CM unveils 25-year roadmap for developed U’khand during press conference
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 1 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Uttarakhand at BJP State headquarters and addressed a press conference on the occasion. During the press conference, he unveiled a 25-year roadmap for a developed Uttarakhand. During the event, the CM called upon every citizen to take active part in the fortnight-long programmes. He emphasised that the objective of the celebrations is not merely to recount the achievements of the past 25 years but also to lay out a vision for the next 25 years. He urged people to utilise this glorious occasion to build a prosperous, strong, and self-reliant Uttarakhand with renewed commitment and collective effort.
Dhami launched the Silver Jubilee Year events at the BJP’s State Headquarters here with a press conference, extending warm greetings and best wishes to the media and the people of the state. He said the celebration symbolises both pride in the state’s collective progress and the presentation of a development roadmap for the coming decades. The CM also reminded that earlier in the day, he had visited the disaster-affected Chenagad area on the occasion of Igas festival to meet the affected families. The celebration will also include a special session of the Assembly to be addressed by President Droupadi Murmu on November 3 and 4. The session will deliberate upon the state’s developmental journey, achievements, and future goals.
Announcing the calendar of events, Dhami said that various programmes will be organised across the state from November 1-11. The celebrations began on Saturday with the Igas festival at the CM’s official residence. Major events include an Ultra Marathon in the Joli Kong region of Pithoragarh onNovember2 , the President’s address in the Assembly on November 3, a Non-Resident Uttarakhandi Conference at Doon University on November 5 a Job Fair, Youth Festival, and Ex-Servicemen Conference on 6 November, a Rehearsal Parade on November7, and a State Activists and Women’s Conference on November 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the main State Foundation Day function on November 9, while the concluding Silver Jubilee Foundation Ceremony will take place at FRI on November 11.
Dhami stressed that these events are intended as public celebrations involving maximum citizen participation rather than mere government functions. He appealed to the media and the public to actively contribute, ensuring representation from every district. He reiterated that the Silver Jubilee must culminate in a detailed roadmap for Uttarakhand’s next 25 years, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a Developed India by 2047.
Highlighting key achievements of his government, the CM reminded that Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The government has also introduced a robust land law, a stringent anti-conversion law, an anti-copying aaw, and an anti-riot Law. He added that 10 per cent horizontal reservation has been provided to statehood activists in government jobs, while women enjoy 30 per cent horizontal reservation (Matri Shakti) and 33 per cent representation in cooperative management committees.
The Chief Minister reiterated that over 26,000 government jobs have been provided to youth in the last four years. Addressing concerns about industrial investment, he stated that the state has signed MoUs worth Rs 3.56 lakh crore during the Global Investor Summit, of which investment exceeding Rs 1 lakh crores has already been grounded and materialised. For the first time, the state’s annual budget has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore. A total of 58 lakh Ayushman cards have been issued. The ex-gratia for dependents of martyred soldiers has been raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, and a similar payment of Rs 50 lakh has been approved for Param Vir Chakra awardees. The government has succeeded in bringing down the maternal mortality ratio to 91 and is determined to further reduce it.
Dhami also reminded that Uttarakhand’s economy has grown 26 times since its formation, from Rs 14,501 crore in 2000 to an estimated Rs 3,78,240 crore now, while per capita income has risen 17-fold. He added that with a generous central assistance, major reconstruction and redevelopment works are underway under the Kedarnath Reconstruction and Badrinath Dham Master Plan. Ropeway projects are linking Kedarnath Dham and Hemkund Sahib to ease travel, and in the Kumaon region, the Mansakhand Mandir Mala Mission is connecting 48 temples and gurudwaras into a religious circuit. The Rs 13,000 crore Dehradun–Delhi elevated road will reduce travel time to just 2 to 2.5 hours. Nearly 70 per cent of the hill railway project has been completed, with roads going to be extended soon to Beasi and beyond.
The CM also asserted that under the new Film Policy, the government offers a subsidy of 50 per cent of total cost or up to Rs 2 crore for films made in regional languages like Kumaoni, Garhwali, and Jaunsari. A Rs 200 crore Venture Fund has been set up to promote start-ups. Women’s self-help groups are being empowered through interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh under the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, which has already produced 1.53 lakh Lakhpati Didis.
Through the Chief Minister Antyodaya Free Gas Refill Scheme, nearly 1.75 lakh poor families are receiving three free gas cylinder refills annually. The Vibrant Village Scheme is ensuring planned development of 51 border villages. The old-age pension has been increased to Rs 1,500, with both elderly spouses now eligible for the benefit.
Dhami also described the hosting of the National Games as another major milestone. He also mentioned swift disaster response measures, including the Silkyara Tunnel Rescue, effective management in the mining sector which has raised revenue to Rs 1,200 crore, and recognition for economic management among Himalayan states.
The CM also claimed that Uttarakhand is scaling new heights through the collective effort of its people, elected representatives, employees, youth, and women. Calling the Silver Jubilee year an occasion for pride, introspection, and resolve, he urged everyone to celebrate from Igas to the final day with enthusiasm and unity, reaffirming the shared goal of building a truly Developed Uttarakhand.
BJP’s State General Secretaries Kundan Parihar, Deepti Rawat, Tarun Bansal, Chief Pradesh Spokesperson Suresh Joshi, Pradesh Media Convener Manveer Singh Chauhan, Co-Convener Rajendra Singh Negi, and Pradesh Spokespersons Mathura Dutt Joshi, Kamlesh Raman, and Honey Pathak were among those present at the press conference.
