Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated a number of developmental works during his visit to Pauri district on Wednesday. He inaugurated the Nainidanda village cluster potable water scheme costing about Rs 18 crore. The chief minister also inaugurated the non residential buildings of government Ayurvedic college, Takolikhal and Kunjauli costing about Rs 13 crore along with government Ayurvedic hospital building costing Rs 41.85 lakh. Rawat also inaugurated the Bironkhal development block office building constructed at a cost of Rs 86.17 lakh in addition to inaugurating and laying the foundation for various other developmental works and schemes. He inaugurated schemes and developmental works costing about Rs 96 crore and laid the foundation for other works and schemes costing about Rs 41 crore.
On the occasion, the chief minister announced constructed of a hall and mini stadium in Dhumakot, construction of Jagdai-Kingauda motor road, horticulture farm at Patodiya and grant for model Sanskrit college being operated since 1983.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the chief minister reiterated that the state government is working to provide all necessary facilities even in remote areas. Special focus is being accorded to education, medical health facilities, roads and drinking water supply schemes. Rawat said, “Schemes are being prepared to link the youth with self employment. Arrangement is being made to encourage the youth and provide necessary facilities so that instead of looking for employment, the youth become capable of giving others employment too. If the youth are connected to self-employment in the mountainous regions, it will also help in mitigating migration.The future of the youth here and in Uttarakhand is linked to tourism. To encourage tourism, the state government has accorded industry status to it. The tourism business will now receive facilities provided to industries in the state,” the CM said.
The CM further said that Uttarakhand has its distinct identity for its clean air, environment and a peaceful atmosphere. This is the reason the number of tourists and pilgrims arriving in the state has increased by three to four times. In the future when the all-weather road and other roads are ready, the number of tourists will rise further. He said, “Today when the temperature in Delhi is 48 degrees Celsius, the temperature here in Nainidanda Bironkhal is 28 degrees Celsius. With a stark difference of 20 difference, it is natural that people will come here to escape the heat and enjoy a clean environment.”
Referring to agriculture, he stressed on the need for cultivating crops which are not damaged by wild animals, citing hemp and stinging nettle as examples of such plants. He also said that the attempt to generate electricity from Pirul (dry pine needles) has also been started in the state. He reiterated that if the youth go for self employment instead of aiming for jobs, it would benefit both the youth and the state.
The State’s Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj, Lansdowne MLA Dilip Singh Rawat and others were also present on the occasion.
