Post civic poll results, Cong rift to fore
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 3
Factionalism in the Congress party after the civic body elections has come to the fore. With the party winning only six ward councillor seats in the 30-member Municipal Corporation of Haridwar, leaders are blaming each other for this defeat.

Ravi Dutt Puppy, who lost the election from ward no. 13, today blamed former municipal chairperson and sant-turned-politician Satpal Brahamchari for his defeat.

Ravi Dutt said though he belonged to the Dalit community, the party high command reposed faith in his abilities and alloted him party ticket from ward no 13 (Bhimgoda), which is a general ward.

He said this did not go down well with a section of the party, led by Satpal Brahamchari, who eventually sought votes for the BJP candidate.

"The group led by Satpal Brahamchari did not support me. Satpal Brahamchari, too, never came out in support of my candidature and election campaign, though his name figures in the voters’ list. His ashram also falls in this ward. I lost by 130 votes, which could have been covered. However, Satpal Brahamchari did'nt seek even a single vote for me. Instead, he campaigned for mayoral candidate Mahant Rishishwaranand and also didn’t ask his supporters to campaign for me at Bhoopatwala," alleged Ravi Dutt.

Satpal Brahamchari also had to face party workers' opposition during the counting on April 30 owing to his "non-serious" attitude during the campaigning for the municipal corporation elections. Certain party activists from Bhoopatwala and the pro-Vijay Bahuguna faction alleged that he only campaigned for Harish Rawat's close aide Mahant Rishwaranand.

However, Satpal Brahamchari refuted the allegations and said he was a committed party worker and could never go against the party's official candidate.

Satpal Brahamchari said winning and losing was a natural process during any election.

Cong debacle in Municipal Corporation poll
BJP chief seeks resignation of state govt
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 3
State Bharatiya Janata Party chief Teerath Singh Rawat has sought the resignation of the Congress government in the state led by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in view of the recent verdict given by voters in the civic polls.

Rawat said the Congress suffered a heavy defeat as the people had lost faith in the state government. The voters opted for the BJP’s development-oriented visionary approach.

In a brief stopover in the city before going home in Pauri Garhwal district, Rawat termed Congress biggies — Haridwar MP Harish Rawat, Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj, state party chief Yashpal Arya and Cabinet Minister Indira Hriyadesh — as heavy names just on paper. He said in reality they couldn’t ensure victory of the Congress candidates in their respective home turfs.

“The whole state government looked up to Surya Kant Dhasmana in Dehradun, but BJP’s Vinod Chamoli won. Harish Rawat put all his resources for his close aide Swami Rishishwaranand but BJP’s Manoj Garg won. Similarly, Satpal Maharaj, Indira Hriyadesh, Yashpal Arya and other Congress leaders failed to stop the BJP wave in the civic elections. The public of Uttarakhand has already given the verdict of 2014 Lok Sabha elections in these civic bodies,” said Rawat, a legislator from the Chaubathakhal segment.

Alleging misuse of government machinery by the state government, Rawat said the Election Commission should look into this aspect, as the Congress government had flouted the election code of conduct shamelessly.

On the upcoming 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Rawat said the party would win all the five Lok Sabha seats. He said under the able leadership of former CMs Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Bhagat Singh Koshyari, the BJP will add five MPs to its tally from Uttarakhand, for which the party is already mobilising workers.

Bureaucratic reshuffle in Uttarakhand
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
In a bureaucratic reshuffle in Uttarakhand, Principal Secretary Rakesh Sharma has been given additional charge of Finance Department and relieved of the departments of Higher Education, Information and Technology and the post of Managing Director, Uttarakhand State Industrial Development Corporation.

Principal Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Pandey has been given additional charge of Energy, Alternate Energy, Watershed and Chief Project Officer, Watershed. Principal Secretary SS Sandhu has been relieved of the Departments of Energy and Alternate Energy. Principal Secretary Radha Raturi has been relieved of the Finance Department and given additional charge of Higher Education, Food and Civil Supplies, Information Technology and Commissioner, Foodgrains.

Secretary Kunal Sharma has been relieved of the Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Commissioner, Foodgrains. Secretary Bhaskaranand has been relieved of the Department of Watershed and the post Chief Project Director, Watershed.

Additional Secretary Shailesh Bagoli has been given additional charge of Managing Director, State Industrial Development Corporation.

UKD chief Panwar’s clout depletes as leaders defy him
Seema Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
Recent developments in the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) show that the clout of party president Trivender Singh Panwar is depleting.

Earlier, leaders whom Panwar expelled from the party, never defied him or spoke against him publicly or to the media. But now they are doing it quite frequently. The expelled party leaders held a press conference against Panwar a few days before their expulsion and again a day after the expulsion. Interestingly, none of Panwar’s supporters tried to disrupt the activities of the rebel leaders. This indicates Panwar’s decreasing clout in the party.

He is losing support in the party as leaders are either revolting against him or he is expelling them. Panwar supporters have begun contacting the rebel leaders to bring them around. Senior UKD leader Latafat Hussain criticises Panwar openly but does not share a platform with rebel leaders.

Expelled city unit president Bahadur Singh Rawat said these days Panwar could be seen moving around with leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students Union of India (NSUI). He added that Panwar had very little support in the party and hence he was using these youth leaders of the ABVP and the NSUI.

However, some leaders, who have not rebelled against Panwar, are watching the situation closely. General secretary of the party Shishpal Singh, who has been sidelined, is one of the leaders waiting for an opportune moment to make a move. Shishpal said he would make a move at the right time. These leaders, including Shanti Bhatt and Promila Rawat, are not coming out openly against Panwar, fearing expulsion from the party.

Shanti Bhatt has advised the rebels to wait till July 24 and 25 and not to create problems by demanding an early party convention for effecting a change in the leadership. Promila Rawat, who has been lightly condemning Panwar for his autocratic decisions, is nursing her wounds since she was thrashed by rebels in the party office on April 16. She clashed with them to facilitate Panwar’s entry into the office. Despite being an Panwar’s opponent, she is behaving cautiously. The situation is becoming interesting as it will become clear in the near future what stand these ‘cautious’ leaders take.

Wakf Board officials fight over official car
Seema Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chairman of the State Wakf Board have started a war of words for the official car. CEO Sadia Rashid Khan got the car which chairman Rao Kale Khan is demanding. But the former is not ready to budge. The Wakf Board cannot afford two cars, one each for the CEO and the Chairman.

Sadia has gone to extent of threatening to resign if the vehicle was taken from her. Also the Additional Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (AMNA) of Dehradun Municipal Corporation, Sadia said, “The Wakf Board has cleared a proposal regarding one official car to the CEO. But the chairman is insisting that I should travel in my official car, given to me in the capacity of AMNA of DMC. I can surely travel around in it within the city but not to other cities of the state, to do the work of Wakf Board.”

Member, Wakf Board, Habiburahman said, “The Board has been a hub of corruption, where the members are hardly bothered about development work or launching welfare schemes for the poor and the downtrodden, for which this institution was set up. It is unfortunate the way two top office-bearers are fighting over a car.”

Chairman, Rao Kale Khan said, the board could not afford to buy a separate car. “Before I became the chairman, a proposal regarding the purchase of a Balero was cleared for the CEO. Sadia got changed it to a Safari. When I got elected, I insisted on getting the vehicle. It will not look good that the CEO has two cars and chairman does not have any. But she has refused to hand over the vehicle. Now she has declared that if the vehicle was taken away she will resign. It is absolutely on her whether she wants to stay or not.” Sadia said, she would consult senior officials on the matter.

Protesters burn Pak, China flags
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
Hindu organisations today burnt Pakistan’s flag in protest against the death of Indian citizen Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan’s custody. They also burnt a Chinese flag protesting its incursions in Ladakh.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Durga Vahini and Hindu Jagaran Manch activists today gathered at Clock Tower and resorted to a large-scale sloganeering against Pakistan and China. While burning Pakistan’s flag, the protesters asked the Central government to give a befitting reply to Pakistan in retaliation to merciless killing of Sarabjit in Kot Lakhpat Jail.

The protesters also burnt China’s flag expressing concern over Chinese army’s 19-km intrusion inside the Indian territory. VHP leader Chandra Gupt Vikram said it was strange that the Centre was a mute spectator to these incursions inside our country. He said the Centre was compromising on nation’s security which was a matter of grave concern. Mahendra Singh Negi, Rita Goyal, Deepak Malik, Anup Semwal, Rajesh Bahuguna and Vijay Rawat also took part in the protest.

NSUI protest against Pak
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
National Students Union of India (NSUI) members today burnt Pakistan's flag at Ashley Hall crossing in Dehradun.

Led by District President Vineet Prasad Bhatt, the NSUI members said Pakistan had shown its inhuman face by killing Sarabjit Singh. Describing him as an innocent civilian, Bhatt said people of India would never forgive Pakistan of its cowardly act.

Another NSUI activist Shivesh Bahuguna said a few weeks ago Pakistan had beheaded two Indian Army soldiers and had now killed Sarabjit Singh.

NSUI leaders Sidharth Pokhriyal, Anurag Mittal, Ayush Gupta and Sandeep Sharma were also present among the protesters.

Shahid Kesari Chand Swarozgar Yojana to be launched
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said today that the government would soon launch Shahid Kesari Chand ST Swarozgar Yojana for which a fund of Rs 50 lakh would be set up.

Speaking at a function held in memory of Shahid Kesari Chand at Chakrata today, the Chief Minister said the scheme would be useful for the people of the tribal area. To give pace to development activity in the region, a sub-treasury would also be set up at Kalsi. The Chief Minister also announced a state holiday on May 3 in all government schools falling under the Jaunsar Bawar region.

Cabinet minister Pritam Singh, who hails from the region, said during the past year, the government had launched several schemes for the welfare of the people of the state.

Every year, a shaheed mela is held at Ram Tal Garden in memory of martyr Kesri Chand. On the occasion, the Chief Minister honoured Suman Joshi who had represented the state in the national volleyball championship.

Police failed to execute court orders against MLA: CPI (ML)
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 3
The Pithoragarh unit of the CPI (ML) has alleged that the district administration and the police did not execute non-bailable warrants issued by a Didihat court against high Congress MLA Harish Dhami five months ago.

The warrants were issued after the MLA did not appear before the court in a case lodged against him over a group clash during a sports competition held at Munsiyari town in 2007.

CPI (ML) leaders told mediapersons that the police did not follow the court orders for the attachment of the MLA’s property after he was declared an absconder. “The Pithoragarh police is working in connivance with the culprit and not arresting him despite court orders. The culprit is moving around publicly and sharing dais with district administration officials,” said Jagat Singh Martolia, district secretary of the party.

The police said the MLA could not be arrested as he was busy with the Assembly session at the time the non-bailable warrants were issued against him by the court. “The police will do the needful in the case in near future,” said Vijay Kumar Singh Karki, SP, Pithoragarh.

On the other hand, Dhami said there was no need for the police to act against him as the state government had withdrawn the case six months ago. “The case was fake. I was implicated in it by some miscreants, including these CPI (ML) elements. Now, I have requested the Chief Minister to order a CBI probe into the matter so that the real culprits and the conspirators could be brought to book,” he said.

14 get awards for completing trek leader’s course in Mussoorie
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 3
Around 14 participants received citations and awards for successfully completing the second trek leader’s course, held at Woodstock School, Hanifl Centre, with an objective to enhance the essential outdoor living skills and techniques, in Mussoorie, today.

The course was subsidised by the Hanifl Centre, Woodstock’s centre for Outdoor Education and Environment Study and was taught in Hindi for better understanding of the participants from around the region.

Five women and nine men from around the state were part of the course that was conducted at the centre here.

According to the organisers, the group spent four days at the centre, brushing up on outdoor survival skills, wilderness first aid, rope use, knots, climbing, rappelling and anchors. Following that, they were imparted knowledge about the natural and human history of the area, hygiene and etiquettes when dealing with clients, the ethics of mountaineering, expedition behaviour, leadership and group dynamics.

Safety, judgement and decision-making were also covered with the aim of getting the participants to think about the capability and experience of their clients since the goal of each individual was to lead treks in the future.

The group trekked from the Hanifl Centre to Kafulta (via Kimoi), then to Thatyur, Deolsari, and Luntsu ridge, before heading down the other side to Chinayali Saur.

Akshay Shah and Gaurav Gangola of Ranikhet, supported by centre’s Andrew Hepworth, imparted the training to the participants. Akshay and Gaurav have experience of more than a decade in leading trips in the outdoors and have been associated with the National Outdoor Leadership School in various capacities.

Andrew, who has an experience of climbing and trekking in South Africa, Scandinavia and Britain, also shared his experience with the participants on the occasion. Ganesh Saili, an eminent author from Mussoorie, distributed the citation and awards to the winners at the end.

Music album of film ‘Hello Uttarakhand’ released
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 3
A music album of the film titled “Hello Uttarakhand” directed and produced by local artiste Pradeep Bhandari was released at a hotel in Mussoorie today.

Bhandari told mediapersons that through the music and songs in the album he had tried to highlight the pain of the people of the hill state who had been facing rampant corruption since 2000. He said the objective behind carving out a separate state of Uttarakhand had been forgotten due to corruption prevailing at all levels.

Bhandari said through the songs he had tried to encourage people to use ballot as the main tool to wipe out corrupt and sycophant politicians from the state.

He added after the release of the music album the work on the film would begin soon. The film would highlight rampant corruption prevalent in the state since its formation and would be completed in two or three months. It is aimed at creating political awareness among the people before the next parliamentary elections.

The film is being produced under the banner of PB Films.

Harshpati Rayal, Rachita Kukreti, Ramesh Rawat, Sandeep Rana, Rajesh Rawat, Bhavna Barthwal and Pradeep Bhandari are main artistes in the album and the film while Amit Verma, Jitendar Panwar, Uma Rana and Manu Vandana have lent their voice to the songs in the music album.

Sanjay Bhatt, Manoj Arya, Sandeep Rana, Manoj Tamta, Trilok Chauhan and other artistes were also present on the occasion.

Villagers demand teachers in schools
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 3
Villagers of Chamua village of Dhauladevi block and Govindpur village of Hawalbagh block of Almora district have demanded appointment of teachers in the high schools of their respective villages. They held demonstrations at district headquarters to express their demands.

“Our children are being deprived of higher secondary education deliberately, as despite of graduating from High School, Govindpur, as intermediate college in the year 2011, no teachers were appointed there in the last two years, resulting in our children’s failure in higher secondary classes,” said Indra Bhandari, leader of the demonstrators at the district’s office, Almora.

The villagers said they had been raising the problem of shortage of teachers time to time but the department officers did not pay any heed to their demands.

On the other side, the villagers from Chamua village of Dhauladevi Block of the district have submitted a memorandum to Almora District Magistrate demanding appointment of teachers in the high schools near their village. “We have no teachers of science, mathematics and English, despite our junior high school being upgraded to high school two year ago,” said Ramesh Chandra Joshi, president of the PTA at the high school.

According to residents of Chamua village, after upgrading the junior high school as high school, the government officers did not arrange for furniture and other essential facilities. “We have now decided that if teachers are not appointed in the school soon, we will resort to agitation before the District Magistrate’s office,” said Joshi.

Essay-writing contest organised
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
As part of its efforts to develop writing skills among children, Gram Vikas Sanstha, Nehru Gram, organised an essay-writing competition at the community centre today.

Chief guest, Gram Pradhan Nehru Gram, Mahesh Yadav stressed on frequent staging of such activities for the children. He appreciated the public welfare initiatives taken by Gram Vikas Sanstha.

President of the sanstha Pan Singh Rawat said from time to time the sanstha conducted such competitions for the village children.

Chief Convener of the event LK Kandpal said Gram Vikas Sanstha was committed to the development of Nehru Gram and adjoining villages of Dehradun. Children from classes VI to IX participated in the essay-writing competition and were given a dozen topics to choose from. In all, 43 children participated in the competition.