Dehradun, August 14
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today visited Bhatwari village in Uttarkashi district and announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 50,000 to those whose houses were completely damaged in the landslip that occurred on Friday following heavy rains.

The Chief Minister asked the district officials to shift the affected families immediately to the offices of the Pala Maneri and make a plan to shift the entire market of Bhatwari town.

He also enquired about the Char Dham pilgrims stranded on the Gangotri route. He asked Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials to work to repair the main highway affected by the major landslip that has affected the Gangotri route.

The Chief Minister also directed the officials to make alternate arrangements to send the stranded pilgrims to Rishikesh. 

Dehradun, August 14
Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today urged for the cancellation of the NTPC constructed Loharinag Pala Hydro Project.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Dr Nishank urged him to cancel the project being constructed in Uttarkashi district.

The Chief Minister has also asked the Prime Minister for providing free-of-cost 2,000 MW power for the all-round development keeping in view the adverse geographical conditions in the state.

He also reminded that the state government by itself had scrapped the proposed Pala Maneri and Bhairo Ghati Hydro Projects one and a half years back keeping the popular opinion of people and the environment factor in mind.

Dr Nishank said the Loharinag Pala Project would lead to the construction of a 16-km-long tunnel for diverting the Ganga which according to him was against the sentiments of the people and also against the environment.

Dehradun, August 14
BS Ramashish, All-India Organising Secretary (Chief), Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Uttarakhand, has cautioned the Centre against the passage of the Seed Bill and Bio Technology Regulatory Authority Bill without addressing the issues confronting farmers.

Speaking to mediapersons today, Ramashish said the Seed Bill that was drafted in 2004 had several loopholes those should be addressed in the interest of the farmers and so also the Bio Technology Regulatory Authority Bill.

“The Bill is silent on price control and it doesn’t have any mechanism to compensate the farmer in case he gets poor quality seeds. Besides, the Bill calls for registration of seed sellers and nursery plant sellers, any non-registered farmer is bound to be punished if he trys to sell seeds and plants. This is against the small farmers. As of now, only big players will be able to sell seeds and plants,” he said.

He said the government should address these issues before passing the Bill. Similarly, the Bio Technology Regulatory Authority Bill is aiming towards providing single window for GM food.

“The entry of Bt Brinjal was criticised by the farmers and even citizens and many of us are not comfortable with the concept of GM food,” he said.

Ramashish also castigated the government for keeping it out of the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) and even the state government has no say in the Bill,” said Ramashish.

He also welcomed the move to end sugar levy, adding that it should benefit the farmers and not companies.

Dehradun, August 14
To strengthen the party in the state, state Mahila Congress Committee president Sarojini Kaintura today nominated 16 vice-presidents, 18 general secretaries, 49 secretaries, one treasurer, two spokespersons, five members of the Advisory Committee and 13 members to the Mahila Congress Committee.

She said newly appointed office-bearers would help in achieving the target of 1.5 lakh women members in the state, prior to the assembly elections. The membership is expected to be complete by October. “Right from the gram panchayat to the wards, the office-bearers have been given responsibility to enlist members to the party and the selection of newly appointed office-bearers has been carried after careful deliberations,” Kaintura said at a press conference.

To increase accountability, she said district presidents of the women’s wing would prepare a report on the progress of the membership drive. She said, “Not only are the directives of the party high command regarding nominating 33 per cent of seats for women in the party organisation being adhered to, but we will also be demanding allocation of 33 per cent of tickets for women for the 2012 assembly elections. We have full support of the high command and will be pressurising the state unit of the Congress to follow the directives,” said Kaintura.

She also sympathised with the BJP women members who had recently demanded more cabinet ranks for women.

Nainital, August 14
Uttarakhand politicians have been gradually earning the reputation of degrading the level of politics in the state. The region that has produced stalwarts like Gobind Ballabh Pant and Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna has been witnessing mudslinging over the past decade since its inception and such mudslinging bouts are being carried out in the name of political battles.

The latest in the series is to drag the name of Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank with regards to a petition filed in the high court in which he is nowhere named as a respondent. Instead Opposition parties are going hammer and tongs demanding his ouster on the roads.

The alleged involvement of state politicians in sex scandals has become a sort of routine and the image of politicians amongst common people has been taking a regular beating. Just a few months back, former Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari was allegedly involved in a sex scandal that had seen his departure as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh. He is also facing a paternity suit in the courts.

Things had come to a pass that Tiwari had become the central character of jokes that the people had started circulating on the mobiles. This had been preceded by the alleged involvement of a couple of ministers in former Chief Minister BC Khanduri’s cabinet, including Ajay Tamta and Madan Kaushik, in sex scandals. Present leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat, too, had figured in the now infamous Jenny sex scandal and had to resign from the ministry in the previous regime.

Not only their alleged involvements in sex scandals, the conduct of politicians in the political sphere also has been contentious. For example, in a state where villages are deprived of the basic health-care infrastructure, the present Chief Minister during his tenure in the Health Ministry had gone ahead to sanction large sums of money to locate the mythological “Sanjeevni Booti”. More recently a cabinet minister demanded that he be allowed to inaugurate a postmortem house in Ramnagar and further going ahead demanded why a pandit was not present during the inaugural ceremony.

People are agitated over the fact that development and public welfare are nowhere on the priority of the political class in the state. During the past three years, the state has witnessed several instances of politicians attacking the police force only to be given a sanction to go scot-free from the top echelons of the political circuit.

The state assembly is said to be one of the top-ranking assemblies in the country when it comes to having a far lesser number of sittings than it is supposed to have. For example, the state assembly managed to have a sitting of a mere 20 days in 2008, which was woefully short of the sittings recommended for the state which is amongst the youngest in the Indian democracy.

According to officials of the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, the state assembly is supposed to meet for, at least, a period of 60 days, but this condition has never been met.

Commenting on the state of affairs, eminent historian and social activist Shekhar Pathak points out, “If we study the old records we have had politicians from this region alone who asked no less than 30 questions in a single session when they were a member of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) assembly. Such people are nowhere to be seen these days”.

Pathak further says that the masses are a disillusioned lot and they might go the undesired path unless the political class mends its ways to address the genuine problems of people they represent. 

Dehradun, August 14
Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said in the changing times, the Press Trust of India (PTI) had managed to retain credibility and upheld standards 
in journalism.

Speaking at the national executive conference of the Federation of PTI Employees Union here, Dr Nishank said the organisation continued to practise high standards of journalism. “So many new media organisations and newspapers have come and yellow journalism is openly practised, but the PTI has never indulged in such activities. Most newspapers indulge in character assassination of public figures or individuals, without verifying facts. It is not healthy journalism and should be avoided,” he said.

While Harbans Kapoor, Speaker of the state assembly, congratulated the PTI for selecting Dehradun for hosting the venue. “I am optimistic that the organisation will spread it’s services in other centres,” he said.

In all, 60 delegates are participating in the three-day conference that will deliberate on role of the PTI in the changing scenario.

Haridwar, August 14
As per the tradition of communal brotherhood in the pilgrim district of Haridwar, communal tension that had eclipsed the commencement of the holy festival of Ramzan in Lakshar tehsil was a short eclipse as both communities came together to see that the situation didn’t aggravate further.

Today there was no such untoward incident reported as normalcy returned to the disturbed place amidst strict police vigil.

From last evening till late this evening, the situation in Lakshar was under control with both communities coming under a joint banner taking out a peace march along city routes giving the message of peace and brotherhood that the holy Mah-e-Ramzan stands for.

Much credit should be given to the district administration for taking prompt and effective steps to control the situation which got fuelled with anti-social and fascists elements pitching in from both community sides, the reason being that accidentally a tempo had gone out of control hitting several namaazis on the road offering Ramzan’s first namaz (holy prayer).

Muslim cleric Mufti Riyasat Ali, in an appeal to both communities, said the holy month of Ramzan comes with peace and prosperity and everyone should respect it. Riyasat Ali also urged Muslims not to believe and react to any unconfirmed news.

Hindu pundits, who are a part of the Shanti Suraksha Samiti, also urged people to restrain themselves from falling into the trap of anti-social elements, as the sole motive of the latter was to destroy communal harmony and brotherhood existing among the two communities in Haridwar, which is world renowned for its pilgrim significance as well as common brotherhood that people from various communities live here together.

It is pertinent to mention here that in Haridwar, which is mostly associated with Hindu pilgrimages, is also host to several other religions and has a sizeable number of Muslims living here peacefully post-Independence.

Such is the mutual brotherhood and harmony between the two communities that since Independence there has been no communal riot in Haridwar. So whenever there seems to be any riot-like situation taking place or the situation getting out of control, it has been controlled both by the efforts of the administration and responsible persons from both communities.

Last year too, communal tension had prevailed in the Kumbh city during the holy Kanwar Yatra which was put down by the timely intervention of the administration and representatives from both communities. On the night of July 11 last year, miscreants had ransacked a religious place of a particular community in the Shivalik Nagar area which saw violent reactions from the affected community and it got aggravated as both sides turned up in large numbers. That time too the administration acted sensibly by forming a peace community from both sides while using force to curb anti-social elements trying to fuel communal tension.

In view of the tense atmosphere and specially in the month of Ramzan, heavy police personnel have been deployed in the Jwalapur area and police vehicles are patrolling the whole area. Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Gunjiyal has warned that anyone found violating the law or trying to fuel communal violence will be strictly dealt.

Dehradun, August 14
The response to the State Illness Assistance Fund created to help poor patients suffering from life-threatening diseases continues to be lukewarm in the 12 districts, while in Dehradun the scheme is proving to be a big help for the patients.

The poor response in the remaining districts is being attributed to multiple channels of clearance and poor advertisement of the scheme. “The patients get weary as the clearance for cash has to be sought even from the treasury that leads to delay and disinterest,” said a district official.

However, the fund came to the aid of Dwajweer of Kalsi who was diagnosed with cancer recently. His family members ran from pillar to the post requesting friends and family members to help them, but nothing came their way, until they approached the Doon Hospital authorities for taking benefit from the fund. The government spent Rs 1.50 lakh on his illness. Since 2005, a total of 137 persons have been benefited from the fund.

“The State Illness Relief Fund was created in 2003 with an initial deposit of Rs 50 lakh contributed by the state. Poor patients possessing BPL cardholders can benefit from the fund. The government has increased the annual contribution to Rs 1 crore,” informed Dr RK Pant, CMS, Doon Hospital.

The District Illness Assistance Fund Managing Committee has been constituted to oversee the fund allocation and ensuring that the selected members fall in the BPL category. The District Magistrates are chairmen of the committee in each district. “The patients can utilise the funds in case of serious accidents, unnatural calamities and life-threatening diseases like heart disease, AIDS, surgery, serious mental illness, brain tumour, total hip replacement and spinal surgeries, major vascular surgery, bone marrow transplantation, kidney transplantation, major vascular surgery and corneaplasti,” said Dr RK Pant.

To avail financial aid, the patient undergoes medical check-up at the District Hospital, where the entire financial assessment concerning the medical treatment is made, then he is referred to the hospital concerned where the treatment is available. In all, there are 18 hospitals and institutions where the patient can undergo treatment, two more have been added recently. The three hospitals that have been selected in Dehradun are CMI Hospital, Mahant Indresh Hospital and Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust and Jolly Grant Hospital.

Dehradun, August 14
The contentious issue of allocation of land for a new burial ground for the Muslim community in Dehradun may be inching towards resolution with the formation of a committee comprising representatives from various strata of life, but the discontentment over the issue is still far from over.

Latafat Hussain, senior leader of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) and member of the committee, has accused the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) for playing a dubious role in the whole issue. “We were shown a vacant plot of 65 bigha in front of the Tehri Hydro Dam Colony near Lohiya Nagar a year ago, out of which 13 bigha was fixed for the burial ground. But later, the corporation started a drive to remove encroacher, who were people of the Muslim community settled on the banks of the river, in the name of creating a new burial ground. It created quite a stir among them as they opposed not only corporation people, but also those who were supporting the new burial ground, which meant us,” said Hussain. It was wrong to do so as firstly, that part of the land was never intended for a burial ground, and secondly, it was a conspiracy by the corporation to get rid of the encroachers under the excuse of a new burial ground. It was equally scathing to tarnish our image before people of our own community, he complained.

Hussain also made it clear that even if that piece of land near the bank of the river was offered to them, they would decline it, as at such places water was likely to ooze out after digging of 3 to 4 ft ground, whereas it required a digging of 7 ft to bury corpses. He also said even in the long term such a land was not considered safe and ideal.

The matter has been hanging fire for more than a year as the corporation failed to evacuate that land from the encroachers.

Mayor Vinod Chamoli, too, had been talking about the stiff resistance posed by residents of the area who were not letting the new burial ground get ready. But Hussain created ripples saying that the said land was never in question for a new burial ground. The Mayor could not be contacted for his phone remained switched off, while the office remained closed due to public holiday on second Saturday.

The Muslim community had been demanding a new burial ground for many years as the only burial ground situated at Chander Nagar in the city and built and managed by the Wakf Board is no longer in position to take loads of the burgeoning population of the community which has escalated up to one lakh in the city itself. The community wanted the state government to allot land for a new burial ground and provide the related infrastructure, like boundary wall around the land, tubewell and a road leading to the burial ground. The Mayor, too, approved Rs 10 lakh a year ago but the matter got stuck for long thereafter.

It was after Hussain, who met the Mayor twice in the past one month withp members of his organisation, Tanzim-e-Rehnuma-e-Millet, that the ball was set rolling to float a committee of like-minded people from different sections of the Muslim society to moot a possible solution to the problem. Names of 19 persons, which also include prominent people like Shehar-Kazi and active socialite Dr Farooq, were submitted to the Mayor a couple of days ago.

Dehradun, August 14
On the occasion of the 55th Foundation Day of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a newly constructed building of Shishu Vihar on its premises, was inaugurated. Governor Margaret Alva was the chief guest of the occasion who inaugurated the institution.

Stating that the newly constructed building for children from Nursery to KG is an initiative of the ONGC’s Officers Mahila Samiti under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), RS Sharma, Chief Managing Director, ONGC, welcomed eminent guests and appreciated the endeavours of the samiti in shaping the future, specially of the girl child.

Addressing the gathering, Alva said, “Shishu Vihar will be a boon for working women as their children will learn to climb the steps of education with good facilities in a clean and beautiful environment. The school will play a vital role in molding and shaping the future of children. I hope that the school will go a long way in eradicating the rising disparity among the different sections of the society,” she asserted.

Rashmi Sharma, chairperson of the samiti and patron of Shishu Vihar, said keeping in mind their inquisitive nature, the moral character of the children would be developed in this institution while teaching according to the Montessori pattern of education.

Mussoorie, August 14
The Naag Panchami festival was celebrated with fervour and gaiety at Naag Mandir on the Hathipaon Road, 5 km from Mussoorie, today.

Devotees, largely consisting of women folk from around the region, gathered at the temple to worship and pay obeisance to Lord Naag Raj, incarnate of Lord Shiva. The priest of the Naag Devta Temple offered prayers and ordained the figurine of the Naag devta early morning accompanied with prayers. The devotees offered milk, fruits and sweets on the occasion.

A bhandara was organised by the Naag Devta Mandir Committee for the devotees. The 14-day Maha Shiv Puran katha also came to an end today.

As per committee president Kripal Singh Thapli, the Naag Mandir is revered around the region and is more than 200 years old. It was found by the villagers by chance when they saw a cow shed milk at one of the stones around the area. The stone since then is revered as Naag Devta.

MLA Jot Singh Gunsola, Palika President OP Uniyal and former Palika President Manmohan Singh Mall also sought the blessings of the lord on the occasion.

Mussoorie, August 14
A couple was grievously injured as their vehicle Maruti Esteem no DL3CH9902 overturned near Big-Bend, Durga Mata Mandir, and fell into a gorge today.

According to by-standers, the driver of the vehicle lost control of the vehicle and it fell in the deep gorge. The two, Ravi, 24, and Shashi, 21, were rescued with the help of locals and rushed to the hospital in an EMRI 108 Ambulance.

Doctors have stated their condition to be out of danger. The police is investigating the matter on the cause of the accident.