Heavy rains bring cheer to Garhwal farmers
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 3
Farmers of Garhwal are happy at the arrival of the monsoon as heavy rains lashed the region for the past two days. They had lost hope of a good crop due to the delayed monsoon but they heaved a sigh of relief when the region witnessed heavy rains that are the only source of irrigation.

The local Met Department says the south-west monsoon has advanced to most parts of the state, besides some parts of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. It will move to all parts of the state in the next 24 hours.

The farmers of the Jaunpur development region say they had lost the opportunity of early sowing due to the delayed monsoon, resulting in damage to seeds. However, heavy rains during the past two days have rekindled their hopes of a good crop this season.

The farmers believe that if the rains continue they will be able to make up for the lost time and receive a good yield of cereals and vegetables. The farmers from the apple belt of Dhanaulti say the rains will have a good effect on the crop, which was withering due to the delayed monsoon.

However, in Mussoorie, everyone is not smiling at the arrival of the monsoon. Schoolchildren are at the receiving end as it has become difficult for them to walk on inundated roads due to heavy rains and choked nullahs.

Meanwhile, the Char Dham yatra was halted abruptly following reports that a 20-metre portion of the road near Joshimath was washed away last night due to a cloudburst near Badrinath causing the water level in a rivulet at Lambagarh to rise dramatically. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials said they would be able to reopen the road for the yatra in a day or two.

Heavy rains accompanied with strong winds uprooted trees and snapped power cables at several places in Uttarkashi and Chamba in Tehri district.

Landslides create panic in Haridwar areas
Tribune News Service

Haridwar July 3
The first rain of the monsoons has created panic among residents and raised the alarm for the authorities. Torrential rains for the past two days have triggered landslides in many areas, particularly near Har-ki-Pauri.

Reports of boulders falling from the Shivalik mountain range, where revered shrine of Mata Mansa Devi is situated, have been received.

The reports said pieces of boulders fell from mountains near the Bhim Goda-Jai Ram ashram stretch. The stretch is adjacent to famous Har-ki-Pauri Braham Kund Ganga ghat.

Local shopkeepers closed their shops in fear and pilgrims were stopped in view of the boulders falling at regular intervals.

A heavy landslide was reported at hilly bypass which falls in the protected reserve of famous Rajaji National Park. Markets, including Moti Bazaar, Bada Bazaar and Upper Road, also witnessed landslides and the debris inundated market roads and blocked the movement of commuters.

Municipal Corporation, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi deployed a JCB machine at Bada Bazaar and sub-urban Jwalapur markets to clear the mudslide and choking of drain water owing to heavy rain.

Trivedi said a study was being done at the Jwalapur site on the accumulation of a large quantity of water in nullahs. We lack requisite equipment, manpower and technical assistance, apart from budget constraint.

Traders have expressed their resentment over regular mudslide, choking of drains and accumulation of rainwater in streets.

“Earlier, it was during monsoons that life was disrupted, but now, city drains get choked even after moderate rain. Water enters colony roads, streets and markets of Moti Bazaar, Upper Road and Jwalapur affecting life and business,” said Sanjay Trival, a trader.

Meanwhile, the water-level in the Ganga remained below the danger mark of 294 m in Haridwar. It had reached an alarming 291.60 m yesterday, but it remained below 291 m today. Round-the-clock monitoring of the water level of the Ganga is being done during monsoons.

District Disaster Management Officer Dr Naresh Chaudhari said coordination between the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, which operates the Ganga Canal-Bhim Goda Chaudhary Charan Singh Barrage, and Uttarakhand Irrigation Department had been sought by his office to ensure information on the rise and discharge of water in the Ganga canal from barrage every hour.

Sharda in spate, threat of floods in Tanakpur
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh July 3
The Tanakpur administration in Pithoragarh district has started preparing for safety measures against the possible floods in Hanuman Garhi and Sharda Chungi, localities, as the water level of river Sharda rose after the first monsoon rains that lashed its basin area in the Himalayan region.

“The panic is obvious as several houses of the residents were swept away in the floods last year when the water level in the Sharda river rose to 5.45 cusecs which has broken records of the last 70 years,” said Rekha Yadav, a resident of the Hanuman Garhi area of Tanakpur.

The subdivisional administration in Tanakpur has started the preparation for the monsoons as it convened a meeting of concerned departments and finalised the shelter arrangements for the victims who would fall homeless if the flood situation occurred during the coming rains. “We have identified Nagarpalika Hall, Punchmukhi dharmashala, Mahatma Gandhi School, Gyankhera panchayat house and Prajapati dharmashala for the lodging of people if the water flows of the rivers rise,” said JS Rathore, SDM, Tanakpur.

According to the SDM, the urban bodies have been ordered to remove shops erected by shopkeepers around Sharda ghat and the DSO has been requested to maintain supply of extra ration for the emergency. “We have also ordered the Irrigation Department to keep ready 700 cubic metres of boulders for the emergency dumping at the place from where the river flow is likely to cut loose,” said the SDM.

In the Munsiyari area of Pithoragarh district which forms the basin area of Sharda river, known as Kali in its flowing areas in the hill region, due to heavy rains last night two roads were closed on Milam route, resulting in several villages getting cut off from the mainstream. “The BRO engineers are working on a war-footing to open the roads as soon as possible,” said sources.

Rebel Cong leader SP Singh backs Hira Singh Bisht
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
In a major boost to the Congress in Doiwala Assembly seat byelections, dissident Congress leader SP Singh today fell in line announcing support for Congress candidate Hira Singh Bisht, which, however, came after much persuasion from the top Congress leadership of the state.

Congress leader from Doiwala region and educationist SP Singh had a day back announced to contest from the Doiwala Assembly seat as Independent accusing Congress leadership of the state of continuously ignoring his claim to party ticket despite being one of the seniormost leader from Doiwala region.

SP Singh had unsuccessfully contested from Doiwala Assembly seat in 2012 Assembly elections in the state.

Though he did not win the poll, he was certainly instrumental in ensuring the defeat of Congress candidate Hira Singh Bisht, who lost to BJP candidate Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank by a little over a thousand votes.

Taking into account SP Singh’s clout over voters in Doiwala Assembly constituency and reports of his contesting elections from Doiwala as Independent candidate, state Congress president Kishore Upadhayay rushed to EC road residence of SP Singh during morning hours today. He was joined by Uttarakhand Cabinet minister Pritam Singh. The duo held long talks with SP Singh in a closed room and after much persuasion managed to get SP Singh’s support.

Later in the afternoon, SP Singh, who was flanked by Kishore Upadhayay and Pritam Singh, announced support for Congress candidate Hira Singh Bisht from Doiwala seat. He asserted that the Congress will win Doiwala seat with a big margin.

A large number of SP Singh’s supporters also raised slogans in favour of Congress on the occasion.

Describing himself as a dedicated worker of the Congress Party, SP Singh reminded that he had joined Congress before Lok Sabha elections when the BJP wave was sweeping the country and leaders were quitting Congress. He said that what pinched him the most was that he was repeatedly denied party ticket from Doiwala seat despite being promised the same time and again.

Tussle for ticket from Doiwala belies BJP’s unity claims
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
The tussle witnessed in the BJP for the selection of the candidate from Doiwala for the Assembly byelections has belied unity claims made by party leaders during the 2014 parliamentary elections. It has brought to the fore deep-rooted factionalism in the party.

Once again, the old rivalry was at play, as former Chief Ministers belonging to the party bickered and tried to field a candidate of their choice from the prestigious Doiwala seat even as there was news that the party parliamentary board had taken a decision in this regard. Ultimately, it led to delay in the announcement of candidates for the July 21 byelections.

During the parliamentary elections, the Uttarakhand BJP had not only released the list of candidates well ahead of the Congress but also unanimously distributed the ticket.

Following in the footsteps of the Congress, which had nominated its heavyweight candidates in the parliamentary elections, the BJP nominated three senior leaders BC Khanduri, BS Koshiyari and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank from the Pauri Garhwal, Nainital and Haridwar parliamentary seats, respectively. All irritants in Almora were silenced as the party leadership was focused on the bigger goal of winning as many seats as possible to come to power at the Centre.

For once the three senior BJP leaders forgot their rivalry and got busy in fighting the elections and even won the seats for the party. But the truce was shattered when it emerged that both Khanduri and Nishank were proposing the candidates of their choice for the Doiwala seat.

As Nishank had vacated the Doiwala seat, the party had solicited his opinion on the choice of the candidate. While Nishank favoured Ruchi Bhatt, Khanduri was in favour of youth leader Suarabh Thapliyal. On the other hand, Koshiyari was firmly behind national general secretary Trivender Singh Rawat, who had also represented the Doiwala seat in the past. Both in terms of seniority and past record, the odds were in favour of Trivender Singh Rawat, whose candidature was finalised last night.

In fact, both Nishank and Khanduri had also differed with Koshiyari on the appointment of Trivender Singh Rawat as the Uttarakhand BJP president in 2012.

Upadhyay hopeful of big win
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
Kishore Upadhyay, president of the state unit of the Congress, said today that the party would will all three Assembly seats, Dharchula, Doiwala and Someshwar, in the forthcoming byelections in the state.

Upadhayay, while talking to TNS, claimed the Congress had a strong position in all three segments. He said the party had already taken a lead over the BJP by declaring its candidate much ahead of it. He alleged anti-people decisions taken by the Central Government recently had exposed the BJP.

Welcoming the UKD (Airy) support to Chief Minister Harish Rawat from the Dharchula Assembly seat, Upadhyay said UKD (Airy) president Kashi Singh Airy, who belonged to Pithoragarh, had a good rapport in the Dharchula constituency. His support to the Congress would be beneficial in the bypoll.

Upadhyay said both Harish Rawat and Kashi Singh Airy were statehood agitators and had always stood for the betterment of Uttarakhand. “Airy’s support has given strength to the Congress in the constituency”, he said.

Notably, Upadhayay had personally appealed to the UKD (Airy) to support Chief Minister and Congress candidate from Dharchula Harish Rawat. Upadhayay said, “We will seek votes from the masses on the basis of commendable works done by both present Chief Minister Harish Rawat and former CM Vijay Bahuguna.”

Referring to the Doiwala seat, Upadhayay claimed Doiwala residents were with the Congress as BJP candidate Trivendra Rawat had totally neglected the region during his tenure as an MLA. He said Congress candidate from Doiwala Hira Singh Bisht was a seasoned politician, who enjoyed respect among the masses.

Trivender Rawat is BJP candidate from Doiwala
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
The BJP Central leadership has announced the candidature of Trivender Singh Rawat from the Doiwala Assembly constituency here yesterday.

The party has decided to field BD Joshi from the Dharchula Assembly segment while Mohan Ram Arya will contest from the Someshwar Assembly segment. The decision on Doiwala seat is yet to be taken.

“The party has announced the name of Trivender Singh Rawat from the Doiwala Assembly segment. He will file his nomination papers tomorrow from the Doiwala tehsil while BJP candidate BD Joshi will file his nomination papers for the Dharchula Assembly segment,” said Teerath Singh Rawat, state BJP chief.

Cong issues list of star campaigners

Dehradun, July 3
The All-India Congress Committee has issued a list of 40 star campaigners for the byelections to the Doiwala, Someshwar and Dharchula Assembly seats in the state.

Among political leaders from the state, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) state president Kishore Upadhayay and former PCC president Yashpal Arya are expected to address public rallies in all three Assembly constituencies. — TNS

‘Women’s participation in Cong affairs a must’
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 3
Harpeet Brar, in charge of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Women’s Congress, held a meeting with office-bearers of the district Women Congress here today.

Addressing party women leaders at Subash Nagar, Brar said the Congress suffered defeat in all five seats in Uttarakhand and four seats in Himachal Pradesh, but these states were traditional Congress bastions which was once again proved in the recent three-tier panchayat elections held in Uttarakhand.

She said active participation of women in the party affairs and adhering to discipline by all party workers was imperative for the Congress to make a comeback.

“The tall claims made by the BJP are falling flat. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has realised that media-run campaign did not produce desired results. Inflation, crime, regular increase in petro products and skirmishes on international border of India have only increased, so where are the ‘good days’,” remarked Brar, secretary of the All-India Women Congress.

She sought explanation from six Women Congress block presidents for failing to attend a review meeting of the district Women Congress committee, particularly in the wake of loss of party’s lone women candidate, Renuka Rawat, from the Haridwar parliamentary constituency.

Directing state women president Sarojini Kaintura to seek explanation from the absentees, Brar recommended suspension of those who fail to give a satisfactory explanation of their absence from the meeting.

Working women president, Haridwar district, Kiran Singh said women activists played a major role during Renuka Rawat’s election, but due to Modi wave their efforts couldn’t yield desired results.

Former women state Commission chairperson Dr Santosh Chauhan said young members, particularly in the age bracket of 20-35, need to be enrolled in the Women Congress wing as they would unleash new energy and ideas into the women wing.

Pointing forth that the party needs to focus on the upcoming three Assembly byelections in Someshwar, Dharchula and Doiwala segments, state Kisan Congress president Poonam Bhagat said by ensuring win in these three segments, the party would be able to give a message that it was on a revival path.

Two file papers from Doiwala
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
On the sixth day of the filing of nomination papers for the Doiwala Assembly segment, two candidates filed their nominations in the presence of Returning Officer PC Dumka.

Som Datt and Sardar Khan filed their nominations papers as Independent candidates. The last day for the filing of nomination papers is July 4.

In view of the July 21 byelections, randomisation was carried for selecting personnel for election duties.

In the Doiwala Assembly segment, for a total of 148 polling booths, 185 names of presiding officers and 185 names of electoral personnel were selected. They will be provided training in the coming days.

SIDCUL to maintain part of mela land
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 3
The Haridwar administration has handed over the maintenance of a part of the Kumbh mela land to SIDCUL. The stretch is solely utilised for holding Maha Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh and the Kanwar fair.

The holding of any other activity there is not allowed. SIDCUL has been entrusted with developing the Alaknanda parking-Rodi Belwala Kumbh mela stretch on the lines of a multipurpose park.

According to sources, the decision has been taken on account of the alleged failure of the mela administration to maintain the area situated near Har-ki-Pauri. Several stretches of the land have been encroached upon. Heaps of garbage and waterlogging during heavy rain had become a regular feature there.

Keeping this in view, Haridwar District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan and SSP Sadanand Date decided to hand over the maintenance of the stretch to private players. There is also a proposal to upgrade the land to an entertainment zone.

Suggestions and inputs were sought from corporates based in SIDCUL, who showed interest in the project and accepted the administration’s proposal.

Mayor Manoj Garg said, “This is a landmark decision. The stretch of the mela land between Alaknanda and Rodi Belwala remains unused for years. This scheme will be implemented in three phases. In the first phase, cleanliness exercise will be done. Construction and other maintenance works will be carried out in the second phase while in the third phase, the stretch will be upgraded to an entertainment zone. An auditorium will also be constructed, wherein artistes from across the country will be invited for cultural events.”

City Magistrate KK Mishra said this was an ambitious project. “If successfully implemented, it will change the face of the city. At present, the mela land is in a poor state. Filth, garbage and waterlogging present a bad picture of the city to millions of tourists who come here on a regular basis.”

Harendra Garg, president, SIDCUL Industrial Association, Haridwar, said it was a good opportunity for them to deliver and do something for the holy city.

The entire project would be funded by SIDCUL. A special committee comprising representatives from the administration, the MC and others sections of society would be formed to manage the park. Companies investing in this initiative will be given free advertising space at hoarding sites.

44 commercial tax cases presented at DMC meeting
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
As many as 44 cases related to commercial tax assessment were presented for hearing on the first day of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) working member committee (WMC) meeting here today.

The applicants presented their objections related to value assessment of properties running under commercial purposes before the 12-member committee led by Mayor Vinod Chamoli. The committee members then decided on the extent of relaxation in various cases.

In one of the cases, the commercial property, belonging to Usha Badoni, located on Rajpur Road was originally assessed at Rs 10.93 lakh by the DMC.

Following the hearing, the assessment was reduced to Rs 6 lakh, which brought down the annual tax to Rs 60,000.

In yet another case, a property on Rajpur Road belonging to Gyan Kaur was assessed at Rs 10.26 lakh and later reduced to Rs 5.50 lakh. The annual tax was down to Rs 55,000.

Manju Ghai’s property on Ballupur Road, which had the highest assessed value among all cases at Rs 16.82 lakh, was fixed at Rs 10 lakh, making the yearly tax at Rs 1 lakh.

A fresh assessment for shops located at Meedo Plaza, Raj Plaza and Paltan Bazaar was ordered by the Mayor. The re-assessment of properties at Paltan Bazaar was also ordered.

Notably, the value assessment of commercial properties has not been revised since 1996, even as the act has the provision of revision of value assessment every two years. Further, the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959, adopted by the DMC since the inception of the state, gives the Mayor and the working member committee power to grant 25 per cent relaxation on the assessment value of commercial properties.

However, the committee offered more than 40 per cent relaxation in some cases even though it is severely cash strapped.

The move has irked a few councillors. Voicing their concern, BJP councillor Amita Singh said, “The tax on commercial properties is one of the major sources of income for the DMC and hence, the committee should chalk out a clearly demarcated limit for the relaxation.”

Congress councillor Jagdish Dhiman said the committee should follow uniformity in finalising relaxations.

The Mayor said the ‘excess’ relaxations-over-and-above the permissible limit were given for the purpose of “imposing recoverable tax”. “Many times owners, who do not agree with the reduced assessed value, move court against us. Thus, our motive is not just to impose tax on them, but to impose them in such a way that they can be amicably recovered without getting into any legal battle,” said Chamoli.

THDCIL gets award
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
THDC India Limited (THDCIL) has been honoured with the “Best Media Management and Humanitarian Relief Work Award” by Lions Clubs International, New Delhi.

The award has been given to THDCIL in recognition of the services provided by the company to rescue disaster-affected people in June last year. Additional General Manager Vijay Goel and Manager (CC) KDP Dubey received it. 

Retail counters to sell onions, potatoes at cheaper rates
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
The officials of mandi parishad, Dehradun, have taken a decision to set up retail counters with an aim to sell cheap onions and potatoes in comparison to retail market rates in Dehradun. Around half-a-dozen retail counters would be set up on the campus of the parishad.

The prices of onions and potatoes have once again gone up with the advent of monsoons in the state. Sources confirmed that supply of onions from Nashik is affected due to poor production in Maharashtra. The poor supply of onion is among the few reasons for the hike in the prices of onion in the state.

The wholesale price of onion is between Rs 1200 and Rs 2000. The wholesale price of potato is from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,600. According to secretary of agriculture production mandi, Vijay Thapliyal, retail counters will start selling cheap onions and potatoes to residents from July 4 onwards.

He said the department would take strict action against those retailers who sell onions and potatoes at higher prices than the actual cost. He said a committee has been formed to keep a check on the prices of essential commodities in the state.

Principal Secretary Radha Raturi convened a meeting with officials of Food and Civil Supplies, mandi parishad, district administration, in order to keep a tab on hoarders in the state. She gave stern instructions to officials to conduct surprise raids and take strict action against hoarders. Raturi said that every possible step would be taken by the administration to regulate prices of onions and potatoes in the state.

Raturi said giving instructions to Food and Civil Supplies officials is a regular feature in order to monitor prices of essential commodities in the state. She said that strict action would be taken against hoarders in the state. Raturi told officials to take effective steps to regulate prices of onions and potatoes in retail markets of the state.

Reacting to Union Government’s suggestion to farmers to sell directly to buyers, Ajay Dabral, inspector, Mandi Parishad, said that it would be very difficult for farmers to set up markets. He said that farmers have the liberty to bargain on the prices of vegetables and fruits in the mandi. He said selling direct to consumers would financially burden farmers and be time consuming. He said shortage of warehouses increases the plight of farmers.

3 Doon students get state ranks in IO Awards
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
Three students of Dehradun have made the city proud by securing state ranks in the International Olympiad Awards, 2013-14, organised by Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) recently in Delhi.

Ayush Jindal, class 11 student of St. Joseph’s Academy, got state rank 2 in national cyber Olympiad category. Akshita Sagar Arora, class 11 student from Grace Academy, got rank 3 in international mathematics Olympiad, and Medhavi Kaushik, class 1 student from Doon Blossoms School, secured rank 3 in national science Olympiad category.

Notably, Justice Dipak Misra, Judge, Supreme Court of India, was the chief guest at the awards function, which was held at the Chinmaya Mission Auditorium in Delhi. Dignitaries from other fields also recorded their presence.

It is to be noted that over 27,000 schools from 1360 cities across India and 16 countries participated in the Olympiad exams during 2013-14 and millions of students appeared in the Olympiads. About 24,000 students from 3,350 schools have been awarded for achieving top state level ranks. Close to 4,60,000 students have been awarded “Medals of Excellence,” for achieving top ranks in their respective schools. A certificate of participation and a personalised performance analysis report has also been provided to each student in their school.

MLA orders quick completion of pending works
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi gave strict instructions to officials to expedite work on completing irrigation-related development projects. He expressed his concern that pending works are not completed despite the fact that funds were allocated to the department.

While chairing a meeting with officials of Irrigation Department in Dehradun, Ganesh Joshi said that funds were allocated to the department for development works, but the department is yet to take effective steps to complete pending development works.

He instructed officials to expedite work on embankments along rivers and drains. He instructed officials to ensure quality works while reconstructing damaged infrastructure in disaster-affected areas of the state.

Executive Engineer KL Pathak, Assistant Engineer AA Bahuguna and others were present.

Jal Sansthan finds land to set up pump house
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
In a major decision that would resolve the water woes of Dehradun’s Majri Mafi and areas surrounding it, the Jal Sansthan has finally found a patch of land to set up the pump house.

Giving the details, Jal Sansthan’s Chief General Manager D.D. Dimri said the shortage of water was due to the absence of a tubewell in the area.

“Since a long time we were looking for a piece of land to set up pump house and tubewell. Now we have found land. The work of setting up the tubewell would be starting soon. The area has a population of 15,000. The pump house would be catering to the residents in Majri Mafi, Navada and Shastri Nagar,” he added.

DAV principal promises better infrastructure
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
Devendra Bhasin, principal, DAV (PG) College, has assured the protesting students of improving infrastructure on the college campus.

He said the college management was making all efforts to provide best facilities to the students.

Bhasin, while addressing a press conference here today, said,” A sum of Rs 2.10 crore has been sanctioned and the construction of 18 new rooms on the college premises will begin soon.” He said the police post situated on the campus would be shifted to some other place. He appealed to the protesting students to call off their agitation.

Power staff threaten stir from Aug 11

Dehradun, July 3
The agitated employees of the state power department have threatened to boycott work from August 11 in support of their year-long pending demands.

The agitators have threatened to intensify agitation if Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited does not accede to their year-long pending demands.

The pending demands of the association include sanctioning grade pay, removing pay anomalies, sanctioning general provident fund facility, filling vacant posts etc. The agitators have threatened to start a statewide agitation if their demands are not fulfilled by the department soon. — TNS

State women’s panel headless
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
The delay in the appointment of Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Women’s Commission is hurting its credibility.

The commission has been headless since its former Chairperson Sushila Baluni completed her tenure one and a half year ago.

Though the appointment of the Chairperson is a political decision, for some reasons the Congress-led state government has not been able to wrest the initiative and appoint a person of its choice.

“It is affecting the day-to-day functioning of the commission, which is empowered to take up the grievances of women and even issue directives,” said Geeta Gairola of the Mahila Samakhya.

At present a Secretary-level officer is running the commission and two deputy chairpersons have been appointed for Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. But the deputy chairpersons have no power to issue directives and are hence proving ineffective.

“One and a half year has passed since last Chairperson Sushila Baluni demitted office, but the government has failed to appoint her replacement.

It has recently appointed a Deputy Chairperson to look into the complaints received from the Garhwal region but nobody knows from where she is functioning,” said Jhanvi Tiwari, a social activist.

Yamuna club continue winning spree
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
Yamuna Football Club defeated Doon Tigers 2-1 in the ongoing Nemidas Memorial District Football League played at Pavilion ground here today.

Mridul scored the first goal in 20th minute and Vijayant Nayar scored the second goal in 26th minute of the match. For Doon Tigers, Anurag scored the lone goal in 57th minute.

In the second match, Nagar Nigam defeated Gypsy Football Club 2-1. Bharat scored the first goal in 12th minute and Piyush scored the second goal in 56th minute of the match. Rahul netted the lone goal for Gypsy Football Club.

While in the third match of the day, Exodus Football Club played a 3-3 draw against Doon Challengers. For Exodus, Vihsal, Julias and Rash scored goals in 34th, 48th and 54th minutes, respectively.

For Doon Challengers, Abhay Rana scored twice at 15th and 49th minute of the match while Deepesh Rana scored the goal in 69th minute for his team.

15-day football camp
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
A 15-day football camp for the under-19 age group started at Marshal School sports field at Jogiwala on Wednesday. Dehradun Football Academy and Uttarakhand Football Referees Association is organising the camp in which 32 players are taking part.

Virendra Singh Rawat, organising secretary, Uttarakhand Football Referees’ Association, said that young players are being taught important skills of football and techniques to become better soccer players.

Doon invitational swimming competition

The 1st Doon invitational swimming competition at GRD Academy, Patelnagar, concluded here yesterday. Over 210 budding young swimmers participated in the competition.

In the girls’ category, Prakrit Bisht won the competition while Shreya Chauhan stood on the second position, and Agrima taking the third spot. In the boys’ category, Akshat won the first position whereas Kunal and Kshitij took the second and third spots, respectively. Yatiskates organised the competition.

One killed as truck falls into deep gorge
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 3
A driver was killed when the truck he was driving fell into a 100-metre gorge near Bhavaan village on the Bhavaan-Almas-Nagun road last night, said the local revenue police.

The revenue police that came to know about the incident early this morning rushed to the spot and recovered the body from the gorge.

Naresh Aswal, Patwari of Brahmsari, said the truck fell into the gorge near Bhavaan village in the Thatyur block of Tehri district on the Almas-Bhavaan-Nagun road when the driver reportedly lost control over it while negotiating a sharp curve last night.

The deceased has been identified as Bhuvangiri, a resident of Chamba in Tehri district. He originally belonged to Nepal.

Three vehicle thieves arrested
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 3
The Dalanwala police arrested three vehicle thieves late last evening and recovered eight stolen bikes from their possession. Aftab, Deepak Sharma and Sooraj Negi were arrested near the Parade Ground boxing ring.

During interrogation, the accused told the police that five bikes were stolen from the Dalanwal police station area, two from the Patel Nagar police station area and one from the Shyampur police station area in Haridwar.