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Bahuguna keeps PWD, Forest, home
Pritam’s supporters elated, distribute sweets
Negi visits Piran Kaliyar
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Concern over drop in birth rate of female child
August a good month for hill potato cultivators
Ration shops ordered closed on flimsy grounds
BJP Kisan Morcha to hold protest tomorrow
Self-Help Group on FRI campus soon
DM annoyed over poor quality of work
Garhwali music album launched
PBL beat U’khand Petroleum University
Power body to hold volleyball tourney
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Bahuguna keeps PWD, Forest, home
Dehradun, April 1 Bahuguna will look after Suraaj, corruption eradication, jan sewa, personnel, vigilance, home, justice, general administration, housing, excise, energy, Public Works Department, estates, information, forest, wildlife and environment, higher education, medical education, technical education, industrial development, reorganisation, externally aided schemes, agriculture education and Indo-Nepal river projects.
Indira Hariydesh, the number two in the Cabinet, will look after 10 portfolios namely parliamentary affairs, finance, commercial tax, stamp and registration, entertainment tax, elections, census, languages, legal affairs and protocol. Yahspal Arya, Uttarakhand Congress chief who was unhappy for being ignored, has been given seven departments. He will be the minister of Revenue and Land Management, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Irrigation, Rural Engineering Services, Flood Control , Watershed Management and Cooperatives. Surender Singh Negi will look after the portfolios of Health, Medical, Family Welfare, Ayush, Ayush Education, Science and Technology, Bio-technology, Soldier Welfare, Sugarcane Development and Sugar industry. Pritam Singh will look after the portfolios of Food and Supplies, Minor Irrigation, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. Another senior leader Amrita Rawat will be the new Tourism Minister. She will also have the charge of gardens, culture, women empowerment and child development and alternate sources of energy. Dinesh Aggarwal has been given the charge of planning, information technology, sports and youth welfare portfolios. Mantri Prasad Naithani, an independent legislator, will be the new Agriculture Minister. He has also been given charge of agriculture marketing, school education, adult education, Sanskrit education and water resources. Pritam Singh Panwar, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (P) legislator, has been given the portfolios of urban development, urban employment and poverty eradication, animal husbandry, fishries, horticulture, civil defence, home guards and jails. Harish Chander Durgpal, another independent legislator supporting the government, has been given the charge of labour, employment, mini industry, Khadi and Gramodyog and milk development. Surinder Rakesh, the lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, has been given the charge of social welfare and transport. |
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Pritam’s supporters elated, distribute sweets
Haridwar, April 1 As soon as the announcement came in, UKD activists started distributing sweets. Later, a thanksgiving meeting was held at the party office at Shiv Lok, where leaders expressed happiness on the allocation of departments to the first-time legislator from the Yamunotri Assembly segment. Uday Ram Semwal, secretary of the labour cell of the UKD, said people had high hopes from the UKD as they had seen the tenures of Congress and BJP ministers who "failed" to work for the development of the hilly state. Veteran leader Rana Ranbeer Singh said party workers would be giving a grand welcome to the minister who was expected to arrive here tomorrow. "We have full faith in the capability of Panwar owing to his development-oriented image. Being a statehood agitator, he knows how much pain we had
to undergo to make the hilly region a separate state," he added. |
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Negi visits Piran Kaliyar
Haridwar, April 1 Negi said he would make a proposal to develop the Piran Kaliyar shrine area as a tourist place. Meanwhile, legislator from Piran Kaliyar Furkan Ahmed has also promised development and enhancement of facilities at the Piran Kaliyar shrine. Furkan Ahmed said Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had given him an assurance to provide Rs 50 lakh for the development of the shrine. |
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Concern over drop in birth rate of female child
Pithoragarh, April 1 In the year 2007, 1334 female children were born in the district against the birth of 1310 male children; this ratio increased next year in 2008-2009, when the total number of female children born in the district was 2040 against 1999 male births. But in the year 2009-10 it broke all the records by increasing the number of female births at 1811 against the male number of 1774. “But from the last two years, the number of female children born in the district has decreased, while it remained 1706 as compared to the male birth of 1720 in the year 2010-11. It further dipped at only 1399 against 1483 male births in the district in the year 2011-12 till March 31, " said Dr Joshi, Deputy CMO of Champawat. “The men/women ration in the district has decreased at 40 per thousand on the part of women in the last one decade; whereas in the census of 2001, the number of women per thousand was 1021, it has reduced to mere 981 in the census of 2011,” said the Deputy CMO. The Medical Department of the district is surprised over this new tendency among the parents but was not able to cite any reason for this negative trend towards girl child in the district. “We continuously take random checking campaigns in all ultrasound centres operating in the district, but are not in a position to cite the reasons of this sudden decline in the birth of the girl child in the district," said Dr Joshi. The district in-charge of Mahila Samakhya, an organisation that works in the field of women empowerment in the district, said that the new figures of female birth rate in the district have also awakened them to run a campaign to save the girl child in the district. “We think that the increasing discrimination against women and increasing cases of dowry in society have resulted in reducing this number, " said Bhagwati Pandey, district in-charge of Mahila Samakhya. |
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Ramdev's rally at Jantar Mantar on June 3
Haridwar, April 1 Ramdev made it categorically clear that his war against black money would go on until the billions of dollars stacked in foreign bank accounts were brought back to the country and declared national asset. He also termed levying of tax on gold as inappropriate, saying that this would not stop the sale of gold on the black market. At Patanjali Yogpeeth, he celebrated his attainment of ‘deeksha’ which entered its 17th year today. His followers are thronging Patanjali Yogpeeth in large number. Ramdev also hinted that the Centre might again pose hindrances in his agitation by not allowing him a permission to stage an agitation at Jantar Mantar on various grounds. He said for this he was well prepared and would move court if permission was not granted. On his alliance with the Jan Lokpal team members, Ramdev said he wondered why this question was being raised when two honest people join hands. He said this question, instead, be posed to those corrupt politicians who form nexus to form the government. “It is a high time the government takes steps to control corruption. Masses have an ability to stand for a cause and this uprising can bring any tyrant down,” said Ramdev. Notably, Ramdev had taken sainthood on Ramnavami fest in 1995 at Kripalu Bagh ashram under the guidance of his guru Shankar Dev Maharaj. Yajnas were also performed by his followers at various places in the city. |
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August a good month for hill potato cultivators
Nainital, April 1 This forecast has been made by agricultural economists of the university in a national agriculture innovation project (NAIP) entitled “Establishing and networking of market intelligence centres” in India. The main objective of the project is to release price forecasts of the selected agricultural commodities before sowing and during harvesting. The project team of the Pantnagar centre had conducted market survey of Haldwani regulated market, a major market for the hill potato in the state, and analysed the wholesale price data which has prevailed for the past 22 years. The econometric analysis of data indicated that the wholesale prices of the hill potato in Haldwani market would be in the range of Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500 per quintal in August and September, while in October these prices are expected to be around Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400 per quintal. Scientists have advised the farmers, who wish to take up the hill potato cultivation in the coming season on their farms, to decide the area under the potato crop, considering the forecast price of hill potato as well as suitability of the climatic conditions of their region. According to the traders’ survey, August, September and October are the peak arrival months while July and November are the lean arrival months of hill potato in the Haldwani market. The traders of Krishi Utpadan Mandi Samiti, Haldwani, revealed that the hill potato was arriving mainly from different areas of Nainital and Almora districts and selected areas of the Garhwal region. The main growing belts are Garur, Someshwer, Basoli, Paharpani, Motiawaghar, Dhanachuli, Shaherphatak, Chaamkhan and Nathukhan in the Kumaon region and Dewal, Gwaldam and Chamoli blocks in the Garhwal region. According to a university spokesperson, “Major potato growing states of the country are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Punjab and Karnataka which together account for about 86 per cent of India’s production.” The sowing of hill potato in hills starts from the February end and lasts up to March and April according to different altitudes. The harvesting of the crop starts from end of July and lasts up to November. |
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Ration shops ordered closed on flimsy grounds
Dehradun, April 1 Ironically, once the licences of these shops are cancelled or suspended, they remain in limbo for more than a year. In such a situation, a committee, which has members like District Magistrate, District Development Officer, Sub Divisional Magistrate, District Supply Officer, Additional District Magistrate and Councillor, deliberates and decides such issues only when a number of such cases pile up. In other words, these meetings are held once in a year or two years. It is the
residents of the area who suffer because of the cumbersome process. At present the licences of 37 shops are lying cancelled and six suspended in various part of the city. Sachin Gupta, councillor, who fought for the inordinate delay in opening new ration shops in his area, Yamuna Colony, where two ration shops were cancelled one and a half years ago, said: “Since the area in my ward is quite big, it had three ration shops, out of which two were cancelled 15 months ago on the complaints registered by some residents regarding inadequate ration supply, poor quality and misbehaviour of the shop owner with the public. But instead of opening a new shop or reinstating the old ones with warning of strict action, the District Supply Office authorised the sole operating shop the responsibility of distributing ration to the ration card holders of the other two cancelled shops. Now the residents keep standing in long queues waiting for their turn. More often the shop owner fails to give them the required ration, saying the ration has finished. The residents are very angry and are not ready to put up with this trouble anymore.” DSO MS Bishen pushed the buck on the committee for taking time on deciding about such issues and also change in the rules. He said: “Earlier one ration shop was created for every 2000 ration card holders in an area but now it is done so for every 4000 card holders. The shops, which had already been running before the new directive was enforced, were not cancelled or suspended, but the cases where complaints have been registered and action has been taken by cancelling or suspending the ration shops, in those cases the new directive is considered before reopening or reinstating them. It is because of this, the number of ration shops is reducing in the city. But people do not know about it and complain. There can be shortage of ration supply but that is from the distribution centre, not from ourside.” |
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BJP Kisan Morcha to hold protest tomorrow
Dehradun, April 1 “The token protest will be held in Roorkee, Rudrapur and Kashipur on April 3 in support of these demands,” said Om Prakash Dhankar, national president of the BJP Kisan Morcha. At a pres conference today , Om Prakash lambasted the Central Government for being insensitive to the needs of the farmers and leaving them at the mercy of market. “It is a dangerous trend. We will be holding a token protest on April 3, in case the government accepts our demand the protest will be withdrawn,” said Dhankar. The Kisan Morcha leader said 52 per cent of the farmers were living below the poverty line and denied even the minimum wages. “That is why farmers
in the country have committed suicide even in prosperous states like Punjab and Maharashtra,” said Dhankar. He criticized the Central Government for failing to implement the Swaminathan Committee recommendation on the calculation of MSP on the basis of the present data and the Hooda committee recommendations on the payment of calamity compensation on the basis of new rates. “The recommendations have already been pending with the government. If they are interested in the welfare of the farmers, they should immediately implement them,” he said. |
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Self-Help Group on FRI campus soon
Dehradun, April 1 At the meeting, it was unanimously decided that a Self-Help Group involving poor families living on the campus should be immediately formed to address their livelihood issues by generation of additional income to them through their gainful employment in the activities of the proposed SHG. The main activities which can be initially taken up by the SHG include mushroom cultivation, production of vermicompost, manufacturing of utility items from lantana weed and bee-keeping. The activities of the SHG will be coordinated by the FRI Ladies Club and the Bagwan Gramodhyog Samiti. This is a noble initiative indeed undertaken by the ICFRE for the welfare of the economically poor families who will get an additional income from their employment in the activities of the Self-Help Group. Dr SS Negi, Director FRI, Usha Bahuguna, patron of the FRI Ladies Club, Saibal Dasgupta, Deputy Director General (Extension), Sandeep Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Research), Secretary, Bagwan Gramodhyog Samiti (an NGO) T S Bisht and other officials of the Bagwan Gramodhyog Samiti were present at the meeting. |
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DM annoyed over poor quality of work
Almora, April 1 In a letter addressed to the Chief Engineer of the PWD, Garbyal highlighted defects in the roads, culverts and drains that were built during the last financial year. He said the metalling of the roads had started to come off and the potholes marking the roads were causing accidents. Referring to the drains, he said the debris had not been removed and continued to lie adjacent to the drains that have been constructed. Also, the quality of material used in the construction was poor, he averred. He underlined that the engineers of the department were not carrying out their jobs in a proper manner. He has asked the Chief Engineer to initiate a probe into the construction of roads like Almora-Shehrphatak-Mornaula, Suvakhan-Dodam-Chalichina, Almora-Ghat and Almora-Seraghat. He has called for a report in the matter at the earliest. |
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ITBP band enthrals Mussoorie tourists
Mussoorie, April 1 The programme was organised jointly with the efforts of the Municipal Council, Mussoorie, and the ITBP to entertain tourists in the hill town here. The live band played several tunes from a latest Bollywood film that was much appreciated by the audience. Senior ITBP officials said the ITBP band was one of the premiere musical bands in the armed forces and had won several awards in various functions. He also said the ITBP was also celebrating its golden jubilee year this year and this programme was one of the series in that context. Mussoorie Municipal Council president OP Uniyal said earlier in the British period, such musical programmes were a routine feature at the band stand. He said the MC was also planning with the ITBP to continue such programmes in the summer season for the pleasure of the tourists. |
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Palm Sunday celebrated in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, April 1 The pastor of Central Methodist Church Chaman Comfort blessed the devotees and offered special prayers in praise of Christ on the occasion. Delivering the special service, he highlighted the importance of the day. He explained that the Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with palm branches. The pastor also read the passionate narrative on Palm Sunday. Sweets and eatables, specially made for the occasion, were also distributed. |
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Garhwali music album launched
Mussoorie, April 1 The album was released by former Municipal Council president Manmohan Singh Mall. The album contains more than 40 songs sung in Garhwali and Jaunpuri dialect. The other singers who have rendered their voices in the album are Surendar Rana, Sangeeta, Dhaundiyal, Reshma, Meera, Jyoti, Poonam, Surendar Meher and Rajnesh Tomar. Chief guest Manmohan Singh Mall said that it was due to the singers of Uttarakhand that the fragile culture of the state was being preserved. The other invited guest, the president of film, television and radio Pradeep Bhandari, talking to the media, said that local artistes, despite working towards promoting culture of Garhwal and Kumaon through their songs, were not receiving any support from the government to the extent that a film policy has not be made as yet. He demanded that the new government should work seriously towards improving the film and music industry of the state by formulating a film, Vikas Parishad, that works for the development of the
industry. |
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PBL beat U’khand Petroleum University
Dehradun, April 1 Chasing the victory target, Uttarakhand Petroleum University team was all out for 118 runs, thereby ensuring 184-run victory for PBL. Abhishek Tripathy scored a valiant
112 runs. Rising Star will take on Kumaon Club in tomorrow’s match. |
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Power body to hold volleyball tourney
Dehradun, April 1 Anil Kumar Jain, Managing Director, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited, will inaugurate the tournament. The final match of the tournament will take place on April 3 evening. |
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