Strong Uttarakhand Mission has been started with a view to make Uttarakhand the leading state of the country by the year 2025. Under this, a target has been set to double the State Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) in the next five years. McKenzie Global has been appointed as consultant for this assignment. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said these things in the meeting of the Council of Chief Ministers chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Sunday, while giving details of the progress of ongoing schemes in the state and the steps taken by the government and future plans. He said that more than one lakh employment opportunities will be created through schemes related to tourism, skill development and urban development.
The Chief Minister said that under the Strong Uttarakhand Mission, a tourism policy has been implemented for direct investment of Rs 10,000 crore in the tourism sector and creation of 40,000 employment opportunities in the next two years. Similarly, the state is focusing on the development of 10 knowledge parks and aadhaar infrastructure. In this, the work related to the new capital area in Dehradun, redevelopment of Har ki Paidi-Rishikesh corridor is important.
He said that keeping in view the need of urbanization, there is a target to build 12 new cities in the state. A proposal has been sent to the Center to set up a new city on three thousand acres of land in Kichha tehsil of Udham Singh Nagar. With this, direct investment of about 15 thousand crores and 25 thousand employment opportunities will be created. He said that foreign placement agency has been empaneled under skill development. It will provide employment abroad to the youth of the state in the fields of nursing, day care, cook, service and security. In the coming years, the state’s economy will increase by Rs 10,000 crore annually by providing employment to 50,000 youth abroad.
51 thousand crore investment in the last five years:
The Chief Minister said that steps have been taken to create an investment-friendly environment in the state. The ranking of Uttarakhand has improved. Analysis of 1291 laws related to industries is underway, out of which various departments have given consent to abolish 393. Single window system is implemented in the state, through which 135 services of 35 departments are being provided through a single portal. As a result, investment of about 51 thousand crores has been attracted in the last five years. He told that a policy has been made for the manufacture and use of drones in the state. A large number of employment opportunities will be created in this.
Uttarakhand will emerge as a major center of off-season vegetables:
Referring to the efforts to double the income of the farmers, the Chief Minister said that polyhouses were being provided to the farmers with a capital subsidy of Rs 300 crore. With this, Uttarakhand will emerge as a major center of off-season vegetables in North India. State Millet Mission has been started to promote millets in the state. Jhangora kheer is being given to the children for 40 weeks under the mid-day meal scheme.
Emphasis on GST collection:
The Chief Minister said that in view of the paucity of financial resources, special attention has been given to the GST collection. Last year it registered an increase of 27 percent. This year the target is to increase it by 50 percent. Last year, 23 cases were investigated in the state. In one of the cases, the culprit was sentenced to five years, which is the country’s first case of punishment under GST.
Relentless efforts in 13 flagship schemes:
The Chief Minister said that tireless efforts are being made in 13 flagship schemes. As a result, targets have been accomplished in PM Awas Gramin, Ayushman Bharat, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Soil Health Card, KCC for fish farmers, Swamitva Yojana. He also gave information about other schemes including Amrit Sarovar, Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana.
