Final phase of panchayat elections today
Tribune Reporters

Dehradun, August 4
The final phase of the panchayat elections for the post of chairman and vice chairman of 11 zila panchayats under the three-tier panchyati raj will take place tomorrow.

Already the chairman and vice chairman of zila panchayat of Udham Singh Nagar have been elected unopposed. They have been extended unofficial support by the Congress.

While the BJP candidates will be fighting the elections on the party symbol, the Congress has extended unofficial support to it’s candidates. In all 23 candidates each would be contesting the elections for the post of chairman and vice chairman. “Barring Bageshwar district where three each candidates are trying their luck for the posts of chairman and vice chairman, in the remaining 10 districts two each candidates are in the fray for the posts of chairman and vice chairman,” said Suberdhan, State Election Commissioner.

Flag march by security forces in Champawat

Pithoragarh: Amid tension over the abduction of a zila panchayat member, security forces staged a flag march in Champawat town in the wake of zila panchayat poll slated to be held tomorrow.

Meanwhile, BJP workers led by MLA Puran Singh Phartiyal protested at the district headquarters here today. The BJP workers are demanding the release of Meena Devi, who has allegedly been abducted by unknown persons.

“We have decided to raise the issue in every forum, including Parliament, if Meena Devi, who is an elected member of the Champawat zila panchayat from Birgul area, is not brought at the time of voting,” said Puran Singh Phartiyal.

In Champawat district, the main contest for the top post is between Congress candidate Khushal Singh Adhikari and BJP candidate Sushma Phartiyal.

“The vote of independent candidate Meena Devi can be a decider for the BJP and the Congress,” said Dinesh Pandey, a journalist from Champawat.

In Pithoragarh district, BJP candidate Kishen Singh Bhandari has withdrawn his name. Now, two candidates are left in fray, including Khushal Singh Pipalia from the BJP and Prakash Joshi from the Congress.

“As both the Congress and the BJP have claimed 13 members each in the 33-member Pithoragarh zila panchayat, both parties are bargaining to get support of seven independent candidates and each party has claimed its edge over other,” said an independent zila panchayat member.

In Almora district, where heavy security arrangements have been made by the district administration for the voting, the main contest is between Congress candidate Parvati Mehra and Sanyukt Morcha candidate Maya Negi.

“Though the Congress looks in a comfortable position, Maya Negi of the Sanyukt Morcha is giving her a tough time as zila panchayat members from Ranikhet and some independent members are supporting her,” said Navin Bisht, a journalist based in Almora.

Elections to eco-park panel postponed after opposition by villagers
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 4
The elections to the Dhanaulti eco-park management committee have been postponed due to the opposition by villagers in Dhanaulti. The villagers alleged that the Forest Department was encroaching upon the rights of the management committee and trying to install key officials, including the president of the panel, against the prescribed guidelines.

The villagers said the eco-park management committee was formed to conserve the environment at Dhanaulti and to provide alternative employment opportunities to villagers but they had been prevented from participation in the committee.

The villagers forced the Forest Department to postpone the election process for another six months. The villagers said they would continue opposing the election process until the president of the panel was not elected from among the villagers.

Neeraj Sharma, SDO, Mussoorie, said the elections had been postponed for another six months.

However, Mussoorie DFO Dheeraj Pandey said as per the norms, a forester should be nominated as the president while the rest of the members were elected from the villagers. He said as the Dhanaulti eco-park was earning good for the past five years, it had become a big revenue generator for the department and 200 locals were employed at the park.

Power outages in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
Several areas in Dehradun faced power outages after rain lashed the state today. People living in remote areas of the district were the main sufferers as the power supply was snapped for about three hours.

Besides, power generation in the state-run hydropower projects was badly affected due to silt in the Himalayan rivers and its tributaries after rain lashed higher parts of the state.

The gap between demand and supply has once again widened due to the decrease in power generation. The latest data compiled by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) officials clearly highlighted that turbines of hydropower projects have generated 14.99 million units of electricity against the demand of 34.72 million units of electricity in the state.

The 198 MW Kalagarh and 90 MW Maneri Bhalli-I have not generated a single unit of electricity. The power generation in other hydropower projects, including Chilla, Khodri, Dhalipur, Mohammadpur, is also badly affected.

Meanwhile, different colonies of Dehradun witnessed power cut after rain lashed the city. The worst-affected areas were Rajpur Road, EC Road, Dalanwala, Neshvilla Road, Chak Shah Nagar, Niranjanpur, Khurbura and Chakrata road.

The power cut was implemented in Green Park, Chaman Vihar, GMS Road, Sewala Kalan, Sangam, Vyomprakash, Kali Mandir Enclave, Pushpanjali and adjoining areas due to maintenance work lined up at 11 KV Sabzi Mandi feeder here.

Officials said power supply was resumed in most of the areas except in those colonies where testing of lines continued till late in the evening.

Speaking to The Tribune, an official spokesman of UPCL, Madhusudan said strict instructions were given to linemen to rectify technical snags in order to ensure disruption-free electricity to consumers. He said the department had been continuously procuring electricity in order to bridge a gap between the demand and availability of electricity in the state.

Madhusudan said inclement weather had always been a hurdle for supplying round-the-clock electricity to consumers, especially in mountainous areas of the state.

He said resumption of electricity takes place only after rectifying technical snags on lines which is a time-consuming procedure. He said the department would receive 2.5 million units of electricity in order to bridge a gap between the demand and availability of electricity in the state.

Rain hits electricity generation

• The gap between demand and supply widens due to the decrease in power generation
• Hydropower projects generate 14.99 million units of electricity against the demand of 34.72 million units
• The 198 MW Kalagarh and 90 MW Maneri Bhalli-I fail to generate even a single unit of electricity

No end in sight to problem of waterlogging in Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 4
For the past few years during every monsoon season, the residents of New Haridwar have been facing heavy waterlogging at one of the city’s busiest intersection, Bhagat Singh square at Ranipur.

As this square falls on the bordering area of Haridwar Municipal Corporation and public sector undertaking Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) both ,the MC and BHEL play the blame game on each other for not clearing nullahs on their respective sides.

But it is the residents who have to face the ire ,as now even during mild rain water accumulates at this square.

Bhagat Singh square is one of the busiest squares, as it is the gateway to BHEL. More than 150 industries are located in SIDCUL industrialestate. Also,it is a shortcut to reach suburban Jwalapur and Tibdi bypass that leads towards Har-ki-Pauri.

During the past fortnight the intersection has got submerged in rain water on at least five occasions, making it tough for traffic and on-foot commuters to pass via this stretch whenever it is raining. The drainage system adds to the woes of the local people ,with many vehicles getting overturned while trying to cross the flooded square road.

As Bhagat Singh intersection is just 100 metres away from city’s busiest commercial hub Ranipur Mod (Chandracharya chowk), thousands of vehicles use this stretch on daily basis, but get stranded on rainy days. Most of the people retreat back or take a longer Singh Dwar-Jwalapur route to reach BHEL and SIDCUL.

When contacted Mayor Manoj Garg said that they have repeatedly urged BHEL management to clear the nullahs on regular basis on their side but no heed has been paid to this.While BHEL spokesperson Rajiv Maniktala said that BHEL has already planned a project to ease out rain-nullah water from their side and constructed reservoirs for rain water, but civic body is not planning in a similar way on their side.

Due to rain route diversion at Ranipur mod via Tibdi ,BHEL and Shankar Ashram-Jwalapur road, massive traffic jams occur,owing to heavy rush of vehicles at Bhagat Singh square. After the rain stops, and water level recedes at the stretch, then only traffic resumes.

Mukhya Nagar Adhikar Vipra Trivedi said that a long-term plan needs to be made.

Problems galore

Bhagat Singh square is one of the busiest areas, as it is the gateway to BHEL. More than 150 industries are located in SIDCUL industrial estate. Also,it is a shortcut to suburban Jwalapur and Tibdi bypass that leads towards Har-ki-Pauri. In the past fortnight, the intersection has got submerged in rain water on at least five occasions, making it tough for traffic and pedestrians to pass via this stretch whenever it rains.

Climate change taking place in Tibet: Study
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 4
There are drastic climatic changes taking place in Tibet and greenery is replacing dryness there. Tibetan plateau is witnessing more rains compared to earlier rainfalls as the weather circle is changing slowly in that area.

These changes are new to the plateau and could bring floods in India and Nepal as several Indian rivers start from Tibet.These observations were made by Manoj Chandran, under secretary , forest department of Uttarakhand, who recently returned from Tibet after completing a study of the 1500 km-long-area of Tibet from Khasa to Darchin in Tibet region. The study was undertaken by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) under its Kailash project.

“The study was done between July 23 and 30 this year,” said the forest officer.

The sacred Kailash project being run by India, China and Nepal jointly with the intention of protecting flora and fauna, besides ecology of the region from last four years, is being coordinated by the ICIMOD , which has its headquarters at Kathmandu , Nepal.

According to Chandran, the study team visited 1,500-km-long distance from Khasa point at Nepal side of Tibet to Darchin, Kailash Mansarovar, and asked the locals about the state of rains in that region. “ The locals informed the team that they have now started growing millet and potato, besides mustard and barley as the increased rains have given support to these crops,” said Chandran.

The study team, which included scientists from Himalayan Environment and Development Institute at Katarmal in Almora, besides Chandran, from the state of Uttarakhand, has opined that as the dry regions of Tibet are not able to absorb rain water due to dryness. The increased rains might increase flow in the rivers, like Brahmputra, Sutlej, Indus of India and Karnali of Nepal, and might cause floods inside India and Nepal. “ The team of scientists included besides me, a joint secretary from Government of India, president of Uttarakhand biodiversity board, director of Himalayan institute and a scientist from Wildlife Institute of India(WII),” said Chandran.

Alarming situation

The study team, including scientists from Himalayan Environment and Development Institute at Katarmal in Almora, besides Chandran, from the state, has opined that dry regions of Tibet are not able to absorb rainwater due to dryness. The increased rains might increase flow in the rivers, like Brahmputra, Sutlej, Indus of India and Karnali of Nepal, and might cause floods inside India and Nepal.

Plant saplings to counter deforestation, says Bhojvaid
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
Dr PP Bhojvaid, Director, Forest Research Institute (FRI), urged people to come forward for planting more saplings with an aim to conserve forest. He stressed that collective efforts were required for conserving forests of the state.

After planting a sapling of banyan tree on the FRI campus under the Van Mahotsav programme, director of FRI Bhojvaid spoke on the importance of religious and medicinal value of banyan tree. He said that biological name of tree was ficus krishnae.

He said that the tree has been used for medicinal value since ancient times. He said that Dehradun is known for micro climate. He said that FRI campus is known for high micro climate as two-third land area of its campus is covered with forests.

Dr Bhojvaid said that creating awareness among residents is the main key to check deforestation. He said that villagers should lay importance on forestation. He stressed that planting more number of saplings would certainly reduce ill-effects of deforestation. He said that staff of the institute should ensure proper growth of planted saplings. Different varieties of saplings were planted during the programme. Dr N Krishan Kumar, Dr SP Singh and Dr GS Gauriya were present.

Ministerial employees’ strike continues
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
The strike by ministerial employees in support of their demands continued today. They have threatened to intensify their stir if the government failed to address their grievances.

The agitating employees under the banner of the Uttarakhand Ministerial Collectorate Employees Association staged a protest at the Collectorate today. They said despite the submission of a memorandum of demands to the officials concerned several times, nothing had been done so far.

They urged the District Magistrate to quash the revised staffing pattern in the district. They also opposed the dual attendance system in the district administration office.

Notably, work at the Collectorate, the Regional Transport Office, the state Education Department and at other government departments is badly affected due to the ongoing agitation by ministerial employees.

Rajendra Kumar, Devendra Sundriyal, Rajendra Singh Rawat, Ajay Goyal, Ashish Verma, Ajay Singh, Rishipal Singh, Sushil Badooni, BalakRam, Sadhna Saxena, Bala Pundi and Ragini were present on the occasion.

Power staff to boycott services from Aug 11
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
KR Kashyap, co-patron of the Uttarakhand Power Officers-Workers Joint Sangarsh Morcha, said they had decided to boycott services from August 11 in support of their year-long pending demands.

He said the memorandums highlighting the association’s demands had been submitted many a time to senior department officials but to no avail.

KR Kashyap said the talks with the department officials had remained inconclusive. Members of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) and Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (PTCUL) would take part in the agitation, he added.

He said the merger of the corporations, revision of salary, perks, sanctioning of service rules and provident funds to old employees were some of their demands.

They also demanded the extension of the Pay Commission benefits to the employees.

Kashyap said a memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted 50 days ahead of the proposed agitation but the department had failed to address grievances of the employees.

Kashyap said many scams had been reported in UPCL in the past but the state government failed to initiate probe into any of the scams. AP Amoli, GN Kothiyal, Kakar Singh and Bhagwati Prasad were present on the occasion.

Guv tells Chief Secy to review Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra arrangements
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi instructed the Chief Secretary to hold a meeting to review the arrangements before the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra beginning on August 18.

In a letter to Chief Secreatry Subhash Kumar, the Governor instructed that the high-level meeting should be held in Raj Bhavan between August 12 and 15 after coordinating with the Chief Minister, Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay, officials concerned and public representatives.

The Governor stated that it was important to review the arrangements at 19 resting points on the 280 km-yatra route. The Governor instructed that all efforts should be made to ensure the success of the yatra.

Experts discuss heart diseases
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
A one-day education programme was organised by the cardiology department of Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital here today. In the programme, specialists gave important tips to the doctors and staff members about the management of treatment of heart attack and heart-related diseases.

Hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Vinay Rai initiated the programme by lighting the lamp. Programme director Dr Tanuj Bhatia provided information about the quality life-saving treatment required by a cardiologist and his support staff. Dr Vinay Rai informed that in the last four months, the hospital had provided life-saving treatment to more than 300 critical cardiac patients. He said the hospital had the facility of revealing that which patients were at a high risk of heart attack. In the programme Dr VK Bihari, Dr Amit Verma, Cr Jameela John, Dr SP Singh, Dr Niyaz Ahmad and Dr Nitin Bansal also shared their knowledge about the different aspects involved in the treatment of cardiac diseases.

X-ray machine at Doon Hospital develops snag

Dehradun, August 4
Before newly installed digital radiography machine at Doon Hospital could be officially inaugurated by the Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi, it developed a technical snag.

At the time of the installation of the digital radiography facility, it was claimed that the x-ray machine would be able to do 350 x-rays in a day. Experts said the government should have gone for the machine manufactured by Wipro or Siemens as they were known for their quality of products, but the government went for Allengers company. — TNS

UKD floats student wing
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has decided to float its student wing with the name Uttarakhand Student Federation. Jayprakash Upadhayay, general secretary of the UKD said, “We will contest the upcoming student union elections and become the voice of students. Our aim is to give new direction to student politics in Uttarakhand.”

He said the party had decided to strengthen all its wings and special focus would be given on associating youths with the party through the student outfit.

Revenue officials on indefinite strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
The indefinite strike by revenue officials continued here today. They have threatened to intensify their agitation if the state government does not accede to their long-pending demands.

The agitators under the banner of the Uttarakhand Revenue Sangrah Ameen Association gathered at Parade Ground and raised anti-department slogans in support of their demands.

The agitators said a memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted many a time to officials concerned, but the department was yet any action.

They lamented that department officials gave a false assurance to them that their demands would be fulfilled. Their demands included removal of pay anomalies and timely promotion.

Udayveer Singh Rawat, Veerandra Singh Sajjwan, Vinod Sharma, Rajendra Nakoti, Bhawani Raturi, Surat Singh Panwar, Rajesh Negi, Sacchinanand Dobhal, Dharmendra Rahi, Rajendra Singh and Mohan Kumar were present among others.

ONGC-sacked paramedical employees on strike

Dehradun, August 4
The ongoing agitation by sacked contractual paramedical staff of ONGC continued here today. The agitators have threatened to intensify their agitation if the department does not quash termination orders of paramedical employees.

The agitators under the banner of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh staged a protest at the main gate of ONGC today. The agitators said that they were sacked by the corporation without giving notice despite the fact that they were providing their services for the last two decades.

It is worth mentioning that services of 41 contractual paramedical employees were terminated by ONGC. The agitators demanded from the administration to quash termination orders of contractual paramedical employees.

They threatened to intensify their agitation if the corporation does not cancel the termination orders. The agitators said that they will stage protest along with their family members, if the corporation does not accede to their demands.

Chakra Prasad, Geetanjali Jugran, Rajeev Goyal, Madan Pal, Rashmi Singh, Beena, Ratan Lal, Pawan Kumar, Mahesh Smarika, Rajeev Goyal and many more were present. — TNS

Two held for DAV College theft
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
Dalanwala police have arrested two thieves for their alleged involvement in theft incidents at DAV PG College and also claimed to have recovered stolen science laboratory equipments from their possession.

Acting on a tip-off, a Dalanwala police team arrested one junk dealer Ranjeet and his accomplice, who is a minor, today morning. The police have recovered the stolen microscopes worth Rs 1.6 lakh from Ranjeet’s shop at Raipur. According to the police officials, there are three more minor thieves absconding who were partners in the crime.

Notably, on July 22 unidentified thieves broke into DAV PG College and stole 40 microscopes. In a similar incident that took place on August 1, thieves struck once again and stole more microscopes from the college.

Burglars decamp with goods worth lakhs from college lab
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 4
Unidentified thieves decamped with goods worth several lakhs from the chemistry laboratory of Municipal Post Graduate College last night, according to the complaint filed by the principal of the college at the police station in Mussoorie today.

MPG College principal Sudhir Gairola informed the police that arriving at the college on Monday morning he found that the chemistry lab was ransacked and goods, including computers, lab equipments, slides worth several lakhs were missing. The unidentified burglars had also vandalised the lab and written obscene comments on the walls around the lab.

The police on reaching found that the unidentified thieves had committed the crime after breaking one window of the lab, and they fled with the goods from the same route. The police also found empty bottles of liquor outside the broken window, indicating that the thieves had committed crime at leisure.

When questioned, night watchmen deployed by the college said that he was sleeping on the floor of the college and did not hear any movement at night.

The police have taken necessary documents in their possession and have begun investigations into the matter.

Docs threaten to boycott OPD
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
Doctors belonging to the Provincial Medical and Health Services (PMHS) have threatened to launch an agitation by boycotting OPD on September 8 if their 10-point charter of demands is not fulfilled. The decision was taken at a meeting held here yesterday.

“We will launch our agitation on September 8 by boycotting OPD. On September 9, we will wear black bands as a mark of protest. The boycott of OPD will start again from September 22 to 24 while all services, except for the post-mortem duties, will be boycotted on September 29. On October 6, we will go on mass leave,” said Dr BS Jangpangi, president, PMHS.

The agitating doctors are demanding the implementation of the direct assured career progression, a clear and transparent transfer policy that promises a special allowance to doctors serving in remote areas, reservation of 50 per cent in postgraduate course for MBBS government doctors, vehicle allowance, increment, the appointments of doctors by the UPSC after every two years, contractual doctors be sent to the remote areas and a hike in the grade pay of additional director according to the Sixth Pay Commission.

Dr SK Goswami, general secretary of PMHS, they had informed the state Health Minister about their agitation plan.

Damaged road cuts off 11 villages from main market
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, August 4
Residents of 11 remote villages at Kapkot in Bageshwar district are facing hardships as the only connecting road to their area is damaged for the past 20 days owing to a landslide.

They are forced to tread 30 km to reach the nearest market for purchasing the essential goods. “Even an emergency rope over the Pindar river at Kilpara village is dysfunctional,” said a villager.

Residents of Dhur, Ugia, Teekh, Daula, Khati, Bacham, Sorag, Kilpara, Bdiakpt and Kuwari in Kapkot subdivision said the swollen Pindar also washed away the bridge over the river last month. It was the only way to reach the market. “We approached the authorities concerned several times with regard to the repair of the bridge. However, on our every visit, we were told that they don’t have funds to carry out the repair work,” said Govind Singh Danu, a zila panchayat member of the area.

Villagers have threatened to launch an agitation if the district administration fails to repair the only connecting road to their region. The Congress MLA from the area has also urged the department concerned to repair the road and the trolley.

However, PC Joshi, executive engineer, PWD, said they could not carry out repair works owing to the inclement weather. “ As soon as the weather gets clear, we will start the work,” he added.

Relief cheques given to disaster-hit farmers bounce
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 4
There is end in sight to the miseries of the farmers hit by the natural disaster that struck the Jaunpur development region in Tehri last year. The apathy of the district administration can be gauged from the fact that the cheques distributed among the disaster-hit farmers, amounting to Rs 500 to Rs 5,000, have bounced due to insufficient amount.

Farmers in several villages of Thatyur block had suffered a huge loss to livestock and property during the natural disaster last year.

The farmers alleged that when they submitted the cheques to Ganga-Yamuna Grameen Bank at Thatyur, they were informed that all the cheques had bounced.

“When I deposited the cheque an bank official said there was no money in the bank account and returned it,” said Upendar Lekhwar, a farmer. The affected farmers are livid at the insensitivity shown by the government and questioned why the cheques were released when the account did not have enough amount.

Recruitment rally to fill 50 posts of constable
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 4
A recruitment rally to fill 50 posts of constable began at the Roshanabad Police Lines here today. A total of 12,000 applicants have applied for the same. SSP Sadanand Date also visited the venue. Circle officer (city) Chandra Mohan Singh has been made the nodal officer for the rally.

Meanwhile, in the wake of an increase in theft and chain-snatching incidents in the past few days, the SSP has directed all SHOs to ensure regular patrolling, especially during night hours, in their respective areas.

He said in case of any such incident, the respective SHO must inform him about the measures taken to nail the culprit(s). The SSP said he would pay surprise visits at police stations and strict action would be taken against those found absent on duty.

47 complaints received at janata darbar

A total of 47 applications were received at a janata darbar organised at the Collectorate, Roshanabad, on Monday. District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan heard the complaints. Ten complaints were resolved on the spot.

Most of the applications were related to water and power shortage and problems being faced by the elderly in getting pension. The DM directed officials to implement a zero pendency scheme, so that the public does not have to wait for long to get the problems solved.

Pendiyan directed Jal Nigam officials to replace faulty water pipelines with the new one and power corporation officials were told not to impose irregular cuts in rural areas.

CM inspects Maharana Pratap Sports College
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
Chief Minister Harish Rawat inspected Maharana Pratap Sports College here today. He visited its ice-skating rink, athletics trek, hostel and canteen and checked the level of facilities available for the students.

He, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the bad management of the infrastructure. The CM said there should be a better use of the available infrastructure in the college.

The CM asked the college officials to ensure cleanliness on the hostel premises and that there must be proper drainage system in the college besides ventilation in the hostel rooms.

To take first hand feedback, the CM met hostel students and asked them about the facilities being provided to them. He instructed officials to ensure the availability of purified drinking water and hygienic food for the students.

The CM told Home Secretary MH Khan that all facilities be given to sportspersons joining the police force, so that they could excel in the field of sports and bring laurels to the state.

RNTCP employees sans salary for six months
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 4
The employees working under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) lambasted the Health Department for the delay in the payment of their salary. They have not been paid salary for the past six months.

They met under the banner of the Pradesh TB Niyantran Karmchari Kalyan Association in Mussoorie today.

Suryakant Painuli, president of the association, said 200 employees working as lab technician,TB health visitors, senior treatment supervisors, senior lab supervisors, data entry operators had not received their salary for the past six months. He further that senior department officials had not taken any action in this regard despite several reminders. He said the delay in the distribution of salary indicated that everything was not fine in the department.

They threatened to launch agitation if the department failed to pay salary in the next 15 days. Association memebers Brihaspati Nautiyal, Pramod Badoni, Bhagwati Prasad, Ramgovind Bhatt,Bhagwati Prasad, Sunil Prohit, Ganesh Bhardwaj and Goli Das were also present at the meeting.

Fasting teachers’ health deteriorates
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
The health of the members of the Uttarakhand Polytechnic Contractual Teachers’ Association, who are on an indefinite fast for the past seven days at Parade Ground, deteriorated today.

They are demanding regularisation of their services. They have been blaming the government for its apathetic attitude towards their demands for some time.

Sarvesh Chaudhary, president of the association, blamed the government of making false promises with regard to their demands.

He claimed that a delegation of teachers had to wait for more than eight hours to meet Chief Minister Harish Rawat at the Bijapur guest house on Friday.

They threatened to intensify the stir if their demands were not met.

‘Cong committed to state’s development’
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 4
The chairman of Uttarakhand State Seed and Organic Production Certification Agency Tilak Raj Behad today assured people of the state of the Congress government’s commitment towards overall development of the state.

In city while attending a function organised by Uttaranchal Punjabi Maha Sabha,Behad said that earlier during Narayan Dutt Tiwari-led Congress government (2002-07) and currently under the CM Harish Rawat government, several development projects have been initiated.

Behad ,former state health minister, added that Chief Minister Harish Rawat had instilled hope and confidence among people of the state, ‘’owing to his corruption-free and development- oriented governance.’’

“Under CM Harish Rawat thousands of development schemes and foundation stones of projects have been laid in just few months.

The state government is catering to all segments of society,” said Behad, former four-time legislator from Kumaon.

Terming the recent clean sweep in the byelecitons for three Assembly segments Dharchula,Someshwar and Doiwala ,Behad said that the victory had strengthened CM Harish Rawat’s position and also signalled the bad days for Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government.

Recently Tilak Raj Behad has also been elected as state president of Uttaranchal Punjabi Maha Sabha.Addressing Maha Sabha members he called on the community people to work for the overall development of the community and state together.

Welham Boys win matches
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
Welham Boys School continued its winning spree during the CBSE Sahodaya School Complex Inter-School Football Tournament here today. In a junior category match, Welham Boys School defeated DAV Public School 3-0 with Vijay Prakash scoring the goals in the 35th, 45th and 54th minutes of the match.

In the other match in the junior category, Doon Global School registered a 2-0 win over Kasiga School in a tie-breaker.

Welham Boys School defeated Kasiga School 2-0 in a senior category match with Ali Khan scoring both goals in the 5th and 14th minutes of the match. In the second match, NBS School, Rishikesh, defeated Asian School 4-3 in a tie-breaker.

Sub-Area Inter-School Football Tournament

Two matches were played in the Uttarakhand Sub-Area Inter-School Football Tournament here today.

In the first match, Gorkha Military School defeated North Point School 1-0.

The match between RIMC and Army School, Clement Town, ended in a goalless draw with both teams failing to score in the normal allotted timing despite a number of offensive moves made by both teams.

MRI centre at Doon Hospital runs in losses
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
The earning at the MRI centre, Doon Hospital, has considerably dropped after the hospital severed its ties with a private partner, which was handling the centre earlier.

The running of the MRI machine in 2009 at Doon Hospital was the first experiment carried out by the Directorate of Medical, Health and Family Welfare, but loopholes in the terms and conditions left the hospital fighting a protracted battle on the issue of who would provide for the film used in the MRI. The matter is still pending in court.

Besides, there were complaints about constant breakdown of the machine. Now with MRI machine running in its hands, the Doon Hospital managed to earn Rs 9 lakh till July.

Initial settlement of the bills by the Doon Hospital suggests that a portion is expected to go in settling the electricity bills, expenditure on procuring film and contrast for the MRI, leaving the hospital with very less amount.

The hospital has to pay to the contractual staff working at the MRI centre. Earlier, the private partner had taken care of all these things.

“In the changed circumstances, the burden of paying the electricity bills, paying for the four-member contractual staff and entrusting the hospital radiologist to conduct the MRI scan has fallen on the shoulders of the hospital. All terms and conditions are the same as they existed as before, only the private partner has made an exit,” said Dr RS Aswal, Principal Superintendent, Doon Hospital.

Earlier, when the MRI was under PPP mode, after depositing the amount in the treasury earned by the private partner, the hospital received 34 per cent share, which came to roughly around Rs 4.5 lakh per month. But now since taking over the running of the MRI on its own, the hospital’s share has fallen in the first month itself.

Private firm pulls off

• The running of the MRI machine in 2009 at Doon Hospital was the first experiment carried out by the Directorate of Medical, Health and Family Welfare, but loopholes in the terms and conditions left the hospital fighting a protracted battle on the issue of who would provide for the film used in the MRI. The matter is still pending in court.
• Now with MRI machine running in its hands, the Doon Hospital managed to earn Rs 9 lakh till July.

Hampton School wins street play competition
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 4
The Convent of Jesus and Mary (CJM), Hampton Court School, was adjudged winner of the Inter-CJM schools street play competition here today. The CJM Dehradun was adjudged runners-up in the competition.

Students from convent schools, around the region, namely CJM Waverly, St Agnes, Dehradun, CJM St Lawrence and CJM Dehradun presented various plays based on problems being faced by youth presently.

The topics of the play were related to drug addiction, bulleying, ragging, water, alcoholism and drug addiction.

The best actor was Balwant Singh of St Agnis and best actress was Anita Singh of St Lowrence. Usha Bhatt, senior Hindi teacher from St Clare’s and Madhu Kala from St George’s College, Mussoorie. Sister Lucy D Souza, Principal, CJM Hampton Court, Mussoorie gave away the trophies, cups and certificates to the winners.

Review officers boycott work
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
Stepping up their agitation further, the members belonging to Uttarakhand Secretariat Review officers Association stepped up their agitation by boycotting work for four hours from 10 am to 2 pm today.

While addressing his co workers, Deepak Joshi, general secretary of the association, lashed out at the government for failing to fulfil their six point charter of demands.

“We will not bow down to government threats but will continue with our struggle to get our six-point charter of demands fulfilled,” said Joshi while addressing the meeting at the Secretariat.

Joshi said that the members were called for a meeting with Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar. “We managed to put our views before him forcefully and stressed on the need to implement the demands that have been pending for long. Though the meeting was positive, we will call off our agitation only after our demands are met,” said Joshi.

He said that the association will continue with their decision of boycott of work on August 11 and will revoke it only after the government fulfils their demands.

‘Collective efforts must to control vehicular pollution’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4
The participants from transport departments of different states gathered information on vehicular pollution in a seminar organised by CSIR and Indian Institute of Petroleum here today. The participants were apprised about alternative sources of fuel for vehicles.

The participants had detail discussions on auto fuel in order to meet with Indian standards.

Speaking on the occasion, MK Shukla, director of training programme, said that awareness is the only tool to control vehicular pollution in the country. He said that collective efforts are needed to control vehicular pollution in the country.