City markets witness huge rush on Karwa-Chauth
Haridwar, October 22
With the festival of Karwa-Chauth being observed today, the women thronged the city markets in large numbers to make last-minute purchases.

Pithoragarh, October 22
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna announced development schemes worth over Rs 100 crore for Champawat, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts during his two-day visit to the region that concluded today.

He also announced the formation of a separate Schedule Tribes Commission in the state.

The Chief Minister’s largesse included an Rs 50 crore special package for roads to those 111 villages, which had been taken out of the musk deer sanctuary area.

The Chief Minister, who reached Lohaghat on the first day of his tour yesterday, announced Rs 71.88 crore worth of 21 development schemes, including Rs 45 crore for a long-awaited drinking water lifting scheme for Lohaghat town from the Saryu river. “Besides announcing the setting up of a faculty of law at Lohaghat PG College and 16 development schemes, the Chief Minister inaugurated three schemes worth Rs 68.53 crore in the district,” said a press note issued by the District Information Officer, Lohaghat.

In Dharchula, the Chief Minister was welcomed in a traditional way by the women belonging to the Rang tribal community. He addressed a well-attended public meeting there and announced developmental schemes worth Rs 30.34 crore, including an adventure sports centre at Jauljibi. “The Chief Minister also announced the formation of a separate Scheduled Tribes Commission in the state,” said the press note.

In Bageshwar district today, Bahuguna announced several development schemes, including roads, drinking water schemes and reconstruction and repair of college buildings that were damaged in heavy rains in June. The Chief Minister inaugurated the building of newly formed Garur subdivision, near Garur town.

Bahuguna’s visit saw opposition also as BJP workers shouted slogans against him at Lohaghat for not inviting local BJP legislator Puran Phartiyal on the dais while CPI (ML) workers were arrested in Dharchula for organizing a protest. “We have arrested 10 workers of a political party who were trying to cause disturbance at the Chief Minister’s meeting,” said Pramod Kumar, SDM, Dharchula. 

FUNDS FOR ROADS, LAW FACULTY

• A separate Schedule Tribes Commission
• Rs 50 crore special package for roads to those 111 villages which had been taken out of the musk deer sanctuary area
• Rs 45 crore for a long-awaited drinking water lifting scheme for Lohaghat town from the Saryu river
• A faculty of law at Lohaghat PG College
• An adventure sports centre at Jauljibi 

Pithoragarh October 22
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today announced a separate commission for the Scheduled Tribes of the state on the lines of the one constituted by Government of India in the year 2003.

Addressing a rally attended largely by tribal population in Dharchula town of Pithoragarh district, the Chief Minister said that the decision has been taken keeping in mind separate nature of problems being faced by the tribal community in the state. "Two separate commissions meant for Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes will function separately in the state for the welfare of the communities. The work was being conducted by one commission till date," said Bahuguna.

The Chief Minister said over five lakh people of the Scheduled Tribes in the state will stand to benefit from this commission.

"We have taken this decision under the provisions of Section 338A of the Constitution (89th Amendment) under which the Central Government had constituted a separate commission for the Scheduled Tribes of the country in 2003. The Central Scheduled Tribes Commission is functioning since 2004," said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister refused to give the OBC status to Pithoragarh district as demanded by some organisations and said some particular castes are being given the status of OBC in the state. "We have asked the District Magistrate to identify the castes which can be placed under the OBC category and send the report to the government," he said.

Two separate commissions meant for Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes will function separately in the state for the welfare of the communities. The work was being conducted by one commission till date
— Vijay Bahuguna, Chief Minister 

Haridwar, October 22
With the festival of Karwa-Chauth being observed today, the women thronged the city markets in large numbers to make last-minute purchases.

As henna design holds a religious significance during Karwa-Chauth, the henna design artists were the most sought after by both married and unmarried women.

The festival had been so popular in the Indian movies and television soaps that the women, who had never observed Karwa-Chauth rituals, have also started observing fast on this day.

The newly weds were seen more excited, demanding varied mehndi designs. The Rajasthani and the Arabic henna designs were loved by all. The Rajasthani mehndi artists specially came from their home state to showcase their art of applying mehndi.

General stores too witnessed huge rush. Chitra Yadav, a resident of BHEL, said she had been observing fast on Karwa-Chauth for only past three years because of the craze the festival had among the city women.

Dehradun, October 22
Despite an appeal by Chief Secretary Subash Kumar to the striking employees to end their stir, the employees all across the state continued with their agitation.

The Chief Secretary had appealed to the employees to join their duties in the interest of the state as the government orders regarding their remaining demands would be issued by October 30. But the employees rejected the appeal.

Office-bearers of the State Employees Joint Council (Uttarakhand) said that on the appeal of the Chief Secretary from today emergency services have been exempted from the strike. "But we will not call off our strike without the government order regarding consent to three main demands," said Prahlad Singh, president of the association.

After the medical and other essential services were exempted from the strike, work at the government hospitals started getting back to normal.

Meanwhile, the association has stepped up pressure on the employees still hesitant to join the stir. "We have taken a serious note of the absence of some of the employees, who are hesitating to join the strike. Strict action would be taken if the employees do not show their participation," said Prahlad Singh.

He also warned the government that if the order is not issued by October 25, the council would launch a lock-out of all the departments.

The employees would again take out a rally tomorrow to the Congress Bhavan and submit a memorandum to the state Congress president Yashpal Arya. 

Dehradun, October 22
The Uttarakhand BJP today advised the Vijay Bahuguna government to implement the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act without much ado as it was in the interest of the state and its people.

"The Congress-led government will not be able to muster enough support in the state Assembly if it tries to bring amendments to the Bill as the MLAs, who have extended support to the government and floated their own front (People's Democratic Front), have also come out in support of the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act (2011)," said Suresh Joshi, a senior BJP leader.

Instead Joshi implored the government to take action against the officials who kept an important Bill like this under under wraps. "The government should focus on fixing responsibility for the lapse that has shamed the government," he said. — TNS

Mussoorie, October 22
Freemasons from Lord Dalhousie Number 10 distributed stationery to the poor students of four villages in the Jaunpur development region under the project Child Care and Concern at a function held here recently.

The students from Bangsil village of Tehri Garhwal presented a cultural programme on the occasion.

The convener of the project, Maria, distributed five sets of benches to the students from Ladur and Bangsil villages.

Around 91 students were given track suits, shoes, sweaters and socks by the members of the Freemason Lodge in addition to other material.

The secretary of the lodge, Nitish Mohan Agarwal, said that the members had also assisted in illuminating Ladur village through solar lights in the past and had been providing assistance to the needy for long.

He said the focus of the lodge was to assist the poor students so that they could become responsible citizens.

Dehradun, October 22
Sai Grace Academy defeated the Doon Global School in a match during the 1st RK Aggarwal Memorial All-India Inter-School T-20 Cricket Tournament being played at Doon Global School grounds, here today.

Sai Grace Academy won the toss and chose to bat first. They scored 147 runs for seven wickets. Sagar remained the top scorer by scoring 57 runs, while, opener Harshit scored 21 runs.

Whereas, the Doon Global School could score 142 runs with a loss of seven wickets and losing the match by five runs. Deep from Doon Global School scored 41 runs and opener Mohit scored 32 runs.

Mussoorie, October 22
Mazdoor Sangh members, who resided at the housing complex that was demolished by the Tourism Department to pave the way for a ropeway project, met MC executive officer today demanding payment of the six-month rent as promised by the department.

The agitated labourers alleged that they had been living at the housing complex near Chifon court for the past several decades. The previous Municipal Council had taken a decision to demolish the building as it had turned rickety.

However, the newly elected MC president, showing his inability to continue with the project due to paucity of funds, transferred the work to the Tourism Department which was planning Purkul ropeway project in the area.

At a meeting in March, the workers residing in the building were promised compensation by paying certain amount as rent for living elsewhere till the time a new complex was built for them.

The workers told MC executive officer that the Tourism Department has not begun the work. It had not paid even a penny as the rent to them. They urged the MC council to make the department to pay the promised rent to them.

Mazdoor Sangh secretary Gambhir Singh Panwar said that around 24 families used to live in the complex. The building was demolished by the municipal council and a new building was proposed in 2012.

The Tourism Department promised to pay a rent amounting to Rs 3000 to the workers who were now living elsewhere.

The workers also met the MC president Manmohan Singh Mall and apprised him of the situation. Mall assured the workers that he would talk to the Tourism Secretary and try to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

Mussoorie, October 22
Gauri Rao was adjudged the Karwa Chauth queen in a function held at a hotel here on Sunday.

In the mehndi competition, Shanti Devi was declared the winner while Manju Thapa was adjudged the runner- up.

The function was organised by Sarojini Kaintura, BJP leader and social activist, in which the women folk of the town gathered in large numbers and presented several dance and cultural items on the occasion.

Wife of Ganesh Joshi, MLA, Mussoorie, was the chief guest on the occasion. She presented awards to the winners. She said the Karwa Chauth which was to be celebrated on October 23, was an auspicious festival of the Hindus, where the married women observe fast for the long life of their husbands. 

Dehradun, October 22
The 13th Annual Games and sports meet of Forest Research Institute (FRI) Deemed University started on the FRI campus on Brandis Road here today.

Saibal Dasgupta, Deputy Director General (Extension), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, inaugurated the four-day meet. He said, “Sports are important for the overall growth of an individual mentally as well as physically.”

Dasgupta asked the participants to be ready for a healthy competition and encouraged them to put up a good show. He said such competitions rejuvenated a person’s ability to perform his daily work more efficiently. He motivated the students to participate in the All India Forestry Games.

Earlier in her welcome address, Dean of the university Neena Khandekar spoke at length about the meet. She said the students had been grouped in four houses - Teak, Pine, Sandalwood and Sal. They would be competing in 100 metre, 200 metre, 4x100 metre, 800 metre, 1,500 metre, and cross country races in both men and women categories.

Besides these races, there would be shot-put, javelin throw, discus throw, long and high jump and tug-of- war competitions in both men and women categories. The Officiating Director of the FRI, AS Rawat, Registrar of the university Dr AK Tripathi, and Honorary Sports Officer of the university RS Bhandari were present on the occasion.

Dehradun, October 22
The Kerala Police and Food Corporation of India, Head Quarter Delhi, won the ongoing 2nd Narendra Singh Kharola Memorial All-India Football Tournament here today.

The first match was played between Kerala Police and Uttarakhand Police, Dehradun. The Kerala Police won the match by 4-0. Nazaruddin from Kerala Police scored two goals in the 13th and the 18th minutes. Jimshad scored a goal in the 59th minute and Rahul scored a goal in the 64th minute.

The second match was played between FCI, HQ Delhi, and Mahilpur United Punjab. The FCI, HQ Delhi, won the match by 3-2.

Yogesh from FCI scored a goal at 49th minute, Sumit scored a goal at 58th minute and Sumit (Junior) scored a goal in the 79th minute.

Amandeep Singh from Mahilpur United Punjab scored a goal in the 19th minute and Harminder Singh scored a goal in the 67th minute. Garhwal Heroes Delhi will play a match against Union Bank and Titanium FC Kerala will clash with Delhi United FC in tomorrow’s match.