Chief Minister Harish Rawat reiterated that over 400 villages situated in disaster- prone areas need to be relocated immediately as the rains are going to make them more and more vulnerable. He asked the Union Government to support the rehabilitation process.
He raised the issue while addressing 11th meeting of the Inter-State Council in Rashtrapati Bhawan on Saturday. He also appealed to the Centre to help Doppler radar being installed at the earliest.
“In recent heavy rain and cloud burst State has received huge loss in terms of human and animal lives and properties. Heavy rains are continuing in the State and will continue further. As per the estimation, the State has incurred loss to the tune of `2,000 crore. To get financial relief, the state government has submitted a proposal to the Centre as well,” CM said.
Invoking the Planning Commission’s recommendation for a unified institution to address the problem of the north-eastern States, CM said there is a need to create institutional framework for the betterment of Himalayan states too.
He demanded the Centre’s financial support for the establishment of quality upgradation and training centre in higher education. Mentioning the recommendation of Punchhi Commission, Rawat said that constitution’s tri-level Panchayat system is fulfilling the people’s expectation and regional development as well. For the village and the district Panchayat, a dual system had been amended, he said.
Claiming that Uttarakhand’s literacy rate is higher, he said that the Panchayat's five- year term to understand the work and execute it by the elected representatives is enough. This is why the State Government is not in favour of reservation for the posts, he said. and place is for two terms.
“In Uttarkahand, district magistrate is member of district planning committee. As the size of the districts here is small the DMs have been executing their DPC work efficiently. Under this circumstances, there is no need to create separate administrative structure, he said.
He said that the deployment of Central forces without taking the states into confidence is against the basic concept of the Constitution. “If this happens there are chances of their misuse. We thus think that the existing system should be maintained,” he said. He also opined against Environment, Ecology and Climate change, now on concurrent list, being merged in the Union list. The status quo should be maintained, he stressed.
“Planning Commission has recommended that backward states should be given more Central assistance. We need it badly. All the hilly, border and newly born states need the Central assistance for physical and human resource development. Stressing on planned expenditure, he suggested that there is need to give flexibility in planned estimation. As estimation is being made at least six months ahead of the new financial year the execution cost tends to increase aside from affecting time.
Invoking the Gadgil formula, CM said that the States’ shares should be increased by phases. Mentioning that the state having huge forested area, he said Uttarakhand is making immense contribution in maintaining national eco system.
He said that the State-a vulnerable one because of the vagaries of nature-has formed State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on the pattern of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). They have also constituted State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), CM said. To get more appropriate weather forecast, the State Government has provided land for the establishment of Doppler radar, he said, while adding that the Centre should expedite the execution of the much-needed project.
“Natural calamity intensity is year after year due to climate change and State Government has identified 400 such villages, which are situation in disater prone areas, and State has made plan for its rehabilitation and we can execute on ground with the financial help of union Government. Uttarakhand is sensitive in terms of minor crime and human trafficking as it shares international and inter-state boundaries,” CM said.
In view of tough geographical condition of the State, it should be given relief on standard norms along with additional budget, he further said. For the creation of infrastructure for the rehabilitation of the poor and the destitute ,the Centre should give special assistance to the State.
Informing about the progress of the Aadhar Card, CM said that Uttarakhand has been providing grant and direct benefit electronically.
State Government is providing e-life certificates and seven lakh pensioners are being benefitted. Under Right to Service Act-2011 public service is being provided online in a time bound manner. “We are providing public service through Deobhoomi Jan Seva at Nyay Panchayat level,” he said.
To impart quality education, the state had developed a system for regular evaluation. “We have established parent teacher association at each school and even parents are being given representation in school management committees. Children’s health club are being established at the schools so that the students’ health can be monitored.
To ensure overall development, we have been including yoga education in school curriculum. There is need to establish Skill promotion and training centre so that the youth can be given training as per the State’s requirement. This would help them to make contribution in nation development,” he said.
“Aware as we are of the importance of Uttarakhand sharing international boundaries, we have established Subsidiary Multi Agency Centre (SMAC) control room which have been exchanging information between union and states as well. To deal with terrorist activity, the state has established 15 Anti-Terrorist Cell (ATC) and one Anti
terrorist squad (ATS) commando company. To deal with internal security, we have established special operation task force in seven places of six districts.
For the police modernisation, the Centre has reduced its contribution and it has affected in the creation of infrastructure for police. Although this year 90:10 pattern is being followed the Centre should allocate more and more budget given the State’s resource crunch, CM said.
Regarding the operation of CCTNS, CM said that Uttarakhand stands in the front runner state category. Besides, the state adopted police reform by following the Supreme Court’s order.
“Now police establishment committee, state and district police complaint authority, police welfare bureau and state police board have been constituted,” CM said.