Dehradun, March 7
Though falling short of majority, the ruling BJP in Uttarakhand has begun efforts to form the government with senior leader Rajnath Singh claiming that political situation was fluid in the state with no party getting majority.

“The BJP too will stake its claim to form the government as the Congress does not have the numbers. We will hold discussion with the central leadership and explore the possibility of forming the government,” said Rajnath Singh at the end of a meeting of newly elected members of the BJP legislative party.

The party leaders claim that the BJP has also started communication with the three independents (Congress rebels), one UKD (P) member and three BSP members for the support in the government formation efforts.

Since morning, speculation had been rife that the BJP Uttarakhand chief BS Chuphal had already met Durg Pal (Independent) and Mantri Prasad Naithaini (Independent) too was being roped in for lending support to the party.

The BJP that won 31 Assembly seats yesterday, would require at least five MLAs to reach the magic figure of 36 required that would give the party a simple majority.

Along with overcoming the numbers game, the party is also saddled with the problem of selecting a leader who will head the legislative party after Chief Minister Khanduri lost the election from Kotdwar.

At the meeting of the newly elected party legislatures today, the central observers said the leader of the BJP legislative party would be elected in confabulation with the central leaders, to be followed by a meeting.

Meanwhile, after Tuesday’s election defeat in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister BC Khanduri submitted his resignation to Governor Margaret Alva today. He would, however, continue to remain the officiating head of the state until the new government is elected.

Emerging from the party headquarters after attending the meeting of the newly elected legislatures, presided over by senior leaders Rajnath Singh and Ananth Kumar, Khanduri straight away headed to Raj Bhavan for submitting his resignation.

Dehradun, March 7
On Holi eve today Doonites thronged markets for shopping. The shops at Paltan Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Jhanda Market and Rama Market had an array of pichkaris, colours, sweets and namkeens for sale on the occasion of the festival.

“I am fond of Holi as it is the festival of colours and joy. I am eagerly awaiting to celebrate the festival with my family and friends. We are buying gifts for our near and dear ones and will make ‘gujias’ at home,” said Saloni, a student.

Besides traditional ‘gujias’, ‘petha’, ‘batisa’ and ‘saon papri’ costing between Rs 120 and Rs 250 per kg were the hot favourites of customers. “Pure ghee sweets and namkeens have been especially prepared for the festival. The response till now is good and we have quality sweets that is attracting customers,” said a salesman at Kumar Sweets.

However, a large number of children played Holi on streets after schools closed for holiday today. “I have bought a special hydraulic pichkari in a shape of a dinosaur. It’s big and can be filled with almost six-litre water,” said Partho. Another Holi enthusiast Raghav said, “Besides colours and balloons, I have purchased a tanker pichkari and mini-water capsules that can be shot from a distance.

Women in different parts of the city also started preparations for Holika dahan. Pieces of wood were tied with a red thread and the women would perform prayers around a bonfire later in the evening for the wellbeing of their families.

Meanwhile, students of Sadar Bhagwan Singh Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research at Balawala, near Dehradun, also celebrated Holi and greeted each other.

Dehradun, March 7
The Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) has generated a record 5,000 million units in a year.

Meanwhile, it also entered into an agreement with the National Project Construction Company for the 120 MW/400 million unit Vyasi Hydroelectric Project on the Yamuna yesterday.

Managing Director, UJVNL, GP Patel said, “On the eve of Diwali last year, the UJVNL had got techno-economic clearance for the project. And on Holi, we have entered into an agreement with the NPCC for this project. It is a big step forward and we will soon start the construction work. The tender process for the construction of the dam and electrification has also begun. It is expected to be completed by May this year.”

The project will cost Rs 1,000 crore and will be completed in three-four years. Thirty five per cent of the work has already been completed. The rest of the work had been hanging fire owing to the paucity of funds. However, with the intervention of the Centre, which will bear 90 per cent of the cost, the way for the Vyasi project has been cleared.

The successful completion of the Vyasi project is indeed the acid test for the UJVNL as it will have to prove its worth without the support of the Irrigation Department from which it has taken away all mechanical and electrical work of its hydroelectric projects.

The UJVNL has also been able to take over the Lakhwar Hydroelectric Project of 300 MW. The clearance for the project had been taken from the Central Electricity Authority and the Central Water Commission. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has also cleared the project.

Patel said: “Both projects that were initially given to the Irrigation Department in 1986 were later handed over to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation owing to financial problems. Now the projects have finally been given to us.”

Dehradun, March 7
Hundred students of the Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR) hvae got placements in some of the renowned hotels, restaurants and retail outlets.

Sunil Philip, Training and Placement Co-coordinator and spokesperson, MAHAR, “To face the cut-throat competition and be the best in the hospitality industry, MAHAR has been running courses related to the present market needs.”

MAHAR Director Hemant Kochhar said, “Under the guidance of an able faculty and good academic curriculum, we have been able to provide opportunities to our students who have been got placements in some of the best hotels and companies.”