BJP seeks probe into ‘misuse’ of funds
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 8
Demanding in enquiry into the alleged scam involving the funds under the Special Plan Assistant (SPA), a delegation of local BJP leaders along area residents staged a protest demonstration and submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Chandresh Kumar.

Highlighting the misuse of funds, the memorandum stated that the Congress-led state government has misused the Rs 187 crore funds earmarked for the construction of flyover on the National Highway 72.

“The funds were released by the Central Government under the SPA. On January 6, 1999, the Central Government had taken over the control of the NH 72 from the state government. Later, the state government was entrusted with the task of looking after the maintenance of the highway,” it said.

“However, the state government, due to its vested interest, has chosen to ignore the highway and misusing the funds issued for the same. An inquiry should be immediately conducted so that the massive corruption can be stopped,” stated the memorandum.

BJP asks party workers to boost membership drive 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 8
Shyam Jaju, national secretary and in charge of the Uttarakhand BJP, today asked party workers in the state to increase the BJP membership from the existing 5.81 lakh to 25 lakh in the coming days.

“With the help of committed party workers and the popularity of the BJP, I am sure there would not be any difficulty in achieving the target of increasing the members in Uttarakhand,” said Shyam Jaju at the launch of the membership drive in the state.

Jaju said the membership drive would be launched in all districts, blocks and villages.

On the issue of a possible berth for one or more MPs from Uttarakhand in the Modi cabinet, which is likely to be expanded tomorrow, Jaju said, “It was the prerogative of the Prime Minister to take a decision, as such it would not be the right thing to speculate and harbour undue expectations.”

Similarly, on the issue of selecting a candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from the BJP, Jaju said the party would make the announcement shortly. “The party will come out with the name of a candidate before the elections and at this point in time I cannot say much,” he said.

During the launch of the membership drive Jaju was accompanied by BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat and other senior leaders of the party. 

Foundation Day: Doon bears a clean look
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 8
A day ahead of the State Foundation Day, state capital bore a clean look owing to the last minute massive cleaning operations undertaken by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation in various parts of the city.

In their effort to clean the city by removing garbage accumulated over past several days, the DMC pressed into service additional staff and vehicles. Elaborating further, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat said the drive was started a few days ago. “However, due to the shortage of vehicles, several areas were not cleaned. We called in the additional staff for lifting the garbage dumps and cleaned majority of the city,” he added.

It may be mentioned here that as part of the preparations for the State Foundation Day, the state government had instructed the DMC to launch a cleaning drive from November 1 to15. In turn the civic body had appointed Dr RK Singh, Mukhya Swasthya Adhikari, to monitor the sanitation work being carried out in the city. 

BHEL ‘committed’ to clauses of corporate social responsibility
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 8
Public sector undertaking Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Executive Director (Heavy electrical equipment, Haridwar plant) Prakash Chand has affirmed the company’s commitment towards clauses of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Speaking at the closure of a plastic surgery camp here today, Prakash Chand said CSR is a novel concept which has brought tremendous positive results and has changed the working of companies.

He said via corporate social responsibility, the segment which does not have access to resources and uniform income is catered to and is being provided social welfare benefits.

Dr Gabriel from Germany along with 11 doctors gave medical services free of cost and conducted 101 plastic surgeries on persons hailing from poor families.

Divisional president retd Colonel Duleep Patnayank, Punjab National Bank divisional head Punit Jain, Acums Pharma director Sandeep Jain, Hero Moto Corp Plant head Mukesh Goyal, Vidyut Gupta, Dr Prem Luthra among others were present on the occasion.

State govt to give laptops to meritorious students 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 8
In a major decision, Uttarakhand has decided to provide laptops to meritorious students of the state.

An instruction in this regard was issued by Uttarakhand Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar in a meeting held at the secretariat today. The focus of the meeting was to discuss the process of laptop distribution. He disclosed that laptops will be given to meritorious students from this year onwards. The laptops shall be purchased after consultation from the information technology department and approval of the finance department.

The Uttarakhand Cabinet had earlier taken a decision to give laptops to those students who have passed the intermediate exam with 80 per cent and above marks. It was also decided to give laptops to any student who has secured over 70 per cent marks in the state’s higher education institutions linked to technical education, agricultural education, medical education and other professional education. The meeting also held that it must be ensured that one student gets only one laptop under any circumstances.

‘Uttarakhand one of the fastest growing states’
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 8
Uttarakhand has made rapid strides and has emerged as one of the fastest growing states in the country. It has emerged as a preferred manufacturing industrial hub in north India. The growth of the state economy has been largely driven by manufacturing that grew at a CAGR of 21.2 per cent (2004-05 to 2013-14) at constant prices), which is one of the highest in the country.

The contribution of the manufacturing sector to the state GSDP (2013-14) stands at 26.2 per cent.

Director, Additional Industries, Uttarakhand SC Nautiyal, stated this at the third day of the ongoing four-day Industrial Expo being organised by the Chamber of Commerce India here today. The NSIC and the state Department of MSME are partners in the expo.

Nautiyal said about 230 industrial units were set up in Uttarakhand by 2012-13, besides over 42,000 small and medium industries. The state attracted investments to tune of Rs 27,451 crore during this period, which demonstrates that it continues to remain as one of the preferred choices of investors and business despite the discontinuation of the central incentive package in 2010.

Manu Kochhar, Chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council, said the key industrial and sector-specific policies of the state had been instrumental in attracting long-term investments. The development of required infrastructure had also been a key strategy of the state to attract investment in various industries.

Cultural event keeps audience spellbound
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 8
Unison World School celebrated its 7th annual day function with fervour and gaiety here today. The event began with exhibition inaugurated by renowned playwright, screenwriter, theatre and film director, Feroz Abbas Khan.

The evening witnessed a cultural show staged by students under the guidance of the music and dance department of the school. The show began with the prayer dance followed by ‘Indian Fusion Orchestra, guitar ensemble and rock band’.

The ambience was left echoing with the story of ‘Laila Majnu’ that being the theme of the dance drama which depicted various hues of emotions.

The chief guest on the occasion was Rajeev Kapoor, Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. The annual report of the school was presented by the Principal Veena Singh and students were given prizes for their achievements in various fields.

The occasion was graced by Unison Education Foundation chairperson Rajrani Aggarwal and secretary Amit Aggarwal.

Armed Forces Flag Day on Dec 5
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 8
District Magistrate Chandresh Kumar, in a notification issued here, has stated that Armed Forces Flag Day would be celebrated at the State War Memorial on December 5.

He said as it is a holiday on December 7, the date on which the day is observed, the function was being advanced by two days. “The people are indebted to the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces to safeguard our country. Therefore, as a mark of gratitude towards their selfless services, we should contribute the maximum we can to the fund which is used for the welfare of war widows, their dependants and disabled soldiers,” he said.

Stephen Alter’s book on mountains hits stands

Mussoorie, November 8
The book titled, “Becoming a Mountain: Himalayan Journeys in Search of the Sacred and the Sublime” written by Stephen Alter, a resident of Mussoorie, has hit the stands.

The book containing 262 pages written by Stephen Alter is a result of four years of hard work. It is based on a topic close to the author’s heart and has been published by Aleph Book Company, New Delhi.

“Becoming a Mountain” makes an excellent reading for those who are interested in the Himalayan region as a place of exploration and adventure. It will appeal to those who are looking for some spiritual or mystical experience, peeling back layers of reality and myth in an untouched, sacred landscape. — TNS

Admn rejects relief claims of Dharchula villagers

Pithoragarh, November 8
The Pithoragarh district administration has rejected the disaster relief claims as not viable even as residents of Ghattabagar village in Dharchula subdivision continued with their dharna in front the office of the district headquarters for the third day today demanding compensation for the damages they suffered in flash floods last year. They alleged that the district administration had not considered their cases even 18 months after last year’s natural disaster.

District Magistrate HC Semwal said the damage caused to houses and land, besides standing crops in the natural disaster shown by villagers does not fall under the disaster category and hence they were not eligible for compensation. — OC

Chief Secy reviews preparations for 2016 Ardh Kumbh
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 8
Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar reviewed preparations for the Ardh Kumbh 2016 at the Secretariat here today.

He emphasised on traffic management during the meeting. He approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Rs 170 crore.

He emphasised on the Nirmal Ganga mission, solid waste management, cleanliness and development of river banks. It was stated that a double-lane bridge would be built on the Ganga near Dhobighaat Laaltaakh in Haridwar.

A 90 m valley bridge would be constructed on Jwalapur at a cost of Rs 4.90 crore. It was also informed that the railway overbridge and other development works were being carried out from Kharhkharhi to Bhoopatwala on the hill bypass road. The work will be carried out after survey by experts and scientists.

The widening and repair of the Baharabad-Dhanauri-Bedhpur- amimpur- Tara- Bhagwanpur- Gagalherhi route has to be carried out. The Irrigation Department will carry out the construction work of the Sarai bypass road and miners in the Baharabad development block.

It was stated during the meeting that the repair of damaged roads and renovation would be carried out by block committees while the PWD would build 30 temporary bridges.

The Chief Secretary has directed the Police Department to prepare a plan for a secure traffic system. Police officials must be consulted for the identification of parking areas, roads and bridges as well as their planning. All the information regarding Ardh Kumbh must be updated on the website.

Additional Chief Secretaries Rakesh Sharma and S Raju, Urban development secretary DS Gabryal, PWD secretary Amit Negi, Home Secretary Vinod Sharma, DIG Sanjay Gunjiyal, ADG law and order Ramsingh Meena and Haridwar District Magistrate D Senthil Pandiyan were present at the meeting.

U’khand police storm into cricket finals  

Dehradun, November 8
Uttarakhand police stormed into the finals of the ongoing Nazar Khan Memorial 3rd Youth Cup Cricket Tournament after defeating Abhimanyu Cricket Academy (ACA) in the semifinal match played at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy ground here today.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, ACA showcased good batting display and scored 212 runs in 35 overs. Tushar Saklani scored highest 41 runs for ACA and Ajay Ratra contributed 38 runs for the team. In reply, Uttarakhand Police chased down the target in 33.4 overs and won the match by 4 wickets.

For Uttarakhand police, Ravindra scored maximum 71 runs and Neeraj made 56 runs. — TNS