Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has made it clear that Chief Minister makes announcements for the next five-year plan; so if one thinks that his announcement will be implemented immediately then it is that person's fault.
He also made it clear that the State Government has done lots of public welfare works, but failed to get its credit because MlAs concerned installed boards claiming credit. So now onward, Chief Minister's name would be incorporated on the board.
With an intention to get feedback from the opposition party MlAs' Assembly constituencies, the CM along with PCC president Yashpal Arya convened a meeting with the leaders who could not win Assembly election-2012, at his camp office on Monday. later, Bahuguna apprised the media that most of the public representatives have talked about roads, potable water, public distribution system (PDS) and health. He also made it clear that their officers are busy in executing the public welfare works on ground. "Despite all this if you make comparison with BJP-led State Government between 2007-12, then you will find we released more funds in the financial year 2012-13.
This year, we have been laying stress on release of plan budget. This year, the Union Government has given financial assistance; so we are releasing the money on periodical basis. Earlier, there was a trend that officials used to spend money in March, but now we have decided to spend the budget round the year," said Bahuguna.
CM said the Government has made it mandatory to spend 100 per cent money under the Special Component Plan and action would be taken against officials who fail to spend as required. Reservation for SC & ST and women would be ensured in outsourcing in government departments. Several issues brought up at the meeting while certain points would be taken up in the next cabinet meeting, which is scheduled for June 17.
Meanwhile, following on the demand of party workers, which they apprised during a meeting on May 31, PCC has appointed district incharge so definitely it will pay in future. For the SC/ST & women, state has made mandatory provision for reservation in private sectors and even it will be followed in outsourcing as well.
Taking cognizance of public representatives' demand about an immediate need to adopt corrective measures in PDS, the CM said that after de-controlling sugar, the State will face more problem on coming days. To cope up with the situation, State sugar mills have decided to provide sugar for PDS shops @ Rs32 per kg; so the State is going to discuss this issue in the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
Talking about aggrieved Congress MlAs of three districts namely Pithoragarh, Almora and Champawat, CM categorically said that chief minister announcements are for next five years; so there is no need to panic that State Government has failed to serve their purpose. Defending their furious MlAs, CM said that being a MP, he had similar kind of feeling so their grievances are legitimate. He assured them that chief minister is making announcement after considering the financial health of the State. It is very alarming that the State has to spend Rs 16,000 crore out of Rs 25,000 crore on Non plan budget.
Despite having limited financial resources, their government would fulfill all the promises made in the party Manifesto during assembly election-2012. As we know that state can't impose new tax on people and there is need to cultivate power and tourism resources. “Even then, we have to face several restrictions on forest and environment because now the matter is being monitored by the Supreme Court.”