Government of Media Center, Sachivalaya Parisar, (Information and Public Relations Department) 4, Subhash Road,

Press Note Gopeshwar /Dehradun, Dt.9 January, 2014: The Chief Minister inaugurated the engineering college at Gopeshwar (Kothaliasen) and later addressed a large gathering. In his address, he said that the main motive of the state government is to create employment opportunities in the state to stop migration to other states for jobs. He said that there should be technical projects in order to help the state and create employment opportunities. He besides inaugurating the engineering college also laid the foundation stone for technical college building worth Rs 2500 lakh, government polytechnic Pokhri, State polytechnic Joshimath, Helipad in Gairsen and projects worth Rs 3040 lakh. He said that the youth must not think that Uttarakhand is a backward state. He gave an assurance that the state government is making all efforts to overcome the affects of the disaster. According to the norms of NDRF, only Rs 90 crore was to be given but by the special efforts of the government, Rs 400 crore have been given. Efforts are on to get even more funds. He said that during crisis, help was received not only from all over the country but abroad as well. The CM has created a program of 35000 shops according to which interested individuals will be provided with shops and the money can be returned within 15 years without interest. The pension of old age, handicapped and widows has been increased to Rs 800 from 2014. The pension in village areas can also be taken from the cooperative banks. He has also directed the DMs that it should be ensured that all beneficiaries get pension. He added that 14 new trauma centers will be set up all over the state. These will not be run by the health department but other departments. Present on the occasion were Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj, Rajendra Singh Bhandari, Deputy Speaker Vihan Sabha Dr Ansuya Prasad Maikhuri and Dr Jeetram.

Information and Public Relations Department

Government of Uttarakhand Media Center, Sachivalaya Parisar, (Information and Public Relations Department) 4, Subhash Road, Dehradun

Press Note Joshimath/ Dehradun, Dt.9 January, 2014:

The Chief Minister Viay Bahuguna laid the foundation stone for several programs in border areas of Joshimath. The several projects the CM laid the foundation stone for are taxi stands, trauma centers of 50 beds, female polytechnic and type four buildings of village development department.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said that he does not only have a political connect with Joshimath but has been attached to it since his father’s days. He stated that all possible help has been extended to the disaster affected. He added that the centre also has extended all help to the state. He said that the Lokpal bill is not implemented by giving lectures on streets. The Centre has approved the bill and taken a big leap towards creating a corruption free country. After being implemented at the state, Uttarakhand is going to be the first state where Lokpal will be implemented. Prior to this, Satpal Maharaj stressed on his dream of getting railway line till Karnaprayag as that alone can ensure complete development. He said that several festivals will have to be organized in different parts of the state to attracts tourists and revive tourism in the state. Addressing the public, Rajendra Bhandari and Rohini Rawat expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna for laying the foundation stone for the trauma center. They ensured that until the building is ready, patients will be treated at the medical center. They also demanded appointment of teachers in the science department of Joshimath Degree College.

The Chief Minister Vijay Bhauguna was welcomed at the helipad by local ministers, Brigade Commander Brigadier Akshat Arora and GM NTPC TN Shrivastav. The stage was jointly managed by Advocate Ramesh Sati and Naresh Nautiyal.

Information and Public Relations Department