IIP's 130 KV solar plant inaugurated
Dehradun, June 14
Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP)'s 130 KV solar plant was inaugurated today.

Dehradun, June 14
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the New Delhi-based research and advocacy body, has alleged that small hydropower plants (SHP) are being constructed without environmental safeguards, which was a matter of concern.

Releasing its analysis report entitled ''Green Norms for Green Energy: Small Hydropower'' in a day-long workshop in Dehradun today, CSE's Deputy Director General Chandra Bhushan asserted that SHP sector needed proper environmental regulations. He said small hydropower plants with capacity less than 25 MW have grown at a rapid pace across Uttarakhand and other parts of the country with one plant coming up every week in the last seven years.

''These SHPs have been promoted by the government as 'green energy.' But without proper environmental regulations, they are causing major ecological impacts in many places,'' he said, advocating environmental impact assessment and mandatory ecological flow norms for SHP projects.

Expressing concern over the plight of people affected with hydropower projects, environmentalist Bharat Jhunjhunwala pointed out that there were three key issues linked to this sector, which included lowering energy consumption, examining sustainability of small hydro and checking fragmentation of habitats. He supported Uttarakhand's demand for green bonus in lieu of the state's efforts towards environment conservation in the state.

Taking part in the deliberations, chairperson, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, Avdhesh Kaushal, argued that sustainable development should not be stopped in the name of environment, particularly when it poses no grave threat to environment. He said unnecessarily blocking construction of hydropower projects only escalates the cost of construction for the projects as seen in case of Tehri Dam. He also wondered as to why only those projects that entirely belong to Uttarakhand are being stopped for being constructed.

Arvind Kumar, General Manager, small hydropower unit, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, alleged that the issue of ecological flow was a problem of governance, and there was a need for a monitoring agency to keep a watch over this issue.

Meanwhile, referring to Uttarakhand in CSE's report, Chandra Bhushan disclosed that the state had a SHP potential of 1,710 MW. He said that there were 70 hydro projects under various stages of development on the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda basins in Uttarakhand.

Out of these, 40 (worth 180 MW) fall under the small hydro category. ''Together, these projects could affect about 70 per cent of the length of two rivers (Bhagirathi and Alaknanda). This means that for 70 per cent of its length, the river will either flow through a tunnel or be impounded as a reservoir,'' Chandra Bhushan said.

Based on energy and tariff analysis, CSE has recommended ''ecological flow'' norms for all hydropower projects, including SHP, in Uttarakhand. ''Our analysis shows that it is economically viable to have uninterrupted ecological flow of 30 per cent during monsoons and 50 per cent during lean season. This will allow our rivers to flow as well as allow sustainable development of SHP,'' he said.

Significantly, CSE report also found out that the SHP projects are not even adhering to the minimum environmental norms that exist today. For instance, many project developers do not even obtain a consent from the State Pollution Control Board. There are regulations for muck disposal and afforestation; however these are 
never followed.

In its recommendations, CSE report asserts that any hydro project with a capacity greater than 1 MW should go through the environmental clearance process, and if required an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study was mandatory before its implementation.

Further, a carrying capacity study over a river basin should be executed for all rivers before taking up new hydropower projects.

Mandatory ecological flow norms for all hydropower projects and sharing the benefits of these projects among communities have been other recommendations of the report.

Dehradun, June 14
The golden jubilee course re-union for the officers who passed out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in 1963 is under way at the academy. It will conclude tomorrow.

Fiftyfive officers, along with their wives, are attending the reunion. A number of events have been organised to mark this momentous occasion such as wreath laying at the IMA Memorial, golden jubilee dinner, a visit to the IMA museum and group photographs. On 13 June, Lt-Gen Manvender Singh, AVSM, VSM, Commandant, IMA, set the event rolling with a welcome address at Khetarpal Auditorium.

During the address, he welcomed the veterans and their wives to their alma mater and updated them on the progress made in the academy.

During the two days of bonhomie, the veterans relived the time spent together at the IMA almost five decades ago. To mark the occasion, the golden jubilee course presented a trophy to the IMA and in turn, the Commandant, IMA, honoured each veteran with a specially designed photograph of Chetwode Building to remind them of their visit to the IMA.

These brave veterans have faced the brunt of two major wars of 1965 and 1971 in which many of their comrades made the supreme sacrifice to protect the nation. Many of these veterans were also injured but they continue to carry their scars with a smile on their face and pride in their hearts.

Dehradun, June 14
About 800 persons donated blood at a blood donation camp organised on the occasion of World Blood Donation Day jointly by Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Haridwar, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Himalayan Institute of Hospital Trust, Jollygrant, IMA Blood Bank, Dehradun, and the Red Cross Society of Uttarakhand at the IIE, SIDCUL, in Haridwar today.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Surendra Singh Negi inaugurated the camp. He said, “Blood is the essence of life and blood donation saves lives.” The minister appreciated the enthusiastic response to the camp and educated the participants about the benefits of donating blood regularly. The purpose of the blood donation camp was to help in saving lives of people who need blood transfusion and support patients being treated for a range of serious ailments, including cancer, sickle cell anaemia, severe burns, traumatic injuries and for those undergoing surgery.

“The effort is expected to encourage industrial workforce, which has shown enthusiasm to donate blood, to heighten their responsibility as good citizens and to be active participants in such activities, especially those of humanitarian and social nature. Corporates should ensure that we should give something back to the community in which we exist,” said Sandeep Jain, Chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council, and Director, Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Underlining the importance of blood donation, Dr MS Rawat from the Himalayan Institute of Hospital Trust Blood Bank, Dr Umang Sahai, MD, IMA Blood Bank, Dehradun, Dr Naresh Chaudhary, Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Haridwar, lauded the efforts of the people who volunteered to donate blood.

The camp was organised at Maxcure Nutravedics Ltd, SIIDCUL Haridwar, a unit of Akums drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd and its employees participated in the camp.

Dehradun, June 14
On the occasion of World Blood Donation Day today, the Uttarakhand State Aids Control Society (USACS) and Uttarakhand Blood Safety Council honoured 45 voluntary blood donors who have been regularly donating blood.

The Uttarakhand Minister for Health and Family Welfare presented mementos to the 45 blood donors, among whom Yogesh Agarwal achieved the distinction of donating blood for over 100 times. The others who were honoured for their contribution were SSP, Dehradun, Kewal Khurana, RS Aswal, Principal Superintendent of Doon Hosptial, RS Aswal, Sister Anjana Bhowmick for organising blood camp at Doon Hospital and Sandeep Gusain of Sadhna Television Network.

Speaking on the occasion, the Uttarakhand Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi exhorted the people to donate blood as it helps in keeping infection at bay.

Meenakshi Uniyal, Additional Director, Uttarakhand State Aids Control Society (USAC), said that the Uttarakhand state had achieved the target of 85 per cent blood donation through voluntary donors and it further aimed to improve it’s record by achieving 90 per cent blood donation through voluntary means.

In Uttarakhand there were a total of 27 blood banks, out of which 17 are state sponsored, four Centrally sponsored, five in private sector and one is being run on public private partnership.

Dehradun, June 14
Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi today inaugurated the three-day Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament 2013 with a tee-off at Raj Bhavan Golf Club, Nainital.

Speaking on the occasion, he said holding this event in picturesque and serene Nainital would place the lake city as a special destination on a national and international level. “We wish to promote Raj Bhavan Golf Course as the best destination for golfers,” he said. He said a professional coach would be arranged to train local talents, specially schoolchildren and women, in golf.

Local players are participating in the tournament due to the Governor’s special interest in providing them an opportunity to exhibit their talent. Out of more than100 golfers participating in the event, 41 teed-off and participated today. These included three women and 85-year-old super senior player Harendra Singh. All players will have to play 18 holes on the first day. Of these, 20 best grass players will get the chance to play the finals. A cultural presentation will be held tomorrow to familiarize the players from various states with the culture of the state. Among those present were Commissioner RK Sudhanshu, Nainital District Magistrate AS Hayanki, and other dignitaries.

Dehradun, June 14
Akranta Club, the ONGC and Uttarakhand Police won their respective matches in the 4th ONGC BS Negi Memorial Football Tournament played at Ambedkar Stadium here today.

In the first match, Akranta Club beat Garhwal Sportings 7-6 in a match which went up to tie-breaker.

The match was tied at 1-1 during the stipulated time. Rahul of Garhwal Sportings scored the first goal in the 34th minute but Abhay Rana of Akranta Club scored the equaliser in 5th minute, forcing penalty shoot out to decide the match.

Akranta Club won the match 7-6 as one of the Garhwal sporting players failed to score in the penalty shoot out.

In the second match, the ONGC team trounced Chander Bani Clun 6-0 in a one- sided match. Lala KV opened the account of goals for the ONGC in the 5th minute.

Kalashpath scored the second goal in the 9th minute. Jatin Bisht scored the third goal in the 20th minute. Kamaluddion scored the fourth goal in the 25th minute. Parwinder scored two goals in the 44th and 56th minutes to complete the tally of six goals.

In the third match, Uttarakhand Police defeated Sunderwala Boys 2-0. Saurab Rawat scored the first goal in the 44th minute while Ashok scored the second goal in the 78th minute of the game.