Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Delhi on Tuesday. The Chief Minister discussed issues related to improving the state’s agricultural system, accelerating rural development, and rebuilding infrastructure affected by the recent disaster in Uttarakhand. During the meeting, ₹1,700 crore was approved for the construction of 184 rural roads in the state, totaling 1,228 kilometers.
Chief Minister Dhami also held detailed discussions with the Union Minister on issues related to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The Chief Minister informed that 946 roads and 15 bridges in the state were severely damaged in the recent natural disaster, requiring approximately ₹650 crore for their reconstruction. He stated that this damage poses a significant challenge for a mountainous state with limited resources, and in such a situation, special support is required from the central government to ensure the rapid reconstruction of affected infrastructure. The Chief Minister also requested the necessary funds for Uttarakhand to repair the approximately 5,900 houses damaged by the disaster.
The Chief Minister stated that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, effective steps are being continuously taken to strengthen the agricultural sector in Uttarakhand. He noted that approximately 90 percent of the state’s farmers are small and marginal, and crop damage caused by wild animals is a serious challenge. In this context, he thanked the central government for including fencing works under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) DPR scheme. He also emphasized the need for a separate budget for crop protection and increased production, requesting a budget of ₹200 crore annually for the next five years.
The Union Minister assured that advance funds would be allocated soon, enabling fencing works to be undertaken on a large scale. The Chief Minister also requested the early release of Rs 98 crore approved for the financial year 2025-26 for the Swachhta Action Plan Namami Gange Clean Campaign under the PM-RKVY scheme. Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan responded positively to the proposals presented by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and assured that the state’s needs would be taken into consideration on a priority basis and the central government would provide all possible support.
