CM Dhami at Amar Ujala Sanvaad: UCC, Char Dham, Jobs
Synopsis
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed the Amar Ujala Sanvaad in Dehradun on 24 June 2026, highlighting over 40 lakh Char Dham pilgrims, 33,000 transparent government appointments, UCC implementation, and Uttarakhand's new Gross Environment Product framework.
Key Takeaways
Amar Ujala Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Bollywood actor Rakesh Bedi by CM Dhami at the Dehradun Sanvaad event on 24 June 2026 .
The Char Dham Yatra , which began on 19 April 2026 , has recorded more than 40 lakh pilgrims so far this season.
Pilgrim numbers at Adi Kailash have jumped from roughly 400–500 to 45,000 this year.
Over 33,000 government jobs have been filled in Uttarakhand in the past four years, all through transparent processes backed by a strict anti-cheating law .
Uttarakhand has introduced a Gross Environment Product (GEP) assessment framework to measure ecological wealth alongside economic output.
CM Dhami reaffirmed that the Uniform Civil Code fulfils the BJP's 2022 election promise and described it as a model for other states.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Amar Ujala Sanvaad programme held in Dehradun on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, where he conferred the Amar Ujala Lifetime Achievement Award on Bollywood actor Rakesh Bedi and released the Amar Ujala Uttarakhand Achievers special edition.
Context
Addressing the gathering, CM Dhami underscored the state government's twin priorities of heritage and development, saying the government is advancing 'virasaat aur vikas' (heritage and development) under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted that Uttarakhand has initiated a Gross Environment Product (GEP) assessment mechanism — a framework designed to measure ecological wealth alongside conventional economic output — and that the state is progressing through the coordination of ecology, economy, and technology.
The event brought together senior state officials including Cabinet Ministers Ganesh Joshi and Rekha Arya, Media Advisory Committee Chairman Prof. Govind Bisht, and senior leadership of the Amar Ujala group including Managing Director Tanmay Maheshwari and President Varun Maheshwari.
Policy Backdrop
CM Dhami spoke at length about the Char Dham Yatra, describing it as a journey of faith and devotion. He noted that grand reconstruction work is under way at Kedarnath and Badrinath dhams under PM Modi's leadership, and that all-weather roads have made the pilgrimage significantly more accessible. The yatra, which began on 19 April 2026, has seen more than 40 lakh pilgrims complete the journey so far, according to the Chief Minister's statement.
He also highlighted the transformation of the remote border region of Adi Kailash, where pilgrim footfall has surged from roughly 400–500 visitors annually to 45,000 this year, and noted that devotees are now visiting Uttarakhand for winter pilgrimages as well. On the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Dhami said the legislation fulfils a promise made to the people of Uttarakhand during the 2022 assembly elections, calling it the beginning of realising the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Excellent India). He added that other states are also moving towards implementing the UCC.
Stakeholders and Impact
On youth employment, CM Dhami stated that more than 33,000 young people have received government jobs in the past four years, with all appointments made on the basis of full transparency. He credited the state's anti-cheating law — described as the strictest in the country — with restoring confidence among youth appearing in recruitment examinations. Self-employment schemes including the Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana and the Homestay Yojana are being used to link youth with entrepreneurial opportunities.
The Chief Minister also reaffirmed the state's commitment to preserving Devbhoomi's spiritual identity, saying: 'Our resolve is that the original character of Devbhoomi remains intact and that no one tampers with its faith and devotion.' He called protecting Uttarakhand for future generations a core responsibility of the government.
What's Next
The rollout of UCC rules and possible adoption announcements by other BJP-governed states will be closely watched as Uttarakhand's model is cited as a national template. The final 2026 Char Dham and Adi Kailash pilgrim tallies at the close of the season, along with the operationalisation of the GEP assessment system, will serve as key benchmarks for the state government's dual ecology-economy agenda.
Point of View
Pilgrimage infrastructure, anti-cheating reforms — before a credentialled audience, while simultaneously anchoring the UCC as a BJP-wide national template rather than a purely local measure. The invocation of GEP signals an attempt to reframe Uttarakhand's ecological constraints as a policy asset, differentiating the state in the competitive landscape of investor and tourist attraction. Taken together, the messaging positions Dhami as a chief minister balancing Himalayan identity politics with technocratic credibility ahead of what will be a closely watched mid-term governance audit.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pilgrims have completed Char Dham Yatra 2026 so far?
According to CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, more than 40 lakh pilgrims have completed the Char Dham Yatra since it began on 19 April 2026 .
What is the Gross Environment Product (GEP) that Uttarakhand is measuring?
GEP, or Gross Environment Product , is a framework Uttarakhand has initiated to assess the monetary or quantitative value of its ecological resources alongside conventional economic indicators, aiming to balance ecology with economic growth.
Has Uttarakhand implemented the Uniform Civil Code?
Yes. CM Dhami confirmed that Uttarakhand has implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) , fulfilling a promise made during the 2022 assembly elections . He described it as the beginning of the 'One India, Excellent India' vision and noted other states are moving in the same direction.
How many government jobs were created in Uttarakhand in the last four years?
CM Dhami stated that more than 33,000 young people have received government jobs in Uttarakhand over the past four years, with all appointments made through fully transparent processes.
What is the Adi Kailash pilgrimage and why is its footfall significant?
Adi Kailash is a remote border-region pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand. CM Dhami noted that annual visitor numbers have grown from roughly 400–500 to 45,000 in 2026 , reflecting improved access and rising religious tourism in the state.
