While addressing the Independence Day programme in Dehradun on Monday, CM Harish Rawat listed his Government’s achievements in myriad fields while rolling out fresh projects to bring about all-round development of the State.
Dwelling on the economy of Uttarakhand looking up with time, he said the State being the fastest growing one, the average per capita income was growing rapidly and it almost has doubled as compared to the national average income.
“Annual development rate of the State is approximately 13 percent. Industrial development rate is 16.5 percent and development rate of service sector is 12.5 percent. It is necessary for the State to achieve 18 percent growth rate to get rid of poverty, unemployment and migration by 2019. The goal is high, the route is difficult, but I believe in the collective understanding and the will-power of our people. If the State can overcome from the disaster 2013 nothing is difficult to us. The State requires political stability, social-political tolerance and atmosphere of cooperation. leaving behind the bitterness of past, we should work together for the collective interest of the State,” CM said.
“More than 7 lakh people of the State are benefitted by the several kinds of welfare schemes launched in the state as well as across the country. A Commission for the disabled has been set up. The pension amount for the disabled and those reaching above 75 years is being raised. 100 anganwadi centers will be opened. Water filters will be installed through social organisations in all the anganwadi centers. Milk will be provided twice a week to the pregnant and lactating mothers. A special assistance of Rs 2,000, equivalent to maternity leave, will be given to the sisters from the BPl category. Maternity leave of 180 days will be given in all the Government and Government undertaking departments. ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Satat Ajivika Yojna’ has been launched to prepare women entrepreneurs in
villages too,” CM said.
He also dwelt on the progress in the realm of education. “There is a satisfactory improvement in the availability of teachers and principals in the vocational institutions, primary schools and PG colleges. More than 500 model schools are being developed. Teaching of spoken English under ‘UNNATI’ project has been started in 750 schools,” he said.
“Mountain style homes are being made available to the tourists by way of home stay concepts. Yoga based tourism is also being developed at Rishikesh and Jageshwar’s Yoga Circuit. I hope that, organising Harela-Jhumelo and Ghee Sangrand at the State level would proved a major success. ‘Aepan art’ a symbol of prosperity, is adorning the thousands of homes across the world. We will run ‘Hamare Bujurg Hamare Teerth’ from September to November this year,” he said.
He mentioned the State’s preparation for the National Games slated in 2018. “We are preparing our State for the great event by constructing two international level stadiums, eight outdoor and indoor stadiums of national level and tracks, turfs and courts,” he said.
“Clusters have been made for the cultivation of herbs and aromatics. We have extended the scope of bonus and support prices in traditional crops, pulses, fruits and vegetables. Contract based agriculture and cluster based agriculture along with law of consolidation are being promoted to improve scattered farming. Our all initiatives related to promote art and culture of the state have come into effect. ‘Jaagar University’ will come soon into existence. State Craft Institute will start functioning this year. Doon Medical College has been started. Almora Medical College will start teaching from the next year. Administrative and financial approvals for Pithoragarh, Bhagwanpur, Kotdwar and Rudrapur will be issued this year. We have launched two ambitious schemes. First is the State food security, under which the Fovernment is spending Rs 300 crore additionally to provide cheap grain to the APl card holders. The second is, ‘Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme’. We have increased its scope to Rs 1 lakh 75 thousand. We will establish four dialysis centers this year. We will link helicopter service with health services. We are reducing the lack of health services by recruiting pharmacists, BDS and Ayurvedic doctors,” he said.
“We are waiting for the recommendations of the committee constituted for the Seventh Pay Commission in the state. Contractual employees who have completed five years of their service will be regularised. UPNl workers will be given a status of contractual employees. We trying to close cut and paste policy in the government sector. So, we have established Subordinate Service Selection Commission, Technical Education Board, Medical Selection Board and Higher Education Selection Commission. We will recruit 30000 posts this year, including guest teachers. The government will run campaign for the recruitment of SC, ST, OBC and disabled, in next two months. Backlog will be finished by November,” CM added. .
‘Gairsain’ is a focal point of the spirit of the statehood agitation. We are moving rapidly towards the goal of all round development of Gairsain. There is no lack of talent and ability in Uttarakhand. We can give a better life to the disadvantaged and the needy through small or big initiatives. Our intellectual creativity is our collective property. Its use is necessary for the formation of a developed Uttarakhand. I salute the ‘Tiranga’ on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand. I salute the heroes of Independence and pray to God to give us ability and strength so that we can protect and respect the values of freedom, constitutional principles and beliefs,” CM said.