Uttarakhand tops NITI Aayog’s SDG Index; Per capita income rises by 41% while unemployment rate drops by a record 4.4% over four years.
Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended a state-level mass awareness orientation programme. On this occasion, the Chief Minister transferred the pension for May 2026 directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries via ‘one click’. A total amount of ₹176 crore 59 lakh 24 thousand was seamlessly transferred to 9,74,338 beneficiaries under various social welfare schemes. He also administered an oath to the attendees for the anti-drug campaign and the respect and care of senior citizens.
Addressing the workshop, the Chief Minister stated that this state-level workshop will play a pivotal role in taking social welfare schemes to the last person standing in the queue. He emphasized that the government’s core objective is to deliver the benefits of welfare schemes to every eligible individual without any discrimination, delay, or bureaucratic hurdle.
The Chief Minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the core mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, public welfare schemes have witnessed an unprecedented expansion across the country. Millions have benefited from schemes like the Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and the free ration scheme. Concurrently, platforms like Stand-Up India, PM MUDRA Yojana, PM SVANidhi, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, and the National Livelihood Mission have unlocked self-employment and economic empowerment opportunities for underprivileged communities.
CM Dhami said that the state government is consistently working to strengthen social justice. Antyodaya families are being provided three domestic gas cylinders free of cost annually. The conveyance allowance for specially-abled employees has been enhanced. Women are being made financially self-reliant by linking Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with the ‘Lakhpati Didi Yojana’ and skill development initiatives. Development is being delivered to the grassroots level through the Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme, Chief Minister Migration Prevention Scheme, Vibrant Villages Programme, and the ‘Apuni Sarkar’ online portal.
The Chief Minister stated that under the PM’s guidance, unprecedented strides have been made in Uttarakhand across road, education, healthcare, rail, and air connectivity sectors. The successful execution of the National Games and G-20 meetings has provided a global ide
ntity to Uttarakhand, while investment proposals from the Global Investors Summit are now materializing on the ground. To boost winter tourism, work on the Kedarkhand and Manaskhand Mandir Mala Missions is progressing rapidly. Development is also underway on the Sharda Corridor, Rishikesh-Haridwar Corridor, Yamuna Corridor, Vivekananda Corridor, and the Goljyu Corridor.
The Chief Minister stated that Uttarakhand’s economy has grown 1.5 times over the last four years, with the state’s GSDP registering a growth rate of 7.23% in the past year alone. Per capita income has surged by 41% over four years. Additionally, the state’s unemployment rate has plunged by a record 4.4%, outperforming the national average. The state’s budget size has now breached the ₹1 lakh crore mark. Portfolios like homestays, industries, startups, heliports, and power generation have recorded a two- to three-fold growth.
Significantly, Uttarakhand has secured the top rank in India on NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index. The state also ranked second among Special Category States in the Government of India’s Public Financial Management Index. Furthermore, the state has been placed in the ‘Achievers’ category in Ease of Doing Business and the ‘Leaders’ category in Star
tup Rankings.
The Chief Minister added that a stringent anti-conversion law, anti-rioting law, and robust land laws have been enforced in the state. The administration has cleared over 11,000 acres of government land from illegal encroachments. Following the implementation of the stringent anti-copying (anti-cheating) law, more than 33,000 youth have been placed in government jobs throug
h a transparent recruitment process over the last four and a half years.
Emphasizing a four-pronged strategy for the effective implementation of schemes, the Chief Minister called for mass publicity of schemes, simplification of government procedures, maximizing the usage of technology, and ensuring regular monitoring and accountability. He urged the members of various commissions, councils, and committees to regularly visit rural and remote border areas to monitor execution on the ground.
On this occasion Cabinet Ministers Khajan Das and Bharat Chaudhary, MLAs Savita Kapoor, Parvati Das, and Bhupal Ram Tamta, Secretary Sridhar Babu Addanki, Additional Secretary Prakash Chandra, alongside chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of various state commissions, councils, and committees were also present there.
