Pithoragarh, February 11
The district union of the owners of the fair price shops today tried to disturb the launch of the Atal Khadyann Yojana by the minister in charge Balwant Singh Bhauriyal in the district. However, their attempt to disturb the launch of the scheme was foiled by the police personnel who were present in large numbers at the venue.

“We are demanding that profit on per quintal food grain be raised from Rs 6 to Rs 50 and the freight rates also be raised up to Rs 200 per quintal for shops located in interior areas of the state,” said Jiwan Chandra Nagarkoti, president of the union.

Meanwhile, the ambitious scheme of the state government was launched in the district by Bhauriyal by distributing packets of ration to the holders of below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line (APL) ration cards here today.

The owners of fair price shops later submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate, Pithoragarh. They have stated in the memorandum that until their eight-point demands were met by the state government, they will not lift the ration quota to be distributed under this scheme. “The state government would consider their demands sympathetically,” said Bhauriyal.

Dehradun, February 11
BJP president Nitin Gadkari has suggested organising Antyodaya Melas in the state to benefit the poorer sections of society. The scheme envisaged providing wheat at the rate of Rs 2 per kg and rice at a rate of Rs 3 per kg to the BPL families while the APL families will get the same at Rs 4 per kg and Rs 6 per kg, respectively.

Launching the Atal Khadyann Yojana (Atal subsidised food grain Scheme) in the state capital, Nitin Gadkari suggested the BJP government for organising Antyodaya Melas on the lines of Chattisgarh and Gujarat to benefit the poorest of poor.

“In Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, over a lakh people turn up in these melas where camps are set up to help the poor through various welfare schemes,” Gadkari pointed out.

However, the BJP national president advised the state government to ensure that the food scheme was leak proof and no one misused the scheme. “You may raise the commission of ration dealers but ensure that this subsidised food grain go to the genuine beneficiaries and not in the open market,” he said.

“A total of 58,000 tonnes of food grains rots every year and the apex court has pondered as to why these food grains can’t be distributed to the poor,” said Gadkari. He also ruled out linking the scheme with any electoral politics.

Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank reiterated his government’s commitment to work for the benefit for the poor. He disclosed that Uttarakhand was the first state in the country to even include APL families under a subsidised food grain scheme.

Uttarakhand BJP in charge Thawar Chand Ghelot recalled poverty eradication initiatives taken by the state government. Former Chief Minister BC Khanduri too greeted the state government in launching a populist scheme.

Gadkari also handed over the food grains to beneficiaries at the function.

Dehradun, February 11
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing and Haridwar MP Harish Rawat has termed the Atal Khadyaan Yojana as the saffronisation of the Central food grain scheme.

In a statement issued today, Rawat said the Uttarakhand BJP Government must clarify as to whether the Atal Khadyaan Yojana was something different from the Antyodaya Yojana of the Centre. He said the people of the state had right to know the quantity of the food grain stocks available with the Uttarakhand Government and what was the contribution of the Centre to it.

Uttarakhand Congress president Yashpal Arya accused the state BJP Government of playing politics with the poor. He said while the state government had no funds for disaster relief, it was distributing food grains at cheaper rates across the state.

He said the state government was launching a populist scheme with an eye on electoral gains.

Dehradun, February 11
The BJP could not have found more esteemed guest than veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari in the launch ceremony of the much publicised subsidised food grain scheme.

Former Chief Minister and Congress stalwart ND Tiwari also complimented the state government for launching the scheme in the name of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

In his address, Tiwari described Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank as his younger brother and extended his best wishes to him for the success of the scheme. He said the scheme would be highly beneficial particularly for the hilly areas and would set an example for other states to follow.

While BJP national president Nitin Gadkari thanked Tiwari for his presence, Chief Minister Nishank recalled his role in the development of the state.

Interestingly, while the BJP cheered the presence of ND Tiwari at the launch programme, Congressmen in the state certainly found it hard to digest his presence at the ceremony. Senior Congress leader and MLA Kishore Upadhyaya on the reason behind Tiwari’s presence at the BJP government food grains launch programme said Tiwari was best person to reply the same.

Dehradun, February 11
The Customs and Central Excise, Meerut division, is keeping an eye on the cricketers, who were part of the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) and have not paid their service tax.

Stating this here today, Commissioner, Customs and Central Excise Manmohan Singh said a top player, who was dropped from the World Cup team after he got injured and who hails from Meerut, owes Rs 35 lakh as duty that he has not paid.

“Similarly two other players from Meerut have not paid service duty that was due. We have given them some more time and notices will be issued to them in case they do not respond,” said Manmohan.

He said the division booked Rs 15 crore cases in 2009-2010 and Rs 30 crore cases in 2010-2011 under the anti-evasion exercise. He also clarified that after the Supreme Court issued stay on the High Court order, those renting premises for commercial purposes and private hospitals conducting annual heath checkups for companies would have to pay the service duty.

He urged the public to liberally use the e-payment facility and file Central and service tax electronically, if the duty was Rs 10 lakh and above.

Dehradun, February 11
Despite 3,000 assessees registered under the Dehradun division, comprising Haridwar, Dehradun, Roorkee and Kotdwar, only 1,600 persons are filing service tax returns and there is a large scope for improvement.

“Though the service tax collection from Dehradun has been 40 per cent this year, it still has a huge potential for growth and some more areas need to be looked into. We are monitoring every aspect and there is scope for improvement,” said Commissioner Customs and Central Excise, Meerut division, Manmohan Singh while interacting with mediapersons here today.

Over all service tax collection from Meerut division was Rs 190 crore in 2009-2010 and the collection was Rs 240 crore in 2010-2011.

While public sector undertaking BSNL at Meerut, Srinagar, Haridwar and Dehradun have shown a decline in the service tax collection this year. On one hand, the service tax collection by the private telecommunication companies Vodafone and Hutch have posted good results. On the other hand, the ONGC has been little late in paying the service tax. The PSU had deposited a duty of Rs 1.89 core last year.

“The government has been very liberal as there is no provision for arrest and seizure provision as far as evasion of the service tax is concerned, but individuals should not misuse the provisions. Those who have registered once should ensure that they pay the service tax or go for cancellation of registration,” said Manmohan.

He said the overall contribution of the service sector was 48 per cent of the GDP and it had tremendous potential for growth as compared to the manufacturing sector.

“The future lies in the service sector and people should pay the service tax as the money is used by the Centre for expansion of the infrastructure,” he said.

“While the tax exemption offered to the industrial units setting shop in the state may have affected the tax collection. It is one of the ways to ensure that development takes place in the backward areas. However, these units still have to pay service tax,” he asserted.

Dehradun, February 11
Basantotsava-2011, a two-day flower exhibition held every year at the Raj Bhawan here, will be inaugurated by the Governor of Uttarakhand Margaret Alva on March 5. The exhibition will be open to the general public. A painting competition will be organised on March 4.

Phen Kamal (foamed lotus), a flower found in the high altitudes of the Himalayas, has been selected for this year’s special postal stamp and the ‘first day cover’ that is released every year by the Postal Department at the inauguration.

A host of decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by the Governor at Raj Bhawan today in this regard. The Governor said that while making preparations for the Basantotsava, efforts would have to be made simultaneously to make the annual event more attractive, entertaining, memorable and meaningful.

As per the directives of the Governor, it was decided that folk art, folk culture and local handicrafts would be promoted at the flower exhibition.

The Governor said that handmade paper should be used wherever necessary. She said that efforts would also be made to promote the use of bags made of jute and cloth instead of polythene bags.

Dr Ravi Chopra of People’s Science Institute (PSI) has said the average cost of constructing a 170-sq ft temporary shelter, using a wooden frame and corrugated GI sheets, does not exceed Rs 20,000.

Dehradun, February 11
Protesting against the acquisition of school land by administration for road widening, students and alumni of St Joseph’s Academy held a candle light march today.

The march which commenced from the main gate of the school concluded at the clock tower. While addressing the protest, Rajeev Sachar, co-ordinator, St Joseph’s Alumnus Association said it was a peaceful start to the agitation. If the administration still went ahead with the plan, then we will stage dharnas and take more drastic measures, he added.

According to the principal of the school, Brother AJ George, the school had already given a huge chunk of the land to the administration for road widening.

Dehradun, February 10
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has demanded that new development plans and premises should be named after leaders and martyrs of the state and not those from outside. The party has sought probe into illegal encroachment of land worth several crores in Haridwar, in which the involvement of a Cabinet Minister has come to light.

Addressing mediapersons here today, acting president AP Juyal expressed objection over naming the Atal Khadyan Yojana after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“Atal Bihari Vajpaee has no connection whatsoever with the land of Uttarakhand. Therefore, it is wrong to name a government plan initiated in the state after him. Similarly, it is equally erroneous to choose the name of RSS stalwart Raju Bhaiyya for the technical university”.

“The technical university and affiliating university Badshahi Thaul should be named after Uttarakhand leaders such as Indermani Badoni and DD Pant. Names of great leaders such as Vipin Tripathi, Sridev Suman, Vir Chander Singh Gadhwali, Madho Singh Bhandari can be lent for other government schemes and premises. This way, we can give them credit for their contribution in the struggle of the formation of the states,” he added.

Juyal also condemned the allocation and registry of land to people of Tibet origin for their shops and allowing them ownership in the state. “Out of 23 lakh ration cards distributed in the state, only 18 lakh are for the natives of the state. This makes it clear that the rest are either from outside the state or refugees from other countries”. Indicating the involvement of a Cabinet Minister, who allegedly broke away from their party, in encroaching 312 bigha land worth several crores near BHEL at Haridwar. The name of an organisation ‘Tarun Himalayan’ related to him has also been highlighted as the main conspirator, the UKD leader demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.

Dehradun, February 11
The workers of the Uttarakhand Ministerial Collectorate Employees Union suspended a day’s work under the leadership of Aashish Verma here yesterday. All employees of tehsils as well as ministerial collectorate gathered at the premises of the collectorate and protested against the government.

Verma said it had been two years that the employees were fighting for their demands.

Rajender Singh Rawat, district secretary of the union, affirmed that the administration had constituted a committee under the leadership of the Commissioner (Kumaon Division) to look into their 11-point charter of demands and was also asked to submit a report related to the reorganisation of the collectorate, revenue manual and the Collectorate Ministerial Service Rules, 1980.

He further stated that the matter was still lying pending with the government and they want an immediate redressal to their problems.

Dehradun, February 11
The birth anniversary of Devender Das Maharaj was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Guru Ram Rai Darbar here yesterday.

A large number of devotees from different districts of the state and adjoining areas had thronged to pay obeisance to the saint.

Devotees offered special prayers and sought blessings for their prosperity and good heath.

Dehradun, February 11
In lieu of the widening of various roads, shopkeepers demolished their own shops here yesterday. As many as 25 structures at the Pant Road, 24 each at the Indira Market and the Tibetan Market were razed.

The owners had vacated their shops on Wednesday after receiving a notice from the PWD.

Mulayam Singh, Executive Engineer, PWD, said they had provided shops to all these people near the old bus stand.

Dehradun, February 11
With most government hospitals and nursing homes remaining apathetic to the registration of births and deaths, the government has now decided to nominate superintendents of district hospitals and in charges of hospitals as sub registrars of births and deaths.

While chairing a meeting on Wednesday at the Directorate-General Health and Family Welfare, Ajay Pradyot, Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister, said, “The nomination will ensure greater accountability and a government order will soon be issued to this effect”.

To ensure that the registration work is carried at the village level, the Additional Secretary had asked the Panchayati Raj Department to fill the vacant posts of Panchayati Raj officer. He expressed unhappiness at the role of primary teachers as notifiers for registration of births and deaths. He has asked the Directorate of School Education to intervene.

Those present at the meeting included Dr Asha Mathur, Director-General, Health, Dr HGS Manral, Director, Health, Dr Bharat Kishore, Additional Director, Health, Shailender Bisht, Commissioner, Rural Development, and Vipin Kumar, Assistant Director, Panchayati Raj.

It may be mentioned that it is the responsibility of medical institutions to report births and deaths under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.

Dehradun, February 11
Amit Bhura, who was involved in the high-profile robbery at Vishal Mega Mart, fled from the police custody in Ghaziabad yesterday.

He was being produced at a local court there.

SSP GS Martolia said he had jumped from the bus and run away.

He added that they were on the lookout for him and trying to contact the police there.

Bhura had been a wanted criminal in various states.

The robbery took place on November 3, 2010.

The robbers had reportedly stolen Rs 23 lakh at gunpoint from the Vishal Mega Mart.

Dehradun, February 11
The tiny tots of Carman School, Dalanwala, participated in the annual primary and junior school sports day with enthusiasm here today. The students from nursery to class II participated in various races organised by their teachers.

The event took off with the welcoming of the chief guest Ravindra Batra, Director, Essell Motors, Dehradun.

He congratulated the winners of various competitions and motivated others to continue in the same spirit.

Results: Nursery: Kailash Thapa and Suhani Bhatt stood first, Anurag and Anushka were second and Namara and Harshit third in the ‘Getting ready for the monsoon race’.

Class KG A: Vanshul Sundriyal and Garima Joshi were declared first, Arman and Bushra stood second and Hassan and Nikita bagged the third position in ‘Winter wonderland race’.

KG B: Vedant Dhasmana and Manvi Malhotra stood first, Sara Khan and Arpit second and Harshita and Andrew third in ‘Autumn leaves race’

Class I A: Sneha Kakkar and Saiyad Taiyab bagged the first position, Mudit and Yash second and Sneha and Amrit third in ‘Summer in Hawaii race’.

Class I B: Shiffa and Himanshu stood first, Arushi and Surya second and Amaan and Chhaya third in ‘Springtime in Carman race’.

Class II A: Kartikay, Vanshika and Samridhi stood first, Michael, Monal and Sneha second and Tanya, Zoya and Shivam third in ‘Summer Holidays race’.

Class II B: Shaurya, Tushar and Ananya bagged the first position, Prachi, Akash and Anurag second and Keshav, Shivam and Ananya third in ‘Here comes that rainy day feeling again race’.

Dehradun, February 11
The St Joseph Academy (SJA) won the Junior Boys Council School Cricket Tournament played at the Raja Ram Mohan Ground. St Joseph won the final match beating the Aryan School by 67 runs.

Batting first, SJA scored 148 runs losing just five wickets in the process. Anshuman top scored with 66. Apurv also contributed 36 runs. Chasing the target, the Aryan team got all out for 81 runs.

Anshuman and Madhav took 3 wickets each for SJA.

A total of nine teams had participated in the tournament. Ex-Ranji player NS Dutta was the chief guest.

Haridwar, February 11
The All-India Badminton Championship entered its main phase today. From this year, the championship has been named Shri Ganga Dham All-India Junior Ranking Badminton Championship.

Top players from the country are competing for the prestigious trophy. This tournament is being held for the second consecutive time in Haridwar after last year’s successful hosting of the tournament. Though there is a major disappointment among the local fans as all the players from home district have been ousted by their opponents in the qualifying phase.

Participants from the states of Assam, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana are vying for the top honours.

The final tournament round of the tournament will commence from February 13.

Dehradun, February 11
Uttarakhand has entered second round of the 37th Junior National Volleyball tournament underway in Bijapur, Karnataka.

The Uttarakhand Boys team today beat Rajasthan 25-19, 25-15, 25-17. It also outclassed Orissa in the next match 25-19, 25-18, 25-21. Now the team will clash with Goa in the next round.

However, the girls team lost to Madhya Pradesh 14-25, 21-25, 17-25.

Dehradun, February 11
The Kumoan Club, Dudhli defeated KV Warriors by 6 wickets in Dehradun District Cricket league match played at OFD grounds today.

The Warriors won the toss and elected to bat first. The team scored 78 runs in 21.5 overs. Girish top scored with 11 runs. Sanjay took three wickets for 21 runs.

In reply, Kumoan Club scored the required runs at the loss of four wickets in 13.4 overs. Lalit top scored with 27 runs.