Dehradun, September 24
The public grievances cell of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) today demanded a probe into alleged cases of corruption in the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL).

Led by their state president Jai Prakash Upadhaya, a delegation of office-bearers of the cell, submitted a memorandum to the Managing Director of the UPCL. They alleged that no strict action had been taken against the officials found guilty in inquiry reports in several cases of corruption related to the purchase of meters, transformers, insulators and poles.

They alleged that there were complaints about irregularities in the recruitment of junior and assistant engineers. The responsibility of conducting the process, including examinations for the posts, was given to a Delhi-based company despite the presence of competent agencies in the state.

The delegation also alleged there was rampant corruption in the HR Department of the UPCL. Asserting that their party will oppose jobs to outsiders, its members demanded that the Director (HR) should provide details of pending inquiries as well as action taken against erring officials within a week, failing which protests would be organised against the UPCL.

Dehradun, September 24
The police today denied reports appearing in some sections of the media that over 40 persons, who were reportedly sent to get job in Afghanistan by Rakesh Thapa, a resident of Chanderbani, had been confined in a camp.

The police said they had talked to at least 10 families of people who were sent by Thapa to Afghanistan. They all said their children regularly called them and there was no problem with them, according to the police.

Speaking to The Tribune, Sawitri, whose two sons are working in Afghanistan, said, “Thapa had helped my children to get the visa made. They have been in the country for more than six months and there is no problem. My one son is working as a chef, while the other one is working in a hotel”.

SP Jagat Ram Joshi said Thapa had been arrested for allegedly cheating Rajesh and Davinder and he was being interrogated. Thapa had given them 15-day visa instead of work visa, for which he allegedly took Rs 2.50 lakh from the duo, said the SP.

However, the victims alleged that they, along with 43 persons, were confined in a camp where they were forced to work. Rajesh alleged, “Those in the camp are locked from inside with a guard and two persons keeping an eye on them. If anyone insists on going out, he is slapped or shown an AK-47 by the guard”.

“They are sent for a job interview where they are demanded money and if one cannot pay, he is pressurised to bring it from his home. The person who gets a job doesn’t come back to the camp again,” he added.

“Before sending us for the interview they made us sign a document, which mentioned that we took a loan of $800 from them. We were so terrified that we thought this was the only chance to flee from here as we had our passports with us. With the help of a taxi driver we managed to come back to India,” said Rajesh. He said the driver told them that there were several such camps were being run in the country.

Dehradun, September 24
If one pandemic was not enough, over-burdened medical officers engaged in controlling and containing influenza A (H1N1) virus have now been asked to monitor the dengue situation so that it does not turn into an epidemic.

So far, six persons have died of dengue in Lal Kuaon in Nainital district. A total of 29 patients are undergoing treatment at Base Hospital (Haldwani), 3 patients at Sushila Tiwari Hospital (Haldwani) and 59 person have been referred to Rammurti Medical College, Bhogipura, Bareilly.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme tracks the disease through periodic reporting, but the state has been unable to meet the recruitment of recruiting reporting cells manned by people whose job is primarily aimed at detecting outbreaks early so that the administration can take a quick action.

“The cases in Lal Kuaon came to light early but the blood sample reports had to be sent to Delhi for a detailed analysis. But, because the disease is contagious, it had by then spread to several people. Also, we have an acute paucity of staff, though a district Malaria officer is in charge of the malaria programme,” said Dr P L Joshi, DG, Health.

The IDSP in Dehradun is tracking the disease through a periodic reporting. An officer at the district level should then coordinate the collection of the data and analysis. “Actions are an essential part of surveillance since mere data collection for academic or record purposes is not the intention.

An active response system is essential for building credibility of the public health system. The idea of surveillance is to pre-empt calamities,” said Dr HS Negi, nodal officer, IDSP.

The IDSP is also awaiting the appointment of a dedicated entomologist who undertakes research on the disease pattern, especially the ones caused by insects. Last year, 140 cases of dengue were detected in the state, with Dehradun reporting the maximum number of cases at 37.

Again, against a total of 201 Malaria cases in the state, 49 were reported in Dehradun. This year the situation is a little better in Dehradun as only two cases of dengue have been reported in the city so far. 

Dehradun, September 24
An alert car owner and residents of the Cantonment road nabbed a thief red-handed when he was trying to steal a bag containing Rs 3 lakh from a car parked near an ATM in the area.

The people thrashed the thief on the spot and later handed him over to the police. He was sent to jail after investigation.

The police said he was involved in several theft cases earlier as well.

According to the police, Javad Khan had come to deposit a loan of Rs 3 lakh in PNB. But as he reached late in the bank, he decided to have a cup of tea.

After some time he saw a man standing near his car with a screwdriver in his hands and was trying to pull the bag containing the amount from the car.

He instantly walked up to him and caught him.

Seeing this, nearby residents also thrashed him on the spot.

The police said he had been identified as Saadab, a resident of Murradbad.

Dehradun, September 24
The pair of Keren Shlomo (Israel) and Poojashree (India) will clash with the Japanese pair of Moe Kawatoko and Miki Miyamura in the final of the ITF Women $10,000 Tennis Tournament at the Shanti Tennis Academy here tomorrow.

In singles, Miki Miyamura, Moe Kawatoko, Poojashree and Rushmi have cruised into the semifinals. All four registered convincing wins in their quarterfinal matches without losing a set.

Japanese Miki Miyamura took little less than 90 minutes to outplay her Israeli opponent Keren Shlomo in the quarterfinal.

In the first set, Miyamura dominated the proceedings forcing her opponent to commit many unforced errors. Miyamura won the set 6-1.

In the second set, Keren Shlomo did put up a strong fight but ultimately had to lose the set and the match 7-6 to Miyamura.

Anastasia Malhotra of Japan retired hurt against Rushmi Chakravarthi of India. She lost the first set to Rushmi 6-0. Malhotra found it difficult to find an answer to the strong backhand and forehand shots of Rushmi.

She committed many unforced errors in the first set. In the second set, she opted out of the match due to back pain when she was down 1-2.

In the third quarterfinal, top seed Poojashree’s skillful play totally undid Sweta Kumari Solanki 6-4, 6-0.

In the first set, Solanki advanced to the net too often allowing Poojashree play lofted shots. Solanki lost the first set 4-6. In the second set, it was Poojashree’s big service that did the trick as she won the set 6-0.

Moe Kawatoko of Japan beat Kyung-Yee Chae of Korea in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 in the fourth quarterfinal.

In the first semifinal of the doubles category, Moe Kawatoko and Miki Miyamura beat Kyung Yee Chae and Jun Yoon Shin 6-0, 6-3. In the second semifinal, the pair of Keren Shlomo and Poojashree defeated Chun-Ya He (China) and Anastasia Malhotra (Japan).

Dehradun, September 24
To put all necessary infrastructure for hosting SAF Winter Games in place before the deadline of October 31, the state government has ordered the appointment to two nodal officers to report on progress of construction work daily at its venues in Dehradun and Auli, Chamoli district.

Officials said the urgency emerged in view of a proposed visit of president of the World Skiing Federation Walter Traioling in the second week of October. He would certify whether slopes made for skiing competitions to be held at Auli conformed to international norms.

It was only after his nod that the completion of infrastructure would be officially conveyed to the Winter Games Federation of India as well as the Indian Olympic Association.

In compliance with the order given by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank at a recent review meeting, Secretary, Sports, and member secretary of the Organising Committee of Winter Games (OCWG) Utpal Kumar Singh today directed both officers to take up their new assignments with immediate effect.

RC Bhardwaj, Deputy Director, Tourism, will look after construction activities at Auli while Sanjay Mathur, Manager Task Force, Information Technology Development Agency, will look after such activities in Dehradun.

Both will remain stationed at respective places till the end of the event and coordinate with all agencies involved in the construction of the infrastructure for the games.

Dehradun, September 24
Doon Star and Khukari teams played a goalless draw in the ongoing District Super League at Pavilion Ground here today.

The match started at a fast pace with Doon Star making some sharp moves in the match.

The Doon Star team came close on scoring a goal in the 5th minute. It was a good aerial cross from the right flank that went over the striker head to miss the scoring opportunity.

In the 15th minute, they were on the attack again but yet again failed to utilise the scoring opportunity.

The Khukari team launched a counter attack and almost earned a goal, but it was a good save by Doon Star keeper in the end.

Thereafter, Doon Star tried some long-range shot in a desperate attempt to find a goal. At the end of the first half both the teams were locked at 0-0.

The second half was no different from the first and the teams kept on wasting scoring opportunities.

The Khukari team tried hard to penetrate rock solid defence of the Doon Star team but failed in their attempt.

At the end it was goalless draw for the teams.