Kumaon residents feel the pinch of ministerial staff strike
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, January 4
Residents of Almora, Champawat and Pithoragarh, and villagers have started feeling the heat of ministerial strike as due to the absence of employees from their offices, the normal official work has come to a standstill.

The strike by the ministerial employees entered its ninth day today.

At Almora district, the villagers, who reach district headquarters to get various certificates like permanent residence, caste and income, are returning empty-handed as the workers dealing with these departments at the district collector's office and subdivision offices have been on a strike for the past nine days.

“After not finding the employees at the tehsil headquarters, I moved to the district headquarters to make caste certificate for my son, but here also the work could not be done as no employee is present on his seat due to strike,” said Gori Ram, a resident of Lamgara of the district.

According to PWD contractors, they are not getting their payments for the work done under contracts for various works as the officials concerned are not sitting on their desks.

“All developmental works have been stalled as the payments for our work done in the past six months have not been made due to the strike. We are facing difficulties as labourers and local material suppliers are pressing us for their payments. Besides this, no new contracts are being materialised as bonds for works are not being made by the PWD offices,” said Tara Chand, president of the PWD Contractor’s Association in Pithoragarh district.

In Champawat district, though the sympathy of common man is not with the striking employees, the works of making certificate to various categories for villagers have been affected by this strike.

The ministerial employees all over the state have been on a strike for the past nine days demanding parity in pay scales and structural adjustment of departments on the pattern of the employees in UP.

Employees take out chetna march
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 4
Ministerial employees today took out a ‘chetna’ march to draw government’s attention towards their demands.

The march began from the City Magistrate’s office in Devpura and culminated at Har-ki-Pauri.

Carried out under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Federation of Ministerial Services Association, the march saw mass participation of employees hailing from different government departments.

With placards and banners in their hands, the employees raised slogans against the Chief Minister for not catering to their demands.

Employees of Collectorate, tehsil, Revenue, Agriculture, Public Works Department, Transport, District Election Commission, Irrigation and other departments are on strike regarding pay anomalies for the past nine days.

They are demanding a hike in basic pay, bonus and arrears and are also opposing the state government’s no work no pay proposal under which those employees who boycott their work or are on strike will have their salaries deducted on per day basis.

Jata Shankar Shrivastav, district chief of the Uttarakhand Federation of Ministerial Services Association, opposed the government’s move to deduct pay of the employees who remain absent owing to the strike.

State chief of the Collectorate union Vinod Kumar said till their demands are met, they would not back the agitation.

Stir to be intensified

Dehradun: The government’s decision to implement the provision of no work no pay failed to bring the striking ministerial staff back to work today. Instead, they have decided to intensify their stir by holding a 'budhi shudhi yajna' tomorrow for the government.

The striking ministerial employees, under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Federation of Ministerial Services Association today convened a meeting at Parade Ground to collect donations for the yajna. “We are disappointed with the attitude of the government. The order has been in place for a long time. What has prevented the government from acting? Unless a government order, we will continue with the stir,” said Sunil Datt Kothari, general secretary of the federation.

The employees have also planned to burn an effigy of the state government to anomaly redressal committee members on January 9.

Kejriwal backs stirs by Matra Sadan ashram
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 4
Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party has extended its support to the ongoing anti-quarrying and Save Ganga movement spearheaded by the Matra Sadan ashram.

In a written letter signed by former Team Anna core member Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party termed the agitation as the one which was raising the voice against the nexus that existed between the quarrying mafia and administration.

Talking to The Tribune, party member Ajay Sharma said Kejriwal wanted to personally come to Haridwar to lend his support to the anti-quarrying movement activists but owing to his busy schedule in party membership drive, he had to write a letter instead.

A delegation will soon be paying visit to the city to gauge the impact on environment of quarrying on the Ganga bed. Social activist JP Baduni accused the state government for catering to the interests of quarrying mafia and being unconcerned about the Matra Sadan agitation.

Alongside the agitation being carried out by Matra Sadan founder Swami Shivanand, Aam Aadmi Party members and social activists are also staging an indefinite stir at the city’s busiest intersection Chandracharya Chowk. A member is sitting on hunger strike daily demanding ban on quarrying in the Ganga.

Students confused over SMJN College affiliation 
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 4
Students who want to apply for admission to courses in Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University through Shravan Nath Math Jawaharlal Nehru College are a confused lot as the issue of affiliation of the college is yet to be resolved.

After Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University was made a Central University two years ago, the colleges affiliated to it were transferred to Pundit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University, Dehradun.

But due to delay in setting up of infrastructure at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University, the Garhwal university had to conduct the examinations of private students last year too. In the second half of 2012, the Uttarakhand government decided to conduct the examinations of private students through newly formed Shri Dev Suman Vishwavidyalaya.

But after much confusion the Garhwal university would now be accepting the forms of private students for the academic session 2012-13.Till January 10, BA and B Com students could submit their forms at the Garhwal university which had provided 1,500 forms to SMJN College.

Though, the situation is still not clear about the examination forms of private postgraduate students, thus posing problems for the applicants.

Dr SK Batra, principal of SMJN College, which is affiliated to the Garhwal university, said they were yet to receive any official confirmation from the university about the forms of private students for postgraduate courses. As soon as they get any communication they would put the information on notice boards in the college and its website, added Batra.

Prerna Kainthola, former president of the SMJN College Employees Union, expressed unhappiness at the confusion prevailing over the university that is to hold the examinations of private students.

“Either HNB Garhwal University should conduct the examination or the government should name one alternative university in a day or two. This is harming the future prospectus of the students,” said Kainthola. 

1,000 traffic violators challaned in four days
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 4
A drive by the traffic police that began since January 1 will continue in the coming days.

Owing to mass traffic violations and increasing crime rate in the district, the Haridwar police initiated a drive to check vehicle papers and licence and also remove the black films from the windows of cars.

Traffic police officials stated that in the past four days, more than 1,000 challans had been issued under various traffic violations. Circle Officer, Traffic, Chandra Mohan told TNS that apart from the highway, the drive was being carried out in major intersections of the city.

“Traffic violations need to be controlled as in the past few year, a number of vehicles have grown up drastically owing to establishment of the industrial estate in SIDCUL. Also criminals, due to the laxity from traffic police personnel escape after committing crime, which will not be easy now. As per the directions of police headquarters, this drive will continue and even helmet wearing has been made essential” said Chandra Mohan.

Traffic inspector Devendra Dabriyal pointed out, "In the past two years, more than 80 fatal accidents occurred because helmets had not been worn by two-wheeler riders. Taking this into account, we have also made wearing of helmets mandatory for two-wheeler riders. Also challan is being sent to house address of traffic violators by noting down their vehicle numbers as it's not feasible to stop every vehicle,” added Dabriyal.

Traffic police personnel is also distributing awareness pamphlets and putting up hoardings at various places to generate awareness among commuters about the traffic laws.

Clinical Establishment Act in state on cards
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 4
The Department of Health is working towards framing the rules and regulations for the implementation of the Clinical Establishment Act in the state. The state has already adopted the Central Act.

“The Department of Health is working on a consensus on the issue of framing of rules and regulations for which talks are on with members of the Indian Medical Association (Uttarakhand),” said DG (officiating) Health Dr CP Arya.

He said the department had been directed by Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi to ask the Centre and other states for the guidelines. “Members of the IMA have objected to the registration fee being proposed by the government which will be levied on private clinics and nursing homes. They want it to be uniform and on a par with Himachal Pradesh and other neighbouring states,” said Arya.

The members of the IMA have been against the implementation of some of provisions in the Clinical Establishment Act and had even protested against the Act. As a result, the government is keen to evolve a consensus.

Meanwhile, there will be no roll back of the hike in annual service charges in place since January 2013. "These charges are minimum and will continue, however, there will be no hike in charges in the diagnostic services being offered through the mobile vans,” said Arya.

Poor management of Corbett park irks Maneka
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 4
Chairperson of the People For Animals Maneka Gandhi has expressed concern over the administrative breakdown in the Corbett National Park in the state.

In a strongly worded letter written to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s member secretary, Dr Rajesh Gopal, Maneka alleged that the administrative breakdown in the Corbett was becoming a threat to wildlife and to the sanctity of the wildlife reserve. “Lack of integrity and widespread corruption at the park has compromised the security and standards of the park on almost every count,” she said.

Elaborating on charge, she pointed out that the Corbett earlier received revenue of Rs 55 lakh per annum through tender for the canteens at the rest houses. “The canteen contractors then had requisite licenses and operated independently of the forest staff. This has changed now. The rangers now manage the canteens. They in turn hire individuals privately. Since there is no accounting, no system of bills, no license to serve food, no transparency and no standards are maintained, the park has to suffer a net loss. This arbitrary system of running canteens has engaged the rangers and their staff in a full-time money making activity,” she asserted.

She also accused mahouts of being involved in the collection and processing of narcotic drugs which are sold to tourists openly at the park. “Alcohol is strictly prohibited at the park but it is freely being made available to tourists. The rest houses are littered with empty bottles and cans while rangers are busy running canteens and servicing customers,” she argued in the letter.

Chapters on Hinduism in textbooks must to check rape cases: Togadia
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 4
International general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Praveen Togadia today said exclusion of text based on Hindu religion from the school syllabi was a reason behind rising rape cases in the country.

Addressing VHP workers in Dehradun as part of a mass mobilisation programme of the parishad for the Mahakumbh, Togadia said the Hinduism that laid emphasis on morality was now missing from school text books, resulting in an increase in number of rape cases in the country. He also pointed out that rape incidents were much more in urban than rural areas primarily because urban areas were getting deviated from the Hindu religion. The VHP leader also strongly criticised the Centre for legalising live-in relationship in the country, stating that it was against the very Indian values and would further deteriorate morality in society.

Referring to the Allahabad Mahakumbh beginning mid January, Togadia said the VHP had invited a large number of Hindu sects that traditionally do not come to the fair. “These religious sects like Swami Narayan, Veer Shaiv and others, who hold much of an influence on followers of the Hindu religion, have not been coming to the Kumbh traditionally but this time we have send them invitations for it,” he said, adding that His Holiness Dalai Lama was also slated to visit Mahakumbh.

He said the VHP would be providing food to as many as 11 lakh pilgrims during the fair. He said a convention of saints had also been scheduled at Mahakumbh on February 7 in which issues related to the Hindu community will be discussed at length.

Earlier, Togadia expressed concern over the decline of Hindu population in the country and said Hindus were fast losing their identity.

He also questioned the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s decision to provide scholarship to Muslim girls in Uttar Pradesh, asserting that the Samajwadi Party was again back to minority vote bank politics. VHP state president Ashok Windlass and Dehradun Mahanagar president Chandrgupt Vikram were other prominent speakers.

Nanda Devi Raj Jat committee meets CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 4
A delegation of the Sri Nanda Devi Raj Jat Committee led by its general secretary Bhuwan Nautiyal called on Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and discussed about Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra-2013 with him.

Bahuguna said the state government was committed to complete the preparation for the yatra well in time. The Chamoli District Magistrate has been appointed nodal officer for the Yatra. He said all officials concerned had also been directed to ensure development of infrastructure enroute the yatra to make it successful.

Nautiyal urged the Chief Minister for the creation of all requisite facilities on priority basis. The members of the delegation included former Chamoli zila panchayat chairman Ramchandra Uniyal, Bhuwan Joshi, Bhuvan Singh Bisht and Devendra Singh Bisht.

Harish Rawat meets CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 4
Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat met Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna yesterday and apprised him of the problems of the Haridwar constituency. He also highlighted the demand to give rights to Van Gujjars residing in the Rajaji National Park area.

The Chief Minister assured Harish Rawat that the issues raised by him would be looked into on a priority basis. The Chief Minister also requested Harish Rawat to expediete various projects pending in his ministry related to Uttarakhand, including those of hydro projects and water schemes.

Harish Rawat also assured him that he would do everything possible for the state projects pending with the Union Government. He expressed happiness at the technical clearance given by the Centre to Lakhwar and Vyasi hydro-projects.

He said he would also try to get clearance for Jamrani and Kishau hydro projects also. He requested the Chief Minister to send the proposals for water schemes so that those could be dealt with expeditiously.

Man kills leopard in Dwarahat area
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, January 4
A leopard was killed by an aged person with a stick in the Dwarahat area of Almora district last evening after it attacked him and tried to sneak into his house.

Devi Ram, 60, a resident of Bhandaragaon in the Dwarahat area, was attacked by the leopard while he was coming out of his house on Thursday morning. Devi Ram hit the animal on the head and it died instantly, said Bhupal Singh, Range Officer.

He said the leopard was two years’ old having 160 cm length and 55 cm height. Injured Devi Ram was discharged from a local hospital after first-aid, he added.

The residents of Saal village in Lohaghat subdivision of Champawat district are still panicky after two women were injured by a bear in one month while they had gone in jungle to collect fodder.

A delegation of villagers from the Ladhiya valley of Lohaghat subdivision met the District Magistrate today and demanded safety of their women from the wild bear, which had injured two women in the area in the last one month. “Our women have refused to go to jungle to collect fodder after a bear attacked and injured 16-year-girl Rekha Bohra on January 1. We have requested the District Magistrate to make arrangements to trap the animal,” said Kundan Singh Kulyal, a member of delegation.

Rekha was badly injured by the bear and it was the second attack by the animal. Earlier it had injured Kaushalya, a resident of the same village, on December 9 last year, Kulyal said.

Death toll due to cold reaches 7 in Kumaon
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, January 4
The number of deaths due to cold has reached seven in the Kumaon region, including five deaths in Udham Singh Nagar district, after 55 year-old woman died last evening, due to cold in Dineshpur of the Terai region of US Nagar district.

“The woman, Rekha Mandal, who worked as Bhojan Mata in a school, had gone to nearby forest to collect woods to prepare food and died as she remained in jungle for all over the day in cold conditions,” said her relatives.

According to MET officials, Thursday remained the coldest day with the minimum temperature dipping to 1.5 degree Celsius at various places of the district.

According to weather department sources, the entire Terai area at present is under fog. However, it has been sunny in the hill districts of the Kumaon region.

The hill districts of Nainital, Almora, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Bageshwar are attracting tourists due to sunny days. The towns of the Terai region are shivering under cold as mercury has dipped due to fog, increasing cold wave conditions.

The transportation and daily wage earners are the worst hit in the Terai region as they are not in condition to resume their daily chores due to biting cold conditions.