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DMC to discuss house tax with residents
Dhanolty constituency faces neglect: Cong
Probe ordered into leopard incursion at IMA
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No Sunday market at Paltan Bazar; police removes encroachment
Regularise pay scales, demand engrs
Yoga essence of medical therapy, say experts
23-year-old kidnapped
Inflation: CPM to hold protest in Delhi
Two killed in road mishap
Liquor shops to be closed till 4 pm on Holi
Housing scheme for BPL families gets nod
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DMC to discuss house tax with residents
Dehradun, February 22 Mayor Vinod Chamoli said these mind-boggling sessions could be stretched for days together even if one day was given to two wards. It was after the conclusion of these sessions, the DMC would prepare final set of house tax provisions. He signalled that there could be reduction in the suggested house tax norms, issued in public notice on February 19, if public desired so. Chamoli said the criterion of rates of house taxes varied according to location. Even in that it fell into subsequent categories, such as whether the house was on the main road, side lane or by lane, and the cost differed accordingly. After that the condition of the house was another aspect. The lavishly made houses were lashed at heavily than the moderate or poorly constructed ones. The vacant plots had also been pulled into the loops, as the Mayor said, “No proper record has been maintained of the vacant lying plots. Such spots easily become the garbage dumping ground for neighbours, and the corporation is pressed into cleaning these time to time. To get rid of this persisting nuisance, the DMC has made it compulsory for plot owners to get their registrations done and pay taxes on these plots in order to maintain them”. His other target would be to make 123 slum colonies accountable by making them to pay house taxes as well which would further be categorised into kuchcha and pucca houses. “These slum colonies are getting all kinds of amenities, such as water and electricity from the DMC despite being unauthorised. They are also being supported under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) Scheme. Henceforth, they must be made liable to pay house taxes as well,” he said. Chamoli considered the revaluation of house taxes a big step in revamping the financial condition of the DMC. He said for the past 10 years, there was no provision of levying house taxes. Whatever the self assessment was done, it was based on the carpet area. Only 56,000 were made to pay house taxes out of total one lakh, which led to a major loss of Rs 45 crore in all these years. The rental rate, which they were paying, was not revised since 1999, not in 2004, when the DMC came into being. Meanwhile, the city developed exponentially with sporadic growth of houses all over. It was around nine months ago, in a board meeting, the decision was taken. The Mayor is confident of getting a straight jump of Rs 5 crore in the existing revenue of Rs 3 crore with the implementation of new rates of the house taxes. Almost 70 per cent houses located besides 12-m-wide road will have to shell out Re 1 to Rs 2 per sq feet, 10 per cent of those located besides more than 24-m-wide road will pay Rs 2 to Rs 3 per sq ft and rest 20 per cent of those housing on the road measuring between 12-24-m road will give Re 1.5 to Rs 2.5 per sq ft as house tax as per freshly declared taxes. The width of the roads is directly proportional to the value of the property built around it. But all these rates might go under change after the DMC finishes the exercise of hearing sessions with the public. Till then, the ones who have recently been included in the house taxpayers’ list can hold their breath. |
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Dhanolty constituency faces neglect: Cong
Elaborating further, he said since the announcement of the Dhanolty constituency as general category Khajan Das had lost interest in it as he had won it when it was a reserve seat in last election and his chances of fighting from the same seat were bare minimum. Mall further said government had announced Rs 500 crore for the maintenance of micro-irrigation canals but after touring the constituency he was surprised to find that the farmers were living in deplorable condition due to the non-existent or substandard canals construction. He also said it was evident after seeing the canals how the money allocated for the maintenance of these canals has been siphoned in connivance with the corrupt officials. The Nishank-led BJP government on the one hand was bragging about achievements, but on the other hand farmers of Dhanolty were suffering due to absence of water in their canals, which had created drought-like situation in their fields. Mall further alleged that after the announcement of MLA seat into general one Khajan Das has turned a blind eye towards the people of constituency and instead of listening to their woes was busy devoting his most of the time in the capital, Dehradun. It seemed that with these allegations the trumpet for next election or mission-2012 had been sounded and many more players were likely to enter in the foray. |
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Probe ordered into leopard incursion at IMA
Dehradun, February 22 A leopard was grievously hurt on February 20, when it got entangled in one of the metal structures on the IMA campus, which was supposedly put up for training purposes. The leopard could only be saved by the forest authorities, who have now ordered an inquiry into the incident. “An inquiry has been set up and only after that some responsibility can be fixed for February 20 leopard incident,” said Meenakshi Joshi, Dehradun Division Forest Officer. She, however, added that the department had taken cognisance of the offence. On the other hand, the IMA authorities today stepped up their offensive against the Forest Department alleging that leopard attacks on the IMA campus had increased sharply in recent times and safety of cadets stood as prime importance for the academy. Referring to the last leopard incursion, IMA PRO Major Amit Dagar claimed that the leopard had entered the courtyard of the official residence of Commandant, IMA, Lt Gen RS Sujlana. Citing some more instances, Major Dagar said just two days earlier, a bulldozer driver who was clearing undergrowth in the training area had a narrow escape when a leopard attacked him while he was working. Last week one pet dog was killed by the wild cat in broad day light near a children’s park and this had caused considerable fear psychosis among small children. The leopard had also been spotted on the cross-country route where gentleman cadets practised running in the vicinity of the Tons river. The February 20 incident of a leopard getting stuck in a metal structure inside IMA had raised eyebrows among many. There were apprehensions that usage of metal snares by the academy authorities to safeguard themselves from wild animal attacks was not being ruled out. These apprehensions were further backed by the fact that the IMA authorities ensured that no mediaperson could be witness to the rescue operation carried out by the forest authorities to save the leopard. The leopard episode also comes at a time, when IMA had some time back has asked Dehradun Forest Authorities to shoot down wild boars in the campus. The Forest Authorities had turned down the request asserting that gunning down of wild boars could only be carried out under their strict supervision and the IMA had no reason to go on its own on the matter. |
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State police gets 10 two-wheeler mobile fire tenders
Dehradun, February 22 The DGP also announced that the state police had got 47 more platoon commanders, who had been promoted from the Head Constable post of the Police Armed Constabulary. The DGP told mediapersons that the mobile fire tenders would remain in Haridwar till the completion of the Kumbh mela and later on would be deployed in different districts to curb any fire incident instantly. These two-wheeler bullets are ideal for Himalayan states like Uttarakhand. These can reach the spot faster than firewater tenders and are efficient in narrow lanes, minor fires and confined places, where fire tenders cannot reach. These fire tenders will have backpack set on the back of the fire police personnel. This is based on the new technology and has water mist fire-fighting system in it to douse the flames. It has 9 litre water and 500 ML mechanical form, besides a 200 bar air compressor cylinder. It has a capacity to douse the fire in 26 seconds. “We have now 58 fire water tenders and two more in the offing. More fire stations will be made in the state and for that some vacancies will be opened soon,” said the
DGP. |
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Young managers get tips
Haridwar, February 22 President of the HMA Nirmal Khandelwal asked young managers to dream for every sixth CEO of top 500 fortune companies being an Indian. India has right will, potential and market for innovation and to overcome traditional business models to increase productivity, said new General Manager In Charge of CFFP-BHEL Arun Singhal. Delivering the keynote address, DK Modi, Executive Director, BHEL, emphasised the faster clearances of infrastructure projects and focus on project management for a better control on time and costs. BHEL is rapidly moving ahead in the field of supercritical technology equipped power plants of 660 MW and higher capacities. Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Irani, who is Director of a Tata company, said the whole world acknowledged the talent of India. But, he had a piece of advice too. “The only thing is that we have to change our mindset and start thinking first for the country, second for the company and then for oneself. This is the success mantra which will make us world leaders,” he said. Highlighting the success behind Tata Steel, Irani mentioned that it was the recognition of hard work, talent and people responsible for nurturing personnel to bring about a change in the process. He said in the company, positive and unconventional ideas were backed with strict implication which made the company established its identity among global giants. The change is inevitable and we have to accept that as the market trends change so do the consumers. Its only making a perfect balance between these at right time. While delving on the competitiveness of nations, president of the Project Management Association Adesh Jain said the key was to be innovative breaking traditional boundaries, exploring new fields and timely implication of projects. The future can be influenced by working in the present. “Management is going to be the key success factor in the 21st century and thus emphasis should be on providing best of management education to aspirants,” said Jain. |
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No Sunday market at Paltan Bazar; police removes encroachment
Dehradun, February 22 The police removed the kiosks and even didn’t let shopkeepers encroach the land by extending their shop in the verandahs. The police team led by Circle Officer (CO) Ajay Singh carried the drive. The police team got into action early morning and were at the Paltan Bazar till late in the day to remove the encroachment. The CO said, “The police has the authority to remove such fadiwalas, who don’t possess any licence and do not have any permission. This place becomes so crowded on Sundays that there is always a danger of some untoward incident”. Even doing the verification of people here becomes difficult. There are several small kiosks vendors, who come from outside and it is not feasible to conduct verification of all of them. “We can not make out who is carrying what in his bag in such an overcrowded place,” added the CO. He claimed that the drive would continue in future as well. The senior police officers had yesterday made this decision to not allow the Sunday market in Paltan Bazar. |
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Regularise pay scales, demand engrs
Dehradun, February 22 The protesters demanded regularisation of pay scales of all diploma engineers in the state departments and removal of irregularities in the income of employees after the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission. They shouted slogans, accusing the state government of their lethargic attitude of not providing permanent posts to junior diploma engineers. General Secretary of the federation US Mehar said, “Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has called up a meeting with the federation tomorrow, which will also be attended by the Chief Minister and his Chief Secretary. We have also declared to go on an indefinite strike from March 8, if the administration fails to meet our demands”. However, the federation has given a memorandum stating 19 demands to the administration, in which they have mentioned the demand of providing relief to the engineers hailing from Uttar Pradesh from their charge and regularising promotion orders of the awaiting employees. Diploma engineers of Irrigation,
RTO, Animal Husbandry, Municipal Corporation, PWD, Agriculture, Zila Panchayat, Mandi
Parishad, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, MDDA and many more departments were present at the
dharna. |
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Nehru Yuva Kendra holds integration camp
Dehradun, February 22 Agriculture Minister Trivender Singh Rawat addressed 150 youngsters, locals as well as those who came from six different states at the Masiha Meditation Training Centre at Rajpur in Dehradun. Rawat laid stress on the significance of culture which played a pivotal role in promoting national integration. He eulogised Swami Vivekananda for advocating the role of culture in strengthening the sense of nationalism in youngsters. The minister, while appreciating the participants, said they would be able to develop mutual understanding and good relations through these camps. He also lauded such camps in furthering the cause of heritage, which would embolden the democratic and secular structure of the country. Mandal Director of the kendra AP Ghildiyal too reiterated the same perspective saying that the camp was held to spread the sentiments of communal harmony and brotherhood. The main object of the camp was to create equal opportunity for youngsters of different regions, especially of rural areas, without any bias of caste, creed, religion, etc. Such an atmosphere would ultimately strengthen the heritage and develop scientific and secular values and peace in youth. On this occasion, artistes of various regions gave cultural performances. Director of Meteorology Department Anand Sharma and Capt R Barua of Masiha Meditation Camp were also present there. |
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Yoga essence of medical therapy, say experts
Haridwar, February 22 This was stated by experts from the field of yoga, ayurveda and Sanskrit at a national-level reorientation programme in yoga at Gurukul Kangri University. Acharya Balakrishan of Patanjali Yogpeeth, while inaugurating the ceremony, said ayurveda’s first step was to conserve the health of a healthy person and cure the diseases of an ill-person. According to Balakrishan, yoga is the way to make the mind happy and the whole body fit, thus medical therapies can be successful only with the induction of yoga in today’s time. Chancellor of Gurukul Kangri University Ved Prakash Shastri emphasised on the Sanskrit language and its direct relation with yoga. “Yoga’s basic concept is found in the Sanskrit language and as people are moving away from it some modern mental deformities have grown among them. If they return to Sanskrit, they will move towards yoga and will achieve a healthy mind and a healthy body ultimately,” said Acharya Shastri. |
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Vikas mandal seeks work for labourers
Dehradun, February 22 Sanjay Singh Chauhan, senior member of the association, said 130 labourers were registered under the 2005 Employment Guaranty Act, but none had got work since March 4, 2009. The financial year would be completed on March 31 and in these 10 months the labourers had not got work. A majority of the labourers were women and about 200 BPL families resided in the region, said the members, who protested at the Gandhi Park here today. In the memorandum they demanded that the labourers be provided work so that the aim of 100 days work guarantee be realised. The wages should be increased from Rs 100 to Rs 150 and allowance provided if no employment was provided for 100 days. Chauhan said they had submitted the memorandum to the Chief Development Officer and he had assured them to solve their problems within three days. |
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23-year-old kidnapped
Dehradun, February 22 According to the police, Ashok Kumar, father of the victim, alleged in his
complaint that some persons came to his house at 3:15 am in a white Scorpio and
beat his son and forcibly took him in the car. He told the police that this was done by Jagat Singh, owner of SK Financial Company, Faridabad. Kumar had taken a loan of Rs 2 lakh on 30 per cent interest and had yet to return him a major part of the amount. He had taken the loan in Faridabad and later settled down in Dehradun. He told the police that he could not note down the complete number of the car, except HR51. Meanwhile, a case has been registered at the Patel Nagar police station. Body found
Roorkee: The body of a man was found from the Sabzi Mandi area here today. The deceased has been identified as Riyasat (45), a residence of Bharat Nagar here. According to police sources, Riyasat left his house last evening, but did not return home. Today, shopkeepers of the area found his body lying there and informed the police. Inspector Dinesh Bhandari said no injury marks were found on the body during the investigation. “We have sent the body to the local Civil Hospital for postmortem to ascertain the reason of the death,” said
Bhandari. |
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ITBP Dir-Gen calls on U’khand DGP
Dehradun, February 22 In the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, ITBP jawans have been deployed to assist the state police in security. The Directors of both forces talked of getting a better coordination between the two forces during the Kumbh. Joshi presented a memento to the ITBP Director-General on his arrival at the police headquarters. |
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Inflation: CPM to hold protest in Delhi
Dehradun, February 22 Sen said countrywide hunger strike and readiness to go to jail on March 5 would prove to be a milestone in this direction to give voice to the hardworking people of the country. Surender Singh Sajwan, Rajender Negi, Indu Naudiyal, Anand Akash, Lekhraj, Satya Prakash were among others who attended the meeting. |
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Eco Man shaves head
Dehradun, February 22 However, Mehta, in support of his mission True Biologist, asserted, “I have made a plea to the authorities concerned for our 10 environmental demands. All members of this mission are also determined to keep the flag of their protest high till the government makes any move towards it”. In support of his mission, he got his head shaved to bring his demands to the notice of the district administration, government and Pollution Control Board. He alleged that government was indulging in politics in the name of conservation and doing nothing to sort out the problems relating to the environment. |
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Two killed in road mishap
Dehradun, February 22 All injured were brought to the Doon Hospital by the 108 Emergency Service. Mukesh Kumar (28) died during treatment, while another person who is yet to be identified died on the spot. Kumar was a resident of
Haridwar. The two deceased were travelling in a utility vehicle. The roadways bus was going to Kanpur from
Dehradun, while the utility vehicle was coming towards Dehradun side . — TNS |
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Liquor shops to be closed till 4 pm on Holi
Dehradun, February 22 He said if anyone was found violating the directions, action would be initiated against him. He gave directions to all SDMs to follow these instructions
sternly in their respective areas. |
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Housing scheme for BPL families gets nod
Mussoorie, February 22 According to Palika president OP
Uniyal, the Palika has agreed to dole out land for the construction of houses for BPL families. Uniyal further said 96 people had been identified so far and the land near the Civil Hospital had been allotted for the purpose. Poor residents of Mussoorie have welcomed the move. |
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Mussoorie, February 22