World Bank approves $250 Million for Uttarakhand Relief

The World Bank has approved USD 250 million assistance for Uttarakhand, which was hit hard in June by rains and landslides that killed 580 people, to help the state undertake rehabilitation work and strengthen its capacity for disaster management.

“In order to respond in a timely manner, the project was fast-tracked under the World Bank’s emergency procedures and was prepared within a 3-month period,” said a release.

India had sought assistance from multi-lateral agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for undertaking rehabilitation work in Uttarakhand. ADB too is expected to finalise its assistance package soon.

“A team has been in Dehradun from the day the request for assistance was sent by the government. We all know winter is quite harsh in these parts and so it was important for us to get the project going and help shelter people before winter hits them”, World Bank’s country director in India Onno Ruhl said.

Earlier, a joint World Bank and ADB team conducted a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (JRDNA) at the request of the Indian government to rebuild the state’s infrastructure and assets lost in the June disaster.
The JRDNA has estimated the physical damages across a range of sectors and calculated the cost of reconstruction at about $661 million. The sectors covered included housing and public infrastructure, roads and bridges, water supply and sanitation, livelihoods (in agriculture, fisheries and medium and small-scale enterprises), tourism, energy and environment.

“Disasters, like the one we witnessed in Uttarakhand, can roll back decades of development and are a fundamental threat to economic development and the fight against poverty,” Ruhl said, adding that this project will focus on both reconstruction and disaster preparedness.

“It will help the government of Uttarakhand with immediate relief efforts by building houses and public infrastructure including small roads and bridges. A very important part of the project will be to help the state be better prepared for the future,” he added.
Uttarakhand Airport

IAF Donates Rs 8.3 Crore in PM's Relief Fund for Uttarakhand

New Delhi: After having rescued over 23,000 people in disaster-hit Uttarakhand, the Indian Air Force has now contributed for their rehabilitation by donating Rs 8.33 crore in the Prime Minister's relief fund.

The amount was collected by IAF through donation of a day's salary by its over 1.7 lakh officers and men deployed across the country, Air Force officials said here.

The cheque was presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne at the Air Force Day reception at the IAF chief's residence on Tuesday.

In one of the largest relief operations in the country since Independence, IAF played a major role in Uttarakhand after floods caused by incessant rains struck large-scale devastation there beginning June 16 night.

The Air Force airlifted more than 23,000 people -- flying more than 2,140 sorties and dropping/landing a total of 3,82,400 kg of relief material and equipment.

At the peak of its operations in the hill state, IAF had deployed more than 50 aircraft and helicopters. The operations went on till the end of July.

The IAF choppers involved in the sorties included the Mi-26, Mi-17V5, Mi-17, ALH Dhruv besides their mainstay in the difficult terrain -- Cheetah and Chetak light helicopters.

Uttarakhand Airport

2,500 families in Uttarakhand to get prefabricated houses

Dehradun: Uttarakhand government will build prefabricated houses to rehabilitate 2,500 families rendered homeless by the mid-June calamity in the state.

This will be in addition to a compensation of Rs 2 lakh already given to each person who lost their house in the tragedy, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna told reporters in Dehradun on Thursday while announcing the state government’s rehabilitation policy framed in the wake of the calamity.

3,100 families were rendered homeless by the catastrophic floods, out of which 600 will be rehabilitated by corporate houses and NGOs and the rest by the state government, he said.

About a dozen villages have been identified in the worst-hit Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts where the prefabricated houses will come up, he said.

Each prefabricated house to be constructed at a cost of Rs 6 lakh and will have two rooms, a toilet and guaranteed durability of 30 years, Bahuguna said.

“Our effort is to finish the construction of these houses before the onset of peak winter months,” he said.

He said if a targeted beneficiary does not want to live in these houses, he will be given Rs 4 lakh in addition to the Rs 2 lakh already given to him as compensation, apart from a 1000 sq ft plot free of cost to help him resettle.

However, the Chief Minister clarified that the beneficiaries will be allowed to resettle and relocated only in areas adjacent to their original homes and not in the plain areas.

In case of a beneficiary choosing not to move into the prefabricated houses built for them, they will have to take the clearance of the District Magistrate concerned to settle in a location of their choice.

Noting that the state government has not yet been able to provide compensation to Kedarnath residents who lost their property in the tragedy, Bahuguna said he will hold a meeting with them on 11 October, listen to them and then ascertain the quantum of compensation to be given to them.

Yatra to the char dhams will be resumed with the commencement of the Navratras on 5 October when pilgrims will be allowed to visit Badrinath and Kedarnath.

However, for the first week, not more than 200 persons a day will be allowed to visit these Himalayan shrines considering the condition of the newly repaired roads.

The number may be increased later, he said.

Accusing main opposition BJP of doing politics over the June calamity, Bahuguna said it should play the role of a responsible opposition and desist from instigating disaster-hit people against the government.

“We welcome suggestions from them (BJP leaders) on how to improve the pace of rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts but their going from one place to another, holding public meetings and instigating people against the government is thoroughly unacceptable,” the Chief Minister said.

Instead of finding fault with the government, they should tell people what they did while in power for those affected by natural calamities which are an annual feature in the state, he said.

Bahuguna claimed that no government in Uttarakhand had tried to help the flood hit people of the state as generously as the government headed by him.

“We have relaxed several norms to widen the ambit of beneficiaries so that no one affected by the calamity is left out. It is something never done by any government in the state,” he said.

Uttarakhand Airport
 

Sources: Firstpost.com

Uttarakhand government suspends 25 doctors

The Uttarakhand government on Saturday terminated the services of as many as 25 doctors posted in government hospitals of various districts in the state, citing their absence from duty as the reason.

The doctors who have been suspended were found to be absent from their duty for the last 10 to 11 years without any permission, officials said.

The suspended doctors posted in the hilly and far fetched areas of the Uttarakhand state did not report for duty after being appointed hence their services were terminated.

Sidcul amends rules for logistics hubs

The bidding process for the development of two logistics hubs in Uttarakhand, which had hit the roadblock last year, has been amended with the government deciding to go for profit sharing formula and lowering the land premium considerably.

With the development of key industrials estates of Haridwar and Pantnagar, the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (Sidcul) had chalked out plans to provide logistic support and comforts to the industries through these two proposed hubs. For this purpose, about 10 bids were received by Sidcul.

However, the Sidcul board, comprising top government officials, expressed reservations over certain clauses due to which the bidding process did not make any headway. Some of these companies wanted to make upfront charges in a staggered manner by adopting annuity model. However, this was not accepted by the board.

Besides, all the 10 bidders, who were selected through technical bidding process, also wanted some concessions because they found the land premium to be quite high. “We have adopted the middle path to suit both the government as well as the developers,” said a government official.

Under the new formula, the bidders will be offered land at a reserve price aroundRs 1200 per sq metre at the integrated industrial estates (IIEs) of Haridwar and Pantnagar against the current land premium of Rs 3,800 and Rs 4,500 per sq metre. Besides, the government has also decided to take two per cent of the total profit earned. In addition to this, a land rent of Rs 5 per sq metre will also be charged.

“We have now invited financial bids to complete the process. Some of the parties are also seeking more time. We hope to complete entire process shortly,” the official added.

Sidcul, the nodal agency for industrial development in the hill state, had decided to set up two modern logistic/transport hubs having facilities like warehouse, truck parking, dormitories and 24 hour canteen/restaurant, fuel station, service centres, office complexes for service providers and hotels. An investment of Rs 50 crore is proposed in the two logistic hubs.

But the demand from industries was growing for logistic hubs mainly for the comfort of businessmen and industrialists visiting the two places.

Sidcul has also mandated IL&FS Ltd to undertake comprehensive process, management leading to appointment of developers who will implement the projects on the Public Private Partnership model.

Source: Business-standard.com

More Uttarakhand related news:

• 22 Couples enter Wedlock in Haridwar
• Uttarakhand government to clear Ganga of corpses
• Uttarakhand Raises Gender Budget for Women Empower...
• Uttarakhand with Gail set up 2 Power Plants
• उत्तराखंड में होली की अनूठी परंपरा
• Holi Tradition in Uttarakhand
• Uttarakhand to set up university at Tehri
• Save tigers campaign in Uttarakhand
• 2 lakh compensation to Uttarakhand CRPF Jawans

Uttarakhand bans Strike for next 6 Months

Dehradun, Oct 14 (PTI) Still reeling under the impact of devastating landslides and floods, the Uttarakhand government has banned strikes for next six months in departments providing essential services.

The government departments, state government undertakings and corporations have been banned from holding strikes for the next six months, officials said today.

The step has been taken in view of natural disasters that struck different parts of the state last month.

More related news:

• Uttarakhand Landslides leave 3000 Tourists Strande...
• Dhoni nominated as Uttarakhand's first wildlife wa...
• Chardham Yatra for Safety of Pilgrims
• Uttarakhand's Scientists use Cow Urine for Apicult...
• Badri-Kedar University to come up in Himalayas
• 8000 pilgrims stranded in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Government to increase DA

Dehra Dun, Jun 25, 2010: Uttarakhand government has decided to increase the Dearness Allowance (DA) of the employees of various corporations by 8 percent to 35 percent, official sources said today.

Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank took the decision to increase the DA after a delegation of corporation employees had met him yesterday with a request in this regard.

The employees working in various state government-run corporations are currently getting DA at the rate of 27 percent, they said.

The Uttarakhand state government had recently increased the DA of its employees to 35 percent.

Source: PTInews.com

Uttarakhand Annual Plan 2010-11 Finalized

The Annual Plan outlay for Uttarakhand for the year 2010-11 was finalised at a meeting, here today, between Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal. The Annual Plan size was agreed at Rs.6800 crores.

Mr. Ahluwalia congratulated the State Government on successful completion of Maha Kumbh Mela. He said this historical event which requires major infrastructure development and organizational skills has been conducted in a manner that has been widely appreciated. Efforts to restore the pristine character of the sacred Ganga River as well as the ancient city of Haridwar, must be continued. He Stated that the centre and the State should work together to implement the on-going projects of the Ganga Action Plan.

He said, it is commendable that Uttarakhand is among the three special category States which have been reorganized by the TFC for prudent fiscal management, despite non-cost disabilities, in recognition of which a special performance grant of Rs.1000 crores has been provided by the TFC. Therefore, the State Government must reinforce this good track record and ensure that the fiscal deficit is brought down to 3 per cent and its total debt to 30 per cent of GSDP as early as possible.

Appreciating the efforts to place the State on sound economic path, Mr Ahluwalia said that Uttaranchal has great potential in terms of natural resources which should be harnessed to generate sustainable growth and income opportunities for the people. The State has registered economic growth with GSDP averaging over 9 per cent in both the Tenth Plan and the completed years of the Eleventh Plan. The State has estimated that, to achieve growth envisaged by the Thirteenth Finance Commission, it would require investment of approximately Rs.75,000 crore of which Rs.40,000 crore must come from private sources. Therefore it is critical that the State Government puts in place policies that enable private investment of this magnitude to materialise.

In the farm sector, the average growth rate of agriculture has been less than 1 per cent in the first two years of the Eleventh Plan. Despite large riverine network and high rainfall, only 44 per cent of the arable area is under irrigation. The poverty level is also high at nearly 40 per cent in 2004-05 and compares poorly with other hill States. It points to a need to place great emphasis on livelihood programmes, and improvement of farm productivity and income opportunities in rural areas.

There is also an uneven development between the hill districts and the plain districts of the State, with much of the growth concentrated in the latter. Bharat Nirman and other flagship programmes as well as NABARD funded programmes should be used to bridge this gap. Literacy rates in the State have shown big improvement according to 2001 census, but yet remain relatively low. The gap between female and male literacy is also quite high and it appears to be more serious in certain districts.

Briefing the Commission on the development strategy, the Chief Minister said that thrust areas of Annual Plan would be physical infrastructure including roads, bridges, power projects and drinking water. Fallow land would be brought under cultivation in hill areas for growing horticulture, herbal and organic agriculture crops. Emphasis will be on water conservations and enhancing livelihood options. Public private partnership would be encouraged in infrastructure both physical and social. He said that Uttarakhand Government has launched new programme with the objective of achieving balanced regional development and providing basic infrastructure in all neglected areas.

He said efforts are on to further improve tourism related infrastructure and to get education hub status to the State. He wanted Planning Commission’s help in restoring industrial package benefit to the State.

Transfer UP's share from Tehri to Uttarakhand

Faced with acute shortage of power, the Uttarakhand government has now set its eyes on the mega 2,400 Mw Tehri hydel project asking the Centre to transfer the 25 per cent share of Uttar Pradesh in the dam to the hill state.


During his meeting with Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in New Delhi Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said since the Tehri project lied in Uttarakhand, the equity of Uttar Pradesh should be transferred to Uttarakhand.
Last year also, the state government sent a letter in this regard to the Centre seeking the transfer of Uttar Pradesh’s share in Tehri to Uttarakhand.


Under the provision of the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2000, there is clause under section 47(3), under which investments made before the creation of Uttarakhand should go to the state where the project is located.


Significantly, Uttar Pradesh is 25 per cent partner of Tehri project where the centre’s share is 75 per cent.
In case, the Uttar Pradesh’s equity is transferred, Uttarakhand would get nearly 250 Mw of additional power since the Tehri dam has the current capacity of producing 1,000 Mw which has been constructed with a total investment of nearly Rs 9,000-10,000 crore. Uttarakhand currently gets 12.5 percent of free power from Tehri dam.


Tehri dam comprises a 260.5 high earth and rock-fill dam which is one of the highest in the world. Under the first phase, all the four turbines (250 Mw each) of the project are in operation. Besides providing much needed power to the northern grid, the project has started imparting benefits of additional irrigation facility to 2.70 lakh hectares of land. It is also providing drinking water for 40 lakhs people in Delhi and 30 lakh people in Uttar Pradesh.

In the second and third phases, the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) is implementing 400 Mw Koteshwar dam and 1,000 Mw Tehri pump storage (PSP) plant.
The power demand in Uttarakhand is growing by 10 to 15 percent every year which has now touched to 27-28 million units this year. After failing to make headway in the hydro sector despite its tremendous potential, the government is exploring various new options to increase power in the state.

Source: Sify.com

In Mussoorie Tourists will have to Pay Eco Tax

NAINITAL: It may not be good news for tourists but for Mussoorie it could literally mean a breath of fresh air. The Uttarakhand government has decided to introduce eco tax upon entry into the Queen of Hills with immediate effect, which is a first in the history of Mussoorie. It will be in line with the Naini lake tax charged from tourists in Nainital.

The tax of Rs 100 from heavy vehicles and Rs 30 from cars and jeeps — will be levied by Mussoorie Municipal Board either through its employees or contracted agents from motorists at Kolhukhet — Mussoorie’s entry point. Those planning to spend their holidays at Uttarakhand’s most pictureseque resort should now be ready to cough up ecological tax as their mite towards preserving the pristine greenery of the region.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, chairman of Mussoorie Municipal Board, O P Uniyal, said each private bus will be charged Rs 100 whereas the driver of a small vehicle will have to pay Rs 30 per entry. Two-wheelers will pay Rs 5.

“The decision has been taken. The government will strictly endorse these taxes with immediate effect,’’ said chairman Uniyal.

The objective is to collect revenue for preserving the town’s environment, its heritage, apart from maintaining its sanitation and cleanliness. The money will be spent on encouraging plantation and educating tourists against using plastic while in Mussoorie.

“We don’t know whether the new tax will get good response or not, but we have done this to help preserve Mussoorie’s beauty and eco-system without causing any setback to tourism,’’ said a senior IAS officer in Dehradun.

Source: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com