Death toll in Ukhimath cloudburst mounts to 36
26 still feared trapped under the debris
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 15
The death toll in the cloudburst that struck Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district on Friday morning has risen to 36, even as relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing. Twenty-six persons are still feared trapped under the debris.

Executive Director, Uttarakhand Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Piyush Rautela said disaster management rescue teams that were among the first to reach the affected villages in Ukhimath were now working with the Army, Indo-Tibetan police force and other volunteers to carry out rescue operations.

Meanwhile, after announcing Rs 10 crore instant relief for the cloudburst victims yesterday, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, along with State Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya and Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj, visited Ukhimath to take stock of damage and the conduct of relief operations. They also visited relief camps and interacted with the affected people.

The Chief Minister announced ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh for the families of the deceased. He also announced Rs 1 lakh for those whose houses have been completed damaged in the cloudburst.

Yashpal Arya said UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had expressed concern over the incident. The minister said the state government was sensitive to the concerns of the affected people. Satpal Maharaj expressed satisfaction over the conduct of rescue operations.

Bahuguna also visited Srinagar Base Hospital and enquired after the condition of the injured. He said the government was with them in their hour of distress.

He directed the hospital authority to ensure proper treatment to the injured and if needed refer them to higher centres.

Tehri bypoll is do-or-die battle for UKD (P)
Party divided on issue of fielding TS Panwar
Seema Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 15
Kranti Dal (P), where freedom of expression is normally restricted in the name of indiscipline, the party members are discussing in muted tones the decision of building up in favour of fielding party president Trivender Singh Panwar as the candidate for the Tehri Lok Sabha byelection. When asked, jubilant Panwar neither denied nor confirmed the speculations while saying that he as a sepoy of the party would accept any decision of the party workers, even if it meant to fight Tehri byelection.

According to sources, the party is divided on the decision. The voices of dissent, however, are submissive. According to sources, the members who are opposing the decision contend that if Panwar got defeated, then party would lose face for once and for all. The chances of his defeat are quite strong, because in state Assembly elections, all except one candidate Preetam Singh Panwar, got a shameful drubbing.

Sources said those who were favouring the decision were doing so to test the standing of the party among people of the state at this stage. The party is also going to start a vigorous statewide agitation against reservations in promotion from Saturday onwards, where it is putting in all its energy and best foot forward in order to reap the benefits in the Tehri elections. While countering the arguments of those who want the second rung in the party to take the chances, instead of exhausting the top leader of the party in the risky waters of election, Panwar said: “Congress president Sonia Gandhi, too, fights an election. Nobody talks of fielding second rung leaders at that time.” It is laughable for him to keep himself in juxtaposition to Sonia Gandhi, who is a safe bet for Congress.

Some also call it compulsion to forward Panwar's name for Tehri byelection. Insiders say that none of the party members have the required money to fight an election on their own and nobody is willing to back them up either. The members are struggling to get money to even print pamphlets to be distributed during campaigns, starting shortly. Panwar, too, does not have the wherewithal at the level of BJP and Congress, but he is still better off than others in his party.

Few hopefuls are thinking of repeating the history of state Assembly elections of 2007 when former party MLA Omgopal Rawat, who was losing the race from his opponent by merely 19 votes was made to win the battle on the fierce outcry by UKD activists. This section feels that they would push Panwar to the winning line, if he managed to reach somewhere near to it. Tehri byelection is, indeed, do-or-die battle for UKD (P).

Two facets

The party is divided into fielding party president Trivender Singh Panwar as the candidate for the Tehri Lok Sabha byelection. According to sources, the members who are opposing the decision contend that if Panwar got defeated, then party would lose face for once and for all. The chances of his defeat are quite strong, because in state Assembly elections, all except one candidate Preetam Singh Panwar, got a shameful drubbing.

Less funds for Uttarakhand under Project Tiger
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 15
While tigers thrive in Uttarakhand, Project Tiger has not been that benevolent to the state in terms of releasing funds. The state that is known for tiger-famous Jim Corbett National Park has been getting little of funds under Project Tiger for the past several years. Even in the current fiscal 2012-13, the state has been given miniscule amount of Rs 89 lakh up till August 29. This is the lowest fund allotment among the 16 tiger-range states of the country.

According to data of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Rs 9,562 lakh up till August 29 have been released to the tiger-range states as part of funding for year 2012-13 under Project Tiger. Out of this, the state has got just Rs 89 lakh. Prominently, Madhya Pradesh has got a staggering amount of Rs 4,951 lakh within the same period. Maharashtra has been allocated Rs 513 lakh, Karnataka Rs 698 lakh, Chhattisgarh Rs 425 lakh and Andhra Pradesh Rs 405 lakh.

Even in the last financial year, the state received just Rs 399 lakh under the centrally sponsored scheme of Project Tiger, which again was less when compared to the funds given to other tiger-range states. A total of 16,062 lakh were allocated in 2011-12. Out of this, Madhya Pradesh had then got Rs 5,352 lakh, Maharashtra Rs 3,622 lakh, Karnataka Rs 1,830 lakh and Uttarakhand Rs 399 lakhs. In 2009-10, Uttarakhand was allocated Rs 246 crore out of Rs 20,152 released under Project Tiger.

Uttarakhand contributes significantly to the overall population of tigers in the country. According to All India Tiger Estimation Report- 2010, the state had the tiger population of 235.

Tiger scientist Dr Hem Singh Gehlot said shrinking funds for the state under Project Tiger was certainly a matter of concern. “Uttarakhand is a state that faces major challenges in the areas of poaching, man-tiger conflict and international wildlife trafficking. Meagre amount provided to the state by Project Tiger was certainly uncalled for.”

However, Forest Department sources said the funding under Project Tiger depends on the number of tiger reserves in a particular state. Uttarakhand has only one tiger reserve whereas Rajasthan has two of them- Ranthambore and Sariska. However, the tiger number in the state could be higher when compared to Rajasthan.

Launched in 1973-74, Project Tiger aims at tiger conservation in specially-constituted tiger reserves and strives to maintain a viable tiger population in the natural environment.

12 motor roads to Pithoragarh, Champawat closed after landslides
Tribune News Service

Pithoragarh, September15
Nearly 12 motor roads in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts have been closed due to heavy landslides after incessant rains lashed the districts in the past 24 hours. People living beyond these closed roads are facing difficulty in getting essential goods by road transportation and have resorted to carrying the goods themselves on steep slopes to their villages from nearby markets, Disaster Management Department sources said.

"We have instructed the departments concerned to speed up repair work as some of the roads in the district like Sulla Pasan and Ritha Medar motor roads have remained closed for the past two months. Five more roads have also been closed to traffic during the last 24 hours," said Depti Singh, ADM of Champawat district

In Pithoragarh, the DM has issued a warning after the state weather directorate forecast heavy rains in the coming days. " We have asked the tehsildars that they should get prepared for any eventuality," said CMS Bisht, DM, Pithoragarh.

According to information received from the Disaster Management Department of the district, the motor road from Thal to Munsiyari was closed at Hararia due to a heavy dump of debris on it following continuous rains in the area. "Some of other rural roads like Didihat Adichaura, Nachni, Bansbagar and Dharchula Tawaghat, which were closed due to debris, have now been opened temporarily" said RS Rana, district Disaster Management Officer, Pithoragarh. Champawat and Pithoragarh faced 18 hours power cut on Friday due to a technical snag developed on 33 KV line near Bapru in Champawat. 

Aryan, Ayush steer Doon FC to victory
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 15
Doon FC won its match against Exodus Club 2-1 in the Dehradun District Football League being played at Rangers College here today. Aryan and Ayush scored the goals for Doon FC whereas Atyan scored the lone goal for Exodus Club.

The second match between Cantt Blues and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan ended in a draw with score card levelled at one goal each.

Arpan scored the goal for Cantt Blues whereas Mohit scored the goal for Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.

Sarvodaya Club will take on Pachawadoon Club while Uttarakhand Police will clash with Garhwal Star tomorrow.

Parent-children interaction important: Educationist
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 15
In a new initiative, The Indian Academy, Dehradun, today organised a workshop for parents of the schoolchildren. Chief guest on the occasion Ranbir Singh Chauhan, an educationist, said in the modern world, parents played an important role in shaping the careers of their children. He said although parents today were much more attentive towards their children, an all-round development, including a satisfying career choice, was still eluding the children due to lack of effective guidance.

He asked the parents not to force their wishes on children. “The parents must guide but not force their wishes on children, particularly in the case of choice of career,” Chauhan asserted. He also favoured frequent interaction among children, parents and teachers.

Develop Char Dham temples: Guv
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 15
Governor Aziz Qureshi visited Haridwar today. Qureshi attended a convention of the Vaishya community as a chief guest. He also meet administrative officials at the state guest house, Damkoti, and later attended the world famous Ganga aarti at Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri, from the VIP ghat.

Speaking as the chief guest at the convention of Vaishya community at Radha Krishan Dham, the Governor emphasised the need of safeguarding and reviving the peculiar culture, heritage and diversity of the state.

Citing his visit of the Char Dham shrines just after his assuming Governor’s office, Qureshi said the temples of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri needed to be developed.

He said for the development of Char Dham, not only government but social organisations also needed to come forward.

The Governor also lauded the mutual harmony that existed between Hindus, Muslims and other sects in Haridwar.

Engineers' Day celebrated
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 15
College of Engineering Studies in UPES today celebrated Engineers’ Day on its campus. The day is celebrated in the memory of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesharaya (1861-1962), one of the most outstanding engineers of all times.

The inaugural ceremony was presided over by chief guest on the occasion Ashok Pai, Principal Secretary to the Governor, RK Tripathi, Chairman of Institution of Engineers (India) Uttarakhand State Centre.

The guests were formally welcomed by Utpal Ghosh, Pro Vice Chancellor. During the ceremony, a short film on Dr Visvesharaya was shown to the audience followed by inauguration of the ‘Green up club’, a student-led body of the UPES. The objective of the club is to initiate a movement against all environmental perils faced by the world.

In his address, Pai spoke of the value which engineers and engineering have added to mankind.  

Nehru Gram FC, Adhoiwala Boys triumph
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 15
Nehru Gram FC and Adhoiwala Boys emerged winners in their respective matches during the Lala Nemi Dass Memorial Football League being played at the Survey Stadium here today.

Nehru Gram FC defeated Balaji Boys 2-1.

Gagan Rautela and Sagar scored the first and second goals for Nehru Gram in the 12th and 15th minutes of the first half, respectively.

For Balaji Boys, Sagar Kumar scored the sole goal. In the second match, Adhoiwala Boys defeated Yamuna FC 3-0. For Adhoiwala Boys, Deepak scored the first goal in the 13th minute followed by Mukesh, who scored the second goal in the 20th minute.

The third goal for Adhoiwala Boys was again scored by Deepak in the 27th minute of the match.

Kapkot cloudburst: Three more bodies found
Our Correspondent

Bageshwar, September 15
With the recovery of three more bodies, the death toll in the cloudburst in Kapkot subdivision on Friday has reached four. The deceased have been identified as Bishen Singh (55), his wife Bachuli Devi (45) and Veena Devi (20).

While the bodies of the couple were found in the Kedari Bagar area, the body of Veena Devi was found in the Kanalgar river. Two persons from the Gainar area, identified as Shyam Singh and Mohan Ram, are still missing.

“All roads to Kapkot have been damaged, leaving more than 5,000 persons cut off from .the rest of the region.’ said V. Shanmugham, District Magistrate, Bageshwar.