Surprisingly, much-touted tourism and National Games 2018 have not found even a roundabout mention in Uttarakhand Governor Dr KK Paul’s marathon speech delivered on the first day of the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha’s Budget Session on Wednesday. It has shocked many as a Governor’s address opening a Budget session is construed as the developmental policy roadmap of the State Government for the next financial year.
“This is surprising when viewed against the backdrop of the Chief Minister, Harish Rawat, having made it his habit to stress the role of tourism in the State’s economy. Besides, we expected the Government to roll out its roadmap for the upcoming National Games 2018 through the Governor’s speech. We are disappointed. The gap between rhetoric and reality has been exposed,” said an observer.
When quizzed over the gulf between the pronouncements and practice by The Pioneer, a seemingly nonplussed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh evaded an answer, saying that tourism is an all-encompassing concept in which things from medical college to education figure. She further said that she had been in the realm of politics for over four decades.
“If you want to stir controversy I must say it is wrong,” she said. To buttress her point, she said that Governor’s speech is just a curtain-raiser. “Department-wise details would be provided in the Budget that would be presented on March 16,” she said.