CM Bahuguna said that State has long history of martyrs. Since independence thousands of soldiers, native of Uttarakhand, have received gallantry award.
Despite having inimical condition police, administration, army, air force, NDRF, ITBP personnel jointly managed to evacuate 1.17 lakh pilgrims and tourist from disaster affected areas. It was biggest operation in the world. He also expressed thanks to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. He also expressed thanks towards Union Government, State Governments, corporate, NGO and people including national and international arena helped State at the time of disaster.
He reiterated that State Government is committed to provide relief to the each affected family. To rebuild the damaged road, power supply, water pipeline, telecommunication we have been working on war footing level. Meanwhile we are also distributing free rations in isolated villages and also making effort on storage of ration in the affected villages.
CM said that there has been common agreement about starting the worship at Kedarnath Dham on Samarth Siddhi Amrit Yog from September 11. Shankaracharya Rawal, local shrine purohit and saint community have also given its approval.
Centre has also agreed in principle to extend an assistance or Rs 8,000 crore for rehabilitation of damaged villages. Environment and Forest Ministry has set up its regional office in Dehradun to settle down the cases related to transfer of forest land. It has also given consent to State’s demand of green bonus.
He said that taking a historic decision, State Government has expelled 111 villages out of the periphery of Askot forest reserve. Notification for it has been issued. Six companies of State Disaster Response Force would be set up in the State in a phased manner. He said that National Food Security Scheme would be implemented in the State on August 20.
It would provide ration to the common man on reasonable rates. Implementation of the scheme would extend benefit to more than 61 lakhs residents. He also reiterated Government’s commitment for the interest of the farmers. Interest on loans and bills of water and electricity for a year has been waived.