Commenting on the NITI Aayog decision, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has categorically said that consent of all the States was necessary before the final decision regarding the reduction in number of centrally funded schemes in the meeting of Sub-group of Chief Ministers under the NITI Aayog in Delhi.It was not appropriate for the economically weak States to close the centrally funded schemes which were started with a purpose of inclusive growth of the country under federalism.
“We have to ensure participation of all the States for national development. Economy of the weak States like Uttarakhand would be affected drastically as financial aid is closed through the centrally funded schemes,” he said.Rawat further said that as an initiative he had randomly telephoned five persons of each district of the State on Sunday, talking to a total of 65 people. While some people informed him about their personal problems, many others apprised him about the local problems. Many people were satisfied with the working of State Government, but some people disclosed their expectations from the State as well.CM stressed that the Government tried to know the feelings of people about the State Government and administration, instead of expressing our feelings.
Talking about the exemption of interest on banks loan, Chief Minister said State had helped the disaster affected people as much as possible now the Government had requested Union Government to provide exemption of the interests on the bank loans for following three years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 to the disaster suffering people of the most affected districts like Rudraparyag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh for restoration of their business.
On the subject of Smart City and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) towns, Rawat asserted that Dehradun would be selected for Smart City. The State Government had requested the Centre for the relaxation in standard for hilly regions under AMRUT, but Central Government set same standard for all the State. With this decision, State like Uttarakhand would be loser through this scheme.
On the Char Dham Yatra, Chief Minister Harish Rawat stressed that Government had regulated the Yatra. Char Dham Yatra was going on uninterrupted. No pilgrim was entrapped anywhere. State Government is fully prepared and all the necessary arrangements have been ensured. Due to incessant heavy rain pilgrims are staying at safe places. State Administration is in contact with every pilgrim. People have been stopped to travel on foot ahead of Sonparyag till 30 June. But many pilgrims have expressed displeasure on it. As it indicates people’s faith in solid arrangements and alert preparedness of the state government. Still people from across the country and abroad are arriving for Char Dham Yatra continuously.