Planning Minister blames officers for water crisis
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 23
Uttarakhand Planning Minister Dinesh Agarwal has held departmental officers responsible for the existing water crisis in the Dehradun region. At a meeting with officers of the Jal Sansthan, the Jal Nigam and the Drinking Water Department today, Agarwal said the lackadaisical attitude of the departmental officers was responsible for the potable water crisis.

Agarwal said he was compelled to take stringent disciplinary action against the officers responsible for the situation and directed the officers to conduct a survey and resolve problems at Race Course, Banjarawala, Niranjanpur, Daudwala and Mandi localities of Dehradun.

He said complacency from officers' side would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He directed them to install tubewells and lay water pipes wherever the problems existed.

He instructed the officers to hold meeting of the Jal Sansthan, the Jal Nigam and officers of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission to maintain coordination among them and take effective measures.

On flood-control measures, Dinesh Aggarwal asked the officers of the Irrigation Department to complete constructions of bridges and drains and take necessary steps for flood control prior to the arrival of monsoon wherever needed.

Earlier, reviewing the meeting of works undertaken under national highways, the Pradham Mantri Grameen Sarak Yojana and the PWD at his Vidhan Sabha office, Agarwal demanded explanation from them for not carrying out works as per the survey in the PMGSY and delaying construction of the approved projects.

The minister was informed at the meeting that out of 779 approved road construction works, 478 were complete and 150 were pending due to the Forest Act.

Bengali migrants hope govt may grant land ownership rights
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 23
More than one lakh Bengali migrants, living in the Shakti farm, Dineshpur, Rudrapur and Khatima areas of Udham Singh Nagar district, will get land ownership rights if the state government passes a Bill to please Kiran Mandal, legislator from Sitarganj, who resigned from the Assembly and the BJP today. Mandal has been demanding that the land occupied by the Bengali community in the Terai region of the state be regularised.

“The Congress is cheating the Bengali community as its assurances to Kiran Mandal are impossible to implement. The land being categorised for regularisation by the government falls under the category 8 of the Zamindari Abolition Act. This leased land has been transferred by the lease holders to the non-lease holders in at least 900 cases and involves litigation,” said Bishen Singh Chufal, Uttarakhand president of the BJP.

The government has called officers of the Revenue Department to Dehradun to find out in which category the land to be regularised falls. “We are collecting data and surveying the land in the Bengali-dominated areas of the Terai region,” said a revenue official.

According to sources, the Bengali migrants, who arrived in the Terai area between 1949 and 1960 and in 1971, were settled there by allotting five acres to each family on lease under the Government Grants Act of 1895. “They were put under the hereditary cultivator category, which had a provision for cultivating land on the hereditary basis, but did not grant rights to sell or mortgage it,” said Mohan Rajput, an expert on Terai region matters.

Senior citizens belonging to the Bengali community in Terai said they had been demanding grant of ownership rights as had been given to other similar communities, but previous governments of erstwhile Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand did not pay much attention to their demand. “We were ignored because we were poor and unorganised and had no political weight,” said Ravi Sarkar, a Bengali settler in the Terai area.

The revenue officials at the Rudrapur district headquarters said under the law the state government could change the nature of land covered under the Zamindari Abolition Act.

“We are trying to find out how much of land given to the Bengali settlers is not covered under the Zamindari Abolition Act. Whether the land belongs to forests or the government, as only after finding out the exact nature of the land it can be regularised,” said a revenue official.

According to the sources, most of the land in the Terai region given to the settlers fell in the category four, non-cultivable barren land, ownership rights holders and leased land. “The state government has the power to transfer this land to any category under the Zamindari Abolition Act so as to regularise it and grant it to anyone,” said a revenue official.

He added that nearly 3,200 hectares in the Shakti farm area was listed under the category 8 and was not covered under the Zamindari Abolition Act. This land needs to be regularised.

Some of the Bengali settlers complain that they were cheated when they were granted land. “We were told that the lease was for 99 years, but we later realised that it was for 30 years only and had to be renewed in 1990. But the administration has not renewed the lease till date,” said Ram Mandal, another settler at Sitarganj.

As political hustle bustle for regularising land in the Terai region not covered under the Zamindari Abolition Act has begun, the settlers at Kalyanpur village, near Sitarganj, are hopeful that they will also get ownership rights if the state government passes a Bill in the regard.

“These settlers, who hail from Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts, have been settled in 1979 on 750 acres not covered under the Zamindari Abolition Act after their ancestral villages in the hill districts were damaged in natural disasters,” said a settler of Kalyanpur village.

The Bengali settlers alleged that since they did not have ownership rights of the land they cultivated, they had to face difficulties in getting bank loans to construct houses or to start own business. “Some of the land allotted to us by the government has been destroyed by floods that occur in the areas frequently,” said another Bengali settler.

Govt asks RBI to ease banking norms
Tribune News Service

D Subbarao, Governor of the RBI, being greeted by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and his Cabinet colleagues Indira Hriyadesh and Yashpal Arya in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, May 23
The Uttarakhand Government has asked the visiting officials of the Reserve Bank of India to liberalise norms for setting up banks in the state.

“The RBI norms of opening a bank in a village with a population of 1,000 people has left large number of villages without the banking facility. There are several villages with a population of less than 1,000 population and have no access to banks. In order to provide banking facility to the last man, we have suggested to the Governor and the Central Government to relax the norms,” said Indira Hriyadesh, Uttarakhand Finance Minister, after a meeting with Governor of the RBI Dr D. Subbarao and other top officials who held consultations with the Uttarakhand government.

She said the cluster approach would be ideal for Uttarakhand as villages with population of less than 500 people would be able to access the banking facilities.

The minister said the government had already transferred land at Sahastdhar for setting up regional office for the Reserve Bank of India.

Dr Subbarao said greater focus should be laid on e-banking in the state. He said the banking sector was ready to extend its network provided the state government too became an equal partner. He said the Regional Office of the RBI would be further strengthened.

Dr Subbarao said Uttarakhand should take advantage of Dehradun’s image as education hub and built education infrastructure in other districts also. He said banks would be asked to focus on the remote areas and maintain Credit Deposit Ratio while opening bank branches in the plain and hill areas.

Surya Sailing Regatta begins today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 23
Surya Sailing Regatta will be held at Nainital on May 24 and 25, 2012. The programme at the Boat House Club is being conducted under the aegis of the Nainital Yacht Club (NTYC) and the Rajput Regimental Centre.

Sailing started in the Naini Lake in 1890 with the formation of the Nainital Sailing Club. Linccan Hope, a British, designed and built the yachts keeping in view the wind conditions in Nainital. The same design of boats, ‘Hopeman Half Rater’, are being used even today. The NTYC was formed in 1891.

The present building of the Boat House Club was initially that of the NTYC. The Boat House Club came into existence in 1984 and the NTYC is a part of the Boat club since then. It is the oldest sailing club in India located on the highest sailable lake in the world.

To begin with, in 1947, 10 yachts formed a part of the fleet which Late Raj Kumar Giri Raj Singh, the founder, purchased from the British. His son, Shahsi Raj Singh, who is settled in Nainital, was a Commodore from 2004-2007. The yachts became the property of the club, with presently only eight being serviceable and in use. He was nominated as the first Life Commodore of the club. The NTYC has the distinct privilege of sponsoring events of the Yachting Association of India.

Army Cdr’s Sailing Regatta (Surya Sailing Regatta) was started in 1990 on the initiative and patronage of Late Lt Gen FN Bilimoria, AVSM, and is the only sailing event conducted in the state. The centenary of the NTYC was held in 1990 and the then GOC-in-C, Central Command, Late Lt Gen FN Bilimoria, was invited as the chief guest. He instituted the Army Commander’s sailing trophy in 1990, which was conducted for the first time in 1993.

The Sailing Regatta is organised in the month of May/June every year under the aegis of the NTYC/Army. The teams of the Central Command (Army) and the NTYC compete with each other.

Since 2007, a sailing regatta for schoolchildren of Nainital has been organised on the request of the Principals of the prominent schools.

Formation Commanders told to be alert
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 23
The two-day Formation Commanders Conference - 2012 of the Central Command started today at Nainital with the inaugural address by Lieutenant General Anil Chait, GOC-in-C, Central Command.

Formation Commanders of the Central Command of the Army at their annual conference in Nainital on Wednesday.

Also present on this occasion were Lt Gen NS Bawa, Chief of the Staff, Central Command, and several senior officers of various formations within the command jurisdiction.

In his opening address, the Army Commander welcomed the Formation Commanders and the staff present. The General spoke about the international environment and the ramifications that these would have on the nation in general and the Army in particular.

The General reiterated the fact that it was of the paramount importance to be alert and pro-active and maintained a high state of operational preparedness at all times.

The Army Commander further stressed on the fact that it was vital to improve upon the existing infrastructure in the command theatre, especially in the hill sectors and the border area in a phased manner. He also laid stress on ensuring the success of all schemes for veterans and Veer Naris.

The General laid stress on honing the individual skills with special reference to Information Technology for all ranks so that the Army kept pace with rapid modernisation.

He also said in the Army it was imperative to lead by example. He stressed on maintaining the highest possible standards of integrity both in personal and professional conduct. The General further said all training institutions should lay emphasis on the “Army Ethos” right from the initial stages of training.

He complimented all Formation Commanders and the Staff on their performance and exhorted them to strive hard for keeping the Army flag flying high.

Small power projects beneficial: Expert
Tribune News Service

Dehradun , May 23
Dolphin (PG) Institute of Biomedical & Natural Sciences in collaboration with the Uttarakhand State Biotechnology Department is conducting a one-week training on “Entrepreneurship Development Programme on Biotechnology-based Industries” from May 21 to 26 on the Dolphin campus here.

A group of 35 teachers, research scholars, students and trained unemployed youths from different parts of Uttarakhand are participating in this training programme.

The guest speaker, Padamshree Dr Anil Joshi, founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO),expressing his thought on the topic “Entrepreneurship in Uttarakhand” appealed for a balanced approach on ecology and economy.

He said small hydro power projects were equally beneficial for power generation as well as environment. He expressed unhappiness with government policies for development at the cost of biodiversity, agriculture and environment.

He said 10,800 villages were facing acute water shortage in Uttarakhand having abundant water resources. However, the water bottle industry profits had crossed Rs 1,000 crore. Moreover 42 per cent of the children were suffering from malnutrition, 40 per cent of the people had no quality food, but the government had no more bags to store grains.

He said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate was going down these days as its maximum part was from the service sector (53.7 per cent) followed by the industrial sector.

He further said more than 90 per cent of the economy was dependent on villages. But lack of basic facilities had triggered migration from villages. He called upon the youth to come together to save water, agriculture and environment.

Extend ESI Scheme duration to 5 years, Bahuguna to Kharge
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 23
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has urged the Union Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Khadge to extend the time duration of the ESI Scheme benefit from present 3 years to 5 years for Uttarakhand.

Bahuguna during a meeting with Khadge in New Delhi yesterday said the time duration for the north-eastern states was five years and as Uttarakhand had similar geographical conditions and was under the special state category, the ESI benefit duration should also be increased for it from three to five years.

Khadge said Uttarakhand was not able to avail of the benefits of the National Health Insurance Scheme launched by the Centre. He stressed on taking the scheme to all districts of Uttarakhand. Bahuguna assured the Union Labour Minister to take necessary measures in this direction.

Bahuguna also called on Union Environment and Forest Minister Jayanti Natrajan and discussed with her the issue relating to the final approval for the National Institute of Technology in Pauri district of the state. The Centre is running 10 NITs since 2010, including six in the north-eastern states on a temporary basis.

Bahuguna meets mishap victims
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 23
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, on his way back to Dehradun from New Delhi on Wednesday, visited Jolly Grant Himalayan Hospital and enquired about the well-being of the persons injured in the road accident at Beasi yesterday. He interacted with two injured persons and asked doctors about the woman kept in ICU.

The Chief Minister asked the Director of the Himalayan institute to provide the best possible treatment. He said all medical expenses would be borne by the state government.

Doctors apprised him that both seriously injured persons were now out of danger and the woman in the ICU too was out of danger and recuperating.

The Chief Minister told mediapersons that the state government was in regular contact of the Madhya Pradesh Government and was ensuring the best possible treatment to the injured.

He said the officers concerned had been directed to take up vehicle checking going for the Chardham Yatra.

He said the officers had been directed to especially check worthiness certificate of the vehicles.

Nationwide movement to save Ganga needed: Togadia
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 23
The firebrand Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia, on his brief visit to Mussoorie, today said the ongoing movement to save the Ganga should be converted into a nationwide movement as the free flow of the Ganga was attached with sentiments of the Hindus.

Praveen Togadia further said, “The construction of big dams on the Ganga is obstructing the free flow of the river. The onus of keeping the Ganga clean and pollution free is on the government and the society so that it does not disappear.”

Togadia speaking to the media also said the industrial pollution being drained into the Ganga was also a major reason for increase in the pollution levels of the river and immediate solutions were required so that it remained in its clean form.

Togadia speaking on the recent issue of Nirmal Baba said that a certain section of the media was gunning for Nirmal Baba just due to his being Hindu but were mum on the other Christian leaders, indulging in similar acts. Praveen Togadia left for Char Dham Yatra from Mussoorie and would stay at Yamunotri tonight.

Subbarao meets industrialists
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 23
Reserve Bank of India’s Governor D Subbarao today met a high-level delegation of the Industries Association of Uttarakhand here today and discussed problems and challenges being faced by industrialists from banks in the state.

Industries Association of Uttarakhand’s Chairman Pankaj Gupta referred to the problems being faced by mini and medium-scale industries from banks in the state. He talked about the problems being faced by the industries in clearing houses of banks at various districts.

Subbarao assured to take up the issues raised by the association in tomorrow’s state bankers meet in Mussoorie.

Deputy RBI Governor Subir Gokarn was also present on the occasion.

Expressing satisfaction over the meeting with the RBI Governor, Pankaj Gupta said it was for the first time that the RBI Governor was directly interacting with the industrialists anywhere in the country.

Heman Kurich, Manoj Goyal, RNN Rawat, Anil Gupta and KL Khanduja were present at the meeting.

Bank staff visit historic SBI building
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 23
More than 20 probationers from the banking sector visited the historic State Bank of India to gain knowledge about its history and other workings on a two-day visit here yesterday.

SBI manager Satish Kumar apprised the probationers about the history of the bank and showed them the British period bank vault kept in the manager’s room.

Satish Kumar also informed them that the bank building at Mussoorie came into existence around 1956. Earlier during the British period, it was a hotel. Later the building was converted into an imperial bank. The SBI came into existence around 1956 and had been serving the people since then added, Satish Kumar.

BJP president gives memorandum to Governor
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 23
The Uttarakhand BJP today submitted a memorandum to the Governor, drawing his attention towards the disappearance of Kiran Mandal, BJP MLA from Sitarganj.

Led by president of the state BJP BS Chufal, the BJP leaders demanded action against the government and held it responsible for the disappearance of the MLA.

Meanwhile, to protest against the UPA government’s misrule at the Centre, the leaders held a token sit-in at the Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Park.

“Today is the third anniversary of the UPA and we have marked the day as Dheekar Diwas. All UPA government has given us is mounting inflation and scams,” said Chufal.

Experts advise precautions before pilgrimage
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 23
A total of 19 deaths during the Char Dham yatra has forced the medical experts to call upon the pilgrims to go for compulsory medical check ups and also undergo acclimatization before going on the trek.

“There are certain precautions that the pilgrims above the age of 50 should take before embarking on the pilgrimage. They should undergo compulsory medical check up and also get their bearings right before the pilgrimage,” said Dr SD Joshi, senior physician, Doon Hospital.

The medical experts said the patients usually ignore their medications and intake of food which aggravates matters.

Army recruitment rally from today

Dehradun, May 23
Garhwal MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence Affairs Satpal Maharaj said here yesterday that an Army recruitment rally will be held at Haldwani from May 24 to 29.

In a statement issued today, he said unemployed youths from Bageshwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Almora, Champawat and Almora districts of the Kumaon region could avail the benefit of the rally. — TNS