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DMs directed to ensure repair work of projects
With LS poll nearing, MPs find time to spend funds
Cong appoints observers for panchayat poll
‘Cong trying to postpone panchayat elections’
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Confusion over garbage lifting contract continues
Employees resent move to rename govt buildings
E-governance to be strengthened
New DM inspects Haridwar city
Delayed carpeting project gets clearance at last
Workshop on forest seed science from today
Global School beat Royal Club in cricket
2nd Governor’s golf tourney from Feb 28
UCOST to hold Science Day on Feb 28
Draw for allotment of plots postponed
NSUI students assault hotel manager
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DMs directed to ensure repair work of projects
Dehradun, February 25 Presiding over the meeting with the DMs through video conferencing, Chief Minister Harish Rawat gave clear directions to the DMs to start the work according to the funds sanctioned to them. He asked the secretaries to personally go and review the work in
these districts. He directed the DMs to work in close coordination with the department officers. He said that it had to be ensured that there was no duplicacy in the programmes being done under Programme Implementation Units (PIU) and those sanctioned by the departments. The CM told the officers that negligence of any sort shall not be accepted. The CM said that the DMs must monitor the programmes being carried out under PIU closely. During the review meet, the DMs gave information about the work being carried out in districts. Three PIUs have been constituted for Rudraprayag and Rs 5 crore have been sanctioned for 101 projects under this. Out of this work has begun on 56 projects. Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma, Principal Secretary to the CM SS Sandhu, Principal Secretary Drinking Water S Raju, Ravinath Raman and other department officers were present in the meeting. |
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With LS poll nearing, MPs find time to spend funds
Dehradun, February 25 Parliamentarian Satpal Maharaj, whose Pauri Garhwal constituency bore the brunt of the disaster, did not bother to spend his MPLAD funds for the affected people and the most of these funds remained unutilised till October end last year. However, since then the MP has spent huge sums on projects in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Satpal Maharaj spent 66 per cent of the MPLAD funds received during his tenure (since 2009) as MP till the end of December 2013. He had spent 36.78 per cent of the funds till October end last year. He had received Rs 9.19 crore of MPLAD funds during his tenure as MP till last year and out of which he spent Rs 7.81 crore and managed to undertake 805 works. “The MP could have suggested some projects for ameliorating the condition of the disaster-hit people in Rudraprayag district, which falls under his constituency. However, he allowed the opportunity to go by and did not provide the people the much-needed assistance,” said Dileep Singh Rawat, MLA, Landsdowne. The performance of Haridwar MP and now Chief Minister Harish Rawat is the best among the parliamentarians from Uttarakhand. Till September 2013, Harish Rawat had spent 102.96 per cent of the MPLAD funds and by December end the spending during his tenure as MP was pegged at 71.76 per cent. He managed to undertake 651 works. Similarly, Congress MP Pradeep Tamta from Almora managed to use 67 per cent of the funds by December 2013. His spending percentage has been steady. On the other hand, KC Singh Baba’s percentage of utilisation of funds stood at 56.48 per cent. It was 44.52 per cent till a few months ago. Meanwhile, Mala Raj Laxmi Shah of the BJP and the former Congress MP Vijay Bahuguna together spent 96.87 per cent of the sanctioned MPLAD funds till last year. Mala Raja Laxmi was elected in 2012 and since then she spent her entire allocated funds of Rs 11.14 crore. According to the MPLAD guidelines, an MP, who receives Rs 5 crore, should spend 20 per cent of the first installment to become entitled for the second installment. Political analysts say as there is no provision for punitive measures the funds get lapsed in case these are not spent. |
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Cong appoints observers for panchayat poll
Dehradun, February 25 Dehradun: MLA Vikram Singh Negi and former MLA Kedar Singh
Rawat; Tehri: MLA Vjaypal Singh Sajwan, Vice-president of the state Congress unit Suryakant Dhasmana, former MLA Rajesh Juvantha, Prabhawati Gaur and Shanti Juvantha. Uttarkashi: MLA Subodh Uniyal, former MLA Balbir Singh Negi, and Shankar Chand Ramola. Chamoli: MLA Shaila Rani Rawat and Rajinder Singh Rawat. Rudraprayag: MLA Rajinder Bhandari, Sunder Lal Muyal and Parveen Bhandari. Pauri Garhwal: MLA Jeet Ram, Dhirendra Pratap and Balbir Singh Rawat. Nainital: former MLA Karan Mahra, Harender Singh Ladi and Rajendra Sharma. Udham Singh Nagar: former MP Mahinder Pal, Vijay Saraswat, Rushkar Durgapal and Vimla Sajwan. Almora: Prayag Dutt Bhatt and Jaya Bisht. Bageshwar: Mathura Dutt Joshi, Dinesh Kunjwal and Sachin Tamta. Champawat: former MLA Ram Prasad Tamta and Jagat Singh Khati. Pithoragarh: Nirmala Gahtodi, Parkash Joshi and Prashant Bhainsora. |
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‘Cong trying to postpone panchayat elections’
Pithoragarh, February 25 Since its results would affect the party’s prospects for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, the Congress was making all efforts to get the Panchayat poll postponed. Chufal while addressing mediapersons said the Congress was re-announcing projects that were launched during the BJP tenure. "The Congress has also claimed credit for the construction of the Thal-Satsiling road. But the fact is that the funds for the road construction were sanctioned during our government in the state," said Chufal. He said the announcement of making new subdivisions by dividing bigger administrative bodies was also taken during the BJP's
tenure. |
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Confusion over garbage lifting contract continues
Dehradun, February 25 It may be recalled that on February 1, the DVWM had served a one-month termination notice on the DMC for ending its contract of door-to-door collection and disposal of waste. In the notice the private player had asked the civic body to clear its dues within 30 days. In the contract termination letter addressed to Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar, the company said the DMC had failed to fulfill its contractual obligations under the concession agreement signed between the DMC and the DVWM for the execution of solid waste management project in Dehradun. The work on the Sheeshambada based scientific waste disposal plant has begun and the pending bills had been cleared the situation regarding the future prospects of the contract appears to be unclear. Speaking about the issue, Sidharth Jain said they had served the notice to Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar. “The MNA has not contacted us till now or spoken about revoking the contract. If we do not receive any intimation from the DMC by March 1, we will be stopping our services from the next day. Though the Sheeshambada issue has been resolved and the money for the project released, the pending dues of tipping fees are yet to be cleared by the DMC,” said Jain. MNA Ashok Kumar said they had already informed the DVWM that they had not accepted the notice of termination. “Whatever issues the company had, they have been resolved. What are they expecting now? It would be better that instead of playing games, the company starts focusing on the work and improve it,” said Kumar. |
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Employees resent move to rename govt buildings
Dehradun, February 25 Through a government order the Urja Bhavan has been rechristened after a Victoria Cross winner, late rifleman Gabbar Singh Negi, of World War I fame, and the Yojana Bhavan after saint Vishvakarma. The move has stunned government employees. “Earlier politicians had resorted to rechristening of roads and parks but this is the first time that government buildings of no public utility has been rechristened after a saint and a soldier,” said a state government employee. They say that the distinct identity of the Yojana Bhavan will be lost with the latest order. “Similarly, Urja Bhavan of the Department of Electricity is easily identifiable but now there would be confusion about it,” said a government employee. While politicians have refrained from commenting on the government's latest decree for fear of upsetting their voters, the move has left the residents puzzled. “Even in Uttar Pradesh, no attempts have been made to rename these department buildings. As Uttarakhand was created from Uttar Pradesh, several practices of the mother state have been adopted here. But this practise seem to have been invented solely by Uttarakhand,” said NS Rawat, a resident of Dehradun. |
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International Yoga Festival at Rishikesh from March 1
Dehradun, February 25 Addressing a press conference, Tourism Secretary Umakant Panwar said that this is the first international event that is being organised in the state after the June disaster. ''The event will provide a big boost and support to the Uttarakhand tourism to get international recognition,'' he said. Giving further details of the festival, Panwar said: ''Many cultural artistes of international repute will be performing to bring colour to the festival. Also, a number of stalls have been arranged to exhibit products from different parts of the country. A large number of companies dealing in handicrafts and ayurvedic products have confirmed their participation.'' A ''Yog yatra on bicycle'' will also be organised on the opening day of the festival. Among the prominent yoga acharayas who would be teaching yoga to the participants include Swami Suryendu Puri (Surya kriya and sanjivani kriya), Maharishi Subhash Patri (Cosmic and pyramid meditation), Shanti Kunj (Pragya yog), Yogi Charat Singh Nirban (Yin yang and classical yog), Acharya Ganga Puri (Kundalini yog and meditation), Amit Rathi (Yog for disease management), Laxmi Narayan Joshi (Hath yag nadi vigyan pain relief therapy), Ranjeet Singh Bhogal (Kriya yog), Sant Shree Hari (Mudra vigyan, hatha yog and samadhi yog) and Brahmchari Vishwapal Jayant (Pran yog). Yogi Karan Pal will be demonstrating the power of pranayam and Shri Yogiraj Baba Balram will be showcasing the floating yog and kamal pushp yog. Apart from the yogacharayas, leading yogic therapists such as NK Sharma (Reiki healing), Dharmedra Bhai (body balance therapy), Navdeep Joshi, Lajpat Rai Mehra( Neuro therapy), Surekha Sen Gupta (past life regression) and Sunil Joshi will be imparting lessons to the participants. Speaking about the stay arrangements provided to the participants, the tourism secretary said that online registration for the festival has already started and an amount of Rs 200 is being charged as the registration fee from both national and international participants. ''We have also made arrangements for food and accommodation for the participants. The packages (food and room) have been categorised into
super deluxe package, deluxe package and economy package. |
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E-governance to be strengthened
Dehradun, February 25 The District E-Governance Society will work on this project. These decisions were taken at a meeting of the state Apex Committee presided over by Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar at secretariat, here yesterday. The Chief Secretary gave directions that more and more people must be provided services through internet. The pilot project for e-district is on in Pauri Garhwal district. Similar project will be implemented in all the districts. An e-district manager will also be appointed in all districts. It was decided in the meeting that a plan for Information Technology Development Agency must be prepared and presented for sanction. The Chief Secretary stated that the IT Building must be equipped with modern facilities and all IT related training programmes must be carried out in this building by experts. Additional Secretary, IT, Ravinath Raman, through a presentation gave information about the statewide area network, common service centre, e- district, state portal and state service delivery gateway. So far, 385 horizontal connections have been given. He said in context to common service centre, out of the targeted 2,804 common service stations, 1990 centres were rolled out. A sum of Rs 33 crore have been sanctioned for the e-districts by the Central government. Under the scheme, officers will be trained for data digitisation services and hardware as well as connectivity. Also present in the meeting were Additional Chief Secretaries Rakesh Sharma, Secretary IT Manisha Panwar, Additional Secretary Forest Manoj Chandran, Additional Secretary Planning M Ravishankar and other officers. |
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New DM inspects Haridwar city
Haridwar, February 25 The District Magistrate appointed Additional District Magistrate Finance Harak Singh Rawat as the nodal officer for maintaining cleanliness in the city. He gave stern directions at Har-ki-Pauri to have at least three sanitation workers on duty at a time. He said langars would now be managed properly so that the congestion and cleanliness at Har-ki-Pauri doesn’t get affected. The DM also gave directions to provide clean potable water to the Jal Sansthan officials. During his visit to the slum colonies, he directed Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi to finalise the land availability for setting up of nine primary health centres which would be built near the
slum colonies. |
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Mussoorie-Doon road needs urgent repairs
Mussoorie, February 25 The residents also lamented the fact that the condition of other linking routes is also not in good shape that has left gaping potholes and are lying without repairs since several months. Now the PWD instead of finding permanent solution was merely indulging in shoddy patchwork since yesterday, which has not been able to withstand the vagaries of the weather even one day. The residents also rued the fact that work on the widening of Mussoorie-Dehradun road that beagn six months ago is also going on at a snail’s pace and with the mud debris and other construction material lying strewn on the road, causing inconvenience to the tourists and locals alike. The residents of the localities have urged the concerned authorities to repair the road instead of patchwork exercise here. The condition of Mall Road is also deplorable but the PWD has only responded with patchwork here, too. When contacted the assistant engineer, PWD, DC Nautiyal, said that the project of widening the Mussoorie-Dehradun road will be completed prior to the start of the summer tourist season and he has directed the contractors to place the construction material on the road in such a way that it does not become a problem for commuters here. Speaking on the patch work exercise being carried out in the town he said that most of the roads incurred minor damage following heavy snowfall in the town and department had resorted to patchwork temporarily. The roads will be laid once again once the department receives the estimated budget for it in near future. |
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Delayed carpeting project gets clearance at last
Mussoorie, February 25 The delighted residents welcomed the Urban Development Minister Pritam Panwar and Panchayati Taj Minister Preetam Singh for their efforts in getting clearance for the project during their brief visit to Nainbagh today. The residents, thanking the two ministers, said that they had been demanding the work on the project to begin. The project of carpeting the 10 km Masaun-Kandi-Dwargad road had been delayed for several years and all pleas had fallen on deaf ears till now. However, due to the efforts of the two ministers the demands of the villagers have been fulfilled with the government order being released recently, thus providing much needed relief to the residents. The villagers also thanked the two ministers for clearing the projects of improvement and carpeting of roads, Makdhet-Mathlaon road, the road leading to Bhait village, and the road from Kansi to Nalla village in Nainbagh district. The two ministers speaking on the occasion said that they were committed towards the development of the state and would adhere to any such justified demands in the near future, too. The Congress workers Shyam Singh,Gajey Singh Panwar,Mohan Lal Nirala,Kundan Singh and others were present on the occasion.
— TNS |
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Workshop on forest seed science from today
Dehradun, February 25 The workshop comes at a time when forestry faces numerous challenges in handling, testing and storage of forest seed and the issue of correct estimation of seed requirements of tree species for plantation activities. Director, FRI, PP Bhojvaid, disclosed that the objective of this workshop was to deliberate the role of seed research in the country. He said the workshop would go a long way to develop strategies in the field of seed research for forestry species. He said researchers from academic and research and development institutions, students, state Forest Departments would come together to share their experiences and deliberate on all aspects of forest seed science in the meeting. More than 150 delegates from all parts of the country including Allahabad University, New Delhi and Haryana will attend the workshop.
— TNS |
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Sports meet begins at Shravan Nath College
Haridwar, February 25
Madan Kaushik announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the college for building sports facilities and science building.
In various events held both for girl and boy students, participants showed their skill and enthusiasm. Manveer Singh Rawat won the coveted 3000 metre race with Ankit Kumar coming second and Ankit Goswami third. In the 100 metre race Arjan Singh, Ankur Chauhan and Ankit Kumar and in the 400 metre Shubham Gupta, Sumit Kumar and Ankit won their respective heat events, qualifying for the final race to be held tomorrow. In the girls’category Sheetal, Nancy Sharma and Sonam qualified for the final race in 100 metres. Earlier inaugurating the sports meet local legislator Madan Kaushik announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh from his legislator’s fund for science building construction and sporting facilities to the college management. Kaushik lauded the contribution in the field of education and social aspects by the college, which has been prominent educational institution of the city since 1970. College Principal Avneet Kumar Ghildiyal urged students to take up sports along with studies and bring honour to the college and city at the national level. Niranjani Akhada, secretary, Mahant Lalita Giri, former Principal Sunil Kumar Batra, Chief Sports Officer Tej Veer Singh Tomar, assistant sports officer Nalini Jain,sports trainer Rajendra Nautiyal,Vinay Thalpliyal, NK Gar, JC Arya, SK Kulshrestha, MM Gupta,SK Maheshwari, Saraswati Pathak and other teaching staff and students were present on the occasion. At Dev Sanskriti University sports meet named ‘Utsav 2014’, a show match between Vice Chancellor's eleven and students' eleven was played, in which Chancellor Pranav Pandya hogged the limelight with a brisk 29 runs, though his team lost the match. Chancellor’s 11 made 149 runs in the stipulated 20 overs with contributions from Sharad Pardhi and Manoranjan Tripathy 49. In reply students' eleven with efforts of Hari Om 32, Saksham 21, Nikhil 35 and Harshit 24 reached the target with 2 wickets remaining, making 152 runs. Manoranjan Tripathi was adjudged man of the match. |
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Global School beat Royal Club in cricket
Dehradun, February 25 Birendra Kumar scored the highest 21 runs followed by Karan Chopra who made 14 runs. In reply, Royal Club were all out for 88 runs. In the second match, Doon Global School defeated Uttarakhand Lions by 9 runs. Doon Global School managed to made 142 runs against the target of 151 set up by the opponents. In the last match of the day, Global School earned a 4-run victory over HCA. MS Dhoni foundation to hold Pepsi Trophy
The MS Dhoni Charitable Foundation and Rhiti Sports Management Private Limited will organise the coveted Pepsi Trophy Cricket Tournament at SelaQui International School in Dehradun from February 26. Arun Pandey, Chairman and Managing Director of Rhiti Sports, told mediapersons here today that the tournament was part of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's vision to provide a platform to talented cricket players from the tier II and III cities of the country. The tournament would feature eight teams in the knock out 40-over a side format. |
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2nd Governor’s golf tourney from Feb 28
Dehradun, February 25 CMD, Sara Group, VK Dhawan, while addressing a press conference, said the tournament was started with the intention of providing a national-level platform to the amateurs, particularly the budding players. “Such tournaments will not only generate a lot of interest among the youngsters but will also help them come on the Indian golf map,” he said. “This year the response of the players has been great and we have received a lot of applications. Till now, 160 players have confirmed their presence in the tournament. It is expected that top 10 amateur golfers from the national amateur circuit of IGU will be participating in the tournament,” said Dhawan. He said an amateur golf academy would also be set up at FRIMA this year. Chief Minister Harish Rawat will inaugurate the tournament and Governor Aziz Qureshi will be the chief guest on the closing day of the tournament. |
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UCOST to hold Science Day on Feb 28
Dehradun, February 25 Dr Mohan C Pant, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Medical University, VN Krishnamurthy, Director of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing and Dr VC Goyal from National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkie, will be the prominent speakers at the function. Besides lectures, essay and poster making competitions on science based themes will also be organised on the occasion. VP Uniyal, senior scientific officer at UCOST, said the day was being organised to give platform to students to showcase their talent. |
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Minor skirmish between cops, shiksha mitras
Dehradun, February 25 However, heavy police force stopped them from going further. It led to a minor skirmish between policemen and shiksha mitras. The protesters staged a dharna at the spot and raised slogans.
Deepak Joshi, Ravindra Kumar, Kartik Kumar and Mohan Joshi were prominent among the protesters. |
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Debate at Sardar Bhagwan Singh institute
Dehradun, February 25 Teams from Delhi University, IIT, Roorkee, Babu Banarasi Dass University, Lucknow, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, and colleges affiliated to these universities participated in the debate. The additional director of the institute, Brig PPS Pahwa (retd), presided over the function. |
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Draw for allotment of plots postponed
Dehradun, February 25 The MDDA had proposed an alternate site in Transport Nagar for shifting workshops and garages from busy
roads in the city. It was to allot plots on the basis of lottery. MDDA secretary Banshidhar Tiwari said a number of workshops were located in the
Prince Chowk area and people from hill areas come there to get their vehicles repaired, thus causing chaos and
traffic jams. “We have decided to shift these workshops and garages to Transport Nagar to ease traffic congestion on city roads,” he added. |
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NSUI students assault hotel manager
Dehradun, February 25 After the dinner, Vineet had a tussle with hotel employees over payment of bills. Vineet along with his colleagues even assaulted the hotel manager Vijay Bahukhundi, who tried to intervene in the matter. This resulted in injuries to the manager. Thana kotwali police
have registered a case and further investigations are on. — TNS |
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