Haridwar, March 25
The Haridwar Municipal Committee has chalked out fixed fare prices for rickshaws strictly on the basis of the distance and traffic on the route.

The rate list will be affixed on the rickshaws. Municipal committee has already given the plates for printing that are to be affixed on rickshaws.

The step by the municipal committee has come as a breather to the people and commuters in the city who had to pay unfair prices to the rickshaw pullers.

Municipal chairman Kamal Johra said, “As soon as the fare plates get printed they will be affixed on rickshaws and probably by April the new systematic rates will be applicable in the whole municipality area.

Chairman also said palika is looking into the prospect of plying local buses in the area.

Executive officer Harshwardhan Mishra said palika will carry out special routine check ups and will cancel the rickshaw permit of those who were found flouting the norms.

Apart from rickshaws and auto-vikrams there is no local public transport service in the city, which has a population of two lakh citizens approximately and thousands of floating population.

Meanwhile, the residents are happy with the municipality’s fare exercise.

“This is a right step in removing the problems being faced by the commuters in the city,” said Mamta Chauhan, a student.

However, many believe that its good that rickshaw pullers are brought under a fix-fare circle but the effective implementation of the rule will be the real test.

“Strict monitoring and cancellation of the rickshaw permit should be executed as the rickshaw owners may flaunt the new fare list and may harass the commuters,” said Sanjay Sharma, an opposition ward member.

There are about 4,000 pedal-rickshaws in the city and the new rate list of fares will be implemented on all.

Jammu, March 25
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (MC) removed encroachments from Indira Chowk, Talab Tillo, Bohri and Below Gumat here today.

The staff of the MC’s enforcement wing seized goods from unauthorised rehries and those placed on footpaths and streets by shopkeepers in these areas.

On a complaint by allottees of government quarters on the BC Road, a toilet constructed on government land over the edge of the nullah, which has become a nuisance and health hazard for quarter residents, was demolished. An unauthorised room was also demolished by the enforcement staff at Dogra Hall.

The MC team further evicted unauthorised occupants from three garages and took over their possession by locking the garages. Meanwhile, a shop was also sealed for the non-payment of rent dues amounting to Rs 9,730.

Meanwhile, Municipal Commissioner Mubarak Singh has appealed to the shopkeepers on the MC premises to clear their rent dues to avoid stringent actions like sealing of their premises and cancellation of allotments.

He also appealed to the shopkeepers not to encroach upon foothpaths and streets.

Jammu, March 25
Following a sudden increase in infiltration attempts by militants, the security forces have been kept on a high alert along the LoC in the Jammu region.

Intelligence sources reveal that following increased vigil on the border the militants are using alternative routes like Nepal to infiltrate into India.

“They come to Nepal on a valid passport, then after destroying their passports they infiltrate into India,” a source said. According to the sources, the terror infrastructure across the border that was made defunct following global pressure on Pakistan after the Mumbai attack is being revived and new batches of terrorists are being trained to infiltrate into India.

“The recent spurt in violence along the LoC wherein Pakistani troops opened unprovoked and indiscriminate fire on the Indian positions was meant to provide a passage to trained terrorists,” a senior defence source said.

The sources said they had wireless intercepts of communication between terrorists and their handlers (leaders) across the border, who wanted them to create disturbances in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the state and the country.

“We have been conducting surgical operations to eliminate top and middle-level leadership of the terrorist outfits. Whatever their nefarious designs are, we are prepared to counter them,” IG, Jammu range, K Rajendra told the Tribune. The another reason for worry for the militant leadership across the border is that due to increased vigil by security forces along the border, the militants are facing a logistic crunch and are running short of ammunition and other stores.

“Due to the increased guard on the border, the militants are not able to augment their logistics. So they are running short of weapons and those who are placed at the upper reaches are reluctant to come down,” a senior Army officer said.

Jammu, March 25
The Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (RRC) has rejected the demands of the All Kashmiri Muslim Migrants (AKMM), who shifted from the valley and settled down in Jammu in year 2002 due to fear of militancy, on the grounds of these being illegitimate. Qayoom Wani, general secretary of the organisation, said, “We shifted from the valley because we were threatened by the militants. We had to shift to Jammu in year 2002. Like other refugees, we too have submitted our demands to the RRC. He has asked us to meet him after a couple of days.”

These migrants, who have been protesting before the RRC office for the past two days, are demanding ration cards, allotment of two room flats and fresh registration of 200 pending cases.

Objecting to the word “Muslim migrants”, RRC Vinod Kaul said they should call themselves “Kashmiri Migrants” instead. “Since it is election time, these people, who had appeared before him in year 2003 during elections, then again during the Assembly elections this year, have resurfaced this time before the Lok Sabha elections for free relief,” he said.

Kaul questioned the authenticity of their claims saying, “All genuine migrants came to Jammu in early 90’s. The CID verification too proved that the AKMM members never migrated.” He further added that the head of the AKMM was a wealthy man and was running a gas agency in Jammu.

Kaul said this organisation though claimed to have filed 200 files for fresh registration, it cut the number of cases down to 50 when he enquired about them.

Though the RRC assured them that he would look into the 50 cases, he said, “How can there be new registration of migrants when militancy has come down drastically in the valley and the Assembly elections took place without bloodshed. They can go back and stay in their homes in the valley instead of looking for easy relief money.” 

Jammu, March 25
The Jammu University administration has overspent crores of rupees on General Zorawar Singh Auditorium. The amount spent on the complex is even more than the amount granted by the University Grant Commission (UGC).

This has been revealed in a report of the Auditor General (AG) Srinagar, a copy of which is with the Tribune. The report also points out that lakhs of rupees were overspent on account of poor planning alone.

Besides complaining about shortage of books in departmental libraries and the central library, students and scholars rue that scholarships are not disbursed in time. They have also been demanding a scholars’ room as well as computer labs and the Internet facility in departments and hostels.

The construction of the auditorium complex housing an art gallery, a museum, a seminar room and a cafeteria was approved by the UGC at an estimated cost of Rs 14 crore. The UGC had sanctioned Rs 13 crore, while the state government gave the balance amount. The report says the complex was completed in November 2007 and Rs 18.90 crore was incurred on it. But the varsity showed Rs 13 crore as the amount spent in the utilisation certificate sent to the UGC, understating the expenditure by Rs 5.90 crore.

Similarly, the report says due to poor planning, an additional expenditure of Rs 2.29 crore was incurred. Changes in design and drawings as per the suggestions of the project committee resulted in a huge cost overrun of the Rs 4.81crore.

University registrar GS Samyal could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.

However, the varsity’s reply in the report maintains that since the UGC’s share was Rs 13 crore only, the expenditure in the utilisation certificate was restricted to that amount accordingly. “The architect prepared the bill of quantities after soil testing, whereas during actual execution the soil was found loose, which caused the excess expenditure,” the varsity maintains.

Jammu, March 25
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday expressed happiness over the growth in number of private schools in the state. He said the only objective of these institutions should be providing universal quality education and overall personality development of children.

Omar said this while speaking at the annual day function of GD Goenka Public School here yesterday.

The Chief Minister said imparting quality education to children and nurturing them properly should be the mission of schools, as it would enable the students to take future responsibilities as able and qualified citizens. “In no way, schools should be established for commercial purposes. Economic gain, political purpose or earning fame should not be the motive behind setting up educational institutions”, Omar said. He added “the same will jeopardise the future of students as well as the state”.

Stressing on all-round development of children in schools, the Chief Minister said extra-curricular activities should go hand-in-hand with academic curricula. “While scientific and technical education is imperative in present day global spectrum, the participation of students in games, athletics, cultural events and theatre is also equally important”, he said.

Omar said teachers had the responsibility of motivating students to utilise their spare time in outdoor activities like playing, touring, reading and social activities. “It has been observed that children nowadays spend most of their time watching television or playing video games. We have to modify this trend for the larger interests of students and human resources development”, he said.

Jammu, March 25
Former MLA from Banihal Muhammad Farooq Mir along with his supporters today joined the PDP in the presence of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

Welcoming Mir into the party fold, the Mufti said his party had a vision of a prosperous and peaceful state.

He hoped more people like Mir with a quest to work for the development and peace of the state would come forward and strengthen the party.

He said the post Assembly poll arrival of several leaders and activists  from across the state  into the PDP was the  public acknowledgement of the fact that party  had a credible leadership and a pro-people  agenda.

Assuring his full support to strengthening the party at the gross-roots level, Mir said the policies and programmes of the party was the guiding force behind his decision to join the PDP.

“I aim to work for the betterment of people of the state, Banihal in particular. I believe the PDP has a platform where my objective can be achieved in a better way”, he added.

Jammu, March 25
A delegation of Kashmiri Pandits yesterday met former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed and apprised him of problems being faced by the community.

The main points highlighted were filling of 6,000 posts from among the youth of the displaced community, passage of a temple Bill, enhancement of cash relief, special drive for recruitment of youth in IRP battalions of the state police.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed assured the delegation of taking a policy decision in this connection.

Dehradun, March 25
With the sole aim to work for the livelihood of the rural population, the Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board (UBFBD), since the year 2004, is striving hard to expand the market of bamboo and other natural fibers grown in the state.

One of the main reasons why the board came into existence was to dispel the laid back attitude of public towards this useful grass. Mostly people were unaware that its proper utilisation can boost Uttarakhand’s economy and would also provide employment opportunities to the villagers. “We started working on bamboo because of its useful purposes, the grass being sturdy grows fast, is light in weight, the environment of the state is apt for its growth and is a great source of income for many unemployed masses,” said Pardeep Sati, coordinator promotion and marketing, UBFBD.

Various awareness programmes regarding bamboo plantation and its future prospect are given under UBFBD. Training with compensation is also provided with the help of master trainers who are especially called from the northeast states. “Being a government body we are not into marketing. Our main aim is to spread awareness, but because we want to provide them correct exposure and sale facilities we have collaborated with various cooperatives in the state, which provide all the facilities essential for the development of the market. Presently, we are working with cooperatives such as Aakash Federation in Chamoli district, Rana Tharu Cooperative in Sitar Ganj and many others in Kothwar and Uddamsingar,” said RP Mishra, deputy director, UBFBD.

Villagers after training are not only provided compensation but are also made master trainers if they have gained enough experience and have expertise the field. From past 5 to 6 months, 16 trainers from the state were converted to master trainers and compensation per person increases as per the skills though; around Rs. 2,000 is what mostly every villager gets.

With decorative items such as chairs, sofa sets, dining tables, lamps and many others, the board is also working in housing sector and had a turnover of Rs. 1 crore last year successfully in bamboo housing.

“The bamboo housing project has got a good response, and till now we have made resort under Garhwal Mangal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) in Siyal Saur village, cottages for the forest department in Biria village in Chamoli district, and for this year we are planning to construct resort in Khirshu village of Pauri district, and in botanical garden of Nanital with number of huts at various tourist spots also,” said Mishra.

Also with the coming up of Common Facility Centers (CFC) in Chamoli, Uddamsingnagar and Kotwar to provide villagers a place to work, UBFBD is also working hard to develop the market of fibres in the state. From three years it is working on ‘Hemp’ and ‘Nettle’ fiber and creating tablemats, duppatas, muffler, stolls and jackets.

“The response has been very good, and has got a very big market at national and international level as these fibers are purely organic and have a medicinal values,” said Firturam Deavagam, a master trainer from Chattisgarh.

However, in spite of continuous efforts on the part of the board, the major issues which they are facing is lack of raw material, infrastructure and high prices of the products as compared to items sold in northeast states.

“Though in bamboo housing we have a turnover of Rs. 1 crore and in future we are coming up with business portals and retail outlets in Dehradun, but the shortage of raw material has led to increased rate of products ,” said Pardeep Sati.

Dehradun, March 25
The Dalal Street Investment Journal has adjudged Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as the “highest profit-making public  enterprise”.

The coveted award was presented to chief managing director (CMD) RS Sharma by Sheila Dikshit,  Chief Minister, Delhi, at a ceremony yesterday.

This award was instituted by Dalal Street Investment Journal to acknowledge best-performing public  sector undertakings for excellence in several fields of business.

The ONGC was declared the highest profit-making enterprise because of its record profit of Rs 16,701.65 crore during 2007-08 which was highest among all PSUs.

Speaking on the  occasion, RS Sharma said that he shared this  award with the entire ONGC family and dedicated it to the PSU  fraternity.

Sharma complimented the 33,000 ONGCians for their selfless and  dedicated service to the nation and the company.

The CMD also noted that the United State of America, the world’s largest economy, 
was now regulating the major contributors of its economy such as banks and industries.

This proves that public sector units are more dependable at all times because of robust  systems and strong  fundamental regulatory framework. 

Haridwar, March 25
The chairman of the Haridwar Municipal committee, Kamal Johra, and Opposition ward members are at loggerheads, this time on the ropeway fare at the famous Mata Mansa Devi Temple.

The Opposition under Sanjay Sharma has been demanding appropriate action against Usha Ropeway at the temple. The members allege the company is going against rules and looting the people with high rates. The ropeway had in May 1974 reached an agreement with the municipality. Rule 9 of the agreement states that the company can increase the fare in consultation with the municipality and if both sides do not agree, the help of an arbitrator can be taken.

The agreement then said the company could increase the fare by 25 per cent every year. At that time the fare was Rs 2 per person, but now it has significantly increased to Rs 48 per person.

In 1996 when the fare was increased to Rs 20 there was opposition from several organisations. Despite this, there was an agreement between the then palika chairman Raj Kumar Arora and company officials that every two years the fare would be hiked.

In December 2004 a board meeting under the Municipal Committee Act, 1916, the supplementary agreement was dismissed and Usha Company went to High Court. The company’s writ was dismissed on April 2006.

The Opposition members want a notice be served on the company for violating rules and causing inconvenience to the common man. They held a protest at the municipality premises today and raised slogans against the chairman.

Dehradun, March 25
Indian Military Academy won their second consecutive match at the Hexagonal Cup Basketball Tournament defeating Air Force Academy by a margin of 44 points.

IMA was on the attack right from the beginning and scored some quick baskets to make the score 56-24 in the second quarter. Through out the match IMA team showed excellent coordination, ball control and increased the lead further.

IMA’s final score was 106-62. Ankur Tyagi was the top scorer for the team with 20 baskets. From Air Force Academy team G Tyagi was the top scorer with 11 baskets to his name.

National Defence Academy (NDA) defeated India Military Academy (IMA), Dehardun by 1-0 at the Hexagonal Cup Hockey Tournament underway at IMA, here today.

National Defence Academy cadets were on the attack right from the beginning. They penetrated the defense of Indian Military Academy team number of times in the first half but failed to score. IMA too made some counter attacks in the first half but the lack of finishing touch made them lose the opportunity to score.

The first half went goalless. In the second half, NDA players came with a different approach to score a goal at the 6th minute of the game to take a lead.

Sumedh scored the goal for NDA to make it 1-0 in their favour. IMA team failed to find an equaliser in the match. NDA won by 1-0 score.

Meanwhile, However, National Defence Academy Kharagvasla team outclassed Air Force Academy from Hydrabad by a margin of 9 points at the Hexagonal Tournament underway at the Indian Military Academy, here yesterday.

The final score was 73-64 in NDA favour. The tournament started on Monday with the inaugural match being played between IMA and NDA Kharagvasla.

The match was won by IMA. The finals of the tournament will be played on March 28.

Teams that are participating in the tournament includes Indian Military Academy Dehradun, Indian Naval Ship Shivaji, National Defence Academy Kharagvasla, Air Force Academy and India Navel Ship Mandoovi.

Dehradun, March 25
Doon Tiger Cricket Academy cruised into the semifinal of the 2nd Uttarakhand Cup after defeating SAI Cricket Academy by 17 runs at Ranger Ground, here today.

Batting first, Doon Tiger Cricket Academy scored a huge total of 236 runs in allotted 25 overs. Doon Tiger Cricket Academy opener Vijay gave his team a flying start as he scored 94 runs in just 46 balls.

Vijay smashed nine fours and seven sixes in his innings of 94 runs. Rohit chipped in with 47 runs in just 33 balls. He hit six fours and two sixes in his innings. Sanjeev contributed 27 runs. For SAI Academy, Javed and Danish claimed three wickets each.

Chasing a target of 237 runs, SAI Academy fell short of 17 runs. The team had a good start with opener Rohit who made 31 runs in 26 balls and the second opener smashed 34 runs in just 16 balls. The team’s first wicket fell at 73 runs thereafter the team lost three quick wickets when they were at a score of 79 runs. Sumit raised some hope as he smashed 94 runs in just 48 balls, hitting fifteen fours and one six. But after his dismissal the team was all out for 219 runs.

For Doon Tiger, Sanjeev was the highest wicket taker with three wickets in four overs.

Dehradun, March 25
In another major crackdown against poachers within a fortnight, the Uttarakhand police has nabbed two persons here and seized 50 kg of swamp deer antlers.

Initial investigations revealed that the duo was a part of a bigger poaching racket and as per an estimate, the cost of the antlers seized may run into lakhs of rupees.

Acting on a tip-off, Thana Raipur police arrested two poachers, identified as Rajpal and Paalu, hailing from Purkazi, Uttar Pradesh, from Sonra Sarolee forest area on the outskirts of Dehradun.

The duo was found to be in possession of antlers of swamp deer which they had meant to take to Mussoorie. A country-made revolver, certain cartridges and a “kukrie” was also seized from them.

On initial interrogation, the two admitted that were into the poaching business for quite some time and gathered these antlers from Rajaji National Park and its surroundings.

They were reportedly taking these antlers to Mussoorie to hand them to other members of the racket who would transport them to Delhi and other cities.

In February, 50 kg of antlers, most of which were of swamp deer, were seized. On May 17, 2008, the Special Task Force of the police had seized 25 kg of swamp deer antlers from Jhilmil Swamp Deer Habitat in Haridwar.

On May 1, 2008, 30 kg of sambhar and cheetal antlers were seized by the Haridwar police. Another seizure took place on May 21 last year when about 100 kg of antlers were seized.

While the poachers claim that they have been gathering the antlers that fall on the ground from ungulates in their natural course, wildlife experts do not rule out the poaching of these animals in some cases.

The swamp deer is an endangered species and is popularly known as “barasingha”. It is high on the conservation list of the forest authorities. 

Roorkee, March 25
Following a scuffle between his sister and brother-in-law at his residence, an agitated youth attacked his brother-in-law with a stick and killed him at Brahmpur Jatt village, around 10 km away from here.

According to the police, Narendra, a resident of Deoband, lost his life when his brother-in-law, Omkar hit him on his head with a stick on Monday. Narendra came to his in-laws’ house to take his wife, Omwati, home.

On a minor issue, the couple indulged in a tiff following which Omkar attacked Narendra seriously injuring him.

Narendra was referred to a Saharanpur hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The police arrested Omkar from his residence on the complaint of Narendra’s relatives yesterday night.

“Omkar has admitted to his offence during the interrogation. We are waiting for the post- mortem report,” said a police official of Manglore police station. A case of culpable homicide has been registered.

Dehradun, March 26
Busting a prostitution racket, the Dehradun police today raided Malsi Palace Hotel and apprehended five persons, including two women.

On a tipoff, a police team led by Dehradun kotwali circle officer raided the hotel on the outskirts of the city and apprehended Anil Kumar and Sandeep Singh, both residents of Sindiwala Rajpur, along with Puja Sharma, from a hotel rooms. Ashish Kainthola was arrested with Anisha.

All five had given fake addresses to the hotel.