Uttarakhand Government Prepares to Mark Four-Year Milestone Under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
The state government of Uttarakhand is set to commemorate four years of leadership under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami with a grand event scheduled at the Parade Ground in Dehradun on Monday. This celebration highlights Dhami's tenure as the longest-serving BJP chief minister in Uttarakhand, as he approaches the record held by former chief minister ND Tiwari, who served for five years and five days.
Key Legislative and Administrative Achievements
During his current term, Chief Minister Dhami has overseen the implementation of several significant laws and policies. Notably, Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to enact a Uniform Civil Code, a landmark move aimed at standardizing personal laws across religions. Other legislative measures introduced include:
- Anti-conversion laws to prevent forced religious conversions.
- Anti-cheating laws to curb malpractice in competitive examinations.
- Land laws and anti-riot regulations to maintain public order.
- A 30% reservation for women in state government jobs to promote gender equality.
Administratively, the government has taken steps to phase out madrassas by forming a minority education authority, effective from July this year. Additionally, actions against encroachments have freed over 12,000 acres of government land, demonstrating a tough stance on illegal occupations.
Major Infrastructure and Development Initiatives
Infrastructure development has been a cornerstone of Dhami's governance, with projects totaling over Rs 2 lakh crore currently underway. Key initiatives approved by the central government include:
- A 12.9-kilometer ropeway project from Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham, valued at Rs 4,081 crore, aimed at enhancing pilgrimage connectivity.
- A 12.4-kilometer ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib, costing Rs 2,730 crore, to improve access to religious sites.
- Development of Badrinath into a smart spiritual town under projects worth Rs 255 crore, focusing on modern amenities and sustainability.
These projects are designed to boost tourism, improve transportation, and support economic growth in the region.
Welfare Measures and Social Reforms
The government has also implemented various welfare schemes to support different segments of society. Key measures include:
- Increased pensions for statehood activists, recognizing their contributions to Uttarakhand's formation.
- Higher compensation for families of martyred soldiers, raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
- Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra will now receive Rs 1.5 crore, up from Rs 50 lakh, honoring military valor.
- Youth recruited under the Agniveer scheme will benefit from a 10% horizontal reservation in state government jobs, promoting employment opportunities.
Chief Minister Dhami emphasized that the past four years have been dedicated to "service, good governance, and public welfare," citing improvements in infrastructure, connectivity, and economic indicators. He stated, "We have taken several major steps in the last four years. We are among the top-ranked states in various sectors," and highlighted the government's firm action against encroachers.
Opposition Criticism and Political Response
Despite these achievements, the opposition has strongly criticized the Dhami government's performance. Congress state chief Ganesh Godiyal labeled Dhami's tenure as a "complete failure," pointing to alleged shortcomings in education, healthcare, employment, and migration control. Godiyal remarked, "There is no check on crime. Mining mafia, land mafia, and liquor mafia are extremely powerful, and corruption is at its peak."
In response, Dhami defended his administration's record, noting that Uttarakhand has introduced stringent laws that have brought positive changes. He said, "We were first to come up with UCC. Besides, we have introduced stringent laws to check forceful conversion and copying in competitive exams. A high number of arrests have been made to check corruption and other wrongdoings."
As Uttarakhand prepares for the celebratory event, the focus remains on balancing development with governance challenges, setting the stage for future political dynamics in the state.
