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Virbhadra bats for Karmapa
Union Minister Virbhadra Singh waves at his supporters at the Kangra airport on Friday.
Photo: Kamaljeet
No evidence of Karmapa’s China link, says ADGP
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Ugyen Trinley Dorje is true Karmapa: Buddhists
Experts against change in Youngthang project domain
War of words between Dhumal, Virbhadra
Locals to have 50% quota in Mandi medical college
Move to shift surplus staff
Employees of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board protest at Kumar House in Shimla on Friday. Photo: Amit Kanwar
Chamba shooter selected for National Games
Rs 4 crore to be spent on agri varsity: VC
NGO honours artists, doctor
Stray cow injures 2 women
Online engg, medical entrance exams
No APRO office in Dalhousie
15 kg charas seized
Debit card fraud accused held
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Virbhadra bats for Karmapa
Dharamsala, February 4 Virbhadra Singh, who arrived in Kangra for the first time after taking over the new portfolio, said the police had not handled the investigation in the case aptly. Police investigation and utterances by its officers had created miscommunication and a section of the media projected the Karmapa as a Chinese spy. He was not a Chinese spy as he had been recognised by the Dalai Lama, who was an honoured guest of Himachal, Virbhadra Singh said. He said the investigation should have been carried out keeping the case in low profile. The repeated utterances of Himachal Police officials in the media had defamed the Karmapa, Virbhadra said. About the CM’s statement regarding the benami deals of the Tibetans, Virbhadra Singh, said there were many other such deals in the state that need probe. He said the Tibetans had entered into benami deals as the government had not allowed them to buy land. The government should regularise their benami land deals. During his stint as Chief Minister of Himachal, a policy was framed to regularise the benami land deals of the Tibetan government in-exile, Virbhadra Singh said. He went a step further by claiming that the Tibetans, who were born in India, were the citizens of the country. They had not taken the citizenship as they were fighting to free Tibet from the control of China. Virbhadra Singh also goofed up when he said the Tibetan government was recognised by the government of India. Just before Virbhadra Singh arrived, the former Kangra MP and AICC member Chander Kumar said as MP he had asked a question in Parliament regarding the status of the Tibetan government. In reply to his query, the then Union Minister for Home had stated that they were just their guests. The government had not recognized the Tibetan government in-exile. Virbhadra Singh was here to preside over a public function organised by HPCC spokesperson for Kangra Kewal Singh Pathania in Shahpur of the district. Regarding his recent patch-up with the CLP leader Vidya Stokes, Virbhadra Singh said: “I was invited by the Shimla unit of the Congress to help in zila parishad elections. We jointly contested the elections and won. At places I was not invited and I did not go. I am not in a habit to poke my nose at places where I am not invited”, Virbhadra Singh said.
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No evidence of Karmapa’s China link, says ADGP
Dharamsala, February 4 The ADGP said the Karmapa was one of the crime cases he would be discussing with police officials posted in Kangra and Una. He requisitioned files of the cases and discussed it with the
officials. When asked, Mardi said till date there was no evidence regarding Chinese links of the Karmapa. The theory of the Karmapa being a Chinese spy had been cooked up by the media, he said. When asked if the police would question Tai Situ, the mentor of the Karmapa who had a criminal past, the ADGP said if need be, he could be questioned. He also said: “I have written to the SP, Una, to write to the authorities concerned to seal the bank accounts related to the case. The SP will now write to banks regarding the sealing of the bank accounts of accused. The bank accounts of the Karma Garchen Trust would also be sealed”. The police has also booked officials of the trust for possessing fake currency. A case has been registered after the recovery of two fake Indian currency notes of Rs 500 in the amount recovered from the Karmapa monastery. The ADGP also said two more Delhi-based Tibetans, including Karma and his wife Wongmo, had been arrested by the Una police for allegedly acting as money exchangers. Sources here said the ADGP would be supervising the Karmapa case. Meanwhile, the Karmapa office in a press note here today termed the reports regarding the Karmapa being a Chinese spy in a section of the media as slanderous. Karma Topden, spokesperson of the Karmapa, said the reports had circulated recently claiming that the Karmapa had acquired lands along the Sino-Indian border. He stated categorically that the Karmapa owned no such property, he said. He further said the presence of yuan among the 20-plus other currencies found by the police had been put forward by some media stories as indicative of spy activity. “We wish to point out that the currency used in Tibet is yuan and, therefore, Tibetans from Tibet often make donations in yuan, as do Buddhists from mainland China. Some of the yuan were new notes bundled together, reflecting a practice among Chinese and other cultures of offering only new currency notes to high abbots or spiritual leaders”, Topden said. |
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Ugyen Trinley Dorje is true Karmapa: Buddhists
Mandi/Kullu, February 4 According to sources, Rimpoche had taken Dorje, when he was 7-year-old, to China from Tshur-phu, the original seat of the Karampa in Tibet and stayed there for three years before coming to India. The present Karmapa came to India in 2000, reportedly escaping from China, the sources said. Rimpoche has now come under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate and intelligence agencies following the recovery of the huge Chinese currency from the Karampa’s residence. Vice-president of the Richen Zangpo Literary and Cultural Society, Lahaul-Spiti, Chering Dorje told The Tribune, “We as Buddhists believe that Dorje is a true Karampa of Tibetan and Indian Buddhists. He represents sentiments of the Kyud-pa sect and is one the Sidhas and an avatar of Naropa, which takes his origins from the Natha and Sidha community of Indian origins, a fact that few people understand”. Putting the facts in place in the face of misrepresentation being blared up in the media, Chering Dorje said the guru of the Karmapa was Tai Setu Rimpoche, who is based in Sharabling monastery near Sidhbari. He, however, said the recovery of yuan from the residence of Karmapa could be due to different donors who came from China and Taiwan. But on the other hand, Himalayan Buddhist Society convener Ravi Thakur from Lahaul-Spiti said the Buddhist faith preached peace and non-violence. “But nobody should be allowed to use the faith for anti-national activities and we demand the highest authority should bring out the truth behind the whole episode”, he asserted in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram.
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Experts against change in Youngthang project domain
Shimla, February 4 The committee was set up after Gammon India, which has been assigned the project, requested the government to allow it to shift the power house downstream to the elevation of 2534 m from 2600 m to avoid the loss of head due to shifting of the dam site. The upper limit of the domain was 2805 m but it will come down to 2760 m as the dam will have to shift downstream to save Leo village. However, the committee has recommended that the domain should not be altered as it will have implications for projects planned downstream and upstream. The government has asked the company to explore various options, including the possibility of using the tailrace water of Chango-Youngthang project being set up upstream. However, this is not possible unless the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests agrees not to enforce the condition maintaining a minimum riparian distance between the two projects. Moreover, people of Leo will also have to be taken into confidence as they feel that lack of water in the river will not only affect farm productivity but also lead to rise in the temperature. The government has now asked the deputy commissioner of Kinnaur to hold a meeting with the people to know their views. Thereafter, the government will approach the union ministry to ascertain if it will relax the condition of minimum riparian distance to enable utilisation of the tailrace water. The committee also suggested that a separate project should be planned to utilise the head available in the Sutlej between Khab and the China border. The elevation of the river at the border was 2880 m and at Khab 2528 m , the available head of over 300m will enable setting up of 360 MW project. This will partially make up for the loss of potential due to scrapping of storage project at Khab. Since the government has already awarded the 960 MW Jhangi-Thopan-Powar project, with the domain upper limit of 2320 m, the Khab project could not be moved downstream and as such only a small project will be possible between Khab and Jangi. |
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War of words between Dhumal, Virbhadra
Dharamsala, February 4 Virbhadra Singh, talking to newsmen at Gaggal airport, this morning made unsavoury remarks against the Chief Minister. When asked to comment on the recent statement of the CM that the Union Government should clarify that the Tibetans staying in Himachal were refugees or guests, Virbhadra Singh, in his unique taunting style, said: “First Dhumal should clarify whether he is a Punjabi or Himachali”. As the news regarding Virbhadra’s statement reached the CM who was addressing a public rally in Una district, it evoked a very strong reaction from him. Dhumal, while talking to newsmen, said: “I am first an Indian and then a Himachal resident and farmer. He alleged that it seemed that the Tibetans had been given some undue benefits to Virbhadra Singh due to which he was issuing such statements in their favour. “We are not harassing any Tibetan. However, they also cannot be above the law or the Constitution. They have to abide with the Indian legal system”, he said. He said Virbhadra Singh seemed to be peeved with the entire areas of Punjab, including Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Solan and Lahaul and Spiti districts that were merged with Himachal in 1966. Due to the merger of these areas in Himachal, former rulers like Virbhadra Singh lost their states. He also alleged that as per historical records, the family of Virbhadra Singh had helped the British and acted against freedom fighters.
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Locals to have 50% quota in Mandi medical college
Dharamsala, February 4 The Chief Minister said the state government had introduced yoga in schools with a view to educating young citizens regarding the rich heritage of the country. He said Rs 2,567 crore had been earmarked for the education sector for the current financial year which was 17 per cent of the total budgetary provision. It was highest in the country. There had been a 143 per cent hike in the education budget in the state. Dhumal said the state was committed to setting up medical and engineering colleges in every district in a phased manner to provide best professional education to students at their doorsteps. The state had allowed setting up of selected educational institutions in different disciplines which would impart students the world-class education within Himachal. The government had succeeded in bagging the National Institute of Fashion Technology at Chheb village near Kangra where students from different parts of the country would undertake training fashion technology. Local children had been provided reservation in the institute, he said. Dhumal said Himachal Pradesh was poised to emerge an educational hub where the world-class educational facilities were being made available to students from all over the country with private participation. He gave away prizes to the students who had excelled in academics, extra-curricular activities, cultural, sports and other activities. He congratulated the award winners over their excellent performance in different spheres. |
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HPSEB employees stage protest
Tribune News Service
Shimla, February 4 The union urged the management not to shift any employee declared surplus and allow the staff to work at their existing positions. It pointed out that the staff strength in the power utility had come down from 43,000 in 1980-85 to 22,000 and there was a shortage of technical manpower in technical and commercial wings due to increase in the number of consumers. The management was outsourcing most of the works to private companies. General secretary of the union Hira Lal Verma said despite an assurance by the Chief Minister that fresh recruitments would be made to meet the shortage of manpower during the 14th conference of the union, no step had been taken in this direction. Instead, the management had declared some staff surplus and placed them at the disposal of other departments. The projects awarded to the board had been transferred to the state power corporation (HPPCL), along with 944 sanctioned posts on the “as is where is” basis along with the allied infrastructure. There were only about 700 employees from the board in the HPPCL out of which around 250 had been rendered surplus. On the other hand posts were being filled by drawing staff from other government undertakings. They urged the management to address all issues and ensure that surplus staff was adjusted in the unbundled entities itself. It also demanded enhanced grade pay and allowances for the employees of HPSEB Limited on the PSEB pattern and allotment of hydroelectric projects to keep the project wing functional.
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Chamba shooter selected for National Games
Chamba, February 4 Shah’s selection has been made on the basis of her excellent performance during the national rifle shooting competitions held in Jalandhar in December 2010, and in New Delhi in January this year. Indu is participating in the women’s category of .177 air rifle peep sight event, as an individual shooter, and also as a member of the squad comprising Anuja Jung, Riya Parmar. Anuja Jung is an international rifle shooter and is the wife of famous shooter Sameresh Jung of Nahan, whereas Riya is the granddaughter of late Dr YS Parmar, former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. In an interview to The Tribune, Shah said she was working to get 390 out of 400, which if achieved, would open the door for her entry to the international rifle shooting matches. She added that it was because of her father’s inspiration and guidance that she was in rifle shooting sport for the past about 10 years. Prem Sharma, president of the district rifle club, Chamba, said Shah had won many medals in the state and all-India rifle shooting competitions and sportspersons and others in the state were expecting the best performance of her shooting career at Ranchi. He added that it was for the first time that a sportsperson had been selected from Chamba to participate in the National Games being held at Ranchi after a gap of five years. |
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Rs 4 crore to be spent on agri varsity: VC
Palampur, February 4 He said recently Rs 2 crore had been sanctioned for the construction of 100-bed girls hostel by the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) had sanctioned Rs 1.50 crore for the construction of Parwati Hostel for girl students. In addition, Rs 50 lakh had been allocated for the upgrade of the sports complex. He said out of the Central development grant, Rs 18 lakh had been allocated to the Students’ Welfare Organisation for the renovation of hostels and fencing work. He said a contingent of 40 students of the constituent college of the university would participate in the All-India Inter-Agricultural Sports & Games sponsored by the ICAR and being held at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur (Kerala) from February 16 to 20. Lalita Sharma, students’ welfare officer, said 250 athletes of four constituent colleges of the university would participate in the events. |
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NGO honours artists, doctor
Chamba, February 4 The personalities who were honoured are Mirza Asghar Beg for painting and local traditional cuisine, Vijay Sharma for the revival of Pahari painting and Dr Vishal Mahajan for his services as paediatrician. Speaking on the occasion, Chamba Deputy Commissioner Devesh Kumar applauded the efforts of the parishad for reviving the traditions of the bygone era. AK Malhotra, general manager, NHPC’s Chamera stage-III project, said the NHPC would provide every possible help in the future for organising such functions. Darshan Singh Verman, president of the parishad, said the parishad would honour local talents every year. Mirza Asghar Beg presented a portrait of Raja Bhuri Singh to the museum on the occasion. The utsav concluded with lunch featuring traditional Chambyali cuisines called “khamod”.
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Stray cow injures 2 women
Bilaspur, February 4 Village elders have urged the government and the Animal Husbandry Department to stop stray cattle from roaming in and around these villages. In another incident, a speeding vehicle is said to have crushed to death a three-month- old leopard on the Harlog-Chalaili road, near Harlog forest, last night. The cub was found dead on the road by a passer-by this morning, who informed forest officials about the incident.
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Online engg, medical entrance exams
Shimla, February 4 The organisation plans to conduct 10 online tests, which will also be held offline at its local campus. The tests, which will start from February 15, will enable students compare their level of knowledge with their counterparts across the country. Director of the Vidyapeeth Ravinder Avasthi said the exercise would help students
prepare better for the competitive examinations and they would be aware where they stand at the national level. The results would be analysed to help students improve their performances.
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No APRO office in Dalhousie
Dalhousie, February 4 Hailing these orders here, mediapersons urged the state government to provide proper accommodation for setting up an office of the APRO duly attached with a press room. They also suggested that a shared building located in the hub of Dalhousie, which had been accommodating the Tourism and Transport Departments, could be used for setting up the APRO office. The building belonged to three departments, including public relations, tourism and transport, way back in 70s when these departments used to be a single department.
— OC
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15 kg charas seized
Kullu, February 4 Three person from Ghumarmi in Bilaspur district were nabbed with 4.5 kg charas while they were coming from Gugra in Alto (HP-69-1295). The vehicle has also been impounded. In yet another case 800 gram charas has been seized from Yashwant Singh of Dhalair village of Nirmand of this district at Dhanudhar.
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Debit card fraud accused held
Kullu, February 4 The SP said the accused was a resident of village Chhabla in Bihar but staying at D-99 Rajinder Extension, Shyam Park, Ghaziabad. He further said the accused escaped from Ghaziabad after knowing the arrival of the Kullu police, but was caught in Chandigarh on Wednesday. He was brought to Manali and would be produced before the judicial magistrate.
— OC
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The ADGP (law and order), Himachal Police, SR Mardi, arrived at Dharamsala this evening and met officials investigating the Karmapa case.
The ADGP said the Karmapa was one of the crime cases he would be discussing with police officials posted in Kangra and
Una. He requisitioned files of the cases and discussed it with the
officials.
The Tibetan issue has triggered a war of words between Chief Minister Prem Kumar
Dhumal, and Union Minister of Small, Micro and Medium Industry Virbhadra Singh. Virbhadra Singh, talking to newsmen at Gaggal airport, this morning made unsavoury remarks against the Chief Minister. When asked to comment on the recent statement of the CM that the Union Government should clarify that the Tibetans staying in Himachal were refugees or guests, Virbhadra Singh, in his unique taunting style, said: “First Dhumal should clarify whether he is a Punjabi or Himachali”.
Shimla, February 4
Chamba, February 4
