By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, March 21: The BJP today described the three-year tenure of the state government as a historic and transformative period for Uttarakhand. BJP State Spokesman Suresh Joshi addressed a press conference at BJP Headquarters here today to highlight the achievements of the government of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami during the past 3 years.
Joshi claimed that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami the state has achieved significant progress in governance, development, and policy reforms.
Among the achievements, Joshi listed on the occasion included the UCC, anti-Conversion law, land reforms and love jihad and action taken by the government regarding crackdown on rigging of competitive exams, record employment generation, improved connectivity for religious and tourist sites and ensuring healthcare for the people through Atal Ayushman Yojana.
On the occasion of completing three years of good governance, the BJP has launched a series of press conferences at the party headquarters. Today’s press conference addressed by Suresh Joshi was first in this series. On this occasion, Joshi claimed that all promises made to the people have been fulfilled or are being fulfilled. He also asserted that the government is also prioritising Uttarakhand’s demographic and spiritual identity. Under Dhami’s leadership, legislative measures such as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), anti-conversion law, anti-riot law, and stringent land laws have been enacted, positioning Dhami among the country’s most decisive chief ministers.
Joshi emphasised that Uttarakhand has successfully implemented the UCC, setting a precedent for other states to follow. He reminded that the state has also introduced one of the strictest anti-mass conversion laws, curbed illegal religious encroachments, and enforced a stringent anti-riot law. He claimed that these efforts have led to the reclamation of over 144,500 acres of encroached land and the closure of unauthorised madrassas. To address concerns over land ownership, especially in the hills, the government has enacted stringent land laws to protect local interests. The BJP spokesman also claimed that the government has also focused on empowering women by providing 30 percent reservation in government jobs and 33 percent in cooperative societies. Initiatives like ‘Lakhpati Didi’ are helping women gain financial independence with the support of central and state schemes.
Joshi asserted that Dhami’s government has introduced one of the strictest anti-cheating laws in the country to combat corruption in recruitment processes. Over 20,000 jobs have been provided through a transparent process, with nearly 7,000 additional vacancies being filled through the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC). He added that the government has pledged to fill all vacant government positions promptly.
The BJP leader also claimed that infrastructure projects have improved access to religious sites like Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Hemkund Sahib, with development projects such as the all-weather road, railway, and ropeway connectivity making pilgrimages more convenient.
He reminded that Atal Ayushman Yojana is providing healthcare security to every resident of Uttarakhand, with over Rs 1,580 crores allocated and an additional Rs 600 crores sanctioned this year. Other welfare schemes include free ration distribution, free gas cylinder refills for 1,84,142 beneficiaries, and home-stay initiatives to curb migration. The government has increased sports award incentives and expanded pension schemes, raising the pension amount for widows, disabled individuals, and elderly citizens from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400 per month.
Joshi also claimed that efforts are underway to develop parking facilities in urban areas and expand 4G/5G mobile networks in rural regions. He further claimed that under the ‘PM Kisan Samman Nidhi’ scheme, the government plans to introduce the ‘CM Kisan Protsahan Nidhi’ initiative. Daily wages for sanitation workers have been raised to Rs 500. A corruption-free app ‘1064’ has been launched under the zero-tolerance policy. Farmers will continue to receive a bonus of Rs 20 per quintal for wheat procurement, with financial support pledged for sugarcane farmers. The government has enhanced financial assistance for decorated soldiers, with grants for Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra recipients increased to Rs 50 lakhs, among other revisions.
Joshi further asserted that under Dhami’s leadership, Uttarakhand has witnessed remarkable growth in per capita income, GDP, and overall development. The state is on track to becoming a developed Uttarakhand in the next two years. Among those present on the occasion included state media in-charge Manveer Chauhan, co-media in-charges Rajendra Negi and Sanjeev Verma and Rajeev Talwar.
