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Key issues take a back seat, political parties busy mud-slinging
BSP candidate accuses BJP, Cong of corruption
Ex-servicemen to support Congress on three seats
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Voters want basic facilities to check
migration from Champawat villages
BJP slammed for instilling fear among Char Dham pilgrims
Dinesh Aggarwal
BJP ropes in former MPs to give Ramesh Nishank an edge
BJP opposes CBI probe into NRHM scam
Candidates advised to keep details of expenses
Newly-weds appealed to cast their votes
Over 12.4 lakh voters
first-timer, says Raturi
interview
radha raturi
UKD (United) to fulfil dreams of statehood agitators
DM, Naib Tehsildar
booked on court order
Working, sealing process of
EVMs explained to AROs
HN Bahuguna remembered
on 95th birth anniversary
Mining site raided
Illegal constructions
on footpaths marked
National youth conclave organised
No respite from traffic snarls in Mussoorie
Garhwali music album released in Mussoorie
Unison school, Doon Football Academy win football matches
Barthwal seeks BCCI affiliation for state cricket association
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Key issues take a back seat, political parties busy mud-slinging
Mussoorie, April 25 Residents and political pundits in Mussoorie say the common person has not featured much amid the poll din and the parties are more interested in slinging mud at the opponents. Political analyst and local historian Jaiprakash Uttarakhandi said both national parties, the Congress and the
BJP, were busy slamming each other and were not speaking on the real issues like migration, development and domicile. Uttarakhandi said both parties talk about development on the surface but when it came to implementing projects at the ground level, they turn a blind eye to it. Mussoorie residents have been struggling with the problems of water scarcity and parking for long, but these issues have not figured in political campaigns. "The state received huge funds during the disaster last year. However, the Congress-led state government is yet to make it clear that where the funds have been used. On the other hand, the BJP is also not raising the issues strongly in these elections, which clearly show that both parties have entered into a tacit agreement of sharing power between each other," said
Uttarakhandi. He said the voters should teach both the parties a lesson by rejecting their candidates in the fray. NP Dabral, a senior citizen, said the issues concerning the common man were no where on the candidates' agenda. They were more busy in mudslinging at their election rallies. The problem of migration had reached an alarming proportion, but politicians were not interested in addressing such issues at all. Another resident,
Satish, said both the Congress and the BJP were busy taking credit for development, which according to him, had never taken place in the state. He appealed to the voters to press the none-of-the-above
(NOTA) button, so that political parties that are wooing voters through dubious means learn a lesson of lifetime.
Common man ignored
* Residents and political pundits in Mussoorie say the common person has not featured much amid the poll din and the parties are more interested in slinging mud at the opponents. *
The problem of migration has reached an alarming proportion, but politicians are not interested in addressing such issues at all.
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BSP candidate accuses BJP, Cong of corruption
Dehradun, April 25 Addressing a public gathering, Shashipal said: “It is because of the wrong policies of both parties that the condition of the state has deteriorated to such an extent. A large number of people have migrated to other states in search of jobs.” “The BSP is the only national party that has close connections with every community and strata of society. The policy of the party aims at the development of the nation,” he added.
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Ex-servicemen to support Congress on three seats
Dehradun, April 25 Announcing this here today, the sanghatan president, Lt Col Ganga Singh Rawat (retd), said their organisation would support the party from only Haridwar, Almora and Nainital seats. He said the sangathan would not support the Congress in Pauri and Tehri and were against their candidates Harak Singh Rawat and Saket Bahuguna. |
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Voters want basic facilities to check
migration from Champawat villages
Pithoragarh, April 25 The villagers in the district expressed their views on local issues and problems while speaking to The Tribune this week. "Public representatives should walk to villages, especially situated in remote areas, to take stock of the facilities available there, but they are coming on helicopters or vehicles that require smooth roads," said Khimanand Garkoti, a resident of Tan village in Lohaghat subdivision of Champawat district. The MPLAD funds should be spent for creating facilities in the villages which, otherwise, could not be done through the normal development process, he added. Youths and ex-servicemen said there was a need to create employment opportunities nearby to check migration from villages. "Even creation of part-time jobs needs good infrastructure facilities in the villages, which lack even proper roads and other basic amenities,"? said Ganga Singh Adhikari, a youth from Moolakot village of Pati subdivision in Champawat district. Madan Pandey and Mohan Chandra Joshi, residents of Tamli and Banku villages, respectively, said there was a need to improve the government education structure to check migration from villages. Khimanand Binwal and Badri Singh, residents of Binwal Gaon and Nir village, respectively, said a provision of at least modern health facilities would help in encouraging retired people to live in their native villages. "Most of the people are leaving their villages as health facilities are available only in towns,"? said Khimanand Binwal. Ex-servicemen said they would live in their villages if the essential facilities of education for their children, sustainable employment opportunities, road, water, electricity and health facilities were provided in the villages. "The planning process of the government is such that it allows creation of facilities in towns and metros only and gives the villages a miss,"? said Maha Singh, an ex-seviceman and former gram pradhan of Tarkuli village in Champwat district. Some youths said the government should frame a policy to provide employment to at least one member of each family in the villages to check migration. "The creation of micro- entrepreneurship based on local raw material can help in solving the problem. Tourism can be developed to create job opportunities to check migration from villages,"? said Praveen Joshi, a resident of Devidhura village in Champawat district. |
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BJP slammed for instilling fear among Char Dham pilgrims
Haridwar, April 25 Aggarwal slammed the BJP for instilling fear among pilgrims by stating that the Char Dham pilgrimage was not safe. He said thousands of labourers and National Institute of Mountaineering, State Disaster Response Force, police and administrative officials were braving odd weather conditions to ensure the pilgrimage began on time. He alleged the BJP was trying to politicise the issue, which was unfortunate. The Cabinet minister said the economy of the state was largely dependent on tourism activities as thousands of pilgrims visited the state every year. He said the government was taking all steps to ensure that pilgrims get adequate facilities, safety and conducive environment. He said it was not denying the fact that the natural disaster last year had affected the major part of the state and it was not that easy to resume the Char Dham pilgrimage. However, Chief Minister Harish Rawat had made the best possible efforts to ensure that the Char Dham pilgrimage began on the pious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. He also predicted a record victory for the party candidates from all five Lok Sabha seats in the state. “BJP candidates BC Khanduri, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and BS Koshyari are confined to their constituencies only. It points towards the weak position of the BJP in the state," he added. |
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BJP ropes in former MPs to give Ramesh Nishank an edge
Haridwar, April 25 Harish Rawat for the past seven days has been visiting Haridwar daily to hold meetings with party workers, address public gatherings and staying at a hotel in the Industrial Estate to chalk out campaign strategies. This has somewhat affected the tempo of BJP candidate Ramesh Pokhriyal. Also, on the media front, the BJP’s campaign is somewhat lagging behind the Congress campaign. On Nishank's request heavyweight party leaders are now camping in Haridwar to counter the Congress campaign being spearheaded by Harish Rawat himself. Veteran party leader Manohar Kant Dhyani, an RSS ideologue and former Rajya Sabha member, has been camping in Haridwar for the past two days, holding talks with all district party leaders. Dhyani has also been instrumental in bringing around dejected city legislator Madan Kaushik to actively campaign for Nishank.Today, he held a meeting with Mayor Manoj Garg and the BJP councillors, directing them to campaign for Nishank in their respective wards. This move has surely boosted the morale of party workers in the city and nearby segments as Kaushik has been undefeated in the Haridwar Assembly segment since 2002. While former parliamentarian Bal Raj Passi, who is known for contesting elections effectively, is also assisting Nishank’s media campaign. Talking to The Tribune, Passi said now roadshows, back to back election meetings of the state and national party leaders would be held in the Haridwar constituency. “The Congress is using the state machinery for Renuka Rawat’s campaign. The Chief Minister seems to be confined to the Haridwar seat only. Nishank is busy in rural segments as his style of campaigning is meeting people personally. Hence, we will campaign aggressively in the urban areas via roadshows and big election rallies,” said Passi. Six-time legislator and former Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Matbar Singh Kandari is also lending his political expertise to boost Nishank’s campaign. With Kandari being a seasoned and veteran party leader, party activists make it a point to attend his meetings. Satish Lakhera, BJP Uttarakhand election campaign media coordinator, arrived in Haridwar today. He formed a special media committee comprising of Vimal Kumar, Vinod Mishra and Sanjeev Chaudhary, to ensure a good media coverage and information about their election campaign in newspapers and news channels. BJP district president Kuldeep Gupta said we had directed party workers to wear party colour cap featuring names of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and constituency candidate Nishank, put party flags on their houses and campaign door to door. |
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BJP opposes CBI probe into NRHM scam
Dehradun, April 25 “We are open to any inquiry but the Congress-led government should first examine its own works and give a full account of the funds spent on the relief and rehabilitation works in the disaster affected areas,” said Teerath Singh while talking to mediapersons here. He accused Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat of forcing officers to contribute funds to meet his election expenses. “A fear psychosis prevails among the officers as they are force to follow the diktat of the minister,” he said. He also questioned a sharp increase in the value of the assets of Saket Bahuguna as mentioned in the nomination papers filed by him from the Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency. “In 2012 he had shown an income of around Rs 98 lakh, but during the 2014 elections it has shot up to Rs 10 crore,” alleged
Rawat. |
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Candidates advised to keep details of expenses
Dehradun, April 25 Addressing the gathering, Ojha said all candidates were required to keep a detailed account of the expenses incurred by them for contesting the general elections. The officials were also instructed to maintain a register to track the poll expenses. “In case a candidate fails to register a financial transaction, it will severely impact the entire process. The lapse will also invite an action against the respective candidate,” he added. Ojha instructed the officials to regularly check financial transactions and said every candidate’s financial records would be checked thrice before the elections. “Under the process, a team comprising officials monitoring the expenditure will check the record thrice i.e. on April 28, May 2 and May 5 at the Dehradun collectorate and the Tehri Garhwal collectorate,” he added. Ojha said the details of expenses on the publication and distribution of publicity material should also be registered. |
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Newly-weds appealed to cast their votes
Pithoragarh, April 25 "We have approached several banquet halls in the town and contacted newly-weds and their relatives and appealed to them to vote in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state on May 7," said SC Semwal, District Election Officer, Pithoragarh. He said besides newly-weds and their relatives, the election officials were also taking the help of school students in the campaign. "We are telling people that irrespective of which candidate and party they want to win, they should visit polling booths to cast their votes on May 7,?" said Semwal. He added school students from the town would gather at the DS Bisht ground tomorrow and form an image with lit candles depicting "?Sat May ko matdan avasya kare" (vote on May 7)?. Dr Ashok Pant, principal of SDS Intermediate College, would orgainse the programme. |
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Over 12.4 lakh voters
first-timer, says Raturi
Dehradun, April 25 Of the 7,129,305 electors this time include 3,377,939 women voters and 266 general and 85,376 in service voters (59,989 male and 25,387 women). Around 225,745 voters in the 18 to 19 age-group too would be voting for the first time. “The drive launched by us yielded results and we have been able to increase the enrolment of persons belonging to all age groups,” said Radha Raturi, Chief Electoral Officer. The highest number of electors (1,642,848) continue to be in the Haridwar parliamentary constituency, followed by Nainital (1610810), Tehri Garhwal (1,352,537), Pauri Garhwal (1,269,053), and the Almora constituency (1,254,057). Significantly, around 225,745 first time voters in the 18 to 19 age group too will be exercising their right to franchise in these elections. But the highest number of first-time voters (838,254) continue to be in the 50 to 59 age group. The number of the first-time voters continues to be the highest in Nainital, followed by Udham Singh Nagar and Tehri Garhwal. Again, 10,111 polling centres will be set up in the five parliamentary constituencies. Of these 2,077 polling centres will be setup in Tehri Garhwal, 2,056 in Pauri Garhwal, 1,951 in Almora, 1,975 in Nainital, and 2,052 in the Haridwar constituency. |
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interview
radha raturi
Dehradun, April 24 To ensure a good voter turnout on the polling day on May 7, Raturi and her team have been busy for the last few months trying to include new voters in the electoral list. In an interview with The Tribune, Raturi said in a peaceful state like Uttarakhand the challenges of weather and helping the teams of election official reach distant polling booths were a formidable challenge. How are the preparations going on for the May 7 elections. Have you been able to revise the draft electoral data? We are all in the middle of finalising the electoral list. During the drive in March, several new forms were filled. The data received from the districts is still being updated and the final list will be ready in a day or two. The final electoral data is expected to climb up. But more importantly we are also preparing a list of polling parties, which will have to be sent several days in advance to the remote areas. Then, we have to battle weather blues. Several areas in the Kedar valley had a fresh spell of snow. Going by the last general elections the voter turnout was not encouraging. What are the reasons for a low turnout of voters in the hill areas? The voting percentage has been low due to several reasons. There are several voters who work in New Delhi and Chandigarh and are unable to cast their votes at their native places as they do not get a holiday, which will mean losing remuneration. Most of these voters are employed at petrol pumps and
dhabas. If voting is held on the same day throughout the country, maybe then the problem could be solved. Also, several villagers have decided to boycott the elections in protest against lack of infrastructure in their areas. Politicians have to make concerted efforts to ensure “bijli, pani and
sadak” are on their agenda. On our part, we have asked all District Magistrates to implore the villagers to come out and vote. What about women voters? What steps your office has taken to increase their participation? Our women in the hill areas have to cater to the needs of the families both in and outside their homes. They are overburdened and have to miss a day’s work to cast their votes. Our effort has been to set up polling booths near their villages to enable them to cast their votes. What good practices the Chief Electoral Office have adopted to increase enrolment of women in the state? Months before the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule we were focusing on anganwari centres in the state to disseminate information. We realised that young women after marriage did not enrol themselves as voters and hence special inspirational posters were made to encourage them. Similarly, ration shops were also used for disseminating information. If the voting percentage goes up in comparison to the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, it will be an indicator that we succeeded in our efforts. Among various assignments you have handled, how has your experience of conducting elections been? Have you ever been pressured by the ruling party or dictated by it to toe a particular line? The Election Commission’s role is that of a referee and we have to ensure that the ruling party does not get an unfair advantage. In implementing that principle one or the other person will be unhappy. Pressure is always there but one should always be prepared for the worst. As an IAS officer, one is always prepared for a transfer but right now we have the protection of the Election Commission of India. |
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UKD (United) to fulfil dreams of statehood agitators
Haridwar, April 25 He said Kashi Singh Airy, Diwakar Bhatt and Trivendra Singh Panwar all have let down the parental UKD for the sake of power and personal interests. Rana said he had been associated with the UKD since 80s when Indra Mani Badoni, Kashi Singh Airy, Vipin Tripathi, Diwakar Bhatt and Trivendra Singh Panwar founded the parental body at Gairsain, but the party deviated from its goals after the formation of Uttarakhand. He added the UKD leaders failed to live up to the expectations of the statehood agitators and the people of the state. “We are not confining ourselves to Uttarakhand alone, but to north India, for which we are in talks with like-minded people in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. We want development of all 13 districts of the state,” added Rana. Lashing at the proposed unification proposal by the Airy faction, Rana said nothing was being done in this direction. Lamenting that the party candidates won’t be able to preserve the name and the original ‘chair’ symbol of the UKD, Rana said they would have to contest as Independent candidates in the Lok Sabha elections. However, it would be an official party and offer a strong alternative to the Uttarakhand voters in the 2017 Assembly elections. |
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DM, Naib Tehsildar
booked on court order
Dehradun, April 25 The court while hearing an application of complainant Dhanendra Kumar Sharma regarding his complaint along with attached documents going missing from the tehsil and District Magistrate's offices. Notably, Dhanendra alleged that the documents submitted by him along with the complaint relating to a parental property dispute in the court of Naib Tehsildar had gone missing from both tehsil and District Magistrate's offices. Dhanendra, a resident of Jamniwala Rajpur, filed a complaint in the court of Naib Tehsildar in July last year against his two brothers, namely Chaman Lal Sharma and Gajendra Prasad, in a parental property dispute. He also submitted various land related documents along with the formal complaint. Meanwhile, the matter was forwarded to the District Magistrate, as it was a land dispute. He accused his brothers of conniving with the staff in the District Magistrate's office and getting the disputed land transferred in their names on a back date. He said after the District Magistrate gave a decision in favour of his brothers he tried to get copies of his complaint and the documents from the tehsil office. However, the tehsil staff told him that his complaint along with the documents had been forwarded to the District Magistrate's office. He then visited the District Magistrate's office several times and even met the District Magistrate regarding the issue but could not get the copies of the complaint and the documents. He then approached court. SSP Ajay Rautela told The Tribune that the case would be investigated and all persons involved would be questioned.
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Working, sealing process of
EVMs explained to AROs
Dehradun, April 25 Besides the information provided about the EVMs, the AROs of the 10 Assembly segments were also briefed about the timely preparations at the polling booths for the voting on May 7. Addressing the officials, Purushottam said the polling booths would be set up in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India. “The AROs should complete the work on time so that there is no inconvenience at the last moment. Any technical problem either in the machines or at the polling booths should be reported immediately to the officials concerned,” added Purushottam. Sonika, Pratap Shah and the AROs of the 10 Assembly segments also attended the meeting. |
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HN Bahuguna remembered
on 95th birth anniversary
Dehradun, April 25 Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, his son Saket Bahuguna, Sehkar Bahuguna, Union minister and state in charge for the Congress party affairs Rajeev Shukla, co-in charge Sanjay
Kapoor, MP Chowdhury Lal Singh and MLA Raj Kumar paid floral tributes at the statue of HN Bahuguna at Clock Tower. They also vowed to follow in his footsteps. The Congress leaders recalled HN Bahuguna's contribution during the freedom struggle and his efforts for the development of the country. Vijay Bahuguna described his father as one of the best leaders who had a vision for development and introduced a number of schemes and projects for the uplift of the weaker sections of society. Congress general secretary Vijay Saraswat, spokesperson Dheerandra Pratap, MD Joshi, Rajeev Maherishi, Manish Nagpal and Naveen Joshi were also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, another function was organised by the Devbhoomi Manav Sansadhan Vikas Trust. Addressing a gathering, Suryakant Dhasmana, vice-president of the Uttarakhand Congress and trust president, recalled his association with HN Bahuguna. Karanpur councillor Vinay Kohli, former councillor Arun Valmiki, Mahadev Raturi and Rizwan Ahmed were present. |
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Mining site raided
Dehradun, April 25 Although workers there managed to escape, the team impounded one JCB and one loader from the mining site. The owner of the mining site has been booked under the relevant required sections of the Mining Act. The process of terminating his mining lease has also begun.
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Illegal constructions
on footpaths marked
Dehradun, April 25 Portions of houses and shops constructed by encroaching upon footpaths and roads were crossed with red paint. The PWD and the DMC were instructed to remove these marked encroachments at the earliest. Speaking to The Tribune, Sharma said at least four to five feet of land was encroached upon in the entire area. "Even drains have not been spared and shopkeepers have constructed concrete slabs to extend their shops. When the officials concerned were asked whether any action had been taken to remove |
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National youth conclave organised
Dehradun, April 25 BK Joshi, former Vice-Chancellor of Kumaon University, was the chief guest on the occasion and inaugurated the event. The event saw participants and enthusiast from various schools and colleges across the country taking part in the conclave. While addressing the gathering, Joshi focused on the need for change in the ideologies of the youth, in terms of environment. Yudhishter Puran Singh, founder of the ICARE-India said: “The event is inspired by the United Nations Young Change makers’ conclave, which has one primary objective of giving the youth a platform.” Eminent guests including Ravi Chopra, Amrit Burrett and Jodie Underhill were also present on the occasion.
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No respite from traffic snarls in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, April 25 Commuters complain that despite clear directions from District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam and SSP Ajay Rautela regarding removal of bottlenecks before the advent of the tourist season, there is no respite in sight from the ever increasing traffic jams. They have to undergo a harrowing experience on the weekend. Though the police claim to have prepared a traffic plan to manage the rush of vehicles in the town, it seems to be only on papers. They allege the police have failed to take action against reckless two-wheeler drivers, especially on Mall Road. — TNS
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Garhwali music album released in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, April 25 The album was released by Pradeep Bhandari, president of the Uttarakhand Radio and Television Association in the presence of a large gathering of regional music lovers here. Singer Arjun Semliyat sang a few songs from the album that were appreciated by the audience. He said the songs were based on the tragedy that struck Kedarnath and other regions in the form of natural disaster last year. Eminent singers from the region Meena Rana, Reshma Shah, Sweta Joshi and others have also lent their voice to the album that has been directed by Ajay Suniyal. The regional artistes speaking on the occasion demanded the preservation of the Garhwali and Kumaoni dialect without any further delay. Rajendar Rawat, Pooran Juyal, Roshan Lal Shah,Sunil Sajwan, Sandeep Rana, Sandeep Dhaundiyal, Sajjan Semliyat, Sunil Sajwan and others were present on the occasion. |
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Manipuri dancers
perform at Scholars Home
Dehradun, April 25 The dance presentation was given by Bimbavati, famous Manipuri dancer, which was appreciated by the gathering. Scholars Home’s principal Chaya Khanna appreciated the SpicMacay’s initiative towards conserving folk art and culture in the country. Recipient of Sangeet Natak Award, Bimbavati, took Manipuri dance to Finland, England and United States. A large number of students were among the audience. |
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Unison school, Doon Football Academy win football matches
Dehradun, April 25 Charu played a major role in the win as she scored two brilliant goals in the 39th minute and 42nd minute of the match. Aruju also contributed a goal in the 49th minute. In another match, Dehradun Football Academy (DFA) defeated MKP Inter College by 1-0 with Jyoti scoring the only goal in the match in the 26th minute. Hopetown Girls School also won its match against KV Birpur by 3-0 with Rini, Smili and Shruti scoring one goal each in the match. All Saint College, Nainital, registered a 2-0 win over Tibetan Children Village School with Shimiran scoring both the goals in the 14th minute and 18th minute. |
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Barthwal seeks BCCI affiliation for state cricket association
Haridwar, April 25 At a press conference, he said besides Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Maneesh Pandey from Uttarakhand had played in the Indian national team. Thus Uttarakhand cricket association should be recognised. “I was among one of the selectors in the recently held under 19 and under 17 cricket tournaments and I noticed immense talent among players, who hail from Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag hill districts, where cricket facilities are rare. Yet, due to their innate talent, hard work and strong will, makes them equivalent to any other player from the cricket dominating states like Maharashtra or Karnataka,” added Inder Mohan. Neeraj Kumar, president of the cricket association of Haridwar, demanded from the state sports minister to provide BCCI affiliation to the state cricket association. The cricket association also sought support from other city and the district cricket association. — TNS |
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Haridwar, April 25
The election campaign of Renuka Rawat, Congress candidate from the Haridwar parliamentary constituency, has gone up with the daily presence of Chief Minister Harish Rawat and election meetings addressed by him. To counter this, the BJP election coordinators have now decided to revamp their election campaign by roping senior party leaders.
Dehradun, April 24
Haridwar, April 25
A Garhwali music album "Harshita Mayadar" sung by Arjun Semliyat was released at a hotel in Mussoorie today.
The album was released by Pradeep Bhandari, president of the Uttarakhand Radio and Television Association in the presence of a large gathering of regional music lovers here.
