Dehradun: Seventy years after independence, electricity reached frontier Ghes village in Chamoli district today. Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat switched on the electricity at a function organized on the occasion. Chief Minister instructed District Magistrate Chamoli to prepare a Detailed Project report (DPR) for planned development of Ghes, Himni and Balan villages with an aim to increase the income of the local people. On the request of Chief Minister, Union Ayush Minister Mr. Sripad Nayak announced the opening of National Jadi Booti Sansthan in Ghes area in principle. He also announced to provide all support from his ministry for making Ghes as Ayush village.
A ‘Kutki Jadi Booti Mahotsav’ was organized for conservation, preservation and marketing of natural herbs in Ghes village of Deval block of located in the foothills of Trisuli and Nanda Ghunguti of Himalayas. Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat and Union Ayush Minister Mr. Sripad Nayak participated in Kutki Mahotsav at Ghes village. An initiative has been made to strengthen the economy of the local people through herbs at Ghes village. In this regard, Kutki Jadi Booti Mahotsav was organized at Ghes village in which discussions were held for preparing a policy for production, conservation and marketing of Kutki so that farmers involved in the production of Kuki in the border villages could be benefitted.
It was a historic day for the villagers of Ghes as electricity reached the village after 70 years. Chief Minister formally switched on the electricity to inaugurate it. Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat and Union Ayush Minister Mr. Sripad Nayak evaluated the Kutki and other products produced in the area and sought information about their problems from the villagers.
Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat said that the main objective of formation of separate hill state of Uttarakhand was for the development of the far off villages. He said that during the past 13 months, this was his second visit to Ghes village which clearly indicate the intentions of his government. He said that the priority of his government is to bring development in Ghes village of Chamoli and Pipli village Pithoragarh district.
Chief Minister instructed the District Magistrate,Chamoli to prepare a Detailed Project report (DPR) for planned development of Ghes, Himni and Balan villages. He said that using local resources as per the local needs, a detailed work plan should be developed with the help of experts to double the income of the local people. These villages should be developed as model villages and there is need for active involvement of villagers in this process.
Chief Minister also instructed for starting organic farming certification in the area. He said that organic products get good value but this whole process takes three years.He said that the start should be made immediately. Chief Minister said that the income of the farmers of bamboo and hemp could be increased manifold. He said that there is need to focus on those products which have global demand.
Chief Minister said that peas farming was encouraged in Ghes village which has been sold for lakhs of rupees. He said that Kutki could also improve the economy of the local people. He further said that in the interest of local people a policy has been legalized for extraction of ‘Keeda Jadi’. Regarding network problem in the area, Chief Minister said that permission has been granted to use electricity poles for laying optical fiber. Chief Minister said that Mukesh Ambani has assured to provide free wi-fi in hospitals and schools in Uttarakhand.
Praising the Kuki Mahotsav, Union Ayush Minister Mr. Sripad Nayak said that his ministry will provide all support for encouraging herb production. He said that central government will provide financial help in making Ghes, an Ayush village. He gave his consent in principle to establish National Jadi Boothi Sansthan in the area. He further said that there is ample scope of production of herbs in the Himalayas and the demand for a national institute is genuine. He said that he will be willing to come in the area whenever the people of the area demands and do whatever he could do for the development of the area.
Chief Minister under the Deen Dyal Upadhaya Grameen Jyoti Yojna and Saubhagya Yonja inaugurated electrification of Ghes village at a cost of Rs.4 lakh, drinking water project of Jal nigham of sarmata Gheru Ghanna at a cost of Rs.74.86 lakh, Government Ayurvedic hospital at a cost of Rs49.30 lakh, Agriculture Mraketing centre ,Ghes at a cost of Rs.20 lakh and Jadi Booti Drying shed at a cost of Rs2.25 lakh.
Kutki is traditionally being used for diarrhea and stomach ailments and it is now getting identified as a medicine for liver and pancreas at the global level. It’s various products are used for abdominal disorders. Kutki is main ingredient in ayurvedic medicines. Vivek Dewan of Doongiri Foundation informed that National Medicinal Plant Board has started a website “E-Charak” for farmers involved in herb cultivation which provides information about herb cultivation and farmers could even sell their produce through it..
Dr. harpal negi of Uttaranchal youth and Rurak development informed that a workers cooperatives has been formed for Kutki cultivators of Ghes and said that Kutki mahotsav is organized to help the Kuki farmers.
Local legislator Munni Devi Shah, Block pramukh Deval Urmila Bisht, Newly elected Nagar panchayat pramukh Deepa Bharati, Pradhan Ghes Narender Bisht, Aeronautical engineer from USA Prashant Dijagar, scientist vijay kant Purohit, Dr Anil Kumar,Arjun Singh Bisht, Mahila Mangal Dalk Chief Jashoda Devi and Nandi Devi, DM Swati Bhadauria, SP Tripti Bhatt, CDO Hansa Dutt Pandey and other officials and local people were present on the occasion .
