New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and outlined the state’s major demands and development milestones.

He urged the Centre to formulate a national-level plan for sustainable urban drainage systems, citing challenges posed by rapid urbanization. He also requested the inclusion of lift irrigation under the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, highlighting that only 10% of Uttarakhand’s hilly areas are currently irrigated.

The CM called for central support for the 2026 Maa Nanda Raj Jat Yatra and the 2027 Haridwar Kumbh Mela, aiming to make these events grand and divine. Stressing the importance of the demographic dividend, he said Uttarakhand is focused on promoting self-employment to empower youth.

To boost agriculture, the state is shifting to high-value crops through missions on apples, kiwis, dragon fruit, millets, and aromatic farming. He noted that while agriculture contributes only 9.3% to GDP, 45% of the population depends on it.

Under PM Modi’s leadership, CM Dhami said Uttarakhand is maintaining fiscal discipline, with the economy growing 1.5 times in three years. The state topped NITI Aayog’s 2023-24 SDG Index and ranked second among small states in governance per CARE Ratings.

The CM highlighted the successful hosting of the 38th National Games as “Green Games,” with medals made from recycled e-waste and powered by solar energy, saving up to 5,000 tons of CO₂ emissions. He credited the Winter Tourism initiative for boosting the tourism sector and shared that the state is promoting adventure, eco, and high-end tourism.

Uttarakhand is also pioneering sustainability with the launch of a Gross Environment Product (GEP) Index and the upcoming Geothermal Energy Policy. Under the Chief Minister Solar Self-Employment Scheme, some beneficiaries are earning over Rs 1 lakh per month.

CM Dhami reaffirmed the state’s commitment to contributing to the vision of a developed and self-reliant India by 2047.

Himalayan Live Bureau

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