Dehradun, September 18
Softening its attitude towards agitating rafting operators, the Uttarakhand government today assured them of extending beach permits from existing one year to five years and also giving priority to locals in the auctions of beaches.

Uttarakhand Forest Minister Bisan Singh Chufal stated this at Uttarakhand Forest Officers Conference held in Dehradun today. Chufal said he understood the concerns of the agitating rafting companies and those were under sympathetic consideration of the government. He hinted at extending the permit for a period of five years from the present one-year period.

Referring to the auction of beaches, Chufal said there was no question of hurting the interest of the locals under any circumstances. “Even in the auction, it will be ensured that locals get much-needed priority,” Chufal pointed out.

The minister’s assurance comes at a time when the rafting companies are protesting Forest Department’s policy on providing one-year permit and also auction of beaches. The agitating companies are keeping off from rafting operations this year in protest.

Chufal also took the opportunity to announce that his ministry was contemplating preparing a seed policy for Uttarakhand. He said the need for a seed policy was being felt for quite some time.

On plantations undertaken by the Forest Department every year, the minster categorically said it had been decided to ensure a videography of the saplings for a period of three years starting from the day they were planted. “This will enhance the credibility of the monsoon tree-plantation drive undertaken by the Forest Department”, he observed.

Uttarakhand Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RBS Rawat said the conference being attended by all forest officers of Uttarakhand would be deliberating on all forestry and linked issues pertaining to the state.

Chief Wildlife Warden Srikant Chandola and KL Arya from the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation were among prominent speakers at the conference. 

Dehradun, September 18
Political parties and several other organisations have come in support of agitating rafting operators. The entrepreneur cell of the BJP, which has been seeking justice for the agitating rafters, has sought a better deal for them from the government. “This rafting business has been developed by these local entrepreneurs and needs to be adequately protected,” said Narendra Bhandari, convener of the cell.

The Lakshman Jhula Vyapar Mandal yesterday extended support to rafting companies and urged the state government to adopt a sympathetic attitude towards their genuine concerns.

The Uttarakhand Vikram Malik Chalak Association, while pointing out that the ongoing agitation has affected the local trade tremendously, said the genuine issues raised by the rafting companies must be resolved at the earliest.

These local operators are opposing the auction of beaches on the Ganga as they point out that this will only encourage a syndicate managed by outsiders and take these beaches completely out of their reach. 

Dehradun, September 18
A senior secondary class student of Doon International School got seriously injured after she reportedly fell off the second floor of a building at the school here today. She was admitted to the CMI hospital with fractured hands and legs. Her condition is said to be out of danger now.

According to the police, Disha Malhotra had fits and she accidentally fell of the second floor. However, there were rumors that the girl tried to commit suicide.

Dehradun, September 18
Labour and Employment Minister Harish Rawat today condemned the thrashing of a sub-inspector in full public view by ruling BJP leaders at Shantikunjh in Haridwar yesterday.

Rawat said thrashing of the policemen by the ruling party leaders inside the police station or police post is a very serious matter. Such incidents had tarnished the image of the state and the morale of the police force had also gone down.

The minister stressed that the ruling party should be mature enough to tackle with such issues.

Rawat demanded the guilty leaders be arrested and sent to jail. He also appealed to the Chief Minister of the state to intervene in the matter and get the leaders punished to save the honour of their party. 

Dehradun, September 18
A Hindi play titled Kagar Ki Aag, a story written by Himanshu Joshi, was staged at the town hall of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation. Presented by Mahila Samakhya, Nainital, and directed by Anil Kumar, the play deals with the problems faced by a poor Dalit woman, Gomti, and her mentally disabled husband.

Gomti’s in-laws, in order to usurp her property, try to defame her knowing that the helpless woman would be forced to leave the village. Despite their best efforts, Gomti does not leave her home and son.

Matters come to ahead when the family members once again become active and are succeeded in driving her out of the village. Helpless Gomti takes refuge with Kushal, who provides her home, but she is unable to forget her son and husband.

Angry Kushal then asks her to leave house but not without paying every penny that went towards her up-keep.

Gomti then takes up work in the Terai region and pays back Kushal.

Kavita Karki, playing the rule of Gomti, brought alive the pain of a poor woman who is humiliated by her family members and is forced to lead a troubled existence as the society does not accord her to equal status.

Dehradun, September 18
The police has booked an Armyman for allegedly enticing a woman to flee with him from the CR camp, IMS, here today. The girl’s mother complained that Man Bahadur Thapa had eloped with her 30-year-old daughter after enticing her. 

She said Thapa, a native of Nepal, was known to their family and often used to come to their house. He was currently posted at Ranikhet as naik and was already married. She suspected that he had taken her daughter to Nepal.

Dehradun, September 18
Besides heavy rush at mosques during Namaaz hours on the last Friday of Ramzan, the holy month of Muslims, a large number of people could be seen thronging to city markets.

Only two days left for the Id-ul-Fitr celebrations, sweets, garments and many other shops are being decorated so that after one month of arduous fasting each and everyone can enjoy amid friends and family.

“I have come to market so that after prayers I can purchase new clothes for my family,” said Shehzaad.

At the main Jaama Masid, situated in the old Paltan Bazar market, around 1:30 pm, people from various background participated to offer prayers on last Friday of Ramzan. However, in this holy month where every Friday plays a religious importance, the last Friday before Id is considered the most pivotal and is a matter of respect.

From a part time fruit vendor to a high-class businessman, they all gathered under one roof to offer prayer to the almighty today, showcasing their love, respect and devotion.

“Ramzan is a very pious month in our religion, and though every Friday is considered important but last Friday before the final celebrations of Id is definitely considered of utmost importance as this day each and every Muslim make sure to pray before the Almighty,” said Mohammad Ahmad Kazmi, qazi at Jaama Masid Mosque.

Dehradun, September 18
Carman School and St Joseph Academy will clash in the final of the Council School Football Tournament here tomorrow.

In the first semifinal match, St Joseph Academy (SJA) completely outplayed Summer Valley School by 4-0. Pramanshu was the star performer for the team with his second hat-trick of the tournament.

The SJA team played dominating throughout the match. It scored its first goal in the 20th minute of the match through Janvijay. After taking a 1-0 lead the SJA team added another three goals to its tally in the second half.

Pramanshu scored his first goal in the 40th minute of the match. Seven minutes later, he scored again for the SJA team.

His hat-trick was completed in the 55th minute to make the final scored 4-0.

In the second semifinal match, Carman School beat Asian School by 3-1 in a tiebreaker. Carman School came close on scoring a goal in the 5th minute, but its forward misdirected the shot to miss the scoring opportunity.

In the 32nd minute Carman School again made a sharp move from the right flank, but failed to score for the second consecutive time.

In the second half also both teams were locked at 0-0. In the tiebreaker,

Carman School scored three of their shots, whereas Asian School could only manage to scored a single goal. 

Dehradun, September 18
The State Athletic Association is planning to increase the competitive level of the district athletic meet by inviting athletes from other states as well. The district meet is scheduled on November 14 and 15.

“We are planning to make the meet more professional and competitive this time round. And for the purpose we will be inviting athletes from Delhi as well. Athletes from Rishikesh and Vikasnagar have already expressed their willingness to participate in the meet,” said Sandeep Sharma, secretary of the association.

Sharma said coming together of more athletes at the meet would go a long way in improving the standard of the district meet.

In the previous meet about 1,000 athletes participated and so was expected this year.

The recent good performance of the state athletes at the North Zone Athletics Meet has generated hope for the association to produce good players for the country.

The state occupied third position at the recent zonal meet held at Maharana Pratap Sports College.

The association also has a well-laid plan for the future. It is planning to provide good facilities to athletes like field and coaching to improve their skill and develop them to good athletes.

The association is having a dialogue with various school authorities for meeting field requirements.