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Tag: Pushkar Singh Dhami

  • Uttarakhand government increases stipend of MBBS interns to Rs 17000 per month

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has approved the increment of monthly stipend of 330 MBBS medical interns in the state from Rs 7500 per month to Rs 17000 per month. 

    After the decision, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “Our medical and paramedical staff have worked hard to save lives in these pandemic times. We can’t thank them for their service as their contribution is invaluable.”

    On July 8, 2021 the HC also took notice of the issue of medical interns in the state being paid the lowest monthly stipend in the country. The court directed the state government to consider the possibility of increasing the stipend being paid to intern doctors. 

    “According to state health secretary Amit Negi, one one hand, it is difficult to attract doctors to the State, and yet, on the other hand, the stipend being paid to the intern doctors is too low as compared to other States. Therefore, the state government should consider the possibility of increasing the stipend of intern doctors,” the court observed in the order dated July 8. 

    Dr Astha Gupta, an intern in Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Govt. Institute of Medical Science & Research, Srinagar said, “I thank the honourable Chief Minister Sir for this. I am also thankful to everyone who supported our intern groups throughout the state. This is a huge token of respect and encouragement for us.”

    Before this, the stipend was revised was in 2011 when it was increased from Rs 2500 to Rs 7500. The medical students who complete their MBBS course have to do 12 months mandatory internship according to the norms of Medical Council of India.

    Earlier, their monthly stipend was lowest in the country. The interns have been demanding this for months now and were on indefinite strike. 

    As of today, there are 330 interns are working in three government medical colleges of the state- 194 in Doon Medical College, 97 in Srinagar and 99 in Dr Susheela Tiwari Government Medical College and Hospital, Haldwani. 

    The medical interns used to get paid only Rs 7500 per month which means just Rs 250 per day as stipend which is lowest in India. They have also not been paid since last one-and-a-half month.

    In Uttar Pradesh, medical interns get Rs 12500/month while in Tamil Nadu and Telangana it is Rs 20000. Haryana and Himachal pay Rs 17000 to medical interns, while in AIIMS-Delhi, the stipend is fixed at 28000 per month.

    Many had raised objections of paltry sum calling the stipend of Rs 250 per day too less and meagre. A candle march was also organized by the interns in all across the state in June this year as a sign of protest. 

  • Uttarakhand government cancels Kanwar Yatra owing to COVID-19

    By Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government on Tuesday cancelled the Kanwar Yatra in view of a possible third wave of COVID-19.

    Cheif Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “We have done a lot of exercise on this issue and have also discuss with the officials of the neighboring states too. After all these talks we have finally decided that we are not going to let Haridwar become a center of Covid-19 spread. People’s lives are priority for us and we are not going to take it lightly. That is why we have decided to cancel the Kanwar Yatra.”

    When asked that the Chif Minister of Uttar Pradesh has decided to start the yatra from July 25, Dhami said, “Our government has decided to cancel the yatra. We appeal everyone that because Covid 19 pandemic is still here so saving people’s lives is more important. God would also not like it if people die.”

    It is for the second consecutive year that the yatra is not being held due to the pandemic.

    The Indian Medical Association had also written to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently asking him to not allow the yatra to go ahead in the interest of the people of the state and the country.

    Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had said that though Kanwar Yatra is part of Sanatan culture, saving lives in the time of the pandemic was paramount.

    The fortnight-long yatra which begins with the onset of the month of Shravan by the Hindu calendar goes on till the first week of August and sees a large gathering of Kanwariyas in Haridwar from neighbouring states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi to collect the holy waters of the Ganga.

    Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday acknowledged the cultural significance of Kanwar Yatra but reiterated that his government’s priority remains saving lives amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    Anoop Nautiyal from Social Development for Communities Foundation said, “This is a good decision. A big crisis has been averted. We all witnessed what happened in Mahakumbh 2021. Honorable CM is right that God would not want people to die.”

    “Kanwar is part of the Sanatan culture but saving lives is paramount. Government’s focus is to ensure that COVID does not spread,” Dhami said addressing a meeting of all morchas (wings) of the state BJP here.

    It is still uncertain whether or not the Kanwar Yatra will be held this year with the third wave of the coronavirus knocking at the country’s doors.

    Even the Indian Medical Association’s Uttarakhand chapter has written to the Chief Minister requesting him to learn from the “previous failure” and not allow Kanwar Yatra in the interest of the state and the whole country.

    People had to pay a heavy price for going off guard after the first wave which had led to a stronger and more fatal second wave, IMA Uttarakhand Secretary Amit Khanna said in a letter to Dhami.

    The Haridwar Kumbh held in April had led to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

    Dhami, who met central leaders in Delhi including the Prime Minister to discuss a range of issues, has been saying repeatedly that saving human lives is important.

    However, a categorical statement from him on whether or not the Kanwar Yatra will be held this year is still awaited.

    The fortnight-long yatra which begins with the onset of the month of Shravan around July 25 and goes on till the first week of August sees crores of Kanwariyas from neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi gathering in Haridwar to collect the holy waters of the Ganga.

    Dhami also assured his party that the state government will finish all development work taken up within the stipulated time frame and an action plan for this is ready.

    The monsoon may cause some interruptions in the work but by August 15 all government orders (GOs) will be out, he said.

    State BJP president Madan Kaushik asked all office bearers of the morchas to stay in their areas or blocks for at least 10 days every month.

    Praising all morchas for their performance during both waves of COVID, he said they had done a commendable job by holding blood donation camps, distributing masks, sanitisers and oxygen cylinders among people, getting them vaccinated and helping them get hospital beds.

    Asking them to gear up for the assembly polls scheduled to be held early next year, Kaushik said the party members had to take the message of a young leadership and the slogan of securing 60 plus seats to the people of the state.

    (Inputs from ENS)

  • We’ll implement whatever is in favour of Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on population control

    By ANI
    DEHRADUN: Just days after Uttar Pradesh unveiled its proposed population control policy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke on the matter and said that his government will implement whatever is in favour of the people of Uttarakhand.

    While speaking to the reporters yesterday on whether the state would bring a law on population control, Dhami said, “Law on population control, land laws, various other laws and acts which are already in place will be implemented if it is in the favour for the people of Uttarakhand.”

    This comes in the backdrop of the Population Policy 2021-2030 unveiled by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adtyanath on Sunday.

    Yesterday, Uttarakhand BJP leaders held a meeting in the state titled “Bharatiya Janata Party’s Mission 2022”. After the meeting was concluded, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and BJP State President Madan Kaushik addressed the media personnel.

    “Today, we gave the slogan ‘Yuva Mukhyamantri–60+ seats’ and with this resolution we started the election campaign (for 2022 Assembly polls). We’ll go with this programme among the people and other works we’ve done,” said Kaushik.

    Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke on the upcoming Kanwar yatra to be held in the state and said that God would not like anyone to die, amidst the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Kanwar Yatra is not solely a matter for the state of Uttarakhand. Kanwar yatra is a matter of shraddha (reverence) and aastha (faith). God would not like anyone to die,” said the Chief Minister.

    As per the Hindu traditions, Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand wherein devotees fetch holy waters of the Ganga River and seek blessings of God.

    This comes around a time when Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said that the Kanwar Yatra is not a one-state affair and the state government will take the decision regarding the yatra after discussing with other states, including Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

  • Development only agenda of BJP government: Uttarakhand CM on Kejriwal’s promise of free electricity

    By PTI
    DEHRADUN: On Arvind Kejriwal promising free electricity up to 300 units to each family in Uttarakhand if the AAP is voted to power, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday said the BJP government’s only agenda is steering the state on the path of development.

    “Elections could be someone’s only agenda, but our agenda is that of development — finishing on priority projects, the foundation stones of which have been laid, taking the works done by the Narendra Modi government (at the Centre) in the state to people,” Dhami told reporters, without naming anyone at the Uttarakhand Sadan in Delhi.

    Asked whether the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) could pose a challenge to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Uttarakhand Assembly polls due early next year, he said the only challenge that lies before the saffron party is to take the state forward on the path of development.

    Dhami said a lot has been done in the state in the last four years, especially in the infrastructure sector.

    “If you visit Uttarakhand, you get to see the tremendous amount of work that has been done. So much work has been done on the all-weather road project. The Dehradun-Delhi highway has also been widened and improved,” he said.

    Replying to a question, Dhami said there is no resentment among the members of his cabinet on his elevation as chief minister.

    “Most of my ministerial colleagues are my seniors who have experience. We are all working as a team to steer the state on the path of development,” he said.

    “Our former chief ministers have also done well. We have to take forward their good work,” he added.

    Dhami said he has met the central leaders of the BJP, including Prime Minister Modi, and submitted a string of proposals related to the state’s development to them.

    Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal visited Dehradun on Sunday and promised to give free electricity up to 300 units to every family in Uttarakhand, waive old bills, ensure that there are no power cuts and give free electricity to farmers if the AAP is elected to power in the state.

    “You have lied to the people of Delhi and now you are lying to the people of Uttarakhand.

    “If you are giving free electricity to the people of Delhi, what is the money being taken from people in the name of surcharge, energy charge and fix charge,” BJP’s national chief spokesperson Anil Baluni asked in a video released after the Delhi chief minister’s announcement in Dehradun.

    Alleging that Kejriwal had failed to keep his promises of free water, mohalla clinics and upgrading government schools in Delhi, Baluni said he had thought the Delhi chief minister will tell the truth in ‘Devbhoomi’ and “atone for his sins, but here too he lied”.

    “It is Devbhoomi ( land of gods). It does not accept people who lie. You have no scope for doing politics in Uttarakhand.”

    “You had promised free drinking water to the people of Delhi. But residents of the national capital are forced to drink water from tankers. The truth of mohalla clinics came before people during the COVID pandemic.

    You could not make even one hospital in so many years,” he said, adding the Aam Aadmi Party’s “tall claims about upgrading government schools have also fallen flat”.

    Asked whether the AAP could pose a challenge to the BJP in Uttarakhand in the assembly polls due early next year, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “The only challenge that lies before us is taking the state forward on the path of development”.

    “Election could be someone’s only agenda. But our agenda is that of development, completing the priority projects whose foundation stones have been laid and taking the works done by the Narendra Modi Government in the state to people,” Dhami told reporters without naming anyone at Uttarakhand Sadan in Delhi.

    Kejriwal on Sunday announced that the Aam Aadmi Party will ensure free electricity up to 300 units per month to every family, waive old bills and give free electricity to farmers if it is voted to power in Uttarakhand assembly elections next year.

  • God wouldn’t want people to die: CM Dhami on Uttarakhand cancelling Kanwar Yatra due to Covid

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Speaking about Kanwar Yatra, newly appointed Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said God would not want people to lose their lives for faith.

    “Kanwar Yatra is a matter of faith but God would not want people to lose their lives for faith. Every life is precious,” said the chief minister while talking to the media in New Delhi.

    The state government had on June 30 issued orders cancelling the yatra in view of the Covid-19 situation, but has been requested by its Uttar Pradesh counterpart to reconsider the decision.

    CM Dhami is on Delhi visit where in the last three days he has met President Kovind, Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He also met the power minister, aviation minister, BJP national president JP Nadda and many other party leaders.

    ALSO READ | Uttarakhand govt to send Gangajal in tankers if Kanwar yatra not allowed due to Covid situation

    Thanking the Prime Minister and all union ministers for listening as well as ‘promising’ to look into the proposals for various sectors in Uttarakhand, Dhami added, “I am thankful to the party leadership and the Prime Minister for choosing me to work for the people of Uttarakhand as the Chief Minister.”

    He further asserted that multiple developmental works have been done in last four years in the state.

    “The quality as well as quantity of the work done since the Modi govt came in Centre supersedes earlier 60 years before him. You look at Char Dham Pariyojana, you go to Dehradun from Delhi and see the roads, go to Rishikesh from Dehradun, Srinagar from Rishikesh or Karnprayag from Srinagar you will realize the volume work done. A lot of development projects are still in pipeline to transform the state,” said Dhami — the youngest CM in the history of Uttarakhand.

    Dhami added, “We passed a resolution as well as took decision in the cabinet to implement what we promised in terms of jobs. We will generate lakhs of jobs through various means including self-employment too.”

    Responding to queries related to dissent of senior cabinet members, Dhami said that no one is angry or dissatisfied.

    “We are a good team of highly experienced cabinet members. No one is junior or senior. All work as a team for welfare of the people,” said the Chief Minister.

  • God wouldn’t want people to lose lives: CM Dhami on Uttarakhand cancelling Kanwar Yatra due to Covid

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Speaking about Kanwar Yatra, newly appointed Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said God would not want people to lose their lives for faith.

    “Kanwar Yatra is a matter of faith but God would not want people to lose their lives for faith. Every life is precious,” said the chief minister while talking to the media in New Delhi.

    The state government had on June 30 issued orders cancelling the yatra in view of the Covid-19 situation, but has been requested by its Uttar Pradesh counterpart to reconsider the decision.

    CM Dhami is on Delhi visit where in the last three days he has met President Kovind, Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He also met the power minister, aviation minister, BJP national president JP Nadda and many other party leaders.

    ALSO READ | Uttarakhand govt to send Gangajal in tankers if Kanwar yatra not allowed due to Covid situation

    Thanking the Prime Minister and all union ministers for listening as well as ‘promising’ to look into the proposals for various sectors in Uttarakhand, Dhami added, “I am thankful to the party leadership and the Prime Minister for choosing me to work for the people of Uttarakhand as the Chief Minister.”

    He further asserted that multiple developmental works have been done in last four years in the state.

    “The quality as well as quantity of the work done since the Modi govt came in Centre supersedes earlier 60 years before him. You look at Char Dham Pariyojana, you go to Dehradun from Delhi and see the roads, go to Rishikesh from Dehradun, Srinagar from Rishikesh or Karnprayag from Srinagar you will realize the volume work done. A lot of development projects are still in pipeline to transform the state,” said Dhami — the youngest CM in the history of Uttarakhand.

    Dhami added, “We passed a resolution as well as took decision in the cabinet to implement what we promised in terms of jobs. We will generate lakhs of jobs through various means including self-employment too.”

    Responding to queries related to dissent of senior cabinet members, Dhami said that no one is angry or dissatisfied.

    “We are a good team of highly experienced cabinet members. No one is junior or senior. All work as a team for welfare of the people,” said the Chief Minister.

  • Uttarakhand CM Dhami calls on PM Modi, seeks directions on third wave and Char Dham Yatra

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was recently sworn in as Uttarakhand chief minister, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and sought his directions on the possible third wave of coronavirus, the proposed Kanwad Yatra and the Chardham Yatra against the backdrop of the pandemic.

    He also sought establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Kumaon region of the state on the lines of AIIMS, Rishikesh.

    In a tweet, Dhami said he sought the blessings of the prime minister.

    “Sought his directions on the state’s development, the possible third wave of Covid-19, Char Dham Yatra and Kanwad Yatra. The prime minister assured all possible help for the state’s development,” Dhami tweeted.

    The Prime Minister’s Office also tweeted pictures of the meeting.

    On Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s comments asking why people of the hill state, which generates electricity, cannot get free power like consumers in the national capital, Dhami said the AAP leader may have his agenda but the only agenda for the BJP is the state’s development and offering the best to people.

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor will visit Dehradun on Sunday.

    The party has decided to contest the assembly polls in the state due early next year.

    Uttarakhand on Thursday decided to review its decision to stop all Kanwad yatra devotees from entering the state this year.

    The yatra sees lakhs of devotees travel through several states by foot to the holy town of Haridwar in Uttarakhand.

    According to an official release in Dehradun, Dhami said an AIIMS in Kumaon will give access to the people of the region to world class medical facilities, adding the state government will give land for it.

    Describing AIIMS, Rishikesh as a big gift to the people of the state from the Centre, Dhami said it is playing a significant role in the battle against Covid.

    Dhami also sought speedy implementation of the 300 mw Lakhwar multi-purpose project from which six states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh will benefit.

    The project has all the clearances and work on it can begin after a cabinet committee on economic affairs by the Union Government gives its go-ahead to the project, Dhami said.

    He informed the prime minister that the second phase of building and reconstruction projects at Kedarnath are to begin at an estimated cost of Rs 108.78 crore and sought an appointment from him for laying their foundation stones virtually.

    Dhami’s meeting with the prime minister lasted one hour and 15 minutes.

    Congratulating Dhami, Modi expressed hope that under his youthful leadership the state will prosper, the release said.

    Dhami also met Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to remove inner line restrictions from Nelong and Niti valleys near India-China border saying it will boost tourist inflow to the beautiful valleys and increased economic activities as a result of this will stop migration from border villages.

    He also demanded two air ambulances and establishment of one disaster research institute at Uttarakhand’s summer capital Gairsain in view of the state’s vulnerability to natural calamities.

    The Chief Minister also met Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and requested him to increase the budgetry allocation for solid waste management projects in Uttarakhand under the Swacch Bharat Mission-2 from Rs 89 crore to 150 crore.

  • Set up separate pediatric wards at all hospitals to deal with third wave: Uttarakhand CM

    By PTI
    DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said there should be separate pediatric wards at all district hospitals, CHCs and PHCs besides adequate oxygen, ICUs and ventilators in the state to deal with a possible third wave of COVID-19.

    Reviewing the state’s preparedness in view of a possible third wave of the pandemic, Dhami said all these arrangements should be in place by the end of July. Maximum vaccination and increased testing are a must to build a protective mechanism against COVID-19, he said.

    The CM also asked officials to pay heed to the maintenance of medical equipment and tools provided to the state under the PM CARES Fund and corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions from companies.

    Apprising the Chief Minister on the status of arrangements, Health Secretary Amit Negi said there is enough oxygen in the state and it ranks fifth in the country in terms of vaccination. He added that apart from doctors, paramedics have also been trained to deal with COVID cases.

  • Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announces new jobs after first cabinet meeting

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Immediately after swearing-in as Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami announced various measures including recruitment in state government jobs.

    Major decisions of the first cabinet meeting included the raising of salary of guest teachers from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, reinstating employees of state government polytechnic institutions, formation of a committee to assess the paygrade of the state police force, to start recruitment in state government departments to fill at least 20,000-22,000 vacancies and formation of a committee to look into former army personnel who are working on many government departments on meager salaries. 

    “We took 7 key decisions and 6 commitments to follow. Our aim is to put Uttarakhand on top of this nation on every level. We will aim to provide solutions of problems faced by the people of the state,” said the CM. 

    Following the recent change of leadership in Uttarakhand, now Chief Secretary Om Prakash has been replaced by SS Sandhu, 1988 batch IAS officer as the CS of the state. 

    Sandhu who was posted as chairman of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) was relieved only on Monday.

    “In the welfare of people, you have been appointed Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand and I have been given charge of the chairperson of Board of Revenue,” said the official communique by Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi. 

    Trail of controversies are following after the change of guard in Uttarakhand.

    Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s tweet from 2015 with a map of ‘Akhanda Bharat’ which includes Pakistan, Bangladesh and other neighboring countries in the map has parts of Laddakh missing. 

    The tweet has started going viral with netizens as well as opposition members criticizing and lampooning him. 

    Sumit Hridayesh, a member of All India Congress Committee said, “This is blatant disregard for country’s sovereignty. The BJP is known for such hypocrisy and acts of demeaning the country. Twitter and many other firms have been facing a lot of sanctions for wrong maps. The Chief Minister should apologize for this and correct his stance.”

    Former IAS officer and CEO of Prasar Bharti Tweeted with the map, “Shouldn’t BJP be making this man Foreign Minister of India rather than CM of a tiny state like Uttarakhand? Then, we can all move to 3rd World War!” 

    Meanwhile, former state BJP president and incumbent senior cabinet minister Bansidhar Bhagat said that it does not matter if the party changes one or ten Chief Ministers. 

    “People do not care if the party changes one or ten Chief Ministers. They just want good governance, work and development. Change of CM is party’s internal matter,” said Bhagat. 

    With portfolio allocation soon, the party will try to pacify the senior members of the cabinet with ‘even distribution’, said sources. 

    “The crisis was managed by whole day of fire fighting by the state as well as central leadership. But real challenge still lurks. Senior members of the cabinet are likely to be given more portfolios than earlier. This will lessen the burden on the CM as well as pacify the discontented seniors,” said a party insider. 

  • PM Narendra Modi congratulates Pushkar Singh Dhami on taking over as Uttarakhand CM

    By PTI
    DEHRADUN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called Uttarakhand’s new chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to congratulate him on his appointment to the post. “Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji today spoke to me telephonically to give his blessings and wish me all the best,” Dhami tweeted in Hindi.

    आपकी व्यक्तिगत रूप से दी गई बधाई मेरे लिए प्रेरणा-पुंज है। आपके मार्गदर्शन व नेतृत्व में मैं, मेरे सभी साथी और प्रदेश के कर्मठ कार्यकर्ता देवभूमि उत्तराखंड राज्य को विकास का अनुकरणीय उदाहरण बनाने के लिये दृढ़-संकल्पित हैं।आपका पुनः ह्रदय से आभार।
    — Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) July 5, 2021

    Thanking the prime minister, he said it will inspire him and his team to work hard and steer the state on the path of development. “A personal congratulation from you is a source of inspiration for me.Under your guidance and leadership, I, my colleagues and hard working party workers are committed to make Devbhoomi Uttarakhand an exemplary state in terms of development,” Dhami said.

    “I thank you again from the bottom of my heart,” the chief minister said.