Himachal confidential : All’s well?

After age-old white Ambassadors and over-used Balenos,it’s going to be luxurious Etios for the state’s top bureaucrats. Six brand-new Etios (diesel) cars of Toyota have already been inducted into the fleet of the General Administration Department. Of these,two have been allotted to senior-most additional chief secretaries — Harinder Hira and Sudipto Roy. Next in the line is P Mitra,also an additional chief secretary-rank officer. The remaining three cars will be kept in the GAD pool for the ‘state guest’ duties. But it took nearly a month for the government to decide who should get the new vehicles: ministers or bureaucrats. This is the first time when senior bureaucrats got new vehicles; until now,new vehicles went only to the Cabinet ministers.

Bali ballyhoo

The wedding of Congress leader G S Bali’s son this weekend at Kangra proved to be an event worth remembering. The country’s heavyweight politicians,top corporate honchos,businessmen,celebrities,leading medical professionals and senior government (Centre and state) officers were in attendance. The Gaggal airport buzzed with activity as chartered planes landed one after the other,and all roads led to Bali’s home. Yet one who was conspicuous by his absence was Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal,who seemed to stay away to avoid public glare after having been linked to Bali by his BJP detractors.

Retirees’ retreat

There is an interesting angle to the “Majitha House”,a heritage complex housing the Chief Information Commission’s office. Most officers here are retired bureaucrats and a former judge of the High court. A senior bureaucrat called it a “Sewanivriti Bhawan”,a retreat for the retirees. Needless to say,State Election Commission Chairman Dev Swaroop,whose office has been shifted here,is also a retired bureaucrat.

Cement cos slash prices by Rs 25 a bag

Shimla: Cement companies in Himachal Pradesh have agreed to cut cement prices in the state by Rs 25 per bag,a senior official has said. “Various cement companies have conveyed the revised and latest cement prices per bag,” said Industries Commissioner J S Rana.

Withdraw power hike,demands CPM

Shimla: The CPM on Sunday asked the BJP government to immediately withdraw the hike in electricity tariff,and accused it of selling out the entire power potential of the state to private sector as now people were being forced to pay more for the cheaper power produced in the state.