Kedarnath residents threaten to boycott 2014 general elections

Dehradun, September 30
Residents of Kedarnath valley, who lost their houses in the mid-June calamity, have threatened to boycott the 2014 general election if the state government does not devise a proper rehabilitation policy and relocate them.

Ajendra Ajay, president of the Kedarghati Visthapan Va Punarvas Sangharsh Samiti, said angry with the state government for not coming up with a concrete rehabilitation policy even after three months of the tragedy, residents had threatened to boycott the election if they were not relocated soon in the plain areas or granted a special economic package to rebuild their lives.

"The construction of 100 prefabricated houses for homeless in the area is just an eyewash. It is the state government's ploy to get away from its responsibility of rehabilitating. The victims are looking for a firm rehabilitation policy to resurrect their lives and not for such piecemeal efforts," said Ajay.

He said his organisation would launch a signature campaign from tomorrow in support of its demand for proper rehabilitation policy for the victims. "It is an irony that crores have been spent on the resumption of prayers at Kedarnath but not a penny over providing shelter to the homeless," he said.

Ajay said homeless families were staying in makeshift tents in villages like Saemi, with approaching winters adding to their woes.

As many as 187 roads had still not been repaired and residents of the segregated villages were traversing long distances in difficult terrain to procure rations from Guptkashi and Ukhimath, he said.

"The winter is about to set in and we don't know how we will deal with the biting cold as we have no roof overhead...even compensation amount has not yet reached us," said Yogumber Singh Negi, a victim.

"We want the victims to be relocated and rehabilitated properly. But the state government does not seem to be serious about the issue," said Vimla Rawat, a Rudraprayag Zila Panchayat member.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said the state government understood the pain of those who lost their homes in the tragedy. He raised the monthly rentals per family from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.

However, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Bhatt asked the government that what would the grieving families who lost their homes, schools and livestock do with this paltry sum?

The June 16-17 deluge left a trail of death and devastation in Uttarakhand with hundreds killed, over 4,000 missing and 2,500 families rendered homeless all over the state. —PTI

Tourism experts disappointed with state government
Tribune News Service

Dehradun September 30
The state government is all set to celebrate World Tourism Day along with Corbett Mahotsav in Nainital from October 3 onwards for four days, but the experts in the field of tourism are saddened by the state government’s approach on the subject so far.

Mussoorie-based renowned travel-writer couple, Hugh and Colleen Gantzer, who received National Tourism Award for year 2011-12, echo similar sentiments. Hugh Gangtzer said: “The state government has done nothing creative in the field of tourism development in all these years. The bureaucrats who hold the Tourism Department for a limited period of time follow the diktats of their political bosses who have no vision or passion for tourism as such.” He said mindless construction of higher and larger numbers of buildings were allowed from Mussoorie to Dehradun, a susceptible seismic zone, without caring for the environmental concerns and human safety, including tourism aspects. He rued lack of governance in tourism.

Colleen Gantzer castigated state government for falling flat on any long-term plan for tourism development in the state.

She gave example of ice-skating rink built in Dehradun city calling it ‘white elephant’. She said there was no need to waste so much public money on building the rink, especially as the state could ill-afford 24 hours power supply required to churn out artificial ice for the rink.

She said the state government developed no new tourism site on its own, rather over-exploited the pristine structures created in British era as well.

Shiv Penuli, an expert who is dabbling in many tourism activities and adorning many positions, said: “It is really astonishing that the state government cancelled much hyped Nanda Raj Jat Yatra at the last moment to go along with the solemn mood of state in the aftermath of disaster and substantiate whooping damage to the infrastructure. It is now spending Rs 12-14 crore on holding mega functions in Kumaon in the month of October to tell the world that everything is fine in Uttarakhand and tourists can travel here. All this hypocrisy is quite baffling and disappointing at the same time.”

Well known mountaineer Harshwanti Bisht, who has done doctorate on tourism subject, slammed the state government for going with haphazard plans which only unleashed disaster in tourism sector.

“The haphazard constructions have been permitted to take place in the name of tourism in and around the river banks and in fragile zones without sensing that the rivers change their course over a period of time,” he said.

“This has resulted in disaster at gargantuan scale. There has been no control over the number of vehicles or people visiting any particular tourist place. No account of carrying capacity or limited resources available is kept in consideration. In short, there is neither any system nor any policy on tourism so far. All this has to be checked to make tourism sustainable in the state,” he added.

Haji Islam is BSP’s LS nominee from Haridwar
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

BSP Lok Sabha candidate from Haridwar Haji Mohammed Islam being welcomed by party workers in Haridwar on Monday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Haridwar, September 30
Despite Bahujan Samaj Party naming Dr Antriksh Saini as its Lok Sabha candidate a year ago from Haridwar constituency , in a major change of events, the party has now opted for Haji Mohammed Islam, a political novice, putting water on the one-year-long efforts of Saini.

Interestingly, Haji Islam was just two days ago Congress Party's loyal worker, but after meeting BSP supremo Mayawati in Lucknow earlier this week, he not only opted for BSP but also was named the party's official Lok Sabha candidate from important Haridwar constituency.

Hailing from Bharapur Bhauri village, Haji Mohammed Islam is a Jojha Muslim and his candidature is being linked with the substantial presence of Muslims in the constituency.

Notably, previous candidate Antriksh Saini was also a BJP leader but left the saffron party just months ago when BSP named him official party candidate.

To popularise Haji’s candidature, party think tank has planned a series of party workers’ meetings, conventions, agitations, demonstrations and mass rally, keeping Haji in the front of all these.

As a first on October 5, in Roorkee, BSP will be holding a major rally presenting Haji before the public and commencing its election campaign post change of Lok Sabha candidature in Haridwar.

But it’s quite interesting to see how much mileage Haji can take from these programmes as, forget common voters, even party leaders and workers don’t know him.

Close insiders within the party also point that in fact this decision may backfire too as this may help present parliamentarian from Haridwar and Congress candidate Harish Rawat, as minority votes often don't bifurcate.

It is pertinent to mention here that Samajwadi Party too has named a Muslim candidate in the form of Azmal Nawaj Khan from Haridwar Lok Sabha seat.

So it is a probability that votes of minority, which constitutes about 23 per cent in this constituency, will not only go for either BSP or SP, but with Harish Rawat having a good pro-Muslim-Dalit image, a major chunk of votes Congress will also get. It is quite an uphill task for Haji Islam if he has any serious dreams of being an MP from Haridwar.

As for a win he needs to have votes from every community and each of the 11 Assembly segments of Haridwar constituency.

Ex-legislator and last parliamentary election BSP candidate from Haridwar Mohammed Shahzad refused to comment on party’s decision but seemed disgusted with the party ignoring him and instead opting for two other party parachute candidates. He said that it was the party supremo's decision.

Talking to TNS Uttarakhand party unit chief Megh Raj Zaravare said that the decision is of party high command, taking into cognisance various political-local-electoral considerations.

Zaravare accepted that Haji’s name emerged as the local party unit had sent a report to the high command about luring minority votes, which are in a considerable number in the constituency and owing to his non-controversial and clean image.

Haji Mohammed Islam, after being nominated party official candidate, paid a visit to holy shrine of Piran Kaliyar.Thanking party national president Mayawati ,Haji said that he will take ''Sarv Samaj'' ideology during his campaign and work for party’s causes ensuring a win from the Haridwar seat.

A confident looking Haji said that be it Harish Rawat or probable BJP candidate Uma Bharati or Madan Kaushik, ''I am committed to work for the party and with time on my side, Iwill reach both urban and rural voters with right approach and corner Opposition parties for their failure to provide development in the area.''

Relief Work
Govt accused of complacency
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, Septembetr 30
The Uttarakhand Aapda Rahat Manch workshop on disaster held here today accused the state government for adopting a complacent attitude towards providing relief to the affected residents.

The speakers at the conference alleged that despite meteorological department’s warning the state government did not prevent pilgrims from going to Kedarnath shrine. They also alleged that now the same government was adopting complacency to provide relief to the affected villages in the state. They sought measures to complete the relief and rehabilitation works in the affected areas before the winter season.

They sought a check on construction of hydro-power projects in the state. Trepan Singh Chauhan, Munish Kumar, Atul Sharma, Sangeet Negi, Swantantra Mishra were prominent among the speakers. A documentary on Kedarnath disaster, prepared by Munish Kumar, was also screened.

UKD (Panwar) opposes Raghuram Rajan panel report
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 30
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) has opposed the report of the Raghuram Rajan Committee to assess the backwardness of states. Uttarakhand has been shown as a developed state in the report.

Party spokesperson Manmohan Lakhera called it a well thought conspiracy. He said if this report was enforced the state would have to face heavy cuts in Central assistance.

Lakhera said the state was reeling under the aftereffects of the natural disaster at present and required more monetary assistance for development. He added the Centre was doing all this in order to garner cheap publicity.

“Ten hill districts of the state are still devoid of basic facilities like road, education, health, drinking water and employment. It seems this report has been prepared keeping only three districts Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar in view while the reality in 10 hill districts is completely different,” he said. 

Haridwar shines in inter-district police competition
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 30
In the two-day inter-district Uttarakhand police competition, Haridwaremerged as the winner in the scientific research category at the conclusion of the event here at Armed Training Centre yesterday. Haridwar also bagged the best videography event at the meet, with trophies being handed out by IPS officers Neeru Garg and Arun Mohan Joshi.

While in professional photography event Udham Singh Nagar team was declared winner, Dehradun team bagged computer event and Pitthoragarh won anti-sabotage category trophy.

Attending the prize distribution ceremony as chief guest Indian Reserve Police Commandant Neeru Garg said that such competition enhances the skills and capability of the participating personnel and sharpens the ability of the Uttarakhand police eventually.

Neeru Garg called on police personnel to take part in such activities as cops' job is a demanding job and such activities enhance their mental and physical skills.

Commandant, 40th Provincial Armed Constabulary, Arun Mohan Joshi, lauded the efforts pitched in by the participating police teams and stressed on the need to develop newer skills, mutual understanding, cooperation, team effort and innovation.

Joshi said that with a surge in technological advancements, increase in cyber crime, need for more research from the Police Department is imperative to have an upper hand over criminals and ensure peace and crime free environment in society.

Central, state govts have failed on all fronts: CP(ML)
Tribune News Service

Derhadun September 30
The state unit of the Communist Party of India (ML) held its meeting at Ambedkar Park yesterday. On this occasion state secretary Rajender Pratholi said: “The whole country is bearing the brunt of corporate policies emanated from America and imposed by UPA government on us. Public is suffering due to widespread corruption and back-breaking inflation. People do not want Manmohan Singh government for a single moment. Modi marked Fascism is presenting itself as another alternative to corrupt and anti-public Manmohan regime. Fascism can never emerge as an alternative to corporate culture.” He said the alternative would come somewhere from the public struggle.

He said the state government proved a complete failure in dealing with the terrible disaster which hit the state in the middle of June.

“Even after three and a half months of the disaster, the affected regions have not returned to normalcy. Congress government in the state has faltered to formulate any effective blueprint on rehabilitation for the affected villages.”

He said in the, they would prepare an action plan to oppose Manmohan government at the Centre and Bahuguna government in the state and also to strengthen the party.

The agenda would also include strong role of the party in the ensuing panchayat election.

In the meeting, member of central committee Rana Bahuna, member of state committee Purushottam Sharma, Kailash Pandey, KK Bora, Jagat Martoliya and Anand Negi were also present. 

ITBP Academy celebrates 36th Raising Day
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 30
The 36th Raising Day of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Mussoorie Academy, was celebrated with fanfare at academy parade ground yesterday. The chief guest was the director of the ITBP academy, IG Harbhajan Singh. He was presented with the ceremonial Guard of Honour.

Harbhajan Singh said that since its inception in 1978, the ITBP Academy had played an important role in training the officers to serve in difficult terrains and safeguard the borders of the country with pride and dignity. He said that the ITBP academy had emerged as an important high altitude defence and survival academy for the force in the country. He said that the ITBP jawans should always be prepared to serve the country.

Several entertainment programmes for family members of the force such as musical chairs, fancy dress show and jalebi race were organised.