615 Gentlemen Cadets pass out of IMA

Ready to serve the nation: Gentlemen Cadets take part in the passing-out
 parade at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun on
Saturday. A total 615 Cadets passed out to join the Army
as officers after completing their training.

615 Gentlemen Cadets pass out of IMA 
 Lankan army chief reviews parade
 Sword of Honour for Gujarati cadet 
 A memorable day for many 
 Foreign cadets all praise for IMA instructors

Dehradun, December 10
Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieut Gen Jagath Jayasuriya has ruled out growing influence of China in the Indian Ocean as a threat to the Indian subcontinent. Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of the Indian Military Academy’s passing out parade in Dehradun, General Jayasuriya termed as wrong belief that the growing influence of China in the Indian Ocean was a direct threat to India.

On the LTTE, Genaral Jayasuriya said the LTTE in Sri Lanka had been completely decimated but admitted that it’s sympathisers did exist as international NGOs. “The LTTE has been wiped out militarily in Sri Lanka but the organisation still had supporters in the international Diaspora,” he said. The Tamilian civilians uprooted from war-torn parts of Sri Lanka had started coming back to their homes and the Sri Lankan Government was undertaking rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas speedily.

Referring to Indo-Sri Lankan military ties, Jayasuriya said both the countries kept excellent relationship and a large number of Lankan officers had successfully undergone their training in India.”Our friendship is increasing tremendously,” the Sri Lankan General said.

A total of 150 Lankan army officers had so far got trained in the Indian Military Academy. Earlier, General Jayasuriya, while reviewing the passing out parade at the drill square in the backdrop of IMA’s Chetwode Building, called upon the Gentlemen Cadets to develop excellent leadership skills and utilise them for the betterment of the nation. Emphasising on the importance of the IMA, he said the destiny of a country was shaped in educational institutions and training establishments. “It is widely accepted that our thoughts and actions are generally affected by the spirit of the place we live in. In your case each one of you would have been dominated by the spirit of the IMActhroughout your stay in this great institution,” he said. He also presented medals to GCs, which included a sword of honour bestowed on Karan Kothari and a gold medal given to Abhijeet Singh for standing tall in the overall order of merit. A silver medal for standing second in the order of merit was given to Abhishek Chandra and a bronze medal for standing third in the order of merit was given to Amit Bijalwan. General Jayasuriya presented the Chief of Army Staff banner to Keren Company. A total of 615 Gentlemen Cadets and eight foreign Gentlemen Cadets from friendly countries passed out of the IMA.

They showed tremendous enthusiasmto put up an excellent parade before an august gathering.

Sword of Honour for Gujarati cadet 

A Gentlemen Cadet being tossed in
 the air by his colleagues 

Dehradun, December 10
Son of Gujarati businessman has won the Sword of Honour at the IMA’s autumn term passing out parade that took place today.
The prestigious Sword of Honour is presented to the Gentlemen Cadet standing the overall best among the passing out course Karan Kothari bagged the honour bringing cheers to the Kothari family hailing from Rajkot in Gujarat. Karan Kothari admits that Gujaratis are often inclined towards business rather than opting for defence forces but adds that someone has to make a beginning.
A proud father Kirti Kothari said he never imposed his wish on his son. “I had left to his son to make a choice of career. I am proud that my son opted for the Army and hope that he will prove to be inspiration for many more Gujaratis opting for a career in defence forces”, he said. He said his son was the sole family member, who was now in the Army as he has none of his close or distant relative serving in the defence forces. Arvind Kothari, elder brother of Karan Kothari, said he was proud to see his younger brother in Army uniform. He said Karan from very beginning had made up his mind to join the Army.
“The family never forced their will on Karan nor asked to stick to the family business”, he said.
“Even in the National Defence Academy, my brother bagged a Gold Medal in the training”, he said, adding that his brother had always believed in excelling and that was the reason behind his good performances both in the NDA and the IMA.
A total of 5 Gentlemen Cadets from Gujarat have passed out in today’s parade.

A memorable day for many 

The father and grandfather of a Gentleman Cadet of the
Indian Military Academy remove the strap to show his
official insignia known as “Pipping Ceremony” after
 the parade at the academy in Dehradun

Dehradun, December 10
For the passing-out Gentlemen Cadets of the Indian Military Academy and members of their families, it was an event they would remember for long.
A hotel management diploma holder from London, Mandeep Singh Nagra preferred the Army to other professions. Mandeep of Chandigarh has been deployed with the Artillery.
His father SS Nagra who is a bank officer said he was feeling proud seeing his son getting passed out of the IMA. “What satisfaction I am getting today as an Army officer would not have been possible had I opted for a profession in hotel management,” said Mandeep.
Another Gentlemen Cadet, Shiv Pratap Singh Pathania, who passed out of the IMA has become the fourth generation Army officer in his family. His father Col SS Pathania hails from Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), his grandfather Subedar Malkiat Singh was with 13 Punjab whereas his great grandfather Risaldar Amol Singh was with 5 Horse. Colonel Pathania said he was happy that his son had continued with the great family tradition of joining the Army. He said his other son was undergoing training at the National Defence Academy.
It was a dream come true for Praveen Dhyani. A Doonite, Praveen grandfather Uma Dutt Dyani was with the Army Service Corps. Son of a civil defence employee, Praveen has been posted with 17 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. A Keralite, Rajeev Ranjan, said he was happy to be part of the Army.
Another Gentleman Cadet, AS Toor, has been commissioned into the Artillery. Toor said it was a great moment for him.

Foreign cadets all praise for IMA instructors 

Foreign cadets who passed out of the Indian
 Military Academy in Dehradun on Saturday. 

Dehradun, December 10
Among the passing out candidates at the Indian Military Academy’s parade were eight foreign cadets, who will now be part of the armies in their respective nations. These include three from Bhutan, two from Kazakhstan, one each from Tajikstan, Lesotho and Seychelles.
Bigabatov Rakhat hails from Kazakhstan. He said he felt proud to follow the footsteps of his father, who is a Colonel with the Kazakhstan army. Rakhat said the training he had received at the IMA would continue to inspire him for years. He said India and Kazakhstan always kept friendly relations.
Abzal Tashibekov hails from Rhymkent, Kazakhstan. An excellent academician, Abzal did his graduation from Miras University with distinction. He was all appreciation for the instructors at the academy for giving them the best of training.
K Muslikhidin from Tajikistan is a son of a pensioner. He has four brothers and one sister. Muslikhidin said apart from getting an honourable profession, he would now be able to support his family in a better way.
Lehloenya belongs to lesser known country of Lesotho. Son of a civil servant, Lehloenya has three younger sisters. He said it had been his wish to join the defence forces.
Wilven Anoy Jean from Seychelles found his stay at the academy as best part of his life. He had a lot of appreciation for the instructors at the academy.
Sangay Dorji belongs to Mongar in Bhutan. After doing his schooling from Thimpu, Sangay Dorji did his graduation from Maulana Azad College, Aurangabad, in India. Son of a farmer, Sangay said India had always been second home to him and asserted that India and Bhutan had a historical relationship.

Xmas season begins with carol singing in Mussoorie

tudents from the Firs Foundation sing
Christmas carols at Mussoorie on Saturday.

Mussoorie, December 10

The Christmas season was ushered in with carol singing in praise of the Lord by Firs Foundation, the organisation that supports orphan children in the Landour cantonment area of Mussoorie today. The students from Firs orphanage welcomed the audience with Christmas carols and offered prayers on the occasion.

Ashish Pradhan, chairman of the Firs Foundation, welcomed the chief guest, MLA, Mussoorie, Jot Singh Gunsola, vice president, Cantontment Board, CP Balon, and ward member Kamal Sharma by offering a flower bouqet.

Thereafter, students presented a welcome song, which was followed by a dance by Church of North India girls, depicting the joy of Christmas.

Amit, Sandeep and Anil lightened the mood of the audience with hilarious jokes presented by them.

The boys’ home presented a song titled “So good to me” that was much appreciated by the audience.

The nativity skit was also performed by the boys’ home, highlighting the birth of Christ. The Rupantaran Group presented a skit depicting the miracles of Lord Jesus Christ in the end.

A Christmas message was read out along with the concluding speech by Jot Singh Gunsola.

Tearful farewell to Dev Anand

London, December 10

Dev Anand, who ruled the hearts of millions of film enthusiasts for over six decades, was today bid a tearful adieu as his mortal remains were consigned to flames amid the tunes of some of his most memorable songs ‘Abhi Na Jao Chor ke’ and ‘Gata Rahe Mera Dil’.

END OF AN ERA: Dev Anand’s son Suneil (L) and Sahara India chairman Subroto Roy carry his casket at the Putney Vale Crematorium in London on Saturday. The legend’s ashes would be flown back to Mumbai.

The funeral ceremony was joined in by a large number of people, including his family and close friends like Lord Meghnad Desai and Sahara chief Subroto Roy, as his last rites were held according to Hindu tradition at the Putney Vale Crematorium here.

His body kept in a casket, decked with flowers, was taken to the crematorium in a motorcade as his admirers paid him rich tributes.

His wife Kalpana Kartik could not attend as she had high blood pressure and remained behind in the Washington Mayfair hotel where the actor breathed his last.

Besides his son Suneil and daughter Devina, his sister Sheila Kapoor, the mother of filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, were also present. So were the acting High Commissioner of India Rakesh Prasad, his close friend Kartar Lalvani, Lord Karan Billimoria, and Baroness Shreela Flather. Dev Anand died here on December 3 at the age of 88 with his son by his side.

While fans in India could not have a last glimpse of the star, his ashes will be flown back to Mumbai, the city associated for over 60 years with the thespian’s incomparable body of work. A memorial service will be held at the Mehboob studio in Mumbai on December 15.

True to his full-of-life image, his final journey saw some of his remarkable songs being sung as a tribute.

Besides ‘Abhi Na Jao Chor ke’ from his 1961 movie Hum Dono and ‘Gata Rahe Mera Dil’ from the 1965 classic Guide, ‘Phoolon ka taron ka’ from the 1971 hit ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ rented the air.

“I am comforted that he is with the Lord. The spirit of Dev Anand will live forever,” said his son Suneil.

Dev Anand, known for his signature puff hair and swagger, lived by the philosophy of ‘Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata chala gaya, har fikar ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya’, a song written for him by friend Sahir Ludhianvi.

“He was an eternal optimist and full of life. Dev Anand was one of the greatest showmen and kindest human being, his generosity knew no bounds. The world has lost a true legend,” said his nephew Tony Sareen. 

'Face of the Week'

The man behind Doon varsity 

Dehradun, December 10
Three years may be a short span in the life of Doon University which is slowly coming into its own after starting the first academic session in 2009. Envisaged as a centre of excellence, the university overcame a series of financial problems, even an existential question about its affiliation was deftly negotiated by Prof Girijesh Pant, Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Now with his three-year stint coming to an end in January next year, Prof Pant, also an expert in West Asian studies, feels that laying a solid foundation together with a distinct sense of identity is what he is set out to achieve for the university. “There is a sense of comfort but not yet full satisfaction with the way the university is shaping up. With the passage of time, it will become an asset to the nation and the state. Students from different states have already begun applying and will help us attract talent from far and wide, helping shape the cosmopolitan environment at the university which is vital for academic pursuits. The university should be able to build on the cosmopolitan culture that has been created,” said Prof Pant The concept of visiting faculty was also started by Prof Pant to deal with the staff shortage at the senior level and action can be termed impactful. Yet he is not ready to add that many stars to his scorecard. “In its early days, we were not able to get senior faculty members of stature. Initially I thought, with Dehradun lying in the vicinity of Delhi, we will not have any difficulty but we faced many problems. Being a state university, we could not offer better packages,” he said. As a matter of fact when Doon University was being planned, it was with the thought of developing it as a central university status but that was not to be.

“It would have been a good thing if the university was accorded the status of central university. A new state always finds it difficult to meet the financial demands of a university. I believe for establishing centres of excellence, one needs to make bold departures. Equally, one should not be shy of taking risks because the gains in the future are far too many. The attitude of justifying costs for the every penny spent on education is not a healthy sign and is detrimental to the future of centres of excellence. The optimal utilisation of funds may not work initially. In my view, the entire system of financing the higher education could be recast by exploring private partnership with the right checks and balances,” said Prof Pant.

Away from the hurl and burly of the intellectual fervour of Jawaharlal Nehru University for the past three years, where he is expected to go back on completing his tenure here, Prof Pant hopes to resume his long discussion sessions with his colleagues and at the same time write a book for which he hopes to get enough time to think and plan. In his own way at the university he tried to ignite that flame of enquiry and discussion by organising lectures by scholars.

Garhwali vocalist now sings for Congress

‘I am a professional but committed to Rawat’
Dehradun, December 10

In an important development, Narender Singh Negi, one of the most popular Garhwali folk singers who had become a nemesis of the political leaders and parties, particularly of the Congress Party in the last Assembly elections of 2007, by singing songs with political satire, today sang from the dias of a Congress Party rally at Nainedanda in Pauri Garhwal district.

Narender Singh Negi, who was hired by the Congress at it’s rally, attracted a crowd of more than 4000 people in the remote hilly, who came to listen to his popular songs. It was a coup of sorts by the Congress in inviting and persuading Negi to perform from their platform.

“I am a professional singer who is paid for singing. Otherwise, I am personally committed to the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha led by Lieut Gen T.P.S.Rawat (retd),” said Narender Singh Negi on the telephone.

After the “Nauchami Narayan” album that depicted the previous Congress regime led by veteran Chief Minister N.D.Tewari in bad light in the 2007 Assembly elections, Negi has again came out with his latest album having his new politically satirical songs, largely targeting the state BJP Government but also mentioning about the scandals like 2-G Spectrum scam involving the Central Government.

“Nauchami Narayan,” depicting the going-ons in the Congress regime of the state from 2002 to 2007, was a super hit. The new audio Garhwali album, “Ab Kathga Khalyuo (How much will you eat?),” having eight songs in all, has two songs with political satire.

The theme of one of the songs revolves around the rampant corruption at the state as well as the national level. The title song, “Commission ki meet-Bhaat” is a satire on the functioning of the top brass of the state government allegedly involved in making money through commissions. The song also talks about scandals in the conduct of Mahakumbh and the alleged land deal involving Citurgia.

Narender Singh Negi sang both these songs at the Congress rally. However, he did not sing” Nauchami Narayana” at the Congress rally.

These songs would embarrass the present Bharatiya Janata Party of the state headed by Chief Minister B.C.Khanduri, who also hails from Pauri Garhwal.

“I have not trageted or identified anyone. It was for the general masses to draw their conclusions,” he said. “I am a people’s singer and I am accountable to them only,” he added.

“Nauchami Narayan”, a musical video sung by Negi having political satire and particularly targeting N.D.Tewari, who was the Chief Minister at that time, was a big hit in 2006 and an embarrassment to the then Congress Government.

The name of the album, “Nauchami Narayan,” meaning “naughty Narayana,” is symbolic of sex scandals certain politicians are involved in.

More than a lakh of VCDs of “Nauchami Narayan” were sold in 2006-07.

Following the sex scandal involving former Andhara Pradesh Governor N.D.Tewari and his subsequent resignation, the song written and sung by Negi was again in public demand.

Narender Singh Negi, the author and singer of the album, had termed his work as pure fiction but the people of the hill state enjoyed the characters of his album as they were easily identifiable with their own Chief Minister and leaders. Characters in the album resembled former Chief Minister Tiwari and his ministerial colleagues. A Tewari lookalike was seen singing and dancing with young girls in the video.

New master plans for Pithoragarh, Ramnagar

Pithoragarh, December 10
Pithoragarh and Ramnagar towns of the Kumaon region will have new master plans for planned urban growth.

Under this plans, a total of 22 new villages will be included in Pithoragarh and 16 in Ramnagar town .

“A new town plan for Kausani will also be made on the basis of an estimate of population in 2031,” said VP Sharma, assistant planner, Town Planning office.

The government has issued orders to finalise the master plan for Pithoragarh. “In October, our team had surveyed the town as well as villages to be included in it. The survey revealed that it is essential to include these nearby villages in the town so that the city could develop according to the plan,” said Sharma.

According to the master plan being prepared by the department, the facilities that will be created include the separation of commercial and residential zones, sufficient community services, better management of police stations, post office services, telephone and electricity in the town and a sufficient number of bus and taxi stands. “It will take six months to finalise the master plan for the town,” said Sharma.

“To prepare the master plan for Ramnagar, we will have to include some more villages to extend the regulated area in the city,” he added.

Lokpal panel report a fraud: Anna

Prime Minister calls all-party meeting on Wednesday

New Delhi, December 10
Unnerved by Anna Hazare’s fresh declaration of war and faced with divisions within the political class, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday to discuss matters relating to the Lokpal Bill.
Anna Hazare, who arrived in the Capital to participate in a one-day token protest at the Jantar Mantar tomorrow, has threatened to campaign against the Congress in the next year’s Assembly polls and will continue till the 2014 general elections.
The UPA government is in a fix as it was hoping that the recommendations of the Parliamentary standing committee, which is represented by all political parties, would serve as a basis for drafting a fresh Lokpal Bill. But it faces an uphill task as 16 dissent notes have been appended to the final report with the main opposition party, the BJP, aligning itself largely with Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal Bill on key issues.

Having learnt a bitter lesson on the last two occasions when Anna Hazare undertook an indefinite fast, the UPA government has decided to reach out to leaders of all political parties to build consensus on the final shape of the Lokpal Bill. The meeting with the Opposition parties will be preceded with a round of consultations with the UPA allies.

The meeting of the Union Cabinet slated for Tuesday is likely to discuss the Lokpal Bill, currently being drafted by a high-level ministerial team. This draft may be shared with party leaders on Wednesday to minimise the differences so that the Bill can be passed in Parliament without any acrimony.

UPA sources said the Cabinet could meet again after Wednesday’s deliberations to finalise the Lokpal Bill. The government wants to introduce the Bill by December 19 so that it can be debated and passed by December 22 when the winter session comes to a close.

“ Since this is an important legislation and all political parties are equally concerned about tackling the menace of corruption, we thought it is important to talk to them and seek their suggestions,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said today.

There are indications that the government will agree to the inclusion of Prime Minister and lower bureaucracy (with conditions) under the ambit of the Lokpal. Sources said Group C employees could be included in the Bill with the condition that only complaints of corruption that attract penal provisions will be entertained by the CVC, which will investigate these cases under the supervision of the Lokpal.

By doing so, the government will keep the promise it made in the ‘sense of the House' resolution moved by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on August 27 which spoke of bringing the lower bureaucracy under the Lokpal “through an appropriate mechanism.

Meanwhile, Anna Hazare has trained his guns on the Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi. While absolving Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he charged that Rahul had directed the standing committee to dilute its report. “The government has not kept its word given by the Prime Minister to me while I was fasting at Ramlila Grounds. The standing committee report by Abhishek Singhvi is a fraud on the entire nation,” Anna thundered, adding that he would launch a country-wide campaign against the Congress which will continue for the next two years.

Unlike the previous occasions, Team Anna has invited all political parties to participate in a public debate on the Lokpal tomorrow. Except the Congress, which declined Team Anna’s invitation, most other parties, including the BJP and the Left parties, are sending their representatives.

Rejecting the standing committee’s recommendations, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at the government, saying it had no intention of bringing a strong Lokpal Bill.

Team Anna members said they would decide the direction of their agitation after the government tables the bill in Parliament though they have announced plans for another protest at the Ramlila Grounds from Dec. 27.

Team Anna plan

Team Anna members Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan say activists will wait for the government to table the draft bill before deciding on the direction the agitation will take from December 27 onward.

Lokpal Bill strong, says Harish Rawat

Haridwar, December 10
With the Opposition and Gandhian Anna Hazare terming the Central Government’s Lokpal Bill weak and the standing committee report “fooling people of the entire nation”, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat today said the Bill was strong and efficient.
He even put onus on the BJP-led Opposition for putting hurdles in ensuring the passage of the Lokpal Bill and six other important Bills by creating a ruckus to make sure the winter session got adjourned.
On the issue of black money, particulary raised by Ramdev, Rawat claimed that the UPA government was serious on this issue and was contemplating on bringing it in the purview of law.
“The tenure of the UPA I and-II till date has been unmatched, be it in terms of development, social schemes, enactment of the RTI, the RTE and now the Lokpal Bill,” said Rawat, while addressing a party function in Jwalapur.
Addressing a gathering, the Haridwar MP said it was only the Congress, which had really did development during its government in the state, while the current BJP state government was only involved in corruption and scams.
“Be it the Mahakumbh scam, the Sterdia land scam or even the disaster relief fund, BJP Cabinet Ministers were filling their and the party’s coffers only.
If former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was removed by the BJP high command on the Kumbh scam, then it was only a facade as they later made him the party’s national vice-president. This was the real face of the BJP, which did “corruption with a difference!” said Rawat.
Among others who addressed the gathering were the organiser of the rally former legislator Ambrish Kumar, Satpal Brahmchari, Gawaksh Joshi, Rajesh Rastogi, Vimla Pandey and Ravish Bhatija.

New master plans for Pithoragarh, Ramnagar

Pithoragarh, December 10
Pithoragarh and Ramnagar towns of the Kumaon region will have new master plans for planned urban growth.

Under this plans, a total of 22 new villages will be included in Pithoragarh and 16 in Ramnagar town .

“A new town plan for Kausani will also be made on the basis of an estimate of population in 2031,” said VP Sharma, assistant planner, Town Planning office.

The government has issued orders to finalise the master plan for Pithoragarh. “In October, our team had surveyed the town as well as villages to be included in it. The survey revealed that it is essential to include these nearby villages in the town so that the city could develop according to the plan,” said Sharma.

According to the master plan being prepared by the department, the facilities that will be created include the separation of commercial and residential zones, sufficient community services, better management of police stations, post office services, telephone and electricity in the town and a sufficient number of bus and taxi stands. “It will take six months to finalise the master plan for the town,” said Sharma.

“To prepare the master plan for Ramnagar, we will have to include some more villages to extend the regulated area in the city,” he added.

Lokpal panel report a fraud: Anna

Prime Minister calls all-party meeting on Wednesday 

New Delhi, December 10
Unnerved by Anna Hazare’s fresh declaration of war and faced with divisions within the political class, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday to discuss matters relating to the Lokpal Bill.
Anna Hazare, who arrived in the Capital to participate in a one-day token protest at the Jantar Mantar tomorrow, has threatened to campaign against the Congress in the next year’s Assembly polls and will continue till the 2014 general elections.
The UPA government is in a fix as it was hoping that the recommendations of the Parliamentary standing committee, which is represented by all political parties, would serve as a basis for drafting a fresh Lokpal Bill. But it faces an uphill task as 16 dissent notes have been appended to the final report with the main opposition party, the BJP, aligning itself largely with Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal Bill on key issues.

Having learnt a bitter lesson on the last two occasions when Anna Hazare undertook an indefinite fast, the UPA government has decided to reach out to leaders of all political parties to build consensus on the final shape of the Lokpal Bill. The meeting with the Opposition parties will be preceded with a round of consultations with the UPA allies.

The meeting of the Union Cabinet slated for Tuesday is likely to discuss the Lokpal Bill, currently being drafted by a high-level ministerial team. This draft may be shared with party leaders on Wednesday to minimise the differences so that the Bill can be passed in Parliament without any acrimony.

UPA sources said the Cabinet could meet again after Wednesday’s deliberations to finalise the Lokpal Bill. The government wants to introduce the Bill by December 19 so that it can be debated and passed by December 22 when the winter session comes to a close.

“ Since this is an important legislation and all political parties are equally concerned about tackling the menace of corruption, we thought it is important to talk to them and seek their suggestions,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said today.

There are indications that the government will agree to the inclusion of Prime Minister and lower bureaucracy (with conditions) under the ambit of the Lokpal. Sources said Group C employees could be included in the Bill with the condition that only complaints of corruption that attract penal provisions will be entertained by the CVC, which will investigate these cases under the supervision of the Lokpal.

By doing so, the government will keep the promise it made in the ‘sense of the House' resolution moved by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on August 27 which spoke of bringing the lower bureaucracy under the Lokpal “through an appropriate mechanism.

Meanwhile, Anna Hazare has trained his guns on the Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi. While absolving Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he charged that Rahul had directed the standing committee to dilute its report. “The government has not kept its word given by the Prime Minister to me while I was fasting at Ramlila Grounds. The standing committee report by Abhishek Singhvi is a fraud on the entire nation,” Anna thundered, adding that he would launch a country-wide campaign against the Congress which will continue for the next two years.

Unlike the previous occasions, Team Anna has invited all political parties to participate in a public debate on the Lokpal tomorrow. Except the Congress, which declined Team Anna’s invitation, most other parties, including the BJP and the Left parties, are sending their representatives.

Rejecting the standing committee’s recommendations, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at the government, saying it had no intention of bringing a strong Lokpal Bill.

Team Anna members said they would decide the direction of their agitation after the government tables the bill in Parliament though they have announced plans for another protest at the Ramlila Grounds from December 27.

Team Anna plan

Team Anna members Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan say activists will wait for the government to table the draft bill before deciding on the direction the agitation will take from December 27 onward.

10-day police custody for AMRI directors

Kolkata, December 10
Six of the seven arrested directors of the AMRI hospital, where 91 persons mainly patients choked to death after a fire, were today remanded to 10-day police custody by a court here, as the defence counsel alleged that he was not allowed to move bail.
Chief Judicial Magistrate of the Alipur court, S M Shahnawaz remanded R S Goenka, S K Todi, Prashant Goenka, Manish Goenka, Ravi Todi and Dayanand Agarwal in police custody till December 20.
Shahnawaz ordered that another AMRI director R S Agarwal, who was admitted to the B M Birla Hospital here after his arrest yesterday, be produced in court at the earliest.
The state government’s lawyers strongly opposed their bail petitions.
They pleaded that they be allowed to remain in police custody for some more days for enabling the cops to make further interrogation. The court also sent the accused to 10-day police custody.
The next date of hearing has been fixed as December 20, when all the accused will be produced before the court.
The lawyers appearing on behalf of Todi and other accused, however, alleged they did not get proper opportunity for pleading in the court today and they will make a fresh bail move for their clients either in the Calcutta Court or the Supreme Court on Monday.

Initially, there was chaos and confusion in the court following the decisions of the Alipore Lawyers’ Association and Alipore Bar Association to boycott the hearing. No lawyers in the court agreed to appear on behalf of the accused. But the associations did not oppose the appearing of lawyers of some other courts on behalf of those arrested. Accordingly, two lawyers of the Calcutta High Court today pleaded on behalf of the accused.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the hospital fire incident today rose to 91, with two more patients succumbing to injuries in two different hospitals where they were taken from AMRI Hospital in a critical condition.

The bodies of two other patients from Agartala were reportedly missing. The two nurses on duty who were killed were identified today by their relatives after they arrived in the city from their hometown in Kerala.

Teams of forensic experts visited the hospital for making an on-the-spot inquiry. The 15-member police team of the detective department of Kolkata police inquiring into the incident also made an on-the-spot inquiry and interrogated hospital staff, doctors and security personnel.

The state minister for fire service and the disaster management Javen Khan said such a devastating fire could have been averted if fire-fighting regulations had been properly conformed to.

He alleged that the electrical installations in the hospital was defective and the fire might have been caused by a short-circuit.

Khan appointed a five-member expert team for looking into the fire safety arrangements in all hospitals, private nursing homes and other high-rise buildings in the city. The officials will, from time to time, visit hospitals and other buildings and submit reports to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Uttarakhand Govt. order on new districts

Dehradun, December 9
A government order has been released for the creation of new districts of Kotdwar, Raniketh, Didihaat and Yamunotri.

The nod for the same had already been given by the Uttarakhand Government at Cabinet meeting last month.

The announcement of the creation of the districts was made on August 15 this year by former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Principal Secretary and Revenue Commissioner PC Sharma said the government had not taken any decision for declaring the district headquarters for the new districts and the appointment of SSP and DMs and carving of the boundaries would also take place after the Assembly elections.

Sources claim the government decided to play it safe and issued a government order instead of a notification, as it would have been difficult to amend the notification in the future.

‘Furnish monthly RTI reports’

NAINITAL: Secretary of the state information commission MS Kundara has told the public information officials of the districts that if they fail to furnish monthly report on the status of the RTI of the last month, a punishment may await them. “Under the RTI Act, we have made it essential in the state to submit report before fifth day of every month on the status of information sought by the people,” said Kundara. 

Muslim clerics flay Veena Malik

Haridwar, December 9
Pakistani actress Veena Malik, who shot into the limelight in India by being part of a television reality show, has come under fire from Muslim clerics and several organisations in Haridwar too.

Veena, whose controversial shoot for a leading glamour magazine, is in news these days. Various Muslim and Hindu organisations have accused her of hurting the sentiments of people. Activists of the Teerth Maryada Samiti today protested against Veena’s semi-nude photographs and her being casted as the “bride” for a coming reality serial where she will select her husband. Muslim cleric Maulan Aarif said every women should behave properly and make it sure that she didn’t cross the limits as prescribed in their religion. “It would have been better had Veena Malik essayed good roles and helped in bringing artistes from both the countries much closer but she wants just publicity,be it any way,” said Furkan Ali, a Muslim leader from Jwalapur. 

DM asks people to exercise voting rights

Dehradun, December 9
Dehradun District Magistrate Dileep Jawalkar addressed the district officials, members of various NGOs and mediapersons here today, urging them to make united efforts to spread awareness among people to exercise their voting rights.

He said their target was to increase the voting percentage. Since Dehradun is a city of educated people, the decreasing voting

percentage was an issue of concern. He said the vote percentage of the city was 58-76 per cent while of the state as a whole was 63-72 per cent. He said there were almost 10 lakh voters in the city out of which 1.21 lakh voters have applied for the voters list this year.

He asked various education and sports institutes to encourage youngsters in the age group of 18-21 years to come forward to give their names for the voting cards. He said the returning officials should make arrangement for the employees engaged in the election work to cast their votes. He said a policy had to be devised to train people.

Election panel to create folder of evidence

Dehradun, December 9
Under a new initiative launched by the Election Commission of India as part of monitoring the election expenditure, a folder of evidence will be created that would keep an account of the funds used by the candidates during the election.

At a media sensitisation workshop organised today by the Chief Election Officer for Media, this information was given. “The folder of evidence will comprise video and audio CDs, posters, books, pamphlets, clippings of paid news and advertisements as appearing in newspaper notices issued by the Returning officer regarding expenditure, and even FIR. These would then be used to tally the expenditure incurred by the candidates,” said Radha Raturi, Chief Election Officer (Uttarakhand).

Besides, the CEC would also depute senior officers of the Government of India as election expenditure observors for each district.

The Chief Election Commissioner has issued guidelines for star campaigners under the People’s Representative Act 1951 section 77 (a). The expenditure incurred on star campaigners while campaigning for their candidates, the expenditure on their stay, food, lodging etc would be included in the total expenses of the candidate.

6.3% decrease in crime rate in Uttarakhand

From 7,455 in 2010, the number of cases has plummeted to 6,968 this year

Dehradun, December 9
There has been a decrease of 6.3 per cent in the overall crime rate in the state as compared to last year. As per statistics released by the state Police Department, a total of 6,968 cases under the IPC have been registered in 2011 while the number was 7,455 in 2010. In all, 5,733 cases have also been resolved in 2011 which is to say that the police encountered success in 82 per cent cases registered in the current year.

A system is being developed to ensure an effective clampdown on criminals engaged in immoral trafficking and trade. In order to deal with the menace, two anti-trafficking units have been established in Dehradun and Banbasa, which are functioning in association with the Special Task Force (STF). The units have been equipped with communication, manpower and other necessary facilities.

According to a report on crime and law and order situation in the state in 2011, a Five Year Plan from 2011-12 to 2015-16, for the modernisation of the police force has been prepared and sent to the state government as well as the Government of India. A special drive is being conducted in the entire state from time to time to check crimes.

Giving details of various steps being taken for checking crime in the districts, Crime Seminars are organised in districts every month in which the police conducts a thana-wise review of the actions taken for an effective control of crime.

In order to deal with criminal activities, standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been prepared in accordance with the strategic and geographical situations in the state. Separate sets of the SOPs have been prepared with the view to deal with any type of terrorist activity by carrying out an assessment of the present security-related scenario of sensitive and important institutions of the state.

A rehearsal of the procedures is carried out from time to time. A core group has also been constituted which is into studying the schemes, operating procedures and updating them.

Haridwar master plan approved

Major facelift in the offing

Haridwar, December 9
Finally, the much-awaited master plan for Haridwar has been approved, and in the coming years, the city will get a major facelift, which will be in sync with the world’s renowned religious-spiritual-tourist tag attached to it.

Notably, the previous master plan of the city got over in 2007 and since then it was only being given further extension. But now this 2011 master plan has been proposed keeping in mind the 2025 requirements of the city, taking into account various parameters.

Haridwar Development Board(HDA) vice-chairperson Chandra Sekhar Bhatt said that with the master plan coming into effect, the development of the city will be done in a planned manner.

He added that under the new plan, regularisation of irregular colonies and compounding of commercial establishments being operated in areas coming under residential zones will also be carried out.

Also, the illegal constructions that had mushroomed in the city in the past few years would come under scanner, and it would be impossible to build such structures now.

With the implementation of the master plan, the revenue of the HDA, said Bhatt, would also increase manifold as dozens of illegal colonies would be now regularised and tax taken from them.

Simultaneously, those old residential colonies which had been categorised commercial in this plan would also be paying fees in case they wanted to commercialise them, he added.

Anil Tyagi, working secretary of the HDA, pointed out that with the implementation of the master plan, they would be having a separate land bank, which would come in handy when public schemes, projects or for other such purposes land is required.

“Educational, commercial and residential areas will be earmarked separately, paving the way for an organised, legal development of the city,”added Tyagi.

Local residents have welcomed the step, terming it a landmark for the city as besides Haridwar being a world renowned pilgrim city, it has become a fast growing industrial hub in the northern region.

Sudhir Mehta, general secretary of the SIDCUL Industrial Association of Haridwar, expressed happiness that now the city would be living up to its international level, and with the upcoming international airport and master plan development, Haridwar would be one of the prominent cities in terms of residential and commercial aspects.

Pinjore bypass to open this month

Work on small patches on the 10-km stretch in full swing

An overview of the Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass. 

Panchkula, December 9
Those commuting on the Panchkula-Shimla National Highway No 22 will heave a sigh of relief, as the National Highway Authority of India will be throwing the Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass open to public this month.

“If everything goes well, we are hopeful of throwing the road open to public even before December 31, the deadline set for its completion,” said Anil Dahiya, project director, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

He said 98 per cent of the road laying work had already been completed, while the remaining 2 per cent was in its final stages.

On Thursday, an approach slab was laid on the end of bypass in Himachal Pradesh near Timber Trail, while the work on the remaining small patches on the 10km long bypass was in full swing, he added.

“The road on the Pinjore side is ready and the connectivity to the other end near Timber Trail will also be given in next one week,” he added. Even the district police is relying on the opening of the bypass to get rid of the routine traffic jams in Pinjore and Kalka.

The Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police said two traffic inspectors, along with police personnel at the Pinjore and Kalka police stations, are at work to regulate traffic.

“The road gets narrower near Gandhi Chowk, Kalka, and the traffic moves at a snail’s pace. Unless the bypass is not operative, the problem will not be solved.

Still the local police in association with NHAI has deployed five cranes to tow away vehicles parked wrongly. In addition, a total of 33,123 challans under various Sections of the Motor Vehicle Act were issued to traffic rules violators, while 3,683 challans were exclusively issued to those who had parked their vehicles wrongly,” added the DCP.

89 die in Kolkata hospital blaze

n Fire tears through 7-storey private hospital n Most of the dead suffocated in the intensive care ward n Firefighers take an hour to arrive, witnesses say n Police arrest 6 hospital directors for negligence

Kolkata, December 9
A devastating fire tore through a seven-storey private hospital in south Kolkata before dawn on Friday, killing at least 89 persons, mostly patients who were asleep when the blaze started.

The pre-dawn fire broke out at 3.30 am, catching many in their sleep. While most nurses, doctors and other staffers were able to get away, many critically ill patients suffocated to death in their hospital beds.

The tragedy unfolded over many hours. Some were suffocated, some were too infirm to escape the toxic fumes. The lucky few were brought down the side of the four-storey glass facade building using ropes and ladders, even as thousands watched in horror.

The fire broke out in the basement and quickly spread through the building by air-conditioning shafts. At the time of the fire, there were 160 patients, including around 40-50 in the ICU. The hospital has two other blocks in the complex.

The fire brigade, many alleged, came over two hours late. Firemen blamed it on narrow roads leading to the hospital. Relatives of patients said it was initially ill-equipped — without masks and with only rickety manual lifts — to deal with the horrific disaster.

Rescue workers bring down a patient from AMRI Hospital on Friday; grieving relatives of a victim.

“Most of the deaths were caused by suffocation due to toxic fumes,” Fire Services and Disaster Management Minister Javed Khan told reporters. Among the dead are three hospital employees and a Bangladesh national. Over 50 injured, some of them in a critical condition, have been admitted to different hospitals in the city.

As smoke billowed out, firemen using ladders with platforms smashed windowpanes to rescue patients trapped inside the ICU, ICCU, Intensive Therapy Unit and other critical care units.

The firemen evacuated patients with pulleys from the upper floors as they were not in a condition to be taken down by ladders put up by the fire brigade.

The minister alleged that there were no proper fire-fighting arrangements at the hospital. The hospital basement was also built illegally and was being used as a godown. The fire brigade has lodged an FIR against the hospital authorities in this connection.

Utter chaos prevailed outside the hospital with anxious relatives of patients gathering outside it to enquire about the welfare of their near and dear ones. They alleged that the hospital authorities had no clue about the condition of their patients. Immediately after the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who visited the site, cancelled the licence of the hospital. She also ordered a high-level inquiry and said the persons responsible for the incident would not be spared.

By evening, the police had arrested six persons, including SK Todi, the owner of the hospital.

“Six persons, including SK Todi, have been arrested,” confirmed Banerjee. The six have been charged with negligence, culpable homicide not amounting to murder and attempt to culpable homicide, a senior police official said. The hospital had been warned in September about the basement and it gave an undertaking to comply with it, but did not do so, Banerjee said. The CM said that the hospital has been closed and would be sealed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation after completion of rescue operations. The Prime Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the victims’ kin while the state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each and offered employment, if needed. AMRI Hospital announced Rs 5 lakh as compensation for the next of kin of those who died, while those injured would be treated free of cost at the hospital.

President Pratibha Patil, PM Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and West Bengal Governor MK Narayanan, among others, have condoled the tragic deaths.

The hospital, initially named as Niramaya and running under the state health department, was handed over to Todi by former Chief Minister Jyoti Basu in 1984 at a through-away price, despite objection raised by the Finance Department. The AMRI group runs three other hospitals in the city and also some other businesses, including real estate.

Co-founded by the Emami & Shrachi Groups along with the West Bengal government in 1996, the hospital was once rated as amongst India's best.

(With inputs from agencies) 

How it happened

n According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out around 3 am on Friday, when most of the patients in the 190-bed hospital were fast asleep and could not escape.

n The fire started in the basement and quickly spread through the building by air-conditioning shafts.

n In the basement, a huge stock of highly-inflammable items like, kerosene, LPG, plastic sheets, synthetic gloves and other surgery equipment turned the fire into a devastating blaze.

The fatal delay

n Angry local residents accused the hospital authorities of reacting too slowly. The hospital staff did not inform the fire brigade in time, causing a delay in the arrival of the fire brigade by at least two hours, they alleged.

n When the locals rushed to the hospital gate to inform about the fire, they were driven away by the security guards.

n The doctors, nurses and the hospital staff escaped immediately after fire began sweeping the floors one after the other.

n “We could see helpless patients inside trying to catch our attention, asking for help by pressing their hands and faces against windows,” said Sanjeet Kayal, who lives adjacent to AMRI hospital.

Indian Skipper Virender Sehwag breaks World Record for ODI

 Scores 219 off 149 balls (25x4, 7x6)  India clinch series 3-1  beat windies by 153 runs  Rahul Sharma makes impressive debut, scalps three wickets

1. With his score of 219, Sehwag has emerged as the highest-scorer in ODIs
2 .The opener has become only the world’s second cricketer to score a double century in ODIs after Sachin Tendulkar, who had scored an unbeaten 200 against SA in Gwalior in 2010.

Indore, December 8
Swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag today created history by scoring the highest-ever ODI score of 219 as a merciless India clinched the ODI series against West Indies with a convincing 153-run win in the fourth cricket one-dayer to take an unssailable 3-1 lead.

The 33-year-old Sehwag was at his explosive best as he became only the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the 200-run landmark in ODIs and propel India to their highest ever one-day total of 418 for five. The hosts then dismissed the West Indians for 265 in 49.2 overs to wrap up the five-match series in style, rendering the fifth match in Chennai on Sunday, inconsequential.

Debutant spinner Rahul Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three for 43. Electing to bat, it was Sehwag who took centrestage with a stunning exhibition of strokeplay as he plundered runs at will on a belter of a track at the jam-packed Holkar stadium. Sehwag surpassed Tendulkar's 200 not out made from 147 balls against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24 last year when he square-cut Andre Russell for a boundary in the 44th over of the Indian innings to go past the 200 mark. He joined his idol Tendulkar in the record books as the only other cricketer to score double hundred in the limited overs game.

The Delhi marauder, who cracked his second three-figure knock against West Indies and 15th overall in 240 ODI matches, slammed as many as 25 fours and seven sixes during his 149-ball blitz. He also reached his double hundred in fewer balls (in 140 balls with the help of 23 fours and six sixes) than Tendulkar, who took 147 deliveries for his unbeaten 200

The opening stand of 176 he put on with Gambhir, who cracked 67 in the same number of balls with the help of 11 fours, laid the platform for the record total. And his subsequent 140-run stand for the second wicket with another left-handed batsman Raina, who made 55 in 44 balls, took the score past 300-run mark. Sehwag got life twice during his masterly knock — once on 20 when he escaped a run out chance after being stranded mid-pitch and then on 170 when rival captain Darren Sammy dropped an easy catch at extra cover.

When India commenced their innings today, the decision of the Indian team management to tweak the top order paid rich dividends as Sehwag and Gambhir, who replaced Parthiv Patel after the latter had opened in the first three games, ripped apart the Windies bowling attack. The Delhi openers tore apart the rival attack in stunning fashion with Sehwag, who went into the game with scores of 20, 26 and 0, dominating the proceedings. Sehwag clipped the first ball off his pads for a four from Ravi Rampaul, who had dismissed the two openers for first ball ducks in the last game at Ahmedabad on December 5, and then upper cut Kemar Roach over fine third man for a six in the next over to set the tone for a run-spree.

Runs came in a cascade from the two batsmen's blades as the first ten overs yielded 63 runs, while in the next ten the total jumped to 149.

Virender Sehwag: India’s best 

The issue of getting a double-century in ODIs was a matter of when, not if. This ‘when’ however, had begun bothering his support group as several unsavoury injury related incidents made them wonder if Viru will ever be the same batsman. Those questions were answered in Indore today in no uncertain terms – Viru lives on.

Virender Sehwag is in a league of his own. The fiery batsman can drive the opposition, as well as his fans, to despair with equal aplomb. The most effective and one of the most pugnacious batsmen ever seen in India, Viru doesn’t really care how he gets his runs. Or if he gets out while trying to get them, for that matter.
The issue of getting a double-century in One-day Internationals was a matter of when, not if. This ‘when’ however, had begun bothering his support group as several unsavoury injury related incidents in the recent past made them wonder if Viru will ever be the same batsman again. Those questions were answered at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore today in no uncertain terms – Viru lives on. In fact, he just destroyed the record books.
India’s most headline-grabbing tour this year, barring the World Cup win, was the England series where everything that could go wrong, did. Sehwag was on the injury list then, with a dodgy shoulder, and ear infection and vertigo to go with it. He was nevertheless deployed by a desperate team management as things fell apart. The result was a king pair (two first ball ducks) in the Edgbaston Test.
The tongues started wagging.
So, while the Indian cricket scenario thereafter focussed on when Sachin Tendulkar would get his 100th international century, Viru quietly got back to business. Nothing to flashy anywhere, and some innings that didn’t impress (didn’t we say he can drive fans to despair?). The wagging became faster.
Then came the home series against England and the West Indies. Sehwag stayed out of the ODIs against England and even in the three Tests against the West Indies, where it was a virtual run-fest, Viru had to be satisfied with three half-centuries, frequently getting settled and getting out. Things weren’t looking too good.
Then came the five-match ODI series against the Caribbeans and Sehwag suddenly found captaincy in his lap, as Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to take a break. The first three games weren’t too great for the new captain, as he got 46 runs in three innings, including a duck at Vizag as the West Indies came roaring back to post a win.
All that changed in Indore.
Madhya Pradesh, the heart of the country, suddenly has become the heartthrob for Indian cricket too. It was in Gwalior where the record books were re-written when Tendulkar breached the 200-barrier against South Africa on February 10, 2010. It is now Indore’s turn to celebrate its inclusion in the annals of cricket history.
Sehwag is by far the best Indian batsman ever. He holds the highest Test score for India and the top ODI score in the world, getting these runs at an incredible pace, giving the bowlers time enough to work on the opposition. He wins more matches, or sets up more matches than anyone else.
Still, he saunters around with a broad smile on his face. The smile doesn’t vanish for too long, whether he hits a six to get from 294 to 300, or whether he fails while attempting one. That is what makes him a great cricketer – the man within.

Delhi to have new licence plates by Dec end

Implement high security number plates for vehicles by March 31, 2012: SC to states

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday set March 31, 2012 as the deadline for states to implement the scheme for fixing high security registration plates (HSRP) in motor vehicles, while directing Delhi government to complete the process by this yearend.

"We extend the period for implementation of the scheme till December 31, 2011, by which date, all steps, complete in all respects, should be taken by the Delhi government," a bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and Justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar said.

The court asked Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit System (DIMTS), which has been constituted by the Delhi government as a special purpose vehicle for overseeing transport in the Capital, to ensure that a single person is in charge of supervising manufacturing, affixation of seals, imprinting of numbers and affixation of HSRP on vehicles in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Like Delhi, Kerala and Manipur have also been directed to implement the scheme by December 31, 2011. West Bengal will implement the scheme by January 31, 2012 while Andhra Pradesh,Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Tripura will fully operationalise HSRP by February 29, 2012.
States and Union Territories given March 31, 2012 as deadline to implement HSRP are Bihar, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Puducherry, Sikkim and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The deadline of April 30, 2012 for implementation of HSRP was stuck on Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab and Uttarakhand.
Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland will be the last among the states to implement HSRP by June 15, 2012. The apex court asked the high courts not to entertain any petition, as part of judicial propriety, in relation to implementation of HSRP.
It warned the defaulting states of contempt action. "In the event of default and non-compliance of any of the directions contained in this order by any authority, this court would be compelled to initiate proceedings against such officer/officers in accordance with the provisions of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, without any further notice to them," said Justice Swatanter Kumar, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench.
The court took exception to non-filing of affidavits by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa and Karnataka, who cited pending litigation relating to tender process as the reason. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has not even initiated the tender process.
"For non-filing of affidavits, these states/UTs have already violated the orders of the apex court," the SC said and granted time till December 31 to file affidavits.
On the litigation relating to HSRP pending in various courts, the bench said, "In the interest of justice and to ensure proper implementation of the judgments and directions of this court, as contained in its various orders, in regard to manufacturing and affixation of the HSRP, it is imperative for this court to direct that it will be in the fitness of things and even judicial propriety would demand that no high court should pass any interim order cancelling or staying the tender process in relation to implementation of the scheme."

Students take vow for clean, green Doon

Dehradun, December 8
An awareness rally on the theme “Clean Doon, Green Doon” was taken out by students of Children’s Academy Senior Secondary School. Principal of the school Kiran Kashyap inaugurated the programme.

The rally started off from the school. It passed through the Clock Tower and concluded at the Gandhi Park.

The objective of the rally was to make children aware of segregation, collection reuse and recycling of solid waste. More than 200 students participated in the programme. The students were holding banners with motivating slogans. The students also pledged to keep their surroundings clean.

Debris dumping continues on Kempty road

Mussoorie, December 8
The continuous dumping of the debris illegally on the road from Mussoorie to the Kempty Falls is turning the area into a dumping zone, thanks to the building mafia and the neglect of the authorities here.

With the announcement of the Vyasi hydro project, the area around the Mussoorie-Kempty road has become popular among the building mafia who have started a large-scale construction of flats and hotels. These builders dump the mud debris at either side of the road in the area falling under the Mussoorie forest division.

Apart from this, these building mafias are also indulging in rampant mining from the rocks, resulting in the loss of revenue to the government.

Most of the illegal activities carry on during nights as the area bears a deserted look during winters and this all is happening right under the nose of the department concerned who fail to wake up from the slumber.

Forest Range Officer Kempty Govind Prasad Semwal said most of the debris belonged to the proposed 5-star hotel near Sia village on the Mussoorie-Kempty road. He further said the department had already issued notice to the owner and recovered Rs 88,000 from them as fine. But despite that, the dumping was on unabated.

Assistant Engineer of the PWD Department DC Nautiyal said it was difficult to catch the perpetrators as most of the activity was being done at night but still the department was trying to find out the culprits and book them in accordance with the law.