CM announces sops for hill industries
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has asked for support from industrialists to develop industries in hilly areas. He said an industrial environment is being developed in the state’s hilly and border areas to create employment opportunities and stop migration from hilly and border areas.

In order to seek participation from industrialists, the state government is ready to extend concessions. The Chief Minister stated this while interacting with representatives of Hills Industries Union.

The CM said new policies have been made to encourage small and medium scale industries. These include aid for those setting up industries in hilly regions as well as simplification of the process of obtaining permission. In order to ensure overall development, 100 new industrial areas are being developed. Seventy per cent of these would be in hilly regions and 30 per cent in plains. “In order to facilitate this, land banks would be established and a separate corpus fund is being created to help them get financial support for cluster development and other services,” he said.

The CM said single window service must be introduced so that industrialists do not face any problem in setting up industries and their problems are resolved well in time. The CM said additional services will be given on setting up industries in the hills. Plains and hilly regions have been divided into two categories.

The tier A includes districts of Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Champawat, Rudrayprayad and Bageshwar while tier B includes districts such as Pauri, Tehri and Almora and the area 650 metres above sea level in Dehradun and Nainital.

Those setting up industries in tier A zone will be given a subsidy of 40 per cent while tier B would get 30 per cent subsidy in capital investment. Subsidy will be given in other areas such as interest and VAT and relaxation will be given on stamp fee. Five percent relaxation will be given for the first five years on electricity bills to both tier A and B cities. This will include bills for only up to 100 KVA. In case of over 100 KVA, 60 per cent will be compensated.

The CM asked the members of the union to go through the policies designed for small and medium scale industries. They have been invited to identify lands for industries after going through the policies.

Raghunandan Singh Rawat, president of Parvatiya Udyog Union, has asked the CM for 700 to 1,000 Nali land for pilot project under new hilly industries policy. The purpose of this land will be to construct roads, provide water facilities, provide electricity, set up a restaurant and develop skill development centres. This, it is stated, will create employment opportunities so that at least 25 to 30 industrialists for small scale and medium scale industries are produced every year.

This project will attract those industrialists who are from Uttarakhand and have settled in other states.

He assured that Rs 25 crore would be invested in this project so that 300 persons can be employed right at the beginning. He asked the CM to provide them basic infrastructure facilities.

NABARD will work to improve infrastructure, says Rawat
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has said that NABARD will work to improve the basic infrastructure, considering the state’s tough geographical conditions. He said NABARD should primarily focus on developing the state’s backward areas.

At a meeting held with NABARD chairman Dr Harsh Kumar Bhanwala here today, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has said the bank should work to revive the agriculture sector in the state.

He emphasised on the need to construct markets near villages in order to check migration of population from the state’s hilly areas.

He said NABARD will support the state government for improving infrastructure in agriculture sector, village tourism, micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) etc.

Rawat said NABARD can play a crucial role in revival of the tourism sector in the state. He said the state government is focusing on reconstructing damaged infrastructure such as road, potable water pipelines, schools and health centres across the state.

Later in the evening, while addressing mediapersons, NABARD chairman Dr Harsh Kumar Bhanwala assured that NABARD will assist the state government in power generation in the state. He said 100 small industrial units would be developed across the state.

Dr Bhanwala said it had been decided to support the state government in installation of solar power plants, setting up of science centres, agriculture colleges and veterinary centres across the state.

He said a kisan scheme worth Rs 200 crore would be launched for assisting nearly 2,000 farmers in selling their products in the market, while development projects under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) worth Rs 3815 crore have been sanctioned for improving infrastructure in the state’s rural areas.

Rs 600 cr for rural projects

Dr Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), has said the bank will provide assistance of Rs 600 crore to the state government for development works in rural areas of the state.

He said Rs 600 crore would be given to the state government for developing infrastructure such as health centres, roads, irrigation, warehouse, potable water pipelines etc. under the rural infrastructure fund till March 31, 2015.

Bhanwala was addressing mediapersons after laying the foundation stone of a Nabard building here today. He said the bank had decided to fund construction of small bridges, and warehouses in the agriculture sector across the state.

Maternity leave for women attaining motherhood through surrogacy
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
The Uttarakhand Government has announced maternity leave for women attaining motherhood through surrogacy.

While the bill drafted by the Centre on Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) is still pending in Parliament, the Department of Health and Family Welfare is also in the dark on surrogacy and does not have its own rules and regulations to address legal and other issues of surrogacy.

But the Uttarakhand Government, in its last Cabinet meeting, has decided to grant maternity leave to women attaining motherhood through surrogacy.

“The Indian Council of Medical Research had issued some guidelines, but these do not have any legal sanctity and are not binding. Further the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2010, which has undergone several revisions, is yet to be passed. There is no nodal agency for regulation purposes. In all the cities, surrogacy is thriving, but there is no check on its misuse,” said Dr GS Joshi, DG, Health and Family Welfare.

Significantly, due to lack of clarity on the issue, the Uttarakhand Government’s bid to earn platitudes may go waste as there were no efforts to regulate the industry which has become a thriving industry. “It would have been better for all concerned, if the government had given a thought to both intended and birth mother while deciding to grant the maternity leave. We do not know if the mother who rents her womb and agrees to surrogate too would be entitled maternity leave,” said Geeta Gairola, a social activist.

With Uttarakhand becoming a preferred destination for medical tourism, setting up of a state accreditation authority to check on incidents of middle men exploiting poor women for renting wombs should have been a priority, “The only time the government spoke on the issue was through this announcement. It has accepted the individuals’ right to achieve parenthood through surrogacy, but has not taken steps to regulate its misuse,” said Gairola.

They empower the speech and hearing impaired
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 21
For the past one year, the Vak Avam Shravan Badhit Samiti has been working for the cause of children who are speech and hearing impaired.

Generating mass awareness to treating them as on a par with normal children to providing medical treatment so that they can speak and hear — This society has got appreciation from Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

After getting to know about this society’s social work for special children, particularly those hailing from economically weaker sections of the society, the CM has decided to personally meet these society members and those speech and hearing impaired children who have been medically treated and psychologically prepared by the society to live a normal life.

As per SS Saini, founder member of the Vak Avam Shravan Badhit Samiti, a number of such specially abled children have been cured or assisted with speech therapy and hearing aid accessories.

“Children who are speech and hearing impaired need moral boosting up and adequate medical therapy, so that they also can study in normal government or private schools. There is a need to generate awareness among parents of such children and in the society on the whole. These children are as skilled or as talented as normal children are. They simply need the right medical treatment and boosting of confidence,” said Saini, who is director of Shaurya Clinic, Roorkee, where children who are speech and hearing impaired are treated.

He added that under the Right To Education, such special children need to be enrolled in classes by schools, but many schools do not given them admission.

Prepare for Assembly poll, BJP activists told
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 21
Bharatiya Janata Party, Uttarakhand unit president Teerath Singh Rawat, has urged party workers to start preparing for the 2017-bound state Assembly elections as Congress-led current state government has failed to live up to the expectations of the public of the state.

Teerath Singh Rawat was here today to attend the Haridwar district committee meeting as chief guest.

In his address Teerath, legislator from Chaubbatakhal Assembly segment in Pauri Garhwal district, said that Chief Minister Harish Rawat-led government has failed to usher in development in the state.

Citing it the right time to start preparing for the Assembly election, Teerath said that just two years are left for the election and gauging the mood of the voters, it’s time for a change.

Call for faster work to meet power demand
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Chief Minister Harish Rawat yesterday met SK Dubey, general manager of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited.

He asked Dubey to expedite in renovation and upgradation work in order to meet the demand of electricity in the state.

Rawat said the state government was working to constitute energy policy. He said the NHPC should start construction work on the proposed hydro-power projects.

Dubey said the High Court had banned the construction of 24 hydro projects at Devprayag and its adjoining areas.

He asked the Chief Minister to pursue the case as it would help in meeting the electricity demand.

MDDA to fine complexes for not using basements
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has warned that commercial complexes in the city, which are not using basements for parking vehicles or not properly maintaining these, will face action. Though builders have constructed basements in commercial complexes for use as parking lots, their poor maintenance is forcing those visiting the complexes to park their vehicles on roadside, leading to traffic jams.

While basements in most of the commercial complexes in the city are being used as godowns, others are in a state of disuse. In fact, some of the complexes have basements with no ramps for vehicles to be moved to be parked there.

The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) in view of increasing traffic jams due to haphazardly parked vehicles had recently conducted a survey of various commercial complexes in the city. Twenty-one prominent commercial complexes having basements were surveyed and the majority of them were found to be not serving the purpose.

MDDA secretary Bansidhar Tiwari said they surveyed 21 complexes on Rajpur Road and 13 of these lacked even basic facilities. “As Rajpur Road has the highest number of commercial establishments, it is the busiest road in the city. We have issued notices to the complex owners. We have given them a deadline for carrying out repairs or meeting the criteria for the basement parking in a given time. If they fail to make the necessary changes, we will seal the complexes and impose a heavy fine,” said Tiwari.

Available parkings Goyal Motors India, basement available but no electricity and facility for lighting Neelkant Arcade, ramp broken, poor upkeep and maintenance Balaji Tower, no sign board for basement parking and no lights Shiva complex, basement closed International Trade Center, basement parking blocked by two commercial generator sets, ramp broken Amartex Complex, basement not complete and ramp broken Raj Plaza, poor parking arrangements, severe water-logging in basement City Center, small entrance to the basement Town Hall, basement closed Vishal Mega Mart, poor maintenance and broken basement

AIDS awareness rally flagged off
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Students of Mahadevi Institute of Technology (MIT) organised an AIDS awareness rally besides highlighting the importance of blood donation and clean India drive here today.

The rally was flagged off by Jitendra Singh Negi, secretary, MKP College Society. He said students should collectively work to create awareness among residents about importance of participating in voluntary blood donation camps and cleanliness.

Expressing his views, Ravindra Jugran, former president of the Uttarakhand Aandolankari Parishad motivated students by giving them an insight on the various measures that can be taken by them for spreading awareness against AIDS, and ways in which they can contribute to the society.

Dr SR Sharma, director, MIT, said students motivate youth and public to donate blood on regular basis, while Dr Bhawna K Sindwani, in-charge NSS programme, MIT, announced that students of MIT will contribute towards cleanliness programme at Doon Women Hospital.

Neha Silelan, Pooja Vishwakarma and Aanchal, stood first, second and third respectively under slogan competition, while Sonali Sachar, Fabia Salmani and Prabjeet Kaur bagged the first, second, and third positions respectively under poster competition.

Among others, Girish Joshi, Geeta Chauhan, Vandana Chaudhary, Monika Semwal, Jaswant Singh Panwar, TS Rana, Alok Negi, Sarita Agarwal, Rekha Rajput and Madhu Kukshal were present.

DMC constructs wall around Pacific Hills apartments
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Taking the first step towards staking claim on their allegedly illegally acquired land by a builder, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation started the construction of a boundary wall on the disputed land.

Leading a team comprising police officials and DMC officials, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat visited the controversial site of under-construction Pacific Hills apartments and monitored the construction of the wall.

Speaking to The Tribune, the MNA said that almost one and a half bighas of land has been illegally occupied by the builders on which they have constructed some apartments. “We are awaiting the measurement report from the office of Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Once we receive the report the process of demolishing the illegally constructed structures would begin,” he said.

It may be recalled that the incident of encroachment came to light a few days ago after some persons lodged a complaint with the DMC regarding the illegal construction being carried out. While the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) claimed that the land and building maps of the apartments being constructed on the Rajpur road-Mussoorie diversion road were correct and duly sanctioned by the authority, the DMC contradicted the view. Also, 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.

Meanwhile, Mayor Vinod Chamoli has written to the MNA instructing him to file a caveat in the Nainital High Court. 

African delegation pays tributes to Nehru
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
A delegation of the African National Congress paid tributes to Jawaharlal Nehru on his 125th birth anniversary at the Nehru ward situated on the old jail here today. The delegation was led by Dr Essop Pahad.

Addressing the gathering, the African politician said people of Africa got inspiration from the Indian freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The delegation was informed that Nehru wrote several chapters of his book “Discovery of India”, while being lodged in this jail.

Those accompanied the delegation included Kishore Updhyay, Rajkumar, Neenu Sehgal, Rajender Shah and Atul Gupta along with several others. 

Shopkeepers protest enters second day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Members of the Chakrata Road Shopkeepers and Resident Welfare Society continued with their strike on the second day here today.

Demanding the abandoning of the beautification plan for the Chakrata road that involves road widening and razing the existing structures paving way for commercial complex, the shopkeepers said they would continue with the strike till their demands were accepted by the state government.

It may be mentioned here that as part of the redevelopment plan, the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority intends to build a shopping-cum-residential complex on the entire stretch on the Chakrata road starting from Clock Tower chowk till Prabhat Cinema. The seven-storey complex would have a shopping centre on the ground floor, car parking on the second and third floor and residential complex on the remaining floors.

Meanwhile, society president Shashikant Goyal said the decision was going to affect the shopkeepers. “We are planning to approach the Supreme Court against the orders. The plan would give a major setback to our businesses and livelihood,” he added.

“In case the government acquires the land and converts it to zero land by razing the shops and residences, at least 6,000 people would be directly affected. These include the families of the shopkeepers, employees and residents of the area. We have been doing business for the past over 50 years and by uprooting us not only would they finish out only source of livelihood but also a legacy of the city,” said Rajesh Goyal, a member of the society.

BJP Mahila Morcha enrolment drive
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Kanchan Thakur, president of the Bharatiya Mahila Morcha, yesterday said the morcha would achieve the target of enroling 30,000 new members by March 2015.

At a meeting of the working committee, Thakur urged members to make efforts to achieve the membership target. “In the city, we have around 7,000 members and in the state, around 7,000. We have got to raise our targets so that more people join the BJP,” she said.

At the meeting, the members were asked to start preparation for the 2015 Assembly elections by exposing the “Congress government’s poor track record in every sphere”.

Mall Road to be re-laid with cobblestones
Rs 4 crore approved for beautification project
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 21
Mussoorie is ready to receive a facelift as around Rs 4 crore were approved by the government for re-laying the Mall Road with cobble stones, installing a musical fountain at Jhoola Ghar and expansion of Shaheed Sthal and creation of a dedicated service gallery for water, electricity and telephone department. Municipal Council president Manmohan Singh Mal during a press meet held at the council office said that the old fountain at Jhoola Ghar will be replaced with a new musical fountain.

He informed that once the Mall Road is re-laid using cobblestones, its beauty would be enhanced much to the delight of tourists and residents alike. He also said a dedicated corridor or service gallery would be left for the laying of water pipelines, telephone and underground electricity cables under the project.

He further said that Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) will begin the work next year but before that the PWD has been directed to repair the Mall Road that was dug up for laying sewage pipelines and underground electricity cables. The electricity department will be providing around Rs 17 lakh for the repair work on Mall Road. Manmohan Singh Mall also said that the DPR for the reconstruction of Clock Tower that was demolished during the period of previous council is being prepared and the work would start only after a CBI probe is completed and submitted to the High Court within a stipulated period of six months that would end on November 30.

Mall informed the media persons further that the proposals of two parking projects at Town Hall and Masonic Lodge where around 1700 cars can be accommodated with ease has been approved.

He also said that the work of the Town Hall construction work for the would begin after the DPR sent to the government is approved. MC president Manmohan Singh Mall also said that the Purkul ropeway project was also in the pipeline and the work would begin as soon as the NOC from the Ministry of Environment and Forest is received for the project.

Manmohan Singh Mall said that a meeting with various departments would be called soon where they would be directed not to dig the roads without prior permission from the Municipal Council.

Mall also clarified that MDDA would provide around Rs 3 crore while PWD would spend around Rs 1 crore on the various works under the beautification project.

Mussoorie clubs pledge for medical clinic renovation
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 21
Members of the Lions and Lioness Club pledged to provide financial assistance for the renovation of a medical clinic near St Mary’s Government Hospital during their 40th charter night celebration function held at a hotel in Mussoorie today.

Mukesh Goyal, chief guest on the occasion, the district governor of

the club announced financial support for the clinic and said the endeavour of the Lions Club had always been to serve the society through various philanthropist activities. The chief guest also inducted four new members in the club on the occasion.

The members celebrated the 40th year of the club by cutting a cake and pledging to serve the society.

Governor Mukesh Goyal addressing the gatheringcongratulated the club for completing 40 years and praised the member for their commitment towards resolving the problems jointly. He said the Mussoorie Lions and Lioness Club had made a mark for itself by contributing towards initiating various programme for the benefit of downtrodden and poor in the town. Earlier, Lions Club Mussoorie president Naresh Agarwal welcomed the members and congratulated them for working in unison for the past 40 years and helpingthe society through their active participation and contribution. 

Edu board to set up more exam centres
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
The state education board has decided to set up 19 centres and 36 exam centres for board examinations in the state. Out of total 1221 centres, 83 would be single centres for board examinations.

While chairing meeting of officials for finalising board examination centres, Director, Education, CS Gwal, said that 3,19,140 students would take board examinations in 1304 examination centres.

He said the maximum number of 172 examination centres would be set up in Pauri district, while only 37 examination centres would be made in Champawat.

Gwal told that one examination centre each would be reduced in Almora, Uttarkashi and Bageshwar districts, respectively.

11 talented persons to get Himalayan Icon Award
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
The Himalayan Icon for Social Welfare will give the Himalayan Icon Award to 11 talented persons from different fields.

Ritesh Farswan, president of the organisation, said this while addressing mediapersons here today.

He said 11 persons from different fields would be given the award in a programme to be held at Town Hall here on November 30. He added the aim of the organisation was to encourage talented people to work for the development of the state.

Senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana would be the chief guest at the programme. Members of organization Ashok Rawat, Vishal Thakur, Ajay Pandey and Subash Gaur were present at the press conference.

Essay competition in Hindi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) organised a district-level essay competition in Hindi on the topic “Ghatate van, badti aapdayen” at its auditorium here today. Saibal Dasgupta, DDG (Extn), ICFRE, was the chief guest on the occasion. He spoke about the establishment of the FRI, Dehradun, and the ICFRE.

“The ICFRE is striving for the promotion of Rajbhasha Hindi and for the purpose it regularly conducts various activities. The essay competition being organised today is part of the programme. We must adopt Hindi in day to day working and try to increase its use in official work. We should have the willingness to do so and only then we can make any progress,” he said.

Few takers for handmade woollens at Jauljibi fair
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 21
Handmade woollen garments and other local produce which used to be the highlight of the traditional Jauljibi fair, being held these days at the Indo-Nepal border town of the same name, have very few takers. The sale of such handmade woollen garments has dipped as buyers are preferring factory made garments which are more slick and cheap as compared to handmade woollen products.

Of over 400 shops in the week-long fair, over 300 shopkeepers are selling daily use factory-produced readymade items like sweaters, woollen cloths. The traditional Bhotia traders who have come to sell handmade items are attracting very few clients. “We came with our woollen carpets on November 14, but till date not even a single item has been sold as the clients are opting for cheap factory made items,” said Rita Gwal from Goo village of Darma valley.

“Except rajma from Darma valley none of the traditional products, including those having medicinal values, are getting buyers in the fair,” said Parvati Phirmal, another woman who had opened the shop of these items in the fair.

The tribal women shopkeepers said that as they are not in a position to sell woollen quilts below Rs 5000 due to high production cost of the Tibetan wool purchased by local craftsmen as raw material for these items, the clients are going for factory made quilts which are available for Rs 1500 instead.

However, tribal Raji community women have opened a craft shop in the fair. “We are 30 women from Kimkhola village of Van Rawat producing carpets and other craft items in our self help group started by former MLA Gagan Singh Rajbar. We are earning Rs 1500 average per month from the sale of these crafts,” said Sunita Rajbar, an attendant of a shop opened by self-help group by Van Rawat women.

Not only traditional woollen outfits but the local wooden crafts seem to be dying out due to lack of clients in the fair. Madan Ram, who has come from from Banga Pani village with his wooden crafts items, has received very few clients till date. “We are traditional wood craftsmen and manufacture fancy items of wood, but we are facing problems in getting clients. Besides, there is also shortage of required variety of wood,” said Madan Ram.

The fair which was once famous for Tibetan wool-based woollen garments, raw wool, Tibetan and high-altitude herbs, Nepali honey and ghee, has now turned into a week-long market of readymade garments, soft foods shops and locally brewed liquor.

Retired MC staff seek arrears, pension
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 21
Retired employees of the Municipal Council demanding overdue arrears and pension raised slogans against the MC of Mussoorie on the council premises today for not disbursing the amount to them even after six to seven years of their retirement.

The retired MC employees also threatened to move court for justice if their demands are not met soon, said the president of retired government employees’ association Lalit Mohan Kala. He lambasted MC president Manmohan Singh Mall and alleged that the latter instead of providing relief to the retired MC employees was ostracising them by not releasing the overdue amount, which is around Rs 5 crore.

Kala said the council president was taking the excuse of insufficient funds but at the same time was sanctioning money to the contractors close to him. He said if the council had enough funds to organise the proposed Winterline Carnival to be held in the month of December then it surely had funds for the retired MC employees who have spent their lives in serving the council.

Kala added the ward members were also in cahoots with the Kala also demanded that the CBI, that is already investigating the financial irregularity charges against the previous council president, should extend its probe against the present municipal council president and members.

Manmohan Mall refuted the charges levelledand said some outsiders were trying to mislead the retired employees due to their own political interests.

He said the municipal council was already burdened due to the debts incurred during the previous tenure of the council and was busy finding ways to increase the revenue of the council so that the retired employees can be given their due.

He added some retired employees had been already compensated to a certain extent and as the financial condition of the MC improves more retired employees would be provided relief.

Almora villagers block highway over shortage of LPG cylinders
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 21
Residents of various villages in Almora blocked the highway today in protest against the shortage of LPG cylinders in government depots. Earlier, residents of Pithoragarh and Champawat districts had blockedthe road on the issue.

“We have not received cooking gas cylinders for the past two months. We come with empty cylinders to the designated place near the road but have to return with LPG refills,” said Manju Bisht, a resident of Phalsima village, near Almora town.

Several vehicles, including those of a marriage party, were stranded as the villagers blocked the Almora-Pithoragarh highway against the shortage of LPG cylinders. “Though we have lifted the blockade, we will block the the highway for the whole day if the LPG supply was not maintained properly,” said Manju Bisht.

In charge of an LPG agency at Almora Rajiv Kumar said he was helpless as he was not getting adequate supply.

Champawat residents apprise ZP chief of problems

Residents of villages of Barakot and Pati and Lohaghat blocks of Champawat district took up problems of drinking water, low voltage of electricity, roads and health with zila panchayat chairperson Khushal Singh Adhikari in Pithoragarh on Friday.

Residents of more than six villages of the remote Pati block told Adhikari about shortage of basic facilities like water connections, and electricity supply and school teachers. “While Izzata village needs a new transformer for regular electricity supply, Gagar and Gaganchula villages require regular drinking water supply,” said Adhikari after a visit to Lohaghat.

He said while villagers of Rithakhal were not getting proper electricity supply till date, residents of Anarpa village were not getting regular drinking water supply as the scheme giving water to the village was to be repaired following damage it suffered during last monsoon,” said Ahikari.

He added he had written to Chief Minister Harish Rawat about the prevailing drinking water crisis in Lohaghat and Barakot towns and requested him to resolve the issue on a priority basis.

“I have requested the Chief Minister to order speedy work on the Saryu lift scheme to provide drinking water to these towns and construct an artificial lake at Kolidhek to attract tourists to the town,” said Adhikari.

He said he had adopted an orphan girl of Anarpa village. “Farmers of Piplidhank want polyhouses to increase agriculture and horticulture activities. I have asked the department concerned to take necessary steps as soon as possible to facilitate the farmers,” said Adhikari.

Depts spend only 48.5% of annual plan money
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
By the end of September, the state departments had managed to spend 48.53 per cent of the annual plan funds. Against an outlay of Rs 9,750 crore, Rs 5,653 crore have been sanctioned and the total expenditure incurred by the 24 departments was Rs 2,766 crore.

As the Centre had announced winding up of the Planning Commission, for 2014-2015, no plan proposals were discussed for the states. But according to the Centre’s directives, an outlay of Rs 9,750 crore was made as part of the annual plan for 2014-15. Out of the sum, Rs 5,653 crore was sanctioned for more than 22 departments. The state is yet to receive funds for the 11 centrally sponsored schemes which would then in turn increase the plan size.

Entrusted with the task of keeping the road and bridges network in proper condition, the Public Works Department has been allocated a lion’s share in the budget. For this financial year, the department was sanctioned Rs 984 crore. Against the amount, it incurred an expenditure of Rs 528 crore, spending 53.67 per cent of the sanctioned funds.

While the track record of the Department of Primary Education is the best among all the departments, the same cannot be said about the Department of Higher Education. The Department of Primary Education was sanctioned Rs 267 crore, out of which, it spent 87 per cent, incurring an expenditure of Rs 234 crore.

The Allopathic Department spent around 59 per cent of the funds, incurring an expenditure of Rs 180 crore against the sanctioned amount of Rs 302 crore.

The Department of Woman and Child Development spent 18 per cent of the annual plan allocation. It was sanctioned Rs 747 crore and it spent 
Rs 132 crore.

Missed target The Public Works Department was sanctioned Rs 984 crore but it spent Rs 528 crore (53.67 per cent) of it The Department of Primary Education was sanctioned Rs 267 crore and it spent Rs 234 crore (87 per cent)

BJYM opposes application fee for govt posts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists held a protest here today against the state government decision to impose an application fee on advertised class-IV government jobs.

The protesters led by BJYM state president Saurabh Thapliyal gathered at the BJP Mahanagar office and shouted anti-government slogans. They also burnt an effigy of the government.

The BJYM activists said the government decision regarding application fee would discourage youths from applying for class-IV posts. Rajeev Godiyal, Yogesh, Prasant Rana, Amit Prakash, Ved Prakash, Deepak Kumar, Pawan Matta, Sanjeev Singhali, and Vishal Gupta took part in the protest. 

National Pharmacy Week celebrated
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
53rd National Pharmacy Week was observed at Sardar Bhagwan Singh (PG) Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research at Balawala here today. A rally having the theme “Responsible use of Medicine: Role of Pharmacist” was organised.

Prof FC Garg, Prof Veerma Ram and Dr Luv Kush jointly inaugurated the rally and students and staff members participated in it. They distributed pamphlets among residents to spread awareness about safe and judicious use of medicines to overcome their adverse effects.

Several competitions like a quiz and poster presentation held on the occasion saw an overwhelming participation by students. 

Power cuts irk residents
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Members of the Narendra Modi Vichar Manch yesterday ghereod the office of the executive engineer of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation over rampant electricity cuts in Ajabpur and nearby areas.

Led by Pramod Kapruwan, district president of the manch, the protesters apprised executive engineer Ankit Jain about the problems the villagers were facing due to power cut.

Members of the manch claimed that the department had turned a blind eye to the issue.

Kapruwan said they had submitted memorandum to the department official’s many times regarding the shift of overhead high-tension wires from residential colonies, but to no avail.

The residents of Shamshergarh were also agitated over the non-installation of electricity polls in the area, despite number of requests made to the officials.

Uttar Pradesh beat Uttarakhand; to take on Delhi in final
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Uttar Pradesh will lock horns with Delhi for the title in the boys’ section of the ongoing 60th National School Volleyball Tournament at the Pavilion Ground in Dehradun today. In the girls’ section, Haryana and Tamil Nadu secured their berth in the final to be played tomorrow.

In the semi-final, Uttar Pradesh defeated Uttarakhand 25-21,18-25, 20-25, 29-27, 20-18 to enter the finals. In the other semi-final, Delhi defeated Kerala 25-19, 25-16, 25-22. In the girls’ section, Haryana ousted Maharashtra 25-22, 25-21, 25-18. Tamil Nadu ousted Karnataka 27-25, 22-25, 25-14, 25-20 to secure a berth in the final.

During the quarter-finals, in the boys’ category, Uttar Pradesh defeated Haryana 18-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, Uttarakhand beat Bihar 23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-13, Delhi beat Andhra Pradesh 28-26, 25-17, 25-18 and Kerala beat Tamil Nadu 25-21, 25-22, 17-25, 25-14.

In the girls’ quarter-finals, Haryana beat Rajasthan 25-10, 25-20, 25-19, Maharashtra beat Delhi 25-15, 25-19, 25-19, Karnataka beat Punjab 25-18, 16-25, 23-25, 15-6 and Tamil Nadu beat Kerala 16-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-16.

Maa Anandmayee School win senior boys volleyball tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 21
Maa Anandmayee Memorial School, Raiwala overcame a two-set deficit to beat defending champions Doon Public School, Bhaniawala to win the Dehradun District Council Schools’ Association Senior Boys Volleyball Tournament.

The final was played at Guru Nanak Academy in presence of chief guest RV Gardner, MLA, VR Gardner and DDCSA president Paramjeet Kalra. It was a neck-to-neck tie even though DPS managed to clinch the first two sets 27-25, 25-23.

The MAMS boys then lifted their game in the third set and won three straight sets, courtesy excellent coordination and defence by the entire team, coupled with some brilliant smashing by team captain Mohit Saklani. The last three sets were won by MAMS 26-24, 25-21, 15-10. The underdogs, MAMS, had clearly taken the reigning champions DPS by surprise to be crowned the new champions of DDCSA volleyball.

The chief guest showered heaps of praise on both teams for an entertaining clash and advised the players to take up the sport more seriously and pursue it as a profession. Minni Kalra and MAMS director Arpit Panjwani were also present to witness the final.