Dehradun, August 10
Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh has asked the newly inducted Indian Forest Service officers to desist from taking the civil services exam as a massive investment was involved in their training.

Addressing the 38th convocation of Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy in Dehradun today, Ramesh said more and more Indian Forest Service officers were quitting their job for administrative services. “IFS is a premier service and the Sixth Pay Commission has been very generous to foresters,” said Ramesh.

Expressing concern over frequent change of cadre by IFS officers, the minister said IFS suffered from ‘cadre disease’. “There are too many people in Delhi, as many want postings in the Capital. Others prefer their home state,” he said.

Similarly, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, which has little forest cover, has maximum IFS officers while there were less number of allotments for forest-rich states such as Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir. “This cadre change tendency need to be discouraged and is under consideration of the ministry,” Ramesh added.

Reaffirming his ministry’s commitment towards enriching forests and environment, Ramesh said the Union Budget 2009-10 has released a one-time grant of Rs 100 crore for the Indian Council of Forestry Research, and Education and another Rs 15 crore each for Botanical Survey of India and Zoological Survey of India. “Never before has forestry and environment been given so much attention,” he pointed out.

Ramesh also revealed his ministry’s plan for modernisation of the forest administration. “We aim to improve connectivity, mobility and provide incentives to foresters, starting from forest guards and rangers to the levels above,” he said, while pointing out that guards and rangers faced tough working conditions.

Ramesh also took the opportunity to inform that states such as Uttarakhand would benefit the most due to unblocking of CAMPA funds by the apex court. “As much as Rs 871 crore will be made available to Uttarakhand from the total Rs 11,000 crore CAMPA funds meant for forestry restoration and regeneration purposes,” the minister said.

While strongly defending the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, Ramesh, who has been advocating stringent implementation of the act, said whereas states like Uttarakhand have sought a liberal approach towards transfer of forestland for non-forestry purposes, he was for striking a balance between the two.

In his address, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia spoke about the mounting pressure on the country’s forests. “By 2050, India’s per capita income will be roughly equal to that of industralised nations and thus demand from forests will increase,” he said. He also called for making forest dwellers an integral part of the forest policy.

Earlier, Dr Ahluwalia awarded the Associate of Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy diplomas to passing out officers of 2007-09 batch, which included five lady officers and two trainees from Bhutan. Out of these, eight officers have secured more than 75 per cent marks in the aggregate.

Vishwesh Kumar from Chhattisgarh cadre bagged nine out of 12 awards, including the “All-Round Outstanding Performance” award and topper in core forestry subjects.

Dehradun, August 10
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today met Union Forest and Environment Minister Dr Jairam Ramesh and sought assistance from the Centre against the forest wealth conserved by the state.

Dr Nishank held that 65 per cent of the state’s landmass is under forests and comprises six national parks. The state was an able custodian of the forest wealth of the country.

He said Uttarakhand’s contribution in enhancing the forest wealth of the country was unparallelled and comparing it with other states was not appropriate.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister also sought positive response on part of the Union Environment and Forest Minister towards sanctioning of the Haridwar-Kotdwar-Ramanagar motor road, an important road to connect Garhwal and Kumaon divisions.

He, in particular, sought sanction for the road from the hill bypass to Motichoor in the Haridwar region.

Dr Nishank drew attention of the Union Minister for sanctioning of the proposal to the tune of Rs 595 crore under the Compensatory Afforestation Management Planting Authority (CAMPA) for strengthening van panchayats.

He also asked for simplifying the process of Forest Act clearance so as to ensure that development works could be expedited.

The CM urged that office of the nodal officer, situated at Lucknow, should be shifted to Dehradun and be authorised for clearance of 20-hectare proposals.

For the conservation of Rajaji National Park habitat, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said a project for construction of a tunnel at Dehradun-Mohand highway was also being finalised.

He also held that people’s participation would be ensured in the Tiger Protection Force at Corbett National Park adding that its expenditure would be borne by the central government.

The Union Minister also asked the CM to prepare a scheme for conservation of the west corridor of Corbett-Lansdowne-Rajaji Park.

He also informed Nishank that the basic management plan was being prepared for Ganga river basin project with the Union budget allocating Rs 250 crore for the purpose.

Dehradun, August 10
The National Council of Teachers Education (NCTE) has sealed the fate of 21 private self-financed institutes running B.Ed course across the state by withdrawing their recognition from 2009-10 session for non-compliance of its norms.

Accordingly, HNB Garhwal University today announced that these institutes were no more on its list of recognised institutes.

The apex body of teachers training had issued show-cause notices to 24 such institutes. But it announced de-recognition of 21 of them upon receiving unsatisfactory replies to the notices.

It has posted the names of de-recognised institutes on its official website. The final decision on three institutes which include Shankuntla Devi Educational Institute, Doon Institute of Teachers Training and Roorkee Degree College is still pending.

Their de-recognition means that these institutes cannot admit students from the next session. It will not affect the students admitted in the ongoing session.

The decision is a telling comment on the working of these institutes since the state government allowed such institutes under its policy four years back.

The university had earlier recommended de-recognition of 24 institutes to the NCTE after an inquiry conducted by it on the issues of alleged irregularities in admissions in general and reserved categories.

The NCTE conducted physical verification of these institutes following direction of the Nainital High Court to it on June 25 to file a counter affidavit to disclose the action taken by it on the basis of the university’s complaint.

Its inquiry had found these institutes woefully wanting in required infrastructure, non-availability of language learning facilities, lack of computers, faculty for teaching methods of certain subjects, playgrounds, rooms for faculty, laboratories, rented premises and failure to submit documents regarding selection of faculty.

Dehradun, August 10
Two more bodies were recovered from the debris today, taking the toll in the Pitthoragarh cloudburst that triggered a massive landslide to 23, even as the administration continued to search for another 20 persons missing.

“The toll in the landslide in three villages of Munsyari subdivision has risen to 23,” said district magistrate Narayan Singh Negi, adding that the chances of survival of those still trapped in the debris were bleak.

The government has restored the telecommunication link. The administration has evacuated five families of nearby Daasa and shifted them to the Government Inter College at Dor.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has warned that strict action would be taken against officials if they showed any laxity in relief operations for the victims of the landslide at Munsiyari in Pihttoragarh district, which claimed 46 lives.

In the high-level meeting organised at the state secretariat to review the relief operations here today, Nishank expressed dissatisfaction with the disaster management measures.

He instructed the principal secretary, Disaster Management, Subhash Kumar to activate the committees formed for the purpose at the district, block and tehsil level.

Nishank stressed on involving the local youth and members of various organisations in this task, besides asking top officials to monitor the relief measures personally and submit a report to him on a daily basis.

The CM also directed the executive director of disaster management department Piyush Rautela to submit a detailed report about the villages prone to such natural calamities, so that the District Magistrates (DMs) concerned could identify land banks for immediate rehabilitation of the affected people.

The DMs have also been instructed to update their preparedness to meet such eventualities. He particularly stressed on improving the efficiency of communication system to ensure immediate relief and rescue operations.

Nishank directed the top officials to carry out relief operations on a war-footing. "Besides food, immediate financial help must be ensured for the 24 affected families putting up on the premises of Dor Inter College and the government school," he said.

Subhash Kumar informed that 22 bodies taken out of the debris so far have been cremated while search was on for others.

Meanwhile, the district administration, ITBP, SSB, police and volunteers of the NGO Gyatri Parivar, Red Cross and local people are involved in the relief operations.

Haridwar, August 10
It is quite ironical that despite Haridwar being located on the banks of the Ganga and the arrival of monsoon here, residents are facing acute water shortage. Perturbed by the state of affairs, angry residents of several colonies took to the streets today and staged a massive protest outside the Jal Sansthan office.

The irate residents raised slogans against the authorities and gave an ultimatum of seven days to the SDO A Gupta in this regard. They warned of an indefinite agitation against the district administration if the situation continues.

“The summer is over, but we are still reeling under water scarcity due to which our daily life has been badly affected,” said ward member of Haridwar municipality Ashok Sharma.

The residents also demanded installation of more handpumps in areas where there is acute water crisis.

Meanwhile, major colonies affected by water crisis are Brahma Vihar, Adarsh Vihar, Nath Nagar, Imli, Chopta, Holi Mohalla, Chowk Bazaar, Raj Ghat, Shekh Pura, Sant Vihar, Valmiki Basti and Kan Khal Thana area.

Yesterday, residents of Jwalapur had held a protest after receiving contaminated water at their houses, which could lead to outbreak of diarrohea and other water-borne diseases. The protesters carried water bottles with contaminated water and raised slogans against the municipality and Jal Sansthan officers. Water supply in Dat Mandi, Chowk Bazaar, Mishran Gali and Pao Dhoi has been reportedly contaminated due to leakage in pipes for quite some time now.

President of Jwalapur traders association Shiv Shankar Patuwar demanded that water samples be taken from the area.

However, the protest had an immediate impact as Jal Sansthan officers were later spotted repairing the broken pipelines. Water tankers were also sent to the affected colonies.

Dehradun, August 10
Perturbed by the apathetic attitude of the state government towards their demands, members of the Uttararanchal Federation of Ministerial Services Association staged a massive protest outside the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly here today.

Addressing the gathering, president of the association, TS Pundir, said: “Since the days when Uttarakhand was part of Uttar Pradesh, we are requesting the government to look into the demands of the employees of ministerial services, but to no avail.”

The agitated employees also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in this regard.

The main demand of the association is that the salary of the chief assistant, which falls under the Band 1, should be at par with that given by the central government.

“Due to single band in the state ministerial services, there are no chances of promotion,” added Pundir.

The association also wants the government to provide special compensatory, transport as well as hill development allowances.

Dehradun, August 10
The 22nd national youth parliament competition at Upper Camp Kendra Vidyalaya here today saw the participation of KV NER Barraliye, KV NER (BHEL) Haridwar, KV Meerut and KV Punjab.

Frmer state irrigation minister Shoorveer Singh Sajwan, educationist NS Rana were the main guests.. In all, 250 students participated and enacted Parliament proceedings.

“Through such mock exercises, the students get to know how the government functions and prepares them to take on responsibilities later in life,” said Yogeshwar Bharadwaj, organiser.

The audience was impressed to see the students enthusiastically participating in zero hour, call attention motion, oath ceremony and bill presentation.

The speakers highlighted important issues related to women, environment and health. The best six speakers from each school were given prices. The winner is yet to be announced.

The winners will get an opportunity to participate in the competition to be held at a central school in New Delhi.

The function concluded with the guests congratulating the school teams as well as teachers who took pains to organise such a grand show.

Dehradun, August 10
In a joint operation, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF), Haldwani, Nainital and Dehradun police busted a gang of criminals involved in several robberies in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

According to police officials, seven members of the gang, including its leader Shaqeel alias Kalia, were arrested from Haldwani today. The police has seized currency worth Rs 1 lakh, two pistols, two revolvers, one country -made pistol, mobile phone, one ring and a knife from the accused.

The cops nabbed the gang members while they were making a plot to commit a dacoity.

With the arrest of these criminals, several incidents of looting in Dehradun including that of Vasant Vihar, Subhash Road and Raipur have been solved.

The suspects who have been arrested include Shaqeel alias Kalia, Raqeeb, Babloo, Samad, Imraan, Khalid and Anil.

Dehradun, August 10
Welham Boys bagged the CBSE Sahodaya Schools Football Trophy in the junior as well as the senior category here today.

In the final of the junior division, Welham Boys beat ITITI Jhajra 4-1 while in the senior division, Welham Boys beat Scholar Home School 4-0.

In the junior division, Shivesh was awarded the best scorer and the best player trophies while in senior division, Bharat was adjudged best scorer and Shantabhaya was given the best player trophy. Scholar Homes School principal Chhaya Khana gave away the prizes.

The final proved to be a one-sided affair in the juniors category as Welham Boys dominated the proceedings against ITITI Jhajra team throughout the match.

In the first half, Welham Boys scored their first goal in the 12th minute through Tejusvi. In the second half, Welham School struck three more goals to place themselves in a comfortable position.

Shivesh scored a hat-trick for the Welham team. He scored his first goal in the 37th minute, the second goal came in the 60th minute and the third one was scored in the 61st minute.

In reply, ITITI Jhajra could only manage a solitary goal in the 43rd minute.

In the senior division, Welham Boys outplayed Scholar Home defeating them 4-0.

Scholars Homes School put up tough resistance in the first half giving their opponents a few scoring opportunities. At the end of the first half, both teams were locked 0-0.

The second half went in Welham Boys’ favour as they dominated the proceedings and scored goals at will.

The tired Scholar Homes School team could not do much in the half. The first goal for the Welham Boys came in the form of a penalty in the 40th minute.

Three minute later, Aditya scored the second goal. In the 45th minute, Bharat scored the third goal. Shantabhaya completed the 4-0 tally for Welham Boys.