UTTARAKHAND

The heliports, which will enable operation of more choppers, will be developed at a budget of around Rs 100 crore, officials said, adding the helipads that have been identified to be upgraded in places include Sahastradhara (Dehradun),Gauchar,Chinyalisaur, New Tehri, Srinagar, Almora, Nainital, Haldwani,Joshimath, Haridwar, Dharchula,RamnagarandMussoorie.

The project would be funded by the Centre under its Regional Connectivity Scheme. As per the proposal, the development of each helipad would cost between Rs 7 crore to Rs 8 crore.
Under the first phase of the project, the Uttarakhand government aims to set up heliport at Gauchar in Chamoli district and Chinyalisaur in Uttarkashi district. By the end of 2021, the government intends to complete the work at five key helipads, officials familiar with the matter said.

There has been a 600% increase in Urbanisation increase in concrete cover — in Doon between 1995 and 2015. As a result, the city has lost over 18% of its seasonal streams, which have now converted into ephemeral (rain-dependent) seasonal streams. It has also led to a 1% decrease in permanent water cover of the city.

This, in turn, has increased the risk of flooding during the monsoon season and led to greater water scarcity during summer months. These revelations are part of the City Water Balance Plan (CWBP) study, conducted by USAID along with the Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) to analyse water use inDehradun, and how to optimise groundwater use and recharge. The study was presented to the government earlier this month and, in fact, was conducted in collaboration with it. Researchers claimed that this study is one of its kind to be done in India.

Adding to the water woes of the city is the fact that water loss due to transmission through water supply pipes is 30%, much higher than the usual 15-20%.

The Education minister Dhan Singh Rawat has directed the officers of the department to expedite the process of setting up cluster schools in the State. The Education department has taken up a plan to set up two cluster schools in every block. The minister gave the order while taking a meeting of the officers of the department here on Thursday. Apart from the senior officers of the department all the block education officers (BEOs) of the State attended the meeting. In the three -hour long meeting Rawat reviewed the progress of cluster schools, PM Shri schools, performance of the students in the board examinations, distribution of textbooks and the number of teachers and students in the schools. The minister said that the officers of the department should take the parents and public representatives into confidence for merging the schools coming in a perimeter of 10 kilometres of a cluster school. After this the officers should get the DPRs of the cluster schools prepared from the work executing agency, he said.

The minister added that anti-tobacco and anti-drug campaigns should be undertaken in every school. On a stern note Rawat said that the rule of conduct regulations should be followed and students should be imparted moral education. The minister said that action should be taken against the teachers and employees who are absent from a long period of time from their duties. He added that the process of giving compulsory retirement to these absentee employees should be initiated.

The state Education department has cleared a budget proposal of Rs 1,850 crore for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme in the current financial year. The department is going to present the proposal to the central government in a meeting scheduled to be held later this month where the latter will ultimately decide on the amount of budget to be released for the scheme. Last year, the had presented a budget proposal of Rs 1,500 crore to the Centre, following which, a budget of Rs 900 crore was approved for the scheme by the central government.

According to the Union ministry of education website, SSA is an integrated scheme for school education extending from pre-school to Class XII to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education. Meanwhile, several job aspirants hope that the state starts recruitment on the vacant posts of BRP (Block Resource Person) and CRP (Cluster Resource Person) after the Centre releases the budget for the scheme. It is estimated that there are around 900 vacant positions of BRP and CRP inUttarakhand. Notably, a budget of Rs 208 crore has already been approved for the mid-day meal scheme in the state.

Recalling Ambedkar as the chief architect of the Indian constitution and a social reformer, Rawat said that the is also committed to ensuring the welfare of the poor and deprived sections of Society. He reiterated the governments intention to regularise and beautify the slums set up on government land. The CM said that various schemes are being implemented for the welfare of the poor and deprived sections of society.

He also announced boundary wall construction and repair of the Ravidas Bhawan and Ambedkar marriage hall in Lower Tunwala. Rawat said, Ambedkar remained dedicated to serving humanity. A nation without casteism and with social Equality was his dream.

The CM further said that the state government is undertaking all possible efforts in the fight against Covid-19. Both testing and vaccination have been stepped up in the state. All necessary arrangements have been made for Covid vaccination in the state. Officials have been directed to ensure vaccination from the district to block and Nyay Panchayat levels. MLA and BJP State president Madan Kaushik along with local MLA Umesh Sharma were also among those present on the occasion.

In order to strengthen the States economy, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interacted with representatives of those in Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture, , Industry, business and other groups on Sunday. He said that an attempt will be made to include the suggestions received during the interaction in the coming budget.

Stressing on the importance of public participation in development, Dhami said that there are limited job opportunities in the government sector so self EMPLOYMENT will have to be made into a movement. He said that joint efforts are needed for action on suggestions and solutions. He said that the government is also working on suggestions from national and international experts for integrated development of Uttarakhand. Recalling that he also spends the night at homestays while touring districts, the CM said that homestays are becoming sources of self employment and Economic Development in rural areas. We have rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Kali and Sharda with 71 per cent of our geographical area covered by forests and Mountains. Every area is a destination in our State. We are trying to move forward with our rich heritage, said Dhami.

To boost theMSME sectorofUttarakhand, the state cabinet approved a proposal to provide customised packages to individuals and firms that aim to invest over Rs 200 crore and give EMPLOYMENT to 500 locals in the state.
The cabinet approved another proposal encouraging private in the MSME sector. Under the project, SIDCUL would club hands with land owners to create a ‘land bank.’ The involvement of SIDCUL is expected to boost the confidence of investors from other states, who would be allowed to purchase 2 acres of land in the hills and 30 acres in the plains.

The cabinet also approved a total of 31 posts for theUttarakhand Real Estate Regulatory Authority. The important budget session would be held in the Bhararisain area of summer capital Gairsain from March 13 to 18.

Besides this, the cabinet granted permission to give 3,000 square meter land in the Purukul area to open a school for specially-abled children. The cabinet will also recruit 285 Special teachers for those unable to attend school.

The cabinet also gave a nod to an Industry department proposal recommending bringing down the district mining trust amount from 25% to 15%.

Among the prominent projects was the Kaliganga II project at Rudraprayag, 132/33KV sub-station at Padartha in Haridwar and Soban Singh Jeena Medical Science and Research Institute at Almora.

She added that “Uttarakhand has immense possibilities in the field of tourism, especially nature tourism, adventure tourism and medical tourism.” “People of the hills provide so much joy through their culture. That’s why, it is important to preserve traditions.” She also highlighted the contributions made by the state’s Women achievers like Bachendri Pal, Basanti Bisht and Vandana Kararia among others.

A wildlife rescue centre being developed on 30 hectare area in Dhela zone of Corbett will be the biggest facility of its kind in the state. According to officials, a 30 strong staff including veterinary surgeon, physician and anaesthesia expert will work at this centre. A sum of about Rs 10 crore has been spent on this project so far. The part of the centre prepared so far is already being used for treatment of tiger, leopard and elephant while after completion, the centre will also be able to provide treatment to bear, snakes, birds and other wildlife. Currently, this centre is being used to provide treatment to five leopards and two tigers.

Corbett national park director Rahul said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit, the plan for establishment of this wildlife rescue centre was announced in 2019. The total cost of the project is about Rs 19 crore out of which a sum of about Rs 10 crore has already been spent on the facility which is under construction. The five leopards brought here for treatment include two each from Rishikesh and Rudrapur and one from Nainital. Two of these leopards were found to be attacking villagers while three were rescued in an injured condition. The big cats under treatment will be released in the jungles after they are found to be fit for release, added Rahul.