Several areas of Haldwani in grip of water crisis
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 24
Residents of Transport Nagar in Haldwani town today demonstrated at the gate of the colony. They wanted regular supply of drinking water to their colony which has discontinued as the motors of certain tubewells got burnt. Several areas of Haldwani town are also facing drinking water problem these days due to faulty functioning of motors installed.

According to the residents, they are facing disturbance in their daily business due to inadequate supply of drinking water. ''The tubewell installed in the area under Transport Nagar project gets damaged every six months as no supervisors are there at the tubewell. We want officers to take care of this problem as our business gets affected due to this problem,'' said Pradeep Sabarwal, general secretary of TP Nagar Business Association.

Besides TP Nagar, the drinking water supply to Manpur( west) Gaujajali, Chaudhari colony and Fatehpur has been affected badly as five tubewells providing water to these colonies are not functioning as their motors are out of order. ''The motors installed are getting damaged due to low voltage of electricity available to these from the power corporation. We have repaired three tubewells. The remaining five tubewells could not be repaired,'' said KC Pandey, Executive Engineer of Jal Sansthan, Haldwani.

According to Jal Nigam engineers, they have sought a sum of Rs 8.5 lakh to instal a stabiliser in these tubewells to save these from damage. ''If we get money soon, the tubewells at Rajpura, Hiranagar, Gaujajali, Daharia, Hiranagar, Azadnagar, TP Nagar and Laturia Baba Ashram will be fuctional shortly,'' said GD Pant, a Jal Sansthan engineer.

The residents from Rajpura colony today gheraoed Jal Sansthan engineer at his office and complained of non-availability of drinking water in their colony.

Indira Hriydesh, Cabinet minister in Uttarakhand government, today summoned officers of Jal Sansthan and ordered them to send estimates of stabilisers to be installed at all tubewells of the town. ''I have also directed officers from Power Corporation to find solution of low voltage at the areas where tubewells have been installed in the town,'' said Hriyadesh.

Norms framed for ensuring safety at vaccination camps
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 24
To keep a check on the quality of vaccinations being administered at various health camps organised by non-government organisations, the Chief Medical office (Dehradun) has come out with a set a norms that would have to be compulsorily followed by organisers conducting vaccination camps.

These norms have been framed to prevent mishaps and keep tabs on the organisations that conduct camps for hepatitis B and other vaccinations. “Most of the camps are poorly organised and the quality of vaccines is always a suspect. We have tried to bring in a semblance of control over the manner in which organisations conduct these vaccination camps. And to also ensure that high medical standards were maintained in all such camps,” said Dr Gurpal Singh, Chief Medical officer (CMO).

Now if NGOs want to set up camps for vaccinations, they should seek permission from the chief medical officers, additional chief medical officers, immunisation programme officer, chief medical superintendent of Community Health Centres (CHC), primary health centres (PHCs) and sub centres.

Besides, the beneficiaries would not be pressurised or coerced to take the vaccinations. The concerned NGOs would have to ensure that these are administered by trained staff that is registered with the medical council and nursing council of Uttarakhand.

Further, the concerned medical authorities have been empowered to conduct impromptu checks and see for themselves the quality of vaccines and whether proper arrangements are also made for deep freezers and vaccine carriers during the camps. The organisations would have to follow the principle of one shot with one needle and use disposable syringes.

Among other conditions imposed was the ban on administering any kind of immunisation during these camps without the requisite permission. This would ensure that only potent vaccine was administered.

Besides calling for adherence to all ethical procedures, Dr Singh said that the organisers had also been told that they would be solely responsible for payment of compensation in case of any “functional negligence” during the camp. “Beside, vaccinations would be priced on no-loss and no-profit basis, ” he said.

Tribune impact
MC carries out anti-encroachment drive; MDDA demolishes illegal construction
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 24
The Municipal Council (MC) reacting to the news item published in The Tribune titled 'Road widening efforts futile due to encroachments,' carried out anti-encroachment drive from Gandhi Chowk to Picture Palace in Mussoorie today.

The team led by MC executive officer Azhar Ali began removing the encroachment from Gandhi Chowk with the help of Mussoorie police.

The officials also removed the encroachment from Jhoola Ghar and warned the shopkeepers not to place their goods outside their shops on the road. They also confiscated goods kept on the public property on the occasion. Several vehicles were fined for parking illegally on the Mall road.

EO Azhar Ali said the anti-encroachment drive would continue in near future and solicited support from traders to keep Mussoorie clean and free from encroachments.

Residents of the town have welcomed the move and were of the view that shopkeepers had encroached into the road with their goods leaving no room for pedestrians? movement. The Tribune had carried out a news item highlighted encroachment at band stand near Gandhi Chowk, yesterday.

Drive to cover other parts of Mussoorie, too

The local administration in association with the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) carried out a demolition drive at Waverly Estate in Mussoorie today.

The MDDA officials demolished an unauthorised tin shed being constructed by the owner of the property, Ramesh, near Waverly Estate and have given notice to him to remove the construction material within 10 days.

Shyam Mohan Sharma, Assistant Engineer, MDDA, speaking to the media said that the demolition exercise was undertaken considering several complaints being received by MDDA. He also informed that another shop that was being constructed illegally near Civil Hospital in Mussoorie was also sealed and the work was stopped till further notice.

He further said cases of other illegal constructions were also under scrutiny of the MDDA, and if the owners do not comply, a similar exercise will be undertaken in the near future. He also said that they were aware of other illegal constructions in the town and action will be initiated against them soon. However, several residents alleged that MDDA was acting in a partisan manner and the illegal constructions being done by rich and powerful were not touched at all.

Poachers’ intelligence network superior, admits minister
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 24
Uttarakhand Forest Minister Dinesh Aggarwal has admitted that intelligence network of those engaged in anti-wildlife activities were at times even better that of state forest authorities.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Dinesh Aggarwal said that they have taken a slew of measures to strengthen their wildlife protection network. ''In Corbett, we have introduced electronic surveillance system to keep round-the-clock eye on activity in the vulnerable southern boundary of Corbett Park,'' Aggarwal said, adding that nine towers are already functioning in the southern boundary. He said regular talks are also being held with Uttar Pradesh Forest Department to ensure that no one resorts to misadventure against wildlife from UP side as some parts of territorial forest of Corbett were also part of UP.

He said further that GPS-aided patrolling system was also in force to ensure that patrolling was foolproof and there was no complacency in it.

Aggarwal said a provision of Rs 2 crore had been made to equip forest guards and other officials with modern weapons. He said it was important that the forest frontline staff was properly equipped to take on poachers and other anti-wildlife elements.

Referring to Rajaji National Park, Dinesh Aggarwal said efforts were in progress to ensure tiger reserve status for Rajaji Park. On rehabilitation of Van Gujjars, he said 1240 Van Gujjar families in Rajaji National Park were being rehabilitated at alternative sites. He said intelligence network was being strengthened in and around Rajaji Park to ensure that no anti- wildlife activity takes place in the region.

Uttarakhand Principal Chief Conservator of Forests SS Sharma was also present at the news conference.

Electronic surveillance introduced at Corbett’s southern boundary

Dehradun, May 24
State Forest Minister Dinesh Aggarwal on Thursday said the intelligence network of the people engaged in anti-wildlife activities were better than the state forest authorities. Addressing a press conference in Dehradun, Aggarwal said they had taken steps to strengthen their wildlife protection network.

“We have introduced electronic surveillance system at Corbett National Park to keep a check on the activities in the southern boundary of the park,” said Aggarwal.

He said nine towers were already functional in the southern boundary.

He said regular talks were also being held with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department to ensure that no misadventure happens against wildlife from the UP borders as some part of the park also lies in UP. He said GPS aided patrolling system was also in force to ensure that there was no complacency in it.

He said a provision of Rs 2 crore had been made to equip forest guards and other officials with modern weapons.

It was important that the forest frontline staff was properly equipped to take on poachers and other anti-wildlife elements, he added.

Referring to the Rajaji National Park, Aggarwal said efforts were in progress to ensure tiger reserve status for the park.

On the rehabilitation of Van Gujjars, he said 1,240 Van Gujjar families in the Rajaji National Park were being rehabilitated at alternative sites. He said intelligence network was being strengthened in and around the park to ensure that no anti-wildlife activity takes place in the region.

SS Sharma, principal chief conservator of forests was also present at the conference. — TNS

400 pilgrims allowed to proceed to Kedarnath after 3-day delay
Tribune News Service

Call of faith: Pilgrims on their way to Kedarnath dham were stopped at Sonprayag camp due to inclement weather for the past three days. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, May 24
The yatra to Kedarnath dham was re-started again today after a gap of three days today. A batch of 400 pilgrims were allowed to proceed to Kedarnath shrine from Sonprayag. The pilgrims who were proceeding to Kedarnath dham were stopped at Sonprayag camp due to inclement weather for the past three days. The state Meteorological Department had issued a warning of rain and snow in the past three days in the higher Himalayan region.

The administration allowed the pilgrims after the weather cleared in the Kedarnath valley today.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat held a review meet of the development work related to motor routes, drinking water, electricity and food provision on the yatra routes after flagging off Hemkunt Sahib yatra in Chamoli district today. He gave directions to the administration to ensure that that no pilgrim gets stuck anywhere during the yatra. He added that the Char Dham Yatra will be developed on the lines of Vaishno Devi shrine of Jammu. He assured that villages such as Pulna Bhyudar will be developed like Kedarnath. During the meeting he sanctioned eight trolleys, two valley bridges and two folding bridges on the Char Dham Yatra route. Since the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has no crusher from Chamoli to Badrinath road, the chief minister sanctioned two crushers to the BRO. He also sanctioned Rs 15 lakh from the contingency fund for each division of PWD. He gave orders to immediately appoint a doctor at Kedarnath.

High Court asks EC to furnish candidates' expenditure details
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 24
Candidates, who had not submitted their election expenditure of 2008 panchayat elections to the state Election Commission may face ban in contesting panchayat election this year.

The Uttarakhand High Court has ordered the state Election Commission to give details of the candidates by June 30, this year, who have not submitted their expenditure details of 2008 panchayat elections within 30 days after the election.

The court has given this order in a petition filed by Hayat Singh Adhikari of Champawat district.

The petitioner has alleged that according to a notification issued by the state election commission in 2003, the candidates had to submit their expenditure detail within 30 days, otherwise they would be debarred from contesting the panchayat elections for six years.

“The state election commission did nothing in this regard after 2008 panchayat elections as over one thousand candidates have not filed their election expenditure details after the election,” said Hayat Singh Adhikari, the petitioner.

The next hearing on the PIL will be held on May 30.

According to the petitioner, some of the candidates who have defaulted the election commission norms in Champawat district, are even mulling to contest elections this time. “There are 100 such candidates in the Champawat district alone,” said the petitioner.

BJP: Harish Rawat has no right to seek Rs 4000 cr aid from Modi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 24
The Congress-led government in Uttarakhand should first issue a white paper on the nature of spending, having made out of the over Rs 7,000 crore allocated by the UPA government for carrying out relief and reconstruction activity in the state, in the aftermath of the mid-June disaster, demanded Trivender Singh Rawat, national general secretary of the BJP on Friday.

“Chief Minister Harish Rawat has no right to demand a package of Rs 4,000 crore from Prime Minister-elect Narinder Modi, when his government has not even taken the oath of office,” said Rawat while addressing media persons in the state capital.

Rawat said that a third party should be commissioned for stock taking of the money spent under disaster relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction. “The people of the state ought to know the details of the money spent so far. It is their right and in case misappropriation of funds is detected, strict action should be taken,” asserted Rawat.

He also ridiculed the chief minister for his hunt for a safe seat and zeroing on Dharchula instead of Doiwala for gaining membership of the Uttarakhand Assembly.

“Harish Rawat has panicked after the BJP decimated the Congress in the just concluded parliamentary elections. He is unwilling to take the risk of fighting the elections from the Doiwala Assembly segment (which is part of Haridwar parliamentary constituency), as during his tenure as MP of Haridwar little was seen of him. Instead of working for the people of his constituency, he was busy in making announcements about undertaking protests at Hari-ki-Pauri against his own party government,” charged Trivender.

For good measure Rawat said that after facing defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister Harish Rawat should now be referred as “Haar da” instead of “Hari da”.

Work boycott by ministerial staff enters second day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 24
The work boycott by Uttarakhand Ministerial Services Employees' Association entered the second day in Uttarakhand today. The stir hampered the working of various departments in the state.

State general secretary of Uttarakhand Ministerial Services Employees' Association Sunil Dutt Kothari disclosed that large scale anomalies are there in the salaries of ministerial employees as compared to their counterparts in the neighbouring Himachal and Punjab states. He said the employees in both these states were getting far better grade pay than ministerial employees of Uttarakhand.

He asked Uttarakhand government to take immediate action to remove such anomalies. Rakesh Thapliyal, Madho Singh Rawat, Hukum Singh Rawat, Satypal Singh and Mahaveer Singh and Prem Singh Negi were prominent among the Ministerial employees who took part in the protests.

On the other hand, a deputation of the association employees today met the chief secretary but the deadlock could not be solved.

CM flags off first batch of pilgrims to Hemkunt Sahib
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 24
The first batch of pilgrims visiting the Sikh shrine of Hemkunt Sahib was flagged off from Gurdwara Gobind Ghat by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. The batch was flagged off amidst recitation of shabads and Gurbani. Addressing the gathering, Rawat said: ''The state government has taken every step to ensure smooth conduct of the yatra, especially after the disaster that struck in the state last year.''

Later, the chief minister held a meeting with officials from various departments to review the arrangements pertaining to roads, water and stay arrangements.

''The officials should ensure that pilgrims do not face any kind of difficulty and also that they do not get stuck at any place,'' he added.

Those present on the occasion included Harak Singh Rawat, Rajendra Singh Bhandari and Sunil Kumar Meena along with several others.