Work was undertaken after the 2013 disaster in unfavorable conditions for reconstruction in disaster affected areas of Uttarakhand including Kedarnath. Natural disasters test the courage of the people, society and government, said chief minister Harish Rawat while speaking at a felicitation programme organised jointly by various public groups in Dehradun on Sunday.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the chief minister said that the people had exhibited patience during the major disaster of June 2013. People have now resumed visiting the Char Dham shrines in large numbers which shows that those living outside the State have become convinced about the State being safe for tourists. Stating that only the first phase of reconstruction works in disaster affected areas had been completed so far, the CM said that a lot of work is yet to be completed.
He recalled that the June 2013 disaster had wreaked damaged in more than five districts of the State and had destroyed the infrastructure that had taken many years to develop. He said, “Following the disaster many people had suggested that the Char Dham Yatra should be stopped for the time being but such a step would have hurt the morale of our people so we decided to facilitate the Char Dham Yatra. last year a total of about four lakh people have visited the Char Dham shrines in six months but this year about four lakh people have already visited these shrines so far. We have faith in the Himalaya and Ganga and are proud of having arranged facilities to re-instill the faith of the people.
Only the initial reconstruction work has been done so far with 369 villages still waiting rehabilitation but we have limited resources for restoration works. Preserving the Himaliyan ecosystem is necessary to conserve the environment of the country. Natural water sources need to be recharged, as it is also necessary for cleaning Ganga under the Namami Gange mission. Under the Swachh Bharat mission, the State has selected two districts for complete cleaning campaign though Central financial assistance is awaited in this regard,” he said.
The chief minister expressed gratitude for Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for supporting the demand for green bonus to the state. The CM apprised that state was enjoying the status of a special category state earlier and was getting central financial aid in 90:10 ratio but now without the special status this ratio would be 50:50. If state’s share in central taxes is increased by 10 percent it would only benefit the already rich states. The CM assured that developmental process would not be interrupted under changing circumstances but added that policy changes should not be made suddenly. He said that government is trying to increase urban facilities in Dehradun but population is increasing manifold as compared to facilities.
He stressed on the need for collective effort also involving the public to improve and preserve the environment in Dehradun. Rajya Sabha MP Raj Babbar and others were also present on the occasion.