Despite inclement weather, it’s work as usual for daily wagers
Mussoorie, February 6
While most of the residents and tourists have remained indoors in the warmth of their cosy rooms, there is a section of society for which it is work as usual even in this inclement weather.

State may soon have first 26-metre-high building
Dehradun February 6
The state, which has restrictions on the height of buildings up to 21 metres, is moving towards having the first building of 26 metres height, if the proposal of Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority is approved by the state government in the matter.

BJP MLA for referendum on capital
Pithoragarh, February 6
Reacting to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna’s statement that Gairsain will be permanent capital of the state, BJP leader and Kashipur MLA Harbhajan Singh Cheema said the government should instead held a referendum on the subject.

Refugee remark on Punjabis flayed
Dehradun February 6
President of the Sikh Organization of India Mahender Singh Khalsa denounced those regional forces, which called people of the Punjabi community refugees and residents of the plains as outsiders.

DM inspects illegal plotting at Jaitunwala village
Dehradun February 6
District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam visited Jaitunwala gram in Dera tehsil today with regard to carving out of illegal plots by the land mafia on five hectare land. Purushottam spotted the plot on the land near the river. ADM Jharna Kamthan who began an inquiry into the matter on the direction of Purushottam, was asked to complete the measurement of the land as per the land documents available.

Mussoorie, February 6
While most of the residents and tourists have remained indoors in the warmth of their cosy rooms, there is a section of society for which it is work as usual even in this inclement weather. The daily wages labourers consisting mainly of migrants from the economically weaker states such as Bihar and the neighbouring countries like Nepal are seen busy attending to the daily chores, irrespective of weather conditions.

This migrant labour force comes every year to the town in search of work and has to slog it out to earn a square meal on a daily basis.

Most of the migrant labourers are hired by contractors involved in construction business. They get up early each day to work outdoors despite the cold weather.

Sometimes, due to the intermittent rains, the work is hindered, forcing the labourers to stay indoors, which affects their economic prospects due to the criteria of no work no pay adversely.

Ram Bahadur, aged 45, original inhabitant of Nepal, says that the continuous rain makes it difficult to work at the construction sites, which are outdoors, and due to this, they stay huddled in the cold in their makeshift tents and quarters around the town without any money in their hands. "We have to go on in search of work to fill are empty stomachs even if it means working as coolies during the period of snow or rain to remain alive," added Ram Bahadur.

Sanjay Kumar, another labourer from Bihar, was of the view that the inclement weather spelt death-knell for them as working at construction sites was the only source of livelihood for them. "As they were the people who had to face the brunt of the inclement weather, the government should arrange some quota of rations for them to survive during such days," he added further.

Trade union leader RP Badoni is of the view that bad weather comes as a bane for the daily wagers as sitting idle for even one day meant losing out on the meal for the day.

Apart from this, the shelters in which these labourers live during their period of work in the town is appalling, which is devoid of any sanitation service or adequate cover from the bitter cold and rain, thus resulting in various health problems.

"As this unorganised sector is not regulated, there is no relief on it's way during such conditions, and most of the migrant labourers are at the mercy of the contractors," added Badoni.

He further said that the government should play an important role in regulating this unorganised sector so that the benefits proposed by various governments reach them when they need these the most. After all it is through the contribution of these labourers that the country is on the path of development.

Dehradun February 6
The state, which has restrictions on the height of buildings up to 21 metres, is moving towards having the first building of 26 metres height, if the proposal of Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) is approved by the state government in the matter.

Vice Chairman RM Sundaram said: “The private company which had been entrusted with the task to complete the construction work in MDDA shopping complex on Rajpur Road has put the condition to increase the height of the building from 21 to 26 metres. Since the state government has fixed a cap on the height of the buildings up to 21 metres in the state, we are placing the proposal before the state government to increase it by another 5 metres.”

He also advocated the amendment in the building norms in the state according to the present day requirements. He said: “The norms pertaining to heights have already changed in metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai long ago. It is high time Uttarakhand government too recognises the need in the state as well, especially in the capital city where the population has increased several fold but the space has shrunk.It is only by increasing the height and adding floors in the buildings that the increased requirements can be met.”

The shopkeepers who are operating their shops in the complex have been complaining about seepage in the ceiling, incomplete electrification, non-functional toilets and absence of lifts in the buildings. Besides this, the construction work in additional floors too is lying incomplete.

Sundaram said the private company would not only accomplish the incomplete work in the shopping complex but would also add other amenities and undertake repair work in the completed portion. He stated: “The builders working for the company are neither taking any funds from the state government nor from shopkeepers nor spending from their own pocket. They will first spend from their own resources and then compensate by building additional floors in the complex and earn by renting them out or selling them. If the government does not accept their demand, this project may hang in balance. No other private company will show interest.” 

Pithoragarh, February 6
Reacting to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna’s statement that Gairsain will be permanent capital of the state, BJP leader and Kashipur MLA Harbhajan Singh Cheema said the government should instead held a referendum on the subject.

Talking to mediapersons at his residence in Kashipur last evening, Cheema said if the government took decision in favour of Gairsain as permanent capital, it would be unfortunate for the state.

“The decision on the permanent capital without taking people of Terai in confidence will not be good for the state as the people of Terai represent not only the people from the hills but also from all corners of the country,” said the MLA.

The BJP MLA said the permanent capital of state would be located in the Terai region. More than 70 per cent population of the state would be benefited. “As the Congress government has already started neglecting the Terai region on the pretext of the permanent capital issue, it would be harmful for the government if the opinion of Terai people will not be taken into confidence on the issue of permanent capital,” said Cheema.

Dehradun February 6
President of the Sikh Organization of India Mahender Singh Khalsa denounced those regional forces, which called people of the Punjabi community refugees and residents of the plains as outsiders.

He said these forces were dividing the state into people of the plains and the hills.

He said some people were trying to disrupt the atmosphere of the state. Vice-president Gurnam Singh said the Sikh and Punjabi community played a big role in the development of the state.

He said, “I urge Chief Minister to announce Government Order with regard to permanent residence certificate so that the youth of the Sikh and Punjabi community could participate in government jobs.”

Dehradun February 6
District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam visited Jaitunwala gram in Dera tehsil today with regard to carving out of illegal plots by the land mafia on five hectare land. Purushottam spotted the plot on the land near the river. ADM Jharna Kamthan who began an inquiry into the matter on the direction of Purushottam, was asked to complete the measurement of the land as per the land documents available.

The DM also directed lekhpal (Revenue clerk) to complete the identification of land and register an FIR against the accused in the matter. He asked Kamthan to issue notice to lekhpal involved in the matter.

He said in order to stop the illegal sale and purchase of land in the district, an affidavit would be taken from lekhpal in this regard. The plots on the land were carved but the construction has not yet been started.

Dehradun February 6
The city police has arrested Soni alias Sonu and Rohit alias Dibba, both from Dehradun, for committing thefts in Sahaspur and Vikasnagar in the state and Himachal Pradesh.

The accused were arrested from Bombay Bagh, Patel Nagar, last evening. Both of them were active members of Banti and Ajay, the gang leaders who were arrested on November 19 last year.

SSP Kewal Khurana said the accused used to look for locked houses on their motorcycle and commit thefts. Sonu had also been arrested earlier in Paonta Sahib for breaking the shutter of a shop, whereas Rohit's brother was already in jail along with Ajay and Banti.

The police has recovered jewellery and goods worth Rs 94,000 from the accused on October 26 last year, goods and jewellery worth Rs 30,000 on January 3 this year and Rs 30,000 on February 2.

Dehradun, February 6
Rakesh Sharma, Principal Secretary (Higher education) called upon Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhavan today and gave the Governor detailed information regarding infrastructure in various state government universities, affiliation of colleges to universities and vacancies of lecturers in colleges.

The Governor discussed important issues regarding the improvement in quality of higher education in the state. Besides Sharma, Doon International School Chairman DS Mann, head of the art department in Doon School Bhaumik and Furkan Ali met the Governor.

Dehradun February 6
President of ABVP in DAV College Mahesh Jaguri was today arrested by the police for misbehaving with the college principal, indulging in hooliganism and damaging the college property on January 28.

He was arrested from his residence at Mohabbawala under Sections 147, 427, 352, 353, 504 and 506 of the IPC by the Dalanwala police. The other boys who were also implicated in the case are still absconding.