New scheme to revive 700 ‘ghost villages’ of Uttarakhand: CM Trivendra Singh Rawat - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

New scheme to revive 700 ‘ghost villages’ of Uttarakhand: CM Trivendra Singh Rawat

Hindustan Times, Dehradun | By
Aug 16, 2018 06:49 AM IST

The villages have been rendered uninhabited due to migration and lack of facilities. Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said the government is planning to acquire land in these villages, so that entrepreneurs can utilise them for horticulture, growing medicinal plants or tourism related activities.

A new scheme to revive over 700 ‘ghost villages’ of Uttarakhand, rendered uninhabited, owing to migration and lack of facilities, will be launched by the Uttarakhand government soon. A decision in this regard was announced by chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on the occasion of Independence Day on Wednesday.

Uttarakhand chief minister said the government has plans to set up a separate Uttarakhand Diaspora Board for the development of the mountain state.(PTI/File Photo)
Uttarakhand chief minister said the government has plans to set up a separate Uttarakhand Diaspora Board for the development of the mountain state.(PTI/File Photo)

“We are planning to acquire land in all those villages, so that entrepreneurs can utilise the land for horticulture, growing medicinal plants or for tourism related activities,” said Rawat after unfurling the national flag.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Expressing concern over the dwindling number of students in schools, from 11 lakh to 4.5 lakh, in the last three years, Rawat said that his government would come up with a white paper soon. He also warned teachers from going on frequent strikes.

“In schools the focus is on teachers rather than students. We shall not let that happen in this state”, he said.

The chief minister said the government has plans to set up a separate Uttarakhand Diaspora Board for the development of the mountain state.

“We have a number of people, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs, hailing from the state settled in different countries who can who can make a significant contribution to the economy,” he said.

According to him, the government would expedite the rehabilitation of some 350 villages falling in disaster prone areas. “A separate fund has now been created (for this purpose). People living in these villages will be relocated to safe and secure areas in the next 8 to 10 years”, he said.

Rawat said the government would open 550 farm machinery banks in rural areas by 2019, so that farmers could avail the latest farm equipment. Elaborating on healthcare benefits, Rawat said that every family would be entitled to free medical treatment up to 5 lakh under the Bharat-Ayushman Uttarakhand yojna. In addition to this, the government is also focussing on road, rail and air connectivity.

Helicopter services from Pithoragrh, Chinyalisaur, Gauchar, Haldwani and Sahastradhara (Dehradun) would begin from October 4. Rawat also announced that the government would provide full financial help for marriages of daughters of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and destitute widows.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On