Transparent governance top priority, says Harish Rawat
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2
Chief Minister Harish Rawat said today that providing transparent administration to the people of the state and focusing on relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the disaster-affected areas were high on his list of priorities.

Addressing his first press conference after taking over as new Chief Minister, Harish Rawat said the policies introduced by his predecessor would continue.

He said he would ensure that the promises and programmes of the previous Chief Minister were also fulfilled and implemented. "There is a change of only one person in the government. The decisions taken by the previous Chief Minister will be implemented," he said.

Rawat added during his first meeting with officials, he directed them to categorise all promises and announcements for implementation. "We will review the progress of all these decisions and promises. I have asked Indira Hridayesh, Finance Minister, to prepare a status report on all these issues," he said.

Harish Rawat announced that he would run his government on consensus and in consultation with all his colleagues, party leaders and allies.

On the relief and rehabilitation efforts, He said he had asked the officials concerned to divide the disaster-affected areas into three zones. "A senior official with financial powers will be made in charge of each zone to supervise and coordinate relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. The final decision will taken at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for February 5," he said.

On the challenge posed by the Narendra Modi factor in the coming Lok Sabha elections, Harish Rawat said no factor other than the "service factor" would be effective. "We will win the confidence of the people by doing selfless service. It will be the deciding factor," he said.

Asked about increasing crime related to property, he said his predecessor had taken a commendable decision to form a special investigative team on riverbed mining, which had done good work. "I plan to have such teams for other issues to check the involvement of the mafias, particularly in property-related issues," he said.

Regarding less spending of budgets by various departments, Harish Rawat said he would review the situation at the Cabinet meeting on February 5 and propose to introduce the Himachal Pradesh model on budget spendings in the state.

Harish Rawat trying to do a Bahuguna
His camp eyeing BJP legislators to vacate seat for him to enter Assembly
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 2
There is speculation that Chief Minister Harish Rawat is trying to influence BJP legislators to vacate a seat for him so that he (Rawat) could contest from there to enter the Assembly. This is being seen as a political tactic and a master stroke as this way the BJP’s tally of legislators will go down in the state while Harish Rawat will get a seat to fight the election.

The pro-Harish Rawat group is trying to woo two legislators in the district. First-time legislator from the Ranipur-BHEL segment Aadesh Chauhan, who is at loggerheads with Haridwar district BJP president Kuldeep Gupta, is said to be close to Rawat. He had shared dais with Harish Rawat at many functions in the Haridwar constituency earlier.Lakshar legislator Sanjay Gupta is seen as the other leader being wooed by the Harish Rawat camp. Both BJP and Congress leaders are in touch with the aggressive legislator.

Though Aadesh Chauhan tried to play down the rumour saying he had always given importance to development and people’s issues. He added that the media had spread the rumour and the time would tell from where the new Chief Minister would contest. “It is a personal matter of Harish Rawat and the Congress. Why my name is being dragged into the matter is shocking,” he added.

While Sanjay Gupta said it was a conspiracy hatched by Congress local leaders, who want to create doubts about my integrity among BJP leaders. “Never had I tried for a red beacon, a political chair or an office of profit in my entire political career. I have always worked for the issues of the local people, farmers and the poor. Why will I try to change my party which has given me a political career, name and fame. It is just a Congress ploy and the media creation that my name is being dragged into the controversy,” he added.

Meanwhile, former city Congress president Purushottam Sharma, a close aide of Harish Rawat, did not deny that they were in touch with some BJP legislators. He said the time would tell from where the Chief Minister would contest as there were still six months to go.

Veteran Congress leader BJ Tejiyan said forner Sitarganj legislator Kiran Mondal, who was earlier in the BJP, vacated the seat for former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. Mondal took a wise decision as Sitarganj witnessed a lot of development after Bahuguna won from the seat.

“Now a similar opportunity is there for legislators of Haridwar of all parties. By vacating the seat for the Chief Minister, a legislator would get a lucrative post, and his constituency would get development projects,” added Tejiyan.

The district BJP president refuted the speculation saying that he was in touch with all five BJP legislators from the district and the Congress was trying to creating confusion because none of the party legislator wanted to give up his seat for Harish Rawat.

The BJP has five MLAs in the Haridwar constituency, which has a total of 11 Assembly segments.

Focus on Haridwar

• The pro-Harish Rawat group is trying to woo first-time legislator from the Ranipur-BHEL segment Aadesh Chauhan. He had shared dais with Harish Rawat at many functions in Haridwar
• Lakshar legislator Sanjay Gupta is seen as the other leader being wooed by the Harish Rawat camp.Sanjay Gupta said it was a conspiracy hatched by Congress leaders to create doubts about his integrity among BJP leaders

Tough times ahead for Harish Rawat
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2
The change of guard in Uttarakhand with senior Congress leader Harish Rawat taking over the reins of the state as the new Chief Minister is expected to bring in a change in bureaucracy and the political atmosphere in the state.

It would be a huge challenge for the wily Thakur leader belonging to the Kumaon region to not only speed up the development process in the disaster-ravaged state but also to consolidate the position of the ruling Congress, particularly in the light of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

It is expected that with Harish Rawat in the saddle, the state government will take more people-centric decisions as compared to the decisions taken by the previous Bahuguna government under the influence of the bureaucracy.

Harish Rawat being one of the tallest political leaders of the state is perhaps the only one who has following in each and every part of the state and cutting across party lines. Being one of the best political organizers, Harish Rawat being the first state Congress president after the formation of a separate state of Uttarakhand in November 2000 had worked tirelessly with the grass-roots party workers and leaders. Despite twice being denied the top post in the state by the party high command in 2002 and 2012, Harish Rawat continued to motivate party workers and leaders in each and every district of the state. It is a fact that no other political leader of any party can boast of having a large number of supporters from Uttarkashi in the east to Pithoragarh in the west. Over the years his political stature has grown as he took a calculated risk of shifting to the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat from his native Almora constituency after the later was reserved in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. He surprised every one by winning the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat for the Congress in 2009 by a margin of more than one lakh votes after a gap of 25 years. With this win, Harish Rawat broke the regional tag and emerged as the most popular Congress leader of the state.

However, the party high command has finally reposed faith in him by giving him the reins of the state at a crucial time when the Lok Sabha polls are nearing. After the massive devastation caused by the natural disaster in June 2013 a large affected population has been dissatisfied with the state government with regard to its relief and rehabilitation efforts. They are still looking towards the state government for rebuilding their devastated lives. Massive rebuilding efforts are needed in the state to reconstruct roads, bridges, culverts, schools and colleges.

It is believed that Harish Rawat as the head of the state government will push for speedy development and also convey his development message to the masses that have been completely disillusioned with Vijay Bahuguna and the Congress.

On the political front, Harish Rawat has started on a positive note by involving his bitter political rivals, namely Satpal Maharaj and Congress chief Yashpal Arya. There is little hope that infighting would cease in the state party unit as was witnessed in the Uttarakhand Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held on Friday to elect Harish Rawat as the new leader.

But it is a fact that his appointment as Chief Minister has enthused the grass-roots party workers in the state. This is a positive development for the Congress, which has been facing a political crisis of sort. It is expected that Harish Rawat would rejuvenate the party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The party had won all five seats in the Lok Sabha elections in 2009. However, it lost the byelection held for Tehri Garhwal seat vacated by former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in October 2012. It would be a tall order for Harish Rawat to put up a fight against the BJP in the forthcoming polls to secure a respectable winning score.

Huge workload

It will be a huge challenge for the wily Thakur leader belonging to the Kumaon region to not only speed up the development process in the disaster-ravaged state but also to consolidate the position of the ruling Congress, particularly in the light of the forthcoming Lok sabha elections.

CM calls on Qureshi at Raj Bhavan
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2
Newly appointed Chief Minister Harish Rawat made a courtesy call on Governor Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhavan here today.

After meeting the Governor, the Chief Minister met the Governor’s mother to take her blessings.

He also spoke to the Governor about his priorities for developing the state in accordance with the aspirations and expectations of the people.

Ticket aspirants glad to see Rawat become CM
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 1
Some Congress and BJP leaders, particularly in Haridwar district, are glad at the appointment of Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat as the Chief Minister of the state. They now see an opportunity for themselves to contest the Lok Sabha election from Haridwar to enter Parliament.

Harish Rawat had won the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat with a record margin of 1.15 lakh votes in 2009. He had defeated Swami Yatindranand Giri Maharaj of the BJP and Mohammed Shahzad of the BSP.

Rawat, owing to his political stature, has a hold on Dalit and Muslim voters as well as voters in the hill areas and plains. With Rawat, three-time MP from Almora, sworn in as the eighth Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, BJP ticket hopefuls Madan Kaushik, Naresh Bansal and other second line party leaders are dreaming of making it to Parliament for the first time in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The ticket aspirants in the Congress camp also seem to be a happier lot now. Harish Rawat will have to vacate the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat to move from Parliament to the state Assembly. Rawat said it was up to the Congress high command to select the candidate for the Haridwar seat.

Two months ago, Rawat had expressed his anguish over the working of Congress leaders and factionalism in the Haridwar district party unit. He said during almost five-year tenure in Haridwar as MP, he always felt there was lack of dedicated and grass-roots cadre in the constituency. His remarks had created a furore in the district-level politics.

“I don’t want to contest the next election as the new leadership should be given a chance. If one forgets the mainline leadership, there is no substantial second-rung leaders in the district, who could take the burden of taking Congress forward and win the trust of the voters,” Rawat had said.

LS seat up for grabs…

The ticket aspirants in the Congress camp also seem to be a happier lot now. Harish Rawat will have to vacate the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat to move from Parliament to the state Assembly. Rawat said it was up to the Congress high command to select the candidate for the Haridwar seat.

Rawat can't win LS elections for Congress: Koshiyari
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 2
BJP leader and former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari has said by appointing Harish Rawat as the Chief Minister of the state in place of Vijay Bahuguna the Congress cannot turn the tide in its favour in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Koshiyari told this correspondent over the phone from New Delhi that, "The new Congress Chief Minister can only be successful if he keeps his work above his family and party interests, which seems impossible for him."However, Koshiyari recognised Rawat's political experience and said he had risen from the grass-roots level and knows people's problems well. "Only if he rises above personal interests, he will be able to do work for the state," said Koshiyari,

Asked why the BJP did not try to form a government by taking 8 PDF legislators into confidence, the former Chief Minister said the Congress-led government was about to collapse and it would fall after the Lok Sabha elections. "The state will see a new government after the parliamentary elections," said Koshiyari.

Meanwhile, reacting to Harish Rawat's appointment as Chief Minister, UKD leader Kashi Singh Airy said the state had again become a victim to the negative politics of the national parties in which a leader was thrust upon local leaders. "By merely changing the Chief Minister, no good can be achieved. The Congress will face difficulties in providing basic facilities in the hill areas ," said Airy.

He added the main challenges before Harish Rawat were rehabilitation of the disaster-hit, declaration of Gairsain as the permanent capital and identification of real statehood agitators. "We will submita memorandum regarding these to the Chief Minister," said Airy.

No user charges on treatment in govt hospitals from April
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2
Beginning this April, the Department of Medical, Health and Family Welfare will abolish user charges on all treatment in government hospitals of the state, said Surinder Singh Negi, Minister for Medical Health and Family Welfare, recently.

He said the government had promised to abolish user charges so that the people could be insulated from the impact of rising inflation.

"We want to do away with the 10 per cent hike in user charges every year. It should have been done at the beginning of the year but, now, we have reached an agreement with the Centre that has agreed to help us by meeting the cost of health facilities in government hospitals," said Negi while speaking at a function to mark the achievement of providing “Kushiyon Ki Sawari” to one lakh families since March 30, 2013.

The Uttarakhand Government had provided 90 ambulances for carrying expectant mothers to the hospital and back home. The emergency Ambulance Service 108 is running the service in the state.

The Minister for Medical Health and Family Welfare said in the past two years, the Department of Medical, Health and Family Welfare had tried to improve the health services in the state by asking the union Government to increase the flow of funds under various schemes.

He added the Centre had agreed to provide funds in the ratio of 90:10 under the National Health Mission (NHM) and the per capita aid that was earlier pegged at 1.5 had been raised to 3.25.

Doon SSP attached to police headquarters
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2
The government attached SSP, Dehradun, Kewal Khuranna to the police headquarters with immediate effect today.

Khuranna has been attached to the police headquarters without any duty. This is being considered as the first step to remove the close confidants of former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in the Police Department. According to sources, Khuranna was considered as the personal choice of Bahuguna.

Bahugnua did not remove Khuranna despite immense pressure, even from within the party, on a number of occasions in the past. Khuranna is known for courting controversies on several occasions. He drew the wrath of the people for implementing a one-way traffic plan around Clock Tower. The matter was resolved with the intervention of the Chief Secretary, who stopped the experiment. He also received a lot of flak from senior police officers for his alleged failure to check crime in the city.

NGOs team up with govt to rebuild anganwadis

Dehradun, February 2
In a major initiative to reconstruct anganwadis damaged in the Purola Block of Uttarakshi in the natural disaster last year, a Dehradun-based NGO, Society for Inclusive Development (SFID), recently signed a joint agreement with the Department of Child and Women Development, Uttarakhand, and the Strides Foundation, a Bangalore-based organisation.

Under the agreement, the Strides Foundation along with the SFID would reconstruct eight partially and fully damaged anganwadis in the Purola Block of Uttarakshi district as part of their corporate social responsibility activities. District Magistrate, Uttarkashi, Sridhar Babu Adhanki appreciated the efforts of the Strides Foundation and the SFID and assured them of full support. He showed keen interest in visiting these locations and providing timely suggestions for the project to make these anganwadis a role model.— TNS

RinGside view
Fissures in Cong come to the fore at CLP meeting

Fissures in the Uttarakhand Congress came to the fore during the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) that took the decision that Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat would replace Vijay Bahuguna as the Chief Minister of the state. The old political rivalry between Satpal Maharaj, MP from Pauri Garhwal, and Harish Rawat was the highlight of the four-hour marathon meeting.

While Rawat tried to placate Satpal Maharaj by visiting his residence on the fateful day, the latter stuck to his stand. Later at the meeting Amrita Rawat, Tourism Minister and Satpal Maharaj's wife, questioned the logic of holding a CLP meeting. She said since the party high command had decided to appoint Harish Rawat as the new Chief Minister, there was no point in seeking the opinion of the party legislators. She reportedly even walked out of the meeting in protest and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had to placater her. Satpal Maharaj, who enjoys the support of six legislators, was also a contender for the top post but the party high command, particularly party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, had already made up his mind. Finally, sulking Satpal Maharaj left the Bijapur guest house where the meeting was held and his wife went to Raj Bhawan to take oath as a Cabinet minister in the Harish Rawat-led government.

Tough time for new CM's supporters

The change of guard in Uttarakhand has also brought an immediate change in the political landscape of the state capital. Outgoing Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna resigned on Friday, making it clear that Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat, would take over from him. However, the formality of electing him as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP ) was to be taken up at a meeting on Saturday. But impatient supporters of Harish Rawat pasted banners and posters, welcoming his appointment as Chief Minister. The posters and banners of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna disappeared overnight and those of Harish Rawat could be seen at all important points in the city even before his formal appointment. For supporters of new CM Harish Rawat, it was a long day yesterday. A large number of supporters started gathering at Parade Ground, Dehradun, early in the morning on Saturday as Rawat was supposed to address there after his swearing in ceremony at the Raj Bhawan.

While Harish Rawat was supposed to be at Parade Ground at 3.30 pm, he could only reach the venue at 7.30 pm. By then, it was already dark and the organisers had to make last minute arrangements for lights, which could only be done to a minimum. The supporters of the new CM had come all the way from Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat and other areas of Kumaon division. The region has been a stronghold of Harish Rawat for long as he hails from Kumaon. While Rawat’s supporters spent the entire day at the dusty venue, the evening was most disturbing due to the extreme cold at the ground.

Interestingly, those who had organised the programme continued to befool the people by making announcements that the new Chief Minister was on way to the venue and would reach shortly. The organisers also arranged crackers to keep the crowd to the venue in the cold. they even forced the aged supporters to sit inside their buses.

On other hand, the frequent changing of Chief Ministers by the BJP and the Congress has not gone down well with the people. According to political analysts, people are looking for the third option. As the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal has also been repeatedly rejected by people, there stands a good chance for the Aam Aadmi Party in the state.

(Contributed by SMA Kazmi and Jotirmay Thapliyal)

One hurt as mobike falls into gorge
Tribune News service

Dehradun, February 2
One person sustained grievous injuries while other went missing when the motorcycle they were riding fell into a gorge near Chunaa Khala on the Mussoorie-Dehradun road today. According to the police, the duo were riding a Hero Honda motorcycle (UK W 7303) and were on their way to Dehradun from Mussoorie when the driver lost control over the motorcycle and it fell into the 200-feet deep gorge. The injured has been identified as Vikas Kumar, a resident of Ravli Mehadd, Srikul, Haridwar. The other one riding pillion, who has gone missing, has been identified as Rohit, who also hails from the same area.

The police rescued the injured and admitted him to a medical centre in Dehradun. Police station in charge Vipin Pant said efforts to ascertain the reason behind the accident were on and they were searching for the pillion rider.

Notification for constables’ recruitment
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2
The state government has issued a notification for the recruitment of 350 constables. According to the notification, 129 posts are of police constable (male), 196 of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) constable and 25 of fireman.

The willing candidates can submit their application forms at any of the 13 district police headquarters. The last date for submitting applications is March 1.

The detailed information is available on the website of the Uttarakhand Police.

VHP releases book on its history
Tribune News Service

Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad release a book during a programme in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, February 2
The Uttarakhand unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), released its book “Choti Pustak Badi Baat”, here today. Releasing the book, VHP State General Secretary Mahendra Singh Negi disclosed that the book described the history and various activities of the VHP. He said the VHP was completing 50 years this year and asserted that it would be observing 2014-15 as the golden jubilee year.

He said the VHP would organise Shobhayatras from August 16 to 18 across the state as part of the celebrations. He added Hindu conferences would also be organised at various places during the year. VHP state Organisational Secretary Ishwari Prasad and Dr Vimal Nautiyal were also present on the occasion.

BSNL files complaint against Peyjal Nigam
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 2
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) today filed a police complaint and sent a demand note to the Peyjal Nigam for allegedly damaging telephone lines while carrying out work on a sewerage project in Mussoorie.

According to the police, SDO, BSNL, Ganesh Kothari filed a complaint against the nigam, the contractor hired by which was digging the road for the sewerage project being funded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in Mussoorie.

Kothari said he had also sent a demand note for Rs 54,99,500 for the damages caused to the BSNL cables but the nigam had only given around Rs 1 lakh as compensation. He said the lines near Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kempty Road, were damaged while the nigam's contractor was working on the sewerage project in past three days, making it difficult for the BSNL to provide regular services to its customers.

Kothari said the officials had not initiated any action against the contractor and instead were trying to shield him due to vested interests. He alleged the police were also not showing any interest. However, station in charge Vipin Chandra refuted the charge and said they were investigating the matter.

Bird-watching event at Asan Conservation Reserve
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2
WWF-India, Dehradun programme office, organised a bird-watching event at Asan Conservation Reserve on World Wetlands Day today.

An on-the-spot painting competition on "Wetlands and Agriculture," was also organised on the occasion. Nearly 200 students from various schools participated in the event.

The bird-watching session was led by Sanjay Sondhi, founder of Titli Foundation. The session aimed at teaching students on how to identify different birds and understand their dependence on wetlands for their survival.

It also aimed at raising awareness about the importance of wetlands for the sustainability of biodiversity. Forty species of birds were identified by five groups.

The bird-watching session was followed by a painting competition.

Dr Anil Singh, team leader, Terai Arc Landscape, Dehradun, and Dr Jatinder Kaur highlighted the significance of the theme and the need to save wetlands for agriculture. Nalini Chaudhury, a naturalist, encouraged children to paint their thoughts on the canvas.

In the senior category, Aastha Nagpal, a student of class X, St Mary's Secondary School, was declared the first winner, Kanishka Singh of class IX second and Shrohiti Rawal third.

In the junior category, Shagun Gupta of St Mary's Secondary School won the first prize, Rupali Choudhary of Purkul Youth Development Society second and Anshika Kamboj of St Mary's Secondary School third.

Dr Diwakar Sinha, Divisional Forest Officer, Chakrata, Dr Kishor Nautiyal, Executive Director (SAMVEDI) and Dr IP Bopanna, Senior Programme Officer, WWF, were also present on the occasion.

The World Wetlands Day celebrations were coordinated by Dr Jatinder Kaur and Aadya Singh.

Basant Panchami celebrations begin at Dev Sanskriti varsity
Tribune News Service

As part of the Basant festivities, a march was carried out from Dev Sanskriti University to Ganga Ghat by Shanti Kunj activists in Haridwar on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Haridwar, February 2
The Basant Panchami celebrations began at Dev Sanskriti University here today.

As part of the four-day programme, a march was carried out from the Prageshywar Maha Devo temple on the Dev Sanskriti University premise to the Ganga ghat. Students and Shanti Kunj activists in large numbers participated in the march.

Giving a spiritual message to the participants, chancellor of the university Pranav Pandya said ‘group sadhna’ was a vital aspect during devotion. Shantikunj spiritual guru Shail Jiji said at the university, students were also given spiritual lessons.

A pledge comprising 18 points referred by Shantikunj founder Shri Ram Sharma Acharya was also read out by Shail Jiji.

A mass debate was also organised for students as part of the programme. Dr Gauri Shankar Sharma, Dr Chinmay Pandya, Dr Sukh Dev Sharma and Sandeep Kumar of Dev Sanskriti University were also present on the occasion.

Music, yoga compliment each other, says Music Prof
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 2
Punjab University Professor Pankaj Mala Sharma has urged students to take music seriously. She said, "Classical music involves a lot of hard work, dedication and devotion to master the technique. In India combining yoga with music has been an age-old practice, as both compliment each other and lead to peace of mind and sadhna."

Sharma was speaking at a classical music convention organised by Sati Kund Kankhal Mahila Mahav-idyalya today.

Principal Dr Geeta Joshi, said in this age of fast life with its day-to-day tensions, music was an alternative therapy to avoid stress."

Assistant Professor of the music department Nidhi Sharma said though there was a craze for listening to and learning western music , many students still opt for classical music.

Music teachers Ishwar Bharadwaj, Swati Sharma and Richa Verma, were felicitated for their contribution to music and yoga. Newly nominated music council of the Mahila Vidyalya was also announced that includes Nidhi Sharma as president, Lata as vice-president, Ashu as treasurer, Sonam Sharma, Chitra Sharma, Monika and Puja as members.

NHM norms relaxed for setting up health centres
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2
The Uttarakhand Department of Medical and Health Services will set up a Primary Health Centre (PHC) for a population of 50,000, thus bringing flexibility in the norms under the National Health Mission (NHM).

These PHCs are likely to be set up in areas without proper health services so that the the norms laid down by the Central government do not devoid people from availing of medical facilities.

In Uttarakhand, the Central government’s norm for setting up PHCs based on area was proving counter productive. Now, the Centre has agreed to allow the state government to set up PHCs on the basis of population.

“We will be able to establish PHCs based on population. These centres will have 10 staff members comprising a woman doctor, a pharmacist and nurses,” said Surinder Singh Negi, Health Minister.

He added, “In areas where the PHCs cannot be set up, more mobile health units will be deployed. We expect to deploy 35 more mobile units in 48 blocks as this will help us bring more people under the ambit of medical care. Slum areas too will be covered under the NHM.”

Traders seek timely preparations for Indo-China border trade
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 2
Local traders held a meeting at Dharchula today on the Indo-China border trade and urged the administration to make timely preparations for the trade scheduled to begin in June.

They demanded that preparations for the trade be made in May itself, as many a time the trade is affected due to administrative delays.

The traders, who met under the banner of the Bharat China Vyapar Samiti, complained that the arrangements of Chinese currency be made in the SBI branch at Gunji, as they face difficulties in trade with Chinese traders in the absence of the Chinese currency.

“We want all formalities for the trade to be completed in time so that it could be started on schedule without delay," said Jiwan Singh Ronkali, president of the samiti.The traders also demanded urgent repairs of the trade route, opening of a veterinary hospital at Gunji, establishment of a SBI branch there and arrangements of lodging for Indian traders at Taklakot in Tibet before the trade begins.