Renovation at Doon Hospital inconveniences nurses 
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
The construction activity under way for the upgrade of the Doon Hospital to Doon Medical College has brought trouble and inconvenience for nurses posted in the trauma ward.

Not only have they been forced to give up their duty room and changing room set up near the entrance of the hospital, but also the new arrangement has left them gasping for breath. “The new room does not have any proper ventilation. We cannot breath properly and it becomes unbearable in the afternoon and the night. The nurses on duty are forced to discharge their duties from the room of the emergency medical officer (EMO),” said Anjana Bhowmick, matron, Doon Hospital.

Further, in view of the nature of the patients admitted to the trauma ward the duty room of the nurses has to be strategically located at the entrance so that they can immediately respond at the time of an emergency. But the new room allotted to the nurses does not have this advantage. “We have to pass through the trauma ward to reach the emergency room. It hinders our movement and response. The relatives of the patients too enter the wards to access us,” said Bhowmick.

Interestingly, in place of the duty room of the nurses, toilets are being built for the emergency medical officers and the patients, while the changing room too has now become part of the trauma ward.

Elaborate discussions were held before approving the design of Doon Medical College, including the upgrade and renovation at the existing Doon male and women hospitals. However, the renovation now underway has left a lot to be desired. “Problems are bound to crop up as we are carrying out renovation and upgrade in a fully functional hospital. We will be facing several challenges in the coming days and the problems will be addressed one by one,” said Dr RP Bhatt, Director, Medical Education.

The government has released Rs 10 crore for the renovation work.

 New govt must revive trade confidence: CII chairman
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
The new government after the General Election should aim to revive the business confidence, fast track infrastructure projects, focus on reforms and attract investments, said Zubin Irani, newly elected chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Northern Region, while addressing a press conference here today.

He also added: ''The big agenda of the next government should be targeted towards reviving the business confidence. Longevity and timely implementation, fast tracking of the stalled infrastructure as well as manufacturing projects, removal of various procedural and other bottlenecks associated with key Industrial and freight corridors like western and eastern corridors will provide the much needed fillip to growth in the North."

In his address, Irani also shared that CII had also interacted with all the political parties across the Centre and states and shared its inputs for inclusion in their manifestos. The mission statement is to ''empower all Indians to build an inclusive, developed and secure nation with focus on healthcare, education, skill development, sustainability, innovation, creativity and R&D.''

Elaborating on the suggestions made by CII regarding development in Uttarakhand, Manu Kochhar, Chairman, CII, Uttarakhand State Council, said that the suggestions focus on giving impetus to growth as well as creation of livelihoods and employment, including in the hills. The recommendations include tapping into the potential of sectors like tourism and niche agriculture, where the state has competitive advantages as well as looking at new emerging sectors like the education as an industry & rural BPOs.

Briefing on CII Foundation's Uttarakhand Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative, Prashant Mahadik, Vice Chairman, CII, Uttarakhand State Council, said that CII is focusing on rebuilding schools. Eight primary/upper primary schools are to be rebuilt. Reconstruction on 4 of these has already started and the remaining 4 have been identified, said Mahadik.

The Chairman of CII, Uttarakhand Kumaon Zone, Sumit Doseja, said that CII, Kumaon Zone, would work towards resolution of industry issues, with specific focus on issues related to power, pollution, state taxes, IR, infrastructure and competitiveness. 

  CII team meets Guv

Dehradun, April 30
A delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) led by Zubin Irani, its new chairman, Northern Region, today assured Governor Aziz Qureshi of helping Uttarakhand maintain pace of development and investment.

At the meeting with the Governor, Irani re-affirmed the CII'?s commitment towards a strong engagement with the state government in helping to keep up the pace of growth and investment in Uttarakhand and also addressing specific issues of development and livelihood in the hill areas.

Later the delegation also met Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Kumar and Principal Secretary Dr SS Sandhu. It shared with the senior officers the focus areas of the CII, Northern Region, for 2014-15, including growth and employment generation. — TNS

  Rally by AAP's Pauri Garhwal candidate

Dehradun, April 30
Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Pauri Garhwal Rakesh Negi held a roadshow at Kotdwar yesterday. It started from the Sneh area and passed through Lalpaani, Kaumbhichud, Rampur, Gadhighat, Jhulla Basti, Jhanda chowk, Badrinath Marg, Nazibabad road, Devi road and adjoining areas. Negi assured the voters of resolving their problems at the earliest if voted to power.

AAP leader Bhargav Chandola said the Congress and the BJP had failed to develop the state. — TNS

 BJP complains to EC against Congress
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
The Uttarakhand BJP general secretary Naresh Bansal has written a letter to the Election Commission to prevent the Congress government from using the state buses to display election messages of Congress nominee from Tehri Saket Bahuguna and also prevent distribution of cycles in schools to lure voters.

In a letter written to the Election Commission Naresh Bansal said these measures violated the model code of conduct in place in the state.

''We have submitted the letter through the Chief Electoral Officer demanding immediate end to the blatant misuse of government machinery,'' he said.

In the past too the BJP had filed a complaint against the Chief Minister Harish Rawat for misusing the government guest house and bringing changes in the liquor policy. 

 Residents protest water supply disruption
Tribune News Service

Novel act: Residents of Prem Nagar protest atop an overhead water tank in Dehradun on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Dehradun, April 30
Residents of Prem Nagar here today climbed atop an overhead water tank in protest against the disruption of water supply to the locality.

A police team rushed to the spot and urged the angry residents to climb down the tank. The water supply to the Prem Nagar area was disrupted after a supply pipeline broke near Badowala a few days ago. Despite repeated complaints to the Jal Nigam no action was taken to repair the pipeline. After breaking the locks the protesters climbed atop the overhead water tank in Raghav Vihar. They raised slogans against the department and the state government.

However, the protesters finally relented after almost one and half hours and got down from the tank following an assurance from the Jal Nigam officials of repairing the pipeline at the earliest.

 With five days to go, parties intensify campaigning in state 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 30
With five days left to campaign, candidates from all major political parties intensified their election campaigning in Haridwar. Chief Minister Harish Rawat held several meetings today with members of the Kissan Morcha, asking them to extend their support to Congress candidate Renuka Rawat in Haridwar.

Uttarakhand Vikas Morcha president Gulshan Rodh gave a signed copy pledging support to Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Former Minister Ali Haidar Zaidi said both the farmers and the minority community are with the Congress, as Muslim communities have always supported secular parties.

Renuka Rawat, during her canvassing at rural areas of Haridwar, put forth ‘development’ as the sole agenda of her campaign. She said Congress had developed Uttarakhand and the entire country.

She added the third front coalition in 1977-79, 1989-99 and 96-98 and BJP-led NDA in 1999-2004, created an atmosphere of uncertainty, fuelling communal tension.

BJP candidate and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank focused his campaign in rural segments, meeting farmers, Dalits and people from the minority communities, seeking votes from them on basis of his two year tenure as Chief Minister.

Nishank said problems of farmers would be catered to if he was elected as parliamentarian from Haridwar. He said the entire country was pro-BJP with people seeing a ray of hope in BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

He lashed at Congress for baselessly putting allegations on him for Kumbh Mela scam, saying as Harish Rawat was a parliamentarian from Haridwar and had fielded his wife Renuka Rawat from Haridwar, Congress was resorting to all means to gain victory, but they did not know that people had already made up their mind to vote for change i.e. the BJP.

While Aam Aadmi Party candidate Kanchan Bhattacharya carried out her campaign at Lakshar and Khanpur Assembly segments on Tuesday. Shahpur, Bhogpur, Fatwa, Bikkampur, Raisi, Dabki, Kundkheda, and other nearby villages were covered by Bhattacharya, who claimed that she was getting a good response from the rural voters.

She urged voters to exercise their franchise responsibly as the entire country was on the verge of change, which could be positively executed by the Aam Aadmi Party.

Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Hazi Islam campaigned at Roorkee. Hazi said Congress and BJP had fielded outside candidates, while as a local candidate voters should vote for him.

Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (United) candidate Pramod Kumar Rana campaigned at colonies of Hari Pur Kalan, Birla Farm, Bhoopatwala and Tehri Vistapith colony. Rana said the hill-plain divide fuelled by Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party had already been rejected by voters of Haridwar constituency and in India every citizen was free to contest from anywhere.

 Chaijula Patti villagers refuse mule service to election parties
They are boycotting the LS poll
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 30
The angry villagers from Chaijula Patti in Jaunpur development region of district Tehri who have been demanding basic facilities have posed a serious problem in front of the Election Commission by refusing to provide mules to the poll parties during the Lok Sabha elections.

The villagers angered at the absence of roads to their villages in Chaijula Patti of Jaunpur development region adjacent to Mussoorie have announced today that a decision has been taken where the poll parties will not be provided mule service at any cost till their demands of the road construction is not met.

The villagers who have already announced boycotting the Lok Sabha elections said that if their demands were not met, then they would also boycott the panchayat elections scheduled later.

The villagers gathered near Mussoorie and raised slogans of ''no road no vote'' today.

There are six booths in the region and are only accessible on foot. These are booth no 63 at Kafulta, 3 km away from block headquarter, booth no 65 at Tuneta that is 8 km from Tehri bus stand in Mussoorie and booth no 66 at Langdasu, which is 8 km from Thatyud. Apart from this booth no 67 at Kolti Ladur is 10 km from Tehri bus stand in Mussoorie, booth no 68 at Batagad, which is 8 km away from Batagad and booth no. 69 at Kimoi village which is 6 km from Batagad in Mussoorie.

The residents of the affected villages said that they were fed up with the false promises given by the public representatives and would shut the drinking water supply to Mussoorie from the pumping stations at Jhinsi,Kolti and Murrey pumps from May 25 if their demands are not met.

The residents led by Sobat Singh Rawat, Jagat Panwar, Satey Singh Rawat, Dinesh Rawat, Rai Singh Kaintura, Kamal Aswal, Surendar Rawat, Baldev Singh, Rekha Dangwal,Sajjan Singh and others were present on the occasion.

The revenue officers (patwari) Jayendar Rawat from Dhanaulti when contacted said that the talks were on with the villagers and they have been requested not to disrupt the poll activities, and raise the issue once the elections are over on May 7.

 Election Commission appoints 200 observers in Haridwar for peaceful poll
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 30
To ensure peaceful and smooth elections in the district on May 7, 200 observers have been appointed in Haridwar district by the state Election Commission.

These 200 observers are Central Government employees and their deployment has been done to ensure fair and neutral working of observers in the district during the election process.

This was informed by District Election Officer-cum-District Magistrate D. Senthyl Pendiyan here today, while briefing election duty officials and employees at Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited auditorium.

Pendiyan said that their duty will be constitutional duty and has been ordered by special observer of Government of India. These observers will be monitoring and keeping a tab on the whole election process, submitting their detailed report to Election Commission of India.

The DEO said that posting of these observers will be done at sensitive and critical polling stations. Election Commission will give the duty chart of these observers on May 6 only, just a day before the polling.

Election observer JC Ram Thanga, Sameer Kumar, overall Nodal Officer Vishnu Singh Dhanik, master trainer Mohammed Jafar Khan,Rajesh Upadhyaya,Akhilesh Shukla and Naresh Chaudhari also attended the election related meeting.

The district election office also announced that on May 7 ,the day when polling will be carried out in Haridwar constituency, all the government, semi government offices, educational institutes, factories, corporate offices, civic bodies, commercial establishments , shops and institutions of workers will be closed as polling day has been announced a public holiday.

Also, Additional District Magistrate, Finance, Harak Singh Rawat, has been appointed as nodal transport officer for the polls in Haridwar constituency, who will be assisted by District Supplies Officer Mahendra Singh Bishen as in charge transport officer.

As per district information officer Manoj Shrivastav, a total of 405 vehicles will be pitched in to ferry polling parties to 1589 booths. As reserve vehicles and for other election purposes 145 additional vehicles will be used ,which will be based at Rishikul ground. For police and security forces the base stand will be at Police Lines ,which will be provided 90 vehicles for election purposes.

 Price rise will fall after Modi takes over: Gadkari
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 30
Former Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari today assured voters that within six months of BJP forming the Union Government, price rise will fall by 25 per cent and a series of social schemes will be initiated under Narendra Modi’s prime ministership.

Nitin Gadkari was addressing an election gathering in Kankhal, Haridwar, in the evening for the party’s candidate ex-Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Pointing that BJP will give infrastructure highest priority, he said '' we will be able to achieve a growth rate increase by up to 9 per cent within one year of our governance.''

Lashing out at Congress for failing to address public issues, Gadkari said that be it corruption, inflation, defence sector, foreign relations or communal violence, Congress has failed at all frontiers. Gadkari, who is contesting his maiden parliamentary election from Nagpur constituency, said that Congress state government failed during flash floods in June last year and change of guard of CM was its clear proof.

He also remarked that as soon as BJP government is formed at the Centre, within a short span of time Congress-led coalition government in Uttarakhand will also fall.

“The writing is clear on the wall. As soon as Congress ship sinks at Delhi, the Uttarakhand government will fall subsequently,'' said Gadkari. He expressed satisfaction that voter turnout today in the 7th phase of the elections also was in sync with the past six-phase elections. This, he attributed, to the people’s unrest against the establishment, United Progressive Alliance governance and anti-incumbency.

People are going to vote for a change. They want Modi governance as ''good days are just 17 days away,'' said Gadkari. Ex-CM Nishank cited Mahakumbh fair during his tenure in 2010 as a model example of able governance and management ,terming it as the fair which received worldwide acclaim as more than six crore devotees thronged the pilgrim city to take a holy dip.

Nishank sought votes in the name of development and criticised the state Congress government for failing to provide immediate rescue-rehabilitation to flash flood areas in Kedar valley of Garhwal.

 BSP, Shiv Sena men join Cong

Dehradun, April 30
Dozens of BSP and Shiv Sena leaders along with their supporters joined the Congress in the presence of Chief Minister Harish Rawat here today.

The new members — who are from the Doiwala Assembly constituency — told Rawat that an extensive door-to-door campaigning would be launched to ensure victory for Congress candidates. Rawat said the party would win all the five seats. Among those who joined were Devidas, Babu Lal, Ranjeet Singh Panwar, Leeladhar Sharma and Mahendra Singh.

Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Surendra Kumar, Rajeev Jain and HS Kushwah were also present on the occasion. Later, Chief organiser of the All-India Congress Seva Dal Mahendra Joshi said the Congress was the only party that had a vision to improve the social and economic status of every section of society. — TNS

 Cong workers also swayed by Modi, says BS Koshiyari
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 30
Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, BJP candidate from the Nainital Lok Sabha seat, has said the Narendra Modi wave blowing in the country has swayed even Congress workers who are desperately joining the forces under Modi's leadership.

Koshiyari addressed public rallies in favour of BJP candidate Ajay Tamta at Berinag and Didihat today. He said the present area MP, Pradeep Tamta, was an expert in making false announcements and did not raise the issues in Parliament.

“The UPA governments at the Centre from 2004 to 2014 have made a record in corruption only and on performance and governance front they have been a total failure,” said Koshiyari.

Meanwhile, Ajay Tamta campaigned in Lohaghat and surrounding areas and sought votes for the BJP to make Modi the next Prime Minister of the country. “The people in this area too are committed to making Modi next Prime Minister,” said Ajay Tamta at Lohaghat after returning from the campaign.

BJP spokesman Suresh Joshi visited the Gurna area, near Pithoragarh town, and appealed to the people to listen to senior BJP leader LK Advani on May 2 when he visits the town to address an election meeting.

 Man robbed of Rs 1 lakh at PNB branch
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
Two thieves got away with Rs 1 lakh from inside the Arhat Bazaar branch of Punjab National Bank after cutting the bag of one depositor in broad daylight here today.

Reportedly, 64-year- old Arun Kumar Goyal reached the bank around 12:15 pm for depositing Rs 1.5 lakh cash in the bank and was standing in the deposit queue. Once he reached close to the counter, he realised that his bag had been cut by a sharp blade and the money was not inside the bag.

He immediately shouted and alerted the bank officials. The police also reached the bank after being informed about the daylight incident. A case was registered against unidentified persons and the police took CCTV footages from the bank to nab the culprits.

Inspector, Kotwali police station, SS Bist, told The Tribune that the CCTV footages are showing that there were two persons who committed the crime and their photos have been forwarded to other police stations. ''One of them was standing in the queue while another was keeping a vigil on other activities,'' said Bist. 

 BJP targets Harish Rawat in charge-sheet against govt
Says he can’t escape responsibility for poor handling of catastrophe
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
The Uttarakhand BJP today said Chief Minister Harish Rawat could not escape accountability for the manner in which the Congress-led government responded to the natural disaster that devastated the state in June last year.

Uttarakhand BJP president Teerath Rawat released a charge-sheet highlighting the failures of the Congress-led state government and said Harish Rawat could not escape the responsibility for failing to meet the challenges of the natural disaster. “Harish Rawat as Union Minister for Water Resources was also equally responsible for the poor handling of the natural disaster. Though Vijay Bahuguna was Chief Minister when the disaster struck, the present Chief Minister could not escape the responsibility on his part,” said Teerath Rawat.

He added due to the failure of the state government to respond adequately to the disaster, the tourism sector had suffered badly.

In its 15-point charge-sheet on the two years' rule of the state government and 10 years' rule of the UPA government at the Centre, the Uttarakhand BJP held the Congress-led governments responsible for their failure to control inflation. "During the BJP rule the GDP was 9.5 per cent while during the UPA rule it fell to 4.5 per cent," he said.

Other charges against the UPA government include failure to provide jobs to unemployed youths, and failure to check corruption and give impetus to the farm sector.

Teerath Rawat also rejected the claims of Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice president, on one rank, one pension. “The UPA government has played a bluff on the ex-servicemen as till this day they have not received the enhanced pension as Rahul Gandhi has been claming. The UPA government has not released Rs 500 crore for pensions of the ex-servicemen for April, May, and June,” he said.

 Cong Task Force patron calls Modi rally a flop
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
Yogendra Khanduri, patron of Congress Task Force, said BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's rally at Herbertpur in Dehradun on Tuesday was a flop. He added the Gujarat model of development could not be implemented in any part of the state.

He said a different model of development should be implemented in Uttarakhand as the state has its own issues. He said Uttarakhand has its own challenges and Congress-led state government had already taken various beneficiary steps for improving infrastructure in higher areas of the state.

Khanduri claimed that senior Congress leaders had a vision of development. He said the BJP leaders are insensitive towards problems being faced by the disaster-affected villagers.Various decisions and steps taken by Congress-led state government had saved lives of hundreds of pilgrims who were stuck along the Char Dham Yatra in the month of June last year.

 SSB intensifies vigil on Nepal border
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 30
Keeping the Lok Sabha elections in mind, the Shasatra Seema Bal ( SSB) has intensified its watch at all outposts on the Nepal border in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts.

“We have sounded an alert at all posts along the border in these two districts. We are looking out for anti-social elements who may disturb the election process and smugglers, who may take advantage of low water-level of the Kali river to infiltrate," said Baljit Singh, an SSB officer at Dharchula sector.

According to the officer, while the activities along River Kali, which forms the border between the two countries are being watched by search lights during the night, dog squads are being used for checking of goods at bridges during the day time. "As the water-level of the river has not increased in the catchment areas, we are alert as it can be used by smugglers to their advantage from across the border or from inside,” said the SSB commandant.

 Officials work overtime to finish preparations for Char Dham Yatra
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
With barely two days left for the much-anticipated Char Dham yatra to kick off, the state machinery is working overtime to ensure that this year’s yatra wipes off the scars of 2013.

A meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar was held here today, to review the ongoing preparations for the yatra. Addressing the officials, Kumar said following the disaster, the situation was terrible at Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. “The worst-affected was Kedar valley. However, the restoration work was carried out in full swing as a result of which the state has been able to start the yatra on time this year. The portals of Kedarnath shrine would open on May 4 with a religious concert by Pandit Jasraj,” he added.

Secretary PWD Amit Negi, DIG Garhwal Amit Sinha, Commissioner Garhwal NS Napchyal, MD GMVN Rajesh Kumar and DG Health along with other officials will finish all work and submit a report to the CS by May 3. The officials informed the CS that ration and kerosene for a month was being stored enroute Kedarnath, Gaurikund, Bheembali, Triyuganiraj, Lincholi and Kedarnath.

“In the absence of hotels or dhabas, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has set up langars at various spots on the yatra route. Every langar will cater to 1,000 people everyday. Also refreshment points will be set up along the route,” said an official.

He said, “Provision of accommodation for 250 people is being done in Lincholi and for 500 people in Kedarnath. Other than seven pre-fabricated huts, 15 small and big tents are being constructed. 30 tents are being up at the base camp by the Red Cross society. Material for 25 tents will be placed in advance.”

“Electricity has been provided on the entire stretch. Two extra transformers have been placed at Lincholi and the power supply to Kedarnath will start on May 3. Besides this, 25 lights operating on petrol will also be set up. The facility of clean drinking water has also been made enroute. Clearance work will begin by Thursday,” said the officials.

It was informed that the medical check up of the tourists would be done in Rudrapryag and Sonprayag. A team of doctors with life saving drugs would be available at Bheembali, Lincholi, base camp and Kedarnath. Ambulances will also be available on roads.

 Bangladesh MP dies after suffering heart attack at Mussoorie hotel
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 30
Nasim Osman, the sitting MP from Narayanganj in Bangladesh, who was staying at hotel, died after suffering a heart attack last night, according to the Mussoorie police.

The police rushed to the spot from where he was taken to Community Hospital in Mussoorie and later referred to Max Hospital in Dehradun where he was declared dead early this morning.

According to the Mussoorie police, SI Sohan Singh Rawat, the Member of Parliament from Narayanganj-5 in Bangladesh, had checked in Hotel Apsara near Picture Palace along with two friends from Bangladesh and another Shasank Shekhar from West Bengal, on whose name the room was booked here.

Nasim Osman complained of a severe chest pain after having dinner and was rushed to the Community Hospital by the staff at the hotel from where he was referred to Max Hospital in Dehradun. The hospital authorities after investigation declared him dead past midnight.

The police have sealed the room in which the MP from Bangladesh was staying and have begun investigations into the whole matter. The Bangladesh Embassy has also been informed, said SI Sohan Rawat.

The Hotel Manager Mohan Maindolia informed that the room was booked in the name of Shasank Shekhar and they had no idea that the other guests accompanying him were from Bangladesh.

One of the persons accompanying the deceased was Samsul Islam, resident of Samoli Sher-e-Bangla in Dhaka.

A resident of 99 North Chanser, Dhaka, Osman was a sitting MP representing the Narayanganj-5 seat in Bangladesh and had represented Parliament five times.

His body has been kept at the mortuary and officials of Bangladesh Embassy have arrived in Dehradun to take his body, said DM, Dehradun, BVRC Purushottam.

 State plans to give boost to tourism industry
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
To give a major boost to the tourism industry of Uttarakhand, the state government has accepted three projects under the Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism (IDIPT), which includes setting up of an adventure tourism centre, restoration of the Pithoragarh Fort and special signage at various places.

The decision was taken during the third state level meeting of the Investment Program for Tourism, chaired by Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar here yesterday.

It was decided in the Investment Program for Tourism meeting to provide more employment opportunities to the locals and river rafting would be started in Mandakini, Alaknanda, Mahakali, Tons, Saryu and Ramganga.

“Permission will also be granted to organise camps and hold adventure sports in these areas. The cost of the project is Rs 11.86 crore and will include rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, rope activities, angling and trekking. The participation from the private sector will also be sought,” said Kumar.

An amount of Rs 4.51 crore has been earmarked for the restoration of the Pithoragarh Fort.

The detailed project report also suggested the setting up of international standard signage in the state. An amount of Rs 16 crore would be spent on 15 welcome signboards.

Apart from this, detailed sign boards containing the history would be placed at 25 prominent tourists spots in Uttarakhand.

An amount of Rs 3.16 crore has also been set for 216 special signages to come at various places. 

 Cong calls for end to ‘tyranny’ of royal family in Garhwal
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, April 30
State Congress spokesperson Prithviraj Chauhan today said the party would win all the five parliamentary seats in Uttarakhand. He said this while addressing mediapersons in Mussoorie today.

Prithviraj Chauhan, who is also a former chairman of the bar council of the state, was here to seek support for party candidate from Tehri Garhwal Saket Bahuguna. He said BJP candidate Mala Raj Lakshmi should be removed to end the rule of the royal family, which had “a history of tyranny” in Garhwal.

Chauhan said Saket was the best choice to represent Tehri as he had the acumen to take everybody along to usher in development in the constituency. He alleged that the constituency had remained “neglected” due to the attitude of the royal family.

He said Saket had been involved in bringing various development projects to Tehri constituency. He said Saket’s father was the Chief Minister and in comparison to the BJP candidate, he was the better choice for people.

He appealed to the voters to come out in large numbers and vote in favour of the Congress, which was known to be “pro-poor” with its flagship programs running in the country.

Senior Congress leaders Kanchan Rangad, Vinod Semwal, Naresh Padyar were among those present on the occasion.

 10 days later, no headway in Doon youth’s murder case
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
More than 10 days have passed since the murder of Kunal Gupta. The Dehradun police are still groping in the dark and yet to make any breakthrough in the case. Sources in the Police Department are claiming that a number of puzzles are stalling the progress in the murder case.

Police officials are confident that they would be able to crack the case very soon. Reportedly, Kunal Gupta was found dead inside one under-construction building near the IT Park on Sahasthradhara Road in the Rajpur police station area on April 20. He was missing since April 17.

According to the police, there was a fatal injury mark on the head of Kunal. The investigating team members are confirming that weather Kunal was murdered. His assailants made an attempt to show that Kunal’s death was the outcome of loot, as the gold chain, rings and mobile phone were missing from his body.

It is to be noted that 27-year-old Kunal Gupta, who was the son a property dealer and used to live in Jakhan, was missing since April 17 and was found dead after his unclaimed bike was spotted in front of an under-construction house near IT Park. He got married in November last year and got divorced within three months of the marriage. 

 Over Rs 6 lakh illegal cash seized by flying squads
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
With barely seven days left for Uttarakhand to go to the polls, an amount of Rs 6,22,655 has been seized till date by the flying teams formed to check the flow of illegal cash ahead of the polls.

Giving the details, District Election Officer-cum-District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam said that out of the seized amount, Rs 44,15,255 was seized by the static team while Rs 16,07,400 was seized by the flying squads.

“The money has been seized at various check points during the checking campaign,” said District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam. Similar checks were conducted and money seized in various Assembly segments, including Vikasnagar (Rs 13,07,400), Dharampur (Rs 25.90 lakh), Raipur (Rs 3 lakh), Rajpur (Rs 5.50 lakh), Dehradun cantt (Rs 6.25 lakh), Doiwala (Rs 6.50 lakh).

  Welham Boys School lift basketball title

Dehradun, April 30
Welham Boys School won the 28th All-India Golden Jubilee Basketball Tournament after defeating The Doon School 67-42 in the final match here yesterday.

 Heritage School win by four wickets
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 30
The Heritage School registered a four-wicket win over the Raja Rammohan Roy Academy (RRRA) in the ongoing 19th Inter-School Gardner Premier League here today. After loosing the toss and being put into bat first, the RRRA showcased a dismal batting performance and was bowled at for mere 9 runs with Rajan scoring the highest 4 runs. In reply, The Heritage School achieved the target comfortably with Anubhav making 12 runs.

The RRRA lost its second match against St. Jude School by 6 wickets. Batting first, the RRRA scored 10 runs in their innings with Ranjan scoring 5 runs. St. Jude School achieved the target with Priyank making the highest 8 runs.

In the third match, St. Jude School defeated The Heritage School by 13 runs. Batting first, St. Jude School scored 27 runs in their innings with Priyank scoring the highest 14 runs. The Heritage School team was bowled out for 14 runs with Devanshu scoring 8 runs.