PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the State administration should focus on implementing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on making Uttarakhand the spiritual capital of the world. The CM gave the directive while chairing a review meeting of the officers of the State administration and district magistrates on Monday.
He said Yoga, Ayurveda and meditation centres should be set at block level. The CM suggested that one village in each block could be selected as a pilot project and developed as a ‘spiritual village’. “This initiative would provide yoga training centres, Ayurvedic healthcare facilities, meditation and mental health programmes and opportunities for spiritual education at the local level. This would not only enhance the health and mental peace of the local population, but would also give the state a new identity related to tourism and health,’’ he said.
Emphasising the importance of the ‘One District, One Fair’ campaign, the CM directed for the development of a framework for environmentally friendly and grand fairs that would boost the local economy. He said that selected fairs should be declared as State fairs which will benefit from special protection, financial assistance and publicity. Dhami said that the campaign aims not only to promote local culture, arts and crafts, but also to provide opportunities for public entertainment and community participation.
In the meeting, the CM said that the officers should ensure regular monitoring of homestay, self-employment, horticulture, agriculture and solar power activities in villages identified under the Vibrant Village Programme. He directed that border villages be developed as tourist destinations under the programme. The CM said that the preparations for the winter Char Dham Yatra and round the year tourism should be made.
He directed the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) to develop and implement special discount packages for the winter travel season. He averred that these packages will not only boost tourism activities but also create new employment opportunities for local people. The CM directed the DMs to utilise CSR funds extensively at the district level for public welfare projects and said that priority should be given to projects that directly benefit the public and accelerate local development.
He directed the administration to make arrangements for bonfires and rain shelters and said that proper disposal of garbage left by pilgrims along the travel routes should be done.
The CM added that regular verification and inspection campaigns at the district level should be held to strengthen security. He directed that special vigil should be maintained in border areas and security be strengthened at major tourist destinations.
He directed the DMs to conduct surveys on the possibilities of developing Spiritual Economic Zones in Dronagiri in the Dwarahat area of Almora and Shyamalatal-Devi Dhura in Champawat.
He also directed the DMs to investigate the permanent resident certificates made in the last three years and take strict action against those involved in making the wrong certificates.
Principal secretary RK Sudhanshu, director general of police Deepam Seth, additional director general of police Abhinav Kumar, divisional commissioner of Kumaon Deepak Rawat and other senior officers attended the meeting.
