Haridwar, December 26
Though more than 24 departments and nodal agencies are carrying out Maha Kumbh-related works, yet being the municipal committee of the city, the Haridwar municipal committee should have been the front-runner in carrying out developmental works.

But due to the lackadaisical working of the palika and the political turmoil going on in the committee since it came into existence one-and-a-half year back, the committee hasn’t been able to gain the faith of the mela administration.

While the budget of the Maha Kumbh is in excess of Rs 400 crore and has been distributed among all agencies involved, there have been instances when the palika’s proposed budget have been trimmed by the government.

The municipality is carrying out 34 projects and works from the Kumbh funds and till date, has completed only six of these, while just a week is left for the commencement of the century’s first mega fair.

For these works, the total amount allotted is Rs 19.32 crore which is quite less when compared to the amount allotted to Uttar Pradesh’s Rajya Setu Nigam which is Rs 25.09 crore for Kumbh works.

It seems that the local municipality seems to be having less work and funds than an agency outside the state.

Most of the works being carried out by the municipality are related to the laying of roads and installing streetlights. The municipality had sought Rs 4 crore for streetlights from the administration but only Rs 50 lakh have been granted. This has more to do with the municipality’s working and its internal crisis.

The municipality had earlier submitted a proposal worth Rs 6.8 crore for the lights, but reduced it to Rs 4 crore. After seeing the administration’s mood, it has again cut it to Rs 1.83 crore, so that it gets a little bit more from the Kumbh funds.

This huge cut has put the municipality in trouble as it feels that with such a low budget, carrying out lighting work on city roads would not be possible.

Executive engineer B Arya accepted that such a low budget was surprising considering the amount of work. The municipality is now considering sending a renewed increased budget proposal to the government.

The municipality’s working can be gauged from the fact that 20 months after its coming into existence, its board meeting has been cancelled six times.

According to its rules, a palika meeting should be held every three months, but it has just been held twice in this period. Hence, all major projects in the city have suffered. And, the Maha Kumbh is no exception.

Chairman Kamal Johra said that the municipality was carrying out all permanent nature works that only five agencies are doing. He said that the quality of works is being adhered to as top priority.

Many councillors have lashed out at the mela administration for keeping them at a distance and for having an indifferent attitude towards the municipality.

They pointed out that despite them being the local representative and knowing the area better, neither their suggestions were taken nor were they involved at any stage of the Kumbh meetings.

Leader of Opposition Sanjay Sharma said that this was the reason that had prompted them to protest against the mela administration.

Haridwar, December 26
With a few days left for the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the authorities specially designated for Kumbh works are working round the clock to prepare for the mega event.

Anand Vardhan, specially designated officer for the mela, termed the event as a global event. He informed The Tribune that all works and projects related to Maha Kumbh were on the right track and would be completed on time.

“Most permanent works are nearing completion and the rest of the projects will be completed on time. All nodal agencies are working round the clock to ensure works get done on schedule. We will provide the best of facilities to pilgrims and visitors,” said Vardhan.

Pointing out that apart from the Kumbh-allotted budget, various works were being carried out under other schemes like the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission.

“All agencies have improved the coordination between themselves and everyone is serious about Kumbh works. We need help from all quarters and sections of society as Kumbh is a global fair. So it is not only about individuals or any specific organisation,” opined Vardhan who was earlier holding the DM’s post.

On the reports submitted by the Sri Ram Institute and other organisations about the inferior quality of works being done by some agencies, Vardhan admitted that there were some works which were not up to the standard.

He added that precautionary measures were being taken and that he had taken strict cognisance of those works.

Talking about the laying and re-carpeting of roads being done in the city, he said that with temperature dipping at night, the road work at night has been stopped. The low temperature led to bad quality of roads as the material doesn’t attain the minimum temperature to stick to the surface.

With Haridwar parliamentarian Harish Rawat commenting that the mela administration has been for long ignoring his suggestions and on the issue of Congress workers demolishing plaques of Kumbh works not bearing the name of the MP, Vardhan avoided comment.

He said the mela administration needed the support of everyone and had been doing so since he took charge.

A mela committee is in place and it invites suggestions and support from people’s representatives, social activists, social organisations, the Ganga Sabha, experts, saints, media and from everyone who wants to help in the successful hosting of the mega fair.

Dehradun, December 26
MBA students of entrepreneurship, first semester of Graphic Era University, had an interactive session with SC Nautiyal, Additional Director of Industries, Uttarakhand, here today.

Nautiyal gave them an overview of the present global business environment and the changes that have taken place in the Indian business environment. He gave an outlook to the students about the current industrial policies and business environment in the state. During the session he threw light on how the industrial policies had resulted in the dynamic growth of the industry in the state. This development has thrown up a large number of business opportunities while opening several avenues for those who want to start business in Uttarakhand.

He told the students that he would arrange more interactive sessions with them and bring in different experts to give them talks on topics for imparting them with assistance in developing their business plans. He laid more emphasis on the need of young educated MBA qualified entrepreneurs like them to take up the challenge and start their ventures by use of their creative, innovative and marketing skills.

Nautiyal also enriched the students with his success mantra of “discipline, devotion and honesty” and assured them of full support from his end. He encouraged students for their active participation in representing the Indian business worldwide.

Dehradun, December 26
It will be a title clash between YMCA and ACA team at the Beehive Challengers Trophy 13th T20 Inter District Cricket Tournament here tomorrow.

In the second semifinal played today ACA team defeated Aryan Club by a huge margin of 152 runs. Batting first ACA team piled a mammoth total of 213 runs in allotted 20 overs.

Vipin was the highest scorer for the team. He smashed 74 runs in 51 balls hitting 10 fours and two sixes in his innings.

Paritosh supported him well from other end and scored 48 runs in 42 balls. Middle order batsman Ravi Bisht and Ashish also played a useful knock of 22 and 24 runs respectively. For Aryan Club team Karan, Varun and Dabbu took one wicket each.

Chasing the victory target of 214 runs, Aryan Club team was all out for 61 runs. Both the openers Tony and Brinder returned to the pavilion for duck. Mukesh was the highest scorer for the team with 13 runs. For ACA team, Sunny was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, whereas Ravi and Prayanshu took two wickets each. 

Dehradun, December 26
The Cantt Blues team scored a 1-0 victory over the Bajrang Club at the Khadag Bahadur Memorial Football Tournament here today.

Young Cantt Blues side played aggressive football right from the beginning. Lack of experience did affect their performance, as they could not score more than one goal despite having the potential and receiving the scoring opportunity.

In the first half, Cantt Blues players missed out the scoring opportunities on three occasions. The team created a sharp move from the right after receiving a pass from the center in the 12th minute. But the Cantt Blues team forward failed to take advantage of move.

They came back in the 29th minute of the match to score their first goal. It was Suraj for the team who scored for his side.

Thereafter, all good moves by the team were wasted by its forwards. On the other hand the Bajrang Club was on the defensive right from the start and launched fewer moves at Cantt Blues defence.

The second half was no different as both teams failed to score any goal and the match ended with the scoreboard showing 1-0.

Meanwhile, in the second match, the Gorkha Rifle team beat New Gypsy by solitary goal. The Gorkha Rifle team could not play as was expected of it and find it hard to penetrate the defence of the Gorkha Rifle team.

Anil Cheteri was the only scorer for the team. He scored for his team in the 18th minute of the match after dodging the defenders making it 1-0 in its team’s favour.

In the second half, none of the team managed to score a goal and it was an easy victory for the Gorkha Rifle team. 

Dehradun, December 26
The Kiwi Academy, Kashipur, defeated the Garhwal Sports team by 40 runs at the Uttarakhand Friendship Trophy here today.

Batting first, Kiwi Academy batsmen attacked the Garhwal Sports team right from the beginning and scored runs comfortably.

Opener Devendra scored 27 runs in 46 balls, whereas another opener Vinod could only managed to score eight runs.

First down batsman Jogiendra played useful innings of 52 runs. Middle order batsman Rohit scored 35 runs in 23 balls. The team scored 173 runs in 35 overs.

For Garhwal Sports team Abhimanyu and Vijay shared seven wickets. Abhimanyu took four wickets in his seven over spell, whereas Vijay took three wickets.

In reply, the Garhwal Sporting team was all out for 133 runs in 27.1 overs.

Batting first openers Abhimanyu and Pranjal failed to give the kind of start Garhwal Sports team expected. Abhimanyu was out for a duck and Pranjal was out for five runs.

It was the lower order batsman Sherrky, who scored 49 runs in 35 balls and Tamta supported him well on the other end to score 25 runs.

For Garhwal Sports team, Imadad was the lead wicket taker with three wickets and Rohit took two wickets. 

Dehradun, December 26
The OFD registered a 191-run victory over OTCC team at the 58th District Cricket League underway at Col Bronze School here today.

Batting first, OFD Rajpur team 224 runs in 35 overs. Opener Alok and Deepak contributed 77 runs. Alok scored 30 runs whereas another opener Deepak scored 57 runs. After a fine start it was middle order batsman Vipin who contributed to the team and made 82 runs off 52 balls, he smashed nine fours and five sixes in his innings, whereas Ravinder scored 28 runs and Chirag scored 25 runs. For OTCC team Atul, Ajit, Abhishek and Sharad took one wicket each.

Chasing the victory target of 225 runs, OTCC team was bundled out for 88 runs. Chirag was the pick of the bowlers for OFD team claiming five wickets in his seven overs spell. Sanjeev and Vipin took two wickets each. It was a poor batting display by OTCC team Vijay and Shobhit was the highest scorer for the OTCC team with 19 runs each. Atul made 12 runs. 

Haridwar, December 26
On the third day of the 78th All-India Swami Shraddhanand Hockey Tournament pre-quarter final and quarter final matches were played.

In the first pre-quarter final, Core of Signals defeated Naintial team by a margin of 4-1. For winners, Arun Kumar, Jagdev Singh, Sikander Singh and RR Yadav scored while consolidator goal was scored by Ritesh for Nainital team.

In the second pre-quarter final match host Gurukul Kangri Unviersity team lived up to its reputation and knocked out DHA Yamuna Nagar with 4-0. Rajendra Kumar scored a hat-trick in this match which is the first of the tournament. For this he got a cash prize too from organising committee.

DHA Itawa cruised through the pre-quarter stage with a solitary goal margin over Sikandrabad team the lone being a field goal scored from stick of Sanjay Kumar.

The quarter final stage started in the afternoon and saw Utttarakhand Police and FCI Delhi locking horns in a tough match. FCI took a lead in 10th minute when Amit scored through a penalty corner.

This was levelled by Surendra Singh in 52nd minute when he scored a clean goal.

But soon this equaliser again hanged in favour of FCI when Amit Kumar strike again and this 2-1 lead remained right through the full 70 minutes.

Tomorrow three quarter finals will be staged between COS- Sikandarabad, Town Hall Club Shahjahanpur- Gurukul Kangri University and BEG-PNB.

Todays match officials were Avinash Shrivastava, Gyanendra, Bajrang Kumar, Pankaj Tyagi, Virendra Singh, Joga Singh, Kumer Singh and Rohit Chauhan.

Dehradun, December 26
Avdhesh won gold at the second National All Style Martial Art Championship organized by the Lion's Force Brigade World Martial Arts Association today.

Result:

In Kick Boxing: Gold winners at the competition were Avdhesh, Vishwakarma, Pradeep, Rambharity. Silver were won by Fizor Khan, Sanwar and Raju. Bronze went to Firoz Khan and Sanwar Raju.

In Tae-kwon-do: Ravi Raju, Prince, Anishal won gold. Silver winners were Anuj, Antul and Ali. In girls P.Dhani, Komal Gupta and Soni won gold, whereas Ravi Raj, Kavita and Suraj Neha won silver.

In Katha: Chandrika, Bharat, Ariti and Sharad won gold and Gagandeep, Pankaj Kumar won silver.