The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Kisan Melas an opportunity to share knowledge with experts: FRI

Dehradun, March 24
As part of its commitment to take researches to the farmers, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, has been organising Kisan Mela at several states in the country. A Kisan Mela was organised in Yamunanagar yesterday catering to the farmers who provide wood to the local plywood industry.

Dr PP Bhojvaid, Director, FRI, gives a memento to a participant of Yamunanagar Kisan Mela in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Dr PP Bhojvaid, Director, FRI, gives a memento to a participant of Yamunanagar Kisan Mela in Dehradun on Sunday

3-km road in just Rs 1.5 lakh
Pithoragarh, March 24
Villagers of Dhaulkot village in the Askot area of the district have a moment to rejoice as they have become successful in constructing a 3-km road to their village due to voluntary efforts.

UPP vows to follow path shown by martyrs
Dehradun, March 24
Uttarakhand Parivartan Party yesterday pledged to carry forward the ideals of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. At a function held at Hindi Bhavan, Dehradun, on occasion of Martyrdom Day of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, Parivartan Party president PC Tiwari, while remembering the sacrifices made by freedom fighters, asserted that Uttarakhand Parivartan Party was following the path shown by them.

More powers for panchayats on cards
Dehradun, March 24
To strengthen the panchayati raj system in the state, Uttarakhand Minister for Panchayati Raj Preetam Singh yesterday discussed ways to transfer the functions of 14 departments falling under Schedule XI to the panchayats.

Govt lodges FIR on Bhati panel report
Dehradun, March 24
The state government has lodged an FIR on the recommendation of the Bhati Commission report looking into the alleged irregularities in the Terai Seed Corporation. The FIR, without naming anyone, was lodged by the police at the Kotwali police station under Sections 120-b, 467 and 468 166, 409, 420, and 471 of the IPC by Manveer Singh Chauhan, an official of the Agriculture Department.

RIMC cadets observe Earth Hour
Dehradun, March 24
The cadets of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) observed Earth Hour and joined the global efforts in sensitising the people to conserve the fast depleting natural resources.

RIMC cadets enjoy candlelight dinner to mark Earth Hour late on Saturday night in Dehradun. RIMC cadets enjoy candlelight dinner to mark Earth Hour late on Saturday night in Dehradun

Students spread message to save water
Dehradun, March 24
Students of Ecole Globale School went to Shreya Shiksha Niketan in Horrawala to spread awareness about water conservation on the occasion of World Water Day on Friday. The students presented a street play.
Students of Ecole Globale School stage a streetplay on World Water Day in Dehradun.

Cultural evening of Holi and Sufi music
Dehradun, March 24
The two-day colourful annual event held at Raj Bhavan, Basantotsav, came to a musical end today with a cultural evening which featured Holi songs and Sufi music. IIT, Roorkee, was declared the winner of the running trophy again this year.
Governor Aziz Qureshi gives away the runnng trophy to the staff of IIT, Roorkee, in Dehradun on Sunday.

Holi revelry reported from Rajaji park
Dehradun, March 24
Holi rejoicing has been reported from inside Rajaji National Park, contrary to the provisions of wildlife laws. According to credible sources, Holi revelers gathered at the Kansro rest house of Rajaji Park today.

‘Holi Milan’ programme
Dehradun, March 24
The Uttarakhand Congress Committee yesterday organised ‘Holi Milan’ programme here. At a function held here, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna appealed to the people to collectively work for the development of the state.

Tulips to bloom in Uttarakhand
Dehradun, March 24
If the plans of the Department of Horticulture materialise, Uttarakhand will soon have tulip flowers blooming in the Choi area of Ramnagar and become the second state after Jammu and Kashmir to have its own tulip garden.

	Food Security Bill to be tabled in House: Minister Tribune News Service Haridwar, March 24 On the ambitious Food Security Bill, Union Minister for Water Resources said in the second phase of the Budget session post-April 22, it would be tabled in Parliament, pointing out that United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi was quite serious about the Bill to get enacted. Rawat said on the lines of the popular MGNREGA scheme, the Food Security Bill will directly cater to the poor and needy, bringing a change in their lives. Speaking on the sidelines of a Holi Milan programme, Harish Rawat told TNS that already the government was spending Rs 67,310 crore on food subsidies with the proposed National Food Security Bill to increase it by Rs 30,000 crore, but will cover 2/3rd population in its ambit. “In terms of population, India is quite big, but still 35 crore people of this country don’t have proper food to eat. Crores live on just a single day meal which may or may not be nutritious. Keeping this in mind, the Union Government has drafted Food Security Bill that will provide crores of people low-cost ration” said Rawat. He added that recently, the Cabinet had cleared the National Food Security Bill that gives legal entitlement to 67 per cent population, including 75 per cent rural and 50 per cent urban, for subsidised grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System. On the state front, parliamentarian from Haridwar said the Congress was on right path to regain all five parliamentary seats in the Lok Sabha elections as public knows the reality behind the commotion created by opposition BJP legislators in the Assembly House. Rawat said it’s quite a shame that the Opposition, particularly the BJP, didn’t allow the Assembly Budget session to run smoothly, which doesn’t augur well for a new state and for the democracy. Harish Rawat said if BJP leaders or ex-Ministers were not involved in any scam or wrongdoing then why are they afraid of the Bhatti commission report. “They are demanding abolition of the commission, because they know they have done wrong and will surely get exposed” said Rawat.
	Six ropeways out of order in Champawat Farmers face difficulty in transportation of produce Our Correspondent Pithoragarh, March 24 Farmers in the rural areas of Champawat district are facing difficulties to market their produces, as six out of the nine ropeways constructed to give facility to these vegetable and fruit producers of the district have gone out of order. This has happened due to non-availability of power and generator, the Champawat district horticulture officer said. “Only three ropeways in the interior areas of the district are operational. Out of the remaining six ropeways, four are non-operational due to the non-availability of power while two come under the forest land disputes,” said Ratan Singh, DHO, Champawat. According to the DHO, due to the non-operational ropeways in the district, the producers of potato, orange and ginger in these remote part of the district like Sandark, Amkarik, Khimar, Punabe, Varsi Matela Talli Lari and other six villages were not in a position to send their surplus produce to the nearby markets. “As Mandi Parishad, Rudrapur, is the nodal agency in operating these ropeways, we have sent a proposal of Rs 30 lakh to the nodal agency but they have not acted till date resulting in a heavy loss to small local farmers,” said the DHO. According to department sources, either these ropeways be connected by power or capable generator sets be installed at these; only then these could become operational. “At present, we are operating the ropeways from Sandark to Amkarik, Khimar to Punabe and from Barsi to Matela, which are serving the local villagers in sending their produce to the nearest markets,” said the DHO, adding that if the remaining six ropeways were made operational, more farmers in the district would get employment in the district. The DHO said his department had also released an amount of Rs 2.8 lakh to the Electricity Department to give electricity connection to the ropeway from Pancheswar to Tarbar. “The department has not even responded till date despite deposition of required money for connection to this ropeway,” said the DHO.
	dehradun Diary HC decision on civic poll jolt for Cong THE ruling Congress found itself off balance following the direction of the Nainital High Court to hold civic elections in the state before May 5, 2013. A Division Bench of the High court gave its decision on an earlier decision of the Single Bench judgment which had stayed the civic elections on a petition filed by a Congress worker. The revision petition was filed by the opposition BJP which sought holding of the civic poll on time. The decision came as a big jolt to the Congress-led Bahuguna government which was not prepared to go to the peoples’ court at such a short notice. Chief Minster Bahuguna and his coterie of advisers were convinced that the delayed civic poll would give time to the state Congress government to prepare well for the crucial poll. The civic poll is important for the ruling Congress as this is being billed as a referendum on the performance of the state Congress government before all important Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held in May 2104. Moreover, newly elected Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi during his recent visit to Dehradun has reportedly emphasized on better performance in the civic poll with an aim on the Lok Sabha poll. The civic poll, particularly of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation, is directly related with the personal political prestige of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and his son Saket Bahuguna. Besides being the capital, the city is also part of the Tehri Lok Sabha constituency which was represented by Vijay Bahuguna till he took over as the Chief Minister of the state on March 13, 2013. After his election as a legislator from the Sitarganj Assembly segment in July 2102, he vacated his seat and his son fought election as a Congress candidate. But in the byelection he was defeated by Mala Raj Luxmi Shah of the BJP. Interestingly, the Congress did well in the hilly areas of the Tehri parliamentary constituency but fared badly in the urban areas of Dehradun. This indicated the losing popularity of the ruling Congress and that of Vijay Bahuguna in the urban areas. However, the Congress leaders argue that the hike in the prices of the LPG gas played a crucial role in the outcome of the Tehri byelection against the ruling Congress. They further argue that civic poll is fought on local issues and will be different. But the ruling Congress government also found itself on a weak wicket on that score. The common civic facilities in the urban areas, particularly in Dehradun city, like roads, sewerage, garbage, water and electricity supply have deteriorated over the past one year of the Congress rule. The roads which were dug up for water pipelines and sewerage were not repaired as people suffered. There are frequent shortages of water and electricity. With not much time left for the civic poll, the state Congress government has been trying to put its house in order to meet the challenge. Overnight repair works of roads have started to give an impression to the general public that things have started moving after a wait of full one year. The state government has sanctioned money for the roads expeditiously. On the political management, efforts are being made to reserve the wards for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Other backwards Castes and women as per the advantage of the ruling Congress. A final list of the reservation of seats in the entire state is expected to be released in a day or two. However, the faction-ridden ruling Congress will be facing a tough challenge in finding a suitable candidate for the post of Mayor of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC). Party legislators owing allegiance to either Vijay Bahuguna or Union Minister Harish Rawat will be trying hard to get their own candidate. But it was believed that Chief Minister Bahuguna and his son Saket Bahuguna will have a final say in the matter since the area falls in their Lok Sabha seat. The party needs a formidable candidate to take on the present BJP Mayor Vinod Chamoli who is nearly sure to get party nomination this time also. Various permutations and combinations are going in the Congress camp to resolve the issue. However, the biggest problems for the ruling Congress will be to put up a united fight. — SMA Kazmi
	Kisan Melas an opportunity to share knowledge with experts: FRI Tribune News Service Dehradun, March 24 As part of its commitment to take researches to the farmers, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, has been organising Kisan Mela at several states in the country. A Kisan Mela was organised in Yamunanagar yesterday catering to the farmers who provide wood to the local plywood industry. Forest Research Institute Director Dr PP Bhojvaid today described Yamunanagar Kisan Mela as a resounding success and highly beneficial for the farmers. He disclosed that the aim of the Kisan Mela was to bring farmers, the Haryana Forest Department and representatives of the plywood industries of Haryana on a common platform so that they could share their problems and make some strategies for their solutions. “Besides, it was also an opportunity to share the technical knowledge with the experts of the Forest Research Institute”, Bhojvaid pointed out. Bhojvaid also described Haryana and Punjab as the pioneer in agroforestry. However, he added the unmanaged farming and overexploitation of natural resources had led to problems like the declining ground water level and subsequent decreasing of production. He asserted that the excess use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides was affecting the health of human kind and livestock and stressed on the need for agroforestry in order to keep environment clean. Bhojvaid also pointed out that the forest cover in Haryana was very less and could be compensated by adopting agroforestry in the state. Significantly, one-day Yamunanagar Kisan Mela was inaugurated by Choudhary Akram Khan, Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. He expressed gratitude to the FRI for organising such a mela in his state. FRI head, Extension division of the FRI, Jayshree Ardey, head of Forest Product Division Dr Sadhna Tripathi, and head of Botany division Dr Subhash Nautiyal prominently attended the mela.
	3-km road in just Rs 1.5 lakh Credit goes to villagers Our Correspondent Pithoragarh, March 24 Villagers of Dhaulkot village in the Askot area of the district have a moment to rejoice as they have become successful in constructing a 3-km road to their village due to voluntary efforts. “It is like a dream come true for the families of Dhaulkot village as instead of travelling 3 km from the main road to their village, they reached the village in their own vehicles for the first time today,” said Sarswati Pal, Gram Pradhan of the village. According to Saraswati Pal, as their village is at 3 km distance from the Pithoragarh-Dharchula highway near Askot, they requested local Bhartiya Janata Party MLA Bishen Singh Chufal to construct the road. “As the amount of Rs 1.5 lakh released by the MLA under the Vidhayak Nidhi was not sufficient to construct the road, we have appealed to the villagers to come forward, which the villagers accepted and we could make 3-km road to our village in only Rs 1.5 lakh cost,” said Saraswatipal, the village pradhan. According to local PWD sources, the actual cost of this road would be at Rs 30 lakh in departmental estimates. “The department has now decided to give money for making the road as concrete one,” said a PWD engineer of Askot division of the district.
	UPP vows to follow path shown by martyrs Tribune News Service Dehradun, March 24 Uttarakhand Parivartan Party yesterday pledged to carry forward the ideals of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. At a function held at Hindi Bhavan, Dehradun, on occasion of Martyrdom Day of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, Parivartan Party president PC Tiwari, while remembering the sacrifices made by freedom fighters, asserted that Uttarakhand Parivartan Party was following the path shown by them. He also asked the party cadres to remain fully prepared for forthcoming local bodies' elections. Tiwari accused the incumbent Uttarakhand Congress government of failing to protect the interests of the state. Dehradun District Uttarakhand Parivartan Party president Kuldeep Madhwal said the people of the state were fed up with both Congress and BJP. He reiterated that Uttarakhand Parivartan Party was committed to the betterment of the people of Uttarakhand. Eminent environmentalist Virendra Painuily said the successive governments in power in the state had failed to address the concerns of the poor. A large number of Uttarakhand Parivartan Party members were present on the occasion. SFI remembers freedom fighters The Students Federation of India (SFI) Dehradun unit yesterday remembered freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. At a meeting held in DAV (PG) College to offer tributes, SFI leaders spoke at length on the lives of Shahid-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and Rajguru and Sukhdev. SFI leader from DAV (PG) College Vipin Joshi said Bhagat Singh had a strong will power and was completely committed to the cause of freedom movement. Student leader Pankaj said independence was the result of a large number of sacrifices made by freedom fighters. He called upon the youth to learn from the lives of the freedom fighters. Later, SFI members also took out a candlelight march to remember Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.
	More powers for panchayats on cards Tribune News Service Dehradun, March 24 To strengthen the panchayati raj system in the state, Uttarakhand Minister for Panchayati Raj Preetam Singh yesterday discussed ways to transfer the functions of 14 departments falling under Schedule XI to the panchayats. During the meeting held yesterday, it was decided to bring forth the matter to the upcoming cabinet meeting so that the financial and administrative powers of 14 departments were passed on to the panchayats. Under Schedule XI of the Constitution, the state had transferred the powers but soon a government order was issued withdrawing the power. Further during the meeting, the representatives of the panchayat organisations also gave suggestions to be incorporated in the the Panchayati Raj Act that would be brought up in the next session of Vidhan Sabha. Further, the minister also said the Chief Minister would be urged to intervene in the matter concerning the release of the remaining installment of Rs 33.25 crore for 2012-2013 for the Kshetra Panchayat. He also assured the members that the amount would be released from the contingency fund.
	Govt lodges FIR on Bhati panel report Tribune News Service Dehradun, March 24 The state government has lodged an FIR on the recommendation of the Bhati Commission report looking into the alleged irregularities in the Terai Seed Corporation. The FIR, without naming anyone, was lodged by the police at the Kotwali police station under Sections 120-b, 467 and 468 166, 409, 420, and 471 of the IPC by Manveer Singh Chauhan, an official of the Agriculture Department. Om Parkash, Agriculture Secretary. said the report was sent to the police for action on March 12 but the police sought some clarifications which were provided to them. The report points towards irregularities in the working of the Terai Seed Corporation by its Chairman appointed by the previous BJP government. A senior Civil Services officer was also indicted by the panel. According to state government sources, his role would also be probed.
	RIMC cadets observe Earth Hour Tribune News Service Dehradun, March 24 The cadets of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) observed Earth Hour and joined the global efforts in sensitising the people to conserve the fast depleting natural resources. Despite mid-term examinations in progress, lights were put off on the entire campus of the RIMC for an hour. The cadets decided to have their dinner in candlelight. Even though the essential services at the RIMC came to a halt, the spirit of the cadets remained high. Earth Hour has been observed globally and many major cities of the world observe an hour of darkness on this day. The RIMC has been associated with the WWF For Nature, India, for several years and it has been organising ‘Conservation Festival’ with active support for the WWF, India. Col HS Bainsla, SM, Commandant, RIMC, hailed cadets for their participation. Col Rana (retd), Operational Director, WWF, India, Dr Harish Gularia, and Dr Jatinder have been a guiding force in inspiring and motivating cadets for working towards conservation of natural resources.
	Students spread message to save water Tribune News Service Dehradun, March 24 Students of Ecole Globale School went to Shreya Shiksha Niketan in Horrawala to spread awareness about water conservation on the occasion of World Water Day on Friday. The students presented a street play. They walked their way to the school, shouting slogans on water conservation. The enthusiastic children of the school walked with the Ecolites and so did some curious elders of the village. Posters designed by the Ecolites were distributed among the audience. The message of the play was ‘Neela Sona’ (Blue Gold). “The water that we take for granted today will be a rare commodity in the future. We want the villagers to realise that a time will come when people will be at war for water. Although man is aware of this inevitable truth, it is still taking water conservation for granted.