Himachal Assembly okays supplementary demands
SHIMLA, March 8 — The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, who also holds the finance portfolios will present the general Budget for 1999-2000 tomorrow.

HVC lands in embarrassing situation
SHIMLA, March 8 — The leadership of the Himachal Vikas Congress (I) has landed in an embarrassing situation with one of its leaders, Ms Veena Sharma, demanding that the BJP leader, Mr Shanta Kumar, should be made Chief Minister of the state.

Chaitra Navratra mela from March 17
JAWALAMUKHI, March 8 — The 10-day-long Chaitra Navratra mela will be held from March 17 to 26 at the Jawalamukhi temple this month.

REC Vice-Chairman resigns
HAMIRPUR, March 8 — Mr Vinod Thakur, Vice-Chairman of the Regional Engineering College, Hamirpur, has reportedly resigned his post. He was appointed after the new BJP government came to power last year.

No fresh case of dropsy
SHIMLA, March 8 — No fresh case of dropsy has been reported in the town after the one in which 11 persons were taken ill.

Four killed, 30 hurt in bus mishap
SHIMLA, March 8 — As many as four persons were killed and 30 injured when a private bus owned by Thakur Coach Service, rolled down a 125-foot gorge at Brampukhar, about 72 km from today.

• Karsog block office-bearers quit BJP
• Pathania sworn in PSC chief
• Commission for women

General Budget today
Himachal Assembly okays
supplementary demands
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 8 — The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, who also holds the finance portfolios will present the general Budget for 1999-2000 tomorrow.

The House today passed supplementary demands for the year 1998-1999 amounting to Rs 286.28 crore. A provision of Rs 38.73 crore had been made for the state plan schemes, out of which Rs 4.60 crore had been allocated for the construction of residential building, Rs 5 crore for the maintenance and paying wages to daily wage earners and arrears to work-charged staff.

A sum of Rs 10 crore had been kept for a new drinking water supply schemes and maintenance of functional schemes and Rs 6.88 crore had been kept apart for the construction of roads in the tribal areas.

An amount of Rs 55.44 crore had been provided to regulate the expenditure under centrally sponsored schemes out of which Rs 17.82 crore had been kept for central transport subsidy to industries in the state, and Rs 19.76 crore for accelerated rural water supply schemes.

The supplementary non-plan expenditure had been fixed at Rs 192.71 crore. Out of this Rs 108.23 crore had been set apart for the payment of arrears on account of pay revision. A sum of Rs 32.53 crore had been allocated for the Irrigation and Public Health Department and Rs 33.12 crore for the Public Works Department for the maintenance of irrigation and water supply schemes, roads and bridges.

Earlier, replying to a call attention motion of Mr Virbhadra Singh, regarding the recovery of illicit liquor in the Kala Amb area, Mr Dhumal, said his government was alive to the problem as evident from the comparative figures of cases detected. There was only one case in 1997-98 and 1,000 bottles of liquor were seized. In contrast during the current year seven cases were detected and over 32,000 bottles of illicit liquor were seized.

Mr Mohinder Singh Minister for Excise and Taxation, said the government had not tried to shield the culprits.

Earlier, Mr Virbhadra Singh in his motion quoted newspaper reports alleging that the department was pressurised by a minister to hush up the case. It was only after the matter was reported in the Press that a case was registered after a gap of seven days.

HVC lands in embarrassing situation
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 8 — The leadership of the Himachal Vikas Congress (I) has landed in an embarrassing situation with one of its leaders, Ms Veena Sharma, demanding that the BJP leader, Mr Shanta Kumar, should be made Chief Minister of the state.

The leadership of the HVC, which is supporting the BJP government of Mr P.K. Dhumal in the state, is baffled over the statement of Ms Sharma. She is president of the women's wing of the HVC.

Mr Kewal Ram Chauhan, general secretary of the HVC, today issued a statement asking Ms Sharma not to interfere in the internal affairs of the BJP. This is for the BJP to decide who should be their leader.

He said that the HVC was satisfied with the working of Mr Dhumal who was running the government in consultation with the HVC supremo Mr Sukh Ram.

Mr Chauhan urged Mr Dhumal and Mr Suresh Chandel, state BJP president, to set up coordination committees of the two parties at the government and party level for redressal of their day-to-day grievances.

He reiterated that the support of the HVC for the BJP will continue. Mr Dhumal was giving due weightage to the HVC despite pressures of his partymen.

TYC wants leaders to be more committed
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, March 8 — Terming the programmes and activities by the Tibetan Government as inadequate and static, the Tibetan Youth Congress, had demanded more commitment from the leadership, in order to compete with the Chinese for attaining freedom.

As the Tibetans gear up to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the National Uprising Day, on March 10, it is evident that the exiled community is becoming more and more restive with each passing day. With the initiatives of the Dalai Lama and the efforts of the Tibetan Government in-exile, failing to bring about any solution of the Tibetan issue, the Tibetan people, especially the youth, have started demanding more forceful action.

The Tibetan Youth Congress, which is spearheading the Tibetan freedom movement, has at times even been critical of the the policy being pursued by the exiled government. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the National Uprising Day, the President of the TYC, Mr Tseten Norbu, urged the Tibetan leaders to lead the people in the proper direction. "The need of the hour for our leaders is to have a better study of the relevant topics, so that they can deal with the Chinese more effectively", he stated.

The TYC leader added that one of the main reasons for the present state of the Tibetan people was their lack of interest in politics in the past. "If we fail to take active interest in our politics others will rule us, so it is the responsibility of each one of us to actively participate in shaping our future", he asserted. He felt that the indifferent attitude in politics will lead them nowhere and it was high time that an end should be put to the current part-time politics culture.

The TYC also issued a note of warning to the Chinese that they were capable of launching a forceful action against them. In case China fails to draw lesson from the past we observed in Delhi last year and the barging in of some of our activists into their embassy we are capable of doing much more", said the TYC activists. The TYC urged the Tibetan people that it was only they who could bring about a change in their own position and can chart the future and determine it.

There is a growing feeling amongst the Tibetans that as the Chinese became more ruthless in violating the rights of the Tibetan people inside Tibet. More and more protests need to be staged by those living in exile. The year 1999 is being conceived as an important year, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of peoples Republic of China. The 50 years of Chinese occupation of Tibet, and 40 years of life in exile for the Tibetans. It was in March, 1959, that the Dalai Lama, along with his family members his ministers, escaped from the Palace in Lhasa and fled into exile. Since then the Tibetan leader, along with one and a half Tibetans have been living in exile.

The Tibetans will commemorate the National, Uprising Day on March 10 by organising marches and other political activities over the world. The Tibetan people it seems have realised that the Tibetan issue has always been eclipsed at the UN by the other issues simply because their is a non-violent and peaceful struggle. They now want to attract the attention of the UN and the international community by indulging in more forceful action.

Chaitra Navratra mela from March 17
From Our Correspondent

JAWALAMUKHI, March 8 — The 10-day-long Chaitra Navratra mela will be held from March 17 to 26 at the Jawalamukhi temple this month. All arrangements have been completed by authorities to ensure smooth celebrations of the mela.

The Jawalamukhi Temple Trust authorities are making arrangements for more than five lakh pilgrims who are expected to arrive here from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to pay obeisance to the Goddess during the mela.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Mr B.K. Aggarwal, elaborate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order during the mela. Police personnel and Home Guards will be put on duty to check theft.

Mr Aggarwal said an Executive Magistrate would be appointed to be on duty round the clock. The administration has also banned carrying of all kinds of firearms and ammunition in the territory of Dehra revenue tehsil in the district with immediate effect.

The Deputy Commissioner said to maintain sanitation standards during the fair the entire area of the city had been divided into sectors. Besides the regular sanitation staff, 50 safai sewaks would be recruited for this work. Medical facilities were also provided by the authorities round the clock, he added. Direct buses would be plied between Jawalamukhi, Chandigarh and Hoshiarpur.

The DC, who is holding charge of Temple Commissioner also, said the Public Relations Department would set up a reception room and information centre to provide regular information regarding the mela to devotees. The Health Department has been asked to ensure potable water supply for the pilgrims. Similar fairs would be held at Brajeshwari Devi Temple, Kangra, and Chamunda in this district.

REC Vice-Chairman resigns
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, March 8 — Mr Vinod Thakur, Vice-Chairman of the Regional Engineering College, Hamirpur, has reportedly resigned his post. He was appointed after the new BJP government came to power last year.

The staff deployed by the REC authorities with the Vice-Chairman has resumed their duties today.

Mr Thakur is the general secretary of the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP. He is also a member of the Hamirpur Zila Parishad.

Highly placed sources told The Tribune here today that Mr Thakur has resigned due to "differences" with the Technical Education Minister, Mr Ravinder Ravi.

Mr Thakur was not available for comments. However, sources close to him told The Tribune here tonight that he has been summoned to Shimla by the Chief Minister to sort out the differences between him and Mr Ravi.

No fresh case of dropsy
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 8 — No fresh case of dropsy has been reported in the town after the one in which 11 persons were taken ill.

The district authorities said that all the hospitalised persons were making recovery.

The sale of lose edible oil has been banned in Ramnagar locality from where the dropsy cases were reported.

The police has registered a case against the shopkeeper from whom the affected mustard oil was purchased by the victims.

Meanwhile, the authorities have claimed that no one had died due to dropsy. The one resident of the area has died due to poisoning.

Four killed, 30 hurt in bus mishap
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 8 — As many as four persons were killed and 30 injured when a private bus owned by Thakur Coach Service, rolled down a 125-foot gorge at Brampukhar, about 72 km from today.

The bus was on its way from Shimla to Mandi. While 17 injured were admitted to the district hospital at Bilaspur, 13 were discharged after first aid.

Those killed have been identified as Mrs Raj Kanta of Bilaspur, Mr Kundan Lal of Suni, Mr Ajay Kumar of Gaggal and Mr Santosh Kumar of Sarkaghat.

The district administration has provided relief of Rs 50,000 to each of the next of kin of those killed and Rs 15,000 to each seriously injured.

Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister has expressed grief over the accident and conveyed his sympathies with the bereaved families.

Pathania sworn in PSC chief
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 8 — Major-General R.S. Pathania Retd. was sworn in as Chairman, H.P. Public Service Commission, here today.

Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor, administered the oath of office at a simple but impressive ceremony at Raj Bhavan.

Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, Mr Gulab Singh Speaker, H.P. Vidhan Sabha, ministers and senior officials were present.

Karsog block office-bearers quit BJP
From Our Correspondent

SUNDERNAGAR, March 8 — All office-bearers of the Karsog block of the BJP, resigned yesterday from their respective posts. According to them for the past more than one year the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power but it had not stopped ignoring the workers due to which all workers are facing humiliation.

Yesterday all office-bearers of Karsog unit met at Chindi in Karsog sub division 90 km from here. Those who resigned include three members of Zila Parishad and former M.L.A. from Karsog. Mr Joginder Pal presently holding the post of vice-president of the BJP in Mandi district. The president of the Karsog Unit of the BJP already submitted his resignation in November 1998 to the high command.

According to the party source the decision was unanimous and copies of it has been sent to the state party president and district party president by post today. The unit office-bearers have also asked the top party officials to look into the matter if it was not resolved till April 4 on which date the general House of the Karsog Unit of the BJP has been called. All workers of Karsog sub division will resign from the primary membership of the party and top officials of the party will be responsible for it.

The district president of the BJP was not available for comment as he was out of station.

Commission for women
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, March 8 — The Himachal Government today set up the state commission for women and appointed Miss Indu Goswami as its chairperson.