All Himalayan States are major assets of the country that should not be neglected. The Central Government should frame a separate policy for Himalayan States and fund development works in these States. A proposal to this effect was passed by representatives of Himalayan States at a recent summit held in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, said State Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi who was representing Uttarakhand at the summit.
Addressing the media here on Tuesday, the Minister said that at the meet in Itanagar, he had pointed out that most of the Himalayan States contain international borders. The residents of border villages in these States are of strategic importance as they also act as good informers for the authorities. However, migration of villagers from such areas to towns is proving detrimental to both the rural and urban areas, Negi said, while adding that the Centre should draft a specific policy to address this situation. He said, “Himalayan States also play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance. However, implementation of the Forest Conservation Act in 1980 has hampered execution of developmental works in Himalayan States due to factors like delay in issuance of forest clearance for the works. The cost of construction in mountainous areas should be brought on par with rates in the plains to facilitate the desired development. We also have to use explosives to facilitate road construction even though that is making the mountains weak. The Centre should enable the State with funding to use latest technology instead of detonating explosives for road construction in the mountains.”
Referring to changes made by the Centre in funding patterns, Negi said that all States participating in the Itanagar summit had expressed concern at the change in funding pattern. Reacting to Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar MP BS Koshyari’s statement about the State Government not communicating with MPs, Negi said that copies of the State’s correspondence with the Centre on various issues are also sent to the MPs. “The five BJP MPs from Uttarakhand are keeping silent instead of raising the State’s issues in the Parliament. They should be advocating the State’s demand for funding developmental and various works in disaster affected areas. There are 350 disaster-hit villages which need to be relocated but it requires Central funding,” he added.