Rawat: Project to link rivers to be launched in phased manner
‘Problems of drought, floods will be kept in check’
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 28
The ambitious project to link major rivers in India will be launched in a phased manner with four micro model projects being earmarked in the first phase.

Under this project, linking of 30 rivers involving the diverting of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra - two of India's biggest rivers -was conceptualised by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Now the Union Ministry of Water Resources is serious to take this project further to ensure that the problems of drought and floods are checked.

This was stated by Union Minister for Water Resources, Government of India, Harish Rawat, while talking to TNS exclusively today at his parliamentary constituency, Haridwar.

Harish Rawat cited the need of interlinking of rivers as one of his priorities in his tenure as Water Resources Minister. He said there was also the need to increase reservoir capacity of water with the detailed project report in it's final stage.

"Definitely, we want to take forward the inter-linking of rivers as this is the need of the future. Initially, we want to take forward this project in small segments so that the positives of this are known to all and then carry out mega projects further," said Rawat.

Adding to it he said that making a reservoir pool of underground water was also being done to cater to the country's water requirement. Optimum utilisation of river waters and underground water is imperative to meet the country's growing water requirements.

Notably, inter-linking of the river was brainchild of former Union Minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna ,which was taken up by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2000. But due to reservations from various states, neighboring countries like Bangladesh and environmentalists, the project remained in the files only, with the next government not taking up the issue further.

But now in view of the growing population and the need for irrigation water to make sure foodgrains are available for the rising population, the Union government is now contemplating to go ahead with this project.

Mega industrial policy will ensure growth of more units: CM 
State has the right environment to invest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 28
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has said that the state government’s objective to introduce mega industrial policy was to strengthen the already established industries and encourage other new industries in the state. He was speaking at a meeting convened with the representatives of industry and senior officers at Uttarakhand Niwas, New Delhi, today to elaborately discuss the proposed mega industrial policy.

He maintained that Uttarakhand had an appropriate environment for industries. Law and order was better as compared to other states and single window system had been introduced for the convenience of the industries. He said a special nodal officer would be appointed for every new industrial project.

Bahuguna said better connectivity, be it road, railway or air, was being developed. He said along with an integrated policy, the state government would provide assistance to industries as per their requirements. Another plus point was that Uttarakhand had sufficient skilled human resources, he added.

Bahuguna said that establishment of SIDCUL Phase-2 was on the anvil and a logistic hub, too, was being set up by SIDCUL and Concore company near Pantnagar. A separate department has been formed for micro, small and medium industries. He said that a textile park, spice park and tool room were being established with the assistance of the Central Government.

The industry representatives openly discussed, gave their suggestions and demands in the meeting. They discussed about the availability of the land, regular power supply, residential facilities for workers and staff, tax rebate and other issues. They expressed their interests towards manufacture, automobiles, pharma, medical tourism, ayurvedic medicines and herbal products.

The representatives from CII, PHD Chamber of Commerce, Tata Group, Hero Motors, Dabar and several other industry houses were present in the meeting.

The Confederaion of Indian Industry (CII) delegation led by Sandeep Jain, Vice Chairman, CII, Uttarakhand State Council, and Director, Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, and V Gandhi, Chairman, CII, Kumaon Zone and plant head, TATA Motors, Pantnagar, highlighted the need to address the growing power deficit in the state. The Chief Minister said that efforts were on to secure gas for the 440 MW gas-based power capacity at Kashipur. This additional capacity will enable continuous power supply to the industry, he added.

On the issue of the low cost housing, he urged the industry to come forward with their demand estimates. He said that the government would work out a model to facilitate land availability for such projects.

Other suggestions made by the CII included making Uttarakhand a hub for electronic system design and manufacture and suggestions related to CST and inputs on the proposed mega industrial policy. The CII delegation suggested that not only the manufacturing investments but also projects related to core infrastructure, skill development, low cost housing, IT and tourism should be brought under the ambit of this policy.

The government officials included Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, Resident Commissioner SK Mattu, Industrial Development Commissioner Rakesh Sharma and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DK Kotia.

Bahuguna meets state MPs
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 28
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna discussed several issues pertaining to development with state MPs at Uttarakhand Niwas in New Delhi today.

They also held a discussion on how to advocate to the Centre so as to reap the maximum benefit in the coming Union Budget for the state.

Bahuguna said he, along with the MPs of Uttarakhand, would meet the Prime Minister and urge him for the projects for the overall development of the state.

Also present at the meeting were Union Minister Harish Rawat, Satpal Maharaj, KC Singh Baba, Mahendra Singh Mahra, Pradeep Tamta, State Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, president of the state unit of the Congress Yashpal Arya, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister DK Kotia.

ABVP supporters indulge in vandalism in DAV college
Tribune News Service

A student breaks a chair during a protest. Tribune photographs

Dehradun, January 28
Student leaders belonging to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad ( ABVP) indulged in vandalism in DAV ( PG) College to press the authorities for giving admission to their 'favourites' without any verification of their educational documents. The student leaders had been pressing the college authorities for the past sometime to give admission to students in the college on their recommendations, which has been resisted by the college principal and staff.

A group of students belonging to the ABVP today again started to argue with the authorities to give admissions on their recommendations, which was refused by the admission committee. The enraged students then started raising slogans and breaking the furniture of the college. They also forced the non-teaching staff to come out of their office.

The students also misbehaved with the Principal, Devender Bhasin, who stood his ground. “The students had come with their unreasonable demand of granting admissions on their recommendations, which was refused by me. They then told me that they have forced a strike in the college and I should also come out, which I also refused,” Devender Bhasin told TNS.

A large number of students also tried to heckle the principal but the police came to his rescue. The police force had to resort to a mild lathi charge to disperse the student leaders from the college campus. “The teachers and the non-teaching staff reached a consensus to give a written complaint to the police about the incident,” said Devender Bhasin, principal of the college. 

Monthly pension for disabled girl's parents

Mussoorie, January 28
Members of the Hans Foundation today gave monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to the parents of a disabled girl here.

Representative from the foundation Sunil Sonkar paid a visit to Monica, who cannot speak, hear and walk, at her house in Butcher Khaan and presented her the cheque on the behalf of the foundation.

The foundation has decided that it will support Monica all her life through the monthly pension scheme of the foundation. —OC

People losing faith in journalism
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 28
Cabinet Minister in the state government Surendra Rakesh said here today that journalism was drifting away from its ideals and moving towards profit-oriented vision, which was causing great damage to the profession.

He was presiding over a seminar organised by the National Union of Journalists here today.

Rakesh said journalism was considered the fourth pillar of democracy but in the present scenario, it was losing its reputation, responsibility and people’s faith.

Lamenting the drift in the approach of journalism, veteran journalist PS Chauhan said journalism was losing its sheen and people’s faith as well. Chauhan urged younger journalists to follow the footsteps of honest journalists like Vidyarthi, Mahkhan Lal Chaturvedi and also Mahatma Gandhi who resorted to press to disseminate message of freedom.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Uttarakhand Sanskriti Academy, Prof Mahavir Aggarwal, asserted the need of taking positive issues instead of magnifying sensational, crime and sex-oriented topics taken up by media.

Swami Sharad Puri shed light on the earlier life and achievements of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. His message of adhering to journalistic ethics and working for all segments and sects of the society was also pointed out.

At the function, various achievers hailing from the city were also felicitated on the occasion.

Noted English novelist Mona Verma was given special achievement award for her contribution to field of writing and being the first English novelist from Haridwar.

Dharchula youths want snow skiing during Kailash yatra
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, January 28
Youths of Dharchula have demanded starting of snow skiing at the higher altitude during the Kailash Mansarowar pilgrimage to attract more tourists. They were speaking after participating in a five-day skiing camp that concluded at the Patalthor range in Munsiyari today.

“If skiing is introduced during the Kailash Mansarowar pilgrimage, tourists from all parts of the country, besides pilgrims will visit the Vyans valley to enjoy skiing. This will benefit the local people,” said Joga Singh Dhami, a participant of the skiing camp.

According to the adventurous sports wing of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVM), the deposits of snow are sufficient in Munsiyari to run training camps till March this year. Keeping this in mind the Munsiyari youths are demanding skiing training using funds meant for the development of the region and generation of self-employment avenues. “We had to organise this camp at a place of low altitude like Patalthor instead of Betulidhar and Khaliatop, as the route to reach these places of higher altitudes were snow bound these days,” said DC Gururani, a KMVN official.

According to KMVN sources, a five-day skiing training camp for girls of Dharchula would start tomorrow. “As the Dharchula block has been granted money for skiing training under the border area development fund, we are able to finance this training camp at Munsiyari,” said Gururani.

Munsiyari residents are demanding more facilities for snow skiing at the places where the sports could be organised every year after snowfall. “We have Betulidhar, Patalthor and Khaliatop that remain snow bound and where skiing can be organised till March provided the state government makes necessary arrangements in the region,” said Devendra, chief guest at the valedictory function of the camp.

The KMVN officials announced that snow skiing camps would be organised at Betulidhar in February if requisite funds were available.

No relief for TATA Magic vehicle operators
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 28
Members of TATA Magic Welfare Association did not get any relief from the office of Regional Transport Office (RTO) against the ban imposed on their operation by the High Court. RT Officer SK Garg said he had no authority to give solace to the agitating members by going against the decision of the High Court. He said he assured them of consulting office of Consul General on this issue and taking advice whereby, perhaps, some kind of temporary permits could be issued to the operators.

He said the High Court banned the operation of TATA Magic vehicles on a petition filed by a bus operator and declared the permits issued to TATA Magic vans invalid. Since the High Court was closed for the winter vacation, there was no hope for quick relief to the agitators.

Members laid siege around RTO in the morning and expressed their grievances regarding closure of operation of some 120 TATA Magic vehicles in Doon city after the verdict of the High Court. Member Uma Naresh Tiwari said many villagers and hundreds of school children were getting transport facilities from them and they, too, were earning their bread and butter in return. After the ban on their operation, all the beneficiaries faced big crisis. He said the way RT Office had issued them permits, the officials should also advocate their case strongly before the High Court so that the concerned parties could get relief.

Their other demands included that they should not be charged any tax by the RTO for the intervening period between declaration of closure and resumption, whenever it happened. They also demanded that the RT Office deposits monthly instalment of loan on their vehicles amounting to Rs 12 lakh. They said the RTO should not permit new vehicles to operate on the route till their issue got solved. The other members who protested before the RTO office included Ajay Tiwari, Surender Kumar, Harish, Dalip Singh, Girish Manari and Ganesh Babu. 

Help provide health facilities to women, Governor tells Red Cross
Tribune News service

Dehradun, January 28
Governor Aziz Qureshi today called upon members of the Red Cross Committee of Uttarakhand to play an important role in providing health facilities to women and children in remote areas of the state.

Qureshi was presiding over the general meeting of the Uttarakhand Red Cross Committee at Raj Bhavan. He said a network should be created in the state to make available ambulance services to the people in all areas.

The Governor said more people should become members of the Red Cross. “I will give the Red Cross hundred members,” he added.

The Governor said the District Magistrates should organise Red Cross programmes more effectively. Health camps should be held regularly in schools. He agreed to the suggestion that the Health Minister be nominated as the vice-chairperson of the Uttarakhand Red Cross Committee. He also agreed to the suggestion of the District Magistrate, Dehradun, that public medical centres be run through the Red Cross.

General secretary of the committee Dr IS Pal presented the minutes of the last meeting held on November 26. He also presented a description of the work done during 2011-12 at the district units of the Red Cross. A work plan for the future was also showcased.

The estimated budget for the period January 1, 2013, to March 31, 2013, was also proposed. Governor’s Principal Secretary Ashok Pai, Additional Secretary Senthyl Pandian, CS Gwal, the Director, School Education, the Chief Medical Officer, District Magistrates of various districts were among those present. Dr Ranjit Verma, Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Management Committee, thanked the Governor and all members present. 

Eighty booked for violating traffic rules
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, January 28
Adhering to the directives given by Dehradun SSP Kewal Khurana in the recently held meeting in Mussoorie, the officials from the department carried out a checking drive at major intersections in Mussoorie and booked around 80 commuters for violating various traffic rules.

Around eight vehicles were also impounded for not furnishing the required documents of their vehicles.

The police personnel were manning the posts at various intersections and stopping the vehicles and checking the papers and licenses of all drivers. Fines were imposed on two vehicles owners who were plying without number plates, license, proper documents and helmet. The minors driving the two wheelers were also given stern warning.

Station in charge BS Rawat said they were checking for errant commuters at Kholhukhet, Mall Road and several other intersections. He also informed the media that the checking drive would continue for a long time, as their aim was to make public aware of safe riding habits.

The effects of the checking drive were seen immediately as many commuters pulled out their helmets from the closets to avoid fines. More than 10 policemen were deployed for the drive in Mussoorie.

The social organisations have also welcomed the move and promised all cooperation to the police to generate awareness among local residents.

5 killed in mishaps across Kumaon
Our correspondent

Pithoragarh, January 28
Five persons, including a relative of the Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker, Govind Singh Kunjwal, died in accidents at various places in the Kumaon region yesterday.

Amid the flag-hoisting ceremonies headed by officials and public representatives, voices of resentment of war widows and women organizations were also heard in the region.

According to the police, two persons were killed in accidents in Kashipur. Taslim was drowned when his car fell into a river in Kashipur while he was returning from Piran Kaliar. “The accident occurred due to dense fog. Taslim’s car fell into a river and he was drowned,” said a police spokesman. He added a 50-year-old woman was killed after she fell from the motorcycle she was driving pillion and came under a speeding truck near the IIM weekly market in Kashipur.

Other incidents occurred at Haldwani, Bazpur and Ramnagar. “Rohit Mehra (21), a relative of Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, was run over and killed by a truck near the Barasati gate in the Gaulapar area of Haldwani city,” said the police

The Republic Day programme in the region witnessed thin attendance as women organisations and war widows protested against the non-fulfillment of promises made to them by the successive governments and officers.

Several war widows, including the mother and the widow of Jaipal Singh Adhikari, who was martyred on July 30, 2011, sat on a dharna at Budh Park at Tikonia in Haldwani in support of their demand that promises made to them be fulfilled at the earliest. “We want a memorial in the name of martyrs at Haldwani, a military museum sanctioned for the town and a day in a year named after the martyrs in the state,” said Beena Adhikari, widow of Jaipal Singh Adhikari. Later the protesters lifted their dharna after SDM, Haldwani, Harbir Singh assured them of taking up their issues with the government.

In Pithoragarh town, women members of the CPI (ML) staged a march demanding full independence for women in all spheres of public life. “We want immediate implementation of the Justice Verma Commission’s recommendations,” said Pushpa Martolia, organiser of the march.

Tribal girl raped in Pauri dist

Kotdwar, January 28
A tribal girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped in the Laldhang range of Lansdowne forest division in Pauri district, a senior administration official said today.

The teenaged girl, who belongs to the forest dwelling Gujjar tribe and lives near Sigaddisrote close to Kotdwar, was abducted at gunpoint by a group of miscreants on January 2 and subsequently raped by one of them, SDM Anil Garbyal told reporters in Kotdwar.

The victim was recovered from Udham Singh Nagar district a week later on January 8. On the basis of a complaint lodged by her mother later, four of the accused were arrested from Syatpari in the Laldhanga forest range yesterday following a raid on a Gujjar settlement, he said.

“The four arrested have been identified as Shamsher, Vazir, Safadil and Zahur and they have been sent to the Pauri jail. An equal number of other accused are still at large,” he said.

The medical examination of the girl confirmed rape and one of the accused, Shamsher, confessed to the crime, Garbyal said. — PTI

UN team visits ICFRE
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 28
The executive board of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has accredited the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) as a designated operational entity (DOE) for afforestation and reforestation CDM projects in February 2011. The ICFRE is the first DOE from India for validation, verification and certification of afforestation and reforestation CDM projects.

The CDM is a programme under the UNFCCC, which allows emission-reduction projects in the developing countries to earn carbon credits in the form of the certified emission reduction (CER) units. One CER is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide. These CER units can be traded in carbon markets and used by industrialised countries to meet a part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol.

The UNFCCC team is on a visit to Dehradun for a surveillance audit of the ICFRE-DOE. The surveillance audit of the ICFRE-DOE started at FRI here today.

Dr VK Bahuguna, DG, ICFRE, and Chief Executive Officer of the ICFRE-DOE said in the opening remarks that modalities and procedures for forestry carbon credit projects should be simpler so that the objectives of the climate change mitigation could be achieved easily and the forest-dependent communities were benefited by the forestry carbon projects.

Dr Bahuguna was also concerned about the slow process of development of the CDM forestry projects in India and at the global level. Stringent rules are one of the greatest impediments in developing CDM projects.