Cong to declare candidates by Oct
Executive panel to be finalised soon: Birender
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
The Uttarakhand Congress plans to announce candidates for the coming Assembly elections by next month.

Birender Singh, general secretary and in charge of the party affairs of Uttarakhand, today announced here today that party candidates for 33 to 40 Assembly segments out of a total of 70 seats would be decided by the end of October.

Talking to mediapersons after attending a meeting of the party’s manifesto committee, Birender Singh said the District Congress Committees (DCC) had been asked to finalise panels of candidates from their Assembly segments and send these to the Pradesh Congress Committee by the first week of October.

Birender Singh further said the state executive committee of the Uttarakhand Congress would also be finalised soon since the Assembly elections would be held in February 2012.

Earlier, Birender Singh had announced that if the Assembly elections were held earlier than the scheduled time, then a new executive committee would not be formed. “We will form the executive committee soon,” he said.

Commenting on the change of leadership in Uttarakhand, Birender Singh said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by changing the Chief Minister had admitted that there was widespread corruption in the state. “Most of the senior RSS leaders were involved in corruption and fearing a backlash from the people, the BJP leadership has decided to bring in this change,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anees Ahmed, co-in charge of party affairs, announced that after the ghereo of the state Assembly by Congress workers on September 27 on the first day of the Assembly, conventions of the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe would be held on October 15 and 20 at Haldwani and Dehradun, respectively.

A convention of the ex-servicemen would be held at Pithoragarh in the first week of November. He said a padyatra would be held by party workers from Roorkee to Dehradun in November.

NCP favours third front
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
National general secretary and state in charge of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Gobind Rao Adik, who was in town today, said the party was keen on bringing together like-minded regional parties to float a third front to give a strong fight to the Congress and the BJP in the coming Assembly elections.

Preparations for the Assembly elections have begun in the party. “We have invited applications of aspirants to fight on almost all seats in the state. The gushing response we are getting shows the popularity of the NCP in the state,” he said.

He said: “Development, non-corrupt governance, communal harmony, employment and industrial expansion will remain our key issues for the Assembly elections. The issues emanated from the harsh realities present in the state where roads are in bad shape, industrialisation has plummeted to the zero level and unemployment is on the rise. People of the state are looking for a solution to these problems,” he said.

The NCP was keen on joining hands with the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) but Adhik said the UKD had lost its place over the years after the formation of the state and split into two factions.

He, however, said the NCP would open its cards around the time of the announcement of nominations for the elections regarding its alliances. 

Panchayats to stage protest on Oct 11
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
Seeking empowerment of Panchayats, Pradhan Sanghatan Uttarakhand will be staging a protest rally in Dehradun on October 11.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Pradhan Sanghatan president Surat Singh Negi said the state government has repeatedly failed the gram panchayats by taking no initiative to strengthen these institutions of democracy. He reminded that the state government had even failed to implement a six-point agreement that was reached between the Pradhan Sangathan and the state government on October 8 last year.

Surat Singh Negi, president of the Uttarakhand Pradhan Sangathan, addresses mediapersons in Dehradun on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Surat Singh Negi said the gram pradhans in the state had been demanding Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act but the state government had not responded to this genuine demand. He said the pradhan had also been demanding appointment of Gram Panchayat Raj Vikas Adhikari at every gram panchayat. Similarly, they have also demanded ensuring presence of gram pradhans in the District Planning Committees. “But the state government is only cheating the pradhans,” he said.

He disclosed that October 11 proposed protest rally would begin from Parade ground, Dehradun, and would culminate at the Secretariat. He said apart from pradhans, large number of villagers from the state would be participating in the rally.

He even asserted that the sanghatan, after the proposed rally, would also start indefinite dharna outside Uttarakhand Assembly building. “We will continue with our protests till our genuine concerns are addressed by the state government,” he observed.

 Illegal felling of deodar trees
Forest guard suspended, many transferred
Tribune News Service

Nainital, September 21
Initiating action in the case pertaining to illegal felling of deodar trees in the Jageshwar area of Almora, the Forest Department has suspended a forest guard while ordering large-scale transfers in the area.

Reports say that while the guard posted at the Dandeshwar Forest Post has been suspended and the staff posted at Punwanaula and Dandeshwar Forest Check Posts have been transferred.

It is learnt that a committee setup earlier to probe the allegations of tree felling in both civil and reserve forest areas has submitted its report to the Forest Conservator DN Semwal. There are also reports that the Almora police has arrested Rajesh Bhatt who owns a furniture shop.

Reports say that a three-member probe committee has found that 44 trees had been illegally felled in the civilian area. There are also indications that the timber had passed through the Dandeshwar Check Post.

Meanwhile, yet another instance of an armed skirmish between timber smugglers and Forest Department personnel has been reported from the

Barhaini Range near Kaladhungi. After an exchange of fire, the smugglers managed to flee from the spot leaving behind blocks of sheesham and three motorcycles. It was during a routine patrol that the personnel discovered three motorcycles hidden in a muddy patch with six blocks of Sheesham tied on them.

They also discovered the presence of smugglers close to the spot. When they encircled the smugglers, the latter allegedly resorted to firing which was answered with the same. Following an exchange of some rounds of fire, the accused managed to flee from the spot leaving behind the illegally felled timber.

Govt yet to issue notification on 4 new dists
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 21
Though the former state Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had announced the creation of four new districts on August 15, a notification in this regard is yet to be issued, thus putting a question mark on the fate of these districts.

On the other hand, people of different areas of Kumaon are on the warpath demanding administrative status for their respective areas. Residents of villages situated across the Gori river today took out a procession in Dharchula subdivision demanding the subdivision status for their region. “We have decided to intensify our agitation from tomorrow as our area has been neglected since the creation of Pithoragarh district in 1960,” said Ashoka Nabiyal, organiser of the Sangharsh Samiti.

Residents of the Askot area have also decided to form a committee to intensify their struggle demanding the setting up of the headquarters of the proposed district of Didihat in the Askot region. “Askot is the only place in Didihat subdivision where more than seven hectares of land at Panagarh is vacant. It can be used for the construction of the building of the proposed district headquarters of Didihat,” said CB Joshi, convener of the committee for the proposed agitation. Meanwhile, people of the Moonakot block today staged a demonstration at the district headquarters demanding the inclusion of polling booths in the area in the Pithoragarh Assembly constituency. 

Raksha Morcha seeks EC recognition
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
The Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha has submitted its application for registration as a political party to the Election Commission office in New Delhi.

In its application submitted today, the morcha has asked the commission to recognise it as a political party headed by expelled BJP leader Lt-Gen TPS Rawat (retd).

The other office-bearers include Rajinder Singh Bhandari as general secretary and SS Pangti as treasurer.

The morcha is already attracting support from ex-servicemen in the state.

Tripura minister visits FRI
Praises bamboo products
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, Sept 21
Tripura Rural Development Minister Jitendra Chaudhary today visited the Forest Products Division at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.

The minister was familiarised with different development work on bamboo products being carried out by the Forest Products Division. He appreciated the forestry research works undertaken by the FRI.

Dr Vimal Kothiyal, Head, Forest Products Division, explained the works carried out by the division on treated bamboo huts and how treatment could increase the life of bamboo houses in villages. Different technologies on chemical aspects related to bamboo huts were also explained. D P Khali, scientist, explained about the bamboo and other weed-based panel products.

A plant for manufacture of these products will be set up at Tripura with technical guidance of the FRI. The minister visited the Division of Genetics and Tree Propagation also and saw various tree improvement programmes in various tree species.

He was shown the latest DNA finger printing techniques and other applications in the forestry sector. Dr HS Ginwal, Head, Genetics and Tree Propagation Division, explained various programmes of genetics and tree improvement to the minister.

The minister was accompanied with VK Bahuguna, Director General, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and Dr SS Negi, Director, FRI, Dehradun. 

Admn plans to widen Kanwar stretch
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 21
Taking a clue from the successful Kanwar fair completion in which one crore Kanwariyas trod on the Kanwar patri (stretch that runs parallel to the Ganga canal) in Haridwar, the district administration is now contemplating on making the canal stretch wider so that it can be helpful in decongestion of highway traffic on this stretch.

For the past few years, particularly during Mahakumbh in 2010 and subsequent Kanwar and other annual religious festival, the Delhi-Haridwar-Dehradun national highway got choked and massive traffic jams were witnessed putting on hold the city’s life.

But this year two-week-long Kanwar fair saw a smooth flow of traffic on the national highway as the Kanwariyas movement was made on this stretch from Har-Ki-Pauri till the Narsain block, which falls on the border of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Now the administration has planned a multi-crore project to make the current stretch wider by almost two metre as well as make six new connecting bridges on the Ganga canal so that the maximum traffic prefer this stretch lessening the pressure on the national highway.

As per the district magistrate office, one bridge will be made at Ranipur Jhal, Jwalapur, where commuters have to tread at least 1500mtrs extra to reach Jwalapur and many use dangerous railway bridge where a number of casualties have taken place owing to people crossing the canal via the railway bridge.

Two bridges will be connecting Dakshdeep with Bairagi camp while one each will be made at Roorkee and Mangalore at different sites which are being finalised.

Keeping in mind the Kanwar fair, basic facilities such as drinking water, tin shades, roadside grills and streetlighting will also be provided.

With the Ganga canal in Uttarakhand being operated by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department as the property dispute between both states has not still been resolved, in view of the objection from the UP Irrigation Department, District Magistrate R Meenakshi Sundaram will be taking up this matter with the officers.

7 yrs on, hospital building awaits completion
Tribune News Service

Nainital, September 21
The delay in the construction of a government hospital in Champawat is yet another example of official apathy and the failure of the government to get works executed on time.

Construction work on the District Hospital had started in 2004, but the Rajkiya Nirman Nigam is yet to hand over the completed structure to the Health Department. The people of this remote district continue to be deprived of health facilities.

During an on-the-spot inspection of the construction site yesterday, District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Pandey issued orders for the early completion of the work. He was accompanied by local legislator Beena Mahrana.

Pandey has asked the top brass of the district Health Department to procure the required equipment and depute the staff to run the facility. A sum of Rs 6.66 crore had been sanctioned for the project, of which Rs 5 crore has been utilised by the executing agency, the Rajkiya Nirman Nigam.

Officials of the nigam told the legislator and the District Magistrate that they were carrying out quality construction work in a transparent manner.

They said since boring at the designated spot for obtaining water had proved futile, they would now have to carry out the exercise elsewhere so that the problem of potable water supply did not arise in the new facility. These officials have assured that they would complete the construction work within a month and began the process of the transfer of the building to the Health Department.

Pandey and Mahrana also asked officials about the facilities that would be provided to patients and the details about access to the hospital. Pandey has ordered that boring be done elsewhere and access road be constructed in consultation with experts.

He has directed that doors, windows and railings etc should be put in place at the earliest. He also inspected the operation theatre, waiting hall, kitchen, blood bank and other infrastructure being put in place in the hospital.

Department officials have been asked to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to the people coming to the hospital and if there are any problems with regard to the infrastructure, they must appraise the administration of the same.

Satpal Maharaj celebrates birthday
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 21
Thousands of people are thronging the Rishikul ground daily to hear the preaching of renowned spiritual guru Satpal Maharaj in Haridwar.

The occasion is special for the devotees as Maharaj, who is also a veteran Congress politician, is celebrating his birthday today.

A three day Sadhbhawna Samellan is being organised at Maharaj’s Prem Nagar ashram while spiritual discourse is being done at Rishikul maidan. Accompanying Maharaj,who represents Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat in lower house of parliament, is his wife Amrita Rawat, a legislator from Bironkhal assembly segment in Pauri Garhwal district.

Devotees from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryanan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are participating in large number with number set to pass a million mark, taking into account all the three day sessions.

Addressing the devotees, Maharaj urged them to practice sadhna.

“Religion teaches all to love, have compassion, do acts that are praiseworthy and shun all evil acts and feelings,” said Maharaj.

Citing malpractices and issues of corruption, Maharaj said self-introspection and thinking about nation will make one realise the wrong he was doing.

Rawat cited the need to have a religious-spiritual guru in one’s life as he is the bridge that connects a devotee with almighty. She said one could do social work to contribute to the society.

On the sidelines, both refrained from making any political statement.

 Demolition Drive
Affected residents of Lalji Wala area hold procession
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 21
Residents of the Lalji Wala area, whose temporary houses were razed by the district administration last week in the name of encroachment, took out a procession in protest against the demolition drive today. They alleged that this had been done at the behest of a local BJP minister.

Over 500 families have been rendered homeless owing to this.

They alleged that they were not even informed in advance about the demolition drive and were now being forced to live in the open. The affected families have now formed a body, the Beghar

Andolan Samiti, and launched an indefinite protest outside the City Magistrate’s office at Mayapur.However, SDM Harbeer Singh has justified the administrative action as, he said, the area in which these families had been living was a government property and illegally occupied.

Convener of the samiti Dheeraj Bharadwaj said: “Only those who have money or power have their say in this democracy. No one is concerned about over 500 families which are living in the open now. Local minister Madan Kaushik has also not met us. All BJP leaders used us as their vote bank during the elections in the past few years.” 

New assignments for 10 IAS officers 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
There has been a change in responsibilities for 10 IAS officers in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Principal Secretary PC Sharma, who was relieved of the post of the Civil Aviation Department in the recent reshuffle, has now been given back the Civil Aviation Department whereas Principal Secretary Rakesh Sharma will now no more hold the Civil Aviation Department.

He will, however, continue to hold charge of industrial development, external aided projects, centre-sponsored schemes and MD, State Industrial Development Corporation.

The re-organisation department has been taken back from Principal Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh. Secretary Hemlata Dhaundiyal has again been given the charge of the women empowerment department. She will take charge from Additional Secretary, independent charge, RK Sudhanshu, who has been given the responsibility of reorganisation and programme implementation.

Secretary MH Khan, who did not have a single department after the last reshuffle, has now been given the disaster management and programme implementation departments.

Additional Secretary, Public Works Department, Amit Negi has been handed over the additional charge of the child development department. Additional Secretary planning and finance PS Jangpangi has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of technical education department.

Additional Secretary AK Hayanki has been relieved of the responsibility of the department of reorganisation.

Roorkee Cricket Assn win title
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 21
The disastrous performance by the Indian cricket team in the just-concluded England tour has took the sheen off the cricket tournaments, which was also evident in the Under-16 District Cricket Championship organised by the Uttarkahand Sports Directorate. In the final of the championship, which witnessed a few spectators, the players of the Roorkee Cricket Association defeated their city rivals, the Nav Young Cricket Club, by a margin of 48 runs.

The Nav Young Club won the toss and elected to bowl first to take advantage of the early morning dew and moisture present at the Roshanabd stadium pitch.

But a brilliant display of effective defence from the RCA opening duo of Manish and Ali saw them pass these tough initial overs easily and as the pitch dried down both opened their arms with big shots. Manish made a classic 64 while Ali chipped in with 31 aided by a quick fire 24 from middle order batsman Sohit. From the bowling side, Ashish was the pick of the bowlers bagging 2 wickets at just 15 runs in his stipulated 4 overs.

In reply, the Nav Young Cricket Club couldn’t capitalise on the ideal weather and wicket conditions as their openers fell cheaply and middle order also fell at regular intervals in order to follow the surging run rate, owing to tight bowling and agile fielding from the RCA side. Ali cast a brilliant opening spell with just 18 runs for 3 wickets and was well-supported by Ishwar who grabbed 3 wickets and Harshil 2.

Later at the prize distribution ceremony, chief guest veteran cricketer Inder Mohan Barthwal urged youngsters to hone their skills in all conditions, be it seaming wickets or spinning tracks. Ashok Verma, Randhir Singh, Prickle Singh, Anuj Upadhyay, Abhishek Pal, Roshan and Sunil Kumar Dobhal helped in successful organising of the championship.

Red Cross Society to rent out office space

Dehradun, September 21
Paving the way for income generation, the state branch of the Indian Red Cross Society will rent out some of its rooms to the Uttarakhand AIDS Control Society and Blood Safety. 

A decision in this regard was taken at annual general meeting of the society recently. The two offices are awaiting relocation from their present premises located at the old DG’s office which would now be handed over to the 108 Emergency Ambulance services. State Governor Margaret Alva, who is the chairperson of the society, has already given her approval for the same. The society has been given a new building near the DG’s office located at Danda Lakhond (Sahastradhara Road). An official signing of the agreement is expected to take place in a day or two. — TNS

KV IMA enter semifinals in football tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
KV IMA and SGRR, Bindal, won in their respective quarterfinals to qualify for the semifinals of the 3rd ONGC Ram Bahadur Chhetri Memorial Football Tournament under way at Ambedkar Stadium here today.

KV IMA defeated Carman School, Shyampur, 2-0 with the help of Jitender (44th minute) and Akshil (55th minute) in a quarterfinal today. Carman School failed to score.

In another quarterfinal, SGRR, Bindal, had to fight hard to beat its mighty rival, RIMC, 4-3 in a tiebreaker. After the match drew 0-0 the tiebreaker was played. Mukul, Anoop, Shriram Sai and Sachin Chetri scored for the winning team. Abhishek Yadav, Nelson and Mohit scored for RIMC.

Tomorrow, the first semifinal will be played between Col Brown School and Doon Valley Public School

Doon Valley victorious
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
In a keenly contested knockout match, Doon Valley managed to eke out a 1-0 win over XI Star during the Doon Callisto Football Tournament at the Pavilion ground here today.

The lone goal through the effort of Rahul turned the tables for Doon Valley. He struck in the 35th minute of the game when the two teams were trying hard to score.

After this score, no goal came in the whole match as XI Star made an exit from the tournament.

Tomorrow, City Young will take on Doon Star in another knockout match.