Dehradun, November 1
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday participated in the Uttarakhand Pramukh Sangathan Conference 2026 held at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan at the Chief Minister’s residence. On the occasion, he welcomed Block Pramukhs and public representatives from across the state and made four significant announcements aimed at strengthening Kshetra Panchayats and addressing the concerns of their representatives.
The Chief Minister announced that action would be taken to revive the Kshetra Panchayat Fund. He also said that the government would initiate steps to increase the honorarium and allowances of Kshetra Panchayat representatives. Further, Kshetra Panchayat Pramukhs will be included in the block-level committee of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). He also stated that in the process of merging rural areas into urban jurisdictions, the concerned Gram Panchayats would be consulted.
Dhami said that Block Pramukhs and Panchayat representatives serve as an important bridge between the government and the people. They have a better understanding of local issues and developmental needs and play a vital role in improving roads, drinking water facilities, healthcare, education, and other essential services. He assured that the government is aware of the concerns, suggestions, and demands of public representatives, and positive decisions would be taken after consultation with the concerned departments.
The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working with the spirit of Antyodaya, ensuring that the benefits of development schemes reach the last person in society. He urged elected representatives to help eligible beneficiaries avail themselves of government schemes and maintain continuous coordination with the administration to address public grievances.
Referring to the state government’s campaign, “Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, Jan-Jan Ke Dwar”, Dhami said that governance and administration had been taken directly to the people through the initiative, enabling thousands of citizens to benefit from government schemes and receive solutions to various issues at the local level. He emphasized that public services can be made more effective through the collective efforts of the government, administration, and elected representatives.
The Chief Minister noted that several important steps have been taken across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions. Resources, infrastructure, and digital services of Panchayats have been expanded. The extension of optical fibre connectivity to Gram Panchayats and the construction of Panchayat buildings have given a fresh impetus to rural development.
Dhami said the state government is also working to strengthen local bodies financially. As per the recommendations of the Sixth State Finance Commission, a proposal has been made to increase the share of local bodies in the state’s tax revenue from 10.5 percent to 12.5 percent. A provision of ₹721 crore has been made in the supplementary budget for this purpose. This will provide additional resources to both rural and urban local bodies for developmental activities. He added that efforts are also being made to construct Panchayat buildings in a phased manner in villages where such facilities are not yet available.
The Chief Minister said that the goal of a Developed Uttarakhand can be achieved only by making villages strong and self-reliant. The government is focusing on expanding roads, electricity, drinking water, healthcare, education, and digital connectivity, while also creating greater employment and self-employment opportunities in rural areas. Initiatives such as homestays, rural tourism, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and promotion of local products are being encouraged.
He said that Uttarakhand has recorded a 44 percent increase in reverse migration, and active participation of Panchayat representatives is essential for creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural regions.
Highlighting key decisions taken by the state government, Dhami said Uttarakhand has become the first state in independent India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The state has also enforced a strict anti-conversion law, anti-riot legislation, and anti-cheating law. A large-scale campaign has been undertaken to free government land from illegal encroachments, while a stringent land law has been enacted to safeguard the interests of local residents.
He further stated that efforts to ensure transparency in recruitment processes have helped more than 35,000 youth secure government jobs in the state.
The Chief Minister said that development works are underway under the Master Plan Projects in Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham. Alongside the development of prominent temples in the Kedar Khand and Manas Khand regions, projects such as the Goljyu Corridor, Yamuna Corridor, and Sharda Corridor are also being advanced. Efforts are being made to promote winter tourism, expand tourism activities, and create year-round livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Dhami added that women are being economically empowered through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the Lakhpati Didi Campaign. Various welfare schemes are being implemented for farmers, senior citizens, soldiers, ex-servicemen, and other sections of society. He appealed to public representatives to spread awareness about these schemes and help deserving beneficiaries access them.
Emphasizing transparency, the Chief Minister said that funds allocated to Panchayats must be utilized honestly and efficiently. Development works should be completed within the stipulated time and without compromising on quality. He urged public representatives to meet the expectations of the people by working with dedication to service, good governance, and development.
Concluding his address, Dhami said that the development of Uttarakhand is a collective responsibility of all public representatives. He expressed confidence that the active participation and support of Panchayat representatives would provide fresh momentum to rural development and help realize the vision of making Uttarakhand one of the leading states in the country.
