Dhami highlights U’khand’s achievements in NITI Aayog governing council meeting
Stresses on need for a sustainable drainage plan for cities
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has stressed on the need for a formulation of a special plan to develop a sustainable urban drainage system to address the problem of drainage in the cities. He said that due rapid urbanization, the issue of drainage in cities has become a serious challenge.
He participated in the 10th governing council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday.
The CM also requested that the lift irrigation projects should be included in the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. He said that due to Uttarakhand’s unique geographical conditions, only about 10 per cent of the mountainous area is irrigated. He informed that special efforts are being made in the State to conserve rainwater by connecting glacier-fed rivers with rain-fed rivers under the “River Linking Project” and constructing check dams and small reservoirs.
Stating that Uttarakhand will host the famous Ma Nanda Raj Jat Yatra and Kumbh Mela in 2027, Dhami sought Central assistance to make both these events grand and divine. He also emphasised the importance of demographic dividend in building a developed India.
In the meeting the CM pointed out that although the primary sector contributes only 9.3 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Uttarakhand’s GDP, about 45 percent of the population is engaged in this sector. To address this issue, the State has started various projects to encourage farmers to shift from low-value agriculture to high-value agriculture, including the Apple Mission, Kiwi Mission, Dragon Fruit Mission, Millet Mission, and promotion of aromatic farming, he said.
Dhami said that under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister, India is moving rapidly toward becoming a developed nation by 2047 and Uttarakhand is giving its contribution in this endeavour. He said that in last three years, the State’s economy has grown by approximately 1.5 times and in SGD ranking of NITI Aayog it has secured first position in the country. The State has implemented Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the State and in the last three and a half years government jobs have been given to more than 23,000 youngsters.
The CM mentioned that the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand were organised with the theme of Green Games. In these games, about 4,000 medals were prepared by recycling electronic waste, and solar energy was used to fulfill all energy requirements. The event successfully prevented the emission of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide, he claimed. Dhami added that a comprehensive policy has been created and implemented at the grassroots level to promote adventure tourism, eco-tourism, and high-end tourism in the State.
He said that Uttarakhand is focusing on sustainable and inclusive development based on innovation and technology. Dhami also stated that the State has initiated the release of Gross Environment Product Index (GEP), similar to GDP, to help achieve a better balance between economy and environment. Dhami said that a geothermal energy policy will soon be implemented in the State. He further said the State has started the Chief Minister Solar Self-Employment Scheme under which many beneficiaries are earning over one lakh rupees per month.
