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Haridwar Panchayat Polls
State Budget Session
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Enumeration of houseless population in Doon to be carried on February 28 night
Champawat gets its first SDM
Number portability fuels competition among cell phone Cos.
Human Rights assn to look into irregularities in pension disbursal
Village youths return from all-India trip
Clear self-employment applications by March 10, says DM
Fata Singoli Bhatwadi Hydro-Power Project discussed
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Haridwar Panchayat Polls
Haridwar, February 24 Announcement of result for the seven seats was left in the 42-member zila panchayat with same number left in the BDC electoral, while all gram pradhan results were declared. Till date both the Congress and the BJP have gained as per the winning candidates supported by them, it is surprising that the local bigwig BSP has not been able to convince the voters, as its candidates have been suffering major defeat in the electoral fray. The BJP, too, has fared poorly in the rural areas for the village pradhan and gram panchayat member seats, particularly in Roorkee, Lakshar and Narsain belt. The Congress workers are happy with the mixed results. Local parliamentarian Harish Rawat is particularly happy with the mixed results, as he has a major role in the district politics. Since his record win in 2009 Parliamentary elections, the Congress has been making its foothold in the district politics. While in the urban belt, the BJP has faired better. It is in the rural areas where the party suffered a major bolt, particularly a set back to the Mission 2012 as proclaimed by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. Though the BSP has been claiming that their supported candidates would be elected as the zila panchayat chairperson once again owing to support from the independent candidates, this was hoped by party in charge for political affairs in the state Meghraj. Winners of the zila pancahayat ward members are Jai Bhagwan (Sohalpur Sikrauda), Snehlata (Gadh), Sharmor Singh (Irabhimpur Masahi), Khusnuda (Khelpur Nasrulapur), Subodh Rakesh (Sherchandi), Siyavati (Manakpur Adampur), Usha (Bhagwanpur), Vijay Pal (Akbar Pur Kalso), Saeeda (Piran Kaliyar), Anjum (Majri Gummaval), Julfana (Rampur), Kamar Alam (Kishanpur Jamalpur), Kusum (Harjoli Jhonjha), Abdul Gaffar (Paeli Gujjar), Rakesh (Sunehra), Bharti (Brahampur Shankarpuri), Murslein (Mirzapur Mubad) Barkati (Nagla Imarti), Amroj (Mohanpura Mohammadpur), Sushma (Kuredi), Taravati (Kotwal Alampur), Raj Kumar (Narsain Khurd), Meenakshi (Mundlana), Kavita (Badpur Jat), Sabnoor (Bhagwanpur Chandanpur), Jitendra (Bhikampur Jeetpur), Tahir Hasan (Sultanpur), Sawita (Khadanjakutubpur), Dharampal (Akoda Mukaratpur), Aabir (Athailbujurg), Babita Rani (Dargahpur), Pappu Singh (Prahaladpur) and Devyani Singh (Dallawala). |
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State Budget Session
Dehradun, February 24 Addressing a press conference here, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal President Trivendra Singh Panwar said the protest was aimed at highlighting the anti-people policies of the state BJP government. He demanded a CBI probe into all the irregularities allegedly committed by
the government. The UKD leader categorically held that his party would strongly oppose any move to make the Bhagirathi valley a eco-sensitive zone. “We will not accept this eco-sensitive zone as this will affect the development of the region,” Trivendra Panwar
pointed out. Panwar said that the UKD will begin its ‘padyatra’ programme from March 25 that will cover all important religious places of Uttarakhand and culminate on April 10 at Gairsen. He said that the party was still stuck to its stand of
permanent capital status for Gairsen. He suggested giving preference to those persons during recruitment who have knowledge of local dialects. The UKD leader said that knowledge of Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari should be made mandatory for class III and IV jobs. He also raised the issue of stringent forest laws asserting that these were affecting development in the
hill areas. Responding to queries, Trivendra Panwar sought prompt relief to the disaster-affected people of the state. Employment to BEd and BPEd-trained teachers should also be given at the earliest, he said. |
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Cong councillors stage protest before DM’s office
Dehradun, February 24 Ashok Verma, Leader of the Opposition, told the DM that many a time they had asked the corporation board to provide the ownership to the residents of the slum areas, but no action had been taken so far. Other than this, he stated that the DPR prepared by the JNNURM and the ADB under Uttarakhand Government was incomplete and no advice had been taken from the public representative. The officials were themselves preparing it and, due to this, many schemes were missing from the files. Verma further said the administration should provide some relief to the shopkeepers in some way before their shops were razed for the widening of the roads. He said the embankment made around Rispana and Bandal rivers had been damaged due to the incessant rains last year and needed to be reconstructed before monsoon or else it could create trouble for people. All the members were of the view that the procedure of identifying should be made easier and a committee constituted that could look after the matter for solving the stagnation of water before the rains. The DM assured them that he would send the memorandum to the Chief Minister today itself. |
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Enumeration of houseless population in Doon to be carried on February 28 night
Dehradun, February 24 To avoid any controversy, only male enumerators would be visiting places in the night, but the supervisors needed to be guided about the particular enumerator. Sharma further stated that around 70 per cent of the Census work had been completed in the first 12 days of the second phase of the Census procedure in the DMC. The officials from the Census Department said around 900 enumerators and 200 supervisors had been deployed for conducting Census work in the DMC. “We have been told by our enumerators and supervisors that some of the elite class people are not providing Census-related information to them making things difficult for them,” the sources affirmed. When asked about the same, Sharma mentioned, "The Census Act says that we can lodge an FIR against the person who fails to provide the information related to the Census”. |
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Champawat gets its first SDM
Pithoragarh, February 24 “But the main promises made by the CM on that day are yet to be fulfilled,” said Dinesh Pandey, a social worker in the district. “The Champawat district is facing problems in every sphere of daily life be it medical facilities, education or road connectivity,” said Pandey. “The main problem in Champawat is of medical facilities. Out of 60 posts of doctor in the district, only 20 have been filled. As a result, a large number of villages, especially in parts from Chalthi to Amori, in Champawat and interior parts of Barakot, Pati, Devidhura and Lohaghat do not have proper health services,” said Vipin Joshi, a former village pradhan of Chalthi. “Most primary health centres are either being run by pharmacists or class IV employees,” added Joshi. Champawat Deputy Chief Medical Officer accepted that there was an acute shortage of the doctors in the district. “Out of the 20 doctors deputed to the district, two-thirds are in hospitals of Tanakpur and Lohaghat. More than 15 primary health centres are out of sufficient medical staff in the district,” said Dr RK Joshi, Deputy CMO, Champawat. There is no lady medical officer in district headquarters. Champawat is also way behind in road connectivity to remote areas. The long overdue 40-km-long motor road from Sukhidhank to Menar at the Nainital border, inaugurated by former Uttarakhand Chief Minister ND Tiwari, is still awaiting clearance. “Also, people living close to the Nepal border in the Tamli and Talladesh belt have to travel 40 km on foot to reach the district headquarters,” added Pandey. |
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Number portability fuels competition among cell phone Cos.
Dehradun, February 24 The BSNL claims to be maintaining a status quo, while Airtel has been honest enough to admit to lagging behind at number three. Vodafone and Idea are at the number one and two slots, respectively, at the moment. General Manager of the BSNL Baljraj said the BSNL lost almost 1,000 customers in the city and was joined by equal number of subscribers from other cellular companies. “We have been able to maintain a good show by maintaining an equilibrium of strength of our customers. The reason why we have been able to hold on to our customers is the lowest rate of our cellular services, which come with multiple other benefits such as the ‘Fibre to Home’ facility,” he said. Instead of having any insecurity due to increased competition, he rather thanked the authorities concerned for the introduction of the MNP. “The BSNL always had a raw deal due to its poor marketing strategies despite being front runner in providing better deals to its customers. With the launch of the MNP, we can always benefit from the marketing exercises of our competitors. “When they publicise about various schemes of their services, the customers get awakened and come to us to enquire about our services. So, for us, the PNB is a blessing in disguise”. Chander Shekhar, Customer Head of Airtel, was candid in his admission
of losing in the MNP competition. He said: “We lost quite a chunk, basically due to the network problem. The other area, which needs immediate attention to arrest the alienation, is to open more of our outlets in the city to provide improved facility to our customers so that they are able to approach us easily for their queries and
bill payment. “The need is felt more so because many of our outlets such as those on the Chakrata Road and the Rajpur Road closed down due to expiry of our lease contracts”. The punch line of Idea, “What an idea sirji”, is what the employees of Idea must be gushing about, as the MNP has suited them so well. Manisha, a customer care executive, confirmed that they had got an unprecedented number of queries and visitors each day since the launch of the MNP. “Idea has been able to market its product and because of excellent services through slick marketing we are doing much better than we did before the MNP was launched,” she said. |
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Gorakhpur handicrafts luring people with natural craft, uniqueness
Haridwar, February 24 So while on the one hand beautiful handmade decors, bags, terracotta items are catching people’s eye, on the other world-famous Benarasi sari stall is one of the most sought after. Being held with the support of the Mahila Sikshan and Prasikshan Kendra, under the aegis of the AHVI scheme, from jute craft, patch work, embroidery, jewellery, stone jewellery to hand-woven clothes, there is much to be seen, admired and, of course, bought. From day one there is a huge rush at the venue where, apart from local residents, tourists and pilgrims too are coming in as they get to know of the exhibition-cum-sale, buying as per their choice a wide array of craft items on display. Even local legislator and Uttarakhand state Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik appreciated the art of these craftsmen assuring them of possible help from the local government to promote the diminishing art of handicrafts in the state. "This is the real India where we have at low prices high-quality hand-made items. Handicraft needs to be promoted by both the government and the people, as apart from funding, they need a market too," remarked Kaushik while viewing the exhibition. But making these handicrafts by bringing in craft artists from varied places wasn't easy for chief convenor Sunaina Singh, who, despite her deteriorating health, is quite optimistic about this losing art. Sunaina, who hails from Gorakhpur and is well versed in this craft for past four decades, points out that in Haridwar they have been getting an overwhelming response which is not so in many other cities owing to younger generation moving towards mechanised items. She adds, "Haridwar is one of the cities of this northern region where we are getting an overwhelming response from both admirers as well as buyers, which is a good sign for the artists involved in this trade. There is a keen interest on buying jute items, terracota and world-famous Benarasi saris each made with minute details and precision". The other reason that has upped the sale of the jute items may also be attributed to the ban on the sale-usage of polythene material. This has made people rely on jute bags which are quite eco friendly as well as trendy, apart from having a longer shelf life. Municipal Committee Chairman Kamal Johra relates this as a good sign as now people and traders will not have an excuse that there are not many viable options for polythene. While localites, particularly women, seem to be quite busy buying varied items on display, some were also seen seeking some tips from the craftsmen. Pooja Kala, a newly wed, who, along with her husband, was on a visit to the city at the exhibition was all praise for the artists. "Polythene bags are also banned in my native district Pauri Garhwal, so I am buying a dozen jute bags to make sure no one uses polythene bags, at least in my family," said Pooja at the exhibition which will be on till February 28 till 8 pm. |
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District Bar Association elections held
Dehradun, February 24 Gurung said there were 2,200 voters registered. “We are expecting 1,800 votes, which will be a very good number. There is excitement among the voters and advocates of all age groups are coming to vote,” he said. The voting centre remained crowded since morning. Excited supporters of contesting candidates made a long queue outside the centre to woo the voters. There are four categories of executive council members, including 10 plus, seven plus, five plus and three plus. Eleven members will be elected for executive council, including president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary. Four candidates each for the post of the president and the vice-president are in the fray. Three candidates are contesting election for the post of secretary and 10 candidates for the post of joint secretary. Two candidates are fighting for the post of Auditor and three candidates are in the electoral race for the post of Librarian. “The Bar Association election here has held importance since the time of Uttar Pradesh. The Bar Association has a social responsibility. It has always helped the poor and the needy and has always came forward to contribute in the social causes,” said former Transport Minister and senior Congress leader Hira Singh Bisht, who also cast his vote. |
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Human Rights assn to look into irregularities in pension disbursal
Haridwar, February 24 In a meeting held at the association office in Ranipur, the executive members have decided to raise the issue with the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Development Officer and District Magistrate R Meenakshi Sundaram in this regard. Presiding over the meeting, Rana Ranbir Singh said pension cheques due to the elderly, physically challenged and widows were not equally distributed. In many cases, the amount was being given to the non-eligible persons due to mass corruption in the allocation process. Organisation secretary Uday Ram Semwal informed that soon the association members would be meeting the district officers and would apprise them of the mass irregularities in the allocation of the pension cheques that were affecting the needy people. Semwal also urged the affected people to contact helpline association, which had been formed to protect the rights of the suppressed people. Gobind Aggarwal, Khem Chand Thakur, Harjit Singh and Dhruv Singh Aswal were present on
the occasion. |
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Village youths return from all-India trip
Pithoragarh, February 24 “This is a part of our public awakening programme, under which the youth between 18 and 25 years are acquainted with the mainstream of the nation,” said Bharat Singh Tolia, Commandant of the force. Tolia said, “The force had also organised a five-day public awareness campaign in the Gothi camp between February 8 and 12, during which people living in the villages on the Indo-Nepal border were introduced to the progress made by the
country in various sectors, its varied culture and uniting factors”. “The SSB is also trying to improve the living standards of the people living in the border villages by developing various skills in them and providing them opportunities to begin small-scale industries at the village level,” said the Commandant. |
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Dolphin institute celebrates annual day
Dehradun, February 24 A large number of students are participating in the cultural and sports activities. Apart from indoor and outdoor activities, students are also participating in poster competition, flower decoration, rangoli, dance, music, collage making, antakshri and many more. Earlier this week, the institute had played host to renowned Bharatnatyam dancer, Padma Shri Saroja Vaidyanathan who had mesmerized the students and faculty with her scintillating performance.The sports field too witnessed power-packed performances in football, kho-kho, discus throw and badminton. |
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Clear self-employment applications by March 10, says DM
Dehradun, February 24 Chauhan apprised him that the bank's target was to cover 60 persons under the Vehicle Providing and Non-providing Scheme. He added that they had sanctioned 20 beneficiaries for providing vehicles and two without it. He further stated that they had asked for a subsidy of Rs 50 lakh for this scheme. |
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Fata Singoli Bhatwadi Hydro-Power Project discussed
Dehradun, February 24 The speakers at the meeting alleged that the tunnels of the hydro projects were adversely affecting the eco system of the hills. They said large-scale blasting was taking place in the hills.
— TNS |
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