Phase I of panchayat poll peaceful
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
The first phase of elections under the three-tier Panchayat Raj system in 28 blocks of 12 districts (excluding Haridwar) for the posts of pradhan of 2,471 gram panchayats, 932 members of kshsetra panchayats, 120 members of zila panchayats and 15,570 ward members passed off peacefully today. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the state. The overall voting percentage till 3 pm was 55.3.

A total of 3,216 polling booths and 2,654 polling centres were set up in the state and 13.93 lakh voters cast their votes in the first phase. “The elections passed off peacefully and around 55.3 per cent polling was reported in the state till 3 pm. The polling percentage reported from various districts is 44.95 per cent in Tehri, 49.42 per cent Almora, 65 per cent Uttarkashi, 54 per cent Pauri, 48.53 per cent Chamoli, 65.50 per cent Bageshwar and 60.96 per cent in Champawat,” said Suberdhan, State Election Commissioner.

About 63.31 per cent polling was reported from Chakrata and Vikas Nagar blocks in Dehradun till 3 pm. In the second phase, the elections would be held on June 21 and around 15.80 lakh voters would exercise their right to franchise to elect candidates for various posts of 2,638 gram panchayats.

Significantly, 29,058 members of gram panchayats, 1,006 gram pradhans, 171 members of kshetra gram panchayats and three members of zila panchayat have already been elected unopposed. 

AAP workers protest damaged roads
Tribune News Service

Aam Aadmi Party workers present flowers to an Irrigation Department official in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, June 18
Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) activists staged a protest at Nathwuawala here today against the poor condition of roads in the locality. The protesters threatened to intensify their agitation if the Irrigation Department did not take effective steps to repair or reconstruct excavated roads in the locality. They later presented flowers to irrigation engineer as part of the agitation.

The activists led by district party convener Sanjay Bhatt held a protest at the office of Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department, here. They said they had submitted memorandums highlighting their demands, including immediate repair of excavated roads at Nathwuawala, to officials concerned many times but no effective steps had been taken in the direction.

The AAP activists threatened to intensify their agitation if the excavated roads in the Nathwuawala locality were not repaired immediately.

Sunita Singh, Suresh Negi, Ranveer Chowdhury, Aryan Kothiyal, Pooja Bhalla, Tushar Rawat, Vikas Chauhan, Dharmendra Thakur, Rajeev, and others took part in the protest.

MAD, Waste Warrior volunteers clear garbage from Behl Chowk
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
Making a Difference by being the Difference (MAD) and local NGO Waste Warriors joined hands to clear waste dumped on a plot at Behl Chowk in the city today.

About 40 bags of waste weighing around 700 kg was collected and disposed of at the trenching ground in Sahastradhara. A group of 20 MAD volunteers and 12 volunteers and interns of Waste Warriors participated in the cleanliness drive that started at 7 am today.

The drive was carried out after Waste Warriors received complaints that rag-pickers were dumping waste collected from nearby shops at the plot. “It was also pointed out in the complaint that municipal corporation sweepers also throw waste at the same spot as there was no proper space allocated for waster disposal in that area. It is for these reasons that the area has become a dumpsite, a major eyesore and a potential health hazard,” said Jodie Underhill, the founder of Waste Warriors.

Abhijay Negi, co-founder and chairperson of MAD, an informal group of school and college going students, said, “Dehradun needs collective and concerted action from voluntary groups like ours to save what is left of its beauty. We need to keep working together to shake the policymakers into action.”

The cleanliness drive was held as part of a series organised by Waste Warriors in a bid to clear the site and stop further dumping there. “Layers of plastic material are found in the soil in some places going down several feet after years of illegal waste disposal. About 3,000 kg of waste has already been collected in the past few weeks, thanks to the hard work of the staff, volunteers and daily rate workers hired from the trenching ground,” Jodie added.

Four booked for duping Central Bank of India
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
A case was registered at Kotwali police station against four persons for duping the Central Bank of India to the tune of Rs 12 lakh.

The fraudsters submitted forged documents for seeking a loan from the bank. A complaint was filed by the manager of Arhat Bazaar branch of the Central Bank of India against Deepak Agarwal, Sunil Kumar, Mukesh Tyagi and Sanjay Kumar.According to the complaint, the accused took Rs 12 lakh on loan in 2012 by mortgaging property papers.

However, the bank was forced to send them a notice after they failed to deposit the monthly installments. In the meantime, the bank also checked the property papers, which were mortgaged in lieu of the loan, but found them to be forged. Even the name and addresses of the guarantors were fake.

Man commits suicide

A 35-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his house in Dehradun today today. Rajesh Gabrayal, a resident of Dakra Bazaar, was found hanging in his room by other family members.

Rajesh was a clerk at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur. His family members told the police that he had dined with them yesterday night after which he went to his room in a good mood.

The police did not find any suicide note from the room.

Woman lodges complaint against six persons

A woman has lodged a complaint against six persons at the Vasant Vihar police station accusing them of thrashing her husband and later threatening him with dire consequences.

In her complaint, Bharti said,” On June 14, six persons climbed to the roof of our house and started creating a ruckus. When my husband, Rakesh Jagudi, went upstairs to check what is happening, he was attacked by them with iron roads. All of them are residents of Ummedpur village that falls under the Vasant Vihar police station area.”

Bharti alleged that when she came to the rescue of her husband, the accused also thrashed her. 

Bypoll: UKD (A) to contest all three Assembly seats
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
Kashi Singh Airy, central president of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Airy), today announced that the party would field its candidates in all three Assembly seats in the forthcoming byelections in the state.

Airy while addressing mediapersons said the candidature of central general secretary of the party DK Pal had been finalised from the Doiwala Assembly constituency. He said the names of the other two candidates would soon be announced.

He said a committee comprising BD Raturi, Harish Pathak, Shivanand Chamoli and Kishan Singh Mehta had been tasked with finalising the names of the candidates.

Meanwhile, Airy urged the state government to take effective steps to declare Gairsain as the permanent capital of the state. He said the party would continue its agitation in support of this demand. 

Polling staff leave for distant booths
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, June 18
Amid heavy rain, 14 polling parties from Munsiyari and Dharchula subdivisions today left for distant election booths, including Kuti in the Byans valley and Burfu and Martoli in the Johar valley, for the second phase of the three-tier panchayat elections to be held on June 21.

Meanwhile, the first phase of polling in the Berinag and Gangolihat blocks of the district remained peaceful today. HC Semwal, District Magistrate, Pithoragarh, said, “Since the polling stations are situated in the remote areas,the parties will be helped by ITBP personnel during their stay at Bugdiyar and Rilkot in the Darma valley and Munsiyari, Gunji and Kuti in the Byans valley.”

Pithoragarh received 45.80 mm of rainfall, Gangolihat 8.50 mm, Berinag 6.80 mm, Didihat 60 mm, Dharchula 22 mm and Munsiyari 10 mm of rainfall.

The District Magistrate said although heavy rain early this morning created panic across the district, no major damage to any road or other establishment was reported.

“Even the water level in the Kali and Saryu rivers was recorded below the danger mark, “ he added.

Human rights panel chief without house for a year 
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
Ever since the Bijapur guesthouse has become the politically-correct choice of residence for Chief Minister Harish Rawat and former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, the chairman of the Uttarakhand Human Rights Commission, Justice (retd) Vijendra Jain, has been rendered homeless.

Justice Jain has been without a government accommodation, for over a year now. He has been checking in and out of the VIP room number- 4 of the Bijapur guesthouse whenever he holds court in the state capital.

Shunning the stately bungalow on Cantonment Road for the down to earth Bijapur guesthouse, Chief Minister Harish Rawat may have made a politically correct choice, as he is still seeking membership of the Uttarakhand Legislative assembly, but unwittingly it has spurred a race of sorts to occupy this guesthouse.

The first to eye the Bijapur guesthouse was former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, who hours before demitting his office allotted himself an independent bungalow forming part of the Bijapur guesthouse.

Interestingly, after Justice Jain was nominated chairman of the Uttarakhand Human Rights Commission, the then Bahuguna government had allocated the bungalow at the guesthouse to him.

Sources claim that while Justice Jain is not drawing any salary as chairman of the commission, he had requested for a government accommodation befitting his status. But he made a fatal mistake by delaying to move into the bungalow as soon as its papers were handed over to him. Soon, the decision was reserved and former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna was allotted the bungalow after he was removed from the post.

While Justice Jain continues to live out of a suitcase, the bungalow of former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna is undergoing massive renovation.

A concrete building that would function as the office for the former Chief Minister is under construction, which has almost dwarfed the original red brick bungalow, bearing the British stamp. The VIP tag has indeed spelt trouble for the bungalow housed amid this greenery. 

UPCL to hold customer care camps in Doon

Dehradun, June 18
To address the grievances of electricity consumers and facilitate payment of bills, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) will hold a series of customer care camps in Dehradun from June 20 to 30.

Officials said the customer care camps would also be held in the hill areas of the state while these would be organised in the Araghar (I), Mohanpur, Selaqui, and IT Park, Shastardhara Road substations in Dehradun. The maximum eight camps would be held in the Araghar (I) substation.

The electricity consumers, who had failed to pay their bills before the due date, could do so at these camps. — TNS 

Durgapal for effective water, soil conservation methods 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
In the backdrop of climate change, Harish Chandra Durgapal, Minister for Labour, Khadi and Small Scale Industries, has called for the use of effective soil, water and forest conservation technologies.

He stated this while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Regional Committee, organised by the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute at the the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun today.

He highlighted the problems faced by farmers in hill states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed concern over the loss to apple crop due to climate change in Uttarakhand and other hill states and called for the use of effective soil, water and forest conservation technologies. He said water harvesting, flood control, soil conservation and the use of organic fertilisers, besides the introduction of other scientific methods were required to give a boost to the agriculture sector.

Earlier, Dr NK Krishna Kumar, Deputy Director General, Horticulture, ICAR, welcomed the participants and referred to the importance of the meeting for the development of agriculture in the region.

Arvind Kaushal, Secretary, ICAR, spoke on the role and strength of the institute in addressing agriculture-related problems.

SSB to take media in border districts into confidence
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, June 18
The Sahastra Seema Bal, (SSB) stationed along the Nepal border has started an initiative to take mediapersons of border districts of both countries into confidence so that its role is presented in the right perspective and goodwill is maintained between the two neighbouring countries.

As part of the initiative, 55th Batallion of the SSB today organised a meeting of mediapersons from both countries at its Jhoolaghat camp and told them that it wanted to bring border villagers from both sides together to check illegal activities and build a friendly atmosphere. It sought cooperation from Nepal officers in this regard. “We have decided to call mediapersons from both countries every third month for a meeting so that the works of the force are represented correctly to the people,” said Manvendra Singh Negi, Commandant, SSB.

A journalist from India, who attended the first such meeting, said besides journalists from both countries, the SSB had invited police and custom officials from Nepal and other security officers from India. “It seems the initiative to take mediapersons working in the border districts of both countries into confidence aims at presenting the SSB in the right perspective,” said Komal Mehta, an electronic media journalist.

Kailash Mansarovar yatra
All pilgrims from first batch medically fit
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, June 18
All 55 pilgrims of the first batch of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra, who were examined by ITBP doctors at the Gunji camp today, were found to be medically fit.

According to sources in the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), Dharchula, the pilgrims would rest at Gunji for the day and then proceed towards the Nabhidhang camp tomorrow. They would have lunch at the Kalapani camp, which falls between the Gunji and Nabhidhang camps.

“The first batch of Kailash pilgrims will cross into Tibet from the 16,500 feet high Lipulekh Pass on Thursday,” said DK Sharma, a Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam officer.

The sources said the second batch of 51 pilgrims, which was on the way to Kailash Mansarovar, today reached the first track route camp of Sirkha from the Dharchula base camp. It would proceed towards the Gal camp tomorrow.

Haldwani mandi to display rates for farmers’ benefit 
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, June 18
The Haldwani fruit and vegetable mandi will now display the prevalent rates of fruits and vegetables on a board for the benefit of the farmers so that they are not compelled by middlemen to sell their crops at cheaper rates.

Mandi sources said, “We have decided to display the rates of other main mandis in the country as well so that the farmers could compare the rates they are getting at the Haldwani mandi.” They added the system was being implemented on the order of the Nainital High Court that advised the mandi committee to update its working plan in this regard and ensure that the farmers know the genuine rates of various crops on a daily basis. “The high court gave this order on a PIL filed by Ravishankar Joshi, a farmer of the Gaulapar area,” said Vinod Kumar Lohumi, secretary of the mandi samiti.

He added the rates display system would help in ensuring that the middlemen did not force the farmers coming from far-flung areas of the district.

Women’s participation in research stressed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
A two-day workshop on ‘scientific paper writing’ concluded at Graphic Era University here today. The Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) and the National Science Academy had jointly organised the workshop.

Prof SP Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of HNB Garhwal University, was the chief guest on the last day of the workshop. He stressed the active participation of women in research for the development of the country. BR Arora, former director of Wadia Institute, emphasised on creating a women-friendly environment in the field of scientific research.

The Vice-Chancellor of Graphic Era University, Sanjay Jasola, appreciated the efforts of UCOST and the National Science Academy for ensuring the participation of women in the field of science and technology. Vijay Kumar Dhaundiyal, Director General, UCOST, said they would continue to organise such programmes 
for women.

300 appear for hotel management entrance examination

Dehradun, June 18
As many as 300 candidates appeared for the entrance exam of the Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research conducted here today.

Aacademy director, Hemant Kochar, said, “There are 60 seats in the hotel management course being offered by the academy.” — TNS

Pardhi is new V-C of Sanskriti University
Tribune News Service

V-C Shashi Sharad Pardhi.

Haridwar, June 18
Shashi Sharad Pardhi has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of Shantikunj Dev Sanskriti University, Haridwar. Shantikunj university is the educational wing of the Akhil Bharatiya Gayatri Pariwar and was established in 2001.

Former Vice-Chancellor Dr Sukhdev Sharma’s tenure had concluded early this week and the university management had formed a search committee to name his successor.

Chancellor Dr Pranav Pandya the recommendation of the committee announced Sharad Pardhi as the new Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Local lad Utkarsh enters semifinal 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
Quarterfinal and pre-quarterfinal matches were played in the ongoing All-India Super Series Tennis Tournament at the Shanti Tennis Academy here today.

In the boys single under-16 category, Utkarsh Bhardwaj of Uttarakhand entered the semifinal defeating Mrityunjay Badola also of Uttarakhand 2-6, 7-6, 6-0 in a keenly contested match. Yugal Bansal won his match against Rishabh Sharda of Chandigarh in straight sets while Shramay Dhawan of Delhi and Megh Patel also won their matches and entered the semifinal.

In the boys single under-14 category, Sanket Tomar of Delhi stormed into the semifinals defeating Saurav Kalkal of Delhi 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets. Kelvin Golmai of Chandigarh also won his match against Anmol Ratan of Chandigarh 6-2, 6-2 while Megh Patel of Gujarat and Himanshu Mor of Haryana also won their quarterfinal matches.

The quarterfinal matches in the single girls under-14 category were also played. Muskan of Delhi defeated Ayesha Patel of Gujarat 6-3, 6-1. Chetna Kumari of Haryana, Sarah Dev of Punjab and Mahek Jain of Maharashtra also won their matches.

Mahek Jain and Ananya Kaka of Maharashtra, Sarah Dev of Punjab, Muskan of Delhi, Shreya Guliya of Haryana, Dharna Mudliar of Andhra Pradesh won their pre-quarterfinal matches in the girls single under-16 category.

Team HCA lift cricket trophy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 18
Himalayan Cricket Academy (HCA) won the Parash Ram Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament after defeating Help Cricket Club, UP, by 65 runs in the final match played at Doon Global School here today.

Himalayan Cricket Academy won the toss and elected to bat first. The team scored 136 runs in 20 overs. Akhil made 34 runs, followed by Hargit who scored 29 runs. For HCC, Durgesh took 4 wickets and Asif 2 wickets.

In reply, HCC had a bad start. No batsman could score much runs.

Asif made 15 runs while Durgesh made 11 runs. The entire team was bowled out at 69 runs. Vijay and Digar took 3 wickets each for the winning team.

Vijay Singh of Himalayan Cricket Academy won the man of the match and man of the series titles.

Cricket tourney for blind from today 

The second Inter-Zonal Cricket Tournament for the Blind will be organised at The Doon School in Dehradun from June 19 to 22. Four teams, namely India Red, India Yellow, India Green and India Blue, will participate.

Players from every state have been selected and placed in four teams. The tournament will be organised under the aegis of the Blind Cricket Association. Such tournaments used to be played at the National Institute of the Visually Handicapped (NIVH), Dehradun, earlier.

Nagar Nigam, Khukri 11 win matches

Dehradun, June 18
Nagar Nigam defeated Garhwal Star 1-0 in a match during the Nemidas Memorial District Football League here today. Kuldeep netted the lone goal in the 25th minute.

In the second match, Khukri Eleven Football Club trounced Doon Tiger 1-0. As of tomorrow’s matches, Khalanga Boys will lock horns with Gypsy Football Club and Vikasnagar Football Club with Pachuadoon Club. — TNS

Need to save environment at all costs, says Haridwar Mayor
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 18
A special function was organised at Divya Sewa Prem Mission here on last evening on the first anniversary of last year’s natural disaster. The participants stressed on the dire need to preserve environment.

The occasion was observed as ‘Smriti and Prakriti Sankalp Divas’, and the message to save greenery in the Himalayan belt and retain the sanctity of the Ganga, was delivered.

Mayor Manoj Garg in his address said the flash floods had affected the entire region, necessitating such pro-ecology efforts to conserve the local environment. He added, “We must pledge to save the environment at all costs.”

Prem Chandra Aggarwal, a legislator from Rishikesh Assembly segment, said the Kedarnath valley disaster occurred due to ignorance by humanity of the local ecology.

Legislator from Ranipur Assembly, BHEL segment, pointed that steps need to be taken to stop human interference with the environment. Haridwar rural segment legislator, Swami Yatishwaranand, pointed that even after a year the question was if we had learnt any lessons from it.

Garbage disposal plant may restart operation soon
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 18
Chairperson of the Agricultural Production Mandi Committee Sanjay Chopra has sought cooperation from Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi for restarting a garbage disposal plant situated on the committee premises. The plant has been lying defunct for the past few years.

Trivedi today inspected the plant and consulted technical experts to know about its exact condition.

The experts suggested to her that the plant could be restarted by replacing some parts of the machine.

Trivedi told The Tribune that disposal of garbage had become a major problem for the Haridwar Municipal Corporation. The plant, which has a capacity of treating 10 tonnes of garbage daily, when restarted could provide a major relief to the civic body.

Trivedi appreciated Sanjay Chopra’s efforts and said she would call a meeting of solid waste management experts and others within a week to discuss the issue.

Chopra said the Jwalapur mandi committee in Haridwar was the first in the state to have its own garbage disposal plant. He added once the plant was restarted organic urea would be made here and distributed to farmers.

The municipal corporation has also earmarked land at Sarai village for establishing a sewage treatment plant and a garbage disposal plant. However, the project is yet to start. 

Criminal neglect

• A garbage disposal plant situated on the Agricultural Production Mandi Committee has a capacity of treating 10 tonnes of garbage on a daily basis. However, it has been lying defunct for the past few years.

Almora institute tasked with studying forest fires
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh June 18
The Union Ministry of Forests and Environment has tasked the Himalayan Environment and Development Institute at Katarmal Kosi in Almora district to undertake a study on increasing forest fires and subsequent damage to the flora and fauna of the area.

According to sources, the study to be undertaken up by scientists of the institute will include reasons of increasing forest fires and damage caused to biodiversity, environment, wild animals and human health in the region due to these. “The data that says the forest area has been reduced to 40 per cent of the total land of the state from 65 per cent in the last 30 years has caused concern to the government,” said Dr Kirit Kumar, a scientist of the institute.

He added that 2,112 hectares of forestland that burn every year in Uttarakhand was the highest burnt forest area in the country in a year. “This will help in evolving means in the state forest policy and that of the Centre to control forest fires and increase forest areas. Despite planting more than 40 crore saplings in the last 30 years, the actual forest area in the state has decreased,” said Kirit.

According to information, as part of the study Forest Research Institute scientists and soil conservation officers would also ascertain public participation in the conservation of forests from fires, and social factors like migration from forests due to fires. “The research will study, besides greenhouse gas emissions due to forest fires, damage caused to forests, environment, river catchment areas, and human health and increasing landslides,” Kirit said.

CPI (ML) wants transparent policy for shiksha mitras

Dehradun, June 18
The CPI (ML) has demanded the formulation of a transparent government policy to look after the interest and welfare of shiksha mitrs. The party also demanded the cancellation of attachment orders issued to two shiksha mitras.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Education Officer, Pithoragarh, Jagat Martolia, the secretary of CPI (ML) said the District Education Officer (primary education) recently issued attachment orders of two shiksha mitras posted in Munsiyari.

“They are now being posted in plain areas, a move that will cause a severe setback to the Munsiyari school, where it is already difficult to find teachers. The attachments orders should be immediately cancelled and the teachers be recalled to the school again,” demanded Martolia.