Bill to strengthen office of Lokayukta not in this session
House to meet from today; Public Services Bill may be tabled
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
In the last crucial Assembly session before the state Assembly elections, the state BJP government, headed by the Chief Minister, Major-Gen BC Khanduri (retd), will not be able to bring in the new legislation strengthening the office of Lokayukta in the state.

Talking to media persons here today, the Chief Minister, however, said the Public Services Bill and the legislation about confiscation of “benami” properties could be brought in the three-day Assembly session starting from September 27.

He further said after starting his second innings as Chief Minister he had been earnestly making efforts to eradicate corruption in the state. On the question about taking action against any corrupt officer, he replied that it was too early to initiate action.

On being asked about the report of the 56 alleged scandals being probed by a retired judge, Khanduri replied that the sincerity of the BJP government could not be questioned as two of the earlier judges heading the probe panel died leading to the delay in the report.

Commenting on the adverse judgment given by the Nainital High Court striking down the Land Ceiling laws of the state debarring any outsider from buying land in the state, General Khanduri said a copy of the judgment was being procured and the state government would take suitable legislative and judicial actions in near future.

On strengthening the office of Lokayukta in the state, he said exercise had been going on to bring in a new legislation in which Chief Minister would also be brought under its purview. “We are on the job and even Team Anna has appreciated our efforts. Even after this last Assembly session we would explore other possibilities of bringing in an ordinance on the subject,” he added.

He also cleared the air on the announcement of creation of four new districts by former Chief Minister Nishank. He said all the new four districts would be formed soon.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that his party would be able to win the coming Assembly elections in the state. When questioned about political instability caused by frequent change of Chief Ministers by the BJP, he admitted that it would be hard to explain to the voters. “But, still I have been given this responsibility by the party high command due to the election strategy and I am sure of winning these elections for my party,” he added.

On the other hand, the Opposition Congress has also made elaborate preparations for bringing in a large number of workers from all over the state to gherao the state Assembly on the issue of alleged failure of the BJP government on all fronts. The state Congress planned to make it a show of strength and a start to its election campaign in the state.

Harak Singh Rawat, a senior Congress and Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, announced that his party was all for a smooth running of the House but would be critical of the policies of the state government.

Earlier, an all-party meeting was convened by Assembly Speaker Harbans Kapoor in which the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition Rawat also participated.

Land Sale To Outsiders
State must move SC against HC order: UKD
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
Trivender Singh Panwar, president of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), said in a press conference here today that the state government must approach the Supreme Court against the Uttarakhand High Court order which struck down land reforms of the state under which outsiders were prohibited to buy more than 250 sq metre of agriculture land under the Land Ceiling Act.

He said, “The order also said if the District Magistrate did not give permission within six months of the filing of the application for the purchase of the land, then it will automatically be considered his approval. This particular provision will encourage corruption at the DM level who may deliberately not give permission to save his skin in some cases whereas the land mafia belonging to the neighboring states and Delhi will control over the state land.”

Panwar flayed the state government for either intentionally not advocating its side in strong manner or having a panel of less competent lawyers who failed to sway the matter in their favour. He said if the state government did not take any action, then the UKD was ready to appeal against the order.

“If we come to power in the next Assembly elections, then our first priority will be to implement the 371 Land Act which prohibits outsiders completely to purchase any land in the state, something Himachal Pradesh has done quite successfully over the years,” he said.

He wondered the extent to which the corruption had spread out in the state, alleging toward 10,500 corruption cases in the state pointed out by the CAG in its report. He also attacked Khanduri saying that he must act against the tainted ministers in his Cabinet.

He also touched upon the contending issue of Residency Certificate/Domicile Certificate saying, “Our members have been sitting on a dharna on this particular issue for the past 50 days, which will continue until it is fully settled. Surprisingly, no cut-off date has been announced till date. Our party stands firm on the need of Residency Certificate in the state.”

On the issue of parleys taking place between the president of the opposite faction and Revenue Minister Diwakar Bhatt and mentor in his faction Kashi Singh Aeri, which is fanning the rumours regarding possible comeback of Bhatt and unification of the party, Panwar refused to talk about Bhatt. He said he did not know him any more now and since he had been expelled from the party, there was no question of his comeback in the party.

His efforts to bring a third alternative in the state would take a final shape in October as he said he was engaged in working out distribution of seats and selection of common issues with other parties.

Confusion over tabling of Citurgia land scam report
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
There is confusion whether the Khanduri government would table the report submitted by Justice BC Kandpal on the Citurgia land scam during the three-day Assembly session beginning tomorrow.

A few days ago there were reports that to silence the Opposition Congress that had been demanding action against the alleged corruption cases that took place during the former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank’s rule, the government may table the report..

On the directions of the High Court, the government had nominated Justice Kandpal, a retired judge of the High Court, to ascertain the role of officials in the Citurgia land scam.

However, sources in the government are saying as the matter is sub judice the government would not be able to table the report.

There are reports that Justice Kandpal has submitted his report on the Citurgia land scam to the Khanduri government. It is also believed that at least five officials have been indicted for their role in the scam.

Besides the much awaited Bill on Security Act for Doctors too will also not figure in the last Assembly session to be held under the present BJP government.

No factionalism in BJP: Nishank
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 26
In the city for the first time since he quit on a directive of the party high command, former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank denied any factionalism in the party and claimed himself to be a grass-roots worker of the BJP.

Nishank also expressed hope that the BJP would emerge victorious in the coming Assembly elections owing to mass developmental works being done by the state government during his and present Chief Minister BC Khanduri’s regime.

He expressed hope that the developmental works carried out during his tenure would be ably carried further by his successor (Khanduri), though he evaded further questions pertaining to his removal and about a section of the party who lobbied for his removal from the chief ministerial post.

When questioned by The Tribune about his prospect of contesting the Assembly segment from Srinagar in Pauri Garhwal, Nishank said the party high command in consultation with the state unit would decide all the 70 contestants.

“My first priority is to ensure that the party claims majority in the Assembly and leaders travel across all the 70 Assembly segments before the elections, listening to the problems of people as well as guiding party workers. Owing to a hectic schedule may be I couldn’t give much time to people but still I did my best to work for them and only in the BJP rule lies the developmental future of people of this hilly state,” said Nishank.

Earlier, far from his high-profile visits as Chief Minister, today’s visit was kept private with many office-bearers and workers of the party being unaware of his presence in the city. But, as the news of his arrival spread, hundreds of party activists and common people thronged the state guest house at Damkoti.

The former Chief Minister also listened to the complaints of people assuring them of taking up their complaints with the respective departments.

“Both Khanduri and Nishank are faces of our party not only at the state level but also the national level. Both are senior leaders of the party so there should be no question of dissent among party workers. He urged all the workers of the party to start going to voters’ doorstep to explain them about our developmental works,” said Sushil Chauhan, Haridwar district chief of the BJP.

Kumaon villages on path of agitation
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 26
Keeping the coming Assembly elections in mind, the residents of many villages of the Kumaon region have started agitations as a pressure tactics to get their demands for basic facilities like roads and water fulfilled. The agitation for roads in Munsiyari in Pithoragarh district and at Pati in Champawat district are the latest protests started by the people in 
this region.

In Pati block of Champawat district, the residents of more than 12 villages started an agitation at the district headquarters on September 22.

“We want a road from Government Intermediate College, Pati, to Malli Lari in Madhya Gangol Patti of the district covering a population of more than 6,000 in the area which has been neglected over the years, even after the formation of the state,” said Khushal Singh Adhikari, Block Pramukh of Pati block.

”We have assured the villagers of putting the proposal for the road in the next district plan but they are demanding immediate construction of the road which is not possible,” said JC Kandpal, Deputy Collector of Pati.

In Munsiyari subdivision of Pithoragarh district, the villagers of the Gori Par area are on dharna at the subdivision headquarters demanding a 10-km road across the Gori river. “If our demands are not fulfilled we will give a call to close down the Munsiyari market on September 29 as every political party has assured us of cooperation in our agitation,” said Ushahpati Dwivedi, a leader of the agitators.

“We today talked to the agitators about make a proposal for the road soon but the villagers didn’t agree as they want the work on the road to be begun immediately,” said Badlu Ram, Executive Engineer of the PWD in Didihat division.

The villagers said the officials and the government had been cheating them for the past 20 years on the issue of construction of these roads, They have not prepared the estimates for these yet. “This time the villagers have decided to fight a decisive battle till the elections and if our demands are not met and work on the roads is not started before the announcement of the Assembly poll, we will boycott the elections,” said Ushapati Dwivedi, a leader of the agitators.

Deputy Jailer’s Murder
One assailant held, 2 still at large
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 26
The police today arrested Harvinder Singh Rathi, a cousin of Sunil Rathi, from Roorkee in the deputy jailer’s murder case. On a tip-off from an informer, Harvinder was arrested by a team of the special operations group while he was trying to flee from the city in a car.

The police had been in search of Harvinder since September 12 when three motorcycle-borne assailants shot deputy jailer Narendra Singh at point-blank range just outside the Roorkee sub-prison.

As per Kuldeep Aswal, in charge of the Gang Nahar police station, Harvinder confessed to being one of the riders on a Pulsar who killed the deputy jailer.

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Roshan Lal Sharma said Harvinder had also been involved in several criminal cases and was contacted by Praveen Valmiki, another imprisoned hardcore criminal, to plan the murder of the deputy jailer. The manhunt is on for the arrest of the other two absconding assailants whom Harvinder accompanied on the motorcycle to kill the deputy jailer. He said in a couple of days they would also be arrested.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Haridwar, PS Selal, presenting Harvinder before media persons, said he was a hardened criminal who had served a 10-year sentence in a murder case in the Tihar jail in New Delhi. He was released in 2010 and was staying in his native village.

Regional parties find emotive issue
Rajeev Khanna
Tribune News Service

Nainital, September 26
The issue of the Uttarakhand High Court allowing purchase of 12.5 acres of agricultural land to any citizen of India has infused much-required adrenalin into the small and regional political forces that were on the lookout for an emotive issue ahead of the Assembly poll in the state.

With a fresh life infused into forces like the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) that had recently witnessed a split in its ranks and the Uttarakhand Partivartan Party(UPP), the youngest political outfit struggling to find its feet, the issue is sure to be raised repeatedly during the Assembly session that is scheduled to start tomorrow and also in the days to come.

Both these parties have been issuing hawkish statements on the emotive issue trying to whip up public sentiments, particularly of the masses residing in the hill areas of the state.

Earlier, both these forces, along with some others, had been trying to rake up the issue of making Gairsain the permanent capital of the state. Although, the issue remains unresolved even today, the public at large has been growing sceptical over it being raised by political forces time and again.

Then there has been the issue of residents of villages in Uttar Pradesh bordering Uttarakhand that have been demanding their inclusion in Uttarakhand. The UKD in particular has been hawkish on the issue stating that their inclusion in Uttarakhand is not in the interests of the people of the state as the state was created mainly to serve the interests of the remote hilly regions of the erstwhile Uttar Pradesh.

Ever since the High Court came out with the decision regarding the purchase of agricultural land by the original inhabitants of the state and ‘outsiders’, the two parties have jumped to grab the political issue made available to them.

In the latest statement, the president of the UPP, PC Tewari, has gone to the extent of demanding a special status by implementing Article 371 of the Indian Constitution. The party had earlier stated that it would take it upon itself to even approach the Supreme Court on the issue.

Leader of the UKD Narain Singh Jantwal on the other hand has demanded that that the hill agriculture needs to be protected at all costs.

Both these parties have been giving the example of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and also the North Eastern states when it comes to protecting the interests of the original inhabitants of the state. Not to be left behind, the Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist), which is also trying to widen its base in the hill districts, has also demanded protection of the interests of the native population. Being more innovative, its leader Raja Bahuguna has used social networking sites on the net to further the point of his party on the issue.

Andolankari manch stages dharna
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, September 26
Members of the Uttarakhand Andolankari Manch organised a dharna against the state government at Shaheed Sthal near Jhoola Ghar here today.

They are demanding a representation in the Supreme Court against the recent decision of the High Court regarding raising the ceiling level and allowing any person to purchase 12.5 acres of agricultural land in the state.

Convener of the manch Jai Prakash Uttarakhandi said they respected the decision of the High Court but were dejected at the way the government had pleaded this case in the High Court. He demanded that the state government should plead against the decision in the Supreme Court.

Reconsider definition of poor: MP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj has appealed to the Planning Commission to reconsider its definition of the people living below poverty line.

He said the statistical figures provided by the commission could not be held correct in the present scenario.

“According to the Planning Commission, a person earning Rs 32 a day in a city and Rs 26 in a village can not be termed as poor is erroneous as no one can afford two meals a day with this much money. Therefore the Planning Commission must undertake a fresh survey and prepare a new realistic report and definition.”

Police Action against Youth Cong Workers
Main parties hold rallies
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 26
The district units of both the Congress and the BJP today showed their strength by organising rallies in the city, slamming each other over last evening’s police action against the Congress activists who were protesting at Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik’s residence.

The Youth Congress activists, led by its state unit chief Anand Rawat, had to face the police action when they tried to barge into the premise of Kaushik’s residence at Khanna Nagar.

Anand Rawat, son of Haridwar parliamentarian Harish Rawat, along with at least six youth activists, sustained injuries in the police action. Around 100 activists were arrested but they were let off late in the evening.

Termed the police action as uncalled for, Anand said they were nonviolently moving ahead to submit a memorandum to the state minister regarding irregularities in the spending of the Maha Kumbh funds. Kaushik was the in charge minister for the Maha Kumbh 2010.

On the other hand, the BJP district unit staged a rally against the protest of the Youth Congress. Its leaders termed the Youth Congress protest as a popularity stunt, saying that no Congress activist was manhandled by the police. Anand and other injured activists sustained minor injuries while trying to break the police barricades, they claimed.

Haridwar divisional chief of the BJP Manoj Garg said: “Just by breaking into the minister’s house will not take him far in politics and he first should work at the grass-roots level. But, it’s not only his fault. Rahul Gandhi who banks on the Youth Congress does the same mistake, trying to gain people’s popularity by indulging in such cheap stunts”.

When contacted, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Harbeer Singh refuted any protester getting hurt due to the police action and said only water cannons were used to disperse them. When the situation seemed going out of control certain activists were arrested.

Meanwhile, Rajesh Rastogi, spokesperson for Harish Rawat, told The Tribune that in the coming week the district Congress would be staging a massive rally in Haridwar which will be led by Harish Rawat. All the units of the party will participate in it.

While party district chief Chaudhari Rajendra Singh said the BJP state government was deep into corruption. While the BJP high command has changed the Chief Minister, now it’s the turn of the people to change the whole government. He also urged the activists of the party to stage regular protests.

Student killed in mishap

Haridwar, September 26
Pankaj Kumar, a student of Gurukul Kangri University, was killed when he collided with an iron pole while alighting from a train.

The incident took place near Jwalapur railway station, 4 km for Haridwar city, when he was coming back to Haridwar from Saharanpur. He was a student of BA (yoga).

He was taken to the General Hospital by Railways staff, from where he was referred to Jolly Grant Hospital in Rishikesh. However, he succumbed to injuries on his way to the hospital. The university also remained closed today.

Meanwhile, university employees and his classmates, who accompanied Pankaj to the Jolly Grant hospital, alleged that his life could have been saved had the General Hospital’s ambulance been equipped with oxygen cylinder.

They also staged a protest on the hospital premises and demanded an inquiry into the matter. — TNS