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DMC, MDDA spar over Pacific Hills Apartments
Keen response to Doon MC house tax camps |
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CM stresses on better education standards
Work to eradicate social evils: MLA
Health Department to set up medical
recruitment board
Anglo-Gorkha War bicentenary
Varsity to train teachers for differently abled students
Nagar palika status for Ranikhet town
‘Community radio played vital role in disaster-hit regions’
Guv watches “Uttarakhand ke Jaanbaaz”
Large wastage of patients’ food at 3 hospitals in Doon
Clearance for OPD blocks on land vacated by PWD
LPG shortage in Pithoragarh
Shantikunj body gets UN award
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DMC, MDDA spar over Pacific Hills Apartments
Dehradun, November 19 It may be mentioned here that the controversial site came under scanner after the Dehradun Municipal Corporation levelled allegations of illegal land grabbing by builders. During a site inspection, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) Harak Singh Rawat found several bighas of land belonging to the DMC being encroached upon by builders. Accompanied by revenue officers, DMC officials conducted a fresh measurement of the land and found some portion of it to be encroached upon. Speaking to The Tribune, the MNA said he had ordered the construction of a demarcation wall on the area belonging to the DMC. “Once we take the possession, the wall would be constructed at the earliest. It is up to the MDDA to take action against builders for encroaching upon the public land. Around 20 flats have been constructed on the illegally occupied land,” he added. Meanwhile, MDDA Secretary Banshidhar Tiwari denied any wrongdoings in the sanctioned map of Pacific Hills Apartments. “We had thoroughly checked the building maps and plans submitted by builders before giving them approval for the construction of a building. However, until we receive a complaint, we are unable to take any action,” he added. It may be recalled that a year ago, following the orders from the Nainital High Court, the district administration had conducted a fresh land survey of the Pacific Hills Apartments. The fresh incident of encroachment came to light on Friday when some people informed the MNA about the same. However, after the MNA failed to receive the land measurement survey report as requested from the sub-divisional magistrate, a decision was taken to visit the site.
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Keen response to Doon MC house tax camps
Dehradun, November 19 The camps being organised from November 13 onwards in various localities are said to be aimed at easing confusion related to the new house tax forms and helping the public under the tax calculations. Giving details, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat said the camps would continue for the next two months so that the entire city is covered. “Earlier, we had planned to organise the camps for a few days, but now, looking at the response, we would be extending it for another two months,” he added. Apart from undertaking door-to-door distribution of the house tax forms, the tax collection staff is helping people understand the manner in which the tax is being levied. “Since we have introduced new forms that require additional information, the staff is helping the public fill these out. Also, those who are satisfied with the calculations are making on-the-spot payments of their taxes,” he added. “The staff members are also making a note of the grievances that would be taken up in the MC in a few days. The camps were held in Rajeev Nagar, Adhoiwala and Deep Nagar Colony here today,” said the
MNA.
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CM calls for making state economically robust
Dehradun, November 19 He said every state government employee has to contribute to development in the state and make it self-sustainable. The Chief Minister announced that all decisions taken for welfare of state government employees will be applicable to corporation employees too. The government is trying to bring corporation employees under the contributory pension system in the state, said Rawat. Talking about the objective behind formation
of corporations in the state, the Chief Minister said, “Corporations were given autonomous status
as compared to government departments to enable them to take quick and independent decisions and contribute to
the state’s development in a much faster and effective manner.” He appreciated the Forest Development Corporation’s efforts at generating more revenue and setting an example for other corporations in the state as far as revenue generation is concerned. As for demands of the employees, the
Chief Minister said if employees perform exceptionally well continuously for three years, the state would be in a position to meet their demands. Forest Minister Dinesh Aggarwal, chairman of the Forest Development Corporation Harish Dhami and president of Forest Development Corporation Employees Association Santosh Rawat were among those present at the convention.
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CM stresses on better education standards
Dehradun, November 19 The Chief Minister while addressing a one-day seminar ‘How to Improve Education System’ at MKP Girls college here today said teachers should work to develop the overall personality of students. He added it was a matter of pride that students from Uttarakhand had not only proved their ability in education but also in sports and extra co-curricular activities. Rawat assured the gathering that every possible step would be taken to improve infrastructure in schools, and colleges to impart quality education to students and give them competitive edge. Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani said steps would be taken to address the grievances of teachers. He added the government was committed to overcome the shortage of teachers in the state. Naithani said strict instructions had been given to the Director, Education Directorate, to ensure presence of teachers in government schools in the hill areas of the state.
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Work to eradicate social evils: MLA
Dehradun, November 19 Students performed “Saraswati Vandana”. They exhibited their dancing and singing skills by performing Garhwali, Bengali, Assamese and Nepali folk dances and sung folk songs. Students put up a skit, “Save Our Earth”. Archana Thapa, principal of Green Lawn Academy, presented the school’s annual report. She said teachers of the school work round-the-clock to polish students’ overall personality. She said moral values are being inculcated in students on priority in order to make them responsible citizens. The programme was anchored by Ayushi, Vaishali and Sachin. Col NS Khattri, Director of academy, Jamuna Khattri, Ganga Rana, Geeta Mahar and YS Thakur were among those present.
— TNS
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Women empowerment in the pipeline: Rawat
Dehradun, November 19 After paying floral tributes to former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi to mark the 97th birth anniversary in a function held here today, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat recalled that Indira Gandhi is still remembered as one of the most successful PMs of the country. MP Manorama Sharma Dobriyal, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Kishore Upadhayay, state president of women’s cell of PCC Sarojini Kaintura, Lal Chandra Sharma and many others were present. — TNS
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Health Department to set up medical
recruitment board
Dehradun, November 19 Since the creation of the state, the Department of Health has been requisitioning the State Public Service Commission for the appointment of doctors. Based on the request, the commission conducts a written examination and then an interview after which the selection is made. However, the process is long drawn and tedious and since the creation of the state in 2000, the commission has managed to conduct the examination only five times. “A total of 1,056 doctors were selected but only 600 joined as there was delay in interview and appointment. However, with the setting up our own commission, we will be able to hire doctors frequently,” said Dr LK Gusain, Director, Medicine. The board will only conduct interviews and the panel will comprise of a chairman, member secretary, secretary and experts. Between 2002-12, the Department of Health had made a requisition for 3014 posts. Around 949 doctors were given appointment letters and only 600 joined. The draft has already been submitted to the government and is expected to be presented before the Cabinet for approval.
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DIT students fabricate Formula One car
Dehradun, November 19 DIT is the institution from Uttarakhand to clear all the initial phases of this event and be selected for the main event. The team that will be representing DIT University comprises 25 students of the college. The students are from streams such as Mechanical, Industrial and Production, Electronics & Communication and Electrical Engineering. Somnath Kapoor of IPE branch of DIT University will lead the team.
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Anglo-Gorkha War bicentenary
Mussoorie, November 19 The British victory in the war helped establish the British Raj and reduced Nepal to a buffer state between India and Tibet. Nalapani created two heroes, the Gorkha commander of Khalanga Fort at Nalapani, Capt Balbhadra Kunwar, and his British foe, Maj-Gen Rollo Gillespie. Both had established their reputations in war before they met at Nalapani. After sustaining huge losses, the British finally prevailed on November 30, 1814 once the Gorkhas ran out of water supply. Balbhadra escaped with some 70 men. Gillespie, until then a rising star, was one of the first casualties at Nalapani. He had demanded a surrender, but Balbhadra’s defiant refusal to surrender was surprising since until that time, the British had seemed invincible. They had vanquished the mighty Tipu Sultan in the south and made huge gains against the Marathas. They were expanding steadily northwards, and coveted access to the Himalayas, especially for trade with Tibet and Central Asia. Only the Gorkhas and Ranjit Singh of Punjab stood in their way. Gillespie was born in Ireland, then a British colony. After service in a British cavalry regiment across the British empire, he was transferred to India in 1812, since he had earlier served in Madras with distinction. Gillespie was one of the first British casualties on the very first day of the battle, felled by a Gorkha marksman. Thus ended a heroic career. To this day, his hometown Comber in Ireland is proud of him and a statue of Gillespie stands in the town square. Balbhadra was praised as a “worthy opponent” by the British, who had been amazed at the courage of the soldiers under his command. Known to the British as “Bulbudder”, his leadership was proven in the rapid westward expansion of the Gorkhas from Nepal. He secured many victories over the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal and other local chieftains in present-day Uttarakhand and Himachal. Balbhadra was appointed governor of the Doon, based in Dehradun. He was of Hindu Rajput lineage, and was nephew of Bhimsen Thapa, regarded as Nepal’s first Prime Minister. His father, uncles and grandfathers too were commanders in the Gorkha army as it fought to unite Nepal in earlier decades. Balbhadra joined the army of Ranjit Singh and was killed in 1821 on the Afghan frontier — He remains a giant. He is a source of inspiration not only to every Nepali citizen but also to Nepali-speaking citizens of India, especially those - be they enlisted men or officers - who serve in the Indian Army’s feared Gorkha Regiments. And indeed, many Doonites have seen the memorial at the southern end of Sahastradhara Road, where twin obelisks salute the memory of both Balbhadra and Gillespie — Two men who remain very much alive in the memory of Doonites today, two centuries after their deaths. When contacted, travel writer and senior citizen Hugh Gantzer said the battle of Nalapani also paved the way for creation of the hill town of Mussoorie as the entire area came under the British after the battle. The British, who were looking for a place above malaria line, found Mussoorie suited their needs. They turned it into a hill station, which caters to tourists from northern plains of India, said
Gantzer.
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Hanging high-tension power line poses a threat to life
Mussoorie, November 19 A local resident, Himmat Singh Thapli, lamenting the lackadaisical attitude of the electricity department, said that the high-tension wire running through the two oak trees over the road near Landour Bazaar and going to civil hospital is posing a risk to lives of passing citizens. He further said that the risk of short circuit and current spreading to the ground increases during rains, instilling fear among the residents here. He also said that the forest and electricity departments have been informed about the situation on several occasions but nothing has been done so far. The senior officials at the electricity department when contacted said that they have issued a notice to the landowner on whose plot the two trees are situated for the removal of the high-tension wires. Thapli said that he was also unable to act due to the involvement of two oak trees in his premises that fall under the forest department, which is the rightful agency to provide permission to relocate the high-tension wires. When contacted the DFO, Mussoorie, said that they have not received any letter to grant permission for the lopping of the trees. Moreover, once the permission is granted the electricity department has to ensure that the high-tension wire remains dysfunctional during the period of lopping. Then only the process of removing high-tension wires can be taken forward, said Dheeraj
Pandey.
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Varsity to train teachers for differently abled students
Pithoragarh, November 19 According to the sources, over 19,000 students under the special category are studying in schools in the state for which the need of specially trained teachers was being felt for long time. The university had applied to the Rehabilitation Council of India, which has approved the course. “We will begin the courses on special education after the Rehabilitation Council of India team visits the university and the approval is received,”
said Subhash Dhulia, Vice-Chancellor of the university. He said the teachers for the special category children would be trained to teach primary to intermediate classes. These teachers would
be able to teach these students according to their mental status and other deformities. “Uttarakhand Open University will be the first university in the hill states of the country to have begun such courses,” said Dhulia.
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Nagar palika status for Ranikhet town
Dehradun, November 19 In the major announcement that brought cheers among the town residents, the Chief Minister asked District Magistrate Vinod Kumar Suman to conduct a survey and submit a proposal to the state government. Stating that the state government is giving priority to form small administrative units so that people do not have to go to far-off to file their complaints, the CM also approved the setting up of a sub-tehsil in Jaalli. As part of the development plan, the CM sanctioned Ranikhet bhujan pumping scheme, department for music at Ranikhet School, ITI in Devlikhet, two-storey taxi stand near roadways bus station in Ranikhet, playground in Pandeykota and Ranikhet, Rs 10 lakh for development work in Dhauladevi, a homoeopathy clinic in Dwarhaat, 25-km-long road connecting Ranikhet, water bodies in Gagas, Devlikhet, Binusar Mahadev and Nepalkot, upgradation of Bajina Junior High School to high school, drinking water scheme in Devidunga, zoo in Dalmoti and planned development of several areas. On the issue of migration from hills, Rawat said that the state government is adopting multitude schemes in order to
stop migration from hilly areas. “Besides this, the government has also taken a
decision to provide pension to purohits, artistes and journalists. Work is being done to ensure that the general public gets the benefit of various welfare schemes. ITIs are being developed in order to train the locals,” he added. The CM also asked officials to promote physical education in schools and provide employment to the unemployed. Later, the committee felicitated 116 freedom fighters and their dependants. Those who were present during the function included Ranjit Rawat, Pradeep Tamta, Kailash
Pandey, G.S. Martoliya, Dr Ahmed Iqbal, Rajender Barakoti, Anand Singh
Bisht, Puran Mehra, Bachhi Singh Dev and several others.
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‘Community radio played vital role in disaster-hit regions’
Mussoorie, November 19 Elaborating further, he said the community radio stations were only mediums available to the administration during Kedarnath and Jammu and Kashmir flood disasters and worked as an information bridge between the administration and affected people. He also said that such community radio stations remain functional even during the snapping of power and the effectiveness of the mediums has been acknowledged by the Government of India. The ministry is also planning to engage community radio stations by tying up with the disaster management authority and thus help in preparing the affected people from any disaster so that lives can be saved, said
Grewal.
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Guv watches “Uttarakhand ke Jaanbaaz”
Dehradun, November 19 The first episode featured a dramatised recreation of the late Sangita Agarwal, who was a teacher. She laid down her life while saving schoolchildren from drowning in a canal, which was flooded with rainwater in a remote rural area of Dehradun district in September in 2011. Dr Qureshi expressed deep concern at the lack of basic facilities like health, education, electricity, water and employment opportunities in the rural areas of the state. He said residents of border villages migrated from remotely situated areas as they had no sources of earning money. He termed it as an alarming situation, which needs attention.
— TNS
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Joshimath Brigade holds Army veterans’ rally at Gauchar
Dehradun, November 19 The event was presided over by the Brigade Commander along with special invitees Dr Harak Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand Minister of Agriculture and ex-servicemen welfare and SA Murgesan, District Magistrate, Chamoli. Also in attendance were officials from District Ex-servicemen Rehabilitation offices of Rudraprayag and Gopeshwar (Chamoli) and representatives from ARO, Lansdowne, Garhwal Regimental Centre, Lansdowne, PCDA (Pension) Allahabad, officials from State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank. The rally was attended by a large number of Army veterans, veer naris and their dependents from the two districts. Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat and the Chamoli DM assured that the ex-servicemen, war widows and their dependents will be well looked after and their problems will be given proper attention and priority. Addressing the gathering, Brig GS Jamwal, SM, said the aim of the rally was to appreciate the valiant efforts of Army veterans from Garhwal region in nation building and understand and resolve the problems faced by them in the civil society after retirement. He said the Joshimath Brigade remains committed to work for welfare of veterans, and will provide all possible assistance and support as and when the need arises. As many as 50 Veer Naris and 20 very senior ex-servicemen were honoured and a sum of Rs 11,000 each was given as financial assistance to 11 former servicemen who suffered during flash floods in Kedarnath valley last year.
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Eradication of unemployment
sought
Dehradun, November 19 Addressing media persons here today, AP Juyal, central officiating president, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Airy), has said that different government departments are facing acute shortage of manpower at every level. He said that the government should notify posts in order to fill vacant posts in government departments.
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Large wastage of patients’ food at 3 hospitals in Doon
Dehradun, November 19 These hospitals have engaged a private contractor to serve and the government spends pays around Rs 80 lakh to Rs 90 lakh annually. It is not about lack of quality but inappropriate food which is being served to people who have specific medical and health care needs, leading to huge wastage of food. For example, curd continues to be served at these hospital at night even during the monsoon and the winter. So is rice, which is compulsorily served at night when most of the people avoid eating it. The rigidity in the menu is also encouraging wastage, as the patient has to be served four chapatis at dinner time irrespective his appetite. “Most of the patients in the general ward are ill and not in the mood to eat all that is served to them, thus leading to a lot of food wastage,” said Dhan Singh, an attendant. He added mostly breakfast and dinner meals go waste. In fact the management and planning of diet for patients is a bundle of contradictions. There is a full-time dietician at the Doon Hospital management but his recommendations have not been considered in planning the diet plan of patients in the general ward. “The state government has recommended the diet plan and we are following what they have recommended,” said Dr RS Aswal, Principal Medical Superintendent, Doon Hospital. Significantly, the hospital certification authority-ISO-had specifically asked the hospital authorities to introduce more variety in the breakfast and prepare a diet plan with suggestions from the dietician. But the hospital authorities did not pay heed to the directions. Inputs from the dietician are restricted to special diets planned for some patients. Further, there is no daily monitoring of food wastage so that it could be reduced. Diet dilemma
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Clearance for OPD blocks on land vacated by PWD
Dehradun, November 19 This will pave the way for the release of funds crucial for undertaking new construction. The EFC clearance was pending for more than a year, which had put a big question mark on timely completion of Doon Medical College the academic session of which is likely to start in 2015. “The construction will start after signing of the memorandum of understanding. We will be building the OPD which will comprise five floors including the basement parking at the land vacated by PWD. An operation theatre and emergency blocks would be constructed on land vacated by Red Cross,” said Dr RP Bhatt, director medical education. Around Rs 45.54 crore have been sanctioned for construction of an
OPD. Crucial push The EFC clearance had been pending for more than a year. This had put a question mark on the timely completion of Doon Medical College, the academic session of which is likely to start in 2015. |
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8,588 apply for 150 posts of SI
Haridwar, November 19 SSP Sweety Aggarwal today monitored the physical examination procedures at the training ground. Sweety directed concerned officials to ensure video recording of the tests to ensure more transparency. As per the SSP, after selection in the physical tests, successful candidates will be liable for written examination to be held next month. The SSP also directed officials to ensure no unauthorised person enters the ground or is found roaming nearby the venue gate premises as some complaints have come to light where some middlemen tried to lure the aspirants demanding money for selection in the examination. “If any such person is found involved in such practice, he should be immediately arrested and strict legal action will be taken against such offenders. Candidates applying for the sub inspector posts also should understand that the examination process is fair and transparent. There is no shortcut or illegal route to get through, barring merit in both physical and written examination,” said SSP Aggarwal. Meanwhile, the Kotwali police today arrested Ankit Kumar from Rishikul bridge with 52 quarter bottles of countrymade liquor. Similarly, a Pathri police station police team seized 3 litres of countrymade liquor being illegally ferried near Ibrahimpur village new bridge. Palu alias Nathu, resident of Ibrahimpur Pathri, was arrested and a case under the Excise Act has been registered at the police station.
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LPG shortage in Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh, November 19 Shortage of LPG cylinders is being witnessed for the last 15 days,” said BJP general secretary Prakash Pant. According to reports received here, due to less refilling of cylinders at Halduchaura plant of IOC, cooking gas cylinder supply is not coping up with the demand in winter months, which increases 15 to 20 per cent during these days. “The administration has nothing to do in this regard. It becomes helpless if more and more LPG cylinders are not pouring out from the refilling plant,” said an administrative officer at Haldwani. According to a local LPG agency in Pithoragarh, the backlog of LPG cylinders has gone to 3,000 till date due to non-receipt of sufficient supplies by the agency. “Despite depositing money with the plant in advance, we are not getting required supply of LPG cylinders in time,” said DK Joshi, manager of KMVN LPG service in Pithoragarh. In Champawat, KMVN LPG agency workers stopped distribution of gas cylinders after a brawl between a businessman and a local gas agency in charge. “We have resumed distribution work only after the local administration assured us protection against elements who are trying to get LPG supply out of turn on the basis of their connections,” said Pradeep Karki, a gas agency in charge in Lohaghat. Reports of insufficient LPG supply are also coming from adjoining towns of Champawat, Lohaghat, Didiihat and Dharchula as less supply is being received from the refilling plant. “We will have to take to the streets if the cooking gas supply is not proper within 15 days,” Prakash Pant said at a press conference here today.
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Shantikunj body gets UN award
Haridwar, November 19 Shantikunj had started a cleanliness drive at Bagmati river, often called Ganga of Nepal, on May 19,2013 ,which was flagged off by Pro Vice Chancellor Chinmay Pandya. Notably, Shantikunj has been carrying out clean river drive under Bhagirathi Jalabhishek Abhiyan in the 2525-km-long holy Ganga from its inception from Gaumukh, Gangotri, till Ganga Sagar and on Bagmati river in Nepal. Apart from these nine sub tributaries of holy Ganga, including Bhagirathi, Alaknanda and other regional rivers are also inducted in this drive, where Shantikunj volunteers are carrying out cleanliness and awareness drives. According to Shantikunj ideologue Dr Pranav Pandya, the cleanliness and awareness drives will be carried out till 2026. Under the aegis of Shantikunj local bodies and organisations such as Nepal Environment Union, Nepal Telecom, Nepal Chitrakar Union and Kathmandu Mahanagar Palika, other government agencies are also cooperating in this clean Bagmati river drive. “Ever Saturday apart from Nepal’s government officials, Army personnel and local people lend their support to this drive. Due to this world famous temple Bhagwan Pasupathi Nath Mandir, near which the Bagmati river flows, has also been cleaned. Earlier, this river stretch used to flow like a nullah but now the sanctity and purity of this holy river, regarded as holy Ganga of Nepal, has been maintained. Hindu and Nepal-based saint community has also been lending its support and blessings,” said
Adhikari.
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St. Joseph’s Academy lift cricket title
Dehradun, November 19 Carman School won the toss and elected to bat first. They gave a dismal batting display and were bowled out at 96 runs in the 18th over of the innings. Manish scored the highest 20 runs for Carman School while Anant contributed 11 runs. For St. Joseph’s Academy, Rishabh took 3 wickets while Madhav took 2 wickets. In reply, St. Joseph’s Academy did not find any difficulty in chasing the small target of 96 runs. Madhav and Vinayak played unbeaten knocks of 31 runs each. For Carman School, Sanjay took 2 wickets while Diuyanshu took 1 wicket.
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Uttarakhand, Punjab win in volleyball
Dehradun, November 19 In another match in the boys’ category, Madhya Pradesh registered a convincing win against Lakshadweep 25-22, 25-22 while Jharkhand defeated Madhya Pradesh 19-25, 25-20 and 25-22. Kerala defeated Rajasthan 19-25, 25-17 and 27-25. Delhi defeated Chattisgarh 25-8, 25-13 in another match while Rajasthan defeated Maharashtra 20-25, 25-14 and 25-23. On the other hand, in the girls’ category, Uttarakhand lost its second match in a row against Punjab 25-10, 25-8 while Delhi defeated Telangana in straight sets 25-17, 25-17. Bihar defeated Chandigarh 25-16, 22-25 and 25-6. Gujrat defeated Uttar Pradesh 25-11, 26-28 and 25-9 while Kerala defeated Bihar 25-17, 25-8. Sushil Kumar at Oak Grove School today Mussoorie: Wrestler Sushil Kumar will provide tips to Oak Grove School students at a workshop tomorrow. “Sushil Kumar, who is working with the Indian Railways as an assistant commercial manager, will motivate students and provide tips on wrestling to them,” Dr Atul Saxena, a schoolteacher. Wrestler Sushil Kumar Solanki won the gold medal in the 66 kg freestyle competition at the FILA 2010 World Wrestling Championships, a silver medal in the 66kg freestyle wrestling event at the 2012 London Olympics and a bronze medal in the 66 kg freestyle wrestling event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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