News Analysis India

Tag: Pushkar Singh Dhami

  • ‘Congress fails to see the reality’: Dhami says BJP will form government at Uttarakhand

    By Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed his confidence for the Bhartiya Janta Party to achieve majority in 70-member state legislative assembly to form the government. 

    “We are going to form government in Uttarakhnd as people have expressed their confidence in the BJP. The Congress is blinded and fails to see the reality but they are going to shrink to 10 or less seats,” said Chief Minister Dhami.

    This comes after multiple statements of former CM Harish Rawat about Congress winning 45 plus seats.

    “We are confident of winning 45-48 seats and forming the government. The people of Uttarakhand have seen through the BJP’s lies and deciet. We are winning and are committed to work towards realizing the dreams of the people of the state, ” said Rawat had said. 

    Rawat said that he will request Sonia Gandhi to take a call on the chief ministerial candidate. 

    He also added that the Indian National Congress is going to form the government in four out of five election bound state. 

    This came after his earlier statement in which he stated that either he would be the CM of Uttarakhand or sit at home.

    Insiders say that a tussle within the Indian National Congress has started regarding the CM face.

    Pritam Singh, former state president of the party responding to the queries related to the position said that the CM face will be decided by the party high command.

    Meanwhile, Rawat had also added that the party has started laying out plans to run the goverment and few decisions will be taken immediately in the first cabinet.

    Uttarakhand went for polls on February 14 for 70 state assembly constituencies in its fifth assembly elections.

    Counting will take place on March 10 to ascertain the results of the elections. 

  • Can a state enact uniform civil code? Experts divided over Uttarakhand CM’s poll promise

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Experts are divided on whether a state has the power to bring a law on uniform civil code, a day after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said if re-elected the BJP will set up a panel to prepare a draft of such a code.

    Constitution expert and former Lok Sabha secretary general P D T Achary told PTI that both the Centre and the states are empowered to bring such a law as issues like marriage, divorce, inheritance and property rights come under the Concurrent List of the Constitution.

    But former Union Law Secretary P K Malhotra was of the view that only the central government can bring such a law by moving Parliament.

    Achary said state assembly can make laws for the community living in that state.

    “That means local variations can be recognised through a law made by the state government,” he said.

    He said a uniform civil code covers personal laws — statutes on marriage, divorce, inheritance and property rights.

    But Malhotra opined that since Article 44 of the Constitution refers to all citizens throughout India, only Parliament is competent to make such a law.

    Responding to a question on Goa having a uniform civil code, Malhotra said according to his understanding, the law was already in existence before Goa became part of India.

    Article 44 of the Constitution provides that the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.

    Dhami had on Saturday said the panel on Uniform Civil Code will comprise legal experts, retired people, intellectuals and other stakeholders.

    The state goes to poll on Monday.

    The ambit of the committee will cover issues related to marriage, divorce, landed property and succession, Dhami had said in a video statement.

    The uniform civil code has been a part of the BJP’s successive election manifestos.

    Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju had recently told a BJP MP in a letter that given the “importance” of the subject of a common code, sensitivity involved and the need for an in-depth study of the provisions of various personal laws governing different communities, a proposal to examine issues relating to uniform civil code and to make recommendations was forwarded to the 21st Law Commission.

    However, the term of the 21st Law Commission ended on August 31, 2018.

    “The matter may be taken up by the 22nd Law Commission of India,” Rijiju had said while responding to the issue of the need for a uniform civil code raised by the member in the Lok Sabha.

    After detailed research and many consultations held over two years, the 21st Law Commission had issued a consultation paper on reforming family laws in India.

    The law panel advises the government on complex legal issues.

  • Shows your party is losing in Uttarakhand: Sibal slams Dhami over Uniform Civil Code promise

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Saturday attacked Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over his remarks that the BJP will constitute a committee to prepare a draft Uniform Civil Code if re-elected, saying this shows the BJP is losing the polls in the hill state and he needs some legal advice.

    Sibal asked Dhami not to “embarrass” his party and himself by making such announcements.

    In a video statement, Dhami said the BJP, if re-elected to power in Uttarakhand, will constitute a committee to prepare a draft Uniform Civil Code soon after its new government is sworn in.

    The panel will comprise legal experts, retired people, intellectuals and other stakeholders, the chief minister announced on the last day of campaigning for the 70 assembly seats in the state going to polls on February 14.

    Reacting to the remarks, Sibal tweeted, “Pushkar S Dhami, Please don’t embarrass your party and yourself when you make announcements about implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand if BJP comes to power.”

    “This shows your party is losing in Uttarakhand and that You need some legal advice,” the former Union minister said.

  • Uttarakhand: CM Dhami dismisses Harak Rawat from Cabinet, BJP also suspends latter for six years

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: Harak Singh Rawat was dismissed from the state cabinet by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday late night.

    Rawat was also suspended from the Bhartiya Janta Party for six years.

    “Harak Singh Rawat has been dismissed from the state cabinet and suspended from the BJP too for his constant pressure politics. Party and the CM had it enough, said a BJP leader confirming his dismissal. 

    However, formal confirmation in writing was yet to come till the time of writing this report. 

    Sources said that he along with his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain might join Congress party on Monday. 

    Rumors started on Saturday after he did not attend the core group meeting of the party for ticket distribution on Saturday.

    Sources said that MLA from Kotdwar, he had been demanding ticket for himself from Kedarnath and for his daughter-in-law from Lansdowne state assembly seat. 

    Following this the BJP MLA from Lansdowne and prospective candidates from Kedarnath warned the party to leave and contest from another party or independently. 

    Dilip Singh Rawat, BJP MLA from Lansdowne seat has expressed his displeasure and also took a dig on Rawat.

    Though the MLA has reiterated that he will not leave the BJP, targeting the state cabinet minister who was one of the nine rebels to join the BJP in 2016 after leaving the Indian National Congress Dilip Singh Rawat further added, “I don’t have options like others. In my life it’s only one seat, one party and one wife. Others may have options I don’t.”

    Shailarani Rawat, former MLA from Kedarnath and a probable BJP candidate from the seat have also told the party that she will consider other options if Harak Singh Rawat is fielded from the shrine seat. 

    At present, Manoj Rawat from the Indian National Congress is MLA from Kedarnath. He is one those who helped the party secure 11 seats in the 70-member state assembly in 2017 assembly elections.

    Last month, the cabinet minister who left the cabinet meeting after banging his fist on the table while the state cabinet was on, had said that he will resign from the post. Rawat was also rumored to join the Congress. 

    The 24-hour political drama proved that the BJP is careful and cannot afford any defections at this crucial juncture when state assembly elections are due in less than 60-days.

    Rawat had said he was going to resign. The cabinet minister had left the meeting over the issue of fund allocations for medical college in his constituency Kotdwar in Pauri district.

    Later, the government had a located Rs 25 Crore for the medical college in Kotdwar next day. 

    Interestingly, Harak Singh Rawat led rebellion against the then Harish Rawat government in year 2016 when nine rebel MLAs including Harak Singh Rawat left the Congress and joined the BJP. Kau was also among the rebels.

    Later, all nine contested on BJP ticket winning the 2017 assembly elections. Many of them including Rawat were given cabinet berth in the BJP government.

    Official release by the state unit Bhartiya Janta Party released at 11.11pm stayed that Harak Singh Rawat was dismissed from cabinet.  Suspension from the party due to ‘indiscipline’, says the official release. 

    Rawat will join Congress tomorrow at around 11am. Candidates list of Congress now delayed till Tuesday, said sources. 

  • Harak Rawat’s grievance a family matter: Pushkar Dhami on rebel BJP leader

    By PTI

    DEHDRADUN: Seeking to scotch speculation over likely resignation by his Cabinet colleague Harak Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said it was a family matter and would be resolved soon.

    “It is a family matter. We will sit together and resolve it,” he said when asked by reporters about Rawat’s unhappiness.

    “It is natural to think of the development of one’s constituency. We have commitments to our people. Whatever it is it will be thought over seriously and resolved,” Dhami said.

    After a night of suspense over whether Rawat will resign, BJP MLA Umesh Sharma Kau, who had been assigned the task of dissuading him from resigning, on Saturday said the Cabinet minister’s grievance has been addressed and “no one is going anywhere”.

    He said the issue has been settled with the intervention of the central leadership and Chief Minister Dhami.

    Rawat’s proposal for a medical college in his constituency Kotdwar has been accepted and he has also been assured that the budget for the project will be released soon, Kau said.

    When asked if Rawat had agreed not to resign, the MLA from Raipur said “no one was going anywhere.”

    “We all will work as true soldiers of the BJP,” Kau said.

    Pradesh BJP president Madan Kaushik also refuted the speculation saying “all is well and no one has resigned”.

    Rawat had left a Cabinet meeting in a huff late on Friday night triggering speculation that he might resign from the Dhami Cabinet.

    Sources said Rawat left the meeting as he was angry that a proposal for a medical college in his assembly constituency Kotdwar was not being cleared by the Cabinet.

    Pradesh BJP president Madan Kaushik too had denied that Rawat has resigned.

    There was also talks about Kau’s resignation.

    The MLA’s son Gaurav Sharma, however, denied it saying they were surprised when the news was flashed by some TV channels on Friday night.

    Interestingly, Kau received a call from Delhi soon after the speculations began and he went to meet Rawat apparently to dissuade him from resigning.

    Both Rawat and Kau were among ten MLAs who had rebelled against Harish Rawat in 2016 and crossed over to the BJP.

    Rawat is the forest minister in Dhami’s Cabinet.

  • Ruskin Bond, former CM ND Tiwari to be awarded ‘Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman’

    By PTI

    DEHRADUN: Five distinguished people representing different fields, including author Ruskin Bond and former chief minister ND Tiwari, have been selected for the “Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman” this year. Making the announcement on the occasion of the state’s 21st Formation Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated all the recipients of the award.

    Others to be conferred the award are noted environmentalist Anil Joshi, famous folk singer Narendra Singh Negi and mountaineer Bachendri Pal. Dhami said the award was being given to Tiwari in recognition of his contribution to the development of the state.

  • Ahead of Modi’s visit, Uttarakhand CM assuages irked Kedarnath priests

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN:  Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on November 5, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Kedarnath shrine on Wednesday.

    He met the Char Dham priests and assured them of viable solution regarding the Char Dham Devsthanam Board Act, a law which was formulated during tenure of former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat to manage the Char Dham and 51 other temples. 

    “There is no anger among the priests and we have assured them of a viable solution soon. Our priests are ready to welcome the honorable Prime Minister. We came here to get blessings of Baba Kedarnath and take stock of the preparations,” said CM Dhami after the visit.

    State cabinet ministers Subodh Uniyal and Harak Singh Rawat also accompanied the CM on his visit. Dhami further thanking PM Modi for sanctioned projects of worth Rs 400 crore said, “Under our visionary leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, works which were pending for centuries are a reality today.”

    Earlier this week, the angry priests protested against T S Rawat and drove him out of the shrine. This sent shockwaves and senior state leaders including the CM was called to Delhi to discuss the matter. 

    Dhami, state Bhartiya Janta Party president Madan Kaushik and other leaders travelled to Delhi to discuss the matter with the party leadership. 

    State leaders met the national BJP president JP Nadda, chief BJP spokesperson, Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni to find a way out. 

  • Uttarakhand CM has utilised least amount of MLALAD funds compared to ministers: RTI data

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN:  The next assembly elections in Uttarakhand are due in less than six months but many of the current MLAs are yet to fully utilise their MLALAD (Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development) funds.

    Among the state cabinet members, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami happens to utilise the least amount, revealed an RTI query. Dhami had utilised only 69% of the funds for development projects in his constituency. 

    In all, the state MLAs have been able to spent 77% of the MLALAD funds till September, revealed the RTI reply. Nadimuddin, an advocate and activist who filed the RTI query, said, “These funds are taxpayers’ money meant for people’s welfare. Our elected representatives have a duty towards their electorate. They should try their best to utilise the funds for development works.”

    Maximum utilisation among ministers was by Bansidhar Bhagat (87%) followed by Swami Yatishwaranand (81%) and Ganesh Joshi and Bishan Singh Chuphal (both 81%). Yashpal Arya, who was cabinet member till earlier this month before he quit and joined the Congrsess, was able to utilise 71% of his MLA funds, according to the data provided by the state rural development department in response to the RTI query. 

    Maximum utilisation of funds, 90%, was by Sanjiv Arya and minimum by Congress MLA from Kedarnath Manoj Rawat.

  • Uttarakhand CM meets affected people in Chamoli’s rain-hit Dungri village

    By PTI

    DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday visited Dungri village in Chamoli district to meet the disaster-hit people who lost their kin in the landslides triggered by heavy rains in the state.

    Accompanied by Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, State Disaster Management Minister Dhan Singh Rawat and officials, the Chief Minister trekked up the steep slippery slopes of the village with a stick in hand for support to do an on-the-spot assessment of the losses.

    Two persons of a family were buried in the rubble of a landslide in the village on October 19.

    Dhami met the surviving members of the family and promised them all help from the government.

    He asked officials to speed up relief and rescue efforts in the affected areas assuring them that they will not have to face any shortage of resources.

    “The affected families will get all support from the government. They have lost their kin and have little children. We will ensure that they are given good care,” Dhami told reporters during a visit to the village.

    A total of 65 people were killed, 22 injured and two went missing during the recent spell of downpours in the hill state which also saw 60 houses being damaged.

    Many hectares of forest and agricultural land with standing paddy crop in them were also swept away in the rains with the Chief Minister pegging the losses as per an initial estimate at Rs 7,000 crore.

    Search and rescue operations continue in the upper areas of Kumaon and Garhwal regions to evacuate stranded people, including tourists, to safety.

  • 34 dead as rain batters Uttarakhand, maximum casualties from Nainital

    By Online Desk

    As many as 34 people have died due to incessant rains in Uttarakhand, out of which maximum casualties are from the Nainital district.

    CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said the death toll due to rain-related incidents has reached 34 while five persons are still missing. He announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. 

    Those who lost their houses will be given Rs 1.9 lakhs, the CM announced.

    The NDRF has deployed 15 rescue teams to evacuate people from flood-hit areas. The rescue teams have evacuated more than 300 stranded people from Udham Singh Nagar district and other flood-affected areas. 

    NDRF team carried out rescue operations at several waterlogged areas in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand earlier in the day. #uttarakhandrains(Picture source: NDRF) pic.twitter.com/nKNJ2HZA1p
    — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2021
    “Rescue operation is in progress and so far, teams have evacuated more than 300 stranded persons from Udham Singh Nagar district and other flood-affected areas,” an NDRF spokesperson said.

    He said while six teams are deployed in Udham Singh Nagar, two teams each are stationed in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and one team each in Dehradun, Pithoragarh, and Haridwar.

    “One team and a sub-team have been deployed in Nainital while one sub-team is placed at Almora,” the spokesperson said. The team in Uttarkashi has been stationed to “respond to any contingency and ensure safety of ‘yatris’ (travellers) of the Char Dham yatra which has been halted temporarily”, he added.

    Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami undertook an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Ramnagar, Bazpur, Kiccha, Sitarganj, this evening; Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar also present. pic.twitter.com/TaOI4A9Xhj
    — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2021
    The Indian Air Force (IAF) is also carrying out relief and rescue operations by deploying three Dhruv helicopters at Pantnagar.

    Earlier, CM Dhami conducted an aerial survey of areas affected due to heavy rainfall.

    According to the State Disaster Management Secretary, Uttarakhand has recorded more than 200mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

    #WATCH | Uttarakhand: Nainital Lake overflows and floods the streets in Nainital & enters building and houses here. The region is receiving incessant heavy rainfall. pic.twitter.com/G2TLfNqo21
    — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2021
    An under-construction bridge, over a raging Chalthi River in Champawat, Uttarakhand has been washed away due to a rise in the water level caused by incessant rainfall in parts of Uttarakhand.