Nainital, February 4
Reacting sharply to attempts at raking up controversies regarding the possession of immovable properties and ration cards by the community, the Tibetan leadership has asserted that whatever the Tibetans have done over more than 50 years of their arrival in India has been as per the law of the land.

Over the couple of days last a controversy of sorts has erupted with reports in a section of the media pointing towards the possession of immovable property by the Tibetans in Nainital and ration cards. The furore created by such media reports has led to the District Administration deciding to look into the matter from all the aspects.

Talking to The Tribune, District Magistrate Shailesh Bagauli said: “I have asked the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) to look into the matter from all the aspects.” He said there were several issues that needed to be considered.

For example there is the concept of the natural born citizen that provides all the rights to anyone born between January 26, 1950, and July 1, 1987. Then there is also the issue of issuing of Indian passports and other documents to the Tibetan people living in India.

It is learnt that the basis of the present controversy is an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking information on the immovable property in Nainital in the possession of Tibetans.

Certain sections with vested interests have jumped onto the bandwagon to stir up a controversy. The Tibetan population sees the entire episode as fallout of the latest controversy surrounding the 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje. The Karmapa is in the centre of controversy following the recovery of nearly $ 1.6 million from a monastery in Dharamsala recently.

When asked for his reaction to the attempts made at stirring up of a controversy regarding the possession of immovable property by the Tibetans in Nainital, President of the Tibetan Refugee Foundation Pema Sithar said: “ Whatever we have done over all these years of our arrival in India is as per the law of the land. We have adhered to all the norms whether it is seeking permission from institutions like the Reserve Bank of India or the others.”

Referring to the questions being raised in connection of ration cards, he pointed out that in places like Dharamsala and Dehradun, the Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets have been allocated to the Tibetans and are being managed by them. “We have obtained the ration cards after applying for them as per the procedure. It is on the basis of these cards that we have got LPG connections and other basic amenities.” He said till a decade back their ration cards were renewed on an annual basis, but later the formality was done away with.

Haridwar, February 4
The State Election Commission has decided to videograph the polling for the three-tier panchayat elections at the sensitive polling booths.

About 615 polling centres (40 per cent) have been earmarked as sensitive and an additional layer of security will be put in place at these centres during the polling from February 12 to 19. Bids have been invited from private companies too to install the CCTV cameras at these sensitive polling centres.

District election officer R Meenakshi Sundaram said keeping in mind various factors like cases of violence in the past, caste-religion aspect and candidates’ profiles, it had been decided to conduct polling at these sensitive polling centers under the CCTV cameras.

Meanwhile, parties have welcomed this step of the administration. State Congress general secretary Santosh Chauhan and BSP legislator from Bahadrabad Mohammed Shahzad point out that this will also keep a tab on anti-social elements and the ruling BJP leaders who could influence the polling officers.

SSP Sanjay Gunjiyal has directed all the police stations to make sure those persons who have licensed arms should deposit these at their respective police stations, and if anyone was found with arms during the elections, then legal action would be taken against him.

Dehradun, February 4
Governor of Uttarakhand Margaret Alva today chaired a meeting of the Uttarakhand State Advisory Board Committee of SPICMACAY, a premier organisation for the promotion of the Indian classical music and culture among the youth, at Raj Bhawan here today.

On the occasion, the Governor said it was important to conserve and propagate the rich cultural heritage of the Indian classical music and dance. Praising the efforts of the organisation, the Governor said in order to make the organisation more purposeful and effective, the members ought to put in more active and coordinated efforts.

The Governor also laid stress on financial empowerment of the organisation and sanctioned Rs 50,000 from her discretionary fund to assist the organisation in its endeavours. The Governor also made a special mention of the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand and its promotion and showcasing by the SPICMACAY.

At this first meeting of the committee, SPICMACAY's founder Dr Kiran Seth gave a detailed account of the aims, objectives and activities of the organisation and informed about its future programmes. Among other issues, the participants also discussed the strategy to provide encouragement to the classical dance and music through the aegis of the society and its practical implementation.

Secretary to the Governor Ashok Pai, Additional Secretary Arun K Dhaundiyal, Vice Chancellor of Doon University Dr Girijesh Pant, Secretary (Education) Manisha Panwar, JS Rawat of KVS, deputy director of LBSNAA, Mussoorie, Ranjana Chopra, principals of several schools, renowned singer Narendra Negi, director of folk arts and culture of HN Bahuguna University Dr DR Purohit, director (culture) Beena Bhatt and volunteers from several organisations were present on the occasion.

Dehradun, February 4
All the bills and finance-related documents, which need the signatures of Assistant Accountant, Accountant, Account Officer and General Manager (Finance) for clearance, are signed by one man - Rajesh Ramola, Assistant Accountant at the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam.

Mere authorisation without power is of no use, feels Ramola. Rather he feels burdened by the baggage of being accountable if anything goes haywire.

“I have been working for the past 15 years as a daily wager. I am not even paid the lowest scale of Rs 4,050 fixed for Assistant Accountant. I am given the scale of Rs 3,050 despite the order released by Rajiv Bhartari, the then Assistant Secretary, Dept of Tourism, to this effect.”

Ramola and 17 others from the accounts department had also knocked on the door of the High Court in Nainital which directed the department concerned to fix the representation of these persons. But they have neither been given any representation nor scale.

Steering clear of the High Court’s order, Rajesh Naithani, GM (Administration), in his letter dated October 2010 made it clear that daily wagers were not eligible for the post and the salary structure.

Ramola said that if they were not eligible for the post and salary structure, then why were they being given tasks to do which were to be carried out by senior officers. “If things go wrong, then I am pulled up, not the officers who are in charge,” he rued.

Since 1970, only 600 employees out of 1,100 are on regular pay scales in the GMVN. As many as 372 posts are lying sanctioned.

VP Gaudiyal, another daily wager in the accounts department working for the past 22 years, said, “Rakesh Sharma, Principal Secretary, had assured us that regular scales will be given to 372 employees against the sanctioned posts on January 31, but nothing happened.

When this correspondent went to meet higher officials in the GMVN for their version, none of them was present on the premises.

Managing Director D Santhiyal Pandiyan, who took over in August 2010 also has the charge of Additional Secretary, Tourism, and hardly comes to the GMVN office.

General Manager UC Kabadwal too is rarely seen as he has been given additional charge of the Food Department for the past six months. AGM (Tourism) DS Panwar is unwell for the past one month.

Finance Controller Bhupesh Chand Tiwari, who has the additional charge of SIDCUL and the Doon Technical University is seen for a couple of hours in a week.

There is strong resentment among employees over the absence of higher-ups because of which important files and bills stay pending for months together.

Mussoorie, February 4
The state Forest Department held a workshop on saving the forests from fire at Mussoorie Forest Division headquarters in Brookland estate here today.

More than 150 van panchayat members from the adjacent villages attended the workshop in large numbers. The forest officials through a slide show and documentary presentation emphasised upon saving the forest from fire and urged the villagers to avoid carelessness.

The forest officials also informed the villagers that the dry wood around the forest should be picked up so that the forests were not consumed by fire. The officials also said the villagers should monitor their forest area from time to time, so that the fires could be avoided.

It was also felt that certain farmers were burning forest to create additional agriculture land, which was wrong. Several van panchayats were also granted funds for conserving the forest around their villages and generating employment by establishing nurseries.

The issue of appointing the van prahris was also taken up in the workshop. The chief guest on the occasion was conservator Yamuna range RN Jha, who also distributed cheques to several van panchayats on the occasion. Ranger Dheeraj Rawat, Komal Singh and others were present on the occasion.

Mussoorie, February 4
The BJP leaders in the state are leaving no stone unturned in praising Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and his government at the public forums keeping in view the forthcoming Assembly elections that could be held in November-December this year, a year earlier than scheduled.

This was evident from the press conference organised by BJP state vice-president Lakhi Ram Joshi at the Press Club of Mussoorie today.

Joshi said the BJP Government would be providing subsidised food grains to the below poverty line (BPL) families in the state from February 13. He further said the government would provide 15 kg wheat and 20 kg rice to the BPL and EPL families on cheaper rates.

Joshi was all praise for Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and stated that this was for the first time in the state that the subsidised food grain policy has been extended to the EPL families. He also said the state was heading towards progress under the able leadership of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Joshi being critical of the government at the Centre said the Centre was neglecting the state and had only provided Rs 500 crore, whereas the demand was of Rs 21,000 crore. He also lambasted the Congress-led Government at the Centre for the commodity price rise and said it had failed miserably in controlling the prices of nearly every commodity.

He further said the issues of industrial package, corruption and bipartisan attitude towards Uttarakhand would figure prominently in the next Assembly elections.

Dehradun, February 4
The women activists today said incidents of violence against women and girl child were increasing putting a question mark on the efficacy of laws that have been promulgated from time to time.

“It seems that women and even little girls are not safe at home or on the streets. Infanticide is openly being practiced. There is no end to the practice of dowry Cases of domestic violence are on the rise, despite the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act in place,” said chairperson of the State Women’s Commission Sushila Baluni.

She was speaking at a seminar organised by the Uttarakhand Jan Jagriti Sansthan and Women Power Connect, New Delhi, here today.

She said women hesitate to report instances of domestic violence for fear of getting a bad name and also fearing retribution from their husbands and her in-laws. “The practice is prevalent among all the sections of society. A recent incident of wife beating involving a senior diplomat posted in the United Kingdom should be an eye opener. The woman fearing for her life is not eager to return to India,” said state project director, Mahila Samakhya, Geeta Gairola.

President of the Jagriti Sansthan Aranay Ranjan said, “Women are not even secure at home. In fact it is inside the homes that incidents of violence take place and never reported.”

While director of the State Resource Centre Priya Zadoo said infanticide could only be curbed if families do not pressurise their daughter-in-laws for male child.

Dr Atul Sharma said the pressures of modern age were also making us insensitive and such incidents could be curbed if society plays an active role. District protection officer Ramindri Mandarwal also called for a vigilant society so that the incidents of domestic violence do not go unreported.

Nainital, February 4
Veteran freedom fighter, social activist and prominent Arya Samaj worker of Kumaon Bankelal Kansal passed away on Thursday night. He had been keeping unwell for sometime and breathed his last at the age of 99 at his residence in the Mallital area of Nainital. Kansal was cremated with state honours at the Pines cremation grounds today with people from all walks of lives and various communities attending the funeral services.

The Governor of Uttarakhand, Margaret Alva, has expressed her profound shock and sorrow at the demise of the freedom fighter. In her condolence message, she said the sacrifice and patriotism of Kansal, who had been imprisoned on a number of occasions during the freedom struggle, would be remembered forever.

The Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul, and has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Kansal was born in Nainital on April 4, 1912. He received his education in Primary School, Mallital, Humphry High School, Nainital, Saraswati Vidyalaya in Bareilly and DAV College in Aligarh.

He was instrumental in distribution of literature pertaining to the Jallianwala Bagh incident and for promoting awareness amongst the youth in particular about the freedom movement. During his struggle for freedom he was imprisoned and fined by the British authorities on several occasions.

He got married in 1931 and had to face ex-communication from the society for his support to the cause of the Harijans, particularly women. He worked tirelessly for their uplift.

Kansal became a member of the Nainiatal Municipality in 1941 and had retained the Mallital seat till 1957. He was the one who started getting municipality resolutions drafted in Hindi. His term was marked by several efforts aimed at uplifting the Dalits.

In 1941, he was instrumental in saving the life of Sarla Ben, alias Kathrine Mary Hylaman, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi against whom there were shoot-on-sight orders. Kansal not only kept her at his home but arranged for her travel to Meerut overnight.

He was an active Arya Samaj worker and the spread of Arya Samaj in Kumaon owes a lot to him. Till a few months back, it was Kansal who used to start the daily havan at the local Arya Samaj temple. He was an active participant in various social campaigns of the Samaj. He also worked to promote Hindi and was a recipient of several honours.

He was on close terms with leaders like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Mahadev Desai, Sucheta Kriplani, Acharya Kriplani, Gobind Ballabh Pant, etc.

Dehradun, February 4
After Diwakar Bhatt, president of a faction of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), expanded the working committee of his party, Trivender Singh Panwar has followed suit.

Panwar also cautioned the state government not to name places or buildings after leaders other than those who had sacrificed themselves for the formation of the state.

The new faces in the working committee are spokesperson Om Prakash Vashisht, secretaries Alam Singh Bisht and Heer Vallabh Bhatt, general secretaries BS Cauhan, Arvin Rawat, Omprakash Nirankari, Yatender, Anad Rana, Abdul Farid, Sher Singh and members of the working committee Satya Pal Singh, Rajender Singh, Manik Lal Sailender and Sampoorna Bhatt.

Taking a dig at the names, such as RSS veteran Rajju Bhaiyya or Deen Dyal, doing the rounds for the name of a technical university, Panwar said the UKD would not tolerate names other than of those leaders who had laid down their lives for the creation of the state. He said the state did not have dearth of leaders and suggested the names of Indu Mani Bodai and Hemvanti Bahuguna for the technical university.

Mussoorie, February 4
The use of plastic bags will be banned completely in Mussoorie from March 15. SDM Manoj Kumar stated this at a meeting held at his office here today. Anyone found using it would be fined heavily, he said. He also said a rally to create awareness regarding the ban would be carried out on February 15. Mussoorie EO Rohtash Sharma was also present in the meeting. —OC

Dehradun, February 4
Vice Chancellor, Doon University, Prof Girijesh Pant has expressed concern over rampant exploitation of groundwater in the country.

Addressing a session of a two-day training workshop in Dehradun organised jointly by the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology and Central Ground Water Board as part of the watershed development initiative, Dr Pant said the groundwater exploitation rate in the country in the past five decades has increased tremendously as groundwater was being put to use for drinking water, irrigation and other purposes.

Pant called for efforts towards ensuring recharging of these under groundwater resources. He reminded that the water was a means to survival and it was the responsibility of the present day generation to safeguard it for the future. UCOST director Rajendra Dobhal said with increasing population, the need of water has increased manifold. Regional director, the Central Ground Water Board, Dr AK Bhatia said the board was willing to provide information on the rainwater harvesting to all the stakeholders.

Dr Prashant Singh spoke on affect of insecticides on the groundwater. UCOST scientists Dr DP Uniyal and Dr Kusum Arunachalam were other prominent participants on the closing day of the training programme.