World Water Day
Leaking pipelines major reason for diarrhoea: Expert 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
Leaking pipelines and inadequate knowledge about the content of chlorine to be used for purification of water are some of the factors responsible for cases of acute diarrhoea, viral hepatitis and cholera and hepatitis E.

Speaking today at a workshop on 'Water Cooperation for Safe Drinking Water' to mark World Water Day, Monika Bhatia, state microbiologist, Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP), said that the incidents of infective jaundice, diarrhoea, viral hepatitis and cholera (27 cases in Kashipur 2011) were reported and on examination, the IDSP found that water was unfit for drinking.

''There was leakage in the pipes in these areas and the water from sewers got mixed up with the drinking water,'' she said.

On the occasion, Principal Secretary, Water Resource, S.Raju, also stressed on the need to provide safe drinking water to the people of Uttarakhand. ''It is an established fact that more than 80 per cent of diarrhoeal diseases are attributed to unsafe water supply, inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Individual health is largely dependent on adequate availability of drinking water and proper sanitation coupled with hygienic behaviours,'' said Raju.

Bharti Dangwal, Project Director, Health, for the Urban Poor Programme, said that the workshop had tried to bring the different actors engaged in the water sectors on one platform for proper water management.

On the occasion Principal Secretary S.Raju released a report on water and sanitation.

BJP MLAs submit memo to Governor
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
A delegation of BJP MLAs, led by Leader of the Opposition Ajay Bhatt and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, today submitted a memorandum to Governor Aziz Qureshi, urging him to direct the state government to initiate a CBI probe into the alleged sale of land at Pantnagar and Haridwar and dissolve the Bhati Commission.

When the House was in session, the Opposition had raised the demand during the entire period and had disallowed the House to function. Now with the Assembly being adjourned indefinitely, BJP MLAs today again met the Governor with their two demands.

Nishank, whose name figures in the Bhati report, was also part of the delegation today and demanded that the commission be dissolved immediately as it was not formed according to the norms.

Bhatt said the issue of the sale of land to builders at throwaway prices was serious and a CBI probe should be ordered into it. The Dehradun Mayor and some councillors were also in the delegation.

The Governor gave them an assurance that he would look into their demands seriously and ensure appropriate action.

Migrant villagers seek wider routes, telecom services
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, March 22
Villagers of the high Himalayan valleys, who migrate to the lower valleys during the winter, have demanded the construction of bridleways and the widening of traditional routes. The routes they use for travelling along with their cattle herds at present have been badly damaged. Besides, they have also demanded other basic facilities like shelters and telecom services during the migration period every year.

“The routes used by these migrant villagers, who are returning home at present, are damaged and difficult to travel on. A number of sheep and other animals fall into the Gori and Dhauli rivers every year due to the bad condition of the routes in the Johar and Darma valleys,” said KS Phirmal, who is returning to his native Philam village in the Darma valley.

“We demand the construction of wide routes and sheds with electricity connections in these valleys. Besides, a provision of telecommunication facilities on these routes could make the annual migration from and to the high Himalayan valleys safe and easy,” said Phirmal.

The people of the Johar valley migrate to the lower valleys and the Teria region during the winter through the Laspa, Rilkot, Martoli, Lwa, Tola, Khilanch, Sumdu, Burphu, Panchu, Garghar, Mapa, Raalam and Milam route. This route is in the same condition as it was before Independence. “While the Internet revolution has overtaken the entire world, we in the Himalayan valleys are living in the conditions that have remained the same for decades,” said Govind Singh Pangti, a resident of the Johar valley.

The villagers of the Darma valley migrate through the Sipu, Marcha, Tidang, Goo, Dantu, Duktu, Dhakar, Nagling and Baling route, while the Vyans valley residents travel through the Gala, Bundi, Garbyang, Gunji, Naplchu, Nabhi and Kuti route. “The migration routes in the Darma valley have deteriorated due to the construction of a border road. Villagers of the Vyans valley are also facing difficulties while migrating from and to their homes as the work on the Ghatiabagar to Lipu Lekh road is in progress,” said Phirmal.

According to villagers, during the six-month stay in their homes in the high valleys they grow local cereals, pulses, potato and several medicinal herbs. They carry these produces along with them for sale when they migrate to the lower valleys during September and October every year. “These routes measuring up to 100 km from the upper to lower valleys have no medical and shelter facilities to protect against changing climate during migration. There are no telecommunication facilities that can be used to inform the government authorities about any eventuality during the 15-day migration period,” said Kundan Singh Tolia, former pramukh of the Munsiyari block and a senior BJP leader.

BJP for CBI probe into Sidcul land deal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
BJP workers marched towards the state Assembly yesterday to demand a CBI probe into the Sidcul land deal and other civic issues facing the people of the state.

They marched to the Assembly but were stopped by a police force at the police barricade erected on the Haridwar road.

Teerath Singh Rawat, president of the state unit of the BJP, alleged that the state government had failed on all fronts and indulging in corrupt practises by selling the SIDCUL land to private builders.

The BJP workers raised slogans against the government and said common people were suffering due to lack of governance as water, electricity and roads situation had deteriorated during the present Congress regime.

CM misled House on land deals
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Ajay Bhatt said yesterday that Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna misled the House by saying that the firms that were awarded contracts at SIDCUL at Pantnagar and Haridwar did not release their payment plans.

“The Chief Minister misled the House two days ago when he categorically denied that the companies that were awarded contracts did not release their payment plans and as such no land had been sold. Super Tech Company released the price list under the down payment plan and the flexi payment plan for its project at Rudrapur in Pantnagar and even held a launching ceremony. For this reason we are demanding a CBI inquiry,” said Bhatt at a press conference yesterday.

He accused the Bahuguna government of not taking the Opposition into confidence while deciding to end the Assembly session.

“We have already given a notice to the Speaker to hold a discussion on the issue under Section 310, but he did not relent. For us it is an important issue and, therefore, we decided to boycott the House as the Speaker did not heed to our demand,” he said.

Bhatt also criticised the government for leaking the Bhati Commission report and said it did not carry any value and any action on its basis would lack sanctity.

Meanwhile, former Agriculture Minister Trivender Singh Rawat, who held a rally in protest against the involvement of the Bahuguna government in land scams, said there was a conflict of interest involved as a former IAS officer had rented his house to a Congress MLA.

Class IV employees stage dharna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
Demanding better pay and perks, class four employees staged a protest march to the Vidhan Sabha in Dehradun today.

Under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Class Four Employees Federation, the class four employees gathered at Parade Ground here during morning hours. Led by the president of the federation, Govind Singh Negi, the class four employees subsequently staged a march to the Vidhan Sabha.

The march was stopped on the Rispana Bridge by the police. The protesters staged a dharna on the spot. Banvari Singh Rawat, Nazim Siddiqui, Surendra Singh Bhandari and Anil Kumar Saxena addressed the protesters on the occasion.

They alleged that despite repeated assurances, the state government had failed to redress their grievances. They even threatened to intensify their stir in case the state government failed to address their demands.

More than 56,000 fourth class employees of the state working in 36 departments have been on strike in support of their demands since March 2.

DM reviews development projects of nine depts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
With the financial year coming to an end, District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam held a meeting with officials of nine departments today to review development projects approved at the levels of district, state and Centre and those sponsored by outside agencies.

The District Magistrate discussed the current expenditure and the proposed expenses on future proposals for 2013-14. He directed officials to complete the tender process of projects by March 28 and provide the proposed action plan for the next financial year to the Chief Development Officer (CDO). He also instructed them not to include surplus plans in their proposals.

Examining PWD projects, he instructed the Executive Engineer to complete the tender process of the construction of main roads in Dehradun and Mussoorie by March 28. Similarly, he also passed instructions to the Executive Engineer of the power department to send proposals for funds to repair non-functional electric poles, hanging wires and low-tension lines. Officials of Jal Nigam were directed to reserve more money from the funds for the repair of handpumps.

DM seeks staff from depts for election duty
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam has asked for officials and employees to work at various levels for making preparations for the local urban bodies’ polls due next month.

He directed the government departments under his command to provide a list of officials and employees for the purpose by March 30. He said the branches and regional offices of these departments would also send photocopies of the lists to their heads of the departments. The Education Department would provide a list of teachers and employees working in schools and colleges.

The District Magistrate warned the officials concerned that any department failing to produce the list in time would face disciplinary action. He added that the head of department of the negligent department would face the music for non-compliance of his order.

Peer educators’ camp on AIDS ends
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
The Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of the Dolphin (PG) Institute organised a two-day peer educators’ camp that concluded here yesterday. Twenty peer educators participated in the camp. Experts delivered lectures on HIV/AIDS awareness and voluntary blood donation. Dr Shailja Pant, president of the club and principal of the Dolphin (PG) Institute, inaugurated the camp.

In her inaugural speech, Shailja said HIV/AIDS is a monster and it could be killed only through proper knowledge. Dr Gyanendra Awasthi spoke about the objectives and the history of the club. He said the institute organised the peer educator camp for the third consecutive year. He spoke about misconceptions and myths about HIV/AIDS. Dr Ashwani Sanghi delivered a lecture on the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS while Dr Shiv Sharan spoke on the Anti-Retroviral Therapy for HIV/AIDS.

On the second day, Aditya Swarup delivered a lecture on the history of HIV/AIDS in India while Rajeev Ranjan talked about voluntary blood donation and its importance.

Various activities were also organized by the peer educators. In a quiz competition, the WBC Team comprising Bilkees Nabi and Sameer Kumar stood first, the Platelet team of Pallavi and Hemlata stood second while the RBC team comprising Bishnu and Chiranjivi secured the third position.

In the poster competition, Randhir Mahato stood first, Santosh second while Bhuvnesh and Bilkees secured the third position. Sanasam and Suman were awarded the consolation prize.

Arvind Gupta from the Dolphin (PG) Institute gave away mementoes and prizes to the winners. In his valedictory address Gupta said due to such programmes awareness about HIV/AIDS had increased, leading to a decline in the cases of HIV/AIDS. He added more such programmes would be organized in the near future.

Workshop marks Forestry Day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
As part of the World Forestry Day observation, a one-day workshop on "Integrating forest-based enterprises with rural development for livelihood support and economic growth" was organised by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education here yesterday.

In his inaugural address, chief guest TKA Nair, Adviser to the Prime Minister, emphasised that changing dimensions in the governance of forests had been necessitated in order to strengthen the forest-based livelihoods of around 350 million rural people.

He said the future forest management would be directed towards fulfiling the millennium development goals under which poverty was envisaged to be reduced by half by the year 2014 and asserted that institutions like the ICFRE had an extremely important role to play by working for the scientific management of the country's natural resources.

Earlier welcoming the participants, Director General, ICFRE, Dr VK Bahuguna presented a brief overview of forestry research in India and the changed focus of the ICFRE to address the issues of livelihood support and economic growth, especially in the rural areas of the country. He highlighted some of the recent initiatives and some of the technologies that could be used for rural livelihood support programmes.

Dehradun district panchayat chairman Madhu Chauhan and Thakur Baldev Singh, Sarpanch, Nauni, Solan, and Kunwar Singh, Sarpanch from Yamunanagar, also expressed their views.

Deputy Director General (Extension) Saibal Dasgupta proposed the vote of thanks. More than 100 stakeholders such as representatives of the State Forest Department, van panchayats, gram sabhas, non govt organizations and self-help groups working in the field of rural livelihoods attended the workshop.

Seminar to discuss ownership of local resources
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 22
The Uttarakhand Lok Vahini, a people-oriented organisation of Almora, has decided to convene a national seminar on the issue of ownership of local resources by villagers at Jageshwar on April 25.

It will discuss the issue and plan a civil disobedience movement if the government does not agree to the proposal. Vahini president Shamsher Singh Bisht announced this after returning from a 20-day janyatra against the alleged exploitation of water and other resources by private companies in the state.

“After the convention, which will be attended by eminent personalities leading people's movements in the country and outside, the villagers will be urged to boycott the state laws which have been formed against their will and are against their traditional interests of habitation,” said Bisht.

Bisht said the janyatra has visited 20 interior places in both Kumaon and Garhwal region and found that people had awakened against this exploitation of national resources for commercial uses and started initiatives on using these resources for their self-sufficiency.

“The people in the state are going to make experiments of setting up hydro electricity projects fully owned by villagers on two rivers, the Panar in Kumaon and the Balganga in Garhwal, where the hydro companies owned by local villagers will produce electricity for their own uses,” said the Janyatra convener.

“If this experiment becomes successful, this will become a model for future development of hill villages,” said Ram Singh, chairman of Saryu Hydro Power Producers Ltd.

Proposals for eight food processing units approved
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, presiding over a meeting of the state-level steering committee of the National Horticulture Technology Mission, directed that the proposals for setting up of food processing units should be examined and evaluated carefully before being presented before the committee.

He said the norms for evaluation should follow the rules of the Central Government.

The meeting, held at the Secretariat, approved of eight proposals out of the 13 presented before the panel. Under the mini mission of the National Horticulture Technology Mission, proposals for setting up or modernising food processing units are sent after being evaluated to the Food Processing Industry Ministry of the Government of India.

The proposals which were approved were for the Rs 3 crore Herbal Planet, Rs 9 crore Vaishnavi Foods, Rs 3 crore Nectar Fresh Agro Foods, Rs 2.88 crore Polygon Agro Foods, Rs 1.8 Crore Sai Food Products, Rs 12.41 crore Indian Frozen Foods Ltd, Rs 10.14 crore Arabina Agri Products Ltd and Rs 6.33 crore Genius Foods Pvt Ltd.

Principal Secretary (Industries) Rakesh Sharma, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Om Prakash, Additional Secretary (Finance) RC Agarwal, VC of Hortculture and Forestry University Dr Mathew Prasad and VC of Sridev Suman University Dr US Rawat were present at the meeting.

Two-day training on soil testing begins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22
A two-day "Northern Region Workshop-cum-Training on Soil Testing" was inaugurated at College of Agriculture of Pantnagar University by the chief guest and Registrar of the university, Dr JP Pandey, today.

Dr Krishna Chandra, Additional Commissioner (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi, and Dr Pradeep Dey, Project Coordinator, Indian Institute of Soil Sciences (IISS), Bhopal, were present as guest of honour in the inaugural session.

The workshop was organised by the department of soil science of the university in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, and sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation.

In the inaugural address, Dr JP Pandey emphasized the use of scientific knowledge for rebuilding soil quality through judicious use of resources.

He said that soil testing and the STCR recommendations would be handy to address the issues of soil fertility and productivity.

Guest of honour Krishan Chandra in his address stressed to improve the fertiliser-use efficiency for sustainability. He said the addition of 3 per cent carbon along with fertilisers increased the productivity by 12 per cent. He emphasized the need of research in this area.

In the introductory remarks, Dr Pradeep Dey stressed on the development of district-wise fertility maps to facilitate the requisite fertiliser use.

Dean, Agriculture, Dr J Kumar said intensification of agriculture and exploitation of soils in an unscientific manner had created soil fatigue. He emphasized on precision farming and judicious use of the resources, particularly fertilizer. Dr. Ramesh Chandra, Head, Department of Soil Science, welcoming the guest and participants briefed about the ill-effects of intensive cultivation, with imbalance use of fertilizers, on soil health.

Dr JP Singh, Director, Experiment Station, while delivering vote of thanks, advocated the use of manures for sustaining and improving the fertilizer-use efficiency. Several soil scientists and persons working in State Soil Testing Laboratories of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttarakhand and other guests were present in the inaugural session

Solar streetlights for 670 villages from April
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 22
The Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) with the help of the Renewable Energy Ministry will install solar streetlights in 670 villages of the state from April this year, a source in UREDA said.

“Under the project, the 670 villages, which have been included in this project in 13 districts of the state, will be provided with 13,003 sets of solar streetlights supported by a 74 watt solar panel, a battery having 75 ampere capacity in 12 bolts and a CLF bulb,” said LD Sharma, senior project officer of UREDA.

According to Sharma, the project has been financed by the Government of India up to 90 per cent. The state will spend 10 per cent on it. The project will be run by gram panchayats after the installation of the solar streetlights in these villages. 'The streetlights will work as soon as the sun sets and get off as the sun rises,” he said.