Dehradun, December 1
Following objections raised by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, two mining projects enlisted on the Song river by the Uttaranchal Forest Development Corporation (UAFDC) in October 2009 have been withheld for another three months.

In these three months, the corporation will work on the objections which will further be studied by an expert panel of the union ministry for final approval.

The corporation had placed 13 projects, out of which only two were selected for consideration by the ministry.

Anil Kumar Dutt, Managing Director, UAFDC, said, “There are basically two big observations made by the forest panel which are related to the wildlife institutions of India.”

“They have ordered an intensive study to ascertain whether mining activity would put any adverse effect on wildlife and has further suggested measures to minimise those effects.

“Secondly, they also probed about the existence of any corridor of movement for wildlife in the area and said that if there are any, then ways should be found for the protection of wildlife in those corridors.”

Dutt said that the UAFDC had been carrying out all their research work related to various projects, soil conservation activity in catchments area, plantation drive to improve the land area with the collaboration of the Soil and Water Research and Training Institute, a wing of the forest ministry.

But despite taking all these precautions, if the objections were further raised on their projects, then it showed over-concern of some of the members of the panel, he added saying that he would nevertheless follow all instructions as imposed by the forest ministry.

The environment ministry was though satisfied with the 100-page report of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) presented by the UAFDC. The report delineated different parameters to be taken to protect wildlife, the extent of suspended dust particles in the air, safety norms for labourers and impact of transport on flora and fauna.

The other 11 projects enlisted for consideration are mining on Sharda and Kirodanala rivers in Chamavat district, Nandaur, Uppar Nandaur, Gola, Kosi, Dabka, Nihal in Nainital, Jakhan in Dehradun, two projects on the Chanderbhaga river which is partly in Tehri Garhwal and partly in Dehradun.

Mussoorie, December 1
Citizens of the town woke up today in shock when they received pamphlets distributed inside newspapers citing several irregularities committed by the Nagar Palika President and ward members.

The pamphlets were distributed by Amichand Mangla, Anil Goyal, Praseep Bhandari, Ajay Uniyal and RP Badoni. They had alleged that Palika President OP Uniyal and a few members were indulging in rampant embezzlement of public money.

They alleged that the Palika had granted Uniyal’s brother-in-law the contract of road construction worth several lakhs. The second allegation in the pamphlet was that the historic Clock Tower at Landour Bazar was demolished by the Palika Mussoorie to benefit one individual. It also said the irregularities committed in the 2009 Autumn Festival had also been proved in the investigation conducted by the administration.

The other allegations against the Palika were that it was distributing contracts for areas that were outside its purview and that many tenders had been awarded in advance following corrupt practices. The pamphlet also alleged that several roads that only needed patch works were being re-laid just to usurp the Palika money in connivance certain contractors. Amichand Mangla said the Palika had indulged in illegal construction of the house and shop near a primary school on the Camel’s Back Road for which the demolition orders had also been passed; the financial embezzlement in awarding computerisation of the Mall Road barrier; irregularities in erecting the Deen Dayal Upadhyay statue at the park in Landour Bazar; and giving permission to the Food Court construction at the Company Garden.

Ward members led by Kedar Singh Chauhan, Jai Kumar Gupta, Sushil Kumar and others responding to the pamphlet episode burnt the effigy of the publishers at the Picture Palace and demanded severe action against them.

Speaking to the media, they said the five members who had published the pamphlets had raised false issues and were trying to malign the Palika and its ward members. He also said the Palika was contemplating lodging an FIR against the said people and carry out a mass movement against them. The Hotel Karamcharis group supported by Chauhan was also present at the burning of the effigy and demanded from the Palika that the it should remove the encroachment done by Kamal Bhandari at the Gun Hill immediately.

Palika President OP Uniyal said the members who had published the pamphlet had lost their mind as their PIL was dismissed in the High Court. He said he would seek the advice of lawyers and demand a defamation suit against them soon.

Mussoorie MLA Jot Singh Gunsola said it was unfortunate that such pamphlets highlighting the irregularities of the Palika were distributed. If the points mentioned in the pamphlets were incorrect, severe action should be taken against them. But if the Palika was involved in such irregularities, the government should set up an inquiry.

Mussoorie, December 1
In the Palika Board meeting held yesterday after the dismissal of the PIL filed against Nagar Palika, Mussoorie, in the High Court by its own nominated member who had alleged rampant corruption, Palika members and President OP Uniyal heaved a sigh of relief.

The board meeting was held in an amicable situation and in the absence of nominated member Anil Goyal who did not turn up due to reasons unknown.

Several proposals of public interest were passed unanimously. The board discussed the issue of keeping 40 safai karamcharis on contractual basis and it was decided that only 20 would be kept in winter and the number increased later. Member Virendar Singh Rawat raised the issue that the proposal should have come first through the health committees formed for the purpose. The Palika President also said such a proposal should be cleared by various committees formed by the Palika and then put up in the board meeting.

The Palika also gave the green signal to the housing project for weaker sections at the IDH. A go-ahead was also given to the proposals for buying equipments and material used for health and cleaning purposes.

The members also suggested that the lawyer at the High Court who had bailed them out of the precarious situation in the PIL filed against the Palika should be felicitated in Mussoorie and a defamation suit filed against those who had filed cases to malign the image of the Palika.

Uniyal said he would consult lawyers in this regard and take action in accordance with the law.

The board also passed the construction of two roads in the Cloud End, Jwala Devi and Dudhli areas by transferring these from one site to another.

When questioned about how could work be transferred without re-calling tenders for the different place, the Executive Officer said as the matter was put up before the board, it had full right to accept or refuse the proposal.

In this case the work order had already being passed and if the same contractor was not given the work, it could lead to further delays.

Moreover, the Municipal Act also allowed transfer of the site and the contractors, if people of the area were not interested in the construction of the road.

Pitthoragarh, December 1
Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has agreed that Uttarakhand farmers are troubled as wild animals are damaging their crops.

“Besides other reasons, the attack of wild animals, especially pigs and monkeys in hill areas and Neelgais in Tarai area, is a situation of alarm for the farming community in the state,” said the minister.

The Agriculture Minister said that the government has started a concept of controlled farming in poly-houses in the state under which a sum of Rs 50,000 is being given as subsidy to every poly-house being installed by farmers in the state.

“We are also encouraging wild animal-affected farmers of the state to shift to medicinal, herb and aromatic plant cultivation,” said the minister. The agriculture minister said that to protect crops from wild animals, the agriculture ministry is giving 100 per cent subsidies to villagers in groups to fence their farms in villages situated near forests.

“Our electric fencing scheme has failed after consuming crore of rupees,” said the minister.

The minister agreed that uncertain climatic conditions in the state, which are a result of overall climatic conditions in the Himalayan region, are another reason which are compelling farmers in some areas of the state to leave agriculture.

“This climatic phenomenon needs a deep study before the farming community is given the suggestion about the shifting of timing and pattern of traditional farming methods,” said the minister.

Mussoorie, December 1
Avalon Resort employees sat on a dharna at the Kacheri premises today protesting against the illegal retrenchment drive carried out by the management under the aegis of the Hotel and Restaurant Karamchari Union, Mussoorie. They were protesting against the retrenchment of 11 and transfer of six workers.

The workers also alleged that the management was not letting them enter the premises for their daily chores and had brought goons from Delhi to threaten them with arms and sticks at the gate.

Hotel and Restaurant Karamchari Association president Sobhan Singh Panwar said the management was indulging in nefarious tactics and threatening the employees of dire consequences.

The union leaders said they would carry on the protest till their demands of reinstating the 11 employees was met and also resort to chakka jam and complete shutdown in the town.

Meanwhile, Doon School Karamchari Panchayat Union president Baishak Singh Mishrawan extended his support and said his union would try to provide justice to the protesting employees.

The union leaders would take out a march on December 2 in Mussoorie, said the leaders.

Secretary Samsher Singh Rawat, Patron Darmyan Singh Maher and others were present on the occasion.

On the other hand, General Manager of Avalon Resort Anil Agnihotri said the matter was in the court, so it was not right to comment. However, the management has been acting according to the law and the trade union members were raising frivolous issues.

Haridwar, December 1
In a unanimous decision, the Haridwar Municipal Committee (MC) rolled back its indefinite strike in view of the arrest of violating traders, who created a ruckus at the Executive Officer’s (EO) residence and misbehaved with his wife.

A meeting was held on the MC premises, where union members termed the behaviour of the traders as derogatory and expressed satisfaction on the legal action taken by the administration. They also warned that if such hooliganism and ruckus was repeated in future, they would oppose and take the agitational route.

Union leader Mukul Joshi expressed shock over the ruckus created by the traders at the EO’s residence and termed it as a derogatory act. He said the traders should have discussed the problem with the officer concerned.

Another union leader Surendra Teshwar said the administration should look into the matter, so that such acts were not be repeated in future.

Mussoorie, December 1
The Mussoorie Civil Hospital was shifted to newly constructed block at St Mary’s Hospital near Kulri. Mussoorie MLA Jot Singh Gunsola inaugurated the newly built section. He also met the first patient admitted in the hospital and enquired about his health. The section consists of male and female indoor wards.

Gunsola said he was extremely pleased that the hospital would now function efficiently. He also informed that staff quarters were ready at St Mary’s Indoor Hospital, Gun Hill, and the heritage building adjacent to it would be demolished and reconstructed once again.

Dehradun CMO RK Pant was of the view that the hospital would function on a regular basis, till a combined hospital was constructed.

Meanwhile, all facilities would be provided at the Kulri Hospital. He said after construction, the civil hospital would have 54 beds. Radiologists, eye surgeons and other doctors would also visit the hospital.

Palika President OP Uniyal said the longstanding demand of people had been met. “Now poor patients can benefit from the facilities available at the hospital,” he added.

Pitthoragarh, December 1
A six-member SWAP (sector-wise approach for water supply) delegation of Uttarakhand led by Drinking Water Minister Prakash Pant will leave for Brazil on December 3 to study water distribution system in local bodies in that country.

This information was given by sources in the ministry.

“The six-member delegation managed by the World Bank will see the success of SWAP mode in the local bodies of Brazil that includes water distribution system, sewage disposal and waste water treatment in that country,” said Cabinet minister and leader of the delegation Prakash Pant.

According to the minister, the Uttarakhand delegation includes the Drinking Water Secretary, Finance Director of Swajal Project in the state and officers of the SWAP project, including those of Jal Nigam, Jal Sansthan and Swajal.

“The Uttarakhand delegation will be part of 18 other delegations of various Indian states, where the SWAP mode for drinking water supply is being run by the World Bank,” said the minister.

Dehradun, December 1
The Uttarakhand Parivartan Party will hold a massive demonstration at Almora on December 7.

According to PC Tiwari, president of the party, accused the Uttarakhand government of failing to provide relief to disaster-affected people.

“Despite the passage of nearly three months since the occurrence of rain disaster, the Uttarakhand state government has failed to provide any relief to the victims”, Tiwari pointed out. He said the Parivartan Party members would gathering at Almora to hold the protest.

Tiwari also took the opportunity to blame both the BJP and the Congress of resorting to mis-governance and asserted that the two parties had so far been involved in numerous acts of corruption. He also accused the two of belittling the very reasons that led to the carving out of the hill state of Uttarakhand.

Dehradun, December 1
It was another day of competition for 20 beautiful girls from all over Uttarakhand who are competiting with each other for the title of Miss Uttarakhand, 2010, yesterday.

All young girls gathered at Needs Supermarket before fighting for the title. They were given gift vouchers worth Rs 1,000 by the proprietor of the market and asked to shop according to their needs.

The girls were also given marks according to the shopping they had done.

Later in the day, Javed (beauty expert, JBCC Lounge), along with his team, judged the skin of the girl for the sub-title Miss Beautiful Skin. The name of the winner will be declared on the finale of the contest.

IMA cadets stage a play “Arms and the Man” in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, December 1
“Arms and the Man”, an English play, was staged at the Khetarpal Auditorium of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today. Lt-Gen RS Sujlana, Commandant, IMA, witnessed the play, along with his wife Rashmi Sujlana. The play was also watched by cadets and officers with their families.

“Arms and the Man” is written by George Bernard Shaw and was first produced on April 21, 1894, at the Avenue Theatre in London.

The play was staged by the Academic Department of the IMA directed by Major Anuradha Sharma and assisted by Capt Prasun Kanti Goswami.

Dehradun, December 1
Uttarakhand Congress Committee today extended support to the ongoing agitation by the Minor Traders’ Association, against the Haridwar MC, alleging rampant corruption over the allotment of shops.

In a statement issued today, Secretary, Uttarakhand Congress Committee, Vijay Singh Chauhan said the Congress has always stood for honesty and would not tolerate any form of corruption. “The BJP-run MC is trying to benefit its workers in the allotment of shops,” he said. Chauhan said the state has seen a record number of scams under the BJP rule.