Following Yogi’s Path, Dhami Says: “Namaz Will Not Be Allowed on Roads”

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made a strong statement regarding offering namaz on roads. He said that public roads in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand will not be allowed to become venues for religious activities or demonstrations.

The Chief Minister stated that while a senior Congress leader had spoken in favor of allowing namaz on roads, the state government’s stand is clear that namaz should only be offered at designated places. No one has the right to disrupt public order.

CM Dhami said that the Char Dham Yatra is currently underway and lakhs of devotees are visiting Uttarakhand. Therefore, the government’s priority is to ensure that Char Dham pilgrims and Sanatan devotees do not face any inconvenience.

He further remarked that some people view every issue through the lens of vote-bank politics, whereas religious and social arrangements should remain above politics. The Chief Minister firmly stated that the government would not tolerate any disturbance to the peace, culture, and discipline of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.

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.