The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

Further trade with Pak to remain suspended: Jairam
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

Palampur, January 31
The trade and commerce improving initiatives with Pakistan will remain suspended till conspirators of Mumbai terror attack were brought to book. The talks for improving the trade and commerce with Pakistan have been suspended for an indefinite period after the Mumbai attacks.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh gave this information here today. He was here to preside over a seminar on tea industry organised at Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology (IHBT), a CSIR centre at Palampur.

He said many bilateral agreements on trade and commerce with Pakistan were in pipeline. India was looking for exporting tea to Pakistan that is second largest consumer of tea in the world via the Wagah border. However, after the Mumbai terror attacks everything had been put on halt.

However, instead of Pakistan, India is now looking to explore the new markets of tea in Afghanistan, Iran and Egypt. The Indian Tea Board is going to revive Indian Tea Promotion Centre in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Indian Tea Street still exists in Cairo, however, the tea promotion centre had closed down. The revival of Indian Tea Promotion Centre would help in reviving the market of country’s tea in Egypt, the minister said.

The minister also deliberated on challenges being faced by Kangra tea. He said small amount of production that had fallen to just about 8 lakh kg per annum is biggest drawback. In this small quantum the tea would not find reliable market. He also said that it is unfortunate that the tea farmers of Kangra were not taking benefit of the subsidies being provided by the Tea Board of India for fresh plantations.

He also urged the state government to allow the tea board to use the Geographical Indicator of Kangra tea for its promotion. He announced that in June bulk traders of tea from Amritsar and Gujarat would be invited to Kangra for promotion of local tea. The Kangra tea would also be given a free place in the international tea festival being organised in Cochin in February.

Chief Minister PK Dhumal urged the tea producers to take initiative. He also announced that the state government would enter into an agreement with the tea board to allow the former to use Geographical Indicator of Kangra tea that is in the name of state government for promotion of local tea.

Representative of the Kangra valley Small Tea Planters Association KG Butial also presented its demand charter before the minister. The planters demanded package for Kangra tea and incentives at par with industry.

Former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar, Minister of Irrigation and Public Health Ravinder Ravi, deputy chairman of the Tea Board of India Rahani Sen, prominent agriculture expert SS Johl and executive director of the Tea Board of India RD Nazeem were among others who spoke on the occasion.

Congress fails to evolve consensus over candidates
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 31
Having failed to evolve consensus over single names for being fielded from Mandi and Hamirpur Lok Sabha seats, the state election committee (SEC) of the Congress party today forwarded about a dozen names, including that of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh for being fielded as party candidates to the central election committee.

Barring Virbhadra Singh, minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma and Sukh Ram, most of the other members attended the SEC meeting held here today. The members of the SEC were, however, unanimous in their view about sending single names of sitting MPs, Chander Kumar from Kangra and Dhani Ram Shandilya from Shimla parliamentary seat.

The possibility of Virbhadra Singh, who was conspicuous by his absence at the crucial meeting, contesting the election from Mandi seat remained open as his name figured in the panel forwarded to the AICC. The other names that have been forwarded for the Mandi seat include former telecommunication minister Sukh Ram and sitting MP Pratibha Singh.

However, tempers ran high as there were conflicting opinions about forwarding the name of HPCC chief Kaul Singh Thakur from Mandi seat. As the issue led to heated arguments it was finally decided to forward the individual opinion of the SEC members with only four favouring fielding of HPCC chief and 12 opposing his candidature. HPCC chief and Vidya Stokes did not put in their opinion.

It is the discussion while deliberating the names of candidates from the Hamirpur parliamentary seat, which generated maximum heat. While a large section of the members of the SEC were of the opinion that Narinder Thakur, son of BJP stalwart Jagdev Chand who had joined the party some time back be given the ticket, there were few who opposed it.

Majority of the members of the SEC were of the opinion that Narinder had been attacking the chief minister and the BJP regime and fielding him would make the contest interesting. “Even though we are on a sticky wicket in Hamirpur but Narinder is undoubtedly our best bet,” admitted a member.

A former minister and a member of the SEC was in favouring of fielding a candidate from a particular community to balance the caste scales. The names forwarded by the SEC from Hamirpur include Narinder Thakur, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Ranjit Singh Verma and O.P. Rattan.

“As a policy decision we have forwarded the names of all the three sitting MPs even though Pratibha Singh is reluctant to contest and the possibility of her being fielded is remote,” said a member of the SEC. With Virbhadra Singh emerging as the strongest candidate, there is possibility that he could finally be fielded.

BJP mulls on election strategy
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, January 31
The two-day state-level BJP conclave began near the Chamunda Devi temple complex, about 20 km from here, today.

The conclave was inaugurated by Chief Minister PK Dhumal. Senior BJP leaders from the state, including former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha member Shanta Kumar, state president of the BJP Jai Ram Thakur and BJP candidate from Kangra Rajan Sushant participated in the conclave. Besides, senior leaders party workers from Kangra and Chamba district also participated.

Sources said the party leaders deliberated on issues that could be made part of the BJP’s election campaign in the state. The senior leaders urged the workers to take the achievements of the one-year rule of present government to the people. Some of the workers urged the leaders to en-cash the struggle carried by Rajan Sushant for the Pong Dam Oustees who have considerable presence in the Kangra parliamentary constituency.

Strategies were also discussed to counter the OBC vote bank factor that might prove strength of Congress candidate Chander Kumar.

Kangra is being given significant importance by the BJP leaders as the party has 12 MLAs out of total 16 in the district.

The BJP is considered to be in a strong position from the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency. If former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is fielded by the Congress from the Mandi parliamentary constituency it would be tough fight for the BJP. From the Shimla parliamentary constituency also the Congress is considered to be strong. So, winning the Kangra parliamentary constituency would be necessary for the BJP or lest it could remain limited to just the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency, the sources said.

Govt urges industry to allow 5pc quota to physically challenged
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, January 31
The government is persuading industrialists to allow 5 per cent reservation to physically challenged in their units in the state. This was stated by Minister for Social Security Sarveen Chaudhary here yesterday.

She, however, clarified that the government was not bringing any legislation to force industrial units to recruit physically challenged. “We are requesting industrialists to enforce reservation for the said category on its own,” she added.

Interestingly, while the government seeks 5 per cent reservation for the physically challenged in industrial units, it is providing just 3 per cent reservation to the said category in government jobs.

When asked to clarify on the issue, the minister said the industry had more resources than the government and it should share the social responsibility of providing jobs to the physically challenged. She said the 5 per cent voluntary reservation limit recommended for industry was negotiable.

The minister said the Department of Social Security had also mooted a proposal to ask the industry to providing training to unemployed youth from the state. The youth having annual income of less than Rs 60,000 would be provided two-year training at industrial units. During the training period, they would be provided a stipend of Rs 3,000 each. The government would contribute Rs 1,500 towards each trainee’s stipend.

Luxury vehicle without valid papers impounded
Ambika Sharma

Solan, January 31
The Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau has impounded a Land Cruiser (MH-0IP-0569), which was being used by an Additional SP for the past several years and that, too, without any valid documents.

Investigations about how the official had procured it during his posting at Parwanoo are underway. The official, who was posted as SDPO at Parwanoo from June 2006 to April 2007, had allegedly procured this vehicle, which was originally owned by T Kubota, a resident of Mumbai.

An NOC was later procured from Mumbai on December 9, 2005, to facilitate its registration against a Sector-4 based industrial unit, Chanchal Packers. The registration was, however, executed on a new number, HP-15-6343, almost a year later on December 5, 2006. The vehicle was again sold to one Sham Lal Sharma, who was shown to be a resident of Sector 2, Parwanoo.

A team of the vigilance, which had visited Parwanoo some days ago, however, failed to find any such person and an affidavit affixed along bearing the Sector 2-based address had also incorrect facts. No one by the name of Sham Lal was found living at the address.Interestingly, this vehicle was in the possession of the said ASP.

The vehicle was impounded by a team of vigilance officials from Pandoh where the official was posted a few days ago.

Confirming the facts, DG (vigilance and anti-corruption bureau) DS Minhas said the vehicle, which had no papers, had been impounded from Pandoh and further investigations into the case were underway. The bureau would proceed appropriately after completing its investigations into the case, he added.

Deadline on encroachment ends today
Our Correspondent

Parwanoo, January 31
With the apex court granting 48 hours to the district administration of Panchkula to rid the Kalka market of encroachments, the Parwanoo and Baddi police have also geared up to deal with any unsavoury fallout of the situation.

The deadline will expire at 4 pm tomorrow and the administration could initiate a demolition drive to remove encroachments. It could also lead to traffic chaos as hundreds of commuters use the Pinjore-Kalka NH 22 on the weekends. As a precautionary measure, the Parwanoo police has requisitioned a reserve comprising 24 policemen for the smooth flow of traffic.

The SP of Solan, SPS Verma said both uphill and downhill traffic would be channelled through alternate routes so that in case of any unrest at Kalka, commuters did not face problem. The Baddi police has made similar arrangements where a meeting was held today between three transport unions comprising truck, canter and tempo operators. The operators were directed to divert their vehicles through the Ropar-Swarghat road and avoid using the Pinjore-Kalka route.

CM for creating water resource dept
Our Correspondent

Una, January 31
The state government is considering to set up the Water Resource Management Department to oversee the management of all traditional water resources and other allied activities in the state.

This was stated by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal while addressing a public meeting at Takarla in the district today.

Earlier, Dhumal dedicated Takarla augmented water supply scheme, completed at a cost of Rs 116.18 lakh, to the people of the area. He also dedicated irrigation tubewell Seri-II, completed at a cost of Rs 52.67 lakh and Suri Ropa augmented water supply scheme, completed at a cost of Rs 148.57 lakh.

Besides, he laid the foundation stone of seven tubewells to feed Karluhi, Akrot group of villages at Karluhi. Chief Minister said Oscar Fernades, Union Labour Minister, would lay the foundation stone of ambitious ESI hospital and college at Ner Chowk in Mandi district and Union Minister for Fertilisers and Chemicals Shri Ram Vilas Paswan would lay the foundation stone of the Rs 106 crore Sail plant at Kandrauri in Kangra district next month.

He said the Una Jan Shatabdi Express had also been started from the district, connecting Una with New Delhi.

Quake hits Kangra valley
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, January 31
An earthquake of 3.8 intensity on the Richter scale struck Kangra valley today morning at 8.37 am. According to officials of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dharamsala, the quake persisted for about 18 seconds and had its epicentre in higher reaches of Chamba district. No damage was, however, reported due to the quake.

The quake has once again brought to the fore increasing seismic activity in the area. The Holi region of Chamba district is being considered as the most seismically active area in the entire region by experts. Last earthquake with epicentre in Holi region was recorded on September 15 measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale.

Chamba has been seismically active for the past many years. Earthquake with epicentres in the region were also recorded on February 28, 2005, and November 11, 2004. The 1905 earthquake that led to massive destruction in Kangra district and killed 80,000 people also had its epicentre in Chamba district.

As per the zoning map for earthquake sensitivity produced by the Wadia Institute, the northern Himalayas had been observed as most sensitive region. The Kangra district has already been kept under zone 5 category for earthquake probability.

11 judicial officers promoted
Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 31
The Himachal Pradesh High Court today ordered the promotion and transfers of 11 judicial officers.

As per the notification issued here today, AK Sharma, Presiding Officer, Fast Track Court, Ghumarwin, has been transferred and posted against the same post lying vacant at Solan. Rajeev Bhardwaj, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Kullu on promotion has been posted as the Presiding Officer, Fast Track Court, Ghumarwin.

Purender Vaidya, CJM, Kullu, has been promoted and posted as the Presiding Officer, Fast Track Court Kangra at Dharamsala against a vacant post.

JK Sharma, CJM, Solan, has been posted CJM, Kangra at Dharamsala. Baldev Singh, CJM, Bilaspur, has been posted as CJM, Kullu. Rakesh Chaudhary, CJM, Chamba, has been posted as CJM, Bilaspur. Bhupesh Sharma, civil judge-cum-ACJM, Sundernagar, has been posted as CJM, Solan. Padam Singh, civil judge-cum-ACJM has been posted as CJM, Chamba.

The promotion of three civil judges (junior division) as civil judges (senior division) has also been ordered. Those whose promotions have been ordered include Aman Sood, Jia Lal Azad and Aparna Sharma.

2 held with fake driving licences
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, January 31
The Kangra police has arrested two persons, Jagan Nath and Trilok Nath, on charges of preparing fake driving licences.

The sources available here said the police got the information that the accused were in possession of a stolen vehicle. However, when the police raided their residence, material and computer being used for producing fake licences was found.

The police has arrested the accused and recovered six fake driving licences from the accused. The issuing authority for driving licences has certified that the licences recovered from the accused were fake.

A case for forging the documents has been registered against the accused.

Probe against Kaul Singh condemned

Hamirpur, January 31
District Congress leaders have condemned the state government for initiating a vigilance probe against state Congress president Kaul Singh Thakur. At a joint press conference here yesterday, Congress leaders, Narender Thakur, Sunil Sharma and Deepak Sharma, said BJP leaders had become ‘uncomfortable’ with the popularity of Kaul Singh Thakur and now trying to cow him down through a vigilance probe. — TNS

Prohibitory orders imposed
Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 31
District Magistrate JS Rana today issued an order prohibiting holding of public meetings, taking out processions, demonstrations, slogan shouting and rallies and carrying of weapons on the Mall and in other parts of the town.

The order, which comes into force with immediate effect, will remain effective till March 31. Rana said the order had been issued to avoid any kind of disturbance as some organisations were proposing to hold rallies, public meetings and demonstrations in Shimla.

The above order shall not be applicable to the police, para-military and military personnel while performing their duty.

Union Minister to lay foundation stone today

Shimla, January 31
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Power Jairam Ramesh will lay the foundation stone of the corporate headquarters of the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam, near the Malyana power sub-station, on the outskirts of the city here tomorrow.

The proposed corporate office complex will be spread over an area of 28 bighas. — TNS