H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Illegal mining: SDM penalises defaulters
Palampur, June 21
In an order passed yesterday Mr Sanjiv Kumar, SDM, Baijnath, penalised the owners of four tractor-trailers, which were found involved in illegal and unscientific mining in Awa Khud last week. He had impounded the tractor-trailers three days ago.

Paswan open to poll alliances in Bihar
Shimla, June 21
The Lok Janshakti Party is keeping its options for electoral alliances open in Bihar but it will not have any truck with the BJP. Mr Ram Bilas Paswan, president of the party, told newsmen here today that the party could go it alone or form a new alliance. It could even contest the assembly poll under the existing alliance with the RJD. He denied that the denial of the promised Rajya Sabha seat by the RJD had created serious differences between the two parties.

Bring Chamba under Town Planning Act
CHAMBA: After the decision of the BJP Government To exclude Chamba town from the development control of the Town and Country Planning Department sometime ago, it is fast becoming a concrete slum. There is no check on the unruly and unwarranted constructions springing up in the thick of the town. 

Honeymoon turns into tragedy
Mandi, June 21
Savita and Sandip, a couple from Surat, on a honeymoon trip to Manali, fell into the Beas today. Sandip was swept away by the strong current of the Beas while Savita was rescued.

Ishrat visited Chail in May?
Solan, June 21
Ishrat and her companion Javed, accused of conspiring to kill Gujarat Chief Minister, Narender Modi, not only visited Chail and Kasauli in this district in May this year but also stayed there for some time. The duo were shot dead by the Ahmedabad police along with two other accomplices on June 15.

2 end lives in Mandi
Mandi, June 21
With Rashid Ahmad (27) of Kannaid and Jodh Ram (65) of Harabaghi, both in Sundernagar subdivision, ending their lives yesterday by consuming some poison, the number of suicides in recent months has gone up to nine in the district.

33 industrial projects cleared
Shimla, June 21
Thirtythree new industrial projects involving an investment of Rs 491 crore were approved by the single-window clearance authority here today. Presiding over the meeting of the state-level authority Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, said with this investment proposals of over Rs 5,000 crore and a potential to generate about one lakh jobs had been cleared since the Congress government assumed office.

Typist shot at in contractors’ scuffle
Nurpur, June 21
A scare was created in the office of the Executive Engineer, Public Works, at Jawali town today when an irate contractor fired shots from his licensed .32-bore revolver on other contractors. He accidentally hit office typist Karnail Singh who sustained a shot injury in his right thigh.

Irrigation scheme to be completed on time
Mandi, June 21
The Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Thakur Kaul Singh, has said the Rs 3.75-crore Sanor valley lift irrigation scheme, would be completed on time so that farmers and vegetables growers in the valley could benefit from it.

Free travel for orphan students in HRTC buses
Kangra, June 21
The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to provide free travel facility to orphan students from Class I to XII in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses and to cancel permits of buses involved in rash driving in the state.

Workshop for chemistry teachers begins
Kangra, June 21
A four-day workshop was today inaugurated for the chemistry teachers of 16 Army schools of the Northern Command in the Army School at Yol cantonment today. Mr Sandeep Kumar, spokesman for the workshop, said 28 teachers from 16 Army schools of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh were attending the workshop. It was inaugurated by Colonel Kamal, SO2 Education, in the Army School, Yol. Colonel Kamal laid emphasis on the microteaching of chemistry. 

Wife defends rape accused
Dharamsala, June 21
Defending her husband, charged with rape, Ms Kamla, wife of Dr Ramanand, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Tisa (Chamba), today alleged that the case was a frame-up.

Rs 1,292 crore bank credit plan proposed
Shimla, June 21
A bank credit plan of Rs 1,292 crore has been proposed for Himachal Pradesh for the year 2004-05.

Boy sinks in Suketi silt
Mandi, June 21
A boy was sunk in the silt of the Suketi river, a tributary of the Beas, while bathing under the bridge in the town this evening. Eyewitnesses spotted theboy sinking but by the time the rescue operation began, the boy had died. The boy has not been extricated nor identified yet.

Centre to regulate prices of essential drugs
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 21
The Centre will put in place an effective mechanism to regulate the prices of essential drugs and life-saving medicines to ensure that these are available to needy patients at reasonable rates.

Stating this at a press conference here today, Mr Ram Bilas Paswan, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, said the market prices of some drugs were 20 to 30 times more than the cost of production as the supply chain involving the distributors, wholesalers and retailers were provided exorbitantly high margins of profit. The prices had also increased as more and more drugs had been taken out from the price control mechanism. A monitoring and vigilance cell was being set up in the ministry which would not only keep a watch on prices but also take action on complaints from the public. Action would be taken on complaints within 24 hours.

He said as most people were unaware of the actual price of drugs they were fleeced as local taxes were charged in addition to the printed price. He said the necessary steps were being taken to ensure that drugs were sold across the country only at the printed price.

The government was also keen on reviving Hindustan Antibiotics Limited, a public sector unit which had been incurring losses. He said the main reason for the losses was the interest liability of over Rs 26 crore. The unit could be pulled out of the red by making an investment of Rs 40 crore. Its revival could also help to bring down the prices of drugs.

Referring to the subsidy on fertilisers, he said the government would have to spend an additional Rs 6,000 crore to maintain the existing level in terms of quantity because of the sharp increase in prices. He had already taken up this matter with the Union Finance Minister and urged him to make an allocation in the Budget for the purpose. He said he would also take up the case for the grant of subsidy on CAN (calcium ammonium nitrate) fertiliser in the absence of which farmers were forced to buy urea.

Regarding the steel prices, he said things had been under control ever since the UPA government took over. The government had taken effective steps to bring down the rates, which increased sharply before the elections. The public sector units had been asked to release the price list every month so that middlemen could be effectively kept out. The distribution system would also be streamlined. He said the government would not privatise any steel plant.

Illegal mining: SDM penalises defaulters
Our Correspondent

Palampur, June 21
In an order passed yesterday Mr Sanjiv Kumar, SDM, Baijnath, penalised the owners of four tractor-trailers, which were found involved in illegal and unscientific mining in Awa Khud last week. He had impounded the tractor-trailers three days ago.

While passing an order on the release application of the owners of these tractor-trailers he directed them to deposit Rs 50,000 in the treasury for collecting sand and stones from prohibited areas. Besides, he also fined them Rs 20,000 for not carrying proper documents of the vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act.

This was the first case in the district where such a heavy fine was imposed for illegal mining.

Meanwhile, an official spokesman told mediapersons today that since the H.P. High Court in its order last month had asked the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police for imposing complete ban on the illegal mining or face proceedings for contempt of court. Therefore, the district administration 
had left with not alternative except to impose heavy penalties on the defaulters.

Paswan open to poll alliances in Bihar
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 21
The Lok Janshakti Party is keeping its options for electoral alliances open in Bihar but it will not have any truck with the BJP. Mr Ram Bilas Paswan, president of the party, told newsmen here today that the party could go it alone or form a new alliance. It could even contest the assembly poll under the existing alliance with the RJD. He denied that the denial of the promised Rajya Sabha seat by the RJD had created serious differences between the two parties.

He said the political situation was entirely different in the states and at the Centre and the regional parties could go in for alliances which served their interests best. There were no contradictions as such. He cited the example of the Left parties, which were fighting the Congress in states like West Bengal and Kerela and supporting its government at the Centre.

Referring to the decision of the BJP not to remove Mr Narendra Modi as the Gujarat Chief Minster, Mr Paswan said that it was clear that the BJP was being effectively controlled by the Sangh Parivar. Mr A.B. Vajpayee, former Prime Minster, had been isolated in the party in which communal outfits like the VHP were calling the shots.

He said he had quit the NDA on the Gujarat issue and now even Mr Vajpayee had picked up courage to speak the truth.

Referring to the future of the LJP in the hill state he said the party had made its presence felt by winning a seat in the last assembly poll and efforts were on to expand its base. He said it had been decided to hold a rally at Nahan on October 11, which would be followed by a Dalit rally in Shimla on November 7.

Bring Chamba under Town Planning Act
Balkrishan Prashar

CHAMBA: After the decision of the BJP Government To exclude Chamba town from the development control of the Town and Country Planning Department sometime ago, it is fast becoming a concrete slum. There is no check on the unruly and unwarranted constructions springing up in the thick of the town. 

The constructions are also springing up at the precarious hillsides, thereby giving rise to soil erosion and landslips around Chamba.

Residents of the town have requested the Himachal Chief Minister, Mr. Virbhadra Singh, to review the decision to save the situation from getting worse.

The legendary town of Chamba has a rich heritage. Its downfall started right after Independence. The indiscriminate exploitation of open land by public sector agencies either for allotment to private people or for construction has resulted in degradation of the town’s valuable assets.

The edifice of Akhand Chandi Palace, which is the real focal point of historical background of the town, is on the verge of tumbling down due to the government’s neglect. It is being utilized as an ordinary old structure for a government college.

Every building proposal presented by any individual is being permitted without giving proper thought. This has given rise to unauthorized encroachments and squalid housing, compromising Chamba’s rich heritage.

As regards unwarranted developments in urban areas, the building bylaws are being inexorably violated. Encroachments and shabby wooden structures (khokhas) all around in Sultanpur, Baloo, Hardaspur and Moogla are going unnoticed. Without proper access, building plans are being approved. Elderly citizens of the town have underscored the need for finding a solution to this serious menace.

Honeymoon turns into tragedy
Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune news Service

Mandi, June 21
Savita and Sandip, a couple from Surat, on a honeymoon trip to Manali, fell into the Beas today. Sandip was swept away by the strong current of the Beas while Savita was rescued.

In the morning, they went to a park on the right bank of the Beas at Manali for sightseeing. The couple posed for a photograph on a riverside boulder. Before their friend Ankit could click their photograph, they missed their steps and fell into the Beas, said eyewitnesses.

Ankit managed to take Savita out, but Sandip was swept away. “I could save her, but Sandip was washed away”, a sobbing Ankit told the police.

Commotion ensued as tourists and policemen rushed downstream to try to save Sandip. With the help of local residents, they saw Sandip’s body behind a boulder at Rangari, about 2 km downstream from Manali, said the police.

Twentytwo-year-old Savita was rushed to the Mission Hospital at Manali in a state of shock. She was reported to be out of danger.

The police said the tourists had been told that they should not venture into the river water as the current was deceptively strong. Last year, a girl was swept away by the Beas near Bajaura. Signboards and pamphlets warned tourists about the danger.

The body was handed over to relatives, friends and family members of the deceased. The couple hailed from Manisurpura in Surat. Seven couples from Surat were on a honeymoon trip to Manali.

Ishrat visited Chail in May?
Our Correspondent

Solan, June 21
Ishrat and her companion Javed, accused of conspiring to kill Gujarat Chief Minister, Narender Modi, not only visited Chail and Kasauli in this district in May this year but also stayed there for some time. The duo were shot dead by the Ahmedabad police along with two other accomplices on June 15.

Sources in the police department revealed that they had visited the two hill stations last month and the local police has reportedly received a communiqué from the Gujarat police in this connection. However, the Superintendent of police, Mr Abhishek Trivedi, refused to comment.

2 end lives in Mandi
Our Correspondent

Mandi, June 21
With Rashid Ahmad (27) of Kannaid and Jodh Ram (65) of Harabaghi, both in Sundernagar subdivision, ending their lives yesterday by consuming some poison, the number of suicides in recent months has gone up to nine in the district.

Both persons were brought to the local Regional Hospital here in a precarious condition, but could not be saved.

Most of the suicide cases reported recently were those of old people neglected by the families or women ill-treated by in-laws.

33 industrial projects cleared
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 21
Thirtythree new industrial projects involving an investment of Rs 491 crore were approved by the single-window clearance authority here today. Presiding over the meeting of the state-level authority Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, said with this investment proposals of over Rs 5,000 crore and a potential to generate about one lakh jobs had been cleared since the Congress government assumed office.

A policy of providing the maximum number of jobs to people of the state was being implemented. The government had also made it mandatory for the agencies executing hydroelectric projects to employ local people failing which action, including cancellation of the sanctioned project, would be taken.

Typist shot at in contractors’ scuffle
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, June 21
A scare was created in the office of the Executive Engineer, Public Works, at Jawali town today when an irate contractor fired shots from his licensed .32-bore revolver on other contractors. He accidentally hit office typist Karnail Singh who sustained a shot injury in his right thigh.

The police arrested accused Balbir Singh under Section 307 of the IPC and Section 25 of the Arms Act.

The police said trouble started when a group of contractors overpowered and thrashed Balbir Singh who had assembled in the office to file tender bids. The contractor was being forced to join a pool in the tender bid process by other contractors.

Agitated, he allegedly brought out his licensed revolver and aimed at the contractors. But the typist got injured accidentally.

According to Ms Shuvra Tiwari, DSP, Jawali, the condition of the victim who has been admitted to the local Community Health Centre, is out of danger.

Irrigation scheme to be completed on time
Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 21
The Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Thakur Kaul Singh, has said the Rs 3.75-crore Sanor valley lift irrigation scheme, would be completed on time so that farmers and vegetables growers in the valley could benefit from it.

Addressing a gathering at the closing ceremony of the three-day Takoli fair in the district today, Mr Thakur said the Dhotadhar-Nangwai lift irrigation scheme would be completed soon. It involved an investment of Rs 1.50 crore.

Highlighting, a social welfare measure taken by the Congress government, Mr Thakur added that the government had revived the pension scheme which was stopped by the BJP government. It benefited widows, the physically challenged and senior citizens in the state. “In addition, Rs 5 lakh had been allocated for the Khablas link road while the Takoli-Bhagthan road would be taken up with Nabard soon,” he added.

Mrs Pratibha Singh, MP of Mandi, who has been on a thanksgiving tour of the constituency since June 12 said the Congress government had always promoted women’s participation in every field. “For women’s welfare and education, the high schools will be promoted into senior secondary schools in the state,” she added.

Mrs Pratibha Singh announced that she would allocate of Rs 1 lakh for the construction of the Takoli school ground and Rs. 1 lakh for the Jhiri road from the Local Area MP Fund.

Free travel for orphan students in HRTC buses
Our Correspondent

Kangra, June 21
The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to provide free travel facility to orphan students from Class I to XII in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses and to cancel permits of buses involved in rash driving in the state.

State Transport Minister G.S. Bali told The Tribune here last evening that to eradicate any stumbling block in the way of quality education for schoolchildren who are orphans, the state government had decided to provide them with free travel facility in HRTC buses in this state.

He said this facility had been given to these students to enable them to reach schools free of cost so that they could get basic education and the school authorities had been directed to identify such orphan students.

Mr Bali said in view of the increase in the number of accidents resulting in loss of human lives because of the human error, the state government had taken a decision to cancel route permits of those vehicles the drivers of which would be found involved in rash and negligent driving. He said rash and negligent driving, coupled with human error, had taken more than 40 lives in two road accidents in the state last week.

He said it was also decided that after every three years, drivers would have to get themselves medically examined so that any ailment did not affect their driving. He said these decisions were taken to provide safety to passengers from human error and rash and negligent driving. 

Workshop for chemistry teachers begins
Our Correspondent

Kangra, June 21
A four-day workshop was today inaugurated for the chemistry teachers of 16 Army schools of the Northern Command in the Army School at Yol cantonment today. Mr Sandeep Kumar, spokesman for the workshop, said 28 teachers from 16 Army schools of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh were attending the workshop. It was inaugurated by Colonel Kamal, SO2 Education, in the Army School, Yol. Colonel Kamal laid emphasis on the microteaching of chemistry. 

He said that the workshop has been organised to acquaint the teachers with the developments in the teaching of the subject.

Dr V. C. Kaistha, former Professor of Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, delivered the keynote address. He spoke on physical chemistry and replied the queries of the teachers.

Mr A. K. Ambastha in charge, urged the participants to make teaching more interesting with innovative ideas.

Wife defends rape accused
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, June 21
Defending her husband, charged with rape, Ms Kamla, wife of Dr Ramanand, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Tisa (Chamba), today alleged that the case was a frame-up.

Speaking at a press conference here, Ms Kamla said since her husband was a strict disciplinarian and had registered 156 cases of cheating during the past one year, the allegation of rape was part of a political conspiracy against him.

She submitted a memorandum to the Governor, through the Kangra Deputy Commissioner, demanding a ‘fair’ inquiry into the allegations so that the truth could come out.

A 17-year-old student of the school had alleged that the Principal raped her on the night of May 30. She reported the matter to the police on June 17. The police was investigating the case.

Rs 1,292 crore bank credit plan proposed
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 21
A bank credit plan of Rs 1,292 crore has been proposed for Himachal Pradesh for the year 2004-05.

Mr U.S. Singh, General Manager, UCO Bank, while presiding over a meeting of the state-level bankers’ committee here today, said the proposed plan envisaged a growth of 33.72 per cent over last year’s plan.

Boy sinks in Suketi silt
Our Correspondent

Mandi, June 21
A boy was sunk in the silt of the Suketi river, a tributary of the Beas, while bathing under the bridge in the town this evening. Eyewitnesses spotted theboy sinking but by the time the rescue operation began, the boy had died. The boy has not been extricated nor identified yet.

Silt thrown into the Suketi from the BSL reservoir and open hydel channel has made the banks a death trap and many animals and humans have been trapped in it for the past three years.