Govt enforces ‘no work, no pay’ rule against striking employees
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
After the Nainital High Court took a dim view of the strike by the ministerial staff since September 15, the Uttarakhand Government today enforced the “no work, no pay” service regulation. With no let-up in the strike by the ministerial staff that had completely paralysed the functioning of the District Collectorate and other employees unions waiting in the wings to follow suit, Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar today issued the regulation.

Principal Secretary (personnel) Radha Raturi said no action would be taken against the employees who report to work and complete security would be given to them.

Further, an action would be taken against the head of the department in case the employees were found missing from work after signing the attendance sheet. An action also awaits those Union leaders or members who were found instigating employees to participate in a lock-out.

This is the second time that the government has imposed the no work, no pay regulation. Earlier during the tenure of former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, the regulation was imposed to tie over the anti-reservation stir, but it backfired and the government was forced to review the decision and even forced the then Chief Secretary Alok Jain to resign.

It may be mentioned that on October 29, the High Court had called upon the government to take a tough measure of imposing Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1968, and also barring payment of dues for the period during which the employees had been on strike.

From time to time, the government had made its intentions known about initiating tough measures against the striking ministerial staff, but dithered due to unpopularity of the decision.

However the Nainital High Court’s order emboldened the government to act tough. On the other hand, the ministerial staff is also contemplating filing a review petition in the court.

Acting tough

• Action to be taken against the head of the department in case employees are found missing from work after signing the attendance sheet.
• Action also awaits those Union leaders or members who were found instigating employees to participate in a lock-out.

Special PWD division for disaster-hit areas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
With an aim to carry out the reconstruction work at the flood-ravaged Kedarnath valley, the state government has formed a special division consisting of the Public Work Department, irrigation and disaster management that would operate from Munsiyari.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Harish Rawat here today. The division would be working on the lines of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.

The Chief Minister said the work at Kedarnath was being done in coordination with purhoits. “A plan is being constituted to get tourists to Char Dham even after the portals close for the winter season. Adventure sports will be developed in these areas. Along with this, Char Dham’s winter holiday homes are also being promoted. A Rajeev Gandhi adventure sports academy is being constituted near Tehri Lake. A work plan on Himalayan Darshan Scheme is also being prepared,” he added.

“The second stage of work is being started at Kedarnath. Even after the portals have closed, over 400 persons are still working there. About 2,500 persons were left homeless after the disaster. So far, residences for 2,400 families have been built,” he said.

The Chief Minister said 60 helipads had been identified in the state and work had already begun at 12 sites. “Also, two State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) companies were constituted and additional two were being formed. Recruitment for the same has been started,” he added.

Later, officials of Rudraprayag district gave a presentation on the rehabilitation work being carried out in Kedarpuri. “After taking inputs from local teerthpurohits, vacant space will be left on either side of the temple. The rehabilitation of disaster affected in Kedarnath requires six hectares of land while the government has given nine hectares. An alternate route is being developed in Trijuginarayan and Chaumasi. Saraswati and Mandakini rivers would also be re-channelised. A three-sided security wall will be built around the temple. Stabilisation will be carried out in 3-4 sliding zones. There is a motor route between Sonprayag and Gaurikund. A foot route has been prepared ahead of this. A ropeway will be made in two phases between Rambarha and Laincholi as well as Laincholi to Kedarnath. Help will be taken from international organisations. RCC walls will be built on either side of the rivers. Bio toilets will also be constructed,” the official added.

Meanwhile the officials informed the Chief Minsiter that a team was working towards the removal of debris from rivers flowing in Uttarkashi so that it does not lead to flooding of the nearby areas.

Present in the meeting were Govind Singh Kunjwal, state in charge of Congress Ambika Soni, Sanjay Kapoor, State Congress president Kishore Upadhyay, Cabinet Minister Indra Hridayesh, Yashpal Arya, Dinesh Agarwal, SS Negi, Harish Chandra Durgapapl, MP Naithani, Preetam Singh, CS N Ravishankar, Additional Secretary Rakesh Sharma and other senior officials.

Bureaucratic reshuffle in state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
In a bureaucratic reshuffle, the state government has given additional responsibility of fishery department with dairy development, animal husbandry, forest, and environment to Principal Secretary Dr Ranveer Singh.

Talking about new responsibilities assigned to bureaucrats, Secretary (Personnel) Attar Singh said Principal Secretary MH Khan will additionally look after jail administration with small industries, khadi, irrigation and flood control.

The state government has relieved Secretary Vinod Fonia of the responsibility of rural roads and drainage. Fonia has been given additional responsibility of border area development, while Secretary MK Joshi has been relieved of the charge of Sports and Youth Development Department.

Secretary Amit Singh Negi will now look after the Sports and Youth Development Department along with other departments allocated to him, while Secretary CMS Bisht has been given additional responsibility of rural roads and drainage department.

Secretary PS Jangpangi has been relieved of the charge of fishery and border area development while Sahialesh Bagoli has been relieved of the charge of Prime Minister Rural Roads Yojna (PMGSY).

Additional secretary HS Chugh will now look after Panchayati Raj, while Additional Secretary AS Hyanki has been relieved of the Planning Department’s charge.

Additional secretary Ravinath Raman has been relieved of the charges of Information Technology and Managing Director of Hiltron, while Neeraj Kairwal has been appointed as director of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

The responsibility of home and deputy chief election officer has been taken from Additional Secretary Sachin Bansal, while the charge of the Panchayati Raj Department has been taken from Additional Secretary Jyoti Neeraj.

Additional Secretary AS Chauhan has been given additional responsibility of Information Technology.

New charges

• Principal Secretary MH Khan -- Jail administration with small industries, khadi, irrigation and flood control.
• Secretary Amit Singh Negi -- Sports and Youth Development Department

Sonia Gandhi to decide on Cong RS candidate from state: Ambika
Tribune News Service

Warm welcome: Congress general secretary Ambika Soni being welcomed by Chief Minister Harish Rawat on her arrival in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, November 3
Ambika Soni, Congress general secretary and in-charge Uttarakhand party affairs, today said a decision regarding the selection of candidate for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Uttarakhand would be taken by party president Sonia Gandhi.

Talking to mediapersons during her day-long visit to Dehradun, Ambika refuted the allegations that there was groupism in the state Congress and any tussle between the Congress leaders on the question of naming candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat.

She said she had come to Dehradun to know the viewpoint of all legislators and the party functionaries, including the alliance partners of the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF), on the issue and give her feedback to the Congress president, who would finally take the decision.

Ambika Soni was received by Chief Minister Harish Rawat and state Congress Chief Kishore Upadhaya on her arrival here today.

She was also given a briefing about the ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction works in the disaster-affected areas, particularly at Kedarnath.

Soni expressed her satisfaction at the rehabilitation and reconstruction works being undertaken by the state government. “Sonia was concerned about the rehabilitation of the affected persons in the state. I would give my feedback about the efforts put in by the state government in starting the “Char Dham Yatra” and other relief and reconstruction works,” she said.

On the issue of giving more representation to Congress legislators in the state government and curtailing the number of minister of the PDF in the council of ministers, she replied such issues crop up with changing situation and debate and discussions were an ongoing process in politics.

Amjad Ali Khan: Striking notes of harmony
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s life has been one of constant learning and enrichment of the lives of his audience. He has done this not just through his music — He has shared with his audience an entire kaleidoscope of memories profoundly rich in significance, that no school of learning can teach.

In that sense, meeting Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is a revelation in effortlessly surrendering oneself to the trials and tribulations of life, while still in search of a perfect note. “My father’s and our generation of musicians surrendered themselves wholeheartedly to the service of music like Fakirs, never thinking about the rewards. One could never be sure about the future. There was a time when my father and Guru Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan could unabashedly urge the then President of India Rajendra Prasad to take steps to prevent degeneration of Raag Darbari at a ceremony organised to award him the Padma Bhushan. Music was his sole concern,” recalled Amjad Ali Khan, while speaking with the Tribune. In Dehradun to participate in a concert organised by Viraam Gurukul Society, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said the times had changed and classical musicians today were constantly confronted with the issue of survival and making both ends meet.

“It is for this reason that institutions promising jobs have sprouted in various places of the country. Earlier, music was learnt only by serving the Guru. A shagird or a disciple did not shirk doing odd jobs for his Guru. But the times have changed now. I would think one should venture into music only if one’s day-to-day needs are not a problem. Here, governments could play a big role by offering jobs to artists. Without government patronage, music and art cannot flourish,” the maestro added.

Talking about the perceptible change that Indian politics had undergone after the elevation of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said like any Indian citizen, he wanted peace and harmony to prevail in the country. “The people of our country have elected him and much would depend on the performance of his entire team,” he said.

Demand for Gurdwara construction
Sikh body to protest on November 6
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 3
As Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary falls later this week, the All India Sikh Conference has started preparing to stage a march up to Har-ki-Pauri to press for construction of Gyan Godri Gurdwara in Haridwar.

The All India Sikh Conference has announced a protest march on November 6, demanding handing of the current office of Bharat Scouts and Guides to Sikh representatives so that the Gyan Godri Gurdwara can be reconstructed at the said site.

All India Sikh Conference president Guru Charan Singh Babbar told TNS that they would stage a protest march and will try to perform rituals like ‘ardaas’ at the said site on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.

AISC has even urged the district administration of Haridwar to ensure security arrangements in the wake of the march to Har-ki-Pauri.

As per the claim made by the conference, till the mid-70s, Gyan Godri Gurdwara, adjacent to what is now Subhash Ghat, used to exist at this very site. Guru Nanak had visited Har-ki-Pauri in 1504-05, observed “sadhna” and had an interaction with the local teerth purohits too.

In the mid-70s, it was demolished in the name of renovation and later handed to Bharat Scouts and Guides, which still houses their office at the same place.

Bharat Scouts and Guides officials claimed that the office had been there for more than 50 years and they had substantial documentation proof to this effect.

In the recent past, similar announcements by AISC members were made during the Baisakhi festival and other important occasions. Thus, heavy deployment of police personnel was done and the police barred conference activists from entering the disputed site, fearing breach of law and order.

City Magistrate KK Mishra said the administration is keeping a tab on the march announced by the Babbar faction. He said no permission in this regard had been sought from his office.

Mishra urged Sikh organisations to opt for a dialogue process to ensure a peaceful and amicable solution to their demand. SP Dr Surjeet Singh Pawar said the police would not allow any disturbance to the peaceful atmosphere and communal harmony in the city of Haridwar.

“If needed, we will stop the conference members at the Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border,” said Pawar.

Realty check
Revised circle rates set to boost coffers of govt
Tribune News Service

District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav addresses mediapersons in Dehradun on Monday. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Dehradun, November 3
The recent revision in the circle rates of property in the state capital is set to increase coffers of the state government by almost Rs 200-250 crore per annum. This was stated by District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav here today.

Addressing a press conference, Yadav said the revision of circle rates would lead to an increase in the revenue earning through the registration of land deeds. “Based on the previous circle rates, the Dehradun district alone was contributing around Rs 100-150 crore per annum. Following the revision of the property circle rates, the revenue is certainly going to shoot up,” he added.

Due to a clerical mistake in which a slab of the circle rates of a particular area were missing, the list announced on November 1 led to a widespread confusion. Therefore, no registry of land was done on that day. It was from Monday that the land registration process was started. The new circle rates have been made applicable from Monday.

Giving the details of the new circle rates of prominent locations, the DM said that from Clock Tower to Rajpur Road RTO, the previous rate was Rs 49,000 per square meter. It has now been revised to Rs 60,000 per square meter. Similarly, from RTO till Blind School on Rajpur road, falling in category B, the rates have been revised to Rs 50,000 per square meter. Earlier, it was Rs 33,000 per square metres.

The circle rates of other prominent areas include Paltan Bazaar (Rs 40,000 per square meter), Saharanpur Road (Rs 40,000 per square meter), Chakrata road (Rs 40,000 per square meter), Haridwar road (Rs 25,550 per square meter), EC Road (Rs 25,550 per square meter), Diversion road Malsi Deer Park (Rs 21,000 per square meter) and Sahastradhara road (Rs 12,000 per square metre).

Sea of Gujarati pilgrims at Pantdeep Swami Narayan Mahotsava
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 3
Devotees and pilgrims hailing from Gujarat are arriving in large numbers to take part in the Swami Narayan Mahotsava being organised at the Pantdeep Kumbh Mela ground in Haridwar these days.

A grand stage has been set apart from a huge pandal for the Gujarat-based devotees, who have been arriving in hundreds to take part in this religious function being organised by devotees of the Swami Narayan sect.

Spiritual head of the Swami Narayan sect Swami Nitya Swarupanand is also delivering religious discourse at the programme. A temple has been erected at the function venue.

Delivering a sermon, Swami Nitya Swarupanand said deity Swami Narayan is considered ‘Kalyug Avatar’ of Lord Shri Krishna. At the age of 10 years, he was well-versed with Vedic literature.

Swami Nitya Swarupanand said Swami Narayan reflected Lord Krishna in many ways, hailed from Chapiya village in eastern Uttar Pradesh and is revered in Gujarat.

He said Swami Narayan arrived on the soil of Gujarat in 1868 and gave the message of love, peace, harmony and generated awareness about many social malpractices prevailing during that era.

Nrigendra Maharaj is also giving sermons at the religious function, which will have yoga guru Ramdev. The yoga guru will take part in the cleanliness drive being organised by Swami Narayan sect followers at holy Ganga ghats in Haridwar along with Haridwar parliamentarian Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Gujarat government ministers Nanu Bhai Vanani, Janak Bhai Bagdana, MPs Darshana Ben and Praful Bhai Panch Seria on November 6.

First organic waste fertiliser plant inaugurated in Haridwar
Farmers to get fertiliser at subsidised rates
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 3
Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat inaugurated the state’s first organic waste converter fertiliser plant here today. The plant has been installed at the Agriculture Production Mandi and benefit the peasant community as fertiliser made from the plant will be provided them at subsidised rates.

In his address after inaugural function, the minister said Uttarakhand had wide scope for organic farming and this plant would set an example for other agricultural production committees to opt for organic waste converter.

Rawat added that the state government led by Chief Minister Harish Rawat was committed to catering for farmers’ causes and had already taken varied steps in this regard.

Sanjay Chopra, Chairman, Agriculture Production Committee, Jwalapur, said farmers would get organic fertilizer at subsidised and cheaper rates from this converter plant.

He urged the agriculture minister to propagate organic farming in Uttarakhand, as agriculture apart from religious tourism is the main source of employment for the people of Uttarakhand.

JP Tiwari, Chief Agriculture Officer, Haridwar district, said farmers were being provided seeds, agro equipments and financial aid to boost agriculture in the district.

Among others, Superintendent of City Police Surjeet Singh Pawar, Mandi Committee vice chairman Arshad Khwaja, member Sanjay Chauhan, Najakat Ali, Rajendra Jatav, Girdhari Lal, secretary Vijay Thapliyal, mandi inspectors’ and employees were present at the occasion.

Devotees take holy dip in Ganga on ‘Prabodhini Ekadashi’
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 3
The four-month-long “Chaturmass”, as per the Hindu calendar, got over today with devotees observing “Devothani” ekadashi also known “Prabodhini Ekadashi”. The devotees took a dip in the holy Ganga and offered rituals to Lord Vishnu and deity Laxmi on the occasion.

As per Hindu scriptures on Ashad Shukla ekadashi, Lord Shiva took reins of earth with the tenure being called “Chaturmass”. The day marks the end of the four-month period of Chaturmas, when Lord Vishnu is believed to be asleep. It is believed that Vishnu wakes up on Prabodhini ekadashi, which also marks the beginning of Hindu wedding season.

Devotees thronged the sanctum sanctorum of Braham Kund, Har-Ki-Pauri, from the wee hours of the morning, to take a holy dip in the Ganga. Later, devotees in large numbers visited temples and paid obeisance to Lord Vishnu.

A yajna was organised in Roorkee. Pt Lokesh Shastri and Pt Jagdeesh Singh Panyuli said a symbolic ritual marriage of Tulsi ji and Shaligram was observed at Nehru stadium near Durga Mandir.

Shri Shiv Shakti Jyotish Sansthan head Pt Ramesh Semwal said observing rituals and praying to deity Lord Vishnu, goddess Laxmi observing fast and performing Tulsi ji –Shaligram marriage rituals holds tremendous religious and spiritual benefit for observers.

‘Vocational training should be on govt’s priority’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
Pankaj Gupta, chairman of the Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU), said imparting vocational training to unemployed youths and helping them to set up own business units in order to contribute to economy should be on priority of the state government.

He was addressing a seminar on “Opportunity for entrepreneurs” collectively organised by the IAU, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and Reserve Bank of India (RBI), here today.

Expressing his views, Pankaj said the IAU would always stand for unemployed youths of the state to set up their own business. He said imparting training to unemployed youths was the regular feature in order to help unemployed youths to become entrepreneurs.

Gupta said setting up of a business always helps in creating employment opportunities for unemployed youths of the state.

A book on “My idea my enterprises” was released in the function. Speaking on the occasion, Anil Goyal, state general secretary, IAU, said nationalised banks offer lucrative interest rates to unemployed youths to set up their business units.

AG Alai, chief general manager SIDBI, UC Khanduri, SC Nautiyal, Jyotsna, RL Sharma and others were present on the occasion.

Regatta: Indian Navy beat Army team
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 3
The Indian Navy team defeated the Indian Army team in the annual Governor’s Gold Cup sailing regatta competition organised at Naini lake that concluded in Nainital last evening.

Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi distributed the prizes at the concluding ceremony held at Boat Club, Nainital, last evening. The team from Tamil Nadu Sailing Association was placed third and the local team of Nainital Yachting Association was fourth.

Addressing the gathering after distribution of prizes, the Governor said water sports-based tourism in the state will have to be strengthened as it could establish the state on the world map of water sports tourism. “The government will make every effort to popularise regatta in Nainital and take advantage of it to attract more off-season tourists to the lake city,” said the Governor.

According to local historians, the sailing history in Naini lake dates back to 1880, when the Yacht Club was introduced by the British in Nainital and cutter-type yachts were introduced. The club became the first yachting club to have sailing facility at such a high altitude in the country. “The first Nainital sailing club was started in 1897. It introduced sorceress-type of yachts. This culminated in a type of yachts in 1910, when the legendary Carey brothers introduced one-design yachts in Nainital Yachting Club that year,” said Vishal Khanna, secretary, Nainital Yachting Club.

Sajwan dance, song troupe declared winners
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 3
Sajwan dance and song troupe were declared winners in the cultural event organised under the aegis of Aglad Ghati Krida and Sanskritik Samiti being held at Kempty near Mussoorie that continued till midnight yesterday. The Jaunpur Sanskritik troupe was declared second and Nag Devta Club from Tilogi village stood third.

The highlight of the day was the cultural competition between schoolchildren.

Students from Sishu Mandir Kempty enthralled the audience by performing a folk dance item based on the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra.

Sona Sajwan, zila panchayat chairperson, who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed citation and awards. Sajwan announced the construction of a rest house and public toilet with modern amenities at Kempty fall.

She directed officials concerned to fix streetlights leading to the Kempty fall.

Tehri zila panchayat vice-chairperson Shyam Singh Panwar, zila panchayat members Amendar Bisht, Ashotosh Kothari, Jamuna Nauityal and Kempty Gram Pradhan Vinita Panwar were present on the occasion.

Govt to take steps to meet energy demand: Expert
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
The Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) organised a one-day consultative meet for stakeholders of power projects here today. Prof Dhirendra Sharma, a renowned scientist, said science, technology and society were interlinked and connected with the human civilization.

He stressed on the need and importance of hydro-projects in the state. He said the state government should take steps to meet energy demand in the state.

GP Patel, Managing Director, the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL), said hydro-power was economical in comparison to other power generating sources like coal, nuclear and solar energy.

He said the UJVNL had been conducting renovation, modernisation and upgradation of its equipments on regular basis in order to generate optimum electricity through its hydro-power projects.

He said Uttarakhand had potential to generate electricity through its hydro-power projects as it would help in meeting the electricity demand of not only the state but also the neighbouring states.

Padmashree awardee Avdhash Kaushal said the aim of the meet was to discuss the problem of energy shortage. He said it was important to generate awareness among public about the merits and cost benefits of constructing hydro-power projects in the state. Hemachandra Sakhlani, HK Singh and others were present.

Efforts on to overcome power overloading: UPCL
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
The 35th meeting of the standing committee of the Central Electricity Authority was conducted here today. SS Yadav, managing director, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), said the corporation had been working to improve electricity distribution system in the state.

He said efforts were on to overcome the problem of overloading in the state.

It was decided in the meeting to construct two 220 kv sub-station each at Joljebi, Pithoragarh, and Almora. The sub-stations will be constructed by Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (PTCUL).

A 400 KV transmission line will be constructed between Koteshwar and Rishikesh in order to improve transmission system in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of the state.

The transmission of electricity will be done for Rishikesh sub station of (PTCUL), once the construction of transmission lines complete.

The transmission of electricity generated through Tehri and Koteshwar hydro-power projects is received through Meerut-Muzzafarnagar transmission.

Central Electricity Authority member Major Singh, SK Sharma, RK Sharma, A Manni, KK Arya, VK Garg and RC Malhotra were present in the meeting.

Maestro pays tributes to Gandhi, Tagore
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan yesterday paid tributes to poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore and father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi at the Swarangan concert held to mark the 100th anniversary of Pt Hanuman Mishra of Benares gharana.

The maestro began the concert with the famous bhajans Raghupati raag and Vishwo jayanto associated with Mahatma Gandhi and said, “These are songs that every Indian grew up listening,” he said. He followed it with a composition “Ekla chalo rey” composed by Rabindranath Tagore- and then brought the flavour of Assam alive with a folk composition from the region.

In between filing his nails, the maestro kept the audience engaged informing them about the Sarod and how he manages to bring a distinct note because, “I play with my tips and not my files and this requires constant filing of nails. Mind you! It is not for beautification of nails, but the demands of my instrument,” he added.

On the request of Pt Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan played a composition based on raag Jhinjhote and raag Durga.

The maestro was accompanied by Ustad Rashid Mustafa on tabla, Ustad Fateh Singh on pakhwaj and Partho Roy Choudhary from Dehradun on santoor.

The concert was organised by Viraam Gurukul Society founded by Pt Rajan and Sajan Mishra and their sons Rajnish and Ritesh Mishra.

CPM protests hike in fares of buses
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
Demanding a reduction of bus fares, a delegation of the Uttarakhand chapter of the Communist Party of India (CPI) Marxists (M) met Chief Minister Harish Rawat and submitted a memorandum here today.

Giving the details, CPI (M) state secretary Vijay Rawat said their party had objected to the increase in fares from time to time. “The recent hike in the fares of private and public buses by the State Transport Authority is very steep as compared to other states. It appears that the hike in fare was not reviewed before being finalised by the authority. This has caused a lot of problems to commuters, majority of who are from the lower strata of society,” he said.

“Recently, the international prices of diesel and petrol have been reduced. Even the Central Government has reduced the diesel prices by almost Rs 6.50. Despite the reduction in prices, the fares have not been reduced,” he added.

Those who were part of the delegation included Surender Singh Sajwan, Anant Akash, Lekhraj, Birender Bhandari, Indu Nautiyal, Rajender Purohit and Shiv Prasad.

Man with 10 kg pangolin scales arrested
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 3
The Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a man on the charges of smuggling scales of pangolin here today. The accused was arrested by the city police after registering a case against him.

Sources said on a tip off, a team of the STF led by inspector Yogesh Kumar conducted a raid at Sapera Basti under Doiwala police station. The smuggler tried to flee after noticing police personnel but was nabbed.

The accused has been identified as Mukesh, a resident of Jassowala village, Dehradun.

Around 10 kg scales of pangolin were recovered from his possession.

Officials said pangolin was a protected and an endangered mammal. The recovered scales were worth Rs 18 lakh in international market.

Sub Inspector Santosh Kumar, Sub Inspector AC Sharma, Sub Inspector Sanjay Mishra, Constables Ved Prakash, Sanjay Mishra, Satendra Butola and Tejpal were also present.

Kisan Mela held in Tehri district
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 3
A workshop for farmers in Kisan Mela was organised at Srikot in Tehri district today. Agriculture and Land Conservation officer KP Sharma during the workshop said the government would help farmers who assist in land consolidation (chak bandi) exercise being carried out in the Nyaya Panchayat region here.

The rabi seeds and farming equipments were also distributed during the mela by the officials from the block and district panchayat.

Amrendar Bisht, Zila Panchayat Sadasya, Tehri, said the Harish Rawat government was committed towards uplifting the condition of farmers in the state.

He further said such melas would be held in other Nyaya Panchayat areas too.

Among other persons who were present on this occasion were Rajpal, Inderpal, Supa Singh and Mher Singh.

Three injured as motorcycle falls into 100 metre gorge
Tribune News Service

The injured children being taken to a hospital after first aid at Kempty in Mussoorie. A Tribune photograph

Mussoorie, November 3
Three persons, including two pillion riders, were seriously injured when the motorcycle on which they were riding skid off the road at Khyarsi bend near Kempty village and fell into a 100-metre gorge here today.

The injured were identified as Ritu (10), Priti (12), and Raspal, owner of the vehicle. The injured were rushed to St Mary’s Hospital from where they were referred to Doon Hospital, Dehradun.

According to Kempty police, the incident occurred around 10 am as Raspal, the father of Ritu and Priti was bringing the two children from school on motorcycle and lost control over the vehicle. Local residents attributed the mud dumped on the road as the main reason for the accident.

Cause of accident

• The incident occurred around 10 am as Raspal, the father of Ritu and Priti was bringing the two children from school on motorcycle and lost control over the vehicle
• Local residents attributed the mud dumped on the road as the main reason for the accident.