Dhami touts UCC and anti-conversion laws as successes

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated three years in office on March 22, 2025. He shared key achievements from his administration, including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and strict anti-conversion laws. He highlighted the government's efforts to tackle illegal buildings and structures, such as mazars and madrassas. During a press conference, Dhami noted that demographic changes are a major challenge. He emphasized the government's ongoing drive to remove illegal encroachments and ensure the state is free from illegal constructions. He mentioned that his administration is committed to acting against all illegal activities, describing them as a significant concern. Dhami also addressed various topics, including traffic management as a future issue. He mentioned the upcoming Delhi-Dehradun expressway, which will cut travel time significantly. To manage congestion, a ring road is being planned in coordination with the central government. Reflecting on past challenges, Dhami recounted several disaster responses during his tenure. He praised the rescue operation during the Silkyara tunnel collapse, where all trapped laborers were successfully saved. He also talked about the evacuations during the Kedar Valley disaster and a recent avalanche incident. Looking ahead, Dhami has instructed government departments to propose innovative schemes to ensure the state's growth in the next decade. He expressed that women in Uttarakhand will play a crucial role in realizing the vision of a developed India and highlighted the reservation of 30% of government jobs for women as a step towards empowerment. He also discussed economic initiatives, mentioning that investment agreements worth approximately Rs 3.55 lakh crore were signed at a recent summit. Work on some of these agreements has already begun, focusing on job creation. Additionally, Dhami introduced a strict anti-copying law to ensure fairness during recruitment examinations, leading to the arrest of over 100 individuals involved in cheating. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support, particularly regarding new projects to improve pilgrimage accessibility and infrastructure development in the state.