To get first-hand experience of the situation in Kedarnath, where the Government-conducted reconstruction work is going on in full swing in conjunction with the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, Chief Minister Harish Rawat visited the valley on Monday and interacted with the officials and the labourers. Touched by the dedication of NIM director Ajay Kothiyal and Rudraprayag DM Raghav langer, the Chief Minister said that their commitment to work has made the apparently impossible possible.
During the visit, Rawat met the NIM Director and his team members. Col Kothiyal briefed him on the work being executed by the officials despite the sub-zero temperature. They also apprised the Chief Minister of the problems the officials are encountering.
Appreciating the efforts of NIM officials, Chief Minister announced that acting on the NIM proposal, the daily wages of labourers have been hiked by Rs 250 per day. Earlier, the wage was Rs 750 per day and now it is Rs 1000 per day. With this, around 350 labourers, who have been working hard, braving the inclement weather, would be benefited.
The Chief Minister also instructed the officials to insure the labourer as well. The 15 police personnel, who have been stationed in Kedar valley, will also get Rs 5,000 per month for next three months. In this regard, the Chief Minister asked the Rudraprayag DM to send a proposal to the State Government at the earliest. There is, however, one BSNl employee, stationed here, who has not got anything so far, the Chief Minister commented.
During his interaction with the labourers, Rawat asked them not to take pressure and assured that the State Government would provide all kinds of assistance to them. “I have come here despite snowfall because I want to send a message across the State globe that Kedarnath is safe for tourists as well as pilgrims,” he said.
Col Kothiyal informed that a 150 metre-long and 50 metre-wide helipad is being constructed on a war- footing. “Probably we would complete the task by December 26,” he said.
later, the Chief Minister said that the winter Char Dham yatra is also receiving appreciation from all quarters. So far, 50 pilgrims have embarked on the winter yatra. This is a good omen for the future of Char Dham yatra. He expressed hope that the State would see huge footfalls of religious tourists in 2015. The figure may be equal to what we used to get pre-2013 disaster. He appealed to the priests to invite their clients on the winter Char Dham yatra.
As far as rehabilitation of disaster- affected people is concerned, the State Government has constituted a committee, which will interact with the affected people and sort out their grievances on a priority basis. During the Chief Minister’s Kedar valley visit, OSD Sanjay Choudhary, DM Dr Raghav langer, SMD Ukhimath Uttam Singh Chouhan, CO Swatantra Kumar and a senior Congress leader Suraj Negi were present.