Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today hoisted the tricolor at the Parade Ground here on the occasion of 65th Independence Day anniversary and stressed that everyone must contribute towards keeping the freedom intact and taking the country to all-round development.
In his speech on the occasion, the chief minister also expressed his deep sympathies with the victims of recent natural calamity in Uttarkashi and other areas of the state and said that his government was committed to ameliorate the suffering of disaster-hit and help them in all possible manners.
The State Government had released immediate relief fund of Rs. 20 crore for disaster victims while the Centre had allocated Rs. 150 crore as relief fund. The compensation amounts had also been substantially increased in various catagories, he added.In his speech on the occasion, the chief minister also expressed his deep sympathies with the victims of recent natural calamity in Uttarkashi and other areas of the state and said that his government was committed to ameliorate the suffering of disaster-hit and help them in all possible manners.
While paying glowing tributes to the statehood agitationists, Mr Bahuguna said that his government would make all efforts to realize their dreams for the hill state and informed that his government had decided to hold a ''historic'' cabinet meeting at Gairsain on October two as an indication that the government was equally concerned about development of hill areas.
While pointing out that his government had presented surplus budget without imposing any new tax on the common man, Mr Bahuguna said that it had also got approved Rs. 8200 crore as annual plan from the Planning Commission.
Mr Bahuguna also said that his government would lay focus on improving infrastructure and basic necessities like road, power, water, transport, food, health, education and communication. He also said that his government was committed to welfare of minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, youth, ex-servicemen, farmers and other sections of the society.
The literate unemployed youths would be paid Unemployment Allowances from November 9 this year, he announced adding that special efforts would be put for skill development of youths as part of which further extension has been made in Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Self-employment Scheme.
He said that the State Government was also seriously pursuing development in tourism sector for which a Rs. 250 crore Mega Project had been prepared with the support of Union Tourism Ministry. The Centre had also approved Rs 160 crore for the development of tourism in Uttarakhand. Establishment of Tehri Lake Development authority and Adventure Sports Academy were on the pipeline, he said. He said that action plan was being prepared to bring Piran Kaliyar and Hemkund Sahib on international tourism map.
The Chief Minister said that to make the state ''power-efficient'', the State Government had urged the Centre to restart the stalled hydro-power projects. The Centre had, meanwhile, approved 300 MW Lakhwad Dam Project. As alternative sources, projects were on anvil to generate power from 'Pirul' or pine needles, he added.
To boost development of industries, a mega Industry Project was being launched to attract more investors. Separate Directorate would be formed for mining and separate department for Small, Micro & Medium Industries. The subsidy given to the Khadi has been increased to Rs. 5 lakh from Rs. 2 lakh.
Improving connectivity in hill areas was also in the priority of the government and Rs. 200 crore has been approved for repair works of the roads while efforts were being made for the extension of railway lines and air service. The Centre had already approved air service between Dehradun and Kathmandu, he informed.
Ensuring the availability of doctors was given top priority and term and salaries of contractual doctors would be increased at par regular doctors. Efforts were on to start AIIMS, Rishikesh and MBBS courses were expected to start there from September this year. Similarly, to strengthen higher education system, a Higher Education Selection Board has been set to recruit around 850 lecturers, Mr Bahuguna said.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Bahuguna also awarded 'Uttam Jeevan Raksha' Medal to Shruti Lodhi (posthumous) and Priyanshu Joshi for showing exceptional valour in face of adversity. Shruti's father Dipak Lodhi received the medal on her behalf.
The Chief Minister also honoured five police personnel. Inspector P C Devli, Inspector RKS Farswan, SI B C Pandey and Chief constable A K Singh were awarded Chief Minister's medal for exceptional service while Chief Assistant S K Sahu was awarded Home Guard and Civil defence medal.
Later, the Chief Minister paid a visit to the Freedom Fighter's section and met with freedom fighters, Statehood agitationists and the families of martyrs.
Those present on the occasion included Lokayukt justice MM Ghildiyal, ministers Yashpal Arya, Pritam Singh Panwar, Mayor Vinod Chamoli, former Chief Minister N D Tiwari, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain and many senior bureaucrats, public representatives and prominent personalities.
Mr Bahuguna also hoisted the national flag at Chief Minister's residence and state Congress office where he exhorted everyone to work unitedly for national unity, integrity and development.
