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Assembly Poll
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Over 1,500 traffic offenders challaned
Tuskers claim two more lives
Science congress begins
Doon Civic Blues
Nainital Diary
Bal Bharati, Scholars Home School in quiz final
CPM forms district panel
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Assembly Poll
Dehradun, November 27 “Usually, the political parties do not observe transparency in the distribution of the ticket. Party worker is seldom involved while finalising the candidates but when it comes to election time, the parties go out to woo voters.
We will be putting up details of the candidates in the public domain as they have a right to know about the suitability of the candidates,” said Trilochan Sastry, Dean, IIM Bangalore, and member of the ADR, while speaking with mediapersons yesterday. He said affidavits of 70 MLAs of the Uttarakhand 2007 Assembly were analysed and out of these 17 had criminal cases pending against them, while seven had serious criminal cases pending against them. Out of the 17 MLAs with pending criminal cases, eight were from the BJP, three each were from the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) two were independents and one was from the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD),” he said. A total of 26 MLAs out of 70 had not declared their PAN card details. The MLAs with serious pending criminal cases include former Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, BSP MLA from Sitarganj Narayan Pal, BJP MLA from Bajpur Arvind Pandey, BSP MLA Surender Rakesh, BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi, Congress MLA Gopal Singh and Congress MLA Pritam Singh. While Anil Bairwal, national coordinator of the association said with business houses making contribution to the political parties in a big way, there was a fear that the public interest would be in conflict with the business interest. They also announced the creation of the Uttarakhand chapter of the ADR with Dr Ravi Chopra, Kamla Pant, Jhanvi Tiwari, Avtar Singh Negi and BP Maithani
as members.
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Nishank announces Rs 50 lakh for war memorial’s renovation
Dehradun, November 27 Ran Singh Thapa, president of the Balbhadra Khalanga Vikas Samiti, who organises this function every year, talked of the proposal to renovate the war memorial and improve amenities on the venue to attract more visitors. “The fund will be utilised to boost eco-tourism in the area under which a sitting arrangement will be provided here. More ornamental trees will be planted and a new pond will be constructed as well. A new trekking routes will be developed up to the memorial site, where we are already building a big gate and making concrete seating arrangements,” he said. He said the society would contact the British government to provide it with original documents/research papers on the war so that they would be able to secure their historical credentials in order, before celebrating the completion of two centuries of the war. He expected to get further insight into the war after excavating the war ground where he hoped of finding more evidence of historical battle. He said the proposal regarding this had been sent to the Culture Department who owned the land at present. Sitting on a hilltop, men, women and children dressed in colourful and traditional attire, enjoyed themselves with different delicacies, including traditional Gorkhali dishes, a bonanza of Gorkhali music and dance presented by little girls and boys. Sarla Thapa, former village pradhan, Navada village, said she had regularly been coming to the fair for many years as it reminded her of the bravery and historical significance of their community. Saroj Guru said the fair was an excellent medium to educate children and youngsters about their roots and culture. The women also held stalls selling woollen wears, decorative items and
apparels.
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Abhishek helps GND varsity lift cricket title
Dehradun, November 27 The run machine of the GND University cricket team continued to roll on the last day of the three-day final of the tournament. GND University team started from 391 runs for six wickets today. Abhishek Gupta unbeaten on 150 runs on the second day continued his run hunt and was out on 285 runs scored in 483 balls with the help of 42 boundaries and two hits over the fence. His exit did not brought any relief to Delhi University team as tailenders Charanjit Singh (59 runs ) and Krishna (53 runs) continued to plunder runs. GND Univereity team scored a mammoth 655 all out in 144.2 overs. Gaurav Kochar of Delhi University took five wickets for 158 runs while Lokender and Nitin Yadav took two wickets each. Earlier, Delhi University had scored 320 runs in their first innings with the help of 105 runs by Hemant Singh. Trailing by 335 runs in the first innings, Delhi University started their second innings and were 55 for no loss in 18 overs when stumps were drawn on the last day of the final match. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, were declared the winners on the basis of the first innings lead. DS Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Technical University, the host university, gave away prizes to the winners and runners-up teams. Abhishek Gupta was awarded the man of the match award for the mammoth knock in the
final match.
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Over 1,500 traffic offenders challaned
Dehradun, November 27 Under this drive, 17 people were challaned for drunken driving, 910 for driving without helmets, 180 for triple riding, 270 for not carrying driving licenses and 545 for over-speeding, one way driving, wrong parking, overloading, using mobile phones while driving and defying other traffic regulations. At least 17 vehicles of offenders were impounded during the drive. The DIG expressed satisfaction over the results and rewarded cash prizes to the best performing inspectors, sub-inspectors, head constables and constables. Gunjiyal said regular meetings with office-bearers of taxi, auto, vikram and city bus associations should also be held time to time.
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Tuskers claim two more lives
Dehradun, November 27 Conservator of Forests Bhagirathi circle SM Joshi has linked the woman death to the rouge tusker. “The reports we have received from the eye witnesses reveal that the woman in came across a herd of elephants which led to her death,” Joshi said. He said forest guards were cautious after the Bibiwala incident and had started patrolling the region. The deceased has been identified as Sita Shah (50) of Suman Vihar, Bapu Gram, Rishikesh. Similarly, SM Joshi said wildlife experts were camping in Chorpani to track down the tusker. He said long distancing patrolling on the Corbett elephants was also underway. In another incident, a labourer was killed by a tusker in the Dholkhand area of the Jim Corbett National Park. The deceased, identified as Tehvar Khan (35), was working in a check dam being constructed by the state forest department when he was attacked by
an elephant.
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Science congress begins
Dehradun, November 27 State convener Dr Ashok Kumar Pant said a total of 139 teams would participate in the science congress from all over the state. The children would submit research papers on six sub-titles under the theme, ‘Should ground resources be used for prosperity or be saved for future?’. RC Pandey, chairman of the state convention committee, guided the children on the infinite possibilities of research in the field of science.
— TNS
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Doon Civic Blues
Dehradun, November 27 However, when it was replaced by the Municipal Corporation, this work was shifted to the Jal Nigam. Since people here have not taken sewerage connections as it is a slum colony, the Jal Nigam is also showing no interest to solve their problem.”
Mohammad Yasin, a local resident, said: “An overpowering stench from choked drains has made it difficult for us to live. No one comes here to clean them. Residents have to hire private sweepers to get them cleaned.” Another resident, Javed Khan, said: “Manholes remain filled with garbage. The condition of sewer pipes is very poor. Neither officials of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation nor of the Jal Nigam are ready to get them repaired.” Qamar Jahan: “We have no option but to continue to live in unhygienic conditions.” Shahana Praveen said: “People are ready to pay for new sewerage connections provided we get new pipes in the area.” The councillor said: “As the condition of sewer pipes is very poor that even cannot be repaired, I had requested the Mayor and officials of the Jal Nigam to lay new pipes under the second phase of the Asian Development Bank’s project. The Mayor has agreed to it and has also got a survey done by the ADB.” Another problem being faced by the residents of the area is of increasing traffic. Aziz said under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, a flyover was to be constructed in the area, but the project had been hanging fire.
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Nainital Diary
THE city of Nainital has witnessed a hot debate these days. The issue of whether the government should allow an increase in the height of the buildings in the city to the desired 35 feet or not is being contested hotly among the people at various places. The issue is also providing a glimpse to the observers into the shady world of vested interests at work in different ways.
Observers point out that there is a Supreme Court direction against building of commercial complexes in the city. To begin with, it needs to be pointed out that Nainital is grappling with an acute housing crisis. The regular influx of population on account of their professional demand has led to the spiraling demand and high cost of housing accommodation. Those seeking an increase in the height of the existing buildings give this as a prime reason for the acceptance of the demand. But in the face of all this, there are several questions that stare the government, planners and the administration in the face. To begin with, why is there no demand for the government to come out with a clear cut housing policy to address the needs of the people? Why are there no attempts to set up urban development authorities like other states to acquire land, even if on the periphery, and develop planned housing
structures? Observers point out that if Nainital cannot bear the brunt of rampant construction owing to its fragile ecology and its location in a high-risk seismic zone, the government can develop some housing colonies as per the acceptable and existing norms on the periphery and in areas like Khurpatal, Bhawali, Jyolikote etc and supplement it with a good public transport system to and fro to the main town. This brings to the golden question that even if the government attempts to agree to the demand of those seeking an increase in the height of buildings, whose interests will be served? Those already owning buildings in the city are not facing any housing problem as such but point out that with their expanding families they require more housing space. Skeptics say that it will just serve the interests of those wanting to develop flats by transforming the existing buildings and sell them off for a hefty premium. It is also pointed that given the low income level of ordinary local folk in the region, the purchasers will just be the high earning group from the metros having a fascination for owning a house in the hills. This brings to the core question of
whether the interests of those earning their livelihood in the city or its adjoining areas are served. A solution that is suggested is that the permission may be granted in the interest of the people by adding the rider that the additional accommodation derived from the increased height will not be sold commercially andd be used for personal use of the family of the owner. There might be riders pertaining to the sale of the building if the owner wants to dispose off the property. Talking of the vested interests at work, it has been clearly visible how mediapersons have been approached time and again to rake up the issue whenever the Chief Minister has come to city. As senior mediapersons and social activists involved with most of the people's movement in the region, Rajiv Lochan Sah points out, "Several people are serving the interests of the builders while being in the garb of mediapersons or even social workers." This phenomenon was once again visible when sections of media eulogised Chief Minister Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri during his recent visit to the town. Mediapersons left no stone unturned in their task when they went about addressing Khanduri's visit to Nainital as a visit to his "Sasural" (Khanduri's wife spent a major part of her life in the town and Khanduri makes it a point to visit Pashan Devi temple whenever he is in town). The joke doing the rounds in the town is that those with vested interests are trying to emotionally blackmail the town's son-in-law into serving their economic interests. Old timers say that Khanduri had thrown the request for increasing the height of buildings at the face of those demanding it when he had come to Nainital for the first time as the Chief Minister of the state in 2007. It remains to be explained what reportedly led him to "agree" to the demand before the Parliamentary poll. If at all he had agreed may be it was political compulsions. But during his recent visit he had remained non-committal. Grapevine has it that the issue was sidelined and brushed under the carpet when it came up for discussions at one of the important meetings just a few days back having realized that it is a hornet’s nest that should not be stirred without proper analysis. So it is back to square one. Meanwhile, a campaign is on against those who have dared to take up the matter in the interest of the people and the fragile ecology of the city. A pointer in the face of the existing situation is that illegal construction is continuing unhampered in the town with impunity while precious little is being done to stop it.
Spicier politicians
As the assembly poll approaches, the quote coming from the politicians get spicier by the day. The most recent example of this phenomenon came from none other than former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari. When asked by mediapersons how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will face the public during the campaign on the issue of having continuously replaced Chief Ministers in the state, he said,” Don’t the people prefer a change in their menu? They have one pulse and cereal one day and something else the other.” To substantiate his point, he named a few combinations of pulses and cereals. Jokes apart, Koshiyari was furious at his own party workers for inviting the media without his prior sanction. His view was that the media should only be invited if there is something new to be said. But sycophants have
something else up their sleeves. (By Rajeev Khanna)
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Students hold awareness march
Mussoorie, November 27 The students also pledged to plant saplings in and around the town. A discussion on the environment and afforestation was also organised. Coordinator of the march Preeti Pundir said if each student made an effort to spare at least one hour towards environment conservation, it would help making the town green. Programme manager Fahim Ahmed, Ashok Akela, Sushma Rawat, Anchal and Divya Srivastava were present on the occasion.
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Bal Bharati, Scholars Home School in quiz final
Haridwar, November 27 Started in 2001, the CBSE Heritage India Quiz is one of the enrichment activities initiated by the CBSE
with the objective of inculcating among the students interest and appreciation for the rich heritage and diversity of the country. The quiz saw
good usage of audio and visual clippings as is seen in the ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ television show. A stiff competition was seen between the eventual winners Bal Bharati School and Scholars Home School, Dehradun. Each school
was represented by three students, forming a team selected from classes IX to XII. Host Ranipur School’s students Meghna was adjudged as the best quizzer and given a special memento.
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CPM forms district panel
Dehradun, November 27 Two positions are still vacant. The convention was presided over Shiv Prasad Devli, Virender Bhandari, Indu Naudiyal and Kamruddin. State secretary of the party Vijay Rawat called upon party representatives to contribute to state politics by working unitedly to ensure win for the party in the coming Assembly elections.
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