Chief Secretary Reviews Development Schemes in Uttarkashi, Launches ‘Yojana Didi’ E-Book
Directions to make roads pothole-free by October 15; focus on faster implementation of development schemes
₹3.26-crore district-level model launched for conservation of Himalayan rivers in Gangotri and Yamunotri
Chief Secretary interacts with civil society, ex-servicemen, hotel association and other organisations
Uttarkashi: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan chaired a district-level review meeting at the Uttarkashi Collectorate on Friday and reviewed the physical and financial progress of various development and welfare schemes being implemented in the district.
The meeting covered the District Plan, State Finance, the 25-Point Programme, Centrally Sponsored Schemes and other development and welfare programmes. The Chief Secretary directed officials to complete all sanctioned construction works within the stipulated timelines while maintaining quality standards.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary also launched the ‘Yojana Didi’ e-book, a digital initiative compiling detailed information on various schemes and programmes being implemented in the district. The initiative is aimed at facilitating better monitoring and improving access to information related to government schemes.
Roads to be made pothole-free by October 15
The Chief Secretary directed officials to strengthen solid waste management and ensure effective waste disposal in and around major pilgrimage and religious sites.
He instructed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Department (PWD), PMGSY and local urban bodies to undertake a focused campaign to make roads pothole-free by October 15 and ensure smooth movement of traffic.
He also directed departmental heads and senior officials to conduct regular field inspections and improve inter-departmental coordination for the timely resolution of pending matters.
Review of Polyhouse and JICA projects
The progress of polyhouse construction under the Horticulture Department and targets under the JICA project were also reviewed. Taking note of the slow progress against the prescribed targets, the Chief Secretary directed the Chief Development Officer to regularly monitor horticulture schemes and ensure improvement in implementation.
He also directed officials to review schemes being implemented by the District Sainik Welfare Department and ensure effective delivery of welfare measures for ex-servicemen and their families.
₹3.26-crore model launched for Himalayan river conservation
During the programme, the district-level model under ‘Prarambh – Conservation of Rivers and Aquatic Resources and Biodiversity Heritage Management’, being implemented jointly under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, and the Uttarakhand State Mission for Clean Ganga, was officially launched.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan inaugurated the initiative with the resolve of ‘Clean Ganga, Pure and Uninterrupted Yamuna’ for the conservation of Himalayan rivers and aquatic resources in the Gangotri and Yamunotri regions. The estimated cost of the district-level model is around ₹3.26 crore.
Interaction with civil society and various organisations
Before the review meeting, the Chief Secretary interacted with representatives of civil society organisations, ex-servicemen and paramilitary pensioners, the Hotel Association and other organisations at the district auditorium.
The representatives raised various issues related to regional development, tourism, ex-servicemen and pensioners, sanitation, roads, network connectivity and healthcare.
Key issues included difficulties related to online attendance under the VB-G Ramji scheme, waste disposal in urban and rural areas, road and network connectivity, equal pay for equal work for ex-servicemen engaged through UPCL/UPNL-related services, a single-window mechanism for Nelangan-Jadung permits, and healthcare facilities.
The Chief Secretary heard the issues and suggestions and said that interaction with different sections of society helps the administration understand the actual needs and challenges of the region. He assured that public-interest issues would be examined as per rules and necessary action would be taken.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya informed the meeting that action was already underway on most of the issues received, while the remaining demands were being examined on a priority basis. He said concerned departments would take necessary action as per the prescribed rules.
Chief Secretary inspects Smart Control Room
The Chief Secretary also inspected the Smart Control Room at the district headquarters and reviewed the modern surveillance and security arrangements.
The District Magistrate briefed him about the CCTV network, real-time monitoring system and rapid response mechanism for emergency situations. The Chief Secretary directed officials to ensure effective use of the smart surveillance system, keeping public safety and convenience as the top priorities.
Reviews women-led tourism initiative
The Chief Secretary also visited Women Hills Trek Adventure at Ganeshpur in Bhatwari block, being operated under the holistic tourism initiative.
He interacted with rural women involved in tourism activities and learned about their experiences. Under the initiative, local women are being trained in trekking, guiding, cooking and camping and are being connected with employment and livelihood opportunities in the tourism sector.
The initiative was reviewed as an effort to promote women’s empowerment and strengthen local livelihoods through tourism.
District Panchayat President Ramesh Chauhan, Bhatwari Block Pramukh Mamta Panwar, Dunda Block Pramukh Rajdeep Parmar, Superintendent of Police Kamlesh Upadhyay, Chief Development Officer Jai Bharat Singh, Additional District Magistrate Mukta Mishra and representatives of various organisations and departments were present on the occasion.
