Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Uttarakhand would become the first developed state in India’s journey towards a developed nation by 2047, highlighting the state’s economic growth, infrastructure expansion and industrial development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Addressing the Uttarakhand State Foundation Day celebrations in Dehradun, HM Shah recalled the contribution of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in fulfilling the long-standing demand for a separate Uttarakhand state on November 9, 2000.
He said the people of the region had struggled for decades for statehood, and Vajpayee had fulfilled their aspirations by creating Uttarakhand. While Vajpayee established the state, PM Modi had taken forward the task of transforming and developing it, he added.
HM Shah said the government had decided to celebrate State Foundation Day as an occasion of pride, achievements and renewed commitment towards the state’s development. He also called for preserving Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage and environment while inspiring the younger generation with the values of patriotism and valour.
Uttarakhand’s GSDP rises 50%, tourism grows 380%
Highlighting the state’s economic performance, HM Shah said Uttarakhand’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) had increased by 50% since 2022, while per capita income had risen by 40%.
He said the Global Investment Summit had attracted investment proposals worth ₹3.56 lakh crore, of which industrial projects worth ₹1 lakh crore had already been grounded and commenced operations.
HM Shah said the state had moved away from the traditional ‘money-order economy’, characterised by migration and dependence on remittances, towards an industrial economy that generates employment and economic opportunities locally. He also highlighted a 380% increase in tourism in the state.
The Home Minister said that the government had undertaken development initiatives across infrastructure, industry, tourism, agriculture and social welfare despite the geographical challenges associated with the Himalayan state.
He noted that foundation stones were laid and projects worth ₹1,508 crore inaugurated during the Foundation Day celebrations. A total of 63 development projects were covered by these initiatives.
Major infrastructure and welfare initiatives highlighted
HM Shah highlighted several major infrastructure projects, including the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor, Char Dham All-Weather Road Project, Rishikesh–Karnaprayag railway line, Tanakpur–Bageshwar railway line and ropeway projects at Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib.
He also referred to the Song, Jamrani and Kishau multipurpose dam projects, along with various drinking water, irrigation and energy initiatives.
Among the other development measures highlighted were the establishment of an AIIMS satellite centre at Kichha, development of an Industrial Smart City, 30% reservation for women in government jobs and 33% reservation for women in cooperative societies.
The Home Minister said more than three lakh women had become Lakhpati Didis in the state. He also highlighted the Homestay Scheme, Millet Mission and House of Himalayas initiative aimed at promoting traditional Himalayan products and strengthening local livelihoods.
The government has also provided 10% reservation for statehood activists and increased the ex-gratia assistance to the families of martyrs from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, he said.
HM Shah added that the government had undertaken several initiatives to strengthen rural development and economic opportunities in the hill regions.
UCC, anti-conversion law and employment measures
Highlighting the state’s legislative and governance initiatives, HM Shah said Uttarakhand had become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
He said that following Uttarakhand’s example, 15 other states had moved forward towards implementing the UCC. He added that his party intended to implement the legislation in all states governed by it.
The Home Minister also highlighted the state’s anti-conversion law, saying it had strengthened measures against religious conversions.
Referring to employment and examination reforms, HM Shah said the state had introduced a stringent anti-cheating law to enable swift punishment for those involved in examination malpractice, facilitating cheating and paper leaks.
He further claimed that 35,000 people had been provided government jobs without recommendations or favouritism.
Border infrastructure and Vibrant Villages Programme
HM Shah criticised previous governments for neglecting road connectivity and basic infrastructure in border areas, alleging that they had opposed road construction due to concerns that it would facilitate the entry of enemy forces.
He said the Narendra Modi government had strengthened India’s border infrastructure and security through improved connectivity and a robust national defence framework.
Referring to surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor, HM Shah said the country had demonstrated its resolve to respond firmly to threats against its security and territorial integrity.
He also highlighted the Vibrant Villages Programme, under which development works worth ₹270 crore had been undertaken in 51 border villages of Uttarakhand.
HM Shah said PM Modi had transformed border villages from being considered the last villages of the country into its ‘first villages’. Improved infrastructure and development opportunities had encouraged young people to return to 51 border villages, he added.
HM Shah targets Opposition over infiltration and electoral rolls
The Home Minister also criticised the Opposition over the ongoing discussion surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Referring to the Leader of the Opposition’s campaign, HM Shah said that it was a ‘Ghuspaithiya Bachao Yatra’ rather than a ‘Vote Bachao Yatra’. He asked the people of Uttarakhand whether electoral rolls should be freed from infiltrators and whether illegal infiltrators should be expelled from the country.
He accused Opposition parties of pursuing appeasement politics and alleged that they had opposed the construction of the Ram Temple while allowing infiltration that could lead to demographic changes.
HM Shah accused the previous opposition government of being involved in several alleged scandals, including the SC-ST scholarship scam, liquor policy sting operation, Kumaon foodgrain scam and allegations concerning commission agents in the state Secretariat.
He said the government over the past decade had provided corruption-free governance and worked to ensure that public funds reached the intended beneficiaries.
HM Shah calls for BJP’s third consecutive victory in 2027
Concluding his address, HM Shah appealed to the people of Uttarakhand to give his party another mandate in the 2027 Assembly elections, seeking a third consecutive victory.
Referring to the party’s electoral performance, he said it had secured 57 seats with 46% of the vote in the 2017 Assembly elections and 47 seats with 44% of the vote in 2022.
He urged voters to help the party secure more than 50% of the votes and over 60 Assembly seats in 2027 to ensure the return of the ‘double-engine’ government.
HM Shah said the party aimed to make Uttarakhand a secure and prosperous border state and establish it as the cultural capital of the country.
During the celebrations, 15 individuals were selected for the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman, six for the State Bravery Award and two for the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their contributions to the state.
HM Shah said the honours reflected the government’s commitment to recognising individuals who had made significant contributions to Uttarakhand’s development and progress.
(PIB)
