The dithering of successive State Governments in taking a firm decision on making Gairsain located in Chamoli district the State capital is causing resentment and disillusionment among the local population there. The people are questioning the decision of the Trivendra Singh Rawat Government in holding Winter Session of the Assembly at Bharadisain without development of proper infrastructure and then deciding to fold up the session in two days.
Diwalikhal, sitting in the lap of dense oak forests and lofty mountains is located four kilometres away from the Bharadisain assembly building. The small village has some shops which remained crowded with the employees and police personnel during the assembly session but now the place wears a deserted look. Sitting besides earthen stove in her small tea shop, 70 years old Basanti Devi was acrid in her reply when asked by this correspondent about what benefit she had from the session.
“We were hoping that the session would last for a week as was originally planned but it appears that these fellows believe only in gimmicks. We have had too much of this nonsense. What forced them to cut short the session? Was it acute cold or lack of the facilities our Netas are used to? We have no hopes from them now,” said the old lady. The anger of Basanti Devi was understandable as she and other shopkeepers had collected eatables and other sundry items in the hope of good sale during the assembly session. Things were good for first two days but cutting short of the session left them high and dry. Mukul Negi, a college student from the village said that the government should take a decision on Gairsain soon.
“At least the place should be declared as summer capital as it will help in opening educational institutes, hospitals and other facilities. The nearest degree college is 14 kilometres from here,’’ he said. Others like Pravin Bhandari were of the opinion that no government wants to make Gairsain the capital, a fact manifested in the approach where no infrastructural works are going on the area except construction of Vidhan Sabha building which is also going on at a snail’s pace. Grocery shop owner Dharmendra Panwar said with capital looking like a distant dream, the Government should first carve out Gairsain district for expediting developmental activity in the area. The demand for Gairsain district is very strong in the area. Local BJP MLA, Surendra Singh Negi told The Pioneer that the demand is justified and he is working for it.
Surat Singh of Chandpur Gadhi located between Adibadri and Gairsain said that the place deserved to be the capital of the state as it is centrally located.
History is associated with this place, Chandpur Gadhi was the place where the first ruler of Garhwal set up his capital, he added. Naresh Kumar of Simili village located nearby seemed angry on utter wastage of Government machinery and public money in holding the session. “What we witnessed was the huge rush of vehicles for the session; most of them were either empty or occupied by one person. Why cannot all MLAs, ministers and officials board State roadways buses and arrive here? It is a sheer wastage of public money,’’ he said gesticulating angrily.