Uttarakhand government holds cabinet meeting on Tehri lake

In the historical cabinet meeting of Uttarakhand held on Tehri lake, 12 important proposals were discussed. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that several important decisions have been taken in the historic cabinet held at Floating Marina of Tehri Lake. In which the tourism will be given industry status and Veer Chandra Singh Garhwal Swarozgar Yojana will make Tehri will be one of the world’s best tourist destinations.

Giving information about the decisions of the cabinet meeting organised for the first time at Tehri Lake, government spokesperson Madan Kaushik said that making amendments in the MSME Policy, now various activities associated with tourism have been given the status of industry. He said that now enterprises like Rejuvenation Resort, Ayurveda, Yoga, Panchkarma, Bungee Jumping, Joy Riding, Surfing, Camping, Rafting would come under MSME Policy and under the policy for entrepreneurs, they would be provided all permissible facilities.

Likewise, government has decided to bring Aayush and Wellness sector under the Mega Industry Investment Policy. With this decision, as many as 22 activities/sector including hotel, resort, kayaking, sea plane Industry, Ayurveda, Yoga, would be entitled for various benefits under the Mega Industrial Policy. He said that for generating employment in the micro sector, government has added 11 new activities under the Veer Chander Singh Garhwali Policy. In these activities, for water sports, Terrain biking, Caravan, Angling, Star Gazing, Bird Watching, assistance would be provided for the equipment.

Cabinet Minister Kaushik said that main objective of the government is to connect tourism and employment in order to generate maximum employment opportunities for the youth of the state. In an important decision taken during the cabinet meeting in Tehri, under the ‘13 District 13 New Destination Plan’, approval was given to develop 13 new tourism centres in all the 13 districts of the state. Katarmal in Almora, Mukteshwar in Nainital, Satpuli in Pauri, Khairasain, Gairsain-Bharadisain in Chamoli, Lakhamandal in Dehradun, 52 Shaktipeeth Theme Park in Haridwar, Har Ki Doon-Mori in Uttarkashi, Tehri Lake in Tehri, Chirbitiya in Rudraprayag Gularbhoj in Udham Singh Nagar, Devidhura in Champawat, Garud Valley in Bageshwar and Most Maanu in Pithoragarh would be developed as new destination under the plan.

In another important decision taken by the cabinet on Wednesday, a fund of Rs 50 lakh has been made under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhaya Social Security Scheme. From this fund, in order to provide security to divorcee/separate/single woman and eunuchs, they will be provided co-operative loan of Rs 1 lakh at the rate of 1 per cent. The fund would be managed by a committee constituted at district level, which will be headed by CDO.

Chief Minister said that ‘Pirul’ policy (Pine Needles Policy) brought by the government is expected to annually generate 150 MW power from 14 lakh metric tonne ‘Pirul’ besides employment for 60,000 people. He said that from the benefit of ‘Pirul’ policy, the village women and youth can monthly earn Rs 8,000 to Rs.10,000. He further said that for 25 KW power, about 500 square meter land is required and it would provide direct and indirect employment to ten persons.