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Hamirpur Ticket
Revolt brews as Cong spokesman quits
Cong ‘using’ banned plastic buntings
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CPM challenges BJP, Cong
Cong lambasts BJP on Varun episode
Venues for rallies notified
Directive to parties on poll material
CPM launches website
Central funds: Shandil seeks White Paper
Plan to overhaul tender process
Workshop on forestry research
Award for SBI
Two killed, 3 hurt in road mishaps
Student assaults classmate with rod
Ragging Case
Tehsildar held taking bribe
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Hamirpur Ticket
Shimla, March 24 A large section of the party men was in favour of Narinder Thakur, son of late BJP stalwart Jagdev Chand, and considered him the best bet to break the BJP bastion. Even Pradesh Congress Committee chief Kaul Singh and former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had backed his candidature. However, a number of prominent leaders, particularly from Hamirpur district, were opposed to him. The party high command brought in Madan Lal in the hope that his popularity as a test cricketer will come in handy to pin down Chief Minister PK Dhumal’s cricketer son Anurag Thakur, who won the last byelection to the seat by a record margin. Those pitching for Narinder have been indeed disappointed and some lower-rung leaders have even raised a banner of revolt by openly opposing Madan Lal’s candidature. While terming their disappointment as natural, Kaul Singh expressed confidence that the dust would settle down and the party would go to the polls as a united force. He said he had made known his views to the high command about the merits and demerits of various candidates in the race during his meetings with central leaders and also through letters. But once a decision had been taken, he would fully back it and ensure that the entire party came out in support of Madan Lal, he said. A meeting of all party leaders, including office-bearers of the district and block party units and frontal organisation, has been convened at Hamirpur on March 28 at which Madan Lal will be introduced to the party men in the presence of Kaul Singh and other senior party leaders. If it turns out to be a smooth affair with presence of both factions, Madan Lal will be able to kick-start his campaign. However, if bickering among rival factions comes to fore, he will be caught on a sticky wicket and will have a tough task in taking along the rank and file of the party. Narinder, who is under pressure from his supporters to contest the election, has not so far decided the future course of action. He says he will move around in the constituency meeting people and take a decision after ascertaining their views. Meanwhile, Madan Lal has started the spadework for the impending battle. He is contacting all those who matter in the party. He will start touring the constituency on March 26 from Bilaspur and proceed to the Deot-Sidh temple the next day, visit his native village on way to Una to prepare favourable ground for the March 28 meeting. |
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Revolt brews as Cong spokesman quits
Hamirpur, March 24 Expressing his resentment on the selection of Madan Lal and denial of ticket to Narinder Thakur, spokesman of the district Congress party Joginder Thakur resigned from the post today. He also levelled serious allegations against a section of the state party leaders. Talking to mediapersons here today, he said, “As a mark of protest against the nomination of former cricketer Madan Lal from the Hamirpur constituency by the Congress high command, I have resigned from the post of spokesman of district Congress party and as an office-bearer of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Department.” “However, I will continue to remain in the Congress and consult other leaders about my future course of action,” he added. Accusing some top leaders of the state unit of the Congress, he said, “Some of them are acting as the B team of Dhumal in the state. They opposed the nomination of Narinder Thakur as Dhumal did not want it.” “A leader from Kangra, a union minister and a few other leaders of the state have misled the party high command about the ground realities of the Hamirpur constituency and now workers are not ready to tow their line,” he said. He also criticised Nadaun MLA Sukhvinder ‘Sukhu’ saying, “Though he is a party MLA from the district, he has been doing politics from Nadaun, Delhi and Shimla and never bothered about Hamirpur.” On the other hand, state president of theYouth Kisan Congress Naresh Thakur and another spokesman of the party Ajay Bhandralia said at a press conference that Madan Lal would prove to be a very strong candidate. The party workers stood united behind the party high command’s decision to field him from here and would whole heartedly work for his victory from here, they added. They said, “Nobody is bigger than the party and the Congress will prove its strength in the election for the Hamirpur constituency.” |
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Cong ‘using’ banned plastic buntings
Kullu, March 24 The war of posters, banners and flags was yet to start; however, the Congress workers hanged plastic buntings last night to welcome Virbhadra Singh. Unfortunately, in the beginning of the campaign only the Congress has ignored the ban on polythene in the district and used most of its campaigning material made of banned polythene. The district administration has not taken any note of this violation, as the fixing plastic buntings multiplied everyday. The entry point of the town from the south end, Shashtri Nagar, Dhalpur (the district headquarters), Akhara Bazar and lower Dhalpur Bazar are full of these buntings. Even the rural areas are not spared. However, the BJP has not yet jumped into the poster and flag war, but would restrict to cloth buntings as the plastic buntings, which were used last time, were removed after the orders of the then Sub-Divisional Magistrate here. |
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CPM challenges BJP, Cong
Shimla, March 24 Addressing a press conference here today, the state leadership of the CPM said the fact that the two main political parties had not even come out with a state manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls was an indication of their insensitivity towards the problems of the common man. “It is for the two parties to decide the time and venue to hold an open debate and clarify their stand on several issues,” said Tikender Singh Panwar, member, State Secretariat of the CPM. “While the common man is being denied his timber distribution and other forest rights, the government has no hesitation in granting permission for felling of 10,000 trees to make way for the transmission line of JP group,” Panwar said. He added that the survival of the villagers was next to impossible if their TD rights were not restored as they depends on forests for fodder, fuel and other products. He added that the awarding of 250 bighas of land to the JP group in Arki in sheer violation of Section 118 of the Land Tenancy Act was another example of the pro-corporate stand of the Dhumal regime. “While people are being denied TD rights, big corporate houses are getting away despite causing ecological devastation as the entire Sutlej basin has been converted into a dumping yard,” he said. Panwar said while the Congress had expedited the eviction process to remove encroachments on forest land, the BJP had cheated the people by seeking affidavits for regularisation of all such land occupied by individuals. “The BJP has always failed to protect the interest of the people as the public distribution system (PDS) has practically been dismantled”. |
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Cong lambasts BJP on Varun episode
Shimla, March 24 Addressing a press conference here, he said the legal authority of the commission apart, it was the moral responsibility of the BJP to send the right message to the people by honouring the EC’s advice of not fielding Varun from Pilibhit. However, by questioning the authority of the commission on the sensitive issue, the party had only made known its “communal intent”. Regarding the BJP charge that the Congress was responsible for rampant corruption and terrorism, he said a party whose national president Bangaru Laxman and several MPs, including Suresh Chandel from the state, were caught on camera taking bribe had no right to raise an accusing finger on the Congress. Similarly, it was under LK Advani’s term as the Home Minister of the country that the most shocking terror incidents like Kandhar hijacking, attack on Parliament, Akshar Dham and Raghunath temples had taken place. He alleged the “Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna” has been a big farce as the consumers had received inflated electricity bills. The government had claimed the switchover to compact florescent lamps (CFLs) would result in saving of at least 30 per cent energy, but the huge bills slapped on consumers this month indicated otherwise. |
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Venues for rallies notified
Bilaspur, March 24 The notification said no election meeting or rally could be organised without prior written permission from the respective Sub-Divisional Magistrate. It further said for the Jhandutta constituency such meetings could be held in the playgrounds of Government Senior Secondary Schools at Jhandutta, Barthin and Gehadwin. For the Ghumarwin constituency in the playgrounds of Government Senior Secondary Schools at Bharaadi, Hatwaad, mela maidan of Ghumarwin and the Main Chowk at Bamm. For the Bilaspur Sadar constituency at Champa Park in the main market of Bilaspur town and also at the College Maidan, Nagar Parishad premises and the Luhnu Maidan. Also at the playgrounds of Government Senior Secondary Schools at Kutheda, Barmana and Panjgaain. For the Naina Devi constituency, these places would be playgrounds of Government Senior Secondary Schools at Bassi, Kothipura, Chakoh, Deoth, Jukhala and high school at Saai Kharsi. |
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Directive to parties on poll material
Hamirpur, March 24 In a release, he said as per section 127 A of the People’s Representative Act, 1951, and sub-section (1) and (2), it is mandatory for every publisher and printer to submit the printed material within three days. Every printer and publisher should print their name and other details on it. He said the person getting the matter printed should be known to the printer and publisher or he should obtain declaration from two persons known to him.
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CPM launches website
Shimla, March 24 Apart from the profile of the candidate, the website carries the manifesto of the party for the 15th Lok Sabha elections. “Various issues pertaining to Himachal have been listed and there is also a separate column for the general people to vote for the most pinching and concerned demand,” said Tikender Singh Panwar, while inaugurating the website. |
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Central funds: Shandil seeks White Paper
Shimla, March 24 He has also demanded a White Paper on the details of funds received by the state from the Centre over the past five years. He said the BJP charge that the UPA government had discriminated against the state was false and mischievous. Talking to mediapersons here today, he said being aware of the fact that the model code of conduct would come into force by the first week of March, he had given a draft of Rs 1 crore to the Deputy Commissioner on February 13, but he delayed the release of funds for carrying out various works without any rhyme or reason. The code of conduct came into force as expected and now the money could be released only after the election process was over. This would unnecessarily delay some projects, he alleged. During his tenure, he had distributed Rs 26.5 crore, including Rs 10.59 crore for Shimla district, Rs 9.13 crore for Solan and Rs 6.7 crore for Sirmaur, he said. He had visited almost all 968 panchayats of his constituency and highlighted local problems like shortage of staff in hospitals and schools. The health services, in particular, were a shambles but the minister concerned, Rajiv Bindal, was totally indifferent to it. He visited the Theog civil hospital on January 6 and found it in bad shape. He wrote a letter to Bindal to bring the matter to his notice. However, he did not even care to respond to the letter,
he alleged. In another case, the horticulture minister diverted Rs 32.47 lakh and the people had to seek intervention of the high court to ensure that the funds were utilised for the purpose for which they were sanctioned. With such a track record, the BJP was not likely to get popular support during the forthcoming elections, he said. |
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Plan to overhaul tender process
Shimla, March 24 A five-member committee has been set up under the chairmanship of chief conservator of forests DP Sinha to carry out a detailed exercise for a complete switch over to cashless transactions in the department. It is surprising that in a state which had achieved total financial inclusion and payments to even casual workers under the National Rural Employment Scheme is being made through cheques, a major department should be withdrawing such huge amounts of government money in cash for various payments. Additional chief secretary, forests, Avay Shukla said the incident had made it obvious that there were loopholes in the financial system which enabled officers to withdraw such huge amounts in cash and keep it for days together. Transactions in cash always left scope for misappropriation and corruption. Now that every household in the state had bank account it was time to do away with cash in government transactions. He said the government also proposed to revamp the exiting system for carrying out development works by engaging causal labour. The field staff maintained muster rolls for the purpose and the workers were paid in cash. To eliminate cash transactions and ensure timely and cost-effective execution the government proposed to award works through tenders. The field staff of the department would supervise the works to ensure quality. A foolproof system of monitoring of works, particularly new plantations, using digital imaging would be evolved. With huge funds available under the CAT (catchment area treatment) plan it was imperative to take such steps for efficient execution of plans. |
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World Tuberculosis Day
Shimla, March 24 Speaking at a state-level function organised here today on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, Director (Health Services) Sulakshna Puri said the help and cooperation of private practitioners would be sought so that the detection and cure rate could be improved further. As compared to the national detection rate of 56 per cent, Himachal had touched a percentage of 79, she said. Dr Puri said the theme for this year was “I am stopping TB - Fighting TB is the responsibility of every citizen”. The theme was about celebrating lives and success stories of people afflicted with tuberculosis and those who did their bit to fight the disease, she said. Functions were held at the TB sanatorium, Dharampur, and all district headquarters. Programmes were held to sensitise members of mahila mandals, anaganwari workers, members of youth clubs, community volunteers about the disease. Painting and quiz competitions were also organised. KANGRA: The World TB Day was observed at Chaib in the outskirts of this town on Tuesday by the TB Society, Kangra, and efforts to control the disease were highlighted. Dr RS Rana, member secretary of the society and district TB officer, said TB was being controlled effectively with an aim to make world TB free by 2050. Five tuberculosis units have been set up at Dharamsala, Kangra, Nurpur, Dehra and Palampur. |
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Workshop on forestry research
Shimla, March 24 Progressive farmer who is leading the organic revolution Gopal Mehta said with snow and rain becoming scarce there was need to take measure to conserve and utilise every drop of the run-off. He said suitable sites be identified for snow harvesting to help recharge the streams and groundwater sources. Check dams and contour trenches are built to harvest rainwater. Chief conservator of forests GS Goraya said in a state like Himachal where two-thirds of the areas were under forests and 90 per cent of the population lived in villages, rural forestry was the key to sustainable development. However, indiscriminate exploitation of bio-resources had brought 60 plant species to the verge of extinction. |
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Award for SBI
Shimla, March 24 Punjab National Bank and UCO Bank bagged second and third prizes, respectively, among the commercial banks. In case of rural banks Himachal Gramin Bank and in cooperative bank category Jogindra Central Cooperative Bank bagged the first prize. The Mandi Saksharata Samiti was awarded first prize followed by the Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development (CORD) in the non-government organisations category. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment was given a special prize for its contribution to anganwari movement and best anganwari workers were also awarded by Padam Shree Dr Kshama Metre, national director, CORD, who was the chief guest at the function. She also spoke about he experience in the field of micro-finance and emphasised the role of the movement
in creating awareness among women. |
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Two killed, 3 hurt in road mishaps
Mandi, March 24 In the first case, a cement-loaded truck (HP14A-3337) rolled down from the highway, near Hanogi temple, today into the Beas river killing both Ishwar Das (driver) and Naman (conductor). The bodies and truck remained irretrievable from the river till the filing of this report. The truck was on its way from Darlaghat to Sainj in Kullu. The police has registered a case under Sections 279/304A of the IPC at the Aut Police Station. In the second case, a motorcycle (HP 33) hit a passenger, Jamat Singh (Sarkaghat), while he was loading his luggage in the bus yesterday. The police has booked the accused under Sections 279/337 of the IPC. In the third case, Dev Raj from Chanech under the Jogindernagar Police Station complaint that a speeding Tavero (HP01D-0702) coming from Bhararu side rolled down from the roadside in which two persons sustained injuries. The police has registered a case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC. |
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Student assaults classmate with rod
Solan, March 24 According to the Independent Students Union (ISU), Sunil Kumar was beaten up with a blunt weapon by his classmate Rajesh Kumar. The incident took place around 11 am when all other students had left the classroom after finishing their first lecture. Both of them were studying in the College of Horticulture. According to a student, they had clashed over some old issue. The ISU has blamed the university authorities of failing to maintain discipline in the university. ISU’s Mithilesh Kumar said the erring student owed allegiance to the ABVP and this had emboldened him to carry an iron rod with him. He said students had approached the police to get an FIR registered against the erring student. University’s registrar Balbir Thakur said a two-member inquiry committee had been constituted to inquire into the matter. The committee would submit its report by tomorrow. |
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Ragging Case
Kangra, March 24 Following the death of first-year student Aman Kachroo on March 8, the then Principal Dr Suresh Sankhyan had called him to attend the college on March 9 and 10, but he did not do so. After Dr Anil Chouhan joined as the new principal, he also called a meeting of the wardens and the chief warden but Bharti did not attend even that meeting.
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Tehsildar held taking bribe
Solan, March 24 According to SP of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Hardesh Bisht, Ranta had demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000 from Mehta in lieu of getting his power of attorney made that would have facilitated him to sell a piece of land measuring 4.5 bigha belonging to Chander Dutt Sharma. Sharma was a resident of Mashobra-Kathli village in Shimla district. Mehta then made a complaint to the bureau, which constituted a team headed by DSP Kushal Sharma. The team arrested the tehsildar and also recovered the bribe money from his office. Ranta was working as the tehsildar, Kandaghat, since July, 2007. A case under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against him.
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