CM interacts with Agniveers in Doon
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 17 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday addressed the ‘Yuva Agniveer Samvaad’ organised by the Youth Foundation at its training area in Kuwanwala, Dehradun, where he announced that Uttarakhand would become the first state in the country to establish a dedicated Agniveer Cell for the welfare and rehabilitation of Agniveers. Reaffirming the state government’s unwavering commitment to the honour and bright future of Agniveers, he also announced special grants for ex-servicemen and Agniveers to establish homestays and additional support for self-employment infrastructure in border villages, besides a series of welfare measures to ensure a dignified future for every youth who serves in the armed forces.
Dhami announced that, under the Tourism Department’s Homestay Scheme, ex-servicemen and Agniveers would be provided special grants to establish homestays. He also said that special financial assistance would be sanctioned for developing self-employment-related infrastructure in border villages for local residents, ex-servicemen and Agniveers. In addition, a dedicated Agniveer Cell would be established to facilitate access to various state government welfare schemes for Agniveers returning after completion of their service.
The CM asserted that the state government has been working continuously for the welfare of Agniveers, serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and the families of martyrs. The ex-gratia amount for the families of martyrs has been hiked from Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 50 lakhs. Arrangements have also been made for the appointment of eligible dependants in government service. The time limit for applying for government employment has been extended from two years to five years, while the honour and benefits extended to the recipients of gallantry awards have also been significantly increased. He added that the government has also introduced special assistance for the war widows and disabled soldiers, besides financial support for the dignified last rites of ex-servicemen.
During his interaction with Agniveers, Dhami claimed that ensuring their welfare and future remains a top priority for the state government. He said quality coaching and free training facilities are being provided to youths preparing for recruitment into the armed forces. Agniveers completing their tenure would be entitled to 10 percent horizontal reservation in the recruitment to the Police, Forest Department, Disaster Management and other state government services. They would also receive relaxation in the upper age limit and priority in recruitment processes wherever applicable.
Dhami said becoming an Agniveer is not merely about securing a job but represents one of the highest opportunities to serve the nation. The four years spent in the armed forces would become the greatest asset of an Agniveer’s life and equip them with discipline, leadership and invaluable experience. He reiterated that the government’s commitment towards the honour and bright future of Agniveers is unwavering and asserted that Uttarakhand would become the first state in the country to establish a dedicated Agniveer Cell.
Referring to his own background, the CM reminded he is the son of a soldier and has witnessed from childhood the discipline, sacrifice and patriotism associated with military life. He said the values of discipline and service he has imbibed came from his father and that interacting with the soldiers always gives him the feeling of being among his own family members.
Dhami also claimed that he has always worked as the “chief servant” of the people and that the opportunity to serve Uttarakhand has come through the blessings of the people of Devbhoomi. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a special affection for Uttarakhand and had described the third decade of the 21st century as the decade of Uttarakhand from the sacred land of Kedarnath. The state government, he said, is working in line with that vision to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country. He added that the people had voted for development and good governance in the 2022 Assembly elections and that the double-engine government is now accelerating development across the state.
Highlighting various governance initiatives, the CM reminded that Uttarakhand had become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and has also enacted a stringent anti-copying law to ensure transparency in recruitment. He said the government has dealt firmly with all the recruitment scam cases and has introduced legislation providing for punishment up to life imprisonment for those involved in examination malpractice. More than 100 members of examination mafia have been sent to jail, he said, adding that the strict law had paved the way for record government recruitments in the state. Over the past five years, more than 34,000 youths have secured government jobs through transparent recruitment processes based purely on merit.
Dhami further said Uttarakhand has also become the first state in the country to abolish the Madrasa Board, opening the doors of quality education to all the children. Every child, he said, has the right to education and progress. Referring to development across various sectors, he said the government has launched several initiatives, including the Kiwi Mission, Apple Mission and Timru Mission for the farmers. He also reminded that Uttarakhand had secured the top position in the Sustainable Development Goals rankings, earned recognition as a film-friendly state and improved its performance in the export index. He added that increasing numbers of young people are now creating employment opportunities within their own villages and towns. More than 24 crore pilgrims and tourists had visited Uttarakhand over the past four years through the Char Dham Yatra, Adi Kailash Yatra, Winter Yatra and other tourism circuits, giving a significant boost to the state’s economy.
MLA Brij Bhushan Gairola, Youth Foundation founder Col (Retd) Ajay Kothiyal, Maj Gen (Retd) Gulab Singh Rawat, DM Ashish Chauhan, SSP Pramendra Dobal and several other dignitaries were among those present on the occasion.
