Make Gairsain summer capital temporarily: UKD
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 25
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Progressive) has demanded that Gairsain be made the summer capital of the state on the lines of Jammu.

The party wants this arrangement till infrastructure is fully created at Gairsain in Chamoli district in the Garhwal division for it to become the permanent capital of Uttarakhand.

As part of its statewide call, UKD activists staged a dharna outside the District Magistrate office at Roshanabad here today.

They also submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate office in this regard to be forwarded to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.

Bal Singh Saini, district president of the UKD, welcomed the Chief Minister’s initiative of holding a Cabinet meeting in Gairsain and demanded the summer capital status for it till infrastructure facilities were created there.

Saini said the agitation for the separate state of Uttarakhand revolved around the development of the hill region and having the state capital at Gairsain, but even after 12 years of its creation nothing much had been done.

While Uday Ram Semwal, central secretary of the UKD, said despite Dehradun being the interim capital, crores of rupees were being spent there which showed the double standards of the BJP and the Congress.

“An interim capital should not be treated as the full time capital and the Rs 88 crore budget allocated for the secretariat should be diverted for creating infrastructure facilities in Gairsain.

More than 70 people laid down their lives during the movement for a separate state of Uttarakhand, can’t we make Gairsain the capital of the state to honour the wishes of the martyrs,” said Semwal.

On the issue of hydropower projects, the UKD favoured small power projects so that the local ecology did not get affected.

Veteran leader Anil Pokhriyal supported Bahuguna’s support for hydropower projects and demanded that steps be taken to maintain the sanctity and purity of the Ganga.

The protesters decided to emphasize on the cleaning of the Ganga, stopping dirty water of nullahs and sewers from flowing into the river and a mass awareness drive.

Those who attended the protest included youth wing chief Lalit Mamgain, Roorkee district chief Tanuj Rathi, Pradeep Dhiman, Lakhbir Dogra, Pradeep Verma and Paras Soni.

Financial Inclusion and E-Payment
One member of family to have bank account, says Finance Secy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, 24 May
Under the Central government’s scheme of financial inclusion and e-payment, at least one member of a family in the state will have a bank account. Besides, online payment will also become a reality in the state.

The decision to this effect was taken in a review meeting of ‘Financial inclusion and e-payment’ chaired by Union Finance Secretary DK Mittal here today.

Mittal directed all banks to open at least one account of a family member in rural areas using voting cards as the proof of identity. He also advocated the opening of bank accounts of families living in slum areas and small huts. He said there ought to be a bank branch at every 5 km distance and a facility of business correspondent (BC) at every 2 km.

The ultra-small branches would help in the extension of banks. He also laid stress on extending the network of BC with a laptop and 2G network. Mittal said, “When everyone will have bank accounts, then e-payments will be made compulsory and pension, scholarship and other payments will be made electronically. This will ensure transparency and save time,”.

Reviewing the Kisan Credit Card, the Union Finance Secretary said every farmer ought to have the card. Out of the total 9.50 lakh farmers in the state, only 7.5 lakh have the card. He expected more crop and life insurance coverage from the banks. Mittal also suggested revising bank timings on the Char Dham yatra routes and other religious places.

Secretary Finance Radha Raturi said 1.5 lakh pensioners were being paid through their bank accounts and VAT was being deposited through banks by departmental website and so far Rs 14,000 crore had been deposited online.

Development works worth Rs 19 crore for border villages
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May25
Development works of more than Rs 19 crore under border area development projects will be taken in the border villages of Pithoragarh and Champawat this year, according to Chief Development Officers of the districts.

“We have received a sum of Rs 5.41 crore under this Central government funded scheme for this year. This amount will be spent to create the facility of drinking water and meet shortage of electricity in Basani, Gaindakhali and Bastia villages of Champawat block. Danyali, Khilpati and Akhiltarani villages of Lohaghat block situated on the Nepal border will have a new drinking water scheme out of the money released under this scheme,” said Dipti Singh, CDO in-charge of Champawat district.

According to the district statistical officer of the Champawat district, to avail alternative power for the villages situated on the Indo-Nepal border, which are bereft of electricity for the last 60 years, solar panels will be erected. “We have selected 3 villages from Lohaghat block and 10 from Champawat block for the purpose of erecting solar lights to get these villages out of darkness.” said Dipti Singh.

In Pithoragarh district, a sum of Rs 14 crore has been released under this Union Government- sponsored scheme to have development works in remote villages, which are situated on the Indo-China and Indo-Nepal border. “Out of this money we have allocated a sum of Rs 2 crore each to Munakot and Kanalichina blocks and Rs 3 crore to Dharchula block. Munsiyari block has been allocated maximum amount of Rs 6 crore, which will be spent to cover the villages situated at the higher Himalayan valley of Darma to provide these village solar lights as they are not electrified and remain in darkness due to lack of electric lines there in this remote part of Himalayas,” said AK Pandey, in-charge and Chief Development Officer of the district.

According to the officers, the money allocated under the border area development projects are spent on border villages on the basis of geographical area, length and population of the concerned border block. “ About 20 per cent amount is allocated on the basis of geographical area, while 50 per cent amount under this scheme is released on the basis of population of the said block. Allocation of the rest 30 per cent amount is based on the basis of length of the block,” said Dipti Singh, CDO of Champawat.

“This is additional to district and state plans. The Government of India has given priority to ensure speedy development of all border areas of the country to check migration from there,” said AK Pandey. CDO, Pithoragarh.

Central Army team win Sailing Regatta cup
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 25
The Army Commander’s Sailing Regatta was held at picturesque Nainital lake today. The event was flagged off by Lieutenant General Anil Chait, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command.

Four teams each from the Army and the NTYC participated in the event for the Silver Trophy. The Central Army team won the cup and was awarded the Silver Trophy by Lt Gen Anil Chait.

Lt Gen NS Bawa, Chief of Staff, Central Command, senior officers of various formations in the Central Command and members of the NTYC attended the event.

The NTYC, established as the Naini Tal Sailing Club in 1890, is the oldest sailing club in the country and is located at the Boat Club, Nainital.

The Sailing Regatta conducted over a period of two days on May 24 and 25, 2012, was started in 1990 by the then Army Commander, Central Command, Late Lieutenant General FN Bilimoria. It is the only event of its kind in Uttarakhand.

Lt Gen NS Bawa, Chief of Staff, Central Command, senior officers of various formations in the Central Command and members of the NTYC attended the event.

Cong activists want Harak Rawat inducted into Cabinet
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 25
With the lone seat of Cabinet Minister remaining vacant in Vijay Bahuguna-led coalition state government, the demand for filling this seat by former leader of Opposition Harak Singh Rawat is gaining momentum.

In view of showing their support, Congress activists in Haridwar today went barefoot in the scorching sun, urging Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi to induct Rawat in the state Cabinet so that the people of the state could benefit from his vast experience as two-time former Cabinet Minister, both in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Leading the barefoot march titled "Anurodh Yatra," veteran party activist Sanjay Chopra said that Harak Singh Rawat deserves to be in the Cabinet as he has been a legislator since 1991 when he won from Pauri Assembly segment, defeating the then heavyweight Pushkar Singh Rauthan.

Chopra added that Harak Singh Rawat also won the major poll battle against 6-time legislator Matbar Singh Kandari from Rudraprayag segment this time,though being an outsider which reflects his popularity among the masses and party workers.

Another leader Hitesh Sharma said that a memorandum has also been forwarded to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in this regard. In the "Anurodh Yatra" among others who participated were Gopal Krishan, Vishal, Rakesh, Sandeep, Chotelal, Mahendra, Hari Om and Bal Ram Singh.

Cong has failed to exploit forest, organic wealth, says MP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 25
National general secretary of the Shiv Sena and Member of Parliament Anil Desai, who reached the town today, castigated Congress-led state government on many fronts in a press meet. He said Congress was doing nothing in sectors related to forest, agriculture and organic wealth, which could give significant revenue to the state.

In the state, which has immense potential for the growth of tourism, not one per cent work had been done and hydroelectric projects had become a source for earning for the politicians, he said.

He also advocated for the benefit of green bonus, saying that the state which was giving oxygen to the entire country through its green cover must be given the benefit of green bonus by the Centre.

He expressed concern over continuous migration and said: "Migration of youngsters make any state weak. The problem of migration in Uttarakhand has not been arrested in the last 11 years' of creation of the state. The state government must prepare a policy, keeping the geographical condition of the state in consideration so that the water and youth of the state could be harnessed."

Keeping in tandem with the odd topography of the state, special efforts were required to be made with regard to health, education and potable water, he said. He also highlighted that the state was full of immense rich resources which, if utilised with the enforcement of proper policies, could surge ahead in a time span of just three years.

He called upon the public saying that the people of the state aggrieved by the corruption and inflation must support their party, which would work towards development of the state.

It was in the day, that Desai was given a warm welcome by the members of the organisation on his arrival in the town. The crowd gathered on Rajpur Road and brought Desai to the party headquarters in the form of a rally. Desai addressed party workers and leaders and asked state president Gaurav Kumar to stir movements by protesting on roads on various issues pertaining to the welfare of the public and the state.

Wild honey bees return to Munsiyari, Dharchula valleys
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 25
The high mountain valleys of Munsiyari and Dharchula are these days abuzz with the humming of wild honey bees which have started making hives there. The bees have returned to the cold environs of the mountains due to unbearable heat wave in the Terai region of the state where they had gone during the winter.

“The bees have formed at least 500 hives in the high rise rocks of Khara Udiyar, Ruigair and Kalamuni and Birthi in the Munsiyari region,” said Jiwan Danu, a farmer of Nachni village of the subdivision.

Experts said the honey bees could not bear temperature less than 7°C and more than 35°C. They added groups of wild bees remained in the Terai region from September to March every year and return to the mountains in March and stay here till August.

“During their stay in the Terai region, these wild bees, called Apis Dorsata , make hives on Sal, Sagaun and Semal trees for breeding and making honey and return to the high mountains during the summer to feed on Chura and Brahkamal flowers,” said Dr Rameshwar Singh, an expert at the beekeeping training centre at Jyolikot in Nainital district.

The experts said these bees were the most violent among the Himalayan bees and despite having poison in their sting, they make maximum honey in their hives.

“Of the four main varieties of wild bees found in this part of the Himalayas, this kind is not only the most violent but also an expert in keeping more honey in their hives,” said Rameshwar.

Villagers in the region said they used to have a lot of honey before 1960 from these wild bees during the summer. But after 1960, as the population grew the bees stopped coming to the mountains frequently thus affecting the extraction of honey from their hives by villagers,” said Mahendra singh Birthwal (60), a farmer of Birthi village in the Johar valley.

Forest officers are also well aware about these honey bees breeding in the higher Himalayan rocks and take care of their safety during forest fires. “We have ordered forest workers to keep a watch on the smoke emanating from forest fires as it may damage the breeding of these bees,” said T. Sambandhanam, DFO, Pithoragarh division.

Migrant bees

• The honey bees migrate to the Terai region in the state from September to March every year and return to the mountains in March and stay there till August.
• They cannot bear temperature less than 7°C and more than 35°C.
• In the Terai region, these bees, called Apis Dorsata, make hives on Sal, Sagaun and Semal trees for breeding and making honey, while on their return to the high mountains during the summer they feed on Chura and Brahkamal flowers
• They are the most violent among the Himalayan bees and despite having poison in their sting, they make maximum honey

Save Dhari Devi Shrine
Swami Sanand to start agitation
Tribune News Service

Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand (right) at the Matra Sadan in Haridwar on Friday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Haridwar, May 25
Noted environmentalist and former IIT professor Guru Das Aggarwal, alias Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, has now called for preserving Dhari Devi famous shrine in Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, on the Alaknanda river.

Swami Sanand made it clear today at Matra Sadan ashram that he would start an agitation for saving the shrine, which holds tremendous religious significance for local people.

Earlier, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati had also started a fast in Haridwar for the saving of the Dhari Devi temple from 330 MW Alaknanda hydropower project.

At that time, the then Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had given assurance to Uma that the revered shrine would not get affected due to the project.

Swami Sanand made it clear that his struggle for saving the Ganga and against hydropower projects in the state would continue. He said despite forced feeding by the district administration in Delhi, his ‘tapasya’ mode of agitation would continue for the cause of the Ganga.

Lauding the role of Matra Sadan ashram saints and related social activists, Swami Sanand said a major thrust had been given by the ashram to Save the Ganga Movement, particularly by late Swami Nigamanand, who gave up his life while on fast for more than 108 days.

State has immense potential in science, technology, says ex-Union minister
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 25
Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology held its vision group meeting in Dehradun today.

Participants at a vision group meeting organised by UCOST in Dehradun on Friday. A Tribune Photograph

Inaugurating the meeting, former Union Science and Technology Minister MGK Menon appreciated the activities undertaken by UCOST towards promotion of science in Uttarakhand. He said the hill state kept immense potential in the sector of science and technology as inhabitants of Uttarakhand have been some of the leading scientists of the country.

Director General, UCOST, Dr Rajendra Dobhal, said UCOST successfully held a science Congress every year in which a total of 45 young scientists are awarded. He said a total of 130 science publicity centres have also been established by the council all over the state.

Former Vice Chancellor HNB Garhwal University AN Purohit said the aim of vision group meeting is to formulate a science-based five year plan for the state. Uttarakhand Science and Technology Secretary PS Gusain said the state had a rich biodiversity and kept a vast potential of development in eco tourism, alternate energy and cultivation of herbal plants.

Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Manju Sharma, and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education Director General VK Bahuguna were other prominent speakers at the meeting.

Marathon, blood camp on May 27
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 25
Radio Khushi 90.4 FM, the Community Radio Station of Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School (GNFC), will organise the "Run For Humanity" marathon and a blood donation camp simultaneously on May 27 in order to pay tributes to Guru Arjan Dev.

The event is the brainchild of ND Sahney, headmistress of Shangrila, the girls wing of GNFC school and the supporting staffs of "Radio Khushi", the community radio station run by the students, who after making the best use of the medium, are trying to raise awareness towards community issues such as health, education and environment.

ND Sahney further said the "Run for the Humanity" marathon event will begin from Garhwal Terrace on Mall Road and flagged off by Marshneel Gavaskar, the wife of eminent cricketer Sunil Gavaskar.

She further said for the blood donation camp, they were expecting to collect around 150 units of blood in a day. The blood collected here will be donated to Doon Hospital blood bank so that it could be used for the poor and needy of the state.

Max Super-Speciality Hospital opened in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 25
Even as Doon Medical College, Dehradun, and the All-India Medical Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, await their commissioning, Max Healthcare opened a 205-bed super-speciality hospital built at a cost of Rs 120 crore here today.

It has been more than 10 years since the creation of the state but a super-speciality hospital in the government sector has still not taken shape. However, with the inauguration of the Max Super-Speciality Hospital by the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, residents of the state can now avail the state-of-the-art facilities in the area of neurosciences, cardiac sciences and orthopaedics and trauma.

Addressing a press conference today, chairman of the Max India group Analjit Singh said the hospital would fill the gaps in healthcare in the state. "We have brought together the best physicians and made available the best medical equipment so that the people of Dehradun do not have to travel to Delhi for getting the high-end medical treatment," said Analjit Singh.

He said a general ward with 13 beds has been set up to cater to the needs of the patients belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society. "As the hospital is privately owned, the costs have to be kept in mind but we will not refuse any poor patient who comes for treatment," he emphasised.

While Dr Ajay Bakshi, CEO, Max Healthcare, said the setting up Max Institute of Neurosciences, Dehradun (MIND), at the hospital was the crowning glory of the hospital. "It will combine different streams of brain and spine care with intra-operative CT scan machines and advanced MRI facility. The hospital's orthopaedic department will also conduct a joint replacement operation, the first of it's kind facility in Uttarakhand," said Bakshi.

On the other hand, Dr AK Singh, director, Max Institute of Neuro Sciences, Dehradun at MIND,said for the first time the focus would be on providing rehabilitative medical care to the patient who had already suffered a stroke.