Control rash driving by bus operators: BJYM 
Activists protest at RTO, threaten to intensify agitation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) were up in arms against city bus operators at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) here today.

The activists have threatened to continue their agitation in case the department does not take effective steps to control rash driving by bus operators in the city.

BJYM activists, led by senior BJP leader Rajendra Singh Dhillon, gathered at the RTO office and raised anti-department slogans.

They accused RTO officials of not taking any action against bus operators, despite a memorandum being submitted to them. They asked the RTO officials to register names and addresses of city bus drivers and conductors with the RTO.

They suggested RTO officials to quash the registration of bus operators if the driver crosses designated speed limit inside the city. The agitators asked RTO to provide compensation to victims in case of accidents.

Uma Shankar, Jagdish Singh, Surenda Kumar, Pawan Tata, Kunal Goyal, Mahendra Kumar, Sonu Rohilla, and Praveen Dhiman were present.

Activists protest non-distribution of ration

Dehradun: Members of the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) staged a protest outside the District Magistrate’s office here today in protest against the non-distribution of ration on the basis of old ration cards.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav and demanded an immediate inquiry into the matter. They alleged that the holders of yellow ration card and Above Poverty Line card were not getting ration at government outlets. Despite several complaints to the District Food and Supplies Department, nothing had been done to resolve the issue, they added.

The BJYM activists demanded suspension of erring officers and urged the District Magistrate to make ration available at government shops. They also requested him for issuance of ration cards to slum-dwellers.

Suresh Kumar, Rajkumar Tiwari, Ganga Sagar, Bhagat Singh, Seta Devi, Polli Kaur, Sumani Devi, Meena Devi and Naseem Akhtar took part in the protest.

Rapid urbanisation takes toll on Doon’s green cover 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Dehradun, once known as the city of grey heads and green hedges, is losing its greenery. Face-saving efforts on the part of agencies tasked with the beautification of the city have also failed to yield results.

In Uttarakhand, Dehradun is considered to be the fastest growing city with rampant urbanisation taking place in the region. However, it has taken a toll on its greenery. The city has a little green space left. Barring Gandhi Park, Buddha Park and MDDA Park, greenery has failed to draw the attention of town planners and the civic authorities. Gandhi Park stands most definitely ignored. Trees that once dotted both sides of the roads in Dehradun are fast vanishing.

Most of the trees have been axed to widen roads while some have fallen on their own due to lack of upkeep.

The Dehradun division of the state Forest Department had come up with a green master plan in 2010 to restore the much-needed greenery. The plan was submitted to the authorities for further action. However, the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority, which was supposed to execute the master plan, has failed to ensure its implementation.

The Dehradun forest division that undertakes a plantation drive in monsoon every year to ensure that the city manages to check its fast eroding greenery has also found a little success.

The Forest Department also puts up stalls in monsoon months to ensure the easy availability of saplings for the masses. However, these plantation drives have failed to yield the desired results. Saplings planted alongside roads often get perished due to lack of care.

Founder of Citizens for Green Doon Nitin Pandey, who has been spreading awareness on safeguarding Dehradun’s greenery, wants stringent measures to check the felling of trees in the city.

He said both the forest and district authorities need to do more in terms of commitment. He said while trees were being felled indiscriminately to make way for constructions, a little attention was being paid to its adverse ramifications to the environment.

Grooming session for Ecole Globale students
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Ecole Globale International School organised a grooming session here today. Makeup artist Sohini Juneja was the chief guest.

Sohini Juneja informed students about the latest fashion trends and beauty products. She also highlighted the importance of grooming in today’s times.

Meanwhile, Lolita Dutta, a professional design consultant, also visited the school and addressed senior students. She held a detailed discussion on studying design. It was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Students of Ecole Globale school participate in a beauty grooming session in Dehradun on Wednesday. A tribune photograph

Multiple injuries caused death of worker
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
The postmortem report has revealed that multiple internal injuries and fractures were the cause of death of 32-year-old Tarun Kumar who was found dead inside the constructed building of forest department campus at Dilaram Bazaar on Tuesday afternoon.

“The postmortem report has confirmed that all the ribs were broken, including fractures in hand and legs, which points towards falling from high rise building”, Anil Joshi, in charge, Dalanwala police station, told The Tribune.

Although he refused to comment on the possibility of the role of some other person in the death of Tarun Kumar, he said that the matter is under investigation and police are not leaving any stone unturned to reveal the truth.

Notably, he body of Tarun was found on the pavement of the ground floor with several injury marks on his body and his mobile phone was found on the 5th floor of the under construction building. Reportedly, Tarun used to work as a driver in the forest department on contractual basis but was unemployed for the last 15 days.

2 city patrol unit teams given cash awards
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sidhu has given cash award of Rs 10,000 to two teams of City Patrol Units for their commendable work on duty at the police headquarters here today. The City Patrol Unit personnel were given the cash award in presence of SP traffic Pradeep Roy and SP crime, Nivedeta Kukreti.

City Patrol Unit’s Platoon commander Dayanand Rajwar and constable Anil Tiwari were awarded for their honesty and integrity shown on duty. On July 28, both found a gold necklace at Kargi Chowk while patrolling. After speaking to the locals and failing to find its owner, the team deposited the necklace at the traffic office and informed senior officers about it.

Sub-Inspector Baldeep Singh and constable Sandeep Kumar were awarded for their promptness shown in the case of mobile shop robbery at Johri village on July 22. The sister of the mobile shop owner, Shailendra, reportedly informed the City Patrolling Unit about the incident, after which, the motorcycle-borne unit reached the mobile shop and arranged for first aid for Shailendra, who got injured in the incident. While the culprits were able to flee under the cover of darkness, the unit personnel got appreciation from the locals.

Meanwhile, the DGP appreciated the work done by the City Patrol Units in Dehradun in the last three months of its operation on city roads. He said Haridwar city roads will have similar units soon. He said more sub-inspectors and constables would be recruited to strengthen the City Patrol Units. 

Woman alleges sexual harassment
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
A woman today lodged a complaint at the Patel Nagar police station alleging that she was repeatedly sexually abused by a man on the pretext of marriage.

The victim, a resident of Brahampuri at Niranjanpur, alleged the accused had been sexually exploiting her for the past six years.

However, when she asked him about marriage plans, he refused and threatened her of dire consequences if she again discussed the topic. The police have registered a case and started investigations into the matter. 

Video album on Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Uttarakhand RBS Rawat released the video album on Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra during a function held here today.

The songs in the album have been sung by renowned Garhwali folk singer Pritam Barthwan. According to Pritam Barthwan, he has tried to depict a journey of divine experience of Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra through his songs in the album. Many other distinguished guests were also present during the release of the video album. Notably, the famous Raj Jat Yatra is organised once in 12 years and is expected to take place this year. The sacred yatra comprises a long route that takes 22 days for completion.

Collectorate staff stage protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Employees of the district collectorate boycott work and held a demonstration here today in protest against the staffing pattern adopted in the office.

The protesters alleged that the staffing pattern adopted in the district collectorate was against the norms as only the state government could implement it. “The District Magistrate does not have the power to implement the staffing pattern. We will continue to boycott work and intensify our stir if the order regarding the staffing pattern is not taken back,” said Rajender Kumar, leader of the protesters.

WRAP programme likely to help clean-Ganga mission 
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 30
The plastic waste material diversion programme, also known as Waste to Resource Action Program (WRAP), initiated by tourism department, if incorporated in the country, could go a long way in supporting clean Ganga-mission, believe waste management experts.

The programme is the brainchild of solid waste management expert Vipin Kumar who hails from Mussoorie. According to him, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board initiated a Waste to Resource Action Programme (WRAP) in the year 2010 for collection and disposal through recycling.

The objective was to divert voluminous light waste plastic, paper and metallic cans from waste streams through value addition and the strategy was to rope in the waste pickers to segregate waste as per their constituency and family, followed with volume reduction, using hydraulic compactor. Once compacted the waste material was transported from remote area turning non-biodegradable waste management into a self-sustaining enterprise, said Vipin Kumar.

He further said that the compactor post segregation of the components increases the density by bailing the waste into cuboids. It leads to increase in the density of the volumetric waste and makes it easy to transport. About 1.5 tonnes of such waste from the remote hills, post segregation and compaction can be downloaded up to 5 tonness in a truck, thus rationalising the cost of transportation and turning waste into source leading to generation of surplus revenue for urban local bodies. In addition, this material diversion programme increases the life span of the dumpsite and cleans the landscapes due to value addition.

The programme was started in five destinations, Dehradun, Joshimath, Badrinath, Janki Chatti at Yamunotri and Soneprayag at Kedarnath.

“All the machines have generated revenue for the local bodies with Joshimath diverting about 100 tonnes of waste and earning Rs.8 lakh. The Government has further replicated the model by installing another 18 machines in the remote areas of the state.

Mussoorie Municipal Council has been able to earn around Rs 30,000 despite the absence of door-to-door segregation programme in place.

Further, a plastic recycling plant has been established by the government at Kathgodam in district Nainital through technology transfer. It is being run by a private partner. It functions as an end user and procures the compacted waste at a lucrative price. As a byproduct of the activity about 150 jobs have been created for waste pickers who have mastered the skill of plastic segregation without extra burden on the urban local bodies,” said Vipin Kumar.

Vipin Kumar further opined that if the existing model, which was also helping in keeping Ganga clean by ensuring that the waste, is segregated at source and is not dumped in the river is incorporated in Ganga Action Plan being envisaged by the Government of India, then it would yield good results.

When contacted the Director, tourism department, AK Dwivedi, said that the department was planning to extend the programme to other circuits in the state, Srinagar, that fall en-route Chard Dam Yatra, so that the waste is segregated at source and is not dumped in the Ganga and its tributaries. He further said that the decision to incorporate a model of solid waste management that has been a success in the state was on the Government of India and he could not comment on it further.

Bahuguna meets Harish Rawat, seeks representation in govt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
After being sidelined in the Uttarakhand Congress politics, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna again tried to reassert himself. He held a meeting of legislators owing allegiance to him and then met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat with the demands of his group for better representation in the state government and party organisation.

Since Harish Rawat took over as Chief Minister of the state, Vijay Bahuguna group has been completely sidelined. After winning all the three assembly byelections, Harish Rawat has gained in stature. With the placement of Kishore Upadhaya, a protégé of Harish Rawat as state Congress president, the isolation of Vijay Bahuguna has been complete.

Vijay Bahuguna held a meeting with Cabinet ministers Harak Singh Rawat and Pritam Singh, which was also attended by legislators Raj Kumar, Umesh Sharma, Vikram Singh Negi, Subodh Uniyal and Nav Prabhat at his residence to chalk out the strategy of his group. Later, he along with Pritam Singh met the Chief Minister Harish Rawat. It was believed that Vijay Bahuguna has been trying to get his own supporters adjustment in the state council of ministers and get Rajya Sabha berth 
for himself. Although, after his meeting with Harish Rawat he said that he discussed various issues of the state, including rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the state. Interestingly, Uttarakhand Home Minister Pritam Singh, who was considered in the Harish Rawat group, attended the Bahuguna group meeting and also met the CM with Vijay Bahuguna. 

More rain expected
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Rains will continue to lash Uttarakhand in the coming days. According to Dehradun met office forecast, light to moderate rain or thunderstorm was expected to occur in the state on July 31. Similarly for August 1, rather heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places, especially in Dehradun, Nainital, Almora and Champawat districts.

Meanwhile, on the brighter side all key roads of the state were open for traffic. Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway in Rudraprayag, Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway in Chamoli, Rishikesh-Gangotri highway and Rishikesh-Yamunotri national nighway in Uttarkashi were open for traffic movement.

However, connecting roads in various districts were blocked in large numbers. On the other hand, rivers continued to be in spate. Sharda river in Champawat touched 219.95 metre mark, which was 1.75 metre below the danger mark. 

Elections to posts of chairperson, vice chairperson of Dehradun Panchayat
Four candidates file nomination papers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
As many as four candidates filed their nomination papers for the post of chairman and vice chairman of the Dehradun district Panchayat on Wednesday.

Madhu Chauhan, the BJP candidate for the post of chairperson of Dehradun district Panchayat and Subhash Sharma of the BJP for the post of vice chairman of Dehradun district Panchayat, filed the nomination papers.

Others who filed their nomination papers include Chaman Singh for the post of chairman of Dehradun district Panchayat and Double Singh for the post of vice chairman of Dehradun district Panchayat. They are unofficially being supported by the Congress.

The candidates were accompanied by a large number of supporters who thronged the venue of the nomination at the District Collectorate.

The last date for withdrawal of nominations is August 2, while the elections under the three-tier Panchayati Raj for various posts of 12 Zila Panchayats will be held on 
August 5.

College teachers boycott work

Dehradun, July 30
Teachers of 14 colleges affiliated to Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, Garhwal University, have announced to boycott work from today.

The teachers are protesting orders of the college management that includes mandatory five-hour work on the college premises and registration of attendance twice a day.

Teachers under the banner of the Federation of Uttaranchal University College Teachers Association (FUUCTA) held a protest at DAV PG College.

They said if the state government wanted to impose rules on college professors, they should be given same facilities as to professors of a government university.

Meanwhile, the association has written a letter to the Principal Secretary, Higher Education, regarding their demands. — TNS

Kargil widow running from pillar to post 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
The widow of a Kargil martyr is facing the brunt of state power department in Dehradun. The widow has been running from pillar to post to get electricity pole installed near her residence since January 4, 2012.

The victim, Roshni Devi, wife of late Rifleman Ram Prasad Purohit, resident of Balawala, said that the department is not paying heed to address her grievance despite a memorandum having been submitted many times to officials.

It is worth mentioning that Rifleman Ram Prasad Purohit had made the supreme sacrifice of his life in Kargil war-1999, and was awarded Sena Medal for his bravery.

She told that a sum of Rs 7000, Rs 5200, and Rs 728 was deposited in the department for installing an electricity pole, but the department is yet to take effective steps to address her grievances.

Speaking to The Tribune, an official spokesman of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited, Madhusudan, told that he will take up the matter on priority. He ruled out that the department has not taken initiative to instal an electricity pole at the site.

Madhusudan said that delay in installing electricity pole might have occurred due to some technical problem. He assured that the electricity pole would be installed at the earliest.

The brother of the victim, Rajendra Prasad, expressed concern that he has been visiting the subdivision office of UPCL but officials are not paying heed to address his grievances.

He said that the department had installed a temporarily wooden pole at the time of giving electricity connection but now the condition of the pole is bad. He said that supply of electricity is disrupted due to lose connection as wooden the pole was in poor condition.

Ordeal

• The victim, Roshni Devi, wife of late Rifleman Ram Prasad Purohithe, has been running from pillar to post to get an electricity pole installed near her residence since January 4, 2012. 

Demand for rollback of hiked CSD liquor prices
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Members of the Dehradun Ex-Services League have welcomed various concessions announced on Kargil Divas for ex-servicemen and demanded a reduction in the prices of liquor available in the CSD.

Brig K.G. Behl (retd), president of the league’s Dehradun chapter, said in a press note issued here today that the state government should roll back the 20 per cent hike in the the CSD liquor prices.

“The state government recently announced that a compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be given to kin of a defence person who dies in harness even if he was not participating in the combat operations. Also, the grant given for the marriage of a martyr’s daughter has been increased by Rs 50,000. An amount of Rs one crore has been earmarked for the construction of a hostel for the children of ex-servicemen,” he added.

“The government should also fulfil the long-pending demand of the ex-servicemen pertaining to the roll back of increased prices of CSD liquor. Even in adjoining states, the prices of liquor in the CSD are much cheaper compared to Uttarakhand,” said Brig Behl.

Bajrang Dal blames UP govt for Saharanpur riots 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Bajrang Dal members held a funeral procession of the Akhilesh Yadav-led Uttar Pradesh government here today accusing it of engineering communal riots in Saharanpur recently. The Bajrang Dal also sought an independent inquiry into the riots.

District Dehradun convener of the party Amit Tomar, who led the protesters, alleged that rioters damaged a Gurdwara on the Ambala road and looted business establishments belonging to Hindus and Sikhs.

He accused the Saharanpur district administration of being a mute spectator to rioting and arson.

Another Bajrang Dal worker Brijendra alleged that Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh was resorting to appeasement of a particular community.

He sought the dismissal of the Uttar Pradesh government saying the law and order had touched a low in the state and communal riots become a routine.

Samay Sharma, Amit Gautam, Sandeep Singh and Rohit Maurya took part in the procession that started from Gandhi Park and culminated at Clock Tower. 

Well-attired women get henna applied on palms during Teej 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Women celebrated the Teej festival by visiting temples and offering prayers to Lord Shiva and Parvati for the wellbeing of their husbands.

Apart from the married women a large number of unmarried girls were also seen visiting the temples and observing fast in the hope for a good match. Decked in their best attires and with henna-coloured hands the women also enjoyed taking swings.

A large number of women were seen getting henna applied on their hands, which is considered to be auspicious.

Chief Minister slashes fee to boost mountaineering 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
In a bid to attract mountaineers to Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has ordered slashing of the mountaineering fee in the state.

Presiding over a joint meeting of the state Forest Department and the state Public Works Department, Chief Minister Harish Rawat directed immediate withdrawal of the fee imposed on those who go for mountaineering in Uttarakhand.

He said the Centre had already withdrawn such mountaineering fee and even neighbouring states like Himachal Pradesh had done away with it.

The Chief Minster said slashing of the mountaineering fee will help mountaineers venturing into the mountain state of Uttarakhand create livelihood opportunities for the locals. He called for coordination between Forest and Tourism departments so as to ensure that mountaineers do not face unnecessary hassles.

The Chief Minister directed creation of an around Rs 20 crore corpus fund on the part of the state Forest Department for diversion of forest land. He also asked the Principal Secretary forests SS Sandhu to ensure timely disposal of forest clearances.

“A meeting of all departments concerned must take place every fortnight for timely disposal of forest clearances,” the Chief Minister pointed out. He also called for a Chief Secretary-level monitoring of cases linked to forest clearances. He called for planning of roads in such a manner that there is minimum felling of trees in the process.

He also directed compulsory implementation of safety norms linked to rafting activities. He ordered the Tourism Department to identify 20 to 25 Dak Bunglows and develop them as model Dak Bunglows of the state. He ordered introduction of a single booking system for tourist rest houses in the state.

Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Dinesh Dhanai, MLAs Vijaypal Sajwan and Shailendra Mohan Singhal and Principal Secretary Forests SS Sandhu and other senior officials were present on the occasion.

ZP poll: BJP to face tough challenge in Pithoragarh
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 30
The BJP faces a tough challenge ahead in the Zila Panchayat elections in Pithoragarh district. Its rebel candidate Khushal Singh Pipalia filed his nomination papers for the post of Zila Panchayat chairperson as an Independent candidate today.

Besides Piplia, BJP’s official candidate for the top post Kishen Singh Bhandari and Congress candidate Prakash Joshi filed their nomination papers today. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is August 2.

“My party has misjudged the strength and support for a genuine candidate for the post of Zila Panchayat. Despite enjoying more support of elected members, the party glossed over my name,” said Khushal Piplia, after filing his nomination papers in the Zila Panchayat office today.

According to BJP general secretary Prakash Pant, one of the candidates will have to withdraw his nomination before the last date of withdrawal. “We are in close contact with both the candidates and will persuade one of them to withdraw his name from the fray,” said Pant.

Piplia seemed adamant to contest and said the state BJP high command will have to judge the real support being enjoyed by each of the candidates.

In Champawat district, two candidates, Shushma Fartiyal of BJP and Khushal Singh Adhikari of Congress, have filed their papers for the post of Zila panchayat elections to be conducted on August 5.

Both in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts, the Independent candidates hold the key as mainstream political parties have less than the numbers required for a majority in Zila Panchayats.

Kumaon devotees to carry palanquin of Nanda Devi 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 30
Devotees from Kumaon will accompany the procession of Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra along with the main palanquin of the Goddess this year.

This was decided at a meeting of the Nanda Devi Mandir committee on the campus of Nanda Devi temple in Almora today. The yatra will begin in August. This will be the first yatra after the separate state of Uttarakhand came into existence. The yatra was cancelled last year due to heavy rains that caused a natural disaster in the state.

KC Singh Baba, who is the erstwhile Kumaon king, was present at the meeting.

The committee members pledged to maintain all rituals of the pilgrimage. “We have formed sub-committees for the management of the pilgrimage for devotees from Kumaon region and taken care of general management, finance and decoration of palanquins which will take part in the yatra,” said Manoj Varma, a representative of committee patron. 

Devotion unbound

• The yatra will begin in August for the first time in Uttarakhand after it came into existence. It was cancelled last year due to heavy rains that triggered a natural disaster.

Almora residents face drinking water shortage
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 30
Over one lakh residents of Almora town are facing a shortage of drinking water for the last two weeks, as the lone lift water project is being frequently closed due to accumulation of silt in its channels following heavy rains.

Residents of Dhungadhara, Dubkia, Narsingbari, Talla Kholta and Thana Bazaar localities say that they have not received proper drinking water supply for the last two weeks. “Our women are travelling 4 km to the Pataldevi natural spring to bring drinking water for daily use as taps have gone dry for the last two weeks,” said Kamal Shah, a resident of Thana Bazaar.

They say the main reason for the water crisis is that there is no alternate drinking water source for the town and the district administration and the state government are least interested to address the problem. “Patients, their relatives and residents of the Base Hospital colony are facing drinking water shortage for the last two weeks as the 35-year-old gravity scheme is unable to cater to the needs of over 400 residents of the town,” said Mamta, a resident of the Base Hospital colony adjoining the town.

Jal Nigam and Jal Sansthan engineers agree that Almora town needs a new drinking water project which could cater to the needs of its increasing population for the next 25 years. “We need both short-term and long-term solutions to the drinking water problem of the town but due to lack of proper budget, we are not in a position to act in this direction,” said N Lal, a Jal Nigam officer.

Gurdwara Football Club win 2-0
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Gurdwara Football Club defeated Exodus Football Club 2-0 in a match during the Nemidas Memorial District Football League here today. Mahender scored the first goal in the 5th minute of the match followed by a strike by Mukesh in the 19th minute.

In the second match of the day, UK Tiger played a 1-1 draw against Bajrang Football Club with Paul scoring the goal for UK Tiger in the 20th minute and Ajeet netting a goal for the Bajrang team in the 5th minute of the match.

Players vie for the ball during a match in the Nemidas Memorial District Football League at Pavilion Ground in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Mayor Chamoli orders probe into under-assessment of Pacific Mall
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Mayor Vinod Chamoli has ordered a probe into the alleged under-assessment of the Jakhan-based Pacific Mall after BJP and Congress councillors raised objections during a working member committee meeting of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) held here today.

Notably, the value of the mall being operated by Pacific Development Corporation Limited was assessed at Rs 2.83 crore by DMC officials during an assessment drive carried out in the state capital a few days ago.

Alleging miscalculation in the assessed value of the mall, which is the biggest in the city, Congress councilors demanded a fresh assessment to rule out any foul play.

Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat will be conducting the probe and a fresh assessment of the mall.

Chamoli said besides the reassessment of the mall, a detailed probe would be conducted into the matter.

“In case, the allegations are found to be true, stringent action will be taken against the erring officials,” he added.

Meanwhile, demanding that the probe be conducted by an independent committee, Leader of the Opposition in the DMC Neenu Sehgal said: “To ensure a transparency in the probe, the Mayor, instead of entrusting the officials to conduct a probe, should set up an independent committee,” he added.

On the first day of the meeting, 42 objections were taken by a 12-member panel, out of which 37 cases were resolved. For the remaining cases, a fresh date has been given to the applicants. 

Funds allocated for Dalits, Adivasis unutilised 
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
Long after the Congress government in Uttarakhand gave statutory status to SCs, STs, under the Allocation and Utilisation of Financial Resources Act (2013), the funds allocated for the benefit of Daltis and adivasis continue to remain unutilised.

Out of a total of 35 departments, for 2014-2015, till June end around 17 departments have failed to spend a single rupee out of the budgetary allocation made under the SC sub plan. Similarly, around 15 departments have failed to open their account under the ST sub plan.

After the Act was passed the Uttarakhand government enhanced the allocation in 2014-2015 to Rs 409.77 crore. Even as the departments approach 
the middle of the financial year, their lackadaisical approach may defeat the purpose of the Act.

In Uttarakhand, the Dalits make up 19.61 per cent and Adivasis, 3.82 per cent of the total population of the state.

Lack of education, discrimination and poverty continue to dog their existence. To pay special attention, a legislation was encacted so that the government departments were mandated to spend 16 per cent of their funds on Dalits and 8 per cent of the funds on the Adivasis, respectively.

Interestingly, under both the plans, the department of agriculture has failed to utilise a single penny allocated till June under this financial year.

A majority of the members from these communities are engaged in agriculture activity.

“I have been personally monitoring the spending of the departments. They have been asked to come up with the plans so that there is no rush of spending at the fag-end of the financial year,” emphasised S. Raju, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare.

While the government has gone out of it’s way to increase the budgetary allocation, experts say in Uttarakhand beginning from 2011-2012 and 2013-2014, the spending under the Sub plan for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has hovered around 
53 per cent. Only in 
2012-2013, the spending percentage was 58.62.

“For these schemes, it does not matter how much the government allocates but how much of the money actually percolates down to the level of the poorest of the poor,” said Dr RS Tolia, former IAS officer

Induction programme at Pantnagar University
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
The College of Agribusiness Management, Pantnagar University, organised a two-day induction programme for students admitted in the college for 2014-15.

University Registrar, Dean of the College and experts from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), besides faculty of the college, oriented students towards management field.

Prof Dwarika Prasad Uniyal, an expert from IIM, Kashipur, detailed on efforts involved in making of an MBA. University Dean Dr B Kumar exhorted students to work hard to be good managers and take the university to new heights.

Other faculty members of the college informed students about university’s traditions, rules, discipline, semester system, hostel life, co-education etc.

Protesting polytechnic teachers continue fast
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
The Uttarakhand Polytechnic Contractual Teachers continued their fast-unto-death for the consecutive second day here today.

The contractual polytechnic teachers have been pressing for five demands, including regularisation of their services.

After holding protest for the past many days against the government in support of their demands, members of the Uttarakhand Polytechnic Contractual Teachers Association decided to sit on fast-unto-death from yesterday.

Meanwhile, the protesters have threatened to continue their protest till the government does not meet their demands.  

ABVP to hold awareness convention for girl students
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 30
The Garhwal unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) will hold a one-day convention at Suman Nagar in Dharampur tomorrow to create awareness among girl students in the wake of rising incidents of crime.

Devendra Rana, state secretary of the ABVP, said, “Over 500 girl students from Garhwal districts are expected to participate in the convention. They will be made aware of techniques to deal with crime against them.”

Anjali Semwal, coordinator of the convention, said Dr Geeta Khanna, a gynaecologist, would be the chief guest while Mamta Tripathi would be the keynote speaker.

She said a similar convention would be held for Kumaon division girl students on August 7.