The Uttarakhand Congress party in a report submitted to chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh has recommended that the State Government, rising above petty politics should set up a panel consisting of experts from every field to suggest ways to improve the economy of the state which at present is in shambles under the effect of Covid-19.
Addressing the media persons at the state headquarters of the Congress party, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Pritam Singh said that a large number of non resident Uttarakhandis have returned back to the state in recent times.
“It the now the responsibility of the state government that they should stay back in the mountainous areas and for it employment avenues should be provided to them,’’ he said.The PCC president said that it is unfortunate that the present dispensation is trying to strengthen the economy by taking ad hoc measures.
He said that the Uttarakhand Congress has set up a committee consisting headed by former Cabinet Minister Matbar Singh Kandari which has submitted its recommendations. The committee suggests that the state government should provide a sum of Rs 5 lakh to every returnee so that he is able to find self employment here.
It also suggests that a data bank of the returnees should be created and based on their educational qualification and technical knowledge efforts to improve their capacity should be made. The Congress also wants that solar power projects are needed to be linked with the farmers and the IT industry should be promoted in the state.
It suggests that the farmers working in their own fields should be given recognition as MNREGA labourers and avenues for skill development of women should be created. The committee listed food processing and packaging of local food products and suggests involvement of rural women in dairy development and animal husbandry.
It also suggests making the home stay scheme broad based and attractive and finding avenues in religious tourism, adventure tourism, eco tourism and medical tourism. The committee said that the work of 13 districts 13 destinations should be brought on ground because after the end of pandemic tourists would start visiting the state again.