Dehradun, July 27
Five labourers were killed in two separate incidents of landslides in Chamoli Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, while a girl was swept away by gushing waters of a seasonal drain in Dehradun today.

While two of labourers were killed on the spot when their makeshift house was run over by boulders at around 1 am, four other were injured and have been admitted to the Gopeshwar Hospital. They were engaged in the construction of a fire station building at Gopeshwar.

In another incident, three labourers engaged by the Director General of Border Roads for building a culvert, were killed in a landslide at Jumma on Niti road, 90 kilometres from Gopeshwar. The deceased belonged to Bihar.

The Badrinath highway was blocked between Shivpuri and Gular late on Sunday night for nearly twelve hours due to landslides. Similar blockades were witnessed in Tagdi area on the same highway. In Dehradun, 10-year-old Puja was swept away by gushing waters of a seasonal drain in Shiv Colony, Kanwali road, when the embankment on which she was standing caved in. Some of the colony youths jumped into the drain to rescue her, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, several localities in Dehradun were waterlogged while rainwater entered the houses in Machi Bazaar, Nai Basti and Puran Basti areas of the capital. According to the meteorological department, more rains were expected in the coming days. So far, 263.7 mm of rain has been recorded in Dehradun in July.

Mussoorie: A man was buried under a major landslide around four kilometres from here, late last night. His body was recovered this morning. The deceased has been identified as Surendra Singh Bhandari, son of KS Bhandari, resident of Sera village near Mussoorie.

The incident happened when he was on his way home late last night. His companion, who was sitting in the vehicle, when Bhandari ventured out informed the police of the accident. The body has been sent for postmortem.

Dehradun, July 27
Traffic in the city went haywire as heavy showers lashed the city in the afternoon. Heavy traffic jams were witnessed at East Canal Roads, Subhash Road and Clock Tower since it was the time when schools are also over for the day.

Since Sunday evening it started pouring and caused inconvenience to people.However, on Monday the rain particularly caused difficulty to school children and parents who were caught in traffic for hours. People faced lot of inconvenience while traversing on main roads like Rajpur Road, Subhash Road, Survey Chowk and Nalapani as these roads were blocked and unsafe due to the excessive accumulation of water, making it even more difficult for the two-wheelers to ride safely.

Meanwhile, as per the weather forecast the heavy rainfall will continue in many parts of Uttarakhand in the next 15 days. 

Dehradun, July 27
Dehradun Congress councillors led by Ashok Verma today staged a demonstration at the district headquarters accusing the Dehradun Municipal Corporation officials for not taking adequate measures to handle monsoon menace.

Submitting a memorandum to the Dehradun District Magistrate, Congress councilllors sought making corporation officials responsible for damage caused to public and property during the monsoons. “Before the onset of monsoons, temporary Disaster Management Offices were opened up at Municipal Corporation but no such preparations have been made this year, which is highly complacent attitude on part of the corporation authorities,” Ashok Verma, leader of the opposition in DMC said. He said the initial spell of monsoon had caused large-scale devastation in Dehradun.

Dehradun, July 27
A coffer dam built at the site of the 330 MW Srinagar power project on the Alaknanda river near Srinagar Garhwal today gave way due to a flood-like situation in the river following incessant rains in the region.

The bursting of the dam led to panic and the district administration alerted the low-lying areas in the downstream. Some construction material of the GVK company, building the project, was also washed away. “We have already alerted the people living near the banks and low-lying areas in the downstream of the Alaknanda,” said Manmohan Singh Rawat, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Srinagar.

Hyderabad-based power and infrastructure major GVK is building the 330-MW Alaknanda hydel project.

Meanwhile, Dr Ravi Chopra of People’s Science Institute, a voluntary organisation, in a statement criticised the company for working in a non-professional manner. “We had informed state government officials in the past about the non-professional approach of the company but nothing has been done as yet,” he said.

Dehradun, July 27
The statewide drive launched by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) three months back has resulted in 260 FIRs against illegal users of air-conditioners (ACs).

As ACs draw a huge amount of power, the number of guilty persons booked is a clear reflection of how hefty the total quantum of power theft is in the state. The FIRs were lodged after checking only 1,000 commercial connections.

The number of those indulging in this illegal activity is likely to increase after completion of the first phase of the drive that is mainly targeting commercial consumers using ACs.

Most offenders booked till now are from the rich and influential class. “It was seen that most of these persons do not pay for the power consumed by their ACs,” said Jagmohan Lal, MD, UPCL.

The drive has so far covered Rudarpur, Roorkee, Kichha, Kashipur, Bazpur and Dehradun.

The offenders were running ACs in their homes and business offices in an unauthorised manner by directly connecting them to the power meters.

They were using 2-3 ACs at the same time.

This showed that they were not ordinary consumers.

“The offenders in question are powerful people,” added AK Johri, Director Operations and Projects, UPCL.

The theft of 1 kw is liable for a penalty of Rs 12,000 in case of domestic users. Offenders in the 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.

The detection of 11 cases on June 24 in Rudarpur alone entailed a penalty of about Rs 20 lakh.

“We have decided not to spare anybody found guilty because besides causing loss of revenue, the huge amount of power that ACs consume deprives genuine consumers of much needed power. Our main concern is that all power consumed is paid for,” added Lal, who besides working in natural light during daytime, does not use AC in his office. 

Dehradun, July 27
The soaring demand for power in the state has left no scope for power banking that the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) used to do until now. As a result, the power situation in winter will be critical.

Admitting this, Jagmohan Lal, Managing Director, UPCL, today said that banking of power might be done after September. It could not be done this summer as there was hardly any surplus power.

As against the average daily availability of 25.9 Million Units (MU) between July 1 and July 24, the demand increased to 25.5 MU.

Since the surplus 0.4 MU is being used up for return banking, there is hardly any power left for power banking.

“The situation does not allow any banking at this stage because we are returning 1.5 MU to Delhi on a daily basis. Of the total 150 MU borrowed from Delhi between February and May, 58 MU still remains to be returned. We have already returned 11 MU to Punjab.

“As per the power banking agreement, we have to return power by September 30. As the process may start only after all liabilities are over, I believe the situation in winter may be serious,” he said.

It is not that the UPCL authorities are sitting idle.

They have drawn up a plan to meet the situation between November and March. Roughly, a shortfall of 100 MU is expected in the state during these months.

“We have decided to go in for advance banking. Under this, power borrowed in winter could be returned in summer. Secondly, we can overdraw from the central pool in case of low frequency.

“We have another option - that of purchasing power. In fact, we have already invited tenders. If the state electricity regulatory commission approves the revised tariff rates proposed by us, we will purchase more power in winter” he added. 

Dehradun, July 27
On the last day of his tenure in Uttarakhand, Governor BL Joshi today inaugurated a building of the Governor’s secretariat at the Raj Bhawan here today. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was also with him.

Built in an area of 33,369 sq.m at a cost of Rs 13 crore, the secretariat will have a library, a conference room and the rooms to house the office of the Governor and his support staff. In an adjacent building, a waiting room for 200 people, rooms for VIPs, information section and kitchen have been built.

The entire building has been centrally air-conditioned with provisions for fire fighting systems and a lift. 

Dehradun, July 27
Uttarakhand Governor BL Joshi was given a guard of honour by a contingent of the first battalion of the fifth regiment of Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force), which is a 151-year-old battalion, on his departure from Dehradun today. Major Ruchir Bajpai commanded the guard of honour.

Governor Joshi expressed his appreciation for the immaculate turnout and complimented the contingent for the perfect drill. The guard of honour was mounted to the tune of the national anthem and played by the military band of the sixth battalion of the eighth Gorkha Rifles.

Notably, the battalion has played a crucial role in both the World Wars as well as those fought after Independence. It has been bestowed with an impressive list of 26 battle honours and six unit citations.

The battalion has a history of valour and sacrifice and has won four Victoria Crosses, 63 Indian Order of Merit, two Mahavir Chakras, nine Distinguished Service Orders, 23 Military Crosses, 65 Indian Distinguished Service Medals, eight Vir Chakras, one Shaurya Chakra, one Yudh Seva Medal and 178 mention in dispatches. 

Pitthoragarh, July 27
Uttarakhand parliamentary affairs minister Prakash Pant has said he never aimed at becoming the Chief Minister of the state. Pant, who was propped up by the dissident Koshiyari group, had lost the race for Chief Ministership to Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank following the ouster of Khanduri last month.

Pant, who was here in his hometown today, said it was the BJP high command that considered him as a contestant for the post of CM after some party legislators proposed his name. “But once the leadership issue has been decided, I am whole-heartedly with the new leader,” he said.

Notably, Pant, who was earlier tourism and parliamentary affairs minister in the Khanduri government, has been given some insignificant department by the present CM.

Asked if he thought that he has been downgraded in the new dispensation, Pant while denying it said he has been given nine departments, including labour and planning.

“Besides, I have parliamentary affairs ministry, which represents the face of the government in the assembly,” said Pant.

Meanwhile, he described the recently concluded budget session of Uttarakhand assembly as a success.

“Despite Rs 3,300 crore burden on the state government due to salary hike of employees following the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, our government had a deficit of Rs 800 crore only,” he said.

On the attitude of the Opposition during the assembly session, Pant said initially there were good debates, but at the fag end the issue of threat to Congress legislator Tilak Raj Behad marred the session.

Dehradun, July 27
Quality of the institute mattered for the students seeking admission to B Tech course as they out rightly rejected about 10 private institutes after conclusion of the statewide counselling conducted by Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) that lasted four days at nine centers in eight cities.

A total 4,817 aspirants succeeded in getting institutes of their choice while there were no takers for over 2,000 seats mostly in the private institutes.

An analysis of the aspirants’ choice showed that an institute’s reputation rested on the quality of education imparted by it.

“It is for this reason that not a single aspirant preferred admission to 10 private institute which opened recently,” said some senior faculty members on the condition of anonymity.

As compared to the private institutes, the government institutes turned out to be the most favoured ones.

These included College of Technology, Pantnagar, GB Pant Engineering College, Pauri and Kumaon Engineering College, Dwarhat. These were the first ones to get students for all the available seats.

The proper infrastructure, qualified faculty and placement record of these institutes are understood to have weighed on the aspirants’ minds while locking their choice.

It however does not mean that all the private institutes carry the same reputation. For instance, almost all the seats have been filled in Dehradun Institute of Technology (DIT), Birla Institute of Applied Science Bhimtal, Dev Bhoomi Institute of Technology (DBIT), College of Engineering Roorkee (CORE), Roorkee Institute of Technology (RIT), Uttaranchal Institute of Technology (UIT), Tula Institute of Technology.

About 1,200 aspirants failed to get institutes of their choice in accordance with the ranking in the entrance examination. The successful ones included 27 Kashmiri migrants.

The counselling was held for 27 government and private institutes.

It is learnt that the UTU authorities may consider second round of counselling next month to fill up the large number of vacant seats.

Dehradun, July 27
To facilitate the smooth working of DAV (PG) College, National Student Union of India (NSUI) today unlocked the principal’s room. The NSUI cadres had locked the room a ten days back demanding the appointment of a new principal for the college.

State unit president of NSUI, Sangram Singh Pundir, said that their decision to unlock the doors was to help the college management function smoothly.

“We decided to unlock the room just because DAV management has given us in writing that they will decide over appointing a new principal with full powers in a weeks time.”

Whereas on the other hand hundreds of students have heaved a sigh of relief after the college returns to its normal routine.

Sumit Kumar a B.Sc first year student said, “It is good that admission process has begun again.”

Amit Singh a student said that there is too much rush at the form counter.

“I got my form after standing for an hour in the queue. The rush for admission forms is expected to increase further.”

ABVP activists had unlocked the gate of DAV (PG) College on Friday to allow the college management to restart its normal functioning.

Dehradun, July 27
Uttarakhand State Congress Committee members protested outside District Magistrate office, here today against the steady increase in the number of illegal placement companies in the city.

Amid slogans against the lenient attitude of the government in taking any strong action against these companies, the committee members said that number of placement companies existing in the capital are openly misleading youth with promises of a good job with handsome salaries.

However, once the students go out of the town to join the company they only get disappointed, as these companies which charge high fees for placements with promises of a bright and prosperous future are basically fraud in nature.

To make things worst for the stressed unemployed youth, these companies give fake numbers and addresses so that they can easily get away without being answerable to anybody.

The committee members also presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister. In the memorandum the committee members mentioned about the government’s incompetence in fulfilling their promise of providing secure jobs to youths within the state and in companies located in the Selaqui region of the city.

However, they also requested the Chief Minister to not only look into the matter so that youth doesn’t get despair, but also to eliminate over timings and jobs on contract basis, which are becoming relatively prevalent leading to over exploitation of youngsters.

Dehradun, July 27
A panel probing a five-year-old case of a clash between police officials and locals in Haridwar has indicted the then DIG for failing to control the situation triggered by the indisciplined behaviour of his personnel.

The Justice Irshad Hussain inquiry commission report, which was tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly by parliamentary affairs minister Prakash Pant, said the then DIG (Mela Police), PK Joshi, being an administrative head, could not escape responsibility for failing to keep his force in control, but he could not be held responsible individually.

A clash between police officials and locals sparked off on April 20, 2004, in Haridwar after three constables allegedly molested the wife of a local businessman, Ravi Jain.

Soonafter, Jain and other businessmen allegedly beat up one of the constables and went to a police station to lodge an FIR against them.

Meanwhile, the other two constables along with scores of jawans stormed the police station and attacked them, resulting in riot-like situation in the town.

Besides Joshi, the commission has also held Circle Officers Dhirendra Gunjyal and Dilip Singh Kunwar responsible for failing to control the situation.

Constables Anuj Kumar, Ram Kumar and Amresh Kumar, against whom cases were registered for allegedly molesting a woman, have also been held responsible for the chaos.

The panel has left it to the state government to decide on action against the indicted officials. — PTI 

Dehradun, July 27
The IG of Police, Garhwal Range, presided over a crime review meeting held here today.

During the meeting, senior officers said criminals from outside the state had a hand in most of the incidents that have taken place in the capital in the past.

From August onwards a campaign would be launched to ensure action against criminals who fall under the reward category. In addition, crime-prone areas would be identified and patrolling intensified at these spots.

The officials decided that actions should be immediately taken against those policemen against whom complaints are pending at the SSP and IG offices.

Need for better coordination between police and the public was also felt, and incharges of various police posts were instructed to organise public interaction meetings. — TNS

Dehradun, July 27
Western Boys team beat Khalanga Boys 1-0 at the ongoing District Football League, here today.

It was a closely contested match between both the teams in the first half. Western Boys team was on the attack right from the beginning.

In the 5th minute of the match Western Boys team came close on scoring a goal, but poor finishing by its forward denied them the opportunity to score.

Khalanga Boys also launched a sharp attack from the right and managed to penetrate Western Boys defense. But they too failed to produce the desired result as their forward failed to convert the chances into goals. The first half ended goalless.

In the second half, Western Boys team came with a different strategy. The team constantly created pressure on Khalanga Boys and succeeded in scoring a goal in 43rd minute of the match through Vishal Gurung.

Thereafter, it managed to hold on to the lead right till the end to win the match by solitary goal.

Meanwhile, the second match between BC Milan and Sunderwala Boys was abandoned after BC Milan protested against the referee decision and refused to continue with the play. BC Milan team was the leading the match with solitary goal.

Though, in the first half BC Milan scored its first goal in the 28th minute of the match through Abhinav to make it 1-0. But in the second half Sunderwala team found an equaliser in the last 10 minutes. But BC Milan team protested against the decision. 

Dehradun, July 27
Uttarakhand State Athletic Association today issued a list of athletes selected for 21st North Zone Junior Athletics Championship.

All these athletes have to report to athletic coach of Maharana Pratap Sports College, Manoj Sharma, on the July 30.

In u-20 age group (Boys)

Angad Singh, Vijay Singh, Virendra Kumar, Raj Kumar, Harpreet Singh, Laxman Singh, Snajeev Tomar, Rahul Saini, D R Kannaujia, Manish Singh, Harish Kumar, Pankaj Dimri (Captain), Arun Singh, Vikas Kumar, Pramod Patul, Vineet Malik, Nirpender, Bhupender Singh, Raj Kumar, Jagdish Singh, Bhagwat Singh and Ajit Singh.

In u-20 group (Girls)

Risha Singh (Captain), Ritu Versha, Shamsher Kaur, Lata Kuletha, Kamla Tamta, Shahjahan, Sangeeta Bora and Poonam Bhatt.

In u-18 group (Boys)

Abhishek Yadav, Kamal Singh, Manoj Verma, Ashish Rahti, Manjit Sidhu, Amit Kumar, Karan Singh, Ujjawal Singh, Mukeom Ahmed, Surender Verma, Bheer Singh, Rakesh Pundir, Bijender Singh, Neeraj Singh, Jagdish Mehar, Pawan Kumar, Mukesh Taragi, Deepak Singh, Manpal Singh, Sarad, Tarachand, Ranjit Kumar, Pratap Kumar, Bhupesh Bora, Gaurav Kumar.

In u-18 group (Girls)

Jeeinat, Rubina, Mahi Murgai, Kirti, Chandni, Meenu, Anita Kumari, Renu Gosain, Aruna Bharti, Sweety Chamola, Neha Adhikari and Mamta Mehta.

In u-16 group (Boys)

Rajul, Ashish Lohan, Bhupesh, Vikas Bora, Avnish Saini, Ankit Bora, Kuldeep Raj Kumar, Seepak Kumar, N. Sanchit, Arun Kumar, Johny Kumary, Kuldeepk Chauhan, Amar Nimal, Jitender Pal, Vivek, Tarif Ali, Gaurav Kumar, Ashish Kumar and Rajbeer Singh.

In u-16 group (Girls)

Anjali Maliah, Aticha, Vipra, Supicha, Benjapon, Laxmi, Rahila, Jayakhati, M Kandpal, Govindi, Anjana and Pawandeep Kaur.

In u-14 group (Boys)

Ajay Rawat, Nikuj, Virender, Vasim Usman, Mohit Kumar, Pawan Negi, Rajender Kumar, Vinod Singh, Dinesh Rana and Vinod Samant.

In u-14 group (Girls)

Yangehen Palmo, Pooja Kumari, Kamla, Sukhpreet Kaur, Aman Sandhu, Jagnandini, Lupita and Manisha, Benjapon.