Problems plague MDDA shopping complex
Deteriorating sanitary conditions, failure of maintenance have reduced number of customers 
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
It has been more than two years since the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) shopping complex was open to public. But, the deteriorating sanitary conditions and failure to maintain the complex has reduced the number of customers visiting the complex, giving a setback to the shopkeepers.

The complex was opened to relocate the shopkeepers uprooted from Chakrata Road in the first phase of road widening plan implemented by the MDDA.

Out of 250 shopkeepers that were allotted the shops, only 20 or 30 opened shops at the MDDA complex. The remaining shops were either converted as godowns or closed.

Instead of shifting to the complex, a majority of the shopkeepers had decided to run their business from the original shops at Chakrata Road, which had been partially demolished.

Nitin Kumar, president of the MDDA Shopkeepers Society, said the MDDA failed to take steps to ensure the success of the complex.

“The complex is located in the heart of the city. If the authorities had maintained it well and had proper steps taken to ensure that all the shops were opened, situation would have been much better. The entire complex represents a garbage dump. There is no staff for cleanliness of the complex. There are no lifts and lighting in the complex,” said Nitin.

Maintaining that the business has fallen by 90 per cent for the majority of shopkeepers in the complex, Satnam Singh, owner of a curio shop, said they were facing financial crises ever since they shifted to the complex.

“There are hardly any customers coming to the shop. Sometimes, we are unable to sell anything for almost a fortnight. It is time that the government should intervene and ask the shopkeepers to open their shops or their allotment will be cancelled. The shopkeepers, whose shops were partially demolished in the process have repaired it and doing their business. But, we are suffering,” he said.

“There is no security in the complex. By evening the place becomes a den for druggists, drunkards and prostitutes. There are no lights in the corridors and apart from the lights in the shops the entire area is in dark,” added Satnam.

Bijender Kukreti, another shopkeeper in the complex, said nothing had been done to complete or maintain the complex since they moved in two and a half years ago.

“The lifts are not working. The building materials have not been cleared posing a threat to the passersby. There is no repair of the broken corridors. The MDDA has asked us to employ sanitation staff and pay from our pockets. How do they expect us to hire private workers and pay them salaries,” he questioned.

MDDA Secretary Banshidhar Tiwari said: “We are only responsible for the construction of the complex and allot the shops to those who have been uprooted from Chakrata road. The remaining shopkeepers on the Chakrata road have taken a stay order on the further expansion project, resultant to which we are unable to remove them. However, sanitary and other requirements are to be fulfilled by the shopkeepers in the complex and not by the MDDA.”

Tense moments for Harish Rawat’s supporters
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Haridwar Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank meets Chief Minister Harish Rawat at AIIMS in New Delhi on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, July 7
These are tense moments for Chief Minister Harish Rawat’s supporters as he remains confined to a hospital in New Delhi, undergoing treatment for a neck injury sustained while flying in a helicopter. At one level, the chief minister’s supporters have immersed themselves in canvassing for him in absentia for the Dharchula bypoll. They are also worried that a prolonged stay in the hospital may weaken his position in the state.

For now Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh has stepped in for the chief minister, but this arrangement is not without its pitfalls and is giving anxious moments to his supporters averse to the idea of Indira Hridayesh becoming comfortable in a position which is only a stopgap arrangement. “A prolonged stay by the chief minister would only strengthen Hridayesh. Significantly, the list of adversaries of Indira Hridayesh too is expected to increase in case the hospital authorities do not relieve the chief minister in the coming days,” said a Cabinet minister in the Harish Rawat government.

For that matter, even the adversaries of Chief Minister Rawat would not hesitate to call into question the viability of a stopgap arrangement and press for a change in leadership, in case he is advised some more days rest. “The murmurs of protest may get louder, as certain sections among the party call for a change, while the supporters of Harish Rawat put up a brave front,” said the minister.

Further, far away in Dharchula anxious supporters of the chief minister are leaving no stone unturned to ensure he sails through the Dharchula Assembly bypoll. Cose supporter Pradeep Tamta and Harish Dhami are actively canvassing for the chief minister. It is unlikely that the chief minister would be able to address gatherings prior to the polls. In that sense the responsibility to deliver Dharchula rests on the shoulders of supporters of the CM.

But with the CM confined to Delhi hospital due to the nature of his illness, Congress men close to Rawat cannot help but worry about the future of the chief minister, in case the doctors from the AIIMS recommend rest for a few more days. “A chief minister recuperating away from Dehradun is not a happy scenario for him or his supporters,” said a minister.

Nishank meets Harish Rawat at AIIMS

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Haridwar Lok Sabha MP and former chief minister, met Chief Minister Harish Rawat at AIIMS in New Delhi today.

He enquired after the chief minister’s health and had a detailed discussion on development issues of the state. Nishank also wished him speedy recovery.

Illegal quarrying continues unabated despite checks
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 7
Despite the anti-mining squad carrying out various raids in the district, the illegal quarrying trade has not stopped as now illegal quarrying at Bairagi camp,which falls in Kumbh Mela land, has come to light.

Apart from Matra Sadan ashram inmates, who have been staging anti-quarrying agitation for the past few years, now several organisations have raised illegal quarrying issue that is affecting the embankment along the holy Ganga river as well as making serious impact on local ecology.

Today a delegation of BJP activists met Sub Divisional Magistrate Veer Singh Budhiyal at tehsil office and apprised him of the mass quarrying being carried out at Bairagi camp, a Kumbh mela reserve land.

Led by divisional president Vikas Tiwari, delegation members showed photographs and video clippings of the quarrying being done last evening with a number of JCB machines, trolleys, trucks and makeshift vehicles ferrying quarrying material from the river bed of Ganga.

Vikas Tiwari said that Ganga river is regarded as mother but still the administration is taking no stern action against the quarrying mafia, which now is carrying out its operations at Bairagi camp, which is in the midst of the city.

Giving an ultimatum of 24 hours to the SDM, Tiwari said that if no action is taken then they with the help of local villagers will agitate at Bairagi camp as they could not see Ganga river bed being dug up by quarrying mafia.

Matra Sadan ashram founder Swami Shivanand has decided to go on indefinite agitation since July 13, against quarrying being done on holy Ganga river bed.

Brahamchari Dayanand, disciple of Matra Sadan, said that such has been the quarrying mafia’s courage that now they are eyeing Kumbh mela land, too, which is just a few kilometres from CCR tower-office of Superintendent of City Police.

Local nearby residents complained that for the last few days ,the entire night sounds of JCB machines, dumpers and trolleys disturbs the peace of the area till dawn, with armed mafia personnel manning the targeted quarrying land but despite informing administrative officials no action has been taken in this regard.

When contacted SDM Veer Singh Budhiyal said that when the matter came to his knowledge, stringent action will be taken against the offenders and he has directed the concerned officials in this regard.

The SDM added that the anti-mining squad has also been conducting impromptu raids along with district police but still illegal quarrying is being reported in the district about which higher officials have also been apprised.

Chaijula Patti residents resent delay in road connectivity 
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 7
Villagers of Chaijula Patti in the Jaunpur region of the district have flayed the district administration for not addressing their demand for road connectivity in the area.

Earlier, they had threatened to boycott the panchayat elections in support of their demand, but relented after an assurance from the district administration that it would soon address their concern. However, with no progress in the matter even after the elections, the villagers have threatened to launch an agitation from August 10.

At a meeting held here today, the villagers alleged despite the fact that their area was close to tourist destinations, including Mussoorie and Kempty, the successive governments had failed to provide road connectivity despite several reminders.

Sate Singh Rawat from Mawana said in the absence of any road in their village, sick and elderly were the major sufferers.

Rajendar Dangwal, another villager, alleged the state government was only focusing on ensuring all facilities in Mussoorie and had been ignoring their region.

Ratni Devi said although the construction of the Thana-Langdasu road, the Devidhar road and the Kempty-Thatyud road was approved by the government, nothing had been taken so far.

She said the district administration and the state government had forced them to launch an indefinite stir from August 10 in support of their demand.

• Villagers of Chaijula Patti in the Jaunpur region of the district alleged despite the fact that their area was close to tourist destinations, including Mussoorie and Kempty, the successive governments had failed to provide road connectivity despite several reminders.

Residents angered over disruption of BSNL services
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 7
Subscribers of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are angered at the disruption of the BSNL broadband and telephone services in Nainbagh tehsil under Jaunpur development region of Tehri district from past four days.

The customers are facing inconvenience due to the disruption of telecom and internet services as banks and other important departments are dependant on the internet services.

“Hundreds of BSNL telephones are rendered non-functional from past four days,” said Sardar Singh Rana, Sikandar Singh and other residents of Nainbagh.

The residents further said hundreds of connections in different localities were non functional, but the BSNL did not do anything in this regards.

The residents have threatened that if the BSNL Department does not rectify the problem, they will be forced to start an agitation.

On the other hand, the BSNL held the National Highway Authority responsible for damaging the underground telephone cables during the road widening work on the Yamunotri Highway.

DGM BSNL Jitesh Sharma said the problem arose due to the digging work being conducted near Nainbagh by the National Highway Authority.

He said the highway authorities did not inform the Telecom Department before digging the roads, thus aggravating the problem. He said the work to restore the services was in full swing and the lines and the problem would be rectified within two days.

The residents are also of the view that the BSNL Department has failed to evolve any strategy to safeguard its lines from getting damaged. Not only the BSNL, but other private telecom companies, too, had laid underground cables without any protective cover. Whenever there is digging in any area, the cables get damaged and telecom services remain disturbed for weeks.

Armed robbers decamp with cash, jewellery 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
Unidentified number of armed robbers struck twice at Parwal village in Patel Nagar police station area on Sunday night and decamped with cash and valuables worth lakhs.

Reportedly, a group of armed robbers entered the house of Khemchandra Joshi when he and his family members were sleeping in their house verandah on Sunday night. At knifepoint, the gang of robbers took all the family members in a room and locked everyone.

After locking the family members, the robbers broke the lockers and took away Rs 15,000 cash along with silver and gold jewellery.

The robbers further took Khemchandra to one his neighbour’s house and entered Navin’s house and took jewelley and cash.

Meanwhile, the night patrolling unit of the police spotted the robbers while they were about to strike another house. Seeing the police team, the robbers vanished into the nearby forests.

The police are yet to trace the robbers. The police officials are claiming that the robbers belong to the Bawariya gang, which have committed similar robberies in the past as well.

Three vehicle thieves arrested

Dehradun: The police today arrested three vehicle thieves and recovered a stolen scooter from their possession.

The vehicle belonging to one Abhimanyu, a resident of Kalshetra, was allegedly stolen from near a temple at Clement Town yesterday. Vinod Gusain, in charge for the Clement Town police station, said, “On a tip-off, we arrested the accused near Transport Nagar and recovered the stolen vehicle from their possession.”

The trio, Suman Sahanim, Mohan and Rambabu are labourers. 

Expedite development work in disaster-hit areas: CM to officials
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has instructed officials concerned to expedite development works in the disaster-hit areas of the state.

He asked officials concerned to ensure timely completion of the construction of bridge that collapsed last week. He instructed them to provide a bridge to residents in Uttarkashi district.

While chairing meeting with Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SS Sandhu, the Chief Minister ordered an enquiry into the matter.

He refused to meet representatives of the NBCC company until the bridge was reconstructed within the given time period.

NBCC chief executive officer Nilesh Shah said the bridge would be inaugurated within 15 days.

The Chief Minister said a strict departmental action would be taken against those officials, who fail to perform within stipulated time.

Rawat said the state government was committed to reconstruct damaged infrastructure in the disaster-hit areas of the state. 

Rishikesh residents submit MoU against installation of mobile tower
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
The residents of Upper Ganganagar, Rishikesh, submitted a memorandum to the district administration against the installation of a mobile tower in their locality.

The residents alleged that a private company was trying to erect a mobile tower at lane no. 18 at Upper Ganganagar, Rishikesh, without getting a requisite permission.

The residents said the private company did not seek a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the department concerned before installing a mobile tower in the locality.

They said the emission of electromagnetic waves from the tower might affect residents both physically and mentally.

The residents have threatened to start agitation, if the district administration does not take effective steps to stop the installation of the mobile tower. 

House panels to be reorganised
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
Uttarakhand Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal has assured that reorganisation of various committees of the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha would be done within a week. He gave this assurance to Banshi Dhar Bhagat, Chairman of the Public Audit Committee of the House, during a meeting here today.

Banshi Dhar Bhagat met the Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal after a meeting of the Public Audit Committee coud not be held today due to lack of quorum of members and demanded his intervention in the matter.

Speaker Kunjwal told Banshi Dhar Bhagat that since many of the members of these committees have become parliamentary secretaries, they cannot remain members of such House committees. He assured that these House commitees would reorganised within a week.

Women councillors apprise MNA of civic problems
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
A delegation of women councillors met newly appointed Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) Harak Singh Rawat and apprised him of the civic problems being faced in their respective wards.

Led by Nandini Sharma, councillor from Ward No. 8, the delegation urged the MNA to work towards a cleaner city free from overflowing garbage dumps.

“There is a lot of tension going on between staff of the Doon Valley Waste Management (DVWM) and sanitation workers from the DMC regarding collection of garbage and clearing of bins. Also steps should be taken to ensure a complete ban on the use of polythene in the city,” said Sharda Gupta, a councilor from Ward No. 59.

The MNA assured the councillors of taking necessary steps to get the deteriorating sanitary condition of the city back on track. “We are also trying to resolve the issues between the DMC and DVWM,” he added.

Those part of the delegation were Daya Joshi (Ward No. 3), Saroj Panwar (Ward No. 5), Anju Bisht (Ward No. 52), Meera Kathaith (Ward No. 51), Savita Oberoi (Ward No.19), Anita Devi, Roshan Bala and Beena Bisht.

Bypoll: BD Joshi in fray against CM
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 7
Chief Minister Harish Rawat and BJP candidate BD Joshi will contest the Dharchula Assembly byelection.

The nomination papers of independent candidate Laxmi Datt Pant was rejected by the returning officer (RO) on July 5.

“The nomination paper of Laxmi Datt Pant has been cancelled as he did not complete his affidavit form, leaving a few columns blank,” said Pramod Kumar, SDM and RO, Dharchula.

According to information received from Someshwar, the candidature of all the six candidates was found valid at the time of scrutiny and all the candidates from the BJP, Congress, both factions of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) and Uttarakhand Parivratan party will remain in the fray, if they do not withdraw their names before the last date of withdrawal,” said the returning officer.

Meanwhile, Sachin Tamta, a Congress rebel candidate from Someshwar, decided to withdraw his candidature in support of the official Congress candidate, Rekha Arya.

Kunjwal: State has high expectations 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal has great expectations from the coming Railway budget for the state.

In a statement issued here today, Kunjwal said that the people of Uttarakhand were looking forward to the railway budget since many railway projects of the state were awaiting Central nod.

He said that already the proposed Tanakpur- Bageshwar railway line was declared a national project and Rishiksh- Karanprayag in Garhwal region and Ramanagar-Chaukhutia project in Kumaon region had been approved.

He hoped that the BJP-led Central Government would give financial sanction to these important projects and start the much delayed work on these railway lines.

He also expressed dismay at the reports of delay in the construction of Assembly building at Gairsain and clarified that there was no delay on the part of the Assembly secretariat but only due to financial clearances.

Reacting on the collapse of an under- construction bridge on river Assiganga in Uttarakashi district, Kunjwal demanded a high- level enquiry into the bridge collapse. He said that it was clear that low quality material was being used in the construction of the bridge and officials responsible for the same should be made accountable.

He also denied that he was in the race for the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Uttarakhand. He clarified that Congress Party high command would decide about the candidate for the seat.

Child rights panel writes to Jaitley
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
Ajay Setia, Chairman of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has urged the Centre to set up fully funded shelter homes for children in conflict with the law in all 13 districts of the state.

In a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Setia urged him to make allocation in the Union Budget for 100 per cent funding of shelter homes for such children.

He said after nine years of the commencement of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, the erstwhile UPA government had launched the Integrated Child Protection Scheme in 2009. There was a provision for setting up shelter homes in each district.

“Under the scheme, a state is given 75 per cent of the construction and running cost. But it is seen that the state governments are not interested in paying their share of 25 percent. The Centre should take an initiative to set up one children home in each district,” said Setia.

Kanwar stretch not fit for pilgrimage as yet
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 7
From July 13 Kanwar fair will commence but still the condition of the Kanwar stretch, popularly known as Kanwar Patri, is not in good condition. At various points the road has caved in while numerous potholes are yet to be filled. Recarpeting is needed at various stretches spanning into many kilometres, while power and water supply is still being provided.

The district administration has cited paucity of funds for inadequate development for the Kanwar mela as there is no state aid or budget specifically for the fair.

From its own level the district administration is providing funding for renovation, setting up of street lights, installation of hand pumps, health centres and putting up signposts and wiring along the Kanwar stretch.

DM D Senthyl Pendiyan,SSP Sadanand Date,SP City Surjeet Singh Pawar and SP Rural Parmendra Dobhal have inspected the Kanwar Patri in the last few days and given necessary inputs to officials of PWD,Jal Sansthan, Power Corporation,Police, Health and Irrigation Departments.

PWD officials pointed out that they are trying to repair the Kanwar stretch from their level itself and will present the stretch in good condition to commute, prior to commencement of Kanwar pilgrimage.

Social outfit Ghad Chetra Vikas Sangarsh Samiti has also raised the issue of bad maintenance of Kanwar stretch. Samiti’s president Subash Saini said that due to laxity by the administration many accidents occur at this stretch throughout the year as many spots of this stretch have caved in while numerous potholes have come up at Dhanauri-Bhagwanpur stretch.

Meanwhile, the district magistrate today inspected a multipurpose camp at Bhagwanpur Buggawala. The DM directed health officials to routinely conduct health test of children studying in primary schools and anganwadi centres.

He suggested that in every village a village health nutrition day should be organised so that awareness about health and nutritious food can be generated at each village. DM Pendiyan also ensured that in every school a nodal teacher be named, who manages the health aspect of the students of the school.

At the multipurpose camp a medical test of 731 children was done with 80 children referred for higher medical centres on government expense.SSP Sadanand Date, CDO Vishnu Singh Dhanik, DDO SS Sharma, DWO Anil Saini, DPO UP Singh, Dr Sandeep Nigam and SDM Roorkee Pratyush Singh also attended the multipurpose camp.for pilgrimage as yet

15 booths are ultra-sensitive 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
As many as 15 polling booths in the Doilwala Assembly segment have been declared ultra-sensitive for the upcoming byelections in the state.

District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav said adequate security arrangements had been made at all 93 polling booths. Around 1,29,049 voters would cast their votes during the elections. 

Review officials on mass leave from today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
Expressing anguish over non-fulfillment of their six-point charter demands, members owing allegiance to the Association of Uttarakhand Secretariat Review officers will go on a mass leave on July 8 and July 9.

Deepak Joshi, general secretary of the association, said the decision to go on a mass leave was taken at the meeting on June 17. “We raised our demands before the officials concerned. Since they were not met, we have decided to go on a mass leave for two days,” said Joshi.

Man hangs self

Dehradun, July 7
A 42-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan in his house on Sunday night at Vasant Vihar police station area. Pradeep Chauhan, in charge, Vasant Vihar police station area, said a middle-aged man, named Rakesh, a resident of Laxmipur, was found hanging in his room on Monday morning. His family members called a doctor immediately, but they declared him dead.

After getting information about the case, the police reached the spot and carried a panchnama and sent the body for postmortem. However, the reason behind the suicide is still unknown as the police did not find any suicide note from the house. — TNS

BJP has accepted defeat in Dharchula: Dhami
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 7
Congress leader and former Dharchula MLA Harish Dhami today termed BJP’s demand for cancellation of Chief Minister Harish Rawat’s nomination as party’s frustration. He said the BJP had accepted its defeat in Dharchula before voting.

“By seeking quashing of the Chief Minister’s nomination, the BJP has revealed that it cannot contest Dharchula seat and is finding unethical means to take on the Congress candidate,” said Dhami.

Dhami said people had already decided to clear the debt of the Chief Minister, who had announced 111 villages from Askot the wildlife sanctury area and give 143 sub-castes residing in the area.

“The development initiative by the Chief Minister in the Dharchula Assembly area is remarkable and he will win the bypoll by a historic margin,” said Dhami.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Tirath Singh Rawat said the Chief Minister would be defeated by BJP candidate BD Joshi from the Dharchula Assembly segment.

“We will not only win the Dharchula seat by a huge margin, but also Doiwala and Someshwar seats,” said the BJP president at Ramnagar.

Meanwhile, Congress workers have intensified their election campaign in Dharchula as youth Congress leader and Chief Minister’s son Anand Rawat has taken over the charge of campaigning in Nachni, Bansbagar and Munsiyari areas.

“The Congress is synonymous of development in the country and the Chief Minister has given his entire political life for development of backward areas,” said Anand Rawat at a meeting held in the remote Ray baheta village. 

Public complaints
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav reviewed the progress of the complaints registered with the Public Grievances Cell during a meeting organised here today.

Addressing the officials, the DM said that the concerned officers dealing with the public complaints should clear any doubt regarding the disbursal of the complaints.

“From next week onwards, every department would compile a list of the complaints received and resolved and send it to the DM office. The replies given to the complaints would be saved in the form of hard copy along with the signature of the officer,” he added. 

Second quake in a week hits Pithoragarh
Darma, Johar valleys on alert
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 7
An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Ritcher scale, the second in a week’s time, hit the Darma valley last evening prompting the authorities to sound an alert in the valley and the adjoining Johar valley, the district disaster management department said today. However, no damages have been reported from the area after the tremor.

“The repeated earthquakes seem to be the result of increased tectonic activities in the main central thrust which passes through the area,” said RS Rana, District Disaster Management Officer, Pithoragarh.

The earthquake occurred at 8.18 pm on Sunday with its epicentre located 10 km deep between the Johar and Darma valleys in the higher reaches of the Himalayas.

“The latitude of the earthquake was at 30.2° north and its longitude 80.3° east which falls in between the Darma and Johar valleys of the district,” said Rana.

According to sources in the Weather and Disaster Department, the possibility of a high intensity earthquake could not be ruled out in the area as these earthquakes have shown tendency of increasing intensity from 4.1 Richter scale on July 3 to 4.5 
density on Sunday.

“The area is vital from tectonic activities points of view as in 2010 a series of earthquakes ranging between 4.0 to 5.2 occurred there in a week’s time,” said the official.

He said the villages of the Darma and Johar valleys had been put on alert against any damage if further tremors occur, and ITBP and BRO personnel had been asked to remain vigilant. All DSPT phones given to villagers had also been activated. 

DNA samples of 18 Kedarnath victims matched with kin
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
Almost over a year after the Kedarnath tragedy that had left over 1000 dead and many thousands still missing, the DNA profiles of 18 victims have been matched with their relatives who gave their DNA samples to the state government for DNA matching.

According to the police headquarters, the DNA matching process was carried out at Hyderabad based Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, where DNA samples of 630 victims were sent for DNA profiling and matching process.

Later, on the call of Uttarakhand government and persistence efforts made by the authorities, 191 relatives of the victims who lost their lives in the tragedy gave their DNA samples for the DNA matching process.

Out of the total 18 persons whose DNA samples had been matched with the victims’ DNA samples, 5 belong to Haryana, 4 each from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, 2 from Madhya Pradesh and one each from Delhi, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the police department has appealed to the anxious family members of those who have died or are still missing in the aftermath the Kedarnath tragedy to give their DNA samples for the matching process.

According to the senior police officials, the DNA matching comes as a great relief for those whose dear ones went missing after the tragedy.  

Hotel, wedding point, shops sealed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
To ensure encroachment and illegal construction-free state capital, a team from Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority sealed a hotel, wedding point and several shops that have been constructed illegally in various of parts of the city here today. In a press release issued here by the MDDA it was stated that the sealing process was carried out as part of the ongoing drive being carried out to stop the illegal construction.

Among those establishments that were sealed included a newly constructed hotel bloom on the Rajpur Road, Badripur Road based Nine Palm Wedding Point, shops belonging to Anant Tomar in Vidya Vihar and makeshift kiosks set up on the encroached land belonging to MDDA in the Transport Nagar.

Among those who were part of the team included Assistant Engineers Devender Singh, Anand Ram and Sunil Prashar, Junior Engineers Sunil Gupta S.S. Rawat, Ajay Malik, Rajender Bahuguna and P.N. Bahuguna along with the officials from the police department. 

Doctors await promotions
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
The merger of specialist and general cadre affected by the Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare has failed to provide relief to government doctors as they continue to await promotions to the rank of joint director.

Around 105 doctors belonging to erstwhile specialist cadre are awaiting promotions. “The merger of cadres has failed to provide solution to our problem. Most of us belonging to the 1992 batch of the erstwhile specialist cadre have not been promoted while those belonging to the general cadre of 2000 and much junior to us have been promoted. This anomaly continues to assail us,” said a senior doctor.

Significantly, around 8-10 doctors belonging to the erstwhile specialist cadre went to the court and after receiving a rap, the government is said to be processing their files.

“We have no choice, but to follow in the footsteps of these doctors as this is the only remedy to stir the apathetic government. In case, the government fails to address our problem within the coming days, we will be forced to go to court,” emphasised the doctor. 

Dept awaits new satellite phones

Dehradun, July 7
As most of the satellite phones provided by the Union Ministry of Communication in 2004 have gone out of order, the Department of Disaster Management is awaiting the delivery of new satellite phones to be provided by the ministry.

For improving communication and establishing communication links at the time of disaster, the Union Ministry of Telecommunications had provided 14 satellite phones in 2004 to the Department of Disaster Management but most of these have developed snags requiring constant repairs.

The state government had requested the Union Government for more phones. The satellite phones whose cost is in the range of Rs 35 lakh and Rs 44 lakh have been kept at control rooms set up in 10 districts. — TNS

Power cuts in different localities
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
Power cuts were witnessed in different localities here today. The supply of government potable water was affected due to the erratic power cuts. Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) officials said that maintenance is a regular feature in the department for ensuring disruption free and correct voltage to consumers.

Several areas faced the brunt of the power cuts after witnessing thundershowers in Dehradun. However, corporation officials said that lines were immediately repaired for supplying round the clock power to consumers.

As per the maintenance schedule prepared by UPCL, Kaulagarh, Prempur Mafi, Garhi, Bajawala, GMS Road, Rajendra Nagar, Vijay Park and adjoining areas will face power cuts from 11am to 4 pm due to looping work under 33 Kaulagarh sub-station on Tuesday.

Speaking to The Tribune, Madhusudan, an official spokesman of UPCL, said the department had been continuously procuring electricity in order to bridge the gap between demand and availability of electricity in the state. He said that power cut was not implemented in any part of the state except in those areas where work of testing, and repairing of lines was done.

The demand of electricity was 33.88 million units against availability of 33.16 million units in the state.

Wills Youth Football Club beat Doon Star 5-0
Tribune News Service

Players in action during the Ram Bahadur Chetri Memorial Football Tournament at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) playground in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, July 7
Two fast-paced matches were played in the ongoing Ram Bahadur Chetri Memorial Football Tournament at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) playground here today. In the first match, Wills Youth Football Club thrashed Doon Star 5-0 with Prakash scoring a hattrick of goals. He struck in the 8th, 40th and 54th minute of the match. Jatin also netted two goals at the 21st and 36th minute of the match.

In the second match of the day, Balaji Football Club defeated Vijay Cantt 4-1. For Balaji, Arpan scored two goals in the 30th and 50th minutes whereas Jatin and Gurusagar scored one goal each in the 7th and 44th minutes, respectively. On the other hand, Shubham scored the lone goal for Vijay Cantt.

Two matches would be played on Tuesday with the first encounter between Tapovan Football Club and Adhoiwala Footwall Club. The second match would be played between Khukri Eleven Football Club and Akaranta Football Club. 

Trust to assist poor child for treatment
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 7
The Divine Light Trust, a social organisation, has decided to support an 18-year-old youth suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

The trust has referred the patient, Sunil, to a neuro-physician at Dehradun and will bear the cost of treatment.

Sunil’s father Sitaram, a resident of Dabla village near Kempty, had brought his son to a clinic last week with symptoms of numbness in hands, feet and around lips along with signs of muscle weakness in his legs and arms.

The patient was facing trouble while speaking, chewing, swallowing and was unable to move his eyes, said Dr Sunil Sanon.

When examined, Sunil was diagnosed to be suffering from a rare disease known as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in which nerves are attacked by body’s immune system.

Considering, the financial condition of the patient, the trust will bear the cost of treatment. The case has referred the patient to neuro-physician Dr Saxena at Dehradun.

Training programme on disaster management
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
A national-level training programme for forest officials and scientists of the country began at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) here today.

The programme has been organised by the National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi, and Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun.

The training was inaugurated by FRI officiating director Jayshree Ardey. She emphasised on the need of forestry practices in landslide disaster management keeping in view of landslides in the Himalayas.

The topic of the training programme is “Forestry in landslide risk management.” The basic purpose was to make officials aware of the damage caused by landslide disasters, the reasons for occurrence of landslides, the steps that can be taken to prevent or minimise the losses due to landslides by the use of various methods of mitigation and by developing a strong network between other government departments and Joint Forest Management Communities so that massive disasters could be controlled in the mountain regions of India.

To enlighten the participants on the issue, lectures of faculties from institutes such as Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi, IIT Kanpur, Indian Meteorological Department of Uttarakhand and different forest departments were organised.

The training programme is being attended by participants from different states throughout India. The training programme is organised by Dr RK Aima, Head, Silviculture Division and VK Dhawan, Research Officer, FRI. Dr Suryaprakash, senior faculty from the NIDM, New Delhi, is coordinating the training course.

B.Ed teachers threaten boycott of byelections

Dehradun, July 7
The protesting B.Ed (Teacher Eligibility Test) teachers have threatened to boycott the Assembly bypoll scheduled to take place on July 21 if the government does not meet their demands.

While threatening to campaign against ruling Congress Party in the upcoming bypoll for three Assembly segments, the members of B.Ed (Teacher Eligibility Test) Association blamed the state government of not paying heed to their demands.

According to media coordinator of the association, Gajendra Joshi, “our demands include completion of the ongoing recruitment process for the posts of primary teacher on the basis of issued notification and as well as increasing the posts.”

They also threatened to continue with their protest until their demands are met and claimed that the government had been giving false assurances to them regarding their demands. — TNS

Assn seeks cancellation of service tax

Dehradun, July 7
Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Nigam Limited Employees Association (UPNLEA) members have urged the government to fulfil their long-pending demands. UPNLEA state president Bhawesh Jagudi said the government should sanction same salary to contractual employees and govt employees. They demanded cancellation of service tax and deduction of ESI for employees. — TNS

Demand to reopen road closed by Railways
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 7
A delegation of residents met Haridwar MP-cum-former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank here today. The delegation expressed concern that Dehradun railway station authorities have restricted entry of four-wheelers on the railway station to Race Course road in the city.

The delegation was led by Race Course councillor, Rajkumar Kakkar, who expressed concern that restriction on plying of four-wheelers from the railway station to adjoining colonies is causing huge inconvenience to residents. He said traffic jams had become a common feature near Prince Chowk due to traffic diversion. Dr Akhilesh Bhatnagar, Mukesh Singhal, Ankit Sharma, Ram Prasad and others were present.