Voters raise hue and cry on finding their names missing from lists
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
One common factor which ran through the entire election was that voters could be seen raising a hue and cry at almost all the polling booths, complaining about their names missing from the voters' list. The candidates and supporters of various political parties were doing their best to search the names of such voters or appealing with the election officials in polling centers or booths to enable them to vote today.

State Election Commissioner Harish Chander Joshi blamed voters for this, as he said: “The State Election Commission had asked voters to review the list and get their names included in the list by February 2. This deadline was further extended up to April 4. Some voters had got their names included in the voters' list within the given deadline.”

Among others, state president of Samajwadi Party SN Sachan and four members of his family too could not cast their votes as their names were also missing from the voters' list at ward number 5, Arya Nagar, at

polling booth in Gurukul Kangri School today. His wife Savitri had tears in her eyes as she said that it was for the first time in her life that she could not vote. Besides Sachan and his wife, his sister, brother-in-law and niece too could not vote for the reason. He had lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission. Sachan said: “I would have inquired in case I had to get a new voter's card.

I was confident of my name in the list. If a person like me, who is a known name in the city, could get his name missing from the voters' list in the city, one can imagine the fate of others. Hundreds of such complaints have been reported in this election.” He further added: “

What is the use of such voter's card if we are dependent on only on voters' list? At the time of parliamentary elections, a separate voters' list is prepared and on civic polls. Why cannot there be a single voters' list? Each time a mess is created in the name of voters' list.”

One of the senior residents of Dehradun, Hakim Akbar Farooqui (94), was surprised that the names of his entire family were missing from the voting list.

“ My father and the entire family have been voting for the past 60 years in the city but are surprised to find our names missing,” said Hakim Ajmal, his son. 

Stiff fight between mainstream parties may benefit Independents
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 28
Independent candidates are likely to take benefits of neck-to-neck fight between two mainstream parties in the local body election at those places in the Kumaon region, where anti-incumbency factors are damaging both Congress as well as the BJP. According to sources, the polling, which is unlikely to cross the record of the last elections of 2008, picked up at slow pace in hill districts of the region.

In Nainital, where voting was nearly 60 per cent by 4 pm and according to observer not likely to cross the figure of 65 per cent this year, fight is between five main contestants including three rebels each from the BJP, Congress and UKD. “If local voters packets could me managed well, the benefits could be in favour of independent candidate as all mainstream parties are not absolute in their voting pockets,” said Kamal Jagati, a journalist based in Nainital.

Almora district, which has two urban bodies of Almora ad Dwarahat, going to poll this time, is witnessing a pitched battle between the Congress and BJP despite the candidates from both the parties having their own demerits from the voting point of view. “While Congress leader Prakash Joshi is suffering with anti-incumbency as he had been a former chairperson of palika, Ajay Varma is a new chap and facing suspicion because of being experience-less in solving the problems of the Almora Nagar Palika Parishad,” said Navin Bisht, a journalist and Kumaoni littérateur in Almora town. “Almora witnessed 60 per cent votes till 5 pm, indicating that this time the polling will be less than the last time,” said Bisht.

Pithoragarh town, which has nearly 33,000 voters, witnessed an edge of women voters till 2 pm, as the voting percentage remained less than 40 per cent at that time. “The close contest between the BJP and Congress for the prestigious seat of chairperson in Pithoragarh town is being followed by Independent candidate Jagjiwan Singh Kanyal and BSP candidate in the town, where women voters have turned in big numbers till afternoon,” said a source in the town.

Champawat town, which had witnessed 60 per cent voting till 4 pm, is also witnessing close contest between the BJP and two Independent candidates, with Independent candidate Ravindra Taragi Bhim having an edge, as he rebelled from the Congress, taking away almost the entire Congress rank and file of the district with him this time. “The Congress rebel is in close contest with the BJP in the town and likely to snatch Congress votes,” said Denesh Pandey, a journalist based in Champawat district headquarters.

In Bageshwar district, where two urban bodies of Bageshwar and Kapkot have gone to poll today, seems easy for the BJP in Kapkot, while Bageshwar town is pitched for three-cornered contest among the Congress, BJP and Congress rebel candidates. “The voting percentage in Bageshwar town remained slow at 15 per cent till noon. It is not likely to cross the figure of 50 per cent this time,” said Ghansyam Joshi, a journalist based in Bageshwar.

66 percentage overall polling in state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
Approximately 66 percentage polling took place in the civic body elections in Uttarakhand today.

Uttarakhand State Election Commission Secretary HB Thapliyal disclosed that overall 66 per cent polling had taken place in civic body polls in the state.

He said the polling has overall been peaceful. However, sources also reveal the figure is likely to increase as last polling percentage came in at 5 pm and there were still some voters standing in the queues at 5 pm.

The final polling percentage at Bageshwar district touched at 58.26 per cent, Tehri Garhwal 64.20 per cent and Rudraprayag at 77.09 per cent.

Further final polling percentage of other districts was still to be finalised.

However, at 4 pm, Almora recorded 55 per cent, US Nagar 70 per cent, Champawat 50.41 per cent, Nainital 58.66 per cent, Pithoragarh 57.07 per cent, Uttarkashi 60.79 per cent, Chamoli 58.80 per cent, Pauri 58.78 per cent and Haridwar district recorded 62.05 percent polling. Counting is now all set to take place on April 30. 

Opposition to Coca Cola plant
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
Several environment organisations have come in opposition to setting up of Coca Cola plant at Chabra village of Vikasnagar in Dehradun.

Citizens for Green Doon and Navdanya have extended their support to the ongoing agitation of farmers against setting up of Coca Cola plant at Vikasnagar. The volunteers of the two organisations met farmers and assured all support to their agitation.

Citizens for Green Doon Nitin Pandey said setting up of Coca Cola plant at Chabra village of Vikasnagar will be opposed tooth and nail. He said the government should have first taken the view of farmers before going ahead with Coca Cola plant at Vikasnagar. He said setting up of the plant will lead to water scarcity in Vikasnagar and adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, Gram Pradhan Chabra Rumi Ram Jaiswal disclosed that a panchayat meeting had been convened on Monday to decide the future course of action.

Water shortage hits mid-day meal scheme
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 28
Mid-day meal in primary schools of Sirkuch and Singali primary schools of the district could not be prepared for students due to shortage of drinking water as lone drinking source for these villages remain inoperational due to non-repairing of damaged drinking water schemes of the villages, said villagers.

"After the closure of drinking scheme on April 22, we have informed the district administration but they paid no heed towards it resulting the lack of drinking water in the school and non-preparation of mid-day meal," said Parvati Chand, Gram Pradhan of the village.

The Gram Pradhan said the school had no other alternative for drinking water for the school. "After we failed to arrange for alternative water source, we closed the mid-day meal delivery for the past six days," said the pradhan.

In Singhali village of the Askote region, mid-day meal is not being delivered at primary school as the drinking water being fetched by lone scheme has become polluted for the last three days. "The school is without mid-day meal for the past three days as the pipe has been supplying polluted water," said the Gram Pradhan of Singali.

Mid-day meal is not being delivered and villagers in these places are also facing difficulties in getting drinking water as this is the lone scheme which supply to the villagers drinking water round the year. "Ladies in Singali are fetching water from 5 km as there is no natural source in vicinity," said a villager.

Actor Ravi Kishan sees immense potential for film industry in state
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
Hindi and Bhojpuri film star Ravi Kishan has welcomed the state government’s decision to render brand ambassador status to film maker Tigmanshu Dhulia, asserting that it was bound to open up film-shooting opportunities for the hill state of Uttarakhand.

Talking to The Tribune, Ravi Kishan, who was here for an audition programme held at The Marshall’s School in Dehradun, asserted that the state had immense potential for film industry due to its scenic spots and excellent shooting friendly environs. He said the recent development of film maker Tigmanshu Dhulia getting the status of brand ambassador was a blessing for the state.

“Uttarakhand is the home state of Tigmanshu and with him getting the brand ambassador status, the state already bestowed with bountiful of nature is bound to be a witness to ample film making opportunities, which will add to its tourism potential,” he said.

Describing Dhulia as his friend and an excellent showman, Ravi Kishan said he had perfect equations working with him in Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha’s starer Bullet Raja and now he looked forward to working with him in Uttarakhand also.

“Dhulia is an excellent man. He keeps knowledge of minutest of details of film making,” he said.

Ravi Kishan, however, sought an initiative on the part of the state government towards promotion of film shooting in the state. “The neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh is already providing a number of concessions to attract film makers to the state. Uttarakhand needs to come up with similar initiatives,” he said.

Strongly advocating strict environment conservation efforts, particularly for Dehradun, Ravi Kishan said there should be stricter laws to ensure that number of vehicles plying in the Doon valley is restricted. Further, tree felling should also be checked. “There is rising population pressure in Dehradun and city is fast losing its peace, which is a matter of concern and needs immediate remedial measures,” he added.

Ravi Kishan, apart from acting in a number of Bhojpuri and Hindi films, also participated in Big Boss in 2003.

Welham boys win basketball tournament
Tribune News service

Dehradun, April 28
Welham Boys' School defeated Lawrence School, Sanawar, to win the 27th All India Golden Jubilee Basketball Tournament played at Welham Boys School here today.

Welham boys trounced Lawrence School, Sanawar, 62-47. Gaurav of the winning team scored 17 points, while Angad of Lawrence School netted 15 baskets.

Tory Justice, director of National Basketball Association (NBA), who was chief guest, gave away prizes. Gunmeet Bindra, Principal of Welham Boys' School, was also present. 

dehradun Diary
Civic elections expose bitter infighting within Congress 
Rift in BJP, too, but leadership puts up united show

THE civic polls held in the state today have exposed the bitter infighting within the ruling Congress Party in the state. While the party claimed to be serious in fighting the civic elections in the state unitedly, the ground realities were all together different. Seriousness amongst the senior party leaders to work for the party to ensure the victory of the party candidates was completely missing. There was no coordination amongst party leaders and workers and most of the senior party leaders were acting as “conspirators” against the official party candidates.

The civic polls being held in the state at a time when the state Congress government completed one year in office and a year before the crucial Lok Sabha elections scheduled in May 2014 were seen as a referendum on the state Congress government headed by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. The mood amongst the public is against the Congress due to price rise, cap on LPG cylinders and other omissions and commissions of the Union as well as state governments.

From the word go, the campaign by the Congress was plagued by intense factional fights, lack of coordination and non-serious attitude of the senior party leaders. Virtually, it was free for all within the Congress as the state party leadership failed to impose discipline within it's cadres.

The civic polls are important for the ruling Congress but were more crucial for the Chief Minister, Vijay Bahuguna, ahead of Lok Sabha elections of 2014. His detractors within the party, including party legislators, were seen working against party candidates, particularly in the capital city of Dehradun. The detractors are of the opinion that another defeat in the civic polls after the Lok Sabha byelection debacle in which Saket Bahuguna, son of Chief Minister, lost the Tehri byelection in October 2012 would give a fillip to the demand for change in the state leadership before the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

The ground level situation was grim within the Congress Party in the run-up to the civic poll. The announcement of Suryakant Dhasamana as mayoral candidate of the Congress party, a close confident of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and state Congress chief Yashpal Arya gave the faction headed by Union Minister Harish Rawat to target the Chief Minister.

Interestingly, even the legislators who owe their allegiance to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna were seen working against the official mayoral party candidates. The photographs of the Congress mayoral candidate remain missing from the posters and banners put up ward candidates of the party. They argued that since Suryakant Dhasmana was an accused in the Karanpur firing incident in 1994, his photograph could annoy the Garhwali voters. Although Suryakant Dhasmana was acquitted of the charges by the CBI court last year, the detractors of Chief Minister made it a point to hit him during the elections.

However, since Suryakant Dhasmana was the official party candidate for one of the most prestigious mayoral seat of Dehradun, the Chief Minister and the party chief Yashpal Arya utterly failed to reign in the party cadres, who openly worked against the party candidate. It showed that the chief and Yashpal Arya have completely lost control over the party organisations and even the party legislators were not listening to them. The Chief Minister addressed only three election meetings in Dehradun city while Yashpal Arya was present in one meeting. Union Minister of Water Resources Harish Rawat did address a couple of election meetings but his dedicated workers were seen working against party candidate.

There were dissensions within Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a section of party leaders were against the sitting BJP Mayor Vinod Chamoli but the senior party leadership and RSS workers put up a united show. The BJP election was well coordinated and better managed as compared to the Congress campaign. The Congress failed to capitalise on the five years of BJP mayoral rule and lack of development of the city during the past four years of BJP rule in the state.

Any adverse verdict of the people in the civic polls could bring fresh trouble for Chief Minister and give a boost to the Opposition BJP in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.
— SMA Kazmi

Health Dept plans to recruit BDS docs
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
After roping in the ayurvedic doctors on contractual basis to fill vacant posts of MBBS doctor, the Uttarakhand Department of Health is now planning to deploy BDS qualified doctors.

The government has been facing an acute shortage of manpower in the state and now in the latest initiative the vacant posts would be filled with BDS doctors.

''Both the BDS and MBBS students share the same curriculum, which only changes in the final year. As such the BDS qualified doctors are qualified to write prescriptions for minor ailments,'' said JDS Rana , Joint Director (Dental), Directorate of Medical Health and Family Welfare.

The dentists are likely to be deployed in remote Primary Health Centres and SADS (State Additional Dispensaries) on contractual basis. A total of 100 posts would be created for the doctors.

So far the problem with the deployment of ayurvedic doctors on the posts of allopathic doctors has been that they cannot prescribe allopathic drugs. This provision had cast doubts on the viability of deploying ayurvedic doctors on the posts of medical officers (allopathy). ''The effort had come to a naught, as during the last few years several ayurvedic doctors were deployed on the vacant posts of medical officers (allopathy). However, now with the government deciding on filling 100 posts, it would bring immense relief to the residents living in the remote areas of the state who would get the services of a dentist and also a medical officer prescribing medicines for general ailments,'' said Rana, Joint Director (Dental), Directorate of Medical Health and Family Welfare.

On the one hand the government expects to tide over the problem of acute manpower, on the other hand the move may not help the dental cadre which had proposed deployment of government dentists on these posts. ''The service rules do not allow deployment of dentists on the posts of medical officers in government services. As such the move would not help in the expansion of the cadre,'' said a senior doctor.

In the past the government dentists had been demanding expansion of dental cadre by creation of 152 additional posts but the proposal was not accepted by the government.

Dolphin institute organises health camp
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
The physiotherapy department of Dolphin (PG) Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Dehradun, organised a physiotherapy health camp in Abdulpur village of Ramsawala gram sabha, Sahaspur block. As many as 52 patients of orthopaedic, joints, child and old-age related diseases were treated and given free medicines in the camp.

The camp was organised in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission, Sahaspur block. Dr Prosenjit Patra, Dr Vivek Chauhan, Dr Shan-e-Mohammad and 10 students of BPT and MPT of the institute participated in the event.

Patra said most of the patients of Abdulpur had been diagnosed with diabetes and low blood pressure. The cause behind this was long working hours in the fields on empty stomach and going without water. In old-age persons, multiple joint pains related problems were identified.

On the spot treatment and free medicines were distributed among sciatica, cervical, neurological, mentally disabled and mal-nutritional patients. Dr Vivek Chauhan and Dr Shan-e-Mohammad gave mal-nutrition and diet-related information to young and old labourers. They also educated people about the summer diseases, their causes and remedies.

Amit Kumar, general secretary, Human Rights Commission, Sahaspur, conveyed his gratitude to the staff of Dolphin (PG) Institute for holding the camp. The chairman of institute, Arvind Gupta, said the college was always ready to provide health services in the far-flung areas. Dr Shailja Pant, principal and Dr Arun Kumar, director of the institute were also present on this occasion.