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Bali seeks CBI probe into Brakel case
Shatrughan heaps praise on PM
A First
Pensioners for adopting Punjab pattern
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Director worried over TV impact
Blames top leadership for BJP’s dismal failure
‘Cong won due to BJP shortcomings’
Tackling Terror
Festival on Benegal’s films begins
Villagers protest outside DC office
SFI activists hold rally
Anurag leaves for Japan
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Bali seeks CBI probe into Brakel case
Dharamsala, October 23 It is surprising that the government has failed to take action against the committee members headed by the Chief Secretary who cleared the project, he added. When asked how the Congress initially cleared the project for Brakel, Bali said the previous government cleared it on the basis of facts presented before the Cabinet by officials of the power department. Even those officials should be brought to the book for misinterpreting the facts before the previous government. Levelling allegations against the present government, he said the Principal Secretary of the Chief Minister had raised serious objections against the project. However, his advice was ignored and the project was cleared by the BJP government. The delay in sanctioning of the project has caused loss worth crores to the state government, he alleged. Bali, however, evaded the query on his opinion regarding the government’s decision to call fresh tenders for the project. He just stated that it would cause further delay, but was the prerogative of the present government. When asked if he suspected kickbacks in the Brakel case, Bali said only a CBI or a judicial inquiry could bring the culprits to book. About denial of the ticket to Pratibha Singh by the party high command, Bali said it was the prerogative of the party high command and he did not want to say anything about it. He said according to his knowledge, Pratibha Singh had initially not applied for the party ticket. It was the state leadership’s decision to forward her name among the contenders. Virbhadra Singh had already chalked out a programme for campaigning in both Rohru and Jawali Assembly constituencies, he said. |
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Shatrughan heaps praise on PM
Shimla, October 23 “He is undoubtedly the best Prime Minister as far as integrity and honesty is concerned. His contribution on the development front may not be compared with that of Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri and the tallest BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but his integrity and honesty cannot be questioned,” he stated while addressing mediapersons here today. He reiterated his views on Rahul Gandhi and said that the young leader with “vision and thought” had a bright future. There was no need for party men to take umbrage at his views and these should be taken with sportsmanship. He had much appreciation for leaders like Jyoti Basu and Sharad Pawar, who proved his mettle once again in the Maharashtra Assembly polls. Replying to a query, he said his first love was films and he was still working. His latest venture “Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai”, featuring Rekha, was due for release shortly. It was an important film for him as it enabled him to mend fences with the actress. He said he could do whatever was required to facilitate setting up of a film city in Himachal Pradesh in pubic-private partnership (PPP) mode but was wary of running after chief ministers and bureaucrats to pursue such projects. |
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Dharamsala college gets autonomous
status
Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, October 23 The UGC team members, including VC of upcoming university at Bathinda and former VC of Guru Nanak Dev University Jairup Singh; Chakar Dhar Sinha from Indian Institute of Management and IT; and Dr Arvart, professor of economics from Pune, had visited the college in May. They were here to evaluate the college for granting the autonomous status. The college authorities have received a letter from the UGC declaring the college autonomous. With it, the Dharamsala Government College would be able to make its own curricula and prescribe its own courses. An examination controller would also have to be appointed. Under UGC guidelines, the state government has also been directed to avoid transfer of employees of the institution that has been declared autonomous. The UGC members said the scheme was aimed at delinking the colleges from the affiliating structures. The UGC has set a target to make atleast 10 per cent institutions autonomous from affiliating structures by the end of current Five-Year Plan. The idea to form autonomous institutions has been mooted due to increasing number of institutions under the universities, as they are not able to manage the colleges properly. However, in case the colleges are declared autonomous, it would decrease the burden on universities and improve the functioning of colleges. The colleges, despite being declared autonomous, would be free to take guidance and expert help from the departments of university. The scheme intends to introduce semester system in autonomous colleges, self-appraisal by teachers, internal grading and assessment system and student feedback.Though the UGC has approved autonomous status for the Dharamsala college, the institution still needs concurrence of the state government within 90 days.
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Pensioners for adopting Punjab pattern
Hamirpur, October 23 So much so that a pensioners’ body Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Kalyan Sangh (HPPKS) has rejected the Central pattern adopted by the state government and has demanded implementation of the pay panel report on the pattern of the Punjab government. The contention of the pensioners is that they had been demanding additional pensions on the pattern of Punjab i.e. five per cent increase at 65 years and 10 per cent additional pension at the age of 75 years. The state government, on the other hand, has granted additional pension at the age of 80 years and 50 per cent at the age of 90 years.
NC Saini, a pensioner, said: “Though the state government has adopted the Central pattern in the implementation of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission recommendations, the pensioners have been demanding adoption of Punjab pattern in totality since the state government had earlier been adopting Punjab pattern in giving pay scales and other benefits to its employees and pensioners.” According to HPPKS state president BD Sharma, “Since the Central pattern was never demanded by the pensioners and Chief Minister PK Dhumal has also been promising implementation of the Punjab pattern, how the Central pattern is being followed?” The pensioners add that since they have been demanding “additional pension at 65 and 75 years of age, travelling allowance and medical allowances, the government should fulfil these demands in the larger interests of the pensioners.” Rejecting the Central pattern, the pensioners’ body has written to the Chief Minister urging him to implement the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission’s report in entirety and provide benefits in parity with the Punjab government pensioners. |
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Workshop on trout fish marketing
Manali, October 23 Kullu Deputy Commissioner BM Nanta was the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking at the seminar on ‘To develop inter- state marketing of trout fish’ Nanta highlighted the problems regarding marketing, production and insurance of the commercial trout farming in Kullu valley. He also sought a sound marketing linkage and social security to the fish farmers. As many as 75 fish growers from Kullu and Mandi participated the workshop organised to safeguard the interest of trout fish growers and streamline their marking activities through FISHCOPFED. The trout fish growers of Kullu valley also highlighted their problems of higher feed cost, lack of finance, insurance, cost of production and transportation facilities to other state. “There are not many customers who can take the bulk supply outside the state and farmers have to remain dependent upon the local market,” they added. BK Mishra, managing director, FISHCOPFED, said the institution was a national-level federation of fishermen/fisheries co- operations in the country dedicated to the socio-economic developments of about 23 lakh members of 19,000 fisheries co-operatives. BD Sharma, director (Fisheries), said at present trout production in the state was 70 tonnes that was likely to increase to 150 tonnes in the next two years. Naeem Ahamed Ansari, chairman, FISHCOPFED; CK Gola, regional manager, Oriental Insurance Co Ltd; BN Nanda, Economic Advisor (Fishing), Government of India; PB Singh, director (Fisheries), Haryana, also attended the workshop. |
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Director worried over TV impact
Shimla, October 23 This was stated by noted Bollywood director Shyam Benegal, who is in the city in connection with the film festival devoted to his works. “Television has far greater reach as it is available in every home whereas one has to go out to a theatre to see a film. However, in a democratic and free society, imposing any kind of censorship is not the solution. Parents have to be more responsible and they have ensure that the children do not view what is not good for them,” Benegal observed. Tracing the history of film censorship in India, he said the censor board was created by the British as early as 1928 to keep the Indians away from viewing American films which spread the message of democracy. The British rulers felt that such films would only help strengthen the nationalist sentiments and foment more trouble for them. However, the country continued with the censor board even after Independence. He said there were definite guidelines for the board for certification but his films invariable faced problems. He decried the increasing tendency of politics in the country which motivated groups and individuals to agitate against screening of films on the grounds that they hurt their religious sentiments. The only objective was to derive political mileage by raking up such controversies. It was a dangerous trend which abridged the right of creative expression, he opined. Regarding the government rider that there should be no kissing scene on the proposed film on Nehru-Edwina relationship based on the book “Indian Summer”, he said India was just 62-year-old nation and the people held its leaders in great reverence and they did not want to see their human side. They were made into some kind of super beings and aspect of their real lives would reduce them to humans which was not acceptable. Despite entering the Rajya Sabha, he had not given up his first love of film making, though he got much less time for it. His latest film “Well Done Abba” is a comedy but pivoted on issue concerning implementation of developmental schemes. Already premiered at international festivals held at Montreal and London, the film would be released here in the next few months. |
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Blames top leadership for BJP’s dismal failure
Shimla, October 23 “It is high time that the RSS comes forward to play its role of ‘friend, philosopher and guide’ effectively by facilitating a total revamp of the party to stem the rot. After all, the BJP is an offspring of the RSS and it must own its baby and discharge its responsibilities to put it on the right path,” he stated during an interaction with mediapersons organised by the Shimla Press Club, here today. “I am not from the RSS but I strongly feel that the organisation could exercise a positive influence and help rejuvenate the party which is indeed in a pathetic state. In fact, I have met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and discussed the ills plaguing the party at length in the hope that it will play a proactive role. A new life could be infused in the party but not without conducting a drastic surgery and cosmetic measures will not help any more. In this situation, intervention of the RSS becomes inevitable,” he observed. The outspoken leader maintained that there were indeed many leaders who could take charge and he would be happy if anyone like Sushma Swaraj, Yashwant Sinha, Shanta Kumar or Arun Shourie took over the reins. The party had shown resilience in the past and improved its tally of two MPs in the Lok Sabha to almost 200. With 116 MPs, it still occupied the main space as the Opposition. Referring to the Jaswant Singh episode, he said if the party had undergone an honest introspection during the “Chintan Baithak” and taken effective remedial measures, it would not have landed itself in such pitiable situation. He was not invited to the Chintan Baithak but many things which happened there would not have taken place if he were present in the meeting. He said he was a small fry in the party and would not question the decision of the Parliamentary board to sack Jaswant Singh but the action had put fear in the minds of party men that if this could happen to a senior leader like him, their lot could be much worse.
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‘Cong won due to BJP shortcomings’
Shimla, October 23 Addressing a press conference here today, he said the Congress had won not on its own merit, but due to certain drawbacks in the BJP. “The elections results, which are not too encouraging, are a cause of concern for us and we need to introspect and take corrective measures which we will do soon,” he asserted. Shanta, who is a Rajya Sabha member, admitted that unfortunately today all political parties were plagued by problems but the BJP was still far better off and much more disciplined. Talking on Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s move of trying to understand grievances of Dalits and the poor by visiting them and staying with them, he said these initiatives must be translated into action and must not remain a mere propaganda. He said having remained in power for almost 50 years, the Congress was directly responsible for poverty and corruption rampant in the country which made mockery of the plight of the poor. The BJP leader asserted that the talk of alleviating poverty by the Congress had become a mere rhetoric and had been reduced to a mere slogan. Shanta said if the Congress could not do anything to help the poor, it should not add insult to injury by coining slogans which only made mockery of the downtrodden. |
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Shanta for consensus on basic issues
Tribune News Service
Shimla, October 23 “The Prime Minister needs to take very harsh steps if the nation has to be saved from the fast-spreading clutches of terrorism as internal security is a major threat to unity and integrity of India,” he cautioned. He added that poverty was the single-largest factor for the increasing hold of Maoists and Naxalites in 130 districts across 20 states. “An Antodaya department must be created directly under the chairmanship of the PM so that all pro-poor schemes are implemented in letter and spirit,” he said. Suggesting daring steps like reservation of 50 per cent jobs for members of below poverty line (BPL) families and no enhancement in the salaries of ministers, MPs, MLAs and bureaucrats for a period of five years or till such time when the situation improves. He added such measures would go a long in alleviating grave poverty. Shanta added that the situation in the country due to internal security problem was so grave that it was only a major surgery and not small initiatives which would make a difference. Blaming the Congress for the volatile situation in the country, he said the party might be winning elections but it was the national cause which was getting defeated. He regretted that India had been ranked as the 72nd most corrupt nation amongst 150 most corrupt countries of the world.
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Festival on Benegal’s films begins
Shimla, October 23 Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal inaugurated the festival organised by the state Department of Information and Public Relation in collaboration with the Film Archive of India. On the occasion, the CM said films were a powerful medium of communication and Benegal had proved that creative works focusing on socio-economic issues pertaining to rural areas could go a long way in inspiring the people to adopt measures for their better economic conditions. “The government has launched Rs 353-crore scheme called Pandit Deen Dayal Kisan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna and Rs 300-crore Doodh Ganga Yojna for the economic upliftment of the farmers,” he said. Besides boosting milk production in the rural areas, the Doodh Ganga scheme would benefit about 50,000 women self-help groups. Benegal appreciated the efforts of the state in organising the film festival that was being held for the first time in Shimla. In all five films will be screened during the film festival. |
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Villagers protest outside DC office
Bilaspur, October 23 They later presented her a memorandum, demanding immediate implementation of orders of the Himachal Pradesh High Court regarding location of the anganwadi centre at Government Primary School, Tharua. The villagers said the orders of the court were being flouted as these were passed on October 14 but were not implemented till date. They demanded an action against the guilty officials. The villagers also presented local demands of the area saying that the government should take immediate steps to provide drinking water at Dhrote, Malti, Clumwala, Deharni, Mauliyan and Government Senior Secondary School, Lakhnu. They pleaded for immediate provision of proper staff at Government High School, Lakhnu, and metalling of the Lakhnu-Tharuawala link road.
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SFI activists hold rally
Hamirpur, October 23 The leaders criticised an increase in tuition fee and privatisation of education. They said the executive council of Himachal Pradesh University had recently hiked the tuition fee as much as by eight times and SFI would soon launch a state-wide agitation to oppose it as the move would deprive a large section of poor students from getting higher education. The rally was addressed by Joginder Kumar, former state SFI president; Anil Mankotia, district president; Sandeep Kumar, district secretary; and former SFI leader Kashmir Singh
Thakur. |
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Anurag leaves for Japan
Hamirpur, October 23 The name of Anurag Thakur in the delegation of five young members of Parliament was recommended by the CII (confedration of Indian industry). The delegation would also hold bilateral talks between Japan and India for exchange of technology. Thakur said he would also hold talks with officials and entrepreneurs for inviting investment in HP since the state had enormous potential for investment. |
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Dharamsala, October 23
A three-day film festival featuring the works of renowned producer and director Shyam Benegal commenced here today with the screening of his critically acclaimed film ‘Manthan’.
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal inaugurated the festival organised by the state Department of Information and Public Relation in collaboration with the Film Archive of India.
