Where is Harish Rawat's first wife Basanti Devi, questions Uma Bharti
Seeks protection of DGP, intervention of CEO 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
Expressing concern about the whereabouts of Chief Minister Harish Rawat's first wife Basanti Devi, BJP senior leader and Lok Sabha election in charge for Uttarakhand Uma Bharati sought protection of Director General of Police and the intervention of Chief Electoral Officer to solve the riddle involving Basanti Devi.

Addressing a press conference today, Uma Bharati raised questions about the whereabouts of Basanti Devi as, ''in the form submitted for deletion of names, the deletion of name of Basanti Devi is given by Sanjay Rawat and not by Harish Rawat, raising doubts about the whereabouts of Basanti Devi,'' charged Bharati.

She sought protection from the DG, Uttarakhand, and also Chief Electoral Officer to take action against Harish Rawat, ''who not only misused the chief minister's office but also violated the guidelines of model code of conduct. Why is the Chief Electoral Officer not taking action against the CM using wrong procedures for enlisting himself and his family members in the voters' list,'' demanded Uma.

Not stopping at that, Bharati charged the Chief Electoral Officer with failing to detect the anomaly involving first the inclusion of names of Harish Rawat, his first wife Basanti Devi and second wife Renuka Devi in the voters' list of Dehradun.

''Instead of first submitting a form for deletion of names, they ensured their names were included in the list at the new place. The three of them used the form 6 in mid March to enlist their names in the voters' list of Dehradun. Later on April 8, they again filled form 8 for deletion of names from the voters' list of Raniketh,'' charged Bharati.

Young entrepreneurs’ conference concludes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
A two-day young entrepreneurs’ conference concluded here on Sunday. The event was held at The Doon School. The students of Ecole Globale International Girls School participated in the conference and bagged the first position in the event.

Vasant Valley School New Delhi, Welham Girls School Dehradun, Hopetown Girls School Dehradun, Unison World School Dehradun, Wynberg Allen Mussoorie and Vivek High School Mohali participated in the conference.

On the first day, a corporate meet took place where the students represented various companies.

A business quiz was held on the second day which was followed by a product-pitching event. The students advertised their product effectively and were able to sell their product to a maximum number of customers. They left the audience mesmerised by their entrepreneurial skills and their strategies and sales pitch was highly appreciated.

The team from the winning school comprised Vasundhara Yadav, Aditi Dixit, Vaishnavi and Shraddha Sawhney. The headmaster praised the young entrepreneurs.

Vital targets

• On the first day, a corporate meet took place where the students represented various companies
• A business quiz was held on the second day which was followed by a product-pitching event
• The students advertised their product effectively and were able to sell their product to a maximum number of customers

132 polling parties sent to Chakrata constituency
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
With only two days left for the state to go to the polls, 132 polling parties were sent to Chakrata Assembly constituency to ensure a smooth and fair conduct of the General Election here today.

Giving the details, Dehradun District Election Officer-cum-District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam said that till now 188 polling parties had been sent to Chakrata, including 56 that were sent on Sunday.

“Another set of 11 parties would be sent on Tuesday. The material for conducting the polls was issued to the teams at the Rangers College. For the remaining Assembly constituencies under the district, 1326 polling teams would be dispatched on Tuesday,” he added.

Speaking about the three Assembly constituencies under the Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency, Purushottam said that the EVM machines and other material for Dharampur, Doiwala and Rishikesh would be issued tomorrow when the teams leave for their respective constituencies. A total of 153 teams are going to Dharampur, 148 to Doiwala and 162 to Rishikesh.

Rajnath promises national mission on Himalayas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
BJP national president Rajnath Singh has promised the setting up of a national mission on Himalayas for sustainable development in the region if the party is voted to power.

He was at Kotdwar today to address an election meeting in support of BC Khanduri, party candidate from Pauri Garhwal.

He said the proposal had also been included in the BJP election manifesto.

The BJP leader said he was not seeking votes for the BJP but urging the people to vote for the nation.

He alleged in the past 55 years of the Congress rule, the country only suffered due to corruption.

Rajnath assured ex-servicemen, who form a sizable chunk of voters in Uttarakhand, of setting up an ex-servicemen welfare board to solve their resettlement problems. He also assured them of implementing the One-Rank-One-Pension scheme immediately if the BJP came to power.

He said opposition parties were so annoyed with the popularity of Narendra Modi that they were personally attacking him. Referring to the snoopgate issue, he said they were trying to unsettle Modi from campaigning by setting up a judicial commission on phone tapping.

Rajnath said the action of the Congress had angered its own allies. "I would like to congratulate Sharad Pawar and Farookh Abdullah who openly expressed their displeasure on this issue," he said.

To woo Muslim voters, he reminded the audience of the sacrifice of freedom fighter Ashfaqulla Khan who was hanged by Britishers.

He said every person had contributed to the freedom of India. He advised BJP workers not to distinguish between people on the grounds of religion, faith, caste or creed, or who would vote for the BJP or not.

The meeting was also addressed by Khanduri and state BJP president Teerath Singh Rawat.

Vote fearlessly, Qureshi tells people
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi has appealed to all voters in the state to exercise their right to vote in the polling to be held in the state on May 7 for the 16th Lok Sabha. The governor appealed to the people to give their vote and choose their government by using the opportunity which comes their way once in five years.

''Give your vote fearlessly, rising above personal considerations. Do not consider factors like caste, religion and money power. Think only of the welfare of the country. Strengthen the great democratic traditions of the nation by using the right to vote given by the Constitution,'' he added.

He appealed to all candidates of all political parties, party workers and the administration to ensure impartial and peaceful polling.

Maharaj: Had govt been alert, disaster could have been averted
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 5
Former Union Finance Minister for State Satpal Maharaj has accepted that the Kedar valley disaster could have been averted if Central and Uttarakhand governments had been alert and had taken precautionary measures regarding scientific warning of glacier formation in Kedarnath way back in 2004.

Notably,his statement comes just a day after the portals of the revered Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath were opened for devotees yesterday, while portals of Shri Badrinath opened today at 6:05 am.

Citing a scientific analysis report of Himalayan scientists and experts of August 2004, Satpal Maharaj said that the report had then indicated that just 2 km from world famous Kedarnath temple at Chaurabadi glacier several lakes had come up.

Scientists feared that while in 2003 the number of lakes was just three in just a short span of time, they had gone up to 16 and feared that Chaurabadi glacier was expanding at an alarming pace.

The report indicated that in the coming years either due to melting of glaciers or cracks in the Chaurabadi glacier due to rise in temperature, major deluge could take place.

Maharaj remarked after nine years, the June flash floods occurred killing thousands of people, while affecting Kedar valley, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage.

Blaming Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat for failing to take notice of this scientific report, which was published in a leading Hindi newspaper of Uttarakhand, Maharaj said that the last year disaster impact could have been lessened or even avoided had Harish been more concerned about his department rather than ''trying to destabilise the position of ex-Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.''

When questioned that as the report came out in 2004,BJP state government from 2007-2012 also did not took any cognisance or action on this report,Maharaj accepted that both Congress and BJP-led state governments failed to take necessary action.

''I don't know why BJP-led state government did not pay heed to this scientific report. They should have also taken action but Harish Rawat should reply as to why he and officials of Water Resources Department “were sleeping for the last 10 years.” Now Harish Rawat is claiming of work being done in Char Dham areas on a war-footing. Had he been active then on the basis of this report, last year's natural disaster could have been averted, said Maharaj ,who represents Pauri Garhwal constituency ,which was hit majorly by flash floods last year.

Again, cornering Uttarakhand CM, Maharaj pointed that Harish Rawat is now seeking stability and support to run the state government, but he forgets that during 2002-07 and 2012 March and 2014 when ''he remained active in destabilising the Narayan Dutt Tewari and Vijay Bahuguna-led governments.''

''He presents a soft image, speaks with sweetness but inside he is a power-hungry man. After the new Lok Sabha formation, apart from Bihar, Uttarakhand government will get toppled,'' said Maharaj,who had earlier left Congress way back in 1995 to form All India Indira Congress (Tewari).

Maharaj also questioned the attitude of Harish Rawat post disaster as he had suggested to declare the catastrophe as a national disaster, but Rawat turned a deaf ear to this suggestion.

“During Renuka Rawat's election campaign all means are being resorted to, be it misuse of state machinery, free flow of liquor, money and use of muscle power,” remarked Satpal Maharaj.

Curtains fall on campaigning 
Candidates go door to door to woo voters
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
The electioneering for the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand came to end this evening. Both the main political parties, ruling Congress and the main Opposition BJP, did their last-ditch efforts to woo the voters by organising rallies and roadshows in different parts of the state. Chief Minister Harish Rawat who remained the star campaigner of the Congress Party concentrated his energies on the last day of electioneering at Haridwar, from where his wife Renuka Rawat is the party candidate.

On the other hand, BJP national president Rajnath Singh during his whirlwind tour of the state addressed several election meetings. He addressed a well-attended election meeting at Kotdwar in support of party candidate BC Khanduri ( retd) from Pauri Garhwal seat. Interestingly, BC Khanduri had lost the state Assembly elections from Kotdwar in Assembly 2012.

Film Actress Amisha Patel participated in a roadshow in Dehradun in support of Congress candidate Saket Bahuguna from Tehri garhwal Lok Sabha seat, today

With the electioneering coming to an end, party candidates have started moving from door to door to woo the voters.

Meanwhile, Election Commission authorities in various districts have started sending the polling parties along with security personnel to the far -flung areas of the state. The vehicles requisitioned by the Election Commission for ferrying election parties were being sent from various district headquaters.

The international border with Nepal in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts has been sealed today 48 hours before the polling in the state on May 7. Tight security has been made in the border areas following threat of disruption by Maoists. In the past week, posters by Maoists had appeared in Pithoragarh and Almora districts appealing to the voters against voting in the General Election.

Radha Raturi, Uttarakhand Chief Election Officer, claimed that all necessary arrangements have been made for the conduct of peaceful, fair and impartial elections in the state. 

Voters are in favour of Cong: Shilpi Arora
Tribune News Service

confident: Shilipi Arora, Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson, addresses mediapersons at Congress Bhavan in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, May 5
Just two days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand, the state unit of the Congress today denied the presence of the Modi wave and said the party would win all five Lok Sabha seats in the state by a huge margin.

State party spokesperson Shilpi Arora while addressing a press conference here today said during her recent tour of the five constituencies, it was found that people strongly supported the Congress as it had given a corruption-free governance. “The voters are aware that the Congress is against corruption and does not support corrupt people unlike the BJP that has given ticket to Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who is involved in corruption cases. The voters are all set to repeat the 2009 history by voting the Congress back to power," said Shilpi Arora.

Describing the publicity campaign of the BJP a mega budget masala flick, she said the film would flop after the declaration of the results on May 16. "The BJP has neglected senior national leaders and spent several crores in promoting a regional actor and presenting him as the main hero of their film. The voters are aware that it is only Modi who has hired foreign companies for his publicity campaign even as the majority of BJP leaders do not want him to become the Prime Minister,” she alleged.

She said the recent rally of AICC President Sonia Gandhi saw a huge turnout of voters. "This kind of support for the Congress is giving sleepless nights to the BJP. It is clear that the people of Uttarakhand are with the Congress,” she said.

Massive security arrangements in place
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
As the state goes to poll on Wednesday, massive security arrangements have been put in place across the 13 districts to ensure free and fair 
elections.

During the 8th phase of parliamentary elections on May 7, candidates from all five seats in the state would throw their hat in the ring. “We have chalked out a foolproof security plan for ensuring smooth conduct of the polls in the state. Security personnels have been deployed meticulously under the watch of senior officers,” said Additional Director of Police (ADG), Law and Order, RS Meena.

According to the police officials, with mobilisation of over 25,000 security personnel of state along with over 4,000 troopers, 56 companies of paramilitary forces and 7,600 home guards, provided by the Union Home Ministry, the state was geared up to provide required security for smooth conduct of these Lok Sabha elections.

ADG Meena added half of the paramilitary force company would be deployed in hypersensitive polling booths, two armed constables would guard the sensitive polling booths while a constable and a home guard would man the normal polling booths.

All polling booths in the state would be provided foolproof security so that people are able to exercise their franchise without any fear, Meena asserted. Notably, out of the 10,062 polling booths in the state, 732 have been identified as sensitive while 441 are hypersensitive polling booths.

Meena also said the international boundaries in the state would be sealed for 48-hours before the polls and special coordination was being established with the ITBP and SSB personnels who were already guarding the internatioal borders in the state. Meena also said 77 special nakas had been set up at all inter-state entries on Uttarakhand borders touching Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to effectively block the entry of unaccounted money, illicit liquor, arms and errant elements during the polling in state.

Both BJP, Cong hopeful of record win from Almora
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 5
With just a day to go for the Lok Sabha elections in the state, campaigning came to an end today.

Both major parties, the Congress and the BJP, are predicting a record win for their parties from the Almora parliamentary constituency.

Pradeep Tamta, Congress candidate from Almora, said, "We have tasked party workers with contacting non-active members and persuade them to vote for the party."

He said the Congress would win the elections with a huge margin as people were aware of the development works carried out by the UPA-1 and UPA-II.

Pradeep Tamta said the Harish Rawat wave in the state would also lead the party to victory. "A large number of voters in rural as well as urban localities have been benefited by the National Rural Health Mission, the MGNREGA scheme, the PMGSY and urban renovation schemes being run by the UPA government at the Centre for the past 10 years," he added.

On the other hand, the BJP is riding on the Modi wave across the country. It is hopeful of getting an edge over the Congress. "Besides, the Modi wave, the anti- incumbency factor in the state will also lead the party to victory this time," said Prakash Pant, BJP general secretary. The BSP, the third largest party in this constituency, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are also making all efforts to make their presence felt in the constituency.

Poll Bytes

Poll arrangements reviewed

Dehradun: District Election Officer BVRC Purushottam on Sunday visited Raipur Sports College that has been made strongroom to keep EVM machines of the region during the Lok Sabha elections. Purshottam directed the officers to ensure proper security to the strongroom. He also directed that any unwanted person should not be allowed to come near the strongroom. He ordered for proper cordoning off the passage from strong room to the counting rooms. Purushottam asked the officials to ensure proper arrangements of electricity and potable water at the Raipur Sports College. Senior district officials Alok Kumar Pandey, KP Upreti and Sandeep Verma were present on the occasion. Later, District Election Officer BVRC Purshottam also presided over the meeting of Zonal Magistrates as part of the arrangements for May 7 poll in the district. Meanwhile, 56 polling parties have left for far flung destinations of Chakrata from Parade ground to hold elections.

48,122 electoral personnel deployed

Dehradun: The Election Commission has deployed 48,122 electoral personnel on all the 10,094 polling booths of the five parliamentary seats for the polls on May 7. A total of 11,484 personnel are presiding officers and 36,638 are electoral officers. Further, for a peaceful conduct of polls, around 79 state police officers, 122 inspectors, 759 sub inspectors, 131 head constables, 11,225 constables, 11,245 home guards and 5,409 gram prahriyas have been appointed. Besides, 21 company of the PAC and 56 company of the Central police force will also be deployed. A total of 3,258 light vehicles and 3,029 heavy vehicles will be pressed into service for the elections.

230 polling parties leave for booths

Indo-Nepal border sealed

Pithoragarh, May 5
Local officers of India and Nepal, posted at Indo-Nepal border bridges at Jhoolaghat, Dharchula and Baluakot, today decided to exchange information on the activities of criminals and suspected elements in both the countries across the border on the polling day as the border between two countries in this part will be closed 48 hours ahead of the polling which begins on May 7.

The officers who met today, to discuss the security measures be under taken on the day to prevent any untoward incident, under the instructions from their senior officers at district level, decided that every information and intelligence on the activities of such persons will be shared with each other. — OC

Opposition alleges not a single promise in manifesto fulfilled
MC president Manmohan Singh completes one year in office
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, May 5
The Mussoorie municipal council president Manmohan Singh Mall from Congress who won the elections by defeating the incumbent BJP president OP Uniyal completed his one year in office today.

With the formation of the new council the hopes of the people that it would usher in several developments works in their interest were raised with Manmohan Singh Mall announcing several steps to improve the condition and bring in a sea-change in the town through promises made in the election manifesto.

But several residents and the opposing group of Manmohan Singh are of the view that the new MC president has belied all hopes by not fulfilling the promises that were made by him in the manifesto released with much fanfare.

Manmohan Singh Mall and his team of ward members all from Congress Party had promised promotion and development of tourism by improving the basic infrastructure and changing the face town on the lines of Switzerland but one year lthe situation remains the same as when he took oath to office one year ago.

Manmohan Singh Mall had also promised to convert the town into a city of waterfalls but no such proposal was moved in the past one year in the council. Mall had also promised to start the work on reconstruction of Clock tower and town hall within six months but there is no sign of the said structures resented the business community of the area.

It was also promised in the manifesto that the Mussoorie town will be provided A class status but nothing happened in one year much to the disgust of service class employees here.

The condition of the MPG College run by the council also did not change with the students agitating for new vocational courses whole year round.

The sports lovers are also unhappy, as Mall had promised a sports stadium in his manifesto. The residents are also unhappy that Manmohan Singh Mall had promised the construction of parking facilities to remove the congestion but no such project could be initiated in one year.

The civil society is unhappy with Mall as he had promised formation of citizen council in his manifesto but later refused to do so citing that the elected ward members were doing the same job.

When contacted his political rival from BJP, former MC president OP Uniyal said that all the works being done by the present president were proposed in previous council and no new project has been initiated by the new council despite tall claims. The MC president Mall was not able to get funds from the Centre for the disaster-affected works despite being from the same party, that is Congress in power at the Centre and state. The present council has failed to deliver in one year, said Uniyal.

When contacted the MC president Manmohan Singh refused to comment citing the model code of conduct in face due to Lok Sabha elections.

Shukla, Amisha hold roadshow for Congress candidate Saket
Tribune News Service

Bollywood support: Amisha Patel participates in a roadshow in support of Congress candidate Saket Bahuguna from Tehri Garhwal in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, May 5
On the last day of campaigning, actor Amisha Patel and Uttarakhand Congress party affairs co-in charge, Rajeev Shukla held a roadshow to lure voters, here today. The star campaigners urged voters to cast their votes in favour of the Congress candidates.

The roadshow was inaugurated by actor Patel and Shukla in the presence of Tehri parliamentary candidate, Saket Bahuguna in a function held at Race-Course. The rally passed through Price-Chowk, Gandhi Road, Panchyati-Mandir Chowk, Clock Tower, Ashley Hall and culminated at the Congress bhawan.

The leaders assured gathering that the Congress-led UPA would make efforts for overall development of the country, if party is again voted to power in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Congress leaders claimed that there is no Modi wave in the country. Resumption of the Char Dham Yatra is one of the achievements of the Congress-led government, even after facing the brunt of natural-disaster in the month of June, last year.

Mahan Dal to support Renuka Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar ,May 5
Mahan Dal, which has a sizeable following in the Uttar Pradesh, has extended its support to Renuka Rawat, a Congress candidate from the Haridwar parliamentary constituency.

As this political party caters to Saini community, which has a population of about 1.5 lakh in the constituency.

In charge of Uttarakhand Mahan Dal, Badam Singh Saini said though the Congress and Mahan Dal were in poll alliance in Uttar Pradesh, owing to good image of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat they had decided to support the party in Haridwar constituency too.

"We have party base as well as substantial presence of Saini community in Haridwar district, we are now making efforts to spread it in other four constituencies of Pauri,Tehri, Almora and Naintial too," said Badam Saini.

He said the Congress had assured us of looking into the interests of Saini community, the party held an alliance with it in UP as a result of which in Nagina, Badaun and Eta parliamentary constituencies Congress was supporting our candidates.

Citing good performance in 71 Assembly segments during 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly poll, Badam Singh said they got good percentage of vote share, which would go up in the Lok Sabha elections, as party had been enhancing its cadre and base in UP. Congress candidate Renuka Rawat has thanked Mahan Dal for supporting her candidature in the election, saying that if she wins then she will ensure that Mahan Dal remains an active partner of the Congress in Uttarakhand too.

Almora police arrest 4 suspected Maoist sympathisers 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
Almora police on Monday arrested four suspected Maoist sympathisers from Patiya village of Almora district today, for allegedly pasting posters of CPI (Maoists) in a number of places threatening people to boycott the Lok Sabha polls.

Notably, the pro-Maoist posters were pasted in Almora city, Someshwar, Takula, Basoli, Kapadkhan, Panuanaula and many other places in the hilly district during the last week. The posters had an appeal written in red letters for boycotting the elections.

Taking the matter seriously, Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sidhu directed the Almora police chief to arrest the culprits, who were involved in the act. After getting a tip-off, a joint team of Almora police and Special Operation Group (SOG) set up by the SP Almora raided a house in Patiya village today morning and arrested three persons namely Govind Ram, Jagdish Ram and Diwan Singh and recovered posters, pamphlets, red ink, adhesive, revolutionary appeals to the people, pro-Maoist reading material from the house.

Meanwhile, there were other people inside the house who managed to escape from there before the police reached.

According to the police, the three persons said during interrogation that they were motivated and given protection by Jeevan Chandra Arya, Kheem Singh Bora and Devendra Chamyal.

Almora Kotwali police managed to arrest Jeeven Chandra Arya, who is the state president of RDF, while he was going towards Maalgaon today. They were presented before the court in the evening.

The DGP has announced a cash reward of Rs 10,000 for the team, which has arrested the alleged Maoist sympathisers. 

Govt spent Rs 29 lakh on power bills of four former CMs 
Tribune News service

Dehradun, May 5
Uttrakhand is billed as a ''Urja Pradesh,'' but the truth is far removed from the actual scenerio. The reality is that 2574 MU electricity worth Rs 829.50 crore is being purchased from the open market to ensure supply in the state. Interestingly, according to information received through right to information application filed by Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) , the state government has spent a sum of Rs 29 lakh on the electricity bills of residences of four former CMs of the state in the last five years.

On one hand the state is reeling under acute power shortage and on the other hand electricity worth Rs 29 lakh is consumed by four former chief ministers in the last 5 years. As per the RTI information, the maximum free electricity was used by former BJP Chief Minister BC Khanduri (retd). From 2010 to 2014, BC Khanduri used power worth Rs 15.50 lakh. Since 2008 till date another BJP Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishak has used free power worth Rs 8.50, while ND Tewari has consumed power worth Rs 2.50 lakh. Bhagat Singh Koshiari has used electricity worth Rs1.50 lakh.

RLEK questioned how the state government allowed former chief ministers to use free electricity.

RLEK in a statement alleged that the Congress and BJP-led governments that ruled Uttarakhand are responsible for the acute power shortage being faced by the state. The statement charged that the hydel power projects that could have given substantial power and fulfilled the requirements of energy and given employment to the local youth were closed by these governments. The truth is that even after obtaining all the clearances, the Pala Maneri (480 MW), Bhairo Ghati (381 MW) and Lohari Nagpala (600 MW) projects were stalled only to play petty politics. Out of these three projects, former two were completely state owned and the power produced by them would have been given to the state and the latter is owned by the Central Government, out of which 15 per cent of electricity produced would have been state's share, but due to political pressure Government of India stalled these projects.

Clear dues of cane farmers: Maharaj
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
Reacting to Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat's remarks, former Union Minister and BJP leader Satpal Maharaj urged the state government to clear outstanding amount of sugarcane farmers at the earliest. He strongly condemned Harish's wife and Haridwar parliamentary contesting candidate Renuka Rawat remark, buy-one and get one-free.

He claimed that residents of Uttarakhand would cast their votes in favour of BJP candidates. Maharaj expressed concerned that Congress-led state government is yet to clear outstanding amount of sugarcane farmers since 2013.

He assured that a CBI probe would be recommended against Dalit girl murder case if BJP is voted to power in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. 

Govt advisory on Char Dham Yatra

Dehradun, May 5
For the smooth conduct of the Char Dham Yatra and to avert any untoward incident, the Uttarakhand government has issued an advisory to the law and order agencies and the concerned departments for maintaining vigil on the movement of citizens coming from Nepal.

The advisory says that during the 2013 Char Dham Yatra there were incidents of Nepali citizens fleecing the tourists in the garb of guides. A vigil has to be maintained regarding their movement so that such incidents are not repeated. The advisory also calls for maintaining vigil to prevent any terrorists and Maoist activities.

Further for safety of the tourists, the government has also made the registration of the pilgrims and tourists even by bus drivers. The list has to be carried by the bus driver. Even the small vehicles plying pilgrims for the yatra have to maintain information about the passengers.

For that matter stress is also on the verification of buses and other vehicles coming from bordering Saharanpur, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar and other areas.

Taking lessons from the 2013 natural disaster, the government has called for coordination between the Weather Directorate and other departments so that the tourists and government departments are fore-warned about the changing weather conditions. — TNS

Health dept sets up medical response posts on yatra routes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
The Department of Health and Family Welfare has established temporary first medical response posts on the Sonprayag -Kedarnath and Rambara- Linchori routes. Similar arrangements have also been made on the route to the Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines.

Notably, the trekking distance to the Kedarnath shrine has increased at several points due to a large-scale devastation caused by the natural disaster last year.

The medical response force would provide quick treatment to the pilgrims feeling uneasy or requiring instant medical care. The posts have been set up at Mankotia, Taulapani, Chodi, Jungle Chatti, Bhimbali and Lincholi on the Kedarnath trek route. These posts are being manned by a pharmacist and are within the distance of receiving further assistance from Additional Primary Health Centre at Fata

Further, in view of a strenuous nature of the Kedarnath trek, complete health check-ups are being conducted at Sonprayag, where the biometric registration of pilgrims is also being done. Similarly, the department is also planning to start health check-ups at Guptkashi State Allopathic Dispensary, where a medical officer and a female doctor have been deployed. In all, four physicians have been sent for the Char Dham Yatra for strengthening the medical facilities,

“Most of the doctors will be deployed on a rotation basis for a period of one month. However, we are contemplating reducing the tenure of doctors being sent to Kedarnath to 15 days,” said Dr GS Joshi, DG Health.

On the Yamunotri trek route also, the department has set up temporary posts at Janki Chatti, Ram Mandir, Bandiligaad and Baihron Mandir. 

Bumper crop of peas fetches less price in markets 
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 5
The farmers in the hill region of Garhwal who should have been dancing with joy due to the bumper crop of peas this season instead are a worried lot for not receiving the price to their liking in the vegetable markets here.

The farmers in the Jaunpur development block of district Tehri,who were elated to see the bumper crop of peas this year adding to their income are saddened by the fact that the peas crop was fetching only Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg in the vegetable markets at Vikas Nagar and Dehradun.

Hardev Panwar, a farmer from Sindul village in Jaunpur development region, said that with the bumper crop of peas in the region the farmers had rested their hopes of earning more this year but were in for a rude shock as the produce is only fetching Rs 20 to Rs 30 per 5 kg in the vegetable markets of mandis here.

He further said that the price is so low that the farmers are unable to meet the cost of transportation to the markets here. The farmers are demanding from the government to declare a minimum price for the peas and open cold storage centres so that they can earn more next season.

Many farmers are also of the view that if nothing is done, the farmers would be caught in the debt trap that could result in increase in suicide cases here.

Decision taken regarding increase in tipping fees: MNA
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
A long standing tiff between the Doon Valley Waste Management (DVWM) and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) over the revision of tipping fees would be resolved once the model code of conduct comes to an end.

DMC additional Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) Banshidhar Tewari said the revision of tipping fee was one of the major issues, owing to which, the private company had earlier revoked the contract.

“A committee comprising of Principal Secretary (urban development) Mukhya Nagar Adhikari, is formed to decide whether the tipping fees should be increased or not. The decision has been taken regarding an increase in tipping fees. The revised rates will be announced after the model code of conduct is removed in the state,” said Tewari.

It may be recalled that the DVWM had been demanding an increase in the tipping fees. On March 2, the company had ended the 15-year-old contract with the DMC and state government after the latter failed to fulfill the demands pertaining to the revision of rates and environmental clearance for setting up the scientific waste disposal plant.

At present the DMC is paying Rs 350 per quintal to the company. Earlier, the company was demanding a revised rate of Rs 412 per quintal. 

City bus driver arrested

Dehradun, May 5
The driver of a city bus that had killed a security guard after hitting him on Sunday evening at Raipur area was arrested from his house here today. A case has been registered against him for negligent driving.

Reportedly, on Sunday evening, Ravi Thakur was driving a city bus that plies on the Raipur route and hit 47-year-old Surendra Singh Nakoti, who was on his bike, near Nanaksar Gurudwara, killing him on the spot. Surendra was a security guard in Ordinance and was going back home when he met with the fatal accident.

After hitting Surendra Singh, Ravi fled from the spot. — TNS

All efforts to persuade protesters to vote go in vain
No road, no vote, say villagers of Tehri district
Ajay Ramola
Tribune news service

Mussoorie, May 5
All the efforts to persuade people from around more than a dozen villages in Chaijula Patti of district Tehri to take back their call for boycotting the Lok Sabha elections have ended in utter failure.

The villagers from Langdasu, Mawana, Kolti, Kanda Jakh, Kimoi, Kafulti, Tuneta, Jinsi, Veera Gaon, Naveen Dhar, Thapla etc had decided to boycott the Lok Sabha elections as a mark of protest and failure on the part of public representatives to provide them basic facilities such as connecting motor road, hospital etc even after several decades.

The unanimous stand taken by the villagers to boycott the elections led to the officials from the local administration rushing to the protesters in order to persuade them to exercise their basic right to vote and chose a candidate who will address their issues effectively.

The public representatives from various political parties, namely municipal council president Manmohan Singh Mall, Youth congress leader Megh Singh Kandhari and former Block Pramukh Geeta Rawat met the agitated villagers and tried to convince them to be the part of the electoral process. They also tried to persuade the agitators to use the newly introduced NOTA (None of the above) button in the Lok Sabha elections this time to register their protest.

The officials from the local administration also tried to convince the voters from the area to cast their vote but all such efforts failed miserably.

The villagers who are waiting for the road connection in their area from the past several decades are in no mood to relent and have categorically denied the pleas of entering in the electoral process until their justified demands are met.

The voters are of the view that the politicians promise the moon during the elections but forget about them and never bother to address their problems till the next elections.

Shobat Rawat and Jaipal, the local residents of the area, said that they had plans to disrupt the drinking water supply to Mussoorie from pumping stations located in their region such as Kolti, Jhinsi and Murrey pumping stations from May 25 till the time the task of constructing a road to their villages is begun in letter and spirit.

“We have been fooled all these years by the public representatives and now the water has flown above our heads and the decision of boycotting the Lok Sabha elections is final said, Jaipal.

The villagers also said that they had formed a committee to ensure that not even a single vote is cast on May 7 in the Chaijula Patti as a mark of protest.

Pilgrims make it to holy shrines despite shoddy preparations
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 5
Despite the devastation and loss of life at Kedarnath and other pilgrim centres of the state during last year’s deluge, there is no let-up in the enthusiasm of pilgrims reaching the holy shrines revered by Hindus under Char Dham Yatra after opening of portals this week, despite the half- hearted preparations made by the state government.

With the announcement of opening of the portals, the pilgrims although less in number are reaching Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath after facing immense difficulties only guided by unfettered faith on the deities they revere the most.

The Char Dham Yatra came to an abrupt halt following the devastation that occurred due to the flash floods that incurred immense damage to the basic infrastructure in the state resulting in unprecedented financial losses to the business community here.

The Chief Minister Harish Rawat speaking recently to media persons said that the opening of portals of the Char Dham on the scheduled time is an achievement considering the scale of destruction faced by the state. He also reiterated his commitment to ensure disaster free Char Dham Yatra and introduction of registration and biometric system to keep track of the movement of pilgrims during the yatra system with most of the works being completed as per schedule despite weather constraints.

However, the pilgrims on the way to Char Dham Yatra have a different tale to tell.

They rued the fact that they were stopped at the base camp at the slightest rain on the opening day, thus revealing the shoddy reconstruction work by the government.

However, not everyone is buying the tall claims being made by the state government. The local business community saddened with only 100 pilgrims opting to visit Kedarnath on the opening day shows that the confidence of the pilgrims on the preparations made by the state government after the last year's natural disaster was at the lowest ebb.

The charges and counter charges over the success and failure of the Char Dham Yatra have been coming in thick and fast from various political parties who are bent upon scoring few brownie points to gain some votes in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

On one hand the government is accusing the Opposition, BJP, for creating a fearful environment over Char Dham Yatra resulting in less number of pilgrims at the start of yatra season making it difficult for business community to earn their livelihood.

The Leader of the Opposition Ajay Bhatt accusing government of nepotism and neglect said that the road to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamnotri and Gangotri are still risky and which has led to less number of tourists making their way to the holy shrines of the state.

Rs 372 crore were distributed among disaster-hit victims, says Bahuguna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
After blaming the BJP leaders for resorting to falsehood and lies on last year's natural disaster for political gains, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Vijay Bahuguna claimed that Rs 372 crore were disseminated to natural disaster-hit victims of the state. He stressed that every cell of the party is united to ensure victory of all five contesting candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

He lamented that BJP leaders are spreading misleading information on disaster among electors. Bahuguna said that BJP central-leadership did not bother to visit disaster-affected areas of Uttarakhand.

''A joint parliamentary central committee, headed by BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu, was formed to monitor rescue and rehabilitation works in disaster-affected areas of the state,'' he said while addressing media persons here today. According to him, the committee members praised the government's efforts for saving lives of hundreds of stranded pilgrims.

Bahuguna said that despite roads along Char Dham Yatra route were repaired on a war-footing for pilgrimage. BJP leaders are asking devotees not to undertake pilgrimage, which will have adverse affect on tourism industry of the state.

He claimed that BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had asked him to evacuate pilgrims of Gujarat on priority, which he refused. According to him, a big sum was sanctioned by the UPA for re-constructing damaged infrastructure in the disaster-affected areas of Uttarakhand. Bahuguna said that Tehri parliamentary candidate Saket Bahuguna will win his seat in the forthcoming parliamentary election. He also condemned yoga guru Baba Ramdev's anti-Dalit remarks. 

Martyrs rememebered
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
A remembrance ceremony was held to commemorate the 70th death anniversary of Dal Bahadur Thapa and Kesari Chand, both brave soldiers of the Indian National Army, here on Saturday.

The Uttarakhand Rajya Nepali Bhasha Samiti organised the function where floral tributes were paid to Thapa and Kesari Chand. Addressing the gathering, Major Gen Ram Singh Pradhan (retd) said efforts made by Thapa and Kesari Chand during the Indian freedom struggle were commendable.

He said large number of youths from the state wereserving the defence forces. Former MLA Ranjeet Singh Verma, vice-president of the Cantt Board of Dehradun Guru Prasad Tiwari, Jagdish Prasad Thapa, Ajay Chetri, Vishnu Gupta, Madhu Khatri, Bhagwan Singh Chetri, Prem Kumar, JP Thapa and CB Gurung were also present at the function.

DPS wins quiz trophy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
Delhi Public School, Ranipur, won the 18th Rajeev Khanna Memorial Inter School Quiz Running Trophy after winning the quiz competition held at Scholars' Home School here today.

Summer Valley and The Doon School stood second and third, respectively, in the final tally.

It is to be noted that 13 schools participated in the annual inter-school quiz whereas 6 schools, Summer Valley, DPS Ranipur, Welham Boys, Oak Grove, The Doon School and Welham Girls fought it out in the final round. 

Lucent International School wins marshal art championship
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
Lucent International School won the district marshal art championship that concluded at Doonga House here today after fetching maximum points in the final state bout.

Deewan Public School bagged the 2nd position in the event. Over 400 participants from 26 schools took part in the three-day marshal art championship, which was organised under the aegis of World Marshal Art Federation. The chief guest on the occasion, Anup Kumar Singh, distributed the prizes to the members of the winning team and runners-up team. 

BCCI selects two state lads for zonal cricket camps

Dehradun, May 5
Cricket lovers in Uttrakhand have a reason to rejoice as two state players E Abhimanyu and Priyanshu Khanduri have been selected by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its zonal cricket camps.

Abhimanyu has been called for a 21-day camp being held at Kalyani for the east zone while Priyanshu will participate in a 21-day camp for the north zone at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

Manoj Rawat, NIS and BCCI level-B coach from Uttrakhand, has been selected as an assistant coach for the north zone camp being held at Dharamshala. Both Abhimanyu and Priyanshu are trainees while Manoj Rawat is a coach at the Abhimanyu Cricket Academy in Dehradun. It is to be noted that Abhimanyu represented Bengal in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year. Priyanshu was named the first standby by the HPCA for the Ranji Trophy 20-20 team for 2013-14. — TNS

Woodstock School lift football title

Dehradun, May 5
Woodstock School won the 1st Unison World School Football Challenge Cup after defeating KV, Birpur, 8-1 in the final match played at Unison World School here today.

Raya scored three goals while Gewin scored two goals for Woodstock School. Diya, Riya and Deasyal scored one goal each for the winning team. Nisha scored the lone goal for KV, Birpur.

Shivani Salar from Doon International School won the best goalkeeper title, Gitanjali Vashnav of Unison World School the best defender and Raya won the player of the tournament title. — TNS

RIMC drub Doon Int’l in basketball
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 5
Matches in both girls and boys section were played in the ongoing District Sub-Junior U-14 Basketball Championship played at Welham Boys School here today.

In the first match played in the boys category, RIMC defeated Doon International School 13-10 with Aman Kumar of RIMC scored the highest 10 points. For Doon International, Shubham scored 4 points.

Welham Boys School continued its winning form and defeated St Mary School 40-13. Girbert scored 11 points for Welham Boys School. Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School (GNFC) defeated Summer Valley School (SVS) 8-2. For GNFC, Kritik scored the highest 4 points. In another match, DAV Public School defeated Carmen School in a one-sided match 21-4. In the girls category, Welham Girls School defeated Doon International School 24-4 with Manya of Welhams scored the highest 8 points. In the second match, Doon Girls School defeated Carmen School 14-2 with Rabia scored the highest 10 points for Doon girls.