CM Dhami Listens to Mann Ki Baat in Roorkee, Says Public Participation Is Key to Building a Developed India

Haridwar: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami listened to the 135th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popular radio programme Mann Ki Baat in Roorkee on Sunday. He said the programme has become an effective platform for strengthening public participation and inspiring positive social change.

CM Dhami noted that the Prime Minister highlighted several inspiring examples of citizen-led initiatives across the country, focusing on environmental conservation, preservation of cultural heritage, innovation, youth participation, and the promotion of local products. He said the Prime Minister also encouraged citizens to actively contribute to nation-building.

The Chief Minister remarked that the Prime Minister’s message of “Sabka Prayas” (Everyone’s Effort) serves as an inspiration for achieving the vision of a developed India. He said the country can attain new milestones in development only through the active participation of every section of society.

He further stated that, under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Uttarakhand government is continuously working towards public welfare, good governance, environmental protection, empowerment of women and youth, promotion of local products, and preservation of the state’s cultural heritage.

The event was attended by Kalpana Saini, Transport Minister Pradeep Batra, District Panchayat Chairperson Kiran Chaudhary, BJP district president Madhu Singh, Anita Agarwal, State Minister Deshraj Karnwal, Shyamveer Saini, Adesh Saini, Shobharam Prajapati, OBC Morcha State President Rakesh Giri, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit, Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar, BJP office-bearers, and a large number of party workers.

Deliberations on Financial Self-Reliance of Local Bodies, Practical Suggestions from State Finance Commission Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, along with the Chairman and members of the 6th State Finance Commission N. Ravishankar, held detailed discussions on enhancing the financial self-reliance, administrative capacity, and overall contribution of municipal bodies (Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats) and Zilla Panchayats to the state economy. The meeting highlighted that despite multiple opportunities for financial independence, local bodies are not achieving the expected level of self-reliance due to administrative and policy gaps. Constraints include limited local revenue sources, traditional slow work culture, lack of clear bylaws, inadequate land management, and excessive political centralization. The Chief Secretary urged the Finance Commission to provide practical, timely, and implementable suggestions to strengthen the financial capacity of urban and district local bodies. The Commission recommended interventions in land management, revenue-generating bylaws, work culture, adoption of innovations, and effective execution. It also suggested shifting district plan allocations from a distribution-based approach to a need-and-outcome-based model. Commission members P. S. Jangpangi, M. C. Joshi, Secretary Nitesh Jha, Dilip Jawalkar, and Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar, along with relevant officials, attended the meeting.