CM Dhami Meets SC/ST Panel Chief Kulaste in Dehradun
Synopsis
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami hosted Lok Sabha SC/ST Welfare Committee Chairman Faggan Singh Kulaste at the CM residence in Dehradun on October 14, discussing inclusive development, last-mile scheme delivery, and socio-economic empowerment of marginalised communities in Uttarakhand.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami held a courtesy meeting with Faggan Singh Kulaste at the Chief Minister's residence in Dehradun on October 14, 2026 .
Kulaste is the BJP MP from Mandla, Madhya Pradesh and Chairman of the Lok Sabha Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes .
Discussions centred on social inclusion, uplift of SC and ST communities , and ensuring welfare schemes reach the most marginalised sections.
CM Dhami reaffirmed the state government's commitment to 'holistic development of every section of society' and equal opportunity for all citizens.
No specific new scheme announcement was made; the meeting sets the stage for potential follow-up on Uttarakhand's SC/ST welfare delivery.
A conversation anchored in inclusion took place at the Chief Minister's residence in Dehradun on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, when Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami received Faggan Singh Kulaste — BJP MP from Mandla, Madhya Pradesh and Chairman of the Lok Sabha Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes — for a courtesy call that quickly turned substantive.
SC/ST welfare and last-mile delivery at the centre of talks
The two leaders discussed social inclusion, community uplift, and the challenge of ensuring that welfare schemes actually reach the most marginalised. CM Dhami stated plainly that the state government is 'committed to the welfare and holistic development of every section of society' — and that the goal is to ensure the benefits of development reach 'the person standing on the last rung of the social ladder.'
The conversation covered effective implementation of public welfare programmes, expansion of education and employment opportunities, and strengthening of basic infrastructure for SC and ST communities. The emphasis, officials noted, was on socio-economic empowerment of the deprived and the vulnerable.
Kulaste's role: a parliamentary watchdog on SC/ST welfare
Faggan Singh Kulaste is no ordinary visitor. As chairman of the Lok Sabha's dedicated SC/ST welfare committee, he holds a formal mandate to scrutinise how government schemes for these communities are designed and delivered across states. His meeting with a state chief minister carries institutional weight beyond the courtesy it is styled as.
State governments across India regularly engage with parliamentary committee chairs precisely because those committees can call departments to account, request implementation data, and flag gaps in delivery — making such meetings a quiet but important node in India's welfare governance machinery.
Dhami's inclusive-development pitch for Uttarakhand
CM Dhami underscored that inclusive growth is being strengthened through the effective rollout of welfare schemes and an expanded footprint of education, jobs, and basic services. The framing — every citizen deserves 'equal opportunities to move forward' — tracks closely with the BJP-led state government's broader messaging on development since Dhami took office in 2021.
No specific new scheme or joint initiative was announced at the meeting. But with the Lok Sabha committee chair now having a direct read on Uttarakhand's priorities, any follow-up — whether a formal inquiry or a coordinated programme — will be worth watching.
Point of View
Who faces the perennial challenge of delivering welfare in a hilly, dispersed state, the optics of engaging a parliamentary watchdog are strategically useful. Kulaste's presence also reflects the BJP's effort to demonstrate institutional attention to its SC/ST voter base ahead of electoral cycles. The absence of any concrete announcement, however, means the real test lies in what follows — whether Uttarakhand's departments open their delivery data to the committee or whether the conversation stays at the level of intent.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Faggan Singh Kulaste?
Faggan Singh Kulaste is a senior BJP politician and the Member of Parliament from Mandla in Madhya Pradesh. He chairs the Lok Sabha Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Why did Faggan Singh Kulaste meet CM Dhami?
Kulaste paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the CM residence in Dehradun on October 14, 2026. The two discussed SC/ST welfare, social inclusion, and last-mile delivery of government schemes in Uttarakhand.
What is the Lok Sabha SC/ST Welfare Committee?
It is a parliamentary standing committee that oversees the design and implementation of welfare schemes for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities across India, and can call state departments to account for delivery gaps.
What did CM Dhami say about welfare schemes?
CM Dhami stated that the Uttarakhand government is committed to ensuring the benefits of development reach 'the person standing on the last rung of the social ladder,' and that every citizen must have equal opportunities to progress.
Was any new scheme announced at the Dhami-Kulaste meeting?
No specific new scheme or joint initiative was announced at the October 14 meeting. The discussion focused on principles of inclusive development and socio-economic empowerment of marginalised communities.
