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Tibetan parliament-in-exile urges
China to change its hardline policy
Government to take action against mining officials
IPS officer Indoria surrenders
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Terrorist funding cause for concern: NIA top cop
CM against Sports Bill
HC seeks affidavit on quota
Jassi, comedian Kapil regale audience
Addressing a gathering on this occasion, the Chief Minister congratulated the people on the 40th foundation day of Hamirpur district.
Plan in place to preserve
fast-depleting green cover
Provide proper facilities at new ISBT: CPM
Foundation stone in HPTU smashed
Tourism biggest industry in world, says SDM
Student groups clash
College students block road
4 killed in mishaps
HPTDC takes over hotel
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Tibetan parliament-in-exile urges
China to change its hardline policy
Dharamsala, September 2 The democracy day of Tibetans, that marked the day when the Dalai Lama introduced democracy in the Tibetan Government-in-exile 51 years ago, was also attended by state Chief Minister PK Dhumal. The Chief Minister called it an historic day and reminded all that he had been the member of the Tibetan Parliamentary Forum. He supported the decision of His Holiness Dalai Lama of heading as spiritual leader only. He said such a decision of separating spiritual leadership from political had strengthened the institution of the Dalai Lama and the democracy, adding that religion had to be interpreted with duty. The celebrations marked significance in view of the fact that it was for the first time that the newly elected Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, assumed powers from the Dalai Lama and became the first elected Tibetan PM-in-exile to inherit the powers of their temporal and spiritual head. While speaking on the occasion, Sangay said: “By transferring powers to younger generation, the Dalai Lama has thrown a challenge to them and we would have to work hard to come up to his expectations.” Meanwhile, the Tibetan parliament-in-exile in a statement issued here today said it was working to build strong Tibet support groups worldwide and especially in the country in building close contacts with leaders, scholars, researchers, intellectuals and the media to carry forward the Tibetan struggle. It said China has issued documents like “Sixty Years Since Peaceful Liberation of Tibet” and various White Papers on Tibet, which are propaganda materials filled with fabricated lies. The parliament said: “We would like to pay our tribute, courage and spirit of the Tibetan people inside Tibet and stand in solidarity with them for their determination and audacity under the Chinese rule. We urgently and strongly appeal to Chinese leaders to change its hardline policy on Tibet, and not to forcefully change the traditional life-styles of Tibetan nomads and farmers and to give complete religious freedom.” “The basic aspiration of Tibetans, both in and outside Tibet, is to resolve the issue of Tibet. However, due to circumstances that are beyond our reach, if it takes a long time to regain our freedom, we should be well prepared for such an eventuality. Those of us living in exile, we must put our collective efforts towards creating political and democratic maturity, and at the same time abide by the laws of their respective countries or states,” it added. Meanwhile, Sangay welcomed the Chief Minister and greeted all on the occasion. He paid tribute to the Dalai Lama, whose vision of a democratic and secular Tibetan society was poised to be realised. |
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Diversion of Beas due to illegal mining
Dharamsala, September 2 Chief Minister PK Dhumal said this while talking to mediapersons here today. He said preliminary reports had indicated that the Beas changed its course due to illegal mining by stone crusher owners that lead to losses to farmers in the Mand areas of Kangra district. He said it seems that the mining officials have failed to fulfil their duty by checking the illegal activities of stone crusher owners. They would be held liable for dereliction in duty. The Chief Minister was responding to queries regarding losses incurred by farmers living near the river bed of the Beas during the current monsoon season. About 8,000 persons were displaced as about 60,000 cusecs water was released from the Pong Dam by the BBMB authorities. In the vital railway bridge over the Chaki that connected narrow gauge railway line from Pathankot to Jogindernagar in Kangra district was also damaged allegedly due to illegal mining. It has damaged the vital railway link between Pathankot and Kangra that was a lifeline to many remote villages of the district. Earlier, Minister for Industry Kishan Kapoor, under whom the Department of Mining functions, had also proposed to increase penalty on those caught mining illegally in the rivers of the district from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh. The illegal mining right along the border of Kangra district of Himachal and Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab has been going on unchecked for the past many years. There are about 300 crushers that have at places dug the river beds of both rivers by about 30 ft. The state HC had earlier banned mining in the Chaki. Various state departments like the IPH and the Indian Air Force that has its base near the Chaki have written to the state governments of Punjab and Himachal for checking the illegal mining as it was threatening their infrastructure. However, nothing has been done in this regard as illegal mining operations are being controlled by influential politicians from both states. When asked about the recent Bill introduced in the Assembly in which the state government has proposed to waive off religious institutions and industry from the Land Ceiling Act, he said the Congress criticism of the Bill was unwarranted. He said though the land ceiling on said institutions would be waived off, they would have to take land essentiality certificates from departments through which they would move their applications. In case of setting of an industry, the land essentiality certificate would be issued by the Department of Industry. However, it fails to redress the issue of the religious dera who have taken up thousands of acre in the state in violation of the Land Ceiling Act. Dhumal also launched another Hindi daily “New Bright Star” from Dharamsala, by unveiling the first edition at the Community Hall, Dharamsala, today.
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IPS officer Indoria surrenders
Kullu, September 2 He said since the district police did not have any non-bailable warrants against Indoria, the Vigilance Department, which was handling the case, was informed. He was arrested by local DSP (Vigilance) NK Sharma. Talking to mediapersons, Indoria claimed that he was innocent and false cases had been framed against him under a conspiracy by some vested interests. He claimed that he was an honest police officer who had served the department for the past 25 years. He alleged that when the investigating authority “did not find anything concrete against him”, it tortured him and caused mental harassment to him because of which he remained underground for four months. He said now he had recouped and had informed the department regarding his date of surrender last Wednesday. He claimed that the funds collected for providing security to private companies was deposited in the government exchequer. Regarding a cheque deposited in the account of one of his relatives by a private entrepreneur, he maintained that it was a business transaction and had nothing to do with him. He demanded that inquiries should be conducted against IAS and IPS officers who had worked in Kullu and accumulated assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. Meanwhile, the special investigating team reached Kullu from Shimla today and has started interrogating Indoria.
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Terrorist funding cause for concern: NIA top cop
Shimla, September 2 Prakash Mishra, Special Director-General of Police, National Investigation Agency (NIA), who was here in connection with a regional seminar with various investigating agencies from North India, said these two issues were a major concern for all. “Through the diplomatic channel, India is likely to take up the issue of pumping in of counterfeit currency into India from places like Nepal, Bangladesh and western Pakistan,” he said. He said fake currency that was being circulated was of such high quality that it could not have been produced in an unorganised sector but was comparable with the notes being printed in the government set-up. He said most of the currency was being pumped into India through the Nepal border, including the one originating from Bangladesh. “Another issue which the NIA is looking into is the terrorist funding emanating from foreign shores through various modes,” said Mishra. Lately it had come to the notice of intelligence agencies that ISI-backed militant outfits like the Hizbul Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir and the Babbar Khalsa and the Khalistan Zindabad Force in Punjab were trying to reorganise to make a big comeback. Senior police and intelligence officials from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Himachal and Uttarakhand attended the seminar which focused on all these sensitive issues.
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CM against Sports Bill
Hamirpur, September 2 Talking to mediapersons here last night, the Chief Minister said, “Since the national Sports Bill will directly interfere in state subjects, I have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opposing the Bill, which is against the provisions of our Constitution.” He said: “This move has been planned with a clear-cut intention to tame the BCCI, sports federations and sports bodies by ending their autonomous character.” To a question regarding the statement given by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan regarding irregularities in IPL matches, Dhumal said, “He must be having his own opinion, but that does not mean that the law should be changed.” On the Opposition Congress’ stance of not approaching the one-man commission regarding cases of alleged violation of Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, the Chief Minister said, “Congress leaders are adopting double standards on this issue; while they are not approaching the one-man commission constituted by the state government to investigate such violations, they are levelling allegations regarding sale of land to outsiders.”
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HC seeks affidavit on quota
Shimla, September 2 The orders of the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Rajiv Sharma came on a letter petition of Mehar Singh working as a part-time water carrier with a government school. The petitioner stated that many employees appointed after him had been regularised, but the department failed to regularise him. While treating this letter as PIL, the court also directed the Director (Elementary Education) to state as to why the petitioner was not granted the benefit of reservation in respect of the 3 per cent quota available to the physically challenged persons since the petitioner was a blind person. |
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Jassi, comedian Kapil regale audience
Hamirpur, September 2 Playback singer Jasbir Jassi and comedian Kapil Sharma were the star attraction of the first cultural evening of the Hamir Ustav. Besides, local artistes and schoolchildren also presented items on the first day. Local MLA Urmil Thakur, DC Rajinder Singh Thakur, District and Sessions Judge RL Azad and several other dignitaries were present on this occasion.
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Plan in place to preserve
fast-depleting green cover
Shimla, September 2 Some long-term measures like proper demarcation of forest areas using the satellite-based GPS (global positioning system) and the rationalisation of field staff will also be taken. While the TD policy under which converted timber is to be supplied in place of standing trees to the right holders will save green trees, the demarcation of forest areas and erection of boundary pillars after proper demarcation will help check encroachments and illegal felling of trees. Apart from carrying out afforestation, the Forest Department will also lay emphasis on natural regeneration of forests by fencing the forest areas to prevent biotic interference. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RK Gupta said the department would carry out treatment of degraded forest areas by framing schemes under the MNREGA and utilising the funds available with the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority). The staff would be deployed keeping in view the requirement in the field to ensure effective protection of the forests. The vacant posts of Range Officer were being filled and the process had already been started to fill 39 of the total 92 posts. The department would also raise nursery of important high-altitude species like “fir”, “spruce” and “ash” to expand the green cover in high hill areas. The focus in lower hills below 3,000 ft will be on fast-growing social forestry species like bamboo, albizia and aonla to be planted by involving the local community. The main concern will be to conserve natural water sources and augment the discharge by expanding the green cover and by raising water harvesting structures to arrest the surface run-off. All these measure will help improve the water-retention capacity of the hills. |
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Provide proper facilities at new ISBT: CPM
Shimla, September 2 Secretary of the district committee of the party Sanjay Chauhan said there no proper local bus services were available from different localities of the town and even from the old bus stand to the new ISBT. The frequency of local buses was inadequate and there was no time schedule due to which the commuters were being put to inconvenience, particularly in early morning and late evening hours. Moreover, taxi drivers were over-charging as the fares had not been fixed from different locations of town. The passengers were being dropped midway on the highway at the bypass or Cart Road on the pretext that there was not enough parking space at the ISBT and buses were allowed to enter the terminal only 15 minutes before departure. He demanded that proper basic facilities like round-the-clock local bus services to all localities in and around Shimla, proper eating shops and the canteen facility and rest rooms for drivers, conductors and other staff be provided immediately. Besides, taxi fares should be fixed to check fleecing.
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Foundation stone in HPTU smashed
Hamirpur, September 2 The stone was laid by Chief Minister PK Dhumal on Thursday, at Dahudi, near Hamirpur. The matter came to light when a few milkmen of the area found the foundation stone smashed with bricks lying scattered. The miscreants had also tried to eliminate the foundation stone plate on which the name of the Chief Minister was inscribed. This is being suspected to be the handiwork of a few drunkards. Vice-Chancellor of the HPTU Dr Shashi Dhiman has lodged an FIR with the police regarding the incident. Hamirpur DC Rajinder Singh Thakur said: “The police is investigating the case and strict action would be taken in the matter.” |
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Tourism biggest industry in world, says SDM
Chamba, September 2 Chamba SDM Rohit Rathour, who is also holding the charge of District Tourism Development Officer, was the chief guest on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, the SDM said: “Tourism is one of the most vital economic sector and has emerged as the biggest industry in the world offering livelihood opportunities to a major chunk of the population and at the same time contributing a lot to the exchequer.” The SDM said the Chamba region was famous for its rich history and vibrant culture, which draw a large number of tourists from the country and abroad. The World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27 every year. This date was chosen by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the statutes of the UNWTO were adopted in 1970.
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Student groups clash
Solan, September 2 According to Additional SP Ramesh Pathania, Vivek Sharma and Udit Sharma of the third year clashed with fourth year students Nikhilesh, Vivek, Hardesh, Navneet and others on some issue. The police initially received a complaint from Vivek, who alleged that the rival group of students beat him and his friend Udit inside the college campus on Wednesday and again on Thursday. According to police investigations, the two groups had an altercation over some issue and this led to a clash. The police ruled out that ragging had taken place as students who had clashed were senior students of the third and the fourth year. Meanwhile, registrar of the college said a scuffle had taken place between two groups of students and as a disciplinary action those involved have been suspended. They have been told to come with their parents. |
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College students block road
Mandi, September 2 They also demanded speeding up of the work of the college building as the classes are still run from sheds. SCA president Girish Kumar and vice-president Virender Kumar said students did not have option other than resorting to blocking the road as the government and college management had failed to start an extra bus from Janjheli to Lambathatch in the morning hours. The students blocked the Janjheli-Gohar road for three hours today as they have put their complaints and requests to the HRTC, college management and local MLA and Rural Development Minister Jai Ram Thakur but to no avail, SCA office-bearers complained.
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4 killed in mishaps
Bilaspur, September 2 Reports said a junior engineer of the IPH Department Ranjit Singh Kamal (50) posted at Bhaged, near here, who belonged to Pakka Paroh in Hamirpur district, was seriously injured in a road accident near Ghumarwin on the NH No 88 while coming to office in the morning. He was driving a scooter. He was rushed to Ghumarwin Civil Hospital by passers-by and then to Regional Hospital here and then to PGI Chandigarh, but he died as soon as he reached the PGI. In another accident on the NH No 21 last night, Krez Singh, Kaalu Ram and Gurmez Singh were killed when their overloaded tempo, in which they were travelling, suddenly slided down from road to about 50 ft into the chasm and they were trapped in it. Six others were also injured with various injuries. — OC |
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HPTDC takes over hotel
Nurpur, September 2 According to information, this hotel had been built during the previous regime of the Dhumal government (1998-2003), but the successive Congress government notwithstanding, running it on its own had leased it out without its proper inauguration. The then government had not provided even the basic facilities of electricity and water connections to this hotel. The tenant of the hotel withheld lease money to the HPTDC for want of power and water connection and the corporation had moved the state high court against him. The court has given verdict in favour of the HPTDC. Now local inhabitants are pinning their hopes on the present state government for its proper utilisation. Vinit Kumar, Managing Director, HPTDC, confirmed the taking over of the tourism hotel and added that it was in a bad shape. “The first priority is to give a facelift to this hotel, then the management will decide future strategy to run this hotel,” he maintained.
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Celebrating its 51st democracy day, the Tibetan parliament-in-exile today alleged that China was annihilating Tibetans and its fragile environment.
Hamirpur, September 2
