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Policy on vendors framed
UNESCO literacy award presented to SRC chief
Nainital to get water round the clock
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Laksar MLA blames BJP govt
Corbett Van Gujjars seek prompt rehabilitation
50 pc cases to be solved by year-end, says ADGP
e-payment by govt from Nov 9
Complaint by NRIs
Nanda Devi fest offers cultural extravaganza
to tourists
Rishikesh AIIMS admissions from Feb
Record power generation by 5 projects
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Policy on vendors framed
Dehradun, September 8 The policy aims to create a supportive environment for street vendors in consonance with the national policy for street vendors. The draft policy prepared by the Urban Development Department calls for implementing appropriate laws and setting up legitimate hawking zones in urban development. All street vendors of 63 Nagar Palikas and Nagar Panchayats of Uttarakhand will be able to lead a life of dignity without worrying about the daily harassment at the hands of the police. “For the first time, vendors in these Nagar Panchayats will be identified, issued identity cards and allocated space to carry on their trade after paying the licence and registration fees,” said Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Additional Secretary, Urban Development. The vendors will also be brought under the ambit of pension and insurance schemes, thereby making their future secure. Conservative estimates put the number of vendors in the state close to 90,000, though a proper survey will be carried only after the Cabinet gives its nod. “At these zones, the provisions of public toilets, solid waste management and electricity will be taken care of by the civic authorities,” said Tripathi. By designating separate zones for vendors, the Urban Development Department aims to ease congestion in cities and prevent encroachment. “It is important that the cities recognise their contribution and give the vendors due space. The only means to do this is through setting up three separate zones allowing space for vendors, mixed zones and no-vending zones,” said Subash Gupta, Deputy Director Urban Development. In the hills, the traditional haats, which are set up by farmers, have also been incorporated in the policy. “At Srinagar in Pauri Garhwal district, the vending activity is completely banned but village haats are held at designated areas,” he added. Advantages No harassment by cops To be brought under pension, insurance schemes To get ID cards To get space to carry on trade Will ease congestion in cities |
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UNESCO literacy award presented to SRC chief
Dehradun, September 8 It is to be noted that the RLEK was awarded the UNESCO-NLM Award in 1998 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the adult education program for the minority communities. It is a unique feat that the parent organisation and its sister organisation both have been proud recipient of this esteemed award. “The current programme, Saakshar Bharat, is a very ambitious programme that has set high targets for itself. I am glad that the SRC (Dehradun) has made its mark and contributed to this programme at the national level. We must aim that in the forthcoming years Uttarakhand is one state that addresses the issue of women illiteracy in the entire state and focus towards bringing the district with poor literacy rate in parity with other highly literate districts,” said Ruchi. On the occasion of International Literacy Day, an international conference on women’s literacy for inclusive and sustainable development is being organised from September 8 to 10 at Manekshaw
Centre. |
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Nainital to get water round the clock
Nainital, September 8 This decision was taken at a meeting of the officials of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Uttarakhand Urban Sector Development Investment Programme while evaluating various schemes that are being implemented. It was held in Dehradun today. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar. A team of officials would soon be sent to the Hubli-Dharwad region of Karnataka for carrying out a field study that would result in preparing a blueprint for Nainital. The Uttarakhand Urban Sector Development Investment Programme is being run with the help of the ADB for providing better management and rehabilitation facilities in the cities. It is being envisaged that this would lead to a reduction in poverty and a balanced economic growth. The meeting held in Dehradun also discussed the Rs 600-crore work plan with regards to the second phase of the programme. The introduction of new facilities were also discussed. The Chief Secretary disclosed that the Programme Management Units (PMUs) and Project Implementation Units (PIUs) would be reconstituted to increase the work potential and quality. The performance under the programme would be evaluated by a third party led by a team of experts. Subhash Kumar has ordered Principal Secretary (Urban Development) Ranvir Singh to release the budget for the same and make provisions for e-billing and online payments. He ordered that quality construction material be used and consultation services be taken from expert engineers. |
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Laksar MLA blames BJP govt
Dehradun, September 8 While addressing the media here today, Champion said: “I have been victimised by the rival party without any solid evidence of my involvement in the case. I am innocent and have no connections with the firing that took place at the motel at Roorkee. In fact, the Nainital High Court has also given stay orders on my arrest, which itself proves that I have won half the battle”. When asked about the past instances when he had allegedly fired into the air at a function, he explained: “I am from a Thakur family where the culture of firing into the air at every happy occasion prevails till today. The gun shot fired into the air was just a gesture of merry making and was done in a totally sportsman spirit, where nobody got injured”. “Though I am guilty of committing such an act in spite of being a public figure, I can truly assure you all that such an event of showoff would not be repeated in future,” he added. Regarding his earlier episode of firing into the air during a function at Mangalore, he said a pistol licence is issued for self-defence and for sports display. Champion allegedly shot at the owner of a motel in Roorkee after the latter expressed his inability to make available a room for his relatives last month. A forensics team has inspected the Roorkee-situated motel and seized the weapon used in the crime. |
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Corbett Van Gujjars seek prompt rehabilitation
Dehradun, September 8 A delegation of the Van Gujjars was in Dehradun today to meeting the Forest Secretary and apprise him of their pitiable condition. There are reports of large-scale livestock losses to the Van Gujjars following a spurt in the incidents of wildlife attack. “Our buffaloes are killed by tigers and even crocodiles at Sonanadi maul our buffaloes in water,” said Wazir Ahmed, one of the Van Gujjars residing in the Sonanadi range. He said the Corbett authorities way back in 2003 had assured them of shifting them elsewhere but now they had come to know that the land earmarked for their rehabilitation at Gandikhatta in Haridwar was being used by the forest authorities for plantation purposes. President of the Sonanadi range of the Van Gujjar Sangharsh Samiti Illumu Hussain said they had been residing in the range for many generations and wanted a proper rehabilitation. He said they submitted memorandums to both the Uttarakhand Chief Minister and the Forest Secretary but the two had not given any attention to their concerns so far. “Even today we failed to get an audience with the Forest Secretary,” he pointed out. He said the Van Gujjars would now be opposing the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Jim Corbett National Parkl, which were under way, till their genuine concerns were redressed. Illumu Hussain said the Van Gujjars of the Corbett were ready to go elsewhere provided the government takes some initiative. He also reiterated the Van Gujjars’ commitment towards the protection of forests and wildlife. There are a total of 192 Van Gujjar families in the Sonanadi range of the Corbett that are to be rehabilitated elsewhere. |
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50 pc cases to be solved by year-end, says ADGP
Dehradun, September 8 Addressing his first press conference today after assuming the charge, the 1979 IPS officer told the media at the police headquarters there were about 100 to 125 cases, which were on enquiry with the CID. “We aim to solve 50 per cent of these in the next three months and which I think will be a good achievement,” Sidhu added. Touching on land dispute cases which is one of the major problems in the state relating to crime, the officer stated, “I have given a proposal to the state government suggesting some changes while doing the registry of land to curb the land-related disputes.” “Organised groups have moved into real estate and it is a racket in the state. They buy land at throwaway prices. Following which they get permission from the Forest Department. After this, they get map of the construction cleared from the authorities and the value of place increases more than 10 per cent.This destroys the environment and also leads to crime,” explained Sidhu who has returned from deputation in
Mumbai.
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e-payment by govt from Nov 9
Dehradun, September 8 Chief Secretary Subash Kumar today said this would further help the state adopt e-governance. “The Treasury is already online, the sub-treasuries will also be made online by November,” he said. The Chief Secretary said on pilot basis, the process of e-tendering was being introduced in four departments. While in the coming two months, e-procurement would also be introduced. Further in areas, where the reach of the Internet is poor the government will set up VSAT arrangement. In Uttarakhand, all 1,400 commercial banks are already online.
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Complaint by NRIs
Dehradun, September 8 Acting on a complaint by two NRIs from New Zealand and Canada, the police today raided Pilot Baba’s ashram on the Gangotri road and sought explanation from the inmates of the ashram about the presence of the foreigner girls to which they failed to reply satisfactorily. Superintendent of Police, Uttarkashi, Sadanand Datey said on a complaint of the Punjabi NRIs, he, along with the personnel of the local intelligence wing and those from the Maneri police station, reached the ashram and sought details about the presence of the foreigner girls. “The foreigners at Pilot Baba’s ashram had filled C forms, thus nothing prima facie was found against them,” Datey said. He, however, added that the ashram authorities failed to reply satisfactorily about the presence of four Ukraine, four Russian, one Japanese and one New Zealand girls at the ashram. Police sources confirmed that two NRIs had come to meet the SP and in a complaint submitted to the SP they had alleged that they had come across some foreigner girls in a compromising position at the ashram. It is noteworthy that four local journalists were beaten up at the ashram some time back following which the journalists of Uttarkashi have been holding protests against the ashram.
Even, the local residents have accused the ashram authorities of occupying 16 nalis of government land illegally. On the other hand, the Haridwar police today served a notice on the ashram in the pilgrim
town over the issue
of two missing Bangladeshis. |
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Nanda Devi fest offers cultural extravaganza
to tourists
Nainital, September 8 Daily evening, the stage of the Ram Sewak Sabha in Mallital market and the temporary one built adjacent to the Naini Lake at the bus stand in Tallital become venues of cultural activity when artistes from across the region provide a glimpse into the rich and varied culture of the region through songs and dances. These programmes start off at around 7.30 pm and continue till about 10.30 pm with the artistes regaling the audiences with one performance after the other. The best part of the event has been that the presentations have been based entirely on folk and it is the local talent that is being promoted through these programmes. The presentations range from the traditional folk songs that have been sung and carried forward through generations to the new additions. The instruments being played to the songs also range from the traditional “hudka” which is a symbol of Kumaoni folk to the latest synthesisers. The songs talk of the age-old rituals of the region, its glory and its beauty. They also talk about the need to conserve the water bodies and forests of the region, hence doing the job of spreading awareness about the depleting environment. The venues have local populations joining in by dancing to the presentations much to the surprise and delight of the visiting tourists, particularly those who can be seen waiting to board the late night buses to Delhi. Till the time the buses arrive, the tourists are entertained by these presentations. During the day, groups of Chholia dancers can be seen travelling around the town in their traditional dress and performing before groups of people, in schools and residential colonies. They have been getting a very good response from the local population. These dancers dance to the tune of the bagpipe that were introduced in the region when some World War I veterans brought it back from Scotland. |
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Rishikesh AIIMS admissions from Feb
Dehradun, September 8 The institute will also run BSc and MSc nursing courses along with giving medical treatment to residents of Uttarakhand. After providing land, for the 960-bed hospital, which is nearing completion, the state government has been asked to make arrangements for providing electricity, water and road network. While chairing a meeting of the committee yesterday, Chief Secretary Subash Kumar said Rs 20 crore would be allocated for the construction of road and two tubewells for providing water. The state government had allocated 101 acres of land for the construction of the hospital which is located in 76 acres while residential premises would be built in 25 acres of land. |
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Record power generation by 5 projects
Dehradun September 8 General Manger, UJVNL, Surender Kumar, said, “These projects were handled technically well. The load at Chibro hydro-project which used to dangle between 185 to 190 MW was increased up to 200 MW in stepwise manner by ensuring the safety and keeping the loss within limits. — TNS
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Denying allegations of firing at the owner of a motel in Roorkee last month levelled against him, Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, Congress legislator from Laksar, said the BJP government had conspired to malign his image in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.
Dehradun, September 8
