P R A D E S H
Sunday, March 14, 1999
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H I M A C H A L P R A D E S H |
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Sunday, March 14, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Politicking hampers work "Colonialism
in Tibet will end" |
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Dhumal on shrine's
jewellery Traders’
body plan insurance scheme Concern
over low fish density Plea
to pay apple growers in cash Congress
plans "rasta roko" .Councillors
to meet tomorrow |
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HP Govt cancels several MoUs SHIMLA, March 13 — The Politicking is not only delaying work on hydro-electric projects in Himachal Pradesh, thereby escalating their cost, but also scaring away the private sector which had initially shown interest in the same. Successive governments have done little to speed up the assignment of various power projects to the private sector and have rather resorted to a witchhunt, finding fault with the previous government. It is said the BJP-HVC government headed by Mr P.K. Dhumal is cancelling one or two MoUs signed with the private sector at almost every cabinet meeting. First, the MoU signed by five states — Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi in 1992 during the BJP regime was cancelled and a fresh MoU signed with the NHPC for constructing the 2100 mw Parbati project. Then the axe fell on Ballarpur Industries whose MoU for the Uhl power project(100 mw) near Jogindernagar in Mandi district was cancelled by the Cabinet at its meeting in Dharamsala on February 12 this year. At the very next meeting of the Cabinet here on February 24, came the turn of the Kol Dam project(800 mw) for which the MoU with Daewoo Engineering Company was cancelled. The Dhumal government has decided to negotiate with the NHPC or the NTPC for work an these projects. However, the previous experience with the NHPC has not been very pleasant as the projects assigned to it were delayed for a long period which resulted in escalation of their cost. Power engineers say lack of a clear policy in this regard is the biggest reason for the "zero" progress. The MoU route was followed up to 1995 and then competitive bidding was introduced by the Centre. Even after opening of the power sector eight years ago, the expected results have not been achieved because of political wranglings. Due to political meddling, Himachal continues to be a poor state in spite of having more than one-fourth of the country’s hydroelectric power potential. Of the total hydro electric potential of 21244 mw, only about 400 mw has been harnessed during the past 50 years. The BJP which came to
power in 1990 undid whatever work was done by the
previous government for involving the private sector in
the construction of hydel projects. The Congress, which
came to power in 1993, retaliated by appointing a
high-level committee to review the MoUs signed by the BJP
government for the power projects, cancelling nine. |
"Colonialism in Tibet will end" DHARAMSALA, March, 13 — Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, today, said that had Tibet been a free nation, India could have spent a huge amount of money being spent on defence on improving educational and health services. The Dalai Lama, was speaking on the occasion of a two day seminar being organised by the ABVP on Tibet — Role of India, He said that to ensure its security, India was being compelled to pump in huge amounts into its Defence Budget, which could otherwise have been utilised on development projects. He felt that spending such huge amounts on defence, could not bring about a permanent solution to the problem. The Tibetan issue is a burning and relevant topic, solution to which can bring about peace and harmony, not only in Tibet, but in the entire Asian region," he stated. He felt that they were fighting not for the freedom of Tibet alone but also to ensure that victory prevailed over the injustice. Expressing concern over the deteriorating situation in Tibet, he felt that if an early solution was not found, it could lead to instability in the entire world. In an indirect reference, the Tibetan leader said that India should come out with more active support for the Tibetan cause. "India and Tibet share the relationship of a Guru and Shishya, and seeing the deplorable plight of the shishya, the Guru must come to its rescue," he opined. He said that India and Tibet had shared a very special bond and it was from here that Buddhists spread to Tibet. The Dalai Lama expressed the hope that China would realise that the "Middle Way Approach", advocated by him was the real solution to the Tibetan problem. The Himachal Chief Minister, Mr PK Dhumal, in his address said that the day was not far when the Tibetans would achieve freedom for their country, under the leadership of the spiritual leader, Dalai Lama. "Colonialism does not last too long and it will definitely come to an end even in the case of Tibet," he said. He assured that despite its own economic problems the Indian government was trying its level best to provide all facilities to the Tibetan refugees. He informed that Himachal was keen that the pilgrimage to Kailash, should be through Kinnaur side. But due to objections from the Chinese side the move could not materialise. Since a large number of people in Himachal too have faith in the Bhoti and the Tibetan system of medicine, five hospitals would have doctors well-versed in this practice, he disclosed. Famous Hollywood star, Richard Gere, who also spoke on the occasion said that the Tibetan issue had an enormous impact in Asia and issues like nuclear bases in Tibet, dumping of nuclear waste in Tibet, and human rights abuse in Tibet were an issue of concern for everyone. Gere, who had himself been visiting Dharamsala, annually for the past 18 years, said that had it not been for the love, care and friendship of the Indian people, the Tibetans would not have been able to carry on their struggle. He added that support for the Tibetan cause was building up everywhere and the US Congress too adopted a unanimous vote, condemning human rights abuse in Tibet and the repression being faced by the monks, nuns and women, who were being sterilised forcefully. The All-India secretary of
the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Mr Atul
Kothari, also spoke on the occasion. A large number of
Tibetan officials, youths are also attending the seminar. |
Where workers struggle to
survive JHAKRI: When the 1500 MW Nathpa-Jhakri Project on the Sutlej basin will be ready after a few years, generating a daily revenue of Rs 5 crore, credit will go to the government, the World Bank and the multi-national companies. Thousands of Indian workers — many of them have already lost their lives or become disabled — will be forgotten. This is the general feeling among the workers who are toiling unceasingly on this project, suffering silently since 1993. That is why all the workers have now gone on an agitation and are collectively pursuing their struggle for minimum wages and equal pay for equal work. Rajkumar, a young mechanic from Bilaspur, died on January 1, while on a welding job. He was to have been married on February 28. In the name of compensation, he has been given a small fund, that too collected from workers. Prabhu Dayal of Bihar and Sher Singh of Solan have now steel rods in their legs. Kamilama, a Nepalese, has lost his life, Cycle Reddy of Orissa, Harish Chander Dora and Vrindavan Dora, tribesmen from the eastern region who have become handicapped , are either now out of job or getting a meagre allowance which is insufficient to make both ends meet. " I want to go back to my village in Orissa but with just Rs 600 I can't even manage the fare," says a worker who eats with a fellow driver and sleeps in a truck. More than 200 workers have lost their lives so far according to a CITU document. A number of deaths had gone unreported as some private companies had a very dubious record and a shady background , say trade union sources. Most of the workmen had died inside the tunnel while drilling, when the mine walls caved in. Seven workers including some engineers, died on the spot at the Badhal tunnel some time back while carrying out excavations. The management is hardly equipped for such life-saving operations, complain workers. Workers have to face high temperatures while underground. The temperature rises to 55°C to 68°C sometimes. The workers go inside with just a helmet and shoes on their bodies. The skin gets peeled off when exposed to such high temperatures. Once a worker lost his epidermis in just half an hour. " We work for hours together in such an atmosphere, and ultimately we had to protest at doing work in such strenuous conditions," say the workers. Only then was an ice plant set up and a shift system introduced. Mr Moti Chowdhry, who lost his knee cap in a gas pipe blast, was referred to the IGMC Hospital, Shimla. He remained there for three months and was given Rs 20,000 as compensation. But to everyone's surprise, Rs 18,000 was deducted from it as medical charges and the poor worker was left with just Rs 2000 and a steel rod inside! A large number of workmen now suffer from TB and other lung and respiratory problems because of a long time working in under passes and subways. One reason for the deaths was road accidents — when the heavy trucks and other vehicles rolled down into the Sutlej. " Our management does not even have proper focus lights," point out some workers. An engineer died on January 22 when he climbed atop his vehicle and remained caught for hours flowing in the Sutlej. Many workmen have died because of no proper first aid. Oxygen cylinders are always empty and seldom get refilled. The ambulances are also in a dilapidated condition. The workers when referred to various district and state hospitals, were admitted and kept there — never to be looked after again by the management, lamented Mr Rajkumar, General Secretary of the Ekta Union. Prakash, a worker from Orissa, whose whole body was paralysed, died in a pathetic condition at the IGMC after one year. No one from his home state could ever reach Shimla. Many like Prakash were cremated unclaimed in the past, says the secretary. The Human Rights Commission has directed the Nathpa-Jhakri Power Corporation to set up a relief fund for workers. This fund was started with Rs 1,91,000 given by the NJPC, but the workers claim to have never heard of it again. The workers' colonies at different construction sites bear a wretched look. Four workers live in a small, dingy room. It has no fans or heating arrangement for winter. No proper drinking water supply is provided. "It is just mineral water from the local nullah", jokes a worker. Whereas on the other hand, ultra-modern facilities including swimming pools are provided to foreigners and NRIs, working in the project. Their salaries amount to lakhs as they are paid in dollars, say sources. Unskilled labourers working for petty contractors are living in more miserable conditions. They stay in temporary "deras", with just a three-hour electricity supply, sometimes not even that. Most of these workmen are not on record, they keep on changing and are thrown out of work from time to time, says Mr Baldev Kumar, head of the Contract Workers Union, affiliated to CITU. They have been organised for the first time in past six years. They get no leave, no travelling allowance, nor any bonus. When injured they are paid petty sums, not even to cover medical expenses. For company workers, the leave sanctioned is given just for 15 days which is not sufficient for the workers coming from south and the north-east. Some of the workmen have not gone on leave for the past four years. Most of the workmen in this project come from far-flung places. Just 2 to 3 p.c. of the workers are locals — a violation of the law. It was promised in the beginning that employment would be given to locals on a large scale. But to avoid resistance and opposition from workers, the companies secretly carried out outside recruitments, says Mr Rajesh Kumar, a union leader. Overall, the workers in this otherwise impressive, powerful and massive project are indebted, but are now united against this man-made exploitation. Thousands of CFJV (Continental Foundation Joint Venture) and NJJV (Nathpa-Jhakri Joint Venture) workers have joined bodies affiliated to the CITU at the state level. But thousands of workers still toil day and night in the unorganised sector like labourers of all petty contractors and companies, where trade unions are not allowed, says Mr Hemraj, CITU Vice-President. Though totally unaware of the comrades there, he still hopes to organise them in the future, he claimed. The impact of the February
18 strike by 5000 project workers is now percolating to
other places, inform sources. Now everyone is demanding
equal pay for equal work as the main and principal
employer NJPC is giving. The Minimum Wage Act and
Workmen's Compensation Act should be implemented
strictly, demand workers. "I have been a trade union
worker for 20 years but I've never seen such a widespread
resentment, ire and anger in workers", says Mr
Rakesh Singha, a former MLA, and the motivation behind
the present struggle. |
Dhumal on shrine's jewellery JAWALAMUKHI, March 13 — The Himachal government has decided that gold and silver assets etc of Jawalamukhi shrine would not be disposed of in any case. This was stated by the state Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, while talking to reporters here, today before leaving for Dharamsala. The Chief Minister was commenting on the news which appeared in The Tribune recently, regarding the disposal of shrine's assets. He made it clear that there was no such need from the government's point-of-view. He further maintained that the state government did not intend to interfere in the religious affairs of any community. The government was committed to allow all religions to have their separate identities. He added that the
government had decided, in principle, to promote
"religious tourism" and, thereby, provide
better facilities to pilgrims, as also devotees, coming
to visit religious tourism places in the state. He opined
that there was an urgent need to provide better
facilities to pilgrims in the temples located at
different places in state. The present government would
do its level-best to improve facilities to be required in
for "religious tourism". To a question, he made
it clear that there was no move for further take-over of
the other temples in the state. He said it was not
nationalisation of temples on any account. He ruled out
the possibility of restoring rights of traditional
Barridars of the temples. He added that everything would
be done in due course. Famous shrines of Jawalamukhi,
Barjeshwari Devi, Chamunda and Chintpurni, were taken
over by the state government in 1987 by enactment. |
Traders’ body plan insurance scheme CHAMBA, March 13 —The Chamba District Beopar Mandal has proposed to introduce a group insurance scheme for the welfare of local traders which would help them in the case of any natural calamity. Mr Dev Dutt Gupta, President of the District Beopar Mandal, said here yesterday, that it was for the first time in Himachal that such an insurance scheme was put forward by the mandal. Mr Gupta reiterating the demand of the mandal urged the Chief Minister to abolish market fee on the goods being brought in from outside the state. He urged the state government to undertake the construction of the proposed market complex soon. The following have been
elected office-bearers of the District Beopar Mandal:
President — Mr Dev Dutt Gupta; Senior Vice-President
— Mr Narinder Mahajan; Vice-President — Mr
Naresh Mahajan; General Secretary — Mr Pushap Raj
Sammi; Secretary — Mr Manish Mahajan; and
Treasurer— Mr Kuldeep Mahajan. |
Concern over low fish density DHARAMSALA, March 13 — The Himachal Angling Association has expressed concern over the depletion of fish stock in the rivers due to unscientific execution of power projects in the state. The General Secretary of the Association, Mr Kulbhushan Ralhan, said the mud extracted during the construction of the power projects was not being disposed of properly and it was causing harm to the fish in rivers. Citing an example he said during the execution of the Parbati power project, the fish strength in the Tirthan and Sainj rivers had decreased. Mr Rahlan said trout fishing was attracting a large number of tourists to Himachal, and if proper care was not taken fish might get endangered. He said due to the Chamera power project in Chamba, trout-fishing had received a setback. The government encourage mahsheer fishing, which was found in abundance in the Beas and the Pong Dam. Mr Rahlan said on the
lines of the State Pollution Control Board, a body should
be constituted, which would look into all these aspects.
Apart from government representatives environmentalists
and fishing experts should be in the body. |
Plea to pay apple growers in
cash SHIMLA, March 13 — The Himachal Pradesh Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association has urged the government to pay the apple growers, whose fruit was procured under the market intervention scheme in cash and not to insist on clearing the arrears in kind by giving juice and jams. Mr Lekh Raj Sharma, President of the association, said here yesterday that the poor growers required money to purchase essential commodities and juices and jams had no use for them. He also urged the Chief Minister to invite the representatives of the association to discuss its problems. The association had been demanding the withdrawal of road tax and market fee. He also urged the government to provide irrigation facilities to fruit growing areas which had been facing droughts regularly. Mr Sharma also underlined
the need for strengthening marketing network and creating
cold store facilities for which the Centre gave liberal
grants. |
Congress plans "rasta
roko" SHIMLA, March 13 — The Congress Party has decided to organise a "rasta roko" agitation throughout Himachal Pradesh on May 10 if the BJP-HVC government of Mr P.K. Dhumal did not withdraw the hike on power tariff by April 30 and take effective steps to improve the deteriorating law and order situation. This was announced by the PCC chief, Mr Sat Mahajan, here today after holding separate meetings of office-bearers of the PCC and presidents of the district Congress committees. Mr Mahajan said that the people had already expressed their "no confidence" in the Dhumal government by participating en masse in rallies organised by the Congress on March 1. Mr Dhumal should not make it a prestige issue to withdraw the hike in power tariff. The common man had been put under an additional financial burden by the hike. He alleged that the law and order situation was deteriorating in the state and the government had miserably failed to take effective steps to restore confidence among the people. The dacoity on the highway near Nurpur in which a motorist was robbed of about Rs 10 lakh yesterday just 100 metres away from the police station was relation on the law and order situation. A police party was beaten in Hamirpur, which is the hometown of Mr Dhumal, by women. Earlier, there was a reflection between senior police officers at Hamirpur. Mr Mahajan demanded a
white paper on the amount of money which the government
was spending through BJP activists bypassing the elected
panchayati raj institutions in the state. |
Councillors to meet tomorrow SHIMLA, March 13 — A meeting of the councillors of the Congress-controlled Shimla Municipal Corporation for seeking the recall of its Commissioner, Mrs Nisha Singh, has been fixed on Monday. Invitations for the extraordinary meeting on March 15 have been sent to the councillors for voting in favour of the motion against the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation. It has been specified in the agenda of the meeting that the councillors were not satisfied with the functioning of Mrs Nisha Singh. It has been alleged that she was not taking care of the interests of the common people. She has also been accused of not taking the councillors into confidence over major issues. Her recall is being sought under Section 45(3) (A) of the H.P., Municipal Corporation Act, 1994. A whip has already been issued to all 23 elected Congress councillors in the House of 25 to be present on Monday and vote in favour of the motion. Two members have been nominated by the ruling BJP, but they are not entitled to vote. This is for the second
time that the councillors have sought recall of the
Commissioner. Earlier, they had sought recall of Mr P.K.
Monga. |
Liquor shops' auction fetches Rs
21.58 cr SHIMLA, March 13 — As many as 65 country and 62 Indian made foreign liquor shops have been auctioned for Rs 21.58 crore in Shimla district against Rs 19.49 crore last year, showing an increase of 10.73 per cent. This was disclosed by Mr
Ram Subhag Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, while
presiding over the auction, here today. |
Increase in grant to HRTC sought SHIMLA, March 13 — The state unit of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh has expressed surprise over the decision of the government to reduce the grant-in-aid to the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) by Rs 30 crore. Mr Ashok Purohit, working President of the sangh, said the government had committed a grant of Rs 40 crore in the annual plan approved by the Centre for 1999-2000. However, in the Budget only Rs 27 crore had been allocated which was far less than the grant of Rs 54.33 crore which the corporation received in 1997-98. He said an increase in the grant was necessary because of revised pay scales and increasing in number of bus routes. He appreciated the stand
of the Chief Minister at the regional council on the
restoration of central subsidy to the transport
corporation but that the grant-in-aid would have to be
stepped up even in the subsidy was restored. |
Plus two paper rescheduled DHARAMSALA, March 13 — The English paper of plus two examination has been rescheduled due to the opening of the paper during the class 10 examination in Chamba. According to the Secretary
of the Board of School Education, Dr Sunil Chaudhary the
supervisory staff on duty at the Chamba centre, wrongly
distributed the English paper of plus two, instead of the
class 10 paper. As a result of this the plus two English
paper, to be held on March 15, will now be held on March
28. An enquiry held into the incident by Deputy
Commissioner, Chamba, revealed that the mistake had
occurred due to negligence of the centre coordinator and
the centre superintendent. The Board has asked all the
supervisory staff at various centres return the packets
of the English papers meant for plus two to be held on
March 15. |
Anti-repression day on March 15 HAMIRPUR, March 13 — The Himachal Pradesh unit of the CITU has condemned the "repression" by the police on workers engaged by NJJV Company at the Nathpa-Jhakri Power Project. The police action is undemocratic, according to Comrade Kashmir Singh Thakur, general secretary of the state CITU. In a statement issued here today, he said that many employees leaders were arrested and lathi charged by the police yesterday. He said these employees had been demanding equal pay for the equal work. He gave a call to workers all over the state to observe March 15 as anti-repression day by holding rallies and taking out processions. He urged the Chief
Minister to intervene into the matter and save the
situation from further worsening. |
Looting incident suspect held DHARAMSALA, March 13 — The police today claimed to have made a breakthrough in the incident of Rs 9.50 lakh being looted from a commission agent near Nurpur. According to the SSP, Mr K.C.Sadyal, the driver of the agent, Sat Pal, has confessed, hiring some men from Pathankot to rob Mr Vishwa Kohli. The driver had been employed only three months ago and he informed the goons that it was on Thursdays that he used to collect the payments. One of the four persons
involved in the looting incident has been arrested while
a police team has left for Pathankot to effect the
recovery and arrest the remaining three. |
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