Category: Politics

Our aim is to make Uttarakhand strong, prosperous and self-reliant

Amaanullah Usmani

Dehradun – Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday released the book ‘Meri Yojana-Rajya Sarkar’ published by the Program Implementation Department at the Chief Servant House located at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office. The Chief Minister said that our aim is not only to make schemes for the public, but also to ensure the implementation of all the schemes on the ground, we also try to inaugurate the schemes for which we lay the foundation stone, so that the benefits of the schemes can reach every eligible person. To achieve this objective, this book has been prepared, in which various public welfare schemes and services of the government have been published in simple and practical language.

He said that this book will provide complete information about the schemes to the beneficiaries as well as information from the application process to the necessary documents and eligibility to the general public. Its goal is to ensure that every person can get the benefits of the schemes easily and become an active participant in the development of the state.

He said that when the intention is right, the intentions are noble and the resolve is strong, then the benefits of the schemes can be easily delivered to the person standing at the last end of the society. The aim of our schemes is not only to solve the current problems but also to build a strong, prosperous and self-reliant Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister announced that now arrangements will be made to provide items prepared by self-help groups as a symbol in the felicitation ceremony organized in the state. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that through this book, all the information related to the public welfare, employment, skill development and investment related schemes of our government as well as other basic services will be easily accessible to every person in the state. Due to which the eligible beneficiaries will be able to get the benefits of these schemes easily. Our government is continuously working with the goal of making Uttarakhand the leading state of the country on every standard of development with its basic mantra of “Vikalp Rahit Sankalp”.

The Chief Minister said that it is the responsibility of the concerned departments to ensure that information about the schemes, policies, acts, government orders related to public welfare and common man’s interest, operated by various departments under the state government, is easily accessible to the beneficiaries as well as the general public. If objective public welfare information of schemes made at the government and departmental level reaches the beneficiaries, then they will definitely get the expected benefits. The success of efforts made in this direction also means that the information about government schemes reaches the ground level.

He said that special focus has been laid on simplification, solution and redressal so that the people of the state get the benefits of public welfare schemes on time and their problems are resolved quickly. With the help of this mantra, an attempt has been made to change the work culture in the state. We are moving forward with the motto of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas as our goal.

He said that the published book Meri Yojana-Rajya Sarkar will definitely prove to be a milestone in taking the policies of the government to the general public in accordance with the expectations of all sections of the society and the general public. This book will also be useful for readers and researchers as a document in providing information about investment policies, employment and self-employment, skill development along with various schemes and programs to the general public. Along with this, this initiative will also help in realizing the concept of overall development of the state. This book will also be helpful in fulfilling the resolutions and efforts of the state and in taking the benefits of development to the person standing in the last row of the society.

The Chief Minister said that today various schemes are being operated effectively in the state. Providing three gas cylinders to Antyodaya families, implementing 30 percent horizontal reservation system for women of the state, giving reservation to agitators, old age pension facility, restarting sports quota in government jobs, providing scholarships to students, free facility of 207 types of pathological tests, interest-free loan up to Rs 3 lakh to farmers, various self-employment schemes for women and youth, all such schemes are proving to be a milestone for the overall development of the state and the welfare of every section of the society. One lakh Lakhpati Didi have been created in the state.

He said that our government has also made unprecedented improvements in the field of health, education, roads, electricity, water supply and other basic facilities. It is the result of these efforts that today our state has reached the first position in the whole country in achieving the goals of sustainable development in the report of Niti Aayog. Along with this, Uttarakhand has also come in the category of Achievers in the category of Ease of Doing Business and Leader in Startup Ranking. Not only this, our Uttarakhand has also emerged as the leading state of the country in terms of providing employment to the youth.

Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand from January 2025 – Chief Minister

Amaanullah Usmani

Dehradun – Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand from January 2025. All preparations have been completed for this. In this way, Uttarakhand will become the state to implement the Uniform Civil Code after independence.

The Chief Minister said that the State Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand in January 2025. Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code law, following the basic spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas, will give a new direction to the society. This law will open new doors for empowerment of women and children of Devbhoomi especially.

During the meeting of Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Development Board (UIIDB) in the Secretariat on Wednesday, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the state government has completed its homework towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code as per its resolution. He said that after the formation of the new government in the state in March 2022, in the first meeting of the cabinet itself, it was decided to constitute an expert committee to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the state. In this sequence, a five-member expert committee was constituted under the chairmanship of retired judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. On the basis of the report of the committee, the Uniform Civil Code Bill 2024 was passed by the State Legislative Assembly on 07 February 2024. After getting the consent of His Excellency the President on this bill, its notification was issued on 12 March 2024. In this sequence, now the rules of the Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand 2024 Act have also been prepared. In this way, Uttarakhand is now fully prepared to implement the Uniform Civil Code from January, he instructed the officials to provide proper training to the personnel to implement the provisions of the code as well as arrange all kinds of basic facilities. Along with this, by keeping as many services online as possible, the convenience of the general public should be taken care of. The Chief Minister said that in view of the convenience of the general public, a portal and mobile app have also been prepared to implement the Uniform Civil Code, so that all the facilities of registration, appeal etc. are being made available through online medium.

Logo, jersey, torch, anthem and tag line launched along with mascot

Amaanullah Usmani

Dehradun: Amidst the grandeur of the mascot ceremony of the 38th National Games, two traditional sports like yoga and mallakhamb also became a part of the national games. The Indian Olympic Association accepted the request of Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami. Indian Olympic Association President Dr. PT Usha made this information public in the grand mascot ceremony held on Sunday. On this occasion, the Chief Minister launched the mascot symbol Mouli, logo, jersey, anthem and tag line of the 38th National Games. The tag line for the National Games has been declared from Sankalp to Shikhar.

In a program organized at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Raipur, Dehradun on Sunday, the Chief Minister said that today is a historic day in the sports history of Uttarakhand. He thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on behalf of the entire people of Uttarakhand for giving the opportunity to host the National Games. The Chief Minister said that the beautiful logo of the National Games displays the diverse colors of Uttarakhand in front of the entire country. This anthem, along with displaying our unity, inspires the players to work harder. The mascot of the National Games, Monal, along with displaying the uniqueness of our state, also inspires young players to work hard by keeping big goals in front. And the logo is inspired by our state bird Monal, which will take the colors of the natural beauty and diversity of Uttarakhand to every corner of India. The beautiful torch of the National Games has been lit, which will travel across the state as a symbol of unity and collective effort in the country and will help in developing sports spirit and sports culture in the society.

As the chief guest, the Chief Minister said that our resolve should be without any alternative. Only with resolve can we achieve any goal. The Chief Minister said that the state is now fully prepared for the successful organisation of the 38th National Games. For this event, the state government has made a provision of about Rs 500 crore in infrastructure facilities, due to which many new sports grounds are being constructed in the state, stadiums and swimming pools are being reconstructed, infrastructure for water sports, cycling tracks, shooting ranges are being developed.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is also constructing small sports stadiums in the hilly areas. Due to which local players are also getting an opportunity to showcase their talent. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, innovative efforts have been made at every level to establish India as a sports superpower. A strong sports ecosystem has been developed with Fit India, Khelo India scheme. He said that the state government is constantly working to encourage sports and players in the state. By implementing the new sports policy in the state, players who bring medals at the national and international level are being given government jobs.

In his address, the Chief Minister reiterated the point of re-implementing four percent reservation for players, doubling the prize money given to the players of the state and building a sports university. He said that he hopes that all the players of the country participating in the National Games will take a good experience from Uttarakhand.

Indian Olympic Association President Dr. PT Usha congratulated Uttarakhand for hosting the National Games. Praising the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, he expressed hope that better work will be done in Uttarakhand in the development of sports.

Uttarakhand Sports Minister Smt. Rekha Arya said that organizing the National Games in the silver jubilee year of Uttarakhand is very encouraging.

Raj Bhavan approved the ordinance related to OBC reservation

Dehradun (Amaanullah Usmani) The way for the civic elections in Uttarakhand has been cleared. The Raj Bhavan has approved the ordinance related to OBC reservation in the bodies. Now OBC reservation will be implemented according to the report of the single-member dedicated commission. The notification for civic elections can be issued at the end of this month.

The ordinance for the civic elections in Uttarakhand got the green signal from the Law Department. The department had sent its legal opinion to the Raj Bhavan. After which the Raj Bhavan had to take a decision on it. OBC reservation is to be implemented for the civic elections. For this, the government had sent an ordinance to the Raj Bhavan with the aim of changing the law.

The law team of the Raj Bhavan had stopped it citing some law. The Raj Bhavan itself sought opinion on this from the Law Department in the government. The Law Department gave it the green signal. Citing some laws, the Law Department has admitted that if the Raj Bhavan wants, it can approve the ordinance.

Now the Governor has approved the ordinance, with which the process of implementing OBC reservation will start rapidly. After that, municipal elections will be held.

*Thousands in Uttarakhand pledge to attain ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’* Campaign 

Amaanullah Usmani Dehradun-Thousands in Uttarakhand extend support to Central govt’s ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign in Thousands in Uttarakhand pledge to attain ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ Campaign

•Thousands in Uttarakhand extend support to Central govt’s ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign in programs organised by Just Rights for Children (JRC) Alliance

•Child marriage survivors, police officers, teachers, parents and village heads participate in foot marches and take pledges across the state

•JRC is a national alliance of over 250 NGOs working for the protection of child rights across the country

•The alliance partners have prevented 2,50,000 child marriages across India

Extending their overwhelming support to Government of India’s ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign, thousands of people thronged the streets, schools, roads and markets across Uttarakhand to participate in programs conducted by Just Rights for Children (JRC) alliance.

250 villages in three districts witnessed awareness drives, candlelight marches and road shows against child marriage. In an unprecedented show of solidarity for a social cause, police stations, courtrooms, panchayats members, faith leaders, school children, teachers, children and survivors of child marriage took pledges to end child marriage and report the same. Comprising over 250 NGOs partners in over 400 districts in the country, JRC alliance has been working with the state government and local administration in Uttarakhand’s three districts to eliminate child marriage. JRC alliance partners have prevented more than 2,50,000 child marriages across India through persuasion and legal interventions.

The programmes that spread across the entire state reverberated with pledges such as, “I pledge to make every possible effort against child marriage. I pledge to ensure that no child marriage takes place in my family, neighbourhood, or community. I pledge to report any attempt of child marriage to the panchayat and the government officials.”

A child victim of marriage lives a life of abject slavery with no agency and freedom. Moreover, child marriage is the biggest contributor for non-participation of women in the work force. The National Family Health Survey-V (NFHS 2019-21) reports that nationally 23.3% women between the age group of 20-24 were married off before attaining the age of 18 while Uttarakhand reported 9.8 per cent.

“The pain and resilience of millions of girls and mothers, along with the tireless efforts of my colleagues across more than 250 NGOs in the Just Rights for Children alliance, have brought us this historic moment. As we move forward, we look to the government’s leadership at state to cultivate a culture where prevention, protection, and prosecution work in harmony and complement each other, leveraging partnerships to drive lasting behavioural change,” said JRC founder, Bhuwan Ribhu.

State government is providing better facilities to the journalists of the state – Subodh Uniyal

Today journalism itself has become an agenda: Yogesh Bhatt

Amaanullah Usmani

Dehradun – Uttarakhand’s Forest and Environment Minister Subodh Uniyal said that a clean environment is required to live a pure life and it is the duty or responsibility of all of us to maintain it. Uniyal was expressing his views as the chief guest on the occasion of the inauguration of the two-day national convention of Indian Journalist Union (IJU), New Delhi at a hotel on Ring Road.

After lighting the lamp and inaugurating this two-day national convention of IJU, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal said that Uttarakhand state is not only the holy land of gods but is also a naturally beautiful and attractive state. This state has been providing pure environment to all and has also been a leading state in providing its natural beauty and pure environment to the whole country. He said that this Himalayan state is naturally covered, along with Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, there is also Kaliyar Sharif, the holy place of Sikhs and Muslim community. All these places have always been giving the message of harmonious environment. Linking the environment to the society, he said that the role of media becomes very important to make the public aware in this direction. Addressing the national convention of IJU, he highlighted the role of media in the society and described its role as important and said that the Uttarakhand government is providing better facilities to the journalists of the state.

He said that the pension given to journalists earlier was Rs. 5,000 per month, which has been increased to Rs. 8,000 per month by the state government. Apart from this, the state government has also started providing housing to many journalists. In the convention, he assured to provide facilities to the journalists on behalf of the government and announced that the government is working on providing facilities to the journalists in the guest house of the forest department. In the opening session of the convention, Union’s National President Shri K. Srinivas Reddy, former National President Shri S.N. Sinha, former National President Shri Amar Devulapalli, National Secretary Jai Singh Rawat and MLA Umesh Sharma Kau also expressed their views on this occasion.

The second session of the convention began with reflection and contemplation on the deteriorating nature of journalism and its directionlessness, in which the keynote speaker, State Information Commissioner Shri Yogesh Bhatt said that today journalism itself has become an agenda. In today’s convention, he criticized both media and journalism and said that in fact journalism has become politicized today, which is a matter of great concern for the journalism community. How should our country’s democracy be? And who is the biggest journalist today?Many such questions are before us today. Reflecting on this, he said that the form of journalism today is worrisome and today there should be discussion and contemplation on journalists and journalism. He also said that media and journalism are different, but today both have been mixed up, which is a matter of concern and needs to be contemplated upon.

On this occasion, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, indirectly pointing towards the conditions of the country, said that the growth of the country is not healthy today. Healthy steps will have to be taken in this direction. Emphasizing on the role of the ruling party and the opposition, he said that today while the ruling party is strong, the opposition should also remain completely strong, so that the fear of each other remains in parallel regarding the development work of the country. He described the voice being raised by the media journalism world of Uttarakhand in the state as commendable and said that the state government should also never ignore the comforts of journalists and the media world. He has demanded from the government that it should show seriousness on providing cashless facility for the treatment of journalists as well as insurance of journalists.

The chief guest of this second session, Director General of Information, Shri Banshidhar Tiwari said that the government has taken many decisions on the demands raised by the journalists. The state government has always been serious about the problems of journalists. He said that now the recognition of journalists will also be done at the tehsil and district level. The amount of journalist welfare fund has also been increased from 5 crores to 10 crores by the government. On this occasion, Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari also announced that the government will give Rs. 5 lakh to the deceased journalist Durga Prasad Nautiyal.

Today, in the first day of the convention, the main organizer of the program and President of Journalist Union of Uttarakhand, State Uma Shankar Praveen Mehta, General Secretary Girish Pant, District President Mohammad Shah Nazar, Anil Verma, Manmohan Lakhera, Brahmadatt Sharma, Lalita Baluni, Moolchand, Virendra Gairola, Prakash Pant, Zahid Ali, Adhir Mukherjee, Sheeshpal Rawat, SP Uniyal, Rajendra Verma, Vinay Bhatt, Shravan Kumar, Vijay Kumar Sharma and other journalists were present.

Reached Ramnagar immediately after the accident and enquired about the condition of the injured.

On Monday, 36 people died and 26 people were injured in a horrific bus accident at Kupi near Marchula in Salt tehsil of Almora district. Expressing grief over this tragic incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami prayed to God for the peace of the souls of the deceased and for the bereaved families to bear the grief in this hour of grief. Announcing immediate compensation, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the casualties in this accident and Rs 1 lakh to the injured. The Chief Minister has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

As soon as the information about this tragic incident was received, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with giving instructions to the concerned officials for immediate relief and rescue work, reached Ramnagar himself and inquired about the well-being of the injured in the bus accident in Marchula and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

The Chief Minister inquired about the condition of the injured admitted in Ramnagar Hospital and gave necessary instructions to the CMO and other doctors for their better treatment. He said that every injured person should get the best possible treatment; if there is a need to send them to a higher centre then they should be immediately sent by air ambulance. During this, the Chief Minister also met the family members of the injured and assured them of providing the best possible treatment to the injured.

In this incident, 6 seriously injured were sent to AIIMS Rishikesh by air ambulance and 1 injured to STH Haldwani through air ambulance and 5 other injured were sent to STH Haldwani by 108 ambulance, 5 injured were taken to other hospitals on the demand of their family members. 9 injured are admitted in Ramnagar Hospital and are being treated.

Immediately after the information of the incident, Commissioner Kumaon/Secretary Chief Minister Deepak Rawat and other officials also reached the spot. Earlier, the Commissioner enquired about the condition of the injured admitted in Ramnagar Hospital. He instructed the doctors to provide better treatment to the injured.

During this, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni, MLA Ramnagar Diwan Singh Bisht, Minister of State rank Dr. Anil Dabbu, BJP District President Pratap Bisht, Commissioner Kumaon Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate Vandana, SSP Prahlad Meena, CMO Dr. Harish Chandra Pant and others were present.

Tragic accident in Uttarakhand, 36 lives buried alive

42 seater bus fell into 150 feet deep gorge

Amanullah Usmani

A bus full of passengers went out of control and fell into a 150 feet deep gorge in Marchula of Salt development block of Almora district of Uttarakhand. 36 people died in the accident. 34 injured were brought to Ramnagar hospital. Eight of them died here. Six injured were airlifted to Rishikesh, while 11 were referred elsewhere.

Nine people are undergoing treatment in Ramnagar Hospital. It is being told that the accident happened due to the breaking of the spring of the bus. There were about 63 passengers in the 42 seater bus of Garhwal Motor Users Cooperative Society (Users). Half a kilometer before the accident spot, the driver had sensed something untoward ahead. The driver had told the passengers that if anyone wanted to get down then they should do so because the road ahead was bad. No passenger got off the bus. If the passengers had listened to the driver, many lives could have been saved.

There are many discussions going on about the bus accident that happened near Marchula on the Marchula-Gaulikhal-Motor Road on Monday morning. Many passengers who survived the accident were also seen telling the officials of the administration who reached the spot that about half a kilometer before the place where the accident happened, the bus got stuck in the road and started shaking, so the driver stopped the bus and said that if anyone wants to get down, he can, but no passenger got down. After this, the driver drove off with the bus and this accident happened. The passengers say that if they had taken the driver’s words seriously and got down, many lives could have been saved.

The passengers who survived the accident told that as soon as the bus fell into the ditch, they did not get a chance to recover. Passengers started falling on each other. Many passengers also fainted after hitting their heads with stones. By the time people reached the spot, they had died.

Somewhere at the accident spot, a passenger’s phone was lying and somewhere else, packets of cold drink, pakodas, chips of some passengers were scattered. The passengers were travelling happily, but on the way they fell into the lap of death.

The accident in Marchula had also increased the concern of the migrants. Migrants living in various states including Mumbai, Delhi, Kanpur, Madras, Gurugram, Madhya Pradesh, Jaipur started getting updates about this incident. People kept getting information about the incident on WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. Migrants called their loved ones and enquired about their well-being.

Chief Minister flagged off from ISBT Dehradun

130 buses of BS-06 model joined the fleet of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation.

Amaanullah Usmani

Dehradun – The Chief Minister said that today another important link is being added to the development of the state by adding 130 new buses to the fleet of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. New buses equipped with modern technology will prove to be an important step towards strengthening the transport system of our state. These buses will not only provide safe, convenient and economical travel experience to the passengers, but will also infuse new energy in the economic, social and tourism activities of the state. He said that the geographical conditions of Uttarakhand are challenging compared to other states. The inaccessible and remote rural areas of the state are dependent on our transport network for basic amenities.

The Chief Minister said that the tourism sector is the backbone of Uttarakhand’s economy. In such a situation, an effective transport system is not only very important for the convenience of passengers, but also contributes to economic development. It is our resolve to connect every corner of the state with better road network and reliable transport services. He said that the government is continuously working to strengthen the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. Where till a few years ago our transport corporation was in a loss of more than Rs 500 crore. The Transport Corporation has been continuously making profits for the last three years. For this, he also praised the work of the officers and employees of the Transport Corporation.

The Chief Minister said that we are moving forward to make this decade the decade of Uttarakhand. Today, Uttarakhand is among the leading states of the country in many areas. The state has got the first place in the Sustainable Development Goals issued by NITI Aayog, it is a challenge for us to maintain it. The GSDP of the state has increased rapidly and the unemployment rate has decreased. Electric buses will also be included in the bus fleet soon. The government is also well aware of the problems of its drivers and conductors. For this, whether it is an increase in DA, implementing the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission or solving the problem of manpower through recruitments in the corporation, we are working for their welfare with full commitment. It has also been decided to give incentives to the drivers, conductors and technical staff providing services on the occasion of this Diwali.

MLA Vinod Chamoli said that the 10 percent increase in the fleet of buses at one go under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami is a big gift for the state. While this will facilitate the movement of people, the Chief Minister has also worked to connect people with their heritage. He said that continuous efforts are necessary to make the Transport Corporation more profitable. Along with the beautification of ISBT, continuous efforts will have to be made to prevent encroachment.

On this occasion, MLA Pramod Nainwal, Mrs. Savita Kapoor, Divisional President Sanjeev Singhal, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Vice President MDDA Banshidhar Tiwari, Additional Secretary Transport Corporation Mr. Narendra Joshi, Anil Garbyal and other officers of Transport Corporation were present.