Thursday, 16 December 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
With the crucial assembly elections round the corner, the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has intensified his visits to different parts of the state. In the short period of the time the young CM has left a mark with his hard work, diligence and has shown the ability to understand the pulse of the people. Showing flexibility he has not hesitated to undertake a roll back on the issues such as Devasthanam Board. Dhami took some time off his hectic schedule to interact with Gajendra Singh Negi of The Pioneer at his residence on Wednesday morning. Here are the excerpts.
You were with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he unveiled the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. What are your feelings?
I had visited Kashi earlier, the area around the Kashi Vishwanath temple used to be a cramped place but now under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, the entire area has witnessed a complete transformation. After Ahilyabai Holkar, who rebuilt the temple in 18th century, the temple corridor in Kashi has been transformed for the better by PM Modi. The entire corridor is now oozing a unique spiritual feeling. Under PM’s leadership reconstruction work of Kedarnath shrine is going on and a master plan of Rs 250 crore for Badrinath temple has been approved. A majestic Ram temple as per the aspiration of people is coming up in Ayodhya. We are witnessing a spurt in spirituality, culture and Bharatiyata now.
You focussed on home stay during your presentation in CM’s conclave. How is this important for us?
We are promoting the home stay scheme to increase self employment opportunities, develop new tourist destinations, to acquaint tourists with the culture of the state and to stop migration from hills. We are giving assistance up to Rs 15 lakh and interest assistance up to 1.5 lakh to the applicants under scheme. More than 3,700 home stays have registered under home stay scheme and economic assistance of Rs 14.53 crore has so far been given under it and more 8,000 employment have been generated under this scheme.
The Supreme Court in its verdict on Tuesday has allowed the execution of All Weather Road project. What is your reaction to this order?
We welcome the judgment of the honourable SC on the All Weather Road. Our government fought the case in court and our stand has been vindicated. This road is of strategic importance for the country and would promote tourism in the state.
The opposition Congress is alleging that the financial condition of the state is very bad and has demanded a white paper on economy. It is also questioning the announcements made by you in such a bad economic condition.
The economy of the state is stable and whatever announcements are being made by me are done after necessary financial clearance. These announcements are being followed by the government orders.
In the recent assembly session the opposition Congress accused the government of misleading the house on employment data. What is your take on it?
The Congress has become desperate as it has no issues. More than 17,000 jobs have been given from Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission alone. Apart from this recruitment from other agencies has been done. We are also creating self employment opportunities for the unemployed. It is a pity that those who did nothing to provide jobs when they were in power are now harping about this.
