Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that the Delhi-Dehradun Tejas Express has been approved in principle. Once it starts operating, it will enable travel between these two cities within three hours. Rawat further announced the works in the collectorate will be made online for the convenience of the citizens.
He also reiterated that their identity card is enough to get soldiers entry in the chief minister’s residence and the secretariat.
The State government is undertaking various projects to resolve the water related issues of the people, said Rawat. He said this after inaugurating development works in the Natthanpur area of Dehradun on Sunday.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Rawat said that with approval in principle being granted to the Delhi-Dehradun Tejas Express, Delhi will be less than three hours away once this train starts operating.
The State government is also working to enhance air connectivity to various parts of the state. The chief minister also announced that the collectorate will be made online to enable the citizens to avail of paperless facility. The online facility will make it easier to redress public grievances and also enable the officials to trace the issues and ensure timely action.
Rawat also announced that remaining work on the Saiyed Nala, adjoining the area will also be completed soon at a cost of about Rs 4.5 crore. These construction works will be completed on time to resolve the water related issues in the area, he said. Rawat said, “Work is underway on the Suryadhar lake to resolve the water issues of Dehradun and surrounding areas. The lake will also facilitate gravity based water supply to 29 villages in the area. Additionally, land has been arranged for the Saung dam project. The construction work will be started immediately after rehabilitation of the project affected persons. The construction of this dam will be completed in 350 days,” he said.
Appreciating soldiers, the chief minister said that the identity card of soldiers is enough to get them entry in the chief minister’s residence and the secretariat. The State government has increased the amount presented to winners of Param Vishisht Seva Medal from Rs 15,000 to Rs two lakh. Similarly, the amount given to winners of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal has been increased from Rs 7,000 to Rs 1.50 lakh. Sena Medal recipients will receive Rs one lakh while the amount given to recipients of the Vishisht Seva Medal has been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 75,000.
Rawat further informed that the state government has introduced five per cent reservation for orphans. This will enable the orphan children living in the state’s government orphanages to secure employment. The State government is also working consistently to facilitate women empowerment.
The government will arrange 5,100 kiosks for women this year, to enable them to become financially self reliant. Further, the state is providing interest-free loan of up to Rs one lakh to single women and Rs five lakh to women groups.
The Dehradun mayor Sunil Uniyal ‘Gama’, district magistrate Ashish Kumar Srivastava and others were also present on the occasion.