Bahuguna promises development of all regions of state
* Inaugurates Baikunth Chaturdashi Mela in Srinagar
* Favours House session once a year at Gairsain
Tribune News service

Dehradun, November 26
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said that his family had a sentimental bond with Srinagar area of Garhwal, and his father, the late Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, had dedicatedly worked for the comprehensive development of the area, and now it would be his endeavour to take forward the work as a tribute to him.

Bahuguna was speaking after inaugurating Baikunth Chaturdashi Mela at Gola Bazar premises at Srinagar during his visit today. He said there had been significant progress in the past 12 years in the state, and it was all due to the efforts put up by general public, politicians, government officers and workers.

He said that all had to work, rising above caste and creed for overall development of the state. Laying emphasis on equal development of all the regions, he observed that if there was no development in hill and backward areas, then migration was imminent. “Looking forward to development of hill regions, a decision was taken to establish an Assembly building at Gairsain and to hold an Assembly session once in a year,” he asserted, adding that the foundation stone for the building would be laid on the day of Makar Sakranti in January 2013.

Chief Minister Bahuguna said that Rs 65 lakh each would be given to all backward development blocks and a provision of budget of Rs. 500 crore would be made in the coming five years under the Backward Area Development Fund. He said that industries would be set up in hill areas. Subsidy given under the Vir Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Scheme would be enhanced to Rs 15 lakh from the existing Rs 10 lakh. Stating that there was no dearth of funds for drinking water projects, Bahuguna rued that it was a matter of shame that departments concerned were not able to utilise the entire funds under the district and state plans.

Bahuguna sanctioned Rs 4.5 crore for construction of Srinagar stadium and Rs 4.5 crore for Ranshi Stadium at Pauri. He also assured to construct Chauras bridge at the earliest, which was abandoned owing to technical problems. He assured to hold talks with the Central Government regarding a sewer line in Pauri.

The Chief Minister said that the Centre would also be pressurised for establishing a nagar nigam at Pauri on the basis of set norms. He said that Rs 10 lakh was given for the Baikund Chaturdashi Mela in the past but from this year onwards Rs 12 lakh would be given.

Earlier, the Chief Minister reviewed the development works under various plans at Nagar Palika auditorium and directed the officers concerned not to begin new projects until the old one was complete. He stressed on expediting the development works following guidelines of the district plan committee.

He directed the officers to utilise all the funds of the district plan and warned of disciplinary action against those found deficient in utilising the funds. He instructed the officers to identify 2 acres of land for construction of a helipad at Tehri.

He expressed his dissatisfaction over less expenditure of funds by Jal Sansthan under state sector. He reviewed the works of various other areas and issued appropriate instructions wherever he found deficiencies.

He directed DM Chamoli to identify land for the Assembly building and forward the map to the government before December 5. During the review of Rudraprayag, he recommended suspension of the Executive Engineer for slackness in his duty. The review meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain and other senior officers of various departments.

17 depts fail to implement SC, ST sub plan
Neena Sharma

Dehradun, November 26
As many as 17 departments in Uttarakhand have failed to implement the SC and ST sub plan, which is critical for reducing the existing gaps between the SC and ST communities and non-SC and ST communities in important areas, including health, education availability of ration cards and other basic amenities in the ongoing financial year.

According to the State Planning Department, the departments that have made zero per cent expenditure against fund flow under the SC sub plan include the Department of Cooperatives, Department of Minor Irrigation, Department of PWD, Department of Industries and Minerals, Department of Sports, Department of Medical Education, Department of Ayush, Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Department of Information.

While under the ST sub plan, the departments that have made zero per cent expenditure against the fund flow include Department of Watersheds, Department of Forests, Department of Minor Irrigation, Department of Industries and Minerals, Department of Technical Education, Department of Art and Culture, Department of Labour and Employment and Department of Information.

Moreover, a total of 11 other departments had a poor showing as they recorded less than 5 per cent expenditure under SC (6 departments) and ST (4) departments.

For this fiscal year, the Uttarakhand government has allocated a budget of Rs 79,450 lakh under the SC sub plan and Rs 22,985 lakh under the ST sub plan.

Against the budgetary allocation Rs 15,764 lakh, Rs 4506.12 lakh had been spent under the SC and ST sub plans, respectively.

"What is worrying is that most of the departments that have shown zero spending against the fund flow are departments that include Food and Civil Supplies, Training and Irrigation Departments. The Training Department could be a potential source of empowering the members of the SC communities. Similarly, the Department of Higher Education has spent only 4 per cent under the ST sub plan, which is worrisome," said Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly.

For the uplift of the SC and ST communities, the sub plans were designed keeping in mind that greater thrust could be given for their all-round progress through separate and compulsory budgetary allocations.

Plans afoot to avoid man-leopard conflict
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 26
Amid increasing cases of man-leopard conflict in Uttarakhand, the state forest authorities have come out with an idea of increasing prey base in the forest areas so as to limit leopards into forests. In this growing man-leopard conflict, both sides have suffered big casualties.

While nearly 600 leopards have died in Uttarakhand since 2000, the human deaths figure has also touched almost 200.

The man-leopard conflict has been worst during winters and incidents of leopards venturing into habitations are a common occurrence in hill villages.

Uttarakhand Wildlife Warden SS Sharma admits that leopard-man conflict has been one of the biggest challenges before the forest authorities in the state, but asserts that efforts are on to keep this to a minimum.

“We have now decided to go to the root cause of the problem. We plan to come up with water holes in the forest areas and ensure proper feed for herbivorous animals inside forests that were the main prey base of the leopards”, Sharma said.

He said the rising fodder availability would lead to better food for herbivorous animals like deer leading to a subsequent rise in their population and this would ultimately increase the wild cat’s prey base.

“We will thus be restricting leopards to forests avoiding getting them into direct conflict with humans”, Sharma added.

In the last one month, seven persons have lost their life in leopard attack incidents in the state while three leopards have been killed for various reasons.

The most basic reason that brings human into conflict with leopards is the former venturing into the forest areas either for fuel or fodder or even to answer the nature’s call. There certainly are cases when leopards have attacked humans at the courtyards of their houses but such incidents are certainly a few.

“The leopards mostly attack villagers in the hills often when they go into the forest to relieve themselves. If toilets could be built in the villages, it would help minimise the conflict and hence the revenge killings can be stopped”, suggests Gauri Maulekhi, member secretary of the Uttarakhand Chapter of the People for Animals.

Significantly, the forest department also goes for an awareness drive, particularly during winters asking villagers not to venture into forests area after the darks.

“We even ask them to move in groups to give a stiff resistance in case they are attacked by a leopard”, observes Chief Wildlife Warden SS Sharma.

Barthwal’s poetry in secondary school syllabus demanded
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, November 26
The demand by litterateurs and residents to include the work of legendary Himalyan poet Chandra Kunwar Barthwal in the syllabus of secondary school is gaining momentum in the state.

Barthwal said he was a man who loved nature and humanism and had been compared with famous poets like John Milton and William Wordsworth.

Chandra Kunwar Barthwal, who was born on August 20, 1919, at Malkoti village near Talla Nagpur, now in Chamoli district, is known for his poems on nature, especially ‘Kafal Pako Kafal Pako’ that gained popularity over the years among the readers. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis early in life and died young at the age of 28 in the Panwalia village. In his short span of life, Barthwal wrote many poems. He composed poetry even on petty objects like cremation grounds and mountains.

Chandra Kunwar Barthwal research foundation president Dr YS Barthwal, while on his visit to Mussoorie, said the organisation was involved in the conducting research on the works of the legendary himalyan poet Chandra Kunwar Barthwal from past twenty years and was constinously demanding to include his best works in the syllabus of the government secondary schools of the state but the government has paid no heed to their demands since the formation of the separate of Uttarakhand.

YS Barthwal said Kunwar Chandra Barthwal was the pride of the state and has been compared with the poets of international repute.

He said the research organisation named after the poet has so far been able to install three statues in the state and another memorial was proposed at Naugaon near Purola soon. "More than 10 researchers have also been assisted by the Chandra Kunwar Barthwal research foundation up till now," he said.

YS Barthwal also demanded that the Government Graduate College at August Muni in Naugaon should be named after the poet Chandra Kunwar Barthwal, who has excelled in the literary field in his short life.

Member of the Chandra Kunwar Barthwal research foundation, Shoorvir Singh Bhandari, said the statue of the poet was desecrated in 2008 by anti-social elements but the government has failed to initiate any action. He demanded to restore the statue immediately.

"It is important to honour the literary person of the state so that future generations can learn from the works of poets," said Kushal Rana, a local resident.

A symposium on Chandra Kunwar Barthwal will be organised in the Kumaon University, Nainital soon, said YS Barthwal.

About the poet

• Chandra Kunwar Barthwal, born on August 20, 1919, at Malkoti village near Talla Nagpur, now in Chamoli district, is known for his poems on nature, especially ‘Kafal Pako Kafal Pako’ that gained popularity over the years among the readers. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis early in life and died young at the age of 28 in the Panwalia village. Barthwal wrote many poems. He composed poetry even on petty objects like cremation grounds and mountains.

Gaderi production hit due to scanty rain
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 26
Markets across various districts in the Kumaon region are facing an acute shortage of Gaderi, root of taro plant (colocasia), these days as its production has been badly affected due to scanty rain during the monsoon in Champawat district. The root is produced as cash crop by farmers in Champawat.

This winter vegetable, which used to arrive in markets for sale till the last week of October, has not reached local markets till date, said Ramesh Bora, a customer in Lohaghat town.

The root of taro plant is grown in Champawat district commercially for the last four decades and the farmers in the Chalthi and Dhaun areas of the district have left the cultivation of traditional crops for it. “The taro plant crop has gone dry before maturing in these villages as the rain was 27 per cent less in the area this year, said Dr RK Singh, an agriculture scientist working with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lohaghat.

He agreed that the production of the vegetable had remained only 60 per cent in the area due to less availability of water this year. “The vegetable, which was selling at Rs 10 a kg during this period last year, is selling at Rs 20 a kg this year,” said Dr RK Singh.

The farmers in the taro plant producing areas of Chalthi, Dhaun and Nyay panchayats of Champawat district are fearing hardships as they are dependant on the crop for their livelihood. “As the crop has failed, we will have to work as labour to run our families in the coming months. The taro crop is enough to feed our families round the year,” said Ram Dutt Pangaria, a farmer of the Chalthi area of Champawat district.

“Besides local markets of Champawat, Lohaghat and Pithoragarh, we used to supply the vegetable to mandis in plains during this time, but due to fall in its production this year the traders from plains are moving to other areas to buy the crop which is in big demand due to its delicious taste,” said Ram Dutt.

Need to strengthen common man’s faith in judiciary, says Governor
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 26
Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi said here today that the common man in India still had faith in the judiciary and it should be ensured that this faith was sustained.

Speaking as the chief guest at a function organized here by the State Human Rights Commission on the occasion of National Law Day, the Governor said the relationship between law and the protection of human rights was significant.

He said National Law Day was celebrated every year on November 26 to honour the 207 eminent members of the Constituent Assembly who were the founding fathers of the Constitution of India.

The Governor said the day was of great importance for those in the legal profession. He said human rights were inherent in all human beings, irrespective of a person's nationality, place of residence, gender, religion, language or any other status. "Everybody is equally entitled to rights without discrimination", he said. The keynote speaker on the occasion was Justice VS Sirpurkar (retd) who said in India, there was supreme regard for law and justice since ancient times. Justice Rajesh Tandon (retd), member, State Human Rights Commission, also addressed the audience.

With infiltration in mind, SSB steps up vigilance on Nepal border
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 26
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has increased the vigil on all five suspension bridges on the Indo-Nepal border along the Kali river in the district as Nepali citizens are crossing the border, SSB sources said.

“Keeping in mind a big number of Nepali citizens going to their homeland from various parts of India and a number of Nepali labourers coming to India to look for seasonal jobs, we have deployed additional jawans on all five suspension bridges on the border,” said SD Sherkhene, an officer of the 11th Battalion of the SSB, which is guarding the Indo-Nepal border.

The SSB officer said the force guarding the border with Nepal suspected that some untoward elements could also sneak into India posing as Nepali labourers from that country.

“We have also deployed a squad of trained dogs on the bridges besides deputing a number of male and female jawans there,” said the SSB officer.

The SSB guards the Indo-Nepal border at 18 borders outposts and five suspension bridges in this district. “We have also declared the 32-km area of the border as the danger zone for winter months as due to the low water level in the Kali, the smugglers become active these days,” said the SSB officer.

Harak Singh Rawat vs Ajay Bhatt
Kunjwal to settle house dispute
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 26
The tussle between Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat and Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly Ajay Bhatt over the occupation of the R-2 house located at Yamuna Colony has now reached Speaker of the Uttarakhand Assembly Govind Singh Kunjwal who has now been asked to intervene in the matter.

The R-2 house has been occupied by Harak Singh Rawat. Ajay Bhatt had objected to the occupation of the house allotted to the Leader of the Opposition as Harak Singh Rawat was no longer the opposition leader.

Ajay Bhatt is demanding that the house should be allotted to him as it has been assigned for the Leader of the Opposition. But the Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister is no mood to relent.

“I am aware of the highhandedness of the minister, but rules are rules and the house is the property of the Uttarakhand Assembly and only the Speaker of the House can intervene in the mater. Rawat misused his ministerial powers to get the house reallotted to him,” charged Bhatt.

Meanwhile, Speaker Kunjwal said the matter had been brought before him and he would try to find out an amicable solution.

Cong wants probe into Namdhari’s appointment as minorities commission head

Dehradun, November 26
The ruling Congress in the state today asked Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna to order a probe to find out that on whose recommendation Sukhdev Singh Namdhari was made the Chairman of the State Minorities Commission.

"The Chief Minister should order a probe and find out how a man with antecedents like Namdhari was made the head of the panel," said vice-president of the Pradesh Congress Suryakant Dhasmana.

Soon after Namdhari's name cropped up in connection with the Ponty Chadha murder case, he was sacked as the Uttarakhand Minorities Commission Chairman by the state government on grounds of "doubtful integrity".

A BJP member, Namdhari was made the minority panel head during the party's government in the state in 2010. He was to complete his tenure early next year.

Namdhari has been arrested by the Delhi police, which is looking into his association with the slain liquor baron who was killed along with his brother Hardeep in a shootout at a farmhouse in Delhi. — PTI

State to get first FM station at Haldwani

Pithoragarh, November 26
The first FM radio station of the state will soon be set up at Haldwani in the Kumaon region. An area of 1.5 acres has been earmarked near Susheela Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani, sources from the AIR station, Almora, confirmed. “After acquiring the land, the construction of the 20 KW radio station will begin,” said Manohar Singh Brazwal, Director, Almora AIR.

“After the FM radio station starts at Haldwani, local programmes will be produced there,” said Brazwal.

According to sources, after an active relay station at Mussoorie in the state, another relay station is coming up at Bageshwar in the Kumaon region. “The work on 10 KW FM station is almost complete at Bageshwar district where the work of the installation of transmitters has also been completed. The station will be operational in coming months,” said Brazwal. “As relay stations do not produce programmes, the Mussoorie and Bageshwar stations will only relay programme produces at the Delhi station. However, after coming up of the FM station at Haldwani, the programmes will also be produced locally in the state,” said the Director. — OC

State to have Urdu academy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 26
Uttarakhand will soon have an Urdu academy in the state. A nine-member committee headed by Prof Akhatarul Wassey, chief of the Delhi Urdu Academy and Director Dr Zakir Hussain Institute of Islamic Studies of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, constituted by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister to give suggestions on the setting up of an Urdu academy in the state, presented its report to him here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said preserving and development of every language was the responsibility of the government and his government was fully committed to the development of the Urdu language which is a symbol of unity and diversity of the country.

He said setting up of the Urdu academy would go a long way in the promotion of Urdu in the state.

SK Matto, Resident Commissioner of the Uttarakhand government in New Delhi who was member secretary of the committee, was also present on the occasion.

Survey on SC, ST population still not out

Dehradun, November 26
As the social and economic survey that would give the exact number of SC and ST population in Uttarakhand is still not out, the issue pertaining to reserving the number of seats for the SC and ST members for the local bodies that would take place in March 2013 is expected to be delayed.

"On the basis of the population, the number of seats would be reserved, but as the process is delayed, it would automatically affect the elections," said Radhika Jha, Additional Secretary, Urban Development. Moreover, the entire process of assigning and reorganising of new boundaries to the new wards, nagar panchayats etc, too, would be delayed. The department is also reviewing proposals pertaining to boundaries as being sent by nagar panchyats and boards.

Vijay Bahuguna visits Pithoragarh today
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 26
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna will visit Pithoragarh tomorrow. He will attend programmes at Gangolihat and Pithoragarh subdivisions.

Bahuguna will also address a public meeting at Gangolihat and lay the foundation stone of a pumping drinking water scheme, besides meeting party workers and public representatives.

He will also lay the stone of the terminal building of an airstrip at Naini Saini in Pithoragarh. “During his tour of the district, the Chief Minister will also address a meeting of party workers and hold a public meeting at Gangolihat," said a press release.

Donate blood liberally, says Governor
Tribune News Service

Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi shaking hands with student blood donors at Law College in Dehradun on Monday.

Dehradun, November 26
Governor Aziz Qureshi inaugurated blood donation camps at Law College and Graphic Era University here today.

He said blood donation was a noble act. Blood collected at these camps would be made available to the poor and needy people who required it. At both camps, the Governor called upon all healthy people to come forward and donate blood.

On the occasion of National Law Day today, he first visited Law College, where the blood donation camp was organised with the support of the blood banks of Red Cross Society (Uttarakhand), Srinagar Medical College (Pauri), Mahant Indresh Charan Hospital and Himalayan Institute, Jolly Grant.

SSP Khurana appreciated
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 26
Citizens of Dehradun have welcomed Senior Superintendent of Dehradun Kewal Khurana for his efforts to regulate the traffic in the city.

The appreciation letter that had Dr Nitin Pandey, Ruchi Singh, Sonia Pandey, Rajeev Sachar and many other prominent people of Dehradun as its signatories appreciated the steps taken by the SSP in recent days to streamline the traffic of Dehradun.

The citizens also suggested the SSP to put permanent road dividers in place of temporary ones all along Chakrata and Saharanpur roads. They assured all support to the SSP in his future endeavours to make Dehradun a better city.

PNB to provide loans in hills
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 26
Punjab National Bank aims at providing more loans to eligible borrowers in hills and far off places in the state. The main aim is to generate more employment avenues for the inhabitants of the state and check migration from hills so that there is a balanced growth in the state. This was stated by KR Kamath, Chairman and Managing Director, PNB, during his recent visit to Harsil, Uttarkashi, Dunda, Chinyalisaur and Mussoorie branches. The bank will put its best efforts to increase economic activity with the support of enhanced loan dispensation through its branches spread in the circle.

Kamath also felt that more opportunities could be explored in these difficult areas.

Social worker joins Kunao villagers' dharna

Women of Kunao village stage a dharna near Rishikesh on Monday.

Dehradun, November 26
A dharna launched by Kunao villagers in Rishikesh seeking implementation of the Forest Rights Act entered 26th day today.

Social worker Anita Vashisht reached the site of dharna and extended her support to the protesters. She said that the Forest Rights Act had been already in implemented in the country since 2008 and asserted that 13 lakh forest dewellers had even been benefited from it. "But it is strange that the Uttarakhand government is least interested in benefiting the forest dwellers from this Act", she said. She also held the state bureaucracy responsible for delaying benefits to the forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act.

Dhanveer, Vimala, Asha and Damyanti were prominent among those who took part in the dharna. — TNS