Latest news with #Dhami
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘No copyright': CM to SGPC as row over martyrdom events heats up; Dhami asks him to build hospitals and schools instead
Amritsar/Chandigarh: The war of words between Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and AAP govt in Punjab, over events planned for the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, intensified on Tuesday. After SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami again asked the Punjab govt not to take a confrontational path by organising religious events to mark the occasion, chief minister Bhagwant Mann asked how the govt was interfering in religious affairs. "What about the Khalsa tercentenary events during the Badal govt? When (SGPC president) Harjinder Singh Dhami campaigns for the Akali Dal during elections in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, doesn't that mean interference in political affairs?" said Mann. He said NGOs and religious organisations would also hold events to commemorate the event. "The SGPC does not have a copyright over such events... The state govt will do what is required. Tell them little knowledge is too dangerous," said the CM. Earlier, Dhami asked the state govt to commemorate the centenary by establishing a major university, medical college, or hospital dedicated to Guru Sahib, which would serve the public and contribute to social welfare. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mix 4 Kitchen Ingredients, Wake Up Thinner Every Morning purefitnow Learn More Undo He also advised the govt to focus on constructing appropriate memorials in honour of the ninth Sikh guru. Talking to media, Dhami said SGPC had outlined programmes to commemorate the occasion nearly a year ago, and these began at Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal in Amritsar in April. As part of this plan, events are now being held across the country. He said if the govt announced separate programmes on dates of pre-planned events by the SGPC at Anandpur Sahib, it would create confusion, and this was against the honoured traditions of the Khalsa Panth. It appears that the govt is deliberately choosing to overlook Sikh institutions. The centenary events related to Sikh history are traditionally organised by the Khalsa Panth itself, with active participation from all Sikh sects and organisations, he said. Dhami added that being a premier Sikh body, the SGPC had already made it clear that invitations will be extended to the heads of all govts to ensure inclusive participation. "In this context, govt's decision to announce separate programmes raises serious questions," he said. Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, too, backed Dhami and said govts should provide logistical and infrastructural support. "Centenaries have always been observed under the guidance of Sikh organisations with governmental support," he said. Gargaj too asked the govt to concentrate on administrative responsibilities. "Is the CM a complete Sikh? Does he keep his hair unshorn? When it comes to following the teachings of the Gurus, the CM must first be a Sabat Surat Sikh (one who maintains the complete physical form as prescribed by the Gurus). If he truly believes in the Guru, he must follow the Guru's path," he said. "How can the govt take it upon itself to lead a religious procession like the Nagar Kirtan?" he asked.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
In Punjab, AAP govt's Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom day plan runs into SGPC opposition
1 2 Chandigarh/Amritsar: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday announced a series of events to be organised by the state govt to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur from Nov 19 to 25 this year. However, the move drew criticism from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex representative body of Sikhs. After chairing a meeting, Mann said the events would primarily be held at Anandpur Sahib under the aegis of the state govt. However, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that as the central religious body of the Sikh community, the SGPC held exclusive rights to organise such events in collaboration with Sikh organisations and the wider sangat (community). He said the govt's role should be limited to providing administrative support and facilities for pilgrims. He urged the Punjab govt to refrain from actions that could lead to unnecessary controversy within the panth (Sikh community). Before Dhami's statement, Mann had announced that four processions (yatras) would travel across Punjab and culminate at Anandpur Sahib. "The first yatra will start from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Nov 21 and pass through Pathankot and Hoshiarpur before reaching Anandpur Sahib. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The second will begin in Gurdaspur and pass through Baba Bakala, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Jalandhar," he said. The third yatra will start from Ferozepur, travel through Moga and Ludhiana, and reach Anandpur Sahib. The fourth will also begin in Ferozepur, passing through Faridkot, Bathinda, Barnala, Sangrur, Mansa, and Patiala before concluding at Anandpur Sahib. The CM added that light-and-sound shows and poetry sessions based on Guru Sahib's life and sacrifice would be organised in all 23 districts of Punjab. "Special seminars and symposiums focused on the life, vision, and martyrdom of Guru Sahib will be held across educational institutions in the state," he said. An akhand path will begin on Nov 23 and conclude on Nov 25. One of the events will include an interfaith conference aimed at promoting harmony among religions. Every evening will feature a grand Kirtan Darbar, with renowned raagi jathas performing Gurbani Kirtan. Dhami clarified that the SGPC would organise the events by taking everyone along. "It has already been announced that prominent representatives from both the central and state governments would be invited to the centenary events. Therefore, the Punjab govt should play a supportive role, rather than creating unnecessary controversy within the panth by organising separate events," he said. Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains blamed SGPC. "You know the reasons. They don't want to meet us. Through you, we are extending an invitation to them. They can call us or approach the state government. Chief minister saab is never averse to meeting anyone," he said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Uttarakhand secures over Rs. 1 Lakh Crore in grounded investments, boosting economic growth
Uttarakhand has successfully grounded investments worth over Rs. 1 lakh crore, a landmark achievement celebrated at the "Uttarakhand Investment Utsav–2025" held in Rudrapur on Monday. This major milestone comes just over a year after the state's Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2023 and signals a new era of industrial development and economic growth. The event saw the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who lauded Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's visionary leadership, transparent policies, and investor-first approach. 'Uttarakhand is making rapid strides in development, and today's milestone is a reflection of the double-engine government's strong coordination and intent,' said Shah. Of the Rs. 3.5 lakh crore worth of MoUs signed during GIS 2023, more than Rs. 1 lakh crore have already materialised into grounded projects—setting a national benchmark for swift execution. The state government is actively supporting these investments with a streamlined single-window system, sector-specific reforms, and proactive facilitation. Chief Minister Dhami reaffirmed the state's commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking growth. 'We are not just attracting investment; we are grounding it with speed, efficiency, and accountability,' he said. Highlighting the state's focus areas, Dhami mentioned the upcoming policies on green industry, logistics, pharma, and the Rs. 200 crore venture capital fund for startups. The state's 'Ease of Doing Business' ranking has improved significantly, and authorities credited the rapid approvals, infrastructure readiness, and industrial-friendly climate for the same. Officials revealed that investment projects have led to employment generation across 14 districts, giving a major boost to local economies. The Investment Utsav also served as a platform for investors to share their experience and endorse Uttarakhand as a prime destination for business expansion. 'The investment climate here is dynamic, efficient, and highly cooperative. We feel confident in scaling up our operations,' said one of the attending industrialists. With over Rs. 1 lakh crore already in execution, the Uttarakhand government aims to ground more projects in the coming months. The event concluded with a renewed call to industries to become a part of the state's transformational journey towards becoming a key pillar in India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Uttarakhand creating history in development and growth, says Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday (July 19, 2025) said that it was a Bharatiya Janata Party government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that carved out smaller States like Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, which are now creating history in development and growth. Speaking at Rudrapur during the celebration of 'Uttarakhand Investment Festival 2025' organised on realisation of ₹1 lakh crore investment in the State, Mr. Shah hailed the development being done by the Pushkar Singh Dhami government. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of various development works worth ₹1,271 crore. 'During the 2023 Global Investors Summit held in Uttarakhand, CM Dhami told me that the State had received MoUs worth ₹3.56 lakh crore. I told him that signing MoUs is not a major achievement — implementing them on the ground is the real challenge. Today, we are celebrating the grounding of investments worth over ₹1 lakh crore in the State,' he said. 'CM broke traditional perceptions' Heaping further praise for Mr. Dhami, the Union Minister added that garnering investments to landlocked and hilly regions is as challenging as climbing a mountain but the Chief Minister, despite all adverse circumstances, broke the traditional perceptions. Launching a scathing attack on the Opposition, Mr. Shah said that when the people of Uttarakhand were fighting for a separate Uttarakhand State, the Congress party persecuted the agitators fighting for it. 'Making Uttarakhand a separate State was done by the then PM Vajpayee who created three States — Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. These three States were formed and started moving forward in the path of development. The icing on the cake was when Narendra Modi became PM in 2014. Whatever Atalji created, Modiji worked to improve and enhance it. Now, there is a double engine government in Uttarakhand,' he added. 'Greater devolution of funds' He pointed out that during the Opposition party's government in the State between 2004 and 2014, a total of ₹53,000 crore was given to Uttarakhand for devolution and grants-in-aid, while Mr. Modi's government provided about three-and-a-half times more i.e. ₹1.86 lakh crore from 2014 to 2024. Apart from this, ₹31,000 crore was given for roads, ₹40,000 crore for railways and ₹100 crore for airports. 'Overall, we have given four-and-a-quarter times more money to Uttarakhand than the Opposition party's government. I am telling this to the Opposition that when the State develops, the practice of disrupting development should be stopped. When the State is progressing, it is the responsibility of every political party to support it,' he said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Shah: BJP gave U'khand 4 times more financial aid than Cong
Dehradun: Union home minister Amit Shah, addressing the Uttarakhand Nivesh Utsav 2025 in Rudrapur on Saturday, launched a scathing attack on Congress saying the BJP govt has provided four times more financial assistance to the state in comparison to the previous govt. "Through devolution and grant-in-aid, Congress gave Rs 53,000 crore to Uttarakhand from 2004 to 2014, whereas the Modi govt has given Rs 1.86 lakh crore to the Himalayan state from 2014 to 2024, which is 3.25 times more. Besides, we have also given Rs 31,000 crore for roads, Rs 40,000 crore for rail projects, and Rs 100 crore for the airport, making it four times more than the financial assistance provided by the Congress govt," Shah said. He added that the Congress had recently asked him on social media to list what the BJP had done for the state. "I very well knew that Congress would never tell what it has done for Uttarakhand. Therefore, I thought of sharing data of both the Congress and the BJP govt." The event also marked a celebration by the Dhami govt of investments worth Rs 1 lakh crore being grounded following the Global Investors Summit held in Dec 2023. Praising chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Shah said the state's efforts had opened doors to 81,000 new jobs, with another 2.5 lakh expected through ancillary industries. "Bringing investment and business to the hills is far tougher compared to the plains. Therefore, I know that this achievement required a major effort," he said. Shah noted that industries were being set up not just in major cities but also in smaller urban centres. He also recalled telling Dhami at the end of the 2023 summit that signing MoUs was the easy part — grounding the Rs 3.56 lakh crore worth of proposals would be the real test. "The length of national highways has increased by 60% in ten years, with eight lakh km of roads constructed in rural areas during this period. The convenient Vande Bharat train has reached 333 districts. In ten years, 45,000 km of railway tracks have been electrified, 88 new airports have been built, and there has been an eleven-fold increase in inland waterway cargo," he said, adding, "By 2027, we are set to become the third-largest economy in the world. " Shah said Uttarakhand's development was key to fulfilling PM Modi's vision. "Our PM envisions a developed India by 2047, but achieving this goal is not possible without a developed Uttarakhand. For the holistic development of the country, the development of smaller states, including the northeastern states, is essential." CM Dhami said the occasion marked not just an economic milestone, but a broader vision for inclusive growth. "Today's celebration is not just about economic investment but also reflects inclusive development based on Uttarakhand's rich potential, entrepreneurial spirit, and public participation, which will lead the state to new heights of self-reliance and industrial prosperity." He added that out of MoUs worth over Rs 3.56 lakh crore signed during the 2023 summit, projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore had already been grounded. Shah also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects totalling Rs 1,342 crore — including 16 new projects worth Rs 1,263.5 crore and four completed ones worth Rs 79.34 crore. Among these were the district jail in Pithoragarh (Rs 34.49 crore), a government polytechnic in Champawat (Rs 18 crore), Haldwani's bus terminus (Rs 378 crore), and a drinking water supply system for Tanakpur (Rs 171 crore).
