Deprived of basic amenities, Kumaon villagers have no reason to rejoice
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 10
Even as the 13th foundation day anniversary was celebrated across the state today, villagers in the Kumaon region were unhappy at the apathy shown by the successive state governments in the last 13 years in providing health, education and transportation facilities to remote villages.

The villages of the region have been experiencing a severe shortage of essential facilities since the creation of the state. Thousands of villagers are still uncertain about their future post-natural disaster as the government could not do anything to rehabilitate them so far. “There are still 600 families, which were rendered homeless after the natural disaster, but the government has failed to even select the land to resettle them,” said Aan Singh Rokaya, a social worker in Dharchula.

Pradeep Tamta, Almora MP, said the district administration had confirmed that there was no place in the district to resettle these families in the near future. “Those living in tents or government buildings in Dharchula, Madkot and Munsiyari areas of the district after their houses were washed away in flash floods have not been able to send their children to school in the absence of proper facilities and source of livelihood. How long will we survive on the relief money given by the government if we can’t resume our traditional occupations,” said Leela Bangyal, a social worker in the Jauljibi area of the district.

Besides the failure on the resettlement front, the state government has also failed on other fronts as well. There are no doctors in hospitals and no teachers in schools in the hill areas of the Kumaon region. “We have only 48 doctors in hospitals against the required strength of 100 in the region, especially in rural areas as no doctor prefers to serve there,” said sources in the office of the Deputy Director, Health Services.

Researchers attribute migration from rural areas to the shortage of teachers and doctors in the hill region. “Relatively better off people are migrating to the local market town, the district headquarters or out of the district to provide the education, health and transportation facilities to their children,” said Dr Lalit Pant, a research scholar on border area economy.

The availability of teachers became dismal after the creation of the state 13 years ago. The number of teachers in primary and secondary schools has fallen drastically, forcing parents to admit their wards to private schools. “The pace of privatisation of school education increased after the state came into existence as the government machinery could not maintain the quality of education in its schools,” said Pant.

The successive governments have also failed to develop the local economy and create jobs, thereby depriving the hill region of cultivable land and traditions crafts.

The Terai region of the state also witnessed use of agricultural land in the name of industrialisation. This resulted in a fall in the production of cereals as the area under these crops decreased substantially. “The government did not help the farmers in saving their farmlands from pollution, but it also failed to give reasonable prices for their farm produces in the last 13 years,” said Pramod Sharma, a farmers’ leader in the Terai region.

Experts feel that the successive governments in the state could neither develop the potential of hydroelectric projects nor could it make the best use of water resources for the development of the local economy that is based on agriculture and horticulture. “The failure to generate small local jobs increased the pace of migration from the region,” said Pant.

The state, which has been the victim of one or other disaster, could not attract the attention of the policymakers to give disaster management a top priority. The state had to resettle residents of more than 300 villages, which faced disasters every year, but in the last 13 years the governments could not find enough land to relocate them. “The state has land for industrialists, who have abandoned a large part of it in the Terai area after acquiring it from the government in the name of setting up industries, but it has no land for displaced people living in sensitive areas,” said Bhagwan Singh Rawat, convener of the Pithoragarh Lok Manch.

Dehradun diary
Natural disaster, scrapping of power projects have hit state hard
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
A recent protest by primary school students and their parents in the Duggadda block of Pauri Garhwal demanding appointment of teachers in the their village school amply highlights the pathetic situation of the basic infrastructure in rural areas, particularly hill areas. Uttarakhand, which completed 13 years of its existence on November 9, finds itself in a fix on the issue of development. The state government and the state political leadership are not certain about the future of the two key sectors of the state economy, power and tourism, due to scrapping of several power projects and the natural disaster of June.

At the time of the formation of the state on November 9, 2000, Uttarakhand, which was carved out of the hill and Terai areas of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions, including Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, was billed as the future power state. It was estimated that the state government would harness 20,000 MW in the coming decade from the existing power generation of around 1,200 MW. The state government planned hundreds of small, medium and big power projects on rivers and rivulets of the state despite a lot of hue and cry by environmentalists. But the state could generate only up to 3,500 MW.

The first hurdle in the path of big power projects came from right wing sadhus and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists, who objected to hydroelectric projects on the Bhagirathi. In 2008, GD Aggarwal, a former professor of the IIT, Kanpur, and later became a sadhu, started a fast at Uttarkashi demanding a complete ban on hydroelectric projects upstream of the Bhagirathi. He got support from senior BJP leaders, including LK Advani. The then BJP Chief Minister, Major Gen BC Khanduri, ordered the closure of the Bhairon Ghat and Pala Maneri projects of the state government. Later, the Central government also scrapped the 600 MW Lohari Nag Pla project being constructed by the NTPC and declared 135 km of stretch of the Bhagirathi from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone and banned any kind of construction activity on the banks of the river.

However, the natural disaster in June drew national as well as international attention towards the happenings in the Himalayas. There were theories that large scale construction of hydroelectric projects in the Himalayas was also one of the factors that led to large-scale deaths and devastation. After the natural catastrophe, the Supreme Court had ordered the state government not to grant permission to new projects till further orders and called for the setting up of an expert committee to study the ongoing 24 hydroelectric projects.

A preliminary assessment of the Supreme Court’s order made by the state-run power generation company, UJVN Ltd, revealed that 35 projects of 4,200 MW capacity are under review. The decision of the Union government to declare an eco-sensitive zone in Uttarkashi district along the 100 km stretch of the Bhagirathi dealt a death-knell for 1,743 MW of power projects. Moreover, the final report of an inter-ministerial group headed by BK Chaturvedi also badly impacted the hydropower sector in the Ganga river basin to the tune of 6,000 MW. The National Ganga Basin

Authority had set up the Chaturvedi panel.

A total of 69 hydropower projects of a capacity of more than 9,000 MW were under review by the inter-ministerial group, which was set up following agitations by environmentalists and religious leaders against the development of scores of hydropower projects on the Bhagirathi. In its recommendations, the committee said no new hydropower projects other than 69 projects should be allowed. And then came the Supreme Court ruling after the natural disaster.

This all resulted in a situation where Uttarakhand billed to be a power surplus state has to purchase electricity worth crores of rupees every month to meet its requirements. The state had started the process of rapid industrialisation in 2003 with the setting up of industrial sectors in Pantnagar, Rudrapur and Haridwar attracting huge investments of up to Rs10,000 crore. But with continuing power crunch, the state government is unable to attract more industries. The state government is keeping its fingers crossed on the construction of big hydropower projects and wants to promote small units.

On the tourism sector, which was the mainstay of the local economy with lakhs of pilgrims and tourists visiting the famous Char Dhams, was hit badly by the natural calamity this year. In one of the worst disasters in the Himalayas (More than 5,000 people were killed), the traffic of pilgrims and tourists has almost dried up. Wide publicity and live coverage of the disaster forced tourists to ignore even tourist places like Mussoorie and Nainital, which are completely safe. The number of tourists and pilgrims to the state had reduced drastically after the disaster. Migration from the hills due to lack of basic facilities like education, health and job opportunities has increased after the disaster.

Ironically, the state government has utterly failed to give a fillip to alternate avocations like horticulture and small scale industries.

Centre urged to rejig panel for power projects
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 10
A controversy has erupted over the constitution of a committee by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to review hydropower projects in Uttarakhand after the June disaster that resulted in unprecedented loss of life and property and was attributed, among other factors, to the presence of a large number of hydropower projects in the state.

The Indian National Hydropower Association has written to the ministry, asking for “neutral” experts on board the expert body. According to secretary of the association R Kanjlia, the chairman and the co-chairman of the committee, Prof Ravi Chopra and Chandi Prasad Bhatt, respectively, are known to have “anti-hydropower projects views”.

“Chopra had earlier opposed the hydropower projects and attributed the disaster in Uttarakhand to their presence,” he said.

“We are of the opinion that the committee needs to be chaired as well as co-chaired by neutral experts, preferably from the Central Government organisations so that the terms of reference are properly taken care,” says Kanjlia.

Giving him support is OP Lalita, former Executive Director of NHPC, who has also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh questioning the composition of the committee. Similarly, Ashok Khanna, president of the Association of Power Producers, has also raised doubts about the “panel’s credibility” and questioned the members on the committee who are opposing the construction of hydropower projects in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh.

They sought a review of the composition of the committee and the constitution of a fresh panel on the ground that they feared the report of the committee would not be “dispassionate” as its head had already prejudged the viability of such projects.

The MoEF had constituted the expert committee for a detailed study as to whether hydroelectric projects existing and under construction in the river basins of the Alkananda, the Bhagirathi and their tributaries had contributed to environment degradation and, if so, to what extent and also whether they had contributed to the tragedy that occurred in Uttarakhand in June. The committee would also examine the impact of the proposed 24 hydropower projects on the biodiversity of the Alkananda and the Bhagirathi river basins.

Constituted on October 15, the 17-member committee has been asked to submit its final report by January 14, 2014. Headed by Ravi Chopra from Dehradun-based People's Science Institute, it has also been mandated to draft a Himalayan policy for the state.

UPP opposes Dehradun as capital
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
The Uttarakhand Parivartan Party (UPP) has announced to oppose tooth and nail any attempt of the state government to give the permanent capital status to Dehradun

Addressing mediapersons after the culmination of the party’s 48-hour hunger strike at the Martyrs' Memorial here today, party president PC Tiwari said they would hold protests across the state against the government’s plan to lay the foundation stone of the new Assembly building in Dehradun on November 16.

He said this meant giving a sort of permanent capital status to Dehradun. “Our party is of the firm belief that people of Uttarakhand want Gairsain as the permanent capital of the state and there can be no compromise on it,” he said.

Tiwari added the government was trying to befool the people by making two Vidhan Sabha buildings.

US docs provide free health check up
Tribune News Service

Rishikesh, November 10
Three US doctors are providing free health care services to the poor and slum dwellers here in the town. Dr Laura Sobhik, Dr Mishel Chen and Dr N Gyuen offered free medical services at Kali Dhal slum colony yesterday.

Supported by the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swargashra, Pauri Garhwal, the trio examined people and provided free consultation as well as medicines to slum-dwellers.

They are doing research in ayurvedic, homoeopathic and allopathic medicines. They found lack of health and sanitation awareness, improper diet and malnutrition among slum-dwellers as the primary causes of their ill health.

The three doctors also educated patients about measures to be taken for the prevention of malaria, dengue, intestine infection and malnutrition.

They are conducting health camps in the state in association with the Parmarth Niketan Health Protection Cell. Chandra Kanta Joshi, a social activist, who is aided by 20 women and 10 male volunteers, said with the support of Parmarth Niketan and the US doctors, slum-dwellers availed of free of cost health check up.

State likely to get green bonus for forest cover
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 10
All 11 Himalayan states are likely to get green bonus for their forest cover as the Centre has approved the report of a committee constituted by the Planning Commission of India on the direction of the Prime Minister, Almora MP Pradeep Tamta said here today.

Tamta told mediapersons that the committee constituted under the chairmanship of VK Chaturvedi, a Planning Commission member, had in its report recommended allocation of green bonus to the Himalayan states in lieu to their contribution to the preservation of the environment by having a dense forest cover. “The panel has suggested that the amount of green bonus be equal to 2 per cent of the budgetary support given to these states by the Central government,” said Tamta.

“The nine-member panel, which was constituted on November 25, 2011, has submitted its report after having six meetings and touring Himalayan states extensively in the last two years,” he said.

He added at the present rate of the budgetary allocation by the Center to these states, the amount of green bonus comes to Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 crore. “All MPs from 11 Himalayan states have decided to come together in Parliament in the coming session on the issue of green bonus,” said Tamta.

Poetry book on struggles of hill women released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
“Hastakshar”, a book of poems written by Ranjana Sharma, was released here today.

Dignitaries release ‘Hastakshar’, a book of poems by Ranjana Sharma (extreme left), in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Releasing the book, secretary of the Pitambar Dutt Barthwal Hindi Academy Muniram Saklani appreciated Ranjana for highlighting the struggle of hill women in her poems.

He said Ranjana's works were relevant today in the context of day-to-day livelihood challenges being faced by women residing in the hill areas of the state.

Former chairman of the Rajya Andolankari Samman Parishad Ravindra Jugran said Ranjana's family was a family of freedom fighters, who had always worked for the cause of the nation.

He added Ranjana's poems had always revealed the concern for mountains.

Virendra Dangwal presented a review of the book and said it was full of sensitivity. Atul Sharma, Jaiprakash Panwar, Uma Joshi and several other literary personalities were present on the occasion.

Youth party gears up for LS poll

Haridwar, November 10
General secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Rajiv Gandhi Youth Brigade Mohit Navani urged the party activists to gear up for the Lok Sabha elections.

He said under the able leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the Congress would again come to power at the Centre. “Youths hold key in the upcoming elections and the Rahul brigade activists must make the public aware of the welfare work being done by the Congress,” said Navani. — TNS

Weather warning system essential: Chandi Bhatt
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 10
A widespread network of the modern weather warning system was essential for Uttarakhand so that timely information could help in minimising damage and destruction caused due to disasters, said Chandi Prasad Bhatt, a noted environmentalist.

Bhatt, who reached here after visiting the Mandakini, Alaknanda, Saryu and Dhauli valleys, to assess damage done by the mid-June disaster.

He said people were equally responsible for the damages caused by the natural fury in the valley. “Before constructing the hydro-electric schemes in the valley, the villagers are taken in to confidence,” said Bhatt.

Demanding a substantial compensation for the victims of the valley, Bhatt said the provisions of the 74th constitutional amendments should be enacted in the state to preserve the forests, water and soil.

“This is only possible when we empower the village panchayats to be able to protect their natural resources,” said Bhatt.

Need to focus on recent advances in aerospace domain: Expert
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
A two-day national convention of aerospace engineers was organised by the Institution of Engineers (IE) and University of Petroleum and Energy studies (UPES) here yesterday.

It was the 27th National Convention of Aerospace Engineers.

Arun Dhand, Director of media affairs, UPES, said the scope of convention was diverse in nature encompassing topics like aerodynamics, avionics, structure and materials, propulsion, aerial robotics, space and satellite systems. But, one of the main objectives was to understand and discuss the future challenges and opportunities which had been thrown up by the recent advances in the aerospace domain in both the Civil and the Defense sectors.

Four technical sessions were organised during the convention where 60 research papers were presented by the domain experts from various defence research institution and other research institutions.

The issues covered in the sessions included development of autopilot technologies to handle critical maneuvers of advanced propulsion systems like cryogenic engines, multifarious aspects of the next generation of engines like advanced turbo-jet engines, scram-jet engines and pulse detonation engines.

The light weight aerospace vehicles and smart structures with advanced composite materials to withstand the high temperatures which arise due to hypersonic flights were also discussed.

Padam Bhushan Dr VK Saraswat was the chief guest on the occasion and released a book during the inaugural ceremony of the convention.

Dr Saraswat was the former scientific advisor to the Defense Minister and also the former Director General of DRDO.

He also spoke with pride about the recent successful launch of the Indian airship to Mars “Mangalayaan”.

He shared the progress made in the aerospace sector by India from the times of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and Vikram Sarabhai. He highlighted the gaps in the Indian space systems like GPS vulnerability, redundant missiles, requirement to build seekers and electronic scanner arrays.

He also stressed upon the need to create good designers in the country and become more independent and self-reliant which in turn would reduce the burden on the exchequer.

Delivering the traditional ‘Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Lecture’ Dr YVN Krishnamurthy, Director, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), spoke on the topic ‘Making India Self-Reliant in Space Technology for Societal Benefits’ and shared the contributions made by the satellite communications and the GPS towards the rescue and relief operations in the mid-June natural disaster.

Padam Shri Prof RM Vasagam, Chairman, Aerospace Engineering Division Board, Institution of Engineers (India), spoke in detail about the 50 years of Indian Space Programme which had over 100 successful space missions and developments in space communication, remote sensing, meteorology, space sciences and technical development for payload recovery from orbit re-usable vehicles.

He also spoke about the progress of the Indian space program from SLV-3 to the most advanced GSLV, but at the same time he also challenged the audience to increase the Indian share in the 1,050 space missions which were globally planned by various countries.

Dr SC Sharma, former professor and head, PEC University of Technology, took the audience through the history and journey of mankind space flights right from of the times of Wright brothers in 1903 up to contemporary times and stressed on the need and importance to optimise the available human resource in the country in terms of quality.

Dr SJ Chopra, Chancellor, UPES, welcomed all the dignitaries, including the Guest of Honor Narendra Singh, vice-president of IE (India), and the presiding officer JP Tomar, Chairman, UKSC, IE (India).

The convention felicitated K Shiv Kumar and D Shiva Krishna Reddy with ‘Young Engineers Award’ for their contributions towards the aerospace industry.

JP Tomar welcomed all the dignitaries at the valedictory function.

Narender Singh shared the contribution of Institution of Engineers in organising such seminars worldwide. Padma Shri Prof RM Vagasam shared the work in progress on specialised missions to Moon and Mars, Climate monitoring etc.

Utpal Ghosh, pro vice-chancellor, UPES, assured the audience about holding such programs in the UPES in the future. Recommendations of the convention were presented by Dr Om Prakash, HOD of Aerospace Engineering, UPES. Dr Shrihari, campus Director, in his closing remarks congratulated all the participants.

Singh sabha gives money for ultrasound machine
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 10
Members of the Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Dehradun, presented a cheque for Rs 9.5 lakh to Suryakant Dhasmana, Uttarakhand Congress vice-president, for purchasing a ultrasound machine for Bala Pritam Charitable Hospital, Patel Nagar.

The cheque was presented by the office-bearers of the sabha at a function held here today. Dhasmana is the patron of Bala Pritam Charitable Hospital.

Sabha president Gurmit Singh Duggal, DS Mann, Harpal Singh Sethi and Sewa Singh were present on the occasion.