Defeat of Khanduri from Kotdwar
BJP issues notice to Surinder Rawat
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 23
With the drubbing received by the former Chief Minister BC Khanduri in Kotdwar still rankling the BJP leadership, the party on Sunday issued show-cause notice to former BJP MLA Shailender Singh Rawat and three of his supporters.

Those awaiting for heads to roll in the aftermath of the charges of anti-party activities levelled on several BJP leaders during the 2012 elections had to contend with the action against Rawat and 35 other BJP leaders who were issued notices today.

However, the show-cause notice against Shailender Rawat has surprised several BJP leaders who were assuming that the matter pertaining to Kotdwar Assembly seat loss would not be taken up.

The former MLA had vacated the seat for former Chief Minister BC Khanduri who lost it to the Congress Surinder Singh Negi in the Assembly elections.

The humiliating drubbing received at the hands of Congress leader and now Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi proved to be a match winner for the Congress that managed to get one more seat than the BJP.

BJP party watchers say by issuing the show-cause notice to Shailender Rawat, the BJP leadership has tried to issue a subtle warning to former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank against whom the charges of sabotage were levelled.

"Charges of anti-party activity and sabotage were levelled against Nishank and it was alleged that Shailender Rawat was working at his behest. He was made the campaign manager for Khanduri," said a senior BJP leader.

While Shailender Rawat was believed to be close to Khanduri during the 2007 elections, he had shifted side and joined the Nishank camp for the 2012 elections.

More so after the sitting MLA was denied the party ticket from Kotdwar and instead Khanduri was declared the official candidate, the district and block units of the BJP from Kotdwar had then erupted against the central leadership's decision.

Soon after the election results were announced, the BJP disciplinary committee issued notices to 350 block and district-level leaders.

Plea against Bahuguna for hurting people’s sentiments
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 23
A lawyer has lodged a complaint in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Haridwar urging it to direct the police to register a case against Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna for hurting the religious sentiments of the people by his recent statements regarding hydroelectric projects on the Ganga.

Arun Bhadauriya, a city-based lawyer, submitted an application in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Archana Sagar today urging it to direct the in-charge of the Kankhal police station to file a case against Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna under CrPC 156 (3) for hurting the sentiments of the people who had deep faith in the Ganga and activists of the save Ganga campaign.

Bhadauriya filed the application as a social activist and cited Bahuguna’s recent public statements regarding the hydroelectric projects. The Chief Minister had at the third meeting of the Ganga River Basin Authority, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi favoured the construction of hydropower projects in the state.

Bhadauriya alleged that Bahuguna was deliberately making these statements to lobby for capitalists who would gain from such projects. The Chief Minister’s stance would hit the campaigns launched by saints and the save Ganga activists, he added.

Bhadauriya stated the martyrdom of save Ganga campaign activist Swami Nigamanand, environmentalist, Sunder Lal Bahuguna’s agitation for decades, Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, alias Guru Das Aggarwal, who had been agitating under the Ganga Sewa Abhiyanam, besides other social activists. He said the Chief Minister’s statements were against the noble cause for which these activists were struggling and were tantamount to hurting their religious sentiments.

Meanwhile, Congress district spokesperson Rajesh Shivpuri termed the application as a mere gimmick and an irresponsible behaviour on the part of the litigant.

He said the Chief Minister had categorically made it clear that the sentiments of the people regarding the Ganga would be honoured and the sanctity and the natural flow of the river would not be compromised with.

No rift with Anna: Ramdev
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 23
Even as Anna Hazare has denied any rift among his core team members on agitation with Swami Ramdev, the yog guru also denied any differences between them.

Swami Ramdev today made it clear that in a war against corruption and black money, he and Anna Hazare stood together, though they would be staging their respective agitations ‘differently’ as they had been doing so till date.

The yog guru reiterated further that at an appropriate time, if situation arose, then they both would also share the same platform as their mission was a social one that concerned the people of the country and its future.

Though Swami Ramdev didn’t comment on the team Anna member Manish Sisodiya’s statement that both Hazare-Ramdev would carry on their agitation on their own but he remarked that all ‘like-minded’ ideologies need to come at one platform to chalk out an effective anti-corruption movement.

“Be it followers of Jai Prakash Narayan, Lohia, or even those who vie for ‘Jal-Jungle-Jameen’ issue, we welcome all of them in this movement. Everyone needs to come together as to make corruption-free India and bringing in a major change in the system is not easy as curbing forces are in the power” said the yog guru. While Acharya Balkrishan, managing director of the Patanjali Trust, reiterated their mission of bringing black money back to India as it’s the hard-earned money of people of this country that had been stacked in foreign banks.

He added that the Bharat Swabhiman Trust would soon be staging a nationwide movement in this regard, urging all like-minded organisations, people and parties to usher in their support to this movement as it's high time that the country was relieved of corruption and illegal acts.

On March 20, both Anna and Ramdev had shared a dais at the Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar, where in front of 5000 women activists of the Bharat Swabhiman Trust, both had announced their mutual cooperation and fight against corruption that had deep-rooted in the system.

Hydropower projects must for progress of state, says Koshiyari
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, April 23
Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Bhagat Singh Koshiyari today said the proposed hydroelectric projects should be constructed in the interest of the state as its financial condition was deteriorating day by day.

“If the state does not plan to earn revenue from these hydroelectric projects, its financial burden will continue to increase, thus affecting development,” said Koshiyari while talking to mediapersons here.

The former Chief Minister said those who were opposing the projects were anti-development and not friends of the people of the state. “I want to tell those who are agitating for the free flow of the Ganga from Gaumukh to Haridwar that they should first assure the nation that the river will not be polluted beyond Haridwar,” said Koshiyari.

The BJP leader added while the water of the Ganga, used by the hydroelectric projects between Gaumukh and Haridwar was released into the river again making it a single stream, its water beyond Haridwar was being used for irrigation by diverting it into small canals. “The people, who are talking about the weakening stream of the Ganga down Gaumukh, should first ensure to make it strong beyond Haridwar,” he said.

Koshiyari said due to the hydroelectric projects and tourism, Goa had become self-sufficient in employment generation, and if the hydroelectric projects were constructed in Uttarakhand it would also become self-sufficient and financially strong.

The BJP leader said the Congress-led government in the state would not survive for the full five-year term. “The Congress-led government in the state will become a victim of infighting in the party as it has no leader who could bring everyone together. Every leader in the Congress is pursuing his or her own interests,” said Koshiyari.

Harak Singh to take up striking tour operators’ issue with CM
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 23
Rudraprayag MLA Harak Singh Rawat will take up with Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna the issue of the striking tour operators who are demanding that the power to issue licences for the upcoming Char Dham pilgrimage be restored to the Tourism Department. The state government had recently transferred the power to grant licences to the Transport Department.

Rawat gave this assurance to the agitating members of the Tour and Travel Operators Association over the phone and urged them to discontinue their strike as it would create problems for the Char Dham pilgrims. The yatra is scheduled to start tomorrow while the tour operators are on strike at Shiv Moorti Chowk for the past four days.

A former Leader of the Opposition of the state Assembly, Rawat termed the government order to transfer the licence issuing power to the Tourism Department as uncalled for. He said as the yatra was mainly managed by the Tourism Department, it should issue licences to the taxi and tour operators.

President of the Uttarakhand Maxi Cab Association Sanjay Chopra said the Transport Department was harassing them while issuing licences for the tourist season and the yatra. He added that if the order was not revoked, they would be forced to intensify their agitation.

Another leader of the association Suresh Gulati termed the decision of the state government as inappropriate and demanded an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act.

He said they did not want to create problems for the pilgrims by continuing their strike as the Char Dham yatra was scheduled to begin tomorrow with the opening of the portals of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

Sumti Shri Kunj, general secretary of the association, termed the decision as tyrannical as it was creating problems for the taxi and tour operators in getting licences in time.

300 constables, 10 PAC platoons for Char Dham yatra
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 23
The police has prepared a working plan for the Char Dham yatra. DIG, Dehradun range, Sanjay Gunjyal said 300 constables, 10 platoons of PAC and 31 disaster management teams will be deputed in Uttarkashi, Tehri, Rudraprayag and other districts falling en route. Besides, 58 temporary police chowkis would also be set up.

He said around 20 lakh devotees had come on pilgrimage last year and the number was expected to rise this year. Therefore, proper deployment of police force was must to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

He said in about 200 accident-prone areas on the yatra route 12 DSPs, eight inspectors, 24 sub-inspectors and 32 head constables would be deployed.

The traffic police has been entrusted with the task of distributing guidebooks, pamphlets containing contact numbers of helpline and local police station telephone numbers to the pilgrims so that they could seek police assistance during any emergency. CCTV cameras have also been installed at important tourist sites.

CM remembers Veer Chandra Garhwali
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 23
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna inaugurated Kranti Mela at Pithsen in Pauri district in memory of veteran freedom fighter Veer Chandra Singh ‘Garhwali’ today.

Paying floral tributes at the statue of Garhwali on the occasion of the 82th anniversary of the famous Peshawar revolt, Chief Minister said the nation would always remain grateful to him for raising his voice against the British rule.

Bahuguna said the state government would further strengthen the development schemes being run on his name. He said the Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Self-employment Scheme would be further improved so that local youths get more employment opportunities.

He further said the state government was committed towards the welfare of the common man and planning to implement various development schemes for the hill areas. “The government has chalked out a solid plan for the development of the state under which special schemes will be implemented in sectors like tourism, power and horticulture,” he said.

Bahuguna said during the previous Congress regime, Uttarakhand was considered among the leading states in the implementation of the 20-Point Programme. However, its present condition was not satisfactory. “It is our endeavour to bring the state back to the mainstream of development and corruption will not be tolerated at any level. Transparency will be maintained in government programmes,” he said.

He called upon the people to keep an eye on all development works in their respective areas.

Garhwal MP and Chairman, Defence Standing Committee, Satpal Maharaj apprised the Chief Minister of the problems in his parliamentary area. Local MLA Ganesh Godiyal welcomed the Chief Minister and said the state would make all-round development under his leadership.

He also apprised the Chief Minister of the existing local problems and put forward demand for a degree college in Ufrailkhal, College of Centre of Excellence at Thalsen, 20 English medium schools in Srinagar and polytechnic institutes in Thalisen under the PPP mode. The Chief Minister has given an assurance to him to do the needful.

District Panchayat Vice-Chairman Shiv Singh Gusain, District Congress Committee president Govind Singh Rawat, Vijay Rawat, Commissioner, Garhwal Division, Kunal Sharma and District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav were present.

Tributes paid in Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 23
Tributes were paid to Peshawar hero and freedom fighter Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali on the anniversary of Peshawar uprising today.

A special programme was organised by the Uttarakhand Rajya Andolakari Manch on the occasion. Manch chief JP Pandey described Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali as an inspirational figure for all of them.

Uday Ram Semwal, a social activist, said Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali was born in Ranisera village (Masau), Thalisain, in Pauri Garhwal and his heroic acts still inspire not only Garhwal Rifles Regiment jawans, but every native of Uttarakhand.

Others who remembered him were Mahesh Gaud, Manoj Giri, Rajbeer Kamboj, Mithilesh Gill, Sanjay Vaid, Ram Babu Saini, Rajendra Saini and Nathi Lal. A postal stamp released in memory of Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali by the Union Government in 1994 was also shown to the activists on the occasion.

IPS probationers visit Kumbh Mela zone
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 23
Indian Police Service probationers were given a firsthand insight into Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri mela zone, where the Maha Kumbh mela is held.

A capsule course has been prepared for these future cops who will complete their training at Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy in Mussoorie.

Presently, these 80 recruits had been undergoing training at the Indian Police Academy, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

The nodal officer for the current training of the IPS probationers, Circle Officer, Haridwar city, Ajay Singh, said the probationers were keen to know how the management works during the fair.

CM holds Janta Milan programme
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 23
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna listened to the problems of general public at a Janta Milan programme at his residence here today. He instructed the officers concerned to provide immediate solutions to their problems. He also sanctioned relief fund to the needy persons.

Bahuguna said the state government was committed to the welfare of the common man. He said the District Magistrates had been given instructions to provide solutions to the problems of the public at the district level. He said they had been asked to listen patiently the problems of the general public and resolve them at the district and tehsil levels then and there so that the public did not have to visit the capital.

Answering to the question raised by the media, the Chief Minister said the great number of people visiting the Janta Milan programme was a clear indication that their faith in the state government had increased.

The Chief Minister also sanctioned fund to the people for medical treatment, financial assistance and also issued instructions to the officials to resolve problems pertaining to disability, widow and old age pensions.

Karnprayag MLA Anusuyya Prasad Maikhuri along with former Purola MLA Rajesh Jwantha and a delegation of public representatives called on the Chief Minister and apprised him about the problems of the local people. 

Condition of SCs better in Kumaon: Panel chief
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, April 23
Chairman of the Uttarakhand Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission Chanar Ram has said the social condition of the SC community in Kumaon region is better than that in the Garhwal region. The commission needs to work for the betterment of the community in the entire Uttarakhand as despite all its efforts the social condition of the SCs and the STs has not improved in the last 65 years.

“We need to change our social outlook towards these communities and accept them as the weaker section of society rather than people of the lower strata,” he said.

Chanar Ram, who was briefing mediapersons during a visit to various villages in the district today, said the commission had recommended to the government to fill 8,000 posts of the SC and ST quota in various departments in the state, which remained vacant during recruitment drives of the previous governments.

“The commission has managed to restrain an outsourcing agency from carrying out a recruitment drive in the state recently as it was not giving necessary reservation to the unemployed youths belonging to these communities,” said Chanar Ram.

He added that he had asked the state government to give required reservation to the youths belonging to the SC and ST communities even in contractual jobs. The commission chairman said, according to the new orders of the Uttarakhand Government, every gram panchayat in the state would have to maintain a record of the number of SC and ST families, their economic condition, occupation and the gains they were receiving from various government schemes meant for the category.

Chanar Ram said the commission had taken cognizance of attempts by some influential people in Udham Singh Nagar district to grab land of the farmers belonging to the SC and ST communities.

“Except these attempts in Udham Singh Nagar, there are no other incidents of atrocities on the SC and ST people in the Kumaon region,” he said.

Goats die of unknown disease

Nainital, April 23
After Dungalpatti village of Bageshwar district, the instances of goats dying from an unknown disease have been reported from the remote Betalghat area of Nainital district. Over the past few days, several goats have died in Chapad village of the Betalghat area.

The Animal Husbandry Department has sent a team of experts to the area to carry out a vaccination drive. They have also collected blood samples of animals to identify the fatal disease. It is being assumed that the animals might be died of pneumonia.

Earlier last week, instances of a buffalo and seven goats dying of an unknown disease had been reported from Dunglapatli village of Bageshwar district. Panic gripped residents of the village, who had even stopped consuming milk products. — TNS

3 kidnapping cases shock US Nagar people
Tribune News Service

Nainital, April 23
A sense of insecurity prevails in Udham Singh Nagar district following three incidents of kidnapping and abduction being reported from different areas in the past two days.

A three-year-old was abducted by some miscreants from the Bhurarani area of Rudrapur yesterday.

Suraj was playing with his sister, Kajal, outside their house when two motorcycle-borne youths came and abducted the boy. On hearing the noise raised by Kajal, a cyclist tried to chase the motorcycle but his efforts proved futile. Further investigations are on in the matter.

On Saturday evening, a beauty parlour employee was kidnapped from Bazpur. The victim was a class XII student who was allegedly kidnapped by some car-borne persons from the Transit Camp area. The girl, identified as Phulwati, was a resident of Krishna Colony and had gone out on Saturday night when a car stopped and some persons forcibly put her inside and fled the spot. The alarm raised by her brought a few people to the spot but by then the car had driven off.

The police attempts at rescuing her by putting up barricades on various routes proved futile.

The father of the victim, Beni Ram, had accused a youth of his locality of being involved in the crime but a raid at the latter’s place also proved futile.

According to sources, the police has information about the car heading towards Ghaziabad and efforts are on to trace the whereabouts of the accused and rescue the girl.

On Saturday evening, 16-year-old Mobin Jahan was allegedly kidnapped while she was returning home in Bazpur village after her duty at a beauty parlour. Her bicycle, purse and slippers were found in a wheat field.

Tusker found dead

Haridwar, April 23
In a shocking incident, a female elephant succumbed to injuries that she had sustained during fighting with a fellow tusker elephant.

This incident occurred at the Dhaulkhand range of the Rajaji National Park here yesterday evening, which is a protected habitat for Asian elephants.

The female elephant was found dead by a park patrolling team with injuries on the whole body indicating the gruesome fight that had taken place between the two elephants. Post-mortem of the female elephant was carried out today by a panel of wild life doctors.

Dhaulkhand range employees said for the past few days, a movement of the female elephant was being noticed in this region and conflict would have taken place for at least an hour as per the indications of the injuries. — TNS