Kashipur: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the State-Level Urban Development Conference held at a hotel auditorium in Kashipur on Tuesday as the chief guest. The program commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Chief Minister, marking the formal inauguration of the event.
The conference saw participation from mayors, municipal chairpersons, municipal commissioners, and executive officers from all urban local bodies across Uttarakhand. Mayor Deepak Bali welcomed CM Dhami and highlighted key issues and future demands of municipal bodies. Prominent leaders, including Uttarakhand BJP President Mahendra Bhatt, State Spokesperson Gurvinder Singh Chandok, and district BJP presidents Manoj Pal and Sanyog Chawla, were also present.
Emphasis on Urban Governance and Local Issues
Mayor Deepak Bali, addressing the conference, highlighted the significance of Uttarakhand completing 25 years since its formation and celebrated the state’s Silver Jubilee. He raised key concerns, including the issue of electricity department charges on municipal lands, suggesting that a 2% payment from bills collected from the public should go to local bodies.
MLA Trilok Singh Chima stressed that urban governance is a significant responsibility and underlined that the conference aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences and guide future urban planning initiatives. He emphasized that municipal service is a pledge of public service, not a position of power, and encouraged officials to stay corruption-free and adopt modern technologies for urban development.
CM Dhami Highlights Achievements and Future Plans
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke about Uttarakhand’s journey over 25 years, acknowledging the challenges the state has faced, including repeated natural disasters and losses. He appreciated the crucial role played by urban local bodies in shaping the direction and growth of cities and urged them to continue working with dedication for city development.
At the time of Uttarakhand’s formation, the state had 63 local bodies and only Dehradun Municipal Corporation. Today, there are 160 urban local bodies and 11 municipal corporations. CM Dhami highlighted achievements such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which has enabled citizens to realize their dream of owning pucca houses, and ongoing efforts to provide modern infrastructure and promote local economy and tourism.
He also announced that 57 Silver Jubilee parks have been approved across various urban local bodies and stressed the importance of building modern infrastructure to enhance urban living. CM Dhami mentioned ongoing projects, including the development of an industrial park worth ₹1,100 crore and an aroma park worth ₹100 crore to boost employment in the region.
Focus on Heritage, Security, and Social Issues
CM Dhami noted the integration of the Chahti Temple in Kashipur into the Manaskhand area and ongoing restoration of several ancient temples in the region. He also assured strong action against illegal activities, including “Love Jihad,” “Land Jihad,” and unauthorized madrasas, emphasizing that attempts to malign Sanatan Dharma would not be tolerated.
He concluded by reaffirming the state government’s commitment to strengthening urban development, creating employment opportunities, and improving the quality of life for Uttarakhand’s citizens.
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