Dehradun, February 20
Chief Minister BC Khanduri today ordered an inquiry into the blast during his visit to Doon Hospital and Himalayan Hospital at Jolly Grant where the students, who were injured in yesterday’s blast at Raipur, were admitted. Meanwhile, the Principle of Maharana Pratap College also filed a case against the in charge of the Army Firing Range of Raipur.

Meanwhile, the condition of the students remained stable.

The Chief Minister talked to Sagar, a student, in ICU and met other injured boys and ensured proper treatment and help from the state government to the parents of the boys. He directed officials to release fund from the state exchequer for the treatment of boys.

The CM said, if needed, the students would be sent to better hospital for which the state

government would pay. He said the affected families would also be supported by the state government.

He also talked to surgeon Dr Manu, Medical Superintendent Dr KC Pant and SK Gupta with regard to the health of the boys. The doctors said it might take four to six months for the injured to heal.

He directed Sports Minister Khajan Das, Director, Sports, NS Negi and the managmenent of Maharana Pratap Sports College to ensure that such incidents were not repeated in the future.

Later Khajan Das held a review meeting in this regard.

The Chief Minister asked Negi to conduct an inquiry into the incident so that such incidents could be avoided in future.

The parents of Sagar Thayal from Bageshwar, Deepak Chaudhary from Haridwar, Rahul Kumar from Luxar, Shuvam from Haridwar, Shalu from Roorkie, Banti from Luxar, Abhishek from Haridwar and Sachin from Roorkie reached here. 

Dehradun, February 20
The clouds of uncertainty over the benefits of the area-based tax exemptions in the state have lifted with the Centre claiming that the exemptions would continue even in the case of change of ownership of industrial units.

In a new circular issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), it has been ruled that a change in the ownership of an industrial unit enjoying the area-based exemptions would not be affected for the remaining part of the 10 years provided that the new owner gives in writing his willingness to avail the benefits of the exemptions before effecting the first clearance.

The CBEC, in another decision, said the exemption would continue to remain available in case of an eligible unit shifting to a new location within the area specified under the notification.

“However, such units should be examined on case-to-case basis subject to the condition that they are not shifted out of the states notified for the purpose,” the circular said.

The issue had befuddled the industrialists who have been beneficiaries of hundred per cent excise exemption, which is available with the cut-off date of March 31,2010 for a period of 10 years.

“Since there is no confusion on the issue now, the decision is bound to boost the morale of the industrialists,” said Pankaj Gupta, president, Industries Association of Uttarakhand.

Dehradun, February 20
Devotees today observed fast and thronged temples in the city to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Mahashivratri today. The festival was celebrated with great fervour.

Long queues of pilgrims were seen outside Shiva temples, which were decorated with flowers and lights. The main attraction in the city was the annual grand fair held at the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple. A long queue of devotees could be seen to pay obeisance at the temple. The weather was pleasant that made it comfortable for people to stand for so long.

Youngsters also enjoyed ‘bhang’ on the occasion. Stalls of other eatables were also set up.

A magic show and ‘maut ka kuan’ attracted a huge crowd. However, the deployment of police force was not up to the mark. No arrangements had been made to streamline the rush of devotees. It was only outside the main temple that police personnel had been deployed.

HARIDWAR: Mahashivratri was celebrated with gaiety and fervour across Haridwar district on

Monday. From the wee hours, people started thronging temples to offer holy Ganga jal and milk. At Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri, and Ganga ghats, people took a holy dip on the occasion. Long queues could be seen at Daksheshwar Mahadev temple at Kankhal, which is believed to be the home town of Goddess Parvati. At this place only, a yagna was performed by King Daksh. Devotees offered ‘panchamrit’, milk, curd, ‘belpatra’, ‘dhatura’, ‘kaneir’, Ganga jal, ‘kamalgutta’, neelkamal etc at Shivalingams. Elaborate security and traffic management arrangements had been made by the authorities concerned on the occasion. Policemen were deployed at leading intersections, entry gates and outside the main gate of the Daksh temple.

MUSSOORIE: Mahashivratri was celebrated with fervour in the town. The significance of the festival increased all the more with the festival falling on Monday in the ‘shravan nakshatra’. Hundreds of devotees paid obeisance at Lakshmi Narain temple in Library Bazaar and Radhey Shyam Temple at Kulri Bazaar and offered Ganga jal, milk, curd, ghee, honey etc. People also observed fast on the occasion. Many temples were also seen offering “Bhang” (an intoxicant beverage) to the devotees. The police remained vigilant to avoid any untoward incident.

PITHORAGARH: People thronged various Shivalayas in the Kumaon region on the occasion of Mahashivratri today. The Shiva puja was solemnised traditionally at various places, including Baleshwar, Moteshwar, Pancheswar, Rameshwar, Bageshwar and Patal Rudreshwar. The devotees in Champawat district thronged the Baleshwar temple, which was constructed in the 7th century by the Katrur kings of Kumaon. In Pithoragarh district, huge gatherings were seen in the Pancheshwar and Rameshwar temples on the banks of the Saryu river. Devotees also thronged Thalkedar, Khandenath and Lateswar temples in large numbers. In Almora district, people visited the Jageshwar temple, which is considered to be one of the 12 ‘jyotirlingas’. “Besides Jageshwar, devotees also paid obeisance at Vishnath, Badreshwar, Parvateshwar and Kapileshwar Shiva temples built by Chand Kings in the 14th century,” said Bhatt, the main priest of the Jageshwar temple.

Haridwar, February 20
‘Shiv baraat’, a unique kaleidoscopic religious procession, was taken out on the occasion of Mahashivratri in Haridwar today. A large number of people from all parts of the city witnessed the ‘baraat’.

In black outfits with ‘bhasma’ applied on their faces and body, the participants were the cynosure of all eyes throughout the route of the procession.

Organised under the aegis of the Til Bhandeshwar temple by the Akhada committee in Kankhal, the ‘baraat’ was full of grandeur and reminded one of royal processions like ‘Peshwayis’ during the Mahakumbh in 2010.

While a sadhu was sitting on an elephant, the other was on camel-back, followed by others on buffaloes and chariots. Every participant and tableau drew applause and brought smiles on the faces of the onlookers. The ‘baraat’ was full of fun as people from all parts of life participated, though it was ensured that religious sentiments were not hurt.

Children too participated in the procession in a large number and danced to the sounds of “Bam Bam Bholey”. Tourists and pilgrims too witnessed the procession.

Such was the frenzy to witness the ‘baraat’ that at Kankhal all shops, houses, terraces and road were jam-packed.

Local people said they had been waiting earnestly for Mahashivratri to witness the ‘Shiv baraat’ as it represented the amalgamation of the rich mythological and religious ethos and the joy of celebration. A tourist said till date she thought Mahashivratri was associated with offering Ganga jal and milk, but today the ‘Shiv baraat’ gave a glimpse of the diverse and unique culture of our country. “That is why Haridwar is famous worldwide,” she added.