Dehradun, May 10
Owing to a lack of adequate security at water spots in the state capital and its vicinity, there has been a spurt in anti-social activities at these spots this summer season too.

Although the police claims to have made security arrangements at water spots, there has been no substantial change in the situation yet, discouraging tourists from visiting these places.

Male members of two families were beaten up at Robbers’ Cave after they confronted the men who were clicking pictures of their wives while they were changing their clothes. Delhi-based software businessman Anil Kumar and his friend Rakesh Singhal, along with their families, had come to Mussoorie for sightseeing on Monday. While returning to Delhi, they stopped over at Robbers’ Cave to enjoy for a while in water.

But, the families didn’t know that they would have a harrowing experience here. In the cave, when the women members of both the families were changing, they spotted two or three men above the cave making their videos and clicking pictures.

They came back running to their husbands. Their husbands caught hold of the men. However they called a few of their friends and beat up the tourists from Delhi. They ran for their lives and left the place in their cars.

They also tried the police control room number (100) but it didn’t work due to bad network. They then spotted the police on the Cantt Road and informed it about the incident, but in vain.

This is not the sole incident that happened at the place. Thefts and brawls are often reported from here. However, several such complaints don’t even reach the police. Tourist places like Robbers’ Cave, Lachhiwala, Kempty Fall and Sahastradhara attract a large number of tourists in summer. Not long ago, 30 girl students of Alwar, who had come to Dehradun on a school tour were allegedly harassed and beaten up by a gang of drunken youngsters

Though the police, after such incidents, every time claims to have made security arrangements at these tourist spots, the story is different on ground.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganesh Singh Martolia said: “We generally start police arrangements at such tourist spots from May 15. But, in the aftermath of yesterday’s incident we have made security arrangements at these places from today only. Other than patrolling in these areas, the police is also contemplating having police pickets there.”

Dehradun, May 10
With the rising temperatures, the Kempty Fall in Mussoorie, the Sahastradhara reservoir, Lacchiwala waterfall, Dakpatthar, Assan Barrage and Robbers’ Cave waterfall are some of the busiest tourist destinations in Dehradun these days.

“We have come from Hyderabad to enjoy our holidays at a few hill stations. Climate in Dehradun is good, relaxing and has no humidity like in the southern region,” said Rameshwaram Rao, a tourist, at Shiv Mandir on the Mussoorie road.

Another tourist, Pankaj Agnihotry from Dehli, said: “My children and wife love to relax and swim, but swimming pools in metro cities are overcrowded. So we planned to visit Dehradun and we are here at Sahastradhara enjoying our holidays.”

Rishikesh is also one of the hot spots among water sports lovers. Tourists come here to enjoy water activities. As river rafting camps are organised from October to April, tourists are visiting small water reservoirs and natural waterfalls from far-flung areas to beat the heat.

“I heard about rafting in Rishikesh from my friends and I wish to learn it. I also love watching windsurfing but as I don’t know swimming, I avoided it all this while. This vacation, I am here in Dehradun,” said Vasundhara Bhardwaj, a student.

For locals who love to swim and relax in the lap of the nature, Bhatta Fall, Haathipaon, Gullarghati, Maldevta, Shanatala Devi, Birpur reservoir and Guchhu Pani are some of the famous water spots.

Being situated in remote areas, these places are ideal locations away from crowd. Moreover, swimming aids and small canteens serving fast food have made it easier for the people to visit these places. 

Dehradun, May 10
Despite the May 31deadline set by the Centre to put in the public domain the details of the assets of all serving IAS officers and other Group ‘A’ Central Service officers, only 60 babus from the state have so far provided details to the state Personnel Department.

Last year, it was Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who had made it obligatory for state government officials to make their assets public. However, such a move has not been forthcoming from the Uttarakhand Chief Minister.

Sources said out of a total of 80 IAS officers in the state, 60 have provided details to the Department of Personnel. “Twenty officers are yet to furnish the details of their assets. Once we get all the information, we will be passing it on to the Department of Personnel and Training,” said Utpal Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary (Personnel).

He said according to the Central Government’s circular, the defaulting officers who failed to submit their details as of January 31 would be liable for penal action. “The IAS officers not submitting property details will be denied vigilance clearance and other benefits, but it is the Central Government’s prerogative,” said Utpal Kumar.

The Principal Secretary said whenever the need arose, the details of the assets of the state babus would be posted on the state website. “We would be providing the details of the assets of IAS officers only,” he added.

Two years ago, the state government had issued guidelines to state Public Service Commission officers to make their assets and property public, but it was not enforced vigorously.

Members of the civil society say such a move will pose a problem to officers with ill-gotten wealth, who will have to comply with the circular. “The government should set up a mechanism whereby officers who do not submit mandatory immovable returns or declarations are penalised,” said Avdhash Kaushal, Chairman Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK).

Some time ago, the Chief Information Commissioner and the Information Commissioners (ICs) of Uttarakhand had posted the details of their assets on the website for public knowledge.

Dehradun, May 10
A day after a fake RTO was held in Dehradun, the police today nabbed a fake doctor in the Premnagar area this evening. The cops seized over 300 spurious injections and capsules along with a stolen motorcycle.

The suspect has identified himself as Sompal, a resident of Saharanpur.

The police got to know of him after some patients, who had developed problems after having his medicines, contacted the cops. The patients told the police that the fake doctor had two clinics in Dehradun and had been running them without any degree or qualification.

Acting on the compliant, the police raided his clinics. The police questioned Sompal who failed to produce the degrees required for the profession.

Premnagar chowki in charge PD Bhatt said they wee questioning the fake doctor.

Dehradun, May 10
Vice-Chairman of the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) RK Sudhanshu has been made officiating Managing Director of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). The Joint Employees Association, which had been promised the appointment of a full-time MD on a temporary basis, is, however, not happy with the decision. Just in the case of his predecessors, the position in the GMVN, too, is additional for Sudhanshu. He will not be able to give much time to his additional duty.

Meanwhile, the process of doing away with the must-roll tradition has once again hit the roadblock. Following the approval of this demand by the Chief Secretary, the employees association had called off its strike on May 3.

Purushottam Puri, president of the association, said: “The management has no ambiguity in clearing the cases of 234 employees who have been working with the GMVN and are on the must roll since May 19, 1998. But they are not taking up the cases of those 43 employees who have been working even before 1989 on a seasonal basis for six months every year during the Char Dham pilgrimage. We are demanding for their incorporation in the list as well.”

General Manager UC Kabadwal, who is looking after this task, seems to have got stuck. He wasn’t available for comments. Puri said there was still a glimmer of hope, as the Company Secretary had asked him to prepare the list of these remaining seasonal employees on Tuesday.

President of the GMVN Anil Nautiyal is also involved in the process. “I am hopeful of working it out. Even the issue of the regularisation of the employees too should be solved by the 25th of this month as the Chief Minister himself has made an announcement in this regard. Moreover, the same demand is being raised by the employees of various departments who are on strike and dharna,” he said.

Meanwhile, those who had been shown the door after the cancellation of their high-level appointments, have maintained a mysterious silence over the issue. The husband of Babita Badola, whose appointed as Regional Manager had been cancelled, said it was no longer easy for her to even get back to her previous position of secretary in the nigam. Surender Bahukhandi, secretary, Manager/Supervisors Association of the GMVN, said: “According to the government order, those who are reappointed on higher positions have to resign from their former positions. This way, Badola has to make a fresh application, and thus can not straightway occupy the position of secretary once again.”

Nautiyal said the foremost priority for the GMVN was to sail through the pilgrimage season smoothly. This year too the management had failed to renovate GMVN tourist rest houses.

Dehradun, May 10
Despite a public outcry over a lack of safety for women in the city, women staying at home continue to be as vulnerable as women on streets. The State Women’s Commission has reported an increase in the number of cases of crime against women pertaining to physical and mental torture, which usually takes place inside the four walls of the home.

Of a total of 792 cases disposed by the commission, cases of mental and physical torture were the highest for the period of 2010-2011(April). In Dehradun, the number of cases of mental torture were 86, Haridwar 22, Udham Singh Nagar 39 and the total number of cases reported in 13 districts pertaining to mental torture were 211.

“Almost all women who came up with their complaints said they were mentally tortured either by their sisters-in-law or mother-in law,” said Sushila Baluni, chairperson of the commission.

Cases pertaining to dowry harassment also continue to be highest in Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. The total number of cases reported were 110.

On the other hand, the number of cases of physical torture is the highest in Dehradun (33), followed by 16 in Haridwar and 16 in Udham Singh Nagar.

The commission has decided to launch an awareness campaign regarding the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence (PDV) Act 2005. “We will be carrying out an awareness drive in Udham Singh Nagar, Mussoorie, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Champawat Naugaon and Purola blocks of Uttarkashi. They will be given information about the Act so that women in the rural areas also become aware about the Act and report physical or mental abuse,” said Sushila Baluni.

Dehradun, May 10
The Irrigation Employees Association, Dehradun, held a dharna for the second day today at Gandhi Park here in support of its demands.

The demands of the association include the regularisation of the services of short-time tubewell operators, grant of a pay package of Rs 4500-7000 to supervisors and Rs 4000-6000 to tubewell operators, replacement of cycle allowance with a motorcycle allowance of Rs 350, change in the designation of Irrigation Supervisor to that of Revenue Irrigation Examiner and extra allowance for supervisors and tubewell operators on the lines of secretariat employees and drivers.

Dehradun, May 10
Dehradun won both matches in the categories of boys and girls on the second day of the Aspen Crew Uttarakhand State Junior (under-18) Basketball Championship held at Welham Boys School here today.

In the girls’ category, Dehradun lasses outclassed Roorkee 23-6. It won all quarters comfortably 4-2, 4-0, 7-4, 8-0 with its Divya (seven points) top scoring. While in the boys’ event, the home team beat Almora 36-16.

Rajan (8 points) and Himanshu (seven points) scored for Dehradun and Almora, respectively. Haldwani girls defeated Haridwar City 30-14 with Pooja (13 points) mainly scoring.

However, in the boys’ match, Haridwar City got its revenge from Haldwani beating it 30-8. Sahil of the winning team scored eight points. Mahipal of Haldwani scored four points.

Dehradun, May 10
The quiz team of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) has won the Cicero’s carnival debate, quiz and creative writing competition held at the Indian Institute of Productivity and Management (IIPM), New Delhi, recently. A total of 65 schools from all over the world participated in this competition.

The RIMC team, which comprised Cadets Arpit Sangwan and Krishnapal Singh, lifted the quiz trophy emerging victorious among the total 120 teams who registered their participation. The cadets were awarded a cash prize of Rs 10,000. In the creative writing, Cadet Rishav Raj bagged the first position among 85 participants. He was also presented with a Micromax cell phone worth Rs 5,000. The cadets received the prizes from chief guest Arindham Chaudhary, Dean, IIPM.

The commandant and the staff of the RIMC applauded the cadets for their par excellent performance in the competition and encouraged the cadets to keep the flag of the RIMC flying high.