Ambrish’s rally a show of strength
Rashtriya Krantikari Manch founder holds felicitation function
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 10
Though in the last Assembly elections in 2007, the Congress had just one legislator from Haridwar district, post-2009 parliamentary elections when Harish Rawat won with a record margin, the fortunes of the party has changed in the district.

And now it seems with the rejoining of heavyweight politician Ambrish Kumar with the Congress, a similar impact seems to have taken place on the district politics as was evident today with Ambrish showing his stature by bringing in more than 5,000 people at a party rally in Jwalapur.

Ambrish Kumar, who had left the Congress in 1985, had been a Samajwadi Party flag-bearer till the last parliamentary elections, but left the party forming the Rashtriya Krantikari Manch early this year.

Since then, speculations had been rife on his rejoining the Congress and prior to Diwali he became again a Congress worker. Since then, he had been staging various protests, chalking out programmes and was fastly gaining acceptance both from the masses as well as fellow party leaders.

Today, by organising a massive felicitation function of his new mentor Harish Rawat, the former legislator is now a front-runner for the party ticket and will up the party’s momentum in at least three to four Assembly segments.

Talking to The Tribune, Ambrish, who was a close associate of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, asserted that the dominance of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the governance of the BJP was in its last leg in the state as was proved by today’s massive outpour of public.

Even the rival BJP, BSP and SP district units felt shivers by the massive gathering of Ambrish Kumar with many party insiders confirming that his inclusion in the Congress has certainly made a dent in the vote-bank.

Though one thing which used to go against Ambrish in the state politics was his anti-hill stance, now gauging the public mood and the last parliamentary loss, he has totally shunned that stance and with his now coming closer to Harish Rawat, who hails from hilly district of Almora, he is getting mass acceptance among hilly voters too.

Garhwali vocalist now sings for Congress
‘I am a professional but committed to Rawat’
S.M.A.KAZMI
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 10
In an important development, Narender Singh Negi, one of the most popular Garhwali folk singers who had become a nemesis of the political leaders and parties, particularly of the Congress Party in the last Assembly elections of 2007, by singing songs with political satire, today sang from the dias of a Congress Party rally at Nainedanda in Pauri Garhwal district.

Narender Singh Negi, who was hired by the Congress at it’s rally, attracted a crowd of more than 4000 people in the remote hilly, who came to listen to his popular songs. It was a coup of sorts by the Congress in inviting and persuading Negi to perform from their platform.

“I am a professional singer who is paid for singing. Otherwise, I am personally committed to the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha led by Lieut Gen T.P.S.Rawat (retd),” said Narender Singh Negi on the telephone.

After the “Nauchami Narayan” album that depicted the previous Congress regime led by veteran Chief Minister N.D.Tewari in bad light in the 2007 Assembly elections, Negi has again came out with his latest album having his new politically satirical songs, largely targeting the state BJP Government but also mentioning about the scandals like 2-G Spectrum scam involving the Central Government.

“Nauchami Narayan,” depicting the going-ons in the Congress regime of the state from 2002 to 2007, was a super hit. The new audio Garhwali album, “Ab Kathga Khalyuo (How much will you eat?),” having eight songs in all, has two songs with political satire.

The theme of one of the songs revolves around the rampant corruption at the state as well as the national level. The title song, “Commission ki meet-Bhaat” is a satire on the functioning of the top brass of the state government allegedly involved in making money through commissions. The song also talks about scandals in the conduct of Mahakumbh and the alleged land deal involving Citurgia.

Narender Singh Negi sang both these songs at the Congress rally. However, he did not sing” Nauchami Narayana” at the Congress rally.

These songs would embarrass the present Bharatiya Janata Party of the state headed by Chief Minister B.C.Khanduri, who also hails from Pauri Garhwal.

“I have not trageted or identified anyone. It was for the general masses to draw their conclusions,” he said. “I am a people’s singer and I am accountable to them only,” he added.

“Nauchami Narayan”, a musical video sung by Negi having political satire and particularly targeting N.D.Tewari, who was the Chief Minister at that time, was a big hit in 2006 and an embarrassment to the then Congress Government.

The name of the album, “Nauchami Narayan,” meaning “naughty Narayana,” is symbolic of sex scandals certain politicians are involved in.

More than a lakh of VCDs of “Nauchami Narayan” were sold in 2006-07.

Following the sex scandal involving former Andhara Pradesh Governor N.D.Tewari and his subsequent resignation, the song written and sung by Negi was again in public demand.

Narender Singh Negi, the author and singer of the album, had termed his work as pure fiction but the people of the hill state enjoyed the characters of his album as they were easily identifiable with their own Chief Minister and leaders. Characters in the album resembled former Chief Minister Tiwari and his ministerial colleagues. A Tewari lookalike was seen singing and dancing with young girls in the video.

Welfare funds for the poor underutilised
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 10
The funds allocated for the welfare of the poor and the vulnerable in Uttarakhand continue to be underutilised by most of the 
government departments.

With a few months remaining of this financial year, only 25.73 per cent of the budget allocated under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCP) has been spent so far.

Against the Budget outlay of Rs 1,404 crore allocated to 35 departments under the SCP for this financial year, only Rs 225 crore was spent, which is a meager 25.73 percentage of the budget.

Six departments have so far failed to spend even a single penny, these include the Training Department, the Higher Education Department, the PWD, the Food and Civil Supplies Department, the Technical Education and the Tourism Department, despite a handsome allocation.

Out of a total of 35 departments, the Art and Culture Department spent 1.12 per cent of the budget, the Sports Department 1.04 per cent, the Water Department 3.45 per cent and the Integrated Child and Development Scheme (ICDS) 7.61 per cent, the Urban Development Department 10 per cent, the Social Welfare Department 48.4 per cent, the Information and Publicity Department 31.38 per cent, the Secondary Education Department 27.65 per cent, the Ayush 14.34 per cent, the Basic Education Department 43 percent, the Agriculture Department 6.7 per cent and the Forest Department 1.27 per cent of the total budget.

A budget outlay of Rs 7,621 lakh was made for the Basic Education Department, Rs 5,316 lakh for the Secondary Education Department, Rs 250 lakh for the Higher Education Department, Rs 996 lakh for the Technical Education Department, Rs 390 lakh for the Ayush Department and Rs 6491 lakh under the Water 
Department.

Despite passing strong strictures against the government for failing to spend funds by the members of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who were in Dehradun recently, the Uttarakhand Government has failed to get its act together.  

Lokpal Bill strong, says Harish Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 10
With the Opposition and Gandhian Anna Hazare terming the Central Government’s Lokpal Bill weak and the standing committee report “fooling people of the entire nation”, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat today said the Bill was strong and efficient.

He even put onus on the BJP-led Opposition for putting hurdles in ensuring the passage of the Lokpal Bill and six other important Bills by creating a ruckus to make sure the winter session got adjourned.

On the issue of black money, particulary raised by Ramdev, Rawat claimed that the UPA government was serious on this issue and was contemplating on bringing it in the purview of law.

“The tenure of the UPA I and-II till date has been unmatched, be it in terms of development, social schemes, enactment of the RTI, the RTE and now the Lokpal Bill,” said Rawat, while addressing a party function in Jwalapur.

Addressing a gathering, the Haridwar MP said it was only the Congress, which had really did development during its government in the state, while the current BJP state government was only involved in corruption and scams.

“Be it the Mahakumbh scam, the Sterdia land scam or even the disaster relief fund, BJP Cabinet Ministers were filling their and the party’s coffers only.

If former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was removed by the BJP high command on the Kumbh scam, then it was only a facade as they later made him the party’s national vice-president. This was the real face of the BJP, which did “corruption with a difference!” said Rawat.

Among others who addressed the gathering were the organiser of the rally former legislator Ambrish Kumar, Satpal Brahmchari, Gawaksh Joshi, Rajesh Rastogi, Vimla Pandey and Ravish Bhatija.

New master plans for Pithoragarh, Ramnagar
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 10
Pithoragarh and Ramnagar towns of the Kumaon region will have new master plans for planned urban growth.

Under this plans, a total of 22 new villages will be included in Pithoragarh and 16 in Ramnagar town .

“A new town plan for Kausani will also be made on the basis of an estimate of population in 2031,” said VP Sharma, assistant planner, Town Planning office.

The government has issued orders to finalise the master plan for Pithoragarh. “In October, our team had surveyed the town as well as villages to be included in it. The survey revealed that it is essential to include these nearby villages in the town so that the city could develop according to the plan,” said Sharma.

According to the master plan being prepared by the department, the facilities that will be created include the separation of commercial and residential zones, sufficient community services, better management of police stations, post office services, telephone and electricity in the town and a sufficient number of bus and taxi stands. “It will take six months to finalise the master plan for the town,” said Sharma.

“To prepare the master plan for Ramnagar, we will have to include some more villages to extend the regulated area in the city,” he added.

Govt firm on industrial development
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 10
Chief Minister BC Khanduri said today that if voted to power, the BJP government would replicate the model of industrial investment in the state as is being successfully implemented by the Gujarat Government.

Khanduri who was here to inaugurate Haridwar’s first five-star hotel in Integrated Industrial Estate, SIDCUL, claimed that the government had started taking initiatives in this regard like contemplating having a single window system for industrial investment, both domestic and foreign.

He also emphasised the need of industrial investment, particularly in the hilly districts.

State Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik said several industrial hubs in the state were contributing to the state economy and providing employment opportunities to thousands of people of the state.

He further said more than 10 industrial houses would be opening their units in hilly districts, which would help stop migration from villages to other areas.

CMD, Super Tech, RK Arora said more than 40 per cent of the youth hailing from Uttarakhand had been provided employment in Radisson Blu Hotel.

Meeting on reducing man-animal conflict
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 10
The Wildlife Savers Society and the Tiger Protection Group today held a meeting here to discuss ways to reduce man-animal conflict in the state. Terry Brennan from California said the state had been facing a major problem of man-animal conflict that needed to be solved at the earliest.

Another participant, Hans Bekkar from the Netherlands, stressed the need to formulate wildlife-friendly policies in India.

Upmanyu Raju, chief executive officer, Tiger Projection Group, said they would organise a workshop at Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy’s auditorium tomorrow in this regard.

Sports college, 3 water projects get nod
Minister says college will start functioning from April 2012
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 10
Amid announcement by the Pithoagarh District Congress president that anyone who will bring the proof of fulfilment of any promises made by BJP leaders since 2007 in the district will be awarded by Congress, Uttarakhand Drinking Water Minister and local MLA Prakash Pant on Saturday announced the financial approval of three potable water schemes and the construction of sports college in the district.

“The three schemes for Pithoragarh and Moonakot blocks will benefit 15,000 people of 40 villages in these blocks,” said Pant.

“Two of the projects costing Rs 2.63 crore will be constructed in Pithoragarh and one, which costs Rs 4.65 crore, will benefit Kharkini village of Moonakot block”, said Pant.

Meanwhile, issuing a statement ahead of a BJP youth rally in the town on December 12, district Congress president, Mahendra Singh Lunthi said after coming into power, BJP leaders had been befooling the people on fake promises and did nothing on ground.

“In Pithoragarh, the promises of opening base hospital, starting airstrip and constructing two artificial lakes for the attraction of tourist, have proved fake that is why we had to announce that if any one prove that promises had been fulfilled, we will reward him,” said the president.

But unmoved with these criticism, the minister also announced that a sports college would also start functioning in the district from April 2012. The college will be located initially in a building meant for the workshop for the disables in the district headquarters.

“Rs 38 crore has been released by the government for the sports college. The money will be spent in construction of a hostel, administrative building and staff quarters of the college,” said the minister.

According to sports officer of the district, Vinod Singh Waldia, initially 30 students would be admitted to the sports college for which a state-level admission test will be held before April 2012.

Class VI students of Rama Devi college win trophy
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, December 10
Students from Class VI won the coveted trophy after being adjudged as the best class for the year at the annual day function of Rama Devi Inter-College here today.

The students from the school presented various cultural programmes, including Garhwali folk songs, that were much appreciated by the gathered audience.

The chief guest on the occasion High Court advocate A Rab, former student of the school, gave the citation and trophies to the winners.

School vice-principal Vijay Prasad Bhatt read out the annual report highlighting the achievements of the school. The students won laurel for the school in the field of cricket, hockey, table-tennis and badminton by winning trophies in inter-school sport tournament.

Girish Prasad Bhatt from Rama Devi School made the school proud by participating in the state-level athletics championship.

The school received the first prize for the cultural programme held at Shagun Palace during the Independence Day celebrations. The students under the eco club planted a large number of saplings to preserve environment in the town.

In academics Bilal Hyder, Vipul Panwar, Ankit Rawat Neeraj Chauhan, Satendarpal received citations and awards for the current year.

Bilal Ahmed, Sunil Thapa and Sunit Kumar won award in creative writing held on Hindi Divas.

A painting and science exhibition was also organised that was much appreciated by the chief guest and the parents of the students.

Principal of the school Anuj Tayal thanking the staff and the students also highlighted the shortage of staff as main problem in the school.

Tayal said the school had shortage of seven teachers in science, mathematics and English. The chief guest assured the school that he would raise the matter in the right forum and try to solve the issue of the staff shortage at the earliest.

Xmas season begins with carol singing in Mussoorie
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, December 10
The Christmas season was ushered in with carol singing in praise of the Lord by Firs Foundation, the organisation that supports orphan children in the Landour cantonment area of Mussoorie today. The students from Firs orphanage welcomed the audience with Christmas carols and offered prayers on the occasion.

Ashish Pradhan, chairman of the Firs Foundation, welcomed the chief guest, MLA, Mussoorie, Jot Singh Gunsola, vice president, Cantontment Board, CP Balon, and ward member Kamal Sharma by offering a flower bouqet.

Thereafter, students presented a welcome song, which was followed by a dance by Church of North India girls, depicting the joy of Christmas.

Amit, Sandeep and Anil lightened the mood of the audience with hilarious jokes presented by them.

The boys’ home presented a song titled “So good to me” that was much appreciated by the audience.

The nativity skit was also performed by the boys’ home, highlighting the birth of Christ. The Rupantaran Group presented a skit depicting the miracles of Lord Jesus Christ in the end.

A Christmas message was read out along with the concluding speech by Jot Singh Gunsola.

Fast against power projects opposed

Dehradun, December 10
The Uttarakhand Jan Manch (UJM) has opposed the fast to be observed by Prof GD Aggarwal on Makar Sakranti next year against hydro-power projects being set up on the Ganga. Suman Dhyani, general secretary, said they would not let Aggarwal sit on dharna on “an anti-development issue” and if needed the members of the organisation themselves would observe a fast against Aggarwal.

Founder of the UJM Ashok Bahukhandi said the state had already incurred a loss of Rs 600 crore for closing such hydro-power projects. The environment faced more damage because of the closure of these projects and not because of their operation, she said and advised to Aggarwal to observe his fast in other states where the Ganga was more polluted than in Uttarakhand. — TNS