Tussle within Congress continues
Governance in the state takes a back seat
Bureaucracy not taking any initiatives
Rajeev Khanna

Nainital, April 8
Governance in the state has taken a back seat on account of the continuing squabbling in the government and the bureaucracy turning out to be a fence-sitter. Even the Opposition has decided to wait and watch for the time being before it takes on the government for its shortcomings.

Officials in the administration point out that things have been on a standstill right from the month of December. Since it was evident that the Model Code of Conduct would come into effect any day in

December, the functioning of various departments had come to a virtual halt. Once the code did come into existence on December 24, new projects and initiatives also ceased till January 30 when the polling was held.

Although, the Election Commission of India (ECI) did give relaxation to the state government in office till the declaration of results on March 6 to carry out works so that development did not get hampered, the pace never picked up.

Despite a month having passed since the new government led by the Congress came into existence, the internal tussle within the Congress on the issue of selection of the new Chief Minister, a revolt by the faction led by Union Minister Harish Rawat and the distribution of portfolios, which saw one leader after the other expressing resentment, the government is yet to take off.

Reports say that there are still three ministers who are yet to see their offices while the others are busy with their welcome functions in their home constituencies. On the sidelines is the controversial issue of choosing a Deputy Chief Minister, which is on the boil by the day.

Amid all this is the bureaucracy, which is expecting a reshuffle on a large scale any day. Hence, it sits on the fence without showing much enthusiasm for resolving issues or undertaking fresh initiatives.

On the issue of the government being referred to one that is surviving on a ventilator, former minister Prakash Pant says: "We (the Opposition) have decided to give them six months to come out with a

road map for development of the state and address the concerns of the people. It is only after that we would analyse their performance and come out with our own agenda."

He further pointed that the BJP would be looking forward to the budget session of the state Assembly that would make things clear about the direction in which the government is moving.

Observers, meanwhile, point out that the issues pertaining to the basics like water and power scarcity are being left unaddressed at the government level for now. They point out that it is high time the government changes gears and gets down to perform as a cohesive unit.

Concern over skewed sex ratio in Kumaon
FIRs proposed against those violating PNDT Act
Rajeev Khanna
Tribune News Service

Nainital, April 8
The administrations in Champawat and Almora districts of Kumaon have expressed concern over the skewing sex ratio and the rampant violation of the pre-natal determination test (PNDT) Act by private medical establishments.

In Champawat, District Magistrate Ashish Joshi, along with Chief Medical Officer (CMO) RK Joshi, convened a meeting at Goral Chaur Maidan on Saturday afternoon to address the issues.

Joshi ordered constitution of a vigilance committee under the leadership of the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and said that the ADM would be carrying out inspections along with Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) of the various institutes offering ultrasound facilities across the district. He pointed that the committee would be required to keep a hawk's eye on the ultrasound centres so that they do not violate the PNDT Act.

Joshi has also called for making use of the mobile dispensaries and arogya raths in generating awareness about the provisions of the PNDT Act. He pointed that gender counselling centres must play a major role in checking the depleting sex ratio, which stands at 870 in the district.

Senior Health Department functionary Sushila Sah related that several private institutes have installed ultrasound machines in the areas of Lohaghat, Champawat and Tanakpur that are being inspected regularly. She underlined that awareness generation and propagation can go a long way in tackling the issue.

She further said that a core committee has been constituted to take those to task who are found violating the PNDT Act. Top brass of the police was also present at the meeting.

In Almora District Magistrate DS Garbyal raised his concern over the skewed sex ratio while evaluating the "mother and child tracking scheme" of the centre, which is being implemented across the district.

He has ordered that strict action be taken against those determining the sex of an unborn child and facilitating its abortion in the district.

He said that the role of women is in no way less than men in society, and the depleting sex ratio would lead to an imbalance in society that would have disastrous results.

He expressed concern over the fact that the sex ratio of children below the age of six that had stood at 923 in 2001 has now come down further to 921.

CMO RS Shahi has disclosed that no private institute in Almora is entitled to carry out abortions. He said that medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is allowed only in medical emergencies and that, too, at government-run hospitals.

The authorities have ordered that an First Information Report (FIR) be registered immediately against those found violating the PNDT and MTP Acts.

Traffic police all set for Char Dham yatra
Tribune News Service

Haridwar April 8
With the tourist season reaching its peak in Haridwar, the traffic police has also started gearing itself to make smooth traffic movement on the National Highways 58 and 72. As from April 24, the Char Dham yatra also gets underway and the traffic pressure increases substantially, the traffic police is chalking out methods to ensure free flow of traffic.

In this regard, Traffic Superintendent Dr Kiran Lal Shaw has given specific directions to officials to provide a detailed report on the main points and intersections where traffic congestion takes place.

Also the sub-entry points to the Har-ki-Pauri region are being identified and made one way only as it has come to light that a major traffic problem occurs due to most of vehicle owners trying to use such sub-routes from both directions paving way for jams.

Traffic Inspector Devendra Dabral informed TNS that diversion paints and reflective rods were being placed at heavily traffic-congested stretch from Shankaracharya Chowk to Chandi Ghat Deen Dayal Upadhyay multiparking lot so that vehicles didn't overtake each other.

While sub-routes leading towards Brahm Kund-Har-Ki-Pauri and adjacent ghats were also being monitored by traffic police personnel with their deployment being done at both sides to ensure one-way traffic.

Results of these steps were visible as today these streches were less congested and tourists didn't violate traffic rules easily as fine was also being levied on the offenders at the very spot.

"We also urge tourists and vehicle drivers to cooperate with us in ensuring smooth traffic flow.Till four-lane work gets completed, traffic congestion will be a major problem in Haridwar but despite staff crunch, we are working round the clock to ensure traffic jams don't take place once, the Char Dham pilgrimage commences" said Dabral.

Master plan on Rishikesh requirements for next 25 years
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 8
Despite the temple city of Rishikesh being a world famous city for its spirituality and the holy Ganga flowing into the plains from the Garhwal hills, besides being a renowned yoga centre, yet it lacks the basic infrastructure that is required for such a city, which lakhs of pilgrims and tourists visit annually.

But now a specific new master plan is being chalked out for the city, which is being designed taking into account requirements for the next 25 years.

The working authority in this regard, Haridwar Development Authority (HDA), has geared up preparations in this regard with willing companies being invited for presentation of their master plan for Rishikesh.

Notably, the previous master plan date expired last year only and since then wait is on for a new master plan.

That means that the ongoing construction work, be it residential or commercial, is still going on as per last master plan. HDA has also made it categorically clear that till a new master plan comes into effect, provisions of the previous master plan are being followed.

HAD senior official AK Tyagi said that already some companies have made their presentations regarding the master plan, while others will be making in the coming days.

These presentations are being displayed to a high-level committee of HAD and Town Planning Department officials.

Tyagi further informed that after taking into account various considerations, companies whose plans get selected by the reviewing committee will then be asked for financial bidding and then only one will be selected to prepare a new master plan for Rishikesh.

Deep Sharma of the municipal board of Rishikesh said that the new master plan was a necessity for the city, which needs well-planned infrastructure, roads, residential areas, separate commercial areas, sewerage system and other basic facilities as is envisaged of a world famous city.

He hoped that the presentation, financial bidding and selection process gets complete soon so that a timebound master plan is made by the selected firm and it gets implemented, as otherwise previous master plans had several loopholes, which had failed to meet the growing demand of the city.

Team Anna threat to nation, says religious leader
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 8
Making a scathing attack on Team Anna members, particularly former government employees Arvind Kezriwal and Kiran Bedi, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Adukshanandji Maharaj has termed them the agents of some foreign powers, which don't want the democratic setup to flourish.

Speaking at the Bairagi camp, the Shankaracharya said only democratic government should be able to tackle national political issues and not just a group of so-called social activists who even didn't perform fully their government job tenure. They should not be allowed to have a major say in constitutional laws.

Shankaracharya Adokshanand pointed out that the nation was facing external as well as internal threats with the Team Anna members, playing into the hands of foreign powers who wanted to destabilise India.

The religious guru also added that Vedic knowledge would pave the way for long-term peace, for which both government and religious organisations need to join hands.

He also said for the peace of the humanity and world peace, a Lakshya-Chandi Mahayajna had been performed with special puja done at Gobardhan hills near Vrindaban.

Satpal Maharaj trashes Army movement report
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 8
Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Uttarakhand Garhwal MP, Satpal Maharaj today said the media was giving unnecessary hype to a routine movement of the Army.

In a statement issued today, Satpal Maharaj said the Army movement during the month of January was a routine exercise and there was nothing peculiar about it. He said the Army kept high democratic values and was committed to safeguarding the frontiers of the nation.

Maharaj said he had recently urged the Union Communications Minister to release a first day cover on the 125th foundation of the Garhwal Rifles following which the minister had informed him that the matter was under his consideration of the ministry.

Maharaj said he had recently visited the Morena and Chambal areas of Madhya Pradesh where a large local population was serving in the Army. He said he would urge the Defence Minister to constitute a separate Chambal Regiment on the lines of Gorkha, Garhwal and Kumaon regiments.

2 run over by tractor-trailer in US Nagar
Tribune News Service

Nainital, April 8
The instances of people dying in road accidents involving tractor-trailer and dumpers have been continuing unabated in Udham Singh Nagar.

Reports say that as many as 110 people have lost their lives in the past three and a half months and a large number of these deaths have been in accidents involving dumpers and tractor-trailer.

On Saturday, two youngsters were killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer. The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Vijay Pandey of Shantipuri and his 18-year-old cousin Narendra of Laveshal in Kausani. Vijay was a student of BTech in a private institute in Dehradun and had come home for a religious function.

His cousin had also come for the same. The two were going on a motorcycle when they were run over by a speeding tractor-trailer near the Gandhinagar Paha canal. The two got trapped in the rear wheel of the tractor-trailer. They died on the spot.

Mehroom Ali, who was travelling on the tractor-trailer, was also seriously injured in the accident. The driver of the tractor-trailer fled the spot after the accident.

The villagers gathered at the spot and staged a protest. They were agitated over the fact that a large number of tractor-trailer have been running on the roads without even registration and number plates.

People throng trade fair
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 8
Uttaranchal Trade Fair, which is being organised by Real Host in collaboration with Event Paradise at Parade Ground, has been dedicated to Sachin Tendulkar this year for successfully completing the "grand century." A wide screen has been installed at the venue itself for the people to enjoy live IPL coverage while shopping. The organisers are claiming a display of more than 400 products and hundreds of books in the fair. The cultural programme will be held side by side. To keep children engaged, fascinating swings and delicacies of various states have also been arranged.

Telling more about the fair, MD of Real Host Sanjay Singh said Uttarakhand Khadi & Gramudyog Board and State AIDS Control Society had also put up their stalls in the fair.

He said the such an event gave an excellent opportunity to the local traders to display their products to a wide-ranging group of clients and earn profits.

The cloth material, shoes, bags, saris, kurties, namkeen material, kitchen products, glass items and decorative items were among other things which had the crowd drooling over them. The fair will continue till April 16.

Meanwhile, another fair of similar kind, National Handloom Expo, held at Parade Ground will culminate on Monday. It was the cultural artistes from Jaunsar Bawar who presented their traditional dance forms. People reached in large numbers to benefit from the heavy discount given on the products on the last day.

Gursikh Education Society celebrations dedicated to Inderjeet Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurdeep Singh Sahota being honoured for his services for minority communities by the Gursikh Education Society at a function in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, April 8
The second two-day annual function of Gursikh Education Society (GES) was celebrated at Race Course in the city today. The GES also released a souvenir on the occasion. The celebrations were marked and dedicated to the birth centenary of legendary Dr Inderjeet Singh, who was ex-chairman of Punjab and Sind Bank.

On the occasion Sewa Award 2011 was conferred upon S. Gurdeep Singh Sahota, an activist dedicated to the cause of minorities and an esteemed member of Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for Minorities.

This award was conferred on Sahota for his outstanding contribution in safeguarding and promoting the constitutional and legal rights of minorities in the region.

A senior member said Dr Inderjeet Singh gave employment to 18,000 youngsters and made plenty of others self-reliant by giving them loans on easy instalments. He remained engaged in social service throughout his life and later set up a new bank, Bank of Punjab.

Davinder Singh Bindra, president of GES, said the society was also paying for the education of 150 poor children. With the inspiration of Dr Inderjeet Singh, he said their organisation would remain committed to the welfare of people of the downtrodden section.

President of Gursikh Education Society Devinder Singh Bindra read out the annual report of the society. Delegates from Delhi, Punjab & Uttarakhand lauded the contribution of Inderjeet Singh towards banking, education and employment.

Besides, Makhan Singh, former Deputy General Manager, Punjab & Sind Bank, Rajinder Singh Rajan, Harbhajan Singh Anand, Phoola Singh, Raju Bindra, Balbir Singh Sahni, Inderjeet Singh, Manpreet Singh and Jasbir Kaur were among the dignitaries who were present on the occasion.

'Declare Ambedkar's birthday as national festival'

Dehradun, April 8
The Uttarakhand chapter of the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academy has demanded that the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar on April 14 be declared a national festival.

Addressing a press conference here today, state president of the academy Jaipal Singh said the academy would be organising seminars and other programmes at the district level on April 14. He further said the main programmes of the academy would be organised in Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar districts.

"Freedom fighters, social workers and other personalities from the Dalit community have not been given adequate space in the history and the academy is committed to giving due respect to these Dalit personalities," he pointed out. — TNS

Morcha lauds Army Chief
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 8
The Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha has lauded Army Chief Gen VK Singh's efforts to expose corruption in defence deals in the country.

The morcha president, Lt-Gen TPS Rawat (retd), said it was a matter of honour that the Army Chief had exposed corruption in big defence deals by bringing to the light the issue of a bribe offered to him by a foreign company for ensuring the purchase of trucks by the Army.

Rawat said it was surprising that while the Army Chief had exposed corruption, corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and others, who were now afraid of getting exposed, were trying to defame him.

He said the morcha support Gen VK Singh and would not allow corrupt forces to harass him.

Rockman, Satyam staff continue strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 8
It was for the second day that the indefinite strike of workers of Rockman Industries Limited continued at Parade Ground today. Five workers, Ranjit Kumar, Amit Kumar, Vipin Kumar, Lalin Mohan Pandey and Lalan sat on fast today. The workers have now constituted their union in the name of Rockman Mazdor Sangh. The president of the union, Ashwini Kumar Dhasmana, said it was unfortunate that the administration did not take any initiative to resolve their grievances and added that if something happened to the workers on fast, then their agitation could turn into a furious movement for which administration and the state government would be responsible.

The workers are on strike for the alleged cruel and callous attitude of the management towards them on their rightful assertion to constitute a union in the premises. Given to this a few of them have already been suspended. The workers are now exposing the 'wrong doings' of the management whereby they said they were not given even minimum wages. Besides, 1200 workers who have been hired on contract are made to work on machines against rules, which say the employees on contract cannot be given mechanical charge as they do not get accidental claims or other emoluments in case of accidents with machines, but such rules are being flouted openly in the company.

The agitated workers have been banned entry into the factory premises, nor are they allowed to hold ac rally in Dehradun by district administration.

Apart from these workers, the permanent employees of Satyam Auto Component Limited (SACL) are also sitting on dharna at Parade Ground. Both these Haridwar-based companies are subsidiaries of Hero Auto Group.

They are demanding a raise in their monthly salaries, which had been not been increased from Rs 5,500 for last four and a half years. The subsequent talks with Additional Labour Commission and management which took place in January failed.

ICL-Chandigarh win cricket tournament
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 8
ICL-Chandigarh emerged victorious in the 4th Uttarakhand Cricket Tournament by defeating Dev Bhoomi Cricket Academy, Haldwani, by three wickets in the final match of the tournament played at Ranger's College ground here today.

Dev Bhoomi Cricket Academy team, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, scored 208 runs for eight wickets in their allotted 35 overs.

Rahat Ali scored 52 runs while Umang Sharma and Hyder scored 39 and 38 runs, respectively. Kuldeep Johty took two wickets for 33 runs for the Chandigarh team.

In reply, ICL-Chandigarh scored 210 runs for seven wickets to win the match by three wickets.

Prateek Panwar scored 47 runs while Gaurav Gambhir and Mandeep chipped in with 44 and 41 runs, respectively.

Gaurav Gambhir was declared as the man of the match for his overall performance.

D.S.Mann, Principal, Doon International School, gave away the prizes to the winners and runners-up teams.

Welham girls beat DAV School
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 8
The District Junior (Under-18) Basketball Championship for boys and girls being organised by the District Basketball Association started here today. On the opening day, matches in the girls section were held at Doon International School today.

In the first match, Welham Girls School defeated DAV Public School 30-02. Doon Interntaional School beat Convent of Jesus and Mary School 26-21. Welham Girls School beat St. Thomas College 23-10. Carman School beat Moravian Institute 5-0. In the last match, Hopetown Girls School defeated St Mary School 33-6.

Candlelight march taken out on Easter
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, April 8
The Christian community of Mussoorie celebrated Easter Sunday by attending midnight mass at various churches of the town and took out candlelight march from Mullingar to Central Methodist Church at Kulri Bazaar early morning today to mark the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The religious heads of the community addressing gatherings said the universal significance of Christ's resurrection is that the truth triumphs over evil and love is stronger than hatred.

Pastor Chaman Comfort said Easter is the celebration of compassion and fellowship as preached by Jesus Christ who believed in love much more than hatred.

Community members also recited several hymns and songs to mark the occasion

The Christian community of Barlowganj observed Easter Sunday at St Mary's Church in Mission Compound at Barlowganj Church where the Mussoorie Minority cell in charge of Congress DX Johnny extended greetings to everyone on the occasion.

CM meets minorities panel member

Dehradun, April 8
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna met Union Minorities Commission member K N Daruwala in Delhi today.

Daurwala on his part presented the probe report of Rudrapur riots before the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, asking him for suitable action against the complacent officers. Chief Minister Bahuguna assured adequate action on the findings of the probe report. Bahuguna said Uttarakhand was a peaceful state and Rudrapur riots were very unfortunate.

Bahuguna said the state government was committed to the welfare of minorities and was setting up a separate ministry for their betterment. — TNS

Himalayan Cricket Academy win

Dehradun, April 8
Himalayan Cricket Academy defeated Little Master Cricket Club by 131 runs in a match during the 60th Dehradun District Cricket League here today.

Batting first after winning the toss, the Himalayan cricket team scored 246 runs all out in 28.2 overs. Opener Vijay and Manish scored 35 runs each. Amit took three wickets for 50 runs.

In reply, the Little Masters Cricket Club team was all out for 115 runs, losing the match by 131 runs.

Harsh was the top scorer with 34 runs. Vijay was the most successful bowler claiming 7 wickets for 21 runs. — TNS