Haridwar, May 30
With exactly a month over after the Maha Kumbh concluded, now residents are feeling the heat with 40°C temperature in the city. While for the whole of the Kumbh tenure there was no electricity cut, now the city is reeling under daily power cuts ranging from 5-7 hours, including night time.

This is causing a huge problem and with simmering temperatures, the woes of people are getting aggravated. Finally, after several complaints, people took to the streets today under the Congress banner protesting against the power cuts and unhygienic conditions prevalent in the city.

A massive protest rally was taken in the city, wherein hundreds of party workers and locals, too, joined in raising slogans against the state government and related departments of electricity and health.

Addressing the rally, former state Cabinet-ranked minister Dr Sanjay Paliwal said whereas on the one side Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank did not miss any opportunity to call Uttarakhand “Urja Pradesh”, yet people of the state were reeling under power cuts in the midst of intense summer.

“People have to bear power cuts in Urja Pradesh for six to eight hours in this summer season when it’s almost 40°C temperature. Business is getting largely affected while it’s unbearable to bear such heat without any electricity. But who cares as the Kumbh is over. But with this attitude the state government’s usage of Haridwar for its political mileage has been exposed,” stated Dr Paliwal.

Lashing at the mela administration and state Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik over the insanitary and unhygienic conditions prevalent in the city post-Kumbh, senior city unit leader Purushottam Sharma termed it as total negligence from both Kumbh administration and the minister.

He pointed out that on the one hand Kaushik was the Urban Development Minster, he was also designated Kumbh in charge minister, but seeing the condition of Haridwar these days it did not seem that he was capable to don both duties.

“It’s the pathetic condition in the city and if something was not done soon, the situation will only worsen. We demand no electricity cuts and proper cleaning of the city from filth and garbage with spreading of insecticides to hamper the outbreak of contagious diseases,” said Sharma.

A large number of local residents perturbed by the electricity and sanitation situation in Haridwar too joined the protest rally, voicing their resentment and woes, which passed through main inner city roads. 

Nainital, May 30
Building up on the public resentment on the erratic water and power supply in the state, Congress leader and former minister Indira Hridayesh sat on a fast to protest against the mismanagement of the state government on these fronts.

The Congress leader sat on a dharna at the Buddha Jayanti Park in Haldwani.

They demanded that steps be taken by the state government immediately to improve the power and water supply failing which their party would launch a mass agitation.

The state government has been drawing flak from all sections of the society for its failure in maintaining a proper power and water supply. In the Kumaon region, in particular, people have been facing unscheduled power cuts, besides the routine roasting.

The water situation has been no better as in certain areas, like parts of Ranikhet, water is being disbursed under police protection. There have been instances of violence with agitated people attacking power stations in the region.

The Congress is out to play up the public sentiment on these issues. Hridayesh has also sent a memorandum on these issues to Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank demanding the immediate redressal of public problems on these two fronts.

Haridwar, May 30
With the formation of a permanent mela authority for all festive occasions, baths and providence of better facilities to pilgrims round the year, it’s being hoped that now there will be a landmark difference in the

management as well as conduct of such religious functions.

As has been the norm, a special Kumbh mela administration will as usual be in place, and when the Maha Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh nears, this specifically formed mela authority will be helpful in developing basic infrastructure and facilities for pilgrims.

Notably, the mela authority’s formation was proposed and declared in the historical cabinet meeting that was held exactly a month ago at Malviya Deep in the Har-ki-Pauri ghat by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and now with the appointment of Ashok Tripathi as its vice-president, the mela authority has come into existence.

This newly formed authority will look after the Kanwar mela held twice annually in Haridwar, in which millions of pilgrims take part in yearly religious festive baths and other religious-mythological events that are associated with the city.

Informing about the near future working of the authority, Tripathi said the first priority of the authority was to ensure infrastructure and facilities development in Haridwar with at least further half a century requirement.

While organising all festive baths, fairs and other religious-social events without any problem would also be the focus of the authority. “We have to develop infrastructure keeping in mind the future requirements such as growing population, vehicles and a limited mela area in Haridwar. Besides, conduct of annual fairs have to be done in such a manner that pilgrims, tourists and locals have minimum inconvenience,” said Tripathi.

Tripathi stated that with limited mela area emphasis will be on expanding the mela area as much possible while simultaneously saving the reserved area from encroachments.

Meanwhile, with the naming of Ashok Tripathi as vice-chief of the newly formed mela authority people in Haridwar have welcomed the move and expressed hope that this will change the way city looks and also there will be better organisation of the religious bathes and other related events.

BJP district chief Om Prakash Jamdagni said with the successful conduct of the Maha Kumbh now the state government was focusing on the annual festive fairs held almost every month in the pilgrim city which itself spoke of the seriousness and working of the government while congratulating Tripathi.

Dehradun, May 30
On the occasion of the sixth convocation of post-graduate students at the University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said Indian students as well as teachers were getting appreciation and recognition throughout the world. He asserted that students must utilise their skills and calibre for the development of the country as well as for its citizens.

He congratulated the passing students of the university and blessed them to bring a good name to their country, institute and family.

The convocation initiated with the lighting of the lamp by chief guest Nishank, followed by the welcome speech by the Chancellor, Dr SJ Chopra, who also chaired the ceremonial proceedings of the entire occasion.

The distinguished guest of honour was Dr Karan Singh, MP, and president, Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

The meritorious students as well as the participants of the co-curricular activities were awarded for their achievements in the academic sessions. Fifteen students of the MBA and the MTech who won gold and bronze medals were also 

Pitthoragarh, May 30
The Pitthoragarh district administration will not demand extra trade passes meant for the Indo-Tibet border trade this year, as last year’s trade passes have remained unused with the administration. “Nearly 400 trade passes of last year are lying with us”, said Navneet Pandey, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Dharchula, and trade officer designated.

The border trade, which opens with the Kailash Mansarover Yatra every year on June 1 since 1992, runs for five months from the Lipulekh Pass in Dharchula subdivision.

According to the trade officer, last year only 250 trade passes were used. “Owing to some reasons attributed to the events in China or the changing shape of the commodities in demand from Tibet, the interest of the local tribal traders in the border trade is gradually diminishing,” said Pandey.

“The interest of the local traders started diverting from this trade after the government banned the livestocks from Tibet in 2005 and also denied the trade on 10 new goods, including electronic ones,” said Ratan Sing Raypa, a senior trader from the Bhotiya Tribal Community.

“If we will need extra trade passes, we will arrange with the External Affairs Ministry,” said the SDM, adding that, other arrangement for the border trade are going on. “The banks and the Custom and Exercise Department have been told to open their temporary branches at Gunji for trade period and the organisations of the local traders have been informed for this year’s trade,” said Pandey. 

Dehradun, May 30
The Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) today observed its 40th foundation day. At a function held at the Parade Ground office of CITU, Purshottam Puri, General Secretary of the Uttarakhand state council of CITU, said the organistion had always worked for the betterment of working classes.

He described the past 40 years of CITU as highly successful and asserted that the organistion had grown with time and worked in a determined manner for the interests of workers.

Puri also disclosed that 25 per cent members of CITU today were women.

Another speaker Virendra Bhandari said the biggest challenge before the organisation continued to protect the interest of those working in the unorganised sector. He said labour class was still a sufferer in the country.

PD Lohani, Krishna Guniyal, Mahaveer Sharma, Vishal Singh Rana and Satish Kumar were prominent speakers on the ocassion.

Dehradun, May 30
Brig KG Behal, president, Ex-Serviceman Organisation, today claimed that none of the Army officials had received one rank, one pension, nor the government had accepted their demand. It is just provided to the personnel below officer rank (PBOR).

He said this had been spread due to the letter by the Defence Ministry which referred to the PBOR who didn’t belong to X and Y category and were kept in a category below 1997 and were transferred to the X and Y category in 2006.

According to this order, persons who were in the lower grade would get the difference in allowance, along with DA, and those who were not in the X and Y category would be benefited with it.

Brigadier Behal said Col KL Deewan, in the letter that was released today, had given the description for the same. Only irregularities had been tried to take away and it was not connected with one rank, one pension.

He claimed that they had actually not able to receive what had been provided in fourth, fifth and sixth pay scale. According to the Fourth Pay Commission “rank pay” was to be provided from January 1, 1986, which is still pending. Instead, it had been deducted from the basic pay. Due to this, other TA/DA were also affected. Though it had been declared wrong by the Supreme Court and the High Court, still the matter had not been sorted out.

Brigadier Behal alleged that some people were trying to highlight things that defamed the Army.

Similarly, there were many mistakes in the Fifth Pay Commission, he said, which were taken up to officials as well as Parliament, but without vein, and thus all had to pay for it.

He claimed that the new Sixth Pay Scale was not provided with the faults in fifth and sixth commission as basic pay was less and as a result new pay scale was given at that basis only. And due to this grade, scale and status was reduced in comparison to others.

Similarly, who use to retire at the highest pay scale for the PBOR got 50 per cent of the average of the past 10 years salary. This happened because the commission was told that these people would be given a job after their retirement, but nothing happened. Secondly, the plan to fix new pension was full of evasions and the grade should be fixed according to the salary.

Brigadier Behal said a new defence commission was required for justifying this, as all the things were dependent on the Army’s rank only.

He had also requested the Central government to build a proper war memorial in the state and there should be a proper place for Guard of Honour at the Kargil War Memorial situated at the Gandhi Park.

He said there were many retired Army officials who were residing over here and the government should take their help in various areas like games, disaster management, etc. The government should provide a benefit according to which if one wants to buy a car from the canteen should not have to move to other places to save the excise duty.

Haridwar, May 30
Keeping up with the tradition of its accountability towards social causes, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Ranipur unit, organised several events and competitions as a part of the World Environment Day. Held at the Pollution Control Research Institute, these competitions saw a large number of students taking part and putting their vision, thoughts and consciousness regarding environment. Awareness programmes were also held for BHEL employees to generate environmental awareness among them.

The competition was bifurcated into senior and junior sections with more than 300 students taking part. Apart from this, a quiz competition was also organised related with the same environmental theme for Class VI-X students.

Speaking at the event, Vimal Kumar, General Manager, HR, focused on varied aspects of environmental conservation and urged children to shun the usage of polythene usage as this would be quite effective in controlling the environmental pollution.

A total of 56 students comprising local city schools Delhi Public School, Bal Vidya Mandir and Central School. The quiz was anchored by Ambrish Goyal, Dr.Keshav and Shivendra Singh Chauhan.

While for employees of BHEL’s twin units HEEP and CFFP, an online quiz programme was held to generate environmental awareness among them.

Speaking at this event, DK Mody, executive director, HEEP unit, said it was every citizen’s duty to balance and conserve the nature and emphasised on environmental importance in our life.

Mussoorie, May 30
The shooting of Garhwali music album “Nita Syali” began in the serene surroundings of Mussoorie today. The shooting was held at Rautu ki Baili, Dhanaulti and Siya villages.

The vocals in the album are by Surenda Badoni, Gopla Gandhi and Reshma Shah. The producer of the album is Bishambar Badoni. Amit Bhatt, Vijay Bharti, Kareena Gandhi, Ajay Bharti and Naresh Rana have acted in the various songs in the album.

Director of the album Pooran Rawat said all songs had the traditional flavour attached to them which would be appreciated immensely by the diaspora living outside Uttarakhand too. He was of the view that Mussoorie and the adjacent area had the potential of becoming a major film shooting destination if promoted effectively. He also said the state government was doing nothing to support Garhwali artistes who were struggling to make ends meet.

The album will be released within a month, added Pooran.