The Budget session of the Uttarakhand Assembly commenced on Wednesday with the speech of the Governor that went on for about 80 minutes. The leader of the House, Chief Minister Harish Rawat, and the leader of the Opposition, Ajay Bhatt, along with other MlAs were present. As per the Governor's speech, the state government has given stress on traditional cultivation with special focus on development of horticulture.
The Governor said that the State government has pledged under cooperative scheme that the farmers would be given grant on interest and animal husbandry would be linked with livelihood. Besides, to arrest the alarming trend of migration, the State government has been running a slew of projects like Mere Ganv Meri Sadak Yojna and Mera Ganv Mera Talab Yojna. The speech mentioned the State government’s initiatives to better the quality of medical facility and education in schools and high schools.
Besides, the government is focused on putting the disaster- affected areas back on the tracks and revamping the urban and local bodies. The speech further mentioned the government’s engagement in Ardh Kumbha arrangements, micro irrigations schemes and national food processing mission. This aside, the government has given relief to the sugarcane growers by way of announcing MSP.
The Governor mentioned that training is being imparted to the growers to ensure that the condition of the growers better through bettering the quality of production. With this mission in view, high quality seed and fertilizers are being provided.
Referring to the tourism sector, the Governor during his speech has given details how things are looking up. Efforts are being made to preserve the state's culture and tradition aside from those meant to motivate the youth to focus on sports so as to ensure their health. Nutritious diet is being provided to the malnutrition-stricken children.
To bring transparency, stress is being given on e-governance. To better the quality of education being imparted by the madarsas, the government has included subjects like Mathematics and English in the curriculum. The government has been running several pension schemes like those for the destitute, widows, physically handicapped, farmers, dwarfs, priests, artists and artisans, journalists and many other categories of the people.
The speech mentioned that the state has received around Rs 1500 crore following the 14th Finance Commission's recommendation. The state has proposed to recruit more than 30000 against the vacant posts through subordinate service selection commission and public service commission.
The State government has been planning to establish 64 automated weather centres. Four have been established so far and two doppler weather radars are under construction. To ensure shelter for the pilgrims in case of disaster befalling them, the State government is constructing shelter cum godown and 60 helipads across the State. The helipads would help evacuate pilgrims swiftly in case of exigency.
This aside, the State government is working on metro rail between Dehradun-Rishikesh and Haridwar. A proposal is afoot to construct 350 meter long tunnel at Datkali temple and a rail over- bridge (ROB) at Mohkampur. Things are awaiting the nod from the National Highway Authority, the Governor said.