By Bijender Sharma
Dharamshala,April 2,2008--The Tibetan Solidarity Committee will organise global movements beginning 6 April to show solidarity with the Tibetans who have lost their lives during the recent Chinese crackdown in Tibet.Addressing media persons at Dharamshala, the committee members said, the world-wide campaign will start with a day-long prayer congregation at Tsuglagkhang (main temple) on 6 April here in Dharamsala.On 7 April, people participating in the rally will voluntary shave their heads to show their solidarity with the Tibetans in Tibet, across selected locations.A three-day global day of action will kick start from 10 April, during which Tibetans and Tibet supporters all over the world will observe the completion of one month of military crackdown on peaceful protesters in Tibet. According to the action plan, synchronised demonstrations will be held across six major cities in India and Nepal. The local organising committees would draft programs or Tibetans and Tibet supporters in the west including venue, nature of program and other details that is most suitable to the local conditions.Mr Penpa Tsering, member of the committee said, "The concept of the program is to highlight the issues that have been raising with regards to the recent peaceful demonstrations in Tibet and our demands."The program includes, candle light vigils, demonstration of mock funerals, mock arbitrary arrests, mock prison conditions, mock injured people without access to medical care in Tibet. Efforts will be made to invite government representatives to the rallies to get their support, he said.He further said the committee will seek permission from the Delhi police to hold a peaceful rally at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, during the Olympic torch relay in New Delhi on 17 April.Deputy Speaker Gyari Dolma has appealed the international community, who respect human rights and freedom of expression to support the non-violent efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.She urged the Chinese government to stop making false allegations against His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and instead, to look into solving the issue of Tibet.She expressed gratitude to the people from Himalayan regions of Spiti and Ladakh, and all international Tibet supporters in showing their support for safeguarding human rights in Tibet.Members of the committee, including Kalon Kesang Y. Takla and Mr. Tsultrim Tenzin, member of the parliament were also present at the conference.
By Bijender Sharma
Dharamshala,April 2,2008--The Regional Emergency Solidarity Committee, Sarnath, Varanasi and the Tibetans and Himalayan People Committee jointly organised a photo exhibition on Tibet on Sunday,30 April 2008.The photo exhibition began with mass prayer for the peace of deceased souls and for the welbeing of others who are still suffering in Tibet. This exhibition was focussed on the human rights violations, destruction of cultural heritage, mass killing and huge deforestation by the Chinese government in Tibet.The chief guest of the prayer session Swami Akhilanand Shastriji,General Secretary, Kashi Vidvad Sabha, Varanasi showed his deep concern over the recent unrest in Tibet. While addressing the masses he lauded that the question of Tibet is the question of the whole Indian culture.The Chairman of the Committee Swami Rameshwarpuri Ji Maharaja in his address designated Tibet as the crown of India. He further appealed the international community to send a fact-finding delegation in Tibet.The dignitaries present at the session also shared their views and voiced their concern over the current situation of Tibet.The motive behind this exhibition was to show the suffering of the people of Tibet to the world.The session concluded with screening a documentary film based on Tibet.By Bijender Sharma
SHIMLA, April 2,2008---A Spokesman of Panchayati Raj Department informed that a 3-day long convention on the 15th Anniversary Charter on Panchayati Raj is going to be held from 22nd to 24th April, 2008 at New Delhi. He said that the subject of discussion would be 'Inclusive Growth through Inclusive Governance.'The Spokesman further informed that the detailed draft charter to empower PRIs is being distributed among all the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the State and suggestions from these institutions would be sought for incorporation in the above document if considered fit for the purpose. He said that all such suggestions would be further discussed and mooted in the above convention. He further appealed to all Gram Sabhas of the State to register maximum attendance during the ensuing Gram Sabha meetings scheduled on 6th April across the State and make these successful and deliberate on proposed charter. He urged all PRIs to peruse all the provisions and devolution of powers to PRIs as per 73rd Amendment and give their suggestions after serious consideration their of. The Spokesman disclosed that the Fifteenth Anniversary Charter on PRI provide, functional and financial empowerment of Panchayats, improving the capacities of functionaries of Panchayats through devolution, training, Panchayat level office infrastructure and technical support, decentralized planning and implementation, Panchayati Raj in areas covered by the 5th schedule of the Constitution, decentralization in areas not covered by the provisions of parts IX and IX -A of the Constitution, activating community participation at the grass-roots level, rural business hubs, incentives for Panchayat performance and creating a National network of Panchayat representatives are the areas most vital for deliberations during the said convention.He urged all Panchayati Raj Institutions to make serious deliberation on the charter. In addition to this any other issue as deemed relevant and essential in the existing Panchayati Raj System in the State and has not been included in the Draft may also be taken up for discussion in the General House meetings on 6th April, 2008 and the same may be conveyed to the Block Development Officer concerned for its onward transmission to the State and Central Government Authorities for final decision.
By Bijender Sharma
SHIMLA,April,2,2008---Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pardesh said that the State Government would adopt open door policy to facilitate the entrepreneurs investing in Himachal Pradesh in order to deliver them best of the services for carrying out industrial expansion activities conveniently. He said that all the issues would be resolved amicably with mutual consultations. He was addressing the Himachal Pradesh State Annual General Session: 2007-08 and Session on Fresh Investments - Impetus to Growth; Focus on Tourism, Hydro Power and Industry, organized by the Himachal Pradesh Unit of the Confederation of the Indian Industry here today .Chief Minister said that the State administration would interact with the industrialists to solve all their genuine problems and ensure quality basic infrastructure to them within the State. He said that it was for the second time that he was interacting with the industrialists of the State, as he had earlier held similar meeting with them at Baddi during his previous visit to the industrial area. He said that planned development of the industrial towns was being ensured and Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority had been assigned the responsibility of systematic development of the industrial townships.Dhumal said that the State Government would evolve a mechanism for evacuation of the generated power from power house to the grid by requisitioning the services of the transmission experts to construct consolidated structure for the same so that the entire hill area was not crowded with the transmission tower lines. He said that efforts were afoot to speedily harness the identified hydro potential of the State and make the same available to the needy states. He said that Himachal Pradesh had tied up with the Punjab Government to provide 300MW of power during the lean season of winter months and provide the same on barter basis to Punjab during summer season when the power demand in plains rises. He said that efforts were afoot to get the ongoing 2051 MW Parbati Hydro Power Project and 800MW Koldam Project before schedule so that floating power was available to the customers. Similarly, he informed that Punjab had agreed to complete the Chandigarh-Baddi road by middle of next year, to connect it with upcoming international airport at Mohali through express highway, besides constructing another road connecting the area with Parwanoo and also to improve the Pinjore-Nalagarh road to facilitate smooth plying of vehicles the industrial areas. .Chief Minster said that efforts would be made to organize a joint meeting of the administration, industrialists and truck operators to sort out the transportation disputes in the industrial towns. He said that the administration would ensure best law and order conditions also to ensure the safety of the workers. He said that the land bank possibilities were being explored and modalities being worked out to implement the same for further allotment to prospective entrepreneurs at reasonable prices.Dhumal said that quality infrastructure was being created to provide congenial environment to the industrialists. He said that entire industrial area would be connected with best road, rail and air facilities, which would help the entrepreneurs, carry forward their activities conveniently. He said that airports of state were being expanded to accommodate landing of bigger capacity planes besides making available night landing facilities. He said that the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation had assured four flights a week during lean season and daily flights during summer season.Chief Minister said that all out efforts were being made to get the Industrial Package extended upto the original scheduled date of March, 2013 so that more industrial investment was attracted. He said that the industrialists also needed to construct residential accommodation for their workers alongwith their plants, which would go a long way in the improvement of work culture and efficiency amongst their workers. He urged the industrialists to develop skillmanship amongst the unemployed youth and get them suitable employment in their units. He informed that soon the PWD sub-division would start functioning in Baddi besides a tehsil to facilitate revenue related work in the area.Salil Singhal, Deputy Chairman, CII (NR) and Chairman, Secure Meters Limited thanked the Chief Minister for his concern towards the problems of industrialists. He said that interactive sessions had filled new energy amongst the industrialists and more investments were expected in the near future.Rajender Guleria, Chairman, ClI Himachal Pradesh State Council and Senior President - Operations Grauer and Weil India Limited, welcomed the Chief Minister and spoke over the motive behind organizing Annual Session at Shimla.Bikram Bakshi, Past Chairman, Tourism Sub-Committee CII (NR) and Managing Director, Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd spoke in detail about the tourism potential available in Himachal Pradesh, Shri T.Swaminathan, General Manager, Malana Power Company Limited spoke over the power potential while Capt. Alok Sharma Past Chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh State Council and Managing Director and CEO Forge India Private Limited deliberated on industrial activities. Shekhar Gupta, Vice Chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh State Council and Managing Director CS Zircon Products Private Limited proposed vote of thanks.Interactive session was also held by the concerned Government authorities to remove the doubts of some of the participants.
By Bijender Sharma
Shimla,April2,2008---A Spokesman of the Rural Development Department said here today that review of lists of BPL families would be undertaken on 6th April, 2008 in the Gram Sabha meetings so that selection of eligible families could be ensured and discrepancies, if any, could be removed. He said that such families would not be included in the list who have two hectare non irrigated land or one hectare irrigated land, pucca house or big house, income tax payers, owners of four wheeled vehicles, have monthly income more than Rs. 2500 and whose any member was in Government service. He said that in case if any such family was included earlier in the BPL lists, its name would be deleted. He further said that if any family had any objection regarding the amendment in the list, it could file its objection / appeal to the concerned SDM (Civil) and could further appeal to concerned Deputy Commissioner if not satisfied with the decision of the SDM. He said that amendments in the list would be made wherever necessary, as per the decision of concerned SDM (Civil)/ Deputy Commissioner.