Khanduri rues some sections still away from mainstream after 60 yr

Dehradun, Aug 15 (UNI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Maj Gen (Retd) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri said though the country has progressed much in 60 years,yet there were many sections still away from the mainstream.

''We can claim to be free in the true sense only when freedom is enjoyed by all and social and economic differences abolished,'' he asserted, in his address after unfurling the tricolour and reviewing the parade.

Stressing on a combined effort for the development of the country, Maj Gen Khanduri asserted that being a 'statehood agitationist', it was his priority to ''mould the state in tune to the dreams of martyrs who laid their lives for the movement.'' He maintained that his government was committedly working towards the upliftment of weaker sections and overall development of the state.

He said that it was his government's endeavor to provide transparent and corruption-free governance by implementing transparent recruitment process and transfer policy. He said the government has set up the State Security Commission after reviewing the internal security situation in the state.

The government has also taken a progressive step by enforcing the Anti-Cow Slaughter Law in the state, he added.

The Chief Minister said the government was giving special attention to various developmental projects floated by it such that they were being completed on time and with quality assurance.

Financial restraint was the other policy adopted by the government to cut extravagance in government departments. He apprised that in the last four months, the state has recieved 1633 new industrial proposals with the investment of Rs 300 crore, which indicated healthy industrial development in the state.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated Ram Bahadur Mall of 13 Garhwal Rifles for his expedition to Mount Everest in May this year. Mr Prem Kumar was also felicitated for winning Bronze Medal at World Handicap Swimming and Badminton Championship held in Israel.

The Independnece Day was celebrated with gusto all over the state with the government departments and schools unfurling Tricolours at their respective premises and resolving for unity and integrity of the country.

UNI