CM worried over slow progress of watershed projects

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 22

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has expressed concern over the slow pace of progress in watershed management schemes in the state.

Presiding over a review meeting of watershed management in Dehradun late Saturday evening, the Chief Minister called for preparation of roadmaps of the proposed watershed schemes in the state within a week. He said slow pace of implementation of watershed schemes despite availability of funds was a matter of concern. He categorically held that the schemes must be implemented on ground rather than being confined to paper.

Later, reviewing the works of the Agriculture Department, the Chief Minister called for distribution of agriculture equipment under the National Agriculture Development Programme to farmers at block level. He called for ensuring timely availability of soil health cards to the farmers. He directed promotion of floriculture. The Chief Minister, at the meeting, called for reserving at least one block for sale of organic vegetables in Dehradun, Haldwani, Udham Singh Nagar and Haldwani mandis.

He said the farmers should be given adequate training and krishi melas must be organised very frequently. He said these krishi melas should have presence of agriculture experts. He suggested proper fencing in villages that are alongside forests.

Discussing works of the Transport Department, the Chief Minister directed speedy work towards resolution of the issue of distribution of Transport Department assets between Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. He said no bus which is more than three years old must be allowed to ply on hilly routes in the state. He said transparency must be maintained while undertaking purchase of buses. He added that better training should be ensured for the drivers. He said infrastructure at the bus stops across the state must be improved. The Chief Minister suggested an increase in revenue through advertisement hoardings at bus stations.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary N Ravishankar, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma and Principal Secretary S Ramaswamy were prominent among those who attended the meeting.