Resource mobilization to be central to state government policies: Uttarakhand CM

DEHRADUN: Considering development needs of Uttarakhand, change in the Centre's policy towards the state and the increased expenses due to implementation of the 7th Pay Commission in future, resource mobilization should be accorded top priority in the state government's policies, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has said.

"Now it is almost certain that Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are going to be deprived of their special category status. Even Centre's share in expenditure over development schemes in these Himalayan states will no longer be in the proportion of 90:10.

"Though there has not been a formal announcement yet from the Centre in this regard, the fact should be taken into account while laying down our policies," Rawat said chairing a six-hour meeting of the state's policy planning group here yesterday.

Even the Union Finance Ministry has admitted that the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission will adversely impact Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said.

He also advised the planning body to accord top priority to resource mobilization to meet the state's development needs.

Though the GSDP of Uttarakhand has increased since it attained statehood, this also needs to to be linked with employment generation with an eye on workforce aged between 15-35 years and 35-50 years, Rawat said.

He also underlined the need to stop commercial tax and excise duty evasions for mobilizing resources at the state level.

Citing controversies surrounding mega hydel projects, he said small and micro hydel projects will have to be set up with active involvement of panchayat bodies.

Convener of the policy planning group, I K Pandey, gave a presentation on the changes in the state's economy since its creation and advocated working out separate strategies for agriculture, forest and services sectors.