The Union Government would extend all possible help to the Uttarakhand Government for its development endeavours and infrastructure building efforts by timely clearance of projects.
“The Centre is aware of the problems being faced by the hill State and will give all possible assistance to the State Government for timely implementation of infrastructural projects and creation of basic facilities,” Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning Rajiv Shukla said while addressing a meeting at the Chief Minister's residence here.
Shukla said that the State's financial management in the last financial year was appreciable. Sources of revenue had been developed in the State. There was great scope for developing tourism, horticulture and power in the State. Besides pilgrim tourism, adventure tourism also had a lot of scope. He said a special tourism project for Badrinath, Kedarnath and Haridwar should be prepared.
Welcoming Shukla, CM Vijay Bahuguna said that the state had received all support from the centre. In the financial year 2013-14, the State has a goal of achieving nine percent rate of economic growth.
Due to the difficult topography, expense of implementing schemes is higher. He said this should be kept in mind while approving schemes for Uttarakhand. There is potential for producing 27000 MW of power through hydropower projects in the state. At present, only 3619 MW is being produced.
Several projects which were nearing completion had been closed in the State. This has had a negative impact on the possibilities of investment in the State. State had 250 KM of international border with China and Nepal.
Migration from the hills to the plains is another serious problem. There was an urgent need for improving roads in border areas.
Natural disasters and wild animals caused a lot of damage in the state. The State Government had increased compensation for this damage and loss but the centre should also have a separate provision for this. He said 200 villages had to be rehabilitated and help from the centre was needed. The State should be given Green Bonus for its contribution in environment protection. Central help to Uttarakhand should be in the ratio of 90:10 in all schemes. But in 38 central schemes, this was not the case.
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer which is operating in two districts should also be run in other districts.
The National mental Health Programme should also be started in Uttarakhand. A team of doctors from the centre should be sent to Char Dham yatra.
Keeping in view of the forest cover in the State, Uttarakhand should be exempted from NPV. He stressed that there was need to accelerate the Rishikesh-Karnprayag, Dehradun-Vikasnagar-Kalsi railway projects. Informing the minister about the Nanda Raj Jaat beginning in August, he said that a large number of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world would come to this "Himalayan Kumbh" .He said he hoped the centre would help in the yatra.
CM Bahuguna also invited Shukla for the opening ceremonies of Badrinath and Kedarnath.
Other dignitaries including State Planning Minister Dinesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, Principal Secretary Rakesh Sharma, S Ramaswamy and SS Sandhu were present during the meeting.