The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

State writes to Centre on free power
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 28
Perturbed over the filing of the affidavit in the Supreme Court by the Centre, ignoring Himachal’s claim of over 12 per cent free power, the state government has written to the Union Power Ministry to consider the hill state’s case once again.

According to sources, the state government thought that it wise to take up the matter once with the Power Ministry before filing a rebuttal on the issue in the Supreme Court. The communication in this regard was sent to the Centre about 10 days back after getting the matter examined legally as well.

“We are very confident that the Centre will take a positive view on the issue which is of utmost importance to Himachal as our case is very strong,” said a senior bureaucrat. He, however, admitted that though it would be very awkward for the Centre to take a U-turn on the issue in the apex court, filing a supplementary affidavit could help Himachal’s cause.

Chief Minister PK Dhumal too said the Centre could not deny the state what was its right and filing of such an affidavit by the Centre was very unfortunate. “We have taken up the matter with the Centre and are hopeful they will take a positive view on it as we cannot be denied our rights,” he said.

It is learnt that the government while pleading its case has pointed out that even though Rajasthan was never a riparian state, even it stood to benefit, as such Himachal’s claim was fully justified. “We have pointed put that in 1992 the Centre had itself agreed that if a power project comes up in a state, it would entitle the state to 12 per cent free power,” officials said.

However, those presenting a different viewpoint say that in September, 1990, when Shanta Kumar was the Chief Minister the Centre had clearly settled the issue. “It was agreed upon that state will be entitled to 12 per cent free power on any project which comes up within their territory in future so any retrospective claim cannot be held valid,” a high ranking officer said.

It was the Congress regime under Virbhadra Singh who had taken the issue of 12 per cent free power in the Bhakra project and giving of 7.19 per cent share in properties of Punjab, including Chandigarh, to Himachal. The matter has since been pending in the court and the final hearing is expected in the near future.

Himachal is expecting to get more than Rs 2,000 crore from its share in the Bhakra project at the rate of 12 per cent in case it gets the claim.

Dhumal rues Centre’s apathy
Tribune News Service

Chief Minister PK Dhumal said the Congress-led UPA regime had not only ignored the interest of Himachal but also the Manali-Leh rail line project which was important from the national security point.

Addressing a press conference here today on the occasion of his government nearing two-year term, he rued the fact that the Centre had not responded to the hill state’s plea on various issues like restoration of industrial package and foodgrain quota. “With regard to the Manali-Leh rail line the Centre is behaving as if it is Himachal’s headache to fight China and the central government was a mere mute spectator,” he rued.

Dhumal said at a time when reports were pouring in that China had strengthened its rail and air connectivity right up till Lhasa, there was no justification in delay on the project of national importance. “If Himachal stands to benefit in the process is another issue but national security cannot be compromised with at any cost,” he remarked.

“Though the Centre has not created any hurdles for us, when it comes to restoring our rice quota back to 18,000 metric tonnes, extending industrial package till 2020 and giving us our due as far as free 12 per cent power is concerned the Centre has let us down,” he said.

He lashed out at the Congress for criticising his government for seeking an extended industrial package till 2020. “This is more of a face saving device by them because when the Assembly adopted the resolution seeking extension of industrial package, they had staged a walkout,” he remarked. He added that on the contrary the Centre should compensate all Himalayan states for protecting the environment in the interest of other states.

The Chief Minister said the two-year term of the government had been full of achievements as interest of all sections of society, including women, youth, employees, framers and weaker section, had been protected. “The performance of the government in practically all sectors has been remarkable with the state being ranked at the top in seven different areas,” he stated.

He said the per capita income for the year 2008-09 was Rs 44,803 which was likely to cross Rs 46,000 for the current financial year ending in March 2010. “The priority areas for the government will continue to be health, education, road construction and self-employment where a lot has already been achieved,” he said.

He said though the government was keen to set up a special economic zone and private universities, there was no question of diverting agricultural land for the purpose.

‘Blood donation a noble practice’
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 28
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal lauded the contribution of Sant Nirankari Mission in supplementing the endeavour of the government towards providing better health care services. He was addressing the devotees of the mission after inaugurating a blood donation camp organised by the mission here today.

“Organising blood donation camps is a pious service towards the suffering humanity, as large number of people are in dire need of blood in hospitals, and to save their lives, people must come forward and take part in this movement,” he said.

He said people of Himachal Pradesh had always been volunteering their services whenever they had been called to lend their supportive hand to meet any emergency. “Even though Himachal Pradesh is ranked among the top five states of the country for safe voluntary blood donation, efforts should be made to take the state to the top position,” he said.

He emphasised the need for launching mass awareness and motivation campaign so that more youth could come forward and donate blood to save precious lives. He said it was a fact that the blood donation does not result in any health hazard, instead helps donors in strengthening the blood formation capacity.

He also appreciated the efforts of the voluntary organisations who had been working relentlessly to meet the blood requirements of the state. He said blood donation must be voluntary, as blood from professional donors could lead to transmission of diseases.

The Chief Minister thanked Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh for his generosity towards the suffering humanity and society. He hoped that the local mission volunteers would set a new record by collecting maximum units of blood, so that it should be available to local blood bank to meet any emergency.

Vidhan Sabha complex at D’sala
No ‘political wisdom’ in undoing the move: CM
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 28
Even as the previous Congress regime drew flak for constructing a Vidhan Sabha complex at Dharamsala, Chief Minister PK Dhumal while admitting that it was a political move, said today that he did not see any “political wisdom” in undoing the move.

Responding to queries whether the Congress move was justified in having another Assembly complex when the state’s debt trap had crossed Rs 23,000 crores, he said the decision had been taken to strike regional balance.

“It was a political move, keeping in view the regional sentiments, but I see no political wisdom in undoing it,” he said.

Though he indirectly termed it as a wasteful expenditure, stating that the first session of the Assembly in Dharamsala was held in the College Bhawan, which was quite a descent arrangement. He admitted that these kind of political moves do not necessarily bring electoral advantage to any party, as was evident from the fact that the Congress did not do well in the Kangra district.

In reply to another question regarding reorganisation of the districts, Dhumal said though it was ticklish issue, sooner or later someone will have to see the administrative viability of the districts. “Seeing the Telengana issue which has literally opened up a Pandora’s box across the country, one would have to think twice before taking up the contentious issue,” he remarked.

Dalai Lama condemns sentence to Chinese writer
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, December 28
The Dalai Lama has condemned 11-year jail sentence to Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo. In a statement issued here today, the Dalai Lama said he was saddened by the Chinese Government sentencing Liu Xiaobo, to a 11-year jail term.

“By forcefully sentencing Xiaobo, and others like him, who use freedom of expression to publicly articulate their opinions, the Chinese authorities have not only violated the binding principles of the universal declaration of Human Rights but also the freedom of expression mentioned in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China”, he said.

“I urge the Chinese government to release Xiaobo, as soon as possible, and other political prisoners who were jailed because of exercising freedom of expression. I offer my regards and prayers to Xiaobo, his wife and other family members,” the Dalai Lama said.

Xiaobo is a prominent government critic and veteran of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests. A writer and former university professor, Xiaobo had been in jail since 2008, after being arrested for writing a document known as Charter 08. The charter called for greater freedom and democratic reforms in China, including an end to the Communist one-party rule.

Xiaobo is the only person to have been arrested for organising the Charter 08 appeal, but others who signed it have reported being harassed. The Amnesty International had condemned the sentence imposed.

The Tibetan authorities here said Xiaobo’s detention and trial show that the Chinese government will not tolerate Chinese citizens participating in discussions about their own form of government. Abolishing the law on inciting to subvert state power is among the reforms advocated in Charter 08. “We should end the practice of viewing words as crimes,” they said.

Sources said more than 300 international writers, including Salman Rushdie, Umberto Eco and Margaret Atwood have called for Xiaobo’s release.

Intensify night patrolling: Residents
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 28
In view of the recent spate in thefts in the New Shimla area of the town, residents have urged the government to intensify night police patrolling and step up general vigil to check anti-social elements.

Expressing concern over the daily thefts taking place in the area, the Residents Welfare Association of Sector IV, New Shimla, urged the government to look into their grievances, which had already been brought to the notice of the municipal corporation.

Amarpal Singh Kochhar, spokesperson of the association, said another major demand of the residents was construction of an alternate road from Sector IV, which had become a necessity. “Even basic facilities like proper drainage, garbage disposal, repair of steps and a mobile hospital were lacking,” he said.

The association also held its annual general meeting on December 27, where Hiramani Sharma and Vikas Sood were elected as the president and the secretary, respectively.

10 kg of charas seized
Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 28
Drug peddlers are on the run as the police has geared up its functioning to catch smugglers while smuggling consignments to the targeted destinations in and outside the state, including metros across the country.

The police has arrested 11 smugglers, both locals and outsiders, in the past 48 hours under the NDPS Act, recovering about 10 kg of charas from them. The police has geared up the naka system for trapping smugglers taking their consignments in both private and roadways buses outside the state.

The police today arrested Lalit Kumar, son Raj Krishan, a resident of Shirar, Kullu, who was coming from Aut towards Mandi in his taxi (HP01K-0812) after recovering 1.5 kg of charas from his possession.

The police arrested Kuldeep Singh, son of Sohan Singh, a resident of Dhukan Wala road, Moga, Punjab, when he was going from Sundernagar bus stand side, under suspicion and on his search it recovered 900 gm of charas from him.

In the third case, the police has booked Dhanpat Rai, son of Jagdev Singh, a resident of Delhan, Una, when he was smuggling 1.8 kg charas while travelling in a bus (PB 11 AG 8275) from Manali to Patiala. He was arrested under the NDPS Act.

The police arrested Ajay, son Gokal Ram of Rashilpur, Damui (Madhya Pradesh), after recovering 1.6 kg of chares from him. He was sitting on parapet at Dawada on the highway and on suspicion the police searched him and recovered the consignment from him.

The police had also arrested seven other from different parts of the district in the past two days in a special drive and patrolling.

Mandi SP Sonal Agnihotri said they have strengthened the nakas at barriers and activated patrolling in the area.

200 bags of cement seized
Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 28
In two different operations against black marketers of wheat, the police today seized a Mahindra Max jeep (HP 28 0270) and recovered 37 bags of wheat at Sarkaghat and in the second case the police seized 200 bags of ACC cement from a canter (HP 68 0631) in Jogindernagar. The police has arrested a salesman and two other persons under the Essential Commodities Act and criminal breach of trust.

Acting on a tip-off, the police stopped the jeep and seized the wheat from the possession of salesman Balwant Singh of Degdoun, Sarkaghat. He works as salesman with the co-operative society, Degdoun. The driver-cum-owner of Jeep, Roop Lal, a resident of Karni, Beldwara, was also arrested, the police said.

The accused had smuggled the wheat from the co-operative society, Batail, when the police caught them.

In the second case, the police stopped the canter (HP 68 0631) coming from the Machhyar side and found 200 bags of ACC cement. Driver Vivek Rana of Siuhan, Shahpur and another person Satish Kumar of Shahpur Kangra failed to produce the documents and were arrested under the EC Act and under Sections 406, 420, 379 of the IPC by the team, led by ASI Kushal Kumar.

State shivers in icy winds

Shimla, December 28
People in Himachal Pradesh had no respite from cold conditions today with high reaches remaining under sub zero temperatures while chilly winds sweeping lower areas. Keylong, with a night temperature of minus 9.7 degree Celsius remained coldest place in the hill state, Met office said. High altitude Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded a night temperature of minus 5.4 degree Celsius, while it was 0.4 degree Celsius in Kullu and 0.2 degree Celsius in Sundernagar, it added.

Cold winds swept Shimla and other lower areas of the state. The 'Queen of Hills' recorded a day temperature of 12.6 degrees in comparison to 13.6 degree Celsius, yesterday.

Elsewhere, Sundernagar had a day temperature of 19.1 degree Celsius while Kalpa and Dharmasala recorded 8.1 and 17.8 degree Celsius, respectively.

The Met office forecast mainly dry weather in lower areas while middle/high hills could have rain/snow at isolated places tomorrow. — PTI

PNB to sell gold coins
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 28
Punjab National Bank as New Year gift to its customers will hold a special three-day exhibition-cum-sale of made in Switzerland 24-carat gold coins. Chief Manager of the PNB said the exhibition would be held in the branch of the bank at the Lift in Shimla and in Solan from December 29 to 31.

He said the gold coins would be available in weights of two gram, five gram and 10 gram. These coins can be bought from the investment point of view as well as for gift purpose. Under the special offer, those buying four coins of any weight would get a discount of three per cent, and those buying five or more would get four per cent discount.

Industrial Package
Cong accuses BJP of diluting stand
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

Una, December 28
The state government has diluted its claim over increase in industrial package to Himachal. President of the HPCC Kaul Singh and Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Vidya Stokes said while talking to The Tribune here today.

The said Congress leaders were here to attend a state-level party function organised to commemorate 125 years of formation of the Congress in the country.

Singh said the recent letter written by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal to the Prime Minister seeking increase in industrial package till 2020 was tactical move on part of the BJP. The BJP just wanted to generate an issue to criticise the UPA government. It knew that as per the earlier commitment the industrial package was likely to be increased in the state till 2013. By extending their demand till 2020, the BJP leaders just wanted to claim that the UPA has not given in to the demand of the state. The state Congress supports the demand for increase in industrial package till 2013. It cannot support the unreasonable demand of increasing industrial package till 2020, he said.

Later, Vidya Stokes, while speaking at the rally organised on the occasion, said the Congress was gaining strength in the state. The people are getting alienated from the present government. The state government was unjustifiably blaming the UPA government for bias. However, the fact was that the most of development grants coming to the state were coming from the Union Government.

Former Kangra MP Chander Kumar alleged that the BJP government had not done anything for Una district. He claimed that most of the projects in the district have been given by the previous Congress government. The Congress during its previous stint in power had allotted almost half of the total tube wells approved in the state to Una district. He also claimed that the Swan canalisation project was also brought by the Congress government.

State president of the Youth Congress Manmohan Katoch, while speaking on the occasion, said the Youth Congress was gaining strength under the stewardship of Rahul Gandhi. Large numbers of educated youth were coming forward to join the Youth Congress. The total democracy adopted in election of the Youth Congress office-bearers has given chance to common persons to join the party, he said.

Most of the Congress leaders from the state participated in today’s function. The leaders from Una, including OP Rattan spokesperson of HPCC and former MLA from Una, contributed towards gathering workers for the rally.

GS Bali, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Sudhir Sharma, Harshwardhan Chauhan, KS Pathania, Mukesh Agnihotri were among the sitting Congress MLAs who participated in the rally, besides other senior leaders.

Nod to irrigation project
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, December 28
The Central Water Commission has given its nod to the longstanding proposed Rs 146 crore Finna Singh Medium Irrigation Project for the Nurpur area. Talking to mediapersons here last night, local MLA Rakesh Pathania said the Central Ground Water Commission and the state government had to bear 90 and 10 per cent cost of the project, respectively, which would complete within two years.

He informed that the ongoing process of the approval of the ITBP disaster management battalion being set up in Kopra gram panchayat was in its final stage, as Union Forest Department had given its clearance, and only environment nod was being awaited.

He said land for the new government college of Nurpur had been acquired in the Sulitilla area and new college building with the cost of Rs 8 crore had been proposed.

“The premises of the Government Senior Secondary School situated in the dilapidated building of the Nurpur fort; the protected monument of the Archaeology Survey of India, will be shifted to the existing Arya Government College building, without eliminating the Arya word,” he added.

Talking on the acute scarcity of the LPG refills in the area, he pointed out that following the implementation of a new strategy, the rural area would get regular supply after every fortnight from January. “In order to check the scarcity of cooking gas, the IOC will supply 1,000 additional refills per month, and the local administration will curb the menace of misuse and black marketing of cooking gas with iron hand,” he added.

Probe panel visits shrine
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, December 28
A temple tragedy inquiry commission appointed by the Rajasthan government to probe into the causes of the Mehran Gadh Durga Temple tragedy of Jodhpur, of October 30, 2008, led by Justice Yash Raj Chopra, visited Naina Devi shrine, 95 km from here, on Saturday. The other members of the commission, including its secretary KR Sindhwi, top officer Murlidhar Mishra and other staff concerned, including advocates assisting the commission, also accompanied this top delegation of officers to study the conditions and methods being adopted to ensure that tragedies resulting in deaths of the devotees do not recur.

Justice Yash Raj Chopra told mediapersons at the temple that the conditions at Naina Devi temple and the Mehran Garh Durga temple of Jodhpur were almost similar as both were hill top shrines and visited by huge crowds during fairs.

The problems of over-crowding and stampedes were almost similar due to availability of space on roads leading to these shrines.

Both shrines had been victims of almost similar tragedies in the past resulting in mass deaths of devotees due to unexpected stampedes.

Blood donation camp marks 125 years of Cong
Tribune News Service

Una, December 28
While other Congress leaders organised rallies, the state Youth Congress organised a blood donation camp to commemorate the 125 years of the formation of the Congress in the country.

Over 100 Youth Congress workers led by state president Manmohan Katoch donated blood at the camp organised under the aegis of the district health authorities.

Katoch said the Youth Congress had chosen the occasion to motivate youth towards social service.

He said the Youth Congress would soon launch a campaign to highlight the alleged inability of the state government to provide employment to the youth of the state. Though large numbers of industry and power projects had been come up in the state, yet the numbers of unemployed youth had increased.

Self-employment schemes being started by the present government have not yielded any results. The benefits of the schemes were being taken by established businessmen rather than the unemployed youth.

The state government had failed to develop a mechanism to make the unemployed youth aware about self-employment schemes, Katoch added.

Schoolgirl alleges kidnap
Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 28
A schoolgirl of Nau village under Aut police station yesterday accused two of her aunts of kidnapping her on the pretext of marriage.

The police has registered a case of extortion, abduction and wrongful restraint under Sections 363, 366,342, 34 of the IPC on the complaint of the schoolgirl Kumari Devi (name changed), resident of Nau tehsil, Sadar Mandi, against her two aunts, who kept her in the confinement at Naina Devi on December 21 on the pretext of marriage.

In a complaint registered at the Aut police station, yesterday, she said, she was on her way to school on December 21, around 9.30 am, when she met her aunt Meera Devi, who asked her to accompany her to the Aut bazaar.

She further stated that then she was taken inside the vehicle (HP 01 3022) parked nearby, in which her another aunt Poonam was sitting who told her that she would manage her marriage with one Dhan Raj. After this they took her to Naina Devi and kept her there forcibly. The police has registered a case and are investigating further.

Charas seized

Chamba, December 28
In a series of raids conducted to curb charas trafficking in the district, the police has recovered 1.6 kg of charas from Bali Ram during his search, after he was intercepted by the police party near Bharara, on Saturday.

According to reports, a case against the accused Bali Ram had been registered under Section 20 of the NDPS Act.

The police is further investigating the matter. — OC

Assn flays govt
Our Correspondent

Bilaspur, December 28
The State Para Lekhakaar and Sangthan Sahayak Association has strongly objected to the fact that despite the state government orders regarding minimum daily wage of Rs 110, they are still being paid only Rs 1,000 as their monthly remuneration, which is too meagre.

Jagdish Raghuvanshi, state president of the association and Mansha Ram Sharma, finance secretary, said here today that they were employed at the Mid-Himalaya Watershed Development Project throughout the state and they deserve better treatment and they should get at least minimum monthly wages of Rs 3,300.

A deputation of the association also met Himachal Forest Minister JP Nadda at Kandraur, near here, and presented him a detailed memorandum. Both leaders said the Forest Minister, who is in charge of the project, assured to look into the matter.

Probe sought
Our Correspondent

Chamba, December 28
Residents of the Saach area have sought a probe into the alleged irregularities in allotment of a canteen on the premises of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) at Sarol in the district.

A complaint in this regard had been got lodged with the Deputy Commissioner of Chamba, Devesh Kumar, by the residents.

Viewing seriously, the DC had referred the complaint to the additional district magistrate for forthwith investigation.

Mega Lok Adalat settles 1,500 pending cases

Shimla, December 28
Nearly 1,500 cases were solved yesterday at the mega Lok Adalat organised in Shimla to expeditiously deal with the pending cases. Altogether 193 cases under Negotiable Instrument Act (NIA) and 1,288 cases under Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) were solved in the special Lok Adalat, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Yashwant Singh Chogal, who himself headed one of the bench said.

District and Sessions Judge BR Chandel constituted Eight benches for the purpose, he added.

Every bench was headed by a judicial magistrate. NIA cases solved, pertained mostly of bank cheque bouncing while those under MVA related to challans for violating traffic rules, the CJM said.

The mega Lok Adalat was organised by the District Legal Service Authority, Shimla, under chairmanship of District and Sessions Judge BR Chandel and Judicial Magistrate Rajeev Bali.

The purpose behind organising the special Lok Adalat was to clear pending cases, Chogal said. — PTI

Truck driver dies in scuffle

Bilaspur, December 28
A minor scuffle between two truck drivers near Kallar on the National Highway-21 on Saturday night resulted into the sudden and unexpected death of one of them. According to the reports, drivers Chaman Lal and Vijay Kumar, both working at Barmana near here, were coming from the opposite directions, messed up with one another, when one of them refused to give pass to the other.

Thereafter, one of the drivers is said to have dragged the other from his driving seat, which loosened his grip on the brakes and the truck rolled down and fell some 400 ft down into a chasm, resulting in death of driver Vijay Kumar alias Gogi (26), of Rishikesh village near here. The police immediately rushed to the spot and arrested Chaman Lal (23), of Ganana village - Bharadi Ghat, under Section 304 of the IPC. The body of the deceased was brought here for the postmortem. — OC

BJP’s two-year term a failure: Congress
Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 28
The completion of two years of the BJP-run government under Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on December 30 has turned out to a mixed bag of hopes and despairs in the central range in particular as the opposing Congress has been accusing the present regime of discriminating against the central range.

Mandi MP and Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh accused Dhumal of promoting education and land mafias opening over a over 10 private universities in one region. He also went on to accuse the present regime was being run by Dhumal like a corporation.

Congress spokesperson Sohan Lal Thakur termed BJP’s two years in office as a failure on all fronts and regime that discriminated against the Mandi region. The government cancelled the notification to open the government medical college in Mandi, which was started by the previous Congress regime along the lines of the IGMC, Shimla, and the Tanda medical college, he added.

Besides, the crop insurance scheme was started in the Shimla, Kullu and Kangra regions, but farmers of Mandi region, the central point in the state, were ignored. Besides, the technical university opened in Hamirpur, the home segment of Dhumal, not in Sundernagar that in turn show regionalism on his part,” Thakur charged.

The Congress men further charged that the present government did not even make even a single DPR on new scheme. All schemes inaugurated by Dhumal and his Cabinet colleagues were started by the previous Congress regime under Virbhadra Singh, the Congress claimed.

Joining hands with the Congress leaders on the issues, CPM and CPI leaders described the BJP’s two years regime as a “reign of saffronisation of education and promotion of the land and education mafias by opening private universities in the state. “The prices are soaring and PDS system has collapsed and law and order is out of gear, making the life of common man harder day by day. Even the central Congress-led UPA government was hand in glove with the state,” they claimed.

The BJP opponents termed the CFL scheme as big scandal as most of the CFL bulbs distributed by the government have run out of order. There was no relief for the drought-hit farmers and weather-based crop insurance scheme is just eyewash, they claimed.

The government failed to generate employment and 70 per cent job quota for Himachal in industries and other projects remained unimplemented. The roads construction come to stand still as over 250 roads hit road block as government could not expedite process of environmental clearance from the MoEF by paying the net present value to the Forest Department.

Even the new TD policy is yet to be notified.

Rubbishing charges made by the Congress, BJP president Khimi Ram termed two years of BJP regime as regime of the common man, farmer and fruit growers. The CFL bulb scheme brought relief to villagers facing low voltage problem, the BJP claimed.

He claimed they were demanding 12 per cent royalty in BBMB projects but the UPA filed a wrong affidavit in the Supreme Court, undermining interests of Himachal despite the fact that the Congress has two Cabinet ministers from Himachal.

The BJP men claimed that most of the promises made in the election manifesto have been fulfilled. Schools have teachers and hospitals have doctors and Himachal figured as top ranking in education and health in country as per India Today survey, Khimi Ram added.