New Delhi, October 5
Faith took precedence over power requirements and the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) today postponed the decision on the future of contentious Lohari Nagpala, Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghat projects, saying that the proposed hydro-electric plants in the upper reaches of Bhagirathi required further studies.

The first meeting of the authority on Monday asked the Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Power Ministry to jointly study the issue of hydro-electric projects in upper reaches of Bhagirathi and submit a report by 60 days.

“It was decided that the issue of hydro-electric projects in upper reaches of Bhagirathi (Loharinag Pala, Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati) should be studied by ministries of Environment and Forests and Power and these submit a report to the NGRBA in 60 days,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said

Ramesh said several non-officials members of the NGRBA felt faith should be given precedence over power requirements. They also suggested that the 130-km area between Gomukh and Uttarkashi be declared a “no-project area”. While the Lohari Nagpala project is being built by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati are state government projects. The work on the three projects is pending, requiring a go-ahead from the new Ganga Authority

Activists have been up in arms against these hydro power projects on Bhagirathi, forcing the union government to stop work at the sites. There are also allegations by the green brigade that the work on the projects was going on at Lohari Nagpala despite the Center’s order.

However, refuting these observations, Ramesh said: “ No work will take place on Lohari Nagpala till the NGRBA gives a green light. The Environment and Power Ministries’ Secretaries will talk to experts and the state government and prepare the report,” he said.

Dehradun, October 5
The Uttaranchal Federation of Ministerial Services Associations protested against the state government in support of their long-pending demands here today at Gandhi park.

The members alleged that their salaries were not being paid according to the norms set by the union government as per the sixth pay panel. They said that according to the rules those who are in the pay bracket of Rs 2,800 should be in the pay bracket of Rs 4,500-7,000.

The protesters also alleged that Sixth Pay Commission was not being properly implemented in the state and the ministerial staff was being discriminated. They demanded that special compensatory (remote locality) allowance and transport allowance should be approved.

During the three-day protest the association members said that if their demands were not fulfilled they would continue protest in future too.

Roorkee, October 5
Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the Delhi-Dehradun highway for over half-an-hour following a dharna by thousands of farmers here in the afternoon today.

The farmers under the banner of the Uttarakhand Kisan Morcha (UKM) were protesting against the alleged apathetic attitude of the state government towards the demands of the community.

Over 5,000 farmers, equipped with banners and flags in around 400 tractor-trolleys, participated in today’s rally which started at the Boat Club at about 1 pm.

After traversing through local markets, including Civil Lines Bazaar and Bhagat Singh Chowk, the protesters blocked the highway the opposite local courts and sat on a dharna.

Their demands included increase of sugarcane MSP by Rs 250 per quintal, realisation of pending payments of farmers by sugar mills and waiving off penalty on domestic electricity bills of farmers as per the announcement made at Bahadrabad on February 22 by the then Chief Minister BC Khanduri. The farmers also demanded that sugar mills should start operations by October 20 every year.

Gulshan Rod and Rakesh Aggarwal, UKM’s national president and general secretary respectively, addressed the gathering.

The blockade was lifted only when SDM Harish Kandpal met the representatives of the UKM and received a memorandum from them.

The protesters warned that if no immediate action was taken on their demands by the government, the stir would be intensified all over the state after a week.

Morcha leaders present in the rally were Surender Singh Pawar, district president, Haridwar, Dharamvir Singh, Chaudhary Satyawarat and Bal Chand Saini. 

Dehradun, October 5
In the first of its kind initiative, the Education Department of the state has launched a unique enumeration exercise to ascertain the exact number of students and teachers on government rolls.

The 10-day campaign was launched today in 52 blocks of the state to ascertain the exact number of teachers and students.

Government reports have pointed out that an inflated numbers of students was being presented to corner financial grants.

For the first time, right from the level of the Secretary (Education) to Additional Secretaries, the Director (Education) will be monitoring the campaign in the entire state. The report of the exercise will be submitted at all directorates through the Director (Education).

The Secretary (Education), Dr Rakesh Kumar, asked public to cooperate in the campaign and apprise the team about their problems. “The team would also ascertain the number of teachers present in the schools. It has been found that they, too, have been missing from schools, keeping off duty especially if posted in remote areas,” said Dr Rakesh Kumar. Linking it to Child’s rights as per the UN charter, any deviation in child’s right to education, books and meals would be strictly dealt with. 

Dehradun, October 5
Uttarakhand will get three more Jawahar Navodya Vidayalyas (JNVs) that will come up at Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. After the settin up of these schools, these districts would each have two Navodya schools each.

According to a central government scheme, one Navodya Vidayalya has been established in each district.

But, as per new rules, districts with a population of 10 lakh and above will also get an additional school. Districts of Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar fit the bill.

The Navodya schools have been consistently posting good results, better than even top private schools. The only hitch in the plan is of concentration of schools, as these would be concentrated in districts that have good educational facilities.

Critics say it would defeat the very purpose of establishing such schools. “We welcome government’s move but it would have been better if these schools were set up in remote districts of the state,” said Tripen Singh, a social worker involved with Chetna Andolan.

However, Education Minister Govind Singh Bisht said the schools would improve quality of education.

“In these schools 75 per cent admissions are given to children hailing from rural areas and those from weaker sections,” he said.

In the new JNVs that will have classes from 6-12, more than 2,000 students of the state are expected to get admission.

Dehradun, October 5
A thief, posing as an electrician, snatched a chain from an elderly woman while she was working in her kitchen at Alkapur here today.

The victim, Prabha Goyal (75) complained to the police that a youth came to her house a few days ago and told her that he had come to check the electricity meter.

He paid second visit later on the pretext of checking the electricity supply.

But, today he came to her house and asked her for a glass of water.

Dehradun, October 5
The Uttranchal Mahila Association (UMA) celebrated Karvachauth here today. The participants dressed like brides representing different states of the country.

The function began with lighting of the lamp by the chief guest Raj Rawat, president State Women Commission, Sweety Agarwal, superintendent traffic, Rani Arora, chairperson Sai Institute of Para-Medical and Sadhna Sharma, president UMA.

President of UMA said in earlier times Karvachauth was limited to households, but now women of different cultures get together to celebrate the festival, also it’s the time of making good business for beauty parlours.

The brides represented the culture of Kumoan, Garhwal, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Rajhasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Goa, Punjab, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Each one spoke about the specialty of their state and how Karvachauth is celebrated there.

Various dances were performed at the function but ‘giddha’ and ‘bharatnatyam’ was the highlight of the celebrations.

The function concluded with the prize distribution to the participants and the guest congratulating UMA for its efforts to encourage women to celebrate festivals irrespective of their caste, creed and colour.

Dehradun, October 5
The 10-day international training programme linked to modern day usage of bamboo started here today.

With the initiative of Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fibre Board and active assistance of International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, China, participants from Germany, Japan, Vietnam and other African continent are taking.

Inaugurating the programme, principal chief conservator of forests Dr RBS Rawat said bamboo had much of importance due to its varied uses. He referred to bamboo housing initiatives and held that bamboo accommodations could be of immense potential towards catering to the housing needs in the country.

Jeffree Treadau Bamboo Living, US, dwelt at length on the bamboo related activities being undertaken in his country. He admitted that lot needs to be done in India for promotion of bamboo.

Forest Research Institute’s retired scientist Dr Satish Kumar rendered a slide presentation linked to technical aspects of bamboo preservation and treatment.

Earlier, Dr STS Leptch, chief executive officer, Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fibre Board said the training programme will be benefiting the participants in a big way.

Dehradun, October 5
Doonites can look forward to a versatile collection of products and services to be demonstrated at Northern India International Trade Fair 2009 and Uttarakhand Trade Mahotsav to be inaugurated by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant at Parade Ground here tomorrow.

Chairman NIITF, BS Negi said main promoters of the mega event included GAIL, DOEACC, SIDBI, Power Grid Corporation, BSNL, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, UP Trade Promotion Auhtority, PITCUL, Wool Board, SBI, Coir Board and Jute Board among others.

Dehradun, October 5
To make best of the ongoing wedding season, Jain Saree Group launched the first wedding mall in the city here yesterday.

The Sagar Wedding Mall promises to offer a variety under one roof for wedding shoppers. In the comforts of a pleasant ambiance of the mall, Doonites can look forward to a merry time here.

The organisers opened the mall with a motive to provide all marriage-related items, to save customers’ valuable time and to avoid overindulgence in needless items. From clothes, shoes to other major accessories, which completes the shopping spree of the marriage, there’s something for everyone.

“We opened this mall to give a novel change to Dooniets. Moreover, we feel that during the time of marriage people get very anxious and our purpose is to solve their problems and give them whatever is essential from a sober to a lavish wedding affair. We received a very good response on the first day and in future also expecting more and more costumers. We will try to satisfy our customers’ needs,” said Deepa Jain, owner.

However, the mall not only has the stuff for women, but also has a huge variety for men, which can help the bride and groom enjoy shopping together. Where the range of suits and saris varies between Rs 100 and Rs 20,000, lehnagas start from Rs 5,000 and increases to approximately a lakh.

To match the outfit there’s shoes, bags in kundan and polki in real diamonds as well as imitation and an exclusive variety of bed sheets and night wear to complete the package. “We have latest collection by designers like Satya Paul, Sabysachi, and also have our lower range so that every class can purchase items from our mall. 

Moreover, to fulfil all needs we are ready to customise and give the desired look to the clothes or the jewellery which are purchased from the best markets of India,” added Deepa.

The future looks bright for the owners of the mall as they plan to add more variety and give people a time where they can spend the most memorable time amid friends and relatives before the exhausting ceremonies of the marriage.

Dehradun, October 5
CT Young team defeated Garhwal Sporting 2-1 at the super league stage of the ongoing District Football League here today. CT Young team played as a unit against a tougher opponent. Short passes were the feature of CT Young.

The team played sharp moves to press hard on Garhwal Sporting team defence.

City Young succeeded in scoring its first goal in the 26th minute of the match. It was a nice cross from right that was nicely converted into a goal by Vikrant to give his team an upper hand in the match. Garhwal Sporting goalkeeper demonstrated poor goalkeeping skill to concede the first goal.

Two minutes later Vikrant struck again for his team to give Garhwal Sporting another setback in the match. Vikrant skillfully dodged Garhwal Sporting defenders before placing the ball into the nets.

In the second half Garhwals Sporting tried hard to make a comeback in the match. There efforts paid well when they scored a goal in the 51st minute of the match through Jaspal. But the team failed to pull back an equaliser and the match ended at the score of 2-1 in CT Young team’s favour. 

Dehradun, October 5
Hilton and Moravian school reached the quarterfinals of the Inter-Council School Sub-Junior Boys Football Tournament here today.

Moravian Institute registered a thumping 6-0 victory over GRD Academy. Akash Thapa scored a hat-trick for Moravian Institute. He scored in the 19th, 21st, 23rd and 39th minute of the match. Ankit and Robin scored a goal in the 30th and 48th minute of the match.

In the second match, Hilton School defeated St Thomas College by a solitary goal. It was Raghav Bedi of the team in the 46th minute, who scored for his team.