Mayor seeks explanation from MNA over streetlight issue
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 3
Haridwar Mayor Manoj Garg has sought an explanation from Mukhya Nagar Adhikari over the streetlight tender issue.

The Mayor has asked MNA Vipra Trivedi to give an explanation over the need of opting for higher rate LED streetlights instead of cheaper CFL technology-based ones, which are already used by the civic body in various parts of the city streets.

Notably, Mayor along with majority of ruling ward councillors, had opposed the LED-based streetlight tender process opted by MNA Vipra Trivedi in the last month's board meeting.

Further, the councillors had passed a condemnation resolution against MNA Vipra’s stance of mooting for tender procedure without taking into confidence the civic body elected representatives and also not giving any satisfactory explanation to them during the board meeting regarding the said issue.

Notably, as per 13th Finance Commission grant, the second phase of Rs 86 lakh was released a few months back to the civic body for procurement of streetlights. The deadline of its expenditure was to expire on coming December 31.But now this time the line has been extended for three months further.

Fear of lapsing of this money had propelled MNA to pass the tender as early as possible, but opposition of ward councillors had stalled the process for a while.

Ward councillor Anil Mishra's argument that CFL will be less costly in comparison to LED lights as out of 86 lakh grant, streetlights worth Rs 40 lakh had to be purchased, while rest of the money will be utilised on their maintenance.

When contacted MNA Vipra stated that LED-based streetlights are opted by many a metro civic bodies as they are efficient and much better that the general or CFL-based lights.

Adding further she said that it is not only the low cost but efficiency and durability which also need to be considered, lamenting that ward councillors and Mayor are just looking into the low cost market price of CFL ,saying that tender was floated only after analysing the market rates.

A corporation official on condition of anonymity pointed that the streetlight issue may get delayed once again further as both Mayor and MNA don’t seem to be taking their steps back, which will only harm the civic body working.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party has submitted a memorandum to MNA over defunct streetlights at a majority of city colonies and roads.

Urging the civic body to change the streetlights as due to ongoing foggy winter, visibility level is quite low for commuters and vehicles, which can pave way for accidents. AAP activists also demanded installation of new streetlight poles.

Minister curtails power of welfare dept to issue certificates to SC students
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
Afraid of losing the power to patronise the choicest few, the powers of bestowing of computerisation of pre-matric and post-matric scholarships of the Department of Social Welfare on students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Castes (OBCs) by the Department of Social Welfare has been curtailed by a senior minister in the Vijay Bahuguna government.

The obduracy of the Uttarakhand Minister of Social Welfare Surinder Rakesh could easily put to shame the efforts of the Congress government which has been keen to present its image of a government that is IT friendly and keen to use technology to curb corruption.

Things have come to such a pass that the Department of Information Technology (IT) just does not know whom to approach for the authentication and validation of data regarding the number of beneficiaries of the scheme in the state.

''The problem being faced by the Department of IT is one of authentication and validation of data regarding the number of beneficiaries. This would provide a clear picture of the amount being credited each year in the students' accounts. Soon, we could even start the process of e-payments,'' said a senior official in the IT Department.

Effectively, the computerisation of the pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes would not only put an end to the embezzlement of money and issue of fake beneficiaries benefiting, but also call into question the role of the officials who would have to provide authenticated details of the beneficiaries from the districts. ''Surely, such a regimented exercise that is open to scrutiny would at one go end the role of the politicians who misuse the entitlements to favour a few. No wonder the present minister is thwarting such efforts,'' said Suman Kant Dhyani, a BJP leader.

So, as things stand today, the Department of Social Welfare is awaiting the minister's nod to get the things moving in the direction of sharing data and ultimately leading to its authentication and validation. ''We have already started the process of computerisation of pension schemes. Soon we would make the scholarship schemes too online. It will be done shortly,'' said S.Raju, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare.

Govt announces cadre merger to mollify docs
Hikes post-mortem allowance to Rs 500
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
The Uttarakhand government today announced several decisions, including cadre merger, to appease doctors, who had given a call to boycott OPDs for three days from January 6.

It also announced a hike in the post-mortem allowance from Rs 200 to Rs 500 and an increment to doctors, who are diploma holders, after three years of service and an increment after five years of service to doctors having a postgraduate degree.

Minister for Health Surinder Singh Negi at a meeting with the members of the Provincial Medical and Health Services (PMHS) said, “While the government is keen to take up the cadre merger issue at the Cabinet meeting slated for January 8, if required, we may even take approval from the Chief Minister for its speedy implementation.”

However, the members of the PMHS said they would be satisfied only when the Direct Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme was implemented. They would hold a meeting tomorrow to chalk out the future course of action. 

Vacate annexe of Raj Bhavan, Rawat tells ex-CM Pokhrial
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
The rivalry between friends-turned foes Medical Education Minister and Congress leaders Harak Singh Rawat and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank of the BJP once again erupted when, taking a jibe today at Pokhriyal's decision eschewing red beacons and hooters from his two official cars, the unimpressed Rawat challenged him to vacate the annexe of the Raj Bhavan that he had been occupying since the last two years and move into his own residence, which was in Dehradun.

''The former Chief Minister should follow in the footsteps of former Chief Minister Nityanand Swami who had shunned official residence after becoming the first Chief Minister of the state, instead preferring to stay at his own residence. Nishank would do a yeoman service to the state that would benefit immensely from this decision,'' said Rawat.

After Nishank was removed from his post as Chief Minister in 2011, he had moved with his family to the nearby annexe that serves as a guest- house for the Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister's house and has been staying there for the last two years.

Though as former Chief Minister, he is entitled to an official residence, sensing his reluctance to move, even the Congress government that came to power under Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna did not press him.

But after Nishank's Aam Aadmi-inspired act, his bete noire Harak Singh Rawat urged him to be honest and vacate the annexe and another residence that was allocated to him when he was the Health Minister during the first tenure of former Chief Minister BC Khanduri. ''Nishank should go all hog, instead of getting rid of the lowly hooters and beacons priced between Rs 200-Rs 250. He should vacate the annexe and move with bag and baggage to his residence at Vijay Colony. Our state would save a lot of money,'' said Rawat. While Rawat remained unimpressed with Pokhriyal's decision, he did not fail to add that he too had eschewed Y-plus security in the interest of the state.

''I had given Y-plus security because it would have needlessly burdened the state,'' he said.

However, the passing reference of former Chief Minister Nityanand Swami who passed away last year did rekindle memories of the clean politics practised by him about which the Uttarakhand BJP continues to be in denial mode.

State to get more electricity supply
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
Uttarakhand will get more electricity from the Muzaffarnagar-Roorkee and Moradabad-Kashipur feeders, besides 350 MW power it is already getting at present.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar with Union Power Secretary BK Sinha and Central Electricity Authority Chairperson Neerja Mathur in New Delhi today.

A meeting of the Chief Secretaries of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand would also be held to reach an agreement on the multipurpose Kisau Dam project.

Several hydropower projects were damaged during the 2012 natural disaster in the state, which led to a huge gap between the demand and supply of power.

Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar said all formalities regarding the 300 MW Bawla Nandprayag hydropower project had been completed.

He said a discussion was also held on the Kisau Dam project during the meeting.

He said the Union Power Secretary had assured him of taking a decision with joint inputs from the Chief Secretaries of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on the project.

Imposition of house tax
DMC begins survey of outer areas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
Almost two months after it revised house tax, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has started the survey of the outer areas of the city.

In the first phase of the project, which is likely to be completed by July, DMC officials are conducting the survey in the periphery of the city. After the completion of the survey by July-end, the process of levying house tax will start.

Giving the details of the survey project, Mayor Vinod Chamoli said till now 20,000 houses had been covered under the survey. In the first phase, areas, including Kargi, the ISBT, Mohabbewala and Rajpur had been covered. As per the revised house tax, residential buildings of the city had been divided into four categories, A, B, C and D.

Under category A, monthly tax at the rate of 75 paise per square feet would be imposed, for category B it would be 50 paise per square feet, category C 30 paise per square feet and for category D 20 paise per square feet.

The houses have been categorised on the basis of their construction.

Sacked cops continue protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
Sacked policemen continued their protest against the government and the police department at Parade Ground here today.

In 2010, the services of 200 constables were terminated by the government for reportedly filing job applications from more than one district, which, according to the authorities, is against the rules.

However, the sacked policemen, who have been on an agitation for the past 133 days, alleged there will still number of policemen in the department who had also filed their applications from more than one district. No action had been taken against them so far.

“The government had set up a sub-committee to redress our grievances, but no meeting has taken place in the past three months," alleged one of the protesters.

They have threatened to intensify their stir if the government did not take appropriate action at the earliest.

Rajiv Lochan, Praveen Saini, Munna Chauhan, Ajay Negi, Vinod Gusain and Deepak Semwal were prominent among the protesters.

UKD (P) stages protest at Clock Tower
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
Demanding an increase in the age of retirement in government jobs, members of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (P) staged a protest demonstration at Clock Tower Chowk here today.

Addressing the gathering the state president of UKD, Trivendra Singh Panwar, said that the government had reduced the age for government jobs to 35 years, which is a huge setback for the unemployed. ''The government should increase the age till 40 years.''

''By favouring the builders, the state government is bent upon wiping agriculture off in the state. Following the orders from the government, MDDA has converted the agricultural land into residential areas,'' he added.

Demanding a reversal of the LPG cylinders' price hike, the state president said that the people were already reeling under the price rise of even the basic commodities and by increasing the LPG prices, they have broken the backbone of the common man.

Those who were part of the protest demonstration included AP Juyal, Latafat Hussain, Manmohan Lakheda, Pramila Rawat and Geeta Bisht.

LPG distributors planning rally against guidelines
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
The LPG Distributors' Federation is planning to hold a protest rally from Ram Lila ground. LPG distributors from Uttarakhand are garnering support for the protest against the proposed marketing discipline guidelines (MDG) 2013.

It is to be noted that according to the proposed Marketing Discipline Guidelines issued by the oil companies, stringent action would be taken against the distributors found violating any of the stated norms. They would be liable to be penalised if found misbehaving with any of the customers visiting the agency.

According to the MDG, distributors are supposed to strictly adhere to the dress code norms and would be penalised if found breaking the dress code rules. If any complaint is received against the distributors regarding not picking the customers' phone, they would be liable to face penalty.

Meanwhile, president of the State Federation of LPG Distributors, Chaman Lal, asserted that the members of all the five gas distribution agencies of the state would stage a protest on January 4 in New Delhi against the oil marketing companies' decision.

On the recent hike in the prices of the LPG non-subsidised cylinders, Chaman Lal said that the distributors have no option except abiding by the decision of the government.

Dalanwala to have park soon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
The Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has approved the construction of a park in the Dalanwala locality.

The decision comes following the instructions of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. This will be the first park in the area.

In a press note issued here, president of the Dalanwala Welfare Society Mahesh Bhandari said the proposed park site earlier housed the MDDA office. “The land has been lying vacant ever since the MDDA office shifted to a new location. There is no park in the area, which is causing a lot of inconvenience to the area residents,” he said.

Man arrested for father’s murder over land dispute
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
The Sahaspur police today arrested Wadir for the murder of his father Fakira over a property dispute. Wadir is Fakira’s younger son.

The police said they had also recovered the weapon of crime from a nearby jungle in Sahaspur on the basis of information provided by Wadir during interrogation.

Fakira, a resident of Charwa in Sahaspur, was brutally murdered with a sharp-edged weapon in his shanty in the wee hours of December 24 last year. The police questioned Fakira’s two sons and came to know about a property dispute in the family. Wadir broke down during the interrogation and admitted to killing his father on December 24.

The police claimed that Wadir told them that his father had 17 bighas in Sahaspur and he was upset at his decision to give the entire land to his sisters. He killed his father in anguish on December 24.

The police are suspecting that Wadir was accompanied by one person in committing the crime. They are planning to interrogate Wadir further to establish the identity of his accomplice. 

Village Development Officer’s murder
18 days on, police yet to nab accused
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
The police have not yet made any arrest in the killing of Village Development Officer (VDO) Devesh Kamboj, eighteen days after he was shot dead at his residence in Majra, Dehradun.

The police have submitted an application in the court to attach the properties of Manoj, Anil and Dinesh, all accused in the murder case of Devesh Kamboj. Meanwhile, the police teams are continuing their raids to nab the accused.

“We are going to attach their properties. We will take the help of the Uttar Pradesh police also,” said MP Saini, head of Patel Nagar police station.

Devesh Kamboj was shot dead at his residence on December 16 by three persons who were later identified by the police as Manoj, Anil and Dinesh. According to the police officials, the plan was made my Anil, who is the brother-in-law of Devesh’s sister Ritu. He was angry with Devesh because he was supporting his sister in her ongoing property dispute with her in-laws.

Homeless to get shelter
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
A meeting was convened by the District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam for providing a temporary shelter to the homeless people staying on the roads and protecting them against the biting cold conditions in the city.

Addressing the meeting the DM said that there is a threat to life to the people sleeping on the roads in this biting cold. ''Rain baseras, a shelter for the homeless, has been made for these people and efforts should be made to shift them there. The main focus areas should be Kanak Chowk, Clock Tower Chowk, Railway Station, Prince Chowk, Bhandari Bagh, Sabzi Mandi, Garhi Cantt and Dakra.' Instructing the MCD officials and police department to shift the homeless at the earliest, the DM also asked for the arrangement of fire places during the night time in these ''rain baseras.''

Exercise to control fires in wildlife sanctuary begins
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, January 3
The Forest Department has begun the exercise to prevent forest fires in the Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary by creating fire lines all along the designated area.

The forest officials began the exercise to control the burning of dry leaves in order to create fire breaks that are designed to interrupt the continuity of fuels to break the fire. It slows down the rate of spread, thus enabling the ground fire fighting forces to reach the basically head of the fire and suppress it easily and with relative safety.

When contacted, Divisional Forest Officer, Mussoorie, Dr Dheeraj Pandey said, it was an annual exercise that starts in the winter. He said the department would also conduct an awareness exercise in nearby villages from January where they would be told about the ways to prevent and report forest fires during the summer season.

Pandey said they already have a master station and 24 crew stations from where the forest fires are tracked on annual basis.

He also said the department would be issuing telephone numbers for reporting any forest fire before the beginning of summer season.

Pandey said the people visiting the wildlife park in Mussoorie should avoid throwing burning cigarette ends.

65 children take part in science workshop
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
Sixtyfive children from remote areas of Chamoli, Gopeshwar, Tehri, Haridwar, Almora and Dehradun participated in the five-day workshop on “Symphony with science” that concluded in village Kandoli, Dehradun, today. The workshop was jointly organised by Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (Specs) and Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (Ucost).

Convener of the workshop Brij Mohan Sharma said the goal of the workshop was to provide an atmosphere for observing science “which is all around us and which directly influences our life”.

“As the name Sciencefun suggests, the children enjoyed and learnt the basics of science from their surroundings like nature, waste, toys, soil, stone and water. The children of class IV to IX from government and private schools learnt and enjoyed the experience and knowledge of the resource persons,” Sharma said. He asserted that the workshop helped to inculcate principles of science in children at an early age.

Toy expert Sanjay Kapoor during the workshop demonstrated the making of action toys through which he explained science principles. He demonstrated more than 30 toys which were made by waste material.

A puppeteer, Manmohan Lal, used puppets as medium of communication very effectively, giving the message of clean and green environment to the students. The puppets were also used and portrayed as famous scientists of India who communicated with the children.

Hariraj Singh, senior scientist, explained the science of soil. He explained how plants get their food from soil. The relationship between food and the importance of healthy and nutritious soil was explained to the students. He said that healthy soil leads to healthy life.

Scientific officer Ucost Arun Kuksal used some wooden blocks as toys to understand the strength and weakness of the child. He also demonstrated different games through these wooden blocks and the children were given tasks to assemble the blocks.

A nature walk was organised, which was led by Shankar Dutt, Praven Kaushik and Sulakshna Kaushik. Children were involved and they made their own herbarium collection. A painting competition was also organised.

Children also visited Forest Research Institute. There they were explained about the importance of forests, ecosystem and biodiversity. Ucost’s DP Uniyal, Ashutosh Mishra, Ajay Joshi and Subhash Barthwal guided the children at the workshop.

BJP, UKD protest erratic water, power supply
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, January 3
Political parties today held protests against the erratic water and power supply in the district and non-fulfillment of promises by the Congress-led state government. Besides, the ongoing strike by government employees paralysed the working in the offices of the Pithoragarh district administration, causing inconvenience to the people.

Prakash Pant, state general secretary of the BJP, led a procession of party workers to the Electricity Department. They locked the rooms of the department and sat on a dharna there in protest against long power cuts being imposed in the district these days. “We had linked the 132 KW lines with the northern grid with a hope that the electricity supply in the district will be better. However, the district is still witnessing about 10-hour power cuts these days,” said Pant

He added the BJP workers locked the electricity distribution office and on January 27 they would lock the PWD office against the non-construction of roads in the district. They would also lock the Jal Nigam offices on January 30 in protest against the poor water supply in the district. “The water and power resources are being mismanaged as the present government has started changing the pattern of electricity poles and drinking water lines established by the previous BJP government in a bid to take political mileage and demean the achievements of the BJP government,” said Pant

Besides the BJP, the UKD led by Kashi Singh Airy held a demonstration against an insufficient number of public transport vehicles with the state roadways and accidents due to overloading by private jeeps. “We have also sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister in this regard,” said Airy.

The revenue works remained suspended in the district as over 120 Patwaris continued with their strike for the third consecutive day today. The Patwaris (sub-inspectors with the Revenue Department) also have police duty in rural areas of the district. They are demanding scrapping of a government decision that allows promotion of clerks at the District Magistrate’s office as Naib Tehsildar as it is hindering their promotions. “We have decided to continue our agitation as the government has deprived us of our genuine right to promotion,” said Umed Ram, a Patwari.

Chufal threatens to resume dharna in Assembly
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, January 3
Former BJP state president and Didihat MLA Bishen Singh Chufal has threatened to resume his dharna at the well of the state Assembly if development works in his constituency are not resumed. The Assembly is having a special session from January 13.

Chufal while talking to mediapersons here today said Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had assured him of releasing money for the water and road projects in his Assembly constituency by January 8 this year after he held a dharna in front of his house in Dehradun on December 30 last year. “I will first raise my voice in the state Assembly if I do not get the required finances for the projects. But if the government did not take me seriously, I will have no option but to sit in the well of the House during the session,” the BJP leader said.

Chufal added that he was anguished at the continuous neglect of development activities in his Assembly constituency after the Congress-led government came to power. His constituency was being ignored with an intention to weaken his political position.

“I have been fighting this battle from the office of the District Magistrate, Pithoragarh. I staged a protest during the last session of the Assembly and also met the Chief Minister on the issue,” Chufal said.

Admin seeks support in making Haridwar tourist-friendly
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 3
The district administration has sought cooperation from the Union Tourism Department, BHEL, social and educational organisations and the general public in making the pilgrim city of Haridwar, especially the sanctum sanctorum of Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri, more pilgrim and tourist-friendly.

Haridwar District Magistrate Nidhi Pandey, who has already initiated a green Haridwar drive, has urged social organisations, NGOs and the public to submit their suggestions in making the Har-ki-Pauri mela zone and the city more beautiful.

Presiding over a meeting at the district headquarters, Roshanabad, today, the DM said a special committee headed by ADM (administration) Jeevan Singh Nangiyal would finalise a detail comprehensive plan in this regard. A discussion on making Ganga aarti at Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri, more attractive was held.

It was also decided to install LCD video screens, a hi-fi audio-video sound system, high mast lighting system, besides having a uniform dress code for pundits taking part in Ganga aarti.

It was decided to plant saplings on land where the Kumbh mela is organised, besides regularly cleaning Ganga ghats. The issues of similar design and colouring of all squares in the city, electronic signages and boards were also discussed.

Sub-Director (Tourism) Neela Laud, Regional Director Gajendra Kumar, MD (BHEL), Delhi, BK Sharma, MD, BHEL-Ranipur, Anil Kapoor, SDM Sohan Singh, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi, Dr Naresh Chaudhari were present.

CBI inquiry into medicine scam likely

Dehradun, January 3
The Principal Secretary, Health, Om Prakash, yesterday said the government may recommend a CBI inquiry into the Rs 22 lakh expiry medicine scam that took place five years ago in Roorkee.

“We are awaiting the copy of the report and if need be set up an inquiry so that such incidents are not repeated,” said Om Prakash.

The government was forced to take cognisance after the state information office recommended a CBI inquiry into the incident so that the guilty could be punished. Though the three inquiry reports have been presented, including a report submitted to the Lokayukta, the incident continues to draw attention.

The medicines meant for expectant women under the National Rural Health Mission were found abandoned at a warehouse in Roorkee. — TNS

Eco Task Force helps farmer grow mangoes on barren land
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
Looking at lush green mango trees laden with fruits of hard labour, 52-year-old Jawahar Singh still can’t believe that this piece of land was barren and incapable of producing even grass nearly two decades ago.

Jawahar, who earns Rs 2 lakh per annum, has Garhwal Eco-Warriors of the 127 Eco Task Force (Garhwal Rifles) to thank for bringing in a major transformation in his land and providing him a major source of regular income, that is only going to increase.

A role model for people in his village, Jawahar still recalls the day when men of 127 ETF approached him for his piece of barren land. “This terrace field was part of our family property for several years. We had tried to grow so many things but somehow it remained barren. In 1997, the ETF men approached me and asked me whether I was interested in growing some fruit trees and fodder on the land. I told them that it was not possible to grow anything on it. However, they planted 450 mango trees and and Kargi trees. For almost two years, they camped in our area and tended to the saplings. They definitely created a magic on my land,” said the proud farmer.

Besides providing a green cover in the ecologically-ravaged barren hills, the ETF has also generated a source of regular income for the people of Uttarakhand. Given the goodies being distributed free of cost to the people it won’t be wrong to call them Santa Claus dressed in olive green. The other major restoration work that the ETF undertook was the revival of ‘ancient Badri van’ located at the Badrinath shrine. According to the ritual, garlands made of tulsi leaves are offered to the deity. Besides reviving the damaged forest cover in this area, vandalised by pilgrims during the Char Dham yatra or for fuel by locals, the ETF has also provided a major source of income to the locals who could be seen selling tulsi garlands to pilgrims.

In 2004, the ETF launched a pilot project called “Mana project” in Badrinath. Besides planting tulsi, saplings of bhojpatra, belpatra, surahi, walnut, almond and deodar trees, mentioned in ancient scriptures as part of the Badri van, which existed behind the famous shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, were also planted in the area that now boasts of lush green surroundings. The ETF also launched a ‘double blessing scheme’ under which the pilgrims after paying obeisance at the shrine, can get blessed again by planting trees no important days of their lives like birthdays, and marriage anniversaries. A board carrying their name would be placed on the plant.

Speaking to The Tribune, Commanding Officer, ETF, Col KS Jaggi said they had always tried to involve the locals in plantations and revival of the barren land. “Had we not involved the people, the projects would not have been as successful as they are now.”

“Whenever we go to a gram sabha we prefer that the locals give us their piece of unused land so that we can revive it and generate some source of income for them. However, it is not always possible to plant trees or shrubs as per the requirement as the soil may not be favorable in many cases,” he added.

In the past, the ETF has undertaken several projects, including the restoration of mountains in Mohand (Shahjahanpur), Mussoorie, Aglar and Malari. They have been awarded with prestigious awards like Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (1992), Doon Ratna (1998), Vasudha Mitra Samman (2002), CII Green Award (2007), Paryavaran Mitra Samman (2007), Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Green Governance Award (2008) and Earth Care Award (2012).

Villagers from disaster-hit Parodi village awaiting relief
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, January 3
The villagers from Parodi village who suffered immense loss of property and livestock during the mid-June natural disaster this year are still awaiting any sort of relief or rehabilitation even after seven months due to the apathy shown by the government.

Parodi village that falls under the Jaunpur development region of Thatyur block in district Tehri Garhwal suffered immense damage during the flash floods that ruined around 35 houses along with irrigation fields, rendering the villagers homeless and without any work.

The villagers are forced to live in makeshift tents and at the houses of their relatives amid immense suffering, and are finding it difficult to cope with winter season here.

The government officials and the public representatives from various political parties did visit the village and assured the villagers of immediate relief and rehabilitation of the village but no action has been initiated so far.

The primary school that was completely razed to the ground due to the natural disaster is yet to be constructed even seven months after the disaster and is running from a makeshift tent, inviting ire of the affected villagers.

The former gram pradhan of Parodi village,Ramkrishan Badani, when contacted informed the media that around 16 familes had been affected while 12 families had been partially affected due to the disaster. Apart from that, the irrigated fields of most of the villagers had suffered immense damage, forcing many villagers to live in the houses of their relatives at Thatyur and other nearby villages.

“The government had made tall promises to rehabilitate their village and provide adequate relief but nothing has happened so far,” said Baijram Lekhwar, who lost his livestock and house in the mid-June carnage at Parodi.

He further said that the government had announced Rs 2 lakh as compensatory relief till now. For that too the villagers had to face harassment by the officials and were being told to prove their identity every time they sought compensation.

“The two bridges that connected the village to the outside world have also not been constructed as yet making life of the villagers difficult here,'' said an affected villager, Sanjay Badani.

The indefinite strike called by the revenue officials in the hilly areas in support of their 12-point demand of filling the vacant posts and timely promotions is making the matters worse, creating unnecessary delay in receiving the compensatory relief, said villagers from Parodi.

When contacted a senior Congress leader and state president of Panchayati Raj Sangathan, who has been active in sorting out the compensation issues of the affected persons in Dhanaulti Assembly segment, said that identification process was on at the moment in the village and the compensation for the construction of houses would be distributed not at one time but in instalments. He further informed the media that the DM, Tehri, would be interacting with affected people at Dehradun Enforcement Directorate tomorrow.

Vivek Oberoi visits state for peace
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 3
Noted Hindi film actor Vivek Oberoi has said his relationship with Uttarakhand is spiritual and he visits the state for mental peace.

After attending the Winter Line Carnival in Mussoorie and celebrating New Year, Vivek, son of Bollywood actor Suresh Oberoi, arrived here yesterday.

Vivek along with his child Vivaan visited the famous shrine Mata Chandi Devi. He and his father had been paying obeisance at the shrine regularly.

As soon as the news about Vivek’s arrival spread, the actor’s fans, mediapersons, and locals gathered at the shrine.

Speaking to mediapersons, Vivek said all parts of Uttarakhand were special for him and he comes here often to get spiritual and mental peace, which is not available in Mumbai. Vivek got the best supporting actor Filmfare award for his role in Ram Gopal Verma’s “Company”.

On his casting in an upcoming flick based on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, he said a US-based director had offered the main role to him, but nothing had been finalised so far.

Vivek, who starred recently in science fiction ‘Krissh 3’, and ‘Grand Masti’, said he wanted to work in films of a different genre and could not compromise with quality.

Cash, ornaments stolen from temple
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
Thieves decamped with Rs 5,000 in cash and ornaments from a temple on Wednesday night.

The temple is located in Indraprastha Lane in the Nehru Colony police station area.

The incident came to light when priest Shanti Prasad opened the main door of the temple for morning prayers only to find the cash and ornaments missing.

A case has been registered against unidentified persons on the basis of a complaint filed by locals.

Drug peddler held with smack
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
A drug peddler was caught red-handed while smuggling smack here yesterday.

According to the Vikasnagar police, 45 small packets of smack have been recovered from Irfan's possession.

Irfan hails from Mirzapur and has established a network of customers in Vikasnagar and nearby places. He has been booked under the NDPS Act.

He was produced in a local court, which sent him to jail.

Case against unidentified driver
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 3
The brother of Sohan Singh (40), who died in a road accident on December 14, lodged an FIR against an unidentified driver at the Patel Nager police station here today.

On the basis of the complaint, the police have started investigations and are enquiring shopkeepers and residents living in the Haridwar bypass area, where the accident took place, about the details of the mishap.