BJP to release candidates’ list in mid-January
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 21
Though the BJP had at first claimed that the first list of probable candidates would be released as soon as the model code of conduct was in place, now for astrological and political reasons, the party would be able to release it’s first list only on or after January 14 next year.

For superstitious reasons and true to it’s form, the BJP would be releasing the first list of the probable candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections only after the end of malmaas period currently on.

During this period, all auspicious work, including weddings, are usually not undertaken, so the ticket distribution in the BJP would take place only on or after the auspicious festival of Makar Sakranti, that would follow immediately after the end of malmaas on January 19.

During the 2007, too, the BJP had made astrological calculations while declaring the list of the probable candidates.

Party leaders are maintaining that while the Central Parliamentary Board would finalise the candidates from a panel prepared by the Uttarakhand BJP, the party is keen to get all it’s political calculations right, before deciding the final list.

“The final list would be okayed by the Central Parliamentary Board, at the moment we have a maximum of 22 candidates making claims on some 40-odd seats, while the minimum number of candidates putting forward their candidature on some six to eight odd seats is six,” said Dhan Singh Rawat, organising secretary of the BJP (state unit).

Significantly, the party is also not averse to leaders shifting their constituencies from the hill Assembly segments to the segments in the plain areas.“Within the party leadership there is gradual acceptance that with the population from the hills migrating to the plain areas, the leaders cannot be stopped from shifting political base to the plain areas,” said Rawat.

On the other hand, due to the new delimitation on some 12-odd seats, the party will have to work up new commutations, sacrificing some candidates and bringing in new candidates in their place.

As poll nears, CM on stone-laying spree
Tribune News Service

Nainital, December 21
Resorting to “power” politics just before the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect, Chief Minister BC Khanduri laid the foundation stone of a gas-based power project in the Escorts Farm area of Kashipur on Wednesday.

The power project will be jointly executed by Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) and Gas Authority of India (GAIL) at a cost of Rs 1,250 crore. In addition to this, the Chief Minister also laid foundation stones of projects to the tune of Rs 21 crore for Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts.

Toying with the possibility of the Model Code of Conduct coming into effect after Christmas, the Chief Minister and his Cabinet have once again on foundation stone laying spree in the state.

On November 23, Khanduri at a meeting in Delhi had requested Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to start the work on the proposed gas-based power project at the earliest.

At a function held at Pacchawala village on this morning, Khanduri said the area had been facing a power crisis right from time Uttarakhand came into existence. He pointed out that while the power generation had increased over the last 11 years, it had been accompanied by an ever-increasing demand, particularly with the industrialisation of this area.

He claimed that while the state had a potential to generate 5,000 MW of power, the same could not be realised in the face of environmental and other natural causes. This power generation unit is being set up as an alternative measure, he said.

He claimed that once this plant was commissioned, there would be an increase in employment opportunities and industrial growth in the area would get a boost.

Khanduri once again chose the occasion to attack the Centre for having a partisan attitude towards the state that had led to hampering of the industrial growth.

He asserted that despite the Centre cutting the special industrial package short by three years, the Uttarakhand Government would ensure its growth with the help of its own resources.

Addressing the electorate, he said the people must evaluate the style of functioning of various political parties before deciding whom to vote for. The Chief Minister also laid the stone of several roads in the district and dedicated to the people the building of a government inter-college at Jhanghat.

Stone laid

• A gas-based power project in the Escorts Farm area of Kashipur
• Projects to the tune of Rs 21 crore for Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts

• Dedicates to the people the building of a government inter-college at Jhanghat

2 nabbed with leopard’s skin, bones
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 21
The district police and forest officials seized skin and bones of a leopard from two persons who were about to sell them in Haridwar today. As per information, on a tip-off from an informer, the police got a clue that two persons were on the way to sell the skin of a leopard. A trap was laid by the Ranipur police in which police constables posed themselves as prospective buyers.

At Salempur-Bahadrabad near Suman Chowk, a deal was finalised for Rs 80,000 for the skin. As soon as the skin was brought out, the police arrested the illegal sellers.

The leopard skin that has been seized by the police in Haridwar on Wednesday; and (right) the accused. Tribune photos: Rameshwar Gaur

The arrested persons are Kamal Nath, resident of Haripur Kalan, Dehradun, and Rakesh Nath of Pathri, Haridwar, who said they were just middlemen and were provided advance payment to sell the leopard skin and bones.

A case under the Wildlife Protection Act(1972) has been registered against the accused and in view of this incident, a vigil has been intensified in the nearby regions of the Rajaji National Park too.

SSP Haridwar lauded the Ranipur police team and assured a reward to the police team that included constables Vijay Kumar, Arun and Shahzad.

Rs 55.65 cr plan approved for US Nagar
Tribune News Service

Nainital, December 21
A district plan to the tune of Rs 55.65 crore has been approved for Udham Singh Nagar district. The approval came at a meeting of the District Planning Committee at Rudrapur on Wednesday that was chaired by Cabinet Minister in-charge of the district Bansidhar Bhagat.

In his address, Bhagat called upon the officials of various departments to formulate plans that would lead to employment generation and an increase in the economic status of the people residing in the district. He also underlined that the new plans should be formulated keeping in mind that they are to be executed in the long run.

The minister said that there would be complete transparency in the new plans. He also pointed out that the public representatives must be taken on board when it came to formulating and implementing new programmes.

The minister called for implementing various schemes in letter and in spirit right up to the grassroot level.

Chief Development Officer (CDO) Balakrishna said that the proposals were being formulated keeping in mind the topographical and economic conditions prevalent in the district. He said that public representatives would surely be involved in formulation and execution of schemes.

Khanduri only hope for BJP: Congress
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 21
Senior Congress leader and spokesman of the Uttarakhand Congress Dhirendra Pratap has termed BJP a ‘sinking ship’ with reappointment of BC Khanduri being the only hope for the party.

Pratap added that this change of guard would also not stop the BJP’s downfall in the Assembly elections, as the party leaders have lost public faith owing to mass corruption and scams.

The PCC member was in the city attending a major party leaders’ meeting and also guided the young party activists on election campaigning.

He also expressed concern for a clear stand of the BJP on the removal of former Chief Minster Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank but not removing the tainted Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik, who was the Mahakumbh mela in charge minister.

On legendary folk singer Narendra Singh Negi giving a presentation during his electoral rally at Nainidanda in Pauri Garhwal despite the singer being a pro-third front supporter, Pratap said that was a cultural performance only and not much should be looked into this.

“Narendra Singh Negi is one of the great cultural artistes that the state has produced and we both have deep admiration for each other,” said Pratap, who has a good hold in the interior region of hills.

City Congress chief O P Chauhan apprised the veteran party leader of the political scenario in the district, particularly about the mass outpour being received in the ‘Parivartan yatra’.

While statehood agitator and former general secretary of the state Congress JP Pandey said the party needed to have a balanced approach while allocating ticket, as the combination of experience and youth would garner maximum seats for the party in the state.

CPM flays CEC decision on booths
Tribune News Service

Dehradun December 21
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has denounced the Chief Election Commissioner’s decision to allow setting up of booths outside polling stations by political parties.

In a letter sent to the CEC, today, state secretary, CPM, Vijay Rawat, said representatives of various political parties had brought up this issue before him on November 17 when he came on a visit to the city and apprised him how the Congress and the BJP influenced voters by setting up booths outside the polling stations and misused money.The practice affected prospects of other political parties and posed a hindrance to conducting free and fair elections, he said, and added the CEC had accepted their decision that time, which was welcomed by all other political parties except the BJP and the Congress.

Rawat rued the CEC’s retraction from his decision which, he said, sidelined the opinion of five out of seven political parties in the state, and thus raised the question on the credibility of the office of Chief Election Commission.

He urged the CEC to give a directive to all parties not to set up booths outside polling stations to ensure free and fair Assembly elections in the the state.

Body formed to protect interests of artistes

Dehradun December 21
Various like-minded groups formed the Uttarakhand Film, Television and Radio Association in the city today to protect the interests of artistes and technicians related to films, television, radio and music in the state. The association will also organise a function, samman smaroh, to honour those who contributed significantly to these fields on December 30 in city.

Pradeep Bhandari was appointed its president, Kanta Prasad general secretary and Jayprakash Panwar as patron. Bhandari rued the apathy of the state government in promoting film industry in the state, which he alleged, could bring in revenue worth crores. He said their organisation was not dependent on the state government for promotion and would itself contribute to this direction. He said they would invite film directors/producers from Mumbai and rest of the country and provide them locations and paraphernalia. — TNS

Red Cross volunteers to be given medical training
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 21
In view of all 13 districts of the state falling in the disaster-prone region, the state government is now contemplating to utilise the services and experience of Red Cross volunteers.

A week-long state-level master training programme commenced today with training being given to the volunteers of instant medical relief work during road accidents, landslides, flood, cloudburst, earthquake and other natural disasters.

These volunteers will be trained and deployed in their respective districts to provide instant aid prior to reaching of a disaster management team and the administrative aid.

Chief Secretary Subash Kumar inaugurated the week-long training and assuring the state chapter of the Red Cross that they would also be providing special training from expert police trainers too.

Chief medical officer Dr Deepa Sharma also assured the ongoing training programme of full support from the medical staff.

Dr Naresh Chaudhari, chief of the Uttarakhand Red Cross wing, Dr Kailash Raijada, senior adviser of the IRCS, general secretary, IRCS, Dr I S Pal, disaster management officer Kailash Pandey, Dr MS Ansari, coordinator Shalini Badoni, SP Yogendra S Rawat, CO JR Joshi among others were present on the occasion.

UKD (P) women cell holds protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun December 21
Pramila Rawat, head of the women cell of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar), led party members to the Chief Minister’s residence at Garhi Cantt in protest against the expulsion of 250 selected candidates for the posts of police constable for 2010-11.

The members started their rally from Parade Ground, proceeded from Dila Ram Chowk and reached before the CM’s house.

In the absence of the Chief Minister, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate received their memorandum and assured them a meeting with Chief Secretary tomorrow on this issue.

In her memorandum, Rawat called the expulsion of 250 candidates, who had been selected and completed their training period, erroneous. She said such candidates were more than 600 but only these 250 were punished, which was unjustified. She appealed to hand over the inquiry to the CBI or the CID so that the expelled candidates could get justice.

Admn told to get rid of black bear menace
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 21
After a herd of Himalayan black bears killed nine domestic goats in Samkot village of Munsiyari subdivision, villagers have appealed to the subdivisional administration to get rid of the menace of these bears, which are descending from high Himalayan peaks to valleys downwards due to chilling dry cold in these higher reaches.

“The Himalayan bears, moving around in the village, and have killed nine goats of Khushal Singh and Jaman Singh,” said Dharma Singh Basera, village pradhan.

According to the villagers, due to this menace of bears, village women are not going out to collect fodder for their animals and fuel wood for them. “The school kids of the village are worst affected with this menace as they have stopped going to schools because they have to pass through dense forests on their way to their schools,” said the pradhan.

The villagers have said that they hade given the information concerning the menace to the Forest Department but the department had done nothing. “If the department does no take steps in this direction, the villagers will not be able to do even their routine duties,” said the villagers.

Satpal Maharaj appointed chairperson of poll panel
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 21
Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj has expressed gratitude to Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for appointing him chairperson of the Uttarakhand Election Campaign Committee.

In a statement issued here today, Satpal Maharaj said the election management in the state would be done with active cooperation of party workers. He said the issues affecting the people would be taken up on a priority basis during the campaigning.

He said apart from taking up public issues, the Congress would also work for the redressal of public problems during the election campaigning.

The MP said he had been asked by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to canvass for the party in Uttar Pradesh. Maharaj said he would be taking a delegation of former Uttar Pradesh MLAs residing in Uttarakhand to UP for election campaigning in that state.

He reiterated his commitment to work for the betterment of the Congress both in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Villagers seek power, roads

Pithoragarh, December 21
The villagers of Kanalichina and Munsiyari have threatened to boycott the coming Assembly elections if they were not provided with electricity, water and road connectivity before the poll.

Villagers of Kota, Malon and Lod today met the District Magistrate and apprised him of their decision. “The Electricity Department has electrified only one village. Nearly 60 houses of Bhuchaura, Dikhtar and Kamda Dhura villages are without power. Besides this, they are also worried about the future of their children as the junior high school that opened in the area two years ago has no teacher,” said Govindi Devi, a block development committee member from the area.

The villagers said before meeting the District Magistrate, they had also met the SDM of Didihat and apprised him of the problems being faced by them. — OC

Swabhiman Kendra a hit among aged
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 21
Swabhiman Kendra, a day care and recreation centre, is proving to be a hit among the aged and senior citizens who are using the facilities at the centre to the hilt.

The centre has been established by the Cantonment Board, Dehradun, in association with Anugraha.

Dr Aabha Chaudhary, chairperson, Anugraha, said the organisation was committed to providing adequate facilities to the aged who were living alone. “In the coming days, we will also hold a five-day training programme on the management of dementia. Participants from Uttarakhand, Delhi and Haryana would learn about the early diagnosis and the care of dementia patients.

Craft exhibition
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 21
Lovedale Academy, Turner Road, Clement Town, organised its annual exhibition of art, craft and rangoli here today. Senior schoolchildren also displayed their science, commerce and environmental studies models.

The skill and talent on display was appreciated by all those present. The highlight of the exhibition was a performance by senior schoolchildren who showed skill, knowledge and understanding in their explanation and demonstration of different models on display. A warm welcome was given to the parents and guests.

Development officer robbed

Nainital, December 21
A village development officer (VDO) posted at Betalghat was robbed of Rs 20,000 and certain government documents were also taken after he was attacked by some youths near the block office in Bhimtal.

It is learnt that Gopal Singh Shahi was coming from Garampai to Haldwani in his car after doing his job. His car was stopped by one person and this was followed by four youths attacking him.

The accused allegedly took away Rs 20,000 from his coat pocket along with the government documents that he was carrying. Efforts are on to nab the accused. — TNS

Provide night shelter to homeless: DM

Dehradun, December 21
Dehradun District Magistrate Dileep Jawalkar has directed officials to provide proper night shelter and firewood to the homeless and the poor in the city.

He inspected night shelter homes and arrangement of firewood at various places in the city. The DM was accompanied by the Additional District Magistrate, the Mukhiya Nagar Adhikari, the Chief Development Officer and the Social Welfare Officer. — TNS