Power Department contractual staff go on strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 29
The members of Uttarakhand Power Contractual Employees Association have decided to go on an indefinite strike to press for their demands for regularisation and Dearness Allowance from 12 tonight. The contractual employees held two rallies. The first was from the office of Power Corporation to the office of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited and the second was from Parade Ground to Clock Tower. Around 70 members of the association were arrested in the morning.

President of the association Yogender Vishal said, “In the board meeting of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) held today, our issues were not resolved. The matter has been put in the court of state government. It was Additional District Magistrate Harak Singh Rawat who assured us of facilitating a meeting with Chief Minister tomorrow. BJP leader Ravinder Jugran, trade leader Heera Singh Bisht and UKD leaders have expressed their solidarity with us today on our demands.”

Vishal said the management had assured them that their issues with regard to raising salary structure, granting Dearness Allowance and financial help to the family in the case of death of an employee had been put forward before the state government and were on the way to getting implemented. He said the association would continue their strike until their demands were fully met.

JEs’ stir on

Members of the Junior Engineer Association from Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) are observing a serial fast for the acceptance of their demands for appointments to the post of Executive Engineer. President of the association GN Kotiyal said the department had made direct recruitments to the posts of Executive Engineer while Assistant Engineers were in line for promotion.

Gurukul Ayurvedic College declined accreditation
Sandeep Rawat/TNS

Haridwar October 29
Despite tall claims being made by the state government and the management of Ayurvedic colleges in the state of making the state an Ayurvedic hub, a leading Haridwar-based Ayurvedic college has not been granted accreditation for the ongoing academic session. Prestigious state government-run Gurukul Ayurvedic College will not be able to run the classes for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Studies for 2013-14 academic session.

A team of the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) had inspected the Ayurvedic College. In its report, the council cited lack of teaching staff and other facilities, which didn’t fill the criteria required as per the CCIM norms.

Talking to TNS, Dr Arun Kumar Tripathi, Principal, Gurukul Ayurvedic College, said, "The CCIM has not granted accreditation to the college for the current academic session. There are 50 seats for BAMS in our college. We have apprised Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani of the matter.

“Without accreditation we can’t conduct new admissions for the BAMS course. It’s not our fault. The process for appointment of teaching staff, including Professor, Reader and Lecturer for a total of 20 posts is going on through Uttarakhand Public Service Commission. The CCIM should consider this aspect also. Appointment of teaching staff is not directly in our hands” said Tripathi.

The only other Ayurvedic college, Rishikul Ayurvedic College has started its admission process as the CCIM has found the college adhering to the parameters. Counselling process is going on at Rishikul Ayurvedic College.

Lack of teaching staff

• A Central Council of Indian Medicine team inspected the ayurvedic college. In its report, the council cited lack of teaching staff and other facilities
• As per reports, the college didn’t fulfil the criteria required according to the CCIM norms
• The college will not be able to run the classes for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Studies for 2013-14 academic session
• There are 50 seats for BAMS in the college

Disaster management team holds mock drill at Industrial Area
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 29
The district disaster management authority conducted mock drill at the Industrial Area here today. It was carried out at an Industrial Plant in the Integrated Industrial Estate. The mock drill was being done on the directives of District Magistrate Nidhi Pandey. Dr Naresh Chaudhari, district disaster management officer, said the mock drills were being carried out at various testing areas with real disaster-like situations.

He said it would provide valuable inputs to meet any such situation. During the mock drill it was presumed that a fire occurred at one part of the factory and fire fighters pitched in with rescue operation.

Firefighters led by Vijay Talwar, chief fire controller, issued an alert in the factory premises and informed the district disaster management control room. In minutes, disaster management employees reached, comprising of health, first-aid and Red Cross staff.

The firefighters tried to douse the flames and the Red Cross volunteers catered to the injured and were taken to the nearest hospital. Thus, signaled the successful rescue and disaster management operation.

Dr Naresh Chaudhari, disaster management officer, reviewed the operation and pointed out that the employees of the Industrial Plant

knew the first-aid procedures and the fire fighting employees could have concentrated more on flame dousing efforts.

Santosh Gayakwad, regional manager of the factory, said the mock drill pointed to many loopholes in the security set up, which would be adhered to. Madhu Sudhan, chief fire safety officer, and Sampooranand Nautiyal, fire safety officer, Mayapur, also gave tips to the employees about ways to control fire outbreak.

The Red Cross volunteers, including Punam, Shazia Khatun, Lata Melkani, Ambika Hayanki, Ambika Uniyal, Pratya Juyal, Deepali Pundir, Ruchi Juyal, Anjali Bijalwan, Savitri Bhatt, Surabhi Verma, Nidhi Bhatt, Swati Bhatt, Kavita Rana and Sunil Kumar also played an active role in the mock drill.

Post-Patna blasts, need to step up Modi’s security: BJP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 29
National secretary of the BJP Trivender Singh Rawat today said after the Patna blasts there was a greater need to step up the security of Narender Modi, the prime ministerial candidate of the party for the 2014 General Elections. “Though Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has said that the security provided by the Centre to Narender Modi is adequate, the attack in Patna was clearly aimed at the Gujarat Chief Minister and the BJP. For this reason, we have requested the Central government to address our security concerns in the light of the Gandhi Maidan blasts in Patna,” said Rawat while speaking with reporters.

He charged the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar with adopting a casual attitude towards Modi’s security. “The security was lax. The Nitish government ignored warnings by the Centre of a possible attack,” he added.

Rawat said following the arrest of a terrorist from Bharaich in Uttar Pradesh the government should tighten the security for Modi’s rally slated for November 8 at the same place.

He also called upon the political parties to rise above petty politics as the terrorist attack could pose a threat to the integrity and security of the country.

Spokesperson for the Uttarakhand BJP Prakash Suman Dhyani expressed similar sentiments and said for petty vote bank politics the Nitish government had been soft on terrorists, especially those belonging to the Indian Mujahideen. “Nitish Kumar ignored advance intelligence reports given by the Centre of terrorist attacks for vote bank politics,” he said.

CPI (ML): World under influence of imperialism
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 29
In a two-day state-level convention of the CPI (ML) organised at Almora, the party declared that the world at present was under the influence of American imperialism. Imperialist forces were on their way to capture all natural sources of oil, gas and other minerals in the name of combating terrorism. A senior party leader Indresh Maukhuri in a paper presented at the conference said, “To face this imperialist menace and stop it from spreading, pro-people forces have come up in the whole world.”

Other party leaders also presented their papers in which they said the national economy had shattered in the last two decades due to anti-people, pro-industrialists economic policies of the government.

“While the corporate houses and industrialist have been given heavy concessions to flourish their industries, common man is being crushed in the name of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, and other anti-national Acts,” said a paper presented by a party cadre.Party comrade KK Bora presented his paper on matters related to women.

He said, “The society is blaming women even for the crimes like rapes.” CPI (ML) blamed opportunist elements present within the communist movement for the debacle of the people’s movement in the country. The party appealed to the cadre to stand up to fight against these opportunistic forces.

Army’s interference in construction works resented
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 29
Residents of Jaitanwala village today protested before the office of the District Magistrate to oppose the intervention of the Army in their construction works. “The army officers of the J&K Regiments are forbidding the villagers to construct their single story houses within 100 meter area and double story houses in 200 meter area outside the boundary line of the cantonment area. The village itself is situated within 100 meter area. If army imposes this condition, then we won’t be able to undertake construction of our houses. Not only this, the officers are not ready to give in writing the rules and regulations,” said Shiv Rai, a local resident.

He said earlier the Gorkha Regiment never posed such obstacles before them.

Another resident, Vijender Kumar said they could understand the objections of the army, had there been the army bomb go-down or the signal tower or any such sensitive structures in the vicinity of the village. But there was nothing for which the army was restricting them.

District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam said the administration had sought 15 days time from the army to settle the dispute. He said the administration would scrutinise the documents and other details in this regard and appealed to the villagers to maintain peace. The protesting villagers were led by Ganesh Joshi, BJP MLA, Mussoorie.

Ansari felicitates Haridwar student
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 29
Bringing laurels to the city and the state, Avinash, a student of Dev Sanskriti University, was honoured at a function by Vice-President Hamid Ansari recently in New Delhi. Avinash, an M Sc, Psychology, student was adjudged first at an essay writing competition organised by Indian Institute of Public Administration. Vice-President Hamid Ansari gave merit certificate and cash prize to Avinash.

Avinash's essay on the topic "Violence against women, their causes, threat and prevention" was adjudged the best among the hundreds of the participating students from across the country.

Meanwhile, as the news reached Dev Sanskriti University, there was a wave of jubilation among the teaching staff and the students. They all wished Avinash well.

“This was my maiden attempt at any national competition and by grace of God, I emerged winner. Dedicated effort, intensive reading and guidance from teachers, fellow students and family members all contributed in me emerging winner," said Avinash.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Chinmay Pandya of Dev Sanskriti University said the Uttarakhand-based educational institution was fast emerging as leading institute in providing both moral and technological education.

Dr Pandya lauded Avinash’s efforts and said the university was committed to providing the best of the facilities, educational environment and teaching staff to its students. Vice-Chancellor Dr Sukhdev Sharma also congratulated him.

Crime tracking network launched at Chamoli
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 29
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Garhwal range, Amit Sinha, inaugurated the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) project at Gopeshwar police station in Chamoli district today. Sinha told policemen that from now onwards they would have to register the first information reports (FIR) and general diary (GD) online instead of writing them manually.

“The burden on the police will reduce once the system is fully operational. It will help in investigation of cases because the records of criminals will be available online and could be accessed on the click of the mouse,” said Sinha.

Ajay Joshi, Superintendent of Police, Chamoli, told The Tribune that, “Six police stations of the total seven in the district were made ‘Go Live’ under the CCTNS project today. Now onwards all entries will be registered in the digital format.”

“Badrinath police station, which is not covered under the CCTNS project, will be brought under it soon,” said Joshi.

Pharmacists boycott work
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 29
Members of the Diploma Pharmacists’ Association of Uttarakhand re-launched their agitation today and boycotted work at all government hospitals from 11 am to 2 pm in support of their demands.

The pharmacists had withdrawn their agitation for a few days on humanitarian grounds but from today they decided to boycott work from 11 am to 2 pm.

Due to the boycott call by the pharmacists, the medicine counters at the hospitals remained shut, causing inconvenience to patients.

The pharmacists are demanding the fulfillment of their 21-point charter of demands that includes the resolution of anomalies in salaries, the creation of posts of Director, Additional Director, and Joint Director at the Directorate, parent care allowance and other demands.

Action sought against police for lathi-charge on students
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 29
Students belonging to Aryan group of DAV PG College held a protest at the district magistrate office here today. They were protesting against the police lathi charge on students at Virasat Fair last evening.

They blamed the police for beating students and other bystanders at the venue and demanded action against official who gave orders for the lathi charge. Jogendra Rawat, general secretary of the group, said, “Police action over students who were peacefully protesting against organisers of the Virasat Fair for not giving chance to the local artistes in the fair is totally condemnable. Action must be taken against police officials concerned.”

Students belonging to college student union organisation gathered at the ONGC Stadium last evening where Virasat Fair is being organised to protest against the alleged exclusion of artistes from the state. The police resorted to lathi charge to diffuse the situation and control the protesting students. A number of students were injured in the lathi-charge.

Beef up security ahead of festival season: DIG
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 29
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Amit Sinha directed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Superintendent of Police (SP) of seven districts to tighten the security arrangements in the wake of festival season.

With Diwali round the corner, the district police heads had been directed to increase the night patrolling in their districts and to carry out checking drives at crowded places like bus stands, railway stations and markets.

The DIG also asked the SSPs and the SPs to deploy anti-sabotage teams, dog squads and bomb disposal teams at sensitive and crowded places to ensure prompt action in case of any untoward incident. Barricading would also be erected at the entry and exit points of the districts.

On other hand, DIG Amit Sinha had also appealed to the people of seven districts to opt for eco-friendly Diwali this year. 

Employees’ stir: CM to take call today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 29
During the talks held today with the government regarding their main demand of three promotions or equivalent pay grade in the entire career of an employee, the striking employees owing allegiance to State Employees Joint Council were told that the final decision would be taken by the Chief Minister on his arrival tomorrow evening. The employees stated that they would also take the decision to call off their stir after that.

During the meeting with Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma today, the council office-bearers were conveyed the government's decision.

"As the talks were held in a congenial environment, we have decided to wait for the Chief Minister's arrival. If the decision goes in our favour, we will call off our stir tomorrow," said Prahlad Singh Thakur, president of the Council.

Further, the employees have also decided to resolve the issue pertaining to the upgradation of pay scale by giving some more time to the government.

Approve rail line, CM urges Kharge

Dehradun, October 29
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna met Union Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge at the Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, today. He asked him to grant approval for the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line alignment soon. He said the railway line alignment survey, proposed by the Railway Development Corporation, had been completed and submitted to the ministry of railways for approval.

Vijay Bahuguna said the ministry of railways had agreed to the project and the Forest Department would provide the No-Objection Certificate, so the land acquisition work for the project could begin.

He said it was a project of national importance and thus, the railways must take the project on priority basis. Bahuguna also discussed the Tanakpur-Bageshwar railway line and other important railway projects for the state.

The Railway Minister assured the Chief Minister of speedy implementation of the proposed projects. — TNS