Govt withdraws order withholding quota in promotion to SC/ST employees
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
The Uttarakhand government today decided to withdraw its earlier order that promotions would be made without reservation to employees of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and to put the meeting of the department promotion committee (DPC) on hold. It also announced the constitution of a one-man commission headed by a retired Judge to study the three issues as stated by the Supreme Court in the Nagraj judgment.

Under pressure from pro-reservation and anti-reservation lobbies, the government decided to constitute a one-man commission headed by retired High Court Judge Irshad Hussain to study the issues relating to backwardness, adequacy (or inadequacy) of representation and maintenance of administrative efficiency as stated by the Supreme Court in the Nagraj case for providing reservation in promotion to the SC/ST employees. Justice Irshad Hussain is asked to submit a report after three months.

“Till the time the report is presented all promotion vacancies will be filled without applying the roster (promotions will be made without reservation to SC/ST employees) and employees who retired in July-August, 2012, will also be given notional promotion,” said Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at a Cabinet briefing.

Besides, the SC/ST employees, who would have benefited from the earlier scheme of reservation in promotion, would be appointed on promotion posts by creating ex-cadre posts as an interim measure till the final decision was taken by the government after receiving the report of the commission. Notional appointment on thus created ex-cadre posts would also be given to such employees who had retired in July-August, 2012.

On the receipt of the report of the commission, if the government decided to enact a law to provide reservation in promotion to the SC/ST employees, it would be done retrospectively from July 10 and these employees would be included in their original cadre on promotion posts by creating additional posts without affecting any promotion already made.

However, if the government was not in a position to enact a law to provide reservation in promotion to the SC/ST employees, the employees thus appointed (ex-cadre) would be given an option to continue on higher posts till retirement or revert to their cadres on original posts.

Gadarpur sugar mill not to be shut
Retirement age of lecturers goes up
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
Facing protest from employees and the Opposition BJP, the Uttarakhand Government announced a rollback on the decision to shut Gadarpur sugar mill and run other five sugar mills on Public Private Partnership (PP).

Since the announcement of the decision, there had been sporadic protests with Uttarakhand BJP making a common cause with the employees.

After the Cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain said the government would take steps to revive the mills and make provisions for paying the Rs 96 crore accumulated arrears to the farmers.

He also announced raising of retirement age of higher education lecturers in the state to 65 years and also announced payment of ex gratia allowance of Rs 5000 to Vice-Chancellors in the state.

Further, a separate audit directorate would be created under the Finance Department to carry audits of all departments. "As of now separate audits were undertaken by the departments. It will bring more transparency and accountability," said Jain.

Move to sell sugar mills
Khanduri, Nishank stage dharna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
Senior state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders today staged a day-long dharna at the Deen Dyal Upadhaya park here today in protest against the proposed move of the state government to give sugar mills on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

Two former Chief Ministers, BC Khanduri and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, participated in the dharna. It was after a long time that both leaders came on a common platform to oppose the state government.

Khanduri said his party would launch an agitation against the decision of the state government to give sugar mills in private hands. He said the decision amounted to open loot of the state resources.

Nishank, who had organised a similar dharna outside the Doiwala sugar mill last week, said under no circumstances, the state government would be allowed to give state sugar mills on the PPP mode.

Senior BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Ajay Bhatt, former Assembly Speaker Harbans Kapoor and several party legislators were present in the protest. 

Seven Nepalese labourers die in landslide
3 bodies extricated
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh September 3
Seven Nepalese labourers were killed after they were trapped under the debris of a landslide that occurred during the construction of a road at Pambabe in the Darma valley of Dharchula subdivision in the district last evening. The seven other labourers injured in the incident were admitted to the Dharchula hospital.

The bodies of three labourers were taken out of the debris today.

The accident occurred when a boulder slide from a hill during the work of drilling for the road at New Sobla Tedang in the Darma valley, AS Takwale, SP, Pithoragarh.

“As the place is 45 km from the Dharchula headquarters, the rescue team reached late there. The bodies were also retrieved late from the debris. As the volume of the debris was big it seemed that nobody would have survived,” said the SP.

He added all labourers were from Baitari district of Nepal and were working for a contractor, who is building the road for the Central Public Works Department. Sources said as a number of laborers hired by other contractors were also working at the spot it was not clear how many labourers were trapped under the debris. “We have rushed the 108 emergency ambulance, besides personnel of the ITBP and the SSB are also involved in the rescue work. Local villagers are also helping in the rescue operation,” said Takwale. 

Heavy rain wreaks havoc in Tehri Garhwal areas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
A heavy rain at Ghansali in Tehri Garhwal, which started on Sunday evening and continued throughout the night, wreaked havoc in the area, as swollen local rivulets washed away eight footbridges, several watermills and damaged fields.

The district administration has shifted a family, which lost its home in the flash floods, to some other place.

The flash floods also washed away hundreds of nails of agricultural land in Gharaygoan and Nailchami villages. A large number of check dams, water supply schemes and irrigation channels have damaged. “More than 55 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the area in the last night,” said Dr Anand Sharma, Director, Indian Meteorological Department. A team of district officials has rushed to the affected far-flung area of the district to assess the damage.

Meanwhile, two persons, Bhola Dutt and Ghananad, were injured and a buffalo was killed when lightning struck their house in Nauli Chaula village in the Basar Patti area of Tehri Garhwal. The Koti-Akhora road in the district was also damaged at several places due to the flash floods. It has been closed to traffic. The Badrinath highway also remained closed to traffic for six hours due to landslides near Gaurikund. It took Border Roads Organisation personnel six hours to reopen the road to traffic.

According to reports, landslides also occurred in the Bhatwari area of Uttarakshi due to incessant rains.

State Health Dept fails to check sex determination tests
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
Despite the declining female child sex ratio in the state, the Health Department has failed to come up with a suitable strategy to ensure that the pre-natal diagnostic technique Act (PNDTA) and other measures announced are forcefully implemented in all the districts of the state.

Even surprise checks carried out at ultrasound centres under the PNDTA have failed to yield results and in Dehradun alone around 80 inspections were carried by flying squads this year, but so far not a single case of conviction has been reported. There are a total of 195 registered ultrasound centres in the district.

The Health Department said the unavailability of evidence or a witness was the main hindrance in punishing errant doctors. “We have to break the nexus between the service provider (Doctor or radiologist) and the persons seeking these services. Most of the time the service provider and the person seeking services were in agreement and surprise inspections, too, have failed to yield any results,” alleged VS Tolia, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (Dehradun).

Only on two occasions in Dehradun district, the ultrasound centre of Chitra Agarwal was sealed in 2009, and the centre of Madhu Khanduri was sealed in 2005, but it is alleged that the lack of concrete evidence led to lighter punishments. The Chief Medical Office, entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the provisions under the Act, said even high fees for registration of IVF clinics had not yielded the desired results. “We have to keep a check on fertility centres and nursing homes and often it is difficult to gather evidence due to lack of staff, and we are not legally empowered,” said Tolia.

Besides, in Dehradun alone, the PNDT committee meeting (to be held after two months) is still pending The meeting was last convened on June 7. In fact a report prepared by Action Aid, an NGO, which had beside criticising the district administration for delaying the PNDT meeting, has also pointed out that the appropriate authorities (Chief Medical Officers and doctors) found it increasingly difficult to implement the the Act as they were not fully equipped. “These problems have to be addressed at the highest level and doctors have to be empowered to take up action against the erring ultrasound centres, ” said Gurjeet of Action Aid.

Vinod Kumar is Lok Janshakti Party chief
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 3
The Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, after contesting the last Assembly elections on 12 seats, now wants to make a substantial presence in terms of organisation and enrolment of grassroot workers.

Keeping in view, the party led by former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today appointed Vinod Kumar as the Uttarakhand party chief.

While in the coming days, district chiefs and executive committee members too will be announced as per the directions of the party national chief.

Ahter appointing the state chief, national vice-chief of the party Kuldeep Chauhan hoped that the party would become a political force by the next Assembly elections in 2017.

He pointed out that all candidates fielded in the Assembly elections couldn't perform well due to lack of organisational structure and time and it would not happen in the next elections.

“The party is serious in making inroads into Uttarakhand politics as the third front can play a crucial role both in terms of development and politics. There will be a full-fledged organisational structure in all 13 districts of the state,” said Chauhan.

Accepting the responsibility and hard task ahead, Vinod Kumar reposed confidence in the socialist ideology of the party and assured the members of living up to the expectations of the party's national leaders.

On the upcoming Tehri Lok Sabha election, Kumar said the party high command would take a decision in this regard though extending support to other political party candidate can't be ruled out.

Party leaders also urged the Bahuguna-led government to speed up the relief work being done in the flood-prone Uttarkashi district and prepare a disaster management plan in the state.

Heavy metals in gutkha harmful for health: NGO
Seeks ban on sale, manufacture of the product in state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
The Society of Pollution and Environment and Conservation Scientists (SPECS), an NGO, has demanded a complete ban on the sale, purchase and manufacturing of gutkha in Uttarakhand.

It says tests carried out by it have revealed that high contents of lead, nickel, cadmium, iron, chromium, manganese, zinc and copper are found in gutkha.

The consumption of these heavy metals in a large quantity has a serious effect on health and even leads to oral cancer. “We found the presence of lead in the range of 0.4 mg-20 mg, nickel 3 mg to 21 mg, cadmium 0.2 mg to 2 mg, chromium 39 mg to 56 mg, manganese 4 mg to 7.5 mg, zinc 19 mg to 21.8 mg and copper in the range of 690 mg to 750 mg. These traces of heavy metals are present in synthetic ingredients that are used in making gutkha but are never disclosed on the wrappings of the product,” said Dr Brijmohan Sharma, secretary of SPECS.

Sharma released the details of a study carried out by SPECS and said Uttarakhand should follow the example of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh that had banned the sale, purchase and manufacturing of gutkha.

He said the prevalence of bidi smoking and chewing of gutkha and paan was the highest in Uttarakhand. “Uttarakhand has earned the dubious distinction of having the highest number of tobacco users, according to a survey carried out by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) in north India. Tabacco use is high at 30.7 per cent in Uttarakhand, followed by Jammu Kashmir (26.6 per cent). It is high time the Uttarakhand government takes effective steps to curb the menace,” added Sharma.

“Besides gutkha, a combination of lime, tobacco, betel nut flavour and catechu also affects hormones that help the body to break down potentially toxic substances. The other harmful ingredient in gutkha is betel nut or areca nut, which is suspected to elevate the risk of cancer of gums, mouth, throat, lung, liver, stomach etc,” he said.

“Besides the harmful effects of gutkha chewing, the wrappers of gutkha are not eco-friendly and colours used in printing on wrappers are also toxic. These toxic wrappers are spoiling the quality of soil and water. They are a threat to ecosystem, animals, birds and pets,” Sharma added. 

Extend time frame for treatment of Varunavrat: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today called on Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde at Parliament House in New Delhi and urged him to extend the time frame given for the treatment of Varunavrat at Uttarkashi, which faced massive landslides in 2003.

He also requested him to release the remaining last instalment of Rs 76.59 crore allocated for the treatment.

Bahuguna told the Union Minister that the Monitoring Task Force of the Varunavrat treatment had slated the time frame for the treatment to January 31. He pointed out that owing to the natural calamities in the last and current years, the work could not be completed. Besides, due to the model code of conduct coming into force in the beginning of the year, the treatment work was disrupted. Bahuguna said the extension of the time frame for the Varunavrat treatment would also facilitate completion of concrete lining work of the Tambakhani tunnel. Else there were chances of its caving in anytime.

It may be noted that the Centre had sanctioned special package of Rs 282.5 crore in 2003-04 for the Varunavrat treatment. Out of Rs 205.95 crore released so far, Rs 179.68 crore had been spent and work of Rs. 26.26 crore was in progress. Union Home Ministry had constituted a Monitoring Task Force headed by Joint Secretary, Home Ministry, which in its meeting held on January 25, 2010, had slated the time frame of the treatment to January, 31, 2012.

Bahuguna also urged the Union Home Minister to permit movement of light vehicles on Tehri Dam.

Quota activists to go on indefinite strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
Dissatisfied with the Cabinet decision announced today, both the pro-quota in promotion and anti- quota in reservation factions declared they would go on indefinite strike from tomorrow.

The Uttarakhand Adhikari Karmachari Shikshak Sangharsh Morcha coordinator, Sunil Datt Kothari, said instead of honouring the High Court decision, the government had confused the matter. “We are not sure if the intentions of the government are honourable, and creation of ex-cadre is not a wise decision. We will be going on strike from tomorrow,” he said.

Since morning the restive employees waited for the Chief Minster to return from New Delhi and convene a Cabinet meeting but both factions were disappointed at the end of the day. In the morning the members held the sit-in at the Vidhan Sabha.

On the other hand, the Uttarakhand SC ST Karmachari Sangthan members said a committee headed by former IAS officer Indu Kumar Pande had already presented it’s report, stating that “ the representation of SC and ST members in state services and posts was not according to the norms. There was no need for constituting another commission to determine the backwardness, adequacy (or inadequacy) of representation and maintenance of administrative efficiency,” said Madan Kumar Shilpkar, president of the sanghthan. He said they too would go on indefinite strike from tomorrow. 

Father alleges son kidnapped
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
Parents and relatives of Parveen Kumar, a taxi driver from Selaqui, who went missing since August 23, met Deputy Inspector General, Dehradun Range, Sanjay Gunjiyal, on Monday. Father Rakesh Kumar said that Parveen who had gone to drop an official of a private company from Selaqui to Jolly Grant Airport on August 23 did not come back.

His last location was traced in Meerut on the same day in the night when he called home.

He suspected that his son had been kidnapped. Despite his repeated requests to Station Officer, Sahaspur, and Senior Superintendent of Police, he said, the police was not registering a case of kidnapping in the matter. Gunjiyal directed the Station Officer, Sahaspur, to file a case of kidnapping and expedite the investigation.

Deadlock at district hospital ends
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 3
The week-long deadlock over the transfer of Chief Medical Officer of Pithoragarh district hospital ended today after the intervention of the state Director General of Health. He ordered the transfer of Dr Harish Chandra Pathak, CMO Pithoragarh district hospital, to Champawat and ordered Dr NS Kutiyal to take charge as Chief Medical Officer of the district hospital.

“Dr Pathak had refused to vacate the post despite his transfer. He had said he could not give up the place for an officer of lower rank. But he agreed today after the DG Health ordered him to join Champawat on the same rank,” said Dr JS Pangti, a medical officer.

Dr Pathak did not allow joining of new incumbent, creating an atmosphere of confusion and uncertainty among the lower staff for a week.

“Now, the row has been solved as Dr Kutiyal has taken over as Chief Medical Officer of the district and medical officer has been transferred from the hospital to Champawat district,” said Dr Pangti.

Students’ union stages protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
Members of the All-India Students Association (AISA) today staged a protest at the District Magistrate’s office at Pithoragarh in support of various demands of the college students.

The students raised slogans in support of their demands and were invited for talks by Additional District Magistrate BL Rana. He gave an assurance to the students that their demands would be discussed with the college Principal.

Earlier, the members of the AISA took out a protest march from the college premises, which, after passing through various parts of the city, reached DM’s office. The students were demanding an end to commercialisation of education and government jobs for educated youth. Hemant Khati, convenor of the AISA, alleged that due to wrong policies of the state government, the students were facing a bleak future. He said the AISA would continue to strive for the genuine demands of the youth of the state.

Centre approves 2 power projects
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
On the insistence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, the Union Forest and Environment Ministry has given a green signal to much-awaited Dhauliganga and Gauriganga Hydro-Power Projects in Pithoragarh.

Bahuguna held discussions regarding these projects with Union Power Minister Veerappa Moily at New Delhi today. Moily said both projects to be constructed by the NTPC had been given nod by the Central Government.

Both projects are expected to generate a total of 330 MW power. Chief Minister Bahuguna underlining power crisis in the state also urged the Union Minister to provide 15 per cent additional paid power, besides 13 per cent free power to the state on a priority basis. The Union Minister has assured him of positive action in this regard.

13th day of stir against quota in promotion
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 3
Employees of the state government continued their agitation for the 13th day today to demand the implementation of the high court and Supreme Court orders on reservation in promotions.

The agitating employees took out a procession near the state Assembly and raised slogans in support of their demands.

TPS Rawat, president of the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha, also participated in the dharna in support the agitation by the employees. He justified their demands and urged the state government to implement the court orders. A large number of employees’ associations, participated in the dharna.