Shimla, December 31
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has said that the land sale of the Nalagarh fertiliser factory owned by the General Industries Corporation (GIC) must be investigated into by some state agency so that the truth can be revealed.

He said this while chairing the 169th meeting of the board of directors and annual general meeting of the General Industries Corporation (GIC) here today.

He also advised the General Industries Corporationto enforce strict financial discipline to check all unproductive expenditure. “No financial liabilities should be carried forward and these must be set right at the outset,” he stressed.

He said the state government had announced financial benefits of over Rs 1,400 crore to its employees and pensioners during a short span of one year

“We have released the second instalment of dearness allowance (DA) and interim relief (IR) to the employees of the GIC on par with the state employees,” he stated.

He said the state government had incurred a burden of Rs 1,600 crore by releasing two instalments each of DA and IR, thereby increasing their emoluments by almost 25 per cent.

“The boards and corporations have been advised to provide similar benefits to their employees keeping in view their financial position and paying capacity,” the Chief Minister said.

“Quality products need to be produced to meet the market requirements and all public sector undertakings (PSU) must diversify to generate more income,” he said.

Shimla, December 31
The town is over flowing with tourists as thousands of revellers have thronged the “Queen of Hills” to ring in the New Year. New Year parties are being held in all major hotels, which are packed to capacity.

Many tourists could be seen searching unsuccessfully for a place to stay as almost all the hotels are packed to capacity.

With the town swarming with people, there have been reports of overcharging by hoteliers and shopkeepers much to the annoyance of tourists.

The local police has made elaborate security arrangements in the wake of Mumbai attacks. Barriers have been put up at all entry points and vehicles are being searched thoroughly. There is heavy police deployment in various parts of the town, especially the Mall and Ridge.

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for parking of vehicles and proper traffic management to ensure that there is no inconvenience to anyone. Several areas like Chaura Maidan, Boileauganj and Chotta Shimla, which are otherwise restricted areas, have been thrown open for parking of tourist vehicles.

Since the temperatures are high, the tourists hoping to celebrate a white New Year. they are enjoying the balmy warmth of the hills in comparison to the dreary and cold days in the plains.

A week between Christmas and New Year witnesses maximum tourist rush at various destinations like Shimla, Manali, Kasauli, Dalhousie, Dharamsala, Fagu and Chail.

Shimla, December 31
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau today arrested PC Kutlehria, a retired HAS officer and former Registrar of the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, in connection with the appointment of an assistant librarian at the varsity on political considerations.

The bureau had summoned Kutlehria and the woman assistant librarian for questioning at its headquarters.

Finding evidence that the appointment was made on political considerations, the bureau arrested them.

Later, they were produced in the court of Special Judge (Forests) where they were released on furnishing a bond of Rs 25,000 each.

“We have enough evidence to prove that the appointment was made under political duress without ensuring that all required documents were in place,” said a senior official of the bureau.

The appointment was made in 2006. Kutlehria was the Registrar of the university at that time.

There had been allegations that norms were not followed and several concessions were made to accommodate the appointee due to political pressure.

Questions were also raised whether the appointee fulfilled the eligibility criteria for selection or not.

Solan, December 31
Shying away from the responsibility of safe disposal of solid waste in the industrial areas across the state, only 319 units have come forward to deposit their equity share with the newly set up Shiwalik Hazardous Waste Management Limited plant.

The Dhabota-based plant that was set up after directions from the apex court was supposed to ensure that as many as 500 identified hazardous waste emitting units started utilising this facility within a period of 90 days.

The time limit ended today and an equity share of Rs 3.57 crore was collected, Ashok Sharma, CEO of the plant, confided.

Sources, however, added that though the Himachal Pradesh Drug Manufacturers’ Association (HPDMA) had promised to pool in their share of Rs 2 crore in lieu of about 40 pharmaceutical units making use of this facility, no contribution had reached the office till today.

The State Pollution Control Board had also sought a report about its usage. Officials in the board said it had become mandatory for such units to dispose their hazardous waste in the plant once it was set up.

Action would be taken against the unit that did not adhere to the directions within 90 days of setting up of the plant.

With a view to rope in wider participation from the units, a formula had been worked out whereby each unit contributed an equity share vis-à-vis its turnover.

A unit having a turnover of over Rs 25 crore had to pool in Rs 2 lakh while one whose turnover ranged from Rs 10-25 lakh had to deposit Rs 1.25 lakh.

Similarly, a unit having a turnover between Rs 5-10 lakh and Rs 1-5 lakh had to contribute a share of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000, respectively.

The smaller units having a turnover of less than Rs 1 crore had to pool in Rs 10,000 towards equity.

The HPDMA had, however, pleaded lower rates on technical grounds. It had been scaled down to Rs 50,000 each irrespective of their turnover.

Interestingly, despite these lower rates, which came into effect on November 19, there was little response from the association.

On the other hand, a few months ago, a leading pharmaceutical firm’s cheque paid as its equity share had bounced and though the board had written to the Electricity Department to disconnect its power supply, it still awaited compliance.

While this spoke volumes about the responsibility these units accepted for safe disposal of their toxic waste, it also gives credence to the fact that they cared little for the environment of the hill state.

Her friend, who had accompanied her, managed to run away when the boy tried to forcibly catch hold of the victim.

The crime came to light when the girl’s mother asked her to give her clothes for washing. The parents of the girl informed the police and a case was registered.

Kangra, December 31
Ongoing protests against the police at Nagrota Bagwan in connection with the death of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) lineman Ram Krishen today took a new turn when senior BJP leaders too joined the protest and demanded an action against the erring SHO of a police station.

A protest meeting was organised by former Transport and Tourism Minister and sitting Congress MLA GS Bali at Nagrota Bagwan here today to press for the demand of the suspension of the SHO and transfer of the entire staff of the police station.

Addressing the gathering, Bali sought the intervention of Chief Minister PK Dhumal in this regard.

He also asked the government that why a medical examination of the victim was not done? He alleged the police remained a mute spectator to the thrashing of the victim by the accused in the police station.

Bali said: “I am apprehensive about the life of Pawan Sharma, who is a sole witness of the murder case.” He sought security for him by some agency other than the Nagrota Bagwan police.

He said he would meet the Chief Minister and the Governor and demand to register a case against the SHO, as he was allegedly co-accused in the case.

He also assailed the government for taking things lightly and alleged the government seemed to be unconcerned about the public issues.

Bali sought the intervention of the judiciary, too, in this regard. Meanwhile, the protesters took out a silent procession, carrying candles in their hands.

Bilaspur, December 31
As many as 300 villagers drawn from 8 panchayats of the district and two from the adjoining panchayats of Solan district staged a demonstration here today.

They raised slogans against the Forest Department and JP Industries, which is setting up a cement plant at Baga-Blag on the border of Bilaspur and Solan districts near here.

Led by zila parishad member Bhagat Singh Verma, high court advocate Nand Lal Chauhan and various panchayat leaders, they met Deputy Commissioner Amar Singh Rathore and submitted a memorandum in support of their demands.

They also complained against the failure of the department for not taking any action against the management of the company and alleged that it axed hundreds of forest trees and set up a number of installations without any permission.

Later, the protesters also staged a dharna outside the office of the Conservator of Forests and Divisional Forest Officer and shouted slogans for ignoring violations of the Forest Act. They sought action against the defaulters.

The Deputy Commissioner assured them that all objectionable and illegal activities of the JP industries would be stopped, while a controversy regarding the construction of the Solan Police Station on the premises of a temple of Bilaspur district would be settled in the presence of revenue officers of both districts.

Addressing mediapersons at the Circuit House, Bhagat Singh Verma alleged that the company had put the government and the forest department into losses of crores of rupees and affected livelihood of thousands of people of that area.

He further said the forest department and the district administration had become a mute spectator despite bringing facts to the knowledge of the officers concerned by the Oustees Joint Action Committee of the area.

He warned that they would launch a regular agitation if the government did not take action against the company management.

Dharamsala, December 31
Year 2008 would be historic for Tibetans in exile. It saw resurgence of their movement against China, rise of young Tibetans who are born and brought outside Tibet and desperate attempt by the Dalai Lama to break ice with China offering autonomy theory.

The Tibetans in exile, viewing the organisation of Beijing Olympics as an opportunity, stepped up their protests against China from March 10. Tibetan monks protested and it was used by the Tibetan government in exile at Dharamsala as an opportunity to highlight their view across the globe in view of Beijing Olympics.

Tibetan NGO’s started march from Dharamsala to Tibet. The march was initially not allowed by the police. Many protesters, including some foreigners, were arrested at Kangra. However, they were released and handful continued with their march.

Initially, the Tibetan solidarity committee - formed by the Tibetan government in exile to coordinate protests against China - participated in the march.

However, later under pressure from India, the Tibetan government in exile called off the protest. But some of members of the Tibetan NGO continued with the protest.

The march ultimately culminated in Uttaranchal after the police there arrested the protesters participating in it.

The protest continued till October when the Olympics were organised. However, the Organisation of Olympics, China, hardened its stance and did not even offer fresh date for talks with the envoys of the Dalai Lama, who for the first time accepted that the dream for seeking complete freedom for Tibet from China was unrealistic.

He instead, through his envoys, offered a memorandum to Chinese officials. In it the Dalai Lama demanded autonomy under the Chinese sovereign. However, the China was prompt at rejecting the offer.

In November for first time since the Dalai Lama fled from Tibet in 1959, he convened a meeting of Tibetan leaders in exile to decide upon the future of their strategy against China.

In the conclave that was organised from November 17-22, though most of over 500 Tibetan delegates reaffirmed their faith in the leadership of the Dalai Lama, many young Tibetans openly stated their different views.

The leaders of Tibetan youth Congress and some others demanded that they should demand complete freedom from China.

Peeved at open opposition by some young Turks, the Dalai Lama in a press conference held after the conclave even went to say he could be the last Dalai Lama. He said if the Tibetans in exile did not want the institution of the Dalai Lama to continue, it could be discontinued.

The health of Dalai Lama was a major concern this year. He fell ill in August and was taken to Mumbai for treatment. He was also operated upon in a hospital at Delhi.

Shimla, December 31
Tragedy unfolded with 147 persons dying in a temple stampede in the state that witnessed some tense moments this year due to spirited protests by Tibetan exiles.

The state that saw a drop in tourist arrivals did get a high with UNESCO recognising the century-old Kalka-Shimla railway track.

With an eye on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP government led by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal toiled throughout the year to maintain a hold on its electoral base, doling out sops.

The state was hit by one of the worst tragedies in recent times when a stampede at Nainadevi temple in Bilaspur district resulted in death of 147 persons on August 5.

A rumour regarding landslide in Nainadhar mountain triggered the tragedy resulting in the death of devotees mostly from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

The state, having headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile at Dharamsala, saw heightened security as the Tibetans organised marches to Tibet where riots had erupted in March. Hundreds of protesters were arrested in Kangra, Una and Sirmaur districts during the agitation.

Dhumal, who took over as the Chief Minister for the second time, claimed to have fulfilled most of the promises made by the BJP in its manifesto within a short span of 11 months.

Senior party leader Shanta Kumar, who crossed swords with Dhumal during his earlier term, has called a truce with the Chief Minister.

The ruling BJP got a boost recently when lone BSP MLA Sanjay Chaudhary joined saffron brigade taking its strength to 42 in the 68-member state Assembly.

The Congress, which lost in the Assembly elections, is yet to settle down. Leader of opposition in the state Assembly Vidya Stokes and former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh are still at loggerheads.

The party in an attempt to put its house in order appointed Kaul Singh Thakur as the state president, but the effort failed.

Despite being one of the most sought after destinations in the country, tourist inflow to the sate was badly hit this year due to the Gujjar agitation in Rajasthan. — PTI

Shimla, December 31
During the first three months of the BJP’s latest stint in the state, several Vigilance inquiries were ordered by the Dhumal regime, involving top Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister, ministers and top bureaucrats.

While the chargesheet prepared by the BJP while being in the opposition was handed over to the Vigilance for probe, the arrest of former Food and Horticulture Minister Singhi Ram hogged the limelight.

The Vigilance is also probing the allegations levelled in the chargesheet against other Congress ministers.

Investigations were also held in the CD case against former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and a vigilance case registered against his principal private secretary Subhash Ahluwalia with regard to disproportionate assets case.

Former Chairman of the Himachal Board of School Education BR Rahi was also arrested in a case relating to fake marksheets. Ahluwalia was grilled on several occasions and remanded in police and judicial custody.

Even as questions were raised about the fairness of the probe, he faced the worst as he was placed under suspension after his arrest.

A case was also registered against senior IPS officer BS Thind on extortion charge. The Vigilance also started inquiry into the ‘jobs on chit’ scam in which it had questioned many bureaucrats.

According to the ADGP (Vigilance), 94 criminal cases were registered in 2008. “These included 22 trap cases against government officials, including state drug controller, Forest Corporation official, Public Works Department SDO, RTO and police officials.”

The bureau received 864 complaints from various organisations and individuals. The charges included allegations against 57 class I officers and seven class II officers.

Hamirpur, December 31
Hamirpur DC Abhishek Jain has claimed that the district has made good progress in the implementation of various schemes launched under the aegis of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) over the past 8 months.

Talking to mediapersons here today, he said, “The NREGA has not only helped in providing employment, but also created durable assets in rural areas. Under the scheme, 40,510 families have been given job cards while 19,180 families have been provided employment in 1,103 project out of which 342 have been completed.”

He said, “The emphasis under the scheme is on rainwater harvesting projects and almost all ponds in the district are being cleaned. Under the Swaran Jayanti Rozgar Yojna, 49 self-help groups have been established and 30 have been provided linkage with banks, besides helping in creating self-employment for 334 persons.”

“While 204 BPL families have been given Rs 38,500 each to construct houses under the Atal Awas Yojna, 347 others have been extended financial help,” the DC said.

He said, “Under watershed development projects, 74 watershed committees and 75 gram panchayats are working. A sum of around Rs 23.88 crore has been spent on these projects. Under the National Social Assurance Scheme, 110 BPL families that have lost their male members have been given Rs 10,000 each.”

Seventy-nine panchayats had been made “open defecation-free” and toilet facilities had been provided in 234 schools, he added.

Dalhousie, December 31
The state has drawn a draft project report for widening and renovation of the Chamba-Banni-Bhaderwah inter-state highway connecting Chamba with the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Disclosing this here today, Subhash Chand Dhiman, superintending engineer (Dalhousie circle), Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD), said draft project report for Rs 18.50 crore had been submitted to the Centre for approval.

He added that as soon as the sanction was accorded by the Centre, the work would be undertaken forthwith.

“The highway passes through rugged terrains in the mountains bordering these two neighbouring states,” the superintending engineer related.

Stating the achievements made under the Prime Minister Gram Sarak Yojna and the World Bank project, he stated that out of 113 projects sanctioned for the development of roads in Chamba district, 35 had been completed this year.

He also informed that under the scheme, roads had been constructed and many had been provided with bridges besides renovation and metalling works had also been completed. He added that 48 villages had been linked by new roads.

The superintending engineer also mentioned that more than Rs 2 crore had been utilised for the maintenance of roads under the calamity relief fund.

Shimla, December 31
With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the New Year could ring in major political changes in the state as future of several top leaders, both in the ruling BJP as well as the Congress, could be decided.

Prominent among those for whom the New Year could change the political scenario is former Chief Minister and Congress stalwart Virbhadra Singh.

With the possibility of his contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Mandi being high, he could move to the Centre as he stands a good change of registering a victory.

He is already touring parts of Mandi parliamentary seat presently represented by his wife Pratibha Singh. With Virbhadra moving to the Centre, the entire political alignments in the Congress could witness a major shift.

The same can be said for the BJP where despite Rajya Sabha MP Shanta Kumar being reluctant to contest, the possibility of his being fielded in the Lok Sabha elections cannot be ruled out completely.

Being the most formidable candidate that the BJP could field from Kangra, he might have to contest despite his reluctance.

For Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal, the next year would be important as the performance of the party in the Lok Sabha elections will be an indicator of his popularity.

“The biggest challenge before Dhumal will be the much awaited Cabinet expansion as the aspirants will not sit quietly as they did this year,” admitted a Dhumal loyalist.

Goings for the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Kaul Singh Thakur is also not easy as his performance will be judged by the party high command on the basis of the poll outcome.

Under the present circumstances if the Congress can retain two seats, it will be seen as creditable.

Political fate of another BJP leader Maheshwar Singh, a former party chief and ex-Rajya Sabha MP, could also be decided. He is keen to take the plunge in the Lok Sabha elections provided he gets the party ticket.