|
|
|
|
Khanduri’s man in command
From teacher to Chief Minister
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
UKD undecided on support to govt
11 illegal users of ACs detected, fined Rs 20 lakh
Central Scheme
Rishikesh Club register easy victory
BSNL Scam
BJP’s state executive meeting on June 27
|
|
Khanduri’s man in command
Dehradun, June 24 ‘Nishank’ could make it to the top post of the state following full support of Khanduri. Acting in tandem, Chief Minister Khanduri frustrated the attempts of the former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari who has raised the banner of revolt against him. According to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources, in the meeting of the Uttarakhand BJP legislative party, Koshiyari backed Tourism Minister Parkash Pant as both hailed from Kumaon region while Khanduri sided with ‘Nishank’ who had been his trusted minister. The stalemate over the issue was resolved with the legislators giving their preference in writing. According to BJP sources, more than 20 legislators backed ‘Nishank’ sealing the fate of Pant. Koshiyari had already ruined his chances by resigning from his Rajya Sabha seat last week and then taking it back on the stern directive from the party leadership. Following the defeat of the BJP on all five Lok Sabha seats, Koshiyari had again raised the issue of change of leadership forcing the high command to send observers to Dehradun. A total of 24 legislators pledged written support to Khanduri. It was believed that party president Rajnath Singh, who is close to Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, played a crucial role in the downfall of Khanduri. It was the support of Khanduri that ultimately proved crucial for Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’. Most of the legislators who pledged support to Khanduri also voted in favour of ‘Nishank’. By denying a victory to Koshiyari and his camp, Khanduri has the last laugh.
|
||
|
From teacher to Chief Minister
Dehradun, June 24 Starting as a school teacher in a RSS-run Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Ramesh Pokhriyal, whose pen name is ‘Nishank’, is a journalist, writer and poet. It was during the height of the Ram Mandir agitation that when no one was willing to contest against Congress stalwart Shivanand Nautiyal that a young RSS worker Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ offered to contest from Karnaprayag Assembly segment in the 1991 UP Assembly elections. He defeated Shivanand Nautiyal and never looked back in politics. He was also bringing out a small Hindi newspaper named ‘Seemant Varta” that he is still running from Dehradun. He was again elected to the UP Assembly in 1993 and 1996 and became a Cabinet Minister of Hill Development in the Kalyan Singh-led government in 1997. He also served in the governments of Rajnath Singh and Ram Parkash Gupta as a Cabinet Minister of Culture, Arts and Religion in Uttar Pradesh. After the formation of Uttarakhand, he was the first Finance Minister of the interim BJP government. He tasted defeat in the first Assembly elections held in the new state in February 2002. He was defeated by Congress newcomer Ganesh Godiyal from Thailisain Assembly segment of Pauri Garhwal district in the February 2002 Assembly poll. After losing the elections, Ramesh Pokhriyal was back as a journalist editing his newspaper that he turned into a daily newspaper. After cooling his heels for five years outside the state Assembly, Nishank bounced back to win the Thailisain Assembly segment to became a Cabinet Minister holding the charge of Health, Family Welfare, Ayush, Science and Technology and Bio-technology in the Khanduri ministry. Born on August 15, 1958, at Pinani village in Pauri Garhwal district, Ramesh ‘Nishank’ is married to Kusum Kanta and has three daughters. |
||
|
UKD undecided on support to govt
Dehradun, June 24 The BJP legislature party elected Nishank as its leader in the meeting held in Delhi today. In the run-up to the meeting marked by intense political drama, UKD leadership had maintained that the fall of the government would be imminent if Khanduri was removed from the post. Since this has happened now, UKD leaders are still not disclosing their cards. “We will discuss the
issue threadbare before taking any decision,” said Diwakat Bhatt, the Cabinet minister belonging to
the UKD, which has three legislators. He had, however, said before the BJP legislature party meeting that the decision on the issue of
support to the government would depend on the change of guard. The BJP enjoys majority in the state Assembly with 35 legislators. Its government faces no danger even if the UKD withdraws support. |
|
11 illegal users of ACs detected, fined Rs 20 lakh
Dehradun, June 24 This is the biggest catch of its nature this season for the authorities of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL). The corporation is planning to target Dehradun soon as part of its statewide drive, which started about a week back, to detect power theft. The detection of seven cases yesterday in Rudarpur, which attracted a penalty of Rs 14 lakh, explains the zeal with which the UPCL is conducting the drive. “We have decided not to spare anybody found guilty on this count. Since they consume a large amount of power as compared to other gadgets, we have identified 255 ACs being run illegally in Rudarpur. Their number explains how big would be the volume of power theft,” said AK Johri, Director Operations and Projects, UPCL. The offenders detected today were running ACs by directly connecting them to the meters. It was also found that the offenders were using 2-3 ACs at the same time. This showed that they were not ordinary consumers. “All I can say is that the offenders caught today are powerful people,” added Johri when asked to disclose their identity. As per rules, theft of 1 kw is liable for a penalty of Rs 12,000 in the case of domestic users. This could be Rs 48,000 if the volume of theft is 4 kw. Offenders in commercial category are liable for a penalty of Rs 43,000 for 1 kw theft and Rs 1.6 lakh in the case of 4 kw. “We will follow up the drive more effectively in Dehradun. Instructions have already been passed to officials to identify the illegal use of ACs by the end of the month,” said
Johri. |
|
Crisis created to raise bottled water sales: Residents
Tribune News Service The protest started from Shahid Park, traversed Sabzi market and later culminated at the Jal Sansthan office where they gave a memorandum to the executive engineer. With the shortage in water supply, residents and tourists have been forced to rely on bottled mineral water which are available at every nook and corner of the city. At tourist spots, they are being sold at exorbitant rates, the protesters alleged. “With the administration turning a blind eye to the water crisis, the public and tourists are left to the mercy of private mineral water companies,” said Gandhi Vadi Ekta Manch convener Sanjay Chopra. He added that despite the Ganga flowing through Haridwar, the holy city is being made to bear a water crisis. Exorbitant rates are being charged for bottled water, he said. Tej Prakash Sahu of Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti said, “First, there is a water shortage. Then, if it is available, it is contaminated. If it is not contaminated, it is only available in bottles and that too at exorbitant rates.” Later, the activists gave a memorandum to executive engineer, Jal Sansthan, Subodh Kumar. Kumar apprised the protesters about the department’s efforts in maintaining normal supply in the city but shifted the onus on the electricity department citing irregular power supply. Among those who participated in the demonstration were Sanjay Bansal, Anil Khurana, Virendra Shramik, Rajnaitik Gujjar, Virendra Gupta, Saroj Sahu, Neeraj Sehgal, Sanjay Bharadwaj, Mukesh Rana, SudnerLal and Shyam Sadana. Yesterday, residents of New Khakhadi colony had blocked traffic on the Haridwar-Rishikesh highway to protest against irregular water supply. The angry residents and activists burnt the effigy of Jal Sansthan officers and gheraoed them at Pant Deep office. They also complained that in some areas, potable water had been contaminated by sewage. Residents claimed that despite assurance from sansthan officers that water sampling would be carried out, nothing has been done. They warned that they would intensify their protest if water supply is not restored and water samples are not taken in the next two days. |
|
Central Scheme
Dehradun, June 24 According to the scheme a playground will come up at every village and block level in the state. The scheme also aims at providing funds for sports equipments along with an appointment of sports trainers. District Youth Welfare and PRD officer, Shakti Singh said, “In all there are 403 gram panchayat in the state and the scheme is expected to be implemented through out the state. But of now only 40 gram panchayats are identified which will be developed according to the central scheme.” Because of the status of the special state, 90 per cent of the funds received by the Uttarakhand will be in the form of grant. As per the scheme, committees will be formed at village, chhetra and district level. Fund of Rs 1 lakh will be provided at the villages level, and Rs 5 lakhs will be provided to chhetra panchayat. For the maintenance of the play field as per the central scheme Rs 10,000 will be provided at the village level and Rs 20,000 at chhetra panchayats level. Whereas, for sports equipment fund of Rs 12,000 and Rs 24,000 will be given to the chhetra panchayat level. As per the scheme prize money of Rs 90,000 was to be offered at chhetra panchayat level, Rs 2.90 lakhs at the district level and Rs 10,00000 lakhs at state level. The state has to select ten games out of twenty that are recognised by the center and organise competition in five of them. According to annual games calendar in boys competition will be conducted in the month of August, in October at the district level and in November state level competitions will be
organised. |
|
Jagannath Yatra flagged off
Dehradun, June 24 Yatra was flagged-off by Vidhan Sabha speaker Harbans Kapoor by pulling the reins of the chariot. Earlier the temple priest SC Satpathy performed pooja and distributed prasad to devotees. Yatra traversed through Yamuna Colony, Ghanta Ghar, Gandhi Park and ending at the Shri Ram Mandir. Every year the Jaganath Rath Yatra Committee organises the rath yatra. The idols of lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are taken out for yatra. The chariots of the three deities are pulled by the devotees with the help of ropes. The annual procession is a celebration of Jagannath's journey from Dwarka to Kurukshetra along with Subhadra and Balabhadra some 5,000 years ago. |
|
Rishikesh Club register easy victory
Rishikesh Club displayed an attacking football through out the match. Pressure tactic adopted by Rishikesh paid off for the team in the 20th minute of the first half to help the team take an initial lead in the match. It was Ritesh for Rishikesh who scored a goal for his team to give it an upper hand. Shivalic Club struggled hard to find an equaliser. But their moves died halfway through to the Rishikesh club goal as their forward line failed to coordinate well in the end. Just a few minutes before the end of the first half Rishikesh team came close on scoring a goal on two occasions. But it forwards failed to connect well and missed the opportunity. At the end of first half the score was 1-0. Second half was no different, as Rishikesh further increased its lead. In the 11th minute of the match Ritesh scored second goal to increased the lead 2-0. Shivalic team played good game in the second half and coordinated well to dominate the major part of the half. But they missed out on number of occasion due to lack of finishing touches. In the dying minute of the match Sushil Rawat scored the first goal for Shivalic Club to make it 2-1. In the second match Doon Eagles defeated Western Boys teams by a goal. It was a slow pace match between the two teams, with both the team playing a defense game. At the end of first half both the team were locked at 0-0. But in the second half Doon Eagle team played better football to score a goal in the 20th minute of the match to take 1-0 lead in the match. |
|
BSNL Scam
Roorkee, June 24 The case, which at present is being looked into by the BSNL authorities as well as the local police, could reveal the possibilities of terrorist links, suspect the police. SP Ajay Joshi said that the police was working on all possible theories in the case. Given the fact that a number of illegal calls have been made to some Muslim countries also. The police have so far not ruled out involvement of terrorist outfits in the scam. The police department is in no mood to take any chance in the investigations given the fact that one of the major Army establishments is located here. Admitting that the case being very sensitive, he said that the investigations were most likely to be handed over to the CBI soon. Even as two BSNL officials, one SDO and one JTO, have already been suspended on charges of being involved in the scam, the police is yet to zero in on the real culprits. The SP said that the motive behind these illegal calls was yet to be established. The scam of Rs 3 crore illegal ISD calls with the connivance of BSNL officials was unearthed recently. The calls were allegedly made by four local numbers, on which no STD facility was even opened. The BSNL authorities have also deputed their vigilance team to find the fact that how the highly confidential password was leaked and how many officials were involved in the scam. Meanwhile, all the four residents of village Miragpur (Deoband), on whose connections the calls were made, are at large, said the police. |
|
BJP’s state executive meeting on June 27
Dehradun, June 24 State general secretary Tirath Singh Rawat said that meeting would be attended by in charge of party affairs in the state Krishna Murari Moghe and co-in charge Dr Anil Jain. He added that the meeting would be conducted in four sessions and would be chaired by BJP state president Bachi Singh Rawat. Besides the members of the state executive, all state level office bearers in the party and the district presidents would be attending the meeting.
— TNS |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Classified | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Dehradun, June 24