Doon faces LPG shortage
Dehradun, February 10
The shortage of LPG cylinders in the city has increased in the last couple of months. Customers are not being provided home delivery services by the gas agencies as the people can be seen standing in long queues outside the agency offices in the morning to take the delivery of gas cylinders.

Dehradun, February 10
Together with making the Form-F information online by April 1 and setting limit for the functioning of radiologists at three centres within a radius of 10 km, the Health Department’s efforts to curb female foeticide are expected to get the much-needed push.

The Form-F will be made online by April 1 this year. It will not only help in keeping a track of registered radiologists but also on the number of ultrasounds being carried out on female patients. The Form F is compulsory requirement under the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test (PCNDT) Act.

“There are close to 450 registered ultrasound centres. All these will now have to compulsorily make the information of Form-F online by revealing the name of the radiologist and the number of ultrasounds carried out. The information will be uploaded on the website maintained by the State Health Society,” said Piyush Singh, Additional Secretary, Health.

Dehradun, February 10
Principal Secretary, Health, S Ramaswamy today called on medical practitioners and social activists to join in the efforts to curb female foeticide.

“The declining female child sex ratio is continuing to pose problem in the state and several districts known to have healthy female child sex ratio have fallen prey to the malicious practice,” said S Ramaswamy at the start of the state-level sensitisation programme for master trainers on the PCPNDT Act.

The workshop was organised to acquaint the master trainers about the PCPNDT Act and the various provisions in the Act that needed to implemented in totality. 

Dehradun February 10
The High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital has directed DAV PG College to reply on February 21 on a petition filed by a college student, who is among the 3,200 students whose results of annual examination of last year are yet to be declared by HNB Garhwal University.

According to Dr Devender Bhasin, Principal, DAV College, “A girl student of Bachelor of Arts had filed a petition in the High Court stating that she had completed all admission formalities, including submission of fee, for pursuing graduation after which she was allotted enrolment number.”

In a writ petition filed by her, it is also stated that the petitioner had attended classes regularly and filled in the examination form for appearing in the BA-I examination in due time. She was also issued admit card with a roll number for appearing in the examination and appeared in the exam held during April-May 2011 to which results were declared in September.

When the results of the petitioner was not declared along with other students, she was informed by the college administration that her result was held back due to her late admission.

The petitioner is now worried as the examination of BA second year will begin from April and her result has not been declared yet. The petitioner fears that one year of her academic career will be spoiled if the university doesn’t declare her results.

“We will take stand against the petition and present our lawyer in the court with the reply on the scheduled date,” added Bhasin.

The results of 3,200 students of the degree courses in DAV College, who had appeared in annual examinations last year, are yet to be declared by the university. It has rejected their admissions on the ground of late submission of the examination forms but the college administration had issued them admit cards for appearing in the examination. 

Dehradun, February 10
The shortage of LPG cylinders in the city has increased in the last couple of months. Customers are not being provided home delivery services by the gas agencies as the people can be seen standing in long queues outside the agency offices in the morning to take the delivery of gas cylinders.

Anurag Gas Agency, which has a backlog of nearly 2,000 cylinders, has pasted a notice outside its office at Bhandari Bagh that the booking for the next cylinder can be made only after 35 days of the delivery of one cylinder. The notice created confusion among the customers of the area, who visited the agency office yesterday and argued with the agency officials. The agency manager, however, managed to control the situation by blaming the shortage of gas cylinders on the Loni gas plant of Hindustan Petroleum.

NK Gusain, former district president of the Uttarakhad Kranti Dal, who has been raising the issue with the authorities concerned, said, “The gas agencies befooled people by promising them home delivery of cylinders. People stand in long queues since morning and still many of them do not get the supply. The customers are often told that the agency has run out of stock. It is sheer wastage of time and is quite frustrating. The situation is more alarming in rural areas.”

Gusain accused the officials concerned of doing nothing about it. The District Supply Officer was found absent from duty when this reporter went to meet him. He also did not respond to phone calls made to him. Dhananjay Aswal, General Manager (Marketing), Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and in-charge of GMVN gas agencies, said, “The consumption of LPG increases during the winter, thus raising the demand. Since the people are no longer using the traditional methods of cooking and are largely dependent on LPG, the gas agencies must keep sufficient stocks and supply cylinders in time.” In-charge of Himani Gas Agency A Raturi blamed the strike by transporters and gas plant employees in the recent past for the delay in gas supply.

He said the customers should not expect cylinder delivery in a month. “The booking for the second cylinder is generally done after 21 days of the delivery of first cylinder and the supply given after a week or 10 days later,” he said. 

Dehradun, February 10
A team led by Harak Singh Rawat, Additional Mukhya Nagar Adhikari, Dehradun Municipal Corporation, demolished four illegal houses at Chander Nagar here today.

Another team led by Rajesh Naithani and Mandan Gopal also removed few rehries from the Gandhi Park and Rajpur Road.

Since JCB machine could not enter the area, the houses were demolished manually. The residents of the houses did not lodge any protest as they had built them a month ago only. The team will demolish illegal houses at Jakhan tomorrow.

Harak Singh Rawat said: “Taking advantage of the busy schedule of administrative and police officials during the Assembly elections last month, many people built illegal houses on vacant government land. However, this will not be tolerated and all illegal houses will be demolished.” 

Mussoorie, February 10
Acting on the suggestions of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) and to frame new guidelines, officials of the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority today inspected 600 dilapidated and hazardous buildings identified by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Centre during a survey last year.

MDDA Vice-Chairman BVRC Purshotam visited the Kohinoor building at Landour Bazar and found that it is on the verge of collapse and need immediate restoration. Purshotam also visited those places where illegal construction was going on.

He met SCMC member Hugh Gantzer at his residence and discussed a plan to formulate new guidelines in this regard. Talking to the media, Purshotam said he was here to assess the present condition of the 600 hazardous buildings identified by the DMMC at Landour Bazaar and formulate a construction policy, so that residents are able to repair their establishments.

Purshotam further said a meeting with the SCMC in this regard had been conducted in December, where stress was laid to speed up the process of formulating the new guidelines so that the residents of Landour Bazar could repair their dilapidated buildings as per the requirement. “The construction policy for the said area will be formulated soon,” added Purshotam.

According to the survey conducted by a Disaster Management and Mitigation Centre team at Mussoorie last year, the popular hill station is sensitive to even a moderate earthquake that could cause damage to Mussoorie beyond imagination. A seismology study at Mussoorie has also revealed that it falls under zone 4 of the India’s earthquake zoning map, which means that the town will be unable to face the jolts of moderate earthquake.

The survey that included 3,334 structures in 11 wards of Mussoorie and Landour was restricted to only those buildings that qualified under grades 4 and 5. While grade 4 indicates serious structural damage, grade 5 means complete structural collapse and that which cannot be rebuilt.

The survey also revealed that of these, only 600 buildings belong to grade 4 and 5 and most of the buildings were situated at Landour Bazar.

Meanwhile, residents of the town have welcomed the move and said the new proposed policy would provide immense relief to them and prevent any further damage and loss to the buildings. 

Dehradun, February 10
Director-General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Dr VK Bahuguna said women had a greater role to play in climate change mitigation efforts as they were more good resource managers than men.

Addressing a valedictory session of a five-day training course on the “Climate Change and Carbon Mitigation” for women scientists and technologists working in the government sector, Dr Bahuguna said women in particular were vulnerable to climate change because they were more prone to its adverse impacts. He said India was likely to be affected adversely by the impact of climate change due to food and water security. He urged all scientists to join hands to ensure climate change adaptation in various agroclimatic zones of the country. 

Dehradun, February 10
For the development of students as well as to strengthen the academic curriculum, the Azim Premji Foundation for Development organised a day-long Bal Chaupal here today.

The Bal Chaupal was a fete-cum-activity ground where students from nearby government schools and some private schools participated. They went through several experiences at the institute premises with pottery class, puppet making with old newspaper, how to maintain and repair bicycle, theatrical activities, origami, science experiments and painting.

Ambrish Bisht, coordinator of the programme, said, “While working with children we have learnt that they have their own natural intrinsic behaviour. They join school with prior knowledge, understanding and contextual experiences. They are excited and curious to know about things around them.”

“Bal Chaupal is an attempt to bring the education system and society closer to each other. It is an attempt to bring children closer to childhood as well as to enhance the modules education programme for the overall development of children. It is as a platform for learning experience rather than a mere activity ground,” he added. 

Dehradun, February 10
From pen stands made of bangles to science models and useful items made from recycled material, students of Junior School at St Joseph’s Academy demonstrated their skills and artistry at the Art and Craft Exhibition here today.

The exhibition was organised on the premises of the school and was open to public. On display were various paintings, collages and models made of foam and recycled waste and decorative items such as stuffed toys, napkin-holders, pen stands trays and photo-frames made of household items like napkins, socks, bags, bangles, matchsticks and cartons.

LKG and UKG students transformed their classrooms into art galleries with a wonderful arrays of animals like rabbits and bears made of foam cups and socks, while shells, buttons and popcorn were used to decorate photo-frames and paper bags. Egg cartons were recreated into beautiful flowers and caterpillars, while drawings made by tiny tots brought forth their creativity.

Students of Class I had one of the most captivating stalls called the “Animal Kingdom”, which displayed handmade models of various aquatic and land animals. There was also a beautiful aquarium with handmade paper fishes. While the students of Class II put up models of monuments from different states of India such as Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Kerala and Rajasthan. On display was a life-size replica of a Kashmiri shikara that caught everyone’s attention and so did a dance by students in traditional attire. A Kashmiri girl clad in a firan was the centre of attraction as she welcomed visitors with a basket of apples and a warm smile.

The students of Class III exhibited various models on environment and made everyone aware about the ways to conserve nature and curb pollution. The theme of Class IV students was “Festivals” and they had colourful models representing festivals of India like Diwali, Holi, gurpurab, Christmas etc. The model of Red Fort and the National Flag were also displayed and the students explained to the visitors the relevance of the national festivals. Moreover, the students of Class V showcased the rich “Flora and Fauna” of India with a beautiful replica of a greenhouse. They had displayed real plants and flowers, besides models of trees and animals. The students spoke about their models with confidence and conviction. There was also a power point presentation by Class IV and V.

The principal of the school, Brother George, praised the students for their hard work and skills in putting together a superb display of art. He exhorted the students to come up with innovative ideas and share them in making their surroundings beautiful. He also thanked the coordinator of Junior School for organising such a creative event.

Dehradun, February 10
Chief Secretary Subash Kumar today said impressed with the Uttarakhand model of Swajal under way in the state, the Central Government had decided to implement it in the rest of the country.

At a meeting, Subash Kumar said the Rs 1,241 crore Swajal Scheme, under way in the state that had entrusted the task of making water schemes and carrying sanitation programme to the village level committees, had won kudos from the Centre.

He said the sanitation and water supply had considerably improved in villages.

He said for 2010-2011, a survey of 7,505 villages had been undertaken. A total of 2,645 schools had now got toilet facilities. 

Dehradun, February 10
PWD XI and Diamond Cricket Club won their respective matches in the 60th Dehradun District Cricket League Tournament under way at the Survey Stadium and the OFD grounds here today.

In the first match played at the OFD grounds, Diamond Cricket Club defeated Little Masters Cricket Club by 30 runs. Batting first, Diamond Cricket Club scored 133 runs all out in 28.1 overs.

Manish was the top scorer with 27 runs. Vishal took four wickets for 21 runs. In reply, Little Masters Cricket Club was all out for 103 runs in 28.2 overs losing the match by 30 runs. Opener Chetan was the highest scorer with 34 runs. Rahul took three wickets for 17 runs.

In the second match played at Survey Stadium, PWD XI defeated Media XI by eight wickets. Media XI, which batted first after winning the toss, scored only 64 runs all out. Opener Pawan Rawat with 18 runs was the highest scorer. Manoj Bharatwal took three wickets for 17 runs while Kishan Mehta also took three wickets for 11 runs.

In reply, PWD XI scored 65 runs for the loss of two wickets to win the match by eight wickets. Sandeep Joshi was the top scorer with an unbeaten 14 runs.