Sunday, December 21, 2008

Vijaya Barthawal becomes first deputy speaker of Uttarakhand

BJP MLA Vijaya Barthawal, become the first deputy speaker of Uttarakhand assembly. The opposition parties Congress and BSP not field the candidate against Barthawal. Both the parties criticised the ruling party for not following the healthy traditions of a parliamentary democracy and said the post of Deputy Speaker goes to the opposition by convention. Vijaya Barthawal is from Yamkeshwar assembly seat in Pauri district.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Uttarakhand Small Pond Owners will get 30% Subsidy

Uttarakhand state government has decided to give 30% subsidy benefit to the fishponds owners having a size of more than 50 sq metres fishpond. Earlier it was available to fishponds of more than 100 sq metres.

According to Animal Husbandry Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, "In the hills of Uttarakhand, people generally keep small ponds. So we decided that the benefits of the subsidy should also reach small pond owners”.

The step is taken to give boost to the business of fisheries as fish in the Himalayan belt are considered tasty. In addition to this, the department will also provide five ducks to small pond owners and 10 ducks to big pond owners, as per the growing demand of duck eggs in the market.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Uttarakhand Wild Grass Furniture

With a theme "close to nature" Uttarakhand people start making use of the locally grown wild grass as a raw material for making furniture. The wild grass which they are using is popularly, known as lantana, the grass is invasive, and is considered to be a noxious weed. The grass is the same weed which was considered a curse by the locals till now, and the same weed now turning into a blessing for the local people.

Uttarakhand based non-governmental organization (NGO), HAFCO, is conducting workshops for the locals and training them in making innovative articles like flower vases, stools, racks, dustbins and furniture pieces such as sofa sets, tables and chairs.