Uttarakhand : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said he is optimistic about the Union Budget scheduled to be presented on February 1, noting that the hill state has often received more support than initially anticipated. His remarks come ahead of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s presentation of her ninth consecutive Union Budget, a first for any finance minister.
Speaking to ANI, Dhami said Uttarakhand has historically benefited from central allocations and expressed hope that the upcoming budget would follow the same pattern. He pointed out that large-scale development projects from the state are already under close monitoring at the national level, which he believes strengthens Uttarakhand’s case for continued support.
The Chief Minister referred to the PRAGATI portal, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 as part of the Digital India initiative, as a key mechanism for reviewing development projects across the country. According to Dhami, 42 projects from Uttarakhand, with a combined value of around Rs 3.5 lakh crore, are currently being tracked through this platform. He said this ongoing review process has helped the state secure significant assistance in the past and could play a role in future allocations as well.
Dhami also drew attention to what he described as Uttarakhand’s distinctive challenge: managing a floating population that far exceeds its permanent residents. He said the state frequently hosts crowds that are eight to ten times larger than its actual population due to religious tourism and seasonal travel.
Citing annual pilgrimages such as the Char Dham Yatra and Kanwar Yatra, as well as large-scale events like the Kumbh Mela, the Chief Minister said these gatherings place immense pressure on infrastructure and public services. He added that visits to Adi Kailash and the Char Dham circuit have increased steadily over the years. Regular festivals in Haridwar and Rishikesh, along with the state’s winter pilgrimage initiatives, further add to tourist inflow. Dhami said he has repeatedly urged the central government to factor in these realities while planning budgetary support.
On his recent interaction with senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Dhami said meeting experienced leaders from across the political spectrum is part of his approach to governance. He described such interactions as valuable opportunities to draw on institutional memory and practical insights that can benefit the state’s development.
Dhami said leaders who have served Uttarakhand in the past possess deep knowledge of its challenges and strengths. Regular conversations with them, he noted, help him reflect on policy decisions and refine priorities. He added that he takes their suggestions seriously and considers them while planning future initiatives.
The Chief Minister also shared a lighter moment from his meeting with Rawat, recalling his long-standing connection with farming. Dhami said he has been involved in agriculture since childhood, including cultivating rice. Referring to an earlier exchange with Rawat, he said he had promised to share rice from his field once the crop was harvested. After a successful harvest, he followed through by gifting Rawat a portion of the rice.
A day before his remarks to the media, Dhami paid a courtesy visit to Rawat at his residence in Defence Colony, Dehradun. The rice grown in the Chief Minister’s own field was presented during the visit as a symbol of goodwill, reflecting a personal and cordial exchange beyond political differences.
As the Union Budget approaches, Uttarakhand’s leadership appears focused on both fiscal expectations and broader recognition of the state’s unique responsibilities, particularly those arising from its role as a major religious and tourism destination.
