Dehradun, August 4
Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today gave a clarion call to pharmaceutical companies to come forward and adopt villages that are producing herbs so that they are never short of cash.

“The thrust of any herbal initiative in the state ought to be on the producers (farmers) getting their due and private companies should come forward to adopt villages.

“Let us bring back smiles on the faces of farmers and I urge industries to take up the initiative as markets will be created at the doorstep of the farmers,” said Nishank while speaking on the occasion of Jadi-Booti Diwas (Herbal Day) today.

Bringing into notice the risk that poor farmers take while cultivating herbs, the Chief Minister said 15,000 farmers were engaged in herbal cultivation and it would not be too much to expect from private companies that they pay the farmers in advance thereby ensuring their long association with the cultivation.

He called upon the Ayurvedic, Horticulture and Forest Departments to work in tandem to implementing Vision 2020.

“The promotion of the state as Ayush Pradesh with a role for our vaidyas (traditional doctors) is an important component of Vision 2020 that envisages strengthening of traditional knowledge,” said the Chief Minister.

A similar call was made by Padma Shri Dr Anil Joshi who said that any policy that takes into account the role of vaidyas is bound to be successful.

“We have noticed that vaidyas have slowly got marginalised. They have a right to knowledge and thereby, a right to practice simply because they have been a repository of our traditional knowledge. They do not need any certification,” said Dr Joshi.

Dr RC Sundriyal, Director, Herbal Research and Development Institute (HRDI), said that the target before them was to set up 318 clusters involving 2,500 villages in 6,000 hectares.

“At the moment, our production level is 7,000 tonnes. We are planning to set up 30 godowns for herbs, eight rural and two district mandis besides a processing unit. We have already received Rs 17.5 crore as Central funds for the purpose.

Later at an interactive section with farmers, Agriculture Minister Trivender Singh Rawat got acquainted with their problems.

A special session for the local vaidyas was chaired by Dr Aditya Kumar, Vice-President, State Medicinal Plant Board.

Haridwar, August 4
Voicing the ill effects of pollution and population that have become a major source of global warming, Acharya Balakrishan, protégé of Swami Ramdev and Bharat Swabhiman Trust general secretary, urged people to plant as many trees as possible. On Jadi-Booti Diwas (Herbal Day) today, he planted saplings amid hundreds of schoolchildren.

In association with the Diva Sewa Mission under the Harit Bharat Abhiyan, Acharya Balakrishan along with school students carried out a plantation drive at Patanjali Yogpeeth and Chandighat area.

He said that lakhs of saplings were being distributed free of cost in addition to making people aware of the benefits of having a green cover in their surroundings.

“In this modern era, increasing pollution and population has hit the environment. The rate at which the ill effects of global warming are being noticed worldwide indicates to testing times ahead for all species including humans. Therefore, we have to save our green cover,” said Balakrishan.

Referring to the Vedas, Balakrishan remarked that trees were referred to as life givers. The benefit of planting a tree was equivalent to performing a yagya, he said.

The Divya Prem Sewa Mission has been involved for a decade in tree plantation drives, apart from operating several social activities at its Chandighat-situated ashram.

Vimal Kumar, general secretary of the Harit mission, lauded the support coming from all corners of society be it social, political, educational, trade, press club, SIDCUL, 40th PAC Battalion, Vidya Bharati, Ganga Sabha, municipality and various other organisations.

The plantation drive coincided with the birthday of Acharya Balakrishan and there were many who wished him on the occasion.

Present on the occasion were Harit mission president Dr Mahavir Aggarwal, Harendra Garg, Balakrishan Shastri, Ravindra Nagar, Alok Sharma, Sunil Aneja, Ravindra Singhal, Jitendra Singh, Sachin Sharma, Prashant Khare, Arpit Mishra, Sarvdev, Vishwas Sharma, Hitendar Singh and hundreds of activists and schoolchildren.

Dehradun, August 4
Though it will be some time before the state government implements the Agriculture Produce and Market Commodities (APMC) Act, but efforts to promote contract farming in the herbal sector are expected to get a go-ahead in the coming days.

With private companies waiting in the wings to set shop here, the government’s inability to implement the APMC Act, drafted in 2004, is preventing companies from formally taking up contract farming.

For contract farming to take shape, it is imperative that private markets are set up as per the Act.

Now with Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank showing interest in utilising barren land for the cultivation of herbs and his keenness on developing linkages between farmers and pharmaceutical companies, it appears that the first test case for contract farming will be the herbal sector.

In addition, a core group was formally constituted today headed by Agriculture Minister Trivender Singh Rawat that will be looking at the linkages that have to be created with industry.

“We will have to push it informally at first and wait for the Act to take shape. We can make a mark in the herbal market. If our production increases, some mechanism can be worked out with companies to double the produce with the consent of farmers,” said Vinod Fonia, Secretary Horticulture.

Essentially, what the farmers are demanding is a minimum support price (MSP) for herbs the way the Centre for Aromatic Plants (CAP) has done for a few aromatic plants.

The process of supplying authentic seeds for growing herbs and access to markets can take shape once a formal agreement is reached between private companies and farmers. The state is universally recognised for its herbal wealth and experts say that this recognition has to be developed into a larger brand image.

“We need to focus on value addition and if proper post-harvest techniques are adopted, it will automatically ensure quality for the produce. Also, we need to get into some type of arrangement with the 240 pharmaceutical companies (ayurvedic) established at Pharma City so that the raw material is picked up immediately,” said Fonia.

Presently, herbal cultivation in Uttarakhand is scattered with no communication between producers and suppliers and the state’s contribution is approximately Rs 15 crore in the world herbal trade market.

Haridwar, August 4
While the orange dress is synonymous with the Kanwariyas the same is said about the Kanwars they carry with them to fetch the holy Ganga water. Colourful and beautifully decorated Kanwars attract people’s attention on the yatra route.

Such is the craze that people gather on the Kanwar yatra route to see the beautifully decorated Kanwars. Children are amazed and fascinated by the kaleidoscopic man-made Kanwars.

With the changing of time the evolution of Kanwars have taken a huge stride. Whereas in the earlier decade of ‘90s, most of the Kanwars were long and simple but now these have assumed more colourful proportions.

Different types of block, vertical, horizontal, semi-circle and fort-like door-shaped Kanwars are prevalent these days while innovative Kanwars are also becoming cynosure of all eyes adding an extra bit to the colourful Kanwar yatra. Kanwars having replica of temples are being majorly seen this season lending the yatra a more religious significance. Besides, statues of gods, particularly Lord Shiva-Parvati, can be seen in a large number.

From Ayodhya temple to fort-like Kanwars to jet fighter Kanwars, one gets to see a wide array of replica moving on wheels or being carried by Kanwariyas with utmost devotion.

Kanwar makers at Pant Deep market, which is the official mela market, inform that the demand of innovative Kanwars has increased in the past few years, particularly among the youngsters.

By just standing at one point on the Kanwar route and a plethora of Kanwars one gets to see nonstop groups of Kanwariyas from early morning to late night. Everyone are left in awe as Kanwariyas are treading in lakhs everyday round the clock with varied Kanwars making Haridwar once again to witness the cultural diversity, mythological-religious aspect and to feel blessed to be a host of the biggest Kanwar in whole northern India.

Dehradun, August 4
Under the Dial a Tree service, the Kaash society planted saplings in the premises of the primary government school located at Khurbura here today. More than 30 students and staff had participated in the noble cause.

The drive was organised to spread the awareness of environment conservation among the students. The headmaster of the school initiated the programme after which he enlightened students for saving environment.

On the other hand, the society has inaugurated its office at the Tilak Road by Shrey Sharma, president of the society. The NGO has also launched their helpline number 9410355997 to plant and save trees.

The Kaash is one such society that believes in the movement of afforestation in the Doon valley. Its endeavours have gained momentum in the capital and have inspired many. The NGO has initiated noble cause and have pledged to plant as many saplings in and around the city by this year.

Dehradun, August 4
Disaster and Social Welfare Minister Khajan Das, Mayor Vinod Chamoli and vice-president of the Cantt Board Bhupender Singh Bhandari visited Bharu Wala Grant to settle a dispute over the construction of a road in the village after martyr Rohit Gurang. The area where the road is to be laid falls in the jurisdiction of the Forest Department.

Seeing no solution coming in the way, the Mayor said he placed a proposal before officials of the Forest Department to build the road itself which would be the most appropriate alternative.

He said it was also mooted that in case the Forest Department did not come forward then it should let the PWD built the road, provided the Forest Department gave no-objection certificate for it.

The issue of building the road after the martyr who belonged to this village had been pending for the want of an NOC from the Forest Department though the inauguration formality had been done long before.

Dehradun, August 4
All the advocates of the Tax Bar Association continued with their strike on the second day, here today. They also staged protest at the commercial office located at the Luxmi Road to press on their demands on administration against shifting of the Joint Commissioner Tax (appeals) II Uttarakhand head office from Dehradun to Rishikesh.

The strike was held under the president Vinay Kumar Jain who along with the delegation of the bar association met Radha Raturi, Commissioner Tax, Uttarakhand to hand over a memorandum to condemn the erroneous decision. She has assured the protestors that their demand will be considered soon.

The association held a joint meeting of Tax Bar Association, Doon Commercial Tax Bar Association and Uttarakhand Advocates Association at the bar room at the Commercial Tax Office where a joint action committee was formed. Vinay Kumar Jain was unanimously nominated as the convener of joint action committee.

The protesting advocates have withdrawn their protest from the commercial department but have announced to continue further with their strike if their demand goes unheard. The association has received full support from the Tax Bar Association of Roorkee, Kotdwar, Uttarkashi and others.

More than 50 advocates were present to discuss on the matter that has affected about 85 per cent appellants of this area. Some of them were ID Uniyal, K N Sharma, AP Pundir and A K Jain along with Vinay Kumar Jain, President of the association.

Dehradun, August 4
The agitation of the Mohalla Swachhta Samiti seems to be losing its steam, as staving off any confrontation with the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), the members of the organisation agreed to forgo their 15-day salary, and observe two-hour protest between 10 am and 12 noon every day during working hours until their demands are met.

The workers met Additional Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat who urged them not to initiate strike again and suggested to craft a way by continuing to work in tandem with their pressure tactics. He comforted them saying the corporation was sympathetic to their causes.

The workers, who remained hostile to Rawat during their previous strike, appeared to be congenial with him. The target of their wrath shifted to Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) instead.

Kala said, “It is ironical that we were promised a raise of Rs 2,000 in our salaries from August onwards. Leave alone the raise, they are now cutting our salaries. We are shocked to know that the letter of our demands, a copy of which was also given to us on June 23, which was to be forwarded to the state administration and decided in a month, had not even reached to the office of secretary, Urban Development.

“All these promises made by MNA, who does not sit in his office any more, have turned hoax. Therefore, we will now protest outside his office Vikas Bhawan soon”.

Embarrassed by the changed scenario in the DMC, where no official paid heed to their demonstration, Kala complained of union’s protest being sidelined by the officials.

He said they were no longer going to be swayed by either Congress or BJP councillors as they did during their strike and would after periodic intervals hold demonstration before the Vidhan Sabha or the Chief Minister Office.

Nainital, August 4
Calling for a proper revamp of the BD Pande Hospital, Umakant Pawar, Health Secretary, has called for the preparation of a blueprint within the next two days of the alternative sites that can be used to treat patients till the BD Pande Hospital is constructed afresh.

During his day-long visit to Nainital, the secretary went around various places where the hospital could be shifted till the time its premises are reconstructed.

These included the Sitapur Eye Hospital and the GB Pant Hospital. The BD Pande Hospital’s new premises will take at least two years to come up.

Pawar later went to inspect the TB Sanitarium in Bhawali and took stock of the infrastructure and manpower available there. He went around the fast-dilapidating wards and buildings.

Later, he told mediapersons that the government was taking steps to improve the health setup in the state. He said that the process to recruit 250 doctors for the state was almost over.

He also issued a warning to the doctors who remain absent from their place of deployment in the remote areas on being transferred and said that such indiscipline would not be tolerated.

He also said that the formalities to start a nursing school in the premises of Ramjay Hospital in Nainital were almost over and classes would start from September.

Umakant Pawar added that the land available with the Bhawali Sanitarium was not being used optimally.

He said that the number of beds there would be reduced from 378 to 150 and the proposed plan to set up a Kamla Nehru Chest Institute in the premises would be revived.

Dehradun, August 4
Dehradun Mining Department today impounded three trucks involved in illegal mining activities at Tons riverbed in Sahaspur block of Dehradun district. An FIR has been registered against the owners of the truck, according to TR Bhatt, naib tehsildar.

The department has been carrying out raids on regular basis for some time. They have registered 150 cases of illegal mining activities till now, this year. Forty-six cases were reported in April, 26 cases in May, 39 in June and July, respectively. The department has collected Rs 90 lakh as penalty from the ones who were caught excavating various riverbeds within the district limits for this year and are hoping to cross the collection of last year which was Rs 1.9 crore.

The sources revealed that there are only six sub-divisions in the district under which just 10 regional mining in charges are working and that too they are not equipped with the

departmental resource such as conveyance as well as with police forced during their duties. Recently, some of the officers were attacked by the illegal miners, who are still absconding.

Sources claimed that officers had always feared of their life when they were deployed for surprise inspection. They affirmed that according to the norms of mining, the trespassers could be fined only Rs 25,000 and this is the reason they repeatedly indulge in mining.

Some of the officials said there is the need to increase the amount of penalty to put a curb on them, as this is a small amount for them.

Dehradun, August 4
The SGRR Race Course and the SGRR Balawala have been pitted against each other for the final clash of the SGRR Sahodaya Complex Sub-Junior Football Tournament being played at the Race Course.

Both the teams won their respective semifinals today for registering the final berth. The SGRR Balawala defeated SGRR Bindal 2-0 with ease in the second semifinal.

Lalit (17th minute) and Gaurav (28th) netted a goal each in the win of Balawala.

Earlier in the first semifinal, the SGRR Race Course faced tough competition from the SGRR Talab but managed to beat the latter with 4-3 in the tiebreaker round.

Both the sides scored two goals each in the stipulated time. Deepak (52th) and Charul (56th) found the target for Race Course while Karan (31st) and Shubham (32nd) scored for the Talab team.