Laksar MLA ‘fires’ at hotel owner
Tribune News Service

‘trigger happy’ mla Earlier, too, the legislator had been allegedly involved in such incidents. He had ‘fired’ at a driver outside a hotel where a group of foreigners was staying in Roorkee. In yet another incident, he had ‘fired into the air’ at a function in Mangalore in January 2009. The matter is sub judice.

Haridwar, August 30
Laksar Congress MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion allegedly shot at the owner of a hotel in Roorkee after he expressed his inability to make available a room for his relatives on Sunday night, the police said here today. The legislator has, however, denied the charge.

A forensics team inspected the Roorkee-situated hotel today. It will be submitting its report in a couple of days.

Though pistol used in the crime has been seized, there is resentment among hotel owners and the public against the police which has not arrested the legislator despite eyewitnesses and other circumstantial evidence pointing to the legislator’s alleged attempt to kill the hotelier.

The incident occurred at Motel Polaris situated in the midst of the city. As per the complaint filed by owner of the hotel Dhruv Singh, the MLA, along with his supporters, came to the hotel late Sunday night and demanded a particular room. When the hotel manager refused to oblige citing full occupancy at the hotel, some of the legislator’s supporters thrashed a waiter and forcefully tried to enter Room number 209. Soon the hotel owner was informed about the matter and he reached the hotel and tried to pacify the aggressive supporters.

But instead of stopping his supporters, the legislator himself entered the room and suddenly fired from his licensed pistol, but luckily Dhruv Singh escaped.

Talking to The Tribune, city police station in charge Jaimal Singh Negi said the licensed pistol of the legislator had been seized and the police was investigating the matter. A case has been filed under Sections 307 and 505 of the Indian Penal Code against the legislator and three unknown persons.

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Roshan Lal Sharma said investigation was going on and strict legal action would be taken no matter what post the accused held.

Meanwhile, the legislator has refuted the charges levelled by the hotel owner, terming the entire episode as a conspiracy hatched by the BJP leaders to malign his image ahead of the coming Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, Negi said when he, along with other police personnel, reached the hotel, the legislator despite knowing that the police had come, didn’t open the door of the room. It was only after the police tried to forcefully open the door that he allowed his supporters to open the door.

Notably, earlier too the legislator had reportedly been involved in such incidents. He had fired at a driver outside a hotel where a group of foreigners was staying in Roorkee. In yet another incident, he had fired into the air at a function in Mangalore in January, 2009. The matter is sub judice.

Meanwhile, several protests were carried out both at Roorkee and Haridwar by the BJP workers as well as local organisations. District chief of the Roorkee BJP Shyam Singh Nagiyan led a protest march. They have accused the legislator of blatantly misusing his electoral post.

63 become commissioned officers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 30
A total of 63 Gentlemen Cadets of the Permanent Commission (Special List) Course passed out today as commissioned officers after their post-commission training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA). The oath and piping ceremony was held at the renowned Chetwode Hall of the IMA. The ceremony was presided over by Major-Gen TS Gill, Officiating Commandant of the academy.

The course trains selected personnel from the ranks of the Indian Armed Forces found suitable to be given commission as officers in the Indian Army. General Gill, in his address to the officers, said: “I immensely appreciate your consistent efforts to achieve this goal. It is indeed a praiseworthy and distinguished achievement. You need to continue with the same zeal during your service as an officer. He further said as commissioned officer, there will be great stress on qualities of leadership, moral, physical courage, discipline, loyalty and integrity towards the nation. This could be achieved only by persistent hard work, ability and dedication”.

Gentleman Cadet Rakesh Kumar stood first in the order of Merit while the second position went to Gentleman Cadet MB Chandra Singh. The newly commissioned officers could be seen full of pride and enthusiasm as they look forward to serve as officers of the Indian Army and live up to the glory of the premier institution.

Bailey bridge near Bhawali sinking
Heavy traffic suspended
Hundreds of bus passengers stranded
Tribune News Service

Nainital, August 30
The failure of the administration to replace a bridge damaged in the rain-related disaster last year near Bhawali continues to compound the miseries of the people of the hilly regions of Kumaon.

The Bailey bridge, which was put on the spot last year and had continued to function till recently, has once again started sinking after an initial repairs a few days back. The movement of heavy traffic on the bridge has been suspended since late Monday afternoon, causing extreme hardships to the people who are already reeling under the impact of the recent spell of heavy rain that has caused considerable damage across the region.

Ideally, a new bridge should have been put on the spot months ago, but the administration failed to do so and the Bailey bridge, which was a temporary arrangement, continued to serve the purpose.

Reports say that several hundred passengers travelling by buses between Bhawali and Khairna were stranded on Monday evening. On Tuesday, the heavy traffic moved via Ramgarh with the passengers coming from and going to Almora, Ranikhet, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh from Bhawali having to travel an additional distance and also shell out more money besides facing the inconvenience.

Officials say that concrete slabs are required to be put so that the Bailey bridge is once again capable of handling the heavy traffic.

The Bailey bridge, that is located at Niglat, was opened on August 21 after the traffic movement on it had to be suspended following heavy damage on the surface of the earth on its ends. The people were crossing over the damaged bridge on foot and finding small vehicles to take them further at both ends of the bridge at that time.

Things had finally looking up with regards to the construction of two bridges on the Nainital-Almora road that were devastated in the rain-related disaster during the prolonged monsoons last year, in May this year. But by the time anything could be done, the monsoon had set in and the situations staood at square one. It was in the first week of May that Kumaon Commissioner Kunal Sharma had approved the new schedule of rates for the process of floating of tenders for the fourth time as on the previous three occasions no contractor had shown any interest in undertaking the job for construction of the two bridges at Niglat and Bhawali.

The new scheduled rates were approved at a meeting of the Core Committee set up for the reconstruction and relief efforts in the wake of the disaster. These rates were once again tabulated on March 1 this year. Earlier, the rate fixed for getting the bridge at Bhawali built was Rs 72.30 lakh which has now been changed to Rs 77.24 lakh.

Similarly, for the bridge at Niglat, the earlier figure was 74.58 lakh which has now been pegged at Rs 84.38 lakh.

Poll in mind, state govt woos SCs
Plans Ambedkar Chaupal programme in villages
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 30
With a view to targeting the Scheduled Caste-dominated villages in the state ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections, the Uttarakhand government has decided to launch Ambedkar Chaupal programme from September 1 to 15.

In this programme, legislators and ruling party leaders holding various offices in the boards and corporations, also known as “Dayitvadharis”, will visit the identified SC-dominated villages to monitor the welfare schemes and to redress the grievances of people on the spot.

In his circular to all District Magistrates of the state, Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar has directed that a short note of the economic condition of such villages should be prepared. He has asked for the information of potable water facility, supply of power, health services and condition of roads in these villages. The distance of school from the village and the number of students studying in the schools, implementation of “Atal Khadyann Yojna” and the number of beneficiaries have also been sought.

He also directed the district administration to make the details of the spot inspection and the number of days they stayed in such villages.

Besides, the Chief Secretary has asked for providing the information of distribution of pensions, grants and scholarships. All district-level officials of different departments have been directed to ensure their presence during the visit of legislators and “Dayitvadharis”, so that their grievances could be sorted out on the spot.

He also directed the District Magistrates to nominate a senior officer, not lower than the rank of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), as nodal officer for the purpose of coordination for such proposed programmes.

The ruling party legislators and “Dayitvadharis” have been allotted different districts for chairing “Ambedakar Chaupal” programme. Khajan Dass, Minister for School Education, has been allotted Pauri Garhwal while party legislators Raj Kumar have been made in charge of Tehri Garhwal, Brij Mohan Kotwal Chamoli district, Govind Lal Shah Rudra Prayag district, Chandan Ramdas Almora district, Jogaram Tamta Nainital district.

Former minister Ajay Tamta will look after Bageshwar district while Suresh Rathor, a senior party functionary, has been made in charge of Udham Singh Nagar district, Chaman Lal Valmiki Uttarkashi district, Bhagwat Prasad Makwana Haridwar district, Geeta Thakur Champawat district, Ajay Rajaur Pithoragarh district and Chanar Ram have been made in charge of Dehradun.

Nishank blows his own trumpet
Lauds achievements of govt under his leadership
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 30
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank lauded the efforts of his own state government in making the state as a major education hub in the country and said that the state would play a vital role in making India as “Vishwa Guru” (World Leader) by the year 2020.

“The students should not only aim to obtain degrees from colleges or universities but also learn discipline in life as without this vital virtue, no achievement can be fruitful,” he said while addressing students of local Laxman Singh Mahar PG College in the town here today.

He was the chief guest at the annual celebration of the college today.

The Chief Minister said that the state was proud of having world-class educational institutions in the state like IAS academy at Mussoorie, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Kashipur, the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun, GB Pant University at Pantnagar, NIIT at Pauri Garhwal and numerous other educational institutions which are providing modern education.

“Beside these prestigious institutions, we have opened Doon University, Sanskrit University, Open University and Ayurveda University to enhance this glory of the state, said the Chief Minister.

He lauded the achievements of the Uttarakhand Government under his own leadership and claimed that the all-round economic growth rate in the state had not only surpassed the two other states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, formed with Uttarakhand, but also other Himalayan states as well.

“Today we in Uttarakhand are providing not only Rs 2 per kg grains to poor families and making them feed their entire family in the times of unprecedented inflation, but have also lowered the annual tuition fee of state-run government medical college to only Rs 15,000 per annum which is the cheapest in the country,” he claimed.

The Chief Minister claimed that the per capita income of the state was higher than that of national per capita income. The state’s per capita income was Rs 55,870. “For this achievement of the state, the Planning Commission has awarded the state with a incentive of Rs 1000 crore this year,” he said.

Elaborating the social welfare schemes of the government, the Chief Minister claimed that his government had arranged free education in engineering for the meritorious students of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

“We have not only distributed nearly a sum of Rs 100 crore till date as incentive for future education of poor girls under ‘Gauradevi Kanya Dhan Yojana’ for those girls, who cross the intermediate level and open training avenues for 3000 poor talented youths under ‘Aashirvad Yojna’”, said the Chief Minister .

Briefing the media, the Chief Minister announced that his government was soon bringing a legislation “Lok Seva Adhikar Adhiniyam” to ensure the proper implementation of public services in the interest of the citizens. “We have formed a committee for the proposed law and soon this will be a reality in the state,” he said.

He further said that keeping in view the problems faced by villagers in reaching the district headquaters, the state government had formed four new districts and notifications for those would be issued soon.

Children give secular message on Id
Tribune News service

Haridwar, August 30
Children of Bachpan Play School conveyed the message of brotherhood and communal harmony as they celebrated Id and the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi.

A programme titled “Eid Milan” was organised by the tiny tots during which colourful cultural items were presented. Both the students and the teachers took party in the items enthusiastically. Via skits the children conveyed the message of brotherhood and communal harmony, as they portrayed the religious diversity of India beautifully. Directed by Shalini Arora and Ritu Gulati, the skits depicted the reason behind observing Rojas during Ramzan, its history and significance. The message of “God is One” was conveyed effectively by Class II students.

Meanwhile, Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated at Academic Heights Public School with Ganesh Vandana being sung by the students in front of an idol of Lord Ganesh. A skit showcasing the episode of Bal Ganesha was brilliantly presented by the students.

“Many children didn’t know about the significance of Id but after seeing the skit they came to know about it,” said Shalini and Kunika Arora, both schoolteachers.

Mystery shrouds death of Punjab doctor
Tribune News Service

n The body was found at a chowk on the Haridwar bypass n The neck and feet were tied with a cycle tube n The post-mortem report has not indicated strangulation or poisoning as the cause of death

Dehradun, August 30
Mystery shrouds the murder of a Punjab-based doctor whose body was found at the Kargi Chowk on the Haridwar bypass yesterday. A cycle tube was found tied around his neck.

Prima facie it is believed he might have been strangulated or poisoned. However, the post-mortem examination report, which was issued today, did not confirm anything.

“The reason of the death of the doctor could not be established. The post-mortem report has not found strangulation or poisoning as the cause of death,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gopal Nath Goswami told.

According to the police, Sangrur (Punjab) native BAMS doctor Malkit Singh (45) had left his house along with his four friends for Haridwar. They reached Malkit’s brother Nirmal Sharma’s Mohabewala-situated house on Sunday evening.

Next morning, his friends left for Haridwar while he stayed back as he had fits. At about 8:30 am, he left his brother’s residence to get medicines but did not return.

At about 12 noon a Vikram overturned near the Kargi Chowk and people gathered there. Some of the persons in the crowd spotted the body on the roadside.

His neck and feet were tied with a cycle tube while there were marks on his neck. The police found a visiting card on the body and dialled the number mentioned on that. The number was of his brother Nirmal who was asked to come to the spot. After he identified the body, it was sent for the post-mortem.

Now docs to retire at 62
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 30
The Uttarakhand Government has raised the retirement age of doctors from 60 to 62 years. A notification in this regard was issued by the Uttarakhand Government this evening. The government claims that the increase in the retirement age will help tackle the problem of shortage of doctors in the state.

However, the immediate beneficiary will be Dr Asha Mathur, who recently became Director-General, Health. She was to retire tomorrow but now will retire after two years.

States like Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand have already raised the retirement age of doctors from 62 years to 65 years. However, Provincial Medical and Health Services (PMHS) office-bearers claim besides benefiting senior officials in the administrative wing, the move would have a marginal impact in the clinical area due to the fewer number of specialist doctors in the state.

The state is facing an acute shortage of doctors as against the requirement of 1,200, there are only 800 doctors. The shortage is even more prominent in case of specialist doctors.

The last time the state government extended the retirement age was in 2002. It was raised from 58 to 60 years.

National Disaster Response Force battalion for state

Dehradun, August 30
Uttarakhand will shortly have deployment of a battalion of the National Disaster Response Force. A letter to this effect was received by Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar here today. The Chief Secretary disclosed that the Union Government had approved the deployment of a battalion of the NDRF in the Roorkie Haridwar region of Uttarakhand.

He said the Uttarakhand Government had even selected 70 acres of land for the purpose. Subhash Kumar said the presence of the battalion would be of great assistance to the state in carrying out rescue and relief operations in case of disasters.

The Chief Secretary said even the deployment of the NDRF would also help Uttar Pradesh districts bordering Uttarakhand. He pointed out that Uttarakhand had adverse geographical conditions and was prone to natural disasters and there was an urgent need for the NDRF in the state.

The National Disaster Management Authority manages the NDRF. It has a total of eight battalions that include two battalions each of the BSF, the CRPF and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force. — TNS

Brinjal growers to get ‘good returns in Sept’
Tribune News Service

Nainital, August 30
There is good news for brinjal growers of the region as the scientists from Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology have predicted good returns for them during the forthcoming month.

The scientists of the Agricultural Economics Department of the university release price forecast of various agricultural commodities. This is being done under a sub-project of the National Agriculture Innovation Project, “Establishing and Networking of Agricultural Market Intelligence Centres in India”. One of the objectives of this project is to make price forecast well ahead of sowing and during harvesting of the selected agricultural commodities.

The research team of the university conducted a survey of the Haldwani regulated market, a major market for brinjal in Uttarakhand, and analysed the market price data of the past 21 years in this market. The results of the analysis showed that wholesale price of brinjal in the Haldwani market would range between Rs 950 and Rs 1,100 per quintal in September, 2011, and between Rs 650 and Rs 800 per quintal in October while in November these prices are expected to be between Rs 600 and Rs 750 per quintal.

The scientists have also pointed out that the range may slightly go up since this year rainfall has affected brinjal crop in the state.

Scientists have, therefore, advised the farmers, who have carried out brinjal cultivation in the current season, to harvest brinjal crop considering the predicted prices of brinjal as well as other market conditions.

In Uttarakhand, brinjal is mainly grown in the plains on 1,685 hectares. Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital are the four major districts producing brinjal and these constituted about 60 per cent of the total brinjal yield in the state during 2009-10. In Uttarakhand, the peak period of round brinjal arrival in the market is October and November even though it starts arriving in August and the arrivals continue up to January.

Traders of the Haldwani market also indicated that October and November are major months of brinjal arrivals in the markets.

Attack on Personnel by Villagers
Forest Dept staff need more arms
Tribune News Service

Nainital, August 30
The core issues pertaining to the security of ill-equipped Forest Department personnel have once again come to light following the thrashing of some personnel by villagers indulging in encroachment of forest land near Ramnagar.

It is learnt that a team of Forest Department personnel led by Ranger Satish Chandra was not only thrashed with sticks by a group of villagers but stones were also thrown at them.

Reports say that on late Sunday night, the team of the Forest Department personnel had descended on the Shivnathpur Naibasti village near Maldhanchaur on coming to know that one of the villagers was getting a permanent structure erected there.

When they reached the spot, they were surrounded by villagers who initially thrashed them. Three villagers and many Forest Department personnel were injured in the incident besides two vehicles of the latter were damaged in the stone pelting.

Some of the Forest Department personnel had to flee. The matter was resolved only with the arrival of the police and the intervention of public representatives of the area.

While the Forest Department personnel accused the villagers of resorting to violence and snatching money, the villagers alleged that the Forest Department officials had entered a house in an inebriated state and had misbehaved.

While the matter is being investigated, the instance once again brings to light the need for providing security to the Forest Department personnel who are often involved in armed skirmishes while being on duty.

There have been several instances of Forest Department officials being attacked by encroachers, poachers and those carrying out illegal quarrying. With the officials possessing inadequate number of arms to defend themselves, the miscreants have been able to get away on several occasions. The issue had recently been raised with the seniormost officials of the Forest Department and steps are being taken in the direction to provide proper equipment to them so that they can at least defend themselves.

Intra-uterine insemination centre opened
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 30
A boon for soldiers and their dependents in Roorkee and its adjoining areas suffering from infertility, an intra-uterine insemination centre was inaugurated at Military Hospital, Roorkee.

Dr Neena Nanda, wife of Maj General HS Nanda, MG (Medical), Uttar Bharat Area, inaugurated Intra-Uterine Insemination Centre today at the Gynaecology and Obstetric department at Military Hospital, Roorkee.

“The 430-bed Military Hospital has brought a ray of hope in the lives of soldiers and their dependents who have been suffering from infertility and referred to Lucknow and Delhi for Assisted Reproductive Therapy. But now they don’t have to take the pain of going far with this new set-up”, said Dr Neena Nanda, who herself is a renowned gynaecologist .

“Over 100 cases of infertility are being evaluated in the hospital in the last one year and out of which 15 cases are waiting for intra-uterine insemination who will be now managed under the expert doctors,” said Brigadier M Ganguly, Commandant, Military Hospital, Roorkee.

HS Nanda, MG (Medical), Uttar Bharat Area, on a two-day visit to Military Hospital, Roorkee, inspected the hospital area and inaugurated the newly renovated operation theatre.