CM suggests special courts to deal with communal riot cases
State symbol of harmony, Bahuguna tells National Integration Council meet
Tribune News service

Dehradun, September 23
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has suggested creating special courts to deal with communal riot-related cases. He was speaking while participating in the National Integration Council meet held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today. During the meeting, the CM said that Uttarakhand had a history of communal harmony and the state government was committed to maintaining it. Uttarakhand did not get influenced by the riots that took place in the neighbouring the state. The local administration and peace committees had done noteworthy work in this direction.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said that the Uttarakhand government had taken several steps in the state to maintain communal harmony and ensure the security of the minorities.

A minority vigilance cell had been set up in the state’s police headquarters and any complaint by a member of the minority community was handed over for investigation by a gazetted police officer.

Several peace committees had been set up in the districts that worked in close coordination with the police and the local administration to maintain a feeling of brotherhood.

The CM expressed concern at the use of social media in spreading communal tension. Pointing out that although law and order was a state subject, communication was under the charge of the Centre. Therefore, state governments could not act directly against social networking sites for their misuse. He sought financial and technical assistance for monitoring misuse of social networking sights.

He disclosed that the Uttarakhand government had taken several measures for the welfare and empowerment of minorities, Scheduled Castes-Tribes and women. A separate department and ministry had been constituted for minority welfare.

There had been a steep decline in cases of atrocities against SC and ST sections. A new scheme had been launched titled Nirbhaya to provide medical and legal help, counselling and rehabilitation in cases of atrocities against women. It had been decided to provide public transport only for women and four working women’s hostels. Girls who had passed class VIII were being provided bicycles and financial assistance. FDs of Rs 5000 each were being provided to the first two daughters of every family. Also present was Principal Secretary, Home, Om Prakash.

RLEK threatens to move court against govt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
The Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a voluntary organisation, has threatened to move court if the state government appoints bureaucrats as administrators of the panchayats.

The term of the panchayats is coming to an end in the state and the government has been mulling appointing officials as administrators, much against the wishes of the elected panchayats who want that they should be appointed as administrators till the elections are held.

The RLEK has extended its supports to the demand of the elected Panchayati Raj functionaries.

Awdhash Kaushal, Chairperson, RLEK, said as per the 73rd amendment of the Constitution, every panchayat should be constituted for a term of five years and no election should be held before that. The provision of holding the elections six months before the date of the completion of the term had been made to avoid the appointment of the administrator. According to Article 243 E, every panchayat should continue for five years from the date of its first meeting, he said.

He said this provision was to stop the malpractice adopted by the state governments for not holding the elections on time and appoint bureaucrats as administrators, which was unconstitutional. "Each state is to have its Panchayati Raj Act, but it should be in consistency with the central Act. Unfortunately, Uttarakhand is the only state in the country that does not have such an Act and always tries to create situations to appoint bureaucrats as administrators. This is not only unconstitutional and undemocratic but also encourages corruption," he alleged.

Earlier also, the RLEK had moved court against the governments of UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Odisha and Tamil Nadu for not holding the elections on time and allegedly flouting the provisions of the Act.

19 file papers for PMHS elections
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
A total of 19 candidates have filed their nomination papers for election to various posts of the Provincial Medial and Health Service (PMSH) Association, Uttarakhand, to be held on October 5.

Dr BC Ramola, President, PMHS, who has been appointed state chief election officer, said who had filed their papers were, Dr BS Jangpangi, Dr TK Pant, Dr RS Chauhan, Dr Rajesh Kumar Singh, Dr Bipin Pant, Dr SK Dikshit and Dr Sunil Kumar Agarwal, Meghna Aswal, Dr SK Goswami, Dr NS Napalchayal, Dr RP Khanduri, Dr Jeewan Singh Chuphal, Dr Mohammed Shah Hassan, Dr Sanjeev Datt, Dr Ram Prakash, Dr Deepankar Daniel, Dr Pradeep Pandey, Dr Manoj Kandpal, Dr JP Devshahil and Dr Harinder.

Bhatt: BJP nailed Cong in Assembly session
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Leader of the Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt said the opposition BJP had nailed the Congress government for its inability to rise up to the occasion during the June calamity while holding a discussion in the recently concluded monsoon session.

“We were able to force the government to hold a discussion in this regard under rule 310. Leader of the House Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna failed to put forth the government’s viewpoint, which speaks volumes about the success of our strategy,” he said while addressing mediapersons today.

He said BJP MLAs wanted to raise issues of their constituencies, for which they had urged the government to extend the Legislative Assembly session but the demand was rejected.

“It is a betrayal and a setback to democratic principles as in a democracy, both the Opposition and the ruling parties function on the basis of mutual trust. The government had assured that the House would be extended for two more days but when the BJP MLAs demanded the same, the request was rejected for sheer technical reasons,” said Bhatt.

On being asked if he had been overshadowed by former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and if his position had weakened in the just concluded Assembly session, Bhatt said, “I am weaker than Nishank, who is a senior leader in the party. Both of us gave strength to each other in a bid to press each other's points and were successful as the Speaker gave directives at the end of the discussion on natural calamity."

When asked why the BJP had agreed to give up their protest after the Chief Minister intervened on the last day of the Assembly session, Bhatt said the dharna could not be extended indefinitely.

Takes govt to task on relief cheque bounce case

Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Bhatt today accused the state government of playing a cruel joke on the disaster-hit people by distributing ex-gratia cheques that have bounced after being deposited in banks.

“What kind of relief is this. The government surely needs to answer why the cheque no 323426 for Rs 1 lakh for the State Bank of India (Bageshwar branch) issued to Jeevan Singh Rawat, a villager from Garud, Bageshwar, bounced. The government should not issue cheques when it does not have sufficient amount,” said Bhatt.

He said for this reason, the BJP had initiated a discussion under Rule 310, so that the government could pull up its socks. “ We will continue to put pressure on the government to hold another session of the Assembly within three months. so that the problems being faced by the people could be brought to light,” he said.

60 bird species spotted at Jhajra Reserve Forest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
A total of 60 bird species were spotted at the Jhajra Reserve Forest during a bird-watching camp organised by the ecotourism wing of the state Forest Department.

These species included oriental pied hornbill, red-billed blue magpie, red-billed leiothrix, himalayan flameback, velvet-fronted nuthatch, drongo-cuckoo and maroon oriole.

There were a total of 25 participants at the camp, including six faculty members, two staff members and 16 trainees of various courses being conducted by the Institute of Hotel Management, Dehradun.

MK Singhania, Commissioner, Income Tax, who was the chief guest during the closing ceremony, presented certificates to the participants.

In his address, Singhania informed the participants about various tax incentives being given by the Central government for the promotion of ecotourism in the state and encouraged them to take ecotourism as a career.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Pratap Singh, who guided the participants, said the organisers made a novel beginning by extending the birdwatching camp to the hospitality sector. "Here, participants from a premier hospitality institute, IHM, not only learnt an activity so much closely linked to their profession, but also got exposure to the intricacies of nature and need for its conservation," he said.

The organisers said the camp had a two-fold benefit. As individuals, the participants got introduced to the fascinating world of birds and as professionals, they got an insight into birdwatching as an income-generating tourism product which promotes conservation, they said.

Chief Conservator of Forests (Ecotourism) Rajiv Bhartari said that five more such camps would be organised this year.

Statewide stir by trade unions from tomorrow
Tribune News Service

Dehradun September 23
Akhil Bharatiya trader unions and federations have decided to hold agitations in all the districts of the state on Wednesday in protest against the ''anti-labour policies of the state government.''

While addressing the press on the issue, convener of Uttarakhand Trade Unions Coordination Committee Virender Bhandari said: ''The present state government is ignoring the problems of labour class. The state government has not convened a single meeting of central federations so far. Factories are closing down leading to unemployment of labourers. The announcement made by Chief Minister regarding giving bonus to anganwadi, bhojanmatas and Asha workers has not been implemented till date. The allowance of Rs 5000 given to Asha workers by the previous government has been discontinued by the state government.''

He said UNAL had become a commercial employment agency where employees were actually given salary of Rs 6,000 but made to sign over salary of Rs 12,000 for a job. He demanded hatchery and mushoom industry to be brought under the ambit of Factory Act. He demanded state government to convene meetings of central trade unions within three months and resolve their problems. His other demands included reinstatement of Udham Sugar Mill Union, which was dismissed recently, ownership rights to the workers of tea gardens , mining work

not to be given in private hands and control of GMVN, KMVN and Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation to be maintained over river mining, and the cases slapped on the union representatives during their protests to be revoked.

He said the Centre must announce minimum salary of Rs 10,000 and provide additional benefits of bonus, gratuity, PF by removing the constraints of salary limitations to the working class. Among other leaders who were present on the occasion were Heera Singh Bisht, KR Kashyap, Sunder Lal Uniyal, HMS Ugarsen and Jagmohan Mehndiratta. 

Govt officials get training in e-governance
Tribune News service

Dehradun, September 23
A five-day "Specialised Training on e-Governance Programme" (STeP) for officials of 20 state departments started at the Secretariat here today.

Forty officials are participating in the programme, which has been organised by the state Department of Information Technology.

The programme started with the lighting of a lamp and inaugural address by the Principal Secretary, state Department of Information Technology, Radha Raturi.

She talked about the importance of e-governance projects and how they benefit people.

Additional Secretary (IT) Ravinath Raman talked about their vision to make service delivery available at people's doorstep.

He talked about various e-governance infrastructure projects and mission mode projects being implemented across the country. 

Hydroelectric Projects
Disaster has shaken investors' confidence: ASSOCHAM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
The mid-June disaster in the state has severely shaken the confidence of investors in 199 ongoing hydroelectric projects with an estimated potential of 14.4 GW and existing 45 projects that have suffered huge losses, according to ASSOCHAM, the apex industry body

“In Uttarakhand, small hydropower stations are more vulnerable to natural calamities as their power channels are prone to landslides, cloudbursts etc,” said Rana Kapoor, President, ASSOCHAM, while releasing “ASSOCHAM 10-point strategy for rehabilitating hydropower sector in Uttarakhand”.

He said, “The Central Government needs to set up a separate cell in partnership with the state government for overseeing the rehabilitation of the affected hydropower projects in the state. The cell will ensure that there are no lapses by any government department in providing relief and concessions."

"The estimated capital cost of setting up a small hydroelectric plant ranges between Rs 5.5 crore and Rs 7.7 crore per 1 MW and the per unit (Rs/kwh) cost of hydropower generation ranges from Rs 3.54 crore to Rs. 5.96 crore. It has also been perceived that the share of hydroelectricity will fall from 14 per cent in 2012 to 11 per cent by 2030," adds the paper released by ASSOCHAM.

Kapoor says for the exploitation of the potential of this cheap source of energy, the country’s 149 GW estimated potential capacities created so far account to only 32 per cent of it. A major part of the unexploited potential exists in the Himalayan region and north-east. Therefore, it is imperative for the country to create capacities to harness hydroelectricity potential in the Himalayan region that includes Uttarakhand.

However, he adds that this requires the use of the latest technologies that cause minimum damage to the ecology.

Hydroelectric projects require regular renovation and modernisation for optimal capacity utilisation that involves using modern equipment like static excitation, microprocessors, data logger and optical instruments.

Owing to cloudbursts and unprecedented floods in Uttarakhand, various ancillary structures of the projectz like roads, residential and non-residential buildings got damaged as well. Most of the damaged plants can only commence power generation by March 2014.

In the private sector, major hydropower projects being built by GVK, L&T, JP Group, Lanco etc have suffered damages, adds the ASSOCHAM paper.

Kapoor said as a first step towards formulating appropriate rehabilitation strategy, affected hydropower units needed to be segregated into groups on the extent of damage suffered and the support required for the rehabilitation.

The revival package must be phased one and a single-window concept should be introduced for implementing the revival package.

The major problems identified by an ASSOCHAM team in operating hydroelectric projects in the state include construction risk as most small hydropower projects are located in remote, hilly and mountainous regions with severe infrastructural constraints.

Locational hurdles also serve to prolong the gestation period and push up the per-MW capital costs even as the power evacuation and transmission facilities at the sites remain inadequate.

Small hydropower stations are normally connected through service lines or weak grid connections, therefore the incidence of disruptions cause low generation.

The specific cost per kW of a small hydropower project generally tends to be higher because of the intrinsic reasons associated with its lack of scale economies.

The specialised nature of the generating plant and equipment leads to comparatively higher cost of generation.

Anganwari workers hold demonstration
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
In support of their six-point charter of demands, anganwari workers held a march and demonstration in the city today.

In the morning the anganwari workers from different districts participated in the march and later held a demonstration at the Hindi Bhawan.

Rekha Negi, president of Anganwari Karyakarti Sevika , said their six-point charter of demands included according status of government employees to the anganwari workers, assistant anganwari and mini anganwari workers and increase in honorarium on the basis of seniority.

''We have also been demanding constitution of financial award Rs 1 lakh for anganwari workers and Rs 50,000 for assistant workers and also provision of pension for the anganwari, assistant anganwari and mini workers,'' said Negi.

The members also criticised the government for following dual policies for workers and said that those employees who were influential were heard. 

Sanjeevni Mahila Sansthan donates winter kits to 100 families
Health camps in Ukhimath region from September 25 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Showing concern to the-flood affected families in the region of Uttarakhand, another socially responsible organisation working for the overall development of women and youth, Sanjeevni Mahila Sansthan, Meerut, an offshoot of All India Women's Conference, New Delhi, came forward with its support by donating winter kits to around 100 families in Augustyamuni block of Rudraprayag district in association with Dehradun-based NGO Society For Inclusive Development (SIFD) today.

A brief function was held at Green Field School campus today where the winter kit/material was handed over to SFID team for further distribution to the affected families.

Welcoming the team Sanjeevni Mahila Sanstha and others, Kamla Pant of SFID briefed about the activities undertaken by SFID in Kedar valley region in the last three months and how with support from all its network partners, SFID team was able to work in the most difficult terrain of disaster-affected regions.

Speaking on the occasion, Nishi Jain, president of Sanjeevini Mahila Sansthan, Meerut, spoke about the mission and how the Sanjeevini team was able to generate funds through its members to get all resources for the people of Uttarakhand.

The Sanjeevni team will explore further options with SFID team to set up vocational training centers in the region to create employment opportunities for local women and youths.

Youth in charge of All India Women Conference (AIWC) Shveta Talwar assured the gathering about the commitment of AIWF to help the victims with special focus on youth of the region. Being head of youth wing of AIWC, the focus will be more on youths of the region.

AIWC has a vision of emancipation, education and empowerment of women and helps them to reach their full potential.

Educationist and social activist Sonali Sinha shared her experience and offered her service to improve education system in disaster-affected region by providing teachers training on how to handle young ones with much more concern with backup of psychological understanding of the people there.

As most of the youngsters lost their livelihood options or are now unemployed, it is essentially important to create income generation activities in the region for which Sanjay Sexena of Jan Jivan Prayavara Vikas Samiti, Tehri Garhwal, gave his suggestions and presentation of their plans.

Doon School, one of the prestigious school of India, is also not untouched with this disaster and is extending all possible support to the flood-affected families in the region, said Amrit Burrret, Social Activity Division head of the school. Amrit also briefed the gathering about how the students of Doon School are sensitised and motivated to contribute to such natural calamities and are visiting the region under the supervision of their teachers to identify the families and extend their helping hands in various forms.

Doon School with the SFID team is going to organise health camps in Ukhimath region from September 25 to 29, 2013. Emergency medicines for this programme were handed over to Doon School by SFID for organising such health camps in the region starting from next week.

A short documentary film of SFID was shown and plan for relief and rehabilitation was given by Anil Jaggi, president of SFID.

The work of SFID in the disaster-affected villages which included health camps and distribution of relief material soon after the disaster under extreme weather conditions was also discussed.

Other important guests present on this occasion were Reena Jaggi, Principal of Green Field School, Seema Agarwal, Rama Agarwal of Sanjeevini, Alka Kukreti, Surjeet, Sumit, Mohit,Preeti Nawani, Seema Bist, Menu Rawat and Babita Pant.

Adventure sports activities slated for Oct, Nov in Kumaon 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 23
The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) will initiate a range of adventure sports activities in the region in October and November to boost tourism in the region.

The move aims at compensating for the shortage of tourists it has faced due to the recent disaster in the state.

"We are starting a range of adventure sports with an emphasis on water sports. We have started registering youths from different blocks of the region," said KMVN in charge of adventure sports Dinesh Gururani.

Gururani said a 10-day training in river rafting would be started in the Saryu river in Bageshwar district from tomorrow. "We have also started registration of youths from Dharchula, Munsiyari, Monakot and Kanalichina blocks for training in river rafting in the Saryu, Ramganga and Mahakali rivers at Ghat, Thal and Jauljibi areas, respectively," said Gururani.

Sources in the KMVN said the number of tourists coming in September in the region had reduced sharply. The number of visitors at various tourist destinations of Pithoragarh district is 62 as compared to 528 at the same places in 2011. "Munsiyari and Pithoragarh towns saw 62 tourists this year compared to 300 last year. There were no visitors in the disaster-hit Dharchula and Gangolihat areas as compared to 150 tourists here in September 2011," said Gururani.

"Even in October, hotels used to be full of Bengali tourists till last year. However, we are not expecting many tourists this year as there is no booking for the month," he said.

Tension erupts over construction of religious place 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Tension gripped the Pathria Pir area under Kotwali police station on the issue of constructing a religious place here today. A police force was rushed to the spot to diffuse the tension.

People belonging to one community reportedly objected over construction of a religious place on the private land belonging to a family.

Three sisters have been living on the disputed land on temporary basis.

Former area municipal councillor Babita Saheotra and BJP leader Sareeta Gaur reached the spot along with their supporters after getting the information. They asked the three sisters, who lived on the site, to stop the construction.

Heated arguments were exchanged between the two sides and the police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. Saheotra and other BJP leaders threatened that they would not allow any construction of a religious place on any private land as it disturbed the communal harmony of the area.

Meanwhile, the police is keeping a close watch and monitoring the whole place.

Seminar on automobile systems
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
A seminar on “Latest Trends in Automobile Systems” was conducted by BOSCH India Ltd at faculty of Science and Technology, ICFAI University campus, here today.

As many as 175 students and faculty of mechanical engineering participated in the seminar. Dhaval Parekh, regional head (trainer) from BOSCH, explained gasoline and diesel management systems to students. A brief explanation on fuel injection parts and new technologies such as common rail direct injection system (CRDI) and electronic control module (ECM) was also given. Students were also acquainted with latest components in auto-ignition system. Media faculty coordinator Prof Sanjeev Malaviya said the seminar was followed by a question answer session, in which students queries were addressed.

Parekh said they were going to train the university BTech students in their plants. Students could also do six months internship programme. He also interacted with placement manager KK Rana regarding employment opportunities for engineering students.

Hindi saptah concludes at forestry institute
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
The Hindi saptah (week) concluded at the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education’s (ICFRE) here today. During the week, five competitive events were held, which included essay competition, drafting competition, English to Hindi translation competition, Hindi typing competition and poem recitation.

Saibal Dasgupta, DDG (Extension), was the chief guest at the closing ceremony held today.

In his address he laid emphasis on the importance of rajbhasha Hindi, adding that the ICFRE was committed to use of Hindi in its daily official working and for implementation of rules, regulations and orders.

Dasgupta also called upon for making sincere efforts for enhanced use of Hindi.

Saibal Dasgupta presented certificates to participants of various competitions held during the week.

Prizes were also distributed among winners of different competitions.

He congratulated all the winners.

ICFRE Additional Director General Vivek Khandekar welcomed the participants and presented a vote of thanks on the occasion. 

Doon School organises entrepreneurs’ conference
Tribune News service

Dehradun, September 23
A two-day Young Entrepreneurs Conference (YEC) was organised by Doon School. The conference aimed at giving young creative minds a chance to showcase their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial skills. Mayo Girls’ College took home the overall trophy. The team from Ecole Globale International Girls’ School stood second in the presentation.

Ecole school was represented by Vasundhara Yadav, Mohini Chhotra, Aditi Dixit and Urvashi Ghoorbin. The first task given to them was to prepare an advertisement to sell induction cookers for testing the students’ promotional skills. Radio advertisements, videos, and stage enactments were also the part of the event in which every school came up with its very best. The Ecole team presented a radio and a vibrant visual advertisement, in which they acted themselves and worked on the catchy lines. Students handled themselves with confidence which was applauded.

Challenges, for young future entrepreneurs included projects, which emphasised innovation and environment friendly solutions. The two-day conference also witnessed simulation activities through case studies in which participants indulged enthusiastically. Doon School head master Peter Maclaughlin appreciated the efforts put in by each participant, especially girls in his speech.

NSUI maintains edge over ABVP in college polls 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 23
The Congress-supported NSUI maintained an edge over the BJP-supported ABVP in the students' union elections in various colleges of the region.

The NSUI captured students' unions at Nainital, Pithoragarh, Haldwani, Bhikisain, Dwarahat, Lohaghat and Champawat colleges while the ABVP won elections at Almora Bageshwar, Dharchula and Kotabagh in the recently held elections of students' unions in the region.

The elections at Ranikhet PG College are scheduled on Wednesday.

"We have maintained a clear edge over BJP-supported candidates and gained more seats this year as compared to last year," said Rishendra Singh Mahar, a former NSUI leader.

Barring some incidents of scuffle, elections in most of the colleges were held peacefully.

An FIR has been lodged against some ABVP leaders of the Lohaghat college after they were accused of beating some NSUI candidates who were celebrating their victory in the zila panchayat building of the town.

"The complaint was lodged by an NSUI student leader against 10 ABVP leaders," said SO of the Lohaghat police station Ashok Kumar.

Meanwhile, for the first time in the region, a girl candidate won the post of union president in Gangolihat Degree College.

She defeated her rival Pawan Karki by a margin of 17 votes.

Girls grabbed all the seats of the students' union in Kotabagh Degree College in Nainital district as boys did not take part in the elections keeping in mind the majority of girl students.