By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 9 Sep: The Chintan Shivir, proposed to be held in Nainital between 11 and 13 September to decide and discuss future strategies for various sectors in Uttarakhand, has been postponed for the time being. In this regard, an order has been issued by the government, informing the officers concerned about the postponement. Though the letter does not cite any specific reason, it states that the Chintan Shivir is postponed due to unavoidable reasons. Sources however claim that the possible reason behind the postponement of this important programme of the state is the upcoming proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Uttarakhand. Sources claim that Modi might visit the state on 11 September or on 12 September.
Sources also claim that Modi is scheduled to visit Varanasi in UP on 11 September and is likely to fly from there to Dehradun on the same day or the next day (12 September), in case he returns to Delhi or stays back in Varanasi which is his Parliamentary constituency.
It may be recalled that for the first time in 2022, bureaucrats had begun efforts to find a new direction for the state through the Chintan Shivir. Carrying this practice forward, a three-day camp was once again scheduled to be organised in the state. The event was proposed to be held from 11 to 13 September at the Uttarakhand Administrative Academy in Nainital. All the senior IAS officers of the government and the district magistrates were expected to participate. For now, however, the entire programme stands postponed.
Sources claim that Modi is likely to arrive in the state on 11 September, during which he is likely to conduct an aerial survey of the disaster-affected areas and also visit Harsil and Dharali which are amongst the most affected areas in the state due to recent calamity. However, this programme has not been officially confirmed.
This time, the Chintan Shivir was being organised on the theme ‘Socio-Economic Progress and Future Goals’. Discussions were to be held during the camp on the economic development of the state along with the targets of schemes for different sectors in the future. Topics such as ‘Transforming Cities’: ‘Mobility’, ‘Governance’ and ‘Sustainable Living’ and ‘Rural Entrepreneurship and Reverse Migration through Primary Sector Intervention’ were included for a deep consideration and discussion. In addition, a road map for the future was also expected to be prepared on themes such as Tourism and Wellness Youth Engagement – Scaling and Employability and Sustainable Natural Resource Management.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan had even issued a formal letter regarding the programme. The State Planning Department and other departments were also continuously engaged in preparations. The Officers had also been preparing to present their work at Chintan Shivir 2025. During the camp, officials were to present their work before Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, with presentations being prepared on pre-decided plans and sectors.
Along with IAS officers of the state, experts from NITI Aayog, several other specialists and representatives from the industry were also expected to participate. Suddenly, with discussions surfacing about the proposed programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the order to postpone the Shivir has been issued. It is, however, believed that a new date for the programme may soon be announced.
