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State govt seeks Centre’s nod over quarrying
Industrial package: CM writes 3rd letter to PM
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Govt refutes Opposition claims on Central welfare schemes
BJP workers burn effigy of govt
Samiti threatens mass immolation
‘Financial health of state sound’
Health Dept monitors supply of adulterated ghee
AIDS Control Society holds blood donation camp
CM announces grant to accident victims
H1N1 patient in critical state
Wife kills ‘drunkard’ husband
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State govt seeks Centre’s nod over quarrying
Dehradun, November 23 Talking to mediapersons here today, Nishank said permission for quarrying of stone, gravel and sand from these six rivers had not been granted by the Union Environment Ministry, leading to a crisis in the state. He said thousands of persons had been rendered jobless due to the denial of permission, and construction activity had come to a virtual standstill as prices of sand and gravel had skyrocketed. He said he was in touch with Union Minister of State for Environment Jai Ram Ramesh and senior officials of the state government, including the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), who were camping in New Delhi to get the required permission at the earliest. He further said Jai Ram Ramesh had assured him that the issue would be resolved in a day or two. However, he expressed dismay at the allegations by the opposition Congress party leaders that it was the fault of the state government. “I want to make it clear to my friends in the Congress party that it was their party government that has delayed the permission leading to the misery of thousands of persons,” he added. On the issue of court stay on the quarrying of other rivers in the Garhwal region, the Chief Minister replied that the case was pending in the Supreme Court and the next hearing would be on December 4, 2009. He hoped for an early verdict in the case. |
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Industrial package: CM writes 3rd letter to PM
Dehradun, November 23 He said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government gave to the state the special industrial package in 2003 till 2013. However, when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government came to power in 2004 at the Centre, it reduced the time limit of the package from 2013 to 2007. Later, it was extended till March 31, 2010. “Amidst all confusion regarding the special package, the industries could not benefit as it takes at least three years for a unit to start production. So, I have again requested the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to extend the package limit till 2020 so that Uttarakhand, which is a hilly and backward state and shares international borders with two countries, could really benefit in terms of employment and development,” he said. The Chief Minister said during the recent inauguration of the International Trade Fair in New Delhi, he had requested the President and the Union Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma to help the state in this regard. “I have been told by Union Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma that he had already written a letter to Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the issue,” he added. He further said he had also written to the Prime Minister as well as to Montek Singh Ahluwalia regarding the withdrawal of Rs 330 crore of special assistance to the state. “The Union government had given a special incentive of Rs 400 crore for holding the Maha Kumbh but withdrew the special help of Rs 330 crore. If it is so then it amounts to a fraud. Every state gets it and the special assistance gets enhanced by 10 per cent every year automatically. I am wondering why they did it with Uttarakhand,” he said.’ He also complained that the Central government had also cut the food grain quota from 18,000 metric tones per annum to 6,000 metric tones. “We have asked the Central government to revise the quota in the light of the Maha Kumbh slated to start from January 2010,” he added. |
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D Lit hony degree conferred on Nishank
Dehradun, November 23 The degree was presented to him at a simple ceremony held at the state secretariat here today by Prof S Nagendran, Dr Jitender Uniyal and Dr Asha Rawal. Nishank termed the degree as an honour for people of Uttarakhand. Professor Nagendran said the decision to honour the CM was taken in 2008. But due to his busy schedule, the CM could not go to Colombo to receive
the degree. |
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Govt refutes Opposition claims on Central welfare schemes
Nainital, November 23 Referring to the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), he said the Uttarakhand government had put forward a demand of Rs 29 crore and works to the tune of Rs 39.77 lakh had been done in Kumaon. Contesting the charges levelled by the Congress parliamentarians that the state government is not implementing the scheme properly and people with job cards are not getting work, he said: “We have asked for money. Once we get it, jobs will be done. Out of 3.96 applicants under NREGA in Kumaon, 3.86 lakh aspirants have been issued job cards. Till now, 3.73 lakh people have been given work out of whom 1.05 lakh are women”. Expressing satisfaction over the implementation of the 20-point Programme in the region, he said out of Rs 221.91 crore allocated to Almora, Rs 96.64 had been spent. Similarly, he pointed out that Rs 49.24 crore out Rs 84.09 crore allocated had been spent in Bageshwar, Rs 156.96 crore out of Rs 244.73 crore had been spent in Nainital, Rs 76.04 crore out of Rs 150.46 crore had been spent in Udham Singh Nagar, Rs 74.80 crore out of Rs 124.70 crore had been spent in Pitthoragarh and Rs 45.03 crore out of Rs 67.74 crore allocated had been spent in Champawat. He claimed 65 per cent of funds in the district sector under the Special Component Plan had also been utilised. When asked about the fiscal health of the state, the minister said: “Things are under control. Things will be better by next ear when the 13th Finance Commission starts functioning as allocations will be based on the current price index.” He went on to say that the state would develop its own resources to become financially independent. He lamented that the Central assistance was not coming on the expected lines and once again raised the issue of the Centre cutting down on the Rs 330 crore Additional Central Assistance (ACA). He added the Centre had merged the ACA with the funds given to the state for the coming Maha Kumbh. “The Maha Kumbh mela is a national event and there should be separate funds coming for it. In the absence of this ACA, development works pertaining to infrastructure will suffer,” he said. Pant disclosed that the stat government had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia on this issue. |
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BJP workers burn effigy of govt
Dehradun, November 23 BJP workers assembled at the Gandhi Park and raised slogans against the government. They marched from the park to the Clock Tower carrying the effigy of the government. They shouted slogans and burnt the effigy of the Central government there. The workers said the Centre’s policies were adversely affecting the state of Uttarakhand. They demanded that the ban on quarrying rivers should be lifted soon. |
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Long traffic jams halt city life
Dehradun, November 23 Traffic jams have become a routine affair in Clock Tower, Darshan Lal Chowk, Gandhi Road, Prince Road, Survey Chowk, Tehsil Chowk, Arhat Bazaar, Chakrata Road, Dilaram Bazaar and Kamwali Road areas in
downtown Dehradun. Even shoppers have a tough time visiting markets like Paltan Bazaar and Arhat Bazaar as there is neither provision for the motorist nor for pedestrians to commute. This causes a jam-like situation in
the markets. At traffic junctions too, the commuters wait for hours to get their turn. All this is due to the motorists who park their vehicles on the roads as there are hardly any parking lots. This affects the smooth flow of traffic coming from behind. The lack of parking space in the city has added to the traffic woes. Due to little parking space, the motorists face a tough time at the hands of cops for unlawful parking along roadsides. More parking spaces are needed due to increase in the number of vehicles. According to traffic officials, every month about 3,000 new vehicles are registered in Dehradun alone. On the contrary, there is no scope for widening roads at prominent crossings, including Clock Tower, Darshan Lal Chowk and others, which often witness traffic jams. Traffic cops also have a harrowing time as with the absence of red lights, the traffic is managed manually. |
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Wedding processions cause inconvenience to public
Dehradun November 23 “I’ve to rush to catch my train, but it seems I may get late due to the heavy traffic and long jams caused by these baraats. The government should keep a check on these convoys, which cause inconvenience to others,” said a passerby near Tehsil Chowk. Luxuriant arrangements and lavish extensions have turned marriages into a festival. The fat Indian weddings have become fatter. Elephants and chariots have replaced horses and cars for the grooms, which creates more chaos on the roads. “The government has ordered to seek legal permission before taking out baraats or any other procession on the road,” said Virender Rawat, Traffic Inspector. “One need to obtain permission from the city police for taking out a baraat before 8 pm and pay some amount to get policemen deployed for the procession,” he added. “Though the administration claims that limitations are imposed for playing loud music after 10 pm at weddings or any other social gatherings, the scenario is completely the opposite. Deafening music is still played at private wedding venues,” said a resident of Defence Colony. However, the SP, City, denied the accusations and said music at private banquets was completely banned and strict action would be taken against those violating the provision. “Loud music at weddings, religious places and other social gatherings is completely banned after 10 pm. Violators will be penalised,” said Jagat Ram. |
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Samiti threatens mass immolation
Nainital, November 23 “We will resort to mass self-immolation if the issue is not sorted out by Eid,” said president of the Gaula Khanan Samiti Arshad Ayub while talking to The Tribune. He said the agitation had been suspended for five days on the basis of an assurance given to the agitating people by the local administration last evening. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member Bhagat Singh Koshiyari has also intervened in the matter after Lok Sabha member KC Singh Baba had taken up the matter with the ministry of environment and forestry. “Politics has started on this issue, but nothing concrete has come out as yet. Thousands of families are being affected by the uncalled for delay,” said Ayub. State Planning Minister Prakash Pant has blamed the Centre for the delay. “They do not understand that if mining is not done on its banks, there will be floods during the rains. We are talking to the Centre and I hope the matter will be resolved in a few days.” Sunday had seen the issue come to the boiling point with agitators resorting to traffic jams and BJP activists burning effigies of the Congress parliamentarians from the state. A man who had threatened to immolate himself was put under preventive detention. Over the past few days, various organisations representing people involved in mining and stone-crushing operations on the banks of the Gaula river have launched an agitation asking the state government to persuade the Centre to allow the mining operations to start again. The lease for mining on the river bank was over in July 2009. Ayub says there are lakhs of people affected by this delay as mining and stone crushing normally stars from October 1 after the monsoon. This activity not only provides livelihood to thousands of people living in Uttarakhand but is also a major source of revenue for the state as the mined material is exported to the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The agitators feel that it is just the lack of co-ordination between the BJP government in the state and the Congress government at the Centre, making things very difficult for people involved in this activity. |
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‘Financial health of state sound’
Dehradun, November 23 Interestingly, it was former Chief Minister
Major-Gen BC Khanduri (retd) who had asserted that the financial situation
in the state was cause for concern. But Nishank did not name him. When asked about the statement made by the former Chief Minister, he replied that Khanduri had only pointed at the increasing debts that would be paid after 2012. He admitted that the state government had to bear an additional burden of Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore for giving the Sixth Pay Commission to its employees, but all developmental works were going on at a smooth pace. He explained that the resources of the state that were only Rs 1,079 crore in 2002 had gone up to Rs 3,529 crore in 2009-10. The non-plan expenditure that was Rs 6,666 crore in 2008-09 had gone up to Rs 10,215 crore in 2009-10 as the pay packets of employees had got heftier putting a burden on the state government from Rs 2,631 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 4,489 crore in 2009-10 showing an increase of 62.14 per cent. He, however, said the state had been engaged in developmental works and there was no cause for concern. Moreover, Uttarakhand is a special category state which gets 90 per cent of Central assistance as grant and 10 per cent as loan,
he added. |
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Crisp pakoras in serene surroundings
Dehradun, November 23 Commonly known as Sardar Pakora Wala, presently his son Preet Pal Singh, who for the past 20 years is carrying forward the legacy, feels that it is their faith in the Almighty that has made them so popular and a one-stop destination to savour hot pakoras. “Our shop is a mini shop and, like others, we also do business to earn livelihood, but the goodwill and recognition we have received so far is I guess all because of God who constantly guides us to carry on our daily chores with dedication and love,” said Preet. “In the evenings whenever I want to eat pakoras, I drive down to Sardar Pakora Wala so that in the midst of lush green surroundings I get to relish my favourite pakoras,” said Naveen, a
local resident. Interestingly, the menu as one might think is not extensive in nature. Rather there’s only one variety of pakoras, which is surely easy to make, but high on taste and quality. With right measurements of gram flour, sliced potatoes, onions and spinach leaves, green chilly and salt are mixed, after which they are deep fried till they turn golden brown and crunchy. “We follow a very simple methodology of making pakoras. It’s just that the right amalgamation of vegetables, gram flour and salt lends the right flavour to the taste buds,” felt Preet. People from near and far-away locations rush down to enjoy the reasonably priced pakoras served with tangy green chutney and a refreshing cup of tea. However, along with hard work and efforts to sustain the name and fame, pakoras are only served in the evenings from 5 pm to 7.30 pm so that quality can be maintained and people do not get a chance to complain. “We strongly believe that less is more and follow a fixed timing so that nothing is wasted. Mostly what we make, gets consumed and till date we are very happy and content with the response of locals and tourists,” added an elated Preet Pal Singh. |
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Health Dept monitors supply of adulterated ghee
Dehradun, November 23 The state of Uttarakhand finds itself in a vulnerable position as most of the ghee is supplied from outside the state or is locally produced by dairies selling milk products; as such chances of adulteration are high. Assistant Director-General Dheer Singh has alerted the state authorities on the issue and asked them to be vigilant, especially in view of the Kumbh Mela. To prevent the supply of adulterated ghee in the state, the Health Department, along with officials from the Municipal Corporation, has begun maintaining checks on shops selling the product. “All food inspectors of the district have been instructed to collect samples of the ghee in compliance with the information given by the FSSAI as it is believed that a large number of people in the state are consuming adulterated ghee that is supplied from neighbouring cities of Khurja, Sahibabad, Saharanpur and Bijnor etc in Uttar Pradesh and even Punjab where ever milk plants are located,” said GC Kandwal, Chief Food Inspector. In Uttarakhand, companies such as Paras, Madhusudan, Gopaljee, Nova and Mahesh etc, have proliferated the local market here selling milk and other products, including ghee. “Usually milk, a key ingredient of ghee, is given a miss and adulteration is done by adding Vanaspati ghee, sometimes the essence is added to give flavour that may confuse the consumer,” said Kandwal. It is believed that the Health Department under pressure from the business lobby, has failed to take steps against those engaged in the business of supply, though it has
prior information. Significantly, in view of the Kumbh Mela, extra caution is being maintained in Haridwar district where some persons had even set up small units to manufacture ghee and sell it during the mela. |
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AIDS Control Society holds blood donation camp
Dehradun November 23 While addressing students, Dr Prashant, coordinator of the Uttarakhand Red Ribbon Club, said, “Blood donation is exemplary donation. By donating blood we can save many lives. One does not feel any type of weakness by donating blood, instead our blood begins to get refreshed. Blood donation does not only bring about formation of new blood cells, but also the blood donator feels active after blood donation. If a healthy person having adequate haemoglobin donates blood every three months, his health will improve.” Dr SK Nautiyal, Dr Sulekha Nautiyal and their team provided service at the camp. Skits on AIDS and blood donation were also performed to create awareness about necessary precautions to prevent its transmission, but also encouraged the student to donate blood regularly. Students, teachers and management people participated in the event. Other eminent guests like Jogendra Singh Arora, Chairman of the institute, Director Aninder Singh and Registrar Bhupendra Singh of the college were also present. Deputy Director of the college Dr RN Saral and HOD, Life Science, Dr Aslam coordinated the function, while the Principal of PG Dr Mahesh Bhandari conducted the
programme. |
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ABVP state chief seeks security, quality education
Dehradun, November 23 During the convention a proposal was mooted to the state government in regard to the current state of education and the internal and external security of Uttarakhand. Addressing a press conference here today, Negi said they demanded quality education in colleges and filling of vacant posts
of teacher. He added the government should fix a particular amount for fees in both private and government colleges so that students could be saved from being looted by institutes. In regard of security, Bankoti said as state’s border is close to Nepal and China, so the security on the border should be increased. Bankoti said the ABVP had completed its 60 years of inception and 65,000 new workers had got the membership of the organisation. He said on December 17 a protest against the Bangladesh terrorists would be held in front of the Vidhan
Sabha. |
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CM announces grant to accident victims
Dehradun, November 23 He gave directions to the Tehri District Magistrate to grant Rs 50,000 each to the families of the deceased, Rs 25,000 each to those seriously injured and Rs 5,000 each to those with minor injuries. The officials confirmed that eight persons had died and 11 got injured. The accident happened after a Tata Max lost control and fell into a deep gorge on the Khad road. The vehicle was carrying baratis who were returning from a marriage. It had taken a lot of time to take out the bodies. Even the Emergency 108 was called, but it failed to reach the spot, and later the bodies could be lifted only with the help of small vehicles. |
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H1N1 patient in critical state
Dehradun, November 23 According to Dr Pankaj Jain, Nodal Officer, the patient had been put on ventilator. She had contracted the virus after she had gone to attend a satsang in Delhi. Meanwhile, the health authorities collected samples of five patients today and these had been sent for testing at the NICD, New Delhi. In all, five patients have succumbed to the deadly disease. |
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Wife kills ‘drunkard’ husband
Dehradun, November 23 According to the police, Kamal Singh Rana was found dead at Nababwala in Chheterwala. The police had after investigation found that his wife Rampyari and son Rajesh Singh Rana had killed him. The police said his wife and son had confessed the crime. Rampyari told the police that her husband was a drunkard and used to beat her every day. This forced her to take this extreme step. |
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