Mussoorie, May 8
A major case of corruption has surfaced in the construction of canals of the Minor Irrigation (MI) Department at Thatyur block in Jaunpur district indicating irregularities worth several crores.

The embezzlement of funds can be seen from the roadside in Thatyur where department officials have built canals at many places sans any water source. They are hiding behind the fact that it has rained little this year hence there is no water in the canals.

The MI Department in connivance with contractors has built a web of canals near the hand pump. The villagers have alleged that a web of canals has been constructed without seeking their suggestions and will serve no purpose in the absence of water.

Substandard material has been used in the construction due to which the canals, built a month ago, have suffered damage at several places.

Shanti Prasad of Bangsil village has said the 3-km-long network of 
canals being built in the villages is without the consent of the villagers.

He added that mud, and not cement, was being used in the construction and alleged that the gram pradhan and certain MI Department officials had formed some fake water users associations and the funds were being misused through it.

At Bangsil village, not even a drop of water is present in the 200-m substandard canal. Villagers were seen filling water from the hand pump located at the bottom of the canal.

At Lalur Patti, home constituency of state minister Khajan Das, the department had, in a hurry, dug fields to justify the construction of canals.

More than Rs 20 crore has been allotted for the construction of 322.57 km of canals till now and the department is of the view that 35.71 hectares will be irrigated.

S Chamoli, Congress leader from Thatyur, has alleged that the important criteria of forming a water-users association has not been adhered to. In addition, the cement provided for the canal is being used for some other purpose in connivance with the gram pradhans.

State Congress secretary Manmohan Singh Mall has alleged that the irregularities in the works being carried out by the department in Thatyur block are visible to the naked eye, but ministers are looking the other way.

He also alleged that some ministers were seeking commissions from these officials and hence no action was being initiated against them.

At some places, the canals were present only on paper and not in reality, alleged Mall. He stated that an on-the-site investigation would expose the scale of the scam.

Mahendar Bhatt, Vice-President, Rajya Stariya Laghu Sinchaee Anusarvan Samiti, refuted the claims and said that the government was aware of the discrepancies and was acting on the complaints.

He had visited 18 blocks and a detailed report was being made. He added that his recent visit to Thatyur block was in this context.

According to SP Bhaskar, AE, MI Department, the department has done a lot of work in ‘D’ block. He said that 264 projects have been completed this year in Tehri district with a spending of Rs 66 crore from an estimate of Rs 81 crore.

Tehri DM Sachin Kurve said a joint investigation, headed by the DDO and tehsildar, had been ordered in this regard.

State minister Khajan Das also said an inquiry had been set up at the highest level and the guilty would not be spared.

Uttarakhand Parliamentary Secretary Chandan Ram Das on his visit to Mussoorie recently had said the government had formed a new policy after the surfacing of such irregularities.

He said instead of providing funds to water-users associations, all canals would be constructed through the tenders process now. All departments have been directed to follow this process after finding the source for the water.

Dehradun, May 8
Graphic Era University held a national-level seminar on “Power of Algorithms” for students of Computer Application Department at their college here today. Present at the seminar were renowned computer experts from all over India.

The seminar began with an auspicious ceremony of lighting the lamp by chief guest Dr Ashok Kumar Dubey, Director, Wadia Institute. Kamal Ghanshala, Chairman of the university, Dr KP Nautiyal, Pro-Chancellor, and Dr DP Giridhar, Vice-Chancellor of the institute, chaired the seminar.

Durgesh Pant, Professor of Kumaon University, shared his expertise on the development of algorithms and the characteristics of efficient algorithms. Dr Suresh Chandra, former Professor of Pantnagar University, Dr Anurag Awasthi, CEO, Camp Corp, Dr RK Sharma, Thapar University, Patiala, Dr SP Kulshreshtha, Technical Director, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Dr M Mohan, scientist, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) and Dr Harish Kumar, scientist, Forest Research Institute (FRI) were eminent speakers who rendered technical as well as methodological information to students at the seminar.

Prof Sushil Dimri, convener of the seminar, thanked the speakers and guests at the seminar. Prof Dr Rakesh Sharma, Dean, Engineering, Dr VK Srivastava, Dean, Computer Application, Prof Anil Kumar Baliga, other heads of the departments and faculty members were present at the seminar.

Dehradun, May 8
Poly Kids School celebrated Mother’s Day in a special way by giving information to mothers on nutritious diet.

The school tied up with ABBOTT Nutrition, world leaders in nutrition, at its three branches in Shahastdhara, Vasant Vihar and Dalanwala.

Mitu Rastogi, a dietician, was at hand to take up queries of parents and discuss diet plans according to height and weight, which the children could follow.

On the occasion, children give greeting cards to their mothers.

Those present on the occasion were Chairman Capt Mukul Mahendru, Directors Ranjana Mahendru and Nandita Singh.

Roorkee, May 8
The College of Engineering, Roorkee (COER) celebrated its seventh convocation today with noted educationists, eminent personalities and office-bearers of renowned educational institutions of the state taking part.

The chief guest of the function Prasada Rao, CMD, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, congratulated the degree recipients and award winners and guided the youngsters to take forward the education they had received to make their family, institution, state and nation proud.

Prasada shed light on the role of PSUs in nation building as an example to the students informing that PSUs in India contributed to the 11 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. He said Navratna accorded BHEL got the title due to its technical calibre, managerial excellence, organisation ethics and transparency of the management.

While Chairman, COER, JC Jain stated the commitment of COER fraternity in nurturing student-teacher bonding and academic excellence and highlighted that 168 COER students got through in global IT giant INFOSYS through campus placement which he owed to hard work of students and teachers only.

The entire function saw the traditional colours of the convocation ceremony with in all 412 students were awarded B Tech degrees in five streams of engineering and technology along with 59 MCAs and 60 MBA degrees each of 2006-07 batches. Along the sidelines a convocation bulletin and house journal ‘Mucur’ was also released.

The coveted Seth Roshan Lal Jain Trophy was also handed over to the winners by CMD Prasada Rao which included Surbhi Jain (B Tech), Neha Singhal (MBA), Priyanka Arora (MCA) in addition to seven gold and silver medals among 14 students.

Among the dignitaries that attended the convocation included Prof DS Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Technical University, Professor Kripa Shankar, Vice-Chancellor, Uttar Pradesh Technical Univeristy, GM HEEP DK Mody, GM CFFP Arun Singhal, Shreyance Jain, Subash Jain and Dr Gopal Ranjan, along with several other educational field-related personalities.

Dehradun, May 8
The Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR) has finalised the dates and the centres of its entrance examination. The management board has decided to conduct the first phase of the entrance examinations for the admissions in the academy on May 16 at Srinagar, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Saharanpur followed by the second phase of examination on May 21 at Nazibabad, Tanakpur, Almora, Champawat. The last phase of the exam will be conducted on May 25 at Dehradun.

While informing the media Hemant Kocchar, Director of the institute, said Shri Guru Ram Rai Public School and other public schools would be the centres for the examinations. For further queries applicants could visit the official website of the institute at www. Maharedu.com.

He also asserted that the aspirants would be given certification from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), AHLEI (American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, USA) and the City and Guilds of London for their respective courses.

Dehradun, May 8
Host St Thomas’ College-A had double delight as it claimed the title of the Gardner Premier League Inter-School Indoor Cricket in both, boys and girls sections, here today.

The winning team of the Indoor Cricket Tournament receive the trophy in Dehradun on Saturday and (right) the women’s winning team get the trophy. Tribune photographs

Dehradun, May 8
Saurabh Tiwary who shot to fame in the third edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) today disappointed his eager fans who had gathered on the Ranger’s College Ground to get a glimpse of the star.

Tiwary, a left-handed middle order batsman, played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

He had come with the Jharkhand team to Dehradun, but didn’t play in the All-India Gold Cup Cricket Tournament. The organisers cited the reason as his being unfit. However, sources revealed he had a contract with some association, which didsn’t allow him to play in other tournament at present.

Fans about hundred in number gathered at the pavilion where Tiwary was sitting, crossing the whole ground to get his glimpse as the first innings got over.

To the dismay of his fans, Tiwary covered his face with a towel avoiding to be clicked by the mobile phones of his fans. He even hesitated to wave to the fans when they requested him.

He also came as a surprise to the newsmen when he refused to give them any interview.

“It seems he couldn’t digest the IPL success,” quipped a journalist.

Dehradun, May 8
As many as 16 volleyball teams while 14 kabaddi teams are participating in the two-day National Volleyball and Kabaddi Competition being organised by Krida Bharti here at Jaspal Rana Shooting Academy.

On the inaugural day, Graphic Era, Dehradun, faced BPEd College Pondha. National convener Lakshman Rav addressed the gathering on the inaugural day of the championship and said to promote the games of Indian origin, including kabaddi, kho-kho and archery, the Krida Bharti was doing its efforts.

National kabaddi player Ranvir Singh Tomar, state Volleyball Election Committee president Arun Sood, Jila Panchyat member Yudveer Singh Tomar and other known sports personalities were present at the venue. 

Dehradun, May 8
Welham Boys School bagged the most of the medals on the first day of the 6th All-India Roller Skating Competition that commenced today in Dehradun.

In under-4 girls’ category, Sanya Sehgal won the gold medal. Ishaan won gold medal in under-6 boys’ category.

Aditya also won gold medal in the 10-17 age group. Keshav and Sagar got silver and bronze medal respectively.

In 10-12 boys age group, Haider and Yash got gold and silver medal respectively.

Mohit, Rahul and Aman also got first, second and third position respectively in under-14 boys section.