Meeting between state, DVWM proves futile
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 25
The meeting between the state government and Doon Valley Waste Management, a private firm hired for door-to-door collection of garbage, proved futile as none of the parties reached any decision whether to continue with the contract or terminate the same.

The meeting attended by CEO, DVWM, Sidharth Jain, Secretary (Urban Development), DS Gabriyal, and Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar was held today to discuss the issues pertaining to the DVWM on the basis of which they had served a one-month termination notice.

Giving the details of the meeting Gabriyal said that the company failed to give any decision whether they would continue with the work after March 2 or not.

“However a final decision would be taken tomorrow following a meeting with the company. Based on the discussions held today, we have a strong hunch that the company might discontinue with their services. However we are waiting for them to give their final decision before taking any action,” he added.

Meanwhile Jain said that the company would give its final decision on Saturday. “The state government has put up some points before us which I would discuss with other partners in the company before taking the final call,” he added.

It may be recalled that over the non-fulfilment of their demands the DVWM, hired under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), had served a one-month termination notice to the DMC for ending its contract.

The demands put up by the company include the provision of land at Bramhawala where a transfer station would be set up to bring in the garbage for segregation, revision of existing tipping fee paid by the DMC from Rs 350 per metric tonne to Rs 462 and an immediate release of the Rs 6.5 crore received for the project from the Central Government.

The company demands:

• Provision of land at Bramhawala where a transfer station will be set up to bring in the garbage for segregation
• Revision of existing tipping fee paid by the DMC from Rs 350 per metric tonne to Rs 462
• Immediate release of Rs 6.5 crore received for the project from the Central Government

All-women Bharatiya Mahila Bank opens branch in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
Conceptualised with an aim to provide financial and banking services to every woman in the country, Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB), the first women’s bank, opened its 11th branch in the state capital, here today. While the bank had already made its presence felt in various other states of the country, it opened its first branch in Uttarakhand today. By the end of March, the bank plans to open 14 other branches all across the country.

Inaugurated by BMB Chairman and Managing Director Usha Ananthasubraminan, the branch has a staff of six members including five women.

Addressing a press conference, the CMD said the bank was designed to cater to the needs of every strata, particularly women along with offering banking and financial services.

“Having an access to finance and banking not only helps empower women but also broadens the social base of development, thus fostering equitable growth. The bank will cater to every segment of women; ranging from self-help groups, lower middle class and high net-worth individuals,” the CMD added.

Maintaining that a customer can open a zero balance account in the bank, Ananthasubraminan said an interest of five per cent was being offered in the savings bank account having a balance of Rs 1 lakh and above while for lesser amounts the rate was 4.5 per cent.

“The interest for deposits of one year and above is 9.15 per cent. Also, for our women customers, the BMB is offering a rate of interest at concession for various loans besides providing a loan upto Rs 1 crore without any collateral,” she said.

Apart from providing financial services, the bank will also conduct programmes on financial literacy, skill development and training for women from all segments to help make them self-sufficient and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

CM may detach officers with tainted records from their posts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
After receiving flak for failing to remove officers against whom inquiry pertaining to corrupt practises was on and also to speed up the inquiry, the new dispensation under Chief Minister Harish Rawat is contemplating detaching all the officers from their present posts.

During the tenure of erstwhile Vijay Bahuguna government, inquiries were initiated against eight bureaucrats who were served notices. But far from putting a freeze on their postings, the government went ahead and appointed them on plum posts.

The authorities seemed unmindful of the fact that these officers, while continuing to be at the helm of departments and state utilities, could influence the enquiry underway and even harm the case.

Such a practice unleashed by the government became a suspect in the eyes of the public who questioned the seriousness of the government in curbing corruption in the highest echelons.

Several officers against whom inquiry was on including Nandan Singh Nangayal, SDM, Udham Singh Nagar, BS Chalal, MNA, Haldwani, Harish Chander Semwal, DM, Udham Singh Nagar, Hansa Datt Pandey, GM, Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, Narinder Singh, Secretary Information, Shirish Kumar, GM, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, Vinod Giri Goswami, Secretary, Lake Development Authority (LDA) and Mohammed Nasir, SDM, Nainital, continue to occupy influential posts.

To tide over this problem, the government is contemplating initiating a time bound inquiry and also detaching all the officers from government posts against whom inquiry is on.

Water tax for 5 lakh users waived
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
With an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections the Uttarakhand Cabinet today announced several decisions, including waiver of water tax for around 5 lakh users of potable water belonging to lower middle and middle classes, assistance to disaster-affected shop owners and small hotel owners, announcement of state cheap ration scheme for families that could not be covered under the Central Government's Food Security Act.

At a media briefing here today, Chief Secretary Subash Kumar said that from the financial year 2014-2015, no water taxes would be levied on the consumers of potable water belonging to certain categories.

“There are around 52,210 users using the community drinking facilities, who would be fully exempted from the payment of water tax. In the rural areas households one point connections (10564) would be fully exempted from payment of tax. Those with two point connections (58112) would have to pay 50 per cent of the water tax,” said Subash Kumar.

He added that in the cities those connection holders (103,764) whose annual billing amounts to Rs 360 would be fully exempted, while those whose annual billing was in the range of Rs 361to Rs 2,000 would have to pay 50 per cent of the water tax.

The Cabinet also approved a new cheap ration scheme for those consumers who could not be covered under the Food Security Act. “The new Uttarakhand foodgrain scheme would cover beneficiaries whose annual income is below Rs 5 lakh. They would be given 10 kg per family wheat and 5 kg per family rice. There are round 39 lakh families not covered under the Central Government’s scheme. Now a survey would be carried out of the 39 lakh families for coverage purpose and those who meet the criteria would be covered under the new scheme,” he said.

Further under the BPL category, the priority household would be provided 5 kg rice and 10 kg wheat per person. Beside those beneficiaries under the Antodaya category would continue to draw benefits under the Food Security Act, ie receive Rs 35 kg per family of foodgrains.

For the disaster-affected shopkeepers and hoteliers who had lost their consumer goods and other articles in the mid-June disaster last year would be paid compensation based on self-assessment after recommendation from the district magistrates.

The government has decided to frame rules and create five categories for payment of compensation for 2909 owners of shops and small hotel owners who lost their goods in the floods. Those reporting losses based on self assessment between Rs 25,000- Rs 2 lakh would be paid 90 per cent compensation and those reporting losses based on self-assessment between Rs 2 lakh-30lakh would be paid 80 per cent compensation.

For providing assistance to the affected persons who owned shops and small dhabas in Rudraprayag district from Tilwara to Kedardham, the government will chip in Rs 37 crore (50 per cent) from the disaster relief fund and another Rs 40 crore (50 per cent) would be arranged from the banks as work capital, which would be interest free for three years, and during the fourth year the beneficiaries would be linked through the Veer Chander Singh Garhwali scheme for the purpose of repayment,” said the Chief Secretary.

Now, all five disaster affected districts would be exempted from inviting tenders for sand and gravel required for the construction of the roads in the disaster affected areas. They will be able to lift it at the rate of Rs 125 per tonne.

The MSME units engaged in manufacturing in Uttarakhand would be given 20 per cent price preference over their products and the units established in the hills under the special hill policy too would be given 30 per cent price preference on all the goods they produce.

The government also decided to exempt the medium and small scale industries (MSMEs) from the requirement of payment of tender fee.

In the coming days similar assistance would be extended to the disaster -affected shopkeepers and hotel owners in the remaining districts.

The Cabinet approved waiver of surcharge to be imposed on defaulters of domestic power consumers and also decided to utilise 40 per cent of amount under MPLAD and MLAD funds for removal of high tension wires from houses and buildings. It also approved a hike in pay scales of lekhpals and patwaris to bring them on par.

Pre-poll doles

• Surcharge on domestic power consumers for default in bill payment waived
• Aid to flood-hit shopkeepers, hotel owners
• Salaries of lekhpals, patwaris raised
• A new cheap ration scheme for those consumers who could not be covered under the Food Security Act
• Those belonging to the BPL category to get 5 kg of rice and 10 kg of wheat per person
• Five disaster-affected districts to be exempted from inviting tenders for sand and gravel required for the construction of damaged roads
• MSMEs exempted from payment of tender fee
• 40% of MPLAD and MLAD funds to be used for removal of high tension wires from houses and buildings
• Around 1,900 shiksha mitras with BTC qualification to be absorbed directly
• Munsiyari and Chukatia to be upgraded as nagar panchayats, and Dharchula and Naugaon as nagar palikas

Mercury dips after rain, snowfall
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
Uttarakhand today experienced yet another round of rain and snowfall leading to a fall in the mercury and winter-like conditions. According to Dehradun Met office’s Executive Director Anand Sharma, rain will continue to take place at isolated places in the state in the next 24 hours. He said, similarly, a possibility of little rain on March 2 could not be ruled out. He, however, said the weather was expected to improve by March 3.

Meanwhile, Dehradun experienced heavy rain that started in the afternoon and continued throughout the evening. The rain also led to a dip in the mercury. People were seen again taking to woollens to brave the winters. By evening the roads gave a desolate look as most the people preferred to remain indoors.

Cold wave-like conditions in Kumaon region

Pithoragarh: The ITBP camp at Kuti in the Vyans valley of Dharchula subdivision in the district has received 85 cm of snowfall in the last 24 hours as rain in lower valleys and snowfall in higher Himalayan valleys continue in the region. The continuous snowfall and rain have revived severe cold conditions in the region.

According to local Weather Department sources, the region received over 40 cm of snowfall in the last 18 hours, resulting in a steep fall in the maximum temperature from 30°C to 15°C in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts. “The snowfall, which began on Thursday midnight, covered the entire area from Bundi onwards in the Vyans valley and Natya Basti, Kalamuni and Munsiyari towns in the Johar valley. The entire Johar valley beyond Nahar Devi is under a thick cover of snow,” said Anand Borkar, an ITBP officer.

Borkar added while the Bundi heights received a minimum of 20 cm of snowfall, the Kuti camp of the ITBP received the maximum snowfall of 85 cm.

According to information received from Champawat and Nainital districts, the snowfall in Ramgarh hills in Nainital district and the surrounding peaks in Champawat town revived cold conditions in the area. The Nachni, Thal, Muwani, Seraghat, Chaukhutia and Jageshwar valley area also received over 50 cm of snowfall in the last 24 hours.

Doon University renamed after Maharishi Valmiki
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
The Uttarakhand government today approved the re-christening of Dehradun-based Doon University as Valmiki University, providing Urdu teachers in schools where there are more than 15 Urdu-speaking students, upgradation of vacant posts for B.Ed teachers and absorption of shiksha mitras and shiksha acharyas as teachers in the state schools.

Chief Secretary Subash Kumar said Doon University would be renamed Maharishi Valmiki University. Provisions would be made for deploying Urdu teachers in government schools where the strength of Urdu-speaking students was more than 15.

Further, the government also decided to absorb trained shiksha mitras by framing three categories for them. Around 1900 shiksha mitras with BTC qualification would be absorbed directly; around 1278 would be allotted schools after they complete their training in June, and the remaining 1400 who not trained would be provided gap filling training and appointed as assistant teachers. They would be deployed in the disaster- affected districts of the state.

Similary 910 shiksha acharayas would be provided training (gap filling) and paid honorarium during the period, after which they would be absorbed in the schools.

It also decided to upgrade 1,898 posts of B. Ed trained teachers with additional qualification of Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).

A decision was also taken to constitute a subcommittee under Cabinet minister Indira Hirdayesh that would take the issue of waiving the qualification of tje Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for state eligibility tests for teachers.

The Cabinet also approved hiking of assistance to 8 per cent for the self employment schemes being run by the Department of Minorities. “The hike is from Rs 1.50 crore to Rs 10 crore in all the self employment schemes run by the Vikas Nigam and Wakf Board,” said Subash Kumar.

The government decided to upgrade the status of Munsiyari to nagar panchayat, Dharchula as nagar palika, Chukatia as nagar panchayat and Naugaon as nagar palika.

It also decided to raise the honorarium of safai karamcharis in all the categories to Rs 500 per month.

Lakhs throng Lord Shiva temples on Mahashivratri
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 28
On the pious festive occasion of Mahashivratri, lakhs thronged Lord Shiva temples to offer holy Ganga jal and milk, yesterday. From the wee hours of the morning itself devotees thronged the sanctum sanctorum of Braham Kund,Har-ki-Pauri, and adjacent Ganga ghats to take a holy dip, and then visited temples to pay obeisance.

At the ancient Shri Daksheshwar Maha Devi temple at Kankhal, serpentine queues were witnessed from early morning , which continued till evening. Revered shrine of Bilkeshwar Maha Deo temple also witnessed tens of thousands of devotees,who waited patiently to offer holy Ganga jal,milk and other religious offerings at the temples.

Lakhs of Lord Shiva devotees, Kanwariyas, also left the pilgrim city by early morning to reach their respective home destinations,where they offered holy Ganga jal ferried from Haridwar.

At Til Bhandeshwar temple,Daridra Bhanjan,Neeleshwar Maha Devo,Jatadheshwar,Rameshwar,Sector-1 Panchayati temple,Tibdi bypass temple and other Shiva temples, devotees paid obeisance.At the revered shrines of Mata Mansa Devi, Mata Chandi Devo, Maya Devi, Mata Vaishno Devi, Sureshwari, Mata Shakumbari Devi, Devi temple,Tulsi Manas Mandir, Saptsarovar-based temples and other shrines spread across the city,devotees paid obeisance.

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place by the police administration at the main shrines.Temple committees also put up facilities for comfortable visit of devotees.

Dehradun: A large number of people attended an meditation session organised by the Art of Living, on the ocassion of Shivratri here yesterday. Art of Living singer Diwakar along with others enchanted the audience with his melodious bhajans.

One of the organisers, Nitin Jain, said, “Such occasions are excellent for such functions as they create mass awareness and a sense of well-being when all people chant and meditate together."

People of reserve forest land seek revenue village status
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 28
People residing in reserve forest land of Tanakpur Bhabar area of Champawat district have demanded revenue village status as they are being deprived of basic facilities of water, electricity, health and education.

The subdivisional administration says as they have settled in reserve forest land, the villagers cannot be given residential certificates but despite that they are being issued permanent resident certificates if they show the tax slip.“If they are not showing the tax slips, they could be termed as encroachers on forest land,” said JS Rathord, SDM of Tanakpur subdivision of the district.

According to the residents, the people of over six goths (land given for pasturing animal) of Beri goth, Rajana goth, Pantha goth, Yamuna Bari Hela goth and Jagla goth at Tanakpur plain area of Champawat district have been settled in traditional pastoral land meant for the people of Kali Kumaon who used to migrate during the months of winter to graze their animals in pastures in lieu of taxes paid to the Forest Department.

According to Forest Department sources, as the non-forest work in reserve forest land is illegal according to the Forest Act of 1980. “We cannot allow non-forest activities in these goths as these are situated in the reserve forest areas,'' said Navin Rautela, range officer of Sharda range of Champawat forest division.

The residents of Champawat district say that if these goths get regularised by the Forest Department and converted a revenue land, over 10,000 families from the hill region of the district will claim for the same as they have also been migrating with their cattle in winter season.

‘Follow systematic approach for development of ecosystem'
NRDC conference at UPES
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
National Research Development Corporation’s (NRDC) conference on ‘Innovation Ecosystem, an Indian Perspective’ concluded at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), here today. The chief guest at the valedictory session, former chief secretary Dr RS Tolia, and current NTPC chair professor, Centre Public Policy, Doon University, Uttarakhand, referred to success of innovation in the agriculture and animal husbandry sector in the state.

He also emphasised on linking of innovation in medium and small enterprises sector particularly on aspects of brand protection and brand promotion.

He also gave away prizes to students who were winners of the poster and model competition held yesterday.

Rajendra Dobhal, chairman-cum-managing director, NRDC, talked about the need for organising more such events in Uttarakhand for encouraging innovation culture and congratulated the NRDC award winners for their contribution for development of innovations.

Prof PN Desai, chairperson, Centre for Studies in Science Policy, JNU, New Delhi, emphasised the need for following a systematic approach for the development of the innovative ecosystem in the country.

He also underlined the need for creation of ecosystems and need for development of surroundings for creation of new innovations.

Dr SJ Chopra, UPES Chancellor, thanked the organisers for organising the event at UPES. Dr Sanket Goel, vice-president (research and development), UPES, accorded the vote of thanks to all present.

Nine progressive farmers honoured
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
The 95th farmers’ fair-cum-agro-industrial exhibition, popularly known as Kisan Mela, was inaugurated by DIG (Kumaon) Anant Ram Chauhan at Pantnagar University here today. The main inaugural ceremony was organised at Gandhi Auditorium of the university. Chauhan said, “The farmer is at a disadvantage due to the lack of proper storage structure at the village-level. He has to sell all his produce at low rates and later purchases the same for his use at high rate.”

He called upon scientists to develop long term and low-cost storage structures, where farmer could withhold his produce and sell it at the right time.

The university Registrar, Dr JP Pandey, said the fair provided a platform to farmers, scientists and agricultural firms to share their experiences, knowledge and products.

He said krishi vigyan kendras of the university also provided training to farmers and others and make arrangements for demonstrations at farmers’ fields. Members of the Board of Management, Rajesh Shukla, Rajendra Pal Singh and Premlata Singh also addressed the gathering.

Earlier, Dr JP Singh, Director, Experiment Station, welcomed the participants. Dr YPS Dabas, Director, Extension Education, proposed a vote of thanks.

He expressed hope that farmers would have a useful and enjoyable time during their stay at Pantnagar University.

Meanwhile, nine progressive farmers from different districts of Uttarakhand were also honoured on the occasion. The four-day event attracts thousands of farmers from UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and other states of India.

Japanese foundation to open schools in Kedarnath valley
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 28
Japan-based Inzel International Foundation has decided to contribute to the education sector in the June flash flood-affected Kedarnath valley in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Haridwar-based social institution Akhil Bharatiya Gayatri Parivar Shantikunj and Dev Sanskriti University will be collaborating with the Japanese foundation in this regard.

A delegation of the foundation arrived at Shantikunj, where both the sides dwelt on the ways to start the project. President of the Inzel International Foundation Yashuhiro Matsuda said that a survey was being carried out in the affected region, where schools would be opened.

Matsuda said at identified places, they will set up educational institutes so that children and youth get good quality education.

Shantikunj president Pranav Pandya and spiritual ideologue Shail Jiji held a discussion with the Japanese delegation here today,dwelling on ways to give final touches to this social project.

Already the foundation has provided more than 100 schools in flood- affected districts of Uttarkashi, Tehri and Haridwar with school uniforms and education material.

Now, as per Matsuda, they want to open up schools in flood-affected districts where moral and high quality education can be provided to the children, who due to the disaster have remained cut off from schooling.

“We will be providing education at these schools free of cost as our motive is not profit but to cater to providing relief and bright future to the affected children.”

Supreme Court stays order of holding panchayat poll
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
In a major relief to Uttarakhand Congress government, the Supreme Court today issued interim stay on Nainital High Court order of conducting panchayat elections in the state by March 29. Supreme Court’s stay came while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Almora-based Pala Sult Organisation. The apex court issued interim stay till June 30 on panchayat elections in the state.

The formal notification for panchayat elections in Uttarakhand was slated to be done on March 2 and polls were to be held from March 21 to March 24. The petitioners had asserted that the rehabilitation works in the disaster-hit areas of the state were in progress and thus it was not proper to hold panchayat elections immediately.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat while asserting that the state government was ready for polls said that the state government respects the SC decision in this regard. He, however, acknowledged that there was large manpower involved in rehabilitation process, which was under way, and thus it was certainly a challenge shifting this manpower for conducting panchayat polls.

Man gets death penalty for girl's murder

Dehradun, February 28
Meena Tewari, District and Sessions Judge, today awarded death sentence to Deepak Arya for the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl. The incident took place at Lalkuan in the Nainital district in 2012 when the accused entered the house of the minor girl and raped her before strangulating her to death.

The incident shocked everyone and led to a public outcry across Nainital district. The police carried out a detailed and scientific investigation in the case. During investigation, DNA samples of 57 suspects were taken and sent for analysis. On the basis of the DNA analysis reports, Deepak Arya was arrested and booked under Sections 457, 363, 376, 302, 201 of the IPC. Later, Deepak admitted to have committed the crime. The police team was also honoured by Governor Aziz Qureshi last year for carrying out a prompt investigation .

The court also ordered the state government to pay compensation to the victim's family. — TNS

5 killed as car falls into Alaknanda
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
Five persons were killed when the car they were travelling in fell into a ditch and went straight into the swollen Alaknanda river, near Pipalkoti in the Chamoli district, today morning. The chief minister has directed the district administration to provide immediate financial help to the families of the victims.

Reportedly, after getting to know about the incident, the local administration started the rescue operations but till Friday evening, only one body could be recovered .

The incident occurred on Badrinath road today morning when five people in one car were going to Joshimath from Nandprayag and while negotiating a sharp hilly turn near Pipalkoti in Kodiya village, the car got out of control and fell into a ditch. According to the police, all the five people, who are now feared dead, are from Tapovan area in the Chamoli district.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Governor Aziz Qureshi have expressed condolences on the death of the five persons.

CPI (ML) lambasts state govt as panchayat poll gets deferred

Dehradun, February 28
Lambasting the state government regarding the deferment of panchayat elections, the Communist Party of India (ML) said the Congress-led state government was never serious towards conducting the elections on the scheduled date. The Supreme Court has deferred the panchayat elections scheduled for March following a plea by the state government.

Indresh Maikhuri, party’s Garhwal secretary, said, “The postponement of elections reflects the incapability of the state government.”

“Along with the state government, even the State Election Commission was not showing a keen interest in conducting the elections. The disinterest of the SEC was evident from the fact that despite receiving the figures based on 2011 census, the delimitation was issued on the basis of 2001 census,” he added.

“The state government is merely trying to hide its incapabilities under the garb of rehabilitation as under no circumstances disaster-affected families and areas could be stabilised with six months,” added the secretary. — TNS

Unemployed teachers lathicharged, arrested
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 28
The BPEd and MPEd Unemployed Association held a protest at Parade Ground in support of their demand of including the post of physical training teacher in the government primary schools and physical training lecturers in the inter-colleges.

The protesting members of the association also tried to march towards the Chief Minister's house but were stopped at Parade Ground by the police. After heated arguments with the police, they were lathicharged and later arrested by the police.

During the protest, the agitators blamed government of ignoring their demand for which they have been on agitation for the last six months. They said the government must bring a change in the policy and have a physical training teacher in all the government primary schools in the state.