Arya: Modi's campaign all hype, no substance
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 16
Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee chief Yashpal Arya dismissed the hype being created by BJP over its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as just being in the air, having no base or mass acceptability.

Yashpal Arya, who holds Cabinet berth in Uttarakhand government, said that the way Gujarat Chief Minister just praises his own works and dreams of becoming Prime Minister, points to the ''post-oriented politics of Modi.''

During a brief stopover at the state guest house here today, Arya said that people want food, employment and development and not just oratory laced with targeted audience of the area.

Modi praised every state where he visited and tried to present himself as a CM who had done historic development works, but in fact he is just shedding his government's inabilities by managing media-oriented campaign, said Arya.

On the state political scenario, Yashpal Arya hoped that Congress Party will once again replicate the 2009 Lok Sabha election success, wherein it won all five parliamentary seats of Uttarakhand.

''It is the duty of party workers to carry forward the works being carried out by Congress-led UPA Union Government, since the past 9 years when it came to the power. It has given the benefits of MNREGA, Right to Education ,Right to Information, Food Security Bill, Land Acquisition Bill among others to the public,'' said Arya.

On the question of repeating candidates for all five Lok Sabha seats, Nainital, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal and Almora , state Congress chief said that it was the party high command's prerogative whom to repeat or not.

He refused to comment over the hoardings put up by Khanpur legislator Kunwar Pranav Singh's supporters, depicting his wife Devyani as future party candidate from Haridwar constituency.

City Congress chief OP Chauhan said that Yashpal Arya also held talks with party senior leaders and workers over the party's position as far as Lok Sabha elections were concerned.

CM convenes joint meeting of Cabinet, CLP on Nov 17
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
In a major development, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has convened a joint meeting of his Cabinet colleagues, Congress Legislature Party members and the alliance parties to discuss the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act 2013.

Vijaypal Sajwan, Chief, Congress Legislature Party, apprised that the meeting will take place at the CM’s residence on November 17.

General Manvender Singh felicitates TA officers at IMA
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The closing ceremony of the Territorial Army officers who underwent a post commission training was conducted in the prestigious Chetwode Hall of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today.

The training was scheduled from August 16 till November 16.

The officers arrived at the Indian Military Academy after completing their basic training from the Territorial Army School.

The aim of the post commission training was to foster traits of a military leader capable of leading men into battle. The concept of the Territorial army had proven to be an excellent integrating factor in the life of the young people to fulfill the national obligations of the military services.

The scope of the training encompassed physical training, proficiency in handling of weapons, development of leadership traits and a capsule on counter insurgency or counter terrorism operations. The intensive and relevant training imparted at the Indian Military Academy would be beneficial to the officers in the long run.

Lt Gen Manvender Singh, Commandant, Indian Military Academy, addressed the cadets and felicitated their families on the accomplishment of the officers.

He said the territorial army officers in particular, played an important role as citizen soldiers.

“They are the assets in terms of trained specialists in various fields whose expertise is being optimally exploited. They also act as ambassadors of the Indian Army in the civil society,” he added.

He also highlighted the role each individual could play towards the safety and security of the country.

The event was concluded by award presentation where Capt Pradeep Shourya Arya was conferred with the award of best student.

Homicide cell helps solve murder case
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
Within a few days of its existence, the recently set up homicide investigating cell in Udhamsingh Nagar has helped solve a murder case and arrest two accused here today.

Reportedly, the matter is of Kashipur police station where one person, namely Sachin, was murdered on November 2 and a case was registered. The investigation was later transferred to the homicide investigating cell, which claims to have solved the case within 15 days and arrested Ravi Pal and Manoj for allegedly killing Sachin.

The police said both the accused and the victim used to live in the same locality and the latter had allegedly humiliated Ravi Pal publicly in the colony. After that, Ravi Pal, along with Manoj, planned to kill Sachin. Both of them took Sachin to the Muradabad Road on their bike and killed him near Valmiki Dharamshala.

Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sidhu has announced a cash reward of Rs 10,000 for the team which arrested the accused.

The homicide cells were set up a fortnight ago in four districts, namely Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital and Udhamsingh Nagar, on the directions of DGP BS Sidhu. The cells are mandated to investigate murder cases and all other heinous crimes and will be freed from other law and order duties.

 BJP: Half-baked Food Security Scheme imposed on people
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The Uttarakhand BJP today criticised the Bahuguna government for imposing a ''half-baked Food Security Scheme'' on the people of the state, as a result of which the Public Distribution System had completely collapsed and people were without rations.

''There is lack of clarity on the issuance of new ration cards according to the new Food Security Act in place. Four months have passed but the officials do not have clear instructions for issuing ration cards as there is confusion regarding framing of guidelines,'' said Suresh Joshi, Senior BJP leader.

He said that on the other hand the government is making false claims through its advertisement campaigns that 63 lakh persons have benefited from the scheme. ''In the hill districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pauri, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Champawat, the beneficiaries are travelling 10 km to the headquarters to get the ration cards issued,'' said Joshi. He also accused the government for procuring poor quality sugar from the sugar mills.

Govt plans interactive SMS facility to streamline pension delivery
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
To improve the delivery of pensions, the Department of Social Welfare is contemplating making an arrangement with mobile phone service providers for the delivery of interactive messages to the beneficiaries of various pension schemes.

A poor pension delivery system is proving to be a hindrance for the state government in reaching out to the actual beneficiaries. Besides, only 40 per cent of the beneficiaries have bank accounts. “Once the beneficiaries of widow and old-age pensions start receiving messages on their mobile phones about the transfer of pension to their bank accounts, they will automatically feel a sense of security and relief. The persons who do not have bank accounts too will be encouraged to open accounts in the nearest bank branches,” said S. Raju, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare.

Similarly, the department also plans to extend an interactive message facility for scholarship schemes being run by the department for different categories of students.

“By the next financial year, the students, who are beneficiaries of various scholarship schemes, too will get such messages. This facility will improve the delivery system of all pension and scholarship schemes,” said Raju.

The steps are being taken in the backdrop of the observations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its last report. The agency had drubbed the government for inadequate planning in the implementation of the schemes, which resulted in double payment of pension to the tune of Rs 10.12 crore to deceased and ineligible persons.

Every person belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) category and between the age of 60 and 64 years is eligible for a pension of Rs 400 per month under the state government old-age pension scheme. On attaining the age of 65, the beneficiary will be covered by the centrally-assisted IGNOPS for which assistance of Rs 200 per beneficiary per month is provided by the Centre and the state government bears the remaining Rs 200.

Protesting power corporation employees arrested, released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
Agitating contractual employees of three power corporations were today arrested when they were on their way to gherao top Power Department officials of the state.

However, the arrested employees were released later in the evening.