Dhami completes 100 days of second consecutive tenure as CM

When Pushkar Singh Dhami took oath as chief minister of Uttarakhand for the second consecutive term on March 23 this year despite facing a shocking defeat in Khatima Assembly constituency in the Assembly elections it became clear that the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party has immense faith in this young leader. In these 100 days of his second tenure the CM has registered a landslide victory in Champawat Assembly by- elections and is moving forward to implement the promises made by the BJP in its election manifesto. In an interaction with Gajendra Singh Negi of The Pioneer Dhami talked about a few issues and his vision for the State. 

What are the major achievements of the State government during these 100 days?

We are moving ahead with full dedication and commitment to implement our vision document. We got a public mandate for Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and we have now moved forward on our promise. An expert committee headed by retired justice of the Supreme Court Ranjana Desai has been constituted which would present the draft of the UCC after interacting with all stakeholders. We have also decided to provide three LPG cylinders free of cost to 1.85 lakh poor (Antyodaya) families of the State. Our government has increased the widow and old age pension and this pension is now given to both husband and wife in a family. The allowance of sanitation workers has been increased. The Char Dham Yatra is successfully going on and this year more than 25 lakh pilgrims have already visited the shrines. We are taking necessary preparations for the Kanwad Yatra which is taking place after two years of pandemic enforced break. Our government is working for successful implementation of all centrally sponsored schemes and I am regularly monitoring them personally.

The recently launched Agnipath scheme for recruitment in the armed forces is eliciting opposition from various quarters. Being a State with a high representation in the armed forces, what effect would the scheme have on Uttarakhand?

The Agnipath scheme brought by PM Narendra Modi and Defence minister Rajnath Singh is in the best interest of the country and the youth. It would further enhance the prestige of the armed forces. The youngsters need to be told about the benefits of the scheme. Our government has already declared that the Agniveers would be given preference in recruitment in police and other services after the end of their tenure in the army.

Recently 42 senior lawyers expressed concern over perceived communal disharmony in the State and statements made in context of UCC. How do you view this?

We are open to good suggestions coming from any quarter. On UCC I want to make it clear that the people of Uttarakhand have given their mandate for this and we have taken necessary steps in the direction of implementing it in the State.

Schism appears to be increasing between the political leadership and bureaucracy in the State. Recent episode involving cabinet minister Rekha Arya and the secretary of her department is an example. How are you handling the situation?

We are taking stock of the situation and soon would find a solution.

Gairsain was made the summer capital by the BJP government but the general belief is that the government is not serious on the issue. The opposition has targeted you for not holding the budget session of the Assembly in Gairsain and not making any provision in the budget.

This year the budget session was delayed due to Assembly elections and holding the session in June at a time when Char Dham Yatra was at its peak would have created problems for everyone including the pilgrims. The opposition is raising the issue as it has a habit of opposing everything. In this budget we have made a provision of Rs 22 crore for Gairsain. We are committed to the development of Gairsain as it is the centre point of our aspiration and sentiments.

 What are your plans for governance and delivery of services in the State? 

My government has made ‘simplification solution, disposal and satisfaction’ as the mantra for good governance.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that Uttarakhand should be among the leading States of the country in the silver jubilee year of its creation is our guiding principle and we are committed to this. We have asked all the departments to prepare a roadmap for the future and I regularly follow up the progress of the various schemes and our development plans.