Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna visited Joshimath in Chamoli district on Thursday and laid the foundations for Government polytechnic, trauma centre and other developmental works including a hospital in Jelam.
However, the CM did not speak about the demand for declaring Joshimath as a backward area which caused disappointment in the public.
Addressing a public gathering at the Joshimath taxi stand, the CM said that “The State is still facing the effects of disaster and the Government is trying to improve the conditions. Work is being undertaken on the unresolved problems. The pension for senior citizens, handicapped and widows has been increased to Rs 800 from 2014. The pension in village areas can also be taken from the cooperative banks. Bahuguna added that 14 new trauma centers will be set up all over the State”.
Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj said that the State Government is trying to fulfill its promises including the laying of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line and construction of Assembly building at Gairsain. later Chief Minister Bahuguna has also inaugurated the engineering college at Gopeshwar (Kothaliasen) on Thursday.
In his address, CM said that the main motive of the State Government is to create employment opportunities in the State to stop migration to other States for jobs. He said that there should be technical projects in order to help the State and create employment opportunities. Besides inaugurating the engineering college CM also laid the foundation stone for technical college building worth Rs 25 crore, Government polytechnic Pokhri, State polytechnic Joshimath, Helipad in Gairsain and projects worth
Rs 30.40 crore. Young should not think that Uttarakhand is a backward State. He gave an assurance that the State Government is making all efforts to overcome the affects of the disaster. As per the norms of NDRF, only Rs 90 crore was to be given but by the special efforts of the Government, Rs 400 crore were given. Efforts are on to get even more funds.
During crisis, help was received not only from all over the country but abroad as well. The Uttarakhand Government will soon launch a self-employment scheme for the unemployed youths of the State by building 35,000 shops and giving them to the beneficiaries on interest-free loans repayable in next 15 years.
The pension of old age, handicapped and widows has been increased to Rs 800 from 2014. The pension in village areas can also be taken from the cooperative banks. He has also directed the DMs that it should be ensured that all beneficiaries get pension. He added that 14 new trauma centers will be set up all over the State.
These will not be run by the health department but other departments. Other dignitaries including Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj, Badrinath MlA Rajendra Singh Bhandari, Deputy Speaker Vihan Sabha & Karnprayag MlA Dr Ansuya Prasad Maikhuri and Tharali MlA Prof Jeet Ram were present there.