5000 home-stays to be set up in state by 2020: CM

By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 28 Jan: Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat visited the Government Inter College, Jaiharikhal (Pauri), established in 1932, on Monday. On this occasion, he announced that the state government was taking a unique initiative so that students do not lag behind in education. As per the initiative, there is a proposal to open two residential schools, one each in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions, equipped with all the modern facilities. A site to set up the school at Jaiharikhal had been made available, and the school would be equipped with all the modern facilities. Students belonging to every section of society would get admission and the fee structure also made flexible as per the paying capacity of the parents. Academically brilliant students, but without any financial means, would be given free education in these schools so that they perform well in any competition. The effort would be that 10 to 15 per cent students in these two schools would be admitted from across the country, so that students studying in these schools get to know about various states and the country.
The Chief Minister said that the slogan of the Union Government was “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and the number of girl students and girl child sex ratio had improved. Giving the example of Vartika Joshi of Pauri, he said that girls were doing so well in all the fields. It was his priority that no child would be without education.
Chief Minister Rawat also inaugurated a home stay managed by Vicky Rawat. He said that home stays were a good option for self employment and the state government planme to set up 5000 home stays in the state by the year 2020. He said that in the tourism policy, all the facilities given to SMSE units would be extended to home stays also. The government is also considering a proposal to charge domestic electricity charges from home stays to encourage them. The data on tourists in the past two to three years indicated that Uttarakhand was emerging as a tourism hub.
Chief Minister Rawat also inspected the Hans Foundation hospital built by Hans Foundation at Chamolisain, Satpuli. He said that Hans Foundation was doing commendable work in the social sector and public welfare projects worth Rs 500 crores were being managed by the foundation in the state. To provide water to 56 villages of Jaiharikhal and Lansdowne, a sum of Rs 20 crore had been sanctioned by the government for the Bhairavgarhi water supply scheme. A lake would be built at Satmumda village.
Lansdowne legislator Dilip Singh Rawat, Secretary, Tourism, Dilip Jawalkar, District Magistrate Dheeraj Singh Garbayal, SSP Dalip Singh Kunwar, District President, BJP, Shailendra Singh Bisht, CEO of Hans Foundation Gen SM Mehta (Retd) and public representatives were present on the occasion.