Dehradun, August 4
Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank met Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in New Delhi yesterday evening and asked for financial assistance to deal with drought-like situation prevailing in Uttarakhand.

Giving details to the minister, Nishank said 66 tehsils of 11 districts of Uttarakhand had been badly affected by drought. “Because of less rainfall, there has been a problem of food grains, water and fodder.

Although a Central team visited the state two months back to assess the situation, no assistance has been given to us so far,” he told Pawar, while requesting the minister to do the needful at the earliest. Nishank also sought more sugar quota for the state.

He further said almost two crore pilgrims visit Uttarakhand each year and the number is expected to touch the six crore mark next year, as the Maha Kumbh Mela gets underway in January, 2010.

“In wake of this, there is not only need to increase the sugar quota, but also that of food grains,” he asserted.

Talking about the National Organic Programme, Nishank told the minister that all the necessary details with respect to Uttarakhand for the programme have been sent to the Centre, but so far the state government has not received any approval.

Meanwhile, Nishank has announced that the Medical College being set up in Almora would be named after late Soban Singh Jeena. As part of birth centenary celebrations of Jeena, a function was organised in Almora that the CM was supposed to address, but due to bad weather he could not reach the spot.

Later, addressing a gathering at Almora over the phone from Haldwani, the CM said Almora-Takula-Bagheshwar road would also be named after late Soban Singh Jeena.

Haridwar, August 4
Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has once again demanded a special package for the state, citing its geographical and economic conditions. He was speaking as the chief guest at the launch of a postal stamp on Maharishi Patanjali at Yogpeeth Pantanjali, here today

Terming Uttarakhand as different from other states due to its geographical and environmental conditions, Nishank said he was trying his level best to get a special package from the Centre as well as develop the state as an “Ayush Pradesh”.

He said Uttarakhand being primarily a hill state had few resources to bank upon and therefore needed the special package.

Later, Nishank lauded the efforts of Yog Guru Swami Ramdev and said the state government was focused on making Uttarakhand world-famous in ayurvedic sciences as well as yoga.

He announced that the day would be celebrated each year as ‘Jadi-Booti Divas’.

Union cabinet minister for state Gurudas Kamath, was all praise for Guru Ramdev for generating awareness about health not only among Indians, but also people in the other countries.

Guru Ramdev, while addressing the gathering, elaborated upon the food and processing parks that are being set up across the country.

He also stressed upon the need for a healthy body and mind to cope up with various pressures in today’s world. 

Dehradun, August 4
Conservation of monuments poses a formidable challenge to archaeologists as they have to go about their work keeping in mind the original features of the structure.

Speaking at a training programme on chemical conservation held yesterday for budding archaeologists at the science branch of Archaeology Survey of India (ASI), Dr DN Dimri, Superintending Archaeologist, Dehradun Circle, ASI, said that while undertaking repair work of monuments and sites, care has to be taken in selection of material that is compatible with the existing structure.

“While we work on increasing the life of monuments by using modern-day chemicals, no effort has been made to study the conservation practices prevalent in the past that could be of immense help.

“I am sure they too may have used materials for conservation. It will be of immense help if we devoted part of our study to decipher age-old techniques,” said Dr Dimri. He called upon students to dedicate themselves to the conservation of monuments.

In his address, former Principal of DAV (PG) College, Dr IP Saxena, said that the field of archaeology could benefit a great deal from new technology. “New techniques should be incorporated in the study of archaeology,” he said.

Manager Singh, superintendent (chemists), archaeology, said that preservation of monuments and heritage sites is not possible without the help of skilled workers. “There is an ever-increasing demand for trained manpower,” he said.

“There is heightened awareness about the importance of our heritage and conservation can only be done through skilled staff,” said Manager Singh.

Highlighting the importance of science in conservation, he said that knowledge about humidity and temperature variation is important while preserving manuscripts.

He said that atmospheric pollution accelerates deterioration. “Conservationists are always looking for materials that are suitable for very old monuments. Students of archaeology should devote their efforts towards this aspect,” he said.

A total of 13 students are participating in the 15-day training programme that is being held in association with the Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi, and office of the Director, Science Branch, Dehradun. 

Dehradun, August 4
Uttarakhand Kaushalya Sangrash Vahini members continued with their indefinite hunger stir here today.

Protesting outside the office agitated over the state government’s casual attitude towards the needs of state agitators, the members demanded the government to look into the matter by August 15 or else be prepared to face the dire consequences. The protesters claimed that the agitation has been going on since past four years and in July they completed 1,000 days of their stir.

Adding light on this matter Sushila Dhyani group leader said, “People who endlessly fought for acquiring a separate state status to Uttarakhand today are left nowhere. However, only the ones who came in the limelight were the ones who got jobs whereas state agitators who genuinely fought for days were totally ignored by the government with no remuneration.”

Uttarakhand Kaushalya Sangrash Vahini members has listed their set of demands in the memorandum and with pension, reservation in government jobs they want government to generate employment opportunities.

“The present government is least bothered about our condition, but at least we should be given some sort of compensation. Like others we also deserve to live a peaceful life and incase even after our efforts are demands are not met, then we will resort to en-masse self immolation,” said Sushila Dhyani.

Meanwhile, the collectorate employee’s strike entered second day, affecting the work in the collectorate. While raising the slogans against the district administration, the protesters closed the Janadhaar (single window counter), which cause immense trouble to the visitors.

However, justifying their step, the agitating employees said that they are compelled to resort to such steps because of the extremely nonchalant attitude of the district administration. 

Dehradun, August 4
Dehradun municipal authorities today removed encroachments from Jakhan and Rapur areas, on the outskirts of Dehradun. In the drive three houses and a boundary wall were demolished.

While two of the houses were demolished in the Jakhan area, another came down in Doon Vihar. The corporation team also razed to ground a boundary wall in the old Rajpur Mussoorie Chungi area. The anti-encroachment party had to face large-scale resentment while carrying forward its drive. Adequate police protection and senior corporation officials were part of the team that today led the campaign.

Dehradun Municipal Authorities shortly after conclusion of Lok Sabha elections had started anti-encroachment drive on a big scale. It has only few months back had removed encroachments from the Raipur road area.

Dehradun has been facing the problem of encroachments. The most affected area around the two major seasonal rivers that circumvent Dehradun city-Rispana and Bindal.

While there are 10,000 encroachments at Rispana and around 6,000 encroachments are alongside Bindal river.

Haridwar, August 4
The BJP-led state government time and again accuses the UPA government at the Centre of discrimination in allocation of funds, but the state government has failed to utilise most funds at its disposal, said state Congress chief Yashpal Arya today.

The Congress has decided to embark on a ‘BJP Gaddi Chhodo’ campaign from August 9 in which the state government’s inability to govern and its failure to spend the allocated funds by the central government under different schemes will be highlighted.

Yashpal Arya said that under the Jawaharlal Nehru Renewal Urban Mission for 2007-08, Rs 150 crore was allocated but the state government has failed to spend a single penny.

Under the Special Component Plan, the Centre had allocated Rs 750 crore for 2007-08 but only Rs 350 crore was spent. In 2008-09, Rs 554 crore lapsed as the state could only spend Rs 300 crore.

“If the state government is unable to utilise huge amounts like these, is it the Congress’ fault,” questioned Yashpal Arya.

During the campaign that will start on August 9 — the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, Congress workers will stage a protest at the headquarters of all 13 districts of the state.

“The BJP is so embroiled in infighting that it has forgotten to govern the state. It seems that it has not learnt from the 5-0 debacle in the general elections,” said the Congress state chief.

Dehradun, August 4
Following advice of legal experts, the state Finance Department has clarified that the Entry Tax Act enacted last year is effective retrospectively. This has been done to validate collection of tax worth crores of rupees from traders since the state came into being.

The state government was, till last year, following the Uttar Pradesh Tax on Entry of Goods Act, 2000. It became automatically effective in Uttarakhand after reorganisation of the mother state Uttar Pradesh. It was made operative in Uttarakhand through modification and adaptation order in 2002. But two companies had challenged this step.

The High Court allowed their appeal declaring the amended Act as ultra vires of the Constitution of India. The state then filed a special leave petition before the apex court.

Though the decision is pending, Commissioner Trade Tax, LM Pant, said that in view of the observations made by the Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court as well as Nainital High Court, the state enacted Uttarakhand Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Areas Act, 2008, so as to make the nature of this taxation as compensatory.

The state has now implemented the Act with retrospective effect. Though LM Pant refused to comment, sources said that this has been done to avoid paying refunds to traders already taxed under the old Act.

To justify the compensatory nature of the new Act, the state government has decided to create a separate fund from the proceeds of entry tax.

The fund will be utilised for public utility works in a way that promotes trade and business activities. It provides for formation of a committee headed by the Chief Secretary which will decide about the new schemes for the purpose.

The Act will help quantify the tax collection for the purpose of utilisation as prescribed under Fund Rules, 2009.

Of the total 15 items taxable, the state government has imposed entry tax on non-levy sugar only. The government is expected to rake in about Rs 5 crore.

Dehradun, August 4
Football lovers here are unhappy with the much-awaited renovation of Pavilion Ground building. The football lovers claim that the renovation work is not up to the mark.

The building that was constructed in 1937 was in bad shape and needed immediate repair. Considering the condition of the building municipality issued a fund of Rs 14 lakhs for its repair.

Players and authorities allege that the government money issued for the purpose was wasted, as the work was not carried as the way it should have been.

District Football Association vice-president, Jagmohan Singh Rawat claimed, “We have decided to meet Mayor over the renovation issue.

“We are not satisfied with the work. The repaired tin shades still leak from various places.

“However, as per the plan the tin sheds were expected to be changed completely.”

Govind Singh Thapa the referee of the Association claimed that the repair work at the building is not carried out on regular bases and the quality of material used is also not up to the mark.

Under the renovation work entire flooring of the pavilion along with the shed were supposed to be repaired.

There were plans to construct a parking space as well as new toilets at the ground. But now the authorities and players are not too hopeful of these changes. 

Dehradun, August 4
Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology and Central Board for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow today held a meeting here for finalising the work plan for Purora (Bageshwar) and Pantnagar (Udham Singh Nagar) centres.

Former secretary of Union Bio-Technology Deparment, Dr Manju Sharma lauded the works undertaken by CMAP. The meeting also called for joint efforts on part of CMAP and UCOST towards strengthening of both the centres.

It was also unanimously decided at the meeting that CMAP and UCOST will not only be providing training but also latest of expertise to the farmers. 

Dehradun, August 4
The long-lasting tussle between the cricket associations of Uttarakhand could end soon as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited all claimants from the state to give a presentation on their working on August 29.

It is a golden opportunity for these state associations to bag the much-awaited affiliation from the BCCI. For the past eight years, the associations have been fighting among themselves claiming to be the legitimate authority for organising cricket in the state.

If the BCCI resolves the issue, it will give a much-needed platform to budding cricketers of the state. Cricketers here had been forced to play from other states in the Ranji Trophy.

The fight for BCCI affiliation was not limited to these associations. Even the media had highlighted the issue and questioned why the Indian cricket board had not granted affiliation to any state association so far. In September last year, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were awarded affiliation at the board’s meeting.

Uttarakhand was denied affiliation as there were more than one claimant from the state. According to a board official, credentials of all claimants need to be checked before granting affiliation. Secretary of Cricket Association of Uttaranchal, PC Verma, said that the invitation concerns affiliation. He was hopeful that the BCCI would give affiliation to the state this time.

Uttaranchal Cricket Association secretary Chandrakant Arya e said that his association is ready with the documents. 

Dehradun, August 4
Little Star team defeated Uttarakhand Tiger at the District Football League underway at Pavilion Ground here today. Little Star won the game by 3-1. Uttarakhand Tigers are still looking for a victory in the league.

Uttarakhand Tiger was under pressure right from the beginning. Little Star team forward Tushar penetrated the Little Star team defense from the right to take a powerful shot at the goal beating the goalkeeper on all quarters.

Little Star scored its second goal in the 30th minute of the match. It was Siddhart Gurung for the team who scored its second goal making it 2-0 before half time.

In the second half Uttarakhand Tiger tried hard to convert the opportunities into goals.

But poor finishing touches by its forward line wasted the chances.

In the 60th minute Little Star beautifully struck its third goal of the match. In the dying minute Uttarakhand Tiger team score a solitary goal through Dinesh to make the final score 3-1.

Meanwhile, in the second match of the day that was played between CT Young and Sunderwala team ended in a 1-1 draw.

CT Young team scored their first goal to take the initial lead.

BH Bhatt of CT Young scored the goal in the 25th minute of the match to make its 1-0.

CT Young team almost managed to pull off a win as they managed to hold on to a lead till the 66th minute of the match.

But in the 67th minute of the match Sunderwala team found an equaliser through Sanjay to draw the match.