The desired level of development can be achieved only with mutual cooperation and participation in developmental efforts at the national, regional and local levels. Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this while speaking at a function organised to mark the 15th foundation day of the Rath Jan Vikas Samiti (RJVS) held at the town hall here on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, Rawat said that the Rath area was also an example of development through public involvement as the people from Rath have maintained their bonds with their land. He said, “There are three basis of progress-education, agriculture and craft. Enhancing these by ensuring public participation can bring about a major change in the region. We must talk of community development,” he said.
The CM said that the Rath area development authority has been set up to facilitate development of the area. In addition to the fund provided in the past, the CM also announced an additional `2 crore for this purpose. Rawat also accorded approval to `2 lakh to the RJVS from the Chief Minister’s discretionary fund in addition to which he also announced construction of ‘Dr Shivanand Nautiyal memorial gate’ at Mandakhal.
Addressing the gathering, the CM said that a big change can be brought about in the rural economy of the region if the people consume mountain produce- grains, fruits and vegetables- even if once in a week. He said that the State Government has started providing two kilogram Mandua (finger millet) and one kilogram Kala Bhatt (black soyabean) each to pregnant women. This has also resulted in an increase in the demand for Mandua with the farmers now getting good price for their produce. Similarly, there has been an increase in the rates of Chaulai (Amaranth) after the authorities started providing Chaulai laddoos to people visiting the Badrinath temple.
The Chief Minister averred that the State government is now on the look out for opportunities to market Chaulai in foreign markets. Cultivators are also getting good prices for pumpkin, malta and lemon, claimed Rawat while adding that comparatively small initiatives are also showing encouraging results.
Referring to the traditional crafts of Uttarakhand, the chief minister said that the craftsmen and artisans struggling to eke out a living would gain employment if the people give prominence to traditional crafts of the Himalayan state in their homes.