Dehradun, September 4
Wildlife Protection Society of India in assistance with Special Task Force of the Uttarakhand Police today made a major breakthrough by arresting two miscreants and seizing two leopard hides from their possession in an early morning raid. This year so far as many as 18 leopard skins have been recovered.

The arrests came from the Ghat area of Nandprayag in District Chamoli during early morning hours. Acting on a tip-off, WPSI and STF team in a joint operation apprehended Neeraj Khatri, son of Dinesh Khatri and Ramesh Badoni, son of Rajendra Badoni both resident of Mussoorie road, Chamba Tehri when they were carrying the skins for sale.

While the duo was arrested, two of their associates managed to flee. Apart from hides, the police has found five cell phones from their possession and has also seized the car. Among those who fled were Puran Singh and BS Farshwan, both residents of Chamoli.

WPSI coordinator Rajendra Agarwal described ghat area as most vulnerable to poaching. He said that he was hopeful that the today’s arrests could provide leads for busting bigger network of poachers active in the region.

“Possession of expensive cell phones and a car reveals that these poachers were well organised,” Aggarwal said. STF sources held that according to the initial interrogation these poachers had killed these leopards more than a year back by poisoning the wildcats and now they were trying to sell these.

WPSI here had been actively assisting local authorities towards curbing poaching activities in the state. With the assistance of WPSI, three leopard skins and a vehicle was seized by the Uttarakhand Forest Department on July 26 from Chamoli.

The raid took place in a hotel at Birhi, which falls under the Badrinath forest division. One person was arrested while three others are absconding. All the accused belong to the Chamoli district.

These leopards were believed to be killed in the Nizmullah valley.

A Himalayan black bear was also found shot by poachers in the Badrinath forest division on July 25 this year. The gall bladder and fat had been removed from the body.

Wildlife authorities and experts were most worried when Narayan, brother of notorious poacher Sansar Chand, had recently allegedly confessed that he bought body parts of leopards from Ram Nagar, a locality on the edge of Corbett Reserve in Uttarakhand.

Dehradun, September 4
Farmers of Henwal valley, Tehri district, are a worried lot as their rice crops may dry up soon in the absence of water. Hit by a bad monsoon, the farmers are now demanding pumping facility to water their crops.

The scanty rainfall has badly affected the standing crop in Henwal valley, famous for producing organic rice, the apathetic administration has only worsened their situation.

In order to make their voices heard, around 500 farmers, led by Vijay Jardhari of ‘Beej Bachao Andolan’ - a movement to save traditional seeds, held a protest at the national highway. Armed with drums and other instruments the farmers blocked the highway bringing the traffic to a halt.

Women members demanded immediate water supply through pumping facility so that their crops could be saved. “We have petitioned to the District Magistrate conveying our demand, but it has not been met, as a last resort we decided to block the highway,” said Beena Sajvan, a member of the movement.

As per the information provided by the Weather Department, districts of Tehri, Rudraprayag, Almora, Pauri, Chamoli and Udham Singh Nagar recorded a deficit rainfall - 75 per cent, 74 per cent, 52 per cent, 50 per cent, 43 per cent, and 64 per cent, respectively, for the period between June 1 to August 19.

Agriculture here is totally dependent on rain and the farmers have preserved the traditional form of agriculture by using only organic manure and even preserving seeds as per traditional methods. The maximum area is under rice production, while the dry land is used for growing traditional crops like finger millets, bara etc. Much of the produce also goes to provide fodder for the cattle in addition to the forests.

Of late, the farmers have been facing a crisis like situation and their repeated pleas to provide pumping facility has been ignored by the administration. “If the administration fails to take up remedial steps, we would be forced to start a hunger strike. At the most, the standing crop can only survive for 10 more days. We need to save our crops at any cost,” said Jardhari. The Henwal river has dried up at many places; the farmers want to utilise the water that can lifted through pumps and are even ready to pay a token amount as tax to the government. 

Dehradun, September 4
Governor Margaret Alva has called for re-constitution of the district-level committees for child welfare. Presiding over the annual general meeting of the Uttarkhand Child Welfare Board, she said there was need to have people dedicated to the cause of the children.

She said there was no dearth of intellectuals and people concerned about child welfare. She assured that there would not be any financial constraints in the working of various schemes for child welfare.

Alva further said Bal Bhawans could act as a nodal centre to provide basic facilities to the deprived children. Governor also nominated JC pant as senior vice-president, Dr Puspha Manas and Dr IS Pal as vice-presidents, Sushil Dobhal as general secretary, Sudha Painuly as joint secretary and Kulwant Kaur as cashier of the state-level Child Welfare Board.

Dehradun, September 4
A keen contest is on the cards for Vikasnagar assembly seat this time. Three candidates are in fray for the poll, which is scheduled to take place on September 10.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a victory for its candidate Kuldip Kumar. While a win from Vikasnagar would ensure a complete majority in the state assembly for BJP, for the CM, it is matter of personal pride as this is the first election that is being contested under his command.

Senior BJP leaders of the state, including former Chief Ministers BC Khanduri (retd), Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and Nityanand Swami, along with several ministers are on a campaigning spree in the constituency.

On the other hand, Congress candidate Navparbhat, a former forest and urban development minister of the state, is relying on his personal goodwill and contacts he and his father, former Union Minister Brahmdutt, have in the area.

Uttarakhand Congress Chief Yashpal Arya, Tehri MP Vijay Bahuguna, Leader of Opposition Harak Singh Rawat along with some of the other Congress legislators, including Pritam Singh and Tilak Raj Behad, are also campaigning for him.

Congress is banking heavily on the votes of Muslims and Scheduled Castes, which constitute more than 25 per cent of the total voters in Vikasnagar.

However, as Ramzan is being observed by Muslims, polling percentage could get affected, which could prove costly for the Congress candidate.

Both the main political parties are wary of Independent candidate Munna Singh Chauhan, who resigned from the Vikasnagar seat that he had won as BJP candidate in 2007.

Munna Singh Chauhan is a well-established leader from the area.

His poll campaign is also being looked after by his wife Madhu Chauhan, who is president of the Dehradun Zila Panchayat. Since Munna Singh hails from Jaunsar area, under which as many as 100 villages of Vikasnagar assembly segment fall, his support base looks quite strong.

Dehradun, September 4
Prompted by the incident of helicopter crash, which claimed life of Andhra Pradesh CM among others, the state civil aviation department today requested the government approval to purchase satellite mobile phones for the state-owned helicopter and a plane meant for the use of the Chief Minister and other VIPs.

Though the proposal was sent more than couple of times in the past to the finance department but it was believed to have been turned down on the grounds that the requirement of the satellite mobile phone was not mandatory. The department had then requested for one phone.

“But we have revived the demand for two phones now in view of the Andhra Pradesh incident,” said PC Sharma, principal secretary, Civil Aviation Uttarakhand.

The fresh request has been sent to the state’s Confidential Department, which deals with the affairs of the state cabinet for its recommendation. The equipment will be purchased after the state finance department sanctions it.

The risk factor is indeed high here due to its predominantly hilly terrain and weather conditions. The equipment is considered handy for emergency landing or in a situation when any VVIP wants to contact someone while airborne.

The state owns a seven-seater EC 135 helicopter manufactured by Euro Copter. It was purchased in 2003-04 at the cost of about Rs 12.5 crore besides an 11-seater plane purchased in 2005-06 at the cost of Rs 21 crore

Dehradun, September 4
The SP (city) gave stern instructions to the DAV (PG) College students and asked them to not to campaign on motorbikes in the city from tomorrow.

“This way of campaigning is causing chaos on the city’s busy roads. We have had a few complaints from people that the hordes of youths campaigning on motorbikes are making it difficult for the commuters,” said JR Joshi, SP (city).

The SP said that from tomorrow onwards besides the already stationed Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), one more company would be stationed at the College.

The company has about 80 police personnel who would be deployed in and around the college and whosever caught violating the instructions would be taken to task, he said.

These students give hoots to the traffic rules while campaigning on the city roads. Hardly any student is seen wearing helmets while the triple riding is on the galore.

Meanwhile, a high drama prevailed in the College today when the police seized the vehicle of the ABVP members for riding without helmets and for triple rides.

The students protested against the police and demanded to release their bikes.

Meanwhile, the students also gheraod the police and shouted slogans to release their vehicles. The matter soughted out after the intervention of the SP Joshi.

Dehradun, September 4
DAV (PG) College election committee members have declined to take up the election duties protesting in the Student Union Elections. The members are protesting against the principal’s decision in which he announced the names of the committee members when he has no powers to do so.

The decision has earned the ire of the professors and the College Managing Committee as it is the responsibility of election officer to form an election committee.

The committee members are now claiming that the principal is needlessly interfering and trying to curb the powers of the election officer.

A committee member on the condition of anonymity said that the Ashok Saxena did not adhere to rules and regulation of the college. Even the DAV management has asked the principal to resolve the differences and ensure smooth conducted of the college election.

College principal, Dr Ashok Saxena said that none of the committee members have expressed their annoyance with the decision and in case the members submit their resignation, it will not be accepted.

“These responsibilities fall under Essential Services Management Act as per the Supreme Court’s order and the staff members have to discharge their duties,” said Saxena.

Dr OP Kulshresth who has been nominated as the ballot counting officer by the principal alleged that the professors were not taken into confidence by the principal while forming the committee.

He further alleged that even the seniority of professors was not given due consideration.

“Appointment of election committee members is the power of the election officer. But in our case principal appointed the whole committee with the consultation of other professors. Even the appointment of an observer is for the student union election is not correct,” added Kukshresth.

The fax received from the DAV Trust secretary, Jogendra Swarup has indicated that there is no provision for the principal to appoint even a observer for Student Union Election. 

Haridwar, September 4
Roads dug up for Mahakumbh Mela related projects have become a major irritant for the public here.

Lack of coordination between various agencies and delay in completion of projects has further aggravated the problem. Traffic snarls have become common at various places in Haridwar.

Added to it is the latest spell of heavy rains that have lashed the area, which has carved huge holes at various places.

Delay in laying of sewer lines is another problem that residents have to face.

The situation is worst at Kankhal, Vishnu Garden, Krishna Nagar, Jwalapur, Arya Nagar, Srinath Nagar, Daddo Bagh, Ranipur, Old Haridwar, and Bhoopatwala.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Harish Rawat at Krishna Nagar, District Magistrate R. Meenakshi Sundaram at Kankhal and municipal chairman Kamal Johra had to face public ire when people gheraoed them at these places.

Led by traders’ leader Girish Nasava, locals, including women, gheraoed the MP and apprised him of their problems. It was only after Rawat gave them an assurance that his cavalcade was allowed to move on. Later, Rawat took up the matter with the officers concerned and warned them against complacency.

Similarly, at Kankhal, residents had stopped the car of the District Magistrate and raised slogans against the administration.

Mela officer Anand Vardhan admitted that people had to face problems as the magnitude of the work was huge and barely three months were left for the Maha Kumbh to begin. However, he assured that steps were being taken to minimise the inconvenience being caused to the public. 

Dehradun, September 4
Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Harak Singh Rawat today demanded that on Teachers’ Day the state government should announce revised salaries for university and college teachers in accordance with recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

In a letter written to CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Rawat said depriving teachers of salary revision amounted to discrimination, as the government has already announced this benefit for other category of employees.

He urged the CM that the Teacher’s Day would be an appropriate occasion to make the announcement.

Rawat also demanded that the government should issue an order for revised salaries with effect from January 1, 2006, for the teachers of all universities, government and government- aided colleges as well as Sanskrit College.

He said teachers in higher educational institutions were given this benefit during the Congress regime when recommendations of Fifth Pay Commission were announced.

Dehradun, September 4
The state government today served a charge sheet to Dr SS Mishra, director Herbal Research and Development Institute, Gopeshwar on the basis of financial irregularities pointed out in the audit report.

Incidentally, the role of enquiry officer appointed by the government in this regard has also come under scanner.

In the charge sheet, a copy of which is with The Tribune, the secretary, horticulture Vinod Fonia, has asked Dr Mishra to submit his clarification within 30 days on seven counts on which he has been prime facie found guilty of misappropriation of government funds.

The irregularities are mainly related to unauthorised tours and travels against which Dr Mishra fraudulently availed reimbursements.

Additional chief secretary, NS Napalchayal has shot off a letter to secretary, Cooperative Department to initiate departmental action against Girish Chander Maikota, additional registrar, Cooperative Societies Uttarakhand who was deputed to look into the irregularities in 2006.

As per the letter, Maikota did not submit his report nor responded to four reminders sent to him for the purpose. Due to this, the government could not take any action against the guilty for the irregularities committed between 1992 and 2001.

The auditors detected that the receipts submitted by Dr Mishra showed a huge difference of Rs 3.70 lakh between sale and purchase of Amla saplings.

He also made unauthorised payment of Rs 23,775 against works carried out at his residence.

He got arbitrary reimbursement of taxi fares for official travel for which no proper record was kept besides making unauthorised payment of Rs 18,440 on official vehicle.

Dehradun, September 4
Doon Valley team defeated Khukri Club by solitary goal at the ongoing District Football League. Doon Valley had to struggle hard to score their first goal. In the first half, the Khukri Club put up a strong defense againt Doon Valley.

In the second half, Doon Valley managed to score a goal in the 42nd minute of the match through Gaurav, who skillfully placed the ball in the Khukri’s defence, thus winning the match by 1-0.

Dehradun, September 4
North Point Children Academy lifted the u-19 Football Championship organised by the District Sports Office here today. In the final they defeated SGRR Race Course by solitary goal.

The Academy dominated the proceeding right from the beginning. The team played aggressive football and kept the SGRR defense on their toes throughout the match.

The Academy scored its first goal in the 29th minute of the first half. It was a fine header by Neeraj, who scored of a corner kick.

In the second half, the Academy was in full control of the proceedings. The team pressurised the defense completely.

The team came close on scoring a goal on a number of occasions but team’s forwards failed to make the best of the opportunities.

SGRR team tried hard to fetch an equaliser but failed. Their moves died half way, as team’s forwards could not penetrate the strong defense put up by the North Point Children Academy.