This year, shell out more to wish your valentine
Rose prices likely to burn a hole in lovers' pockets
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
It would be a testing time for the lovers this Valentine's Day as rose prices are expected to rise as high as Rs 60 per stick. A huge demand for roses coupled with the shortage of flowers would contribute largely to the rise in prices.

According to flower sellers in the city, with the Valentine week starting Friday, prices of flowers, particularly rose are also being increased. "The price of a rose stick that was being sold for Rs 15-20 will rise to Rs 30-35. The price of a rose stick may rise to Rs 50-60 on Valentine's Day ,"said Laxman, a florist in the city.

The city imports roses from the Gazipur (New Delhi) based wholesale market. "The local price of flowers, expect for Gerbera, which is produced locally, has been affected by the daily price change in the national market. Yesterday, the wholesale price of a rose stick was Rs 10. Today, it has been increased to Rs 20," he added.

“Since December, we are facing an acute shortage of roses in the wholesale market. This is for the first time that none of the wholesalers is booking orders in advance Owing to the shortage of supply from Banglalore, Pune and the main production houses, the entire market is facing the heat," said Anant Ram, another flower seller.

"This year, unlike the last year, there are no orders in advance. For the past several years, the booking for special Valentine's Day bouquets was being done almost 10 days ahead of the day. But this time, customers are trying to bargain. We are expecting a mild business this year," said Satyapal, another florist.

However, the good news for the lovers is that despite an increase in price of roses, the prices of other flowers, including lily, gerbera and carnation would remain unaffected. 

Skyrocketing prices

It would be a testing time for the lovers this Valentine's Day as rose prices are expected to rise as high as Rs 60 per stick. A huge demand for roses coupled with the shortage of flowers would contribute largely to the rise in prices. 

 Bus drivers’ protest continues on day 2
Tribune News Service

AC buses parked at the ISBT in Dehradun on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, February 6
The service of AC and deluxe buses remained disrupted for the second consecutive day as agitating drivers pledged to continue their protest till a disciplinary action is taken against the Haridwar Roadways workshop employees who assaulted a driver some days ago.

The drivers staged a dharna at the Inter-State Bus Terminus, Dehradun. Addressing the protesters, Uttarakhand Roadways Employees' Union Secretary KP Singh said it was strange that a driver on duty was assaulted and the department kept quiet over the issue. He said that a police case had also been registered against the workshop officials but the department was still hesitating from taking any action against the erring employees. 

 Rautela is new Doon SSP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
The state government today appointed IPS officer Ajay Rautela as new SSP, Dehradun. He has replaced Kewal Khuranna, who was attached to the police headquarters on Sunday. In his place, ASP Navneet Singh Bhullar had been given additional charge of SSP.

Earlier, Ajay Rautela was Commandant, 46th Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Battalion, Rudrpur.

He also served as DSP in Pilibhit, Kanpur, Dehradun, Muzaffarnagar, Lucknow, Chamoli and Haridwar. 

 Rawat’s election as CM strengthens Haridwar Cong
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 6
With Haridwar parliamentarian Harish Rawat becoming Uttarakhand Chief Minister,the district unit of the Congress seems to have got a much-awaited boost. An indication of this was seen at the ''thanks-giving march'' undertaken by Congress Sewa Dal wing, of which Harish Rawat was once the national vice president.

Mass participation of pro-Harish Rawat as well as anti-Rawat was witnessed at this march. Former municipal chairman Satpal Brahamchari,women's Congress veteran leader Santosh Chauhan, city women's president Vimla Pandey, Hazi Naeem Qureshi, Sanjay Chopra, Ravish Bhatija, Rao Ashfaq and Manish Karnwal, among others, participated in the march,giving signs of inner party unity.

Organised by Congress Sewa Dal district coordinator Rajesh Rastogi, the march was lead by Anupama Rawat ,daughter of Chief Minister Harish Rawat ,who also holds general secretary's post of women's state Congress.

From Lakshar village the march passed through Jagjeetpur, Desh Rakshak Square, Singh Dwar, Shankar Ashram, Chandracharya Square, Rishikul Square,Devpura Square, where floral tributes were paid to Bharat Ratna recepient Pandit Gobind Ballabh Pant.

Addressing the gathering Anupama Rawat thanked the people of Haridwar for their affection and love, saying that now Harish Rawat will take forth the development of the state as he had done so far as Haridwar parliamentarian.

Sewa Dal district coordinator Rajesh Rastogi said that with Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat becoming Uttarakhand Chief Minister, it was a matter of pride for Sewa Dal and Haridwar district both.

Women's district president Kiran Singh ,while welcoming the march participants at Chandracharya Square, said that with Harish Rawat being at the helm of the state government, development will usher in the whole state, owing to his vision and development-oriented politics.

Meanwhile, former State Women Commission chairperson Santosh Chauhan, with women delegates, paid a visit to the Pherupur village where a brutal murder and rape of a schoolgirl took place.

Meeting the aggrieved family members, Chauhan assured them of taking this matter earnestly with the police and new CM Harish Rawat too.

Chauhan also took strong cognizance of delay and laxity of police officials concerned with this case,as despite more than a month,they have failed to arrive at any solid conclusion.

 Recovery of relief money stopped on CM’s order
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, February 6
The district administration has stopped the recovery of relief money taken fraudulently by 108 persons of disaster-hit areas of Dharchula subdivision. It has started the process of inviting tenders for the construction of protection walls along the Kali, Gori and Dhauli riverbanks flowing through some of the affected towns and villages in the subdivision following orders from Chief Minister Harish Rawat, said MLA, Dharchula, Harish Dhami, here today.

Dhami stated this while talking to this correspondent about the orders given by the Chief Minister for immediate action on the two issues. Harish Rawat had to cancel his visit to the area recently due to bad weather conditions.

Dhami said the construction of the protection walls along the three rivers in Dharchula, Baluakot, Gothi, Kalika and Bram and Madkot towns would be started this week and the work was likely to completed before the advent of the monsoon. “The Chief Minister has given strict orders for the construction of the protection walls along the rivers in these towns to ensure landslides do not take place during the coming monsoon,” he added.

Pramod Kumar, SDM, Dharchula, also confirmed the development and said the recovery of relief money had been stopped till a district-level disaster management committee tables its report on the matter. “Following the order we suspended action on the notices served by the administration on those persons who had taken the relief money fraudulently,” said Pramod Kumar.

The SDM also confirmed the progress on the tendering process for the construction of the protection walls along the three rivers in the towns which had witnessed landslides during the monsoon last year. He said the tenders were opened today and the allocation of work to contractors would begin this week. “The agency concerned has promised to construct the protection walls before the monsoon this year,” he added.

The SDM said the six-metre wall would be three metre underground in the riverbed so that it does not get washed away by flooded rivers.

The disaster-hit persons have expressed satisfaction at the government move and said they hope the towns would be saved from flooded rivers during the monsoon. 

 BJP dares Cong to tell reasons for change in leadership
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 6
The BJP dared the state Congress to give reasons for the change in leadership in the state and explain to people whether Vijay Bahuguna was sacked for irregularities in the relief funds meant for the victims of the Uttarakhand disaster .

Suresh Joshi, spokesman of state BJP, said the new Chief Minister should issue a white paper on the funds for the relief work and its distribution by the former Chief Minister." If they have changed their Chief Minister for failure to provide relief to the disaster-hit, then they should tell how the money was used by the the sacked CM," the BJP spokesman said.

Joshi alleged that the Congress was dividing the state into Kumaon and Garhwal regions for balancing its politics in the state. "Every time the Congress Party talks of creating a balance between the two regions in the state to facilitate power games, it gives a boost to divisive tendencies in the two regions," Joshi said.

The BJP leader also lambasted the local Congress MLAs and said the border town of Pithoragarh had not been provided basic amenities.

 Dev varsity gets ISO certification
Tribune News Service

Dev Sanskriti University Chancellor Pranav Pandya being given ISO certification in Haridwar on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Haridwar, February 6
Dev Sanskriti University, Haridwar, has received ISO 9001-2008 certification. The university was established in 2001.

Handing over the certification to the university Chancellor, Dr Pranav Pandya, representative of a Germany-based company Nitin Sherwal said the certification had been awarded to the university after evaluating its adherence to international norms, quality, facilities, achievements and education being provided to students.

Dev Sanskriti University, a flagship educational institution of Akhil Bharatiya Gayatri Parivar, is the first private university of Uttarakhand.

 BUDGET SESSION
No new taxes in Budget
Main focus on rebuilding lives of disaster-hit people 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hriyadesh presented a populist and tax-free Budget worth Rs 30,353.78 crore for 2014-2015 in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly today.

Finance Minister Indira Hriyadesh enters the Assembly to present the annual Budget in Dehradun on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

With the main focus on rebuilding the lives of the disaster-affected people in the state, the revenue surplus Budget witnessed an increase of 20 per cent from last year. A provision of Rs 1693.48 crore for disaster management and disaster reconstruction works has been made in the Budget. It includes Central assistance and external aid to be extended through the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“We are concerned about the livelihood challenges that beset the people of the disaster-affected areas and are keen to bring the state back on the path of normalcy by initiating activities in the horticulture, tourism and other sectors,” said Hriyadesh in her Budget speech.

Instead of imposing new taxes, the minister announced rationalising of tax on cooked food from Rs 13.5 per cent to 5 per cent.

For the benefit of traders, assessment of luxury tax has been made annual in place of half yearly.

While reiterating it’s commitment to improving medical facilities in the state, a provision of Rs 1014.74 crore has been made in the Budget and another Rs 408.18 crore for expanding medical education in the state.

In the education sector a provision of Rs 313.97 crore will go towards strengthening higher education and spreading the facilities in remote areas of the state.

“We have also proposed a new initiative by keeping a lumpsum Budget provision for each district under the district plan. The provision will help in eliminating the gap between outlay and Budget provision,” said the minister.

Several populist measures were also announced, including provision of old age pension to small and marginal farmers of 60 years of age and above who are engaged in agriculture.

Further, with the aim to please the sugarcane farmers of the state, the minister also announced payment of cane price due to the farmers in one instalment.

Further, amid thumping of desks by the members, the minister also announced a 10 percent additional gratuitous relief from the Chief Minister’s relief fund to the disaster-affected sugarcane growers.

 Pension for marginal farmers proposed for first time: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said his government had presented a balanced budget that catered to the needs of all sections of society. “We have proposed several new measures in the budget. For the first time a provision of pension has been made for marginal farmers in the age group of 60 years and above,” said the Chief Minister.

He added, “The government has decided to enhance gender budgeting. A provision of Rs 3,708 crore has been made in the budget for the purpose, which is 14 per cent higher than the estimates of 2013-2014.”

Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hriyadesh termed the budget as a bold one. “We have to bring the state back on track, more so after the disaster and earn the respect of the people who have endured a great deal of hardship,” she said.

Hriyadesh said in keeping with the manifesto of the Congress, the government had revoked the decision to impose a fee on application forms for group III posts.

Commenting on the fiscal health of the state, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma said despite the natural disaster wreaking havoc last year the state managed to sail through the difficult period due to generous aid provided by the Central government. “We were not constrained and it is reflected in the budget. The central share in the revenue receipt is 42.8 per cent. Besides, we have managed to earn good revenue from the mining and forest sectors,” he added.

However, Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition, said the budget was made in a hurry. “It lacks bold initiatives and is a repeat of last year. We will bring a cut motion during a discussion on the budget,” he said. 

 A fine display of statesmanship by Harish Rawat
Agrees to review decision on ‘false cases’against BJP legislator
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
If the former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna failed to put his government’s point of view during the special session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly dedicated to the 2013 flash floods last year, new Chief Minister Harish Rawat pounced on the opportunity to spell out the government’s plans to take up the task of rebuilding the rain-ravaged state and taking a step further, and in a statesman like gesture reached out to the Opposition by agreeing to review the decision pertaining to the alleged false cases lodged against BJP MLA Raj Kumar Thukral.

As soon as the House met in the morning, the Leader of the Opposition Ajay Bhatt sprang on his feet and demanded that the Chief Minister take up the case of BJP MLA Rajkumar Thukral against whom false cases were filed, seven months after the inquiry was closed.

“We have raised the matter in the House under rule 310 in the past but were given only false assurances. It is the issue of breach of privileges. The MLA is being needlessly harassed,” said Ajay Bhatt.

Soon the Opposition members reached the well forcing the Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal to adjourn the House.

Bringing to the fore his parliamentary skills, Chief Minister Harish Rawat

then took his senior ministers comprising Yashpal Arya and Indira Hriyadesh along to hold consultations with the Speaker. Later, discussions were also held with the Leader of the Opposition Ajay Bhatt and senior BJP leader Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Soon the logjam was broken and as soon as the House convened around 12.45 pm, the Chief Minister assured the House that he has already directed the officials to look into the matter. “In the evening, we will sit together to sort out the matter. As the issue is before the courts, it would not be appropriate for to me say anything at this juncture,” he said.

Satisfied, the Opposition was back to participating in the business of the House.

After placating the Opposition, the Chief Minister pounced on an opportunity that came his way after the BJP MLA Govind Singh Chufal highlighted the plight of the villagers living on the banks of rivers Kali and Gauri in Kumaon under rule 58.

He spelt out the government’s decision to give monetary powers to the SDM for sanctioning works whose maximum limit could be till Rs 1 crore.

“The SDMs will no longer have to look for permission from the senior authorities and could straight away sanction the projects. Further, we have decided to divide the state into eight zones that have suffered intensive damage,” he said.

He said a special plan would be rolled out for rebuilding Kedarnath. “We will have to take bold decisions and would require officers who have courage to take up bold decisions. The Central Government is ready to provide us with funds but ultimately we will have to work. After all only we can work and deliver the results,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that he had instructed the concerned officers to take the deadline of May 5 as a challenge for building a walkable path from Rudraprayag to Kund.

However, testing the acumen of the Chief Minister, the Opposition leader Ajay also questioned the Chief Minister’s decision to table the Budget through his Parliamentary Affairs Minister, instead of the Minister of Finance and also without issuing a gazette notification. But to this the CM calmly replied that it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister to take the decision. “We did not breach any rule by deputing the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to present the Budget,” said Rawat. 

 Namik residents to boycott Lok Sabha, panchayat polls
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 6
Residents of Namik village in Munsiyari subdivision have announced to boycott the coming panchayat and Lok Sabha elections in protest against the alleged failure of Governor Aziz Qureshi to visit the village to see their problems despite the assurance.

According to the villagers, they had met the Governor at his residence last month to apprise him of the difficulties being faced by them and Governor Aziz Qureshi had assured them of visiting the village. “ The Governor failed to visit the village, which was disappointing for us. “ In such circumstances, the villagers think that there is no use of taking part in the elections. Thus, we have announced to boycott the elections," said Tulsi Devi, ex-pradhan of the village.

The village, situated 27 km away from the main road, is lacking road connectivity as the road to village could not be constructed for the past six decades. “In the absence of the road connectivity, the villagers not only travel 27 km on foot to reach the main road but also cover 45 km on foot to reach the PDS ration shop,” said Tulsi Devi.

She said despite falling on the route to the world-known Namik glacier, the road could not be constructed till date. “Even people do not marry their girls in the village as it is away from the main road,” she said.

"Besides the problem of road connectivity, the village is in the dark for the past 6 months as the lone power station manned by Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency has not been repaired after it developed a technical snag during the Uttarakhand disaster last year. The village high school is also being run by the a teacher alone,” said Tulsi Devi.

 Doon Valley Waste Management authorities take a U-turn
Show interest in continuing contract for garbage removal work
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
A day after a massive cleaning operation was launched by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), the Doon Valley Waste Management (DVWM) authorities have shown an interest in continuing with their contract for which they had served a one-month termination notice earlier.

Speaking to The Tribune, CEO DVWM Sidharth Jain said they were considering the continuation of work in the city. "For the past three-four days, we are observing a positive change in the outlook of the DMC, which was not there when Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar was handling the sanitation portfolio. The talks are on with the authorities and they have already taken steps to resolve the issues, which was a bone of contention between us. However, we are still on a lookout and have not decided in principle whether to continue or not. In case, the issues are resolved and arrears paid, we will not terminate the contract," he added.

Meanwhile, the sanitation work that was started with an aplomb two days ago under the guidance of Principal Secretary MH Khan appeared to slow down as piles of garbage were seen unattended in several parts of the city.

While Additional MNA Uday Singh Rana remaining unavailable for comments, Mayor Vinod Chamoli said the work on the removal of garbage was being carried out and it would take some days to clean the entire city.

Meanwhile reacting sharply to the decision of Chief Minister Harish Rawat to entrust the MDDA with the cleaning of two prominent seasonal rivers- Rispana and Bindal- in the city, Chamoli said, "The orders passed by the CM to clean the garbage dumps from the dry river bed appears like a decision taken by a municipal councillor. He should realise that he is the head of state. Therefore, Rawat should take some high-level decisions."

"There is no point in cleaning the garbage from the rivers as it gets cleaned on its own every monsoon when there is water. Moreover, there is no point in removing the garbage dump as people, especially slum dwellers, would continue to dump garbage. Rather, encroachments near the river bed should be removed and slum dwellers be given an alternate place to live. This would solve their problems permanently," said the Mayor.

 Samiti members resent poor health services in state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
Jan Swasthaya Sangharsh Samiti members today staged a protest near Vidhan Sabha, Dehradun, seeking improvement of health services in the state.

The samiti members today gathered at the State Agitation Martyrs Memorial in the morning, from where they started a protest march to the Vidhan Sabha. The protesters were stopped from moving by the police at Rispana Bridge barricading near Vidhan Sabha.

The protesters staged a demonstration at Rispana Bridge barricading. Addressing the gathering, Rajeev Kothari, convener of the samiti, alleged that the health services in the state were very poor and need immediate attention. He said despite formation of the state 12 years ago, it was still devoid of health services infrastructure.

Members from Uttarakhand Parivartan Party, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, Uttarakhand Mahila Manch, Chetna Andolan, Peoples Forum Uttarakhand and other organisations took part in the protest. 

 LPG supply resumes in Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 6
Consumers of cooking gas can heave a sigh of relief with the end of the month-long strike by cooking gas transporters today. The strike had hit the supply of LPG in the town and adjacent villages for the past one month, leading to immense difficulties for consumers.

According to Harish Chandra Gairola, manager of the Indane Gas Agency run by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam in Mussoorie, following negotiations the transporters' union ended the agitation and the supply of cooking gas has resumed.

However, it would take around 10-12 days to to bring the supply to the normal level, said Gairola. He further said the lone agency in Mussoorie had around 40 points in far flung areas such as Dhanaulti, Kadukhal, Buraskhanda, Bhavaan,Thatyur, Nainbagh and it would take around 10-12 days to cater to these points and provide LPG cylinders to consumers without any hiderance.

Considering increase in workload on the lone gas agency in Mussoorie, many consumers are demanding another agency to ease pressure on it but no action has been taken by the administration yet.

 Roorkee hydropower plant inspected
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
A team of officials from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recetly inspected the Uttarakhand Jal Vidhyut Nigam Limited's 9.3 MW Mohammedpur hydropower plant near Roorkee.

The team sought details about the power generation from the power plant. They appreciated UJVNL efforts towards renovation, modernisation and upgradation of Mohammedpur power plant. The team members in particular had a close look at the recently established specially designed trash rack cleaning machine at the plant.

UJVNL's General Manager Vineet Saxena and other officials were present on the occasion. UJVNL is presently undertaking renovation, modernisation and upgradation process of Mohammedpur hydropower plant in a phased manner. The power generation from the plant is expected to increase tremendously after this renovation, modernisation and upgradation process gets completed.

 Leopard enters house, trapped

Pithoragarh, February 6
A leopard entered a house in the Narsinghbari locality of Almora today. It took forest officials four hours to trap the leopard.

“The 24-month-old leopard has been kept in a rescue centre. It will be released into forest after medical tests,” said Bhupendra Singh Jeena, SDO, Almora forst division.

Giving details, forest officials said they received information from area residents that a leopard had entered a house near Officers’ Colony. They immediately rushed to the spot with a tranquiliser and a net.

The officials said this was the fifth such incident in Almora town in the past 18 months. Meanwhile, panic has gripped residents of the area. — OC

 Recruitment of Sub-Inspectors
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
The state government has issued notification for the recruitment of Sub-Inspectors in the state police. As per the notification issued today, 257 posts of Sub-Inspectors in the civil police, 39 in intelligence, 43 posts of platoon commander and provincial armed constabulary (PAC) will be filled through the direct recruitment.

This is the second major recruitment drive in the state police department, which is reeling under the shortage of manpower, after the creation of Uttarakhand in 2000. 

 Infant among three killed in mishap
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
A man died after being hit by a heavy vehicle near ISBT here today. The victim, Rehaan, an auto-rickshaw driver, was taken to hospital by passersby, where he died. The vehicle driver fled the scene.

In another accident, a woman and her one-year-old child were killed while her husband sustained serious injuries when their scooter was hit by a truck at Aaraghar today.

  Protesting teachers call off strike

Dehradun, February 6
The protesting members of the Junior High School Shikshak Sangh called off their strike yesterday and resumed work.

  Skills of Army cadets to be honed at conference

Dehradun, February 6
An initiative of four youths, ‘I Can’, will hold a two-day conference for the future leaders of the Indian Army at Rashtirya Indian Military College (RIMC) on February 8 and 9 to hone their social service skills.

About 230 cadets of the RIMC will participate in it.

According to the organisers, the conference at the RIMC, where the cadets are trained for the armed forces, will help the students understand the world outside the four walls of the college.

The two-day conference aims at instilling a whole array of life skills and soft skills in students. The participants will be divided into three verticals: Corporate houses, media houses and the government. Students will play the roles of CEOs, members of news houses, advertising teams and leaders of political parties and everyone will perform activities relevant to their respective verticals.aMoreover, the conference will also train the cadets to become socially responsible citizens by honing their social service skills.— TNS

 Training programme for women voters
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a voluntary group organised training programme in the three districts of Uttarakhand on electoral processes that included mock elections of women voters and prospective candidates in the villages of Thatyurd block, Sahaspur block and Raipur block. Area covered was Khaaskoti, Bhatwari, Nakot, Miyani, Khasaunsi, Birod, Kumalda, Dhakrol villages of Thatyurd block of Tehri district; Kheri Mansingh, Maldevta, Sodasavoli, Kesarwala villages in Raipur block and Arcade Grant, Lakshmipur, Purohitwala, Nayagaon, Meethiberi,Dhoolkot villages in Sahaspur block of Dehradun district.

These training programmes were organised by the RLEK and Panchayati Rule And Gender Awareness Training Institute (PRAGATI) with the support of Canadian Fund for Local Initiative.

Till today more than 1,000 women have been trained on election process. 

 Man kills wife
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 6
A man allegedly killed his wife at Jwalapur here today. The accused, Mukesh, is absconding. According to information, the couple, Mukesh and Anuradha, did not share a cordial relationship and would even resort to physical violence. In the afternoon when their three children returned from school, they saw their mother's body lying in a pool of blood.

Circle officer Rajesh Bhatt and SP (city) Surjeet Singh Pawar rushed to the spot after getting the information. Experts have taken finger prints from the crime scene. The weapon used in the crime has also been seized. 

Badminton meet from today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
The 14th Uttarakhand State Senior Veteran Badminton Championship will be organised in Dehradun from February 7 to 9 at the multisports facility in Parade Ground here. The Dehradun District Badminton Association will organise the championship.

Over 145 sportsmen, including veterans and women from eight districts are going to participate in the championship. The championship will have three age categories- 35 and above, 45 and above and 55 and above. The matches will be played in singles, doubles and mixed doubles category.

All the matches will be played on knockout basis.

 DGP felicitates police kabaddi team
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
The Uttarakhand DGP, BS Sidhu, felicitated the Uttarakhand Police kabaddi team, which won the bronze medal in the All India Police Kabaddi, Volleyball, Handball and Basketball Games at Trishur in Kerala recently. The DGP also announced a reward of Rs 20,000 for the members of the kabaddi team.

The secretary of the Police Sports Control Board, Deepam Seth, was also present along with the kabaddi team. It is to be noted that teams from 25 states and seven teams from parliamentary forces participated in the games.

 Pacific Eleven defeat Yally Boys Eleven in cricket
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 6
Pacific Eleven defeated Yally Boys Eleven in a match during the HN Bahuguna Memorial Global Dehradun Premier League (DPL) here today.

After losing the toss and put into bat first, the Yally team displayed a dismal batting performance and scored only 86 runs. Anas made 30 runs for the team.

In reply, Akshay and Vishal Rawat of Pacific Eleven took the team to an easy victory and won the match by 5 wickets.

In the second match, the Punjabi Morcha team defeated Uttarakhand Jal Vidhyut Nigam (UJVN) by 8 wickets. Batting first, the UJVN team made 138 runs in 16 overs with Saraj Akhtar scoring 63 runs.

From Punjabi Morcha, Rishabh took 3 wickets. Punjabi Morcha batsmen easily chased the target for the loss of only 2 wickets. Rishabh and Anish Beri scored 41 and 49 runs, respectively.

In yet another match, Khalsa Cricket Academy trounced the Sinrji team by 59 runs. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Khalsa team made 131 runs with Briguraj making the highest runs (74) for the team. The Sinrji team could not match the bowling standard of the Khalsa team and lost its wickets on regular interval.

SGRR college beat Slogger club

Sri Guru Ram Rai (SGRR) PG College trounced Slogger Cricket Club by 42 runs in a match during the 62nd Dehradun District Cricket League here on Thursday. Batting first, SGRR scored 181 runs in 35 overs. Sandeep remained the highest scorer with 32 runs followed by Kapil 26 runs.

For the Slogger club team, Adarsh, Chetan and Amit took two wickets each.

In reply, the Slogger club team was bowled out at 132 runs and lost the match.