Rs 880 crore to be spent on works in disaster-hit dists
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
An amount of Rs 880 crore will be spent on construction works to be carried out by the Irrigation Department in the disaster-hit districts of the state. Ten chief engineers will be posted in different districts to oversee the works. A department official will be appointed in Delhi to coordinate the aid released by the Centre.

This was stated by Chief Minister Vijay Bhauguna while holding a review meeting of the Irrigation Department at the Secretariat here today.

It was informed that 41 canals belonging to Uttarakhand, which were under the control of Uttar Pradesh, have been returned to the state. Bahuguna asked officials to perform their duties responsibly. He said construction works in the disaster-affected areas must be done qualitatively and the scarcity of funds should not come in the way of development.

He said the department had enough experience in irrigation development and thus must use it for the state’s development. Bahuguna said so far proposals worth Rs 290 crore had been received for flood control. Funds had been allotted for the same and work should go beyond just the files.

The newly created posts of chief engineer would be in Dehradun, Didihat, Bageshwar, Haldwani, Rudrapur, Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Roorkee.

Bahuguna said detailed project reports (DPRs) of works involving the Central funds be speedily completed. He said outsourcing should be done to increase the pace of work. Bahuguna directed the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary to hold weekly reviews of the projects. He added he would also inspect the projects personally.

Ganesh Joshi: Govt coming in way of relief operations
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, January 7
The MLA, Mussoorie, Ganesh Joshi, paid a visit to village Jalsi near Thatyur in district Tehri and took stock of the progress of the new house being built with his efforts for a disaster-affected woman of Parodi.

Ganesh Joshi had promised the affected woman Shanta Devi, who had lost her house during the mid-June disaster at Parodi village, that he would build a new house for her and expressed his satisfaction on seeing the progress of the new hosue, which was nearing its completion today.

Ganesh Joshi speaking on the occasion said that the on the one hand the state government had failed to provide any relief to the disaster-affected persons even after 7 months of the disaster, and on the other was creating hurdles for those individuals and organisations who were ready to assist the affected people with relief and rehabilitation.

Joshi further said that he had extended support by adopting the whole Parodi village and rehabilitating in a phased manner but senior officials at Dehradun, instead of helping him, were creating bottlenecks by demanding the relief amount to be transferred in the account of the government which, he refused to do at any cost. Joshi further said that there were many other social organisations which were waiting with adequate funds and ready to help in rehabilitation work but were not being given the approval by the government, ''which was really unfortunate.''

He, however, reiterated his support to the disaster-affected persons despite the indifferent attitude of the government.

Shanta Devi, the recipient of the new house, built with assistance of Ganesh Joshi, thanked him for his cooperation and said that without this help her children would have been forced to live out in the cold during the winter season as no help was forthcoming from the government.

Speaking on the issue of forthcoming parliamentary elections in 2014, he said that he was also in race from Tehri parliamentary constituency as a probable candidate from BJP. Joshi further said that if an in-house survey is done in the constituency he would figure in the top spot for the candidature from the party. ''I have been serving the people from adjacent constituencies such as Rajpur and Dhanaulti apart from Mussoorie selflessly, thus making my credentials for the Tehri constituency as strong as others in the fray,'' said Joshi. He, however, said that he was a true party soldier and would adhere to whatever decision is taken by the party.

Sikh activists fail to hold march to Har-ki-Pauri
Tribune News Service

Devotees recite hymns during the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh at Gol Gurdwara in Haridwar on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Haridwar, January 7
The planned march by the All-India Sikh Conference to Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar to offer rituals at the controversial Bharat Scouts and Guide Society office at Subash Ghat did not materialize today as no Sikh activist reached there. The Sikh organisation claims the society office to be the place where Guru Gyan Godri Gurdwara once stood.

However, the Sikh organisation gave a statement in the media that at a meeting in Dehradun today Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna assured them of resolving the matter amicably.

They also assured the Chief Minister that they did not want to create tension over this issue.

The organisation members failed to arrive at the march venue, which was heavily guarded by the personnel of the Uttarakhand Police and the Provincial Armed Constabulary.

The district administration had made heavy security arrangements in the Subash Ghat zone at Har-ki-Pauri while intelligence sleuths kept an eye on the movement of the Sikh activists.

SP, City, Surjeet Singh Panwar had made adequate security arrangements keeping in view that the march could disturb peace in the city. However, a majority of the police force was called back as no one turned up for the march.

Daljeet Singh, manager of the Guru Gyan Godri Gurdwara Management Committee, said they had agreed to have a gurdwara elsewhere in the city and the district administration should identify and provide a place for it to the Sikh community.

He added that they were ready to build the gurdwara anywhere in Haridwar if the administration did not want us to construct one at the Bharat Scouts Guide Society office in the Subash Ghat area.

Meanwhile, the Gurpurb (birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh) was celebrated with fervour and gaiety in Haridwar.

Devotees offered prayers, performed shabad kirtan and recited Guru bani at gurdwaras across Haridwar.

Mayor Manoj Garg paid obeisance at Gol Gurdwara, Jwalapur, and assured the Sikh representatives of cooperation in the establishment of Guru Gyan Godri Gurdwara.

Sardar Tej Singh, Mahendra Singh, Preetam Singh, Harjeet Singh Dua, Sukhdev Singh, and Anup Sidhu were present at Gol Gurdwara during the Mayor’s visit.

Tight security

The district administration had made heavy security arrangements in the Subash Ghat zone at Har-ki-Pauri while intelligence sleuths kept an eye on the movement of the Sikh activists.

Delegation of Sikhs meets CM, wants gurdwara issue resolved
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
A delegation of Sikh community today met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and sought prompt resolving of Gurdwara Gyan Godri issue. The Chief Minister on his part assured a solution by January 28.

Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand’s border with Himachal Pradesh was sealed at Kulhal after Sikhs announced a march to Haridwar seeking reconstruction of Gurdwara Gyan Godri. A heavy contingent of the police force was sent to Kulhal after there were reports of gathering of large-scale Sikh protesters at Paunta Sahib Gurdwara.

The Sikh organisations claim that there existed a gurdwara at Har-ki-Pauri, a place visited by Guru Nanak Dev in Haridwar. But in the 70s, it was demolished in the name of renovation and later handed to Bharat Scouts and Guides, which still houses their office at the same place. The Sikhs are demanding restoration of Gurdwara Gyan Godri.

Prakash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh celebrated with religious fervour
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
Prakash Utsav of tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was observed at the Race course Gurudwara in Dehradun today.

The day started with an early morning recital of Sukhmani Sahib and ‘Nitname path’.

Head granthi Buta Singh, threw light on the life and preaching of Guru Gobind Singh.

He said Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed himself and his family for the protection of religion.

He said the great Guru always fought for weak and the one in distress.

Gurkirat Singh, Hajuri Ragi from Amritsar, Bhai Raspal Singh and Satinder Singh Sarang recited Sabads.

Rajendra Singh Rajan, president of Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, and other office bearers like Gulzar Singh, Gurucharan Singh and Sewa Singh Matharu were also present.

Former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, State Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana and Uttarakhand DGP BS Sidhu paid their obeisance.

Gurpurb celebrated with religious fervour
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, January 7
The Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa Panth, was celebrated with religious fervour here today.

Shabad kirtan by ragi jathas (religious preachers) from across the country was held at various gurdwaras in the town.

A mass congregation was organised at a Landour Bazaar gurdwara. Langar (community kitchen) was also served to the devotees.

President of the Guru Singh Sabha MPS Khurana, secretary Narendar Singh, Paramjeet Singh Thukral and Gurcharan Chadda also paid obeisance at the gurdwara.

Meeting on Republic Day celebrations in Dehradun
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
As part of the Republic Day celebrations, a meeting was held today at the Secretariat in Dehradun.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar during a meeting of the senior officials of the state government regarding the preparations for the Republic Day celebrations in Dehradun on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar presided over the meeting.

During the meeting it was decided that the flag hosting at the district headquarters, offices and the Secretariat will take place at 9:30 am, while the main Republic Day programme will take place at the Parade Ground at 10:30 am on Jaunary 26, 2014.

A Kavi Sammelan will also be organised at Dehradun Municipal Corporation’s auditorium on the occasion, while a cleanliness campaign will be carried out in the city.

Uttarakhand Governor will review the parade which will have participation from contingents from Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force, Uttarakhand Police, NCC, Ex-servicemen and Scouts and guides. Tableaux will be the highlight of the parade.

Uttarakhand Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma, DGP BS Sidhu, Principal Secretary MH Khan and other senior officials from the Army and the ITBP were present in the meeting.

Residents want embankment along Kali river, threaten stir
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, January 7
Residents of Jauljibi town have threatened to launch an indefinite agitation if the work of making embankment along the Kali river to save the town from further floods is not started soon. They have threatened that they will also block the highway passing through the town.

“We have given an ultimatum to the administration that if the work is not started within seven days from now, the people will be forced to start an agitation,” said Lila Bangyall, leader of the Jauljibi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti.

The Jauljibi residents said their town was in peril as most of the settlements on the Kali banks, the bridge on the river linking India and Nepal, the Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) camp and a primary school were in danger of flooding if the water level in the river rises. “We are living in fear as the water level in the river will rise after three months when glaciers start melting due to the rise in the temperature during the summer and the monsoon will arrive soon after,” said Bangyal.

The sources in the district administration said over 20 settlements on the banks of the Gori, Kali and Dhauli rivers at various places in the district faced the threat of submergence if the water level in the rivers rises in the coming months. “We will have to construct embankments in these towns and villages as the banks of these rivers are very fragile and likely to fell apart. To save loss of property and lives strong embankments should be made along the banks of these rivers,” said Harish Dhami, Congress MLA from Dharchula.

The Irrigation Department, which has been entrusted with the work of making embankments in the affected areas, said it had done its duty by preparing the estimates of the work. It was waiting for the government to sanction money for the work. “We have sent an estimate of Rs 74.94 crore to the government for the construction of embankments along these rivers, which will in spate during the summer. We are waiting for the sanction of money to begin the construction work,” said PK Dikshit, Executive Engineer of the irrigation construction division.

However, Dikshit added even if the money was sanctioned now, seven months were required to construct embankments on these rivers in all affected places.

Harish Dhami, MLA, Dharchula, said he had already given an ultimatum to the state government on the construction of these embankments. If the government did not give the go-ahead for the construction of embankments in the right time, he would protest during the special session of the state Assembly beginning January 13. “I have made it clear to the government that we need embankments in place before the summer this year as more casualties are likely in these areas after the snow melts and the water level in the rivers rises,” said Dhami.

According to the Irrigation Department sources, over 80,000 people were likely to be affected if the embankments were not constructed before the monsoon arrives.

Shiksha acharayas hold march to Naithani’s house
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
Shiksha acharayas working in state government schools today organised a march to the residence of Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani in support of their demands. They have been on an agitation for the past more than 500 days.

The protesters raised slogans in front of Naithani's residence, forcing him to come out and talk to them.

The minister reportedly assured the protesters of taking up their demands with the Secretary, Education.

The protesting shiksha acharyas, however, alleged they had been given false assurances in the past also.

They said if the state government failed to accept their genuine demands this time, they would be forced to launch a statewide agitation.

Shiksha acharayas are demanding that they should be absorbed as shisksha mitrs.

Expert underlines need of community participation in forestry conservation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand, RBS Rawat has underlined the need of community participation in forestry.

Inaugurating a one-day seminar, "Strengthening training on forestry in India", organised by the Directorate of Forest Education (DFE) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr Rawat said community participation was the key to forestry conservation as it strengthened the bonds between man and forests.

“Forests are dependent on the community and vice versa. The role of community participation for the betterment of forestry is very important”, he said.

Rawat said state forest officials, who were in daily contact with local communities, should get a well-structured training. They could influence village communities and create awareness among them towards conservation.

He congratulated members of the JICA project for the successful completion of its first phase. He said the second phase of the project should be more beneficial and promising.

Earlier, Dharmendra Verma, Director, Forest Education, Ministry of Environment and Forests, welcomed the participants and gave an overview of the workshop.

Chief adviser, JICA project, Yasuhisa Tanaka presented a summary of the accomplishments achieved by the project so far.

Members of JICA Indian office, New Delhi, senior state forest officials and academicians attended the seminar.

Cabinet to discuss medicos’ demands
Doctors continue wearing black bands
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
Government doctors owing allegiance to the Provincial Medical Health Services (PMHS) continued their protest by wearing black bands in support of their demands. The protest (just for the name sake) is expected to end after the government brings before the Cabinet their three main demands for approval.

Minister for Health Surinder Singh Negi had already announced his intention to bring the proposal of cadre merger, increase of posts for joint directors and increment after a period of three and five years respectively in tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.

“Among our 14-point charter of demands, some of them have been addressed and we will have to wait for the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. However, the issue of implementation of direct assured career progression (DACP) will only be addressed after the end of the special session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly beginning from January 13,” said Dr SK Goswami, general secretary of the PMHS.

Nurses, who are also boycotting work, too are banking on tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting. They are hoping that their main demand of enhancement of grade pay would also come up in the meeting.

Laboratory technicians of government hospitals, who had been boycotting OPD services, would resume their duties from tomorrow, said Rakesh Rawat, president of the Uttarakhand Medical Laboratory Technician Association here today.

“We will resume the OPD services from tomorrow. Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi has assured us that our demand regarding up gradation of grade pay will be sorted out,” said Rawat.

Technicians have been boycotting their OPD duties since October. They were providing services to IPD patients only. Yesterday, they had gone on a mass casual leave to press for their demands. After their talks with the Health Minister proved fruitful, technicians announced their decision to call off their boycott today.

Centre sanctions Green Bonus
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
The long-standing demand of the state for Green Bonus has been fulfilled. The Union Planning Commission has decided to provide two per cent of the total budget allotted to a state seeking Green Bonus from the commission as part of compensation for the forest conservation that comes at the cost of development.

Uttarakhand has been constantly demanding a Green Bonus in lieu of its environment conservation efforts for past many years.

Dr RS Tolia, a member of the select committee of the Union Planning Commission, said the committee was of the firm view that contribution of the forest predominant Himalayan states towards environment conservation must be recognised.

Ex-servicemen demand all medical facilities under ECHS
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
Dehradun Ex-Servicemen's League has demanded that all the medical facilities which are locally available be provided to them under ECHS.

Brig KG Behl (retd), president of the league, in a statement said that it has been reported that many of the facilities which are available in the empanelled hospitals / dispensaries /diagnostic centres are being denied to ex-servicemen as the low rates quoted by the ECHS authorities are not acceptable to these empanelled hospitals and only a few facilities are being provided.

He said that even those few facilities are also not being provided since the payments are not being made in time. He, therefore, suggested that the rates of various facilities in ECHS be raised so that they become acceptable to the empanelled bodies and those are available to the patients.

He further said that despite hike in the pay scales for doctors in ECHS, no specialist is prepared to join and the posts are lying vacant for long time, due to which patients are finding difficult as most of the cases required to be referred to empanelled hospitals need recommendations of the specialists. Though the services of Military Hospital are being utilised but it takes more time and inconvenience in referring those off and on. This aspect needs to be dealt with immediately and their pay should be increased so that some specialist could be engaged.

He said that it has been felt that as and when any doctor goes on leave the pressure comes on other doctors and at times it becomes difficult to deal with the situation. There should be a leave reserve to cater for the exigencies so that patients are not made to wait for long periods.

Brig Behl (retd) said that although military hospital had been shifted to the new building where better facilities are likely to be provided, specialists in different departments are not yet posted. ''At a place like Dehradun where MH looks after a very big area ,such specialists/super specialists should be immediately posted,'' he added.

Tusker steps on power line, dies
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
A-50-year-old elephant died from electrocution in the Bibiwala-Rishikesh range of the Dehradun forest division today.

It accidentally stepped on a high-tension power line while feeding on a tree. The incident occurred in the early morning.

On December 25 last year, an elephant aged around 25 years had died near the Rajaji National Park in the same manner.

Bharat Scouts, Guides must spread info that TB is curable, says doctor
Tribune News Service

Dignataries during a workshop on TB control in Dehradun on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, January 7
Calling upon the members of Bharat Scouts and Guides to join in the battle of eradication of TB from the state with the Department of Health, Dr JS Jangpangi today said that half the battle against the spread of TB could be won if the members of Bharat Scouts and Guides disseminated information that it is curable through the regular use of medicines.

Speaking today at the state-level workshop for Bharat Scouts and Guides, Dr Jangpangi said, “There is a need to spread information about the effectiveness of medicines and their regular use in curing TB. But people often do not approach the doctors due to the fear that they may be stigmatised,” he said.

While Dr Prem Lal, Director, National Programme, said that there is a magical change in the patient once he begins to take medicines.

“Now there are machines that can check TB within a span of two hours and even the therapy has become simple and quick,” he said.

He emphasised on the need to ensure regular check-up for TB for patients suffering from AIDS/HIV and vice-versa for those suffering from TB.

Dr A. Dimri, State Tuberculosis Officer, said, “We are here to create social community mobilisation for TB, train the scouts and guides on the effects of TB on the state and the individual. There is sure cure for TB and free services are available at all government centres,” he said.

Narinder, secretary of Bharat Scouts and Guide, said that 77,000 strong workers were ready to assist the Department of Health in its battle against TB.

Bank employees plan 2-day boycott from 
January 20
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
While protesting in support of their demand for wage revision here on Monday, the bank employees' unions under the banner of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) announced that they would be going on a two-day boycott on January 20.

The UFBU members informed that the bank employees are going to hold a massive rally in the state capital on January 10 before the boycott scheduled on January 20 and 21.

The convener of UFBU, Jagmohan Mendiratta, said, “The wage revision of bank employees is due for the last 14 months but the government and the Indian Banking Association (IBA) have no time to pay heed to our wage revision demand.”

According to UFBU, the government agreed of giving 5% wage increase during the talks between bank employees and the government on December 18 last year, which is not acceptable to the bank employees, as they are claiming that they got 17.5% increase last year while the inflation has surged in the last couple of months.

Qureshi's assurance to mid-wives

Dehradun, January 7
A delegation of part-time midwives (voluntary workers) who work at family welfare sub-centres of Health Department called on Governor Aziz Qureshi yesterday.

They demanded that they be given an increase in honorarium.They also said that midwives who had put in 30 to 35 years of service should be given work as daily wagers in government hospitals or as contractual workers in government hospitals. — TNS

Former CM releases book
Tribune News Service

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank releases a book at a function in Dehradun on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, January 7
Former Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank released a book named ‘From the Pages of a Diary’ written by Dr Rajdhar, an educationist, in the city today.

Nishank said it was a matter of concern that people were losing interest in reading books.

“The youth in particular are more inclined towards internet than reading. We need to develop a habit of reading among them and literary people can play an important role in doing it,” he added.

JP Sharma, Jitendra Joshi, Dr Shashank, Dr Naveen Ahuja and Dr Rajesh Bahuguna were present on the occasion.

Statehood agitators continue protest

Dehradun, January 7
Women members of the Uttarakhand Identified Rajya Andolankari Sangathan continued their dharna at Shaheed Sthal on the sixth consecutive day today.

They are demanding the identification of all statehood agitators who had participated in the agitation for a separate state of Uttarakhand and other facilities for them and their families. They alleged for the past 13 years, the successive state governments had been ignoring the demands of the statehood agitators. The protesters demanded that statehood agitators be properly honoured and their grievances heard. — TNS

Tiger footprints found in Chila range of Rajaji park
Area opened to tourists, wildlife lovers
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 7
With Chila range of Rajaji National Park being incorporated as protected Tiger Reserve buffer zone, the recent survey done at this range has found many footprints of tiger.

A survey carried out for the past seven days has brought a smile on the faces of park officials and wildlife lovers as Mundal, Luni and Meethawali spots of Chila range falling in Pauri Garhwal district have revealed footmarks of half a dozen tiger species.

From today onwards the gates of Chila range of the park have once again been opened for the tourists and wildlife lovers.

Tourists and local people from early morning itself thronged the Chila range to get the wildlife gypsy safari experience in this New Year.

Chila range ranger DP Uniyal said that final details of the survey will be collected, analysed and revealed in the coming days. He added that certainly the various teams for this survey had found sizeable number of footprints of tiger, leopard, beer, hyena and elephants for the past few days, which bodes well for the wildlife in the park area.

Wildlife warden NB Sharma said that a large number of wildlife species footprints were also found on the 30 km odd safari track in the Chila range, which points that during tourist season they refrain from coming on to the track due to tourist and vehicle congestion.

Wildlife scientist Ritesh Joshi cited need of similar surveys on regular basis, at east annually to arrive at the approximate number of strength of elephants, tigers, beas, leopardsand others in the national park.

Notably,Rajaj National Park falls in three districts, Pauri Garhwal, Haridwar and Dehradun, spread over 820 sq km area coming into existence in 1984.The park, apart from home to Asian elephant (elephas maximus), possesses as many as two dozen-odd species of mammals, 315 bird species and 40-odd reptile species, making it a paradise for the wildlife lovers.

Tourists are also quite impressed with the natural serene environment of the park, with on the one hand holy river Ganga flowing, while on the other side Shivalik mountain forest range in the backdrop, giving them a unique experience.

Govt to seek EC nod to continue works
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
To prevent stalling of restoration and rebuilding works due to the imposition of the model code of conduct for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in the disaster affected areas, the state government is planning to approach the Election Commission (EC) of India for permission to continue works.

Usually the model code of conduct is imposed 40 days before the elections. According to the Election Commission of India guidelines, the governments are disallowed to carry new works. To prevent such a situation, the Uttarakhand government is planning to approach the Election Commission of India to seek exemptions.

“During the period when the model code of conduct is in place, the development activity comes to a standstill and the state suffers. The uncertainty continues till the time the results are not announced. As Uttarakhand is reeling under the impact of the natural disaster and has recently started sanctioning of projects, it is worried that once code is imposed several new projects may not be passed. So, it is keen to approach the Election Commission of India with its requests,” said a senior official.

During the last Assembly elections, when the model code was in place, the EC had not stopped the ongoing projects, but it provided an excuse for the government employees to shun work. In the current situation, the state government will have to roll out all new projects and also give financial sanctions in the coming six months as such the code could prove a dampener.

MP takes govt to task over disaster relief
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
CPM MP Tapan Sen today accused the state government of failing to provide succour to the victims of the natural disaster in the state last year.

Addressing party workers in Dehradun, Sen said even after over six months of the disaster, the state government was yet to reopen several roads and other public utilities.

Sen said replying to his query in Parliament recently, Defence Minister AK Antony had said the Border Roads Organisation would soon reopen roads in the disaster- affected areas, but the work was yet to begin.

He alleged most of the disaster victims were living in the open and the compensation provided to them was inadequate. Sen said his party would keep pressuring the Centre and the Prime Minister to speed up relief and rehabilitation works.

PWD to finish restoration work in two months
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
With Rs 84 crore in its kitty, the state PWD has aimed to complete 8 per cent of the restoration work of roads, bridges and highways which were damaged in the mid-June disaster last year, in the next two months.

The PWD faced an onerous task of carrying out restoration work on 38 damaged state highways, 109 major district roads, 16 motor bridges, 1,358 village roads, 159 other district roads, 76 bridle roads and 147 bridle bridges for which the state government will receive four years assistance under the World Bank and three years assistance under the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“As a first installment, we have received Rs 84 crore for the PWD from the two lending agencies and we hope to complete eight per cent of the restoration work in the affected areas in the next two months. The high powered administration and the financial committee chaired by Chief Secretary gave permission to execute the works and we will soon go ahead with the process of inviting bids for the projects,” said Dilip Jawalkar, Additional Secretary to Chief Minister.

The World Bank has pledged Rs 970.30 crore for carrying out restoration works under the Uttarakhand Disaster Recovery Project (UDRP) for roads and bridges for four years.

While the ADB pledged Rs 636 crore under the Uttarakhand Emergency Assistance Project for restoration works.

Body of girl found in field
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 7
In a sensational incident the body of a 13-year-old girl, Sandhya, was found in a nearby agricultural field of her house here today at Pherupur village falling under Pathri police station.

As soon as the news spread of the body, villagers in large numbers accompanied by Haridwar Rural segment legislator Swami Yatishwaranand arrived at the district hospital.

The girl hailing from a lower caste family was studying at Navodaya Vidyalaya in class VIIth and had come to her home during the ongoing winter holidays.

She had gone to a nearby agricultural field but when she did not come back for quite some time, her parents went for her search and found her body in the fields.

Circle officer Chandra Mohan Singh Negi who arrived at the village within a short span of time took the girl to hospital, where she was adjudged brought dead by doctors.

The girl's body has been send for postmortem, while the police is looking into the angle of molestation and attempt to rape in the.

Till the filing of this report family members had not lodged any complaint at the police station.

SSP, Haridwar, Rajiv Swarup, has sought an explanation from Pherupur police post in charge regarding the whole matter.

Bhatt: Govt has failed on health front
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 7
The Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt has criticised the Bahuguna government for miserably failing in handling the problems related to employees of the Health Department.

''Not only has the government failed in addressing the day-to-day health problems of the people of the state but has also failed to handle the employees of the Department of Health, who are not given a patient hearing,'' he said. He said that the Department of Health is the most important department but the Uttarakhand government has failed to take the employees into confidence and solve their genuine grievances. ''Take the case of the nurses, the government should have accepted their main demand of enhancement of grade pay,''? he said.