Country needs innovations in climate change study: ICFRE DG
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 28
Forest Research Institute (FRI) today organised a workshop on Public Private Partnership plantation and its role in helping climate change mitigation and generation of carbon credits.

Inaugurating the workshop, the Director-General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, VK Bahuguna, stressed that the country needed innovations in entire climate change study. He said about 2 lakh villages are situated around fringe forests in the country and stressed on innovations to involve communities and research organisations to play a major role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. He said there was need to make people aware at the grassroot level about mitigation and adaptation of climate change.

Since coming into force of the Kyoto protocol of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2005, Bahuguna said world governments had adopted legally binding measures to tackle climate change. “Now carbon has become a tradeable commodity. Forests remain an important sink of carbon dioxide and are included in the offset scheme under the Clean Development Scheme (CDM) of Kyoto Protocol,” he said. He added that the CDM in Forestry was under-represented in compliance with carbon markets representing less than 0.1 per cent of total CDM projects registered globally. However, there are brighter outlook incoming initiatives for domestic projects in voluntary markets globally.

Director, Forest Research Institute, PP Bhojvaid, said forest carbon has found more fertile ground in the voluntary carbon market. “Today forest carbon accounts for more than 20 per cent of global voluntary market. Voluntary carbon markets have allowed the emergence of innovative tools and compliance-grade forest carbon offset supply but the demand side needs to be addressed, as the voluntary market is not sufficient to drive the growth of forest carbon”, he said

He said the current policy frameworks address the issue of land diversion for industrial purpose solely in a quantitative manner. The policy makers need to develop a sustainable solution wherein the forest conservation activities result in sustainable forest cover in qualitative terms and not quantitative.

Additional Director General (Climate Change) TP Singh gave an overview of the workshop. Raghunath Mahapatra of Welspun Energy Limited and Mohit Gera from Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy made presentations. The session was chaired by Promode Kant of Institute of Green Economy.

CM apprised of changes in forests of Uttarakhand
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 28
The Director-General of ICFRE, Dr V.K. Bahuguna, today met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and handed over a book, "Forest Types of India: Revisited", along with a note on the changes that have been noticed in Uttarakhand forests.

VK Bahuguna informed the Chief Minister that the tree line in Uttarakhand was shifting higher by about 300 m due to climatic conditions.

Similarly, many forests were moving towards dry-like conditions in the state.

He said it was being experienced kail regeneration was more in deodar forests.

These changes were due to the climatic changes, forest fires and biotic pressure.

He stressed on urgent steps for evolving a strategy for adaptation and managing these changes so that sub-surface water for drinking and soil moisture is maintained in the sites for better productivity and livelihood of the people.

He said that on the positive side, the report indicated that the oak forests and many forests near villages were getting regenerated.

Dr Bahuguna has proposed that a strategy should be evolved for combating climate changes through policy and management interventions for which the ICFRE could make a presentation before the state government.

Appointments in Pey Jal Nigam
Diploma engineers to submit memo to Lok Ayukt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 28
Protesting against the appointments being made by the management of the Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam, the Uttarakhand Diploma Engineers' Association will submit a memorandum to the Lok Ayukt asking him to initiate action against the high-ups.

Addressing a press conference today, AK Chaturvedi, president of the Uttarakhand Diploma Engineers' Association, said that in full violation of the High Court orders the management of Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam comprising the MD, Pey Jal Nigam, were busy appointing unsuitable engineers on the posts of executive engineer, superintendent engineer and chief engineer through the back door.

''These posts were to be filled through regular promotions or appointments, but the management was giving entry to unsuitable engineers through the back door, thereby indicating that money must have changed hands,'' alleged Chaturvedi at the press conference.

He said that the members of Diploma Engineers Association would now seek the intervention of the Lok Ayukta in the matter.

''We will submit a memorandum to the Lok Ayukta tomorrow, seeking his intervention in the matter,'' said Chaturvedi.

Chaturvedi said that the Uttarakhand Diploma Engineers Association would be forced to intensify its stir in case the management did not revere the decision.

The other demands are that the Pey Jal Nigam be declared a government department, DPC meeting be held for all the vacant posts and at the level of chief engineer, appointments be made for the post of chief engineer (main).

Depts should be given targets under MNREGS: Bahuguna
Tribune News Service

Dehrdaun, May 28
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said today that each department should be given targets for development works under the MNREGS.

He was presiding over a meeting at the Secretariat to review the works being done by the Rural Development Department.

The Chief Minister said there should be a strong and efficient system for resolving complaints related to the MNREGS. It was apprised during the meeting that under the PMGSY, Rs 1,100 crore would be approved by the Centre for 2012-13. From 2000 to 2011, a total of Rs 1,595 crore were approved by the Centre.

In the first week of June, the Central Minister for Rural Development proposes to hold a meeting in Dehradun and the Chief Minister reviews the PMGSY, the Indira Aawaas Yojana, the MNREGS and other schemes.

In 2012-13, the Central Government had approved Rs 471 crore for the PMGSY. A detailed project report of Rs 335 crore has been sent to the Centre and another detailed project report of Rs 296 crore will soon be sent.

In these two years, the state government has sent several proposals and has been able to get more approvals from the Centre.

The CM said every department should be given targets for development works under the MNREGS and the Chief Secretary should review this every month. He said an action plan for this should be made by every department. A comparative chart showing wages given by various states under the MNREGS should also be prepared.

In Uttarakhand, daily wage under the MNREGS was Rs 125 last year which has been raised to Rs 142 this year.

In 2011-12, 90.17 per cent of the amount provided under the MNREGS was spent. In 2012-13, 7,445 social audits were done. E-master rolls in Almora and Nainital have been completed while in other districts, work on this is going on.

Under the Indira Aawaas Yojna, the Centre has fixed a quota for the SC, ST, minorities and women. In 2012-13, 13,803 persons were covered under the scheme.

In 2012-13, 82 per cent of the money provided under the scheme was spent. In 2013-14, 4,012 persons under the Indira Aawaas Yojna would be covered.

Earlier, the grant for each beneficiary was Rs 48,500, which has now been raised to Rs 75,000.

Cabinet minister Pritam Singh, Forest and Rural Development Commissioner BP Pandey, Principal Secretary SS Sandhu and Secretary, Rural Development, Vinod Fonia were present on the occasion.

Engage China in talks on border issue: Ex-general
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 28
To have a permanent solution to the border problem with China, the Indian political leadership should come forward and try to solve the issue, said Lt Gen Mohan Chandra Bhandari (retd).

Expressing concern over the safety of northern borders following Chinese incursions, he said,“China has not still left the policy, which its bygone generation leader Mao had promulgated with India, on the principles of befooling Indian leadership by diplomatic advances, relenting this country for making incursions into Indian territory, with the intension of proving this country weak in the eyes of the world and subcontinent.”

“This time China has befooled India by announcing pity concessions on ‘Kailash Mansarowar yatra’ like availing Chinese mobile cards for Indian pilgrims during their stay in Tibet. These are the concessions which could have been announced at lower district administration level instead at the level of highest executive of the country,” said the retired General.

“Had the boundary been permanently demarcated in past at western and eastern sectors, these incursions would have been avoided with China which could have given time to strengthen other relations with that country.” said Bhandari. “China is clear about their claims while we are confused,” he said.

What China has done in western sector, might be repeated in the middle sector, as the Chinese patrolling parties keep coming to Barahoti border in Chamoli (in the middle sector) despite an agreement between two countries that only revenue officers from both countries will be allowed to enter at Barahoti. “ There are 12 high Himalayan passes, including high and snow-clad passes of Neung, Zadang, Tunjun La, Sancha Malla, Lapthal and Chhipki La in the middle sector, which comprises Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and where the Chinese patrolling parties keep coming regularly,” said Bhandari claiming being familiar with these passes.

He said taking advantage of Indian laxity on borders with that country, the Chinese leadership in the last two generations has not only possessed huge portions of Indian territory with them but also leased it out to Pakistan.

Externally-aided projects to be monitored on weekly basis: CS
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 28
Forest and Rural Development Commissioner BP Pandey, Infrastructure Development Commissioner Rakesh Sharma and Principal Secretary (Planning) S Ramaswamy will monitor externally aided projects (EAP) of the state government on a weekly basis.

Addressing a meeting at the Secretariat, Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar said he would take information and monitor them on a monthly basis.

He said a monthly target of spending the approved amount of Rs 1,300 crore should be fixed. New proposals should be prepared for getting more funds for the EAP.

He said accountability of department secretaries and heads of departments as well as of lower officials would be fixed and constant monitoring of EAPs done.

Secretary Tourism UK Panwar, Secretary (Rural Development) Vinod Fonia, Additional Secretary (Urban Development) MH Khan, Additional Secretary (Finance) MC Joshi, Additional Secretary (Power) MC Upreti, Additional Secretary, PWD, Amit Negi and Additional Secretary, Forests, Manoj Chandran were present at the meeting.

GMVN plans to cut down on expenses
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 28
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) is devising ways to make optimum use of it's resources to cut down on undue expenses. In this endeavour, GMVN has already rented out the third floor of the headquarter premises to the branch of Reserve Bank of India on a monthly rental of Rs 28 lakh. Now it has also decided to rent out a part of the second floor to Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) for Rs 16 lakh. The staff is being shifted to the basement and another office on Rajpur Road.

The instructions have been given to train the large force of fourth class employees as cooks or drivers.

Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey said by making better utilisation of the GMVN assets, which were lying unused, they had been able to earn a profit of Rs 2.5 crore in one year from the resources of corporation, which otherwise dealt with losses to the tune of Rs 4.5 crore.

General Manager, GMVN, HD Pandey, said: “We have a large basement in the headquarters building, which is almost empty. Only a couple of staff members of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam work from there. So to augment revenue for the nigam, we have decided to shift our staff of second floor to basement.”

He added that the sewerage system would be removed from the basement. The area would be properly cleaned, lit up and decked up with furniture. Since not all the staff can be absorbed at the basement, many of them are being shifted to another GMVN office at Rajpur branch.

Now only 60 pc of the second floor area has been rented out. For the rest of the 40 pc, the management is considering to invite tenders.

A large force of fourth class employees were facilitated jobs in GMVN by local politicians. They were sitting idle with almost no work. Pandey has given directions to train them as cooks or drivers.

Though 12 new buses have been added to the fleet for the Char Dham yatra, the GMVN is short of drivers. Pandey said initially they would outsource drivers. In the meantime, these fourth class employees too would get trained.

Dhami denied bail again, told to depose before Didihat court
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 28
The District and Sessions Court, Pithoragarh, today rejected the bail application of Congress MLA Harish Dhami and said he could not be granted bail until he completes his deposition before the Didihat court under Section 313 of the CrPC.

“The honourable sessions court has said that our client can be granted bail only after he records his statement under Section 313 of the CrPC at the Didihat court where the case is being heard,” said Ramesh Kapri, Dhami’s advocate.

Dhami is in judicial custody for the last 10 days as the Didihat court and the District and Session Court, Pithoragarh, had rejected his bail applications twice earlier. The Nainital High Court had refused to interfere in the matter.

Dhami’s statement under Section 313 was to be recorded at the Didihat court on May 27 but he could not depose as the magistrate was on leave.

Dhami had surrendered before the Didihat court on May 18 and applied for bail immediately. But the court rejected his bail application. Dhami had then moved the District and Sessions Court, Pithoragarh, which put the condition of his deposition before the Didihat court under Section 313 of the CrPC for grant of bail.

According to lawyers, Dhami can approach the high court for bail, but the court could also reiterate the same condition. The Dharchula MLA is under treatment for hypertension at the Susheela Tiwari hospital at Haldwani. 

Police impounds 64 vehicles carrying quarrying material
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 28
Dehradun district police today impounded 64 vehicles with consignments of quarrying material at several places in the district on account of irregularities at various levels. Out of these, 25 vehicles were seized at Sahaspur, five at cantt, three at Patel Nagar, six from Vasant Vihar, seven from Claimentown, four from Kalsi, six from Nehru Colony, six from Vikas Nagar, one from Raipur and one from Doiwala.

The vehicles were seized on account of several irregularities. Some trucks carried material above the permissible limits, some made more rounds of quarrying sites than the permission given, some did not pay the royalty for the total quantity of quarrying material.

According to police officials, the handiwork of employees of the departments related to quarrying work such as Forest Development Corporation, district administration, Quarrying Department and Revenue Department cannot be ruled out in the cases.

Oak Grove School staff display talent
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 28
In the ongoing quasquicentenary (125 years) celebrations of Oak Grove School in Mussoorie, it was a great day of entertainment and excitement, with school staff and their families displaying their talent in front of the students at the school auditorium today.

The chief guest, Gopal Jha, Assistant Zonal Manager, Allahabad Bank, Dehradun, along with Rajesh Sharma, Manager, Allahabad Bank, Mussoorie, inaugurated the show by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

The function began with a “Saraswati Vandana” followed by the school song sung by students.

A documentary movie showcasing important landmarks in the history of Oak Grove was screened.

D. Nagpal and her team performed a classical song item followed by a dance. Sanhita Bhattacharya presented a fusion of classical and modern dance numbers, much to the appreciation of the crowd.

Tanva Dance Ensemble of Delhi gave a glimpse of the Garhwali and Oriya cultures by presenting a series of folk dance numbers that captivated the imagination of the students and invited guests alike.

School staff presented a number of songs, dances and humorous skits amid thunderous applause.

Staffer Anuradha Sharma presented a ghazal which was followed by a melodious song from Ila Trivedi.

The other presentations included the whistle tune by Vinay Kumar, a dance by Senior Boys’ School teachers, a comedy and a solo dance by Jyoti Joseph.

The Principal of Oak Grove School, Sandip Trivedi, commended the efforts of the school staff and their family and said that with this presentation the whole school was plunged in a celebratory mood. He said that it was amazing to see that the school was a treasure trove of talent.