Puskar Singh Dhami Marks Four Years as Uttarakhand Chief Minister
Celebrating Four Years in Office
Puskar Singh Dhami has completed four years as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand as of Thursday. When he first assumed office in 2021, he was unaware that a common worker like him would be entrusted with such a significant role.
A Historical Tenure
Dhami is only the second Chief Minister in the state's 25-year history to serve a full four-year term, following Narayan Datt Tiwari. During his tenure, he has highlighted the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), actions against paper leak mafias in recruitment exams, and measures against land encroachment and forced conversions as his administration's key achievements.
Facing Challenges Head-On
In an interview with a news channel, Dhami expressed, 'I never anticipated that a simple worker like me would be given such responsibilities. My journey has been filled with challenges, especially with elections approaching and the COVID-19 pandemic at its peak. The tourism sector and the Char Dham Yatra faced significant setbacks, and reviving them was a major challenge.'
Innovative Solutions and Support
He mentioned that to aid recovery, a package was announced, leading to over 700 declarations within six months. This included increases in old-age pensions and salaries for Anganwadi workers, along with the launch of initiatives like the Apple and Kiwi Mission to promote innovation.
Implementing the UCC
Dhami regards the UCC as one of his administration's most significant accomplishments, stating that the BJP campaigned on the promise to implement it if re-elected in the 2022 assembly elections. 'The UCC has always been part of our election manifesto. With the inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the continuous guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah, we are proud to be the first state to implement this law post-independence,' he added.
Addressing Opposition Concerns
In response to opposition claims that the UCC targets specific communities, Dhami clarified that it aims to protect individuals of all faiths. He referenced the horrific murder of Shraddha Walker in Delhi by her live-in partner, emphasizing that the UCC includes mandatory registration for live-in relationships to safeguard against such incidents.
Tackling Corruption
The Chief Minister stated that his government has enacted the strictest anti-cheating laws in the country to combat the paper leak mafia, resulting in the imprisonment of over 100 individuals involved in such scams. Since the law's implementation in Uttarakhand, 24,000 deserving candidates from underprivileged families have secured government jobs fairly and transparently, boosting the morale of capable students.
Commitment to Justice
Dhami asserted that his government stands against 'love jihad, land jihad, and spit jihad.' He emphasized that encroachments should not be tolerated under any circumstances, revealing that 6,500 acres of government land have been reclaimed. He clarified that these actions are not directed against any particular community.
Empowering Local Women
The Chief Minister also highlighted the introduction of 30% reservation for native women in government jobs and 10% horizontal reservation for state movement activists as significant achievements of his administration. He noted that the central government has approved ₹1,700 crores for the reconstruction of landslide-affected Jyotirmath.