Shimla, April 12
The state committee of the CPM has urged Dalits and tribal people in the hill state to vote against both the BJP and the Congress in view of their indifferent attitude towards them.

Member of the state committee of the party Tikender Singh said both parties were anti-Dalit and anit-tribals. It was no surprise that both of them had fielded candidates from feudal background from the Mandi seat, he added. The social indices for both Dalits and tribals were relatively worse and social evils were still in practice. The BJP and the Congress have used Dalits for their political gains instead of ensuring social and economic justice to them.

The CPM, on the other hand, had been at the forefront of the “mujahra” movement that led to land reforms in the state. The recent Forest Dwellers Act that enabled the Scheduled Tribes (STs) to own land would have never seen the light of the day in the absence of the Left support. The intervention of the Left ensured that the definition of wildlife was made scientific and not left to the Forest Department to decide on it. Moreover, the ceiling on land was raised to 4 hectares. The rights to minor forest produce also got strengthened and women, for the first time, would hold land in the tribal region under the Act.

The CPM promised to change the clause under which dwellers were required to show possession of land for the past three generations and bring down the requirement to just one generation. The union forest and environment ministry continued to hand over forests to corporate houses. In 2008, more than 5.73 lakh hectares of land was diverted for the purpose, he added.

The BJP and the Congress had hoodwinked tribals and Dalits on the issue of land. Both parties wanted the forest land to be diverted to corporate houses and not to the legitimate owners, tribals and forest dwellers, he alleged.

Kangra, April 12
A 29-year-old pilgrim from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh last evening offered his tongue before the Goddess Kali in the Kali temple located within the premises of Brajjeshwari temple, the police said here today.

Kangra District Police Chief Atul Phuljale said Bhavani Singh came to the Kali temple yesterday at 9.30 pm and cut his tongue and offered it to the Goddess.

He was found unconscious in the pool of blood after cutting his tongue and was rushed to the local Civil Hospital by the people who were present there. In view of his condition he was immediately shifted to Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda.

Medical Superintendent of the Tanda hospital Dr Bhanoo Awasthi said the patient is not in a position to speak because of the injured tongue.

Bhavani Singh has given in writing that he was a devotee of Goddess Kali and offered his tongue at her feet just to please her.

Phuljale said a case of attempt to suicide had been registered against him.

Manali, April 12
The major glaciers beating a steady retreat coupled with reducing snow cover in Chandra-Bhaga valley in Lahaul and Beas and Parbati valleys in Kullu, up to an altitude of 3,000 m from sea level, has sent alarm bells ringing for hydropower potential worth 7,768 MW being tapped in big way in these valleys.

This prophetic phenomenon has come to light at the international symposium on snow and avalanche organised by the Snow and Avalanche Establishment (SASE) and International Glaciological Society (IGS) here recently and 100-year data collected by scientists at GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kullu.

Top 40 glaciologists have expressed their concern over the receding snowline and glaciers in the Himalayas and other mountains worldwide and emphasised on sharing more data and monitoring the phenomenon on a large-scale.

They said the studies indicated that the snow cover in Beas and Parbati valley had reduced in the past 20-30 years. “This in turn forecasts not so rosy for projects coming up on the river basins,” they revealed.

VP Mishra, a glaciologist at SASE, said, “Snow cover has been reduced in Beas and Parbati valley for the past 20 years and can be attributed to rise in temperature and the increased human activity.”

Dr JC Kuniyal, a senior scientist at GB PIHED said, “The Kullu valley has witnessed a rise of over 1°C in its temperature in the past 100 years. It in turn has contributed the climate change and receding snow cover in the Beas valley.”

The experts said this phenomenon is bound to hit 4,501 MW in Beas and Parbati valleys in Kullu district, 2,051-MW Parbati project (under execution), 192-MW Allain-Duhangan (under execution), 86-MW Malana II (commissioned), 105-MW Malana 1 (under execution), 126-MW Larji and 990-MW Beas-Sutlej Link (both commissioned) are located in Beas valley.

Similarly, the Chandra-Bhagha glaciers have been beating a steady retreat over the centuries. “This basin has a power potential worth 3,267 MW, which is being tapped under private and joint sectors by the state government”.

Director SASE RN Sarwade said there was no cause for panic as glaciers have been reducing over a vast period of time and are no new phenomena. “The total amount of snowfall was going up and down within a cycle of every five years. It ranges from 15-20 m in the higher sub-zero temperature region,” he said.

Shimla, April 12
The state government is considering reviewing the recruitment policy in view of the chinks highlighted in the existing rules that led to selection of candidates in the state electricity board, who were on the verge superannuation.

Recently, the board recruited ex-servicemen who had only a few months to go for attaining the age of superannuation.

The government has relaxed the age limit up to 50 years for ayurvedic doctors. It meant that they would have only 8 years of service. 

As per the rule for working out eligibility in respect of maximum age for recruiting ex-servicemen, the period of approved military service rendered by a candidate after attaining the minimum age prescribed for appointment to the service concerned should be deducted from the actual age and he will be deemed to have satisfied the condition if the resultant age does not exceed the maximum age limit by more than three years.

With the upper age limit raised to 45 years, anyone up to the age of 68 years and having 20 years of military service will be eligible for appointment. It is another matter that with superannuation age pegged at 58 years, it will not possible to actually give jobs to such persons. However, anyone having even a day to complete 58 years will have to be appointed. 

Chief Secretary Asha Swaroop said it was a complicated issue and the whole matter required a fresh look.

Chandigarh, April 12
Himachal Pradesh Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) BS Thind today challenged minister Narender Bragta to file an affidavit with the Lok Ayukta in support of his claim that allegations levelled by him against Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal were baseless.

Reacting to a statement made by Bragta on this issue, Thind, who was recently arrested on charges of extortion and cheating, claimed that the BJP government had trumped up cases against him. He said he was not acting at the behest of any political leader.

“In fact, the BJP has a Thind phobia,” the police officer said adding the BJP government was trying to make his arrest an election issue. “This is why they have got me arrested before elections, especially after I filed corruption charges against the Chief Minister on April 4 this year,” he added.

Thind also claimed that the investigating officer in the case against him was the brother of a BJP legislator.

Kullu, April 12
The incidents of looting pedestrians in Kullu district at knifepoint were on increasing during the past two years. The snatching of cash, jewellery and mobile phones has become a common feature in Manali, Kullu and Bhuntar towns, besides the adjoining areas. Someone near Manali bus stand allegedly looted one Om Prakash of Bandrol village of Rs 4,000 recently. He was unlike other people who were thrashed and looted and the police did not do anything to nab the culprits.

The police, on receiving information immediately came in action and one Lot Ram, a resident of Manali Gaon village, was arrested and the looted amount found in his possession. Police sources said the same person had earlier too looted goods and cash worth Rs 80,000 from one German. He was convicted and sentenced for six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000 was also imposed on him against that case.

One Awasthi of Bhuntar was also thrashed in daylight last week near the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Office at Dhalpur by a few boys while the victim reached there on motorcycle around 4pm. Awasthi said he was approached by three young men and asked to give money. When questioned, they started thrashing him and fled away from the scene. Awasthi did not report the matter to the police fearing undue harassment by the goons as they threatened him for that. He said he was having office cash of more than Rs 2 lakh, which was to be deposited in the ICICI Bank at Dhalpur.

Such cases of thrashing, looting and threatening on lonely roads in almost all towns of the district were very common. The reason behind such small thefts was considered to be the drug addiction of youngsters as in most of the cases the youths involved are between the age group of 20-30 years.

Superintendent of Police KK Indoria said the police was on high alert for the drug peddlers and nabbed many during the past one month. He said the police remained successful in breaking through the cases of prowling and burglaries. He further confirmed that the anti-social elements would not be spared for law breaking.

Hamirpur, April 12
The expulsion of Hamirpur district Congress committee spokesman Joginder Thakur, who was expelled by the Himchal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) three days ago for alleged indiscipline, is likely to be revoked by tomorrow.

Joginder Thakur was expelled by the HPCC on the recommendation of the Hamirpur district Congress committee on the charge of creating indiscipline.

After the allotment of the party ticket from Hamirpur to former cricketer Madan Lal Sharma, Joginder Thakur had not only expressed resentment over the party high command’s move, but also resigned from the post of party spokesman.

Thakur, who is an elected president of the Dugha panchayat and was supporting the candidature of Naridner Thakur, had not only opposed the candidature of Madan Lal, but also demanded that the party high command should reconsider the issue. He had also levelled serious allegations against a few party leaders accusing them of “stalling the candidature of Narinder Thakur”.

Considering it to be a serious matter and an act of indiscipline, the district committee expelled him from the primary membership of the party and sent a report to the PCC.

Although a section of the party leadership was not in favour of expulsions at the time of elections, a few others were reportedly adamant on his expulsion.

Sources in the state Congress said, “The HPCC is convinced with the reply of Joginder Thakur. The orders pertaining to the revocation of his expulsion are likely to be issued in a day or two.”

General secretary of the HPCC Asha Kuamri has confirmed the report.

Hamirpur, April 12
Chief Minister PK Dhumal has accused the Congress of creating unemployment, precipitating an economic crisis and failing to control price rise during its present term at the Centre and asked the people to reject the party in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing meetings of BJP workers at Toani Devi in Sujanpur and Baroha in the Hamirpur assembly segments today, he said, “The UPA is a sinking ship and all its allies are gradually leaving it.”

He said, “While the UPA government has failed to carry out any notable development, its policies have created large-scale unemployment and led to unprecedented price rise. Now, it is the duty of the people to punish the Congress in the forthcoming elections.”

He said, “The UPA government has failed to frame any favourable policy for farmers and there are reports of suicides by farmers at various places in the country.”

He also criticised the Central government for failing to provide security during the IPL matches in the country. This, he said, had put a question mark on the national security. “A government that cannot provide security to 200 IPL players, how will it provide security cover to 120 crore people of India?” he said.

He also criticised the state Congress unit for not protecting interests of the state. “While the BJP government was trying for extension of the industrial package for the state, the Congress just sat idle,” he said.

He appealed to the party workers to ensure the victory of Anurag Thakur. BJP candidate Anurag Thakur, Education Minister ID Dhiman, MLAs Urmil Thakur and Baldev Sharma also addressed the meetings.

Bilaspur, April 12
The State Wrestling Association of Himachal Pradesh has expressed resentment against uncooperative and unjustified attitude of the National Wrestling Federation (NWF) regarding giving recognition to the association and keeping another allegedly defunct and non-existent state wrestling association recognised on its rolls.

Addressing mediapersons here today, association state president Ashok Pradip Nadda and general secretary Jagdish Yadav said though the state government had given recognition to their state association through its letter dated December 5, 2006, and their association is also affiliated to both the HP Olympic Association and Indian Olympic Association, the recognition from the NWF is still awaited despite repeated requests for more than one year.

They said they had represented to the NWF that a “fake” association, which exists only on paper and had been given recognition, should be scrapped and the association that works in the state since the past six years should be given its due recognition, but no reply had been received so far.

They said the person, who claims to be the state president of the federation-recognised association, is actually not even a resident of the state and lives in Chandigarh. He collects some wrestlers to show some activity here as he did recently in Una where he held a district-level wrestling championship, but the media exposed that there was not even a single wrestler who belonged to Himachal and all were brought from outside the state.

They said the situation is depriving genuine wrestlers and talented youths of the state from opportunities and they are actually being discouraged.

They warned that if this situation is not amended at the earliest then they would be forced to go court to seek justice. 

Kangra, April 12
A 36-year-old widow had been moving from pillar to post for the past three years for getting sanctioned her widow pension to sustain her two small kids, after her husband died in March 2006.

Sushma Devi Sharma, a resident of Ladoh village near Panchruki of this district, told The Tribune that her husband Pritam Chand passed away in March 2006, without proper medical aid. The victim of the official apathy, Sushma said, “I am sustaining a son studying in class VIII, a daughter studying in class II in Government High School and myself without any source of income”.

She said when she failed to face the wrath of the official apathy for two years, after the death of her husband, she moved the office of Chief Minister PK Dhumal on April 28, 2008, and copy of the request was forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kangra, too by one of her well wishers Satish Sharma.

The investigation revealed that after the CM’s office received the request on April 28, 2009, the next day on April 29, 2008; the CM’s office directed the DC to consider the request of Sushma and to take further action in this regard.

The official apathy reached an acme when it took the DC two months to write back two lines to add to the dejection of the widow. It was on June 19, 2008, the DC communicated to her that your pension case would be considered as soon as the new additional cases of the widow pension would be received from the government.”

Sushma threatened that if the official apathy continued further she would be forced to end her life to relieve herself from the day-to-day trauma she was facing in sustaining her family without anything to relay upon.

Dharamsala, April 12
Allegations of corruption against senior party leaders were pivotal in the election campaign just a year ago in the previous Assembly elections. However, in the present Lok Sabha elections issues of corruption have taken a backstage.

Senior BJP leaders had used the CD allegedly containing doubtful conversations of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife in the Assembly elections. However, despite the fact that forensic examination had provided that voice on CD was that of Virbhadra none of the BJP leaders, including the CM, was raking up the issue.

When asked to comment on the allegation that he was going soft against Virbhadra, Chief Minister PK Dhumal said, “I am not going soft. I am trying to ‘just’ (justifiable) in the matter.” He also said that, moreover, the SC and Election Commission (EC) have banned the use of any such material without any authentication in elections, he said.

Dhumal, however, added that corruption by the previous Congress regime in state and UPA government still remained an election issue for them. Recently, the defence deal affected by the UPA government with Israel smacked of corruption, he alleged.

The Congress leaders are also planning to bring out a charge against the present government. They were hoping that the former BJP leader who is now Congress candidate from the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency Narinder Thakur would trouble the CM by levelling charges of corruption against him. However, even that strategy of Congress does not seem to proving that affective. The BJP leaders have also prepared strategy to counter the offensive of Narinder Thakur.

The BJP instead of corruption allegations is now concentrating on achievements of their 15-month rule in the state. Senior BJP leaders of the state are even directing their workers to list the achievements of their government as increase in minimum wages, social security pension to widows and pay commission to employees before the voters.

The Congress on the other hand is listing demerits of the present government. They are making abolition of state administrative tribunal, ouster of about 13,000 PTA teachers, increase in bus fares, and water and electricity charges as their main election agenda.

The SC order and EC directions are forcing the state leaders to refrain for making unestablished corruption allegations in campaigning this time.

Shimla, April 12
In a bid to put an end to the dual control over water supply, the local municipal corporation (MC) has written to the state government to give control over both supply and distribution to it so that there is no blame game and the residents do not face inconvenience.

At present the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department is responsible for supplying water from various sources like Ashwani khud, Gumma station and Giri scheme while the MC is entrusted with the supply part. Each time there is water shortage in the town the MC and IPH get engaged in a blame game with the consumers being hit.

MC commissioner AN Sharma said yesterday that he had written a letter to the government to hand over the task of even supply to the MC so that it had complete control over water supply as well as distribution. The water problem, which used to hit the “Queen of Hills” during the summer tourist season, had now become an all year round problem.

There are occasions when the MC blames the IPH for supplying insufficient water while the IPH says it had pumped adequate amounts. As such handing over the supply part also to the MC could help sort out the problem to a great extent.

There was a time some years back when the task of both supply as well as distribution was with the MC but later the tasks were branched out to two different agencies.

The fact that the MC had recently enhanced water charges in the town puts additional pressure on it to provide adequate quantity to the residents.

Shimla, April 12
Mahamandaleshwar Akhileshwarananda of the Rajkot Akhara has expressed concern over the declining sex ratio and urged women to come forward to curb female foeticide.

Addressing a religious congregation jointly organised under the banner of “Dharam Rakasha Manch” here today, he said it was vital issue which would ultimately affect the national security. If the negative trend in the sex ratio continued there would be not enough nationalist youths to join the army and paramilitary forces after 2020. More so, because the country was fallowing a lop-sided population policy under which only Hindus were adopting family planning and minorities were multiplying at a faster rate. Once the Hindus lost their numerical dominance it would be difficult to save the country from disruptive forces.

He said the Hindu religious leaders had decided to carry out a campaign to create awareness among the community members to the threat the policy of appeasement of minorities being implemented posed to their existence. He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had lowered his image in the eyes of Hindu community by stating the minorities had the first right on country’s resources.

Earlier, the gayatri parivar organised a yajna for peace and prosperity in which a large number of people participated. As many as 21 religious and social organisations had joined hands under the umbrella of Dharam Sansand for organising the programme.