Jailed Congress MLA Dhami admitted in hospital
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 19
Jailed Dharchula Congress MLA Harish Dhami was today admitted to Pithoragarh District Hospital for treatment on the advice of a panel of doctors who checked him for his deteriorating medical condition after the MLA developed symptoms of low blood pressure and imbalance in sugar level during his judicial custody at Didihat, where he was lodged on May 18, after the Magistrate refused him bail.

Dhami went on hunger strike at 10 am after being jailed on May 18 at the place where he was lodged. He alleged that the state police was misguiding him.

“After he sat on hunger strike, his blood pressure level dropped and he developed dehydration symptoms inside the cell due to which he was referred to the District Hospital for further check-up,” said Dr Prakash, amedical officer who checked the MLA at the Didihat judicial custody cell.

Congress party sources said the MLA at first refused to be shifted to the hospital for treatment, but when several Congress leaders, including Congress MLA from Kapkot Lalit Pharswan, Ranjit Rawat and former MLA from Ranikhet Karan Mahara, persuaded him to do so, he agreed to be admitted to District Hospital.

 BJP will win Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, claim new office-bearers
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 19
With Bharatiya Janata Party state chief Teerath Singh Rawat announcing his working executive body, party leaders, inducted by the body, have exuded confidence of living up to the party's expectations.

Newly appointed office-bearers of the BJP state executive body are felicitated by the BJP district unit in Haridwar on Sunday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Newly-appointed state secretary Kusum Gandhi, Kisan Morcha chief Sushil Chauhan and Youth wing chief Ravindra Bajaj, in the felicitation function, claimed that the party would win the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat. Congress parliamentarian Harish Rawat has failed to live up to the expectations of the party, they said.

Gandhi said with the new responsibility given to her, she would try to beef up the party women base in the district.

While Sushil Chauhan said that he would take up the issues related with peasants community sincerely as farmers formed a major chunk in the district.

Chauhan said be it land acquisition of farmers or by the government for the expansion of national highway or the sugarcane rates issue, he would take all of them aggressively.

To mobilise youth, Ravindra Bajaj said the party had been giving emphasis on youth as a result of which it won the Tehri Lok Sabha and Mayor Election's in Dehradun-Roorkee-Haridwar which was a good sign for the party.

State BJP new state executive and newly elected councillors were felicitated at a programme here today.

Bharatiya Janata Party national general secretary Thavar Chand Gehlot asked party workers to remain prepared for the Lok Sabha elections.

He said grassroots workers were the backbone of any party and due honour should be given to them.

Party leader Trivendra Singh Rawat said development activities had come to a standstill since the Congress government came to power in the state.

Senior BJP MLA Harbans Kapoor and Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli were also present on the occasion. 

 Indo-China border trade to begin in June
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 19
Indo-China border trade for this year from the high Himalayan pass of Lipulekh, which falls in Pithoragarh district of state of Uttarakhand, will begin in the June first week and conclude on October 31, Pithoragarh District Magistrate said after presiding over a meeting concerning the preparation of this trade in the district headquarters today.

District Magistrate Pithoragarh CMS Bisht said a week-long camp of administrative officers concerned would be organised at Dharchula from June 3 to prepare various departments, which take part in this trade. The camp would cater to the problems of traders besides preparing various departments for this five-month trade with China from high Himalayan pass.

“Besides opening the registration of traders for this trade, we will discuss the opening of an SBI branch at Gunji mart of this trade inside the Indian territory and total demand of trade passes by traders which will be sent to the Government of India,” said the District Magistrate.

The District Magistrate said all departments concerned, including the Customs and State Bank of India, had been advised to open their branches before the first batch of traders reached the pass. “The cooperation of the ITBP, SSB and other administrative departments of the district will be taken to commence this trade successfully for this year, like last year, as the high-profile trade involves the two neighbouring countries of India and China and is significant from their mutual relations points of view,” said the District Magistrate.

 BHEL truly maharatna: Jindal
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 19
Parliamentarian Naveen Jindal lauded the high quality standards and time-bound production generated by public sector undertaking Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Ranipur unit, here today.

Jindal visited the twin units of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)-Central Foundry Forge Plant (CFFP) and Heavy Electrical Equipment Plant (HEEP)- at Ranipur unit, 5 km from Haridwar.

Appreciating the six-decade-old contribution of BHEL in the power sector in the country, Jindal, who represents the Kurukshetra constituency in the Lower House of Parliament, said BHEL was in right earnest a 'Maha Ratna' company, which generated 80 per cent power generation equipments.

 DM fumes at late arrival of officials, withholds salary
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 19
On the very first meeting of the newly-constituted Sahastardhara Tourism Destination Management Coordination Committee, District Magistrate, BVRC Purushottam wit held one-day salary of the members/officials of the committee for coming late to work.

When Purushottam reached for the meeting, he found the officials absent. They, thereafter, arrived late.

This casual approach of the members made him fume and he ordered withholding their one-day salary until fresh orders in this regard.

Those who had to bear the District Magistrate’s wrath included the district panchayat officer, Dehradun, deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dehradun, Executive Engineer PWD Rishikesh, Executive Engineer, Jal Sansthan, Dehradun, Executive Engineer, Mussoorie, Dehradun Development Authority and Inspector, Rajpur police station.

District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam said the late arrival on an important meeting regarding tourism showed that these officers were not serious about their responsibilities towards the development of district. 

 Elections for UKD new panel, party chief today
Kashi Singh Aeri front-runner for party president post
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 19
A mega convention of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) began here today under the leadership of party patron Kashi Singh Aeri. All disgruntled leaders such as former MLA Pushpesh Tripathi, Shailash Guleri, Bahadur Singh Rawat, Jayprakash Upadhyaya and Harish Tripati were present.

The elections for the new working committee and party president will take place tomorrow. Kashi Singh Aeri is the front-runner for the post of party president.

Speaking on this occasion, Aeri said 90 per cent of the disgruntled leaders of the party as well as presidents of the district and city units were present. Expelled leaders also participated.

Aeri said the convention had revived their enthusiasm and hope that now something concrete could be done to resuscitate the moribund state of party.

He said all members and leaders today discussed the reasons that led to the party’s downfall. The main issue was of party president Trivender Singh Panwar’s "autocratic behaviour" and "selfish motives".

He said tomorrow, they would hold elections for the new working committee and the new party president.

On Panwar's terming the convention as unauthorised, he said whatever Panwar wanted to say, he could do so till day as tomorrow he was going to be replaced. He said the party would carry out all the activities from the party office only.

On the issue of including former state minister and party president Diwakar Bhatt in the party, he said Bhatt’s role in the party from very beginning would be assessed and only after that they could take any 
call on that. 

  Alleging exploitation by companies, labourers say Labour Department officials lax 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 19
Labourers working in various SIDCUL-based industrial firms have alleged exploitation of labourers by company managements of the integrated industrial estate, SIDCUL, in Haridwar.

They have alleged laxity and indifferent attitude of Labour Department officials as they have been apprised about this aspect umpteen times, but no action has been taken so far.

Under the Indian Trade Union Congress, labourers today staged a protest against company managements and the Labour Department. They burned the effigy of Labour Department Secretary Ranveer Singh for not taking any action against companies in SIDCUL for exploitation and harassment of labourers.

They said this problem had arisen due to contract hiring of unskilled labourers in SIDCUL.

Trade union leader Arvind Rajput said instead of taking action against companies and managements, the Labour Department seemed to be on the side of companies.

Rajput in SIDCUL, without proper procedure and notice, dozens of labourers had been expelled.

"As these labourers are not enrolled by firms, they easily get away and due to the indifferent attitude of Labour Department, companies and labour contractors are exploiting labourers in Haridwar," alleged Rajput.

SIDCUL trade union activist Mahesh Upadhyay said the rule of 70 per cent reservation for local Uttarakhand youths in SIDCUL-based firms had been flouted. He said despite this being a major provision from the state government to SIDCUL, companies were not following the rule while recruiting employees.

Uttarakhand Kranti Manch activist JP Pandey demanded action against such companies and disciplinary action against the Labour Department officials concerned.

"This mass exploitation of labourers should be stopped instantly, otherwise the very purpose of setting up industrial units in the state would be defeated.

A memorandum was forwarded to Labour Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal in this regard by the aggrieved labourers.

 Panwar gains edge, restricts entry of opponents into UKD party office
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 19
The conflict between the warring factions of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), led by party president Trivender Singh Panwar, and party patron Kashi Singh Aeri became aggravated today when Aeri's supporters broke the locks put up by Panwar's supporters in the office rooms today.

On a police complaint lodged by Panwar, the police pushed out Aeri's supporters and asked them to bring written orders from the higher police officials seeking entry into the party office. Panwar has already complained to the district police alleging fear of life from his opponents and had sought security cover.

This lethal move of Panwar has given a big blow to the endeavours of Aeri and his group, who had were engaged in holding a mega convention to elect a new president of the party. But Panwar's turnaround shocked them out of their wits.

Senior leader and Panwar's supporter, Promila Rawat said they had been holding a meeting over the party's convention to be held in July along with Trivender Singh Panwar. She said the expelled leaders such as Kashi Singh Aeri must set up their office elsewhere.

Senior police officials alleged that both the factions claimed that they represented the real UKD. They said, those who carried the documents regarding their authority over the party would be permitted or else the party premises would be sealed.

Aeri's supporter Shailash Guleri said the new crisis had washed out all their efforts to do a volte-face in the party. They said Panwar was shown as the party president in the documents recognised by the Election Commission of India. In case, they keep fighting, this battle was going to take a long time before commission. 

 Hemkunt Sahib doors to open on May 25
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 19
The portals of the Sikh shrine of Hemkunt Sahib will open for pilgrims on May 25. Main trustee of Hemkunt Sahib IS Bindra has said all preparations have been completed for the opening of the portals.

Sikh pilgrims from all over the country and abroad come to Hemkund Sahib in big numbers.

  Unbalanced lifestyle, restricted eating habits increase neuro-related diseases
Tribune News service

Dehradun, May 19
A one-day international symposium on neurology was organised at Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute and Medical and Health Sciences here today. In this symposium, neuro physicians and neuro surgeons from nation’s renowned medical colleges threw light over the minute topics of neurology discipline.

The specialists imparted knowledge over the reasons, ill-effects and modern treatment available for them.

Specialists provided information about the abnormal conditions, disorders, reasons, conditions and the various health problems resulting from them at the symposium.

They also gave details about the modern techniques for the treatment.

The workshop was prepared over the structure of the subject of “Satellite Symposium International Neurology Workshop (New Delhi 2013)”.

The international symposium was inaugurated by chief guest Dr RN Singh, President, IMA, Uttarakhand and Prof SK Ghildiyal, principal, Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences and Prof SP Thapliyal, vice-chairman, SGRR Education Mission by lighting the traditional lamps.

Programme’s guest of honour Dr Vinod Puri, Prof & Head, Dept of Neurology, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, gave lecture over the topic ‘Approach to a Patient with Neuropathy’.

Dr Vinod Puri, in his address, said the common disorders that come across in neuro diseases were problems in nerves, disorders related to brain nerve and spinal cord.

Dr Sudesh Prabhakar, Prof and Head, Neurology Dept, Postgraduate Institiue of Medicine, Education and Research (PGIMER, Chandigarh, gave a lecture on the topic ‘Toxic Neuropathies’.

Dr Prabhakar informed that unbalanced lifestyle and unrestricted eating habits had increased the neuro-related diseases in today’s scenario.

He quoted the example that it was a common belief that liquor consumption invites diseases, but polluted water was the most common factor for diseases.

Dr UK Mishra, Prof & Head Neurology Dept, SGPGI, Lucknow, gave lecture over the topic ‘Cobalamine Neuropathy’. He explained the studies on clinical neuropathy and investigation as well diseases of nerves.

Dr Satish V.Khalidkar, Prof and Head Neurology Dept, Medical College and Sir JJ Groups of Hospitals, Mumbai, gave lecture over the topic ‘Neuropathy-Case Based’.

Dr Shyamal Kumar Das, Prof and Head Neurology Dept, Burdwan, West Bengal, gave a lecture over the topic ‘Pattern of Neuropathies in India’.

Dr Ravindra Kumar Saran, Prof and Head Pathology Dept, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, gave his lecture over the topic ‘Histopathological Approach to a patient with neuropathy.

A vote of thanks was given by Dr Pankaj Arora, neuro surgeon ND Dr Priyamka V Kashyap, neuro physician, on the behalf of Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital. 

 Dehradun diary
Speaker’s statement puts Congress in dock

After the humiliating debacle in the civic elections, the ruling Congress has been hit by another crisis. This time again the Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker, Govind Singh Kunjwal, has put the Congress in the dock by publicly stating that the state is ranked amongst the worst in corruption.

This has created a lot of consternation in the state government, led by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, and the party organisation. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has pitched three non-Congress ministers to criticise the Assembly Speaker while several party leaders owing allegiance to the Chief Minister camp have demanded action against the Speaker. It was not for the first time that the Assembly Speaker, Govind Singh Kunjwal, has embarrassed the Chief Minister.

The utterances by the Assembly Speaker are a part of the intense factional fight within the Congress in the state and can be traced back to the elevation of Vijay Bahuguna as the Chief Minister after the state Assembly elections in March 2012.

After the narrow electoral win in the state Assembly polls in 2012, Vijay Bahuguna was selected by the party high command as the Chief Minister much to the dislike of senior Congress leader and Union Minister Harish Rawat who rebelled against the party decision. Harish Rawat, who has the backing of majority of the party legislators, was placated by the party high command by offering his loyalists several positions. One of his close confidents Mohinder Singh Mahra was given the Rajya Saba ticket while another of his close aide Govind Singh Kunjwal was made Assembly Speaker. Most of the other senior party legislators belonging to Harish Rawat faction were also given ministerial positions.

Govind Singh Kunjwal, even after becoming the Assembly Speaker, has been involved in factional politics of the Congress.

After the defeat of the ruling party in the Tehri bye-election in October 2012, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, in a bid to win over the confidence of the voters in the hills, decided to hold a Cabinet meeting at Gairsain in Chamoli district and also announced to built an Assembly building there. In a balancing act to appease the people of the plains, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of a new Assembly building at Dehradun. Govind Singh Kunjwal was also present on both the occasions.

However, the Harish Rawat camp decided to deny the Chief Minister any political mileage on the Gairsain issue. Assembly Speaker and Govind Singh Kunjwal and Almora MP Pardeep Tamta, both closest leaders to Harish Rawat, took out a yatra in Kumaon region to claim credit on the issue. During the yatra, Govind Singh Kunjwal put the state government in an embarrassment situation by demanding that the state government should declare Gairsain as the permanent capital of the state.

This created a piquant situation for the state Congress and the Chief Minister. The issue of permanent capital has been an emotional and controversial one and no government could take a decision in haste. However, the faction of Harish Rawat was able to embarrass the Chief Minister who even complained to the party high command. Before the important civic polls, the letter written by Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna complaining about the alleged insensitivity of the state government towards several the Central Government projects did stir the state politics. There were allegations that the letter written by Harish Rawat also maligned the image of the state Congress on the eve of the civic polls. Even during the civic polls, there were allegations that the Harish Rawat faction did not work whole-heartedly, particularly in the capital city of Dehradun leading to the defeat of the Congress candidate.

Interestingly, despite effort by Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to bring in accountability in the party during his visit to Dehradun in March this year, things have gone from bad to worst. The efforts of Rahul Gandhi to re-vitalise the party rank and file before the crucial Lok Sabha elections in 2014 in Uttarakhand has completely failed. — SMA Kazmi