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Absence of workshop costs state transport corp dear
Cong workers celebrate Harish Rawat’s elevation
Congress activists distribute sweets at a function in Roorkee on Monday to celebrate Harish Rawat’s elevation to the Cabinet. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur
Badrinath shrine closed from Nov 18
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BSNL staffers observe fast
Trade unions plan march today
CM has sent wrong message to weaker sections: Tamta
Panwar to go on 2-day fast in Gairsain
Procession marks Valmiki Jayanti
SP wooing Tiwari ahead of LS poll
Army recruitment rally for youths of Uttarakhand
No piped water in Champawat, Pithoragarh villages
Ex-Army man's body found eaten by leopard
36 test positive for dengue in state
'Prerna' stall attracts buyers
Poplar growers from Haryana, Punjab attend IPC stakeholders' meet
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Absence of workshop costs state transport corp dear
Dehradun October 29 It has been nine years since the UTC came into existence in the state. But in all these years, the corporation could not build a central workshop where it could manufacture components and the bodies of buses as is done in many other states. The proposals were placed to build central workshop at Dehradun, Kathgodam and Tanakpur long ago, but these remained confined to files only. As per the proposal, the UTC was to manufacture the heavy components like engine, clutch plate and bus bodies in the workshop as is done in the neighboring Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Despite the expenditure of Rs 1 crore on the monthly basis, the quality is still not up to the mark as the buses remain stationed in workshops for long. They keep developing problems but the UTC neither has components nor the expertise. The entire work is being done through contracts. According to sources, air-conditioning system of 40 buses is out of order for long. Had they been in good condition, the buses could have fetched estimated Rs 10 lakh a day. Former managing director, UTC, Ranjit Sinha was all set to take action against those contractors who got these buses manufactured, but that could not happen as Sinha was transferred mid-way. Thankfully, 17 depot workshops in the state are capable of doing minor repairs. Earlier, the UTC used to buy the bodies of buses from Jaipur. Now they have started purchasing these from Ambala. An ordinary bus is costing Rs 18 lakh while an AC bus comes for Rs 27 lakh. The UTC could have saved millions in all these years had it built a central workshop and become independent in this direction. Ironically, neither the Transport Ministry, nor the high officials in the Secretariat, or even the state government ,ever gave it a serious thought. General manager, Technical, UTC, Deepak Jain confessed that the UTC was in dire need of a central workshop but said there was no such proposal at present.
The dark side |
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Cong workers celebrate Harish Rawat’s elevation
Haridwar October 29 The party workers burst crackers, danced to the tunes of traditional Garhwali musical instruments and distributed sweets among themselves to celebrate the occasion. The party activists, particularly those owing allegiance to Rawat, distributed sweets at Chandracharya Chowk at Ranipur and raised slogans like “Harish Rawat Zindabad”, “Sab Ka Dulara..Harish Hamara” and “Haridwar Ka Hari, Harish Rawat”. State general secretary of the Congress Santosh Chauhan said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by elevating Harish Rawat as the Union Water Resource Minister had rewarded his political caliber and ability. “He defeated Murli Manohar Joshi in his maiden Lok Sabha election and later won another two elections and became a Rajya Sabha member. As Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee chief he led the party to victory in the Assembly elections in 2002 and 2009. This reflects his hold over masses,” said Chauhan, a former chairperson of the Uttarakhand Women Commission. Party women wing office-bearer Kiran Singh held a similar celebration at Subash Nagar and attributed Rawat’s success to his determination, loyalty towards the party and a development-oriented vision. Kiran said Rawat’s exemplary performance first as the Union Minister of State for Labour and Food Processing and later as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs brought him to the good books of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Youth Congress city president Ravish Bhatija said, “Rawat is an ideal example for youths. He has always been concerned like Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi about the active participation of youths in politics.” Sewa Dal Haridwar chief Rajesh Rastogi recalled Rawat’s contribution the organisation. |
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Badrinath shrine closed from Nov 18
Gopeshwar, October 29 The portals of another Char Dham shrine, Kedarnath, will be closed from November 15 on the day of Bhai Duj. The four Char Dham shrines in the state, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, are closed around this time of the year as the area remains covered under snow — PTI
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BSNL staffers observe fast
Dehradun, October 29 Secretary of the BSNL Association SS Rothan said the issue of the repatriation of ITS officials had been pending for the past 15 years and affecting the growth of the BSNL. He said: “The BSNL management and the Telecommunication Department are deliberately ignoring this issue. They are trying to extend the deputation of ITS officials up to 2033.” |
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Trade unions plan march today
Dehradun, October 29 Amit Kumar, general secretary, said that the organisation was holding a convention about which the administration and the police were informed in advance. Many leaders of different trade unions were also present on the occasion. He said democracy had given fundamental right to all the citizens in the country to congregate for the protection of their rights. "It was the SIDCUL association and the state government which did not like the congregation of labourers, who come at the lowest pedestal in society and, hence, had deputed police force to disrupt their meeting time and again. The procession, which was taken out later,was also pre-scheduled and the police was walking ahead of the procession," he added. Despite that, the police slapped fake allegations under 7 criminal Acts and serious sections of the IPC against 182 people participating in the convention, he said, and added they would hold a march towards the Secretariat against the 'dictatorship' of the state government in this regard. |
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Elimination of ex-cadre posts
Pithoragarh, October 29 Addressing a meeting of the party at Kanalichina in the district, Tamta said the decision by the Bahuguna government on ex-cadre was taken without considering the commitment of the Congress. “While the Congress at the national level is committed to the weaker section of the country, the state government has failed to follow it,” said Tamta. Later, the Almora MP said the high court had not clearly rejected the SC/ST quota on promotion but had put three conditions which Bahuguna did not follow. “The state government can form a new law on the matter to give promotion to weaker sections of the state as the Rajasthan government has done after forming the Bhatnagar Committee,” said the MP. He expressed surprise over the decision, saying that the state government itself had formed the ex-cadre and eliminated it on its own. |
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Panwar to go on 2-day fast in Gairsain
Dehradun, October 29 He advised the ministers to go to Gairsain by roads and not by air in order to fully understand the condition of infrastructure in
the state. He gave credit to himself and his party for the drubbing of the Congress at the Tehri byelection. He accused the Congress for spending Rs 100 crore and the BJP for 15 crore to woo the voters with the might of money. He said his party might take many more years but it would certainly rule the state one day. He admitted that the party lacked the base of an organisation and resources to fight the election because of which it lost in the byelection. He said he himself had to jump into the electoral arena after the Congress played politics on the issue of domicile certificate and reservation in promotion. He hoped his party to do well in the Lok Sabha election in 2014 and said he would not hesitate in joining hands with regional parties and other organisations as well. He, however, castigated regional party Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha, saying that it was the illegal by-product of the Congress and was surviving on the funds given by the Congress so it would not strike any alliance with the
ruling party. Panwar emphasised that the people of the Uttarakhand origin should be appointed on the position of Vice-Chancellor in all nine universities of the state. He raised finger at VC of Uttarakhand Open University Vinay Kumar Pathak, saying that Pathak was making Governor inaugurate that portion of the university which was under the scanner and mired in the allegations of corruption. His party would protest against that, he added. |
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Procession marks Valmiki Jayanti
Mussoorie, October 29 Community members also felicitated political and social dignitaries for their contribution to society. Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi and Municipal Council President OP Uniyal also extended greetings on the occasion. Anil Kumar, Sushil Kumar Sood, Guru Charan Chenaliya, Anil Kumar Dhillor and Ramesh Kumar Banti were present on the occasion. — OC
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SP wooing Tiwari ahead of LS poll
Dehradun, October 28 The SP had been trying hard to win over Tiwari with an aim to consolidate its vote share among Brahmins of Uttar Pradesh in the run up to the crucial general elections of 2014. It all started with SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav praising Tiwari and inviting him to come to Lucknow and live there. He announced that the state government would fully take care of the medical needs of the veteran politician. He also eulogised the role played by Tiwari in the development of Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, Tiwari in a statement on his 88th birthday expressed his disappointment at neglect by the Congress. Interestingly, Tiwari after he was caught in a sex scandal in 2010 when he was Governor of Andhra Pradesh had become a persona non grata for the Congress. After his falling from grace, most of the Congress leaders have maintained a distance from him. Tiwari said he had been made a victim of a conspiracy by his own people and his party had failed to investigate. There was even talk of giving him an overdose of sleeping pills in the past. Mulayam, who had been looking for a senior Brahmin face following the demise of Janeshwar Mishra, had started making overtures to Tiwari. After his statement inviting Tiwari to Lucknow, the SP supremo sent a delegation of four senior party leaders to call upon the Congress leader at his residence in Dehradun. He was presented with a CD of Mulayam’s speech made in his honour last week. Yesterday, Sharda Prasad Shukla, a senior SP legislator, called upon Tiwari and urged him to come to Lucknow to give his advice to the Uttar Pradesh government. He also eulogised the role played by Tiwari as a politician and as an able administrator at the state and national levels. Shukla also recalled Tiwari’s long association with socialism. Interestingly, Tiwari started his political career as a legislator of the Praja Socialist Party in 1952. He was associated with the socialist movement till 1963 when he joined the Congress. According to political observers, a shrewd Mulayam, who always had a soft spot for Tiwari, could use the latter’s clout and image among the Brahmin community of Uttar Pradesh in the coming Lok Sabha poll in case he decides to shift loyalty. However, SN Sacchan, Uttarakhand president of the SP, denied that there was any such move. “He is a senior politician and Mulayam Singh Yadav has the highest regard for him. The Congress has no culture to honour its seniors but Mulayam Singh has offered to look after Tiwari if he decides to shift to Lucknow,” he added. |
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Army recruitment rally for youths of Uttarakhand
Haridwar, October 29 This was followed by a 1.6-km run with mandatory Army physical-sport tests being done till the evening. The recruitment was being done for the post of hawaldaar. Soldiers will be recruited in the coming days. This recruitment drive is being conducted in the seven districts of Garhwal division. Seven districts falling in Garhwal division are Pauri, Tehri, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Dehradun and Haridwar. Army Recruitment Office, Lansdowne, the home of Garhwal Regiment, is conducting this recruitment drive that began from today onwards and will be on till November 3. Only youths falling in the age bracket of 17.6 years and 23 years can take part in this recruitment rally. Talking to TNS, Colonel Virendra Kumar said that in view of the mass demand of the public, for the first time the pilgrim city of Haridwar was witnessing an Army recruitment drive, which will open doors for the willing youths of the district to be a part of the royal Indian Army. He further stated that total transparency was observed in the recruitment process and applicants had been urged not to come in contact with middlemen or outsiders who took money for making them pass the recruitment examination and physical tests. Major Ujjwal Pratap said that all those applicants who passed the physical, medical and other tests would have to appear for a written examination to be conducted at Lansdowne Army Recruitment Office in Pauri Garhwal. As per Subedar Major MR Sharma, those applicants not having domicile certificates of Uttarakhand would not be allowed to take part in this entry process at all, as this recruitment was specially being conducted for the youths of Uttarakhand only.
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No piped water in Champawat, Pithoragarh villages
Pithoragarh, October 29 According to Chief Development Officer of the district Rajiv Langhar, he had inspected the projects last month and issued orders to the concerned departments to remove roadblocks, if any. But despite this the problem persisted. The villagers have informed the CDO that they are fetching water from a 5 km distance as the pipeline has been damaged. The villagers of Tamli, Bachkot, Polap, Chami and Nakhchula are facing an acute shortage of drinking water from last month and have threatened to lock department offices if the water flow from these pipes was not restored soon,” said Joshi.
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Ex-Army man's body found eaten by leopard
Pithoragarh, October 29 “The body of Gopal Singh Gurung (55), an ex-Army person, had been spotted from a jungle near his village Gairgaon last night by his relatives
after they were searching him as he had been missing,” said Gopal Dutt Joshi, revenue sub-inspector of the area. “The body, which had been eaten almost fully, had the signs of leopard nails, confirming the death by leopard attack", said the revenue sub-inspector. According to residents, this is the 10th such incident in the area in the last 6 months as the man-eater leopards have regularly preying on human flesh. “Out of these incidents, six took place at the villages near Thal town, rest of these happened at
its surrounding areas,” said Rajendra Singh Bora, Gram Pradhan of the village. Sharpshooters
honoured
PITHORAGARH: The two sharpshooters who killed the man-eating leopard in Lamgara in Almora district were honoured
by the Vyapar Mandal and Jagruk Nagrik Adhikar Manch, Almora. They also declared the area free of man-eaters as two of them have been killed and one has been caged by the team. “The leopard spotted with the man-eater that we killed does not appear a man-eater as it is young and all its teeth are intact,” said Lakhpat Singh, the sharpshooter deputed by the Forest Department to kill the leopard. Animal lovers and campaigners of the Save the Tiger campaign blamed the Forest Department for killing the leopard. “The killed leopard was of 16 years of age. Its lower canines and two nails of the right paw have been broken due to which it was unable to hunt wild
animals. The leopards had so far attacked attacking women and children,” said Lakhpat Singh. |
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36 test positive for dengue in state
Dehradun, October 29 "One person has tested positive for the virus here while 35 cases have been confirmed in Haridwar district. However, we are trying our best to control further spread of the virus by providing immediate medical assistance to the affected persons," said Health Minister Surendra
Singh Negi. A majority of the patients have been admitted to Himalayan Hospital, Jolly Grant, and CMI Hospital in the city. The Chief Medical Officers in the affected districts had been put on the alert and asked to take preventive measures like cleaning up drains, intensifying fogging and creating awareness among people about the importance of maintaining hygiene, he said. "They have also been asked to send a daily report to me on the measures taken such as the areas visited, the steps taken to prevent further occurrence of the disease and the number of people diagnosed with the symptoms of dengue," he said. Nearly 150 suspected cases of dengue had been reported from Haridwar and Roorkee last week, of which 35 have been confirmed as positive. However, the minister asked people not to panic and instead think of preventive measures they could take at their own level to combat the |
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'Prerna' stall attracts buyers
Dehradun, October 29 Representatives from the participatory foreign countries also visited the Prerna stall and made purchases. They appreciated the efforts being done to uplift the livelihood of forest tribals and self-help groups. The items like wooden jewellery, articles made from bamboo, bhimal, basket, Tharu tribes cards made from by tribals and artisans and SHGs from Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Assam from the forest raw material were
on display. The souvenir shop is an endeavour between the forest industry and forest tribal groups and SHGs. It offers platform for the handicrafts of these groups and promoting their livelihood. The stall was visited by farmers and people attending the IPC session. |
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Poplar growers from Haryana, Punjab attend IPC stakeholders' meet
Dehradun, October 29 Joris Van Acker from Belgium and Ian McIvor from New Zealand in addition to NGOs, representatives from industries, State Forest Department officers and officials, poplar-growing farmers from Nepal and Indian states like Haryana and Punjab attended the meet. The scientists and officers of FRI and ICFRE along with Directors of ICFRE institutes also participated. VK Bahuguna, Director General, ICFRE, welcoming all the participants from far-off places both national and international, emphasised that for the benefit of common people the conservation of biodiversity was a must. He said that methods had to be devised to manage the material resource to increase livelihood. Bahuguna said that as poplar was distributed in a restricted zone in Northern India and ICFRE had successfully introduced it in Vaishali district of Bihar, there was possibility of replicating the same in other parts of the country. The stakeholders' meet offered a platform to all concerned to discuss on the issues, challenges and opportunities of poplar growing and utilisation in the industries. Speaking on the occasion, Director, FRI, PP Bhojvaid, said that about 10 lakh hectares were planted with poplar in North India and poplar was a species outside conventional forests, which was helping to bridge the gap between supply and demand. This was an apt opportunity for the farmers and industrialists to discuss their problems and learn from each other's experiences. He emphasised that scientists from FRI should take note of the problems being faced by the farmers and suggest their solutions for taking up research in newer areas in relation to poplar and willows. During the technical session, scientists YP Singh, Shamila Kalia from FRI and Dhiman from WIMCO elaborately presented on the nursery diseases, and pest and management of poplar. JP Chandra, through the lanes of memories, briefly explained the introduction of poplar clones in India during early seventies by FRI. He stressed that other than fertiliser and other inputs, land preparation was equally important for growing poplar, while optimum density plantation should be raised to have an ideal yield. Niki Plania Chaudhary presented the economic analysis of poplar based agro forestry system. Avtar Singh also explained poplar-based agro forestry system and that it's productivity depended on the age of the tree. AS Dogra from Punjab presented his views on cultivation of poplar in Punjab during the meet. Dinesh Kumar, FRI, coordinated the stakeholders' meet. Jonhs Acker, in his presentation, said that composite wood of poplar had many promising uses and had great potential for using minimum wood with maximum output. Gajendra Singh Rajput, representing Yamuna Nagar plywood industry, expressed that there should be a separate laboratory for research on plywood industry and by developing high-yield varieties, the rotation of poplar should be reduced and the Central and state government should relax tax on poplar industry. Ian McIvor of New Zealand explained how poplar and willow trees added economic value to the farmers. Various doubts during the question-answer session were cleared, which covered the subjects like poplar disease, both fungal and insects, and their Also, during the day, the 46th meeting of the executive committee of International Poplar Commission was held at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. The International Poplar Commission (IPC) was a technical statutory body of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and its formal sessions were held every four years in different regions of the world to address topical issues and demonstrate unique applications of poplar and willow culture and management, reflecting their social, cultural, environmental and economic significance. The executive committee is the driving force of the International Poplar Commission (IPC). The functions of the International Poplar Commission are to study the scientific, technical, social and economic aspects of poplar and willow cultivation; to promote the exchange of ideas and material among research workers, producers and users; to arrange joint research programmes; to stimulate the organisation of congresses and study tours; and to report and make recommendations to national poplar commissions and poplar researchers, growers
and users. The executive committee facilitates the collection, synthesis and dissemination of information and knowledge on poplars and willows through publications and meetings. It gives it's opinion on the candidacy of countries offering to organise regular sessions every four years and also gives it's opinion to the Director-General of FAO on all matters concerning poplar and willow cultivation and timber use. The executive committee has 12 members from different countries elected in a personal capacity for a four-year term and meets during each session of the IPC, and at least once between full sessions. The current chairman is Stefano Bisoffi from Italy. The Forestry Department of FAO hosts the permanent secretariat of the IPC to provide administrative support duties to the commission and it's executive committee. After the last meeting of the executive committee of International Poplar Commission (IPC) in 2010 in Orvieto, Italy, the 46th executive committee of its executive committee was held
here today. The term of the current executive committee will end in 2012 with its 46th executive committee in Dehradun. By the end of this week a new executive committee will be elected by the heads of delegations of each IPC member-country among the candidates nominated by National Poplar Commissions
(NPC). |
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Jubilant Congress workers celebrated the elevation of Haridwar parliamentarian Harish Rawat as Union Water Resources Minister at various places today.
Dehradun, October 29
Dehradun, October 28
