News Analysis India

Tag: Uttarakhand

  • Uttarakhand: Seers in Mahakumbh beat up official over lousy arrangements

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Seers in Mahakumbh on Thursday late evening allegedly beat up an official in charge of the religious event over lousy arrangements.

    Officials of the mela area told TNIE that senior officials including inspector general Sanjay Gunjyal and others rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.

    An official said on the condition of anonymity, “The seers from Nirmohi Akhada beat up the officer over bad arrangements in the Mahakumbh. They also roughed up the police personnel who accompanied him.”

    The officer in question is Harveer Singh who has held positions of sub-divisional magistrate and additional district magistrate in many districts including Dehradun, Haridwar, and Nainital among others in the state.

    The officials of the district administration told that the seers were angry over allotment of area and various other issues including lackluster infrastructure. 

    Singh was on a routine round of the mela area to check if anything is amiss or out of place. After he reached ‘Bairagi Camp’ of Akhil Bhartiya Nirmohi Ani Akhada, seers told him that the power supply in the camp is erratic and they face hours of power cut.

    Following this, the official was allegedly attacked by the seers. The security personnel who tried to intervene and protect him were also allegedly roughed up. 

  • Infuriated by Holi colour stains on floor, Uttarakhand man shoots five-year-old girl 

    By Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Holi celebrations turned almost fatal for a five-year-old girl in Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur, who was shot by a man for staining his floor with colours.

    The man lost his temper and shot the girl (Kanchan), who was then admitted to the district hospital after sustaining severe injuries. Her condition is said to be stable now.

    The accused, one Deepak Jain, is the employer of the girl’s father.

    Originally from Bihar, the girl lives with her family in a rented accommodation in the Bagwala village of Rudrapur town. Her father, Bigan Sahni, works as a labourer in the house of property dealer Deepak Jain, in Baghwala area of Rudrapur. 

    Kanchan, who was playing with other children in the vicinity on Holi, accidentally dropped the colours on the floor, which enraged Jain and he shot her.

    “The accused fired two rounds in the air and then aimed the third one at the girl. The bullet grazed her body and injured her,” said Mamta Bohra, Superintendent of police. 

    Meanwhile, senior officials also visited the girl’s family in the hospital to take stock of the situation.

    A police case has also been registered against the accused.

  • Wildfires gut 4000 hectares forest area in Uttarakhand

    By Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand has lost over 4,000 hectares of forest ecosystem to 765 wildfires in the past six months alone. The highest incidence was recorded in reserved forests, where in 642.11 ha were lost to 473 wildfires. While areas under civil soyam and van panchayat witnessed lesser incidence, the 291 incidents gutted a whopping 3,546 ha.

    The state government on Monday last decided to induct 10,000 fire fighters, including 5,000 women under a two-prong strategy of tackling the outbreak of fire and empowering women in one go. Enumerating the losses sustained in the six months gives some startling figures.

    The hill state lost over 290 hectares of forest area, including 5,500-odd trees, in 235 fire incidents, leading to a monetary loss of Rs 9.71 lakh between October and December 2020. According to empirical data, the season of wildfires begins around February 15 in the state, and ends by June 15, which coincides with the arrival of the monsoon season.

    While the spark for the wildfires could be both natural and human, the forest department has been into an overdrive to amalgamate public participation through social media since 2019. People are encouraged to share photos, videos and location of the blazes on the official pages such that swift action could be taken. The state machinery is already banking on toll free numbers for expedited alerts, all the while using drones and ground staff.

  • Enhance COVID testing, ensure adequate care facilities in view of Kumbh Mela: Centre to Uttarakhand

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Centre has directed the Uttarakhand government to follow all the ‘stringent measures’ to control the spread of the Covid 19 in Mahakumbh 2021. 

    In a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has ‘strongly’ highlighted the concerns raised by the high-level central team during its visit to Uttarakhand. 

    “Currently more than 12 states in India have shown a surge in covid-19 cases during past few weeks, and pilgrims expected to visit Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela could also be from these States. As per the report of the Central Team, 10-20 pilgrims and 10-20 locals are being reported positive every day. This positivity rate has the potential to rapidly turning to an upsurge in cases, given the expected large footfall during Kumbh,” stated the letter. 

    The letter also added the need for stringent measures to control the spread of Covid-19 during the ongoing Kumbh in Haridwar of Uttarakhand. 

    A high-level team led by the director of the national center of disease control (NCDC) visited Uttarakhand on March 16-17, 2021 to review the preparedness for the Mahakumbh. 

    With newly sworn-in Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat announcing that except center’s guideline no restrictions will be implemented in Mahakumbh, officials of the Uttarakhand state government are worried given the shortage of forces in the upcoming religious congregation. 

    Officials told that at least 15000-20,000 extra force personnel are needed to manage the security of the Mahakumbh. 

    On April 14, which is also the day of the Baisakhi festival the estimates suggest that over 1 Crore devotees may visit the holy city of Haridwar. Officials also added that over 2 Crore devotees can visit Haridwar between April 11-14. 

    Earlier, the estimates were about 50-60 lakh people visiting the congregation but with the change of guard in the state things changed drastically.

    The new CM has made the Mahakumbh his priority with setting the agenda straight. His first order as the CM was to shower flowers on the occasion of Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) on Mahashivratri on March 11. 

    The hill state has already requested forces from many states including neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh but the states have not responded yet. Officials added that UP has panchayat elections due soon due to which chances of availability of force has become slim. 

  • Uttarakhand police registers case over non-Hindu prohibition banners in Dehradun temples

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand state police on Sunday registered an FIR against members of Hindu Yuva Vahini, a right-wing outfit, under Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth etc.) of the Indian Penal Code after banners came up in more than 150 temples in Dehradun saying that entry of non-Hindus is banned in the premises.

    Pardeep Singh Rawat, public relations officer from the office of senior superintendent of police, Dehradun said, “The matter is being looked into and some posters have also been removed.”

    The banners read, “Yeh teertha Hinduo ka pavitra sthal hai, ismein gair Hinduo ka pravesh varjit hai.” (This site is a holy place for Hindus, the entry of non-Hindus is prohibited). 

    The temples where these banners are put up are mostly located in and around the areas of Chakrata Road, Prem Nagar, Ghantaghar, Siddhuwala areas of Dehradun.

    The Vahini is not the same founded by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, said the members associated with the group in Uttarakhand. 

    The move comes days after a teenage boy from the Muslim community was assaulted for drinking tap water at the Dasna Devi temple in Dasna (Ghaziabad).

    The members of the Vahini also said their next plan is to put up such banners in Char Dham temples- Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

    Govind Wadhwa (47), president of Uttarakhand chapter of the Vahini said, “Next, we plan to put the same banners in the Char Dham temples in Uttarakhand. Soon, we will meet the CM of Uttarakhand.”

    Jeetu Randhawa, state general secretary of Hindu Yuva Vahini defending the move said, “The move is to extend support to Yati Narasimhanand Saraswati. BSP MLA from Dhaulana Aslam Chaudhary has give statement saying that the temple belonged to his ancestors and he will remove the posters banning the entry of non-Hindus into the temple.”

    The members of the outfit added that to counter the threat from the BSP MLA such posters outside every temple in Uttarakhand.

    The opposition on Sunday launched scaring attack over this move by the outfit. 

    Suryakant Dhasmana, vice-president of Uttarakhand unit of the Indian National Congress said, “This move by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh affiliated outfit is to tarnish ‘Sanatan Dharma’s and not to save or preserve. This move is to incite hatred and controversy to divert attention from key issues auch as development, unemployed and corruption in the state. Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi where Lord Badri Kedar reside. People of Uttarakhand will never support this.”

    Residents of Uttarakhand also added that such a move is not needed and unnecessary.

    Samir Sah, a resident of the scenic town of Nainital said, “No one else visits temples except Hindus then why to put such banners. There is no need for such acts. This only tarnishes Hindu religion as intolerant.”

  • Uttarakhand: Key promises in BJP manifesto, including appointment of Lokayukta still unfulfilled

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: With less than an year left for state assembly elections, the BJP government is yet to fulfill many key promises made in its election manifesto of 2017. 

    The key promises which are yet to be fulfilled by the BJP government include appointment of Lokayukta within 100 days of forming the government, government boarding schools in every district, providing smart phones and laptops to meritorious students of the state, providing electricity on discounted rates to economically weaker sections of the society and to provide relief from farm debts to small and border area farmers to mention few. 

    Jay Singh Rawat, political commentator from Dehradun said, “The BJP government has yet to fulfill some key promises and the new Chief Minister must focus on that. A new survey suggests that Congress is gaining and may form government is election would happen at this instance.” 

    However, state BJP president said that the government has fulfilled 85 per cent of the promises made in the manifesto. 

    Madan Kaushik, the newly appointed BJP state president said, “Our government has tirelessly worked towards fulfilling the promises made in our election manifesto in 2017. Soon, the rest of the promises will be fulfilled too and people will support us in elections like they did in 2017.” 

    Political experts said that fulfilling all the promises including that of Lokayukta is a challenge for the state government. 

    “The appointment of the Lokayukta is challenge for any government in Uttarakhand. It will be interesting to see what the BJP government does and how Congress reacts to it,” said Yogesh Kumar, another political expert. 

    Meanwhile, CM Tirath Singh Rawat on Friday travelled to Delhi. The CM thanked and praised the center and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocation of Rs 700 Crore for health sector in Uttarakhand. 

    “Under vision of our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji we are committed to all round development of Uttarakhand state. Our government will work towards welfare of the people and act as per peoples’ dreams,” said the CM after reaching Delhi. 

  • TSR vs TSR: War of words between former CM Trivendra and new CM Tirath in Uttarakhand

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: War of words have broken out between newly sworn in Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Trivendra Singh Rawat who recently evicted office after reversal of various decisions taken during Trivendra led government. 

    Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat on March 12 in his first cabinet meet directed withdrawal of over 5000 cases registered during Covid induced lockdown.  

    Ajay Dahundhiyal, a political commentator from Dehradun said, “The new CM said that the cases were registered against people who were trying to help others. Now this statement seems clearly directed at the former CM who just evicted office. Everyone can see that this is war of words between two political rivals.”

    “As Mahakumbh is on the Covid threat will be taken seriously. The vaccination programme is successfully being implementated under visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Trivendra Singh Rawat said on Monday during his visit in Haridwar. 

    This statement of Trivendra Singh Rawat comes after reversal of decisions of Trivendra government including withdrawl of over 5000 case registered Epidemic Act 1897 and the Disaster Management Act 2005 against people in Covid induced lockdown, RTPCR test for Covid to attend Mahakumbh, efforts to downplay the religious congregation and various other decisions has been reversed by Tirath Singh Rawat led government, Trivendra Singh Rawat today said that Mahakumbh should be taken seriously in terms of Covid 19.

    The CM on Monday directed to start 500 extra buses for Mahakumbh which is exact opposite what happened in Trivendra led government.

    The senior officials went ahead to write to various state governments not to run any special trains or buses for Mahakumbh 2021. 

    Om Prakash, Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand in January 2021  wrote a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all the states stating, “The states have to check and not allow sick passengers to proceed to the mela.”

    Interestingly, the state government had also requested the railways to not run any special trains for Kumbh so that the number of visitors to the two-month long event is limited. 

    Analysts say that former CMs statement is direct comment on reversal of his decisions regarding Mahakumbh which was cut short due to Covid 19 epidemic. 

    Rahul Shekhawat, a political analyst based in Dehradun said, “Tirath Singh Rawat has set the agenda straight. His first instruction as the CM of the state was to shower flowers on Mahakumbh devotees during Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) of Mahashivaratri. The restrictions imposed by Trivendra government in the religious congregation caused anger among the BJP cadre itself, leave aside the vote base.”

    The experts also pointed out that Tirath government is trying to cater to angry BJP cadre and base votebank of the BJP.

    “The Mahakumbh is not just limited to Uttarakhand. It’s an event which happens every 12-years anunifying factor for devotees from across the country. By imposing such strict restrictions on travelling to the religious event hurt a lot of sentiments nationwide. Tirath Singh Rawat has one job- damage control, to assuage anger of the voters as well as the cadre,” said Yogesh Kumar, another political analyst from Dehradun. 

    Meanwhile on Monday, the CM reviewed the preparations of Char Dham Yatra and directed all preparations to be completed till April 30.

    “Instructions jave been issued to secretaries of all concerned departments to clear all hassles and make sure that all arrangements are in place. Char Dham Yatra is a matter of devotion for devotees from across the world. We want to ensure that no issues are after by pilgrims travelling to Char Dham of Uttarakhand, ” said CM Tirath Singh Rawat after meeting with the key officials of the state.

  • Faceless BJP brass in Uttarakhand hoping Brand Modi will steal show

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  The BJP appears to have opted for a “faceless” leadership in Uttarakhand to contest next year’s Assembly elections in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In selecting Tirath Singh Rawat as the new chief minister, BJP has sought to silence the ambitions of factions within the state unit by sending out the message that Brand Modi will overwhelm the anti-incumbency against the state government.

    On Friday, the saffron party projected a semblance of caste balance by appointing Madan Kasuhik, a Brahmin, as the state unit president. The new chief minister is a Kshatriya. Uttarakhand politics is known to have two strong electoral bases in the Brahmin and Kshatriya castes.

    The BJP has seemingly taken confidence from the Bihar poll verdict where the party topped its senior alliance partner JD (U) despite an overwhelming anti-incumbency factor against the NDA government. “It was Brand Modi which pulled through in the Bihar elections despite the local leadership struggling to pull crowds and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar facing public anger in the rallies.

    With no big face in the party in Bihar, the leadership in the state was also faceless, which didn’t allow room for faction fighting. The Bihar message is being sent afresh in Uttarakhand,” said a senior BJP functionary in the know.

    The move to take former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi off state politics is seen within the party as a pattern repeated in the removal of Trivendra Singh Rawat as chief minister. Tirath Singh Rawat is a rank outsider in the power game, which gives the party’s central leadership scope to experiment due to the “mass appeal of the Prime Minister”. 

    With the BJP amplifying the Central schemes in state elections, the saffron outfit also seems to be confident that Brand Modi can blunt the anti-incumbency factor in the party-ruled states. With Uttarakhand going to the elections in less than a year, the BJP estimates that the new CM will at best be seen as the representative of the PM in pushing for the implementation of the Central schemes and projects, besides dousing the faction fights.

    CM starts with withdrawal of lockdown casesDehradun: CM Tirath Singh Rawat on Friday held his first cabinet meeting immediately after 11 ministers took oath. They decided to withdraw cases registered under Epidemic Act 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005.

    “One of the first decisions was withdrawing cases registered during the lockdown. Other decisions include review of development authorities which came into existence after 2016,” said Om Prakash, chief secretary.

    At around 5.30 pm,  11 ministers took oath. There were  four new faces — Bansidhar Bhagat, Bishan Singh Chuphal, Swami Yatishwarananda and Ganesh Joshi. Apart from CM, the state now has eight cabinet ministers and 3 ministers of state. Distribution of departments will be done soon. Of the 13 districts in the state, Pauri has three ministers. Udham Singh Nagar and Dehradun have two each. Others ministers are from Haridwar, Nainital, Tehri, Pithoragarh and Almora districts.

  • Uttarakhand CM Rawat’s resignation an eyewash to hide govt’s failures: Congress

    Devendra Yadav said that the act shows the quot;admission quot; by the BJP of its government #39;s quot;failure quot; in fulfilling the aspirations of people.

  • BJP mulls leadership change in Uttarakhand, minister Dhan Singh Rawat may become CM

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: With the BJP mulling a change of leadership in Uttarakhand, state minister Dhan Singh Rawat has emerged as a frontrunner to replace Trivendra Singh Rawat as chief minister.

    Ajay Bhatt and Anil Baluni, two senior leaders from the state who are members of Parliament, are being seen as two other strong probables for the top post. Sources said the party may also bring in a deputy chief minister, who will be from the Kumaon region.

    ALSO READ| Brief breather for Uttarakhand CM, crisis in state BJP still not over

    Uttarakhand: National vice president Dr Raman Singh to arrive in Dehradun soon to oversee change of guard, cabinet minister Dhan Singh Rawat’s name at the forefront for the next CM: Sources @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard
    — Vineet Upadhyay (@VineetTNIE) March 9, 2021

    The central BJP leadership recently sent two observers, party vice president Raman Singh and general secretary Dushayant Kumar Gautam, to Uttarakhand to get feedback from the party’s core group in the state amid reports of discontent against the chief minister.