CM should seek Harak's resignation: Ajay Bhatt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
In order to ensure that Cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat against whom an FIR has been registered in New Delhi in a sexual harassment case does not influence the probe, Chief Minister Harish Rawat should demand his resignation, Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt said on Wednesday.

''It would set a good precedence if the Cabinet minister tenders his resignation. But in case he fails to do so, the CM should ask for his resignation. As a Cabinet minister he has several powers and there is a real fear that he may affect the investigation process,'' said Ajay Bhatt while addressing a press conference.

He also castigated the Chief Minister Harish Rawat for declining to comment on the issue, as he had no information. ''How can the CM of the state say such things. With all the intelligence teams at his command, is it possible that he could be in the dark on this issue? If so, then it speaks volumes about the failure of Harish Rawat to be in command of the situation. He should also tender his resignation,'' said Bhatt.

Bhatt said that as a mark of protest, the BJP will burn the effigy of the Congress government tomorrow.

''We will press for the resignation of both Harak Singh Rawat and the CM. The effigies will be burnt at all the district headquarters of the state,'' he said.

On the issue of BJP MLA Rajkumar's surrender and rejection of bail plea, Bhatt said that he had surrendered to fulfil the directives of the court and would be granted bail in the future. He said that it helped the case of the MLA after the 
Opposition raised the issue in the House, forcing the Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal to issue directives.

UKD demands Harak Singh’s resignation

Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar faction) has sought Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat’s resignation, after an FIR was registered against him in Delhi following a molestation charge by a woman.

Talking to media persons in Dehradun today, UKD media incharge Manmohan Lakhera said Harak Singh’s act had brought disrepute to the state.

He said it was unfortunate that Uttarakhand since its inception had been governed by politicians whose morality had been a big question mark. 

Dehradun rly station likely to be shifted to Harrawala
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
Dehradun railway station is likely to be shifted to Harrawala soon.

According to a press note issued here, a proposal in this regard has been drawn up by the MDDA keeping in view increasing population of the state capital and frequent traffic jams, especially near the railway station. The proposal was presented during a meeting convened by Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar recently.

According to the proposal, the new railway station would be constructed under the PPP mode and the details would be finalised after a meeting with the railway authorities. The proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Railways for approval. Apart from shifting the railway station, the existing line at Harrawala would be converted into expressway. 

B.Ed trained youth hold protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
The B.Ed (TET) trained youth here today held a protest against the government notification for recruitments for 980 posts of primary teacher in government schools. The protesters demanded that the present notification be scrapped and a new notification including 5,000 more posts be issued. The government had issued the notification on February 1.

The protesters threatened to hold a march towards the Chief Minister's residence but after the administration took a strict stance they agreed to hold the protest at Parade Ground. State general secretary of the B.Ed (TET) Trained Association Manveer Singh Rawat said former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had assured them of adding 5,000 more posts. He added it was the last chance for them to get jobs of teacher in primary schools.

Congress councillors gherao Mayor's office
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
A large number of Congress councillors, led by Leader of the Opposition in the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) Neenu Sehgal, today gheraoed the office of Mayor Vinod Chamoli.

They were protesting against the repeated cancellations of board meetings and tax committee meetings.

Raising slogans against the Mayor, the protesters demanded that the politicisation of the local bodies be immediately stopped. Elaborating their demands, Sehgal said board meetings and monthly tax committee meetings were being repeatedly cancelled.

“Even today a meeting was to be organised, but was cancelled at the last minute for the reasons best known to the Mayor. It is causing a lot of inconvenience to the general public whose cases are pending for the past two years,” he said.

The DMC had also failed to tackle the deteriorating sanitary conditions of the city. The entire city had become a garbage dump with none of the officials taking responsibility for the same. 

Disaster-hit hotel industry seeks relief in tax
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 26
Members of the hotel industry here that was severely affected by the fall in the number of tourists due to the natural disaster last year, reeling under the effect of disaster, have demanded adequate tax, banking and electricity bill relief in order to bounce back to busines.

Addressing a press persons at a hotel in Mussoorie today, spokesperson of Mussoorie Hotels’ Association Sandeep Sahni along with the president of the association RN Mathur said that the hoteliers from the hill town of Mussoorie were dependent on tourism but they had not received the consideration and attention they deserved.

Sandeep Sahni said by lowering AT to 5 per cent, although not in all commodities, the government had tried to provide relief to the hoteliers but it was not enough for the sagging economy of the town. Therefore, they demanded exemption in service tax for a period of five years. This was needed to boost the sagging morale of the hoteliers here, said Sahni.

Rudrapur MLA Thukral surrenders, sent to jail
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
After evading police arrest for the last four months, BJP legislator Rajkumar Thukral surrendered before a court in Rudrapur today in connection with a case of inciting communal violence during the 2011 riots. The court rejected his bail application and sent him to the Haldwani jail. Four persons were killed and more than 50 injured in the Rudrapur riots. A non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued against him in the case about four months ago.

Interestingly, The Rudrapur police had stepped up security around the court complex yesterday thinking that Thukral may surrender but he did not turn up. Thukral came to the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Ashutosh Mishra on a two-wheeler at 10:30 am today to surrender and avoid police arrest. He succeeded in deceiving the police and entered the court complex along with his friend riding pillion a scooter

After his bail application was rejected, Thukral told mediapersons outside the court that he had full faith in the country’s judicial system. He blamed his opponents for framing him in the case. He said he was ready to undergo polygraph and narco analysis tests so that the truth could come out.

Reportedly, the CB-CID had during investigation found Thukral guilty of inciting communal violence in Rudarpur and registered an FIR against him. Later a local court had issued an NBW against him. Since then Thukral had been on the run and his property was attached in December last year due to his failure to appear before the court. The police had also announced a reward of Rs 2,500 for anyone who gave information about his location. 

Discussion on implementation of CCTNS
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
The DIG, Garhwal Range, Amit Sinha, here today held a meeting with seven district police heads to the implementation of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS). 

A discussion was also held on difficulties faced by the police in registering FIRs and GDs online. 

The DIG directed the SSPs and SPs to maintain a separate logbook for the CCTNS and all details regarding the information stored in computers must be recorded in that logbook. 

The officials were directed to ensure that meetings of the District Mission Team, which comprised nodal officers from the police, the BSNL and a private implementing agency, was held on a regular basis.

UPNL appointments: Issue gathering dust
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
Nearly three days after an enquiry was demanded into the scam involving appointment of 32 persons at Srinagar-based Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Medical Science and Research Institute, outsourced from Uttarakhand Purv Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (UPNL), the issue gathers dust.

In what could be termed as opening a can full of worms, UPNL chairman Lt Gen MC Badhani (retd) had requested the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat for an enquiry into the alleged irregularities during the 32 appointments made in the institute by UPNL last year.

In a letter, the chairman has not only requested for an immediate enquiry but also demanded the suspension of UPNL Managing Director Brig AN Bahuguna (retd) so that he is not able to influence the enquiry. The appointments were made at the time Brig Bahuguna was heading the nigam.

Lieut Gen (retd) Badhani has urged the CM that members of the enquiry team should not be from the Directorate of Sainik Kalyan.

The issue of irregularity came to light when in January members of Sanyukt Karamchari Mahasangh objected to the 32 appointments made on contractual basis in the Medical College, outsourced from UPNL. The objection was being raised on the basis that joining was done nearly nine months after the issuance of contract letters. As per the rules, the contractual employees have to join within a month of issuance of contract letters, failing which the offer stands cancelled. In this case the joining letter was issued in May 2013.

Speaking to The Tribune, Lt Gen Badhani (retd) said that there is a strong indication that these 32 appointments were made through backdoor, flouting the norms laid down by the nigam. “A person who is unemployed and looking for a job won’t take that long to join when the offer is made. We are suspecting that some irregularities have taken place while making these appointments,” he added.

It may be mentioned here that Secretary, Medical Education, had placed a ban on the institute for outsourcing the employees in October 2012. However, following a request from the college authorities, UPNL had issued 32 fresh appointment letters in May 2013.

“There are a lot of loopholes that we are trying to plug in to avoid such blunders in the future. Before taking up the matter with the CM, I had asked Brig Bahuguna( retd) to clear his stand on the issue. When he did not reply regarding the appointments or why the selected candidates were joining nine months after being issued the appointment letters, I sent a request to the CM for an enquiry,” said the chairman.

“I strongly believe that there might be some high-level officials from the Sainik Kalyan Department involved in the issue and, therefore, somebody from outside should conduct an enquiry into the matter. There are no records available of the candidates to whom the letters were issued in the month of May. We are trying to locate those and very soon things will be clear,” he added.

Formed in 2004 with an aim to provide employment to the ex-servicemen and their dependents in Uttarakhand, UPNL has been outsourcing for various government departments and private players since then. The appointments made via nigam are on contractual basis. Though the priority is given to the ESMs, a government order has been issued to cover the civilians as well.

ICFRE workshop to promote Hindi 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, yesterday organised a training workshop to promote Rajbhasa Hindi.

Chief guest, ICFRE Deputy Director General Saibal Dasgupta, emphasised the need to conduct office work more and more in Hindi.

He elaborated that people in countries like China, France and Germany use their mother tongue in their day- to- day business and this is an important factor in their progress. He further called upon all the officials and staff of ICFRE to make every effort for promotion and implementation of official language Hindi in their day to day works.

The key speaker of the workshop Dinesh Chamola, in-charge Rajbhasha, Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, in his address elaborated the meaning of Akshar. ''We are using the language as equipment and we are being deprived from the power of the Hindi word, as a result,'' he pointed out. He, however, also opined that for the sake of greater communication ''we should be open for accepting words from different languages.''

Earlier Additional Director General (Media and Extension), ICFRE, Vivek Khandekar, welcomed the participants. More than 50 officials from ICFRE participated in the workshop.

LPU wins debate

Dehradun, February 26
Lovely Professional University (LPU) won the 7th Sardar Gurcharan Singh Memorial National Debate Running Trophy. The debate was organised in the memory of late founder director and chairman of Sardar Bhagwan Singh Post Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research (SBSPGI) here today.

Neeraj Verma and Sharajal Gupta of Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, bagged the best prize. In the individual category, Prabhanshu Ojha of Hanshraj College, Delhi University, won the best speaker prize in the Hindi debate competition. Rimple Dhawan of SBSPGI, Balawala, won the best speaker prize in the English debate competition.

Professor VK Jain, Vice-Chancellor of Uttarakhand Technical University presented the running trophy and cash prizes to the winners. — TNS

26 Van Raji families get land ownership rights
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 26
Chief Minister Harish Rawat today handed over ownership certificates of 0.201 hectares each to 26 Van Raji families of Kimlhola village in Dharchula.

“It is for the first time that the ownership rights are being given to forest dwellers belonging to the Van Rawat community in the district after the enactment of the Forest Rights Act 2006 in the state. We have prepared a proposal for 45 such families which will get the ownership certificates separately,” said NK Sharma, District Social Welfare Officer, Pithoragarh.

Sharma added after the state government notified the Forest Rights Act in 2009, the Social Welfare Department had prepared 110 proposals for grant of land ownership rights. The help of some NGOs was taken in this regard. “After the scrutiny of documents, 45 cases were found eligible for land allocation and were sent to the state government. The state government has also approved these cases for land allocation,” he said.

Sharma added all the Van Raji and Van Rawat families would be given land ownership rights in future under the Forest Rights Act 2006. The process to identify eligible families was also going on in the district.

Anand Takwale gets transferred again
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
Within days of being transferred from the post of Bageshwar SP to police headquarters as SP Karmik, Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Anand Shankar Takwale, has been transferred as the new commandant of the 46 battalion of PAC in Rudrpur by the state government here today.

It is to be noted that Takwale was transferred as SP, Karmik, in police headquarters recently, during the reshuffle that took place under the new Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

Repeated transfer

*n It is to be noted that Takwale was transferred as SP, Karmik, in police headquarters recently, during the reshuffle that took place under the new CM Harish Rawat.

Call 1077 for complaints against potholes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
The district administration has launched a toll free number 1077 to get a clear picture of the ongoing digging works on city roads and provide a platform to residents to register their complaints.

District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam said the area residents could call on this number and register their complaints regarding potholes and digging of roads in their area. “The complainants should give their complete addresses along with telephone numbers so that the officers concerned could contact them,” said the District Magistrate.

Help, a call away

* Area residents can call on this number and register their complaints regarding potholes and digging of roads in their area

BJP targets Harish Rawat for delay in portfolio allocation 
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
The failure of newly appointed Chief Minister Harish Rawat to allocate portfolios to his council of ministers has given the BJP ammunition to target him. It has also begun to hamper governance in the state.

The Chief Minister’s one-man show has earned him platitudes for managing to instil a distinct work culture among the bureaucrats who are now being forced to work beyond their office hours. It has also spread a sense of unease among his ministers who have been virtually without office for more than 20 days.

"The Chief Minister’s one-man show has brought to naught the concept of collective responsibility and accountability. The Chief Minister is taking decision after decision of several departments which under the normal process should have the approval of the minister who heads a particular ministry. But this is not happening.

At times, these announcements have proved to be mere announcements with no substance. Take the announcement of providing jobs to 2,500 unemployed youth by the CM, which was made recently. The departments have said that there are no vacancies against these posts. Such short-sighted decisions are affecting governance,” said Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

For that matter, the manner in which powerful Cabinet ministers Amrita Rawat, Harak Singh Rawat and Indira Hirdayesh have been made to eat the humble pie after their names got embroiled in one controversy or the other, too, have sent ominous signals to Harish Rawat’s adversaries.

Critics say all these incidents were deliberately brought into focus to bring around the recalcitrant ministers, who were keen to usurp important portfolios.

“This kind of politics where ambitious leaders are put on leash is reminiscent of Uttar Pradesh politics and may not be a good sign for Uttarakhand. Though controversy and Harak Singh Rawat have always kept pace with each other, the manner in which the issue of sexual harassment has surfaced now puts a big question mark on the kind of politics that is now being played out in the state,” said Jay Singh Rawat, a senior journalist.

Red tape adds to woes of domestic violence victims 
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
Due to the poor implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, the aggrieved women who are victim of domestic violence are seeking services of lawyers.

Under the provisions of the PWDV Act, the government had to appoint trained protection officers in each district, who were supposed to act as a link between the victims and the magistrates, completely negating the role of the lawyers.

But instead of appointing trained district protection officers in all 13 districts of the state, the Department of Women and Child Development had entrusted an additional responsibility on the district women and child development officers.

“Protection officers have to study the cases and depending on their merit approach, the magistrate will provide speedy relief to the victims. But the department has violated the Act and the district protection officers, who have little time to study the cases, are encouraging the victims to approach lawyers. As a result, domestic violence cases are getting complex due to the advice of lawyers, who ask the family members to register the case under the provisions of the Dowry Act,” said Jhanvi Tiwari, who runs a NGO Disha.

“We have our own workload and targets to complete on time. It is difficult to do justice to both the responsibilities,” said Shama Bahuguna, District Protection Officer, Dehradun.

Due to the apathy of the government, very few cases of domestic violence had been reported in the hill districts including, Sahaspur and Vikasnagar and rural pockets of Dehradun.

Asked why the government had not appointed trained District Protection officers, state Cabinet Minister Amrita Rawat, who handled the portfolio of women and child and development under former Chief Minister, said there was a shortage of staff and the department did not have adequate manpower.

AAP demands Harak Rawat’s resignation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
Workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today burnt an effigy of the state government over the registration of molestation case against Cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat. They also demanded resignation of the tainted minister on moral grounds.

Addressing the agitators, Kamal Devradi, district spokesperson of AAP, said the allegations being leveled against the ministers and the state government from time to time had brought a bad name for the state.

“It is not for the first time that Rawat has been booked. He was involved in several such controversies in the past as well. We demand that until the issue is resolved, the minister should resign from his post on moral grounds,” he added.

“Allegations have also been leveled against Cabinet Minister Amrita Rawat for providing the poly house subsidy, meant for poor farmers and unemployed, to her own relatives. The state has still not recovered from the disaster and the ministers are busy filling their pockets,” said Devradi.

Sanjay Bhatt, Rajesh Bhauguna, Suresh Negi, Sunita Singh, Vishal Chowdhary, Vishal Kumar and Ranjit Singh were also present.

Forest Dept gives 231 hectares for Tanakpur-Jauljibi road 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 26
Another hurdle in the construction of Tanakpur to Jauljibi road on the Nepal border has been crossed as the Forest Department has allocated over 231 hectares of civil land for compensatory forestation in lieu of the forest area of 106.23 hectares that come on the way of the proposed road, according to sources from the PWD, the nodal agency for construction of this road.

“We have received permission for plantation in 231 hectares of civil land of Ranthi, Sosa, Ramtoli, Pangla and Galati villages in Dharchula subdivision of the district, in exchange for the forestland that comes on the way of the road,” said BC Pant, an engineer associated with the construction of this road.

According to the engineer, after this permission, the pace of construction of the road will become faster and work could be completed in the coming years. “The Ministry of Home, Government of India, has sanctioned a sum of Rs 830 crore for the construction of this road,'' said the engineer.

According to the letter of permission given by the Forest Department to construction agency PWD, the construction agency will pay to the department a sum of Rs 2.76 crore as compensation money and another sum of Rs 7.07 crore as cost for preparing net project value.

“Besides linking nearly 56 villages at the Indo Nepal border with mainstream markets of Jauljibi and Tanakpur, the road will also link 31 border outposts of SSB to the main highway at Tanakpur and Jauljib,” said Champawat District Magistrate Dipendra Chaudhari. “After the construction of this road, distance to Jauljibi from Tanakpur will be reduced from 216 km at present to mere 135 km, which will be crossed in three hours compared to six hours at present to reach Jauljibi from Tanakpur,” added the Champawat DM.

26 in fray for 11 posts of Bar Association
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
After the completion of two-year tenure, election for major posts in the Bar Association of Dehradun was held on the court premises here today. Twenty-six candidates stood for 11 posts. The results were also expected to be out on Wednesday night. The election were held for important posts in the Bar Association including, president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary.

Out of a total 2,435 registered votes, 1,965 votes were polled in the election. Around 12 polling stations were set up on the court premises.

Experts stress use of certified seeds
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
The India Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) Director RK Goel emphasised upon the need for use of certified seeds of forest species to increase forest productivity.

Inaugurating a two-day national workshop ‘Forest Seed Science: Recent Advances and Challenges in Seed Research’, Goel said certified seeds of forest species help in increasing the productivity of forests.

Goel also suggested setting up a national network for making quality seeds available to seed-deficit states from the surplus states.

He also released ‘Seed Science and Technology’, authored by Dr Manisha Thapliyal, a senior scientist at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun.

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), deputy director general, Saibal Dasgupta disclosed that the state of knowledge reports on different aspects of forestry were being prepared by ICFRE with the help of technical experts at different ICFRE institutes.

FRI Director PP Bhojvaid, expressed concern at the degrading genetic quality of forests due to the poor management system of removing better grown trees. He called for use of quality seeds available through research in forestry.

Earlier, welcoming the delegates, FRI silviculture division, head, AS Rawat informed that seeds were the prime cause for propagation of trees.

Dr Manisha Thapliyal, organising secretary of the workshop and seed specialist, FRI, proposed the vote of thanks.

In the technical sessions, lead speakers namely: chief conservator, Haryana Forest Department, Jagdish Chandra; HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, scientist Shyam Phartyal and National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, principal scientist J Radhamani, also delivered scientific presentations of their individual subjects of expertise.

About 100 delegates from across the country attended the workshop. The Deputy Director General (research), scientists and officers of the FRI, the ICFRE, and the state Forest Department also attended the inaugural programme.

Abhimanyu academy win by 3 wickets
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
The Abhimanyu Cricket Academy today defeated the Tanush Cricket Academy by 3 wickets in the inaugural match of the Pepsi Cup being organised by the MS Dhoni Charitable Trust Foundation.

After losing the toss and being put into bat first, Tanush Cricket Academy was bowled out at 184 runs with Tanush scoring 54 runs and Amit Lara 41 runs.

For the Abhimanyu team, Saurabh and Ravi Bist took 4 wickets each.

During the chase, Abhimanyu Cricket Academy got off to a good start and Prashant played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 54 runs. Abhishek scored quick 34 runs and helped the team won the match. Neeraj took 3 wickets against Abhimanyu Cricket Academy. The next match will be played between CIA Raiwala and Petroleum University.

RCA beat YMCA in cricket tourney

The Rao Cricket Academy (RCA) defeated YMCA cricket team by 10 runs in the ongoing HN Bahuguna Memorial Glocal Dehradun Premier League (DPL) played at Global School here on Wednesday.

Batting first, the RCA scored 148 runs in 20 overs with Dipankar scoring 45 runs. Aman, Anshul and Guppy of YMCA took one wicket each against the RCA. In reply, YMCA team was bowled out for 138 runs. Guppy scored 34 runs, followed by Aman who made 28 runs. While for RCA, Dipankar and Rishabh took two wickets each. 

Four robbers held, valuables recovered
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 26
The police claimed to have arrested four persons for allegedly looting a couple of their valuables at knife point on GMS Road on Tuesday night. SSP, Dehradun, Ajay Rautela, said the looted valuables had been recovered from the arrested persons.

Accused Govind Ram Mishra, Manish Chauhan, Kallu Dikshit and Pankaj, who had looted Rajesh Kumar and Rajpal, were arrested and recovered the looted money. Two knives and six mobiles, which they had looted from other persons earlier, were also recovered.

According to the police, the four accused disclosed during interrogation that they used to target persons during late night. They are residents of Dehradun. On Tuesday night, they targeted Rajesh Kumar and Rajpal when they were going home at night and looted money and other valuables from them.