Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, his Uttar Pradesh counterpart, Yogi Adityanath, the Army Chief general Bipin Rawat, former chief of National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), Alok Joshi, and former director general of Coast Guard, Rajendra Singh, among others deliberated upon the status and future of Uttarakhand in Tehri on Sunday. They were part of the Raibar-2 programme held as part of the State foundation day celebrations.
Stressing on the need for balanced development, CM Rawat said that the State will have to develop in spheres where it can have a monopoly. The per capita income in Uttarakhand is currently Rs 1.98 lakh but there is considerable difference among the districts which needs to be addressed. This is why, the State is focusing on maximising investments in its remote areas.
He exhorted non-resident Uttarakhandis to visit their villages on festivals and other occasions. People staying in their villages two-three times a year will also make a major difference.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath said that a State where the Ganga and Yamuna originate is really unique. The people of Uttarakhand have contributed to the prosperity of whichever place they have gone to. Personalities from the State are in the armed forces and other fields too with various Chief Ministers of UP also being from Uttarakhand. Continued migration from the mountainous regions despite various facilities is a cause for concern.
The youth will have to come forward to stop this trend. Those who retire from senior positions should also settle here. He also recalled that various issues pending for past 17 years have been resolved between Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Stating that branding of temples in the mountains needs to be done, he said that in UP at Varanasi, a detailed plan has been made keeping the Kashi Vishwanath temple in focus.
The route to the shrine has been expanded, a 200 foot path from the Ganga to the temple has been made and for this, 300 homes were removed with mutual consent. In Uttarakhand, along with hydro power, focus also needs to be accorded on solar and wind power.
The army chief general Rawat said that the soldiers from Uttarakhand have played a vital role in fighting all wars since 1962 and tackling terrorists. Appreciating the development in the State, he pointed to the work being undertaken with pine litter to convert this problematic component into a base for developmental activity.
Stressing on the need for taking the state ahead on the developmental path in the proper way, he said that the Indian army is also working together with the State Government.
Recently, initiatives have been undertaken in the mountainous regions near the border with China for cultivation of walnuts, developing telecom facility, road construction and advance landing airfield.
The Uttarakhand CM also administered a pledge to the gathering for contributing to the State’s development. Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, State Minister Dhan Singh Rawat and diginatiries from various sectors were also present on the occasion.