Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Wednesday gave approval for setting up a new battalion of National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Uttarkashi. He took this and other decisions in a meeting with NCC and government officials at his residence here on Wednesday.

Rawat said that NCC plays a key role in attracting the youngsters of the state to join the defence forces. Granting approval for formation of a new NCC battalion in Uttarkashi, he said that this would strengthen and increase the activities of the corps nation-wide. Apart from this he also gave approval to upgrade the independent company of NCC in Gopeshwar.

He directed officials to soon release a Government order to authorise NCC department head for spending upto Rs five lakh under code head 42 for various tasks of the NCC. He stressed that the State Government will provide all possible assistance to strengthen the corps. He asked the NCC to submit a proposal for this to the State administration. Budgetary provision will be made in the next financial year for various requirements include budget for the republic day camp.

He also said that the state government will provide financial assistance for medical treatment of cadet Roshni who was injured in a road accident.

Major general Sudhir Bahal informed that NCC conducts various activities for its cadets in the State. The cadets also participate in national level camps, IMA training, shooting training, naval training and foreign youth exchange programme. The team of Uttarakhand directorate has been selected this year for the boys under 19 junior Subroto Cup, he informed.

Additional chief secretary Radha Raturi, secretaries R Meenakshi Sundaram and Amit Singh Negi were also present in the meeting.