Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday interacted with members of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities at Mukhya Sevak Sadan at his official residence and directed officials to take up their concerns for early resolution.
People from Tehri, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Chakrata and Kalsi, among other areas, participated in the interaction. Representatives from remote and hilly regions raised issues concerning development, roads, education, employment, drinking water, livelihoods and basic infrastructure.
Officials Asked to Address Local Concerns
Dhami heard the concerns raised by the participants and directed the concerned officials to work towards resolving them on priority, as far as possible.
The Chief Minister said the state government’s objective was to bring all sections, regions and individuals into the development process. He emphasised an approach focused on integrated and inclusive development, with government schemes reaching eligible beneficiaries.
Focus on Remote and Hilly Areas
Dhami said SC and ST community members from districts including Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Tehri had also participated in earlier interactions with him.
He said visits to remote villages, mountainous areas and border districts help the government understand local requirements and align development priorities with ground-level conditions. According to the Chief Minister, he has undertaken numerous visits to areas including Chakrata, Kalsi, Jaunsar-Bawar and Uttarkashi during his tenure.
The Chief Minister also said the state budget contains provisions for the development of remote and disadvantaged areas and the welfare of weaker sections.
SC, ST Welfare and Tribal Heritage
Dhami referred to government schemes aimed at the social, economic and educational empowerment of disadvantaged sections, including SC and ST communities.
He also highlighted efforts to preserve and promote tribal culture through events such as the Aadi Gaurav Mahotsav, which showcases tribal traditions, folk art, folk music, handicrafts and lifestyles. The official release said the event has been expanded beyond Dehradun, with a recent edition held in Champawat.
Dhami said tribal culture forms an important part of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage and stressed the need for its preservation and transmission to future generations.
Community Representatives Raise Development Issues
During the interaction, representatives brought forward concerns relating to roads, education, employment, drinking water, livelihoods, basic facilities and local development.
The Chief Minister asked officials to examine the issues and work towards their resolution. Among those present were MLAs Sarita Arya and Durgeshwar Lal, Secretary Vinay Shankar Pandey and IG Garhwal Rajiv Swaroop, along with officials and representatives from different parts of the state.
