Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami discussing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a program organized on the silver jubilee of Uttarakhand State Foundation Day. Jagran Archive
Ravindra Barthwal, Jagran Dehradun: Uttarakhand has celebrated the silver jubilee of its establishment in the year 2025. In the span of 25 years, the young state has taken decisive steps towards the goal of providing basic facilities to inaccessible and remote areas and has also created new paradigms in the field of development and economy. Moving from youth to adulthood, the state took important initiatives to identify its challenges and identify its capabilities.
Keeping in mind the nature and culture of Devbhoomi, many such historic steps were taken which are showing a new path to the country. Uttarakhand became Bhagiratha for the national need of women's rights and equal law in the form of Uniform Civil Code.
As concrete steps have been taken to deal with the heinous form of religious conversion in the form of the Chhangur episode, a new law has come into existence for discrimination and equal educational opportunities in minority educational institutions. Has demonstrated a strong will to follow the path of solution through simplification and satisfaction of problems.
It would be absolutely appropriate to say that with the entry into the 26th year, thanks to the power of the Central Government as a double engine, the new will to become strong and developed in Uttarakhand is struggling to take shape. It is also a cry for new zeal and enthusiasm.
Uniform Civil Code: Safety Shield for Women
Uttarakhand became a strong voice for women's rights and took an important initiative in the country by implementing the Uniform Civil Code. As soon as the country gained independence, voices were raised regarding the need for a Uniform Civil Code, but this Devbhoomi of the Central Himalayas became the experiment ground for this innovative initiative.
Whether it is called a mere coincidence or an account of destiny, the main basis of the structure of the state of Uttarakhand was also prepared by the efforts, pain, struggle and sacrifice of the mother power. The announcement of easy-going, gentle and young Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami during the 2022 assembly elections later became a medium of creating history.
The Code has been divided into four sections, mainly for the protection of women's rights, namely, Marriage and Divorce, Inheritance, Live-in Relationship and Miscellaneous. The law has been implemented. The process of amending the law is underway to make it more simple.
Strong land law: Land will vest in the government if violated
Small state, 71 percent forest area. Land is not available for the welfare and developmental schemes of the government. In such a situation, the vulture vision of the land mafia and public sentiments on the cultivable and remaining land finally forced the state government to enact a strict land law.
As a result, in the same year, the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land System Act, 1950 (Adaptation and Modification Order 2001) (as in force in the state of Uttarakhand) Amendment Act came into force from May, 2025. According to this law, no outsider will be able to purchase land for agriculture and horticulture in the remaining 11 districts except Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar.
Outside municipal body areas i.e. in rural areas, outsiders can purchase 250 square meters for residential use only. The land buyer will also have to give an affidavit. If the land law is violated, the purchased land will vest in the government.
New law for minority education
Uttarakhand has made a new law for minority educational institutions. For this, Uttarakhand Minority Education Act, 2025 has been implemented. This law will be effective from July 1, 2026. In the new law, modern education will be given in madrassas and along with religious education, the curriculum of Uttarakhand Board has been made mandatory.
All minority institutions (Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Parsi) will have to seek recognition from a 'Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority'. This law is being considered important from the point of view of equal education.
Law on religious conversion tightened
After the much-discussed Chhangur episode regarding religious conversion, the state government has made its religious conversion law more stringent. The Dhami government has amended the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion and Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act in the state and has made a provision for life imprisonment along with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Along with this, many other provisions have also been tightened. Due to clerical and technical errors in this amendment bill passed in Gairsain, Raj Bhavan has returned it. The government is going to bring an ordinance to implement it soon. Along with this, Operation Kalanemi has been intensified against those who harm Sanatan Dharma by wearing disguise.
winter or all-season tourism
Till now Chardham Yatra has been conducted in Uttarakhand only in summer. Now, during winter season, travel to all the Gaddishals of Chardham is being encouraged. Along with this, an initiative has been taken to expand other winter tourism by organizing it from the year 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had reached Uttarakhand to give impetus to this. Arrangements are being made throughout the year for the management and operation of other religious yatras and fairs. Steps are being taken to attract tourists on the theme of One District One Fair. The government formed Uttarakhand Endowment and Pilgrimage Council. Its results have been visible in the initial phase. Due to this, there is a possibility of a big increase in winter tourism in the coming years.
Hosting of national games, promotion of sports and players
Uttarakhand has successfully hosted the 38th National Games in the year 2025. A scheme was started to provide government jobs to the players who won medals in these games. This event has created an environment for sports in the state and has given hope to the players for a better future.
The government is serious about the action plan to utilize the infrastructure facilities developed for the National Games. This will lead to development of sports and players will also be provided with proper opportunities.
More than 25 thousand government jobs
In the silver jubilee year, the employment figure in government departments is crossing five thousand. The government claims that till now more than 25 thousand jobs have been provided in government departments. Apart from this, thousands of people have been benefited from the self-employment schemes of the Skill Development and Industry Department.
This year alone, five thousand people will get self-employment in enterprises through Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme 2.0. This year, the case of some parts of the recruitment examination paper being leaked through the Subordinate Services Selection Commission came to light. The government took prompt action and exposed this matter and tightened its grip on the elements involved in it.
Vacant seat in cabinet increased, but no expansion
The number of vacant seats in the Dhami cabinet increased, but the expansion remained limited to discussions only. A slip of tongue during the budget session in the month of February cost Cabinet Minister Premchand Aggarwal dearly. He had to resign from his post in the month of March, just a few days after the budget session.
After this the number of vacant posts in the state cabinet increased to five. Throughout the year, discussions about cabinet expansion and reshuffle kept floating in the political circles. It is a different matter that there was no change of any kind in the cabinet. However, indications regarding change were given from all competent levels. This time some important responsibilities were also shared by the government.
Changes in the state organization of BJP and Congress
This year the state has also witnessed many important political developments. Notably, Rajya Sabha member Mahendra Bhatt was re-crowned as the state president of the ruling party BJP last July.
The party maintained its trust in Mahendra Bhatt, and for the first time in the new state executive, the women quota also got the post of General Secretary. The party handed over this responsibility to Deepti Rawat Bhardwaj. BJP has formed its district units, fronts and cells from state to district units.
The party's preparations are being linked to Mission 2027. At the same time, the main opposition party of the state also made major changes in the state organization keeping in mind its return to power. By replacing State President Karan Mahara, former State President Ganesh Godiyal was again given this important post.
Similarly, the Congress high command made former cabinet minister Dr. Harak Singh Rawat the chairman of the State Election Management Committee, while the command of the State Election Campaign Committee has been handed over to former leader of opposition and former president Pritam Singh.
Also read- Chief Minister Dhami transferred Rs 12.89 crore to the accounts of 4224 workers, information about every scheme will be available here.
Also read- CM Dhami said- Do not limit books only to exams, but make them an integral part of your life.