Various steps have been taken by the State Government to revive and encourage the various traditional handicrafts and crafts like copper works in Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this while speaking at a programme held to mark the birth anniversary of the late Ram Prasad Tamta.
Speaking on the occasion Rawat said that Tamta worked throughout his life for the welfare of the poor, weak and craftsmen getting their problems resolved and leaving his special impression on the State. Rawat said that Tamta advocated for the craftsmen and poor people free of cost and succeeded in ensuring justice. While in the Vidhan Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, he worked keeping in mind the welfare of people in the mountainous region.
The CM informed that the State Government had decided to establish a Hari Prasad Tamta handicrafts upgradation institution at Garudaboj. Opening of this institution will encourage the traditional handicraft on the verge of vanishing from rural areas while also helping improve the economic condition of those involved in works related to wood, masonry, copper and other metals. The State Government is getting a special action plan drafted by the industry department in order to encourage copper works which are dying out at present, said Rawat. The CM also announced that the under construction Kosi barrage would be named after the late Ram Prasad Tamta in addition to establishment of one residential university in Almora for education in employment oriented and new subjects. A sum of Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned for this apart from which Rawat also announced Rs two lakh for installation of statues of Ram Prasad Tamta and other great personalities in Almora town. The district magistrate was directed to mark land for this purpose.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vidhan Sabha speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal said that members of the Tamta family made made the district famous across the nation and abroad while woking in different administrative positions apart from encouraging the ancient copper industry in the region. He said that the contribution of Hari Prasad Tamta for upliftment of the weaker section of society are praised even now. Speaking on the occasion, Ram Prasad Tamta’s son Mohan Chandra Tamta said that consistent efforts will be made to take forward that attitude of service towards the downtrodden as exemplified by his father. Former MP Pradeep Tamta, public representatives, various politicians and district officials were also among those present on the occasion apart from the local residents.