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Victory consolidates Bahuguna's position as CM
Cong misused power in Sitarganj: BJP
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State to move SC for claiming investment in Tehri
State may withdraw scholarship scheme for minorities
Use of Satellite Phone near China border
Wildlife Safety
Identification of old trees begins
Depts given directions over rain disasters
Students clash in DAV College
ITBP personnel honoured in Doon
Multiple gas connections to be cancelled
Launch population awareness drive: Negi
Rs 25 crore for construction of museum
State fails to set up job guarantee fund
Tributes paid to Sudhir Thapliyal
Registration for remaining medical seats completed
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Victory consolidates Bahuguna's position as CM
Dehradun, July 11 The all-time largest margin in the Sitaganj Assembly bypolls reflected his firm personal resolve to have a tight grip over the political pulse of the state. Starting his innings as Chief Minister in March this year after the state Assembly polls, with his back to the wall, having a razor-thin majority of the Congress Party, Vijay Bahuguna has shown better political skills. He not only cobbled up a majority with the help of three-member Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), three Independents and the lone UKD (P) legislator but also faced the initial storm created by the rebellion of Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Food Processing and Parliamentary affairs Harish Rawat against his elevation as Chief Minister. With active support from the party high command, which nominated him as Chief Minister, Vijay Bahuguna placated Harish Rawat by adjusting his favourites in prominent positions, whether it was Govind Singh Kunjwal as Speaker, or giving a Rajya Sabha berth to Mahender Singh Mahra, a close confident of Harish Rawat. He also adjusted most of the prominent supporters of Harish Rawat in his ministry and also tried to win over many of his political detractors. There was a lot of suspense over his choice of Assembly seat, which he had to contest to enter the state Assembly within six months. The razor-thin majority of Congress having 32 seats with BJP breathing down it’s neck with 31 seats in the state Assembly, the ruling Congress was not in a comfortable position to get one of it's legislators to resign for the Chief Minister. But the operation to win over BJP Sitarganj legislator Kiran Mandal from Udham Singh Nagar district surprised and shocked his political detractors within his own Congress Party. His choice of an Assembly seat having majority Bengali immigrants and Muslims and that, too, in Kumoan region, showed his political confidence. By choosing to contest from an Assembly segment in Kumoan region, he entered the territory of his bitterest political rival Harish Rawat and came out winning. Amidst fear of sabotage from his own party, Bahuguna and his family members took charge of the campaigning to ensure a victory that has put him firmly in the saddle. With the confidence of the historic Sitarganj seat, Vijay Bahuguna would be much more comfortable in dealing with his supporters as well as detractors within his own party. From a tight rope walk which he was forced to take in the first three months of his tenure, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna would enjoy a much better political stature in the party that would help in better governance of the state with this electoral win. |
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Cong misused power in Sitarganj: BJP
Pithoragarh, July 11 “The victory of Bahuguna in the Sitarganj poll was the results of the misuse of money and power by the party that rules the state," said Bishen Singh Chufal, BJP state chief. The BJP chief was reacting on the results of Sitarganj by election according to which, out of the total polled votes of 69,695, the Congress received a total of 53,766 votes while the BJP has got only 13,812 votes only. Chufal further stated that the Congress became successful in threatening the BJP workers by their goons. “They even put a revolver at the temple of our MLA on the day before the polling," alleged the BJP chief. “Besides these undemocratic practices, the Congress has this time received the votes from the vote banks of other parties, who have joined hands with them to defeat the BJP,” said he. He stated that had the other parties like the SP and the BSP contested the election, the Congress would have received only 15,000 votes. But the Congress has attributed this result to the victory of development agenda of the party and said this victory would help the Chief Minister to adhere to his commitments he had made to the voters
of Sitarganj. “The Sitarganj victory has also helped Bahuguna to come as a strong man in the Uttarakhand Congress and now he will be able to face the challenges within the party and the government with firm resolve,” said Yashpal Arya, state chief of the Congress
in Uttarakhand. |
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Win has proved people support CM's policies: Dhasmana
Dehradun, July 11 Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Suryakant Dhasmana said the historic margin of 39,954 votes of Vijay Bahuguna's victory in the Sitarganj byelection has amply proved the massive support to the policies and programmes carried out by the Chief Minister. He said the Chief Minister's victory has also removed all apprehensions from the minds of the people about the stability of the state government. Taking BJP to task, Dhasmana said it was shameful on part of BJP leaders like Ajay Bhatt and Bhagat Singh Koshiyari to resort to personal attack on the Chief Minsiter during election campaigning. "These BJP leaders resorted to all types of false allegations against the Chief Minister and his family. This is not proper and they should now seek forgiveness from the Chief Minister," he pointed out. Describing Vijay Bahuguna as a visionary, Suryakant Dhasmana said the Chief Minister keeps a passion for development. He said the state will now get a new impetus on the development front. He also reminded that all promises made in the Congress election manifesto will be fulfilled by the Uttarakhand government. |
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State to move SC for claiming investment in Tehri
Dehradun, July 11 Giving this information, Chief Secretary AK Jain said he had already written to Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh, Javed Usmani and stated that the Uttarakhand Government would be bound to seek justice from the apex court, if UP did not transfer the equity of the THDC. In this regard, he has directed the officials concerned to accord priority on the preparation of a writ petition to be filed in the Supreme Court. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, after taking legal opinion from the Attorney General, the Advocate-General and the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, has written to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. In his letter, he has quoted the view of the Attorney General, " Even though Section 47(3) of the UP Reorganisation Act entitles the state of Uttarakhand to the transfer of investment made in the form of equity by the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Central Government, however, does not have the power in the present case under Section 66 of the Act, to direct the transfer of shares from the state of Uttar Pradesh to the state of Uttarakhand." As the THDC is not under 9th schedule of companies, the Centre cannot issue directions for the transfer of equity to Uttarakhand. He has suggested the remedy, in case there is no mutual agreement between the state of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on the issue, Uttarakhand may take the case in the Supreme Court in pursuance of its claim. |
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State may withdraw scholarship scheme for minorities
Dehradun, July 11 The Centre’s pre-matriculation minorities scholarship scheme, started in 2006-2007, has similar objectives. While 75 per cent of the funds are provided by the Centre, the state has to chip in the remaining 25 per cent of the funds, thereby adding double burden on the state that has to contribute to both the schemes. “For better utilisation of funds, we have to revisit the existing schemes and plug the loopholes. There are several schemes that are being duplicated and even the Planning Commission has favoured phasing out such programmes,” said Surinder Rakesh, Uttarakhand Social Welfare Minister. Interestingly, the Centre has a proper format, including the eligibility criterion laid down for the students, so that the funds are properly utilized. However, this cannot be said of the state government’s scheme where eligibility criterion and other norms have not been laid down. “There are chances of funds not reaching the actual beneficiaries, as there are no norms made for it. Even the number of beneficiaries could be inflated. The Centre has already made available online the information about its schemes. We could do the same thing for brining in transparency,” said a senior official. In 2011-2012, under the pre-matriculation minorities scholarship scheme (fully funded by the state government), the state had allocated Rs 1,500 lakh and a total of 1,70,000 students benefited from the scheme and for 2012-2013, Rs 1,500 lakh have been allocated. Under the pre-matriculation scholarship scheme (75 per cent contribution being made by the Centre and the remaining 25 per cent by the state government). In 2011-2012, a total of 3,850 students benefited from the scheme during which Rs 50 lakh was sanctioned. While in 2012-2013, Rs 85 lakh has been allocated under the pre-matriculation minorities scholarship scheme. Beside, the Centre’s post matriculation minority scholarship scheme (fully funded by the Centre) is also under way in the state. In 2011-2012, a total of Rs 70 lakh were sanctioned and around 300 students have benefited from the scheme. For the financial year 2012-2013, an allocation of Rs 80 lakh has been made. |
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Use of Satellite Phone near China border
Pithoragarh, July 11 According to the Pithoragarh police, as no foreigner is proceeding towards Milam this week, Nepalese smugglers might be in the area looking for Yarsa Gumba or organs of wild animals. “These smugglers seem to have entered the high mountain valleys from the Seraghat route from Jauljibi entrance in Nepal as the first satellite phone call has been traced to Darkot, which falls on this route,” said the DIG. He added this was the third incident where a satellite phone was used on the Milam route in Munsiyari in the last two years and second such incident in a month in the Kumaon region. Earlier trackers from Ukraine were interrogated by the Bageshwar and Chamoli police last month after the use of a satellite phone was traced to their route. The people of the upper valley of Johar have demanded that a police post be set up at Bona village to check anti-national activities of foreigner trackers in the restricted areas near the border with China. “Some 17 years ago, a check post was in operation at Bona. This post was used by security forces to check the use of restricted items by foreign trackers, who used to go the Milam. However, after this check post was removed the incidents of law violation by foreigners increased,” said Govind Singh Pangti, president of the Malla Johar Vikas
Samiti. |
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Wildlife Safety
Dehradun, July 11 A meeting was organised by the WTI for field staff of the state Forest Department and the Indian Railways aimed to interact with senior officials to discuss ways to strengthen existing mitigation measures which have helped maintain zero elephant mortality in the park since 2002. It was strongly suggested at the meeting to clear the bushes and mounds near the curves on vulnerable stretches. “Bushes grow tall during rainy season and it often affects the visibility of the loco pilots. An animal standing alongside railway track is not visible due to thick bushes, often making these animals vulnerable to accident,” said Dr Anil Kumar Singh, Deputy Director and Regional Head, WTI, adding that
it was important to clear 15 to 20 m along both sides of the tracks so that loco-pilots could anticipate the movement of
animals and take necessary action. Further, it was decided to strengthen joint night patrolling and laying emphasis on awareness training of loco-pilots and ground staff. As many loco drivers have either retired or have been transferred all these years and thus making the new staff aware of the intricacies of the project was also one of the reasons behind staging of meeting. The WTI also felt it necessary to recognise field staff that contributes in averting train accidents and particularly the loco drivers. “The Railway’s loco drivers must also be honoured for their contribution towards safeguarding the Rajaji’s wildlife,” Dr Singh said. He pointed out that railway track patrolling in other way was also quite beneficial for the Rajaji park as it even helped in checking other anti-forest and anti-wildlife activities. It is to be noted that 20 elephants were killed on railway tracks inside the Rajaji between 1998 and 2002, but after the Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation was initiated, no such death has taken place. Wildlife Warden, Rajaji National Park, BK Singh, and Additional Divisional Mechanical Engineer (Power), Northern Railways, Moradabad Division, BM Siddiqui, who attended the meeting, have assured full support for better coordination and patrolling to
maintain the effort. SCENARIO It is to be noted that 20 elephants were killed on railway tracks inside the Rajaji National Park between 1998 and 2002, but after the Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Project was initiated, no such death has taken place
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Identification of old trees begins
Dehradun, July 11 The exercise was taken two years ago when three persons had died after coming under such trees. In the last two years, a total five persons have died in this manner. Even in the last couple of rains in the past one month, the city saw mayhem all around because of blockage of roads and heavy traffic jams due to fallen trees. The matter once again came into limelight. DMC officials were criticised the maximum for not clearing the trees. The officials, on their part, blamed the Forest Department for not doing it's bit, saying the trees were on DMC land, and the responsibility of removal of these trees rested with the Forest Department. Mayor Vinod Chamoli, who constituted a committee of officials of DMC, Forest Corporation, Power Department and PWD, said: “The revelant files had been moving between Forest Development Corporation and DMC for long on this matter, but now it has been decided that the trees would be removed by the Forest Corporation whenever they were felled. The officials of other departments would help it in the exercise.” He said if the trees fell on main roads, then PWD would extend help. If the trees got entangled with high tension/low tension wires, then the Power Department would come forward. If the trees fell on DMC land, then DMC employees would assist.” Maximum number of 98 old trees were spotted on the stretch from Mussorie diversion to Purukul, followed by 88 found on the route of Yamuna Colony Gate to Prem Nagar route. Surprisingly, with clarity building up among the departments over the issue, they are doing nothing to clear these trees, which can be fatal any time. Instead, a new rigorous exercise of identification of these trees has been restarted, which seems only a time buying exercise to let the monsoons get over so that the contentious issue, too, dies down. |
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Depts given directions over rain disasters
Dehradun, July 11 While holding a meeting with the officials of the PWD, the Minor Irrigation, the Jal Sansthan and Block Development Officers, he said the works related to disaster management must be completed within a month, which must be verified by Sub-Divisional Magistrates. He said two months of July and August were sensitive with regard to rain triggered disaster and no official would go on leave without his permission. He directed them to prepare their action plan to meet any eventuality during
this period. He said the information regarding disaster would be given to Control Room at number 2726066 or toll free number 1033 so that the information could be recorded. He said the classes must not be held on the school premises which were not in good condition or situated near landslide-prone areas. He asked them to arrange for alternative places. |
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Students clash in DAV College
Dehradun, July 11 The police had to resort to a mild force to disperse the clashing groups. Devender Bhasin said that the entry of outsiders in the college had been banned. The police officials said that appropriate legal action would be taken against the clashing students. |
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ITBP personnel honoured in Doon
Dehradun, July 11 The ITBP personnel apart from patrolling also organised medical and veterinary camps for those living in border areas. A tree plantation camp was also organised during the patrolling. A function was held to mark the occasion in Dehradun yesterday to honour the ITBP personnel who have returned after the successful patrolling. Sanjay Chowdhary, Deputy Inspector General, Shimla ITBP, and SC Mamgain, Deputy Inspector General, Dehradun, presided over the ceremony. |
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Multiple gas connections to be cancelled
Dehradun, July 11 Due to this, the actual consumers of kerosene were affected by a great deal. He said it was important to cancel multiple gas connections, for which the drive to identify multiple connection users must be started. Those who had such connections have to either hand over their extra connections to the distributors or they would not be given refill cylinders. The oil companies were directed to complete the task by September-end
this year. |
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Launch population awareness drive: Negi
Dehradun, July 11 “Such a drive will be of immense help to those who are unaware about the burden of increasing population on our limited resources. The natural resources are not going to last forever but what we can do is to control our population,” said Negi, while speaking at a function to mark, “World Population Day”, organised by the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare. The minister said: "Our ever-increasing population was responsible for several ills and lack of education was one of the reasons for people failing to adopt family planning methods. Even, Additional Secretary (Health) and Director National Rural Health Piyush Singh admitted that in the last two years the state was unable to achieve the population stabalisation targets. “There is shortage of trained manpower to conduct family planning operations. Even in the private sector, there are a few doctors who can conduct laparoscopic operations,” he said. |
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Rs 25 crore for construction of museum
Dehradun, July 11 Observing that paintings, woodworks, architecture, sculptures and theatre tradition of the state were invaluable, he advocated construction of grand museum for their preservation and promotion. It was informed in the meeting that the proposed Himalayan Cultural Centre and museum to be constructed with the budget of Rs 25 crore at Garhi Cantt here would comprise the1000-capacity projection room, theatre hall, amphitheatre, cottage, seminar hall, exhibition and art gallery, library, food court and underground parking facilities. |
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State fails to set up job guarantee fund
Dehradun, July 11 To speed up and facilitate the transfer of central funds to the State Funds Account (SFA), the Central Government had issued letters in 2008 for the creation of the State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF) under Section 21 (1) of the MGNREGA but the state government had failed to act on the directives. A few days back, the Central Government had again issued a letter asking the state government on the progress being made and whether the state had issued a notification regarding setting up of the fund prompting state government officials to initiate the exercise. “We have now asked the Central Government to provide us step by step information on the process to be adopted for establishing the fund,” said a senior official. It is likely that the SEGF will have a legal status different from the state government (like a society registered under the Societies Registration Act). Besides, it is also expected to have a dedicated bank account for the state fund in a public sector bank and should be audited by the Comptroller Auditor General
(CAG). |
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Tributes paid to Sudhir Thapliyal
Mussoorie, July 11 Jaiprakash Uttarakhand, a senior journalist, while speaking on the occasion, said with the death of Thapliyal, the state had lost the son of its soil. He further said it was due to the activism of Thapliyal that the agitators during the separate state movement were able to get compensation. Thapliyal was attached to the issues related to the town and his book ‘Mussoorie Macabre’ is a prime example of it as he captured the emotions of the people by writing a murder mystery based on the death of the Dua sisters. The sisters were murdered in cold blood at their residence years back in Mussoorie. Sunil Arora, the owner of the Cambridge Book Depot, said the town had lost an eminent author and scholar and the books written by him were in great demand in Mussoorie. Shoorvir Bhandari, NP Dabral, Ruskin Bond, Stephen Alter and Ganesh Saili also paid tributes to Thapliyal. |
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Registration for remaining medical seats completed
Dehradun, July 11 The registration for 17 BDS seats in Seema Dental College ( Rishikesh), 21 seats in Srinagar Medical College, 9 seats in Haldwani Medical College and 50 seats in Uttaranchal Dental College passed off smoothly. Haldwani Medical College continued to be the first preference of the students for the MBBS course with top 100 rankers staking claim for admission, followed by Srinagar Medical College.
— TNS |
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