Latest news with #PushkarSinghDhami-led
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Uttarakhand to toughen anti-conversion law; life imprisonment, ₹10 lakh fine proposed — check details
The Uttarakhand government's move to bring another legislation to amend the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act is expected to make the law even more stringent. The amendment, approved by the state cabinet, aims to prevent religious conversions through coercion, fraud, or undue influence. The amendment legislation, approved by the state cabinet on Wednesday, proposes a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹ 10 lakh for forced conversion. Currently, the maximum prison term for the offence in the state is 10 years and the highest fine is ₹ 50,000. This is the second legislation to amend the Act, which has been in force in the state since 2018. The first amendment was made in 2022. The Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government is preparing to introduce the legislation during the monsoon session of the state assembly, which is scheduled to begin on August 19, reported news agency PTI, citing sources. According to the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (amendment) legislation, 2025, fraudulent or forced conversion would be a cognizable and non-bailable offence. In such cases, police will be allowed to arrest an offender without a warrant and bail will be granted only if the trial court (sessions court) is convinced that the accused is not guilty and would not repeat the offence. "Yet another amendment legislation to make the law even more strict has been occasioned by recent cases of conversions in the state aimed at demographic change," PTIquoted Ajendra Ajay, BJP leader and former chairman of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple committee, as saying. Terming the cabinet's decision as historic, Ajay said: "An amended act with stricter provisions will work as a strong deterrent for potential offenders and help preserve the original identity of a border state like Uttarakhand, which is also known as Devbhoomi." The Bill also expands the definition of inducement to include any gift, gratification, easy money, or material benefit in cash or kind, employment, free education, promise of marriage, hurting religious faith, or glorifying another religion, categorising all of them as crimes.
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Uttarakhand to toughen anti-conversion law; life imprisonment, ₹10 lakh fine proposed — check details
The Uttarakhand government's move to bring another legislation to amend the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act is expected to make the law even more stringent. The amendment, approved by the state cabinet, aims to prevent religious conversions through coercion, fraud, or undue influence. The amendment legislation, approved by the state cabinet on Wednesday, proposes a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹ 10 lakh for forced conversion. Currently, the maximum prison term for the offence in the state is 10 years and the highest fine is ₹ 50,000. This is the second legislation to amend the Act, which has been in force in the state since 2018. The first amendment was made in 2022. The Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government is preparing to introduce the legislation during the monsoon session of the state assembly, which is scheduled to begin on August 19, reported news agency PTI, citing sources. According to the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (amendment) legislation, 2025, fraudulent or forced conversion would be a cognizable and non-bailable offence. In such cases, police will be allowed to arrest an offender without a warrant and bail will be granted only if the trial court (sessions court) is convinced that the accused is not guilty and would not repeat the offence. "Yet another amendment legislation to make the law even more strict has been occasioned by recent cases of conversions in the state aimed at demographic change," PTI quoted Ajendra Ajay, BJP leader and former chairman of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple committee, as saying. Terming the cabinet's decision as historic, Ajay said: "An amended act with stricter provisions will work as a strong deterrent for potential offenders and help preserve the original identity of a border state like Uttarakhand, which is also known as Devbhoomi." The Bill also expands the definition of inducement to include any gift, gratification, easy money, or material benefit in cash or kind, employment, free education, promise of marriage, hurting religious faith, or glorifying another religion, categorising all of them as crimes. It also makes punishable acts such as promoting or inciting conversion through social media, messaging apps, or any online medium.
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Assured Rs 5 lakh, got Rs 5,000: Uttarkashi families protest over 'relief' cheques
Days after a flash flood wreaked havoc in Dharali village of Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, residents have refused government cheques of Rs 5,000 each, calling the amount 'inadequate' in the face of the massive destruction caused by the cheques, described by authorities as "immediate relief", were distributed to affected families in Dharali and Harshil. However, the gesture triggered protests, with villagers accusing the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government of downplaying the scale of their District Magistrate Prashant Arya defended the move, saying the Rs 5,000 was only an interim measure. "After evaluating the entire loss and preparing a detailed report, proper compensation will be given," he said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for those whose houses were completely destroyed, and the same amount for families of those killed in the disaster. A three-member committee, headed by the Revenue Secretary, has been tasked with preparing a rehabilitation and livelihood revival plan, with a preliminary report due within a rescue efforts continued for the fifth day on Saturday, with helicopters evacuating stranded residents and dropping food packets to remote areas. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, assisted by a dog squad and thermal imaging equipment, scoured the rubble in Dharali bazar, where a mudslide on Tuesday levelled hotels, homestays, and to officials, the tragedy has left five confirmed dead, two bodies recovered, and 49 people missing. According to official data, more than 1,000 people have been evacuated so far from parts of the disaster-hit Dharali area that are still cut off. The administration is also surveying damage to homes, farms, and other property to process further compensation."The priority of the government is to evacuate all trapped people, which is nearly complete," Dhami had said, adding that electricity, mobile networks, and road access are being restored, while community kitchens supply food, clothing, and essential goods to survivors.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dhami govt marks 4 Years with healthcare push: Hospitals begin operations in Pithoragarh & Rudrapur; two new medical colleges in pipeline
NEW DELHI: As the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government marks four years in office, Uttarakhand is poised to receive two new government medical colleges, in Pithoragarh and Rudrapur. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ahead of the launch, hospital operations have already begun at both sites, setting the groundwork for future academic and healthcare services. Since taking office on July 4, 2021, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has focused heavily on strengthening the state's medical infrastructure. During his tenure, two government medical colleges have already been made operational, Almora Medical College in 2021 and Haridwar Medical College in 2024. These institutions have added 200 MBBS seats, raising the total number of first-year medical seats in the state to 625. Prior to these additions, government medical colleges were already functioning in Srinagar, Dehradun, and Haldwani. The government now aims to expedite the construction of the upcoming colleges in Pithoragarh and Rudrapur. According to Dr. Ashutosh Sayana, director of medical education, hospitals at both locations are already operational, and work is underway to ensure adequate staffing and infrastructure to support the upcoming medical colleges. Progress on AIIMS Satellite and Cancer Hospital In a major boost to tertiary healthcare, an AIIMS satellite center in Kichha was also approved during Dhami's tenure and work on it is progressing rapidly. The state has also launched its first air ambulance service through AIIMS Rishikesh, catering to emergency medical needs. Additionally, a 300-bed cancer hospital in Harrawala, Dehradun, has been completed. Ayushman Scheme a Lifeline for Patients The Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana has emerged as a crucial support system for underprivileged families. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Under the scheme, eligible cardholders receive free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year for critical illnesses like heart disease, kidney disorders, cancer, and diabetes. So far, around 60 lakh Ayushman cards have been issued in the state. Beneficiaries can avail of treatment in over 30,000 reputed government and private hospitals across India. Highlighting the government's commitment, chief minister Dhami said, 'In hilly areas, people had to travel to big cities even for minor ailments. Our aim is to create a strong healthcare network at the district and tehsil levels. New medical colleges will ensure better treatment for people and open new career opportunities for youth in the medical field.' With a clear focus on decentralizing healthcare and expanding medical education, the Dhami government is making notable strides in transforming Uttarakhand's health landscape.
News18
27-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Uttarakhand Panchayat Chunav 2025: Big Relief For Govt As High Court Allows 3-Tier Election
Last Updated: The Nainital High Court lifted the stay on Panchayat elections in Uttarakhand, directing the government to address constitutional issues within three weeks The Nainital High Court on Friday cleared the path for Panchayat elections in Uttarakhand by lifting the interim stay it had earlier imposed, offering a much-needed breather to the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led state government and the state Election Commission. After examining the petitions and the documents submitted by the state in a key meeting on Friday, the high court granted interim relief to the government, allowing it to proceed with the much-anticipated three-tier panchayat elections. However, the court's decision also comes with caveats that may continue to complicate the electoral timeline in the state. The decision to lift the earlier stay order issued on June 23 was delivered by a division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mahara, which is currently hearing a clutch of over three dozen petitions filed against the reservation framework for the panchayat elections. The bench, while vacating the interim ban, directed the government to respond to the serious constitutional and procedural issues raised in the petitions within three weeks. At the heart of the legal battle is the controversial reservation roster issued by the state government, which many petitioners argue disproportionately benefits certain categories while consistently marginalising others. Specifically, concerns have been raised over underrepresentation of certain classes in critical posts such as block pramukh and district panchayat president, allegedly in violation of Article 243 of the Constitution, which governs panchayat-level governance, and contrary to several rulings by the Supreme Court. The petitioners argue that several reserved categories have repeatedly been allotted the same seats over multiple election cycles, effectively violating the principle of rotational reservation. This, they say, undermines both equity and constitutional intent. In defence, Advocate General SN Babulkar and Chief Standing Counsel CD Rawat asserted before the court that the previous reservation roster could not be used for the upcoming elections. They cited a report from the National Commission for Backward Classes, which, according to them, rendered the earlier roster void and necessitated the issuance of a fresh reservation list. This revision, they contended, was both legal and essential to ensure compliance with broader national guidelines on backward class representation. The legal turbulence came to a head earlier this week, when the High Court, on June 23, issued a stay on the panchayat elections, even though the State Election Commission had already notified the poll dates and schedule. The Commission had previously declared that the elections would take place in two phases, on July 10 and July 15. Following the court's stay, that schedule was immediately scrapped. Now, with the stay lifted, the High Court has allowed the Election Commission to release a fresh poll schedule, extending the earlier timeline by three days. However, the Commission has stated that it will wait to receive a formal copy of the court's order before proceeding. State Election Commissioner Sushil Kumar has assured that the new election dates will be announced shortly, likely pushing the panchayat polls further into July. While the judicial nod to resume electoral proceedings offers a measure of clarity, it does not close the chapter. The High Court has not yet ruled on the constitutional validity of the June 9 rules and the June 11 government order that underpin the election process. The state now has three weeks to submit its response to the multiple concerns raised in the petitions. First Published: June 27, 2025, 15:41 IST
