Hemkund Sahib yatra resumes after 3 months
Chief Minister Bahuguna flags off first batch of 500 pilgrims
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna flagged off the first group of pilgrims for Shri Hemkund Sahib from Gobindghat today. This is the first batch of pilgrims to Hemkund Sahib after the yatra was discontinued due to the flash flood in the area in mid-June. A group of around 500 pilgrims left for Hemkund Sahib.

Chief Minister Bahuguna said due to the blessings of “Waheguru”, the state had been recovering from the massive disaster.

The ritual worship was resumed in Kedarnath on September 11 and now the yatra to Hemkund Sahib had been resumed. The yatra for Gangotri had also restarted and pilgrims would be allowed to enter Kedarnath from October 1, although the number of pilgrims would be limited, he added.

He said the entire state had suffered due to the disaster and the government was making all efforts to resume the water and electricity supply, road connectivity and other basic amenities in all regions. “All kinds of relief is being provided to the disaster affected and norms have been relaxed to provide due compensation to the victims. So far, relief amount of about Rs 150 crore has been distributed through cheques and compensation for losses to commercial activities has also been included for the first time,” he claimed.

The Chief Minister announced that the compensation for loss of cars which were swept away in the parking at Gobindghat would also be paid.

He said to provide employment to the youth, the government was about to make 35,000 appointments. Help from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) was being taken to rehabilitate the disaster-affected villages, he added.

The CM also announced the opening up of a base hospital in Chamoli and setting up of a helipad in Joshimath.

He said the economy of the state was completely dependent on tourism and resumption of the yatras would give a boost to hotels and restaurant owners, the employees and mule owners. He added that help from agencies recognised the world over would be taken to build river embankments.

The CM appreciated the contribution of the people of the state in rescuing stranded pilgrims belonging to other states. The UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, and PM Manmohan Singh had promised to help the state overcome the losses caused due to the disaster and the state government was getting all possible help from the Union Government, he added.

Uttarakhand Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya said life in the state after the disaster had come to a halt and the government had been making efforts to get things back on track. He said petty politics should not be involved in the rebuilding of the state.

President of the State Minorities Commission Narinderjit Singh Bindra extended his gratitude to the Chief Minister and the state for having resumed the yatra to Hemkund Sahib.

Kedarnath shrine to open from Oct 1
Pilgrims will be sent in a batch of 500
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 21
After flagging of Shri Hemkund Sahib yatra pilgrimage at Gobindghat, Joshimath, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, while attending the birthday function of religious guru and politician Satpal Maharaj, announced hike in the compensation being given to June flash flood disaster victims in the state.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna also stated that from OctobePir 1 onward, pilgrims would be allowed to visit the Shri Kedarnath shrine, though they would be send in restricted batches of 500 at a time. The Chief Minister said prayers had already been resumed at Shri Kedarnath and today onward pilgrimage to the revered Sikh shrine of Shri Hemkund Sahib had also been resumed.

The announcement was made at Prem Nagar ashram in Haridwar, where the Chief Minister was invited as the chief guest at the inaugural three-day birthday celebration of Satpal Maharaj.

Chief Minister said the compensation to the minor daughters of the deceased has been raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs one lakh per girl. Similarly, the compensation for males has been raised to Rs 50,000 from existing Rs 25,000.

The amount would be handed over to girls at the time of their marriage as the said sum was being deposited in their names via fixed deposit scheme. Moreover, free education and hostel facility would be provided to those children who had become orphan post disaster. The state government would bear all their education and hostel expenses.

"We need to live with harmony and mutual brotherhood to make life better and peaceful," said Bahuguna.

He said the teachings and preachings of saints should be adhered and as Uttarakhand was pollution free, people should make themselves free from evil thoughts and wrongdoings.

Garhwal (Pauri) parliamentarian Satpal Maharaj, praised the working of the state government post disaster. He said the government was working in the right direction. He said after disaster, the affected areas were rebuild with whole new efforts.

Minister for Disaster Management Yashpal Arya, also assured that the state government and the Union Government's initiative and mass scale rebuilding work being done in the affected areas of the state would be completed soon.

Amrita Rawat, State Minister for Tourism, who is the wife of Satpal Maharaj, Subodh Uniyal, Narendra Nagar legislator, Dr Nidhi Pandey, District Magistrate, Haridwar, Rajeev Swarup, SSP, Haridwar, BS Dhanik, Chief Development Officer, SDM JS Nangiyal, City Magistrate Jeevan Singh Nangiyal, Sub Divisional Magistrate Sohan Singh Saini and as many as 25,000 devotees of Satpal Maharaj were also present on the occasion.

Nanda Devi mahila suraksha yojana for disaster widows
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
The Uttarakhand government has launched Nanda Devi Vishesh Mahila Suraksha Yojana for the benefit of widows of Kedarnath disaster.

According to Principal Secretary, Social Welfare, S Raju, Rs 400 per month will be given to the widows of the disaster under the scheme, which is being implemented in the disaster-affected districts of Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh.

The scheme is for the widows in the age group of 18-60 years. Further, after the widow attains the age of 60 years and becomes eligible for old age pension, the Nanda Devi pension scheme will automatically get discontinued.

Rishikesh-Karanprayag rail project govt’s top priority: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
Uttarakhand is taking up Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway project on priority and will shortly appoint a Nodal Officer for the project.

This was disclosed by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at the Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway project meeting. He also asked Satish Agnihotri, Managing Director, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time.

Bahuguna said the state government was fully committed to see that the project was undertaken speedily and completed well within the given time. All the problems and challenges being faced by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited should be brought to the state’s knowledge for their early redressal, he added.

He said the government officials had been directed to ensure close coordination with the Nigam officials. The CM also held that the land transfer cases linked to the project must be dealt on priority.

Massive losses to GMVN and KMVN due to the disaster
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
In the mid-June disaster that hit the state, both Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam(GMVN) and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) have incurred business losses of Rs 4708.50 lakh and loss to the properties of Rs 4441.50 lakh.

In a written reply to a question raised by BJP MLA Vijay Barthwal in the monsoon session of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, the Tourism and Culture Minister, Amrita Rawat, said: “In the aftermath of the disaster the KMVN incurred a loss of Rs 992.50 lakh after the trekking routes to Kailash Mansarovar, Pindari and Kafni etc were obstructed due to the deluge. It also incurred a loss of Rs 441.50 lakh due to damage to properties. A total of 17 rest houses located on trekking routes have been partially damaged,'' said the minister.

The GMVN has suffered a loss of Rs 37.16 crore due to halting of the Char Dham Yatra and Rs 2 crore have been refunded to the tourists.

Further, the loss to properties has been evaluated at Rs 40 crore .

''On the Kailash Mansarovar route out of the nine camps, eight camps have been damaged to the extent of 20-30 per cent.On the route to Milam glacier, out of a total of seven camps, four camps have been damaged to the extent of 10-20 per cent ,'' he said. In Garhwal division out of a total of 49 tourist complexes, seven tourist complexes, river rafting camp at Kodiyala, tourist complex at Chandrapuri, Sayal Saur, Rambara, Kedarnath, Birhi and Bhatwari have been completely damaged.

CAG points out shortfall in utilisation of funds
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
Taking strong exceptions to the shortfall in utilisation of funds by the various departments under Uttarakhand government, the Comptroller Auditor General has recommended strong budgetary controls to avoid deficiencies in financial mismanagement.

While examining the appropriation of accounts (expenditure accounts) of the government for the year 2011-2012, CAG in its report on state finances has said: “ There was a shortfall in the utilisation of funds of Rs 2,256.82 crore and some of the departments against which significant savings (non-utilisation of funds) more than Rs 100 crore were noticed during the year were finance Rs 870.47 crore, energy Rs 538.31 crore, education, sports, youth welfare and culture Rs 449.69 crore, welfare of Scheduled Castes Rs 370.13 crore, water supply, housing and urban development Rs 251.53 crore.”

Similarly, it goes on to point out that the departments against which significant excess expenditure over the allotments noticed during the year 2011-12 were food Rs 1,283.25 crore, finance Rs 285.32 crore, agriculture Rs 18.33 crore, horticulture Rs 4.51 crore and Public Works Department Rs 19.9 crore.

“Persistent excess under the grants/hands was indicative of unrealistic budgetary estimates. For a sound financial management, assessment of requirement of funds under the heads should be more realistic to avoid recurrence of such instances of persistent excess expenditure in future,” points out CAG.

The CAG has recommended that the government ensure that all the departments submit realistic budget estimates, keeping in view the trends of expenditure and the actual requirement of funds to avoid shortfall in utilisation of funds which the CAG has termed as excesses.

All the departments should closely monitor the expenditure against the allocations and incurring of excess expenditure over grants should be strictly avoided.

All the departments should work out the shortfall beforehand and ensure the surrender of funds by stipulated dates for their effective utilisation by other departments requiring funds.

The report has also said that the government has so far not regularised excess expenditure amounting to Rs 5,782.51 crore pertaining to previous years 2005-2011 through the state legislature. “As per Article 205 of the Constitution of India, it is mandatory for a state government to get the excess expenditure regularised by the state legislature, which has so for not been done,” CAG has said.

Mysterious disease claims two lives in Thatyur block
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 21
Two persons were reported dead due to the spread of a mysterious disease in villages of the Thatyur block of Tehri Gahrwal district yesterday, thus instilling fear among the villagers here.

According to the gram pradhan Thalwal village, 11-year-old girl Ritika, daughter of Chandra Singh, complained of high fever and was rushed to the nearest government hospital but succumbed to the mysterious disease yesterday night. The gram pradhan also informed that a woman aged 36 from Banogi also succumbed to the similar disease 15 days ago.

The villagers also said that Babita, Varsha, Pinki and Deepak suffering from similar disease have been referred to Doon hospital and undergoing further treatment.

Describing the nature of the disease the villagers said that it started with high fever accompanied with swelling in the neck region. They also said that it is first time in their life they are coming across such disease which has baffled even the local doctors here.

The villagers also lamented the fact the due to the apathy of the Health Department more lives could be lost as it was spreading with immense pace in other villages too.

The medical team on frantic calls by the villagers reached the affected villages in Nainbagh, 40 km from Mussoorie, to determine the nature of the disease. The team was led by Additional Medical Officer Dr BS Rawat, who took the blood samples of the people suffering from the disease and also distributed medicines for temporary relief. Dr Rawat said that the blood samples have been sent to Himalayan Hospital for further examination to determine the exact nature of the disease.

The agitated villagers took the medical team to task and said that the disease was spreading in the region due to the neglect shown by the department whose representatives were arriving after the death of two persons in the region. The reports of such disease are also being received from Bel, Parogi, Senji, Chamsari etc indicating an epidemic like situation here.

Health minister Surendar Singh Negi said that a team had been sent to the site and had begun taking the blood samples to determine the nature of the disease and they are found suffering from a serious ailment. The government will bear the cost of their treatment.

On the other hand the villagers at Senji also alleged that despite spread of such disease, the health has not woken up to the fact that there is no staff available in the ayurvedic hospital here.

The gram pradhan of Senji village said that the medical staff remains absent most of the time, forcing the patients to rush to nearby hospitals in Mussoorie or Nainbagh.

District ayuredic medical officer Balbir Singh said the department would initiate action against the callous staff, and if found guilty in dereliction of their duty, action will be taken.

Absorbable heart stents with insurance cover
Tribune News Service

Bioresorbable vascular scaffold is the latest development in interventional cardiology. The scaffold is delivered via a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure involving a small incision in the groin or wrist to access the clogged artery. The scaffold is made of polylactide, a naturally dissolvable material that is commonly used in medical implants such as dissolving sutures. Dr Yogendra Singh,  Fortis Escorts Hospital

Dehradun, September 21
For heart patients the fourth revolution bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) will now be available with an insurance benefit at the Fortis Heart Care Centre at the Coronation Hospital.

The BVS costing Rs 1.98 lakh is aimed at patients looking for affordability without compromising on quality.

Dr Yogendra Singh, senior consultant and head of department at Fortis Escorts Hospital, says, “Insurance with the BVS is a step towards not just enhancing patient care but also enhancing value for money.”

Dr Yogendra said, “The coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrow or get blocked by a buildup of plaque. Over the time, plaque hardens and narrows the coronary arteries, limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, which could cause angina or a heart attack. The ICMR has revealed that heart diseases cause about 19 per cent of all deaths in India. The study has found that around 25 per cent of deaths in the 25 to 69 age group is caused by heart diseases,” he said.

He added, “Bioresorbable vascular scaffold is the latest development in interventional cardiology. The scaffold is delivered via a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure involving a small incision in the groin or wrist to access the clogged artery. The scaffold is made of polylactide, a naturally dissolvable material that is commonly used in medical implants such as dissolving sutures.”

First trekking team flagged off post-disaster
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 21
Signs of recovery of tourist business have started emerging in disaster-hit high altitude routes of Munsiyari as a 15 member trekking team was flagged off for 16,000 feet high Nanda Devi base camp in Panchchuli Himalaya from Munsiyari today.

“The trekking team consists of 15 youths from Maharastra, Karnataka and Delhi. They have been combined by a trekker group, a society for trekking and environmental preservation,” said Puran Pandey, a businessman in Munsiyari.

“It is the first group to have come for trekking after the June disaster. The disaster had closed the trekking business in the region by giving an impression that the trek routes in the high Himalayan region are not safe,” said Govind Singh Pangti, a businessman in Munsiyari, who flagged off the trekking team.

The trekkers would spend 10 days on their trek route. “The team will also send messages to trekkers across the country about the fine shape of the trek routes so that the trekking season could be resumed,” added Pangti.

According to hotel and trekking businessmen in Munsiyari town, a seminar on the development of trek routes for further employment would be organised by the disaster mitigation cell of Nainital with the cooperation of local trekkers in Munsiyari on September 24-26.

Nurses’ strike hits hospital functioning
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
The boycott call of evening and night shifts in the government hospitals by the nurses owing allegiance to Uttarakhand Nurses' Service Association entered the sixth day today leading to a large number of patients leaving the hospital.

The nurses who have been awaiting a positive response from the government said that they would only resume duties after they receive a government order. “We would hold talks with the government on Monday and in case we get the government order, we will take back our boycott call,” said Anjana Bhowmick, president, Uttarakhand Nurses’ Association.

In the absence of nurses, the hospital authorities have deployed trainees and para medical staff but the boycott call has affected the bed occupancy in the hospital.

Meanwhile, a dengue patient from Haridwar, died yesterday, putting pressure on the hospital authorities to ensure that there is adequate staff in ICU. 

BJP activists burn govt effigy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 21
Protesting against the Uttarakhand government's failure to heed to their demand of extending the monsoon session of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly to more days, the city unit of BJP burnt the effigy of the government at the Clock Tower.

The party workers under the leadership of president of city unit of BJP Neelam Sehgal collected at the parade ground and then marched to the Clock Tower where they raised slogans against the Congress government.

Yesterday the BJP MLAs had resorted to protest by sitting inside the well of the House after the Congress failed to accept their demand.

Later they relented only after the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hriyadesh agreed to look into their other demands, including CID enquiry into the murder of former PRO of Agriculture Minister Yudhbir Singh, payment of arrears to sugarcane farmers and revoking decision on mining and calling another session of the Assembly within three months.

Ashes of 8,000 unidentified people immersed in Ganga
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 21
For years, their ashes were lying at various cremation ghats and places, but today they were finally immersed in the Ganga during’ Shraddh’. Ashes of 8,000 unidentified people from across the country were immersed in the Ganga amid Vedic rituals.

Indulged in this cause is Shri Devothan Seva Samiti which has been, on annual basis, collecting unclaimed ashes from various cremation grounds and ghats in different states. This time, the ashes were collected from 300 plus cremation points.

After collecting the ashes, they are brought to Haridwar to immerse in the Ganga, which, as per Hindu traditions, provides final solace to the deceased souls.

Mahant Surendra Balla, accompanied the yatra from the Wagha border in Amritsar. He said the samiti people were doing a noble cause to pray and perform rituals for the deceased. Their act would put them on a par with saints. Manoj Garg, Mayor, Haridwar, while welcoming the yatra said such acts were an inspiration.

Swami Rishishwaranand, Swami Satpal Hatyogi, Swami Harichetanand, Swami Devanand Saraswati, Rishi Ramkrishan, Satpal Brahamchari, Sachidanand Goswami, Mahant Durgadas, Mahant Mohan Das Ramayani, Swami Jagdeeshanand and Hariballabhdas Shastri performed rituals. Local councillor Kanhaiya Khewadiya, Aman Sharma, BJP women wing district head Sanjana Sharma, Kashinath, Dr CD Kala also performed rituals.