Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami made a courtesy call on PM Modi in Delhi, expressed gratitude for the guidance, cooperation in the development of the state, requested to extend the GST compensation period
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand for the guidance of the Prime Minister and the cooperation of the Central Government for the development of Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister asked the Prime Minister to maintain the GST compensation period for Uttarakhand beyond June 2022, to set up a branch of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Uttarakhand, to connect the mythological temples of Kumaon Mandal ‘Manas Khand Mandir’. Requested to give approval to ‘Mala Mission’. Along with directing the concerned for speedy and smooth operation of air services from Pithoragarh Airstrip, THDC India Ltd. He also requested the Centre’s cooperation in transferring the 25% equity shareholding of Uttar Pradesh to the state of Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister said that the state of Uttarakhand is emerging as the pharmaceutical hub of the country. The pharmaceutical manufacturing units established in the state of Uttarakhand account for about 20 percent of the total consumption of medicines in India. More than 300 pharmaceutical manufacturing units are established in the three major industrial complexes established in the state viz. Dehradun, Haridwar and Udhamsinghnagar which are providing employment to more than one lakh people. The Chief Minister requested to set up a branch of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Uttarakhand. This will give a boost to pharmaceutical research in the state. The desired land will be made available by the State Government for the establishment of the said institute.
The Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that the tender process has been completed for the operation of fixed-wing (aircraft) air service from Airstrip in Pithoragarh, the border district of the state. He requested the Prime Minister to direct the concerned for speedy and smooth operation of air services from Pithoragarh Airstrip.
The Chief Minister said that with the objective of providing revenue security to the states after the implementation of GST, arrangements were made to compensate the GST for a period of five years i.e. till June 30, 2022. But due to structural changes, low consumption base, inadequate service base in the state and other reasons, the expected growth in the revenue of the state could not be recorded after the implementation of GST. In view of the limited financial resources of the state, the Chief Minister requested to extend the period of GST compensation for further years after June 2022.
The Chief Minister said that Kedarnath and Badrinath are being developed by preparing a master plan under the guidance of the Prime Minister. Similarly, the Chief Minister requested for approval of ‘Manas Khand Mandir Mala Mission’ for the purpose of connecting the mythological temples of Kumaon Mandal of the state.
