UKD gives ultimatum to govt
Asks it to discuss burning issues or the party will withdraw support
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has given an ultimatum to the state government to discuss the burning issues till February 28 or, otherwise, it will be forced to withdraw support to it. However, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna did not give much weightage to the ultimatum.

The Chief Minister, while speaking to mediapersons at a function here today, said the UKD leaders were free to take any decision as it did not affect the stability of his government. “The ultimatum does not hold any ground in such a situation,” he said.

President of the UKD Trivender Singh Panwar was asked why he wanted to wait till the last time when all these months the state government did not pay heed to their demands. Trivender replied that when those awarded death sentences were given one last chance to plead for mercy, they too could give the Bahuguna government a last chance to save the alliance.

Trivender told mediapersons that “The state government never consulted us on any decision. It also never took the UKD views seriously. Hence, it is the last chance to see whether the government is interested in soliciting our opinion on various matters.”

Asked about Urban Development Minister and party MLA Preetam Singh Panwar’s open defiance of the UKD on the issue of the withdrawal of support from the Bahuguna government, Trivender said, “Preetam Singh is free to align with the Congress or any other party. We have nothing to do with him. No one, be it MLA or minister, can be above the party.”

Trivender was asked about the unveiling of a statue of former Chief Minister Hemavati Nandan Bahuguna by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at a shopping complex on Rajpur Road today and naming it after his father while stalwart leader Indermani Badoni’s statue was still in neglect. He replied both leaders were venerable and of equal stature.

Those who found Badoni lesser than HN Bahuguna in any way were not loyal residents of the state, he said.

The issues

• The failure of the state government to advocate the issue of permanent residence strongly in the Nainital High Court.
• Its failure to enforce Article 371 regarding a ban on the sale and purchase of land in the state by outsiders.
• The state government did not contest the shooting cases at Muzaffarnagar, Khatima, Mussoorie and Karanpur in Dehradun in the CBI court, leading to acquittal of the accused.
• It did not formulate any policy regarding natural disasters nor did it undertake any measures for rehabilitation.
• It did not fulfil its promise of providing 12 cylinders in one year to every family.
• The government did not take any decision on reservation in promotions despite the directions of the high court and the Supreme Court in this regard.
• It burdened transporters by increasing road tax.
• Scams in various institutions like Pant Nagar University, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, and Pravidiki.

Doctors’ shortage continues despite increase in salary
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
After a lukewarm response to the government announcement of a hike in salaries of contractual doctors, the Department of Medical and Health has managed to deploy around 60 doctors in the state in the past three months.

In order to rope in General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) and specialists (PG degree) on a contractual basis, the Uttarakhand Government had announced the increase in the salaries in 2012.

But the government efforts seem to be a drop in the ocean when compared to the shortage of doctors. Out of the total of 2,430 sanctioned posts for allopathic doctors, posts of 1,059 doctor are filled and a total of 1,371 posts are still lying vacant.

To tide over the shortage of manpower, the Uttarakhand Cabinet had approved the manifold increase in honorarium for contractual doctors willing to serve in the accessible, inaccessible and extremely inaccessible areas.

“The department has deployed 60 contractual doctors so far after the hike was announced, taking the total number of doctors employed on the contractual basis to 173. Another 132 ayurvedic doctors are deployed in state allopathic hospitals on the contractual basis,” said Dr HGS Manral. But the Uttarakhand Government’s efforts to rope in specialists have not yielded results and the shortage continues to be acute.

The government had advertised for 583 posts of specialist doctor last year through the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission. A total of 67 candidates were selected and out of which only eight doctors have been posted.

The Uttarakhand Government has been holding regular walk- in interviews for contractual doctors and appointment doctors through the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission.

“No doubt, the manifold increase in the salaries for contractual doctors should act as a big boost but there are still few doctors willing to serve in the hills. Lack of infrastructure and promotional avenues are some of the reasons that deter even young doctors to serve in the hills. The government should also assess the selection process carried through the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission and make it more flexible,” said Dr DP Joshi, a senior doctor.

For wider publicity, the Department of Medical and Health has also decided to insert advertisement for vacant posts of doctors in the national level journal of the Indian Medical Association.

Another controversy hits state Wakf Board
Kale Khan's election as Chairman ruffles feathers
SMA Kazmi/TNS

Dehradun, February 18
Even after 12 years of the formation of the separate state of Uttarakhand and subsequent formation of Uttarakhand Wakf board, looking after the religious properties of Muslim community, there is no end to the controversies haunting the Wakf Board. In the recent election of the Chairman of the Uttarakhand Wakf Board, the state Congress government finds itself embroiled in another controversy.

The effort of the state Congress government to instal Rao Kale Khan from Haridwar district has led to the controversy. Rao Kale Khan, who was recently nominated as a member of the Wakf Board, was elected as the Chairman of the board in the election held on February 16, 2013. Meanwhile, four prominent members of the Wakf Board objected to the election and refrained from voting in the election.

The Congress government wanted Rao Kale Khan, a favourite of the senior Congress leaders from Haridwar, including Union Minister of Water Resources Harish Rawat, and lone Congress Muslim legislator Furquan Ahmed from Piran Kaliyar as the Chairman of the board.

Interestingly, since the board was formed during the previous BJP regime, the Congress government won over four members of the board who were nominated by the BJP government. However, the four members, Razia Beigh, a former Chairperson of Uttarakhand Bar Council, Sarvat Karim Ansari, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator from Mangalore, Mohd, Akram and Dr. Zakir boycotted the election on the ground that it was 'unfair and illegal.' There was only one nomination filed by Rao Kale Khan and he was declared elected.

Razia Beigh said that there was no notification of the election as required by statue nor any returning officer appointed for the purpose. " It seems that the state government was in tearing hurry to instal it's own person as Chairman of the board. It was unfortunate that the Congress government which swears by the welfare of the Muslim community went to such an extent to give the position of Chairman to their own man," she said.

"We will be approaching the Wakf Tribunal functioning under the District Judge against the arbitrary elections," she said.

The affairs of Uttarakhand Wakf Board had been mired in controversies since it's inception during the ND Tewari regime. The first Chairman of the board, Chaudhary Rais Ahmed, was favourite of the then Chief Minister Tewari. There were a lot of allegations against the second board Chairman, Rao Sharafat Ali, who was removed amidst allegations of corruption.

ICFRE chief addresses judges from 17 states
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
Dr VK Bahuguna, Director General, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), addressed judges of the district court and high court from 17 states at the Orissa Judicial Academy recently.

On the recommendation of the 12th Finance Commission, a national seminar was organised by Justice Indrajit Mahanty, Chairperson, Orissa Judicial Academy, under the guidance of Justice AK Patnaik and Justice V Gopala Gowda, both judges of the Supreme Court of India, on ‘Forest, environment and mining’. The theme was ‘Development not at the cost of environment’.

Dr Bahuguna addressed the judges on ‘Implementation of the Forest Conservation Act to ensure sustainable and environmentally compatible mining’. Dr Bahuguna gave a detailed history of forest conservation in India and narrated his experience on the role of Forest Conservation Act 1980 in the mining.

Specific instances were cited from the work done by a task force under his leadership on environmental impact assessment of the mining operations in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts of Karnataka. Dr Bahuguna asked for bringing superior technology, including underground mining technology, in the country.

He further requested the judiciary to consider ways and means for improving environmental compliance and sustainability in ensuring explanation of mining minerals, specifically sand, stone, limestone and marble. He praised the efforts of the Supreme Court in laying down the norms of sustainable forest and environmental governance.

He emphasised creation of proper livelihood models for the land vested under the Forest Right Act 2006 as a counter to the naxal activities and development of these areas through convergence. For the food and water security, proper investment with the people-centric policies need to be adopted in 32 million hectare of forest land situated in and around 75 million hectare of rain-fed agriculture. He highlighted the role of the ICFRE in ensuring livelihood options and conservation of forest and other resources.

Justice V Gopala Gowda, Judge, Supreme Court of India, appreciated the contents of the address and advised 200 judiciary members from across the country to adopt this innovative expert advice while discharging their duties.

Teachers threaten to boycott board examinations
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 18
The upcoming Class X and XII board examinations can be affected as teachers affiliated with the Uttarakhand Madhyamik Shikshak Sangh have warned that they will boycott the examination process if their pending demands are not resolved. A decision in this regard has also been taken by the UMSS working executive body held at Jwalapur Inter-College.

State chief of the Uttarakhand Madhyamik Shikshak Sangh JP Bahuguna said despite assurance given by the state Education Minister three months ago nothing substantial had been done as far as their demands were concerned.

Bahuguna said their main demands included extending the age limit for teachers by at least one year, time-bound payment or arrears and having an education service selection board in the state.

“We have conveyed to Mantri Prasad Naithani our decision of even boycotting the board examinations if our demands are not met. All teachers are united on this decision. This time our agitation will stop only when our demands get resolved fully,” said Bahuguna.

While Haridwar district chief Dr Anil Sharma said 50 per cent of the posts for principal in schools should be filled directly and wages of examination duty should also be raised.

Divisional general secretary of the UMSS Dr Manoj Joshi said all teachers associated with the unions of all 13 districts of the state were united this time and the Uttarakhand Government would have to bow as now we won’t get silent by just meager assurances.

The working executive members included Rajesh Saini, Phool Singh, Ram Singh Chauhan, Rohitashav Kunwar, Pradeep Tyagi, Satish Jagta, Ganesh Bhatt, Sukhdev Rawat, Leeladhar, Vinod Pandey, Anil Nautiyal, Narayan Mehar, Hem Kabadwal and Ajay Kumar.

Harish Rawat to seek second term from Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 18
With just a year to go for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat has made it clear that he will be seeking second consecutive term from Haridwar constituency only.

Harish Rawat thanked the people of Haridwar for electing him despite hailing from Almora, pointing out that for the past four years he had been working for the development of this constituency earnestly.

Speaking on the sidelines of a party activists' function, the five-time parliamentarian said that he was first looking to the tri- level panchayat elections and simultaneously Lok Sabha elections.

"Without love of the people of Haridwar, I wouldn't have been the first Minister of State in multiple ministries and now Water Resources Minister. I owe a lot to them and have been on regular basis involved in this constituency. First, I am a parliamentarian of Haridwar, then Union Minister, with many development projects being carried out in the constituency, which was not the case previously," said Rawat.

Citing directives of newly appointed Congress national vice chief Rahul Gandhi, Rawat said that party workers needed to gear themselves for the stern test of Lok Sabha elections. We should not concentrate on our interests only, the party should be first. Working for poor, downtrodden and local people will pave way for the party's success, which every party worker should keep in mind," he added.

With both Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party gearing up quite early for Lok Sabha elections, Harish Rawat remarked that naming candidates early doesn't ensure victory as was seen in the last parliamentary elections.

"I was one of the last candidates to be named for Haridwar Lok Sabha, while others (SP-BSP candidates) were campaigning for almost 6 months earlier. But the end result was there for everyone to see. So it iss working for the public that matters more," commented Rawat.

Munsiyari-Thal road closed for 3rd day due to snowfall
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, February 18
The Munsiyari to Thal road remained closed for the third day today as the district witnessed 37 mm to 60 mm of rainfall and one foot to 4 feet of snowfall till Sunday morning, sources in the District Disaster Management Department said here today.

“Considering shivering cold conditions in almost all parts of the district, especially in the high altitude towns of Munsiyari, and Berinag, we have arranged ‘Alaow’ at almost all towns for 24 hours till Sunday. We have also distributed 100 blankets to poor people in each subdivision of the district to help them survive the cold wave,” said RS Rana, District Disaster Management Officer of the district.

Rana said the maximum 60 mm rain was recorded in Berinag subdivision till Sunday morning. “While the Kalamuni hills in Munsiyari town received a record 5 feet snowfall, the low altitude areas of Pithoragarh, Berinag and Didihat received the first snowfall in the last eight years,” he added. Rana said barring some minor incidents of roof collapse in villages in Munsiyari, no untoward incident occurred in the district.

CM unveils statue of HN Bahuguna
Tribune News Service

Governor Aziz Qureshi and Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at the function to unveil a a statue of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna at the MDDA shopping complex in Dehradun on Monday. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Dehradun February 18
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today unveiled the statue of his father and former Chief Minister HN Bahuguna in the MDDA shopping complex on Rajpur Road and also named the premises after his name. Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi, who was also present on the occasion, said HN Bahuguna, whom he regarded as his elder brother, gave new direction to the politics.

He was dedicated to the welfare of the downtrodden and poor section. He said Bahuguna, a diehard secular, appointed people of different religions under him and favoured the honest bureaucrats. He also did lot of work in furthering the cause of brotherhood and communal harmony. Aziz also suggested to set up a culture centre in the state in his name.

Vijay Bahuguna said his father worked tirelessly for labourers and the exploited category. Despite being the Chief Minister of Uttar Pardesh, he paid special attention to people of hills, which is now Uttarakhand and enforced policies for development in that region.

It was given to his secular credentials, leaders of all parties throughout the country paid respect to him. He said he was paying homage to his father by bringing in developmental policies and programmes.

Others who graced the occasion included the wife of Chief Minister Sudha Bahuguna, son Saket Bahuguna, MLA Rajkumar, Kunwar Pranav Singh, Suryakant Dhasmana, vice-chairman, MDDA, RM Sundaram and District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam.

Bodies of 2 youths found under snow

Gopeshwar, February 18
Two youths were found dead under snow under mysterious circumstances near Gairsain in Chamoli district, the police said today. The bodies of the two youths were recovered from under snow near the Bhararisain motorway yesterday, it said. One of the deceased has been identified as Prakash Chandra, a resident of Gairsain, while the other is yet to be identified. The bodies have been sent for a post-mortem, the police said.

Investigations so far have revealed the youths worked in a bakery near Gairsain and they often frequented the area to sell their products, the police said.

The youths were last seen in the area on Saturday last when despite heavy snowfall and rain, they had come to sell their products, it said. Efforts were on to find out whether they died due to cold and snowfall or there was some foul play. — PTI

Govt failed to punish guilty officers: BJP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
General secretary of the state unit of the BJP Suresh Joshi has accused the state government of having failed to act against its officers who were engaged in the illegal sale of prime property of government.

“The land which could be used for setting up industries, community health centres and educational institutions is being sold illegally by officers,” he alleged.

He said the land given to the Tehri Hydroelectric Development Corporation (THDC) for rehabilitating Tehri Dam oustees in Pashulok (Rishikesh) had been sold off. He demanded a probe into this.

He said land in the SIDCUL was sold at very cheap price to real estate companies when it could have been used for setting up industries.

He asked the Chief Minister to hold an inquiry into to the illegal sale of land.

Implementation of vendors’ policy demanded
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
Members of the Small Trade Association, led by president Sanjay Chopra, here today met state Urban Development Minister Preetam Singh Panwar and submitted a memorandum with regard to the implementation of the State Vendors’ Policy in the Dehradun Municipal Corporation and local bodies.

Panwar gave an assurance to the delegation that he was committed to the welfare of the vendors.

The minister said he would implement the policy in the local bodies having population of 1 lakh. “I will soon constitute a town vending committee in this regard,” said Panwar.

Outpatient care project
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 18
The Uttarakhand Health and Family Welfare Society (UKHFWS) and the Indo-German Social Security Programme of Deutsche Gesellchaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) signed an agreement to start an initiative for development of the outpatient care package under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) scheme in Dehradun district.

The RSBY provides only in-patient benefits and with this agreement an outpatient project will be developed. The cost of the project will be Rs 6.7 lakh. So far, it has been the medium of providing cashless health insurance for unorganised workers.

Pritam Singh denies allegations

Dehradun, February 18
State Minister of Panchayati Raj Pritam Singh has rejected the charges that the government is planning to dislodge Madhu Chauhan, Chairman of the Dehradun Panchayat, to settle a score with BJP leader Munna Singh Chauhan.