Much more can be achieved by focusing on social development activities instead of focusing mainly on politics, said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. He was speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Anugrah Society here on Monday. Rawat appealed to the people of the State to ensure that they spend at least 10 per cent of their monthly expenditure in purchasing things produced in the State. He said this will ensure better financial condition of the artisans and farmers of the State.
The Government and social organisations can work in tandem to create employment opportunities for downtrodden and less priviledged sections of the society, Rawat added. The CM said the State Government has taken various welfare measures for senior citizens. The State Government has extended the benefit of old age pension scheme to Above Poverty line (APl) persons also, he added. Rawat said that the women above the age of 60 and men above the age of 65 can avail free transport facility in the roadways buses. For employment generation in the far flung areas of State, the Government is planning to start small scale units based on hemp fibers, cannabis and Kandali (stinging nettle).
He said that to promote local produce and artisans, the State Government has ensured that all the fairs organised in State compulsorily should have stalls of local produce. He informed that efforts are being made to open many small markets on the Yatra route.
Praising the efforts of Anugrah society in the field of social security for aged people, the CM said that society should undertake more activities in the state and for it the State Government is ready to provide infrastructure facilities. He advised that the society can adopt some parks in State capital and develop them as a recreational spot for senior citizens. The chairman of State slum settlement development committee and local MlA Rajkumar said that Anugrah society has given training to the children residing in the slum area which is an appreciable gesture. He said that the State Government should give ownership rights to slum dwellers.
Chairperson of Anugrah society, Abbha Chaudhary said that with a population of 12 crore senior citizens India needs large number of caregivers. She said the society has given training of assistant nurse to 40 women belonging to lower strata of society. The Chief Minister distributed certificates on geriatric care for bedside assistants to trainees on the occasion. The programme was attended by Chairman of State Minorities commission Narinderjeet Singh Bindra, social worker Rakesh Dhawan, Director of CMI hospital Dr RK Jain and former chairperson of State women’s commission Sushila Balooni among others.
