Dehradun, October 9
The state government has failed to spend even a single penny on the development schemes meant for the SC/STs in the urban areas even as first half of the financial year 2009-10 has passed.

Not to speak of expenditure, no money has been released for 15 schemes out of the total 20 centrally sponsored, externally aided and the government’ own schemes under the SC/ST Sub-Plan.

The shocking facts were revealed in the report card, a copy of which is with The Tribune, sent by the 
state Urban Development Department to its social welfare counterpart.

Notably, funds in central and externally aided schemes stand to lapse if there is no work on the ground.

When asked, Social Welfare Minister Matbar Singh Kandari said it was matter of grave concern.

“I have instructed to all District Magistrates to start spending the funds released so far with immediate effect to implement the schemes,” he said, while admitting official apathy in hastening the process of funds’ release especially in the case of the schemes to be funded by the state government.

Of the total budget provision of more than Rs 81 crore in the SC Sub-Plan, the government has released Rs 8.8 crore against zero expenditure. Similar is the fate of schemes under the ST Sub-Plan.

The government has been able to release only Rs 8 lakh against total provision of Rs 2.4 crore.

Interestingly, no money has been released by the government for the total six schemes to be funded by it in both plans. It shows that government’s own schemes have failed to take off.

The schemes mainly aimed at improving employment prospects, infrastructure facilities, cleanliness, waste management, basic services and construction of toilets for people of both categories living in the urban areas.

The central schemes involved funding under JNNURM, UIDSSMT and IHSDP. Notably, the maximum fund of Rs 6.3 crore has been released in the SC Sub-Plan under JNNURM against nil expenditure.

The total funds released under the ST Sub-Plan related to just one externally aided scheme. Each plan has total 10 schemes.

Roorkee, October 9
For the Public Works Department (PWD), the reins of the state are still in the hands of Maj-Gen BC Khanduri (retd). If the state portal of the PWD is to be believed, Khanduri still is the Chief Minister as well as PWD Minister of the state.

Khanduri had to step down as Chief Minister after the Lok Sabha elections and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was sworn in as CM on June 27. But the e-telephone directory of the department is yet to accept the change of guard.

Evidently, it is not just the PWD, but information regarding many other departments of the government has also not been updated on the portal since long, which now is being maintained by the government after it was taken over from the Indian Institute of Technology recently.

Earlier, the portal under the name of ‘Uttara’ was looked after by the IIT management. Going through the portal, one realises that not much latest information has been uploaded on it by the government agencies.

The IIT experts alleged that the government agency that is responsible for running the portal have not uploaded new information. They had only copied some pages that were already available on ‘Uttara’.

It was found that the portal shows as many as nine departments, 11 organisational boards, seven apex institutions and 16 external links.

The search results showed that the portal contains many default pages while many other pages of various departments cannot be opened. Many pages show the message ‘website under migration/updation’.

While the portal was being run by the IIT experts, it had 20.6 GB data on it but now, the portal has very little data in comparison, said the IIT team.

IIT-Roorkee had run the portal for around four years before the government took it over on October 1.

Dehradun, October 9
To facilitate an early detection of various types of disabilities and to make rehabilitation schemes more realistic and need-based, the state government has decided for the first time to conduct a statewide survey of the disabled.

As per the census done by the central government in 2001, there were total 1,94,769 disabled persons in the state. But, the census did not categorise the disabilities.

The state government itself felt handicapped in formulating rehabilitation schemes for the disabled accordingly.

“We do not know the number of disabled persons suffering from a particular type of disability nor do we have any data where they are settled.

“So, we decided to conduct a detailed household survey,” said Manisha Panwar, Secretary, Social Welfare Department.

The format of survey as well as the required stationery has already been prepared. Around 20,000 Anganwadi and 10,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will be involved in this elaborate exercise.

Their training at the district and the state level will start after Diwali and the survey will be completed in about two months.

The data will be digitised. “Since the survey will tell us how many disabled persons we are reaching out at present, we will be oriented better to implement rehabilitation schemes by covering those who have been left out so far.

“For instance, pension is being given to only 48,000 persons, but there could be more of them,” added Panwar.

She explained that the survey would identify the persons with physical and mental disabilities.

Three age groups of 0-3 years, 6-18 years and 18-60 years will be targeted. The first one is very important because disabilities in this age group often go unnoticed.

“If these are detected at this early stage, it is easier to take remedial action,” she pointed out. Similarly, proper measures can be taken depending on the nature of the disability of persons in other two groups.

Dehradun, October 9
After attending to one lakh emergencies in the state, GVK EMRI 108 Emergency Ambulance Service now setting sight on the Kumbh Mela and upgrading ambulances with Automatic Vehicle Location Technology.

Not only will the ambulances be equipped with newer state-of-the-art technology but the Emergency Response Centre would also begin using GIS maps, which would make even their tracking easier.

Besides smaller ambulances would also be pressed into service for towns with high traffic density.

“Small ambulances can travel through thickly populated towns and cities with ease,” said Anop Nautiyal, CEO of GVK-EMRI.

In all 18 more ambulances would be launched in the state. It has been exactly 19 months since Emergency Management and Research Institute signed an MOU with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Uttarakhand.

The MOU signed in March 2008 stated that it would provide medical, police and fire emergency services to the people of the state through its centrally established Emergency Response Centre (ERC) with the help of 90 ambulanced launched in a phased manner over a period of one year.

As per the GVK EMRI officials besides reaching the milestone of handling one lakh patients on October 8 the ambulance has assisted in over 15,000 road traffic accident victims during this period but have helped an amazing 35,000 pregnant women during their delivery.

A total of 870 babies have been born in the ambulance. It has received 28 lakh calls till now and more than 1,55,000 emergency calls.

Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ congratulated the entire staff of GVK EMRI on this occasion and said, “108 has become an integral part of the state’s emergency services.

While principal secretary, Health and Family Welfare Kehsav Desi Rajy said the state would be banking on 108’s contribution during the upcoming Maha Kumbh.

Dehradun, October 9
The city finals of the Limca Book Of Record (LBR) quiz was held here today. LBR is now celebrating its 20th illustrious year and is a multi-city initiative launched in partnership with ‘Know and Grow with Derek’-Derek O’Brien a renowned quiz master, who has acclaimed fame since the days of Bournvita Quiz Competition.

Following the huge success of Limca Book of Records, 2008, this year the quiz is being organised even at a larger scale to continue its journey of promoting knowledge and awareness amongst the young minds of the country.

As many as 404 students of Class VIII to XII from 68 different schools participated in the event. Divided in teams, the students enthusiastically participated in audio-visual, general knowledge, buzzer round and showed their mettle. Successfully defeating others, final six teams from Scholar’s Home, Brightlands, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Summer Valley, St Jude’s and Welham Girl’s were selected for the city finals.

However, giving a massive defeat to the fellow participants and with full confidence answering the tricky questions of the quizmaster Andrew Scolt, Scholar’s Home bagged the first position.

Whereas the second position was bagged by Brightlands, third by Welhams and fourth by Summer Valley.

As part of this initiative, series of quiz competition is being organised in 3,000 schools across 75 cities divided into four zones-north, south, east and west. The quiz has three main stages-inter-school level, semi finals and national finals, from April to December, 2009.

However, the young genius minds of Scholar’s Home would now compete with the winners from 74 other cities in the semi finals. The top ten team from the semifinal later would compete against the national final where Derek O’ Brien will host the national final, making it one of the most memorable and exciting quiz competition.

Along with Scholar’s Home principal Chhaya Khanna, present at the occasion were Dr BKS Sanjay, record holder of spine surgery from Dehradun.

Dehradun, October 9
The Heritage School won its match against St Jude’s School at the ongoing Inter-School Boys Super Eight’s Cricket Tournament.

Batting first, The Heritage School scored 20 runs at the loss of one wicket. St Jude’s School scored 28 runs at the loss of three wickets.

Thus St Jude’s School took a lead of 8 runs. In the second innings, The Heritage School came back strongly to score 33 runs but St Jude’s only managed to score 24 runs.

The second match was played between The Indian Cambridge School and Bala Hissar School.

Batting first Bala Hissar team scored 27 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, whereas Indian Cambridge School scored 22 runs at the loss of four wickets.

Bala Hissar team scored 25 runs, The Indian Cambridge School fall shot by two runs in the end of the match. 

Dehradun, October 9
Colourful terracotta handicrafts, displayed at the ongoing Northern India International Trade Fair and Uttarakhand Trade Mahotsav, are attracting crowds in large numbers.

For the past 20 years, the family of Naval Prajapat is widely acclaimed nationally and internationally for their artistic excellence. Prior to Dehradun, they have been to most of the metro cities and even to destinations like Dubai, Jordan and Singapore.

The beauty and the integrate designing on various pieces are worth appreciating. “We belong to Rajhasthan, but from the past several years our family is operating our ancestral business from New Delhi. And I am happy that even on our first trip to Dehradun, we are getting good response. People are enquiring about our products and purchasing these stuffs,” said Naval.

From mini showpieces to big flowerpots, water pots, table lamps, centre tables, pillars, Ganeshas, Radakrishnan, sitting stands and lot many more has been skillfully painted with a perfect combination of green, orange and gold colour.

However, after a lot of hard work and a detailed procedure the showpieces are finally sold in the markets.

Firstly as per the requirement of the piece, terracotta and cement mixed and given an outline.

Once it’s dried designing is done with hands and after burning it in the furnace, final colouring is done with the help of pahari colours, which are waterproof in nature.

“All designs are made with hands which requires an artistic bend of mind as well a lot of patience to spend hours to complete the work. Where a small showpiece takes a day, big pieces takes a month to complete,” he informed.

“I loved the water fall, where the water comes out of the frog’s mouth. Its so very creative and lovely to look at,” said Bindu, a homemaker.

Recipient of the national award in 1998 for creativity and promoting the traditional work of Rajhasthan, Prajapat’s stall has something for everyone. The items are reasonably priced and varies from mere Rs 10 to Rs 4,000.

Moreover, if maintained with care the shine remains as even the quality. “These are unbreakable and can last for a lifetime if taken little precautions,” added Naval.

Dehradun, October 9
Prof SK Singh, Vice- Chancellor, HNB Garhwal University has called upon parents, teachers and social workers to promote the culture of scientific thought, enquiry and reasoning while assessing every day developments at home, school or outside amongst students so that they develop into real-time assets of the nation which they would be leading in the near future.

Prof Singh inaugurated the Workshop on Enhancement of Scientific Temper and Innovative Skills in School Children organised by the Lokhit Foundation, a Dehradun-based NGO with support from U-COST at the Town Hall in Srinagar (Garhwal) on Friday.

He urged the teachers to walk the extra mile to educate not only students but their parents also in the art of making judicious judgments through scientific reasoning.

Congratulating the Lokhit Foundation for organising important science empowerment training workshops in different parts of the state, Prof Singh urged schools to conduct similar scientific temper and innovative skills enhancing workshops.

Dr Rajendra Dobhal, director of UCOST urged the students to always assess developments with an open mind and not get carried away by superstitions that had no place in a modern the life.

The UCOST was always ready to help young children in scientific pursuits and the students must remember that they had a great potential to innovate and invent.

“Most of the inventions and innovations so far were done by youngsters and the nation looks up to you for many simple solutions to problems faced by society,” Dr Dobhal said adding that the children were welcome to contact UCOST for support for feasible innovative ideas.

Bithi Chandramohan, chairperson of the Lokhit Foundation said although it was not possible to change the present system of education overnight as it was merely producing clones, science empowerment workshops could go a long way in promoting the right atmosphere for innovations required for development at all levels.

“What the nation needs is sharp thinking innovating minds and every parent and teacher can play a role in producing such young geniuses to make India a stronger nation,” she said.

Over 100 students from various schools of Srinagar were empowered in scientific thought processes through very interesting interactive sessions where they were asked to do simple experiments to understand various phenomenon by senior science communicators.

The Lokhit Foundation working in the areas of agricultural research and awareness for safe agricultural practices. The foundation is imparting training in popular science communication has trained over 1,500 postgraduates, journalists and officials in the art of easy to understand science communication in different workshops.

Books on science developments in the country and outside in Hindi were also distributed amongst the participants. 

Haridwar October 9
As a matter of pride for Haridwar and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) its employee Inder Mohan Barthwal has been selected as the captain of the joint BHEL team which will play in the various national-level tournaments.

Inder Mohan Barthwal is a veteran cricketer having a two-decade long cricketing career and is known in the region for his cricketing acumen and explosive batting style.

He has participated in various state-level tournaments; public sector and BHEL inter unit tournaments besides bagging Man of the Tournaments in a couple of tournaments.

‘Its an honour to lead the combined BHEL team and will try to make the team as a one knitted unit and emerge champions in the participating tournaments,” said Barthwal.

While Barthwal will be the captain another player Ajay Seth has also got selected in this team. Ajay has played in the CK Nayudu tournament and on his stellar performance he got selected into this team.

The team to be captained by Inder Mohan will play in All-India Public Sector Cup from October 20-23 and subsequently in the other tournaments.

Members of BHEL Sports Club and executive director of BHEL DK Mody has expressed happiness over the selection of two players in the combined team.

Dehradun, October 9
Corbett city Ramnagar is facing monkey menace. Being the main gateway to the Corbett National Park, the non-descriptive Ramnagar city attracts a large number of tourists.

A pack of monkeys can be seen loitering around the city on the Kotdwar road, Amadanda road, Bharatpuri, Durgapuri, Paampauri and Paithpadav areas.

Monkeys’ frequent accommodations and resort create nuisance here. On roads they climb atop of electricity and telecom poles putting cables as swing often leading to losing of these wires.

The residents here have sought protection from the forest authorities. However, a relief is still to come. Interestingly, most of these monkeys enter the city from Bijrani zone of Corbett, which falls in closest vicinity to the city.

Monkey menace continues to be a major challenge at various cities of the state. Even the capital city of Dehradun has been infested with such menace. Monkey mischief had even aggravated in a number of schools of Dehradun.

The Dehradun municipal authorities had some months back even conducted a systemic campaign to capture the monkeys who were resorting to mischief in various localities of the city.

The state wildlife authorities had been contemplating rehabilitation policy for monkeys that are mischief-makers in the city areas.

Repeated appeals have also been issued to the general public towards desisting from providing eatables to monkeys.