Bahuguna files papers from Sitarganj
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today filed his nomination papers for the Sitarganj Assembly byelection as the ruling Congress candidate.

Bahuguna filed two sets of nomination papers at the SDM's office, who is also the returning officer for the bypoll at Sitarganj.

The returning officer allowed only five persons to enter the nomination hall. Bahuguna was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Harish Rawat, in charge of the state unit of the Congress Chaudhary Birendra Singh, Cabinet ministers Indira Hridayesh and Yashpal Arya and former MLA Kiran Mandal.

Mandal and Mohammed Tahir Ahmed were the two proposers for Bahuguna. Mandal, BJP legislator from Sitarganj, had resigned his seat necessitating a bypoll. Mandal was won over by the ruling Congress to pave the way for Bahuguna to contest the byelection and after winning enter the state Assembly.

At present, Bahuguna is a Lok Sabha MP from Tehri Garhwal and has to enter the state Assembly within six months of becoming the Chief Minister.

The polling in the the Sitarganj byelection will be held on July 8.

The CM's wife Sudha, Cabinet ministers Harish Durgapal, Mantri Prasad Naithani, Pritam Singh, District Panchayat Chairperson Shushila Gangwar, former minister Tilakraj Behad and District Congress president Narayan Singh Bisht were also present.

Promises to speed up development in the area
Tribune News service

Dehradun, June 13
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, who filed his nomination papers from the Sitarganj Assembly seat today, promised to accelerate the pace of development not only in the constituency but also in the entire state.

The Chief Minister addressed a public rally on the Ramlila ground at Sitarganj after filing the nomination papers. He lamented that the previous BJP government did nothing for the development of the state. “The bleak power situation nowadays is the direct result of inaction of the previous BJP government on this front and we promise to reverse the trend by bringing in overall development,” he said.

Bahuguna said the Congress believed in inclusive growth of all sections of society, particularly poor, downtrodden, backwards, SC/ST and minorities. “As per the wishes of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, our government has taken a number of steps in this direction and will do so in the coming days as well,” he added.

Despite an appeal by the Chief Minster to Congress leaders to refrain from coming to Sitarganj, a large number of senior party leaders, including ministers, were present. Prominent among them was his political rival Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat. Harish Rawat was also present at the time Bahuguna filed the nomination papers. He also reached the venue of the rally but due to gross mismanagement and rush of leaders could not be accommodated on the stage. He later left the venue.

Besides party MPs KC Singh Baba and Satpal Maharaj, state Cabinet ministers Indira Hariydesh, Dinesh Aggarwal, Harish Chander Duragpal, Mantri Parsad Naithani, Surender Singh Negi and Yashpal Arya were present at the rally.

The Chief Minister lamented the neglect of the area as well as the Bengali community during the previous BJP rule in the state and promised to do the needful for the area. “The Congress will not only give its rightful place to the Bengali community in the state but also bring more industries to the area to end unemployment among its youth,” he said.

“The Chief Minister will have an overwhelming victory in the byelection as this will be a one-sided affair. Even senior leaders of the BJP like LK Advani will fail if they choose to fight the election against the Chief Minister in Sitarganj,” claimed Kiran Mandal, a former BJP MLA who vacated the seat for Bahuguna.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Sudha Bahuguna, sister and wife of the Chief Minister, respectively, were also present on the occasion.

“The Uttarakhand Congress is united as was on display today with all senior Congress leaders, including Union minister Harsh Rawat, and a large number of legislators present at the rally,” said Suryakant Dhasmana, vice-president of the Uttarakhand Congress Committee.

BJP to field local against CM
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, June 13
The BJP will field a local candidate against Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna from the Sitarganj Assembly seat and the decision in this regard will be taken after the meeting of the party parliamentary board in Dehradun on June 18, state general secretary of the party Suresh Joshi said here today.

“Of a panel of 15 names, the candidate is likely to be Ratan Lal Gupta, Uttam Dutta or Bahadur Singh Sardar,” said Joshi.

He added the BJP would raise the issue of the insult of the Bengali community by the Chief Minister during the campaign for the byelection in Sitarganj, as he had subverted democracy in the constituency. “The BJP had given representation to the Bengali community in the state Assembly but the Congress snatched it,” said Joshi.

The BJP leader said after July 8 the Bengali community would realise the conspiracy of the Congress against it.

“After the elections on July 8, the Chief Minister will never return to look at the plight of the Bengali migrants in the Shaktifarm area as the Congress only knows how to use poor communities for electoral gains,” Joshi added. 

Tharu tribals struggle for political recognition
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Neglected lot In the present 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly, Prem Singh Rana is the only member belonging to the Tharu tribe, who won from the Nanankmata (ST) reserved seat on the BJP ticket. According to the 2001 Census, the population of the Tharu tribe is pegged at 2.56 lakh while in Sitarganj it may be around 20,000. They tribesmen continue to have their presence in Udham Singh Nagar also. The Chief Minister had launched a blitzkrieg to woo Bangladeshi voters in Sitarganj by offering them land ownership rights, but ignored the Tharu tribals, who once upon a time boasted of a sizeable population in Sitarganj. A total of five Scheduled Tribes, namely Bhotia, Tharu, Jaunsari, Buxa and Raji, reside in Uttarakhand. Among these Buxa and Raji come under the category of ancient Schedule Tribes.

Dehradun, June 13
Left to a minuscule population of around 20,000 and overrun by settlers from Bangladesh, the Tharu tribal community is struggling to get it’s voice heard in Sitarganj, the Assembly constituency that has shot into fame after Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna decided to contest the byelection.

With an eye on Bangladeshi settlers and prior to his nomination, the Chief Minister had launched an announcement blitzkrieg to woo the majority Bangladeshi voters, offering them land ownership rights, almost ignoring the Tharu tribals, who once upon a time boasted of sizeable numbers in Sitarganj. The Sitarganj Assembly seat was de-reserved in 2012 Assembly elections.

Interestingly, in the present 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly, Prem Singh Rana is the only member belonging to the Tharu tribe, who won from the Nanankmata (ST) reserved seat on the BJP ticket. There are a total of two ST reserved seats in Uttarakhand Assembly.

In the 2007 Assembly elections, Sitarganj, Khatima and Dharchula were reserved constituencies for members of the Scheduled Tribes (ST).

According to the 2001 census, the population of the Tharu tribes was pegged at 2.56 lakh and in Sitarganj they may be around 20,000, while they continue to have their presence in Udham Singh Nagar.

“It is the constitutional measures that have helped in giving a sense of security and identity to the tribals; otherwise they would have been lost in the quagmire of majority and vote bank politics,” explained Yogender Rawat, Deputy Director, ST Directorate.

Such has been the fate of tribals in Uttarakhand that without the status of reserved constituency, whenever they have stood up from deserved seats they have failed to make a mark. Take the case of former BJP leader Kedar Singh Fonia hailing from Bhotia tribe, fighting on the ticket of the newly created party. The leader lost the election from Badrinath which was a general category seat in the 2012 Assembly election.

Similarly, when Gagan Rajbar belonging to the Rajji ancient tribe won as an Independent from the Dharchula seat for the first time in 2002 election, it was seen as a stupendous achievement. Soon, the Congress and the BJP lapped him up in quick session in order to lend support to their respective governments.

Trying his luck once again from his old Dharchula constituency in the 2012 election, Gagan could not repeat his magic as the constituency was de-reserved in these elections.

A total of five Scheduled Tribes, Bhotia, Tharu, Jaunsari, Buxa and Raji, reside in Uttarakhand, among which Buxa and Raji come under the category of ancient Schedule Tribes.

13th Finance Commission
Chief Secy reviews proposed works
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain reviewed proposed works under the 13th Finance Commission at the Secretariat here today.

He has directed officials to check the past track record of the undertaking agencies before making selection.

The Chief Secretary has directed the officials to select the place for the proposed nursing colleges at Tehri, Pauri, Chamoli, Almora and Pithoragarh, where 120-bed hospital was available.

He asked them to make selection according to the set criteria. The Chief Secretary also instructed them to ensure that along with nursing colleges, hostels for students were also constructed and BSc (nursing) classes were conducted.

Reviewing the construction of an auditorium and a museum proposed by the Cultural Department, the Chief Secretary said the layout and design should represent the culture of Uttarakhand.

He said the construction of the board building at Roorkee and a training centre for teachers in Dehradun were under the proposal of Technical Education.

He said a sports stadium of international standard worth Rs 25 crore would be constructed on 15.2 acres at Haldwani by the Sports Department.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Technical Education, Rakesh Sharma, Principal Secretary, Rural Development, Arun Dhaundiyal, Secretary, Tourism, SS Sandhu, Secretary, Irrigation, NS Negi, Secretary, School Education, Manisha Panwar, Secretary, Finance, Radha Raturi and other senior officials.

Governor Qureshi, family visit Kilbury
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
Governor Aziz Qureshi, along with members of his family, viewed the natural splendour of the surrounding areas of Nainital from the tourist site of Kilbury today.

Overwhelmed by the immense natural beauty of the region, the Governor said Uttarakhand had great natural wealth which had power to attract nature lovers and tourists from across the world.

Spending sometime in the forests' rest house at Kilbury, the Governor sought detailed information regarding various flora and fauna species found in the area.

He also planted a rose sapling on the rest house campus in memory of his visit to the place today.

My visit to Australia was not a leisure tour: Minister
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
Social Welfare and Transport Minister Surinder Rakesh today rebuffed claims that he had gone to Australia on a leisure tour disregarding the Budget session.

Speaking to mediapersons today, the minister said his study trip to Australia was very productive and he had used economy class to travel and even stayed in hostels during the 12-day visit. “I spent a total of Rs 1.70 lakh for my visit and preferred flying economy class unlike other ministers who splurge on their foreign tours. I am also going to ensure that some of the aspects of our study trip are implemented in the state,” said the minister.

Rakesh had invited strictures from the Speaker after instances of misuse of official vehicle by his family members surfaced. He denied the charges. “The incident was unnecessarily blown out of proportion. The incident took place on May 30 when I was around and had sent my brother in the official car at a function to convey the message that I would arrive late but the Opposition picked on me unnecessarily,” he explained.

Narayan Ram not happy with CM over elevation as Parliamentary Secy
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, June 13
Elevated as a parliamentary secretary attached to the Chief Minister only a day before, Narayan Ram, the Congress MLA from Gangolihat seat of Pithoragarh district, has expressed his dissatisfaction over the elevation and said that by doing so the Chief Minister has not done justice to him.

Narayan Ram, who is considered a close ally of Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Parliamnetary Affairs Harish Rawat, said the roster of reservation in the Cabinet, the Congress had set for itself from 2001 onwards, has been violated this time and despite being senior and experienced MLA of the party, he has been neglected.

According to Ram, the roster sets first, sixth and 11th post in the Cabinet for members of the Schedule Caste community. "Out of that quota of three, only two Schedule Caste MLAs, Yashpal Arya and Surendra Rakesh, have been given a place in the Bahuguna Cabinet," alleged Ram.

Narayan Ram, who has been chairman of the state SC/ST Commission two times from 2003 to 2005 and again from 2005 to 2008, said that he will raise the issue before party forum and ask the party high command to give justice to SC voters in the state, who helped a lot to form the Congress government in the state. 

Discontinue illegal slaughter of animals, villagers told
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
An awareness camp was organised by the Animal Husbandry Department at the Government Primary School in Butcher village of Khushaalpur in Sahaspur region of Uttarakhand.

Officer-in-charge of the Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board Ashutosh Joshi, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Dehradun, Pralayankar, and co-opted member of the Animal Welfare Board of India Gauri Maulekhi were present at the camp. The leaders of the village community were present and debated their right to carry on with slaughter of animals. They were informed that both the state and the Central government is now very actively attempting to prevent illicit cattle trade, which is a major source of terror funding.

Some villagers informed that they were willing to disclose whereabouts of culprits to the police or to NGOs on condition of secrecy. The village can always be found littered with gastro-intestinal matter and remains of cows and buffaloes, which contribute to the fact that there are more than 600 TB patients here and in the neighbouring region. Dr Kuldeep Dutta, well-known cardiologist, was present on the occasion to motivate the residents to alter their lifestyle and methods. He informed that TB was transmitted from bovines to humans, and was not easily treated with the usual medicines, and might be at times more deadly. It would be safer to practice precautions and switch to a healthier lifestyle.

The provisions of the Uttarakhand Cow and It's Progeny Act were discussed in detail and a strict warning was given by the Subdivisional Magistrate A.K.Pandey to the residents to discontinue illegal slaughter of animals.

Massive protest over shortage of drinking water in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
The Ambedkar Mandal and the women’s wing of BJP protested before the premises of the Jal Sansthan, near Dila Ram Chowk, while former Speaker and BJP MLA Harbans Kapoor also sat on dharna on GMS Road on the issue of shortage of drinking water in the city today.

Ashish Nagrath, president of Ambedkar Mandal, laid siege to the office of Executive Engineer of Jal Sansthan. He said the public was facing acute power and potable water crisis and the state government was sitting mum over their suffering. He said the entire political machinery of state government was paying their attention to the byelection at Sitarganj, rather than resolving grievances of the public over water and electricity.

Senior woman leader of BJP Sarita Gaud said arrangements of potable water should have been the first priority for the state government in this sweltering heat, but the govenment was doing nothing about it.

Former city president, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Raj Kumar Jayswal, said there was shortage of water in some localities of the city whereas in others the water was being wasted on the roads. The state govenrment must check this anomaly.

Former Speaker Harbans Kapoor too came out on the road and sat on dharna on GMS Road along with the public, demanding quick action on resolving the water crisis in the city.

Jagadguru should not use ACs in his ashram: Kaushal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson of the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), has appealed to saints and Shankaracharayas to shun the use of air-conditioners in their ashrams as the electricity provided for the same is being produced by hydroelectric projects on the Ganga. Kaushal was reacting to opposition to hydroelectric projects in Uttarakhand by various saints and Shankaracharayas.

Reacting to Shankaracharaya Swaroopanand’s suggestion of using alternative energy sources like atomic energy, Kaushal in a statement said atomic plants world over, including Japan, US, China and France, were being closed and hydroelectric plants were being considered over them.

“Swamiji should use these alternatives himself or preach about these in his headquarters in Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad or Dhaka to others. It is also requested to Swami Swaroopanand to reside in caves and quit a luxurious life, take to religious discourse and not indulge in politics,” he added.

On the question of maintaining purity of the Ganga, Kaushal appealed to the Shankaracharya that being a Jagadguru he should ask other saints to not drain sewage of their ashrams into the river.

Kaushal said prior to the proposed protest by saints in New Delhi on June 18 he along with hundreds of people from Uttarakhand, who had been affected by the closure of the hydroelectric projects, would be proceeding to the National Capital on June 15 to highlight the importance of the power projects in the state.

RLEK is a voluntary organisation that is spearheading a campaign for the restart of the stalled hydroelectric projects in the state.

Solving staff’s problems top priority, says UFDC chief
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
Newly appointed Chairman of the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation (UFDC) and Laksar Congress MLA Kunwar Pranav Champion assumed office today.

Champion reached UFDC’s office “Aranya Bhawan” in Dehradun this morning and performed hawan before assuming office.

Later, addressing the corporation employees, he said efforts must be made to make the UFDC one of leading corporations of the state. He said solving the problems of the employees would be his top priority.

Managing Director, UFDC, Srikant Chandola referred to the achievements of the corporation. He said the corporation was one of most profit-making corporations in the state at present.

Welcoming Champion, UFDC’s Satosh Rawat said the employees kept high hopes from the new chairman regarding the redressal of their long-pending demands.

Revenue staff memo to DM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 13
Members of Uttarakhand Revenue Ameen Association submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate, Dehradun, Ravinath Raman, today with regard to their demands. The members have asked for promotion benefits, which they said became due after intervals of 10,19 and 26 years of service, but they did not get these since 2008.

In their memorandum, they have also demanded regularisation of seasonal workers. They also asked for absorption of those who have been working in other departments so that the work of collection of revenue does not suffer anymore. They also demanded action on their complaints with regard to delay in forwarding their entries, lack of required paraphernalia such as receipt books, cash books, seating arrangements and travelling allowances.