Dehradun, December 18
The issue of constant dip in the ground water level in Udham Singh Nagar district dominated proceedings on fourth day of the winter session of the state assembly.

When question hour began, Congress MLA Dr Shailender Mohan Singhal asked agriculture minister Trivendra Singh Rawat whether ground water level is reducing because of the rice farming in Udham Singh Nagar during summers.

He also asked the minister to clarify about the policy that the government had formulated regarding the decrease in ground water.

Rawat in his reply said that ground water level had gone down by 1.02m to 2.85m, adding that the government was laying stress on developing rainwater harvesting for groundwater recharging.

While quoting the example of the Punjab government which had banned rice farming during summers, the agriculture minister advocated a similar system for Uttarakhand.

This created a furore in the assembly with opposition legislators arguing that in today’s scientific world, why was the government, instead of finding solution to the problem, talking about banning rice farming.

Reacting to this, Rawat said, “If the opposition just want to create a “dhong” (drama), the discussion is of no meaning.”

Subsequently, the Congress legislators came to the well of the house and create a ruckus. “It is really unfortunate that the minister has used such unparliamentary language in the House,” they said.

The speaker intervened and issued directions not to record the minister’s comments in the minute-wise proceedings of the House.

Replying to a joint question of UKD MLA Pushpesh Tripathi and Independent MLA Yashpal Benaam about holding the elections of panchayats and block heads through direct voting, minister for Panchayati Raj Bishan Singh Chufaal said that a proposal in this regard would be tabled in the House.

Taking up another issue of low wages to labourers under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), Pushpesh Tripathi asked rural development minister Bishan Singh Chufaal whether the government was considering increasing the daily pay of the labourers working under NREGS to Rs 200.

“Earlier, labourers under NREGS were being paid Rs 73 on a daily basis which was
increased to Rs 100. And there is no immediate plan to increase it further,” said
the minister.

Another issue that was debated hotly in the assembly was that of setting up of the “development blocks”, a body that looks after the development at the block level.

Congress MLA Kishore Upadhaya asked the rural development minister Bishan Singh Chufaal why the government was not ready to set up new “development blocks”.

The minister replied that directions issued by the Centre on September 5, 1997, prohibits the setting up of development blocks.

“The union government will not give any grant for setting up development blocks
and the state government does not have requisite funds for the same,” Chufaal
told the House.

Dehradun, December 18
For the first time, Uttarakhand will have a post of Deputy Speaker of the state assembly. Speaker Harbans Kapoor announced the poll schedule for the election of the Deputy Speaker here today, much to the annoyance of the main opposition party, the Congress.

Since Uttarakhand came into being in November 2000, there has been no post
of Deputy Speaker and it was political compulsion of the ruling BJP government,
led by Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri, to ‘adjust’ senior party legislators that has led
to the decision.

Khanduri has been under pressure to give ‘positions’ to party legislators who
have been unhappy with him ever since he took over the reigns of the state in
March 2007.

Disgruntled party legislators had even raised a banner of revolt against his
style of functioning.

Subsequently, in a bid to woo party legislators, the government had taken out 54 government positions of chairmen and vice-chairpersons of various boards and committees from the purview of the Office of Profit Act.

However, the move has not put an end to the political troubles of the CM. Some of the senior party legislators who held cabinet ministers ranks in the Uttar Pradesh state were not inclined to take up the positions offered by Khanduri.

Hence, a position of Deputy Speaker has been created to adjust a senior ruling
party legislator.

On the other hand, the move has annoyed the Congress, the main opposition party in the house.

“As per parliamentary precedence, the position of Deputy Speaker is given to the main opposition party, but BJP is out to destroy all norms of parliamentary democracy,” alleged Leader of Opposition Harak Singh Rawat.

The Congress has decided to boycott the process of election for the post. “By
declaring the election schedule, the BJP government has shown that it was not
interested in unanimous election as per the norms,” said Suryakant Dhasmana
of the Congress.

Meanwhile, ruling BJP has announced that Vijaya Bharatwal, party legislator from Yamkeshwar assembly segment in Pauri Garhwal district, would be the official party candidate for the post of Deputy Speaker.

As per the schedule of polling, nominations are invited on December 19 and polling would be held the next day.

Dehradun, December 18
Peeved at the government attitude towards the plight of the unemployed nursery teachers training (NTT) teachers, Yogita Joshi, president, NTT Unemployed Teachers Organisation, and Pushpa Rathore, secretary of the body, attempted to commit suicide outside the Uttarakhand assembly.

Yogita consumed poison and was immediately rushed to Doon Hospital where her condition is said to be out of danger. Pushpa climbed a tree and the moment she was about to consume poison, she slipped and fell down.

She suffered multiple fractures and was also admitted to Doon Hospital. It has been more than a year since unemployed NTT teachers have been protesting outside the state Legislative Assembly.

Renu Bisht, a member of the organisation, said that in 2003, the Uttarakhand government started centres for providing nursery teachers training.

“We were trained to teach pre-primary and class I to III. But when our training
got over, the government refused to employ us, stating that government schools
do not have pre-primary classes. We were asked to find employment in other
states,” she rued.

She added that out of the 250 unemployed NTT teachers, 90 per cent are graduates. The protesting teachers questioned why the government was not recruiting them to teach classes I to III given that they had received training to teach these classes.

“What is more shocking is the fact that the Khanduri government had recruited around 10 NTT teachers who got training from Delhi and Allahabad,” said Renu.

They further said that after three batches of NTT teachers passed out, the state government closed the training centre.

“Some teachers have been sitting idle from more than two years. It is high time that the government wakes up and issue orders for the recruitment of NTT teachers”, the teachers demanded.

Meanwhile, the moment opposition legislators got to know about the suicide attempt, they created a ruckus in the assembly.

Leader of opposition Harak Singh Rawat said that it was “shameful” that two teachers tried to commit suicide just because the government is not at all sensitive to the demand of providing employment to 250 NTT teachers.

Rawat said that he himself talked to the state education minister Madan Kaushik on this issue a number of times but failed to get any positive response.

Rawat also pointed out that when inter-pass “shiksha mitras” are teaching students from class I to X, then why NTT teachers, a considerable number of whom are graduates, are not being allowed to teach students higher than pre-primary.

In his reply, state education minister Madan Kaushik said that government is sensitive to the issue of NTT teachers.

“But there are certain legal hurdles which do not allow us to recruit NTT teachers,”
he said.

He added that if the opposition has any workable solution to the problem, they are most welcome to discuss it.

However, not satisfied with the reply of the minister, Congress legislators shouted slogans against the government.

Dehradun, December 18
President of Mauritius Sir Anerood Jugnauth today said that his country is a “mini India” as both share the same culture and language. But a lot more needs to be done to promote historical ties between the two nations.

He was addressing a function at ONGC auditorium here where he released the latest book by Uttarakhand health minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank titled “Himalaya Ka Kumbh Nanda Raj Jatt”.

Speaking in Hindi, he referred to the time when his forefathers reached the island country as labourers. “They faced extreme difficulties but maintained their cultural, linguistic and religious identity.”

“There is a blood relation between both countries,” he said while stating that the book on the religious yatra to the abode of presiding deity of the state would serve as the means of familiarising the readers with the culture of the state. He expressed thanks for the warm welcome he received here.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri wished the visiting dignitary and his wife good health and success in political life.

He informed that due to the efforts of Sir Anerrod, a Ganga Talab was created in Mauritius with holy water taken from the Ganga. The President presented a picture of Ganga Talab.

Yog guru Ram Dev, founder of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, Swami Chidananda Muni, state RSS Pracharak Shiv Prakash, former CM Swami Nityanand, and Mayor Vinod Chamoli were present on the occasion. He attended a book launch function at Nishkam ashram, Rishikesh, last evening.

Dehradun, December 18
The All-India Students Association has expressed concern over the sorry state of education affairs in the state and the country.

AISA president Indresh Maikhuri today strongly resented the government’s move to introduce 100 per cent foreign direct investment in higher education.

He said the rampant commercialisation of higher education was leading to deprivation of the poor and needy.

Outrightly rejecting the Lyngdoh committee, meant to reform students union electoral system in the country, Maikhuri said the recommendations were of no use.

He also sought removal of the ban on Jawaharlal Nehru University elections alleging that the Lyngdoh committee recommendations were being wrongly used to bring students’ politics to an end. He rather favoured strengthening student politics in colleges and universities.

Echoing similar sentiments, Malti Haldar, state president of AISA, said the Association seeks constitution of an anti-sexual harassment cell within colleges to check the menace of eve teasing.

“The girl students are often subjected to sexual harassment in colleges and universities and such a cell can effectively check the menace,” Haldar said.

She also referred to Preeti Sharma murder case while saying that the AISA was in support of a full-fledged CBI probe into the matter.

Referring to the lathicharge on ‘Shiksha Mitras’, AISA state general secretary Pawan Kumar Nautiyal said the state government is insensitive towards the genuine concerns of the teachers.

Meanwhile, the Association has also sought the state government’s intervention into the alleged marriage of a Pithoragarh Army major, Chandrashekar Pant, with an Afghan national, Sabra, when the former was posted in Afghanistan some time back.

“Sabra needs adequate support and the AISA has been regularly holding dharnas demanding appropriate police action into the matter,” Indresh Maikhuri, AISA president said.

He pointed out that the state government must come to Sabra’s rescue, who has been stay put at Pithoragarh for two weeks now. Maikhuri pledged full support to Sabra on behalf of his association.

Dehradun, December 18
Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri yesterday asked the DGP to enquire into the registration of a false case against sitting BSP MLA from Uttar Pradesh at Manglore police station near Roorkee.

The development followed a representation made by BSP legislators in the state Assembly that MLA Shahnawaz Rana of Bijnor constituency and general manager of his factory Shamim Ahmed were implicated in a police case.

The in charge of the police station registered the case on December 15 at the behest of a transport company of Udham Singh Nagar, they alleged.

Claiming the concerned police official acted arbitrarily, Rana along with Uttarakhand MLAs Shahzad Ahmed, Qazi Nizamudin Taslim Ahmed, Surinder Rakesh, Chaudhary Yashvir, Hari Das and Narain Pal met Khanduri here yesterday.

Rana alleged that the raw material brought to the factory in two trucks from Orissa was found to be different from what was ordered.

This was conveyed to the supplier Jaibala Jyoti Steel Limited on whose written instructions, both trucks were detained at his factory in Manglore.

But the owners of the trucks lodged a police complaint against the detainment. He alleged that the in charge of the police station registered the case in connivance with the owners.

Haridwar, December 18
District Magistrate Shailesh Bhagoli has expressed concern at the accumulation of industrial waste in Haridwar and asked the officials of the industries department to chalk out plans for the scientific disposal of the solid waste.

He was talking to representatives of various industries associations here today.

Terming industrial waste as a major environmental hazard, the DM assured the representatives that the administration was keen to sort out the problems being faced by industries in the district.

Regarding the dilapidated condition of Haridwar-Ranipur road, Bagoli directed Haridwar Development Authority to look into the matter.

On the problem of absence of streetlights at Roorkee Industrial area, he directed the officials of the industries department to do the needful in collaboration with municipal corporation officials.

In the meeting, industrialists demanded opening of an ESIC hospital and common facility centre in the industrial area.

Those present on the occasion included Haridwar Industrial Association president Rajendra Mishra, Bahadarabad Industrial Association President Ashok Kumar Sharma, SIDCUl regional officer Harendra Garg and several other industrialists.

Dehradun, December 18
The Sardar Bhagwan Singh team scored a thumping 91-run victory over Institute of Tourism Managmenet at the 57th District Cricket League at the Survey Stadium, here today.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sardar Bhagwan Singh team piled up a total of 200 runs in their allotted 40 overs. Abhishek, who scored 60 runs off 62 balls, provided their innings the impetus.

In reply, ITM team was bundled out for 109 runs. Virendra was the star bowler for Sardar Bhagwan Singh team. He took four wickets.

Meanwhile, in a match played yesterday, RPCA defeated Ajab Pur Young Star by seven runs at the District Cricket League underway at Matawalabag. Vishal was the star performer for RPCA with the top score of 62 runs of just 48 balls.

It was a flying start for RPCA team as their opening batsmen added 76 runs for the first wicket partnership. Opening batsman, Chaman made 24 runs of just 30 balls and Naveen made 44 runs.

In reply to the modest target of 196 runs, Ajab Pur Young Star batsmen could only manage 188 runs in their allotted 30 overs. Falling short by 7 runs. For RPCA, Shubham and Ajay picked two wickets each.

Marwah is presently serving as a coach at Doon Institute of Shooting and Sporting and is employed with the ONGC.