Dehradun, August 22
The members of the project implementation unit (PIU), experts pertaining to different fields hired for preparing the project reports of Centre-sponsored state schemes, and a link between Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) and the Centre, have been given a raw deal on the premises of the DMC.

The officials have been given a dusty and worn out room on top floor of the building, which is not normally visited. This actually does not seem like a room but a long gallery which has been turned into a makeshift room. The staircase which leads to the room is dark and dingy. It is shocking to see that people of such importance have been relegated to inhuman treatment.

Pankaj Kumar, environmentalist, said: " We were assigned work under the solid waste management project and basic services to urban poor (BSUP) under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in 2010. For four months, we were not assigned any space to work in the DMC building. All the five PIU members worked sitting in their own cars. Then, this dusty room was given to us."

Pallavi Joshi, Social and Community Development officer said: " There is not a single almirah in the room. Only one tubelight is functional. Similarly, only two out of five fans are working here. Even for stationary, we have to plead before DMC staff. Most of the time we buy on our own. Once in a while someone comes to sweep the room. But no one ever comes to give water or a even cup of tea to us."

Ramesh Chauhan, officer in-charge of BSUP project, also informed that four new computers, which were purchased for them under the provisions of the schemes, had been taken away by DMC. One old computer was given to them in return, which is not working any more. Members now have to bring in their own laptops and arrange for Internet connection. In fact, they are authorised for a dignified furnished space equipped with almirah, stationary, computers, Internet connection and basic amenities.

Pankaj Kumar said the DMC officials did not include them in the meetings held to discuss the progress over these projects in the department. Present Mukhya Nagar Adhikari, DMC, Ashok Kumar did not

have a single meeting with them ever since he joined the corporation.

It also shows how much importance DMC officials give to Central schemes, which give them lakhs of rupees for development. Urban Development Department, which hires them, does not give them their due either. The PIU members have not been given salaries for the last four months. 

Dehradun, August 22
Ever heard of Id-ul-Fitr prayers being held in a gurdwara. In an exemplary show of communal amity and brotherhood, Id-ul-Fitr prayers were held in a gurdwara at Joshimath in Chamoli district on August 20.

A sizeable population of Muslims residing in Joshimath and nearby areas was in a fix on Id-ul-Fitr as it was raining heavily for the past few days. Since there is no mosque at Joshimath, the Muslims used to offer Eid congregational prayers at the Gandhi ground in the town.

But it was impossible to offer prayers at the Gandhi ground as it was raining heavily and the ground was under knee-deep water. At that moment, the manager of the lone gurdwara, Boota Singh, came to the rescue of the community. He opened the doors of the gurdwara and allowed Id-ul-Fitr congregational prayers to be held in its hall.

Joshimath is the nerve centre of the Hindu and Sikh religious places of Badrinath Dham and Hemkund Sahib. The gurdwara is used as a resting place by pilgrims on way to Hemkund Sahib.

“It is a fine gesture by the Gurdwara Management Committee to allow us to pray in the gurdwara hall,” said Maulana Asif, who led the prayers. The entire Muslim community was indebted to Boota Singh, manager of the gurdwara, for showing magnanimity in the hour of crisis.

The Muslims were also praying to the almighty and we allowed them to use our premises. Our gurus taught us to help everyone and I followed their preaching, Boota Singh told The Tribune on the telephone from Joshimath.

“Joshimath is a place of reverence for the Hindus and the Sikhs but there is complete communal amity and brotherhood among all communities,” said Saleem Raja, a local resident. 

Mussoorie, August 22
A team comprising of four members from the Defence Central Command, Lucknow, today visited the sites in Landour Cantt Board area where illegal construction activity is going on. According to sources, the team comprising Assistant Director, Defence Estates, PNB Sharma, along with Colonel K.Disouza from HQ Central Command, Lucknow, Colonel Akhilesh Shah, Sub Area Command, Bareilly, and Suresh Nagar, Defence Estate Officer from Meerut, paid a visit to two sites, St. Asaph and Dahlia Bank, on the complaint filed by the CEO, Landour Cantt Board, to determine whether the owners were involved in any sort of illegal construction activity here.

The sources also revealed that the team also met the owner of the Dahlia Bank, Sanjay Narang, who refuted the charges of any sort of illegal construction being done by him. He also furnished the documents related to the matter to support his claims.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Narang refused to comment on the matter and left hastily after his meeting with the team without divulging any details. The fact-finding team also chose to remain mum on the issue, raising doubts over the whole exercise.

It is worth mentioning that the Landour Cantt Board was in the limelight recently, where the residents had alleged it was acting in a partisan way, while initiating action against the ongoing illegal construction activity in the area.

Speaking under anonymity, the residents revealed that the Army officials showed no mercy while demolishing the alleged illegal construction of the poor residents in the month of July but remained mute spectators at the illegal construction being carried out by the high profile residents here.

When contacted the elected vice-president of Landour Cantonment Board CP Baloni, speaking to the media, raised his apprehension at the whole exercise of the investigating team. He alleged that the illegal construction activity was being carried out in the Landour cantonment area at the behest of Army officials, who had more say than the elected representatives in the board. The Landour Cantt Board comprises elected members along with nominated members from the Army, who have the majority and are in a position to affect the board decisions in order to benefit few individuals. Baloni also said that despite several complaints filed by him to the Defence Ministry, no action had been taken so far, and this visit by the investigating was merely an eyewash. He further said that if the investigation in the whole matter is given to some outside agency, the nexus between some officials in the Cantt Board and the persons carrying out the illegal construction activity will be revealed.

Dehradun, August 22
Welham Girls School and Hilton School have won the girls' and boys' sections of the District Basketball Championship (under-16) conducted by the District Basketball Association, Dehradun.

In the finals held at the indoor basketball court of Welham Boys' School, Welham Girls School beat Doon International School 24-04 points. In the boys' section, Hilton School beat Summer Valley School 25-15 points to lift the title.

International basketball player of the ONGC Suresh Ranot was the chief guest, who gave away the prizes to the players.