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Haridwar residents resent power cuts, burn Bahuguna’s effigy
UKD (P) begins membership drive to strengthen party base
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Scanty rains damage kharif crops in Almora, Pithoragarh
Nishank, other BJP leaders meet Ramdev aide Balkrishan
Polluted Sushwa river a threat to wildlife in Rajaji park
Constitute subcommittee
for roads in wildlife sanctuaries: Bahuguna
CM for tiger conservation
CM, Guv discuss development plans
Right to education a revolutionary step, says Dhasmana
Environment awareness week begins at school
All-round victory for St. George’s College in debate contest
Parakh, Laldinpuii appointed school captains
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Haridwar residents resent power cuts, burn Bahuguna’s effigy
Haridwar, July 28 The protesters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and power corporation officials for their failure to provide regular electricity supply. Kailash Keshwani, a representative of traders, criticised the Congress-led government in the state saying it was beset with infighting and had no concern for the public. Keshwani said while the public was reeling under power cuts, Cabinet ministers and officials of the power corporation were enjoying their time in air-conditioned rooms. Mridul Kaushik, a Chandracharya Chowk trader, said the Chief Minister lacked control over his Cabinet colleagues and government departments. “Power corporation officials give an excuse that the people are facing intermittent power cuts, roasting and low voltage due to stalled hydroelectric projects. But aren’t we paying taxes and electricity bills,” said Kaushik. Another protest against power cuts was held at Kathaira Bazaar in Jwalapur. Activists of the youth wing of the Rashtriya Krantikari Manch, which supported the protest, burnt an effigy of the government. Sanwar Abbasi, city secretary of the youth wing of the manch, warned the government that if regular power supply was not restored immediately, they would not allow any Cabinet minister to enter the city. |
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UKD (P) begins membership drive to strengthen party base
Haridwar, July 28 The party is dwelling on fielding it's candidates in all the five parliamentary constituencies in Uttarakhand. The party has started a membership induction drive to strengthen it's organisational structure. The UKD (P) central chief, Trivendra Singh Pawar, informed TNS that the party will field all it's five candidates in the Lok Sabha election for which he is coordinating all the party office-bearers in the 13 districts of the state. Pawar said that for this the youth needs to be inducted into party in large number as they have the power to change the system and usher in new ideas. The party has not yet finalised the name of it's candidate for the Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha byelection. The seat was left vacant after Vijay Bahuguna resigned when he became Chief Minister and subsequently won the Sitarganj Assembly segment. Notably, recently a youth convention was held in Roorkee where Trivendra Singh Pawar presided as chief guest. Roorkee unit chief Tanuj Rathi said that in Roorkee a large number of youths wanted to join the regional front but due to inner conflict in the party in past few years they refrained from this. But now with UKD (P) emerging as the lone voice of the people of Uttarakhand, youths are joining in large numbers and the party’s presence is being felt on a large scale. Similarly, the Haridwar unit of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (P) is scheduled to hold a similar convention to ensure the party’s organisational structure gets strengthened. The youth wing chief of Haridwar unit Lalit Mamgain and Central secretary of the labour cell Uday Ram Semwal said that soon a felicitation programme for the party’s Cabinet Minister Preetam Singh Pawar will be carried out and the party cadre will be strengthened. Many fear Uttarakhand Kranti Dal division in three parts has affected it's credibility for which UKD (P) will have to work among masses to win the confidence of the voters. Founder-member of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal in the 80s Rana Ranbeer Singh says that personal interests need to be replaced by larger interests and contribution of statehood fighters should be remembered; only then could the UKD emerge as a viable option among voters. |
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Scanty rains damage kharif crops in Almora, Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh, July 28 Though the district Agriculture Officer in Pithoragarh said that only 3,800 hectares of kharif crops out of a total sown area of 48,647 hectares in the district has got damaged as the district received sufficient rains during this
kharif-sowing period, the farmers have something else to say. “We have lost two-thirds of our kharif crops this year,” they say. “The paddy seed, which sprouted recently, would not survive as it came up in July instead of the month of June as it received water only in the month of July,” said Jagdish
Prasad, a farmer in Chana village of Pithoragarh district. According to sources, the areas of Bel Patti villages in Gangolihat and parts of Bin Moona Kot and Berinag villages have been affected by the late rains. “We used to grow coarse crops
madua, koni, jhangora and madira in our rainfed farms, but this year we will be deprived of these cereals as they have got badly damaged,” said Ram Singh
Bhandari, a farmer in Bhama village of Bel Patti in Gangolihat subdivision of the
district. Almora district, where 93 per cent agriculture depends on the rains, has witnessed damage of 90 per cent to coarse crops like madira and
jhangora, on which the entire food security of the district depends. “I have not seen such a dry season before. The losses have hit us badly. Agriculture scientists are advising us to sow other crops but we think it would be a bad experiment as the seed would get destroyed due to excess rains in the months of July and August,” said Jundan Singh
Bisht, a farmer in Matila village of Almora district. Agriculture Department sources in Almora confirm that due to only 10 per cent of the required rains, farmers have been advised to sow short-term crops in their fields where the kharif crops have been damaged. Local pulses and vegetables could be grown in these fields to compensate for the damage to kharif crops, said P.S.
Rana, an officer in the Agriculture Department in Almora district. According to sources, the areas of
Hawalbagh, Lamgara, Bhasiacheena and Dhauladevi in the district have witnessed damage of coarse crops as these areas are totally rain-fed. Administrative sources in these districts have said that officially drought has not been declared. According to Uttarakhand disaster relief fund rules, drought conditions can be declared only when the crop losses are counted at more than 50 per cent. “Even if the state government declares drought conditions in these districts, the relief given is not adequate. The government provides only a paltry sum of Rs 500 per nali to each land holder,” said Mahipal Singh, a farmer in the Bhasiachana block of Almora district. |
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Nishank, other BJP leaders meet Ramdev aide Balkrishan
Dehradun, July 28 After former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari paid a visit two days ago, today it was the turn of former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to meet the jailed aide for one hour. Later speaking with media persons, he criticised the manner in which Balkrishan was arrested. “The Central government has been misusing the premier investigating agency for it’s own political end. Why did the CBI take 16 years to detect the forgery,” he questioned. He said the CBI action against Balkrishan was unwarranted and he is being targeted because the Central government is afraid of the agitation under way at Jan Mantar. “Baba Ramdev would be joining the dharna and the Central government is using every trick in the book to undermine the movement,” charged Nishank. In the initial years both the Congress and BJP governments had extended support to Ramdev but the Congress party began distancing itself after Ramdev began launching attacks on the Central leadership. “The BJP cannot disown Ramdev as he has the support of the RSS and the party is keen to project itself on the side of Ramdev, especially when his aide is in jail,” said a BJP leader. |
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Polluted Sushwa river a threat to wildlife in Rajaji park
Dehradun, July 28 A survey conducted a few years ago had revealed the presence of a large amount of pollutants in the Sushwa. A senior official of the Wildlife Trust of India, AK Singh, who was part of the survey team, said pollutants coming through the Bindal and Rispana rivers were polluting the Sushwa. This was bound to have an adverse impact on the wildlife in the park. The Bindal and the Rispana carry the entire waste of Dehradun city to the Sushwa. The two rivers meet the Sushwa near Ramgarh. Subsequently, before entering Kansro, the Sushwa flows along agricultural fields gathering residual pesticides and fertilisers. Cases of elephants eating plastic waste have also been reported as it has been found in their dung. Plastic waste is also suspected to be causing stomach problems in elephants. The Sushwa carries pollutants from Dehradun city to the Ganga. It is an important tributary of the Ganga. Pollution in the three rivers is affecting the environment and the wildlife in the national park. The absence of a sewage treatment plant and a garbage disposal system in Dehradun is said to be the major reason behind effluents, solid waste and raw sewage flowing into the Sushwa. AK Singh stresses on the need for regularly monitoring of the pollution level in the Sushwa so that it does not threaten the environment and the wildlife in the Rajaji park. Shravan Kumar, Deputy Director of Rajaji National Park, admitted that a large amount of raw sewage, industrial effluent and solid waste flows into the Sushwa. He said the park authorities were equally concerned and had been repeatedly raising the matter at appropriate forums. He added pollution in the Sushwa could be checked if pollutants were not allowed to flow into it through the Bindal and the
Rispana. |
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Constitute subcommittee
for roads in wildlife sanctuaries: Bahuguna
Dehradun, July 28 Chairing a meeting of the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Advisory Council in Dehradun today, he directed the officers to constitute a subcommittee for approval of proposed roads in areas falling under wildlife sanctuaries and also to look into it’s other linked aspects. He said forest conservation and development were part of the responsibility of wildlife officials. He also stressed on the participation of local people in wildlife protection. Describing the compensation paid to the villagers against cattle killed by wild animals insufficient, the Chief Minister directed for an increase in the compensation amount. He also instructed the officers to submit files relating to cases pending with the Supreme Court and the Central Government to him so that he could himself look into them. He asked the officers to provide appropriate resources and equipments to forest staff to fight wildlife crimes and look into the possibilities of equine influenza surveillance at Corbett Reserve Park. Bahuguna approved a scheme to rehabilitate two pairs of tigers in the western part of Rajaji park from Corbett Reserve. The rehabilitation work would be carried out by the Rajaji park authorities under supervision of experts from Wildlife Institute of India. Grassland would be developed at available empty spaces in Rajaji National Park. However, he directed the officers to carry out this work without felling any tree. Bahuguna asked the officers to constitute a separate committee for displacement of villagers from Sunderkhal village. Tourism Minister Amrita Rawat, MLA Harish Dhami, Forest and Rural Development Commissioner Vinita Kumar, Principal Secretary Industry Rakesh Sharma and Principal Forest Conservator RBS Rawat attended the meeting. |
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CM for tiger conservation
Dehradun, July 28 Bahuguna also emphasised the participation of people in the conservation of wildlife. He directed the officials concerned to prepare an action plan and make effective arrangement towards the prevention of the loss of lives and property in wild elephants attacks. The foundation was established under the Wildlife Protection Act-1972 to safeguard Corbett’s wildlife and encouraging eco-tourism.
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CM, Guv discuss development plans
Dehradun, July 28 During the meeting, the Governor sought information about disaster management plans, arranging teachers for schools in the remote areas and the availability of doctors in hospitals. |
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Qureshi meets Pranab
Dehradun, July 28 Qureshi had also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Pranab Mukherjee. He returned to Dehradun by train this morning. |
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Right to education a revolutionary step, says Dhasmana
Dehradun, July 28 Addressing a Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan programme at Sneha Public School, Govindgarh, Dehradun, Suryakant Dhasmana said the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had taken a revolutionary step by bringing in right to education in the country. He said education stood as the main base to the development of the country. He also exhorted the students to take education seriously, stating that education would help them in shaping up their career. Dhasmana, on the occasion, also distributed uniforms, bags and books to the students. Earlier, Director, Sneha School, Hari Rao, informed the gathering about the activities of the school. He expressed gratitude to Suryakant Dhamsana for providing guidance to the school from time to time. Principal, Sneha School, S Sarkar, Sardar Harjeet Singh, Dharmendra, Anuj Dutt Sharma and other teachers were present on the occasion. |
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Environment awareness week begins at school
Dehradun, July 28 The chief guest on the occasion, Mohan Singh Chauhan, president of the Kshatriya Chetna Manch, declared the week open by planting a sapling. Headmistress Dineshwari Negi informed the students about the importance of the environment and its protection. Social worker and Sankalp president Ravi Singh Negi said their main aim was to make children aware of hazards of the use of plastic. Sankalp general secretary Anita Negi said the week would concluded on August 4. During this week, the society would organise poster and essay competitions on the environment. A workshop would also be conducted, where children will learn how to make paper and carry bags from old newspapers. These bags will be distributed free of cost to shopkeepers. Besides this, children would be given free training in the Sankalp nursery exclusively established for them. |
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All-round victory for St. George’s College in debate contest
Mussoorie, July 28 In the junior division, for the Brother GJ Masterson silver medal debate, the students spoke eloquently on one of the five topics, “Urban India has no identity of its own; it seeks to become clone of West,” “America funds terrorism globally,” “Fictions sell more than facts,” “Freedom in India is the house which keeps over 300 million citizens without place to sleep,” and “Celebrities are good role models in today’s world.” The topics were selected through a lottery system and Anshuman Chaudhry and Sanket Sirohiya from St George's College were jointly adjudged best speakers. Sanket Sirohiya was also adjudged as best in rebuttal along with Priyanka Mohindra from Wynberg Allen School. In the senior division, for the Brother CG Bergin memorial gold medal debate, the format was slightly different. The participants entered into a lively group discussion on three topics, “Rolling stones gather all the moss”, “Jack of all trades rules the roost” and “There are no bad children, only bad parents.” Following that, four teams were selected after winning the group discussion that went on to contest in the debate on the topic, “Cinema encourages the deterioration of the moral code.” Akshay Rai from St.George's College was adjudged as the best speaker in group discussion and Anuj Tapadia was adjudged best in debate. Malvika Kaushik from Convent from Jesus and Mary (CJM), Dehradun, was adjudged second best speaker. Tanushree Chandra from CJM, Dehradun, was adjudged best for the best rebuttal. The Principal of the host school, Brother Christopher, lauded the performance of all the participants and said that such activities enhanced the communication and oratory skills of the students along with raising the awareness level and grasp over the subject. He distributed citations and awards to the winners in the end. |
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Parakh, Laldinpuii appointed school captains
Dehradun, July 28 Amarjeet Buck, Director-General, Central Excise, Intelligence (retd), Ministry of Finance, was the chief guest on the occasion. Students of all four Houses, Atharva, Rig, Sama and Yajur, along with their newly appointed captains, were present. Parakh Dhigra and Laldinpuii Ralte have been appointed school captains. The captains for games and other activities were also appointed on the occasion. Principal of the school Cherry Jain, Vice-Chairman of the management committee Sunny Gupta and the staff members were present. |
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Local people, particularly traders, today held a protest against intermittent power cuts being imposed in the city.
With Yoga teacher Ramdev’s aide Bal Krishan lodged in the Dehradun jail, the Uttarakhand BJP leaders have utilised the opportunity to meet him to strengthen their association.
Dehradun, July 28
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna called on Governor Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhavan here today. They discussed various development plans, their implementation, law and order situation and other issues related to the state.
