Rudraprayag is U’khand’s top district in SDG ranking
Garhwal Post Bureau
Almora, 27 May: A state-level SDG Achievers’ Award ceremony was held at the Uday Shankar Academy of Dance and Music here today. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the programme as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, 32 organisations, persons and groups were honoured for their innovative and sustainable initiatives, while six districts were recognised for securing top three positions in the annual district-level Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) rankings. The CM congratulated the winners on this occasion and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Uttarakhand the leading state in sustainable development. He also stated that Uttarakhand’s top position in the SDG rankings is proof that the state’s development journey is moving in the right direction.
Addressing the gathering, the CM reminded that this ceremony is being held to honour those who have contributed exemplary work in diverse fields through innovation, dedication and social commitment. He also stated that he is feeling proud to be amongst the achievers who, through perseverance and determination, have brought positive change in society. He noted that 32 dynamic industrial institutions had been recognised for their remarkable contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, proving that extraordinary results can be achieved even with limited resources.
Dhami also stressed that Uttarakhand, as a hill state, faces multiple challenges every year, but balanced and sustainable growth is possible only when ecology and economy progress together. He said that, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country is working consistently towards achieving the SDGs by 2030. He recalled that Uttarakhand once ranked tenth in the NITI Aayog SDG India Index but it has now reached the first position nationwide. At the same time, he also acknowledged that further improvement is required in several parameters and assured that the government is working swiftly in those areas. The CM also highlighted the state’s effective governance, welfare measures for the poor, development of border regions and provision of basic facilities like electricity, water and roads.
Dhami said that Uttarakhand’s top position in the SDG rankings is proof that the state’s development journey is moving in the right direction. He added that the state is playing a vital role in building a developed India and that sector-specific policies have accelerated overall growth. He cited collective efforts that have resulted in a 7.23 per cent rise in the state’s GDP, a 4.1 per cent increase in per capita income and a record 4.4 per cent reduction in unemployment, surpassing the national average. He said the positive changes in industries, start-ups, helicopter services, highway construction, green energy and power generation over the past four years have encouraged reverse migration in the hills and that the people have returned to their native villages and engaging in local employment and self-employment.
Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta said Uttarakhand’s top position in the SDG rankings reflects the commitment of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Dhami towards the state’s development, achieved through the efforts of its dedicated citizens. Principal Secretary, Planning, and CEO of the Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance Dr R Meenakshi Sundaram elaborated on the SDG concept and detailed the achievements of the awardees, stressing the importance of collective participation in making Uttarakhand the best state in the country. District Magistrate Anshul Singh welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude, affirming the commitment to holistic district development under the Chief Minister’s guidance.
In the district-level SDG rankings, Rudraprayag secured the first position, followed by Uttarkashi and Nainital in second place, while Bageshwar, Chamoli and Tehri shared the third position.
Among those present on the occasion were District Panchayat Chairperson Hema Gaida, Ranikhet MLA Dr Pramod Nainwal, Minister of State ranked Ganga Bisht, Govind Pilkhwal, Migration Commission member Anil Singh Sahi, BJP district president Mahesh Nayal, Almora Mayor Ajay Verma, additional CEO of CPPGG Manoj Pant, senior superintendent of police Chandrashekhar R Ghodke, additional district magistrate Yukta Mishra, district economics and statistics officer Renu Bhandari along with other officials, public representatives, citizens and participants.
