Cabinet session at Gairsain
MLAs, officials reluctant to go outside Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
Not all MLAs and bureaucrats are happy with the decision of the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat to hold Cabinet meetings and Assembly session outside Dehradun.

For bureaucrats, the trip to Almora for the Cabinet meeting means needless exertion and coming face to face with ground realities that they would best like to avoid.

While the Cabinet meeting at Almora entails the rudimentary presence of all senior IAS officers, others are hoping against hope that no decision pertaining to their departments figures at the meeting.

Significantly left to themselves, there are certain MLAs who are keen on skipping the upcoming Assembly session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly at Gairsain. For this reason fragile state of personal health is being seen as an ideal excuse for skipping the session.

According to sources, Congress MLA (Pauri) Sunderlal Mandarwal has already got himself a medical certificate issued from Doon Hospital testifying his fragile state of health which would prevent him from traveling to Gairsain.

On the other hand, fit and agile Uttarakhand Cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat has given rise to a controversy by questioning his own government's decision to keep alive the capital issue of Gairsain by constructing another Legislative Assembly building when it was already there in Dehradun.

CM, Governor mourn Gopinath Munde's death
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Governor Aziz Qureshi have expressed grief over the death of Union Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde in a car accident in New Delhi this morning.

Qureshi said his death was an irrecoverable loss for the country.

The Governor prayed for the peace of the departed soul.

Harish Rawat, who was in New Delhi, went to the BJP office along with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to pay homage to the departed leader.

Educated youngsters weave dreams for a cleaner, greener tomorrow
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Jodie Underhill, co-founder of Waste Warriors

Dehradun, June 3
While their counterparts are busy weaving dreams of a brighter tomorrow, this group of young men, from the country’s best colleges, are working towards a cleaner and greener tomorrow.

Spending their summer vacations collecting garbage and giving it a proper disposal is not something that youngsters think of. However, these youngsters from institutes such as IIM, Indore, Symbiosis College, Pune, University of Petroleum and Engineering Colleges, are making productive use of their vacations and internships.

Associated with Waste Warriors, an NGO working for cleaner surroundings and proper disposal of waste, the young Turks are cleaning every nook and corner of the state capital. Speaking to The Tribune, Karan, a first year student pursuing law at Symbiosis College in Pune, said that he had come to the city to spend his summer vacations. “Instead of just wasting my vacations doing nothing I wanted to do something fruitful. I had heard about Waste Warriors from my elder sister and was impressed with the kind of work being done by the NGO,” he said.

“Waste is getting dumped everywhere and unfortunately it is just increasing every day. The public has to understand that it will not vanish anywhere on its own, but has to be treated properly so that its side-effects are minimised,” said Karan, who wishes to return every summer vacation and work for the NGO.

For engineering student Ketan, it means doing his bit as a responsible social citizen. I have come along with a friend to understand the concept of proper waste disposal. The NGO is doing a unique task of cleaning and providing an alternative for the effective disposal of waste. In Dehradun, the waste collected by the Nagar Nigam is not segregated and, therefore, undergoes futile disposal. People should be made aware about the segregation of the waste and different treatment for different waste,” he added.

An MBA from Puri, Saswat Saurav wishes to go back to his hometown and clean up the city. “Despite being a holy place, Puri is perhaps one of the filthiest cities in the country. I am learning the concept of collecting garbage and dumping it properly. We have to break the barrier and make people understand how important it is to clean the garbage. Each one of us has to contribute or else there will be no change,” he added.

Savant Kumar, an intern from IIM-Indore, plans to make a profitable business venture out of waste management. “We are a bunch of six students from IIM-Indore, who have chosen waste warriors as part of our internship programme. This sector is still untouched in India and is immensely profitable, besides being the only solution to the garbage problems of the country. While working on the site and clearing the garbage, we were able to understand the finer nuances of garbage collection and what all is required,” he added. Speaking to The Tribune, Jodie Underhill, founder of Waste Warriors, said that people have to understand that until they clear off the waste, that has taken decades to pile up, the world is doomed.

“It is motivating to see that young and educated people are coming and participating in activities that until few years ago were despised. What we are doing is going to help the future generation to lead a healthy and disease free life,” she added.

“When in field, the Waste Warriors staff, volunteers and interns separate the garbage from the garden waste so the latter can be composted. All non-recyclable waste is being taken to the trenching ground. Waste Warriors are committed to not only cleaning the land but also making sure that it stays clean on an ongoing basis,” said Jodie.

“The more people that come forward and help us the better,” said the founder.

No action taken against nursing homes flouting PCPNDT Act
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
Despite the recommendation by the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) against three nursing homes in Dehradun and one in Haridwar for poor compliance of PCPNDT Act, the district authorities have failed to take stringent action against the nursing homes that were found wantonly flouting the norms of the Act.

So much so, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family, Dr Rakesh Kumar, in his letter (May 30) has now asked the Department of Health and Family Welfare to issue directives to the appropriate authority on PCPNDT Act to take cognisance of various instances of violation of the PCPNDT Act and expedite filing of court compliant against non-compliant clinics and nursing homes.

The NIMC had carried inspection of nine nursing homes (three in Haridwar and six in Dehradun) on April 28 and April 29 and found the Dehradun-based Saini IVF Clinic, Archana Nursing Home, Chandana Clinic and Bhartari Nursing Home (Chorkhala) and Dr Verma Poly Clinic in Haridwar violating the norms under the PCPNDT Act.

After the inspection, it had recommended sealing of machines, seizing of documents and had recommended legal action against them, but the district authorities failed to take action.

“Saini IVF Clinic was found not registered according to ICMR guidelines, form Fs (that have to be compulsorily filled that allow track of patients undergoing sonography) not being maintained properly and no referral slips attached with the form Fs. The centre was found to be carrying out invasive procedures without maintaining records,” said the report.

Similarly, at Archana Nursing Home ( Ballupur) the format of form F was not as prescribed in the PCPNDT Act. “The name, signature, registration of number of persons and sonologist had been omitted from form F,” said the report. At Bhartari Nursing Home (Chorkhala) the nursing home did not keep the documents pertaining to the qualification of the sonologist. “The visiting sonologist was offering services at Archana Nursing Home and other nursing home,” said the report.

In Haridwar district, the team found several irregularities at the Dr Verma Poly Clinic. The sonologist with MBBS degree was carrying out sonography in gross violation of the PCPNDT Act.

Discussion on wage irregularities

Dehradun, June 3
The wage anomalies committee meeting was held at the Secretariat here today. During the meeting discussions were held on the wage irregularities of several departments. Discussions were held separately with representatives of several worker unions and their version was heard.

The view of Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, Health, Public Works Department and Irrigation workers on their wage irregularity was heard with great consideration. The government adopted a positive approach for maximum issues. According to sources, soon a decision will be taken in this regard.— TNS

Drinking water crisis deepens in Mussoorie
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, June 3
The drinking water crisis in Mussoorie has forced local residents to rethink ways to augment the supply to avoid any inconvenience to tourists arriving in a large number here this month.

At present the huge demand of water in the peak summer season is satiated through a spring near the Dhobi Ghat where water gets polluted with chemicals used by washermen and is known to be a major cause of health hazards in the town.

The need to look for alternative sources of water supply for the town that is dependent on tourism has become imperative.

Hugh Gantzer, an eminent travelogue writer and member of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee, says the hill town of Mussoorie has 19 sources of water and of which six are run on gravity. Around 13 water pumps are being used to supply drinking water to Mussoorie.

He adds the drinking water supply at present is 7.67 million litre per day (MLD) against the demand of around 14.42 MLD.

The drinking water demand was around 13.9 MLD in 2009. Moreover, 10 MLD is required for the ongoing sewage project in the town.

A short-term solution for augmenting the water supply could be changing pumps that are around 10 to 12 years old and replacing them with pumps that could draw more water in the same time. If the pumping units receive better pumps, the water supply will increase considerably, he says.

Gantzer adds pumps can be changed in a short time provided there is no red tape and the water supply can be increased.

On the other hand, the town should also try for long-term projects considering the water demand of the growing population. A multi-stage water pumping project from the Yamuna at the Yamuna Bridge is the long-term solution to the problem, he says.

Crucial meeting on ways to raise water supply
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, June 3
A meeting to find ways to augment and enhance the water supply system was held in the hill town under the aegis of Mussoorie Municipal Council and Centre for Ecology Development and Research (CEDAR), a Dehradun-based research organisation, today.

The stakeholders discussed the issue of ecosystem services and sustaining Mussoorie's water supply and identify options to enhance it to a considerable extent.

The speakers, including eminent author Ganesh Saili, Prof SP Singh, Prof A.Sanon, Prof PK Champati Ray, Dr. DS Chauhan, Mussoorie Municipal council president Manmohan Singh Mall and members of several other associations.

They highlighted the fact that Mussoorie has the highest tourist arrivals in the state and it is also unique in a way that it depends entirely on around 19 odd local springs and brooklets for its water supply, discharge from some of which has decreased over time, especially during the summer.

The decline in summer discharge from the springs affects Mussoorie's water supply, especially during the months of April, May and June. These months are the peak tourist season, and the demand of 14.4 million litres per day (MLD) is almost twice the supply (7.67 MLD). Thus, the availability of water is least in the summers when it is required the most. Hence, it was imperative to augment the system from the existing local sources where some existing sources could be tapped for increasing supply using relatively low cost measures that could be implemented in the short term.

It was also discussed that the need for identifying recharge zones to enhance the effectiveness of spring recharge measures should be done on priority basis. The meeting discussed that many springs have reduced discharge, especially during the summer. Identifying recharge zones can help in both taking measures to protecting the recharge zones and targeting the recharging measures like check dams, contour trenching, khals, etc. The other suggestions like trial of water efficiency measures for demand management that included options like waterless urinals, low flow taps and showers that maintain pressure but reduce water use also cropped up in the meeting.

It was also suggested that periodic measurements of springs be carried to assess trends of spring discharge in the future.

training for panchayat elections
69 magistrates found absent
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
Thirteen zonal magistrates and 56 sector magistrates were found absent on the first day of training for the forthcoming Panchayat elections in the state today.

Additional District Election Officer-cum-Chief Development Officer Alok Kumar Pandey said those found missing from the training sessions would be facing salary cuts for the respective days.

A show-cause notice has also been issued to the erring officials.

Addressing officials, Pandey said the duties assigned to the officials should be fulfilled with the utmost dedication for the successful conduct of the elections.

The respective zonal and sector magistrates should identify and prepare a list of sensitive and ultra-sensitive booths in the areas under them. To ensure fair polls, the voting would be conducted with the help of ballot boxes, he added.

Polling parties for Chakrata would be leaving from Vaidik Inter College and the ballot boxes would be deposited in the strong room at Cantt Board School.

Similarly, polling parties for Kalsi would leave from the development block headquarters, he said.

The ballot paper for each post is of different colours. The officials concerned should also check the arrangements for security being made at the strong rooms.

The polling booths should also be checked for the basic arrangements such as water and electricity facilities and cleanliness, he added.

Despite good power generation, Kumaon villagers live in dark
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, June 3
Despite generating over 300 MW of electricity and having need of only 40 MW per day, several remote villages of Champawat and Pithoragarh districts are still without power connectivity and facing drinking water shortage as water schemes are not working due to paucity of power.

Pilgrims coming to Purnagiri, besides local shopkeepers in the Tanakpur and Banbasa areas, are facing acute problems of heat in this peak summer month as regular interruptions in electricity supply, the cooling system in these towns are out of gear, said Jashod Singh, a shopkeeper in Tanakpur area of Champawat district.

In the Terai region of Tanakpur and Banbasa, villages in Talla Desh, Palbilon and Gumdesh district are facing power problem which is mainly attributed to mismanagement by local engineers rather than electricity supply from the grid. Despite installing electricity lines and a transformer at Kalsunia for Gansir, Kathla, Poth Hera Kotkendri villages, the electricity has not reached these villages yet, said Lal Singh, a villager in remote Kotkendri village of Champawat district.

The Pithoragarh district generates nearly 290 MW of electricity and consumes only 35 MW of it, over 48 villages in Byans and Johar valleys are still out of electricity. These villages include almost 12 each from upper regions of Johar, Byans darma and Chaundas regions of tribal belt of the district. All these villages, which are situated near major hydro- electricity project of Dhauliganga, Suringgar, Chirkila and other micro hydro-electric schemes from where the Himalayan rivers reach from glaciers to facilitate generation, the local residents are deprived from the benefits of this electricity which is generated in these villages, said Guman Singh Titiyal, a villager from Darma valley.

Some of the villages and towns like Almora, Pithoragarh, Lohaghat and Didihat face drinking water shortage in these days as the water schemes in these towns are lift schemes and run on the supply of electricity to these schemes. “Water supply frequently gets disrupted in Pithoragarh town as the supply is lifted from Ghat scheme which is based on electricity supply,” said Jal Nigam officials in Pithoragarh district.

BJP panchayat cell flays state election panel
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
President of the BJP panchayat cell Digamber Negi today decried the State Election Commission for failing to carry out transfers of officers in order to ensure a level playing field for the forthcoming panchayat elections.

“The officers who have been posted at a particular place for more than a year should be shifted so that they do not become tools in the hands of the government and try to interfere with the election process,” said Negi while addressing mediapersons.

He said that the State Election Commission was not discharging its duties seriously, as a result the candidates are encountering acute hardships while filing their nominations. “While filing of nominations the prospective candidates have to procure no objection certificates from several offices which is not an easy task as at times they are forced to pay bribes to get these documents,'' alleged Negi. 

‘Factionalism led to Renuka’s defeat’
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 3
Ram Vishal Deo, a Youth Congress leader and in charge for the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, said today that factionalism in the district unit of the party led to the defeat of Renuka Rawat, wife of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, from Haridwar in the recent General Elections.

He said Harish Rawat, who was parliamentarian from Haridwar, had carried out mass development works in his constituency. There was no reason that his wife could lost the elections with such a huge margin.

“Harish Rawat always trusted Congress leaders. However, most of them betrayed him and did not campaign seriously. They even urged their supporters to vote for the BJP or AAP to ensure Renuka Rawat's defeat. They always wanted to remove Harish Rawat from the CM’s post," alleged Ram Vishal Deo, who is close to the Harish Rawat faction.

He said he would soon prepare a list of such party leaders and submit it to the Chief Minister, so that their role during the elections should be analysed.

The Youth Congress leader said the list would be handed over to the Pradesh Congress Committee disciplinary panel as well so that necessary action against such party leaders was taken.

Former district youth president Rajiv Chauhdary ruled out the presence of the Modi wave at least in the Haridwar constituency during the elections and said Haridwar residents were always in favour of Harish Rawat, who had carried out various development works during his tenure.

Chaudhary said a section of leaders belonging to other parties, who joined the Congress just before the polls, also harmed the party candidates' poll prospects.

Meanwhile, city Congress president OP Chauhan urged party leaders not to indulge in blame game.

Mayor helps settle dispute with garbage collection company
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 3
The dispute between KRL Waste Management Company, which handles door-to-door garbage collection in the periphery, and the municipal corporation was resolved after the company and Mayor Manoj Garg arrived at a settlement.

The company officials had threatened to stop the garbage collection work from today in protest against the non-compliance of many clauses of the agreement by the civic body.

They said for the past 18 months the municipal corporation had ignored their demand of providing better facilities and a trenching ground for garbage disposal, and as a result they had decided to stop working. But with the Mayor's intervention and mediation by Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi, the company officials decided to continue garbage collection in 20 wards. The Mayor said there was some confusion due to lack of communication which had been removed and the company would continue to collect garbage as usual.

Vipra Trivedi said soon she would call the company officials and the Mayor for a meeting to ensure that no such dispute arises in the near future. She added efforts were being made to ensure that the company lifts garbage from all 30 municipal wards and the impact of the project was already visible in the city which was looking much cleaner.

Notably, the ambitious solid waste management project, which was launched in two wards under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission last year, would now cover all 30 wards falling in the municipal corporation's jurisdiction.

The project under the JNNURM was granted to the city in 2009, but was delayed due to the poor working of the previous municipal committee board. The company charges Rs 30 per month from each household while the user charges for commercial establishments like hotels, lodges, dharamshalas and industrial units are Rs 250 per month.

Plan to appoint medical officers on rotation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
The Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare is working on a plan to depute general duty medical officers on rotation, two staff nurses, a ward boy and a pharmacist in the disaster-affected villages of Chiyali village in Vyas valley, Martoli village in Munsiyari and Baling village in Darma valley in Pithoragarh district facing an acute shortage of medical staff.

After the Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar recommended posting of medical staff on rotation for one month at these places, the department has been working on the plan to depute staff over there on priority.

“We have deployed specialist doctors on the Char Dham duty. In the coming days our doctors would be deployed on VIP duties for the forthcoming Assembly session to start from June 9. Now we are working on a plan to deploy the general duty medical officers who would be transported through helicopters to these villages,” said Dr GS Joshi, DG, Medical, Health and Family Welfare.

The medical staff as a special incentive be paid 30 per cent DA in these villages.

Shiksha acharyas’ stir completes 2 years
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
The ongoing agitation of shiksha acharyas in support of their demand for issuance of a government order regarding the regularisation of their services completed two years here today.

Members of the Shiksha Acharya and Anudeshak Sangathan gathered at the Raipur bus stand here and pledged to continue with their agitation till the government fulfilled their demand.

Devendra Singh Bisht, president of the sangathan, said the government had been ignoring their demand though it had on numerous occasions assured them of issuing a government order to regularise their services.

CITU condemns Badaun gang-rape
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
Condemning the Badaun gang rape incident, the Dehradun chapter of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) demanded strict punishment for the accused.

In a press note issued here, Lekhraj, district secretary of CITU, said they strongly condemn the incidents of rape taking place in various parts of Uttar Pradesh.

“It is time that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav takes some corrective measures to stop such heinous incidents taking place in the state,” he added.

Lambasting the Uttarakhand government, Lekhraj said the ineffectiveness of police and state machinery to catch the accused in the recent incidents of rape in Uttarakhand was condemnable and reflected their efficiency.

Virender Bhandari, Indu Nautiyal, Madan Mishra, Vikas Bhatt and Himanshu Ranawat were also present.

68 bird species spotted in Nainital
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
A total of 68 bird species, including India’s largest butterfly ‘Birdwing Butterfly’, were recorded during the three-day Maheshkhan bird-watching camp held recently in Nainital forest division.

Among the other birds that were recorded, were some rare and habitat-restricted species, such as the maroon oriole, blue-winged minla, black-faced warbler, mountain bulbul, brown wood-owl, rufous-bellied niltava, white-throated laughing thrush, tickell’s thrush and collared owlet.

The most interesting group of birds was a mixed hunting flock. These are groups of different insect-eating bird species that flock together for better feeding opportunities in the dense oak forests.

According to the Chief Conservator of Forests Tourism, Rajiv Bhartari, the habitat at the Maheshkhan is dominated by the mid-elevation baanj oak forest, interspersed with chir pine.

He said the observations at the Maheshkhan proved the viability of this area as a site for increasing public awareness on birds and forests, for training of students and guides as well as one of the important bird watching destinations in the state.

Sujit Banerjee, former Union Tourism Secretary, distributed certificates to the participants at the closing ceremony.

There were a total of 37 participants, including guides from different rural tourism villages of the state. The camp was organised by the ecotourism wing of the Forest Department of Uttarakhand as part of the state bird watching programme. Ornithologist Pratap Singh assisted in the conduct of the camp.

Leopard killed by villagers
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 3
A leopard was killed by villagers in self defence after it had seriously injured five villagers and a cow late yesterday at Aurangabad village, 16 km from Haridwar city.

The leopard had intruded into the village from the nearby RajaJi National Park forest and created panic among the villagers as it attacked villagers Munna,Chota Babu, Deepak,Mangit Devi and Tahar Singh.

Sixty-year-old Tahar Singh in self defence attacked the guldaar along with his son Ravindra Singh. Soon, fellow villagers aided with wooden sticks, rods attacked and killed the leopard.

Rajaji National Park deputy ranger Mahesh Semwal said that owing to the rise in temperature the leopard may have intruded into the human settlement to quench his thirst and may have got petrified on losing his way in the village.

Ex-servicemen resent Badhani’s removal, seek Guv’s intervention
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
Voicing their anger against the un-ceremonial removal of the Uttarakhand Purv Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (UPNL) chairman, Lt Gen MC Badhani (retd), the Dehradun Ex-Services League has demanded Governor’s intervention in the issue.

In a press note issued here, Brig KG Behl (retd), president of the Dehradun Ex-Services League said Gen Badhani was removed from the post as he was investigating the corruption charges against the higher officials in the UPNL.

He said as a chairman, he had set up various enquires to check the rampant corruption taking place in the UPNL.

He said it was at the insistence of ex-servicemen, who had been protesting against the corrupt practices being followed in the UPNL, where the government officials were trying to grab the UPNL and misuse it for their own illegal purposes.

“It is learnt that Gen Badhani ordered investigations against the corrupt officials in the UPNL, but the Sainik Welfare Minister, Dr Harak Singh Rawat, did not allow the investigations to complete,” he added.

“The UPNL is being used as a private company by a handful of officials under the patronage of Rawat. Personal bias is the main reason behind the recruitment process. Therefore, the state Governor is requested to intervene and set things right, so that the corporation is used for recruitment of ex-servicemen only as per the rules specified and the corrupt officials are removed. It is sad that a person who was posted to remove corruption has been unceremoniously removed,” said Behl.

OFD employees stage protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
The Ordnance Factory Board (OFD) employees protested at the main gate of the OFD office here today. They alleged irregularities in the promotion of the employees and threatened to intensify their agitation, if the department does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

The employees gathered at the main gate of the OFD and shouted anti-department slogans. They alleged that the management has confirmed promotion to non-deserving candidates instead of deserving candidates of the department.

The agitators also demanded an enquiry into the alleged promotion scam. They also demanded to provide accommodation to employees after quashing contract with tenants.

They have threatened to intensify their agitation, if the management does not take steps to address their grievances.

DK Tyaig, Pradeep Negi, Shanti Prasad Nautiyal, Dheerandra Tyagi, KS Rawat and Praveen Kamboj were also present.

Rising mercury brings in water crisis
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June, 3
With summer setting in, residents of Dehradun colonies have started facing a severe water and electricity crisis.

Demand for water has gone up due to the rising mercury and residents are struggling with long power outages. Residents of the sub-urban areas are the worst hit due to erratic potable water supply.

Department officials said work of laying new potable water pipelines was underway in some localities in Dehradun.

They said the damaged potable water pipelines would be repaired on a priority basis to ensure regular supply of water.

The officials said erratic power supply in the district had further aggravated the water problem.

The Pithuwala zone of Dehradun is the worst hit in terms of the potable water shortage. Its residents are also getting contaminated water.

Residents of the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority colony, Motthorowala, Kedarpuram, Nai Basti, Indira Nagar, Garhi Cantt and Dakra are also getting erratic potable water supply. They complained that despite bringing the issue to the notice of the department concerned several times, the problem still persisted.

On the other hand, PC Kimothi, general manager of the Jal Sansthan, said the department had replaced obsolete potable water pipelines to overcome the shortage of water in Dehradun. He gave an assurance that the problem would soon be solved.

MCA defeat Dena Bank by 8 wickets
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) defeated Dena Bank by 8 wickets in the ongoing 32nd All India Uttarakhand Gold Cup Cricket Tournament match played at Rangers College Ground here today.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Dena Bank scored 196 runs with Neeraj Tiwar scoring highest 51 runs and Varun Anand scoring brilliant 41 runs on 39 balls. Bowlers of MCA bowled brilliant spells, especially Iqbal Abdullah and Ankush Jaiswal, who took 3 wickets each. Badre Alam also took 2 wickets.

In reply, it turned out to be an easy chase for the MCA batsmen with the opener Akhil Harwadkar scoring a brilliant knock of 103 runs off just 87 balls. Hiken Shah also played a cameo of 51 runs and won the match convincingly for his team. For Dena Bank team, Ankit and Vikas took 1 wicket each.

In the second match, Air India registered a 2-wicket victory over BSNL cricket team. Notably, BSNL won the toss and elected to bat first. Justifying their decision, the batsmen of BSNL showcased brilliant batting display and set a mammoth target of 321 runs with help of Arindam Dass knock of 171 runs. Niranjan Behera also played a splendid innings of 88 runs. For Dena Bank, Sagar, Abhishek and Kurban took 1 wicket each.

Air India started the chase on an offensive note with both openers, Rohit Prakash and Pradeep Malik playing their shots without any fear. While Rohit scored a brilliant century and made 139 runs, Pradeep made 92 runs. Although the Air India lost quick wickets in the middle order but in the end the team managed to achieve the target with 2 wickets still in hand. Kamlesh Makwana took 3 wickets while Nitin took 2 wickets for Dena Bank.

Ministerial employees go on indefinite strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 3
Ministerial employees today proceeded on an indefinite strike in protest against the suspension of a clerk by the District Magistrate.

The protesters, under the banner of the Ministerial Collectorate Karamchari Sangh, demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended clerk and the fulfilment of their other long-pending demands.

“The suspended clerk had already submitted the file demanded by the DM six days ago. However, the staff at the DM office failed to clear the file, following which the clerk was sacked. In case the clerk is not reinstated, we will intensify the protest,” said the protesters.

Those who were part of the demonstration included Rajendra Kumar, Devender Sundriyal, Ajay Joshi, Ashish Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Raman Lata and Kiran Rani.

Dowry harassment case registered

Dehradun, June 3
A woman has lodged a complaint against her husband and in-laws for allegedly harassing her for dowry and asking her to leave the house after she refused to fulfil their demands.

In her complaint, the victim alleged that since she got married in 2012, her husband and in-laws had been harassing her for dowry. She has been living at her parent's house for the past couple of days. The police have registered a case against her husband and started investigations into the matter.— TNS