Dehradun, February 24
Scores of visiting faculty and contractual lecturers employed with various colleges in the state were today arrested while holding a demonstration outside the Uttarakhand Assembly in support of their demand of regularisation of services.

The teachers, under the aegis of Uttarakhand State Colleges Visiting and Contractual Lecturers Federation, were held while they were attempting to reach the Assembly, which was in session.

A delegation of Congress leaders, led by Leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat went to meet the teachers, who are lodged in jail, later in the evening. Earlier, president of the federation Dr DC Baebni said, “We were forced to take to the streets and launch an agitation last month. However the government failed to take our demand seriously.”

The protesters said as many as 200 lecturers were on a contractual basis while another 75 were employed as visiting faculty in degree colleges across the state.

Dr Manoj Pant, member of the federation, said the lecturers fulfilled the criteria laid down by the University Grants Commission and were eligible for regularisation. 

Dehradun, February 24
The first day of the budget session of the Uttarakhand Assembly today witnessed unruly scenes with the entire opposition MLAs creating a ruckus during the customary address of the Governor BL Joshi.

As soon as Governor started his address, highlighting the achievements of the BC Khanduri government, the BSP and Congress legislators rushed to the well of the house and started raising slogans against the state government. The protesting MLAs charged the government of “befooling” the masses by making false claims of carrying out development works.

The opposition MLAs were so much agitated that they asked the Governor to “go back”. Raising slogans of “Mahamahyem Rajaypal Vaapas Jao”, the MLAs accused the state government of overlooking the interests of various sections of government employees.

“People in the state are suffering due to the wrong policies of the state government but Chief Minister BC Khanduri is still claiming that Uttarakhand is on the path of progress,” alleged a Congress legislator.

Immediately after completion of the Governor’s address, the entire opposition staged a walk-out. Thereafter, Speaker Harbans Kapoor adjourned the Assembly till lunch. Notably, the Khanduri government will be presenting vote-on-account in the four-day budget session that got underway today. Leader of Opposition Harak Singh Rawat later said that each one of them knew their responsibility and were not protesting without reason.

“The Governor’s address was nothing but about achievements of the Khanduri government, which in reality is nothing but a bundle of lies,” he said, while accusing Khanduri of trying to gain cheap publicity by laying the foundation stone of the projects that had already been initiated.

Rawat also alleged that the state government is wasting crores of rupees on hoardings and advertisements.

“The law and order situation in the state has crumbled and police atrocities are increasing with each passing day. The Congress activists are being framed in false cases,” he alleged, while stating that they were only demanding that all such issues should be discussed in the Assembly.

Further charging the BJP-led state government of not initiating any development work in the constituencies represented by the Congress MLAs, Rawat said: “The state government always accuses the Union government of meting out step-motherly treatment to Uttarakhand. But can Khanduri explain why the state government failed to spend 65 per cent of the funds from the annual plan outlay for the state for the year 2008-09?”

On the other hand, Khanduri dismissed the allegations as “baseless”. He said the government is committed to development of the state and he had not laid the 
foundation stone of any project that was already underway. 

Dehradun, February 24
Continuing with his aggressive public relations campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister BC Khanduri today was amidst his own ex-servicemen. Being an ex-serviceman himself, Khanduri has remained the undisputed leader group.

He inaugurated the new office of the ex-servicemen directorate and a Sainik Guest House in Dehradun, besides disbursing cheques to World War II veterans and their family members.

Addressing ex-servicemen and their family members, Khanduri said he understood the problems faced by them and had raised the amount of various cash benefits.

"I have also asked the District Magistrates in the districts to give specific time in a month to listen to the problems faced by ex-servicemen," he said.

The CM said a large number of soldiers guarding the frontiers of the country are from Uttarakhand and it was his duty to look after their needs.

Brig. AN Bahuguna (retd), Director, Sainik Welfare, said Uttarakhand has emerged as a model state as far as various welfare schemes for ex-servicemen are concerned, and it was only due to the CM that this had happened.

He said the state has 24 sainik rest houses and more would be added soon.

He thanked the CM for expediting work of the directorate building and various other welfare schemes for ex-servicemen.

Haridwar, February 24
He is on a mission to generate awareness among the masses across the country about female genocide. Dr SK Seth will also create a world record if he successfully completes the tour in 22 days on the world’s biggest motorcycle.

Seth will start the expedition today from Haridwar and traverse through several states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, Karnataka and West Bengal. The journey will culminate at Haridwar.

What sets aside the expedition is that it will disseminate the social message about female foeticide with the help of street shows, dance, mimicry and using youth power.

Costing about Rs 2.4 million, the state-of-the art motorbike is fitted with refrigeration system, air bags, navigation system and public address system apart from a music system.

The expedition will cover 300-500 km a day and the mission will be completed in 22 days. Apart from several social organisations in various cities, Lions club members will also accompany Seth in their respective cities.

Hailing from Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh, Seth got his BSc from Allahabad University and BAMS degree from Gurukul Kangri University. He said: “At every level I found gender discrimination that used to baffle me and I decided to bring this aspect into the notice of the people and make them understand that girls are no less in comparison to boys.”

He has also formed an organisation called ‘Deeksha Seva Samiti’ that caters to this mission separately.

The response of the people regarding the effort is overwhelming.

“This drive will force the people to think about the brutality that is inflicted upon the babies who are killed in the womb as their only fault is that they are girls,” Vimla Pandey, former secretary, women harassment committee, said.

Let’s hope Seth is successful in his mission and help in creating awareness on the issue of female foeticide that is a blot on our society, considering the ladders of success women are climbing and their contribution to family and society is immeasurable. 

Dehradun, February 24
Politics over hydro-power projects in Uttarakhand has got the better of public interest.

The BJP and Congress-led governments in the state and Centre respectively have suspended hydro-projects on Bhagirathi river, a major tributary of the Ganga, in Uttarakashi district not under any public pressure but in a bid to prevent each other from turning it into a poll issue. Interestingly, this has been done despite the expert advice against suspension of projects.

Predictably, the decision has evoked great resentment among the hill people. Interestingly, the most vocal opposition to the decision has come from Congress leaders who apprehend electoral loss in view of mounting public resentment.

“The people want no hindrance in the natural flow of the river due to religious sentiments but they never demanded that the project should be suspended as they stand to gain economically from it. We are chalking out a protest plan,” said sitting Congress legislator from Gangotri, Gopal Singh Rawat. Ever since the decision was announced, agitated people are staging demonstrations against the Union government at Uttarakashi and Batwari areas. They also burnt the effigy of the government on Sunday.

Justifying the public anger, the sitting Congress MP from Tehri, Vijay Bahuguna, said today that he would apprise the PM and the power minister through a letter about the ground reality.

Gopal Rawat apprehended that the public mood could snowball into a sustained agitation if the government failed to relent.

The state government is shying from resuming the work on its two projects despite their gains in terms of augmented power generation which is all the more necessary due to increasing gap between demand and supply in power. 

Dehradun, February 24
The sanitation and potable water arrangements were affected in the city as the stir by the local bodies’ employees began today. They were seeking sixth pay commission benefits. While the potable water supply was affected at Jogiwala, Pithuwala and other areas, sanitation was also at compete disarray.

The Uttarakhand Local Bodies’ employees from the Dehradun Municipal Corporation, Mussoorie Dehra Development Authority, Peyjal Sansthan and the Zila Panchayat observed a compete closure of the services.

A major protest took place at the Dehradun Municipal Corporation office where the agitating employees prevented the Mayor from entering his room. It was only after much persuasion that the Mayor managed to enter his office.

Similar protests were also reported from the Peyjal Nigam office where the staff resorted to boycott of daily works.

Opening of valves meant to ensure smooth supply of water was disrupted leading to scarcity of water in many localities in the city. The Mussoorie Dehra Development Corporation too observed a complete closure.

Earlier in the day, the agitating under the aegis of the Nikay Karmchari Mahasangh convened a meeting to formulate the future course of action. The protesters decided to continue with their stir till their concerns were addressed.

Meanwhile, taking into account severity of the situation, the administration has invited the protesters for talks.

Mussoorie: The employees of Mussoorie Municipal Board and Jal Sansthan have gone on an indefinite strike from today which would severely affect the sanitation and water supply in the town. Huge mounds of garbage were seen across the town today and locals worry about the water shortage if strike continues.

The chairman of municipal board, OP Uniyal, said they were awaiting orders from the state government and were hopeful that some decision shall be taken by today evening.

However, the biggest problem for the locals was due to the strike called on by the water works employees.

“We got very little water today and if the strike continues it would be difficult for us to manage withou water,” said a housewife.

Water is pumped to the town from nearby streams and these pumping stations are closed since Monday night, following the strike. Although, a limited supply of water was ensured today morning due to the personal efforts of senior officials but situation can go worse the pumping stations remain closed.

However, Jal Sansthan officials were not available for comment.

Mussoorie, February 24
Demanding the arrest of the culprits behind the murder of a hotel guide, the hotel employees’ union has threatened to go on an indefinite strike from March 1.

The angry union workers stormed the police station and shouted slogans against the police. They categorically gave a deadline to the police to catch the culprits by February 28 and said in case the police failed to do so, all the hotel employees would go on indefinite strike from March 1.

Body of a hotel guide was found in the hotel premises on February 12. Initially, the police had termed it as an accident. Later on bloodstains were found in the room of the deceased. It was then his family claimed that it was a case of murder. It was also found that two couples who had come to the hotel on February 10 had left next morning. Investigation revealed that addresses given by them were fictitious. The police have taken down the registration number of their vehicle.

Haridwar, February 24
Haridwar police today arrested a couple who have stolen the luggage, which had a cash worth Rs. 1,25,000, of an NRI who resides in New Zealand. Police nabbed the couple with the help of video footage.

The luggage belonged to Gayatri Ram Prasad was on a visit to Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar wherein during the puja they found their bag and purse missing.

The NRI family then contacted the Tourism Police. Police went through the video footage of the temple where they found a couple behaving suspiciously.

The couple was identified as Govind Jayaswal Son of Chottan Jayaswal and Madhu alias Ruby resident of Vishwas park Matiyala Delhi.

Police recovered the stolen items from a room of an Dharamshala. The couple was staying there from last ten days. CO, (City) Navneet Singh said the couple is being interrogated with possibility of an angle of their involvement in other such cases. 

Roorkee, February 24
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has sought help of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) to protect ancient temples of the region.

Sporadic earthquakes have caused severe damage to famous ancient temples - the Gopinath Temple at Gopeshwar and the Sun Temple in Katarmal (Kumaon region).

In this seismic belt, periodic occurrence of earthquakes is about eight years (a total of 13 earthquakes have hit the Kumaon-Garhwal region in the last 96 years).

During their recent visits, team from the CBRI had observed that both temples, which are over 800 years old, were damaged attributed to earthquake, slope instability and environment changes.

“In the temples, problem of settlement and tilting was observed. Besides, the team also noticed a contentious vertical crack on the outer face of the Gopeshwar Temple.

In Sun Temple, about a 12-inch displacement of one of the shikhars was also found,” Yadvendra Pandey, project in charge and scientist at the CBRI, said.

Besides, weak joints of the structures and water leakage are the other major problems, he said.

In an effort to save the heritage temples, the ASI has sought detailed scientific report from the CBRI on their (the temples) status in the light of seismic history of the state.

After conducting the instrumental monitoring study along with geological and geo-technical investigations, the CBRI would suggest the ASI the possible remedies to minimise the deterioration process.

“We would submit our report to the ASI by June,” Pandey said, adding that the estimated budget was around Rs 26 lakh.

The Sun Temple, popularly known as Baraditya, was built in the 13th century by Katarmal, the medieval king of Katyuri. The Gopinath Temple, situated at Gopeshwar on the ancient route of Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, is also one of the oldest temples of the country.

For the last few years, the CBRI has been assisting the ASI in maintaining national heritage buildings, including the Taj Mahal.

Dehradun, February 24
The tribal cooperative marketing development federation (TRIFAD) in alliance with the state government enterprise Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) is running a store showcasing beautiful handcrafted items by the tribals.

TRIFAD, a Central government organisation, was established in 1988 with an aim to work for the welfare of the tribals.

“Our main aim is to provide market to the poor tribals of our country. Under TRIFAD, we directly purchase products from the tribals at sustainable rates so that they can get away with the middlemen monopoly,” said Sudalai, assistant manager, TRIFAD.

With cooperation from GMVN, TRIFAD in 2005 opened an outlet in the city to provide market to the handicrafts of the state. The products are handmade and genuine. The northeastern jewellery like necklaces, bangles and earnings are unique and stylish. “We have got bold and artistic jewellery from Manipur and also famous pearls of Hyderabad,” Sudalai said.

The center of attraction are brass items from Chattisgarh and Orissa. Beautiful saris and suit material is also hot favourite among women.

Where girls prefer tops and kurtas from Assam and Madhya Pradesh, ladies like Tussar silk and cotton saris from Orissa, Chattisgarh and Maharasthra.

TRIFAD also showcases handicrafts from Uttarakhand. Jackets and shawls from Chamoli, Munsari and Uttarkashi are preferred by both locals and foreigners.

For those who love to experiment with food, the store is selling cashew nuts of Goa and pulses and honey of Uttarakhand.

Dehradun, February 24
It was an easy 2-0 victory of Sunderwala Boys team over 2 Garhwal Rifles at the 17th Narayan Gurung Memorial Football Tournament at Mahendra Ground, here today.

Sunderwala team made some strategic moves from both the flanks. But their forwards failed to penetrate Garhwal Rifles’ solid defence. Sunderwala team’s forward Himanshu Pundir managed to score the first goal for his team in the 20th minute of the game. The second goal for their team came soon in the 33rd minute of the game through Arjun Chetri, who dribbled through the defence of Garhwal Rifle making the score line 2-0 at half time.

Garhwal Rifles attempted to score but their efforts proved futile. The second half went goalless and the match ended with the score line 2-0, in Sunderwala’s favour.

Meanwhile, in the second match being played between Cantt Blues and Doon Star teams was decided in a sudden death, with both the team failing to score in the match.

In sudden death, Doon Star team outclassed Cantt Blues by 7-6.

Dehradun, February 24
If everything goes well, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will soon be hosting a junior national camp here. While making an announcement in this regard, former Australian batsman and NCA director Dave Whatmore said that the camp would be held from mid-April to May-end.

While addressing mediapersons at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy, Whatmore said that he had come to the state capital mainly to review the facilities here for organising the camp.

“The conditions are favourable for the camp. We have to see how much support we get from local cricket associations here,” he said.

Expressing satisfaction over the working of the NCA, Whatmore said that high-profile players were regularly visiting the academy and giving expert tips to budding players.

Comparing the working of the Australian Cricket Academy with the NCA, Whatmore said, “In Australia, the academy functions seasonally whereas in India, the NCA functions throughout the year.”

On the question of holding more inter-changeable programmes between Australia and India, he said, “India and Australia run good inter-changeable cricket programmes between them as both teams frequently visit each other and learn on their tours.”

Whatmore said that India and Australia seniors play for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy regularly. By this year-end, the India under-19 team would be touring Australia. Similarly, the Australian colts too would tour India.

Sharing his experience in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India, Whatmore said, “Though Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India are different countries but the people’s passion for the game is the same everywhere and they treat cricket as religion. I have some wonderful experiences in the three countries.”