The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Mangal Pandey’s anniversary goes unsung
Mussoorie, July 20
Local units of various national parties forgot the hero of the First War of Indian Independence, Mangal Pandey, on his birth anniversary yesterday. The city has a link to the mutiny ignited by the great martyr of the country, as the family of the British General, who arrested Mangal Pandey, was given an estate in Mussoorie, as a reward. Mangal Pandey (July 19, 1827-April 8, 1857) ignited the flame of independence struggle among enslaved Indians during the British rule in India.

Alva takes note of steps to meet natural disasters
Dehradun, July 20
Margaret Alva, Governor of Uttarakhand, who is also the President of the Uttarakhand Red Cross Society, today established direct communication with the District Magistrates of all districts in the state through video conferencing and conducted monitoring of preparations that have been made to mitigate loss of life in affected areas at the time of natural disasters such as floods, landslides and earthquakes.

Governor Margaret Alva in communication with District Magistrates regarding working of the Red Cross Society in Dehradun on Tuesday.

Census-survey to help frame slum policy
Dehradun, July 20
Efforts towards framing state’s slum policy got underway yesterday with the Himalayan Institute for Environment, Ecology and Development (HIFEED) holding an orientation programme on a census-survey in 63 urban local bodies.

Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli addresses an orientation workshop on slum dwellers in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Kanwariyas’ movement to be curbed
Dehradun, July 20
To avoid jams on national highways, the Uttarakhand authorities have decided to restrict the movement of Kanwariyas along the Gang Canal. Senior police officials from states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh will also be stationed at the Haridwar Police Control Room for an effective management of the Kanwar Mela.

Confusion prevails over transfer of docs
Dehradun, July 20
After the government stayed the decision regarding the transfer of 76 medical officers, there is confusion and uncertainty among the medical fraternity. The transfer orders were issued early this month. Later, the government retracted the orders on the excuse that most of the doctors were undergoing training.

Congress holds protest against MDDA
Dehradun, July 20
Uttarakhand Congress workers today held a demonstration at the office of Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), Pritam Road, accusing the latter of resorting to large-scale illegal constructions in the city.

UKD comes in support of suspended employees
Dehradun, July 20
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) today supported the employees of the Uttarakhand Police Complaint Authority, who were on pen-down strike since July 15 for being allegedly suspended by the Chairman of the institution.

UKD workers raise slogans in support of suspended employees of the Uttarakhand Police Complaint Authority in Dehradun on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Roadways employees hold dharna
Dehradun, July 20
Members of the Roadways Employees Joint Council, Uttarakhand, staged a dharna outside the gate of depot workshop here yesterday. Led by Anurag Nautiyal, branch president of the council, the agitators alleged that the protest would be further intensified if their demands were not met.

Roadways employees hold a protest in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Mahila Manch demands Gairsain as state capital
Dehradun, July 20
Members of the Uttarakhand Mahila Manch today staged a dharna in front of the office of the Dehradun District Magistrate to demand Gairsain as the permanent capital of Uttarakhand.

Violation of Norms
Health Dept slaps notices on hotel owners
Dehradun, July 20
The Health Department undertook inspection at hotels located on the Rajpur Road, issuing notices to four of these after finding their kitchens not up to the mark.

Confederation of NGOs opens regional office in Doon
Dehradun, July 20
NGOs from different districts of the state actively participated in a meeting of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI) that was held recently on the Chakrota Road. National president LV Saptrishi inaugurated the regional centre on the Chakrota Road.

	Cabinet Decision 12,000 posts out of UPSC purview Govt move aims at benefiting local youth Tribune News Service Dehradun, July 20 The Uttarakhand government today announced the exclusion of 12,000 Class III posts, earlier falling under the purview of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), thereby opening up more avenues for locals and at the same time making these inaccessible for outsiders. Making changes in the selection procedures, government officials, while briefing mediapersons after a cabinet meeting, said as per the new guidelines, only those candidates who were registered at the district employment exchange would be eligible to apply for Class III posts, making it almost impossible for candidates hailing from outside the state to gain entry. “To give more opportunities to the locals, registration at the employment exchange for all Class III posts is compulsory. Besides, those applying for these posts will be tested on their knowledge of Uttarakhand’s culture and tradition. Both interview and written examinations will test the candidates’ proficiency in local history and geography,” said Chief Secretary NS Napalchayal. With this announcement, now only 1,500 posts are under the UPSC. Besides five posts, comprising investigator (statistics), workshop instructor, statistical instructor, assistant sports coach and senior milk inspector, too are out of the purview of the UPSC. The exercise for filling the posts will start in the next three months and the board of technical education will conduct examinations for these posts. Besides, a one-time age-limit concession will also be given to candidates who may have applied in 2002 but due to delayed selection procedure are now over age. In another decision Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), which were earlier part of the Labour and Employment Department, have now been brought under the Technical Education Department, “Now diploma courses, certificate courses and degree courses have been brought under a single umbrella and student undergoing the Junior Engineer course at a polytechnic can now get lateral entry in the second year of the BTech course,” said Principal Secretary, Technical Education, Rakesh Sharma. The government also took the decision to rename Himgiri Nabh University, Uttaranchal, as Himgiri Zee University, Uttarakhand.
	Kanwar Mela Security 4 super zones carved out Sandeep Rawat Tribune News Service Haridwar, July 20 With a view to providing adequate security cover and better management during the upcoming Kanwar Mela, four super zones are being formed for the first time apart from the normal 17 zones and 73 sectors. The reigns of super zones will be in the hands of Senior Superintendent-rank officer, which itself speaks of the sensitivity of these four super zones. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Haridwar, Sanjay Gunjiyal has sought suggestions from police personnel involved in the last year Kanwar duty to rectify certain problems before the commencement of the fair. To ensure a smooth conduct of the fair, the mela administration has chalked out several programmes, including special Ganga canal stretch for the Kanwar yatra and langars for devotees to be put only on this so that traffic congestion and quarrels with locals be avoided. Meanwhile, traders coming in large opposition of the idea, the administration has decided not to held the Kanwar fair at the proposed Bairagi Camp. The old venue for the fair in Haridwar, Pant Deep, will be retained. Though it has been accepted by traders that with the arrival of Dak-Kanwars in later stages of the fair, vehicles will be halted at Bairagi Camp only. Tehsil Traders Association chief Om Prakash Jamdagni said if the fair camp had been shifted then it would have posed problems both for traders as well as for Kanwariyas. “We would have faced inconvenience as well as loss in shifting of our trade to Bairagi Camp while Kanwariyas too had to face problems as they would have to tread extra miles to fetch holy Ganga water from Har-ki-Pauri,” said Kailash Keshwani, district trade president.
	Mangal Pandey’s anniversary goes unsung Ajay Ramola Mussoorie, July 20 Local units of various national parties forgot the hero of the First War of Indian Independence, Mangal Pandey, on his birth anniversary yesterday. The city has a link to the mutiny ignited by the great martyr of the country, as the family of the British General, who arrested Mangal Pandey, was given an estate in Mussoorie, as a reward. Mangal Pandey (July 19, 1827-April 8, 1857) ignited the flame of independence struggle among enslaved Indians during the British rule in India. Local historian Gopal Bhardwaj was the lone person who offered flowers and garland before the portrait of Mangal Pandey in remembrance. He said he was born at Nagwa village in Ballia district (Uttar Pradesh), that time administrative headquarters of Ghazipur, in a Bhumihar Brahmin family of Saryupareen Brahmin division. He joined East India Company’s forces in 1849 at the age of 22. Mangal Pandey is known for attacking officers of the 34th Regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry, to which he belonged, in an incident at Barrackpore on March 29, 1857. That was the first act of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. According to Bhardwaj, the Commanding Officer of the regiment, Gen John Hersey, along with his two sons, reached Barrackpore and quelled the mutiny in the regiment by making the rebellion guards arrest Mangal Pandey. General Hersey was a relative of Major Young Hearsey, the Anglo Indian who bought Dehradun from Raja of Tehri for Rs 3,000. The British used the services of Anglo Indians like Gardners, Hearseys, Skinners, Sombres, etc, for all such unpleasant works. The Merryville Estate in Mussoorie was owned by the same Hearsey family that was involved in the execution of Mangal Pandey. The Duke of Connaught specially came from England to open the Tivoli Garden at Merryville estate, ruins of which are still in Barlowganj. It was given as a gift and reward to the Hearseys for their mercenary service in expansion and strengthening the British empire.
	Alva takes note of steps to meet natural disasters Tribune News service Dehradun, July 20 Margaret Alva, Governor of Uttarakhand, who is also the President of the Uttarakhand Red Cross Society, today established direct communication with the District Magistrates of all districts in the state through video conferencing and conducted monitoring of preparations that have been made to mitigate loss of life in affected areas at the time of natural disasters such as floods, landslides and earthquakes. Taking district-wise details of training imparted under First Aid Training Scheme by the Red Cross Society to the different category of volunteers identified for quick response in disaster affected/potentially sensitive areas, she said the District Magistrates’ role and responsibility is most important in coordination between various organisations active in providing assistance at the time of disasters. She also said in this rainy season when there was a comparative increase in the pilgrim traffic to the holy shrines, additional vigilance was required in view of possible accidents. The Governor also conducted monitoring of the role of anti-ragging committees constituted at the district level for effective control of ragging in the state. Along with taking from the District Magistrates, up-to-date information on the issue of state agitationists identified by district-level committees, she also sought information on the issue of management of mid-day meals distributed among students in the schools. Among those present on the occasion include Principal Secretary (Home) Rajeev Gupta, Secretary (Health) Uma Kant Panwar, Secretary to the Governor Ashok Pai, Secretary, Education, Manisha Panwar, Director, Higher Education, Radhika Jha, Additional Secretary to the Governor Arun K Dhaundiyal, Additional Secretary (Home and Disaster Management) Bhaskaranand Joshi, ADC to Governor Neeru Garg and others.
	Census-survey to help frame slum policy Tribune News Service Dehradun, July 20 Efforts towards framing state’s slum policy got underway yesterday with the Himalayan Institute for Environment, Ecology and Development (HIFEED) holding an orientation programme on a census-survey in 63 urban local bodies. The data and information collected in three months is expected to yield authentic data and information for framing a state-level slum policy that also spells out zero tolerance for the mushrooming of future slums. “The broad-based survey funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) together with Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of slums would yield a concise information for preparing a master plan for the slums that will ultimately be in line with the city’s master plan,” said Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Additional Secretary, Urban Development. Ensuring flexibility in consonance with the Central government’s policy of giving property rights to slum dwellers, the policy would also discuss the issues regarding issues regarding right to property. “The government of India guidelines clearly state people who are rehabilitated should have the rights on the property in a manner that they can sell it during times of distress. Provisions would also have to be incorporated, so that the properties thus created do not fall in wrong hands,” said Tripathi while speaking to The Tribune. Meanwhile, Kamal Bahuguna, Executive Director, HIFEED, said the organisation’s effort would be to present an authentic data validated by the elected members of the local bodies. Mayor of Dehradun Vinod Chamoli said a similar exercise was undertaken a few years back too, but things had not move any further since then. “I am optimistic that we will be achieve what other cities are already doing. In fact, the time has come for us to showcase our cities by doing something concrete,” he said. Aparna Pandey of Investment Programme Management Unit said under the Urban Sector Investment Programme, a slum census survey was underway. It would present an authentic data “for slum policy framework support, ongoing projects under the Basic Service for the Urban Poor(BSUP) and Integrated Slum Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (ISHDP), part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission Programme (JNNURM)”.
	Kanwariyas’ movement to be curbed Tribune News Service Dehradun, July 20 To avoid jams on national highways, the Uttarakhand authorities have decided to restrict the movement of Kanwariyas along the Gang Canal. Senior police officials from states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh will also be stationed at the Haridwar Police Control Room for an effective management of the Kanwar Mela. Presiding over a meeting on the fair, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary NS Napalchayal called for a better coordination between Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and other North India states for a smooth conduct of the Kanwar season. The issue of traffic jams on the highways due to the movement of Kanwariyas was particularly raised at the meeting. It was also decided to restrict their movement on a narrow strip alongside the Gang Canal in west Uttar Pradesh up to Uttarakhand. It was also suggested to conduct checking of vehicles and ban speakers producing high frequency volume. A ban on the usage of DJs was also agreed to. A strict check on the usage of intoxicants on the yatra route was also sought at the meeting. The Chief Secretary directed the officials concerned for effecting a ban on the carrying of sticks and tridents by Kanwariyas. He also ordered for a strict adherence to limits on the number of Kanwariyas in the Gaumukh region. He also called for a strict monitoring of devotees in Mussoorie. In charge DGP Vijay Raghav Pant, Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) Surendra Kumar Bhagat, IG, Garhwal Range, MA Ganapati, IG, Meerut, Chandra Prakash and other senior police officials from Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were present.
	Confusion prevails over transfer of docs Tribune News Service Dehradun, July 20 After the government stayed the decision regarding the transfer of 76 medical officers, there is confusion and uncertainty among the medical fraternity. The transfer orders were issued early this month. Later, the government retracted the orders on the excuse that most of the doctors were undergoing training. The doctors do not know whether to pack their belongings or not. It has become a habit with the Health Department to issue transfer orders and then issue fresh orders cancelling the earlier ones. According to sources, the discordant note was struck after the Chief Minister’s office decided to have a fresh look at the transfers on the pretext that the file was moved in the first place without informing the Chief Minister’s office. Now, this delay has also affected the transfers of pharmacists, staff nurses and other employees, while the officials are claiming that the list is already out, but there are no indications of it yet. Soon, it will be the turn of Chief Medical Officers posted at different districts who will be shifted from one district to another. The seat of Chief Medical Officer, Dehradun, has fallen vacant, after Dr GC Baunthiyal retired recently. A senior official said the list of the CMO and details of their tenure was being examined and the list was expected to be out within a few weeks.
	Congress holds protest against MDDA Tribune News Service Dehradun, July 20 Uttarakhand Congress workers today held a demonstration at the office of Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), Pritam Road, accusing the latter of resorting to large-scale illegal constructions in the city. The Congress workers asserted that lots of illegal construction activities were going on in Dehradun and the MDDA so far had been a mute spectator to such constructions. He said the MDDA had adopted a strange role in the entire construction process. The authority on the one hand was backing illegal constructions, and on the other it was harassing commoners on one pretext or other. Vinod Singh Chauhan, former Congress secretary, said there were several of instances of illegal plotting in the city. “Whether it is Kedarpuram, Selaqui or any other part of the city, unlawful plotting is taking place in almost all parts of here,” Chauhan said. He said illegal construction of wedding points, apartments and hotels were taking place on a big scale. But the MDDA was the least bothered and seemed to be in understanding with constructing companies. Chauhan reiterated that the Congress would hold much more severe protests against the MDDA till action was taken against those indulging in illegal plotting.
	UKD comes in support of suspended employees Tribune News Service Dehradun, July 20 The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) today supported the employees of the Uttarakhand Police Complaint Authority, who were on pen-down strike since July 15 for being allegedly suspended by the Chairman of the institution. They protested outside the office of the authority. Later, they met members of the institution and demanded that the employees should be re-appointed and to start their salaries. At least three to four employees were allegedly suspended by Chairman Sambhu Nath Singh. The employees alleged that despite being ex-military personnel, they were being treated badly. They alleged that they hadn’t been paid salaries and arrears for months and were being insulted by the Chairman. The termed his working autocratic and said they had no problem with the members, but were agitated with the Chairman.
	Roadways employees hold dharna Tribune News Service Dehradun, July 20 Members of the Roadways Employees Joint Council, Uttarakhand, staged a dharna outside the gate of depot workshop here yesterday. Led by Anurag Nautiyal, branch president of the council, the agitators alleged that the protest would be further intensified if their demands were not met. They also submitted an 11-point memorandum to the Divisional Manager, Technical. The memorandum prominently raised the inhuman working conditions inside the workshop. Cleanliness inside the depot, availability of drinking water and construction work inside the workshop were the other prominent demands raised in the memorandum. Rakesh Petwal, Rajkumar, Dharmendra Thapa, Sanjay Dobhal, Ajit Chauhan and Mohit Kumar were among those who participated in the dharna.