State may waive trade tax in flood-hit districts, says Hridayesh
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 20
The state government may consider waiving the trade tax on traders in the disaster-hit districts of Uttarakhand till March 31, 2014.

Anil Goyal, president, Pranteeya Udhyog Vyapaar Pratinidhi Mandal, said a deputation of the association today met Uttarakhand Finance Minister Indriya Hridayesh and the latter had accepted their demands and assured to work towards waiving the trade tax on traders in disaster-hit districts of the state. Goyal said traders, like others, had suffered heavy losses in the disaster-hit districts.

The traders also submitted an 11-point memorandum to the Uttarakhand Finance Minister about their concerns, which primarily were linked to the recently introduced online payment procedure for VAT and other commercial taxes.

Goyal said the minister had also assured that apart from online, manual system of making payments for VAT and other taxes would remain in implementation.

The traders also asked the minister to compulsorily hold a Vyapar Mitra meeting at least once in three months so that problems being faced by traders in the state could be taken up at a regular basis.

The traders also in particular raised the concerns of brick kiln owners linked to submission of Form 16.

Pranteeya Udhyog Vyapaar Pratinidhi Mandal’s working president Umesh Agarwal, general secretary Naveen Verma and vice-president Pramod Goyal were also present at the meeting.

Earlier, Hridyesh held deliberations with the representatives of Pranteey Udhyog Vyapaar Pratinidhi Mandal to redress their concerns linked to online payment procedure of VAT and commercial taxes.

Besides online system, manual procedure for payment of VAT and other commercial taxes will also be in place. Reiterating the government’s commitment towards traders of the state, Hridayesh said: ''I understand the challenges being faced by traders, particularly in the hill areas.”

Norms eased for projects in affected areas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 20
In view of the natural calamity, the Centre has relaxed norms under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, a subcomponent of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission , for undertaking projects of sewerage, water supply and road construction in the affected areas.

"The Centre has asked us to prepare detail project reports for projects worth Rs 500 crore in the disaster-hit areas," said MH Khan, Principal Secretary, Department of Urban Development here today.

The DPRs for the sewerage and water supply projects are being prepared by the Peyjal Nigam and the Jal Sansthan while the DPRs for road construction etc will be prepared by the PWD.

Meanwhile, the Centre has sanctioned projects worth Rs 500 crore which include Defence Colony waterfall revival, road and car parking in Nainital, a parking lot at King Craig and the sewerage system at Jaspur and Sitarganj. The Centre would help the government construct 24 model houses at Pithoragarh,Rudraprayag and Chamoli.

Govt involved in relief food kit supply scam: Opposition
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 20
Taking the sting out of the food security scheme launched by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, the Opposition BJP on Tuesday accused his government of involvement in the disaster relief food kit supply meant for cut-off villages in Uttarakhand.

Based on the sting operation carried by a local newspaper, the Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt said: “After examination of the facts presented by the newspaper, there is no doubt that with the connivance of government officials and in the name of supplying food kit to the people living in villages without connectivity, crores of rupees were pocketed by officials.”

He said that the market price of the kit was pegged at Rs 480, while the records show the government was paying Rs 620 per kit to the supplier -Agarwal Traders. “We demand the sacking of officials who quoted the higher price without undertaking survey of the market while getting into an agreement with the firm,” said Bhatt.

He also said that while Agarwal Traders was awarded the order based on lowest quotation, facts have come to light that another 25,000 kits were said to have been supplied by Raja Transport, which had not even applied at the time of tendering. “Clearly, something is fishy and the government should explain on what basis Raja Transport came into the picture and who gave it the order when they are not suppliers of grocery items,” alleged Bhatt.

He alleged that even advance payment to the bank account of Raja Transport for Rs 25 lakh was made by District Magistrate of Chamoli, when this should have been given to Agarwal Traders, which had submitted it’s quotations. “The government should give explanation as to why Raja Transport came into the picture and why payment was not made to Agarwal Traders,” said Bhatt.

Devoid of govt aid, 250 flood-hit families living in forest land
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 20
Tall claims of the government and the district administration with regard to providing relief in the flood-hit areas of Haridwar fall flat when one visits a forest land near Pathri village, where over 250 families have taken shelter in the absence of any government aid.

These families are from Gangdaspur and Bada Gangdaspur villages, where torrential rains for the past two months wreaked havoc on their crops and swept away a major portion of the land. They were left with no other option but to move to safer places. Gujjars have offered them shelter in their habitat that fall in forest land.

Despite the availability of huge funds for the flood-affected areas of Haridwar, no help from the government has reached these villagers. They are living with Gujjars in makeshift shelters. Only some social organisations have come to their aid and provided them with plastic tents and other relief material.

On the other hand, District Magistrate Nidhi Pandey said she had sought a report from SDM, Lakshar, Uttam Singh Chauhan, in this regard and directed the officials concerned to provide relief material and other help to these families.

Lakshar MLA Sanjay Gupta said he had taken up the issue with Chief Secretary Subash Kumar, who had assured him of all support in this regard.

Khanpur legislator Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion said administrative aid would soon reach these villagers.

Affected villagers, including Phoolmati Devi, Nisha Devi, Pushpha, Saroj Devi, alleged that no administrative officer or tehsildar had visited their villages for the past few months. The villagers said they were on the verge of starvation and they had not received any amount being distributed by the administration to the flood-hit people.

Adding to their woes is a notice served on them by the Forest Department, directing them to vacate the temporary habitat as it falls in the reserved forest land.

Range officer Veerendra Singh said the notice had been issued to them in the wake of the apex court's directives and stringent forest laws.

However, if the administration sough permission, the department would allow the affected villagers to live there till it provided an alternative residential option to them.

Dharampal, a villager, said, "We sleep on the floor. There is no power. The fear of elephant and leopard also looms large in this area. We have come to know that the Uttarakhand Government has announced food subsidy. But here we have no food to eat."

Meanwhile, a similar situation has risen in villages of Lakshar and Khanpur, where the Sopori embankment has caved in at many places.

Congress activists pay tributes to Rajiv Gandhi
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 20
Several commemorative functions marked the 69th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Haridwar here today.

People remembered the leader, who scripted the introduction and success of information technology in India with the country being a major superpower in software and computer technologies today.

Apart from Haridwar, functions were held at Congress offices in Roorkee, Laksar, Mangalore, Laundaura, Bhagwanpur and Khannpur.

Through a note, Union Minister of State Harish Rawat paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi and termed him as a visionary who paved the way for the 21st century resurgent India.

A special offering of free food to poor people adjacent to holy Ganga ghat was done by Congress activists led by Congress leader Sanjay Chopra.

Activists of the All-India Rajiv Gandhi Pragatisheel Vichar Manch planted trees at North Haridwar in Bhoopatwala.

State chief of the manch Mohit Navani said they were paying tribute to the popular leader by planting saplings and organising a discussion forum on his work, life and achievements.

City Congress chief OP Chauhan addressed party workers at the Congress office in Subash Ghat. Chauhan highlighted the pivotal role that Rajiv Gandhi essayed in bringing computer technology to India in the mid-80s.

At another function, Uttarakhand Kranti Manch activists remembered Rajiv Gandhi for being close to the common public and party workers. Rajiv Gandhi's role in strengthening the nation and the Congress was highlighted by the members.

"He dismantled the licence raj, laid stress on science and technology, reversed the coup in the Maldives, improved relations with the USA," remarked Santosh Chauhan, former Women State Commission chief.

Congress leader Poonam Bhagat said the day was observed as 'Sadbhavna divas' and his vision for catering to poor was being followed by Congress today with the Food Security scheme being launched in the country.

Mussoorie: The Congress workers in Mussoorie today remembered former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 69th birth anniversary by paying tributes to the departed leader at Congress Bhavan.

The leaders said it was Rajiv Gandhi who had heralded the information and communication technology revolution in the country. Rajiv Gandhi was born on August 20, 1944 and served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to1989. He was assassinated by the LTTE on May 21,1991.

Officials pledge to work for unity
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 20
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, which is observed as Sadbhavna Divas, a meeting was organised at Raj Bhavan today.

Officials and workers pledged to work for the unity of the country and communal harmony.

Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary administered the oath to senior officials at the Civil Secretariat on the occasion of Sadbhavna Divas.

''Rajiv brought in IT revolution''

Uttarakhand Congress today observed the 69th birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi as Sadbhavana Divas.

At a function held at Congress Bhavan, Dehradun, state Congress president Yashpal Arya garlanded the portrait of Rajiv Gandhi. In his brief address made on the occasion, Arya recalled Rajiv Gandhi's contribution towards ushering in IT revolution in the country. He said Rajiv Gandhi always worked towards strengthening the youth in the country.

Uttarakhand Congress in charge Sanjay Kapoor said Rajiv Gandhi had always worked for the betterment of youth. He said it was Rajiv Gandhi who lowered the voting age to 18 years.

Uttarakhand Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana said by bringing in Panchayati Raj Act, Rajiv Gandhi tried to empower villages. Uttarakhand Cabinet ministers Surendra Singh Negi and Dinesh Agarwal were among those present.

Flowers, fruit to replace stones at Bagwal festival
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 20
In deviation from centuries-old tradition, the stone war patrons of Devidhura have finally agreed to celebrate the festival with fruit and flowers in place of stones, which they had been doing since centuries. The Champwat district administration succeeded in persuading the chiefs of four principal clans of Kali Kumaon not to indulge in the warfare with stones and shed blood without a cause, when blood is needed for the disaster victims.

“On the advice of Trilok Singh of Gaharwal Kham, leaders of the clans have agreed to celebrate Bagwal with flowers and fruits at least for this year to save blood for the ailing disaster victims of the state,” said Dependra Chaudhary, District Magistrate, Champawat. The much-awaited Bagwal festival will be celebrated at Devidhura on August 21, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

According to the District Magistrate, he first informed the clan leaders about the bad effects of the stone war and the bad name it was bringing to the area in this space age. But when they did not agree to this suggestion and insisted on throwing stones at each other, he had to insist that the administration would approach the court on this matter. ''When we insisted on celebrating the festival with rubber balls, a senior clan leader rose and suggested flowers and fruit, instead of stones and rubber balls, at least for this year when blood could be diverted to save lives of ailing disaster victims. This suggestion was agreed upon by all the members,” said the District Magistrate.

The decision was taken by the district administration, police officers and all four clan members and chiefs.

Discussion on malaria marks Mosquito Day
Tribune News service

Dehradun, August 20
On the occasion of World Mosquito Day today, the Department of Zoology, Dolphin (PG) Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, organised a programme. It was on this day in 1897 when Sir Ronald Ross discovered that female mosquitoes transmit malaria among humans.

Dr Arun Kumar, director of the institute, shared his views on the diseases, its control measures and malaria management in India.

Dr Beena Joshi Bhatt, Head, Department of Zoology, gave an account of the life cycle of mosquitoes and their control. An exhibition was organised at the department.

It was informative, showing different life stages of mosquitoes and various control measures, including biological control.

An inter-departmental quiz was organised in which the Forestry Department won the first prize while microbiology and zoology departments won the second and third positions, respectively.

Also present on the occasion of the World Mosquito Day programme were Dr Dinesh Kumar Bhardwaj, Dr Poonam Dev, Dr Suman Khatri, Prerna Bahuguna and students from the various departments.