Haridwar, August 26
The ongoing anti-encroachment drive was extended to newer areas of the city amid heavy deployment of police personnel, while the drive resumed in those areas where it had been halted midway due to some reasons.

With Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on his previous visit to Haridwar giving the administration a go-ahead for the anti-encroachment drive, the anti-encroachment cell has been demolishing illegal structures without bias. Now, most of the traders who had raised illegal structures or encroached upon nullahs hampering their flow are removing them on their own.

This time two of the prominent and active administrative officers Uday Singh Rana and ASP Janmayjay Khanduri were not part of the anti-encroachment cell as traders had objected their inclusion in the cell pointing to their stern attitude. This is being seen as somewhat pressure on the administration from the state government with the Congress terming it as a misuse of political power.

City Magistrate Archana Grehawar, Circle Officer Pankaj Bhatt, CO (Trafic) JB Pandey were at the helm of affairs while the drive was being carried out on the Shankar Ashram-Singh Dwar stretch as well as the Ranipur Mod.

No opposition from encroachers was reported during the whole day of the drive though Traders’ Organisation members kept a close eye on the drive making it sure that hoardings and sign boards didn’t get affected in the demolition as was decided at the meeting with District Magistrate R Meenakshi Sundaram here.

“We have been supporting the demolition drive though it is affecting our living and business. However, the administration should make it sure that encroachments done only on drains and nullahs are removed otherwise we will oppose the drive,” said Om Prakash Jamdagni, tehsil head of the local Traders’ Organisation.

Dehradun, August 26
The Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held an agitation here today over a statement made yesterday by P Chidambaram, Union Minister of Home Affairs, about saffron terror.

Reacting to Chimbaram's expression about the groups following Hindutva as supporters of violent activities across the country, the ABVP burnt his effigy at the premises of DAV PG College.

Meanwhile, campaigning for student union elections officially came to an end yesterday. But since morning, the college campus was abuzz either with students canvassing for the student union poll or with those who had come to seek admission. It is likely that polling will be on September 10. The final date of filing nominations will be declared in a day or two. 

Dehradun, August 26
On the second day of the meeting on Child and Women Development, Governor, Uttarakhand, Margaret Alva asked the departments to coordinate in implementing programmes earmarked for the uplift of women.

At a meeting held today, the Governor said the departments should display rare sensitivity and will power in ensuring that women got their due. “Unless there is greater coordination and awareness, the schemes cannot be put into action,” she said.

Chairperson of State Women’s Commission Sushila Balooni drew the attention of the Governor at the conditions prevailing at the Nari Niketan.

The Governor spoke about strengthening and empowering the commission on the lines of the National Women’s Commission (NCW).

She also emphasised the need to open nari niketans in each district so that divorced and abandoned women could get a roof on their head. 

Haridwar, August 26
With Haridwar being one of the top districts in the entire state in terms of criminal incidents, the beat system in controlling crime has been quite instrumental and effective.

The results of effective beat policing system in the district can be gauged by the fact that a number of cases have been solved with the help of beat constables only.

Keeping in this mind, Superintendent of Police, City, KL Shah has lauded the efforts of beat police personnel and stressed on various ways to make the beat policing more effective.

The SP, City, in a meeting with all station house officers of the city stated that the beat police personnel were essaying their role effectively and needed to be made stronger so that criminal activities come to police notice as earliest. Acknowledging that crime graph in city had certainly lessened with many hardcore criminal cases getting solved on the information and action taken by the beat police personnel, Shah said indulging with local area public is of paramount importance as then only they will get information regarding the criminals and illegal activities.

Though Shah also warned that those policemen found neglecting their duty will not be let off and strict departmental action will be taken against them. He also emphasised on the need of cracking long-pending criminal cases as well as arresting absconding criminals to make sure public felt safe in the city. 

Haridwar, August 26
After suffering heavily due to the ongoing anti-encroachment drive, small traders, mostly hawkers and vendors, have demanded allocation of a specific trading zone to them from the municipality and administration as the drive has severely affected their livelihood.

To press for this demand, hundreds of small traders from all those areas where the drive has been carried out and other earmarked areas came together under the banner of the Small Traders Association. In a huge rally that was carried out on the main inner road, the protesters demanded the allocation of a specific trading zone within city inner core area. The association also demanded a compensation package for the affected traders.

Addressing the protesters, chief of the association Sanjay Chopra said most of the affected persons are small traders doing their business for years. The municipality committee used to charge rent on a daily basis from them but now they were being termed as illegal.

“We are left with fewer options as a majority of the affected traders feed their families through daily earnings but for the past fortnight dozens of families are suffering as all mini shops had been razed,” said Sanjay.

Bhoopendra Rajput, convener of the association, termed the political pressure from local legislator Madan Kaushik as a discriminatory. A memorandum was also submitted to City Magistrate Archana Grehawar seeking a separate trading zone for small traders so that they get a legitimate place to trade in the city. 

Dehradun, August 26
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) training coordination committee held a meeting in Dehradun here today.

Presided over by BJP state President Bisan Singh Chufal, the meeting at length discussed the training schedule as per the guidelines of national BJP President Nitin Gadkari.

The training schedule meeting is to take place on September 3,4 and 5 in Haridwar, September 4, 5 and 6 in Dehradun city, September 2,3 and 4 in Eastern Dehradun, Sept 3, 4 and 5 in West Dehradun and September 10, 11 and 12 in Roorkie.

BJP Uttarakhand In Charge Thavar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, former Chief Minister Major Gen BC Khanduri (retd) and national BJP Vice-President Bhagat Singh Koshiyari will be participating in these training programmes.

The meeting was attended by BJP Presidents and General Secretaries from five districts of Uttarakhand attended the meeting. 

Nainital, August 26
Residents of Nainital turned out in large numbers to pay tributes to the two iconic figures - poet Girish Tiwari and veteran socialist Pratap Bhaiyya who passed away earlier this week.

Braving the rain, people from all walks of life came to the Freemasons Hall yesterday to attend a condolence meeting held to pay tributes to the departed personalities.

The speakers recounted their experiences with the two local stalwarts in choked voices in an emotionally surcharged atmosphere. A few poems penned by Girish Tiwari, who was fondly known as Girda, had been put on display and some recordings in his voice were also played.

The speakers recounted his contribution as a social activist, a cultural artiste, a poet, a revolutionary and, above all, as a great human being. His colleagues at the Song and Drama Division recounted how Girda made a difference to the department and the programmes presented by its employees before the masses in the ’60s and ’70s.

They recounted how close he was to the common man and how easily he communicated with him. A multifaceted personality, Girda had joined the department after his stint as a rickshawpuller in Lucknow.

Academician Uma Bhatt emphasised upon the need to place Girda’s contribution and thought before society.

She recalled his contribution in strengthening the women’s movement in Uttarakhand and the role played by him in the ‘Nasha Nahin Rozgar Do’ movement of 1984 and later in the movement for the creation of a separate state of Uttarakhand.

The speakers also recalled the contribution made by Bhaiyya in promoting education in the region. He was credited with having been instrumental in starting no less than 125 educational institutions across the region.

They recollected how committed he was towards promoting the ideals of socialism. Old timers recalled how he used to make it a point to greet everyone and establish an instant rapport with them.

Theatre artiste Zahoor Alam said this year had been very tough on people of the region as they had lost great personalities and were faced with a void in the cultural sphere.

He said before Girda and Bhaiyya, the region had received the shock of the passing away of eminent artiste Nirmal Pandey who had made a mark for himself in Bollywood. He said the legacy of the stalwarts of the region needed to be taken forward.

Similar condolence meetings were held in Almora, Haldwani and Ramnagar where persons turned out in large numbers to pay their respects to the duo.

Pitthoragarh, August 26
Irked over the registration of an FIR against the Devidhura Mela Committee for allowing animal sacrifice during the five-day fair that concluded on August 24, the priest and management of the mela have declared that they will not let Uttarakhand convener of the People for Animal Gauri Maulekhi, who had lodged the FIR, enter Champawat district. They have requested the police to cancel the FIR.

“This is sheer attack on our beliefs which have been practised since ancient times and we will resist it,” said LS Lamgariya, chairman of the Devidhura Committee.

Members of a new organisation named after deity Golu in the Kumaon region, the Gwal Sena, have also expressed their displeasure over the FIR and termed it as an attack on the beliefs and faith in ancient rituals of Kumaon people. “The Indian Constitution has given us freedom of religion and we are practising that,” said a statement issued by the Gwal Sena.

The committee has also warned the Champawat district administration to cancel the FIR within one week otherwise they will launch a movement against it.

Meanwhile, Maulekhi said vested interests had been trying to fool illiterate people in the name of religion.

“I will again visit Champawat and continue the mission to prevent cruelty to animals in the name religious practice,” she added.

Dehradun, August 26
More than eight and a half months after the death of District Government Counsel (DGC) (Criminal Cases) Jagdish Saklani, the state government has still not cleared the name for the next DGC despite the fact that the list of the contenders along with the recommended ones had been sent to the Chief Minister by the District Judge soon after. Officiating DGC JK Joshi, who is in the race for the position, is saddened over the prevailing ambiguity.

Rajiv Sharma, secretary, Bar Council, said the council had given a list of 12 advocates for the DGC’s post to the District Judge who recommended three of them and sent the information to the District Magistrate for the Chief Minister who had got exclusive power to decide on the matter. But, he has been sitting on the issue despite being reminded of the issue several times. These three names are: JK Joshi, Balwant Rai Aggarwal and Bharat Singh Negi.

Joshi said since his name had not been cleared for the post of DGC, he could not dictate terms to the ADGC who is supposed to assist the DGC in legal matters. The state which has nine courts are supposed to have nine ADGCs which at the present are six in numbers. Besides, Joshi is also not getting full payment as per the designation accorded to him though he is performing his duty as DGC.

Since the files of all 12 candidates for the post had been sent to the Chief Minister, including the three recommended by the DJ, the rest are also trying their luck for the coveted post. Rahul Rajvanshi, a contender, said: “The normal disposition of the criminal cases is suffering because of this inordinate delay. The one who is donning the mantle at the moment would also not derive satisfaction from his mystified status quo. We too are keeping our fingers crossed and waiting for the final announcement”.

It is not only the list sent by the Bar Council which is considered for the post, but many others also use their influence to bag this position which is considered “powerful” for being the single one in the entire district equipped with enticing administrative powers. All police cases pass through him and if he is competent enough, he can put the errant policemen in the dock by catching on the glaring goof-ups in the legal reports sent to him, which is why, he remains in awe of the Police Department. Given the awe-inspiring quotient of this position, money is also involved through back channels. The reason which is cited for the delay is the pressure building up from all sides which is compounding 
the matter.

Rajiv Sharma said during the regime of ND Tiwari, former Chief Minister, Swaraj Singh Kharola, a close aide of Congress state president Rajpal Yadav, was made the DGC, though he was not in the reckoning for the position by the Bar Council. Therefore, anything can happen, but when, nobody knows.

Dehradun, August 26
Swarna Subba Rao has taken over as the new Surveyor General of India. He assumed office yesterday. The youngest Surveyor General of India, Swarna Subba Rao was selected by the Union Public Service Commission through open competition.

Born in June 5, 1957, Rao is an M Tech in Transport Engineering from Warangal. He joined the Survey of India as Deputy Superintending Surveyor on May 2, 1983, through selection by the UPSC.

He was promoted as Superintending Surveyor in 1987 and then as Director in 2001. From January 2004 to January 2007, he served as Director of the newly raised Directorate of Kerala and Lakshadweep, Thiruvananthapuram.

He subsequently joined the Andhra Pradesh Geo-Spatial Data Centre (APGDC) as Director and has been serving there till date.

Rao has the experience of topographical survey for 13 years. He is well versed in all major disciplines of the Survey of India. The post was vacant for the past four years. — TNS