36 ACC cadets pass out
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
A total of 36 cadets of the Army Cadet College (ACC) wing of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) graduated today and were awarded the degrees amid a ceremony at the renowned Chetwode Hall of the academy.

Of 36 cadets, 15 hail from the science stream and 21 from the arts stream. The ceremony was presided over by Lt Gen Manvender Singh, AVSM, VSM, Commandant, Indian Military Academy.

Brig Sunil Chandra, Head of the academic department, while presenting the college report highlighted the high standards and admirable academic performance shown by the cadets of the graduating course.

The Commandant, in his convocation address to the graduating course, congratulated the cadets.

Later, he gave away the medals to the cadets. The list of award winners is as follows:-

COAS gold medal: Togender Gurung

Silver medal: Rajveer Singh

Bronze medal: Har Govind Singh

Commandant’s silver medals: Togender Gurung, Har Govind Singh, Rajesh Gurung

On the occasion, Lt Gen Manvender Singh also awarded the Commandant’s Banner to Nubra Company.

It is awarded to the company which excels in varied competitions like sports, academics, camps, debates and discipline.

Nishank dominates proceedings in House
Oppn Leader Ajay Bhatt plays second fiddle
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Former Chief Minister and BJP MLA (Doiwala) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today dominated proceedings in the House during question hour by his pointed questions on the issue of number of unemployed youth registered with the employment exchange in the state, forcing the Leader of the Opposition, Ajay Bhatt, to play second fiddle.

During question hour, the former minister not only managed to successfully force the Speaker to postpone the questions for another day, but also forcefully conveyed to the government benches that they need to do their home work and he was willing to give them time as the government was still new.

The former chief minister also forced the Uttarakhand Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Indira Hriyadesh, to acknowledge the government's failure in pushing for 70 per cent reservation for local youth in industrial units set up in the state.

Nishank, on several occasions, stole the show from the Leader of the Opposition, Ajay Bhatt, who was pushed into the background. Nishank also managed to quiten the young MLA Surinder Singh Jena, who since the beginning of the budget session had been posting out-of-turn questions.

Though short, his attendance in the House today was marked by authority and seriousness, putting into pale the lacklustre performance put up by Ajay Bhatt, whose candidature was supported by Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and B.C Khanduri, but was bitterly opposed by senior leaders Harbans Kapoor, Madan Kaushik and Nishank.

It may be mentioned that several MLAs close to Nishank had failed to turn up for the BJP legislative party meeting held a day before the House was to be convened. On the same day a parallel meeting was held at Nishank's house.

As the House would now convene on Monday, the BJP leaders would have enough time to re-examine their strategy and decide if they would continue to take resort to pandemonium and walkouts.

Villagers protest against hydro project
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
The affected villages due to the proposed Vishnugaad Pipalkoti hydro power project in Chamoli Garhwal district of the state today staged a protest at Siyasain situated Dam colony.

The protesters held that the hydro power project would cause innumerous problem to the people. They alleged that public hearings for the project so far had been farce.

Matu Jansghatan’s Vimal Bhai, who has been leading the agitation against the hydro power project, asserted that apart from causing damage to the environment, there was no rehabilitation policy for the affected families in this project.

He said sorry state of rehabilitation of Tehri Dam residents was still fresh in public memory.

He said the villages had submitted a memorandum at Gopeshwar, the Chamoli district headquarters. Vimal Bhai said they also resent the arrest of Swami Sanand, who had been opposing the construction of hydro power projects in the upper reaches of Ganga in the state.

Garhwali learning classes begin tomorrow
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
The Akhil Garhwal Sabha, Dehradun, will hold Garhwali learning classes in Dehradun from June 3 to 20.

Talking to mediapersons here today, general secretary of the sabha Roshan Dhasmana said schoolchildren and professionals who were interested in learning the language could join the classes.

He said their aim was to check the dwindling number of Garhwali speakers in Uttarakhand.

Dhasmana said doctors in Uttarakhand should also understand the language. “It has been noticed that doctors in the remote areas of Garhwal fail to understand the concerns of aged patients due to communication gap,” he said.

Spokesman for the sabha BD Sharma claimed that people from non-Garhwali communities had also shown interest towards learning the language.

He said Hindi and English would also used to make students understand Garhwali language.

Rs 8.24 lakh for Rudrapur riot-affected victims

Dehradun, June 1
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has sanctioned additional Rs 8.24 lakh as compensation for people affected in the Rudrapur riots last year.

The amount will be paid from the Chief Minister Discretionary Fund. This will benefit 83 riot-hit victims. —TNS

Dehradun Bar Association's good wishes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Dehradun bar association greeted those advocate members of DBA who have cleared the prestigious exams of PCS Judiciary Services this year.

President of DBA Surender Pundir honored Ritika Semwal, Tricha Rawat and Shama Nargis, who had been members of DBA. Pundir gave them mementos and wished them a successful career, saying that he expected them to deliver justice without any prejudice.

Labour Minister faces Oppn’s salvoes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
On the fifth day of the budget session, the Uttarakhand House witnessed acrimonious scenes with the Leader of the Opposition Ajay Bhatt along with other BJP MLAs sat on a dharna inside the well of the House, protesting against the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hriyadesh's effort to quell the voice of the Opposition.

During the Question Hour session, the opposition benches fired salvoes at Labour Minister HC Durgapal, seeking replies regarding the number of unemployed youth registered with the employment exchange.

The minister was ill-equipped to handle the question asked by BJP MLA Madan Kaushik who wanted to know the number of placement interviews conducted by private companies in the state for job aspirants.

After the response given by the Labour Minister failed to satisfy the opposition benches, Indira Hriyadesh tried to satisfy the opposition members who lost no opportunity in raising more questions and this time they wanted to know if the government had included the eight standard pass unemployed youth in its honorarium scheme.

This resulted in a heated argument with the BJP MLAs rushing into the well of the House and charging Indira Hriyadesh for trying to quell the opposition voice.

To this, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister charged the opposition with creating unnecessary ruckus and questioned their seriousness towards the welfare of the people when yesterday they had boycotted the budget.

Earlier Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal was forced to suspend the question regarding the number of unemployed youth registered at the employment exchange. Steps taken by the government to check child labour failed to elicit response from the Labour Minister. Intervening in the matter, former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank requested the Speaker to suspend the question so that the minister could come prepared on an important issue.

Later, the Speaker adjourned the House till 3 pm and after the lunch session, the BJP MLA Madan Kaushik initiated a debate on the problems being faced by pilgrims on the Char Dham route under rule 58.

The opposition also raised the issue of drying of water bodies and also drew the attention of the House towards the power cuts taking place in the rural areas.

The government informed the House about the widening gap between demand and supply leading to frequent power cuts.

Hemkunt Sahib yatra begins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Hemkunt Sahib pilgrimage began in Chamoli district from today. Nearly 15,000 devotees paid obeisance at the gurdwara on the first day today despite inclement weather.

The Gurdwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust has made elaborate arrangements, including sufficient number of rooms for pilgrims, toilet blocks and mass kitchen. Five ambulances have been stationed to deal with any emergency. Air services from Gobind Ghat to Gobind Dham have also been arranged. Mule carriers have been issued identity cards.

The authorities have made elaborate arrangements to check the problem of power shortage in Ghanghariya village and the gurdwara. The government has also approved a 500-kV hydro power project in Ghanghariya village. A shut down turbine has been made operational in this village by the UREDA.

Creation of New Nagar Panchayats
Reorganisation panel set up
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
To examine the demand for the creation of new Nagar Panchayats in the state, the Uttarakhand Urban Development Minister Preetam Panwar today declared the setting up of Nagar Panchayat/ Nikaya (urban bodies) Reorganisation Commission on the floor of the House.

While replying to a question put up by BJP MLA Tirath Singh Rawat regarding according the status of Nagar Panchayat to Satpauli Bazar Area (Pauri), the minister informed the House that as the demand for declaring Nagar Panchayats and Nigar Nikayas was coming from different quarters, the government had decided to set up a Reorganisation Commission.

"As of now, the government is examining the issue of six Nagar Panchayats viz Kapkote, Gangolihaat, Ukhimath, Agustmuni, Swarag Ashram and Pokhri which will be examined by the Rerganisation Commission and the notification regarding their elevated status will be issued shortly," said the minister.

He said the issue of the Satpauli Bazar area (Pauri) would be taken up by the District Magistrate who would be giving his report in 15 days after which suggestions and objections would be taken after which the matter would be brought before the Cabinet.

An area with more than 10,000 population in the hills would be accorded the status of Nagar Panchayat. While in the plain, an area with more than 20,000 population would be deemed for Nagar Panchayat.

Similarly, on being asked by Ajay Bhatt if the proposal of declaring civil area of at Ranikhet cantonment as Nagar Palika was being taken up by the government, the minister informed the House that the proposal had not been accepted by the Central Government that had deemed it defence related and highly sensitive issue.

Maruti 800 catches fire in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
A Maruti 800 car that belonged to Anil Kumar, a Solan resident, caught fire on the EC road today. Sparking inside the bonnet of the car is stated to be the reason behind this.

Anil, who had come to attend a funeral of a relative, had a timely escape along with four others, who were sitting in the car at the time of mishap. All the four came out in time. The police and Fire Department were informed about the incident.

Senior Fire Officer Harish Kumar said a fire extinguisher equipment was sent to the site quickly

as the road got blocked due to the incident.

The car had burnt completely. No one was hurt in the incident.

Complete work on power projects soon: UJVNL chief
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Chairman, Revenue Council and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL), Subhash Kumar visited the under-construction hydro power projects and directed agencies and officials to complete the work within the fixed time limit.

He directed the District Magistrate, the District Forest Officer and officials of the UJVNL at a meeting held in Uttarkashi today to complete the construction work on these projects soon to fulfil the increasing demand of power in the state.

He said it was due to the delay in the construction work, the cost of the project too increased which must be avoided and if needed more workforce could be employed. He directed to complete the Assi Ganga Project-1 by October-end and start the construction work on the Assi Ganga-1 side by side.

Kumar also directed to complete the structural survey work on the Rs 22 cr Swarigaad Small hydro-power (SHP) project by June 15. He instructed officials of the UJVNL and the Forest Department to prepare proposals for land to construct an approach road for Swarigaad as well as Lemchagaad SHP.

Kumar said he was giving preference to begin the closed and complete the under-construction hydro-power projects in the given time frame.

He said despite the fact that Uttarakhand was generating more power than the neighbour Himachal pardesh, but the power consumption increased in the state due to the expansion of industrialisation.

Thunderstorm hits Pithoragarh, one killed
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, June 1
One student was killed while four sustained injuries as thunderstorm struck Pithoragarh town this afternoon. It also damaged a large number of houses, school buildings, electricity poles, trees and shops across the town.

The deceased has been identified as 12-year-old Waseem, a student of class VII in a local school. Waseem was injured when a tin roof fell on a group of five students in the Gandhi Chwon area of the town. They were taken to a local hospital where Waseem succumbed to his injuries. The condition of one Vinay Kumar (16) is also stated to be critical.

Reshuffling in ICFRE
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Large-scale transfers have taken place at the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun headquarters.

Deputy Conservator of Forests in Sustainable Land and Eco System Management Project Sandeep Kujur has been transferred to the Directorate of Administration and will now function as Joint Director (Administration) at the level of Deputy Conservator of Forests.

Dr Shamila Kalia, Scientist-E, Biodiversity Conservation Division, has been transferred to the office of Additional Director General (Panchayat & Human Dimensions), and will function as Joint Director (Panchayat & Human Dimensions). Dr Om Kumar, Scientist-C, office of the Additional Director General (Forest & Climate Change) has been transferred to ADG (Environmental Management) and function as Assistant Director (Environmental Management).

Dr Shilpa Gautam, Scientist-C, FRI, Dehradun, has been transferred to the Directorate of Extension and will function as Assistant Director (Biodiversity Conservation) and will report to Director (Biodiversity Conservation). Further, Mohan Lal, Scientist-D, Directorate of Administration, is re-designated as Deputy Director (Engineering Works), Directorate of Administration.

Director General, ICFRE Dr V K Bahuguna said the transfers had been done to enhance the status of scientists working in the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and utilising scientific manpower in solving the problem of consumers.

HN Bahuguna remembered
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said employees played an important role in development and it was only with their support that Uttarakhand could be made a model state.

Addressing a felicitation programme organised by the Uttarakhand Sachivalyaya Sewa Sangh here today, the Chief Minister called on the officials and the employees to carryout their duties with utmost commitment for the welfare of the state.

He exhorted the officials and workers to be punctual. Bahuguna stated that the state could be developed as per the people’s expectations with concerted efforts of all.

Remembering the late Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, he said he had had special concern for the working group. “We will try to realise the dreams of the late Bahuguna,” he asserted.

600 take part in walkathon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
The ONGC celebrated June 1 as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Day across its work centres.

At Dehradun, the day was an expression and reiteration of the ONGC’s commitment to environment as a cycle rally and a walkathon was organised on the occasion.

Sudhir Vasudeva, CMD, was the chief guest on the occasion and along with Madhukar Naik, CEO, Cantt Board, and Praveen Kumar, popular Indian Cricket player, flagged off the cyclists and walkathon.

Congratulating the residents for the huge turnout for the cause of the environment, Vasudeva urged the youngsters to realise that whatever effort they made would go a long way in making earth more habitable. “It is imperative that we put into action all plans to save the environment as global warming has become a serious issue. The ONGC, on its part, is committed to reduce its carbon footprint and ensuring sustainable development,” he said.

The celebrations commenced with a cycle rally and walkathon, in which nearly 150 cyclists and more than 450 people took part in the walkathon. The cycle rally was flagged off at the Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium and traversing the Garhi, Cantt, Rajbhavan road, Kalidas Marg and Dilaram Chowk culminated at St Joseph’s Academy.

The walkathon saw the participation of people of all age groups and were representing various clubs, schools and institutions. The contingent of the NCC cadets volunteered for the whole rally.