CM makes 13 announcements, promises welfare measures and relief for statehood activists
Garhwal Post Bureau
Gairsain, 9 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made 13 major announcements on the occasion of Uttarakhand’s 26th Statehood Day celebrations at Bhararisain in Chamoli district here today. The announcements include hike in the honorariums of Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, mid-day meal cooks and guest teachers. He also announced the constitution of a Cabinet committee to examine the demands and grievances of statehood activists.
Extending greetings to the people on the occasion, Dhami paid tribute to the sacrifices and struggles of the statehood activists, reiterating that building a strong, prosperous and self-reliant Uttarakhand in accordance with their aspirations remained the government’s foremost priority. He also paid homage to soldiers who had laid down their lives in the service of the nation and expressed condolences to families affected by natural disasters. He remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for paving the way for the creation of Uttarakhand.
Highlighting the state’s development journey over the past 26 years, the CM claimed that the government is working towards making the third decade of the 21st century the decade of Uttarakhand under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He referred to major infrastructure projects, including the Char Dham road project, Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line and ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib, which, he said, would give a major boost to connectivity and religious tourism. Under the Vibrant Villages Programme, nearly 200 development schemes were being implemented in 51 border villages.
He said efforts are underway to strengthen healthcare infrastructure through the establishment of a cancer institute in Haldwani and an AIIMS satellite centre at Kichha. More than 63 lakh cards have been issued under the Atal Ayushman Yojana. Virtual classrooms had been introduced in around 1,300 schools, while 226 schools had been developed as PM SHRI institutions.
Dhami said the stringent anti-copying law had ensured greater transparency in recruitment processes and that more than 35,000 youths have secured government jobs during the past five years. Women had been provided 30 per cent reservation in government jobs and 33 per cent in cooperative management committees. More than three lakh women in the state have become Lakhpati Didis.
He said the ex-gratia compensation for the dependants of soldiers who attained martyrdom has been increased from Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 50 lakhs while the construction of the Sainya Dham is nearing completion. Ten per cent horizontal reservation has also been provided to statehood activists and their dependants, while provisions has been made for Agniveers in designated uniformed services posts. Uttarakhand’s sportspersons have brought laurels to the state by winning 103 medals at the 38th National Games.
The CM reminded that the state’s economy has grown from approximately Rs 2.55 lakh crores in 2022 to Rs 3.82 lakh crorse, while the state budget has crossed Rs 1.11 lakh crores. He added that Uttarakhand had secured the first position in the NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals Index 2023-24. He also cited the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a stringent land law and the anti-copying legislation as significant decisions taken in public interest.
During the programme, Dhami also honoured statehood activists and the family members of renowned folk singer, the late Gopal Babu Goswami, by presenting them with shawls. He also inspected the parade and took the salute.
The parade, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Trivendra Singh Rana, comprised contingents of the ITBP, police, women Home Guards, women police personnel and the NCC, among others.
The CM also felicitated people for outstanding contributions to agriculture, horticulture, self-employment and sports, besides distributing benefits under various government schemes. Financial assistance was also provided to several farmers and horticulturists under different schemes, including Rs 2.10 lakhs each to Anand Singh and Gambhir Singh and Rs 4.20 lakhs to Dayal Singh under the Kiwi Mission. Jagdish Singh received Rs 2 lakhs for constructing a mushroom cultivation unit. Subsidies ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.07 lakhs were also distributed among beneficiaries under Industries Department schemes. SHGs received assistance of Rs 4 lakhs each for establishing farm machinery banks. Beneficiaries of the Mahalaxmi Kit, Lakhpati Didi and Atal Awas schemes were also felicitated. Sports talents Arushi Negi, Mahek Rawat and Harshvardhan Bisht were among those honoured.
Announcing the 13 measures, Dhami said the honorariums of Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHAs and mid-day meal cooks would be increased with effect from 1 December, 2026. The honorarium of guest teachers would also be enhanced shortly. Lakhpati Didis would receive financial incentives in two instalments to expand their existing businesses and undertake new self-employment activities.
He further announced additional financial assistance for the people injured in wildlife attacks to meet the cost of expensive medical procedures, including plastic surgery. He announced that two modern digital libraries and reading rooms would be established in every district in municipal areas outside the district headquarters. All the revenue villages currently receiving electricity through alternative arrangements would be connected to the power grid. The process of purchasing land would be simplified for migrants interested in investing in Uttarakhand.
He also announced that the ‘Apuni Sarkar’ portal would be made more accessible and effective in every district to enable senior citizens, persons with disabilities and residents of remote areas to avail themselves of government services from their homes. The surcharge imposed on delayed electricity bill payments by small farmers and domestic electricity consumers would also be waived.
The CM further announced that the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman would be conferred posthumously on renowned folk singers Gopal Babu Goswami and Chandra Singh Rahi in recognition of their contribution to preserving the state’s folk culture and languages.
He shared that the Cabinet committee to be constituted for addressing the demands of statehood activists would examine issues such as relaxation in identification criteria, the demand for dual pensions and the issuance of certificates to dependants. Dhami also assured positive action in cases involving statehood activists appointed during 2013-14 that fall within the purview of the relevant Act.
Among those present at the programme were Chamoli district in-charge minister Bharat Singh Chaudhary, MLAs Anil Nautiyal and Bhupal Ram Tamta, local representatives, senior officials, statehood activists and residents of the area.
