Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, addressing public representatives under the “Shahar se Samvad” program at the Chief Servant House on Tuesday, emphasized the vital role of municipal bodies in urban governance. He described them not merely as administrative units but as the “soul of the city,” central to delivering effective public service.
During the interaction with mayors and presidents of municipal corporations, municipalities, and town councils across the state, CM Dhami launched three new web portals developed by the Urban Development Department, aimed at empowering women self-help groups. He also announced a series of key initiatives including:
Digitization of municipal offices
Construction of organized vending zones
Establishment of a Silver Jubilee Park
Proposal to the Central Government for converting tied funds into untied funds
In a bid to promote entrepreneurship, the Chief Minister unveiled a plan to establish high-tech beauty parlors and salons run by trained local women and men — 10 in each municipal corporation, 5 in each Nagar Palika, and 3 in every Nagar Panchayat.
He urged public representatives to act as mission partners in service delivery, not just officeholders. “Your office should not just be an administrative unit; it should serve as a people’s service center where citizens can approach without hesitation,” he said.
Reaffirming his government’s zero tolerance policy towards corruption, CM Dhami called on local leaders to closely monitor administrative activities, particularly in areas prone to malpractices. Transparency, accountability, and honesty, he stressed, should be the foundational principles of governance.
Lauding the contribution of women in the state’s progress, the Chief Minister said, “Matri Shakti is the greatest strength of Uttarakhand. Products crafted by self-help groups led by women are now competing with global brands.”
Dhami also highlighted the need for focused efforts to address persistent urban challenges such as drainage, solid waste management, and traffic congestion. He emphasized the ongoing implementation of central government schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT, Smart City Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, asserting that their effective execution is being ensured across Uttarakhand.
He proudly noted that the state ranked first in the country in the NITI Aayog’s SDG Index for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, he claimed that Uttarakhand’s unemployment rate dropped by 4.4% in the past year, outpacing the national average.
Touching on recent legislative reforms, the Chief Minister mentioned the enactment of the Land Law, Uniform Civil Code, and Anti-Copying Law, stating these have safeguarded the state’s identity and strengthened its educational framework. He also disclosed that over 200 individuals involved in corruption have been jailed in the last three years.
The event was attended by Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, mayors from other municipal corporations, heads of municipalities, Urban Development Secretary Nitesh Kumar Jha, Municipal Commissioner Namami Bansal, senior departmental officials, and over 100 public representatives.
