Roorkee, October 11
Farmers of the areas adjoining the city are upset for herds of elephants often enter their fields and destroy sugarcane crop, which is ready for harvesting these days.

According to farmers of nearby villages, including Bhagwanpur, Dalluwala, Sikroda, Pathri, Bhawalpur Mall and villages of the Khanpur area, their hard work is being wasted by the wild animals and they are helpless to do anything to save their crops.

Adding to the woes of the hapless farmers, all their complaints regarding the menace to forest officials have fallen on deaf ears.

“They lamented that the matter had been brought to the notice of the forest officials many a time, but in vain.

“No one comes to our rescue,” said Fateh Ali, a resident of Sikroda village.

Though we make arrangements on our own to prevent the rampaging elephants and other wild animals, including boars, neel gai (blue bull) and sambars, from straying into their fields, but those are not sufficient to curb the menace, added Ali and other villagers.

Sugarcane is a favourite food of pachyderms, tempting them to attack the cane fields every now and then during night times. The farmers maintained that they had to be wake up all night for the safety of their fields. “On being stopped from entering the fields, many times angry elephants attack us or our houses. They become very dangerous sometimes,” said Gopal Aggarwal of Dalluwaala village.

On the other hand, the forest officials maintained that it was not possible to depute officials with required paraphernalia at every village.

“Whenever we got information about such attacks, we immediately reach the spot to shoo away the elephants,” said an official of the Forest Department.

Another reason for invasion of human territories by the elephants is deforestation in adjoining areas, pushing these animals to the brink of their natural habitat, said the official.

“Harvesting of cane crop has started. The authorities should be extra cautious during these days to save our crops,” said Bhanu, another cane grower.

Dehradun, October 11
The police booked a man and his family for allegedly harassing bride for dowry. According to the police, the woman, a resident of Tehri Garwhal, alleged in her complaint that her in-laws had been harassing her for dowry since her marriage.

Haridwar, October 11
The two-day national level convention of the All-India State Government Drivers Federation got under way in Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, today.The national-level convention is one of the biggest events in the country and executive members and representatives of north-zone states, including host Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Panjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir, are participating in it.

Kazi Mohammed Gulam Moibuddin, national president of the federation, pointed out the difficulties state government drivers face and the importance of their role in carrying out the work of the state machinery. “Problems are galore, yet we never resort to unlawful means and that’s why our credibility stands a notch above the others.

“But, it’s the respective government’s task to provide us the best of facilities and sort out our basic problems,” said Kazi Mohammed.

A demand letter was also forwarded to Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat at the convention wherein all major problems and issues faced by the drivers were figured.

“We have apprised the minister of all our major problems,” said Nagaland union vice-president Pratim Pal Chaudhari. 

Dehradun, October 11
A 13-day art exhibition begins tomorrow at the UGB art gallery of the Uttaranchal Grahim Bank in Dehradun. The title of the exhibition is “Over the Year” and it will showcase the works of Maj Ashok Kumar, a veteran artist.

Maj Ashok was born in 1941 in Shimla. After serving in the Indian Army for 22 years, he joined ONGC and since college days discovered his flair for fine arts. His initial works include sculptures in wood, metals, stones and marbles. However, he has a keen interest in bonsai and has laid the Uttarakhand Raj Bhawan’s bonsai garden.

He is a recipient of the lifetime award for contribution to art, AIFACS New Delhi 2003, and many other awards in his kitty. The 13-day art exhibition will include metal etchings, sketches and drawings in pen and ink, marble sculptures and bonsai, the living sculptures.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by Padam Vir Singh, director Lal Bahadur Shastry Academy at Mussoorie and it wil conclude on the October 24. 

Dehradun, October 11
Defending champion Uttarakhand Police lifted the District Football League trophy for the second consecutive time here today. In the final, they defeated 6/8 Gorkha Rifle team by 2-1.

Garhwal Sporting’s Sashank and Uttarakhand Police’s Veer Singh was jointed given the golden boot trophy. Both of them had scored twenty goals in the tournament.

It was an exciting final match between Uttarakhand Police and 6/8 Gorkha Rifle team, whose result could only come in extra time. Police team was the hot favorate among other teams at the league, but 6/8 Gorkha Rifle team was considered to be the team that could unsettle police.

In the finals, the mistake committed by Gorkha Rifle defence resulted in their defeat. In the first half, Gorkha Rifle dominated the proceedings right through pressing hard on the Police team.

The Gorkha Rifle team went for long-range shots to pressurise the Police team defence and goalkeeper.

Pressure tactics paid off as Gorkha Rifle earned a penalty in the 30th minute of the match, which they converted into a goal through Pradeep Gurung.

The Gorkha Rifle team almost got their second goal of the match when it forward tried a 40-yard shot that just missed pole by inches. The Police team also created same scoring chances but excellent goalkeeping from the Gorkha Rifle keeper kept the police team at bay.

After being on the defensive in the first half police team made a strong comeback and fetch an equaliser in the 63rd minute of the match, with a powerful header from Veer Singh.

The equaliser brought respite to the Police team, which took control of the proceedings thereafter and penetrated the Gorkha Rifle team too often.

After being locked at 1-1 draw, the team were given extra time. It was big mistake by the Gorkha Rifle defender who in an attempted to clear the ball did a self goal and Gorkha Rifle team failed to recover from this setback and lost the match 2-1 to the Police team. 

Dehradun, October 11
The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, in association with Herbalife India, a premier nutrition and a wellness company, today announced that it successfully undertook its Everest Expedition 2009, where an 18-member team scaled the world’s highest peak.

Herbalife India provided the entire team with Herbalife Nutrition and NouriFusion skin care products to facilitate necessary nutrition required for such a crucial and challenging environment.

Col Mangal Murthy Masur, who headed the expedition, said, “We are all about propagating the concept of adventure and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) Everest Expedition 2009, thus is a great showcase for the mountaineering institute.

“We are delighted that the team was able to scale the peak surmounting the challenges replete in such an exercise.”

More than a sponsor, Herbalife played a pivotal role to the team by providing Herbalife Nutritional shake mix, afresh energy drink mix and the supplements which enabled the team to maintain high levels of energy all through.

Also the incredible NouriFusion skin care products, which saved us from skin tan and chaps that regularly occur on such a high altitude.

Ajay Khanna, country head of Herbalife, India, said, “We are happy to associate ourselves with the efforts like the Mt Everest expedition which are among the most grueling even for the seasoned mountaineers.”

Dehradun, October 11
Where many people still associate driving to fear and find it a difficult task to accomplish, for Neesha and Mohd Bahaar, a husband-wife team, driving in ‘Maut ka kua’ at various fairs is not simply their passion, but also a source of livelihood.

The duo, along with few other racers, are performing at the ongoing Northern India International Trade fair and Uttarakhand Trade Mahotsav in Dehradun.

Mohd Bahaar was an experienced driver and had performed at various shows, however, after getting married to Neesha he also taught her how to drive a motorbike.

It was her interest to perform, learn as well support her husband that after initial difficulties she gradually got command and today with full confidence is getting applauds for her speed thrills.

“Almost 10 years ago when I got married to Bahaar, I learnt driving and how to concentrate in the kua (well), which involves a lot of risk. In the beginning I used to feel little conscious, but with constant efforts and my passion made me stronger and helped me overcome the fear,” informed Neesha.

In the fair, the exciting show of ‘Maut ka kua’ starts in the evening, where two persons drive a Maruti 800 car while other three drive motorcycles.

With a high speed and a daring heart, the show gains momentum when all five get together and perform various activities leaving the audience totally astonished.

“Driving inside a circle is not an easy task, I think it requires a strong heart to become such a brave performer,” said Ravi, a resident.

Interestingly, the hard work, risk and travelling to various destinations hardly satisfy their financial demands but they feel that as an artist they are in this industry to entertain and not expect any big favour.

“From the past two years we are working under a contract, where we make almost Rs 4,000 a month.

However, prior to the contract we were independently managing our work and at times used to make good money or nothing at all, basically depending on the success and failure of the fairs,” said Mohd Bahaar.

Almost covering the entire nation, this was their first trip to Uttarakhand and on receiving a good response and appreciation for enterprising skills they feel overjoyed.

“People in the city are appreciating our hardship and talent. We are happy with the response we are getting and in future I also plan to drive a car like my husband,” said Neesha.

Haridwar, October 11
With works for the Maha Kumbh going on a slow pace and the use of lower quality material being reported from various quarters, a demand has arisen for an investigation into alleged scams and irregularities in these projects.

Various local organisations and the Congress have been persistently saying that there is a need for an investigation into the Kumbh works and a monitoring committee comprising legislators of all political parties should be formed.

The Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti, which is constantly opposing the Ganga closure and whose activists are observing a fast, has demanded an investigation into these projects.

Sanjay Chopra, convener of the samiti, said various departments and agencies carrying the Kumbh works had only done less than a quarter of the works in accordance with about Rs 500-crore budget while just 20 days had left ahead the deadline.

“They are misusing Kumbh funds and there is a need for carrying out investigations into the amount spent and to check the quality of works. This is people’s money and meant for crores of people who will visit Haridwar for the mega fair. Nodal agencies are making merry of this fund,” said Chopra.

In the wake of Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who, during his two visits to the city, had suspended officers of various departments for a sluggish pace of works and a lack of quality, the local unit of the Congress has also demanded a high-level monitoring committee for the ongoing Kumbh projects. City chief OP Chauhan pointed out that as it’s the state’s and century’s first Maha Kumbh, efforts should be made to make it a memorable one.

But, he lamented, owing to bureaucracy and corruption prevalent it the government departments and a lack of concern shown by the BJP-led state government, now, it was high time that an investigation be carried out otherwise the projects would not be finished in time and the quality of works would suffer badly.

Alleging the misuse by the mela administration, city spokesperson of the samiti Ashish Sharma said the mela officer was unable to control the departments concerned.

Meanwhile, residents of the areas adjoining the mela area but are not in its purview have demanded that developmental works be carried out in their areas as well. They will observe a fast in front of the City Magistrate’s office today.

The representatives of these areas have forwarded a memorandum to Governor Margaret Alva urging her the inclusion of Jwalapur, Shivalik Nagar, Bahadrabad, Roshanabad, Aurangabad, Rawli Mehdood in the Kumbh area so as these areas also get benefited from the Kumbh funds.

“These areas, too, sustain a major load of crowd and traffic during the Maha Kumbh, but these are neglected in the Kumbh funds. So, whatever works get under way in these areas before the Kumbh starts will be in the interest of the residents as well as devotees,” said Rajesh Rastogi, a senior Congress leader.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Subash Kumar inspected various sites and ongoing projects in the city as part of the Kumbh preparations. Subash warned the departments concerned and nodal agencies to speed up their the pace of works. He also took a strong exception to material being lying here. He said emphasis should be on a timely completion of the projects with quality work.

Haridwar, October 11
In a major embarrassment to the Payjal Nigam, the newly made water overhead tanks supply lines got burst as soon as water from these tanks was released.The bursting of pipelines during the time of testing has once again put a question mark on the quality and credibility of works going on in the city under the Maha Kumbh funds.

Under the Maha Kumbh budget, four overhead tanks are being constructed in the city while under the Jawahrlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, eight overhead tanks are being constructed here.

Earlier also, doubts were cast on the quality of construction work, especially after a leak in the overhead tank on the ITI campus.

Initially, water supply from newly built tanks in Haridwar city were tested last evening, but as soon pressure increased the pipelines got burst and there was water everywhere at busiest Ranipur Mod. Brahmapuri, Devpura, Bhalla College, Jwalapur and other parts of the city also reported such instances.

Officers are pointing out that this is due to the joining of older pipelines with the new ones as older pipelines are unable to withstand the pressure of water.

“We were crossing Ranipur Chowk on a scooter when suddenly a water pipe got burst and there was water everywhere. This is quite surprising but the department concerned should pay heed to the quality of work so that such incidents don’t happen again,” said Neha and Shallu, school students.

Dehradun, October 11
Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat today said while central government was in favour of extending Uttarakhand’s special industrial package for three more years but admitted that there were some states, which were opposed to such concessions.

Harish Rawat said, “Union government is very much willing to extend the package for three more years but opposition by certain other states have thwarted the move,” Rawat said without identifying the states.

Minister of State Minister and the Haridwar MP Harish Rawat also squarely blamed the incumbent state BJP government for non-arrival of new industry to Uttarakhand after 2007. “No new industry has come to Uttarakhand since 2007.We need to build confidence among industrialists and provide them right sort of encouragement,” Rawat said.

On employment for locals in the new industries, Rawat said it was not true that locals were being deprived of jobs in the new industries. “But we need to train the local youth to meet technical requirements in these industries,” he pointed out.

Rawat also reminded that it was strange that while state government was identifying Industrial Training Institute as centres of excellence, as many as 500 vacancies of instructors were lying vacant in these vocational training institutes. He said the state had the potential to become technical hand of the country due to its strong education base but added that lot needed to be done on the aspect of technical training.

He also expressed reservations over tendency to look up to the Centre for assistance and asked the state government to work towards creating employment opportunities through its policies and programmes.

On child labour, he said his ministry was already working towards bringing an end to child labour in as many as 271 districts of the country, which included Dehradun. He said his ministry would welcome Uttarakhand government’s initiative towards inclusion of other districts of the state under this programme. 

Dehradun, October 11
The Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriya Nishank today laid the foundation stone of Shradha Ganga Prem Hospice at Gorhi Maphi village in Rishikesh.

The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the hospital would provide necessary care and treatment to the terminally ill cancer patients. “Besides fulfilling the medical needs of cancer patients, the hospital would also fulfill their spiritual needs,” said Dr Nishank.

Dr R K Dewan of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Medical director of Shradha Ganga Prem Hospice said the concept of Hospice for terminally ill patients is relatively new and the hospital would fulfill that need.

“Our aim is to provide care to the terminally ill patients so that their last days are less stressful.

In India such facilities |are nearly absent,” Dr Dewan said.

Nani Maa of Shradha Cancer Trust, Swami Gyananand and member of laegislature assembly |from Rishikesh Prem Chand Agarwal were also present.

Earlier while inspecting the route which led to the hospital, the Chief Minister said the hospital would be provided better connectivity in the coming days to facilitate general public. 

Haridwar, October 11
Though the intention of the state government in establishing an Integrated Industrial Estate (IIE) in Haridwar through the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal (Sidcul) was primarily to provide employment to the unemployed and foster development in the area, several incidents of companies flouting the rules and ill-treatment of workers have come to light.

With no proper checking and monitoring of the working of these factories, there is open violation of working manuals and exploitation of workers.

In 2007, in the ACOMS factory, an employee named Sushil Aswal had a fatal accident while working in night shift. He sustained a severe cut in his lower leg and left hand. Aswal was referred to the Jolly Grant Hospital, where he remained hospitalised for one and a half months. His left thumb and fingers of left leg had to be amputated.

Medically, he was classified as 40 per cent handicapped, but now the company has distanced itself from Aswal. Though he was assured by the company management of bearing all medical expenses, for the past 14 months, his family has not got anything.

“We didn’t file a report in the police station about the accident as the company management assured us of bearing full medical expenses and giving job to any eligible member of Aswal’s family if he didn’t get fully fit,” said a member of Aswal’s family.

Company MD Sandeep Jain said if there was any such problem then that employee should meet the management instead of taking other routes.

The Union of Hotel Restaurant and Commercial Establishment Employees has come in support of Aswal. It took out a march in the city and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on the growing cases of factories exploiting employees.

JP Pandey, head of the commercial wing of the Uttarakhand Kranti Manch, has demanded payment of medical compensation to the affected worker from the company or else they would protest in front of the factory, SIDCUL office and the residence of the CM.

Aswal has not been given any ESI compensation and now at age of 24 he is a physically challenged and unemployed both.

“The vision with which SIDCUL was established has not been fulfilled and instead it’s on a wrong track. It has become a platform to earn money by exploiting workers while the state government is keeping mum over the issue,” stated Shahanawaz Khan of the Uttarakhand Sangharsh Samiti.

“We will soon be meeting Rawat in this regard,” said OP Chauhan, chief of the city unit of the Congress. 

Dehradun, October 11
With the joining of Ajay Joshi, a senior IAS officer, who is expected to become the next Chief Secretary of the state, the government in an administrative reshuffle shifted 11 IAS officers.

Joshi would be the new Principal Secretary of agriculture, horticulture, fishery and animal husbandry.

Amarendra Sinha, who is holding the charge of the Irrigation Department, along with the Sugarcane Department, has been given additional charge of the Small Irrigation Department also.

Similarly, the Housing and Information Departments have been taken away from Shatrughan Singh and given to Principal Secretary Subhash Kumar. Bhupinder Kaur would be new additional secretary (health) while the Cultural Department has been given to Radhika Jha. Vinita Kumar has been given the charge of employment and labour in place of irrigation. 

The other four Arbind Modi a 1981 batch Indian Revenue Service officer and presently joint secretary Tax Policy Legislation wing of the Central Revenue Department, Anital Kapur 1978 batch officer, PS Saxena a 1987 batch officer andSharat Chandra.