Bahuguna targets CM, counsels him to focus on earlier projects

Ajay Ramola

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 24

Former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today lashed out at Chief Minister Harish Rawat and advised him to avoid announcing new development works and rather focus on fulfilling those made earlier.

He stated this while addressing a gathering in Mussoorie during a visit along with his son Saket Bahuguna. He met Municipal Council president Manmohan Singh Mall and presided over a meeting held on the MC premises.

He said the government should reduce its non-planned expenditure and concentrate on the development of the state.

He claimed the state’s non-planned expenditure was nearly Rs 22,000 crore, which was the highest in the country. Bahuguna said the government should utilise funds for planned development projects.

He said tourism was the mainstay of the state and ,therefore, the government should focus on tourist- friendly projects.

On the power sector, Bahuguna said it was during his tenure that the Lakhwar Byasi hydropower project on the Yamuna was sanctioned. He said Uttarakhand, despite having an adequate power generation capacity, was buying electricity from outside.

On Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Kedarnath, he said it would help spread the message that Kedarnath was safe for pilgrims.

Meanwhile, members of the Gram Panchayat Bunglow Ki Kandi, Kempty, met the former Chief Minister and informed him that the regularisation of shops had not been done so far despite the announcement made by him last year.

Bahuguna said he had asked Saket to look into the matter. However, he said shopkeepers should also ensure that no encroachment was done in the Kempty Falls area.

Bahuguna said that he was committed to the development of the region. He said Mussoorie had an important place on the tourism map and he would work for the development of the town.

Saket also reiterated his commitment towards the region and said they would continue to work for the people of the region.

Culture Minister Jot Singh Gunsola, Mussoorie Congress general secretary Javed Khan, MC ward members and Congress workers were present on the occasion.