• Stir threat by HPSEB staff
• 20 hurt as bus, truck collide
• VC sets at rest speculation
• CPI leader Nirdoshi dead
• Holi mela from Feb 27

Congress MLA dares OBC ministers to quit
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Feb 18 — The Congress MLA, from Nagrota and joint Secretary of the HPCC Mr G.S. Bali, has challenged the OBC ministers from Kangra to resign their seats, along with him, to demand, 27 per cent reservation for the other backward classes. (OBCs).

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Bali, said that despite the BJP promising 27 per cent reservation for the OBCs in their election manifesto, he had failed to do so, even after 10 months of rule. He said the three OBC ministers, including Mr Krishan Kapoor, Mr Ramesh Chaudhary and Mr Vidyasagar, should be willing to join hands with him as they themselves belonged to the backward classes. All three ministers and Mr Bali himself, represent constituencies, which are dominated by the OBC's.

Mr Bali, demanded the issuing of a white paper on the purchase and sale of seed potato by the government. He said while seed potato bag was available in the market for Rs 350, it was being sold by the government agencies for Rs 990. needed to be probed thoroughly.

The Congress, leader criticised the government for setting up power projects without assessing their economic viability." The Kholi power project in Shahpur, for which the Chief Minister recently laid foundation stone was not a viable one, as due to shortage of enough water, it would be able to run only up to 40 per cent capacity, he claimed. He lamented that without assessing the viability of these power projects Kangra Central Cooperative Bank, had agreed to finance them, which could ultimately cause loss to the bank.

Mr Bali, took exception to the alleged statement of the Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidyasagr, that he was getting work done from the Chief Minister. Mr Bali, said that it was his constitutional right to get work done from the Chief Minister, as he was the link between the people of Nagrota and the government. "Being elected representative of the people, it is my duty to put forward the demands of the people of the area, and for this nobody can stop me nor do I need others advice for it," he stated. He regretted that All India Radio (AIR), was also used by the minister for this purpose. It is a pity that AIR is giving extreme favour to the members of the ruling party, as a news must be broadcast on the basis of its importance," he felt.

Mr Bali, alleged that some of the ministers in Kangra district were making false announcements about schemes, which were not there on the paper, nor were there any budgetary provision for them. Citing an example he said so far nothing had been done about the Rs 12 lakhs water supply scheme announced by the IPH Minister for Nagrota and the Rs 5 lakh announced by the Transport Minister, for the Nagrota bus stand.

Sukh Ram alleges scam
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Feb 18 — Former Union Communications Minister and HVC supremo, Mr Sukh Ram, today alleged that huge benefits of free power and taxes amounting to Rs 134 crore had been granted to the two big cement companies in Himachal Pradesh in blatant violation of the industrial policy and rules.

Briefing mediapersons at the local Circuit House, the coalition partner of the BJP-HVC government described the grant of incentives "unwarranted" and a "big scam", which must be probed by the CBI.

He said a sum of Rs 134 crore had been paid to the companies "illegally" and asked the government that immediate steps should be initiated to recover the amount.

Mr Sukh Ram said he was not in favour of setting up cement plants in Himachal Pradesh and had urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the permission of opening new plants in the state because the plants caused unavoidable pollution and damaged tourism potential.

He said the existing two plants at Barmana and Darlaghat were discouraging tourists visiting Shimla and Kulu valley. Driving on the national highway had become hazardous due to the traffic rush caused by trucks loaded with cement.

He suggested that before opening new cement plants a team of experts should visit areas of Uttar Pradesh like Dehradun where colossal damage had been caused to the ecology by converting green valleys into barren hills. "This should not be allowed to happen in Himachal where tourism and power generation had immense potential and these must be harnessed to the full by preserving forest wealth," he said.

Mr Sukh Ram said he had not been taken into confidence while enhancing power rates and added that the HVC in its manifesto had promised cheap power to the people so that the pressure on forests was eased to some extent. "Instead of giving free power to rich industrialists it is better to give cheaper electricity to the ordinary consumers", he said.

Mr Sukh Ram agreed that industrial rates should be charged from hotels to promote the tourism industry and the practice of minimum charges should be done away with.

Nathpa-Jhakri workers' strike from today
From Our Correspondent

JHAKRI, Feb 18 — Work on the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri project will be paralysed from tomorrow as a majority of the 5000 workers working on it will go on an indefinite strike. This was stated here at a rally of CITU, which apart from local trade union leaders was also addressed by Mr Chandra Kala Pandey, a Rajya Sabha member of the CPM from West Bengal and Mr PK Ganguly, All-India general secretary of CITU, and Mr Rakesh Singhal a former Shimla MLA, and state president of CITU.

"It was a surprise to us — as we never expected such a massive gathering in a hill state said central leaders of CITU, who congratulated the workers for coming under one banner for their legitimate rights. Describing all demands of workers as genuine and long overdue the leaders gave a call for complete jam of the project and assured them support of workers from all over the country.

The people of Himachal should not allow the sale of natural resources to outsiders said comrade Ganguly while reading an order of some Italian project manager who had declared today's rally as "illegal". The project when completed will generate an income of Rs 5 crore a day and the installation cost has now risen to Rs 7560 crore.

'Equal wages for equal work' was the demand raised by the CITU. About 200 workers have already lost their lives since 1993 when the project was started. The main cause of death was emission of various harmful gases and high temperature which goes up to 68°C. But seldom any compensation has been paid so far, to the workers said the leaders. Even minimum wages were not paid to some of the workers by the sub and petty contractors even after working for more than 12 hours in a day. Maximum project is controlled by the multinational companies and Indian monopoly groups big Indian and foreign companies like Foundation Construction JP Industries, Hindustan construction continental, Impergelleo (Italy), Hundai (S. Korea) etc besides number of small others. Difference in wages of different workers doing same kind of work is more than 100 per cent sometimes. Some workers of MNC's are getting salary even in dollars and an average local worker is getting a wage below the rates fixed by the PWD, pointed out the leaders.

The workers had come from all-over, right from Nathpa in Kinnaur district, which is the starting point of this project. The local leaders of CITU were very critical of a brother-sister trade union team from Shimla, who had kept them in the dark and were working hand in glove with the management. For the first time all the workers from Nathpa Jhakri joint venture & other companies on this project have come under one banner for fighting for their demands.

Delhi-Kulu flights fail to operate
From Our Correspondent

KULU, Feb 18 — Indian Airlines has put a number of passengers to inconvenience, even before the start of its operation to Kulu from Delhi.

The airlines announced the start of its operations from February 5. Later the date was postponed to February 12 then to February 15 and then again to February 19. Many have been issued tickets by authorised airlines agents. Two newly married couples holding tickets were seen desperately seeking refund. One of the couple who was given tickets by a Chandigarh agent for February 15 flight wondered why tickets were issued when the airlines had not yet started operating flights. Mr Nitesh Chug, one of the hapless passengers, said it reflected the inefficiency of the management of the airlines. One of the passengers alleged that Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister had announced much low fare than being charged by private operators.

The Travel Agents Association has also criticised the higher fare and urged the government to consider it from the tourism aspect.

The association was of the opinion that the fare should be calculated on a uniform basis. The flight from Delhi to Kulu was of one hour and 10 minutes and the fare fixed was Rs 4355 whereas the flights from Jammu to Delhi was exactly of the same duration and the fare was Rs 3105. Also the Delhi to Khajuraho fare was Rs 2895 while the flying time was 1.45 hours.

White monkey spotted
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Feb 17 — A white monkey has become the centre of attraction, here in Mcleodganj.

The baby monkey has been spotted by a number of locals and foreigners near the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), which is located near the forest area in Mcleodganj. The albind monkey stands out amongst the other monkeys, because of its unusual colour.

A foreigner from Switzerland, who visited, Dharamsala, wrote to the WWF authorities in Delhi about the white monkey an NGO leader Mr Ajit Kumar a number of people confirmed having seen the white monkey.

According to zoologists an albine occurs one in 20,000 animals as well as the humans. They have white hair and pink eyes and skin. Intense sunrays are very harmful for them, as they are prone to severe sun burns.

As per a Buddhist belief, a white monkey is symbol of purity and good virtue, and an indication of peace in the coming years.

Mr Ajit Kumar said efforts must be made to study the behaviour pattern of the albine, as it is very rare. He said that something must be done to protect this white monkey, as it will be quite difficult for it to bear his heat, first summer heat.

Stir threat by HPSEB staff
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Feb 18 — The central coordination committee of the HPSEB staff working at the Nathpa Jhakri power project has decided to revive its agitation in case its demands were not met within a month.

Mr J.L. Damalu, chairman and Mr Inder Singh Dhiman, general secretary of the coordination committee, yesterday submitted a month's notice to the authorities for the acceptance of their demands failing which they would resume their agitation.

The committee had, earlier suspended its agitation on July 31 in the wake of the assurance of the Union Power Minister that their demands were being examined.

Their demands include, the grant of liveries allowance, modification of service terms and conditions, parity with their NJPC counterparts.

VC sets at rest speculation
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, Feb 18 — Prof L.R. Verma, Vice-Chancellor of Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, at Mauni, near here, told this correspondent today that he would abide by yesterday's decision of Himachal Pradesh University directing him to report for duty as Professor in that university's department of bio-sciences by March 1, adding that he was a scientist 'first and foremost' and that rank and status did not matter much for him.

This categorical statement set at rest speculation to the effect that Prof Verma would challenge HP University's order in court on the ground that the very idea of rejoining the post of a professor, after working as a Vice-Chancellor would not be palatable to him and also because the HPU's order appeared to have political overtones. By taking the other course of staying put as Vice-Chancellor would have meant loss of substantial service benefits.

BJP adopting ‘divide & rule’
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Feb 18 — A former Himachal Youth Congress Chief and Mr Kuldeep Singh Pathania, has charged the BJP government with adopting the policy of divide and rule.

He alleged at a press conference here today that the state government was working on regional lines and thus trying to further divide the state. He said that so much so that in the Bamsan area, the home constituency of the Chief Minister, developmental works were being done on political considerations. According to him many areas which voted for the Congress were being neglected in the matter of development.

He said that the farmers were upset over the sharp increase in the price of fertilisers and other essential commodities. The annoyance shown by this community proved that the BJP had lost its mass base and was working only by giving them catchy slogans. He asked people not to be misled by their false propaganda and stand firmly against them to get the justice.

The Congress leader welcomed the opening of a division of the Public Works Department at Tounidevi but objected to the opening of sub-division at Samirpur, the native village of the Chief Minister. He said that this sub-division should have been opened at Utpur near Kakker village to help people of all areas of the constituency.

Prove charge or quit, BJP tells Mahajan
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Feb 18 — Mr Suresh Chandel, president, state unit of the BJP, has asked Mr Sat Mahajan, Pradesh Congress President, to either substantiate his charge that BJP leaders were harbouring militants in Chamba or tender an unqualified public apology to the people of the state for making such a wild allegation.

In a statement here yesterday Mr Chandel challenged Mr Mahajan to name the BJP leaders or workers against whom he had levelled the allegation.

He said no party worker or leader would be spared if the charges were found true. He said it was a crime to withhold information about such heinous criminal activity from the police. By rushing to the Press with vague charges instead of sharing the information he had with him, with the police Mr Mahajan himself was helping such criminals indirectly.

Mr Suresh Chandel said it did not behove a senior politician of Mr Mahajan's stature to indulge in such gimmicks to gain cheap popularity.

Regarding the accusation that Chamba district was being neglected in the matter of development Mr Chandel said whatever had been done by the Dhumal government during the past 10 months belied the charge.

Congress names new HP dist presidents
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Feb 18 — The Congress has reshuffled its PPCs in Himachal Pradesh with many new faces being inducted.

The list of HP district unit presidents, finalised and made available here at the AICC, shows the inclusion of sitting MLA, Mr Lajja Ram, Solan, Mr Suresh at Hamirpur and Mr Sher Singh in Mandi.

While Mr Lajja Ram belongs to the backward classes, Mr Sher Singh is a Rajput, party sources said here today. The Solan District Congress Committee presidentship was earlier held by Mr Arun Sein.

Other DCC presidents include, Mr Pratap Chauhan (Shimla-rural), Mr Om Parkash Sood (Shimla-urban), Mr Rattan Lal Soni (Bilaspur), Mr Bal Krishan Thakur (Kullu), Mr Khem Raj Abrol (Chamba), Mr Nain Singh Tomer (Nahan), Mr Brij Bihari Butail (Kangra), Mr Ranbir Singh Rana (Una) and Mr Jagat Singh Negi (Kinnaur).

Holi mela from Feb 27
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Feb 18 — The four days' state-level Holi mela will be held at Sujanpurtira town of the district from February 27 to March 2. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the mela organising committee held under the chairmanship of Mr Nirmal Singh Suman, Additional District Magistrate of Hamirpur.

An official spokesman said here today that the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, would inaugurate the mela, and the closing function would be chaired by Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor.

Playback singers, Sapna Awasthy, Milan Singh and kawals Taj Baby and Sikander Bhan will perform.

Government and semi-government departments will also take part in exhibitions to be set up on this occasion.

20 hurt as bus, truck collide
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Feb 18 — Two persons were injured seriously while 18 others received minor injuries in a head-on collision between a private bus and a military truck at Nainikhud on the Chamba-Pathankot highway, 60 km from here last evening.

According to official sources, the two seriously injured have been identified as Sushma Devi, a resident of Talara village and Ranjna Devi of Kakira village of Bhattiyat subdivision in the district. Both have been admitted to Chowari hospital.

Meanwhile, the SDM of Bhattiyat, Mr J.S.Rana, has sanctioned Rs 1,000 each for the two women as immediate relief.

CPI leader Nirdoshi dead
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Feb 18 — A prominent CPI leader of the Banikhet constituency, Mr Daulat Ram Nirdoshi, died of throat cancer yesterday.

He was 54. He is survived by three daughters and a son.

The cremation was held at Surgani, 40 km from Chamba, which was attended by leaders and workers of the CPI and AITUC.

He contested the assembly elections from the Banikhet Assembly constituency four times.