Delay in receipt of the Central share and investment clearance in Centrally- sponsored schemes could affect the execution of such schemes in Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Harish Rawat raised the concerns of Uttarakhand on this and other issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first meeting of the NITI Aayog governing council in New Delhi on Sunday.
Addressing the media in Dehradun on Monday, Rawat also said that the initiatives undertaken during his one year as CM were aimed at achieving long term results and though their effect would take time to become visible, such initiatives had to be taken. Rawat said, “The organisational uncertainty resulting from the hurried dissolution of the Planning Commission is posing difficulties in approval and execution of annual plans in various States including Uttarakhand.
Delay in receipt of the Central share in Centrally sponsored schemes is creating problem with the State not being able to parepare its developmental road map. I requested the Central Government to provide special assistance to States like Uttarakhand which are geographically and historically disadvantaged. In addition to demanding green bonus from the Centre for the environmental services provided by Uttarakhand, I have also sought that Central policies be drafted for central Himalayan States on the lines of policies for north eastern states,” said the CM.
Referring to his one-year in office as the CM, Rawat said that his government had taken many initiatives with a long term aim. “Our aim in starting the winter Char Dham Yatra was not to facilitate numerical achievements but to help the State prepare itself for further improving the facilitating of the Char Dham Yatra. We are also slowly building a market for the Himalaya Darshan scheme. A total of 500 villages have been identified for development into eco-tourism villages and the outcome of such initiatives will be evident in the coming days,” said Rawat.
Reacting to the allegations of the opposition regarding corruption in the State Government, the CM rejected such allegations as baseless. He said that all attempts are being made to resolve the shortage of doctors being faced in the State. The slum settlements will be regularised. Directions have been issued to conduct survey of homeless families to ensure that all families can be provided housing, added the CM.