existing stretches of the national highway from Jonta to Kotla and Kotla to Batees Meel.

“The ministry okayed the construction of four bridges at Nagrota Nullah, Rajol Nullah, Jiyol and Neri for which Rs 2.66 crore, Rs 1.35 crore, 1.10 crore and 2 crore would be spent,” he said. Apart from this, the tender for the construction of new Kotla bridge at a cost of Rs 7 crore had been awarded to a Hydrabad-based construction company.

Dharamsala, October 19
Ajay Sharma, a resident of Kullu, today became the first resident of Himachal to have won a task in the overall category of the paragliding championship going on at Bir-Billing.

Himachal tourism officials claimed, “It is for the first time in the history of any international paragliding event, that a participant pilot of India has won a task in the overall category.”

In the second day’s task of 57.4 km, Sharma secured 996 points. He is at the first position in the Indian category now. In the overall category, he is at the fourth position with 1,789 points. In second day’s task, Malecki, Torsten, Latyshev and Sharma secured 949, 948, 953 and 996 points, respectively.

However, Andreas Malecki of Germany maintained a lead of two points (1,865 points) over Torsten Siegel (1,863 points) in the overall category. Sergey Latyshev of Russia (1,837 points) is at the third position after two tasks.

In the Indian category, Ajay Sharma is at the first position now. Debu Choudhury (1,639 points) and Gurpreet Dhindsa (1,631 points) are on the second and the third position, respectively.

In the team category, Russia (5,251 points) is on the leading side, while 50-50 team (5,163 points) and TB and SD teams (5,098 points) are on the second and the third position, respectively.

In the women category, Svetlana Piskareva (1,427 points) of Russia is in the lead while Elena Dmitrievskaya (1,326 points) and Aleksandra Cherepanova (951 points) are on the second and the third position, respectively. Both of them are also from Russia.

An official spokesperson of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department said the task number 3 of 73.6 km was given by technical committee and 90 minutes window was opened at 11.45 am and task deadline for landing at Bir was 5.30 pm.

The route of the task was Billing-Jogindernagar-Palampur and back landing at Bir.

Local residents and tourists enjoyed the hot air ballooning at Bir.

The Chief Minister will be the chief guest during the closing ceremony of the event at Bir tomorrow.

Dharamsala, October 19
The casual approach on the part of authorities is leading to frequent traffic jams on main roads in the district. The Tribune team on a survey in various parts found traffic blocked and commuters stranded at many places in Kangra district.

In Kangra town itself the commuters were put to difficulty by a mechanic. The main road leading through the Kangra town carries a lot of traffic as most of commuters coming to Dharamsala use it. The road is already congested by parking made by taxi drivers along the roads and encroachments by the shopkeepers.

To add to all this, the mechanic was found to repair a Tavera parked right in the middle of the road. When asked, the mechanic said there was some problem in the front tyre of the vehicle. On questioned why he could not take the vehicle away from the middle of the road he simply said that since the vehicle owner parked it here, I just started repairing it.

Though the cops were present a few hundred yards away from the vehicle, nobody cared to get it removed even after observing that the commuters were facing difficulty.

On the Kangra-Ranital state highway further the unmindful PWD authorities led to an over kilometre long traffic jam. They were repairing the road at the peak hours. To repair a small patch of road two trucks laden with bitumen and other machines were parked on a single lane road that led to traffic jam.

The public trapped in the traffic jam got infuriated as it was forced to wait for more than half an hour at the main road. They started scolding the people carrying the small repair work. They also then forced the PWD authorities to remove their trucks to clear the traffic.

As per the norms the PWD authorities should have informed the public and traffic police if they thought it mandatory to repair the road during peak traffic hours. However, in this case the PWD authorities had started the repair works at their own whims that led to a traffic jam and harassment to general public.

Kangra SP Atul Phulzele when informed assured to send in traffic cops to regulate traffic at the site.

Shimla, October 19
The state government will initiate stringent steps, including imposing penalty and legal action, against owners throwing out their domestic animals into streets.

“After completing registration of domestic animals like cow, bullock and calves across the state, the department will launch a special drive to catch owners who throw them out when their utility diminishes,” director of Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) B.C. Bist said.

The new measures include imposing a fine of Rs 300 for committing the offence. If caught a second time, the penalty will be Rs 500 and on the third occasion, an FIR will be lodged against offenders, he said.

The punitive steps have been included in the Panchayati Raj Act through an amendment, he said.

Bist said as part of the special campaign, the department has so far registered about 6 lakh domestic animals in six districts - Shimla, Solan, Una, Hamirpur, Chamba and Kangra.

The ear of the animal is tattooed with details like name of the owner, type of owner and its registration number.

The registration details will help catch the owner of the straying animal, Bist said.

The AHD director said a proposal of Rs 5 crore has been sent to the Nabard through the state government for setting up additional cattle shelters and expanding capacity of the existing ones in Bilaspur and Kangra. — PTI

Nurpur, October 19
The Shahpur police is likely to expose a racket operating in Kangra district for providing jobs in the Gulf countries by sending job seekers on tourist visas.

Yesterday, the police registered a case under Sections 420 and 120(B) of the IPC against Satish Kumar of Odar and Kuldeep Sharma of Maneyee, who have been working as agents of a private company for engaging workers in Kuwait.

Manoj Kumar of Bagru, Satishi of Basnoor, Om Parkash of Puhara and Atma Ram of Lapiana villages under Shahpur police jurisdiction have lodged the complaint with the police alleging that the accused had duped them for providing jobs in a private company in Kuwait and sent them to Kuwait on tourist visas valid for one year only.

They alleged that they had been promised a salary of Rs 24,000 per month, but they were given only Rs 10,000 to 12,000. Apart from this their visas were valid only for travelling as tourists for 12 months. However, they had to return after nine months, as they had to live there clandestinely. Each of them had given Rs 80,000 to the agents for arranging visas and job in the company for working in Kuwait.

According to SHO Bahadur Singh, the police had started investigations and suspected a racket of sending jobless persons in the Gulf countries with tourist visas in spite of visas meant for doing work there.