DEHRADUN: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new executive of Uttaranchal Press Club held at IRDT Auditorium at Survey Chowk on Saturday. Describing media as the fourth pillar of democracy, CM Dhami said that press representatives are being given as much support as possible in the state for news collection. He announced an increase in the corpus fund of the Journalist Welfare Fund and directed officials to start a group insurance scheme for journalists. Additionally, he mentioned plans to facilitate accommodation and work arrangements for media personnel coming from far-flung areas.
Addressing the club members and other journalists present in the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the media has been supportive even during the freedom struggle. During the state movement, the media of Uttarakhand became the voice of the people here. The social and public awareness work done from time to time by the Uttaranchal Press Club has been commendable. Media also plays a big role in the convenience of the general public and the promotion of public welfare schemes.
CM said that the government has taken many big steps at present to ensure that everyone participates in the development of Uttarakhand. Our efforts for the development of the state have been recognized at the national level. The state has been ranked first in the country by NITI Aayog in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed that We have succeeded in reducing the unemployment rate in the state to 4.4 percent. We are among the leading states in the country in attracting investment and are ranked first among the Himalayan states.
The Chief Minister said that the winter Chardham Yatra has been started for the first time in the state and its pleasant results are also coming out. This is strengthening the economy of the local people along with providing self-employment. He said that a Pravasi Sammelan is being organized in the state on January 12 so that the migrants of Uttarakhand remain connected to their original roots and can make their all-round contribution to their state, village and society.
During the program, 2 minutes of silence was observed as a tribute to a young journalist Girish Bhandari, who passed away on Saturday.
During this, the new executive chairman of Uttaranchal Press Club, Bhupendra Kandhari, praised the various decisions taken by the government earlier for the welfare of journalists.
On this occasion, founder member of Uttaranchal Press Club Dr. Devendra Bhasin, Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari, General Secretary of Press Club Surendra Dasila, Vice President Abhishek Kumar Mishra, former President of Uttaranchal Press Club Naveen Thaledi, Vikas Dhulia, Chetan Gurung and Ajay Rana along with other officials of Press Club and media persons were present.
