Bhatta Falls awaits beautification
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, June 25
The delay in the beautification project at Bhatta Falls, which is a major tourist destination located at 7 km from Mussoorie, has irked the residents of Mussoorie.

Bhatta Falls is an ideal tourist spot for bathing and picnic but the proposed project of upgrading facilities there to bring it on a par with Kempty Falls is being delayed, resulting in revenue loss to the Dehradun district administration.

In 2004, the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) had carried out a beautification drive here at a cost of around Rs 60 to Rs 70 lakh. Subsequently, it handed over the place to the Mussoorie Hotel Association (MHA) for four years for better management under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

However, in 2010, the association refused to maintain the spot as the sewage project that began the same year damaged the road leading to the falls considerably, driving away tourists.

Thereafter, the administration left Bhatta Falls to its fate and all basic amenities at the place disintegrated due to lack of management, thus negating the beautification exercise carried out earlier.

Another reason of the delay in upgrading the facilities at Bhatta Falls was that most of the proposals to beautify the area and improve basic amenities there were not taken up due to an ownership dispute between the Galogi Power Station Management and the Municipal Council of Mussoorie.

The Galogi Power Station (3 MW), one of the oldest running power station (commissioned in 1907) in the country, is located on the same stream near Bhatta Falls. After Independence, the power station came under the ambit of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (UJVNL) and since then the power station management claims that it is the rightful owner of the property around it.

The UJVNL is also concerned about the increase in the tourism activity that could result in excessive garbage, especially plastic, entering the power station, thus choking it temporarily and hindering electricity generation.

Meanwhile, president of Municipal Council Manmohan Singh Mal refuted the UJVNL claims and said the civic body owned Bhatta Falls, including the Galogi power station, even during the British raj and it was post-Independence that the power station was transferred to UJVNL.

He, however, clarified that the MC had the possession of Bhatta Falls even after the transfer of the power station to the UJVNL and it still holds the ownership rights of the area.

Last year, the government intervened and took the task of beautifying the area in its own hands. It sent a proposal of upgrading facilities at Bhatta Falls to the Central government, which is still awaiting approval.

BVR Purshotam, former District Magistrate, Dehradun, had sent a proposal to the Tourism Department on April 2 to deputing a consultant for designing the beautification project for Bhatta Falls under the MOT and also include the historic Galogi power station in it as another tourist attraction around the area. He has requested to ensure that no plastic garbage enters the power station.

Ajay Bhargav, secretary of the Mussoorie Hotel Association, says the sublime beauty of Bhatta Falls has the potential to surpass Kempty Falls as a tourist destination, thus churning out more revenue for the district administration. He adds the historic Galogi power station could also be used as the part of the tourism project by promoting educational tours for students.

Dilly-dallying

• Bhatta Falls is an ideal tourist spot for bathing and picnic but the proposed project of upgrading facilities there to bring it on a par with Kempty Falls is being delayed, resulting in revenue loss to the Dehradun district administration
• In 2004, the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) had carried out a beautification drive here at a cost of around Rs 60 to Rs 70 lakh
• In 2010, the Mussoorie Hotel Association refused to maintain the spot as the sewage project that began the same year damaged the road leading to the falls considerably, driving away tourists.
• Thereafter, the administration left Bhatta Falls to its fate and all basic amenities at the place disintegrated due to lack of management

BJP activists protest at District Magistrate’s office
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
BJP activists staged a protest at the District Magistrate’s office here today demanding strict adherence to duty timings by officials and employees of government departments in Dehradun.

The protesters were led by former BJP councillor Sachin Gupta.

In a memorandum addressed to the District Magistrate, Gupta demanded that welfare schemes being run by the district administration should be expedited. The Right to Service Act should be strictly implemented in Dehardun.

Councillors Neha Gupta, Vikas Kumar, Rajkumar Tiwari, Vinod Mahar, Meera Kaithat, Manpreet Singh, Vimal Panwar, Suresh Prajapati and Ganga Sagar were present on the occasion.

Hridayesh discharges duties of ailing CM
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Indira Hridayesh

Dehradun, June 25
Sans the tag of officiating Chief Minister, Parliamentary Affairs and Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh today appeared every inch in command of the situation while discharging duties on behalf of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who is recovering from a neck injury.

For sure, the minister who boasts of a long political career, out of which 31 years have been dedicated to discharging duties of an MLA, has always harboured an ambition to head the high office. But when the opportunity arrived, she seems to be taking everything in her stride.

“I have always enjoyed working and will continue to do so. I am neither happy nor sad with this responsibility. Neither do I have any illusions about my position. I have been asked to discharge my duties and I am happy to do so. I am aware of the limitations of my position and I will not cross the line,” said Hridayesh.

With Harish Rawat in hospital, the political decision making in the state had come to a standstill, especially in the day-to-day matters of governance. In case the Congress-led government had nominated a Deputy Chief Minister, by all accounts, he would have filled the space for the time being.

But with no such appointment in the state, the Chief Minister had to opt for a stopgap arrangement and Hridayesh, who is his senior-most colleague, seems to have fitted the bill, much to the consternation of other ministers.

It is perhaps for the first time in the state that a senior minister would be discharging the political duties befitting of a Chief Minister, who is yet to become a member of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

From day one, Hridayesh seems to be on the job. She lashed out at the BJP-led central government for failing to rein in prices of essential commodities as promised by it before the elections. “We will ask the Central government to give us gas subsidy, as this will help our people battle inflation,” she said. 

Narendra Modi, Rajnath expected to visit Kedarnath in June-end
Govt to draw PM’s attention towards problems of state people
Tribune News Service

Narindra Modi	Rajnath Singh

Dehradun, June 25
The state government will take up the problems faced by the people of the state with Prime Minister Narindra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during their proposed visit to Kedarnath in June end.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Indira Hridayesh, while addressing mediapersons here today, said, “So far, there is no official communiqué about the visit. It is being speculated that they may visit either on June 27 or 30. In anticipation of the visit, I have asked officials to prepare a report on the needs of the state and our expectations from the new Central government. Besides, Badri Kedar Temple Committee members have been asked to give their suggestions regarding the temples.”

Hridayesh said a helipad being built in the Kedar valley was expected to be ready before the visit of Modi and Rajnath Singh.

She has been entrusted with day-to-day responsibilities of the state by Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who is recovering from a neck injury at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

“The Chief Minister has suffered a hairline fracture and his recovery may take long. On his behalf, I have been assigned some responsibilities. I also held a meeting with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary to sort out the pending issues. In the coming days, focus will be on roads, electricity and water,” she said.

Hridayesh said she had asked officials to come up with a progress report on the targets achieved and expenditure so far on the construction of roads, water supply and electricity by the first week of July. “I think we need to set our priorities right. Much of our water scarcity problem can be solved, if we replace leaky and rusty pipelines. We also need to come up with a water harvesting plan to ensure rainwater does not go waste,” she added.

Panchayat polls: 800 officials given training in vote counting
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
Nearly 800 officials assigned the duty of counting of votes in the panchayat elections were given training here today.

Additional District Magistrate Pratap Singh Sah, while addressing a gathering, said the officials should undergo training with utmost dedication so that there was no problem in the counting process.

Eleven tables for counting of votes had been been set at Chakrata, 14 at Kalsi and 21 each at Vikasnagar, Sahaspur, Raipur and Doiwala. “The officials should report at their respective stations in time so that the counting process is started as per the schedule,” he added.

A demonstration on how to open ballot boxs and take out the votes was also held.

Wildlife trust mulls animal detection system for state
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
After the successful testing of animal detection system by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in Kerala, hopes have risen for Uttarakhand to introduce a similar detection system in the killer stretch of railway track passing through the Rajaji Park.

The stretch has been the cause of a number of wildlife deaths, particularly pachyderms, in the recent times. The 18-km stretch of the Haridwar-Dehradun railway line passes through the Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand. Between 1987 and March 2002, at least 20 elephants were killed in accidents on this track.

But after the Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model was initiated, such deaths 
have been considerably reduced. Only one incident in which two elephants died had taken place. This incident happened in January when two elephants were crushed to death by Delhi-bound Jan Shatabdi. Since then foolproof measures are being sought by conservationists and the introduction of animal detection system can apparently help fill the technological gap.

The animal detection system involves sensor-based mechanism rather than manual measures as in the Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model.

The master control unit, set up at the Walayar Railway Station, received signals of intrusion through these sensors. The patrolling team was subsequently alerted through short messaging service.

This Walayar Kanjikode stretch was specifically chosen as 14 fatal accidents involving elephants have taken place on this stretch between 1978 and 2010.

Expressing happiness over the animal detection system testing in Kerala, Dinesh Pandey, WTI, Uttarakhand, said these solar powered sensors were very efficient in detecting the intrusion of elephants.

He said while the WTI was in the process of making some more modifications to increase the efficiency of the animal detection system, he was hopeful that the Rajaji National Park would be next in line for the installation of such sensors in the killer tracks, which will ultimately strengthened WTI’s brainchild Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model. 

At Rajaji Park

• A particular stretch of the railway track passing through Rajaji Park has been the cause of a number of wildlife deaths, particularly pachyderms, in recent times
• Foolproof measures to prevent such deaths have been sought
• The animal detection system tested by the Wildlife Trust of India involves a sensor-based mechanism rather than manual measures as in the Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model

US girl motivates students to take up creative writing
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, June 25
Jahanvi Gaur, a 16-year-old sophomore from Hinsdale Central high School, Chicago, USA, shared her experiences with students and motivated them towards creative writing during a workshop held at the Mussoorie Public School auditorium here yesterday.

Jahanvi is the founder of the “dream to write” initiative that was started with an objective to inculcate the habit of writing among computer savvy students.

She explained to the students that for them writing was key to asserting and defending claims, showing what they knew about a subject, and conveying what they had experienced, imagined, thought, and felt. To be a good writer, students must take task, and purpose into careful consideration, choosing words, information, structures, and formats deliberately.

Jahanvi also highlighted the importance of combining elements of different kinds of writing—for example to use narrative strategies within argument and explanation within narrative—to produce a complex and nuanced writing and need to be able to use technology strategically when creating, refining, and collaborating on writing.

She also said students should become adept at gathering information, evaluating sources, and citing material accurately, reporting findings from their research and analysis of sources in a clear and cogent manner.

The students of Musosorie Public school gained immensely from the workshop and pledged to emulate it during future projects being under taken in their school.

Jahanvi has always had a passion for writing, having published locally as well. She told The Tribune that her main objective had been to spark the same interest towards creative writing among other students who had a desire to improve their English writing skills but might lack resources.

Jahanvi has worked with professionals and teachers in “valuable” programmes in the USA to develop self-paced workshops based on basic principles of writing.

She said the “dream to write” team would provide students online lesson plans and the participants would be expected to complete the assignments.

“Students will get to explore different genres like short fiction, poetry, etc., through the interactive programme, including skype sessions. To motivate the students, the best-written works would be published in the website of “dream to write” periodically as well, she added.

Jahanvi also addressed students at Mussoorie International School. Mukesh Lal, principal of Mussoorie Public School, thanked Jahanvi for sharing her experiences and motivating the students towards creative writing.

50 take part in audition of Mr Uttarakhand
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
Fifty youths participated in the audition round of Mr Uttarakhand 2014 being organised by Sinmit Communications at the Mahar Hotel Academy here today.

Sinmit Communications director Dalip Sindhi said the contestants would be judged on the basis of their looks, style, attire and overall personality.

“The selected candidates will be trained for the fashion ramp walk, pose, wardrobe and attire, style check, camera pose techniques, overall presentation, interviews, health and physique,” he added.

Besides the main titles, the competition would be held for sub-titles, including Mr Fresh Face, Mr Talented, Mr Charming, Mr Perfect Walk, Mr Fashion Icon, Mr Bollywood, Mr Heartthrob, Mr Personality, Mr Style Icon, Mr Physique, Mr Traditional, Mr Photogenic, Mr Ten, Mr Popular Choice and Mr Congeniality.

Road construction in Prem Nagar sought

Dehradun, June 25
A delegation comprising BJP workers met the Chief Engineer, PWD, here today and urged him to start construction of roads in Prem Nagar before the onset of the monsoon to avoid inconvenience to people.

BJP city unit vice-president Suraj Bhatia led the delegation and met the Chief Engineer and spoke at length about the pending road projects in Prem Nagar.

“It has been more than two months since the PWD conducted a survey on internals roads to be constructed in the area. The work has not been started yet, causing problems to residents. The work should be started before the monsoon, failing which, the BJP will stage a demonstration,” he added.

Rajesh Rawat, Omprakash Gupta, Kamal Raj, Deepak Bhatia, Vinod Panwar, Bhushan Bhatia, Ashok Kumar, and Alok Ahuja were part of the delegation. — TNS

‘No PMO query on restoration work’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
The Uttarakhand government has denied reports about the Prime Minister Office (PMO) seeking information about restoration works undertaken in the disaster-affected areas of the state in the last three months.

“I am not aware of any inquiries. We have already started the exercise of maintaining records about rehabilitation and restoration works undertaken in the state after the natural disaster in June last year,” said an official.

There are rumours that the PMO has written to the state government asking it for a report on the works undertaken in the last three months as well as works planned.

The Centre has criticised the working of the Border Road Organisation (BRO). In Uttarakhand, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had faulted the organisation for delay in completing works in the disaster-affected areas. 

PWD told to expedite WB, ADB-aided projects
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar presided over a disaster management core committee meeting here today. He directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to undertake speedy execution of projects aided by World Bank and Asian Development Bank. He said those who lost their houses in the natural disaster must get new ones within a year.

He asked District Magistrates to ensure that all those beneficiaries, who had got the first installment of assistance for house building, should undertake construction work immediately.

The Chief Secretary reviewed the works of the Irrigation Department and directed the officials present to complete pending works linked to safety measures for the monsoon.

Officials told him that reconstruction works to the tune of Rs 100 crore had already begun. He was also apprised of the fact that 2,467 beneficiaries, who had lost their houses in the disaster, had been identified. Of these, 2,317 had already received the first instalment of assistance for construction work.

Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma, Principal Secretary SS Sandhu and other senior officers were present at the meeting.

‘Gairsain can be summer capital’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
Chief Minister Harish Rawat, for the first time, in a letter written to Union Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda has spelt out the intention of his government of making Gairsain the summer capital of Uttarakhand.

The Chief Minister failed to make any announcement regarding the same in the recently concluded Assembly session held at Gairsain. The letter was issued as a press statement here today. The BJP has criticised the state government on the issue, terming it a wasteful exercise. The Chief Minister failed to do it in Gairsain, but he inadvertently mentioned it in a proposal addressed to Sadanand Gowda urging the latter to expand the railway network in Uttarakhand.

The Chief Minister intended to apprise the Railway Minister of Gairsain being a “developed” area, and that if a rail line between Ramnagar and Chaukutia was given the go-ahead, it would make Gairsain more accessible.

n The Chief Minister intended to apprise the Railway Minister of Gairsain being a “developed” area, and that if a rail line between Ramnagar and Chaukutia was given the go-ahead, it would make Gairsain more accessible.

Circus artistes want better lives for their children
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
Puja, 25, and Karan, 26, both trapeze artistes in Apollo Circus, dream of making their three-year-old son an officer so that he could lead a dignified and stable life. For this couple, who have spent a major part of their lives performing death-defying stunts, this dream is a step towards what they envision as a better future for next generations.

Sitting on a bed made out of stands in a tent, which they lovingly call Taj Mahal, the couple spoke of their hardships as they entertain people. “Life is not so simple. Both of us have been working in a circus since we were 10 to 12 years old. Though the salaries are decent, the quality of life leaves much to be desired. Both of us are uneducated, which is a major reason why we chose to work in a circus. We want a different kind of life for our son. Once he is five, we will send him to a hostel for studies. We want him to be an officer so that the future of the coming generations is not doomed like ours,” said the couple.

A third-generation gymnast, 20-year-old Priya has known the tents to be her only home. “My grandparents and parents used to work in the circus. In fact, I was born in a tent. As I grew, I too took to working in the circus. I had a love marriage at the age of 16 years. These tents are a part and parcel of my life,” she said. Tightly clutching at his mother, two-year-old Rahul is scared of meeting anyone lest he should be taken away from her again. “The tight schedule at the circus and training sessions keep me away from him most of the time. Most of the time he is howling and wants to be in my arms. I don’t want my children to have the nomadic lifestyle I have seen. My husband and I have decided to leave the circus in the next two years and return to his village in Assam,” she said.

“Lots of things have changed now. These days, artistes are not getting the perks and respect they aspire for. There are hardly any audiences. Our children’s future will be ruined if we force them to become circus artistes,” said Naveen, a stuntman.

Jhabarkhet residents protest water shortage
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, June 25
Jhabarkhet residents today staged a protest at the Jal Santhan office against an acute water shortage in their area for the past one month.

They were disappointed at not finding executive engineer, Jal Sansthan, DP Pokhriyal in the office. Pokhriyal is away on poll duty. The department’s junior officials tried to pacify the agitators and assured them of regular water supply within two days.

Eight disaster-hit youths get job training
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
A pilot batch of eight youths from the disaster-affected areas of Uttarakhand has graduated in the Honda-certified two-wheeler auto-technician training programme at a ceremony held at Gurgaon. Of the eight students, five were placed with ESS ELL Motors, Dehradun.

The training programme is a joint initiative of the CII Foundation–Uttarakhand Skill Development Society (USDS) and the SNS Foundation (the CSR Arm of Anand Automotive group).

In the pilot project, eight youths were identified for a two-month training programme at the residential training facility of the SNS Foundation at Gurgaon. The programme proposes to reach out to 50 such youths.

Students shared their experiences and said the programme not only imparted technical skills, but also made them confident. They presented a small cultural programme, including folk songs from Uttarakhand. The two-month training programme comprised of technical training, both theory and practical classes. In addition, students were imparted basic computer knowledge, financial literacy, English speaking as well as life skills.

Appreciating the initiative, Shailesh Bagauli, member secretary of Uttarakhand Skill Development Society, said one of key and long-lasting impact of the disaster was the loss of traditional livelihood opportunities. In this context, such an initiative becomes very relevant.

Manu Kochhar, chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council, said creating livelihoods was one of the key priority areas of the initiative. He added the CII Foundation had organised 11 recruitment drives in the disaster-affected areas leading to job offers to 107 youths.

Community-based livelihood interventions are also being planned. In all, the CII Foundation hopes to benefit 500 disaster-affected families through its livelihood interventions, he added.

‘Dharchula Cong ready for bypoll’
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, June 25
Congress workers in Dharchula have started preparations for the Assembly byelection as Chief Minister Harish Rawat is likely to fight from the seat.

They have unanimity that they will campaign for Harish Rawat, former Dharchula legislator Harish Dhami said here today. Dhami had resigned as MLA to pave the way for Harish Rawat to contest the Assembly byelection from the Dharchula seat.

Dhami told mediapersons that they would seek votes in the name of development works undertaken in the last five months. “We have formed panchayat-level campaign committees in the entire Assembly area and Congress workers have been requested to seek votes for the Chief Minister in the name of development works undertaken by his government,” he said.

Dhami refuted an allegation levelled against him by the CPI (ML) local unit that he hid the information about his family status in the last Assembly elections. He said the party was misleading people on various election matters and promoting falsehood.

“The nomination papers of a woman candidate of the CPI (ML) from the Bona area of the Dharchula block in the panchayat elections was found to be full of wrong information and hence was rejected. The party is answerable for that first,” he said.

Dhami also refuted the allegation that the nomination papers of BD Joshi, a veteran Congress worker from Dharchula, were rejected on his insistence. “Even the Nainital High Court has rejected BD Joshi’s nomination papers and hence there is no basis for the allegation,” he said.

Seminar on science and technology
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
A two-day national-level seminar on science and technology will be organised at the Institute of Management Studies (IMS), Unison University, from June 27.

University’s School of Computer Science and Imaging Technology are organising the seminar.

Seminar coordinator professor Uday Bhan Trivedi said experts from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand along with research scholars will take part. New inventions in information and communication technology will be discussed during the two-day seminar.

Exodus blank out Bajrang
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
Exodus Football Club thrashed Bajrang Club 9-0 in a match during the Nemidas Memorial District Football league here today.

Navneet, Duato and Rancho scored two goals each for Exodus while Julies, Rash and Anthono scored one goal each.

In the second match, Nehrugram played a 2-2 draw against Kendriya Vidyalaya Sporting. For Nehrugram, Rakesh scored both goals in the 6th and 35th minutes of the match. For the KV team, Prabhat and Sumit scored goals in the 44th and 48th minutes, respectively.

NABH certification for Max Hospital
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
Max Super Specialty Hospital has received accreditation from National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Health Care providers (NABH).

The accreditation is for one year and is a formal recognition of the competency standards being followed by the hospital laid down under the NABH.

Pollution violations: 88 vehicles challaned
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
A joint team of the Dehradun police and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) here today issued challans to 88 vehicle owners for violating pollution norms under the Motor Vehicle Act 1988.

On the first day of the drive yesterday, 80 vehicles were challaned for emitting smoke more than the prescribed limit.

SP, traffic, Pradeep Rai, said, “We undertook the drive on Rajpur Road, Haridwar Road and many other prominent roads. Vehicles found flouting pollution norms were issued challans.”

The joint team of SP traffic and Additional Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) also raided 11 agencies which issue pollution certificates to vehicles, on Tuesday, and detected irregularities. On the question of action against the two agencies, the SP traffic said, “What action is to be taken against the two agencies found flouting norms would be decided by the RTO.”

TET certificate holders perform yajna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
As part of their ongoing protest against the state government, BEd and Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualified candidates performed a yajna in front of the Primary Education Directorate here today.

Members of the BEd/ TET Qualified Association also raised slogans against the government.

They accused the government of delaying the recruitment of BEd degree holders.

Their demands include an increase in the number of posts of teacher and the completion of the ongoing recruitment process on the basis of the issued notification.

Baldev Singh Bhandari, Gajendra Joshi, Sumit Chauhan, Surendra Rawat, Rajni Kandari, Vijay Nautiyal and Suresh Negi were prominent among the protesters. 

SSP monitors drive against encroachers
Tribune News Service

Haridwar June 25
Haridwar SSP Sadanand Date is monitoring the anti-encroachment drive going on in the city these days. The authorities claim that the SSP is himself checking the effectiveness of the drive.

Circle Officer (City) Chandra Mohan Singh Negi is carrying out the drive in the Har-ki-Pauri mela zone. Besides the mela zone, encroachments are being removed from Kotwali Road, Upper Road and Lal Taura Bridge Road.

Traders, who have displayed goods outside their shops or have rented space outside their business establishments to street vendors, are being issued challans.

While temporary vends are being removed, violators are being served notices in advance.

A week back, the anti-encroachment drive took off near the railway station-bus station area.

Negi said the police would take stringent action against those who encroach upon public places and roads again.

Kotwali SHO PC Mathpal said auto-rickshaws or e-rickshaws found plying illegally in the zero zone were being penalised. These vehicles are said to be creating congestion and posing problems for local commuters and pilgrims. The SSP had sought cooperation from traders at a meeting at his office recently.

MLA stages dharna

Dehradun, June 25
Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi, along with his supporters, staged a dharna outside the office of Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma here today in protest against the delay in the implementation of projects in Mussoorie.

“The people of Mussoorie are suffering as the Department of Finance has failed to sanction a water scheme worth Rs 441 crore. A parking scheme near the Masonic lodge is also pending,” said MLA Joshi. He also submitted a memorandum to the Additional Chief Secretary. — TNS 

Servant decamps with Rs 2 lakh
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 25
A businessman has registered a complaint in Cantt police station that his servant has decamped with Rs 2 lakh given to him for depositing in bank.

In the complaint, Ashutosh Gupta, a resident of Rajendra Nagar, alleged that he gave Rs 2 lakh to his servant, Robin, for depositing it in bank on June 21 but the latter fled with the money and had since been missing. Notably, Ashutosh runs a trading company at Rajendra Nagar and Robin was working for him for the last many years.

The police said that the mandatory verification of the servant was not done in the case due to which even the complainant did not have much information about Robin’s native place Bagpat in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt for Robin.

Counselling for 60 seats in MAHAR begins

Dehradun, June 25
The counselling for 60 seats in the Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR) began on its campus here today.

According to the management, 45 students got admission on the first day of the session. For the remaining 15 seats, the institute would conduct an examination and the counselling soon.

MAHAR director Hemant Kochar gave information about hotel management to students and answered their queries related to the hospitality industry. — TNS

120 to take part in singing contest

Dehradun, June 25
A total of 120 candidates selected from across the state will perform in the semifinals of a state-level singing, and folk dance competition to be organised by the Parvartiya Sanskritik Sansthan in Dehradun from June 27.

Folk singer Kalpana Chauhan told mediapersons here today that Rajendra Chauhan, another renowned singer, would train students a day before the competition starts. The final competition would be held in New Delhi. The participants would perform in Garhwali, and Kumaoni dialects. — TNS