Nishank: SP govt playing politics over 84 kos parikrama in Ayodhya
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 25
Former BJP Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has criticised Samajwadi party led Uttar Pradesh government for playing political card, by making the 84 kos parikrama controversial.

Nishank, in a brief stay at the Damkoti state guest house here today, after attending the BJP state level working committee body in Ramnagar, said if the Vishwa Hindu Parishad needed our support, the party would come forward openly on this issue.

He said the Samajwadi Party had always banked on divisive politics and in name of law and order had always taken steps to disrupt the peaceful environment.

Former BJP national vice-chief offered for peaceful solution of the Ayodhya pilgrimage, suggesting UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to hold talks with the saint community. Pointing to the parikrama being held peacefully and normally for years, Nishank said only Samajwadi government finding it threatening.

On the recent visit of Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister Azam Khan to the Shri Dakshin Kali Peeth on the invitation of Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Brahamchari, Nishank said the minister refused to comment on this.

Nishank said the Uttarakhand government had failed to carry out disaster management and proper relief work in the affected areas of the state and due to this he had been demanding President’s rule in the state.

“First it faltered in assessing the damage of the catastrophe, then it delayed the Indian Army-Air Force deployment for rescue efforts. It has now failed to connect affected villages and repiar damaged roads and,” he said.

On his contesting from the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, Nishank said if party would ask him to contest from Haridwar or from any other four constituencies of the state, he would abide by it as a true party worker.

“I am a committed party worker and want to ensure that party wins all five Lok Sabha seats from the state,” he said.

The Samajwadi Party had always banked on divisive politics and in the name of law and order had always taken steps to disrupt the peaceful environment.
— Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, former CM

Hindu Jagran Manch burns Akhilesh’s effigy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
Resenting the ban on the Chaurasi Kos Parikarma, Hindu Jagran Manch activists today took out a funeral procession of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and burnt his effigy at Clock Tower, Dehradun.

Leading the demonstrators, Sandeep Sati, Dehradun City president of the manch, said the Samajwadi Party government of Uttar Pradesh was working against Hindus. He said by banning the parikarma, the Uttar Pradesh government was trying to interfere in the religious issues of the Hindus.

Amit Tomar, Aditya Chauhan, Ratan Singh and Vikas Rawat were prominent participant to the protest.

BJP to gherao Vidhan Sabha on Sept 19
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, August 25
The BJP will gherao the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha on September 19 against the alleged failure of the state government to handle the relief and rehabilitation work after the natural disaster.

The party will also organise two rallies in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions next month before the proposed gherao of the state Assembly, BJP spokesman Suresh Joshi said here today. “We have decided not only to make the failure of the government an issue in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections but also to mobilise people against the all-round failure of the Congress-led governments at the state and Centre,” said Joshi.

Joshi spoke about the outcome of the two-day conclave of the party at Ramnagar that concluded today. He said the party had given an action plan to the booth and district level committees in the state for programmes to be completed before September 25, the birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mukherjee. “The action plan includes programmes for mobilising the people against the backdrop of the prevalent anti-Congress atmosphere in the country and making campaigning easy for the party in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

Joshi added the BJP also adopted a political resolution yesterday citing not only the failure of the Uttarakhand government in handling the natural disaster but also the failure of the Central government on the economic and national security fronts. “The party has adopted a resolution that even 65 days after the natural disaster, the state government could not even restore link roads to the affected interior villages and check corruption in the distribution of relief material to the victims,” he said.

Besides former Chief Ministers BC Khanduri, Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, and Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, in-charge general secretary of the state party unit Radha Mohan Singh, state president Teerath Singh Rawat and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Ajay Bhatt addressed the two-day conclave.

We have decided not only to make the failure of the Bahuguna government an issue in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, but also to mobilise people against the all-round failure of the Congress-led governments at the state and Centre.
— Suresh Joshi, BJP spokesman

Sants write to Pranab over UP govt ban on pilgrimage
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 25
Aggrieved over the controversial ban on ’84-kos parikrama’ in Ayodhya, a delegation of sants from Haridwar today wrote to President Pranab Mukherjee, expressing their displeasure over the step of the Uttar Pradesh government.

Led by Shankaracharya Swami Raj Rajeshwaram, the sants signed off a memorandum via city Magistrate, Haridwar, in which they demanded immediate lifting of the ban on the pilgrimage.

Shankaracharya Raj said the ‘parikrama’ had been going on for years, without any disruption and the UP government’s claim that it may hamper communal harmony was far from truth.

He said sants bound for Ayodhya were on a spiritual-religious pilgrimage and had been doing the same for years.

The sant demanded President’s intervention in the matter as it directly affected the right to worship and said the Uttar Pradesh government was trying to curb the right, thereby hurting the religious sentiments of the sants and devotees.

Swami Lalitanand said the UP government should immediately lift the ban on Ayodhya pilgrimage.

Cabbies fleecing on Doon-Barkot route
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 25
Taxi and jeep operators are overcharging commuters on the Dehradun-Mussoorie-Barkot route. The number of tourists on this route has decreased substantially after the natural disaster struck Uttarkashi and roads were severely damaged. The taxi operators are citing the less arrival of tourists as the reason for overcharging daily commuters.

A daily commuter, Rajan Singh, alleged that the taxi and jeep operators were charging fare till Barkot even if passengers disembark at destinations much before Mussoorie or Nainbagh. When passengers objected to excessive fare the taxi owners refused to carry them.

A bank employee lamented that the taxi operators demanded Rs 220 instead of the actual fare of Rs 110 for Dehradun to Nainbagh on Friday. When he objected to the excessive charge, the taxi operator argued with him and threatened not to give him a seat altogether.

“The taxi operator charged me the fare till Barkot while I was to disembark at Mussoorie after boarding the taxi from Dehradun,” said another commuter.

The traders’ association at Barkot is fed up with the daily complaints of overcharging by taxi operators. The commuters have urged the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Uttarkashi, Heera Singh, to act against the erring taxi and jeep operators.

However, the taxi and jeep operators said as the number of passengers had decreased considerably due to damaged and blocked roads and diesel and petrol prices had risen several times they had no option but to overcharge passengers.

The RTO, Uttarkashi, said he was not aware of the situation and would direct his officials to take punitive action against the erring taxi and jeep operators after a thorough investigation. 

UKD flays govt for bias in relief distribution
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
Leaders of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Aeri) have criticised the state government for discrepancies and discrimination in the distribution of relief money to people living in areas badly affected by the natural calamity.

Patron of the party BD Raturi said, “Our apprehensions have come true as relief funds sent by the Centre and received through donations are being misappropriated. The relief money is not reaching the affected people. There is total lack of transparency in the disbursement of the relief amount.”

He added, “Representatives of the people of the disaster-hit places have not been invited to meetings held on relief and rehabilitation operations. Besides, other political parties too have not been taken into confidence.”

Raturi said while a large number of people had been rendered jobless, migration from the disaster-hit areas was another big problem.

UKD president Kashi Singh Aeri said political interference in the disbursement of relief amount was quite evident as a lot of discrepancies had come to light. He added in his own Munisyari town Congress supporters were being given the relief amount on priority.

He said district-wise disaster mitigation teams comprising people from each village should be formed and trained to meet any calamity till the state government swings into action. “The rescue process, which should have started in few hours, took two days. This shows utter lack of preparedness. There should be thorough preparedness to meet any natural calamity in our ecologically-fragile state. The process should have started long ago but nothing has happened in this direction. The state government must now train people at the village level. Villagers should be equipped with the required paraphernalia. The entire state workforce must be trained to tackle the situation arising out of a natural disaster,” he added.

Aeri said he was at a loss to understand how the people in the affected areas would survive once the free ration given by the state government for two months finishes. In many villages, which are still cut off, the ration too was not reaching the people.

He added the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal had sent a proposal to the state government in 2010 to relocate the people living in disaster-prone areas to safer forestlands and create civic amenities and means of livelihood for them. 

Garbage collection project in Mussoorie fails to take off
NGO entrusted with the task has not collected garbage from door to door ever since the launch of the project on Aug 1
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 25
The door-to-door garbage collection project, which was launched with much fanfare in Mussoorie on August 1, has failed to achieve the desired results.

Samdrishti, an NGO, has been entrusted with the task of collecting garbage door to door. However, residents of the town alleged that no worker of the NGO even came once to collect the garbage from their homes since the launch of the project.

They said Municipal Council employees who used to collect garbage had also refused to work saying it was now the duty of the NGO.

The Municipal Council had disbanded Mohalla Swachta Committees formed earlier and roped in an NGO for the work. But the results are not up to the mark and the door-to-door garbage collection has taken a hit, leading to unhygienic conditions in the town.

The MC president had promised to remove all dustbins on Mall Road with the start of the project. However, the bins are still lying there with garbage spilling out of them at several places.

Residents said if the authorities did not take any action in this regard, the outbreak of an epidemic could not be ruled out.

Ward members have also expressed concern over the new arrangement. Anuj Gupta and Vinod Semwal said they would raise the issue in the next council meeting and demand that the new arrangement be made for the door-to-door garbage collection process.

On the other hand, Dr RK Singh, an official associated with the project, said due to lobbying within employees who had been assigned the job, the project was facing some delay but the work would begin soon.

Dehradun diary
June natural disaster dries up tourist flow to Uttarakhand

The tourism sector in the state after the June natural disaster has been in peril. As thousands died during the peak tourist-pilgrim season, most of the roads in the disaster-hit areas were damaged.

Although the damage in the tourist hubs of Mussoorie and Nainital and nearby areas was negligible, media reports about the massive disaster resulting in the death and destruction caused such a scare that tourist flow to Uttarakhand virtually dried up. Moreover, incessant rains in July and August and further damage to roads in the Garhwal-Kumoan areas discouraged tourists from venturing into the state.

With the tourism sector, a vital component of the state's economy suffering enormously, the state government launched a media campaign to attract tourists by publicising that there was no danger in visiting the tourist destinations of Mussoorie, Nainital and Almora, but the results are not much encouraging.

The continuous rainfall in the state did enthuse the tourists to visit the state. It was during the middle of August during the Independence day holidays that tourism looked up in Mussoorie and Nainital, with a sizeable number of tourists flocking these hill resorts, but now again the tourist flow has dried up.

A the study undertaken by the PHD Chamber of Commerce of India (PHDCCI) reveals an estimated loss to the economy of about Rs12,000 crore. Loss of government tourism properties has been assessed to be approximately Rs 102 crore. Due to lack of access to the affected areas, the loss to private tourism assets has not been assessed so far.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has announced a special financial package of Rs100 crore for rebuilding/building destroyed/damaged government tourism assets. In addition, the ministry has sanctioned central financial assistance of about Rs 95 crore for various tourism infrastructure projects in the state under the current financial year. Besides this, the state government has prioritised projects for an approximate amount of Rs 58 crore for the development of tourism infrastructure in the state during the current financial year.

The private tourism industry feels that the amount is too less. They are demanding that the state government should immediately give relief in the shape of tax benefits to the private tourism industry. Already, the ill-effects of the downtrend has started to show, with a large number of hotel workers losing their jobs. The private hotel owners say that it would be impossible for them to retain the workforce in the absence of tourists. With the monsoon period, to be over by September15, hotel owners in Mussoorie and Nainital are pinning their hopes on puja holidays of October which used to attract tourists from western India and West Benagl.

But many are skeptical about the coming months, They feel that the feedback from travel agents and business associates from these states which used to send a large number of tourists has been negative so far. The negative publicity of the treatment of pilgrim-tourists during the June disaster and the huge loss of life and property has done enormous harm to the tourism sector.

With a view to assessing the need for a national consensus on regulating religious tourism to avoid such tragedies, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has decided to conduct a study which will include an assessment of the state’s Tourism Carrying Capacity (TCC), its practical analysis and measurement and its efficient application, destination management etc in Uttarakhand.

The state government has announced to regulate the flow of pilgrim-tourists with biometric support at all important points within the state and advised tour operators to get the tourists insured before entering Uttarakhand. But these have remained mere announcements, with only a fraction of tourists coming to Uttarakhand. Such measures could be useful in the long run.

The state government also propose to develop plans for a disaster-resilient tourist infrastructure and safe tourism by involving various departments, like weather forecasting, forest and environment, police, transport, district administration, disaster management, tourism etc. so that the recurrence of such calamities can be checked.

However, it seems that it would take time to get the confidence of the tourists back and by then it might be too late as many tourism entrepreneurs are planning to shift their businesses to other states.
— SMA Kazmi

Aeri entrusts LS election work to UKD leaders
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Aeri) entrusted responsibilities to various leaders of the party in view of the forthcoming panchayat and the Lok Sabha elections in the state. It is after the merger of the Uttarakhand Jan Kranti Dal with the UKD (A) that the party has now formally appointed the leaders of these factions on various positions.

Party president Kashi Singh Aeri today appointed Mahesh Parihar and Omi Uniyal as observers for the Garhwal and the Kumaon circles, respectively. He also appointed Narender Singh Rawat as in charge for the Pauri Lok Sabha seat, BD Raturi for Tehri, Pushpesh Tripathi for Almora, Khadak Singh Bagadwal for Nainital and DD Sharma as in charge for the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat.

Other office-bearers of the party are: vice-presidents- NK Gusain and Manohar Singh; general secretaries- Devender Kandwal and Manoj Pangti; secretary- Mansur Nabi, Sanjiv Valmiki and RC Upadhyaya; organisation secretary- MP Singh and Manmohan Singh Negi; joint secretary- Jagat Singh Mehta, Anup Joshi and Arvind Singh Rawat; and publicity secretary- Vahid Khan and Gajender Chand.

Party activist Raees Qureshi was included in the working committee while Anil Chander Baluni was made chairman of the Information Technology (IT) cell. The other appointments are Amit Narayan Verma as chairman of legal cell, Sunil Kukreti as chairman of the youth cell, Manish Kumar as chairman of the USF Garhwal circle, Vinod Masiwal as general secretary of the panchayat cell and Asha Sharma as district president of the party.

Party patron BD Raturi, vice-presidents Omi Uniyal and Harak Singh Patakh, general secretary Bahadur Singh Rawat, Pankaj Vyas, SS Semwal, Vahid Khan, Dharmender Kathait, NK Gusain, DK Pal and Anil Chander Baluni were present at the meeting. 

Elephants enter human habitats in Tanakpur
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 25
The Forest Department is finding it difficult to check the intrusion of elephants into the Tanakpur area.

Due to disturbances in their corridor from Nepal to this part of the forest division, herds of elephants are entering human habitats.

Forest officials said last night, two elephants entered the department's rest house in the Boom range of the Champawat forest division and damaged the rest house. "We had to explode firecrackers to drive them away," said range officer Navin Rautela.

Rautela said the Gandakhali route near the Purnagiri temple, the tradition corridor of elephants, had been encroached upon at various points. Due to this disturbance on their route, the elephants were entering human habitats and destroying crops of villagers, he added.

Sources in the department said so far, elephant herds had destroyed crops in more than 20 villages situated near this corridor.

"Three persons were also attacked by elephants in January. We have already released a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each for next of kin of the victims," said Rautela.

Governor releases book for kids, ‘Warriors of Kurukshetra’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
Governor Aziz Qureshi today released “Warriors of Kurukshetra” , a book based on Mahabharata, written by Mamta Bhatt and Tripti Seth for children.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said the book would help the new generation learn values enshrined in Mahabharata and they would also get to know the real meaning of religion and humanity.

He said even in today’s world, there were many Dushasanas destroying the lives of others. “In the absence of ideal people like Bhishma Pitamah, walls of hatred are being countered everywhere,” he said. He wished both authors good luck for their future endeavours.

Parliamentarian from Pauri Garhwal Satpal Maharaj, who was a special guest, said the book should be made available on the Internet so that children from across the world could read it.

Earlier, the function started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and Saraswati Vandana. A vote of thanks was delivered by Tripti Seth. Several eminent citizens, scholars and children attended the function at the Raj Bhavan auditorium. 

Everybody should help rebuild state: Experts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
The HNB Garhwal University Alumini Association along with Graphic Era University today organised a seminar on "Disaster and us" here today.

The HNB Garhwal University Alumini Association president and Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology Director-General Rajendra Dobhal said it was not just the duty of the state government to rebuild the state but each and every resident of Uttarakhand will also have to come forward to contribute their bit for the disaster-torn state.

He said putting the entire onus on scientists for making mitigation measures vis-à-vis natural disasters was not fair and even environmentalists and activists will have to come forward for it.

Prof Kamal Ganshala of Graphic Era University said the reconstruction and rehabilitation in the aftermath of disasters was being done in an unplanned way. He said funds should be invested in a proper manner while undertaking reconstruction work.

Social activist Sunil Kainthola, Dr Brijmohan Sharma and scientist Subhash Nautiyal were some of the prominent speakers at the day-long seminar. 

Emami wants to pull out of Ayush project in state

Dehradun, August 25
Kolkata-based FMCG firm Emami Limited has decided to pull out of the Ayush Gram public- private partnership project in Uttarakhand alleging red-tapism as well legal and political hassles.

According to a state government official, the company has written a letter saying that they want to withdraw from the project launched in 2010 that envisages the setting up of the entire range of health facilities, including a hospital, a wellness centre, a hotel and a herbal garden. However, the official said that government would call a high-level meeting to take the final decision on the matter.

In August 2010, Emami had entered into an agreement with the Uttarakhand Government for setting up India's first Ayush Gram spread over 10 acres at Bhawali.

As per the agreement, Emami had to set up a minimum 60-bed hospital at Bhawali. It had to make an upfront payment of Rs 2.5 crore.

Confirming the development, Director, Ayush Department, DK Sharma said Emami has asked the government to pay Rs 2.5 crore paid as upfront payment and that, too, with interest.

The state government has plans to have one Ayush facility in all 13 districts of the state. —PTI 

Artists show ‘samvedna’ to flash flood victims, martyrs
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
‘Samvedna’- an art exhibition on Uttarakhand flash flood victims and martyrs of rescue operation was inaugurated today in Dehradun by Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi.

In his address, Dr Qureshi said artists had always stood for public causes and the sensitivity being shown by the artists across the country towards the Uttarakhand disaster was certainly worth appreciating. He said there were many instances when artists had even rebelled against the evils in society and depicted them freely in their art.

He added that while there were a few artists who earned handsomely, a majority of artists failed to even make ends meet.

Earlier, Meena Garg from Abhivyakti, the School of Fine Arts and Crafts that had organised the exhibition, said the exhibition would be open for visitors till September 26. She said the earnings generated through the sale of paintings would go towards the rehabilitation of the victims of the floods.

Artists Phalguni Dasgupta and Praveen Saini also spoke on the occasion. They expressed happiness that other artists were also contributing towards the cause. Vimmy Sachdeva coordinated the programme.

Minister assures people of action against robbers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
After the recent reports of robbers, also known as kala kacha gang, getting active on the outskirts of the main Dehradun city, Uttarakhand Planning Minister Dinesh Agarwal has assured the residents of these areas that soon these robbers will be arrested.

Listening to the problems of the residents of Brahampuri and Mehuwala, he said the security of the residents was the responsibility of the state and state would fulfil its duty.

He also asked the residents to remain vigilant and police must be informed if any suspicious person was found in the area. He also mooted the idea of setting up village and mohalla committees, which would coordinate with the police in such matters.

Directions were also given by the minister to the police to set up check posts in the areas at regular distances.

SP City, Jagdish Chandra, who was accompanying the minister, said, “any information related to the robbers or any suspicious person must be informed at 100 number.”