Cabinet nod to 22 per cent hike in minimum wages
Creation of Jan Sahyog Education Fund Mineral policy announced z Widening of Arhat Bazaar and dispensary roads approved
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 6
The Uttarakhand Cabinet today approved 22 per cent hike in minimum wage rate for labourers working in the organised sector, announced establishing of Jan Sahyog Education Fund devoted towards improving the infrastructure of government schools and providing for scholarships for poor children. It also gave approval for new mineral policy.

The 22 per cent hike in minimum wages would lead to rise in average wage rate between Rs 800 to Rs 1200 per month. With this announcement, the minimum wage rate in Uttarakhand would be higher than the states of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Further, the creation of Jan Sahyog Education Fund announced today would utilise the donations for improving infrastructure in the aided schools and also provide for scholarships for poor children and meritorious students.

Approval was also given for the Governor's address on the first day of the Uttarakhand Assembly session to take place from March 14 to March 25.

During the Assembly session the Uttarakhand Power Development Fund Amendment Bill and Uttarakhand Nagar Niyojan Evam Vikas Bill would be tabled.

On the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission approval was also given for the creation of the State Advisory Committee on Property Tax. The committee would be headed by a chairman and Director, Local Bodies, would be member-secretary.

In order to increase revenue , the Cabinet also gave approval to the Uttarakhand Mineral Policy. According to the policy, tendering process would be adopted for allocating mining of minerals in land, which is more than 5 acres. The GMVN would be given mining rights on 1000 hectares of land and 7,000 hectares of land for Forest Corporation and rights on 250 hectares of land would be given to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam.

The Cabinet today gave approval for the widening of roads in Arhat Bazaar; the road width would be increased from 11 metrs to 19 metrs. The affected 15 shopkeepers would be allocated shops of the same measurement that they now occupy in the MDDA complex at Clock Tower.

Beside, approval was also given for the broadening of dispensary road and the affected 99 shopkeepers and residential units would be accommodated at the MDDA complex to come up at the erstwhile Animal Hospital and the MDDA complex at ISBT.

No regular briefing was held as the Assembly session has already been announced.

School upgraded but no teacher for higher classes
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, March 6
Students of Government High School at Samkot village in Munsiyari subdivision in the district are suffering due to lack of teachers in the school. The block education officer on a government order has attached these students with other high school that is 9 km from their village.

The students now have to travel 18 km daily to study in the nearby high school as there are no teachers in the school in their village to teach them, said KN Joshi, a social worker in Nachni town, near Samkot village.

Some of these students are appearing in the high school examinations this year.

Joshi said the junior school at Samkot was upgraded to high school three years ago but no teachers were recruited or posted there for the next two years to teach higher classes. Teachers of junior classes were tasked with teaching students of higher classes.

However, when no teacher was recruited for higher classes there even after two years the block education officer decided to attach its 24 students to the high school at the GIC, Pandrapala, 9 km from Samkot village. Since then the students spend 8 hours daily to travel to study in the new school and back,” said Joshi.

“The students get tired while travelling to the school and back home and find it hard keep pace with the studies,” said Dharam Singh, gram pradhan of Samkot village.

The villagers said if proper teaching staff was not recruited in the high school in their village they would stop sending their children to the new school. “We are also worried about the security of our growing daughters as they have to travel 5 km through dense forest to reach the new school,” said Dharam Singh. 

Taxing Studies

• The junior school at Samkot village in Munisyari subdivision was upgraded to higher school three years ago
• No teacher to teach higher classes were posted for two years
• The block education officer on a government order attached students of higher classes with another high school that is 9 km from their village
• The students have to travel 18 km daily to study in the new school

Govt failed to utilise Centre’s funds for development, says Ajay Bhatt
Tribune News Service

The Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly Ajay Bhatt in Dehradun on Wednesday.

Dehradun, March 6
Training his guns on Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt said that the 'lethargic Bahuguna government' had failed to utilise funds allocated by the Central Government under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Prime Minister's Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Border Areas' Development Programme (BADP).

“One would have thought the Bahuguna government would push for the full utilisation of the funds under MGNREGS. Instead, it failed to avail Rs 188 crore under free flow fund scheme. Through this scheme the flow of funds could have taken place if the concerned department had submitted utilisation certificates,” said Bhatt, while interacting with media persons today .

He said that for the year 2011-12, the BJP government had spent a total of Rs 418 crore under MGNREGS, whereas the Congress government could manage to spend only Rs 241 crore in 2012-2013.

Similarly, under the Prime Minister's Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Bhatt said: “The government managed to spend Rs 80 crore, out of Rs 165 crore released last year. As it was slow in spending funds of the previous year, only Rs 430 crore were released for this financial year, that too towards the close of this financial year,” he said.

Bhatt said that the government had opened 29 divisions under PMGSY but in the absence of field staff, no work is being carried out.

Further, under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), out of the Central Government-funded schemes in which funds are allocated for the development of five border districts of Champawat, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Udham Singh Nagar, the state government made a budgetary provision of Rs 29 crore. It could have asked for more as 7 per cent of the Budget was spent on the jawans deployed in the border areas, and the remaining amount for setting up solar lights, constructing roads, heaters, satellites and medical facilities for the civilian population.

BJP leader takes on Surinder Negi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 6
The Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly Ajay Bhatt today criticised Uttarakhand Minister for Medical, Health and Family Welfare Surinder Singh Negi for spending less than three hours towards ascertaining the progress of the districts of Bageshwar and Almora in spending the funds allocated under the District Plan.

"Negi, who is the minister in charge of the districts of Bageshwar and Almora, made a flying visit to these districts and finished the inspection of a total of 54 departments in less than three hours," said Bhatt.

He said the minister made a mockery of the whole exercise and hopped from one district to other in a helicopter. "Instead of seriously examining the progress of the districts, the minister turned the entire exercise into a joy ride," said Bhatt.

Bhati panel findings to be placed in Assembly: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 6
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said today that the findings of the Bhati Commission, set up to probe irregularities taken place during the former BJP government, will be put in the state Assembly to follow subsequent action.

Interacting with the media at Congress Bhavan here today, Bahuguna said the commission had probed the irregularities done during the former government in a transparent manner and had now submitted its findings that would be put 
in the House for further action.

He admitted that the commission had found irregularities done during the former BJP government.

On the other hand, he refuted the allegations that the CM discretionary fund was being misused.

Earlier, Bahuguna met local corporates, councillors and party workers at Congress Bhawan and gave a patient hearing to their problems. He said councillors and corporates had a great responsibility as they were the representatives of the local people and should inform the government about the problems related to their respective areas. He said there should be a widespread publicity of the schemes run for the welfare of the common people.

Bahuguna said there was need to keep an eye on development-linked construction work at the local level to ensure that quality construction took place.

He said any irregularity in this respect would be dealt with strictly. He said workers were the face of the party and would be given due respect and importance.

Office-bearers and workers of the party put forward their problems and gave suggestions for strengthening the party organisation and the government.

The CM said resolving the problems of the public and the party workers was his priority.

On his arrival at Congress Bhavan , Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna was welcomed by Cabinet minister and state party president Yashpal Arya and workers and office-bearers of the party.

Need to uphold tenets of equality, social justice: Experts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 6
As part of the 150th year of Vivekanand’s anniversary, a symposium on the theme, "Equality and Social Justice in the 21st Century" was organised in the Golden Jubilee Auditorium of DBS PG College here today.

Setting the ball rolling, chief guest former Chief Secretary Dr RS Tolia said equality and social justice today stood as constructive cause and called for every section of society to work towards upholding this principle.

In her keynote address, speaker Prof Vasanthi Raman of Mahatma Gandhi International University, Vardha, stressed that derangement in various walks of modern life had a hindering effect on society as it hampered the growth needed and the time had come that serious steps should be taken to set the society on the progressive path. She welcomed all participants for sharing the platform for a much-needed cause.

Former Additional DGP Dr AB Lal, who chaired the plenary session, exhorted that the spread of constructive thoughts among the masses and responsible performance of duties of the authoritative was the only way out for removing the vices from the existing society. Renowned academician and author Prof Jaiwathi Dimri highlighted the role of literature in understanding equality and associated interpretations and issues for overall progress.

Writer and journalist from Finland Mikko Zenger highlighted the relevance of deep-rooted cultural values and the broader outlook towards them as a base for strong and progressive society.

The symposium reached its climax in the last phase as it was an open session. The segment saw the prominent people from various fields like administrations, education and social work together shared the ideas and hope for better governance, academic facilities and opportunities for the youth in society.

State Human Rights Commission Justice Rajesh Tandon spoke about the legal and humanitarian aspects whereas BK Joshi, former Vice-Chancellor, Kumaon University, highlighted about channelising the young idealistic mind towards positive actions in the country which is the birth place of the spiritual leaders like Vivekananda. Another speaker Dr Zainab Rahman emphasized the need for equal opportunities for all and family support for a strong healthy society and nation.

DBS College Principal OP Kulshreshtha, Principal DAV College Dr Devender Bhasin, convener of the programme Dr Pratyush Vatsala, Alka Suri and V C Pandey were prominent among present during the symposium. 

Villagers in Kumaon fear Holi may anger deities
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, March 6
Though the Holi fever has gripped most parts of the Kumaon region these days, there are several villages in remote parts of the region that do not celebrate the festival of colours. They consider the celebration of Holi as a bad omen that invites the wrath of the local deities on their villages.

According to sources, more than 50 villages in Dharchula, Didihat and Munsiyari subdivisions do not celebrate Holi because the villagers believe their deity Chipla keeps herself away from coloured things, clothes and mantles of women, including colours. “Ranthi Jumma, Syakuri and Garguva villages in the remote Tawaghat valley of Dharchula subdivision wear a deserted look during Holi as the villagers keep away from celebrating the festival fearing the local deities will get angry and wreak havoc on their villages,” says Om Prakash Awasthi, a local social worker and journalist.

The villagers of the Talla Johar area in Munsiyari subdivision of the district say their ancestors never celebrated Holi and they were not even aware of the festival. “When some villagers started celebrating Holi in the last decade, the villages suffered sudden calamities. Keeping this in mind the villagers had since then refrained from celebrating Holi,” said Bhupal Singh, a resident of Ringu village of the Talla Johar area.

“If some villagers do celebrate Holi in the district, they restrict themselves to only applying colours at each other’s faces and do not perform other rituals of the festival,” said Madan Ram Saniyal, a student from Bram village in Munsiyari subdivision.

The villages situated near the Gori river in Didihat subdivision also do not celebrate Holi as they believe that the playing of ‘dhol’ and other local musical instruments during Holi displeases the local deities. “As our deities reside at high Himalayan peaks and like only snow white colour, which they wear, they only accept offerings of while clothes and dislike coloured things,” said Rukum Singh, a resident of Bram village situated alongside the Gori river.

According to local historians and researchers of local culture, Holi reached the region around the 15th century during the Bhakti movement. Earlier the villagers used to celebrate local festivals and were deeply rooted in their religious beliefs. For this reason Holi could not gain importance as a festival in these habitats of the Himalayas and remained confined to the Brahmin community only,” said Dr Ram Singh, a leading historian of the Himalayan region and retired university professor.

robbery BId at exam papers' room 
Principal suspects handiwork of weak students
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, March 6
Barely one day has passed since the murder of the elderly woman near Jharipani that another incident of attempted robbery at the examination papers' room of Kendriya Vidyalaya has come to light, instilling fear among the residents in Mussoorie.

According to the police, a report has been filed by the school management of the Kendriya Vidyalaya that some unidentified miscreants made an attempt to break into the school and tried to break open the locks of the room where the papers for home board exams were kept around midnight yesterday.

The Principal of the school, VK Tyagi, in his report filed at the police station, stated that some unidentified youths entered the school premises by breaking the door of the science block situated on the ground floor and headed for the examination room where the question papers were kept. Following that the miscreants broke the latch and the lock of the room but failed to enter the room as it was secured by internal locking system. The perpetrators then tried to cut the wooden ply of the door but fled as soon as the watchman heard the commotion raised the alarm. When contacted the Principal of the school said that a similar break-in attempt was also made last year, and suspected that it could be the handiwork of the weak students who wanted access to the question papers in order to pass the ongoing home board examinations in the school.

He also said that apart from minor damage to the property, no material from the school had been stolen and examination papers were also secure.

Meanwhile, the police has begun investigation and is also looking at the role of the watchman in the case.

3 nabbed for murder of hotel owner’s son
Crime committed on February 14
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 6
In a joint venture, Special Operation Group and a police station team of Nehru Colony finally arrested three accused wanted in the shooting at Askhat Bansal, son of Rishi Bansal and owner of Grand Solitaire Hotel in the city on February 14.

The accused have been identified as Sidharth Rathi alias Honey, Mohit, both residents of Muzzaffarnagar, and Vikrant , resident of Meerut. Four more accused are still absconding. They are Narender Malik, resident of Meerut, Amit Nehra and Guddu of Ghaziabad and Ravi Tomar from Muzzaffarnagar. The police has recovered two revolvers and a motor cycle from them.

Director General of Police announced a cash award of Rs 15,000, Deputy Inspector General of Rs 5000 and SSP of Rs 25,000 to the police teams.

SSP Kewal Khurana said the accused revealed that accused Vikrant's maternal uncle Narender Malik and Amit Nehra had invested some Rs 60-70 lakh in the property business with Rishi Bansal. When they later demanded their money back, Bansal did not do so. At this, Malik handed the task of killing Akshat to his nephews Vikrant and Guddu and promised to give them Rs 10 lakh after the completion of the task. Both Vikrant and Guddu then hired Sidharth, Mohit and Ravi and joined them in the task.

Khurana said Malik came with Vikrant on the day of the incident and showed Akshat the number plate of his SUV to him. In the evening, Vikrant and Mohit rode on one motor cycle and Sidharth, Guddu and Ravi on the other side. They were driving via ISBT to Hotel Solitaire and came across Akshat Bansal, who was returning to his hotel from a Rajpur hotel. At this juncture, Vikrant fired many shots at Akshat Bansal from close range. The pistol was given by Narender Malik. Later, Guddu took the pistol and motor cycle with him to Ghaziabad. 

Cong luring farmers for coop poll, says Chuphal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 6
Former BJP chief BS Chuphal has accused the Congress of trying to influence the cooperative elections scheduled to take place in the state.

"The Congress government is distributing cheques and loans to farmers in order to lure them by holding special camps. These camps were held today at the Raipur block," charged Chuphal.

He said in order to win the cooperatives in the state, the Congress had begun using money and muscle power. "Instead of promoting transparency and fair play, the Congress government is hell bent on rigging the elections for which advance planning is under way," said Chuphal.

He said a delegation of BJP leaders would soon meet the Governor and apprise him about the situation. The nominations for the cooperative election will start from March 12. 

MLA’s poll cancellation plea rejected
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 6
The Nainital High Court has rejected an appeal seeking the cancellation of the election of Nainital MLA Sarita Arya from from the Nainital reserve seat on caste grounds, stating that the subject was out of judicial powers of the court.

The court said the petitioner, Hem Arya, could challenge the caste of the MLA only under the election petition.

In the petition, Hem Arya said Sarita Arya's father's name in her academic records had been mentioned as Kuldeep Singh Anand. Since she belonged to the general category, she could not contest from a reserve seat.

Doon will be decked up for Rahul’s visit: Cong leader
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 6
Uttarakhand Congress spokesman Dhirendra Pratap today said the Congress cadres in the state had got re-energised with the proposed visit of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to Uttarakhand's capital Dehradun on March 8.

Addressing media persons in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Congress spokesman Dhirendra Pratap said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on March 8 will be presiding over the extended Pradesh Congress Committee meeting which will also include MPs, MLAs and other important party office bearers. He said entire Dehradun city will be decked up to welcome Rahul Gandhi to the city.

He said apart from the extended Pradesh Congress Committee meeting, Rahul Gandhi will also be addressing the valedictory session of National Students' Union of India's three training programmes in Dehradun on the very same day before departing for Delhi.

He also held that the party had welcomed Rahul Gandhi's statement in which he categorically stated that there was no place in the party for those who had contested against party candidates in any election in any given time.

While denying that there was any difference between party organisation and the government, Dhirendra Pratap disclosed that Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had directed that one of his officers on special duty and a Public Relation Officer will be stationed at Congress Bhavan on daily basis to hear the grievances of party workers.

Congress general secretary Vijay Saraswat and Congress leader Lalchand Sharma were also present at the news conference.

Gandhi Shilp Mela begins
Tribune News service

Dehradun, March 6
Sports Minister Dinesh Aggarwal today inaugurated Gandhi Shilp Mela being organised by the Commissioner, Handicrafts and the Uttarakhand Handicrafts Development Board at Parade Ground here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dinesh Aggarwal said such melas helped in strengthening village economy from where these artisans making excellent handicrafts come.

SC Nautiyal, Chief Executive Officer of the Uttarakhand Handicrafts Development Board, said more than 150 artisans from all over the country were participating in the 10-day Gandhi Shilip Mela to showcase their products. Raj Kumar, local legislator, was also present on the occasion. 

SP leader files report against city president
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 6
Former general secretary, Samajwadi Party, Mahasir Maithani lodged a complaint against Samajwadi Party city president Pradeep Chaudhary for threatening to shoot him.

Maithani said Chaudhary had threatened him openly in the party office yesterday that had he carried the gun, he would have killed him on the spot. He expressed fear for his life from Chaudhary and said the latter owned a gun and could kill him anytime out of animosity.

SSP Kewal Khurana said he would look into the matter.