Dehradun, July 13
After a wait of seven years, the Justice Birendra Dixit (retd) report on suggesting a permanent capital for Uttarakhand was finally tabled at the Budget session today. Parliamentary affairs minister Parkash Pant tabled the report in the House amid sloganeering by Opposition legislators against the government.

The report, a copy of which is with The Tribune, has rejected Garsain as the site for permanent capital. Ever since Uttarakhand came into existence on November 9, 2000, the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), an ally of the BJP government, has been demanding that Garsain in Chamoli, located between Kumaon and Garhwal, be made capital. The report comes as a setback to the UKD.

After 10 extensions, the Dixit Commission, set up on January 11, 2001, submitted its report on August 17 last.

The parameters on which the report has been prepared include topography, water resources, climate, availability of land, natural drainage and investment.

A perusal of the report reveals that it mainly deals with comparative feasibility study of five cities-Dehradun, Garsain, Kashipur, Ramnagar and IDPL Rishikesh.

While Garsain has been found “non-feasible” as capital on several counts, the interim capital, Dehradun, has been found most appropriate for the same.

The report points out that Garsain has an uneven topography marked with extreme climate while the other four cities have mild climate and a plain topography.

The commission says in Garsain water can be provided only by lifting, an extremely expensive proposition. Dehradun, Kashipur and IDPL Rishikesh have ample resources, says the report. Kashipur, Ramnagar and Dehradun have enough land for capital projects but Garsain has no land available.

In terms of investment possibilities, the commission says Dehradun and Kashipur have the advantage of road, rail and air connectivity.

Kashipur, Ramnagar and Rishikesh face environmental problems on account of their location in catchment areas of the Ganges. The report mentions that Kashipur will lose a large tract of its fertile land if acquired for setting up of capital. Similarly, Rishikesh being a religious centre will pose problems.

“In case of Garsain, there is a lurking threat of natural disasters,” the commission says. The report mentions that while water drainage is possible in Dehradun and Garsain, it is difficult in other cities. Regarding urbanisation, the commission says it is only possible in Dehradun and Kashipur.

Speaking to The Tribune, UPCC president Yashpal Arya said they needed to study the report in totality and then reach a conclusion.

Leader of the Opposition in the assembly Dr Harak Singh Rawat termed the report as “incomplete”.

Dehradun, July 13
Outrightly rejecting the Dixit panel report that did not recommend Gairsain as the permanent capital of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has reacted strongly asserting that the report’s recommendations were not binding on the state government.

The party also submitted a separate memorandum addressed to Uttarkhand Chief Minister in this regard.

Constituted for deciding the permanent capital of Uttarkhand, the Dixit Commission had recently submitted its findings to the state government that was tabled in the House today.

The report has rejected Gairsain as the possible site for the permanent capital, contrary to the UKD’s long-standing agenda. “We reject the Dixit Commission report.

“Its recommendations are not binding on the state government,” said UKD Dwarahat MLA Pushpesh Tripathy who said the party would stick to its stand of according permanent capital status to Gairsain.

In a memorandum addressed to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, UKD president Dr Narayan Singh Jantwal yet again asked the state government to make Gairsain the permanent capital of Utarakhand while arguing that the it was the popular choice of the people.

“The entire state agitation was focused on getting capital status for Gairsain and the very basis of the constitution of the hill state was aimed at ushering in development in remote hill areas,” Dr Narayan Singh Jantwal wrote in the memorandum.

Among other demands, it also demanded restarting the process linked to identification of state movement agitationists and promotion of industries in hill districts.

In another memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister, the UKD also sought formulation of policies for Uttarakhand in accordance with its geographical status. The party has sought a separate Himalayan State Development Ministry.

UKD workers also staged protests in Dehradun in opposition to the Dixit Commission report’s rejection of Gairsain.

Dehradun, July 13
After suspending doctors hired on contract, the health department now plans to reinstate them for which interview will be held tomorrow. It is believed that the doctors were suspended in haste after information was sought under the Right to Information Act (RTI) by a retired doctor attached with the DG, health regarding deployment of contractual doctors selected to serve in remote areas.

But these doctors were working in hospitals and health centres in and around Dehradun.

The doctors and some of the staff managed posting at the Doon Hospital and District Women’s Hospital facing a severe shortage of pathologists and anaesthetists.

The health authorities were forced to take action in response to the RTI query. However, most of these doctors are expected to be reinstated and sent to remote areas.

The authorities hands have been strengthened with the government order on enhancement of pay scales of doctors and medical staff.

“We will be reinstating the doctors who were suspended if they agree to work in remote areas,” said Dr PL Joshi, DG, health.

Dehradun, July 13
After trying out several things to tide over acute manpower crunch in medical services and meeting with partial success, the health authorities are now increasingly looking at outsourcing as a viable option.

For the first time in the country, complete health services in Yamkeshwar and Chakrata Blocks are about to be outsourced to private players, already rendering medical services.

Under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) the pilot project would be started by the end of this year.

If the project proves successful, it is expected to change the health services scenario in the state that has been plagued by shortage of experienced medical personnel.

In the past, the health department of the state has tried to run some of the schemes on public private partnership mode.

But this would be the first time in the state when the entire health apparatus (comprising of Community Health Centers, Primary Health Centers and their functioning) would pass into the hands of private players.

“The skeletal medical services in these blocks required an all-round strategy, therefore, complete health care would be run by private parties.

“This would ensure an end-to-end improvement in the entire system, rather than opting for piece meal arrangement,” said, Dr AP Mamagi, additional director NRHM. The state government is expected to benefit in the form of improved services in the far-flung areas of the state where the government’s attempts to recruit medical staff have not proved good.

“We are offering the best packages to doctors who have to serve in the remote areas, but no one is willing to serve in these areas. We have even resorted to walk-in interviews, but with little success,” said Dr PL Joshi, DG Health.

The state government has already given a go-ahead to the pilot project. Already two locally active organisations have been selected to man the services.

At Yamkeshwar block, the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) would be running the services while at Chakrata Block the Christian Hospital has been selected to run the services.

“We did not go for tenders for selection of partners, rather the health committee zeroed down on organisations already active in these areas.

“The contract is for a period of three years. Their performances would be evaluated on the basis of indicators prepared by the NRHM,” said Dr Mamgai.

The state health department would be financing the services along with another private agency, the Future Group that too would share the financial burden. So, in all there would be three players in the entire arrangement.

Dehradun, July 13
The controversy over the death of Ranbir Singh in an ‘encounter’ rocked the Uttarakhand Assembly today as Opposition legislators came down heavily on the state government and demanded an immediate discussion on the issue under Rule 310.

Immediately after the start of budget session of the Assembly at around 11 am, Congress and BSP legislators rushed to the well of the House requesting the Speaker to allow discussions on the important issue.

While chanting slogans, Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly Dr Harak Singh Rawat and several other Congress legislators demanded action against the cops allegedly involved in the ‘encounter’.

The Congress also demanded a probe into other police encounters in the state during the past two years.

Congress MLA Dinesh Aggarwal said that they have also demanded a CBI probe into the murder of 19-year-old Anshu Nautial. “In order to ascertain the truth in the Anshu murder case, CBI probe is must,” he added.

BJP’s alliance partner Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) MLA Pushpesh Tripathi demanded a discussion under Section 310 on the issue of 18 daily-wage earners who recently consumed poisonous substance in protest against them not being taken into direct contractual service.

Congress MLA Tilak Raj Behad urged the speaker to allow discussion on the issue of the indefinite strike by the employees of the GB Pant University. “It is extremely unfortunate that the government is not concerned about the issue and is not giving benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission to the employees of Pantnagar University,” Behad rued.

Despite repeated assurances by Speaker Harbans Kapoor that he would allow discussion but prior to that, the Opposition must allow the scheduled proceedings of the House to take place, Opposition MLAs continued to raise slogans against the government.

Following this, the House was first adjourned at 11.15 am for 15 minutes and the adjournment was later extended three times. When the House reassembled at 12.20 pm, the turmoil continued which forced the Speaker to adjourn the House till 11 am tomorrow.

Haridwar, July 13
The ‘kanwar’ season began today, the first Monday in the month of ‘Saawan’, with lakhs of devotees thronging Shiva temples in the district.

From early morning, devotees lined up at Daksheshwar Mahadev, Bilkeshwar, Gauri Shankar, Neeleshwar Janmasa Mahadev, Til Bhandeshwar, Daridra Bhanjan Mahadev temples.

A large number of Kanwariyas thronged the city. All trains were jam packed with Kanwariyas and their beautiful ‘kanwars’ hung from the windows.

Buses also wore an orange look.

The showers that lashed the city in the morning today brought much needed respite to the on-foot Kanwariyas.

At almost every 500m, ‘bhandaras’ and temporary makeshift tents for the pilgrims have been put up by the Kanwariyas, religious trusts, social organisations, corporates and traders.

Kanwariyas filled Ganga water at Har-ki-Pauri and then went to temples for ‘jal-abhishek’. As locals were also in queue, they, along with Kanwariyas, created serpentine queues at major temples.

Special passes for locals living near the mela zone have been issued as in the coming days, free vehicular movement will be barred in the mela zone.

Meanwhile, the health department is conducting inspection and raids on food stalls and fruit vendors to check the quality of food items at mela area specially at Pantdeep and Rodi Belwala.

Health officer city Dr Anil Tyagi said that any rotten food item or contaminated ones would be immediately thrown away by the team. Spraying of insecticides in the mela area was being done by the municipality.

Roorkee, July 13
The ban on poultry and meat products in the area from July 12 onwards, due to the ongoing Kanwar Mela, has led to a dip of as much as 70 per cent in business.

The administration has prohibited sale of chicken, eggs and other non-vegetarian items in Roorkee and adjoining towns of Manglore, Peeran Kaliyar, Narsan and Laksar. In addition, sale of non-vegetarian food items has been prohibited in all eateries located along the highways that are being used by the ‘kanwariyas’.

The orders have been issued to avoid any untoward incident as well as honour the religious sentiments of the pilgrims.

However, wholesalers are crying foul. They claim that business has been badly hit and dipped by as much as 70 per cent since imposition of the ban on July 12.

Sohan Lal Chopra, a wholesale dealer of eggs, said: “Against the consumption of 1.5 lakh eggs per day here, the sale has come down to 45,000. These days, supply is being made to bakeries only.”

Similarly, a dip of over 80 per cent has been reported in the supply of chicken. “Here the supply of chicken was over 100 quintal per day. But these days, the business is almost nil due to the prohibition,” said Mohammad Raja, a wholesaler of chicken items.

Notably, all the poultry products are being supplied from Yamunanagar and Barwala in Haryana. The ban would remain in effect till July 22, the day of culmination of Kanwar Mela.

Dehradun, July 13
Even as the 12-day budget session began today, several teachers and employees’ associations staged demonstrations outside the Assembly.

In support of their respective demands, representatives of the Yog Prakshishit Society, Shiksha Acharayas, NTT teachers, Recognised Schools Teachers Association and BTC Teachers, staged separate dharnas and urged the government to look into their demands.

Notably, it has been 605 days since the unemployed NTT teachers have been staging protests outside the Assembly. Raising slogans against the state government, the protesting teachers demanded that the government should issue orders for recruiting unemployed NTT teachers without any delay.

Members of Yog Prashikshit Society expressed dismay over the apathetic attitude of the government towards their demands. State president of the society Ganesh Bhatt rued that government authorities were least bothered about providing them jobs.

Besides, ‘shiksha mitras’ staged a protest demanding their absorption as assistant teachers in the state primary schools, while ‘shiksha acharyas’ agitated for better pay and perks.

Dehradun, July 13
All-time high prices of pulses have come as another shock for Doon residents who have been hoping to supplement their diet with pulses after vegetables witnessed an upward trend. Locals are left with little choice after vegetables and pulses have registered a record hike recently.

Urad dal is priced between Rs 42 and Rs 50 per kg, Arhar between Rs 75 and Rs 80 a kg, Malka Masoor between Rs 52 and 58 a kg, Moong Dal between Rs 54 and Rs 62 a kg, Chana dal between Rs 28 and Rs 34 a kg, Rajma is being sold between Rs 41 and Rs 50 a kg and Lobiya between Rs 45 and Rs 50 a kg.

The Arhat Bazar Association president Rajender Goyal said that the prices of pulses have gone higher from the last few days due to poor monsoon.

“A bulk of the pulses are procured from Maharashtra but as the rains have been erratic in most of the pulses growing areas of the state, the prices have gone up from Rs 5 to Rs 6 a Kg, said Rajender.

The prices of Masoor, Arhar and Channa dals have registered the maximum hike. “After vegetables went out my family’s menu, it was natural that we turn to pulses but the prices at which these are being sold right now is not encouraging at all,” said Ruchi Talwar, a housewife.

There has been a steady increase in prices of food items all over the country. Rice and sugar too have become dearer since the past few days. A quality of rice which was costing Rs 36 per kg, a week ago, now priced at Rs 34 per kg in the retail market.

Even common spices like coriander and cumin powder have become costly. The coriander powder is been sold at Rs 111 a kg, while cardamom at Rs 315 a kg.

Dehradun, July 13
Junior Cantt and Uttarakhand Police teams won their respective matches at the ongoing District Football League at Pavilion Ground, here today. In the first match, Junior Cantt team outplayed Khalanga Boys by solitary goal.

It was a closely contested match between both the teams.

In the first half, both the teams made some good moves. In the 10th minute of the match Khalanga Boys team made a strategic move from the right to penetrate into the Junior Cantt team defence.

But it was a good save from defenders to deny Khalanga any opportunity to score.

In the 14th minute Junior Cantt made a strategic move from the right, but the move died half way as Junior Cantt team gave a false pass.

In the 20th minute Junior Cantt was on the attack again but their forward played a rash shot to hit the ball over the bar.

In the second half, Junior Cantt took control of the proceedings. Their efforts finally paid in the 13th minute of the match when they opened their account.

It was Arjun for the Junior Cantt who dodged to defenders before neatly placing the balls in the net.

Khalanga Boys made repeated attempts to find an equaliser but failed. In the end it was easy victory for Junior Cantt.

In the second match, Uttarakhand Police team beat Garhwal Sporting by 6-0. Uttarakhand Police team dominated throughout the match.

Uttarakhand Police forward Saurabh scored in the 8th minute of the match to help his team take an initial lead in the match.

Barely two minutes later, Veer Singh scored the second goal for his team to make it 2-0 in the 10th minute of the match. Veer Singh struck again in the 18th minute making it 3-0 at half time.

Garhwal Sporting team could not do much in the second half as well as Uttarakhand Police further increased its lead by three goals again.

For Uttarakhand team Deepak scored in the 15th and 27th minute making it 5-0. In the 33rd minute Dhanveer scored the sixth goal for Uttarakhand Police to make it 6-0.

Dehradun, July 13
The Uttarakhand Sports Directorate has framed rules for distribution of funds to various associations that hold competitions in different sports disciplines. The move is aimed at checking ‘fake’ associations that seek funds.

For promotion of sports, the Directorate would also frame an annual calendar. A meeting of all the associations was convened here on July 8 and various points were discussed.

“Till recently, there were no criteria for distribution of funds. Therefore, there was much discord between various associations.

“To resolve the differences, the Sports Directorate has now decided to frame proper rules in this regard,” said Additional Director Sports AK Chaturvedi.

The Directorate is also planning to fund all associations of the state. “We will fund all state associations which are recognised by the Directorate, but the funding will be done once in two years. In the initial period we will monitor their working, for which observers will be appointed.”

He also made it clear that if associations fail to maintain a particular standard set for a game as has been declared prior to receiving funds, the Directorate would not consider them for future assistance.

The Directorate has also made it mandatory for associations to give utilisation certificates when a big grant has been given to them. In case of smaller grants, utilisation certificate is not necessary.

A particular association or non-governmental organisation would receive funds through drafts and cheques, and payment would be made within one month.

The funds would be issued in 65:35 ratio, which means that 65 per cent of the payment would be made before beginning of any tournament and the remaining 35 per cent after conclusion of the competition.

In case any particular association would hold a World Championship, the Directorate would provide 60 per cent of the net expenditure or seven lakh rupees, whichever is less.

In case of an Asian Championship or International Tournament, the Directorate would provide 60 per cent of the net expenditure and four lakh rupees, whichever is less.

For any National Championship, 60 per cent of the net expenditure or three lakhs rupees, whichever is less, would be provided.

For state-level tournaments, one lakh rupees or 60 per cent of the net expenditure, whichever is less, would be given, whereas for district-level tournaments Rs 10,000 would be given in case there are 150 participants; Rs 15,000 if participants increase to 200; and Rs 20,000 if there are more than that.