Uttarakhand to build 17,000 polyhouses in a year

DEHRADUN: In a major push to the horticulture sector, the Uttarakhand cabinet on Tuesday approved 17,648 polyhouses in the Himalayan state.

Eying the Delhi market, these polyhouses would be used to grow vegetables, flowers and fruits. While a farmer would contribute 20% of the fund required, the remaining 80% would be provided by the state government.
Chief secretary S S Sandhu said, "Uttarakhand has the required climate and conditions to grow vegetables, fruits and flowers. Delhi is the biggest market nearby and we can meet its demand." NABARD will fund 70% of the total project cost and the state government's contribution to project cost would be 30%. "Through tenders, we will identify 10 to 12 agencies, who will help the farmers in setting up these polyhouses," he added. Neelkanth Mahadev is a major religious tourism destination, with pilgrims coming to the area in large numbers. "The Rishikesh-Neelkanth ropeway project, which has been approved by the cabinet, is worth Rs 465 crore and the length is 6.5km. It will help four stations and is expected to be completed in two years," said the senior official.
In a major decision to prevent traffic snarls and unplanned constructions at key locations in the hills, the government has decided that anyone constructing a structure within a distance of 50 metre of state highways, national highways and key tourist locations in hill areas will have to take permission from the development authorities. Similarly, in the plains, the distance would be 100 metre from such locations.
"District magistrates will prepare the list of key tourist destinations within their jurisdiction areas. The move will help in planned development and will help prevent long traffic holdovers due to unplanned constructions," said Sandhu. In addition to rural pockets, homestays are being made in urban pockets and they are availing the subsidy benefits provided by the government. "From now on, no subsidy would be given to homestays in municipal corporations and municipal councils," said the IAS officer.
The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) has been conducting the recruitment exams - which were earlier to be organised by Uttarakhand State Subordinate Service Selection Commission. "The exams are to be held within the next 18 months and the workload on UKPSC has increased. Therefore, the cabinet has decided to approve 30 posts on contractual basis for the commission," said Sandhu.
An approval has also been given to develop 603 primary schools and 76 higher secondary schools as centres of excellence. There are schools where students from a distance up to 5km are coming for education and the cabinet aims to provide better facilities in such institutions. "In the first phase, we have identified these schools and it will be ensured that the required number of teachers and facilities are provided to the selected institutions," he added.
Besides, the cabinet has also waived off the compounding fee of Rs 65 lakh on the land and houses made for Tibetan refugees in Tarla Nagal area. The land for the project and also the houses were provided by government itself.