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Crime branch to probe Anshu murder
Poll mode: Nishank offers sops to Vikasnagar
Meanwhile, revision of voter list under way
Arya blames BJP for rising crime
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No mention of package in Budget: Industry
MC passes Rs 98-crore budget
Town Hall set for makeover
New EO meets ward members on pending works
Centre turns its back on drought-hit farmers
Student’s Death
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Crime branch to probe Anshu murder
Dehradun, July 7 Ever since Anshu was murdered, family members of the deceased had been demanding a high-level probe into the matter. After a meeting with the parents of the deceased, Dr Pokhriyal announced that the CB-CID would be conducting an inquiry into the matter. Dr Pokhriyal also said that inquiry would be completed in a speedy manner and the guilty won’t be spared irrespective of their stature. Anshu’s body was found in a gunny bag near the residence of District Magistrate Amit Singh Negi on May 23. Though with the arrest of prime accused Praveen Chawla, the Dehradun police claimed to have solved the blind murder case but the family members of the victim had charged the cops of not arresting all those persons who were involved in the crime. Subsequently, family members of the deceased took to the roads and staged many
demonstrations demanding a CBI probe. However, after senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana took up the matter with the then Chief Minister BC Khanduri, Khanduri had assured a thorough probe into the matter. Now, after one and a half months, Chief Minister Pokhriyal had conceded to the demand of Anshu’s family by ordering a CB-CID probe. Meanwhile, Dr Pokhriyal has also issued instructions to SSPs of all districts of the state to initiate a campaign to nab absconding criminals. He said that the state government was committed to maintaining law and order and hence directions have been issued to the police administration to work hard in this regard. The CM asserted that no
innocent would be subjected to any kind of harassment but law breakers would be dealt
with strictly. “The top brass of the police has been clearly told to improve the law and order situation in the state,” said Dr Pokhriyal. He added that instructions have also been issued to
take action against cops who are working in an “irresponsible manner”. |
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Poll mode: Nishank offers sops to Vikasnagar
Dehradun, July 7 The projects inaugurated by the CM today included setting up of a Trauma Centre, laying of drainage system, repair of the Vikasnagar-Daakpathar ring road and construction of a building for the Government Polytechnic. The constituency is lying vacant ever since the resignation of Munna Singh Chauhan and BJP does not seem to be in any mood to take further chances after the debacle in the Lok Sabha polls, as is evident by the CM’s visit and various announcements made by him. Later, addressing a public gathering, the CM said the state government was committed for the development of Vikasnagar area. “The government is sensitive towards the problems of people in Vikasnagar and for this very reason I have come here,” said Nishank. He added that special instructions have been issued to the officials to ensure that all BPL families are identified and given all the benefits at the earliest. Irrigation minister Matbar Singh Kandari and Social Welfare minister Khajandas also addressed the gathering. |
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Meanwhile, revision of voter list under way
Dehradun, July 7 This has increased the work of election officials who will have to prepare new voter lists. These were revised in light of the new delimitation order under which the parliamentary elections were held. “We had the revised the lists about two months back for the parliamentary election but these will be of no use in the by-election,” said Vijay Singh, assistant election officer. The district election department has started preparations for the by-poll. It organised a meeting of representatives of different political parties so that names of all eligible voters could be entered in the list. The exercise to revise electoral lists and identify polling centres is under way. The Assembly election in 2012 will be held as per the new delimitation order. As per directions of the Election Commission, the by-elections to be held before that will be in accordance with the old order. The date of the by-election is yet to be notified. |
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Arya blames BJP for rising crime
Haridwar, July 7 Yashpal Arya, state Congress president, alleged that the BJP state government has even failed to seek a CBI probe into the alleged encounter of Ranbir in Dehradun. “The police is unable to lay its hands on criminals, so innocent people are being targeted,” alleged Arya. He said the Chief Minister was siding with the police by ordering only a CID investigation, whereas the gravity of the case needs a CBI probe. On the political front, Arya said the convincing win in the Lok Sabha elections was the result of intense hardwork by party workers. He said party is now focused on the youth as suggested by Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi. As far as the budget was concerned, Arya said it was development-oriented and had long-term benefits. He said the common man was focused upon, which reveals the Congress-led Central government’s intentions. Others who met the state party chief were Tej Prakash Sahu, general secretary of city Congress, JP Sharma, chief of the Labour Cell, Raj Brishi Gujjar, Dherendra Gupta, Varun Kant Sharma and Surendra Saini. |
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Distraught, Prof Agarwal to resume fast from August 5
Dehradun, July 7 Agarwal had started an indefinite fast at Uttarkashi in June 2008, which had forced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government to suspend work on the Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati hydroelectric projects. He had withdrawn his fast after the Union government formed a high-level expert committee to look into the matter. But Agarwal had serious reservations about expertise of members of the committee. However, after work on the Lohari Nagpala Project, undertaken by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), was not stopped, Agarwal restarted his fast in New Delhi in January 2009. Later, the Union government assured Agarwal that work on the project would be stopped. Prof. Agarwal, in a press release, has now stated that the Uttarakhand government had promised immediate suspension of all works on the two projects on Bhagirathi in a letter dated June 19, 2008. “However construction work, particularly on Pala Maneri project, is at full swing. All assurances to us were mere jokes,” he stated. “Similarly, the Government of India had promised that work on Lohari Nagpala project would be stopped, which has also not been implemented,” he added. Prof. Agarwal stated that the Nainital High Court, on May 18, 2009, gave clear directions to the secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of India, in his capacity of ex-officio member-secretary of the National River Ganga Authority, to either take a clear decision on Lohari Nagpala Project or constitute an expert committee which would give its recommendations by June 15, 2009. Agarwal said the Prime Minister’s office also emphasised on the socio-religious importance of Ganga River in a press release issued on November 4, 2008, and notified it as the National River of India. “But the government has totally ignored the issue. No official ever gets punished for such an offence,” he said. “I have been trying for the last four weeks to communicate with the Prime Minister, but to no avail. Therefore, I have decided to resume indefinite fast from August 5,” Agarwal stated.
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On Kaushik’s word, small traders suspend stir
Haridwar, July 7 The decision was taken after assurances that the matter would be looked into were given to them by the state urban development minister, city magistrate and executive officer of municipality committee. Vendors alleged that despite having licenses to conduct trade at the mela zone, they have been displaced from the area. Earlier, an anti-encroachment drive was carried out in the mela area and other important areas leading to the Har-Ki-Pauri. Hundreds of protesters gheraoed Urban Development minister Madan Kaushik today, who was taking a meeting regarding the Kumbh Mela. Kaushik had to leave the meeting mid-way and meet the agitators. After giving the protesters a patient hearing, Kaushik assured that the situation would be remedied and urged them to take back the strike, as small vendors provide a makor chunk of services to the kanwariyas. Meanwhile, after meeting the protesters, city magistrate Archana Grehawar and executive officer, municipality, Harshwardhan Mishra said the drive was carried out to ensure open space during the Mela and no particular group was being targeted. “We have all the necessary documents to carry out trade in the mela area, but still we are being forced out. If the administration does not give us space within a week, we will take to the streets again,” said Sanjay Chopra, leader of the traders. |
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No mention of package in Budget: Industry
Dehradun, July 7 While hailing the Budget, Rawat claimed that the Centre had extended the much-sought-after extension of the package which is expiring on March 31, 2010. But much to the surprise of the industry, the Finance Minister (FM) made no mention of this in his Budget speech. Had it been so, the state government would have surely acknowledged it. Despite several attempts, Rawat could not be contacted to clear the air but sources quoting him claimed even today that the package has indeed been extended. When asked, industry leaders today countered this. They attributed the confusion to the reports that appeared in the newspapers. The Industries Association of Uttarakhand even issued a note to clarify the situation. Rakesh Oberoi, Chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council, commented that no decision had yet been taken by the Union government. Industry leaders categorically said that their hopes regarding the extension had not been met. There was no mention of the government decision, as claimed by Rawat, in the Finance Bill, 2009, either. The industry as well as the state government was very keenly looking forward to extension of the sunset clause for setting of industries in Uttarakhand up to March 31, 2013. “We are hugely disappointed and have decided to approach the Chief Minister to take up our cause with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister,” said Pankaj Gupta, chairman, Industries Association of
Uttarakhand. |
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MC passes Rs 98-crore budget
Dehradun, July 7 The corporation working committee at its meet passed the budget by voice vote while laying emphasis on the means to increase the revenue sources of the corporation. The Dehradun Municipal Corporation had earned revenue to the tune of Rs 3 crore last year. In the new budget, it has proposed to increase this revenue to Rs 5 crore. Similarly, revenue though advertisements is proposed to go up from the current earnings of Rs 55 lakh per year to Rs 1.5 crore or even more. The new building plan and renovation of town hall have been proposed in the budget, which includes beautification of Gandhi Park. Provision of Rs 1.5 crore has also been made as part of the lighting arrangements in the city. Revenue through registration of pets has also been increased from Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per year. Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli said the budget will render momentum to development activities in the city. |
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Town Hall set for makeover
Dehradun, July 7 The multipurpose hall, which is being used for various cultural and social activities, was built before Independence. But its present condition is miserable due to official apathy. An agency yesterday gave a presentation before Mayor Vinod Chamoli and other senior DMC officials about various works required to be carried out. “The kind of plan presented by the agency may cost as much as Rs 2.5 crore, which we will try to generate from our own funds as chances of getting any financial aid from the government seems bleak,” said Chamoli. The DMC had earlier roped in the ONGC for maintenance of the hall. New seats and lighting system was installed with the help of the company. However, the seats have since then been damaged. Albeit the state government is constructing another hall on Haridwar bypass, it is not likely to be a perfect alternative to the Two Hall due to limited seating capacity as well as its location. |
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New EO meets ward members on pending works
Haridwar, July 7 The EO tried to win the confidence of the members by saying that only development and co-ordination among ward members was his agenda. He said he would take everyone - opposition or ruling members - into confidence while carrying out municipality work. Ward members responded positively to the approach of the new EO. In their meeting with the EO, they discussed the pending works in their wards. Now all eyes are on the board meeting that will be held later this month. Every time the board meeting of the municipality is held, it is marred by chaos and allegations. The sub-panel elections for nine committees has still not been conducted owing to the same chaos and lack of consent between the two sides. The elections have been cancelled five times in one year. Even the election of the vice-chairman has not taken place. Two executive officers, Prahlad Singh Rawat and Harshwardhan Mishra, have been shown the door by opposition ward members during the one-year tenure of the
palika. |
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Centre turns its back on drought-hit farmers
Dehradun, July 7 However, the state government is contemplating drafting a new proposal to be sent to the Central
government for speedy relief. Earlier, it had demanded Rs 250 crore as relief package. According to reports, in the hilly districts, the wheat crop has been completely destroyed. The situation is slightly better in the plain districts where there are irrigation facilities. The irrigation and revenue departments have already prepared a detailed report about the drought on the basis of which a Central team had visited the state in February and April. It was assumed that after evaluating the situation the Central government team would offer relief, which has so far not happened. Notably, farming activities in the state are totally dependent on rain and only 10 per cent of the area has irrigation facilities. According to an estimate, in Pitthoragarh, Champawat, Bageshwar, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Tehri, Almora, Uttarkashi, Nainital and Pauri Garhwal, 80 per cent of the crops have been affected by the drought. Even Horticulture activities have been badly hit in Bageshwar, Champawat and Rudraprayag. In some areas the farmers are not getting adequate fodder to feed their cattle, and the problem has become grave in Tehri, Almora, Bageshwar, Pitthoragarh, Champawat, Nainital, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi. |
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Akranta continue winning spree
Dehradun, July 7 It was a narrow 1-0 victory for Akranta team over Sport College. Sports College team demonstrated good teamwork and coordination throughout the match but their inexperience cost the match. In the first half, Sports College made some good strategic moves to surprise their opponent. In the 10th minute of the first half, Sport College penetrated the Akranta team defense from the right. Despite making a good moves Sports College team failed to take advantage of the opportunity as its forward hit the ball straight into goalkeepers hand. Barely five minutes later Sports College yet again penetrated the Akranta team defense but this time again the team failed to earn a goal. Akranta could not do much before skillful Sports College team. At the end of first half both the teams were locked at 0-0. Second half was yet again dominated by Sports College. Akranta team looked out of the place throughout the match. But in the 23rd minute Akranta team managed to score a goal. Akranta managed to hold on to the lead and won the match by a solitary goal. In the second match Garhwal Sporting beat Sarvodiya 2-1. Garhwal Sporting team scored their first goal in the 10th minute of the match to take their opponent by surprise. It was Shashank for the team who skillfully placed the ball in Sarvodiya team nets. The first half ended with 1-0 with Garhwal Sporting leading the match. In the second half Garhwal Sporting team struck again through Shashank in the 16th minute of the match to make it 2-0. Sarvodiya team managed to score a goal in the 23rd minute through Upendra to end the match 2-1. |
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Student’s Death
Dehradun, July 7 The morcha also asked for provide compensation for family members of the deceased. The activists were lead by the morcha president, Jasvinder Pal Singh said, “The inquiry has taken a long time. The family members of the deceased are waiting for justice. Now, that the report of the inquiry has been made public, the administration should seek prompt action against the culprits.” Rajendra Singh Bisht, brother of the victim said, “We want action against the culprits. It is also the responsibility of the government to provide proper facilities to the college students, especially medical facilities. Compensation should also be provided to us.” |
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