This young states seems to have learnt the 'art of living' faster than expected. Once known for its money order based economy, Uttrakhand hand poses a stiff challenge in many ways to its parent state, Uttar Pradesh. The single biggest difference is the quality of life. A good measur of this is the gap in per capita income -Rs34,000 per annum in Uttrakhand in just Rs18000 in U.P.
the new state also fares better on other growth indicators. Nearly 70% of it 16,000 villages are electrified and connected by motorable roads. this, despite the fact that most of these villages are high of in yhe mountains.
Major industrial have set up shop in the region, thanks to excellent law and order situation and the Centre's sepcial industial package for the state. this offers a custom duty and income tax rebate on capital investment and will last till next year.
Health care, once almost non-existent in the region is improving. since, 2000, two medical collleges have come up; four more are planned within the next three years. More than Rs40,000 crores is to be invested in the power sector and that's in addition to the Tehri Hydel Project.
The state's annual budget is pegged at more than Rs6,000 crore in this financial year, a six fold jump on 2000. Uttrakhand has also been able to sustain and increase revenue generation - from Rs300 crore to around Rs3,500 crore annually. The state has 60 MLA's instead of 22 who represented the region in undivided UP. Administrative decentralization is also proceeding apace with the state counting 78 tehsils, nearly 30 more then before.
Small wonders locals say true independence for them came with statehood in 2000 rather than August 1947.
