Rawat seeks a member from every border family in para military

Dehradun, Aug 23 (PTI) Taking up the cause of peopleliving close to India-China border in Uttarakhand with theCentre, Chief Minister Harish Rawat today demanded formulationof a policy which paves the way for a member each from everyfamily dependent on agriculture in para-military forces. In a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Rawatsaid a policy appointing one member each from all familiesliving by farming in Uttarakhand villages bordering China inthe para-military forces should soon be laid down besidesgiving a boost to communication and transportation systems inborder areas of the state. Rawat also demanded a bonus of 40 per cent on localproducts from border areas saying measures like these willhelp stop migration from there in search of livelihood. Noting that residents of remote villages bordering Chinaplay an important role in alerting the Indian Army and ITBPoutposts in case of a dubious movement of troops across theborder, Rawat said their continued migration in the absence ofbasic facilities must be stopped. Welfare measures like these can have a far reachingimpact on the current scenario, Rawat said and submitted aneconomic development agenda for stopping migration from bordervillages which include boosting of communication systems,mobile services, construction of helipads, 40 per cent bonuson the sale of locally produced handicrafts and appointment ofone member each from every family doing farming in thestrategic areas in the para-military forces. He said the state government is exploring whether it canprovide quota to members of such families in the homeguardsand police. Rawat also proposed inclusion of Ghansali area of Tehridistrict, Lohaghat and Champawat areas of Champawat districtand Khatima in Udhamsingh Nagar under the ambit of borderareas. PTI ALM RCJ RGRCJ