Rejecting speculation on probability of a reshuffle in his cabinet, Chief Minister Harish Rawat listed the priorities of the State government for the next two and a half years, while talking to the media after being administered the oath of office and secrecy as the newly elected MlA from Dharchula constituency.
Along with Rawat, newly elected MlAs Hira Singh Bisht from Doiwala and Rekha Arya from Someshwar were also administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Vidhan Sabha Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal here on Monday following the victory of the Congress in the recently concluded Assembly bypolls for three constituencies.
Talking to media persons, the chief minister said that taking the recent victories in the Assembly bypolls with humility, the State government would work with greater zeal and make all possible efforts to retain the trust of the public as shown in the Assembly bypolls.
Stating that the State Government had fixed its priorities, the CM said that focus will be laid on implementing the National Food Security Scheme more effectively in the State. "About 62 per cent of the State's population will benefit from the implementation of this scheme while the State's own food security scheme will cover the people not covered under the national scheme. The scheme is being monitored efficiently and the ministers in-charge will review the implementation of this scheme in their respective districts on August 8 and 9.
The district magistrates have already been directed to ensure that cent per cent of the intended beneficiaries of the scheme are given their ration cards with the required food grains already being transported to the godowns," he said.
Rawat said that the State government is also set to launch a universal health insurance scheme with the work plan for this being under preparation.
"The Chief Minister health insurance scheme will provide Rs 30,000 health insurance for every person of Uttarakhand with provision for additional assistance to the poor. Apart from this the State government is also focusing on revitalizing agriculture and horticulture in the mountainous regions of the State for which the coordinated efforts of all departments concerned are vital," said Rawat.
Rejecting probability of a cabinet reshuffle, the CM said that his cabinet colleagues would continue executing their responsibilities without any change.
However, he said that in case it is felt that the skills and experience of a senior party leader are not being utilised, it would be the CM's responsibility to find a way for ensuring that the services of such a leader are put to use for public welfare.
Stating that the victory in the Assembly bypolls had given the Congress new strength and provided a fillip to the State government, Rawat exhorted party office bearers and workers to establish contact with people especially in the rural mountainous regions of the State.
Cabinet ministers Indira Hridayesh, Pritam Singh, Surendra Singh Negi, Dinesh Dhanai, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Kishore Upadhyaya and other public representatives and party workers were also present on the occasion.