Lord Shiva Devotees’ annual pilgrimage to haridwar to fetch ganga water
Bengal Engg Sappers rescue 107 devotees 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 22
With millions of devotees coming to take a dip in the Ganga and fetch the sacred river water to offer it at Shivalingams at Lord Shiva temples, many instances of slipping and drowning at Ganga ghats are coming to light.

With this in mind, the Kanwar mela administration has sought help from expert swimmers and divers of Bengal Engineers Group Sappers during the Kanwar fair.

The group, based in Roorkee, has deployed its expert diver squads at Haridwar and Roorkee. They have, till date,have saved 107 persons from drowning in the Ganga and the Ganga canal.

As the Ganga river is in spate owing to heavy rain in the upper and lower reaches of Garhwal division, the BEG Sappers squad is proving to be a life-saver for devotees and pilgrims during the Kanwar fair.

Aided by high-tech boats and equipment, BEG Army personnel have been active since commencement of the Kanwar fair on July 13. The group is scheduled to provide its services till the Kanwar fair gets over on July 25 on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

Brig Digvijay Sateya, Commandant of BEG, Roorkee, said BEG personnel had been deployed at the sanctum sanctorum of Brahma Kund, Har-ki-Pauri, Sarvanand Ghat, VIP ghat, CCR ghat, Subash ghat, Gau ghat, Kushawrat ghat, Ram ghat, Vishnu ghat, Birla ghat, Rodi Belwala ghat and Alaknanda ghat in Haridwar.

Brig Digvijay added that three arm boats, four OVM engines and necessary equipment had been provided to these squads who are giving their services round-the-clock.

Major Sachin Jain, Maj or Sandeep Singh and Subedar Mohan Singh are leading these personnel during the ongoing Kanwar fair.

During flash flood last year, when major portions on the Ganga riverbed in Haridwar, Lakshar and Roorkee were inundated, BEG had played a pivotal role in rescue and relief operations. The Jal police squad of Uttarakhand police is also aiding the BEG in rescue work.

A nodal officer of the BEG Army squad for Kanwar fair said over the past few years, the number of Kanwariyas coming for the Kanwar pilgrimage in the month of Shravan had increased in Haridwar. The Kanwar mela administration chose to take the benefit of the expertise of BEG personnel, who have saved thousands of lives till date.

Kanwariya crushed to death by speeding car

A Kanwariya hailing from Haryana was crushed to death by a speeding vehicle here on Tuesday. Suresh Singh, son of Gulab Singh and resident of Sadar Rohtak in Haryana, was on way to Haridwar on the Kanwar pilgrimage when a speeding car crushed him near DAV School, Jagjeetpur. Fellow Kanwariyas and passersby tried to stop the driver of the car, but he drove away.

Suresh Singh suffered fatal injuries with district hospital doctors declaring him brought dead.As soon as the news of the accident spread, fellow Kanwariyas staged protest at Kankhal police station demanding arrest of the absconding driver.

SHO Kankhal Ritesh Shah pacified the Kanwariyas assuring them of police action. The site where the accident occurred was barely hundred metres from Jagjeetpur police check post.

Dak Kanwariyas’ arrival marks beginning of last phase of yatra
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 22
The Kanwar pilgrimage has entered its final phase with the arrival of Dak Kanwariyas on vehicles in Haridwar. Dak Kanwariyas driving vehicles sped through the New Delhi-Haridwar and Mana Badrinath-Gaziabad highways to reach Haridwar to fetch Ganga water in time. They have set a time frame for themselves keeping in mind the distance they have to cover to reach Haridwar.

Dak Kanwariyas on vehicles having banners depicting the time like 8 hours, 10 hours and so on, are arriving at Har-ki-Pauri throughout the day. Some Dak Kanwariyas instead have left the time taken to cover the pilgrimage to the lord and are carrying banneres ‘Bholey ki marzi’.

Meanwhile, locals are wary of speeding Dak Kanwariyas. The next two days are going to be tough for the local administration. Till now, the administration has managed to handle Kanwariyas who cover the pilgrimage on foot and are peaceful and less troublesome in comparison to the speeding Dak Kanwariyas.

Dak Kanwariyas from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, are arriving in the city round the clock. Kanwariyas from western Uttar Pradesh also started arriving in the city from today. While Kanwariyas walking on the Kanwar stretch are more visible, the Dak Kanwariyas have drenched the Kumbh city in orange and saffron.

The Dak Kanwariyas are aggressive and they tend to break rules on the pretext of completing the pilgrimage in time. The mela police has decided not to allow Dak Kanwariyas on vehicles playing music, and carrying sharp-edged weapons, and hockey sticks. Though the mela police at Narsan, Bhoopatwala, and Chidiyapur are not allowing Dak Kanwariyas to break rules, the latter were spotted travelling in vehicles playing music at a high pitch. They stopped playing music systems as soon they reached near the Bairagi camp, Har-ki-Pauri due to the presence of mela police personnel.

The traffic is allowed to move one way on the Roorkee-Haridwar-Dehradun highway due to the heavy rush of the Kanwariyas.

SSP Sadanand Date said the mela police was strictly ensuring that Dak Kanwariyas did not flout the rules. The Dak Kanwariyas would leave the city by July 24 evening as they have to reach their respective places by next morning to offer Ganga water in Shivalayas on the pious occasion of Maha Shivratri on Monday.

1.16 crore have already fetched holy water
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 22
A record 1.16 crore Kanwariyas have entered Uttarakhand via Haridwar since Kanwar pilgrimage began July 14.

With three days still remaining for completion of Shravan month Kanwar fair, the mela administration is expecting another 80 lakh Kanwariyas to fetch the holy Ganga jal from Ganga ghats in Uttarakhand.

Talking to The Tribune while inspecting Kanwar camping arrangements at Bairagi camp today, SSP, Haridwar, Sadanand Date said that such is the influx of Kanwariyas that till Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, vehicles of Haridwar-bound Kanwariyas are lined up.

The SSP said that round the clock communication and sharing of information regarding Kanwar movement, traffic congestion and their numbers is being done by Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh police to ensure smooth passage of Kanwariyas’ vehicles.

“We have made Bairagi camp as rest camp cum parking lot for Kanwairyas, where at any time at least 10,000 to 20,000 heavy vehicles are parked these days. We have certainly succeeded in decongesting traffic pressure on National Highway-58, due to Bairagi camp parking. Till Deoband Kanwariyas’ vehicles are lined up, which are being released in a phased manner to make sure traffic jam does not occur on the route through which Kanwariyas pass,” said Date.

Former SP KL Shah briefed Kanwar police personnel on Kanwar track and national highway, urging them to be polite, cooperative and pleasant with Kanwariyas,as they have come for the holy pilgrimage.

Notably, it was KL Shah only who along with the then SSP Arun Mohan Joshi had mooted the idea of camping vehicular Kanwariyas at Bairagi camp, whose number is anywhere between 80-90 lakh.Prior to this, Kanwariyas would try to reach Har-ki-Pauri ,leading to massive traffic jams.

Circle Officer, Champawat, Jodh Ram Joshi, said deployment of paramilitary forces Sashatra Seema Bal, Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force has been done at sensitive points on Kanwar route.

Polythene ban: DMC collects Rs 60,000 as fine
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
The Dehradun Municipal Corporation has collected Rs 60,000 within five days of implementing the polythene ban in the state capital. The officials have also managed to seize six quintals of banned plastic from various areas in the city.

It may be stated here that to tackle the menace of polythene in the state capital, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat had implemented the ban on July 17. The ban completely prohibits the use of polythene material that is less than 40 microns.

Speaking to The Tribune, Rawat said that DMC officials in various parts of the city were carrying out the drives. “Till now we have issued 150 challans and collected Rs 60,000 as challan fees. The banned polythene has also been seized. At present the thrust is on the local wholesale markets where these polythene bags are used in large quantities,” he added.

“Even though every effort is being made to track down the polythene and those hoarding the same, the shopkeepers and vendors still manage to hide the same. At least the ban has created a scare amongst the offenders regarding the use of banned plastic,” he added.

Speaking about plans about seized goods, Rawat said: “Once we reach a higher quantity we would be shredding the plastic and auctioning the same. The money collected from the auction and challans would be utilised in the development projects by the DMC.”

On Tuesday, Mukhya Swasthya Adhikari RK Singh seized 3 kg of polythene and issued 20 challans amounting to Rs 2500 from Saharanpur Chowk area. The other team led by Assistant Engineer Rachna Payal conducted a raid at Dharampur vegetable market and seized 4 kg of polythene. Eighteen challans amounting to Rs 2050 were issued to the defaulters. 

Green environment

• Six quintals of banned plastic seized from various areas in the city.
• As many as 150 challans issued to violators.
• Vegetable markets under scanner.

Seven districts face brunt of poor rains
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Even as rain has been lashing different parts of the state for the past 10 days, seven out of 13 districts are facing brunt of deficient rainfall.

The latest data compiled by the Meteorological Department clearly highlighted that 409.7 mm rain was recorded against normal rain of 459.1 mm causing a deficit of 11 mm rain from June 1 to July 22 in the state.

The Garhwal division faced deficit rainfall in comparison to the Kumaon division of the state. Besides Haridwar and Chamoli districts, five other districts, including Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Tehri of Garhwal division, faced deficit rain in the past two months.

Pauri district of Garhwal division has received 270 mm rain against actual 428.8 mm, causing a deficit of 37mm rain.

Similarly, Udham Singh Nagar and Pithoragarh districts of Kumaon division have faced deficit rainfall.

Met officials have predicted light to moderate rain in higher reaches of the state.

Meanwhile, rain continued to lash Dehradun and higher areas of the state. The incessant rain triggered landslides in higher areas of the state resulting in temporary suspension of Char Dham yatra. The vehicular movement along the Char Dham yatra route is disrupted due to blockage of road.

Doctors missing from Dharchula camp
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Complaints of doctors failing to undertake medical examination of pilgrims en route to the Kailash Mansarovar yatra have come to light.

The Managing Director of Kumaon Vikas Nigam Deepak Rawat in a letter written to the Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare has complained about doctors failing to turn up at the medical camp set up Dharchula as a result of which the pilgrims were proceeding for the yatra without the mandatory checkup.

While ignoring the Dharchula camp, the doctors had set up camps at their own free will at Sirkha and Gala. 

Risking their lives

Doctors are reportedly not turning up at the medical camp set up at Dharchula following which the pilgrims were proceeding for the yatra without the mandatory checkup.

Disaster-affected children show recovery from trauma
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Losing your loved ones and having to watch your house being swept away in the flood fury can leave a lasting impression on the minds of children and the 2013 rain induced natural disaster in Uttarakhand was no different.

It left scores of children psychologically scarred forcing the Department of School Education to step in and organise counselling sessions for the children. One year on thanks to the counselling sessions, the children have shown remarkable recovery.

Around 15,407 children and 8620 guardians of 686 schools of Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh benefited from the counselling sessions.

“In the aftermath of the floods, we realised the need to impart training to our teachers in counselling. The psychiatry department of Srinagar Medical College helped our teachers grasp the principles of counselling. Today, the affected children have resumed normal lives which was reflected in their examination results. But we continue to keep a watch over them ,” said Radhika Jha, Project Director, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan. While the Srinagar Medical College chipped in with psychiatrist training, the association also led to the preparation of a module that seeks to suggest steps that should be taken while dealing with children affected by disaster. The department was provided Rs 10 lakh assistance by the Central Government.

“The counselling sessions with children were designed keeping their mental condition in mind. A majority of the school children were under great deal of stress and fear psychosis. A few among them had lost their fathers while others their friends and were in great deal of turmoil. Plays and situations were created for the children so that they could easily talk about their loss,” said Dr Amit K Singh,Associate Professor, Srinagar Medical College.

Several children showed signs of acute depression and could not sleep properly at night.

They had to be encouraged to take up yoga and learn breathing techniques to keep away tension and relax the mind.

On the other hand, counselling with guardians made them aware of the problems their children were facing and helped them cope better. 

Road connectivity being restored on war footing
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
There was some respite for Uttarakhand as many of hilly roads were opened for traffic today though rains continued to pound both Garhwal and Kumaon hills.

There was some respite for the pilgrims as some of roads in the hills were opened for traffic movement by Border Roads Organisation and the district administration. Rishikesh-Kedarnath highway that was blocked at Sonprayag was opened for smaller vehicles. Similarly, Rishikesh-Gangtori highway got opened for smaller vehicles. Rishikesh-Yamunotri road was opened for all vehicles uptil Jankichatti.

However, Guptakshi-Kalimath road was blocked at Kavilta due to landslides.

Dehradun Met office has forecast rather heavy rainfall in higher reaches of Uttarkashi district. On the other hand braving rains, a total of 262 pilgrims visited Gangtori shrine while 61 pilgrims paid their obeisance to Yamuntori shrine. A total of 130 pilgirms left Rishikesh for Hemkund Yatra. 

Roads open to vehicular movement

• The Rishikesh-Kedarnath highway that was blocked at Sonprayag was opened to small vehicles
• The Rishikesh-Gangtori highway got opened for small vehicles. The Rishikesh-Yamunotri road was opened for all vehicles uptil Jankichatti
• The Guptakshi-Kalimath road was blocked at Kavilta due to landslides

Food security scheme
Harish Rawat unhappy over its slow implementation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has expressed concern over the slow implementation of the food security scheme in the state.

Harish Rawat, while presiding over a review meeting of the scheme here today, directed officials to ensure that food items reach the beneficiaries.

The Chief Minister, in response to complaints of cards not reaching a few beneficiaries, said the card allocation work should be carried out on a priority basis under the supervision of the respective District Magistrate. He asked them to ensure that all cards are distributed in time.

He said the food security project should be monitored at the secretary level on a daily basis. This, he said, should be done on priority. A block-wise schedule should be drafted and sent to all District Magistrates, so that all beneficiaries could get their cards.

The DM, the CDO and the ADM have been directed to hold camps and ensure the distribution of cards, especially in urban areas.

The CM asked ministers in charge to check the implementation of the programme in areas falling under them. After three or four days of this, he will personally review the implementation of the programme. “In case of any neglect in this work, action will be taken against the official concerned,” he added.

He asked them to make a plan to take godowns on rent from local people. “This will help the state government as it won’t have to employ its resources in setting up godowns,’ he said. The Chief Minister said this would also help the government set up food banks in villages and backward areas.

It was informed during the meeting that the food security programme was implemented in the state on July 1. About 61.94 lakh people will benefit from it. The identified primary families in the state will be given three kg rice at Rs 3 and two kg rice at Rs 2.

The food security programme has been formed under the Food Security Act, 16(2). While ration cards have been given to beneficiaries in the urban areas, they are yet to be distributed in the rural areas. Also present at the meeting were Food Minister Preetam Singh, Principal Secretary, Food, Radha Raturi, Principal Secretary to the CM SS Sandhu and Additional Secretary Ravinath Raman.

Re-poll at a primary school booth ordered
Tribune reporters

Pithoragarh, July 22
The district election officials have ordered a re-poll for a booth at a primary school at Bona village in Munsiyari area. The directive followed reports of booth capturing during the Dharchula byelection on Monday.

HC Semwal, District Magistrate, Pithoragarh, who is also the District Election officer, said some people had forced their entry into the polling booth yesterday without proper identity cards. They forcibly cast votes as the polling staff ran away.

They polled more votes than the number of voters in that booth. Semwal said the polling party had been dispatched for re-polling at the booth. The Munsiyari SDM has been instructed to be personally present at the booth during the re-poll. He further said adequate security arrangements had been made for the re-poll. The re-election is slated for July 23.

Cong predicts convincing win on all three seats

Dehradun: The state unit of the Congress has predicted a convincing win on all three Assembly seats for which the byelections were held yesterday. In a statement issued here today, media in charge for the state party unit Surendra Kumar said the party would win with a huge margin. He also thanked the voters for supporting the Congress in the byelections. He accused the BJP of resorting to the blame game to safeguard its image post bypoll defeat.

CM charged with misusing govt machinery

Dehradun: Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Bhatt today accused Chief Minister Harish Rawat of misusing government machinery for influencing election results of the Dharchula Assembly segment in his favour.

“In Vyas, Darma, Choudas falling under the Dharchula Assembly segments, muscle power was used to force villagers to vote for the CM. While in Madkot, Bon, Josa and Rapi, too, similar tactics were used to force Nepali and Bihari migrant labourers to vote for him,” alleged Ajay Bhatt.

Bhatt said fearing large-scale bogus voting in Dharchula from where Chief Minister Harish Rawat was the candidate; the BJP had urged the Election Commission to keep tabs over the entry of outsiders.

DBS College suspends admission process
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Dr OP Kulshrestha, principal of DBS PG College, suspended the admission process for the next two days after college students held a protest for the second consecutive day today against the college management’s decision to reduce seats and admit students on merit only.

A delegation of students led by Sanket Nautiyal met the college principal and told him that the decision would deprive a large number of candidates of admission in the college and pursue higher studies.

Notably, the college was about to issue the merit list on Monday last but postponed it due to the students’ protest.

However, the students demanded that till the government makes alternate arrangements of higher education for students, the colleges should follow the earlier system and not reduce seats.

MDDA seals illegal construction at Jharipani
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie/dehradun, July 22
The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) acting on a complaint filed at the office of the SDM, Mussoorie, today sealed the illegal construction of the house being carried out at Jharipani area in Mussoorie today.

The MDDA authorities, along with Virendar, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority executive engineer Atul Gupta arrived with a big police force at Jharipani and sealed the alleged unauthorised construction. Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority executive engineer Atul Gupta said they had received a complaint that illegal construction was on and after reaching the site found it to be true. Subsequently, the illegal construction being done in the house was sealed under Section 27 and 28 and owners have been told not to construct further, said Atul Gupta.

The owner of the house, Jai Bunney Shah, 80-year-old widow, said that she was from poor strata and living her life on her husband’s pension and was not aware that permission was required to renovate a shelter that was ruined in the heavy rains last year. She alleged that the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority was only targeting the poor but not acting against the rich and powerful builder mafia active in the town.

Meanwhile, the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) sealed two illegal constructions being carried out in various parts of the city.

An under-construction complex, belonging to Rajender Aggarwal, was sealed due to its construction in deviation of the approved map.

Another guest house on old Rajpur Road, belonging to Murari Lal Vadhawa, was sealed as the map was approved only for the construction of a single residential dwelling unit.

The team comprised of assistant engineers Sunil Parashar and Anand Ram, junior engineers Narendra Tomar, SS Rawat and PN Bahaguna and supervisors.

Jan Sangharsh Morcha chief seeks Guv’s ouster
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Raghunath Singh Negi, president of the Jan Sangharsh Morcha and former vice-president of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, today said Governor Aziz Qureshi should resign on moral grounds.

He said the Governor did not initiate any action against the alleged scams reported during the Congress rule in the state.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Negi, a senior BJP leader, said a memorandum highlighting mining and other scams of Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Nigam Limited (UPNL) was submitted several times to the Governor, but no action was taken against the departments concerned.

He alleged that the Governor had not summoned the state government over the deteriorating law and order condition in the state.

He said Morcha activists would stage a protest if the state government did not take effective steps to maintain law and order in the state. Negi said the state government was yet to take effective steps to control corruption.

Among others present were Dr OP Panwar, Amardeep Jaiswal, Vijayram Sharma, Ashok Gupta, Vijendra Thapliyal and Samar Gupta.

Rang community annual meet

Pithoragarh, July 22
The annual general meeting of the Rang tribal community, living in the Drama, Vyans and Chaundas valleys in the Dharchula sub-division of the district, started today.

Eminent members of the community have started reaching 10,000-feet-high Gunji village for the meeting. The state government has deployed a four-seater commercial helicopter from Dharchula for the assistance of elderly. “Today, we lifted former Chief Secretary Nrip Singh Napalchayal along with other members of the community,” said Tez Singh Gunjiyal, a member of the organising team. He said the two-day function would include a discussion on the future course of the community, cultural programmes, sports activities and releasing of a souvenir comprising cultural and social state of the community. — OC

Doonites continue to face power crisis
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Several areas of Dehradun went without power on Tuesday. The gap between demand and availability of electricity has once again widened as power generation in the state-run hydropower projects is affected. The silt in Himalayan rivers and its tributaries has adverse affect on power generation in the state-run hydropower projects.

Two hydropower projects, which are Kalagarh (198 MW) and Khatima (40 MW), have not generated a single unit of electricity due to silt in rivers. The power generation in Maneri Bhalli-I was affected due to some technical snags.

Speaking to The Tribune, an official spokesman of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) Madhusudan said that the demand of electricity was 33.41 million units against availability of 33.18 million units of electricity in the state. He said that the state is continuously procuring electricity in order to meet the demand of electricity.

UPCL implemented one hour of emergency power cut in rural areas of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts of the state in order to meet with the demand of electricity in the state.

The power generation in state-run hydropower projects was 20.17 million units. 

Notorious inter-state thief nabbed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
The Nehru Colony police and the Special Operation Group (SOG) today arrested a notorious thief and recovered stolen goods worth Rs 6 lakh from his possession.

SSP Ajay Rautela said, “The arrested thief, Lalit, who hails from Jaipur, has committed seven thefts in different parts of the state. We had been receiving complaints about the presence of a thief from Rajasthan in the city.”

Acting on a tip-off, the joint team of the Nehru Colony police and the SOG reached Race Course in the morning and arrested the thief.

The police recovered $63, an iPad, a gold necklace, a gold pendant, a pair of earrings and three gold rings from his possession.

There are more than 30 cases registered against Lalit in different police stations of Rajasthan. “Lalit admitted committing thefts at Officers Colony in Race Course, Saraswati Vihar, Bodyguard Colony, Ritha Mandi, Kishanpur, Kidduwala and Patel Nagar in the city,” said the SSP. Talking about his modus operandi, the SSP said after committing thefts in Dehradun, Lalit used to go to Haridwar where he was living in a rented accommodation at Sarvhara Vihar.

Lalit committed all thefts alone and never worked with any gang or operated with any group.

Proposal on teachers’ colony

Dehradun, July 22
Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat has sent a proposal to Principal Secretary (Urban Development) DS Gabrayal suggesting conversion of allotted DMC land in teachers’ colony to freehold at its registration at flat rate.

Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee vice president Suryakant Dhasmana said they had earlier submitted a letter to Urban Development Minister Preetam Singh Panwar. — TNS

Several OBCs kept out of Central govt jobs’ list
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Several members belonging to Other Backward Class (OBC) category of Uttarakhand won’t get reservation benefits in Central government jobs due to exclusion of 19 castes and sub-castes from the Central Government list of OBCs.

Around 85 castes and sub-castes of OBCs recommended by the Uttarakhand Government and notified by the Department of Social Welfare figure in the state list. The candidates belonging to these castes are given reservation benefits in the state government jobs.

However, the central government list of Other Backward Categories (OBCs) for Uttarakhand recognises only 79 castes. As such, candidates belonging to six castes and 13 sub-castes cannot avail the benefits of reservation in the Central Government jobs.

“On the basis of the state list, I had applied for a job in the Central Government but was astonished to find my caste does not figure in the list,” said Jeet Singh Mahra.

The procedure of inclusion of castes and sub-castes in the Central Government list for OBCs for Uttarakhand involves recommendations by the State Commission for OBCs to the National Commission for OBCs. The case is evaluated according to information provided by the state government.

The matter pertaining to inclusion of these castes has been pending due to the delay in presenting survey reports by the District Magistrates of 13 districts. “The matter had come up at the National Commission meeting of OBCs held on April 29. The Central Commission has asked for provision of detailed information pertaining to the various castes being considered for inclusion. We have asked the District Magistrates to undertake the surveys so that the pending cases could be taken up. The total number of castes and sub-castes makes for a substantial number. The commission would like to bring all those who have been left out under the purview of reservation,” said Ashok Verma, chairman of the State OBC Commission.

In the Central Government list for Uttarakhand, while the Gujar community finds a mention, Mahras residing in Bhatvari and Chinyalisaur of Uttarkashi district have been excluded. Community members belonging to Kamboj caste have been excluded in the Central Government list for Uttarakhand OBCs.

The Binhari community comprising a sizeable population in Vikasnagar of Dehradun district too does not find a place in the list.

DM reviews project works

Dehradun, July 22
District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav chaired a meeting of officials here today to review the progress of works for which funds had been released under the district development project.

He instructed the officials to file reports having separate heads for the state share and the central share in the projects under their departments. — TNS

Anupama murder case
HC denies bail to Rajesh Gulati
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
In the Anupama murder case, the single bench of Nainital High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of Rajesh Gulati, accused of brutally killing his wife and cutting her body into 72 pieces in October 2010.

The bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia has directed the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge in Dehradun to preferably conclude the murder trial within 6 months.

Rajesh Gulati allegedly killed her wife Anupama on October 17, 2010 and disposed of her body after cutting her into pieces in the jungle en route to Mussoorie. On December 12, 2010, Sajjan Kumar Pradhan, brother of Anupama, had lodged a missing complaint with the Bindal police chowki.

Gulati was arrested from his residence at Prakash Nagar, Dehradun, after recovery of parts of Anupama’s body kept in deep freeze at his residence.

DAV college student leaders meet principal

Dehradun, July 22
A student delegation led by student leader Swati Negi met DAV PG College principal Devendra Bhasin here today over the problems faced by the college students.

The matter of non-availability of marksheets of some students on the internet was brought to the principal's notice. They demanded an increase in the number of windows for sale of prospectuses so that students could get these easily. — TNS

Counselling for vacant MBBS, BDS seats today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun , July 22
The counselling for the government quota seats under Uttarakhand Premedical Test (UPMT) for MBBS and BDS seats will take place tomorrow.

A total of 13 MBBS seats would be allotted for Haldwani MedicalCollege (3), Srinagar Medical College (4) and Jolly Grant Medical College (6).

For the BDS course in two private colleges, Seema Dental College and Uttaranchal Dental College, a total of 37 seats will be allotted. Out of the 37 seats, 18 seats are vacant in Seema Dental College and 19 in Uttaranchal Dental college. 

Manish Maithani signed by Salman Khan’s Team Pune
Tribune News Service

Manish Maithni, a city footballer, who has signed a contract of Rs 38 lakh with actor Salman Khan’s Team Pune in the Indian Super League. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, July 22
Alumni of Maharana Pratap Sports College and ace footballer Manish Maithani has been signed by Bollywood star Salman Khan’s side Team Pune to play in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament, which will kick-start in the month of September.

Manish has signed a contract of Rs 38 lakh to play for Team Pune in the new football tournament, which has been conceptualised on the lines of Indian Premier League (IPL). ISL is a joint venture between All India Football Federation (AIFF) and IMG Reliance.

Presently playing for Mohammaden Sporting Football Club, Manish has played four seasons from the prestigious Mohan Bagan Football Club as well. He took his initial training in Dehradun and later got admitted in Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun from where he played various state and national level tournaments.

While speaking to The Tribune, Manish Maithani said: “I am thrilled to play for Team Pune in the ISL and I am confident that the tournament is going to give new dimension to the Indian football.”

Notably, eight teams will participate in the tournament in which Kochi team is owned by Sachin Tendulkar while Team Pune belongs to Salman Khan, and another Bollywood star John Abhraham owns a football team from North East.

Sportspersons suffer in absence of multi-level stadium in Mussoorie
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 22
Aspiring sportspersons in Mussoorie are suffering in the absence of a multi-level stadium in the town. They are forced to do their practice at hired venues, which are of substandard quality.

They complained that there was no space for either indoor or outdoor games in the town. They had to rely on hired makeshift grounds owned by government and non-government institutions.

They alleged the Mussoorie Municipal Council, which was considered one of the richest civil bodies in the state, did not have proper infrastructure for sport activities.

“No one can understand how we groom young players in the absence of proper infrastructure. Sometimes players do their practice in the playgrounds of private schools or at their homes after installing the required equipment,” said BS Negi, president of the Mussoorie Sports Association.

Roop Chand, the brother of international roller skating referee the late Nand Kishore Bamboo, said his brother had dreamt of a multi-level stadium at Bhilaru near Mussoorie and had sent several proposals in this regard to the MC and the sports ministry. However, nothing had been done so far.

On the other hand, Manmohan Singh Mall, president of the Mussoorie MC, said they had submitted a proposal with regard to the construction of a multi-level stadium at land owned by the council near Bhilaru to the authorities several years ago. However, a part of the earmarked land was under the control of the Mussoorie Wildlife sanctuary, so the project was awaiting forest clearance.

OP Uniyal, former MC president, said the then Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had announced the construction of a multi-level stadium at Bhilaru and the government had also initiated the process.

Since a part of the land fell under the Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary, a proposal was forwarded to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for clearance. It was followed by a survey by the Forest Department, which clearly demarcated the boundary falling under the wildlife sanctuary. He alleged the present MC had failed to pursue the matter further.

Ajay Pradyot, Sports Secretary, said he had visited the proposed site in Mussoorie on November 2012 and found it suitable for the construction of at least two stadiums. However, it required the transfer of land from the Municipal Council to the Sports Department, for which the former did not show any interest resulting in the delay. “Till the MC initiates the land transfer process, no action can be initiated,” said Pradyot, making it clear that there was not dearth of funds for the project.

Rajasthan Soccer Academy win 7-0
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 22
Rajasthan Soccer Academy thrashed Youth Football Academy, Haldwani, 7-0 in the ongoing Under-19 All India Football 2nd Boys School and Academy Challenge Cup played at Marshall School playfield in Jogiwala here today. Neelesh scored five goals for the team while Deepak struck two goals in the match.

In the second match of the day, Golden Boot Soccer Academy defeated Doon International School 2-0 with Pankaj scoring both goals at 61st and 66th minutes of the match.