Dehradun, June 3
All is not well at the Veer Chander Singh Garhwali Government Medical Science and Research Institute as the Principal of the institute, Prof SS Mishra, submitted his resignation for the third time last evening.

Though the Uttarakhand Medical Education Minister, Balwant Singh Bhauriyal, prevailed upon Mishra to take back his resignation, the latest resignation has strengthened the belief that the government responds only when pushed to the wall. Not only did the minister placate the Principal, but also assured him that a budget of Rs 5 lakh would be sanctioned for bearing the day-to-day expenses of the institute.

It is learnt that the government had not heeded to the Principal’s request to release a budget of Rs 50 lakh which was required to pay the staff that was hired for 42 days in view of the inspection by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in May, in addition the Principal had also requested for finance for tackling a landslide that had recently occurred and was posing a threat to the hostel that is in the vicinity. But the government of Uttarakhand failed to respond.

Fed up with the non-cooperative attitude of the Uttarakhand, the Principal of the institute submitted his resignation last evening.

He has been at loggerheads with the government on the issue of financial powers and protocol and trouble has been brewing at the college for the past one and a half years, forcing the Principal of the institute to submit his resignation on to these issues.

Besides the government is keen to get the Letter of Permission for the fourth batch which is still pending with the Medical Council of India.

Having failed to fulfil the minimum requirement of the faculty, the fourth batch of the Srinagar-based college has been denied a letter of permission (LOP) by the Board of Governors (BOG).

The Tribune tried contacting the Principal, but he was not available on the phone. Medical Education Minister Balwant Singh Bhauriyal said the matter had been sorted out for now.

Dehradun, June 3
The collapse of a portion of one of the oldest buildings located at Arht Bazar here on Monday morning due to rain has once again brought to the fore the threat to the life of the residents here. Most of the people residing near the old buildings feel threatened that these may fall. Many of these buildings have been lying vacant but there are a few that are occupied and the tenants are not ready to vacate these even after knowing the risk. Despite this, the department concerned is not taking any action against the dilapidated high-rise buildings. Officials say it’s a matter in court between the landlord and his tenants.

The monsoon that is yet to arrive is one of the biggest threat to the decayed structures. Sources maintain that due to heavy rain the bricks keep falling down.

If we compare the record of rain this year, we have till now received about 113 mm of rain in comparison to 2010 and 2009 when 33.6 mm and 73 mm of rain was recorded during this period. Monsoon is round the corner and incessant rains can bring more damage to these buildings.

One can easily see 70-80 years vulnerable old buildings in Connaught Place, Tehsil Chowk, Rajpur Road, Tilak Road, Arhat Bazar, Purani Sabzi Mandi, Raja Road, Moti Bazar and many other places.

More than three dozen structures lying in the heart of the city amid thickly populated areas are on the verge of collapsing. But the departments concerned do not take any action. The Municipal Corporation’s work is limited to issuing notices to the owners of these buildings, while the administration conveniently closes its eyes.

The Dehradun Municipal Corporation had undertaken a survey and identified as many as 40 buildings that were fit for demolition. Though the corporation took a serious note of these buildings, it found itself helpless as these buildings are embroiled in legal tangles.

“We had identified around 40 buildings and sent letters to the persons concerned before any demolition exercise could be carried out. As most of these structures are subject to legal disputes, we cannot do anything,” said Vinod Chamoli, Mayor, Dehradun.

Talking to The Tribune, councillor Ashok Verma, Leader of Opposition, Municipal Corporation, said, “These high-rise old buildings pose a major threat and the authorities need to act firmly in these matters.” He also acknowledged that these structures could come down any moment.

Dehradun, June 3
There was a big drama at Ram Nagar, near Kedar Puram, when a team of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) visited the spot to demolish illegal constructions. Despite strong resistance by the residents, the team managed to demolish six illegally constructed houses.

The residents who gathered in the area pelted the members of the team with stones. Inspector Madan Gopal suffered injuries on his head. The police later on handled the situation and drive was resumed.

An FIR was registered against Rakesh Bhatt and Raj Kumar who were leading the agitators.

Assistant Executive Engineer, DMC, HR Rawat said the people in Ram Nagar are in the business of giving land on lease on back date, which is illegal. “We had the full team, including police officials, and we didn’t want to miss the opportunity so we carried on with the demolition drive and were successful despite strong protest by the residents,” he added.

Dehradun, June 3
Sixtytwo cadets of the 97th course of Army Cadet College (ACC) were awarded degrees at a graduation ceremony held at the prestigious Chetwode Hall of Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today.

The 62 graduates include 25 from the science stream and 37 from the humanities stream. The degrees of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, were conferred on them by Lieut-Gen RS Sujlana, Commandant, IMA.

The ACC trains the selected personnel from the personnel below officer rank from the three services found suitable to be given commission in the Indian Army. After three years of their academic training at the ACC, the graduated candidates will join the IMA for one year pre-commission military training.

Brig Sunil Chandra, head of the academic department, while presenting the college report, highlighted the high standards and admirable academic performance shown by the cadets of the graduating course.

General Sujlana, in his convocation address, said: “I immensely appreciate your consistent motivation to reach this goal."

Meanwhile, President’s Gold Medal was awarded to Senior Cadet Adjutant Udaybhan Singh Chandel while Senior Cadet Quarter Master Sandeep Kumar More and Cadet N Harish were presented with President’s Silver Medal and Bronze Medal, respectively.

Senior Cadet Captain Sandeep Kumar More stood first in the service subjects. In the humanities stream, Cadet Rangani Sanjay J secured the first place and in the science stream Company Sergeant Major Dharmender Singh won the first position.

General Sujlana also awarded the Commandant’s Banner to Bogra Company.

Dehradun, June 3
“Not all think of becoming officers but only those who think they become” was the crisp remark from Udaybhan Singh Chandel who bagged President’s Gold Medal at the graduation ceremony of the Army Cadet College (ACC), a wing of the IMA.

Chandel, a native of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, joined the Indian Army as a sepoy in 2004 and cleared examinations to join the ACC in 2008.

“Not all sepoys think of becoming officers. And it needs a lot of determination and hard work to become an Army officer. As sepoys, we always have to follow what our officers say but as an officer there is independence that is why I opted to become an officer,” he said while talking to The Tribune.

Chandel, whose father is a junior engineer in the state Electricity Department and mother is a house maker, did his schooling from DAV Public School. “After doing my senior secondary, I wanted to join the Armed forces and later I thought why not the Army,” he added.

While for President’s Bronze Medal winner N Harish, whose father is a tailor, joining the Army was a vision of becoming the earning hand of his family.

“In rural hamlets back home, there is poverty and big jobs are out of reach of youngsters and it is convenient for them to join the Army and prove their worth,” said Harish, who hails from Andhra Pradesh.

“It was difficult for my father to run the house. And I grew up seeing difficulties and financial problems thus I joined the Army to lend a helping hand to the family and prove my worth here,” he added.

Sandeep Kumar More, who bagged President?s Silver Medal, said: “I did nothing special. Right from the beginning of the course, I focused on studies and other activities”.

Dehradun, June 3
The End of Term Indoor Club Exhibition-cum-Competition was inaugurated by Rashmi Sujlana, wife of Lieut-Gen RS Sujlana, Commandant, IMA, here today. The competition will continue till June 11.

A total of five clubs have displayed their exhibits at central foyer of the Chetwode Building. The section of the Arts Club has paintings done in glass colour, oil, pencil sketch and charcoal.

Members of the Bird Watching and Photography Club have exhibited the photographs the various species of birds captured in and around the IMA campus as also during a visit to the Assan barrage. The members of the club had also visited the Jim Corbett National Park.

The members of the Computer Club have made a project based on the data of the gallantry awards winners. During their course studies, they had shown keen interest in the computer programming for various projects.

Dehradun, June 3
Agitated over the hike in the tariff by the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission, members of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar faction) staged a protest outside Urja Bhawan here today.

The protest was held under the leadership of Bahadur Singh Rawat, president, UKD.

The party workers opposed the hike in the tariff and said, “With the increase of 5.26 per cent in the tariff for domestic consumers, the middle and lower classes are the worst affected.”

Mussoorie, June 3
The shop owners at Gun Hill in Mussoorie are up against the planned hike in the ropeway ticket prices that has led to the closing down of the ropeway services to Gun Hill in Mussoorie for an indefinite period from today. The shop owners raised slogans at the ticket booth site near Jhoola Ghar and protested against the proposed hike of ticket prices from previous year’s Rs 55 to Rs 104, more than double this year.

The shop owners alleged that this hike was unwarranted and was done at the behest of Municipal Council officials. On the other hand, the contractors, clarifying the reasons for the hike, said the tender price had doubled this year, including the increase in the maintenance cost due to inflation. Therefore, they have had no option but to resort to a hike in the ticket prices of ropeway to Gun Hill.

The contractors also alleged that these shopkeepers themselves charged Rs 15 for a cup of tea at Gun Hill and they had no moral right to complaint about the genuine hike in the ticket prices.

Dehradun, June 3
To promote the creations as well as to provide artistes with a market, a unit of Madhya Pradesh Laghu Udyog Nigam Limited, Mrignayani, organised a summer craft festival at Doonga House in Dehradun, here today.

“Every year, we have been organising a handicraft fair in different parts of the country so as to promote the traditional and functional art forms of Madhya Pradesh. We also have our MP Government emporiums that are running successfully in some of the metro cities,” said RP Singh.

“Over the years, the response has been excellent. This time, a large number of artisans are participating from various cities of MP, showcasing their collections,” he added.

From Madhya Pradesh ‘bagh’ print garments to unique interior goods, from the confluence of contemporary and traditional art work --- these are some of the latest attractions of the festival. The major factor that will attract the crowds is the reasonable price for the handicrafts.

However, the main attraction of the festival is the chanderi silk sarees and Maheshwari work dress materials, which are modern but carry an elegant texture and pattern. All types of paintings especially affordable for middle class families are also highlighted in the festival. The metal work and its interior goods are also kept for display for outdoor purposes, which appear trendy and sturdy in the exhibition.

“Madhya Pradesh is famous for its chanderi silk work and people really appreciate our work, worldwide. We try to follow the latest style and don’t mind experimenting as we believe in offering something novel to our customers,” asserted Apoorva Singh, Coordinator, Mrignayani.

The exhibition-cum-sale, which kicked off from today, will continue till June 12, 2011.

Dehradun, June 3
A civet continued to be the subject of anxiety in one of the residential areas in Dehradun last night. The residents of the Lakhibagh locality in downtown Dehradun came across a civet that was venturing into their houses.

A family of civets has made this residential locality its abode for quiet some time. On Thursday night, one of these civets was seen moving from house to house following which a mob of locals, armed with sticks and stones, tried to kill the animal. The residents complained that they had informed the Forest Department about the repeated visits of the civets, but to no avail.

Fortunately, the matter was brought to the knowledge of the volunteers of the People for Animals, who reached the locality at the very night and made sure that no harm was caused to the civet and the animal was subsequently pushed into the woods. The volunteers also dissuaded the residents from killing the civet.

State member secretary of the People For Animals Gauri Maulekhi alleged that Forest Department was least sensitive to the civet problem that had been lingering for a long time in the Lakhibag locality.

However, Meenakshi Joshi, Dehradun Divisional Forest Officer, said the department had placed cages in the locality to trap the civets. She held that a local NGO had also been approached to catch the civets and release them in the forest area.

Dehradun, June 3
A total of 95 violators were challaned during a two-day drive of the Regional Transport Office in the city.

Today, 38 persons were challaned on the Haridwar Road, at Arhaghar Chowk and in the Shastradhara area for violations like driving vehicle without number plate, without helmet and without driving licence. Yesterday, 57 persons were challaned for various offences.

“The drive was launched to curb the rampant use of unauthorised red and blue beacons atop vehicles and unauthorised number plates,” Shailesh Tiwari, Assistant Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement), said.

“The drive is also aimed at creating awareness among people through the media to discourage the use of these unauthorised number plates and beacons,” he added.

Dehradun, June 3
Adhoiwala Boys drubbed Uttarakhand Tigers 5-0 during the 60th Lala Nemi Dass Memorial District Football League at the Pavilion ground here today.

Vikash Negi (10th minute) and Parminder Singh (40th) scored goals in the win. Amar Thapa (13th, 20th and 30th), also of Adhoiwala, made a major difference, scoring three goals to show an easy winning path to his team.

UK Tigers could not answer the attacks of the rival team and failed on all fronts.

The second match played today remained a goalless draw. Khukri and Yankies couldn’t score a goal in the stipulated time.

Rising Star is scheduled to play against Doon Star and Shivalik is fixed to meet Garhwal Boys tomorrow.

Dehradun, June 3
In the final Survey of India (SOI) beat Department of Science and Technology (DST) by 21 runs to win the title in the DST-SOI Cricket Series held here at the Survey ground here.

Batting first SOI scored 180 runs for eight wickets. SS Rawat (62), Devender Sharma (34) and A Rana (30) contributed mainly for the winning team. In reply, DST could score 159 runs for nine in 25 overs.

Ajay Kumar (78) slammed a half-century becoming the topscorer of the final. However, his innings went in vain as the team lost the match.

Suresh (28) also chipped in.