Awareness level in maths low among rural children: Survey
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
The awareness level in arithmetic among rural children studying in government schools in Uttarakhand continues to be low and two out of every three children in class V could not divide a three digit by one digit.

This was stated in the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), (Rural) 2013, released by Pratham, an NGO, today.

“The percentage of children in government schools, who could not do division sums in standard five, has declined from 48.7 per cent in 2010 to 23.9 per cent in 2013. This is a drop of 24.8 percentage points within three years,” the report has said.

Further, the proportion of children in Class III who could not solve simple two-digit subtraction problems with borrowing has increased from 60.2 per cent in 2010 to 69.7 per cent in 2013.

In Uttarakhand, the ASER 2013 covered nine districts, excluding Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithoragarh, that suffered severe destruction in flash floods last year. A total of 250 villages, 5,092 households and over 6,453 children were covered by the survey. The final report would be presented in March, this year.

In a setback to the efforts of the Department of School Education to promote Continuous and Compulsory Evaluation in Schools (CCES), only 39.1 per cent of the total number of teachers knew about CCES, had received manual reading material and were also able to show to the volunteers from Pratham.

“On the other hand, 10.6 per cent of the teachers had not heard about CCES, while 28 per cent of them had heard about it but did not receive any manual (provided by the government). At the same time 22.2 per cent of the teachers said they had received manuals but could not show it to the volunteers,” said the report. CCES refers to a school-based assessment system that covers all aspects of students’ development. It has been introduced in all government schools in Uttarakhand.

However, the enrollment in schools in the 6 to 14 age group continues to be very high but the percentage of out of school children in the older age groups, especially among girls, remains high.

“About 9 per cent of the total number of children in the 15 to 16 age group are still out of school, 6.3 per cent of boys and over 17 per cent of girls are not enrolled anywhere. The higher proportion of out of school girls highlights their vulnerability to leaving school education,” said Willima Wadhwa, Director, ASER Centre. 

Ministerial staff demand removal of anomalies in salaries
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
The ministerial employees under the banner of Uttarakhand Federation of Ministerial Services Association, held a protest at the Parade Ground demanding removal of anomalies in the salaries in the state ministerial staff cadre.

While addressing the protesting employees, Sushil Joshi, district president of the association, said, "Anomalies have risen in the salaries of ministerial employees as compared to their counterparts in the Central government or the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. The state government must take immediate action to remove such anomalies."

They said other state government employees, who were getting less salary than the ministerial employees, started getting more salaries after the implementation of Sixth Pay Commission in the state.

Now, the ministerial employees are demanding that their salaries must be in parity with that of the ministerial employees in Uttar Pradesh.

Rs 21 crore fine imposed on errant mining leaseholders

Dehradun, January 16
The newly set up Mining Vigilance Force's crackdown on illegal mining in the state has raised eyebrows of many powerful people who have stakes in the illegal business. But the alleged involvement of officials of the Mining and Forest Departments in illicit mining is surely worrying.

Officials working with the Mining Vigilance Force have accepted unofficially that they have found involvement of lower-rung staff in the Forest Department in the illegal mining. Even the role of officials in the Mining Department is under scanner.

''The truck drivers and others involved in illegal mining, which were held by the force, have told us that they pay extra money to the employees in the Forest Department to let the trucks pass without checking,'' said one official.

The Tribune has learned that the officials in the Mining Vigilance Force are contemplating registering cases under anti-corruption law against such errant officers and mining mafia and forward the cases to the CB-CID for further investigations.

When contacted, DIG and head of Mining Vigilance Force, Sanjay Gunjyal, said: ''We are working round the clock to check illegal mining in the state and we have carried raids at some places, which are notorious for illegal mining in the state and have taken action against the owners and leaseholders.''

The Mining Vigilance Force has carried out raids in work areas such as Haldwani, Vikasnagar, Rudrapur and Haridwar. They have also imposed a fine of Rs 21 crore on the errant mining owners and leaseholders. In its last raid, the force raided some mining sites at Haridwar district and seized 3 dumpers and 5 JCBs and started the process of recovering Rs 3 crore as fine from the owner of the mining site. — TNS

Agitating nurses refuse to yield to pressure
No work, no pay fails to have any impact; class IV staff hold protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
As their patience gave way, angry nurses and class IV employees who had been boycotting duties in support of their demands, erupted into anti-government sloganeering, at the Doon Hospital on Thursday.

The government's decision to impose no work, no pay failed to have any impact on the nurses, who continued to boycott two shifts even today.

"On November 11, 2013, we had warned the government not to go ahead with the enhancement of grade pay of the pharmacists, but they went ahead and issued the order on December 31, 2013, unmindful of the consequences. As a result of this announcement, the latest increase of Rs 7,600 is more than that of the doctors and nurses whose qualifications are higher than the pharmacists," rued Anjana Bhowmick, President of the Uttarakhand Nurses' Service Association.

In fact, this selective hike in grade pay by the Department of Medical, Health and Family Welfare for Pharmacists has irked both the nurses and the doctors.

Bhowmick added: "Selective increase of grade pay should end, as the move has left the medical fraternity divided. The government's attitude is discriminatory and it should either withdraw the order or enhance our grade pay too."

Dr LK Gusain, Director of Doon group of hospitals, said the provision of no work, no pay would be implemented from January 1 as the impasse is affecting the functioning of the hospitals. "How long can we continue with ad-hoc arrangements? We are answerable to the patients as we have to provide them best care,” said Gusain.

Meanwhile, the nurses continued to remain defiant and said they were ready to go to jail, if need be. “We will not yield to pressure and the health minister's empty promises,” said Laxmi Punetha, media in charge.

Barring the emergency and the post-mortem duties, the class IV employees also did not discharge their duties and staged a protest near the Blood Bank of Doon Hospital.

From tomorrow we will stage a two-hour boycott of duties, which would continue till January 25, said MS Negi, President of class-IV State Employees' Association.

Investment Subsidy
Industries welcome decision, even as BJP remains critical
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
By promising an investment subsidy, only in tone and tenor, the extension of a special package for Uttarakhand by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) may not rival with the original special package announced during the tenure of the UPA government.

Nevertheless, battling harsh economic conditions, the business community has welcomed this announcement.

A negative sentiment has prevailed due to the withdrawal of the special package, at least now there is something positive coming our way and as an eternal optimist I welcome the move, said Pankaj Gupta, President of Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU).

He added: When the special industries package was announced by the NDA government under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003 for of ten years, it comprised of three components i.e. concessions in central excise, investment tax holiday and investment subsidy. However when the UPA government came to power, it withdrew the first component in 2010, the second in 2012 and the third in 2013.

"What we have now is an extension of the investment subsidy package, which expired on January 7, 2013. According to the latest initiative, it will be extended till March 2017. Now, the cap on investment subsidy has been increased and the medium and small scale industries can avail subsidy till Rs 50 lakh," said Gupta.

Another benefit that has come with the latest announcement is the cut-off date, if the industries register immediately and meet the investment requirement later, they would still be eligible for a subsidy.

On the other hand, taking the Bahuguna-government to task, senior BJP leader Umesh Agarwal said the government had miserably failed the industries sector battling recession. He said, "What we were looking at was a tax holiday that came to an abrupt end in 2010. The Congress government has never taken any decisions in the interest 
of Uttarakhand."

 Industry hails extension of special package for state
Tribune News service

Dehradun, January 16
Apex industry body ASSOCHAM today welcomed the five-year extension of special package of industrial incentives to Uttarakhand.

“It will give much needed thrust for industrial promotion and new job opportunities in the flood-ravaged state of Uttarakhand. There is an urgent need for speedy and overall effective development of the state,” noted the Uttarakhand Development Council of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) while hailing the decision undertaken by the Union government in a press release, today.

“Agro-based industries, woollen, silk and artificial thread based clothes, ready-made garments and embroidery, wood and furniture, leather, repairing and services, handloom, handicraft, metals and others have suffered grave losses in the wake of massive floods that hit the state last year,” said DS Rawat, national secretary general of ASSOCHAM.

“The state government must engage the private sector and take investor-friendly initiatives to boost the investment scenario in Uttarakhand and spur job creation as the state had been jolted by massive job losses after the recent flash floods,” said Rawat. “Uttarakhand is naturally disadvantaged owing to the dearth of industrial land and significant logistical problems like transportation, as such the state must be given due support by the Central government for swift development considering the rising competition amid states to lure maximum investments from both public and private sources,” he said.

“The state government in collaboration with the private sector must develop industrial areas equipped with requisite industrial infrastructure facilities like roads, drains and integrated power lines. Besides, industrially backward regions must be promoted through cluster development approach based on PPP model to spur investment and employment scenario,” said ASSOCHAM.

The state government should promote growth and development of small scale industries, cottage industries, handicrafts, floriculture and horticulture to spurt employment. Besides, the government should also provide financial assistance and food security to unemployed individuals and their families through non-profit organisations (NGOs) and self-help groups.

Besides, the state government should also provide industrial finance at concessional rates, clearances through a single-window system and provide avenues for self employment opportunities to boost these sectors.

Considering the poor land availability in the state, ASSOCHAM has recommended that identified land should be allotted wisely according to the feasibility and other compliances of the project.

 Enforce ban on quarrying in riverbed strictly: Matra Sadan
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 16
The Matra Sadan ashram has demanded strict enforcement of the ban on quarrying in the Ganga riverbed in Haridwar.

Swami Shivanand, founder of the Matra Sadan, appreciated the recent action of the anti-mining vigilance squad led by IPS officer Sanjay Gunjiyal against illegal stone crushers. He said still many stone crushers and quarrying firms were operating illegally.

Shivanand pointed out that quarrying in Haridwar was banned last year but it was still going on secretly, thus posing a threat to the Ganga riverbed and depriving the government of revenue. He said they had been following closely decisions of courts, governments, the Environment Ministry and the activities of the quarrying mafia in Haridwar.

He said the Matra Sadan would not allow the Ganga riverbed to be exploited in the name of quarrying. He questioned the statement of the Union Minister for Water Resources, Harish Rawat, advocating scientific quarrying in the region.

He added that according to scientific and environment point of view natural quarrying was one thing and quarrying with the help of machinery another.

A large scale quarrying in the Ganga riverbed had affected its sanctity and flow. A flood-like situation was caused in Haridwar recently due to Illegal quarrying, he added. The Matra Sadan has serious reservation about hydroelectric projects being implemented in the state.

“We oppose the construction of hydropower projects in the state and have also held mass agitations against the projects being implemented without environment clearance.

“The natural disaster in June last year has exposed the policy of making Uttarakhand an “Urja Pradesh” as the maximum damage was caused in the eco-sensitive zone from the Gangotri-Gaumukh to the Uttarkashi-Rudraprayag belt,” said Shivanand.

 Don’t impose power cuts during bird festival: DM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
Dehradun District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam has directed Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited officials not to impose power cuts in the city during the Uttarakhand Spring Bird Festival beginning at Asan Conservation Reserve from February 7 to 9.

Presiding over a meeting held to discuss preparations for the festival, Purushottam directed officials to install signages of the festival to facilitate the movement of tourists.

He gave orders for the closure of paddle boating at Asan Lake during the festival. He asked the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) to make accommodation arrangements at the Asan guest house.

The DM also called for setting up canvas tents. The district tourism officer has been asked to contact local residents near Asan to arrange additional accommodation arrangements and take available accommodations on rent for three days. Health officials have been asked to ensure the availability of a mobile ambulance and doctors during the festival.

Chief Conservator of Forests (Eco Tourism) Rajeev Bhartari apprised the District Magistrate about various activities planned for the festival.

He said lessons on bird-watching skills, an exhibition on bird conservation, birds photography and a call recording workshop will be part of the itinerary.

Officials from the Tourism Department, the Forest Department, the GMVN, the Irrigation Department and the Power Department were present at the meeting.

 Nani Palkhivala Civil Liberties Award for RLEK chairperson
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
Renowned human rights activist and known defender of civil liberties Avdhash Kaushal, chairperson, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), an NGO based in Dehradun and fighting for the cause of deprived society for the past more than four decades, was awarded the 9th Nani Palkhivala Civil Liberties Award by the chairperson of the panel of judges for the award, Justice (Mrs.) Sujata Manohar (retd), at a function held in Mumbai today.

Nani Palkhivala Award for Civil Liberties was instituted in 2005 and was conferred on Aruna Rai and Maza Daruwalla. The objective of the award is to honour individuals and organisations who have displayed extraordinary initiative in the preservation and defence of civil liberties in India.

RLEK under the leadership of Avdash Kaushal has expanded its activities and spread to various areas, including, in particular legal aid and legal literacy. RLEK was the first to start legal aid and legal literacy for the socially disadvantaged communities in the country, much before the country had thought of, since lack of legal literacy and non-availability of legal process on account of poverty, indigence and ignorance was the biggest hurdle in the way of securing social justice to the underprivileged sections of society.

Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976, was passed in 1976. However, after strenuous lobbying by RLEK, presence of 19,000 bonded labourers in the blocks of Chakrata and Kalsi of Dehradun, Purola and Mori of Uttarkashi, and Jaunpur block of Tehri district was officially accepted, and they were freed by the Government of India.

RLEK, deeply concerned by environmental havoc caused by limestone mining which was disturbing not only the hydrology of the area but was also disturbing the ecological balance, animal husbandry, agriculture, tourism, which was more sustainable otherwise, filed a PIL before the Supreme Court against the mighty and rich limestone contractors supported by powerful industrialists and politicians. The apex court ordered the closure of as many as 101 limestone quarries in the hills around Mussoorie. This decision also led to the enactment of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986.

Avdhash Kaushal served with distinction as a faculty member of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. He relinquished the post at the academy by taking voluntary retirement with a view to concentrating his energies as a full-timer in the cause of the marginalised, deprived and exploited sections of society.

He has been instrumental in organising and empowering the long neglected hill communities of Uttarakhand and the forest dwelling pastoral nomadic tribe of Van Gujjars. Right from the outset he has been driven by the motto, “Include the excluded” and “Reach the unreached”.

Justice (Mrs) Sujata Manohar, aformer Judge of the Supreme Court and also the chairperson of the selection committee for the award, read the citation for Avdhash Kaushal in the presence of many dignitaries and awarded him with a cheque of 
Rs 2.50 lakh and a citation. 

Services awarded

The Nani Palkhivala Award for Civil Liberties was instituted in 2005 and was conferred upon Aruna Rai and Maza Daruwalla. The objective of the award is to honour individuals and organisations that have displayed extraordinary initiative in the preservation and defence of civil liberties in India.

 River rafting centre at Jauljibi proposed
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, January 16
The district tourism advisory committee at a meeting here today passed proposals to construct a river rafting centre at Jauljibi, beautify Khalia Top in Munsiyari subdivision from snow skiing point of view and develop river rafting facilities at Jhoolaghat and track routes to the Chipla Kedar valley in the Baram area to facilitate rafting in the Kali river.

The meeting passed the proposals stressing that Pithoragarh district needed track routes up to Chipla Kedar in the Baram area of Munsiyari subdivision to facilitate trackers, who come from across the country for tracking during autumn. “The committee has especially proposed increasing facilities for snow skiing at Munsiyari, setting up of an adventure sports academy at Didihat and a river rafting academy at Jauljibi as nodal points for tourism development in the district,” said Dr Anand Srivastava, Chief Development Officer, Pithoragarh, who chaired the meeting.

Srivastava said the committee also instructed the district tourism officer to make proposals for developing Birthi village in Munsiyari as a tourist village to make it an ideal tourist destination. 

  UJVNL achieves target early

Dehradun, January 16
Uttarakhand Jal Vidhyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) has generated 375 million units of power from Khodri hydropower project till January 14, thereby achieving its target of 375 million units of power for the current financial year.

Vimal Dabral, Assistant Public Information Officer, Uttarakhand Jal Vidhyut Nigam Limited, said despite tough conditions the Khodri hydropower project achieved its power generation target before time.

UJVNL’s managing director GP Patel expressed happiness over the power project achieving power generation target for the current financial year. He said proper upkeep and timely repair of machines had ensured uninterrupted power generation. — TNS

 Manch seeks free water, relief in sewerage tax
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 16
On the lines of lucrative announcements such as providing free water and electricity, demands of taking similar steps in the state are also being raised. Social outfit Rashtriya Krantikari Manch has initiated a mass movement against the rise in sewerage tax being imposed in Haridwar and slashing water bills by 50per cent.

Ambrish Kumar, founder of the organisation, started a three-day agitation at Chandracharya square, demanding wavier of sewerage tax on the residents of the pilgrim city.

Citing past year examples, where sewer lines were laid during the Maha Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh fair, by central government nodal agencies, Kumar stated if sewer lines were being laid by Central or Kumbh fair funds, how come the Jal Sansthan department of Uttarakhand was levying exorbitant taxes on the local people?

The ex-legislator also demanded more responsibilities for the Municipal Corporation to provide civic facilities; else government departments would just levy newer taxes every now and then.

Pointing to corruption and lack of vision among local politicians and bureaucracy, Ambrish said owing to the Kumbh mela, crores are allocated for Haridwar, but it was a shame that not even half of these funds were utilised properly.

Social activist Murali Manohar said despite Uttarakhand being the land of rivers, local people were facing surcharges, which was quite shocking.

Manch member Dharampal, Varun Baliyan, Gowaksh Joshi, Sanjay Valmiki, Shameem Ahmed, Rekha Gupta, among others were participated in the agitation.

 Khanduri praises govt for raising payment to PVC awardees
Tribune News service

Dehradun, January 16
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri has lauded the decision of the Uttarakhand government to raise the one-time payment to winners of Param Vir Chakra (PVC) from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh and to Vir Chakra winners from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

In a statement issued here today, Khanduri said it was his government in the state that had enhanced the payment to the Param Vir Chakra winners from Rs 1.75 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, the Ashok Chakra winners from Rs 1.45 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, the Kirti Chakra winners from Rs 87,000 to Rs 15 lakh, the Vir Chakra winners from Rs 57,000 to Rs 10 lakh and the Shaurya Chakra winners from Rs 45,000 to Rs 10 lakh.

He claimed that his government had taken a number of steps to ameliorate the lot of the ex-servicemen. and hoped that the present government would take it forward.

 Jobless pharmacists stage dharna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
Demanding filling of 3,000 posts of diploma pharmacist, members of the Unemployed Diploma Pharmacist Association today staged a dharna near the Parade Ground.

SP Badoni, president of the association, alleged the government had been giving them false promises that they would soon fill 3,000 vacant posts. However, nothing had been done so far.

“Most of us were trained in 1998 but till date none of us have been absorbed against vacant posts,” said Badoni.

He said 1,226 posts of pharmacist were lying vacant at various sub-centres in the state but no effort had been made to fill them. 

 Property dealer shot dead 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
A property dealer was allegedly shot dead by unidentified persons at his house in Doon Vihar, Jakhan, last night. According to information, the deceased, Firoz Ali, was a property dealer and used to live in a rented accommodation at Doon Vihar in Jakhan along with his family.

Last night, some unidentified persons forcibly entered his house while looking for a person namely Rahul, who is the deceased's neighbour.

Firoz told them that Rahul lives next to his house and that they must leave his house immediately, which irked one of the assailants who allegedly opened fire at Firoz and fled the scene.

Meanwhile, his neighbours and family members came out hearing the gunshot and found Feroz lying on the floor in an unconscious state. He was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

According to sources, Feroz did not have a cordial relationship with Rahul. Rahul even reportedly refused to take Firoz to hospital in his car.

On basis of suspicion, the police have detained Rahul for interrogation.

Feroz hailed from Roorkee in Haridwar district and had recently shifted to Dehradun due to his property business.

 NGO to start skill-training plan for beggars
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
In an effort to deal with the persistent problem of begging on city’s junctions, District Magistrate (DM) BVRC Purushottam took a meeting with officials at his camp office here today.

During the meeting, DM told the officials that the problem of begging is more acute at 7-9 trafficlight junctions where beggars including small children and women troubles motorists. He directed the officials to make a plan to control street begging in Dehradun.

He specifically directed SP City and Commandant Home guard to place one constable and one home guard jawan at every trafficlight junction to keep a close vigil on the beggars and handover them to NGO called ‘Aasra’. The entertainment tax officer was told to run a slide show in the city’s movie theatres to seek help of the people in curbing the menace.

On the other hand, Saina Baijnath of NGO Aasra, informed that the organisation is going to start a skill-training programme for the street beggars from Monday at the Parade Ground and participating street beggars will be given incentives for the next three months.

Meanwhile, the district administration is going to start an anti-begging campaign from 20 January from Ashley Hall, administered by Chief Development Officer of Dehradun.

  Rally by Scouts and Guides

Dehradun, January 16
Rajeev Sharma, HQ Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Uttarakhand, expressed happiness over the successful completion of a state-level rally of Bharat Scouts and Guides, held in Dehradun recently.

Sharma disclosed the rally was held after 12 years. He said 451 Scouts and 550 Guides took part in the rally, which proved to be an effective platform for interaction among scouts and guides.—TNS

Constable killed in road mishap, pillion injured
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
A police constable was killed and another injured when they were coming back to Dehradun from Sahaspur, here today morning.

Virendra Rawat and Sunil, both residents of Sahaspur, left for Dehradun in the morning, but Rawat, who was driving the motorcycle lost control of the vehicle and both fell on the road.

The constables were rushed to Indresh Hospital, where Rawat succumbed to his injuries while Sunil was undergoing treatment.

Though it is still not clear why Rawat braked suddenly, but there is a high possibility according to the doctors that he might have suffered a severe heart attack while driving.

Girl dies in road accident
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
A 22-year-old college girl, Reshu, was killed after being hit by a truck near Shiv Lok Colony here this morning.

The accident took place when she was on her way to DAV College on a scooter. The truck hit her from behind. The police took her to the CMI hospital, where she died. 

Hospital provides free treatment to six patients with burn injuries

Haridwar, January 16
As part of its social initiative, Metro Hospital, SIDCUL, is providing free treatment to six persons who had sustained serious burn injuries in a LPG cylinder explosion at Rawli Mehdood village in Haridwar recently.

The victims, Sahveid (4), Rukshana (35), Jeeshan (8), Manish (11), Ushman (10) and Nazim (10), were admitted to the hospital on December 11. Since the victims belong to a poor family, the hospital authorities and doctor are making all efforts to provide the best possible treatment to them. Today, one of the injured was also discharged from the hospital.

Meanwhile, the hospital management has sought monetary help from social organisations, ashrams and local people for further treatment of the injured. CEO, Metro Hospital, DK Chopra has also urged people to contribute some money for their treatment. — TNS

Theft in Panchayati temple
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 16
Thieves are not even sparing temples in Dehradun. Unidentified persons broke into the famous Panchayati temple on Darshan Lal Chowk in Dehradun last night and took away a large amount of cash and bronze utensils.

According to the police, thieves broke the donation box kept in the temple and took away the cash. Meanwhile, the priest was shocked to see the broken donation box in the morning and he informed the members of the temple committee. A complaint of theft was registered in the Dhara police chowki later.