Sepoy Sunil Kumar cremated
HAMIRPUR, July 21 — Braving heavy rains and bad weather, thousands of persons bid adieu to Sepoy Sunil Kumar of the Rashtriya Rifles who was killed in the Dras sector on July 18. Mortal remains of the martyr were consigned to flames today with full military and civil honours at Salasi Khud in the district amid slogans of "shaheed Sunil Kumar amar rahe", and "Pakistan murdabad and "Pakistan ho barbad".

‘Scarcity’ of doctors in Civil Hospital
ROHRU, July 21 — Mr Harinder Singh Rawat, representative of the Zila Parishad from here has demanded immediate deployment of doctors and other paramedical staff in the local Civil Hospital.

Acute water shortage in township
SHIMLA, July 21 — Residents of the Jamta township near Nahan are facing acute water shortage as the pumping scheme has remained unoperational due to absence of an electric connection.

Train services disrupted
SHIMLA, July 21 — Train services in the Kalka-Shimla section were disrupted due to a big landslide near Kaithlighat this morning.

EC partisan, says Cong MLA
CHAMBA, July 21 — The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee has charged the Election Commission with favouring the ruling BJP-led government at the Centre while announcing the Lok Sabha election schedule.

Insurance co told to pay Rs 4 lakh
DHARAMSALA, July 21 — The Kangra District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed New India Assurance to pay a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to a Kashmiri migrant, Mr Amar Nath, for the loss he incurred in a fire that gutted his shop in Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir.

2 killed in mishap

Satrundi to have helipad

File report on water contamination:HRC
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, July 21 — The state Human Rights Commission has asked the Irrigation and Public Health Department to file a detailed report on complaints of contaminated supply of water leading to water-borne diseases in the town.

The commission took a serious note of the issue after a local NGO, Jan Chetna sent it a complaint. The Jan Chetna stated that contaminated water was being supplied to the residents of the town. They also pointed out that many cases of children suffering from jaundice had come to light.

The convenor of the Jan Chetna, Mr M.P. Singh, said the water pipes of the IPH Department were passing through drains which were choked. "Whenever the water pipes pulled in water, bacteria contaminated the drinking water," he alleged.

The NGO in its complaint to the commission also sent some photographs as documentary evidence to show how drinking water pipes are passing through the drains.

The commission reportedly has asked the IPH authorities here to file a detailed report regarding the allegations levelled against it. They have been asked to file their reply within two weeks.

The Superintending Engineer, IPH, Mr Rana, when contacted confirmed that a letter from the commission had been received to file a detailed reply on the water supply position. "We will request the commission to grant us more time so that we can also see the photographs given by Jan Chetna." he stated. He claimed that majority of the pipes in the drains were private connections and very few were government connections. He added that the IPH Department would issue notices to these persons whose water pipes were passing through the drains.

Recently there have been cases of gastro-enteritis in the hospital and in fact two deaths have been reported from the district.

Doctors urged to work in rural areas
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 21 — Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor of Himachal Pradesh, has called upon doctors to volunteer their services in rural and remote areas where about 80 per cent of the state's population lives. She said the objective of "Health for all at the doorsteps by 2000" could only be attained if the doctors wilfully came forward to serve the people with dedication. Specialist facilities should be provided in health institutions at the block level for ensuring better health care to the people.

Addressing doctors and medical staff of Indira Gandhi Medical College organised here to hand over beds and other articles to medical institutions donated by Mrs Subhadra Amin Chand, chairperson of the Raisahib Amin Chand Memorial Trust today.

Mrs Rama Devi lauded the philanthropic efforts of the trust and asked people to contribute liberally for helping the suffering humanity and upgrading social services. "Each one should make a positive contribution to society to which we owe so much for our welfare".

The Governor laid special emphasis on creating awareness amongst the people about health education and personal hygiene, which would help in prevention of many diseases. She asked the people to maintain cleanliness in their localities and houses.

Mrs Vidya Stokes, MLA, said that voluntary social service not only set the pace for welfare activities but also gave satisfaction. Special attention should be given to the poor and destitute person.

Dr Lalita Bahl, Principal, Indira Gandhi Medical College, while welcoming the chief guest appreciated the efforts of the trust in social service.

The trust donated 50 bedside benches to Kamla Nehru Hospital, 10 to Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital and two wheel-chairs to other institutions.

Minjar fair to be austere affair
By Balkrishan Prashar

CHAMBA: Minjar fair held during the monsoons will be held this year in an austere manner in the wake of the Kargil conflict.

The fair is a glorious fusion of art and culture. It is held at a place believed to be founded by King Sahil Verman. The weeklong event begins from July 25.

Chamba is all spruced up to welcome visitors to the fair, a major carnival of northern Himalayas.

According to legend, the festival is celebrated to signify King Sahil Verman's victory over the King of Kangra. King Sahil Verman, founder of the erstwhile Chamba state, it is said, was presented with sprouts of maize and paddy by the defeated ruler. Hence, during the fair peasants pray to God Varuna for rain to ensure a bumper crop.

Another legend has it that centuries ago the river Ravi flowed through Chamba besides Chowgan. On the right bank of the river is Champavati Temple and on the left Hari Rai Temple. A sage staying near Champavati Temple used to go to Hari Rai Temple daily by crossing the river. King Sahil Verman requested the sage to make it possible for all to visit Hari Rai Temple. The sage performed a weeklong yajna and prepared a multi-coloured cord called "minjar". The river Ravi changed its course on the completion of the yajna.

Mr K. Sanjaymurthy, Deputy Commissioner of Chamba, who heads the Minjar Fair Celebration Committee, says the district administration is all set for Minjar Fair. However, there will be no cultural programmes during the night like the previous years in the wake of the current Kargil situation. Every effort will be made to be frugal, avoiding luxuries and merriment in view of the lives lost in the Kargil Sector.

On the opening day — July 25 — the fair gets off to a colourful start with "minjar" (blossoms of maize) being offered at Lakshmi Narayan and Raghuvira Temples. On the final day — August 1 — a procession will be taken out from Akhandchandi Palace. It will pass through the main bazaar and end at the banks of the Ravi where "minjar" and coconut will be immersed.

Security arrangements have been strengthened on the state's border with Jammu and Kashmir for the event.

Bank ex-chief, director get pre-arrest bail
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 21 — The Sessions Judge, Mr Surjit Singh, has granted pre-arrest bail to Mr B.S. Nainta, Special Secretary, Agriculture and former Managing Director of the HP State Cooperative Bank, and Mr Nehar Singh, a former chairman of the bank, who have been accused of having unauthorisedly enhanced the estimates for construction of the new building of the bank on The Mall here.

The prosecution pleaded before the court that the building was initially estimated to cost a little over Rs 1 crore. However, the estimate was revised to Rs 2.09 crore without approval of the board of directors.

The court also granted bail to Mr Sunil Kumar, then Executive Engineer of the bank.

The court observed that right now there was no material on record to indicate that any favour was shown to the construction contractor in respect of those items of construction where the margin of profit was less.

It was also pointed out that the report of the enquiry committee, set up by the bank, belies the contention that permission of the board of directors to revise the estimates was not obtained. The part six of the report mentions that ex-post facto sanction to incur an expenditure of Rs 2.09 crore was obtained from the board of directors on February 28, 1997.

Sepoy Sunil Kumar cremated
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, July 21 — Braving heavy rains and bad weather, thousands of persons bid adieu to Sepoy Sunil Kumar of the Rashtriya Rifles who was killed in the Dras sector on July 18. Mortal remains of the martyr were consigned to flames today with full military and civil honours at Salasi Khud in the district amid slogans of "shaheed Sunil Kumar amar rahe", and "Pakistan murdabad and "Pakistan ho barbad".

As Mehar Singh, elder brother of the martyr, lit the pyre, people present there could not control their tears. Sita Ram, an ex-serviceman and father of the martyr was seen sobbing, but was consoling his elder son at the crematorium.

Mr Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Education Minister, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kamlesh Kumar Pant, the ASP, Mr B.M. Sharma and the SDM, Mr Balbir Singh Badalia represented the state government. Col Gurmail Singh, Lt Col Mohinder Singh and Maj M.K. Bhatt represented the Army. They all laid wreaths on the body of the martyr.

A contingent of the Indian Army and the Himachal Pradesh police reversed their arms and gave the final salute to the martyr.

Hamirpur district has so far lost eight jawans in the ongoing Operation Vijay.

‘Scarcity’ of doctors in Civil Hospital
From Our Correspondent

ROHRU, July 21 — Mr Harinder Singh Rawat, representative of the Zila Parishad from here has demanded immediate deployment of doctors and other paramedical staff in the local Civil Hospital.

In a statement here today, he said a number of posts of physicians in this hospital and other primary health centres in the area like, Jangla, Goshali and Sandasu were lying vacant for more then one year. He said even after repeated requests to the government no action has been taken.

He said there was paucity of teachers in the area. He demanded that more teachers should be posted in these schools.

Acute water shortage in township
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 21 — Residents of the Jamta township near Nahan are facing acute water shortage as the pumping scheme has remained unoperational due to absence of an electric connection.

The underground water pipeline was laid a few years ago, but the delay of the HPSEB in providing power connection for the water pumping station has left the people thirsty.

The HPSEB reportedly demanded that a sum of Rs 5.84 lakh should be deposited first to meet the expenditure on the power connection. Although the amount has been deposited by the district authorities, the electric connection has not yet been provided.

Residents of the area say that the town has not developed mainly because of the continuing water shortage.

Train services disrupted
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 21 — Train services in the Kalka-Shimla section were disrupted due to a big landslide near Kaithlighat this morning.

While all uphill trains from Kalka were terminated at Kandaghat. No train left from Shimla after 10 a.m.

The track was likely to be cleared by 9.00 p.m., a railway spokesman said.

EC partisan, says Cong MLA
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, July 21 — The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has charged the Election Commission (EC) with favouring the ruling BJP-led government at the Centre while announcing the Lok Sabha election schedule.

In a press release issued here today, Mr Harsh Mahajan, Vice-President of the HPCC and a Whip of the Congress Legislature Party alleged the EC has delayed announcing election schedule to favour the ruling BJP-led government.

He even described the Election Commission as a 'puppet' of the ruling BJP and charged the BJP governments at the Centre and the state of violation of the EC's Code of Conduct.

Insurance co told to pay Rs 4 lakh
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, July 21 — The Kangra District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed New India Assurance to pay a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to a Kashmiri migrant, Mr Amar Nath, for the loss he incurred in a fire that gutted his shop in Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Amar Nath, a resident of Sopore, had got his shop insured. Due to militancy he moved to Kangra, along with his family, and started a readymade garments shop. In the meantime, he got his policy renewed, but his shop was gutted in a fire that broke out on November 27, 1993.

He claimed a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the articles destroyed in the fire. The company, however, kept putting it off. The insurance company, even deputed a surveyor to assess the loss, but due to the "non-co-operation" of the complainant, the case was closed.

It was later, that the file was reopened on the request of the complainant. However, the claim was not given as the company said he was not providing the relevant documents.

The court observed that since even the surveyor had admitted to the loss, there was no escaping the compensation.

2 killed in mishap
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, July 21 — Two persons died on the spot when a truck rolled into a gorge near Datyar on the Kalka-Shimla national highway, 30 km from here, yesterday.

The truck was on it's way from Darlaghat towards Chandigarh.

The dead could not be identified.

Satrundi to have helipad
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, July 21 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has recently selected a suitable site for the constructions of a helipad at Satrundi with a view to keep constant contact with the security forces deployed on the strategic points to combat militants activities in Chamba district adjoining Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

An official information revealed that Satrundi is the place near Kalaban where 35 labourers had been massacred by the Pak trained ultras last year in August.

Satrundi is located at an altitude of 3400 metres, about 50 km from Bhanjraru, the subdivisional headquarters of Churah in Chamba district.

The information said the state government also planned to construct helipads at sensitive points such as Khundi Mural, Salooni and Bhanjraru in Churah subdivision.