Shimla, February 2
The BJP high command finally gave its nod for continuation of Khimi Ram as the state BJP chief after a marathon meeting even as differences among top leaders persisted on the issue.

National BJP president Nitin Gadkari had one-to-one interaction with the members of the core group who were invited for the meeting. According to sources, Shanta Kumar and some other leaders had strong reservations over the re-nomination of Khimi Ram, who took over the reins of the party about seven months back. Gadkari and other central leaders failed to persuade Shanta Kumar to accept the decision. In fact, he even said if Khimi Ram failed to perform, the decision could be reviewed after six months, but his plea failed to cut ice with the veteran leader.

The fact that Shanta Kumar had struck a dissenting chord became evident when he headed straight to Palampur instead of accompanying Chief Minister PK Dhumal to Shimla for the installation of Khimi Ram, who will file nomination at party office tomorrow morning. Although, Shanta Kumar said it was his personal decision, the message of dissent came loud and clear.

By ensuring continuation of Khimi Ram, the Dhumal camp has indeed won an important battle after change of guard at the national level, but it could well revive factional war in the party. The factional divide in the party has come to the fore for the first time since Dhumal assumed office for the second term.

The biggest factor in favour of Khimi Ram was that he quit the post of Deputy Speaker to take up as party chief only months ago after his candidature was approved by the core group of party. As such denying him a full term would be unjust.

However, the high command has not exactly covered itself with glory in the whole episode. If it wanted Khimi Ram to continue then what was the need for carrying out the exercise for selecting the new party chief by consensus.

Instead of asking the state leadership to evolve consensus on one name, it should have simply informed them that Khimi Ram would continue. The intense lobbying for the post had revived factionalism, which is bound to affect the party and the government in the days to come.

For now, the state is set for installation of Khimi Ram, who will be formally declared elected tomorrow only as no other candidate would file nomination papers.

Dharamsala, February 2
The national vice-president of the BJP and former Chief Minister, Shanta Kumar today expressed his resentment at the state of the party affairs in Himachal and appointment of Khimi Ram as state president of the BJP.

While talking to newsmen at the Gaggal airport today, Shanta Kumar said,”It is unfortunate that the Dev Bhoomi like Himachal has been converted into CD Bhumi. The entire party is ashamed at the CD episode. The effigies being burnt across the state by the Congress leaders are not that of any particular person but of the entire BJP. The leadership needs to introspect as why the BJP that was considered as party with great ideals has fallen to that level.”

“In the current scenario, we had put our opinion before the national leadership of the party. We were of the opinion that a strong leadership in the state can protect the interests of the party,” he said.

However, after listening to all involved in the election process of the state party president, the national president Nitin Gadkari decided to appoint Khimi Ram. As disciplined party workers, we should accept the decision of national president, Shanta Kumar said.

Meanwhile, sources here said as a resentment against appointment of Khimi Ram as state president, Shanta Kumar and his supporters are not going to attend the token election ceremony to be held at Shimla tomorrow. When asked, Shanta Kumar admitted that he was not going to attend the election ceremony of the state president at Shimla tomorrow. He, however, refused to elaborate the decision.

The sources said the MLAs of the Shanta Kumar group are also not likely to attend the ceremony at Shimla tomorrow.

A large number of supporters of Shanta Kumar had gathered at the Gaggal airport. While addressing the workers at the airport, Shanta said he understood their concerns. “We would do anything to rectify what the workers felt was wrong with the party in the state.”

The Shanta group in the state had been pressing for change of Khimi Ram as state president. They were in favour of JP Nadda, Forest Minister or Rohru MLA Khushi Ram Balnatah to be elected as state president.

Dharamsala, February 2
The Forest Department has managed to arrest a poacher for killing and trapping endangered migratory birds in Dhauladhar region and selling them in market.

While talking to The Tribune, the Forests Conservator, Dharamsala, ARM Reddy, said based on secret information received, a team of Forest officials led by Abhilash Damodaran, a trainee IFS officer presently holding the charge of Malan Range of Dharamsala Forest Division, raided a house belonging to Sher Singh at Trind village near Nagrota Bagwan, who was suspected to be involved in poaching of migratory bird common wood pigeon in large numbers. The house of the suspect was searched.

Two live birds captured in a cage, nylon net traps, cage and other tools used by the poacher to trap the birds were seized. Besides, the raiding team also found cooked meat of common wood pigeon from the house and large quantity of feathers of the said bird species dumped behind the house and from the refrigerator.

The poacher was taken into custody by the officials and questioned to obtain more information. It was revealed that he has been poaching for quite some time.

Common wood pigeon is included in Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. A case under Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 has been registered against the accused.

The forest officials suspect that a gang is involved in hunting of these birds as these birds fetch Rs 50-70 in the market. Meanwhile, forest officials of Malan Range Forest have intensified patrolling and intelligence network to check the activities of offenders.

This is the third incident over the past two months in which the forest officials of Malan Range have been successful in nabbing the poachers of common wood pigeons in the region. Later, the live birds were examined by Wildlife veterinarian Dr Vijay of Dhauladhar Nature Park, Gopalpur. One of the injured birds was given medical treatment and both birds were then released in the forest.

Dharamsala, February 2
China has laid "four not to indulge in" conditions for the Tibetan government in exile for smooth continuation of talks between them and Dalai Lama envoys.

The points include, not indulging in activities that harm the core interests of China, breaches the constitution of China, activities that undermine the dignity of China and harm the aspirations of Chinese people.

This information was given by the Dalai Lama’s envoy Kasur Lodi Gyari at a press conference held here today. He, along with the other envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen, returned yesterday after ninth round of talks with Chinese government representatives.

The envoy, however, also said there was major difference of opinion between the two sides on current situation in Tibet. For this, it was suggested by the Dalai Lama’s envoys that to have common understanding of the real situation in Tibet, a common study should be conducted by both sides.

The envoy further told that he along with his counterpart Kelsang Gyaltsen

had a session with Du Qinglin, vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference as well as minister of the Central United Front Work Department, on January 30 at Beijing. “We had a day-long discussion with Executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar on January 31. Nyima Tsering, a vice-chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Congress, also participated in the meeting,” they said.

They further told newsmen that they first arrived in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, on January 26, 2010. Before beginning our programmes there, we formally presented to the Central United Front Work Department, a note relating to the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for all Tibetans that we had given during the previous eighth round of dialogue in November 2008.

The note contained seven points that addressed the fundamental issues raised by the Chinese leadership during the eighth round and some constructive suggestions for a way forward in the dialogue process. The seven points include respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of the PRC, respecting the Constitution of the PRC, respecting the “Three Adherences”, respecting the hierarchy and authority of the Chinese Central Government, concerns raised by the Central Government on specific competencies referred to the memorandum, recognising the core issue, and offering the Dalai Lama’s cooperation for a mutually beneficial solution.

The note made clear that the Dalai Lama and other members of the exiled leadership have no personal demands to make. The basic concern is with the rights and welfare of the Tibetan people. Therefore, the fundamental issue that needs to be resolved is the faithful implementation of genuine autonomy that will enable the Tibetan people to govern themselves in accordance with their own genius and needs.

Una, February 2
The district administration of Una led by Deputy Commissioner KR Bharti carried out a massive drive against commercial use of domestic LPG cylinders.

The DC along with other administrative and food and civil supplies officials conducted raids at various hotels and dhabas and private eating joints in Una, Amb and Santoshgarh areas.

The DC said in the raid 95 domestic cylinders were recovered from the said places. The residents had been complaining against acute shortage of domestic cylinders in the districts. Taking cognisance of shortage complaints we conducted the raids today.

Offenders were being fined four times the cost of cylinder, as it was first time that they have been detected for violating the Essential Commodities Act. However, if caught again strict action would be taken.

The DC said officials of the petroleum companies, their agency holders and authorities of Una-based bottling plant of the Indian Oil have been called for a meeting. In case the agency holders were found to have sold the domestic cylinders without valid documentation action could also be recommended against them.

The use of domestic LPG cylinder for commercial use is punishable under the Essential Commodities Act. The offence is non-bailable and accused under it can be imprisoned for up to six months. However, this time the district administration has decided to let the accused go with just mild fines.

Shimla, February 2
The state government plans to deregulate some forest species to enable farmers to grow, harvest and sell the produce without any restrictions.

Forest Minister JP Nadda said the government had decided to take out bamboo, neem and drek species out from the purview of the land preservation so that farmers could grow this species on private land and get remunerative returns.

A proposal to amend the forest produce transit rules was being finalised so that the farmers did not face any problem in transportation and marketing.

The government also proposed to deregulate the khair species for the convenience of growers. At present, the growers had to go through 34 different channels for felling of khair. Felling of these species on private land was also constrained by 10-year felling cycle. A sub-committee had been set up under the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for the purpose.

The department had decided to put in place a GPS (global positioning system) based geographical information system to help control forest fires, monitor forest cover and check encroachments. The system would be integrated with mobile phone gateway to automatically inform about outbreak of fire to the concerned field staff through SMS. A team of officers had already visited Madhya Pradesh, where the forest fire alarm system had already been implemented. The expert who devised the programme had also been invited to make a presentation.

The payment of environment services (PES) had been made integral part of the CAT plans and model for making such payments to villagers would be decided after conducting studies. A delegation headed by Chief Minister PK Dhumal will visit Costa Rica where PES has already been implemented.

Manali, February 2
The five-day annual Manali winter carnival will commence here from February 7. It will begin from the Hadimba Devi temple at Dhungri with the worship of the goddess and cultural procession by participating teams which will terminate at the Nehru Park, popularly known as the Ram Bagh.

On the opening day, Chief Minister PK Dhumal will pay obeisance at the Hadimba Devi temple and flag off the cultural procession. After that he will inaugurate the carnival and National Senior Alpine Skiing Championship at Solang valley.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner BM Nanta said the five-day Manali winter carnival would be bigger this year. After a meeting with Manali Tourism Council officials, Nanta said the budget for the carnival had been increased to Rs 32 lakh from Rs 29 lakh. A sum of Rs 5 lakh will also be allocated by the Manali Tourism Council to the carnival organising committee, he added.

Manali SDM Rajeshwer Goel, who is also the chairman of the winter carnival committee, said several new attractions were being added to the carnival to woo tourists and local people. As many as 3,000 participants from all over the country are likely to participate in the carnival, he added.

Goel said the Manali Hoteliers’ Association and the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) had also announced special carnival packages.

He further added that to ensure direct participation of local people and tourists in the carnival, Mall road from Ram Bagh to Pangi Bhawan would be covered to host different activities during the carnival.

Hamirpur, February 2
The Ex-servicemen Department of the state Congress has demanded immediate removal of director of the Ex-servicemen Welfare Board Abhishek Jain for allegedly donating Rs 1 crore from the board fund to the Chief Minister’s relief fund.

Talking to mediapersons here today, state chairman of the ex-servicemen department Colonel BC Lagwal (retd) and other leaders said, “The director has donated the fund meant for the welfare of ex-servicemen and the state government should immediately remove him from the post and some ex-servicemen should be appointed in his place, which they have been demanding since long.”

They warned, “In case the present director of the board is not removed immediately they will resort to agitation and hold dharna to press their demand.”

The ex-servicemen said, “The state ex-servicemen board is being run by the government on ad-hoc basis and only three deputy directors are working in the districts while other offices are being looked after by the officials of the district administration with additional charges.”

Lagwal and other former Army officers have also demanded re-employment of the ex-servicemen and implementation of 15 per cent quota in all government jobs and urged the state government to fill 1,537 posts of this category which are lying vacant.”

They also demanded equivalence for all technical diplomas awarded to ex-servicemen after retiring from the services by Army authorities for their re-employment purposes.