Sitarganj SIDCUL Phase-II will result in development: CM
Says it’s a big-time job opportunity for the youth
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 25
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna laid the foundation stone of Sitarganj SIDCUL Phase-II project today. He said that SIDCUL Phase-II would be instrumental in the overall development of the state and employment generation, and an investment of Rs 300 crore would be made in developing the infrastructure in SIDCUL Phase-II, which would in turn generate a profit of Rs 1000 crore.

Chief Minister Bahuguna asserted that the land allocated to SIDCUL Phase-II was not of farmers but belonged to the state government. He said that this land was meant for developing industries with the aim to generate employment for the youth to check migration. He maintained that the development of industries would result in the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Bahuguna said that for the extension of industry, an Indo-German Tool Room unit would be established at Sitarganj with an investment of Rs 100 crore.

Chief Minister Bahuguna said that the government was serious towards the welfare of the workers, and to avoid their exploitation, their salaries would be paid through cheques. He reiterated that APL card holders would be given 10 kg rice at subsidised rates and unemployment allowance would be distributed in the state from November 9 onwards.

Stating that despite surplus power in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand had to give power to it though it was running short of power itself. He said that the Centre would be approached in a bid to discontinue the practice. The power generation was stagnant since the last five years. On the contrary, the demand had increased by 10 per cent. “To meet the shortage of power, focus is being given to rejuvenate defunct power projects,” he said.

Bahuguna said that despite increase in the prices of diesel and petrol, the state government had reduced VAT, which had checked inflation.

The SIDCUL Phase-II is spread over 2413.14-acre land, which will include regional offices, guest houses, helipad and community bhavan.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation of 21 roads and 3 bridges with a budget pegged at Rs. 1233 lakh, and flood safety work under PWD with a budget slated at Rs 466 lakh.

Also present on the occasion were MP, KC Singh Baba, Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh, Irrigation Minister Yashpal Arya, Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani, Hairsh Chandra Durgapal, Saket Bahuguna, Saurabh Bahuguna, Sanjiv Arya, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain and Principal Secretary Rakesh Sharma.

Govt's initiative to strengthen industry hailed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 25
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has welcomed the state government's initiatives towards strengthening the industrial infrastructure in the state.

A CII delegation, led by V Gandhi, Plant Head, Tata Motors, Pantnagar, congratulated Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on the occasion of the foundation laying ceremony of Sitarganj Phase II and multi-modal logistics park at SIDCUL, Pantnagar.

The development of the Sitarganj Phase II will make land available to many of the investors who have been wanting to set up industrial projects in the state and pave the way for further investments in the state.

The logistic hub will help establish direct connectivity of SIDCUL across the country and even across the border. It will reduce the cost of transportation. The project, which was the key requirement of material transportation from the industry, is expected to be completed in the next 18 months. The logistic hub will greatly enhance the competitiveness of the industry in the state.

CM lays stone of Logistic Hub at Pantnagar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 25
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna laid a foundation stone of Logistic Hub, a joint venture of SIDCUL and Concor, at Haldwani Road near Pantnagar today.

Bahuguna said Logistic Hub would be completed in one and a half year. He urged the entrepreneurs to set up their units as environment for industries was favourable in the state and the government was willing to support them.

Addressing the general public, Bahuguna said since 2002, the advent of big industrial houses in SIDCUL at Pantnagar and Haridwar had carved a special identity for the state. Not only the investment but job opportunities had also increased since then. He observed that Logistic Hub would connect SIDCUL with the world as it would facilitate industries with containers for exports of their goods, railway yard for embarkation and transportation, parking facilities for trucks and trailers, godowns, bank and office for companies, rainwater harvesting and 24 hour power supply.

He said availability of railway yard would minimise transportation cost. He said the state government, with the help of the Centre, would invest Rs 500 crore with the assistance of the HPCL for comprehensive development of the state and generate sufficient employment opportunities for youths. He said the state government would also prepare industrial policy which would benefit the youths.

The Chief Minister said the establishment of Logistic Hub would directly and indirectly provide jobs to about 3,000 people. He said low cost residence would also be provided to the workers of SIDCUL. He made it clear that in SIDCUL Phase-II, Sitarganj, the lands would be provided only to entrepreneurs.

State Parliamentary Affairs and Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh said after the establishment of Logistic Hub, the transportation facilities would also extend in the SIDCUL areas. She said it was an endeavour of the government to extend air service facilities in Pantnagar Airport for the convenience of industrialists. She, however, expected that local youths would be provided jobs as per the set norms in the industrial units.

State Revenue Minister Yashpal Arya said the establishment of the Logistic Hub was a great step towards development. Uttarakhand Peyjal and School Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani said Logistic Hub would connect the state with industrialisation which would ultimately benefit the people.

Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, Principal Secretary Omprakash and Concor MD Anil Gupta elaborated on the facilities available in Logistic Hub.

Also present on the occasion were Labour, Small-Scale Industry Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal, Chiarman, Mandi Parishad, Shailendra Mohan Singhal, MLAs Rajesh Shukla, Rajkumar Thukral, Harbhajan Singh Cheema, Saket Bahuguna and Sanjiv Arya.

Bahuguna speak

The setting up of Logistic Hub will directly and indirectly provide jobs to about 3,000 people.

It will connect SIDCUL with the world as it will facilitate industries with containers for export of their goods, a railway yard for embarkation and transportation, parking facilities, godowns, bank and offices for companies and 24-hour power supply.

Low-cost houses will also be provided to the workers of SIDCUL.

The government, with the help of the Centre, will invest Rs 500 crore for comprehensive development and generate sufficient jobs for youths.

Pant flays govt plan to give farmland to builders for SEZ 
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, October 25
Former Uttarakhand minister and BJP leader Prakash Pant has alleged that the Congress government is mulling to give agriculture land of the state to builders in the garb of carving out special economic zones in the SIIDCUL area of Pantnagar. He was reacting to laying of the foundation stone of the SIIDCUL-2 by the Chief Minister at Pantnagar today.

Pant said instead of making special economic zones, the Congress government should form a special agriculture zone on the land of Pantnagar Agriculture University.

“When there is no industrial package in the state at present, why the government is befooling the people as no industry will come without any incentive,” he said.

Pant alleged that it was during the Congress rule that agriculture land was allotted to industries in the state. “The Congress government gave 2,226 acres to industries for the first time on June 3, 2006, and followed it up by giving another 186.67 acres on February 23, 2007,” said the BJP leader.

Pant added of seven lakh hectares of agriculture land in the state, 3,000 hectares was without any agricultural activity. This land should be allocated to those 233 villages of the hill area which need immediate rehabilitation due to natural calamities, instead of giving it to builders in the name of promoting industry.

UKD (D) asks reservation supporters to withdraw black day call
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 25
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Democratic) has regretted the decision of those supporting reservation in promotion in government jobs to observe November 9, the formation day of the state, as black day.

General secretary of the UKD (D) DK Pal called the move unfortunate saying everybody had a right to hold a protest or an agitation for their demands but they also had a responsibility towards respecting public sentiments as well.

He said the state came into being on November 9 after a long struggle and umpteen sacrifices by people. And it must be observed in that spirit instead of using the occasion for highlighting and furthering self-interests.

The UKD leader appealed to those who had given the call for observing black day to withdraw their decision in deference to people’s sentiments and in the interest of maintaining social harmony.

Pithoragarh villagers demand construction of road, go on fast
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, October 25
Residents of various villages of Berinag subdivision in Pithoragarh district are on an indefinite fast to pressure the government to construct a 35-km road from Haliadove to Nachni so that their children could travel to schools and colleges situated up to 15 km away.

Children of Mudoli village situated in the interior part of Berinag subdivision have to travel 15 km to reach the nearest intermediate college at Pankhu. They are even forced to travel 7 km to reach the nearest school as the government had refused to upgrade the primary school at their village.

Villagers said even local MLAs had not promised to get the primary school in Mudoli village upgraded. In such a situation the construction of a road from Haliadove to Nachni was the only solution, said Pitamber Dutt Pathak, who was on the fast for the sixth day today.

“Our students have to carry torches and sharp weapons to travel during evening time and safeguard against attacks by wild animals,” said Sher Singh Karki, who led a demonstration of villagers from around the area today.

“Some villages of Berinag subdivision are situated more than 15 km away from schools and colleges and it is difficult for students to travel a difficult mountainous terrain everyday. Sixty students, who travel on the route daily, are nowadays facing threat from wild animals as leopards are frequently seen in the area,” said Karki.

E-governance services project to facilitate people in remote areas
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 25
The Uttarakhand Information Technology Department has begun operationalising Common Service Centres (CSCs) in all districts through the statewide roll out of the e-governance service project. This is perhaps another step towards making 30 government services accessible even to people residing in the remote corners of the state.

The CSCs are vital for the smooth roll out of the statewide e-governance services. Though nine CSCs have been created in nine districts, these are not functional due to procedural hurdles. Now, with the e-governance services project being initiated by the Department of Information Technology, the path is clear for the setting up of remaining CSCs in Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri and Uttarkashi districts.

“The CSCs will prove to be a vital link in making 30 government services accessible to the people of the state, no matter where their villages are located. Not only will it cut red tape, but also save time,” said Dr BVRC Purushottam, Additional Secretary, Information Technology. As of now at least a few services are available through the citizen facilitation Janadhar centres, but these are not fully automated.

Besides, the government has also begun working on creating e-governance societies at the district level to be linked with the CSCs and finally the Information Development Agency (ITDA) created for the promotion of IT-enabled services.

The role of the e-governance societies will be to monitor the functioning of all citizen facilitation centres so that they continue to give good services to the people.

For this Central government-driven initiative Rs 36 crore has been allocated. Displaying similar alacrity the state government too has released its share of Rs 7 crore so that the work could be started immediately. The deadline for the project is December 2013.

In 2004, Uttarakhand was adjudged the best IT-enabled state in the country, but it moved no further. Now, the government has revived its interest in information technology and has even begun to make efforts towards establishing a permanent state data centre at the IT park at SIDCUL. Once it becomes functional in one month the state will no longer have to rely on the temporary data centre of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. 

Forest Dept plans to hire sharpshooter to kill leopard
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, October 25
The Almora Forest Department officials are planning to invite sharpshooter Lakhpat Singh to kill the leopard that mauled to death three women and lifted a girl in Palana village of the Lamgara block.

“We have sought permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state to kill the leopard which will be the second animal to be killed after being declared a man-eater in the area,” said Paramjit Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests in the Kumaon region.

Though the Forest Department was conducting its operation in the Lamgara area, the leopard kept roaring on Tuesday night. The forest officials kept patrolling all night after the animal lifted a girl after killing three women in the area last evening. “We have contacted Lakhpat Singh and he will be deputed in the area to kill the man-eater. The permission of Chief Wildlife Warden SS Sharma is awaited,” said Rahul, DFO, Almora forest division.

People in the Lamgara area of the district are in panic after the incidents. The women have stopped to go to jungle to collect fodder for their animals and even office-goers have stopped to go to work because of the leopard fear.

“We have ordered the installation of six cameras around the spot where the leopard killed the women,” said Paramjit Singh.

Not only the Lamgara area but also many other villages in Almora district are facing threat of leopard. “The roar of leopards is being heard in Sikura, Sarso, Golanakararia, Dhoura, Channa and Cheer villages that are situated near the town,” said Manoj Tiwari, Congress MLA from Almora.

According to the local MLA, the number of morning walkers has gone down after leopards have started attacking people. “The number of those who used to go for morning walk on the Dugalkhola, Pithoragarh and Chitai roads has come down after the incidents,” said the MLA. “We have decided to talk to the Chief Minister to make a permanent system to protect the villagers from the increasing number of leopard attacks,” added Tiwari.

FRI sets up vital lab for scientists
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 25
The Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, has come up with a molecular physiology and biochemistry laboratory.

According to a release issued by the FRI Director, PP Bhojvaid, the laboratory will be of immense importance for FRI scientists to work on molecular aspects of physiology and biochemistry of forest tree species.

It will help in analysing the genetic diversity of individual forest tree species required for future improvement. This laboratory will also be devoted for enzymatic work to understand the mechanisms underlying various metabolic processes as influenced by climate change.

FRI botany division’s head S. Nautiyal, welcoming the setting up of the molecular physiology and biochemistry laboratory, said a need of state of the art was being felt at the FRI for quite some time.

Meena Bakshi, a scientist from the FRI, who is the in-charge for this laboratory, had been specially trained in molecular physiology and biochemistry from Germany.

Teerth samiti demands Akhilesh Yadav’s resignation on closure of Ganga canal
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 25
The Ganga canal closure by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department has invited the wrath of the managing body of Brahmkund, Har-ki-Pauri, the Ganga Sabha, teerth purohits, saints and devotees.

Accusing UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of hurting the sentiments of devotees, the Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti today demanded Yadav’s resignation.

Samiti activists also burnt an effigy of the UP Irrigation Department. They said teerth purohits and devotees were facing problems in performing rituals at the sanctum sanctorum of Brahmkund, Har-ki-Pauri, due to the dried up canal.

Samiti chief Sanjay Chopra alleged that the UP Irrigation Department and quarrying mafia were hand in glove with each other. No cleaning, maintenance or upgrading work was being done at the canal or adjacent Ganga ghats.

Chopra demanded that water up to the level of 5 ft be released till Mayapur Check Dam by this evening. He warned that if the authorities failed to do so, they would stage a protest against the department in Haridwar.

Social activist Sanatan Giri said every year the Ganga canal was closed, hurting the sentiments of devotees.

‘Commercialisation of education by business houses not a good sign’
Tribune News service

Dehradun, October 25
The two-day 7th annual general body meeting of Catholic Higher Education Society (CHES) concluded at St. George’s College, Mussoorie, today. The meeting was organised by Patrician College of Education, Dehradun.

The meeting was attended by participants from Catholic colleges of UP, Uttrakhand and Rajasthan as these three states came under the Archdiocese of Agra.

Brother T. Sebastian, organising secretary, and manager of Patrician College of Education, welcomed the participants and Rev. Jose Manjiyil, secretary, CHES, introduced the dignitaries of the meeting. Vinod Kumar Jain, Vice Chancellor, Doon University, was the chief guest for the occasion.

Albert D’Souza, Archbishop of Agra and chairman of CHES, in his inaugural address, introduced the theme of the meeting, namely “Higher Education for Social Change and making Higher Education Affordable.”

“Education, being a selfless service of the Church, cannot continue in today’s scenario where education has been commercialised by business enterprises. The key word was ‘smart education.’ In a situation, formation of wisdom and moral values are not taken care, which will lead to a breakdown of traditions, cultures and values that are upheld by society,” he said. The Archbishop also mentioned that the large section of society that lived under impoverished, deprived and marginalised conditions and the physically challenged had no access to quality education, leave alone higher education.

VK Jain, chief guest, in his keynote address, apprised the participants about the need to bring about social equity, knowledge generation and social empowerment through higher education.

Jain also chaired the interactive session where the participants posed many questions to him concerning higher education and he was able to give not only the required response but also valuable suggestions.

Other dignitaries who addressed the meeting were Bishop I. Fernandes of Allahabad, and Bishop Francis Khalist of Meerut.