Uttarakhand considering having four police ranges
Gaurav Talwar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
The Uttarakhand Government is once again considering carving out four police ranges in the state out of the present two — Garhwal and Kumaon.

According to sources in the Police Department, the issue of creating four police ranges was discussed in the Cabinet meeting and the government is seriously contemplating bifurcating the Garhwal range into Pauri and Dehradun police ranges and Kumaon range into Nainital and Pithoragarh police ranges.

In 2012, the government carved out four police ranges out of the traditional Garhwal and Kumaon police ranges. It then appointed DIG-rank officers to head those ranges. But the experiment did not prove successful and the government had to revert to the old system of two police ranges.

Requesting anonymity, a senior police officer told The Tribune, “In 2012, the government decided to abolish four police ranges within a few months of their establishment due to rising discontent among some senior police officers over curtailed power in the four-range system, as there were only 2-3 districts under one police range.”

Notably, if the two police ranges are bifurcated once again, the seven districts that come under Garhwal range will get divided between Dehradun and Pauri ranges while the six districts in the Kumaon range will be divided into Nainital and Pithoragarh police ranges.

Rumours are rife in the police headquarters these days regarding the probable names of the senior police officers who might be given responsibilities of heading the police range in case the government takes a decision on creating four police ranges.

If sources are to believed, DIG GS Martolia is the frontrunner for the post of DIG Dehradun range while IPS officer Pushkar Sailal’’s name is apparently on the forefront when it comes to the post of DIG Pauri range. DIG MS Bangyal is in the reckoning for the post of DIG Nainital range while Anant Ram Chauhan might get the responsibility of heading the Pithoragarh range.

DIG Garhwal range Amit Sinha might be made the head of the newly established Mining Vigilance Force, which is currently headed by DIG Sanjay Gunjyal.

  Cabinet sub-committee meet today

Dehradun, August 11
The cabinet sub-committee constituted by the government to examine the demand raised by the Uttarakhand Secretariat Reviews Officers Association would meet on Tuesday.

The committee had to meet today, but due to prior engagements of ministers, the meeting will now be held tomorrow. “We have given 15 days to the government to act upon the demand of creating new departments and have suspended our agitation,” said Deepak Joshi, general secretary of the association.

Meanwhile, the minutes of the meeting in which five demands raised by members of the association have been accepted has been released by the government. The meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar and attended by Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma and others. — TNS

Saint ends meditation, offers rituals at Ganga ghats
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 11
Renowned saint of Shri Dakshin Kali Temple, Peethadeeshwar Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Maharaj, who was on one-month-long meditation (maun vrata),concluded it by offering rituals at Ganga river ghat.

Kailashanand Maharaj performed rituals at Chandi Chat by first offering prayers at Lord Shiva temple and then anointing Shivalingam with holy Ganga Jal at Neeldhara. An ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, Kailashanand Maharaj observes this ritual annually during Shravan month.

Neel Dhara is considered in Puranas the same place where during ‘Samudramanthan,’ tug of war between deities and demons, Lord Shiva had consumed poison and then taken holy Ganga dip in Haridwar.

As due to poison his neck became blue, Lord Shiva also began to be called ‘Neel Kanth,’having blue neck.

Citing enormous spiritual benefit of taking the holy Ganga dip at Neeldhara,particularly during Hindu calendar month of Shravan, Kailashanand Brahamchari said that positive energy is created that ushers in happiness and welfare of not oneself but also of human kind.

The month-long-meditation concluded with offering of 1008 pots of Ganga Jal and cow milk of deity Lord Shiva and holy Ganga river by pundits from Kashi and Vrindavan. Chanting of Vedic mantras at the Neeldhara Ganga ghat was done by saints and brahamcharis. 

 Newly elected panchayat members administered oath
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
The District Magistrate administered oath to the newly elected zila panchayat president Chaman Singh and other members in the presence of Chief Minister Harish Rawat during a swearing-in ceremony organised at the Nagar Nigam Auditorium here today.

The Chief Minister said; “Panchayati Raj institutions are the basic unit of democracy. The responsibilities of panchayat representatives have increased after the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution. The elected members of the zila panchayat have to carry out their responsibilities in a way that they contribute towards the development of democracy. The nation has changed over years and so has the thinking of the new generation.

“The aspirations of the public have increased tremendously. Therefore, the institutions had to be accorded powers in such a manner that progress is sped up to meet the expectations,” he added.

Stating that the democracy has picked up pace, Rawat said public now evaluates performance of the representatives before casting their votes. “The biggest challenge before the representatives remains whether they would be re-elected or not. To ensure this, they have to work with sincerity from right now. The state government would be extending all possible cooperation to the newly elected three-tier panchayats. The state government would maintain a continuous dialogue with the panchayat representatives. As part of this, time would be accorded to panchayat representatives in the Chief Minister’s weekly programme,” he said.

Those present on the occasion included state Congress president Kishore Upadhyaya, Cabinet ministers Pritam Singh and Dinesh Aggarwal, MLAs Navprabhat, Hira Singh Bist, Kunwar Pranav Singh and several others.

707 given notices to file expenditure details
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 11
Panchayat elections in the state are over, the Champawat panchayat election department has issued notices to 707 candidates to file their expenditure details within 20 days of getting the notice.

“We have given notices to these candidates, informing them that if they do not file expenditure details within 20 days of getting the notice, they will not be able to contest the panchayat election for the next six years according to Election Commission rules,” said KN Tiwari, assistant election officer of Champawat.

According to the election office sources, a total of 1,819 candidates contested for the panchayat posts of Gram Pradhan, BDC member and Zila Panchayat member. Out of these candidates, only 1,112 have filed their expenditure details till the prescribed date of July 27. “We have given the responsibility of ensuring delivery of notices to blocks concerned,” said Tiwari.

According to Tiwari, over 1,193 panchayat candidates of 2008 panchayat elections have been disqualified from contesting for six years as they have not submitted their expenditure details within 20 days of declaration of result in the panchayat elections of 2008. “Only 781 candidates out of 1,974 contestants have given expenditure details in the panchayat elections of 2008,” said Tiwari.

Zila parishad members seek Pantwadi-Nag Tibba road
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 11
The newly elected Zila Panchayat members from Jaunpur development region led by the ZP member Amrendar Bisht from Bistaunsi, in Tehri district, met Chief Minister Harish Rawat at his office in Dehradun, demanding a road from Pantwadi to Nag Tibba today.

Bisht met the Chief Minister and apprised him of the pathetic condition of the roads in the region. Bisht informed the Chief Minister that most of the roads were damaged due to incessant rains and were in need of immediate repair.

He demanded construction of a motor road from Srikot to Khaskoti so that dozens of villages could be linked to the outside world.

Besides, he demanded construction of the road from Pantwadi to Nag Tibba so that tourism activities could be promoted at Nag Tibba, thus generating much-needed revenue for the state and employment for the locals here. He also demanded concretisation of the road from Matli village to Faphrog along with other roads.

Bisht further said Chief Minister Harish Rawat had assured that the issues raised by ZP members would be taken up on a priority basis and had given necessary directions to officials to solve problems of villagers here. Pradip Kavi, Gambhir Rawat, Lokendar Uniyal, Jot Singh Rawat and others were present on the occasion.

 ‘Commercial vehicle operators flout norms’

Dehradun, August 11
Bus operators staged a protest against commercial vehicles running on permit through contract today.

The bus operators, under the banner of Doon Mahanagar City Bus Service, protested at Pt Deen Dayal Upadhaya Park. They alleged that the state transport office was supporting owners of commercial vehicles running under contractual permit. The agitators said contract permit commercial vehicle operators were flouting rules and regulations. — TNS

Met Dept forecasts more rain in state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Heavy rains continue to play havoc in the higher reaches of the state. The Ganga is flowing at 292.65 m, which is near the danger mark of 294 m. The state Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain in the higher reaches.

District administration officials said PWD and BRO personnel were working round the clock to clear the debris along the Char Dham Yatra route to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the higher areas. They said blocked routes would be reopened to traffic soon but incessant rains were continuously hampering the repair work.

According to the data compiled by the state emergency operations centre of the Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, vehicular movement on Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway (NH-108) is halted due to landslides at Suhkitop and Gangnani in Uttarkashi district. Traffic is disrupted on Rishikesh-Yamunotri National Highway (NH-94) due to mudslides at Silaiband in Uttarkashi.

The vehicular movement is also disrupted on the Guptkashi-Kalimath and Uttarakshi-Lambagaon-Srinagar routes. More than 10 routes are permanently blocked in Pithoragarh, Tehri, Almora, Bageshwar, and Chamoli. According to information, snowfall would occur in places with altitude more than 5,000 m.

The Met Department has also forecast light to moderate rain in Badrinath, Hemkunt Sahib, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Pithoragarh.

Trail of destruction

* Ganga reaches near the danger mark of 294 m

* Vehicular movement on Rishikesh-Gangotri NH-108 and Rishikesh-Yamunotri NH-94 disrupted due to landslides

* More than 10 routes blocked in Pithoragarh, Tehri, Almora, Bageshwar, and Chamoli

* Met forecasts light to moderate rain in Badrinath, Hemkunt Sahib, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Pithoragarh

College students protest merit-based admissions
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
The decision taken by colleges affiliated with HNB Garhwal University to make admissions only on the basis of merit from the academic session 2014-15 as per High Court orders has snowballed into a major controversy. Student unions have come out in the open against the decision and stalled the admission process in major colleges of Dehradun here today.

Amid protest by the students on Monday, the authorities have closed down the city’s oldest and largest degree college, DAV PG College, for an indefinite period. The students are protesting against the college decision to cut down admissions and make these only on merit basis.

Siddharth Rana, president of DAV PG College Student Union, told The Tribune, “We students, under the banner of Students Struggle Committee, are protesting against the college management’s decision to make admissions on the basis of merit. Similarly, in other colleges, students are protesting against the move.”

The controversy flared up in June this year when while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Nainital High Court observed that the institutions under the HNB Garhwal University were permitting admissions more than their permitted intake and the mandatory minimum 180 days of teaching a year norm was not followed. Besides, teachers were not available in the institutions for five hours a day, it was stated.

Consequently, HNB Garhwal University, quoting the High Court observation, wrote to college principals, head of departments, campus directors and deans of schools concerned on June 6 earlier this year that colleges should not entertain admissions beyond the approved sanctioned seats. The university also directed the affiliated colleges to specify the course, duration and sanctioned strength (approved seats) in their admission prospectus from the academic session 2014-15 onwards.

Meanwhile, the Students Struggle Committee of DAV PG College has planned to file a review petition in the Nainital High Court. “We are going to file the review petition on Tuesday seeking respite for over 20,000 students who would be left in the lurch following the High Court order,” it was stated.

The DAV PG College management has been supporting its decision to make admissions only on merit basis, claiming that the college infrastructure can support just 12,000 students while it was accommodating more than 30,000 students during the previous academic sessions. “We are just following the High Court order and it is in the interest of the students as quality of education would get better if colleges make admissions against just the approved sanctioned seats,” said Devendra Bhasin, principal of DAV PG College.

Similarly, students in other colleges in Dehradun such as DBS PG College are protesting against the decision and are not letting the college start the admission process for the academic session 2014-15.

Taking cognisance of the ongoing student protest, Chief Minister Harish Rawat convened a meeting of Higher Education Department officials on Sunday and directed the Principal Secretary of the department to make arrangements for introducing evening classes in the colleges to address concerns of students seeking admissions in the colleges.

He directed officials to open the campus of Uttarakhand Open University in Dehradun.

Fallout

Amid a protest by students on Monday, the authorities have closed down the city’s oldest and largest degree college, DAV PG College, for an indefinite period.

 Choying’s spiritual melodies enthral
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Summer Valley School today organised a lecture-cum-concert with Ani Choying Drolma, an internationally acclaimed Buddhist nun and singer from the Nagi Gompa nunnery in Nepal. Over 150 students from various schools attended the event.

Ani Choying Drolma mesmerised the audience with her spiritual melodies, which included meditation prayer, Ganesh Stuti and spiritual songs in Nepali. She has recently been appointed as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador to Nepal and is the founder of the Nuns Welfare Foundation of Nepal. Schools like Hope Town Girls School, Ecole Global International Girls School, Welham Girls School, St Judes School and Cambrian Hall attended the programme.

100 hurt at traditional stone war
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 11
Over 100 devotees received injuries during the traditional stone war at Devidhura in Champawat district today. Following orders of a court, the stone war was played with pears and apples, but was followed by stones.

“The district administration had taken strict security measures against the use of stones,” said Ashok Joshi, SDM, Pati, and magistrate of Devidhura Mela.

“We had arranged 10 quintals of pear and apple fruits and four baskets of flowers for ‘fighters’ of Gaharwal, Chamyal, Lamgaria and Balig. The stone war was converted into a fruit war following orders of the court,” said Joshi.

Thousands of persons, including devotees from Devidhura and Kali Kumaon region, thronged the mela, he said.

According to the ritual, four traditional clans play Bagwal at the altar of Barahi deity. They had promised their forefathers to shed blood and quench the thirst of the Goddess and minimise human sacrifice.

“After last year’s order of the Uttarakhand High Court to use fruits and flowers in place of stones, devotees now initiate with fruits and conclude with stones. They believe that the deity would not be pleased if they do not shed human blood,” said Laxman Singh Lamgaria, manager of the Devidhura temple committee.

The Devidhura fair was inaugurated by the Speaker of the State Assembly on Saturday. Joshi said the administration had made elaborated arrangements to prevent vehicles on the mela campus. 

 Demand to fill vacant posts of teacher, doctor
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 11
After election dust settles, people and political parties in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts have begun raising the issue of shortage of teachers in government schools and doctors in government hospitals.

The BJP has announced today that it will stage a demonstration at the district headquarters on Tuesday, demanding sufficient number of teachers in government schools of the district. “We have planned to start an agitation for the appointment of teachers in Government Intermediate College of the district as more than 80 per cent posts of teachers in these schools are vacant,” said Bishen Singh Chufal, former BJP chief and MLA from Didihat.

According to BJP leader, due to this negligent attitude of the state government, the bureaucracy has gone out of control. “In such administrative situations, the education is creating high volume of migration from rural areas of the state,” said the BJP leader.

“After tomorrow’s demonstration, the government will be given 15-day time to fill the vacant posts of teachers in government schools. If the government fails to do so, our party will launch an indefinite agitation at the district headquarters, Pithoragarh,” he said.

In Champawat district, the people from Talla Desh region have decided that if the post of a pharmacist, which has been lying vacant at the lone ANM centre of the area for over 26 years, is not filled in 15 days time, they will start an agitation.

“The centre, meant for a population of 10,000 people of over 12 villages, has gone paralysed in the absence of a pharmacist. We have now decided to start an agitation at the district headquarter to fill the vacant posts,” said Purushotam Joshi, former block pramukh of Champawat block.

 Mussoorie fire station a picture of neglect
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

A vehicle belonging to Fire Department officials that was damaged due to the falling of boulders recently; and (right) cracks on a wall of the fire station in Mussoorie. Tribune photos

Mussoorie, August 11
The dilapidated condition of a fire station near Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) is posing threat to fire fighters.

Around 26-27 fire fighters are housed in rooms of a building that has developed cracks from several places and could cave in at any moment. The building being surrounded by a hill from three sides does not receive sunshine round the year, resulting in illness to firefighters on frequent basis.

Besides this, boulders falling from the above hill were a constant threat, said senior fire officials.

“Recently, a boulder damaged the vehicle of a senior official,” said a firemen. “Firemen are housed in two small rooms huddled to each other in most inconvenient conditions,” said another fireman. The Fire Department is finding it difficult to repair the building as it is on rent.

When contacted Chief Fire Officer SK Sharma said he was aware of the problem and a file had been moved in the department requesting the Municipal Council to provide an alternate land or building where they can shift their equipment and manpower.

He said talks were on with the Municipal council to shift the fire station near Kingcraig, but nothing concrete has come out so far. Municipal Council president Manmohan Singh Mall said a proposal had come to him from the Fire Department to provide an alternate land or building so that they could shift from the existing location.

However, due to paucity of land, the Municipal Council was finding it difficult to make any commitment, said Mall. He said the council was on a look out and as soon as any alternate site was found, it would be handed over to Fire Department. 

  Kempty Govt Inter-College PTA office-bearers sworn in

Mussoorie, August 11
Mukesh Panwar was unanimously elected as president and Radhakrishan Raturi as secretary of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) during a meeting at Government Inter-College Kempty near Mussoorie today.

The other members of the executive committee elected today were Anil Nautiyal for the post of vice-president and Kamla Pant for the post of treasurer. Jaipal Rana and Sansaar Rana were elected as the executive committee members.

The newly elected president of PTA Mukesh Panwar, speaking on the occasion, said a major problem the school was facing pertained to the under-construction block. He said the delegation would meet the Chief Minister and demand from him directions to the officials to complete the school building on time this year.

He also discussed other problems being faced by the school with the teachers here. — TNS

 Harish Rawat releases book
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Chief Minister Harish Rawat released a book “Shri Nanda Devi Raj Jaat” here yesterday. The CM appealed to people to make the yatra a historic event.

He said the book would give an insight about the yatra. Rawat lauded efforts of Kanti Ballabh Kuniyal, who penned the book. 

 Kaushal of RLEK nominated on Lankan war crime probe panel
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has invited a renowned leading Indian human rights activist, Prof Avdhash Kaushal, chairperson of Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a Dehradun-based voluntary organisation, with “special consultative status with Economic and Social Council of United Nations for having special competence in empowering indigenous groups, marginalised population, women and children in claiming their entitlements”, to join the international panel of experts attached to the presidential commission investigating wartime disappearances and charges of war crimes against the Lankan armed forces and the Tamil Tigers.

Sri Lankan Government has formed this international panel of experts on the advice of Japanese government in which panel members will be Prof Avdhash Kaushal from India and rest of the names from Japan and Pakistan will be decided this week.

Prof Kaushal said that the offer has come after the consent of Indian Government also. He said that “I have conveyed my acceptance to be a member of this prestigious and challenging panel. I have trained a number of Lankans, including Tamils from Jaffna, in human rights.

More than 20 Lankans have so far attended the 10-month course in human rights at my organisation, the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK).” Avdhash Kaushal said: “An effective national, regional or sub regional human rights mechanism must satisfy several major criteria, including having members who have the experience and competence in the field of human rights and mandate to promote human rights and investigate complaints of human rights violations; and sufficient resources to perform the tasks. These criteria are also important in ensuring the independence of a national, regional or sub regional human rights mechanism.”

Mamta Thappa, legal expert of RLEK, said that “it is not only another feather in the cap of RLEK but also a great honour to the state of Uttarakhand as well as to the whole India to include Kaushal in the prestigious international panel.”

Central Capital Investment Scheme gets lukewarm response
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
The Central Capital Investment Subsidy (CCIS) Scheme 2013 has elicited a lukewarm response from business entrepreneurs eagerly waiting for concessions. This could offset the losses incurred due to the abrupt end of the Central Industrial Package (CIP)- 2003.

The CCIS scheme, announced in March this year, invited proposals for the expansion of existing units and registration of new units. Under the scheme, the Department of Industries has received 114 proposals for the expansion and setting up of new industries in hubs around Haridwar and Roorkee and Udham Singh Nagar, Kashipur, Jaspur Rudrapur Sitarganj and Dehradun.

Around 33 proposals have been received from Udham Singh Nagar district, which is the main industrial hub in the state. Out of these, 28 proposals concern extension of existing business and five are new proposals. Most of these are from small and medium-scale enterprises comprising hotels packaging and pharmaceutical industries.

From Roorkee district, the number of proposals received are 62, comprising electrical goods, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, invertors, irrigation equipment etc.

From Dehradun, proprietors of 18 businesses have registered so far and proposals are in the areas of hotels, water purifier, hosiery etc. Only one proposal has been received for setting up a hotel at Dharchula (Pithoragarh).

 2010 Maha Kumbh Mela
Health Dept told to submit ambulance purchase details
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
The Tripathi Commission, headed by former IAS officer Sushil Tripathi and constituted by the Congress government to probe the alleged scams that took place during the BJP’s rule, has asked the Department of Health and Family Welfare to submit all details regarding the purchase and sanction of 25 ambulances during the 2010 Maha Kumbh mela by August 19.

The ambulances were purchased for Rs 250 lakh and were deployed during the mela in Haridwar. It is alleged that during the Maha Kumbh Mela, funds to the tune of Rs 500 crore-Rs 600 crore were misappropriated. For that matter, even the CAG had pulled up the state government for wasteful expenditure during the mela.

The issue again gained prominence during the recent Assembly bypoll in the state when Chief Minister Harish Rawat accused the then BJP government of embezzlement of the funds.

The commission is also probing the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 56 hydropower projects, the Citurgia housing project, the Maha Kumbh mela, centrally sponsored schemes, Uttarakhand Seeds and Terai Seeds Corporation and funds allocated for disaster management during the tenure of the BJP.

Earlier, the commission, while probing the Citurgia land scam, had issued a notice to Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. However, Nishank moved the Nainital High court, which contended that the commission had no authority to issue him a notice in a case already disposed of by the HC. 

 Exhibition gives a glimpse of Dalai Lama
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 11
The “Tibet Week”, dedicated to the Dalai Lama for his contribution to the Tibetan cause, concluded at Central School for Tibetans (CST), Happy Valley, today. A special assembly and an exhibition based on life of the Dalai Lama were inaugurated by Principal Anita Narula at the valedictory function.

An inter-house quiz competition was organised on the occasion in which Choegyal House emerged winner.

Students participated with enthusiasm in the dialects presentation event. Narula commended the efforts of students in compiling the exhibition, speeches, declamation and debate with a focus on life of the Dalai Lama to mark the festivities under the Tibet Week.

She said students were successful in expressing their gratitude and reverence to the Dalai Lama for his dedication and commitment to Tibetan refugee in India and abroad. The rector of the school expressed his happiness at the successful culmination of the Tibet Week.

Tashi Samdup, Yeshi Dorjee, Tenzin Lhagyal, Tsering Huntsok, Thinley Wangmo and students of class XI (Science) were commended for successful conclusion to the event.

 Four drown in seasonal drain
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Four persons, including a woman, her two children and an elderly person, were swept away when they were trying to cross a seasonal drain called ‘Jakhan’ at Rani Pokhri in the Rishikesh police station area here today. Their bodies have been recovered.

“The woman has been identified as Rekha Devi of Sindhwal village and the elderly person has been identified as 80-year-old Mahendra Singh,” the police said. 

  Himalayas Valley offers free coaching for poor students

Haridwar, August 11
A group of educationists and social activists have joined hands to provide quality coaching and guidance to meritorious students, who hail from poor, semi-urban and rural background.

The Himalayas Valley Group of Education is getting support from senior academicians to young engineers, chartered accountants, pharmacists, bankers and those who have been preparing for civil services for the past few years.

Durgesh Pratap Singh, a gold medalist in engineering, said keeping in mind the education level in Haridwar and Uttarakhand, it would be better to provide local students a platform where they can be groomed for competitive examinations.

Additional director Ran Vijay Singh said they would provide free education to those meritorious students who hail from poor background and would charge nominal fee from general students. — TNS

 Ministerial staff want case against 3 colleagues withdrawn
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Despite the rollback of staffing pattern order implemented by District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav on July 22, ministerial staff continued their three-day strike here today.

The protesters are now demanding the withdrawal of a case against three staff members. 

Addressing the protesters gathered under the banner of the Uttarakhand Ministerial Collectorate Karamchari Sangh, Ashish Verma alleged the District Magistrate was adopting a dictator attitude towards the employees and it would not be accepted at any cost.

“We will not call off our strike and agitation until the cases are withdrawn against the three employees. If our demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike,” he added.

Later, a delegation of the sangh met Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Urging the protesters to call off the strike, Rawat said a 
negative message was going to the public against the state government and employees.

“The state government is committed to the welfare of the state government. Before going on a strike, the issues should be discussed with me. I have earmarked a special time in the weekly calendar to meet representatives of employees’ unions. A common policy will soon be drafted for the ministerial staff in the state,” said the CM.

Rajender Semwal, Ashish Verma, Rajender Kumar, Ajay Moylal, Rajender Rawat and Anuj Kumar were part of the delegation.

 Removal of encroachments from footpaths
Court commissioner to submit report on Aug 20
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Even as the district administration and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation have done a little to check encroachments, despite a rap from the Nainital High Court (HC), the court commissioner appointed by the HC is all set to submit report on August 20.

Responding to a public interest litigation filed by Manmohan Singh Lakhera, the Nainital High Court had ordered removal of encroachments from footpaths in the state capital. In the PIL, Lakhera said; “The footpaths were created in the city to facilitate walking space for commuters. However, the footpaths have been encroached upon either by shopkeepers or hawkers and vendors. As a result, commuters have to walk on busy roads and this leads to accidents.”

To oversee the work carried out by the administration, the court had appointed Dehradun District Bar Association president Rajiv Sharma as the court commissioner. The HC had directed Sharma to submit a report on the status of footpath encroachments in the state capital.

Speaking to The Tribune, Sharma said he had prepared the status report of the encroachments in the state capital and would be submitting the same to the High Court on August 20.

“I visited almost every nook and corner of the city and checked the encroachments. The encroached area was earmarked and a picture was clicked to support the report. My duty was to oversee the status of encroachments and steps taken by the authorities to remove them. I have written everything in my report that is classified as of now,” said Sharma.

It may be recalled that following a rap from the High Court, the then District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam had launched an anti-encroachment drive which fizzled out within a week.

 Demands of joint federation accepted
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
The Uttarakhand government has accepted 11 demands of the the Joint Federation of Employees Union . At a meeting held today between the office bearers of the union and Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, the government decided to submit the remaining two demands before the pay anomaly committee that will meet on August 29.

The president of the union Prahlad Singh said that a decision regarding three compulsory promotions in the entire service of the state employees has been taken. “Beside the government has agreed to implement grade pay provision with Assured Career Progression (ACP). The government has also agreed to promote contractual and other categories of non-permanent employees on the basis of seniority. District Rural Development Authority employees recruited directly would be absorbed under a section to be constituted under department of rural development,” he said.

The government also in principle agreed to set up cheap stores for the employees where household items would be available on cheap rates. In another decision benefiting naib tehsilsdars and sangrah ameens, the government decided to reserve 8 per cent quota for them in promotions. Further the government has also agreed to bring other departments that were left under the Rs 2000 grade pay scale. The pay scale of lekhpal and revenue inspectors (plains), too, would be enhanced. 

 Ex-servicemen felicitate Upadhyay
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
The ex-servicemen cell of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee accorded a rousing welcome to newly appointed state president Kishore Upadhyay at a function held here today.

Addressing a gathering, Capt Balbir Singh Rawat (retd), president of the cell, said the cell would extend full cooperation to the newly elected state president. “Ex-servicemen played a prominent role in the victory of the party in the recent panchayat elections and the Assembly bypoll. The cell is already working towards the 2017 mission, the aim of which is to bring back the Congress with a majority in the state,” said Rawat.

Upadhyay said the Congress had always worked for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. “Whether at the Center or in the state, the Congress is committed towards the welfare of our soldiers,” he added. 

  ‘Fill Urdu teacher’s posts’

Dehradun, August 11
A delegation of office-bearers of the Uttarakhand Madrassa Association met Chief Minister Harish Rawat here yesterday.

The delegation urged him to fill the post of Urdu teachers in various madrassas on priority basis. They also demanded that the degrees being given by the Madrassa Board should be recognised by the state government.

The delegation urged the Chief Minister to fill the vacant posts in these institutions. — TNS

 BJP protests against drinking water supply shortage
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
BJP activists staged a protest at the Jal Sansthan office against acute shortage of potable water in Nehru Colony and its adjoining localities here today.

The agitators have threatened to intensify the agitation if the department does not take effective steps to overcome the problem of shortage of potable water in the area.

The agitators complained that a memorandum highlighting demands had been submitted to officials several times, but the department was yet to take effective steps to address their grievances.

They said Nehru Colony, Saket Colony, Adarsh Vihar and adjoining colonies were facing acute shortage of potable water.

The agitators have threatened to intensify the agitation if the department does not take effective steps to overcome the problem.

 Silt continues to halt power units
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Power generation in state-run hydro-power projects has reduced due to silt in Himalayan rivers and their tributaries after rains lashed higher parts of the state. Officials said silt is having an adverse affect on power generation.

The gap between demand and availability of electricity has once again increased as power generation has been adversely affected in the state-run hydro-power projects.

The latest data compiled by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) clearly highlighted that power generation was nil in 198 Megawatt Kalagarh, and 90 Megawatt Maneri Bhalli-I hydro-power projects.

The power generation was also affected in the 34 Megawatt Dhakrani, 51 Megawatt Dhalipur and 30 Megawatt Kulhal hydro-power projects. The 304 Megawatt Maneri Bhalli has generated 65 Megawatt electricity against the capacity to generate 304 Megawatt electricity.

Department officials said chances of turbines getting damaged increase manifold due to silt-like broken trees, debris etc in rivers. He said maintenance of old turbines, especially greasing, is a regular feature for generating electricity to meet the power demand in 
the state.

Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) is continuously procuring electricity in order to bridge the gap between demand and availability of electricity in the state.

The latest figures compiled by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited clearly highlighted that demand and availability of electricity in the state made for a figure of 33.22 million units. The state-run hydro-power projects have generated 16.73 million units of electricity. The corporation will receive 2.5 million units of electricity on Tuesday.

Several areas of Dehradun went without power for hours as Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited undertook testing of transmission lines.

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

 Guv gives cheque to twin mountaineers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi has sanctioned Rs 1 lakh to Uttarakhand-famed twin mountaineers, Nungshi and Tashi Malik, for their preparations for climbing Vinson Massif peak in Antarctica, the seventh highest mountain peak in the world.

On Monday, the twin sisters were at the Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor. He admired the courage of the young mountaineer sisters and said not just Uttarakhand, but the entire country was proud of them.

The Governor said constant support would be provided for making their expedition a success. According to the statement released from the Raj Bhawan, the amount has been given from the discretionary fund of the Governor.

 Gautam School victorious
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
The girls’ senior and boys’ senior and junior inter-school football tournament began at Gorkha Military College here today. During the inaugural match in the girls’ category, Gautam International School defeated Doon Valley Public School 1-0.

The second match of the day was played in the boys’ senior category. The Asian School thrashed Doon Valley Public School 2-0. The match between Maa Anand Mai Public School and Children’s Academy in the same category ended in a draw.

In the boys’ junior category, Maa Anand Mai Public School registered a 2-1 win over Summer Valley Public. 

 Regional athletics meet begins
Tribune News Service

District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan honours the winners of various events in Haridwar on Monday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Haridwar, August 11
The 25th Regional Athletics Championship began at Jawahar Navodya Vidyalya, Roshanabad stadium, here today.

District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan, while addressing a gathering during the inauguration of the event, said sports and physical activities played a positive role in enhancing the overall development of students. He asked teachers to encourage students to take part in such activities.

Later, the DM took the salute of an impressive march past and gave away medals to the winners of various events.

Principal, Jawahar Navodya Vidyalya, Roshanabad, Satish Chandra Joshi said the event would conclude on August 13. At least 480 students from Lucknow, Agra, Haridwar and Varanasi circles were participating in the regional event.

 Wynberg Allen lift football title
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 11
Wynberg Allen School won the 30th Carbery Memorial Sub-Junior Football Tournament for the 4th successive year after defeating Carmen School (Prem Nagar) 4-0 in the final match played at St Judes School here today. 

Pragyat struck a hatrick in the match and scored goals at 11th, 15th and 61st minute of the match. Aarsh scored a solitary goal for Wynberg Allan at the 22nd minute of the game.