Nainital, September 30
Making its stand clear on the controversy over the arrival of rotten foodgrains in Haldwani, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has stated that it is not issuing any stock directly for public distribution and instead it is the state government that is lifting the stocks from the FCI for the purpose, after satisfying itself with the quality and quantity of the foodgrains.

The FCI statement comes in the light of former minister and senior Congress leader Indira Hridayesh demanding action against those officials responsible for the delivery of rotten wheat to Kumaon that was meant for disaster-hit areas of the region. She had stated that the wheat was procured by the FCI from an agency in Punjab, which has delivered a heavy consignment of thousands of quintal of rotten wheat to Haldwani. The delivery has angered the masses in the region who are already facing a shortage of foodgrains in the remote corners. A team of the FCI officials has reportedly arrived from Noida to probe the matter.

Clarifying the stance, FCI General Manager Sudeep Singh has stated, “Uttarakhand is a deficit state as far as wheat is concerned and the FCI is regularly getting the foodgrains from Punjab and Haryana to meet the requirements of the state. There is no specific allocation for flood-affected or for the disaster areas of the state”.

He has further stated that the FCI never supplies any sub-standard foodgrains to the state government for the Public Distribution System (PDS). “In Uttarakhand, Food and Civil Supplies Department of the Government of Uttarakhand is lifting the stocks from the FCI for further distribution at their end. Senior Marketing Inspector (SMI) of the Civil Supplies Department certify the quality and quantity of the foodgrains before lifting,” he added.

The FCI has claimed that the stocks, which are not as per the specifications, were never issued for the public distribution and the FCI has a procedure to declare it as non-issueable and dispose it of as damaged foodgrains. But in no case, such stocks are issued for the public distribution. Similar treatment is being given to the sub-standard stocks received from Punjab. 

Mussoorie, September 30
Some senior BJP leaders in the town have alleged gross misappropriation and corruption in the installation of late Deen Dayal Upadhyay statue at the Landour Bazar here.

Responding to the RTI filed by senior BJP leader and former Mussoorie president Ami Chand Mangla, in which he had sought information on the amount paid to the contractor on the construction, beautification and installation of the statue at a park in Landour, the Nagar Palika authority informed that Rs 45,000 were estimated for the supply and fixing of the statue with the size 21/2 feet.

Mangla alleged that such a small statue could not cost that much and some financial embezzlement had taken place in the contract. He said the original statue was of around 4.5 feet, but the statue installed was of only 2.5 feet raising the doubts further.

Palika President OP Uniyal sensing the gravity of the situation as Upadhyay was revered by all in the BJP, had called for an investigation headed by the Executive Officer.

Landour Bazar ward member said he was unaware of any financial embezzlement in the purchase of Deen Dayal Upadhyay statue.

This Correspondent has also learnt that some irms had suggested renovating the park at a much lower cost which was rejected by the Palika due to unknown reasons. The corruption charges levied y its own party members have created uproar in the town and residents are eagerly awaiting the inquiry report. 

Dehradun, September 30
Laksar MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh claimed damage worth Rs 300 crorein the Khanpur Laksar region.

Singh said the floods had caused extensive damages to the Khanpur Laksar areas, particularly involving loss of livestock. He said small bridges in Bhagwanpur, culvert at Laksar Bhurna, two small bridges on the Raysee Giddawali road and another small bridge connecting Gidhawali to Balawali in the Khandpur Laksar area had been completely damaged.

He said he had written to the Chief Minister seeking special assistance for the area. He pointed out that the region between the Ganga and the Solanee river had faced the worst wrath due to the rains.

The Laksar MLA said embankments too had been breached at a number of places in the Ganga and needed immediate repair to avoid a major tragedy in near future. He also called for timely distribution of relief and compensation. He demanded waiver off loans and electricity bills. 

Pitthoragarh, September 30
The Dharchula sub-division administration and trade officials meant for the Indo-Tibet Border trade are worried as heavy snowfall is making it difficult to cross the Lipulekh Pass as 180 Indian tribal traders are still in Tibet for taking part in border trade.

“This year the snowfall beyond Gunji is witnessing more than that of last years, but our 180 traders are still in Tibet as the trade will conclude on October 31,” said Dr Abhisekh Tripathi, Dharchula SDM.

“Our worries have stimulated when our team visited Sitapur at Garbiyan and found that the bridge is cracking up and leaned towards Nepal side and has become very risky,” said the SDM.

According to information, the wooden bridge at Garbiyan is the only source of travel between India and Nepal in this remote border area. “If this vital bridge washes away, people will have to travel 56 km downward at Dharchula,” said the SDM. As per Tripathi, a total of 182 Indian traders have gone to Tibet on September 20 and only two out of them have returned so far. “Rest of the 180 traders are still in Tibet,” said Tripathi, adding that so far the Indian traders had imported Tibetan goods worth Rs 1,08,86,077 and exported goods worth Rs 21,85,745, through this trade which was resumed in 1992 and runs every year through the 17,500-ft-high Lipulekh Pass.

Dehradun, September 30
As though complementing each other, the crisscross lines on Binduwati’s face also tell a tale of life gone haywire.

Abandoned by her family members in the sunset of her life, Binduwati’s abode for the past few months has been the Vanprasth Ashram, an old-age home where she plans to breath her last.

Along with Binduwati Chamoli, six other women in their 70s live together at the old-age home, a safety net from domestic quarrels, tenuous relationship and apathy.

Most of these women live together, eat together, even share their accommodation at a price that is at once within their means and comfortable.

“The ashram is part of the Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Ashram that was established in 1945 by Saraswati Soni and Acharya Vidyavati. It continues to attract women from all over the country. The problem of abandonment is no longer a western phenomena. It has reached our country and ruining our culture. What we give these women is hope and a place where they do not feel neglected and enjoy quality life,” said Ish Ahuja, president of the ashram.

If Binduwati was abandoned by her family members, Kamla Sethi, a resident of Khatoli, did not want to be a burden on her family members. So 12 years ago she decided to come down to the ashram. “Till a few years back I shared a room with another woman from Mussoorie, who passed away last year. Now I am all by myself. Otherwise I lead a comfortable life. Except for my failing eyesight, I am keeping good health. The eyesight is worrisome as I am unable to teach young girls who also stay in the other portion of the ashram,” said Kamla Sethi.

Search her further and she willingly accepts that it was her personal choice to shift to the ashram and has no qualms whatsoever with her family members. “I am happy with my situation. I did not want to have a troubled relationship with my family members. It is a choice that people with high self-esteem usually take,” said Sethi.

Most of these women are early risers and spend the morning hours in meditation and pottering around the ashram. “Together we have planted trees and it is a joy to behold them. Most of us spend time watching television and movies and even go out for walks. Life is certainly better for me as I was a victim of domestic violence,” said Anti Monga, a resident of Delhi.

The ashram depends on generous donations from donors and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). “We have an accommodation for 16 women and one can live here paying a monthly rent of Rs 1,600 (single room) and Rs 350 for dormitory,” said Preeti Arya, superintendent of the ashram.