CM mulls over giving tehsil status to Rudrapur
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said the state government would consider giving the status of tehsil to Rudrapur and opening of a registrar office there besides upgrading the civic body of Nanakmatta to the nagar panchayat level. He also said he would consider conducting a survey to look into the possibility of upgrading Rudrapur to the tehsil level.

Bahuguna, while reviewing the development works of Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts at the Pantnagar university auditorium today, further said Nanakmatta would be connected to a tourist circuit. He said examinations would be conducted through the Pantnagar university to fill the vacant post of patwaris. While directing the officials to work in team, Bahuguna also asked them to ensure utilisation of funds allocated for the development projects.

He instructed them to visit remote rural areas, listen to public grievances and provide resolution on the spot. Expecting proper execution of development projects from them, he said substandard works and corruption would not be tolerated and better performance would be awarded.

Bahuguna said approval had been received for setting up of civil courts in Bajpur and Jaspur. A survey would be conducted to provide land to landless people of Kichha and Rudrapur. He said along with the establishment of polytechnic at Khatima, ITIs run by the Social Welfare Department would be brought under the Technical Education Department. He said four master plans would be prepared to check improper sale of lands in Udham Singh Nagar. Surplus sealing land in the Khurpriya farm would be distributed to landless eligible people and remaining land to SIDCUL for Agro-waste purpose, he said.

Commissioner Hemlata Dhaundiyal apprised the Chief Minister of the problems in revenue works owing to the shortage of naib tehsildars and tehsildars. Whereupon, Bahuguna authorised the Commissioner to promote naib tehsildar and said these posts would be filled by the government later on. Taking information about gun license from District Magistrate BK Sant, he asked him to cancel license obtained from the state by people of Punjab with criminal history and to provide license to normal people only after they cancel their licenses obtained from Punjab. The District Magistrate revealed that so far 330 gun licenses had been cancelled in the district.

Also present at the meeting were Revenue Minister Yashpal Arya, Chairman, Mandi Parishad, Shailendra Mohan Singhal, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, Principal Secretaries Rakesh Sharma, S Ramaswami and Omprakash, DIG Deepak Jyoti Ghildiyal and other senior officials

 Chief Secy reviews construction of roads 
Tribune News service

Dehradun, December 3
Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain reviewed construction of roads carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the state at the Secretariat here today. He said connectivity was very important for tourism and industrial development.

Jain directed the officers to work on priority on roads which are the lifeline of the state. He told revenue, forest and PWD officers to work in coordination in providing support in the construction of national highways in the state. He directed them to ensure speedy transfer of land.

He said he would review separately the delay in land clearance and directed the officers concerned to set a time frame for it. Jain told the Nodal Officer to convene a meeting of DFOs and issued instructions to them regarding the timely completion of formalities so as to forward the proposal to the Centre. He also told the District Magistrates to resolve the matter at their level.

The Chief Secretary gave orders for the setting up of a separate land acquisition unit at Udham Singh Nagar by Tuesday for the widening of national highways. He said the PWD and the Revenue Department would be held responsible for any kind of delay.

Jain said no-objection certificates for mobile crushing plants and mix plants for the widening of four-lane roads in Dehradun would be given by the Pollution Control Board in two days. Meanwhile, the NHAI would be handed over 24 hectares acquired in Haridwar and 19 hectares in Dehradun in 15 days.

It was decided at the meeting to forward a proposal for the widening of the Rampur-Kathgodam National Highway in Nainital to the Centre in a week for forest clearance. Two over-bridges are to be constructed on this road at Dineshpur and Kashipur.

The Chief Secretary directed the officers to prepare a forest clearance proposal under the NHAI for the Haridwar-Kashipur, Roorkee-Chhutmalpur-Saharanpur-Yamunanagar (Haryana) and Sitarganj-Tanakpur highways.

Principal Secretary, Industry, Rakesh Sharma, Secretary, PWD, Dr SS Sandhu, District Magistrate, Dehradun, BVR Purushottam, District Magistrate, Haridwar, Sachin Kurvey and other senior officers attended the meeting.

 Landslide-hit shopkeepers still awaiting relief
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, December 3
Shopkeepers at the Kempty near Mussoorie, who lost their shops after a landslide, are yet to receive any compensation despite the announcement made by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, during his visit four months ago, after taking stock of the damage to four shops due to a landslide, had announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 as per the degree of damage to the property, but the affected persons have not received a single penny till now.

Vijay Bahuguna had also assured them that their temporary shops would be regularised but no action had been initiated so far.

Hukum Singh Rawat, a shopkeeper whose shop was razed to ground due to the natural disaster that occurred four months ago, alleged that the administration was yet to provide him relief despite repeated reminders.

Nayab Tehsildar, Dahanaulti, KS Rana, said as most of the shops were constructed illegally without any authentic documentation, the administration was finding it difficult to provide compensation to the affected persons.

He further said as most of the shops were constructed without any valid documentary proof, the revenue officials were directed to conduct an investigation to know the present status of the shops and initiate necessary action on such illegal structures constructed at Kempty.

The shopkeepers are of the view that the administration instead of helping them out was bent on harassing them in the pretext of no valid documents.

 35 villages to be linked with motor road
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 3
The Champawat district administration has started the survey work for connecting 35 villages that have a population below 250 with motor road by using the PMGRY funds. This was stated by Champawat CDO JK Tiwari here today.

“We have received approval to prepare a detailed project report of 28 village roads. The process of obtaining the permission for the rest of the roads is underway,” said the CDO.

Tiwari said the work on 31 motor roads out of 40 PMGRY roads proposed last year in the district has also been completed by the department concern. “In last year’s backlog, only four rural roads are to get clearance from the forest department,” said Tiwari.

He further said the total length of the roads to be constructed in the district this year was 240 km. Most of these roads have been proposed in the backward and remote areas of Barakot, Pati, Champawat and Lohaghat blocks. “The maximum number of these roads has been proposed in the backward areas of Sukhidhank and Tamli in Champawat block,” said the CDO.

 State losing hope of getting power from Jharkhand
Seema Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
The state has a little hope of getting 600 MW from Jharkhand through a coal plant. Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited was to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Jharkhand Government for setting up a 2,000 MW coal plant in Jharkhand. However, after a few initial proceedings, Jharkhand officials have stopped responding to the correspondence of the UJVNL.

Chairman, UJVNL, Subhash Kumar said: "As it would have been exorbitant to set up a coal plant in Uttarakhand and transport coal from Jharkhand on a regular basis to produce alternative coal energy here, we talked to the Jharkhand Government to establish a coal plant there in collaboration. The Jharkhand Government agreed to it and it was decided to set up a 2,000 MW coal plant, the cost of which was estimated at Rs 10,000 crore. Uttarakhand was to get 600 MW from this project on an annual basis. However, Jharkhand has stopped taking interest in the project."

He said energy produced through the proposed coal plant would have been transmitted through grid lines to Uttarakhand. The funds could have been received from world finance agencies such as ADB. Initially, energy was to be produced to the tune of 3,000 MW.

Managing Director, UJVNL, GD Patel said the Chief Secretary, Jharkhand, was no longer replying to the correspondence of the UJVNL in this regard, which proved that there was a little hope for this project to see the light of the day.

Owing to precarious nature of hydropower generation, where power generation plummets in the winter, the state has to look for viable alternative energy resources.

Subhash Kumar said: "The cost of coal energy always rises with the time due to heavy charges involved in the process of extraction, transportation and other paraphernalia involved. However, the cost of hydropower generation always remains minimum in comparison. But we are still keen on buying coal energy."

He said the prices of energy were going to rise further, so it had become important for the state to safeguard its stake by arranging for a medium of alternative energy beforehand.

 State BJP to elect new chief on Dec 15

Dehradun, December 3
The state BJP will elect its new party president on December 15, the BJP election committee has said. On December 14, the process of nominations will start. “While all effort will be made to unanimously elect the president, in case a situation arises where there is no unanimity, the election will be held on December 15,” said a senior leader.

Meanwhile, president of the state BJP Bishan Singh Chuphal has so far showed no interest for a second run. “The names that are doing the rounds include that of general secretary of the state BJP Dhan Singh Rawat, senior BJP leaders Tirath Singh Rawat and Mohan Singh Rawat (Gaunwasi),” said a BJP leader.

However, sources claim that the names of former chief ministers BC Khanduri and BS Koshiyari have also cropped up.

Meanwhile, the BJP has also begun the exercise of electing the district presidents of 21 districts. The last date of withdrawal of names will take place tomorrow. — TNS

 Proposed Doon Medical College
Govt awaits possession of Red Cross building
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
The Department of Medical Education is still awaiting the possession of the Red Cross building which has to be demolished for the construction of the new emergency building that will become part of proposed Doon Medical College.

While the Department of Medical Education has managed to get additional land near Mahant Indresh Hospital where part of the medical college (teaching ) will be built and has begun the construction of boundary, the progress on the possession of the Red Cross building, where employees of the Nagar Nigam are still residing, has been slow.

“The Red cross building will be demolished to build the emergency department of the proposed medical college. We have been told that the Nagar Nigam has already built houses for the employees residing in the dilapidated Red Cross building and now efforts will be made to remove them. The matter regarding standing crop at the land near the Mahant Indresh Hospital too has been solved. The remaining construction (of boundary) will take place after the farmers cut their standing crops,” said a senior officer.

Similarly, the construction of a new OPD building for the proposed medical college adjacent to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Park too has not taken off. “There is no clarity on the land and if it has been transferred to the Department of Medical Education, we are waiting for clarification from the Nagar Nigam,” said an official.

Both the Red Cross building and the land near Deen Dayal Upadhyayaya Park are near Doon Hospital. They will be used to expand the existing hospital that will serve the medical college.

However, the land near Mahant Indiresh Hospital further away from the hospital but in a radius of 10 km will serve as a medical college for teaching.

This arrangement of housing the education part of the college was worked out in consonance with the norms relaxed by the Medical Council of India for hill states. 

 ICFRE chief offers ASI help in protection of monuments 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
Dr VK Bahuguna, Director General (DG), Indian Council of Forestry an Research Education, ICFRE, today said the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI) and the ICFRE could work together in the protection of monuments.

“The cooperation between foresters and archaeologists have reaped rich dividends in the preservation and conservation of the Angkor Vat temples that are on the world heritage site listing. In Angkor Vat (Cambodia) and in Tripura (India), we have worked together for the preservation of sites that attract a large number of people. You are contributing without creating any fuss. We are with you and will extend all kind of support to you in the preservation and conservation of monuments and sites,” said Dr VK Bahuguna, while delivering the inaugural address at the national workshop on “Concepts of scientific conservation in archaeology,” at the ASI (science branch) to mark the 150th anniversary.

He also stressed the need for allocation of higher budget for conservation activities undertaken by the foresters and the archaeologists, “It is a daunting task to convince the planners in New Delhi to allocate a sizeable budget for activities of departments that may have less weightage than the department of rural development or defence,” he said.

While delivering the guest lecture, the former joint director of Archaeology Survey of India (New Delhi) Dr RK Sharma also stressed on breaking fresh grounds in the conservation and preservation of monuments and sites.

“We should look back only to improve upon and bring changes. Those old materials that may have been used earlier may not be relevant today. The preservation of a particular object or monument is never final, it is ever evolving and changing,” he said.

Prof IK Bhatnagar, former Dean of Academic Affairs, National Museum of Institute (NMI), New Delhi, also delved on the importance of conservation and use of modern techniques in preservation of monuments.

In his welcome address, KS Rana, Director (Science branch), traced the history of the ASI (Science branch) and the work carried out by the scientists. Later, the chief guest Dr VK Bahuguna inaugurated a photo exhibition on “Scientific Conservation of Heritage Monuments”. 

 Heritage buildings to be cleaned by laser technology
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
The conservation and preservation practices in India are expected to take a giant leap with the adoption of the laser technology that is increasingly in use in Italy and European countries for cleaning of archaeological objects.

So far in India, the laser technology for cleaning of archaeological objects is not being used, the ASI has begun giving exposure to its archaeologists in the technology which may become the mainstay of the preservation practices in the coming days.

Dr Vimal Saxena, Superintending Archaeologist and Chemist, ASI Indore division, has already visited Italy for acquiring the knowhow in the laser technology.

“The laser technology is safe and being increasingly viewed as an important tool for removing harmful deposits that settle on the structures without causing any harm to the monuments and objects,” said Saxena.

He said in Italy, the technology was being used in cleaning art objects. “In India we are using only chemical treatment for removing deposits and have so far not adopted any modern technology of this nature. As of now, we are focusing on providing exposure to the archaeologists and then only will this technology be adopted,” said Saxena.

 Docs to be appointed in remote areas soon: Negi
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, December 3
The Uttarakhand Government has started making preparations for appointing doctors in the hospitals situated in the remote areas by going against the norms of the State Public Service Commission.

This was stated by Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi on the concluding day of a two-day workshop organised by the Uttarakhand Sewa Nidhi in memory of its founder and former Governor BD Pandey at Almora today.

Negi said there was an urgent need of doctors in the hospitals in the rural areas. “We will discuss the issue in the coming session of the state Assembly," he said.

Answering queries posed by delegates from the remote parts of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions, he said state hospitals had stock of the required medicines and doctors had been advised against prescribing the medicines that were not available in the hospitals. “If any doctor writes medicine that is not available in the hospital, please inform me," the minister told the delegates.

Women delegates complained of a shortage of doctors in rural hospitals. They said the government should ensure that hospitals should be well-equipped so that poor patients were not forced to go to other cities for treatment.

Sunita Devi, who had come from Pati subdivision, Champawat, to attend the workshop, said: “There is no doctor in our hospital and we have to go to Lohaghat, which is 30 km from our area.”

Women delegates also demanded that pharmacists appointed at hospitals should be allowed to write prescription in the absence of doctors. They said most of the hospitals were lying closed. The minister gave them an assurance that all hospitals that were lying closed would be run under the PPP mode and the process to appoint doctors would begin soon.

 Sunil Sonkar is Dalit Minority Forum president

Mussoorie, December 3
Sunil Sonkar was appointed president and Satish Kumar general secretary of the newly constituted Dalit Minority Forum at a meeting held at a hotel here today.

The other members of the executive committee appointed here were Umarudin at the post of vice president, Sudhir Mittal joint secretary, Mohd Kamil publicity secretary and Sunil Kumar, Rajkumar, Francis Xavier, Vikas and Gagan Kanaujia members.

The newly elected members of the body discussed the problems being faced by their communities and pledged to resolve.

Sonkar thanked the members. He also said his organisation would play an important role in the next Municipal Council elections and ensure the political participation of the members from minority and the Dalit community. — OC

 Shiksha mitirs take out march
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
In support of their five-point charter of demands, members of the Uttarakhand Shiksha Mitir Mahasangh held a march from the Parade Ground to the Secretariat here today.

Their demands included a raise in honorarium (Rs 22,000 per month) since July, 14 casual leaves in a year, one month medical leave, three-month maternity leave for female shikhsa mitirs, adjustment in nearby schools and relaxation in TET for those who have 10 years of educational experience.

President of the mahasangh Lalita Dwivedi said they would intensify their stir in the coming days. 

 Slow progress of projects worries Chamoli
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
Mayor Vinod Chamoli held a meeting today to review the progress in various projects with officials of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC).

He was anguished at the slow pace of action on all these developmental projects. The projects such as construction of the Town Hall, installation of fountains in Gandhi Park, beautification of Clock Tower building and area surrounding Badoni statue are lyingincomplete for the past two years. Chamoli directed them to complete the remaining work of the Town Hall and expedite the tender process for the rest of the projects.

He instructed Deputy Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Sadia Alam Khan to hasten the removal of illegal hoardings in the city. 

 Repair of trek on Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra route begins
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 3
Keeping the next year’s Nanda Raj Jat Yatra in mind, the Forest Department has started repairing the trek route from Kansuwa village to Vedini Bugyal in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand Principal Chief Conservator of Forest RBS Rawat said.

“We have spent Rs 77 lakh for repairing the 71-km strech of this yatra which is held after every 12 years. It is schedule to begin on August 22 next year,” said the chief conservator.

Talking to mediapersons at Ranikhet, Dr Rawat said, several small bridges were also being constructed on this route, besides repairing bridges at various places.

“As heavy snow deposits are lying in the Bedini Bugyal area, the repairing work on that patch will be started from March next year," said the forest conservator.

According to Rawat, the Forest Department also ensures that no damage is done to forest and environment during the yatra and for this, information network on the yatra route will be strengthened. “We are also going to plant saplings at various points on the way, which will be named as Nanda Smriti Van,” said Dr Rawat.

The Forest Department has said it wants to give the maximum facilities to the pilgrims during this 19-day pilgrimage which is a major tourist attraction of the state. “We are preparing for this yatra for the past three years. We have also constructed 10 huts and 20 motels at various points on the yatra route,” said Dr Rawat.

 Roorkee engg college celebrates founder’s day 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
The 14th founder's day celebrations of the College of Engineering, Roorkee, were held on the college campus today.

Govind Singh Kunjwal, Speaker of the Uttarakhand Assembly who was the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the programme by lighting a traditional lamp. Dr DS Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) and KC Jain, Chief Income Tax Commissioner, were the other guests of honour.

JC Jain, chairman of the college, welcomed the guests and other dignitaries and explained the purpose of setting up of an engineering college at Roorkee.

Dr Gopal Ranjan, director general of the college, highlighted various achievements of the college and the future projections to make it as a centre of excellence.

KC Jain, Chief Income Tax Commissioner, in his address, appreciated the high standards set by the college and hoped that college would continue to provide quality education to the students. He gave away excellence awards to first and second year students.

Kunjwal congratulated the staff and students for the excellent performance in the past years. He said within a short span of time, the College of Engineering, Roorkee, has contributed a lot in quality education in Uttarakhand. He distributed awards for faculty motivation and service motivation to the staff and faculty members.

 Need to protect wooden base of Taj Mahal from termite: Bhatnagar
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3
Besides focusing on the exterior of Taj Mahal in Agra that figures in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites, archaeologists of the Science Branch, Agra, have also begun concentrating on protecting the wooden base covering the wells on which the monument was raised.

Dr MK Bhatnagar, archaeologist

“The mud clay pack applied on the exterior of Taj Mahal is protecting the monument from the harmful effects of pollution, but there is need to protect the wooden structure from termite attack. Though the wells have already dried up, the Yamuna flowing nearby touches the monument that needs to be protected from a possible termite attack,” said Dr MK Bhatnagar, Deputy Superintendent Archaeologist and Chemist, ASI, Agra.

Bhatnagar, who was in Dehradun today to participate in a workshop, told The Tribune that the study was being carried out in collaboration with the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).

“We will also be studying the quality of the wooden basement, whether it could withstand the impact of a possible earthquake as the safety of the monument is of paramount importance,” he said.

Besides, NEERI had also carried out an impact study on the effects of air pollution on the monument. It was doing round-the-clock monitoring and surveillance of air quality at Taj Mahal.

Bhatnagar said similar studies were also being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Musamman Burj in the Agra fort where Mughal emperor Shahjahan was imprisoned. “The monument has a metallic structure on top while the basement is made of marble. The mix of metal and stone in the monument no doubt gave strength and beauty to the monument, but for archaeologists the major concern pertains to the harmful effects of environment on the material used for constructing the monuments and how best to protect them from the vagaries of weather and degradation,” he said.