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Portion of under-construction bridge gives way
24x7 dairy outlets for Kumbh
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DMC to hold meeting with Chief Minister on Jan 11
Owners of stone crushers meet DM
Two arrested in robbery cases
Adjust Maoists in Nepal army, says Koshiyari
Encroachments removed
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Portion of under-construction bridge gives way
Haridwar, January 3 A major portion of the under-construction Damkoti bridge gave way just hours after it was laid. At the time of the incident, no worker was on the bridge. The bridge connects Mayapur with the Kankhal area and is one of the flagship works as touted by the state government for this Maha Kumbh. But the incident has put a huge question mark on the Kumbh projects and further strengthened doubts from various quarters over the use of inferior material in Kumbh works. The total cost of the bridge is Rs 4.34 crore and the project is already lagging behind its completion schedule. The bridge initially was scheduled to be completed in November, 2009, but now with this incident it doesn’t seem that it will be ready before the first holy bath falling mid- January. Meanwhile, various social organisations and political parties have expressed concern over the Damkoti bridge incident. Many bodies have pointed out that this incident has exposed the working of the mela administration and the quality of material being used in the Kumbh-related projects. The project is being executed by the Public Works Department and the department has been long under fire for keeping a slow pace of projects. Officials of the PWD at the site tried to project the incident as a minor happening and refuted charges that quality material was not being used in the Kumbh-related projects. Haridwar parliamentarian Harish Rawat has expressed concern over the incident and said the state government and the mela administration should not play with the lives of crores of pilgrims. He said even though the Kumbh-related works had already got delayed, these should not be executed in a haste, putting lives of pilgrims to danger. The state Congress has decided to send a team of legislators to oversee the Kumbh works. Leader of Opposition Harak Singh Rawat told The Tribune on the phone that a five-member legislators’ committee would be going to Haridwar to analyse all Kumbh works. “I have been saying this for months that the whole mela administration is filled with corrupt officials and such incidents are bound to happen. Now, everybody can see what works are going on in Haridwar,” said Rawat. Despite chilly weather, activists of the Uttarakhand Vikas Manch held a protest at the bridge site and raised slogans against the mela administration as well as the PWD. “We have had fears about this and now this has happened. Thank God! It didn’t happen during a holy bath when people would have been crossing over it in thousands,” said Tej Prakash Sahu, a spokesperson of the manch. The activists have also sought a clarification in writing from the mela administration on this incident. Meanwhile, the work to relay the collapsed portion of the bridge has started again. |
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24x7 dairy outlets for Kumbh
Haridwar, January 3 According to estimates of the mela administration and the Dairy Development Board, nearly half a million litres of milk will be needed to cater to pilgrims and meet the local demand during the Maha Kumbh period. The board has geared itself up to meet this huge dairy demand. Across the entire mela area, several dairy outlets will be opened so that the pilgrims don’t face any problem. These outlets will be functional round the clock till April. The milk packets available at these outlets will be sold at normal rates and a special monitoring will be done so that pilgrims don’t have to pay extra money. The department concerned will be meeting half of the milk demand, while the rest will be taken care of by private dairies so that there is no gap between the demand and supply of the milk. Additional supply of milk will also be made by neighbouring states. Local villagers involved in the dairy business are being approached for providing adequate milk to city residents during the mega fair. However, local residents point out that despite the claims prices of essential commodities like milk spiral during the fair and no one tries to control the exorbitant rates charged from local people as well as pilgrims. “We get such an opportunity in six years. So if we raise the price by a few rupees people will still buy our milk. Administrative claims and real situation during the Kumbh is quite different and traders face a lot of difficulty,” remarked Akash Kumar, a Ranipur dairy owner. |
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VHP plans programme during mega fair
Dehradun, January 3 The city unit announced its list in the press conference held at Hotel Sunrise here
today. VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadiya will be presenting the ceremony at
Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kashipur, Rudrapur and Haldwani centres. The programme will comprise different rituals and meets of youth, sages and many more. The party has also arranged the venue for the participants to rest, edibles and other necessities during the conclave. Other issues related to the
programme, Liberhan Commission, Sacchar Committee, Ranganathan Mishra Commission and converting of religion were also discussed in the meeting. City president Pawan
Chaudhary, city secretary Laxman Prasad Navani and other party members were also present. |
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Snow in higher reaches, rain in plain areas
Dehradun, January 3 According to Dehradun Meteorological Centre Director Dr Anand Sharma, rain and snow were likely to continue throughout the night, while weather in the Garhwal region was expected to become clearer by Monday afternoon. In Kumaon, too, weather would be clear by Monday evening, he added. Rain recorded in Dehradun till 5.30 pm was 1.7 mm. Similarly, at Tehri and Pitthoragarh 0.8 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively, rain was recorded. “Hopefully the rain might touch 2 mm by night,” Met officials observed. |
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Gorkha Morcha seeks quota
Dehradun, January 3 Addressing a press conference here today, Karki announced that during the next Vidhan Sabha election the party would join hands with other parties except the Congress and the BJP. He also threatened to start a protest at the secretariat or at Vidhan Sabha if the demand was not met. He claimed that the community had remained in the forefront of defending the country in every war. The party also levelled allegations on the state government of not utilising the funds granted by the Central government for the uplift of the entire Gorkha community. Coordinator Capt Padam Singh Karki (retd), Garhwal Mandal president Himalaya Sherpa, secretary Saligram Shashtri, treasurer Kamlesh Chand and other members of the party were present at the meeting. |
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DMC to hold meeting with Chief Minister on Jan 11
Dehradun, January 3 Secretary, PWD, Secretary Drinking Water, Secretary Transportation, Director, Urban Development Directorate, District Magistrate (DM) Dehradun, Vice-Chairman, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Corporation (MDDA), and Mukhaya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) have been sent a circular to participate in the meeting and give their reports on the development made on the projects running under the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Renewal Urban Mission (JNNRUM) and other schemes. The DM and the MNA will have to put forth their report on the Solid Waste Management Plan sanctioned under the JNNRUM. The direction has been given from time to time to start and expedite these projects with further
improvements. The second issue will be to discuss the efficient movement of traffic on road network and decrease load on congested roundabouts of Ghanatghar. Along with this, the schemes of the JNNRUM and other plans related to junctions, roads, subways, current and proposed plans will also be discussed. On this matter, the Secretary, PWD, and the officers nominated by him will put his report. The third issue to discuss will be the status of drinking water and sewerage in the city. The progress on these matters under the JNNRUM and other plans will be mooted and, a potent strategy would be prepared likewise. The Secretary, Drinking Water Department, will address on this topic. The fourth issue will be to take note of the progress on the removal of slum colonies in the city and improving their situation in the localities until then. The MNA will speak on the development in this sector. Then the Vice-Chairman, MDDA, will give details on action taken on affordable housing/proposed Rajiv Awas Yojana and clearing the city of slum colonies as well as beautification of the Parade Ground and other related matters. The condition of traffic and transportation will be discussed by Secretary, Transportation. |
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Owners of stone crushers meet DM
Nainital, January 3 They said although there was a government order of 2005 saying that they were responsible to the mining department, but in practical terms their activities were being controlled by the forest department. Recently, they got notices by the former warning them that their crushers would be seized if they did not furnish desired information to the Mining
Department. Bagauli called the officials of the departments concerned for a discussion and later conveyed to the owners of stone crushers that a clear order on the issue would be sought from the government. He said till the time there was a clear-cut order from the state government, the existing system would continue. There are 30 stone crushers in
Haldwani. Meanwhile, activists of the Gaula Khanan Sangharsh Samiti submitted yet another memorandum to the District Magistrate, seeking early permission for staring mining activities on the bed of the Gaula river. Thousands of families are facing unemployment on account of the delay in permission from the Centre for the resumption of the mining operations. |
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Leopard mauls 14-year-old boy
Dehradun, January 3 A leopard hiding in nearby bushes attacked a boy Lokander Kumar, who was playing with his friends there. The boy suffered injuries and has been referred to Doon Hospital, where his condition was stated to be out of danger. The Jhanjhara region on the outskirts of Dehradun has witnessed to frequent leopard attacks in the recent times. There was another leopard attack in the close vicinity a few days’ back, in which a girl, Praveen, was mauled by a
prowling leopard. In July, over a dozen persons, including four children, were injured in leopard attacks on the outskirts of the city. Today’s incident has created a furore as the presence of a leopard in the capital city, that too in the populated area, comes as a rude shock. |
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Two arrested in robbery cases
Roorkee, January 3 The duo, namely Saleem, alias Chandu, and Miyajaan, along with their accomplice Samsudin, were arrested on a tip-off from Kaliyar villagers. Chandu and Miyajaan had been absconding since February 1, 2006, after committing a series of robberies one after another at Jhirian Grant village, along with five other accomplices. While the police had already arrested other five culprits, Chandu and Miyajaan were at large since then. The criminals had prize of Rs 5,000 each on their head. The police claimed that the accused were planning to commit more robberies in the rural area. “We have recovered two country-made firearms of .315 bore, one knife and two live cartridges from the culprits,” said SI Rajeev Rothan. The police said Chandu and Miyajaan were involved in the series of robberies at the houses of Raddi Singh, Jogender, Dr Rajendra and Jammal, all residents of Jirhian Grant village
(Bhagwanpur). Appreciating the efforts, SSP Sanjay Gunjyal has announced a reward of Rs 2,500 for the police team responsible for arresting
the criminals. Two arrested for murder plot
Two miscreants have been arrested by the police while allegedly conspiring to eliminate a local resident here. The miscreants have been identified as Jaan Alam, a resident of Shekhpuri Mohalla, and Shoaib of Trilokpuri, Delhi. Their third accomplice, namely Arshad from Meerut, managed to flee when the police on a tip-off descended upon the culprits near Gang Canal, Telliwala
village, today. The police said Jaan Alam hired two criminals for Rs 25,000 to eliminate his neighbour Mohammad Sadiq, with whom he had a land dispute. The police team raided the spot near Gang Canal following the information that the miscreants were conspiring to give shape to their nefarious designs. “The miscreants also fired shots on the police team,” said ASP Janmajay Khanduri. The police recovered two country-made firearms of .315 bore and four live cartridges from the arrested criminals. SSP Sanjay Gunjyal announced a reward of Rs 2,500 for the
police team. SC lawyer alleges being robbed of Rs 20,000
Dehradun: An advocate of the Supreme Court (SC) complained to the police alleging that he was beaten and robbed of about Rs 20,000 by unidentified persons at the Convent Road in Dalanwala last night. However, the police claimed that in the investigation it had come to light that it wasn’t a case of theft, but of clash between the advocate and a group of five youths who had been arrested. The advocate had falsely complained to the police that he was robbed of Rs 20,000, but nothing of this sort had happened, added the police. According to the police, advocate BD Jha had an argument with a tea hawker near his residence over a scant issue. Following this they had a fight and other four youths, along with the hawker,
thrashed him. |
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Literary awards conferred
Dehradun, January 3 The chief guest of the ceremony was Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli. Padam Shri Leela Dhar Jaguri, an eminent literary figure, led the function. Ceremonies of this nature were organised by the samiti so that creative spirit is encouraged as well as acknowledged. In the category of seniors, poet Budhinath Mishra and writer Alka Pathak were awarded a cash price of Rs 5,100, memento and a citation. However, to encourage more of creative writing, in the category of budding writers and poets, Major Sanjay Chaturvedi and Sanjay Garg for their poetic skills were awarded a cash price of Rs 2,100, memento and a citation. Present at the award ceremony, along with the Mayor, was Dananjay Singh, former Senior Editor of Kadambani magazine, Dr Inderjeet Singh as convener and other figures from the literary field. |
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Cafe that specialises in egg cuisines
Dehradun, January 3 “The reason why Nexgen
Fast Food and Beverages has been launching egg-centric cafes is to
generate awareness as well encourage people to eat eggs, which are a
rich source of protein and are any day better than other low-calorie
fatty food items easily available in the market,” said YK Gupta,
Manager, Sales, Egg Hut. Starting with basic egg soups, such as egg
sweetcorn and egg hot and sour, the menu is extensive in nature. The café
caters to the needs of everyone and has more than 60 varieties which are
reasonably priced and can be relished as snacks or a wholesome meal.
“We get our eggs from our farm house in Kanpur and presently are
having more then 60 varieties in salads, soups, sandwiches, omlettes,
veg and non-veg combos. However, along with a fresh and hygienic
environment, we often try to use egg white as customers prefer it over
the yolk,” said Gupta. To enjoy the winter chill, people in large
numbers are thronging here to try out a plethora of egg delicacies and
enjoy in the company of loved ones. Moreover, to add variety to the
menu, it also offers chicken, mutton and fish items. “I love eggs
and I believe it’s a great idea to satisfy the taste buds of those who
are longing to taste numerous varieties in eggs,” said Kapil, a
student. “Over the month we have received more then an average
response and once the winter break gets over, we are expecting a steady
crowd from city colleges,” added Gupta. |
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Adjust Maoists in Nepal army, says Koshiyari
Pitthoragarh, January 3 “Nepali Maoists should be respected as freedom fighters. They have created a democratic Nepal as our freedom fighters created a democratic India,” said Koshiyari adding that it was not proper to have an armed group parallel to the official army. “Some persons are of the opinion that if these rebels get into the Nepalese army, the army will tilt towards China. These opinions are absurd as the Indians and Nepalis are from the same ethnic background,” said Koshiyari. After returning from his seven-day personal trip to Nepal, Koshiyari flayed the fears that Nepali Communists would oppose the construction of Pancheswar dam which is proposed to be built on Kali river on the India-Nepal border. The dam was opposed by Nepali communists for the past 20 years on the pretext that only India would get benefit out of it. “I talked to the Nepali Congress as well as the communists besides the Maoists. Everyone has promised to help in the project this time,”
claimed Koshiyari. |
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Encroachments removed
Roorkee, January 3 The administration had removed all encroachments at Eidgah Chowk and Sunehra Road here during an anti-encroachment drive on December 23. A number of illegal structures, including extended parts of shops and houses, were demolished by the administration with the help of JCB machines in order to widen roads for the Maha Kumbh. Today the administration started digging trenches along the road to discourage the encroachers. “The road had shrunk to half (around 15 ft) with the coming up of encroachments in the area. Now, you can see that it has widened around 35 ft after the removal of illegal structures,” said an official. Earlier, the administration had removed the encroachments at the GT Road, Landoura Road and Main Bazar in Manglore yesterday. “The drive against the encroachers has been intensified due to the Maha Kumbh. In the coming days, more such illegal structures will be demolished in the area,” said an official. |
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