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Finally, BJP decides on Haridwar seat
Kshatriyas want say in state politics
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BJP Mahila Morcha woos women voters
Pvt medical colleges propose fee hike
Examinees cause traffic snarls
Toxic Waste
One nabbed with fake currency
CM undergoes surgery for stone
107 commissioned into ITBP
Survey of India down Civil Sectt
Varun Gandhi’s effigy burnt
Roadways staff hold dharna
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Finally, BJP decides on Haridwar seat
Dehradun, March 21 The fortnight-long suspense started with the announcement of the name of state education minister Madan Kaushik. His candidature was opposed by the 'sadhus' and right wing RSS leaders, led by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Ashok Singhal. They wanted that the BJP should show its commitment to Hindu 'sants' by naming Swami Chinmayanand, a former union minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), as its candidate from Haridwar. Several delegations of Hindu saints put pressure on senior BJP leaders, including LK Advani, to change the candidate. Finally, when the party decided to do so, Uttarakhand BJP unit and supporters of Madan Kaushik opposed the decision. Caught in a tight spot, the BJP decided to invite a panel of names from the state unit. The names of Naresh Bansal, organising secretary of state BJP, Suresh Chand Jain, Roorkee BJP legislator, and Swami Yatendranand Giri were proposed. In the bargain, Swami Chinmayanand lost the race. But the delay in announcing the name of the candidate also annoyed Swami Yatendranand Giri. He alleged that he had not gone to the party to seek a ticket and the delay was an insult to saints. Finally, Swami Yatendranand Giri's name has been announced and the BJP hopes to wrest the Haridwar seat from Samajwadi Party this time. Meanwhile, the announcement of Swami Yatendranand Giri’s name has evoked mixed reactions. chairman of Haridwar municipal committee Kamal Johra has welcomed the decision and said the party men are united within. Chandra Sekhar Battewalla the newly appointed working president of the Uttarakhand BJP unit, said that party would win all the five seats. “The party will win all five seats and recreate the feat achieved in 1998. Haridwar will have no adverse impact,” he said. |
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Kshatriyas want say in state politics
Haridwar, March 21 Special guest at the convention Vikasnagar MLA Munna Singh pointed out the changed role of the Kshatriya community in the context of the terrorism. “The need of the hour is to unite and fight against terrorism and Rajputs have to take the lead and step forward to fight the menace,” said Munna. He also criticised Hindi filmmakers for often portraying negative and unreal picture of the Rajput community. ABKM president Harivansh Singh said if due representation is not given to the community by the political parties we will be forced to form a separate party. “We are being exploited despite our honesty and bravery. We should get our due recognition and reward from the political parties. Their injustice will prove harmful for them only if it countinues like this,” said Harivansh. Elaborating on the historical importance of the community former state women commission chief Santosh Chauhan said evils like dowry, female foeticide and gender discrimination that are to be removed from the society. Senior vice president of the ABKM Virender Singh Rathore lauded the efforts of the Mahashabha’s members in places such as Nagaland, Assam, Mehgalaya and West Bengal. He said their members are focusing on education, which is bearing results. In the south India the Mahasabha is diligently working in the fields of education, medical and health. Present at the convention among various representatives of the community were Prof. Rachana Sengar, national organization president, Captain DS Rathore, former MLA Tej Bahadur Singh, Sahib Singh Pundir, Rahul Rathore, Rajnitigya Rawat, Sahib Singh Pundir, Vyas Singh Chauhan, Kishor Singh Vaish, Alok Singh Vihar, Rohitesh Singh, AV Singh among others. |
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BJP Mahila Morcha woos women voters
Roorkee, March 21 The main purpose of the meetings is to apprise women voters of the development works carried out by the BJP during its regime and the party’s future plans. Kusum Kandwal, president of the morcha, said the party has done a lot for women during its two-year tenure. “We are even approaching the women residing in the remotest villages to get firsthand knowledge of their
problems. We will later discuss and include them in the party’s manifesto,”
she said. Adding that the response of the meetings was quite encouraging, Kandwal said: “In yesterday’s ‘sammelan’ at Almora, over 3,000 women turned up.” “In three days, we have covered over 20 villages, including Narsan, Aamkheri, Khagwari, Mandawali, Harjoli Jatt etc. In the coming days we are planning to further increase our base,” said Savita Lakheri, Haridwar district president of the morcha While today the morcha held a meeting at Haldwani, the dates of
such ‘sammelans’ at Pauri and Haridwar will be announced very soon, said
Kandwal. |
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Pvt medical colleges propose fee hike
In a decision that is bound to affect scores of medical students in the state, the management of seven private medical colleges (dental, ayurvedic and homoeopathy) has submitted a proposal calling for fee hike. The proposal is pending for approval from the state government and by a special screening committee. The hike is expected to come with a decision that would become effective from the new academic session. The proposed fee hike for an MBBS course is from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3.55 lakh, while at present it is between Rs 1.9 and
2.5 lakh. For BAMS it is expected to be Rs 1.2 lakh while at present it is Rs 80,000 and BDS course is between 2.5 and 2.75 lakh, which is between Rs 1.1 and -1.6 lakh, at present. Caught in a bind and keen to ensure that the private medical institutions do not impose their wishes on government, a way out is being worked out. “Advisor of the committee, principal secretary health and medical education, is looking into the proposal regarding the fee hike and other demands of the private college management. “As the management can only revise fees after three years, whatever hike is brought about would be minimum and in the interest of the students,” said secretary medical education, Rakesh Kumar. While the arbitrary hike is bound to affect the students, the government has adopted a conciliatory tone, after pushing for hike. The management of these institutions is also in a mood to reduce the number of seats allocated under the government quota. The state is deficient in government medical education infrastructure and it rely on private institutions for setting up certain percentage of seats under government quota, the fees for which is nominal. As per the sources, the government cannot dictate terms to the private colleges as far as allocation of seats are concerned but to make medical education affordable and ensure that reservation policy is implemented, state governments usually use the bargaining ploy and even offer financial assistance in lieu of the seats set aside. “The seats are allocated on mutual understanding between the government and the college
management. “In the past the private institutions had given a commitment of 40 per cent seats under the government quota,” said Dr Rakesh Kumar. But the college authorities are in no mood to relent this time. “We were promised affiliations but no letters have been received so far. Without the government financial assistance it is very difficult to comply with the directives and to provide quality education,” said Mahant Devender Das, chief Sri Guru Ram Rai Education Mission that is running Sri Mahant Indresh Medical Hospital and
Institution. |
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Examinees cause traffic snarls
Dehradun, March 21 The residents of the area were quite perturbed over the traffic arrangements made by the administration on the road. While thousands of students jostled for space inside DAV (PG) College campus, the traffic situation outside was equally bad. The tall claims made by the college administration about the traffic arrangements fell flat as students had tough time managing their way into the college. Despite the deployment of police with police patrol car to stop the entry of four-wheelers on the college road, one could see cars stuck in jam on the road. The parking space of the college was overcrowded as thousands of two wheelers were there at the campus. Bikes were parked on the both sides of the college road that led to further congestion of the road and created inconvenience for the passers-by. Jaswindar Singh, a students leader, said, “There is hardly any parking space left inside the college and thus there is no way other than to park vehicles on the road.” The area shopkeepers were also affected by the traffic chaos. Chandra Kant Dhasmana, a restaurant owner, said, “This year there was a great rush of students compared to previous years and the traffic congestion at the college road is causing a big problem. There was traffic congestion on this road from last three days.” |
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Toxic Waste
Dehradun, March 21 After repeatedly failing to move Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) to do the needful, the president of NGO Outburst, Pardeep Gupta, has written to Uttarakhand DGP Subhash Joshi for immediate action to prevent any incident that may affect public life. The urgency to act has become all the more important in the wake of serious incidents that occurred in Narendra Explosives at Railwala and Agarwal paint factory in industrial area, Patel Nagar, said Gupta. When asked, its managing director SK Singh rubbished the allegations saying the factory was being run in compliance with the rules. Complaints were made in the past as well but inquiries by the UEPPCB found everything in order. “The complainant is indulging in baseless complaints. He actually wants to get the factory shifted because he has bought some land near it,” said SK Singh. Interestingly, the UEPPCB has no facility to measure either the concentration of toxic H2S or to monitor the quantity of hazardous chemicals Melathion and Diamethoate in treated effluent. Under the Development of National Emission Standards for Pesticide Manufacturing Industry, H2S is the major pollutant in the production of both chemicals. In his complaint, Gupta has alleged that the factory was running without valid consent from the UEPPCB, which is in the know of goings-on. As per the information obtained under the RTI, the pollution board admitted that the NoC was issued to it for 2008-09. The rules state that an NoC is required every year. Alleging that there is a nexus between concerned officials of the UEPPCB and the factory management, Gupta claimed that the NoC meant for 2007-08 was issued post-facto in May 2008. It was learnt that authorities of the Indian Military Academy had also complained against the factory management but nothing came out of it. The area has four private professional institutes. The toxic gaseous effluents released by the factory allegedly render impossible the movement of people in the area. The management has no disposal facility in its premises and neither has it bothered to take any measure to send the hazardous waste to an authorised disposal agency. Interestingly, the UEPPCB has admitted under the RTI that around 700 kg waste was sent to some bricks manufacturer for re-use on October 14, 2008. |
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Kirat tribe on brink of extinction
Gagan Singh Rajwar, the independent legislator from Dharchula assembly segment in Pitthoragarh, is, perhaps, the only member of his tribe who has made a big name. He won the seat twice in 2002 as well as in 2007 assembly polls. In 2002, he won as a Congress candidate and after being denied a ticket in 2007, he emerged victorious as an independent. Now, after extending support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, Rajwar has been made chairman of Border Area Development Programme Evaluation Council, becoming the first man from ‘Kirat’ tribe to hold any such position. The ‘Kirats’, also known as ‘Ban Rajis’, ruled the Himalayas before the 7th century, according to Dr. DN Majumdar, a famous historian and anthropologist. The ‘Kirats’ were defeated by ‘Mallas’ of Nepal and were forced to flee into the Himalayan forests. For the past 1,300 years, the tribe members have been living here. They lives were once again brought into limelight by Charles A Sherring, a British traveller, in the 20th century. In his book ‘Western Tibet and British borderland’, Sherring describes the ‘wild men of Askot’, how they lived in loin clothes during every season and claimed to be from royal origin. The first mention of ‘Kirat’ appears in Yajur Veda, in which the tribe has been mentioned as living in eastern Himalayan forests and of golden yellow color. According to Rahul Sankrityan, a famous travel writer of 19th century, the ‘Kirats’ were once a dominating tribe in the Himalayas. Sadly, these tribals are dying of hunger today. They live in nine localities of Pitthoragarh and one locality in Champawat District and their total population is less than 1,000. But after welfare measures by the state government and some NGOs during the seventies, their population showed a slight increase. As per the census done by the UP social welfare department, their population was 254 in 1969 and declined to 228 in 1971. According to 2001 census, their population in all localities was 501 in 125 families. Historians and social anthropologists are continuously studying this tribe after Dr DN Majumdar, a noted anthropologist, in 1965 declared them as descendents of the Mongoloids. After him, several anthropologists have continuously been studying these people. ‘Ban Rawats’, as they are known today, were not declared as revenue settlers but granted some plots on lease by the forest department, in which they were supposed to live as well as cultivate. “They possess five ‘nalis’ of cultivable land per head that was allotted to them in 1974 by the forest department. However, neither this land is fertile nor they are good farmers,” says Hira Singh Bora, a former legislator from Pitthoragarh who has been closely involved with the tribe since 1965. Out of 600 tribal communities in India, 74 were considered as primitive groups in 1965, and ‘Ban Rawats’ were among these groups. Being forest dwellers and living away from mainstream society for centuries, they were shy enough to benefit from government schemes and despite 60 years of independence live in abject penury. “Despite government efforts, these people have not fully accepted agriculture as an occupation and are still involved in fishing, hunting, collecting wild edible roots and traditional wood work. And if they do not earn enough by these works, they leave the area and go deep into the forests,” adds Bora. Although the tribe members were experts in making items out of wood, their genius in this sphere was never utilised. ‘Had the forest corporation given jobs suited to their abilities, their survival rate would have been much higher,” claimed Bora. In addition, the tribe is in urgent need of medical facilities and education. |
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One nabbed with fake currency
Dehradun, March 21 There were reports that fake currency is being smuggled into the state from Nepal. The STF inspector Dinesh Chander Daudhiyal and Khatima police arrested Sulkhan Singh today after information that a deal is scheduled in Melaghat area of Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar district. The STF team has recovered eight fake notes of Rs 1,000 and 100 fake notes of Rs 100 denomination from him. The police however, failed to nab Sulkhan’s accomplice, identified as Ashraf alias Kalia, a resident of Udham Singh Nagar. The cops disclosed that Ashraf is a history-sheeter and had remained in jail for his alleged involvement in the fake currency racket. Meanwhile, with a view to deal with the menace of fake currency in the state, the state police are in process of appointing experts in all the districts, who will help in identifying the counterfeit notes. Senior police officials said, on number of occasions, they had found that fake notes look exactly the same as issued by RBI and hence, identification is not an easy job. |
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Poets spread word of harmony
Roorkee, March 21 During the event, over 25 eminent poets from the region enthralled the audience with their verse. Renowned Urdu poets Afzal Manglori, Kaleem Asgar, Mahendra "Ashq", Zakhmi Meeruti, Aabid Hassan and Tahir Faraaz were appreciated for their "shairee". “The purpose of organising the programme was to bring harmony among different religions and communities. We were successful as Hindu, Shia and Sunni poets shared the dais together and gave the message of brotherhood,” said Shahid Khan, president of Kaumi Ekta Committee. He added that the ‘mushaira’ would be organised annually. Around 2,000 persons attended the ‘mushaira’ which was sponsored by Rex Remedies. |
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SAI Academy cruise to 3-wicket win
Dehradun, March 21 Batting first Garhwal UCA team scored 161 runs it allotted 40 overs. The team had a shaky start as they lost their first wicket at the score of 22 runs. Islam was the top score for the team. He hit 64 runs in 62 balls. He smashed seven fours and two sixes in his innings. Ranjan too made a useful 35 runs in 36 balls. SAI Cricket Academy bowlers destroyed the batting line-up of Garhwal UCA team. Yogesh and Rajeev shared seven wickets among themselves. Yogesh was the lead wicket taker with four wickets and Rajeev claimed three wickets. In reply SAI Cricket Academy reached the target with three wickets in hand. It was a fine batting display by Sai Cricket Academy. Danish was the top scorer for the team with 58 runs from 67 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. Raj played a scintillating inning of 53 runs from just 34 balls. He smashed ten fours in his innings. Abhishek’s 25 runs helped his team reach the target comfortably. |
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Asad Khan grabs 800m gold
Dehradun, March 21 Results: In 800 m: Asad Khan (gold), Abhishek (silver) and Ankit (bronze) In long jump (boys): Anuj (gold), Manus (silver) and Raja (bronze) In long jump (girls): Saumya (gold), Ritika (silver) and Jyoti (bronze) In cross country 5 km (boys): Manus (gold), Anuj (silver) and Karan (bronze) In cross country 3 km (girls): Gagandeep (gold), Seema Bandari (silver) and Priyanka (bronze). |
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CM undergoes surgery for stone
Dehradun, March 21 According to Dr Devender Bhasin, chairman of the Uttarakhand Media Advisory Committee, a team of doctors led by Dr Ajay Kumar operated on the 74-year-old Khanduri and successfully removed the stones. Prior to the operation, Khanduri had gone to Apollo Hospital in the national capital for
tests. “He is doing well and will come back to Dehradun in a few days,” said Dr Devender Bhasin. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson Suryakant Dhasmana in a message wished the Chief Minister speedy recovery and
good health. |
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107 commissioned into ITBP
Mussoorie, March 21 Director general of ITBP, Vikram Srivastava, the chief guest of the occasion, inspected the passing out parade. He urged the new officers to serve the nation with honesty and bravery. All these officers have undergone a rigorous 58-week training in warfare, unarmed combat, combat strategies and mountaineering. A large gathering including a number of senior officials of ITBP were present on the occasion.
— TNS |
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Survey of India down Civil Sectt
Dehradun, March 21 Civil Secretariat won the toss and elected to bat first. Civil Secretariat scored 83 at the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Vikas Rawat was the top scorer for the team with 26 runs. Survey of India reached the target at the loss of 3 wickets. SS Rawat scored 50 runs and Rakesh Negi scored 14. Semi final between Survey of India and Vidhan Sabha will be played on March 22. |
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Varun Gandhi’s effigy burnt
Dehradun, March 21 Launching a scathing attack against Varun Gandhi, the secretary of Uttarakhand Mahila Congress Kamlesh said that he had communalised the atmosphere prior to the elections. “Instead of taking disciplinary action against Varun, senior party leaders in the BJP are shielding him,” said Kamlesh. She said that Varun Gandhi has tarnished the name of the Gandhi family that has always stood for communal harmony. |
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Roadways staff hold dharna
Dehradun, March 21 Led by Dinesh Pant, Roadways Karmachari Sanyukt Parishad alleged that the department was delaying their overtime payments. Dinesh pointed out that the travel time between two destinations has increased manifold due to traffic and other pressures and thus a new time survey needs to be undertaken. Rajesh Nanda, Anurag Nautiyal and Dinesh Gusain were prominent participant to today’s dharna. |
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Dehradun, March 21
Pitthoragarh, March 21