SPECIAL COVERAGE
CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI


THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
U T T A R A K H A N D

Depts directed to finish pending development works in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, September 10
BS Gabriyal, Sectretary, Urban Development, at a meeting held on the Municipal Council premises in Mussoorie yesterday directed officials of various departments to complete all pending works and initiate new projects without delay.

CM’s emissaries sounded positive on demands: MLA 
Pithoragarh, September 10
“It is not the end of the war. It is rather ceasefire as emissaries of the Chief Minister have assured me that demands regarding the development of my constituency will be met before I hold a dharna,” said Mayukh Mahar, Congress MLA from Pithoragarh, reacting to the emissaries sent by Chief Minister to pacify him.

Prime Minister lauds Shantikunj’s relief works post-natural disaster in state
Haridwar, September 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a meeting with Shantikunj head Dr Pranav Pandya in New Delhi on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appreciated the social and charity works being done by Shantikunj Gayatri Family of Haridwar across the country. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a meeting with Shantikunj head Dr Pranav Pandya in New Delhi on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph




EARLIER EDITIONS



Rs 31 crore released for eye care centre after three years
Dehradun, September 10
After a gap of three years the Central Government has released Rs 31 crore for carrying out the pending construction work on the 200-bed Gandhi Shatabdi Eye Care and Research Centre.

Protest at Garhi Cantt Board office
Dehradun, September 10
The agitating residents of Garhi Cantt and adjoining colonies protested at the Cantonment Board office at Garhi Cantt in support of their pending demands yesterday. The agitators demanded effective steps for repair of damaged infrastructure in Cantt area.

ABVP sweeps MKP girls students council poll
Dehradun,September 10
The BJP’s students wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has swept the college union elections of Mahadevi Kanya Pathshala (MKP) Postgraduate College, where the elections took place here today.

AAP to hold campaign against corruption
Dehradun, September 10
The state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party has decided to hold a campaign against corruption. At a “chitan shivir” in Dehradun today, AAP’s state convener Harish Arya said there was a need to highlight the corrupt practices taking place in various departments of the state.

Tamta’s charge of poor handling of Nanda Devi yatra baseless: CM
Dehradun, September 10
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has described Pithoragarh BJP MP Ajay Tamta’s statement on the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra as baseless.

Varsity board seeks probe by HC judge
Dehradun, September 10
Annoyed with Vice-Chancellor Dr Mathew Prasad’s denial regarding the violation of the rules while extending the tenure of 12 head of departments (HODs), the Board of Management of GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology has demanded a probe into the matter by a High Court Judge.

4 mobile towers sealed
Dehradun, September 10
Continuing with its mobile towers sealing drive, the officials from Mussorrie Dehradun Development Authority sealed four towers in various localities on Sahastradhara road, here yesterday.

DIG reviews law and order situation 
Dehradun, September 10 DIG, Garhwal Range, Amit Sinha, held a meeting to discuss law and order situation in seven districts of the Garhwal region at the range headquarters here on Monday. The DIG instructed the SSPs and SPs to take steps to curb crime incidents like loot, chain snatching, theft and vehicles thefts in the districts.

Yatra pilgrims given certificates
Dehradun, September 10
The closing ceremony of the 2014 edition of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was organised by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) at Haldwani yesterday.

Students of junior high school forced to sit in verandah 
Mussoorie, September 10
The dilapidated building of Government Junior High School at Johsiyara village in the Jaunpur development region of Tehri district has forced the students to study in the school verandah, causing inconvenience to them.

Design institute to come up at Almora
Dehradun, September 10
To enhance the skills of local artisans and craftsmen a design Institute will come up at Almora for which Rs 3 crore have already been sanctioned.

Members of trained guerrilla force seek govt jobs 
Mussoorie, September 10
The members of the guerrilla force who were imparted training during the China war in 1962, irked at the state government for backtracking from its promise of providing government jobs, have decided to march towards the CM’s house as a mark of protest in Dehradun if their demands were not met soon.

30% hike in special allowance for secretariat staff 
Dehradun, September 10
The secretariat staff will now be entitled to receive 50 per cent special allowance under the new arrangement put in place for the secretariat staff.

Nithari killer Koli’s old mother wants to meet him 
Pithoragarh, September 10
Kunti Devi, mother of the Nithari case convict Surendra Koli, who is likely be hanged by next week in the Meerut jail, is helpless in her village of Mangukhal in Salt subdivision of Almora district as there is no one to take her to Meerut to meet her son.

Tributes paid to GB Pant on his 127th birth anniversary 
Hardwar, September 10

Chief Minister Harish Rawat lights a lamp during the birth anniversary function of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph Floral tributes were paid to mark the 127th birth anniversary of former Home Minister of India and veteran freedom fighter, Pt Govind Ballabh Pant, here today.






Chief Minister Harish Rawat lights a lamp during the birth anniversary function of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Swami Shivananda’s birth anniversary celebrated
Dehradun, September 10
As part of the Swami Shivananda Saraswati’ s birth anniversary celebrations, the Dehradun branch of the Divine Life Society today organised a special programme at Satsang Bhawan on Teg Bahadur Road.

Robbers kill youth, injure 4
Dehradun, September 10
Family members of the robbery victim; and (inset) injured Surendra Thapliyal at the CMI Hospital in Dehradun on Wednesday. Tribune photos: Abhudaya Kotnala A youth (22) was killed and four persons were injured in a robbery at Balawala in the Raipur police station area in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. The incident took place at lane No. 3 of Sainik Colony of Balawala.


Family members of the robbery victim; and (inset) injured Surendra Thapliyal at the CMI Hospital in Dehradun on Wednesday. Tribune photos: Abhudaya Kotnala

Cantt Blue trounce Doon Challenger 4-0
Dehradun, September 10
Players vie to take control of the ball in a match in the Nemidass District Football League played at Pavilion Ground in Dehradun on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Abhudaya Kotnala Two matches were played in the ongoing super league stage of the Nemidas District Football League at Pavilion Ground here today. In the first match of the day, Cantt Blue defeated Doon Challenger 4-0. Sagar scored two goals for Cantt Blue in the 27th and 60th minutes of the match while Ramesh and Rajesh scored one goal each in the 22nd and 50th minutes, respectively.

Players vie to take control of the ball in a match in the Nemidass District Football League played at Pavilion Ground in Dehradun on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Abhudaya Kotnala







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Depts directed to finish pending development works in Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 10
BS Gabriyal, Sectretary, Urban Development, at a meeting held on the Municipal Council premises in Mussoorie yesterday directed officials of various departments to complete all pending works and initiate new projects without delay.

Municipal Council (MC) president Manmohan Singh Mall raised the issue of parking in Mussoorie and said land near Masonic Lodge could be used to create a parking lot for tourists. He added parking projects could also be taken up at Library Bazaar.

Meenakshi Sundaram, Vice Chairman, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), said the detail project report (DPR) of a parking lot near Masonic Lodge for around 300 cars and eight buses was ready and would be submitted to the government soon. He added for the parking facility at Library Bazaar it was decided to use the land earmarked for the ongoing Purkul-Mussoorie ropeway project that was still incomplete. Gabriyal directed Tourism Department officials to issue the required no objection certificate (NOC) for the proposed parking lot without delay. The Public Works Department (PWD) also proposed a parking space at an estimated cost of Rs 39 crore but senior officials rejected it terming it as financially unviable.

The construction of the town hall also figured in the discussions. Meenakshi said the the ground floor of the proposed town hall building would be reserved for parking. A housing project for the poor was also discussed and Additional Secretary, Urban Development, Navneet Pandey said a project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission had been taken up in the town and 95 houses were proposed to be built under it. However, due to scarcity of land in the town only 40 houses could be constructed. It was decided at the meeting that the remaining beneficiaries would be provided houses under a new scheme in near future.

The issue of opening a food craft institute at the abandoned site of UPSMDC, near Hathipaon, also came up for discussion and Gabriyal directed Tourism Department officials to do the needful. He said funds would be provided to the Pey Jal Nigam for the proposed project of drawing potable water for the town from the Yamuna.

The issue of relocating people from Mazdoor Niwas at Chifon Court to some other place was also discussed. The construction of a helipad near George Everest Estate, conversion of Mussoorie into a Wi-fi zone, building check dams to control water flow during rains, making Mussoorie a place of waterfalls, and relocation of shops from the Gunhill water tank were also discussed.

Gabriyal also took stock of the development works being carried out by the PWD, MC, Electricity Department, Jal Sansthan, Jal Nigam and the Tourism Department and directed officials concerned to work round the clock and complete all pending works.

SDM, Mussoorie, Ramji Sharan, was also present at the meeting.

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CM’s emissaries sounded positive on demands: MLA 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 10
“It is not the end of the war. It is rather ceasefire as emissaries of the Chief Minister have assured me that demands regarding the development of my constituency will be met before I hold a dharna,” said Mayukh Mahar, Congress MLA from Pithoragarh, reacting to the emissaries sent by Chief Minister to pacify him.

Talking to mediapersons at his residence, Mahar said three Congress leaders, former Salt MLA Ranjit Singh Rawat, Almora MLA Manoj Tiwari and Karan Mahra, met him at his residence last night and appreciated his stand for locals. They said the works mentioned by him will get high priority in the Chief Minister’s agenda and will start by the end of this month. “I have assured them that if the works are started before October 2, I will not sit on a dharna before Gandhi’s statue, but if I am cheated again, the dharna will not be postponed,” said the MLA.

Mahar said if the drinking water scheme in Awanlaghat was not expedited, a private engineering college running in the district was not taken over by the government and work on the base hospital for Pithoragarh district was not started soon, he would sit on a dharna against his own government on Gandhi Jayanti.

Mahar had blamed the Chief Minister of neglecting Pithoragarh district and his Assembly constituency in an alleged bid to sideline him.

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Prime Minister lauds Shantikunj’s relief works post-natural disaster in state
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appreciated the social and charity works being done by Shantikunj Gayatri Family of Haridwar across the country. He has also sought cooperation from the Shantikunj family in developing the Char Dham routes that were badly affected by flash floods last year.

Modi at a meeting with spiritual ideologue of Shantikunj Dr Pranav Pandya in New Delhi today specifically mentioned the relief aid provided by Shantikunj post-flash floods in the Kedarnath valley.

The Prime Minister referred to his visit to Shantikunj during his tour of Uttarakhand post-flash floods and said such institutions always helped people in distress. He added that he knew Shantikunj provided food, lodging and clothes free of cost to the disaster affected people.

Pandya told The Tribune that he had fruitful talks with the Prime Minister on various issues. Modi also asked the Shantikunj family to assist the government in developing and providing facilities to the Char Dham pilgrims in Uttarakhand, he added.

“We discussed issues like plantation, developing ideal villages, disaster management and providing professional education based on moral values to rural people and how to provide cooperation to the Indian government. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the Shantikunj volunteers in providing relief aid to people post-flash floods in Uttarakhand last year,” said Pandya.

Pro Vice Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti University, educational wing of Shantikunj, Dr Chinmay Pandya, said that the Prime Minister was impressed with the traditional wisdom and knowledge-based professional education being imparted by the university. The Prime Minister showed keen interest in knowing the ideology of Shantikunj founder late Pt Shri Ram Sharma Acharya, education imparted in Dev Sanskriti University and the social-spiritual initiatives spearheaded by Shantikunj, said Chinmaya.

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Rs 31 crore released for eye care centre after three years
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
After a gap of three years the Central Government has released Rs 31 crore for carrying out the pending construction work on the 200-bed Gandhi Shatabdi Eye Care and Research Centre.

Though named after the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, the eye care centre, which will also house the first government eye bank in the state, has failed to catch the attention of the Congress government, which has been in power in the state since 2012. So much so that the project which was inaugurated in 2007 by former Chief Minister BC Khanduri has been allowed to linger on due to non-availability of funds.

“Since the work has come to a halt the last three yearsdue to funds crunch. Now, that Rs 31 crore has been released, it is hoped that the work does not stretch on as it would only escalate the cost of the project. As it is the project is in it’s final stages,” said Dr BC Ramola, senior eye surgeon.

Out of Rs 31 crore, an amount of Rs 22 crore has been earmarked for installing equipment and instruments and the remaining Rs 9 crore on infrastructure and giving finishing touches to the centre.

Located in Dalanwala, the institute weathered many a storm, including attempts to sell of the property that belonged to a trust and was later passed on to the government in 2008.

The project was conceived in 2005 and was sanctioned Rs 5 crore under the 12th Finance Commission. At that point in time, the initial cost of the project was pegged at Rs 12 crore but due to the staggered pace of the project the estimated cost has now escalated to around Rs 22 crore.

While the delay in the work which is being carried by the PWD is a cause of concern, the Provincial Medical and Health Services Association and the optho society of Dehradun is also worried that the government under pressure may be tempted to run the centre hospital on public private partnership mode. Efforts to run the hospital on the PPP mode would not benefit the people of the state who had been waiting for a long time for the setting up of the first government eye centre and eye bank,” said a government official.  

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Protest at Garhi Cantt Board office
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
The agitating residents of Garhi Cantt and adjoining colonies protested at the Cantonment Board office at Garhi Cantt in support of their pending demands yesterday. The agitators demanded effective steps for repair of damaged infrastructure in Cantt area.

The residents, under leadership of Cantt MLA Harbans Kapoor, gathered at Cantt Board of Dehradun (Garhi Cantt) campus today. They shouted anti–board slogans during their protest.

The agitators said a memorandum highlighting their demands had been submitted to officials several times in the past, but steps were still awaited to address their grievances. They said the Cantt area lacked basic amenities.

The agitators demanded repair of damaged roads, drains, cleanliness, dealing with shortage of potable water and installation of streetlights in the locality.

The residents have threatened to intensify their agitation if the Cantt Board does not take timely and effective steps to fulfil their year-long pending demands.

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ABVP sweeps MKP girls students council poll
Tribune News Service

Dehradun,September 10
The BJP’s students wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has swept the college union elections of Mahadevi Kanya Pathshala (MKP) Postgraduate College, where the elections took place here today.

Sapna Chauhan of ABVP has been elected as the president of the MKP PG College students union, whereas Mamta Rana of ABVP won the election for the post of general secretary.

It is to be noted that the voting for the college students union election begun on Wednesday morning and finished in the afternoon. The counting process started after lunch and the results were declared late this evening.

ABVP has already registered wins in DBS PG College and SGRR PG College student union elections where elections took place last week. 

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AAP to hold campaign against corruption

Dehradun, September 10
The state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party has decided to hold a campaign against corruption. At a “chitan shivir” in Dehradun today, AAP’s state convener Harish Arya said there was a need to highlight the corrupt practices taking place in various departments of the state.

Arya said a large number of irregularities were taking place in the state, which needed to be exposed. He said the victims of the natural disaster last year were not being rehabilitated properly. “Even during the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat yatra that concluded recently, the state government failed to provide infrastructure to the pilgrims,” he added.

Arya said AAP leaders needed to oppose corruption. He also appealed to the party workers to expose both the BJP and the Congress. “Both the parties have befooled the people and indulged in a large scale corruption,” Arya alleged. — TNS

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Tamta’s charge of poor handling of Nanda Devi yatra baseless: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has described Pithoragarh BJP MP Ajay Tamta’s statement on the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra as baseless.

He said the message of the successful completion of the yatra had already reached the entire nation. The yatra kept much importance for tourism as well as creating livelihood for people of the state.

“The yatra was conducted between challenging weather conditions and its successful completion is a matter of pride for the state. After the yatra, people gain feel safe to come to Uttarakhand,” the Chief Minister said in a statement issued from Delhi.

The baseless irresponsible statements by Tamta along with his friends might only harm the image of the state. In 2000, only 2,000 to 3,000 persons could be a part of the yatra and over 24 persons had died during the yatra. The yatra this year was smooth, despite several challenges. This year, over 50,000 persons participated in the yatra.

Govt responsible for poor law and order: Ajay Bhatt

Ajay Tamta had earlier accused the state government of large scale mis-arrangements during the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, Ajay Bhatt, has held the government responsible for worsening law and order situation in the state.

He came hard on the government after the early morning robbery incident at Balawal, in which a local resident lost his life after grappling with the armed robbers,while his other family members were undergoing treatment at a local private hospital.

“The incident has thoroughly exposed the inefficent law and order agencies who have been unable to curb crime,” said Bhatt.

He also criticised the government for postponing the DAV students’ union elections and said that it was acting in a partisan manner. 

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Varsity board seeks probe by HC judge
Tribune news service

Dehradun, September 10
Annoyed with Vice-Chancellor Dr Mathew Prasad’s denial regarding the violation of the rules while extending the tenure of 12 head of departments (HODs), the Board of Management of GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology has demanded a probe into the matter by a High Court Judge.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dr Virender Singh Lather, member of the board, said the Vice-Chancellor extended the tenure of the HODs with a malafide intention.

“Dr Prasad, who himself is holding the VC chair on adhoc basis, had vested interest in mind while giving extension to the HODs. The VC is trying to regularise his position by trying to appease the staff members of the university. In fact, he intends to place his own staff by giving them extensions once their term expires,” Lather added.

“The board met twice in June and September. The issue of extending the term of the HODs was never brought before the board members. The rules allow extension for three months only. Within those three months the process for fresh appointments has to be initiated and the vacant posts need to be filled. The VC has failed to initiate the process of fresh appointments till date,” said Dr Lather.

“The illegality committed by the VC needs to be urgently rectified in the interest of university and the matter may further be inquired by a Judge of the High Court,” he added.

When contacted, Dr Prasad denied any violation of the university rules by giving an extension to the 12 HODs after their term expired on May 31. “The University Act has empowered the VC to take these kinds of steps. The extension is not given on a permanent basis but on a temporary basis until a suitable replacement is found for the posts. The two board meetings that were called in June and September were on emergency basis with a single agenda. We are not authorised to discuss any other issue in the board meeting, other than what is mentioned in the agenda,” he added.

Citing clause 12 (6) of the University Act, Dr Lather said the Act states that “In any emergency, which in the opinion of the Kulpati requires immediate action to be taken, he shall take such action as he deems necessary and shall at the earliest report the action taken to the officers or the authority which in the ordinary course would have dealt with the matter”.

“Further Section 17 of the Act restricts the powers of the VC stating, “ In case of the absence of Deans for a period beyond three months, the arrangement shall be made by the Vice- Chancellor with the approval of the Board of Management.” “A similar approval is essential for the continuation of the Directors/ HODs after 3 months,” said Dr Lather.

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4 mobile towers sealed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
Continuing with its mobile towers sealing drive, the officials from Mussorrie Dehradun Development Authority sealed four towers in various localities on Sahastradhara road, here yesterday.

The towers were in the name of RS Payal (Rajeshwar Nagar), KD Kulshrestha (Rajeshwar Nagar), Manager Reliance (Gujrada) and Kapil (Rajeshwar Nagar).

The team comprised of Sunil Parashar (AE), R Bahuguna, PN Bahuguna, Shanti S Rawat, Shish Pal Singh and police officials. 

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DIG reviews law and order situation 

Dehradun, September 10
DIG, Garhwal Range, Amit Sinha, held a meeting to discuss law and order situation in seven districts of the Garhwal region at the range headquarters here on Monday. The DIG instructed the SSPs and SPs to take steps to curb crime incidents like loot, chain snatching, theft and vehicles thefts in the districts. It was decided during the meeting that preparations for the annual Jaat Yatra, which goes till Bedni Bugyal, will be done in advance and the preparations for the next year Kedarnath Yatra is going to start immediately after the conclusion of the rainy season. The DIG said the police personnel deployed in the police posts en route Kedarnath shrine would be given hi-tech equipments to deal with any emergency situation and act as first responder in case of emergency.

During the meeting, SSP Dehradun Ajay Rautela, SP Pauri Ajay Joshi, SP Chamoli Sumil Kumar Meena, SP Rudraprayag Baljinder Singh and other senior officials from the districts were present. — TNS

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Yatra pilgrims given certificates
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
The closing ceremony of the 2014 edition of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was organised by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) at Haldwani yesterday.

Certificates of appreciation were given to the 38 pilgrims who were part of the contingent to the holy shrine. Addressing the gathering, Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai said that the team of KMVN successfully organised the yatra. “The pilgrims gave a positive feedback about the arrangements and the conduct of the yatra. They would certainly share their experience with others across the country. This will also help Uttarakhand Tourism to regain its image,” he added. 

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Students of junior high school forced to sit in verandah 
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 10
The dilapidated building of Government Junior High School at Johsiyara village in the Jaunpur development region of Tehri district has forced the students to study in the school verandah, causing inconvenience to them.

Padam Das, headmaster of the school, said the classes were being held in the verandah due to the damaged school building and the condition of the toilets was also beyond repair, resulting in a lot of inconvenience to the students.

He further said presently around 87 students were enrolled in Classes VI to VII and they sit in the verandah in the absence of school building. Sometime the classes are being held under a tin shed on temporary basis. During rainy days the school management was forced to declare holiday. The local residents said despite several reminders, Education Department officials did not heed to their pleas leaving the students with no option but to stay in their homes during rain.

They demanded immediate repair of the building in the larger interest of the students.

When contacted, senior officials in the Education Department said a letter in this regard had been sent to the authorities concerned, and they were awaiting approval for repair work of the school building.

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Design institute to come up at Almora
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
To enhance the skills of local artisans and craftsmen a design Institute will come up at Almora for which Rs 3 crore have already been sanctioned.

The design institute will be named after the legendary social worker Hari Ram Tamta and would be set up on the lines of National Institute of Design (NID).

The Department of Horticulture has already agreed to transfer 5 acres of land for the institute. “In the first phase, the institute will focus on providing training to both to new crafts men as well as the established ones who are keen to upgrade their skills,” said HC Durgapal, Minister Department of Industries and Khadi .

He said the institute will witness expansion in phases and for now it would focus on addressing the immediate needs of local artisans and craftsmen, “Skill development, innovation in design and later going developing patents too would be our focus during the first phase,” said Durgapal.

The minister said the government was in talks with the officials of NID who would be guiding the state in it’s efforts to give shape to an Institute that would address the present and future needs of the state. “Not only do we have to rejuvenate our local craft based industry but also help them market their products thorough sustained efforts,” he said. 

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Members of trained guerrilla force seek govt jobs 
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 10
The members of the guerrilla force who were imparted training during the China war in 1962, irked at the state government for backtracking from its promise of providing government jobs, have decided to march towards the CM’s house as a mark of protest in Dehradun if their demands were not met soon.

The members at a meeting held at Chamba in district Tehri today said that they played an important role during the 1962 China war and took training as guerrillas to fight against the Chinese aggression.

The state government considering this gave a nod in the Cabinet meeting to provide government jobs but had washed its hands off the decision and was dilly-dallying in the matter by neglecting their justified demand of appointing them in government departments, namely PWD,SDRF, forests and police in the state, said PL Uniyal, the district general secretary of the guerrilla organisation in the meeting here.

He also demanded from the Central Government to provide jobs to the

members in eco task force. Dinesh Gairola, Mohan Lal Bhatt, Jyoti Lal,Khemraaj Saklani, Sulochna Devi, Shanit Devi, Manohar Prasad,Ratan Singh Rawat and others were present on the occasion.

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30% hike in special allowance for secretariat staff 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
The secretariat staff will now be entitled to receive 50 per cent special allowance under the new arrangement put in place for the secretariat staff.

The 30 per cent hike will ensure the secretariat staff receive an allowance in the range of Rs 300 to Rs 2,500 per month. Earlier, the staff was entitled to receive special allowance at the rate of 20 per cent of the grade pay.

The state government has also issued a rider that those secretariat services staff members who are not availing the conveyance facility are entitled to the hike. 

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Nithari killer Koli’s old mother wants to meet him 
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, September 10
Kunti Devi, mother of the Nithari case convict Surendra Koli, who is likely be hanged by next week in the Meerut jail, is helpless in her village of Mangukhal in Salt subdivision of Almora district as there is no one to take her to Meerut to meet her son.

Surendra is the only son of Kunti Devi. “After his conviction, her wife left for Delhi with her two children, leaving me alone,” said Kunti Devi. She said if her son was guilty, he be given punishment but the man on whose instruction he carried out the heinous crime should also be punished. “If his employer Moninder Singh Pandher is not being hanged, it means the law of land is different for the poor and the rich,” said Kunti Devi.

She lives like a destitute and depends on her neighbors for food. The last night, she had refused to give her thumb impression on a radiogram, informing her of the hanging of her son. The radiogram was taken to her by tehsildar Mohan Singh. She said she would not give her thumb impression without meeting her son. “Despite my old age and illness, I want someone to take me to the Meerut jail. I want to hug my son before he is hanged,” Kunti Devi said.

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Tributes paid to GB Pant on his 127th birth anniversary 
Tribune News Service

Hardwar, September 10
Floral tributes were paid to mark the 127th birth anniversary of former Home Minister of India and veteran freedom fighter, Pt Govind Ballabh Pant, here today.

People remembered the legendary freedom fighter, who is the lone recipient of Bharat Ratna from the state.

Parliamentary Secretary Furkan Ahmed and District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan paid tributes at Pt Govind Ballabh Pant park. The park has been named after the freedom fighter itself. Furkan Ahmed announced Rs 5 lakh for the renovation of Pt Govind Ballabh Pant park.

Meanwhile, the DM said we should learn to work hard from the life of Pt Pant. “Pant showed his political management skill in early years. He was an eminent lawyer who worked for the poor. Despite hailing from a rural background, he showed what hard work, self-confidence and knowledge could do. GB Pant was close to Mahatma Gandhi and brought recongition to Hindi language,” said the DM.

Uday Ram Semwal, Central Secretary (Labour cell), Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, said Pant was born on August 30, 1887, at Khooth village in Almora district. On September 10, 1946, he assumed the charge as the Chief Minister of the joint province of northern states.

“Pant was close to Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subash Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He went several times to prison owing to his active participation in the Indian freedom struggle. Be it Salt agitation, Quit India movement or Satyagraha movement, Pant led from the front,” said Semwal.

Shedding light on his tenure as independent India’s first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and later as the Union Home Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru-led government from 1957-61, veteran literati PS Chauhan termed Pt Govind Ballabh Pant as a true statesman.

“He worked exemplarily well in bifurcating states as per their linguistic and cultural territory with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He was the one who abolished the zamindari system,” said Chauhan.

Pant’s statue to be installed in Assembly

The state government will install a statue of Pt Govind Ballabh Pant in the state Assembly. This was announced by Chief Minister Harish Rawat at a function here today.

The Chief Minister said besides being a freedom fighter, Govind Ballabh Pant was a social reformer. He brought the Dalits to the mainstream and opened gates of temples for them.

Rawat said even after independence, Pant worked for land reforms. He called upon the youths to follow the footsteps of Pant. State Congress president Kishore Upadhyay, Durgesh Pant, SC Pant and Gopal Rawat were prominent present on the occasion.

‘Adopt his values’

Rich tributes were paid to Bharat Ratna recepient Pandit Govind Bhallabh Pant on his 127th birth anniversary during a function organised at the collectorate hall here today. Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat offered floral tributes. Addressing the gathering, Rawat said that Pant was a great leader and administrator who was an inspiration for several others. “We should adopt the values laid down by the leader and work collectively towards the social development in the state,” he added. 

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Swami Shivananda’s birth anniversary celebrated
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
As part of the Swami Shivananda Saraswati’ s birth anniversary celebrations, the Dehradun branch of the Divine Life Society today organised a special programme at Satsang Bhawan on Teg Bahadur Road.

Delivering the main address, Divine Life Society’s Swami Paramlakshyanand dwelt on life and teachings of Swami Shivananda. He said Swami Shivananda, throughout his life, worked for the needy. “Even as a doctor in Malaya, Swamiji worked selflessly for the poor and downtrodden,” he added. He said his message of “do good, be good and be simple” still holds relevance in a society that is craving for materialistic pleasures.

Taking part in the discourse, Swami Kirkananda, also from Divine Life Society, exhorted the devotees to take forward the teachings of Swami Shivananda. He also spoke on various charitable activities being undertaken by the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh.

Divine Life Society members Ajay Gupta, VK Pandey, Deepa Pandey and Rajni Sethi were present on the occasion.

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Robbers kill youth, injure 4
Decamp with cash, valuables worth lakhs of rupees
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
A youth (22) was killed and four persons were injured in a robbery at Balawala in the Raipur police station area in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. The incident took place at lane No. 3 of Sainik Colony of Balawala.

According to the police, five armed robbers broke into the house of Surendra Thapliyal after breaking the window grill and entered the bedroom of Surendra where he and his wife were sleeping. Robbers confined them at the gunpoint and started beating them after which their son, Ankit Thapliyal, their tenant and Surendra’s mother-in-law also woke up and ran towards the living room.

After finding that all family members have woken up, the robbers got offensive and started beating everybody. Meanwhile, Ankit Thapliyal, son of Surendra, resisted the robbers after which they shot him by a double barrel gun and killed him on the spot.

However, the robbers continued their rage at the gunpoint and asked Surendra and his wife to open all storages in the house and give all cash and jewellery.

Later, they decamped with cash, jewellery and valuables worth lakhs, although the exact cost of the valuables was yet to be ascertained.

After suspecting that something wrong has happened in the house, the neighbours entered Surendra’s house and found all family members lying on the floor in an injured condition. They informed the police, which immediately reached the spot and started the investigation. All the injured, including Surendra, his wife, tenant and his mother-in-law, were admitted to the CMI hospital in a serious condition.

Additional Director General of Police (ADG) law and Order, Ram Singh Meena, along with SSP Ajay Rautela and SP City Ajay Singh also visited the house where they had to face the wrath of local people. People claimed that there is a zero presence of police in their area and no night patrolling is done in the area due to which criminals easily strike in the houses located at Balawala.

ADG RS Meena told The Tribune, “We have started the investigation in the case and five teams have been formed to nab the culprits. We have taken the finger prints from the crime scene which will help us in cracking the case.”

We have also collected the sample of blood strain, possibly of one robber who also got injured in a scuffle with Ankit Thapliyal, from the crime scene, he said. Notably, the police are suspecting the role of gangs from western Uttar Pradesh, which uses a similar modus operandi in robberies.

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Cantt Blue trounce Doon Challenger 4-0
Tribune News service

Dehradun, September 10
Two matches were played in the ongoing super league stage of the Nemidas District Football League at Pavilion Ground here today. In the first match of the day, Cantt Blue defeated Doon Challenger 4-0. Sagar scored two goals for Cantt Blue in the 27th and 60th minutes of the match while Ramesh and Rajesh scored one goal each in the 22nd and 50th minutes, respectively.

In the second match, Garhwal Sporting defeated Sunderwala Football Club 4-0. Neeraj scored twice in the 19th and 53rd minutes while Shubham and Sooraj scored a goal each in the 44th and 61st minutes, respectively, for Garhwal Sporting.

St. Joseph’s Academy, Carmen School enter semis

St. Joseph’s Academy, Carmen School, Dalanwala, Moravian Institute and Doon Presidency International School entered into the semifinals of the ongoing Senior Football Tournament after winning their quarterfinal matches played at St. Joseph’s Academy here on Wednesday.

In the first match, St. Joseph’s Academy defeated Carmen School 1-0 with Shrey Dabral scoring the only goal in the match, which proved to be a winner for St. Joseph’s Academy. The second quarterfinal match proved to be a thriller in which Doon Presidency International School squeezed victory by one goal over Colonel Brown School. Ayush Chauhan scored the only goal.

In another match, Moravian Institute defeated St. Jude’s School 4-3. Max, Akash, Thania and Naukuhi netted one goal each for Moravian while Tenzing, Shikhar and Sanju scored one goal each for St. Jude’s. In the final match of the day, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Academy lost to Carman School, Dalanwala, by two goals to nil. Abhay and Shardul scored for the winning team.

Doon International win 25-20 in basketball

Doon International School defeated Scholars Home 25-20 in the ongoing Gardner Silver Jubilee Inter-School Girls Basketball Tournament played at the Gardner Multipurpose Floodlit Auditorium in St. Thomas College here today. Mehak scored the maximum 8 points for Doon International while Milan scored 6 points for Scholars Home.

In the second match of the day, The Aryan School registered a win over St. Joseph Academy by 28-20 points. Vartika was the highest scorer with 10 baskets. In another match, Carman School defeated KV ITBP 19-17 with Jyotika scoring 14 baskets for the winning team.

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