A one-time Central assistance of Rs 500 crore should be given to Uttarakhand for the Ardh Kumbh to be held in Haridwar from January to April 2016. This and other demands were raised by Chief Minister Harish Rawat in a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
In his letter, the CM states that the Ardh Kumbh is to be held in 2016 from January to April in Haridwar with about eight crore devotees expected to arrive. “The State Government wants to ensure a secure and successful Ardh Kumbh. Permanent type infrastructure is being developed for the Ardh Kumbh this time. In the `500 crore Ardh Kumbh plan, `325 crore will be spent on permanent works. From its own resources, the State Government has approved works valued at `321 crore with various works nearing completion. The State has also requested the `500 crore assistance in the past from the Union Finance minister and NITI Aayog for the Ardh Kumbh. In March 2015 the NITI Aayog recommended `166 crore assistance to Uttarakhand for the Ardh Kumbh but till date even this amount has not been received by the State. Considering the importance of the issue and taking cognisance of the limited resources of the State, the Centre should release `500 crore financial assistance for Ardh Kumbh at the earliest,” stated the CM.
In the letter written to the prime minister, Rawat has informed him that the Ministry of Environment and Forests had enabled the State till November 7, 2015, to facilitate forest land transfer of land plots upto five hectares in area for reconstruction of basic infrastructure in the disaster affected areas. The CM expressed gratitude to the PM for extending this period in response to his request. However, the ministry of Environment and Forests has facilitated this extension for a period of one year whereas considering the nature of works, the time limit should have been extended for a period of two years. In addition to this, providing necessary relaxation, the maximum number of trees allowed to be cut should be increased from 50 to 75, further requested the CM. Informing about the financial loss sustained by the State due to the recommendations of the 14th finance commission, Rawat said that the State stands to lose about `1,530 crore in NCA, `700 crore in SCA and `350 crore in SPA.
The economic survey report of the Government of India also acknowledges that Uttarakhand is the lone state which has suffered loss in Central assistance. However, no such mechanism has been put in place to compensate Uttarakhand. The assistance being provided in the past to the State should be continued considering Uttarakhand’s infrastructural requirements, limited resources and other factors, stressed Rawat.