PFA blames Rlys for animal deaths
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19
In the aftermath of deaths of two elephants and 16 cattle on the killer railway track inside the Rajaji National Park, People for Animals, Uttarakhand, has put the onus of these mishaps on the railway authorities, asserting that the scattered concrete railway track sleepers along tracks did not give an exit space to the animals. These concrete sleepers are lying unattended for more than a year alongside 10 km of the railway track.

On January 13, two elephants, including an expectant female elephant, were run over by a Dehradun-Delhi Janshatbadhi train. This was followed by another incident on February 4, when as many as 16 cattle were killed by the Kathogodam Express. Such incidents reveal that the animals got no space to jump off the track, leading to their death.

A team of People For Animals, Uttarakhand, led by Member Secretary Gauri Maulekhi, who visited the site of these mishaps to ascertain reasons, was aghast to find that a large number of old concrete sleepers laying scattered on both sides of the track made an escape almost impossible for animals.

In a strong-worded letter to the Chief Engineer, Northern Railways, People For Animals, Uttarakhand, has asked the Railway authorities to remove these concrete sleepers at the earliest. Maulekhi said the Railway authorities needed to be sensitive towards animals.

Threatening to hold Rail Roko on March 9 by staging demonstration on the affected railway track, Maulekhi said the animal lovers would no more tolerate this callous attitude of the Railway authorities.

It is noteworthy that the Wildlife Trust of India has been successfully running a train-hit mitigation model in the affected stretch since 2002 and it was only this year that wildlife like elephants and domestic animals were run over by trains, evidently revealing that concrete sleepers lying alongside tracks for the past one year could be the reason behind these mishaps.

43 physiotherapist posts vacant in Doon since 2000
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19
A total of 43 posts of physiotherapist are lying vacant in district and 100-bed hospitals since the creation of the state. The shortage is acutely felt in the hilly districts, where physiotherapists are non-existent.

After accidents and falls, it is the physiotherapists who help the patients and sportspersons regain their body functioning and maximise their physical movement through exercise or therapies. However in Uttarakhand, where falls and accidents are routine, more so in the mountainous region, no effort has been made to give a fillip to the physiotherapy stream and fill vacant posts.

“The mountainous areas in the hills would have been served better if the posts of physiotherapist were filled. In case of accidents and falls, the patients are forced to come down to the cities for seeking the physiotherapy treatment,” said Dr SK Tyagi, a physiotherapist, Doon Hospital.

He said earlier, there was a great deal of emphasis on the oral medication for muscular and joint pains that at times prove disastrous for persons who cannot tolerate heavy medications.

“Along with spending on boarding and lodging, the patients are forced to fork out for medication that at times does not prove to be helpful. But treatment by trained physiotherapists is not only effective but also saves the trouble of consuming too many medicines,” said Dr Tyagi.

Due to the demand for physiotherapists, several private colleges have opened but in the absence of jobs in the government sector, it is unlikely they would be absorbed.

Even the Department of Sports has no use for physiotherapists and it has failed to deploy them during sports meets and at stadiums. “We have felt the need for deploying physiotherapists during sports meets but the proposal has to be discussed with various sports associations,” said Dinesh Aggarwal, Uttarakhand Minister of Sports.

Further, the physiotherapists are also not part of the Char Dham yatra for which a team of doctors is deputed. Most certainly, they are also not likely to be part of the Nanda Devi Raj Yatra. 

Rescue team for Nanda Devi yatra
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, February 19
A 20-member rescue team from US Nagar district will be sent to the route of Nanda Devi Raj Jat pilgrimage which is being organised in Garhwal district from August 29 this year, the district adventure sports officer said here today.

“These volunteers will be trained for seven days at Nainital next month and after the preliminary training, they will undergo training at the Nehru Mountaineering Institute at Uttarkashi,” said Kriti Chandra Arya, district adventure sports officer.

The 280-km pilgrimage of Nanda Devi Raj Jat is scheduled to take place from August 29 in the high altitude of the Himalayan region to send Nanda Devi, who is considered the daughter of the Garhwal region, to Lord Shiva.

“The volunteers will be deputed at sensitive points of the route to save the pilgrims from possible accidents and sudden slides on the rugged terrains to Hom Kund, which is the last point of the pilgrimage,” said the officer.

UPSC employees remain away from work
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 19
The working at the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UPSC) remained affected here today due to a one-day strike called by its employees.

Under the aegis of the Ayog Adhikari-Karamchari Sangh, employees remained away from official work and staged a protest outside the gate of the commission near Gurukul Kangri University.

Seeing the working getting affected, UPSC Secretary Chandrasekhar Bhatt arrived at the venue and tried to convince the employees of taking up their problems at the higher level. However, the employees continued with the strike.

Lok Seva Ayogi Adhikari Karamchari Sangh chief Sunil Kumar Mishra said they had to take up the agitation route in view of the non-compliance of assurances by the authorities.

Mishra said their union had not been registered so far despite it fulfilling all norms and procedures. The residential allocation process had also not been properly enacted, particularly for lower-ranked employees. Shahraj Anwar, treasurer of the union, said wage revision, arrear clearance, uniformity in the promotion process and their other demands had not been fulfilled so far, so they decided to resort to the agitation.

Van Gujjars allege harassment by Rajaji park authorities
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19
A group of Van Gujjars, the nomadic tribals residing in the Rajaji National Park, has alleged that they are being harassed by the park authorities. They visited the office of the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a voluntary organisation fighting for their rights, here today.

“The RLEK warns the forest authorities to desist from harassing the peace-loving Van Gujjars who are the true followers of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of fulfilling one’s need and not greed,” said Avadhash Kaushal, Chairperson, RLEK, talking to a group of Van Gujjars.

Van Gujjar leaders Irshad, Mohammad Moosa and Talib Hussain complained about the harassment being meted out to them. They alleged that they were being stopped from carrying out funeral rights of two of their men who died of falling off a tree in the forest.

Kaushal, in a statement, said the Uttarakhand Forest Department should follow the National Human Rights Commission’s order regarding Van Gujjars and also the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, in letter and spirits. “The ruling party in the state should not forget its election manifesto regarding the traditional rights for Van Gujjars who have been living in the forests much before the Forest Department came into existence in the country,” he said.

He said the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha should unanimously pass a resolution of recommending the Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to Van Gujjars as given to them in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. He further said land pattas of ownership should also be distributed to those Van Gujjars who have been involuntarily been shown as voluntarily rehabilitated.

“In case the government does not do it immediately, the Van Gujjars, whether staying in forest or proposed park, Gaindikhata, Pathri and all other places, will have no other option but to go to Delhi to demonstrate and meet Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi and also take the legal recourse available in the Constitution of the country,” Kaushal warned. 

BJP relies on communal agenda: Harish Rawat
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 19
Putting down the much-hyped candidature of Bharatiya Janata Party's Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as future Prime Minister, Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat compared this hype similar to the 2004 media-managed 'Shining India' campaign.

Union Minister said that Narendra Modi could not put a veil on his controversial role during Gujarat riots as Chief Minister when even the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had expressed his unhappiness, directing him to adher to 'Raj dharma.'

Talking to TNS here today, Harish Rawat said that BJP had always relied on communal agenda whenever election time came near, and the nation will never forget these incidents and the violence that spread in the aftermath.

"Who can forget the wounds of Babri Masjid riots or Godhra riots that continued for days with state machinery playing a conspicuous role during that period. Now the same Chief Minister is being touted as viable candidate, while in the BJP there are half a dozen candidates who are also dreaming of becoming PM," he added.

In humour Rawat remarked that already the saffron party had LK Advani as PM in waiting, while "in our party we are focusing on development and election only."

On the Katju-BJP verbal duel, Rawat termed the remarks of Press Council of India chief Markandey Katju as genuine and given by a responsible, seasoned retired judge.

"Markandey Katju is not directly appointed by the government but by a semi-statutory body. So his opinion can't be described as pro-government. He has been fair in his judgements on our governments in Himachal Pradesh, and in other states. too, he has been a seasoned and respected judge. So, in the right perspective, the BJP should take his comments," he added.

When asked about the reply given by Congress vice chief Rahul Gandhi to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna's proposal of declaring him as prime ministerial candidate, Harish Rawat said that it was an inner party meeting, so he could not comment anything.

Housing and urban development policy soon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19
The government will now frame a housing and urban development policy which will simplify the process of getting the layout of a house passed and also the process of changing land use. A presentation regarding this was made before Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain at the Secretariat here today.

Secretary (housing) MH Khan said a state-level authority would be constituted besides several zonal authorities all over the state .The problems hampering private and group housing would be removed and the scope of investment in group housing be increased.

The framework for the authority was being prepared.

Among those present at the meeting were Secretary (Revenue ) DS Garbyal, VC of the MDDA R Meenakshi Sundaram, Additional Secretary (Housing) AS Hyanki and Additional Secretary (Urban Development) Amit Negi.

Power output goes up in Tanakpur plant due to rain
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 19
Electricity generation in Tanakpur power house of the NHPC has risen to 60 MW from 28 MW in two days as the water level of the Sharda river increased due to melting of snow at its basin due to sunny weather, Center Water Commission sources said.

“The water level of the Sharda, which was at 137 cubic meter per second average in February last year due to no rain, has risen to 194.01 cubic meter per second on same day this year due to heavy rain and snowfall at the river basin,” said DS Mehta, a Central Water Commission engineer at the Pancheshwar confluence of the river.

According to the engineer, local traditional water sources along the villages near the river have started recharging as 30 per cent water sources have become recharged in Champawat district. "This will help better drinking water supply this year during summer months,” said the CWC engineer.

Engineers at Tanakpur hydroelectric project have reported that the electricity generation in the powerhouse has gone up to 60 megawatt in the last two days from 28 megawatt.

“Out of the three turbines, one is under maintenance at present, we generated 55 to 60 megawatt of electricity from our two turbines in the last two days due to increase in the water level of the river,” said a source from the NHPC, Tanakpur.

According to CWC sources, rain in February this year was recorded at 109 mm in Champawat district and other basin areas of the river which helped increase in the water level of the river compares to last year in same month.

Khanduri releases book
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri today released “Ma Hindi Key Gaurav Chinta Mey”, a book authored by the late Babu Ram Verma.

In his address, Khanduri recalled efforts undertaken by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee towards promotion of Hindi in the country. He asserted that the dream of the forefathers of the Constitution to make Hindi as a link language of the country was still to be fulfilled.

Uttarakhand Bhasa Sansthan chairman Dr Muni Ram Saklani described the late Babu Ram Verma as an individual completely dedicated to Hindi.

Dr Bharti Verma, daughter of the late Babu Ram Verma, said it was her father’s last wish to see that “Ma Hindi Key Gaurav Chinta Mey” got released. Dr Raj Narayan Rai and other literary personalities were present on the occasion. 

One arrested in 2005 Rudrapur dacoity case
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19
The special task force (STF) has arrested Mahender, a member of the famous Bavaria group, from Chikmaralli Pandavpura village in Mandiya district of Karnataka, where he had been living secretly for the past over seven years.

Mahender, a resident of Shamli in Muzzaffarnagar, was wanted in a dacoity case that had taken place in a house at Shanti Vihar in Rudrapur on April 8, 2005. After beating up the owner of the house Manoj, Mahender, along with his accomplices, had decamped with money and valuables. The police had arrested his accomplices earlier, However, he managed to evade arrest.

Mahender had been living in Pandavpura village in Karnataka, where he had also got married and was at present working in a jaggery-making outlet. He had also changed his name there.

SSP (STF) Santhiyal Abudai said: “Mahender has already spent 10 years in a Muzzaffarnagar jail in another dacoity case. During interrogation, we will try to gather more information about other members of the gang, who might be active in criminal activities.”

In 2009, the then DIG, Kumaon, had also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for giving the whereabouts of Mahender.

Santhiyal said he would seek the help of the Rudrapur police in collecting information about this gang. "Since many dacoity cases are still being reported from Kumaon, it seems that members of the gang are still active,” he said.

Details of missing persons sent to NCB
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 19
The Pithoragarh police has sent the details of all missing persons from the district to National Crime Bureau (NCB). Relatives of the missing persons still hope to know their whereabouts after the court interfered in the matter, SP VKS Karki said here yesterday.

“The police circle in the district has a record of 422 missing persons that have gone missing in the past seven years. Out of this, 352 have come back but 70 persons, including 40 men, 23 women and eight children, are yet to be traced,” said the SP.

“The information of missing persons from the revenue circle is being prepared,” said the source.

According to sources, there are persons who migrated to other regions and have now returned. The police has no contribution in it, as for the past seven years it has taken least interest in tracing the missing persons. “There are notions that human trafficking is going on in the border district. We do not agree with it, as the police and SSB sleuths are alert on the international borders,” said the SP.

Padyatra to be held on Swami Vivekanada’s birth anniversary
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 19
To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, people of Champawat district will organise a padyatra from Mayawati Ashram to Tanakpur to retrace the footsteps of Swami Vivekananda, who had reached Mayawati at Lohaghat on January 3, 1901, from the same route to establish an ashram there. It was decided at a meeting of eminent citizens held here yesterday.

“The 80-km march, which will be organised with the help of Mayawati Ashram swamis, will be open to all category of people who want to remember Swami Vivekanand on his 150th birth anniversary and his arrival in the district 112 years ago,” said Devendra Oli, convener of the march.

Oli said Swami Vivekananda had reached Champawat district on March 3 and after staying there for 15 days left the place on March 18, 1901, after selecting the place for his ashram, which is known to the world as Advaita Ashram.

The swami had translated Hindu religious manuscript, Narad Sukta from Sanskrit into English during his 15-day stay at Mayawati,” said Oli.

“We will have a detail meeting with Swami Mumukshanand, in charge of Mayawati Ashram, next month when the detail programme of the march will be decided,” said the organiser.

According to documents available at Mayawati Ashram at Lohaghat, Vivekananda remembered the Himalayas when he visited Alps mountains in Switzerland for the treatment of asthma. He was accompanied by Captain Savior and his wife and another disciple Henrietta Muller.

He suddenly remembered the Himalayas in his own country and wished that had he owned an ashram there, he would have worked to mix the culture of East with the knowledge of the West.

“Swami wrote to Lala Badri Lal Shah of Almora on March 12,1899, to help him make land available in the Himalayas and the Lala managed the land at Mayawati from one tea estate on March 19,1899, and handed over the land to the Swami,” said Oli.

Gorkha delegation to meet CM on OBC status
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19
A delegation of all Gorkha organisations under the leadership of vice-president of the Uttarakhand Congress Suryaknat Dhasmana will meet Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna to request him to take up the matter of reservation of the community under the Other Backward Castes (OBC) category.

Dhasmana along with leaders of various Gorkha organisations told mediapersons here today that the Gorkha community having a population of seven lakh in Uttarakhand was given the OBC status by the previous ND Tewari government after an agitation in 2003. However, they demand that it be included in the central list of reserved communities as an OBC.

The Union government had included only lower castes among the Gorkhas in the central list as an OBC. “We will take up the issue with the Chief Minister and request him to take up the demand of the Gorkha community, which has a history of sacrifices for the country, with the Union government,” said Dhasmana.

He said the community had come under one umbrella to celebrate the centenary celebrations of Shaheed Major Durga Mall, a close associate and intelligence chief of the Indian National Army (INA) led by Netaji Subhas Chander Bose, who was caught and hanged by the British in 1944.

Major Durga Mall was born on July 1, 1913, and his centenary celebrations would be held on a large scale from June 28 to July 2 in Dehradun. Dhasmana added the Chief Minister was expected to release a postage stamp on Durga Mall and also announce an employment scheme after his name on the lines of the Veer Chander Singh Garhwali scheme.

He said a mega cultural event would also be organised at the Rangers College ground on the occasion, followed by a seminar on the Nepalese language. “The family members of the martyrs from the Gorkha community and the statehood agitators will be honoured at the function,” he added.