• 2 youths crushed to death, 1 hurt
• Khurana visits Deotsidh shrine

Cong memo to finance panel
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 15 — The Congress has urged the Eleventh Finance Commission to make a provision, in its award, for the Centre to meet the committed liabilities of salaries and pensions on account of pay and dearness allowance revision to enable Himachal Pradesh to tide over its financial problems.

A memorandum was presented to the Chairman of the commission, Professor A.M. Khusro, by the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Mr Virbhadra Singh, here today.

The memorandum pertaining to the financial problems of the state, demanded that the Pre-1989 position of the Central Government funding should be restored.

The CLP demanded that Himachal should be given its legal and constitutional share in hydroelectric projects.

Presidential assent was also sought for the pending Himachal Pradesh Generation Tax Bill which was drafted on the specific recommendations of the Rangarajan Committee and the Centre when the entire financial problem of the state was discussed threadbare by the committee of experts. The state government was expected to raise a revenue of over Rs 160 crore annually by implementing the Act.

The memorandum demanded that Himachal Pradesh should be fully compensated for loss of revenue on account of green felling having been completely banned in the national interest.

The memorandum sought liberal financial assistance for the state government to augment and modernise the state police force to meet the unexpected threat to the security of the state from Pakistan backed militant groups operating from Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorist activities had increased in the areas of Himachal Pradesh bordering Jammu and Kashmir people were murdered and killed by Pakistan backed militants.

The memorandum recalled that the creation of Himachal Pradesh was not based on principles of economic viability. Statehood was granted to Himachal in response to the recognition of its political and development aspirations as a distinct political entity. There was an assurance that liberal financial assistance would be provided by the Centre till such time as this hill state would become economically viable. However, these requisite fund transfers did not take place and thereby hangs the sordid tale of the financial frustration of Himachal Pradesh.

The rightful share of Himachal under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, had systematically been denied in hydroelectric projects under the Bhakra Management Board which were located in 'out' rendered homeless.

Being a special category state, Himachal was supposed to get preferential treatment from the Centre. However, it did not get its rightful share ever under the Punjab Reorganisation Act.

The memorandum pointed out that Himachal started reeling under a financial crisis with the Centre discontinuing to cover the gap between the Plan and non-Plan resources of the special category states on the basis of the award of the Ninth Finance Commission.

The Tenth Finance Commission tried to rectify some of the mistakes of the Ninth Finance Commission, but in the absence of not restoring the pre-1989 financial devolution practice, the special category states continue to suffer.

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal has urged the Eleventh Finance Commission to order a cut on the top heavy administration in Himachal Pradesh on which a substantial amount of funds was being spent.

The memorandum was submitted to the Commission Chairman by Capt. Pratap Chaudhary president of the Janata Dal, here on Tuesday.

The memorandum described the Himachal Pradesh Government as the most "spendthrift" in the country as 90 per cent of the expenditure was on administrative set up.

A delegation of the Himachal Non-Gazetted Services Federation led by Mr Ganga Singh submitted a memorandum to the commission seeking a grant of Rs 2000 crore for the state.

Mr S.C. Bagrodia, Chairman, H.P. Committee of the Chamber, among other things suggested that separate norms to assess the receipts and non-Plan expenditure of the hill states should be evolved.

Need for caution on
Chamba border: Shanta
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, June 15 — Mr Shanta Kumar, a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, has underscored the need for exercising extreme caution on the border of Chamba district in Himachal adjoining Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Kargil action though our Army and other paramilitary forces deployed on the border are on their toes, ready to thwart the evil designs of the infiltrators.

Mr Shanta Kumar while addressing mediapersons at Surgani, about 40 km from Chamba, last night said the internal turmoil in Pakistan was so much that it could stoop to any level. He said the need to create a warlike situation was Pakistan's compulsion. He said because of this he had urged the Army and the security forces to keep constant surveillance on the Himachal-Jammu and Kashmir border.

Mr Shanta Kumar said the Kargil infiltration was an outcome of Pakistan's betrayal over the Lahore agreement. He said after Independence it was the second time that India had been deceived. Earlier in 1962 China had betrayed India.

Mr Shanta Kumar requested all political parties of the country to stand by the nation in this moment of crisis. He appealed to the Congress not to issue any undesirable statements which could undermine the morale of the jawans.

The former Chief Minister charged the Congress with indulging in the politics of power. This attitude had played havoc with the nation. He asserted that elections were held usually to overthrow or to bring some party to power but this time the electorate of the country would vote against the Congress to inflict punishment on it as the party had toppled the central government under prime ministership of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Answering a question, Mr Shanta Kumar pointed out that the Congress had been crippled as a result of the revolt by stalwart Sharad Pawar who within the party raised a query about Mrs Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin and subsequently left the Congress to form his own party. He said since Mr Pawar had left the Congress the rank and file had been demoralised. He described this revolt as a major setback to the Congress. He said the party had nothing to say in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Shanta Kumar in the past two days addressed a series of public meetings in the Bhanikhet Assembly constituency accompanied by Ms Renu Chadha, a prominent BJP leader of the area. In view of the fact that the Banikhet Assembly constituency is located on the borders of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Shanta Kumar advised the Gujjar families of this region not to move to the high-altitude grazing lands and take precautions against the prevailing situation in the neighbouring state of Jammu and Kashmir.

A hotel out of bounds
From S.P. Sharma

SHIMLA: The historic Palace Hotel at Chail has become virtually out of bounds for common tourists. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has imposed an entry fee of Rs 100 per person in the premises of the erstwhile royal property.

Chail Palace is a heritage hotel which came into the hands of the HPTDC in 1972.

Tourists were in for a surprise recently when the HPTDC suddenly started charging Rs 100 per person per entering the premises. The HPTDC authorities claim that the entry fee is only Rs 20 per person and the balance of Rs 80 is adjusted in food.

Most tourists are unhappy with the forced food money being charged from them. Local dhaba owners are also annoyed. There clientele has come down during the peak tourist season as most of the visitors have to forcibly take meals at the hotel.

HPTDC sources say the fee has been levied to prevent their own clientele from being disturbed by visitors who generally come over to have a look at each suite of the building which was constructed by the rulers of Patiala.

The hotel complex is spread on a piece of 75 acres of land, including orchards, tennis courts and cottages.

The HPTDC had earlier imposed an entry fee for the famous Wildflower Hotel, near here. However, the fee continued to be charged from tourists even after the magnificent building was gutted in a fire. The fee was withdrawn only when the matter was highlighted in newspapers.

The other attraction for tourists, the world's highest cricket ground, at 7,500 ft at Chail, has also been made out of bounds for tourists by Chail Military School. This leaves hardly anything for the tourists to see there.

Meeting held for communal amity
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 15 — The district authorities today held a meeting here to maintain communal harmony in the town in view of the fear and apprehension in the minds of Kashmiris doing business in McLeodganj.

For the past few days the police had been receiving complaints from some of the Kashmiris, who have shops in McLeodganj, that they were being threatened by the locals. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr B.K. Aggarwal, the SSP, Mr K.C. Sadyal, called these people for a meeting on Sunday. When nobody turned up for the meeting, the local SDM and the DSP, were sent up to McLeodganj to talk to them.

Last week a Kashmiri, who had been working as a porter here, had been beaten up by some of the local youths. The Kashmiris residing in McLeodganj allege they are being threatened by people to wind up their business and go back to Jammu and Kashmir. They claim a large number of Kashmiris out of fear had returned home after closing down their shops. They point out that this situation had come about since the Kargil problem in Jammu and Kashmir had arisen with Pakistan.

Mr Aggarwal today held a special meeting with the Kashmiri shopkeepers and porters to assure them that they would not face any problem. The meeting was attended by the Additional SP, Mr Kapil Sharma, the president of the municipal committee and the Beopar Mandal and other local people.

Mr Aggarwal said they had assured the Kashmiri shopkeepers that patrolling would be increased to keep a check on any anti-social elements. He said none of the Kashmiri shopkeepers could give first-hand information on any case of threat made by the locals. He added that fear and apprehension were more a result the rumours being spread. He added that as per information gathered from local businessmen certain Kashmiris having business here go back to Srinagar during the summer.

Governor opens exhibition
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 15 — Ms V.S. Rama Devi, Himachal Governor, inaugurated a handicraft and handloom exhibition here today.

As many as 34 craftsmen from all over the country have put up their stalls for the 10-day-long exhibition organised by Chamunda Handloom and Handicraft Cooperative Society.

Talking to the organisers, the Governor said such exhibitions provided a market outlet for handicraft by popularising them in distant areas. She said the handloom and handicraft industry needed to be protected and promoted in a big way as these products not only provided livelihood to the craftsmen but also depicted traditional art and craft values.

A four-day exhibition of exquisite hand embroidery items will be held here by the Karnal based Arpana Handicrafts. The exhibition will begin on June 17.

According to Mr R.M. Sabharwal, Executive Director, Arpana Handicrafts will bring hand embroidered baby frocks, ladies nightwear and table and bed linen. The proceeds from the sale will go towards improving the earnings of rural women.

There is also a section of spiritual literature, eloquent, practical elucidations of the Upanishads and the Gita in Hindi and English rendered in devotional verse.

Dhumal has ‘sold’ state's interests
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 15 — Three Congress legislators, Mr Kaul Singh, Mrs Asha Kumari and Mrs Viplove Thakur, have accused the BJP-HVC combine government of Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal of having sold the interests of Himachal Pradesh in the Parbati and Chamera hydroelectric projects.

In a statement here today these legislators said the previous Congress Government had taken an important decision under which Himachal was to get 12 per cent free power and 25 per cent equity share in these projects.

However, the BJP has dropped this clause in the Parbati project in which no share had been kept.

They alleged that the Chamera-II was the biggest sell out of the century for Himachalis. It was not true that this project had been started after 17 years. The execution of Chamera-II was to be taken up after the completion of Chamera-I and whatever little delay was due to laxity caused by non-finalisation of tenders by the NHPC. Moreover, the Congress Government was opposed to the NHPC plans to give Chamera-II on turn-key basis to a private party. The present government had compromised on the issues and "sold-out" the interests of Himachal.

CM visits martyrs' villages
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, June 15 — The Himachal Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, visited the houses of Havaldar Kashmir Singh of Uhal and Havaldar Raj Kumar of Bagloo villages this evening. Both these jawans were killed in Kargil operations on June 3. However, their bodies were still awaited for cremation. The Chief Minister reached these villages directly from Shimla.

He paid rich tributes to both martyrs and said that nation would not forget their contribution for centuries together. All sorts of facilities would be provided to the kith and kin of all those killed in the Kargil and Batalik operations.

The Chief Minister consoled the bereaved families and said that nation was alive only due to the contribution of the jawans of Himachal Pradesh in general and Hamirpur district in particular.

He thanked those ex-servicemen of the area who offered their services to the Indian Army despite their old age. This, he said, showed how much they loved their motherland.

Another Kangra soldier killed
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 15 — Twentyseven-year-old Seema Devi was today given a message regarding the death of her husband, Naik Dharam Dass, who died fighting the Pakistani infiltrators, in the Kargil sector.

The body of Naik Dharam Dass of 9 Mahar Regiment is being brought to his native village, Tanda Massal, near Nagrota Bagwan. The body, which is being brought by road in a truck from Chandigarh, is likely to reach the village by ten in the night today.

The cremation of the brave soldier will take place in the village tomorrow.

Destiny has played a cruel joke with Seema, who has lost her father-in-law, mother-in-law and husband within a short span of a little over four month’s. Naik Dharam Dass, who was 33 years old, lost his father on February 4 and his mother on February 16. He had come home when his father died. He has an eight-year-old daughter, Meenakshi, and a six-year-old son, Rahul. His wife and children had been living in the staff quarters in Yol Cantonment and it was only yesterday that Seema left for the village.

He is the fourth soldier from Kangra district to lay down his life fighting the enemy on the Indo-Pak border. Earlier, Brijender Singh of Nandloo village (16 Grenadiers), Lt Saurabh Kalia (5 Jat Regiment) and Grenadier Khem Raj of Parol village near Shahpur, had been killed in action in the Kargil sector.

Capt Kalia's father sore at authorities
From Our Correspondent

UNA, June 15 — The Army was proud of Captain Amol Kalia, who laid down his life defending the country said Major G.S. Sidhu, who visited his family at Nangal today to pay condolence on behalf of the army authorities.

Mr Satpal Sharma, father of Capt Kalia is sore with army authorities who failed to inform him about the death of his son and requested Major Sidhu to convey his sentiments to the officials concerned.

Mrs Sharma, mother of Capt Kalia, who is a Senior Auditor in the DAG Office at Nangal showed the last letter her son had written to her from the Kargil sector. The body of Capt Kalia is yet to be retrieved from the place where he died.

Mr Parveen Sharma, Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, visited Nangal yesterday to console the family of Capt Kalia.

Pvt bus operators go on strike
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 15 — Transport services in the state were severely hit as private bus operators today started an indefinite strike to press their demands.

The call for the strike was given by the state Private Bus Operators Union.

The impact of the strike was maximum in Shimla, Solan, Kangra and Hamirpur districts where the private operators dominate the transport services. The bus operators also held rallies at various places where speakers criticised the government for not accepting their demands.

The union has threatened to resort to a "rasta roko" agitation from June 1 if no steps are taken to settle the demands. However, the national highway will not be blocked and military vehicles will not be stopped in view of the Kargil situation.

The main demand of the union is rationalisation of passenger tax, single window service for bus operators, exemption to drivers of private buses from uniform and modification in the new transport policy.

Probe sought into recruitments
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, June 15 — The Hamirpur District Congress Committee has demanded a high-level probe into the recruitment of clerks in the Kangra Central Co-operative Bank and staff nurses in the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

Mr Suresh Kumar and Mr Jagdish Sharma, president and general secretary, respectively, of the district unit of the party, in a statement here today alleged that genuine persons were ignored and those close to ruling party leaders and officers of the departments concerned selected.

According to them, no official list of the selected staff nurses was displayed and most nurses were recruited from Bilaspur district. This, they said, proved that the BJP government was working against the interests of the poor and the deserving.

They charged the Health Minister with indulging in "regionalism" and demanded that the list of the selected nurses be published in newspapers.

They said the Education Minister was giving a "wrong" picture about the works done by the BJP government during the past one year. They asked him to clarify why the office of the SDM was not opened at Bhoranj, the most densely populated tehsil of Hamirpur district.

2 youths crushed to death, 1 hurt
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, June 15 — Two youths were crushed to death while another was seriously injured when a private bus ran over three youths sitting by the side of a bridge near Pangna village in the remote Karsog sub-division of this district yesterday.

A late report said the bus belonging to Gayatri Coach, was going from Karsog to Charkhari when it went out of control near a bridge at Pangna and ran over the three youths sitting by the bridge. Two of them, Girish and Sandeep, died while being taken to the sub-divisional hospital at Karsog while the third, Yash Pal Gupta, has been admitted to the hospital in a serious condition.

The driver, Lakshman, abandoned the bus and ran off, according to eyewitnesses.

The police has registered a case and enquiry has also been ordered. An ex-gratia grant of Rs 5,000 each to next of the kin of the youths has been granted by the SDM, Karsog.

Khurana visits Deotsidh shrine
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, June 15 — Mr Madan Lal Khurana, a senior BJP leader, visited the shrine of Baba Balaknath at Deotsidh in this district today. He paid obeisance at the temple and sought the blessings of the Baba. His family members and others accompanied him. It was his first visit to the shrine.

He spent about two hours in the temple.
Later he left for Una on his way to New Delhi.