Industry to be set up to check migration: CM
Tribune News Service

Nainital, May 3
Presenting a rosy picture before mediapersons, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on his first visit to Almora said industry would have to be set up in the hill areas of the state to check the continuing migration.

In an interaction with mediapersons in Almora, Bahuguna said concrete plans would have to be prepared under the district plan so that people got some benefit from them. This could only be possible if public representatives and officials work in close coordination, he added.

The Chief Minister said new tourist spots would be identified and developed for the promotion of tourism, especially religious tourism.

Bahuguna said the vacant posts meant for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) categories would be filled soon.

He once again pointed out that the execution of power projects in the state had to be expedited to deal with the power crisis. He also called for development of the Information Technology (IT) sector in the state so that the youth could avail its benefits.

On the issues related to the supply of foodgrain and its shortage, the Chief Minister planned to talk to the Union Food and Supplies Minister soon.

Replying to queries on water shortage being faced by people in Almora and its surrounding areas, Bahuguna said money would soon be allocated for the construction of a barrage on the Kosi river and steps would be taken for providing money for the Saryu-Seraghat pumping scheme. He also promised funds for the construction of a new inter-state bus terminus and an auditorium.

Trying to win over the mediapersons, he promised that the announcements made by former Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tewari for the benefit of the mediapersons would be implemented.

The Chief Minister also promised allocation of funds for several pumping schemes to mitigate the water crisis in the district and also for construction of roads. He underlined that the issues raised by public representatives of the area would be dealt with on a priority basis.

He said he was making efforts to organise the Char Dham yatra in a better way.

Almora tour

• Public representatives and officials must work in close coordination to prepare concrete plans for people’s benefit
• New tourist spots to be identified and developed for the promotion of tourism, especially religious tourism
• Vacant posts meant for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes categories to be filled soon
• Need to expedite the execution of power projects in the state to deal with electricity crisis
• Money to be allocated for the construction of a barrage on the Kosi river and the Saryu-Seraghat pumping scheme to overcome water shortage in Almora and surrounding areas

Govt to promote tourism to fight unemployment: CM
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 3
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has said backwardness and unemployment are two main enemies of the state and his government is determined to fight them. “We have decided to promote tourism and energy sectors to remove these two evils from the state,” said the Chief Minister. He was briefing mediapersons at Pithoragarh during the last leg of his two-day tour to the Kumaon region today.

The Chief Minister said he had instructed the bureaucracy to change its work culture and shun negligence adopted during the BJP rule. “Being a border district, the development of Pithoragarh should get special attention and to get desired results the officers will have to visit fields to utilise the maximum budget allocated to their departments,” he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised on the security of the border district and said to secure the border his government had recently opened four police ranges, including one in Pithoragarh district. “We are also getting impetus from the Central government in security work in the border district,” he said. Bahuguna later instructed officials that the announcements made during the ND Tiwari government during 2002-07 should be taken up on priority and the problems of infrastructure at places of tourist importance be given preference. “We are also taking up on priority the problems being faced on the Chardham yatra route,” said the Chief Minister

Asked about non-representation of four districts of the Almora parliamentary constituency in the state Cabinet, he said he was the representative minister of these districts, besides being the Chief Minister of the state. “I will represent the problems of these districts in the Cabinet,” he said.

With regard to the complaints of some MLAs about the non-availability of ration for the above poverty line (APL) category in the state, the Chief Minister said there was a shortage of ration for the APL category as the quota was being allocated according to the 2002 Census. But the Centre had assured the state of issuing ration according to the 2011 Census to tide over ration shortage, he added.

The Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 3,500 each to all 105 applicants who had come from interior villages to demand financial assistance from him. “Anyone who is having any problem or is suffering due to corrupt practices in the administration can directly write to me,” said the Chief Minister.

The Congress MLAs, who remained away from the meeting in the morning but later joined it, handed over a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding that problems in their respective areas be resolved. While MLA from Dharchula Harish Dhami demanded the removal of sanctuary laws from his area in Askot and the construction of hydroelectric projects in Dharchula, Gangolihat MLA Narayan Ram demanded that roads proposed and sanctioned in 2004 for the Gangolihat area be constructed on priority.

Congress MLA from Pithoragarh Mayukh Mahar demanded a fresh drinking water scheme for the district headquarters and a base hospital in the district.

Every department to have vigilance cell: Bahuguna
Tribune News Service

Nainital, May 3
A vigilance cell will be set up in every department of the state administration to check corruption and casual approach of officials towards the jobs entrusted to them.

This was stated by Vijay Bahuguna at a meeting with officials at Almora. He also called for steps to tackle tax evasion and enhance the government revenue.

He further related that a nodal office had been established in the state capital to address the issues pertaining to delay in transfer of forest land for carrying out developmental works.

Addressing the officials on the issue of water crisis, he ordered that a status report on schemes and funds required to be submitted through local legislators so that the matters could be resolved.

At the same time, the Chief Minister asked officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) to start building roads for which the clearance had been granted.

Addressing officials of the Power Department, Bahuguna said the faulty poles should be replaced and the department started giving connections wherever required.

He also called for collective efforts to take the facilities available under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to the remote villages.

He took stock of the health scenario in the district. It needs to be pointed out that despite being a big district, Almora had been grappling with the shortage of doctors and infrastructure.

Calling for a status report on the disbursement of pension across the district, Bahuguna asked the District Supplies Officer to tour the district and come up with a report on the supply of foodgrain and other essentials items like kerosene.

Earlier while addressing his party workers, Bahuguna promised that their aspirations would be taken into account and called for discipline in the party ranks.

Hriyadesh: State budget to be pro-common man
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 3
Hinting at the maiden budget of the new government in the state, Minister for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Indira Hriyadesh has stated the budget to be ‘common-man friendly’.

Hriyadesh, who was here today, accepted that due to the paucity of funds, it was not easy to bring out a popular budget. She blamed the previous-BJP government for not being able to spend the Centrally- allocated budget, which later lapsed.

She said in order to present a budget that is pro-common man and also generates maximum revenue, she was in touch with former Union Finance Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari on whose advice she was relying on funds from various monetary agencies like the NABARD, RBI, ADB and the World Bank.

“As per the manifesto, we will be providing mass-scale employment to the unemployed youths of the state. Basic amenities such as clean water and power supply, LPG, education and health will also be ensured. We want to give out the message that the Congress manifesto is no election luring gimmick but a real one,” said Hriyadesh, who attended various programmes in the city during her one-day visit to the city.

She also said a special task force was being formed that would keep a check on the illegal quarrying in the state and massive drive to nail in tax evaders would be carried out.

“It is a matter of concern. We cannot be complacent that we have formed government in state. All the causes for our not reaching the pre-poll target of 40-45 Assembly segment win needs to be reviewed. Hopefully under the leadership of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, we will live up to the expectations of the people,” said Hriyadesh.

She also pointed out that the Food Security Bill and Women Reservation Bill would be a key factor in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections for the Congress, for which she had a dialogue with Congress national chief Sonia Gandhi.

Party decision on CM’s post forced me to introspect, says Harish Rawat
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 3
Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat today reflected on his political career of four decades saying he was satisfied that he had done quite a bit for the masses.

The Haridwar MP said with growing age he was not able to dominate as much as he used to 10 or 20 years ago.

Rawat, while talking to The Tribune, accepted that the chief ministership episode had forced him to question the role of his dedicated party workers and also his contribution to the party.

“It’s now a thing of the past. Every wish doesn’t get fulfilled and lobbying for a red beacon or a ministerial post has never been my forte. Much water has flown since then. As it was the decision of the party high command, we all had to accept it as loyal party activists whether it was according to our wishes or not,” said an emotional Rawat, who has now taken to the clean Ganga initiative.

The Union minister made a scathing attack on his detractors and said these groups of leaders were instrumental in the defeat of Congress candidates, particularly in Haridwar and Almora and Nainital.

He added that a lobby of Congress leaders and workers was working against him even before the Assembly elections and during the formation of the government.

Asked whether he had brought this to the notice of the high command, Rawat sighed deeply and said it seemed the central party leadership too was not serious about the damage these leaders were doing to the Congress.

“With pain I have to say that though I have brought this to the notice of the high command, nothing has been done. They worked against the party candidates close to me and were still indulging in a false propaganda against me in the media,” he said. Rawat had not attended Parliament when Vijay Bahuguna was named as Chief Minister.

Asked about his future plans, the four-time MP said the 2014 parliamentary elections were on his radar and with the love of the people of Haridwar he would try to repeat the performance of the 2009 parliamentary elections when he won with a record margin of 1.15 lakh votes.

He termed the performance of Bahuguna-led Congress government as satisfactory and said the overall assessment could be made after at least six months.

Rawat expressed the hope that Bahuguna would show the exemplary leadership quality of his father Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna and take along all party workers in the development of the state.

Fashion exhibition of traditional hilly attire by students
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 3
Giving a touch of their own to the traditional hilly attire of Garhwal-Kumaon of the state, budding fashion students are now giving the garments a facelift so that the younger generation also wears these ethnic attires.

This was aptly demonstrated at a fashion exhibition at International Academy of Fashion Technology presented by passing out students.

A large number of people visited the exhibition, which not only appreciated the creative designs by students, but also showed interest in buying these dresses.

Megha Sharma, a student, had given a traditional as well as trendy look to traditional Garhwali wear, making them more comfortable to wear by younger lots, who seem to be drifting more towards westernised apparel.

Megha made kurtis, with fusion of colours, saris and skimpy outfits that hogged the limelight at the exhibition, aptly demonstrating that the city's immense talent in such creative field.

"Students of Haridwar have a lot of talent. Support and exposure will make them on a par with other students from cities like Delhi, Noida or Mumbai," said Suman Lata Pal, a city-based designer.

These outfits will also be donned by models at a fashion show soon at the institute premise.

Nepali Bhasa Samiti pays tributes to martyrs
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
Uttarakhand Nepali Bhasa Samiti today paid tributes to Azad Hind Fauj martyrs Dal Bahadur Thapa and Keshri Chand.

At a programme held at Shaheed Durgamal Park campus in Dehradun, MLA Ganesh Joshi said the sacrifices made by freedom fighters will be remembered for long. He assured the gathering to facilitate setting up of Durgamal idol in the park.

He also assured providing Rs 1.09 lakh to Uttarakhand Nepali Bhasa Samiti from the state Sports and Cultural Department. He also expressed concern over the non-cooperative attitude of cantonment board officers.

Reshuffle in state bureaucracy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
Uttarakhand government has brought changes in the departments of senior bureaucrats. While some have been relieved of certain departments, others have been given additional charges.

Principal Secretary, Industrial Development, Externally Funded projects, Technical Education, Civil Aviation and Managing Director, SIDCUL, Rakesh Sharma, has been given additional charge of Principal Secretary, Information Technology.

Principal Secretary Potable Water, PWD, Housing, Medical Education, Commissioner, Housing and Commissioner, Social Welfare, S Raju, has been relieved of the departments of Medical Education and Commissioner, Social Welfare. Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Horticulture and Revenue, Om Prakash, has been relieved off the Department of Horticulture.

Secretary, Transport, Information Technology, and Commissioner, Dr Uma Kant Panwar, has been relieved of the Department of Secretary, Information Technology, and given additional charge of Urban Development.

Secretary, Urban Development, Minor Industries, and Khadi Gramudhyog, and officiating, Director, Khadi Gramudhyog, Vinod Fonia, has been relieved of the Department of Urban Development and given additional charge of horticulture.

Secretary, Child Development, Women's Empowerment, Watershed and General Administration, Ajay Singh Nabiyal, has been relieved of Watershed Department. Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sainik Kalyan, and IG, Prisons, Bhaskaranand, has been given additional charge of Secretary, Prisons, and watershed.

Additional Secretary, Ayush and Science Technology, Manjul Kumar Joshi, has been given additional charge of Additional Secretary, Home. Additional Secretary, Housing and Additional Commissioner, Housing, BPRC, Purshottam, has been given charge of Additional Secretary, Power and Alternative Energy. Additional Secretary, Programme Implementation, Dairy Development, Re-organisation, RK Sudhanshu, has been given additional charge of Inspector General, School Education, and Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shikha Abhiyan. Additional Secretary, Higher Education, Secondary Education, and Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik, Shikha Abhiyan, Dr Nidhi Pandey, has been relieved ofthe charge of Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shikha Abhiyan.

Concrete policy needed to relocate stone crushers
Rajeev Khanna
Tribune News Service

Nainital, May 3
The order of the Uttarakhand High Court to close a stone crusher while directing the government to consider the relocation of other 27 stone crushers in Nainital district has highlighted the failure of the successive state governments to come up with a clear policy in the matter.

Vested interests and economic considerations have prompted the stone crushers functioning near densely populated areas to flout pollution control norms laid down by the state government.

The high court on Tuesday, while acting on a public interest litigation (PIL), had ordered the closure of a stone crusher at Mota Haldu. It also directed the government to inspect other stone crushers in the district and act against those found violating the norms. It called for a review of the policy for granting permission to set up stone crushers and the relocation of those functioning in populated areas.

Reacting to the court directions, eminent historian and social activist Shekhar Pathak told The Tribune, “The order has highlighted the core issues facing the state. There are vested interests at work and most of the stone crushers are serving the interests of politicians, bureaucrats or builders. The second issue is of the relocation of stone crushers as population is increasing and new colonies are coming up in Nanital district.”

Pathak said, “The issue needs a political solution. There is no clear policy with regard to the functioning of the stone crushers. The norms laid down by the Pollution Control Board are being flouted. It was only when the high court expressed its displeasure at the state of affairs that the issue gained attention. The government alone can provide a solution to the problem in the form of a policy.”

Senior-most IAS officer asks for transfer to Delhi

Dehradun, May 3
Unahappy at being ignored in the appointment of the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, senior-most IAS officer and Director General of the Uttarakhand Academy of Administration, Nainital, Ajai Kumar Joshi has urged the government to send him on deputation to New Delhi or repatriate him to his parent Uttar Pradesh cadre.

In a letter to the government today, Joshi said no purpose was being served by posting him as the Director General of the academy. “There is no work and the government is needlessly spending money on me. It will be better if I am sent to New Delhi on deputation or to my parent cadre,” said Joshi.

It may be mentioned that Joshi had opted for the Uttarakhand cadre two years ago but since he came to Dehradun he had been repeatedly sidelined by the BJP government and now the Congress government. — TNS

Modern School wins basketball tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 3
Modern School, Delhi, has won the 6th Welham Girls' School All India Golden Jubilee Basketball Tournament played in Dehradun.

Modern School, Delhi, beat Welham Girls' School, Dehradun, 39-37 in a closely contested final. Chief Guest, Woodstock Principal, Jonathan Long, handed over the prizes to the winners. He lauded the smooth conduct of the 6th Welham Girls' School All India Golden Jubilee Basketball Tournament.

Padmawati of Mordern School, Delhi, was adjudged most valuable player of the tournament.

Prasad is officiating Executive Officer
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, May 3
The Mussoorie Municipal Council was quick to respond after the suspension order of Executive Officer Rohitash Sharma that was received yesterday. Tax superintendent SS Prasad was given the charge as officiating Executive Officer at an emergency council meeting held on the MC premises today.

MC President OP Uniyal, told mediapersons that Prasad had been given the charge of the MC Executive Officer so that the routine work did not suffer at any cost, considering the coming tourist season. The board had also sent a resolution copy to the government in this regard.

However, residents of the town have questioned the move as they are of the view that the Executive Officer should be replaced only by an appointing authority, in this case Uttarakhand government.

Executive Officer Rohitash Sharma was suspended in the case of a stolen vehicle in which several important files related to the MC and his own service book was missing and his role in the whole was found to be wanting.