Assembly poll first test for NDA: Gadkari
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

BJP chief along with senior party leaders, including Rajnath Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri, at a party workers’ convention at Parade Ground in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photos: Anil P Rawat

Dehradun, October 9
National BJP president Nitin Gadkari today said the Uttarakhand Assembly poll will be the first test for the National Democratic Alliance before setting the tone for the 2014 parliamentary poll success.

Addressing party workers’ convention at Parade Ground, Dehradun, Nitin Gadkari said the Uttarakhand Assembly poll would be the first examination for the NDA in the run-up to realising hopes of coming back to power at the Centre in the 2014 parliamentary poll. He asked the partymen to forget petty disputes and work unitedly for the success of the BJP in the state.

He said only those who work for the public will get BJP tickets for the Assembly poll. “Don’t stay in Dehradun. Go to people and they will decide your tickets”, Gadkari told party workers.

Gadkari said by denying special industrial package to Uttarakhand, the UPA had tried to punish the people of Uttarakhand for voting for the BJP in the state which was unethical.

“You may have opposition to the BJP but you should not punish the people. The package would have generated a number of jobs for the youth of Uttarakhand”, he said.

Recalling the contribution of the BJP towards the creation of three separate states in the country, including Uttarakhand, Gadkari said the Congress on the other hand today was continuously changing its stand on the separate state of Telangana while the region was on the boil.

Referring to the rising inflation in the country, Gadkari said wrong economic policies, bad and corrupt governance of the Congress were the reasons behind the rising hunger and poverty.

He said the UPA government had crossed all limits of corruption. He said the Congress was on a fix over the issue of the 2G spectrum scam even as tainted minister and Tihar inmate A Raja had repeatedly said he was not alone in the scam and there were others from the Congress, who were with him in the wrongdoings.

He also revealed that Subramanium Swamy had informed him that he was presenting another set of documents in the Supreme Court on Monday which will be bombshell for the Congress. Gadkari in his address also did not fail to mention the alleged Congress role in the Commonwealth Games scam.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Gadkari said the Prime Minister had been swearing innocence and had held that he was helpless which made him a fit case to renounce the post and go for a pilgrimage.

“If you are so helpless Manmohan Singh ji, you must take rest. Either go to Badrinath or Kedarnath or Golden Temple”, Gadkari said amid applause from party workers.

The national BJP president also used party workers’ convention as forum to praise both incumbent Chief Minister BC Khanduri and the former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. While Gadkari lauded the role of BC Khandri in successfully accomplishing the Vaypayee government’s Golden Quadrilateral Project, he also appreciated Nishank for holding an incident-free Mahakumbh in Haridwar recently.

Interestingly, in a show of unity, Chief Minister BC Khanduri, former Chief Ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and BS Koshiyari were present on the occasion. Uttarakhand BJP election in charge Rajnath Singh also addressed the gathering.

12 villages threaten to boycott poll
n Agitation continues for construction of road n NSUI to block national highway at Aincholi today
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 9
Disappointed with the state government for not taking up their demand seriously, the people of villages across the Gori river, who have been agitating for the past 24 days at Munsiyari, have now decided that if the Uttarakhand Government does not accept their demand before the imposition of the election code of conduct, all 12 villages of the area will boycott the coming Assembly elections in their area.

”We have decided that if the construction of 26-km long road does not get green signal before the Assembly elections, 8,000 voters of Basant Kot, Bhatkyura, Thapa, Vadni, Ucheti, Dhuratoli, Flayati, Kultham, Dheelam, Bui and Chulkot villages of the area will boycott the elections, as it has no meaning for the villagers,” said Radheyshyam Joshi , the coordinator of the movement.

According to the villagers, the relay hunger strike being undertaken by the villagers is a genuine movement. “The movement being run by Congress leaders at the district headquarters is mere a supporting movement to the main movement run by the villagers at Munsiyari,” said Joshi.

He further said the villagers did not want to mix the politics into the genuine demand of the villagers.

Meanwhile, the hunger strike by Congress leader Harish Dhami entered the 7th day today at Pithoragarh in support of the demand of the villagers.”

According to the medical test of Dhami, his weight has been reduced by 15 kg,” said Dr DS Dharmsaktu, the physician taking medical tests of the hunger striker.

“If he continues his hunger strike, his kidneys may face problem,” said the doctor.

The National Students Union of India (NSUI), which has already extended its support to the movement, has announced that it will block the national highway-9, at Aincholi on Monday to draw the attention about the demand for the road.

”The road from Galati to Jhelam has been cleared of the Forest Act much before but did not be approved by the government as it has five bridges proposed on it and need higher budget allocation to construct. To demand that budget, we are blocking the national highway at Aincholi on October 10,” said Rishendra Mahar, district president of the NSUI. 

Corruption issue dominates legal symposium
Tribune News Service

Nainital, October 9
There is no need for the enactment of new laws and the old ones may be amended if there be a need. Voters themselves are responsible for the prevailing corruption amongst the elected representatives, as it is they who choose their representatives.

These were the common refrains coming from speakers at the two-day All India Legal Symposium held in Nainital on the “Need for strong electoral reforms to curb the menace of corruption”.

The speakers at the symposium included academicians, people from the legal profession along with two sitting judges of the Uttarakhand High Court.

In his address, Justice UC Dhyani said, “The present system is almost sufficient to deal with the menace of corruption. Law is not an answer to every problem and question.”

He said in the Indian democracy the power was vested in the people of the country. Despite there being separation of power, all the wings of the government were accountable to the people.

Justice Dhyani said if all the power was vested in one individual or an institution, there would have been chaos and pandemonium. He said no institution could survive in a watertight compartment and all of them were interlinked with the people.

“The will of the people is most important. That is what counts. The judiciary is like a safety valve that functions within the parameters assigned to us by the legislature. There are limitations for everyone. We must not step out of our limitations,” he said.

Justice Dhyani’s address was well laced with quotes from various books. He quoted eminent jurist Nani Palkhiwala and Alexander Pope.

Referring to the ongoing debate on whether a Presidential or Parliamentary form of government was best suited for the country, he quoted the Pope and said, “Whatever is best administered is the best.”

In his inaugural address, Justice PC Pant too had said it was for the legislature to decide whether more stringent electoral reforms were required in the country. He had spoken at length on how corruption as a menace had changed form in the Indian context. He said that till the time Jawaharlal Nehru was in power, corruption was more or less similar to what it was during the British rule.

With the coming of the socialist era, marked by the nationalisation of institutions, it took the shape of Inspector Raj. When economic liberalisation began, it gradually took the form of government largesse and increase in ministries.

Justice Pant added that since a system was yet to be evolved to maintain checks on the largesse, it was here that the judiciary played its role by carrying out the judicial reviews when approached.

An Associate Professor from MB College in Haldwani, Kamla Pant, suggested that simultaneous polls should be conducted to legislative bodies, across the country to curb corruption by elected representatives.

Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) leader Narayan Singh Jantwal said since corruption was rampany in the system, elected representatives could not be looked at in isolation.

Jantwal said there was no dearth of laws to combat corruption, but they were not being implemented.

Chairman of the Bar Council and Congress leader Mahendra Pal suggested that those contesting the polls must be asked to furnish their character certificates. He added that the people were now more aware about the need to tackle the menace of corruption.

Cong fumes over Ramdev’s drive against party
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 9
The Uttarakhand Congress has criticised Yog Guru Baba Ramdev for starting a vicious campaign against the Congress in the state that too for some months away from the Assembly poll in the state.

Baba Ramdev, who reached Kotdwar in Uttarakhand today as part of his Bharat Swabhiman Yatra, in his yoga camp, appealed the people not to vote for the Congress, which he alleged was not only responsible for the loot of Rs 400 crore but also conspired to suppress the voices that spoke against corruption.

Reacting to Baba Ramdev address in Kotdwar, Beerokhal, Congress MLA, and former minister Amrita Rawat said the Ramdev must either join politics or confine himself to the teaching of the yoga. “Baba Ramdev must join politics and then he is free to make any political statements”, she said.

Another senior Congress leader Dhirendra Pratap, who was in Kotdwar today, said Baba Ramdev should join active politics rather than working for the BJP in a clandestine manner. Dhirendra Pratap said the so-called social reformers Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev should stop playing to the BJP agenda and dared both of them to join the political arena.

“The anti-Congress statements had brought down the stature of both Hazare and Baba Ramdev”, he said daring both of them to take on the Congress in the election on their own or as BJP candidates.

Satpal Maharaj flays Anna Hazare

Dehradun, October 9
Uttarakhand Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj has criticised Gandhian Anna Hazare for his opposition to the Congress in the Hisar Parliamentary bypoll.

In a statement issued today, Satpal Maharaj said it was unfortunate that Anna Hazare was opposing the Congress. “Anna Hazare must clarify as to whether other candidates contesting against the Congress in the Hisar Lok Sabha seat bypoll were honest”, Maharaj pointed out and added that a Gandhian should be sincere in his approach and should not indulge in politics. Maharaj also disclosed that the BJP had given a written assurance to Anna Hazare that the party would get Jan Lokpal Bill passed in Parliament which was unconstitutional. — TNS

BJP shielding corrupt leaders: Rawat

Dehradun, October 9
The president of the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha and former Excise Minister, Lt-Gen TPS Rawat (retd), today accused both the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP of appointing and protecting corrupt leaders in the state.

In a statement issued here today, General Rawat said the development of Uttarakhand or the welfare of its people were not on the RSS agenda and nearly five years of the BJP rule in the state had seen no significant development, nor the formulation of any worthwhile policies or fulfilment of people’ aspirations.

He said the BJP needed to explain to the people as to how Major-Gen BC Khanduri was removed earlier and later reinstated as Chief Minister. He pointed out that nearly 5,000 announcements had been made by the two BJP Chief Ministers and the bulk of them was lying unaddressed, which had shaken the trust of the people.

Rawat said the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha that had pledged to give an alternative to both the BJP and the Congress in the state had come into being with the support of retired bureaucrats and former military and paramilitary personnel. — TNS

BSP activists remember Kanshi Ram
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 9
The death anniversary of Kanshi Ram, founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party, was commemorated in city by holding a programme where eight BSP candidates selected for the coming Assembly poll were also present along with district party president Ramesh Kumar, former state unit president and MLC Megh Raj Singh and state general secretary Nathu Singh, who was the chief guest.

Megh Raj said the party could give true tribute to Kanshi Ram by grabbing winning in the next Assembly elections. “Dehradun is going to witness a dramatic change very soon. As you can see, the women and men from different strata of society have gathered on this occasion and this testifies the pledge taken by the BSP about transforming the social engineering in the country. Kanshi Ram showed us this path and we are taking it forward with help of our activists”.

BSP candidate Nupur Gupta, who is contesting the Cantonment seat, said she was impressed by the policies of the BSP which did not differ in words and action. She said the BSP, which had been based on Kanshi Ram’s philosophy, was working for the deprived sections of society while people who were educated and affluent were also associating with the party.

The occasion also seemed to be a good platform and an opportunity for the party leaders to flex their muscles. Jaipal Singh Chauhan, MLA, had brought a large number of people whom he had made members of the party. While addressing the gathering, he said he would bring more and more people to the party fold in the future.

The BSP candidates for the coming Assembly election, who were present on the occasion, included Manoj Sharma from Mussoorie, Sahib Singh Pundir from Sahaspur, Hazi Salim from Dharampur, Ghanshyam Kuber from Chakrata, Lodhi Phool Singh from Doiwala, Lallan Rajbhar from Rishikesh and Tanvir Singh from Rajpur.

Singer Chander Mukesh sung paeans in the remembrance of Kanshi Ram.

Bakri play staged in Nautanki form
Tribune News Service

Nainital, October 9
Theatre lovers in Nainital were in for treat on Saturday night when artistes affiliated to the theatre group, Anukriti, which is based in Kanpur, staged the well-known play, “Bakri”, at the local Chalet Hall.

The unique thing about the presentation was that the play was staged in the Nautanki form which is a traditional art form of Uttar Pradesh. The artistes came up with a spellbinding performance of the famous play that had been penned by Sarveshwar Dyal Saxena in the decade of the seventies. Such is the popularity of the play that it is performed by hundreds of troupes every year across the country. It was even adapted as 'kuri.com', in Kannada by the great MS Sathyu. The play was a major tool available to the activists to lampoon the political establishment during the days of Emergency in the country.

The play revolves around three anti-social elements, Durjan Singh, Karamveer and Satyaveer, who think of a plan to dupe the people of a village with the help of a local policeman. They peddle a goat to be from the lineage of the goat owned by Mahatma Gandhi and dupe the people.

The villagers offer whatever they have to the goat. Karamveer goes on to win an election while the policeman rises to the rank of DIG. A youth from the village opposes their deeds but is promptly sent off to prison.

The play ends with the villagers collectively rising against the three anti-social elements and the corrupt policeman and the goat is eventually sacrificed for a feast.

Drive against power theft begins
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 9
With the winter on the anvil, the Power Corporation has started a drive in the district to make sure that the power theft is reduced. The corporation, particularly in the rural areas, is carrying out a massive checking drive.

Several checking teams have been formed while raids are also being conducted with teams seizing faulty meters and even lodging FIRs against violators.

Informing about the ongoing drive, SDO Arvind Kumar said in the Rawli Mehdood region several meters had been seized, which had been tampered.

He said the department’s checking teams had seized more than six faulty electronic meters and had sent them to a laboratory for examination and if it was found that the meters were wrongly operated, then FIRs would be lodged against violators.

Executive engineer of the Power Corporation Gaurav Sharma informed the TNS that in the 
coming days more such drives would be carried out in the district to ensure better power supply in the winter.

Meanwhile, in view of the checking drive the people have stopped using faulty meters and getting power supply illegally. 

Power corp eyes deal with three firms
Seema Sharma/TNS

Dehradun October 9
The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) is expecting to strike a deal with three companies on gas-based power projects for 150 MW of electricity this year.

The three companies, Beta Infratech Power Limited, Gama Infratech Power Limited and Shravanti Power Project Limited will provide 50 MW each.

The Managing Director of the UPCL, AK Jain, said the corporation would be able to get 50 MW each for January, February and March next year. This will provide a great relief to the corporation, which fears a drastic reduction in power generation in the state during the winter.

The corporation has also prepared a gas-based policy, which the power projects will have to follow. As per the policy, four options were given to the companies.

Under each option, the state government has clarified the facilities provided by it to the companies and the quantum of power, the projects will have to offer it for sale.

As per the first option, different approvals and clearances will be provided by the state government under a single window to the gas-based projects on priority basis and the projects will have to offer 10 per cent of generated power to the UPCL for sale at variable costs.

Under the second option, the clearances will be provided at a single window and the state government will also give recommendations for the availability of fuel at different places in the state. The projects will give 20 per cent of generated power at variable costs.

Under the third option, the state government will facilitate a single window clearances recommendation for the availability of fuel and along with that, it will also facilitate land acquisition, power evacuation arrangement, availability of water supply and road access infrastructure. The projects will have to give 20 per cent of generated power at variable costs and 50 per cent of generated power at variable costs determined by competitive bidding amongst bidders.

Under the fourth option, the state government will enter into a partnership with power generating companies to develop gas-based power projects in the state, wherein the rate of 80 per cent of generated energy will be decided by the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Exhibition on peace held
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 9
Everything we need for peace is already in our hearts. Peace is possible even in the worst of times. There are some people, who will always be remembered for their love for humanity like Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr etc.

These were some of the messages conveyed through the Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) exhibition titled “Building A Culture of Peace for Children of the World”.

The exhibition is being organised and presented by BSG, the Indian affiliate of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a non-governmental organisation that aims to promote peace and respect for all people, through the tools of culture and education.

Dr Anil Joshi, founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO), a voluntary group at the Scholars’ Home here, inaugurated the exhibition today.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Kumaon University Dr BK Joshi and current head of the Doon Library and Research Centre emphasised the need for instilling enduring values of peace and culture in schools and homes.

Geeta Gairola, project director of Mahila Samakhya, a womens’ group said women and children were most affected by violence and felt that women could play an important role in maintaining peace.

“There is lack of peace all around and only by getting together can we make a difference. It is our collective responsibility and we cannot pass it on to the government or the administration or anybody else. We must begin with our children,” she said.

Dr BK Joshi said the question of peace was extremely important. It concerned all. “What does peace mean? For some it is the absence of war. India has not had a war, but have we been at peace? Are we really a non-violent country? The level of violence at various levels is very large. It explores the myth of India being a country of non-violence and the discussion of peace is merely academic. We should be concerned about violence anywhere in the world,” said Dr Joshi.

Dr Anil Joshi said the world’s biggest concern was war or lack of peace. “I believe the seeds lie in economic disparity. We must take science and learning to villages. If economic condition of villages improves, things will change. We should connect our coming generation with our culture and traditions. I believe they are under threat. We must try to make a difference to the society around us,” he said.

The youth wing of the organisers presented a lively dance on a song about peace and harmony.

The exhibits (30 in English and 30 in Hindi) will cover themes such as barriers to peace, religion and peace, role of nations, self-mastery, among others.

The exhibition will be shown at the Scholars’ Home, followed by Summer Valley School, KVIMS and MKP Inter College and GRD Academy, Patel Nager.

It will be open to the public at Summer Valley School on October 11th and 12th and at the Vasant Vihar Club on October 16th from 10 am to 5 pm. 

Aryan School, Summer Valley set up summit clash
Tribune News Service

A batsman in action during Shri Rohitash Singh Memorial Inter-school Boys’ Super 8’s Cricket Tournament played in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photo: Anil P Rawat

Dehradun, October 9
Having won their respective semifinal matches today, Aryan School and Summer Valley School are set to lock horns in the final of Shri Rohitash Singh Memorial Inter-school Boys’ Super 8’s Cricket Tournament 2011 at The Heritage School here tomorrow.

In the first semifinal, the Heritage School team was disappointment as its rival team Summer Valley School registered a seven-wicket win over it. In this match, Summer Valley elected to field first after winning the toss.

The host team, while batting first, could score only 20 runs losing four wickets. In reply, the rival team scored 25 runs for four wickets. The Heritage School could score only 17 runs at the loss of seven wickets in the second innings.

Summer Valley easily scored the required 15 runs to win the match. Yuvraj Cheema of the winning team was declared the man of the match for scoring 21 runs.

The Aryan School also entered the final beating Guru Nanak Academy (GNA) by nine runs in the second semifinal match. Abdul Qadir was adjudged the Man of the Match for helping his team win the match. His team scored a total of 19 runs in the two innings.