Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Apr: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was felicitated at a rally organised by the Uttarakhand Nikay Karmachari Sanyukt Morcha (an organisation of employees of urban local bodies of the state) at the CM’s Camp Office here today.
On this occasion, the CM expressed gratitude for the honour extended to him by employees and dedicated it to the people of the state, whom he described as ‘devtulya’.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Dhami emphasised that the employees play a crucial role in the development of any state and that the responsibility of municipal staff is particularly significant. He observed that it is due to the tireless efforts of civic employees that cleanliness and basic services are maintained efficiently across the cities and the towns. Recalling their role during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CM commended their sense of duty and service and termed it an exemplary reflection of humanity.
Dhami observed that Uttarakhand holds a distinct place in terms of faith, culture and tourism, which further enhances the importance of municipal bodies, particularly during the major events such as the Char Dham Yatra, Kanwar Yatra and the Kumbh Mela. He claimed that the state government has accorded top priority to the empowerment, safety and satisfaction of employees and assured them that their issues would be addressed with sensitivity and that positive decisions on their demands would be taken in a phased manner.
Mentioning some recent measures, the CM reminded that the government has taken several key decisions in the interest of municipal employees and ‘paryavaran mitras’. These include increasing the honorarium of sanitation workers to Rs 500 per day, providing additional honorarium to those deployed in Char Dham areas, financial assistance of Rs 2,500 for uniforms and snow boots, budgetary provisions for health and welfare schemes, implementation of a group term life insurance cover of Rs 5 lakhs and issue of directions to ensure EPF and ESI benefits. He further noted that the wages of contractual employees have been raised from Rs 7,500 to Rs 15,000, among other initiatives.
The CM also mentioned certain development programmes and schemes being implemented at the national level under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT scheme, Smart City Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He claimed that these initiatives are contributing to comprehensive development across the country. The CM claimed that the state government is ensuring effective implementation of these schemes to accelerate Uttarakhand’s overall growth.
Dhami also stated that the sanitation workers are being accorded respect as ‘Swachhta Mitras’, while initiatives such as the Namaste Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Yojana are being implemented for their safety and welfare.
Among those present on the occasion were MLA Savita Kapoor, chief convenor of the Uttarakhand Nikay Karmachari Sanyukt Morcha Surendra Teshwar, co-convenor Santosh Gaurav, Naresh Ved, along with other office-bearers and employees.
