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Tehri bypoll result reflects people’s anger against Congress: BJP
CM should quit: Chuphal
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I will do my best for people: Mala
Congress took common man lightly: Pant
Dehradun Diary
Parivartan Party thanks public for support
Champawat towns seek amenities
Road to Lipulekh Pass to be ready by 2015
Welham’s Latika, Ankita win painting contest
Youth to get training in various courses
BHEL’s Bangalore unit win TT tourney
OP Uniyal meets Guv
Two fall prey to leopards
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Tehri bypoll result reflects people’s anger against Congress: BJP
Dehradun, October 14 “The message of this bypoll is loud and clear. It is a mandate against anti-people policies of the ruling coalition both at the Centre and in the state,” said president of the state unit of the BJP Bishan Singh Chuphal here today. BJP candidate Mala Raj Lakshmi Shah, who defeated Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna’s son and Congress candidate Saket Bahuguna by over 22,000 votes, was also present with Chuphal. The daughter-in-law of the erstwhile Tehri royal family, she thanked the people for her victory and promised to do all she could to meet their expectations. When asked why the BJP despite emerging triumphant from the high-profile seat in Dehrdaun district lagged behind the Congress in the rural segments of the constituency, especially the ones falling in Tehri and Uttarkashi districts, Chuphal said though the reasons were still being looked into, one of them could be due to a lack of approach roads in those areas and the party could not carry its message to people. Commenting on party turncoat Matbar Singh Kandari's claim that he will get the Congress 60,000 additional votes, Chuphal said the poll verdict must have left him in no doubt about the strength of his tall claim. Switching loyalty shortly before the bypoll, former BJP heavyweight Kandari had joined the Congress. His induction into the party had been interpreted in political circles as a shot in the arm for the Congress ahead of the bypoll.
— PTI |
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CM should quit: Chuphal
Dehradun, October 14 “Without wasting time, Bahuguna should resign as he has lost the confidence of the people. He should take responsibility for the party’s poor show yesterday,” said Chuphal, while speaking to mediapersons here today. Chuphal said the results of Tehri would be reflected in the coming local bodies, panchayat and cooperative bodies elections. “By voting overwhelmingly for the BJP, the people of Tehri have rejected the seven-month rule of the Congress-led state government. By the time the general election are held, the people would also boot out four Congress MPs, who have failed to perform their duties,” he said. Chuphal said people were unhappy with the lack of development in the state and also the Central Government’s inability to curb inflation and its decision to put a cap on subsidised cylinders. He further said his party was examining the bypoll results and said in certain places, the BJP was not able to put forth these issues emphatically before the people. “Wherever our party failed to get the requisite votes, it was due to our own inability to take up these issues forcefully in the hills,” said Chuphal. The BJP leadership also brought to light the alleged booth capturing that took place in Tyuni (Chakrata). Ratan Singh Chauhan, a member of a students' body of the party, alleged that several supporters of the BJP were prevented from casting vote by Cabinet minister Preetam Singh. The party has decided to take up the matter with the Election Commission. |
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I will do my best for people: Mala
Mala Raj Lakshmi Shah was at pains to shed the legacy of her royal family and mingle with the crowds. “I have been socially very active, taking interest in the social work started by my father-in-law late Manvendra Shah, but politics is new to me and I will try to make the best of my tenure,” said Shah. Her only daughter Ksheerja, too, was happy with the victory of her mother and regretted that she could not take part in campaigning for her mother due to her delivery. “I want that my mother gets the much needed rest before she embarks on a full-fledged career in Delhi,” she said. As a treat for her mother, Ksheerja would be cooking for her today and a special chicken recipe would be on the menu. “My mother is not fussy at all and eats whatever I cook. Though she is a very good cook herself,” said Ksheerja. Mala Raj Lakshmi Shah’s husband Manujendra Shah said his wife managed to reach out to the people. “I think it was her dignity and readiness to listen to the people that helped us in the election,” he said. On his part, he said he was more than happy to play second fiddle to his wife. |
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Congress took common man lightly: Pant
Commenting on the unexpected defeat of the Congress and the sudden surge of sympathy for the BJP in the state, Pant said it was the rejection of the eight-month tenure of the Bahuguna government in the state that ruled only on assurances. “Rising prices of essential goods and the recent hike in the LPG price are other reasons that infuriated the common man,” said Pant. The BJP leader said during the reign of the BJP, the price of a cooking gas cylinder was Rs 182 but the Congress raised the cost of it to Rs 425 and restricted its limit to six cylinders in a year. “The government made 200 announcements in the past eight months but did not fulfill even the five per cent of it, including allowances for the unemployed youths of
the state. |
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Dehradun Diary
The issues of inflation, capping of the LPG cylinders and a spate of corruption scandals coming out of the Congress closet at the Centre at regular intervals weigh heavily against the ruling Congress in the byelection. The lackluster performance of the state Congress government also added to the disillusionment of the voters of the Tehri Lok Sabha with the ruling Congress. More than any preference for the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it was the general mood of despondency of the people crushed under the rising inflation, corruption and lack of governance that led to the crushing defeat of the ruling Congress candidate. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna even at the risk of inviting action by the Election Commission also promised to take up the issue of getting at least 12 subsidised cylinders per family per year. However, the decision of the Central Government to increase the price of the unsubsidised cylinders by another Rs11 per cylinder as part of the dealers' commission three days before polling acted as rubbing salt on the wounds of the common voters. To top it all, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna addressing a press conference two days before the crucial day of polling announced that an increase of Rs11 per cylinder was not much. He also annoyed the common people by stating that inflation and corruption were not the main issues in the byelection. He tried to explain that inflation was a worldwide phenomenon and still India was able to withstand the economic meltdown hitting the world. Probably, he failed to understand that the common man, annoyed with the political leadership of the country, was in no mood to understand the nitty gritty of the world economics but was more concerned about price rise and inflation hitting their own family budgets. The management of the byelection by senior Congress leaders, including Congress legislators, left much to be desired. The results of the assembly segments of Dehradun city indicated that the Congress legislators failed to motivate the voters. Interestingly, while the Congress got a drubbing in Dehradun city and Mussoorie, it did comparatively well in the hilly districts of Tehri and Uttarkashi. The party did well in the areas of Tehri and Uttarkashi districts, the worst affected by natural disasters, and particularly dominated by the Thakur community. In Chakrata, the lone hilly assembly segment of Dehradun district, the Congress won by a thumping margin of 11,361 votes. It was the hard work and personal charisma of Congress legislator and minister Pritam Singh which led to the one-sided polling in favour of the Congress. The Congress, despite having four legislators out of seven assembly segments of Dehradun district, lost in six segments. Another faux pas by the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna was having a tiff with Shoorveer Sajwan, a senior Congress leader. Shoorveer Sajwan had lost two consecutive assembly polls as Congress candidate in 2007 and 2012, respectively, and was a spent force. A known detractor of Vijay Bahuguna, the Chief Minister by picking up a quarrel with him and then sending many senior ministers to placate him gave him a chance to hog publicity which proved negative for the Congress candidate. The defeat could spell fresh political trouble for Vijay Bahuguna. The rebel faction, led by Union Minister Harish Rawat, which had been lying low during the run-up to the Tehri byelection, would again be active against him. The first thing they would want is replacement of Uttarakhand Congress chief. Harish Rawat had been asking for quite sometime a full-time state president since Yashpal Arya, the present party chief, was a minister also. He has been rooting for Pardeep Tamta, Almora Congress Lok Sabha MP and his own protégé. It is believed that a change in the state Congress leadership is imminent since in charge of part affairs Birender Singh had announced to appoint a new state party chief after the Tehri bypoll. If Harish Rawat is able to have his own man as state party chief, he would be having complete control over party machinery in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. This would further isolate the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in the party. It was possible that before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, there is clamour by the Harish Rawat faction to demand a change in the state leadership
also. — By SMA Kazmi CM's Blunder
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna addressing a press conference two days before the day of polling announced that an increase of Rs 11 per cylinder was not much. He also annoyed the common man by stating that inflation and corruption were not the main issues in the byelection. Probably, he failed to understand that the common man was in no mood to understand the nitty-gritty of the world economics but was more concerned about price rise and inflation hitting their own family budgets. |
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Saints vow to work for removal of evils
Haridwar, October 14 In this drive, more women and youth volunteers would be enrolled as members across the state, office-bearers of the outfit said. Former state Cabinet Minister and Haridwar MLA Madan Kaushik lauded the efforts of the sena. The organisation has made a name for itself in the past two years owing to its social works. BHEL-Ranipur legislator Aadesh Chauhan cited various social campaigns initiated by the Samajik Sena regarding alcohol menace, quarrying and the sale of LPG on black market in the city and rural periphery. National chief of the organisation Vinod Maharaj said the sena was working on the grassroots level having no political connections or aspiration. National spokesperson of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad Baba Hatyogi pointed out that there were various social organisations but only a few took initiatives to eradicate social malpractices prevalent in the society. Satya Mitranand Maharan, Prabodhanand Maharaj, Hari Chetnanand Maharaj, Sureshanand Maharaj and Mata Chandra Kanta Nand also put forth their views at the function. Students of Shri Mool Chand Shastri School gave a presentation on the culture of the state. State chief of the Samajik Sena Rana Ranveer, Sarfaraz, Suman Aggarwal and Sarita Purohit coordinated the function. |
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Parivartan Party thanks public for support
Dehradun, October 14 Spokesperson Rajiv Kothari said the public had taught a bitter lesson to the Congress in the election for its anti-people policies. He said it was due to the absence of the third alternative, the BJP stood to gain. The other members too expressed satisfaction about the party fighting this election with
propriety. It was decided to hold one-day protest against the Congress and the BJP for allegedly indulging in corruption at Gandhi Park on November 1, the state formation day. |
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Champawat towns seek amenities
Pithoragarh, October 14 "We have asked the district administration to provide civic amenities to these towns under the Backward Areas Grant Fund," said Khushal
Singh Adhikari, vice-president of the State Cooperative Council. According to Adhikari, the towns of Pati, Devidhura, Banbasa, Barakot, Bhingrara, Bardakhan, Pulhindola, Digalichaur and Amori and Mulakot in the district are growing rapidly as the villagers from nearby villages are shifting to these towns. But these towns lack civic amenities as the existing facilities are falling short of the growing needs of these towns. "Some of these towns have become the subdivision headquarters but urban bodies could not be set up there due to lack of facilities like sanitation and water," said the state cooperative council vice-president. The district planning body of Champawat does not seem in a hurry to provide facilities to these towns from any of budget head. "We have prepared the district plan for the coming year so we cannot include these proposals to this at this time, but from next year, we will consider these proposals under the required budget head," said JK Tiwari, Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Champawat district. |
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Painting contest on global warming
Haridwar, October 14 Students portrayed their thoughts about air-water-sound pollution, global warming, green house gas emission, river pollution, effluents flowing from industries into the Ganga river and sapling plantation drives among others in their paintings. Former Uttarakhand Women Commission Chairperson Dr Santosh Chauhan stressed on the need of having co-curricular activities for students as it imbibed in them creativity and competitive spirit. Chauhan added that the Jawaharlal Nehru Youth Centre, since its beginning in 2005 in Haridwar, had been doing commendable work to indulge the youth in various fields. The centre was the vision of former Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari whose role was pivotal in establishing this centre on the Bhagat Singh intersection, Ranipur. Literary personality and former principal of Shravan Nath Math Jawaharlal Nehru College PS Chauhan lauded the efforts of the Jawaharlal Nehru Youth Centre in indulging students in such positive activities. He said by spreading awareness among students regarding social issues like environment conservation, they were making their future bright, as this generation would make sure that degradation of environment was not done. Tanvi Rawat, a
student, remarked that effluents being poured into the river must be stopped and also trees being cut for the upcoming highway expansion on Haridwar-Dehradun stretch should not be done or new trees should be planted in lieu of several trees being cut for the fourlaning of highway. |
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Road to Lipulekh Pass to be ready by 2015
Pithoragarh, October 14 According to the District Magistrate, BRO engineers have completed a portion of 6 km towards Ghatiabagar from Gunji, also a portion of 3 km starting from Ghatiabagar to Gunji but the work on the hard road portion is taking much time of the agency. "Despite these obstacles, the BRO is in a position to prepare 6 metre-wide road for plying of vehicles by 2015 though the widening of planned road of 12 metres will take
time," said the District Magistrate. Quoting BRO engineers' explanation during
his briefing with them, the District Magistrate said due to the rains and
mist for 25 days, the road making agency could not continue its work as oil supply for the equipment, which is carried through helicopters, could not
be done. "As the supply of oil by helicopters has been resumed after clearing the mist, the work on the road has gaining speed," said the DM. The BRO has now put two helicopters on supply sortie to Gunji from Pithoragarh and there are hopes now that besides Ghatiabagar to the Lipulekh road, the construction of road will also get pace," said the DM. |
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Steps needed for environment conservation, says MLA
Haridwar, October 14 Special guest on the occasion, Haridwar rural segment legislator Swami Yatishwaranand said if flora and fauna get destroyed, then it would have a severe impact on human civilisation. Ranipur-BHEL segment legislator Aadesh Chauhan urged the youth to take active part in environment conservation. He said preventive measures to conserve environment were needed to be taken by adhering to little aspects like curbing green house gas emission. The Sub Director of the Uttarakhand Higher Education, Dr GS Rajvar, laid emphasis on conserving biodiversity and natural resources like river water, forest green cover and herbs. Pointing out that a futuristic vision was needed for environment conservation, Rajvar called on for initiatives like the Ganga Action Plan in 1984 but with a sincere and concrete effort.BHEL Managing Director NK Gupta lamented that in the name of development and industrialisation, mankind was misusing natural resources, which needed to be controlled. The Principal of Chinmaya College, Dr Alok Kumar, said younger generation needed to come forward to take initiative in controlling degradation and misuse of natural resources. Chief of the SIDCUL association Harendra Garg, Sushil Chauhan, Kuldeep Gupta, Alok Sharma, Dr Anand Shankar Singh and Ajay Swami spoke on the occasion. |
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MLA meets Qureshi over delay on IIM work
Dehradun, October 14 Cheema reminded that the foundation stone of the IIM Kashipur was laid way back April 2010 but the construction works were yet to begin. He sought Governor’s intervention in the matter. Meanwhile, state Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay, Doon Art Society’s Monika Talukdar and Gurukul Kangri University’s Dr Mahaveer Aggarwal also met the Governor today.
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Students' lack of interest in maths worries experts
Haridwar, October 14 Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat stated this at the concluding session of the six-day Scientific Computing Theory and Practice Workshop here today. The workshop at the engineering and technology auditorium of Gurukul Kangri University saw more than 100 delegates from across the country dwelling on the ways to rejuvenate the loss of interest among the younger generation towards mathematics as a subject. Emphasising that not only in maths but students are also detracting from other science subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology, Harish Rawat said if this continued, then it would have severe impact on the research work being done in these fields. “This will hamper the research work, growth of the subjects eventually having an impact on scientific innovations, technology and higher advanced research conclusions,” said Rawat. Citing specific budget allocation being done by the Central Government for research works, the minister called on students to think seriously about science as career subjects as it's not only good for job but also quality and contribution one can do to society, the country and the world via studying of science subjects. Vice-Chancellor of Gurukul Kangri University Swatantra Kumar said the century-old Gurukul had been specifically focusing on moral education and had been laying stress on mathematics and other science subjects. He added that India’s own Vedic maths was being taught in Gurukul University which was the need of the society as students were diverting both from moral values and mathematics. Professor RD Sharma, keynote speaker, said: “Students want new information, new calculative, interesting and interactive teaching methodology. Usage of modern tools like calculators, computers and mobiles have lessened one’s own calculating techniques of the mind”. Prof RD Kaushik of the engineering department, Gurukul Kangri University, said without maths, science lacked base and even social subjects lack factual, figure-based analysis. Without maths no number related calculation or data-tabular work couldn be done so it’s imperative that students from primarly education till higher education had the knowledge of mathematics. Kumaon University Professor Mahesh Joshi, Ambuj Sharma, Prabhat Sengar, SL Singh, Mayank Aggarwal, Praveen Pandey, Lokesh Joshi, Dharmendra Baliyan, OP Chauhan, Telu Ram, Ram Vishal, Rao Affaq among others were present at the concluding session. Coordinator of the workshop Dr Vivek Goyal thanked the delegates assuring them that an extensive report on the workshop would be soon sent to the government. |
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Welham’s Latika, Ankita win painting contest
Dehradun, October 14 Latika and Ankita of Welham Girls School stood first and second, respectively, while the third prize was won by Kavya Hussain of St Joseph’s Academy. Other children were also given special prizes. As many as 300 students in the age group of 7-12 years from various schools participated in the contest, which was judged by Smriti Lal and Reetu Verma. The Governor appreciated the children and said Max Healthcare had given them a unique opportunity to explore their imagination through this contest. The participating children also took autographs from the Governor.
— TNS |
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Youth to get training in various courses
Dehradun, October 14 The scheme has been launched in the entire state. "The youth will be provided training in computer hardware, data operator, river rafting, the hospitality sector (ticketing, hotel management), BPO marketing and accounting. For some courses, the minimum qualification is Class X and for others Class XII," said Radhika Jha, Additional Secretary, Department of Urban Development. The last date for the applications is October 16 and these have to be submitted to the offices of the local bodies and Municipal Corporation offices in the state. |
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BHEL’s Bangalore unit win TT tourney
Haridwar, October 14 On the occasion, Pandhi asked players to take the opportunity of meeting players from different states to enhance knowledge about varied culture. A cultural programme was also held. The musical band of the Central Industrial Security Force enthralled the audience. MK Gupta, Ashok Gupta, Arun Kumar, KS Bhandari, KS Rana, Subash Chand, Ajay Kumar and Inder Mohan Barthwal were present on the occasion. |
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OP Uniyal meets Guv
Dehradun, October 14 Former Sitarganj MLA Narayan Pal, Rajiv Berry and Pradeep Bhandari also met the Governor.
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Two fall prey to leopards
Pithoragarh, October 14 She was taken to the Almora District Hospital, where she died. In another incident, the half-eaten body of a man was found in a jungle. He has been identified as Arjun Ram, a resident of Rachatia village.
— OC |
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Dehradun, October 14
Pithoragarh, October 14
THE defeat of Congress candidate Saket Bahuguna, son of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in the Tehri Lok Sabha byelection, is a personal defeat of the Chief Minister who vacated the Tehri Lok Sabha seat after his elevation as Chief Minister of the state after the state assembly elections in March this year.
Congress managers were well aware of the issue of capping of LPG cylinders by the Union Government and did try to undo the damage by promising to give three more subsidised cylinders in the Congress-ruled states.