BJP flays govt for imposing Section 144 en route Kedarnath shrine
Move a cover-up of Cong failure to bring back normalcy: Teerath Rawat
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 11
The Uttarakhand BJP on Wednesday condemned the Bahuguna government for imposing Section 144 on the route leading to the Kedarnath shrine with the intention of barring local people from participating in the prayers that resumed today after a gap of 86 days since the mid-June calamity ravaged the Kedar valley.

State BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat addresses mediapersons in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

“As an act of defiance and with the aim of lending support to the local people, groups of BJP party workers would continue to march up to Kedarnath till the time the local administration does not revoke the orders.It is rather silly that the government has imposed such orders in a peaceful place, unless, of course, it is aimed at covering up the massive failure of the Congress government in getting things back to normal even after three months,” said Teerath Singh Rawat, president of Uttarakhand BJP, while speaking with mediapersons.

Rawat said that former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank who had left yesterday to march with the local people of Kedar valley was expected to reach the shrine today.

“Though the former Chief Minister was stopped by the administration at Phata, the group managed to reach Sonprayag. Till the time the administration does not open the route, we will continue to send party workers,” said Rawat.

The president also took a dig at the way the date for the prayers had now been termed unsuitable by the Congress MP Satpal Maharaj. “I think the decision by the Congress government to start the prayers was taken in haste and even the arrangements for the prayers left a lot to be desired as the authorities left the head priest stranded at the Guptkashi helipad and he was flown only after he raised a banner of protest,” said Rawat.

The BJP president also criticised the government for failing to take decisions in the interest of the state. “The government is planning to run the tourist centre at Landsdowne on public-private partnership, when it is already running in profit under Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, a government of Uttarakhand undertaking,” said Rawat. 

  Nishank reaches Kedarnath despite ban orders

Dehradun: Despite the imposition of 144 prohibitory orders imposed since the last few days in anticipation of the prayers that resumed today at the Kedarnath temple, the former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank reached Kedarnath along with local people and members of Panda Samaj in the evening.

The former Chief Minister who had started the march yesterday trekked the route on foot and reached Rambara and Kedarnath accompanied by local people. ''The Congress government has imposed the orders to cover up for its misdeeds. A prayer without the participation of the local people has no sanctity,'' he said.

He charged the government for ignoring the genuine demands of the people who wanted to participate in the prayers at Kedarnath. ''Not only did the government prevent the local people from participating in the prayers but also failed to allow the local priests to hunt for the bodies of the family members who are still buried under the rubble of the houses and dharamshalas that are located near Kedarnath,'' alleged Nishank.

 Curbs on movement of people unfortunate: Bhatt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 11
Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, has termed as unfortunate the decision of the state government to prevent free movement of people in view of the scheduled resumption of prayers at the Kedarnath temple tomorrow.

Bhatt said the BJP had not opposed the resumption of the prayers but the manner in which the Vijay Bahuguna government had gone about the task left a lot to be desired.

“What message does the Bahuguna government want to give to the people of the country about the resumption of the prayers at the Kedarnath dham? The Chief Minister and his Cabinet ministers only will attend the prayers while the local teerath purohits will be absent. It is a government pooja,” he added.

Bhatt also criticised the government for trying to reinstate an officer belonging to the Uttar Pradesh cadre against whom former Chief Minister BC Khanduri had instituted an inquiry.

“Now, the government is trying to bring back that officer from Uttar Pradesh and appoint him as the head of the State Pollution Control Board,” he said. 

 Taking big crowd to shrine wasn't possible: Cong
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, Sept 11
The state unit of the Congress today criticised the BJP for describing the commencement of prayers at Kedarnath as "government-sponsored worship". Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan today, state Congress general secretary Vijay Saraswat said the commencement of prayers at Kedarnath had the consent of local purohits and Mandir Samiti.

Saraswat said under the present circumstances, it was not possible to take a huge crowd of devotees to Kedarnath and so, only limited people were allowed for the prayers.

The state Congress general secretary said a workshop for Congress workers would be held at Dehradun and Rudrapur on September 29 to discuss the Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill.

The state Congress general secretary said the Congress workers would be informed about the two Bills and its far-reaching benefits to people.

Saraswat said Congress IT cell head Ajay Makhan along with Delhi MP Sandeep Dixit would come to Dehradun on October 6.

He said the duo would oversee the arrangements at the newly set up communication department at Congress Bhawan here. They would also preside over a training programme for Congress workers.

The state Congress general secretary said the Congress wanted to make its presence felt in social media in a big way.

Congress leader Shankar Chand Ramola was also present on the occasion. 

 People of Kedar valley stage protest outside DM's office in Rudraprayrag
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 11
Annoyed with the Uttarakhand government's decision to hold prayers at the Kedarnath temple while ignoring the immediate needs of the people affected by the disaster, the people of Kedar valley under the banner of Kedar Ghati Visthapan Puranwas Sangharsh Samiti today staged a protest outside the District Magistrate's office at Rudraprayrag.

While the entire focus of the Uttarakhand government today was on the successful resumption of the prayers at the Himalayan shrine, the people of the disaster-ravaged Kedar valley staged a dharna in the morning.

The president of the samiti, Ajender Ajay, said that the roads in the Kedar valley have still not been repaired, while the trek routes are still not ready. ''The villagers are still waiting for semblance of normalcy to return and the government has miserably failed them,'' said Ajay.

Among the protesting people were members from the Panda Samaj who blamed the government for not taking them into confidence while deciding the date for the resumption of prayers at Kedarnath. ''The government has spent time and money on an activity that could have taken place without the government's interference. The government wants to tell the world that everything is normal when a lot needs to be done,''said Yogumber Negi, member of the samiti.

The members of the samiti have threatened to intensify their stir if the government did not pay heed to their needs. 

 Police to check rumour mongering, says DIG
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 11
The police is still keeping a close tab on the activities happening in the Haridwar district in the wake of ongoing communal tensions in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh.

Garhwal DIG, Amit Sinha, is camping in Roorkee for the last two days after alleged incidents of communal violence were reported from Purkaji and nearby villages in Haridwar district on Monday evening, which were later found to be just rumours.

While speaking to The Tribune, Amit Sinha said, “Every regular incident is also seen from communal violence spectacle presently due to the ongoing violence in Uttar Pradesh though nothing of that sought has happened in our villages bordering Uttar Pradesh as of now.”

“Rumour got spread in Roorkee of communal violence, when one shop got engulfed in flames due to short-circuit,” he said.

“The shopkeeper started blaming the members of other community for setting his shop on fire. Later, it was found that the incident happened due to short-circuit,” said Amit Sinha.

The Garhwal DIG said, “We are doing our best to contain rumour-mongers, and our officials are taking all the complaints very seriously.”

An SP rank officer had been deputed to look into the rumour complaints in the villages, the DIG told mediapersons.

 British Deputy High Commissioner calls on Governor
Tribune News service

Dehradun, September 11
British Deputy High Commissioner David Lelliott, posted at British High Commission in Delhi, made a courtesy call on Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhavan here today.

During the meeting ,the two discussed several issues related to the long-standing relationship between India and Britain.

Lelliot expressed appreciation of the environment of the Doon valley and expressed the possibility of some joint ventures in the sphere of environment conservation and tourism in the future.

He expressed grief at the recent natural disaster in the state and also offer help.

The Governor presented him a replica of Badrinath shrine as a souvenir and also a coffee-table book on Uttarakhand.

 Scientist Negi says Himalayas highly dynamic
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 11
A month after Satopanth Lake controversy in Uttarakhand put science fraternity in a piquant situation, a paper published in the current issue of Current Science by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology’s scientist PS Negi states that Himalayas were highly dynamic and remote sensing data has its limitations, and, thus, sole dependency on satellite imageries was not appropriate for taking out any inferences.

In his paper “Fostering interdisciplinary climate science for sustainable development,” PS Negi citing an example disclosed that the Naturalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was a remote sensing technique used worldwide as interdisciplinary approach for multifarious purposes, including assessment of natural resources, alpine treeline dynamics and carbon sequestration in space and time.

“NDVI is based on spectral reflectance of the target area and difference in image of different time series detects the spatial changes. The entire process involves various scientific disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, geography and mathematics. But when NDVI results for alpine treeline dynamics are calibrated against ground investigation, an unacceptable deviation has been observed in northwestern part of the Indian Himalaya”, Negi said in his paper.

Current science paper comes at time when Uttarakhand Space Application Centre had some time back had informed of the formation of lake at Satopanth which could pose a threat to downstream areas. Uttarakhand government that was yet to overcome the rude shock of Kedarnath’s Chorabari glacier outburst and was forced to go for immediate action. But the government heaved a sigh of relief as a joint team of Army, Geological Survey of India and other experts that reached Satopanth found the lake missing. But this led to much of commotion as USAC stood with authenticity of its satellite imageries. 

 SC quashes Nigam MD’s appointment
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, September 11
The Supreme Court has quashed the appointment of Ravindra Kumar as Managing Director of the Uttarakhand Peyjal Sanshadhan Vikas Avam Nirman Nigam.

A Bench comprising Justices HL Gokhale and J Chelameswar also deplored a Nainital High Court Bench headed by the Chief Justice for approving Ravinder Kumar’s appointment on August 9, 2012, ignoring three charge-sheets pending against him and, thereby, affecting the image of the judiciary and judges. “The High Court has condoned such serious breaches in approving the suppression of the relevant material from the selection committee, which is most unfortunate and deplorable to say the least. Such judgments would lead to the approval of the appointment of persons of doubtful integrity in higher administrative positions. Besides, it will lead the people to doubt the integrity of the judges as well.”

“Citizens have faith in the judiciary because it is expected to render justice even-handedly. The members of the higher judiciary are granted constitutional protection so that they function without fear and favour and not misapply the law. It is such orders which bring the judiciary into disrepute. We rather refrain from saying anything more,” the Bench said.

The High Court had rejected a writ petition filed by Bhajan Singh, one of the aspirants to the MD post, prompting him to approach the Supreme Court. The High Court verdict was “against all canons of settled laws,” the apex court ruled.

The Supreme Court also noted that but for the appeal, the suppression of the material relating to three charge-sheets would not have come to light. It slapped a cost of Rs 50,000 on Ravindra Kumar and directed the Nigam to pay Rs 50,000 to Bhajan Singh as cost.

The apex court, however, clarified that the salary and emoluments received by Ravindra Kumar as MD need not be recovered. But he would be reverted to the position which he was occupying prior to his selection as MD on May 3, 2012.

  People, police come together in Mussoorie in wake of Muzaffarnagar violence
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 11
A meeting of a peace committee chaired by Circle Officer, Mussoorie, Jaya Baloni, was today held on the premises of Mussoorie police station in the wake of communal tension and subsequent incidents of violence at Muzaffarnagar.

The meeting was attended by dignitaries from all castes and religions. Most of the participants were of the view that Mussoorie people were peace loving and lived in harmony with each other, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion.

However, some members said that precautionary measures should be taken despite the peaceful nature of the town and a strict vigil should be kept on the probable sensitive areas. The participants also suggested that any sort of rumour-mongering should be curbed strictly by the police and a close watch should be kept on the antisocial elements who try to enter the town and vitiate the atmosphere here.

The BJP local unit president Roop Singh Kathait also suggested that the peace committees should be made at ward levels to ward off any threat of communal tension.

The Mussoorie Traders’ Association president Rajat Agarwal said that the police should try to control the traffic during the prohibited period in the town. He further said that the police should increase its vigil in the town.

Kamal Sharma, a member of Landour Cantt, said that the police should increase its vigil in the cantonment area as the hawaghars (public relaxing points) were being used by some antisocial elements for consumption of liquor after 8 pm and making it difficult for women to move on that route.

The participants also urged the police to stop the erratic traffic movement on the Mall Road and fine speeding commuters on regular basis.

Amir Ahmed,Taukir Ahmed and other members of the minorities also extended their support to the peace committee and said that they would not let the peace of the town be shattered at any cost and would support the administration in their effort.

Harbhajan Thakral, Naresh Anand, Radhey Shyam Tayal and the members from various political outfits also offered their support to the police in maintaining the peace in the town.

The CO, Mussoorie, later speaking to the media said that the idea of calling a meeting with the people of the town was to strengthen the role of the peace communities so that law and order was maintained in the town. She also said that the police would be initiating action against the erratic movement of young commuters and try to nab the antisocial elements indulging in liquor consumption in public places strictly.

 ‘VCES an opportunity to pay dues without interest, penalty’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 11
Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme (VCES) 2013 provides organisations with a golden opportunity to pay all their tax dues without interest, penalty and other benefits, said RP Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax, Dehradun, during an interaction with members of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here today. He added that the window of opportunity was available till December 31.

He highlighted that Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme had been introduced as a one-time scheme for the defaulters to pay the service tax dues for the period October 1, 2007, till December 31, 2012, in one or two instalments before the prescribed dates. The main attraction of the scheme is the waiver of case, interest, penalty and other consequences upon truthful declaration by the defaulters.

He shared the eligibility of the declarants for taking benefits of VCES. He elaborated at the gathering about the procedures for availing the VCES scheme which is a five-step process.

Sharing the benefits of the scheme, he shared that payment of the dues can be made in instalments by the prescribed dates, the waiver of interest leviable on delayed payment of liability and immunity against prosecution subject to terms and conditions of the scheme. He added that the last date for making declaration under VCES is December 31, 2013, and complete details are available on their official website.

Answering the queries and questions from the members, he clarified the doubts in a detailed manner. He mentioned that the detailed section on frequently asked questions was available on the official website. The website also catered to the complete details required by the people willing to declare the tax dues.

He thanked CII for the platform to interact with the corporate members on this matter and also requested the gathering to help in spreading awareness about the scheme and take benefits. More than 30 senior members of CII were present at the interaction.

 Workshop on welding technology 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 11
A workshop titled “Emerging trends in MIG welding technology” was conducted at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited here today. It was organised in collaboration with the Indian Welding Society (IWS).

Prakash Chand, Executive Director of BHEL, Ranipur, and patron of the IWS, inaugurated the workshop. He spoke about the advantages of the MIG welding technology and its development over the years.

Suresh Palgay, chairman of the IWS and General Manager of the BHEL Fabrication Wing, said stainless steel had completed glorious 100 years of its evolution this year. It had become the mainstay of the industrial world.

“The IWS is a society active in the field of welding, education, certification and dissemination of knowledge in related fields. It is also incorporating the latest technology being adopted and used worldwide to ensure safer and larger production,” said Palgay.

Experts also dwelled on health hazards of welding fumes and also demonstrated the prevention methodology.

Secretary of the IWS BK Basu, general Managers, senior officers, technicians, officers from SIDCUL-based industrial units and IWS representatives were among the experts who attended the workshop. 

 Hunter kills man-eater leopard
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 11
In a major success, the Uttarakhand forest authorities gunned down a man-eater leopard that was involved in over six cases of man-animal conflict in the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR).

Hunter Harish Dhami managed to shoot down the leopard with a team of foresters from the Savalde areas of the reserve this morning.

According to Corbett Tiger Reserve Warden SC Upadhyay, the man-eater leopard was around eight years of age and had created terror in the Corbett Tiger Reserve region and adjoining forest divisions for the past several months.

The villagers of the region took a sigh of relief with the gunning down of the leopard.

 India, China need to ensure proper use of Himalayan rivers 
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, September 11
India and China should cooperate to ensure appropriate use of waters of rivers originating from Himalayan glaciers as both countries are dependent them, said Prof Jayant Bandhopadhaya, an adviser of the water diplomacy policy programme of the Central government. He was delivering the keynote address at the 19th GB Pant Memorial Lecture at the GB Pant Himalayan Environment and Development Institute at Almora.

Dr Bandhopadhaya, a former professor at the IIM, Kolkata, said, “Most of the water generated from the Himalayan glaciers flows through the terrains of China and India ensuring prosperity to both countries. But less snowfall has been witnessed at higher Himalayan peaks for the last some decades. This is bound to lead to less generation of water in these rivers, ultimately affecting both China and India,” said Bandhopadhaya.

Prof HS Dhami, acting Vice-Chancellor of Kumaon University, said there was a need to create widespread awareness about several settlements in Uttarakhand, which are situated either at moraine or in the fault zone, so that the exact causes of a natural disaster could be ascertained on these parameters. “To take precautionary measures, we will have to do a study of the activities of all 127 glacial lakes in the Himalayas in the state along with data of last millennium,” said Dhami. He presented a slide show on the natural disaster in Kedarnath to support his views.

Hem Pandey, Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment, said a high level of quality research work on the Himalayas was needed so that future changes could be known at the right time. “Only a high quality research work can help in proper forecasting of changes in the Himalayan environment,” added Hem.

Dr PP Dhyani, Director, GB Pant Himalayan Environment and Development Institute, informed an elite audience of researchers, retired directors, environment scientists and senior citizens that the institute had already done groundwork to undertake these studies. “The institute scientists have access not only to experts of Himalayan studies but also to the common man who inherits traditional wisdom of the Himalayas,” he said.