With major demands accepted, govt staff call off stir
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The 21-day strike called under the aegis of the State Employees' Joint Council ended today with the state government acquiescing in 25 out of a total of 29 demands raised by the employees, including Assured Career Progression (ACP) to all employees.

The employees agreed to give some time to the government for finding a solution to their demand for upgrade their grade pay till December 4.

In the afternoon, it seemed that the talks had not reached any headway, as Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, while talking to mediapersons, said: “The talks are hinging on yes and no of the office-bearers and the employees”.

Even the office-bearers seemed to be under pressure to call off the stir. The deadlock was broken in the evening after a delegation led by Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana and other Congress leaders again met the Chief Minister.

Interestingly, the government had already agreed on the demand for the ACP to all a few days ago, but office-bearers of the State Employees' Joint Council persisted with the government order on their demand t upgrade their pay scale for which the government had sought time till November 22.

But the office-bearers persisted with an early resolution as the model code of conduct would be in place from November 22 in view of the Panchayat elections.

“The government informed us that the code of conduct will be in place from December 4. Therefore, we have decided to call off our stir,” said Thakur Prahlad Singh, president of the council.

Meanwhile, as a consequence of the agreement reached today, the government would be saddled with an annual financial burden of Rs 400 crore. That’s not all the members of the Diploma Pharmacists, too have intensified their stir.

 Jobless teachers’ protest enters 52nd day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The protest of BPED and MPED trained unemployed youths entered the 52nd day here today. State president of BPED and MPED Trained Unemployed Association, Sundar Dhoni said they would further intensify their agitation if their demands were not addressed.

Devendra Korga, Bhupendra Dhapola, Ashok Pal, Lokesh Nautiyal and Ramesh Padiyar were prominent among the protesters.

 Snow in higher reaches hits power situation 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
A significant decrease in power generation due to deposition of snow in higher reaches has affected the power situation in the state. The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) already purchases power from the outside sources to meet the power demands in the state.

The UPCL purchased six Million Unit (MU) for tomorrow by tenders. Keeping further low generation in view, two extra MU had also been purchased.

The total generation in hydropower houses had plummeted to 7.30 MU yesterday. Whereas, the power demand have been around 26.89 MU.

The corporation managed with the power availability to the tune of 26.51 MU by getting power from all the hydropower houses, central share and other sources.

With regard to the status of the hydropower houses, the ones at Kalagarh, Khatima, Mohammadpur, Pathari and Darasu remained shut. It affected the power supply, due to which the UPCL resorted to power cuts.The power cut was also imposed in Haridwar district for four hours and in the rural areas of Udham Singh Nagar for three hours and in small towns of Garhwal for two hours.

 Govt dilly-dallying on reviving Char Dham Yatra: Nishank
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 6
Former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said today that the state government had no intention of reviving the Char Dham Yatra even next year.

Addressing mediapersons during his brief visit at a hotel here today, Nishank said although the yatra was the backbone of the state's economy, the state government had failed to streamline the yatra and provide relief to the people even after five months of the disaster.

Nishank said with the portals of the Kedarnath shrine closed and winter setting in, the chances of retrieving the bodies had become remote despite the tall claims of the government.

"Following the mid-June disaster, the bodies of the pilgrims and locals are lying scattered around the shrine. But the government has made no arrangement to recover them, showing its lack of will in doing so," he alleged.

He said roads to Char Dhams had not been made conducive to commuting and at many places, the roads had been temporary repaired, which could wash away in heavy rain at any given moment.

Nishank said people in Urgam and Kali math valley were waiting for the government to restore road connectivity and bring normalcy to their lives, but the government had shown no interest so far.

"It is strange that the government which has received ample funds from across the world to cope with the mid-June disaster has no policy or political will to revive the yatra or provide relief to the affected persons so far," he said.

Nishank also questioned the intentions of the government to form a Kedarnath development authority, as it had little land to work on around the shrine area.

He said despite several announcements, the government was yet to provide economic relief to the business community here and instead serving tax notices on them without considering their present condition.

He alleged the government had failed to utilise the funds allocated for the disaster and failed in forming a restructuring policy.

He alleged the government was indulged in corrupt practises through land and mining scams at Rishikesh, SIDCUL in Haridwar and other parts of the state to benefit a few private individuals. He demanded a CBI probe to unearth the truth, so that the guilty were punished.

Nishank alleged the state government had mislead the people of the state on the actual situation even after five months of the disaster and would have to pay dearly during the panchayat and the parliamentary elections.

He said people had made up their minds to oust the Congress and bring in the BJP with a thumping majority. Former MC president OP Uniyal, local BJP president Roop Singh Kathait, Mussoorie BJP secretary Kushal Singh Rana, BJP vice-president Mohan Petwal and others were present on the occasion.

 Four contractual power employees booked
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The police has taken action against four contractual employees of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) who climbed atop a mobile tower in support of their demands.

The four employees, Kanchan Joshi, Darshan Singh Kandari, Ranveer Singh Pundeer and Kustua Nand, climbed atop a mobile tower in Nehru Colony in support of their demands which included regularisation of their services in the Electricity Department.

The police has registered a case and arrested them. However, they were granted bail by the court today.

The four employees had climbed atop a mobile tower on November 2 and came down after persistent efforts of the administration on Monday. 

 Case against Champion for threatening businessman
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Khanpur Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kuwar Pranav Singh Champion today landed in a fresh controversy as a case was lodged against him at the Dalanwala police station for allegedly abusing a businessman and threatening to kill him.

In his complaint, the victim said the MLA visited his shop late on Diwali night and ordered him to recharge his phone.

They had an argument over the issue, following which the MLA got angry and pointed a gun at him and threatened to kill him.

After being denied justice for numerous days, the victim today met Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kewal Khuranna after which an FIR was registered at the Dalanwala police station on his directions.

CO, Dalanwal, MS Farswan has confirmed about the registration of an FIR against Kuwar Pranav Singh in the case.

Kuwar Pranav Singh was in the news recently for opening fire in the middle of a party at Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat's residence in which two Congress workers were injured. 

 Hunt for suitable site to house Urban Haat
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
In order to provide platform to the artisans and craftsmen from different parts of the country, the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is looking for a suitable site to house the Urban Haat in Dehradun.

Replicating the concept of bazaars in a modern way, the Urban Haat would promote art and crafts of artisans of Uttarakhand and other states.

To be set up in 2 acres of land, a village-like ambience would be created at the Urban Haat where crafts and handloom products would be on display during most part of the year.

“Instead of a professional salesman talking to you, buyers could directly interact with the artisans and get information about the crafts and handloom pieces woven by the craftsmen. We would like the Urban Haat to have a distinct identity and for this reason, events would be organised around a particular theme,” said SC Nautiyal, additional director, Department of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises.

Though the Directorate of Handloom has been staging an annual exhibition-cum-sale of handloom products in an open ambience at the parade ground every year, a need was felt to provide an opportunity to the craftsmen and artisans at a permanent fixture.

However, the department would have to devise ways to keep the interest of artisans and buyers alive by coming up with innovative ideas so that it could be stretched to 272 days.

The entire project will be supported by the Central Government. The Urban Haat projects receive 70 per cent funds from the Centre (Ministry of Textiles) and the remaining from the states.

 MP opposes interweaving of languages
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Governor Aziz Qureshi's recent suggestion for unifying Kumaoni, Garhwali and other languages spoken in the state into a single language has met with a stiff opposition, which is growing day by day. His idea was to confer the status of a state language to the new language thus created.

Among the people who have found the proposal difficult to implement is Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj. While talking to mediapersons here today, he said, “It would be impossible to amalgamate the two languages, as both have distinct identities with rich grammar, vocabulary and history.” Maharaj, a former union minister, has been a votary of including the Garhwali and Kumaoni languages in the Eighth Schedule of the constitution.

He said, “In Kumaon University, the Kumaoni is compulsorily taught, while in Garhwal University it is optional. Both the languages are different. I do not think it will be possible to knit them together.”

Maharaj said all efforts should be made to facilitate those who were interested in learning the two languages. “This is the only way the culture of both the regions will remain alive,” he added.

On the issue of ongoing strike by employees owing allegiance to the State Employees Joint Council, the MP said both the state government and employees were not serious in sorting out their problems on the table. 

 Widening of airstrip at Naini Saini Airport begins
Work likely to be over by 2015-end
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 6
The widening of the airstrip at Naini Saini Airport, Pithoragarh, has begun and the work is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. Sources in the district administration said the widening work was delayed for six months due to torrential rain this year.

Engineer Anil Prakash Raturi, who is supervising the work, said, "At present, the airstrip is 1,510 m long and 20 m wide. It will be widened up to 1,775 m long and 30 m wide. The work is going on day and night."

He said the widening work would be carried out in three phases. The first phase was under way.

In the second phase, electrification work would be taken up while in the third phase, terminus buildings would be constructed.

The airstrip was constructed 25 years ago. Later, it was found unsuitable for all types of flights due to a small runway.

 Nut fruit production
Walnut association seeks Chief Minister’s intervention 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 6
President of the Walnut and Other Nut Fruits Growers Association of India KC Pandey here today submitted recommendations to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna for improving nut fruit production in the state. He sought the Chief Minister’s help in implementing the proposals taken up by the association. In a seminar held last month, the association members had deliberated upon developing nut fruits production in the state.

According to the association press statement a seminar was held at the GB Pant Environment and Development Institute, Almora, on October 24-25. It was attended by scientists from ICAR and state agriculture universities, besides officials from National Horticultural Mission as well as representatives of farmers associations. It was recommended in the seminar that three centres of excellence be established in Uttarakhand, Himachal and Arunachal Pradesh under the National Horticulture Mission to grow walnut and other nut fruits.

Association president KC Pandey said, “The seminar had also recommended facilities in these states to ensure availability of lateral bearing varieties from abroad, establishment of a bud wood bank of walnut for getting large scale scion of wood for vegetative growth, founding of walnut nurseries for plant production and research on preservation of indigenous walnut germ plasma to develop new varieties through selected breeding.” 

 Educationist felicitated for extensive research 
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, November 6
Surendar Pundir, an eminent educationist and teacher at Government Inter College in Gorakhori near Nianbagh in Tehri district of Garhwal was felicitated for his extensive research work on the life and culture of people from Jaunpur and Rawain region.

Surendar Singh Pundir being felicitated at a function in Mussoorie on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

He was felicitated by the members of the Kirti Nagar Vikas Samiti in a simple ceremony held at a local hotel in Mussoorie today.

The members of the community presented a citation and a shawl as a mark of respect to him.

The new executive committee was also announced on the occasion. Pundir was named as the president, while Dharmpal Panwar was appointed as the general secretary.

Pradeep Bhandari was nominated as convener of the samiti and Dr Sudhir Gairloa was named as the patron.

The other members of the new committee, included Chandra Prakash Godiyal as vice-president, Anil Kandari as treasurer, Sobhan Singh Mahra as secretary and Devi Godiyal as a member of the advisory committee. Devendar Uniyal was named as the publicity secretary.

 Health of four striking power employees deteriorates
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Health of four members of the Uttarakhand Power Contractual Employees Association who are observing fast for the past four days deteriorated today.

Leaders of the association blamed the state government for deliberately being ignorant about the condition of the fasting agitators and not sending any doctor to the venue to examine them.

The general secretary of the association, Manoj Pant, said, “The four employees who are observing fast complained of uneasiness, severe headache and fever in the morning. But the state government and management of the Power Department have turned a blind eye and not even sent any doctor for examination of these agitators.”

Meanwhile, some representatives of the association also met Congress leader Subhodh Uniyal today where they were given assurance of a positive progress on their issue. Pant said, “We are in touch with Subhodh Uniyal from the very beginning. He has been giving assurance time and again which does not turn into reality. Today also he gave only assurance and no concrete response to our demands.”

He said soon they would finalise their future course of action with regard to mounting pressure on the state government to fulfill their demands.

 Sachin’s retirement plans evoke mix response
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 6
Sachin Tendulkar’s decision on leaving Test cricket after the match against the West Indies has evoked a mixed response from town residents. Sachin had announced his retirement from Test cricket after his 200th match.

Sachin Tendulkar during his visit to Mussoorie. A file photograph

For ardent fans of Sachin, it was like the God of cricket announcing his retirement from the game. They would never be able to seen him thrashing his opponent bowlers out of the park again.

For some it is a decision taken at the right time. Junior cricketers will get a chance to shine in the game. Sachin scored around 15,837 runs at an average of 53.86 in his 24-year career.

Neha, a housewife, said the retirement decision of Sachin was tough to handle as she had grown up watching him playing cricket on television for past several decades. She said, “I wanted my children to enjoy his raw talent in the field. It is hard to imagine cricket without him.”

Vipin Negi, an ardent follower of Sachin, said “The government should declare a national holiday on the day he retires from the cricket.”

However, many in the town are not sad. They hold the view that after retirement, Sachin would have more time to spend in Mussoorie, which is his favourite tourist destination. Sachin and his family have visited the town on several occasions. They found pristine beauty of the town to their liking.

The staff at Woodstock School though saddened at his retirement is also glad that Sachin would have time to spare and reside in the town for longer periods after retirement.

Rockeby manager Manish John, who has played several badminton matches with Sachin during his last visit at Woodstock School, said, “Sachin is very passionate about any game he played. He is a very humble human being.”

He wished Sachin a happy retired life and looked forward to playing several more badminton matches when he would be in the town.

Shoorvir Singh, another resident, said the state government should provide residence to Sachin so that he could spend more time in the town after his retirement.

 SP, BSP announce candidates for Lok Sabha elections
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The state unit of the Samajwadi Party (SP) has finalised candidates for all the five Lok Sabha seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) could decide its candidates for only two seats. State president of the SP SN Sachan said they had finalised all names and now the party was consolidating its network for each polling station. The SP is trying its luck on three candidates, who had joined the party from other political parties, recently.

The BSP also finalised the names of two such candidates, who too entered the party fold recently. Party loyalists have been pushed to the back-seat in the matter of tickets distribution for the Lok Sabha poll.

Samajwadi Party chose Ajmal Nawaj for Haridwar. Nawaz, who had left the SP and joined the Congress in 1992-93, has come back to the party again. Sachan said, Nawaz had been state general secretary in the past and was the appropriate choice for this prestigious seat.

Sardar Avtar Singh, who had been switching parties too, has been given ticket by the SP from Nainital. Avtar was earlier with the Congress. Later, he joined the BSP. Three months ago, he joined the party in the presence of party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. Earlier, he was district president of the Congress in Udham Singh Nagar.

Kuldeep Singh Rawat, another name in the league of party hoppers, will represent the SP from the Pauri Lok Sabha seat. He also left the SP in the past to join the BSP. It is homecoming for him as well. Earlier, Rawat held the post of the state secretary.

To lure Rajput voters, the SP has given a ticket for the Tehri seat to young leader Neeraj Singh Chauhan. Sachan said, Chauhan enjoyed a considerable following in Haridwar-Saharanpur belt.

For a change, veteran and party loyalist Bhagwati Prasad Trikoti has been given ticket from Almora. He never won any of the two Vidhan Sabha elections in the past. Sachan said the party was now finalising the names of 10 party members for each of the 130 Lok Sabha election polling stations.

BSP state in-charge Ramesh Kumar Burman said the party had sent a panel of names for the all the five seats to national president Mayawati. Two names had been finalised. One was of Hazi

Islam for Haridwar and another of Laik Ahmad for Nainital, he added.

Burman said Islam moved away from the Congress to join the BSP only a month ago, while Ahmad joined the party only six months back.

He said, “It is different case in the BSP. Here the party fights the elections and not the candidates unlike other parties. Hence the factor that both the candidates are new to the party does not matter for us. Islam has an effective grasp in Haridwar region, while Ahmad, a bureaucrat, who retired recently, has a clean and honest image.”

Burman said selection of candidates on other three seats was still pending as Mayawati was busy in campaigning for the Vidhan Sabha elections in the five states. Names of contestants for the three seats would be decided soon, he added. 

 Book exhibition from today
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 6
A three-day book exhibition, creative writing and illustration workshop will be held at Oak Grove School in Mussoorie from tomorrow. The event will be organised by the National Book Trust of India.

“Eminent authors will conduct the workshop with an objective to enhance the writing skills among the students of the schools,” said GD Raturi spokesperson of the school. 

 Union minister to lay stone of spice park
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma will lay the foundation stone of a spice park at Sahaspur on November 18.

The programme was confirmed following a meeting between Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and Anand Sharma in New Delhi recently. This will be the second spice park in the state whose foundation stone will be laid by the Union minister.

Last month, he had laid the foundation stone of a spice park at Sitarganj in Udham Singh Nagar.