Nainital MC ordered to expedite works, generate more revenue
Tribune News Service

Nainital, March 3
Additional Commissioner, Kumaon, Vijay Chandra Kaushal has ordered that the local municipal council to expedite works being done under the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Integrated Slum Development Programme (ISDP).

At a recent review meeting held a couple of days back, Kaushal evaluated the works being done by the various local bodies in the region and called for initiatives to improve upon the revenue collection in the region.

He pointed that the schemes like the JNNURM and ISDP that are covering Nainital town as the chosen destinations in the state have enough scope to bring about a qualitative change in urban planning and renewal. He pointed that the Nainital Nagar Palika must avail the opportunities that are available on hand.

Besides calling for expediting of execution of projects undertaken in the two schemes, the Additional Commissioner also called for searching more avenues for revenue generation.

He praised the works being done by the local municipal bodies in Pithoragarh and Champawat. At the same time he expressed his displeasure at the slow pace of work being carried out by the local bodies in Udham Singh Nagar district.

The Executive Officer of the Nainital Nagar Palika Neeraj Joshi told Kaushal that of the Rs 3.55 crore allocated for improving the drinking water supply and Rs 7.84 crore for improving the sewerage system in Nainital town, Rs 3.37 crore and Rs 6.37 crore have been utilised during the current financial year. At the same time Rs 9.31 crore are being utilised for execution of a project for solid waste management.

The Nainital civic body has come into the eye of a storm over its failure to utilise the funds available for relocation of some families from the Hari Nagar area to Narayan Nagar. Sources say that a housing project for the purpose has been shelved and the money would now be utilised for a similar purpose in Udham Singh Nagar district.

With almost 25 per cent of its population living in the slums, the town of Nainital is now looking towards the JNNURM for its redemption.

The much touted tourist destination is grappling with problems of urbanisation which have to be dealt with on priority basis given its geological and geographical profile.

A presentation by a representative of the Nainital Nagar Palika at a recent-two day consultation on urban risk reduction brought to light the glaring problems being faced by the lake city and the steps which are being taken or need to be taken under the JNNURM for the purpose.

It has been aired time and again that it is high time that the 74th amendment of Parliament Act aimed at decentralisation of the administration process is implemented in letter and in spirit.

It has been pointed that the merger of civic bodies with the various development authorities is moving with a delay of five years, thanks to the much touted Municipal Act for the state which awaits ratification by the top levels in the administration and the government.

Residential colonies that have sprung up on the Ballia Nullah are such that neither a fire fighter vehicle can reach there in times of disaster, nor can an ambulance reach them to address medical emergencies. There are 12 slums in the town out of which 10 are notified and two are not. 

Families migrate from Thal area due to lack of facilities
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, March 3
Disappointed over their failure to link their village with a motorable road of 10 km, in the last 11 years of the state’s creation, more than 100 families of Bachkuri village in Thal area of Didihat subdivision of the district have left the village to settle elsewhere permanently. “Though the migration rate was in slow pace before the creation of the state, the people shifted from the village as they became convinced that even the creation of a separate state could not solve their problem of a motorable road,” said Sarita Devi, a gram pradhan of the village.

According to the gram pradhan, Bachkuri village had 150 families before the creation of the state but after the state came into existence, more than 100 families have shifted to other parts of the country in Tanakpur, Haldwani, Dehradun, Mumbai, Lucknow and Bhopal permanently, leaving the houses and cultivable fields deserted. “The people of the village have launched an agitation to have a road and junior high school but as they were not heard by the administration, they preferred to leave the village,” added Sarita Devi, the gram pradhan said.

The people who have left the village permanently and have now settled in plain areas of the state and have said that had the road, junior high school and better medical facilities been provided in the village, they would have remained in the village. “Our children have to travel for 5 km to reach their junior high school and 15 km for primary medical facilities. Besides, there are no irrigation facilities for our crops,” said Nitya Nand Joshi, resident of the village, who has now settled in Tanakpur.

“Not only the village of Bachkuri has been deserted due to shifting of residents in Didihat subdivision, more than 12 villages, which are affected by this menace of migration, have almost also been deserted in the subdivision,” said Sanjay Pant, a youth leader in Didihat town. “The villages of Chama, Aultari, Panthali, Kuniya have been deserted due to poor roads and dearth of health facilities,” added Pant.

Some of the families which shifted from villages in search of good life in plain areas seem to be fed up with the life of the Terai region. “We have seen the life in our village and in Haldwani town of the state, but we find that the peace of the hill villages is difficult find in the Terai region,” said Puran Chandra Joshi, who has now settled in Haldwani but wants to live in his ancestral village provided the essential facilities of road and health could be available there.

Kumaon to be linked with mega food park, says Balkrishna
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 3
Patanjali Yog Peeth co-founder Acharya Balkrishna has said that the interior region of Kumaon districts will soon be linked with a mega food park located at Patanjali Yog Peeth, Haridwar, and the farmers involved in farming of herbs will be given incentives to promote the cultivation traditional Himalayan herbs.

“The Himalayan districts of the state have big potential of rare Himalayan herb cultivation as these are near the main Himalayan peaks and having rare Himalayan climate. We have decided to open our cow urine collection centre at Chaukori to link local animal keepers with the yog peeth and mega food park, and get them economic benefits,” said Aacharya Balkrishna, talking to this correspondent after visiting the tourist spots of Chaukori and ancient cave temple of Patal Bhubaneswar in Pithoragarh district along with BJP Rajya Sabha member and former Chief Minister of the state Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.

“I had great desire to visit the cave temple of Patal Bhuvaneswar and today after visiting it, I found the cave temple beyond my imagination,” said the Acharya

He added that when the governments of other states are attracting tourists by installing artificial attraction sites, the Himalayan districts have every thing from ancient sites to natural tourist spots to attract the tourists from across the globe.

“The Patanjali Yog Peeth will extend every help to promote such ancient tourist spots in hill region of the Uttarakhand state,” said the Acharya. 

‘Bring new areas under tea cultivation in Nainital’
Tribune News Service

Nainital, March 3
Director, Tea Board, DS Garbyal has called for bringing new areas under tea cultivation in the  district. He said this while reviewing the possibilities of promoting tea cultivation in the state.

A review meeting was held at Almora on Saturday in the presence of the top brass of the board in the state. Garbyal also toured the areas where tea cultivation is being carried out.

He told the officials that tea plantation can become a major source of income for the people residing in the hilly tracts as apart from the person on whose land the cultivation will take place, the labourer, too, would benefit from it. He pointed out that there were several incentives being offered by the board for the promotion of tea cultivation in the state and besides being  provided technical know-how, marketing solutions were also being offered to the farmers undertaking tea cultivation.

Garbyal said efforts were on to increase the remuneration being given to the labourers working in tea gardens. He said talks were on with the management of the tea factory in Kausani on this front.

He pointed out that as per the terms of the contract, the owner had to increase the wages of the labourers after taking their services for five years.

Garbyal also visited the tea producing area of Kausani, Hari Nagar and Reetha Rauteli on Saturday and gathered information about the annual  produce. 

Yoga keeps all pain away, says Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Rishikesh, March 3
On the third day of the International Yoga Festival being held at Parmarth Niketan Ashram along side the Ganga in Rishikesh, a number of spiritual-yoga gurus addressed the morning, afternoon and evening sessions, attended by hundreds of national and international yoga practitioners.

Revered spiritual guru Swami Dayanand Saraswati in his address tried to explain the real meaning of yoga, particularly in context of modern life.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati citing the revered Bhagwad Gita termed literally yoga as “the one which keeps all the pains at bay”.He said that yoga had long-term benefits which, if practised throughout life, will give maximum benefit and one can feel the positives while practising it in just a few weeks only.

Elaborating further the revered guru said that this art of yoga is ancient, practiced by sages of India for centuries and has evolved as a life changer therapy in modern times, adding that if the pain is mental, then the key of curing it is yoga, and if its physical, then, too, yoga is the answer, which no side-effects.

Illustrating with the fast-paced life which comes with baggage of stress, Swami Dayanand Saraswati said that for handling emotional baggage or rather emotional baggage management, one can easily master by practising yoga art.

While foreign yoga expert Manouso Manos, termed IYF as an Oscar event for yoga practitioners, some termed it the Maha Kumbh of yoga.

Manouso remarked that even by hearing the lectures at varied sessions of this international festival of yoga makes one knowledgeable in yoga and art of living; so one can further benefit, if one begins practising yoga.

Sadhvi Bhagwati of Parmarth Niketan said that such is the popularity of the International Yoga Festival that many foreign delegates are still enquiring and arriving in Rishikesh to attend this one of its kind international festival based on the art of yoga. 

Booking centre for Corbett park at Kotdwar proposed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 3
In a major boost to wildlife tourism in Uttarakhand, bookings for Corbett National Park can now also be done at Kotdwar in Pauri Garhwal. The Uttarakhand Forest Department has sent a proposal for starting bookings at Kotdwar to the state government. So far, Ramnagar in Kumaon is the major booking centre for the Corbett park tourists.

There has been a long-pending demand for the establishment of a booking centre the Corbett park at Kotdwar.

Uttarakhand Additional Secretary, Forests, Sushant Patnaik said over Rs 63 lakh had been earmarked for the purpose and Rs 25 lakh had been released as the first instalment for year 2011-12. A fully-computerised booking centre would be opened at the Lansdowne forest division office at Kotdwar.

Chief Minister BC Khanduri said the opening of the booking centre would benefit tourists. He added this would also generate employment opportunities for the local youth and promote business in the Kotdwar region. 

Over 50 schools take part in science fair
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 3
Under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan, a district-level science fair began at Dr Hari Ram Arya Intermediate College today.

More than 50 schools from Haridwar are participating in the fair, demonstrating their innovative models based on various topics. Inaugurating the event, Ramendra Kushwaha, district project officer of the RMSA, said such science events should be organised at the district and block levels as they provide a platform to students to showcase their hidden talent and creativity.

Various competitions are being organised like a science model exhibition, a essay writing event, general knowledge and quiz on science subjects.

The best students will be awarded on the last day of the exhibition. 

BJP rubbishes Harish Rawat’s claim
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 3
Vice-Chairman of State Media Advisory Committee Ajender Ajay today rejected the claim made by Union Minister for State for Agriculture and Food Processing Harish Rawat that the BJP government was putting pressure on the Election Commission.

In a statement today, Ajay said before charging the BJP, the Congress and Harish Rawat should examine their own track record. “The people are aware of Congress government’s autocratic ways that were on display during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. In the case of postal ballots too the Congress adopted similar tactics,” charged Ajay.

With the Election Commission taking cognizance to the BJP complaints on the undelivered postal ballots, Ajay termed it as a victory for the party. “The Congress was scared of the BJP’s victory in these elections; therefore, it tried hard to keep the service voters away from exercising their franchise through the postal ballot,” said Ajay.

Meanwhile, in view of the March 6 counting, the BJP will set up a control room at the party headquarters that will begun functioning from March 4.

Uttarakhand BJP president B.S Chufal said Naresh Bansal, secretary, election committee, secretary (BJP organisation), Sanjay Kumar, party spokesperson Mukesh Mahindra and party spokesperson Vishwas Dawar have been entrusted with the task of running the office. 

CM does aerial survey of quarrying areas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 3
Chief Minister BC Khanduri yesterday had an aerial survey of quarrying areas in Dehradun district. It was done in connection with the issues that keep springing up regarding illegal quarrying in the region.

First he visited quarrying-affected areas at Bhogpur and Bishanpur and then rivers Song I and Song II, where Forest Development Corporation has undertaken quarrying-related work.

After the survey, he directed Principle Secretary, Industries, Rakesh Sharma, to strike a balance between environment and local requirements with regard to quarrying. He also stressed on adhering to the rules and regulations as enlisted by the courts in this regard. 

Selvaraj is NABARD Chief General Manager
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 3
S Selvaraj has taken over as Chief General Manager (CGM) of the Uttarakhand Regional Office of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Selvaraj said in Uttarakhand his priority would be to give thrust to income generating projects for rural poor and strengthen cooperative institutions in the state. He added he would also look into the implementation of credit-related innovative projects in the farm and non-farm sectors.

Selvaraj is a graduate in agriculture science and a postgraduate in agricultural extension from the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi. 

Captivating performances mark union week celebrations

Dehradun, March 3
Students at DBS PG College could not stop themselves from dancing to the tunes of Narender Singh Negi’s and Kailesh Negi’s folk songs during the third day of the students’ union week here today.

The Garhwali musical day witnessed a large gathering of students than any other day of the fest so far. The programme commenced with the welcoming of chief guest TPS Rawat, president, Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha, accompanied by Dr S Farooq, social worker. A ceremonial lamp was lighted. Thereafter, Garhwali folk dancers captivated the audience with their performances. 

Young married woman found dead
Parents blame husband, in-laws
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 3
A tumultuous married life of five years came to an end for young 24-year-old Gurjeet Kaur, resident of Khurbuda locality of the town, who was found dead this morning at her husband’s home. The parents of Gurjeet, who live in the same locality, blamed her husband Gauransh Uniyal, mother-in-law Luxmi and brother-in-law Gaurav for killing their girl for dowry, whereas her husband called it a suicide.

The deceased’s mother Rajender Kaur said Gauransh informed of Gurjeet’s death by hanging in the morning at 8. She said when she reached there, she found her daughter lying on the bed with deep marks on her throat and face, which signalled towards gagging her. She also alleged that a sanitary worker of the area said the body of the girl was seen thrown in Chitralook area, from where it seemed her husband and others brought it back and put her on the bed at home.

She said her in-laws tried to kill her twice in the past but the girl was adamant on staying with her husband, a stockbroker. The victim’s elder sister, Prabhjot Kaur, who ran a beauty parlour and lived near Shimla bypass, said: “At night, she called me up saying that Gauransh said today he would decide whether to continue with this marriage or not. She was tense.”

A bandage was also tied on the arm of the deceased. She had been bitten by a street dog two months ago and the wound was still there. Her mother blamed that none from in-laws side bothered about her wound. They would beat her repeatedly and ask her to bring more money. Young Gurjeet, a Sikh by religion, fell in love with Gauransh, a Garhwali, and tied the knot. Both have a four- year-old son, Aditya. Gurjeet was also studying in BA II.

Little Aditya, oblivious to the tragedy at home, clung to his father at the police post and was not ready to go to anybody. According to Gaurash, nothing provocative happened at night. In the morning, he saw his wife hanging from the fan in the same room. He brought her down immediately in a bid to save her life. Then he informed his in-laws on the phone about the tragedy. He denied throwing her body anywhere, or ever having asked for dowry.

According to him, Gurjeet was highly temperamental and stubborn girl. Their marriage was on the rocks as she wanted to live separately from her in-laws. Because of scuffles, she kept living at her parents’ place for long durations. He said twice in the past she tried to commit suicide by taking poison and was saved and also bore cut marks done with blades on her wrists. 

Weapon owner sent to 14-day judicial custody
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, March 3
The police today brought Ravi Malik, who was arrested in Dehradun yesterday for his involvement in the shooting case of BSP candidate Manoj Sharma, to Mussoorie police station and booked him under the Arms Act. It produced Malik before court, which remanded him in 14-day judicial custody.

The police grilled Malik for about two hours as he was present at the crime scene when Lalit Yadav fired five bullets at Sharma using his pistol. It interrogated Malik about the possible hideouts of Yadav, who is absconding.

Meanwhile, there is some improvement in Sharma’s condition who is undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon.

Malik told mediapersons at the police station that on the day of the incident he met Yadav at Jakhan and they consumed liquor together. Later, Yadav went to a guest house near Kolhukhet where Sharma was staying. He said as he was in an inebriated condition Yadav took away his pistol and fired five shots at Sharma from it. Four bullets hit Sharma.

Malik also refuted allegations of a woman’s presence at the crime scene. “Manoj Sharma was not that kind of man. He always maintained distance from people with a dubious character,” added Malik.

The SSI, Manohar Jakhmola, told mediapersons that the police was conducting raids at several places in Muzzafarnagar, Meerut and Dehradun to nab Yadav.

Residents of Mussoorie are shocked over the incident. Some of them think that the incident could have been avoided had the police conducted routine checks in the area which susceptible to crime.Some residents believed such incidents mainly happened when in-charge of Mussoorie police station Parikshat Kumar was away. The Police Department would have pull up its socks to avoid occurrence of such incidents in future, they said.

CRPF shines in kayaking event
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 3
On the third day of the All-India Police Water Sports Championship at Sonali Park, Roorkee, today, the CRPF and the BSF won gold medals in 1,000-m kayaking and 1,000-m canoeing events, respectively.

Jayanta Singh won a gold medal for the CRPF in the kayaking event while Rattan Singh of the SSB and Francis Xavier of the ITBP won silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Ankit Pachori of the BSF won a gold medal in the canoeing event followed by Sanjay of the CRPF and Govind Koshyari of the Uttarakhand Police.

In the 500-m kayaking event, ITBP’s Francis Xavier won a gold medal, Daljeet Singh of the Uttarakhand Police silver and Rattan Singh of the SSB won a bronze medal.

Ankit Pachori bagged the second gold medal in the 500-m canoeing competition followed by Sanjay of the CRPF and Gobind Koshyari of the Uttarakhand Police.

IGP (Garhwal range) Alok Sharma gave away the medals to the winners.

Halex B beat United Scholars by 240 runs
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 3
Halex B won by 240 runs against United Scholars in a match in the 60th District Cricket League today.

Batting first, Halex B scored 297 runs in the allotted 30 overs. Shashank scored 112 runs whereas Prashant contributed valuable 87 runs to the team’s score. Rajat of United Scholars took 3 wickets.

Chasing the target, United Scholars were all out for 57 runs, thereby ensuring 240 run win for Halex B. Santosh scored the highest runs (19). Haider of Halex B took 5 wickets in his 3 overs.