ITBP personnel felicitated for Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
The brave Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel were felicitated on Monday for their exemplary work done during the recently concluded Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra in the month of September. The felicitation ceremony was held in the premises of Seemadwar campus of ITBP.

Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sidhu was the chief guest on the occasion and he awarded mementos and certificates to the ITBP personnel who were deputed at different locations in the hilly districts during the 20-day-long yatra.

It is to be noted that on the request sent to the Home Ministry by Uttarakhand government, ITBP platoons were deployed at Gaucher, Matli and Almora for the successful management of the yatra. Besides, ITBP personnel were deployed in the most difficult stretch from Bedni to Silasamudra wherein the pilgrims had to cover the distance by walking and that too at a height of 12,000 feet to 16,500 feet.

Speaking on the occasion, DGP Sidhu said that the ITBP personnel showed immense courage throughout the yatra and the extraordinary hardiness, training and skills of this mountainous force ensured that no life was lost during the yatra.

Notably, the ITBP team was led by Assistant Commandant Vipin Mishra, under the overall command of Rishabh Kumar who is the Commandant of 8th battalion. The then DIG Garhwal Amit Sinha and then DIG SDRF Sanjay Gunjyal also played important roles in the overall management of the yatra.

On this occasion, Inspector General of Police (IG) North, ITBP, IS Negi, DIG Rajeev Gupta, DIG Ashok Negi, DIG PJ Therattil, DIG Girish Uppadhay, DIG Vinay Bharti and DIG RP Joshi were also present.

Demonstration by lawyers at DM’s office
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
Objecting to revised circle rates in Rishikesh, a large number of lawyers staged a protest outside the office of District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav and submitted a memorandum.

The protesters under the banner of Bar Association, Dehradun, alleged that the revision of circle rates on November 1 was far different from the ground reality. “The areas that comprise rivers, ponds and forests have not been identified in the circle rates. Further, the rates of the properties have been inflated almost triple the actual price. Also the areas that are prone to flooding have been highly priced in the circle rates,” they added.

The protesters further alleged that since 2011 the registry under the Rishikesh Municipal Council has been closed and as a result there has been no sale or purchase of any property.

Students protest over hydro project
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
Students of DAV PG College burnt an effigy of the state government at Gandhi Park here yesterday against acquisition of land by it at Haat village in Chamoli district for a hydroelectricity project.

Students led by Bhagwati Maindoli, former general secretary of DAV PG College Students’ Union, said residents of Haat had been protesting against the move since 2004 and they had extended support to the villagers.

The students said Haat village has a historical significance and its name had been mentioned in epics. The government was trying to destroy this historical village by developing a powerhouse for the hydroelectricity project there, they said. The protesters said the present development model was destroying the sanctity of the state.

JEs seek hike in travel allowance
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
The Uttaranchal Diploma Engineers Union has submitted a memorandum to Drinking Water Minister demanding travel allowance at par with employees of the secretariat. Members of the union also demanded that their travel allowance should be 50% of their grade pay.

They claimed 14 states in the country had separate state departments for providing drinking water and sewerage services. In Uttarkhand there was a corporation instead of a department for these services, they added.

The union sought conversion of the corporation (Payjal Nigam) into a full-fledged state department. Their demands include increase in pay grade of JEs to Rs 4,800 from Rs 4,600 and appointment of JEs on posts vacant in Pay Jal Nigam. 

Pharmacists’ threat

Dehradun, November 10
Agitating unemployed pharmacists have threatened to intensify their agitation if the state government does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

They said a memorandum highlighting their demands had been submitted several times to public representatives and bureaucrats, but the department is yet to take steps to address their grievances. The agitating pharmacists, under the banner of Unemployed Diploma Pharmacists (Allopathy) Association, gathered at the Raipur bus stand here today. — TNS

Ordnance employees want health scheme
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
Employees of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFD) protested in support of their year-long pending demands here today. The employees have threatened to intensify the agitation if the management does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

The agitated staff under the banner of the OFD Employees Union gathered at OFD main gate and raised anti-department slogans. They lamented a memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted to officials concerned several times, but the management was yet to take effective steps to fulfil their year-long pending demands.

Speaking on the occasion, SB Nautiyal, president of OFD Employees Union, said the ordnance factory administration had not sanctioned health scheme and other perks for its employees.

He said staffs were not able to give its optimum output in the absence of hi-tech and latest equipment.

They demanded tools, gauge, fixtures and processing materials to meet with the targets in the given time frame. 

Mini bus for veteran soldiers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
Lt-Gen Sanjeev Anand (retd), a former Adjutant General, handed over the keys of a mini-bus, meant for use by veteran soldiers, to General Officer Commanding (GOC), Golden Key Division, Maj-Gen MS Ghura, at a function held here today.

The mini-bus would be used for ferrying veteran soldiers to health centres in the city. Speaking on the occasion, Maj-Gen Ghura assured veteran defence personnel that all efforts would be made to solve their problems and promote welfare.

He said life saving ambulances would be deployed at Garhi Cantt and Clement Town to cater to medical emergencies of veteran soldiers and their family members. The mini-bus was purchased with funds sanctioned by the Ministry of Defence.

Manorama Dobriyal certain to win RS seat unopposed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
Manorama Sharma Dobriyal, the Congress candidate for the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Uttarakhand, is certain to win the election as she was the only candidate to file her nomination papers on the last date of the nominations here today for the Rajya Sabha election schedule to be held on November 20.

Manorama Sharma Dobriyal, a former Mayor of Dehradun, filed her nomination papers before the returning officer at the state Assembly in the presence of senior party leaders and legislators, including Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Uttarakhand Congress chief Kishore Upadhaya, senior ministers Indira Hriyadesh, Yashpal Arya and Dinesh Aggarwal were also present on the occasion. However, former CM Vijay Bahuguna and some of his close trusted aides, including minister Harak Singh Rawat and legislator Subodh Uniyal failed to make it. But many of the legislators who owe their allegiance to Bahuguna camp, Vijaypal Singh Sajwan, Vikram Singh Negi and Rajkumar were present.

Former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had lobbied hard for getting the Rajya Sabha nomination for either him or his son Saket Bahuguna but the party high command disappointed him.

The main Opposition BJP after a lot of deliberations decided to give a walkover to the Congress candidate by failing to put up a candidate against Manorama Sharma Dobriyal. Earlier, there were speculations that Naresh Bansal, a senior BJP leader, would be fielded but finally party bigwigs decided against the move.

The Rajya Sabha seat had fallen vacant following victory of BJP leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari to Lok Sabha in the May general elections from Nainital Lok Sabha seat. Koshiyari was a member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttarakhand. Ajay Bhatt, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, explained that since the party was not having sufficient numbers in the state Assembly it was decided not field any candidate. The party has only 28 members in the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly. The ruling Congress has 35 legislators and also enjoys the support of the seven-member conglomerate of Progressive Democratic Front (PDF), which is part of the Harish Rawat ministry.

Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha Secretary Jagdish Chandra said Dobariyal is the only candidate in the fray with no other party fielding a nominee from the seat till 3 pm. However, a formal announcement about Dobariyal’s unopposed election cannot be made before 5 pm on November 13, the last date for withdrawal of nominations. 

Representation in union cabinet
State BJP pins hope on ‘future’ expansion
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
There is many a slip between the cup and the lip and no one knows this better than the BJP MP from Almora Ajay Tamta after being left out of the November 9 Cabinet expansion despite a build-up around his name in the media prior to the rejig.

Known for his simplicity, insiders in the BJP say the MP read too much into the casual inquiry made by the higher-ups in Delhi several days before the expansion. “The MP did not receive any invitation from the Prime Minister’s office and nor was any letter indicating his inclusion in the Cabinet sent to him. There were discreet inquiries. He committed an error by opening up about events. No wonder, his detractors and contenders in the party lost no opportunity in mounting a fierce opposition, ensuring things do not materialise,” said a senior BJP leader.

BJP leaders say of the five MPs, there was a faint possibility of Ajay Tamta finding a place, if only to fit into Modi’s agenda of adjusting MPs belonging to the SC community, which emerged as the main theme of the latest Cabinet expansion.

The efforts were reportedly stymied by two MPs and senior BJP leaders Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who, it is said, feared an elevation of a relative newcomer would pose a threat to their own political careers and diminish their stature in the state.

Tamta also became a victim of the unrelenting media frenzy that even announced that the MP had been invited for tea by the Prime Minister. This despite the MP maintaining that he had not been invited for tea and was not even in the reckoning for a possible Cabinet berth.

The matters were made worse by the Uttarakhand BJP leaders, who kept hopes alive by feeding irrelevant information to the media instead of putting to rest such speculations.

State BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat has pinned his hopes on future expansion. “I am sure our MPs would find a place in the future Cabinet expansion. All is not lost and we will surely get our due,” he said.

Uttarakhand asks for more IAS officers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
To overcome the shortage of IAS officers, Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar is looking towards the Central Government for filling the vacancies. In a letter written to the Central Government, Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar has asked for more deployment of experienced IAS officers even on deputation from other states.

The Uttarakhand government urgently requires IAS officers of the rank of principal secretary and secretary. In the recent months two IAS officers of the rank of principal secretary Manisha Panwar and Dr S Sandhu have left for Central deputation, taking the total number of IAS officers from Uttarakhand cadre, who are on deputation at the Centre, to 13.

Intense vigil in Rajaji National Park
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 10
Apart from intensifying preparations for opening of the Chila, Motichur and Kansrau ranges on November 15, the Rajaji National Park authorities have increased vigil and patrolling on the park periphery in the wake of reported movement of wood smugglers.

In the past few days, several raids have been conducted on three ranges — Beriwada, Dhaulkhand and Chillawali range, where several incidents of wood and wildlife smuggling have come to light.

A flag march led by wildlife warden Komal Singh was undertaken at Dhaulkhand, wherein park security employees of all nine ranges took part. Bordering villages of Ekhazar Tongiya, Aurangabad, Teera Hazar, Hazaragrant, Teera Tongiya, Haripur Tongiya, Buggwala, Baddiwalal, Shaddedwala, Banajrawala, Daulwala, Lalwala, Rasulpur Tongiya, Kudakwala, Baunderjeeod, Lamgrant, Haljora and Sikhroada, among others, have been marked as sensitive villages, from where a majority of infiltration occurs into Rajaji National Park.

On Friday night last week, a firing incident involving smugglers and park-forest patrolling unit personnel occurred at Beriwada range.

A park employee sustained injuries during the firing in which a case has been registered by the park management against seven persons along with Hazaragrant resident, wood smuggler Imtiyaz.

Ranipur police station in charge Mahendra Singh Negi said the police were carrying out investigations in this connection and at several suspected locations, they have carried out raids to nab those involved in the incident. The Rajaji Park authorities have put notorious wood smuggler Imityaz on the most wanted list.

Komal Singh, wildlife warden, Rajaji National Park (Haridwar range), said prior to opening of the park gates for the November 2014–June 2015 tourist season, illegal activities in the park’s periphery and the outskirts had increased, as a result of which, park security personnel were on additional vigil.

Officials told to encourage e-governance

Dehradun, November 10
While reviewing the ‘Samadhan’ scheme at the Secretariat with senior officials, Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar has directed them to make use of information technology to ensure simplified, clean and effective governance to the citizens.

He instructed officials concerned to encourage e-governance, e-office, common service center, e-mails and SMS for simplifying the delivery system. He asked them to promote self-attestation instead of old regime of attestation by a gazetted officer.

The Chief Secretary told the government officials to study Central Government’s Centralised Public Grievance and Monitoring System (CPGRAM) and Karnataka’s ‘Sakaal’ scheme.

To make ‘Samadhan’ scheme more effective, officials were asked to implement the Service Improvement Welfare Accountability (SEWA). — TNS

Cong slams Centre over denial of Cabinet berth to state MPs
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 10
With no state BJP parliamentarian being inducted in the Union Cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state Congress today questioned the “pre-election campaigning love” towards the state demonstrated by the Prime Minister.

The newly appointed state spokesperson of the Pradesh Congress Committee, Anshul Shri Kunj, said during the election campaign, Narendra Modi had falsely claimed to be impressed with the land and people of Uttarakhand just to lure voters.

Citing 56 per cent of voters opting for the BJP in the 16th Lok Sabha elections, Kunj said the BJP swept all five parliamentary seats of the hill state, but the state did not find any representation in the Union Cabinet.

“As many as 21 new ministers were inducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Union cabinet, but the higher ups made a mockery of the mandate given by people to the BJP.

Initially, it was claimed that Almora-Pithoragarh parliamentarian Ajay Tamta would be given a Cabinet berth, but later he was omitted. Now, Tamta is giving an excuse that had gone to Faridabad for a family function,” said Kunj.

Referring to the delay in sanctioning relief for Kedarnath rehabilitation, Ganga cleaning, green bonus and Ardh Kumbh fair budget, Kunj said 
the Central Government was playing politics over the issues related to Uttarakhand.

“It seems post elections, Narendra Modi has become biased towards Uttarakhand. During election rallies, Modi used to salute Army personnel, local culture, Himalayas, Holy Ganga and had also offered to renovate Shri Kedarnath shrine in Garhwal Himalayas, but he has forgotten his election claims,” he added.

Urging all five BJP parliamentarians from the state — Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri (Pauri Garhwal), Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (Haridwar), Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar), Ajay Tamta (Almora-Pithoragarh) and Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah (Tehri Garhwal) — to raise the pending issues with PM Narendra Modi, Kunj said that in coming days, state Congress president Kishore Upadhyay would be sitting on an agitation outside the PM office.

“These BJP parliamentarians should also join in the Congress chief as it’s about the aspirations of the people of Uttarakhand. It’s high time, the Central government should change its “avoiding” policy towards us otherwise the Congress will begin protests,” Kunj added. 

BJP activists protest challaning
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
BJP activists protested at Garhwal Commissioner’s office against the move by the Regional Transport Office Department and police personnel to challan commercial three-wheeler operators in the city.

The agitators said that permits of commercial three-wheeler operators which are Vikram and Tata Magic were cancelled by the department. The agitators threatened to intensify their agitation if the department does not stop harassing commercial vehicle operators.

The agitators were led by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha ambassador Rajendra Singh Dhillon. The agitators gathered at Garhwal Commissioner’s office here today. The agitators lamented that the department was unnecessarily harassing commercial vehicle operators by challaning them under Motor Vehicle Act-86.

The agitators submitted a memorandum to Garhwal Commissioner CS Napalchyal in support of their demands. He said that cancellation of permits of three-wheeler commercial vehicles had increased the plight of vehicle operators.

The city police used mild force to control the agitators. Dhillon said that BJP activists will stage a protest again if the department does not stop ‘’unnecessarily’’ challaning commercial three-wheeler operators.

Surendra Goyal, Deep Gupta, Jasveer Singh, Kisan Pant, Deepak Kumar, Uma Shankar, Pankaj, Kuldeep, Vishal and others were present. 

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
Ensure transparency, speed up payments, officials told
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 10
Chief development officer (CDO) Ranjana expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) and Indira Gandhi Awas Yojana in Haridwar district.

She also directed officials to ensure transparency and speed up payments at a review meeting of officials concerned held at Vikas Bhawan, Roshanabad, 12 km from Haridwar. Time-bound target achievability should be kept in mind, ensuring transparency and clarity, she added.

She asked officials to include the latest induction cooking gas scheme with the Indira Gandhi Awas Yojana to popularise non-conventional power sources. Expressing her displeasure over the delay in allocation of houses to beneficiaries under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Scheme, Ranjana instructed block development officer to coordinate with Sub Divisional Magistrate in this regard.

The CDO also stressed on speeding up the process for releasing amount under the MGNREGA scheme so that the main objective of providing time-bound employment and money guarantee be achieved on timely basis.

She also flagged off a country race at Bhagat Singh square for school students as part of the 14th foundation day celebrations of Uttarakhand, here today morning.

Addressing a gathering, Ranjana emphasised on the need of sports culture in society. “We have to take up the responsibility of developing the new state and making it prosperous,” she added.

District information officer Manoj Shrivastava said Chief Minister Harish Rawat would arrive in the district tomorrow at 13:20 hrs to take part in the inauguration ceremony of Hans Eye Care Hospital at Bahadrabad, 9 km from Haridwar.

The Chief Minister would also launch a book on eye donation on the occasion in the presence of Uttarakhand Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi. “Chairperson of Hans Foundation Sweta Rawat, co founder Manoj Bhargava, MD Hans Foundation Hospitals Mala Steffen, Bhole Ji Maharaj and Mata Mangla will also be present at the inauguration ceremony,” added Shrivastava.

Nutrition scheme for elderly women inaugurated
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
With an aim to provide a nutritious diet to elderly women, those above 60 years of age, in the state, Chief Minister Harish Rawat today launched the Chief Minister Old Women Nutrition Scheme during a function organised at the Charba-based anganwadi centre near Sahaspur today.

Women above 60 years of age would be provided a nutritious meal at the anganwadi centres in the afternoon. Later, Rawat laid the foundation stone for four adarsh anganwadi centres.

The scheme has been launched on the lines of the mid-day meal scheme. Rawat, while elaborating on the scheme, said it was the biggest community kitchen in the world. “To provide a nutritious and balanced diet to women is among the state government’s top priorities. The scheme was launched so that no woman dies due to malnutrition, hunger or illness in the state. Launched in the pilot phase, the scheme would be in force in the entire state from January 2015,” he said.

“Under the scheme, a nutritious meal comprising manduwa, kala bhat and salt would be served to the women. To provide immediate medical care to the critically ill women, a special ward is being constructed at Haldwani and Dehradun. Also, under a tie-up with Max Hospital, midwives would be trained to lower mother and child mortality rate in the state. The move would benefit rural areas, where midwives handle deliveries of expectant mothers,” said Rawat.

“We would increase their number and more supervisors would be appointed for these centres. Public cooperation is important for development in rural areas. It is important to appoint a representative who participates enthusiastically in various development-related schemes launched,” the CM added.

The Chief Minister launched various other schemes, including renaming of the Laxmipur Roundabout to Brahamdutt Chowk, Brahamdutt State-level Silk Training Centre, construction of a metalled road till Gorkhalli Basti Langha Road, construction of two overhead water tanks at Charbha, construction of bridge on the Bhitla river at Laxmipur Marg and several others. 

Gangotri glacier under watch with help of GPS system
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 10
Environmental scientists from Himalayan Environment and Development Institute at Almora, Department of Science and Technology, Delhi University, and scientists from CSIR, Bengaluru, are keeping a close watch on Gangotri glacier with help of high frequency differential GPS system as the glacier, which is the origin of river Ganga, is decreasing due to effects of global warming, said the scientists from these institutes.

According to Dr Kirit Kumar, senior scientist at Himalayan Environment Institute and coordinator of the programme, if this trend continues, the river would change resulting in drying up of several water bodies fed by the present river course. “This would also result in filling of heavy silt into rivers fed by this glacier and subsequently lower water bearing capacity of hydroelectric projects being built on waters of Ganga and Bhagirathi,” said the scientist.

According to the team of scientists involved in studying the Gangotri glacier, the study focuses on reducing level of carbon dioxide present at the glacier, how to take back the original face of the glacier besides the study of silt segment , emitted by the slow speed of the river. “We are also studying the flowing speed and tendency towards change of the glacier,” said Dr Kumar.

According to the sources, the glaciers of Raktavarna, Chauturangi, and Thelu glaciers, situated above the Gangotri glacier, are also being taken into the study.

Temporary arrangement made to tide over shortage of radiologists
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
The Directorate of Medical and Health has made temporary arrangement for tiding over the shortage of two radiologists who were transferred from Doon Hospital after being promoted to the rank of joint director.

Radiologists Dr Mahesh Upreti and Dr Yatinder Singh were transferred from Doon Hospital to Pauri and Srinagar, respectively, after being promoted as joint directors. Their exit would have affected the functioning of the Radiology Department of the hospital.

But, in order to ensure smooth services at the hospital, the Directorate has made a temporary arrangement by roping in Dr SK Jha from Mussoorie hospital and bringing Dr Yatinder Singh on attachment to the Doon Hospital.

“Both Dr Mahesh Upreti and Dr Yatinder Singh will be relieved one by one. While Dr Yatinder Singh will be brought on attachment to the Doon Hospital, we will also attach Dr SK Jha, radiologist who has been transferred to Mussoorie to discharge duties (two hours each) at both Doon Hospital and Coronation Hospital,” said Dr GS Joshi, DG, Health.

Due to rush of patients at Doon Hospital, a transfer of a technician, looking after the Digital x-ray equipment, has put load on the sole technician. As a result, the Directorate is looking for additional hands. 

Pithoragarh script win in T-20 junior cricket
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 10
Pithoragarh emerged as champion after defeating Bageshwar by 14 runs in the state-level T-20 Junior Cricket Competition organised on the occasion of 14th state foundation day by the Directorate of Sports here today.

After winning the toss, Pithoragarh opted to bat first and managed to score 124 runs. Pravin Mudela (49) and Kishan Bisht (19) were the top scorers for Pithoragarh. Bageshwar, on the other hand, could score 110 runs. Manoj Mehta scored 27 while Sundar Danu scored 24 for their team.

“The competition, which began on November 5, concluded with the prize distribution ceremony today. Prizes were distributed by local MLA Mayukh Singh Mahar, officers from the district administration, including District magistrate HC Semwal and SP RL Sharma,” said Ajay Rawat, secretary of the District Cricket Association.

Ecole Globale students excel in district athletic meet 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
Students of Ecole Globale International Girls School brought laurels for the school after winning medals in the 68th annual district athletic meet that concluded at Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) on November 9.

According to the school, Anamika Bhardwaj won the bronze medal in the under-18 discus throw competition while Varnika Jaiswal bagged the gold medal in the long jump in the under-20 category. Moreover, Aasiya Hussain won the silver medal in javellin throw event in under-18 category. Kwon Hankyul also won the bronze medal in the under-18 shotput event.

Natalia Teig from Ecole Globale qualified in the 200 metre-race and got selected for the finals and secured 4th position in the final round. Anamika Bhardwaj also qualified for the 100-metre finals and secured 4th position. The school’s under-16 and under-18 relay race teams bagged 4th position as well.

Lakhibagh college girls win kho kho matches

A large number of sports events were held in different age categories in the ongoing khel mela at the Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur here today. In the under-16 kho kho competition, Girls Inter College Lakhibagh defeated MKP Inter-College 8-0. Girls Inter College Lakhibagh also won its second match, defeating Girls Inter College Sauda-Saruli.

In the boys under-16 kho kho competition, Inter College Chiddarwala defeated Sanatan Dharam Inter College 10-1 while Guru Ram Rai Patel Nagar registered a 9-7 victory against Inter-College Sauda-Saruli in another match.

In volleyball, Inter College Balawala defeated Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya 25-19, 26-24, 25-21, 25-15. In another match, Inter College Sauda-Saruli defeated Kendriya Vidyalaya OLF 25-20, 15-25, 25-18, 25-23.

The most awaited event of the day was the 100 metres race in the girls category, that was won by Mamta Bhatt of MKP Inter-College. Abha Sharma of GGIC Lakhibagh bagged the second position and Riki of GGIC Doiwala got the third spot. In the 1,500 metres girls race, Radha of Saint Lawrence Mussoorie bagged the first position while Bhital of MKP and Neetu of GGIC Sabhawala were second and third respectively.

St Thomas College corners glory in basketball
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
The Dehradun Council Schools’ Association (DDCSA), Uttarakhand, Senior Girls Basketball Tournament kicked off at The Aryan School here today. The tournament was inaugurated by the school Principal B. Dasgupta. The first match was played between St. Thomas College and St. Jude’s School. St. Thomas College won the match by the score 29-15.

Vaishali remained the top scorer for St. Thomas College with 17 points in the match against St. Jude’s School.

In the second match of the day,The Aryan School defeated Shigally Hill International Academy 28 –2. For Aryan School, Vanlalrinchhani scored maximum 12 points in the match. During the matches on the first day, Vinod Vachani, honorary secretary of District Basketball Association, AK Singhal, Dean of Academics, and many other persons were present on the occasion.

Report sought on fund use for Kedarnath

Pithoragarh, November 10
Union Tourism Minister Sripad Naik has sought a report from the state government on how the grant released earlier by the Centre for the reconstruction of Kedarnath shrine was spent before releasing another instalment of Rs 250 crore.

Additional Director General, Union Tourism Ministry, Dr Ravikant Bhatanagar, stated this at Nainital here today. He said Uttarakhand had already been given Rs 72 crore out of the sanctioned sum of Rs 100 crore for developing basic facilities for tourists coming to the state. “The Union Tourism Ministry has already started assessing tourists bearing capacity of various spots in Uttarakhand so that tragedies like in Kedarnath are not repeated again,” said the Tourism official.

Before talking to mediapersons, Dr Bhatnagar delivered a lecture at the sociology symposium. He said to ensure sustainable and continuous development of tourism sector, intellectuals and bureaucrats would have to come together to take environment into account before commissioning particular tourist sector. — OC

Police seize 2 autos with same number plates
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 10
In a unique incident two separate autorickshaws plying on city roads were found to be having the same licence number plate. Both autorickshaws were plying on the same Jwalapur-Haridwar city route, displaying the same numbers UK-08 TA 0309 and the owners of these autorickshaws are different, which puts a question on the functioning of the licensing authorities.

But later it came out to be a mistake of the painter, who painted on both the autorickshaws inadvertently the same number.

When contacted DS Rawat, Station House Officer, Jwalapur, said that the police had seized both the autos from Sector-2, BHEL checkpost, on noticing the same number plates and later were taken to Jwalapur rail checkpost, where the owners of the autos were called for an explanation.

During investigations it came to light that both autos were separately owned by Javed and Jeeshan, residents of Jwalapur, and had left their autos at the local painter’s shop for installing number plates.

Inadvertently, the painter displayed Jeeshan’s auto number also on the auto owned by Javed, which led to the confusion.

The SHO added that a penalty of Rs 500 was levied on Javed for not changing the wrong number plate, knowingly that the painter had made a mistake.

This incident remained talk of the town as curious people thronged the Jwalapur rail checkpost, where the twin autos were seized by the police.

Auto Maha Sangh city president Ravi Dutt has warned all the auto owners who are affiliated with the union to ensure no such incidents take place in the near future, as it affected the credibility of autorickshaws,which are already facing competition from battery-operated e-rickshaws.

Minister reviews progress of ongoing irrigation projects
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
Irrigation Minister Yashpal Arya held a meeting with the officials of irrigation department to review the progress in ongoing projects initiated by the department here today.

Speaking to officials, Arya said that the projects for which the funds have been released should be started at the earliest. “The officials from the secretariat and department should coordinate with each other so that the projects are completed within time. Also, a reminder should be sent to the Central Government for the release of pending funds in the Central Government-backed scheme,” he added.

The minister further instructed the officials to ensure that the tenders should not be released for any development project until it is passed by the state government and funds are released for the same. Those who were present in the meeting included M.H. Khan, Kishen Nath, B.K. Tamta, D.P. Jugran and D.K. Pachauri. 

Senior citizens seek special policy for their betterment
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 10
The members from federation of senior citizens association, Uttarakhand, lambasted the government for not formulating any conclusive policy for the betterment of senior citizens in the state during an annual conference held at a hotel in Mussoorie today.

The members from the senior citizens praised the state government for introducing free of cost Char Dham Yatra for senior citizens but demanded extension of the scheme similar on the lines of Madhya Pradesh government.

The senior citizens also lamented the fact that senior citizens were not being provided relaxation for travelling in government buses in the state whereas in many states it was applicable. The members of the associaton also said that there should be separate line for the elderly at banks, bus stations and hospitals as most of them are suffering from some or other ailments.

Another member of the association, Gurcharan Lal Chadda, said that the Rs 5 lakh promised by Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to the association during his tenure as chief minster has not been provided to the association yet. The senior citizens also demanded that state government should use social media, e-mail etc for divulging any information related to senior citizens and constitute a committee which will meet and apprise the government about the problems being faced on a daily basis during monthly meetings. The president of Mussoorie Senior Citizens Forum RS Khullar informed the gathering that his organisation will come out with tri-monthly newsletter for senior citizens in Mussoorie.

GNFC School driver killed
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 10
The driver from Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School (GNFC), Vijay Sharma, 38, was killed owing to allegedly erratic driving by a JCB machine driver in Mussoorie today.

According to the police, the deceased was reading a newspaper outside the gate of GNFC School when the JCB machine being used by Peyjal Nigam for the sewage project on Sterling Road, started operation with a jerk and the front blade of the JCB machines collided on the head of Vijay Sharma thrice, causing serious injuries.

The employees of the school, seeing Vijay Sharma bleed profusely, rushed him to hospital, where he was declared dead.

The school administration has lodged a case against the JCB machine driver. A case has been registered under sections 54, 14, 279 and 304 of IPC. A search is on for the driver of the JCB machine who fled after the incident. The deceased is survived by his wife and four-year-old daughter.

The school administration has promised a job to the wife of the deceased and free of cost education to the daughter, said GNFC administrative officer Sunil Bakshi.

New association at government school

Mussoorie, November 10
A parent-teacher association was formed at Government Inter College at Block Headquarter, Thatyur, falling under Tehri district, during a meeting held on the school premises here today. Mahipal Rawat was elected president while Kripal Singh Rawat as vice-president of the association.

Ratan Mani Gaud, Pratap Singh were elected as members of the executive committee and Dr Sangeeta Kainura was chosen as convener of the association. — TNS

Taxi driver arrested for allegedly killing missing couple
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
One taxi driver from Chakrata has been arrested by the Delhi police on Monday for allegedly killing one Delhi-based couple in Chakrata on Sunday. The arrested driver, Raju Das, hails from Chakrata in Dehradun district and drives a taxi between Chakrata and Dehradun.

The incident came to light when Delhi police found the location of the mobile phone belonging to a missing couple at Chakrata a couple of days back. After finding the location of the mobile phone, Delhi police team reached Chakrata on Friday in search of the missing couple. But the police team had to return disappointed, as the mobile phone was switched off.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Delhi police found out that the mobile phone was switched on and the location of the mobile was once again at Chakrata. The team reached Chakrata and arrested Raju Das, who was carrying the mobile phone, which allegedly belonged to the couple, which was missing from Delhi since the last four days.

During interrogation, Raju Das allegedly told Delhi police that the couple hired his taxi for going to Dehradun and he along with his three accomplices looted the couple and pushed them into a deep gorge on the way to Dehradun. On his information, the police also recovered the bodies of the couple from the forests near Chakrata. However, the three persons who were with Raju Das during the crime are absconding and the police have launched a manhunt to nab them. 

Differently abled hold protest 

Dehradun, November 10
Members of the Nanda Devi Nirdhan Viklang Kalyan Association proceeded on indefinite hunger strike for the fulfillment of their 13-point demands here today. They also staged a protest demonstration at old Raipur bus stand.

State president Basant Kumar Thapliyal said, “We have been protesting for a long time, but till date the state government has not approached us. This has led to a widespread resentment amongst the handicap community of the state. If things do not improve and our demands continue to be neglected, we will self-immolate.”

Shafi Rehman, Subodh Chandra, Sanjeev Kumar, Vinod Pundhir, Chandi Prasad Thapliyaal, Dinesh Prasad, Naeem Ansari, Ajma Ansari and Manish Sharma along with several others participated in the protest. — TNS

Woman beaten to death
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
A 25-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death with a hockey stick by her brother-in-law at Mehuwala Khalsa in the Vikasnagar police station area here today morning.

According to the Vikasnagar police, a married woman namely Shalu, wife of Bittu, was beaten with a hockey stick by her brother-in-law, Pintu, after arguments over an issue between them. Reportedly, during the arguments between them, Shalu allegedly slapped Pintu, which antagonised him and he picked the stick and started beating Shalu with it.

Notably, neighbours gathered at the house and informed the police about the incident, after which the police laid a trap and managed to arrest Pintu, who was trying to flee from there. Meanwhile, the police have started investigations in the case and are trying to find out the main reason behind the incident. The police have recovered the hockey stick used in committing the crime.