Chief Minister Harish Rawat met the Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh in the PMO on Tuesday and expressed gratitude on behalf of the State for resuming special category status to Uttarakhand.
He, however, said that the State Government is yet to receive an official communiqué from the Union Government on the matter. But in case the Union Government has taken such a decision the State would welcome it warmly, he told the Union minister.
CM reminded Singh that during his meeting with the Prime Minister on October 14, 2015, he had submitted a letter regarding Rs 500 crore financial help for Ardhkumbha-2016. He had also appealed to PM to increase the annual allocation to Rs 550 crore in place of earlier Rs 288 crore under PMGSY.
After natural disaster-2013, the Union Government had approved package for the State under CSS-R and SPA-R. But the State is yet to receive remaining Rs 1300 crore, he told the Union minister. CM had also asked the Union Government to extend the time- frame till December- 2016 for the authority of the State to transfer forest land up to five acres for non- forest works.
As per the 14th Finance Commission recommendation, per capita benefit to other special category States is Rs 13,362 while the national average is Rs 1715. According to CM, for Uttarakhand, it is mere Rs 1292. He asked a reserve of at least Rs 4000 crore out of Rs 20,000 crore kept in special account for the special assistance to the State as per the recommendation of NITI Ayog. Besides, he asked the Centre to approve Rs 1062 crore for projects which have been approved under SPA.
CM reminded the Centre through the Union minister that lack of resources at the disposal of the State is leading to migration from the hill areas, resulting in dwindling population density among the tribes and others. "The Centre envisaged special category status in 1969 for States which, despite sharing international borders, are found grappling with scarce funds and infrastructure. With the conditions obtaining in Uttarakhand, the status was given to our State in 2001. As part of it, the State was given the funding pattern of 90:10 for the Centrally sponsored schemes. The Centre, withdrawing it despite the same conditions prevailing in the State, left us in the dock. The restoration is an imperative to boost development of the Himalayan State, CM said while discussing the State's problems with the Union Minister.
CM said that the State, set to organize Ardh Kumbha-2016 in Haridwar, they needed immediate help of Rs 500 crore to facilitate around seven crore pilgrims. He further said though the Union government has released funds to six States as per the recommendation of NITI Ayog, his State is yet to get any.
He mentioned that they needed funds to develop road connectivity for Uttarakhand's 748 villages with over 250 people residing in each. Under PMGSY, 121 DPR worth Rs 809.84 crore was sent to the Union government, but they returned with a note that they cannot consider the proposal unless the Union Finance Ministry increases the budget allocation under the scheme. Since February-2014, the Centre has not approved any of the projects under PMGSY. Even in 2013, the cabinet committee on Uttarakhand had approved special package to the State. Under this package, the State government is rebuilding damaged roads, bridges, drinking water supply line, electric line and damaged houses. CM further said they are now engaged in constructing helipads on different locations, adding that the Centre should release Rs 1200 crore under CSS-R and SPA-R in the current financial year.
Following the disaster 2013, the Union forest and environment ministry had empowered the State to transfer upto five acres land for non- forestry work. Its time expired on November 7. He appealed to them to extend the time till December 2016 and also to ease the norms -. 75 trees in place of 50.
To cope up with the doctors' crunch, the State Government has decided to establish medical colleges in Almora, Rudrapur and Dehradun. Accordingly, the State had sent a letter to the Union government, seeking approval.
He appealed to the Centre to approve fund for Almora Medical College and give administrative approval for those in Radurapur and Dehradun. "This aside, we have sent a proposal of Rs 207 crore for Haldwani Medical College's up-gradation work and Rs 120 crore for founding a Cancer institute in the same medical facility based in Haldwani," CM said.