Pradeshiya kalyan samiti celebrates Valmiki Jayanti
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
Pradeshiya Valmiki Samaj Kalyan Samiti celebrated Mahrishi Valmiki birth anniversary here today. Chief Minister Harish Rawat was the chief guest of the occasion. He said the state government was committed to provide better social safety to residents who were living below the poverty line.

He said dozens of beneficiary schemes and projects were introduced for improving social and economical status of the weaker section of society.

He assured the gathering that every possible step would be taken by the state government to improve infrastructure in the higher areas of the state.

“Collective efforts are needed for the development of the state. Eradicating social evils is the duty of every resident of the state,” he added.

Later, Rawat flagged off a religious procession which commenced at Shivaji Dharamshala and passed through Saharanpur Chowk, Paltan Bazar, Clock Tower etc. before culminating at Dharamshala.

Suryakant Dhasmana, vice-president of the Congress committee, Rajeev Jain, Manoj Kumar and Arun Valmiki were also present.

In another function, Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi distributed stationery items to 200 children of the Valmiki community. He said the students should complete their primary and secondary education.

Chamalal Valmiki, Babita Sahotra, Sarita Gaur, Purushottam Bhatt, Gaurav, Rajeev Sharma and Dinesh Kumar were also present on the occasion.

Agitating staff lock campus
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
The agitated ministerial workers locked the collectorate campus here yesterday. The agitators threatened to intensify agitation if the state government does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

The ministerial workers under the banner of the Uttarakhand Ministerial Collectorate Employees gathered at the collectorate premises. The agitators shouted anti-state government slogans in support of their demands. They decided to call off their agitation only after their year-long pending demands were fulfilled by the state government.

They said pay anomaly, service rule, filling 
vacant posts, timely promotion, transfer policy etc. were a few demands of the association.

They lamented that a memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted many times, but to no avail.

Ashish Verma, Ashish Joshi, Rajendra Kumar, Ratan Singh, Khem Singh Negi, Rajendra Rawat, Balakram Joshi, Sushil Badooni and Arjun Singh were also present.

SFI seeks simplification of scholarship rules
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
The Student Federation of India (SFI) has asked the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Department to simplify new scholarship rules for students who are studying in Uttarakhand or outside Uttar Pradesh.

According to the SFI, the Social Welfare Department of Uttar Pradesh came up with new rules regarding student scholarship for students who were studying outside Uttar Pradesh.

As per the new directions, students belonging to the OBC, SC and ST category from Uttar Pradesh had to fill an online form giving their complete details.

“Only few educational institutions in Uttarakhand have filled the online application form about students, belonging to Uttar Pradesh, studying in their institution. This has deprived thousands of entitled students from Uttar Pradesh from getting scholarships this year,” said Vipin Joshi, district president of the SFI.

Colleges like DAV PG College, DBS PG College, MKP PG College, Doon Unviersity, Uttarakhand Technical University and many other private institutions had not 
filled the required details about students, thereby causing problems for students belonging to weaker sections.

“I spoke to officials of the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Deaprtment on phone and they blamed the educational institutions of Uttarakhand for the present problem, although they assured of taking a needful action in the interest of thousands of students of Uttar Pradesh studying in Uttarakhand,” said Joshi. We have demanded simplification of the new scholarship rules of the Social Welfare Department, he added.

MP Ed students resort to fast unto death
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
Members of the MP Ed and BP Ed Trained Association have now resorted to fast unto death after days of hunger strike failed to persuade the state government into fulfilling their one-point demand of appointment as physical trainer (PT) teachers in government schools.

While blaming the state government of giving false promises since more than one year, the MP Ed and BP Ed Trained Association members claimed that the state government tried to suppress their agitation with the use of police power.

Sunder Dhoni, state president of the association, said, “It was decided during our meeting with the education secretary that the government order regarding 247 permanent posts and 609 temporary posts will be done before November 15, but no action has been taken by the government for fulfilling its promise.”

He said they had been on agitation since past 388 days but the government was not ready to pay heed to our demand of appointment of physical trainer teachers in schools, which has agitated members of the association.  

Ameens’ strike enters 69th day

Dehradun, October 8
The ongoing agitation by revenue ameen workers continued on the 69th consecutive day here today. Agitators said the memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted many times to officials concerned, but the state government was yet to take steps to fulfill their year-long pending demands.

Addressing gathering at Raipur bus stand, Udayveer Singh Rawat, state president, Uttarakhand Revenue Sangrah Ameen Association, said pay anomaly, timely promotion, reservation, etc. are a few year-long pending demands of the association.

The agitated employees have threatened to intensify their agitation if the state government does not take effective steps to address their grievances. — TNS

Administrative reshuffle in U’khand
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
Additional Chief Secretary, Industrial Development, Technical Education, Civil Aviation, Finance and Infrastructural Development and Chief Investment Commissioner, New Delhi, Rakesh Sharma, has been relieved off the Department of Technical Education.

Principal Secretary Sainik Welfare, Dairy Development, Horticulture and Food Processing, Sheep Rearing, Water Conservation and Solid Waste Management, Dr Ranvir Singh, has been relieved off the Department of Sainik Welfare, Horticulture and Food Processing.

Uttarakhand’s Resident Commissioner in New Delhi and Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Ayush Om Prakash, has been given the additional charge of the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, besides the Department of Paramilitary Welfare and chairman of Uttarakhand Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Principal Secretary Election, Food and Civil Supplies, Women Empowerment and Child Development, Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies and Chief Election Officer, Radha Raturi, has been given the additional charge of Principal Secretary, Personal and Vigilance.

Secretary Urban Development, state properties, protocol, Rajeev Gandhi Shahri Vikas, DS Garbyal, has been given relieved off the Department of Rajeev Gandhi Shahri Vikas. Secretary, Urban Development Panchayati Raj, Minor Irrigation, Rural Roads and Border Area Development, Vinod Fonia, has been relieved off the Department of Border Area Development.

Additional Secretary, Secretariat administration, and Sports and Youth Welfare, Vinod Chandra Rawat, has been relieved off the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare. Incharge secretary to the Chief Minister for Department of Monitoring of Central Government Schemes, Dr Nidhi Pandey, has been relieved off the Department of Monitoring of Central Government schemes.

Incharge Secretary, cane, linguistics and re-organistion, Vinod Sharma, has been relieved off the Departments of linguistics and re-organistion.

Secretary Revenue board PS Jangpangi has been relieved off the post and given additional charge of Social Welfare and Border Area Development.

Principal Secretary MH Khan has been relieved off the posts of Principal Secretary, Prisons, and given additional charge of Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Flood Control.

Secretary Shahid has been given the additional charge of Secretary, Excise, and chairman Minorities Welfare and Waqf Development Corporation. Incharge Secretary Human Rights Commission NP Napalchayal has been given the additional charge of incharge secretary reorganisation and linguistics.

Secretary Manjul Kumar Joshi has been given additional charge of Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare. Additional secretary Arvind Singh Hayanki has been given additional charge of additional secretary, planning, revenue, science and technology and land consolidation.

Incharge secretary Meenakshi Sundaram has been given the additional charge of incharge secretary environment and solid waste.

Temples remain closed due to lunar eclipse
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 8
Along with sanctum sanctorum of Braham Kund at Har-ki-Pauri, revered shrines and all the temples in the pilgrim city remained closed for almost 12 hours owing to lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipse remained for 18 minutes from 5:52 pm till 6:04 pm here today, as a result of which all the temples were closed from earlymorning.At Braham Kund,Har-ki-Pauri, in several years such an incident was witnessed when temple doors remained closed for almost 12 hours.

Despite the lunar eclipse, heavy devotees’ turnout at Har-ki-Pauri was witnessed, with people taking a dip in the holy Ganga. Due to Ganga canal closure, water flow at Har-ki-Pauri has also got affected, with devotees not able to take a dip.As per Ganga Sabha spokesperson Pundit Akhilesh Shastri, during the lunar eclipse neither temples were opened nor was any ritual done.

After the lunar phase first the temples were washed and then special rituals were done. Thereafter aarti was performed of templedeities.Due to lunar impact the world famous Braham Kund,Har-ki-Pauri, based Ganga aarti timing was also changed.

While it is held at approximately around 6.30 pm these days, today owing to lunar impact it was held at 7.10 pm.

A large number of devotees took part in the post lunar phase Ganga aarti, with many taking holy Ganga dip. Be it solar or lunar eclipse, it is not considered auspicious. People thronged Ganga ghats to shun any negative impact of the astrological phenomenon by taking a dip in the holy Ganga.

AI to start Pantnagar to Delhi flight from Oct 14 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
In its latest initiative to expand air connectivity to small cities and towns, Air India (AI) will start a direct flight from Delhi to Pantnagar in Uttarakhand from October 14. The four times a week flight will operate on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with an ATR aircraft.

The flight 9I 815 from Delhi will depart at 2.30 pm and reach Pantnagar at 3.30 pm. The return flight 9I 816 will leave Pantnagar at 3.50 pm and arrive in Delhi at 4.50 pm. The flight will provide quick and convenient connection to government officials, business travellers, students and tourists, among others.

Pantnagar is well known for GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, India’s first agriculture university. It is also close to integrated industrial town Rudarpur, which houses large industrial houses, and the Nainital High Court. Pantnagar is the gateway to Jim Corbett Wildlife National Park and picturesque tourist destinations.

Govt to enhance facilities at tourist places: Dhanai

Dehradun, October 8
Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai has said the government is committed to enhancing basic facilities at important tourist destinations of the state. He said every possible step would be taken to increase flow of tourists to Uttarakhand.

Dhanai was speaking after flagging off a Harley Davidson Tehri adventure rally at a function held here today. He said the government had been making efforts to spread the message that higher parts of the state were safe for travel by two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

Forty riders from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are participating in the rally. Shailesh Bagauli, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Dr Anand Srivastava, Managing Director, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, AK Dwivedi, Additional Director Tourism, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, and VS Chauhan, Deputy Director, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, were present. — TNS

Brisk sale of seeds, agriculture machines at varsity kisan mela
Tribune News service

Dehradun, October 8
The four-day farmers’ fair (kisan mela) of Pantnagar Agriculture University, which started on October 4, concluded on the university campus today. Harish Chander Durgapal, Uttarakhand Minister for Labour, Employment, Small Scale Industries, Khadi and Village Industries and Dairy Development of Uttarakhand, who was the chief guest at the concluding function, gave away the prizes to the winners.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr Matthew Prasad, presided over the ceremony while MLA and member of the board of management of the university, Rajesh Shukla, and other members of the board of management, Rajendra Pal Singh, MC Nautiyal and RCS Mehta, were also present as special guest of the ceremony. Director, Extension Education, Dr. Y.P.S. Dabas, and Director, Experiment Station, Dr. J.P. Singh, were also present on the dais in this concluding ceremony.

Harish Chander Durgapal first visited the fair and then addressed the gathering in the closing ceremony at Gandhi Hall. Durgapal in his inaugural address said that more research is required for different agro-climatic conditions of hilly regions of Uttarakhand so that the farmers of this region may also get benefits of the new technologies. He asked the scientists to make research and extension programmes keeping in view the farmers of the remotest areas of the state. Durgapal also advised scientists to develop improved varieties of hill crops which are now gaining importance due to their nutritive values.

Dr Matthew described the fair as historical and unprecedented and said the university was a temple of knowledge which is producing all types of technologies and information for farmers, which they can use as per their requirements. He said this fair was one of the methods of disseminating information and technologies to the farmers in which “we have been very successful.” Dr. Prasad said in this fair every type of small and big machines for farming were on display at a number of stalls and farmers have not only seen but also purchased and booked these machines.

Rajesh Shukla, Rajendra Pal Singh, MC Nautiyal and RCS Mehta praised the dedication and devotion of scientists, teachers and other staff of the university in organising this successful fair and in upkeeping the image of Pantnagar varsity. Keeping in view the brisk sale of university seeds, they emphasised upon strengthening breeder seed production programme of the university so that all the farmers could get seeds of improved varieties of different crops produced by Pantnagar University in which they have more faith. They also demanded more attention and financial grants from the state government for the university. Earlier, Dr. YPS Dabas, Director, Extension Education and chief coordinator of kisan mela, while welcoming the guests, delegates and visiting farmers, informed the audience that a large number of farmers and other visitors visited this fair.

He said 573 firms put their decorative and informative displays during this fair. The farmers from Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himanchal Pradesh, Punjab, and Nepal enthusiastically participated and bought seeds, planting materials, fertilisers, plant protection chemicals and farm machinery. At the end of the concluding ceremony, Dr JP Singh presented a vote of thanks.

Uncovered manholes cause serious mishaps
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
Brig KG Behl (retd), president, All India Consumer Council, Uttarakhand, has expressed concern over serious accidents taking place due to open manholes in the middle of roads in the city.

He said the situation turned fatal for children and senior citizens during rains. In a press note issued here, Brig Behl demanded from the department concerned to take effective steps to cover open manholes.

Brig Behl lamented that proper care was not being given to drains which were to be covered with cemented or iron grills to avoid accidents.

“When drains were being constructed in Dalanwala, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority officials had expressed helplessness to stop the work of constructing drains,” he alleged.

Brig Behl expressed concern that uncovered drains were posing threat to commuters and should be immediately covered with cement or iron grills.

For Health Dept, all is well with tribal people 
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
If the state Health Department were to be believed, all is well with the tribal population in Uttarakhand and for that reason it has failed to respond to the union ministry’s directives to submit a proposal for carrying out interventions for the most vulnerable groups among the tribal population.

By doing so, the state has lost a chance to take stock of the health status of the tribal population and accessing funds for targeting the health of this segment under the National Health Mission (NHM).

An expert committee on tribal health constituted in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had asked Uttarakhand to give suggestions by September end but the Health Department has ignored the directives.

“We have not responded to the directives as the health needs of the tribal population do not warrant special attention. The status is generally good,” said Surinder Singh Negi, Minister for Health.

On the contrary, in most of the blocks inhabited by the tribal population human resources and infrastructure is extremely poor. In 2001, a study undertaken by the Government of India had pointed out the gaps in the health facilities in 141 villages comprising Tharu tribal population that was spread in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital .

A special component of the tribal health plan was assessing information on the health infrastructure and availability of human resources so that these could be improved upon.

Further, the state Heath Department also does not possess data on immunisation coverage, ante natal care (ANC) and mortality rate among the tribal groups.

“In Uttarakhand, the tribal population residing in the hill districts is economically well off, so it is generally believed that their health status too will be better. But that cannot be said about the other tribal population. In Chakrata alone where the Jaunsari tribes live, infrastructure is poor and women have been found to be heavily anaemic,” said Dr BS Jangpangi, additional chief medical officer.

Police badminton tourney kicks off
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
Governor Aziz Qureshi inaugurated the 7th All-India Police Badminton Championship at the police lines here today. The championship will conclude on October 11 in which over 150 IPS officers from across the country will take part.

The Governor said sports activities should be encouraged in the Police Department and sportspersons who are unemployed should be given chance to serve the police force. He expressed happiness over Uttarakhand hosting the championship for the second time.

In the team championship events, host Uttarakhand won its match against Karnataka. In the singles match, DIG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal defeated the Praveen Alava from Karnataka 21-15, 21-14. Uttarakhand also won its doubles match with the duo of Sanjay Gunjyal and Navneet Singh Bhullar defeating VB Bhaskar and Meilegatti of Karnataka 21-13, 16-21 and 21-14.

Telangana won its match against the Intelligence Bureau (IB) team. From Telangana, Ramchandra Rao defeated Rajesh Kotgaya from IB 21-12, 21-9 in the singles match. In the doubles match, P Sanjeeva Rao and Ramchandra of Telangana defeated Jagmohan and Yashbeer of IB 21-4, 21-19.

Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) also won its match against Assam with Praveen Kumar of SSB defeating Shreijet of Assam 21-12, 21-8 in the singles match. In the doubles match, the duo from Assam, PS Mahanta and Talukdar defeated Sunil Soni and Ashok Sajwan of SSB 22-20, 17-21 and 21-16.

In the third match, ITBP defeated RPF. In the singles match, Dhirendra Singh Negi of ITBP defeated Satheesan from RPF by 21-9, 21-5. In the doubles match, Satish Chandra and Anuj Singh of the ITBP defeated MN Joshi and Satheesan of RPF by 21-15, 21-17. 

Champawat beat Pauri 4-0 in hockey 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
A state-level Students Hockey Championship started at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur here today. Champawat won the inaugural match by defeating Pauri 4-0 in the under-19 boys’ category. For Champawat, Narendra scored two goals while Vikas Joshi and Lalit scored one goal each. Another match in the same category between Almora and Chamoli ended in a goalless draw.

In the under-14 girls’ category, Dehradun thrashed Pauri 5-0. Seeta scored a hatrick while Aashu scored two goals in the match for Dehradun. The Dehradun team continued its dominance in the under-17 girls’ category as well and defeated Tehri 10-0. Mamata Bhatt scored five goals for Dehradun while Mohini and Nikita scored three and two goals, respectively. In the under-19 girls’ match, Champawat beat Pauri 1-0 with Lilawati scored the lone goal for Champawat.

In the under-17 boys’ category also, Dehradun won its match against Champwat 2-1. Dinesh scored both goals for Dehradun.

Raipur MLA Umesh Sharma ‘Kau’ inaugurated the championship in the presence of District Sports Officer Satish Singh Sarki and other officials of the Sports Department. The state Education Department is organising the championship and 26 teams are participating in various categories. 

Akranta Club, Doon Challenger match ends 1-1
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
Akranta Football Club and Doon Challenger Club played a 1-1 draw in a super league stage match in the ongoing Nemidas District Football League at Pavilion Ground here today. For Akranta, Abhishek scored the goal in 24th minute while for Doon Challenger Prithvi scored the goal in the 36th minute of the match.

The second match between Cant Blue and Sunderwala Football Club was abandoned after the Cant Blue team left the ground protesting against the penalty awarded to the latter.

Valmiki Jayanti celebrated with zeal
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, October 8
Valmiki Jayanti was celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm in Mussoorie today. The community members offered prayers at various Valmiki temples in the town.

A colourful procession was taken out under the banner of Valmiki Uthan Sabha from Landour Bazaar to Library Bazaar with tableaus based on the life of Maharishi Valmiki.

Later at Library Bazaar, the speakers eulogised the message given by the revered saint, who preached simple living with high moral character.

The speakers exhorted people to follow the teachings of Maharishi Valmiki.

MLA Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi, former MLA Mussoorie Jot Singh Gunsola and Municipal Council president Manmohan Singh Mall extended their greetings to people on the occasion.

The officials also tied a ceremonial turban on MLA Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi and presented him a memento. Joshi also distributed stationary and books to around 200 children from in and around Mussoorie Assembly segment.

He said the rate of school dropouts after class V was much more among the Valimiki community which should be stopped. He also made the students take pledge that they would continue their education and make a mark in their career.

Crimes against women: ABVP protests

Dehradun, October 8
Activists of the ABVP held a protest march from Gandhi Park to Clock Tower against rise in crimes against women and girl students. The ABVP members formed a human chain and demanded strict steps to curb the rise in crimes against women.

The protesters raised slogans and urged the government to crack down on the drug trade in the state, which is the main cause of increasing incidents of crime against women. The ABVP leaders said the police and the administration must take stringent steps to ensure a drug and crime-free society in which girls and women could live with respect and without fear. — TNS

Anganwadi workers’ strike on Nov 9
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
Raja Bahuguna, national vice-president of the Anganwadi Workers Association, said workers were providing best and round the clock medical assistance to villagers who were living in higher areas of the state.

He said the anganwadi workers would protest throughout the state on November 9 in support of their demands.

Addressing a gathering of workers in Haldwani, Bahuguna said the state government should take steps to address the members of the the Anganwadi Workers Association.

Deepa Pandey said a memorandum highlighting their demands which included pay hike, pay anomaly, construction of anganwadi centres, sanctioning allowance were submitted many times to the government officials, but the state government was yet to take steps to fulfill their demands.

KK Bora, Kailash Pandey, Heera Bhatt, Saroj Pant, Usha Pant, Bhagirathi Bhatt, Janki Joshi, and many more were present.

CM apprised of problems faced by farmers in sericulture
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 8
A delegation of Uttarakhand Cooperative Silk Federation members led by their president Ghanshyam Sharma met Chief Minister Harish Rawat here today.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister concerning problems of farmers engaged in sericulture. The farmers sought cash payments for those engaged in production of cocoons. They sought increase in budget for federation. The delegation also disclosed to the CM that in 2007-08, the Uttarakhand Government had proposed establishing a silk park under the planned revamp of silk federation. “The government accepted this proposal and a silk park was constructed in Premnagar, Dehradun, with an expenditure of Rs 244 crore.

But even after four years of construction work, the park had not been handed over to the federation,” pointed out Ghanshyam Sharma.

State tourism share decreases by 5 per cent 
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, October 8
The state Tourism Department is not ready to learn lessons even after the tourism share in the gross state domestic product (GSDP) decreased by five percent which amounts to Rs 10,000 crore.

The state revenue share came down heavily following the natural disaster in Kedarnath but the apathy of the Tourism Department could be gauged from the fact that it has made no effort to formulate a tourism policy to increase revenue by developing old tourism spots and creating new ones in the state.

The department itself has consented in a RTI that it failed to announce any new tourism policy and also failed in passing any government order to improve the condition of tourism in the state.

It was also revealed that the department has not prepared any guidelines to determine which places would be considered as the tourist spots.

On the contrary, the department is relying on the movement of tourist as yardstick to determine the status of tourist spots. This was resulting in ambiguity and confusion among officials.

Tourism officials said due to absence of any government order or guidelines, it was becoming difficult to disburse funds to tourist spots.

According to the Tourism Department, Dehradun district has around 31 tourist destinations, Pauri 32, Rudraprayag 25, Udham Singh Nagar 12, Almora 20, Bageshwar 9, Pithoragarh 21, Champawat 13 and Haridwar 7.

But people involved in the tourism industry are of the view that most of the places shown as tourism destination lack basic amenities.