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Resource crunch hits AIR, DD kendras
Cabinet to discuss Chakrata Road
traders’ issue after poll results
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JCB machines gather dust on MC campus
3-day meeting on forest management begins
PFA opposes move to use dogs as bait
The ill-fated Indica that fell into a gorge near Mussoorie on Wednesday.
Farewell party at Children’s Academy
Students perform a dance at a farewell party at Children’s Academy in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph
Miss and Mrs Winter Contest
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Resource crunch hits AIR, DD kendras
Dehradaun, February 15 Missing deadlines in 2009 and again in 2011, the work at the studio complex has been severely affected by resource crunch. For the last six months, the Central Government has not released the funds for the Prasar Bharati complex. While the furnishing work at the Akashvani studio is progressing at a snail’s pace, the work at the Doordarshan studio has almost come to a standstill since the last 10 months in the absence of funds. Due to the delay, the cost of the project is expected to escalate. For the greater part of last year the complex was in the news for the wrong reason. The disgruntled employees, who often climbed atop the tower installed in the vicinity, used it as a means to ventilate feelings against the government and even threaten suicide in case their demands were not met. About 80 per cent of the work is complete at the Akashwani complex, comprising a separate drama room, audition room and six digital studios. A total of Rs 5 crore have been spent on the building and another Rs 20 crore to Rs 25 crore would be spent on the equipment, some of which has been imported from abroad. “Along with the funds, we are awaiting procurement of transmitters. These, too, would be imported. The delay has been at several levels on the part of the local construction agent, who has since been changed last year,” said B.K Singla, Chief Engineer, North Zone (Civil Construction Wing of Doordarshan and Akashvani). The project was mooted by the then Chief Minister N.D Tiwari in 2002, but the work could start only in 2006 after four acres of land was made available on the byepass road. After the change in the regime in 2007, the project lost steam soon after. The initial projection of the project was then put at Rs 5 crore but the total cost of the project would be between Rs 30 crore and Rs 40 crore. In the absence of a full-fledged Prasar Bharati complex, the Doordarshan and the All India Radio offices have been forced to work out of rented premises with limited staff. Even the Akashvani centre is yet to function fully and continues to be a regional newsroom without a station with bulletin-broadcasting arrangement with Lucknow station of All-India Radio (AIR).
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Cabinet to discuss Chakrata Road
traders’ issue after poll results
Dehradun, February 15 Shashi Kant Goyal, president of Chakrata Road Shopkeepers Association, said: “The shopkeepers put themselves in the problem by insisting upon leaving only two feet space and not two metres as directed by the state government. If a large part of their shops were dismantled, then forsaking two metres more should not have been made a big issue. As far as those who are left with little space are concerned, they have been allotted shops in the new shopping complex and, therefore, should not become greedy.” He said the Commissioner also alluded towards a petition filed in the High Court regarding this issue where the appellant had questioned the logic of making the shopkeepers leave only 2-metre space for footpath on Chakrata, whereas in all other government buildings 4-metre space is left as per norms. Despite the lenient consideration, he rued that the shopkeepers were unnecessarily making it a big issue and created
He also indicated towards a group of shopkeepers who, he said, kept mum in the meetings with the MDDA officials and the commissioner and created a ruckus at their back before the media persons. The shopkeepers are disappointed with the commissioner’s response. Anil Kumar said: “Bureaucrats know the art of complicating and delaying issues so well. If the matter was to be deferred to the next Cabinet meeting or decided by the High Court, then why were we assured of being provided an amicable solution and made to give our opinion in writing to Mussoorie Dehradun Development Office,”
he asked.
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JCB machines gather dust on MC campus
Dehradun, February 15 Not only this, two JCB machines are already there on the premises. Vinay Kohli, councillor, complained that one of the machines got rusted for not being used. He said, “The entire garbage collection and processing part has been taken over by private agencies under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission scheme. They have their own JCB machines and vehicles. For demolishing illegal buildings, the DMC already had two JCB machiness, which are not used regularly. So there was no need to buy two more. It seems only a ploy to settle money for vested interests.” He also said the DMC did not show any promptness in registering the machines which proved it did not require these. The DMC would also not take risk in driving the unregistered JCB machines as it had been pulled up enough by the media for doing so with the old JCB machines. The media highlighted how DMC officials were playing with the interests of drivers who, if met with an accident, would get no insurance claims. The corporation too would not get any insurance benefit for JCB machine damage as well. City Health Officer, DMC, Kailash Joshi did not see useless expenditure in buying new JCB machines and said, “The machines will be used to collect rubble from the demolition sites. Two are not enough for us. Not only this, the department also needs four dumper trolleys as well which will cost us Rs 24 lakh. We need more machines and vehicles to meet our growing requirements.” He cited the Assembly elections for the delay in registering the new JCBs.
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3-day meeting on forest management begins
Dehradun, February 15 During the deliberations, Dr Anil Joshi from the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation stressed on a mechanism for knowledge and technology transfer. Earlier, Sandeep Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Research), welcomed all the directors and RPC members. Dr JK Rawat, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Haryana, Dr TK Roy, and Prof SD Kashyap, Head, Silviculture and Agroforestry Department, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, are attending the meeting. — TNS
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PFA opposes move to use dogs as bait
Dehradun, February 15 PFA has argued that modern-day cages ensure safety of both the bait and the animal but the Dehradun Forest Department was still putting to use outdated cages. Gauri
Maulekhi, member-secretary, People for Animals, Uttarakhand, said the forest authorities that installed cages at Salawala have advised residents to tie stray dogs to these cages as it would attract the prowling leopard. “On foresters’ advise, many residents have tied the dogs, which was a blatant act of cruelty,” Maulekhi pointed out. She said the cages should have iron mesh that should separate first of all the live bait from the predator.
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Car falls into gorge, one killed
Mussoorie, February 15 The deceased has been identified as Deep Mala of Uttar Pradesh. Her body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. The injured, Roop Chand of Dehradun, has been admitted to a government hospital. According to the Mussoorie police, the accident took place when Roop Chand who was driving the vehicle lost control over it. Local residents came to know about the mishap this morning when they heard someone crying for help. They reported the matter to the police, which took the injured to hospital.
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Farewell party at Children’s Academy
Dehradun, February 15 Students of Class XI presented a variety of programmes on the occasion. Teachers wished the students good luck for their future. The programme began with a welcome song followed by dance items. Hip hop dance by Akhil Kukreti and a special dance programme by girls held the audience spellbound. Various games, including musical round, question round and ramp walk, were also organised. The title of ‘Mr CBSE’ was won by Ankur Prajapati and ‘Miss CBSE’ by Aayushi Bhatnagar. The head boy of the academy proposed a vote of thanks to the audience.
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Dehradun, February 15 They will be participating in various other competitions before the grand finale. — TNS
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The Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has bought two more JCB machines for Rs 41 lakh. But these machines, bought long before the elections, had been lying unregistered in the DMC compound.
Not only this, two JCB machines are already there on the premises.
Children’s Academy organised a farewell party for the outgoing students today.
Students of Class XI presented a variety of programmes on the occasion. Teachers wished the students good luck for their future.
