Coalgate: BJP trying to lower dignity of Parliament: Bansal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Pawan Bansal today accused BJP leaders of trying to lower the dignity and significance of Parliament by not allowing any discussion on the coal block allotment issue.

Addressing a party conference here today, Bansal said the BJP had shown its fascist tendencies when its senior leaders publicly said that there was no use of any discussion in Parliament. “Such statement by BJP leaders show a dangerous and worrisome tendency which could undermine parliamentary democracy,” he said.

“The majority in a parliamentary democracy is supreme. The government will have its way but the opposition will have its say,” he added.

Bansal said opposition leaders, particularly from the BJP, shied away from a meaningful debate on the coal allotment issue that would have brought the truth out.

He categorically said there was no scandal whatsoever in the allotment of the coal blocks during the UPA rule since 2004. Giving an insight into the coal block allotment issue since 1996 till 2004, he said coal blocks were allotted on the recommendations of the state governments.

After the UPA government came to power in 2004, it decided to bring in more transparency in coal block allotments. It was decided to bring in competitive bidding in its allotment but the state governments opposed it arguing that such move would have an adverse impact on their projects which were dependent on coal.

However, the Union Government was advised by the Law Ministry to bring in an amendment to the Mines Act, which was done and amendment was made in 2008. The amended Act was passed in 2009 and since then no coal block had been allotted.

He said the figure of an estimated loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore quoted by the Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG ) was not correct. He said the CAG, taking a price of Rs 295 per tonne of coal, had calculated the price for a period of 35 years, which was not realistic. “The CAG has said that Coal India would have earned that much amount over a period of 35 years, which is absurd,” he said.

Giving examples of water and television channels, Bansal said a consumer get 1,000 kl of water for Rs 5. However, private companies sell a bottle of water for Rs 12. “ If the CAG starts saying that the government has suffered a loss by selling water at cheap prices or come out with a report that instead of allowing private channels who are earning so much, Doordarshan should have expanded and earned that much,” he argued.

Denying any wrong in the allotment of the coal blocks, he said there was no question of cancelling these, as it would adversely affect the financial reputation of the country. The CBI was already conducting an inquiry and any wrongdoing by anyone would not be spared.

“ It is a dangerous trend and if such wild allegations are levelled, it will be difficult for anyone to take decisions and it will ultimately harm the development of the country,” said Bansal.

Bahuguna tries to bring round Harish Rawat
Takes him to Almora on his helicopter
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 10
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today tried to placate Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat by taking him in his helicopter to Almora. Rawat has again announced to start a ‘bhajan’ programme in Haridwar in protest against the state government.

Bahuguna flew in from Dehradun and picked up Rawat from a makeshift helipad at the Gurukul Kangri University Dayanand stadium here. Both of them flew to Almora where they were to attend several government functions.

The Chief Minister ensured that he did not have to face questions from the media and didn’t come out of the helicopter. He waved to the party workers, the media and the people, who had come to meet him, while sitting in the helicopter.

Rawat also evaded the media and replied to only one question regarding his proposed protest at Har-Ki-Pauri. “There are no differences between us as is made out by the media. I am taking up public issues with the Chief Minister and the latter has assured me of addressing them. Bhajan kirtan is a non-violent mode of protest, but now there is no such plan,” said Rawat at the Dayanand stadium.

Asked about the tour with Bahuguna, Rawat said it was planned 10 days ago. “After all we are party workers first and our aim is to strengthen both Congress and government in the state and at the Centre,” said Rawat.

Meanwhile, the two leaders left dejected the party workers and the local people who waited for 90 minutes to meet them. They were carrying bouquets and applications to meet Bahuguna but the latter did not meet them even for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, Haridwar Congress president OP Chauhan said, “Maybe due to prior commitments and shortage of time that Bahuguna did not meet the party workers. But we got the opportunity to greet Rawat. It augurs well for the party and the government that both leaders are coming together.” 

There are no differences between us as is made out by the media. I am taking up public issues with the Chief Minister and the latter has assured me of addressing them. Bhajan kirtan is a non-violent mode of protest, but now there is no such plan. After all we are party workers first and our aim is to strengthen both Congress and government.

— Harish Rawat, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affaris

Section of govt staff resumes stir against quota in promotions
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, September 10
A section of employees in Champawat district decided to resume their agitation against reservation in promotions from today. This left other employees and organisations supporting them worried in Champawat and Pithoragarh districts.

“Despite a warning from the state government we will continue with our agitation as all our comrades have decided on this line of action,” said Jagdish Adhikari, a leader of agitating employees.

In Lohaghat subdivision of the district, organisations like the Pensioners Association, owners of private schools, traders’ association, student union leaders and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidharthi Sangthan today held a meeting in the town and emphasised that the agitation against reservation in promotions must last long to yield the required result. “The reservation system has created fissures in society. The situation needs to be corrected by putting an end to reservation,” said Chet Ram Sharma, president of the Pensioners Association in Champawat district.

In Pithoragarh district, the employees at a meeting held today said as a few employees’ leaders were pursuing their self interest the strike was called off without taking other sections of employees into confidence. “When the employees’ federations and their supporting organisations have resumed the agitation in Almora, Champawat, Pauri and Dehradun, why we should remain mute,” asked Dinesh Gururani, coordinator of the Trade Unions Coordination Committee, Pithoragarh.

“We have called a meeting of employees’ federations and other organisations supporting us late night today. The meeting will decide the future course of action to be adopted by the employees in Pithoragarh district,” said Gururani.

CM, Haridwar MP pay tributes to Govind Pant
Tribune News service

Dehradun, September 10
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, along with Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Food Processing and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat, participated in the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Govind Ballabh Pant at his birth place Khunt, located 25 km from Almora district headquarters, today. Both the leaders paid floral tributes to the statue of Pant.

Bahugna advocated christening the class rooms meant for postgraduate courses in Khunt Inter College and Medical College after Ballabh Pant's name. He said that the government would take a decision on all 70 demands pertaining to public welfare put up by the MP and MLA, Almora, and other public representatives.

Bahuguna said that late Ballabh Pant had dedicated himself for public service and was one of the great freedom fighters. His eloquence in delivering a speech and parliamentary skills could not be compared. He said that everybody should take inspiration from his works. Bahuguna said that all should rise above narrow-mindedness and work collectively for the development of the country. He said that realising his dreams would be a true tribute to him.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat said that comprehensive development of rural areas was the main objective of the government. He said that it was necessary for the public representatives and government officers to work dedicatedly to provide basic amenities to the people living in rural areas. He said that state government and the Central government should work in coordination to develop the historical jail of Almora to a national museum so that the young generation took inspiration from the articles related to freedom struggle.

MP Pradeep Tamta advocated calling a special Assembly session to discuss the principles and works of Ballabh Pant and also to celebrate his birth anniversary at state functions throughout the state.

Students presented cultural programmes and delivered speeches on Pant’s personality. Also present on the occasion were MLA Manoj Tiwari, MLA Lalit Farshwan, DM Akshat Gupta, Rajendra Barakoti, Kailash Sharma and other prominent citizens.

40 villages to be linked by roads
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 10
The Champawat district administration has selected 40 most backward villages of the district to be linked by roads under the Prime Minister Gram Sarak Yojana.

According to district administration officials, 28 roads under the Central scheme will be constructed in these villages. “We have asked PWD officials to identify the most remote villages in the district which should be given priority to have the road first,” said Sridhar Babu Addakhi, District Magistrate, Champawat.

“The length of these roads will be from 2km to 15 km,” said JC Joshi, Executive Engineer of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojna in Champawat district.

According to the Executive Engineer, the list of these most backward villages, which are to be linked with these roads, has been submitted to the District Magistrate and he has given the administrative sanction for the project. “We have now demanded money from the government to prepare a detailed project report of these roads, as the DPR will calculate the whole expenditure likely on these roads,” said the engineer.

Naithani praises Satpal Maharaj’s bête noire Rawat
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 10
Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani, who is considered close to Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj, today praised Maharaj's bête noire --- Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Agriculture Harish Rawat.

Talking to TNS during his brief stay at the Guest House, Damkoti, while on his way to Dehradun, Naithani said there was nothing wrong in Rawat's move to launch ‘Bhajan Kirtan’ to raise the issues concerning Haridwar residents.

“Being Haridwar MP and Union minister, it is the duty of Harish Rawat to raise the issues concerning the people of Haridwar. This clearly indicates his concern for the people of his area,” said Naithani.

When asked he is close to Satpal Maharaj, who is not happy with "pressure politics" of the Harish Rawat faction, Naithani said he was an Independent candidate so he could not give any statement on factionalism in the Congress.

“Politics is not only about groupism. An individual's attempts also need to be considered. The Congress had denied me party ticket despite being an active party activist. So working for the development of the state is my priority,” said Naithani

Late leader remembered in Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 10
Floral tributes were paid to former Home Minister of India and veteran freedom fighter Pt Govind Ballabh Pant on his 125th birth anniversary here today. Pt Pant is the lone recipient of Bharat Ratna Award from the state.

A special function was held at Ranipur by the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Progressive) city unit where party activists and local people paid floral tributes to the portrait of Pt Pant.

Addressing the activists, central secretary of the labour cell of the party Uday Ram Semwal said Pant was born on August 30, 1887, at Khooth village in Almora district and he became Chief Minister of united province on September 10, 1946. Thereon, he started celebrating his birthday on this day.

“Pt Pant was close to Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subash Chandra Bose and Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel. He went to prison several times owing to his active participation in the Indian freedom struggle. He had active participation in the Salt agitation, Quit India Movement and Satyagraha Movement,” said Semwal.

Shedding light on his tenure as the independent India’s first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and later as Union Home Minister in the Jawaharlal Nehru government (1957-61), youth wing city chief Lalit Mamgain said Pt Pant was a true statesman and son of Himalayas.

Women wing cell city chief Sarita Purohit urged youths and politicians to follow his ideals and clean political career. She demanded Pant’s statue be installed in Gairsain.

SC/ST employees hold a peaceful rally in favour of reservations
Tribune News Service

The SC/ST employees of the state government take out a rally in support of their demands in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, September 10
To press for reservations in promotions, the Uttarakhand SC and ST Employees' Federation held a peaceful march from the Secretariat to the parade ground. A large number of employees participated in the rally.

Speaking on the occasion Madan Kumar Shilpkar, president of the Uttarakhand SC and ST Employees' Federation, said that the Uttarakhand government was unnecessarily creating hurdles when the Central government was already committed towards bringing amendment in the Act. “The Bahuguna government has buckled under pressure and has needlessly created the ex-cadre, which is being opposed by us and even by those against reservations in promotions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the hunger strike under way at the Clock Tower by employees, today ended with Madan Kumar Shilpkar serving juice to the strikers.

Meanwhile, the anti-reservation Uttarakhand Adhikari Karamchari Shikshak Sangharsh Morcha continued to abstain from work, despite the imposition of no-work no-pay clause.

“We are still on strike and would continue to do so unless the government heeds to our demand of removing the provision of the ex-cadre,” said SS Valdiya, president of the morcha.

However, with most of the employees striking work, there was little work at the state Secretariat and other offices in the state.

There were elaborate arrangements of security at the Secretariat and the team of officers pressed in as a fallout of the strike continued to maintain vigil. 

State govt committed to welfare of farmers: CM
Tribune News service

Dehradun, September 10
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has said it is the endeavour of his government that farmers get their due in the state. Without the progress of farmers, the state as well as the country could not progress. He was speaking at a felicitation programme organised by the Uttarakhand Jat Mahasabha here today.

He said that his government had been doing everything to ameliorate the lot of the farmers. He appealed to the Jat community to contribute to the development of the state. He said that the interests of every community living in Uttarakhand would be looked after.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat said that the farmers of Haridwar district needed to progress like their counterparts in Udham Singh Nagar district. He said that with government encouragement, the farmers of Haridwar could also do well. Birender Singh, Congress general secretary and in-charge, was also felicitated on the occasion. Uttarakhand Sports Minister Dinesh Aggarwal, Chairman of Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation Raj Kumar and Umesh Sharma and other Congress legislators were also present. 

Trucks carrying ration leave for Uttarkashi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 10
Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana has called upon voluntary organisations, political parties and individuals to donate liberally for the victims of the natural disaster of Uttarkashi.

He was speaking after flagging off trucks containing 12,000 kg of dry ration donated by the Bharat Susamachar Samiti, a voluntary organisation, here today. “The frequent natural disasters have an adverse impact on the lives of those who lost their lives, houses, lands and animals. They needed help to restart their lives,” he said.

George Kuruvilla, managing director of the Bharat Susamachar, said a survey was carried out in the affected areas of Uttarkashi from September 3 to 7.

Dr Simon, Principal of New Theological College, said dry rations would be distributed among 600 victims identified during the survey.

Tibetan women pay tributes to martyrs
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, September 10
Members of the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) paid tributes to all those who laid down their lives fighting the Chinese oppression in Tibet, by offering prayers at Dalai Hill in Mussoorie today. The function was organised on the occasion of the completion of 28 years of the formation of the association.

The TWA members along with others gathered at Dalai Hill early morning and offered floral tributes to the martyrs at the memorial.

TWA secretary Thoeden said the Chinese regime had adopted an oppressive policy to curb the voices of freedom in Tibet for the past 53 years. This violent approach had led to the death of a large number of Tibetans. Secretary of the Tibetan Homes Foundation Pempa Tsering appealed to the international community to support the Tibetan cause and persuade the Chinese government to abstain from repressive policies.

Rector of Central School for Tibetan Norbu, president of the Youth Tibetan Congress Sonam Topgyal, TWA members Karma Dolma, Dickey and others were present.