relief fund of Rs. 20 crore for disaster victim

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, in his message to the people on the eve of 65^th Anniversary of Independence Day on Tuesday, said that the struggle for the freedom was not only struggle for social, economic and political liberty but also a struggle for safeguarding self respect and dignity. "Now the onus rest on us to maintain the sovereignty and take the country towards overall development," he said. Mr. Bahuguna
also paid tribute to Statehood Agitationists and reiterated his resolution to develop Uttarakhand into a model state in the country.

 Mr. Bahuguna said that colossal damage had been caused by natural calamity that hit the state recently. He expressed his deep condolence towards the people who died and said that the State Government was committed to provide all possible assistance to the affected families.

The State Government had not only released immediate relief fund of Rs. 20 crore for disaster victim but also directed the District Administration to provide sufficient ration, drinking water and medical facilities to them, he said. The Centre too has allocated Rs. 150 crore as relief fund. The Chief Minister appealed to the NGOs and social organizations to actively contribute for the calamity victims. The State Government had increased the relief amount to double and Rs. 1.5 lakh given to the next-of-kins of deceased persons under NDRF norms too has been increased to Rs. 3 lakh, while, financial assistance given to a person with more than 80 percent disability too has been enhanced to Rs. 1 lakh from existing Rs. 62,000. Similarly other funds too have been increased.

 Chief Minister Bahuguna said that a Cabinet Meeting would be convened at Gairsen on 2 October. The State Government, exhibiting its efficient economical management, presented revenue surplus budget without imposing any additional tax on general public. The State Government had been able to get approval of Rs. 8200 crore for its Annual Plan from Union Planning Commission. He said that the State Government was committed to welfare of minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, youths, ex-servicemen, farmers and other sections of the society. To redress problems of minorities, a separated Ministry has been formed. Women have been facilitated with 50 percent reservation in Van Panchayats. The literate unemployed youths would be paid Unemployment Allowances from 9 November this year. Special efforts would be put for skill development of youths and further extension has been made in Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Self-employment Scheme.

 Mr. Bahuguna said that the financial assistance given to the war widows for marriage of their daughters has been increased to Rs. 50,000 from Rs. 20,000. He said that the Government was serious about safeguarding the welfare of farmers and has given ownership right of government land to farmers allocated to them on lease for agricultural purpose under Government Grant Act- 1895 and also given the right to sell them. The farmers could register their respective lands as per the Circle Rate of year 2005 depositing just 5 percent of it. The State Government has decided to provide 10 kg rice per month instead of 2 kg to APL card holders.

 Chief Minister Bahuguna said that looking into the shortage of doctors the Government has decided to increase the salary of doctors enrolled on contract basis at par regular doctors and their contract term increased to three years from one. The effort is on to start AIIMS Rishikesh and the first course would begin from September. Improving condition of roads in hill areas was also in the priority of the government. Mr. Bahuguna said that a decision has been taken by the government to take up repair work of the roads as soon as the Monsoon would be over for which a scheme worth Rs. 200 crore has been approved. Besides, all those roads which are complete over fifty percent would be given priority and completed in the current fiscal year. The action plan was being prepared for the construction of flyovers at ISBT, Balliwala Chowk and Bhandari Bagh. All efforts are being put for the extension of railway lines and air service. The Centre has approved air service between Dehradun and Kathmandu. He said that the State Government was also seriously pursuing development in tourism sector. With the support of Union Tourism Ministry, a Rs. 250 crore Mega Project has been prepared. Establishment of Tehri Lake Development authority and Adventure Sports Academy are on the pipeline, he said. Mr. Bahuguna said that Chinyalisoud Runway would be extended to provide easy accessibility to Tehri for tourism development in the area. He said that action plan was being prepared to bring Piran Kaliyar and Hemkund Sahib on international tourism map. The Centre has approved Rs. 160 crore for the development of tourism in Uttarakhand. International standard sports stadium would be constructed in Dehradun with the help of ONGC. He said that a Higher Education Recruitment Commission would be formed to recruit 850 professors. The retirement age of teachers has been increased to 65 years from 60 as per UGC norms. Responsibility of passing the maps for house constructions has been given to local units. Mr. Bahuguna said that the State Government was keenly looking forward to end the power crisis in the State and has urged the Centre to restart the stalled hydro-power projects. The Centre has, meanwhile, approved 300 MW Lakhwad Dam Project.

 Chief Minister Bahuguna said that the state Government was committed towards 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. Eco Toruirsm Board would be formed and project to generate power from 'Pirul'. He said that Border Allowance would be paid to the government employees serving at border areas.

"Our Government has resolved to lead the State to a new direction of development for which concrete action plans are being chalked out. We have taken comprehensive initiatives for the welfare of workers, business fraternity, unemployed youths, ex-servicemen, farmers, students and other sections of the society," he said.