The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Cops gear up to check fake currency circulation
Roorkee, October 19
Apart from maintaining law and order during the coming Maha Kumbh, another challenge for the police will be to check the circulation of counterfeit currency. A large amount of fake currency is expected to be circulated by anti-social elements during the mega fair in Haridwar next year.

Bhai Dooj celebrated with fervour in Doon
Dehradun, October 19
Bhai Dooj festival, which comes two days after Diwali, was celebrated with gaiety and fervour in the state capital. Marking the end of the Diwali celebrations, Bhai Dooj tilak is a symbol of auspiciousness. Since early morning dressed up for the day, sisters and brothers get together amid family and friends. A sister applies tilak on the forehead of her brother on the festival of Bhai Dooj in Dehradun

A sister applies tilak on the forehead of her brother on the festival of Bhai Dooj in Dehradun on Monday. Tribune photo: Anil P Rawat

Forest rest houses to boost eco-tourism in U’khand
Dehradun, October 19
Stepping up its efforts to promote eco-tourism in the state, the Uttarakhand Forest Department has gone for the marketing of its eco-tourism destinations, including forest rest houses in the state.

90 per cent of ATMs in Doon non-functional
Frenzied withdrawals of cash for the past two days has resulted in the collapse of ATMs all across the city
Dehradun, October 19
Frenzied withdrawals of cash for the past two days has resulted in the collapse of ATMs all across the city. So much so, on the last day of the Diwali festivities today, 90 per cent of the ATMs in the city were non-functional. There are more than 150 ATMs in the city catering to the needs of students, professionals businessmen and others.
Empty ATMS of Dehradun due to three days of holidays in the banks. A Tribune photograph

Central Himalayan shrines of Gangotri closed for winter
Dehradun, October 19
Central Himalayan shrines of Gangotri have closed for winter amidst Vedic mantras. Gangotri is the first shrine out of the four Char Dham shrines to be closed for the winter. The doli of Goddess Ganga was taken from the Gangotri temple for Mukhoba village, where she will stay for the entire winter.

The Yamunotri temple in Uttarkashi district The Kedarnath temple in Rudraprayag district

The Yamunotri temple in Uttarkashi district The Kedarnath temple in Rudraprayag district. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Priests perform Goverdhan Puja in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photo: Anil P Rawat

Data centre on forest research gets final touches
Dehradun, October 19
After much of operational hurdles, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education’s (ICFRE) data centre is almost ready for inauguration.

Puff ban at public places goes up in smoke
Roorkee, October 19
Over a year on, the puff ban at public places goes up in smoke at the Education Hub of the region and its surrounding areas as well.

BJP for 6-day week at secretariat
Dehradun, October 19
A five-day week at the secretariat does not seem to be working well. The incumbent BJP government wants to restore the earlier six-day week arrangements.

Nepali community’s colourful teeka
Dehradun, October 19
The Nepali community in its own distinctive style celebrated Bhai Dooj today. However, as compared to Diwali, for people of Nepal, Dussehra and Bhai Dooj hold a special meaning.

	CM keeps balance in allocation of positions SMA Kazmi Tribune News Service Dehradun, October 19 In giving away positions of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of various boards and corporations, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has not only tried to consolidate his own political position, but has also aimed at the next assembly elections scheduled to be held in early 2012. Nishank by introducing the posts of Parliamentary Secretaries in the state for the first time and by making seven of the ruling BJP legislators as Parliamentary Secretaries has tried to win them over. It was the party legislators who had raised a banner of revolt against former Chief Minister BC Khanduri who had resisted their attempts to get coveted positions in the state government. Khanduri had argued that the party had given him direction that legislators who got party tickets would not be considered for any position. However, he did give away positions to more than 40 senior party leaders. Khanduri faced the wrath of the party legislators who twice went to the party high command complaining about his style of functioning. Finally, the election rout in the Lok Sabha election in May 2009 by the BJP gave enough fuel to Khanduri detractors to remove him. But since Nishank took over the reins of the state, he has been making deft moves to take both legislators as well as senior party leaders along with him. In giving away 25 positions, he kept the regional as well as caste equations in mind. With an eye on the next assembly polls, the Chief Minister tried to give representations to different communities in all the regions of the state. He has given representation to the Bengali community with an eye on Bengali votes in Terai of Kumoan he gave a position to Vijay Mandal while he gave nine positions to leaders from the Kumoan region. To attract Punjabi voters, he chose Balraj Pasi, a former party MP and Pankaj Sehgal. Similarly, he also gave a position to Shayamveer Saini, since the Saini community in Haridwar district was unhappy with the BJP for not giving them their due. In order to strengthen the party, he also gave representation to Raghunath Singh Chauhan and Krishan Chander Punetha, both former legislators. He also gave positions to three general secretaries of the Uttarakhand state BJP unit. Nishank who sprang a surprise by winning over a large number of Muslim voters in the Vikasnagar Assembly by-elections, continued to make bridges by appointing a muslim, Mazahr Ali Naqvi as chairman of the state Minority Commission.
	Maha Kumbh: Work on Haridwar roads begins on war footing Tribune News Service Haridwar, October 19 Soon locals and tourists coming to Haridwar will have an easy ride in the inner city roads as soon these get a hot-mix. Consequently, a rough patchy ride will be a thing of the past. The Muncipal Committee (MC), Haridwar, has been sanctioned a grant from the Kumbh Mela fund for this purpose and work will be carried out in more than two dozen roads. The Municipal Committee will be carrying out the work which amounts to approximately Rs 2.5 crore. Under this budget, 25 roads are being hot-mixed and work will be completed before the deadline. MC officials inform that the road work will span 17 km. Notably Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on his visit to Haridwar last month was quite upset and baffled at the state of roads in the city. Locals too had gheraoed his cavalcade and apprised him of the bad condition of roads, specially with digging of roads every now and then by Kumbh working agencies. Now residents are heaving a sigh of relief as work on hot-mixing of roads in the city is being done on a war-like situation and engineers are assuring that by October 31 the city roads will don a smooth and new look.
	Cops gear up to check fake currency circulation Akash Ghai Tribune News Service Roorkee, October 19 Apart from maintaining law and order during the coming Maha Kumbh, another challenge for the police will be to check the circulation of counterfeit currency. A large amount of fake currency is expected to be circulated by anti-social elements during the mega fair in Haridwar next year. Senior police officers here admitted that the activities of gangs running fake currency rackets would increase manifold when over 50 million pilgrims would gather here for the Kumbh mela. “Such a big gathering for over three months will definitely attract illegal elements,” feels SP (Rural) Ajay Joshi. Talking to The Tribune on the issue, he asserted that the police wings had been alerted and arrests of criminals circulating fake currency were the result of the efficiency of the police. Our initiatives in this direction would certainly discourage the miscreants in future, said the SP. Earlier, Pakistan’s ISI agents were said to be responsible for pushing fake currency into India through various channels in Nepal and Bangladesh. Now, it has come to light that many local gangs are also involved in this illegal business, thus increasing the worries of the police. The arrest of three local persons, Amir Khan (Manglore), Gurwant Singh (Khanpur) and Junaid (Dhandera), with fake notes (Rs 20,000) on Tuesday corroborates the fact. During interrogation, they confessed that they bought the fake currency from a resident of Khanpur to circulate in the market. They also told the police that the notes were printed at Nazibabad near here. Last year, the Delhi police had arrested many persons from Manglore on the charge of involvement in circulating fake currency. In fact, rural areas, including Dhandera, Khanpur, Kaliyar, Jhabrera and Narsan villages, have become main activity fields of these miscreants. “The involvement of local people in the fake currency circulation is certainly a matter of concern,” said Joshi, adding that being local persons, they could easily evade suspicion of the police. But, one thing which goes against the locally printed notes is that they are of very poor quality and one can easily make out that these are fake, added Joshi. On being asked how the police would tackle the menace in Kumbh, he answered the strengthening of the internal network of the police would work to check the menace. “And we are making efforts in that direction before the Kumbh,” said Joshi. In 2005, the police had busted two such gangs apart from arresting three persons in two cases from Roorkee. In 2002, a foreigner was nabbed by the local police with counterfeit currency.
	Bhai Dooj celebrated with fervour in Doon Divya Semwal Tribune News Service Dehradun, October 19 Bhai Dooj festival, which comes two days after Diwali, was celebrated with gaiety and fervour in the state capital. Marking the end of the Diwali celebrations, Bhai Dooj tilak is a symbol of auspiciousness. Since early morning dressed up for the day, sisters and brothers get together amid family and friends. The ritual on Bhai Dooj is that the sisters put teeka on brothers’ forehead. The teeka is the sacred mark for the Hindus, and the basic idea of applying it by the sister is to pray for the protection of the brother from the evil effects existing in the world. A puja thali is prepared before the start of the ritual. Using sandal wood paste, red vermilion or a roli, the teeka is put with a few grains of rice added in it. If the sister is elder, then the brother touches her feet and she blesses him with rice grains and ‘dubya’ (green grass). Sweets are served to the brother and then the whole family engages into singing songs, playing games, etc. On the other hand, if the sister is younger, the brother blesses her and showers her with gifts. “My sister is younger to me. So I gave her packs of chocolates and cookies on this occasion. In return she applied teeka and offered me sweets,” said Kartik, a student. However, as this festival marks the end to the five-day-long festivities, which starts from Danteras, people in a large number throng market to purchase variety of gift items for their loved one’s. From jewellery to watches and sweets, for a fun-filled shopping extravaganza, the markets of Doon were beautifully decked up. Apart from dry fruit packs and sweets, this season there were a variety of gift packs available in the market. “For Bhai Dooj, I purchased Haldiram’s ladoo, as the packing is attractive and is economical as compared to the increasing prices of sweets in the market,” said Neelima, a resident. Interestingly, with the passage of time as new gift items are attracting buyers. Bhai Dooj festival has no doubt been changing its form. Over the years, the usage of e-mails, e-greetings, mobile phones, chocolates and beverage hampers are becoming popular and particularly benefiting those who are staying in far-off lands. But the basic significance of Bhai Dooj and the feeling and emotion behind celebrating this wonderful festival is still the same revealing and rejuvenating the eternal love of brother and sister.
	Forest rest houses to boost eco-tourism in U’khand Jotirmay Thapliyal Tribune News Service Dehradun, October 19 Stepping up its efforts to promote eco-tourism in the state, the Uttarakhand Forest Department has gone for the marketing of its eco-tourism destinations, including forest rest houses in the state. According to state forest headquarters sources, the department has invited expressions of interests from interested parties and organisations, who will be working for marketing of the forest department eco-tourism destination, including lesser-known forest rest houses. The Forest Department has over 2,000 rest houses with some among them at most idyllic located. Being amidst the lap of nature, some among these rest houses are a century old and fall under heritage category. However, unfortunately lack of marketing of these rest houses has been a stumbling block and many among them even go empty during peak tourists’ season. The forest authorities have even undertaken a renovation exercise in these rest houses. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Dr RBS Rawat has been laying stress on the promotion of forest rest houses as part of eco-tourism promotion efforts. The PCCF in the recently held wildlife week programme has even asked his fellow officers to work towards stay in the forest rest houses as part of vocations. Forest-predominant Uttarakhand has some of the best rest houses that are best to closely observe the bounty of nature by way of animal and bird watching. Kilbury, Vinayak, Khunjakharak, Soni, Edadeo in the Kumaon region and Rampurmandi, Chakrata, Kanasar, Dhanolti, Khirsu, Agora, Dodital and Virahi in the Garhwal region are some of excellent eco-tourism destinations with the Forest Department can exploit to its fullest potential. The forest authorities have also been assisting nature-based voluntary organisations towards promotion of activities like bird watching and adventure sports. “For those seeking quiet vacations, nothing could be better than forest rest houses,” said Dr HS Ghelot, a naturalist. These rest houses are certainly most sought after places for those seeking a solace from hectic phase of life in the cities. “But then the people in metro cities need to know that there are such rest houses in the state that provide such proximity to nature and provide best of amenities,” he added.
	90 per cent of ATMs in Doon non-functional Frenzied withdrawals of cash for the past two days has resulted in the collapse of ATMs all across the city Tribune News Service Dehradun, October 19 Frenzied withdrawals of cash for the past two days has resulted in the collapse of ATMs all across the city. So much so, on the last day of the Diwali festivities today, 90 per cent of the ATMs in the city were non-functional. There are more than 150 ATMs in the city catering to the needs of students, professionals businessmen and others. However, increasing incidents of over-use of the facility during festivals is posing problems for the ATMs that usually encounter breakdowns. “The ATMs have a set limit of load and if incidents of withdrawals exceed beyond the ceiling point, the system is going to collapse,” said SK Goyal, DGM, Punjab National Bank (PNB). He stressed that tomorrow things would become normal. It is believed that whenever demand is more than the supply, any system is bound to encounter problems, so much for the viability of ATMS, customers happen to use them several times a day that too is creating problem. “Over-use of ATMs too is proving to be it’s undoing. People undertake more than three transactions in a single day, that invariably leads to misuse. This practice can be curbed, if a certain amount i charged for transactions. The guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are already there and we hope to get a hold on things,” said YK Lumbha, Assistant General Manager, State Bank of India. However, officials of some other banks denied problems with their ATMs. “Scores of customers have withdrawn amounts from the PNB ATM at Paltan Bazar in the past few days amply shows that workings at PNB ATMs are normal,” Sharma pointed out while admitting that power cuts or BSNL disturbances could at times be a minor irritant in the workings of ATMs. He also categorically disclosed that as the RBI’s National Switch in Hyderabad controlled the ATMs across the country, there was no question of ATM problem cropping up in Dehradun.

Data centre on forest research gets final touches
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 19
After much of operational hurdles, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education’s (ICFRE) data centre is almost ready for inauguration.

The first such centre in Uttarakhand, it will provide comprehensive information about ongoing research activities for the sake of affiliated government organisations and private stakeholders and foremost assist in sharing of data with its 11 sister organisations across the country.

Officials of the ICFRE are giving final touches to the data centre project and are expecting the Union Forest and Environment Minister to do the inauguration at the earliest.

Project manager, e-governance and head, IT, at ICFRE Harish Sharma has been the main contributor towards the making of the data centre, the works for which started in 2006.

It, of course, has come up after many hurdles. The data centre was supposed to be inaugurated early September. But, it was delayed for at least one month as the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) failed to come up with its share of support in time.

“Additional power is needed for operating the data centre that has to come from the UPCL, but that was delayed. However, the UPCL has now agreed to provide power and the formal inauguration of the centre is possible after October-end,” said Sharma.

The ICFRE’s IT division has successfully completed its tasks like creating the Internet connectivity among 12 sister agencies across the country.

For the time being, the centre will be accessible only to ICFRE’s sister agencies, affiliated government organisations and stake holders that are pre-decided.

But, the ICFRE officials are not ruling out its usage for others in interest of forestry.

After commissioning, the centre, with its centralised server, will help the ICFRE to overcome one of its major problems in the IT infrastructure management at all 12 locations.

Apart from this, it will also help in preventing disaster and ensuring a fast recovery of data. It will also minimise overall cost cutting in IT management and deployment.

With the completion of the centre, ICFRE has entered into its third phase of e-governance.

Puff ban at public places goes up in smoke
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Roorkee, October 19
Over a year on, the puff ban at public places goes up in smoke at the Education Hub of the region and its surrounding areas as well.

People can be seen enjoying puffing anywhere in markets, shops, parks and even in the modes of public transport, including buses and trains, with impunity.

The inefficiency of law-enforcing agencies in controlling the hazard can be seen with the fact that not even a single challan has not been issued so far in to any violator here in this connection.

Requesting anonymity, one senior police officer admitted that the authorities do not seem to be taking the ban with seriousness.

“Nobody has been penalised so far under the Anti-smoking Act here,” confirmed the officer.

Apart from the police, the other agencies, which have been empowered by the legislation to slap the fine on the violators, too seem least bothered about the implementation of the ban.

Instead they pass bucks on the state government, saying that such agencies are yet to receive the proper directives and guidelines from the government in this regard and the relevant material like challan book etc as well.

The nationwide ban on smoking at public places came into effect on October 2, 2008, under The Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, which is also known asAnti-Smoking Act.

The Act has provisions of slapping a fine of Rs 200 to the violator by law-enforcing agencies.

“If the police and other agencies act seriously in this matter, they can generate a good revenue for the state with the challans, besides taking care of the health of the public,” said Dr Parveen Kumar, an IIT professor.

The Chief Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital (Roorkee), Dr RP Badoni said all agencies should be provided with proper paraphernalia as well as the guidelines so that effective implementation of the law should be taken place.