CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Meets Finance Minister Sitharaman, Seeks Support for Key Uttarakhand Projects

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Thursday and discussed various important issues concerning the state in detail. The Chief Minister congratulated the Finance Minister on the successful implementation of GST reforms and expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Ministry of Finance to the state of Uttarakhand.

The Chief Minister stated that population pressure is continuously increasing in Uttarakhand's urban areas. In this ecologically sensitive and heavy rainfall-prone state, there is a dire need for improvement and upgrading of urban drainage systems. To this end, DPRs have been prepared for the upgrading and improvement of stormwater drainage systems in the state's 10 most rain-affected districts, with a total estimated cost of ?8,589.47 crore. He requested the Union Finance Minister to approve these projects under the Special Assistance to States Scheme for Capital Investment.

The Chief Minister also requested the Union Finance Minister for the early approval of Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) for the state of Uttarakhand. He stated that of the three key projects submitted by the state government, the Uttarakhand Climate Resilience Development Project has been approved. The state government has also submitted proposals for ?850 crore for the Public Financial Management Strengthening Project and ?800 crore for water supply improvement to the central government. The Chief Minister requested the Union Finance Minister to expedite the approval of these projects.

In line with the earlier assurances received from the Union Finance Minister, Chief Minister Dhami requested the early approval of four other key projects, in addition to the ceiling on externally aided projects for Uttarakhand for the financial years 2023-24 to 2025-26. These projects include the Water and Sanitation Urban Infrastructure Development Project worth ?2000 crore, DRIP-III worth ?424 crore, the Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Intra-State Power Transmission System Development worth ?3638 crore, and the Uttarakhand Power Distribution Reliability Improvement Project worth ?1566 crore.

The Chief Minister said that all these projects will strengthen the state's infrastructure, water resources management, energy, and public service delivery systems.

Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman assured Chief Minister Shri Dhami of all possible support.

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