CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Announces 13 Major Initiatives on Uttarakhand Foundation Day at Bhararisain

 

Honorarium hike for Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, midday meal cooks and guest teachers; Cabinet committee to address statehood activists’ demands

 

Gairsain/Chamoli: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced 13 significant initiatives focused on public welfare, employment, infrastructure and social development during the state’s 26th Foundation Day celebrations at the Assembly premises in Bhararisain (Gairsain), Chamoli district, on Monday.

The announcements include an increase in the honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA workers and midday meal cooks from December 1, 2026. The honorarium of guest teachers will also be increased. The Chief Minister further announced the formation of a Cabinet committee to examine and recommend solutions to the outstanding demands and grievances of Uttarakhand statehood activists.

Extending his greetings to the people on the 26th anniversary of the state’s formation, Dhami paid tribute to the sacrifices, struggles and contributions of the statehood movement activists. He said fulfilling their vision of a strong, prosperous and self-reliant Uttarakhand remains the government’s foremost priority.

The Chief Minister also paid homage to soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation and expressed condolences to families affected by natural disasters. He remembered former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose leadership paved the way for the creation of Uttarakhand.

 

Uttarakhand’s 26-Year Development Journey

Dhami said Uttarakhand had achieved significant milestones across several sectors during its 26-year journey. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working with the vision of making the third decade of the 21st century the decade of Uttarakhand.

Highlighting major infrastructure projects, he referred to the Char Dham Road Project, Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project and ropeway projects connecting Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib. These initiatives are expected to strengthen connectivity, tourism and pilgrimage infrastructure.

Under the Vibrant Villages Programme, approximately 200 development projects are being implemented in 51 border villages.

The Chief Minister said efforts were underway to establish a cancer institute in Haldwani and an AIIMS satellite centre in Kichha. More than 63 lakh health cards have been issued under the Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand scheme.

In education, virtual classrooms have been introduced in approximately 1,300 schools, while 226 schools have been developed as PM SHRI institutions.

 

Over 35,000 Government Jobs Provided in Five Years

Dhami said the state government had strengthened transparency in recruitment through a stringent anti-cheating law. More than 35,000 young people had secured government jobs over the past five years.

He highlighted the reservation provisions introduced for women, including 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 through initiatives aimed at promoting financial independence and entrepreneurship.

The Chief Minister also highlighted welfare measures for soldiers and their families. The ex-gratia assistance for the dependants of soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the country has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. Construction of the Sainya Dham is also nearing completion.

He added that provisions had been made for Agniveers in designated uniformed services posts and 10 per cent horizontal reservation for statehood activists and their dependants.

Dhami further noted that Uttarakhand’s athletes had won 103 medals at the 38th National Games, bringing recognition to the state.

 

State Economy Grows to Rs 3.82 Lakh Crore

Highlighting the state’s economic progress, the Chief Minister said Uttarakhand’s economy had expanded from approximately Rs 2.55 lakh crore in 2022 to around Rs 3.82 lakh crore. The state’s annual budget has also crossed Rs 1.11 lakh crore.

He said Uttarakhand secured the first position in the NITI Aayog Sustainable Development Goals Index 2023-24.

The government has also taken significant policy decisions, including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, a stringent land law and an anti-cheating law, keeping public interest at the centre of governance.

 

Statehood Activists, Farmers and Achievers Honoured

During the Foundation Day programme, Dhami honoured statehood activists and the family members of renowned folk singer late Gopal Babu Goswami by presenting them with shawls.

He also inspected the ceremonial parade and took the salute. The parade was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Trivendra Singh Rana, with contingents from the ITBP, police, women Home Guards, women police personnel and NCC participating.

The Chief Minister felicitated individuals who had made outstanding contributions to agriculture, horticulture, entrepreneurship and sports, along with beneficiaries of various government schemes.

In agriculture and horticulture, Jawahar Singh, Geeta Devi, Vandana Devi, Mohan Singh and Anand Singh received financial assistance.

Under the Kiwi Mission, cheques worth Rs 2.10 lakh each were presented to Anand Singh and Gambhir Singh, while Dayal Singh received Rs 4.20 lakh. Jagdish Singh was provided Rs 2 lakh for the construction of a mushroom hut.

Under various Industry Department schemes, subsidies were provided to Yogendra Singh (Rs 1 lakh), Trilok Singh (Rs 1,48,611), Rajeshwar Singh (Rs 2,07,500) and Himanshu Singh (Rs 1.50 lakh).

Self-help groups received assistance of Rs 4 lakh each for establishing Farm Machinery Banks. Farmers were also provided power weeder subsidies and honoured with Kisan Bhushan and Kisan Shree awards.

Beneficiaries of the Mahalakshmi Kit, Lakhpati Didi and Atal Awas schemes were also recognised. Sports achievers Arushi Negi, Mehak Rawat and Harshvardhan Bisht were felicitated by the Chief Minister.

 

Full List of 13 Announcements by CM Dhami

The Chief Minister announced the following 13 initiatives on the occasion of Uttarakhand’s 26th Foundation Day:

1. Honorarium hike for Anganwadi workers: The honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers will be increased with effect from December 1, 2026.

2. Higher honorarium for ASHA workers: The honorarium of ASHA workers across the state will also be increased from December 1, 2026.

3. Increase in honorarium for midday meal cooks: The honorarium of cooks working under the school midday meal programme will be increased from December 1, 2026.

4. Financial incentives for Lakhpati Didis: Women who have achieved Lakhpati Didi status will receive incentives in two instalments to expand their existing businesses or start new self-employment ventures.

5. Additional assistance for victims of wildlife attacks: People injured in wildlife attacks will receive additional financial assistance, over and above the existing compensation, for expensive medical procedures such as plastic surgery.

6. Modern digital libraries in municipalities: Two modern digital libraries and reading rooms will be established in municipal areas outside each district headquarters in every district.

7. Power grid connectivity for revenue villages: All revenue villages currently receiving electricity through alternative supply arrangements will be connected to the power grid.

8. Simplified land purchase process for investors from Uttarakhand: The process of purchasing land will be simplified for people originally from Uttarakhand who wish to invest in the state.

9. Improved Apuni Sarkar portal services: The Apuni Sarkar portal will be made simpler and more effective in every district to enable senior citizens, persons with disabilities and residents of remote areas to access government services from their homes.

10. Waiver of delayed-payment surcharge on electricity bills: The surcharge imposed for delayed payment of electricity bills will be waived for small farmers and electricity consumers.

11. Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman for folk icons: Late Gopal Babu Goswami and late Chandra Singh Rahi will be honoured with the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman for their outstanding contributions to the preservation and promotion of folk culture and regional languages.

12. Honorarium increase for guest teachers: The honorarium of guest teachers working in the state will be increased shortly.

13. Cabinet committee for statehood activists: A Cabinet committee will be constituted to examine the demands and grievances of Uttarakhand statehood activists. It will submit recommendations on matters such as relaxation in identification rules, dual pension benefits and the issuance of certificates to dependants. Positive action will also be taken in cases involving statehood activists appointed during 2013-14 that fall within the scope of the relevant Act.

 

Collective Commitment to a Developed Uttarakhand

Dhami said the vision of a developed Uttarakhand was a collective commitment shared by every resident of the state. The government would continue working towards public welfare, employment generation, expansion of infrastructure and preservation of the state’s rich folk culture and traditions.

 

Among those present at the event were Chamoli district in-charge minister Bharat Singh Chaudhary, MLAs Anil Nautiyal and Bhupal Ram Tamta, Nagar Panchayat Chairman Mohan Bhandari, District Cooperative Bank Chairman Gajendra Singh Rawat, minister of state-designated representatives Ramchandra Gaur, Harak Singh Negi and Balbir Ghuniyal, Block Pramukh Durga Devi, Arun Maithani, Vinod Kanwasi, District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar, Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Panwar and Chief Development Officer Dr Abhishek Tripathi, along with statehood activists, public representatives, officials and local residents.