The 73rd Independence Day was celebrated with enthusiasm at the Parade Ground here on Thursday. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat felicitated freedom fighters and their dependents, Munsyari police station SO Pradeep Chauhan for the police station being adjudged the State’s best police station and sportspersons for performing commendably while representing the State. Apart from the announcements made by the CM, the occasion this year was also special because in the functions held at Parade Ground and the secretariat, all plastic items were shunned and sweets made from local produce were distributed.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Rawat said that 2019 is being observed as employment year in Uttarakhand. All vacant government posts will be filled in a time-bound manner. A task-force headed by a cabinet minister will be formed to monitor the appointments. Those already working on contract basis will be given weightage. The Mukhyamantri Mahila Udhyamita Protsahan Yojana is being started to encourage women entrepreneurs.
This will enable means of livelihood for more than 20,000 women. Further, under the Mukhyamantri Pratibha Protsahan Yojana, top 25 students will be provided 50 per cent scholarship in all courses.
The Chief Minister further said that under the Know the Country scheme, the top 25 rankers of Class X will be taken on a tour of India. All these students will be from Uttarakhand board and one of their tours will also be in an aircraft. This will enable the children to learn about the culture, history, life, food and other aspects of the various Indian states.
He also said that the food allowance for scheduled caste, scheduled tribe Ashram system students is being increased from Rs 3,000 per month to Rs 4,500 per month.
Referring to efforts underway to boost service sector in the State, he said that soon a summit based on wellness Yoga, Ayurveda and tourism will be organised. The provision of furniture, water supply, toilet, computer, library and laboratory will be facilitated in all schools by 2022 in a systematic manner. By 2020, all the cooperative committees in the state will be computerised.
Rawat further said that senior citizens are akin to valuable heritage of the society. Expressing sadness at some people neglecting the aged, he said that the State government is considering bringing a law for the care of the elderly. Paying respects to all freedom fighters, martyrs of armed and paramilitary forces, and statehood movement, he said that the government is striving to provide a corruption-free governance for prosperity in every citizen’s life. He said, “We are making efforts to ensure that along with income index, we also move ahead in the happiness index. The rural economy will have to be strengthened further to ensure benefit of development in remote areas and mitigate migration.
We have started the Mukhyamantri Anchal Amrit Yojana under which about 2.5 lakh children in 20,000 Anganwadis are being provided free milk.” He also spoke of the efforts being undertaken to double the income of farmers by 2022. Further, a start-up policy has been introduced to provide a platform to the youth.
Considering the scope for various adventure activities in the State, a separate adventure tourism directorate is being formed. In addition to this, the fifth science city of the nation is also being built in Dehradun.He exhorted the people to work together with dedication to achieve the prime minister Narendra Modi’s dream of developing India into a $ five trillion economy.
 MLA Khajan Das, mayor Sunil Uniyal, chief secretary Utpal Kumar singh, DGP AK Raturi and district magistrate C Ravishankar among others were also present on the occasion.