Uttarakhand CM Dhami praises self-help group women, sanitation workers during Bhararisain visit

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday interacted with women of a self-help group in Bhararisain (Gairsain) during his morning visit and appreciated their work under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. He also sought feedback on facilities being provided by the government.

According to an official release, the chief minister said he “appeals to the tourists coming to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand to spend 5 per cent of their travel expenses on the purchase of local products” following the call made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dhami also met sanitation workers at the Vidhan Sabha premises and enquired about their food and accommodation arrangements. The workers expressed gratitude for the government facilities. The chief minister said that the efforts of women engaged in rural livelihoods and sanitation workers maintaining cleanliness were a “unique example of collective effort towards a developed Uttarakhand.”

Meanwhile, the state cabinet has approved the introduction of the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, in the upcoming assembly session starting August 19.

Welcoming the decision, Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams said, “Many congratulations to the Dhami government. Today, there has been talk of forming a minority education authority in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. With this, the new minority institutions that will be formed will get approval, and minority does not mean only Muslims, minorities also include Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis so that everyone will get rights. I think it is a very positive step taken in that direction.”

Until now, minority educational institution status was limited to the Muslim community. The new Bill seeks to extend it to other minorities, including Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists, and Parsis. Once enacted, it will also allow the study of Gurmukhi and Pali in recognised minority institutions.

The legislation will repeal the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, from July 1, 2026.

The Bill proposes the creation of an “Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education” to grant recognition to minority institutions. Recognition will be mandatory for institutions run by minority communities, with conditions such as registration under the Societies Act, Trust Act, or Companies Act, and ownership of land and assets in the institution’s name.

Institutions risk losing recognition in cases of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, or activities against social harmony. The authority will also monitor standards set by the Board of School Education and ensure transparent student evaluations.

Officials said this is the first such Act in the country, aimed at creating a transparent process for recognition of minority institutions while protecting constitutional rights and ensuring quality education.