NJPC faces financial crisis
SHIMLA, May 25 — The Himachal Pradesh Government's failure to contribute its equity share for the construction of the Nathpa Jhakri project, has plunged the Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation into a financial crisis.

Shimla-Kalka rail traffic restored
SHIMLA, May 25 — Railway traffic which was disrupted due to a landslide between Tara Devi and Jatog on the Shimla-Kalka railway section yesterday has been restored, according to a railway spokesman here today.

Bilaspur Shimla

Rain brings cheer to apple belt
SHIMLA, May 25 — Two days of heavy rain in almost all of Himachal Pradesh had brought cheer to apple growers upset by the long drought.

30 injured in bus mishap
KANGRA, May 25 — Thirty passengers were injured, four of them seriously, when an HRTC bus on its way from Nagrota Surian to Dharamsala rolled down a khud at Bhorbali village near Lung today.

Girl falls from bus, dies
KANGRA, May 25 — A four-year-girl was killed and another passenger of a private bus injured in an accident at Jagal village under Shahpur police station this after noon.

US scientists to visit HP
SHIMLA, May 25 — A two-member team of horticulture scientists from the USA will visit apple-growing areas of this district from May 27 to June 1.

PM to reach Kulu on June 3
SHIMLA, May 25 — The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, is expected to arrive in Kulu for a week on June 3.

• Teacher crushed under bus
• Without water for 48 hrs
• Villagers block rail track
• SFI threatens agitation

NJPC faces financial crisis
From Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 25 — The Himachal Pradesh Government's failure to contribute its equity share for the construction of the Nathpa Jhakri project, has plunged the Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation (NJPC) into a financial crisis. The corporation, which owes crores of rupees to contractors, suppliers and the state electricity board, may not be able to pay the salaries of the staff, unless funds are provided to it immediately.

The corporation has been facing a financial crunch as the state had not been releasing funds to the corporation in time. It had so far contributed only Rs 372.72 crore whereas its share on the basis of the expenditure incurred comes to Rs 525.42 crore.

It, however, has not affected construction work as the Centre, which is the major partner in the joint venture, has been fulfilling its financial commitment.

But the situation has turned grim following the refusal of the Centre to release any more funds to the corporation until the state government cleared its outstanding liability of Rs 152 crore.

Things have come to such a pass that the corporation is not even in a position to pay its telephone and electricity bills. It has not paid last month's electricity bill of Rs 1.27 crore and will have to pay Rs 2 lakh more as surcharge. It has asked for more time from the power board authorities for clearing the bill.

The contractors are also not being paid and the outstanding bills run into crores of rupees.

The corporation does not even have funds to purchase vehicles.

The state has taken up the matter with the Centre and also has said it will release Rs 5 crore shortly, but even this will not be enough to tide over the crisis.

The cost of the 1500-MW project has over the past five years increased from Rs 4,330 crore to Rs 7,600 crore and by the time it is completed it may cross Rs 9,000 crore. The Centre and the state are contributing equity in the ratio of 3:1. The Centre has suggested to the state that if it is not in a position to fulfil its commitment it can reduce its share in the project.

Shimla-Kalka rail traffic restored

SHIMLA, May 25 (UNI) — Railway traffic which was disrupted due to a landslide between Tara Devi and Jatog on the Shimla-Kalka railway section yesterday has been restored, according to a railway spokesman here today.

The spokesman said that the track was cleared of the debris by Engineering and Mechanical staff of the Railways and trains were plying normally today.

The slide, caused by incessant rain for two days, had derailed the engine and a coach of the Up Holiday Special Express Train.

The Himalayan Queen, two holiday special trains and a rail car left for Kalka from Shimla, while the Shivalik Superfast train arrived here this morning.

The spokesman said tourist rush at Kalka and Shimla had been cleared and all trains were running full to the capacity.

Rain brings cheer to apple belt
From S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 25 — Two days of heavy rain in almost all of Himachal Pradesh had brought cheer to apple growers upset by the long drought.

Not only have thirsty apple orchards got a fresh lease of life experts say the rain is also beneficial to poor farmers of other crops particularly maize crop for which sowing is currently on.

Small land holdings where sowing of the kharif crop was in progress have also benefited. Farmers had undergone a loss of about 40 per cent of their rabi crop due to the drought.

Experts say that the rain has brought life to drought-hit apple plants. About 85 per cent of the apple orchards are situated in rain fed areas.

They say even the problem plants being hit by the "mite" will be cured to a large extent and that the quality of apple crop in the next season will be normal.

The dry spell had caused premature dropping of fruit in certain areas.

Although the rain has come as a boost for the plants, it is feared that the apple crop in certain areas might not grow to their normal size this time because of the prolonged drought.

Construct new road: BJP
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, May 25 — Mr Prem Singh Thakur, Vice-President of the Kotkehloor Mandal unit of the BJP, has urged the state government to pursue with the Central Government the construction of an alternative road to Suharghat- Jagatkhana- Kurighat-Gambhrolia trestle.

The National high way No. 21 connecting Suharghat to the Gambhrolia bridge is very narrow due to occasional landslides and illegal extraction of stones.

Mr Thakur said traffic jams were frequent on this 15-km stretch of road and thousands of passengers and tourists confronted difficulties and harassment almost daily. During the rainy season, the landslides on the road made vehicular traffic impossible for days together causing breakdown of even essential supplies to five districts of Himachal Pradesh.

He added that with the construction of an alternative road from Suharghat to Gambhrolia trestle via Jagatkhana, not only an all- weather National Highway would be available through out the year but also the distance between Suharghat and Bilaspur town would be reduced by 25 km.

30 injured in bus mishap
From Our Correspondent

KANGRA, May 25 — Thirty passengers were injured, four of them seriously, when an HRTC bus on its way from Nagrota Surian to Dharamsala rolled down a khud at Bhorbali village near Lung today.

The injured were admitted to Zonal Hospital and Tiara Hospital. The accident occurred when a portion of the road reportedly sank as the driver tried to give passage to another vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

Twelve of the injured were admitted to Zonal Hospital, Dharamsala, including six women and a child.

 Girl falls from bus, dies
From Our Correspondent

KANGRA, May 25 — A four-year-girl was killed and another passenger of a private bus injured in an accident at Jagal village under Shahpur police station this after noon.

According to the police, the girl, Kanchan, a resident Bari Dammeta village, died on the spot when the door of the bus (HP 38 - 3566) in which she was travelling was thrown open as the driver was negotiating a curve. She fell down and died instantly.

Another passenger, Kheer Singh (45), who also fell down, from the bus, was seriously injured and admitted to hospital.

The bus was on its way from Dango Pathankot to Hamirpur. The police has registered a case and arrested the driver.

US scientists to visit HP

SHIMLA, May 25 (UNI) — A two-member team of horticulture scientists from the USA will visit apple-growing areas of this district from May 27 to June 1.

The team will share its experiences with farmers regarding new technologies for sustainable horticulture development and for improving productivity and quality of fruits grown in the region, said Himachal Pradesh Minister of State for Horticulture Narinder Bragta here today.

He said that the scientists, Mr Guy Ames and Prof Donn T. Johonson, would visit Nandpur, Hatkoti, Chhajpur, Jubbal and Kotkhai areas of the district.

Mr Bragta said that the team would also deliberate on apple industry's problems relating to pest and disease management with special emphasis on control of red spider mite, pre-mature leaf fall of apples and apple scab diseases.

Villagers block rail track
From Our Correspondent

KANGRA, May 25 — More than 500 irate villagers today blocked the Pathankot-Jogindernagar rail track at Kandwal village for two hours in protest against the "non-expansion" of the Kandwal railway station as decided earlier by the authorities.

The residents of Kandwal, Baranda, Logwa and Daihwa thronged the Kandwal railway station and squatted on the track . The protesters alleged that the station was to be expanded and the required equipment sent. But the equipment was recently shifted to Punjab.

PM to reach Kulu on June 3
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 25 — The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, is expected to arrive in Kulu for a week on June 3.

It is learnt that during his stay in Himachal the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the 2051 Mw Parbati Hydroelectric Project near Kulu. He is also likely to lay the foundation stone of the Chamera Stage II Hydroelectric project at Chamba.

It is learnt that the Power Minister, Mr P.R. Kumaramangalam, has informed the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, that the Prime Minister might lay the foundation of the 300 Mw Chamera II Hydel Project on June 5 or on June 6. Work on the project has been pending since 1983.

The Parbati project is awaiting clearance of the Environment Ministry as part of the proposed project falls in the Himalayan National Park.

SFI threatens agitation
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, May 25 — The local unit of the Students Federation of India has threatened to launch an agitation if Himachal Pradesh University fails to accept its demands.

Besides elections to the Central Students Association, the federation is demanding abolition of self-financing scheme, hostel for boys and tribal students and starting of M.Phil classes immediately.

Other demands include opening of counters for depositing of fee in every department, allocation of more funds for research and increase in library timings.

Teacher crushed under bus
From Our Correspondent

PALAMPUR, May 25 — Suresh Kumar, a school teacher was killed and three others injured when a private bus carrying over 30 passengers turned turtle near Thural this afternoon. According to reports reaching here the driver of the bus lost control around a curve.

The dead body of the deceased who was exiting the bus was trapped under the bus for six hours as there were no arrangement to remove the bus. Later in the evening Armymen reached the spot and extracted the body.

Mr Hans Raj Sharma, SDM, Palampur visited the spot. He also distributed relief to the next of kin of the deceased. The police has registered a case against the driver of the bus for negligent driving.

Without water for 48 hrs
From Our Correspondent

PALAMPUR, May 25 — The entire Palampur town and its adjoining areas comprising 12 panchayats remained without drinking water for over 48 hours as officials of the Irrigation and Public Health Department failed to repair damaged water pipes because of heavy rain.

Long queues of men, women and children were seen in front of hand pumps and other natural water sources. Hotels packed with tourists faced a lot of inconvenience in the absence of drinking water.

An official of the Irrigation and Public Health Department said staff was busy attending to VIPs in the town who were here in connection with the inauguration of a road.