Bhatt: Ordinance a cover-up to save Harak
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17
Terming the ordinance promulgated by the Uttarakhand government as anti-constitutional and a cover-up exercise to save the skin of one of it’s ministers who was in the line of Opposition fire for occupying three offices of profit, the Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt today said that the party would now challenge the validity of the ordinance in the High Court.

“The Bahuguna government promulgated the ordinance with a retrospect clause only after the BJP kicked up a storm on the issue of Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat occupying three offices of profit, namely Chairman of Uttarakhand Poorv Sainik Kalyan Nigam Ltd (UPNAL), Chairman of Uttarakhand Terai and Seeds Development Corporation (TDC) and Uttarakhand State Seed and Organic Production Certification Agency, and had submitted a memorandum to the Governor on April 2, and also brought the matter before the Election Commission. Now all hope rests with the High Court, where we will try to file the petition,'' said Bhatt at a press conference.

He said that the people of the state had hoped that the Chief Minister would take a principled stand on the issue but he has only helped the cause of the minister, ''who is notorious for flouting norms both while in office and outside office,'' said Bhatt.

Bhatt also clarified that former Chief Minister ND Tiwari in 2008 and former Chief Minister BC Khanduri in 2010 did not promulgate an ordinance on the office of profit but had introduced a Bill in the Vidhan Sabha in order keep out certain offices from the ambit of office of profit. ''Moreover when these Bills were brought by the Tiwari and Khanduri governments, there was not a murmur of protest by the Opposition,” said Bhatt.

He also called upon the government to conduct an inquiry into the sale of land in Kichha (Udham Singh Nagar) where 147 bighas of government land was allegedly sold off through false mutation, and when the SDM of Kichha brought the matter to light, the responsibility of inquiry was passed on to the SDM of Bajpur. “Things have come to such a pass that around nine ministers in the Bahuguna Cabinet are involved in shady land deals,” charged Bhatt. 

Bhatt charges minister with indecency

Dehradun, April 17
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt today dropped a bombshell by stating that not only were nine Cabinet Ministers in the Bahuguna government involved in corrupt practices and shady land deals, but one minister was also involved in immoral act.

“Everyday, we are hearing about the antics of the Cabinet Ministers, but in this particular case, all limits of decent behaviour seem to have been crossed. I urge the Chief Minister to initiate an inquiry about the escapades of the particular minister that have become the talk of the town. More so as his indecent behaviour was bringing a bad name to the state,” he alleged.

Bhatt said the minister had invited trouble in the past too but had failed to learn any lesson. — TNS

Jan Sangharsh Morcha chief flays Raj Bhavan officials
''I have been denied audience with Qureshi''
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17
Jan Sangharsh Morcha president Raghunath Singh Negi has criticised Raj Bhavan officials in Dehradun for failing to give him an audience before the Governor to put forward the alleged irregularities taking place in Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik Nigam Limited in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Raghunath Singh Negi said since February, he had been repeatedly requesting for time from Raj Bhavan officials for seeking an audience with Governor Aziz Qureshi in order to apprise him about the alleged irregularities taking place at Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik Nigam Limited but his pleas have found little response from Raj Bhavan officials.

“I am sorry to say that Raj Bhavan has become host to just holding parties and other functions. The genuine concerns of people are being ignored. I have sent a total of 12 faxes, seeking time to meet the Governor but Raj Bhavan authorities are still to respond,'' Negi said.

Negi yet again alleged that large-scale irregularities were taking place at Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik Nigam Limited. “Employment is being given by the nigam to civilians whereas it was set up to provide jobs only to the ex-servicemen,'' he pointed out.

Jan Sangharsh Morcha’s general secretary Akash Panwar was also present at the news conference. 

Chamoli: Cong not keen on development

Dehradun, April 17
While campaigning at various places in the city, the BJP mayoral candidate Vinod Chamoli said today during his tenure several development works were initiated despite the derailment by the Congress government.

"The people of the state is the witness to the misrule of the Congress in the state and the corporation in the past and should be forewarned that this practice will become more obvious, if the Congress comes to power in the corporation," said Chamoli.

During his campaigning, Chamoli was accompanied by former Cabinet Minister Trivender Singh Rawat, former Speaker and MLA Harbans Kapoor, BJP candidates for the post of councilors from ward no 18 Charnajeet Kaur, Pramod Kumar candidate from ward no 20 and others. — TNS

A-I flight from Doon to Lucknow from May 2
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17
Air India will start its flight services between Dehradun and Lucknow from May 2.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today said the start of Air India services between Dehradun and Lucknow will benefit both the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. He said it will also increase the scope of investments in tourism sector in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had been for quite some time making efforts towards starting Air India services between Dehradun and Lucknow. The Chief Minister had even requested Air India Chairman-cum- Managing Director Rohit Nandan for the same.

CBI to probe irregularities in Nainital institute 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 17
The Nainital High Court has ordered the CBI to investigate the alleged irregularities in the Aryabhatt institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital. The court has given the CBI two months to submit the report to it. It has also asked the Union Government to reconsider the benefit of service extension, given to Prof Ram Sagar, director of the institute.

The decision came after the court found some merit in eight allegations out of the total 29. A report regarding the irregularities at the institute was submitted by the CVC in the court on Tuesday. The CVC enquiry was ordered by the court after two Nainital residents- Niranjan Nayal and DN Bhatt- alleged in a writ petition, which was admitted by the court, that large-scale irregularities and corrupt practices have taken place in the institute and its director has appointed some people against rules and regulations.

“The investigation report of the CVC is clear. It has framed no charges against the institute. As the court is not accepting the investigation done by the CVC, we have decided to act accordingly after getting the orders,” said Prof Ram Sagar, director of the institute.

Coca-Cola to set up plant at Vikasnagar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17
Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBPL) will set up a Rs 600 crore plant for the manufacturing of non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, juices, fruit-based drinks at Chharba village at Vikasnagar in Dehradun.

A memorandum of understanding was signed today between Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBPL) and SIDCUL in the presence of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and senior officials of HCCBPL.

Patrick George, senior vice-president of the company, gave a cheque of Rs1.6 crore as earnest money and processing charges. He said the company would invest Rs 600 crore in two phases and the project would directly or indirectly give employment to 1,000 people and the local people would be given preference in providing employment.

The MD of SIDCUL, Rakesh Sharma, said the company would set up its plant on 60 acres at Chharba village on the Langha Road in Vikasnagar. The land will be given at the cost of Rs 95 lakh per acre. 

Matu Jansangathan to fight for cloudburst victims
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17
Vimal Bhai of Matu Jansanghatan has alleged large-scale corruption in the relief and rehabilitation works being carried out for the Uttarkashi cloudburst victims.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun on Tuesday, Bhai accused the state government of being insensitive to those affected by the cloud burst. He said compensation was still to reach a large number of affected persons. Even the flood control measures like construction of embankment on Assi Ganga river were full of irregularities, he added.

“Compensation distribution has been limited to those close to the ruling party and even this compensation has been too late and too little,” Bhai said. He accused the companies constructing dams in the region of serving their individual interests.

Bhai also released his report “Aapda mey fayada” (Benefit in calamity) to highlight large-scale irregularities in relief works done for those affected by the cloudburst in Uttarkashi. He said Matu Jansanghatan will continue to fight for the rights of those affected in the calamity.

As many as 30 people were killed and hundreds rendered homeless on August 4 last year due to heavy flooding of the Assi Ganga river in Uttarkashi.

‘Spiritual bankruptcy cause of falling education standards’
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 17
“Spiritual bankruptcy and mass commercialisation of education in India are the root cause of deterioration in education standards in the country. This increasing tendency is also polluting relationship between teachers and students in educational institutions,” said Dr MM Goel, Professor of Economics and Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Kurukshetra University, while delivering a lecture on the topic of “excellence models for teachers in changing economic scenario” to teachers at Kumaon University, Nainital, yesterday.

Goel said the profession of teaching had become somewhat a vocation. “To make teaching an honest profession, we need humane and hard working teachers,” he added.

Goel said for him the meaning of real education is proper, productive and practical use of hands, head and heart’s qualities to achieve morality, opulence and victory. “We can give the necessary push to the socio-economic development of society with common sense only by participating in it,” he said. 

Private hospitals to chip in for Char Dham Yatra
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17
At the initiative of Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi, several private hospitals from Uttarakhand and other states have shown desire to provide medical care during the Char Dham yatra in May. For the first time, Max Super Speciality Hospital will frame clinical protocol to be followed by the Health Department on the yatra route for the pilgrims.

While convening a meeting of health officials, the minister said medicos from Jolly Grant, Max Hospital, Guru Ram Rai Medical College and members of the Indian Medical Association had showed interest. “The Dehradun-based Super Speciality Max Hospital has decided to deploy a team of medicos in Gaurikund (Rudraprayag) and a team at the Community Health Centre in Karanprayag,” he said.

Besides, the minister said Max Hospital will also provide three-day advance life support training to social workers of Shanti Kunj (Haridwar). Along with Max, Ahmedabad-based Thackersay Charitable Hospital will deploy a team of specialists at Karanprayag, Joshimath, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi.

Two man-eating leopards trapped by Forest Dept in Pauri Garhwal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17
Two man-eating leopards who had created terror in Ekeshwar area of Pauri Garhwal district have been caught by the Forest Department. The leopards were trapped in cages in Barsu and Patal villages in the last two days. These leopards had killed three persons in the area. Both the cats have been sent to the Forest Rescue Centre, Almora.

According to the DFO, Garhwal Forest Division, Rajmani Pandey, one man-eating leopard was trapped in a cage put up by the Forest Department in Barsu village on April 15. The leopard had killed a woman in Barsu village of Ekeshwar Developmental block in Pauri Garhwal. Another man-eating leopard was trapped on April 16 in Patal village of Ekeshwar Developmental block. According to DFO Rajmani Pandey, the trapped leopard is a female of around 10 years and has one damaged canine. Probably this wound had turned her into a man eater. These man eaters had killed three persons within a month in the region.

Pankhi Devi (45) of Barsu village was cooking food in the evening on March 31 when the leopard entered the kitchen, lifted her by throat and dragged her to the forest. Her shouts were heard by villagers who followed the animal. Seeing a crowd, the leopard left Pankhi and fled. But Pankhi succumbed due to excessive loss of blood from the wounds on her neck.

On March 27, a six year old girl was playing in the courtyard of her house in Bajedi village. She was taken away by the leopard. The villagers, later, found her half- eaten body from the forest. Earlier, another minor girl who was playing outside her house in Budh village on March 15 was killed by a leopard stalking in the region.

The Forest Department had set up many cages at various places to capture the leopards. DFO Pandey disclosed that experts will examine whether the leopards are man eaters on not. The villagers have requested the Forest Department officials to set traps again in the village so that other man eaters could also be captured.

Water rafting expedition flagged off from Rudraprayag
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17
The Central Command Golden Jubilee Ganga Gomti White Water Rafting Expedition was flagged off by Brig Dig Vijay Setia, Commandant, BEG & Centre, Roorkee, from Rudraprayag at the confluence of the Mandakini and the Alaknanda on April 15.

The team comprising one officer, two junior commissioned officers and 15 other ranks will be covering a total distance of 140 km on the Ganga over 5 days with halts at Srinagar, Devprayag, Kaudiyala and Shivpuri.

Brig Dig Vijay Setia complimented the team on the high morale and enthusiasm and the excellent training in preparation for this adventure.

The extremely motivated team of Bengal Sappers and personnel from the Regiment of Artillery, led by Capt Pushp Sharma, will be covering the extremely challenging course of the Ganga on two rafts.

They will encounter approximates 41 rapids with some Grade IV and Grade V rapids which are tough and will test the capabilities of the participants in an extreme manner. Its first phase will culminate at Rishikesh after which the team will move to Lucknow for the second phase where they will raft on the Gomti.