The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has approved a sanction of Rs 92.81 crore for three key projects in Uttarakhand aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure in the education and dairy sectors. 

The funding, provided under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), is a significant boost to the state's development initiatives.

A major portion of the grant, Rs 44.60 crore, is designated for the Education Department. 

This will fund the construction of a Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya in Bageshwar district and a Government Inter College (GIC) in Silpata, Chamoli district. 

These projects are designed to provide modern educational facilities and a safe environment for students in the hilly regions, thereby expanding educational opportunities.

In the dairy sector, NABARD has sanctioned Rs 48.21 crore for a project in Sitarganj, Udham Singh Nagar district. This investment will facilitate the establishment of a modern dairy processing facility. 

This dairy project will be managed by the Dairy Development Board, with a private partner operating the plant on a 'Build-Operate-Transfer' (BOT) model. 

The facility aims to increase the state's dairy processing capacity, reduce its dependence on neighboring states for milk powder, and provide local milk producers with better access to larger markets.

The funding underscores NABARD's commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable rural development in Uttarakhand by focusing on two crucial pillars of the rural economy: education and agriculture.