Nod to 4 schools for nomadic kids in forests
46 schools to be constructed in state for such children
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
The dreams of around 2000 tribal children of getting education in primary schools will now be fulfilled with the Department of Forest giving approval for the construction of four schools in Dehradun district.

The Department of School Education has envisaged the construction of 46 schools in the forests, but, for now, the focus is on to get constructed four schools for the new academic session.

These schools will replace Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) Centres that were being run for the children of tribal people under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The centres were set up to provide education to the children and curb dropout ratio.

The migratory nature of the nomadic tribesmen's lifestyle had affected the education of the children. So the EGS centres were set up in the forests.

But as the Right to Education (RTE) Act ordains compulsory permanent structures be set up for children covered under the Act, the Department of Education was forced to discontinue the EGS centres, that were semi-permanent in nature, to go for permanent structures. However as the forest laws prevent the construction of permanent structures deep inside the forests, the schools could not be built.

But after the state government pursued the matter, the department gave clearan\ce for the construction of four schools in the forest area of Dehradun.

"The Central Government will provide Rs 3.24 lakh for the construction of the four schools, while the Department of School Education will pay Rs 21,000 as compensation in lieu of the trees that would be cut in the forest area," said Manisha Panwar, Secretary, School Education.

The Department of School Education hopes to construct a total of 46 schools for the education of children of forest dwellers. Out of the 46 schools, 27 schools will come up at Nainital, 15 at Udham Singh Nagar and four at Dehradun.

The children will be able to get free uniform, books and even midday meals under the RTE Act. Earlier, these children used to study for 11 months at the centre and then migrate to upper areas with their parents.

2,500 contractual power employees go on strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
All the 2,500 contractual employees of the Power Department are observing indefinite strike in pursuance of their demands for the regularisation of jobs and salary disbursement from the department itself, rather than UPNAL agency.

President of the Association of Contractual Employees of the Power Department Yogender Vishal said they got no message from Secretary, Energy, for dialogue on this issue today and, hence, they had decided to continue with the strike. He said the contractual employees had been working for the past eight to 10 years, hoping that one day they would be regularised. “We work for full hours like others but get little salary in the return. So our first and foremost demand is regularisation and we will not budge at less than this.”

He added: “Besides, each of us is paid merely Rs 7,500 out of a total salary package of Rs 12,000. So if we draw our salaries directly from the department, we will get a better salary package. Power Department will also not have to shell out extra from its coffers for us.” He said with direct salary from the department, they would also be in a position to avail other benefits such as medical claim, Provident Fund etc.

Yesterday Managing Directors of all the three power corporations, AK Johri of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited, GP Patel of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited and SS Rawat of Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited had talked to the union leaders and agreed to raise their medical claim from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh but the employees demanded the same medical claim policy as given to the regular employees of the department. The officials said the related proposals could only be passed in the Board of Directors' meeting. The DOB meeting will be held in the next four days. Later, these proposals have to be cleared by the state government as well. The union leaders said they would continue the strike till they got a written assurance from the state government over these issues.

The contractual employees will hold a rally starting from Parade Ground to Rajpur Road. It will culminate at Parade Ground.

Tension in govt circles, party over Rahul’s visit today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
There was tension within the state government as well as the state Congress organisation on the eve of the first visit of newly elected vice-president of Congress Rahul Gandhi to Dehradun on March 8. Rahul Gandhi would be visiting Dehradun to interact with the grassroot party workers in a bid to galvanise the party before the crucial Lok Sabha elections scheduled in May 2014.

However, the sudden announcement of his visit has unnerved the state government as well as the state party organisation. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna along with state party chief Yashpal Arya visited state party office for the consecutive past two days to interact with party workers.

All preparations have been made by the state government for the visit of Rahul Gandhi tomorrow. Birender Singh,Congress general secretary and in charge of Uttarakhand party affairs, along with his deputy Anees Ahmed reached Dehradun today to oversee the arrangements for the crucial visit.

As per party officials, Rahul Gandhi will reach Jollygrant Airport by a chartered plane in the morning. He would be meeting party workers from each district in groups. Party office bearers of the district along with party legislators, past legislators and those who fought on the party ticket from the district will meet the party vice-president. Rahul Gandhi will then address a meeting of elected panchayat and civic body members of the Congress Party. He is also expected to participate at a meeting of the state NSUI. Later, in the afternoon, he will be addressing a meeting of the PCC at a local hotel. He will leave for New Delhi in the evening.

But there was lot of tension and heartburning amongst Congress workers to get passes to attend various programmes of the Congress vice-president. The officiating district president of Haridwar district had a tiff with Birender Singh, Congress general secretary, over the issuance of pass to him.

Govt cold to employees’ problems: Bhatt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt said the Bahuguna government was neither focusing on solving the problems of employees, nor was it concerned about the development of the state.

He said contractual employees of the UPCL had threatened to go on strike at a time when the board examinations were being conducted. In case, if there is absence of power supply, it would affect the future of scores of students.

“Similarly, diploma engineers have also gone on strike at a time when development works are pending,” he said. Bhatt urged the government to behave responsibly and begin talks with the employees.

CS for e-governance facility in courts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain today directed officials of the judicial department that e-governance and e-court facilities be made available in courts to enhance the pace of providing justice to people in the state.

He was speaking at a meeting held to discuss the improvements required in the legal system under the 13th Finance Commission.

It came to light that a large number of civil and criminal cases were pending in the state. Several cheque-bounce cases are also pending.

It was decided that nine special courts would be set up in the big cities. Jain said proper infrastructure should be made available in these special courts.

He said laptops, tablets, desktop computers and the Internet should be made available to 150 officials in the courts to accelerate the pace of work.

He said funds made available by the Central Government to upgrade courts under the 13th Finance commission should be utilised completely.

Jain said a seminar of judges would be organised in April at the Uttarakhand Administration Acacemy at Nainital.

The Chief Secretary said in some districts, court buildings could not come up due to lack of coordination about land allotment. He told PWD Secretary SS Sandhu to take steps to allot PWD land in districts where it has to be allotted.

The need for allotment of land for court buildings/residences for judges in Dehradun, Roorkee, Rudraprayag, Kotdwar , Almora, Champawat, Haldwani, Dhumakot, Dwarahat, Satpuli and Pithoragarh was also discussed.

Till 2016, the Centre has approved of Rs 96 crore for constructing court buildings in Uttarakhand. Till now, Rs 9 crore has been released.

RD Paliwal, Director, Uttarakhand Judicial and Legal Academy, Ram Singh from the Nainital High Court, Secretary Bhaskaranand, Principal Secretary (Law) DP Gairola, Additional Secretary MK Joshi and Additional Secretary MC Joshi were present at the meeting.

Driver booked for ex-zila panchayat chief’s rape
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 7
The Pithoragarh police is looking for zila panchayat driver as former zila panchayat chairperson Ranjana Devi has lodged a case against the driver for raping and physically exploiting her for two years, besides making her nude clippings for the purpose of blackmailing her.

“We have lodged a case under Sections 376, 270 and 506, IPC, and 67, IT Act, against the driver”, said SK Singh, Circle Officer of the Pithoragarh police.

Ranjana Devi, who was elected as Pithoragarh zila panchayat chief as a BJP candidate in mid-2008, remained on the post till a no-confidence motion was passed against her by panchayat members after 30 months of her being elected to the post.

According to the police, the former zila panchayat chief has alleged that the driver has exploited her physically for more than one year under the pretext of marrying her and when she insisted him to marry her he refused to do so on the caste ground.

Rules for Clinical Establishment Act okayed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
The Cabinet has given approval to the rules and regulation for the Clinical Establishment Act, thereby bringing all private hospitals and clinics under the government's supervision.

A lot of private hospitals had come up but the services offered by these were not only costly but also not up to the mark. But now with the Act in place and approval being given to the rules and regulations, the people can hope to get respite from the exorbitant charges fixed by private hospitals.

Kisan Mela to showcase latest technologies
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 7
The 93rd Kisan Mela, which is being organised by Pantnagar University from March 8 to 11, will focus on developing agricultural technologies which can enhance income of hill farmers, keeping in mind their geographic, economic and agriculture needs. The four-day national-level Kisan Mela will be inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Subhash Kumar.

“The university, which was established on November 17, 1960, in the Terai region of Pantnagar to augur green revolution in the country, is at present working through its seven hill campuses and 11 Krishi Vigyan Kendras spread across the hill districts of the state,” said Subhash Kumar.

The Kisan Mela this year is focusing on the promotion of agriculture technologies which can increase agro production of farmers having small holdings and depend on rains for irrigation in the hill areas.

“We are putting up stalls for not only showcasing the suitable technologies, but also for selling advance varieties of vegetable seeds, fruits plants and farming of pulses to increase the income of small and marginal farmers this year,” said YPS Dabhas, director of extension of the university.

According to the director, the university at present is working on 321 research projects on the hill campus and on the main campus, which aims to promote agriculture and horticulture advancement according to local geographic needs.

The extension director said animal husbandry and poultry farming, besides fisheries and agricultural forestry technologies, were also being developed by the university campuses for the use of hill farmers.

“We are also promoting agriculture diversification and inter-cropping to increase the productivity at university farms under the guidance of present Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Kumar," he said.

According to the extension department of the university, the university has over the years developed 252 advanced varieties of various crops which have helped bringing in green revolution in the Terai area after 1961. “We have recently developed 11 crops varieties which are being exhibited in this year’s mela,” said the extension director of the university.

According to the extension department sources, the four-day Kisan Mela this year will also have interaction programmes with the visiting farmers in which the experts will answer the queries of the farmers.

“The sale of advanced vegetable and fruit seeds and auction of cross-breed cows are other programmes which have been scheduled for this year keeping the needs of farmers in mind,” said Dr YPS Dabhas.

Union Week celebrations at DBS College
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
The Union Week celebrations began at DBS College here today.

Inaugurating the Union Week celebrations, Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi exhorted the students to have a clear view about their career. He said the students in today’s competitive world needed to aim early in their lives and must subsequently work to achieve that target.

He asserted that the students were the future of the state as well as the country. He also appreciated the rangoli prepared by the students in the college on the first day of the celebrations.

Social Worker Rakesh Dhawan said the students must take part in social welfare activities as being a responsible citizen they kept much responsibility towards the society. DBS College Principal O P Kulshretra on the occasion referred to the activities being undertaken at DBS College for the betterment of students.

Apart from the rangoli, mehndi competition was also organised. Dr RK Pandey, Sushil Singh and Devendra Singh Negi were prominent among present on the occasion.

Symposium on biotech begins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
A two-day national symposium (lecture series) on biotechnology organised by Beehive Group of Colleges started here today. The main theme of this year's event is “Role of Biotechnology in Infectious Diseases.” Biologic, as the event is called, which is being held every year since 2008 to bring general awareness amongst the public and students, was inaugurated by Uttarakhand Sports Minister Dinesh Aggarwal.

Dinesh Aggarwal encouraged students to participate in such symposiums and avail benefits. He also wished for a bright future of the young scientists. In his address Amit Kapoor, Chairman of Beehive Group of Colleges, highlighted the need and utility of such symposiums.

A poster presentation competition was also organised in which the best poster presentation prize was given to Nisha, Malaria Research Institute, New Delhi. The first runners up trophy went to Muneer Ahmed from Beehive College of Advanced Studies, the second runners-up to Pravendra from Dolphin Institute, Dehradun, and the third runners-up to Saloni from Graphic Era University, Dehradun.

Seminar on ‘green growth’ concludes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) and Tata Energy Research Insitute seminar on 'Green Growth' being held at Doon University concluded yesterday.

Addressing the valedictory session, Uttarakhand Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jairaj referred to importance of environment conservation. "Any complacency in the works of conservation of environment and biodiversity could have disastrous consequences in future," Jairaj pointed out.

Jairaj said the frequent occurrences of landslides and other disasters are directly linked to degradation of environment in the state. He said any development activity needs to be linked with 'green growth.'

Prof KP Singh from GB Pant University, Pantnagar, said environmental concerns can no longer be taken for granted while dealing with development activities.

Restoration work on Shaheed Sthal to begin soon, says Panwar
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, March 7
Urban Development Minister Preetam Singh Panwar told mediapersons on the sidelines of a function in Mussoorie today that the work for the restoration of the Shaheed Sthal, according to the aspirations of the statehood agitators, would begin soon. The Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) had received a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Mussoorie Municipal Council to undertake the restoration work, he added.

Panwar said the Shaheed Sthal is a revered place for the residents of the state as many people had laid down their lives in Mussoorie during the agitation for the formation of Uttarakhand. The MDDA would restore the dilapidated building that would be designed in a manner that the local culture could be visible in its architecture.

He said the restoration work would be completed before September 2, the anniversary of the police firing in Mussoorie.

Panwar said a Uttarakhand development authority would be formed to ease the problems faced by villagers in the state in getting the plans for houses sanctioned. He added with the formation of the authority the villagers would be provided all clearances under one roof. A community centre for tourists and local residents would be constructed at Suva Kholi soon.

Preetam said the charge levelled by former MLA, Mussoorie, Jot Singh Gunsola that the MC had hatched a conspiracy to sell the land earmarked for a town hall was baseless. There is no question of selling the land and a grand town hall would be constructed with funds from the government or under the PPP mode.

He said he would discuss the issue of drinking water crisis in the town with the Water and Urban Education Minister and a plan would be formulated to provide relief to the local residents.

Panwar said the vigilance inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Municipal Council was on and the guilty would not be spared.