Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday highlighted the various initiatives undertaken in the state, reaffirming the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the “Devbhoomi” this month.
Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to have UCC Act, which seeks to establish a uniform and an equal set of rules on marriage, divorce, succession and inheritance for all citizens in the state, except the Scheduled Tribes (STs), irrespective of religion. It makes registration of all marriages and live-in relationships mandatory.
“We have formulated the Uniform Civil Code law in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. This is the state’s first honour and will be implemented within this month,” Dhami said during the inauguration of the 29th Uttarayani Mela in Bareilly.
He compared the UCC to India’s sacred rivers such as Sharda, Ganga, Saraswati and Kaveri, stating that just as they sustain life across the country, the UCC will work similarly. Regarding the state’s tourism and infrastructure initiatives, Dhami said, “In Haridwar and Rishikesh, we are planning to develop the Ganga Corridor. Work on a corridor along the Sharda River has also begun.”
He added that Uttarakhand continues to see an increasing influx of devotees and tourists which would be bolstered by the reconstruction efforts in Kedarnath and the master plan underway at Badrinath Dham. Dhami also announced beautification and restoration efforts for temples in the Kumaon region and development at Purnagiri.
“It gives me immense joy that more devotees from Uttar Pradesh visit Purnagiri. We are creating the Sharda Corridor, which will enhance the ghats and beautify the area,” he said.
The chief minister expressed hope for Uttarakhand becoming a hub for destination weddings and tourism, emphasising the state’s growing reputation.
“Handicraft products from Uttarakhand are gaining recognition among multinational companies and women in the state are doing excellent work. Over one lakh women in Uttarakhand are now earning a substantial income. We will provide them with interest-free loans,” he said. On governance and security, Dhami shared progress on several legal reforms, including the anti-conversion law, the introduction of anti-riot legislation and measures to counter exam malpractice.
“We have taken strong steps by enacting an anti-riot law. Any damages caused during riots will be recovered from the perpetrators.
“Similarly, with our anti-cheating law, over 100 individuals involved in exam malpractice have been jailed. This ensures fair opportunities for deserving candidates,” he added. Dhami mentioned initiatives to combat “land jihad”, stating that 5,000 acres of encroached land have been freed.
