Chief Minister Harish Rawat contacted the NITI Aayog CEO Sindhushree Khullar on phone and sought swiftness in allocation of funds to Uttarakhand for the Ardh Kumbh to be held here in 2016.He said that if the required funds are made available then the State will be able to speed up work on development of infrastructural facilities only after which the pilgrims and tourists visiting the Ardh Kumbh will be able to enjoy improved facilities. The CM told the NITI Aayog CEO that following the June 2013 disaster, the Central Government then had formed an Uttarakhand sub-committee which had accorded financial approval worth Rs8,000 crore for repairing damaged roads and reconstruction works in such areas.
Of this approved sum, the State estimates to have received Rs3,000 crore financial assistance. It would be difficult for the State Government to make up for the remaining amount. The State Government has already spent its 30 per cent share on flood protection and other works. If the Centre does not provide the required funds the works already done would face the risk of being swept away during the monsoon season. The CM requested the NITI Aayog CEO that it should soon take a decision in the State’s interest so as to aid the State Government in completing works related to both the Char Dham Yatra and the Ardh Kumbh on time.
