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Guv flags off relief aid
State remains backward as there is no master plan: BJP leader
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Telephone connectivity not restored
Villagers of Darma valley still cut off
No major damage to Kedarnath shrine: Minister GMVN seeks permission for plying vehicles in other states GMVN told to buy potato, apple stock of disaster-hit farmers Residents demand more doctors at health centre
Kailash Mansarovar yatra may be allowed in Sept, says Khurshid
Make people aware of State Illness Assistance Fund, says Negi
Bamboo saplings to protect rivers from encroachers
RIMC cadets organise plantation drive
Children working as labourers: Survey
Three freedom fighters honoured
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Dehradun, August 16 The authorities said though foodgrain supplies had reached almost all villages in the affected areas with the help of choppers during the prolonged relief operations, a large network of roads to remote villages was still damaged or blocked and mules and horses were the only option to transport ration. "Vast stretches of roads running into hundreds of kilometres and a large number of bridges have been washed away in the tragedy and we cannot expect things to get back to normal anytime soon," state Disaster Management and Mitigation Centre ((DMMC) Executive Director Piyush Rautela told PTI. Frequent rains at most places was another factor hampering the road restoration work which alone could bring life back to normal in the affected areas, he said. Considering the massive damage caused by the calamity to roads and the vagaries of the weather hampering reconstruction work, it might take people in the affected areas months to resume their lives on a normal basis, he said. "However, the BRO has undertaken the task of completing the road restoration work by September 30 and let us hope it is able to meet the deadline set by the state government," said Rautela. A report from the DMMC said 143 roads, including major national highways like Rishikesh-Kedarnath NH in Rudraprayag district, Rishikesh-Badrinath NH in Chamoli district, Rishikesh-Yamunotri and Rishikesh-Gangotri NH in Uttarkashi district, are still blocked by debris containing huge boulders falling over frequently from hills following land slips. Despite 385 bulldozers, JCBs and nearly 6,000 PWD personnel engaged in the exercise of clearing the roads and reconnecting the villages, 322 of them are still cut off from the rest of the country, the DMMC said in its report. The Uttarakhand calamity has also badly hit the tourism sector, the mainstay of the hill state's economy on which lakhs of people depend for their livelihood. "The inevitable but abrupt postponement of the Char Dham Yatra in the wake of the tragedy has robbed lakhs of people in the affected areas of their means of livelihood. Thousands of people have been rendered homeless. The state will definitely take a lot of time to recover from the effects of a devastation of this scale," said Rautela. The June calamity has generated fear among people planning to visit the state with the hotel and guest house bookings even in areas which were comparatively less affected by the tragedy standing cancelled. "People are afraid of coming to Uttarakhand. Hotels and guest houses in Mussoorie and Nainital have had to face bulk cancellation of bookings this monsoon. Efforts are under way to dispel their apprehensions as areas like Nainital, Ranikhet and Mussoorie are largely unaffected by the tragedy and there is no risk involved in visiting them. But rebuilding confidence among potential visitors and restoring tourist traffic to the state is a time-taking process. Nothing will happen overnight," said Rautela. A report from ASSOCHAM, which has placed a demand for Rs 10,000 crore before the Centre for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas, said damage to the tourism sector alone in the state would cause a loss of over Rs 5,000 crore to the state GDP. "Loss to the state GDP would be to the tune of over Rs 5,000 crore owing to the decreased contribution from tourism and trade, hotel and restaurant segments," ASSOCHAM Secretary- General DS Rawat told PTI. It would be a major setback as the tourism sector accounts for 1/4 of the state domestic product with the three worst-hit districts of Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi accounting for about 19 per cent of the state's total tourist inflows, Rawat said, citing the findings of a recent survey carried out by ASSOCHAM. The tourism sector would also witness a direct employment loss of about 1,80,000 people becoming employed for six months in the current year. — PTI
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Guv flags off relief aid
Dehradun, August 16 Chairperson, Red Cross Society (Haridwar), and District Magistrate, Haridwar, Nidhi Pandey told the Governor that 8,000 packets worth Rs 35 lakh were being sent in these vehicles, which would be distributed among the affected people of Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarakashi and Pithoragarh. The Governor said there was great demand for solar lanterns in the disaster-affected areas and all things which were required should be sent. He appreciated the efforts being made by the DM. Present on the occasion were Secretary to the Governor Arun Dhaundiyal, Red Cross chairman Ranjit Verma, Red Cross Society (Haridwar) secretary Naresh Chaudhary, Sushma Gupta, Mohan Panchbhai of Unilever, Amitabh Gautam and Anoop Kumar. |
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State remains backward as there is no master plan: BJP leader
Pithoragarh, August 16 In a letter written to Governor of the state Aziz Qureshi on the occasion of 67th anniversary of the country’s Independence, the veteran leader has requested the Governor to consider the aspect of creating employment in these sectors as only after creation of jobs in the selected sectors of hills will the pace of migration reduce and the population of the hill region can be kept in tact. “This migration has made the hill region politically weak as four Assembly seats of the hill region have shifted to Terai and plain regions of the state in the recent realignment of Assembly seats,” said Joshi in the letter. “The respective governments in the state had no vision from the employment creation point of view after the formation of the state as every one was in a hurry to take his own benefit out of the state,” said Joshi, who is running an orchard in Ranikhet area of Almora district at present. Elaborating the feeling of the need of state for development of different nature in the hill region of the country, Joshi cited that it was an old feeling and the citizens of Almora town had given a memorandum to the Governor of the united province on November 27, 1923, demanding separate state of hill region, which the Governor had referred to Simon Commission, which was visiting India at that time. “To say the demand of a separate state originated only after Independence is wrong,” writes Joshi in his letter. According to the letter, though the reorganisation process of Uttarakhand hills started from 1947 onwards when the region of three districts of Nainital, Almora and Pauri was being considered insufficient from the development points of view administratively, the increased pace of development after Chinese invasion in 1962 only created basic infrastructure of roads, but could not create education, health, small industries, agriculture and horticulture to create more jobs for the youths of the region. “Despite the Centre declaring in 1970 the region as industrially backward, the pace of developing the small industry could not get fast due to lack of political will of the UP government in this direction,” said Joshi. Describing the state of horticulture in the state, Joshi said that the 104 gardens, which were neglected in UP due to lack of proper vision of the government machinery, had been auctioned by the new state instead of developing these with a new vision. “This has invited public anger, resulting into cancelling of leases of these gardens,'' said Joshi. “We need to shape our land laws on the pattern of those in Himachal Pradesh and evolve a master plane to create new jobs in the horticulture, agriculture and tourism sectors. We need to get rid of land mafias of the state which are the main enemies of creation of these jobs in hills, which are essential for the empowerment of hill region of the state,” said Joshi in the letter written to the Governor on the occasion of Independence Day. |
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Telephone connectivity not restored
Dehradun, August 16 While the BSNL has been maintaining that all the connectivity has been restored in the disaster-hit areas, the District Magistrates have been presenting a different picture and the issue is likely to be raised during the meeting with the authorities. “According to the reports from the District Magistrates, BSNL has not restored connectivity in Dharchula (Pithoragarh), Narain Bagar Tharali and Deval in Chamoli, Guptkashi, Fata, Rambara, Gaurikund and Kedarnath and Sonprayag falling in the Kedarnath district,” said Ravi Nath Raman, Additional Secretary, Information Technology.
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Villagers of Darma valley still cut off
Pithoragarh, August 16 According to the villagers, they are still waiting for equipment of proposed trolley to get transportation up to Tawaghat market. “Not only the villagers but the ITBP jawans are also facing difficulties as they are taking rough and risky routes to reach Bedang, the last post at the China border in Darma valley,” said Aan Singh Rokaya, Zila Parishad member from the area. Subdivisional Magistrate of Dharchula Promod Kumar has said that a trolley is being sent to link Sipu and Marcha areas. The delivery is being delayed due to weather conditions as the helicopters which will take the equipments of trolley were not able to fly due to bad weather. “As soon as the weather conditions improve, we will deliver trolley parts to the area,” said the SDM. Not only the remote villages at the Indo-China border in Darma valley are cut off from rest of the country by road, the villagers of Byans valley are also facing the same conditions as the bridge at Tawaghat, which linked these villages, were washed away on June 16 last month. “Since then, neither the bridge could be constructed nor trolleys installed for immediate relief to the villagers till date,” said Rokaya. The SDM of Dharchula has said that he had selected the place for the location of proposed bridge at Tawaghat and as soon as the formalities get over and the Government of Nepal on the other side of the bridge give permission for construction on their part of the location, the construction of the bridge will be started. “We have selected the location in our territory but we have to take permission from the Nepal government to have their land for the other part of the bridge .As soon as we get the permission, we will start constructing the bridge,” said the
SDM. |
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No major damage to Kedarnath shrine: Minister Dehradun, August 16 Katoch said a team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had visited the temple on August 2 and 3 to assess the damage to the temple. She said overall, the temple structure was found in a fair state of conservation. “However, some portions of the temple on the northern, eastern and western sides indicate moderate signs of damage in the form of dislodged stones,” she added. She said no signs of physical damage to the interior of the temple were visible. Katoch said despite the Kedarnath temple not being a protected monument of the ASI, the latter would, however, provide necessary technical advice and expertise to the Uttarakhand Government for the conservation of the Kedarnath temple. “The repair work is possible only after the establishment of the accessibility to the site,” she said.
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GMVN seeks permission for plying vehicles in other states Dehradun, August 16 General Manager, GMVN, HD Pandey, said: “The tourists will start travelling in the state as the situation gets normalised. The campaigns started at a big level to inform people about the safe destinations. This year onwards, the registration process of tourists will be started. We have requested the state government to give us registration work. GMVN will charge a fixed sum as registration fee, which is yet to be finalised.” He said they have prepared a list of six routes, on which their buses, 10 AC buses and 4 non-AC buses can provide daily passenger services on inter-state and national highway routes. These routes are Dehradun Daily, Dehradun-Jaipur, Dehradun-Agra, Srinagar- Delhi, Haridwar-Mussoorie and Tapovan Muniki Reti-Mussorie service. He said they had also sent a proposal to the state government to take their 18 small vehicles on rent. “We bought a fleet of eight buses this year, which are lying redundant. Even the small vehicles are not used as well. So we have sent a letter today giving them a proposal to ply them on interstate as well as national highway routes. Instead of hiring vehicles from outside, we have suggested to the state government to take our vehicles on rent.” Managing Director Rajesh Kumar said: “I have appealed to the state government to allow the department to restart the liquor business. The GMVN has successfully handled the liquor business from 2001-2007. The corporation also gave licence fee to the state government on a regular basis. So I have appealed to permit us to take up the business once again. We have also asked to allow us to take up kerosene retail work as well. These measures will surely improve the deteriorating financial condition of the
GMVN.” |
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GMVN told to buy potato, apple stock of disaster-hit farmers Dehradun, August 16 However, the GMVN is not happy with the government order issued in this regard and urged the government to make an amendment to it. General Manager (Marketing), GMVN, Pratap Shah said: “We have been directed to buy potatoes at Rs 10 per kg and apples at Rs 20 per kg from those areas where road connectivity was damaged in the recent disaster.In the absence of road connectivity, the stock will have to be carried through ponies, which will take several days to reach the markets. This way, the entire consignment will rot on the way. Moreover, pony walas would charge a hefty amount for long travel. The entire concept seems confusing.” He said the department would write to the state government to increase the MSP of potatoes from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kg and Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg for apples. Shah said he was not sure whether anganwadi centres or schools would buy potatoes from them. “A loss-making venture has been imposed on the GMVN, which is already facing financial crunch,” he added. |
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Residents demand more doctors at health centre Pithoragarh, August 16 According to local residents, last year the government handed over the hospital to a private hospital in Bareilly under public private partnership (PPP) mode. “ Despite months passed, the management of the private hospital did not turn up to take care of the PHC, resulting in decline of health services and lack of sufficient staff in the hospital,” said Ganesh Pandey, a social worker in Lohaghat town. According to the sources, the Bareilly hospital, has itself involved in its own registration and reorganisation tangle and has remained closed for some time last week, after a criminal case was registered against the hospital management. “How, a hospital that can not manage its basic institutes, can manage the PHC with a large number of patients, ” said Pandey, requesting the government to manage the hospital own its own, as a large number of poor patients depend on the PHC. According to the sources due to non-availability of female gynaecologists, the male doctors have been performing duties in the hospital. “Even the homoeopathy hospital which has been commissioned to support the main PHC, is running without doctors and pharmacists are handling the hospital for the last eight years. We have demanded appointment of sufficient number of doctors in the hospital, but we remained unheard by the administration and government,” said Sachin Joshi, a member of Champawat zila panchayat. The residents have demanded that the government should take over the management of the
PHC. |
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Kailash Mansarovar yatra may be allowed in Sept, says Khurshid
Dehradun, August 16 The government had cancelled the yatra following damage to roads, bridges and tracks due to heavy rains. Khurshid said his ministry would also take steps to restore the faith of the people in Uttarakhand as a world tourism destination. He said he had been provided with a list of persons who had come to Uttarakhand as tourists or workers and had since been missing due to the natural disaster. “Their number is below 100. We will take up the matter with the Indian Ambassador in Kathmandu and get details about them. The details will then be handed over to the Chief Minister for verification. They were our guests and need to be identified,” he said. He added he had received another list about persons suspected to have gone missing on the basis of the call details that were made from abroad. These facts need to be verified. |
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Make people aware of State Illness Assistance Fund, says Negi
Dehradun, August 16 The minister while chairing a meeting said the awareness drive should be launched so that poor patients suffering from life threatening diseases could avail of the benefits of the illness assistance fund. Negi was told that the state government had not received the complete central share in the fund. The minister directed officials to write to the Centre for the release of Rs 1.12 crore under the scheme. So far, the Central government had released Rs 88 lakh out of its share of Rs 2 crore. Under the scheme, the Central government provides financial assistance for the treatment of diseases the estimated cost of which is above Rs 1.50
lakh.
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Bamboo saplings to protect rivers from encroachers
Dehradun, August 16 Additional District Magistrate Harak Singh Rawat said, “After bamboo saplings, a wire fencing will be installed around it in the second stage. This way, we will be able to protect the rivers and remove encroachers, who risk their lives by living close to the rivers.” He said, the greenery in the city had receded. It also led to the shrinking of once gushing Bindal and Rispana rivers. He said the time had come to seek ways to protect our trees and rivers. Harak said, he would soon begin a drive in the city to sensitise people about the environment. He would appeal to them to plant at least four saplings before their houses.
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RIMC cadets organise plantation drive
Dehradun, August 16 The day began with the flag hoisting ceremony at the Pavilion, followed by the tree plantation drive. Col HS Bainsla, SM, Commandant, RIMC, spoke about the importance of freedom and how it was influencing the world around us. Col Bainsala also stressed about maintaining the right balance between duties and rights and never to take rights for granted and similarly to never neglect the duties. A total of 514 trees were planted in the drive. These included silver oaks, camphor, Indian laburnum tree and bamboo. The saplings were generously provided by 127 Eco Task Force. |
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Children working as labourers: Survey
Dehradun, August 16 “Our intervention since June 20 has been helpful in identifying the problem of child labour. At least eight villages reported that the pre- adolescents and adolescents work as household labourers on construction sites,” said Pradeep Kumar. “We are still examining if their involvement is in conflict with regular schooling or the children usually work during their holidays.” He said that these villages are located in the four districts. “For the overall safety of the children there is a need to come up with alternative and reliable means of livelihood for the parents so that they can focus on their schooling,” he said. However, the post-disaster survey has also pointed out that so far no instances of unaccompanied or separated children, child trafficking, illegal adoption or child marriage had come to light in the affected villages.
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Three freedom fighters honoured
Haridwar, August 16 Pandey gave away a citation and a shawl each to all of them. She touched their feet to seek their blessings. The three heroes of the freedom struggle narrated some facts about the Quit India Movement. They told the gathering how people used to agitate on a call by Mahatma Gandhi, the sufferings they underwent and what the atmosphere was during August 14 and 15, 1947. Nidhi also honoured widows of other freedom fighters. Those honoured were Ram Rati, widow of Sohan Lal, Krishna Devi, widow of Sagar Singh, Sundari Devi, widow of Gopal Singh, Urmila Devi, widow of Mohan Lal, and Chandra Kanta, widow of Om Prakash. She also paid floral tributes at a statue of freedom fighter Jagdeesh Vats at Bhalla Park. She said the freedom fighters were an inspiration for all generations and we should always be respected.
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Qureshi flagged off four vehicles carrying relief material provided by the Red Cross Society (Haridwar) with support of Unilever Limited, SIDCUL, from Raj Bhavan here today.
Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today said efforts would be made to allow two batches of pilgrims to proceed on the Kailash Mansarovar yatra in September. “If the weather permits, we could resume the yatra and send two batches of pilgrims in September. 
On the 67th anniversary of Independence Day, cadets of Rashtriya Indian Military College
(RIMC) organised a tree plantation drive in an effort to curb the rising threat of pollution in the environment. RIMC has a lush campus of 138 acres with more than 6000 full grown trees.
