Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat raised the issues of dragging disputes involving Uttarakhand and UP, which keep running since 2000 after Uttarakhand was carved out of UP, while addressing a meeting of the Central Regional Council.
The council is meant to address problems the States - Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh - are facing. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the meeting held in lucknow on Monday.
Using the inter-State platform up to the hilt, the CM broached other emotive issues like eco-sensitive zone and stalled hydro-power projects. He appealed to all concerned to settle the issues like division of property and accountability between the two States aside from ensuring that a MoU between the States be signed for the construction of Jamrani barrage.
CM Rawat demanded Rs2200 crore- Rs150 crore for jail modernization, Rs50 crore for police modernisation and Rs2000 crore as green bonus. He also stressed on railway expansion in view of Uttarakhand sharing boundaries with two countries.
Rawat said that property and responsibility between the two States are yet to be settled down despite Reorganisation Act remaining in place. 88 canals of irrigation department, six barrages, 13813.433 hectare land, 4027 residential buildings and 357 non- residential buildings have remained disputed.
At the November 20, 2013 meeting chaired by secretary, water resource ministry, it was decided that 41 canals situated within Uttarkhand’s boundary, yet under the jurisdiction of Uttar Pradesh, would be transferred to Uttarakhand.
However, nothing has happened on the ground. Even six barrages, which are supposed to be transferred to Uttarakhand are yet to be transferred by UP. We appeal to all to ensure that all these pending issues are settled and the properties transferred before Ardh Kumbh (January 2016) starts.
Besides, properties belonging to Forest, Transport and Tourism departments are yet to be settled down. In 2001, UP Forest Corporation had agreed to give Rs173 crore to Uttarakhand. However, things are hanging in balance. If we add interests it would come to around Rs531 crore now.
In Nainital district, we have proposed a multipurpose project over Gola River. Under it, 130.60 meter- long barrage will be built up. Once implemented, it will cater to the needs related to drinking water, irrigation and hydro power.
As per the estimate, UP is supposed to contribute Rs373.58 crore out of Rs655.37 crore. A MoU was prepared and sent to UP. Now DPR has already been sent to Central Water Commission (CWC). "Please see to it that things are expedited," the CM said.
In the power sector, all the formalities related to lakhwad Hydro power Project have been completed. Now the investment clearance from the Union Government is expected. Similarly, MoU on Kisau Hydel Project between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand has been readied and sent for approval to Himachal Pradesh on December 18, 2014.
Venting annoyance over several hydro-power projects hanging fire, the CM said the National Ganga Basin Authority has spiked several important hydel projects such as Pala Maneri Project, Bhairaghati Project and lohari Naag Paala project. Besides, Nand Prayag langasu, Tamaklata, Bavla Nand Prayag, Kotli Bhel 1 and 2 and some other important projects are pending since they have not received NOCs from the Environment and Forest Ministry. The loss incurred by the State Government on this count is Rs1650 crore. This loss should be compensated by the Central Government.
The Environment and Forest Ministry had declared Bhagirathi Watershed area of 4179.59 sq Km as environmentally sensitive zone. The locals and the State Government have not been taken into confidence on such a sensitive issue of the State. According to the prior notification, 40 KM area was declared as sensitive zone, but when the final notification was prepared, the area went up hundred times.
This one- sided enquiry is against the norms of the Federal State. Besides, it impacts the locals. This decision inimical to our interests must be either scraped or adequately changed, the CM demanded. The ban on 25 MW hydel projects must be withdrawn too and it must be ensured such arbitrary decisions are not taken in future.
State Government has sent a project file involving Rs 55 crore for Ardh Kumbh preparations in terms of security and others. This should be approved at the earliest. The State Government also awaits sanction of Rs158.08 crore for construction of prisons and strengthening of security system in the jails.
The CM appealed to the Union Minister to grant as much money as possible by way of Green Bonus. The State shares international boundaries with two countries. Even the railways of the State are not much developed. Presently the tracks are spread over just 345 kms. There is a need to develop the route of Rishikesh- Karnaprayag, Tanakpur- Bageshwar and Bageshwar- Karnaprayag.
The Uttarakhand railways must be developed and the Centre's role is paramount. Flanked with international frontiers, the State deserves better attention from the Defence Ministry. The State Government is appealing to the Center to adequately help the State Government to develop affected villages on the lines of smart villages. This will also resolve migration tangle. The CM of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav was also present on the occasion.