Uttarakhand

Masuri, Uttarakhand: Once celebrated as the “Queen of Hills” for its natural beauty, Masuri is now under threat from unregulated construction, with the misuse of plinth certificates emerging as the central issue. Environmentalists and locals warn that the hill station is rapidly transforming into a concrete jungle. Plinth Certificates Under ScrutinyAccording to reports, the Municipal Council of Masuri has been issuing plinth certificates indiscriminately, allowing developers to bypass established building norms. Allegedly, during the tenure of the previous municipal board, rules were routinely overlooked, permitting the felling of hills and construction of multi-storey buildings on sensitive terrains. Local residents claim that plinth certificates were even issued for steep slopes an...

Dehradun: Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has completed one year since its implementation, emerging as a successful example of technological excellence in governance. All UCC services are now available not only in English but also in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Additionally, applicants can now use AI-based assistance to understand the entire UCC process and complete their registration independently. Before implementing the UCC, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had instructed officials to make the registration process as simple as possible and the website fully user-friendly, enabling citizens to apply without external help. In line with CM Dhami’s directives, the IT Department of Uttarakhand (ITDA) developed the official UCC web...

Dehradun: The administration of Government Doon Medical College in Dehradun has taken strict action following incidents of ragging at the college. Nine students from the 2023 and 2024 batches have been expelled from the hostel and classrooms, and two of them have been fined ₹50,000 each. According to the report submitted by the college’s Anti-Ragging Committee to Principal Dr. Geeta Jain on Tuesday evening, one incident occurred on January 12 involving a 2025 batch student who was beaten with a belt and slippers, and his hair was forcibly cut. In another case, a student lodged a complaint against senior students for ragging in the hostel. Based on the committee’s recommendations, disciplinary action has been taken in both cases. Principal Dr. Geeta Jain confirmed that the two student...

Dehradun: The District Magistrate of Dehradun, Savin Bansal, has once again made headlines, this time for ordering the demolition of 79 dilapidated school buildings in the district. The move follows concerns over the safety of children studying in these structurally unsafe schools. After reports were presented to DM Bansal highlighting the risks to students, he directed the education department to submit detailed reports. When the submissions were delayed, he took strict action, including seizing the official vehicles of Chief Education Officer Vino Kumar Dhandiyal and District Basic Education Officer Prem Lal Bharti. A subsequent survey by the district education department identified 66 primary and 13 middle schools as structurally unsound. DM Bansal ordered their demolition through...

Dehradun: In a decisive move to ensure student safety, the Dehradun district administration has announced plans to demolish 79 schools identified as structurally unsafe. District Magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal has issued strict orders for the action, following reports that these schools posed serious risks to children. Unsafe Schools IdentifiedThe decision comes after a survey conducted by the Education Department in response to concerns over the safety of school buildings. Within just 10 days, the department submitted a comprehensive report to the DM, revealing that 79 schools — 66 primary and 13 middle schools — were severely dilapidated. The findings prompted immediate administrative action. Strict Administrative MeasuresDM Savin Bansal had earlier displayed a firm stance when the i...

Dehradun: Uttarakhand has been recognized as a ‘Leader’ in developing a robust startup ecosystem in the States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking 2025, released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The state government’s Industry Department received a Certificate of Appreciation on the occasion of National Startup Day for its exemplary efforts in fostering entrepreneurship. Success of Uttarakhand’s Startup PolicyThe recognition reflects the success of Uttarakhand’s startup policy in promoting innovation, encouraging entrepreneurship, facilitating investments, and creating self-employment opportunities for youth. The model adopted by the state is now being appreciated at the national level. CM ...

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Forest fires have been burning across Uttarakhand since early January, defying control efforts due to dry weather and difficult terrain. Even in the middle of winter, the flames have spread rapidly, prompting the deployment of an MI-17 Army helicopter at Joshimath to assist the forest department, though the Air Force has not yet commenced aerial firefighting operations. The fires, which started on January 9 in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and the Valley of Flowers in Chamoli district, continue to threaten the region. Dry leaves and fallen timber have accelerated the spread, making it difficult for forest officials to contain the blaze, especially at higher altitudes. The affected areas, including the Penkanda and Bhuyundar ranges, are situated at approximately...

Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Actress Urmila Sanawar, who made headlines with her revelations regarding the Ankita Bhandari case, has fallen ill. A short video of her in distress has gone viral on social media, showing her speaking about living in fear. Sanawar’s health scare comes as authorities prepare to examine her phone in connection with the investigation into a VIP-linked controversy in the Ankita Bhandari case. She was supposed to submit her phone to the police for forensic analysis, but illness forced her to remain in her hotel room for treatment since Monday night. Political Storm and CBI ProbeThe Ankita Bhandari case, which gained nationwide attention, has sparked widespread protests and political pressure. Opposition parties have demanded accountability, while Ankita’s parents ...

Haridwar, Uttarakhand: In a shocking incident at Har Ki Pauri, the main bathing ghat of the Ganga in Haridwar, two young men were caught wandering in Sheikh attire (kandura), a video of which went viral on social media. Police investigations have confirmed that both individuals are residents of Haridwar. The accused, identified as Naveen Kumar and Prince, both 22 years old, were taken into custody for questioning. During interrogation, the duo admitted that they had dressed in the attire to shoot a video for their YouTube channel, hoping to gain more likes and comments. A police officer stated that the youths expressed regret for hurting religious sentiments and apologized for their actions. They were cautioned against creating similar content in the future. After issuing a notice (c...

Haridwar, Jan 14:A sea of devotees gathered at the sacred Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar early Wednesday morning as thousands took a holy dip in the Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, which coincided with Ekadashi this year. From the early hours, the revered banks of the river resonated with chants and prayers, reflecting deep faith and spiritual fervour. Anticipating a massive influx, devotees had begun assembling near the Ganga ghats from Tuesday evening itself. By dawn, bathing rituals were already underway, and Har Ki Pauri witnessed an overwhelming crowd. The district administration had earlier estimated the arrival of lakhs of pilgrims and accordingly put extensive arrangements in place to ensure safety and smooth conduct of the religious event. Elaborate Secur...