Dehradun: Today, the Uttarakhand government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, is scheduled to present its budget in the assembly. CM Dhami took part in the first session of the fifth Legislative Assembly of Uttarakhand on Wednesday.
During the budget session, Congress MLAs protested against the introduction of smart pre-paid electricity meters. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya criticized the government for not extending the assembly session, suggesting it was trying to avoid discussing significant issues, particularly the smart meter proposal.
On February 18, CM Dhami approved the allocation of Rs 2 crore for modernizing state police forces for the financial year 2024-25, as stated in an official announcement. Additionally, he sanctioned Rs 243.91 lakh for surface coating and signage work on various roads in Ward No 5, Dhoran Khas, within the Mussoorie Assembly constituency.
The Chief Minister also approved naming several roads: the Chalkudia-Masmoli-Saknoli-Naukholi Motor Road in Garhwal will be called Shaheed Mandeep Singh Negi Motor Road, while the Sisaldi-Manjhola Motor Road will be named Freedom Fighter Motor Road. The Badiun Kandool Talla-Kandool Malla Uttinda Motor Road will be renamed Freedom Fighter Tula Singh Rawat Motor Road.
Furthermore, CM Dhami sanctioned Rs 148.48 lakh for reconstructing and improving a road damaged by the Gaula river in the Lalkuan constituency and approved Rs 150.48 lakh for a 15-meter RCC bridge over Chinuna Gad in the Someshwar constituency of Almora district, along with an additional Rs 121.83 lakh for related works.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Uttarakhand’s formation day, marking the beginning of its silver jubilee year on November 9, 2024. He urged the people to work towards a prosperous future for the next 25 years, aligning Uttarakhand’s journey with India’s own 25 years of Amrit Kaal, which aims for a developed Uttarakhand as part of a developed India. PM Modi expressed pride in the various initiatives undertaken by the people and emphasized the importance of the recent ‘Pravasi Uttarakhand Sammelan,’ hoping that expatriates from Uttarakhand will contribute significantly to the state’s development.