Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna visited Ashram of Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopa Nand Saraswati Ji Mahahraj at Kankhal on Monday and took his blessings. Mr. Bahuguna was accompanied by his wife Smt. Sudha Bahuguna. Sarvasamaj accorded warm welcome to them.
Chief Minister Bahuguna said that such a good culture should be developed in the state which would prove a model for entire country. Describing Jagatguru Shankaracharya as identity of Indian culture and pride of the country, he said the presence of Piran Kaliyar and Char Dham was symbols of communal harmony.
He maintained that he was in politics with a purpose to serve nation with honesty and dedication. Speaking on the issue of flow of River Ganga, Mr. Bahuguna said that he had always respected the sentiments of saint community and assured that 1 cusec extra water would be released than the set amount of water. He said that the state was reeling under power shortage. Himachal Pradesh was selling the power and Uttarakhand was purchasing it. Instead of the capacity of 27,000 MW power only 3 MW was being generated in the state. He said that power was needed for industrial development and the hydro-power projects in which crores of rupees had been spent so far could not be stalled. If this happened than development would also stall, he said. He hoped that the saint community and Prime Minister would take decision in interest of common people. He asserted that there would be no change of course in river flow due to projects. "We have to maintain balance amongst faith, development and environment in this scientific era," he said.
Mr. Bahuguna said that owing to large area of forest cover and restriction in economical activities in forest areas the employment opportunities in the state was limited. He said that people of Uttarakhand had equal right to development and better livelihood and it was the responsibility of the government to look how it could be provided to them.