Dehradun, January 15
In order to add value addition to horticulture activities in the state, the Uttarakhand government at the Cabinet meeting today gave approval to the new winery policy, Bill for the security of doctors, cogeneration in two mills and easing out ambassadors as the favoured means of transportation for Cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats.

Among the hosts of decisions taking cue from the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, the government announced liberalisation in excise and VAT for the period of five years under the new winery policy.

“The policy has been announced to incentivise horticulture and improve livelihood of the farmers who will not have to worry about their fruits going waste. Those trying to set up wineries will be given relaxation according to the existing hill policy. Various duties under the new winery policy, including 5 per cent in Value Added Tax (VAT) have been liberalised. In addition, they will also get benefits under the National Horticulture Mission,” said Alok Kumar Jain, Chief Secretary, at a press conference.

However, the policy will not be applicable in the religious place where prohibition is in place. Beside, wines produced from fruits would have alcoholic content in the range of 9 per cent-16 per cent.

Bowing to the demand of the government and private doctors, the Cabinet also approved the Medicare, Service Persons and Institutions Bill 2013.

“The government had issued an ordinance in 2011 for the security of the doctors but now a Bill has been drafted,” said Jain. Failing in its efforts to run the ailing sugar mills on public and private mode, the government finally gave a go-ahead to initiating cogeneration and modernisation of Bazpur and Kiccha sugar mills.

“Once the cogeneration is initiated, the mills will be able to supply electricity (12 megawatt) to Powergrid. The government is hopeful of getting investment from the NHPC (50 per cent) and the Central Government (46 per cent),” said the Chief Secretary.

The approval was also given for converting the debt of six cooperative and private sugar mills totalling around Rs 718 crore into equity. “This will improve the balance sheets of the mills and help them in taking loans from the market,” stressed Jain.

Further the Cabinet also gave approval for the of use of 35 acres of land by public sector undertaking (PSU) Container Corporation of India for (CONCOR) aiding the upcoming logistic hub at Pantnagar.

Dehradun, January 15
Resenting the authorities' decision to limit the admission to the first year courses of BA, BSc and BCom in DAV (PG) College, student leaders today forcibly closed the college today.

DAV (PG) College has a capacity of admitting 12,500 students for the first year of BA, BSc and B Com courses but the college authorities have admitted 28,000 students so far. Taking this into account, the college administration a few days back announced closing admission for the first year. But this was resented by the student leaders.

The Student Union leaders belonging to both Congress and BJP stormed the Principal office and forced its closure. They subsequently created commotion inside the college and even resorting to scuffle with some of the students which finally resulted in the closure of the college.

Meanwhile, DAV (PG) College Principal Dr Devendra Bhasin said the college present infrastructure allowed limited admissions. He also assured them to hold talks with the Chief Minister on the matter.

Dehradun, January 15
The police busted an inter-state sex racket being run from a house in Priyalok colony on the Shimla bypass road here today.

According to police officials, six girls and six boys have been arrested from the house. The girls belonging to West Bengal, Delhi and Bihar and were brought to Dehradun for prostitution.

Dehradun, January 15
The Indian Council of Forestry and Research Education's Bamboo Technical Support Group and Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, started a five-day bamboo training programme here today.

Twentyfive artisans and two master trainers from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are taking part in this training programme.

Inaugurating the programme, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Director General Dr V K Bahuguna informed the gathering about the multiple utilization of bamboo. He asserted that a proper marketing channel was to be developed for bamboo products.

He said after getting training, the trainees should work as master trainers to train the other people in their areas.

He also emphasized the need of technical knowledge on preservation and durability of bamboo products.

Forest Research Institute, Director Dr PP Bhojvaid said bamboo, a species of grass, was important for human kind at every movement of life. Its utilization could improve the livelihood of poor people. He said Prerna souvenier shop at the FRI would develop the marketing channel for artisans and Self-Helf Groups.

Course Director of the training programme and Head, FRI Extension Division, Jayshree Ardey, expert handicraft AD Dobhal, expert bamboo plantation Dr SS Jain, Additional Director General ICFRE, Dr Vimal Kothiyal and various scientists of the ICFRE and the FRI were also present.

Dehradun, January 15
The proposed talks between the striking ministerial employees and the state government failed to materialise as the employees took out a march to the Secretariat in support of their demands.

The ministerial employees of 32 government departments under the banner of the Uttaranchal Federation of Ministerial Services’ Association started their march from Parade Ground and reached the Secretariat building in the afternoon.

The employees had skirmishes with a large police force that was deployed outside the Secretariat. The employees raised slogans against the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary for not being sympathetic to their demand of grade pay as applicable in the mother state of Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, there were rumours that Chief Minister Bahuguna will call the striking employees for talks to resolve the issue. However, Bahuguna said a committee of officials had gone to Lucknow to study the Uttar Pradesh pattern of grade pay and would give its report to him.

The state Cabinet, which also met in the evening, also failed to take a stand on the issue. Earlier, the state government had issued a no work no pay order for the striking employees. On the other hand, the employees have threatened to intensify their stir till their demands are met.

Dehradun, Jan uary 15
The Army today celebrated its 65th Anniversary of by saluting the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country.

On this day in 1948, Lieutenant General KM Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief. The Army re-dedicated itself to become a part of the "War Winning Team".

A wreath laying ceremony was organised at the Group War Memorial by the Bengal Engineer Group and Centre, Roorkee, and dedicated to the memory of all Armed Forces personnel who laid down their lives while defending the motherland.

Brigadier Dig Vijay Setia, Commandant, Bengal Engineer Group & Centre, laid a wreath at the Group War Memorial. All senior officers of the station were also present on this occasion.

Brigadier Dig Vijay Setia also laid wreaths and paid homage to Lance Naik (Late) Hemraj Singh and Lance Naik (late) Sudhakar Singh, who sacrificed their lives while defending the nation on the Line of Control.

Lance Naik Hemraj Singh and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh of the 13th Battalion of the proud Rajputana Rifles, who were deployed on a patrol duty at Poonch's Mendhar region, were attacked and killed. on January 8, 2013.

Meanwhile, the 65th Army Day was celebrated by the Army by laying wreaths at War Memorial at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today. This year it is being celebrated with the motto ‘Indian Army: In Pursuit of All Round Excellence’.

Army Day is celebrated to commemorate the day when Gen (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa became the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian armed forces after Independence. He took over the command of the armed forces from Gen Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief, in 1949.

Several senior officers of the station, including Lt Gen Manvender Singh, Commandant of the IMA, Dehradun, Major Gen Bobby Mathew, Deputy Commandant, IMA, Major Gen Amarjeet Singh, GOC, 14 RAPID (S), and Brig Kanwal Kumar, Officiating GOC, Uttarakhand Sub Area. Wreaths were also laid to honour the sacrifice of Lance Naik Hemraj and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh, the two soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the Mendhar Sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir on January 8. 

Mussoorie, January 15
It seems that the dream of sports lovers of having a multi-level sports stadium at Bhilaru has hit a roadblock once again due to a dispute between the Sports Department and the Municipal Council in Mussoorie over the ownership rights.

The Tribune has learnt through its sources that the Sports Department is now that it will undertake the construction of the proposed stadium-cum-high altitude sports centre only if the land of the Municipal Council is transferred to it and that too free of cost.

It is worth mentioning that the Sports Department headed by Sports Secretary Ajay Pradyot had visited the proposed site in Mussoorie in November and found it suitable for the construction of at least two stadiums.

Municipal Council president OP Uniyal said the Sports Department had apprised him that it would consider the proposal only when the MC transfers the ownership rights of the land to it.

Uniyal said the MC was keen to give the land for the construction of the stadium but not without a clarification on how the MC would be compensated for providing the land for the purpose. He added the matter would come up for discussion in the forthcoming board meeting and a decision would be taken after consultation with the ward members here.

Union Sports Minister Bhanwar Jitendar Singh during a recent visit to Mussoorie had also consented to provide funds for the project if the proposal was sent to his ministry.

The talks for the construction of a sports stadium have been going on for the past several years and the dispute over the ownership rights between the two departments means an end to the dream of the sports lovers of having a sports stadium.

Meanwhile, despite repeated efforts officials of the Sports Department were not available for comment on the matter.

Dehradun, January 15
In the 1st Late Neelratan Kashyap Memorial District Level Football Tournament being played here, Pachwadon, Wills Youth and Garhwal Sporting won their respective matches today.

In the first match, Pachawadoon beat Eleven Star 2-1. For Paachawadoon, Vipin scored both goals while Arjun scored the goal for Eleven Star.

In second match, Wills Youth Club beat Doon Football Club 2-0. Arpan and Mintu scored goals.

The third match between Garhwal Sporting and Khalanga was decided in favour of Garhwal Sporting in a tie breaker 5-3, after both sides were levelled in 2 goals each at the end of stipulated time.

As of tomorrow’s matches, Doon Eagle will take on Sports Hostel whereas Bajrang Dal will clash with Khukri Club. The third match will take place Vijay Cantonment and Yankies Club.