U’khand outperforming other states, says Governor

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 24

Uttarakhand Governor Dr KK Paul today said Uttarakhand has performed exceedingly well in various sectors. Addressing a seminar organised by Uttarakhand Rajya Sabha BJP MP Tarun Vijay on “The Development Path for Uttarakhand–Vision 2020-Challenges and opportunities” at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Governor KK Paul said today, Uttarakhand was outperforming a number of advanced states in the country.

“Uttarakhand’s average GDP growth is one of the highest in the country. During the 10th plan period, Uttarakhand grew at an average of 8.8 per cent annually as against only 4.6 per cent average growth of its parent state of Uttar Pradesh,” he said.

The Governor however said the state was also faced with several challenges. Seventy five per cent of the state’s women are literate, but there are several health-related issues, particularly anaemia, malnutrition and protein deficiency in women and children, which have been hampering their growth.

Prof Pradipto Banerji, Director of IIT, Roorkee, said ecology and environment could be protected to a large extent by following traditional architecture. Prof HS Dhami, Vice Chancellor of Kumaon University, spoke about the economic development of the state.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Tarun Vijay said environment, education and spirituality were strengths of Uttarakhand. He said that to strengthen women further, a university for women by the name “Ma Nanda Devi Women’s University” should be set up in the state.