Striving to provide local employment opportunities to check migration: CM – myuttarakhandnews.com | Uttarakhand News in English | Dehradun News Today| News Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand latest news

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the State government is trying to provide youth with employment and self-employment opportunities in their own villages and regions. He was addressing people after inaugurating the historic Gauchar Mela in Chamoli district on Saturday. Dhami said that incomes of local youngsters should be increased through activities such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, tourism and handicrafts, so that they are not forced to migrate in search of employment.  He averred that the State government is promoting various employment-oriented schemes, including the Tourism Policy, Homestay Policy, Film Policy and Solar Self-Employment scheme.  He said that the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand is ensuring that Chamoli’s woolen handicrafts, pulses, Rajma, Mandua, Jhangora, honey and herbs are not limited to local markets but reach larger markets across the country and the world.  “This brand’s turnover has already surpassed six crore rupees. This is an inspiring story of the hard work, self-confidence, and economic self-reliance of the state’s women power,’’ he said. Dhami said the State government is committed to the all-round development of the Chamoli district. Road connectivity to Badrinath Dham is being improved through the Char Dham Road Project. Work on the Rishikesh-Karnprayag Rail Project is also progressing rapidly. The CM said that Gauchar Fair is a symbol of Uttarakhand’s historical heritage, rich trade tradition and distinct cultural identity.  He said that the Fair began in 1943 as the Bhotia Trade Fair with the support of local merchants, social workers and the then administration. At that time, Gauchar was an important centre of India-Tibet trade, where various local products, including wool, Pashmina and herbs, were traded. Over time, the fair expanded its scope and today, as an industrial and cultural fair, it has established its unique identity not only in the State but across the country, he said.  Reacting to the demand of a Base Hospital in Simli near Karnaprayag, the CM said that a committee will be constituted to address the issue. Pertinently some locals had organised a protest on the issue during the visit of the CM. In the programme, the CM inaugurated two important schemes aimed at expanding and strengthening drinking water facilities in the region. Cabinet minister Bharat Singh Chaudhary, MLAs Bhupal Ram Tamta and Anil Nautiyal, officers of the administration and others attended the programme.