Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday attended the Shaheed Smaran ceremony held at Government Inter College, Rikhnikhal, in Pauri Garhwal and inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 11 development projects worth ₹102.82 crore.
Our correspondent reports that these included the inauguration of six projects costing ₹56.58 crore and the foundation stones for five projects worth ₹46.24 crore. The projects aim to strengthen infrastructure, connectivity, and public facilities in Rikhnikhal and surrounding areas.
During the programme, Chief Minister Dhami made several announcements for local development. These included naming Government Inter College, Rikhnikhal after Shri Gunanand, building a guest house and helipad, establishing a primary health centre at Meruda in Jaiharikhal block, and constructing multiple new pump schemes and rural link roads. He also declared that local roads will be named after martyrs to honour their sacrifice.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister inspected departmental stalls and participated in traditional local activities such as pounding rice, grinding chutney, and churning buttermilk. He said that the demand for hill products is growing across India and abroad and urged locals to embrace self-employment to strengthen their economic base.
Dhami said that the ceremony was not merely an event but a collective tribute to the martyrs whose courage inspires the entire nation. He noted that almost every household in Uttarakhand has a member with a military background, reflecting the state’s rich tradition of service and sacrifice.
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The Chief Minister outlined welfare measures for soldiers and their families, including increasing the ex gratia amount for martyrs’ families from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, enhancing gallantry award benefits, and granting ₹10,000 for funeral assistance. He also announced a 25 per cent rebate in stamp duty on land purchases by soldiers, along with 28 job appointments for dependents of martyrs and 13 cases currently under process. The time limit for such appointments has been extended from two to five years.
Dhami also mentioned that the grand Military Dham being built in Dehradun to honour fallen soldiers will be inaugurated soon. He said the state government remains committed to the welfare of armed forces personnel and their dependents.
Highlighting ongoing development works in Pauri, the Chief Minister noted the completion of the 100-metre national flag and Bipin Rawat Park at Kandolia, and ongoing works including the Trident Park, the Dhari Devi pedestrian path reconstruction, Satpuli Lake, and the heritage restoration of the old Collectorate building.
He reaffirmed that the state government is working above caste and regional lines, emphasising reforms such as the Uniform Civil Code, Anti-Riot Law, Anti-Cheating Law, and Operation Kaalnemi to promote good governance and transparency.
MLA Mahant Dileep Rawat thanked the Chief Minister for his initiatives, particularly for the Sainya Dham and his reforms to strengthen employment and social justice. Colonel Manjul Kafaltia of the Army said that the Indian Army stands firmly with the families of martyrs and encouraged them to contact the Garhwal Rifles Centre in Lansdowne for assistance.
The event concluded with tributes to the martyrs, cultural performances, and public participation.
