Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to the martyrs of the Uttarakhand statehood movement at the Shaheed Sthal in Kachahari Complex, Dehradun, on Saturday. The ceremony was part of the state’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, commemorating 25 years of Uttarakhand’s formation.
The Chief Minister also attended the State Movement Leaders’ Honor Ceremony at the Police Lines, where families of state movement martyrs and veterans were felicitated. A helicopter showered flower petals over the Shaheed Sthal and Police Lines as a mark of respect.
Tribute to Sacrifices for Statehood
Addressing the gathering, CM Dhami highlighted that the formation of Uttarakhand was not merely a political decision but the result of the immense sacrifices, struggles, and perseverance of countless people. Recalling tragic incidents like Khatiema, Mussoorie, and Rampur Tiraha during the movement, he said these remain immortal chapters of the state’s history.
“The state government has always prioritized honoring the contributions of movement activists and martyrs. Pensions and other benefits provided to them are a token of our gratitude,” he said.
Read also: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Highlights Farmer Empowerment at Uttarakhand Silver Jubilee Conference
Major Announcements for State Movement Veterans
CM Dhami announced several welfare measures for movement participants and martyrs’ families:
- Main public infrastructure in the respective regions of martyrs will be named after them.
- Pension for activists jailed for 7 days or injured during the state movement will be increased from ₹6,000 to ₹7,000 per month.
- Pension for other recognized movement participants will rise from ₹4,500 to ₹5,500 per month.
- Fully disabled activists, bedridden due to injuries sustained during the movement, will receive a pension increase from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per month, along with dedicated medical attendants.
- Pension for dependents of martyrs will be raised from ₹3,000 to ₹5,500 per month.
- A six-month extension has been granted to clear pending applications for recognizing movement participants submitted to District Collector offices by 2021.
- All martyrs’ memorials will be aesthetically upgraded.
- Recognized movement activists will also receive concessions at government guesthouses.
A Call for Public Participation
CM Dhami appealed to citizens to light five lamps in memory of state movement martyrs on State Foundation Day. He emphasized that the spirit of the statehood movement continues to inspire Uttarakhand’s progress and is a guiding force in achieving the vision of making the state one of India’s best.
Key Attendees
The ceremony was attended by Cabinet Ministers Ganesh Joshi and Subodh Uniyal, MPs Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Mahendra Bhatt, and Naresh Bansal, MLAs Vinod Chamoli, Khajan Das, Umesh Sharma Kau, Savita Kapoor, Subhash Bardhwal (Vice President, State Movement Honor Council), Dehradun District Magistrate Savin Bansal, Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh, and several state movement veterans.
