|
|
|
|
You may have to pay more to fill petrol tank
Lab technicians seek jobs, stage dharna
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
MC to light bonfires to beat winter chill
Number craze: RTO list ready
Finally, some aid for Babli
Uttarakhand CM Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd) hands over a cheque for Rs 3 lakh to Babli in Dehradun on Friday. A Tribune photograph
Forest guards to resume stir
Govt policies anti-people, say protesting Cong men
IIT students get few job offers this time
Doon swarmed by realtors
Hockey popularity takes a
dip
|
|
You may have to pay more to fill petrol tank
Dehradun, January 2 As per the proposal, the expected fall of revenue from both products under VAT, to the tune of about 45 crore in the current fiscal, could be neutralised if the government withdraws the state subsidy of one rupee each per litre being given on both. The move comes in the wake of recent reduction of prices announced by the Union government due to drastic fall in the international prices of oil. The government had reduced the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 2, respectively. Chief Minister BC Khanduri, who holds the finance portfolio, said it was too early to comment on this. “The proposal, which is under consideration of the state finance department, has to be first studied for its impact before approval,” he said. But sources said if implemented the consumers are not going feel the pinch to the scale that may be exploited by the opposition political parties in the electoral arena. At the same time, it can effectively check the projected fall in revenue. According to official estimates, the consumers will still get petrol and diesel cheaper by Rs 4 and one rupee, respectively, after withdrawal of the existing rebate. The government gave the rebate due to much public hue and cry in the wake of price hike by the Union government in May 2008. Since there are strong indications that the Union government may resort to another reduction in view of nosediving international oil prices, the implementation of the proposal by the state government would be a financially prudent step. In the last five years, there has been a steady rise in tax collection of both products. It increased from Rs 254 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 391 crore in 2000-08. The target this year is Rs 500 crore. |
|
|
Lab technicians seek jobs, stage dharna
Dehradun, January 2 According to the secretary of Laboratory Technicians Organisation, Manoj Mishra, the DG office has not made appointments against the 130 posts of technicians that were advertised four months back. “Whenever inquiries are made regarding the appointments at the DG office no proper information is given, which is indicative of the lethargic attitude of the officials,” said Mishra. The technicians lashed out at the directorate for making arbitrary appointments at the State Aids Control Society of technicians. “We informed the AIDS Control Society against the arbitrary appointments made there, however, no action was taken,” said Mishra. The technicians also submitted a memorandum at the DG office, addressed to the state health minister, regarding their main demands, including appointments for 130 posts advertised for lab technicians and increasing the number of posts to 150 in order to provide maximum employment to the young unemployed youth. |
|
|
MC to light bonfires to beat winter chill
Dehradun, January 2 Aimed to provide warmth to the pavement dwellers, these bonfires have been put up at railway station, Inter-State Bus Terminus, Clock tower, Prince Chowk, Saharanpur Chowk and other areas. “With mercury dipping to around four
degree celsius in the past two days, we have started setting up bonfires at the designated places across the city,” Ravi Pandey, chief engineer, MC. Meanwhile, the councillors have sought an increase in the number of places identified for setting up of bonfires. “The city has grown fast and so has the
number of street dwellers but the number of bonfire places are same as they were 15
years back,” Ganesh Dangwal one of the councillor argues. Another councillor, Abdul Aziz said the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the corporation have increased manifold in the recent years and it is very important that the number of places for setting up of bonfires is increased accordingly. Deaths due to extreme cold weather have also taken place in Dehradun. |
|
|
Number craze: RTO list ready
Dehradun, January 2 As per the RTO officials, the response of vehicle owners for having a VIP numbers is very good and likely to increase in the days to come. A rate list was prepared for different numbers and the most sought after, number 1, was costing Rs 50,000. In wake of the fact that 786 was also in great demand in Dehradun, the RTO priced this number for Rs 50,000. The numbers from 2 to 9 were made available at a cost of Rs 30,000 while, the double digit numbers were priced for Rs 25,000. With the sale of number 1, RTO has collected an amount of Rs 1,50,000 till date. Likewise, the department had so far sold 786 number to one person. Regional transport officer, Dehradun AK Singh, the new system has helped them in generating revenue for the department. “Also, earlier the influential people, especially politicians, used to exert lot of pressure on RTO for allotting VIP numbers to their known ones. But now the problem is over as these numbers are paid,” he revealed. |
|
|
Finally, some aid for Babli
Dehradun, January 2 While praying for Sonu’s early recovery, who is suffering from cancer, Khanduri assured that if required, the state government would provide more financial
assistance for the treatment of Sonu. CM has also written a letter to the director of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute And Research Centre, New Delhi for providing proper medical facilities to Sonu. Four years back, Babli and Sonu saved seven children from drowning in Ganga in Haridwar. But ignoring her commendable work, Babli was not being allowed to meet CM from several days. It was only after media highlighted the matter, CM today met Babli and provided financial aid. Meanwhile, though CM has given Rs 3 lakh for Sonu’s treatment but he still requires Rs 5 lakh more for his complete treatment. “The doctors have said that the total expense for Sonu’s treatment would be around Rs 8 lakh,” said Babli. She is now hoping that some good samaritans or non-government organisations will come to the rescue of her brother. She thanked the media for highighting her
case that eventually resulted in help from the state government. |
|
|
Forest guards to resume stir
Dehradun, January 2 After holding fiery agitations for little more than a week, forest guards had decided to suspend their stir for two months earlier in November. The decision to suspend the stir came after a marathon meeting between Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests held in Dehradun during the last week of November. The guards had subsequently called-off their agitation after the PCCF had assured to give due attention to their concerns. But with no solution is sight; the forest guards are now waiting for mid- January deadline to chalk out their future course of action. “We are committed to the deadline and would resume our agitation if our concerns are not addressed before it,” said RR Painuily, general secretary of the Forest Guards Association. He added that they had suspended their agitation after assurances from Dr RBS Rawat. He said the Association had very high expectations from the PCCF and was hopeful of a positive response. Significantly, authorities at the Corbett and Rajaji National Parks had heaved a sigh of relief after announcement of suspension of the stir, as the agitating forest guards had even thwarted opening of both the Corbett and Rajaji National Parks on November 15. |
|
Govt policies anti-people, say protesting Cong men
Dehradun, January 2 Led by Congress leader, Manish Nagpal, the demonstrators alleged that the government was least sensitive towards the public interest and were harassing both the unemployed and the state government employees. In a memorandum addressed to Governor was submitted to block development officer Savitri Rawat, the congress leaders accused the ruling BJP government for adopting anti-people policies. Referring to the Doiwala region of Dehradun, he said the ruling BJP was continuously neglecting the region. It also demanded setting up of Tehsil at Doiwala for facilitating public’s day to day official works. Construction of hospital at Doiwala and jobs for the locals in the industries being set up in the region were some of the prominent demands raised in the memorandum. Parvati Devi, Sunil Saini, Sunil Bagasi and Rajendra Sharma were prominent among the demonstrators. Meanwhile, Suryakant Dhasmana, spokesperson of Uttarakhand Congress, today asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Maj. Gen. B.C. Khanduri (retd) to come out with a white paper on the financial health of the state. Dhasmana was reacting to the reported request by Khanduri to the Prime Minister to allow the state to get a private loan. “All the developmental works in the state have come to standstill in the past 22 months of Khanduri government’s rule. Now, the CM has been begging for money to run the state. People should know the true financial position,” he said. He added that the state has been further burdened by the implementation of the revised Sixth Pay Commission scales to the government employees. |
|
IIT students get few job offers this time
Roorkee, January 2 The placement offers have come down by over 20 per cent this year and major companies are hardly turning up for campus placements. PK Jain, head of the placement cell, IIT-R said only 70 companies have visited the institute this year as compared to 138 companies last year. However, he maintained that the recession has no effects on the salary packages being offered to the students. On the other hand, sources in IIT-R said the situation is at its worst. “This year the number of placement offers has dipped by over 50 per cent. Many companies are coming here just to maintain the relations with us, otherwise they have nothing to offer for our students. Missing of big financial as well as oil companies is certainly a matter of concern,” said a faculty member on conditions of anonymity. The situation has left many future technocrats, especially M.Tech students in a dilemma. “There are only a few lucrative offers this year. Some are even skeptical about honouring the deals being made by the companies. Many of us have decided to go for higher studies,” said Pushpendra Rana, an M.Tech student. Echoing the sentiments, Shwaitang, a B.Tech IV (Electrical) student, said: “Recession has ushered in tough times; the demand from companies has come down drastically. Till last year there was 100 per cent placements here, but let’s see what happens this year.” To cope up with the situation, IIT officials have decided to extend the placement drive up to April, which otherwise culminates in January. They have also decided to contact companies for new tie-ups. “Yes, this year we have decided to entertain the companies up to April as there are very less offers. Efforts are on to contact new companies as well,” said Jain. |
|
Eleven Star outshine Doon Star
Dehradun, January 2 Eleven Star’s forward earned a penalty in the 4th minute of the game but failed to take advantage of the opportunity as the shot taken by Vijay Negi missed the left pole by a distance. Just 10 minutes later, Eleven Star again made an attempt to take a early lead by scoring a goal but fate did not favour them as their second shot too got deflected from the top bar. It was a counter attack by Doon Star in the 37th minute of the match which led to the first goal of the match as Doon Star’s Mohit Joshi neatly placed the ball in the net. Eleven Star found a equaliser in the 25th minute through Satya Prasad, who took an aerial shot, which went off the keepers gloves. The score was 1-1. Doon Star struck again in the 40th minute of the first half, this time it was through Rajesh Chauhan which led to score 2-1. In the second half, Eleven Star again came back strongly and dominated most of this half. In the 30th minute of the second half, Eleven Star’s striker Shashank Mamgain took a blinding shot at the goal to earn his team second goal. The score at the end of the second half was 2-2. In the tie-breaker for Eleven Star, Satya Prasad, Jatin Bedi, D.S Negi and Pranav Pradhan scored for their team. For Doon Star only Rajendar Rawat and Natwar Bisht scored. The result of the tie-breaker was 4-2 in favour of Eleven Star. |
|
Doon swarmed by realtors
Dehradun, January 2 The state is swarmed by dozens of real estate builders. "The state has advantages that can attract foreign investor to invest. It is pollution-free, there is no problem of law and order. There is no problem of connectivity. “Labour is surplus as we have workers from HP and nearby states. Uttaranchal might top the preference list of foreign investors who wants to invest in India," said Rakesh Chauhan, director, Digvijay Real Estate Development Private Limited. With the government policy of 100 per cent tax exemption for 10 years from central execise and income tax exemption for the next five years, housing and building companies are competing to develop virgin lands of Dehradun. — ANI |
|
Hockey popularity takes a
dip
Dehradun, January 2 “One could see very few public school students playing hockey in the early summer. The game is fast losing its popularity in Dehradun,” rued SAI hockey coach, PK Mehrishi. He further said most of the players practice at Pavilion Ground belongs to the poor families. “District Sports Office only provides a hockey ball to these players. In order to make a good team, one needs Astroturf, government support and sponsors. But unfortunately all this is missing in Uttarakhand,” added Mehrishi. Notably, the plight of the game was better before the formation of Uttarakhand. Girls from SAI had reached the super league stage in one of the hockey tournaments, organised by Annamalai University. Eighty one years-old Olympian, Hardyal said people are more into cricket these days. “Parents insist their kids to play cricket from a very young age because of the money involved in the game”, he said. Women hockey team coach, Amrit Pal said government should provide some centrally located stadium for players to practice. “A good hockey stadium can generate the interest of the students in taking the game seriously,” he said. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Dehradun, January 2
Dehradun, January 2
