Kumbh success is Nishank Govt’s ‘biggest achievement’

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who will soon complete a year in office, is a happy man today. The Mahakumbh 2010 has successfully concluded on April 28 setting many records. “The credit for this goes to my team and the people of Uttarakhand, especially those of Haridwar, who supported the administration in every way,” he said.

“It was one of the biggest challenges that a Government can face and meet,” said the Chief Minister who has been receiving compliments from all over the country and world for the successful conduct of the Mahakumbh.

“More than six crore people from 140 countries participated in the event which will remain memorable for us,” he said.

Talking about his other achievements, Nishank said that presenting a revenue-surplus, tax-free Budget even in the time of economic slowdown was one of them.

The Chief Minister described the victory of the BJP in the Vikasnagar bypoll of September 2009 as “one of its proudest moments”. “That victory showed clearly that the people had faith in us and we have faith in their faith,” the Chief Minister said adding that for the 2012 Assembly elections the party would follow the mantra of Gaon, Gaon, Ghar Ghar Chalo.

Asked about the issue of the industrial package which Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have requested the Centre to renew, Nishank said that he and Himachal Pradesh Minister PK Dhumal were making concerted efforts to get the industrial package implemented in the hill States. “We are in regular touch with the PM and are hopeful of a positive outcome soon,” he said.

He said with the opening of the NIT, IIM and AIIMS in the hill State, Uttarakhand would achieve a special status among the States.

Speaking about his Government’s resolve to clean the Ganga, Nishank said that an autonomous Ganga Protection Board would be constituted soon and the State Government was looking for support from the Centre. In December, the CM launched ‘Sparsh Ganga’, a movement to clean the river.