Dehradun, June 4
The nomination of Tarun Vijay, national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the RSS ideologue as the party candidate for the Rajya Sabha would strengthen the hands of Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank who was rooting for his candidature.

It was a forgone conclusion that Tarun would be able to get nomination from the lone seat from Uttarakhand due to his stature in the RSS and the BJP. But still, at a time when senior BJP leaders from the state namely two former Chief Ministers- Maj Gen BC Khanduri (Retd) and Bhagat Singh Koshiyari argued that someone from the state should be given the Rajya Sabha seat in view of the coming Assembly elections scheduled in 2012, CM Nishank puts his weight behind Tarun’s name.

Interestingly, bereft of any big patronage at the national level in the party, Chief Minister Nishank backed Tarun and also made it publicly known.

The nomination of Tarun also indicates that the BJP is experimenting with younger faces to give a fresh look to the party and strengthen it. With Nishank as a comparatively young a Chief Minister and entry of Tarun as the Rajya Sabha member from the state would also have far reaching repercussions in the party rank and file in the state in the longer run.

The argument by the older politicians from the state of nominating someone from the state did not cut much ice as Tarun hails from Dehradun. He had his schooling from Dehradun and also owns a house in the city. Former chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari reportedly backed former union minister Bacchi Singh Rawat while Maj Gen BC Khanduri (Retd) was for Lt Gen TPS Rawat (Retd), a former party MP for the seat. However, this decision by the BJP high command indicate that winds of change have started blowing in the party in the Himalayan state.

Haridwar, June 4
With the menace of Naxalite violence getting worse in the past few months targeting innocent people, police personnel in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, residents of this pilgrim city have expressed anger blaming the respective states and the Central government for the failure in handling of the problem.

Several organisations and outfits have condemned the Naxalite violence and have demanded of giving the anti-Naxal operations solely in the hands of the Army so that innocent people and police personnel don’t become their easy targets.

The Uttarakhand Kranti Manch has demanded imposing of President’s rule in the worst affected states and allowing the Army to operate anti-Naxal operation. Founder of the manch JP Pandey remarked that with Naxalism making its footholds in more than 200 districts of the country it was high time the Naxal and Maoist problems be taken seriously and on a priority.

“If Naxal tribes are not stopped they soon will destroy the peace of our country and innocent public, ill-equipped state police personnel will be losing their lives. Strict military action is the only answer and this is utter shame that we in our own country have to live in fear of Naxalism and are dwelling on using military against them despite they have killed more than 150 persons in the past month only,” said Pandey.

While the student outfit Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad condemned the Naxalite violence and voiced for open talks with the Naxals but on Centre’s terms. A memorandum was also forwarded to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on this issue and was urged of stringent action against the “very enemy within the country”. A meeting was held by the organisational city unit wherein the Naxal issue was discussed at length.

District convener Sanjeev Chaudhari cited the Dantewada incident in Chhatisgarh wherein 76 CRPF personnel were brutally ambushed and the recent Gyaneshwari Express tragedy in west Midnapore of West Bengal killing 141 people. “People and police are being targeted easily by Naxals and yet the Central government’s Railway Minister and Home Minister differ on the issue. Due to a laxity and shortsightedness of the Central government, Naxals are having an upper hand while they can be effectively tackled if the army is given the task,” said Chaudhari.

Later, a delegation of the ABVP went to the District Magistrate office and submitted a memorandum demanding zero tolerance towards teh Naxal problem, giving anti-Naxal operations fully into the hands of the Army.

Dehradun, May 4
As if demand for a Nobel Prize for successful conduct of the Maha Kumbh was not enough, now the ministerial-rank holders in the Nishank government have urged the Central government to depute the Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank as India’s ambassadors to the UNESCO.

At party and government meeting today, the ministerial-rank holders raised a spontaneous demand of deputing Dr Nishank to the UNESCO. “Only Dr Nishank as India’s ambassador to the UNESCO can fulfil the mission of declaring the Ganga a world heritage,” said one the ministers.

Later, Dr Nishank said the party and the government would have to work together to make the Mission-2012 a success.

Chairing a meeting at a local hotel, Dr Nishank said under the BJP rule the state had witnessed tremendous progress in the last couple of years and now the party unit and the government should work together in fulfilling principles laid down in the Mission-2012.

“Fiscal management by the government helped us tide over difficult situation, the average annual income of individual per year has increased from Rs 14,000 to Rs 41,000. The efforts of the state government was even rewarded by the 13th Finance Commission,” he said.

While taking note of the poor water and power scenario in the country, he said the situation had risen due to poor water discharge in the rivers.

On the other hand BJP chief Bishan Singh Chufal called upon the ministerial-rank holders to spare time for party activities as well, while fulfilling obligations of the departments that they had been entrusted.

Nainital, June 4
The Uttarakhand Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Commission has called for developing some SC/ST villages as model villages with all facilities like potable water, health centre, power, education and roads. The commission has recommended that every year two or three such villages be developed in every district by making use of the grants coming under the Special Component Plan.

The commission members were in Nainital today to evaluate the works being done for the welfare of the SC and ST categories. Vice-Chairman of the Commission Suresh Rathor underlined that the money being received for a particular task should be used for completing that very task only and should not be diverted elsewhere. He also called for a timely utilisation of the money made available.

The commission has directed the Social Welfare Officer to make a copy of the blue book containing the guidelines for executing works for social uplift of backward communities available to all other departments so that the officials could execute projects as per the guidelines. The Social Welfare Officer was also directed to identify an appropriate venue for construction of a hostel for SC and ST students at Haldwani. He was also asked to submit a proposal for availing loans from the government for construction of shops to be run by the youth from the SC and ST categories so that they could become self employed.

Officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) were asked to ensure that whenever a road project is undertaken it must connect maximum number of villages.

The commission also took up the issue of long-pending back log of vacancies in government departments across the state and called for early recruitments against these posts.

Rathor pointed out that in Almora alone 3,406 posts reserved for ST and ST candidates are lying vacant.

The commission expressed its satisfaction at the pace of execution of projects meant for uplift of the SC and ST categories in Nainital. It said the performance of Nainital is the best in the state with 95 per cent of the works being done in time.

District Magistrate Shailesh Bagauli pointed out that in the last financial year some of the money was not used on account of pendency of works to be done by the Jal Sansthan and Jal Nigam. He said priority was now being given for completion of these works. He further stated that the survey of water availability on the basis of which plans were being made needed to be redone since it was carried out several years back.

When asked about the public hearings being done by the commission, Rathor claimed that the commission had been apprised of 211 cases of atrocities on SC and ST persons in the state last year out of which 193 cases had been disposed off. He said the maximum number of complaints pertained to the education set up.

Among the districts, Udham Singh Nagar has reported maximum cases pertaining to land disputes in which the SC and ST population has allegedly been at the receiving end, said the commission.

The commission also pointed out that the instance of untouchability was negligible in Kumaon and the region was faring much better compared to Garhwal.

Nainital, June 4
A three-day national-level science and rural technology exhibition under the name of Second Destination Uttarakhand Expo-2010 got underway at Major Rajesh Adhikary Inter College started here this morning.

The exhibition is having participation of various central government institutions like the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Coir Board, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and Kharagpur, Technology Development Board,

Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES).

Inaugurating the event, MP KC Singh Baba raised the issue of depleting forest wealth and water resources of Uttarakhand. He called for development of a proper strategy for protecting the forests from fire. He also said the water that was going as a waste must be stored and put to optimum use. Baba pointed out that optimum storage and usage of water could go a long way in saving precious land that fell prey to erosion every year during the rains.

Pointing out to the drying up of water sources, he said both the Central and the state governments should come together to check this and should make the use of scientific know-how available to recharge these sources.

Referring to the exhibition, he said such events provided a window to the youth into the world of science and scientific advancements.

According to Brig PK Bhatnagar (retd), who is the organising secretary of the event, the purpose of the event is to take

advancements in the field of science to the common people, particularly the youth of the region.” He said by visiting such events the youth could have a feel of the developments taking place in various spheres and could identify employment avenues available to him.

Dehradun, June 4
Despite selecting ombudsmen for each of the 12 districts, except Haridwar, the Uttarakhand government has failed to appoint an ombudsman or Lokpal as envisaged in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

In full violation of the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Rural Development, the government has failed to appoint ombudsman even after five months.

After selection of 12 prominent persons by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary, the Uttarakhand government in February suddenly developed cold feet and now the entire exercise would be launched once again.

The government had finalised a panel in February and put it on the state government’s website, so that general public could file their objections, if any. Dr KC Pant from Nainital, Pushpa Chauhan from Uttarkashi and Vijay Laxmi Rautela from Almora were among the prominent names who figured on the panel list.

Ironically, the objections as per the sources have come from certain political persons known to be close to the BJP and ministers, who were not happy with the appointments and wanted persons close to them on the panel. As a result, the file regarding the appointments is now with the Chief Minister.

The appointment of ombudsman is crucial for the redressal of grievances of the job card holders engaged in different projects under NREGA in the state and the implementation of the programme that aims to remove poverty.

The ombudsman is appointed by the state government on the recommendation of the selection committee.

The ombudsman will receive complaints from NREGA workers and others on any matters, consider such complaints and facilitate their disposal in accordance with the law.

In an order dated September 7, 2009, the Central government had directed different states and union territories to appoint ombudsmen so that the grievances could be redressed in a time-bound manner.

The Centre has also directed the states to set up offices of the ombudsmen within three months from the date of the issuance of the order.

The Central government would incur the expenditure for this purpose, under the provision of the administrative expenditure.

Dehradun, June 4
Bowing to the wishes of Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) will hold the first Indian Forestry Congress in Dehradun.

The four-day conference is to be held from December 15 to 18 at the initiative of the ICFRE. The council has already charted out the programme for the congress and has entrusted the Forest Research Institute (FRI) with the task of conducting this mega conference.

Jairam Ramesh had some time back while inaugurating a FRI photo gallery in Dehradun had stressed on the need for conduct of Forestry Congress in the country asserting that it was very necessary for ensuring better outcome of researches in the forestry, thus help in bringing all forest issues to a common platform. The minister had even described Dehradun as Forestry Capital of India and sought holding of such forestry congress in Dehradun. The ICFRE since then has been working to make congress happen.

With central theme “Challenges to Forestry for Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation”, the first Indian Forestry Congress aims to bring together various stakeholders of forestry include exchanging experiences and knowledge. It will also help express and exchange views which may help research organisations to identify areas of study and central and state organisations and civil societies to plan future work. Further, efforts will be done to establish network among various organisations for knowledge working on the forestry.

Among the issues to be taken up during deliberations include natural forest conservation and management, forests and climate change: linkages, mitigation, adaptation, challenges, plantation forestry and management, productive forest management and interface forestry.

Interestingly, apart from forestry experts, students, farmers and representatives of the civil society will also be taking part in the conference. The ICFRE does not want to stop here and plans to make conference a regular event to be held on frequent basis.

Haridwar, June 4
The city is know for its religious, tourism and serene location and is attracting major hotel chains and resorts to set up their establishments in the pilgrim city. Besides the yearly flow of pilgrims, tourists, including a large number of foreign tourists, several mega hotels are being set up here. Apart from providing accommodation facility to the visitors, these projects are providing employment to locals in a large number.

Today, Saroval Group, one of India’s leading hotel management companies, started its hotel Ambrosia Sarovar Portico in the green sprawling land on Haridwar-Roorkee Highway. With this the long term demand and requirement of people of having a premier hotel in Haridwar has fulfilled.

High environmental standards have been adhered to in the set up of Ambrosia Sarovar Portico with in-built solar heating plant, rain water harvesting plant and a sewage treatment plant its on the premise.

Ajay K Bakarya, executive director of Sarovar group, said keeping the religious as well as the environmental aspect in mind the hotel offers the best of the facilities. “The management of the hotel has given the more importance to the environment. We have taken care of every small but important things related to environment like from plastic, paper, cardboard, glass recycling to looking out on minute details like usage of CFL bulbs,” said Bakarya.

Bakarya further informed that with integral industrial estate being set up in Uttarakhand, having more than 200 companies in Haridwar-situated SIDCUL, the demand and need of having high-end luxury hotels, which are still lacking in the city, prompted the group to open one such hotel
in Haridwar.

The group ventured in the Badrinath shrine too, where the hotel opens up for the tenure till the shrine remains open. Informing about Sarovar group’s plan of expansion, Managing Director Anil Madhok said currently another such hotel was coming up in Roorkee too, while the company was exploring other venues in other renowned hilly destinations of the state.

District Magistrate R Meenakshi Sundaram, Sarovar Group office holders and eminent citizens were also present at the launch of the hotel.

Pitthoragarh, June 4
Central Planning Commission member Soumitra Chaudhuri said today that officers of the Uttarakhand Planning Department should lay emphasis on using 100 per cent Central grants within the fixed time on various schemes which aimed at uplift of the quality of life of the common man in the state. “If these schemes aided by the Planning Commission are delayed by the negligence of officers, their cost increases and we fail in providing justice to the common man” said Dr Chaudhuri.

The commission member took notice of the roads being constructed by the PWD under Central finance and under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojana and instructed the officers concerned and district magistrates that their constriction was getting delayed without any reason.

“Only Rs 324.69 lakh given by the Central Planning Commission to the Jal Nigam in Pitthoragarh district has been fully utilised in time but under the Indra Awas Yojana, mid-day meal scheme as well the national rural health mission, there is gross negligence on the part of the executing authorities,“ said Dr Chaudhuri.

According to the Uttarakhand Planning Commission, in 2009-10 out of Rs 1,794 crore provision, the state got Rs 1,358 crore from the Central Planning Commission out of which it could spend only Rs 939 crore for the current plan year.

Out of Rs 1,502 crore budget provisions, only Rs 267 crore has so far been released by the Central Planning Commission. “We have been receiving full share of our plan estimates from the Centre but we want all plan schemes under 90:10 category as the Uttarakhand state falls under a special category of states,” said Prakash Pant planning minister.

The planning commission member said the money granted by the commission under various schemes was stopped only when the states were unable to spend the money granted before the year as in case of Uttarakhand out of Rs 1,502 crore budget provision by the planning commission for the year only Rs 267 crore has been release because the state could not use money granted by the commission last year.

Mussoorie, June 4
A dispute over barking dog has taken a new turn as Municipal Council employees in a meeting held at MC premises came out in support of their president and demanded immediate ouster of the SDM Mussoorie.

According to MC Karamchari Mhasangh President Mahavir Singh Rana, SDM has hurt the sentiments of MC employees by his verbal statements against their president which will not be tolerated at any cost.

He further said if the SDM is not removed by June 6 then they will start a massive agitation and protest against him till their demands are not met.

On the other hand Public School worker union president and the Hotel Association Worker Union Sunil Kumar and RP Badoni said the SDM has acted according to his status and dignity and any such move by the MC would be met with befitting reply through starting a major movement against OP Uniyal.

Meanwhile, the town was bustling with the distribution of video CD of Uniyals derogatory act committed at the SDM office clearly showing him thumping the table and hurling verbal abuse. The BJP workers in Mussoorie had called a press conference hastily around 3.00 pm which had to be cancelled. According to the sources in the party cadre said they have also been seen the CD and after going through it were in two minds whether to support Uniyal or not.

The BJP Mussoorie general secretary informed that the press conference due today had to be cancelled due to non-availability of the Mandal president Roop Singh Kathait and has been shifted for Saturday 11.00 am. The whole incident has created furore in political parlance of Mussoorie.

The state Congress secretary Manmohan Singh Mall said the petty issue of barking dog has been blown out of proportion and could have been handled efficiently.

The trade union members also condemned the statement of Uniyal in which he called them anti-social.

Dehradun, June 4
Mayor Vinod Chamoli met with District Magistrate Santhiyal Pandiyan and MLA Ganesh Joshi to discuss the compounding problem of garbage disposal in the city. To ease pressure on the Dehradun Municipal Corporation to collect garbage from all over the city, the DM suggested all schools, hospitals and government institutes to collect and dump their garbage in the main dumping ground at Sahastradhara. Chamoli happily agreed to the proposal though he expressed his concern whether these institutes would comply with the order.

This problem seems to be heading for a solution as in a day or two tender process for Rs 24.6-crore project of Solid Waste Plan of garbage collection and its scientific disposal will start. Chamoli said it would take more than three months to complete all formalities and prepare a blue print of the project.

The delay of four months was caused when the nigam was asked to revise the whole plan. It was directed to depute only one contractor to avoid any confusion and blame-game instead of two. One contractor was supposed to collect garbage and the other to treat it. Now, only one party is supposed to do the entire work.