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15 per cent hike in power tariff
Winged guests start arriving for winter
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Rajasthan officials exhorted to take to bamboo cultivation
Seminar on occupational safety, health
Sports Dept to hold baseball tourney from November 1
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15 per cent hike in power tariff
This retail tariff for consumers will be effective from October 1 till the end of the current financial year. The annual tariff stands as 7.5 per cent, but with just six months of implementation period (October-March) left, that tariff has surged to 15 per cent in order to make up for the earlier six months. This will help bridge the 7.56 per cent annual revenue gap. Announcing the tariff at a press conference, Chairman, UERC, Vishwa Jeet Talwar, said the annual hike in power tariff was to the tune of 7.5 per cent, but with only six months left for the completion of the current financial year, the hike would now amount to 15 per cent for the rest of the period. Putting the blame for the delay on Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited, Talwar said the corporation had delayed the submission of the tariff petition leading to the delay and held that the commission had imposed a token penalty of Rs 5 crore on the corporation. This amount will be utilised for system improvement and customer service-related activities in the distribution of electricity. Justifying the hike, Talwar said with the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission, the expenses of the UPCL had increased substantially and, thus, the hike in tariff was justified. He said the tariff hike had been increased for all categories to avoid tariff shock to any particular consumer category. He also pointed out that the commission had estimated the cost of supply for different categories considering power allocation in accordance with the Uttarakhand government’s policy and losses at high-tension and low-tension levels. While there has been a tariff hike in most categories, domestic, non-domestic, industries and others, consumers below poverty line have been left untouched. Tariff concessions for snow-bound areas have also been continued. As per the new tariff, an electricity consumer with a sanctioning of load up to 4 kilowatt will have to pay Rs 2.20 per kw hour against Rs 2 paid by him earlier. Similarly, per month fixed charges have also been increased from Rs 15 to Rs 20. In load sanctioning category of above 4 kw, Rs 2.20 per kwh of energy charges have been levied while additional fixed charges have been hiked to Rs 40 per month in this category. Anand Kumar, member, UERC, was present at the conference.
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Winged guests start arriving for winter
Dehradun, October 26 Rudy shelduck, pin tail and wall creeper were some of the birds seen in the water bodies. These birds, which migrate across the Himalayas due to harsh winters during this time of the year, spend four months in the region before returning to their respective native places. The availability of food and excellent weather conditions in the Terai region of Kumaon suits these migratory birds whose numbers have grown over the years. A birdwatcher, Gaurav Tiruva, said ibisbill continues to be a major source of attraction for tourists. “This migratory bird is a strange and unique wader of the wide high-altitude Himalayan and Tibetan plateau valley. The rocks in the Corbett Park region seem to be an excellent winter habitat and rank high on the ibisbill’s preference,” said Gaurav. Visitors at Corbett and the surrounding Terai forest divisions have already started converging at these reservoirs in big numbers for birdwatching. According to naturalist Dr Hem Singh Gehlot, the arriving migratory birds are a bird watcher’s delight and they are certainly a matter a curiosity for those engaged in the study of birds. Meanwhile, Corbett authorities have stepped up the vigil to ensure the safety of these migratory birds that often become soft targets of poachers and other mischievous elements. There have been incidents in the past when these migratory birds have been specifically targeted.
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Cheaper veggies, fruits - a reason to smile
Dehradun, October 26 Around Eid, Navrataras and Diwali, the prices had increased. Potato was for Rs 25-28 a kg, presently it’s for Rs 20-22 a kg, and onion, which was too expensive at festival time, is for Rs 18-20 a kg as compared to the earlier Rs 28-30 a kg. Same is the case with garlic, chilly, capsicum, tomato, peas and ginger. “Yes, most of the items are becoming affordable as its no more festival time. Around festivals, it was a very common phenomenon to observe such a rise in the prices forcing people to purchase in limits,” said Bablu, a vegetable seller. The reason being for this favourable change is the coming of vegetables from the nearby areas such as Mussoorie, Vikas Nagar, Kalsi, Chakrata and a few other destinations maintaining a situation of equilibrium in the market. There is a good news for fruit lovers also. Fruits, which were beyond people’s reach, can now easily be part of grand lunches and dinners. Apples from Rs 80-100 a kg have come down to Rs 50-60 a kg. Banana is for Rs 20-22 a kg as compared to Rs 25-30 a kg earlier. Mausami was for Rs 30-35 a kg and now it’s for Rs 25-30 a kg and the same applies to papaya and pomegranates. Fruit-seller ML Dhora, selling fruits for the past several years in the city fruit market, said, “For the past two weeks the prices of fruits have also fallen offering people a wider choice as compared to festival time when these were less in demand. However, in the coming days there are again chances of price rise as the marriage season is about to begin from the next month.”
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Conservation can preserve monuments forever: ASI DG
Dehradun, October 26 “The wall when erected by conservators had earned the ire of the local people, who charged us for erecting barriers and breaking the natural relationship between the sea and the monument. But we as conservators had realised that the salt content in the water that reached the monument during the time of high tide was damaging it. We had erected the wall long before the tsunami and it served us well,” said Dr RK Sharma, former Director General of the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI). He was speaking on “Conservation of Cultural Property” at the second regional workshop/symposium organised jointly by
the ASI (science branch) and Sagar (an NGO) and co-sponsored by the Indian Council of History and Research (ICHR), New Delhi, today. Dr Sharma said without conservation measures “a monument can survive up to four or five generations, but through continual conservation it can be preserved forever,” added Sharma. Dr KS Rana, Director (science), ASI, Dehradun, said the effect of climate change had begun to show on the monuments located in high-altitude areas that were now experiencing rains, exposing them to seepage and other rain-related stress. The monuments and paintings in Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir), earlier had to be protected from variations in temperature that were usually on the higher side. “As a result the buildings and monuments usually developed cracks in adobe. But now seepage too is creating problems,” said Dr Rana. He said the conservators had to fight against several agencies of destruction that could be man-made or natural. “Temperature and moisture can initiate disruptive forces and monuments and cultural heritage have to be protected against the vagaries of weather and time,” he said. While Prof IK Bhatnagar, an expert of manuscript and painting conservation, said preservation of the Indian Constitution posed a challenge to conservators, nevertheless it had been preserved using passive methods. “A receptacle was created to provide inert environment to the manuscript that is protected through the release of nitrogen gas and oxygen scavengers at the library of Parliament House.” Earlier, the workshop was inaugurated by Labour Minister Prakash Pant.
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Sashank fashions Garhwal Sporting’s victory
Dehradun, October 26 Garhwal Sporting Club dominated Vijay Cantt from the very beginning of the match. Sashank scored two goals in the 23rd and 26th minutes of the game while Harshvardhan of the Gahrwal sporting scored the third goal for the team in the 46th minute. Garhwal Sporting’s forwards continued to raid the defences of the Vijay Cantt. Sashank added to the miseries of the Vijay Cantt by scoring two more goals in the 56th and 60th minute of the game. In an earlier match, Doon Valley Club defeated Garhwal Boys in sudden death. Both the teams played well and the match ended without a goal. The match went to the extra time but none of the teams score. The match was finally decided when the Garhwal Boys failed to score a goal while Doon Valley strikers converted all their five attempts into goals. Doon valley won the match by 5-4. On Tuesday, Gypsy Club will clash with Sarvodya Club while Akranta Club would take on Yankees.
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Dhruv Pal wins in u-12, u-14 category
Dehradun, October 26 In the u12 years category, Dhruv Pal defeated Udayan Bhakar of Rajasthan by 4-2,4-0 while in the u14 years category, he defeated Sukhman Verma (Har) 4-0,4-1 to move in the next round. Ishaq Iqbal of Bengal defeated Rohan sagar of Delhi by 4-1,4-2, Nihit rawal of Chandigarh trounced Uttkarsh Bhardwaj of Dehradun 4-1,4-2. Sultan Singh (Punjab) defeated Avilash Mishra (Orrisa0 3-4,4-0,4-3. Taha Kapadia (AP) won over A Aditya by 4-3,4-3. Utsav Patel (Gujarat) defeated Alex solanki (delhi) 4-2,4-2. Aryan Govez (Mumbai) defeated Shubham Malhotra (delhi) 4-0,4-3. Aryan Vega (Haryana ) defeated Danish Ahmed (Delhi) 4-3, 4-1. Shrey Gupta (Har) defeated Mayuk Rawat (Dehradun) 4-0,4-0. Mayank Yadav (Delhi) defeated Sumitpal ( Jammu) 4-1, 4-0, Abhinav Bisla (Har) trounced Yugal bansal (Delhi) 4-0, 4-0, Shreymay (Del) defeated Manik Dabur (Dehradun) 4-0, 4-2, Vishnu Parsad (Del) defeated Abhimanyu Rozra (Har) 4-0,4-0, Parampun (Chd) defeated Dhruv Arya (Del) 4-3,4-0, Sri Krishna (Bihar) defeated Shantanu Gupta (UP) 4-2,4-3 and Chinmay (Del) defeated Mrituanjay Badola (Dehradun ) 4-0,4-1. In the under14 category, Rahul Ssingh (Del) defeated Rahul Manoh (TN) 4-3,4-1, Aryan Govez (Mumbai) defeated Shrey Gupta ( Har) 4-2,4-1, Kunal Punj ( Del) defeated Alex solanki (del) 4-2,4-2, Aman rawat (del) defeated Taha Kapadia ( AP) 1-4, 4-1,4-2, D.Bhatti (Chd) defeated Abhinav Bisla (Har) 4-2,4-1, Anmol Sagar ( Del) trounced Siddaharath Kapoor (Dehradun) 4-0,4-0, Sachin Kumar (Chd) defeated Arush Goyal ( Dehradun ) 4-1,4-3, Mritunjay (Chd) beat Divansh Pandey (Chd) 3-4,4-1,4-3, Chinmay (Del) defeated Shrimay Dhawan (Del) 4-1,4-1, Sumitpal (Jammu) defeated Arnav Alok (Dehradun ) 4-0,4-2, Aditya Patnaik (Orrisa) defeated Vikas Verma (Har) 4-1,4-2,Vishu parsad (Del) defeated Deepak Vishwakarma (UP) 4-2,4-3, SriKrishna (Bihar) beat A.Jain (Dehradun ) 4-0,4-2, mayan Yada (Del) defeated Yash puri ( AP) 4-1,4-2 and Ishaq Iqbal ( W.B ) defeated Abhinav (TN) 4-0,4-0. In the girls under 12 category, Dhavani Kumar got a walkover against Twashi Kapoor (Del). Mansi reddy (AP) defeated Ayushi jain ( GUJ) 4-3,4-0, Surya Narayani (TN) defeated Devna Kapil (UP) 4-0, 4-0, Shreya Kali (HP) defeated Bakuk Negi (Del) 4-1,4-1 and Gyatri Kuamaria (UP) defeated S.Shivpuri (del) 4-3,4-1.
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SAF Winter Games
Dehradun, October 26 The association comprises office-bearers of the Roller Skating Association of Uttarakhand, Rolling Mountaineering, Crony Skating and Doon Sports Academy. “Almost two months back, the ice skating rink at the Sports College of Dehradun was in a deplorable condition, but the upgradation work has been started,” said Shiv Panuli, president of the association. A talent show will be organised as well. Skaters who have mastery over line-skating will also be given a chance to learn under the supervision of expert coaches and senior association members. “Talent show will be held from November 7 to 14, for the age group of 4-18 years. Teams for all three types of event such as ice hockey, figure skating and short racing teams will be selected and later trained to represent at this prestigious sports event,” said Shiv. The ice-skating rink as compared to other indoor skating rinks at various states is one of the best in the country. The work for the project got support from the Chief Minister and former Uttarakhand Sports Minister Prakash Pant, general secretary, Roller Skating Association of Uttarakhand, Pankaj Bharadwaj, national-level ice-skating coach Rajendra Sood and secretary of the Ice-skating Association of India Mangesh
Banga.
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Campus Notes
Haridwar, October 26 Restricted entry in college
After much commotion and violence in the students union election and anti-social elements indulging in such activities, the college administration has restricted entry into the college after strict checking. No student will be allowed to enter the college premises without having an identity card. Strict measures have also been adopted for outsiders when they enter the college premises. Dr SK Batra, who is the chief discipline proctor, is monitoring the whole process. He is often seen accompanying staff and security employees while checking the entry of students. “Continuous violence and easy entry for passed-out students, specially those belonging to political outfits, makes the college a playfield for illegal activities. This has made the college administration take such step,” informed Batra. This step has been welcomed by mostly girl students. They feel more comfortable while roaming in the college campus. However, some student outfits have termed it as making college like a military
cantt.
Seminar on Gandhian thought
Quite contrary to the students’ vociferous protest, there was a slice of Gandhism too in the college. A seminar on “Gandhian philosophy in present times” was held in the college. Former Principal Dr Shiv Shankar Jayaswal stressed that the whole concept of Gandhian philosophy revolved round non-violence or ahimsa. Secretary of Niranjani Akhada Mahant Trayambaki Bharati urged students to tread the path of non-violence and peace as preached by the great leader. However, lack of students’ presence raised questions.
Union office at last
Finally after years, the campus got a students union office of its own. Students enthusiasm was upped on the day of the inauguration as apart from the college canteen, they got another point for gathering and discussions. Mahant Tryambaki did the inauguration, while college union executive members Shakti Kumar, Ashish Kumar, Sanchit Kumar, Karan Singh and Ankur Rawat spoke on the occasion.
Students seek new furniture
Just after the opening of the students union office, there was a ruckus in the college campus with union members demanding new furniture and other related things in the college. They even threw out the old furniture of the union office. Union president Shakti Tyagi said they had complained to the Principal over the problem and he had said within five days their complaint would be sorted out. They were protesting only after the passing of the deadline. Seeing the tension rising, the police had to be called and only after assurance from Principal Ashok Mishra and other teachers, the students cooled down. Instantly new furniture and electricity supply was restored at the office.
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Rajasthan officials exhorted to take to bamboo cultivation
Dehradun, October 26 Inaugurating the training exclusively for Rajasthan Horticulture officials, FRI Director SS Negi exhorted the participants to take full advantage of the training programme. He said the course would immensely benefit the forest officials towards bamboo identification, propagation and clonal nursery. He said the FRI officials would be providing the best of expertise on bamboos. “I am fully hopeful that the training programme will be of immense benefit for the Rajasthan Horticulture officials towards taking to bamboo plantation in a big way,” Dr Negi observed. The FRI Director also said the institute was assisting in setting up Van Vigyan Kendras in different states, which was primarily aimed at disseminating information to farmers. He
said such training programmes proved to be of immense benefit for the farmers and
other stakeholders. Extension Division Head Vipin Chowdhary said the training programme, apart from holding of the regular lectures, also comprised field visits to bamboo nurseries. On the first day, Dr VRR Singh in his address spoke on the importance of bamboo, while Dr Meena Bakshi spoke on bamboo enrichment. Head of Botany Division Dr SS Biswas focussed on the improvement of bamboo cultivation techniques. Dr Subhash Nautiyal focussed his lecture on bamboo marketing. The training programme is being organised by the Extension Division of the FRI.
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Seminar on occupational safety, health
Dehradun, October 26 At a seminar held today on “Occupational Safety and Health in Changing Industrial Environment,” Labour Minister Prakash Pant said the Labour Department was taking case by case study of the factories and asking them to follow safety guidelines. He asked the representatives of the factories to ensure that high safety standards at maintained at their factories. On the occasion, Labour Secretary Dilbagh Singh said the seminar would act as a catalyst for introducing safety measures in the state. While SB Mathur, Director In charge, Regional Labour Institute, Kanpur, said the Department of Regional Labour Institutes active in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kanpur and Faridabad were ready to offer all kinds of assistance to institutes keen to implement the best practices in safety standards. “We are ready to offer assistance to 35 factories in Uttarakhand where mishaps can occur. We have planned a long-term safety plan for such factories and industries,” said Mathur. He said a delegation of specialist would undertake a detailed survey of the factories and suggest long-term measures for implementation. Adding that in Uttarakhand new industrial clusters were developing in a new industrial setup. So it was important to develop systems and safety culture through systematic planning and management.
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Sports Dept to hold baseball tourney from November 1
Dehradun, October 26 PS Lunthi, Dehradun District Sports Officer, said players should bring in their age certificates for participating in the tourney. He further said all schools had been invited to send their respective teams in the tournament. Attractive prizes would also be given to the winners and runners-up of the tournament, he added.
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The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) today announced 15 per cent hike in power tariff for consumers in the state.
Dehradun, October 26