Dehradun, November 4
After the independent auditors pointed out flaws in the running of the MRI centre at Doon Hospital by the private partner that was proving to be economically unviable, the Doon Hospital authorities have been forced to issue directives for a strict implementation of the guidelines.

Under pressure, the Doon Hospital authorities have now asked the private partner, Mahajan Imaging Centre, to ensure that the MRIs of the APL patients under government cases is conducted during the first shift of the centre that is between 9 am and 2pm. It was brought to light that the private partner was conducting MRIs of the BPL patients (free) only.

Sources claim that the three years of engagement with the private partnership did not bring the necessary finances that the hospital was looking for. The report by the independent auditors brought to light the omission made by the private partner, as it was not taking up government cases of the patients from the APL and paid categories in the first shift. By taking only the BPL patients for whom the MRI is free during the first shift, the private partner was getting adequately reimbursed but blocking earnings of the Doon Hospital.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Directorate-General (DG), Health, and the private partner (Mahajan Imaging), the Doon Hospital has to reimburse the private partner for the cost incurred on the MRIs done on the BPL patients.

The DG had signed a memorandum of understanding with the private partner in 2009 under the public-private partnership but it soon came to light that the private partner was taking up government cases in the second shift. According to the memorandum of agreement between the government and the private party, the patients holding the BPL cards receive free treatment while the APL patients pay Rs 3,500 per case, charges similar to taken by the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

After 2 pm the private partner takes up non-government cases only and has sole share on the earnings. “We have asked the private partner to take up government cases of the APL patients in the first shift along with the BPL cases,” said Dr BC Pathak, CMS, Doon Hospital.

Experts say tight monitoring is required to ensure that the private partner does not dilute the guidelines.

Haridwar, November 4
A baby girl was found abandoned in a secluded corner at the world-famous pilgrim site, Har-ki-Pauri, here today.

Pilgrims noticed the weeping infant wrapped in woollen clothes and informed the police and the district hospital inquiry cell about it.

A medical team, which included a child specialist and a nurse, was send to the spot and the infant was taken in possession.

Chief Medical Superintendent of Women’s hospital Arti Ghildiyal said the infant was in good health and it was probable that someone had abandoned the infant there.

She further said the infant had been kept under a medical supervision and anyone claiming the resposibility should immediately contact the hospital staff and the police.

Dehradun, November 4
Anganwari workers from across the state today gathered in the state capital in support of their demands.

After assembling at the railway station, they marched towards the residence of the Uttarakhand Chief Minister raising slogans against the state government. The protest was organised under the banner of the All-India Central Council of Trade Unions. However, they were stopped by a police force. Later, they also staged a dharna.

Dehradun, November 4
No government department is coming forward to provide any viable solution to avoid the loss of precious human lives owing to electrocution after coming into contact with high-tension wires passing closely through residential colonies here.

Neither officials of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited and the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) nor residents are ready to behave in a responsible manner in this regard.

Yesterday, a plumber was electrocuted in the Ajab Kalan area after he came into contact with a high-tension wire passing through a school’s rooftop. Similar incidents have been reported in Rajpur, Tapovan Rajiv Colony, Shanti Vihar, Ajabpur, Gobindgarh, Nai Basti, Bhandari Bagh, Vidya Vihar and Dhamavala, Kishan Nagar, MDDA Colony, Vasant Vihar, Yamuna Colony, Gandhi Nagar, Kaulagarh Jakhan on the Kanwali road, Prem Nagar and the Balbir road in the recent past.

Questioning the role of the MDDA, Lalit Mohan Upreti, circle officer of Nehru Colony, said: “The MDDA is giving its approval to the construction of those houses that are being built close to high-tension wires. This shows that proposals are being cleared without inspecting the sites, resulting in the loss of precious lives.”

Chairman of the power corporation Anil Kumar Jain said the department had formulated a policy, whereby residents, who had built their houses after high-tension wires were set up in the area, would have to pay for the shifting of the wires from the locality. Though there were hundreds of houses that were facing problems owing to this, no one had come forward with their demand for the shifting of the wires.

Sanjay Tamta, general manager (production) of the power corporation, said: “It costs Rs 15-20 lakh to shift high-tension wires for a distance of one km. Residents are not ready to pay the amount.”

The vice-chairman of the MDDA could not be contacted for his comment.

Dehradun, November 4
Ghaziabad XI won the Uttarakhand Twenty20 Cricket Tournament by defeating Garhwal Sports Academy by seven runs in the final match of the tournament played at the Survey Stadium here today.

After winning the toss, Ghaziabad XI chose to bat first. It scored 96 runs in 15 overs.

Shobhit was the top scorer with 20 runs while Sunny was the most successful bowler for Garhwal Sports Academy by claiming three wickets for 11 runs.

Garhwal Sports Academy, Dehradun, was all out for 89 runs. Opener Rohit Negi was the top scorer with 26 runs. Praveen took four wickets for 21 runs.

Dehradun, November 4
Clad in black robes and red and yellow scarves, a large number of passed out students from DBS PG College were awarded degrees during the 3rd Annual Convocation Day, here today.

The degrees were given to the passouts from science and arts streams by the HNB Garhwal University.

The ceremony was conducted on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee year of the college on the premises of the college. As many as 20 meritorious students were awarded the medals. A large number of pass out students, eminent academicians, social workers and others had gathered to participate in the ceremony.

Arun Jaitley, the leader of opposition, Rajya Sabha, was the chief guest of the occasion. State Assembly Speaker Harbans Kapoor and Ganesh Joshi, MLA, Rajpur, accompanied him.

Professor SK Singh, Vice Chancellor, HNB Garhwal University, chaired the convocation ceremony.

The programme began with welcoming of the chief guest. Following it was the convocation parade led by Principal of the college OP Kulshreshtha.

The college choir commenced the ceremony with the Saraswati Vandana. Professor Singh conferred upon the entire group of candidates their respective degrees while Jaitley awarded the meritorious students with medals.

Addressing the students, Jaitley asserted them to work hard. Singh said, “India has been the pioneer in the field of education and has a globally competitive image. But we must still aim at enhancing the education system in the country. We should emphasis more on raising the standards of excellence in the field of education so that we can emerge as skilled professionals.”

Terming the students as the nation builders, Kapoor appealed the students to work for the betterment of society and the nation.

The ceremony culminated with the vote of thanks delivered by the Principal followed by the national anthem.

Dehradun, November 4
Uttarakhand Governor and Chancellor of Doon University Margaret Alva said here today that the university had made rapid progress in the two years of its existence and could play an important role in improving the quality of higher education in the state.

Addressing the first court meeting of the university at the university campus this evening, the governor said, “In the emerging knowledge economy of the country, those who have skills will define the knowledge market. Skill creation should be our first priority. It must be a part of the knowledge delivery system,” she said.

The governor also stressed the need of having a state advisory council for higher education and technical education in the state. “Some colleges do not have affiliations and are yet admitting students. All this needs to be checked. Compared to such institutions, Doon University is heaven,” she said.

“The university must encourage critical thinking among the faculty members as well as the students,” she said, lauding the efforts made by the VC, the teaching and the support staff of the university to build a strong foundation of the institution.

Alva said the annual report of the university showed that it had made several endeavours in this short duration to place itself in the national knowledge sphere.

Earlier, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Girijesh Pant, made a power point presentation of the annual reports of 2009-10 and 2010-11.

He thanked the Governor for supporting the university. He said the university now had three centres, namely centre for public policy, centre for Himalayan studies and centre for global studies. “Our virtual class room is now ready for commissioning,” he said.

Haridwar, November 4
The 11th Uttarakhand Sub-junior Badminton Championship began at the state-of-the-art City Sports Complex here today.

At least 125 players from Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, Almora, Nainital and Haridwar are participating in the event, which was inaugurated by DIG (Garhwal range) Sanjay Gunjiyal by lightning a traditional lamp. A cultural event was also organised on the occasion.

In under-13 singles event (girls), Aarti Bisht from US Nagar won the first round followed by Shaurya, Aparna and Sheffali, Aditi and Deeksha. In the boys’ category, Saurabh Sharma, Lalit Bora, Saurabh Pandey, Hrishiraj, Ashrey, and Dhruv Rawat made it to the next phase. In under-17 (girls), Manisha and Shweta Rawat entered the next round. Deeksha and Aarti also won their Under-10 category matches.

The championship is being organised in the memory of the late Sanat Kumar Sharma, a social activist.

Dehradun, November 4
The Chandragupta section of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) won the physical training (PT) competition held here today. The first phase of the competition was held in the form of PT drills to test the cadets’ efficiency and will to excel.

In the second phase, the cadets took individual PT tests in which they were supposed to perform to their best on many apparatuses and with different techniques.

The Chandragupta section lifted the cup followed by the Pratap section, Shivaji section and the Ranjit section respectively.

The chief guest of the event was Lt-Col Ambarish Tiwari. He congratulated the winning section and praised everyone who participated for their high enthusiasm and vigour. He was also delighted to see the cadets performing exceptionally well on each apparatus and encouraged them to increase their standards.

The dignitaries present were Wing Cdr SK Thapliyal, KS Ahlawat, CS Vishwakarma, DN Thapliyal, PK Sharma and PN Naik. The overall in charge of the event was Major SR Sahu.

Dehradun, November 4
To welcome the new batch of MBBS students, the SGRR Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, held a freshers’ party here today.

The party began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Principal of the institute Dr S K Ghildiyal.

Welcoming the new batch of students, Ghildiyal urged them to abide by rules and regulations of the institute. He also said the institute was one of the finest medical colleges of the country that worked for the interests of its students and strictly opposed ragging.

Yamini Hatwal was announced Miss Fresher while Varinder Pal Singh was declared Mr Fresher of the institute on the occasion.

Dehradun, November 4
Balaji beat Akranta 2-0 in the ongoing Shaheed Jaideep Bhandari Memorial Football Tournament at the SGRR, Nehrugram, here today.

Sooraj (35th minute) and Rahul (40th minute) were stars in the win of Balaji.

The chief guest of the match, Yogesh Nautiyal, a social worker, awarded the Man of the Match trophy to Rahul of Balaji.