As Uttarakhand turns 25, what is the state doing for those who led agitation?

The state marks the completion of 25 years since its formation on Sunday, and will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, during the Silver Jubilee celebration of Uttarakhand State Foundation Day, in Dehradun on Friday. (@pushkardhami X/ ANI Photo)

Naming of facilities after statehood agitation martyrs, an increase in the monthly pension for those jailed or injured during the movement, and better benefits for the dependents of those who died while protesting for Uttarakhand — ahead of the foundation day, the state government has announced a slew of assistance as the Chief Minister paid homage to martyrs at Shaheed Sthal in Dehradun.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the creation of Uttarakhand was not merely a political decision but the result of the sacrifice, struggle, and perseverance of lakhs of people. Recalling the painful incidents of Khatima, Mussoorie, and Rampur Tiraha during the movement, which resulted in loss of lives, he said these were immortal chapters in the state’s history.

Paying homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause, he said, “The pensions and other facilities extended to them were not merely assistance but a mark of the state’s gratitude.”

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He further announced that the infrastructure facilities in the home villages of statehood martyrs will be named after them. The monthly pension for those agitators who were imprisoned for seven days or injured during the Uttarakhand statehood movement will be increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000. The monthly pension for other categories of agitators, apart from those jailed or injured, will be increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,500.

The pension for agitators who became disabled during the movement will be increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per month, and a medical attendant will be provided for their care and the pension for dependents of agitators who were martyred will see a Rs 2,500 increase.

He appealed to all residents of the state to light five lamps in their homes on Statehood Day in memory of the agitators. The state marks the completion of 25 years since its formation on Sunday, which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

Aiswarya Raj

Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express covering Uttarakhand. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her previous position, she covered Gurugaon and its neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More

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