PNS | DEHRADUN
The Congress has demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre should fulfill Uttarakhand’s long standing demand for green bonus in the Union budget 2025-26. The chief spokesperson of the State Congress, Garima Dasauni said that about 71 per cent of the area of the State is under the Forest department and stringent forest laws and NGT rulings are enforced in this area. She said that due to the environmental and other restrictions, no major industry can be set up in the State.
The Congress leader said that States like Punjab and Haryana where only 5 per cent of the area is covered by forests are moving fast on the path of development while Uttarakhand is bound by the shackles of rules. She said that the green bonus is the right of the State. Dasauni said that due to restrictions in development the unemployment has become rampant and the State has no source of income other than mining, liquor and tourism.
She said that Uttarakhand plays a major role in the field of environment conservation and provides oxygen to the entire country.
Dasauni said that India is demanding green bonus in lieu of its environmental service on global platforms but Uttarakhand is being deprived of this kind of bonus.
She said that the geographical conditions of Uttarakhand are similar to the north eastern States for whom the Union government provides special provisions in its budget. Dasauni added that Uttarakhand also needs a special industrial package and status of a special State should be granted to it.
