Dehradun, October 2
Throwing proclaimed austerity to winds, the ruling BJP government, led by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, appointed seven party legislators as parliamentary secretaries. This is for the first time since the state came into being in November 2000, that the positions of parliamentary secretaries have been created in the state. These seven new parliamentary secretaries would be enjoying the rank of minister of state of the government.

The much-awaited announcement giving doles to party legislators who had been annoyed for sometime now came on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti. These legislators are Asha Nautiyal (Kedarnath), GL Shah (Pinder), Diwan Singh Bisht (Ramnagar), Arvind Pandey (Bazpur), Prem Chand Aggarwal (Rishikesh), Gopal Singh Rawat (Gangotri) and Chandan Ramdass (Bageshwar).

It was in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh that such positions of parliamentary secretaries were given to ruling party legislators who could not find berth in the satate council of ministers.

Since BJP came into power after the assembly elections in 2007, the state government has been under tremendous pressure from party legislators and other leaders to get plum positions of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of various board, corporations and councils.

It was a difficult job for the BJP since it was their party that had made large-scale distribution of such position by previous Congress government led by Chief Minister ND Tiwari a major election issue in the assembly 2007 elections. It was Tiwari who gave more than 150 such positions to party leaders during Congress regime.

Former Chief Minister BC Khanduri (retd) remained cautious on the issue and after severe pressure gave more than 40 such positions to senior party leaders. Party legislators were ignored on the ground that they got the party mandate to fight elections. But this fuelled dissatisfaction and dissent against the Chief Minister Khanduri.

Party legislators rose in revolt against him and finally drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections paved the way for his exist.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who has an RSS background, treaded cautiously and decided to consolidate his position amongst legislators of the paty by placating them with these positions.

He had also taken resignations from those party leaders who were given such offices by Khanduri.

He would be soon coming out with a second list of senior party leaders who would be rewarded with offices.

Haridwar, October 2
Apart from programmes to pay homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives during the Uttarakhand movement and the agitators who suffered atrocities during the Rampur Tiraha incident at Muzaffarnagar 15 years ago on October 2, 1994, several protests and dharnas were held in Haridwar district against then Chief Minister of UP Mulayam Singh Yadav, DIG Buwa Singh and District Magistrate Anant Kumar Singh.

A roadblock was held on a national highway by Uttarakhand Movement’s activists under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti supported by the Rajya Andolankari Samiti and the Uttarakhand Kranti Manch. On a call by the samiti, several organisations, traders and people observed a bandh to mark the day, which later became a turning point in the Uttarakhand movement.

At Chandracaharya Chowk, samiti members and locals gathered in large numbers and paid obeisance to the statehood movement’s fighters before taking out a procession towards Prem Nagar Ashram Chowk where they blocked traffic on NH-72. Citing the sensitivity of the protest, heavy deployment of police personnel was made in the area. For about an hour, there was no traffic movement on the road. Agitators had a shuffle with the police. CO Pankaj Bhatt pacified them citing problems being caused to the commuters.

Condemning delay in putting behind bars the guilty of the Rampur Tiraha incident, central general secretary of the Rajya Andolankari Samiti JP Pandey said despite 15 years have elapsed, no perpetrator of the crime had not been put behind bars.

Terming the Rampur Tiraha incident as a blot on the humanity and democracy, Mira Raturi, secretary, Mahila Congress, said womanhood was put to shame during that unfateful night.

“Apart from being in midst of Garhwal and Kumaon divisions, it will in sync with the hilly status of Uttarkhand as majority of state’s area is hilly,” said Dr Amar Singh Ahitiyan, Haridwar head of the manch.

Programmes and protests were also held at Lakshar, Pathri, Lal Dhang, Mangalore, Bhagwanpur, Bahadrabad and Jwalapur areas.

CHANDIGARH: A large number of people gathered at Garhwal Bhavan, Sector-29, here to pay homage to the martyrs of the Uttarakhand movement in 1994. The Uttarakhand Yuva Manch, an NGO, organised a photo exhibition which relived the memories of the movement. Singer Kamleshinder Singh created a patriotic fervour.

“It’s hard to forget the sacrifices made by the martyrs for the formation of Uttarakhand state. We will always remain indebted to them,” said Bhagwati Prasad Kukshal, general secretary of the NGO. Parveen Rawat, president of the NGO, also spoke.

Dehradun, October 2
Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today paid tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the formation of the separate state of Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister addressed a function held at Rampur Tiraha in Muzzafarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh after paying floral tributes at the martyrs memorial here.

The Chief Minister said a museum would also be made at the martyrs’ memorial at Rampur Tiraha. He further said it was the endeavour of his government to fulfil the dreams of the Uttarakhand statehood agitators.

Dehradun, October 2
A partial bandh was observed in Dehradun city on a call given by Uttarakhand statehood agitators to demand declaration of Gairsain as the permanent capital of the state.

Women volunteers and youth raising slogans in support of Gairsain went to markets and requested the shopkeepers to down their shutters till noon.

Most of the shopkeepers and business establishments remained closed till 12 noon, while there was a national holiday on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti today.

However, a large number of police force was deployed at various places in the city. Dehradun police chief Abhinav Kumar had warned that nobody would be allowed to forcibly shut shops in the city.

However, no untoward incident was reported anywhere in the city.

Meanwhile, Dhirendra Pratap, president of the Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti of Uttarakhand statehood agitators today claimed from Ramnagar in the Kumoan region that bandh call also received response from other parts of the state.

Dehradun, October 2
Governor Margaret Alva paid floral tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at a function held at the Raj Bhawan in Nainital.

The Governor said the Gandhian thought had become more relevant in the present day world. She said the solution to rising violence, widening inequality and injustice lay in the Gandhian philosophy.

She also recalled Shastri’s contribution to the independent India.

The Governor also took the opportunity to distribute blankets among employees of the Raj Bhawan. She also honoured freedom fighter Bankey Lal Kansal.

In Dehradun, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank paid tributes to both Mahatma Gandhi and Shastri.

At a function held at Gandhi Park, the Chief Minister exhorted people of the state to follow the ideals and path shown by these great leaders. “Following the principles of these great leaders we can make Uttarakhand an ideal state in terms of both peace and development,” said Nishank.

He reminded that uplift of the downtrodden and deprived sections of the society would be true homage to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Earlier, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the martyrs of the Uttarakhand movement by placing wreath at the Shaheed Smarak on the Collectorate premises here.

He also inaugurated photo exhibition of the state movement displayed by the Archaeological Department.

State Minister for the Social Welfare Khajan Das, Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli, MLA Om Gopal, former chairperson the Rajya Andolankari Samman Parishad Shushila Baluni and other people’s representatives were present on the occasion.

At other Gandhi Jayanti function held at State Police Headquarters, DGP Subhash Joshi asked the policemen to inculcate the policy of brotherhood in their day-to-day lives.

Meanwhile, employees and officials of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation celebrated the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Shastri at their office here.

Jagmohan Lal, managing director of the corporation, highlighted the role played by the Father of the Nation in the freedom struggle and the high morals of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Employees and officials also planted saplings.

Haridwar: Several functions were organised to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Shastri in the city.

At Gandhi Jayanti Samaroh in Pathri, union cabinet minister for state Harish Rawat said both the leaders paved way for a stronger and democratic India.

“Gandhi gave us the weapon of Ahimsa and led the Indian National Movement to independence, while Shastri recognised the importance of kissan (farmer) and brought them into mainstream with commencing it in agricultural revolution that made India self-dependent,” stated Rawat, while paying tributes on the portraits of Gandhi and Shastri.

Later, Rawat took part in a foot march from Devpura in Haridwar and paid tributes to both the leaders.

Pointing that India can only become a developed nation if farmers and youth remain happy and employed.

Former Haridwar parliamentarians Harpal Sathi and Jagpal Singh stressed on the need of following ideals of both leaders, while Ram Singh Saini focused on the life history of Gandhiji and Shastri. At the occasion students of Shri Dev Public School performed bhajans and cultural programmes.

Several programs were organised in the city and tributes were paid to both the leaders. Activists of Gandhi Vichar Manch at Alaknanda ghat organised a unique way to mark the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Activists of the manch sat on the ghat holding portraits of Gandhi and tried to give message of his three-monkey principle. Manch convener Sanjay Chopra said in these times when violence, communalism, greed and other malices had infected the society, practicing the principles of Gandhi is the need of the hour.

Meanwhile, youngsters were also seen at various programmes today trying to know more about these two great leaders. “Younger generation needs to be inculcated with ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and simplicity of Lal Bahadur Shastri and so has to be politicians and bureaucrats, then only real tribute will be paid to these two great leaders,” said Meena Negi, a youth who paid floral tribute at a function in Civil Hospital.

Dehradun, October 2
Politics over the issue of suitability of a place for setting up proposed IIM has taken a new turn with Congress MP from the Almora parliamentary constituency Pardeep Tamta pitching for Pitthoragarh district.

Notably, the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has already demanded in a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister that the premier institute should be set up on the land of Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) factory at Haldwani in Nainital district. But, the employees of the factory strongly objected to the move on the grounds that it was against their interests.

Tamta argued that Pithoragarh would be the most suitable place because having a top-class institute like IIM would contribute a great deal in removing educational backwardness of this mountainous area. Its serene location would be ideal for academic atmosphere. It rightly calls for the government initiative to bring an IIM here as doing so would be a big step towards the development of remote areas of the state.

Since other districts have already been benefited in terms of setting up big educational institutions after the state came into being, Pithoragarh district, too, should be extended this benefit for the purpose of equal and all-round development of the state.

Tamta urged the state government to immediately set in motion the process of identifying the land for setting up the IIM. He called upon elected representatives of different political parties of the district to collectively highlight the issue.

Dehradun, October 2
Uttarakhand Health Minister Balwant Singh Bhoriyal has said the government is committed to fulfilling all demands of government doctors.

He expressed these views at an oath-taking of officer-bearers of the the Provincial Medical and Health Services Association, Uttarakhand.

Dr SD Joshi, president of the association, said the association had been raising its demands from time to time and despite assurances no headway had been made so far.

He presented a 13-point charter of demands to the Health Minister. The demands include central parity on NPA, thereby making NPA 25 per cent of the basic pay, implementation of DACP (dynamic assured career progression scheme) to avoid stagnation as the promotion avenues for doctors are negligible after the abolition of time-bound scales and acceptance of Samta Co, a building be allocated for the association, implementation of an act prohibiting violence against staff providing medical services.

Dehradun, October 2
Aman Konswal and Akshay got selected for u-19 Triangular Cricket Series, which is to be held at Bangkok from October 21 here today.

The players were selected on the bases of their performance given at T-20 Tournament held at Uttar Pradesh. Akshay said, “It was a pleasant news for me. I had done well at the tournament and my efforts paid.” Akshay had given an outstanding performance at the tournament, scoring runs in the crucial matches. He had scored a valuable 38 runs in the semifinal match and 45 runs in the final. Akshay had also picked up four wickets at the tournament. At present, he is studying in Class IX.

Aman Konswal, who is a middle order batsman and medium fast bowler, said that it was a good experience playing at Uttar Pradesh. Aman scored 35 runs at the tournament and took four wickets.

There coach Surendra Rawat said, “It was nice to have both of them in u-19 team. Both of them are promising players and are expected to do well at the tournament.”

Dehradun, October 2
Doon Star team lifted Ram Bahadur Memorial One Day Football Trophy here today. In the final, Doon Star defeated Garhwal Boys 2-0.

It was closely contested final. Doon Star displayed better coordination and teamwork throughout the match.

For Doon Star, Shashank scored the first goal making it 1-0. Garhwal Boys scored the equaliser soon.

But Doon Star came back strongly to score the second goal through Deepak Kandari making it 2-1 and win the match.

Earlier in the day, in the first semifinal, Doon Star team defeated Cantt Blues 2-0 to move into the final.

In the second semifinal, Garhwal Boys beat Magic Moment team by a solitary goal.

Dehradun, October 2
With things getting out of hands at the ongoing District Football Super League, the District Football Association had to resort to stringent measures against indisciplined clubs, players and spectators. The association yesterday decided to ban the entire team of Eleven Star for a period of one year for allegedly manhandling a spectator.

The Eleven Star team is in a state of shock over the ban. The team had expected a ban on one of its players instead of the whole team. The team had recently won the Kharag Bahadur Memorial tournament, Nageena Football tournament and another football tournament organised at the Gahri cantonment. After having a successful season, the team is ending the tournament on a bitter note.

The incident took place on Wednesday when a spectator during a match between Eleven Star and the Garhwal Sporting team had used objectionable remarks against an Eleven Star team player. Unable to tolerate the remarks the Eleven Star team player left the match midway and bashed the spectator on the spot. At that point the Eleven Star team was 2-1 down against Garhwal Sporting Club in the second half.

The incident was strongly criticised by other spectators. Association members called up a meeting next day and decided to ban the entire team from participating in a registered tournaments for a year.

The association has also decided to take strict action against spectators who break the tempo of the game. It was decided at the meeting that any spectator found using instigating remarks against any team would be handed over to the police.

Secretary of the Eleven Star team Ranjeet Rana agitated over the ban imposed on the whole team. He said, “The team should not have been banned for the act, instead action should have been taken against single players. Our was a good team and done well through out the season winning more then three tournaments. But the ban against the entire team is uncalled for.”

Dehradun Football Association secretary did not have any satisfactory answer for banning the whole team from the tournament. He said, “The team had been behaving in an indisciplined manner throughout the tournament. Because of their players’ action we decided to impose a ban on the whole team.”

Senior referee of the association Govind Singh said players’ reaction was natural after hearing the remarks of the spectator. But he said players were wrong in leaving the match midway and getting into a scuffle with the spectator, which, he said, came under indiscipline.