New Delhi. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami paid a courtesy call on PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. Dhami 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 establish 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”. The Chief Minister directed the concerned for speedy and smooth operation of air services from Pithoragarh Airstrip and also requested the Centre’s cooperation in transferring the 25% equity shareholding of THDC India Ltd. to the state of Uttarakhand. .
State’s 20% share in pharmaceutical manufacturing – Dhami
CM Dhami said that the state of Uttarakhand is emerging as a 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 03 major industrial complexes established in the state viz. Dehradun, Haridwar and Udhamsinghnagar which are providing employment to more than 1 lakh people. Apart from this, CM Dhami requested to set up a branch of 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.
Dhami told the Prime Minister that the tender process has been completed for operating fixeddwing (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.
There was no increase in revenue – Dhami
The Chief Minister said that for the purpose of providing revenue security to the states after the implementation of GST, arrangements were made to compensate the GST for the period of 5 years i.e. till June 30, 2022, but there was structural change, low consumption base, lack of service in the state. The expected increase in the revenue of the state after the implementation of GST could not be recorded due to insufficient base and other reasons. 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 master plans under the guidance of the Prime Minister. Apart from this, for the purpose of connecting the mythological temples of Kumaon Mandal of the state, he also requested for approval of “Manas Khand Mandir Mala Mission”.
The Chief Minister informed that THDC India Ltd. is a joint venture with 75 percent stake of the Government of India and 25 percent of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. According to Section 47(3) of the Uttar Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2000, on the basis of capital investment made by Uttar Pradesh in THDC India Ltd. till the date of partition, it should be transferred to the state of Uttarakhand as the headquarter of THDC India Ltd. is located in the state of Uttarakhand. About 70 percent of the projects of THDC India Ltd. are located in the state of Uttarakhand. The state of Uttarakhand also has to face the challenges related to rehabilitation, law and order and other social and environmental issues arising out of the above projects. In the year 2012, under Article-131 of the Constitution of India, Uttarakhand State had organized the original case number 05/2012 in the Supreme Court for 25% share of Uttarakhand State in THDC India Ltd., which is currently under consideration.