Uttarakhand Elections 2017

आदर्श आचार संहिता लागू, उत्तराखंड में 15 फरवरी को होगा मतदान

 

देहरादून - चुनाव आयोग ने उत्तराखंड सहित अन्य पांच राज्यों में होने वाले आगामी विधानसभा चुनावों की तारीखों का ऐलान कर दिया। उत्तराखंड में 15 फरवरी को विधानसभा चुनाव होंगे। राज्य में चुनाव ‌एक चरण में होगा। 11 मार्च को सभी राज्यों में मतगणना एक साथ होगी। चुनाव के परिणामों के लिए उत्तराखंड की जनता को लगभग एक माह का इंतजार करना होगा।

चुनाव आयोग द्वारा बुधवार को पांच राज्यों में होने जा रहे विधानसभा चुनाव की तारीख घोषित करने के साथ ही गोवा, पंजाब, मणिपुर और उत्तरप्रदेश में आदर्श आचार संहिता भी लागू कर दी है।

जिसके लिए चुनाव आयोग ने मुख्य निर्वाचन आयुक्त जसीम जैदी अगुवाई में दोपहर 12 बजे प्रेस कांफ्रेंस की। बताया गया कि उत्तराखंड में 70 विधानसभा सीटों पर चुनाव होने हैं। उत्तराखंड विधानसभा का कार्यकाल 26 मार्च को पूरा होगा। सभी राज्यों के चुनाव एक साथ होंगे। उत्तराखंड में 15 फरवरी को विधानसभा चुनाव होंगे। राज्य में चुनाव ‌एक चरण में होगा।

उत्तराखंड में चुनाव का नोटिफिकेशन 20 जनवरी को जारी होगा। नोमिनेशन दर्ज कराने की आखिरी तारीख 27 जनवरी होगी।बताया गया कि नोमिनेशन की स्क्रूटनी 28 जनवरी को होगी। उम्मीदवार की नाम वापसी 30 जनवरी को होगी।

Interstate human trafficking racket busted, 5 boys rescued in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: A major interstate human trafficking racket has been busted by the Haridwar police with the arrest of three persons involved in the operation and the recovery of five children in the age group of three years to six months. 

According to the police, the gang members lifted infants as their family members slept mainly from the platform of the Haridwar railway station, later selling them to people in Ghaziabad, Noida, Delhi and Haryana for anything between Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per child. 

The attention of the Haridwar police was caught by the similar modus operandi of a gang involved in targeting kids at railway stations. On September 4 last year, Mahoba (UP) resident Baldev Prasad told GRP that his children were stolen one night from the Haridwar station. On June 2 this year, the son of Bulandshahr resident Sunil Kumar was stolen in a similar fashion. This was followed on August 3 and September 3 by the snatching away of children belonging to one Dharampal of Amroha and Murli Saini from Bijnore. Again, the site of the crimes were railway stations. 

"Following all this, we constituted a joint team of the GRP and SOG to crack the cases," SSP Haridwar Sadanand Date told TOI. Working on the clues, the team quickly arrested four persons, including a woman, from the Jwalapur railway station on Friday. 

The arrested have been identified as Muzaffarpur resident Krishnaveer, his wife Rekha, Jagmohan, a Dehradun resident, and Balwinder Singh, who is from the Yamuna Nagar district of Haryana. 

Giving details of the modus operandi of the gang, Date said, "They targeted families that had children and were visibly tired from long distances of travel. The gang members slept on the platform alongside their targets and fled with unsuspecting children the first opportunity they got.

Out of the five children rescued on Friday, three are from Haridwar. Efforts are being made to trace the identity of the two others. "We are contacting people who have registered FIR in connection with their missing child or children. Soon, we hope to ascertain the identity of the two kids," Date added. "Generally, these criminals sold infants to people who did not have a child. Efforts are on to find out how many children they have lifted till now and what is their status." 

Lauding the efforts of the joint team, DGP B S Sidhu announced a cash prize of Rs 10,000 even as DIG Range Amit Sinha declared a reward of Rs 5,000 and SSP Haridwar Rs 2,500. 

Badrinath shrine doors open

Devotees waiting to offer prayers after the doors of Badrinath shrine were opened on Monday.

Dehradun - The portals of the Badrinath shrine, dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu, opened amid chanting of mantras at 4 a.m. on Monday.

The number of devotees who thronged the snow-covered premises was “beyond expectations,” according to Chamoli District Magistrate S.A. Murugesan.

“Around 7,000 people visited the shrine,” he said. More than 3,000 visitors were pilgrims, and the remaining were locals, he said.

Even after the commencement of the pilgrimage, repair work on the road from Govindghat to Badrinath has not been finished.

The Border Roads Organisation has placed earth movers at critical spots where landslips are a probability.

Steps have been taken to regulate traffic for pilgrim safety.

“We are regulating traffic at Joshimath, Pandukeshwar, Hanuman Chatti, and Badrinath. The vehicles can only proceed in batches of 20 to 25, and no vehicle will be allowed for the Yatra after sunset and during rains,” said Mr. Murugesan.

With the opening of the Badrinath shrine, the Char Dham Yatra, which involves pilgrimage to all the four Dhams — Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath — has begun.

While the Badrinath shrine opened for pilgrims on Monday, the Kedarnath shrine had opened for pilgrims on Sunday, and Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines had opened on Friday.

Flanked by the Nar and Narayana mountains and the gushing waters of Alaknanda, Badrinath town reverberated with positive energy after the deathly silence of last year's tragedy.

The yatra was suspended last year in the wake of the catastrophic flashfloods in Uttarakhand in June, killing thousands of people. The Char Dhams are closed every year for nearly six months during the winter when they become snowbound only to be reopened during April-May when lakhs of devotees from all over the country and abroad visit the shrines.

Art of Living Foundation famed Spiritual Guru Ravi Shankar to help flood-hit Uttarakhand

Haridwar, October 26

Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, globally famed for his Art of Living Foundation, and Parmarth Niketan-based Swami Chidanand Saraswati Muni have expressed their willingness to work jointly in providing rehabilitation and relief to the disaster-hit people of Uttarakhand.

Besides funding various social rehabilitation projects, they will also pitch in for alternative sources of employment generation so that tourism does not get linked with pilgrimage.

Both saints met in Rishikesh today and expressed their support to the flash flood-affected families. Both dwelled on various measures, specific areas, aspects and related issues in providing relief aid and rehabilitation im the affected districts.

Shri Ravi Shankar put forth the idea of eco tourism and green tourism in the state. He said there was a need to make local people aware about these tow aspects, which would be better alternatives for their livelihood. Swami Chidanand said there was a need to stop the talented youth from migrating to other states by providing basic and necessary employment opportunities here. In the Kedarnath valley area Swami Chidanand also wants to open a school modelled on gurukul education system so that local children could avail of education facilities there itself.

They also stressed on cleaning the Ganga, protection of cows and women empowerment. Slogan of "Himalaya bachao, beti bachao. Ganga-Gau-Gauri ki raksha karo" was also pronounced on the occasion.

Inspirational Quotes – Pictures – Motivational Thoughts

1) “Learn from the mistakes of others… you can’t live long enough to make them all yourselves!!”

2)”A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and Honest people are screwed first.”

3)”Even if a snake is not poisonous, itshould pretend to be venomous.”

4)”There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.”

5)” Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions -Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead.”

8)”Once you start a working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”

9)”The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction.”

10)”God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple.

11) “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”

12) “Never make friends with peoplewho are above or below you in status. Such”

13) “Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend.Your grown up children are your best friends.friendships will never give you any happiness.”

14) “Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend.Your grown up children are your best friends.”

15) “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth. ~ Chankya

Ganga canal closed for cleaning, repairing ghats

Haridwar, October 15

The annual Ganga canal water flow closure commenced last midnight in Haridwar, drying up the canal from Brahmkund, Har-ki-Pauri. The Ganga canal will remain closed till the eve of Diwali next month. During this time, the Ganga canal will be cleaned up and the ghats repaired.

This will the affect water supply to New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, particularly for irrigation purpose. Owing to the accumulation of silt and garbage on various barrages, bridges and ghats falling on this landmark canal, the Irrigation Department annually cleans the Ganga cana from Haridwar to Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The full capacity of the canal is 10,500 cusec , with water flow in the canal being controlled from the Bhagirathi point, prior to Har-ki-Pauri and the Chaudhari Charan Singh Bhimgoda barrage supply channel.

Due to a dispute over property transfer, the Ganga canal in Uttarakhand is still controlled by Uttar Pradesh, of which it was a part till 2000.

Talking to TNS, Subdivisional Officer of the Ganga Canal Headworks, Uttar Pradesh, Veer Veerendra Singh said the closure was done last midnight, though a minimum flow for Brahmakund, Har-ki-Pauri, had been allowed so that religious rituals could be performed at the sanctum sanctorum.

The Ganga Sabha, managing authority of Har-ki-Pauri, has registered its resentment over the scant water flow at the sanctum sanctorum. It has sought additional water flow for Har-ki-Pauri as pilgrims and devotees are facing problem in performing religous rites.

Anshul Shri Kunj, member of the Ganga Sabha, said that they have demanded additional flow of water at Har-ki-Pauri. Chief of the Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti Sanjay Chopra said that from Bhagirathi Bindu to Mayapur Check Dam, at least five-foot water should be released during the Ganga closure to ensure that minimum water availability at Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri, and adjacent ghats.

IIn 2011, for first time since 1947, the water flow at the Ganga canal, popularly known as Gang Nahar, was not fully stopped, prior to the festive of Diwali, as the then Mayawati-led Uttar Pradesh government had declined to give permission.

Emphasising the need of total Ganga closure annually, officers of the Irrigation Department it was necessary for the maintenance of this 160-year-old canal. If not done, it will have long-term repercussions.Like last year, this time too, the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government has given the nod for the Ganga canal closure in the festival time, despite protests by local people, the Ganga Sabha, sants, traders and teerth purohits and pandits.

Van gujjars demand ST status, Assembly seat

Dehradun, March 21
Van gujjars have sought an Assembly constituency reserved for the community in the state.

At a convention of van gujjars held at the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), Dehradun, the van gujjars unanimously put forward their demand for reserving an Assembly seat for the community. They also sought the Scheduled Tribes status for the community even while accusing the state Forest Department of harassing them repeatedly.

“In the states of J&K and Himachal Pradesh, the van gujjars enjoy the status of the Scheduled Tribe, but in Uttarakhand instead of giving the ST status, the state government is harassing van gujjars. We demand that the process of declaring van gujjars as the Scheduled Tribe should be initiated immediately and like Jammu and Kashmir, a seat in the Assembly should also be reserved for our community,” said Mohammad Yusuf, a van gujjar residing in the Rajaji National Park.

Aklobibi, a woman representative of the tribe, said, “When our men die, forest officials harass women by saying that the land was given to your husband and now you have no claim on it. We face oppression at the most troubled time in our lives.”

Other speakers asked the Uttarakhand Government to fulfil its promises made in the election manifesto and follow the directions of the National Human Rights Commission treating them under the Scheduled Tribe and Other Forest Dwellers Act, 2006. They also demanded a check on the forcible eviction of those van gujjars who do not wish to leave the forest.

Presiding over the meeting, Padmashri Avdhash Kaushal, chairperson, RLEK said, "I have brought to the notice of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in the presence of Yashpal Arya, state president of the Congress that the government should immediately organize a function in Dehradun and redress the concerns of van gujjars".

He said the distribution of land pattas in the joint names of husband and wife to the van gujjars of Gaidikhatta, Pathri and Bibiwala must be done without delay.

State reeling under power cuts

Haridwar residents resent power cuts, burn Bahuguna’s effigy 
Haridwar, July 28
Local people, particularly traders, today held a protest against intermittent power cuts being imposed in the city.
The protesters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and power corporation officials for their failure to provide regular electricity supply.
Kailash Keshwani, a representative of traders, criticised the Congress-led government in the state saying it was beset with infighting and had no concern for the public. Keshwani said while the public was reeling under power cuts, Cabinet ministers and officials of the power corporation were enjoying their time in air-conditioned rooms.
Mridul Kaushik, a Chandracharya Chowk trader, said the Chief Minister lacked control over his Cabinet colleagues and government departments.
“Power corporation officials give an excuse that the people are facing intermittent power cuts, roasting and low voltage due to stalled hydroelectric projects. But aren’t we paying taxes and electricity bills,” said Kaushik.
Another protest against power cuts was held at Kathaira Bazaar in Jwalapur. Activists of the youth wing of the Rashtriya Krantikari Manch, which supported the protest, burnt an effigy of the government. Sanwar Abbasi, city secretary of the youth wing of the manch, warned the government that if regular power supply was not restored immediately, they would not allow any Cabinet minister to enter the city.
 

Baba Ramdev aide Balkrishna arrested in fake passport case

Haridwar, Jul 20, 2012: CBI has arrested yoga guru Ramdev's aide Balkrishna, after a Dehra Dun court issued a non-bailable warrant against him in a case related to fake documents. The arrest comes ahead of Ramdev's August 9 agitation against corruption and black money in Delhi.

The special CBI court had asked Balkrishna to be present in court on Friday, but he failed to appear. CBI had filed a case against Balkrishna in a case relating to submission of alleged fake and forged documents to obtain an Indian passport. CBI has alleged that Balkrishna had, along with the then principal of Sanskrit Mahavidayala in Khurja in Uttar Pradesh, conspired to issue fake educational certificates which Balkrishna used to secure a passport. CBI has booked both men under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery. Additionally, Balkrishna has been charged with violation of the Passport Act.

"It was alleged in the complaint that the accused had wrongfully obtained an Indian passport. Enquiry established that the accused in connivance with some unknown persons has furnished false information and forged documents to the Passport office at Bareilly (UP) for getting an Indian passport issued," a CBI spokesperson said.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh alleged Ramdev a fraud after his aide Balkrishna's arrest. Singh said Congress would expose Baba Ramdev's misdeeds soon and asked his party men to follow the non-violent path. "The Congress follows the path of non-violence. I do not believe that violence is ever good. I am appealing to my party workers not to start a movement, which may turn violent. We will, with dignity and non-violence, open all cases of this hypocrite baba. We will expose all his black deeds," Singh said in Bhopal.

Balkrishna's arrest an attempt to scare me: Ramdev,  Sits on dharna
Dehradun: Hours after the arrest of his close aide Balkrishna, Yoga guru Ramdev on Friday alleged that the government was taking such steps to scare him and break his resolve in the fight for bringing back black money stashed abroad. 

"The government is scared of the August nine agitation. That is why there was a murderous attempt on me (in Bhopal) and character assassination of Balkrishna. 

"By doing so, the government thinks that it can break my resolve and scare people who are protesting. Let the government do whatever they want, I will not leave the path of truth," Ramdev said in a statement. 


Balkrishna was today arrested by the CBI after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him by a special court here in an alleged fake documents case. 

Ramdev also alleged that Balkrishna was being targeted because he was his close aide. 

Aaya Saawan Jhoom Ke

Monsoon arrives in North India

Philippine Brides, Don't Be a Fool

 

What to know when considering a Philippine Bride

The Philippines is a poor country and has a reputation for relationship fraud. Of course there are plenty of good, beautiful and honest women seeking marriage with foreigners. There is also an active population of scammers, fraud schemes and old fashioned gold diggers. Some women seek financial gain and lifestyle upgrades, an escape from poverty. Others are actually seeking a loving relationship, marriage and something new and exciting. How to tell this difference is the key question.

If she asks for money, put the brakes on. Beware of family or medical "emergencies" where the woman needs cash and financial support fast. Know that sending money via Western Union is likely lost in the event that she's a scammer. Understand that the scammers are professional criminals and are very difficult to distinguish between an honest and trustworthy woman.

Educated yourself by reading about scam and fraud methods. Knowing about the different scams will help you recognize any foul play. The schemes and fraud efforts vary in strategy, but all have one thing in common, money. Money is usually requested in the form of advance fee fraud, where the criminal needs help with school, medical, rent, family, visa, etc. You can read more about the fraud types at Wikipedia's site for relationship fraud and advance fee fraud. This is a major step in prevention.

Once you understand the fraud types and warnings signs, consider a trip to the Philippines. Get to know her and her country. See for yourself who you're dealing with. This is a key step in not only preventing fraud, but also in establishing a meaningful relationship. Take time to get to know her. A Philippine woman in a hurry to marry is a major red flag.

Lastly, if all checks out, get a professional background check by a firm with a local presence in Manila and Cebu. Wymoo offers confidential investigations and has years of experience dealing with potential brides and relationships in the Philippines.

Best of luck, and do your homework!


Admin
DDN

State police officers discuss Kanwar mela preparations

Haridwar, June 22
With the Kanwar mela set to begin from July 4, a high-level inter- state meeting was held at the CCR tower here today. The meeting, which was presided over by Garhwal Commissioner Kunal Sharma, stressed on mutual coordination and better dissemination of information among the states.

The decision regarding the strict implementation of law and order and traffic rules was also taken during the meeting. The Dak Kanwar Moto Vehicle Act will also be in place this year. It had been waived in the previous Kanwar seasons.

The pilgrimage on goods ferrying vehicles will not be allowed and kanwariyas driving without helmet will not be allowed to enter Uttarkahand. A special security cell will be established that will monitor security measures during the fair. DIG, Dehradun range, Sanjay Gunjiyal has also been appointed nodal officer for the fair.

The main focus will be on the ultra-sensitive Har-ki-Pauri mela zone, where CCTV cameras would be installed to check the movement of miscreants. Thirty heavily armed mobile squads will also be deployed in the zone.

SP (city) Kiran Lal Shaw said as they had received several threat letters with regard to causing disruption during the fair, the administration is making all efforts to ensure round-the-clock patrolling in sensitive areas.

At the kanwar stretch, Har-ki-Pauri mela zone, high-mast lamp posts are being installed to ensure the smooth conduct and movement of kanwariyas. While 50 handpumps are already in working condition, 50 water tankers will also be pressed into service to quench the thirst of kanwariyas and police personnel on kanwar duty.

As the rush of kanwariyas is increases after July 10 when 'panchak' gets over, the kanwar market alongside the Ganga ghat will be removed.

DM, Tehri Garhwal, Ranjeet Singh, DM, Saharanpur, Ajay Kumar Singh, SSP, Dehradun, Neeru Garg, SP, Tehri, Janmayjay Khanduri, CDO Gaziabad Suresh Kumar Rathore, ADM, Meerut, Vinod Singh, SP (city), Muzaafarnagar RK Yadav, SP (city), Saharanpur, AS Rai, SSP, Haridwar, Arun Mohan Joshi, and SP, Haridwar city, KL Shaw were also present.

Venture to give low-cost medical treatment to needy, saints

Haridwar, June 22
In the first of its kind joint venture, Bhoomanand Dharmarth Charitable Hospital has joined hands with Noida-based Kailash Hospital, a professional medical service provider. The venture aims at providing free and low cost medical treatment to poor, needy and saints in Haridwar.

Revered religious guru Mahamandaleshwar Swami Achutyanand Teerth Maharaj announced it here today. He runs the charitable hospital wing, which was established in memory of his guru late Bhoomanand Maharaj. The hospital has made a name for itself owing to minimum expenses taken from poor and needy patients.

“As medical science is taking leaps with newer researches and equipment, it was felt that to run a specialised medical hospital and nursing college purely by saints and charitable trust was not efficient. That’s why we are collaborating with Kailash Hospital,” added Swami Achutyanand at a press conference here today.

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Director of Kailash Hospital group, said within six weeks, Bhoomanand Hospital would have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment like CT scan, radiators, MRI, Intense Care Unit, specialised heart care unit and other super speciality facilities as are found in other leading hospitals these days.

The charitable objective of Bhoomannad Hospital will not change a bit with the core focus being poor, needy and saints who can’t afford expensive treatment facilities. For the Char Dham pilgrims, nearby hilly district and rural people, this will come as a boon as in whole Haridwar district, there are no such facilities,” said Dr Mahesh.

While Dr Ritu Verma, Director of the medical group, said in the country, this was the first of its kind joint initiative where charitable aspect met super-speciality facilities.

Swami Sanand detained, released

Haridwar, June 22
Fearing deterioration of law and order situation due to their presence in Haridwar, the police today detained Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh, Balbeer Tomar and Ved Pratap Vedic as soon as they reached Haridwar from Pauri Garhwal this afternoon.

Later, the police took them to the district border at Narsain and released them.

According to information, after reaching Haridwar, Swami Sanand wanted to hold a press conference in the evening. However, as soon as the local intelligence unit and the police got to know about this, they detained the engineer-turned-saint along with others from the Sapt Rishi region and took them to the district border at Narsain.

Meanwhile, Matra Sadan Ashram has condemned this describing it as tyrannical as Swami Sanand has always been carrying out non- violent and peaceful agitations.

Saints support power projects in Uttarakhand

Haridwar, June 5
A section of saints under Samajik Sena outfit have come forward in support of the hydroelectric projects in Uttarakhand. In this regard a symbolic fast was undertaken today by the outfit members under national chief Vinod Maharaj and state chief Swami Satyavratanand.
The main demands of the demand as per Vinod Maharaj is to start small hydroelectric projects in the state as they are imperative for the overall development of the state and to meet the energy requirements of the country too.
Maharaj Vinod added that despite Uttarakhand being touted as Urja Pradesh, the state government had to procure electricity from other states at higher costs, "which is a serious matter as we, despite having immense natural resources, are not able to utilise them to even meet our requirements."
Sitting on fast at Kankhal, Pahadi bazaar, Sadhvi Mata Chandra Kanta ji, said that the government should form a high-level committee, which would look into the power project aspect, having scientists, saints, local people and environmentalists on panel. Their consent would be vital giving the green signal to such projects.
The sadvi said that the sanctity of the holy Ganga should be maintained while constructing such projects, which is possible with scientific-ecologic measures.
National spokesperson Acharya Roopendra questioned the banning of quarrying in Haridwar, terming it imperative for both for natural and commercial reasons.
Acharya pointed that scientists too have given valid reasons for allowing quarrying to a certain degree on rivers.
"Illegal quarrying worth crores is still going on in Haridwar. Neither the state government nor the administration is taking action. Thousands of people are getting affected due to prohibition on quarrying in the region, which is hampering the development work and raising the prices of sand, stone and related material," said Acharya Roopendra.
Among others who sat at the agitation today were Swami Dharam Giri, Swami Antanand, Baba Balak Das, Sandeep Rajpur, Naresh Bohra, Amarnath and Chaudhari Jagpal Singh.

Dangerous - Do not drink Coka-Cola and eat MENTOS together...!!! Seeing is believing ?don't you think ?!!! Last week a little boy died in Brazil after eating MENTOS and drinking Coka-Cola together. One year before the same accident happened with another boy in Brazil .. Please check the experiment that has been done by mixing Coka-Cola (or Coka-Cola light are the same) with MENTOS........ So be careful !!

 
 
 

Tusker found dead

Haridwar, April 23
In a shocking incident, a female elephant succumbed to injuries that she had sustained during fighting with a fellow tusker elephant.
This incident occurred at the Dhaulkhand range of the Rajaji National Park here yesterday evening, which is a protected habitat for Asian elephants.
The female elephant was found dead by a park patrolling team with injuries on the whole body indicating the gruesome fight that had taken place between the two elephants. Post-mortem of the female elephant was carried out today by a panel of wild life doctors.
Dhaulkhand range employees said for the past few days, a movement of the female elephant was being noticed in this region and conflict would have taken place for at least an hour as per the indications of the injuries.

Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj: Make Garsain summer capital

Haridwar, April 13
Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj has demanded that Garsain should be made summer capital, if not the permanent capital, of
the state.
Speaking to The Tribune exclusively at his Prem Nagar ashram here today, he also sought the diversion of Rs 88 crore Central fund that had been allocated for the state Secretariat building.
The fund was now on the verge of being lapsed. It should be diverted for infrastructure building in Gairsain so that it could be made summer capital of the state.
On the ambitious 120-km Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway line, Satpal Maharaj, who was Union Minister of State for Railways in Deve Gowda government, said the work on the rail project would soon commence as currently tender process was in the final phase.
He termed the rail project as one of the best things that had happened to the state since its creation as it would immensely help local people and pilgrims, who come here for Char Dham yatra as well as Hemkunt Sahib, and several other places of religious importance.
Adding further, he said this railway line would be later given extension till Shri Badrinath shrine, with Karanprayag being made a hub of railway in hilly districts.
Refuting the media reports that the Army had tried to stage a coup just few months back, Satpal Maharaj, who is chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence Affairs, termed the act as "irresponsible journalism" that was done to gain the media advantage.
Maharaj also pointed that in view of the regular crashes of the MiGs, the committee had written to the Defence Ministry of a time-bound phasing out of these fighter aircraft, replacing these with the state-of-the-art fighter jets.
Exuding confidence that Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna will provide a stable government, Maharaj, who was also in race for the CM's post, said party leaders should focus on Mission 2014 .

CM visits Pauri Garhwal MP’s ashram

Haridwar, April 13
Congress heavyweights --- Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj and state party chief Yashpal Arya --- have extended full support to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. Since the appointment of Bahuguna as Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Haridwar MP Harish Rawat, who was also in the race for the post, has been creating all sorts of hurdles for the new CM.
On his visit to Haridwar, the constituency of Harish Rawat, yesterday, Bahuguna met Satpal Maharaj at his Prem Nagar ashram and even shared the dais with him at the Rishikul ground, where a three-day annual Sadhbavna Sammelan is under way.
This convention is presided over by Satpal Maharaj and his wife Amrita Rawat, Cabinet minister, where the former delivers religious discourse. But this time Bahuguna was also invited and asked to address the gathering.
This is being seen as an indication of growing closeness between both leaders. Harish Rawat and his supporters were, however, conspicuous by there absence at all four programmes attended by Bahuguna.
Haridwar district Congress chief Chaudhary Rajendra Singh and city party chief OP Chauhan, staunch supporters of Harish Rawat, have been issued notices by the party disciplinary committee for not being present during the CM's visit.
When Yashpal Arya was questioned on this matter, he said he was awaiting the reply of both party office-bearers and would take action on the basis of it only.
He expressed hope that Bahuguna would cater to the aspirations of the people, the party high command and workers. Yashpal Arya has also been invited by Satpal Maharaj at the ongoing convention.
"Everyone should abide by the party high command's decision. All of us are loyal party workers. There are hundreds of leaders who despite being members of the party for over 50 years have not held any berth," said Satpal Maharaj, while referring to Harish Rawat's statement that he had been denied the CM post despite being loyal to the party for more than 40 years.

Storm, hailstones damage fruit, vegetable crops

People caught in dust storm that
 lashed Haridwar on Wednesday.

 Pithoragarh, April 11
A storm accompanied by hailstones in the district last night damaged 20 to 40 per cent of fruit and vegetable crops at various places, besides damaging 20 to 30 per cent of the standing rabi crop, district administration officials told this correspondent here today.
According to information received from the Baram valley of the Munsiyari region, 40 per cent of vegetable crops and the rabi crop was damaged by hailstorm last night.
“The storm arrived at lower valleys from the high Himalayan region at midnight, caused heavy damage to onion, peas, beans and other crops in the lower region and around the district headquarters,” said RS Rana, district disaster management officer.
According to information received from Dharchula subdivision of the district, the electricity supply to Dharchula town and landline telephone services there were disrupted for 8 hours as the power line and the telephone exchange were hit by lightning.
In the Munsiyari area, Hira Devi became unconscious after she was hit by lightning while she was standing near her home. She was admitted to the district hospital. “Munsiyari town has been without electricity for the last 12 hours as the power line was damaged at various places due to the storm last night,” said Gulab Singh Pangti, president of the Malla Johar Vikas Samiti.
In Pithoragarh town, fast winds blew off roofs of houses. The temperature in the town dropped 7°C below normal,” said Rana.