CM Dhami Holds Dialogue with Members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Communities at Mukhya Sevak Sadan
Chief Minister listens to concerns of people from remote areas, directs officials for resolution
Ensuring benefits of development reach the last person in society is government’s priority: Chief Minister
State government working with the mission of integrated and inclusive development of all sections: Chief Minister
Government working to carry forward Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar’s ideas of equality and social justice
Special provisions made in the budget for development of remote and border areas: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday held an informal dialogue with members of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities from different parts of the state, particularly remote and hilly areas, at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan located at the Chief Minister’s residence. People from Tehri, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Chakrata, Kalsi and other areas placed their development-related requirements, problems and expectations before the Chief Minister. Dhami interacted warmly with the people, listened seriously to their concerns and directed the concerned officials to ensure their possible early resolution.
Government moving forward with resolve for integrated development of all sections
Chief Minister Dhami said the fundamental objective of the state government is to connect every section, every region and every person of Uttarakhand with the mainstream of development. He said the government is working with a mission of integrated and inclusive development, with ensuring that the benefits of development schemes reach people at the last rung of society among its highest priorities.
He said opportunities for dialogue have also been held earlier with members of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities from Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri and other parts of the state. Through these dialogue programmes, people have directly placed their local problems and requirements before the government, and continuous efforts have been made towards their resolution.
The Chief Minister said the real success of democracy is possible only when direct and continuous dialogue is maintained between the government and the people. With this sentiment, the state government is continuously strengthening dialogue among public representatives, officials and the common people so that local-level problems can be understood and their timely resolution ensured.
Equal opportunities and social empowerment government priority
Dhami said Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar showed the country, through the Constitution, the path of equality, social justice and equal opportunities for every citizen, which continues to be an inspiration for the nation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central and state governments are working continuously to empower all sections of society in the same spirit.
He said the government’s effort is to ensure that the benefits of development are not restricted to any one section or region, but that all sections of society receive equal opportunities. Several schemes are being implemented at the Central and state levels for the social, economic and educational empowerment of deprived and weaker sections, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The Chief Minister said important provisions have also been made in the state budget for the development of deprived and remote areas and the welfare of weaker sections. The government’s priority is to ensure that the benefits of schemes do not remain limited to paper but effectively reach every eligible beneficiary.
CM personally visits remote areas to understand development needs
Dhami said that over the past nearly five years, he has undertaken hundreds of visits to Chakrata, Kalsi, the Jaunsar-Bawar region, Uttarkashi and other hilly and border districts of the state. He said his efforts as Chief Minister have not remained limited to Dehradun, but have included personally reaching remote villages, border areas and mountainous regions to understand ground realities and interact directly with local people.
He said visiting remote areas, meeting people and understanding their problems directly is an important means of connecting government priorities with ground realities. This also helps in taking forward development schemes and works according to regional requirements.
Sites associated with Dr Ambedkar being developed as Panch Teerth
The Chief Minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, an important initiative has been undertaken to develop significant places associated with Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar’s life and contribution as Panch Teerth and connect them with the country’s social consciousness. The objective is to introduce the new generation to Ambedkar’s life, struggles, ideas and contribution to the making of the Constitution.
He said Uttarakhand is also continuously working to honour its social and cultural heritage. Events such as the Aadi Gaurav Mahotsav are providing a wider platform to the rich traditions, culture, folk art, folk songs, handicrafts and lifestyle of tribal communities. Such events are being expanded beyond Dehradun to remote tribal areas. The recently organised Aadi Gaurav Mahotsav in Champawat also honoured tribal culture and heritage.
Dhami said tribal culture is not merely an identity of tribal communities but an important part of Uttarakhand’s rich cultural heritage. Therefore, the government is committed to its preservation, promotion and transmission to the new generation.
Several schemes for welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities
The Chief Minister said the Central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is implementing several important schemes for the educational, social and economic empowerment of Scheduled Tribe communities. Eklavya Model Residential Schools, scholarship schemes for tribal students, expansion of education and basic facilities in tribal areas, the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan are important initiatives aimed at connecting tribal communities with the mainstream of development.
He said special attention is also being given to strengthening roads, education, healthcare, drinking water, housing, electricity, employment and livelihood opportunities in tribal areas. The Uttarakhand government is also providing assistance through various welfare schemes for students, youth, women and economically weaker families belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
Social empowerment strengthened through expansion of equal opportunities
Dhami said the spirit of social inclusion and equal opportunity has received renewed strength in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. People from different social and general backgrounds have received opportunities to serve in important constitutional and public positions. He said this reflects the principle of giving importance to a person’s ability, talent and contribution rather than background.
He said the Prime Minister has also emphasised broad changes in the country’s work culture. Efforts are being continuously made to connect deprived and backward sections with the mainstream of development by strengthening the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”.
Government can take initiatives, but public participation essential
The Chief Minister said the government can formulate policies, provide resources and implement schemes on the ground, but the real and sustainable development of any state is possible only when all sections of society and the public actively participate in the process.
He said every section of society has an important role alongside the government in making Uttarakhand a developed state. The state must identify its shortcomings, address them and make better use of its strengths, talent and local resources. He said Uttarakhand can reach new heights of development only through collective efforts and by taking all sections along.
Women, traditional artisans gaining access to markets
The Chief Minister also highlighted traditional products, handicrafts and local crafts prepared by women associated with self-help groups in Uttarakhand. He said demand for local products and traditional crafts prepared by women of Uttarakhand is increasing not only in the country but also in international markets.
He said the state government is providing support at various levels to economically strengthen women’s self-help groups. By connecting self-help groups with facilities such as interest-free loans, the government is creating opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship. The objective is not merely to provide financial assistance to women but to make them self-reliant and strengthen their participation in the local economy.
Dhami said traditional artisans of Uttarakhand are carriers of the state’s cultural heritage. Their incomes can be increased by connecting their skills with markets, modern designs, training and better marketing. The government is continuously working to give local products and traditional crafts a “Local to Global” identity.
Ensure maximum benefits of government schemes reach eligible people
Dhami said the Central and state governments are implementing several public welfare schemes for all sections of society. Benefits of schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, self-employment and skill development programmes, along with various Uttarakhand government welfare schemes, are being provided to eligible families.
He said schemes such as homestays have created new employment and self-employment opportunities for local people in mountainous areas. The government’s effort is to enable people in remote areas to become self-reliant by turning their local culture, natural resources, handicrafts and traditional knowledge into sources of livelihood.
The Chief Minister said government schemes can fulfil their objective only when their benefits reach the maximum number of eligible people. He appealed to those present to also inform others in their areas about government schemes and encourage eligible people to avail themselves of the benefits.
People raise regional issues before Chief Minister
During the programme, members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities from different areas apprised the Chief Minister of various regional and personal problems. They raised issues related to roads, education, employment, drinking water, livelihoods, basic infrastructure, local development and other matters.
The Chief Minister listened to everyone’s concerns with seriousness and sensitivity and directed the concerned officials to resolve the issues received on a priority basis. He said public representatives and officials have a responsibility to work with sensitivity, promptness and accountability to address people’s problems.
Dhami said all sections of society must work together to move forward. The government’s effort is to ensure that no person is left behind in the race for development and that people in remote areas receive the same opportunities available to people in other parts of the state. He said the goal of making Uttarakhand a strong, inclusive and developed state can be achieved only through collective efforts, public participation and effective implementation of government schemes.
MLA Sarita Arya, MLA Durgeshwar Lal, Secretary Vinay Shankar Pandey, IG Garhwal Rajeev Swaroop and other officials, along with representatives of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities from various remote areas of the state, were present on the occasion.
