Move to withdraw CRPF worries State Govt
SHIMLA, April 5 — The State Government is concerned over the decision of the Centre to withdraw the Central Reserve Police Force from the militancy-affected Chamba district at a time when the security forces are expecting a spurt in militant activity during summer when high mountain passes open due to melting of snow.

Kisan sabha's plea on pesticides
SHIMLA, April 5 — The state committee of the Himachal Kisan Sabha has expressed concern over the shortage of fungicides and insecticides being faced by apple growers.

Call for drive against dowry
CHAMBA, April 5 — Ms Prem Kumari Thakur, state Vice-President of the Himachal Pradesh Gyan Vigyan Samiti, has called for a campaign against dowry, use of intoxicants and other evils prevalent in society.

• Seven-year jail for rape
• 4 killed in mishaps

HP reiterates claim to Chandigarh
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, April 5 — Mr P.K. Dhumal, HP Chief Minister said that the state had not given up its claim to a share in Chandigarh under the Punjab State Reorganisation Act.

Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly he said the statement of certain Opposition leaders that the state had succumbed to pressure from Punjab and Haryana was far-fetched and misleading.

Mr Dhumal said the conflicting stand of Congress leaders on the issue reflected the internal bickerings of the party with an eye on organisational polls.

He said he had already written a letter to the Union Home Minister seeking his intervention for the settlement of state's share in Chandigarh keeping in view the sentiments of the House.

Mr J.B.L. Khachi, Congress, said the Chief Minister should not take cognisance of statements given by leaders outside the House.

Mr Dhumal said the Congress government had moved the Supreme Court to secure the state's share under the Punjab State Reorganisation Act but had not included its claim to Chandigarh.

As many as 1964 primary schools in Himachal Pradesh are running without even a single room. This was stated by the Minister of State for Primary Education in a written reply to a question tabled by Mr Kaul Singh (Congress) in the Vidhan Sabha today.

The Minister informed the member that out of a total of 10,484 primary schools, 1964 were without even a single room.

He said the highest number of such schools was in Mandi district (351) followed by 287 in Shimla, 254 in Sirmour, 251 in Chamba and 250 in Kulu.

Mr Gangu Ram (Cong) took exception to the non-achievement of targets fixed under the "Health for All by 2000 AD" and tabled a question in this regard. The Health Minister, Mr J.P. Nadda, said the targets were to be fulfilled by 2000 AD.

The Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Mohinder Singh, introduced a bill seeking to impose taxes on certain goods carried by road.

He also introduced two other Bills for imposing entertainment tax on cable TV operators and amendment of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, to lower the minimum penalty for adulteration of liquor to Rs 5000 from the existing Rs 25,000.

The state electricity board has drawn up plans to bring down transmission and distribution losses to 15 per cent by the end of next financial year, according to Mr P.K. Dhumal. He was speaking while initiating discussion on the budget estimates of the board for the year 1999-2000, here today. "Significant progress had already been made in this direction by curtailing losses from 19.20 per cent in 1997-98 to 18.50 in the following year. Losses will be reduced to 18.05 per cent by the end of the current financial year through phased upgradation of the transmission and distribution network, systems improvement and intensive checks on theft of power.

To ensure better realisation of revenue and correct billing, HPSEB has started a campaign to replace defective meters. In the first six months of 1998-99, 22,248 defective meters were changed.

Referring to the state's effort to harness hydel power Mr Dhumal said at present three major projects namely Larji (126 MW), Ghanvi (22.5 MW) and Khauli (12 MW) were under execution. The work on Larji was taken up two years ago and efforts are being made to ensure its completion by 2002-03.

The Ghanvi hydel project being constructed at a cost of Rs 95 crore was targeted for completion in the year 1999-2000.

In addition, 4 mini and micro hydel projects namely Bhaba augmentation power house (3 MW), Holi (3 KW), Sal-II (2 MW) and Gumma (3 MW) with an aggregate installed capacity of 11 MW were also under execution. An outlay of Rs 14.59 crore had been provided for these projects slated for completion during the year 1999-2000. Thus alongwith the Ghanvi project, in all 33.5 MW of generation capacity would be added during the year 1999-2000.

The board had also taken steps to obtain optimum rates for the power it sold to other states in summer. It had for the first time entered into firm agreements for sale of power with Delhi and Haryana ensuring payments through the mechanism of an irrevocable letter of credit. In order to trade optimally, "on line" availability of data would be made available through a state load despatch and communication centre at Shimla, with sub-offices at Hamirpur and Kunihar, at a cost of Rs 32.18 crore. The project was being executed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, which was part funding it through a World Bank loan.

The implementation agreement for UHL-III (100 MW) had been revoked and it was proposed to now offer this project to others.

Detailed project reports for 4 projects with an installed capacity of 35 MW, and pre-feasibility reports for of 7 projects with a total installed capacity of 346 MW were also available for international tenders on a build, own, operate and maintain basis. The government shall not however purchase power from projects above 25 MW capacity.

The government has rejected the bid of M/s Daewoo Corporation for Kol Dam (800 MW) as too high and as it was the sole tenderer.

Participating in the discussion, Mr Virbhadra Singh, Leader of the Opposition, cautioned the government against offering a large number of projects, including small ones, to central undertaking saying this was not in the interest of the state. He said the National Hydel Power Corporation, which had been assigned the 2051 MW Parbati Project, had its limitations and would take 12 to 15 years to complete the project. He felt the state had erred by not having any equity participation in the project and it would now have little say in the project.

Mr Chandra Sen appreciated the efforts of the government for speedy exploitation of its hydel potential. Mr Rangila Ram Rao, underlined the need to solve the low voltage problem in rural areas.

HVC not to merge with Congress
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, April 5 — The district President of the Himachal Vikas Congress, Mr Rumail Singh Badiyal, today said his party would never merge with the Congress and the latter's claims of forming a government in the state would not materialise.

The HVC has organised a padyatra in Kangra district to apprise the people of its developmental policies and to redress the grievances of the public. Mr Rumail Singh, along with a few other party workers, started the padyatra from Dada Siba on March 21. The march will finally terminate at Nagrota on April 17.

Mr Rumail Singh, while talking to newspersons here today, said during the padyatra, it was felt that unemployment was the biggest problem faced by the educated youth. The government must encourage setting up of industries in the district so that the educated youth could be given jobs. "Unless and until the Pathankot-Jogindernagar railway line is converted into broad gauge, industrial development will be hampered and moreover, the broadening work will provide employment to a large number of youth," he stated.

The HVC leader further said that there was acute water shortage in the entire district and certain villages had not received water for the past one week. "Apart from this, the absence and poor condition of the roads was a major hurdle in development of the various areas," he added.

Lashing out at the Congress party, he said today it was posing to be the biggest sympathisers of the OBC's, but had failed to give 27 per cent reservation to them during its own tenure. He said today the SCs, STs and the OBCs were drifting way from the Congress party.

He said the padyatra had already covered 10 assembly segments in Kangra district. "We will present all the problems of the people before our party chief Mr Sukh Ram, when he arrives at Nagrota to address a meeting," he added.

CM's assurance on Malana project
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, April 5 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, state Chief Minister, has said that the work on 86 mw Malana hydel project was likely to be completed within two-and-a-half years which would be a record.

The project would not only generate but would open the land-locked Malana area of Kulu district to the rest of the world. The Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting at Jari yesterday after pressing the button for the construction of power tunnel outlet of the project. He also performed the "bhoomi pujan" earlier and visited the Chowki village up to which about 5 km of road had been constructed by the project authority within five months.

Mr Dhumal said the work on 2051 mw Parbati hydel project in the area would also be taken up soon which would create employment opportunities.

He said Himachal Pradesh had one fourth of the total hydel potential of the country and added that the decision of the Centre Government to reverse the thermal-hydel ratio from 75:25 by 40:60 would help the state in its speedy exploitation.

He said the state government had also approached the Centre for the levy of generation tax and water cess so that income from it could be utilised for the construction of hydel projects.

The Chief Minister exhorted the youth to form cooperative societies and take up mini and micro hydel projects. He said that over 700 such projects had been identified and out of these 66 projects having generation capacity of 127 mw and involving an investment of about Rs 600 crore, had been awarded to the private sector. He said the work on 100 mw Ugal-III hydel project for which agreement had been cancelled by the government as the party concerned had failed to take up the work, would also be taken up with the help of state electricity board or by some central government undertakings.

Emphasising the need for timely completion of the projects, the Chief Minister said that government had decided to reward the officers who would complete work before time schedule. He said the government would not hesitate to take action against those who would not adhere to time schedule.

It’s a dog’s life at training centre
From Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, April 5 — While sniffer dogs are playing an increasingly important role in detection of crime, the dog squad-cum-training centre of the state police here, remains neglected.

Set up about 40 years ago, the Centre has been functioning without a proper building, training ground or other facilities. The dilapidated structure in which the dogs are kept is an apology for a kennel, with dingy rooms, lacking in ventilation and lighting hardly suited to the sensitive animals.

There is no open space for imparting training or walking the dogs. Worse its location near a main road and adjoining a school ensure that the noise of passing vehicles and the din of children from the school are constant distractions for the dogs.

The plight of the trainers and dog handlers, who have been provided accommodation in a ramshackle building, is no better. Damp and bereft of toilets or other facilities the stuffy rooms are a health hazard. The centre lacks even an approach road being connected via a slippery hill path.

Against the sanctioned strength of nine dogs the squad at present has six dogs, three of which are stationed at Una, Dharamsala and Mandi. This despite the fact that sniffer dogs earlier used only for tracking criminals, are now increasingly required for detection of explosives and narcotics. Ideally each district should have at least one sniffer dog and the strength of the squad should be over a dozen.

The staff at the centre is also inadequate as against the sanctioned posts of one sub-inspector, one assistant sub inspector (ASI) nine head constable and one constable, only one ASI, one head constable and seven constables are employed. They too face a bleak future in terms of career prospects as the entire staff is on deputation with the criminal investigation department. Thus with vacant posts being filled by personals of other wings of the police those deputed to it denied promotional avenues within the set up itself.

The situation can be rectified if the squad is provided permanent staff on the pattern of the mounted police so that vacant posts are filled from within the squad. Besides, the handlers should be provided proper training.

The centre had eight dogs when it was opened in 1960 and police personnel from all over the country were trained here. Besides, the centre also imparted training to pet dogs. Training work has long since been discontinued and the centre is merely maintaining its own squad.

Mr R.L. Sud, Superintendent of Police says, the department is aware of the shortcomings and steps are on to improve things. The process of acquiring five more dogs has already been initiated.

The department also wants to construct a proper kennel and provide other facilities but is frustrated by the fact that the existing buildings and the land itself does not belong to it. If suitable land is made available the plan may be translated into reality.

Move to withdraw CRPF worries State Govt
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, April 5 — The State Government is concerned over the decision of the Centre to withdraw the Central Reserve Police Force from the militancy-affected Chamba district at a time when the security forces are expecting a spurt in militant activity during summer when high mountain passes open due to melting of snow.

According to official sources, central forces are required for Bihar and the company being withdrawn from Chamba will be deployed there. The Centre had acceded to state's request for one battalion of the CRPF. While one company had been deployed, the remaining were expected to arrive this month. However, with the decision of the Centre to put the battalion at the disposal of Bihar Government, no additional central forces were likely to be made available to Himachal Pradesh. There will be no central forces left in the troubled district, except for one company of the ITBP. The state which had already deployed two of its total four armed battalions to guard its 260-km border with the Jammu and Kashmir, will be forced to spare more forces for the purpose.

The Centre's decision to withdraw the CRPF has come at a time when more forces were required to effectively seal the Chamba-Doda border.

Kisan sabha's plea on pesticides
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, April 5 — The state committee of the Himachal Kisan Sabha has expressed concern over the shortage of fungicides and insecticides being faced by apple growers.

The sabha pointed out that flowering in apple and other fruits had begun but the inputs required for spraying orchards were not available in most of the areas. The situation was worse in Ani, Nirmand and Rampur. The shortage of these inputs could lead to outbreak of disease like the apple scab and mite infestation on a large scale.

It also drew the attention of the government to the fact that many of the sale centres of the Horticulture Department remained closed due to the shortage of staff.

It also demanded immediate payment in cash to growers whose fruit was procured under the market intervention scheme and urged farmers not to accept juices and jams and insist on cash payment.

Call for drive against dowry
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, April 5 — Ms Prem Kumari Thakur, state Vice-President of the Himachal Pradesh Gyan Vigyan Samiti, has called for a campaign against dowry, use of intoxicants and other evils prevalent in society.

Ms Thakur stated this today while addressing the fifth state-level convention of the samiti at the local Bachat Bhavan.

She called upon all sections of society to extend their cooperation for the eradication of these social evils. She said it could be possible only if a collective campaign was launched by organisations like the samiti. Ms Thakur said the samiti had resolved to provide quality education to children and follow-up the programmes already launched during the past 10 years, since its inception.

Seven-year jail for rape
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, April 5 — Mr Surjeet Singh, District and Sessions Judge today convicted and sentenced on Pritam Singh to seven year's rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs 5000 for raping a 49-year-old women in village Patsari of Jubbal Tehsil of the District.

The rape was committed by Pritam Singh on September 8,1994 while he was drunk.

The court ordered that the amount of fine will be paid to the victim if it was realised. In case of default, the convict will undergo a further imprisonment of one year.

4 killed in mishaps
From Our Correspondent

KULU, April 5 — Four persons were killed in two accidents on Sunday near here. A tractor-trailer in which five persons were travelling skidded into a khud at Jari and Nanak Chand of Chowki was killed. In another incident the driver and cleaner of a truck and a woman accompanying them were killed when it rolled into the Sarwari nullah. They were on their way to Kulu.