The Chief Minister, Harish Rawat, has said that his Government is doing everything to rebuild the disaster-hit Rudraprayag district. “Significant changes would be visible on the ground soon”, he said at Agastmuni while visiting the Mandakini Sarodotsav and agriculture-industry development fair on Saturday.
lauding the indomitable spirit of the people of Kedar Valley that bore the maximum brunt of last year’s disaster, he said, “that the fair is being hosted after a year since the cataclysm struck, epitomised the invincible courage thriving in the people of Uttarakhand.”
The Chief Minister stated that the Mandakini Sarodotsav gave an opportunity for the local producers and handicrafts men to showcase their unique and quality produce. The fair inspires all, he said, adding that they would work in the same spirit, unfazed by adversities. He further said his Government would not rest till each one of the disaster- affected people is rightly rehabilitated.
Urging all sections of the people across the State to help his Government to overcome the challenges, he recounted several projects launched to uplift the border and mountainous regions of the State. Stressing on development of agriculture, the Chief Minister said the Government is taking several initiatives in the matter.
“We have increased grants on seeds for the farmers. To encourage tree-plantation, we have decided to give a bonus of Rs 300 for every tree planted every three years. We are considering such bonus on conservation of water too. We must return to agriculture and we would stop at nothing to make it a reality.
“To increase milk production, we have decided to give bonus of Rs4 per litre of milk. My Government would sell whatever the peasants from the disaster-hit areas produce. From January 1 next, the women aged 60 and above would be provided with lunch at the Anganwari centres. We have already launched pension scheme for the farmers aged 60 and above. We would provide pension to the physically handicapped and the destitute women too in the coming days.
The Chief Minister accepted the demand for founding an international training centre on the request of the local MlA. He also said his Government would provide Rs5 lakh for the Mandakini Sarodotsav fair every year.