Himachal Confidential

‘Paranormal activities’ in Dharamshala Vidhan Sabha
Built three years ago,the new Vidhan Sabha complex in Dharamshala is believed to be “haunted”. The security staff deputed there claim to have experienced paranormal activities in the building. Hearing this,the administration immediately performed a havan in the complex,built at a cost of approximately Rs 15 crore,ahead of the Winter Session commencing here from December 14. This is the third Winter Session—second one to be held by the BJP government—at the new building in Dharamshala. Amused by the ghost story,BJP leaders are saying the ghosts could probably be of the Congress,which was thrown out of power within one year of the construction of this building.

CPM’s deafening silence
Being out of the scene in the Centre as well as in Himachal Pradesh,the CPM these days is venting out its ire on the BJP and the UPA. At a recent rally in Shimla,former MP Nilotpal Basu not only held the state BJP responsible for the unprecedented price rise but also the power cut during the rally. “They are doing everything to shut our mouth. This unexpected power cut also seems to be their (BJP’s) conspiracy,” he said,adding “but they cannot shut us out.” The people in the state are,however,wondering if the CPM could lash out at the BJP for price rise,which is a country-wide phenomenon,why is it silent on the biggest issue of the hour in the state — the spurt of private universities being sanctioned by the government.

Cost cutting
Looking at the high cost of conducting the Vidhan Sabha’s Winter Session in Dharamshala,for which the entire machinery needs to be shifted,the government has this year sent out clear instructions on cost cutting on logistics and travel by bureaucrats and other government officials. The new orders have become a serious matter of discussion among the bureaucrats,who may finally find a way to deal with the new situation. There are murmurs among the ministerial staff of the Secretariat that bureaucrats can find out a way out of any situation. “After all,they are the ones who guide the politicians through the nitty-gritty of administrative jumble when leaders are fresh in the business of running the government,” commented one of them.