Haridwar, December 10
Resentment is growing among Vishwakarma community members over the issue of the demolition of the Vishwakarma ashram building in Haridwar. A section of the community have formed a committee to press for the resignation of Vinod Arya, Cabinet rank minister in the Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank-led state ministry.

The committee, named the Vishwakarma Ashram Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, has accused Arya of trying to grab the ashram land by misusing power. Holding a press conference in this regard, samiti members warned that they would not allow the ashram property to be registered in the name of a single person as it belonged to the common trust property.

“On one hand the BJP is supporting the cause of Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, on the other a minister in its state government is trying to capture the Vishwakarma ashram property, which is a heritage for the community,” said Dushyant Kumar Dhiman.

Terming it as a matter of shame for the state government and a disregard to the community, general secretary of the samit Pushphraj Dhiman said though an investigation in this regard was made by the then District Magistrate in 2006, after completion of nearly five years no submission of the investigation report had been made owing to the dilly-dallying attitude of the state government.

Now, the committee members have decided to put the issue before Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and will be submitting a memorandum to him in this regard.

“The illegal intentions of Vinod Arya misusing his position will be revealed to party chief Nitin Gadkari too and even if he takes no action then we will be forced to take to streets,” said Pushphraj. Among others present were Bhopendra Vishwakarma, Trilok Chand Kaushik, Arun Dhiman, Vinay Dhiman and Munesh Dhiman. 

Dehradun, December 10
Uttarakhand Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RBS Rawat has sought greater collaboration from the Dehradun centre of Zoological Survey of India towards enriching faunal wealth of the hill state of Uttarakhand.

Addressing the concluding programme of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Northern Regional Centre of Zoological Survey of India in Dehradun today, Dr Rawat said the Uttarakhand Forest Department could be greatly benefited due to the presence of Northern Regional Office of the ZSI in Dehradun.

“A closer collaboration between the state Forest Department and the ZSI, Dehradun, could of immense benefit for faunal diversity of Uttarakhand,” Dr Rawat observed. He stressed upon the adoption and propagation of the researches done by the ZSI.

Director, Zoological Survey of India, AK Sanyal dwelt on the activities of the ZSI throughout the country. He appreciated the Northern Regional Centre of the ZSI for its excellent work activities.

Additional Director, ZSI Northern Centre, PT Bhutia said since its establishment in 1960, the centre had been studying the faunal diversity using both traditional and modern tools. He said a study on water birds of the North India, Indian wetland birds and their conservation and habitat suitability analysis of Chinkara were some of the significant achievements of the department.

A ZSI scientist, Dr Arachana Bahuguna, compered the proceedings. As part of the golden jubilee celebrations, the ZSI throughout the year conducts a number of programmes with special emphasis on schoolchildren. 

Nainital, December 10
Even as a decision from the state High Court is awaited on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the matter, the Congress has sought the intervention of state Governor Margaret Alva in initiating a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the controversial Citurgia Bio-chemicals land use case.

A large number of Congress workers handed over a memorandum addressed to the Governor through the local administration here today seeking a CBI probe ito the matter.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state, led by Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, has been on the defensive on the matter that has been gathering political steam by the day.

After the controversial decision of the government on cancellation of hydro power projects, the Nishank Government has been in the eye of the storm over this land use issue which is refusing to die down despite the government withdrawing the permission given to the company concerned.

Party leaders have been clearly on the back foot on the issue and have not managed to give convincing replies when confronted on the matter.

The government has gone to the extent of hiring special counsel who have been practicing in the Supreme Court and other High Courts to get out of the situation it finds itself in.

The Congress leadership is out to encash the issue and is claiming that the people of the state are in no mood to forgive the government on this issue. They intend to raise the issue at all public forums. 

Nainital, December 10
Taking a serious view of the problem of effluent treatment in the industrial areas of Udham Singh Nagar, the District Magistrate (DM), Dr BVRC Purshottam, has asked Resident Engineer PC Joshi to carry out an inspection of the effluent treatment pant (ETP) at the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal (SIDCUL) facility in Sitarganj within the next 10 days.

He said those industrial units found not following the norms related to effluent treatment would be facing action. The District Magistrate also called upon the entrepreneurs to keep a watch on the works being done to connect the SIDCUL area with the National Highway 74.

Addressing a meeting of industrialists at Rudrapur, Purshottam asked General Manager BR Arya and Regional Manager NC Pant of SIDCUL to organise meetings over the next fortnight to discuss issues related to the clearance of cases pertaining to pollution control, functioning of air service from Pantnagar and construction of the Pantnagar-Nagla bypass.

He said a sum of Rs 38.57 lakh had been sought for repairs of roads and drains in the Kashipur industrial area, and pointed out that the works would begin once the money was sanctioned.

Purshottam asked the officials of the various departments to resolve the issues pertaining to industrial units and asked Fire Officer SS Yadav to ensure that all industrial units adhere to the fire safety norms that are laid out. He also sought the help of Kumaon Garhwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) in this matter. Executive Engineer of SIDCUL CS Bhatt has been asked to get the hoardings on the road joining the SIDCUL area with the town removed and to get speed breakers constructed on it.

It was informed at the meeting that steps were being taken to make the road from Haridwar to Sitarganj four lane and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has finished a survey for the same. 

Pithoragarh, December 10
State Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar has expressed his concern over non-utilisation of Rs 260.75 lakh allotted under natural disaster relief between June to October this year in the state.

He has also ordered the district officers to immediately release this money to the needy departments. Pithoragarh District Magistrate NS Negi, quoting video conference of the Chief Secretary, stated this here today.

“The Chief Secretary has expressed his concern, especially over the removal of debris from fertile fields of small formers, constructing motor roads by PWD and reconstruction of urban infrastructure and reconstruction of damaged irrigation infrastructure, education, medical and power sector,” said DM.

“We will start working on priority basis as soon as we get the money,” said Negi. “We have sanctioned all projects submitted by the PWD and the Power Department out of Rs 15.19 crore allotted to us so far under the disaster relief,” said DM.

Dehradun, December 10
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched the official website of the Uttarakhand Bar Council in Dehradun today. The Chief Minister also announced the construction of a hostel in Nainital for the advocates reaching the lake city from other parts of the state. He reiterated his government was committed to working for the overall welfare of the advocates and their families.

Inaugurating the official website www.barcouncilofindia.org of the Uttarakhand Bar Council, Dr Nishank said the council should actively participate in the developmental activities of the state.

He said a National Law University in Nainital was being set up with a view to ensuring that the youth of the state got proper opportunities of growth and progress in the field of law. He added with a view to facilitating a speedy and easy justice to the public, appropriate amount of funds were being made available to the district courts as well as the Nainital High Court.

Extending his support to the advocates who do their judiciary-linked works in Hindi, the Chief Minister said the all-round development of the country was in the development and progressive usage of Hindi.

Special guest and senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana said the launch of the website was an endeavour of making the advocates tech savvy. President of the State Bar Council Razia Beig said the launch of the website would benefit the advocates working in the far-flung areas of the state.

She added that the website would contain the detailed account of all member advocates, so that the people might choose the advocate as per their choice and requirements.

She also said the website would also have the registration form of the Bar Council.

The Bar Council of Uttarakhand conferred the Paryavaran Purush title on Dr Nishank in view of the work done by him in the field of environment conservation as well as the overall development of the state. President of the Dehradun Bar Council Manmohan Kandwal was present on the occasion. 

Haridwar, December 10
Safeguarding human rights is imperative for a democratic society. State Cabinet Minister for Irrigation Matbar Singh Kandari stated this at a function held in Devpura.Kandari said human rights were essential for providing justice, freedom and peace. “There should be no bias on the basis of caste, creed, regionalism and nationality,” he said.

While at another function held by the Human Rights helpline, its members reiterated association’s objectives in helping the downtrodden, poor and lower strata of society.

Speaking on the occasion, district organisational secretary Uday Ram Semwal said, “A section of society, particularly the poor people do not know their rights, be it fundamental or human rights, which is a cause of worry. Achievements of the human right defenders should be highlighted.”

Dehradun, December 10
As part of his commitment to improve working condition of lower forest staff engaged at protection of wildlife at lower levels, Tiger Conservation Authority Panel head Bijendra Singh has distributed over 500 jackets to forest ground staff at two key protected areas of Jim Corbett and Rajaji National Parks.

A total of 385 jackets were handed over to the Corbett staff while 180 jackets were provided to the Rajaji guards. Reaffirming his commitment for bringing better work conditions for foresters working at lower levels, Bijendra Singh said wildlife could only be safe in forests when those protecting it got better work conditions. He said in place like Uttarakhand where wintry chill certainly proved a big challenge for forest guards, jackets certainly could be their pride possession.

Bijendra Singh, who funded the jackets on his own, has been very vocal for proper rehabilitation package of Van Gujjars residing in tiger habitats in Uttarakhand. He admitted that lower forest staff face enormous challenges on ground. While summers put forest guards and their other subordinate staff on their toes, they face another challenge in braving chilly Uttarakhand winters,” Bijendra argued.

Also a National Wildlife Board member, Bijendra Singh is a resident of Mussoorie. As part of National Tiger Conservation Panel recent visit to Uttarakhand, Bijendra Singh had asked the state authorities for ensuring inclusion of Lansdowne forest division into Corbett. He also described Corbett Lansdowne corridor as a vital link for support of tiger population in the region.