Dhumal in Hamirpur

By Bijender Sharma

Hamirpur-Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that State Government would soon be mulling a new transfer policy for the benefit of State and employees and efforts would be made to promote sports activities by reviewing the earlier policy. He said that Central assistance of Rs. 22 crore was got sanctioned for upgradation of nine ITIs in the State. He was addressing the 41st Annual Prize Distribution Function of Netaji Subhash Chander Bose Government College, Hamirpur today after giving away prizes to the meritorious and outstanding students of the College in academics, sports, cultural and other extra-curricular activities. Chief Minister said that need had emerged to carry introspection by the teachers and employees whether they were carrying out their duties and responsibilities dedicatedly and devotedly and bringing forth the desired results to benefit the common man. He said that best efforts were being made to order transfers during the beginning of academic session and financial year so that transferred employees could move conveniently. He said that an MOU had been signed with the GOI sanctioning Rs. 22 crore for nine ITIs of the State Chief Minister said that with a view to facilitate the consumers, the State had been purchasing power from other States at much higher rates since the State had low water discharge during winter season resulting into low generation of power. He appealed to people to save energy so that the same could be made available to the people who otherwise were deprived of electricity. He said that people needed to be educated about its importance and urged them to stop wastage of the electricity in their day to day life. Chief Minister said that among all, teachers had the highest level of job satisfaction who had produced students who had contributed in various fields significantly bringing laurels to the State and Nation and it were teachers who groom them to achieve such distinction in life. He said that teachers needed to be the ideal of their students, inspiring them to excel in all their future endeavours. Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that there was need to re-write the history based on the facts and events. He said that the history should be a matter of pride and not biased to hide facts, which was not in good taste and best interest of the nation. He said that some enthusiastic researchers were working on the project to dig out truth from amongst the factual historical events so that real history was written to make people feel proud of their leaders. Chief Minister announced completion of new library building of the college, roofing of college building to be ensured, IT Block to be constructed, possibilities would be explored to start MCA classes after observation of all the modalities. Prof. Dhumal congratulated the students and teachers of the college for their achievements in different fields. He hoped that the college would continue with its tradition of making rapid strides on all the fronts so that the college could emerge as the center of par excellence learning. Chief Minister was also presented a draft of Rs. 5100 by Shri Jagan Nath Sharma, President, Hamirpur District Drivers and Conductors Association and Office bearers of the Association. Variety cultural programme was presented to mark the annual function. Shri I.D. Dhiman, Education Minister said that in earlier tenure of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, meritorious and deserving students were given scholarships to carry forward with their academic pursuits conveniently. He said that Government Colleges of Mandi and Hamirpur were carrying the self financed vocational courses. He said that qualitative improvement in academics was the aim of State Government. He said that self discipline was the best discipline and teachers needed to incorporate such qualities into their students. He said that objective of education was significant contribution of youth towards the nation. Smt. Urmil Thakur, local MLA welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for presiding over the annual function of college. She said that education sector was poised to be disciplined and brought back on the rails. She revealed that girls were being benefited with the college education in the area. Dr. O.P. Sharma, Director of Higher Education welcomed the Chief Minister and said that education sector would get added attention in coming years under the visionary leadership of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister. Shri Ravi Chandel, President, SCA detailed the college demands. Shri Satish Chander Sharma, Principal of the College read out the Annual Report of the College. Prof. J.S. Chauhan proposed vote of thanks. Shri Baldev Sharma, MLA and President, District Hamirpur BJP, Shri MC. Parmar, Chairman, Ex-Servicemen Welfare Board, Shri Pyare Lal Sharma, Member, State BJP Executive Committee and senior officers of State Government were present on the occasion.

A Spokesman of the State Government said here today that Himachal Pradesh Government is committed for the welfare of all sections of the society and after assuming power, the Government had taken many important decisions that were welfare oriented, progressive and were in the interest of common-man. He said that the Government is focused towards speedy progress in all sectors besides improving the financial condition of the State. He said that under new Excise Policy announced by the State Government for the year 2008-09, many steps have been initiated to check smuggling of liquor in to the State from the neighbouring States. He said that over the years, smuggling of liquor from outside has been a big challenge and it has reached alarming proportions now, contributing at least 30-35 percent of the total local sales in the State. He said that though most of the instances of smuggling go undetected, and a total of 12,000 proof liters of smuggled liquor was seized in the State during the current year involving a huge revenue loss. He further said that the sales of illicit liquor (locally brewed) has also reached similar proportions taking toll on lives of people since quality and standard of this liquor is always suspect. He said that since life of people is repeatedly put to danger and Government cannot be a silent spectator to any hooch tragedy as public safety was the main concern, the Government has decided to act on both the fronts. He said that on the one hand, the rate of VAT has been reduced from 20% to 12.5 % and on the other, the license fee has been reduced to bring the price of liquor to comparable level as far as neighbouring States are concerned. He said that this will also reduce the role of illicit liquor (local) and added that rates of VAT are 4% in Punjab and Chandigarh and 0% in Haryana, which has been a stimulus for smuggling of liquor in the State. The Spokesman further said that the State Government also plans to strengthen the working of multipurpose barriers in terms of staff and induction of appropriate technology to check this menace. He said that appropriate changes in legal framework are also envisaged to make such activities attract deterrent punishment. He further said that these steps shall diminish the effect of smuggled and illicit liquor in the State, thereby resulting in increased sales of liquor through authorized retail vends across the State. He said that the increased recorded sales of liquor will on the one hand more than offset the revenue loss due to reduction of VAT and license fee etc. and on the other will ensure the safety of consuming public and their life will not be put to danger. On account of these proposals total estimated revenue receipts of the Government under excise head will go up by Rs. 40 crore as compared with the current year, he added.