CM welcomes decision on ‘one rank, one pension’ 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has welcomed the “one rank one pension” announcement made in the interim budget.

In a press note issued here today, the Chief Minister said the issue of “one rank, one pension” was deeply associated with each and every ex-serviceman in the country and they had been fighting for the past several decades for this.

Speaking about the Budget, he said it covered every strata of society, including women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. “An amount of Rs 1,200 crore has been earmarked for hill states, including Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, which could be used to boost development works,” he added.

Satpal Maharaj, MP from Pauri Garhwal, termed the interim Budget as progressive and said Finance Minister P Chidambram had covered every segment of society.

“While announcing ‘one rank, one pension’ the Finance Minister has assured the ex-servicemen that the government would transfer Rs 500 crore to the defence pension account for the purpose. An additional allocation of non-lapsable Rs 1,000 crore has been made for the Nirbhaya Fund,” added the MP.

Meanwhile, the Dehradun chapter of the Ex-Servicemen League has hailed the decision and termed it as their victory. In a press note issued here, Brig KG Behl (retd), president of the league, said the ex-servicemen were happy that the Government of India had accepted in principle their long-standing demand, which would be implemented from April this year.

“The demand has been accepted in principle but the allocation of only Rs 500 crore leaves some doubts about its implementation. Our efforts and sacrifices have brought results and have silenced the voices of pessimism. Since little gap was left in the pension of other ranks and JCOs after the implementation of the recommendations of the committee of secretaries, and with one rank, one pension it is hoped that it may not involve much funds except for bringing it on a par with those who have retired under the Sixth Central Pay Commission rules,” he added.

“There should be no difficulty in working out the difference where people have worked for the maximum number of years required for earning pension but where the length of service varies it may have to be worked out. It may not benefit those where the pension limit is fixed and they are already drawing the maximum pension,” he added.

Senior vice-president of the Uttarakhand Sainik Kalyan Parishad Balbir Singh Rawat said the move had not only brought happiness to the ex-servicemen but had also boosted the morale of the serving personnel. 

AAP workers hold ‘jhadu rally’ to eradicate corruption
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
The Uttarakhand chapter of the Aam Aadmi Party took out a ‘jhadu rally’ to seek public’s support for their fight against corruption, here today.

While one rally was undertaken from Canal Road to Jakhan, the other was from Garhi Cantonment to Dakra.

Shouting anti-corruption slogans, AAP workers demanded the corruption free nation. They also undertook a door-to-door distribution of pamphlets.

Addressing the rally, AAP worker Rajendra Singh Negi said the rally was being carried out in every nook and corner of the country to strengthen the party’s fight against corruption.

“The main aim of the rally is to create awareness and awaken the public against the widespread disease called corruption. Apart from the anti-corruption ideology we also have several demands for the welfare of general public that includes: no increment of house tax, water supply twice a day, proper waste management, road repairs and provision of delivery in cantonment hospital,” he said. 

Congress gears up for Rahul Gandhi’s Feb 22 rally in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
As part of preparations for the February 22 rally of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Congress President Yashpal Arya today flagged-off four prachar raths meant to publicise and garner support for the rally.

Addressing the gathering, Arya said Congress workers aim to make the rally, one of the biggest rallies in recent times in Dehradun.

He said people of Uttarakhand were looking up to Rahul Gandhi with much hope. He said: “Communal forces are becoming active in the state, but the Congress will not let these forces raise their ugly head.”

Arya said the announcement of one-rank-one-pension had given an enormous boost to Congress’ poll prospects in the ex-servicemen dominant state.

He said the prachar raths would also inform the public about the good works being done by the Congress governments at the Centre and the state.

HARIDWAR: With Congress national vice president Rahul Gandhi slated to address a rally in Dehradun on February 22, the district unit has geared itself up to ensure a large number of participants from Haridwar at the rally venue.

In this regard, district Congress unit,Sewa Dal,city unit, youth wing, NSUI, Rahul Gandhi Youth Brigade, Sonia Gandhi Brigade ,women’s cell and other party cells are being entrusted with responsibilities to ensure mass participation for the rally.

Various meetings are being held on a daily basis in the district by party office bearers and leaders of the Congress district unit.

Presiding over one such meeting at the party office here today, district party unit president Rajendra Chauhdary claimed that about 20,000 party activists comprising mostly youths will be taking part in the Rahul Gandhi rally, which will bolster the party’s prospects for the upcoming three-tier panchayat elections as well as 16th parliamentary elections.

City unit president OP Chauhan said all the frontal organisations of the party were united working round the clock to ensure maximum participation of all the members, activists and leaders for the rally.

Women activists will also be attending the mega rally in large numbers. As per district unit women's president Kiran Singh from Haridwar city, rural, women from Ranipur-BHEL, Jwalapur, Lakshar, Mangalore, Bhagwanpur, Bahadrabad, Khanpur , Roorkee and other areas will be attending the rally.

Kiran stated that there is mass enthusiasm being witnessed for the Rahul Gandhi rally, which will create a pro-Congress wave in the state.

Poonam Bhagat, Women's Congress Kissan wing state president, said peasants, too, in large numbers will be arriving in Dehradun from rural areas. As newly appointed CM Harish Rawat represents Haridwar parliamentary constituency in Lok Sabha since 2009, the pro-Harish camp is trying all means to ensure mass participation from Haridwar.

No-trust motion by BJP against Rawat govt fails 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
The no-confidence motion moved by the BJP on Tuesday in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly against the Harish Rawat-led Congress government failed due to lack of numbers.

Once the Speaker's call for members to raise hands and signal support yielded just the BJP crowd comprising 29 members and 40 members on the side of the Treasury Benches, the motion was deemed to have been defeated.

The outcome has come as a blessing in disguise for the newly elected Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who was able to amass the support of MLAs, including the former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat, giving a clear signal that the government continues to have the safety of numbers in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

Further, Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat had publicly vented his ire against the Chief Minister for failing to allocate portfolios, emboldening the Opposition BJP to move the no-confidence motion against the government.

This was the third no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition against the Congress government. Two non-confidence motions were brought during the tenure of former Chief Minister ND Tewari by the BJP.

Earlier Harish Rawat questioned the BJP’s bid to move the no-confidence motion and replied to the charges made by the Leader of the Opposition, Ajay Bhatt, senior BJP leaders Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Madan Kaushik and Banshidhar Bhagat. He said, “The new bride has just stepped into the House and had taken a few tentative steps towards settling down, it seems efforts have already started to banish her out. I am unable to understand the motive of the Opposition. We had to delay the distribution of portfolios as it was necessary to address the demand of the Budget session, which took much of our time. We were also engaged in coming up with solutions to the problems relating to the disaster affected areas,” he said.

Rawat said that he wanted to rationalise the portfolios and re-arrange them on the lines of the Central Government. “I have to apply myself to get the best out of my team. As a team leader I have to use the manpower in the best possible, in order to get the best out of them. I should be allowed to do so,” he said.

In its bid to bring the no-confidence motion, Ajay Bhatt said that the strife within the government that came to the fore after a senior minister publicly said he was insulted by the Chief Minister had made it a fit case for bringing a no-confidence motion. Due to the feud the development work had come to a standstill,” said Bhatt.

SBS institute holds alumni meet 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
A reunion of the SBS Old Students Association alumni was held on the premises of Sardar Bhagwan Singh PG Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research, Balawala, yesterday.

Around 90 old students from across the country assembled to reconnect with their alma matter. The function started with the lamp lighting by the Addition Director of the Institute, Brig (Retd) PPS Pahwa, VSM, followed by a cultural programmme. Welcoming the members, Purva Aggarwal, a student of MSc biotechnology, appraised about the new developments of the Institute.

Urmi Chaurasia, Associate Professor, Deptartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, motivated the students to interact with the alumni. Dr Vikas Jadon, General Secretary, of the institute briefed about the achievements of the past two years. 

Chief Minister distributes pension documents among slum dwellers 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
Chief Minister Harish Rawat today categorically held that the tenure of the District Magistrates would be judged on the basis of their performance and not on their proximity to the office of the Chief Minister.

Rawat was addressing people from deprived sections at a programme linked to distribution of pensions in the city. He said the District Magistrates had also been asked to carry out another campaign towards ensuring pension to the deprived sections residing in the slums. He said, “The District Magistrates need to work religiously for ensuring proper implementation of Central and state government welfare schemes.”

Rawat said it would be his priority to provide best medical facilities to slum dwellers.

“It will be my responsibility after one year to ensure that none is left untreated of serious illness in the state,” said Rawat.

He said his government would increase taxes on alcohol, cigarette and chewing gum and use these funds for the treatment of poor suffering from serious diseases.

Uttarakhand Congress Raipur MLA, Umesh Sharma and Rajpur Road MLA Raj Kumar and a large number of slum dwellers were also present on the occasion. 1700 slum dewellers were given pension documents by the Chief Minister. 

UK varsity team visits Unison World School 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
The delegates from the University of Birmingham visited Unison World School for the second time here. The university received the prestigious award University of the Year in UK recently and holds numerous wonderful credentials. It is ranked 62nd in this year's QS world university rankings and has staff and students from all over the world.

Aprajita Kalra, country coordinator, University of Birminghm, India office, and Carl Adaway, International Officer, University of Birminghm, were the delegates from the university. Students from grades IX to XII attended the presentation on Birmingham University.

This international seminar focused on giving a glimpse of the university life to the students, both on and off campus, the kind of academic programmes offered, the requirements for the programmes, the admission procedure, besides many other aspects.

The delegates were patiently answered a string of questions that students had and took care of all their queries. The students participated whole-heartedly in the interactive session. 

Project to check violence against women 

Dehradun, February 18
To check violence against women, the Uttarakhand chapter of Violence Against Corruption launched “Umadte 100 crore” project.

Deepa, a social worker, said, “The project has been launched in 170 countries. It aims at spreading awareness about crime against women. The programme will conclude on Women’s Day.” Mahila Samakhya, Mahila Aayog, Sanjha Manch and Disha Samajik Sangathan are part of the project. Poster exhibitions, street plays would also be organised. — TNS 

Officials rapped for carrying out repair works without permission
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
Coming down heavily on officials of Public Works and Irrigation Departments for undertaking the repair works of those projects affected by the June disaster without the approval of senior officials, District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam said today that no reimbursements or funds would be released for such unapproved projects.

At a meeting organised to review the progress of disaster-hit projects, the DM said until and unless the repair work for a project was sanctioned and approved either by the DM, Additional District Magistrate or tehsildar, the reimbursements would not be made.

Further instructing the officials to prepare a list, based on priority, of work undertaken following the disaster, Purushottam said an on-site inspection would be made by the ADM. Either the ADM would conduct an on ground check of the site or would appoint the respective tehsildars or subdivisional magistrates for checking the site where repairs had been done. A certificate would be issued by the authority based on which the reimbursement of funds would be made.

Amendment to Cow Slaughter Act sought
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 18
A saint and Bharatiya Janta Party's Lok Sabha candidate from Haridwar in the last parliamentary elections, Swami Yatindranand Giri raised the issue of cow slaughter in recent months in Haridwar today.

Swami Yatindranand Giri, national coordinator of the All-India Saint Council, expressed unhappiness over cow slaughter in the district despite Haridwar being a world famous pilgrim city.

Giri said it seemed as if the administration had failed miserably to check cow slaughter in the district as a number of such cases had been reported these days. "Soon, the All-India Saint Council will form committees in villages to keep a check on such incidents," he said.

Urging the state government and the district administration to take strict action against the culprits, he demanded proper implementation of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act.

He also demanded an amendment in the existing Act to punish culprits. Lashing out at the police Giri alleged that some policemen were involve in the slaughter of cows. He demanded an inter-departmental inquiry as well as a stringent action against dishonest cops.

Echoing the same sentiments, Swami Yatishwaranand, ex-chairperson of the Cow Protection Committee and legislator from Haridwar rural Assembly segment, said Haridwar was a pilgrim city where total prohibition of cow slaughter should be ensured as it hurt religious sentiments of devotees.

Meanwhile, Haridwar Mayor Manoj Garg and the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal supported the Giri's cause. Uttarakhand Kranti Dal central secretary (labour cell) Uday Ram Semwal said cow was regarded holy in Hindu religion so its slaughter should be prohibited.

Ayurvedic college students hold protest
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 18
Students of Gurukul Ayurvedic Medical College today staged a protest in support of their demand. The agitation adversely affected the OPD services at the medical college.

The protesters asked the college management to bring clarity on the issue of the college affiliation.

Recently, a team of the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) had raised questions over the adherence to norms laid by the CCIM by the college management. Students said they had sent numerous letters to the college management seeking clarification on the issue. However, it had failed to give a satisfactory explanation to them.

The protesters alleged the college management had failed to provide good infrastructure, accommodation, food, lodging, hostel, canteen and other facilities to the students.

The protesters said if their demand was not not fulfilled within a day or two, they will be forced to boycott the OPD services and classes too. When contacted, Arun Kumar Tripathi, an official, said the college management was trying to fulfil the norms laid by the governing body. He urged the students to end their agitation.

Commuters stranded as customs officials close border bridge 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February18
A bridge at Jhoolaghat town on the Nepal border in Pithoragarh district remained closed for over four hours leaving hundreds of commuters from both countries stranded. Customs Department officials refused to open the locks of the bridge in protest against the beating up of a fellow official allegedly by police personnel guarding the bridge following a brawl.

“The bridge could only be opened after the Circle Officer, Harish Sati, reached the spot from the district headquarters and permitted the stranded people to cut its locks,” said KN Jukaria, a trader from Jhoolaghat town

According to the police, when the customs officials were asked to furnish the keys of the bridge they said it was lost in the brawl. “The bridge was later opened and the police constable involved in the incident was removed from duty,” said VKS Karki, SP, Pithoragarh.

According to police sources, doctors at the district headquarters examined the injured customs officials. “We have lodged a case against the accused police constable on the information provided by the custom officers. He will be suspended if found guilty in enquiry,” said the Circle Officer, Pithoragarh.

The District Magistrate, Pithoragarh, said action would also be taken against the customs officials for not opening the gates of the international bridge. 

Bench of Armed Forces Tribunal set up at Nainital
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 18
A circuit bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal was inaugurated at Nainital today. The tribunal, which looks after the matters concerning pension, suspension and court marshal of serving or retired officers, will hold court proceeding after every two months at Nainital. “With the opening of the bench of the tribunal, defence personnels will not have to move Lucknow for redress of their grievances ," said Dharam Singh, Secretary of the circuit bench.

The bench was inaugurated jointly by the Acting Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, Justice Verma, and the Chief Justice of the tribunal Prakash Totia at Shailey Hall of the town.

Dharam Singh said the Armed Forces Tribunal, which was established in 2007, has nine regional benches. The cases from Uttarakhand were being linked to the Lucknow bench. “On the opening day, 63 cases were registered and nine cases were heard. Soon we will receive 150 cases related to the defence personnels in Uttarakhand,” he said.

Filling of SC/ST seats sought

Dehradun, February 18
The ST, SC, OBC Backlog Samiti submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Harish Rawat demanding an immediate appointment on 35,000 vacant quota seats.

Kamlesh Bhatt, president of the samiti, said, “Unemployed educated youths had the hope of getting jobs reserved for them. However, despite the government order in 2010, no step has been taken to appoint them.”

Overflowing drains irk Mussoorie residents
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 18
Damaged drains resulting in flooding of shops and houses have left shopkeepers and residents of Garhi Cant a harried lot.

The residents and shopkeepers, led by the BJP leader Devendar Pal, cornered the CEO Garhi Cant at his office today and demanded an immediate repair of the drains.

Devendar Pal said during rain the condition worsened due to the damaged drains but the authorities had not made any effort to rectify the problem despite several reminders.

He further said due to the overflowing drains, the residents are staring at a health hazard. Pal alleged that when employees of the contractor responsible to clean the drains were asked to do the needful, they turned a blind eye towards the problem. Another shopkeeper disgusted at the apathy shown by the department concerned said dirty water entered his house every day and he had been forced to clean it on his own.

“The faulty work done by contractors while laying sewerage pipes is one of the reason behind shops getting inundated with dirty water, causing a lot of inconvenience to the resident here,” he said

Arvind Kumar, CEO, Garhi Cant, assured the residents and shopkeepers that he would direct officials to rectify the fault within a day or two.

Residents unhappy as city bus service comes to halt
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 18
The Mussoorie Municipal Council's decision to stop the city bus service has drawn a lot of flak from local residents.

The bus service, which was started last year, was catering to commuters from Jharipani to Happy valley. However, the non-renewal of the bus permit forced the authorities to stop the services from today.

Irked over the decision, residents accused the Municipal Council of neglecting the renewal of the bus permit, thus causing a lot of inconvenience to them.

Ward members also flayed the decision and asked the MC authorities to resume the bus service without any further delay.

When contacted, MC executive officer PS Rawat said the renewal of the permit had been pending for the past one year. Since permission to ply the buses had expired, he had no other option than to stop the services.

He said an application for the renewal had been submitted to the RTO office, Dehradun.

Forest Dept urged to help in tree plantation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
Environmentalist Ram Babu Junglee has sought assistance from the state Forest Department for carrying out a tree plantation drive in Uttarakhand.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Junglee, who is famous for mimicking voices of wild animals, said the rampant cutting of trees had resulted in the degradation of the environment in the region.

“As wild animals losing their habitat, they have been forced to enter human settlements, resulting in the man-animal conflict,” he said.

Junglee said he himself had been planting trees for long and any assistance from the Forest Department would prove to be of immense help in carrying forward his tree-plantation campaign.

Repair of Badiyar village road sought
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
Raising the issue under Rule 58, BJP MLA Malchand yesterday demanded repair of 12 km forest road in Badiyar village of Purola block immediately.The road is a lifeline for eight more villages.

“Due to the dilapidated condition of the road people have to walk 35 km to reach their destination. The pregnant women are being ferried in dolis to the hospital.” said Malchand.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Indira Hriyadesh, said, “ The 12 km route from Naurigaon and Kalsidam has been damaged, which is a vital link for the villagers. I have asked the Forest Department to undertake the repair immediately.”

Meanwhile in another issue pertaining to upgrading of Nagar Palikas and panchyatas raised by BJP MLA BS Chufal under Rule 58, the leader of the House Harish Rawat said the delimitation and reservation issues would be sorted out to protect the interests of gram sabhas. 

UKD to announce candidates soon 

Dehradun, February 18
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal will be field the maximum number of candidates to contest from the five parliamentary constituencies. In a press conference here on Monday, UKD president Kashi Singh Airy said they were planning to field the maximum number of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections to win a majority of seats.

"A list of the candidates has been prepared and we would be making it public very soon," he said. — TNS

Pratap Section lift RIMC Cricket Cup 
Tribune News service

Dehradun, February 18
Pratap Section exerted its dominance on the field by lifting the Cricket Cup of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) here today. Led by a motivating performance by Cadet Md Salman, Pratap Section defeated Ranjit Section in the final match of the tournament. The cricket cup was established in 1924 and since then it has been a prestigious trophy for which all sections try their level best. It is a popular sport in RIMC where cadets can be seen practising hard in the nets or playing matches. The masters too have been bitten by the cricket bug. Sunday afternoons turn out to be friendly matches of the cadets against the staff. Unaffected by the recent rainfall, the cup was conducted in three categories, juniors, middles and seniors.

The individual prizes won by the cadets are as follows:

Juniors: Best batsman Cadet S Aditya; best bowler Cadet Saksesh Singh; best fielder Cadet Harsh Rana.

Middles: Best batsman Cadet Luizink M; best bowler Cadet Sameer; best fielder Cadet Abhash Kumar Jha.

Seniors: Best batsman Cadet Md Salman; best bowler Cadet Mayank Kumar; best fielder Cadet Purnendu Kumar.

YSS register win

The YSS Club registered a 32 run victory over Empress Club in the ongoing Dehradun Premier Cricket League, here on Tuesday.

Electing to bat first, YSS scored 174 runs at the loss of six wickets. Shaishank scored 77 and Neeraj Chetri contributed 51 runs. Faizal and Asif took 3 wickets each for Empress Club. Empress Club scored 132 runs.

PTCUL log win

In another match, PTCUL registered seven wicket win over Doon Sunrise. While the losers were bowled out for 92 runs, PTCUL managed to score 93 runs for the loss of three wickets. Ritesh and Bharat scored 40 and 28 runs, respectively.

Mirshika academy beat Raipur Sangh

The Mirshika Cricket Academy registered a massive 145-run win over Raipur Vyapar Sangh in the ongoing HN Bahuguna Memorial Glocal Dehradun Premier League (DPL) played at Global School here on Monday. Batting first, Mirshika scored 207 runs with Priyank scoring highest 75 runs. In reply, Raipur Vypar Sangh got bowled out after scoring just 64 runs and lost the match by a huge margin. In the second match, Doon Strikers defeated ARM Uttarakhand by 48 runs.

Child consumes insecticide, dies 

Dehradun, February 18
A three-year-old child consumed insecticide and died at Kawali village here yesterday. According ot sources, Jai Prakash Gupta, who hails from Badayu district, had come to his in-laws' house with his three-year-old child Aryan. 

On Sunday night, when all family members were busy in some work. He was rushed to the hospital after his health started deteriorating where he was pronounced dead.He consumed insecticide thinking it as water. — TNS