Muslims dump ruling Cong in civic polls
S.M.A. Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2
The disenchantment of Muslims voters with the ruling Congress party in the state has been found to be total in the just-concluded civic elections in the state. The Muslims seem to be disillusioned with the one year of the Congress rule in the state and even voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The results of the Dehradun, Roorkee and Haldwani municipal corporations, having sizeable Muslim populations, indicate that the community has deserted the Congress and voted for the BJP and Independent candidates.

The failure of the Congress in providing them jobs and better economic and social opportunities and merely using them as a vote bank was first reflected in the Tehri by-election held in October, 2012. While the overall voting percentage in Tehri was very low, the Muslims refrained from voting, resulting in the defeat of Saket Bahuguna, son of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna by 22,000 votes.

However, in the civic elections, the Muslims came out in large numbers to vote, but they voted mostly against the Congress.

In Dehradun, for the election of mayor, a large number of Muslims voted for the sitting mayor and BJP candidate Vinod Chamoli for the first time. There are nearly 70,000 Muslims votes in the Dehradun municipal limits and a majority of them deserted the Congress and voted either for the BJP or Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), resulting in the defeat of Congress candidate Suryakant Dhasaman by 22,000 votes. The BSP candidate secured 4,66,689 votes.

The issue of the grant of land for a graveyard for the Muslims by Mayor Vinod Chamoli stood him in good stead. The Muslims decided to vote for him as a matter of gratitude. Persuasions by the Congress that Vinod Chamoli was an anti-Muslim leader who did not allow prayers to be performed in his own area of Nehru Colony for the past two decades did not cut much ice with the Muslims. "He has given consent to a proposal to grant land for a graveyard for the Muslim. The Muslim youth are destined to do menial jobs. What has the Congress done for the Muslims in the past 12 years in the state," said Itrat Hussain Farooqui, a retired government schoolteacher.

The alleged machinations by a state Congress minister belonging to the city in denying Muslims a participatory role in the municipal corporation by reserving their areas also led to resentment amongst local Muslim leaders.

Similarly, in Roorkee, Muslims rejected the Congress candidate and voted for Yashpal Rana, an Independent and BJP rebel, in large numbers, ensuring his win.

In Haldwani city, the alleged disparaging remarks by a close relative of a state Cabinet minister irked the Muslims who decided to teach the Congress a lesson. The Muslim vote consolidated in favour of Matin Siddiqui of the Samajwadi Party, pushing the Congress to the third spot. The BJP won the mayoral seat by 1400 votes.

"The Muslims do not want to be used as a vote bank. They want a participatory role in governance and development. This trend would continue and it is wake up time for the state Congress leaders before the Lok Sabha polls," commented Fasi-ur-Rehman, a big farmer of Roorkee.

In Kashipur city, which has a large Muslims population, the Muslims decided to vote for an Independent candidate as mayor, ignoring the ruling Congress.

Chinese should be given befitting reply for incursion, says Khanduri
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri has expressed concern over the Chinese incursions into the Ladakh region of India.

In a statement issued today, BC Khanduri, who is also a former Army general, said the Chinese entering 19 km inside the Indian territory and pitching their tents in the Daulat Beg Oldi sector was a matter of serious concern and he sought remedial measures.

He said it was unfortunate that the UPA government at the Centre was taking the matter lightly and not even terming it as an incursion.

Recalling the Chinese invasion in the country in 1962, BC Khanduri said the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had similarly taken the Chinese lightly and the nation had to face a sudden attack and a humiliating defeat subsequently.

He said China had constructed roads and other infrastructures close to our borders.

The former Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri said that India needed to give a befitting reply to the Chinese forces for the incursions, rather than portraying itself as a weak nation and degrading the morale of the defence forces.

Report on ultrasound centres flouting norms kept under wraps
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2
In August last year, the nodal officer designated under the PCPNDT (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) Act while inspecting clinics and hospitals detected several violations in the city, but rather than initiating action against the hospitals and clinics, the report has allegedly been kept under wraps by the chief medical office (CMO).

Since then, the drive to inspect and seal ultrasound centres flouting norms in the Dehradun district has come to a standstill.

The drive was launched after Chief Secretary Alok Jain raised concern over the declining girl child ratio in the state and the need to keep a watch on the ultrasound centres. During the drive last year, district medical officials had detected irregularities and violations of Sections 3,5 and 6 of the PCPNDT Act and submitted the report to the higher authorities against 21 private hospitals and clinics.

“Based on the report submitted to the authorities, an enquiry was to follow so that the seized ultrasound machines did not fall into the hands of unregistered ultrasound centres. But the CMO did not take any action, instead the nodal officer was transferred,” said an official.

Sources say that since a top private hospital was involved, pressure was exerted by its owner and even the Indian Medical Association (IMA), as a result the CMO dithered on the issue.

Meanwhile, in the intervening period, the ultrasound machines that were found with pelvis probes have been allegedly sold off. “There is every likelihood that these machines have fallen in wrong hands and may be in use in the periphery of Dehradun. The main reason behind carrying surprise inspections is to seize the ultrasound machines and instill fear among ultrasound owners. But if the officials lack courage to take action, then these drives would continue to fail,” said an official.

So far, the CMO has shown laxity in monitoring the private hospitals through surprise inspections. In the absence of an effective monitoring and inspection regime led by upright medical officers who do not succumb to pressure, efforts such as making mandatory online filling of Form F by all registered ultrasound centres and installing ultrasound checker software would prove ineffective. 

Hole in heart healed by least invasive surgery
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2
Fortis Hospital doctors have successfully operated upon a 15-year-old patient with an arterial septal defect (ASD) or hole in the heart through the least invasive umbrella devise technique.

''Traditionally, the procedure involved slitting of sternal bone that left a 6-inch-long scar in the centre. The minimal invasive surgery is less scarring and the patient is discharged within two or three days,'' said the doctors.

UKD meeting to review Panwar’s decisions
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2
Vice-president of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) Narender Singh Rawat said a meeting of the party working committee would be held at Jaspur on May 5 to finalise the date and the venue for the mega convention. The decisions taken by party president Trivender Singh Panwar since July 24 last year would also be reviewed at the meeting.

Rawat said they had appealed to Panwar to attend the meeting and participate in discussion. He added they would fix a date for the convention where a new leader of the party would be selected unanimously.

Rawat while addressing a press conference in the party office said, “Panwar has expelled party patron Kashi Singh Aeri and nine others in a despotic manner. They were served no notice nor given any opportunity for explanation. Even a working committee meeting was not called before taking the decision.

He said Panwar had crossed all limits and this is why he was publicly raising the issue before mediapersons. He also derided Panwar’s propensity to blame other leaders of the party for defeat in successive elections.

Rawat said Panwar had been taking unilateral decisions with the support his few favorites and never consulted other leaders. Panwar’s hesitation to convene the convention was perplexing.

“Panwar has postponed the party convention for one reason or the other. The convention, which should have been held in July 24 last year, was postponed in July, October and December last year and March this year. Panwar, who claimed to be the president of the party till 2017, is postponing the convention on one pretext or the other,” he said.

Rawat said the party had lost everything but Panwar enjoyed the media attention and his name and photos appeared in the dailies as party president. The madness shown by Panwar in expelling leaders had harmed the party to a large extent in the state.

City president of the party Bahadur Singh Rawat said Panwar had inducted members of the ABVP or the NSUI into the party to carve out a coterie for himself as he had lost the support of party workers.

Bahadur said they were following the party constitution in holding the convention. They had informed all members of the working committee, including Panwar, about the meeting 10 days in advance. Thereafter, they would take the next step in convening the convention.

Aeri was not present at today’s meeting. The back problem he developed after an accident a few weeks ago has been cited as the reason for his absence. 

My expulsion from party illegal: Airy
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 2
Kashi Singh Airy, while reacting to his expulsion from the UKD by party president Trivendra Singh Panwar, today said Panwar was an agent of the mainstream parties which wanted the lone regional party UKD to disintegrate. Airy and nine other UKD workers were expelled from the party.

Airy told mediapersons that Panwar’s action to expel them was illegal according to the party constitution as his tenure as the president of the party had ended in 2012. “Panwar has no members of the party on his side at present. He has no programme for the party and no meetings of workers are held to decide future programmes. He is working as an agent of political forces which were instrument in his expulsion to destroy the UKD,” he said.

Airy added that his supporters had decided to hold a meeting of senior leaders and executive members of the party at Kashipur on May 5 to decide on the general body meeting. “We will cancel all illegal and dictatorial decisions taken by Panwar and elect a new executive in the general body meeting,” he said. 

MLA comes to rescue of BJP officials in Mussoorie
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 2
MLA, Mussoorie, Ganesh Joshi, has come to the rescue of local BJP officials, who are facing charges of anti-party activities during the Municipal Council elections in Mussoorie.

Ganesh Joshi, speaking to mediapersons at his residence in Mussoorie today, refuted the charges levelled by party workers and the candidates who contested the elections of working against the party.

He further clarified that the party organisation officials in Mussoorie had sincerely worked for the candidates and the increase in vote share of the party from Assembly elections was testimony to that.

Ganesh Joshi said that the main reason for the defeat of the party in the Municipal Council elections in Mussoorie was the false propaganda by the Opposition.

Responding to the allegations levelled by the party workers against the local BJP party unit officials for working against the party in the MC elections, Ganesh Joshi said that the anger of the party workers was understandable. Joshi was of the view that he had little knowledge of local conditions as he was elected only one year ago as MLA, Mussoorie. Therefore, he did not interfere in the distribution of the ticket. Moreover, the allegations levelled by a few contractors who had no role in the party had no meaning and the organisational set-up would not be changed on their false allegations.

He assured that the party would learn from the mistakes and emerge stronger in the next Municipal Council elections.

However, the anger of the party workers was evident from the fact that apart from the local party unit officials, no worker was present at the residence of Ganesh Joshi. Local unit president Roop Singh Kathait, secretary Kushal Rana, vice president Mohan Petwal and others were present on the occasion. 

Doon, Haldwani to have food safety tribunals
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2
The government is mooting setting up food safety appellate tribunals in Dehradun and Haldwani/Nainital under the Foods Safety and Standards Authority of India Act.

The State Food Safety Commissioner has issued orders for hiring private buildings to set up these tribunals. The tribunals would be constituted under Section 70 of the Act.

A presiding officer who could be either a retired or a serving district judge would head the tribunal and the government would soon issue a notification for the same.

Along with receiving the salary equivalent to the serving district judge, he would also receive travel, leave and conveyance allowances. Besides, the presiding officer would also have a complete office set-up with a registrar to be appointed by the government.

With the setting up of the tribunals, the government plans to intensify the implementation of the Act in the state. Since the setting up of a separate state authority, the authority has been handicapped by the absence of manpower for the enforcement of various provisions of the Act.

Though the Act is under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, several issues like drawing of salaries and preparation of confidential reports continue to remain unresolved and have not been handed to a single department. 

SSB to use rafts on Mahakali river to patrol Nepal border
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 2
The Shashtra Seema Bal (SSB) has proposed to patrol the border with Nepal by using rafts on the Mahakali river that covers 150 km area in the hill region with the neighbouring country from Kalapani in Pithoragarh to the Boom range of Tanakpur plains of Champawat district, Inspector General, SSB, Kumaon Frontiers Headquarters, Shyam Singh told mediapersons at Ranikhet today.

The IG said the force had decided to intensify patrolling on the 1,751 km Nepal border from this golden jubilee year by increasing the number of outposts from 72 at present to 100. “When the proposed number of border outposts is approved the distance between two posts, which is 5 km at present, will be reduced to 3 km,” he said.

Shyam Singh added the SSB had seized goods worth Rs 71 lakh that were either being smuggled to Nepal or brought illegally to Uttarakhand. “To check smuggling through border outposts, we launched 25 special operations and arrested 22 smugglers. We handed them over to the local police,” said the IG.

Working of depts to be reviewed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain will review the progress work of various departments from May 6. A government press note says that during the review, information will be sought about compliance to the directions given by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna during his review meetings held between July 26, 2012 and August 28, 2012 with the ministers of various departments.

The other matters to be reviewed include the status of specially planned assistance, priority areas for 2013-14, goals, matters pending with the central government, status of PPP schemes, achievements and the status of constructions worth more than Rs 10 crore.

On May 6, the working of power and public works departments will be reviewed, on May 7, the health, family welfare and medical education departments, on May 9 urban development and housing and on May 14, tourism and transport departments will be reviewed.

CM welcomes Doon to Lucknow flight
Tribune News service

Dehradun, May 2
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has congratulated the Central Government and Air India for a flight between Dehradun and Lucknow that was launched today.

He said it was for the first time that Dehradun and Lucknow had been connected by air. He added it would be convenient for people of Uttarakhand residing in Lucknow and would also boost tourism.

Bahuguna said connectivity was very important for development and efforts were on to start a flight between Pantnagar and Jollygrant. He said the Pantnagar airport was being developed. The local Administration welcomed the passengers who arrived here today by the flight from Lucknow.

Resolve audit objections within 15 days, says Alok Jain
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2
Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain has directed the secretaries of various departments to resolve audit objections of their respective departments within 15 days. He was presiding over a meeting of the state-level audit committee at the Secretariat here today.

He strictly said that no embezzlement or attempt at misappropriation would be tolerated. The Chief Secretary said that irregularities must be identified and action should be taken.

It was revealed at the meeting that several projects in several places needed to be examined as far as irregularities were concerned. Despite availability of boulders, they were not used in Pithoragarh at a project. In Rishikesh, cement worth Rs.60 lakh was bought without inviting tenders and Rs.4.83 crore was spent in 2010 for infrastructure development in the ice rink hall at Sports College, Dehradun.

In Mussoorie, the sewer line being laid was found to be of inferior quality. Financial irregularities were found in the pumping scheme at Gangolihat. A loss of Rs. 9.75 crore occurred in the tin, tentage and furniture arrangements done for the Kumbh Mela (under Urban Development Department).The Chief Secretary said that all such matters must be inquired into and accountability for them should be fixed.

2nd edition of ‘Landour Cook Book’ to hit stands soon
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 2
The city born author, Ganesh Saili, is ready to delight his fans with the second edition of his most popular work “The Landour Cook Book: Over hundred years of hillside cooking”, which is set to reach the book stores soon.

The second edition of “The Landour Cook Book” has been published by Roli Books. It is not just another run-of-the mill cookbook. This epicure’s delight is the concoction of American missionary expatriates and itinerant staff of Woodstock School, whose contributions spread close to a century.

When contacted, Saili said: “If you stir up any of these recipes, full of fish, fowl and flesh, your home will come alive to the distinct aroma and flavours of the little ‘America’ in the hills.”

Anil Prakash, owner of Prakash’s Store in Sisters’ Bazaar, also believes that the book would act as a guide and satiate the desire of fans interested in good food and cooking. He further said in a changing world, he remained a true, steadfast devotee of the Landour Cook Book. His store is a living testimony to the mysterious power of this book with his famed peanut butter (with mysterious peanut chunks), relishes, chutneys and jams.

Saili said: “Among the many things that the old bakers made were fudge, stick jaw, marzipan and meringues, which some of us remember from our childhood. These have passed on and perhaps, today’s fast foods may have accounted for the demise of many of these home-made snacks from the 1930s and 40s. The new book will serve as a guide to revive the fun of cooking.”

“Remember when youa are a mile-high in the sky, enveloped by the ambrosial air of the Himalayas, in God’s own land, with cakes and ale, there is not much else to ask for,” added Saili.