Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a press conference in Dehradun today, Tuesday, January 6, 2025. After discussing the VB G Ram Ji Act at the beginning of the press conference, he also spoke about the burning issue of Uttarakhand, the Ankita Bhandari case.
Regarding the Ankita Bhandari murder case, CM Dhami said: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that he will talk to Ankita’s father. No culprit will be spared; we are ready for every investigation. CM Dhami said that the Ankita Bhandari murder was a very heartbreaking incident. We ordered the immediate arrest of the accused. All three accused were arrested. Complete legal action was taken. An SIT was immediately constituted under the chairmanship of a female IPS officer. The entire investigation was conducted in a transparent manner.
The SIT collected all the information. P. Renuka Devi was heading the SIT. The SIT looked at every aspect, and information was sought from anyone who had it. People had applied for a CBI investigation. Due to strong legal representation, all three were sentenced to life imprisonment.
CM Dhami said that several names are being mentioned in the audio that has now surfaced. An SIT has been formed to investigate the audio. We are ready for all kinds of investigations as soon as the truth comes out. If anyone has done anything wrong or is guilty, they will not be spared at any cost. Today they are taking one name in the audio, tomorrow they will take someone else’s name.
Is there some conspiracy going on? – CM Dhami: It is certainly suspicious that a press conference was held in Delhi, not Dehradun, regarding an audio clip. They have created a storm. The culprits have been punished; if there was anyone else involved, they would have definitely revealed their name. In one audio, they talk about murder, in another audio, suicide… Is there some conspiracy going on?
When questioned about the protests, CM Dhami told the journalist, “What will you do if your name comes up tomorrow?” He should come forward and answer. The fog will soon clear, the clouds will disperse, and the picture will become clear.
When the CM was asked why some party leaders are giving different statements, the CM said that it is an internal party matter, but this has created confusion within the state. Ankita Bhandari is our daughter. We have fought for her. No culprit has been released even for a single day. A name was mentioned in the audio. A similar audio had also surfaced in the paper leak case. They are trying to gain ground by creating a negative atmosphere in the state. Our stand is clear. Switching off the mobile phone and leaving, then recording an audio, and then going straight to Delhi – it’s a clear conspiracy. If they have something, why did they run away?
CM Dhami said that Suresh Rathore is being asked to come and explain. I am guaranteeing that no one will be spared. Those whom the public is showing the door should not make the state’s daughter an issue.
The CM said, “I have come to give answers”: CM Dhami said that Suresh Rathore is no longer in the party. He is a responsible person; he should answer. Those who want to ask tough questions should ask, I will answer. I have come here to give answers.
CM Dhami’s response to the question of a conspiracy within the party: When CM Dhami was asked whether there is any conspiracy going on against him within the party, he said that there is nothing of the sort. Everyone is cooperating. The senior leaders and the high command are with me. Such things keep happening.
When CM Dhami was asked why it is taking the police so long to apprehend both of them? Should we understand that this process will be followed in all cases? On this, CM Dhami said that the police are doing their job, notices are being issued, and mobile locations are being traced.
BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, BJP MLA Dilip Rawat, and BJP State General Secretary Kundan Parihar were also present at Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s press conference. Chief Minister Dhami was primarily addressing a press conference on the Indian government’s ambitious scheme, VB G Ram Ji (Viksit Bharat – G Ram Ji).
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the VB G Ram Ji Act is not just about changing the name of MNREGA, but about strengthening rural areas and rural units. The goal of a developed India by 2047 is to be achieved with developed rural areas. Many provisions have been made in this Act. Under this, wage payments will be made weekly, and additional payments will be given in case of delay.
CM Dhami said that this bill is very important for farmers. Funds will be released based on the priorities of the villages. 50 percent of the work will be done at the Gram Sabha level. Work will be done under various categories, which will also empower the people of the Gram Sabha. Many provisions have been made for women in this bill. Emphasis has been placed on transparency while cracking down on corruption. New technologies have also been used.
Under this Act, in the Himalayan states, 90 percent of the funds will be provided by the central government and 10 percent by the state government. This will not put an additional burden on the state. It will also lead to better work in the direction of rural development. Whenever the Prime Minister brings any good scheme, the opposition opposes it. Earlier, under MNREGA, people got only 50 days of work, and various irregularities were found in many places. However, under this Act, people will get more days of work, and complete transparency will be maintained.
Water conservation, disaster management, rural development, and infrastructure are very important for the state of Uttarakhand. In such a situation, this Act will further empower the rural areas of Uttarakhand.
