Snowfall, rain in state bring down mercury
Chief Minister cancels visit to disaster-hit Dharchula for third time
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
Snowfall in the higher reaches and incessant showers in the plains led to a substantial drop in the maximum temperature at most places in the state today.

Dr Anand Sharma of the state Meteorological Department said moderate to heavy rain would continue at various places for the next 24 hours. He said the weather was likely to improve by Sunday.

Incessant rain also lashed Pauri, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Nainital, Pithoragarh and Champawat districts, making people shiver. The higher reaches of Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh districts also experienced heavy snowfall.

The state capital was completely drenched with cold wave like conditions. It wore a deserted look today.

Bad weather plays spoilsport

Pithoragarh: Chief Minister Harish Rawat cancelled his visit to the disaster-affected villages of Dharchula subdivision on Friday due to bad weather.

“We were eagerly waiting for the Chief Minister. We wanted to apprise him of our problems post the disaster. However, the weather played a spoilsport today," said Ram Singh Jetha, a disaster-affected villager. This is the third time the Chief Minister's visit to the area has been cancelled.

The administration had made elaborate arrangements at the NHPC guest house, Tapovan, where the Chief Minister was supposed to visit at 4 pm today.

Villagers expressed hope that the new Chief Minister would soon earmark land for their rehabilitation. They said if the government again failed to solve their problem, they would have no other option than to leave their villages permanently.

“More than 600 families are awaiting rehabilitation post the 2013 natural disaster. Thirty houses on the banks of the Kali, 35 km from Dharchula, are on the verge of collapse. We are risking our lives here everyday. If the government failed to come to our rescue, we will be forced to shift somewhere else,” said Narayan Singh Dariyal, a resident of Darma valley.

AAP to give ticket for LS polls to people with clean image
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has said it would give ticket to people with a clean image to contest the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the state.

Prof Anand Kumar, spokesperson for the AAP, told mediapersons in Dehradun today that they had already received a large number of applications from the people willing to contest the elections on the party ticket and these were being scrutinized. He said the party would prefer people with a clean image as its candidates for the parliamentary elections. He said Uttarakhand was born out of a long struggle and it had the capacity to bring in a change for good. “I personally know many statehood agitators and these people sincerely want to get rid of the corrupt BJP and Congress,” he asserted.

Anand, who is also a sociologist, said the people of the state had been repeatedly changing state governments and were thus desperately looking for an alternative to the BJP and the Congress. The AAP could provide them with a viable alternative.

On the AAP government action against Reliance in Delhi, Anand said both BJP and Congress had promoted the interests of the Ambani brothers but the AAP would not toe the same line.

Earlier, Anand led by environment conservation crusader Suresh Bhai handed over a document to the AAP leader highlighting the concerns of the people of Uttarakhand.

“We will support the AAP if it commits itself to solving the issues of ‘jal, jungle and jameen,” said Suresh.

Garhwal folk singer Narendra Singh Negi said the AAP could certainly provide an alternative to the people of the state. Negi is credited with waging an anti-corruption campaign against successive Congress and BJP governments in the state.

Trade union leader Jagmohan Mehndiratta, and Padam Shri Shekhar Pathak were other eminent persons present on the occasion.

BJP to announce candidates for LS poll soon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
BJP in charge for party affairs in Uttarakhand Radha Mohan Singh has entrusted the task of preparing the list of prospective candidates for the Lok Sabha elections to a panel formed under the leadership of state party unit chief Teerath Singh Rawat.

The list will then be approved by the Central leadership.

Party sources say Teerath Singh Rawat will soon shortlist candidates for all five parliamentary seats. The BJP has also released the list of leaders who are members of the screening committee. Prominent among those are Naresh Bansal, BC Khanduri, Ramesh Pokhriyal and Bhagat Singh Koshiyari 

governors’ conference at rashtrapati bhavan
Qureshi seeks Act on facilities for Char Dham pilgrims
Tribune News service

Dehradun, February 14
Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi raised several important issues related to the state at the governors' conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan,according to a press release of Raj Bhavan here.

He said a parliamentary Act should be made to ensure proper facilities to the pilgrims who undertake the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. He said the yatra should be developed on the lines of Vaishno Devi and Tirupati yatras. It should be made convenient for the pilgrims just like the Haj is facilitated for the Haj yatris. He said financial support and an effective formula were needed for the Char Dham Yatra.

Expressing concern at the increasing migration from the hill areas, especially from the border areas of the state, he said that this was a cause for alarm as far as far security was concerned. He gave important suggestions to check this situation. He said that migration from the strategically important border areas of the hill state must be urgently stopped by providing educational, medical, water and electricity facilities on a priority basis. If this was not done, it would not be possible to check infiltration of Maoists. Employment must be provided to the people in these border areas according to the local products and topographical conditions.

The governor said that China had constructed high quality roads in its border areas which neighboured Uttarakhand. ''We must also ensure that such roads are built in our border areas so that our security is strengthened and people living there will also benefit.''

He thanked the Central Government for giving green bonus to Uttarakhand. He heartily thanked the president, prime minister, UPA president, Indian armed forces, para-military forces and various other organisations for having helped people through rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations in Uttarakhand during the natural calamity which hit the state in June 2013.

Expressing concern at the lack of primary health facilities in the hill areas of the state, the governor drew the attention of the president, prime minister and the ministry concerned to this situation. He said that in Garhwal as well as Kumaon divisions, setting up a super speciality hospital must be seriously considered. He said that a super speciality hospital for children was required in Dehradun.

Speaking on the immense possibilities of tourism development in Uttarakhand, the governor said that the popular hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital had been made ugly due to illegal constructions. He said strict action needed to be taken against the people who were involved in this activity .He said it was important that the natural splendour of such hill towns was preserved.

He said the state government needed to take strict measures against the increasing illegal mining, deforestation and construction activities in the state. A high-level investigation against the people involved in such activities was needed. Besides these issues, the governor also presented other matters before the president.

Heavy rain spoils the day for Valentine revellers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
The incessant rain throughout the day foiled the plans of youngsters for outdoor celebrations on Valentines Day here today. The presence of youngsters at malls, cinema theatres, public parks and markets remained minimal due to bad weather.

Unlike previous year the police deployment, this year, remained quite negligible around malls, cinema theatres and public parks, which have been targeted by certain right wing groups. Such groups are against Valentines Day. RS Meena, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law and Order, gave directions to ensure full proof security around vulnerable places.

The day remained peaceful except members of Netaji Sangharsh Samiti held protest and burnt effigy at Clock Tower against the Valentines Day celebrations. The members of the group said Valentines Day is a western concept and is against our traditions and culture.

A memorable Valentine's Day for tourists
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 14
Tourists and Valentine Day revellers were greeted with a thick blanket of snow, making it a perfect day for celebration in the picturesque tourist resort of Mussoorie today.

With the news of fresh snow spell spreading like wildfire, tourists, mostly couples, started arriving in Mussoorie in large numbers, adding to their joy of celebrating white Valentine's Day.The lovers were seen playing in snow with their Valentines, making their visit to the town a fruitful one.

The snow started falling since early morning and by noon the town was covered with a thick blanket of snow, much to the delight of the tourists and the residents alike here.

“We had come to celebrate Valentine's Day in Mussoorie but the fresh spell of snow has added to the celebrations,” said a tourist couple from Punjab.

The heavy snow in the higher reaches since morning pulled down temperatures, throwing life out of gear in most places.

The police had a tough time regulating traffic on the Dehradun-Mussoorie road as a large number of vehicles carrying tourists out to have a view of the snowfall were stuck due to jams at various places. The Mall Road and surrounding areas were covered with a white sheet of snow with the local businessmen cheering up to see good business as the number of tourists was bound to increase on Sunday.

Heavy snow was also reported from Chakrata, Mukteshwar, Lohaghat, Tehri, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag. New Tehri also reported a fresh spell of snow bringing down the temperature considerably.

Biting cold with rain forced people indoors in the town while few who had to venture out to reach workplaces or hospitals were stuck in the inclement weather. The school going students were at the receiving end as they had walk in snow to their schools.

The agriculturists are delighted at the fresh spell of snow as it is cionsidered it good for the crops and would also recharge the aquifers. More snow and rain is being predicted by he met department bringing delight on he faces of local business community.

DIG discusses preparations for LS poll
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
DIG (Garhwal Range) Amit Sinha today held a meeting with senior police officials of seven districts to discuss preparations for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

The meeting also stressed the need to recruit sub-inspectors, PAC personnel and firemen to overcome shortage in the police force.

The officials were directed to gear up for the elections and intensify vigil in their respective areas to avoid any untoward incident.

Police heads were directed to beef up security at entry points to the border.

Dehradun SSP Ajay Rautela, Haridwar SSP Rajiv Swaroop, Chamoli SP Ajay Joshi and Rudraprayag SP Baljinder Singh were among those present at the meeting. 

CM gives patient hearing to problems of people

Dehradun, February 14
Incessant rains could not dampen the spirit of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who for the first time spent over an hour and 30 minutes at Congress Bhavan patiently hearing the problems of people and addressing nearly a 1,000 applications of personal problems that were submitted to him today.

The people, who turned up in big numbers, informed the CM about their problems linked to power, potable water and roads. Some also raised their personal problems and the chief minister on his part even assured to provide assistance in cases which involvement treatment of severe diseases. — TNS

Cabinet nod to CM’s health insurance scheme
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
The Uttarakhand Cabinet today decided to implement the Chief Minister's health insurance scheme in the state. The scheme will include those families which are not covered under national health insurance scheme. Seven lakh families will be benefited by the decision.

The Cabinet also decided to come up with a vendor policy for street vendors. It decided to include the Anwal community of Dharchula area of Pithoragarh district in the OBC list. The Cabinet also gave nod to conduct reconstruction work uptil the value of Rs 25 lakh.

In another important decision, the Cabinet decided to allow payment of salaries to patwaris and nurses linked to the period of their strike. A ministerial subcommittee will be constituted to decide on the new pension scheme.

A three-member committee has been set up to better the financial condition of mandis. Secretary, Agriculture, Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies, and Chairman, Mandi Parishad, will be part of the committee.

Khanduri flays govt for ‘sale’ of sainik farm
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
Former Chief Minister BC Khanduri has expressed concern over the alleged sale of sainik farm at Patthar Chatta in Udham Singh Nagar to private developers by the state government.

He alleged the inability of the government to provide any clear answer to the allegations levelled against it was a clear indication of its ulterior motive.

He said, “Ever since the Congress has taken over the reigns of the state, it has been trying to sell off government land. Now the party has set its eyes on 1,423 acres sainik farm at Patthar Chatta, the income from which is spent on the welfare and rehabilitation of ex-servicemen, Veer Naaris and their dependents.” Instead of coming out with any welfare schemes for the ex-servicemen, the state government seemed hell-bent upon killing the existing ones by taking such steps, he added. 

Book released

Dehradun, February 14
“The Search Is On,” English version of “Talash Jaari Hai,” a book of Hindi poetry written by Dr Atul Sharma, was released by State Information Commissioner Rajendra Kotiyal here today.

Addressing a gathering, Kotiyal said: “The poet has taken up burning issues effecting our society and beautifully translated them in his poems. These poems have always been the centre point of many public movements and have motivated the masses.”

Upender Singh has translated the poems based on society, politics and nature. Among those present at the function were Rekha Sharma, Pawan Rawat, Maheshwari, Sangeeta Shah and Jayprakash Panwar. — TNS

Two drug peddlers arrested from Sahaspur
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
As part of their crackdown against illegal drug trade in the district, Dehradun police arrested two drug peddlers from Sahaspur and recovered more than 1 kg of charas from their possession here today.

Reportedly, after being tipped off, Sahaspur police station sub-inspector Yashpal Singh along with his team stepped up the security across Sahaspur and arrested two persons, Sompal and Narayan Shinde, from Sabhawala Bridge. According to the police, Sompal, who is the resident of Patel Nagar in Dehradun, was carrying 520 gram of charas, whereas Narayan, who hails from Nagpur in Maharasthra, was having 510 gram of charas.

The police are claiming that both told during interrogation that they were just carriers and were given the duty of carrying the charas to a particular person. The police are now trying to gather information about other persons involved in the drug racket. Meanwhile, both have been booked under the NDPS Act. 

Rare black bears, hyena spotted in Kumaon
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 14
Wild animals of two rare species were spotted in the forests of the Kumaon region. In the first incident, morning walkers near Nainital found a herd of Himalayan black bears, which was considered to be extinct from the Nainital forests from last 20 years. “While having our walk, we spotted a herd of three Himalayan black bears near Kilbury forest close to the town,” said Rajiv Dubey, a city resident.

In charge of Nainital zoo confirmed that black bears were seen near the Nainital forests. “It is a good symptom from the environment point of view that rare species of Himalayan black bear are being seen these days, which will be a great attraction for the tourists,” said Manoj Shah, in charge, Nainital zoo.

In another incident, a spotted hyena, which was once declared extinct from Terai forests, was seen at the heights of the Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary near Haldwani town. “During our census of wild animals, when our team entered Nandhour forest, it spotted a pair of hyena at beat No 2 of Karakot forest in the sanctuary area,” said Paramjit Singh, Chief, Wildlife, Kumaon region.

According to Singh, the department is now mulling to install cameras in the area as without camera trap the news cannot be confirmed.

Campaign for panchayat polls begins in villages

Prospective candidates for the forthcoming panchayat elections have started campaigning in the rural areas of Champawat and Pithoragarh districts even though the notification for the polls is yet to be issued. The candidates for various panchayat bodies have intensified their campaigns in their respective villages. “Even the people, who had migrated to nearby towns, are arriving in their villages to express their feelings on the issues the villagers confronted in the last five years,” said Dinesh Chandra Pandey, a resident of Aincholi Village, near the town.

According to sources in the District Panchayati Raj Department, most of the villages in the district have a population of less than 500 and only 20 per cent of the villages have a population of more than 1,000. According to rough estimates, about five to seven candidates are likely to contest for the post of gram pradhan in these villages. “The villages are witnessing hectic activities for the forthcoming panchayat elections as the probable candidates are focusing on various categories of voters,” said Pandey.

A poster war has also begun and the villages have been covered with posters of the prospective candidates for various posts in the panchayat, the block panchayat or the zila panchayat. “Where ever we are going to campaign for the elections, we are finding posters of candidates hitherto unknown to the people,” said Jagdish Kumar, and a candidate for the zila panchayat election from the Muwani seat in Pithoragarh district.

Specs' workshop on microbes begins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
A three-day workshop titled ‘Fun with microbes’ organised by the Society for Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (Specs) started here yesterday.

Specs secretary Brij Mohan Sharma said the objective of the workshop was to train participants with hands-on activities based on microbes. He added it was important to have proper understanding of microorganisms, their roles and uses in industries, agriculture, health and environment management, which was crucial for future development.

Senior Scientific Officer, Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology, DP Uniyal said microorganisms could be exploited to our benefit through innovative applications in the field of biotechnology, genetic engineering, genomics, pharmaceutics, agriculture and industries.

180 papers to be presented at conference 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 14
A two-day second international conference on management of infrastructure began on Bidholi campus of the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) here today. The College of Management and Economic Studies (COES) in UPES is organising the conference.

More than 180 research papers from both the corporate sector and the academia have been shortlisted for presentation during the conference. The participants include IOCL, GAIL, HPCL, Indian Port Association, SAIL, while the participants from educational institutes include Benaras Hindu University, IIM, Indore, College of Engineering, Pune, Shriart College of Commerce and Science, Coimbatore, Thapar University, Punjab, and IMT, Ghaziabad, besides others.

Women docs’ shortage plagues Nainbagh hospital
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 14
The only Government Women's Hospital at Nainbagh Tehsil in Tehri is running at the mercy of ANM workers due to the absence of adequate women doctors and the "apathy" of the department concerned.

The hospital caters to over 10 villages in Nainbagh. However, in the absence women doctors, the authorities are forced to take the services of ANM workers.

ANM workers can discharge their services only in delivery cases but for other ailments villagers have to rush to Mussoorie or Dehradun hospitals, which is not only time consuming but also expensive.

Local residents, Kishan Singh, Kunwar Singh Bhandari, Balbir Singh Rawat, Mira Saklani and Narmada Negi, said they had been urging the department concerned to appoint women doctors for long, but no action had been taken so far.

The acting CMO of Tehri, Dr BS Rawat, said they had take up the issue with the authorities.

Appointments would be done by the DG office, Dehradun. 

Youth commits suicide
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
A 22-year-old youth allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his Sanjay Vihar house on Wednesday evening.

The deceased, Vikki Thapa, reportedly had a fight with his family over some issue after which he took the extreme step.

The police have registered a case in this regard.