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Pollution in Saryu cause for concern
LEDs light up Mussoorie roads
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Dental institute refuses internship certificates to students
Follow Constitution on issue of permanent residents: UKD
Adopt computerised public distribution system: Chief Secy
Ultrasonic method to detect hollowness in trees
dehradun Diary
Sachin in Mussoorie
Expedite work on five-star hotel: Jain
Three cops suspended for negligence
Cong rally at Roorkee on Dec 30
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Pollution in Saryu cause for concern
Pithoragarh, December 23 According to Shah, due to throwing of garbage in the river by villagers of Loharkhet, Munar, Soong, Rithabagar, Bharari and Kapkot, the river is already polluted before it reaches Bageshwar. In Bageshwar town, the entire sewerage of the town and garbage gets dumped in the river. On the occasion of Uttarayani festival, a bath at the confluence of Saryu and Homati is considered sacred as per the Hindu traditions. “The administration as well as the Irrigation Department has failed to check the pollution in the river. The devotees will have to take bath in the polluted waters of the river,”
charged Shah. Bageshwar District Magistrate V Shanmugham said the administration had sent a proposal to construct a sewer pipe line to the state government for approval. “We will be able to do something after the construction of the sewer pipeline,” he said. Besides the pollution, illegal quarrying on both the banks has also affected the river. Social workers of the town have appealed to the administration to check illegal quarrying from the river banks. “Whatever area is covered by the river during monsoon should be termed as the riverbed and no quarrying activity should be allowed on it,” said DP Singh, Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department, Kumaon region. |
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LEDs light up Mussoorie roads
Mussoorie, December 23 AK Agarwal, chairman and interim CEO, EESL, and director of the project speaking to mediapersons said the overall size of energy-efficiency market is estimated to be Rs 74,000 crore. The EESL a joint venture of NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation and Powergrid, created to facilitate implementation of energy-efficiency projects. “EESL is the first such company exclusively for implementation of energy-efficiency projects in South Asia. Lighting is an important source of energy spending and the Mussoorie project is aimed at initiating showcasing how public streetlighting can be a major source of conservation. LEDs are proven to be highly energy efficient,” added AK Agarwal. Abhijit Rai, ED, Insta Power, said the LED streetlights were proven to be a cutting edge technology and had unique features that result in higher energy efficiency, light quality and system reliability. LEDs give more visible light for a comparatively less amount of electrical energy input. A number of LEDs are used to provide diffused and high level of illumination in a streetlight panel. Apart from being over 100 times longer in life than incandescent lamps and over 10 times more than HPSV lamps, LEDs are non-toxic (mercury free). Hence, disposing it of is not hazardous as opposed to filament lamps, CFLs and HPSV lamps. Using LED luminaries drastically lowers maintenance and replacement costs. The installed LED streetlights generate much less heat as compared to incandescent bulbs / HPSV /MH lamps thereby restricting emission of CO2 to the atmosphere. They are also difficult to break and the durability factor also makes them most suitable for public use. "Instapower is committed to developing better technologies keeping in mind the challenges of future. We are glad to be part of the project and hope the endeavour will educate and encourage general public to adopt LEDs for domestic use for a brighter tomorrow," added Abhijit Rai. He further said the project, first of its kind in Uttarakhand, is an attempt to integrate newer technologies to civic amenities to the public. LEDs have indeed emerged as the future of all lighting needs and he was hopeful that the high-tech LED streetlights installed by Insta Power would continue to brighten up not just the roads but also the mood of the city. Ravinder Singh, a tourist from Punjab, said the beauty of the town had been enhanced added with sense of security for the tourists. |
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Police campaign against black films on vehicles, rash driving
Dehradun, December 23 Ever since the rape incident which took place in a tinted-glass bus in Delhi, the traffic police in the city, too, has become alarmed over this. We are issuing challans of Rs 500 each to car owners and Rs 1000 to van/bus drivers.” Those indulging in rash driving and drunken driving, too, are being nailed by the traffic police. Swantantar Kumar said: “It has beenseen that boys resort to fast driving on their sleek motor bikes, thus making other commuters panicky and vulnerable to accidents. We are issuing challans to them as well." Similar is the case with drunken driving. Be it boys or mature men, driving after having hard drinks is on the rise, especially since they were not penalised much earlier. "Now we are also punishing these offenders,” he added. |
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SP calls on activists to prepare for local bodies, general election
Dehradun, December 23 Sachan said: " The party members have been asked to be prepared for local bodies and, thereafter, Lok Sabha elections and strengthen the party base at both levels. They have been given an action plan whereby they will have to undertake
certain activities and intensify their interaction with the public." He said if the state government did not release any government order with regard to clarifying and simplifying the procedure of formation of caste certificate as well as
permanent residence certificate, than they would lay siege to the Secretariat in the month of February. Very soon, he said, a district convention would be held at Haridwar. About the ensuing local bodies elections, he said: "The district-based committees would be constituted which would finalise the names of the candidates for local bodies' elections. The candidates would fight on the party
symbol. |
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Dental institute refuses internship certificates to students
Dehradun, December 23 The price tag allegedly put by the Principal has stumped the students of the second batch who find themselves in a
catch-22 situation. “The management of the institute has refused to issue our ICC provided we forfeit our claim on security fee worth Rs 1 lakh by signing a no objection certificate. Without the ICC, the degree would not be awarded,” said an aggrieved student. The ICC is vital for dental students as on its basis, the students would be awarded the dental degree by the concerned university. This in turn would pave the way for registration at the state dental council and that is when they can practise
as dentists. Under pressure and fearing reprisals by the management in case they claim security amount, the students are running from pillar to post. “Our parents have spent their hard earned money on our education, abiding by the legitimate and illegitimate demands of the institute solely for the sake of our future. But now the institute management has crossed all limits. Nothing matters to them except squeezing money out of parents and students,” said a student. The college management had also refused to pay stipend amount payable to the students during the period
of internship. |
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Follow Constitution on issue of permanent residents: UKD
Dehradun, December 23 The Uttarakhand state government should also not deviate from this stance either, he said. He said the government must remove the confusion at the earliest. Party founder and former president Diwakar Bhatt, who was also present on the occasion, touched upon the issue of Gairsain, saying it had become evident that by holding one session of the Assembly and also inaugurating Vidhan Sabha building at Gairsain, the state government was ready to give symbolic approval to make Gairsain capital of the state. He said, “The government is required to rise above the petty politics and must declare Gairsain as the capital of the state and rename it as Chander Nagar Gairsain.” He talked about the shutdown mega hydropower projects, demanding completion of their construction work. He said since hundreds of crores were already spent on these projects, it was not wise to leave them incomplete. He stressed that the government should pay attention to small and medium hydropower projects in future, keeping in view topography of the state. On the subject of quarrying, he said the restrictions which had been lifted over quarrying activity by the High Court must not be imposed again as quarrying provided employment to lots of people in the state. Raturi said if quarrying was undertaken in a scientific manner, it would help in mitigating the effects of natural disasters and the water level of rivers, too, would remain controlled. The concrete material required for construction of buildings in the state would be easily available at affordable costs, he added. Bhatt also drew attention toward the grievous problem of constant migration from the hills. He said the state government failed to set up industries of public and private sectors, owing to which people living in hill areas had no option but to turn toward plains in search of employment. He said the state government must devise an effective policy regarding this. |
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Saigrace Academy students honoured
Dehradun, December 23 Earlier, Chairman Saigrace Academy International Col Yogendra Kumar (retd) said the school was constantly doing innovations to ensure that the best of education was delivered to the children. He said there was no compromise in the quality of education being provided to the students. Principal Vaishali Singh also read out the annual report. School students presented a cultural programme. Starting with a school choir by students, the show comprised colourful variety of performances. It included dance, skits, individual performances and acting talent exhibited by tiny tots. A play on environment was the other highlight of the celebrations. Brig H K Tiwari also gave award awards to the students, who had excelled in academics as well in sports. An exhibition was also organised on the school campus that included science models prepared by the students. A large number of parents were present on the
occasion. |
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Adopt computerised public distribution system: Chief Secy
Dehradun, December 23 He asserted that the first phase should be initiated by February and the responsibility of verification of ration cards be rested on District Magistrates. Secretary, Food, Subardhan, said the National Informatics Centre (NIC) had fed data of all officials of the food department from supply inspectors to the Food Commissioner. He said the information of ration shops, ration cards and depots of all villages and tehsils in the district had been collected under the Stakeholder Management Identity Management System. Besides, data regarding ration distribution, APL, BPL, stock of ration and requirements has been collected. In the first phase, the process of preparing smart cards and ration cards with the detail of holders’ fingerprints, pupil of their eyes and units would be made online with entire supply chain. The meeting was attended by the additional secretary, IT, Ravinath Raman, the senior director of the NIC, Dr Devratna Shukla, and other senior officials. |
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Ultrasonic method to detect hollowness in trees
Dehradun, December 23 Director General, ICFRE, Dr VK Bahuguna yesterday reviewed the achievements of the project. During a presentation by project leader YM Dubey, Dr Bahuguna impressed upon the need to utilise these findings for the advantage of the public. “The average life of a plantation timber species is 15-20 years, whereas for natural grown trees, it may be beyond 40 years. There are a large number of over-mature trees which are left unharvested even after attaining maturity. Quite often, many of these are uprooted themselves due to hollowness present inside which lends them weak and cause human hazards,” said Dr Bahuguna. The findings of this project will go a long way in identifying such trees, especially those standing in vulnerable locations. Dr Bahuguna also stressed the use of this non-destructive technique even in forests where biotic interferences are quite frequent. The FRI is pursuing further research in this direction, so that a package of practises could be transferred to stakeholders like the state Forest Department. |
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dehradun Diary
THE differences between various factions of the Uttarakhand Congress refuse to die down. The latest issue that has cropped up relate to the party rally to be held at Roorkee on December 30. It was during the “Chintan Baithak” of senior Congress leaders held earlier this month that it was decided to go to the people with welfare policies and programmes of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
The party as part of its effort to prepare for the crucial 2014 Lok Sabha polls decided to answer the doubts and falsehood spread by the Opposition regarding the issues of 2G spectrum, coal block allocation and foreign direct investment (FDI). The party leaders felt that they had failed to take the various welfare measures by the Central Government to the people and there was need to blunt the Opposition onslaught on these issues by directly going to the people. So, it was decided to hold a party rally at Roorkee to explain to the people particularly the farmers, the benefits of the foreign direct investment in the retail sector. Birender Singh, general secretary, in charge of the Uttarakhand party affairs, had directed the state party organisation to make preparations for the proposed rally. However, the party organisation faced a roadblock since Roorkee, being part of the Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency, is represented by Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat. Since, Harish Rawat is a bitter rival of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and state Congress chief Yashpal Arya, he raised his objections to holding of the rally at Roorkee on December 30. Yashpal Arya, Uttarakand Pradesh Congress chief, reportedly tried to elicit his support for the rally but Harish Rawat said that the timing of the rally was not suitable. He said the farmers were busy in the sowing of sugarcane crop and due to foggy conditions, it would not be advisable to hold the rally on December 30. However, this has created a piquant situation for the party organisation and the Congress government. With non-cooperative attitude of Harish Rawat, there are doubts about the rally. It was learnt that Birender Singh asked the party organisation to go ahead with the proposed rally. Meanwhile, Harish Rawat in a statement announced that there were no differences between him and party organisation on holding of the rally. He categorically said it was the responsibility of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and state Congress chief Yashpal Arya to make preparations for the rally. He said Yashpal Arya did talk to him about the rally and he had welcomed the rally. However, Harish Rawat said he had apprised the president about the foggy conditions prevalent in Haridwar district and the ongoing sugarcane sowing season. But if the party still decided to hold the rally on December 30, he would welcome it. On the other hand, party organisation finds itself in a bind since it will not be possible to gather people for the rally without
the support of local MP Harish Rawat. Due to intense cold wave conditions prevalent in the state, it will also not be possible to mobilize a large number of people from other districts of the
state. — SMA Kazmi |
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Sachin in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, December 23 Sachin Tendulkar arrived in the town around 5 pm and straight away headed to the house of his close friend and business man from Mussoorie Sanjay Narang. He was accompanied by his wife Anjali, son Arjun and the daughter Sarah. He will be staying at the house of his close friend and business partner Sanjay Narang and probably celebrate New Year here. Sachin and his family have been regular visitors to the town for the past few years and find it to their liking. The children can while their time freely at Woodstock School and mingle with the locals at equal terms without being hounded by the adoring fans elsewhere. He has visited the town earlier in March 2008, and the second time in December 2010, giving air to rumours the claims that the cricketer was interested in buying a house and enrolling his son at Woodstock School. |
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Expedite work on five-star hotel: Jain
Dehradun, December 23 Jain observed that the state could be made self-sufficient in the power sector through small hydropower projects and directed the officials to complete the projects on priority basis after the assessment of the effect on environment. He also laid emphasis on developing basic infrastructures for the promotion of tourism in the state. It was informed at the meeting that tenders had been invited by Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited for 11 small-scale hydropower projects. Tenders for five of them had been received. The tenders were ready for the 4 MW Kho-II project and the 3.7 MW Kho-III project at Pauri, 1 MW project on river Tons in Dehradun, 19 MW project on Nyar River at Pauri, 1 MW project on Balchhina Nala at Bageshwar, 2 MW project on Western Nyar at Pauri and 2.25 MW project on the eastern Nyar river. |
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Three cops suspended for negligence
Dehradun, December 23 Gandhi who was in the Sidhowala jail for theft is also accused for similar offence in Uttar Pardesh. He was taken by the three constables for hearing to Agra. Before reaching Agra, the accused gave the three policemen the slip and got down from the train. He, thereafter, went to his home town Karnal. His mother brought him to the Sidhowala jail on Saturday night. IG, Jail, Bhaskaranand Joshi called it utter negligence of the policemen who accompanied the accused. |
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Three held for betting
Dehradun, December 23 The three accused are Prince Anand, resident of Dhamawala, Vikki, resident of Raipur, and Gurpreet Singh, resident of Raipur. While addressing a press conference, SSP Kewal Khurana said, “The convicts had been arrested earlier also for indulging in betting over cricket matches. But they would always get arrested after the match. This time, the accused were arrested at the house of Prince Anand while the match was on. They were using LCD TV and 10 mobile phones while putting lakhs of rupees on stake.” The accused were carrying Rs 75,000 at the time of the arrest. Khurana said the police would remain alert for such incidents during the India-Pakistan cricket matches as well. |
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Cong rally at Roorkee on Dec 30
Dehradun, December 23 Saraswat said observers had already been appointed in all 70 Assembly segments of the state to ensure the success of the rally. He said besides leaders from Uttarakhand, some Union ministers would also be
attending the rally. |
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ABVP burns govt's effigy
Dehradun, December 23 They said the incident of rape particularly in the national capital had brought shame to the country. Meanwhile, DBS College students too took out a rally and sought justice for the Delhi rape victim. |
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