VAT, sand prices key issues as Assembly session begins today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
The five-day winter session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly will begin on Monday. The opposition is set to question the government about the increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) on sand and gravel, deteriorating law and order and inability to control petrol and diesel prices.

Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal convened an all-party meeting today. Business agenda for November 24 was discussed in the meeting.

During the five-day session beginning from November 24 till November 28, around 17 bills mostly amendments and supplementary budget will be tabled.

The amendment to the Lokayukta Bill will also be tabled during the session.

The party leaders assured the chair that the opposition BJP would play a constructive role.

“The Leader of Opposition has assured me full cooperation, saying they desire to ensure the House runs smoothly,” said Kunjwal.

Leader of Opposition Ajay Bhatt said the Opposition was interested in running the House, but would not shy away from raising the problems faced by the people in the House.

“We will raise the issue of deteriorating law and order situation in context of the Ram Nagar incident and the government’s inability to control prices of diesel and petrol,” said Bhatt.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat said the government would initiate discussion on agriculture and education, which figured in the last Assembly session held in Gairsain in June.

The BJP also held a meeting of MLAs to chalk out a strategy for the Assembly session.

“Our focus will be on greater coordination, so that all the burning issues are raised,” said BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat.

Security stepped up for winter Assembly session
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Security arrangements have been tightened in and around the Legislative Assembly complex ahead of the Assembly session starting from Monday. Police have made elaborate arrangements and erected barricading near the Assembly complex to stop protest processions from reaching near the complex.

According to senior police officers, two Superintendents of Police (SPs), 7 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 22 inspectors and 38 sub inspector-rank officers would be deployed in and around the Assembly complex on Haridwar Road. Besides, 158 constables and six companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) would be deployed on Assembly duty.

The district administration has enforced Section 144 of CrPC around the Assembly complex till the session ends on November 28. The Dehradun police have issued a traffic advisory ahead of the session and appealed to commuters to avoid Haridwar road from Rispana bridge and take to alternative routes.

POLITICAL DIARY
Winter Assembly session likely to be stormy

The coming winter session of the state Assembly scheduled to begin from November 24 is likely to be stormy. The main opposition party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has decided to take on the Congress-led government headed by Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

After the Assembly session held at Garsain in Chamoli district, the Opposition parties have decided to take to task the Congress-led state government on various issues.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal have appealed to Opposition parties to let the session run peacefully so that issues concerning the common people in the state could be taken up for discussions.

Opposition in aggressive mode

• After the Assembly session held at Garsain in Chamoli district, the Opposition parties have decided to take to task the Congress-led state government on various issues.
• The BJP plans to raise the issue of rehabilitation of the people affected by the disaster in June 2013 and the lackadaisical approach of the state government towards relief and rehabilitation.
• Illegal mining from state riverbeds will be another issue that is likely to dominate the Opposition onslaught. The Opposition would be playing on the tussle between various Congress legislators and ministers on the question of riverbeds’ mining rights.

Congress youth wing to perk up its social media presence
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 23
The state Congress unit has decided to get its youth activists to use more social media and other tech-savvy tools in order to electorally penetrate the voters, youth in particular.

On the directives of the Indian National Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, a social media training camp for youth party volunteers is being conducted in Haridwar.

Apart from giving current youth wing office-bearers knowledge of email, facebook, twitter and other apps, expert trainers are training them in adobe photoshop, CorelDraw and other software, through which, these young trainees can modify or incorporate party-related information, messages, photos and placards by themselves.

Talking to TNS, Congress state general secretary Manish Thakur said taking a cue from social media election campaign run by the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi Assembly election and by the Bharatiya Janata Party during the 16th Parliamentary elections, wherein Arvind Kejriwal and Narendra Modi directly touched base with the youth on a regular basis, they are eying the 2017 Uttarakhand Assembly elections.

He said Chief Minister Harish Rawat too is quite excited about training youth Congress volunteers about social media and has directed his son Anand Rawat in this connection.

Youth Congress president Haridwar Ram Vishal Dev said this is a good move by the party. “Now, a majority of the youth remain connected via facebook, twitter, whatsapp, linkedin, line, we chat and email. This training camp will make us more tech-savvy,” he said.

“Via social media, we can reach a large number of people like AAP and BJP have done. Considering the tough geographical conditions of Uttarakhand, where we have both hill and plain districts, social media will make disseminating information about our party to people easier,” said Ram Vishal.

Trainer IT expert Pooran Chand Pahadi, who had given similar training to Congress volunteers in Chhattisgarh, said social media is playing second fiddle to print and electronic media.

Via social media, any party can run a campaign on its own, news related with its ideology, programmes, election and connect with voters conveniently. Political parties are now realising this and are training their activists in large numbers, said Pahadi.

Senior party leader OP Chauhan said it is a good initiative and it would be better if senior party leaders and activists are trained likewise in social media and internet use.

New OPD for Doon Medical College
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
The expenditure finance committee (EFC) has finally given clearance for the construction of OPD blocks at the land vacated by the PWD and the construction of emergency block and operation theatres at the land vacated by Red Cross Society, which will form part of the Doon Medical College. This will pave way for release of funds crucial for carrying out new construction.

The EFC was pending for more than a year, which had put a big question mark on the timely completion of Doon Medical College whose academic session is likely to begin in 2015.

“The construction will start after the signing of a memorandum of understanding. We will build the OPD comprising five floors, including the basement parking at the land vacated by the PWD. While the operation theatre and emergency blocks would be constructed at the land vacated by Red Cross,” said Dr RP Bhatt, Director, Medical Education.

Faulty speed breakers pose risk to commuters
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 23
Speed-breakers and rumble strips on the road leading to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy (LBSNAA) and Happy Valley have become a nightmare for commuters.

The speed-breakers were constructed to ensure orderly movement of traffic and safety of commuters following an accident near the LBSNAA a couple of months ago.

Local residents said the speed-breakers were built by the PWD in violation of the Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines. Rickshaw-pullers said wheels of their rickshaws get damaged due to the faulty design of the speed-breakers. Several motorists had been injured due to these. The residents demanded new proper speed-breakers to prevent damage to their vehicles and accidents.

PWD executive engineer RK Agarwal said they had received several complaints about the speed-breakers and the officials concerned had been directed to remove them from most of the places.

The speed-breakers were constructed to ensure orderly movement of traffic and safety of commuters following an accident near the LBSNAA a couple of months ago.

Six-day week order for Secretariat staff
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
The Uttarakhand Government has replaced the five-day week to six days work plan for the Secretariat staff. At a press conference here today, PS Jangpangi, secretary, general administration, said the six-day week had become effective from today.

“The orders have been issued by Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar at the state Secretariat. The working days would be from Monday to Saturday except second Saturday which will be a holiday,” he said.

The working hours for the Secretariat staff would be from 10 am to 5 pm and lunch break from 1.30 pm to 2 pm.

Jangpangi said the government had not taken any decision on imposing the no-work no-pay rule for the period the secretariat staff had recently gone on strike. “For the time being, the advances would be paid and in case a decision is taken on the issue, the amount would be recovered,” he said.

Further, the Secretariat Departments would be adjusted at the new yojana building, where 100 rooms would be occupied by the Secretariat. The departments that would be shifted to the new building include the Department of Planning, Department of Urban Development, Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Finance and Department of Medical Education.

The government is also planning to install biometric attendance system for which talks are on with the IT Department.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Secretariat Federation president NP Raturi condemned the move. “We will strictly follow the work to rule principle and will not work over-time. Tomorrow, all of us will meet and discuss our future strategy,” he said.

Beauty pageant contest held
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Girls participated in a beauty pageant contest for the sub-titles of ‘Miss beautiful eyes’ and ‘Miss beautiful smile’ titles as part of the ‘Miss Uttarakhand’ contest held here today.

As many as 27 contestants participated in the state-level contest.

Former Miss Congeniality and Miss Beautiful Smile, Kanika Aggrawal and Isha Panwar respectively judged the participants.

Dalip Sindhi, director of the event, said the motive of the contest was to give a platform to talented girls.

Cleaning up to make a difference
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Student activists’ group Making a Difference convened their fourth “Transformation Activity” here today. The activists scrubbed the wall and cemented it. The activists painted the wall with a slogan to raise awareness among residents on importance of cleanliness, while other activists embarked on a clean-up drive and awareness programme.

“All in all, it was a comprehensive activity,” said SS Rana, coordinator of the group. He said activists participated in the drive till the afternoon.

He said activists had cleaned areas at Neshvilla, Bhandari Bagh and Old Survey Road a few months back. Rana said activists will continue to raise awareness among residents about importance of cleanliness.

Syed Manzer Imam, Kashika, Alok, Abhinav, Karman, Prakshi, Aanchal and others were present.

Students launch Clean India Campaign

Students of different schools launched Clean India Campaign here today. The campaign was launched under the banner of Udyan Care, a social organisation, at Gandhi Park.

The students along with members of the organisation started the cleanliness drive to boost up the “Clean India Campaign”.

They started their cleanliness drive from Gandhi Park and moved towards the Tehsil Chowk area. Vimal Dabral, member of Udyan Care, said it is the responsibility of the residents to keep the area clean.

As many as 74 students took part in the cleanliness drive. Varuna Tamta, Deepa Devi and Rubena Khatoon of Udyan Care were present on the occasion.

Bagwal celebrated with fervour
Tribune News Service

Dehradun/Mussoorie, November 23
The traditional festival of Bagwal, also known as traditional Diwali in the Jaunpur Rawain region of Tehri Garhwal, was celebrated with fervour across the Jaunpur development block near Mussoorie falling in Tehri district, today. The festival is celebrated one month after Diwali.

At Kimoi village, situated 4 km from Mussoorie, residents reached the village on foot and joined festivities by dancing around the bonfire known as “Dibsa” and “Bailu”. Extending the greetings, gram pradhan, Meena Chauhan of the Kimoi village, said many residents could not reach the village on time due to the absence of a road.

Chattar Singh Chauhan, an elderly, said the festival was held to commemorate the return of Madho Singh Bhandari, a legendary figure in the history of Garhwal, from a battle back to his village one month after Diwali. Hence to honour the legend, the festival is celebrated one month after Diwali. The festivities began with the pre-Bagwali celebrations known as ‘Askya festival’. Special sweet delicacies prepared from ‘jhangora’ (local rice) were served on the occasion.

On the second day of the festival, pakoras made of ‘urad dal’ were served and villagers danced and sang around the bonfire known as ‘dibsa’ and ‘Bailu’.

At Kharak village, as part of the tradition, the women threw walnuts from their houses and youth rushed to pick them up as it is considered auspicious. Villagers also celebrated ‘baraaj’ and ‘bhaand’, a form of tug-of-war, in which a rope made from local grass was used.

According to Surat Singh Kharkai from Kharak, another myth about the festival is that it is held to commemorate the ‘samudra manthan’ carried out by gods and demons, in which a snake was coiled around a mountain and the churning took place between the two warring factions. On the third day villagers of the region organised a tug-of-war, in which children and women of the village participated.

“Another reason for celebrating ‘bhaand’ is that a ‘naagin’ (snake) that roamed around the villages in the Jaunpur region was killed mistakenly. At the place where it was killed, a grass called ‘babai’ cropped up, which the villagers believe is the form of the killed snake. Since that day, the rope for the ‘bhaand’ is made from this grass, which is used in the tug-of-war,” said Kharkai.

The festivities will come to an end with ‘Pandava nritya’ and ‘mandaan’ that carried on late night in various villages around the region.

The significance

• The festival is also known as traditional Diwali in the Jaunpur Rawain region of Tehri Garhwal.
• The festivities will come to an end with ‘Pandava nritya’ and ‘mandaan’ that carried on late night in various villages around the region.

Shaan’s death case transferred to Nainital
A Zero FIR was earlier registered at Noida
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
The case against the school management relating to the death of a 14-year-old student of Nainital’s Sherwood School, was transferred from Noida to Nainital on Saturday. A student of Class IX in Sherwood School, Shaan Prajapati, had died on November 14 at a private hospital in Noida.

The parents of Shaan alleged that their son was not given timely and required treatment for septicaemia by the school authorities, due to which he was shifted to Noida.

“We have got the case transferred from Noida to Tallital police station in Nainital and we have started investigation in the case,” said Senthil Avoodai Krishna Raj, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nainital.

“The case has been registered under Section 304-A of Indian Penal Code (IPC). We will now the take the statement of the complainant and then question the school management about the charges of negligence levelled against them in the complaint,” said the SSP.

Shaan’s death has triggered strong reactions in Nainital, with residents demanding an impartial probe into the death of the student and penalising of the culprits. The mother of the deceased, Neena Shreshtha, who is working with the World Bank in Nepal, met the Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Friday and requested him to look into the matter to ensure that an impartial inquiry is conducted by the police in India.

The school administration, in a statement, said it took proper care of the boy and kept his family informed about his illness.

Couple arrested for kidnapping 2-yr-old
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
A team of Dehradun police and Special Operation Group (SOG) today arrested a couple for kidnapping a two-year-old child. The police found the child from Roorkee 18 days after his abduction.

Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Rautela said, “Aakash was kidnapped by a motorcycle-borne couple from near Nanda ki Chowki in Premnagar area on the evening of November 5. Since then, our teams were working round-the-clock in the case. Acting on a tip-off, the team arrested Ankit Singhal and Sonam from Roorkee on Saturday and recovered the child.”

According to sources, Ankit and Sonam revealed during investigation that their aunt Manju, a resident of Deoband, requested them to get a child for her friend who didn’t have her own child. Ankit demanded Rs 50,000 from his aunt for making arrangements to get a child from an orphanage.

Ankit and Sonam then planned to kidnap a child, so that they could keep the money to be paid at the orphanage.

National conference on forest science from today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Forest Research Institute is all set to host the 13th National Conference on Silviculture (a forestry discipline dealing with process of growth of tree from seedling to a full-fledged tree) here from November 24.

Addressing a press conference at the FRI today, Director General of Indian Council of Forest Research and Education (ICFRE), Dr Ashwani Kumar, said around 350 delegates representing 29 states were scheduled to attend one of the biggest events relating to forestry held in recent years.

“Apart from forest officers, scientists and farmers, Union Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Jawadkar and Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal will attend the sessions of the five-day conference,” said Ashwani.

“Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi will inaugurate the conference,”added Ashwani. “The event will be attended by professional foresters, researchers, industry representatives, NGOs, environmentalists, progressive farmers, artisans, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of various states, managing directors of many State Forest Corporations and directors of all Institutes under the ICFRE,” said Ashwani.

FRI director Dr PP Bhojvaid said as many as 28 lead talks would be delivered by speakers of repute in specialised fields of silviculture and allied subjects. A total of 17 technical sessions and one poster session were scheduled to take place during the event to discuss contemporary issues facing the national forestry sector.

“A special session has been arranged in which foresters of different states will voice their opinions about research needs,” he said.

“The event is relevant as silviculture practices have traditionally been guided by the recommendations of silvicultural conferences,” he added.

Seven Oaks holds Techno Fest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Students of Seven Oaks School showed their skills at the “Techno fest” and National Robotics Workshop organised here today. The aim of the fest was to inculcate scientific and technical knowledge among students. Students made science models on various topics.

Students of Classes V to XII participated in the workshop-cum-competition. The event was inaugurated with staging of a streetplay by students of the commerce section. Lalit Mohan Kumar, principal of the school, said besides the knowledge of science, ethics were important for students. Models made by students were judged by a panel of zonal head of Robotics Olympiad Jay Kumar, Sadhna Kumar and Lalit Kumar.

Innovative models on space science, weather science and organic kitchen garden were liked by the audience.

Training session for police patrol unit concludes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
A two-day training session for the city patrol unit on the topic “How To Save Lives” concluded at Synergy Hospital here yesterday. During the two-day training session, city patrol unit personnel were told how to save lives in emergency.

The training programme was inaugurated by the Director General of Police (DGP), BS Sidhu, on Friday.

Dr Sudhir from Synergy Hospital said in case of any emergency, every hospital should extend primary treatment to the patient before referring to other hospitals.

As many as 21 city patrol unit personnel from Haridwar and 22 from Dehradun took the oath to implement the training. The SP (traffic) said traffic constables would be trained too.

Ex-servicemen league alleges official apathy

Dehradun, November 23
The Dehradun Ex-Services League yesterday said problems of ex-servicemen were being ignored, leading to widespread resentment among the fraternity. Brig KG Behl (retd), president of the league, said ex-servicemen had made a number of complaints about house tax as they had received bills though the state government had exempted them from it.

Mayor Vinod Chamoli said negotiations with the state government were still underway. “It was decided that the state government would pay 75 per cent of the bills, while the Municipal Corporation would foot the remaining 25 per cent amount. The ex-servicemen now fear fine will be imposed for late payment of unpaid bills. The MC should either withdraw bills or issue instructions so that people are not left worrying. If any document is required, they should specify it and get it from soldiers board,” he added. — TNS

Preserve historical manuscripts: Guv
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Governor Aziz Qureshi yesterday said it was the moral duty of everyone to preserve manuscripts of historic and cultural importance. The Governor said these were the intellectual wealth of the nation and through them, the future generations could be familiarised with the rich cultural heritage of the country.

The Governor stated this at a meeting with chronicler Gopal Bhardwaj, who requested him for financial support to preserve the 250-year-old manuscript of Bhagavad Purana.

Bhardwaj showed the manuscript to the Governor and told him that in 1941, Maharaja of Kashmir Pratap Singh had gifted it to his father.

He said money could not be arranged for its conservation. The Governor assured him of every possible help in this regard.

SP opposes quota for statehood agitators
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 23
The Samajwadi Party has opposed reservation planned to be given to those identified as Uttarakhand statehood agitators by the state government. Terming it as a blow for the state exchequer as well as undermining of the contribution of peasants, traders, workers and common residents of the state who contributed in one way or another for creation of a separate state, the party termed the reservation as anti-development.

In a statement here today, Samajwadi Party state spokesperson Kunwar Durgesh Pratap Singh said they oppose the 10 per cent reservation scheduled by the Uttarakhand Cabinet recently.

“Already, those recognised as statehood agitators have been provided reservation in government jobs, pension and other benefits. Having 10 per cent quota for these agitators will dent the prospects of common applicants. It’s not that only recognised agitators have contributed to the cause of separate Uttarakhand movement. In fact, be it housewives, students, traders or workers, they all played their role in creation of Uttarakhand in 2000,” he said.

Samajwadi Party state secretary Mashkur Qureshi said the Congress-led Uttarakhand government is on the same path as that treaded by the BJP previously.

Qureshi added that be it scams, corruption or lack of education, health, water or employment in the hills and rural plain areas of the state, these two national parties have failed to cater to the aspirations of the locals.

Terming the Samajwadi Party as the only viable option that can be an alternative to the Congress, BJP, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party, Qureshi said that in 2017, the Samajwadi Party will emerge as a major force in the state.

“We had won a Lok Sabha seat in 2004, had two legislators in the interim state government, when Uttarakhand was created from the erstwhile Uttar Pradesh. With the membership drive, working at grassroot level, raising of issues related to the public in Uttarakhand and allocation of responsibilities to top party leaders and district committees in the state, SP will surely be a force to reckon with by the next Assembly elections,” said Mashkur Qureshi.

SP opposes reservation for statehood fighters
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 23
The Samajwadi Party (SP) has opposed reservation to be given to identified Uttarakhand statehood fighters by the state government. Terming it as a blow to the state exchequer as well as putting down the contribution of peasants, traders, workers and common residents of the state, who contributed in one way or the other for the creation of a separate state, the SP termed reservation as anti-development.

In a statement here yesterday, SP state spokesperson Kunwar Durgesh Pratap Singh said that they oppose the 10 pc reservation scheduled by Uttarakhand Cabinet recently.

“Already statehood recognised agitators have been provided reservation in government jobs, pension and other benefits. But now reserving 10 per cent quota for these agitators will dent the prospect of common applicants. It is not only that recognised agitators have contributed to the cause of a separate Uttarakhand movement but in fact housewives, students ,traders and workers all played their roles in the creation of Uttaranchal in the year 2000,”said Durgesh Pratap.

Samajwadi Party state secretary Mashkur Qureshi pointed that Congress-led Uttarakhand government is on the same path as treaded by the BJP previously.

Qureshi added that be it scams, bribes, corruption or lack of education, health, water, employment in hill and rural plain areas of the state, these two national parties have failed to cater to the aspirations of the local people.

Terming Samajwadi Party as the only viable option, which can become an alternative to the Congress, the BJP, the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and the Bahujan Samaj Party, Qureshi said that in 2017 Samajwadi Party will emerge as a major force in the state.

“We had won a Lok Sabha seat in 2004, had two legislators in the interim state government, when Uttaranchal was created from erstwhile Uttar Pradesh. With the membership drive working at the grassroot level, raising the issues related with public of Uttarakhand and allocating responsibilities to top party state leaders and district committees,the SP will surely be a force to reckon by the next Assembly election,” said Mashkur Qureshi.

Statehood activists protest

Statehood activists under the banner of Uttarakhand Rajya Andolankari Manch held a protest here today.

They said Chief Minister Harish Rawat had given them false assurance that their demands would be fulfilled soon.

They said despite submitting several memorandums to top bureaucrats and public representatives, the state government had failed to fulfil their year-long demands.

The protesters said their demands included reservation in government jobs, identification of statehood activists and pension to statehood activists.

Jagmohan Singh Negi, Ved Prakash Sharma, OP Uniyal, Navneet Gusain, Ramlal Khanduri, Urmilla Sharma and Usha Bhatt were present among others during the protest.

‘Centre supports capitalists’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Vijay Rawat, state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxists), today said the Union Government had made trade policies liberal to support capitalists and corporate houses in the country.

He lamented that wrong policies introduced by the Union Government had started producing adverse effects on small businessmen in the country.

Addressing a gathering of party activists at the two-day 4th district conclave of the Communist Party of India (Marxists) held at Rudraprayag today, Vijay lamented that the Union Government was supporting capitalists which would surely have adverse affect on the Indian economy.

Later, party activists took out a rally to register their protest. They said the state government should order a probe into the alleged disaster scam and to take effective steps to reconstruct damaged infrastructure in the disaster-hit areas of the state.

The party activists expressed concern that it had become extremely difficult for villagers to live in absence of basic infrastructure in higher areas of the state.

BJYM protest in Kumaon region
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 23
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists protested the decision of the state government to increase the fee for application of category ‘C’ posts in Kumaon region today.

They demanded withdrawal of the fee hike and threatened to launch an agitation in case the government failed to revert its decision.

In Pithoragarh district headquarters, BJYM activists burnt an effigy of the Chief Minister at Gandhi Chowk, demanding immmediate withdrawal of the hike and facilitation of poor candidates in order to enable them to take the exams without fee.

“The Congress government in the state is continuously deceiving unemployed youth since it came to power,” said Bashan Joshi, a state-level office-bearer of the Yuva Morcha. In Almora district headquarters, Yuva Morcha activists gathered at Chaudhan Pata Ground and burnt an effigy of the state government.

Darshan Singh Rawat, district president of the BJYM, said, “In the past too, we had compelled the state government to withdraw the hike in fee. We would continue our protest till the government withdraws the present hike.”

Rallies were also organised at Bageshwar, Champawat and Nainital districts where BJYM activists said the government was deceiving the youth.

Say ‘no’ to drugs: NCC cadets
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
The NCC cadets of 11 Uttarakhand girls battalion at Sardar Bhagwan Singh Institute of Bio Medical Science and Research in Balawala took out an anti-drugs rally here today. The NCC cadets used placards to spread awareness among residents on ill-effects of using drugs.

Capt Nalini Mehrishi said holding awareness rally was a regular feature in order to create awareness among residents on various important issues.

She stressed that such rallies helped make the youth aware of the harmful effects of drugs. “The cadets will organise an awareness campaign in future to raise awareness on the anti-drug issue,” she added. She said the cadets of Uttarakhand had brought laurels to the state by participating in sports.

NGO seeks release of Lankan fishermen

Dehradun, November 23
Avdhash Kaushal, chairperson of the Dehradun-based Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) and a member of the international advisory panel of experts appointed by Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa to probe alleged war crimes committed by Sri Lanka forces and the LTTE, has said the president should not be “selective” in releasing the five convicted fishermen while leaving out the three Sri Lankan fishermen, who were sentenced to death on the same day and charges, due to pressure applied by the Indian government.

Nav Srijan Shivir in Haridwar from Nov 28
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Dr Harish, prant pracharak and a senior RSS member, today announced that a three-day youth conclave “Nav Srijan Shivir” would be held at the Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar, from November 28.

He said senior RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Col RS Rathore (retd), founder of Super-30 Anand Kumar and others would attend the conclave.

Addressing mediapersons here today, the senior RSS activist said nearly 5,000 youth were likely to participate in the conclave. He said the objective of holding the youth conclave was to motivate the youth to contribute to development of Uttarakhand and to the society’s welfare.

He said a photo exhibition of noted personalities would be organised. He said it had become mandatory for participants to don the RSS uniform.

Annual sports day at Indian Academy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
Students of The Indian Academy participated in their annual sports meet here today. Mountaineers twin sisters Tashi Malik and Nungshi Malik were the chief guests on the occasion. They urged students to work hard to achieve their goals.

The sports meet was declared open by chief guests with releasing of colourful balloons. This was followed by an impressive march past by the four houses, Tagore, Vivekanand, Subhash and Raman houses. Students participated in various track events, including 100m, 200m, 400m, three-legged race, lemon and spoon race, back race, sack race, thread and needle race and others.

School chairman Surender Khanduri, director Munendra, principal Neelam Sharma and members of the staff were present.

53 take part in football coaching camp
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
The four-day 8th Premier International Football Coaching camp organised by the Premier India Football Academy concluded at Unison World School here today. As many as 53 students participated in the camp.

Various skills and techniques such as ball feet, passing, dribbling, goal to passing line, dribble across the line, defending techniques and scoring goals were taught.

The control test and the fitness test were conducted by coaches on the third day and the goal shooting test was conducted by the coaches on the last day of the football camp. A valedictory ceremony was held at the seminar hall.

UKD lauds CM’s strictness towards bureaucracy
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 23
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has lauded the strictness of Chief Minister Harish Rawat with regard to the camp office culture being adhered to by the Garhwal Commissioner, the Garhwal DIG and the Garhwal Chief Forest Conservator.

At a meeting held here on Friday at the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Progressive) office at Ranipur, central secretary Uday Ram Semwal said since the creation of Uttarakhand 14 years ago, all major officials had stayed in interim capital Dehradun in the name of camp offices to avoid posting in hill areas.

Semwal condemned the bureaucrat culture that was hurting the sentiments of the people of Uttarakhand who took to streets envisioning that both ministers and officials would be available in hill districts. He added the Chief Minister had done a good job by first deciding to make Gairsain as the summer capital of the state and reining in top officers to sit in their designated offices in the hill region.

Congress youth wing city chief Lalit Mamgain said Garhwal Commissioner GS Napalchayal, Garhwal DIG Sanjay Gunjiyal or Garhwal Chief Conservator of Forest BS Gambhir were staying in Dehradun, occupying separate offices and residential bungalows, while they already had one in the Pauri headquarters of Garhwal division.

Veteran leader Anil Pokhriyal demanded that there should be a strict service clause for all government employees while they are given postings that no “camp office” culture should be allowed and the original posting place should be the only office of such employees.

District party president Bal Singh Saini demanded a red entry in the service register and even suspension of such officials and employees who did not stay or work in the hill region and far-flung areas in the plains. Inder Mohan Barthwal, Vivek Gupta, Alok Sharma and Satya Prasad Bhatt also put forth their thoughts.

True knowledge lies in Bhagwad Gita, says Harish Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 23
Chief Minister Harish Rawat said Bhagwad Gita was one of the finest scriptures and helps us know the reality of life and makes society an ideal one. He stated this while participating at the Geeta Mahotsava here yesterday.

The Chief Minister said in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna gave the sermon of the Gita to his disciple Arjuna, which comprises 18 chapters and 699 shlokas.

“The true knowledge lies in the Gita. We need this knowledge in today’s era as people are deflecting towards physical lures, while mental peace and spirituality have taken a backseat. Every word stated in the holy Gita is true. By adhering to its concepts, we can make our life, society, country and the world ideal,” Rawat said.

Religious guru Swami Hari Chetnanad shed light on the Bhagwad Gita and lauded efforts of the state government in providing and reviving basic facilities leading to the Char Dham Yatra.

Swami Chidanand Maharaj, Acharya Kamlesh Mishra, Swami Mohan Das, Swami Dharm Dev, Congress state president Kishore Upadhyay, former legislator Ambrish Kumar, Satpal Brahamchari, Purushottam Gandhiwadi, Rajeev Jain, Congress state spokesperson Anshul Shri Kunj and Jagdeesh Lal Pahwa among other saints and locals were present on the occasion.

Joint trade union forum to protest on December 5
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 23
A forum of joint trade unions will stage a protest rally on December 5 here. The trade unions include the Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh, Indian National Trade Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Hind Majdoor Sabha, All India Centre of Trade Union along with independent federations of Defence, Insurance, Central government employees, public sector undertaking, State Corporation and private sector industrial employees.

The trade unions have been demanding rollback of various decisions by the Centre, including privatisation, foreign direct investment and curbing of labour laws.

A meeting was held at BHEL here today where representatives of the unions discussed preparations for the rally.

CITU state secretary Virendra Bhandari said without taking others into confidence, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led Central Government has done amendments in The Factories Act, 1948, Apprentices Act, 1961, Submission of Returns, 1968, and Child Labour Prohibition & Regulation Act, 1986.

“The impact of changes made to these laws will result in labour exploitation at micro and medium units. The working hours limit has been raised to 16 hours and will be misused by factory owners,” said Bhandari.

Hind Mazdoor Sabha representative MP Singh called for a serious discussion on the clause that allows women to work in night shifts as in recent years, several cases of molestation, harassment, office exploitation and rape have come to light.

Communist ideologue MP Jakhmola demanded gratuity facility to Anganwadi, Bhojanmata, pump operator and security guards.

Heera Singh Bisht, Satya Prakash, KR Kashyap, Pooran Singh, Tejendra Singh, Gobind Singh Bisht, Jagmohan Mehendi Ratta, KK Bora, AK Das, RC Dhiman and other leaders will be present at the December 5 protest rally.

Govt firm on promoting religious tourism: Cong
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 23
After successful completion of the Char Dham Yatra, and the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra and now initiating winter Char Dham pilgrimage, the Uttarakhand government is serious about promoting religious tourism.

Emphasis is also being given on industrialisation, with new industrial hubs being set up in hills and far-flung border areas. These two steps will not only help Uttarakhand in recovering from the impact of flash floods of June last year but will also strengthen the state economy.

Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson Anshul Shri Kunj said this at a party meeting at Jwalapur on Friday.

He said an overwhelming response was received for “Mere buzurg merey teerth” from senior citizens.

“The winter abode pilgrimage of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri shrines will also draw devotees in large numbers both from within and outside the state. Pandukeshwar, Joshimath, Ukhimath, Mukhba and Kharsali, all winter shrines, will ensure devotees will get a chance to have darshan of the idols of all the four shrine deities, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, deity Ganga and deity Yamuna.

Citing relaxation of up to 20 per cent in various taxes for those industries that put up manufacturing units in hill districts, Anshul said the state government had devised a three-tier hill industrial policy.

Book on achievements of ITM released
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 23
A coffee table book highlighting the achievements of Institute of Technology and Management (ITM) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation and its glorious 50 years was released during a three-day orientation course for directors of the DRDO in Mussoorie yesterday.

Dr Avinash Chander, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, and Secretary to Defence R&D, released the book on the occasion. He also unveiled Kiran Aircraft gifted by him to ITM. The aircraft will be placed at ITM transit facility complex and will be a learning model for the children.

Avinash emphasised on issues such as corporate responsibilities and personal management. He highlighted the importance of change in management in science and technology organisations and urged the participants to initiate organisational change through effective decision-making and team efforts. He dwelled on the role of directors in identifying and grooming future leaders of DRDO. He stressed upon the importance and role of ITM in the training of DRDO leaders in management of technology as well as inculcating project management skills in DRDO scientists for more effective management of the projects.

Later, he addressed around 250 IAS probationers at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), where he highlighted the challenges being faced by the country in defence technology.

Highlights

• Dr Avinash Chander, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, and Secretary to Defence R&D, released the book on the occasion
• He unveiled Kiran Aircraft gifted by him to ITM
• The aircraft will be placed at ITM transit facility complex and will be a learning model for the children.

Two shops demolished
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 23
The Mussoorie MC carried out an anti-encroachment drive and demolished two shops near the Tehri bus stand yesterday. An MC team, led by executive officer RK Dayal, reached the Tehri bus stand around noon and demolished shops that had been built without permission. It also removed several temporary sheds.

A large number of policemen were present to avoid any untoward incident. The owners of the shops said the MC was targeting only poor people in the name of the anti-encroachment drive.

Assembly at Garsain to come up by 2016: Tamta
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 23
The work on the new Assembly building at Garsain will be completed by April 2016, as it is being constructed speedily by the National Building Construction Agency. Former Almora MP Pradeep Tamta stated this after visiting Garsain.

“The construction work is being hindered due to non-construction of a permanent road by the PWD and lack of a water connection. The state government should order the officers concerned to provide necessary things for the construction of the Assembly building, Secretariat, VIP residences and MLA quarters at Garsain,” said Tamta. An amout of Rs 250 crore is being spent on the construction of the buildings.

Nod for Sainik School at Rudraprayag
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 23
The Ministry of Defence has sanctioned the opening of Sainik School at Rudraprayag. MP from Pauri Garhwal BC Khanduri has received the approval from the ministry here today.

Khanduri, who is chairman of the Defence Parliamentary Committee, had raised the issue at the first session of the 16 Lok Sabha, and then followed up the matter with the then Defence Minister Arun Jaitley.

“The school will help us train our young aspirants keen on a career in the defence forces. I am happy that the ministry has accepted my proposal,” he said.

Jawan commits suicide
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 23
A jawan of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), deputed at the SSB camp at the Tanakpur border with Nepal, shot himself dead with his service rifle here today. Chandrakant Panwar (26) was a resident of Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.

He was brought to a local hospital at Tanakpur where doctors declared him brought dead.

Chandrakant joined the SSB in 2010 and was married last year. “The reason for taking such an extreme step is yet to be known,” said PS Pangti, circle officer of the Tanakpur police.