During the recent meeting of the Council of Chief Ministers in New Delhi, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted the tireless efforts being made by the Uttarakhand government in various flagship schemes aimed at the state's development.
CM Dhami proudly announced that the state has achieved a 100 percent target in several key schemes. These include the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Soil Health Card, Kisan Credit Card (Fisheries), and Swamitva Scheme. These remarkable accomplishments signify the government's commitment to improving the lives of its citizens.
Furthermore, Uttarakhand has made significant progress in infrastructure development. The state has completed 1149 Amrit Sarovar, surpassing the target of 975 Amrit Sarovar set by the Government of India. The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gramya Sadak Yojana, and Kisan Credit Card (Agriculture) are also on track to achieve their respective goals. These achievements are a result of diligent monitoring through the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Portal, which sets monthly targets.
Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the state government's commitment to creating a strong Uttarakhand by launching the Strong Uttarakhand @ 25 Mission. With guidance from the Government of India, the mission aims to double the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) over the next five years. To achieve this, the government has appointed McKenzie Global as a consultant.
The mission also includes a tourism policy that encourages direct investments of approximately Rs 10,000 crore and the creation of around 40,000 employment opportunities in the tourism sector within the next two years. Additionally, the government is focused on developing ten knowledge parks and enhancing the state's infrastructure, including the redevelopment of the New Dehradun Capital Region and the Harki Pauri Rishikesh Corridor.
In recent years, the Uttarakhand government has made significant efforts to create an investment-friendly environment by reducing approximately 500 compliances for industries. As a result, the state's ranking by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has improved from 22nd to the current Aspiring Leader category.
The state government is also analyzing approximately 1,291 industry-related laws, with consent granted to abolish 393 laws. The establishment of a single window system has streamlined services, with 154 services from 35 departments available through a portal. These initiatives have attracted investments worth around ₹51,000 crore over the past five years, showcasing the state's favorable investment climate.
Recognizing the importance of GST collection due to limited financial resources, Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the state's focus on increasing GST revenue. The state registered a 27 percent increase in GST collection last year and aims to further increase it by 50 percent this year. Vigilant monitoring has led to the investigation of 23 cases related to GST, resulting in the sentencing of one culprit to five years—a significant achievement as the country's first punishment under the GST regime.
With a vision for urbanization, the Uttarakhand government has set a target to build approximately 12 new cities. It has already proposed the establishment of a new city spanning 3,000 acres in Kichha Tehsil of Udham Singh Nagar. This initiative is expected to attract direct investments of about Rs 15,000 crore and create 25,000 employment opportunities.
To support farmers and increase their income, the state government is distributing poly houses with a capital subsidy of Rs 300 crore. This initiative aims to position Uttarakhand as a major center for off-season vegetable production in North India, following the principles of doubling farmers' income and the Government of India's saturation approach.
