Aviation pact terminated on flimsy grounds:Ex-CM

Tribune News Service

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Dehradun, April 12

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has termed unfortunate the state BJP government’s decision to cancel the State Civil Aviation Development Authority’s agreement with India Flysafe Aviation Limited, depriving both Garhwal and Kumaon hills of cheap air connectivity.

Harish Rawat, while addressing a press conference here today, said his government had done this agreement in order to utilise airstrips in Pithoragarh, Chinyalisaun, Gauchar and Naini Saini with an aim to provide cheap air connectivity, both through fixed wings and heli services, to people residing in Garhwal and Kumaon hills.

“But, the BJP government has done big disservice to people of hill areas by cancelling the agreement and should now tell the people of these backward hill regions as to what alternative would it give them for ensuring better connectivity,” Harish Rawat pointed out.

He alleged that the state BJP government had terminated the agreement on flimsy grounds that the company had failed to fulfil the terms and conditions of the agreement. 

“My government had maintained all transparency while undertaking the agreement with the aviation company and if Trivendra Singh Rawat thinks anything is wrong they can even go for a CBI enquiry,” he added.

He also questioned the state government’s decision to convert national highways into municipal roads. “Trivendra Singh Rawat government needs to answer as to who will now maintain these municipal roads that have come up after conversion of national highways,” he said adding that during his government the Indian Road Congress had described national highways in Uttarakhand as one of best in the country.

Referring to ongoing agitation undertaken by women’s at various parts of the state against liquor shops, Harish Rawat said women power kept special relevance for the Congress and his party would continue to support the sentiments of women folk.