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CM exhorts bankers to boost development
Nishank concerned over tiger deaths
Industrial package: Nishank meets PM
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Youth Cong burns govt effigy
DM promises timely supply of LPG cylinders
Collecting rare currency is Anuj’s hobby
Industries assn holds meeting with Guv
Watchman burns to death
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CM exhorts bankers to boost development
Nishank extends Basant Panchami
greetings Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has extended his best wishes and greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Basant Panchami. In a message issued on the occasion, he said Uttarakhand had rich tradition of celebrating all festivals together. The government is committed to making the state an ideal state and hoped to receive cooperation from all people of Uttarakhand. He wished happiness and prosperity to all people of the state on the occasion.
Dehradun, January 19 The Chief Minister was presiding over the 31st meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee organised at a local hotel here today. He said by maintaining a perfect coordination among the banks, the youth and local resources, every target could easily be achieved. He expressed concern over the closure of banks in hilly areas and appealed the bank authorities to actively participate in the developmental activities for the hilly regions. Dr Nishank requested the banks to speed up the process of the disbursement of loans so that desired targets as per in this quarter may be achieved. He said as against the 660-targeted beneficiaries, only 213 applications were disposed of under the Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Self-Employment Scheme, which was going at a very slow pace. He instructed the officers concerned to take this scheme more attentively. The Chief Minister said at present the willingness of big industrialists like Hindujas, Tata, Ambanis along with personalities like Nandan Nilekani and Sam Pitroda to participate in the developmental activities in the state indicated a good and healthy environment for developmental activities existed in Uttarakhand. He expressed discontent over not performing as per the expectations in the field of agriculture and industries and therefore instructed the departments to implement various schemes by having a proper coordination with the banks. The Chief Minister emphasised the need of the corporation of the banks and said if the banks felt any inconvenience, these should inform him immediately. He also expressed concern over the migration of the youth from the hilly regions of the state and said senior bank officials and secretaries of the government should come up with some concrete solution to this age-old problem. The government is considering declaring the support price of herbs with a view to enhancing their production. He asserted on linking tourism to employment and instructed the banks to sanction more and more loans to women of the state also. Chief General Manager of the SBI Sunil Pant said Uttarakhand had immense possibilities of development and it could become a leading state in the field of e-learning and the BPO sector. He further informed the meeting that the credit-deposit ratio of the state had stood at 47.91 per cent in September 2009; and as against a target of Rs 6,041 crore to be disbursed during the financial year 2009-2010, 35.19 per cent loan had been disbursed. The banks had sanctioned Rs 100 crore to 10,827 women in 2009-2010. The progress of the PMRY, Special Component Plan, Swarna Jayanti Urban Employment Scheme and the Swarna Jayanti Rural Employment Scheme were also reviewed at the meeting. |
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Nishank concerned over tiger deaths
Dehradun, January 19 Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a meeting of the State Bankers’ Committee in Dehradun, the Chief Minister said the Corbett park, which was a high tiger density reserve, held much prestige for Uttarakhand and the recent spate of tiger deaths in and around the park was a matter of prompt concern. “We would be putting extra security at at the park in place to check any possible poaching activity in the area,” Dr Nishank said. As many as four tiger deaths have taken place at the park in the past 30 days. Even National Tiger Conservator Authority’s member secretary Rajesh Gopal had rushed to the Corbett park a few days ago to take stock of security arrangements in the backdrop of a series of tiger deaths. |
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Industrial package: Nishank meets PM
Dehradun, January 19 Dr Nishank urged the PM to use his influence towards the extension of package for the state as it would render right direction to the industries being set up in the state. He said Uttarakhand faced the problem of rising unemployment and migration from hills to the plains and, thus, package was very much needed to tackle such challenges. Quoting Chief Minister office sources, the Prime Minister has assured them to give due consideration to Uttarakhand’s demand of extension and hold talks with the Finance Minister at a personal level. The Chief Minister also invited the Prime Minister to the ongoing Maha Kumbh in
Haridwar. Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari also accompanied the delegation. Significantly, the CM had appealed MPs from Uttarakhand for their support on the matter. |
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Ministerial Staff Stir
Dehradun, January 19 The agitated employees are protesting at the Gandhi Park against the state government demanding pay hike of all categories of the workforce in the ministerial bodies. “Due to the strike, work is stopped and loss of about Rs 30 lakh per day is being suffered, but the authorities are the least concerned to solve the problem,” said Bula Koti, district secretary of the association. Koti said at least 35 lakh ministerial employees of all districts of the state were on a simultaneous protests.The federation alleged that the state government had failed to stand by the agreement signed with it on November 9 for implementing increment in the salaries of the ministerial employees. On the ninth day of the strike the Jal Sansathan Ministerial Association Uttarakhand, Jan Jati Kalyan Department, Rajkiya Vahaan Chalak Sangh and others extended supportr to the strike. |
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Religious communities draw a line
Dehradun, January 19 Both communities today held a meeting and resolved the issue in a peaceful manner. They divided their respective religious places by drawing a line. Earlier, members of a community had gathered at the spot in the morning and demanded to bring back the idol taken away last night by the police. Yesterday, members
of a religious community had complained against the other that it was setting up its worship place illegally. The police
with prior orders demolished the structure and took away the idol kept there, alleged members of a community. This hurt the sentiments of the community and in the protest they had blocked National Highway No. 72 and vandalised the vehicles and also burnt
tyres. The police also had to resort to cane charge after the residents didn’t leave the NH-72 that left
about half-a-dozen persons injured. Residents had alleged that the police had demolished the structure as
senior officials of the area were of another religious community. However, Dehradun Senior
Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhinav Kumar said there was no involvement of any particular police officer since the orders were issued by him. He held the people responsible behind last night’s tension. “There was no need to block the national highway. The matter could have also been solved amicably as they did it today. The persons who blocked the road will be booked under relevant sections of law,” added the SSP. |
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Youth Cong burns govt effigy
Dehradun, January 19 While in the days of the Congress government, 15 years of citizenship was the time period to claim a caste certificate, presently in the regime of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the period has been increased to 50 years, causing innumerable problems to SC/ST people. “Earlier, the citizenship period was 15 years, today it has been extended to 50 years depicting the incompetent and indifferent attitude of the BJP government towards the genuine needs of people belonging to these categories,” said Vinod Kumar, speaker, Uttarakhand Pradesh
Yuva Congress. Present members also asserted that 50 years criterion was too long a
period. |
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SP protests rising prices
Dehradun, January 19 Addressing the protesters, state president Vinod Bardhwal alleged that due to the wrong policies of the Central government, the Uttarakhand state was reeling under price hike. Poor people were forced to live a starved existance due to the increasing price of commodities. The Centre was doing nothing to stop price hike. The Prime Minister of the country is only tense, but is doing nothing to tackle the problem, added the state
president. Bardhwal lashing out at the Agriculture Minister said Sharad Panwar should immediately resign from his post. The present government was looting farmers in the fields, while customers were looted in the markets. The Congress government is helpless and whenever this government has taken over the reigns, prices have risen. Chief guest Dr SN Sachaan alleged the Centre had never seriously taken any step to reduce price hike. He further added that whenever the Congress government had taken over the power at the
Centre, the poor had suffered while capitalists had been happy. |
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MC, shopkeepers hold meeting on widening of Chakrata Road
Dehradun, January 19 In a first-ever initiative, the Chakrata Road Vyapar Samiti, an interactive meeting between Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) officials and shopkeepers of the Chakrata Road took place today. The meeting stressed on the need of dialogue for resolving the issue and thus facilitating the widening of the road. Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli said it was a matter of appreciation that shopkeepers had virtually accepted that widening of the road was a necessity and should not be opposed. He said any possible solution to widening could only come through the affected businessmen. Leading the shopkeepers, Shashikant Goyal pointed out that any rehabilitation of the affected shopkeepers should be done with their consent. “We should be a participant to any decision linked to widening of this road,” he added. Doon Udhyog Vyapar Mandal’s Vipin Nagalia said the businessmen always had bitter experiences of such rehabilitation drives. Citing an example, Nagalia said the Dharampur shopkeepers who were shifted for widening of a crossing were yet to regain their lost business. Chief Dehradun Municipal Corporation Executive Officer NS Joshi and industrialist Rakesh Oberai were other prominent participant to
the meeting. |
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DM promises timely supply of LPG cylinders
Nainital, January 19 Bagauli had convened a special meeting today and had an interaction with officials of Indane, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) that runs a large number of LPG outlets and officials of the District Supplies Department. While asking the consumers to maintain calm, he said the administration would ensure that they would get the supply on stipulated time after they go in for booking. He asked those present that misuse of domestic gas cylinders in commercial establishments must be checked. He asked for the maintenance of a record pertaining to commercial establishments to see that they get their cylinders refilled after how many days. This would give an idea whether they were using commercial cylinders or are resorting to some malpractice. Bagauli said legal action would be taken against those who were found using domestic gas cylinders for commercial purposes or those having fake gas connections. He called for verification of consumers who approached for obtaining gas cylinders. The Disrict Supplies Officer was asked to ensure that consumers in urban areas got their supply at home and those in rural areas were supplied gas cylinders as per the roaster. Bagauli said the administration would deal strictly with those involved in black marketing of LPG cylinders. Haldwani had witnessed a major traffic blockade on Monday by agitated consumers, mostly women. They blocked the road for more than an hour on the busy Rampur road. Their grievance was that they were not being supplied with cylinder even after a month of their getting the cylinder booked. |
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Collecting rare currency is Anuj’s hobby
Dehradun, January 19 It started as early as class II student, when Anuj developed a habit of collection of stamps. En-course of pursuing his hobby, he also got into collection of
foreign notes. Initially it was tough, as getting rare bank notes was far tougher than collecting stamps. But then he was not ready to relent and starting from collection of Nizam’s pre-Independence currency notes, he even went for notes with numbers that coincided with important events in
the country. Today, Anuj has currency notes of over 150 different countries with some of the notes very rare and cynosure of all eyes. Every note has a story. It took five days and a hefty amount on the part of Anuj to finally get a 1862 note of $100 from an individual in Paris. He put his entire pocket money into the collection of these notes during his college days and even later he managed funds from his family members and relatives to
keep going. Describing notes as documentation of history, Anuj calls for safeguarding heritage. He admits that the hobby of collection of rare notes was certainly not a common one, but terms it as quite interesting if one takes to it. For the cause of numismatic, Anuj has come up with the Uttaranchal Numismatic Philatelic and Art Society. The society aims at promoting hobby of collection
of notes. Anuj also writes for Numismatic German Magazine. He also boosts varied collection of stamps and autographs of eminent personalities from across the world. |
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Currency exhibition inaugurated
Dehradun, January 19 Kapoor appreciated the collector of currency, Anuj Saxena, for his initiative in coming up this unique and big collection of currencies from across the world and described it the best documentation of history. Kapoor, who spent a considerable amount of time here, took a keen interest in getting the details of a note of denomination Rs 2.50 and also felt impressed after viewing Nizam’s Rs 100 notes. He said the 16th century’s notes, British India bank notes, pre-Independence bank notes, 24 kg gold bank notes, 100 trillion dollar bank notes and Tibet Bank notes were some of the rare display put up at the exhibition. Uttaranchal Grameen Bank Chairman Threesh Kapoor was also present on the occasion. The exhibition will continue till February 5 and is open for visitors from 10 am
to 5 pm. |
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PWD drivers hold protest
Dehradun, January 19 The drivers of the PWD are on the warpath in support of their demands. Along with demands for promotion, speedy implementation of previous year’s plans, the members demanded benefits under the Sixth Pay Commission. However, they also said in case of no action they might resort to a
massive protest. |
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Industries assn holds meeting with Guv
Dehradun, January 19 Along with the demand for a single-window clearance system, they asked Alva to organise meetings of Udyog Mitr at the district and state levels. Association president Pankaj Gupta, vice-president Anil Goyal, secretary Manoj Goyal and other prominent members of the association were present at the meeting. |
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Watchman burns to death
Nainital, January 19 According to the information available, 53-year-old Lalit Kumar had switched on the room heater in the inquiry room of the bus station on Sunday night. It is being assumed that he must have fallen on the heater following a fit of epilepsy and was unable to get up. The charred body was found by an employee of the Uttarakhand Roadways on Monday morning. Lalit Kumar had been working as a watchman since 1989. |
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