Dehradun, October 19
To cope with the problem of public transport vehicles plying on fake registration numbers, the traffic police has decided to issue them identity cards and holograms.

The police has got the list of the registered vehicles from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for the purpose. According to the data, there are a total of 2,300 autorickshaws, 785 Vikrams and 250 city buses registered with the RTO in Dehradun.
“We will carry out a physical verification of all these vehicles. Following this, they will be given personal identity cards and holograms to be pasted on the front of their vehicles,” Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Ajay Joshi said.

“The drive will be started within a week after Diwali. We will hold talks with all chiefs of these public transport unions to implement the plan smoothly,” the SP stated.

He said once the ID cards and holograms are issued the violators would be strictly dealt with. “Unlike the previous measures of registering a case only against erring drivers, we will register a case against the driver, the owner and the respective route chief in case of a violation,” the SP added.

The traffic police, in its previous drives, found several Vikrams carrying fake registration number plates. The Dehradun police had even registered cases against seven such erring Vikram owners about a month and a half ago. These vehicles were found carrying the registration numbers of two motorcycles, a car, three scooters and a taxi. Following the drive, a report was sent to the RTO.

The Vikrams and autorickshaws are considered the city’s lifeline.

Dehradun, October 19 
A traffic plan has been prepared by the Dehradun traffic police for Dhanteras and Diwali later this month.

The main market of the city, the Paltan Bazar, will be a “zero zone” as no vehicle will be allowed to enter the area. Besides, the police has planned traffic diversions, new one ways and extra parking lots for the festive season.

The traffic coming from Chakrata Road to Clock Tower will be diverted to Orient Chowk while the Clock Tower rotary will remain a one-way. The vehicles coming from Astle Hall to the Clock Tower will be diverted to Darshan Lal Chowk, and will take a detour to reach the Clock Tower.

The heavy traffic vehicles will not be allowed to enter the city from 8 am to 12 at night. 

Parking lots have been earmarked at the Parade Ground, Pavilion Ground, Animal Hospital, Dispensary Road, Tehsil complex, Kumar Sweet Shop area, old city bus stand, Rangers College Ground, Bannu School, Dharampur and the office of the Nagar Nigam.

Several other one-ways have also been proposed for Diwali and there can be minor changes according to the rush on a particular road. 

“Convenience and safety of the people who come to markets on Dhanteras and Diwali is our top priority,” Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Ajay Joshi told The Tribune.

Dehradun, October 19
The Milk Producers Forum, Dehradun, has alleged that milk producers are getting a very little profit margin in the milk from the Uttarakhand Milk Federation even as the federation is selling milk to the consumers at exorbitant prices. 

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Rajesh Verma, President, Milk Producers Forum, Dehradun, alleged that while prices of fodder and maintenance cost of livestock had increased, the profit margin of the milk producers had not increased comparatively. 

He said the Uttarakhand Milk Federation provided loans to farmers to purchase livestock but seldom provided reasonable rates for the milk procured from these farmers.

“The price at which the milk is procured from the farmers is very less. Many farmers have been forced to sell their land to pay the debt”, Rajesh Verma said.

Verma pointed out that there were a total of 380 milk cooperative societies in Uttarakhand out of which only 261 were operational while the rest were non-functional.

He said no efforts had been made by the state government to ensure that at least each society came up with at least 50 litres of milk.

He said it was all due to the wrong policies of the Uttarakhand Government that the state was forced to buy a large quantity of milk from other states to meet its demands. 

Dehradun, October 19 
Following Chief Minister BC Khanduri’s assurance of fulfilling demands within three days, seven teachers of the Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya Samvida Pravakta Mahasangh broke their fast. They were later taken to Coronation Hospital for medical check-up.

Dr Navrattan Singh, media in charge of the association, said though seven members had broken the fast, they would continue to sit on protest outside the Vidhan Sabha until the governement order was not issued in this regard.

Singh told The Tribune they trusted the CM who had assured them of doing the needful in three days. 

“We were earlier deceived by the administration that had promised to fulfil our demands but it did not,” he lamented.

The association is demanding full-time appointment in government schools and removal of the posts of contractual teacher from the ambit of the Public Service Commission.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal has given its support to the agitating teachers. The party through a press statement held the demands of the protesters right and asked the government to fulfil these before the party would start an 
agitation. 

Dehradun, October 19
The ongoing Crafts Bazar 2011, organised by the Ministry of Textiles, the office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms and Handicrafts) and the Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council at the Parade Ground here, is attracting handicraft lovers from all over the valley these days.

Jannette Hyfield, an artisan from Meneka Jagriti Samiti, Sahastradhara road, Dehradun, has showcased her skill of artificial flower making at the extravagant event. She is adept at shaping out flowers out of plastic and vinyl. Full of confidence and talent, it is hard to believe that she is an old woman, spending more than 10 hours each day in making colourful flowers of different designs and shapes.

Jannette derived interest in making flowers when she started knitting and stitching two years back but now her practices are winning accolades at the ongoing bazaar.

The products displayed by the self-help groups of Uttarakhand epitomise women empowerment in action.

Vikas Chauhan, member of the samiti, said: “We always work towards the development of women and children by providing them the opportunities to grow. Our artisans are specialised in making incense sticks, candles, pickles, jams and decorative household items, which are not only liked by people of Dehradun but are also preferred all over the country.”