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Move on hydro project may be dammed
Dehradun, December 5
Although the Chief Minister said that he would write to the Centre on the issue, a confrontation is brewing between the National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC), a union government enterprise, and the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited(UJVNL), a state government undertaking. A detailed project report of the 420 mw Lakhwar-Vyasi project hanging fire for the past two decades was completed by the NHPC. But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government decided to put on hold two of its projects, the 480 mw Pala-Maneri and the 380 mw Bhairon Ghati on the river Bhagirathi, following protests by environmentalist G.D. Agarwal and Hindu outfits in June this year. The state government decided to take over the Lakhwar-Vyasi project in its own hands. This was objected to by the NHPC. Even the union minister of state for power Jairam Ramesh wrote to the state government pleading that the Lakhwar-Vyasi project should be given to the NHPC since it was the corporation that had undertaken various surveys and prepared the detailed project report. But the Uttarakhand government argued that the state government wanted to build the project with the aim to enhance power availability in the state. If the state-owned UJVNL constructs the project, Uttarakhand can retain all power. Otherwise, the state would get 13 per cent of the power as royalty. The Lakhwar-Vyasi project would produce 927 million units of power, besides irrigating 40,000 hectares through the East Yamuna canal and neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi would be benefited. NHPC officials believe that the project should have been given to them.They say the corporation is more capable of funding the project that is estimated to cost more than Rs 4,200 crore. The Centre is ready to bear 90 per cent of its cost following techno-economic appraisal of the project and investment clearance by the Planning Commission. According to state government officials, as a viable alternative to defuse the situation, the Uttarakhand government would bifurcate the Lakhwar-Vyasi project between the state-government owned UJVNL and the NHPC. The government proposes to give the multi-purpose 300-mw Lahwar project to the NHPC and build the 120-mw Vyasi project through the UJVNL. The Chief Minister announced that he would soon hold talks with the Union Government. He said his government was able to complete the 304 mw Maneri Bhali Phase-II project in 10 months. The commissioning of this project in Uttarkashi district had come as a welcome relief for the power-starved state in February this year. The project had been hanging fire since 1989 when work was stopped on the project by the then Uttar Pradesh government due to financial constraints. The work was re-started in 2002, after the state of Uttarakhand was carved out, with assistance of a Rs 800 crore loan to the new state by the Power Finance Corporation. The project was to be completed in October 2005 but was delayed due to various technical reasons. Similarly, the construction of the Lakhwar-Vyasi project was started in 1979 by the Uttar Pradesh irrigation department, but was later stalled. After the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000, the state government handed over the responsibility of preparing the revised detailed project report (DPR) of the the multipurpose project to the NHPC. On agenda are a 200-metre high arch-gravity concrete dam and underground powerhouse with 2.7 km-long head race tunnels
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Meeting to take up Van Gujjars’ issue
Dehradun, December 5 Prowling wild animals, say officials, also destroy crops, suggesting better compensation for the loss by the authorities. Also on agenda is the issue of rehabilitation of animals, particularly leopards. So is work on the proposed wild life rehabilitation centres at Almora and Haridwar. The issue of increasing eco-tourism opportunities in the Sonawadi sanctuary will be explored as the Dhikala zone of the Corbett Park is already under tremendous tourism pressure. The authorities plan to come up with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for monkeys at the meeting. The issue of Gujjar rehabilitation will also be taken up. The wildlife authorities feel the need for a solution to the Gujjar problem at the earliest as they say areas along water bodies have been occupied by Van Gujjars, depriving elephants of water sources.
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They too have a vision
Dehradun, December 5 So immense is their understanding of things around them that it is difficult to believe that they have never stepped into a school. The desire to learn new things continues to motivate them. “Each day, we seem to be learning new things and the world of knowledge is limitless. The modern forms of communication has aided in our quest. You won’t believe this, but we are both avid listeners of radio and BBC radio has enriched our knowledge about the country and the world,” said Aarfeen, the younger of the two. Both of them do understand that education in a special school is helpful for the visually impaired, but it was a personal decision of their mother, taken when they were quite young, of not allowing them to be part of a school that would keep them cut off from mainstream
society. This forced them to undertake education at home. “I had visited NIVH (National Institute for the Visually Handicapped) with the aim of educating my girls at the institute. I realised it was an altogether different world totally divorced from mainstream society.” “I feared my daughters would face adjustment problems. I also wanted my other family members to be responsive to their needs without making a fuss,” said Nasreen, mother of the two girls. The groundswell of support for the sisters among family members is immense, “I would have been unable to come this far, if my mother and other siblings had not extended support. We are treated normally and sometimes I feel that our opinion and wishes are given precedence. This has boosted our morale,” informed
Aarfeen. While both can recite the holy Quran, Sulaiheeen is already a Hafiz, a title given to those who master the holy book. Both sisters are expert cooks. “Various television programmes and cookery shows have been a big help. Even though I am a vegetarian, I can cook chicken in different styles,” informed Aarfeen. Sualaiheen is interested in all things technical. The world market is also of special interest to her. “I have gained insight into the functioning of the markets - why share prices rise and fall. Television - especially business channels - are of immense help,” said Sualaiheen. While both sisters are inseparable, their personalities are different. While the elder is shy and meditative, the younger one is never shy of airing her views. “How can two people be similar? They are different and very special,” said Nasreen.
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No traditional procession this Xmas
Dehradun, December 5 The church leadership decided not to hold the traditional procession, nor illuminate church buildings this time. “We have cancelled the joint Christmas procession slated for December 9. Instead, a condolence prayer service will be held at Gandhi Park at 2 pm on December 13,” informed pastor JP Singh, president of the CCF. The decision of the CCF has also been taken on account of the recent attacks on churches in Orissa and the killing of innocent Christians in other states. The clergy termed the Mumbai attacks as an attack on the sovereignty of the country, “which must be condemned by every Indian in the strongest possible manner.” At a well-attended emergency condolence meeting at Morrison Memorial Church, the CCF members observed a minute’s silence in memory of the security personnel who laid down their lives for the country and countrymen and also those from abroad who fell to the bullets of the terrorists. Pastor Singh said the member churches had decided to exhort their congregations to celebrate Christmas in a less pompous manner in their homes and to express sympathy for the bereaved families with the message of peace as taught by Christ. “The CCF has asked its community members not to hold public festivities as a collective expression of condemnation of the heinous act of the terrorists,” he added.
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Doonite Mala on the wings of fame
The movie has been under S. Soni banner and stars Ayub Khan, Deepti Bhatnagar and Milind Gunaji. The music is by Bappi Lahiri and the songs are rendered by Kumar Sanu, Vinod Rathore and Sunidhi Chauhan. “I never planned on entering
Bollywood. I was interviewing Khayamji in Bombay when I met the director and producer of the movie. They asked me if I wanted to act in their movie and by sheer luck I became an actress.” Mala has been associated with many newspapers like Times of India and Mid-Day. She runs an NGO called Mala’s World for educating young girls and women. She was recently awarded The Arch of Excellence by The All-India Achievers’ Conference for her contribution to society as a journalist, actor and social worker. Actor Abhishek Bachchan, union minister of state Ashwini Kumar, Shakeel Ahmed, member of Parliament Ashok
Pradhan and MS Bhatta were present at the occasion. Among other awardees were filmstar Raza Murad, Suresh Oberoi, Kavita Kaushik of “Nach baliye fame”, Gaurav Chopra, Sana (Anjali of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai). She was the only awardee from Uttarakhand. Mala has signed for Abhishek Bachchan’s directorial debut “Hashr”. She is also working on film projects like “Aaja Meri Gaadi Mein Baith Jaa” starring Sanjay Dutt and Rajpal Yadav and “Brahmand Nayak Sai Baba” starring Milind Gunaji. In her kitty are serials made by Balaji Telefilms and a reality show.
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Dehradun, December 5