CM for special status to state

Chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to restore status of special category state to Uttarakhand. In a letter to the Prime Minister, he said that keeping in view the tough geographical conditions and economic backwardness of the state, the Centre had given Uttarakhand the status of special category state in 2001.

Subsequently, the Planning Commission had clearly mentioned that Uttarakhand would be treated as a special category state. This decision was based on the concept of Inclusive Growth, Nishank pointed out. He, however, rued that Uttarakhand was not getting its due share. Under the special category status, central assistances are 90 per cent grants and 10 per cent loans. "You are fully aware with the geographical conditions and complexities of Uttarakhand, which in no way are less than that the North-Eastern states," the chief minister added. The state CM also demanded 'green bonus' for its "contribution" in preserving the country's ecology. Addressing a meeting of state finance ministers chaired by Union Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Uttarkahand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said several developmental works in the state are hindered due to the Forest Act which prohibits cutting down of trees. Since 65 per cent of the state's area is covered by forests, little space is available for development work, Nishank said at the meeting.

The Chief Minister demanded a 'green bonus' from the Centre for Uttarakhand's role in preserving the country's ecology, a statement from Uttarkhand government said. Advocating a special economic package on the lines of Northeastern states, 'Nishank' demanded that the package provided earlier to Uttarakhand be extended till 2017.

The Centre did not extend the Industrial Promotion Package for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand that provided excise and other duty concessions for new projects beyond March 31, 2010 despite intense lobbying by Chief Ministers of both the states.