Page 9 - Uttarakhand

Dhami govt to rename 15 Uttarakhand places to promote heritage. Full list

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the decision is aimed at inspiring people by honouring great personalities who contributed to the 'preservation of Indian culture'

ABREL sells Century pulp and paper business to ITC for ₹3,498 crore

Aditya Birla Real Estate Ltd (ABREL) on Monday announced the sale of its pulp and paper business to ITC for Rs 3,498 crore as part of its strategy to focus on property business. In a regulatory filing, ABREL informed that its board approved the execution of the business transfer agreement for the divestment of pulp and paper undertaking situated in Lalkuan, Uttarakhand, by way of a slump sale to ITC Limited. "The transfer of the business will be for a lump-sum cash consideration of Rs 3,498 crore, to be paid by ITC to ABREL," the real estate firm said. The divestment of the pulp and paper undertaking is a value-unlocking exercise. "It will further enable the company to pursue growth opportunities in its core business - real estate," the statement said. Aditya Birla Real Estate Managing Director R K Dalmia said, "The divestment of the Pulp and Paper undertaking by ABREL is a strategic portfolio choice and unlocks value for the shareholders of ABREL". "The company has embarked on a

CM Dhami highlights achievements of 3 yrs; cites UCC, anti-conversion law

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday marked three years in office, highlighting the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), strict anti-conversion laws, and a crackdown on illegal mazars and madrassas as key achievements. Giving a "report card" on the state government's performance, Dhami said demographic change was a significant challenge his government faced and affirmed that it will continue to take actions like removing encroachments and verification drive to address the issue. Dhami said his government has tackled issues that were put on the back burner by previous governments. "Illegal mazars, constructions, and madrassas across the state were a big problem. We are conducting a drive against them, and action will continue until Uttarakhand is entirely encroachment-free. We won't hesitate to act against anything illegal," he said at a press conference on the eve of completing three years of his second tenure as Uttarakhand chief minister. The chie

U'khand CM Dhami announces Ganga, Sharda river corridors to boost tourism

The proposed river corridors aim to enhance infrastructure and provide better facilities for pilgrims visiting Uttarakhand, reinforcing the state's status as a major spiritual destination

Cong demands speaker, state BJP chief resign after U'khand FM's exit

Former Uttarakhand Assembly speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal on Friday said the resignation of cabinet minister Premchand Agarwal was not enough and demanded the resignations of incumbent Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan and state BJP president Mahendra Bhatt also from their posts for not being fair to the hill people despite representing the hills themselves. Agarwal, who held key portfolios like finance and parliamentary affairs in the Pushkar Singh Dhami cabinet, resigned after his "unparliamentary" remarks against the hill people during the Budget Session created a major controversy. Kunjwal accused Speaker Bhushan of behaving in the House in a partisan manner like a political party leader despite occupying a constitutional post when the Agarwal episode was going on. Daughter of former chief minister B C Khanduri, the Speaker is an MLA from Kotdwar. "The Chair is supposed to be neutral. But her conduct was obviously partisan. "She should have asked Agarwal to immediately take back hi

SC raps Uttarakhand govt for 'snail's pace' action on Corbett illegalities

The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Uttarakhand government for moving at a "snail's pace" against its senior officers accused of illegal constructions in Corbett Tiger Reserve. While ordering for the departmental proceedings to be concluded within three months, a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih deprecated the state's practice of moving speedily against junior level officers but not against the senior officers. It noted an affidavit of the state elaborated on the departmental proceedings initiated against the officers. Referring to a chart placed before it, the court said the departmental proceedings were completed against 16 of the 17 officers who were in the rank of ranger, deputy ranger, etc. However, one of the officials died in a road accident unfortunately, it added. The bench said another chart indicated the proceedings moving at a snail's pace against senior officers. "We, therefore, direct the state government to conclude all the department

Uttarakhand finance minister resigns in tears amid public outrage

Uttarakhand's finance and parliamentary affairs minister Premchand Aggarwal's remark, perceived as disrespectful to hill residents, led to widespread protests

Uttarakhand Finance Minister Premchand Aggarwal resigns from Cabinet

Uttarakhand minister Premchand Aggarwal resigned from the Cabinet on Sunday, weeks after his remark in the assembly on people from the state's hill regions had sparked protests. Aggarwal, who held key portfolios, including finance and parliamentary affairs, submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence, according to an official statement. During the budget session in February, Aggarwal reacted angrily to a comment directed towards him by Congress MLA Madan Bisht and said he had not fought for Uttarakhand's statehood to see a day when a dichotomy would be made between 'pahadi' and 'desi'. Aggarwal had also uttered an objectionable word during his argument with the opposition MLAs. His remark sparked anger among the people, especially those from the state's hill areas. The minister had expressed regret over his remark and the BJP's state leadership also summoned and instructed him to exercise restraint.

Speeding car kills 4 in Dehradun, search for accused underway: Police

The police is on the lookout for the driver involved in the accident, and have already tracked down multiple other vehicles

'Painful': Baluni raises speculation over Agarwal's removal from Cabinet

Speculation over Premchand Agarwal's possible removal from the Uttarakhand Cabinet has gained further traction after the BJP's chief spokesperson Anil Baluni described as "painful and unfortunate" the minister's recent outburst in the assembly against people from the hill areas. Baluni is also the BJP MP from Pauri Garhwal. "The entire matter has been very painful and unfortunate. I am the party's chief spokesperson and I have to maintain decorum. But I have performed my duty by raising the matter strongly in proper forums," Baluni told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Kotdwar on Friday. Agarwal's remark during the budget session of the House late last month sparked anger among the people, especially those from the state's hill areas. The comment also led to protests and burning of his effigies. The latest protest was witnessed on Thursday in the state's summer capital Gairsain where men and women from the hill districts of both the Kumaon and the Garhwal divisions, ..

Cong protests in Uttarakhand's Rudrapur against party leader's 'harassment'

Congress workers led by Leader of Opposition in Uttarakhand Assembly Yashpal Arya have caused a ruckus outside the office of the senior superintendent of police here to protest the alleged harassment of party leader Sarwar Khan by the force. Sarwar Khan was recently taken to the Kiccha police station for interrogation following a complaint from a man that the Congress leader had attacked him during the recently held cooperative elections. On Thursday, several Congress workers and leaders, including Kiccha MLA Tilak Raj Behad, led by Arya marched to the SSP's office demanding that they be allowed to meet the officer in his chamber, an official at Sidcul police station said. He said the protesters got into a scuffle with the police personnel who stopped them at the SSP's office gate. The high voltage drama lasted for hours till late in the evening as the Congress leaders demanded the removal of the Kiccha police station SHO, accusing him of "acting as a BJP agent and harassing" a sen

PM Modi promotes tourism in Uttarakhand, urges people to visit in winter

Prime Minister also branded Uttarakhand's winter tourism as 'Gham Tapo Tourism' (Basking in the Sun Tourism)

PM Modi pitches for year-round tourism in Uttarakhand to boost economy

Making a strong pitch for round the year tourism in Uttarakhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said there should be no off-season in the picturesque hill state and this would strengthen the state's economy in a big way. Addressing a rally in Harsil after offering prayers at the village of Mukhwa, the winter abode of Goddess Ganga in Uttarkashi district, the prime minister said visitors will get the true flavour of Uttarakhand if they come to the state in the winter. "The government's vision of round the year tourism will strengthen the economy and create jobs for the youth," he said. "We want border areas to reap the benefits of tourism," Modi added. Some villages were evacuated during the 1962 war with China and efforts are being made to rehabilitate them, the prime minister said. He also referred to the two ropeway projects approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday -- Sonprayag to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji -- and said they would reduce travel time

SC raps Uttarakhand for not filing affidavit in CAMPA funds misuse case

The Bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih said that the state had provided no explanation for why the funds (allocated for compensatory afforestation) were used to purchase iPhones and laptops

PM Modi offers prayers to Goddess Ganga at Uttarakhand's Mukhwa temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday offered prayers at Mukhwa temple -- the winter abode of Goddess Ganga in Uttarkashi district. Mukhwa is located on the way to the Gangotri temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Her idol is moved to Mukhwa temple from Gangotri Dham every year after the closure of its gates for winter. The prime minister will flag off a trek and bike rally and address a public meeting in Harshil. Modi's visit to the temple, his first as prime minister, is expected to boost winter pilgrimage and tourism in Uttarakhand. It comes a day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs headed by him approved two major ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib worth over Rs 6,000 crore. The Uttarakhand government has initiated a Winter Tourism programme this year to promote religious tourism and boost the local economy, homestays and businesses, among others. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended a warm welcome to the prime minister in a post on X. "A hear

SC seeks Uttarakhand govt's reply on 'misuse' of environmental funds

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took exception to the alleged misuse of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds by the Uttarakhand government to purchase iPhones among other items and sought the state chief secretary's response. According to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), CAMPA funds, meant for afforestation, were allegedly used towards inadmissible expenditures, including the purchase of iPhones, laptops, fridges, and renovation of buildings. The CAMPA fund is to be utilised for increasing the green cover. Utilisation of the same for non-admissible activities and not depositing the interest as per the Act with the SCAF (State Compensatory Afforestation Funds) is a matter of serious concern. We, therefore, direct the chief secretary of Uttarakhand to file an affidavit on these aspects, a bench comprising justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih said. The CAG report, which examined the use of CAMPA funds from ...

U'khand performs better than Himachal in last 2 decades: EAC-PM paper

Uttarakhand performed better than Himachal Pradesh over the last two decades as it opted for planned industrialization in designated Industrial Estates as compared to its neighbour which asked the companies to buy land directly from farmers, an EAC-PM Working Paper said on Wednesday. The Paper titled 'The Great Convergence: A Case Study of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh (2000 to 2020)' also said that the growth in the manufacturing sector had a multiplier effect on the overall economy of Uttarakhand, and its tax base. Co-authored by Shamika Ravi (Member, EAC-PM) and Alok Kumar (Principal Secretary, Industrial Development & MSME, Government of UP), the paper compares the growth and economic transformation of Uttarakahnd (UK) to that of HP over a period of two decades, examining the impact of Union Government's Concessional Industrial Package (CIP) for Hill States announced in 2003. With identical industrial policies but distinct and different land policies the trajectories for ..

Uttarakhand Cabinet approves implementation of Unified Pension Scheme

The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been introduced as an option under the National Pension System (NPS) by the Central Government

Bodies of 4 more workers recovered from avalanche site, Mana rescue op ends

The bodies of the last four of the trapped labourers were pulled out from the site of the avalanche-hit Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in Chamoli on Sunday, taking the death toll to eight as authorities ended the nearly 60-hour rescue operation. Army doctors said 46 workers who were rescued on Saturday have been brought to the military hospital in Jyotirmath. Two of them have been referred to AIIMS, Rishikesh. Three of the workers are in critical condition, Lt Col DS Maldhya said. The body of the last missing worker has also been retrieved. The recovery marks the culmination of the Mana Village Rescue operation, Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lt Col Manish Shrivastava said. "Out of the 54 labourers who went missing after the avalanche, 46 were rescued alive and eight found dead," Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said. Four bodies were retrieved on Saturday and as many on Sunday. The avalanche hit the BRO camp between Mana and Badrinath on Friday, burying th

Uttarakhand avalanche: Army recovers 2 more bodies; 1 worker still missing

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said this morning that the search and rescue operation for the missing workers is ongoing