After lying low for a month, upset Kaushik joins Nishank campaign
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 24
Madan Kaushik, who remained aloof from political activities for more than a month after former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was given the BJP ticket from the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, has now started campaigning for him. For the past two days, Kaushik has been commanding the Haridwar Lok Sabha election campaign war room. His presence has started paying dividends as the campaign has gained momentum in the city periphery too.

The absence of Kaushik, who has a wide support base among people in the city and nearby areas, was proving costly for Nishank. Kaushik has been elected thrice to the Uttarakhand Assembly from Haridwar and during the municipal corporation elections last year his protégé Manoj Garg became Mayor while 20 BJP councillors emerged victorious.

This civic poll victory was solely attributed to Madan Kaushik, as he had picked ward councillors and campaigned singlehandedly for them.

Party sources said the intervention of the party high command, the RSS and party office-bearers as well as constant attempts by Nishank to placate him helped in bringing around Kaushik.

Talking to The Tribune during a meeting with party Haridwar sub in charge Mange Ram Garg, a former Delhi BJP president, Manohar Kant Dhyani, former Rajya Sabha member, and Mayor Manoj Garg, Kaushik said there were no major issues and now his focus was to ensure Nishank wins the election.

“I witnessed a strong BJP wave when as a member of the BJP election campaign committee I visited the Almora and Nainital constituencies. All BJP candidates would win the elections. A similar situation prevails in Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal and Tehri Garhwal. The Congress is left with no other candidates but family members of its senior leaders, who in fact stand no chance against heavyweight-mass base candidates of the BJP,” said Kaushik.

He added he along with BJP legislator Aadesh Chauhan, Swami Yatishwaranand, Chandrasekhar Bhattewala and Manoj Garg would accompany Nishank during a roadshow on April 27.

“On April 28, there are six major election meetings planned in the city periphery. We are way ahead in our campaign in rural areas as Nishank has been extensively focusing there. The same strategy will be used in the urban areas also. The Congress candidate is backed by the state machinery but Nishank is backed by party workers and the public,” said Kaushik after holding a closed-door meeting relating to campaign strategy.

With Madan Kaushik at the helm of affairs, Nishank’s election campaign has got a major boost. Kaushik has experience, mass appeal, and a dedicated group of hundreds of active party workers. His three consecutive wins as legislator from Haridwar has earned him a tag of an ‘election manager’.

SI faces harassment for his ‘fair’ inquiry in case filed by DGP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24
Sub-Inspector Nirvikar Singh has written a letter to the Governor and the Chief Minister regarding an enquiry ordered against him by the Dehradun police in old cases. Nirvikar Singh, who is posted in Rudraprayag at present, has accused the Dehradun police and senior police officials of acting against him and mentally harassing him. He claims that he had been falsely implicated, though he did a fair investigation in a case of illegal cutting of trees on land on the Old Mussoorie Road in Dehradun, allegedly owned by DGP BS Sidhu.

A preliminary enquiry has been set up against Nirvikar Singh for committing irregularities in the previous six investigations of which he was the investigating officer.

He was also the enquiry officer in a case where the FIR was registered on the DGP's complaint against seven persons, including forest officials.

Rumours are rife in the Police Department that Nirvikar is facing harassment due to the investigation done by him in the controversial case that involved his seniors.

A police officer, who had worked with Nirvikar, said, “He is a very honest and competent officer. He is being made to pay the price for telling the truth in the investigation that he headed and involved a very powerful person.”

Interestingly, the Police Department where normally things run on at snail’s pace, the enquiry file against Nirvikar was cleared at three levels in a day and referred to the Rudraprayag police.

On April 15, the SP, City, and the SSP, Dehradun, signed the file and sent it to the DIG, Garhwal, who signed it and forwarded it to the Rudraprayag police for further action.

Meanwhile, Nirvikar filed an oath (shapath patra) in the court against the DGP and accused the Dehradun police of acting in a vindictive way.

It is worth recalling that the DGP had purchased a piece of land on the Old Mussoorie Road in Dehradun which the Forest Department claimed to be forestland and filed a complaint under Sections 411 and 201 on March 20, 2013.

In retaliation, the DGP filed a counter complaint against seven persons, including forest officials of the Mussoorie forest division, under Sections 420, 120 B, 166, 167, 504 of the IPC and Section 26 of the Forest Act in Rajpur police station on July 9, 2013.

Acting on his complaint, the Rajpur police arrested the contractor, Kuldeep, for cutting the trees, sparking a controversy. The police was accused of acting under pressure.

Nirvikar Singh, then posted at Kotwali police station, in the complaint filed by the DGP had found that contractor Kuldeep had no role to play in felling trees and his arrest was not right. He ahd also highlighted loopholes in the enquiry conducted by the police. He was later transferred to Rudraprayag and now an enquiry had been started against him in some old cases.

The SSP, Dehradun, could be contacted even after repeated attempts. Meanwhile, DIG, Garhwal, Amit Sinha told The Tribune that he received the enquiry file from the district police, which, according to the rule, he forwarded it to the Rudraprayag police.

EC debars UKD factions from using party symbol, name
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24
For the first time since Uttarakhand was created in 2000, the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) faces a big dilemma this Lok Sabha elections. The party will not contest on its symbol and name. The Election Commission of India (EC) yesterday identified UKD candidates as Independent candidates in a list of candidates in the fray from various constituencies.

The long dispute between the Panwar and Airy factions of the UKD finally reached the EC, which debarred both of them from using the party symbol ‘chair’ and directed its candidates to contest as Independent candidates till the dispute was resolved.

Interestingly, the candidates of both UKD factions in different constituencies of Uttarakhand have ended up getting different symbols, putting the party in a piquant situation.

Kashi Singh Airy, UKD (Airy) president, said: “The UKD very much exists and the Election Commission has not stopped us from using the party’s name and flags for canvassing. It has debarred us from using only the symbol, which is a matter of concern.” He said there had been a tussle between both factions since the Panwar group took the possession of the UKD state party office.

“There is a legal dispute between the Airy and Panwar factions for the possession of the state party office. This was brought to the notice of the EC. The Election Commission thought that there was a dispute in the UKD and debarred it from using the party symbol,” added Airy.

Trivendra Singh Panwar, UKD (Panwar) president, on the other hand, alleged that both BJP and Congress wanted to finish the UKD in Uttarakhand. The recent decision of the state Election Commission to de-recognise the UKD as a political party was part of the same strategy. “Both BJP and Congress know that the rise of the UKD will be a setback for them. That is why they are resorting to such tactics," he alleged. Former UKD legislator Pushpesh Tripathy, who owes allegiance to the Airy group, admitted that efforts for unification between the two factions of the UKD had failed to yield desired results as some UKD leaders from the Panwar camp were more concerned about the betterment of the national parties than strengthening the regional forces. He said most of the UKD vote base had shifted to the BJP in the state in the recent years.

Tamtas face tough questions from
Lohaghat residents on local issues
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, April 24
Pradeep Tamta and Ajay Tamta, candidates of the Congress and the BJP, respectively, from the Almora (reserve) parliamentary constituency, have their own plans to develop tourism and infrastructure facilities in the Lohaghat Assembly segment. They revealed their plans in this regard while replying to the questions posed to them by local voters on the main problems of the Lohaghat area today.

“We asked both candidates about what they planned to do to resolve the issues of drinking water shortage, non-availability of doctors in the Lohaghat primary health centre after it was given to a private hospital based in Bareilly on the PPP mode, what they thought about a proposed lake at Kolidhek, besides other schemes to attract tourists to this neglected area, and what they would do to ensure ownership rights to lease holders in Lohaghat town,” said Ganesh Datt Pandey, a local RTI activist and journalist.

Pandey said Ajay Tamta alleged that while the state government was yet to receive the detailed project report of the Saryu lift scheme planned to supply water to Lohaghat residents, the Congress was befooling the area residents on the matter. Pradeep Tamta said a report of the Rs 43 crore worth scheme had been prepared and Harish Rawat had specially looked into the matter after assuming the office of Chief Minister.

“On the question of deteriorating health services in Lohaghat town, Ajay Tamta blamed corrupt practices of the Congress for the situation. Pradeep Tamta said the state government would review the present arrangement of the PPP mode if it was not delivering,” said Pandey.

Asked about the grant of land ownership rights to lease holders in the town, Pradeep Tamta said the issue would be addressed in a time frame and every leaseholder would be given ownership rights. Ajay Tamta said that Congress was again befooling the local residents on the issue as it did to Sitarganj residents, who were yet to get the land ownership rights till date.

“On the issue of making Lohaghat a tourist hub, the BJP has a plan to develop a special tourist grid by interconnecting the Barahidham, Chamdeval, Ritha Sahib, Akhiltarini and Devidhar temples. The Congress candidate says the Vivekanand track route will be developed into a spiritual-tourist route,” said Pandey.

Muslims ‘supporting’ Nishank for his development works as CM
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 24
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, BJP candidate from the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, is getting a good response from the minority community owing to development works and schemes launched during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the state.

Nishank has managed to gain the confidence of the voters belonging to the Muslim community in his home district of Pauri Garhwal and in Haridwar. His focus on the development of the Piran Kaliyar shrine, launch of social welfare schemes for the minority community and the improvement of the Haj House facilities had also contributed to his popularity in the region.

Nishank's election rallies in the Piran Kaliyar Assembly segment and the Muslim-dominated pockets of rural Haridwar are witnessing a record turnout. In the past few days, several minority community leaders ahve also joined the BJP.

There are 2.90 lakh minority voters of the 15 lakh-odd voters in the Haridwar constituency. The minority voters and the Dalits in the constituency are likely to play a key role in deciding Nishank's fate.

Nishank as well as Congress candidate Renuka Rawat are making all efforts to ensure that they get the maximum votes.

Satish Lakhera, BJP media campaign coordinator for the Haridwar seat, said Nishank's public meetings at Piran Kaliyar, Mangalore, Lakshar, Jhabreda, Bhagwanpur and Roorkee, which are Muslim-dominated areas, were receiving an overwhelming response.

“Nishankji has done a lot for our area. He is reaching out to voters personally while other candidates are just holding roadshows,” said Tanveer Ali, a Jwalapur resident.

On the other hand, Congress legislator Furkan Ahmed denied that Nishank’s development works had made him popular in the area. He cautioned the voters against such forces.

MLA Ganesh Joshi inaugurates BJP office in Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

New beginning: MLA Ganesh Joshi along with state BJP vice-president Khajan Das inaugurates the party election office in Mussoorie on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Mussoorie, April 24
BJP’s Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi along with the state vice-president Khajan Das inaugurated the BJP Lok Sabha election office at a hotel near Picture Palace today. Joshi claimed people of the state were influenced by the Narendra Modi wave and the party candidate from Tehri Mala Raj Lakshmi Shah would emerge victorious in forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

He accused the state Congress-led government of doing nothing for the disaster-affected people and this callous attitude besides the pro-BJP wave would spell doom for the Congress. Joshi added the Congress was bereft of issues hence it was raising petty matters against Modi.

He said the development work done by Modi in the last 15 years in Gujarat was unprecedented and the Congress fearing a similar development model if Modi came to power at the Centre was in a state of denial.

Joshi also questioned the increase in income of the Congress Lok Sabha candidate Saket Bahuguna from Rs 99 lakh to Rs 10 crore in merely two years. He said it showed that the Congress was busy filling its coffers while the people of the state were struggling to make both ends meet after the natural disaster that struck last year.

The BJP party workers also carried out a door-to-door campaign on the Mall Road and sought votes for the party candidate in the evening.

President of the local unit of the party Roop Singh Kathait, BJP Mussoorie secretary Kushal Rana, Mohan Petwal, Anil Godiyal, senior BJP leader Madan Mohan Sharma, Rakesh, DP Panwar, Birendar Rana, BJP Mussoorie women wing president Suman Panwar, former ABVP president Ashutosh Kothari, Sunil Raturi, RD Naithani and others were present on the occasion.

The BJP also opened its election office at the Rajpur Road near International Trade Tower and Suva Kholi where BJP Tehri Lok Sabha in charge Jyoti Gairola along with Neelam Sehgal were present.

India needs good scientists to promote quality science: CNR Rao
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24
Addressing a lecture titled ‘Doing Science in India’ at the Indian Institute of Petroleum today, Bharat Ratna Prof CNR Rao stressed on efforts for promoting quality science in order to produce good scientists in the country. “India needs to produce good scientists to promote quality of science. The money invested from the GDP needs to be increased, similarly the way countries like South Korea and China do,” said Prof Rao.

He spoke about the pain and pleasure of being a successful scientist.

“We have a large number of bright students but they need to work for science in India selflessly. I need only 15 per cent of sharp IIT students working for national projects and the condition will begin to change,” he added.

He also spoke about how some of the famous scientists of the past like Faraday worked with minimal facilities and grants. He said real science was done in small laboratories by individuals from universities and educational institutions.

Referring to the importance of funding for higher education, Prof Rao said universities in the country were not funded well.

“Our universities are in a very poor state. Everybody wants to get admission in one of the IITs but that's not possible. However, if we have 50 more such institutions, we can have bright Indians working in the filed of science and the quality of research will go up immediately. We should also be able to pick the right area of research and invest in it,” he said.

He said young students often lacked admission in good institutions. He strongly believed that teachers were responsible for the future of India.

IIP director Dr MO Garg, lauded Prof Rao’s role in formulating the country’s science policies over the years.

He said Prof Rao had been the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council and third scientist to receive Bharat Ratna after CV Raman and APJ Abdul Kalam.

More patients visit Doon Hospital now
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24
There has been a marked increase in the number of patients availing of services at the state-run Doon Hospital this financial year. The number of patients who visited the hospital were 7,19,152, in 2012-2013 as compared to 7,83,112 in 2013-2014. There has been a rise of 8.89 per cent in the number of patients in the last financial as compared to 2012-2013 and this could be attributed to the strengthening of pathological services.

Principal Medical Superintendent (PMS) Dr RS Aswal told mediapersons here today that, “We started cardiac, thyroid and HBA profile tests during the last financial year. This was followed by computerisation of the test reports and collection of samples throughout the day as is done in private hospitals.”

He added over two lakh pathology cases and 21,379 ultrasound cases were taken up during 2012-2013.

Besides, the hospital authorities would introduce sodium, potassium and calcium tests, used for checking electrolyte imbalance in diarrhoea patients, by May 15.

“While the rates of these tests are still being finalised, they will be less than that being charged by private pathology centres,” said Dr Aswal. Further, a David Spine concept machine crucial for mechanised therapies besides a lithotripsy machine used for treating stones in kidney and urethra was also installed at the physiotherapy centre.

However, the Eye Department showed a negative trend, as 2,599 operations were conducted in 2012-2013 and this number fell to 2,520 in 2013.

Dr Aswal added efforts were on to ensure that the indoor patients were prescribed medicines that were available at the hospital medical store. “I have been personally monitoring the drive and during my rounds I make an effort to individually inquire from the patients if they are satisfied with the services,” he said.

UPA’s 10-year rule at Centre was fruitful, says Lal Singh
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 24
Co-in charge of the Uttarakhand Congress Chaudhari Lal Singh has termed the UPA government’s 10-year tenure as remarkable and full of achievements. Addressing a gathering here today, the Jammu parliamentarian said UPA’s tenure was a golden era in the Indian democracy, post-Independence.

Citing various works done in the fields of education, medical, agriculture, industry and education, Chaudhari Lal Singh said new heights were attained by the country in these segments.

“Be it Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, ITI’s, medical colleges, India has become a hub for education. Road connectivity has improved, courtesy state-of-the-art national highways in rural areas,” said Chaudhari.

Citing data he said in the past ten years, 18,000 hospitals and 35,000 schools were built with a large number of high schools being elevated to the level of intermediate schools.

Claiming Right to Education, Right to Information, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme, Food Security Bill, Land Acquisition Bill as landmark schemes, Lal Singh said people should understand that development was imperative rather than getting swayed by the name of a single candidate.

He said neither the BJP-led NDA nor the Third Front could provide stable governance at the Centre and only the Congress had the mettle and the caliber to do so.

City Congress president OP Chauhan, Uttarakhand Peasants Congress president Ram Kumar Valia, Women Congress district president Anju Dwivedi, Youth wing leader Ravish Bhatij and peasant cell vice-president Poonam Bhagat were also present at the meeting.

Manipuri folk artistes perform at Oak school
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 24
Folk dancers from Manipur mesmerised the young audience at Oak Grove School with their dance "Ras Leela" in Mussoorie today. The programme was organised under the aegis of Spic Macay where Bimbavati Devi and her team members from Manipur presented the “Ras Leela” based on the life of Lord Krishna. They also presented different types of dances held on the occasion of different festivals of Manipur.

The head of the team, Bimbavati Devi, speaking on the occasion said dancing was not only her first love, but also the secret behind her brimming happiness and energy. “Despite remaining busy in her 10-day tour to Dehradun and Mussoorie, dancing keeps me charged and happy,” said the graceful Manipur dancer known for her movements and expressive eyes.

The classical Manipuri dancer, however, believes that it is more important to create worthy art lovers than pushing all to learn a classical art form. Everybody can't claim to be a classical dancer, but it is more important that we nurture a breed of audience who could relish such kind of art.

“It has been my aim to remove this perception from young minds that all classical art forms are boring. I am sure the kids will cherish the concert throughout their lives,” says the charming artiste while adding that dancing amidst the mighty Uttarakhand hills was nothing sort of a marvel for her, said Bimbavati. Sandip Trivedi, Principal, Oak Grove School, staff and student were present on the occasion.

Police find Kunal’s cellphone, may crack murder case soon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24
The Dehradun police has traced the cellphone of Kunal Gupta, who was found dead on the first floor of an under-construction building, near the IT Park, on the Sahasthradhara Road in the Rajpur Police Station area on April 20. According to sources, a labourer reportedly found the mobile phone from the place where Kunal was found dead and handed it over to the police.

The police have analysed the call details and are now planning to question a few persons. A blood-soaked brick, which was found lying at the crime scene, was also sent for forensic examination.

The sources told The Tribune that on the basis of a four-day investigation, it had been confirmed that Kunal was murdered. The police had also zeroed in on two or three persons in the murder case and in the next couple of days these suspects would be called for questioning.

Police officials claimed that the assailant made an attempt to show that Kunal’s was killed when was being robbed of his gold chain, rings and a cellphone that were found missing.

It is to be noted that 27-year-old Kunal Gupta was the son a property dealer and resident of Jakhan. He went missing on April 17 and was found dead on April 20 after his bike was spotted in front of an under-construction house near the IT Park. He had got married in November last year but divorced his wife within three months of the marriage.

Yatra plans discussed through videoconferencing
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24
Amit Sinha, DIG, Garhwal, today discussed preparations for the Char Dham Yatra with district police heads through videoconferencing. The SSP and the SP have been directed to beef up security on the yatra route. The Uttarkashi SP has been instructed to coordinate with the agencies concerned to repair the damaged railings en route the Yamunotri shrine. He told the SP to ensure that CCTVs are installed on the buildings of all four shrines.

District police heads have been asked to hold meetings with temple committee members on a regular basis.

The DIG told them that early warning teams equipped with wireless sets would be deployed on the main route of all four shrines. The teams would act as an early responder in case of any emergency.

During the videoconferencing, the police officials were directed to ensure that traffic remains streamlined during the yatra and devotees face minimum inconvenience.

Traffic policemen are undergoing a special training for traffic management during the Char Dham Yatra.

The policemen have been instructed to identify alternative routes in case the main road get obstructed due to any landslide or mud fall.

Meanwhile, the district police have been provided with communication equipment, which will be installed near accidental-prone areas and will be used in communicating with the rage office in Dehradun.

Poll officials to take 3 days to reach booths in Kapkot
Our correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 24
Eight parties of staff on election duty will begin their journey to polling booths in Bageshwar district of the Almora-Pithoragarh parliamentary constituency three days ahead of polling on May 7. These parties will have to travel over three to 9 km on foot to reach the polling booths, BS Manral, District Election Officer, Bageshwar, said.

The most distant polling booth in Bageshwar district is situated 19 km from road at Borbalara village in the Kapkot Assembly constituency. The election parties will have to travel 19 km to reach the Borbalara polling booth, said Manral.

He added besides Borbalara, other polling booths, which are 9 to 15 km from road, were situated at Kuwari, Kilpara and Badiakot villages in the Kapkot Assembly segment. “We will dispatch the election parties from the district election office on May 4 so that they could reach the polling booths in time,” said Manral.

He added three security personnel each were being attached to every four-member team of election officials as these polling booths had been categorised as sensitive.

Sainik body flays AAP candidate’s arrest

Dehradun, April 24
The Uttarakhand Purv Sainik Avam Ardh Sainik Sanyukt Sangathan condemned the arrest of Balli Singh Cheema, the Aam Aadmi party’s candidate from Nainital constituency for allegedly violating the model code of conduct.

In a meeting held here, the members of the sangathan while appreciating the fervor for the general elections said personal attacks and unacceptable comments being made by the candidates on opponents while campaigning were not acceptable.

SS Pangtey said it was completely democratic to voice their opinion in a peaceful manner.

“The arrest of Balli Singh Cheema was not only against the democracy but also shameful. A lot of candidates have committed gross violations of the model code of conduct, but no action has been taken against them. Cheema has played a prominent role in the development of the state and has received several honors including the one from President of India,” he added.

It was also decided that on April 26, an awareness campaign will be organised to inform the voters. — TNS

Doon school, St Thomas win cricket matches

Dehradun, April 24
Doon Public School defeated Carman School by 8 runs in the ongoing 19th Inter-School Gardner Premier League here today. After losing the toss and batting first, Doon Public School scored 34 runs with Smirti scoring the highest 6 runs. In reply, Carman School fell 6 runs short of the target and bowled out after scoring 26 runs.

In another match, St Thomas School ‘B’ trounced Hilton School by 2 wickets. Batting first, Hilton School scored 34 runs in the innings with Mirdul scoring the highest 12 runs. St Thomas College ‘B’ chased down the target at the loss of 8 wickets.

CAU defeat Graphic Era varsity by 8 wickets

Cricket Academy of Uttarakhand (CAU) defeated Graphic Era University (GEU) by 8 wickets in the ongoing 62nd District Cricket League played at OFD Ground here today.

After losing the toss and batting first, GEU scored 121 runs with opener Tanuj scoring the highest 46 runs. For CAU, Nitin Chetri took 4 wickets against GEU. In reply, CAU easily chased down the target with Ankit scoring the highest 73 runs and won the match.

Woman operated upon for rare nerve disorder
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24
Senior neurosurgeon of Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital conducted a complicated surgery on a woman suffering from hemifacial spasm successfully. Ordinarily, this type of disease is encountered in one out of 1,000 patients. Rangho Devi, 48, a resident of Kunja, Vikasnagar, had been suffering from hemifacial spasms for the last five years. As a result of the disease, the eye which lies in the affected portion of the face starts blinking on its own and the facial muscles get pulled up.

A team of surgeons led by Dr Pankaj Arora conducted the complicated operation by the micro vascular decompression technique. Dr Arora said this disease could attack both males as well as females. In Rangho Devi’s case, the seventh nerve was entangled in the head, because of which she was suffering from this problem. During the operation, this nerve was decompressed.

Rangho Devi said over the last five years, she took treatment from various hospitals in Vikasnagar, Paonta Sahib, Saharanpur and Dehradun, but the disease could not be cured.

Harish Rawat for CBI probe into distribution of folic acid tablets
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has recommended a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the distribution of iron and folic acid syrup and tablets worth Rs 40 lakh for expectant mothers under the National Rural Health Mission programme in 2008-2009.

The irregularities were reported when the BJP government was in power in the state. The tablets were found abandoned at a warehouse at Roorkee.

Meanwhile, state BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat said the government should be open to similar probes in scams that took place during the ND Tiwari tenure.

The matter is expected to gain political currency as during 2008-2009, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who is fighting the Lok Sabha polls against Renuka Rawat, was the state Minister for Health.

The matter had also come before the State Information Commission which had also ordered the state government to get a CBI probe conducted.