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India can become global power house: Ratan Tata
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BJP, Oppn slug it out over Gaula bridge
No allotment of space for hoardings in my term: Mayor
Blame game on in GMVN over missing file
Controversial order taken back by Army CSD hailed
Railways drive against encroachments goes full steam
Guv flags off relief material
Founder’s day of Sri Sai Devsthanam
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India can become global power house: Ratan Tata
Dehradun, November 15 “When there is a talk of negative growth in the Western world, India and China stand as examples of positive growth. As compared to China, we have a young population. While China is ageing by 2030, India will have a largest working population becoming a factory to the world,” emphasised Tata in his address, “India in the 21st Century: Opportunities and Challenges”, delivered as part of a State Foundation Day Lecture series at the AM Ghosh Auditorium. Adding a cautionary note, he said the challenges before India’s newfound prosperity were tremendous. “It is up to us how we handle prosperity. Do we as a nation wither away and spoil our chances by ruining our land, polluting our air or learning lessons from the Western world and focusing on sustainable development to become a global power house, showing the way to the world as well as our future generations,” the Chairman of Tata Group said. Making a strong plea for a value system that encourages merit and punishes the corrupt, Tata said: “India can be developed into a power house. We need to develop a value system that spreads across. Meritocracy gets subordinated by favouritism and it has become more obvious now as those deemed to be guilty are not punished. The givers of bribes suddenly vanish in the thin air, possibly they are politically influential and thrive on connections. We need to develop an image that is clean and efficient, where merit and equality count”. Delving on the issue of land acquisition that the Tata group confronted in West Bengal, he said land acquisition continued to pose a problem and we needed to strike a fine balance “not rape our natural resources for industrial development and act in a manner which is not over exploitative of at the same time developing our country side so that growth is equitable and the villages too contribute in the nations gross domestic production (GDP)”. Insurgency too concerned Ratan Tata. “Constant neglect can grow as a cancer. We need to consider their needs. Even instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan can cast shadows on India’s growth,” he stressed. Earlier, Governor Margaret Alva said despite the state achieving a high rate of growth, the benefits had not been equitable. “It has not reached the ones, who needed it the most. Hence, the challenge is not only to accelerate the growth but also ensure that its benefits reach the last man,” she said. Reports of villages being deserted are increasing each day and to provide doctors in remote hills continues to pose a challenge. “What was expected to be a surplus power state is today a deficit state,” she added. Earlier, welcoming Ratan Tata, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said the nascent state had achieved 9.4 per cent growth in the shortest possible time. |
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‘Nano to stay put in Uttarakhand’
Dehradun, November 15 “We are not thinking of eventually closing down the unit at Pantnagar. We will stay put, but our decision to expand and other business interests will certainly be held back due to the ending of the Central industrial package in the state,” he said In fact, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank urged Ratan Tata to extend help in making Uttarakhand an automobile hub. “The state can become a biggest hub for automobiles in the world. Ashok Leyland is already here so is Tata,” said Dr Nishank. How much Tata and Nano mean to Uttarakhand and the country at large was also highlighted by Governor Margaret Alva in her speech who said Tata and Nano had become synonymous with the aam admi. Going a step further, the suave Chief Minister even extended an offer to the Tata Group Chairman to stay in Uttarakhand after retirement. “We will be happy to have him here and mentor Uttarakhand,” said the
Chief Minister. On the other hand, Ratan Tata said he was floored by the Chief Minister’s persuasiveness. The Chief Minister not only managed to track him down, but also made him come to Uttarakhand to deliver a lecture which he avoided normally. “Once the Chief Minister began talking, I knew I would lose hands down and would not be able to wriggle out of the situation,” Ratan Tata said. He also did not fail to take note of former Chief Minister ND Tiwari, who was sitting in the front row, and remembered him as a friend of his father and whom he was meeting after 30 long years. It was during the regime of Tiwari that Tata and other companies first set foot
in Uttarakhand. |
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BJP, Oppn slug it out over Gaula bridge
Nainital, November 15 The most contentious issue that has emerged over the past few days is the construction of a bridge across the Gaula river. Agitated over the delay in the execution of the ambitious project that got devastated in the calamity unleashed by the rains in September, the people of the Gaula Par region have launched a massive protest that has been marked by a continuing dharna by activists of the Aapda Prabhavit Jan Sangharsh Samiti. Supported by the Opposition parties, including the Congress, the issue has snowballed into a political fight between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with both sides resorting to effigy burning over the issue. The agitation got fuelled when Cabinet minister Bansidhar Bhagat recently accused the Congress and agitators of misguiding people while claiming that work on the project is being carried out effectively. The Gaula Par area has been one of the worst affected places in the recent rain-related disaster. Known for its quality agricultural produce, farmers of the region suffered heavy losses for several days as they were unable to transport the produce
to the Haldwani wholesale market. Besides the loss in agriculture, the people are also peeved over the delay in other relief works. Meanwhile, in other localities like Judge Farm, areas around the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and CMT Colony, the people are facing an acute shortage of water supplies. This has resulted from the burning down of a motor and the people are being subjected to hardships as there is no alternative arrangement. Even inside the town residents of areas around Malli Bamori and Do Nahariya are pevved over the delay in the project aimed at strengthening the embankments of a canal and covering it. The work on the project is taking very long and causing hardships to the residents. Driving to their residences has become a nightmare for the people residing in the area as the entire route is full of slush. The people are agitated over the fact that despite a visit by Kumaon Commissioner Kunal Sharma and his giving instructions for early execution of the projects, the officials continue to take their own time. |
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Govt to work for all-round development of state, says Chief Minister
Dehradun, November 15 At a function held at the Pavilion Ground, Dehradun, Nishank reiterated his government’s commitment to work for all-round development of Uttarakhand. He said the detailed project report of the Jamrani Bandh project lying pending for the past 35 years had been approved. He said the project would ensure, for the state, a 30-MW power apart and provide potable water facility in the Dehradun region. Nishank said the state was witnessing an all-round development and industrialists like Ratan Tata had shown their inclination to assist the development in the state. The Chief Minister also handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to Major Anuj Singh, who was recently awarded Shaurya Chakra. An additional Rs 50,000 was provided to his wife Vani Singh. Apart from this, Artee Gurung, widow of Martyr Rifleman Pankaj Gurung, Deepa Joshi, widow of martyr Sapper Rajesh Kumar Joshi, and Suman Gurung, widow of martyr Lance Naik Rohit Gurung, were also provided with housing assistance of Rs 1 lakh each. The Chief Minister also handed over health cards to a number of state government employees. He also inaugurated the Excise Department’s web portal at the function. Uttarakhand Irrigation Minister Matbar Singh Kandari, Agriculture Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and other senior government officials were present on
the occasion. |
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No allotment of space for hoardings in my term: Mayor
Dehradun, November 15 He also met members of the Advertising Association who wanted him to stop the process of auctioning for the site. The Nigam had earlier this year floated tenders for advertisements, which were not accepted by the association and had created hype over it. The members had said they were ready to cooperate with him in removing the illegal hoardings, but he should see that the process of auction was stopped. “We are ready to cooperate with you, if we go for the tender you would not be able to do anything for yourself or us,” said one of the members. Sources said the members of the association had decided to talk to the Mayor as they felt that approaching the court was not the perfect idea. They had, recently, submitted their plea in the court regarding the stay for removal of hoardings under the drive carried out by the cooperation. Though the court had stayed the drive for sometime they, later, gave its decision favouring the cooperation and stating that all hoardings, put after March 31, 2010, were illegal as they were never permitted nor they had approached the Nigam for permission. After the judgement the Mayor had asked his officials to carry out the removal of the hoardings that had started on the weekend. The association also said they would help the Nigam in removing the illegal hoardings. “We will remove all illegal hoardings within the next three days,” they added. The Mayor had told them that allotting the space for hoardings was in the hands of the Nigam and that he would later on decide the places to be auctioned. But regarding the allotment through tenders was not in his hands. “Floating tender is government’s decision and I have nothing to do with it as the procurement policy is in hands of administration,” he maintained. He also told the members that they had found 44 illegal hoardings all over the city and asked them to remove the hoardings put up at the CMI, Aara Garh, Lall Pur and Dila Ram Chowk. “After three days, my team would be inspecting the spot only then, we would decide what action will be taken,” Chamoli said. He said people were opting for various methods for publicising their products, but the MC was not getting any revenue out of it due to which they were facing a heavy loss. Meanwhile, the team carried out a drive to remove flags at the Chakrota Road and the Clock Tower. |
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Blame game on in GMVN over missing file
Dehradun, November 15 The matter was brought to the notice of General Manager UC Kabadwal by company secretary on Saturday. It was also found out that the file was sent by DL Joshiyal, senior administrative officer, before he retired last December to Assistant General Manger DS Pawar. Pawar on his part refused to have ever received this file. In the explanation given by Joshiyal, he admitted that he informed Pawar about the file verbally and not took his signature, a mandatory procedure followed while exchanging the files. Pawar shrugged off saying that Joshiala never sent him any file and he was just fabricating story to save his skin. Since the issue has sprung up all of a sudden, Kabadwal held Joshiyal responsible for the blunder and asked the company secretary to tighten the noose on him. Joshiyal too has been having a sullied background which is why his words are taken with suspicion. He is one officer who remained suspended for 12 years before being taken back in the GMVN. It will be difficult to nail him after retirement, but, according to Kabadwal, once the blame game stops at Joshiyal, the other officers in the GMVN will not face the music for no fault of theirs. It is shocking that the department does not have any document pertaining to the alleged fraud. The matter seemed to have died down with the file gone missing, but now it has been revived at the behest of the Managing Director as the sword from the Lok Ayukta is still dangling on the GMVN. Kabadwal also sent strict directions to not move any file verbally. |
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Controversial order taken back by Army CSD hailed
Dehradun, November 15 The Personal Below Officers Rank (PBOR) Association had also filed a writ against the reduction of entitlement and lowering of ranks in the Nainital High court against the previous order. This new turnaround has been hailed by one and all. Col Ravi Bedi (retd) said, “It was widely reported by many Honorary Naik/Subedars, Lt and Hony Captains all over India that their monthly liquor quota and grocery purchasing amount limit has been lowerd by one step, which means a Hony Naik/Subedar has been brought down at par with Havildar, as per OR Band and Sepoy to Havildar so he can purchase Canteen Grocery items worth Rs 3,500 only and not Rs 5,000 pm as a JCO. His liquor quota was also reduced by two bottles per month. This indeed did not go down well and the Defence Ministry was inundated with letters from affected personnel urging it to take back the aforesaid order, which ultimately it did. The new directive is a good news for all of us”. Shamsher Singh, president of PBOR Association, also welcomed the order saying, “The changes made in the rank structure in circular of July 7 was highly unfortunate as it had disheartened those jawans who rose up to honorary rank by the dint of their exemplary services and loyalty. Due to this, we had to approach the Nainital High Court. Even though we welcome this new change, we will not take back the legal case against the earlier order”. Hony Capt Ramesh Rawat (retd), who expressed pain in unequivocal terms on being called as “lower rank”, said he did not serve the nation for more than three decades and fought four wars to get this maltreatment after retirement. He expressed relief that the new order restored their ranks and entitlement as they were before. Gen RS Tragi (retd), former president of the Uttarakhand Ex-Services League, cautioned ex-Army personnel not to misuse their canteen entitlement saying, “It is found that canteen facilities had been grossly misused by people associated with the Army as they tended to buy entitlements not only for their families, but relatives and friends too. The system, which is unduly explained, is bound to derail one day or the other. Therefore, we all need to exercise balance while purchasing goods from the canteen”. Brig HS Brar, Deputy Director General, Canteen Services, had released the previous circular on July 7, 2010. Brar said the policy for introduction of the Canteen Management System was promulgated dated January 30, 2006, and a need had been felt to update the policy on certain issues due to observation/experiences over a period of time. “The service and other related details of an individual holding canteen smart card are imprinted on the visual zone of the card as well as reside in the chip implanted on it. As per the present policy, the rights to change the rank of an individual, in the chip of his card are given to the management of the canteen. However, it has been learnt that this right provided for unhindered change of rank to the canteen authorities has been misused by certain functionaries at the lower level. It resulted in large withdrawal of unauthorised entitlements, especially liquor, by changing the actual lower to higher rank and reverting to the original lower rank after the withdrawal,” he said in the previous circular. But now given to the protest, things have gone back to the prior status, but then Army personnel of all ranks need to learn a lesson from this episode that they should not abuse the facilities extended to them by the government of India. |
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Railways drive against encroachments goes full steam
Haldwani, November 15 In the latest instance, personnel of the Railways had to face the ire of a group of traders on the Gaula road in Lal Kuan on Thursday where a contingent had gone to take stock of the land on which there is an encroachment. Just as the officials started taking measurements, a group of traders said to be running their businesses from the encroached land gathered there and started raising slogans against Railways personnel. Soon there was a heated exchange of words leading to businessmen allegedly manhandling the Railways personnel. The half a dozen odd Railways personnel were no match to the large number of businessmen who had gathered at the spot and had to be eventually withdrawn from the spot. The Railways officials say that the businessmen have been trying to prevent them from executing their duties, while the businessmen have charged the Railways of harassing them despite having clearly earmarked their land previously. Over the past several months, the Railways personnel have been facing problems whenever they have tried to get the precious land belonging to the institution evicted. Some weeks back a team of personnel faced a tough time while they had gone to take stock of their encroached land along the railway tracks in Haldwani. The Railways officials say that development projects proposed by the Indian Railways for the Kumaon region are facing a roadblock in the form of a large-scale encroachment of land belonging to the institution. Official estimates convey that almost 1.4 lakh square metre of land belonging to the Indian Railways is presently under encroachment in the zone between Kathgodam and Lal Kuan alone which needs to be restored to its owners. A large number of unauthorised, illegal settlements have come up on this land. According to the Railways officials, the Uttarakhand High Court had previously given a ruling in favour of removal of the encroachments, but the occupants got a stay from the Supreme Court which in its order said the encroachments were to be removed by following the due procedure. Officials point out that the due procedure is not an easy thing to do. The occupants would not allow personnel of the Railways to go to their respective illegal colonies without the police protection to measure the extent of the encroachment so that due notice can be served to them and they be evicted. They would instead thwart any such attempt by even using force. The officials say that it is a matter of political will. During the recent inspections of the Haldwani, Kathgodam and Lal Kuan junction, besides the other land belonging to the Railways, the Division officers have been dismayed at finding the large scale encroachments and have called for said their removal at the earliest. The officials have expressed surprise at the move of the administration to build roads leading to the illegal colonies that have come up on the Railways land. The officials have been underlining that it is not possible to remove these encroachments without the help of the state government. The Railways plan to set up a multi-facility centre at Haldwani which is not becoming a reality because of paucity of land available. At present, the Railways are sandwiched between the Gaula river on one side and the Nainital highway on the other. |
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British barn owl rescued by ONGC employees
Dehradun, November 15 Seeing the pitiable condition of the owl, a few of the ONGC employees mustered courage to shoo away the crows and put the injured owl in a confinement. They subsequently informed the Dehradun Forest Authorities about the owl. “It took us almost an hour to save the owl from the crows. We provided water to the owl while keeping it at a safe distance from the crows,” Praveen Sabarwal, Assistant Foreman of the Electrical Works, ONGC, pointed out. The authorities who captured the owl took the bird to the Malsi Deer Park on the outskirts
of Dehradun. |
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Guv flags off relief material
Dehradun, November 15 The Governor, on the occasion, hoped that more aid would be provided to the disaster-affected victims in hill areas of Uttarakhand by the society. She also expressed her gratitude to other organisations for coming forward to assist the victims. Ranjit Singh Verma, Chairman of the society, was
also present. |
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Founder’s day of Sri Sai Devsthanam
Dehradun November 15 The three-day-long celebrations will be in the memory of it’s founder president Usha Bhalla who had installed the magnanimous statue of Sri Sai Baba in the temple premises. The annual celebrations, on the opening day, will include a reading of the Sai Satcharitra by devotees. The programmes of Sai Baba’s holy bath, palaki ceremony, bhajan sandhya by Saxena Bandhu, Deepak Kumar and other renowned singers from Delhi will follow on November 17 and 18 on the temple premises. |
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