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Maintenance of hydro power stations in full swing
White Paper sought on under-construction dams
Tibetans oppose upcoming visit of Chinese President
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Negligence In Sewerage Project
Char Dham Pilgrimage
Panchami fast to be observed for two days
Protest in front of power corp office
Ancient Marma therapy can cure chronic diseases: Expert
Left parties flay Chief Minister's statement on NCTC
Doon Hospital to treat
haemophilia patients
350 hectares of forest destroyed in fire
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Maintenance of hydro power stations in full swing
Dehradun, March 27 The morale of the management and the employees is already soaring high with the UJVNL generating 5000 MU against the target of 4760 MU for year 2011-12. They are keen to repeat the history for next year as well. BCK
Mishra, Director, Operations, UJVNL said: “The management has enrolled Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited
(BHEL) for maintenance work at a cost of Rs 80 crore. They have the expertise to repair or replace big machineries used in hydro power projects. It uses turbines which get damaged after coming in contact with water containing silt. These need repair or replacement in time. Generators are usually replaced when they develop faults.” He said the maintenance work, which till two years ago would take 60 days under the Irrigation Department, now took lesser period of 45 days. “The work is being done in two to three shifts these days. The water level has begun rising and does not as such need all the turbines to operate as of now; so we are repairing one or two turbines at a time and using others for work,” he said. Machines are also given a coating of specific kind of German paint wherever it deems necessary to avoid rusting or damage due to silt effect. The trash gates are also being cleaned. He said: “If the trash gets stuck on these trash gates, the turbines do not get enough supply of water to churn them and vacuum, thus created, can further harm the machines. Therefore, these trash gates cannot be ignored at all and are maintained on priority.” |
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White Paper sought on under-construction dams
Dehradun, March 27 Organisation Matu Jan Sangathan has demanded an issue of White Paper on all under-construction dams in the state. Vimal Bhai of the sangathan asserted that any patronage to dam builders could be catastrophic for the environmental of the state. By forming policies that would further promote the construction of dams on the rivers of the state, the Uttarakhand government will be putting to risk the lives of the residents of hills. Favouring a White Paper on all under construction dams in the state, Bhai held that such dams had only encroached upon the traditional rights of the hill people. “Recently, inhabitants of Pipalkoti in Chamoli district had held a strong protest against the 444 MW Vishnugat Pipalkot Hydro project on the Alaknanda river. Similar protests have taken place against the 51 MW Jakhol Sankari Hydro Project on the Tons river in Uttarkashi district of the state. Even in the projects that have been completed in the past, rehabilitation of the affected families have always been a big question,” Bhai argued. The Nanital High Court in November 2011 had directed the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation to provide Rs 102.99 crore as the rehabilitation package for the dam oustees. On the other hand, the governments in power had declared that rehabilitation of Tehri dam oustees was complete way back in 2005. While pointing out that hydro projects were not just means to provide employment in the hills, Bhai said the Matu Jan Sangathan had put forward a number of suggestions to the new state government on the hydro power and had stressed finding other ways of employment for youths in rural hill areas. “Strict action should be taken against the hydro projects that resort to the violation of the environmental guidelines and villages in close proximity of projects must first get the benefits of power generated from a project,” sangathan members suggested. In cases where hydro project is very necessary, small hydro schemes must be given preference over those based on big dams,” Bhai added. He reiterated that Matu Jan Sangathan would continue with its struggle against hydro projects. |
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Tibetans oppose upcoming visit of Chinese President
Haridwar, March 27 Yesterday, Jamphel Yesh, a Tibetan activist, had set himself on fire in protest against this in the national Capital. Tibetans living in Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital and other parts termed China as an aggressor, which has been treating Tibetans as slaves for many decades. Tibetan representatives said since 2009, more than 26 youths had attempted self-immolation in protest against the Chinese regime in Tibet. Of these, 18 lost their lives while others sustained serious burn injuries, Shereb Cheddor, a representative of the Uttaranchali Tibetan community, who has formed a forum
— ‘Burf Bhoomi Ke Sandeshvahak'--- has urged the local people to support their movement as the Chinese authorities have been resorting to suppressive policies in Tibet. Shereb further said people of the Tibetan community would wear black ribbons and organise a march in protest against the Chinese suppressive policies. A signature campaign would also be carried out, which would be sent to the United Nations. A memorandum has also been forwarded to the People’s Republic of China demanding the restoration of the rights of the Tibetans, independence to practise their religion and paving the way for the formation of the Tibetan government chosen by inhabitants with no interference from the Chinese government. They have also asked the Chinese government to stop hydroelectric projects on the Brahmaputra. Tibetans living in Dehradun and Haridwar will also take out a candlelight march to make the people aware of the oppressive acts of Chinese and the 50-year-long independence struggle of Tibet. |
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Negligence In Sewerage Project
Mussoorie, March 27 Ravinder, speaking to mediapersons at a press meet, today said he had filed a complaint on November 5 against the Pey Jal Nigam for using sub-standard material and its callous approach while laying the sewerage pipelines in the town at Chief Minister BC Khanduri's office indicating 10 points on which the officials had failed miserably. He further said it was also mentioned in the complaint that the project worth Rs 62 crore was marred with several shortcomings and it could result in injuries to residents and tourist alike if the adequate measures were not adopted at the right time. The recent event where one person lost his life a few days back corroborated his concerns about the project, added Jugran. Jugran had brought it to the notice of Principal Secretary Utpal Singh who started an investigation into the matter under technical adviser, state Planning Commission, Ram Kumar, who found the charges true and submitted the report to the Principal Secretary who forwarded it to the Principal Secretary, Pey Jal Nigam, recommending strict action against the erring officials. The Pey Jal Nigam Principal Secretary directed the Managing Director of the Pey Jal Nigam to initiate action against the erring officials in an order on March 14 but no action was taken which resulted in the death of a person few days back. He demanded strict action against the officials so that the justice could be done to family members of the deceased person. |
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Char Dham Pilgrimage
Haridwar, March 27 City Magistrate Hansa Dutt Pandey and Traffic Police Superintendent Kiran Lal Shaw took a joint meeting of administrative and police officials in this regard here today. At the meeting officials of the Public Works Department, Irrigation Iepartment, Health and other concerned departments took part. At world famous Har-Ki-Pauri special directions were given by the City Magistrate for strictly tackling the promlem of encroachment that has crept up at this pilgrim site, visited by millions. Pandey questioned police officials as to why was the encroachment drive delayed and demanded an explanation from the cops. He said that there should be adequate space at Har-Ki-Pauri for devotees, as majority of the space had been occupied illegally by traders. It was agreed that the anti-encroachment drive will be carried only in presence of police personnel and repeated inspection will be made to ensure encroachers don’t dare to occupy space again. Queries and suggestions were also sought by the City Magistrate from the concerned officials present at the meeting. Absence of higher officials from the Municipal Corporation hampered the decision to be taken during today’s meeting. |
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Panchami fast to be observed for two days
Haridwar, March 27 Devotees are offering prayers to ‘Skandmata’, the fifth reincarnation of Goddess Bhagwati. At all temples and shrines in the district, devotees can be seen offering prayers throughout the day. Thousands of devotees are thronging the revered shrines of Mata Mansa Devi and Mata Chandi Devi. Similarly, ashrams and muths are also organising special pujas. In view of the huge rush of pilgrims, devotees, tourists and local people, security and traffic arrangements have also been put up in place at important shrines. — TNS |
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Protest in front of power corp office
Dehradun March 27 A large number of party workers gathered here to raise dissent against the lacklustre behaviour of the department towards public. They have handed over their four-point memorandum to Executive Engineer R R Singh and sent its copy to the Chief Minister too. The complaints include no FIR in the case of missing electricity meters, nobody from the department was coming for meter reading in some parts of the city, delay in installation of new meters in case of theft of the previous one and irregularity in the distribution of electricity bills, which causes inconvenience to public. According to Deep Vohra, vice-president of the committee, “All problems are being faced by most of the residents of the Doon valley. Sometimes, the electricity bills of four to six months are given together.” “The department should think over regularising their work to lessen the problems of the public and should also start a probe into the matter of missing electricity meters,” he added.
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Ancient Marma therapy can cure chronic diseases: Expert
Haridwar, March 27 Marma Chikitsa is also becoming popular as it has no side effects and people belonging to all segments of society can avail of its benefits. This view was expressed by renowned Marma therapy expert Dr Sunil Joshi at the concluding session of a workshop at Dev Sanskriti University here today. Joshi said the Marma therapy was the cheapest medical therapy in the world. He added yoga, ayurveda, colour therapy and related medical arts of acupressure had the same base that Marma experts in India had been preaching for centuries. Using scientific explanations acquired after years of research, he tried to make patients understand that this therapy was very effective in treating complicated ailments like spinal diseases, besides general illnesses. He said, "This type of treatment concentrates on 107 sensitive points in our body. All these points are connected with brain and are lightly pressed to stimulate senses. Besides curing various ailments, this therapy is quite effective in preventive aspects too and enables a person live a healthy life by strengthening his immune system. Director, Education Department, Dr RP Karmayogi urged medical students to develop expertise in the Marma therapy as one could cure diseases effectively using this technique in a natural way. Karmayogi said in this fast-paced stressful life health had taken a back seat but we could derive immense mental and physical benefits by using Indian arts of yoga, ayurveda and the Marma therapy. The western world is fast realising the importance of this therapy. Yoga professor Dr Suresh Varanval said yoga asanas were deep rooted into Marma Chikitsa, which cured various ailments by pressing certain points. Our saints and ancestors used to cure themselves using the Marma therapy. |
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Translated version of ‘A life in two worlds’ released
Dehradun, March 27 The book, translated in English by David, traces the life of Sarla Behn, an English woman, who joined the freedom struggle and was arrested on two occasions for defying the British rulers. She was jailed in Almora and Lucknow for raising the consciousness among people against the British rule for which she was jailed intermittently. Undeterred, she continued with her mission,” said David, the author of the translated version of the book, who is a British but made Kausani his home. Later participating in the seminar on ‘the role of women in the Independence movements in Uttarakhand, renowned historian and scholar Shekhar Pathak said, “It was due to the participation of women that the statehood agitation, anti-liquor agitation and other movements remained nonviolent,” he said. Similarly, Bali Devi of Reni village in Chamoli district spoke about the participation of women in the Chipko movement. “On Gaura Devi's suggestion, we climbed the trees to save the forest wealth,” she said. However, she lamented the lack of sensitivity on the part of the government in protecting the rivers that had nurtured civilisations, The dams have completely dried our rivers, we face acute shortage of water but nobody is ready to listen,”she said. The seminar, organised jointly by Pahar and the Mahila Samakhya, also honoured 25 women who are involved in the protection of environment and the welfare of communities. |
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DMC fails to get hall vacated from BJP
Dehradun, March 27 Rawat said the hall was owned by Rani Mukherjee, whose son had requested the DMC to get it vacated from the BJP after her death. Punit Mittal, president of the city unit of the BJP, said the DMC team did not carry documents related to the property and mistakenly pointed at the BJP office. “The BJP has been using hall number 3 and 4 for many years. We have legal documents to support our claim. The DMC team did not carry any documents to prove its viewpoint. It was looking for a hall room from where a music school is being run in our neighbourhood. The team had some confusion and hence it came to the BJP office. Our party has no intention of usurping any property, least a government property,” he said. |
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Left parties flay Chief Minister's statement on NCTC
Dehradun March 27 Samar Bhandari, state secretary of the CPI, Vijay Rawat from the CPM and Raja Bahuguna from the CPI mounted attack on Vijay Bahuguna saying while the state government was still to prove majority in the Assembly, it had started taking undemocratic policy decisions. Raja Bahuguna said the NCTC Act violated the federal structure of the country and facilitated intrusion of Central government into the state subject of controlling law and order. He said President Pratibha Patil in her speech before the Budget had pointed towards this black provision, thus exposing the intentions of the Central government. He said by advocating the enforcement of the NCTC Act in the state, the Chief Minister supported the propised the interference of the Central government in matters related to the state. |
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Doon Hospital to treat
haemophilia patients
Dehradun, March 27 The protocol established calls for setting aside a separate room for treatment of haemophelic patients, providing them 24 hours medical facilities, including Anti-Haemophilic Factor VIII and IX injections and medicines. “We have put forward the protocol that calls for providing free medical care to the patients, the medicines for which would be procured at the level of Director, General Health,” said Dr B.C Pathak, Principal Superintendent, Doon Hospital.
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350 hectares of forest destroyed in fire
Pithoragarh, March 27 The sources said other major fires had broken out at the Binsar bird sanctuary near Almora and Jalikhan forests of Manila in the Salt range of the division. "We have constituted 25 crew stations in the division to control forest fires this season but still forests on 350 hectares have been destroyed this season till date, said MK Bahukhandi, Additional DFO, Almora division. They added to tackle forest fires the department had used all measures, including the establishment of fire watch stations, allotment of handsets to villagers to inform the department about the sudden eruption of forest fires in the area and the posting of SSB and PRD jawans. "But the department has no solution for the negligence of the villagers and the activities of wood smugglers, who negligently or intentionally set the forests on fire. "We tried to control the fire that broke out at the Binsar bird sanctuary last Saturday with the help of the villagers, but could not save six hectares of forests," said Bahukhandi. The sources said 220 hectares of forest was destroyed in the fire incident at the Salla forest that had broken out due to the negligence of village women. About 100 hectares of forest at Syahi Devi and Kharkiya was destroyed after some persons had in an inebriated condition started a fire there. "We are educating village women that their belief that a forest fire in the summer ensures good fodder after rain is not true as sometimes they also set the forest on fire," said Bahukhandi. The records of the Almora forest division disclose that only six hectares of forest was destroyed in three incidents of forest fire reported in the area last year. In 2008, the maximum number of fire incidents took place and nearly 85 hectares of forest was destroyed. |
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Haridwar, March 27
Keeping in view the upcoming Char Dham pilgrimage that starts next month onwards for the four revered shrines, namely Shri Badrinath, Shri Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, the administration seems to be quite serious in making sure encroachments don’t hamper the smooth flow of the pilgrims as well as local traffic.
