574 pc jump in gender budget 'eyewash'
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 8
A jump of 574.27 per cent in the gender budget for the financial year 2012-2013 has proved to be a damp squib as less than 5 per cent has been spent by January 2013 by the Uttarakhand government to empower women in the state through financial outlay.

While making provisions for the general budget as part of the general Budget, the state's first woman Finance Minister Dr Indira Hridayesh had made a provision of Rs 2,227.67 crore which was 574.27 more than 2007-2008, when the first gender budget was presented. But the efforts now seem to be wasted.

Experts say the fate of the gender budget is similar to that of the ST/SC subplan budget for which allocations are made but continue to be poorly spent. It is a simple accounting exercise as the funds are diverted and sometimes misused.

"When the overall spending of under the general Budget by the government has been extremely poor, it is bound to affect the gender budget which is not separately announced but is part of the general Budget," countered Additional Secretary Finance MC Joshi.

The paper released by the government on the gender budget states that 100 per cent allocations are made under part A for the welfare of women and girls. While under Part B 30 per cent of the funds are allocated for women to be routed through the various departments.

"While most of the schemes under 100 per cent allocation cater to the health, education and social needs of women and girls, it remains a notional accounting exercise. Since, the inception of the budget, the government has not come up with proper impact assessment," Jhanvi Tiwari of Disha, a social organisation.

The government should set up a separate gender budget cell to identify the quantum of resource allocation and expenditure.

The Uttarakhand government presented the first gender budget in 2007-08 and the aim was to ensure all-round development of women and children.

"The 50 per cent reservation was given to women in 2007-2008 in the panchayats by the state and the allocation under the gender budget was corollary to it. But, it did not quantify expenditure items but a beginning towards meeting the expenditure needs of women was made," said RS Tolia, former Chief Information Commissioner.

Latest farming gadgets displayed at Kisan Mela
Tribune News service

Dehradun, March 8
Pantnagar Agriculture University’s 93rd farmers' fair-cum-agro-industrial exhibition, popularly known as Kisan Mela, was inaugurated today at the main campus of Pantnagar University by Dungar Singh Bisht of Devidhura village of Uttarakhand, by cutting the ribbon, in the presence of Vice Chancellor Subhash Kumar, Director, Extension Education, YPS Dabas, and other dignitaries.

Besides, a large number of farmers, scientists and visitors were also present. After inaugurating the fair, Subhash Kumar and Dungar Singh Bisht were taken for a round of the fair ground by YPS Dabas.

In the fair, stalls of colleges of the university were shown and explained by the Deans of respective colleges and students. The main inaugural ceremony of the fair was organised at the university auditorium.

Speaking as chief guest, Subhash Kumar expressed great satisfaction over the participation of a large number of farmers from different states of India, including Uttarakhand, and also from Nepal, in this fair. He said that from the next kharif season it is being planned to supply small packets of vegetable seeds, free of cost, for two years to every household of Uttarakhand to help in eradication of malnutrition. He also announced sanctioning of financial grant by the state government to the university for upkeep of old residences, hostels and roads of the university.

Subhash Kumar emphasised on cleanliness in the hostels and university campus.

On this occasion, members of the board of management of the university, Rajesh Shukla, RL Arora and SK Bhadula expressed their views and advocated stopping of transferring of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes and adoption of diversification of agriculture as well as propagation of indigenous animal breed. They also highlighted the contribution of Pantnagar University in Indian agriculture.

Earlier, YPS Dabas, Director, Extension Education and organiser of the kisan mela, welcomed the participants, including farmers, guests and delegates. Dabas elaborated on the objectives of kisan mela, which included the showcasing of latest and best in agriculture technology, besides providing a platform for interaction between farmers and scientists. The university also makes available the foundation and breeder seeds of major crops and planting materials in this mela, he said.

JP Singh, Director, Experiment Station, thanked all the guests and farmers towards the end of the inaugural ceremony. He hoped that farmers would have a useful and enjoyable time during their stay at Pantnagar. On this occasion, 11 progressive farmers selected from 13 districts of Uttarakhand were honoured.

This four-day event attracts thousands of farmers from UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and other states of India, besides Uttarakhand. This biannual event serves a very useful purpose of providing a platform for interaction between farmers, scientists and representatives of agri-business/agro-industrial firms. All the major organisations in the farm sector, representing major brands, put up their informative and imaginative stalls, displaying the latest and best in modern agriculture technology. 

Vishwakarma Award for Koteshwar power project
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 8
Koteshwar Hydro Electric Project (400 MW) of THDC India Limited (THDCIL) has won the prestigious 5th CIDC Vishwakarma Award-2013 in the category of the Best Construction Project among more than 70 submissions from all sectors.

DK Govil, General Manager (Project Head Tehri-Koteshwar HEP), along with other senior officers of THDCIL, received the award at a ceremony held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, today.

This award has been given in recognition of outstanding performance of THDCIL in implementing Koteshwar HEP and its valuable contribution that has significantly enriched the construction domain and promoting best practices within the construction industry.

The Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), an apex organisation to take up and promote activities for the development of the construction industry, has been jointly set up by the Planning Commission and the construction industry.

The CIDC Vishwakarma Awards are aimed at encouraging successful efforts from individuals and organisations that have made a mark on the present construction industry in terms of delivering better outputs, processes and creating higher benchmarks for the construction industry to help in nation building.

These awards are based on the judgement of an eminent jury of international repute consisting of distinguished and accomplished personalities among industry leaders, policy-makers, academicians, and project management champions.

Koteshwar is the fastest implemented hydro project of the nation in its category. It works were started in April 2007 and two units were commissioned in March 2011. The execution of Koteshwar is paradigm of commitment, dedication, innovation in construction methodology and proficient project management. 

‘Water, forests, land should be under women’s control’
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, March 8
Resources like water, forests and land in villages should be put under the control of women and women organisations if the government wants to empower them, said known Gandhian Radha Bahn at a meeting organised by an NGO at Ranikhet on International Women’s Day today.

Radha was addressing the village women gathered at the office of the NGO, Umang, at Ranikhet in Almora district. She said for self-empowerment the hill women should generate their own avenues of livelihood and not be solely dependent on the government. “By attaining this status, the hill women will be confident enough to take decisions in every sphere of social life,” she said.

International Women’s Day was also celebrated in Almora and Pithoragarh districts where members of the All-India Democratic Women’s Association and the All-India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) took part in meetings and seminars.

Sunita Pandey, state secretary of the AIPWA, criticised the government for making liquor easily available in the state. She said housewives and working women were suffering due to this policy. “The government policy is to make ‘sarab sasti, roti mehangi’ in the state,” said Sunita while addressing the women gathered on the occasion at Almora.

In Pithoragarh town, the women related with the Sanjha Manch and the AIPWA gathered at the Town Hall to celebrate the day. A meeting was also organized under the chairmanship of Renu Thakur, director, ARPAN, an NGO working to empower women living in the Nepal border area. “The women in the country have got nothing after Independence except the right to vote and they need to fight for their rights,” said Renu.

District Magistrate Sridhar Babu Addhakhi in Champawat honoured women employees of different departments of the district. He appealed to them to work honestly to build a good image.

Bhagwati Pandey from the Mahila Samakhya, an NGO, told the gathering in the Barakot block of Champawat district to become self-reliant.

Annual fest at Shantikunj varsity begins
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 8
The 11th annual festival at Dev Sanskriti University, Shantikunj, began here today on the university premises. Various sporting, cultural and co-curricular activities will be held for three days.

Inaugurating the fest, Vice-Chancellor Dev Sanskriti University Dr Pranav Pandya, after hoisting the Shantikunj flag, urged students to participate with sporting spirit.

Pandya cited the old adage of healthy mind in a healthy body and emphasised on the need of making sports an integral part of educational curriculum.

The Vice-Chancellor also referred to various quotes of Pt Shri Ram Sharma Acharya, founder of Shantikunj, on the occasion.

Sports officer Manoranjan Tripathi and Vikrant Badhwa said the events like chess, kho-kho, volleyball, table tennis, basketball and athletics will be organised during the fest.

Cultural activities will see vocal, instrumental and dance events, which will showcase the hidden talent of the DSU students.

Governor opens Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Rishikesh
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 8
Governor Aziz Qureshi has said that it was his desire that inexpensive quality medicines should be provided to the people in the remote hill areas of the state. Speaking at the inauguration of the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the Government Hospital, Rishikesh, last evening, Qureshi said the centre would be run with the support of the Dehradun branch of Red Cross Society of Uttarakhand. He said it would make available medicines to the common man.

The Governor also unveiled the foundation stones of the Jan Aushadi Kendra of Vikasnagar and Sahaspur.

He said with the cooperation of people, such kendras would come up in other areas of the state.

The Governor also released a software created specially for issuing pension certificates for the physically challenged persons.

Health Minister SS Negi, MLA PC Aggarwal, president of Red Cross Ranjit Verma and former MP MK Dhyani were present on the occasion.

‘No question of inequality between men and women’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 8
Unison World School celebrated International Women’s Day here today. The day began with a special prayer dedicated to women. The students of the Literary Club shared their views on womanhood and expressed their gratitude towards women.

Students of grade XI shared their views on women’s rights in a video conference. They communicated about their inspirations to work for the rights of women and how different communities can work to protect women’s rights.

The participating schools were from India and Pakistan. Unison's irrevocable voice declared, “Men and women have no question of inequality. It’s like comparing a cricket player with a hockey player on the same grounds. The game is different and hence cannot be compared. Men and women are complementary to each other and wonderful just as they are. God made women physically inferior compared to men but at the same time endowed with tremendous mental strength through which she can achieve everything, gifted with motherly affection, softness and made her immensely compassionate about her family”.

Meanwhile, Young Women’s Christian Association International Women’s Day was celebrated by Young Women’s Christian Association (YMCA) on the association’s premises here today. Dr Suchismita Sengupta Pandey, Deputy Secretary, Information Commission, Uttarakhand, was the chief guest on the occasion. In her address, she pointed out that empowerment of women was important but not at the cost of the country. She commended the efforts of the YWCA to work towards women’s welfare. Students presented songs, speeches and poems and highlighting issues related to gender discrimination. Sweta Talwar, Public Relation Officer, Sikh Doon Welfare Society, and Amarjeet Singh Bhatia spoke on occasion. Parveen Begum, Seema Roa, Kamlesh Devi, Neha Kanojia Shahnaz Bharti, Swati Gupta, Kanchan Negi and other distinguished personalities were present. Anis-ur-Rehman, Project Development Officer, YWCA, gave a vote of thanks.

Yatra to awaken people to ‘loot’ of water resources
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 8
The Uttarakhand Lok Vahini, the Aazadi Bachao Aandolan and the Uttarakhand Mahila Morcha will take out a 'jan yatra' from March 10 to 20 to draw the attention of the people towards the 'loot' of water by the capitalists and depriving the common people of the natural resource.

“The yatra is being taken out to awaken people to the impending danger of the privatisation of water in the state. It will begin from Jageswar Dham in Almora district on March 10 will conclude in Dehradun on March 20 after passing through the entire region of Uttarakhand,” said Dr Shamshar Singh Bisht, coordinator of the yatra.

Bisht said the slogan of the yatra was “Pani hamara, bijli bhi ham banayenge.

HIV cases on the rise in state
Women in 25-34 age group are most affected: AIDS Control
Society
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 8
It was a somber celebration by the Uttarakhand State Aids Control Society (USACS) which dedicated International Women's Day today towards generating awareness on HIV titled, “HIV Women--- A promise is a promise. Time for Action to end violence against Women”.

While in Uttarakhand, the number of HIV cases continues to rise, it is the women in the age group of 25-34 which are the most affected. "The route of HIV transmission is the maximum among the heterosexual and both women and children become infected through their husbands or parents," said Dr Meenakshi Uniyal, Additional Director (USACS).

In 2012-2013, the number of females, who tested HIV positive in the age group 24-34, is 81 and male 150.

She said the department had adopted three-pronged strategy that is prevention, detection and complete medical care.

While Uma Prakash, Joint Director, IEC, said while the Integrated Counseling Testing Centres (ICTC) set up in different parts of the state continued to counsel people, young people and women should not hesitate to come down to these centres, if in doubt.

Lawyer Razia Beig urged the women to arm themselves with the proper knowledge of laws but refrain from misusing them. "It is equally important to have laws that ensure safety of women but these should not be made in a hurry," said Razia.

She also said strong institutional measures should be taken to ensure women and children suffering from HIV are not discriminated.

On the other hand, District Protection Officer Ramindri Mandarwal called upon women not to be mum about marital violence. "The day your husband raises his hand, it is time to report and you should sit quietly," she said.

On the occasion, 21 women, including Dr Somita Handa, SMO, Doon Hospital, Dr Shalini Tandon of State Female Hospital (Haridwar) and nine members of different NGOs, who have contributed to building awareness and providing treatement to HIV infected people, were honoured.

A large number of NCC cadets led by Major Prem Lata Verma and Anil Verma, Incident Control Officer, Civil Defence, and Gagan Deep Luthra, Sanjay Singh Bisht and Ramesh Balodi from the USACS were present.

55 tigers, 564 leopards killed
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 8
In reply to a query by RTI activist Gurvinder Chadha from Haldwani, the Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand, has said 55 tigers and 564 leopards were killed in the state between 2001 and 2013 while four tigers and 91 leopards were declared man-eaters during the period.

The department replied to Chadha on January 22 that 825 persons were killed by these carnivores during 2001 to 2013. “When they had earlier declared that only 96 animals, including 91 leopards, were killed, how 619 animals got killed. This is the subject of another RTI query for me,” said Chadha.

Tibetan youth arrested

A Tibetan youth arrested by an SSB patrolling party on January 2 this year inside Indian territory on the Indo-Nepal border near Dharchula, without any legal documents, has been sentenced to six months' simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2,000.

The youth, Singhe Lotus (34), told the investigation authorities that he was on his way to meet his relatives in New Delhi. He entered into Indian territory as he had no knowledge of route to Delhi, said the police officer. The youth, who was charged under the Passport Act and 3/6 CrPC has been sent to Almora jail, said the police.