Sunday, 11 April 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
The decision to make Gairsain a commissionerate had been taken to develop the area into a new confluence of the cultures of Garhwal and Kumaon regions. The decision taken by the cabinet on Friday to suspend this announcement is according to the thinking of the current state government. Former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said this while interacting with media persons on Saturday.
Rawat said that the commissionerate decision taken during his term had been taken for planned development of the Gairsain area and keeping the future in mind. He said, “I had taken the opinion of the local MLAs before announcing the decision to make Gairsain a commissionerate. I had anticipated that questions would be raised but on the issue of the commissionerate, all had stated that none should have any objection to it as Gairsain is the summer capital and the decision was important for its development.” As far as the decision of the cabinet to suspend the commissionerate decision is concerned, Rawat refused to comment on it stating that it was the government’s thinking and decision. However, he added that his plan was to develop Gairsain as a major cultural centre of Garhwal and Kumaon. The former CM said that he had prepared a 10-year roadmap of works worth Rs 25,000 crore for planned development of the Gairsain capital area, adding that work has been started on this. The idea behind making Gairsain a commissionerate was to ensure its development, facilitate swift redressal of public issues and to make senior IAS and IPS officers regularly sit there, said Rawat. On the issue of reconsideration of the Devasthanam Board, he said that it had been formed to provide better management for crores of devotees. He said that Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines were already being managed by the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee under an Act with 51 temples under it. Not a single new temple had been brought under the board. “The only intention behind formation of the board was to ensure better facilities for the crores of devotees. The temple committees had themselves suggested a body on the lines of Vaishno Devi shrine board,” said Rawat.
Referring to the surge in Covid cases, the former CM action should be taken on the basis of expert suggestions. Expressing concern at people not following Covid guidelines, he said that all the people need to be more careful. On being asked about rising cases in Dehradun and Haridwar, Rawat said that a strict approach being adopted by the government will be in the interests of the public.
