Panchsheel pact a "blunder"
DHARAMSALA, Aug 9 — Participants at a conference held here today to discuss the Panchsheel agreement signed by India and China in 1954, felt that it was something out of which India gained little.

Disenfranchise Virbhadra : BJP
SHIMLA, Aug 9 — Mr Suresh Chandel, President of the state unit of the BJP, has demanded disenfranchisement of the former Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, for making appointments in utter "disregard" of rules and regulations.

6 houses damaged in landslide
SHIMLA, Aug 9 — A massive landslide, triggered by incessant rainfall, damaged a 15-metre stretch of the "forest road" in the Jakhoo area last night, damaging six houses and uprooting a dozen pine trees.

Monkey menace in Hamirpur dist
HAMIRPUR, Aug 9 — Farmers of Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh are perturbed over the damage being caused to their crops by wild animals, especially monkeys and pigs. They say their number is increasing day by day and are finding it difficult to save the crops.

• Eclipse: half day holiday in HP

Labour Colony sinking
From Romesh Dutt

SOLAN, Aug 9 — As many as 50 flats of two blocks of Labour Colony at Thadugarh, 7 km from Parwanoo, have been rendered unsafe for living following what has officially been stated as the sinking of the strata of land on which they stood.

A whole block of flats called the "family quarters" had developed cracks as wide as 4 inches in the walls while certain other portions had started foundering. Some of the floors had assumed a convex surface due to the sinking of the walls. At places the wood work had come loose.

Parts of other block called the "dormitory", also appeared to have been damaged. People living in the vicinity of the colony said toilet sections of this structure had collapsed on Friday last. However, the PWD authorities insisted that these had been dismantled as a step to safeguard the main structure.

The affected blocks which cost around Rs 20 lakh to the state exchequer had been completed last year even though the construction began in 1989. The houses could not be allotted due to some procedural wranglings with the state electricity board which was to provide electricity lines to the area.

Information by this correspondent revealed that the colony site had only recently been formed by debris thrown in by the area's rain water channels and that it was highly porous and hence unstable. Hardly any water was ever seen flowing out of the surface of the site even during heavy rain. A PWD engineer, on condition of anonymity said the site stood on some subterraneous water channel.

Old residents revealed that this particular site along with the adjoining hill feature had witnessed a substantial 'sinking' during the 60s. It is hard to understand why did the PWD cause losses running into several lakhs to the public exchequer by constructing the multi-storeyed structures there. The Superintending Engineer of the Solan Circle of the PWD, Mr Surendra Kumar Sharda, parried answering this question by saying that he had asked geologists to inspect the site and that their report was awaited. He however, confirmed that the strata had witnessed some amount of sinking.

Replying to a question as to whether the load bearing capacity of the site had been ascertained before taking up the design of the structures, he merely said it "must have been the case."

Labour leaders have demanded a probe into the matter.

Virbhadra men patch up with Mahajan
From Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Aug 9 — The political compulsions of the PCC chief and the Congress candidate for the Kangra Lok Sabha seat, Mr Sat Mahajan, have made him go out of his way to appease and pacify Virbhadra strongmen in the district.

Virbhadra loyalists in the district met the party chief at Shahpur on Saturday to sort out their differences before starting campaigning. Prominent, among those present were a former Tourism Minister, Mr Vijai Singh Mankotia, a former Transport Minister and arch rival of the Congress chief, Mr Kewal Singh Pathania, and Mr Vikram Katoch.

These leaders had already made it clear that they would campaign for the party candidate in the elections, but before this they would like to sit across the table and discuss certain things with Mr Mahajan. Knowing very well that it would be essential for him to ascertain the support of the Rajput leaders, Mr Mahajan, too, thought it wise to work out a compromise, especially at this juncture, when he is pitted against the BJP stalwart, Mr Shanta Kumar.

The first and foremost thing these leaders discussed with Mr Mahajan was that the former Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, was the undisputed leader of the party in the state. "We made it very clear that there would be no dispute regarding the leadership of Mr Virbhadra, as the matter was unnegotiable," stated one of the leaders.

Mr Virbhadra Singh's supporters in the district have the complaint that as and when the need arises, Mr Mahajan seeks the support of the former Chief Minister and later starts challenging his leadership.

In the 1996 Lok Sabha elections, Mr Virbhadra Singh worked whole-heartedly, along with his men, to ensure the victory of Mr Mahajan, but later the PCC chief started trading different path.

A majority of Virbhadra loyalists in Kangra have been annoyed with the PCC chief for creating a parallel leadership in each one's constituency. They say that when the party chief himself indulged in such activities, it was bound to give rise to factionalism. In their meeting at Shahpur, they brought this matter to the notice of Mr Mahajan, to ensure that they get their due as they are either sitting MLAs or former ministers.

However, the most significant development is the patch-up between Mr Sat Mahajan and Mr Pathania, who have remained arch rivals for over three decades and even contested elections against each other from the Nurpur assembly segment. Later, Mr Pathania was made to shift to the Jwalamukhi constituency, as the ticket was given to Mr Ranjit Bakshi, a protege of Mr Sat Mahajan.

Mr Pathania, when contacted at Nurpur, confirmed that an amicable agreement had been reached with Mr Mahajan and all their differences had been sorted out. He too made it clear that there would be no compromise regarding the leadership of Mr Virbhadra Singh. "It was in the interest of the party that we sit down and resolve our differences with the party president, especially, when we have to face the elections," he stated.

The former Tourism Minister, Mr Vijai Singh Mankotia, too confirmed that all their differences with Mr Mahajan had been resolved and they would unitedly fight for the victory of their party chief.

PALAMPUR (FOC): The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President, Mr Sat Mahajan, has criticised a former Chief Minister Mr Shanta Kumar for his 'failure' to go ahead with the Appolo Hospital project here.

Addressing a news conference here on Monday morning, Mr Mahajan said that now that the BJP was in power in the state, Mr Shanta Kumar should have get this project implemented as it was his major election promise during the previous Lok Sabha election.

He alleged that the BJP was ignoring the interests of the people of Kangra because of sharp differences between Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal and Mr Shanta Kumar. Development activities in the district had come to a standstill as the government had not released fund, he further argued.

Dhumal: Sonia must apologise
From Our Correspondent

JAWALAMUKHI, Aug 9 — The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, today demanded that the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, should apologise to the people of the country in the light of the findings of the Wadhwa panel report.

Talking to reporters at Sunhet village, near here, after paying homage to Surjeet Dadwal of 16 Grenadier who laid down his life in the Dras sector on July 25.

He said the Wadhwa commission had ruled out the involvement of any Hindu outfit in the murder of an Australian missionary Graham Stains and his two sons in Orissa.

He said the Wadhwa commission report and Kargil issue would have an impact on the forthcoming parliamentary polls.

He said the victory of the Indian Army in Kargil was a matter of pride for every Indian and the issue should not be dragged into politics for narrow political gains.

He accused the Congress of adopting double standard. On the one hand, it was making a hue and cry on the Kargil issue, and on the other, it was opposing the provision of voting to any member of the family of Army personnel in absentia. He advocated a provision in this regard in the electoral system.

The Chief Minister denied that the Sonia factor had hampered the growth of the BJP and said it had "only brought a totally demoralised and dispirited Congress back into action". Meanwhile, Mr Dhumal handed over a cheque for Rs 1 lakh to the mother of the martyr and assured her of a government job.

He said Middle School, Sunhet, and Chander village would be renamed after the martyr.

HP unveils drug policy
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 9 — HP Health Minister, J P Nadda, today announced a drug policy for Himachal Pradesh for purchase of only safe and effective formulation for government health institutions and rationalisation of purchases.

Mr Nadda also released a list of essential drugs which can be prescribed by government doctors and said doctors had been asked to prescribe drugs by their generic name rather than their brand name.

With this, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in this part of the country to announce a drug policy and list of essential drugs. These drugs will henceforth be available in all health institutions of the state.

The list has been prepared with the approval of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is covered by the drug policy of Himachal Pradesh, which has come into force with immediate effect.

Mr Nadda said that the main aim of the policy was to provide a qualitative improvement in the administration of a drug regime. Doctors in government hospitals have been ordered to prescribe only listed formulations for patients by generic name. Patients will also be apprised of safe drug dosages and the hazards of overdosing.

Mr Nadda said that a limited number of essential drugs were identified on the basis of morbidity and the mortality profile of the state.

The main aim of the policy is to make available safe and effective drugs in all health institutions at economical prices.

The state government spends about Rs 9 crore on purchase of drugs annually and the policy will also help in rationalising purchase decisions and cutting costs.

To assess the pattern use of drugs operational research will be carried out in a continuous manner and modifications made from time to time. A continuing programme on rational use of drugs for doctors and para-professionals will also be launched.

Mr Nadda said that under the new policy-procurement of drugs amounting to 70 per cent of the total budget will be done by the Director, Health Services, whereas the remainder, or 30 per cent, will be spent by the chief medical officers of the districts and medical superintendents of the TB, sanitary and leprosy hospitals.

Pharmaceutical companies supplying drugs shall have to maintain a certain standard, failing which they shall be blacklisted. A check list of good manufacturing practices will be devised for this purpose.

A formulary of essential drugs will also be made and ethical criteria for drug promotion and advertising followed.

Among others present on the occasion were, Mr Justice R.P. Mahajan, Chairman, Backward Classes Commission and Mr Sukh Ram Chauhan, Director, Health Services.

Panchsheel pact a "blunder"
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Aug 9 — Participants at a conference held here today to discuss the Panchsheel agreement signed by India and China in 1954, felt that it was something out of which India gained little.

The conference, held by the Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch to discuss the Panchsheel agreement in light of the Tibetan independence struggle, was attended by a large number of Tibetan and Indian leaders.

A majority of the leaders felt that the agreement was a "blunder by India, as it gained little from it and was more at a loss by signing it. The Tibetan leaders were of the view that had it not been for the signing of the agreement, Tibet could have perhaps remained an independent nation. Participants felt that by signing the agreement, India closed all its option on Tibet, thereby facilitating the occupation of Tibet by China.

The national convener of the manch and chairman of the Education Board, Dr Chaman Lal Gupta, said the conference had been organised to commemorate the anniversary of the Quit India Movement to link the Indian freedom struggle with that of Tibet.

Those who attended the conference included Punjab Forest Minister Mohan Lal, RSS leader Indresh Kumar, MP Mahesh Dutt, Tibetan Minister for Information and International Relations, T.C. Tehtong and Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament, Thuptan Lungrik.

Disenfranchise Virbhadra : BJP
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 9 — Mr Suresh Chandel, President of the state unit of the BJP, has demanded disenfranchisement of the former Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, for making appointments in utter "disregard" of rules and regulations.

In a statement issued here today, he said that by "distributing job among his favourites" Mr Virbhadra Singh not only did injustice to thousands of unemployed youths but also deprived the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes of their constitutional right to representation in public services. As such, he had committed a crime against the Constitution and deserved exemplary punishment, Mr Chandel alleged.

Mr Chandel argued that if Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray could be disenfranchised just for one of his utterances, why could Mr Virbhadra Singh not be punished for "violating" the Constitution and oath of office as Chief Minister.

He alleged that the Virbhadra government denied appointment to more than 400 dependants, who lost their bread-winners in harness and were legally entitled to jobs, on the pretext that there were no vacant posts. However, on the other hand, more than 2500 "favourites" were illegally appointed although no sanctioned posts existed, he further alleged.

6 houses damaged in landslide

SHIMLA, Aug 9 (PTI) — A massive landslide, triggered by incessant rainfall, damaged a 15-metre stretch of the "forest road" in the Jakhoo area last night, damaging six houses and uprooting a dozen pine trees.

People left their houses in panic following the landslip and the authorities launched relief operations, official sources said here today.

Some of the houses were declared unsafe and residents shifted to other places.

The same stretch of road had sunk last year and was restored only a month ago.

DHARAMSALA: More than 20 kanals of land were washed away in the Simgh and Gujjar Basti areas of Kangra district and some nullahs changed their course due to heavy rain in the past two days.

Stating this at a press conference here on Monday Agriculture Minister Vidya Sagar said there was no damage to the standing crops.

Monkey menace in Hamirpur dist
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Aug 9 — Farmers of Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh are perturbed over the damage being caused to their crops by wild animals, especially monkeys and pigs. They say their number is increasing day by day and are finding it difficult to save the crops.

Worst affected are the farmers of Upper Bamsan, interiors of the Sujanpurtira, Dhaneta and Galore belts of the district. The prowlers descend in groups and eat up the maize plants.

Many farmers said they did not cause any harm to the monkeys out of religious belief. They want the State Government to take immediate steps to check this menace.

At Bir-Bagehra, farmers said the sudden increase in the number of wild pigs and repeated incursions by them in the fields have made the farmers to leave their houses and keep a round-the-clock vigil.

They said that if the State Government was not in a position to help them out, it should give arms licences to all farmers of the affected areas and revoke the ban on killing of wild animals in the state.

According to them, they lose around 30 per cent of their crops due to the attacks by these prowlers. These losses, they say, should be covered under the purview of natural calamities under which the government gives relief to the affected parties.

Eclipse: half day holiday in HP
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 9 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has declared a half day holiday after 3 pm on account of the solar eclipse on August 11.

This will be applicable to all government offices, educational institutions, boards and corporations and those working on daily wages.