The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Agitating jobless teachers arrested
The police uses water cannons to prevent agitating BPEd teachers from crossing a barricade near the state Assembly in Dehradun on Friday. Dehradun, March 25
The police arrested members of the BEd/ BPEd Prashikshit Berozgar Sangathan who were trying to cross the barricades set up on the Rispana Bridge here today. The cops earlier used water cannons on the protesters to disperse them. However, they didn’t leave the road and were finally arrested.

The police uses water cannons to prevent agitating BPEd teachers from crossing a barricade near the state Assembly in Dehradun on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Wake up, climate change-hit villagers tell government
Dr SP Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of HNB Garhwal University, speaks at a public hearing on climate change in Dehradun on Friday Dehradun, March 25
Change in the average winter temperature has affected the production of amranthus (a cash crop in Uttarakhand’s villages at high altitudes) and winter crops like barley and wheat. Already witness to adverse weather conditions, villagers of Uttarakhand are also battling erosion of their resources and are demanding that the government woke up to the reality of climate change and take corrective measures.

Dr SP Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of HNB Garhwal University, speaks at a public hearing on climate change in Dehradun on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Budget Session
Cong walkout over RTE Act
Says the government looked little interested to implement the Compulsory Right to Education Act in the state
Dehradun, March 25
Congress MLAs today staged a symbolic walkout from the Assembly over the issue of the implementation of the Compulsory Right to Education (RTE) Act in the state. During question hour today, Congress MLAs alleged that while many schools were without teachers, the Uttarakhand Government looked little interested to implement the Compulsory Right to Education Act in the state. Not satisfied with Education Minister Govind Singh Bisht’s reply over the issue, the MLAs, led by Leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat, staged a walkout.

Anti-liquor agitation gains momentum as day of vends’ auction nears
Pitthoragarh, March 25
As the district administration has set March 29, as the date for the auction of 23 liquor shops in the district, the anti-liquor agitation is gaining momentum in several places in the Kumoan region.

PRD sangathan assured of fulfilment of demands
Dehradun, March 25
The Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) Hith Sangathan is hopeful of a positive outcome from their meeting with Director of the Yuva Kalayan and Prantiya Rakshak Dal. In a press conference here yesterday, former president of the PRD Bir Singh Rawat said Director Vijay Kumar Dhoundiyal had assured them of the fulfilment of their two demands.

‘Add resource education to students’ curriculum’
A view of the audience during Dr Anil P Joshi’s lecture at ICFAI University in Dehradun on Thursday Dehradun, March 25
A daylong seminar on “Common Mistake — Changing Environment” was conducted at ICFAI University here yesterday. Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, Padma Shri recipient, spoke to students on the occasion and emphasised on the four basic needs, that is of water, forest, soil and air for the survival of life on earth.

A view of the audience during Dr Anil P Joshi’s lecture at ICFAI University in Dehradun on Thursday.

15-run win for Shivalik
Dehradun, March 25
In an interesting match, Shivalik defeated Petroleum (B) by 15 runs in the 59th District Cricket League at the Survey of India Stadium here today. Shivalik decided to bat first after they won the toss in this 35-over match. Amit (39), Aditya (31*) and Arun (26*) were the main scorers. Shivalik set a target of 158 runs in 35 overs for nine wickets.

Triple delight for Kanchan
A student participates in the long-jump event of the 10th Annual Sports Meet of the FRI University in Dehradun on Friday. Dehradun, March 25
Kanchan Rawat of the Sandal House emerged victorious in both singles and doubles of girls’ table tennis matches on the second day of the 10th Annual Sports Meet of the Forest Research Institute (Deemed) University today.In girls’ singles, Kanchan was the winner and Harpriya Singh (Sandal House) was the runner-up. While in the doubles she partnered Harpriya Singh to claim the title.

A student participates in the long-jump event of the 10th Annual Sports Meet of the FRI University in Dehradun on Friday. A Tribune photograph

10,000 cases disposed of at mega Lok Adalat
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
More than 10,000 legal cases were disposed of at a mega Lok Adalat held at the District Courts here today. A booklet and official website of the State Legal Services Authority were also launched by Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority Altamash Kabir on this occasion. He also blessed two couples whose matrimonial cases were wrapped up at the Lok Adalat.

Chief Justice of the High Court, Nainital, Baren Ghosh appreciated the concept of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), saying that this was the cheapest and most convenient way to solve legal cases of people who needed justice. He informed the gathering that 21,000 legal cases, which were transferred from the High Court, were disposed of at a similar Lok Adalat held in February last year.

He stated that 35 booklets written in Hindi had been published on various important legal issues to disseminate information on law among the masses, especially the people living in remote hill pockets. These books had been distributed among the residents of 70 per cent villages through the Gram Panchayats. Ghosh also appreciated the Uttarakhand Bar Council for lending its support to the mega Lok Adalat.

Chairman of the Uttarakhand Legal Services Authority (ULSA) Tarun Aggarwal said they had identified volunteers who were ready to provide legal aid to the litigants of the Lok Adalat. The year 2011 had been marked as the year of the rights of the child by ULSA, he pointed out.

District Sessions Judge Raj Kishan, president of the Uttarakhand Bar Council Manmohan Kandwal, secretary Anil Gandhi and other members, lawyers, judges, law students attended the function.

SC judge lauds litigants, lawyers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
Judge in the Supreme Court and executive chairman of the National State Legal Service Authority (NSLSA) Altamash Kabir urged the presiding officers and lawyers to remember the term SCC (Special Clerical Court) as sensitivity, compassion and commitment when they dispose of cases in the Lok Adalat. He paid a visit to the Mega Lok Adalat held here today.

Justice Altamash Kabir (centre) of the Supreme Court inaugurates a website of the state Legal Services Authority as Nainital High Court Chief Justice Barin Ghosh (left) looks on at a function in Dehradun on Friday.

He expressed happiness on the positive response shown by the litigants and lawyers in disposing of the cases under the Mega Lok Adalat in the city and appreciated this system of settling down the disputes through mediation in a quicker and shorter manner.

“With enforcement of the State Legal Service Authority Act, verdicts of the Lok Adalats are deemed to be a decree of the civil court against which no appeal can be made in other courts. This way, three stages of taking the legal cases to the District, High and Supreme Court were automatically eliminated and drastically reduced the prospect of pendency of the cases. Similarly if matrimonial cases are also disposed of at this level, then the probability of five more cases that entail to matrimonial disputes pertaining to conjugal rights, maintenance etc is also eliminated likewise.”

“In Madhya Pradesh, the Mega Lok Adalat decided 1.25 lakh cases of petty crimes and other trivial legal matters in a single day. With the burgeoning population of 1.25 billion and constant escalation of the legal cases in the country, where we have constraints of limited manpower and resources such as courtroom etc, the system of Lok Adalat has emerged as a much viable and pragmatic solution,” he said.

He stressed upon the need to reach out to the people to spread awareness among them regarding law and remedies given under it. “People in the remote areas are not aware about the Constitution and the laws guaranteed under the it for their protection. To do so, moderation centres have been set up all over the country. Legal literacy and education programme are also run. Similarly, we also have a plan to establish legal aid clinic in village clusters. With this, the entire process of arbitration, consultation and reconciliation will be summed up under single roof. Legal experts and lawyers must also come forward to contribute to it, as they would also be paid fee for their services.”

In the last seven months, the SLSA of all the states disposed of 18 lakh cases through various Lok Adalats, he informed. The response, he said, proved that the people, too, want quick arbitration and settlement of their cases. This was the motto of other courts as well, which along with time got complicated for different reasons.

Agitating jobless teachers arrested
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
The police arrested members of the BEd/ BPEd Prashikshit Berozgar Sangathan who were trying to cross the barricades set up on the Rispana Bridge here today.

The cops earlier used water cannons on the protesters to disperse them. However, they didn’t leave the road and were finally arrested. Though the members said they were lathicharged also, the police denied, saying that only water canons were used on the protesters.

Birpal Singh Bisht, state general secretary of the association, said they were lathicharged when water cannons failed to discourage them from continuing the protest. A few protesters sustained minor injuries. “We are just asking for our rights and in turn we are being arrested,” he added.

Ajay Joshi, SP (City), said the police used water cannons after the protesters tired to cross the barricades and no lathi charge was carried out. When they refused to budge the police had to arrest them.

The association has been on a relay fast outside the Vidhan Sabha since March 12. They have long been protesting, but to no avail. Several talks with the administration also ended in vain.

They raised anti-government slogans and demanded filling of
8,000 vacancies of special BTC teacher. The protesters also demanded that the state government should scrap the Teachers Entrance Test (TET)
for the BEd/ BPEd teachers and the eligibility criteria of 50 per cent marks in graduation for the trained teachers.

Wake up, climate change-hit villagers tell government
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
Change in the average winter temperature has affected the production of amranthus (a cash crop in Uttarakhand’s villages at high altitudes) and winter crops like barley and wheat.

Already witness to adverse weather conditions, villagers of Uttarakhand are also battling erosion of their resources and are demanding that the government woke up to the reality of climate change and take corrective measures.

At a public discourse held today in which scientists, NGOs and officials were present, some villagers opined that unprecedented infrastructure development, including the construction of several dams, has given a keen edge to the adverse effects of global warming. These activities were further destroying the already climate-affected pastures.

“Our glaciers are melting and I think carbon has a role to play as it is getting deposited on top of the glaciers. The government should take steps to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change as it may also lead to migration,” said SP Singh, former Vice-Chancellor, HNB Garhwal University.

“I am afraid that changes in rainfall pattern and intensity and increase in average winter temperature will directly impact agriculture - the main source of livelihood in the hills - and ultimately increase the rural-urban divide,” he said.

Govind Singh Rana, a resident of Govind Pashu Vihar, Uttarakashi, said that they have been dealt a double blow. “The hak and hakooks of villagers residing in 40 villages have already been suspended after the Govind Pashu Vihar was declared a national park. And now, we are faced with erratic rain that has hit natural resources in our area,” stressed Rana.

In reply, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RBS Rawat said that issues of rehabilitation would be amicably solved by holding meetings in the villages. “We will be using funds earmarked under CAMPA to build roads in villages and increase connectivity. As much as 80 per cent of the revenue collected by village panchayats will be used solely for their development,” he stressed.

At the end of the public discourse tomorrow, a testimony prepared by the villagers on the adverse effects of climate change will be presented.

Budget Session
Cong walkout over RTE Act
Says the government looked little interested to implement the Compulsory Right to Education Act in the state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
Congress MLAs today staged a symbolic walkout from the Assembly over the issue of the implementation of the Compulsory Right to Education (RTE) Act in the state.

During question hour today, Congress MLAs alleged that while many schools were without teachers, the Uttarakhand Government looked little interested to implement the Compulsory Right to Education Act in the state. Not satisfied with Education Minister Govind Singh Bisht’s reply over the issue, the MLAs, led by Leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat, staged a walkout.

Earlier, responding to MLA Jot Singh Gunsola’s query, Bisht disclosed that all the school children in the age group from 6 years to 14 years, included poor children, were being provided education. He also apprised the House that a special Pahal scheme had been launched in the state that was meant to educate street children and beggars.

Meanwhile, later in zero hour, the Congress created a pandemonium in the House over a reply the Education Minister pertaining to the schools sans teachers in the state.

The Opposition charged the minister with misleading the House. Raising the issue, the Congress legislators, led by Rawat, said the Education Minister was misleading the House. He said while the minister had informed the House that there existed a total of 68 schools that were without teachers while in fact a total of 245 schools were without teachers in the state.

Uttarakhand Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant said as per the present situation, the Education Minister was correct on his part as 68 schools were without teachers. He said recently when the Shiksha Mitras were on strike, a total of 245 schools had gone without teachers but as the Shiksha Mitras stir had ended, the figure of schools without teachers now stood at 68. He said both the facts were true to their contexts.

Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Harbans Kapoor said the minister had a right to give an amended reply and asked the Education Minister to come up with an amended reply till the conclusion of today’s assembly proceedings.

Earlier, the Congress MLAs entered the well of the House and created a ruckus. The Congress even resorted to a large-scale sloganeering accusing the state government of misleading the House.

Anti-liquor agitation gains momentum as day of vends’ auction nears
Our Correspondent

Pitthoragarh, March 25
As the district administration has set March 29, as the date for the auction of 23 liquor shops in the district, the anti-liquor agitation is gaining momentum in several places in the Kumoan region.

In Kashipur, Almora, Champawat and Munsiyari areas of the region, women are leading the movement, whereas in Didihat the Congress youth wing NSUI has taken the lead.

In the Lamgara area of Almora district, women groups have held a meeting at the Ramlila ground and warned the administration of dire consequences if the liquor shop is not shifted from Lamgara. “We will stage a big demonstration on March 28, a day before the auction,” said Madhawi Devi, leader of the movement.

Women of Tanakpur demonstrated yesterday to oppose the opening of the liquor shop in the Bastia area of the subdivision. “We warned the administration on March 8 to remove the liquor shop within 15 days, but the administration has not accepted our demand,” said Sarojini Devi, Gram Pradhan of Bastia.

Women groups in Champawat and Barakot subdivision of Champawat have also risen up and started identifying the persons who disturbed the peace of the villages after intoxication. “After women of Pati became successful in removing the liquor shop from their area, women in Barakot have learnt a lesson to continue the agitation,” said Munni Devi, a woman activist.

Later, the women submitted a memorandum to a senior revenue officer of the district demanding action against those involved in the illegal liquor trade.

In Munsiyari subdivision of Pitthoragarh district, the Kishan Mahasabha is leading the agitation and the sabha activists have warned the administration to remove the liquor shop by March 31. “If this dead line is not met, our activists will themselves remove the shop,” said SS Brazwal, block president of the mahasabha.

“In Pitthoragarh district alone, 23 liquor shops, including 13 of foreign liquor, will fetch Rs 24 crore this year which will be 20 per cent more than the revenue of last year,” said Kameswar Pathak, District Excise Officer.

The women opposing the opening of a liquor shop in Munsiyari say that after the foreign liquor shop was opened in the area, it became difficult for women to live in peace. “This time we are committed not to let the liquor shop open in Munsiyari which is also losing its attraction as a tourist place due to the increasing day-to-day wrangle of intoxicated persons in the area,” said Hirma Brizwal, a leader of the anti-liquor movement.

PRD sangathan assured of fulfilment of demands
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
The Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) Hith Sangathan is hopeful of a positive outcome from their meeting with Director of the Yuva Kalayan and Prantiya Rakshak Dal. In a press conference here yesterday, former president of the PRD Bir Singh Rawat said Director Vijay Kumar Dhoundiyal had assured them of the fulfilment of their two demands.

“Our first demand is to be given separate belt number. We have been demanding this for a long time. Secondly, we want a separate wing of the PRD,” said Rawat.

“We have been assured by the Director that both demands will be met by May and we are very happy with the outcome of the meeting. However, there are some officers who do not want this to happen and are trying to mislead the administration,” added Rawat.

The PRD association regretted the hiring of untrained men. “Due to good political connections even a lame man is made a PRD jawan, thus defaming the force. Our trained jawans are sitting idle,” lamented Rawat.

He also said the two PRD jawans, who were posted at the Police Lines and arrested for snatching money from the commuters at night, were fake. “The two jawans were untrained and had been taken into the PRD. If the government will recruit people like this, then it is bound to happen,” he stated.

‘Add resource education to students’ curriculum’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
A daylong seminar on “Common Mistake — Changing Environment” was conducted at ICFAI University here yesterday. Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, Padma Shri recipient, spoke to students on the occasion and emphasised on the four basic needs, that is of water, forest, soil and air for the survival of life on earth.

He also spoke strongly on the need for the upliftment of rural areas to enforce the idea and delved on the parameters used to reflect development, prosperity in the index of Gross Domestic Productivity.

Addressing the students, he asserted the fact that economy without ecology was not sustainable. “Women’s initiative for self employment such as putting across ideas to help uplift rural economy with horticulture, food processing, use of fiber of bhimal and lantana in the making of furniture are some of the best examples of environment conservation, along with the maximum utilisation of natural resources,” he added.

Dr Joshi strongly advocated resource education as subject to be added in the students’ curriculum to make them aware of resources, their use and conservation through learning.

Prof GP Srivastava Vice-Chancellor, Dr SC Deorani Pro Vice-Chancellor, Antara Bhuyian and Saurabh Shanu were also present on the occasion.

15-run win for Shivalik
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
In an interesting match, Shivalik defeated Petroleum (B) by 15 runs in the 59th District Cricket League at the Survey of India Stadium here today. Shivalik decided to bat first after they won the toss in this 35-over match. Amit (39), Aditya (31*) and Arun (26*) were the main scorers. Shivalik set a target of 158 runs in 35 overs for nine wickets.

A batsman in action during a match of the 59th District Cricket League at the Survey of India Stadium in Dehradun on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Sachin of Petroleum got three wickets. Devyam sent two batsmen to the pavilion. Ritu Raaj and Mohit took a wicket each.

In reply, Petroleum could only score 143 runs all out in 33.3 overs.

Vineet (49*) and Kartik (24) were the principal scorers. Amit of Shivalik got three wickets. Arun and Sarwan took two wickets each. Aditya and Ashutosh pocketed a wicket each.

Tomorrow, Graphic Era (B) will take on Petroleum (A).

Triple delight for Kanchan
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 25
Kanchan Rawat of the Sandal House emerged victorious in both singles and doubles of girls’ table tennis matches on the second day of the 10th Annual Sports Meet of the Forest Research Institute (Deemed) University today.

In girls’ singles, Kanchan was the winner and Harpriya Singh (Sandal House) was the runner-up. While in the doubles she partnered Harpriya Singh to claim the title. Teak House’s Deepika and Hena had to be satisfied with the runner-up position.

In other results, Prabhat Kumar (Sandal House) beat Amit Mandal (Sal House) in the boys’ table tennis singles. Sagarika and Amit Mandal (Sal House) defeated Anamika and Ujjwal Dhiman (Sal House) in the mixed doubles.

In carrom girls’ singles, Abhisarika (Pine House) surpassed Manisha (Teak House) to win the title. In girls’ doubles, Shilpa and Abhisarika (Pine House) were the winners and Manisha and Supriya (Teak House) were the runner-up.

Results: Boys Singles: Winner- Bidut (Teak House), Runner up- Sunil (Sal House)

Boys Doubles: Winner- Akhato and Prabhat (Sandal House), Runner up- Amar and Unil (Sal House)

Chess: Boys: Winner- Arun (Sal House), Runner up-Ajay (Pine House)

Girls: Winner- Kanchan Rawat (Sandal House), Runner up- Manisha (Teak House)

Long Jump: Boys: 1st Nandan (Sal House), 2nd Akram (Teak House) and 3rd Manish (Sandal House).

Girls: 1st Anisha (Teak House), 2nd Neelam (Pine House) and 3rd Ekta (Pine House).

Discus Throw: Boys: 1st Surender (Sal House), 2nd Ameya Kala (Sal House) and 3rd Maqbul (Sandal House)

Girls: 1st Ansu (Teak House), 2nd Shilpa (Pine House) and 3rd Deepika (Sandal House).