Rawat projects himself as Cong CM pick for U’khand

DEHRADUN: Even before the Congress decided on its chief minister in Uttarakhand, the party’s campaign committee chief and former chief minister Harish Rawat has started making announcements on the initiatives he would take once his party forms a government in the state.

This has created some rumblings within the Congress in Uttarakhand with leader of opposition in assembly Pritam Singh saying that the decision about the CM will be taken by the party high command and the same will be acceptable to all.

He refused to comment on Rawat’s announcements.

After the voting for the assembly polls on Monday, Harish Rawat has made many announcements about what he wants to do initially when a Congress government will be formed in the state.

Sharing the blueprint of his priorities, Rawat said he would take decisions for betterment of youth and women in the state to begin with.

Rawat has announced that the Congress, if it comes to power, will provide pension of ₹1,800 to women who sing “mangalgeet” (traditional auspicious songs).

On his Facebook page, Rawat said he wants to do something for Uttarakhand and those people who have been important in his life or the life of the state. “One of such people are the women singing mangalgeet in our villages, most of whom are elderly. Let this tradition not be broken.”

Rawat has announced that a Congress government will give ₹ 500 as Ghasiyari Samman Pension on a monthly basis to ghasiyari women -- those who bring grass and fodder for domestic animals from forests in the hilly villages.

Rawat also said that he has made a special promise to police personnel related to their grade pay. He said that after forming a government, he will solve the grade pay issue on a priority basis.