I-Day fervour doubled as scrapping J&K's special status opened new era of development: Rawat

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Thursday said the Independence Day fervour across the country has doubled this year as the Centre's "momentous" decision to scrap provisions of Article 370 has opened a new era of development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Unfurling the Tricolour at the Parade Ground here to mark the 73rd Independence Day, Rawat congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their "historic" move on Article 370, saying it marked the dawn of a "new era of development" in Jammu and Kashmir.

Describing the constitutional provision as a "hindrance" to development, the chief minister said scrapping of the state's special status would help its residents "reap" the benefits of central schemes.

Rawat termed the ban on instant triple talaq a "major" step towards the "empowerment" of Muslim women, who he said had been set free from "exploitation and suffering".

He noted that a "new India" is in the making by winning the trust of all sections of society and taking development to all, adding that the country would witness history being scripted on September 6 when Chandrayan 2 would land on the moon.

Talking about Uttarakhand, the chief minister said zero tolerance to corruption, change in work culture and employment generation were his government's highest priorities.

Rawat asserted that corruption in any form would not be tolerated, adding that the state government was soon going to introduce a stringent anti-corruption law. "Officials guilty of corrupt practices and being casual towards their duties will be given compulsory retirement," he said.

"A CM dashboard has been set up to ensure outcome-based delivery by the government departments, besides launching a CM helpline no (1905) so that people don't have to run from pillar to post for the redressal of their complaints," Rawat said.

The chief minister also highlighted steps taken by his government towards employment generation through skill development, boosting investments, tourism, water conservation, environment protection, besides road, rail and air connectivity.