Uttarakhand cabinet gives nod for bringing wellness centres under mega industry policy

Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advice during his visit to Kedarnath shrine last year, Uttarakhand government on Wednesday gave its nod to bringing wellness and ayurveda centres under ‘mega industry investment policy’. The move will benefit investors.

PM Modi had said that wellness and ayurveda centres in Uttarakhand have the potential for the growth. The cabinet also took other decisions in order to strengthen tourism in the state.

The cabinet met in Tehri Garhwal and held a meeting in a floating boat on the Tehri lake. Addressing media persons after the meeting, cabinet minister and government’s spokesperson Madan Kaushik said 22 businesses, including hotels, resorts, seaplane industry, yoga, will be included in the mega-industry investment policy.

Besides cabinet also approved amendment in the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) policy that gives the status of an industry to several activities like rafting, camping, surfing, panchkarma, joy riding etc. This means that the owners and investors will be entitled to benefits under the MSME policy.

“The idea is to generate jobs by clubbing and bringing several activities under the policy. This will help locals and investors in a big way,” said Kaushik.

Furthermore, 11 activities, including bird watching and angling, have been brought under the Veer Chandra Garhwali Scheme that is meant for entrepreneurs working in the tourism sector.

The cabinet also approved the 13 districts, 13 destination scheme in order to brand and popularise the lesser known destination in each district of Uttarakhand.

Transgenders to get loan

In a decision aimed at extending social security to transgenders, the Trivendra Singh Rawat cabinet gave the approval to bring them under the Deen Dayal social security fund. The fund provides loan up to R 1 lakh on 1% interest to start a venture.

Tehri Festival

Meanwhile, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat reviewed the preparations for the Tehri Lake Festival due shortly. The CM said that Tehri lake festival would be publicised not only at the national level but among foreign tourists as well. He asserted that Tehri has to be developed as a tourist destination.