Haridwar, June 12
Evaluation of Uttarakhand Intermediate Board Examination answersheets has come under scanner with several schools in the district coming out with complaints of discrepancies in checking.

Students of Anand Mayi Sewa Sadan Municipal College today met state education minister Madan Kaushik and demanded revaluation of answersheets.

All the girls who had failed, especially in Geography, gheraoed Kaushik and raised slogans against the state board and government for not paying heed to their demands.

Later, Kaushik called them to his office and assured his cooperation. However, when students demanded concrete steps, Kaushik shot-off a letter to the Uttarakhand Intermediate Directorate, Ramnagar, demanding re-evaluation within 10 days. It was only after this that the students stopped protesting.

Notably, out of the total 133 girls at Anand Mayi School 90 failed in Geography, which has raised questions on the evaluation process.

School Principal Suman Sharma said she was in constant touch with students and had apprised the district education officer in this regard.

She also urged parents to accompany the clerk who would go to Ramnagar Board Headquarters, as it will put more pressure on the authorities for a speedy revaluation.

Among the protesting students were Rajni, Shivani, Payal, Monika, Sanjana, Varsha, Deepika, Yogita, Vishakha, Varsha, Sonam, Kajal, Deepa Uma, Shrishti, Babita, Nandini, Sangeeta and Shrishti.

Dehradun, June 12
For the convenience of Haj pilgrims, the State Haj Committee today demanded that the Centre should take early decision to start direct flights from Dehradun to Saudi Arabia.

The matter is under consideration of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Chairman of the State Haj Committee Shamim Alam said last year Indore was accorded the status of 17th embarking point in the country. Although the state government has made several written representations to the Haj Cell, ministry of external affairs, the decision is still pending.

The state committee has proposed to get this status for Jolly Grant airport, Dehradun.

As of now, Haj pilgrims from Uttarakhand have to take flights from Delhi and face several problems due to the rush of pilgrims from other states.

Alam said since the matter related to minorities of the state, all the five Congress MPs elected in recent parliamentary polls from the state should also put pressure on the Centre in this regard. The state has been allocated quota of 902 pilgrims even as thousands apply every year.

On its part, the state committee assured to look into other problems particularly requirement of passports for the pilgrims. Several applicants recently highlighted the difficulties faced by them in availing passports. The passport office here reportedly did not accept several applications for want of documents certifying their nationality.

“Since, the matter is in the domain of the state government, we promise to get the passports of all the selected pilgrims made if the same is not done before August 31. No pilgrim will be deprived of the lifetime opportunity for this reason,” said Alam.

As many as 3,479 people from all districts of the state had applied to the committee this year. Of these, 902, including five children, were shortlisted through computerised lottery system. For the first time, children will be going on the pilgrimage from the state.

The committee, however, received 846 applications till last date of submission and out of them passports of 150 pilgrims has been received in the office.

Dehradun, June 12
Health services in the state were badly affected as nurses all across the state went on mass casual leave from today onwards.

Nurses working at state government hospitals and health Centers did not report for duty in protest against the non-fulfillment of their demands.

Patients were on their own while awaiting medical care at emergency ward of the Doon Hospital and had to rely on their relatives for assistance. “Despite our best efforts we were unable to persuade the nurses to call off their stir. We will have to do without their services tomorrow as well,” said Dr RK Pant, CMS Doon Hospital.

Health authorities failed to make any alternative arrangements to deal with the strike. Nurses are protesting against the governments delay in arriving at a solution to their long-pending demands, comprising of up gradation of pay scales, similar to the central government, hike in the uniform, washing and nursing allowances.

“So far, we have adopted cooperative attitude towards the government in the past by calling off our stir in the interest of the public. But our compliance was taken for granted,” said Anjana Bhowmik, secretary of Uttarakhand Nurses Service Association. 

Mussoorie, June 12
Fire broke out in the forest below the Camel’s Back road here on Thursday evening causing much concern to the residents who were worried that the flames might reach their houses. However, due to the efforts of the fire department the same was controlled later in the evening. As per the official information 8-10 oak trees gutted in the incident.

The fire broke out in the forests below the Nirankari Bhawan on the Camel’s Back road in Mussoorie and the residents of the area were alarmed late in the evening when they detected thick smoke below their houses.

Residents first informed the forest department but the officials were evasive at first and said that the fire had broken out in private forest areas and therefore, it was not their responsibility.

A resident on the condition of anonymity said, “when contacted, the DFO AK Banerjee quite rudely brushed off the matter by saying that as the fire had broken out in private forests area therefore, it was not the responsibility of the forest department.”

The dismayed and worried citizens then frantically summoned the fire department, which immediately rushed to the spot.

The lukewarm response given by the forest officials has evoked sharp criticism from the residents.

“It was a matter of survival for us as the fire could have easily engulfed our houses while for the DFO it was a matter of jurisdiction and forest ownership,” said a resident.

Meanwhile, the DFO evaded the media and was not available on the telephone.

However, according to reports forest officials did reach the spot although it was much after the arrival of the fire department officials

Mussoorie, June 12
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Nainital High Court seeking immediate closure of the roadside parking being run by the Nagar Palika near Gandhi Chowk here.

The complainant Shalabh Garg has sought the closure of the parking on the grounds that the parking of vehicles on this narrow road between Gandhi Chowk to Waverly Convent School leads to frequent traffic jams in the area especially during the peak tourist season.

“Locals as well as tourists are facing a lot of hardship since several years as they are caught up in such jams for long durations, sometimes even for hours,” Shalabh said.

Shalabh informed that he has filed a PIL in the High Court against the Nagar Palika, Mussoorie, Department of Tourism and the MDDA in order to get this parking discontinued and to avoid the inconvenience being caused to the general public.

It is also mentioned that since a few years ago a multi-storeyed parking has already been constructed near Gandhi Chowk therefore, the present parking should be discontinued and the vehicles should only be parked in the new parking.

Notably, this roadside parking has been running since several years and starting from hotel Shilton (Gandhi Chowk) it extends for about 750 meters. Every year the MC auctions this parking, which is then run by private parties in lieu of some fixed amount being paid the MC.

Although, this year the municipal committee has not auctioned the parking but according to reports the parking is still being run.

“It is quite surprising that even though the parking space has not been auctioned then how it is being run this year,” Shalabh complains.

“However, I have also filed an application under RTI requesting the MC to provide me the status that how and by whom this parking is being run,” he said.

Dehradun, June 12
Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli today categorically held that shifting of Raipur bus stand from Parade Ground to Chunna Bhatta has been done taking into account the general interest of the public.

Addressing a press conference, Vinod Chamoli said taking into account the traffic and space problems within the city, the earlier Congress majority board at Dehradun Municipal Corporation had approved for shifting the bus stand in 2007.

A much agitated Mayor said, “It is strange that Congress leaders were today leading an agitation against shifting of bus stand, while their party councillors were themselves had consent to this decision,” Chamoli said.

He also refuted charges that the shifting of the bus stand had resulted in large-scale displacement of locals.

“Only four illegal shops have been demolished and a boundary wall of a house was razed”, Dehradun Mayor said adding that Congress leader Hira Singh Bisht was unnecessarily trying to give political colour to the whole affair.

Vinod Chamoli also reminded that Congress had even played spoilsport in the conduct of slum development programme.

Responding to other queries, Chamoli also held that the corporation also plans to conduct the speedy widening of prominent crossings of Dehradun.

He said it was foremost commitment of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation to ensure that traffic in the city gets decongested and the city is relieved from day to day traffic hassles.

Kotdwar, June 12
Three persons were arrested for the murder of a security guard of a mobile tower, here today. Police has also recovered the weapon used for the murder.

Rajesh Rawat, hailing from Reeva (Rajastjan) and employed with a private mobile service provider as a security guard of a mobile tower, was found murdered in his cabin on the night of June 10. The killers had fled with the motorcycle of the tower mechanic, Gyan Chand.

The local police claimed to have solved the murder with the arrest of three miscreants last evening. Station officer MS Bist said, on a tip-off, the police party arrested main accuse Kuldeep near UP-Uttarakhand border.

After the interrogation Kuldeep admitted conniving with Omkar and Deepak of Mirjapur in Bijnor district of UP to murder Rajesh Rawat. Police also arrested Deepak and Omkar.

Bist told media persons here that Kuldeep used to work with mechanic Gyan Chanda and they used to sell diesel after stealing it from the tower generator. According to the confession of Kuldeep, Gyan Chand was not paying him any money from last some months after selling the stolen diesel. Gyan Chand not only refused to pay but also threw him out of the employment as well.

Infuriated Kuldeep had come to kill Gyan Chand but did not found him at the tower. When they asked Rajesh Rawat to give them the keys of Gyan’s motorcycle, Rajesh refused. This irritated Kuldeep and his accomplices who murdered him with a knife. — TNS

Dehradun, June 12
The Himalayan Environment Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) will be developing a model of renewable energy at the Bandal valley near Maldevta.

A total of 16 villages around Dehradun are expected to benefit from the plan that aims to bring all rural technologies under one platform.

The initiative is being spearheaded by the International Non-Government Cooperation for Renewable Energy (INGCRE), a body created for the promotion of use of renewable energy in developing countries.

Announcing this today at a press conference, Dr Anil Joshi, patron of HESCO, a non -voluntary organisation, said that all the environment-friendly technologies would be sourced in one place for the benefit of the villagers.

“Our aim is to lessen the burden on rural folk by introduction of technology that is environment and user-friendly,” said Dr Anil Joshi.

Dr Joshi, who recently returned from China after attending a meeting of INGCRE, said that the governing body, of which he is also a member, has pledged to source rural technology in India, Sri Lanka, Kenya and South America.

“We hope to promote similar projects in other Himalayan states after developing the Bandal valley model. Solar and hydro-power will be the key areas of our technology input,” said Dr Joshi.

Dehradun, June 12
Indian Military Academy (IMA) Commandant Lt. Gen. Rajinder Singh Sujlana has said the Army was considering setting up of another Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Gaya (Bihar). The Academy will exclusively train Short Service Commission (SSC) officers and will be the second such institution after OTA, Chennai.

Addressing mediapersons on the eve of Indian Military Academy (IMA) Passing Out Parade (POP) at Chetwode Hall here today, Lt. Gen. Sujlana said emphasis of the Indian armed forces would be on having more SSC officers than regular ones.

Notably, once the OTA (Gaya) sees the light of the day, Indian Army will have three training institutions for officers, besides the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun that trains close to 1,000 officers and the (OTA) Chennai that trains over 500 officers.

IMA Commandant said in order to make the GCs technology savvy and to train them in cyber warfare, the Academy has decided to provide computers to every GC undergoing training at the IMA.

“GCs will also be provided Wifi facility but they have to follow certain instructions as well. Uploading any official matter or that related to the armed forces and IMA on the computers will be strictly prohibited”, he disclosed. He informed that stress is being laid on imparting training to deal with situations pertaining to internal strife as well.

When asked whether the number of cadets coming to the Academy is going down, Lt Gen Sujlana said, “I don’t think that the number of cadets coming to Academy is decreasing. During the past few years, the number of cadets joining IMA has almost been the same. But if one goes by the capacity of the IMA, which is 2,065, there is indeed a shortage of cadets.”

Replying to another query regarding unavailability of latest equipment at IMA, he said the Academy has all the paraphernalia necessary for basic training of the GCs.

“It is practically not possible to bring every latest equipment to the Academy because of the fixed training timeframe. But after passing out from IMA, officers learn about latest warfare equipment in various courses that they undergo from time to time,” he said.

Meanwhile, giving details about the POP, Lt Gen Sujlana said the Governor of Punjab Gen Sunith Francis Rodrigues (retd) would be the reviewing officer for the POP.

“As many as 513 Gentleman Cadets, including 16 of foreign origin, will be passing out of the IMA tomorrow. This includes 334 GCs from 124 Regular Course, 20 from 107 Technical Graduates, 67 from 17 University Entry Scheme, nine from 22 Special Commissioned Officer Course and 67 from 13 Technical Entry Scheme Course,” he informed.

Notably, from the total GCs passing out, the highest number is from Uttar Pradesh (96). Other states include Maharashtra (48), Uttarakhand (47), Haryana (41), Rajasthan (32), Bihar (28), Delhi (22), Himachal Pradesh (21) and Madhya Pradesh (20).

Out of the seven sisters, including, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, only Assam (4), Nagaland (1), Arunachal Pradesh (1) and Manipur (11) have their presence.

Dehradun, June 12
Scintillating half century by Risav helped Sports Trainees register a 27-runs victory over Haryana Eleven team at the Krishan Devi Garg Memorial u-15 cricket tournament underway at Survey Stadium, here today.

Haryana’s decision to field proved wrong as its bowlers failed to curtail the Sports Trainees’ batsmen to pile a mammoth total. Batting first, Sports Trainees batsmen hammered Haryana bowlers to pile a 156 runs in allotted 20 overs.

It was a fine start for Sports Trainees’ openers who contributed 45 runs for the first wicket partnership. Opener Risav was the highest scorer for the team with 54 runs of just 45 balls, displaying array of stokes in his innings. Middle order batsman Shobit also made a useful contribution with the bat to remain not out at 30 runs of 16 balls. For Haryana Sharuk, Praveen, Manjeet and Ajit took one wicket each.

In reply, Haryana team was all out at 129 runs. Haryana’s innings started on a shaky note with both its openers went back to the pavilion when the team score was 12 runs. It was first down batsman Sharuk who stabilised the Haryana innings to make 26 runs of 27 balls. He hit three fours in his innings. Middle order batsmen Ajit and Asif made a useful contribution by making 25 and 21 runs, respectively. For Sports Trainees Manish and Amit took two wickets each. It was a comfortable victory for Sports Trainees in end.

Dehradun, June 12
New Gipsy and Doon Star team made it to the semifinals of the Ist Narandra Singh Kharola Tournament that got underway at Mahandra Ground, here today.

A fast pace match was played between New Gipsy and Cantt Blues teams here. New Gipsy team with a better coordination and finishing had an edge over Cantt Blues.

New Gipsy team penetrated the defense of the Cantt Blues in the 4th minute of the match but their forward missed the goal by a whisker.

Three minutes later New Gipsy team launched it second attack from the right flank. It was fine cross-taken by Yole from the right that was nicely placed into the Cantt Blues goalpost by Ankush to help his team take a lead.

Cantt Blues made number of attempts to find an equaliser, but New Gipsy’s strong defense denied them any opportunity.

In the sixteenth minute of the first half, New Gipsy team further increase their lead. This time it was Nitin, who skillfully placed the ball into Cantt Blues net to make the 2-0. Cantt Blues failed to reduce the lead despite repeated attempts in the first half.

In the second half, Cantt Blues dominated the play in the initial minutes of the game. They scored their first goal in the 42nd minutes of the match. Rahul took a perfect shot at New Gipsy’s goalpost to make it 2-1. After conceding a goal New Gipsy team bounced back and took control of the proceeding in the match not allowing any more opportunity to Cantt Blues team to score its second. At the end New Gipsy team registered a comfortable 2-1 victory over Cantt Blues.

It was a closely contested second quarterfinal match that was played between the Doon Star and Khukri Club team. Despite taking an early lead in the match Khukri Club lost to Doon Star in extra time. Khukri scored its first goal in the 5th minute of the match. Sagar Lamba helped the team take the initial lead to make it 1-0. Doon Star team pulled an equaliser in the 57th minute of the match through Locsang to make it 1-1.

In the extra time given to the teams, Doon Star’s, Rajesh Chauhan struck the golden goal to help his team sail through to the semifinal.